Cervelli and Yankees Drop the Ball

The course of a baseball game or life can change an instant. Okay, enough paraphrasing John Sterling. Francisco Cervelli learned the hard way last night just how much one play can change things. Cervelli's drop opened the flood gates last night en route to a 6-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

Yankees starter Javier Vazquez may have flashed back to October '04 when he surrendered home runs to David Ortiz and Ryan Kalish, but it was his multiple walk in the park that really ruined his and the Yankees' night.

The Bombers, as is their custom lately, took an early lead and then went to sleep on offense. Up 2-1 in the 2nd on a Mark Teixeira blast, Vazquez gave up a lead off double to Adrian Beltre to start the 2nd inning, but got J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell to hit back to back pop ups. The only problem was that Cervelli dropped Lowell's would be second out.

Vazquez struck out Kalish, but then completely lost the strike zone, issuing consecutive walks to Jed Lowrie and Jacoby Ellsbury to force in a run. Vazquez then left a hanger in the zone that Marco Scutaro ripped to left for a 2-run double and 4-2 Red Sox lead.

The Yankees wasted a 2-on, no one out opportunity in the 4th, but chipped away with a run in the 5th. Derek Jeter reached with one out when he was plunked by a Clay Buchholz pitch. Nick Swisher followed with a single to right and two batters later Alex Rodriguez delivered an RBI single. Robinson Cano had a chance to tie things up, but grounded out to end the inning.

Vazquez, known as "Hang 'em Javy" by disgruntled Yankees fans lived up to his longball reputation when he served up a back breaking 2-run shot to Kalish in the 6th. It was the rookie's 1st major league home run and gave Boston a 6-3 lead.

The Yankees final try came in the 9th when Jeter reached on a 2-out walk by closer Jonathan Papelbon, but Swisher flied out to end the game.

Notes

The Yankees remained in first place in the AL East thanks to some help from Toronto, which beat Tampa Bay 2-1.

Since July 1, Mark Teixeira is hitting .328 with 11 HR, 35 RBI, and OPS over 1.000 in 31 games.

New daddy CC Sabathia will try to stop the Yankees skid when he faces off today at 4 p.m. against John Lackey.

Slugger Carlos Delgado worked out for the Red Sox in the Stadium's indoor batting cage and could be signed to a deal as early as today.

Another Red Sox went on the DL yesterday; this time it was lefty Hideki Okajima with a hamstring strain.

Vazquez's fastballs were mostly below 90 mph last night; not a good sign.

UPDATE 12:35 pm 8/7 - Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Carlos Delgado has agreed to a minor league with the Red Sox. If not called up by 9/1, he becomes a free agent.

The Giambino Saves the Day

Jason Giambi has been the Giamnoshow in big spots for over a month, but today he single-handedly provided the Yankees offense in a must needed 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox. The victory moved the Yankees back to within six games, which still sounds insurmountable, but is better than being eight games out, of Boston in the wildcard race.

The Yankees trailed the Red Sox 2-0 with two outs in the seventh inning, when Cody Ransom doubled off Boston starter Jon Lester. Joe Girardi sent up Giambi to pinch-hit for Jose Molina, even though he knew Terry Francona would counter the move with lefty specialist Hideki Okajima. But Giambi made Girardi look like a genius when he hit a laser over the center field wall for a game tying home run.

Then with two outs in the ninth and the bases loaded against Justin Masteron, Francona sent for his closer Jon Papelbon to face Giambi. Again, Giambi came out on top, singling to center for the game winning run.

The game was a classic pitcher's duel as Mike Mussina and Jon Lester put up goose eggs until the fifth inning. But with one out, Jed Lowrie reached on a single and Mussina hit Alex Cora. Jason Varitek, who has struggled at the plate all season, singled to right to score Lowrie with the game's first run. A second Red Sox run would score on yet another mental mistake by Robinson Cano. Jacoby Ellsbury hit a potential inning ending double play ball to Cano, but instead of taking it to the bag himself, he flipped the ball to Derek Jeter, whose throw to first base was not in time to double up the speedy Ellsbury. Cora scored on the play for a 2-0 lead.

