Ugly, Uglier, Ugliest

The last 3 games could be described in the title above, pretty much in any order you choose. Just as things were looking back up again - 4 wins in 5 games, a 2.5 game lead in the AL East - things went to pot again. Three straight losses and back into 2nd place in the division.

It started out on Wednesday when a 2 hour-11 minute rain delay forced starter A.J. Burnett from the game. Now obviously you know what you're going to get from Burnett on any given evening, but when play resumed Joe Girardi chose to go with the back end of the bullpen to finish the final six innings. Why?

Girardi continues to baffle the mind with his moves. Did he figure he had his ace CC Sabathia pitching the finale against the Rays and since he had a 2.5 game lead he could just reserve the top pen guys? He seemed to forget that the Rays were throwing David Price against Sabathia and nothing is ever a given.

Needless to say the pen completely put Wednesday's game out of reach (7-2 loss). Then came Thursday and Sabathia didn't have it. Price wasn't as sharp as he was either when the two locked horns the prior week in Tampa, but he was able to watch as Sabathia lost the strike zone and the game, 10-3. Javier Vazquez also added some comic relief by hitting three straight batters. (I hope Cashman doesn't plan on bringing Vazquez back in 2016.)

The lead in the east had shrunk back to a half-game with the Boston Red Sox coming to town for the last regular season series at home this year. Andy Pettitte was making his second start since being activated off the DL last Sunday. As good as he was that day in a no-decision against Baltimore, that's how bad - actually more like 10 times worse - he was last night.

The Red Sox took batting practice against Pettitte and then Jonathan Albaladejo came on to throw some feul on the fire (Albaladejo looks like Mark Melancon 2.0 - great minors, poor majors) as the Yankees faced a 10-1 deficit. The Bombers banged out six home runs - two each by A-Rod and Mark Teixeira, and one apiece for Nick Swisher and Curtis Granderson - but still came up short 10-8.

The Yankees now find themselves looking up at the Rays, a half-game back in 2nd place. Today they have to face Jon Lester and we have to listen to the idiots on Fox (Hopefully we'll be spared Buck, who may be already at an NFL site to set up for Sunday). Ivan Nova goes for the Yankees.

The series finishes Sunday night (Miller and Morgan, oy) with the unpredictable Dice-K going against the more unpredictable Dustin Moseley. What's the over/under on how many times Miller say Adrian "Bel-TRAY"?

Rematch Deluxe

Can CC Sabathia and David Price match their output from last week's head to head start? Both tossed eight scoreless innings in a game the Yankees loss 1-0 when Reid Brignac "Sergio Mitred" the Yankees.

Didn't see much of last night's game, but I what I did see what disgusting. We lost power here in NJ as the game was starting and it lasted four hours. Came back on just in time to watch the crap (back) end of the bullpen completely throw the game away. I guess Joe Girardi figured, "what the hell it's only one game).

Needless to say I shut it off almost as quickly as the TV came back on.

Taking 3 of 4 from the Rays would be so much sweeter than a split.

Yankees Go Big Game Hunting

Entering tonight's play, "Big Game" James Shields had a 2.51 ERA in five starts against the Yankees this season and a 5.35 ERA against the rest of the American League. Tonight, the Yankees finally caught up to the Tampa Bay Rays starter.

Nick Swisher's 1st inning home run ignited a 5-run inning and the Yankees went on to an 8-3 victory. Phil Hughes picked up his 17th win as he battled his way through six plus innings (He probably should have been out after six innings.)

The game started much the same way it did when Shields faced Hughes in Tampa Bay a week ago. Then it was Alex Rodriguez who hit an early home run and the Yankees followed with a rally. But on that night Shields riggled his way out of trouble. Not this time around.

Mark Teixeira followed Swisher's 27th home run with a walk and Rodriguez followed with a single. Shields looked like he might escape again when he struck out Robinson Cano, but Jorge Posada singled to center for a 2-0 lead. Lance Berkman drilled a 2-run double to the wall in centerfield and Curtis Granderson followed with an RBI single for a 5-0 advantage.

The Rays chipped away with the aid of a Matt Joyce home run to cut the lead to 5-3 in the 7th, but the Yankees put things away in their half of the inning when Cano delivered a bloop 2-run double.

Notes

Joba Chamberlain threw a solid 1.2 innings to earn his 3rd save of the season.

Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak to 10 games, during which he's hitting .311 (14-45).

I Hate Bad Sports Days

I hate days like Sunday. I was already still fuming from the Yankees loss yesterday when I sat down to watch the Giants football game. I am not going to even get into that one...I shut it off at halftime before I was tempted to throw the TV out the window.

As for the Yankees game, a very disappointing loss considering they could have gone into tonight's series with the Rays 1.5 up instead of .5. Mariano is going to blow games, it happens. Andy Pettitte pitched very well and was a big silver lining. And relievers, like David Robertson, are going to give up a run to lose a game. It all happens.

