Posted by: Seamus
Red Sox fans everywhere are falling back to Earth as their loss coupled with a 2-1 Yankee victory over the Orioles moved the Yankees into first place for the first time since mid-July with just 11 games to go. Matt Lawton's 2-run shot to right in the 2nd was the difference as Randy Johnson pitched a great game in front of some great defense, most noticeably by Alex Rodriguez, who made quite a few diving grabs at 3rd. The Unit gave us 8 big innings and allowed only one run on three hits. Mariano Rivera entered the game in the 9th and struggled a bit, but he recovered and was helped by some good defense as well as he recorded his 41st save of the season.
The Yankees moved into first place courtesy of a huge 8th inning collapse by Mike Timlin as the Red Sox blew a 4-2 lead and lost 7-4. Both the Yankees and the Red Sox have the same teams remaining on their schedules (Blue Jays and Orioles), as well as three games against each other.
The Indians, who are still of some significance to the Yankees since they only led the Red Sox by a half game, defeated the White Sox and remain a half game better than the Bombers. The Yankees stand a half game behind them and 3 behind the White Sox for home field throughout the playoffs.
Mike Mussina will make his return tonight after an injury to his elbow. His opponent will be Orioles' lefty Bruce Chen. Mussina hasn't pitched since August 29 and will only have two starts at most to get in shape for the postseason if the Yankees make it. However, the Yankees need him to pitch well tonight as every game counts down the stretch. Hopefully if he's a little rusty the bats will pick him up.
The Yankees moved into first place courtesy of a huge 8th inning collapse by Mike Timlin as the Red Sox blew a 4-2 lead and lost 7-4. Both the Yankees and the Red Sox have the same teams remaining on their schedules (Blue Jays and Orioles), as well as three games against each other.
The Indians, who are still of some significance to the Yankees since they only led the Red Sox by a half game, defeated the White Sox and remain a half game better than the Bombers. The Yankees stand a half game behind them and 3 behind the White Sox for home field throughout the playoffs.
Mike Mussina will make his return tonight after an injury to his elbow. His opponent will be Orioles' lefty Bruce Chen. Mussina hasn't pitched since August 29 and will only have two starts at most to get in shape for the postseason if the Yankees make it. However, the Yankees need him to pitch well tonight as every game counts down the stretch. Hopefully if he's a little rusty the bats will pick him up.
09/22: Where is Sweet Lou headed?
Posted by: Michael
Yesterday it was reported that the Tampa bay Devil Rays bought out the contract for Lou Piniella.
This story tries to figure out where he would be headed next year.
I would think if Torre wants to come back next year he can. But I have doubts on Cash and Mel coming back. It would be curious to see if Joe would stick around if that was the case.
It's hard to see that now seeing that the Yankees just overtook Boston for the lead in the AL East. We will see how the rest of the season plays out.
This story tries to figure out where he would be headed next year.
Anything less than a World Series appearance could spell the end for manager Joe Torre
I would think if Torre wants to come back next year he can. But I have doubts on Cash and Mel coming back. It would be curious to see if Joe would stick around if that was the case.
Chances are The Boss would splurge on Piniella, whose hiring would negate any public-relations fallout from the Yankees' parting with Torre.
It's hard to see that now seeing that the Yankees just overtook Boston for the lead in the AL East. We will see how the rest of the season plays out.
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees remained only a half game behind the Red Sox, who won 15-2 last night as they defeated the Orioles 12-9 in a rather sloppy contest. The Yankees jumped ahead 4-0 in the first after Jorge Posada launched a three-run homer and went ahead 9-3 in the second, but were outscored 6-3 the rest of the way. Aaron Small wasn't sharp, as he allowed 10 hits in just 5 innings and allowed 4 to cross home plate, but his record improved to 9-0. Gary Sheffield hit a grand slam and had 6 RBI for the game and Alex Rodriguez also homered. A-Rod's home run total of 44 is just one behind David Ortiz, who homered twice last night.
The Indians lost to the White Sox last night on a walk-off home run by Joe Crede. That puts the Yankees only a half game out of both the division and wild card races. The Yanks still trail the White Sox by 4 games for the best record in the A.L., but of course that is not nearly as significant as just qualifying for the postseason.
