A-Rod and the Yankees Slammin' the Competition

Brett Gardner adds to the Yankee GS total

Alex Rodriguez's grand slam last night was his third this season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Hall of Fame member Jimmie Foxx is the only other player to have more than two slams in a season in four different years.

A-Rod also had multiple slams in 1996, 1999, and 2007.

The Yankees are the first team with nine grand slams prior to the All-Star break. In getting number nine last night, the Yankees eclipsed the 2000 A's, 2005 Red Sox, and 2006 Indians.

Yankees slam totals this season:

A-Rod 3
Jorge Posada 2
Brett Gardner 1
Curtis Granderson 1
Mark Teixeira 1
Robinson Cano 1

photo courtesy of nj.com

A-Rod Avoids The Mound, Steps on Home Plate

Alex Rodriguez left his mark in Oakland's Alameda Coliseum last night and it wasn't because he stepped on someone's mound. A-Rod crept closer to 600 career home runs with a pair of blasts in the Yankees 6-1 win over the A's. CC Sabathia tossed 7+ innings for his 11th win, but this game was all about his third baseman.

A-Rod received a joke gift basket from former nemesis Dallas Braden, but it was A-Rod who had the biggest gift for his teammates. With the bases loaded in the 3rd, Rodriguez crushed a Trevor Cahill pitch for his 21st career grand slam. He later added a solo home run to give him 597 blasts in his career.

Unfortunately, there hasn't been a lot of ballyhoo about the milestone, and that has to be linked directly to A-Rod's admission of steroid use last year. It remains to be seen how both the Yankees and MLB will handle the feat.

Sabathia handled the A's just fine. Though he didn't have his best command, he allowed just one run and struck out 10, and is now 30-11 as a Yankee.

Notes

Jorge Posada had the catcher's gear back on last night after missing one game with a sprained ring finger.

Robinson Cano entered the HR Derby at next week's All-Star game much to the chagrin of his manager and hitting coach. But Joe Girardi and Kevin Long have to be pleased today after Cano backed out of the contest with a minor back issue. I'm sure it's very minor.

A-Rod has driven in 16 runs in his last 10 games.

photo courtesy of NY Daily News

No Mo, Oh No

Mariano Rivera is withdrawing from this year’s All-Star game in Anaheim due to injuries.

The news was revealed by the NY Daily News’ Mark Feinsand and the Star-Ledger’s Marc Carig via Twitter tonight.

Rivera has been pitching with injuries all season and has been bothered by a sore side that kept him out of action earlier this year. He’s also been plagued of late by an inflammed right knee.

Rivera is hoping not to miss any time in the games leading up to the break.

A-Rod, Pettitte in Anti-Steroid Fundraiser

The Associated Press is reporting that Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettitte are among the athletes that will be taking part in the August 19 Taylor Hooten Foundation fundraiser to raise awareness of the dangers of performance enhancing drugs.

The 17-yr old Hooten committed suicide in 2003 after abusing steroids and suffering through depression when he stopped. Since then his parents have been active anti-steroid activists.

Vazquez Gets West Coast Trip Off On Right Foot

Javier Vazquez remembers back in April when the boos outweighed his fastball. But since then Vazquez has pitched at an All-Star level. The new and improved Vazquez continued last night when he pitching seven strong innings to earn his 7th win in the Yankees 3-1 victory over the Oakland A's.

Vazquez pitched to a 9.00 ERA in the first month of the season and was booed lustily by Yankees fans who still erroneously blamed him for the game 7 loss in the 2004 ALCS. But despite being skipped over in the rotation once, Vazquez hung tough and has recorded a 6-4, 3.57 mark since May 1. He's been even better since June 1, putting up a 2.93 ERA and has held opponents to under a .200 average.

The Yankees needed a good start from Vazquez since the team's offense couldn't muster much against A's starter Ben Sheets. The Yankees got on the board in the 2nd inning with a trio of clutch two out base hits.

Nick Swisher doubled into the right field corner and came around to score on Curtis Granderson's triple. Francisco Cervelli then served one back up the middle for an RBI single and a 2-0 Yankees lead.

Oakland got a run back in the 4th on a one out triple by Cliff Pennington and a sacrifice fly by Coco Crisp. But Mark Teixeira smacked his 14th home run of the season in the 6th to re-establish the two run lead.

That's all Vazquez, Joba Chamberlain, and Mariano Rivera, who earned his 19th save, would need to take the first game of the three game set.

