Winning Streak Thuds to a Halt

Hopefully last night was the last night we are subjected to watching Kei Igawa on the mound- at least as a starter. The Yankees 6 game winnings streak, predictably, came to a quick and sudden stop as the Kanas Royals slapped Igawa around for 4 runs in the 2nd inning and cruised to a 7-0 victory.

Jorge De La Rosa and 2 reliever blanked the suddenly cold Yankees bats, limiting them to 6 hits. The Yankees hitters understandably may have a defeatist attitude when Igawa pitches. In addition to being bad, he works extremely slowly, easing his fielders to sleep.

Alex Gordon started things off with a 1-out double, and Tony Pena Jr. brought him with triple. Igawa recorded the 2nd out, striking out Jason LaRue, but walked Esteban German. David DeJesus followed with a ball in the gap in right-center for a 2-run double. Mark Grudzielanek tripled in DeJesus before Igawa finally got Billy Butler to pop out for the 3rd out.

De La Rosa meanwhile escape one jam after another. The Yankees had a runner(s) in scoring position in 5 of the first 6 innings, but couldn't get the key hit. Zack Greinke replaced De La Rosa with 2 on and 1 out in the 6th and the Royals defense flashed their leather.

Jose Molina, who had 2 hits and threw a would-be base stealer in his Yankees debut, hit a ball in the hole to deep short. Pena Jr. slickly backhanded the ball and fired a strike to 2nd. With Shelley Duncan bearing down on him with a take out slide, an airborne Grudzielanek threw to 1st to complete the double play.

6 of the 7 hits Igawa allowed were for extra bases, and the final 2 knocked him from the game in the 6th. Gordon picked up the 3rd Royal's triple of the night and came home on Pena Jr.'s double for a 5-0 lead. Joe Torre finally saw enough and went to Brian Bruney who picked up the final out.

Gordon homered off Sean Henn in the 9th to finish a single shy of the cycle.

...

Alex Rodriguez went 0-2 with a walk and was hit by a pitch in his 1st attempt at 500 home runs.

Hideki Matsui extended his hitting streak to 7 games with a single. Andy Phillips extended his streak to 8 games.

It's possible Igawa will not get another start, since the Yankees are off on Monday and could skip his spot in the rotation. Then Phil Hughes, with an extra day's rest, could take over.

The Yankees fell 7.5 behind Boston in the AL East, but remained 4.5 behind Cleveland in the wild card race as the Red Sox outscored the Indians, 14-9.


photo courtesy of AP

Winning Streak Thuds to a Halt

Hopefully last night was the last night we are subjected to watching Kei Igawa on the mound- at least as a starter. The Yankees 6 game winnings streak, predictably, came to a quick and sudden stop as the Kanas Royals slapped Igawa around for 4 runs in the 2nd inning and cruised to a 7-0 victory.

Jorge De La Rosa and 2 reliever blanked the suddenly cold Yankees bats, limiting them to 6 hits. The Yankees hitters understandably may have a defeatist attitude when Igawa pitches. In addition to being bad, he works extremely slowly, easing his fielders to sleep.

Alex Gordon started things off with a 1-out double, and Tony Pena Jr. brought him with triple. Igawa recorded the 2nd out, striking out Jason LaRue, but walked Esteban German. David DeJesus followed with a ball in the gap in right-center for a 2-run double. Mark Grudzielanek tripled in DeJesus before Igawa finally got Billy Butler to pop out for the 3rd out.

De La Rosa meanwhile escape one jam after another. The Yankees had a runner(s) in scoring position in 5 of the first 6 innings, but couldn't get the key hit. Zack Greinke replaced De La Rosa with 2 on and 1 out in the 6th and the Royals defense flashed their leather.

Jose Molina, who had 2 hits and threw a would-be base stealer in his Yankees debut, hit a ball in the hole to deep short. Pena Jr. slickly backhanded the ball and fired a strike to 2nd. With Shelley Duncan bearing down on him with a take out slide, an airborne Grudzielanek threw to 1st to complete the double play.

6 of the 7 hits Igawa allowed were for extra bases, and the final 2 knocked him from the game in the 6th. Gordon picked up the 3rd Royal's triple of the night and came home on Pena Jr.'s double for a 5-0 lead. Joe Torre finally saw enough and went to Brian Bruney who picked up the final out.

Gordon homered off Sean Henn in the 9th to finish a single shy of the cycle.

...

Alex Rodriguez went 0-2 with a walk and was hit by a pitch in his 1st attempt at 500 home runs.

Hideki Matsui extended his hitting streak to 7 games with a single. Andy Phillips extended his streak to 8 games.

It's possible Igawa will not get another start, since the Yankees are off on Monday and could skip his spot in the rotation. Then Phil Hughes, with an extra day's rest, could take over.

The Yankees fell 7.5 behind Boston in the AL East, but remained 4.5 behind Cleveland in the wild card race as the Red Sox outscored the Indians, 14-9.


photo courtesy of AP

Pitcher, Free to Good Team

28-year old southpaw to the first team who shows interest. Must have a fenced yard as he likes to run. Our general manager foolishly spent $46 to get this little guy from a pitcher's breeding mill. Needs to be trained to stop hanging changeups and has a weak fastball.

