Posted by: Patrick
The Yankees beat the Tigers 12-3 last night behind 6 homers (2 from A-Rod, 2 from Posada, a Sheff shot and the 1st of Cano's career) and 7 shutout innings (no walks, 6 hits, 6 K's) from Moose.
Sheffield went 2 for 5 with 2 RBI, bringing his average up to .317. With A-Rod's 2 for 2 (3 RBI) day, he's up to .318. Posada's 3 for 4 (4 RBI) puts him at a respectable .284. Bernie also added 2 hits (including a double), bringing his average up to .244. And Womack stole another base (number 15).
There was a little drama in the latter innings with A-Rod getting hit and then Q (who won Steve Lombardi over)throwing behind a batter and then hitting the batter with the next pitch. Anyone see it? I didn't. Just going on what I've read. Dimitri Young says it's not over.
More complete recaps can be found at Bronx Banter and Pride of the Yankees.
Sheffield went 2 for 5 with 2 RBI, bringing his average up to .317. With A-Rod's 2 for 2 (3 RBI) day, he's up to .318. Posada's 3 for 4 (4 RBI) puts him at a respectable .284. Bernie also added 2 hits (including a double), bringing his average up to .244. And Womack stole another base (number 15).
There was a little drama in the latter innings with A-Rod getting hit and then Q (who won Steve Lombardi over)throwing behind a batter and then hitting the batter with the next pitch. Anyone see it? I didn't. Just going on what I've read. Dimitri Young says it's not over.
More complete recaps can be found at Bronx Banter and Pride of the Yankees.
Posted by: Patrick
I'm guessing that this was said in jest, but who knows.
Report: Moonves says network would have topped Fox in ratings if Mariano Rivera held off Red Sox.
Basically, because Mo (/the Yankees as a team) didn't hold off the Red Sox, Fox was able to broadcast more Red Sox/Yankees games which attracted more viewers which improved their ratings and allowed them to top CBS.
Again, I doubt that he is really serious, but if he is: that is an absurd excuse.
hehe.
Via WasWatching.com.
Report: Moonves says network would have topped Fox in ratings if Mariano Rivera held off Red Sox.
Basically, because Mo (/the Yankees as a team) didn't hold off the Red Sox, Fox was able to broadcast more Red Sox/Yankees games which attracted more viewers which improved their ratings and allowed them to top CBS.
"Mariano Rivera cost us more money than the Yankees," Moonves told the advertisers, according to the Times.
Again, I doubt that he is really serious, but if he is: that is an absurd excuse.
While the Times story doesn't mention it, the Yankees' playoff loss last fall is hardly the team's greatest lost opportunity for CBS.
The network purchased 80 percent of the team for $11.2 million in 1964, after the team had appeared in 14 World Series in the previous 16 years. The team never made it to the series during eight seasons under CBS's ownership, and it sold the team to Steinbrenner for only $10 million in January 1973. The franchise is now worth an estimated $950 million, according to the most recent valuation in Forbes.
The network purchased 80 percent of the team for $11.2 million in 1964, after the team had appeared in 14 World Series in the previous 16 years. The team never made it to the series during eight seasons under CBS's ownership, and it sold the team to Steinbrenner for only $10 million in January 1973. The franchise is now worth an estimated $950 million, according to the most recent valuation in Forbes.
hehe.
Via WasWatching.com.
Posted by: David
In a game that looked hopeless for the Yankees, they scored three in the eighth and added an insurance run in the ninth to beat the Mets and win the first round of the Subway Series at Shea Stadium. Yesterday's loss was bad enough with a frustrating performance from Randy Johnson, but the Yankees lost Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada to add to Gary Sheffield being temporarily sidelined. This appeared somewhat ominous considering the fact that they had to face Pedro Martinez.
