06/30: Juan Pierre
Ok. I want him. I want us to keep Sheff - and I want him. Can we pull it off? I don't know. Have I watched him closely? Not really. Will the Marlins deal him? Who knows. But, if they do - I want him. I want him over Griffey, Kotsay, Cameron and Encarnacion.
Out of those 5 players - he is the youngest at 27. He's a full year and 5 months younger than the next youngest, which is Encarnacion. I'd like us to deal for him and then lock him up.
I look at his numbers and the numbers of the other players. The most hits Griffey has ever had in a season is 185. That was an MVP season where he hit 56 home runs and drove in 147. The most hits Kotsay has in a season is 190 last year. 162 in 2003 for Encarnacion. 145 in 2000 for Cameron. Pierre? 221 last year. That's not all, though. He's reached 200 hits 3 out of his first 4 full seasons. If you look at his 4 seasons before this one, you see 2 very good years, a good year and a decent year. This year is shaping up to be a poor year. But, I'm not reading much into this season because bad hitters don't have 200 hits a year for 3 out of their first 4 seasons. Pierre is a good hitter. He's got fabulous speed. He seems to get caught stealing a bit, so that has to be worked on, but look at this lineup.
Out of those 5 players - he is the youngest at 27. He's a full year and 5 months younger than the next youngest, which is Encarnacion. I'd like us to deal for him and then lock him up.
I look at his numbers and the numbers of the other players. The most hits Griffey has ever had in a season is 185. That was an MVP season where he hit 56 home runs and drove in 147. The most hits Kotsay has in a season is 190 last year. 162 in 2003 for Encarnacion. 145 in 2000 for Cameron. Pierre? 221 last year. That's not all, though. He's reached 200 hits 3 out of his first 4 full seasons. If you look at his 4 seasons before this one, you see 2 very good years, a good year and a decent year. This year is shaping up to be a poor year. But, I'm not reading much into this season because bad hitters don't have 200 hits a year for 3 out of their first 4 seasons. Pierre is a good hitter. He's got fabulous speed. He seems to get caught stealing a bit, so that has to be worked on, but look at this lineup.
Posted by: Seamus
Wednesday night's game between the Yankees and the Orioles was postponed due to rain. No makeup date has been announced, but the likely date seems to be on September 26 before a scheduled three game series is set to open up in Baltimore a day later. Mike Mussina missed a start and will pitch Saturday. Carl Pavano, who was originally scheduled to pitch Saturday, will pitch Sunday.
In other news, the NY Times is reporting that Paul Quantrill and Mike Stanton will likely be let go by the Yankees on Thursday, or perhaps traded. Quantrill is 1-0 this season with a 6.75 E.R.A. in 22 games. He has allowed 48 hits in only 32 innings. Stanton was a rock for the Yankees in the glory days of the late 90's, but he has struggled this season with a 7.07 E.R.A. in 28 appearances.
It's a tough move to make because Gordon and Sturtze can't do all of the work all the time, but Quantrill and Stanton have not really contributed very much this season. Quantrill has been a bit of a disappointment overall in his stint as a Yankee. Stanton was once one of our key guys, but he is now on the downside of his career and the Yankees haven't had much use for him this season. For a guy like Mike Stanton to have pitched only 14 innings in 77 team games is a bit of a waste of roster space.
The Yankees are expected to call up Felix Escalona after the move takes place along with another player, perhaps reliever Colter Bean.
In other news, the NY Times is reporting that Paul Quantrill and Mike Stanton will likely be let go by the Yankees on Thursday, or perhaps traded. Quantrill is 1-0 this season with a 6.75 E.R.A. in 22 games. He has allowed 48 hits in only 32 innings. Stanton was a rock for the Yankees in the glory days of the late 90's, but he has struggled this season with a 7.07 E.R.A. in 28 appearances.
It's a tough move to make because Gordon and Sturtze can't do all of the work all the time, but Quantrill and Stanton have not really contributed very much this season. Quantrill has been a bit of a disappointment overall in his stint as a Yankee. Stanton was once one of our key guys, but he is now on the downside of his career and the Yankees haven't had much use for him this season. For a guy like Mike Stanton to have pitched only 14 innings in 77 team games is a bit of a waste of roster space.
The Yankees are expected to call up Felix Escalona after the move takes place along with another player, perhaps reliever Colter Bean.
Posted by: Patrick
One of our own, David Williams was hospitalized on Friday and is headed into surgery. I received an e-mail this morning from his wife, Donna.
She didn't say what was causing it, but that he would hopefully be back in action with us here in late July. I will post updates as I hear things and as appropriate.
Please keep him in your thoughts. Get well soon, David.
She didn't say what was causing it, but that he would hopefully be back in action with us here in late July. I will post updates as I hear things and as appropriate.
Please keep him in your thoughts. Get well soon, David.
The Yankees blew a 4-1 lead last night en route to a 5-4 loss to the O's in extra innings. Chien-Ming Wang put up another solid start, but it was wasted as Tom Gordon could not hold the lead this time in the 8th inning. The Yankees failed to put a run across after the 6th inning. Mike Stanton's only pitch in the game was a walkoff home run into the left field seats by Brian Roberts in the 10th (On a side note, can anybody believe what that guy has done this year? The guy's batting .365 and has 13 homers after having 3 all of last season).
