Girardi Shakes Things Up a Bit

In an effort to inject some more life in the offense, Joe Girardi has benched Nick Swisher for tonight's second game of the World Series. The only problem is that he replaced him with the light hitting Jerry Hairston Jr., who is also not an outfielder by training.

Hairston is 10-27 (.370) lifetime against tonight's starter Pedro Martinez, but hasn't faced him in five years. Meanwhile, as expected, Girardi stuck with Jose Molina behind the plate in an effort to placate Yankees starter A.J. Burnett.

Now Catching, the Mighty Durga

Yankees manager Joe Girardi has decided that the Hindu Goddess Durga will give the Yankees their best defense with A.J. Burnett starting Game 5 of the ALCS tonight. With Burnett's propensity to be wild with his breaking pitches, the versatile Durga gives the Yankees an excellent shot at no wild pitches or passed balls.

Game 2 Lineups and Thoughts

Before I get into Game 2, a little more about Game 1. Specifically, Alex Rodriguez. Those of you who trashed him on radio call in shows this morning sounded like complete idiots. The guy made a mistake and then tried to make up for it with a hard play at the plate. Some of you acted as if he committed a heinous crime.

The Derek Jeter vs. Alex Rodriguez stuff has to stop. Comparing the two is asinine. Their different people, different players, and they have different styles. Rodriguez made a mistake, but it was no big deal, especially in light of a victory.

As everyone expected, Jose Molina will be behind the plate for A.J. Burnett tonight. As was not expected, as of 6:15 p.m. ET, it appears the teams will get the game in.

Lineups:

Yankees

SS Jeter
LF Damon
1B Teixeira
3B Rodriguez
DH Matsui
RF Swisher
2B Cano
CF Cabrera
C Molina

P Burnett

Angels

3B Figgins
RF Abreu
CF Hunter
DH Guerrero
1B Morales
LF Rivera
2B Izturis
C Napoli
SS Aybar

P Saunders

2009 ALDS - Game 2 Lineups

No surprises in the Yankees lineup (since we already knew about Molina)

SS Jeter
LF Damon
1B Teixeira
3B Rodriguez
DH Matsui
RF Swisher
2B Cano
CF Cabrera
C Molina

P Burnett

For the visiting Twins:

RF Span
SS Cabrera
C Mauer
RF Kubel
1B Cuddyer
LF Young
CF Gomez
3B Tolbert
2B Punto

P Blackburn


Only Johnny Damon (3-11) and Nick Swisher (3-12) have double digit at-bats against Blackburn. Mark Teixeira is perfect against the right-hander, going 6-6 with a home run and 5 RBI. On the other end, Robinson Cano is 0-8.

Orlando Cabrera has the most at-bats (28) against Burnett, while 8 others have 10 or more. Joe Mauer is 5-13 (.385) with 1 RBI. Among them, Michael Cuddyer 2-13 (.154), Jason Kubel 5-17 (.235), and Delmon Young 3-10 (.300).

Posada: Molina Catching Burnett

"Jorge, don't be so pissed. It wasn't my decision."

The Yankees' beat writers on Twitter have all confirmed that Jose Molina will be catching A.J. Burnett in game 2 of the AL Division Series.

TylerKepner: posada says Molina will catch Burnett. "It's not like I didnt see it coming," he said.

LoHud_Yankees(Sam Borden): Posada just said he talked to Girardi Sun. He was told Molina will catch Burnett in ALDS. "We just better win that game," Posada said.

There has been immense outrage in Yankees Twitter land with the majority of people calling this move a huge mistake, stupid, etc.

Really, does it matter that much? We know that Jose Molina has an inferior bat, but we do know that he is the better defender of the two (he and Posada). What's more, if that's what it takes for Burnett to throw a solid game, so be it.

