Designated For Assignment - WHITE SOX GET MELK, HEADLEY RE-UPS WITH YANKEES

The latest free agents are comprised of a player moving on to his sixth team in seven years and one that is staying where he was two-month rental. The Chicago White Sox have been busy this offseason and they continued their re-tooling over the weekend with the free agent signing of outfielder Melky Cabrera. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees agreed, on Monday, with Chase Headley to keep the free agent third baseman for the next four years (at a cost of $52MM).

Cabrera, who played four full seasons with the Yankees, then spent one season in Atlanta, one in Kansas City, one in San Francisco, and two years in Toronto. He'll replace the lackluster bat of Dayan Viciedo in left field and join newcomers Jeff Samardzija and former Yankees teammate David Robertson on the list of big time acquisitions by GM Kenny Williams.

Read the rest of this column for free at Designated For Assignment

Selig Ready to Bring the Hammer Down Monday

"I'll hold my breath if you suspend me!"

Alex Rodriguez is on his way to the Windy City, if he's not there already, for the Yankees series with the Chicago White Sox beginning Monday night.

It appears A-Rod will be able to suit up once MLB commissioner Bud Selig hands down the third baseman's suspension as well as that of 12 other players. Selig seems to have backed off his threat of a lifetime ban and will allow any players that choose to appeal to continue to play while their case is heard.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported that in addition to A-Rod, Nelson Cruz (Texas), Jhonny Peralta (Detroit), Everth Cabrera (San Diego), Francisco Cervelli (NYY), Fernando Martinez (NYY minors), Jesus Montero (Seattle), Jordan Norberto (Oakland minors), Cesar Puello (NYM minors), and Fautino De Los Santos (San Diego minors) are to be suspended.¹

All with the exception of A-Rod are expected to be given 50 game suspension. The three time AL MVP on the other hand is reportedly to be suspended through 2014, with the possibility it could into 2015 if the appeal impacts the number of games A-Rod plays the rest of this season.

Melky Cabrera (Toronto), Bartolo Colon (Oakland), and Yasmani Grandal (San Diego) have already served suspensions for their participation with Biogenesis and will not receive further punishment. Washington Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez name had been mentioned in connection with Biogenesis, but there was no evidence of his involvement.

Update 1:50 PM 8/5: In addition to the names listed above (not including A-Rod), Jordany Valdespino (NYM), Antonio Bastardo (Philly), Sergio Escalona (Houston) have reportedly accepted 50 game suspensions.

1 - CBSsports.com

MLB Tells A-Rod Too Much, Too Little, Too Late

"Why didn't I do this sooner?!"

According to Yahoo Sports' Tim Brown, Major League Baseball has said "You're too late" to Alex Rodriguez and his representatives after the controversial slugger requested a meeting between the two sides. The third baseman had been defiant up until this point saying that he would appeal any suspension, but apparently had a change of heart once the time grew closer to this Monday's announcement of those players suspended. (Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta,  Everth Cabrera...)

While I understand MLB and puppet master(or is he the puppet?)  Bud Selig's aggravation at A-Rod, the league is making themselves look bad/petty for not hearing what A-Rod, his lawyer David Cornwell or other reps have to say. It could also possibly damage some of MLB's case if A-Rod does indeed appeal.

A-Rod's meeting request was through contact with the players' union and reportedly included a request to meeting with Yankees officials in regards to a "financial settlement".

Part of MLB's reluctance to meet could be because A-Rod refused to cooperate with the leagues investigators when they spoke to him earlier. It would appear though that collecting his cash is more important to A-Rod then being on the playing field. After his rehab stint in Trenton Friday, A-Rod had this to say:

"I think that's the pink elephant in the room. I think we all agree that we want to get rid of PEDs. That's a must. I think all the players feel that way. But when all the stuff is going on in the background and people are finding creative ways to cancel your contract, I think that's concerning for me. It's concerning for present [players] and it should be concerning for future players as well. There is a process. … I'm going to keep fighting."¹

This fight and A-Rod are not going away any time soon.


1 -  Yahoo Sports

Another Day, Another Injury, Melky II On His Way

The Captain won't be around to greet Melky II this time.