The Yankees put up two quick runs in the first but Larry Bigbie quickly closed the gap to 2-1 with his solo shot in the bottom of the inning. Robinson Cano and Hideki Matsui hit their 6th and 10th home runs of the season, respectfully. Rafael Palmeiro hit a two-run shot in the 6th and Miguel Tejada singled in the tying run in the 8th. Brian Roberts' homer in the 10th raised Mike Stanton's E.R.A. to 7.05.
I had been thinking that a throwing error by Tom Gordon in the 8th (the error really should've been on Tino) was what ultimately lost the game for us, but in hindsight it didn't really make a difference because Roberts probably would have scored from second on Tejada's single anyway. Larry Bigbie, who reached on the error, did not come around to score.
On a positive note, Hideki Matsui is now batting .305, which is actually a point higher than Derek Jeter. His 59 RBI is currently good for 5th in the American League (one behind Miguel Tejada, who many are considering an MVP candidate this season). He has certainly turned things around. I remember at some point in May he was still batting under .250. Anybody here think that Matsui should be given some consideration for the All-Star game this year?
The Yankees put up two quick runs in the first but Larry Bigbie quickly closed the gap to 2-1 with his solo shot in the bottom of the inning. Robinson Cano and Hideki Matsui hit their 6th and 10th home runs of the season, respectfully. Rafael Palmeiro hit a two-run shot in the 6th and Miguel Tejada singled in the tying run in the 8th. Brian Roberts' homer in the 10th raised Mike Stanton's E.R.A. to 7.05.
I had been thinking that a throwing error by Tom Gordon in the 8th (the error really should've been on Tino) was what ultimately lost the game for us, but in hindsight it didn't really make a difference because Roberts probably would have scored from second on Tejada's single anyway. Larry Bigbie, who reached on the error, did not come around to score.
On a positive note, Hideki Matsui is now batting .305, which is actually a point higher than Derek Jeter. His 59 RBI is currently good for 5th in the American League (one behind Miguel Tejada, who many are considering an MVP candidate this season). He has certainly turned things around. I remember at some point in May he was still batting under .250. Anybody here think that Matsui should be given some consideration for the All-Star game this year?
06/29: Sheffield for Cameron?
Posted by: Michael
According to the NY Post, Gary Sheffield might be on his way to the Mets for Mike Cameron.
They are also looking at other players to balance the deal. Some mentioned were Miguel Cairo and a "young Met pitcher."
I'm thrilled that the Yankees are looking to move some of their older veterans. Am I happy that they are looking to move Sheffield? No. But Cashman is trying to un-do some of this yuckiness that they've (the front office) gotten the whole organization into.
The Yanks have identified defense in center field, and a sluggishness/lack of athleticism caused by too many older players, as the their main faults. They feel the club's ERA will drop if more fly balls are caught in center and if fewer baserunners take first-to-third liberties. The Yanks, though, have faced a conundrum how to address their faults. Cashman has recommended stopping the vicious cycle of trading the organization's few prospects for expensive, aging players. George Steinbrenner, though, has rightfully demanded not giving up on this season with $200 million-plus invested in payroll.
The compromise, therefore, is to see if a core veteran can be moved to solve the issues. The three most obvious are Tom Gordon, Jorge Posada and Sheffield because all are without no-trade clauses. The Yanks are hesitant about breaking up the late-game strength of Gordon, Tanyon Sturtze and Mariano Rivera. Posada remains among the majors' most productive offensive catchers, replacing him would be difficult, and he is likely to vest a $12 million option for 2007 that makes him hard to deal. Obviously, moving Sheffield would weaken the offense, but the Yanks feel they can more easily compensate in that area than others.
The compromise, therefore, is to see if a core veteran can be moved to solve the issues. The three most obvious are Tom Gordon, Jorge Posada and Sheffield because all are without no-trade clauses. The Yanks are hesitant about breaking up the late-game strength of Gordon, Tanyon Sturtze and Mariano Rivera. Posada remains among the majors' most productive offensive catchers, replacing him would be difficult, and he is likely to vest a $12 million option for 2007 that makes him hard to deal. Obviously, moving Sheffield would weaken the offense, but the Yanks feel they can more easily compensate in that area than others.
They are also looking at other players to balance the deal. Some mentioned were Miguel Cairo and a "young Met pitcher."
I'm thrilled that the Yankees are looking to move some of their older veterans. Am I happy that they are looking to move Sheffield? No. But Cashman is trying to un-do some of this yuckiness that they've (the front office) gotten the whole organization into.
06/28: SI.com: The Trade Block
Posted by: Patrick
SI.com has this picture feature called The Trade Block. I'll save you from reading it and just tell you what involves the Yankees.
Yankees are in the market for: Roger Clemens, Carl Everett, Todd Helton, Aubrey Huff, Austin Kearns, Joe Kennedy, Mark Kotsay, Lyle Overbay, Wily Mo Pena, Mark Redman, Jason Schmidt and Barry Zito.
Yankees on the block: Tom Gordon (Mets, Braves).
