Posted by: Seamus
Shawn Chacon had his first bad start since joining the Yankees as the Bombers lost to the Mariners in Seattle by a score of 8-3. His ERA rose by almost a run and a half from 1.80 to 3.13 (it really goes to say something when your ERA can nearly double to only 3.13). All eight of the runs he allowed came in the 2nd and 3rd innings after a 1-2-3 first inning. Chacon did manage to settle down a bit as he at least prevented Torre from having to empty out the bullpen and gave us 6 innings. Felix Rodriguez finished the game and struggled for two innings, but did not allow a run.
The bright spots for the Yankees were A-Rod, who scored two runs including one coming on his 40th home run of the season, and Derek Jeter, who had two hits. Rodriguez is the first right-handed Yankee to belt 40 home runs since Joe DiMaggio in 1937 and is only the second ever to do so, and we're still in August. A-Rod was the DH as he had soreness in his groin and was replaced at 3B by Mark Bellhorn, who went 0-4 in his Yankee debut.
The Yankees remained the leaders in the wild card race as the Indians were postponed and the Angels lost to the A's in extra innings. A comeback victory by Boston put the Yankees 2.5 back in the A.L. East.
I've decided I like Matt Lawton. During the game, he was hit by a pitch and was actually nice enough to walk 10 feet in front of home plate and retrieve the ball and throw it back towards the pitcher. I thought it was kind of funny. Plus, he has contributed although he's hitting only .154 since joining us. He got a key hit in that 9th inning comeback against Kansas City on Saturday and launched a big home run Monday night against the Mariners.
Wednesday night's game features a very intriguing pitching matchup as Randy Johnson goes up against 19-year old Felix Hernandez. Hernandez has pitched great so far for Seattle and has been likened to the young Dwight Gooden and is regarded by many as a future superstar. His opponent of course is one of the greatest pitchers of our era and will in all likelihood be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. I'm looking forward to it.
The bright spots for the Yankees were A-Rod, who scored two runs including one coming on his 40th home run of the season, and Derek Jeter, who had two hits. Rodriguez is the first right-handed Yankee to belt 40 home runs since Joe DiMaggio in 1937 and is only the second ever to do so, and we're still in August. A-Rod was the DH as he had soreness in his groin and was replaced at 3B by Mark Bellhorn, who went 0-4 in his Yankee debut.
The Yankees remained the leaders in the wild card race as the Indians were postponed and the Angels lost to the A's in extra innings. A comeback victory by Boston put the Yankees 2.5 back in the A.L. East.
I've decided I like Matt Lawton. During the game, he was hit by a pitch and was actually nice enough to walk 10 feet in front of home plate and retrieve the ball and throw it back towards the pitcher. I thought it was kind of funny. Plus, he has contributed although he's hitting only .154 since joining us. He got a key hit in that 9th inning comeback against Kansas City on Saturday and launched a big home run Monday night against the Mariners.
Wednesday night's game features a very intriguing pitching matchup as Randy Johnson goes up against 19-year old Felix Hernandez. Hernandez has pitched great so far for Seattle and has been likened to the young Dwight Gooden and is regarded by many as a future superstar. His opponent of course is one of the greatest pitchers of our era and will in all likelihood be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. I'm looking forward to it.
Posted by: Patrick
Lawton's family braves hurricane:
The Lawton family is doing alright, but our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.
Via Brian MacMillan.
Acquired from the Chicago Cubs late Friday night, Lawton didn't have a chance to catch his breath yesterday morning after playing his first two games for his new team.
Instead, Lawton kept an eye on the television and kept sending text messages to his parents and brother, who braved the hurricane at his house in Gulfport, Miss.
Instead, Lawton kept an eye on the television and kept sending text messages to his parents and brother, who braved the hurricane at his house in Gulfport, Miss.
The Lawton family is doing alright, but our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.
Via Brian MacMillan.
Posted by: Patrick
I just realized something. When I was considering why Jeter should be on the All Star team, I never checked something: Podsednik's stats. Look at the pre All Star break stats:
Scott Podsednik
.294 BA, .369 OBA, .344 SLG, 50 R, 83 H, 0 HR, 17 RBI, 44 SB
Derek Jeter
.308 BA, .393 OBA, .452 SLG, 69 R, 105 H, 11 HR, 37 RBI, 10 SB
Hideki Matsui
.320 BA, .384 OBA, .530 SLG, 60 R, 105 H, 14 HR, 70 RBI, 2 SB
As I said, they both should have been on the team. But, jeez...
Scott Podsednik
.294 BA, .369 OBA, .344 SLG, 50 R, 83 H, 0 HR, 17 RBI, 44 SB
Derek Jeter
.308 BA, .393 OBA, .452 SLG, 69 R, 105 H, 11 HR, 37 RBI, 10 SB
Hideki Matsui
.320 BA, .384 OBA, .530 SLG, 60 R, 105 H, 14 HR, 70 RBI, 2 SB
As I said, they both should have been on the team. But, jeez...
