Posted by: Seamus
If you can't win a game when your three pitchers are Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera, then you're in big trouble. The Yankees were able to salvage the final game of their three-game set with the Orioles with a 4-2 victory in what was in all likelihood the last game you'll ever see that combination of pitchers being used in one game. The Yankees remain 6 games behind the Rays for the division lead, as Tampa Bay won over Texas, and a loss by the Red Sox pulled the Yanks to within 4.5 games of the wild card.
This one differed greatly from the 9-homer slugfest we saw the night before, as there were only two home runs hit in this one, including Jason Giambi's 11th. The game was back and forth until the Yankees went ahead for good in the 5th via a sac fly by Derek Jeter that brought in Melky Cabrera. The Yankees added an insurance run in the 8th with an infield single by Johnny Damon.
Andy Pettitte gave a pretty impressive outing, as he allowed just two runs in 6 and 2/3 innings. He did allow eight hits, but at least he avoided his 4th inning collapse, which has become the norm for him over the last month or so. After losing four consecutive decisions, he's now won his last two.
Joe Girardi was hoping to get Joba Chamberlain into this game for three or maybe even four innings and have him throw somewhere between 55 and 60 pitches in what could have been his last relief appearance. However, because of Pettitte's good outing and because the game was still too close for comfort heading into the 9th, he got only an inning and a third and just 28 pitches. The Yankees brought Mariano Rivera into the game to close the game out, and Joba got in the rest of his work in the bullpen.
The Yankees have the day off today and will head to Minnesota to begin a four-game series with the Twins tomorrow night. Mike Mussina will take the mound for the Yankees and will face Glen Perkins, who has been pretty impressive in the four games he's started for the Twins this season (2-1, 2.77). The game will start at 8:10 E.T. and will be carried on My9 here in New York.
This one differed greatly from the 9-homer slugfest we saw the night before, as there were only two home runs hit in this one, including Jason Giambi's 11th. The game was back and forth until the Yankees went ahead for good in the 5th via a sac fly by Derek Jeter that brought in Melky Cabrera. The Yankees added an insurance run in the 8th with an infield single by Johnny Damon.
Andy Pettitte gave a pretty impressive outing, as he allowed just two runs in 6 and 2/3 innings. He did allow eight hits, but at least he avoided his 4th inning collapse, which has become the norm for him over the last month or so. After losing four consecutive decisions, he's now won his last two.
Joe Girardi was hoping to get Joba Chamberlain into this game for three or maybe even four innings and have him throw somewhere between 55 and 60 pitches in what could have been his last relief appearance. However, because of Pettitte's good outing and because the game was still too close for comfort heading into the 9th, he got only an inning and a third and just 28 pitches. The Yankees brought Mariano Rivera into the game to close the game out, and Joba got in the rest of his work in the bullpen.
The Yankees have the day off today and will head to Minnesota to begin a four-game series with the Twins tomorrow night. Mike Mussina will take the mound for the Yankees and will face Glen Perkins, who has been pretty impressive in the four games he's started for the Twins this season (2-1, 2.77). The game will start at 8:10 E.T. and will be carried on My9 here in New York.
Posted by: Patrick
BustedHalo.com has a great interview with Bob Sheppard.
Via Peter Abraham.
BS: ... he put me in the hospital where they gave me special treatment and surgery and since that time I went from 103 to 127 and a half as of last week. So I was gaining about 2 pounds a week under this doctor and his recommendation about a diet. According to the doctor, when I reach, “my fighting weight” about 145-150, he will allow me to go back to Yankee Stadium and finish the season. So my target date to be back is July 1. There is an All Star Game to be played at Yankee Stadium on July 15th and one of my goals is to be there and announce it. I did one years and years ago at Yankee Stadium but I can’t recall it. So now this would be something to remember. I do want to be there next year when we open a new Stadium. And I’d like to be the one who says, “Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen…Welcome to the NEW…Yankee Stadium.”
Via Peter Abraham.