Right now, I'm thinking we go with Giambi (with Tino sometimes) at 1B. So, we skip all the first basemen. I think we need to focus our trades on CF (or LF), then RP, then SP. I think if we get a good CF and add a quality arm to the pen, that'll be a good way to go. If a top SP comes along and we have an opportunity to do something... that's fine, too.
I'd like to keep Flash, though. He's pitched well for us. We need more guys like Flash and not less. The same thing would be said (for me) about Posada and Matsui, who have been rumored in trades. Trading either one would be a step back, I feel.
Yankees are in the market for: Roger Clemens, Carl Everett, Todd Helton, Aubrey Huff, Austin Kearns, Joe Kennedy, Mark Kotsay, Lyle Overbay, Wily Mo Pena, Mark Redman, Jason Schmidt and Barry Zito.
Yankees on the block: Tom Gordon (Mets, Braves).
Right now, I'm thinking we go with Giambi (with Tino sometimes) at 1B. So, we skip all the first basemen. I think we need to focus our trades on CF (or LF), then RP, then SP. I think if we get a good CF and add a quality arm to the pen, that'll be a good way to go. If a top SP comes along and we have an opportunity to do something... that's fine, too.
I'd like to keep Flash, though. He's pitched well for us. We need more guys like Flash and not less. The same thing would be said (for me) about Posada and Matsui, who have been rumored in trades. Trading either one would be a step back, I feel.
Posted by: Patrick
From the Saint Petersburg Times:
"I saw some special on TV last night comparing me and him, and I'm like, "What are these guys doing? Are they serious?""
- J. Brent Cox, Texas reliever on not being as good as Yankees closer Mariano Rivera; the Yankees took Cox in the second round of this month's draft
- J. Brent Cox, Texas reliever on not being as good as Yankees closer Mariano Rivera; the Yankees took Cox in the second round of this month's draft
Posted by: Michael
I still flinch when Jason Giambi comes to the plate. It's something that I can not control, and probably no doctor could fix. But the medicine I need to shake off this disease of seeing a .256 AVG or below player come to the plate was obtained last night.
Jason Giambi drove in the winning runs when he hit a 2-run single off of Braden Looper of the Mets to take the game 5-4.
The quote of the game came from Torre when taking Randy Johnson out of the game after 6 2/3 innings pitched. "He wanted to finish the inning," Torre said. "I said, 'It's the second trip, so I can't do anything about it. I'd love to leave you in, but I can't do it.' I was glad he let the ball go."
Play of the game was of course Jason's 2 run single, followed by Tino working a walk to start off the inning. Torre just replaced Russ Johnson with Tino as a pinch hitter.
An interesting note is that the last 2 games the Yankees have won both come from when Randy Johnson pitched and the Yankees came from behind to take the game.
An important series starts tonight in Baltimore. Carl Pavano (4-6) takes on Daniel Cabrera (5-7) at Camden Yards. Starting time is 7:05pm EDT.
Jason Giambi drove in the winning runs when he hit a 2-run single off of Braden Looper of the Mets to take the game 5-4.
The quote of the game came from Torre when taking Randy Johnson out of the game after 6 2/3 innings pitched. "He wanted to finish the inning," Torre said. "I said, 'It's the second trip, so I can't do anything about it. I'd love to leave you in, but I can't do it.' I was glad he let the ball go."
Play of the game was of course Jason's 2 run single, followed by Tino working a walk to start off the inning. Torre just replaced Russ Johnson with Tino as a pinch hitter.
An interesting note is that the last 2 games the Yankees have won both come from when Randy Johnson pitched and the Yankees came from behind to take the game.
An important series starts tonight in Baltimore. Carl Pavano (4-6) takes on Daniel Cabrera (5-7) at Camden Yards. Starting time is 7:05pm EDT.
06/25: Yankees Fall to Mets, 10-3
Posted by: Patrick
Despite 11 hits and 2 walks, the Yankees just couldn't get the runners home. Robinson Cano knocked in all 3 runs as he went 2 for 3 with a 2B and a HR (his 5th of the year). A-Rod, Matsui and Giambi had 2 hit days, as well.
The only Yankees to go hitless were Sierra and Posada - they were also the 2 batters who left the most runners on base (4 a piece).
The Yankees pitchers walked 6 and allowed 14 hits, which amounted to 10 runs for the Mets. Cliff Floyd was the star of the day, going 2 for 3 with 2 HR, 3 R, 2 BB and 4 RBI. Rookie Sean Henn only lasted 4 and 1/3 (6 ER) before being yanked. Henn is now 0-3 with an 11.12 ERA. I'm not saying he'll never be anything, but I think we've seen enough of him. Let Ruben pitch or bring up another rookie - or something.
Proctor allowed 1 unearned run in 1 and 1/3 innings, Stanton came in and allowed an ER (did not retire a batter), Quantrill pitched 2, allowing 2 runs earned with Groom finishing the game with a scoreless 9th.
All in all a forgettable game. The Unit will look to rebound against Kris Benson tomorrow.
The only Yankees to go hitless were Sierra and Posada - they were also the 2 batters who left the most runners on base (4 a piece).
The Yankees pitchers walked 6 and allowed 14 hits, which amounted to 10 runs for the Mets. Cliff Floyd was the star of the day, going 2 for 3 with 2 HR, 3 R, 2 BB and 4 RBI. Rookie Sean Henn only lasted 4 and 1/3 (6 ER) before being yanked. Henn is now 0-3 with an 11.12 ERA. I'm not saying he'll never be anything, but I think we've seen enough of him. Let Ruben pitch or bring up another rookie - or something.