This isn't the first time this situation has arisen for the Yankees. Back in 1996, Andy Pettitte got on a role with Jim Leyritz behind the plate. Then manager Joe Torre stuck with it in the post-season though Leyritz was an inferior defender as compared to Joe Girardi. Albeit, Leyritz was the better bat, but that's not what got him in the lineup.

Joe Girardi is really in a no win situation here. If he kept Posada in and Burnett got clobbered, he'd get skewered for not starting Molina. And of course, the opposite will be true if Burnett throws a bad game, or Molina's lack of offense costs them the game.

The bottom line is that the Yankees have plenty of offense to make up for Posada's absence. Now it falls on Burnett alone to get the job done.

Godzilla Stomps on Baltimore

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: Adam Jones • al aceves • andy pettitte • Baltimore Orioles • Brian Roberts • David Hernandez • Godzilla • hideki matsui • jim johnson • Jose Molina • Mark Teixiera • Nick Markakis • Yankees 7/20 recap • Yankees vs. Orioles

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: Adam Jones • al aceves • andy pettitte • Baltimore Orioles • Brian Roberts • David Hernandez • Godzilla • hideki matsui • jim johnson • Jose Molina • Mark Teixiera • Nick Markakis • Yankees 7/20 recap • Yankees vs. Orioles

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

After all the fuss about high scoring games in the new Yankee Stadium, the Yankees have done it with pitching and defense in putting together their current 4-game winning streak, with the last three wins coming by 2-1 margins. Hideki Matsui was the hitting hero tonight, giving the Yankees their 9th walk-off win of the season and current 2-1 win over Baltimore with a 1-out blast to right in the bottom of the 9th. Al Aceves picked up his 6th win of the season after retiring the final two batters in the top of the 9th with the go-ahead run on 2nd base.

Andy Pettitte had his best start since beating Seattle on June 1. The left-hander allowed one run in 7 1/3 innings and got help from the Yankees defense after he departed with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 outs in the 8th. Nick Markakis hit a bullet that Mark Teixeira gloved and then fired to home off of the wrong foot. Jose Molina made the grab on the 1st base side of home plate and brought the glove across to tag out Cesar Izturis, the ball hanging precariously in the webbing of his catcher’s mitt.

Read the rest of my recap on Baseball Digest Online.

The Daily Yankeeland - 7/2

Views from the Facade - 7/2

July 2nd, 2009

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: Alex Rodriguez • Brian Cashman • Eric Hinske • joba chamberlain • Joe Dunand Jr. • Joe Girardi • Jose Molina • Ken Griffey Jr. • New York Yankees • Views from the Facade • xavier nady

Much has been made about what a great move it was giving Alex Rodriguez two days off during the Yankees series in Florida last weekend. What’s still being overlooked, at least by the YES broadcast team, is why didn’t it occur earlier? Why did it take an intervention from Brian Cashman to make it happen? Why didn’t Joe Girardi get off the dime earlier?

The only reason I can come up with for questions 1 and 3 is that Girardi is under so much pressure to win he’s going pedal to the medal the rest of the season. That, and personally, I don’t think he’s a very good manager. It doesn’t matter if A-Rod said he felt great every day, Girardi has an obligation to A-Rod and to the team to make sure he’s performing at or near 100%. And make Phil Hughes the 8th inning guy already, would ya.

It’s this type of situation that convinces me that anything short of a world’s championship will cost Girardi his job.

Xavier Nady will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow next Wednesday. Nady was told by doctors that the ligament tore completely off the bone (hope you weren’t eating when you read that).

Jose Molina will begin a minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Scranton on Friday. Once Molina is ready to return to the majors, the Yankees have to decide whether to carry three catchers or send Francisco Cervelli to the minors to play every day. The latter probably makes the most sense.

Alex Rodriguez Jr. may star in the bigs one day. Okay, he’s not really A-Rod’s son, just his nephew..the son of his half-brother Joe Dunand Sr. Lil Joe, Joe Dunand Jr., is 5′9″, 140 lbs…and only 13 years old. But as the Daily News reported he’s a chip off the old uncle’s block.

