Posted by: Patrick
Before Friday's game against the Orioles, Bobby Abreu arranged for the recently eliminated Venezuelan team, from the Little League World Series, to attend the game. Abreu, who was born in Maracay, a city in central Venezuela, treated the kids to food and on field access before the game. Then, during the game, he put on a show, helping the Yankees to a 9-4 win over the Orioles.
Abreu collected five hits in as many at bats, all singles, scoring two runs while driving in one. It was the first time that Bobby had five hits in a game since August 8, 1999, according to Yahoo! Sports. His average shot up 7 points, giving him a line of .295 AVG/.367 OBA/.466 SLG. Those average and on base figures are the highest they've been since June 11 and May 10, respectively.
It was Abreu who drove in the Yankees first run of the day, scoring Johnny Damon in the first inning.
Mike Mussina started the game for the Yanks and the Orioles answered right back in the bottom half, with an RBI single. Moose would log yet another solid start, throwing 6 innings and allowing 4 runs while striking out 3 and walking no one.
However, the Yankees would come away scoreless in the second, third and fourth innings. In the fifth, Robinson Cano and Jose Molina connected for lead off, back to back home runs that, at the time, tied the game at 3.
Mussina finished with 115 pitches through six, leaving the game down a run. Jose Veras entered and pitched a 1-2-3 inning, keeping it close.
The Yankees managed to take back the lead in the eighth, when Abreu scored on a wild pitch, that also moved A-Rod to third base. The very next batter, Xavier Nady, hit a single to right, bringing Rodriguez around, making the score 5-4, Yankees lead.
Damaso Marte was called on to start the eighth inning. He retired Nick Markakis and a hot Melvin Mora. But, then he hit Aubrey Huff and that was enough for Girardi, who immediately went to Mariano Rivera to pitch to Kevin Millar. Millar popped out.
After Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter led off with back to back outs in the ninth, the Yankees staged a two out rally to put this one away. It all started with (guess who?) Bobby Abreu, who singled. After a pitching change, A-Rod hit a ground rule double, putting runners at second and third for Cody Ransom, who entered in the eighth as a defensive replacement.
Ransom hit a deep fly ball to left center, putting the Yanks up by four runs. It was Ransom's second home run in as many at bats for the Yankees this season. He now has 5 RBIs. His line is 1.000/1.000/4.000. That's not bad. After the game, Brett Gardner would comment, to Ramson, "You should retire." "Thinking about it," was how Ransom responded.
But, the Yankees weren't done. For the second time in the game, the Yankees would hit back to back home runs as Nady followed the Ransom home run with a deeper one of his own. When the smoke cleared, the Yankees held a 9-4 lead.
Mariano stayed in the game and pitched the bottom of the ninth, retiring the side in order. He retired all four batters he faced, collecting his 29th save in 30 chances. Jose Veras was credited with the win, improving to 4-2.
In the first inning, Jeter singled, reaching the 2,500 hits plateau (video). "It means we won the game today," Jeter told Peter Abraham. "I guess if you play long enough, you’re bound to get some milestones. More importantly we won. We needed this game." Just two other Yankees have collected this many hits in the pinstripes: Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. I hope fans aren't taking this for granted.
At 7:05 PM ET tonight, the series continues with a true oddity. Carl Pavano will start, making his first Major League appearance since April 9 of last season. He'll face the very capable Jeremy Guthrie, who is 10-9 on the season with a 3.15 ERA. In two starts against the Yankees, he has a 2.70 ERA over 13 and 1/3 innings of work.
Abreu collected five hits in as many at bats, all singles, scoring two runs while driving in one. It was the first time that Bobby had five hits in a game since August 8, 1999, according to Yahoo! Sports. His average shot up 7 points, giving him a line of .295 AVG/.367 OBA/.466 SLG. Those average and on base figures are the highest they've been since June 11 and May 10, respectively.
It was Abreu who drove in the Yankees first run of the day, scoring Johnny Damon in the first inning.
Mike Mussina started the game for the Yanks and the Orioles answered right back in the bottom half, with an RBI single. Moose would log yet another solid start, throwing 6 innings and allowing 4 runs while striking out 3 and walking no one.
However, the Yankees would come away scoreless in the second, third and fourth innings. In the fifth, Robinson Cano and Jose Molina connected for lead off, back to back home runs that, at the time, tied the game at 3.
Mussina finished with 115 pitches through six, leaving the game down a run. Jose Veras entered and pitched a 1-2-3 inning, keeping it close.
The Yankees managed to take back the lead in the eighth, when Abreu scored on a wild pitch, that also moved A-Rod to third base. The very next batter, Xavier Nady, hit a single to right, bringing Rodriguez around, making the score 5-4, Yankees lead.