Proctor allowed 1 unearned run in 1 and 1/3 innings, Stanton came in and allowed an ER (did not retire a batter), Quantrill pitched 2, allowing 2 runs earned with Groom finishing the game with a scoreless 9th.
All in all a forgettable game. The Unit will look to rebound against Kris Benson tomorrow.
Posted by: Patrick
Former Yankee Jay Howell recounted an encounter he had with George Steinbrenner back in 1983 for Murray Chass and the New York Times.
A Close Encounter Stirred a Pitcher's Mind:
Via Pro Sports Daily.
A Close Encounter Stirred a Pitcher's Mind:
As Steinbrenner kept going, Howell remembered a piece of advice offered by two veteran teammates, Rich Gossage and Ron Guidry, that a player must hold his ground with Steinbrenner.
So, Howell said, he stood up and said: "George, I may be 1 and 4, but I go out there and do my best. You've never heard me blame anybody else."
At that point, Howell related, "He leaps across the desk, clasps me around my back and says: 'Thatta boy. You're going to be the next Allie Reynolds.' "
So, Howell said, he stood up and said: "George, I may be 1 and 4, but I go out there and do my best. You've never heard me blame anybody else."
At that point, Howell related, "He leaps across the desk, clasps me around my back and says: 'Thatta boy. You're going to be the next Allie Reynolds.' "
Via Pro Sports Daily.
Posted by: Michael
The Devil Rays have now just won 8 games on the road this season. Before this last series with the Yankees, they've only won 5 on the road. Ugh! This is what makes this a hard pill to swallow.
The Yankees lost to the Devil Rays last night 9-4. The Rays took the series 3 games out of 4. It would have been a sweep only if the Yankees didn't unleash terror with their bats in the 8th inning of game 2 in the series.
Wang was not his usual self last night tossing 6 innings and giving up 6 Runs - 5 ER. Keep in mind that he did pitch one spectacular gem this past Saturday against the Cubs. They took him out to keep him fresh for the start last night. Apparently that didn't work as he gave up 8 hits, and 2 of those were home runs from Jorge Cantu who drove in 4 runs for the night.
The Yankee bats were silenced after scoring 4 runs in the 3rd, they couldn't make anything happen. As A-Rod said, "They pitched well, they played good defense ... and [Hendrickson], it was one of those things where he kind of had us sleeping."
Sleeping? They had a great impersonation of Sleeping Beauty in which the "Beauty" not comes from physical attractiveness, but from the number of digits in their salary.
Jeter asks, "Who do we play next?"
That would be Pedro "The Yanks are my Daddy" Martinez (7-2) against the Moose (8-4), tonight at the Stadium.
The Yankees lost to the Devil Rays last night 9-4. The Rays took the series 3 games out of 4. It would have been a sweep only if the Yankees didn't unleash terror with their bats in the 8th inning of game 2 in the series.
Wang was not his usual self last night tossing 6 innings and giving up 6 Runs - 5 ER. Keep in mind that he did pitch one spectacular gem this past Saturday against the Cubs. They took him out to keep him fresh for the start last night. Apparently that didn't work as he gave up 8 hits, and 2 of those were home runs from Jorge Cantu who drove in 4 runs for the night.
The Yankee bats were silenced after scoring 4 runs in the 3rd, they couldn't make anything happen. As A-Rod said, "They pitched well, they played good defense ... and [Hendrickson], it was one of those things where he kind of had us sleeping."
Sleeping? They had a great impersonation of Sleeping Beauty in which the "Beauty" not comes from physical attractiveness, but from the number of digits in their salary.
Jeter asks, "Who do we play next?"
That would be Pedro "The Yanks are my Daddy" Martinez (7-2) against the Moose (8-4), tonight at the Stadium.
06/23: Deja Vu All Over Again?
Posted by: Patrick
Steve Lombardi gives us this little bit of statistical info:
Yankees Record After 71 Games
2000 (World Series Championship Season) vs. 2004
2000: 37-34 record, 2 GB
2004: 37-34 record, 5 GB
Yankees Record After 71 Games
2000 (World Series Championship Season) vs. 2004
2000: 37-34 record, 2 GB
2004: 37-34 record, 5 GB
Posted by: Seamus
Just a day after turning a 10-2 defecit into a 20-11 roasting, the Yankees bats were cooled off this afternoon as they were defeated by Scott Kazmir and the Devil Rays 5-3. Gary Sheffield launched a two-run homer in the first inning (his 3rd in two days), but that was pretty much all the offense the Yankees got save an RBI groundout by Robinson Cano in the 5th. Carl Pavano looked solid through 6 and 2/3 until he gave up a three-run shot to Nick Green which put the Devil Rays up for good. The Yankees are now a Major League-worst 0-25 when scoring three runs or less.
I don't think tonight's game was as much a failure of the Yankees' offense as it was a great performance by Scott Kazmir. Although this is his first full year in the Majors and he is very young, he is still one of the toughest pitchers to hit in the league if he brings his "A" game. He hasn't been totally consistent so far, but when he is on he is almost lights out.
