Posted by: Seamus
Dan Giese was phenominal in a game that felt like a must-win game, but the bullpen could not hold on to a late two-run lead, and the box score shows a laughable 11-4 loss for the Yankees against the Angels. Tampa Bay and Boston both won, so the Yankees are now 4 games out of the wild card and 6.5 out of the division with just 45 games left to play.
I've heard a lot of people talking about how pathetic it is that the Yankees have to start Dan Giese in a big game in August, but he's pitched well all around since he's been up here, and on Saturday he actually outpitched Angels' ace John Lackey. Giese allowed only a run on three hits in 6 innings, and it's a mystery to me why he didn't come out for the 7th, as he threw only 83 pitches.
The offense was carried by a pair of back-to-back home runs by A-Rod and Giambi in the 5th that put the Yanks up 2-0. An RBI single for Johnny Damon that scored Ivan Rodriguez made it 3-1 in the 7th, but from there it was all downhilll.
Jose Veras relieved Giese in the bottom of the 7th and gave up a pair of solo shots to tie the game for the Angels. The wheels completely fell off in the 8th, as Edwar Ramirez allowed four hits and the Angels scored 6 runs before even recording an out. David Robertson relieved Ramirez and was just as bad, although in the box score only three of the eight runs were charged to him.
The Yankees scored one in the 9th, but it was not nearly enough and a very important game that looked like the Yankees may come out of victorious turned into a 7-run slaughter.
So now the Yankees have to bounce back today to avoid falling even further behind in the playoff chase. Fortunately the right guy is on the mound for the Yanks, as Andy Pettitte will get the start against the very good Joe Saunders. Game starts at 3:35 ET.
I've heard a lot of people talking about how pathetic it is that the Yankees have to start Dan Giese in a big game in August, but he's pitched well all around since he's been up here, and on Saturday he actually outpitched Angels' ace John Lackey. Giese allowed only a run on three hits in 6 innings, and it's a mystery to me why he didn't come out for the 7th, as he threw only 83 pitches.
The offense was carried by a pair of back-to-back home runs by A-Rod and Giambi in the 5th that put the Yanks up 2-0. An RBI single for Johnny Damon that scored Ivan Rodriguez made it 3-1 in the 7th, but from there it was all downhilll.
Jose Veras relieved Giese in the bottom of the 7th and gave up a pair of solo shots to tie the game for the Angels. The wheels completely fell off in the 8th, as Edwar Ramirez allowed four hits and the Angels scored 6 runs before even recording an out. David Robertson relieved Ramirez and was just as bad, although in the box score only three of the eight runs were charged to him.
The Yankees scored one in the 9th, but it was not nearly enough and a very important game that looked like the Yankees may come out of victorious turned into a 7-run slaughter.
So now the Yankees have to bounce back today to avoid falling even further behind in the playoff chase. Fortunately the right guy is on the mound for the Yanks, as Andy Pettitte will get the start against the very good Joe Saunders. Game starts at 3:35 ET.
Posted by: Seamus
Joba Chamberlain expects to be throwing again by the beginning of next week and hopes to be back on the mound before the end of the month, according to the Yankees' official website.
The article does state that despite Joba's comments, Joe Girardi has given no timetable on when the 22-year old will be back with the club.
"I'll be throwing in a week," Chamberlain told the Associated Press in Tampa, Fla. "I'll probably throw the beginning of next week. Everything feels fine now."
The article does state that despite Joba's comments, Joe Girardi has given no timetable on when the 22-year old will be back with the club.
Posted by: Seamus
Ian Kennedy continues to be the best player for opposing teams. Kennedy didn't last three innings, and the Yankees failed in yet another opportunity to gain ground on the Red Sox as the Angels defeated the Yanks by a score of 10-5. The Rays won their game in Seattle, so the Yanks fall to 6.5 games behind Tampa Bay in the A.L. East.
To say Ian Kennedy struggled in his return to the big-league club would be quite an understatement, as he was tattooed to the tune of 5 runs on 9 hits in just 2 innings, and was unable to retire any of the five batters he faced in the 3rd. Darrell Rasner relieved Kennedy and did a much better job. He allowed three runs in five innings, but if you take Torii Hunter out of the equation, he'd have gotten out of that game pretty much untouched. I'd expect to see him back in the rotation in the next go-around.