The Yankees put two men aboard in the second inning on one out singles by Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu, but Alex Rodriguez struck out for the first of three times on the day, and Xavier Nady grounded out. In the sixth, Damon was hit by a Lester pitch and Jeter reached on another single to put two aboard with no one out. But fly outs by Abreu and Nady, sandwiched around an A-Rod foul out, led to a chorus of boos and no runs.

Mussina was pulled after seven innings and 113 pitches. Brian Bruney got the first out in the eighth and then Girardi sent for Damaso Marte to retire David Ortiz. Mariano Rivera then retired Kevin Youkilis, for a three pitcher, three out scenario. Rivera retired the side after a Jeter error in the ninth to earn his fourth win.


News and Notes

Derek Jeter was 3-4 and 6-13 (.462) in the series to raise his average to .297.

Brett Gardner pinch-ran for Xavier Nady in the ninth and stole his sixth base in as many attempts. Gardner was 37-46 in steal attempts for Scranton.

Phil Hughes had a much better outing for Scranton Wednesday night, picking up the win in a 3-2 game with Buffalo. Hughes allowed allowed 2 runs on 6 hits in 6.1 innings pitched, with 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.

August 28, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Boston	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0		2	5	0
NY Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1		3	8	1

Boston	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Ellsbury, CF	4	0	0	1	0	1	2	.262
Pedroia, 2B	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.317
Ortiz, DH	2	0	0	0	2	1	1	.265
Youkilis, 1B	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	.316
Bay, LF	4	0	0	0	0	0	3	.293
Kotsay, RF	4	0	1	0	0	1	3	.289
Lowrie, 3B	4	1	1	0	0	1	2	.295
Cora, SS	3	1	1	0	0	0	2	.269
Varitek, C	3	0	1	1	0	1	1	.225
Totals	31	2	5	2	2	6	16
BATTING 2B: Kotsay (18, Mussina). TB: Pedroia; Kotsay 2; Lowrie; Cora; Varitek. RBI: Varitek (37), Ellsbury (39). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cora 2; Kotsay 2; Ellsbury. GIDP: Bay. Team LOB: 6. BASERUNNING SB: Cora (1, 2nd base off Mussina/Molina). CS: Ellsbury (8, 2nd base by Mussina/Molina).

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	3	0	0	0	0	2	0	.311
Jeter, SS	4	0	3	0	0	0	0	.297
Abreu, RF	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	.296
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	0	0	0	0	3	4	.307
Nady, LF	4	0	1	0	0	1	4	.327
1-Gardner, PR	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.189
Cano, 2B	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	.266
Matsui, DH	3	0	0	0	1	2	0	.307
Ransom, 1B	2	1	1	0	0	1	0	.750
Rodriguez, I, C	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.280
Molina, C	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.228
a-Giambi, PH-1B	2	1	2	3	0	0	0	.251
Totals	32	3	8	3	2	10	12
a-Homered for Molina in the 7th. 1-Ran for Nady in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Ransom (1, Lester). HR: Giambi (27, 7th inning off Okajima, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Jeter 3; Abreu; Nady; Ransom 2; Giambi 5. RBI: Giambi 3 (81). 2-out RBI: Giambi 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Nady 2. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING SB: Gardner (6, 2nd base off Masterson/Varitek). CS: Jeter (4, 2nd base by Lester/Varitek). FIELDING E: Jeter (11, throw). DP: (Cano-Ransom).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina	7.0	5	2	2	2	6	0	3.41
Bruney	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.35
Marte	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4.24
Rivera (W, 5-5)	1.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.50

IBB: Matsui (by Masterson).
HBP: Ransom (by Lester), Damon (by Lester), Cora
(by Mussina), Youkilis (by Mussina).
Pitches-strikes: Lester 119-78, Okajima 16-11, Masterson 26-12,
Papelbon 3-3, Mussina 113-73, Bruney 2-1, Marte 2-1, Rivera 15-10.
Groundouts-flyouts: Lester 3-8, Okajima 0-2, Masterson 0-1,
Papelbon 0-0, Mussina 7-7, Bruney 0-1, Marte 1-0, Rivera 2-2.
Batters faced: Lester 26, Okajima 4, Masterson 5, Papelbon 1,
Mussina 28, Bruney 1, Marte 1, Rivera 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Okajima 1-1, Papelbon 3-1.
Umpires: HP: Gary Cederstrom. 1B: Fieldin Culbreth.
2B: Jim Reynolds. 3B: Tim Timmons.
Weather: 80 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 10 mph, R to L.
T: 3:21.