The game did not start out well at all for the Yankees. With two outs and runners on second and third in the second inning all Pavano had to do was retire pitcher Pedro Martinez and the Yankees were out of the inning. Martinez hit a soft boucer to A-Rod which he booted and allowed the first run to score. Jose Reyes followed with a line single to right to increase the lead to 2-0. Later Cliff Floyd homered to make it 3-0. Pedro Martinez threw thirty-one pitches in the first inning but escaped a bases loaded jam when Mets third baseman David Wright reached into the stands on a foul popup off the bat of Jason Giambi. Pedro turned in a great performance, throwing seven innings and left having thrown ninety-nine pitches. Yesteday's hero Koo entered but the Yankees battled. The Bombers got the tieing runs on second and third with the aid of errors by Wright and Reyes and Mets manager Wille Randolph changed pitchers and brought in Roberto Hernandez. Hernandez got A-Rod to pop up for the second out and then Hideki Matsui stepped to the plate. With first base open, the Mets Randolph elected to pitch to Matsui who lined a single over the head of Wright to tie the game. Bernie Williams followed with a double off the wall in right to give the Yankees a 4-3 lead. Mike Stanton entered to face Cliff Floyd as the first batter of the eighth inning. He got Floyd to fly deep to center for the first out. Tom Gordon then relieved and retired Piazza and Mientkiewicz to end the inning. The Yankees added an insurance run in the top of the ninth to make it 5-3 and Rivera worked a 1-2-3 ninth to end the game.
This was a very gutty performance for the Yankees. Derek Jeter entered in the eighth as a pinch runner and did score but could not stay in to play defense. Tino came in for defense late along with Russ Johnson and the Yankees used the entire team to squeak out a win. We now have an off day tomorrow before facing the Detroit Tigers at the stadium for three night games on Tuesday through Thursday. After that its the hated Red Sox for the Memorial Day weekend rumble.
A-Rod has to sharpen his defense. He is hitting much better than last year but had made seven errors already this season. Jeter had already made five. The Mets have some very good young exciting players but Wright, Reyes and especially Matsui make too many errors.
The game did not start out well at all for the Yankees. With two outs and runners on second and third in the second inning all Pavano had to do was retire pitcher Pedro Martinez and the Yankees were out of the inning. Martinez hit a soft boucer to A-Rod which he booted and allowed the first run to score. Jose Reyes followed with a line single to right to increase the lead to 2-0. Later Cliff Floyd homered to make it 3-0. Pedro Martinez threw thirty-one pitches in the first inning but escaped a bases loaded jam when Mets third baseman David Wright reached into the stands on a foul popup off the bat of Jason Giambi. Pedro turned in a great performance, throwing seven innings and left having thrown ninety-nine pitches. Yesteday's hero Koo entered but the Yankees battled. The Bombers got the tieing runs on second and third with the aid of errors by Wright and Reyes and Mets manager Wille Randolph changed pitchers and brought in Roberto Hernandez. Hernandez got A-Rod to pop up for the second out and then Hideki Matsui stepped to the plate. With first base open, the Mets Randolph elected to pitch to Matsui who lined a single over the head of Wright to tie the game. Bernie Williams followed with a double off the wall in right to give the Yankees a 4-3 lead. Mike Stanton entered to face Cliff Floyd as the first batter of the eighth inning. He got Floyd to fly deep to center for the first out. Tom Gordon then relieved and retired Piazza and Mientkiewicz to end the inning. The Yankees added an insurance run in the top of the ninth to make it 5-3 and Rivera worked a 1-2-3 ninth to end the game.
This was a very gutty performance for the Yankees. Derek Jeter entered in the eighth as a pinch runner and did score but could not stay in to play defense. Tino came in for defense late along with Russ Johnson and the Yankees used the entire team to squeak out a win. We now have an off day tomorrow before facing the Detroit Tigers at the stadium for three night games on Tuesday through Thursday. After that its the hated Red Sox for the Memorial Day weekend rumble.
A-Rod has to sharpen his defense. He is hitting much better than last year but had made seven errors already this season. Jeter had already made five. The Mets have some very good young exciting players but Wright, Reyes and especially Matsui make too many errors.
Posted by: Seamus
The Yanks lost 7-1 Saturday afternoon at Shea Stadium as they struggled to hit throughout the game. Only a base hit by A-Rod in the 9th to score Tony Womack prevented the Mets from walking out of the stadium with a shutout victory. Randy Johnson struggled for the second consecutive start as he gave up 4 runs on 12 hits in 6 2/3 innings. Former Yankee Miguel Cairo homered for the Mets and perhaps the biggest surprise from this game was Mets' reliever Dae-Sung Koo. Koo doubled in the bottom of the 7th for his first hit since little league and scored from second on a bunt (although I must say I really disagreed with the call at the plate). Hopefully the Yankees can take the rubber game of this series tomorrow as they send up Carl Pavano to face Pedro Martinez.
