Posted by: Patrick
I've only been to Yankee Stadium once in my life. July 17, 1995. I was 10 and it was great. But, I've never had the opportunity to get back again.
With this being the final season at the current park, my family and I are making the trip up and will be attending the June 3 game against the Blue Jays. I'm definitely excited and looking forward to it. The only thing that is a little disappointing is that Posada is out and it looked like he was going to miss that game.
But, now comes reports that he's hoping to return for that day. That'd be great. I don't want him to rush and hurt himself further just so he plays on that day, but if that's when he ends up coming back, it would be cool.
With this being the final season at the current park, my family and I are making the trip up and will be attending the June 3 game against the Blue Jays. I'm definitely excited and looking forward to it. The only thing that is a little disappointing is that Posada is out and it looked like he was going to miss that game.
But, now comes reports that he's hoping to return for that day. That'd be great. I don't want him to rush and hurt himself further just so he plays on that day, but if that's when he ends up coming back, it would be cool.
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees won their 4th straight contest Saturday as the offense continued to demolish Mariners pitching. The Yanks won by a score of 12-6 and after scoring just 22 runs between May 10 and May 20, the Yankees have now scored 25 runs in two games, and 35 runs in their last four games. A near perfect game by Justin Duchscherer against the Red Sox brought the Yankees to within 5.5 of the division lead.
The Yankees jumped ahead in the bottom of the 2nd with a three-run homer by Jason Giambi. Giambi raised his average to .234 with a 3-4 afternoon. A base hit by Melky Cabrera that scored Robinson Cano later in the 2nd put the Yanks up by a score of 4-0.
Mike Mussina gave it right back in the 3rd, however, as Jose Vidro put one out with 2 runners on to bring the Mariners within a run, and Adrian Beltre tied it just two batters later with a home run of his own. Mussina settled down, though, and aside from that one inning, pitched a pretty decent game. He did leave the game after 5 innings, but it was enough to grab the win as he left with his team ahead 5-4. Mussina to this date is the only Yankee starter with a decision in every game he's pitched this season.
Joba Chamberlain entered the game in the 6th inning as part of his "inning stretching process" en route to him eventually moving into the rotation. Joe Girardi planned to have him throw 50 pitches and ideally would have had him pitch three innings, but a long 7th inning on the offensive side caused Girardi to call it a day on Chamberlain after two innings and 40 pitches. Chamberlain got out of both innings without any damage.
Bobby Abreu homered in the 6th to put the Yankees up 7-4 and the game was blown open in the 7th with a 5-run inning, highlighted by a bases-loaded, ground rule double by Abreu over the centerfield wall.
Kyle Farnsworth struggled a bit in the 8th as he gave up two runs, but Jose Veras closed out the game with a 1-2-3 ninth.
The Yanks and Mariners will close out this series this afternoon, as the Yankees go for the sweep and try go go 6-0 against Seattle this season. Chien-Ming Wang will take the mound for the Yankees and will face Jarod Washburn, who has struggled quite a bit this season (2-6, 6.99). Game starts at 1:05 E.T.
The Yankees jumped ahead in the bottom of the 2nd with a three-run homer by Jason Giambi. Giambi raised his average to .234 with a 3-4 afternoon. A base hit by Melky Cabrera that scored Robinson Cano later in the 2nd put the Yanks up by a score of 4-0.
Mike Mussina gave it right back in the 3rd, however, as Jose Vidro put one out with 2 runners on to bring the Mariners within a run, and Adrian Beltre tied it just two batters later with a home run of his own. Mussina settled down, though, and aside from that one inning, pitched a pretty decent game. He did leave the game after 5 innings, but it was enough to grab the win as he left with his team ahead 5-4. Mussina to this date is the only Yankee starter with a decision in every game he's pitched this season.
Joba Chamberlain entered the game in the 6th inning as part of his "inning stretching process" en route to him eventually moving into the rotation. Joe Girardi planned to have him throw 50 pitches and ideally would have had him pitch three innings, but a long 7th inning on the offensive side caused Girardi to call it a day on Chamberlain after two innings and 40 pitches. Chamberlain got out of both innings without any damage.
Bobby Abreu homered in the 6th to put the Yankees up 7-4 and the game was blown open in the 7th with a 5-run inning, highlighted by a bases-loaded, ground rule double by Abreu over the centerfield wall.