The Yankees are hot right now, but this was the second time since Friday that the bullpen failed to hold a huge lead. The Yankees lead Toronto 11-3 on Friday only to watch them close the gap to 11-10 before the Yankees finally stopped the bleeding. Last night the Yankees lead 10-3 at one point and only won 12-9. It's really inexcusable to have to use your closer in a game like that, let alone for the second time in a row in which they led a game by 7 or more runs.
The Yankees will once again look to take over the A.L. East or the wild card lead tonight as Randy Johnson goes up against Rodrigo Lopez. Johnson has not really proved himself as a Yankee so far this season, but if he is effective in these last couple weeks it will go a long way in solidifying his first season with the team.
The Indians lost to the White Sox last night on a walk-off home run by Joe Crede. That puts the Yankees only a half game out of both the division and wild card races. The Yanks still trail the White Sox by 4 games for the best record in the A.L., but of course that is not nearly as significant as just qualifying for the postseason.
The Yankees are hot right now, but this was the second time since Friday that the bullpen failed to hold a huge lead. The Yankees lead Toronto 11-3 on Friday only to watch them close the gap to 11-10 before the Yankees finally stopped the bleeding. Last night the Yankees lead 10-3 at one point and only won 12-9. It's really inexcusable to have to use your closer in a game like that, let alone for the second time in a row in which they led a game by 7 or more runs.
The Yankees will once again look to take over the A.L. East or the wild card lead tonight as Randy Johnson goes up against Rodrigo Lopez. Johnson has not really proved himself as a Yankee so far this season, but if he is effective in these last couple weeks it will go a long way in solidifying his first season with the team.
Posted by: Patrick
The Staten Island Yankees have won their third New York-Penn Championship. Congrats to them.
Via Brian MacMillan.
Via Brian MacMillan.
Posted by: Patrick
Posted by: Michael
The Yankees are playing like its September. With a game and a half back from Boston, and running out of games, the Yankees and Baltimore were going into the 9th tied 2-2. Chien-Ming Wang pitched a brilliant game, going eight innings and giving up only two runs on seven hits. With the Unit being tossed out of his last start, and Wright getting injured from his, the bullpen needed some time to breathe.
Tino made an amazing catch in the 9th. With his back to the infield, he reached up and pulled down an over-the-shoulder grab. It reminds you why he is out there in the late innings with such fine defensive plays such as this one. Mo finished off the order, and sent the game into the bottom of the ninth.
Bubba Crosby, who already had an above average game, was playing right field for the injured Gary Sheffield. Bubba watched the first pitch go by as a ball, but the second one he promptly put it into the right field bleachers to end the game.
The Yanks pulled to within a half a game of the LEAD in the AL East. With 13 games remaining and the last three in Boston against the leaders, the Yanks are playing for the post season. They remained a game and a half back from the Indians in the Wild Card, who won against the struggling White Sox.
Tonight, Aaron "Biggie" Small (8-0, 3.28 ERA) hopes to come up BIG for the Yanks again taking the mound against Baltimore's John Maine (2-1, 3.27 ERA). They must keep rolling to stay at pace with Boston... or should I go ahead and say it? Take the lead. Game time tonight is 7:05pm ET at the Stadium.
Tino made an amazing catch in the 9th. With his back to the infield, he reached up and pulled down an over-the-shoulder grab. It reminds you why he is out there in the late innings with such fine defensive plays such as this one. Mo finished off the order, and sent the game into the bottom of the ninth.
Bubba Crosby, who already had an above average game, was playing right field for the injured Gary Sheffield. Bubba watched the first pitch go by as a ball, but the second one he promptly put it into the right field bleachers to end the game.
The Yanks pulled to within a half a game of the LEAD in the AL East. With 13 games remaining and the last three in Boston against the leaders, the Yanks are playing for the post season. They remained a game and a half back from the Indians in the Wild Card, who won against the struggling White Sox.
Tonight, Aaron "Biggie" Small (8-0, 3.28 ERA) hopes to come up BIG for the Yanks again taking the mound against Baltimore's John Maine (2-1, 3.27 ERA). They must keep rolling to stay at pace with Boston... or should I go ahead and say it? Take the lead. Game time tonight is 7:05pm ET at the Stadium.
09/19: DH Sheffield
Posted by: Patrick
SHEFF TO DH REST OF WAY:
Steve Lombardi says that Sheffield has looked bad. I haven't watched any games in a bit, so it's tough for me to comment. Has he?
What should we do? Bench Sheff?