The really aggravating thing is the complete lack of clutch hitting that has spread through the team at an epidemic proportion. I now cringe when the bases are loaded. They were in the top of the 11th when Lance Berkman stepped up and promptly bounced into an inning ending double play.

I was also not too happy about Alex Rodriguez sitting down with Mark Teixeira already out of the lineup. Michael Kay and Ken Singleton speculated that Joe Girardi wanted to be sure to have A-Rod for all three games against the Rays.

It doesn't make sense. Play A-Rod and sit him against Boston on Friday. Yes, you heard that correctly. The Red Sox are a non-factor now except for playing the role of spoiler. You can't have a lineup that is missing two of your three biggest guns.

Pitching Probables for Rays Series.

Tonight it's Matt Garza against rookie Ivan Nova in a rematch of a game in Tampa last week. The Yankees knocked Garza around and Nova couldn't hold a 6-0 lead. The Yankees eventually won the roller coaster ride.

Tuesday night has another rematch- James Shields vs. Phil Hughes. Shields has been average pitcher that looks like a Hall of Fame caliber hurler when he faces the Yankees. Hughes pitched a sound game, but threw two gopher balls to Dan Johnson that cost the Yankees the game.

Wednesday has Wade Davis going against A.J. Burnett, who will be trying to build off his strong start in Baltimore.

And the Thursday finale could be a rematch of the thrilling David Price-CC Sabathia duel that took place last week in Tampa. The Yankees have not officially named Sabathia the starter according to the MLB probables.

Giants

Okay, I can't resist. What a pathetic, no-show performance by this supposed football team. Did the defensive players forget to get off the team bus? Always a mistake to watch the Giants in prime time.

Jeterian Strikes Again

Written for Baseball Digest(Umps Failed, Not Jeter)

Once Derek Jeter got away with a faux hit by pitch Wednesday night, you knew that the radio talk shows, online and paper media would be having a field day with it. If you didn’t see it, Jeter took an inside pitch from Tampa Bay Rays reliever Chad Qualls squarely on the…handle of his bat. The sound and ensuing distance of the ricochet was obvious. Jeter flailed away from home and grabbed at his left elbow while keeping one eye on home plate umpire Lance Barksdale. Jeter only relaxed when Barksdale signaled to take first base.

Here’s a little bit of what I heard and read today: Wally Matthews who covers the Yankees beat for ESPN New York was on 1050 ESPNradio with Michael Kay. The first thing Matthews did was to remind/point out that he does not create the headlines. In this case it was “Derek Jeter a Cheater?” (the headline was later changed to “Derek Jeter is flawed after all”.

Matthews felt Jeter was completely in the wrong; that maybe he (Matthews) was “old school”, but the move was a blemish on Jeter’s resume. He pointed out, as just about every fan has, that A-Rod would have been vilified for the move. Of course he would have been, but that’s irrelevant.

WFAN’s Mike Francesa took the tack that Jeter did absolutely nothing wrong and the play was part of gamesmanship. That it was no different than a wide receiver working the referee for a pass interference call or an NBA player flopping to draw a charge. Not all of his callers agreed. One, whom I would have to believe was a Mets fan, ripped into the Yankees shortstop. And of course, Alex Rodriguez’s name was invoked in the discussion.

Someone else brought up the old argument of “What should you tell your little leaguers?” Francesa was spot on (You will rarely ever read or hear me say that) in saying you cannot compare little league baseball with professional sports. They’re both baseball and that’s where the comparison ends.

Other than the usual sensational cover photos on the NY Post and NY Daily News, there wasn’t much discussion of Jeter’s Academy Award performance.

Instant replay was discussed as well. You expect it to be brought up any time a play like this one occurs. I’m still against it for these situations and most of the pundits and callers/readers seemed to express the same view.

The bottom line is that Derek Jeter did indeed do nothing wrong. He did what any athlete would do in that situation. You’re trying to get on any base any way you can. The mistake/bad play was made by Barksdale and his fellow men in blue – Ed Rapuano, Tom Hallion, and Ron Kulpa. Just as they have on a number of other occasions, the umpires should have gotten together and discussed whether or not anyone had a clear view of whether the ball hit Jeter or not. Barksdale never considered it despite the rightful protestations of Rays manager Joe Maddon.

Had a ball hitting body made the sound that was heard, bones would have broken. And no ball hitting an elbow pad would have made that sound. Just as with a check swing, there is no way a home plate umpire can keep his eyes on both the ball/strike call and the swing of the bat. Barksdale knows it and his fellow umpires do as well.

Just another bad night for the Major League’s bad umpiring.

Hughes Comes Up Short in Big Situation

Don't let anyone fool you. By now you have probably read that Phil Hughes pitched a good game last night, except for "a couple of mistake pitches" to Dan Johnson. Sorry, that doesn't cut it.