First game back after the All-Star break and the injury list grew ince again. Zoilo Almonte who has had a pretty good introduction to the Major Leagues is the latest victim of the now you see 'em, now you don't conspiracy. It was just more rancid icing on a progressively stale piece of cake that is the Yankees season. To make matters worse it occurred during a 4-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox that dropped the Bomberless Bombers seven games out of first place in the AL East.

Almonte lunged at the first base bag in attempt to beat out the back end of a double play ball and the bag won. A sprained left ankle is the diagnosis with a pair of crutches the newest part of Almonte's wardrobe. A trip to the 15-day DL is the grand prize as Almonte joins Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, Kevin Youkilis, David Phelps, Francisco Cervelli, Jayson Nix, and (temporarily) Alex Rodriguez on the sidelines.

If this were an episode of the Andy Griffith show, Sheriff Taylor would be saying, "Sarah, get me (Scranton GM) Rob Crain on the phone." RailRiders beat writer Donnie Collins reported that Melky Mesa and Thomas Neal are headed to Boston to join the team for the remainder of the weekend series.

Melky II, this time it's personal, got into three games last September and October and was 1-3 with an RBI. Mesa had a good shot to make the team out of Spring Training and the front office remains high on him despite the fact he's got the lowest OPS (.710) of his career since he was in rookie ball in 2007. Most worrisome are his 93 strikeouts in 242 at-bats and just seven walks. Mesa struck out 118 times in 2012 in 502 plate appearances.

I won't be a total Debbie Downer though- Mesa does have a solid .430 slugging pct. with 9 HR, 10 doubles, and a trio of triples. He's also stolen seven bases in eight attempts. He's been primarily a centerfield in his minor league career, but the Yankees will count on him to play the corner outfield spots. Plus the Yankees can unload the "Got Melk" t-shirts that have been laying around since Melky Cabrera was traded.

Neal got into four games with the Yankees this year and was 2-11 (.182) with one walk and four strikeouts. Entering Friday's play Neal had a nice slash line of .318/.392/.407 with 23 walks in 65 games for Scranton. Unlike Mesa, Neal's career in the outfield has been primarily played in left and right fields.  The Yankees signed him as a free agent this past January 18.

Alberto Gonzalez and Luis Cruiz dodged a bullet Friday when Brennan Boesch was released to make room on the 40-man roster. One of them is likely to go this time, with my guess being Gonzalez, as it was on Friday for Brent Lillibridge's entrance.

The A-Rod Plot Thickens

Someone's pouting.

Alex Rodriguez is still a long way from returning to the Yankees lineup, but his name has remained at the forefront of conversations.

The latest reason is a story in today's New York Times that accuses/suggests that an associate of A-Rod's tried to buy documents from an anti-aging clinic in Florida that has come under scrutiny for selling performance enhancing drugs.

A-Rod is just one of a number of players (Ryan Braun, Melky Cabrera, etc.) that allegedly used Biogensis of America as a source for PEDs. A-Rod has denied all of the accusations.

The NY Times' Michael Schmidt also reported that a former clinic employee sold documents to Major League Baseball, which would in turn destroy them.  This information is disturbing on a couple of levels. One, why was the employee in possession of the documents. Was MLB trying to protect their game by getting rid of evidence? And finally, if the employee contacted MLB about buying them was it an extortion attempt?

The steroid era just does not want to go away.

Skip Bayless, Attention Whore

Look at me, I an asshat

This would not have come to my attention had the NY Daily News' Mark Feinsand not tweeted it earlier this evening.

I NEVER watch First Take...I stopped when it was still called Cold Pizza and stunk just as much. Any show that would employ the intolerable Skip Bayless is a show that should not be watched. No one should care what Bayless says or how many times he mentions Tim Tebow (definitely could be a drinking game.).

But Bayless' latest comments are purely the work of an attention seeking asshole. With the Melky Cabrera and Bartolo Colon PED disasters, Bayless opined on how Derek Jeter could possibly be performing the way he is at age 38:

“I would have to be sight- and hearing-impaired not to at least wonder, because there is no HGH test in the sport of baseball,” Bayless said. “They do not blood test; they do it one time in spring training for HGH, not again the rest of the year. How could I not wonder, ‘Is he using something?’ If you’re Derek Jeter, would you think about using HGH right now? Because I would. How would you not? Would you not think about it?”

