Posted by: Seamus
Last night's matchup between one of the best pitchers of the last 20 years against possibly one of the best for the next 20 years did not dissapoint. Mariners 19-year old rookie phenom Felix Hernandez was great, but 20th century legend Randy Johnson was not to be outdone as he gave up only three hits in 7 shutout innings en route to a 2-0 victory for the Yanks. Hernandez gave up only four hits in 8 innings himself, but two of those hits were home runs, one each to Robinson Cano and Gary Sheffield. Tom Gordon and Mariano Rivera both gave us solid outings out of the bullpen, and Rivera recorded his 35th save this season in 39 chances.
With the win, the Yankees remain 2.5 games behind Boston and they are now a full game ahead in the wild card race over the Angels. The Indians' loss to the Tigers pushed them to 1.5 games behind the Yankees. Hey, don't look now, but the Yankees are actually just 5.5 games behind the White Sox for the best record in the American League and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Does anybody still want to talk about how the Yankees can't pitch? This game was the Yankees' 10th shutout victory this season, tying them with Oakland for the most in the American League. That's almost a shutout for every seven victories. Not a bad ratio at all. I really don't understand why people still use that "The Yankees don't have the pitching" argument. They've really been for the most part pretty solid for the last month or two. The only problems we've had have been a few guys who have struggled in middle relief. But I'd much rather be in this position than in the Red Sox' position when it comes to pitching.
The Yankees will finish up this series in Seattle this afternoon as they try to take 3 out of 4 before heading to Oakland for a big series with the A's. The pitching matchup will feature Jaret Wright for the Yanks against Joel Pineiro.
With the win, the Yankees remain 2.5 games behind Boston and they are now a full game ahead in the wild card race over the Angels. The Indians' loss to the Tigers pushed them to 1.5 games behind the Yankees. Hey, don't look now, but the Yankees are actually just 5.5 games behind the White Sox for the best record in the American League and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Does anybody still want to talk about how the Yankees can't pitch? This game was the Yankees' 10th shutout victory this season, tying them with Oakland for the most in the American League. That's almost a shutout for every seven victories. Not a bad ratio at all. I really don't understand why people still use that "The Yankees don't have the pitching" argument. They've really been for the most part pretty solid for the last month or two. The only problems we've had have been a few guys who have struggled in middle relief. But I'd much rather be in this position than in the Red Sox' position when it comes to pitching.
The Yankees will finish up this series in Seattle this afternoon as they try to take 3 out of 4 before heading to Oakland for a big series with the A's. The pitching matchup will feature Jaret Wright for the Yanks against Joel Pineiro.
Posted by: Seamus
Shawn Chacon had his first bad start since joining the Yankees as the Bombers lost to the Mariners in Seattle by a score of 8-3. His ERA rose by almost a run and a half from 1.80 to 3.13 (it really goes to say something when your ERA can nearly double to only 3.13). All eight of the runs he allowed came in the 2nd and 3rd innings after a 1-2-3 first inning. Chacon did manage to settle down a bit as he at least prevented Torre from having to empty out the bullpen and gave us 6 innings. Felix Rodriguez finished the game and struggled for two innings, but did not allow a run.
The bright spots for the Yankees were A-Rod, who scored two runs including one coming on his 40th home run of the season, and Derek Jeter, who had two hits. Rodriguez is the first right-handed Yankee to belt 40 home runs since Joe DiMaggio in 1937 and is only the second ever to do so, and we're still in August. A-Rod was the DH as he had soreness in his groin and was replaced at 3B by Mark Bellhorn, who went 0-4 in his Yankee debut.
The Yankees remained the leaders in the wild card race as the Indians were postponed and the Angels lost to the A's in extra innings. A comeback victory by Boston put the Yankees 2.5 back in the A.L. East.
I've decided I like Matt Lawton. During the game, he was hit by a pitch and was actually nice enough to walk 10 feet in front of home plate and retrieve the ball and throw it back towards the pitcher. I thought it was kind of funny. Plus, he has contributed although he's hitting only .154 since joining us. He got a key hit in that 9th inning comeback against Kansas City on Saturday and launched a big home run Monday night against the Mariners.
Wednesday night's game features a very intriguing pitching matchup as Randy Johnson goes up against 19-year old Felix Hernandez. Hernandez has pitched great so far for Seattle and has been likened to the young Dwight Gooden and is regarded by many as a future superstar. His opponent of course is one of the greatest pitchers of our era and will in all likelihood be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. I'm looking forward to it.
