Suckered By the Yankees Again

"They brought in Joba?!!!"

There's a famous scene in the Godfather Part III - a horrible movie by any standard - that has stood the test of time. It's been repeated, re-phrased, re-imagined, and spoofed a 1,000 times over.

Al Pacino's Michael Corleone says with much exasperation, "Every time I try get out, they pull me back in!" When it comes to the Yankees, it's more like "Every time I try to get in, they pull me back out." Sunday was one of those days. Having already won the first two games of a three game series against the Baltimore Orioles, Andy Pettitte continued his August turnaround with six solid innings.

The Yankees led 3-0 when the first two Orioles reached to start the 7th inning. Joe Girardi sent for Shawn Kelley to face Matt Wieters. The Orioles' catcher singled to drive in Baltimore's first run of the day and then J.J. Hardy hit an opposite field 3-run home run to put the Orioles ahead for good.

Kelley gets a pass; though every game is a must win, he's been pretty solid all season. The next two relievers don't get a pass from though, especially one of them. Boone Logan replaced Kelley and gave up a hit and a walk. When Logan is on, he's fantastic and when he stinks, he smells worse than East River. There's no-in between for the left-hander.

Things got worse moments later when Girardi signaled for number 62 to enter the game. Joba Chamberlain should never be in another game in a Yankees uniform unless it's an Old-Timer's Day and he's buzzing  the head of a 70-year old Kevin Youkilis.  Rumors have it that Adam Jones could be seen drooling as he watched Chamberlain warm up from the on-deck circle.

Chamberlain retired Manny Machado on a failed bunt attempt, but Jones blasted one to deep center for a 7-3 Orioles lead that was three more runs than the O's would need. The Yankees had momentarily moved into third place, but slinked back to fourth place in the AL East after Sunday's sudden score change. They also dropped  back to 3.5 out in the wild card after Oakland won.

The Yankees now play a more inept Chicago White Sox team that swept a three game series with the Yankees in Chi-town in August. With this Yankees team, you just don't know what you'll get...except for aggravation.

O's Give Yankees Christmas in August

It wasn't Phelps' birthday, but he'll take it.

The Yankees were headed to another boring loss Saturday afternoon when, out of the goodness of their hearts, the Baltimore Orioles handed them the baseball game. Hopefully, after the game Joe Girardi sent a thank you note to Buck Showalter. It's the proper thing to do when someone gives such a tasteful gift.

The Yankees trailed 3-1 in the 7th inning after a shaky start from David Phelps (6 free passes, 3 ER in 4.1 IP) and a lack of hitting from a lineup that looked like it belonged in a future Old Timers Day. Then the magic happened, a magic we haven't seen too often in the Bronx this year.

Skipper Buck Showalter left starter Wei-Yin Chen in just a tad too long and the normally reliable bullpen and defense didn't get the job done.

Chen had allowed just two hits to that point- a 4th inning solo home run by Robinson Cano and a harmless single in the 6th inning by Nick Swisher. He retired Andruw Jones (seriously, still batting Jones in the clean up spot? In case you haven't noticed, Joe Girardi, that was last year that Jones killed lefties, not this year.) to start the inning, before Steve Pearce reached on a single.

No worries, Russell Martin flew out and Chen was about to finish up his day and get ready to watch Jim Johnson and company save the ball game. But the left-hander walked Jayson Nix and was kept in to face the right-handed hitting Eduardo Nunez, who had just been recalled from the minors. YES' Michael Kay and Ken Singleton speculated that it could be the biggest at-bat of Nunez's career, given the Yankees current circumstances.  They weren't wrong and Nunez came through with a broken bat bloop that landed softly in the outfield for an RBI single.

Showalter sent for hard throwing right-hander Pedro Strop to face Ichiro Suzuki with the tying and go ahead runs on base. Strop had been dynamite all year, but in his prior two games, the native of San Cristobal in the Dominican Republic had allowed three runs and five hits in 1.1 innings pitched. Hits weren't a problem against the Yankees, but Strop walked Ichiro Suzuki to load the bases and then lost a battle to Derek Jeter, that resulted in another walk and a tie ball game.