Notes

With Brett Gardner red hot at the bottom of the lineup, Joe Girardi decided to shake things up a bit and put him in the lead off spot. Derek Jeter moved back to his old number two spot in the order. Gardner was 0-4, but is expected to get a shot at using his speed at the top of the lineup.

Curtis Granderson and Colin Curtis made back to back diving catches in the 7th inning to take away a pair of Oakland hits.

Jorge Posada will still need another day or two, according to Girardi, before being able to return to the lineup after a foul tip left him a sprained left ring finger on Sunday.

Thames Game Winner A Holiday Delight

The Yankees did a lot of things wrong this afternoon, but all could be (relatively) forgotten after Marcus Thames singled home Robinson Cano with the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning.

The nearly four hour, 7-6 win in 95 degree was necessitated by laughable base running, poor starting pitching, and a blown save. The Yankees caught some breaks too, but A.J. Burnett was able to make just his second pie delivery of the year when the Yankees got the last laugh.

The Blue Jays tied the game up at six against Mariano Rivera, who had converted 24 straight save opportunities against Toronto, in the 9th on singles by Lyle Overbay, John Buck, and Dewayne Wise. Rivera got out of further difficulty by getting Alex Gonzalez to ground out to strand a pair of runners.

Cano drew a lead off walk against left-hander David Purcey to start the 10th and was sacrificed to second base by Francisco Cervelli. Purcey struck out Curtis Granderson, who earned the "golden sombrero", but walked Brett Gardner. Joe Girardi sent Thames, who had been activated from the DL earlier in the day, up to pinch-hit for Ramiro Pena.

Purcey fell behind 3-1 before getting Thames to wave at an off-speed pitch for a second strike. He wasn't so fortunate with the next delivery as Thames dropped a broken bat single in front of Wise in center field to score Cano with the game winner.

The fans certainly had to be holding their breath until Cano touched home plate. Who could blame them? The Yankees had three base runners thrown out at home plate on the day.

Nick Swisher singled off Brandon Morrow to start the 5th and Mark Teixeira followed with a drive to deep center. Swisher rounded second base and held up to be sure the ball was over Wise's head. Third base coach Rob Thomson inexplicably waved Swisher home despite the fact there were no outs. Swisher's former teammate Jose Molina perfectly blocked home plate and applied the tag for the first out of the inning.

Teixeira then tagged up on a shallow fly to center field and was a dead duck as Wise made a perfect throw home for the double play.

It was "Deja vu all over again" in the 7th when Teixeira singled home Jeter, for a 6-5 lead, and Swisher went to third on the play. Cervelli hit a foul pop near the stands in shallow right where Jose Bautista made a nice grab, spun, and fired home to nail Swisher at the plate. The ensuing groan from Yankee Stadium could be heard for miles.

The day started out nicely for Phil Hughes. Named to his first All-Star game, Hughes looked sharp through the first two innings. Then the wheels fell off. Lyle Overbay touched him up for a solo home run in the 3rd to temporarily give the Jays a 1-0 lead.

With the Yankees on top 3-1 in the 5th, Hughes allowed a single and a walk before surrendering a towering, foul pole aided home run to the light hitting Wise. An inning later, Lind took Hughes deep to right-center for his 10th home run and a 5-3 lead.

The Yankees benefited from the strong sun for the second straight day. Left fielder John McDonald had turned A-Rod's potential inning ending fly ball into a 3-run double in Saturday's 11-run, 3rd inning. This time it was Wise being victimized on a Brett Gardner fly.

With Jorge Posada on 1st and two down, Gardner skied to deep center. Wise got under it, shielded his eyes with his glove a bit too late, and watched helplessly as the ball ticked off the end of his glove. Gardner raced around the bases (amazing he didn't catch Posada) and was credited with a gift 2-run inside-the-park home run (one day maybe, just maybe, an official scorer will grow a set) to tie the game 5-5.

David Robertson (1-3) picked up his first win with some help from Edwin Encarnacion. Robertson allowed the first two base runners to reach in the 10th to set up a sacrifice situation. Encarnacion, who had been designated for assignment a few weeks back as a wake up call, bunted the ball in the air and stood there angry at himself. A-Rod allowed the ball to drop and quickly turned a 5-4-3 double play, with Cano's strong relay throwing just nipping Encarnacion at first base. Robertson then struck out Molina with the go ahead run 90 feet away.

Notes

Jorge Posada had to leave the game in the 7th after taking a foul tip off his glove hand. He was diagnosed with a sprained ring finger and is listed as day to day. Ironically, earlier in the game Molina was hit with a similar foul tip but was able to stay in the game.