The Yankees' captain didn't take the comment lying down:

Jeter called it “unfortunate” that somebody can go on television and make such insinuations, joking that Bayless might be the one in need of a drug test. “Whenever you have people that anytime you bring something like this to light with guys that are doing things, it’s like, now you have everybody questioning everything,” Jeter said. “That’s the unfortunate thing. Maybe Skip should be tested.”

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-captain-derek-jeter-suggests-skip-bayless-check-hgh-usage-article-1.1142392?pgno=1#ixzz24KbxOU7q

Say It Ain't So, Bar-to-lo

Another one bites the dust, hey hey..another bites the dust.

We're still smack dab (what the hell kind of an expression is smack dab anyway? But I digress) in the middle of Melkygate when word came out today that another former Yankee has been caught with his hand in the testosterone jar.

Bartolo Colon, whose career came back from the dead with the Yankees last season, tested positive for synthetic testosterone (Yo Victor Conte, sleezbeag, you still think no one will get caught with the new synthetic PEDs?)

The punishment is the same as the Melkman- 50 games. That finishes Colon's season, and should the A's make the playoffs, the first 10 games of the post-season.

Colon, the only player I've seen take PEDs and still be extremely overweight, surprised everyone when he stood out at times for the Yankees in 2011. He wore out towards the end of the season, but not before he compiled an 8-10, 4.00 record (he was 8-6, 3.30 through July) in 26 starts and three relief appearances after having not pitched in the Majors since 2009.

Melky Cabrera, Colon. Who's next? I'm afraid to find out.

Oh Leche

I first started following Melky Cabrera's career when he was playing 'A' ball in the New York Yankees farm system. The kid looked like he had talent based on the numbers he produced. The Dominican born Melky put up 8 home runs and 67 RBI in 2004 for Battle Creek and Tampa.

He worked his way up the chain and got a cup of (spilled) coffee in the Majors in 2005. He was clearly over matched at the plate and field, but was back in the Majors as a regular a year later. His best year came in 2009 when he contributed to the Yankees' 27th title with career highs in home runs (13) and RBI (68). But there was always talk of Cabrera being a bit portly and out of shape. It had actually contributed to his demotion to Triple-A during the 2008 season.

Cabrera has had his ups and downs since then - released by the Atlanta Braves during the 2010 season, a career resurrection with the KC Royals in 2011 and an MVP type season this year with the San Francisco.  But Wednesday, the fit hit the shan.

A 50 game suspension handed down by Major League Baseball after it was revealed that Cabrera had tested positive for testosterone. Cabrera at least came clean, no pun intended, about the failed test.

"My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used," Cabrera said in a statement released by the union. "I accept my suspension under the Joint Drug Program and I will try to move on with my life. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I apologize to my teammates, to the San Francisco Giants organization and to the fans for letting them down." (quote courtesy of espn.com)

Cabrera had won this year' All-Star game MVP Award in his first appearance. His big night out included a solo home run. The Melk Man, who grew a cult following in NY, was hitting a career high .346 at the time of the suspension, which will wipe out the rest of the regular season. Cabrera would also miss the beginning of any post-season series.

It's especially disappointing when you think a guy turned his career around by doing the work, getting in shape, and really working at his craft. But now Melky's career will always be tainted and his chances for a big time contract after this season just went down the tubes. Of course, the only reason he may have had that opportunity was due to performance enhancing drugs. Another likable player's reputation bites the dust.

For more on the story, I recommend reading Tyler Kepner's excellent piece in the NY Times.

