Posted by: Patrick
Chad Jennings reports that Shelley Duncan appears to be headed to surgery to repair his injured right shoulder. Duncan told Jennings that it's "not for certain" that the injury will take him out of play for the entire season.
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham reports that the Yankees have added a pair of prospects from Venezuela to their list of international signees: catcher Jackson Valera and outfielder Ramon Flores.
Posted by: Patrick
OK, so the holiday isn't actually ruined. I had a great lunch, spent time with the family, got some work done. But, it would have been a bit better had the Yankees won and Johnny Damon not been injured.
Let's tackle the game. The Sox won 6-4. The scoring was done in 4 frames, 3 times coming in 3's. The Red Sox scored 3 in the 3rd and the 5th. The Yankees scored 3 in the 1st. And then added 1 in the 9th.
The game started on the right note for us. If you score 3 runs in the first inning off Josh Beckett, things are looking good. A-Rod drove in Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu with an RBI double and, on the throw in, he advanced to third, setting up a Jason Giambi sac fly.
Damon wouldn't see much more action as he was injured attempting a leaping catch at the wall. He got the ball in his glove, but dropped it and went down. He left the game and Peter Abraham reported that he had an MRI and has a sprained AC joint (shoulder). He's day to day.
The first inning was an indication of what the rest of the game would not be like, as the Red Sox pitchers (Beckett for 6, Hideki Okajima for 2/3, Manny Delcarmen for 2/3, Javier Lopez for 2/3 and Jonathan Papelbon for 1) help the Yankees to exactly 0 runs on 2 hits for the next 7 innings. We'll get to the ninth in a sec.
The Red Sox got all of their runs off of Rasner, who lasted 5 innings, allowing 10 hits and 3 walks. The newly promoted Billy Traber pitched a scoreless inning, as did Jose Veras (whose ERA is now down to 2.63).
Farnsworth came out to pitch the 8th and faced one batter, Julio Lugo, who was safe on an error by A-Rod. And then the game was delayed, thanks to the persistent rain. By the time play was resumed, Farnsworth wasn't going back out. Edwar Ramirez entered and pitched beautifully, pitching 2 scoreless and striking out 3 while allowing no hits or walks.
The Yankees did make a 2 out run in the ninth, but it was too little, too late. Melky led off by fouling out to the catcher and Wilson Betemit flied out to center. Brett Gardner, in for the injured Damon, walked and Derek Jeter came up and doubled him home to bring the game within one swing of a tie. Unfortunately, it would end there, as Bobby Abreu flew out to center.
Tomorrow, Mike Mussina (10-6, 3.87 ERA) goes against Justin Masterson (4-2, 3.75) at 3:55 PM ET.
Let's tackle the game. The Sox won 6-4. The scoring was done in 4 frames, 3 times coming in 3's. The Red Sox scored 3 in the 3rd and the 5th. The Yankees scored 3 in the 1st. And then added 1 in the 9th.
The game started on the right note for us. If you score 3 runs in the first inning off Josh Beckett, things are looking good. A-Rod drove in Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu with an RBI double and, on the throw in, he advanced to third, setting up a Jason Giambi sac fly.
Damon wouldn't see much more action as he was injured attempting a leaping catch at the wall. He got the ball in his glove, but dropped it and went down. He left the game and Peter Abraham reported that he had an MRI and has a sprained AC joint (shoulder). He's day to day.
The first inning was an indication of what the rest of the game would not be like, as the Red Sox pitchers (Beckett for 6, Hideki Okajima for 2/3, Manny Delcarmen for 2/3, Javier Lopez for 2/3 and Jonathan Papelbon for 1) help the Yankees to exactly 0 runs on 2 hits for the next 7 innings. We'll get to the ninth in a sec.
The Red Sox got all of their runs off of Rasner, who lasted 5 innings, allowing 10 hits and 3 walks. The newly promoted Billy Traber pitched a scoreless inning, as did Jose Veras (whose ERA is now down to 2.63).
Farnsworth came out to pitch the 8th and faced one batter, Julio Lugo, who was safe on an error by A-Rod. And then the game was delayed, thanks to the persistent rain. By the time play was resumed, Farnsworth wasn't going back out. Edwar Ramirez entered and pitched beautifully, pitching 2 scoreless and striking out 3 while allowing no hits or walks.
The Yankees did make a 2 out run in the ninth, but it was too little, too late. Melky led off by fouling out to the catcher and Wilson Betemit flied out to center. Brett Gardner, in for the injured Damon, walked and Derek Jeter came up and doubled him home to bring the game within one swing of a tie. Unfortunately, it would end there, as Bobby Abreu flew out to center.
Tomorrow, Mike Mussina (10-6, 3.87 ERA) goes against Justin Masterson (4-2, 3.75) at 3:55 PM ET.
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham's game thread for today features a few transactions as well as some news on sume injured Yanks. To summarize:
Before today's game, Billy Traber was called back up and Alberto Gonzalez was sent down. Brian Bruney began his regan assignment, throwing two innings and allowing one run on two hits.
