05/07: Minors Notes
Posted by: James
Nate Silver over at Baseball Prospectus put up the PECOTA 100 the other day. It's a very interesting list and a good read, especially the parts about the top 50 players under 25 and the organizational reports (the Yankees came in second in true prospects).
Also, in the Prospectus Matchups, Jim Baker points out something about A-Rod that I didn't realize:
Oh, and just in case you haven't heard about it from Mighty Mike A., the Joba has returned. He did pretty well too, going 4 innings at High-A Tampa and giving up one unearned run (5 Ks, 0 BB, 4-3 GB-FB). Jose Tabata's done a nice job today so far as well, going 3-for-4 with a double and playing the field for the first time in a little while.
Update: Tyler Clippard and Alan Horne had themselves nice nights as well. Clippard went 7 innings in a win against Pawtucket (1 ER, 5 hits. 3 BB and 9 Ks, 99 pitches, 64 strikes, 5-6 GB-FB) while Horne also went 7 strong (3 runs, 2 earned, 6 hits, 0 BB and 8 Ks, 9-4 GB-FB) but took the loss against Portland. Also, Eric Duncan isn't tearing the cover off the ball in AAA but he isn't getting schooled either (.254/.363/.433/.795). Last year, he put up a .209/.269/.255/.524 in an injury plagued stint at AAA so he's either adjusting or he's just healthier this time around (or both). Now, I know that the average and the power aren't impressive but the plate discipline is. He had a .485 SLG percentage at AA Trenton last year so if he can start showing that same power stroke and combine it with the batting eye he's shown so far...that would be a decent player, no? A 22 year old in AAA hitting .265/.375/.450+ wouldn't be something to drool over but it wouldn't be a bust either. He certainly has work to do when it comes to facing lefties (.083/.200/.333) but in my mind, there's still some good potential there. Still, I'm not the prospect guru so I'll gladly defer to Mike A., Fabian or EJ for their thoughts on the kid when they get around to it.
Also, in the Prospectus Matchups, Jim Baker points out something about A-Rod that I didn't realize:
Everywhere Alex Rodriguez has played, hes racked up the best seasons in the history of those franchises. First, it was Seattle where he posted VORP figures of 111.8 in 1996 (highest mark in Mariners history) and 102.2 in 2000 (second). Then, it was on to Texas where he played three seasons and, not coincidently, posted the three highest VORPs in franchise history: 103.7 in 2001 (tops), 88.4 in 2003 (second), and 86.8 in 2002 (third).
...
Since 1960, Rodriguez has already posted the third-best Yankee VORP ever, as his 91.0 in 2005 ranks behind just Derek Jeters 108.7 in 1999 (wow - what a year that was for Jeter...and 6th in the MVP voting - what a sham) and Mickey Mantles 97.8 in 1961. ... If he plays as well as he did in 2005 from here on out (about 15 points of VORP per month) he can take down Mantle, but not Jeter. Hes going to need to play just a little bit better than that the rest of the way to do it. If he can manage to pull it off, that would make for a pretty heady legacy: the best seasons for three different franchises.
...
Since 1960, Rodriguez has already posted the third-best Yankee VORP ever, as his 91.0 in 2005 ranks behind just Derek Jeters 108.7 in 1999 (wow - what a year that was for Jeter...and 6th in the MVP voting - what a sham) and Mickey Mantles 97.8 in 1961. ... If he plays as well as he did in 2005 from here on out (about 15 points of VORP per month) he can take down Mantle, but not Jeter. Hes going to need to play just a little bit better than that the rest of the way to do it. If he can manage to pull it off, that would make for a pretty heady legacy: the best seasons for three different franchises.
Oh, and just in case you haven't heard about it from Mighty Mike A., the Joba has returned. He did pretty well too, going 4 innings at High-A Tampa and giving up one unearned run (5 Ks, 0 BB, 4-3 GB-FB). Jose Tabata's done a nice job today so far as well, going 3-for-4 with a double and playing the field for the first time in a little while.