The Burnett Rollercoaster Continues

The A.J. Burnett debate continues - despite a shaky 5.2 IP outing, the Yankees erratic right-hander won his first game in the month of August since he's been in New York. The Yankees topped the Kansas City Royals 7-4 for their second straight win, which enabled to move into a first place tie with the idle Boston Red Sox in the AL East. Burnett would not have gotten the win if not for some timely hitting and defense though. Handed a 2-0 lead, Burnett got tagged for three runs by the Royals in the 5th inning. After loading the bases, Burnett walked former Yankee Melky Cabrera to cut the lead in half. Billy Butler then ripped a two run single to right to give KC their lone lead of the night. The play was also the first big defensive play of the inning. Right fielder Nick Swisher raced over and made a sliding stop of Butler's hit. It kept the the KC DH to a single and also kept a double play in order. And that's exactly what Burnett got, with some major help from Robinson Cano. The Yankees second baseman ranged far to his left to spear Eric Hosmer's grounder and whipped a throw to Derek Jeter to start an inning ending 4-6-3 double play. Jeter then provided the big hit when the Yankees took the lead right back in the top of the 6th. Consecutive singles by Jorge Posada, Russell Martin, and Brett Gardner tied the game at 3-3. The Jeter, who with three hits raised his average to .282, delivered a two run triple up the gap in right-center to put the Yankees back on top for good. Burnett came back out for the 6th, but Joe Girardi went to the bullpen with a man and two outs, and lefty Mike Moustakas due up. Boone Logan came on and ended the inning by picking rookie second baseman Johnny Giavotella off of first base. It went down as a caught steal as Giavotella tried to advance to second base, but was thrown out by Mark Teixeira. The Yankees went to their "big three" to finish things out. Rafael Soriano gave up a run for the first time since coming off the DL, but Mariano Rivera made quick work in the 9th for his 31st save. Notes

Jorge Posada said prior to the game that he would like to play another season even as a part-time contributor. If that is to be the case, it certainly wouldn't be with the Yankees. It would be a shame to see Posada end his career with another team, though it will be no easy task getting a job with another ball club.

Having not caught for a year, immobility, hitting barely over .100 from the right side, and struggling from the left are not things that are conducive to a new contract.

The Importance Of Being Melky | Baseball Digest

The Importance Of Being Melky | Baseball Digest

It’s not uncommon these days for baseball fans to “fall in love” with minor league prospects. You can obtain updates on their progress just as easily as you can with Major League players. That was not always the case until recently, specifically this wasn’t the case when Melky Cabrera was a New York Yankees farmhand. I followed his career from the early days and saw the potential he showed as he progressed through the Yankees system.

His initial call up to the Majors was an embarrassment- a little fish in a big pond. He couldn’t hit big league pitching and even worse, he looked like an ant trying to cover Yankee Stadium’s spacious centerfield and the adjacent gaps. He eventually worked his way up to a regular position, but performed miserably in 2008 and was sent to the minors. But Cabrera came into the 2009 season with a different attitude and eventually overtook Brett Gardner as the starting centerfielder. It was then that the Melkman began to deliver.

The Yankees had a number of new players and a new tradition, including pie ala A.J. Burnett in the face of any walk-off winning run producer. It began early in the season, April 22nd against Oakland*- a 14-inning affair was decided when Cabrera hit his second home run of the game for a 9-7 victory. On May 24, the Yankees rallied in the 9th against the Philadelphia Phillies and closer Brad Lidge. Down 4-2 entering the inning, the Yankees tied things up and had the winning run on second base. That’s when Cabrera singled to bring home his best buddy, Robinson Cano, with the winner.

Cabrera wasn’t just a walk-off wizard with the eventual champion Yankees, he excelled at the plate when the innings grew late. There was an 8th inning game-winning home run against Texas in June and an RBI single in the same frame to top the Angels in the first game in May. In late and close games, he hit .304 with 19 RBI and a .754 OPS. Though he wasn’t credited with a walk-off salutation, it was his 13th inning grounder in Game 2 of the ALCS that Maicer Izturis threw away to give the Yankees the win.

But the Yankees were not completely happy with Cabrera, most likely because of his relationship/influence on Cano, as well as his tendency to carry too much weight on his six-foot frame. Cabrera was jettisoned to Atlanta after the season and his offense plummeted. His OPS dropped to .671 and he drove in just 42 runs in 509 plate appearances. But the Melkman still had some late inning deliveries in him. An August 2-run single in the 9th inning toppled the Dodgers at Turner Field. In May, Cabrera’s infield single combined with a David Wright error gave the Braves a last inning 3-2 win over the New York Mets.