Posted by: Michael
Jason Giambi came back for the second consecutive game to provide the offensive punch the Yankees needed to take the win against the Seatle Mariners. Giambi hit two homers and provided 4 RBIs. Giambi is quickly overcoming his bad August, and if he peaks again in September as he did in July - then we should catch and pass the Red Sox.
A-Rod contributed with a home run of his own, going 2 for 3 with a walk. He left the game in the 9th inning with tightness in the groin. The injury could have happened earlier in the game while fielding a ball, but A-Rod stayed in there til the 9th. Hopefully it is nothing serious.
The Moose only lasted three innings. He was hammered for four runs in six hits. He also gave up four walks. It was this time last year that Mussina was untouchable. Lets hope he makes the turn for the month of September. Is it me, or does he have a problem pitching in the stretch?
Aaron Small came into the game in relief of Mussina and was able to quickly quiet the Seattle bats. He pitched four very effective innings only giving up one hit. Gordon and Rivera were able to finish the game with Rivera picking up his 34th save.
I know it is kind of early, but when you are talking about team MVP, you have to look at what Small has done this year. I can't imagine where we would be without him. Most likely we would still have Wayne Franklin on the roster.
Tonight another Yankee savior is on the mound as Shawn Chacon (4-8, 3.28 ERA or 3-1, 1.80 ERA as a Yankee) takes on Jeff Harris (1-1, 1.69 ERA). In Harris' last game, he pitched 7 innings against the Rangers and gave up just one earned run. It seems like the Yanks always struggle some against the opposing rookie pitchers. Let's hope this is not the case. Game time 10:05pm ET.
A-Rod contributed with a home run of his own, going 2 for 3 with a walk. He left the game in the 9th inning with tightness in the groin. The injury could have happened earlier in the game while fielding a ball, but A-Rod stayed in there til the 9th. Hopefully it is nothing serious.
The Moose only lasted three innings. He was hammered for four runs in six hits. He also gave up four walks. It was this time last year that Mussina was untouchable. Lets hope he makes the turn for the month of September. Is it me, or does he have a problem pitching in the stretch?
Aaron Small came into the game in relief of Mussina and was able to quickly quiet the Seattle bats. He pitched four very effective innings only giving up one hit. Gordon and Rivera were able to finish the game with Rivera picking up his 34th save.
I know it is kind of early, but when you are talking about team MVP, you have to look at what Small has done this year. I can't imagine where we would be without him. Most likely we would still have Wayne Franklin on the roster.
Tonight another Yankee savior is on the mound as Shawn Chacon (4-8, 3.28 ERA or 3-1, 1.80 ERA as a Yankee) takes on Jeff Harris (1-1, 1.69 ERA). In Harris' last game, he pitched 7 innings against the Rangers and gave up just one earned run. It seems like the Yanks always struggle some against the opposing rookie pitchers. Let's hope this is not the case. Game time 10:05pm ET.
08/30: Jeter's D
Posted by: Patrick
Speaking of Jeter, his defense is being talked about by Alex Belth and Steve Lombardi, who makes a few good points.
Anyone who calls Jeter a terrible SS is crazy. That's just unfathomable. I mean, I could see how you could say he's not the best or he's not top 5 (even though that I don't really see), but a terrible shortstop? No way.
I've always felt that most criticisms of Jeter were either ill founded or nitpicking. This is a great, special player that we, as Yankees fans, are lucky to have. He's a very complete player. Does complete mean having the best of everything? No, it just means you do everything relatively well or better and Jeter does. On defense, he's a surehanded defender with good range and a great arm. He is capable of making any type of play - ground balls, line drives and he's, what, the best in the game on popups? To me, all facets of defense considered, he's a great defensive shortstop. Not even talking about what he does with the bat or on the basepaths (where plenty would say he's the best baserunner in the game).
Mr. Lombardi sums it up nicely here:
Last year, Rob Neyer of ESPN.comn called Jeter a "terrible" SS - twice in the span of days, once in print in his column and once in an ESPN News interview.
I never understood the "terrible" label. ...
Further, in Baseball America's recent 2005 Best Tools Survey, League Managers selected Derek Jeter as the AL's "Best Defensive SS" - ahead of Miggy Tejada (at # 2) and Michael Young (at # 3).
I never understood the "terrible" label. ...
Further, in Baseball America's recent 2005 Best Tools Survey, League Managers selected Derek Jeter as the AL's "Best Defensive SS" - ahead of Miggy Tejada (at # 2) and Michael Young (at # 3).
Anyone who calls Jeter a terrible SS is crazy. That's just unfathomable. I mean, I could see how you could say he's not the best or he's not top 5 (even though that I don't really see), but a terrible shortstop? No way.
