Edwar, Gaudin Get Rung Up

photo courtesy of Newsday

The Yankees trip to Oakland allowed the team to present World Series rings to Edwar Ramirez and Chad Gaudin.

The team held a little ceremony for the pair before new internet sensation Chan Ho Park broke up the celebration and his teammates by telling the duo (according to NY Daily News beat writer Mark Feinsand), "Okay, beat it. We got stretch".

Who knew the Yankees got both a relief pitcher and Henny Youngman when they signed Park this past off-season.

Ramirez thanked the Yankees by walking four batters in last night's game between the Yankees and A's.

Yankees get an Andy performance

Andy Pettitte may no longer be a front of the rotation guy, but he still knows how to pitch. Pettitte was dominant this afternoon in the Yankees 3-1 win over the Blue Jays in Dunedin.

The left-hander allowed one run on five hits in 6.2 innings, didn't walk a batter and struck out seven. Pettitte put away Lyle Overbay three times on strikes.

Mark Teixeira was the big hitting hero. He followed a first inning single by Derek Jeter and a walk by Johnny Damon with an RBI single for a 1-0 lead. After the Jays tied in the 6th, Teixeira came through again in the seventh.

Jose Molina led off the inning with a single before being forced out at second base on a ground out by Brett Gardner. Melky Cabrera, batting for the first time in the game, singled to right, and Teixeira following with a rip off of Overbay's glove at first that went down the right field line for an RBI double.

The Yankees added an insurance run in the eighth when second baseman Justin Snyder, in his frist AB of the day, tripled with one out. Angel Berroa, you guessed it..in his first AB of the day...doubled home Snyder before being thrown out trying to stretch his hit into a triple.

But the story of the day was Pettitte, who was as solid as he's been this spring. He ran into trouble only in the bottom of the sixth when a wild pitch helped contribute to the Blue Jays' run. He came back out to start the seventh and retired both batters he faced before leaving in favor of Damaso Marte. Jose Veras and Edwar Ramirez (save) worked the final two innings to seal the victory.

Containing his move up one slot to lead off, Jeter was 1-2 with a walk, run scored, and a stolen base. Damon was 0-1, but walked twice.


Box Score

Arm Injury Update

Mariano Rivera was in fine form, winning yesterday's pool tournament. It also had to mean his surgically repaired right shoulder was feeling pretty good. He confirmed it with the Post's George King.

"It's feeling strong and now I am building muscle," Rivera said of the shoulder, which was operated on after last season. "I have been throwing, playing long toss and it's getting better every day."

Jorge Posada continues to progress well after his own shoulder surgery. Posada made 100 throws on Sunday, including 15 from 220 feet and another 10 from home plate to second base. He told the Daily News' Mark Feinsand that things felt good on Monday morning.

"I feel good today," Posada said. "There's no pain, so every day I'm able to bounce back from all that throwing, I'm progressing. We still haven't even started games yet, so I'm really happy with it."

Peter Abraham of the Journal News reported this morning that Edwar Ramirez will be shut down for 3 days with what is being described as bursitis in his right shoulder.

Nady Leads Big Comeback

You knew if you turned on the Yankees game today, you might not be seeing a good game. After all, Darrell Rasner, except for the last start, has been miserable for that last month and a half. And unfortunately, that came to fruition. Rasner put the Yankees into a 5-0 hole by the 4th inning, but the Yankees rallied, not once, but twice to win a crazy 14-9 ball game in the Bronx.

But the Yankees chipped away against John Lackey, who brought a no-hitter into the ninth inning in his last start. Ivan Rodriguez started it with a solo home run in the fifth inning and Xavier Nady's 2-run double highlighted a three run sixth inning as the Yankees cut the deficit to 5-4.

Meanwhile, Dan Giese gave the Yankees what they needed, someone to keep them in the game. He tossed three shutout innings after replacing Rasner to start the fifth inning. In the seventh, the Yankees came all the way back. Jose Arredendo retired Johnny Damon to start the inning and looked like he had Derek Jeter on a routine fly out to left-center field, but center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. dropped it for a two base error.

Red hot Bobby Abreu followed with a single to left to tie the game at 5 apiece. Alex Rodriguez followed with a single through Chone Figgins and one batter later Nady crushed a 3-run home run into the left field seats for an 8-5 Yankees lead.

A suddenly raucous crowd got even louder when Edwar Ramirez struck out Matthews and Jeff Mathis to start the eighth inning, but then the bottom dropped out again. Ramirez walked Reggie Willits, the fourth time he walked in the game. Figgins continued to torment the Yankees with his bat, by singling to left and Ramirez walked Erik Aybar to load the bases.