The Giambino Saves the Day

Jason Giambi has been the Giamnoshow in big spots for over a month, but today he single-handedly provided the Yankees offense in a must needed 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox. The victory moved the Yankees back to within six games, which still sounds insurmountable, but is better than being eight games out, of Boston in the wildcard race.

The Yankees trailed the Red Sox 2-0 with two outs in the seventh inning, when Cody Ransom doubled off Boston starter Jon Lester. Joe Girardi sent up Giambi to pinch-hit for Jose Molina, even though he knew Terry Francona would counter the move with lefty specialist Hideki Okajima. But Giambi made Girardi look like a genius when he hit a laser over the center field wall for a game tying home run.

Then with two outs in the ninth and the bases loaded against Justin Masteron, Francona sent for his closer Jon Papelbon to face Giambi. Again, Giambi came out on top, singling to center for the game winning run.

The game was a classic pitcher's duel as Mike Mussina and Jon Lester put up goose eggs until the fifth inning. But with one out, Jed Lowrie reached on a single and Mussina hit Alex Cora. Jason Varitek, who has struggled at the plate all season, singled to right to score Lowrie with the game's first run. A second Red Sox run would score on yet another mental mistake by Robinson Cano. Jacoby Ellsbury hit a potential inning ending double play ball to Cano, but instead of taking it to the bag himself, he flipped the ball to Derek Jeter, whose throw to first base was not in time to double up the speedy Ellsbury. Cora scored on the play for a 2-0 lead.

The Yankees put two men aboard in the second inning on one out singles by Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu, but Alex Rodriguez struck out for the first of three times on the day, and Xavier Nady grounded out. In the sixth, Damon was hit by a Lester pitch and Jeter reached on another single to put two aboard with no one out. But fly outs by Abreu and Nady, sandwiched around an A-Rod foul out, led to a chorus of boos and no runs.

Mussina was pulled after seven innings and 113 pitches. Brian Bruney got the first out in the eighth and then Girardi sent for Damaso Marte to retire David Ortiz. Mariano Rivera then retired Kevin Youkilis, for a three pitcher, three out scenario. Rivera retired the side after a Jeter error in the ninth to earn his fourth win.


News and Notes

Derek Jeter was 3-4 and 6-13 (.462) in the series to raise his average to .297.

Brett Gardner pinch-ran for Xavier Nady in the ninth and stole his sixth base in as many attempts. Gardner was 37-46 in steal attempts for Scranton.

Phil Hughes had a much better outing for Scranton Wednesday night, picking up the win in a 3-2 game with Buffalo. Hughes allowed allowed 2 runs on 6 hits in 6.1 innings pitched, with 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.

August 28, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Boston	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0		2	5	0
NY Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1		3	8	1

Boston	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Ellsbury, CF	4	0	0	1	0	1	2	.262
Pedroia, 2B	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.317
Ortiz, DH	2	0	0	0	2	1	1	.265
Youkilis, 1B	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	.316
Bay, LF	4	0	0	0	0	0	3	.293
Kotsay, RF	4	0	1	0	0	1	3	.289
Lowrie, 3B	4	1	1	0	0	1	2	.295
Cora, SS	3	1	1	0	0	0	2	.269
Varitek, C	3	0	1	1	0	1	1	.225
Totals	31	2	5	2	2	6	16
BATTING 2B: Kotsay (18, Mussina). TB: Pedroia; Kotsay 2; Lowrie; Cora; Varitek. RBI: Varitek (37), Ellsbury (39). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cora 2; Kotsay 2; Ellsbury. GIDP: Bay. Team LOB: 6. BASERUNNING SB: Cora (1, 2nd base off Mussina/Molina). CS: Ellsbury (8, 2nd base by Mussina/Molina).