Phil Hughes threw 90 feet off flat ground and, if all goes well, will throw off of a mount within the next couple of weeks. Finally, Ben Broussard is back with Scranton, filling in for the injured Shelley Duncan.
Before today's game, Billy Traber was called back up and Alberto Gonzalez was sent down. Brian Bruney began his regan assignment, throwing two innings and allowing one run on two hits.
Phil Hughes threw 90 feet off flat ground and, if all goes well, will throw off of a mount within the next couple of weeks. Finally, Ben Broussard is back with Scranton, filling in for the injured Shelley Duncan.
Posted by: Patrick
Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com has a long interview with Hal Steinbrenner, covering a myriad of issues.
Despite the team's success in recent years -- 13 consecutive trips to the playoffs, four World Series titles and six American League pennants since 1996 -- huge revenue sharing payments have resulted in the team failing to turn a profit, Steinbrenner said. Much of this occurred because his dad insisted upon pouring revenue back into the team.
"It's frustrating," Steinbrenner said. "People don't realize that for the last 10 years, even when we were winning all these championships, we were not making a profit. People were thinking that we were stockpiling money left and right and that's not the way it is. We won in '96 and lost money. In '98 we came close to breaking even; we made a little bit in some sense. There are things that we are trying to do that will at least get the team back to an even baseline. We have been successful, though, in utilizing the Yankee brand to initiate other businesses like the YES Network."
"It's frustrating," Steinbrenner said. "People don't realize that for the last 10 years, even when we were winning all these championships, we were not making a profit. People were thinking that we were stockpiling money left and right and that's not the way it is. We won in '96 and lost money. In '98 we came close to breaking even; we made a little bit in some sense. There are things that we are trying to do that will at least get the team back to an even baseline. We have been successful, though, in utilizing the Yankee brand to initiate other businesses like the YES Network."
Posted by: Seamus
Sidney Ponson did not have his best stuff against his former team, and it looked for a little while the Yankees might waste a good offensive performance after wasting three straight good pitching performances. The Yankees' offense did more than enough and then some, though, as they bounced back from a 7-6 defecit in the 7th and exploded for an 18-7 victory. The Red Sox lost, meaning the Yankees will enter their four-game set tonight with Boston only four games behind them in the wild card chase.
The Yankees scored more than twice as many runs last night as they did in the previous four games combined. It wasn't looking good at first for the Yankees, as they fell behind 3-1 early, but a grand slam by Jason Giambi in the bottom of the 3rd put the Yanks ahead by a score of 5-3. A bases loaded walk by Posada in the 5th made it 6-3 and it would have been 9-3 had it not been for a great diving play at first by Chris Davis to rob Robinson Cano of a bases clearing extra-base hit.
Sidney Ponson was laboring throughout the game, however, and you're only going to work your way into so much trouble before it catches up to you. Ponson allowed allowed a two-run homer to Milton Bradley and then one to Chris Davis, all before he was able to record an out in the 6th inning before leaving the game, as the Rangers went ahead by a score of 7-6. Ponson finished with a line of 7 runs off 9 hits and 3 walks in just 5 innings.
The Yankees would fail to score in the bottom of the 6th after having two on and nobody out as Derek Jeter grounded into a double play to end the Yankees' threat.
The Rangers brought in Wilson Madrigal into the game in the bottom of the 7th, who was making his Major League Debut. What ensued is what you might expect fof a pitcher when the first batters you're facing in the big leagues are Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi and Jorge Posada. The poor guy allowed 6 runs in just a third of an inning as the Yankees had regained the lead and made it 10-7 before even recording an out. It was a 9-run inning for the Yankees, which was capped off by a three-run homer to right by Alex Rodriguez. Giambi had the go-ahead two-run double in the inning, giving him 6 RBI on the night.
The Yankees scored three again in the 8th to make the score 18-7, which would prove to be the final.
Brett Gardner finally picked up his first hit in this game, a base hit to right in the Yankees' 9-run 7th. He also had a stolen base and a walk, and was robbed of a hit earlier when he lined a ball right at the pitcher.
The bullpen did another solid job, with Edwar Ramirez, Kyle Farnsworth and Latroy Hawkins throwing a combined 4 innings of scoreless ball.
Well, here we go. The Yankees can enter Tuesday tied for the wild card or they can be 8 games back. Should be a fun series starting tonight, as Andy Pettitte will take the mound to face Jon Lester. Game starts at 7:05 E.T.
The Yankees scored more than twice as many runs last night as they did in the previous four games combined. It wasn't looking good at first for the Yankees, as they fell behind 3-1 early, but a grand slam by Jason Giambi in the bottom of the 3rd put the Yanks ahead by a score of 5-3. A bases loaded walk by Posada in the 5th made it 6-3 and it would have been 9-3 had it not been for a great diving play at first by Chris Davis to rob Robinson Cano of a bases clearing extra-base hit.
