07/07: Yanks Sign Erubiel Durazo?
Posted by: Patrick
That's what Notimex (on Yahoo! Deportes) appears to be reporting. He has been playing for the Monterrey Sultans in the Mexican League. From their official site (translated through Babelfish):
Durazo, 33, last played in the majors in 2005 when he played in 41 games for the Oakland A's. He's a lifetime .281 hitter with a .381 OBA. In his finest season, 2004, he hit .321 with a .396 OBA, 22 home runs and 88 RBI in 142 games.
Via WasWatching.com via Dan LaTorraca.
From this date, Erubiel Durazo goes to form part of Yankees of New York, this thanks to narrow relation that exists with this organization binds wholesaler, since they are requiring a left-handed batter and the Club of Baseball Sultanes de Monterrey offers to this opportunity of overcoming to Durazo, facilitating the contract and yielding its rights to the New Yorkers, who will locate it in principle, in AAA.
Durazo, 33, last played in the majors in 2005 when he played in 41 games for the Oakland A's. He's a lifetime .281 hitter with a .381 OBA. In his finest season, 2004, he hit .321 with a .396 OBA, 22 home runs and 88 RBI in 142 games.
Via WasWatching.com via Dan LaTorraca.
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham points out that there are five people participating in today's Old Timers' Game that are younger than Clemens.
They are Rich Monteleone, Jim Leyritz, Scott Brosius, Homer Bush and Paul O’Neill.
They are Rich Monteleone, Jim Leyritz, Scott Brosius, Homer Bush and Paul O’Neill.
Posted by: David
The Yankees beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Friday night 14-9. The contest was the start of a weekend series in the Bronx, the last games to be played prior to the All-Star Break.
The Yankees jumped out to an early lead but Andy Pettitte was ineffective and gave it right back. The Yankees had a huge inning early scoring six times to be leading 8-3 and then added another run to increase the lead to 9-3. The Angels came back against Pettitte and hit him hard and tied the score in the sixth at 9. Edwar Ramirez relieved Pettitte and almost got out of the inning with the lead but surrendered a two run single to Chone Figgins to tie the game.
The Yankees came right back and scored three with two of the runs coming on a homer from A-Rod to take the lead back for good at 12-9. For A-Rod, it was his MLB leading 29th homer and his RBI total increased to 82. His sore hammy was tested all night both offensively and defensively and he came through with flying colors.
The Yankees were able to add two more runs late and finished the game by winning 14-9. Scott Proctor was effective with both his fastball and curve by being able to get strikeouts when he needed them.
Today's game will be played after the perennial Old Timers Day game and will pit John Lackey vs. Roger Clemens.
The Yankees jumped out to an early lead but Andy Pettitte was ineffective and gave it right back. The Yankees had a huge inning early scoring six times to be leading 8-3 and then added another run to increase the lead to 9-3. The Angels came back against Pettitte and hit him hard and tied the score in the sixth at 9. Edwar Ramirez relieved Pettitte and almost got out of the inning with the lead but surrendered a two run single to Chone Figgins to tie the game.
The Yankees came right back and scored three with two of the runs coming on a homer from A-Rod to take the lead back for good at 12-9. For A-Rod, it was his MLB leading 29th homer and his RBI total increased to 82. His sore hammy was tested all night both offensively and defensively and he came through with flying colors.
The Yankees were able to add two more runs late and finished the game by winning 14-9. Scott Proctor was effective with both his fastball and curve by being able to get strikeouts when he needed them.
Today's game will be played after the perennial Old Timers Day game and will pit John Lackey vs. Roger Clemens.
07/06: Runelvys Released
Posted by: Patrick
The Times-Tribune reports that we've released Runelvys Hernandez who was signed on June 6.
Via Steve.
Via Steve.
Posted by: James
The biggest story of the day actually seemed to happen before the game ever started. The starting line-ups were posted and A-Rod wasn't on it. They sat him today and he went and got an MRI (it came back normal) and apparently, he's starting tomorrow. I'm of the mindset that he definitely should not have started the game right after he strained it - that was just dumb. Joe had already put in his house money lineup and losing A-Rod for that one game probably wouldn't have mattered.