Damaso Marte was called on to start the eighth inning. He retired Nick Markakis and a hot Melvin Mora. But, then he hit Aubrey Huff and that was enough for Girardi, who immediately went to Mariano Rivera to pitch to Kevin Millar. Millar popped out.
After Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter led off with back to back outs in the ninth, the Yankees staged a two out rally to put this one away. It all started with (guess who?) Bobby Abreu, who singled. After a pitching change, A-Rod hit a ground rule double, putting runners at second and third for Cody Ransom, who entered in the eighth as a defensive replacement.
Ransom hit a deep fly ball to left center, putting the Yanks up by four runs. It was Ransom's second home run in as many at bats for the Yankees this season. He now has 5 RBIs. His line is 1.000/1.000/4.000. That's not bad. After the game, Brett Gardner would comment, to Ramson, "You should retire." "Thinking about it," was how Ransom responded.
But, the Yankees weren't done. For the second time in the game, the Yankees would hit back to back home runs as Nady followed the Ransom home run with a deeper one of his own. When the smoke cleared, the Yankees held a 9-4 lead.
Mariano stayed in the game and pitched the bottom of the ninth, retiring the side in order. He retired all four batters he faced, collecting his 29th save in 30 chances. Jose Veras was credited with the win, improving to 4-2.
In the first inning, Jeter singled, reaching the 2,500 hits plateau (video). "It means we won the game today," Jeter told Peter Abraham. "I guess if you play long enough, you’re bound to get some milestones. More importantly we won. We needed this game." Just two other Yankees have collected this many hits in the pinstripes: Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. I hope fans aren't taking this for granted.
At 7:05 PM ET tonight, the series continues with a true oddity. Carl Pavano will start, making his first Major League appearance since April 9 of last season. He'll face the very capable Jeremy Guthrie, who is 10-9 on the season with a 3.15 ERA. In two starts against the Yankees, he has a 2.70 ERA over 13 and 1/3 innings of work.
08/22: Yankees @ Blue Jays; 8/21/08
Posted by: James
That was awful. Just awful. I, who haven't written off the Yankees season yet, have now officially done so. Going into a game with one of the best righties in baseball, they got bombed. Now, yes, you can kind of expect these games from Sir Sidney every now and again...but come on. Last night was just...brutal.
It began early and kept getting worse. The Jays scored at least one run every inning for the first five innings and led 14-0 at that point. The Yanks scored 3 on a Hideki Matsui HR off of Halladay (and that's probably the only decent part of this game). The only pitcher on the Yankees that came in and didn't give up a run was Edwar Ramirez. Everyone else (Ponson, Robertson, Traber & Britton) came in with lighter fluid. Actually, about that, Girardi seems to think that Robertson is Ohlendorf and is seemingly doing his best to get him off track. Also, why is Traber even on the roster? I mean, he's been fairly bad in both AAA and the majors? At this point, is it worth wasting a roster spot on him? I say nay.
At least the Rays and Red Sox didn't win Thursday night, right? RIGHT? Someone give me a silver lining to grasp! And don't look now but Toronto is climbing those standings and is right on the Yankees heels. I wonder when the last time that the Yankees were in 4th place this late in the season was...
At this point, you gotta think that the Yankees might just be playing out the stretch...and if that's the case, it's a sad, sad turn of events.
It began early and kept getting worse. The Jays scored at least one run every inning for the first five innings and led 14-0 at that point. The Yanks scored 3 on a Hideki Matsui HR off of Halladay (and that's probably the only decent part of this game). The only pitcher on the Yankees that came in and didn't give up a run was Edwar Ramirez. Everyone else (Ponson, Robertson, Traber & Britton) came in with lighter fluid. Actually, about that, Girardi seems to think that Robertson is Ohlendorf and is seemingly doing his best to get him off track. Also, why is Traber even on the roster? I mean, he's been fairly bad in both AAA and the majors? At this point, is it worth wasting a roster spot on him? I say nay.
At least the Rays and Red Sox didn't win Thursday night, right? RIGHT? Someone give me a silver lining to grasp! And don't look now but Toronto is climbing those standings and is right on the Yankees heels. I wonder when the last time that the Yankees were in 4th place this late in the season was...
At this point, you gotta think that the Yankees might just be playing out the stretch...and if that's the case, it's a sad, sad turn of events.
Posted by: Patrick
Dr. Peter Venkman: This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.
Mayor of New York: What do you mean, "biblical?"
Dr. Raymond Stantz: What he means is old testament, real wrath of God type stuff. Fire and brimstone coming down from the sky! Rivers and seas boiling!