Uncle A-Rod and his nephew have a “comfortable” relationship, according to Dunand Sr., who adds that his son shares A-Rod’s “love of the game and work ethic.”

You just never know..hopefully if Lil Joe does make it to the majors, he doesn’t totally follow in his uncle’s footsteps.

This from the Elias Sports Bureau - When A-Rod and Ken Griffey Jr. homered in last night’s Yankees-Mariners game it marked just the 2nd time in major league history that two players with 550 or more home runs went yard in the same game. Willie Mays and Hank Aaron were the first duo in 1971.

Newest Yankee Eric Hinske will wear #14. The Baltimore Orioles are the only AL East team that Hinske has not been a member of.

Joba “the nibbler” Chamberlain set a new record, but it’s not one to be pleased about. He has the most career no-decisions for a pitcher with 26 starts.

Yankees Look to Cash in on Catcher

Jose Molina became the latest addition to the disabled list today when he was added to it after injuring his quad last night. Kevin Cash has become recalled from Scranton to take his place. No word on the 40-man roster move yet.

Reliever Mark Melancon was sent down to Scranton to make room on the 25-man roster for Alex Rodriguez.

Cervelli to back up Molina

Francisco Cervelli has been recalled from the Trenton Thunder to replace Jorge Posada on the 25-man roster. Posada was put on the 15-day DL earlier today with a strained hamstring. No 40-man roster move had to be made since Cervelli is already included on the list.

The Thunder catcher is best known for being run over by the Tampa Bay Rays' Elliot Johnson in a spring training game last year. The collision resulted in a broken wrist for Cervelli and bad blood between the two teams.

Cervelli was hitting just .190 with 2 HR and 7 RBI in 16 games for Trenton this season. He hit .315 in 21 games for Trenton last season. Cervelli played for Team Italy in this past March's World Baseball Classic.

We Could get Hughes to This

He's heard all the hype. The fans have heard all the hype. But no one had seen anything positive from prospect Phil Hughes since 2007. That all changed last night. Hughes stepped up big time, throwing six scoreless inning to help the Yankees snap a four game losing streak with an 11-0 whitewashing of the Detroit Tigers.

For a while it looked like the offense would let Hughes' effort go to waste. They couldn't push a run across against starter Edwin Jackson through six innings, but then erupted for a 10-run seventh inning.

But Hughes was the story in this one. He gave the starting rotation a huge boost. Instead of Chien-Ming Wang getting hammered and taxing the bullpen, the Yankees watched Hughes allow just two hits over six innings. He walked two, struck out six and threw 99 pitches. He established the tone right from the start with strikeouts of Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco in the first inning.

The only real trouble Hughes got into was in the fourth inning when he hit Miguel Cabrera with one out pitch and gave up a single to Carlos Guillen. A fielder's choice and a walk to Brandon Inge loaded the bases with two outs, but Hughes retired Josh Anderson on an inning ending ground out.

Meanwhile, back in the visitors' dugout....the Yankees continued to fail with runners in scoring position - they own the worst mark in the AL . Johnny Damon flied out with two on and two out in the third. Melky Cabrera struck out with two on and two out in the fourth. Robinson Cano struck out with two outs and a man on third in the sixth. Then came lucky number seven and the offense exorcised its demons, at least for one night.

Jim Leyland sent for Ryan Perry to start the inning and the Yankees offense went to work. Nick Swisher opened the frame with a single and Melky walked. Jose Molina sacrificed the runners over and set up the turning point of the night. Pinch-hitter Jorge Posada, not starting due to a bad hamstring - not for dogging it as some people speculated, lofted a shallow fly to left that Anderson misplayed into a 2-base error. In all likelihood Swisher would not have scored had Anderson caught it, but instead the Yankees had themselves a 2-0 lead.