I'd hate to say it, but I saw this start coming for Randy Johnson. His stuff hasn't been as great the last two or three starts, and the Mets have a much better lineup than the A's or Mariners. However, I don't think it's anything to be alarmed about. Small rough stretches happen to everyone. I've seen him have worse games than that at Shea Stadium.
I think the last three games for the Yankees overall have been a little sloppy. Fortunately, we have the Tigers (although of course nothing is automatic) at Yankee Stadium after this series is over. I'll be happy as long as they can clean themselves up before next weekend's series against the Red Sox.
I'd hate to say it, but I saw this start coming for Randy Johnson. His stuff hasn't been as great the last two or three starts, and the Mets have a much better lineup than the A's or Mariners. However, I don't think it's anything to be alarmed about. Small rough stretches happen to everyone. I've seen him have worse games than that at Shea Stadium.
I think the last three games for the Yankees overall have been a little sloppy. Fortunately, we have the Tigers (although of course nothing is automatic) at Yankee Stadium after this series is over. I'll be happy as long as they can clean themselves up before next weekend's series against the Red Sox.
Posted by: Seamus
The first Subway series of 2005 is underway. The Yankees took the first of three at Shea Stadium 5-2 tonight against the Mets in what was a sloppy game for both teams. Kevin Brown struggled, but he managed to give up only one run in 5 innings. The Yankees went ahead 2-1 after Kaz Matsui booted a grounder hit by Robinson Cano with the bases loaded, and the next batter, Ruben Sierra reached base on an error by Doug Mientkiewicz to make it 3-1. The Yankees had some mishaps as well. Jeter made two errors in the 4th inning, Tony Womack let a catchable ball drop in front of him and the Yankees also left 12 runners on base. However, the Yankees' mistakes did not cost them this time as they were able to grab the 5-2 victory.
The Yankees and Mets now have identical records at 22-20. The Yankees have now won 11 of their last 12 games. They will send Randy Johnson to the mound tomorrow afternoon to face Kris Benson.
The Yankees and Mets now have identical records at 22-20. The Yankees have now won 11 of their last 12 games. They will send Randy Johnson to the mound tomorrow afternoon to face Kris Benson.
Posted by: David
There is still over one hundred games to play but as Yankees fans we feel that getting to the post season is a birth right. With that thought in mind, what do we need to add? About two weeks ago dejected Yankees fans would say we need to add everything but the last eleven games has brought renewed hope and a sense of calming.
I don't think we can continue the season with Tony Womack as a left fielder. His inexperience and lack of arm will come back to haunt us when we play close games against contending teams. Bernie Williams can't play center field on a day to day basis. If the Yankees eat 3/4 to 90% of Jason Giambi's contract would anyone take him? I see our needs as follows in order of preference.
1. A left fielder or a new center fielder so Matsui can return to left on an every day basis. Matsui doesn't throw well either and teams run at will against the Yankees (remember the Red Sox during last year's ALCS). Ken Griffey, Jr. may be available and with the Yankees long lineup he would not have the pressure to produce all the time and may fit in with another lefty bat in the Bronx. Could we get Eric Byrnes from the A's? He is a very high spirited player with a lot of energy. Who else might be available? Someone like Preston Wilson could also be obtained.
2. If Giambi can be dealt than that means we need additional first base help. The Kansas City Royals are awful and a guy like Mike Sweeney who makes some money would be a big right handed bat to fill in or platoon with Tino Martinez.
3. To get anybody we would probably have to use either Cano or Wang as trade bait. I would hate to see either one of them go but if they did would Bret Boone be a possibility at second base.
4. If Bernie Williams becomes a part time role player he would strenghten our bench with Sierra returning this weekend. A bat would be helpful but we would need someone who can probably play several positions, we have too many DH's.
5. You never have enough pitching! The name of Roger Clemens keeps surfacing all the time. If we can get him we need to do so. The Houston Astros would probably want prospects like Cano and Wang and probably a couple more top prospects. I'm not sold on either Buddy Groom or Mike Stanton as a lefty specialist. Groom has probably been the better of two but both have alot of age on them. Is anyone out there that we can think of?
I don't think we can continue the season with Tony Womack as a left fielder. His inexperience and lack of arm will come back to haunt us when we play close games against contending teams. Bernie Williams can't play center field on a day to day basis. If the Yankees eat 3/4 to 90% of Jason Giambi's contract would anyone take him? I see our needs as follows in order of preference.