The Yankees' offense did get some timely hitting (and walking) early on, as they were able to take the lead with a two-run inning in the 3rd, highlighted by a game-tying walk for Jason Giambi and an infield single for new Angels' nemesis Xavier Nady. After the Yankees again fell behind, Nady brought them back in it with a home run in the Bombers' two-run 6th. The Yankees were within 6-5, but a double play off the bat of Bobby Abreu in the 7th kind of put the air out of the Yankee comeback.
Torii Hunter homered in the 7th and Brian Bruney put the game out of reach later in the inning by allowing three runs to score (one was charged to Rasner).
The Yanks will try to bounce back later this afternoon as Dan Giese will take the mound against the Angels' John Lackey. Hopefully the Yankees can work some of the magic they worked against Lackey last Sunday, as the lineup did a nice job against him once they got his pitch count up. Game starts at 3:55 ET.
To say Ian Kennedy struggled in his return to the big-league club would be quite an understatement, as he was tattooed to the tune of 5 runs on 9 hits in just 2 innings, and was unable to retire any of the five batters he faced in the 3rd. Darrell Rasner relieved Kennedy and did a much better job. He allowed three runs in five innings, but if you take Torii Hunter out of the equation, he'd have gotten out of that game pretty much untouched. I'd expect to see him back in the rotation in the next go-around.
The Yankees' offense did get some timely hitting (and walking) early on, as they were able to take the lead with a two-run inning in the 3rd, highlighted by a game-tying walk for Jason Giambi and an infield single for new Angels' nemesis Xavier Nady. After the Yankees again fell behind, Nady brought them back in it with a home run in the Bombers' two-run 6th. The Yankees were within 6-5, but a double play off the bat of Bobby Abreu in the 7th kind of put the air out of the Yankee comeback.
Torii Hunter homered in the 7th and Brian Bruney put the game out of reach later in the inning by allowing three runs to score (one was charged to Rasner).
The Yanks will try to bounce back later this afternoon as Dan Giese will take the mound against the Angels' John Lackey. Hopefully the Yankees can work some of the magic they worked against Lackey last Sunday, as the lineup did a nice job against him once they got his pitch count up. Game starts at 3:55 ET.
Posted by: James
Mike Mussina, Yankee Ace. Moose picked up his 15th win in a superb start against the Texas Rangers last night. As the rest of the rotation lies in tatters, Mussina has stepped up and given the Yankees everything they could have wanted (though they have not always rewarded him with run support). Against a good hitting team in Texas, he spun 7 innings of shut out ball, giving up 8 hits and 1 walk while striking out 6. Truly impressive work from Moose. The bullpen then came in (Bruney, Marte and Rivera) and completed the shutout, going the final 2 innings without allowing a baserunner.
The Yankees scored their runs thanks to Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter and Robbie Cano, who totaled 8 of the 11 total Yankee hits. The Yankees took a 1-0 lead when Jeter homered in the first. They tacked on a run in the 5th when Damon singled home Wilson Betemit who had followed up Robbie Cano's single with a force out (and took second on a Jose Molina groundout). The final run came in the top of the 9th when Jeter came up with men on first and second with 2 out and singled through the right side. 3-0 Yankees...and a much needed win.
Rotation in taters, WOE (Worst. Offense. Ever., courtesy RLYW) in full effect and yet, still only 3 GB of a playoff spot. It's all good though...help is on the way. Let's go Carl Pavano.
The Yankees scored their runs thanks to Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter and Robbie Cano, who totaled 8 of the 11 total Yankee hits. The Yankees took a 1-0 lead when Jeter homered in the first. They tacked on a run in the 5th when Damon singled home Wilson Betemit who had followed up Robbie Cano's single with a force out (and took second on a Jose Molina groundout). The final run came in the top of the 9th when Jeter came up with men on first and second with 2 out and singled through the right side. 3-0 Yankees...and a much needed win.
Rotation in taters, WOE (Worst. Offense. Ever., courtesy RLYW) in full effect and yet, still only 3 GB of a playoff spot. It's all good though...help is on the way. Let's go Carl Pavano.
08/07: Pudge Hurt in Yankee Victory
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees were able to keep pace with the Rays and Red Sox with a 5-3 victory over the Rangers, but not before a collision at the plate bruised up another Yankee. Pudge Rodriguez left the game in the 2nd inning after taking a shot to the knee. The Yankees are calling it a "bruised knee" and he is listed as day-to-day.
As for the rest of the game, the Yankees got a pretty good start from Sidney Ponson, who allowed 3 runs on 6 hits in 6 and 1/3 innings. Most of the damage on Ponson was done in the 2nd when he allowed two runs on four hits and also hit a batter.