A walk to Derek Jeter ended Perry's night, but Nate Robertson would fare no better. Damon singled to center for a 3-0 lead. Robertson retired Mark Teixeira for the second out of the inning, but Hidkei Matsui and Cano delivered back to back RBI singles for a 5-0 lead. Two walks later, Brandon Lyon served up a grand slam to Molina to put the game out of reach.

Hughes got his congratulations and the Joe Girardi turned things over to the pen for three scoreless innings, including one by Mark Melancon. The Yankees can envision a day when Melancon will close out Phil Hughes' victories. For now though, the Yankees are just happy to be back on the winning track.

Game Notes

Nick Swisher may be pulling out of his slump. He was 2-3 with his 5th home run of the season, walked twice, and scored three times.

Hideki Matsui was 2-5 and is 14-32 (.438) in his last eight games.

Phil Hughes' victory was his first regular season win since September 27, 2007 against Tampa Bay. He also beat the Cleveland Indians in that season's Division Series. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, by winning his sixth career game he tied the Yankees record of total wins by a first round pick (Bill Burbach, '65 draft). That's just sad.

Also according to Elias, Robinson Cano's two at-bats of 10 or more pitches last night was the first time he saw double digit pitches since August of last year.

Joba Solid Again

Joba Chamberlain posted his second straight good start today, tossing three scoreless innings against the Phillies. Chamberlain allowed no runs, two hits, walked one and struck out three. Brian Bruney replaced him to start the fourth inning.

The Yankees have a 2-0 lead aftet three innings thanks to an RBI single by Jose Molina and a Phillies' error.

Feb 14 Spring Training Photos

Catch me if you Can

Steve Goldman of YES' Pinstriped Bible thinks the Yankees need to come to Spring Training better prepared in the catching department. We couldn't agree more. It's already been stated that Jorge Posada won't be ready for the first Spring game. Goldman points out that the only Yankees catcher with experience, other than Jose Molina, is Kevin Cash, who doesn't carry much of a stick. As last year proved, you can never have enough bats, and without knowing how healthy Posada will be, (and how effective) it's even more important.

Goldman mentions Miguel Montero of the Diamondbacks, who are looking for a big return on their 25-yr old property. We like Texas' Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who has been mentioned in trade rumors a lot, but he has yet to prove he can hit big league pitching, and the position may not be his future.

The remaining free agents are, for the most part, 36 years of age or older. Greg Zaun can still, but can't throw out anyone. We saw how little Ivan Rodriguez has in the tank. Paul LoDuca? No thanks, Barnum & Bailey should be the only circus in town. Jason Varitek can't hit any more or he'd already be back with Boston (not like he would ever sign here anyway).

Yeah, that's what we thought. Kevin Cash will be Molina's back up.

The Daily Yankeeland - 9/24

Jon Heyman is reporting that the Steinbrenner boys have given Brian Cashman until next to decide if he wants to return to the Bronx.

Wade Boggs is among those are still very disappointed that Roger Clemens and Joe Torre were not part of Sunday's farewell festivities.

"When you look at what Joe Torre did with the Yankees - being a part of four championships - he was a part of it and so was Roger Clemens," said Boggs, who was signing copies of the 232-page "Yankee Stadium: The Official Retrospective" book for fans at Mickey Mantle's restaurant on Central Park South yesterday. "For what reason, I have no idea why they left them out. I don't know the mind-set of why they were left out. I did notice that Clemens wasn't in the collage of pictures and I don't know the speculation or reason behind it."

Read more...

If Mike Mussina wins his 20th on Sunday, he'll also tie Hall of Fame inductee Burleigh Grimes with 270 wins, 32nd base on the all-time list.

Phil Hughes will go after his first win once again this evening, in what has been a very disappointing season. The time off this season did allow Hughes to develop his cutter.

“It would be nice, but at the same time, I don’t think one win is really what I expected out of myself or anybody else expected,” said Hughes, who threw four innings in a no-decision last Wednesday. “I think it will still be, definitely, a negative year.”