Cabrera moved on again for the 2011 season after Atlanta released him in October. This season is on average about 20 games old, but Kansas City has quickly learned the lore of “late inning Melky”. Cabrera provided the game winning, 12th inning hit on April 5th to push the Royals’ record to 4-1. Two weeks later, Cabrera threw out the Indians’ Carlos Santana at the plate in the 8th inning to hold the Royals deficit at two. Then in the 9th, he capped off a three run rally with the game winning single. The Melkman had left his calling card once again.

Though he has had an up and down career with the bat, Cabrera has maintained his late inning heroics. His nine walk-off winners since 2006 are the third highest total in Major League baseball (only Andre Ethier (11), and Ryan Zimmerman (10) have more). He may not have a Hall of Fame career, he may be relegated to the bench at some point, but when the game is on the line, fans know that Melky Cabrera can be counted on to set off a celebration.

Does Cashman have a Card up his sleeve?

Now that left field has been vacated by dispatching of Melky Cabrera to Atlanta, I suspect Brian Cashman may have something bigger in the works. We've heard about the need to monitor/cut back payroll. We've heard about possible discussions to/about Mark DeRosa and other low cost moves. But may very well be laying in the weeds to make a big, scratch that, very big move.

Matt Holliday in a Yankees lineup would likely make some opposing managers quit before the season even started. It would make anti-Yankees sentiment burn even hotter. It would cause those who want a salary cap to scream from the mountain tops. And of course it would satisfy those Yankees fans who ridiculously feel they need an All-Star at every position.

I think it's still not likely to occur, but Holliday could very well end up in a Yankees uniform if the length and amount of the contract was to the liking of Hal Steinbrenner and company.

That means that Johnny Damon is still an option as is Jason Bay.

The Yankees could still use a number five hitter to protect A-Rod and Holliday would certainly fit that role to a tee.

So to recap:

Plan A - Holliday

Plan B - Bay

Plan C - DeRosa type

Plan D - Damon

The order of this can all change of course if Damon lowers demands or the front office nixes a four or five year deal for Holliday or Bay. But the feeling here is that signing Holliday is Cashman's true agenda.

Yankees Seal up Rotation with Vazquez

Brian Cashman had spent the current off-season on the lookout for another starting pitcher. Today he landed one. The Yankees GM reacquired right-handed starter Javier Vazquez from the Atlanta Braves for popular outfielder Melky Cabrera. In addition, the Yankees received left-handed pitcher Boone Logan and sent pitchers Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino to the Braves.

Vazquez was originally acquired by the Yankees prior to the 2004 season. Ironically, recent free agent signee Nick Johnson was part of a package (along with Juan Rivera and Randy Choate) that landed Vazquez from the Montreal Expos.

Vazquez started out like a house afire in the Bronx, winning 10 games and was selected to the 2004 AL All-Star team. But a sore shoulder, which he kept hidden from the team, contributed to a miserable second half (6.92 ERA in 14 starts). He sealed his fate in pinstripes when he gave up a pair of home runs to Johnny Damon (more irony), including a grand slam, in Game 7 of the '04 ALCS. Vazquez was sent to the Arizona Diamondbacks in January, 2005 as part of a deal for Randy Johnson.

The right-hander is a work-horse, having averaged 216.1 innings over the last decade. He's in the final year of a free agent deal he signed with the Chicago White Sox prior to the 2006 season (he was dealt to Atlanta - even more irony - with Logan during the last off-season.). Since he'll be a back end of the rotation guy, this was a good move by Cashman.

Cabrera had his ups and downs in the Bronx. He bounced back from a rough 2008, which included a minor league demotion, and losing his starting job, to posting career bests in home runs (13) and OPS (.752) in 2009.

He helped the Yankees to several walk off wins in 2009, hit for the cycle against the White Sox, and was a solid contributor to the Yankees 27th world championship. He became expendable with the recent acquisition of center fielder Curtis Granderson from Detroit. A solid defender with a strong accurate arm, Melky's value was never going to be higher and Cashman was smart to move him before his offense had a chance to take a dip next season.