Girardi decided to stick with Ramirez instead of going with Damaso Marte to face Mark Teixeira, since the the big first baseman was 5-6 lifetime against the left-hander. The non-move turned out to be a mistake when Teixeira belted a grand slam into the right field seats to put the Angels back on top, 9-8.

But maybe some of the magic from Old-Timer's Day was still around, because the Angels did everything they could to ensure a Yankees victory. Mike Scioscia went to his set up man Scot Shields to start the bottom of the 8th and Ivan Rodriguez immediately greeted him with a single. Aybar mishandled Melky Cabrera's grounder to short to put two on with no one out.

Pinch-runner Justin Christian and Cabrera then pulled off a double steal that worked to perfection when Mathis threw the ball away, allowing Christian to score the tying run. A walk to Johnny Damon put runners on the corners, but Derek Jeter grounder to Aybar at short held Cabrera at third. Jeter was retired for the first out as Damon moved up to second base. After a walk to Abreu loaded the bases, A-Rod hit a tailor made double play ball to Figgins, but the third baseman booted the ball. Cabrera scored the go-ahead run and the bases remained loaded.

Darren Oliver replaced Shields to face Robinson Cano, who come into the game as a defensive replacement for Wilson Betemit. Despite a sore and swollen hand, Cano lashed a single to center field to score Damon and Abreu for a 12-9 Yankees lead. Nady then delivered his 4th hit of the day, to left field for his sixth RBI of the game. The final run came across on a Christian single for a 6-run inning and a 14-9 Yankees lead.

Jose Veras sealed things in the 9th after allowing a 1-out double. Incredibly, the Yankees had themselves a split of the four game series.


News and Notes

Xavier Nady is 10-26 (.385) in Pinstripes thus far, with 3 home runs and 10 RBI.

Mariano Rivera was unavailable due to back spasms.

Bobby Abreu is 12-26 (.462) over the last 6 games.

Nady Leads Big Comeback

You knew if you turned on the Yankees game today, you might not be seeing a good game. After all, Darrell Rasner, except for the last start, has been miserable for that last month and a half. And unfortunately, that came to fruition. Rasner put the Yankees into a 5-0 hole by the 4th inning, but the Yankees rallied, not once, but twice to win a crazy 14-9 ball game in the Bronx.

But the Yankees chipped away against John Lackey, who brought a no-hitter into the ninth inning in his last start. Ivan Rodriguez started it with a solo home run in the fifth inning and Xavier Nady's 2-run double highlighted a three run sixth inning as the Yankees cut the deficit to 5-4.

Meanwhile, Dan Giese gave the Yankees what they needed, someone to keep them in the game. He tossed three shutout innings after replacing Rasner to start the fifth inning. In the seventh, the Yankees came all the way back. Jose Arredendo retired Johnny Damon to start the inning and looked like he had Derek Jeter on a routine fly out to left-center field, but center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. dropped it for a two base error.

Red hot Bobby Abreu followed with a single to left to tie the game at 5 apiece. Alex Rodriguez followed with a single through Chone Figgins and one batter later Nady crushed a 3-run home run into the left field seats for an 8-5 Yankees lead.

A suddenly raucous crowd got even louder when Edwar Ramirez struck out Matthews and Jeff Mathis to start the eighth inning, but then the bottom dropped out again. Ramirez walked Reggie Willits, the fourth time he walked in the game. Figgins continued to torment the Yankees with his bat, by singling to left and Ramirez walked Erik Aybar to load the bases.

Girardi decided to stick with Ramirez instead of going with Damaso Marte to face Mark Teixeira, since the the big first baseman was 5-6 lifetime against the left-hander. The non-move turned out to be a mistake when Teixeira belted a grand slam into the right field seats to put the Angels back on top, 9-8.

But maybe some of the magic from Old-Timer's Day was still around, because the Angels did everything they could to ensure a Yankees victory. Mike Scioscia went to his set up man Scot Shields to start the bottom of the 8th and Ivan Rodriguez immediately greeted him with a single. Aybar mishandled Melky Cabrera's grounder to short to put two on with no one out.

Pinch-runner Justin Christian and Cabrera then pulled off a double steal that worked to perfection when Mathis threw the ball away, allowing Christian to score the tying run. A walk to Johnny Damon put runners on the corners, but Derek Jeter grounder to Aybar at short held Cabrera at third. Jeter was retired for the first out as Damon moved up to second base. After a walk to Abreu loaded the bases, A-Rod hit a tailor made double play ball to Figgins, but the third baseman booted the ball. Cabrera scored the go-ahead run and the bases remained loaded.