I look at Sheffield's numbers and from September 13 on, he's hitting .391 (9 for 23 - all singles). His last extra base hit was August 31. Now, he may be in bad shape. I don't know, I haven't seen him. Perhaps that would change my opinion. But, from where I sit right now, something just seems wrong to me about taking his bat out of the lineup when we need to win. I mean, even if he's just getting singles... isn't a .300 hitter better than most anything we could stick in there? So, if he's not in there... I look for him at DH. Giambi is the 1B and I see Crosby being the RF.
Thoughts?
Via Steve Lombardi.
Gary Sheffield says his days as a right fielder this year are over.
"I am done doing that," said Sheffield, who has been limited to DH duty for the past six games due to a strained left thigh. "I don't see it getting any better."
"I am done doing that," said Sheffield, who has been limited to DH duty for the past six games due to a strained left thigh. "I don't see it getting any better."
Steve Lombardi says that Sheffield has looked bad. I haven't watched any games in a bit, so it's tough for me to comment. Has he?
What should we do? Bench Sheff?
I look at Sheffield's numbers and from September 13 on, he's hitting .391 (9 for 23 - all singles). His last extra base hit was August 31. Now, he may be in bad shape. I don't know, I haven't seen him. Perhaps that would change my opinion. But, from where I sit right now, something just seems wrong to me about taking his bat out of the lineup when we need to win. I mean, even if he's just getting singles... isn't a .300 hitter better than most anything we could stick in there? So, if he's not in there... I look for him at DH. Giambi is the 1B and I see Crosby being the RF.
Thoughts?
Via Steve Lombardi.
Posted by: Michael
The Yankees chances of pulling closer to Boston ended with a shard of broken bat hitting Jaret Wright on the elbow. He pitched just 2 1/3 innings before being removed from the game. He had a bruise, and a small cut on the elbow, but nothing more. For the few innings he pitched he was not himself. He gave up three runs on five hits. Al Leiter took his place and only gave up a run in 3 2/3 innings. He was replaced by Tanyon Sturtze who gave up the last Toronto run. It was enough as they avoided the sweep.
It was also an unfortunate loss as Cleveland won, putting them further out of the wild card by another game. They trail by 1 1/2 games now.
The Yanks were still in the game, with Jeter having the last at bat and a chance to tie the game with Cano at second, or win the game with a home run. He did neither, and struck out looking.
The good news is the Yankees enter their final home stand with four games against the Orioles and three games against the Blue Jays. The Yankees need to keep within 2-3 games with their last series of the season coming against them. Fate will truly be in their hands. They have 14 more games till the end of the season.
Tomorrow night has Chein-Ming Wang (7-4, 4.18 ERA) taking on Baltimore's Erik Bedard (6-7, 3.82 ERA) at the Stadium. Game time is 7:05pm ET. Lets hope the Yanks get back on track and finish their home stand on a high note (and hopefully overtaking Boston in the standings).
It was also an unfortunate loss as Cleveland won, putting them further out of the wild card by another game. They trail by 1 1/2 games now.
The Yanks were still in the game, with Jeter having the last at bat and a chance to tie the game with Cano at second, or win the game with a home run. He did neither, and struck out looking.
The good news is the Yankees enter their final home stand with four games against the Orioles and three games against the Blue Jays. The Yankees need to keep within 2-3 games with their last series of the season coming against them. Fate will truly be in their hands. They have 14 more games till the end of the season.
Tomorrow night has Chein-Ming Wang (7-4, 4.18 ERA) taking on Baltimore's Erik Bedard (6-7, 3.82 ERA) at the Stadium. Game time is 7:05pm ET. Lets hope the Yanks get back on track and finish their home stand on a high note (and hopefully overtaking Boston in the standings).
09/18: Giveaway: Signed Copy of Bat Boy: My True Life Adventures Coming of Age with the New York Yankees
Posted by: Patrick
We're going to give away a signed copy of Bat Boy: My True Life Adventures Coming of Age with the New York Yankees to a randomly selected YanksBlog.com visitor later this month. If you'd like to win, head over to the giveaway page and enter.
09/18: Signed Bat Boy Book Giveaway
Posted by: Patrick
We randomly gave away a signed (by the author, Matthew McGough) copy of Bat Boy: My True Life Adventures Coming of Age with the New York Yankees to YanksBlog.com visitor James Varghese. Congrats!