The Yankees took the lead in the 3rd, however, with a three-run inning that included an RBI double by Wilson Betemit and an RBI single by Derek Jeter. The Yankees tacked on a couple more later on in the game, thanks to a solo home run by Jason Giambi in the 4th and an RBI double by Jeter in the 5th.
Chris Young launched a home run off of Ponson in the bottom of the 6th cut the Yankee lead to 5-3, but the game was scoreless after that as both bullpens pitched well. The Yankees' pen pitched 2 and 2/3 innings of scoreless ball, but it was probably unnecessary for three guys to have to get three outs in the 8th.
There's something about this team and these four-game series where the Yankees like to drop the first two and still manage to salvage a split by winning the next two. It happened against Boston in early July, again this weekend against the Angels, and they've got a shot to do it again here in Texas. Mike Mussina will be going for his 15th victory tonight and his counterpart will be Scott Feldman. Game starts at 8:05 ET.
As for the rest of the game, the Yankees got a pretty good start from Sidney Ponson, who allowed 3 runs on 6 hits in 6 and 1/3 innings. Most of the damage on Ponson was done in the 2nd when he allowed two runs on four hits and also hit a batter.
The Yankees took the lead in the 3rd, however, with a three-run inning that included an RBI double by Wilson Betemit and an RBI single by Derek Jeter. The Yankees tacked on a couple more later on in the game, thanks to a solo home run by Jason Giambi in the 4th and an RBI double by Jeter in the 5th.
Chris Young launched a home run off of Ponson in the bottom of the 6th cut the Yankee lead to 5-3, but the game was scoreless after that as both bullpens pitched well. The Yankees' pen pitched 2 and 2/3 innings of scoreless ball, but it was probably unnecessary for three guys to have to get three outs in the 8th.
There's something about this team and these four-game series where the Yankees like to drop the first two and still manage to salvage a split by winning the next two. It happened against Boston in early July, again this weekend against the Angels, and they've got a shot to do it again here in Texas. Mike Mussina will be going for his 15th victory tonight and his counterpart will be Scott Feldman. Game starts at 8:05 ET.
Posted by: Patrick
Forbes has published their list of the top 20 most valuable teams in Minor League Baseball.
The Yankees Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Yankees, came in eighth place, with a value of $21.7 million.
Via Digg.
The Yankees Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Yankees, came in eighth place, with a value of $21.7 million.
Via Digg.
08/07: More on Joba
Posted by: Patrick
Tyler Kepner, Peter Abraham and Ed Price have more on Joba's injury, including a general skepticism that the picture isn't as bright as it has been painted.
Via Alex.
Via Alex.
Posted by: Patrick
Jim Molony of MLB.com reports that the Yankees have signed sixth round draft choice, Brett Marshall, a high school pitcher, to one of the richest deals ever for a player drafted in that round.
KRIV-TV reported Marshall received a signing bonus of $850,000 plus another $200,000 to use for his college education. The Yankees also gave Marshall an incentive package worth $7,500 that he can earn as he moves through their Minor League system.
Posted by: Seamus
Kim Jones announced during YES' pregame show that Joba Chamberlain has been given a diagnosis of rotator cuff tendinitis by Dr. James Andrews.
08/06: Joba Likely Headed for DL
Posted by: Seamus
WFAN is reporting that Joba Chamberlain will be placed on the 15-day disabled list and Chris Britton will be called up, as he is headed for Texas for tonight's game. No news so far on exactly how Chamberlain's visit with Dr. Andrew went, but we now know that he will be missing three starts at least.
Britton will be called up to take his place on the roster, who will also be sent down and then be called back up and sent back down again all within the next three hours.
Also of note: As of the time of this post (about 5:30 P.M. ET), Jeff Karstens is perfect through seven against Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks.
UPDATE: Karstens just allowed a double in the bottom of the 8th with two outs, so his perfect game ends just four outs short. Karstens has not allowed a run in two starts since the Yankees unloaded him.
Yikes.
Britton will be called up to take his place on the roster, who will also be sent down and then be called back up and sent back down again all within the next three hours.
Also of note: As of the time of this post (about 5:30 P.M. ET), Jeff Karstens is perfect through seven against Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks.
UPDATE: Karstens just allowed a double in the bottom of the 8th with two outs, so his perfect game ends just four outs short. Karstens has not allowed a run in two starts since the Yankees unloaded him.
Yikes.