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	3	0	0	0	0	2	0	.311
Jeter, SS	4	0	3	0	0	0	0	.297
Abreu, RF	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	.296
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	0	0	0	0	3	4	.307
Nady, LF	4	0	1	0	0	1	4	.327
1-Gardner, PR	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.189
Cano, 2B	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	.266
Matsui, DH	3	0	0	0	1	2	0	.307
Ransom, 1B	2	1	1	0	0	1	0	.750
Rodriguez, I, C	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.280
Molina, C	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.228
a-Giambi, PH-1B	2	1	2	3	0	0	0	.251
Totals	32	3	8	3	2	10	12
a-Homered for Molina in the 7th. 1-Ran for Nady in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Ransom (1, Lester). HR: Giambi (27, 7th inning off Okajima, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Jeter 3; Abreu; Nady; Ransom 2; Giambi 5. RBI: Giambi 3 (81). 2-out RBI: Giambi 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Nady 2. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING SB: Gardner (6, 2nd base off Masterson/Varitek). CS: Jeter (4, 2nd base by Lester/Varitek). FIELDING E: Jeter (11, throw). DP: (Cano-Ransom).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina	7.0	5	2	2	2	6	0	3.41
Bruney	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.35
Marte	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4.24
Rivera (W, 5-5)	1.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.50

IBB: Matsui (by Masterson).
HBP: Ransom (by Lester), Damon (by Lester), Cora
(by Mussina), Youkilis (by Mussina).
Pitches-strikes: Lester 119-78, Okajima 16-11, Masterson 26-12,
Papelbon 3-3, Mussina 113-73, Bruney 2-1, Marte 2-1, Rivera 15-10.
Groundouts-flyouts: Lester 3-8, Okajima 0-2, Masterson 0-1,
Papelbon 0-0, Mussina 7-7, Bruney 0-1, Marte 1-0, Rivera 2-2.
Batters faced: Lester 26, Okajima 4, Masterson 5, Papelbon 1,
Mussina 28, Bruney 1, Marte 1, Rivera 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Okajima 1-1, Papelbon 3-1.
Umpires: HP: Gary Cederstrom. 1B: Fieldin Culbreth.
2B: Jim Reynolds. 3B: Tim Timmons.
Weather: 80 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 10 mph, R to L.
T: 3:21.

Moose Gets No Decision

Mike Mussina came up with another big performance today, two earned runs in seven innings, but came away with no decision. As of this post, the game was tied 2-2 in the ninth inning. Jason Giambi tied things up in the bottom of the seventh with a two out, 2-run home run against reliever Hideki Okajima.

Moose Gets No Decision

Mike Mussina came up with another big performance today, two earned runs in seven innings, but came away with no decision. As of this post, the game was tied 2-2 in the ninth inning. Jason Giambi tied things up in the bottom of the seventh with a two out, 2-run home run against reliever Hideki Okajima.

Around the Horn - 6/3

The Red Sox received shocking news when it was learned that David Ortiz will miss at least a month with a torn tendon in his hand. For now he's got his wrist immobilized in a cast for the next 2 weeks. According to the Boston Globe, it is unlikely that he'll need surgery.

Boston's first game without their big slugger didn't go to well due a rare blow up by Hideki Okajima. The Orioles reached him for 4 runs in the 8th inning for a 6-3 win. Jim Johnson won his first major league game.

Bobby Crosby's 9th inning single gave the A's a 3-2 win over the Tigers, sending Detroit to 9 games below .500. Rich Harden and Kenny Rogers both pitched well in their starts, but neither figured in the outcome. Harden has made 5 consecutive starts without interruption for the first time in over 2 years.

Casey Blake had the kind of night that hitters dream of. Two home runs, a 3-run double, and 7 RBI. The Indians out scored the Rangers 13-9, though not before blowing an 8-3 lead. Josh Hamilton celebrated his choice as AL Player of the Month for May with a home run in 3 consecutive games.

Jeff Mathis slugged a 2-run home run and Ervin Santana won his 8th game in the Angels 4-2 victory over the Mariners. Vlad Guerrero missed the game with a sore knee.

Brian Horwitz hit his first major league home run, and along with Ray Durham, drove in 3 runs as the Giants bombed the Mets 10-2. Mets starter Oliver Perez only retired one batter before being pulled in the 1st inning. Bengie Molina also picked up his 1,000th hit in the game.

John Smoltz's return from the DL to the closer role was an unsuccessful one, but the Braves beat the Marlins 7-5 in 10 innings. Smoltz allowed 2 runs in the top of the 9th, but Jeff Francoeur scored on a wild pitch to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th, and Yuniel Escobar hit a walk-off 2-run shot in extras.