In any case, today's game showcased one thing; whatever it was that Kei Igawa learned in the minors, he has forgotten it already. He started the game by giving up the following: walk, single and another single. The only out so far came at second when Melky threw out Michael Cuddyer at second. Another single from Justin Morneau plated another run before Kei worked out of further trouble but even before the Yankees had gotten some ABs, they were already down 2-0.
That didn't last long however as Twins starter Kevin Slowey lost it in the second. After getting two quick outs, he gave up a homer to Robbie Cano, a double to Andy Phillips, a double to Miggy Cairo, walked Johnny Damon and then Melky took him deep for a three run home run. 5-2 Yankees. Just in case it has escaped anyone's notice, Melky has very quietly taken his average back over .270 and gotten his OPS up over .710. It's not a super impressive line right now but considering how low he started the season, it's a pretty impressive (and consistent) run to get back to a decent line.
At that point, most Yankees fans might have felt comfortable with the lead... and they would have been wrong. Igawa pitched into and out of trouble in the third but ended up giving up the lead in the fourth. He gave up a lead-off double but got the next two guys out... and then lost it. A walk to Nick Punto (NICK PUNTO! He of the .205 average) followed by a double by Jason Bartlett and a single by SI poster boy Joe Mauer tied the game up. 5-5.
It would remain that way until the bottom of the eighth. That's not to say that the Yankees didn't have their chances until then - they just didn't capitalize on them. The team actually ended up with a total 10 men left on base. In any case, in the eighth, Pat Neshek came in and sat down both Johnny Damon and El Leche on strikes before walking Derek Jeter. Up came Hideki Matsui who had been 1-4 for the day and deposited a 3-1 pitch deep in the bleachers to put the Yankees up 8-6 (and get his OPS back up over .800).
While all this was going on, the Yankees pen actually did a very good job in keeping the Twins at bay. Vizcaino, Proctor and Farnsworth all pitched an inning and Proctor was the only one who walked a man. Farnsworth even pitched an inning where he didn't put the leadoff man on base (wonder of wonders). In the ninth, it was Rivera time and while Mo made it interesting by giving up a run and allowing the tying run to reach second, he struck out Michael Cuddyer to end the game and get the Yankees back to two games under .500. A sweep of the Angels to go to the break over .500 sure would be nice, huh? It won't be easy - Colon vs. Pettitte and Santana vs. Wang are certainly doable provided the offense shows up but it'll be the middle game, a Lackey vs. Clemens match-up, that could be a beaut.
In any case, today's game showcased one thing; whatever it was that Kei Igawa learned in the minors, he has forgotten it already. He started the game by giving up the following: walk, single and another single. The only out so far came at second when Melky threw out Michael Cuddyer at second. Another single from Justin Morneau plated another run before Kei worked out of further trouble but even before the Yankees had gotten some ABs, they were already down 2-0.
That didn't last long however as Twins starter Kevin Slowey lost it in the second. After getting two quick outs, he gave up a homer to Robbie Cano, a double to Andy Phillips, a double to Miggy Cairo, walked Johnny Damon and then Melky took him deep for a three run home run. 5-2 Yankees. Just in case it has escaped anyone's notice, Melky has very quietly taken his average back over .270 and gotten his OPS up over .710. It's not a super impressive line right now but considering how low he started the season, it's a pretty impressive (and consistent) run to get back to a decent line.
At that point, most Yankees fans might have felt comfortable with the lead... and they would have been wrong. Igawa pitched into and out of trouble in the third but ended up giving up the lead in the fourth. He gave up a lead-off double but got the next two guys out... and then lost it. A walk to Nick Punto (NICK PUNTO! He of the .205 average) followed by a double by Jason Bartlett and a single by SI poster boy Joe Mauer tied the game up. 5-5.
It would remain that way until the bottom of the eighth. That's not to say that the Yankees didn't have their chances until then - they just didn't capitalize on them. The team actually ended up with a total 10 men left on base. In any case, in the eighth, Pat Neshek came in and sat down both Johnny Damon and El Leche on strikes before walking Derek Jeter. Up came Hideki Matsui who had been 1-4 for the day and deposited a 3-1 pitch deep in the bleachers to put the Yankees up 8-6 (and get his OPS back up over .800).