Update: Tyler Clippard and Alan Horne had themselves nice nights as well. Clippard went 7 innings in a win against Pawtucket (1 ER, 5 hits. 3 BB and 9 Ks, 99 pitches, 64 strikes, 5-6 GB-FB) while Horne also went 7 strong (3 runs, 2 earned, 6 hits, 0 BB and 8 Ks, 9-4 GB-FB) but took the loss against Portland. Also, Eric Duncan isn't tearing the cover off the ball in AAA but he isn't getting schooled either (.254/.363/.433/.795). Last year, he put up a .209/.269/.255/.524 in an injury plagued stint at AAA so he's either adjusting or he's just healthier this time around (or both). Now, I know that the average and the power aren't impressive but the plate discipline is. He had a .485 SLG percentage at AA Trenton last year so if he can start showing that same power stroke and combine it with the batting eye he's shown so far...that would be a decent player, no? A 22 year old in AAA hitting .265/.375/.450+ wouldn't be something to drool over but it wouldn't be a bust either. He certainly has work to do when it comes to facing lefties (.083/.200/.333) but in my mind, there's still some good potential there. Still, I'm not the prospect guru so I'll gladly defer to Mike A., Fabian or EJ for their thoughts on the kid when they get around to it.
Posted by: Patrick
This is my weekly recap of the performance of the YanksBlog.com teams in the Yankees Bloggers Fantasy Baseball League.
Last Week
I defeated James by the score of 6-3. The YB on YB violence must stop! My hitters had 45 runs and 45 RBIs and hit an incredible .367 (James was right behind at .338). All 3 categories were mine with James managing home runs and stolen bases. Prince Fielder was my man offensively, hitting .440 with 8 runs, 4 home runs and 12 RBI. Jorge Posada hit .500 for the week while Carlos Lee hit .524. For James, Todd Helton led the way, with 6 runs, 1 homer, 7 RBI and a .409 average. On the pitching side, we only managed 1 win a piece - his coming from Jake Peavy and mine coming from Justin Verlander. Peavy had an ERA of 1.93, WHIP of 0.79 and 20 K's. I took the save category 7-5 thanks to 3 saves from Huston Street and 2 each from Mo and Joe Borowski. On James side, Billy Wagner and Bobby Jenks each had 2 with Jose Valverde adding 1.
Seamus pulled off a slim victory over EJ (Pinstripe Potentials and Pending Pinstripes), 5-4. Home runs were decided by 1, ERA was decided by 6 points and WHIP was decided by 8 while saves ended in a tie at 5. Run production wasn't particularly impressive in this match was Seamus' team scored 33 while driving in 23 and EJ's team scored 20 while driving in 33. Mark Teixeira was probably the best guy on EJ's offense with a .346 average, 5 runs, 2 homers and 6 RBIs (although Derekk Lee did hit .500 with 3 runs, 1 home run and 5 RBI). Former Yankee Gary Sheffield led Seamus' offense by turning in a .333 average with 6 runs, 3 home runs, 7 RBI and 2 stolen bases. Both pitching staffs were good, but EJ's was a bit better, thanks to 6 wins (Blanton, Hughes, Beckett, Schilling Bonderman and Santana), 67 K's (14 from Schilling, 10 from Blanton) and a 1.17 WHIP. J.J. Putz had 3 saves for EJ's side while Todd Jones had a 4 save week for Seamus.
Top 3 teams in the league:
1. Mike (River Ave. Blues) (33-16-1)
2. EJ (27-20-3)
3. Ben (River Ave. Blues) (26-22-2)
This Week
James (T4th, 23-24-3) vs. Ben (3rd, 26-22-2).
Patrick (8th, 20-26-4) vs. EJ (2nd, 27-20-3).
Seamus (9th, 21-27-2) vs. Aziz (Pride of the Yankees) (10th, 21-29-0).
Last Week
I defeated James by the score of 6-3. The YB on YB violence must stop! My hitters had 45 runs and 45 RBIs and hit an incredible .367 (James was right behind at .338). All 3 categories were mine with James managing home runs and stolen bases. Prince Fielder was my man offensively, hitting .440 with 8 runs, 4 home runs and 12 RBI. Jorge Posada hit .500 for the week while Carlos Lee hit .524. For James, Todd Helton led the way, with 6 runs, 1 homer, 7 RBI and a .409 average. On the pitching side, we only managed 1 win a piece - his coming from Jake Peavy and mine coming from Justin Verlander. Peavy had an ERA of 1.93, WHIP of 0.79 and 20 K's. I took the save category 7-5 thanks to 3 saves from Huston Street and 2 each from Mo and Joe Borowski. On James side, Billy Wagner and Bobby Jenks each had 2 with Jose Valverde adding 1.