Kyle Farnsworth struggled a bit in the 8th as he gave up two runs, but Jose Veras closed out the game with a 1-2-3 ninth.
The Yanks and Mariners will close out this series this afternoon, as the Yankees go for the sweep and try go go 6-0 against Seattle this season. Chien-Ming Wang will take the mound for the Yankees and will face Jarod Washburn, who has struggled quite a bit this season (2-6, 6.99). Game starts at 1:05 E.T.
Posted by: Patrick
The pitching match up featured two solid lefties, Andy Pettitte (3-5, 4.42 ERA) and Erik Bedard (3-2, 3.24), but it ended up being a pretty lopsided affair: Yankees 13, Mariners 2.
The Mariners managed to score first, thanks to a Yuniesky Betancourt RBI single in the top of the second. But, the Yankees struck right back, with Shelley Duncan homering for the first time this season. It was a three run shot that scored Jason Giambi and Hideki Matsui.
The Mariners picked another run up in the top of the third. And the Yankees scored two more of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Those runs were both driven in by a suddenly hot Robinson Cano, who doubled in the same duo that scored earlier - Giambi and Matsui. After four, the score was 5-2, Yankees leading.
The fifth inning would be the last time either team scored, but the Yankees definitely made it count, putting up an 8 spot on Bedard, Sean Green and R.A. Dickey. Let's run through the play by play.
Derek Jeter is hit by a pitch. Bobby Abreu singles, moving Jeter to third. A-Rod grounds into fielder's choice, Jeter is thrown out at home for the first out, Rodriguez moves to second and Abreu moves to third. Matsui singles, scoring A-Rod (first run) and Matsui (second). Giambi singles, moving Matsui to second. Green enters the game for the Mariners.
Shelley Duncan strikes out for the second out. Here's where it gets fun. Cano single, scoring Matsui and moving Giambi to third. Cano advances on the throw in. Chad Moeller singles, scoring Giambi and Cano. Melky singles, moving Moeller to second. Jeter walks to load the bases. Abreu singles, scoring Moeller and Cabrera and moving Jeter to third. Dickey enters for the Mariners.
A-Rod singles, scoring Jeter and moving Abreu to second. Finally, Matsui grounds into a fielder's choice with Abreu being thrown out at third. Stats for the fifth: 13 plate appearances, 8 hits (all singles), 1 walk, 1 hit batsmen and 8 runs.
After that explosion, both teams managed to combine for 2 hits over the final 3 and 1/2 innings. For the Yanks, Pettitte went six innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 8 hits, 9 strikeouts and 0 walks. LaTroy Hawkins pitched 2 scoreless innings, with 1 hit and 1 strikeout. Don't look now, but Hawkins ERA is nearing respectable levels. At 11.17 on April 23, it's now down to a season low of 5.09. Finally, Edwar Ramirez closed the game out - with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts in the ninth.
The Yankees offense finished with 13 runs, 13 hits, 5 walks and 1 hit batsmen. Jeter was 0 for 2 with 1 walks and 1 run, Abreu was 2 for 5 with 1 run and 2 RBIs, A-Rod was 1 for 4 with 1 run and 1 RBI, Matsui was 3 for 5 with 3 runs and 2 RBIs, Giambi was 2 for 3 with a double, 3 runs, 2 RBIs and 2 walks, Duncan was 1 for 4 with 1 home run, 3 RBIs and 1 walk, Cano was 2 for 4 with a double, 1 run, 3 RBIs and 1 walk, Moeller was 1 for 5 with 1 run and 2 RBIs and Melky was 1 for 4 with 1 run.
Tomorrow we'll have Moose (6-4, 4.11 ERA) on short rest against Carlos Silva (3-3, 4.91) at 1:05 ET.
The Mariners managed to score first, thanks to a Yuniesky Betancourt RBI single in the top of the second. But, the Yankees struck right back, with Shelley Duncan homering for the first time this season. It was a three run shot that scored Jason Giambi and Hideki Matsui.
The Mariners picked another run up in the top of the third. And the Yankees scored two more of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Those runs were both driven in by a suddenly hot Robinson Cano, who doubled in the same duo that scored earlier - Giambi and Matsui. After four, the score was 5-2, Yankees leading.