I've always felt that most criticisms of Jeter were either ill founded or nitpicking. This is a great, special player that we, as Yankees fans, are lucky to have. He's a very complete player. Does complete mean having the best of everything? No, it just means you do everything relatively well or better and Jeter does. On defense, he's a surehanded defender with good range and a great arm. He is capable of making any type of play - ground balls, line drives and he's, what, the best in the game on popups? To me, all facets of defense considered, he's a great defensive shortstop. Not even talking about what he does with the bat or on the basepaths (where plenty would say he's the best baserunner in the game).
Mr. Lombardi sums it up nicely here:
As a Yankees fan, at no point in time, over the last several seasons, has a ball been hit to Jeter at SS where I thought "Oh, no, why did you hit it to him?" - - the way one would think when balls were hit to the Jose Offerman or Wil Cordero types (when they were trying to play SS).
In fact, when a grounder is hit to Jeter, within normal range, my gut reaction and expectation is "that's an out." I have no fear whatsoever on a groundball to Jeter.
In fact, when a grounder is hit to Jeter, within normal range, my gut reaction and expectation is "that's an out." I have no fear whatsoever on a groundball to Jeter.
Posted by: Patrick
Steve Lombardi has a theory.
Because of The Rolling Stones concert at Fenway, they had to bring in 40,000 square feet of sod from... New Jersey. Which also happens to be the birthplace of one D. Jeter.
Edit: Updated as Mr. Lombardi updated his entry.
Because of The Rolling Stones concert at Fenway, they had to bring in 40,000 square feet of sod from... New Jersey. Which also happens to be the birthplace of one D. Jeter.
If that's not begging for a new curse, nothin' is. Look for the Red Sox to now lose 12 of their remaining 22 home games this season - starting tonight.
Edit: Updated as Mr. Lombardi updated his entry.
Mark Bellhorn will sign with the Yankees on Tuesday.
"The Yankees seemed interested," said Bellhorn, speaking from the airport in Phoenix, on his way to Seattle, where he will sign a contract on Tuesday. "The Yankees are one of the most well-known franchises in all of sports. Not everybody gets to play for them."
Bellhorn will likely fill the role of a utility infielder, which will probably result in Felix Escalona heading back to the Minors until rosters expand on Thursday.
"I'll do whatever they need me to do," Bellhorn said. "I can play a lot of positions, I can pinch-run, pinch-hit -- whatever they need from me."
Bellhorn will likely fill the role of a utility infielder, which will probably result in Felix Escalona heading back to the Minors until rosters expand on Thursday.
"I'll do whatever they need me to do," Bellhorn said. "I can play a lot of positions, I can pinch-run, pinch-hit -- whatever they need from me."
Posted by: Patrick
New Yankee Matt Lawton appears to have needed all of that in his first game as a Yankee. He borrowed Sheffield's glove, Bernie's cleats and bats belonging to both Giambi (0-3) and Cano (1-1).
Edit: Sorry for the duplicate.
Via Brian MacMillan.
"I was in the cage and I showed him my bat," said Cano, who did not ask for the bat back. "I said, 'If you want to, use one of my bats; I know that you didn't bring any of your equipment.' "
Lawton's gear arrived in time for yesterday's game, but he continued to use Cano's bat for good luck.
"I'm definitely going to keep the bat," Lawton said.
Lawton's gear arrived in time for yesterday's game, but he continued to use Cano's bat for good luck.
"I'm definitely going to keep the bat," Lawton said.
Edit: Sorry for the duplicate.
Via Brian MacMillan.
Posted by: Michael
Jason Giambi's bat had grown stone cold going 4-38 leading into Sunday. It turned out to be a brand new day as Giambi was able to hit two home runs and tie his career best at 7 RBI's for the day. Also, with the first homer, Giambi was able to obtain his 1000 career RBI. The second, increased his career hit tally to 1500. Very impressive, and I have to admit, something I didn't think was obtainable earlier in the year.
Al Leiter pitched another spectacular game for the Yankees. In six innings pitched he gave up only two hits, six strikeouts, and only four walks. Walking batters has been his weakness, and it was obvious today he had his game on. Leiter has gone 4-3 since he has joined the Yanks.
The Yankees now have a 1/2 game lead in the wild card, and are just 1 1/2 games behind Boston in the AL East. Derek Jeter adds his perspective of the divisional and wild card chase:
Tomorrow night the Yankees go on the road and travel to Seattle to take on the Mariners. The Yankees Mike Mussina (12-8, 4.21 ERA) takes on Ryan Franklin (6-14, 5.29 ERA) at Safeco Field. Game time 10:05pm ET. Let's hope the Moose rebounds from his disasterous fifth inning from his previous outing.
Al Leiter pitched another spectacular game for the Yankees. In six innings pitched he gave up only two hits, six strikeouts, and only four walks. Walking batters has been his weakness, and it was obvious today he had his game on. Leiter has gone 4-3 since he has joined the Yanks.
The Yankees now have a 1/2 game lead in the wild card, and are just 1 1/2 games behind Boston in the AL East. Derek Jeter adds his perspective of the divisional and wild card chase:
"Our fans don't want to see us win the Wild Card," Derek Jeter said. "They want to see us win the division."
