Posted by: Seamus
Just a day after turning a 10-2 defecit into a 20-11 roasting, the Yankees bats were cooled off this afternoon as they were defeated by Scott Kazmir and the Devil Rays 5-3. Gary Sheffield launched a two-run homer in the first inning (his 3rd in two days), but that was pretty much all the offense the Yankees got save an RBI groundout by Robinson Cano in the 5th. Carl Pavano looked solid through 6 and 2/3 until he gave up a three-run shot to Nick Green which put the Devil Rays up for good. The Yankees are now a Major League-worst 0-25 when scoring three runs or less.
I don't think tonight's game was as much a failure of the Yankees' offense as it was a great performance by Scott Kazmir. Although this is his first full year in the Majors and he is very young, he is still one of the toughest pitchers to hit in the league if he brings his "A" game. He hasn't been totally consistent so far, but when he is on he is almost lights out.
As for Pavano, I was watching "Mike and the Mad Dog" on the YES Network a couple hours after the game and they were saying they don't understand how people can say that if he hadn't given up the home run to Nick Green you could call it a good start. They do make a point because when you look at the line score you see the 5 earned runs and the two homers and 6 hits in just over 6 innings. However, I do think he was pretty solid throughout most of the game. Take away the three-run homer and his line score is 7 innings and 2 runs on 4 hits. I really couldn't argue either way. The fact of the matter is that he did give up the home run and that is just as much a part of the game as everything that happened in the 6.2 innings before the home run. So I guess what I'll call it is a mediocre to forgettable outing although this one start alone is nothing to worry about.
Tomorrow evening the Yankees will send Chien-Ming Wang to the mound to face the D-Rays' Mark Hendrickson before finishing up the homestand with a weekend series against the Mets. I think tomorrow's game is critical especially considering that the Red Sox keep winning now and have closed the gap on the O's to one game, and it would really be a blow to what the Yankees have accomplished so far on this homestand if they lose 3 out of 4 to Tampa Bay at the Stadium.
I don't think tonight's game was as much a failure of the Yankees' offense as it was a great performance by Scott Kazmir. Although this is his first full year in the Majors and he is very young, he is still one of the toughest pitchers to hit in the league if he brings his "A" game. He hasn't been totally consistent so far, but when he is on he is almost lights out.
As for Pavano, I was watching "Mike and the Mad Dog" on the YES Network a couple hours after the game and they were saying they don't understand how people can say that if he hadn't given up the home run to Nick Green you could call it a good start. They do make a point because when you look at the line score you see the 5 earned runs and the two homers and 6 hits in just over 6 innings. However, I do think he was pretty solid throughout most of the game. Take away the three-run homer and his line score is 7 innings and 2 runs on 4 hits. I really couldn't argue either way. The fact of the matter is that he did give up the home run and that is just as much a part of the game as everything that happened in the 6.2 innings before the home run. So I guess what I'll call it is a mediocre to forgettable outing although this one start alone is nothing to worry about.
Tomorrow evening the Yankees will send Chien-Ming Wang to the mound to face the D-Rays' Mark Hendrickson before finishing up the homestand with a weekend series against the Mets. I think tomorrow's game is critical especially considering that the Red Sox keep winning now and have closed the gap on the O's to one game, and it would really be a blow to what the Yankees have accomplished so far on this homestand if they lose 3 out of 4 to Tampa Bay at the Stadium.
Posted by: Seamus
Before today's game, most people probably would have thought out of the four games the Yankees and Devil Rays play this week, tonight's would feature the best pitching as Randy Johnson went up against Hideo Nomo. However, that was not the case tonight as the Yankees came back from an eight-run defecit to defeat the D'Rays 20-11 in a game that saw 41 total hits (23 by the Yankees) and nine home runs (six by New York). The Yankees started to rally in the 5th after trailing 10-2, but the most memorable inning of tonight's game was the bottom of the 8th in which they scored 13 runs to turn an 11-7 defecit into a 20-11 lead. The Yankees hit four home runs in the inning, including back-to-back-to-back home runs by Sheffield, A-Rod, and Matsui. All three Devil Ray home runs came off of Randy Johnson as he failed to pitch more than 3 innings and Hideo Nomo came out of the game in the 5th after giving up 5 runs.
Every Yankee starter had a hit in the game except John Flaherty (Posada pinch hit for him in the 5th, went 1-2 with a two-run homer). Derek Jeter had 5 hits including a home run and was only a triple away from the cycle as he raised his batting average to .309. Gary Sheffield was 4-6 hit two three-run homers and Hideki Matsui also had four hits including a home run, which I might add went pretty deep into the black seats. Alex Rodriguez added his 20th home run to re-grab a share of the Major League home run lead.
The Yankees have now won 7 out of their last 8 games and kept pace with the Orioles, who also won tonight, to stay 5 games back in the AL East race. Tonight was the second time this season that the Yankees scored 13 runs in an inning. Both times were during home games against Tampa Bay.