With left-hander Brian Matusz warmed up in the pen, Showalter stuck with Strop despite the fact that Swisher has hit righties at a better rate than when he's in the other batters' box. Perhaps Showalter was thinking about Swisher's "Golden Sombrero" in the series opener. Swisher lined a one-hopper that ate up shortstop J.J. Hardy, who compounded matters when he bobbled a second attempt at making a play. The error allowed the Yankees to take the lead for the first time in the series.

Then it came down to the Yankees bullpen and they were perfect. David Robinson retired the side in order in the 8th and Rafael Soriano struck out a pair in the 9th for his 35th save and an untucked shirt for a well done performance.

Notes

The victory moved the Yankees back to three games ahead of the O's entering Sunday's series finale. Phil Hughes will be pitted against red-hot Chris Tillman.

Curtis Granderson struck out in the 2nd inning and didn't return to the field due to a tight hamstring. The Yankees certainly don't need any additional injuries to their already weakened lineup and, thankfully, an MRI revealed no structural damage. The Grandy Man will be considered day-to-day for the moment.

The Yankees' pen did a fantastic job; in addition to Robertson and Soriano, Cody Eppley retired the only man he faced in the 5th inning and Boone Logan tossed two scoreless innings for the win. Baltimore only had one hit after the 5th inning.

David Phelps entered the game with a 2.7 walks per 9 innings average. He also averaged 9.4 K's per 9 innings, but picked up just 3 K's.

Blunder Ball in the Bronx; Help on the way?

It's been noted a number of times that the Yankees had a 10 game lead in the AL East after they shut out the Toronto Blue Jays on July 18. The Yankees have gone 18-22 since, which really isn't all that bad, until you realize the team had winning streaks of four and three games during the stretch. Which then means, they are 11-22 in the other 33 games and that is bad..very bad baseball.

That bad baseball continued in the Bronx Friday night as the Yankees bored their fans to a 6-1 loss that dropped their lead to just two games in front of Baltimore. With no Alex Rodriguez (began a rehab assignment last night) or Mark Teixeira (hoping to play next weekend) in the lineup, opposing pitchers have been able to work around Robinson Cano. Joe Girardi has been forced to bat  players like Andruw Jones (.207 avg, .725 OPS) or little tested Steve Pearce. .

Hiroki Kuroda has been the Yankees best pitcher in the second half, but he put himself in a hole in the 2nd inning when he allowed a 2-run home run to Mark Reynolds for a 3-0 Orioles lead.  Kuroda worked into the 9th, but allowed a home run to J.J. Hardy and another home run to Reynolds

The Yankees made Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez lool like Jim Palmer in his prime; the punch-less wonders managed just five hits and only scored on a solo home run by Curtis Granderson in the 9th. Gonzalez also beat the Yankees back on July 30 at YS as well.

The Yankees will get some help when the rosters expand on Saturday, but none of the players coming up swings a big stick. Catcher Francisco Cervelli finally returns to the Bronx, much to the glee of his large female following. Eduardo Nunez was also recalled and is scheduled to DH on Saturday.

Pitchers Cory Wade, Adam Warren, and Justin Thomas, and outfielder Chris Dickerson are also being recalled. To make room on the 40-man roster (one spot was needed), the Yankees designated Ramiro Pena for assignment.

Have You Ever Seen The Run?

Bad puns come to mind when the Yankees lose, which is now somewhat habitual. Four losses in fives games to the "lowly" Oakland A's and Baltimore Orioles. Hurricane Irene went through Baltimore and sun shined on Sunday afternoon in the first game of a day-night doubleheader, but apparently the Yankees offense got swept out to see.

Credit has to be given though to Orioles starter Zach Britton, who didn't make it out of the 1st inning the last time he faced a team that more resembled the "Bronx Bombers". This time around Britton limited the Yankees to four hits over seven innings and the Orioles shut out the Yankees 2-0. Jim Johnson tossed a scoreless 8th inning before closer Kevin Gregg got Alex Rodriguez to bounce into a game ending double play for his 19th save.