Win #6 Victory Song

6 down, 5 to go

"You shook me all night long"

ALDS Game 2 Afterthoughts

photo courtesy of nj.com

Umpire Phil Cuzzi, is unfortunately, the most wanted man in Minnesota. And unfortunately for him, he's still working the Yankees-Twins series. Cuzzi knows he blew the call in Game 2 and there's nothing that can be done about it.

It's amazing how dumb some reporters can be. During the Game 2 press conference, a reporter asked Twins manager Ron Gardenhire if the correct call would have changed the complexion of the game. Gardenhire did his best to keep from exploding before finally saying, "The next guy got a single. You tell me."

Twins closer Joe Nathan seems to have forgotten that it was he who blew the Twins lead in the 9th.

"...hopefully the umpire realizes he has to do something to get better,” as if Cuzzi needed more on-the-job training."

Alex Rodriguez' hip surgeon Dr. Marc Phillepon watched his start client take batting practice before the game and also examined his hip. Phillepon came away impressed with what he saw and feels there's a 90% chance A-Rod won't need further surgery.

A-Rod's 3-RBI singles have knocked in Derek Jeter each time.

The Game 2 crowd was the new Stadium's first in excess of 50,000 fans.

Yankees Draw 1st Blood

Yesterday I pontificated that I thought it was important for the Yankees to make a statement in their final regular season series with the Boston Red Sox. Last night's 9-5 Yankees' win did just that.

It was a satisfying win on many levels. A huge offensive game for Alex Rodriguez. A battering, literally and figuratively of top notch Red Sox starter Jon Lester. 7 stolen bases against catcher Jason Varitek and the Sox pitching staff. And most importantly, an effective start by Joba Chamberlain.

The man for whom the rules were written, went six innings for the first time in a month and a half. He allowed three runs and looked like the aggressive, hard throwing Joba that the Yankees will need in the post-season. He threw 86 pitches and was one out away from allowing just one run, when David Ortiz hit a 2-run home run off of him in the top of the 6th.

But Chamberlain also worked himself out of jams. It was something he hadn't been able to do of late. The Red Sox had 2nd and 3rd with just no out in the 5th inning, but Chamberlain retired Varitek on a foul out, struck out Alex Gonzalez, and got Jacoby Ellsbury to ground out to Mark Teixeira to retire the side.

Chamberlain's teammates were aggressive at the plate, as well as the basepaths, in giving him an early lead to work with. Derek Jeter singled to start the 1st inning, stole 2nd, and scored on Rodriguez' single. With a man aboard in the 4th, A-Rod hit a long home run into the second deck in left field for a 3-0 lead.

The Yankees then loaded the bases on Lester before Melky Cabrera hit a line drive off the pitcher's right leg. Lester went down in a heap and left the game with a bruised quad. The Yankees continued to pile on the runs and Joe Girardi mixed and matched the bullpen as the Yankees earned their 98th win.

It was a tremendous game for Rodriguez, who finished 3-3 with two walks, 4 RBI, 3 runs scored, and 3 stolen bases. Remarkably, despite missing a chunk of time at the beginning of the season, A-Rod is just seven RBI shy of 100. The home run was his 581st, two shy of Mark McGwire for 8th place on the all-time list.

Melky Cycles His Way Around Chicago

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: cc sabathia • Jermaine Dye • Jim Thome • mariano rivera • Mark Buehrle • melky cabrera • Melky hits for the cycle • Thurman Munson • Yankees 8/2 recap • Yankees vs. White Sox

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
NY Yankees	0	3	0	2	2	0	0	0	1		8	15	0
Chi White Sox	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	1	0		5	11	0

WP - Sabathia (11-7) SV - Rivera (30) LP - Buehrle (11-5)

The Yankees finally beat a team with Sox in their name, thanks in large part to Melky Cabrera who became the first Yankee in 14 years to hit for the cycle. CC Sabathia gutted his way through 7+ innings and the Yankees topped the Chicago White Sox 8-5.

Cabrera jump started the Yankees with a 3-run home run in the 2nd inning, but the White Sox tagged Sabathia for 4 runs in the 3rd inning. After cutting the Yankees lead to 3-1, Jermaine Dye hit his 24th home run with a man aboard and Jim Thome followed with a solo shot, his 18th, to give Chicago a 4-3 lead.