Darren Oliver replaced Shields to face Robinson Cano, who come into the game as a defensive replacement for Wilson Betemit. Despite a sore and swollen hand, Cano lashed a single to center field to score Damon and Abreu for a 12-9 Yankees lead. Nady then delivered his 4th hit of the day, to left field for his sixth RBI of the game. The final run came across on a Christian single for a 6-run inning and a 14-9 Yankees lead.

Jose Veras sealed things in the 9th after allowing a 1-out double. Incredibly, the Yankees had themselves a split of the four game series.


News and Notes

Xavier Nady is 10-26 (.385) in Pinstripes thus far, with 3 home runs and 10 RBI.

Mariano Rivera was unavailable due to back spasms.

Bobby Abreu is 12-26 (.462) over the last 6 games.

Yankees Crush Orioles in Finale

The Yankees Yankees took whatever frustrations they have felt the last three days out on the Orioles this afternoon, pounding the Baltimore squad, 13-3. Bobby Abreu had a huge day with a pair of home runs and Alex Rodriguez also went deep to help Joba Chamberlain earn his 4th win of the season.

The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning on an Aubrey Huff single, but it was all Yankees after that. They took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the 1st when Alex Rodriguez's single scored Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu came home when Nick Markakis' throw sailed over the head of catcher Guillermo Quiroz. A-Rod came across when Quiroz mishandled a Dennis Sarfate pitch for the first of two run scoring passed balls on the day.

Singles by Brian Roberts, Brendan Fahey, and Markakis cut the lead to 3-2 in the third, but Chamberlain rebounded, retiring Huff on a line out and Melvin Mora on a ground out to Robinson Cano.

The Yankees began to break things open in their half of the inning when Johnny Damon drew a lead off walk and two batters later Abreu hit his 12th home run of the year. The Yankees then put things away with a pair of 4-run innings in both the 6th and 7th frames.

Brian Burres was the victim in the 6th when Jason Giambi, Abreu, and Xavier Nady produced run scoring hits. In between the innings, Edwar Ramirez made the fastest exit in recent memory. His first pitch to Kevin Millar sailed over the Yankee killer's head and was immediately tossed out of the game by home plate umpire Mark Wegner.

Though Joe Girardi came out and argued vehemently, Ramirez didn't see upset, as though the pitch "didn't slip". If that's the case it was in retaliation for Daniel Cabrera hitting Alex Rodriguez on Tuesday night. It would be a lot better though if the Yankees pitcher stopped head hunting and drilled some ribs.

Back to baseball, Abreu and A-Rod hit back to back home runs in the bottom of the 7th. For Abreu it was his first two home run game as a member of the Yankees, and 13th of the season. A-Rod's home run, his 23rd, was the 541st of his career.

July 30, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Baltimore	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0		3	6	1
NY Yankees	3	0	2	0	0	4	4	0	X		13	11	1

Baltimore	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Roberts, 2B	4	1	1	0	0	2	1	.284
Castillo, A, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Jones, CF	4	0	0	0	0	2	3	.274
Markakis, RF	4	0	2	1	0	0	1	.294
Huff, DH	3	0	1	1	0	0	3	.302
a-Castro, J, PH-DH-SS	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	.146
Mora, 3B	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	.249
Scott, LF	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	.256
Millar, 1B	3	0	0	0	1	1	0	.245
Quiroz, C	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	.215
Fahey, SS-2B	3	1	1	0	0	2	1	.244
Totals	34	3	6	3	1	9	15
a-Homered for Huff in the 8th.
BATTING HR: Castro, J (1, 8th inning off Robertson, 0 on, 2 out). TB: Roberts; Markakis 2; Huff; Castro, J 4; Fahey. RBI: Huff (72), Markakis (56), Castro, J (2). 2-out RBI: Huff; Castro, J. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Mora; Scott; Roberts. Team LOB: 5. FIELDING E: Markakis (2, throw). PB: Quiroz (3).