Yankees starter Bartolo Colon matched Britton zero for zero until the Orioles broke through in the 7th inning. Nick Markakis led off the inning with a double off the right field wall and came home on Vlad Guerrero's base hit.

The O's added a big insurance in the 8th with some help from the Yankees. Mark Reynolds hit a pop fly to center that was too shallow for centerfielder Curtis Granderson and too deep for second baseman Robinson Cano. The two closed in on the ball and it appeared one of them would make the grab, but instead the ball fell between a lunging Cano and a sliding Granderson. Ryan Adams then followed with a single to put runners on the corners with no one out.

Colon looked like he might get out of the jam after retiring Adam Jones on a comebacker and caught Robert Andino looking at a called third strike, but J.J. Hardy delivered a two out single to put the O's up 2-0.

Britton and company were outstanding as not one Yankee reached second base safely. Mark Teixeira had three of the five Yankees hits and only one other New York base runner reached on a walk.

Notes

Derek Jeter broke another franchise record when he appeared in his 2,402nd game as a Yankee, surpassing Mickey Mantle's total.

FullCountPitch | Help Wanted: Shortstop

I wouldn’t be surprised if you opened up the pages of the classified ads in today’s Arizona Republic or looked under jobs on their online site and found a listing for a shortstop. Pay based on experience, need to fill position ASAP.

The Diamondbacks, one of the biggest surprises in baseball this season, suffered a huge blow last night when shortstop Stephen Drew fractured his ankle sliding into home plate against the Milwaukee Brewers. Drew is one of the key players on a Diamondbacks team that is just 4.5 games behind San Francisco in the NL West. The Diamondbacks were probably set to be moderate buyers at the deadline and while that is still probably true, their level of interest has certainly gone up a notch.

Drew was fourth on the team with 46 RBI, just four behind Chris Young's team leading 50, and second among shortstops in the National League. Defensive minded shortstops can be found fairly easily, but coming up wiht a player who will pick up the offensive slack left by Drew’s absence won’t be so easy.

So, who replaces Drew?

Read the rest of this free article at FullCountPitch.com

Orioles Get Their Duchs In A Row | Baseball Digest

Orioles Get Their Duchs In A Row | Baseball Digest

The off-season has not been kind to the Baltimore Orioles for a number of years. Over the last decade the team has finished last or next to last in the AL East the majority of the time. Major free agents haven’t wanted to sign with the Orioles and the team hasn’t been able to swing a significant trade. Prior to last season the Orioles re-acquired Miguel Tejada and signed free agent Garrett Atkins. Needless to say, no one in the “Town of the Big House” was bragging about those moves.

The highly respected Andy MacPhail was hired as president of baseball operations in mid-2007, but the going has been slow, though it is no fault of MacPhail’s. The grandson of Larry MacPhail and the son of Lee MacPhail, both in the Hall of Fame, has been trying to shake things up this hot stove season. The team has an offer out to Vladimir Guerrero and has been working hard to bring him into the fold. Earlier today they agreed to a deal with free agent pitcher Justin Duchscherer. According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick the deal will pay $750K even if Duchscherer never makes it to a major league mound. He’ll get $1.1M if he’s on the opening day roster and can earn up to $4.5M based on incentives.

This off-season the O’s also acquired shortstop J.J. Hardy and signed free 1st baseman Derek Lee to hopefully add some pop to the lineup and inked free agent pitcher Kevin Gregg in an attempt to strengthen their pen. All of the above aren’t “A-listers” at this point, but the Orioles stand to be at least a bit more competitive. Unfortunately, the AL East is not for the weak of roster.

Rumors, News, and Transactions

The Rangers signed pitcher David Bush (56-68, 4.66) to a minor league deal after the free agent played five seasons in Milwaukee.

One time feared slugger Troy Glaus hasn’t been able to find a situation he finds suitable so he’s decided to sit out the start of the season. There’s a strong possibility he may permanently retire.