Seamus pulled off a slim victory over EJ (Pinstripe Potentials and Pending Pinstripes), 5-4. Home runs were decided by 1, ERA was decided by 6 points and WHIP was decided by 8 while saves ended in a tie at 5. Run production wasn't particularly impressive in this match was Seamus' team scored 33 while driving in 23 and EJ's team scored 20 while driving in 33. Mark Teixeira was probably the best guy on EJ's offense with a .346 average, 5 runs, 2 homers and 6 RBIs (although Derekk Lee did hit .500 with 3 runs, 1 home run and 5 RBI). Former Yankee Gary Sheffield led Seamus' offense by turning in a .333 average with 6 runs, 3 home runs, 7 RBI and 2 stolen bases. Both pitching staffs were good, but EJ's was a bit better, thanks to 6 wins (Blanton, Hughes, Beckett, Schilling Bonderman and Santana), 67 K's (14 from Schilling, 10 from Blanton) and a 1.17 WHIP. J.J. Putz had 3 saves for EJ's side while Todd Jones had a 4 save week for Seamus.
Top 3 teams in the league:
1. Mike (River Ave. Blues) (33-16-1)
2. EJ (27-20-3)
3. Ben (River Ave. Blues) (26-22-2)
This Week
James (T4th, 23-24-3) vs. Ben (3rd, 26-22-2).
Patrick (8th, 20-26-4) vs. EJ (2nd, 27-20-3).
Seamus (9th, 21-27-2) vs. Aziz (Pride of the Yankees) (10th, 21-29-0).
05/07: Clemens Breakdown
Posted by: Patrick
From the press conference, which you can watch on MLB.com:
The Yankees did quite a job keeping this one under wraps. Cashman and Torre have known since Friday, or around Friday, apparently, but had told few. Cashman himself said that he was surprised that they were able to pull it off. Clemens kept it from Pettitte, Torre kept it from his wife (until Saturday night).
Peter Abraham reports that Clemens will have the same traveling privileges he had last year:
I don't feel great about this, but if the senior players approved it, I don't see it being a problem and that's the end of it. The deal will cost us about $18.5 million and that after the stadium was clear yesterday, he went out and worked out in the bullpen.
Michael Geffner has a list of various noteworthy details relating to the deal and event as does Peter Abraham and Mike. From Geffner:
Everyone's happy to have him back:
Finally, check out the interview with Suzyn Waldman and John Sterling right after he announced it (via Steve).
They asked me about the decision. I said it's not real difficult because I'm playing for a manager that I love to play for. ... Joe is a very special man, let alone manager. To have the opportunity to come back and play with one of the clutch hitters that I've ever known in Derek Jeter and have an opportunity to hand the ball to the best reliever in baseball - I think I can continue on with the list
The Yankees did quite a job keeping this one under wraps. Cashman and Torre have known since Friday, or around Friday, apparently, but had told few. Cashman himself said that he was surprised that they were able to pull it off. Clemens kept it from Pettitte, Torre kept it from his wife (until Saturday night).
Peter Abraham reports that Clemens will have the same traveling privileges he had last year:
The Yankees also granted Clemens the right to set his own schedule, a perk he enjoyed in Houston. Clemens will be allowed to skip road trips when he is not scheduled to pitch.
Torre said the senior players on the roster approved of that privilege. With Randy Johnson no longer a Yankee, there was nobody who would object.
Torre said the senior players on the roster approved of that privilege. With Randy Johnson no longer a Yankee, there was nobody who would object.
I don't feel great about this, but if the senior players approved it, I don't see it being a problem and that's the end of it. The deal will cost us about $18.5 million and that after the stadium was clear yesterday, he went out and worked out in the bullpen.
Michael Geffner has a list of various noteworthy details relating to the deal and event as does Peter Abraham and Mike. From Geffner:
In the midst of negotiating with Randy Hendricks, Cashman freaked out when Hendricks returned one message saying he was in Fenway Park at the moment.
Everyone's happy to have him back:
"Everyone's excited," said Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. "Rocket's stuff is still good. For the last few years, he's been just as good as ever. He's one of those rare players who gets better with age. But you know, Rocket works hard. He goes out there. He knows how to pitch." ...
"He's going to help us out," Damon said. "Hopefully, he can get here soon and we can move on his career in wins and strikeouts and everything. The guy is a dominant pitcher, and it's going to be great for our ballclub."