Read more from Tyler Kepner and Michael S. Schmidt...

Another home run ball ownership controversy. This time it's Jose Molina's final Stadium blast.

"He couldn't get it through the net," Russo griped. "I'm the only one who had the ball."

Read more...

Mike Lupica throws some more dirt on the Yankees' grave.

Marty Noble of mlb.com looks back on a pair of players that had an affect on both New York stadiums - Darryl Strawberry and Doc Gooden.

Mariano Rivera was part of a contest, sponsored by Michael C. Fina, last week that gave a grand prize to a deserving recipient.

The Daily Yankeeland - 9/24

Jon Heyman is reporting that the Steinbrenner boys have given Brian Cashman until next to decide if he wants to return to the Bronx.

Wade Boggs is among those are still very disappointed that Roger Clemens and Joe Torre were not part of Sunday's farewell festivities.

"When you look at what Joe Torre did with the Yankees - being a part of four championships - he was a part of it and so was Roger Clemens," said Boggs, who was signing copies of the 232-page "Yankee Stadium: The Official Retrospective" book for fans at Mickey Mantle's restaurant on Central Park South yesterday. "For what reason, I have no idea why they left them out. I don't know the mind-set of why they were left out. I did notice that Clemens wasn't in the collage of pictures and I don't know the speculation or reason behind it."

Read more...

If Mike Mussina wins his 20th on Sunday, he'll also tie Hall of Fame inductee Burleigh Grimes with 270 wins, 32nd base on the all-time list.

Phil Hughes will go after his first win once again this evening, in what has been a very disappointing season. The time off this season did allow Hughes to develop his cutter.

“It would be nice, but at the same time, I don’t think one win is really what I expected out of myself or anybody else expected,” said Hughes, who threw four innings in a no-decision last Wednesday. “I think it will still be, definitely, a negative year.”

Read more from Tyler Kepner and Michael S. Schmidt...

Another home run ball ownership controversy. This time it's Jose Molina's final Stadium blast.

"He couldn't get it through the net," Russo griped. "I'm the only one who had the ball."

Read more...

Mike Lupica throws some more dirt on the Yankees' grave.

Marty Noble of mlb.com looks back on a pair of players that had an affect on both New York stadiums - Darryl Strawberry and Doc Gooden.

Mariano Rivera was part of a contest, sponsored by Michael C. Fina, last week that gave a grand prize to a deserving recipient.

A "Mo" Kind of Night

It's over. The final game at Yankee Stadium. The final Yankees batter? Derek Jeter (it was an out, but what the hell). The last pitcher on the mound? Mariano Rivera. And the last home run in Yankee Stadium? Jose Molina.

A "Mo" Kind of Night

It's over. The final game at Yankee Stadium. The final Yankees batter? Derek Jeter (it was an out, but what the hell). The last pitcher on the mound? Mariano Rivera. And the last home run in Yankee Stadium? Jose Molina.

Moose Throws Old Time Gem

Mike Mussina may be considered an old-timer by baseball standards, but yesterday he pitched a youthful masterpiece as the Yankees snapped their two game losing streak with an 8-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Mussina retired the last 17 men he faced, to earn his 14th win of the season, before a packed Yankee Stadium crowd, there to watch not only the game, but also the final Old-Timer's day festivities in the grand old park.

After a magnificent two hour show, featuring Hall of Fame members, Stadium favorites, surprises (Willie Randolph), and 72 old-timers in all, the Yankees sent the crowd home even happier after winning for just the second time in seven games.

On the 29th anniversary of the passing of Thurman Munson, it was appropriate that the Yankees catcher had a big day at the plate, and no- it was not Ivan Rodriguez. Jose Molina went 3-3 and hit his first home run of the season. He also scored three times and was in perfect sync all day with Mussina.