Tomorrow night the Yankees go on the road and travel to Seattle to take on the Mariners. The Yankees Mike Mussina (12-8, 4.21 ERA) takes on Ryan Franklin (6-14, 5.29 ERA) at Safeco Field. Game time 10:05pm ET. Let's hope the Moose rebounds from his disasterous fifth inning from his previous outing.
It didn't look too pretty after 8 and 1/2, but the Yankees fought and clawed back, finding a way to snatch the game away from the Royals in the 9th.
The Yankees were able to strike first, putting 2 on the board in the 1st and another 1 in the 3rd, giving them a 3-0 lead. Wright was solid through 4, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits. But, the 5th would be the end of his day. He loaded the bases with 1 out before getting Danny Hocking to pop out to Cano at second. Unfortunately, he'd allow 3 straight hits and throw a wild pitch before getting out of the inning. Once the dust had cleared, the Yankees were down 5-3 and Wright was out of the game.
Aaron Small would relieve him in the 6th, having trouble of his own - allowing 2 runs over 2 and 2/3 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Yankees offense wouldn't score a run in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th innings. Alan Embree relieved Small in the 8th with 1 out remaining and did the job, getting 4 outs and keeping the score at 7-3. He got the win - his first as a Yankee - with his ERA falling "down" to 7.14.
Heading to the bottom of the 9th, the Yankees 5 (Giambi), 6 (Bernie) and 7 (Posada) hitters were due up. But, no, it wasn't over. Jeremy Affeldt came in to face Giambi. Giambi would walk. This would be followed by a Bernie Williams strike out, making the first out of the inning. At this point, Posada hit a sure thing double play ball (speedster Giambi) back to the pitcher. Yet, fate smiled on the Yankees as Affeldt's throw was off and the short stop dropped the ball (Seamus' eyewitness account: "They gave [the error] to the pitcher? The SS dropped the ball. I guess the throw was off. Funny thing was the ball was dropped and Giambi was probably still halfway to second base.") This allowed both Giambi and Posada to reach safely. First and second, 1 out.
New Yankee Matt Lawton made his mark with a base hit to load the bases. This brought the slumping Cano to the plate. Torre put Tino up to pitch hit and Tino delivered with a base hit to right - only Giambi scored and the bases remained loaded with 1 out. 7-4 Royals. That would be the end of Affeldt's day as Shawn Camp came in for the Royals to face Captain Clutch. Tony Womack pinch ran for Tino and Jeter did not disappoint, coming through with a single to left that scored both Lawton and Posada. Womack was stuck at 2nd. But, we were now only down by one run with 1st and 2nd and 1 out for Godzilla, who would fly out to deep center. It was deep enough to allow Womack to advance to third.
Tying run on 3rd, 2 out, Gary Sheffield up. Sheff pounced with a double to right, scoring Womack and tying the game. Jeter to third for A-Rod. A-Rod came up big, singling to left to score Jeter and hand the Yankees an 8-7 victory.
Nice comeback fellas.
The Yankees were able to strike first, putting 2 on the board in the 1st and another 1 in the 3rd, giving them a 3-0 lead. Wright was solid through 4, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits. But, the 5th would be the end of his day. He loaded the bases with 1 out before getting Danny Hocking to pop out to Cano at second. Unfortunately, he'd allow 3 straight hits and throw a wild pitch before getting out of the inning. Once the dust had cleared, the Yankees were down 5-3 and Wright was out of the game.
Aaron Small would relieve him in the 6th, having trouble of his own - allowing 2 runs over 2 and 2/3 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Yankees offense wouldn't score a run in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th innings. Alan Embree relieved Small in the 8th with 1 out remaining and did the job, getting 4 outs and keeping the score at 7-3. He got the win - his first as a Yankee - with his ERA falling "down" to 7.14.
Heading to the bottom of the 9th, the Yankees 5 (Giambi), 6 (Bernie) and 7 (Posada) hitters were due up. But, no, it wasn't over. Jeremy Affeldt came in to face Giambi. Giambi would walk. This would be followed by a Bernie Williams strike out, making the first out of the inning. At this point, Posada hit a sure thing double play ball (speedster Giambi) back to the pitcher. Yet, fate smiled on the Yankees as Affeldt's throw was off and the short stop dropped the ball (Seamus' eyewitness account: "They gave [the error] to the pitcher? The SS dropped the ball. I guess the throw was off. Funny thing was the ball was dropped and Giambi was probably still halfway to second base.") This allowed both Giambi and Posada to reach safely. First and second, 1 out.
New Yankee Matt Lawton made his mark with a base hit to load the bases. This brought the slumping Cano to the plate. Torre put Tino up to pitch hit and Tino delivered with a base hit to right - only Giambi scored and the bases remained loaded with 1 out. 7-4 Royals. That would be the end of Affeldt's day as Shawn Camp came in for the Royals to face Captain Clutch. Tony Womack pinch ran for Tino and Jeter did not disappoint, coming through with a single to left that scored both Lawton and Posada. Womack was stuck at 2nd. But, we were now only down by one run with 1st and 2nd and 1 out for Godzilla, who would fly out to deep center. It was deep enough to allow Womack to advance to third.