Hughes made those two huge mistakes to Johnson, who hit both out of the park to give the Tampa Bay Rays a 4-3 victory over the Yankees. As a result, the Rays passed the Yankees and moved back into sole possession of first place in the AL East. Both teams have today off.

Hughes did look dominant early with a strong fastball and devastating curve. In fact, staked to a 1-0 lead, he retired the first 12 men he faced. Evan Longoria ended that streak with a single leading off the 5th, which was when Hughes made his first mistake.

Johnson, who never materialized into the hitter he was thought of as a highly regarded prospect in the A's organization, smacked his 3rd home run of the season to give the Rays a 2-1 lead.

The Yankees continued to fail with runners in scoring position and blew a golden opportunity against Rays starter James Shields in the 1st inning. Shields who has the nickname "Big Game James", but only seems to pitch that way against the Yankees, has yielded the most runs in the American League this season. But entering play last night, he was 2-0, 2.77 vs. the Bombers this season. He got himself in immediate trouble by loading the bases on singles by Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira, and a walk to Alex Rodriguez.

Robinson Cano drove in his 99th run with a single through the left side as Shields' pitch count rose rapidly. But as has been the case the last week and a half, the Yankees let an opposing pitcher off the hook. This time it was Lance Berkman bouncing into an inning ending double play. That would be the only run the Yankees would manage off Shields in six-plus innings.

The Yankees rallied though in the 7th as soon as Shields was removed. Reliever Chad Qualls hit Derek Jeter, or did he? Jeter pulled off an Academy Award worthy performance, grabbing his elbow after Qualls' pitch rode inside and nailed him on his....bat handle. Replays clearly showed ball meeting bat. Needless to say, Rays manager Joe Maddon was ejected after arguing that one.

After a short delay, Curtis Granderson lined his 18th home run into the right field seats for a 3-2 Yankees lead. That turned things back over to Hughes, who retired the first two men he faced in the 7th before Matt Joyce reached on a single to center. That brought up Johnson, whose career has included a year in Japan and 31 home runs in Triple-A this season. Despite hitting near the Mendoza line, Johnson ruined Hughes' and the Yankees' nights when he drove another ball into the right field seats for a 4-3 Rays lead.

Hughes allowed just six hits, but that stat is totally meaningless when you are on the wrong end of the scoreboard.

Notes

Joba Chamberlain had a strong relief appearance, retiring all four men he faced, two by strikeout.

Poor job by the official scorer last night for awarding Chad Qualls the victory. The veteran reliever last two-thirds of an inning and gave up the go ahead home run to Granderson. Grant Balfour, who threw a scoreless 8th, should have earned the win.

I Had A Dream

I was watching the Yankees take on the Tampa Bay Rays. First place in the AL East was on the line. The Yankees had come into the game having lost of 7 of 8 and had dropped out of 1st place the previous night when Tampa won a 1-0 thriller.

The Yankees clung to a one run lead in the 9th. Speedster Carl Crawford was on 2nd base with one out when Mariano Rivera got Matt Joyce to lift a fly near the right field foul line. Greg Golson, playing in place of the injured Nick Swisher, camped under it for what would be the second out. But wait, what was Golson doing? He's firing the ball, flat footed, to 3rd base. And Crawford is out to end the game.

And then I woke up.

No wait, I was awake the whole time. It really happened. When did Greg Golson become Dave Parker, Ellis Valentine, and Ichiro all rolled into one? Golson's laser throw to 3rd cut down Crawford with the help of a nice one hop pick up and tag by Alex Rodriguez. There was much criticism of Crawford for making the last out at 3rd, but it was Crawford running and these are the aggressive Tampa Bay Rays. It was a wild finish to a wild game.

The Yankees had staked Ivan Nova to a 6-0 lead against Matt Garza with the help of a Robinson Cano line drive 2-run home run and a long solo blast by Alex Rodriguez. But in the 5th, things fell apart for the rookie. For the second time in a matter of weeks, he was pulled from the game before getting the final out that would qualify for a win. But he had to be pulled. The Rays had cut the lead to 6-4 and lefty Dan Johnson was due up.

So Joe Girardi went to his red hot lefty specialist Boone Logan, who hadn't allowed an earned run in his last 25 appearances dating back to July 18. Boom end of streak. Pinch-hitting from the right side, Willy Aybar smacked a 3-run home run that erased the Yankees lead completely and put Tampa ahead 7-6.

The Yankees came right back though in the 6th, tying the game on a Cano RBI double. It was the 98th ribbie for Cano, establishing a new career high. Then the real craziness began. Still tied in the bottom of the 9th, Ben Zobrist hit a 2-out drive to deep center that Granderson went vertical on to make a diving, inning ending catch.