The Angels scored a pair of runs in the second inning when the Yankees failed to turn an inning-ending double play. With the bases loaded and one out, catcher Jeff Mathis bounced to Alex Rodriguez, who fired to second base to start a potential double play. But with Robinson Cano sitting out with a sore hand, Wilson Betemit, a stranger to the position, made a weak throw as Gary Matthews Jr. bore down on him. Jason Giambi not only couldn't scoop the one-hopper, but he batted it far enough away to allow a second run to cross home plate.

Betemit, who has been criticized right here often, quickly made up for his defensive lapse in the bottom of the second, hitting a 2-run home run off Jered Weaver to tie the game. The Yankees went ahead for good an inning later when Molina and Johnny Damon laced back to back singles. The Angels played back for the double play and that's exactly what they got when Jeter bounced into (yet another) twin-killing, with Molina scoring on the play. The red-hot Bobby Abreu then crushed his 15th home run of the season and his fourth in the last four games.

The story in this game, though, was Mussina. The 39-year-old baffled the Angels' hitters with his mix of speed and guile. He retired the side in order from the third through the seventh innings to earn his 264th career win. He now stands tied with Gus Weyhing for 38th on the all-time wins list. He needs two more wins to tie Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey, two Hall of Fame members.

The Yankees offense, so desperate for a run the night before, tacked on insurance runs in the fifth through seventh innings. In addition to Molina, Alex Rodriguez also went deep for the 24th time this season. Home run number 542 puts him six behind Mike Schmidt for 12th place on the career home run list.


News and Notes

It looked like it might be a long day for Mussina when home plate ump Joe West appeared to be squeezing him on tight pitches early in the game. We still wonder how West ever got re-hired after the umpire's strike. He's one of the worst in the game and is disliked by the players.

Molina has caught 21 of Mussina's 23 starts and there's no reason to think that Joe Girardi will change that combination.

Torii Hunter was placed on the bereavement list due to the death of his grandmother and will miss today's game as well.

Brian Bruney pitched the ninth inning, his first appearance since April 22.

August 2, 2008

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

LA Angels	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Figgins, 3B	3	0	0	0	1	2	1	.278
Aybar, SS	4	0	0	0	0	2	1	.280
Teixeira, 1B	3	0	0	0	1	0	0	.282
Guerrero, DH	3	0	0	0	1	1	1	.282
Anderson, LF	4	1	1	0	0	0	1	.284
Kendrick, 2B	4	1	2	0	0	0	0	.333
Rivera, RF	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	.233
Matthews, CF	2	0	0	0	1	1	0	.228
Mathis, C	3	0	0	1	0	2	1	.218
Totals	30	2	3	1	4	8	9
BATTING 2B: Kendrick (24, Mussina). TB: Anderson; Kendrick 3. RBI: Mathis (37). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rivera. Team LOB: 5. FIELDING DP: 2 (Aybar-Kendrick-Teixeira 2).

LA Angels	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Weaver (L, 9-9)	5.0	8	6	6	1	5	4	4.37
Speier	1.1	3	2	2	1	1	0	4.89
O'Day	1.2	0	0	0	0	2	0	4.34

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, DH	3	1	1	0	1	1	0	.316
Jeter, SS	4	0	1	1	0	1	1	.282
Abreu, RF	4	1	1	2	0	1	1	.286
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	1	2	1	0	2	1	.325
Giambi, 1B	2	0	0	0	1	0	1	.252
1-Sexson, PR-1B	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.224
Nady, LF	3	1	1	0	0	0	1	.328
a-Christian, PH-LF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.269
Betemit, 2B	4	1	2	2	0	2	0	.258
Cabrera, CF	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	.246
Molina, C	3	3	3	1	0	0	0	.237
Totals	33	8	11	7	2	8	7
a-Popped out for Nady in the 8th. 1-Ran for Giambi in the 6th.
BATTING HR: Betemit (5, 2nd inning off Weaver, 1 on, 2 out), Abreu (15, 3rd inning off Weaver, 0 on, 2 out), Molina (1, 5th inning off Weaver, 0 on, 0 out), Rodriguez, A (24, 6th inning off Weaver, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Damon; Jeter; Abreu 4; Rodriguez, A 5; Nady; Betemit 5; Molina 6. RBI: Betemit 2 (17), Abreu 2 (75), Molina (12), Rodriguez, A (66), Jeter (50). 2-out RBI: Betemit 2; Abreu. GIDP: Jeter; Nady. Team LOB: 3. FIELDING E: Betemit (3, throw).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina (W, 14-7)	7.0	2	2	1	2	5	0	3.44
Veras	1.0	0	0	0	1	3	0	2.70
Bruney	1.0	1	0	0	1	0	0	1.46