Tying run on 3rd, 2 out, Gary Sheffield up. Sheff pounced with a double to right, scoring Womack and tying the game. Jeter to third for A-Rod. A-Rod came up big, singling to left to score Jeter and hand the Yankees an 8-7 victory.
Nice comeback fellas.
08/27: Yankees Acquire Lawton
Posted by: Patrick
The Yankees have acquired outfielder Matt Lawton from the Cubs in exchange for pitcher Justin Berg.
This article (via Steve Lombardi) speculates that he will get playing time in left with Matsui sliding to center more often.
Yes, we hope you do, too.
This article (via Steve Lombardi) speculates that he will get playing time in left with Matsui sliding to center more often.
"I've watched the World Series in Yankee Stadium. Now I hope to play in one," Lawton said by phone yesterday from Chicago.
Yes, we hope you do, too.
Posted by: Patrick
The Unit's last win coming into today? July 26 against the Twins. So, it took him a month to get another win. He did it in impressive fashion today as he pitched 8 solid innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits while walking no one. The lone run coming on an Angel Berroa RBI single in the 7th. His record improves to 12-8 with his ERA falling down to 4.20. This year has been a mixed bag for the unit. Blow outs, great games, half way decent games... it's all been in there. But, one thing he has done is eat innings. Over his 26 starts he's averaged 6 and 2/3 innings pitched a start and thrown 4 complete games.
Mariano finished the 9th (albiet with a little drama in the form of 1st and 2nd, 1 out), but did not earn a save.
The Yankees offense was led by Bernie Williams, who went 3 for 4 with 4 RBI, hammering 2 homers in the 6th and the 8th. A-Rod (1 RBI), Sheffield and Giambi each scored a run with Jeter adding 2 hits of his own. Jeter finds his batting average at .312 and his OBA at about .390. If he can maintain his totals, this will be his best BA/OBA year (full season) since 2000.
The Indians and A's have already won and it looks like the Red Sox will, as well, so it's a good thing we did. Tomorrow we'll get Jaret Wright (2-0 since returning from the DL) against Runelvys Hernández (8-11, 5.03) at 1:05 PM Eastern.
Mariano finished the 9th (albiet with a little drama in the form of 1st and 2nd, 1 out), but did not earn a save.
The Yankees offense was led by Bernie Williams, who went 3 for 4 with 4 RBI, hammering 2 homers in the 6th and the 8th. A-Rod (1 RBI), Sheffield and Giambi each scored a run with Jeter adding 2 hits of his own. Jeter finds his batting average at .312 and his OBA at about .390. If he can maintain his totals, this will be his best BA/OBA year (full season) since 2000.
The Indians and A's have already won and it looks like the Red Sox will, as well, so it's a good thing we did. Tomorrow we'll get Jaret Wright (2-0 since returning from the DL) against Runelvys Hernández (8-11, 5.03) at 1:05 PM Eastern.
Posted by: Michael
Derek Jeter called him wild. Shawn Chacon called his performance a grind. Regardless, he pitched himself out of some jams and the Yankees won todays game verses the Blue Jays 6-2.
Chacon worked out of a bases-loaded situation twice, gave up two runs on six hits with six strikeouts. Today's win was Chacon's third as a Yankee. With the Rockies he was just 1-12.
A-Rod and Gary Sheffield put up back to back homers in the first to give the Yanks the cushion they needed for the day. But the Jays made it dangerously close several times as Chacon gave them an opportunity by loading up the bases. While he gave them the opportunity, he worked extra hard on those pitches to shut them down.
Todays win was important as it kept the Yanks tied for the lead with Oakland in the wildcard race. The Cleveland Indians are right behind them half a game out. I also felt that today's win was important for when Chacon pitches the way he did, you have to win these games. Especially in August-September. You gotta play your guts out right now.
Tomorrow the Yankees take on the Kansas City Royals. The off-and-on Randy Johnson (11-8, 4.34 ERA) takes on Mike Wood (4-4, 4.09 ERA). It'll be interesting to see which Randy Johnson shows up. Let's hope he has his stuff. Game time is 7:05pm ET at the Stadium.
Chacon worked out of a bases-loaded situation twice, gave up two runs on six hits with six strikeouts. Today's win was Chacon's third as a Yankee. With the Rockies he was just 1-12.
A-Rod and Gary Sheffield put up back to back homers in the first to give the Yanks the cushion they needed for the day. But the Jays made it dangerously close several times as Chacon gave them an opportunity by loading up the bases. While he gave them the opportunity, he worked extra hard on those pitches to shut them down.
Todays win was important as it kept the Yanks tied for the lead with Oakland in the wildcard race. The Cleveland Indians are right behind them half a game out. I also felt that today's win was important for when Chacon pitches the way he did, you have to win these games. Especially in August-September. You gotta play your guts out right now.