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham reports that Chris Britton is back again, stepping in for the injured Ian Kennedy. How long will he stay?
Posted by: Patrick
On Tuesday night (and into Wednesday morning), the Yankees and Orioles had a slug fest that featured nine home runs, where the Yankees gained - and subsequently lost - the lead at three different points of the game.
The first time came in the second inning, where the Yankees scored 4 runs to make it 4-0, Bombers. All four runs came on homers - a solo shot by Jason Giambi and a three run home run by Johnny Damon, scoring Wilson Betemit and Robinson Cano.
But, the Orioles answered right back in the bottom half of the second, off of starter Ian Kennedy. They took him deep twice for three of the runs. The fourth was unearned, thanks to a throwing error by A-Rod.
The Yankees grabbed the lead again in the fourth, thanks to another four spot. An RBI single by Jeter, scored Damon. And then back to back jacks by Bobby Abreu and A-Rod scored three more, including Jeter. 8-4, Yankees.
Kennedy pitched a scoreless third inning, but was removing after completing it, due to a strained right lat muscle. He'll be heading to the DL.
Replacing Kennedy was Ross Ohlendorf. After a scoreless fourth, Ross gave all four runs right back to the Orioles on three homers in the bottom of the fifth. Melvin Mora, Luke Scott and Kevin Millar connected to tie it up at 8.
After retiring the first batter in the sixth, Edwar Ramirez relieved Ohlendorf. Though he allowed 3 hits over his 1 and 1/3 innings, he walked no one and kept the game tied, giving way to Kyle Farnsworth with two outs in the seventh. With Kevin Millar at second, Ramon Hernandez singled to right. Abreu gunned Millar down at the plate, though it looked like he may have been safe. Farnsworth navigated his way through a scoreless eighth.
With rain pouring down in the top of the 9th, 2 out and Jonnny Damon on second, the O's intentionally walked A-Rod. He and Damon proceeded to steal both of the bases ahead of them, leaving runners at second and third with Hideki Matsui. Joe Girardi came out and plead with the umps to stop the game, but they declined. Matsui lined out to end the threat.
The umps did delay the game after Matsui was out, however, for 67 minutes. When the game returned (and after I went to bed), Mariano entered to pitch the bottom of the ninth. He made quick work of the heart of the Orioles' order, retiring Nick Markakis, Aubrey Huff and Luke Scott, to send the game into extras.
After the Yankees offense logged their sixth consecutive scoreless frame, Mo came back out to pitch the bottom of the tenth. He got into a little more trouble this time around, but came through unscathed: ground out, double, strike out, walk, fly out.
Finally, in the top of the eleventh, we have a break through. Johnny Damon walked and Jeter reached on a bunt single. Both Damon and Jeter advanced a base thanks to a throwing error by Melvin Mora. Bobby Abreu was intentionally walked to load the bases for A-Rod. Sounds good, right? Uh... say hello to the worst possible outcome (outside of a triple play, of course).
A-Rod manages to hit into a 4-2-5 double play. Brian Roberts fields A-Rod's ground ball, throws home to catcher Guillermo Quiroz, who forces out Damon, and then throws over to Melvin Mora at third base to force Jeter. We go from bases loaded, no outs with our clean up hitter up - to first and second, 2 outs and no runs scored. Ouch.
Hideki Matsui would get another chance with a runner in scoring position and two outs. He came through - singling in Abreu to give the Yankees the lead.
Heading into the bottom of the 11th, Mariano had thrown 31 pitches and was no relieved by LaTroy Hawkins. Starters and Joba withheld, the only other option was Jose Veras. Hawkins would only retire one batter. It went like this: single, fly out, run scoring double with runner advancing to third on throw, intentional walk, intentional walk to load bases and, finally, walk off single. Hawkins gets tagged with both a blown save and a loss and his ERA moves up to 6.75.