Baltimore	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Sarfate (L, 4-2)	4.0	2	5	3	3	5	1	4.00
Burres	1.1	4	4	4	0	1	0	5.64
Cabrera, F	0.2	3	3	3	2	2	2	4.80
Castillo, A	2.0	2	1	1	1	3	0	2.08

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	2	1	0	1	2	1	0	.316
a-Christian, PH-LF	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	.280
Jeter, SS	3	1	0	0	1	3	3	.284
b-Betemit, PH-SS	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	.242
Abreu, DH	4	4	3	3	1	0	0	.288
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	2	2	2	0	0	1	.328
c-Moeller, PH-3B	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.227
Giambi, 1B	3	1	1	1	0	1	1	.256
Sexson, 1B	1	1	1	0	1	0	0	.222
Cano, 2B	5	1	1	0	0	1	2	.266
Nady, RF	4	2	2	2	0	1	0	.325
Cabrera, CF	3	0	0	0	1	0	1	.245
Molina, C	3	0	0	0	0	2	3	.226
Totals	35	13	11	10	6	11	13
a-Singled for Damon in the 7th. b-Struck out for Jeter in the 7th. c-Struck out for Rodriguez, A in the 8th.
BATTING 2B: Abreu (29, Burres), Nady 2 (28, Burres, Castillo, A). HR: Abreu 2 (13, 3rd inning off Sarfate, 1 on, 1 out; 7th inning off Cabrera, F, 0 on, 0 out), Rodriguez, A (23, 7th inning off Cabrera, F, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Christian; Abreu 10; Rodriguez, A 5; Giambi; Sexson; Cano; Nady 4. RBI: Rodriguez, A 2 (65), Abreu 3 (71), Giambi (62), Nady 2 (60), Damon (44), Christian (5). 2-out RBI: Damon; Christian. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Jeter 2; Betemit. Team LOB: 5. FIELDING E: Cano (8, fielding).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Chamberlain (W, 4-3)	6.0	5	2	1	0	6	0	2.24
Ramirez	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.35
Robertson	2.0	1	1	1	1	3	1	4.91
Giese	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.76

Cabrera, F pitched to 3 batters in the 7th.

WP: Cabrera, F, Robertson.
Balk: Chamberlain.
IBB: Cabrera (by Cabrera, F).
HBP: Molina (by Castillo, A).
Pitches-strikes: Sarfate 68-39, Burres 27-18, Cabrera, F 35-18,
Castillo, A 33-20, Chamberlain 98-60, Ramirez 1-0, Robertson 40-26, Giese 10-7.
Ground outs-fly outs: Sarfate 2-5, Burres 2-1, Cabrera, F 0-0,
Castillo, A 2-1, Chamberlain 5-7, Ramirez 0-0, Robertson 1-2, Giese 2-1.
Batters faced: Sarfate 17, Burres 8, Cabrera, F 7, Castillo, A 10,
Chamberlain 24, Ramirez 0, Robertson 8, Giese 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Cabrera, F 2-2, Castillo, A 2-1.
EjectionsNew York Yankees pitcher Edwar Ramirez ejected
by HP umpire Mark Wegner. (7th).
Umpires: HP: Mark Wegner. 1B: Jeff Kellogg.
: Sam Holbrook. 3B: Chad Fairchild.
Weather: 82 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 6 mph, In from LF.
T: 3:08.
Att: 54,296.

Yankees Crush Orioles in Finale

The Yankees Yankees took whatever frustrations they have felt the last three days out on the Orioles this afternoon, pounding the Baltimore squad, 13-3. Bobby Abreu had a huge day with a pair of home runs and Alex Rodriguez also went deep to help Joba Chamberlain earn his 4th win of the season.

The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning on an Aubrey Huff single, but it was all Yankees after that. They took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the 1st when Alex Rodriguez's single scored Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu came home when Nick Markakis' throw sailed over the head of catcher Guillermo Quiroz. A-Rod came across when Quiroz mishandled a Dennis Sarfate pitch for the first of two run scoring passed balls on the day.

Singles by Brian Roberts, Brendan Fahey, and Markakis cut the lead to 3-2 in the third, but Chamberlain rebounded, retiring Huff on a line out and Melvin Mora on a ground out to Robinson Cano.

The Yankees began to break things open in their half of the inning when Johnny Damon drew a lead off walk and two batters later Abreu hit his 12th home run of the year. The Yankees then put things away with a pair of 4-run innings in both the 6th and 7th frames.

Brian Burres was the victim in the 6th when Jason Giambi, Abreu, and Xavier Nady produced run scoring hits. In between the innings, Edwar Ramirez made the fastest exit in recent memory. His first pitch to Kevin Millar sailed over the Yankee killer's head and was immediately tossed out of the game by home plate umpire Mark Wegner.

Though Joe Girardi came out and argued vehemently, Ramirez didn't see upset, as though the pitch "didn't slip". If that's the case it was in retaliation for Daniel Cabrera hitting Alex Rodriguez on Tuesday night. It would be a lot better though if the Yankees pitcher stopped head hunting and drilled some ribs.

Back to baseball, Abreu and A-Rod hit back to back home runs in the bottom of the 7th. For Abreu it was his first two home run game as a member of the Yankees, and 13th of the season. A-Rod's home run, his 23rd, was the 541st of his career.