Tomorrow the Yankees take on the Kansas City Royals. The off-and-on Randy Johnson (11-8, 4.34 ERA) takes on Mike Wood (4-4, 4.09 ERA). It'll be interesting to see which Randy Johnson shows up. Let's hope he has his stuff. Game time is 7:05pm ET at the Stadium.
Steve Lombardi mentioned the following in his recap or last night's game:
So cool. Typical Jeter fashion.
One of his commenters said that s/he saw it. I didn't watch the game. Anyone else see it?
I did not see the post-game on YES - so, I have no idea if this was confirmed, but, on the replay of the Matsui HR in the 9th to tie the game, when they showed the Yankees dugout, I'm pretty sure that Jeter said to A-Rod "I told you."
How cool is that?
How cool is that?
So cool. Typical Jeter fashion.
One of his commenters said that s/he saw it. I didn't watch the game. Anyone else see it?
Posted by: Patrick
You can vote at MLB.com.
He's up against Roy Halladay, Bob Wickman, Jay Gibbons, Barry Zito and Richie Sexson.
He's up against Roy Halladay, Bob Wickman, Jay Gibbons, Barry Zito and Richie Sexson.
I offer my condolences to anyone who missed tonight's game because it was one of the best games I've seen all season. The game went right down to the wire as Felix Escalona untied the game with a base hit in the 9th. Al Leiter was good in his start, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits in 7 innings, and Mariano Rivera picked up his 6th win of the season after giving up a run on two hits.
Derek Jeter led off the first inning with a base hit before Jays' hurler Josh Towers retired 15 Yankees in a row. The game remained scoreless until the 4th inning when the Blue Jays scored two from a home run by Vernon Wells and an RBI single by Greg Zaun. The Yankees got sacrifice hits in both the 6th and 7th innings (by Bernie and Posada, respectively) to tie the score at two. The game was back and forth from there, as each team scored at least once in each of the remaining innings. Shea Hillenbrand put Toronto ahead 3-2 with a single off the struggling Tanyon Sturtze, and in the bottom of the inning Bernie Williams scored Tony Womack with a base hit of his own. Mariano Rivera entered with a tie game in the 9th and allowed a run courtesy of Reed Johnson's hit to give the Blue Jays a 4-3 lead. The Yankees would not be outdone, however, as Mr. Clutch Hideki Matsui led off the bottom of the 9th with a home run to tie the score at 4. Later in the inning, Derek Jeter was walked intentionally to bring up Felix Escalona with the bases loaded and two outs. Escalona got behind early in the count 0-2, but lined the next pitch into centerfield to score Jorge Posada and give the Yankees a 5-4 victory.
The Indians defeated the Devil Rays in Tampa and the A's lost in Detroit, so the Yankees remain in a virtual tie with the Indians for the A.L. Wild Card lead (the Yankees are actually ahead by about half a percentage point). The Red Sox defeated the Royals 5-2, so they remain 3.5 ahead of the Yankees in the A.L. East.
Tonight's game was really fun to watch as I stated above, but one thing that is starting to concern me a bit is the arm of Tanyon Sturtze. He's really been struggling lately. I think it's partly because he was a starting pitcher for most of his career and isn't used to throwing everyday. We all know of how it has been well documented that he's been overworked this year along with Tom Gordon. It would be nice if Joe Torre could find a way to just shut him down for a week before the stretch run in September.
The Yankees will go for three straight against the Blue Jays in this four-game set tomorrow as they will send out Mike Mussina to face Dave Bush. The Yankees' starters have been giving us solid starts lately and are going deep into games which can be good for a guy like Sturtze or Gordon who needs a little rest. Hopefully the Moose can give us another good 7 or 8 innings tomorrow at the Stadium.
Derek Jeter led off the first inning with a base hit before Jays' hurler Josh Towers retired 15 Yankees in a row. The game remained scoreless until the 4th inning when the Blue Jays scored two from a home run by Vernon Wells and an RBI single by Greg Zaun. The Yankees got sacrifice hits in both the 6th and 7th innings (by Bernie and Posada, respectively) to tie the score at two. The game was back and forth from there, as each team scored at least once in each of the remaining innings. Shea Hillenbrand put Toronto ahead 3-2 with a single off the struggling Tanyon Sturtze, and in the bottom of the inning Bernie Williams scored Tony Womack with a base hit of his own. Mariano Rivera entered with a tie game in the 9th and allowed a run courtesy of Reed Johnson's hit to give the Blue Jays a 4-3 lead. The Yankees would not be outdone, however, as Mr. Clutch Hideki Matsui led off the bottom of the 9th with a home run to tie the score at 4. Later in the inning, Derek Jeter was walked intentionally to bring up Felix Escalona with the bases loaded and two outs. Escalona got behind early in the count 0-2, but lined the next pitch into centerfield to score Jorge Posada and give the Yankees a 5-4 victory.