In the top of the 10th, the Yankees took the lead when Jorge Posada hit a moon shot to dead center off Dan Wheeler. The ball landed atop the restaurant well beyond the centerfield fence for an 8-7 lead.

Crawford singled off Rivera to start the 10th and Evan Longoria followed with a blast to deep center that seemed ticketed to be a walk off game winner. But the ball landed in Granderson's glove in center for a loud out. It wasn't a game changer, but was nearly an underwear changer.

As expected, you knew Crawford would attempt to steal 2nd base and he did with Joyce at-bat. Then Joyce hit his fly and Golson flashed his skills, and the Yankees were back in 1st place.

Notes

Andy Pettitte allowed two earned runs in a five inning stint in the Trenton Thunder's 3-2, extra inning win in the Eastern League championship opener against Altoona. Pettitte is now scheduled to start against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday at Camden Yards.

Andrew Brackman picked up the win for Trenton when he threw five shutout innings in relief of the Yankees veteran.

An MRI of Nick Swisher's troublesome knee showed nothing more than inflammation and he was given a cortisone shot. He could be back in the lineup on Friday.

Brett Gardner also got a cortisone shot in his bad wrist and will be limited for the time being to pinch-running and playing defense.

Say It Ain't So Joe

Joe Girardi has everyone scratching their heads.

Girardi’s Moves Continue To Baffle

Written for Baseball Digest

Even though the New York Yankees won the 2009 World Series, there were a number of times that I watched with great curiosity at the in-game moves made last season by manager Joe Girardi. They occurred in the regular season, the divisional and league playoffs, and the Series itself. And even though Girardi came out smelling like a rose, his decisions left many scratching their heads, myself included.

Girardi has a tendency to over-manage in some games, under-manage in others. Or in some cases, he pulls off the daily double of doing both in the very same game. Last night’s loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, which dropped the Yankees into second place in the AL East, highlighted some of those questionable moves.

Click here to continue to read for free as always at BaseballDigest.com

Cano And Away We Go

Rafael Soriano throws hard. Robinson Cano swings smooth. Sometimes when the two forces meet, magic happens. It did tonight at the Trop in Tampa when Cano smashed a tape measure home run off Soriano (2-1) in the top of the 9th for a 5-4 Yankees win.

The victory pushed the Yankees lead over the Rays back to two games in the AL East and kept Boston, which had topped Detroit earlier, eight back.

It was a game in which the Yankees battled throughout, coming back from 1-0, 3-1, and 4-3 deficits. It was a game won despite managing just six hits off of starter Matt Garza and the Rays' pen. It was a game won despite a mediocre outing from Yankees starter Javier Vazquez.

It was a game won due to the long ball and a strong performance from the Yankees bullpen. Mark Teixeira hit a monster 2-run home run in the 6th to tie the game at 3-3. Then after Vazquez surrendered a solo home run to Friday's hero Matt Joyce, Nick Swisher tied things back up with a solo shot off Garza in the 7th.

Boone Logan and David Robertson (2-3) retired all five men they faced to set up Cano's heroics in the 9th. Soriano had retired Alex Rodriguez, who was 0-3 with a walk in his quest for #600, on a pop up to start the inning, but there would be no denying Cano.

The 2nd baseman had three hits on the night to raise his average to .334 and sent Soriano's fastball to the back of the right field seats. That left things up to Mariano Rivera. The Yankees closer picked up his 22nd save, allowing just a 2-out bloop single before retiring Jason Bartlett on a game ending force out.

Notes

Lance Berkman, wearing his customary #17, went 0-4 as the DH. He batted in the 2nd spot in the lineup. Austin Kearns donned #26, but did not enter the game.

Rays ReJoyce

Phil Hughes was cruising along, mixing a mid-90s fastball with a great curve. Then the 6th inning came along and all of that hard work changed in the blink of the eye. Matt Joyce belted a Hughes cutter into the right field seats with two aboard and the Tampa Rays went on to a 3-2 victory. The win moved the Rays to within one game of the Yankees in the AL East.

Hughes had allowed just two hits through the first five innings before John Jaso started the 6th off with a single. A one out walk to Evan Longoria brought the go ahead run to the plate in the person of Yankee killer Carlos Pena. The Rays 1st baseman bounced into a force out, but Joyce connected on a 2-2 pitch well out of the reach of a climbing Nick Swisher in right.

Rafael Soriano recorded his 29th save when he retired the Yankees in order in the 9th. It included getting Alex Rodriguez, who went 0-4, to pop up for the first out of the frame.

The Yankees took the lead off Wade Davis in the 1st when Derek Jeter led off the game with a single and Swisher followed with his 19th home run of the year. But that was all the offense the Yankees could put up on the board as they had just two more hits the rest of the evening.