Every Yankee, except for Jose Molina, got a hit in this game with Johnny Damon leading the way, going 4 for 5 with 2 doubles, a home run, 2 runs, 3 RBIs, a walk and stolen base. Jeter was 2 for 5 with a run, 2 RBI and a stolen base. Abreu was 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and 2 walks. A-Rod was 1 for 5 with a home run, run, RBI and stolen base. Matsui was 1 for 6 with an RBI. Giambi was 2 for 6 with a double, home run, run and RBI. Betemit was 2 for 5 with a run. Cano was 1 for 5 with 1 run. Finally, Molina was 0 for 5.
Tonight, at 7:05 PM ET, we'll have Andy Pettitte (4-5, 4.27) going against Jeremy Guthrie (2-5, 3.62).
The first time came in the second inning, where the Yankees scored 4 runs to make it 4-0, Bombers. All four runs came on homers - a solo shot by Jason Giambi and a three run home run by Johnny Damon, scoring Wilson Betemit and Robinson Cano.
But, the Orioles answered right back in the bottom half of the second, off of starter Ian Kennedy. They took him deep twice for three of the runs. The fourth was unearned, thanks to a throwing error by A-Rod.
The Yankees grabbed the lead again in the fourth, thanks to another four spot. An RBI single by Jeter, scored Damon. And then back to back jacks by Bobby Abreu and A-Rod scored three more, including Jeter. 8-4, Yankees.
Kennedy pitched a scoreless third inning, but was removing after completing it, due to a strained right lat muscle. He'll be heading to the DL.
Replacing Kennedy was Ross Ohlendorf. After a scoreless fourth, Ross gave all four runs right back to the Orioles on three homers in the bottom of the fifth. Melvin Mora, Luke Scott and Kevin Millar connected to tie it up at 8.
After retiring the first batter in the sixth, Edwar Ramirez relieved Ohlendorf. Though he allowed 3 hits over his 1 and 1/3 innings, he walked no one and kept the game tied, giving way to Kyle Farnsworth with two outs in the seventh. With Kevin Millar at second, Ramon Hernandez singled to right. Abreu gunned Millar down at the plate, though it looked like he may have been safe. Farnsworth navigated his way through a scoreless eighth.
With rain pouring down in the top of the 9th, 2 out and Jonnny Damon on second, the O's intentionally walked A-Rod. He and Damon proceeded to steal both of the bases ahead of them, leaving runners at second and third with Hideki Matsui. Joe Girardi came out and plead with the umps to stop the game, but they declined. Matsui lined out to end the threat.
The umps did delay the game after Matsui was out, however, for 67 minutes. When the game returned (and after I went to bed), Mariano entered to pitch the bottom of the ninth. He made quick work of the heart of the Orioles' order, retiring Nick Markakis, Aubrey Huff and Luke Scott, to send the game into extras.
After the Yankees offense logged their sixth consecutive scoreless frame, Mo came back out to pitch the bottom of the tenth. He got into a little more trouble this time around, but came through unscathed: ground out, double, strike out, walk, fly out.
Finally, in the top of the eleventh, we have a break through. Johnny Damon walked and Jeter reached on a bunt single. Both Damon and Jeter advanced a base thanks to a throwing error by Melvin Mora. Bobby Abreu was intentionally walked to load the bases for A-Rod. Sounds good, right? Uh... say hello to the worst possible outcome (outside of a triple play, of course).
A-Rod manages to hit into a 4-2-5 double play. Brian Roberts fields A-Rod's ground ball, throws home to catcher Guillermo Quiroz, who forces out Damon, and then throws over to Melvin Mora at third base to force Jeter. We go from bases loaded, no outs with our clean up hitter up - to first and second, 2 outs and no runs scored. Ouch.
Hideki Matsui would get another chance with a runner in scoring position and two outs. He came through - singling in Abreu to give the Yankees the lead.
Heading into the bottom of the 11th, Mariano had thrown 31 pitches and was no relieved by LaTroy Hawkins. Starters and Joba withheld, the only other option was Jose Veras. Hawkins would only retire one batter. It went like this: single, fly out, run scoring double with runner advancing to third on throw, intentional walk, intentional walk to load bases and, finally, walk off single. Hawkins gets tagged with both a blown save and a loss and his ERA moves up to 6.75.