"It's exciting when you get a notice like that," said right fielder Bobby Abreu. "[He's] one of the best pitchers in the game, and you have him on your team. You get excited. It makes you feel happy."
"He's going to help us out," Damon said. "Hopefully, he can get here soon and we can move on his career in wins and strikeouts and everything. The guy is a dominant pitcher, and it's going to be great for our ballclub."
"It's exciting when you get a notice like that," said right fielder Bobby Abreu. "[He's] one of the best pitchers in the game, and you have him on your team. You get excited. It makes you feel happy."
Finally, check out the interview with Suzyn Waldman and John Sterling right after he announced it (via Steve).
Posted by: David
The Yankees shutout the Mariners 5-0 on Sunday afternoon in the Bronx. And to top off the day, during the seventh inning stretch Roger "The Rocket" Clemens made an announcement from the owners box that he would be rejoining the Yankees this season.
It's being reported that he signed a one year $28 million contract (prorated) and is expected to be pitching by the end of May or beginning of June.
The Yankees pitched Darrell Rasner today and he pitched great through 5 2/3 innings, not giving up any runs. The Yankees scratched for two runs off of Jarrod Washburn on RBI singles from Jeter and Abreu and added three more runs later with the help of shoddy fielding from left fielder Raul Ibanez who lost two fly balls in the sun.
The game also saw a bench clearing when after Josh Phelps was hit, and both teams were warned, Scott Proctor threw behind Yuniesky Betancourt and was ejected. Phelps had earlier bolled over Mariner catcher Kenji Johjima on a play at the plate when he didn't even have the ball.
The Yankees used four additional relievers and cruised to the victory. During the seventh inning stretch, Clemens made his announcement and the Yankees had a post game press conference with him, his agent Randy Hendricks and general manager Brian Cashman.
Tomorrow the Yankees bring up Matt DeSalvo to pitch the final game of this four game wrap around series.
It's being reported that he signed a one year $28 million contract (prorated) and is expected to be pitching by the end of May or beginning of June.
The Yankees pitched Darrell Rasner today and he pitched great through 5 2/3 innings, not giving up any runs. The Yankees scratched for two runs off of Jarrod Washburn on RBI singles from Jeter and Abreu and added three more runs later with the help of shoddy fielding from left fielder Raul Ibanez who lost two fly balls in the sun.
The game also saw a bench clearing when after Josh Phelps was hit, and both teams were warned, Scott Proctor threw behind Yuniesky Betancourt and was ejected. Phelps had earlier bolled over Mariner catcher Kenji Johjima on a play at the plate when he didn't even have the ball.
The Yankees used four additional relievers and cruised to the victory. During the seventh inning stretch, Clemens made his announcement and the Yankees had a post game press conference with him, his agent Randy Hendricks and general manager Brian Cashman.
Tomorrow the Yankees bring up Matt DeSalvo to pitch the final game of this four game wrap around series.
Posted by: Seamus
Kinda couldn't believe the way it happened myself, but Roger Clemens himself announced from a booth in the Stadium that he will be returning to the Yankees this year. We'll bring the details along as we get them.
Anybody else completely ecstatic?
Anybody else completely ecstatic?
Posted by: Patrick
From WikiPedia:
One more hit gets Matsui in.
Via Peter Abraham.
The Meikyukai (–¼‹…‰ï, "association of great players") is one of the two Japanese baseball halls of fame. Players are automatically inducted if they reach a career total of 2000 hits, 200 wins, or 250 saves in the Japanese professional leagues, or the same number playing in Japan and the American major leagues.
One more hit gets Matsui in.
Via Peter Abraham.
Posted by: Patrick
Ken Rosenthal in a video at FoxSports.com says that the Yankees have inquired about Paul Byrd. He also mentions that Jon Lieber or Freddy Garcia from the Phillies could be available if Flash Gordan comes back healthy and the Phillies can get another arm for the pen.
Via Dan Benton.
Via Dan Benton.
Posted by: Jason
Welcome to a liveblog of today's afternoon tilt between the Yankees and Mariners:
I promise not to hammer McCarver and Buck too much. The Yankees lineup, courtesy of The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Cabrera CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi DH
Matsui LF
Posada C
Cano 2B
Mientkiewicz 1B
Wang RHP
Top of the first:
Ichiro grounds out to Cano on the first pitch...way to begin the game.
Bloomquist grounds out to Alex.