The fifth inning would be the last time either team scored, but the Yankees definitely made it count, putting up an 8 spot on Bedard, Sean Green and R.A. Dickey. Let's run through the play by play.
Derek Jeter is hit by a pitch. Bobby Abreu singles, moving Jeter to third. A-Rod grounds into fielder's choice, Jeter is thrown out at home for the first out, Rodriguez moves to second and Abreu moves to third. Matsui singles, scoring A-Rod (first run) and Matsui (second). Giambi singles, moving Matsui to second. Green enters the game for the Mariners.
Shelley Duncan strikes out for the second out. Here's where it gets fun. Cano single, scoring Matsui and moving Giambi to third. Cano advances on the throw in. Chad Moeller singles, scoring Giambi and Cano. Melky singles, moving Moeller to second. Jeter walks to load the bases. Abreu singles, scoring Moeller and Cabrera and moving Jeter to third. Dickey enters for the Mariners.
A-Rod singles, scoring Jeter and moving Abreu to second. Finally, Matsui grounds into a fielder's choice with Abreu being thrown out at third. Stats for the fifth: 13 plate appearances, 8 hits (all singles), 1 walk, 1 hit batsmen and 8 runs.
After that explosion, both teams managed to combine for 2 hits over the final 3 and 1/2 innings. For the Yanks, Pettitte went six innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 8 hits, 9 strikeouts and 0 walks. LaTroy Hawkins pitched 2 scoreless innings, with 1 hit and 1 strikeout. Don't look now, but Hawkins ERA is nearing respectable levels. At 11.17 on April 23, it's now down to a season low of 5.09. Finally, Edwar Ramirez closed the game out - with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts in the ninth.
The Yankees offense finished with 13 runs, 13 hits, 5 walks and 1 hit batsmen. Jeter was 0 for 2 with 1 walks and 1 run, Abreu was 2 for 5 with 1 run and 2 RBIs, A-Rod was 1 for 4 with 1 run and 1 RBI, Matsui was 3 for 5 with 3 runs and 2 RBIs, Giambi was 2 for 3 with a double, 3 runs, 2 RBIs and 2 walks, Duncan was 1 for 4 with 1 home run, 3 RBIs and 1 walk, Cano was 2 for 4 with a double, 1 run, 3 RBIs and 1 walk, Moeller was 1 for 5 with 1 run and 2 RBIs and Melky was 1 for 4 with 1 run.
Tomorrow we'll have Moose (6-4, 4.11 ERA) on short rest against Carlos Silva (3-3, 4.91) at 1:05 ET.
Posted by: Patrick
From Jack Curry:
Ortiz will have the opportunity to be like Babe because of a Call Your Shot promotion that is part of the home run derby. The fan who wins the online contest will choose a spot where he believes Ortiz can smash a homer. Then Ortiz has one swing, one dramatic swing, to do it.
But the Yankees do not seem as if they want Ortiz to take that swing. The Yankees were upset about the plans involving Ortiz and said they were unaware of the promotion until a reporter contacted them Thursday night. The Yankees were discussing the matter internally and planning to contact Major League Baseball for an explanation.
But the Yankees do not seem as if they want Ortiz to take that swing. The Yankees were upset about the plans involving Ortiz and said they were unaware of the promotion until a reporter contacted them Thursday night. The Yankees were discussing the matter internally and planning to contact Major League Baseball for an explanation.
05/23: Girardi Suspended One Game
Posted by: Patrick
Girardi has been suspended for one game due to last night's fireworks. He will serve immediately and will miss tonight's game.
"I think if you feel there's an extenuating circumstance you can appeal it, but because of cameras and photos, the dirt clearly goes on his shoe. But that was not my intent," Girardi said. "You're not allowed to make contact with them, so maybe that's considered contact."
"I think the culture of life has changed. You know, I think respect has always been a huge thing in our world, but I think people tend to think that other people are disrespecting them more than it really happens, and I think that has become a big part of our society," he said.
"I think the culture of life has changed. You know, I think respect has always been a huge thing in our world, but I think people tend to think that other people are disrespecting them more than it really happens, and I think that has become a big part of our society," he said.
Posted by: Patrick
Updating a previous story, the Post reports that Wang will be pushed back a day, from Saturday to Sunday, thanks to his calf. Moose will pitch on three days rest after only throwing 41 pitches in his last start.