1. A left fielder or a new center fielder so Matsui can return to left on an every day basis. Matsui doesn't throw well either and teams run at will against the Yankees (remember the Red Sox during last year's ALCS). Ken Griffey, Jr. may be available and with the Yankees long lineup he would not have the pressure to produce all the time and may fit in with another lefty bat in the Bronx. Could we get Eric Byrnes from the A's? He is a very high spirited player with a lot of energy. Who else might be available? Someone like Preston Wilson could also be obtained.
2. If Giambi can be dealt than that means we need additional first base help. The Kansas City Royals are awful and a guy like Mike Sweeney who makes some money would be a big right handed bat to fill in or platoon with Tino Martinez.
3. To get anybody we would probably have to use either Cano or Wang as trade bait. I would hate to see either one of them go but if they did would Bret Boone be a possibility at second base.
4. If Bernie Williams becomes a part time role player he would strenghten our bench with Sierra returning this weekend. A bat would be helpful but we would need someone who can probably play several positions, we have too many DH's.
5. You never have enough pitching! The name of Roger Clemens keeps surfacing all the time. If we can get him we need to do so. The Houston Astros would probably want prospects like Cano and Wang and probably a couple more top prospects. I'm not sold on either Buddy Groom or Mike Stanton as a lefty specialist. Groom has probably been the better of two but both have alot of age on them. Is anyone out there that we can think of?
Posted by: David
The Yankees win streak is over. It would have been nice to keep it going especially the way we lost that last game, but that's baseball. There will be many ups and down during the rest of the season. Keep in mind always that the season isn't a sprint, rather it is a marathon.
Tonight we return to New York but are the visiting team as interleague play starts against the Mets at Shea Stadium. The Mets today are getting reminiscent of the Mets during the mid 80's. They carry themselves with a certain swagger and cockiness. However, they do have an exciting team with some great young players like Reyes, Wright, Beltran and Matsui only to name a few. Tonight its Kevin Brown against Victor Zambrano. KB has looked pretty good in his last two starts. Will he be able to continue in enemy territory against a much better hitting team? Yankee fans will remember Zambrano when he pitched for the Devil Rays. I believe he beat the Yankees three times last year before being traded to the Mets. His problem is his control. The Yankees need to be patient and make him throw a lot of pitches.
Saturday it will be the Big Unit vs. Kris Benson in the first FOX network game of the year. The series concludes on Sunday afternoon with Carl Pavano dueling Pedro Martinez. Martinez was supposed to pitch tonight but received a cortisone shot in his hip and is being held back a few days. The Yankees know how to battle against Pedro and have had quite a bit of success against him.
How does Joe Torre handle first base with there being no DH because of the National League park being used? Is it Tino or Giambi? Giambi seems to becoming out of his horrible slump, however he took a called third strike to end the game the other night with the bases loaded. Will Bernie Williams see much action? If he plays it means either Womack will sit or he would move back to second and Cano would sit.
My lineup would be as follows: 1. Jeter; 2. Womack; 3. Sheffield; 4. Matsui;
5. Rodriguez; 6. Martinez; 7. Posada; 8. Cano; and 9. Brown.
That leaves us with a bench of Williams, Giambi, Crosby and Sanchez.
I'm looking forward to a great weekend of baseball in New York. I think the Yankees will take two of three. What does everyone else think?
Tonight we return to New York but are the visiting team as interleague play starts against the Mets at Shea Stadium. The Mets today are getting reminiscent of the Mets during the mid 80's. They carry themselves with a certain swagger and cockiness. However, they do have an exciting team with some great young players like Reyes, Wright, Beltran and Matsui only to name a few. Tonight its Kevin Brown against Victor Zambrano. KB has looked pretty good in his last two starts. Will he be able to continue in enemy territory against a much better hitting team? Yankee fans will remember Zambrano when he pitched for the Devil Rays. I believe he beat the Yankees three times last year before being traded to the Mets. His problem is his control. The Yankees need to be patient and make him throw a lot of pitches.
Saturday it will be the Big Unit vs. Kris Benson in the first FOX network game of the year. The series concludes on Sunday afternoon with Carl Pavano dueling Pedro Martinez. Martinez was supposed to pitch tonight but received a cortisone shot in his hip and is being held back a few days. The Yankees know how to battle against Pedro and have had quite a bit of success against him.