The Orioles have added free agent left-hander Mark Hendrickson with a minor league deal. The 6’9″ southpaw pitched the last two seasons for the O’s.

Jason Grilli is attempting a comeback with the Phillies after signing a minor league deal. He missed all of the 2010 season due to a knee injury.

Pitcher Braden Looper signed a minor league deal with the Cubs that will give him a chance to earn up to $3M if he makes the big club.

The Rockies gave reliever Rafael Betancourt a one year, $3M extension.

BD Hot Stove: AL Central Dunn? | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove: AL Central Dunn? | Baseball Digest

The AL Central is often overlooked when discussing pennant contenders. They don’t have the powerhouse teams of the AL East or the standout LA Angels in the AL West. But they do have teams that are well structured and don’t usually have a runaway winner. Such was the case last year when the Chicago White Sox spent 27 days in first place and stayed on the Minnesota Twins’ heels for most of the season. Ultimately the Twins, the most consistent of all the central teams, won out. It should be a competitive division again based on the moves made so far in this off-season.

The name’s Williams. Kenny Williams: The White Sox GM is one smooth cat. Never afraid to make a bold move, to spend some money, or to ring up another GM on his Walther PPK, er Blackberry. When the White Sox started to fade last season, Williams swung a deal to bring in starter Edwin Jackson from Arizona, obstensibly to use him as bait to land Adam Dunn in a three team trade. The deal didn’t work out, but now Chicago has Jackson for the 2011 season and signed Dunn to a four year free agent contracT. Williams also brought back free agents/fan favorites Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynksi, and signed reliever Jesse Crain away from the Twins. Crain is part of a bullpen re-tooling that Williams undertook as soon as he cut ties with closer Bobby Jenks. Set up man J.J. Putz signed with Arizona and Williams dealt Scott Linebrink to Atlanta.

They Talk Alike, They Walk Alike: Speaking of the aforementioned Twins, they’ve done what they do best. Make quite moves with an occassional splash. Carl Pavano regained his manhood in the Twin Cities and Minny would like to have him back. But the former “American Idle” is playing the free agent game and anything can happen. Minnesota has high hopes for Japanese import Tsuyoshi Nishioka to be their every day shortstop for the next three years. To make room for him, the Twins spun J.J. Hardy and utility man Brendan Harris to the Orioles for hard throwing reliever Jim Hoey as well as another bullpen prospect in Brett Jacobson. Alexi Casilla will likely take over 2nd base with Orlando Hudson departing for San Diego. The Twins suffered blows to the bullpen when Crain left for Chi-town and their best set up man, Matt Guerrier, departed for a three year deal with the Dodgers. Set up man/part-time closer Jon Rauch will also leave via free agency.

Tiger Town: The Tigers have had some interesting decisions to make as they blend veterans like Magglio Ordonez and youngsters such as Austin Jackson together. Many people were surprised when GM Dave Dombrowski brought the soon to be 34-yr old Ordonez back. He did sever ties with Johnny Damon however, and made two big free agent splashes. One of the first signings of the winter was the solid bat of catcher Victor Martinez, who’ll primarily serve as DH. Dombrowski also inked standout reliever Joaquin Benoit to set up for Jose Valverde. The Tigers retained the left side of their infield in 3rd baseman Brandon Inge and shortstop Jhonny Peralta, while catcher Gerald Laird left for St. Louis.

Cleveland Rocks?: Not so much, at least not this winter. The biggest name the Tribe have brought in this off-season is Austin Kearns, who they dealt to the Yankees at the trade deadline. Signing infielders Adam Everett and Drew Sutton doesn’t make fans run to the box office or feel the urge to buy season tickets. The Indians have also been fielding calls on their best starter, Fausto Carmona.