Posted by: Patrick
LaTroy Hawkins has been suspended for three games for throwing up and in on Tuesday. As expected, he has appealed.
05/23: Yankees vs. Orioles; 5/23/08
Posted by: James
Well, that was an entertaining...but nerve-racking game to watch. Long and short of it, the Yankees won 2-1 on a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth off the bat of Robbie Cano. We'll get to that in a second though.
The bigger story of the night was probably the pitching of IPK, or rather the results of it. He threw 6 innings of one-run ball, giving up four hits and four walks while striking out four. Those walks scare me but let's be serious, this was easily the best start of the season for him. Still, while he worked his way out of a few jams (getting key Ks when he needed them), one or two more hits would have made this a much different outcome for Kennedy. David Pinto over at Baseball Musings makes a point that Kennedy might simply have been lucky last night...and I'm not inclined to disagree. Really, I don't want to be THAT guy, you know who I'm talking about - always negative about everything...but while there was a lot to be happy about, you gotta still be worried what happens if he pulls the same 4 walk performance...and some of those hard hit outs start falling in.
In any case, IPK held the Orioles to one run over 6 while Orioles starter Brian Burres did the same over 7. Veras (who was simply sick with his pitches last night - 95 mph heater followed by good placement of a 80 mph curve), Farnsworth & Mariano each pitched a shutout inning before the fireworks started in the bottom of the ninth.
Hideki started off the inning with a sharp single before A-Rod struck out and Jason Giambi "struck out on a foul pitch". I put that in quotes because Giambi took a pitch that the home plate ump ruled had hit his bat...and Joe Girardi respectfully disagreed.
If Joe was trying to fire up the team or rattle the pitcher, it worked. Jim Johnson walked pinch-hitter Bobby Abreu on 5 pitches before giving up a single to Robbie Cano that plated Matsui with the winning run. 2-1 Yankees win.
The bigger story of the night was probably the pitching of IPK, or rather the results of it. He threw 6 innings of one-run ball, giving up four hits and four walks while striking out four. Those walks scare me but let's be serious, this was easily the best start of the season for him. Still, while he worked his way out of a few jams (getting key Ks when he needed them), one or two more hits would have made this a much different outcome for Kennedy. David Pinto over at Baseball Musings makes a point that Kennedy might simply have been lucky last night...and I'm not inclined to disagree. Really, I don't want to be THAT guy, you know who I'm talking about - always negative about everything...but while there was a lot to be happy about, you gotta still be worried what happens if he pulls the same 4 walk performance...and some of those hard hit outs start falling in.
In any case, IPK held the Orioles to one run over 6 while Orioles starter Brian Burres did the same over 7. Veras (who was simply sick with his pitches last night - 95 mph heater followed by good placement of a 80 mph curve), Farnsworth & Mariano each pitched a shutout inning before the fireworks started in the bottom of the ninth.
Hideki started off the inning with a sharp single before A-Rod struck out and Jason Giambi "struck out on a foul pitch". I put that in quotes because Giambi took a pitch that the home plate ump ruled had hit his bat...and Joe Girardi respectfully disagreed.
If Joe was trying to fire up the team or rattle the pitcher, it worked. Jim Johnson walked pinch-hitter Bobby Abreu on 5 pitches before giving up a single to Robbie Cano that plated Matsui with the winning run. 2-1 Yankees win.
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees got yet another good start from Darrell Rasner and the Yankees finally got some offense going as they ended a 4-game slide with an 8-0 victory over the Orioles. It was an interesting night to say the least, with a home run taken away from A-Rod and an announcement after the game by Joe Girardi that Joba will soon be moving into the rotation.
The Yankees' bats FINALLY woke up as they scored over 4 runs for the first time since May 10. Their 8 runs matched their run total for the previous three games combined. Everybody contributed, as the only Yankee starters without a hit were Jeter and Matsui, who I'd say are entitled to an off night every now and then. Alex Rodriguez homered in his second consecutive game since coming back from the DL, and would have had two had an umpire not made a wrong call on a ball that bounced off the yellow stairway in right field beyond the wall and back onto the field.