Dr. Egon Spengler: 40 years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanos!
Winston Zeddmore: The dead rising from the grave!
Venkman: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria!
Mayor of New York: What do you mean, "biblical?"
Dr. Raymond Stantz: What he means is old testament, real wrath of God type stuff. Fire and brimstone coming down from the sky! Rivers and seas boiling!
Dr. Egon Spengler: 40 years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanos!
Winston Zeddmore: The dead rising from the grave!
Venkman: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria!
Is this what the Ghostbusters were talking about? Bryan Hoch reports that Carl Pavano will start on Saturday.
"He's very excited and just looking forward to getting up there and joining his teammates and pitching on Saturday," [Pavano's agent Tom] O'Connell said. "He's worked extremely hard to put himself in this position and to be able to come back and compete at the highest level this season. I think it's just a testament to how hard he's pushed himself to rejoin his club before the end of the season."
Posted by: Seamus
Andy Pettitte came through in another must-win game and the Yankees defeated the Blue Jays by a score of 5-1 to move to within 5.5 games of the Red Sox in the wild card race. The Twins won their game, and are 5 games ahead of the Yanks in the standings.
The Yankees got a sacrifice fly by Jason Giambi and an RBI single by Xavier Nady, and Andy Pettitte wouldn't need any more than that. Pettitte pitched seven strong innings, allowing just a run on five hits and striking out four.
After a run-scoring fielder's choice by Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter added a two-run home run in the 4th to make the score 5-0. That score would hold until Alex Rios put the Jays on the board in the 6th with an RBI single.
Brian Bruney relieved Pettitte and pitched the last two innings. He retired all six batters he faced.
The rubber match will begin tonight at 7:07 ET as Sidney Ponson will take on Roy Halladay, who doctors the ball with kryptonite whenever he faces the Yankees. It's a huge opportunity for the Yanks, as the Red Sox are off and the Twins are in Anaheim facing John Lackey and the Angels.
The Yankees got a sacrifice fly by Jason Giambi and an RBI single by Xavier Nady, and Andy Pettitte wouldn't need any more than that. Pettitte pitched seven strong innings, allowing just a run on five hits and striking out four.
After a run-scoring fielder's choice by Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter added a two-run home run in the 4th to make the score 5-0. That score would hold until Alex Rios put the Jays on the board in the 6th with an RBI single.
Brian Bruney relieved Pettitte and pitched the last two innings. He retired all six batters he faced.
The rubber match will begin tonight at 7:07 ET as Sidney Ponson will take on Roy Halladay, who doctors the ball with kryptonite whenever he faces the Yankees. It's a huge opportunity for the Yanks, as the Red Sox are off and the Twins are in Anaheim facing John Lackey and the Angels.
Posted by: Patrick
Michael S. Schmidt of The New York Times spoke with Victor Zambrano, on his recent start in Trenton and his chances of being the starter for the Yankees on Saturday.
“I am doing good and feeling good, and my arm is in good shape,” Zambrano said. “It was my second Tommy John surgery, so you have to be patient. My velocity is there — 90, 91, 89. When I signed with the Yankees it was to prove that I am healthy and to get an opportunity to pitch.”
Posted by: Patrick
The Yankees offense struggled against A.J. Burnett, as they usually do, dropping the series opener with the Blue Jays, 2-1.
The Yankees only run came in the top of the first inning when Bobby Abreu hit a 1 out double to score Johnny Damon. Following that, it was eight and two thirds of scoreless misery, as the Yankees came up with a total of 6 hits and 1 walk.
Darrell Rasner pitched 6 and 2/3 innings of solid work, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits and 1 walk. On the other site, Burnett pitched eight innings, giving up 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 13.
Jose Veras was saddled for the loss in this one, as he allowed a 2 out double to Marco Scutaro in the eighth that brought around the go ahead run for the Blue Jays.
Tomorrow, at 7:07 PM ET, Yankees innings leader Andy Pettitte (12-9, 4.30, 163.1 IP) will go against David Purcey (2-3, 5.93).
The Yankees only run came in the top of the first inning when Bobby Abreu hit a 1 out double to score Johnny Damon. Following that, it was eight and two thirds of scoreless misery, as the Yankees came up with a total of 6 hits and 1 walk.
Darrell Rasner pitched 6 and 2/3 innings of solid work, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits and 1 walk. On the other site, Burnett pitched eight innings, giving up 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 13.
Jose Veras was saddled for the loss in this one, as he allowed a 2 out double to Marco Scutaro in the eighth that brought around the go ahead run for the Blue Jays.