Comes with glove, cap, and translator, as he has trouble following commands.

Please Contact New York Yankees at FreePitcher@YankeeMistakes.com

Pitcher, Free to Good Team

28-year old southpaw to the first team who shows interest. Must have a fenced yard as he likes to run. Our general manager foolishly spent $46 to get this little guy from a pitcher's breeding mill. Needs to be trained to stop hanging changeups and has a weak fastball.

Comes with glove, cap, and translator, as he has trouble following commands.

Please Contact New York Yankees at FreePitcher@YankeeMistakes.com

Tonight's Lineups (7/26)

Igawa vs. De La Rosa

Yankees

M. Cabrera cf
D. Jeter ss
B. Abreu rf
A. Rodriguez 3b
H. Matsui lf
A. Phillips 1b
R. Cano 2b
S. Duncan dh
J. Molina c
Totals

Royals
E. German 3b
D. DeJesus cf
M. Grudzielanek 2b
B. Butler dh
R. Sanders rf
E. Brown lf
A. Gordon 1b
T. Pena Jr. ss
J. LaRue c

Tonight's Lineups (7/26)

Igawa vs. De La Rosa

Yankees

M. Cabrera cf
D. Jeter ss
B. Abreu rf
A. Rodriguez 3b
H. Matsui lf
A. Phillips 1b
R. Cano 2b
S. Duncan dh
J. Molina c
Totals

Royals
E. German 3b
D. DeJesus cf
M. Grudzielanek 2b
B. Butler dh
R. Sanders rf
E. Brown lf
A. Gordon 1b
T. Pena Jr. ss
J. LaRue c

Separating the Ripkens from the Bonds

Here's a great story to illustrate how a ball player should treat people. Umpire attendant Ernie Tyler has an iron man streak of his own - 3,769 games. But that streak will end this weekend when the 83-yr old Baltimore Orioles employee attends Cal Ripken's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. And who is footing the bill? Cal Ripken. He invited Tyler to be his guest.

"I saw him was he was 12 years old. I knew his father well," Tyler said Thursday. "What better time to do it than to go now? When I heard he wanted me to go to Cooperstown, how could I say no? The streak doesn't mean that much when you're thinking about your relationship with the Ripken family."

Source

photo courtesy of mlb.com

Separating the Ripkens from the Bonds

Here's a great story to illustrate how a ball player should treat people. Umpire attendant Ernie Tyler has an iron man streak of his own - 3,769 games. But that streak will end this weekend when the 83-yr old Baltimore Orioles employee attends Cal Ripken's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. And who is footing the bill? Cal Ripken. He invited Tyler to be his guest.

"I saw him was he was 12 years old. I knew his father well," Tyler said Thursday. "What better time to do it than to go now? When I heard he wanted me to go to Cooperstown, how could I say no? The streak doesn't mean that much when you're thinking about your relationship with the Ripken family."

Source

photo courtesy of mlb.com

Take the Money and Run

Yankees traveling secretary David Szen is involved in a tax investigation and is taking a leave of absence.

Szen was the Yankees' media relations director in 1982, later worked for the Seattle Mariners and returned to the Yankees in the 1990s as traveling secretary.

"We understand that the government is investigating personal tax issues regarding David Szen," Yankees spokesman Howard Rubenstein said Wednesday. "The Yankees have cooperated with that inquiry. David Szen has requested and has been granted administrative leave."

Ben Tuliebitz, the Yankees' assistant media relations director, is taking over Szen's duties. Source

Take the Money and Run

Yankees traveling secretary David Szen is involved in a tax investigation and is taking a leave of absence.

Szen was the Yankees' media relations director in 1982, later worked for the Seattle Mariners and returned to the Yankees in the 1990s as traveling secretary.

"We understand that the government is investigating personal tax issues regarding David Szen," Yankees spokesman Howard Rubenstein said Wednesday. "The Yankees have cooperated with that inquiry. David Szen has requested and has been granted administrative leave."

Ben Tuliebitz, the Yankees' assistant media relations director, is taking over Szen's duties. Source

Minor League Scoreboard - Games of 7/25

Scranton 6 Louisville 3

Joba Chamberlain continued his rise in the Yankees system with a successful Triple-A debut. His line - 5 IP 4 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 10 K. Edwar Ramirez ("K-Ram") made his 1st appearance since being demoted, and struck out 2 in 1.1 innings.


Erie 4 Trenton 1

The SeaWolves won it with 3 runs in the top of the 10th. Alan Horne was outstanding in his 8 inning start for the Thunder. He allowed a run on 5 hits and struck out 7, lowering his ERA to 2.36 in the process. Juan Miranda drove in his 26th run in 27 games.