As for Pavano, I was watching "Mike and the Mad Dog" on the YES Network a couple hours after the game and they were saying they don't understand how people can say that if he hadn't given up the home run to Nick Green you could call it a good start. They do make a point because when you look at the line score you see the 5 earned runs and the two homers and 6 hits in just over 6 innings. However, I do think he was pretty solid throughout most of the game. Take away the three-run homer and his line score is 7 innings and 2 runs on 4 hits. I really couldn't argue either way. The fact of the matter is that he did give up the home run and that is just as much a part of the game as everything that happened in the 6.2 innings before the home run. So I guess what I'll call it is a mediocre to forgettable outing although this one start alone is nothing to worry about.
Tomorrow evening the Yankees will send Chien-Ming Wang to the mound to face the D-Rays' Mark Hendrickson before finishing up the homestand with a weekend series against the Mets. I think tomorrow's game is critical especially considering that the Red Sox keep winning now and have closed the gap on the O's to one game, and it would really be a blow to what the Yankees have accomplished so far on this homestand if they lose 3 out of 4 to Tampa Bay at the Stadium.
I don't think tonight's game was as much a failure of the Yankees' offense as it was a great performance by Scott Kazmir. Although this is his first full year in the Majors and he is very young, he is still one of the toughest pitchers to hit in the league if he brings his "A" game. He hasn't been totally consistent so far, but when he is on he is almost lights out.
As for Pavano, I was watching "Mike and the Mad Dog" on the YES Network a couple hours after the game and they were saying they don't understand how people can say that if he hadn't given up the home run to Nick Green you could call it a good start. They do make a point because when you look at the line score you see the 5 earned runs and the two homers and 6 hits in just over 6 innings. However, I do think he was pretty solid throughout most of the game. Take away the three-run homer and his line score is 7 innings and 2 runs on 4 hits. I really couldn't argue either way. The fact of the matter is that he did give up the home run and that is just as much a part of the game as everything that happened in the 6.2 innings before the home run. So I guess what I'll call it is a mediocre to forgettable outing although this one start alone is nothing to worry about.
Tomorrow evening the Yankees will send Chien-Ming Wang to the mound to face the D-Rays' Mark Hendrickson before finishing up the homestand with a weekend series against the Mets. I think tomorrow's game is critical especially considering that the Red Sox keep winning now and have closed the gap on the O's to one game, and it would really be a blow to what the Yankees have accomplished so far on this homestand if they lose 3 out of 4 to Tampa Bay at the Stadium.
Posted by: Seamus
Before today's game, most people probably would have thought out of the four games the Yankees and Devil Rays play this week, tonight's would feature the best pitching as Randy Johnson went up against Hideo Nomo. However, that was not the case tonight as the Yankees came back from an eight-run defecit to defeat the D'Rays 20-11 in a game that saw 41 total hits (23 by the Yankees) and nine home runs (six by New York). The Yankees started to rally in the 5th after trailing 10-2, but the most memorable inning of tonight's game was the bottom of the 8th in which they scored 13 runs to turn an 11-7 defecit into a 20-11 lead. The Yankees hit four home runs in the inning, including back-to-back-to-back home runs by Sheffield, A-Rod, and Matsui. All three Devil Ray home runs came off of Randy Johnson as he failed to pitch more than 3 innings and Hideo Nomo came out of the game in the 5th after giving up 5 runs.
Every Yankee starter had a hit in the game except John Flaherty (Posada pinch hit for him in the 5th, went 1-2 with a two-run homer). Derek Jeter had 5 hits including a home run and was only a triple away from the cycle as he raised his batting average to .309. Gary Sheffield was 4-6 hit two three-run homers and Hideki Matsui also had four hits including a home run, which I might add went pretty deep into the black seats. Alex Rodriguez added his 20th home run to re-grab a share of the Major League home run lead.
The Yankees have now won 7 out of their last 8 games and kept pace with the Orioles, who also won tonight, to stay 5 games back in the AL East race. Tonight was the second time this season that the Yankees scored 13 runs in an inning. Both times were during home games against Tampa Bay.
Every Yankee starter had a hit in the game except John Flaherty (Posada pinch hit for him in the 5th, went 1-2 with a two-run homer). Derek Jeter had 5 hits including a home run and was only a triple away from the cycle as he raised his batting average to .309. Gary Sheffield was 4-6 hit two three-run homers and Hideki Matsui also had four hits including a home run, which I might add went pretty deep into the black seats. Alex Rodriguez added his 20th home run to re-grab a share of the Major League home run lead.
The Yankees have now won 7 out of their last 8 games and kept pace with the Orioles, who also won tonight, to stay 5 games back in the AL East race. Tonight was the second time this season that the Yankees scored 13 runs in an inning. Both times were during home games against Tampa Bay.
The Yankees six game winning streak ended on Monday night to the lowly Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Yankees brought up Sean Henn from Columbus to start for Kevin Brown who was just placed on the DL.
Henn was brought up once before earlier in May for Randy Johnson and also faced the Devil Rays. This outing was not much better. He walked seven in 4 2/3 innings and seems simply not ready to pitch in the major leagues yet. He walked four in the second inning to force in a run. The next batter hit a grounder in the hole between second and third which Jeter got to but the only play he had was to try and force the runner at third. A-Rod got to the bag but couldn't get into a position to reach over the runner and the throw went wild allowing two runs to score.