Wang good velocity...93 on the sink
Ibanez long fly ball to Melky who has no problem with it.
I'm saying a prayer for Wang's fingernail.
Bottom first:
The guy from the Lost Boys is announcing the Yankees lineup on Fox.
Melky hits a long fly ball to Ichiro in CF.
BTW, Jeff Weaver's the Mariners' pitcher, I won't even mention 2003.
Jetes drives a single to center.
Bobby hits in to a double play...he's looked better at the plate in the last 2 games.
Top second:
Wang K's Sexson
Broussard flies to left center, Melky's there.
Brendan Donnelly's favorite guy, Jose Guillen, K's to end the half inning.
Bottom second:
Alex grounds out to Bloomquist at 3rd.
G'bombi draws a walk, shocking I know
Matsui flies to right center, Ichiro grabs it
Jorge hits a bullet off the wall in right, a double, Jason to 3rd.
Robinson, who has assumed the unclaimed mantle from Soriano as the Yankee who swings at everything, K's to end the inning.
Top third:
Johjima weakly grounds out to Wang.
Betancourt: Routine fly ball to Melky.
Alex just made a great defensive play on a ground ball to his right. Wang is cruising.
Bottom third:
Dangerous Doug Mientkiewicz smokes a single to right.
Melky's ground ball handcuffs 1b Broussard and Melky is SAFE!!!
It looks like Melky might not have touched the bag, but he's still safe.
Jeter bunts, and Weaver's throw draws Bloomquist off the bag at third, and everyone is safe.
Bobby gets a sac fly to center, 1-0 Yankees.
Then Melky tries to take third, overslides the bag, and he's out...not a heads-up move to say the least.
Alex hits a dribbler, C Johjima to 1b Broussard.
Bases loaded with 0 outs, Abreu up and the Yankees only get 1 run? Not good.
Top fourth:
Ichiro hits a ground ball, it hits Wang, he throws Ichiro out. Oh no, here comes Joe and the training staff...Wang is OK, put the prayer beads/voodoo shrines away.
Bloomquist routine grounder to Jetes...Wang's fine.
Ibanez K's...Wang has thrown 47 pitches through 4 innings...he's dominating today.
Bottom fourth:
Giambi pops out
Matsui grounds out...he was reaching.
Posada K's looking
Top fifth:
Sexson pop fly to Cabrera
Interview with Joe Torre:
(Broussard grounds to Minky)
Joe says nothing earth-shaking...not surprising
Guillen grounds to Cano...Wang is perfect through 5.
Bottom fifth:
Cano hits a laser beam right at Ichiro
Dangerous Doug gets a line drive single to center...Doug is 2 for 2!!!
Cabrera hits a laser beam at RF Guillen...unlucky to say the least, that was crushed.
Jetes, with a weak ground ball to second base.
Top 6th
Johjima pops to Minky in foul ground
Betancourt grounds to Doug who flips to Wang. 2 out.
Alex charges a Lopez ground ball and guns him at first...Wang is still perfect!!!
Bottom 6th:
Bobby bunts for a base hit...they don't say how, they say how many.
Alex with a ground ball single, Bobby hits the gas and takes third!! no outs!!
Jason 4 pitch walk...
Come on Matsui-san!!!
And a hit by pitch!! 2-0 Yankees!!
Posada, a base hit!!! 3-0 Yankees!!
Cano K's swinging on a bad pitch
Minky hits into a force at home, 2 outs, bases still loaded.
Melky draws a walk!! 4-0 home team!!
Jetes laces one into left!! 6-0 Yankees!!
SEA manager Hargrove hooks Weaver...
I am lighting a cigar, this is enjoyable...
Abreu faces RHP Sean White, Bobby lines out to Ichiro.
GREAT inning.
Top 7th
Ichiro flies out to Matsui, a great running catch!!
Bloomquist grounder to Jeter...everyone now realizes the perfect game is a possibility.
Wang comes back from 3-0 to K Ibanez!!! Perfect through 7!!!!
Bottom 7th: Please bear with me, it's Derby post time!!!
Kentucky Derby Bonus: Street Sense's jockey ran the perfect race, waiting on Hard Spun's flank until the 4th turn, and then exploding to the front to take the roses in the back stretch!!
Back to the game:
Top 8:
Sexson grounded out to Wang.
Broussard homered to right, the perfect game is over, but Wang is still the man.