To make room for Thames on the roster, Chad Huffman was optioned to Triple-A Scranton.

Jeter and Cano and the All-Star Field

The starters have been announced for this year's All-Star game in Anaheim.

1B - Justin Morneau, Twins
2B - Robinson Cano, Yankees
SS - Derek Jeter, Yankees
3B - Evan Longoria, Rays
C - Joe Mauer, Twins
OF - Josh Hamilton, Rangers
OF - Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
OF - Carl Crawford, Rays
DH - Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers

1B - Albert Pujols, Cardinals
2B - Chase Utley, Phillies
SS - Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
3B - David Wright, Mets
C - Yadier Molina, Cardinals
OF - Ryan Braun, Brewers
OF - Andre Ethier, Dodgers
OF - Jason Heyward, Braves

Reserves to follow.

Thames is Back

Marcus Thames is back in the Bronx. The DH - you really can't call him an outfielder, ya know? - completed a rehab stint in Scranton on Saturday.

Chad Huffman is the odd man out. Colin Curtis being a lefty hitter had the advantage here (that any had the same amount of hits in 8 less at-bats). Huffman was just 3-18 (.167) and had a big 2-run single in the come from behind win against the Dodgers last Sunday.

Now if we can only keep Thames out of left field.

A Great Day at the Big Ball Park

We went to Yankee Stadium yesterday (7/3) for the second game of the Yankees-Blue Jays series. A great game and a great day.

Our seats were in the upper deck in right field. Section 405, row 4, seats 1 and 2. We couldn't seat the right field wall and the big board was blocked somewhat by the stairs, but the seats were good nonetheless. The only thing we missed out on was Chad Huffman's diving catch.

Andy Pettitte was shaky in the 1st inning. This was an uncomfortable feeling after Pettitte's struggles out in LA, but like the veteran he is, he worked his way back to the good. Nick Swisher said it best in a post-game interview with Suzyn Waldman. "Andy's like a Cadillac. He doesn't get going until he gets it up to 70".

Jose Bautista hit yet another home run off the Yankees for a 2-0 lead in the 1st as Pettitte threw 25 pitches. But thanks to Huffman's play and the Yankees' half of the 3rd inning, Pettitte was able to settle in.

We went to get some lemonade prior to the bottom of the 3rd and watched the entire inning- couldn't move, superstitions ya know, from behind the wheelchair accessible area to the 1st base side of home plate (grandstand).

Ricky Romero is one of the nastiest left-handers in baseball, but he completely lost the plate in this one. The Yankees sent 14 men to the plate in a half inning that seemed to take an hour.

An 11-3 win!

The highlights:

Brett Gardner started things off with a single and blew the game open with his first career grand slam. It was also his fourth home run of the season. That's a lot of power for the speedster.

Mark Teixeira tied the game with a 2-run double. Perhaps Tex should pay us to go to the games. In the two games we've attended this year, Tex is 4-6, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 runs scored, 2 doubles, and a walk.

Alex Rodriguez got a gift 3 RBI. With the bases loaded, the third baseman lifted a high fly to left field that John McDonald lost in the sun for a bases clearing double. McDonald is one of the best fielding infielders in the game, but clearly is not used to fighting the tough Yankee Stadium sun field in left.

Dustin Moseley made his first appearance as a Yankee and breezed through two innings. After breaking the bats of 2 of the 3 hitters he faced in the 7th, I yelled out "You're already better than Park!".

There were 5 French speaking students sitting in front of us. When Huffman made his great catch, one girl asked me, "Did they win?". And I had to explain how 2 runs is not 2 home runs.

The sun started getting a little overbearing in the middle to late innings, so we moved over to section 410 to get some shade.

* * *
This conversation was heard:

Guy 1: Ah, we forgot napkins.

Guy 2: Wipe 'em on my shorts, they're old. I bet your shorts cost a fortune.

Guy 1: They're Armani's, but they're old. I don't pay that much for clothes, but I once bought a shirt for $125. I tried it on and it was really nice. I went up to pay and there was a beautiful girl at the register. She said, $125, I almost fell over. I had no idea how expensive if was, but I didn't want to be embarrassed, so I bought it.

Guy 2: I would have told her to shove it up her ass.
* * *

Cotton Candy vendor was very funny, had a whole routine. Still wouldn't buy that crap.

The pièce de résistance was though the free gift on the way out of the Stadium. This:

YES! Perfect timing for the hot, sweaty fans. Pinstripe Brownie Blast. Quite good!