Weaver pitched to 2 batters in the 6th.

Pitches-strikes: Weaver 99-70, Speier 28-18, O'Day 19-15,
Mussina 89-58, Veras 17-11, Bruney 20-11.
Ground outs-fly outs: Weaver 5-5, Speier 3-0, O'Day 1-2,
Mussina 11-5, Veras 0-0, Bruney 0-3.
Batters faced: Weaver 23, Speier 7, O'Day 5,
Mussina 25, Veras 4, Bruney 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Speier 1-0, O'Day 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Joe West. 1B: Ed Rapuano.
2B: Scott Barry. 3B: CB Bucknor.
Weather: 76 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 6 mph, R to L.
T: 2:42.
Att: 54,170.

Moose Throws Old Time Gem

Mike Mussina may be considered an old-timer by baseball standards, but yesterday he pitched a youthful masterpiece as the Yankees snapped their two game losing streak with an 8-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Mussina retired the last 17 men he faced, to earn his 14th win of the season, before a packed Yankee Stadium crowd, there to watch not only the game, but also the final Old-Timer's day festivities in the grand old park.

After a magnificent two hour show, featuring Hall of Fame members, Stadium favorites, surprises (Willie Randolph), and 72 old-timers in all, the Yankees sent the crowd home even happier after winning for just the second time in seven games.

On the 29th anniversary of the passing of Thurman Munson, it was appropriate that the Yankees catcher had a big day at the plate, and no- it was not Ivan Rodriguez. Jose Molina went 3-3 and hit his first home run of the season. He also scored three times and was in perfect sync all day with Mussina.

The Angels scored a pair of runs in the second inning when the Yankees failed to turn an inning-ending double play. With the bases loaded and one out, catcher Jeff Mathis bounced to Alex Rodriguez, who fired to second base to start a potential double play. But with Robinson Cano sitting out with a sore hand, Wilson Betemit, a stranger to the position, made a weak throw as Gary Matthews Jr. bore down on him. Jason Giambi not only couldn't scoop the one-hopper, but he batted it far enough away to allow a second run to cross home plate.

Betemit, who has been criticized right here often, quickly made up for his defensive lapse in the bottom of the second, hitting a 2-run home run off Jered Weaver to tie the game. The Yankees went ahead for good an inning later when Molina and Johnny Damon laced back to back singles. The Angels played back for the double play and that's exactly what they got when Jeter bounced into (yet another) twin-killing, with Molina scoring on the play. The red-hot Bobby Abreu then crushed his 15th home run of the season and his fourth in the last four games.

The story in this game, though, was Mussina. The 39-year-old baffled the Angels' hitters with his mix of speed and guile. He retired the side in order from the third through the seventh innings to earn his 264th career win. He now stands tied with Gus Weyhing for 38th on the all-time wins list. He needs two more wins to tie Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey, two Hall of Fame members.

The Yankees offense, so desperate for a run the night before, tacked on insurance runs in the fifth through seventh innings. In addition to Molina, Alex Rodriguez also went deep for the 24th time this season. Home run number 542 puts him six behind Mike Schmidt for 12th place on the career home run list.