It was only the 4th home run of the year for Joyce, but his second big one within a week. His home run broke up the duel no-hitter between Detroit's Max Scherzer and Tampa's Matt Garza on Monday. Garza would go on to complete the no-no.

Joba Chamberlain made a good appearance, retiring all six men he faced. Half of them were by strikeout.

Pettitte Likely Headed To DL

The Yankees series win over the Rays was tempered a bit by the news that Andy Pettitte is likely head to the DL with a groin strain.

Pettitte felt something awry in the 3rd inning of today's game and left after consulting with Joe Girardi and trainer Gene Monahan. An MRI revealed a Grade 1 strain and though Girardi is taking a wait-and-see attitude, he also feels Pettitte is likely to be DLed.

The Yankees choices for the rotation include Sergio Mitre, Dustin Moseley, and Chad Gaudin among the current Yankees and Ivan Nova in Scranton. Though he's on the same pitching schedule as Pettitte, it is very unlikely that the Yankees would call up Nova's teammate and prospect David Phelps, who started the season at Double-A Trenton.

Update 9:55 pm - Brian Cashman told the media that Andy Pettitte is expected to miss 4-5 weeks. For now, Sergio Mitre will take Pettitte's spot in the rotation.

And the Moron of the Year Goes To...

... A.J. Burnett...

Yes ladies and gentleman it was never a contest. A.J. channeled his inner Kevin Brown and Doyle Alexander and decided to take out his frustrations on some lineup holders inside the Yankees clubhouse.

It wasn't bad enough that he had put the Yankees in a 3-0 hole early, but then he put holes in each of his palms. Bravo on a job well done.

Hey wait a minute. It gets even better. Not only did A.J. hurt his hands and his team, but he lied about it too, telling trainer Steve Donahue that he had fallen on the steps. Oops. A(ss)J(ack) later confessed and apologized to his manager, Joe Girardi, and GM Brian Cashman. He'll also apologize to the team tomorrow. He should also apologize to his banker for the withdrawal he'll have to make to pay for the hefty fine the team should hit him with. No pie for you!

It turned a nice day - Old Timer's Day - into a rotten day. Burnett, Dustin Moseley, and Chad Gaudin got pounded in a 10-4 defeat. Reid Brignac had two home runs all year, but managed to hit a pair and drove in 5 runs. While good for my fantasy team, it was not so good for the large crowd sitting in sweltering heat.

On another note, let's hope this is the last we will see of Gaudin. Seriously, enough already. Boone Logan returned yet again today, but it was in place of Damaso Marte, who landed on the DL with shoulder inflammation.

The few bright spots for the Yankees today? Home runs by Mark Teixeira and Jorge Posada. That really was about it. Oh, and Joe Buck was working the other Fox game though Tim McCarver manage to rile Yankees fans when he compared the Yankees organization to Nazi Germany.

Here's hoping Andy Pettitte's "Journey to Comfort" includes taking the series with a win on Sunday.

Yankees Show Rays Who's Boss

It was an emotional night from start to finish at Yankee Stadium this evening as the Yankees and Rays squared off in the first game since George Steinbrenner's passing. The Yankees rallied from a pair of deficits to produce a dramatic 5-4 walk off win on Nick Swisher's single in the bottm of the 9th.

The evening started with solemn and tender tributes to the man known as "The Boss" and long time PA announcer Bob Sheppard, who passed away last Sunday. Mariano Rivera placed roses on home plate and the crowd stood in a moment of silence. Video tributes played throughout the evening and the PA booth was silent. And Derek Jeter spoke eloquently and emotionally about the man whose voice he revered and the boss that he had struck up a friendship with.

The Yankees seemed flat and the crowd was as quiet as the PA booth for much of the game until Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada connected for back to back home runs off James Shields in the 6th inning to tie the game at three apiece.

Down a run in the 8th, Swisher brought the crowd to their feet again with his 16th home run of the year, off Joaquin Benoit, to tie the game at 4-4. Benoit had allowed just two home runs in his previous 27.2 innings.

CC Sabathia was not at his best, allowing four runs (three earned) and four walks in seven innings. David Robertson struck out the side in the 8th and Mariano Rivera earned the win after tossing a scoreless 9th. Rivera's inning included a pick off of B.J. Upton after he reached with a lead off single.

Curtis Granderson has struggled against left-handers, but has succeeded against Randy Choate and did again tonight with a lead off single to start the home half of the 9th. Pinch-hitter Ramiro Pena sacrificed Granderson to 2nd base before Brett Gardner earned a one out walk.

Rays' skipper Joe Maddon went to right-hander Dan Wheeler to face Derek Jeter and the move paid off when the Captain went down swinging for the second out. But Maddon countered with another right-hander Lance Cormier to face Swisher. The Yankees right fielder had been 0-7 against Cormier, but ripped a line drive to right field to score Granderson ahead of Gable Kapler's throw for the game winner.