Guillen singled to left
and Johjima grounded into double play...Bravo Chien Ming Wang!!!
Bottom 8:
Melky with a sharp single up the middle.
Fox just showed Carl Pavano...please don't do that again.
Jetes rips a pitch into the outfield, first and second
Shockingly, Buck and McCarver have not been that bad.
Bobby pops to Ichiro, Cabrera tags to third. One out.
Cairo walks, bases loaded
Josh Phelps breaks his bat with a soft grounder, 8-1 Yankees.
Matsui grounds out to second.
Top 9
Bruney had a routine 9th, retiring Betancourt, Lopez and Ichiro...8-1 Yankees final.
Darrell Rasner is on the mound tomorrow...The team has won 4 of its last 5. Let's go Yankees.
I promise not to hammer McCarver and Buck too much. The Yankees lineup, courtesy of The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Cabrera CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi DH
Matsui LF
Posada C
Cano 2B
Mientkiewicz 1B
Wang RHP
Top of the first:
Ichiro grounds out to Cano on the first pitch...way to begin the game.
Bloomquist grounds out to Alex.
Wang good velocity...93 on the sink
Ibanez long fly ball to Melky who has no problem with it.
I'm saying a prayer for Wang's fingernail.
Bottom first:
The guy from the Lost Boys is announcing the Yankees lineup on Fox.
Melky hits a long fly ball to Ichiro in CF.
BTW, Jeff Weaver's the Mariners' pitcher, I won't even mention 2003.
Jetes drives a single to center.
Bobby hits in to a double play...he's looked better at the plate in the last 2 games.
Top second:
Wang K's Sexson
Broussard flies to left center, Melky's there.
Brendan Donnelly's favorite guy, Jose Guillen, K's to end the half inning.
Bottom second:
Alex grounds out to Bloomquist at 3rd.
G'bombi draws a walk, shocking I know
Matsui flies to right center, Ichiro grabs it
Jorge hits a bullet off the wall in right, a double, Jason to 3rd.
Robinson, who has assumed the unclaimed mantle from Soriano as the Yankee who swings at everything, K's to end the inning.
Top third:
Johjima weakly grounds out to Wang.
Betancourt: Routine fly ball to Melky.
Alex just made a great defensive play on a ground ball to his right. Wang is cruising.
Bottom third:
Dangerous Doug Mientkiewicz smokes a single to right.
Melky's ground ball handcuffs 1b Broussard and Melky is SAFE!!!
It looks like Melky might not have touched the bag, but he's still safe.
Jeter bunts, and Weaver's throw draws Bloomquist off the bag at third, and everyone is safe.
Bobby gets a sac fly to center, 1-0 Yankees.
Then Melky tries to take third, overslides the bag, and he's out...not a heads-up move to say the least.
Alex hits a dribbler, C Johjima to 1b Broussard.
Bases loaded with 0 outs, Abreu up and the Yankees only get 1 run? Not good.
Top fourth:
Ichiro hits a ground ball, it hits Wang, he throws Ichiro out. Oh no, here comes Joe and the training staff...Wang is OK, put the prayer beads/voodoo shrines away.
Bloomquist routine grounder to Jetes...Wang's fine.
Ibanez K's...Wang has thrown 47 pitches through 4 innings...he's dominating today.
Bottom fourth:
Giambi pops out
Matsui grounds out...he was reaching.
Posada K's looking
Top fifth:
Sexson pop fly to Cabrera
Interview with Joe Torre:
(Broussard grounds to Minky)
Joe says nothing earth-shaking...not surprising
Guillen grounds to Cano...Wang is perfect through 5.
Bottom fifth:
Cano hits a laser beam right at Ichiro
Dangerous Doug gets a line drive single to center...Doug is 2 for 2!!!
Cabrera hits a laser beam at RF Guillen...unlucky to say the least, that was crushed.
Jetes, with a weak ground ball to second base.
Top 6th
Johjima pops to Minky in foul ground
Betancourt grounds to Doug who flips to Wang. 2 out.
Alex charges a Lopez ground ball and guns him at first...Wang is still perfect!!!
Bottom 6th:
Bobby bunts for a base hit...they don't say how, they say how many.
Alex with a ground ball single, Bobby hits the gas and takes third!! no outs!!
Jason 4 pitch walk...
Come on Matsui-san!!!
And a hit by pitch!! 2-0 Yankees!!