Tomorrow, at 7:07 PM ET, Yankees innings leader Andy Pettitte (12-9, 4.30, 163.1 IP) will go against David Purcey (2-3, 5.93).
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham reports that, in order to make room for Hideki Matsui, Justin Christian was optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Jason Lane was released.
Posted by: James
Man, that felt good. Pretty much everything that could go RIGHT for once this season, DID.
Moose started off a little rocky (get it? Ok, so it's not funny ha-ha, per se...) but overcame the early shakiness when he gave up a two-run double to Billy Butler and a sacrifice fly to make the score 3-0 before the Yankees even came up to bat.
That score didn't last very long. In the first, the Yanks sent 10 men to the plate in the first against Brian Bannister, scoring 6 in the frame. The highlights were A-Rod three-run shot into Monument Park and Xavier Nady's solo shot off the right-field foul pole.
Mussina cruised after that but just to be safe, the Yankees battered Bannister some more in the second. They loaded the bases with no one out and Jason Giambi stepping up to the plate. On a 1-1 count, The Giambino nailed the next pitch out of the park for a grand slam. 10-3 Yankees. They plated another run in the third and scored 4 more in the 7th (including Cody Ransom's first HR in pinstripes so good for him) to make the score 15-6 when all was said and done. The Royals scored their final 3 off of Traber (1) and Britton (2) in garbage time.
All told, 15 runs, 17 hits, 7 walks and win #16 for Moose. All the Yankees starters got on base at least once and only Johnny Damon left the game with no hits. It was a very pleasant Sunday to be a Yankees fan. Now, let's hope that they packed these hot bats when they take on the Blue Jays...who have given up a TEAM ERA of 2.72 over the last 13 games with a .245/.314/.386/.700 line allowed. The Yankees also have the misfortune of facing A.J. Burnett, the league leader in Ks, and Roy Halladay, he of the 2.64 ERA. The only way that this series could look worse would be if they were facing Shawn Marcum as well...yeesh.
Moose started off a little rocky (get it? Ok, so it's not funny ha-ha, per se...) but overcame the early shakiness when he gave up a two-run double to Billy Butler and a sacrifice fly to make the score 3-0 before the Yankees even came up to bat.
That score didn't last very long. In the first, the Yanks sent 10 men to the plate in the first against Brian Bannister, scoring 6 in the frame. The highlights were A-Rod three-run shot into Monument Park and Xavier Nady's solo shot off the right-field foul pole.
Mussina cruised after that but just to be safe, the Yankees battered Bannister some more in the second. They loaded the bases with no one out and Jason Giambi stepping up to the plate. On a 1-1 count, The Giambino nailed the next pitch out of the park for a grand slam. 10-3 Yankees. They plated another run in the third and scored 4 more in the 7th (including Cody Ransom's first HR in pinstripes so good for him) to make the score 15-6 when all was said and done. The Royals scored their final 3 off of Traber (1) and Britton (2) in garbage time.
All told, 15 runs, 17 hits, 7 walks and win #16 for Moose. All the Yankees starters got on base at least once and only Johnny Damon left the game with no hits. It was a very pleasant Sunday to be a Yankees fan. Now, let's hope that they packed these hot bats when they take on the Blue Jays...who have given up a TEAM ERA of 2.72 over the last 13 games with a .245/.314/.386/.700 line allowed. The Yankees also have the misfortune of facing A.J. Burnett, the league leader in Ks, and Roy Halladay, he of the 2.64 ERA. The only way that this series could look worse would be if they were facing Shawn Marcum as well...yeesh.
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham has the story:
In what appeared to be his final tuneup start in the minors, Phil Hughes was rocked. The 22-year-old allowed five runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings pitching for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at Lehigh Valley last night. Hughes tossed two scoreless innings, but allowed a two-run double in the third and three more runs in the fourth, including a two-run homer. Hughes, who was expected to throw near 100 pitches, lasted for 91, 63 of them strikes. He struck out four and walked none. The forever-rehabbing Carl Pavano fared better pitching for Double-A Trenton, allowing six hits and one run (a homer) in six innings against Reading. Both pitchers are candidates to earn a start in Baltimore over the weekend. ...
Posted by: Patrick
Good news for Godzilla. He's likely to be activated on Tuesday.
"I'm very happy, definitely happy, and the only thing left is do whatever I can to help the team," Matsui told the AP through a translator. "I'll just have to try and see what happens, but I'm sure I'll be able to help the team."
"I'm very happy, definitely happy, and the only thing left is do whatever I can to help the team," Matsui told the AP through a translator. "I'll just have to try and see what happens, but I'm sure I'll be able to help the team."