The bright spots for the Yankees were A-Rod, who scored two runs including one coming on his 40th home run of the season, and Derek Jeter, who had two hits. Rodriguez is the first right-handed Yankee to belt 40 home runs since Joe DiMaggio in 1937 and is only the second ever to do so, and we're still in August. A-Rod was the DH as he had soreness in his groin and was replaced at 3B by Mark Bellhorn, who went 0-4 in his Yankee debut.
The Yankees remained the leaders in the wild card race as the Indians were postponed and the Angels lost to the A's in extra innings. A comeback victory by Boston put the Yankees 2.5 back in the A.L. East.
I've decided I like Matt Lawton. During the game, he was hit by a pitch and was actually nice enough to walk 10 feet in front of home plate and retrieve the ball and throw it back towards the pitcher. I thought it was kind of funny. Plus, he has contributed although he's hitting only .154 since joining us. He got a key hit in that 9th inning comeback against Kansas City on Saturday and launched a big home run Monday night against the Mariners.
Wednesday night's game features a very intriguing pitching matchup as Randy Johnson goes up against 19-year old Felix Hernandez. Hernandez has pitched great so far for Seattle and has been likened to the young Dwight Gooden and is regarded by many as a future superstar. His opponent of course is one of the greatest pitchers of our era and will in all likelihood be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. I'm looking forward to it.
Posted by: Patrick
Lawton's family braves hurricane:
The Lawton family is doing alright, but our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.
Via Brian MacMillan.
Acquired from the Chicago Cubs late Friday night, Lawton didn't have a chance to catch his breath yesterday morning after playing his first two games for his new team.
Instead, Lawton kept an eye on the television and kept sending text messages to his parents and brother, who braved the hurricane at his house in Gulfport, Miss.
Instead, Lawton kept an eye on the television and kept sending text messages to his parents and brother, who braved the hurricane at his house in Gulfport, Miss.
The Lawton family is doing alright, but our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.
Via Brian MacMillan.
Posted by: Patrick
I just realized something. When I was considering why Jeter should be on the All Star team, I never checked something: Podsednik's stats. Look at the pre All Star break stats:
Scott Podsednik
.294 BA, .369 OBA, .344 SLG, 50 R, 83 H, 0 HR, 17 RBI, 44 SB
Derek Jeter
.308 BA, .393 OBA, .452 SLG, 69 R, 105 H, 11 HR, 37 RBI, 10 SB
Hideki Matsui
.320 BA, .384 OBA, .530 SLG, 60 R, 105 H, 14 HR, 70 RBI, 2 SB
As I said, they both should have been on the team. But, jeez...
Scott Podsednik
.294 BA, .369 OBA, .344 SLG, 50 R, 83 H, 0 HR, 17 RBI, 44 SB
Derek Jeter
.308 BA, .393 OBA, .452 SLG, 69 R, 105 H, 11 HR, 37 RBI, 10 SB
Hideki Matsui
.320 BA, .384 OBA, .530 SLG, 60 R, 105 H, 14 HR, 70 RBI, 2 SB
As I said, they both should have been on the team. But, jeez...
Posted by: Michael
Jason Giambi came back for the second consecutive game to provide the offensive punch the Yankees needed to take the win against the Seatle Mariners. Giambi hit two homers and provided 4 RBIs. Giambi is quickly overcoming his bad August, and if he peaks again in September as he did in July - then we should catch and pass the Red Sox.
A-Rod contributed with a home run of his own, going 2 for 3 with a walk. He left the game in the 9th inning with tightness in the groin. The injury could have happened earlier in the game while fielding a ball, but A-Rod stayed in there til the 9th. Hopefully it is nothing serious.
The Moose only lasted three innings. He was hammered for four runs in six hits. He also gave up four walks. It was this time last year that Mussina was untouchable. Lets hope he makes the turn for the month of September. Is it me, or does he have a problem pitching in the stretch?
Aaron Small came into the game in relief of Mussina and was able to quickly quiet the Seattle bats. He pitched four very effective innings only giving up one hit. Gordon and Rivera were able to finish the game with Rivera picking up his 34th save.
I know it is kind of early, but when you are talking about team MVP, you have to look at what Small has done this year. I can't imagine where we would be without him. Most likely we would still have Wayne Franklin on the roster.