Casey Fossum was great for Tampa Bay until the eighth inning when the Yankees started to get to him. He was replaced by Lance Carter who surrendered a three run homer to Matsui to get the Yankees to within one run at 5-4.
Rivera entered in the top of the ninth for the Yankees and was a bit wild by allowing two walks but got the three outs without giving up anymore runs. Tampa Bay replaced Carter with closer Danys Baez who pitched a perfect ninth inning for only his second road save of the season. The Yankees lost a game to Boston who held on to beat Cleveland 10-9 but did not lose any ground to AL East division leader Baltimore who were crushed by the Blue Jays 11-2.
The Yankees try to start another winning streak tonight with the Big Unit Randy Johnson on the hill against veteran starter Hideo Nomo for the Devil Rays. Johnson has been awesome in his last two starts and New York will be looking for him to dominate Tampa's young lineup.
Henn was brought up once before earlier in May for Randy Johnson and also faced the Devil Rays. This outing was not much better. He walked seven in 4 2/3 innings and seems simply not ready to pitch in the major leagues yet. He walked four in the second inning to force in a run. The next batter hit a grounder in the hole between second and third which Jeter got to but the only play he had was to try and force the runner at third. A-Rod got to the bag but couldn't get into a position to reach over the runner and the throw went wild allowing two runs to score.
Casey Fossum was great for Tampa Bay until the eighth inning when the Yankees started to get to him. He was replaced by Lance Carter who surrendered a three run homer to Matsui to get the Yankees to within one run at 5-4.
Rivera entered in the top of the ninth for the Yankees and was a bit wild by allowing two walks but got the three outs without giving up anymore runs. Tampa Bay replaced Carter with closer Danys Baez who pitched a perfect ninth inning for only his second road save of the season. The Yankees lost a game to Boston who held on to beat Cleveland 10-9 but did not lose any ground to AL East division leader Baltimore who were crushed by the Blue Jays 11-2.
The Yankees try to start another winning streak tonight with the Big Unit Randy Johnson on the hill against veteran starter Hideo Nomo for the Devil Rays. Johnson has been awesome in his last two starts and New York will be looking for him to dominate Tampa's young lineup.
Posted by: Patrick
ESPN.com used WhatIfSports.com to face the 2005 Yankees against the Ex-Yankees currently in the league. The current Yankees set them down 3 games to none. Looking at the ex-Yankees roster, I can see why. Some great players, sure. But, a bunch of guys I wouldn't want back or don't care either way, really. Plus, its not that we could have had all of these guys on the same team. A-Rod's (Soriano) and Unit's (Johnson, Javy, Halsey) don't come cheap.
Posted by: Michael
Yankees starter Mike Mussina added another feather to his cap today by beating the Chicago Cubs 6-3. "The Moose" (8-4) won his 3rd straight start in the process behind the bats of A-Rod and Matsui.
Sergio Mitre (2-2) took the loss in giving up 6 Runs - 5 earned in 5 2/3 innings. It is interesting to note that the Cubs are 4-8 in interleague play this far into the season, and one would think they are looking forward to playing in their own league.
The Cubs also look sloppy on the field, reminding myself of just how the Yanks looked a few weeks ago.
One highlight for the Cubs has to be Jeromy Bernitz - he seems to have a hot bat right now. Pair him with Lee, and then get Wood and Prior back from the DL, then look out!
In Yankees highlights, A-Rod stole 2nd in the 6th, and then Matsui knocked him in to put the game further out of reach. That play, and the play in the 7th when Tanyon Sturtze got Neifi Perez to ground into a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning with the bases loaded, stood out to me in how the Yanks are turning it around.
The team really seems to be clicking now. They are in sync at just the right time (they are home). They are ready now to face the Devil Rays, the worst team in baseball. Lets see if the Rays give them a tough series as the last time they met.
The first game of that series is tomorrow night with just called up Sean Henn (0-1) taking on Casey Fossum (2-5) at the Stadium.
Sergio Mitre (2-2) took the loss in giving up 6 Runs - 5 earned in 5 2/3 innings. It is interesting to note that the Cubs are 4-8 in interleague play this far into the season, and one would think they are looking forward to playing in their own league.
The Cubs also look sloppy on the field, reminding myself of just how the Yanks looked a few weeks ago.
One highlight for the Cubs has to be Jeromy Bernitz - he seems to have a hot bat right now. Pair him with Lee, and then get Wood and Prior back from the DL, then look out!
In Yankees highlights, A-Rod stole 2nd in the 6th, and then Matsui knocked him in to put the game further out of reach. That play, and the play in the 7th when Tanyon Sturtze got Neifi Perez to ground into a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning with the bases loaded, stood out to me in how the Yanks are turning it around.
The team really seems to be clicking now. They are in sync at just the right time (they are home). They are ready now to face the Devil Rays, the worst team in baseball. Lets see if the Rays give them a tough series as the last time they met.
The first game of that series is tomorrow night with just called up Sean Henn (0-1) taking on Casey Fossum (2-5) at the Stadium.
