08/16: The Solidarity of Mo
Posted by: Patrick
Mike Celizic of MSNBC has quite the complementary piece on Mo. Not that he doesn't deserve it. Hopefully MarianoRivera.com will be running a Mo for Cy/MVP campaign again this year!
Posted by: Michael
There were a lot of questions about last nights start. Did Wright deserve to take Aaron Small's place on the roster? Would he pitch better than he did at the start of the season? What was Torre thinking?
After last night's game, and if that is any indication, all the questions are answered.
Jaret Wright pitched 6 1/3 innings last night and pitched in such a way that made us remember why the Yankees signed him in the offseason. 79 pitches thrown, 5 hits with 2 runs. Very effective for a start coming after 114 on the DL and rehab.
A-Rod hit his 36th homer of the season in the fourth, and Gary Sheffield hit his 25th in the seventh providing the offensive power the Yankees need against the Devil Rays. A-Rod's homer wasn't ruled a home run until A-Rod slid into 3rd almost pulling his hamstring.
The Yankees are now 13 games over .500, and 3 1/2 games behind the Red Sox who lost last night. It was their 5th win in a row.
Let's hope Randy Johnson's back (11-7, 4.29 ERA) is in better shape tonight when he faces Doug Waechter (4-8, 5.32 ERA). Game time is 7:15pm et.
After last night's game, and if that is any indication, all the questions are answered.
Jaret Wright pitched 6 1/3 innings last night and pitched in such a way that made us remember why the Yankees signed him in the offseason. 79 pitches thrown, 5 hits with 2 runs. Very effective for a start coming after 114 on the DL and rehab.
A-Rod hit his 36th homer of the season in the fourth, and Gary Sheffield hit his 25th in the seventh providing the offensive power the Yankees need against the Devil Rays. A-Rod's homer wasn't ruled a home run until A-Rod slid into 3rd almost pulling his hamstring.
The Yankees are now 13 games over .500, and 3 1/2 games behind the Red Sox who lost last night. It was their 5th win in a row.
Let's hope Randy Johnson's back (11-7, 4.29 ERA) is in better shape tonight when he faces Doug Waechter (4-8, 5.32 ERA). Game time is 7:15pm et.
08/15: Yankees Clearing Waivers
Posted by: Patrick
Jon Heyman of Newsday has a list of Yankees who have apparently cleared waivers. This includes (as of Friday): Jorge Posada, Shawn Chacon, Tony Womack, Al Leiter, Felix Rodriguez, Wayne Franklin, Felix Escalona, Aaron Small and John Flaherty.
The article also notes that Ken Griffey, Jr. has also cleared waivers.
Via Off the Facade.
The article also notes that Ken Griffey, Jr. has also cleared waivers.
Via Off the Facade.
Posted by: Patrick
Stadium May Get Star Sendoff:
Would be neat. Of course, a more exciting send off would be the 2008 World Series...
Via Off the Facade.
With the Yankees set to move into a new Yankee Stadium in 2009, MLB officials have formulated an exciting send-off for the current Yankee Stadium: the 2008 All-Star Game.
According to people involved on both sides of the situation, MLB has discussed with the Yankees the possibility of the Stadium hosting the All-Star Game for the fourth time, and first since 1977.
"There have been talks about it being a way to honor the last year of the stadium," a source said.
According to people involved on both sides of the situation, MLB has discussed with the Yankees the possibility of the Stadium hosting the All-Star Game for the fourth time, and first since 1977.
"There have been talks about it being a way to honor the last year of the stadium," a source said.
Would be neat. Of course, a more exciting send off would be the 2008 World Series...
Via Off the Facade.
Posted by: Michael
Shawn Chacon has been pitching brilliantly for the Yankees. It was just deserved that he got his first win in Pinstripes today as the Yankees swept the Texas Rangers by winning 10-3. He was pulled after 5 innings of work due to a lengthy rain delay. At that point it was 7-3 thanks in part to Hideki Matsui's 5th inning 3-run home run into the right field stands.
Chacon gave up 3 runs and 7 hits in the time he pitched. It's obvious he is very happy to be a Yankee, and especially glad that he is pitching in New York and not Colorado.
It's interesting to note that if the game was close, Torre actually was thinking of using Randy Johnson as the closer for the day.
A-Rod also homered in the game for his 35th of the season. Bernie Williams kept his bat hot by bringing in two runs (3 straight games in doing so).
Tomorrow night Jaret Wright (2-2, 9.15 ERA) takes the mound (first time since April 23rd) down in Tampa vs. Casey Fossum (6-9, 4.47 ERA). Game time at 7:15pm et at Tropicana Field.