Every Yankee starter had a hit in the game except John Flaherty (Posada pinch hit for him in the 5th, went 1-2 with a two-run homer). Derek Jeter had 5 hits including a home run and was only a triple away from the cycle as he raised his batting average to .309. Gary Sheffield was 4-6 hit two three-run homers and Hideki Matsui also had four hits including a home run, which I might add went pretty deep into the black seats. Alex Rodriguez added his 20th home run to re-grab a share of the Major League home run lead.
The Yankees have now won 7 out of their last 8 games and kept pace with the Orioles, who also won tonight, to stay 5 games back in the AL East race. Tonight was the second time this season that the Yankees scored 13 runs in an inning. Both times were during home games against Tampa Bay.
Posted by: David
The Yankees six game winning streak ended on Monday night to the lowly Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Yankees brought up Sean Henn from Columbus to start for Kevin Brown who was just placed on the DL.
Henn was brought up once before earlier in May for Randy Johnson and also faced the Devil Rays. This outing was not much better. He walked seven in 4 2/3 innings and seems simply not ready to pitch in the major leagues yet. He walked four in the second inning to force in a run. The next batter hit a grounder in the hole between second and third which Jeter got to but the only play he had was to try and force the runner at third. A-Rod got to the bag but couldn't get into a position to reach over the runner and the throw went wild allowing two runs to score.
Casey Fossum was great for Tampa Bay until the eighth inning when the Yankees started to get to him. He was replaced by Lance Carter who surrendered a three run homer to Matsui to get the Yankees to within one run at 5-4.
Rivera entered in the top of the ninth for the Yankees and was a bit wild by allowing two walks but got the three outs without giving up anymore runs. Tampa Bay replaced Carter with closer Danys Baez who pitched a perfect ninth inning for only his second road save of the season. The Yankees lost a game to Boston who held on to beat Cleveland 10-9 but did not lose any ground to AL East division leader Baltimore who were crushed by the Blue Jays 11-2.
The Yankees try to start another winning streak tonight with the Big Unit Randy Johnson on the hill against veteran starter Hideo Nomo for the Devil Rays. Johnson has been awesome in his last two starts and New York will be looking for him to dominate Tampa's young lineup.
Henn was brought up once before earlier in May for Randy Johnson and also faced the Devil Rays. This outing was not much better. He walked seven in 4 2/3 innings and seems simply not ready to pitch in the major leagues yet. He walked four in the second inning to force in a run. The next batter hit a grounder in the hole between second and third which Jeter got to but the only play he had was to try and force the runner at third. A-Rod got to the bag but couldn't get into a position to reach over the runner and the throw went wild allowing two runs to score.
Casey Fossum was great for Tampa Bay until the eighth inning when the Yankees started to get to him. He was replaced by Lance Carter who surrendered a three run homer to Matsui to get the Yankees to within one run at 5-4.
Rivera entered in the top of the ninth for the Yankees and was a bit wild by allowing two walks but got the three outs without giving up anymore runs. Tampa Bay replaced Carter with closer Danys Baez who pitched a perfect ninth inning for only his second road save of the season. The Yankees lost a game to Boston who held on to beat Cleveland 10-9 but did not lose any ground to AL East division leader Baltimore who were crushed by the Blue Jays 11-2.
The Yankees try to start another winning streak tonight with the Big Unit Randy Johnson on the hill against veteran starter Hideo Nomo for the Devil Rays. Johnson has been awesome in his last two starts and New York will be looking for him to dominate Tampa's young lineup.
Posted by: Patrick
ESPN.com used WhatIfSports.com to face the 2005 Yankees against the Ex-Yankees currently in the league. The current Yankees set them down 3 games to none. Looking at the ex-Yankees roster, I can see why. Some great players, sure. But, a bunch of guys I wouldn't want back or don't care either way, really. Plus, its not that we could have had all of these guys on the same team. A-Rod's (Soriano) and Unit's (Johnson, Javy, Halsey) don't come cheap.
Posted by: Michael
Yankees starter Mike Mussina added another feather to his cap today by beating the Chicago Cubs 6-3. "The Moose" (8-4) won his 3rd straight start in the process behind the bats of A-Rod and Matsui.
Sergio Mitre (2-2) took the loss in giving up 6 Runs - 5 earned in 5 2/3 innings. It is interesting to note that the Cubs are 4-8 in interleague play this far into the season, and one would think they are looking forward to playing in their own league.
The Cubs also look sloppy on the field, reminding myself of just how the Yanks looked a few weeks ago.
One highlight for the Cubs has to be Jeromy Bernitz - he seems to have a hot bat right now. Pair him with Lee, and then get Wood and Prior back from the DL, then look out!