July 30, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Baltimore	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0		3	6	1
NY Yankees	3	0	2	0	0	4	4	0	X		13	11	1

Baltimore	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Roberts, 2B	4	1	1	0	0	2	1	.284
Castillo, A, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Jones, CF	4	0	0	0	0	2	3	.274
Markakis, RF	4	0	2	1	0	0	1	.294
Huff, DH	3	0	1	1	0	0	3	.302
a-Castro, J, PH-DH-SS	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	.146
Mora, 3B	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	.249
Scott, LF	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	.256
Millar, 1B	3	0	0	0	1	1	0	.245
Quiroz, C	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	.215
Fahey, SS-2B	3	1	1	0	0	2	1	.244
Totals	34	3	6	3	1	9	15
a-Homered for Huff in the 8th.
BATTING HR: Castro, J (1, 8th inning off Robertson, 0 on, 2 out). TB: Roberts; Markakis 2; Huff; Castro, J 4; Fahey. RBI: Huff (72), Markakis (56), Castro, J (2). 2-out RBI: Huff; Castro, J. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Mora; Scott; Roberts. Team LOB: 5. FIELDING E: Markakis (2, throw). PB: Quiroz (3).

Baltimore	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Sarfate (L, 4-2)	4.0	2	5	3	3	5	1	4.00
Burres	1.1	4	4	4	0	1	0	5.64
Cabrera, F	0.2	3	3	3	2	2	2	4.80
Castillo, A	2.0	2	1	1	1	3	0	2.08

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	2	1	0	1	2	1	0	.316
a-Christian, PH-LF	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	.280
Jeter, SS	3	1	0	0	1	3	3	.284
b-Betemit, PH-SS	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	.242
Abreu, DH	4	4	3	3	1	0	0	.288
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	2	2	2	0	0	1	.328
c-Moeller, PH-3B	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.227
Giambi, 1B	3	1	1	1	0	1	1	.256
Sexson, 1B	1	1	1	0	1	0	0	.222
Cano, 2B	5	1	1	0	0	1	2	.266
Nady, RF	4	2	2	2	0	1	0	.325
Cabrera, CF	3	0	0	0	1	0	1	.245
Molina, C	3	0	0	0	0	2	3	.226
Totals	35	13	11	10	6	11	13
a-Singled for Damon in the 7th. b-Struck out for Jeter in the 7th. c-Struck out for Rodriguez, A in the 8th.
BATTING 2B: Abreu (29, Burres), Nady 2 (28, Burres, Castillo, A). HR: Abreu 2 (13, 3rd inning off Sarfate, 1 on, 1 out; 7th inning off Cabrera, F, 0 on, 0 out), Rodriguez, A (23, 7th inning off Cabrera, F, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Christian; Abreu 10; Rodriguez, A 5; Giambi; Sexson; Cano; Nady 4. RBI: Rodriguez, A 2 (65), Abreu 3 (71), Giambi (62), Nady 2 (60), Damon (44), Christian (5). 2-out RBI: Damon; Christian. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Jeter 2; Betemit. Team LOB: 5. FIELDING E: Cano (8, fielding).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Chamberlain (W, 4-3)	6.0	5	2	1	0	6	0	2.24
Ramirez	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.35
Robertson	2.0	1	1	1	1	3	1	4.91
Giese	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.76

Cabrera, F pitched to 3 batters in the 7th.

WP: Cabrera, F, Robertson.
Balk: Chamberlain.
IBB: Cabrera (by Cabrera, F).
HBP: Molina (by Castillo, A).
Pitches-strikes: Sarfate 68-39, Burres 27-18, Cabrera, F 35-18,
Castillo, A 33-20, Chamberlain 98-60, Ramirez 1-0, Robertson 40-26, Giese 10-7.
Ground outs-fly outs: Sarfate 2-5, Burres 2-1, Cabrera, F 0-0,
Castillo, A 2-1, Chamberlain 5-7, Ramirez 0-0, Robertson 1-2, Giese 2-1.
Batters faced: Sarfate 17, Burres 8, Cabrera, F 7, Castillo, A 10,
Chamberlain 24, Ramirez 0, Robertson 8, Giese 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Cabrera, F 2-2, Castillo, A 2-1.
EjectionsNew York Yankees pitcher Edwar Ramirez ejected
by HP umpire Mark Wegner. (7th).
Umpires: HP: Mark Wegner. 1B: Jeff Kellogg.
: Sam Holbrook. 3B: Chad Fairchild.
Weather: 82 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 6 mph, In from LF.
T: 3:08.
Att: 54,296.