06/19: Happy Fathers Day
Posted by: Patrick
Happy Fathers Day to all of the fathers out there.
My Dad is a Yankees fan, so I was a Yankees fan at birth. Great choice, Dad. (He doesn't know this site exists, of course. ;))
My Dad is a Yankees fan, so I was a Yankees fan at birth. Great choice, Dad. (He doesn't know this site exists, of course. ;))
06/18: Who Should We Sponsor?
Posted by: Patrick
So, we all know how great Baseball-Reference.com is. They have a sponsorship program where you can sponsor most pages on the site (including player pages) for a certain fee (varies by page). You get a link on the page in exchange.
For taking a couple of survey's, I have $4 in my account over there. So, what I was thinking was this... go to the available pages page (or do searches at BR, you're choice) and find a page that you think it'd be neat for us to sponsor. I don't really want to go any higher than $15. If it's really good, I might be able to go $20. Could that be Red Ruffing? Traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees - turned into a Hall of Famer. Or Sparky Lyle?
I ran through the top Yankees in games played and came up from Frankie Crosetti (11th) and Earle Combs (17th). Perhaps the World Champion 1939 Yankees? The Iron Horse's final year. Or the World Champion 1941 Yankees? The 1949 World Champion Yankees? The 1950 World Champion Yankees? Jack Chesbro?
Perhaps Gerald "Ice" Williams, possibly the only man to get a shot in on Pedro Martinez?
Let me know what you think.
For taking a couple of survey's, I have $4 in my account over there. So, what I was thinking was this... go to the available pages page (or do searches at BR, you're choice) and find a page that you think it'd be neat for us to sponsor. I don't really want to go any higher than $15. If it's really good, I might be able to go $20. Could that be Red Ruffing? Traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees - turned into a Hall of Famer. Or Sparky Lyle?
I ran through the top Yankees in games played and came up from Frankie Crosetti (11th) and Earle Combs (17th). Perhaps the World Champion 1939 Yankees? The Iron Horse's final year. Or the World Champion 1941 Yankees? The 1949 World Champion Yankees? The 1950 World Champion Yankees? Jack Chesbro?
Perhaps Gerald "Ice" Williams, possibly the only man to get a shot in on Pedro Martinez?
Let me know what you think.
Posted by: Patrick
Coming into the game, among active players, Derek Jeter had had the most at bats (136) and home runs (156) without a grand slam of anyone in baseball.
No longer.
With 1 out in the 6th, Jeter homered to deep center to put the Yankees ahead 7-1.
D. Jeter finished the game 2 for 5 with 2 HRs (he added a solo shot in the 8th) with 5 RBI.
Chien-Ming Wang pitched a brilliant 8 innings, throwing 88 pitches (57 of them for strikes). He allowed 1 ER (a solo HR in the 6th) and 5 hits, bringing his ERA down to 3.97 and uping his record to 4-2.
Not to be lost in the mix were 3 hit games from Bernie (3 for 4, 1 R) and Sheff (3 for 5, 1 R, 1 RBI). The Yankee offense combined for 13 hits and 3 walks. Cano scored 2 runs, as did Jeter.
I watched much of the game (had it on while working) and the Yankee defense looked good. A-Rod made a couple of nice plays.
All in all, a satisifying victory that puts us 3 games over .500 and 4.5 back of the first place Orioles. Moose goes against Sergio Mitre tomorrow.
No longer.
With 1 out in the 6th, Jeter homered to deep center to put the Yankees ahead 7-1.
D. Jeter finished the game 2 for 5 with 2 HRs (he added a solo shot in the 8th) with 5 RBI.
Chien-Ming Wang pitched a brilliant 8 innings, throwing 88 pitches (57 of them for strikes). He allowed 1 ER (a solo HR in the 6th) and 5 hits, bringing his ERA down to 3.97 and uping his record to 4-2.
Not to be lost in the mix were 3 hit games from Bernie (3 for 4, 1 R) and Sheff (3 for 5, 1 R, 1 RBI). The Yankee offense combined for 13 hits and 3 walks. Cano scored 2 runs, as did Jeter.
I watched much of the game (had it on while working) and the Yankee defense looked good. A-Rod made a couple of nice plays.
All in all, a satisifying victory that puts us 3 games over .500 and 4.5 back of the first place Orioles. Moose goes against Sergio Mitre tomorrow.
06/18: CF Watch and Untouchables
Posted by: Patrick
On the center fielder watch:
From the New York Daily News: Griffey Gambit:
From the New York Post: Bombers in Chase for Mets' Cameron.
There was also an article in The Star Ledger a few days back on who may or may not be untouchable on the Yankees:
I'm not into trading Posada, Matsui, Bernie, Sheffield, Mussina or Mo. I think we need more guys like Matsui, not less. And I'd prefer not to trade Cano, Wang and Gordon, but, if we are going to trade, where does it come from? Going to have to be the minors.
Via Off the Facade and Pro Sports Daily.
From the New York Daily News: Griffey Gambit:
Trade speculation is always rampant in the Bronx and the latest scenario making the rounds had the Yanks dealing for Ken Griffey Jr. One Yankee official said simply, "Not happening," when the situation was posed to him.
From the New York Post: Bombers in Chase for Mets' Cameron.