An emotional night ended with an emotional celebration and, of course, some pie courtesy of A.J. Burnett.

Yankees Get Last Laugh on Rays

Yankees Pound Rays in Post-Season Prep

Written for Baseball Digest Online

The Yankees still don’t know who they will be playing in the American League Division Series, but they got their focus back on Sunday and pummeled the Tampa Bay Rays 10-2. To be more precise, Alex Rodriguez pummeled the Rays on Sunday.

A-Rod came into the game two home runs and seven RBI shy of a 30/100 season. All he needed was one inning to accomplish the feat for the 12th straight year. Trailing 2-0, the Yankees put two aboard in the 6th against rookie starter Wade Davis. That set the stage for Rodriguez to blast his 29th home run of the season for a 3-2 Yankees lead. But the Bronx Bombers weren’t done yet.

The Yankees loaded the bases against Davis and reliever Andy Sonnanstine, who appeared to get out of the inning when Jose Molina hit a potential double play tapper in front of the plate. But in his haste to throw home, Sonnanstine lost control of the baseball and everyone was safe. Two batters later Johnny Damon made him pay for the error with a 2-run double that extended the Yankees lead to 6-2. That’s when things really got interesting.

Mark Teixiera came to the plate tied with the Rays’ Carlos Pena for the AL lead in home runs. Pena’s season ended early when a CC Sabathia pitch broke three of his fingers. David Price threw at Teixeira Friday night in retaliation and manager Joe Maddon decided on Sunday that Teixeira would not lead the AL in home runs by himself, ordering an intentional walk (Teixeira did win the AL RBI crown).

Teixeira got the last laugh though as he watched from the dugout after being removed for a pinch-runner. Rodriguez blasted a Sonnanstine delivery over the n right-center field fence for a grand slam. One inning, two swings of the bat and just like that A-Rod reached the 30/100 milestone and also tied Mark McGwire for 8th place on the all-time major league home run list with 583 round-trippers. A-Rod also broke the AL record for RBI in an inning.

Game Notes

A.J. Burnett won his 13th game with a decent outing. He did cross up Jose Molina once, which resulted in a Rays’ run when the ball ricocheted off the inside of the catcher’s knee. There is still a lot of speculation that Molina will catch Burnett in theALDS.

The Yankees will now sit and watch Tuesday’s one game playoff between the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins, both of whom won on Sunday. The Tigers will start rookie Rick Porcello, while the Twins counter with Scott Baker. With the best record, the Yankees had the option of starting the ALDS on Wednesday or Thursday, and opted for the former.

Joba Chamberlain worked a 1-2-3 inning on Sunday as he prepares to most likely work out of the pen in the post-season.

The Yankees 103 wins was the highest franchise total since the team also won 103 in 2002.

Doubleheader Disaster

Sabathia Spanked in Attempt at 20

There was a possibility of the aforementioned "Sportsgasm" tonight. Afterall, CC Sabathia was going for his 20th win in the Yankees-Tampa Bay Rays game and the New York Rangers were opening their NHL season with a road game against the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

"Nightmare on Elm Street" was more like it. The team lost both games, though the Rangers at least made a game of it.

Things started out poorly for CC Sabathia and only got worse. He lasted on 2-plus innings and got charged with nine runs, five of which were earned. His night ended by firing his glove into a collection of water bottles on the bench. In CC's first and last starts the season he was 0-2 with a 12.86 ERA. It was also Sabathia's first loss since July 28.

Things started out even worse for the Yankees when fireballer David Price hit Mark Teixeira in the left shoulder during the 1st inning. It was apparently in retaliation for Sabathia hitting Carlos Pena with a pitch on September 7. It ended Pena's season, though he still leads the AL with 39 HRs. (Got a good laugh when it was reported on Twitter that the Rays announcer said it started the Rays downward spiral. The Rays have sucked from the get go gents.)

It was a big night for the Rays' B.J. Upton. He started his night with a fine running catch in center field and then became the first Tampa Bay Ray to hit for the cycle. And he completed teh feat in the 5th inning! Upton started with the hardest hit, a triple, followed by a double, home run, and finally a single. He wasn't done either, adding another single for a 5-5, 6 RBI night.

On the bright side, Juan Miranda hit his first major league home run.

You Hockey Puck

The Rangers had to endure the opening night ceremonies in Pittsburgh, which included raising the championship banner and seeing the Stanley Cup, which has not touched Rangers hands since 1994.

The Pens tallied first on their killer power play, but Chris Drury tied it in the 1st period, off a nice feed from new Ranger Chris Higgins. But the Pens quick strike offense put together two second period goals in just a 1:08 span.

First Sidney Crosby cleaned up a loose puck in front, putting it past Henrik Lundqvist for his first goal of the season. Some sloppy play in front then led to a Tyler Kennedy goal for a 3-1 lead.