Every Yankee, except for Jose Molina, got a hit in this game with Johnny Damon leading the way, going 4 for 5 with 2 doubles, a home run, 2 runs, 3 RBIs, a walk and stolen base. Jeter was 2 for 5 with a run, 2 RBI and a stolen base. Abreu was 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and 2 walks. A-Rod was 1 for 5 with a home run, run, RBI and stolen base. Matsui was 1 for 6 with an RBI. Giambi was 2 for 6 with a double, home run, run and RBI. Betemit was 2 for 5 with a run. Cano was 1 for 5 with 1 run. Finally, Molina was 0 for 5.
Tonight, at 7:05 PM ET, we'll have Andy Pettitte (4-5, 4.27) going against Jeremy Guthrie (2-5, 3.62).
Posted by: Patrick
Chad Jennings reports that the Yankees have signed Ben Broussard to a minor league deal.
Broussard, who has spent most of his career at first base, is a life time .263/.324/.450 hitter. This year, for Texas, he's struggled big time - hitting .159 with a .225 OBA and .268 SLG.
Broussard, who has spent most of his career at first base, is a life time .263/.324/.450 hitter. This year, for Texas, he's struggled big time - hitting .159 with a .225 OBA and .268 SLG.
Posted by: James
Given this team's offense (yes, I know they beat up on the Mariners...but come on, it was the Mariners!), something has to be done about the Duncan/Ensberg situation. They are redundant. Duncan has options, so I guess you send him down if you really want to keep Ensberg on the roster.
Still, Duncan's also looked better at the plate lately (at the very least better than Ensberg lately; .161/.257/.161/.418 in May ain't cutting it) so it's an interesting decision to make. Still, it has to be made because I really think that adding Brett Gardner to this team isn't a bad idea. The kid can run, play defense and hopefully spark this team...plus it could give the heavily slumping Melky some time off to get his head together.
Update: Ha! Looks liked Greg already beat me to this question!
Still, Duncan's also looked better at the plate lately (at the very least better than Ensberg lately; .161/.257/.161/.418 in May ain't cutting it) so it's an interesting decision to make. Still, it has to be made because I really think that adding Brett Gardner to this team isn't a bad idea. The kid can run, play defense and hopefully spark this team...plus it could give the heavily slumping Melky some time off to get his head together.
Update: Ha! Looks liked Greg already beat me to this question!
Posted by: Patrick
Bryan Hoch reports that the Yankees hope to pitch Joba on Wednesday. They'll be looking for him to throw 50-55 pitches. Pettitte has the start, but his time won't be cut short to get Joba in the game. So, that means that Joba may not pitch Wednesday. It all depends on how Pettitte does.
Posted by: Patrick
Wilson Betemit is back with the club and, to make room, Alberto Gonzalez has been optioned back down to the minors, where he'll be able to play every day.
05/26: On Memorial Day
Posted by: James
A heart-felt thank you to all the men and women of our Armed Forces. It's not just a 3-day weekend; it's a time for us to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country. Thank you. We are eternally grateful.
Posted by: James
Heck of a game yesterday...Of course, without the furious rally in the bottom of the 8th, I would be in a far worse mood this morning.
Anyway, quick recap before I get to grilling! Chien-Ming Wang clearly did not have his good stuff going yesterday (or as the TBS announcers called it, his strikeout stuff...though I don't remember getting the memo that Wanger had became a strikeout pitcher...). Wang gave up a solo shot to Ichiro (who really looks like he would like to be somewhere else) in the third, 2 more runs in the fourth and finally 2 more in the 7th before he left the game in the 7th. Edwar Ramirez came on and you have to give the kid credit. One man on, one out and he gets Raul Ibanez and Adrian Beltre to fly out to end the inning and staunch the damage. He then came back out for the 8th and pitched around a couple of singles to keep the Mariners at 5. At the time, it didn't seem like much but it set the stage for the Yankees to be able to rally.