Chacon gave up 3 runs and 7 hits in the time he pitched. It's obvious he is very happy to be a Yankee, and especially glad that he is pitching in New York and not Colorado.
"Coming to the Yankees, you don't want to fail, you don't want to be the weak link," Chacon said. "Having a chance to pitch in a real baseball stadium, where games are actually played in a real kind of way, you learn how to pitch. You don't have to pitch to the stadium."
It's interesting to note that if the game was close, Torre actually was thinking of using Randy Johnson as the closer for the day.
A-Rod also homered in the game for his 35th of the season. Bernie Williams kept his bat hot by bringing in two runs (3 straight games in doing so).
Tomorrow night Jaret Wright (2-2, 9.15 ERA) takes the mound (first time since April 23rd) down in Tampa vs. Casey Fossum (6-9, 4.47 ERA). Game time at 7:15pm et at Tropicana Field.
Posted by: Patrick
The Yankees got off to a quick lead with 2 runs in the 1st (A-Rod singles in Jeter and Godzilla singles in Cano) and another 2 in the 3rd (back to back solo shots by Sheff and A-Rod).
Moose was solid in his 7 and 1/3 innings of work, allowing 3 ER on 6 hits and 0 walks before being lifted for Flash Gordon in the 8th. Flash yielded 0 runs in just 2/3 innings of work (for all of the huzzah about his struggles, his ERA is still just 2.85). This gave the Yankees a 5-3 lead going into the 9th.
Mo relieved Gordon. And then, it happened, as we all knew it would have to eventually - Mariano blew his first save since the second game of the season. Ah, well. No fun. But, it had to end, of course. This has been said many times, so I am simply repeating it... but the thing that has made Mo possibly the most dominant relievers in the history of the game, instead of a just a great one, is how he bounces back. It's not because he is some sort of unhittable robot that people used to make him out to be. His mental game is why he is possibly the greatest, instead of just a great one.
Anyway, the inning started off well enough, with Mo retiring Teixeira. But then Blalock singled. And Soriano singled. As is often the case when Mo blows a save (he walks or hits someone) he hit Phil Nevin with a pitch to load the bases with 1 out. He was then able to get Gary Matthews, Jr. to ground into a fielders choice with the runner being out at home. Unfortunately, Kevin Mench would come up and hit a single to left which would allow 2 runs to score and break Mo's streak of 31 consecutive saves, while bumping his ERA up to 1.33. Where would we be without Mo's solidarity in an otherwise shaky year for our staff?
He retired Sandy Alomar, Jr. to end the inning. And followed this by pitching a scoreless top of the 10th against the top of the Rangers order (illustrating a bit of that mental toughness to come back out after blowing the save).
The Yankees would be held scoreless in the bottom of the 9th and the bottom of the 10th. Aaron Small would relieve Mo in the top of the 11th and pitch a scoreless inning, thanks to a phenomenal play down the 3rd base line by A-Rod that saved a run and ended the inning.
The bottom of the 11th rolled around with Tino Martinez, Bernie Williams and John Flaherty due up (combined batting average: approximately .240). Tino singled to lead off the inning. And then Bernie blasts a homer to deep right - a walk off homer - to hand the Yankees a victory. Win or lose, playoffs or not, these are moments to watch and enjoy.
Small's record improved to 4-0 with his ERA dropping to 2.57. The leaders on offense included Bernie (2 for 5, HR, 2 RBI), Sheff (2 for 4, HR, 2 RBI), A-Rod (2 for 5, HR, 2 RBI) and Cano (2 for 5, 2 R). The 9th spot (Womack) was the only spot to fail to get a hit.
The Angels trounced the Mariners and the Athletics beat the Twins, so there was no ground to gain in the Wild Card. Boston's up 1-0 in the 2nd as I write this. Tomorrow at 1 PM Eastern we'll have Shawn Chacon (0-1 ... with a 1.35 ERA as a Yankee?!?! Get this man some run support!) against Joaquin Benoit (3-1, 3.14).
Moose was solid in his 7 and 1/3 innings of work, allowing 3 ER on 6 hits and 0 walks before being lifted for Flash Gordon in the 8th. Flash yielded 0 runs in just 2/3 innings of work (for all of the huzzah about his struggles, his ERA is still just 2.85). This gave the Yankees a 5-3 lead going into the 9th.