Tonight another Yankee savior is on the mound as Shawn Chacon (4-8, 3.28 ERA or 3-1, 1.80 ERA as a Yankee) takes on Jeff Harris (1-1, 1.69 ERA). In Harris' last game, he pitched 7 innings against the Rangers and gave up just one earned run. It seems like the Yanks always struggle some against the opposing rookie pitchers. Let's hope this is not the case. Game time 10:05pm ET.
A-Rod contributed with a home run of his own, going 2 for 3 with a walk. He left the game in the 9th inning with tightness in the groin. The injury could have happened earlier in the game while fielding a ball, but A-Rod stayed in there til the 9th. Hopefully it is nothing serious.
The Moose only lasted three innings. He was hammered for four runs in six hits. He also gave up four walks. It was this time last year that Mussina was untouchable. Lets hope he makes the turn for the month of September. Is it me, or does he have a problem pitching in the stretch?
Aaron Small came into the game in relief of Mussina and was able to quickly quiet the Seattle bats. He pitched four very effective innings only giving up one hit. Gordon and Rivera were able to finish the game with Rivera picking up his 34th save.
I know it is kind of early, but when you are talking about team MVP, you have to look at what Small has done this year. I can't imagine where we would be without him. Most likely we would still have Wayne Franklin on the roster.
Tonight another Yankee savior is on the mound as Shawn Chacon (4-8, 3.28 ERA or 3-1, 1.80 ERA as a Yankee) takes on Jeff Harris (1-1, 1.69 ERA). In Harris' last game, he pitched 7 innings against the Rangers and gave up just one earned run. It seems like the Yanks always struggle some against the opposing rookie pitchers. Let's hope this is not the case. Game time 10:05pm ET.
08/30: Jeter's D
Posted by: Patrick
Speaking of Jeter, his defense is being talked about by Alex Belth and Steve Lombardi, who makes a few good points.
Anyone who calls Jeter a terrible SS is crazy. That's just unfathomable. I mean, I could see how you could say he's not the best or he's not top 5 (even though that I don't really see), but a terrible shortstop? No way.
I've always felt that most criticisms of Jeter were either ill founded or nitpicking. This is a great, special player that we, as Yankees fans, are lucky to have. He's a very complete player. Does complete mean having the best of everything? No, it just means you do everything relatively well or better and Jeter does. On defense, he's a surehanded defender with good range and a great arm. He is capable of making any type of play - ground balls, line drives and he's, what, the best in the game on popups? To me, all facets of defense considered, he's a great defensive shortstop. Not even talking about what he does with the bat or on the basepaths (where plenty would say he's the best baserunner in the game).
Mr. Lombardi sums it up nicely here:
Last year, Rob Neyer of ESPN.comn called Jeter a "terrible" SS - twice in the span of days, once in print in his column and once in an ESPN News interview.
I never understood the "terrible" label. ...
Further, in Baseball America's recent 2005 Best Tools Survey, League Managers selected Derek Jeter as the AL's "Best Defensive SS" - ahead of Miggy Tejada (at # 2) and Michael Young (at # 3).
I never understood the "terrible" label. ...
Further, in Baseball America's recent 2005 Best Tools Survey, League Managers selected Derek Jeter as the AL's "Best Defensive SS" - ahead of Miggy Tejada (at # 2) and Michael Young (at # 3).
Anyone who calls Jeter a terrible SS is crazy. That's just unfathomable. I mean, I could see how you could say he's not the best or he's not top 5 (even though that I don't really see), but a terrible shortstop? No way.
I've always felt that most criticisms of Jeter were either ill founded or nitpicking. This is a great, special player that we, as Yankees fans, are lucky to have. He's a very complete player. Does complete mean having the best of everything? No, it just means you do everything relatively well or better and Jeter does. On defense, he's a surehanded defender with good range and a great arm. He is capable of making any type of play - ground balls, line drives and he's, what, the best in the game on popups? To me, all facets of defense considered, he's a great defensive shortstop. Not even talking about what he does with the bat or on the basepaths (where plenty would say he's the best baserunner in the game).
Mr. Lombardi sums it up nicely here:
As a Yankees fan, at no point in time, over the last several seasons, has a ball been hit to Jeter at SS where I thought "Oh, no, why did you hit it to him?" - - the way one would think when balls were hit to the Jose Offerman or Wil Cordero types (when they were trying to play SS).
In fact, when a grounder is hit to Jeter, within normal range, my gut reaction and expectation is "that's an out." I have no fear whatsoever on a groundball to Jeter.
In fact, when a grounder is hit to Jeter, within normal range, my gut reaction and expectation is "that's an out." I have no fear whatsoever on a groundball to Jeter.