The Rangers put pressure on Marc Andre-Fleury in the third period and the Rangers biggest offensive acquisition, Marian Gaborik lit the lamp to cut the lead to 3-2 at 5:56. But that would be it for the night, as the Rangers went 0-4 with the man advantage.

Team		Shots on Goal						Faceoffs				Power Plays
		1st	2nd	3rd	Total			Won	Lost			Converted	Total
NY Rangers		7	12	8	27			28	28			0	4
Pittsburgh		9	12	10	31			28	28			1	2

Jeter Makes for a Great Day at the Ballpark

With nothing to play for, Derek Jeter brought excitement to the announced paid crowd of 54,279 (it was a lot less) by tying Lou Gehrig's record for hits at Yankee Stadium and the Yankees toppled the Rays again, 8-4.

Jeter needed three hits to tie Gehrig's record after he got three hits in each game of the day-night doubleheader on Saturday. He started things off with a bunt single in the first inning, doubled to right in the second, and homered to right in the fifth off of Rays' prized prospect David Price. The home run brought the crowd, us included, to its feet for a long standing ovation, that culminated with a curtain call from the Captain. Jeter had a chance to break the record in the seventh, but bounced into a double play. He received another large ovation anyway.

Jeter's first inning bunt single followed a bloop lead off single by Johnny Damon. Jason Giambi then worked a long at-bat against Rays starter Edwin Jackson, pulling several deep flies into foul territory in right field. Jackson finally threw ball four on a 3-2 pitch with the runners moving, and quickly fell behind Alex Rodriguez. After laying in a batting practice fastball for a strike, he threw another fat one that A-Rod drilled into the bleachers in right-center field for a grand slam. It put A-Rod at the 100 RBI mark for the 11th straight season, and also put him over 100 runs scored for the 13th consecutive season.

The Rays came right back in the second inning when Columbia University product, and rookie, Fernando Perez took Carl Pavano deep for a 3-run home run. But that's the closest the Rays would get. Giambi blasted a 2-run shot into the upper deck in right in the Yankees half of the second to extended the lead back to 6-3. It was Giambi's 30th home run of the season and gave him 92 RBI.

Jeter's solo pushed the margin back to four when a familiar sight occurred in the top of the sixth inning. With one on, one out, and an 0-1 count on Eric Hinske, Joe Girardi went out to see Pavano, accompanied by assistant trainer Steve Donahue. Pavano left, with what would turn out to be a cramp in his hip, to a chorus of boos, followed by a smattering of applause.

Hinske singled off of Edwar Ramirez and after retiring Gabe Gross, Ramirez walked Perez to load the bases. Girardi brought on Damaso Marte, who continued his inconsistent time in Pinstripes by walking Aki Iwamura to force in a run. Marte escaped further trouble when Brett Gardner made a charging, diving grab of Jason Bartlett's line drive to center field.

Wilson Betemit's RBI single in the eighth made it a non-save situation, so Girardi brought in Jose Veras to start the ninth. But after a walk to Iwamura and a two-out single by Evan Longoria, Girardi called for Mariano Rivera to face Willy Aybar. The switch-hitting DH worked the count to 3-2 before Rivera struck him out swinging to record his 35th save in 36 attempts. The save tied Rivera with Lee Smith for second place o the all-time list with 478.


News and Notes

Robinson Cano was pulled from the game after not showing hustle on a play in the fourth inning. Cliff Floyd ripped a ball to the right side that Jason Giambi dove for and deflected. Cano was on the move to his right and couldn't reach back for the baseball. He then turned and watched it trickle into right field while Floyd hustled it into a double. It was a smart move by Girardi, but one that should have happened much sooner. He could have taken notice of the manager of the pennant contending teamin the other dugout, Joe Maddon, who pulled B.J. Upton out of an important game in August for lack of hustle.
Brett Gardner made another fabulous catch when he ran down and dove to glove, Evan Longoria's fly ball to right-center field in the seventh inning.

Brian Bruney worked a scoreless seventh inning and has a 2.55 ERA in his 17 appearances since returning from the DL.
David Price, the first pick in the 2007 amateur draft, was making his major league debut. To put it simply, the dude throws hard!

The family that caught Derek Jeter's home run ball, got the chance to give it to him in person. They were also rewarded with tickets to next Sunday's home finale and a signed bat. Jeter's former teammates Paul O'Neill and David Cone were part of the YES broadcast team.

Former Yankees catcher Rick Cerone pulled the lever to lower the number of home games to 7.

Jeter Makes for a Great Day at the Ballpark

With nothing to play for, Derek Jeter brought excitement to the announced paid crowd of 54,279 (it was a lot less) by tying Lou Gehrig's record for hits at Yankee Stadium and the Yankees toppled the Rays again, 8-4.