Mo relieved Gordon. And then, it happened, as we all knew it would have to eventually - Mariano blew his first save since the second game of the season. Ah, well. No fun. But, it had to end, of course. This has been said many times, so I am simply repeating it... but the thing that has made Mo possibly the most dominant relievers in the history of the game, instead of a just a great one, is how he bounces back. It's not because he is some sort of unhittable robot that people used to make him out to be. His mental game is why he is possibly the greatest, instead of just a great one.
Anyway, the inning started off well enough, with Mo retiring Teixeira. But then Blalock singled. And Soriano singled. As is often the case when Mo blows a save (he walks or hits someone) he hit Phil Nevin with a pitch to load the bases with 1 out. He was then able to get Gary Matthews, Jr. to ground into a fielders choice with the runner being out at home. Unfortunately, Kevin Mench would come up and hit a single to left which would allow 2 runs to score and break Mo's streak of 31 consecutive saves, while bumping his ERA up to 1.33. Where would we be without Mo's solidarity in an otherwise shaky year for our staff?
He retired Sandy Alomar, Jr. to end the inning. And followed this by pitching a scoreless top of the 10th against the top of the Rangers order (illustrating a bit of that mental toughness to come back out after blowing the save).
The Yankees would be held scoreless in the bottom of the 9th and the bottom of the 10th. Aaron Small would relieve Mo in the top of the 11th and pitch a scoreless inning, thanks to a phenomenal play down the 3rd base line by A-Rod that saved a run and ended the inning.
The bottom of the 11th rolled around with Tino Martinez, Bernie Williams and John Flaherty due up (combined batting average: approximately .240). Tino singled to lead off the inning. And then Bernie blasts a homer to deep right - a walk off homer - to hand the Yankees a victory. Win or lose, playoffs or not, these are moments to watch and enjoy.
Small's record improved to 4-0 with his ERA dropping to 2.57. The leaders on offense included Bernie (2 for 5, HR, 2 RBI), Sheff (2 for 4, HR, 2 RBI), A-Rod (2 for 5, HR, 2 RBI) and Cano (2 for 5, 2 R). The 9th spot (Womack) was the only spot to fail to get a hit.
The Angels trounced the Mariners and the Athletics beat the Twins, so there was no ground to gain in the Wild Card. Boston's up 1-0 in the 2nd as I write this. Tomorrow at 1 PM Eastern we'll have Shawn Chacon (0-1 ... with a 1.35 ERA as a Yankee?!?! Get this man some run support!) against Joaquin Benoit (3-1, 3.14).
Posted by: Patrick
All 11 runs were scored in the first 4 innings. The last 5 (4 and 1/2, actually) innings yielded 0 runs as both bullpens did their respective jobs. All 5 Texas runs were scored off of Al Leiter (only 3 of them were earned) who lasted 5 innings. Felix Rodriguez (1 and 1/3), Wayne Franklin (2/3), Shawn Chacon (1) and Tanyon Sturtze (1) combined to allow 2 hits, 1 walk and 0 runs in the final 4 innings.
Every lineup spot reached base while only one (3rd, Sheffield) failed to get a hit. Matsui was 3 for 4 with 1 run while Cano and Tino (1 run, 1 RBI) each had 2 hit days. Bernie hit home run number 8 and was the only Yankee to reach 2 RBI while D. Jeter blasted number 14. Posada and Womack accounted for the other RBIs with A-Rod and Posada each scoring a run of their own, as well.
Sturtze finished the game with a 1-2-3 ninth (Mark Teixeira, Phil Nevin, Alfonso Soriano). We're only 3.5 games back in the wild card standings. Today it'll be Moose against Juan Dominguez (0-2, 5.11).
Every lineup spot reached base while only one (3rd, Sheffield) failed to get a hit. Matsui was 3 for 4 with 1 run while Cano and Tino (1 run, 1 RBI) each had 2 hit days. Bernie hit home run number 8 and was the only Yankee to reach 2 RBI while D. Jeter blasted number 14. Posada and Womack accounted for the other RBIs with A-Rod and Posada each scoring a run of their own, as well.
Sturtze finished the game with a 1-2-3 ninth (Mark Teixeira, Phil Nevin, Alfonso Soriano). We're only 3.5 games back in the wild card standings. Today it'll be Moose against Juan Dominguez (0-2, 5.11).
08/12: Wright, Small and Leiter
Posted by: Patrick
Steve Lombardi has a piece up on why Wright for Small is actually a good thing for the Yankees pitching staff.
Despite what I said previously, it does seem to make sense.
Joe, you old genius you!
:)
First, Wright's not built for the pen. His arm condition does not probably lend towards warming up quickly, pitching days in a row, warming up and not throwing in the game, etc.