The Indians defeated the Devil Rays in Tampa and the A's lost in Detroit, so the Yankees remain in a virtual tie with the Indians for the A.L. Wild Card lead (the Yankees are actually ahead by about half a percentage point). The Red Sox defeated the Royals 5-2, so they remain 3.5 ahead of the Yankees in the A.L. East.
Tonight's game was really fun to watch as I stated above, but one thing that is starting to concern me a bit is the arm of Tanyon Sturtze. He's really been struggling lately. I think it's partly because he was a starting pitcher for most of his career and isn't used to throwing everyday. We all know of how it has been well documented that he's been overworked this year along with Tom Gordon. It would be nice if Joe Torre could find a way to just shut him down for a week before the stretch run in September.
The Yankees will go for three straight against the Blue Jays in this four-game set tomorrow as they will send out Mike Mussina to face Dave Bush. The Yankees' starters have been giving us solid starts lately and are going deep into games which can be good for a guy like Sturtze or Gordon who needs a little rest. Hopefully the Moose can give us another good 7 or 8 innings tomorrow at the Stadium.
Posted by: Patrick
Sweet Symphony Finishes in Good Time at Saratoga:
Via Off the Facade.
In rocketing Sweet Symphony around the final turn, jockey Jerry Bailey not only made certain that Steinbrenner was going to pocket the $450,000 first-place check, but he also advanced the on-going drama that is the Yankees. The filly Sis City, one of the two horses that Sweet Symphony blew by, is partly owned by Yankees Manager Joe Torre.
Via Off the Facade.
Posted by: Patrick
Thanks to some campaigning, Mickey Mantle will be featured on a stamp:
Who knew that you had to be dead for ten years to be honored on a stamp?
Via Off the Facade.
Former state legislator Marv Diemer's five-year, one-man drive to get a U.S. postage stamp honoring baseball great Mickey Mantle has finally paid off.
Diemer was informed by U.S. Postal Service officials this week that the New York Yankee center fielder's likeness will be issued in a 2006 "Big Hitters" stamp series honoring four other baseball Hall of Fame sluggers: Hank Greenberg of the Detroit Tigers; Brooklyn Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella; and Mel Ott of the New York Giants. ...
Letters of support came from a wide range of people, including the vice president of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.; several of Mantle's Yankee teammates, including Hall of Fame pitcher Whitey Ford, catcher John Blanchard, second baseman Bobby Richardson, outfielder Hank Bauer and third baseman Clete Boyer. Support also came from U.S. Sens. Charles Grassley, Phil Gramm of Texas where Mantle lived following retirement; Don Nichols of Mantle's home state of Oklahoma; and former New York mayor Rudolf Giuliani.
Diemer, who spends his springs as public relations and information person at Hammond County Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla. where the Minnesota Twins play their spring training games, even got 1,000 Twins fans to sign a petition supporting a Mantle stamp, including a signature from Hall of Fame second baseman Paul Molitor, a Twins coach.
Diemer was informed by U.S. Postal Service officials this week that the New York Yankee center fielder's likeness will be issued in a 2006 "Big Hitters" stamp series honoring four other baseball Hall of Fame sluggers: Hank Greenberg of the Detroit Tigers; Brooklyn Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella; and Mel Ott of the New York Giants. ...
Letters of support came from a wide range of people, including the vice president of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.; several of Mantle's Yankee teammates, including Hall of Fame pitcher Whitey Ford, catcher John Blanchard, second baseman Bobby Richardson, outfielder Hank Bauer and third baseman Clete Boyer. Support also came from U.S. Sens. Charles Grassley, Phil Gramm of Texas where Mantle lived following retirement; Don Nichols of Mantle's home state of Oklahoma; and former New York mayor Rudolf Giuliani.
Diemer, who spends his springs as public relations and information person at Hammond County Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla. where the Minnesota Twins play their spring training games, even got 1,000 Twins fans to sign a petition supporting a Mantle stamp, including a signature from Hall of Fame second baseman Paul Molitor, a Twins coach.
Who knew that you had to be dead for ten years to be honored on a stamp?
Via Off the Facade.
Wright pitched another spectacular game last night at the stadium. He gave up four hits in seven innings with three walks and five strikeouts. The Yankee victory pulled them into a three-way tie with the Cleveland Indians and the Oakland A's.
It was Wright's second start after coming back from the DL. At that time his ERA stood at 9.15. Now it is down to 6.00 and assured to drop further if he continues to pitch this way. 99 pitches were thrown for the night, with 46 over the first two innings. Once he got out of trouble, he settled down.
A-Rod's RBI double in the eighth vaulted him over the 100 RBI mark for the eighth straight year. Hideki Matsui drove in three runs, and Jason Giambi broke out of his 0 for 21 hitting funk by going 2-3 with a walk.
Tonight Al Leiter (6-10, 6.09 ERA) takes on Josh Towers (10-9, 4.12 ERA) for the Blue Jays. Game Time 7:05pm ET. Let's hope the Yankee bats can score some runs for Al, as he has been pitching better the last few games.