Read the rest of my recap at Baseball Digest Online.

The Melkman Cycles

Melky Cabrera just became the first Yankee in 14 years to hit for the cycle when he tripled moments ago.

Cabrera is just the third Yankee in the last 37 years to hit for the cycle, joinging Tony Fernandez (1995) and Bobby Murcer (1972).

Cabrera homered in his first at-bat and added a double and single, but needed a single in the 9th inning to accomplish the feat. He lined a pitch off White Sox' reliever Scott Linebrink that right fielder Jermaine Dye misjudged. Cabrera never let up and beat the relay throw to 3rd base.

Stellar Joba as Yankees Win 8th Straight

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: Brett Anderson • Derek Jeter • joba chamberlain • Jorge Posada • Matt Holliday • melky cabrera • Oakland A's • phil coke • Ted Williams • Yankees 7/24 recap • Yankees vs. A's

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Oakland	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2		3	4	1
NY Yankees	0	0	2	0	1	1	0	4	X		8	12	1

WP - Chamberlain (6-2) LP - Anderson (5-8)

Pitching and defense wins champions. Right now it’s win baseball games for the New York Yankees. Joba Chamberlain pitched into the 8th inning and the Yankees took advantage of sloppy Oakland A’s defense to win their eighth straight ball game, 8-3.

Chamberlain won consecutive starts for just the second time in his career and came out for the 8th inning after throwing 93 pitches through 7 innings. But leading just 4-1 at the time, Joe Girardi was forced to go to the bullpen when his starter gave up a walk and hit a batter to open the inning. Phil Coke came on and stranded the A’s runners and the Yankees broke open the game in the bottom half of the inning, enabling Mariano Rivera to enjoy a night off.

Read the rest of my recap on Baseball Digest Online.

Melky's Afternoon Delight

Melky Gives Yankees Afternoon Delight

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: Brandon McCarthy • C.J. Wilson • chien-ming wang • Ian Kinsler • Johnny Damon • mariano rivera • Mark Teixeira • melky cabrera • Nelson Cruz • Yankees 6/5 recap • Yankees vs. Rangers

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Texas	0	0	2	2	1	1	0	0	0		6	11	1
NY Yankees	1	0	0	0	5	0	0	2	X		8	10	1

WP - Robertson (1-0) SV - Rivera (12) LP - Wilson (3-3)

Melky Cabrera had a miserable 2008 season. He barely hit his weight, had no power, was out of shape, and arguably, didn’t have the best attitude. He hit rock bottom when he was sent to the minors in August. He heard his name mentioned in various off-season trade rumors and came to spring training this year knowing he would have to compete for a job with rookie Brett Gardner. Despite hitting over .300 in the exhibition season, Cabrera lost out to Gardner and was relegated to the bench. But the stars aligned for Cabrera; the youngster struggled and the veterans started getting hurt. The Melkman jumped at his chance and took full advantage of it. Yesterday was another day for Cabrera to play hero, this time providing a game winning 2-run home run in the bottom of the 8th inning.

The Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 8-6 after being down 5-1 and blowing a 6-5 lead of their own. Chien-Ming Wang pitched a seamless two innings, racking up three strikeouts, but then the Rangers jumped all over him the second time around the lineup. The Yankees bullpen held Rangers to one run the rest of the way though to enable the Yankees to enjoy another come from behind victory.

Except for a Johnny Damon solo home run to start the home team’s first at-bat, the Yankees couldn’t muster anything against Rangers starter Brandon McCarthy until the 5th inning. The youngsters started it off, Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter had the day off, with Francisco Cervelli and Ramiro Pena stroking back to back singles. Damon walked to loaded the bases and Nick Swisher drew a free pass on a 3-2 pitch to force in the Yankees second run. Mark Teixeira, back in the lineup after sitting out Wednesday with a bruised ankle, hit what seemed like a harmless squibber down the third baseline.

But the ball eluded the glove of Michael Young and trickled towards the left field corner. It allowed all three base runners to score to tie the game at 5-5 and Teixeira cruised into second with a gift double. Alex Rodriguez put the Yankees back on top with a long single off reliever Jason Jennings and Robinson Cano followed with a single of his own. But Jennings got out of the no-out jam when A-Rod was doubled off of second base on Hideki Matsui’s line out and Cabrera grounded out.