News and Notes

It looked like it might be a long day for Mussina when home plate ump Joe West appeared to be squeezing him on tight pitches early in the game. We still wonder how West ever got re-hired after the umpire's strike. He's one of the worst in the game and is disliked by the players.

Molina has caught 21 of Mussina's 23 starts and there's no reason to think that Joe Girardi will change that combination.

Torii Hunter was placed on the bereavement list due to the death of his grandmother and will miss today's game as well.

Brian Bruney pitched the ninth inning, his first appearance since April 22.

August 2, 2008

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

LA Angels	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Figgins, 3B	3	0	0	0	1	2	1	.278
Aybar, SS	4	0	0	0	0	2	1	.280
Teixeira, 1B	3	0	0	0	1	0	0	.282
Guerrero, DH	3	0	0	0	1	1	1	.282
Anderson, LF	4	1	1	0	0	0	1	.284
Kendrick, 2B	4	1	2	0	0	0	0	.333
Rivera, RF	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	.233
Matthews, CF	2	0	0	0	1	1	0	.228
Mathis, C	3	0	0	1	0	2	1	.218
Totals	30	2	3	1	4	8	9
BATTING 2B: Kendrick (24, Mussina). TB: Anderson; Kendrick 3. RBI: Mathis (37). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rivera. Team LOB: 5. FIELDING DP: 2 (Aybar-Kendrick-Teixeira 2).

LA Angels	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Weaver (L, 9-9)	5.0	8	6	6	1	5	4	4.37
Speier	1.1	3	2	2	1	1	0	4.89
O'Day	1.2	0	0	0	0	2	0	4.34

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, DH	3	1	1	0	1	1	0	.316
Jeter, SS	4	0	1	1	0	1	1	.282
Abreu, RF	4	1	1	2	0	1	1	.286
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	1	2	1	0	2	1	.325
Giambi, 1B	2	0	0	0	1	0	1	.252
1-Sexson, PR-1B	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.224
Nady, LF	3	1	1	0	0	0	1	.328
a-Christian, PH-LF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.269
Betemit, 2B	4	1	2	2	0	2	0	.258
Cabrera, CF	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	.246
Molina, C	3	3	3	1	0	0	0	.237
Totals	33	8	11	7	2	8	7
a-Popped out for Nady in the 8th. 1-Ran for Giambi in the 6th.
BATTING HR: Betemit (5, 2nd inning off Weaver, 1 on, 2 out), Abreu (15, 3rd inning off Weaver, 0 on, 2 out), Molina (1, 5th inning off Weaver, 0 on, 0 out), Rodriguez, A (24, 6th inning off Weaver, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Damon; Jeter; Abreu 4; Rodriguez, A 5; Nady; Betemit 5; Molina 6. RBI: Betemit 2 (17), Abreu 2 (75), Molina (12), Rodriguez, A (66), Jeter (50). 2-out RBI: Betemit 2; Abreu. GIDP: Jeter; Nady. Team LOB: 3. FIELDING E: Betemit (3, throw).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina (W, 14-7)	7.0	2	2	1	2	5	0	3.44
Veras	1.0	0	0	0	1	3	0	2.70
Bruney	1.0	1	0	0	1	0	0	1.46

Weaver pitched to 2 batters in the 6th.

Pitches-strikes: Weaver 99-70, Speier 28-18, O'Day 19-15,
Mussina 89-58, Veras 17-11, Bruney 20-11.
Ground outs-fly outs: Weaver 5-5, Speier 3-0, O'Day 1-2,
Mussina 11-5, Veras 0-0, Bruney 0-3.
Batters faced: Weaver 23, Speier 7, O'Day 5,
Mussina 25, Veras 4, Bruney 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Speier 1-0, O'Day 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Joe West. 1B: Ed Rapuano.
2B: Scott Barry. 3B: CB Bucknor.
Weather: 76 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 6 mph, R to L.
T: 2:42.
Att: 54,170.