The Yankees had scored runs in the third and fifth to go into the bottom of the eighth down 5-2. They did have some chances earlier in the game but some very good defense on the part of Adrian Beltre saved a run or at least longer innings. Still, with the score 5-2, the Yankees lead off with a Derek Jeter walk. Arthur Rhodes came in and promptly gave up a RBI double to Bobby Abreu before giving way to J.J. Putz (I love this guy's name). Putz walked A-Rod to put men on first and second before striking out the mustachioed Jason Giambi. Godzilla came up as a pinch hitter and hit a squibber that Putz had to came off the mound to field and in doing so, lost his footing, did a face plant and ended up tossing the ball pretty much into the dugout. On that play, Abreu scored (5-4) and A-Rod moved to third. Robbie Cano stepped up to the plate and golfed a low pitch out to deep center to score A-Rod with the winning run and on a very heads-up play, allowed Matsui to tag and head to second. Up stepped the much maligned (for his hitting this year) Jose Molina who DRILLED the first pitch he saw to deep right center. When I was watching it, I really thought that ball should have been caught...but Ichiro and Balentin didn't track it very well and it fell in for a double and Matsui scored the go-ahead run.
At that point, Enter Sandman...(which is tough on Rock Band...but I always pretend I'm playing it at the Stadium) and a goround and 2Ks later, the game was over and the Yankees had hit .500 again.
Of course, while the Yankees were sweeping the Mariners, the Rays moved ahead of the Red Sox Sunday with a sweep of the Orioles while Boston was being swept by Oakland. Ladies and gentlemen, your first place Rays...wow.
Anyway, quick recap before I get to grilling! Chien-Ming Wang clearly did not have his good stuff going yesterday (or as the TBS announcers called it, his strikeout stuff...though I don't remember getting the memo that Wanger had became a strikeout pitcher...). Wang gave up a solo shot to Ichiro (who really looks like he would like to be somewhere else) in the third, 2 more runs in the fourth and finally 2 more in the 7th before he left the game in the 7th. Edwar Ramirez came on and you have to give the kid credit. One man on, one out and he gets Raul Ibanez and Adrian Beltre to fly out to end the inning and staunch the damage. He then came back out for the 8th and pitched around a couple of singles to keep the Mariners at 5. At the time, it didn't seem like much but it set the stage for the Yankees to be able to rally.
The Yankees had scored runs in the third and fifth to go into the bottom of the eighth down 5-2. They did have some chances earlier in the game but some very good defense on the part of Adrian Beltre saved a run or at least longer innings. Still, with the score 5-2, the Yankees lead off with a Derek Jeter walk. Arthur Rhodes came in and promptly gave up a RBI double to Bobby Abreu before giving way to J.J. Putz (I love this guy's name). Putz walked A-Rod to put men on first and second before striking out the mustachioed Jason Giambi. Godzilla came up as a pinch hitter and hit a squibber that Putz had to came off the mound to field and in doing so, lost his footing, did a face plant and ended up tossing the ball pretty much into the dugout. On that play, Abreu scored (5-4) and A-Rod moved to third. Robbie Cano stepped up to the plate and golfed a low pitch out to deep center to score A-Rod with the winning run and on a very heads-up play, allowed Matsui to tag and head to second. Up stepped the much maligned (for his hitting this year) Jose Molina who DRILLED the first pitch he saw to deep right center. When I was watching it, I really thought that ball should have been caught...but Ichiro and Balentin didn't track it very well and it fell in for a double and Matsui scored the go-ahead run.
At that point, Enter Sandman...(which is tough on Rock Band...but I always pretend I'm playing it at the Stadium) and a goround and 2Ks later, the game was over and the Yankees had hit .500 again.
Of course, while the Yankees were sweeping the Mariners, the Rays moved ahead of the Red Sox Sunday with a sweep of the Orioles while Boston was being swept by Oakland. Ladies and gentlemen, your first place Rays...wow.