Ian Kinsler quickly tied the game back up in the 6th, with a solo home run off of Al Aceves, to set up Melky’s heroics. C.J. Wilson walked Cano to start the 8th and one batter later, Cabrera lofted a fly ball that barely cleared the wall in left field.

Mariano Rivera got into his own trouble as he tried to lock down the game in the 9th, putting runners on the corners with just one out. But Rivera struck out slugger Nelson Cruz and retired David Murphy on pop up to A-Rod to end the game.

Game Notes

Chien-Ming Wang was charged with 5 runs in 4.2 innings pitched, but still lowered his ERA to 14.46. You have to question the wisdom of throwing Wang after he pitched 3 innings on Sunday in Cleveland. Joe Girardi could have stuck with today’s scheduled starter, CC Sabathia, yesterday and thrown Wang today. It’s possible Girardi went with the philosophy that a sinkerballer is more effective when he’s a little tired.

Nelson Cruz’s home run ended Wang’s streak of 267 right-handed batters faced without allowing a home run.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, David Robertson became the first pitcher in three years to win a ball game after throwing just one pitch.

The Yankees open a 3-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays tonight at the Stadium. CC Sabathia (5-3, 3.46) faces hard throwing phenom David Price (1-0, 3.00).

And because I couldn't resist:

Phillies Take Series in 11

Phillies Overcome Yankees Rally, 5-4

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: brad lidge • Carlos Ruiz • cc sabathia • Chase Utley • Cole Hamels • Derek Jeter • Jimmy Rollins • Johnny Damon • Mark Teixeira • melky cabrera • Raul Ibanez • Yankees 5/24 recap • Yankees vs. Phillies

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11		R	H	E
Philadelphia	0	0	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1		4	11	1
NY Yankees	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0		3	13	0

WP - Condrey (4-0) LP - Tomko (0-1)

The Yankees had another dramatic 9th inning rally, but the Philadelphia Phillies got the last laugh and beat the Yankees 5-4 in 11 innings. It looked like the Yankees would pull off another dramatic win when Melky Cabrera singled home the tying run off closer Brad Lidge in the 9th and then put the first two men aboard in the 10th.

But after singles by Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira bounced into a rally killing double play. Chris Condrey intentionally walked Alex Rodriguez and retired Ramiro Pena, who had entered the game in the 9th as a pinch-runner for Robinson Cano, on a fly out to keep the game tied.

Brett Tomko retired the first two Phillies in the 11th, but walked Chase Utley. The second baseman stole second base and came home on catcher Carlos Ruiz’ double to give the Phillies the lead back. Condrey retired the Yankees in order in the 11th to improve to 4-0.

The game had been a pitcher’s duel between aces Cole Hamels and CC Sabathia. The Phillies struck first in the 3rd inning on 2-out RBI hits by Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino. Damon got a run back in the bottom half of the 3rd with an RBI double, but was thrown at home plate, for the second straight game, trying to score on aTeixeira single.

Raul Ibanez doubled home Victorino for a 3-1 lead in the 6th, but Sabathia stranded him on the base paths. Teixeira answered with a broken bat home run to left in the bottom of the inning to set up the late inning drama.

Cano led off the 9th with a single up the middle and was replaced by Pena, who stole second base and came home on Cabrera’s single. The Melkman stole second base as well, but was stranded when pinch-hitter Nick Swisher and Brett Gardner both grounded out.

Game Notes

After his awful start in Baltimore (4.1 IP 6 ER) on opening day, CC Sabathia is 4-2 with a 3.00 ERA.

Derek Jeter continued his interleague dominance, going 6-15 in the series.

The Yankees had a chance to move into first place in the AL East after Toronto lost their 6th straight. Instead Boston moved into sole possession of first after salvaging the finale of their 3-game series with the Mets.

The Yankees begin a 3-game series with the AL West leading Texas Rangers this afternoon at 2 p.m. ET. Phil Hughes (2-2, 7.06) faces left-hander Matt Harrison (4-3, 4.71). The Rangers have the best record in the AL and the second best in all of baseball.