Tampa 7 Clearwater 4

Austin Jackson had 3 hits as the Yankees came back from a 4-1 deficit. Starter George Kontos didn't make it past the 4th, but 4 relievers blanked the Phillies the rest of the way. Eric Wordekemper picked up his 25th save.


Charleston 7 Greenville 5

The River Dogs nearly blew a 6-0 lead, but Mike Dunn improved his record to 12-3 with the win. Kevin Smith hit his 2nd home run and Jon Hovis picked up his 23rd save.


Staten Island 9 Oneonta 5

Braedyn Pruitt had 3 hits, including his 1st home run of the season, and Damon Sublett knocked in a pair of runs. Jason Stephens pitched 2-hit ball in 5 innings of relief to earn the win.


GCL Yankees 5 GCL Blue Jays 2

Reliever Jacinto Gonell threw 4 scoreless innings to pick up the win. Ryan Wehrle had a double, 2 walks, and 2 runs scored.

Minor League Scoreboard - Games of 7/25

Scranton 6 Louisville 3

Joba Chamberlain continued his rise in the Yankees system with a successful Triple-A debut. His line - 5 IP 4 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 10 K. Edwar Ramirez ("K-Ram") made his 1st appearance since being demoted, and struck out 2 in 1.1 innings.


Erie 4 Trenton 1

The SeaWolves won it with 3 runs in the top of the 10th. Alan Horne was outstanding in his 8 inning start for the Thunder. He allowed a run on 5 hits and struck out 7, lowering his ERA to 2.36 in the process. Juan Miranda drove in his 26th run in 27 games.


Tampa 7 Clearwater 4

Austin Jackson had 3 hits as the Yankees came back from a 4-1 deficit. Starter George Kontos didn't make it past the 4th, but 4 relievers blanked the Phillies the rest of the way. Eric Wordekemper picked up his 25th save.


Charleston 7 Greenville 5

The River Dogs nearly blew a 6-0 lead, but Mike Dunn improved his record to 12-3 with the win. Kevin Smith hit his 2nd home run and Jon Hovis picked up his 23rd save.


Staten Island 9 Oneonta 5

Braedyn Pruitt had 3 hits, including his 1st home run of the season, and Damon Sublett knocked in a pair of runs. Jason Stephens pitched 2-hit ball in 5 innings of relief to earn the win.


GCL Yankees 5 GCL Blue Jays 2

Reliever Jacinto Gonell threw 4 scoreless innings to pick up the win. Ryan Wehrle had a double, 2 walks, and 2 runs scored.

Pinstripe Notes

Jason Giambi is excited about a possible return to the Yankees next week. He's expected to play a pair of rehab games for Tampa Friday and Saturday. Considering the Yankees success while he's been, my heart is not exactly aflutter at the prospect of him returning.

Alex Rodriguez is about to become the 1st player to hit his 500th home run in a Yankees uniform since Mickey Mantle in 1967. Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson (Angels) are the other members of the 500 club to wear the Yankees uniform.

No Yankee has topped 50 HRs since Roger Maris in 1961. A-Rod belted 48 two years ago. With over 100 RBI before August, A-Rod also has a chance to put his name among the Yankees elite. He has an excellent shot at the highest total since Don Mattingly drove in 145 in 1985. Manny Ramirez, Sammy Sosa, Miguel Tejada, Andres Galarraga, and Juan Gonzalez are the only players to drive in 150 or more runs in a season in the last 45 years.

A-Rod also has a chance to surpass the 141 runs he scored for Seattle in 1996, the highest AL total in the last 20 years.

Joba Chamberlain made his Triple-A debut last night and it was a memorable one. The Nebraska native threw 5 shutout innings and struck out 10. He's now 9-2, 2.56 at 3 levels.

Jose Molina gets his 1st start as a Yankee tonight. Maybe he can get through to Kei Igawa.

Pinstripe Notes

Jason Giambi is excited about a possible return to the Yankees next week. He's expected to play a pair of rehab games for Tampa Friday and Saturday. Considering the Yankees success while he's been, my heart is not exactly aflutter at the prospect of him returning.

Alex Rodriguez is about to become the 1st player to hit his 500th home run in a Yankees uniform since Mickey Mantle in 1967. Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson (Angels) are the other members of the 500 club to wear the Yankees uniform.

No Yankee has topped 50 HRs since Roger Maris in 1961. A-Rod belted 48 two years ago. With over 100 RBI before August, A-Rod also has a chance to put his name among the Yankees elite. He has an excellent shot at the highest total since Don Mattingly drove in 145 in 1985. Manny Ramirez, Sammy Sosa, Miguel Tejada, Andres Galarraga, and Juan Gonzalez are the only players to drive in 150 or more runs in a season in the last 45 years.

A-Rod also has a chance to surpass the 141 runs he scored for Seattle in 1996, the highest AL total in the last 20 years.

Joba Chamberlain made his Triple-A debut last night and it was a memorable one. The Nebraska native threw 5 shutout innings and struck out 10. He's now 9-2, 2.56 at 3 levels.

Jose Molina gets his 1st start as a Yankee tonight. Maybe he can get through to Kei Igawa.