It was Wright's second start after coming back from the DL. At that time his ERA stood at 9.15. Now it is down to 6.00 and assured to drop further if he continues to pitch this way. 99 pitches were thrown for the night, with 46 over the first two innings. Once he got out of trouble, he settled down.
A-Rod's RBI double in the eighth vaulted him over the 100 RBI mark for the eighth straight year. Hideki Matsui drove in three runs, and Jason Giambi broke out of his 0 for 21 hitting funk by going 2-3 with a walk.
Tonight Al Leiter (6-10, 6.09 ERA) takes on Josh Towers (10-9, 4.12 ERA) for the Blue Jays. Game Time 7:05pm ET. Let's hope the Yankee bats can score some runs for Al, as he has been pitching better the last few games.
Randy Johnson pitched an 8 inning complete game today and in 7 of those 8 innings, 0 runs were scored by the White Sox. Unfortunately, the other inning (the 4th inning) saw back to back to back solo home runs plus a 3 run shot for good measure and the Yankees lost 3-2.
There was not a walk issued in this game by either side, but the Yankees managed one more hit (11 in all) than the White Sox. Still, the runners just didn't come around as only 2 runs were scored by the Bombers. Jeter, Sheff (1 run), A-Rod and Womack (1 run) all had 2 hits with Cano (1 RBI), Matsui and Tino (1 RBI). The 6 (Bernie) and 8 (Flaherty and Posada) spots were the only ones to go hitless.
Boston won while Kansas City managed to win again in extras (2 game winning streak now for them), so we're 4 games back in the division and half a game back in the wild card standings. Jaret Wright (3-2, 7.62) will go against Scott Downs (1-2, 4.89) tomorrow as we start a 4 game set against Toronto.
There was not a walk issued in this game by either side, but the Yankees managed one more hit (11 in all) than the White Sox. Still, the runners just didn't come around as only 2 runs were scored by the Bombers. Jeter, Sheff (1 run), A-Rod and Womack (1 run) all had 2 hits with Cano (1 RBI), Matsui and Tino (1 RBI). The 6 (Bernie) and 8 (Flaherty and Posada) spots were the only ones to go hitless.
Boston won while Kansas City managed to win again in extras (2 game winning streak now for them), so we're 4 games back in the division and half a game back in the wild card standings. Jaret Wright (3-2, 7.62) will go against Scott Downs (1-2, 4.89) tomorrow as we start a 4 game set against Toronto.
08/21: Congratulations Jorge
Posted by: Patrick
One thing I left out in yesterday's recap was the fact that Jorge Posada collected his 1,000th hit. Congrats.
Posted by: Patrick
That Shawn Chacon deal has worked out pretty nicely. Today, Mr. Chacon continued his brilliant work on the mound for the Yankees (thus far) by pitching 8 innings of scoreless, 4 hit ball. He struck out 5, walked 3 and although a runner reached third on two separate occasions, he failed to allow a man to cross the plate. With his awesome day, his record improved to 2-1 as a Yankee with a 1.64 ERA over 32 innings. After throwing 127 pitches, Felix Rodriguez relieved him and pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
The Yankees only had 7 hits (with 4 walks) of their own, but were able to get 5 runs in. This was led by Alex Rodriguez (1 for 3, 2 RBI), Jorge Posada (1 for 2, 2 walks, 2 runs) and Bernie Williams (1 for 4, 1 run, 1 RBI on a sac fly). Jeter (1 run) and Tino (1 RBI) each had 2 hits. The other run was scored by Gary Sheffield, who had reached on an error. Bernie's batting average is back up above .250 again - .254 to be exact. The last time he was there (before Tuesday) was July 16.
The Yankees improve to 67-54. Perhaps one of the Red Sox or A's can lose so we can gain a little ground. If the Royals happen to finally end their 19 game losing streak, we'll move to a half game back in the Wild Card standings.
Tomorrow we'll get to see Randy Johnson (11-7, 4.22) go against old El Titan de Bronze (7-7, 4.24) at 3:05 Eastern.
The Yankees only had 7 hits (with 4 walks) of their own, but were able to get 5 runs in. This was led by Alex Rodriguez (1 for 3, 2 RBI), Jorge Posada (1 for 2, 2 walks, 2 runs) and Bernie Williams (1 for 4, 1 run, 1 RBI on a sac fly). Jeter (1 run) and Tino (1 RBI) each had 2 hits. The other run was scored by Gary Sheffield, who had reached on an error. Bernie's batting average is back up above .250 again - .254 to be exact. The last time he was there (before Tuesday) was July 16.
The Yankees improve to 67-54. Perhaps one of the Red Sox or A's can lose so we can gain a little ground. If the Royals happen to finally end their 19 game losing streak, we'll move to a half game back in the Wild Card standings.
Tomorrow we'll get to see Randy Johnson (11-7, 4.22) go against old El Titan de Bronze (7-7, 4.24) at 3:05 Eastern.
Posted by: Patrick