While all this was going on, the Yankees pen actually did a very good job in keeping the Twins at bay. Vizcaino, Proctor and Farnsworth all pitched an inning and Proctor was the only one who walked a man. Farnsworth even pitched an inning where he didn't put the leadoff man on base (wonder of wonders). In the ninth, it was Rivera time and while Mo made it interesting by giving up a run and allowing the tying run to reach second, he struck out Michael Cuddyer to end the game and get the Yankees back to two games under .500. A sweep of the Angels to go to the break over .500 sure would be nice, huh? It won't be easy - Colon vs. Pettitte and Santana vs. Wang are certainly doable provided the offense shows up but it'll be the middle game, a Lackey vs. Clemens match-up, that could be a beaut.
Posted by: Patrick
Just a couple of notes from Peter Abraham.
Phil Hughes will make a rehab start in Tampa on Monday. A-Rod had an MRI today and it came back normal (whew). He should start tomorrow.
Phil Hughes will make a rehab start in Tampa on Monday. A-Rod had an MRI today and it came back normal (whew). He should start tomorrow.
07/05: Joba The Family Man
Posted by: James
Old story - missed it by a good two weeks or so but hey, read this story by Kevin Kernan on Joba (pronounced Jah-bah) Chamberlain, his rise to becoming (arguably) the Yankees top pitching prospect and especially his relationship with his dad Harlan.
I'd definitely recommend this. It's a rosy piece but hey, it's nice to read those some times.
A top scout from a rival organization who saw Chamberlain pitch last Sunday at Double-A Trenton was blown away, saying of the 6-foot-2, 230-pounder, “He is special, a definite top-of-the-rotation guy.” Chamberlain is 5-0 with a 1.76 ERA in Single-A Tampa and Trenton.
Chamberlain’s fastball tops out at 97. His slider is tight, with a downward tilt. His changeup is developing and he owns the physical and emotional makeup of a No. 1. Considering Joba was the 41st pick of the 2006 draft, his rise has been meteoric. After graduating Lincoln Northeast High in 2003, Joba stayed home to help pay bills. He worked city maintenance, doing everything from taking care of ball fields to cleaning bathrooms. He then made his way to University of Nebraska-Kearney, a Division II school, before going on to Nebraska, where the Yankees discovered him.
Chamberlain’s fastball tops out at 97. His slider is tight, with a downward tilt. His changeup is developing and he owns the physical and emotional makeup of a No. 1. Considering Joba was the 41st pick of the 2006 draft, his rise has been meteoric. After graduating Lincoln Northeast High in 2003, Joba stayed home to help pay bills. He worked city maintenance, doing everything from taking care of ball fields to cleaning bathrooms. He then made his way to University of Nebraska-Kearney, a Division II school, before going on to Nebraska, where the Yankees discovered him.
I'd definitely recommend this. It's a rosy piece but hey, it's nice to read those some times.
Posted by: Patrick
Brett Smith of the Trenton Thunder threw a 5 inning, 7 walk no hitter yesterday. Not exactly your garden variety no no, but worth a mention, anyway.
07/04: The Steinbrenner Trust
Posted by: Patrick
John Helyar has a feature up on ESPN.com talking about the future of the Yankees ownership.
Happy birthday to Mr. Steinbrenner, who turns 77 today.
Via Steve.
As with all else concerning the Boss' storied, stormy epoch, the transition to a new generation is filled with Sturm und Drang. The subtext to the family birthday party is family upheaval. Steve Swindal, once Steinbrenner's designated successor to run the Yankees and for now still his son-in-law, will be absent. Swindal and Jenny Steinbrenner are getting divorced, causing his dismissal from the Yankees, as well.
That's caused Steinbrenner's sons, Hank and Hal, to take more active roles with the team, which they've previously spent their lives avoiding. Both have shrunk from the spotlight of baseball and skirted the stress of working for their father in that business. Now they have no choice. There's an $800 million stadium to be built. There's an underachieving team to be re-built. There's a patriarch in decline who needs them.