Posada, a base hit!!! 3-0 Yankees!!
Cano K's swinging on a bad pitch
Minky hits into a force at home, 2 outs, bases still loaded.
Melky draws a walk!! 4-0 home team!!
Jetes laces one into left!! 6-0 Yankees!!
SEA manager Hargrove hooks Weaver...
I am lighting a cigar, this is enjoyable...
Abreu faces RHP Sean White, Bobby lines out to Ichiro.
GREAT inning.
Top 7th
Ichiro flies out to Matsui, a great running catch!!
Bloomquist grounder to Jeter...everyone now realizes the perfect game is a possibility.
Wang comes back from 3-0 to K Ibanez!!! Perfect through 7!!!!
Bottom 7th: Please bear with me, it's Derby post time!!!
Kentucky Derby Bonus: Street Sense's jockey ran the perfect race, waiting on Hard Spun's flank until the 4th turn, and then exploding to the front to take the roses in the back stretch!!
Back to the game:
Top 8:
Sexson grounded out to Wang.
Broussard homered to right, the perfect game is over, but Wang is still the man.
Guillen singled to left
and Johjima grounded into double play...Bravo Chien Ming Wang!!!
Bottom 8:
Melky with a sharp single up the middle.
Fox just showed Carl Pavano...please don't do that again.
Jetes rips a pitch into the outfield, first and second
Shockingly, Buck and McCarver have not been that bad.
Bobby pops to Ichiro, Cabrera tags to third. One out.
Cairo walks, bases loaded
Josh Phelps breaks his bat with a soft grounder, 8-1 Yankees.
Matsui grounds out to second.
Top 9
Bruney had a routine 9th, retiring Betancourt, Lopez and Ichiro...8-1 Yankees final.
Darrell Rasner is on the mound tomorrow...The team has won 4 of its last 5. Let's go Yankees.
Posted by: David
The Yankees jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning, but starter Kei Igawa and a host of relievers couldn't hold it and the Bombers eventually lost 15-11.
The long ball helped Seattle get back into the game. Homers from Johjima, Beltre and Lopez tied the game at six. The Yankees regained the lead briefly due to a A-Rod two run double but then Igawa imploded and bullpen put kerosene on the fire as the Mariners scored eight runs in the fifth to take a 14-8 lead. They would add another run later and the Yankees pulled to within four on a Johnny Damon three run homer.
In the fifth, Igawa got shelled and Torre replaced him with Colter Bean. Bean was extremely wild and couldn't come close to the plate. When he took something off his pitches to try to get it over he simply got bombed. He was replaced by Vizcaino and the bloodbath continued.
Mike Myers took one for the team and pitched four innings in relief to save a tired and overused bullpen.
The Yankees actually brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth after the first two men walked, closer J.J. Putz was brought in and Giambi delievered a pinch hit single to load the bases. Putz was then able to retire the next two batters without a run scoring.
Wang takes the hill today in a late afternoon start and will be looking for his first win of the season.
The long ball helped Seattle get back into the game. Homers from Johjima, Beltre and Lopez tied the game at six. The Yankees regained the lead briefly due to a A-Rod two run double but then Igawa imploded and bullpen put kerosene on the fire as the Mariners scored eight runs in the fifth to take a 14-8 lead. They would add another run later and the Yankees pulled to within four on a Johnny Damon three run homer.
In the fifth, Igawa got shelled and Torre replaced him with Colter Bean. Bean was extremely wild and couldn't come close to the plate. When he took something off his pitches to try to get it over he simply got bombed. He was replaced by Vizcaino and the bloodbath continued.
Mike Myers took one for the team and pitched four innings in relief to save a tired and overused bullpen.
The Yankees actually brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth after the first two men walked, closer J.J. Putz was brought in and Giambi delievered a pinch hit single to load the bases. Putz was then able to retire the next two batters without a run scoring.
Wang takes the hill today in a late afternoon start and will be looking for his first win of the season.
05/05: 2 Years of YanksBlog.com
Posted by: Patrick
Today marks two years of YanksBlog.com.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank David, James, Jason and Seamus for their support, contributions, opinions and humor. I'd also like to thank all of our regular visitors and everyone who has been supportive of us. Thank you.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank David, James, Jason and Seamus for their support, contributions, opinions and humor. I'd also like to thank all of our regular visitors and everyone who has been supportive of us. Thank you.