We got home to two overexcited Beagles. Virginia has separation anxiety, so when we go out we give her all kinds of natural calm down stuff, but it only does so much. She stresses out our other Beagle, Tinker, who is fine on his own.

Today they are exhausted.

July 4, 1983: Rags to Riches

Written for BaseballDigest.com

Dave Righetti had his All-Star break plans all set when he arrived at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1983. The man known as Rags would have liked to have been heading to the All-Star game in Chicago the next day, but wasn't selected despite a 9-3 record. Instead, he and teammate Graig Nettles were headed to Atlantic City for a good time. First though, Righetti had a game to pitch against the Boston Red Sox on the Nation's birthday.

The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry had rekindled in the late 1970's, culminating with the one game playoff in 1978. The Yankees entered the holiday 2.5 games behind first place Toronto while the Red Sox sat 4 games back.

All no-hitters are accomplished with solid defense. The Yankees had a bit of an unusual alignment behind Righetti on the 4th. Dave Winfield, who mainly played the corner outfield positions in his career, was in center. Nettles had the day off and was replaced at third base by veteran shortstop Bert Campenaris. The result was seamless.

Except for a walk, Righetti breezed through the first three innings, recording seven of the nine outs by strikeout. Rod Nichols drew a one out walk in the 5th, but Righetti picked him off with his patented snap move to first. A Jim Rice walk in the 7th was erased by an inning ending double play.

The Yankees meanwhile had built a 2-0 lead off Red Sox starter John Tudor as the Sox came to bat in the 8th. Right fielder Steve Kemp's time in the Bronx was not a favorable one, but he became a hero for a day when he leaped over the wall in foul territory to snare Dwight Evans pop up to star the inning and contributed some insurance in the bottom of the 8th with a 2-run single.

Righetti had to appreciate the breathing room of a 4-0 lead, especially after he walked Jeff Newman to start the 9th. But the lefty bounced back to retire Glen Hoffman and Jerry Remy on ground outs. That left things up to Wade Boggs.

The future Hall of Famer was leading the league with a sizzling .361 average entering play, but had gone for the collar against Righetti thus far. Moments later Boggs flailed at a strike three slider for the final out of the game. Dave Righetti had become the first Yankees pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Don Larsen tossed a perfect game in the 1956 World Series.

Righetti hugged his catcher Butch Wynegar and soaked in the applause of the 41,077 fans. It created a great holiday memory and a fantastic birthday present for one George Steinbrenner.

Righetti wouldn't have too many more big games as a starter. After finishing the season 14-8, 3.44, the Yankees moved the promising young pitcher to the closer role. He wasn't happy at first, but Righetti would flourish in his new position. At one time he held the major league record with 46 saves.

After retiring in 1995, Righetti moved into coaching and has been the pitching coach for the San Francisco Giants since 2000. But every July 4 he can smile and think back to one memorable holiday.

Pen Writes A Bad Ending

Today's game between the Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays should have been about A.J. Burnett's return to the nickname the "Good A.J." as fans like to refer to him as. But instead the bullpen rained on Burnett's parade and the Blue Jays topped the Yankees 6-1 in extra innings.

Pitching coach Dave Eiland said he found a problem with Burnett's mechanics that was causing his front shoulder to fly open. But obviously there was reason to be skeptical after the horrendous month that Burnett endured in June.

This time out though Burnett left to a standing ovation after 6.2 innings with the Yankees clinging to 1-0 lead. It didn't last long.

In the 8th, the Jays rallied against Joba Chamberlain to tie the game on Aaron Hill's single. It was the third base runner allowed by Chamberlain in the inning. The right-hander with the plus fastball continues to get burned by his off-speed pitches. Something, in my opinion, he relies on much too much. It's one thing to throw a variety of pitches as a starter, but you don't need as large an array as a reliever.

The Yankees wasted numerous opportunities in the game, including a bases loaded no out situation in the 3rd inning. Blue Jays starter Brett Cecil struck out Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano, and got Jorge Posada to hit into an inning ending ground out.

Fans were hoping for the first walk off victory of the season, but the Yankees went down in order in the 9th and 10th innings. After Mariano Rivera and David Robertson each tossed a scoreless frame, Robertson got tagged in his first two inning appearance of the season.

The Blue Jays loaded the bases with one out and took the lead when Alex Gonzalez's line drive went beyone the reach of a leaping Alex Rodriguez. Chan Ho Park came on to strike out Jose Bautista, but walked Vernon Wells to put the Jays on top 3-1. Dewayne Wise, who entered the game as a pinch-runner in the 8th, then delivered the back breaker - a bases clearing triple for a 6-1 lead.