That's caused Steinbrenner's sons, Hank and Hal, to take more active roles with the team, which they've previously spent their lives avoiding. Both have shrunk from the spotlight of baseball and skirted the stress of working for their father in that business. Now they have no choice. There's an $800 million stadium to be built. There's an underachieving team to be re-built. There's a patriarch in decline who needs them.
Happy birthday to Mr. Steinbrenner, who turns 77 today.
Via Steve.
07/04: Yankees Blast Twins 8-0
Posted by: Patrick
That Chien-Ming Wang, what a guy. 7 innings, 4 hits, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts, 0 runs. He's now 8-4 with a 3.58 ERA. The Yankees gave him a little support early in the bottom of the 1st in the form of a Derek Jeter grounder that scored Johnny Damon.
As Wang continued to put up zeros, they added 2 more in the 4th (a 2 run Cano homer, scoring Abreu) and then blasted the game open in the 6th with a 5 run inning, the result of small ball. Posada scored the first run of the inning on a wild pitch. Abreu, Cabrera and Jeter proceeded to string together singles, driving in the other 4 runs.
Proctor was on in the 8th, pitching a scoreless inning. Torii Hunter got himself tossed for arguing balls and strikes. Edwar Ramirez made his major league debut in the 9th and it couldn't have gone any better - he set Michael Cuddyer, Justin Morneau and Lew Ford (Hunter's replacement) down on swinging strikeouts, in order. Great to see. You can watch it at the official site.
Abreu was 3 for 3 on the night with 2 walks, 2 runs and 1 RBI. Jeter was 3 for 5 with 2 RBI and a double. The shortstop also made a gem of a leaping stab in the 7th to rob Jason Kubel of a single. Cano was 1 for 3 with his 4th homer of the year, 2 runs and 2 RBI. Cabrera was 2 for 5 with 2 RBI and 1 run. Matsui was 2 for 4 with a double and a run. Damon and Posada also scored runs. Coming off of his injury, A-Rod was 0 for 4 and was the only Yankee starter to come away hitless in this one. But he, apparently feels fine:
The Red Sox won, but the Indians beat the Tigers in 11, allowing us to gain a game in the wild card. We're now 7.5 games back. Today at 1:05 PM ET., we'll have our work cut out for us facing Johan Santana (9-6, 2.76). We'll need Moose (4-5, 4.63) to have a repeat of his last start.
As Wang continued to put up zeros, they added 2 more in the 4th (a 2 run Cano homer, scoring Abreu) and then blasted the game open in the 6th with a 5 run inning, the result of small ball. Posada scored the first run of the inning on a wild pitch. Abreu, Cabrera and Jeter proceeded to string together singles, driving in the other 4 runs.
Proctor was on in the 8th, pitching a scoreless inning. Torii Hunter got himself tossed for arguing balls and strikes. Edwar Ramirez made his major league debut in the 9th and it couldn't have gone any better - he set Michael Cuddyer, Justin Morneau and Lew Ford (Hunter's replacement) down on swinging strikeouts, in order. Great to see. You can watch it at the official site.
Abreu was 3 for 3 on the night with 2 walks, 2 runs and 1 RBI. Jeter was 3 for 5 with 2 RBI and a double. The shortstop also made a gem of a leaping stab in the 7th to rob Jason Kubel of a single. Cano was 1 for 3 with his 4th homer of the year, 2 runs and 2 RBI. Cabrera was 2 for 5 with 2 RBI and 1 run. Matsui was 2 for 4 with a double and a run. Damon and Posada also scored runs. Coming off of his injury, A-Rod was 0 for 4 and was the only Yankee starter to come away hitless in this one. But he, apparently feels fine:
The initial plan was for Rodriguez to have an MRI to determine how seriously the muscle was torn. But he declined the test after waking up.
"We caught a break," said Torre, who watched Rodriguez closely during batting practice to make sure he was able to play.
"We caught a break," said Torre, who watched Rodriguez closely during batting practice to make sure he was able to play.
The Red Sox won, but the Indians beat the Tigers in 11, allowing us to gain a game in the wild card. We're now 7.5 games back. Today at 1:05 PM ET., we'll have our work cut out for us facing Johan Santana (9-6, 2.76). We'll need Moose (4-5, 4.63) to have a repeat of his last start.