Carlos Zambrano is doing it all these days. He went 3-3 yesterday to raise his average to .366 and pitched 5 innings for his 8th win. Zambrano's won his last 7 decisions. The Cubbies are now 15-2 against the NL West.

The Rockies (20-38) rocky season continued last night as the Dodgers pounded them 8-2. Matt Kemp had 3 hits and one of the Dodgers 3 hits to help Derek Lowe earn his 3rd win.

The Pirates came back from a 4-0 deficit to beat the Cardinals 5-4. Jason Michaels hit a game tying grand slam in the 7th and Jason Bay drove in the go ahead run in the 8th.

Prince Fielder homered for the 3rd time in 4 games to give the Brewers a much needed 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks. Doug Davis allowed just 1 earned in 6 innings for AZ.

Chase Utley hit his major league leading 21st home run and the Phillies held off the Reds 5-4. Pedro Feliz and Chris Coste each added home runs for the Phillies. Jay Bruce hit his 3rd home run for the Reds and went to 2-4 to "drop" his average to .577.

The Nationals have lost 3B Ryan Zimmerman indefinitely with a partial tear of the labrum in his left shoulder.

Around the Horn - 6/3

The Red Sox received shocking news when it was learned that David Ortiz will miss at least a month with a torn tendon in his hand. For now he's got his wrist immobilized in a cast for the next 2 weeks. According to the Boston Globe, it is unlikely that he'll need surgery.

Boston's first game without their big slugger didn't go to well due a rare blow up by Hideki Okajima. The Orioles reached him for 4 runs in the 8th inning for a 6-3 win. Jim Johnson won his first major league game.

Bobby Crosby's 9th inning single gave the A's a 3-2 win over the Tigers, sending Detroit to 9 games below .500. Rich Harden and Kenny Rogers both pitched well in their starts, but neither figured in the outcome. Harden has made 5 consecutive starts without interruption for the first time in over 2 years.

Casey Blake had the kind of night that hitters dream of. Two home runs, a 3-run double, and 7 RBI. The Indians out scored the Rangers 13-9, though not before blowing an 8-3 lead. Josh Hamilton celebrated his choice as AL Player of the Month for May with a home run in 3 consecutive games.

Jeff Mathis slugged a 2-run home run and Ervin Santana won his 8th game in the Angels 4-2 victory over the Mariners. Vlad Guerrero missed the game with a sore knee.

Brian Horwitz hit his first major league home run, and along with Ray Durham, drove in 3 runs as the Giants bombed the Mets 10-2. Mets starter Oliver Perez only retired one batter before being pulled in the 1st inning. Bengie Molina also picked up his 1,000th hit in the game.

John Smoltz's return from the DL to the closer role was an unsuccessful one, but the Braves beat the Marlins 7-5 in 10 innings. Smoltz allowed 2 runs in the top of the 9th, but Jeff Francoeur scored on a wild pitch to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th, and Yuniel Escobar hit a walk-off 2-run shot in extras.

Carlos Zambrano is doing it all these days. He went 3-3 yesterday to raise his average to .366 and pitched 5 innings for his 8th win. Zambrano's won his last 7 decisions. The Cubbies are now 15-2 against the NL West.

The Rockies (20-38) rocky season continued last night as the Dodgers pounded them 8-2. Matt Kemp had 3 hits and one of the Dodgers 3 hits to help Derek Lowe earn his 3rd win.

The Pirates came back from a 4-0 deficit to beat the Cardinals 5-4. Jason Michaels hit a game tying grand slam in the 7th and Jason Bay drove in the go ahead run in the 8th.

Prince Fielder homered for the 3rd time in 4 games to give the Brewers a much needed 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks. Doug Davis allowed just 1 earned in 6 innings for AZ.

Chase Utley hit his major league leading 21st home run and the Phillies held off the Reds 5-4. Pedro Feliz and Chris Coste each added home runs for the Phillies. Jay Bruce hit his 3rd home run for the Reds and went to 2-4 to "drop" his average to .577.

The Nationals have lost 3B Ryan Zimmerman indefinitely with a partial tear of the labrum in his left shoulder.