Sidney Ponson was laboring throughout the game, however, and you're only going to work your way into so much trouble before it catches up to you. Ponson allowed allowed a two-run homer to Milton Bradley and then one to Chris Davis, all before he was able to record an out in the 6th inning before leaving the game, as the Rangers went ahead by a score of 7-6. Ponson finished with a line of 7 runs off 9 hits and 3 walks in just 5 innings.
The Yankees would fail to score in the bottom of the 6th after having two on and nobody out as Derek Jeter grounded into a double play to end the Yankees' threat.
The Rangers brought in Wilson Madrigal into the game in the bottom of the 7th, who was making his Major League Debut. What ensued is what you might expect fof a pitcher when the first batters you're facing in the big leagues are Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi and Jorge Posada. The poor guy allowed 6 runs in just a third of an inning as the Yankees had regained the lead and made it 10-7 before even recording an out. It was a 9-run inning for the Yankees, which was capped off by a three-run homer to right by Alex Rodriguez. Giambi had the go-ahead two-run double in the inning, giving him 6 RBI on the night.
The Yankees scored three again in the 8th to make the score 18-7, which would prove to be the final.
Brett Gardner finally picked up his first hit in this game, a base hit to right in the Yankees' 9-run 7th. He also had a stolen base and a walk, and was robbed of a hit earlier when he lined a ball right at the pitcher.
The bullpen did another solid job, with Edwar Ramirez, Kyle Farnsworth and Latroy Hawkins throwing a combined 4 innings of scoreless ball.
Well, here we go. The Yankees can enter Tuesday tied for the wild card or they can be 8 games back. Should be a fun series starting tonight, as Andy Pettitte will take the mound to face Jon Lester. Game starts at 7:05 E.T.
Posted by: Patrick
Benjamin Hill and Peter Abraham report on the new rules relating to ambidextrous pitchers, released by the Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation. Here they are:
The pitcher must visually indicate to the umpire, batter and runner(s) which way he will begin pitching to the batter. Engaging the rubber with the glove on a particular hand is considered a definitive commitment to which arm he will throw with. The batter will then choose which side of the plate he will bat from.
The pitcher must throw one pitch to the batter before any “switch” by either player is allowed.
After one pitch is thrown, the pitcher and batter may each change positions one time per at-bat. For example, if the pitcher changes from right-handed to left-handed and the batter then changes batter’s boxes, each player must remain that way for the duration of that at-bat (unless the offensive team substitutes a pinch hitter, and then each player may again “switch” one time).
Any switch (by either the pitcher or the batter) must be clearly indicated to the umpire.
There will be no warm-up pitches during the change of arms.
If an injury occurs the pitcher may change arms but not use that arm again during the remainder of the game.
The pitcher must throw one pitch to the batter before any “switch” by either player is allowed.
After one pitch is thrown, the pitcher and batter may each change positions one time per at-bat. For example, if the pitcher changes from right-handed to left-handed and the batter then changes batter’s boxes, each player must remain that way for the duration of that at-bat (unless the offensive team substitutes a pinch hitter, and then each player may again “switch” one time).
Any switch (by either the pitcher or the batter) must be clearly indicated to the umpire.
There will be no warm-up pitches during the change of arms.
If an injury occurs the pitcher may change arms but not use that arm again during the remainder of the game.
07/02: Baby Bomber All-Stars
Posted by: James
Justin Christian was named an All-Star (the lone Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankee on the team). As Chad Jennings points out, Brett Gardner and Dan Giese probably would have made the team had they not been promoted.
At the AA level, Trenton OF Austin Jackson, RHP Jason Jones, 1B Chris Malec and C P.J. Pilittere were named All-Stars.
Nice work to all of them.
At the AA level, Trenton OF Austin Jackson, RHP Jason Jones, 1B Chris Malec and C P.J. Pilittere were named All-Stars.
Nice work to all of them.
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham reports that the Yankees have signed three 16 year old ballplayers from the Dominican Republic. They are outfielder Yeicok Calderon and shortstops Anderson Felix and Gian Arias.
As an aside, he also adds that the Yanks signed their 29th round draft choice, outfielder Mike Jones. Who? Mike Jones.
As an aside, he also adds that the Yanks signed their 29th round draft choice, outfielder Mike Jones. Who? Mike Jones.
Posted by: Patrick
Chad Jennings reports that Shelley Duncan hurt his shoulder on a diving catch in yesterday's game. Duncan believes he has separated his right shoulder.
Meanwhile, after announcing that Alan Horne would be headed to the DL, the Yankees decided he wouldn't be. His pitching coach, Rafael Chaves, told Jennings that "I don't think it will be long [until Horne's next start]."
Meanwhile, after announcing that Alan Horne would be headed to the DL, the Yankees decided he wouldn't be. His pitching coach, Rafael Chaves, told Jennings that "I don't think it will be long [until Horne's next start]."