Darrell Rasner continues to be a rock for this rotation, as he gave up only 5 hits and a walk in seven shutout innings, and picked up the win (3-0, 1.89). He threw 61 of his 95 pitches for strikes and has allowed only two walks in the four games he's started this season. I know he's only pitched four games so far, but in the three weeks he's been here, you'd be hardpressed to find anybody who's pitched as well as he has.
Of course we can't forget the announcement by Joe Girardi shortly after the game that he has "begun the process" of turning Joba Chamberlain into a starting pitcher. He said that for now he's going to start extending Joba's innings in the bullpen so he can build up some stamina and be ready to move into the rotation at a time that has not yet been announed by the team (I'm guessing after the All-Star break). Chamberlain threw 35 pitches in two shutout innings to close out the game for the Yanks.
It's good to see the Yankees win a game like this, and by that I mean it's a game where we don't have to think "Well, we won the game, but this went wrong." I know this Baltimore team has surprised some people, but let's face it, the Yankees should beat them. No disrespect meant to them and the Mariners, but the next 7 games present a great opportunity for the Yankees to get right back in this thing if they play their "A" game.
The Yankees will look to get their first series victory since May 2-4 against Seattle (why are the Mariners making two trips here in a month?), as the Orioles will send Brian Burres to the mound to face Ian Kennedy, who will be looking for his first win (let's pretend it's not May 22). Game starts at 7:05.
The Yankees' bats FINALLY woke up as they scored over 4 runs for the first time since May 10. Their 8 runs matched their run total for the previous three games combined. Everybody contributed, as the only Yankee starters without a hit were Jeter and Matsui, who I'd say are entitled to an off night every now and then. Alex Rodriguez homered in his second consecutive game since coming back from the DL, and would have had two had an umpire not made a wrong call on a ball that bounced off the yellow stairway in right field beyond the wall and back onto the field.
Darrell Rasner continues to be a rock for this rotation, as he gave up only 5 hits and a walk in seven shutout innings, and picked up the win (3-0, 1.89). He threw 61 of his 95 pitches for strikes and has allowed only two walks in the four games he's started this season. I know he's only pitched four games so far, but in the three weeks he's been here, you'd be hardpressed to find anybody who's pitched as well as he has.
Of course we can't forget the announcement by Joe Girardi shortly after the game that he has "begun the process" of turning Joba Chamberlain into a starting pitcher. He said that for now he's going to start extending Joba's innings in the bullpen so he can build up some stamina and be ready to move into the rotation at a time that has not yet been announed by the team (I'm guessing after the All-Star break). Chamberlain threw 35 pitches in two shutout innings to close out the game for the Yanks.
It's good to see the Yankees win a game like this, and by that I mean it's a game where we don't have to think "Well, we won the game, but this went wrong." I know this Baltimore team has surprised some people, but let's face it, the Yankees should beat them. No disrespect meant to them and the Mariners, but the next 7 games present a great opportunity for the Yankees to get right back in this thing if they play their "A" game.
The Yankees will look to get their first series victory since May 2-4 against Seattle (why are the Mariners making two trips here in a month?), as the Orioles will send Brian Burres to the mound to face Ian Kennedy, who will be looking for his first win (let's pretend it's not May 22). Game starts at 7:05.
Posted by: Patrick
Many, many times. After allowing Joba to throw two inning in what was essentially garbage time, Joe Girardi told Kim Jones, "the process has started." The process through which Joba Chamberlain will be converted from reliever to starter.
From Bryan Hoch:
I like it. We had been reading reports for a while now, suggesting that Joba would need an extended trip to the minors to make the conversion. But, him making it at the Major League level is better. After all, 2-5 innings of a converting Joba is better than 2-5 innings from most of our other pitchers.
From Bryan Hoch:
Chamberlain will still continue to see duty in the late innings, but now it may come at different times. For example, when his pitch count bumps to 50, he could pitch innings six through eight; right now, he could pitch the seventh and eighth or, as he did Wednesday, the eighth and ninth. ...
Though the club has not ruled out a Minor League assignment at some point, Chamberlain said he'd like to feel his way out in the big leagues.
Though the club has not ruled out a Minor League assignment at some point, Chamberlain said he'd like to feel his way out in the big leagues.
I like it. We had been reading reports for a while now, suggesting that Joba would need an extended trip to the minors to make the conversion. But, him making it at the Major League level is better. After all, 2-5 innings of a converting Joba is better than 2-5 innings from most of our other pitchers.