Jeter needed three hits to tie Gehrig's record after he got three hits in each game of the day-night doubleheader on Saturday. He started things off with a bunt single in the first inning, doubled to right in the second, and homered to right in the fifth off of Rays' prized prospect David Price. The home run brought the crowd, us included, to its feet for a long standing ovation, that culminated with a curtain call from the Captain. Jeter had a chance to break the record in the seventh, but bounced into a double play. He received another large ovation anyway.

Jeter's first inning bunt single followed a bloop lead off single by Johnny Damon. Jason Giambi then worked a long at-bat against Rays starter Edwin Jackson, pulling several deep flies into foul territory in right field. Jackson finally threw ball four on a 3-2 pitch with the runners moving, and quickly fell behind Alex Rodriguez. After laying in a batting practice fastball for a strike, he threw another fat one that A-Rod drilled into the bleachers in right-center field for a grand slam. It put A-Rod at the 100 RBI mark for the 11th straight season, and also put him over 100 runs scored for the 13th consecutive season.

The Rays came right back in the second inning when Columbia University product, and rookie, Fernando Perez took Carl Pavano deep for a 3-run home run. But that's the closest the Rays would get. Giambi blasted a 2-run shot into the upper deck in right in the Yankees half of the second to extended the lead back to 6-3. It was Giambi's 30th home run of the season and gave him 92 RBI.

Jeter's solo pushed the margin back to four when a familiar sight occurred in the top of the sixth inning. With one on, one out, and an 0-1 count on Eric Hinske, Joe Girardi went out to see Pavano, accompanied by assistant trainer Steve Donahue. Pavano left, with what would turn out to be a cramp in his hip, to a chorus of boos, followed by a smattering of applause.

Hinske singled off of Edwar Ramirez and after retiring Gabe Gross, Ramirez walked Perez to load the bases. Girardi brought on Damaso Marte, who continued his inconsistent time in Pinstripes by walking Aki Iwamura to force in a run. Marte escaped further trouble when Brett Gardner made a charging, diving grab of Jason Bartlett's line drive to center field.

Wilson Betemit's RBI single in the eighth made it a non-save situation, so Girardi brought in Jose Veras to start the ninth. But after a walk to Iwamura and a two-out single by Evan Longoria, Girardi called for Mariano Rivera to face Willy Aybar. The switch-hitting DH worked the count to 3-2 before Rivera struck him out swinging to record his 35th save in 36 attempts. The save tied Rivera with Lee Smith for second place o the all-time list with 478.


News and Notes

Robinson Cano was pulled from the game after not showing hustle on a play in the fourth inning. Cliff Floyd ripped a ball to the right side that Jason Giambi dove for and deflected. Cano was on the move to his right and couldn't reach back for the baseball. He then turned and watched it trickle into right field while Floyd hustled it into a double. It was a smart move by Girardi, but one that should have happened much sooner. He could have taken notice of the manager of the pennant contending teamin the other dugout, Joe Maddon, who pulled B.J. Upton out of an important game in August for lack of hustle.
Brett Gardner made another fabulous catch when he ran down and dove to glove, Evan Longoria's fly ball to right-center field in the seventh inning.

Brian Bruney worked a scoreless seventh inning and has a 2.55 ERA in his 17 appearances since returning from the DL.
David Price, the first pick in the 2007 amateur draft, was making his major league debut. To put it simply, the dude throws hard!

The family that caught Derek Jeter's home run ball, got the chance to give it to him in person. They were also rewarded with tickets to next Sunday's home finale and a signed bat. Jeter's former teammates Paul O'Neill and David Cone were part of the YES broadcast team.

Former Yankees catcher Rick Cerone pulled the lever to lower the number of home games to 7.

The Daily Yankeeland - 9/13

The Yankees are just under way as Mike Mussina tries to run the table to get 20 wins. Sidney Ponson goes tonight in the back end of the day-night doubleheader. Alex Rodriguez was scratched from game one with a stiff neck.

Andy Pettitte will be getting the final start in the Stadium.

Derek Jeter is chasing Lou Gehrig for most hits at the Stadium.

Brian Cashman doesn't want to talk about his future.

Last night's weather reflected the Yankees season.

The Yankees have recalled Phil Hughes and David Robertson, and Hughes could start on Wednesday.

The Daily Yankeeland - 9/13

The Yankees are just under way as Mike Mussina tries to run the table to get 20 wins. Sidney Ponson goes tonight in the back end of the day-night doubleheader. Alex Rodriguez was scratched from game one with a stiff neck.

Andy Pettitte will be getting the final start in the Stadium.

Derek Jeter is chasing Lou Gehrig for most hits at the Stadium.

Brian Cashman doesn't want to talk about his future.

Last night's weather reflected the Yankees season.

The Yankees have recalled Phil Hughes and David Robertson, and Hughes could start on Wednesday.