How does Joe Torre handle first base with there being no DH because of the National League park being used? Is it Tino or Giambi? Giambi seems to becoming out of his horrible slump, however he took a called third strike to end the game the other night with the bases loaded. Will Bernie Williams see much action? If he plays it means either Womack will sit or he would move back to second and Cano would sit.
My lineup would be as follows: 1. Jeter; 2. Womack; 3. Sheffield; 4. Matsui;
5. Rodriguez; 6. Martinez; 7. Posada; 8. Cano; and 9. Brown.
That leaves us with a bench of Williams, Giambi, Crosby and Sanchez.
I'm looking forward to a great weekend of baseball in New York. I think the Yankees will take two of three. What does everyone else think?
05/19: It's Over
Posted by: Patrick
The streak ends at 10.
More or less, we were done in by defense. Three costly errors. We did have a shot in the ninth but A-Rod and Giambi (2 outs, bases loaded) made outs at key moments to end the rally.
Jeter and Womack each had 2 hits (Womack had a walk as well) to raise their averages to .319 and .281, respectively. Godzilla went 3 for 5. The only hitless Yankees were Sheffield and Bernie.
We have a day off to ponder the loss before heading to Shea to face Willie Randolph's Mets.
More detailed write ups at Off the Facade and WasWatching.com.
More or less, we were done in by defense. Three costly errors. We did have a shot in the ninth but A-Rod and Giambi (2 outs, bases loaded) made outs at key moments to end the rally.
Jeter and Womack each had 2 hits (Womack had a walk as well) to raise their averages to .319 and .281, respectively. Godzilla went 3 for 5. The only hitless Yankees were Sheffield and Bernie.
We have a day off to ponder the loss before heading to Shea to face Willie Randolph's Mets.
More detailed write ups at Off the Facade and WasWatching.com.
05/18: 10
Posted by: Patrick
The Yankees extended their winning streak into double digits with a 6-0 win on Tuesday. Pavano turned in a complete game 5 hitter. 7 strikeouts and no walks. He faced 33 batters and threw 133 pitches (90 strikes).
DHing from the 8th spot, Giambi went 3 for 4 with 1 home run and 3 RBI. A-Rod went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI, 2 runs and a home run of his own. Posada was 2 for 4 with an RBI. As a team, the Yankees had 10 hits and 3 walks against the combination of Julio Mateo, Matt Thornton and Ron Villone.
Today the Yankees will send Mike Mussina to the hill against Jamie Moyer in the final game of the 3 game series.
Yankees record since YanksBlog.com launched: 10-2. I'm just saying.
DHing from the 8th spot, Giambi went 3 for 4 with 1 home run and 3 RBI. A-Rod went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI, 2 runs and a home run of his own. Posada was 2 for 4 with an RBI. As a team, the Yankees had 10 hits and 3 walks against the combination of Julio Mateo, Matt Thornton and Ron Villone.
Today the Yankees will send Mike Mussina to the hill against Jamie Moyer in the final game of the 3 game series.
Yankees record since YanksBlog.com launched: 10-2. I'm just saying.
05/17: Salute to our hitting coach
Posted by: Michael
9 games in a row... and counting.
On ESPN.com the nation cries, "somebody beat them!"
I've come to the conclusion as of why the Yankees are doing so well. Donald Arthur Mattingly. Donnie Baseball. Tino has attributed him as the reason he is seeing the ball so clearly.
And Don will turn Giambi around too. Look at the success Robinson Cano is having at the plate. I no longer shudder when I see him come up with RISP.
The team is clearly built around its offense. We have one of the best strikeout pitchers in baseball, *THE* best closer, and a good staff of support. But what will get us to the World Series will be our bats.
On ESPN.com the nation cries, "somebody beat them!"
I've come to the conclusion as of why the Yankees are doing so well. Donald Arthur Mattingly. Donnie Baseball. Tino has attributed him as the reason he is seeing the ball so clearly.
"Donnie's got my mechanics right where I want them," Martinez said. "I can tell you when I'm going bad I'm doing a million things wrong, and when I'm going good I'm doing all the things right. Right now I have good mechanics, and a good, level swing every time at the plate."
And Don will turn Giambi around too. Look at the success Robinson Cano is having at the plate. I no longer shudder when I see him come up with RISP.
The team is clearly built around its offense. We have one of the best strikeout pitchers in baseball, *THE* best closer, and a good staff of support. But what will get us to the World Series will be our bats.