Secondly, while it would make sense to keep Small in the rotation, with Wright, and then move out Leiter, this does not help the team as Leiter, with his control issues, is not someone that you want coming out of the pen.
Lastly, Aaron Small can pitch out of the pen. In fact, in his best major league season, 1997, he was the number two man out of the pen for the Oakland A's.
Secondly, while it would make sense to keep Small in the rotation, with Wright, and then move out Leiter, this does not help the team as Leiter, with his control issues, is not someone that you want coming out of the pen.
Lastly, Aaron Small can pitch out of the pen. In fact, in his best major league season, 1997, he was the number two man out of the pen for the Oakland A's.
Despite what I said previously, it does seem to make sense.
Joe, you old genius you!
:)
Posted by: Michael
Former Yankee David Dellucci was the thorn in our paw this evening. Going 4-4 with 2 HR leading into the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded. It was clearly obvious that Tom Gordon didn't have his "Game-On" face. The Yanks lead was down to just one run. What's a team to do? Call in the Sandman.
Mo Rivera forced himself into the game to perserve the lead by making Dellucci pop up to Jorge Posada to end the eighth, and to go on and get the save. It's exciting to know that Rivera has this much confidence in himself to want to be called in the game.
Scott Proctor did a good job in taking the emergency start since Randy Johnson is nursing his bad back. He pitched 5 innings and gave up just 3 runs. It was the bullpen that once again bombed by allowing the Rangers to get back into the game. Tanyon Sturtze is clearly struggling now, and has been since his emergency start back last month. He gave up a three run shot to Michael Young to tie the game.
Derek Jeter provided the 1 run lead in the bottom of the seventh when he launched his 13th homer of the season.
Tonight Al "Lots of Experience will win me my job regardless of how I pitch" Leiter (5-10, 6.17 ERA) takes on Chris Young (9-7, 4.67 ERA) of the Rangers. Game time is 7:05pm et at the Stadium.
Mo Rivera forced himself into the game to perserve the lead by making Dellucci pop up to Jorge Posada to end the eighth, and to go on and get the save. It's exciting to know that Rivera has this much confidence in himself to want to be called in the game.
Scott Proctor did a good job in taking the emergency start since Randy Johnson is nursing his bad back. He pitched 5 innings and gave up just 3 runs. It was the bullpen that once again bombed by allowing the Rangers to get back into the game. Tanyon Sturtze is clearly struggling now, and has been since his emergency start back last month. He gave up a three run shot to Michael Young to tie the game.
Derek Jeter provided the 1 run lead in the bottom of the seventh when he launched his 13th homer of the season.
Tonight Al "Lots of Experience will win me my job regardless of how I pitch" Leiter (5-10, 6.17 ERA) takes on Chris Young (9-7, 4.67 ERA) of the Rangers. Game time is 7:05pm et at the Stadium.
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees lost their second straight 2-1 game yesterday as the fans got to see another great pitchers' duel, this time between Aaron Small and Freddy Garcia. Both gave up one run each, and the score was still tied at 1 after 9. The White Sox scored in the 10th after Juan Uribe launched a triple to right centerfield and came to score on a close play at the plate on a ground ball to second by Scott Podsednik.
The loss puts the Yankees 5.5 games behind the Red Sox and they are also 4.5 out of the wild card after the A's defeated the Angels late last night. It does seem like a lot of ground for them to have to make up, but at least on the brightside there are 50 games left and the Yankees have six games remaining against Boston and three against the A's.
The Yankees claimed Jamie Moyer off waivers to fill in today's hole in the rotation, but Moyer used his 10/5 rights and declined to report to the Bronx, so he is still in Seattle and Scott Proctor will start tonight. He will face John Wasdin to open up a four-game set against Texas. I think it's important that we take at least 3 out of 4 from this series. We can't continue to lose ground on the Red Sox and the teams at the top of the AL West.
The loss puts the Yankees 5.5 games behind the Red Sox and they are also 4.5 out of the wild card after the A's defeated the Angels late last night. It does seem like a lot of ground for them to have to make up, but at least on the brightside there are 50 games left and the Yankees have six games remaining against Boston and three against the A's.
The Yankees claimed Jamie Moyer off waivers to fill in today's hole in the rotation, but Moyer used his 10/5 rights and declined to report to the Bronx, so he is still in Seattle and Scott Proctor will start tonight. He will face John Wasdin to open up a four-game set against Texas. I think it's important that we take at least 3 out of 4 from this series. We can't continue to lose ground on the Red Sox and the teams at the top of the AL West.