Royals Blue: The fans in KC haven’t had much to cheer about for quite some time, but KC does have a lot of good young players Unfortunately, one of them was dealt away. KC took Zack Greinke up on his request for a trade and sent him to Milwaukee for four prospects. On paper, the deal doesn’t look great for KC, but outfielder Lorenzo Cain and shortstop Alcides Escobar will get a chance to make an immediate impact. The Royals also signed veteran outfielders Jeff Francouer and Melky Cabrera to help fill the void left when David DeJesus was traded to Oakland. Vin Mazzaro, acquired in that deal, will get a chance to compete for a spot in the lackluster rotation.

Rumors, News, and Transactions

Brian Cashman downplayed reports that the Yankees were taking a look at their former left fielder Johnny Damon, calling it nothing more than normal free agent exploration.

The Pirates signed Garrett Atkins, who flopped the with the Orioles in ’10, to a minor league deal.

The Padres are turning some attention to free agent Brad Hawpe, who split last season with Colorada and Tampa Bay. The Pads are also reportedly interested in lefty slugger Russell Branyan.

The Angels and Reds are both eyeing speedy Scott Podsednik as part of an outfield platoon.

One Down, One to Go

photo courtesy of newswer.com

Derek Jeter's offense and defense helped carry the Yankees to a victory in the completion of last night's suspended game.

Jeter's solo home run was the game's lone run in a contest that began at 8:05 ET last night. A.J. Burnett picked up the victory, but the win didn't come without some close calls.

Joba Chamberlain escaped a two on, two out jam in the 8th and then Mariano Rivera held his breath as J.J. Hardy flew out to the warning track in left to start the 9th. Rivera then issued a one out walk to Jim Thome, but got Denard Span to bounce into a 4-6-3 DP to end the game.

In addition to the offensive play of the game, Jeter also sparkled defensively, making his patented jump play.

Baseball Moves On

While Yankees fans were busy attending the victory parade or watching it on TV, the front office of the other 29 teams were keeping busy. It's not even the general manager's meetings or Hot Stove time, but deals were already made today.

Carlos Gomez, a key player in the Johan Santana deal between the Mets and Twins, was sent back to the National League for the Brewers' J.J. Hardy. Gomez became a role player this year after Denard Span took over the Twins center field spot. He stole 33 bases in 2008, but posted just a .298 on-base percentage. Things got worse in '09 as Gomez's OBP dipped to just .287.

Hardy's stock had plummeted in Milwaukee. After averaging 25 home runs in 77 RBI in 2007-2008, Hardy hit just .229 this past season with 11 HR and 47 RBI. The Twins used the light hitting Nick Punto, Brendan Harris, and Matt Tolbert as shortstop this past season.

The White Sox acquired veteran Mark Teahen from the Kansas City Royals for infielders Josh Fields and Chris Getz, and cash. Teahen could be the Yankees regular third baseman or could move to right field to replace Jermaine Dye. The White Sox declined Dye's option for 2010 making the outfielder a free agent.

Deals actually began earlier this week when Tampa Bay sent Japanese import Aki Iwamura to the Pittsburgh Pirates (they don't just acquire Yankees pitchers) for pitcher Jesse Chavez. Iwamura missed much of the '09 season with a torn ACL.

Oh how Jeremy Hermida's stock has fallen. The one time major prospect in the Florida Marlins organization was dealt to the Boston Red Sox on Thursday for pitchers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez. After hitting .296-18-63 with an .870 OPS in 2007, Hermida's run production and OBP dipped the last two seasons. The left-handed hitter especially struggled against southpaws, hitting just .189.



Other moves:

The Phillies picked up the option on Cliff Lee for 2010. The Dodgers did the same for Manny Ramirez, while the Diamondbacks picked up pitcher Brandon Webb's option.
Fomer Yankee Bobby Abreu will stay in Anaheim after signing a new 2-yr, $19 million deal with the LA Angels. His former teammate Scott Proctor has signed a minor league deal with the Braves.

The Mariners claimed one time Mets prospect Yusmeiro Petit from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dbacks also declined the option on Chad Tracy.

Other players who will be free agents after having their options declined - Miguel Olivo (KC), Coco Crisp (KC), J.J. Putz (Mets), Yorvit Torrealba (Col), David Weathers (Mil), and Austin Kearns (Wash).