Posted by: Patrick
Steve Lombardi has a theory.
Because of The Rolling Stones concert at Fenway, they had to bring in 40,000 square feet of sod from... New Jersey. Which also happens to be the birthplace of one D. Jeter.
Edit: Updated as Mr. Lombardi updated his entry.
Because of The Rolling Stones concert at Fenway, they had to bring in 40,000 square feet of sod from... New Jersey. Which also happens to be the birthplace of one D. Jeter.
If that's not begging for a new curse, nothin' is. Look for the Red Sox to now lose 12 of their remaining 22 home games this season - starting tonight.
Edit: Updated as Mr. Lombardi updated his entry.
Posted by: Patrick
Mark Bellhorn will sign with the Yankees on Tuesday.
"The Yankees seemed interested," said Bellhorn, speaking from the airport in Phoenix, on his way to Seattle, where he will sign a contract on Tuesday. "The Yankees are one of the most well-known franchises in all of sports. Not everybody gets to play for them."
Bellhorn will likely fill the role of a utility infielder, which will probably result in Felix Escalona heading back to the Minors until rosters expand on Thursday.
"I'll do whatever they need me to do," Bellhorn said. "I can play a lot of positions, I can pinch-run, pinch-hit -- whatever they need from me."
Bellhorn will likely fill the role of a utility infielder, which will probably result in Felix Escalona heading back to the Minors until rosters expand on Thursday.
"I'll do whatever they need me to do," Bellhorn said. "I can play a lot of positions, I can pinch-run, pinch-hit -- whatever they need from me."
Posted by: Patrick
New Yankee Matt Lawton appears to have needed all of that in his first game as a Yankee. He borrowed Sheffield's glove, Bernie's cleats and bats belonging to both Giambi (0-3) and Cano (1-1).
Edit: Sorry for the duplicate.
Via Brian MacMillan.
"I was in the cage and I showed him my bat," said Cano, who did not ask for the bat back. "I said, 'If you want to, use one of my bats; I know that you didn't bring any of your equipment.' "
Lawton's gear arrived in time for yesterday's game, but he continued to use Cano's bat for good luck.
"I'm definitely going to keep the bat," Lawton said.
Lawton's gear arrived in time for yesterday's game, but he continued to use Cano's bat for good luck.
"I'm definitely going to keep the bat," Lawton said.
Edit: Sorry for the duplicate.
Via Brian MacMillan.
Posted by: Michael
Jason Giambi's bat had grown stone cold going 4-38 leading into Sunday. It turned out to be a brand new day as Giambi was able to hit two home runs and tie his career best at 7 RBI's for the day. Also, with the first homer, Giambi was able to obtain his 1000 career RBI. The second, increased his career hit tally to 1500. Very impressive, and I have to admit, something I didn't think was obtainable earlier in the year.
Al Leiter pitched another spectacular game for the Yankees. In six innings pitched he gave up only two hits, six strikeouts, and only four walks. Walking batters has been his weakness, and it was obvious today he had his game on. Leiter has gone 4-3 since he has joined the Yanks.
The Yankees now have a 1/2 game lead in the wild card, and are just 1 1/2 games behind Boston in the AL East. Derek Jeter adds his perspective of the divisional and wild card chase:
Tomorrow night the Yankees go on the road and travel to Seattle to take on the Mariners. The Yankees Mike Mussina (12-8, 4.21 ERA) takes on Ryan Franklin (6-14, 5.29 ERA) at Safeco Field. Game time 10:05pm ET. Let's hope the Moose rebounds from his disasterous fifth inning from his previous outing.
Al Leiter pitched another spectacular game for the Yankees. In six innings pitched he gave up only two hits, six strikeouts, and only four walks. Walking batters has been his weakness, and it was obvious today he had his game on. Leiter has gone 4-3 since he has joined the Yanks.
The Yankees now have a 1/2 game lead in the wild card, and are just 1 1/2 games behind Boston in the AL East. Derek Jeter adds his perspective of the divisional and wild card chase:
"Our fans don't want to see us win the Wild Card," Derek Jeter said. "They want to see us win the division."
Tomorrow night the Yankees go on the road and travel to Seattle to take on the Mariners. The Yankees Mike Mussina (12-8, 4.21 ERA) takes on Ryan Franklin (6-14, 5.29 ERA) at Safeco Field. Game time 10:05pm ET. Let's hope the Moose rebounds from his disasterous fifth inning from his previous outing.