There was also an article in The Star Ledger a few days back on who may or may not be untouchable on the Yankees:
Multiple baseball people familiar with the Yankees' plans said yesterday the team has been calling around to assess the trade market and that the Yankees could do something major if they don't start playing better by the end of the homestand. One of those people said the only untouchables on the roster would be shortstop Derek Jeter, third baseman Alex Rodriguez and starting pitcher Randy Johnson. That person didn't mention Mariano Rivera as an untouchable, but it's hard to envision the Yankees making any sort of move with their Hall of Fame closer. ...
The Yankees aren't ruling out the possibility of asking players such as Hideki Matsui and Bernie Williams to waive their no-trade protection if teams are interested enough to give something good in return for them.
"They're talking about almost everything," an official with a National League team said. "They're talking about players who used to be off-limits."
Among Yankees regulars, the only players who don't have no-trade clauses are catcher Jorge Posada and right fielder Gary Sheffield, and either could bring back a great deal in a trade if the Yankees were willing to help pay his salary. The question is whether such a move would constitute a change simply for change's sake, or whether the team could actually improve itself with such a major move. ...
The Yankees also would consider moving their two impressive rookies, pitcher Chien-Ming Wang and second baseman Robinson Cano, to teams that are out of the race and looking to make veteran-for-prospect deals. But that will cause a rift in the organization, as some believe the Yankees should keep Wang and Cano and build their future teams around them.
The Yankees aren't ruling out the possibility of asking players such as Hideki Matsui and Bernie Williams to waive their no-trade protection if teams are interested enough to give something good in return for them.
"They're talking about almost everything," an official with a National League team said. "They're talking about players who used to be off-limits."
Among Yankees regulars, the only players who don't have no-trade clauses are catcher Jorge Posada and right fielder Gary Sheffield, and either could bring back a great deal in a trade if the Yankees were willing to help pay his salary. The question is whether such a move would constitute a change simply for change's sake, or whether the team could actually improve itself with such a major move. ...
The Yankees also would consider moving their two impressive rookies, pitcher Chien-Ming Wang and second baseman Robinson Cano, to teams that are out of the race and looking to make veteran-for-prospect deals. But that will cause a rift in the organization, as some believe the Yankees should keep Wang and Cano and build their future teams around them.
I'm not into trading Posada, Matsui, Bernie, Sheffield, Mussina or Mo. I think we need more guys like Matsui, not less. And I'd prefer not to trade Cano, Wang and Gordon, but, if we are going to trade, where does it come from? Going to have to be the minors.
Via Off the Facade and Pro Sports Daily.
Posted by: David
Hideki Matusi had a five RBI night with a RBI single, a two run homer and a two run double. The home run put the Yankees back ahead to stay at 7-6 in the seventh and the double provided additional insurance in the eighth for Rivera to end the game at 9-6.
The Yankees really beat up the Cubs bullpen by hammering Ohman, Wuertz and Remlinger after demonstrative Carlos Zambrano left the game. The Yankees had a 4-0 lead but the Cubs battled back against Pavano to eventually take the lead 6-4 on a two run single from catcher Henry Blanco.
In the seventh the Yankees battled back with A-Rod delivering Sheffield from second with a one out single up the middle just prior to Matsui's go ahead homerun. The difference proved to be the Yankees bullpen with Quantrill, Stanton, Gordon and Rivera not giving up any runs.
The Yankees still need to do something in left field. Tony Womack isn't the answer. He looks very uncomfortable, has no arm to speak off and it appears that he really doesn't like the experiment. With Cano firmly in charge of second base it appears that Womack is prime trade bait. The San Diego Padres are without Mark Loretta and may try to acquire a veteran like Womack for the pennant race. The Yankees are only obligated for a two year contract for $4 million which for the Yankees is pocket change. If they could get some bench help from San Diego or a couple of minor leaguers I think Womack isn't long for the Big Apple. The rumor mill has the Cincinnati Reds thinking about dealing any or all of their outfielders. Could Junior be headed to NY to play center?
The Yankees really beat up the Cubs bullpen by hammering Ohman, Wuertz and Remlinger after demonstrative Carlos Zambrano left the game. The Yankees had a 4-0 lead but the Cubs battled back against Pavano to eventually take the lead 6-4 on a two run single from catcher Henry Blanco.
In the seventh the Yankees battled back with A-Rod delivering Sheffield from second with a one out single up the middle just prior to Matsui's go ahead homerun. The difference proved to be the Yankees bullpen with Quantrill, Stanton, Gordon and Rivera not giving up any runs.
The Yankees still need to do something in left field. Tony Womack isn't the answer. He looks very uncomfortable, has no arm to speak off and it appears that he really doesn't like the experiment. With Cano firmly in charge of second base it appears that Womack is prime trade bait. The San Diego Padres are without Mark Loretta and may try to acquire a veteran like Womack for the pennant race. The Yankees are only obligated for a two year contract for $4 million which for the Yankees is pocket change. If they could get some bench help from San Diego or a couple of minor leaguers I think Womack isn't long for the Big Apple. The rumor mill has the Cincinnati Reds thinking about dealing any or all of their outfielders. Could Junior be headed to NY to play center?
06/17: Barry Zito? Preston Wilson?
Posted by: Patrick