This outing once again proved what a horrible signing Chan Ho Park was. Brian Cashman has not learned not to give deals, be it long term or short term, to National Leaguer pitchers who have had one good year. Jaret Wright, Carl Pavano, Chan Ho Park. The list goes on.

Park's ERA is now 6.66, that in itself is in omen. I actually get angry every time he comes into the game. Park, Chamberlain, Robertson and most of the pen suffer from the same problem. Getting behind in the count. It happened to all three today and all three paid for it today.

The good news, of course, is that Burnett got a tremendous shot of confidence after allowing four hits and three walks, while striking out six. Hopefully he can now build off of today's performance.

Notes

Boone Logan was optioned to Scranton prior to the game to make room for Dustin Moseley. The former Angel pitcher had the option to opt out of his minor league deal. The Yankees wanted to see if he could do a better job as the long man at least until Sergio Mitre is back. With Chad Gaudin out of options, the Yankees decided to send Logan down despite how poorly Gaudin has been pitching.

The Yankees were hitless with runners in scoring position and had just five hits on the day.

photo courtesy of Lohud.com

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is

Alex Rodriguez didn't know the inning, didn't know the day but he knew enough to hit a 2-run home run in the 8th inning Thursday to give the Yankees a 4-2 win.

A-Rod looked bewildered as he returned to the dugout after snapping a 2-2 tie with his 595th career home run. He had good reason to be. CC Sabathia revealed during the post-game that A-Rod thought it was the 9th inning and was wondering why he wasn't being greeted at home plate.

It gets even better though. YES' Kim Jones grabbed A-Rod for a quick on field interview as soon as the game ended. A-Rod talked about how the Yankees ran into great pitching on Friday and Saturday. Uh..that was Tuesday and Wednesday.

So while A-Rod's head might not have been in the game, his bat certainly was. The Mariners had tied the game in the top of the 8th. With two men aboard, Jorge Posada committed a costly passed ball that moved both runners into scoring position. CC Sabathia then allowed a 2-out, 2-run single to Russell Branyan to tie things up. Sabathia probably would not have had a chance for the win had Branyan not been caught between 1st and 2nd for the inning's final out.

Mark Teixeira singled off closer David Aardsma with one in the 8th to set up A-Rod's game winner, a smash to the opposite field. Mariano Rivera then came on to record his 18th save of the season.

Chicago back in the day.

The People Want Instant Replay!

The people have spoken. Not this people, but you people.

In the light of the Armando Galarraga umpire impaired perfecto, I threw this poll up there. And you want instant replay by more than a 2:1 margin.

Some of you still can't make up your minds.

Forget LeBron, Felix is King of New York

Today marks the start of the NBA free agent frenzy with LeBron "King" James as the grand prize. But it was "King" Felix Hernandez who was in the spotlight last night, blanking the Yankees on two hits in tossing a 7-0 complete game shutout.

The Mariners have struggled this year, but the Yankees had the misfortune of having to face two of the top pitchers in the game, Cliff Lee and Hernandez, in the first two games of a three game series. While the Yankees managed to put four runs on the board against the soon to be dealt Lee, they couldn't do anything last night.

Yankees starter Javier Vazquez scuffled for much of the night, but limited the M's to three runs over six innings. But Damaso Marte and Chad Gaudin gave up two runs each as Seattle blew the game open.

Michael Saunders entered the game with five home runs in 102 at-bats, but went deep twice to drive in three runs. Russell Branyan and Milton Bradley also homered to help the Mariners improve to 33-44.

Hernandez walked three, including Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez in the 1st inning. But he retired Robinson Cano on a fly out to end Yankees threat. Mark Teixeira led off the fourth with a double, but the King stranded him there. He struck out A-Rod, one of 11 K's on the night, got Cano to fly out again, and retired Jorge Posada on a ground out to keep it a 3-0 Mariners lead.

Notes

Gaudin, who gave up Bradley's 2-run shot in the 8th is the likely candidate to be designated for assignment today when Dustin Moseley is recalled from Scranton. Moseley's contract gave him the ability to opt out of his deal beginning today (7/1).

Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee became just the third teammates in the last 25 years to toss back-to-back complete games against the Yankees.

CC Sabathia faces Ryan Rowland-Smith in the series finale today at 1 p.m..

photo courtesy of NY Daily News