In Yankees highlights, A-Rod stole 2nd in the 6th, and then Matsui knocked him in to put the game further out of reach. That play, and the play in the 7th when Tanyon Sturtze got Neifi Perez to ground into a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning with the bases loaded, stood out to me in how the Yanks are turning it around.
The team really seems to be clicking now. They are in sync at just the right time (they are home). They are ready now to face the Devil Rays, the worst team in baseball. Lets see if the Rays give them a tough series as the last time they met.
The first game of that series is tomorrow night with just called up Sean Henn (0-1) taking on Casey Fossum (2-5) at the Stadium.
Sergio Mitre (2-2) took the loss in giving up 6 Runs - 5 earned in 5 2/3 innings. It is interesting to note that the Cubs are 4-8 in interleague play this far into the season, and one would think they are looking forward to playing in their own league.
The Cubs also look sloppy on the field, reminding myself of just how the Yanks looked a few weeks ago.
One highlight for the Cubs has to be Jeromy Bernitz - he seems to have a hot bat right now. Pair him with Lee, and then get Wood and Prior back from the DL, then look out!
In Yankees highlights, A-Rod stole 2nd in the 6th, and then Matsui knocked him in to put the game further out of reach. That play, and the play in the 7th when Tanyon Sturtze got Neifi Perez to ground into a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning with the bases loaded, stood out to me in how the Yanks are turning it around.
The team really seems to be clicking now. They are in sync at just the right time (they are home). They are ready now to face the Devil Rays, the worst team in baseball. Lets see if the Rays give them a tough series as the last time they met.
The first game of that series is tomorrow night with just called up Sean Henn (0-1) taking on Casey Fossum (2-5) at the Stadium.
06/19: Happy Fathers Day
Posted by: Patrick
Happy Fathers Day to all of the fathers out there.
My Dad is a Yankees fan, so I was a Yankees fan at birth. Great choice, Dad. (He doesn't know this site exists, of course. ;))
My Dad is a Yankees fan, so I was a Yankees fan at birth. Great choice, Dad. (He doesn't know this site exists, of course. ;))
06/18: Who Should We Sponsor?
Posted by: Patrick
So, we all know how great Baseball-Reference.com is. They have a sponsorship program where you can sponsor most pages on the site (including player pages) for a certain fee (varies by page). You get a link on the page in exchange.
For taking a couple of survey's, I have $4 in my account over there. So, what I was thinking was this... go to the available pages page (or do searches at BR, you're choice) and find a page that you think it'd be neat for us to sponsor. I don't really want to go any higher than $15. If it's really good, I might be able to go $20. Could that be Red Ruffing? Traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees - turned into a Hall of Famer. Or Sparky Lyle?
I ran through the top Yankees in games played and came up from Frankie Crosetti (11th) and Earle Combs (17th). Perhaps the World Champion 1939 Yankees? The Iron Horse's final year. Or the World Champion 1941 Yankees? The 1949 World Champion Yankees? The 1950 World Champion Yankees? Jack Chesbro?
Perhaps Gerald "Ice" Williams, possibly the only man to get a shot in on Pedro Martinez?
Let me know what you think.
For taking a couple of survey's, I have $4 in my account over there. So, what I was thinking was this... go to the available pages page (or do searches at BR, you're choice) and find a page that you think it'd be neat for us to sponsor. I don't really want to go any higher than $15. If it's really good, I might be able to go $20. Could that be Red Ruffing? Traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees - turned into a Hall of Famer. Or Sparky Lyle?
I ran through the top Yankees in games played and came up from Frankie Crosetti (11th) and Earle Combs (17th). Perhaps the World Champion 1939 Yankees? The Iron Horse's final year. Or the World Champion 1941 Yankees? The 1949 World Champion Yankees? The 1950 World Champion Yankees? Jack Chesbro?
Perhaps Gerald "Ice" Williams, possibly the only man to get a shot in on Pedro Martinez?
Let me know what you think.
Posted by: Patrick
Coming into the game, among active players, Derek Jeter had had the most at bats (136) and home runs (156) without a grand slam of anyone in baseball.
No longer.
With 1 out in the 6th, Jeter homered to deep center to put the Yankees ahead 7-1.
D. Jeter finished the game 2 for 5 with 2 HRs (he added a solo shot in the 8th) with 5 RBI.
Chien-Ming Wang pitched a brilliant 8 innings, throwing 88 pitches (57 of them for strikes). He allowed 1 ER (a solo HR in the 6th) and 5 hits, bringing his ERA down to 3.97 and uping his record to 4-2.
Not to be lost in the mix were 3 hit games from Bernie (3 for 4, 1 R) and Sheff (3 for 5, 1 R, 1 RBI). The Yankee offense combined for 13 hits and 3 walks. Cano scored 2 runs, as did Jeter.
I watched much of the game (had it on while working) and the Yankee defense looked good. A-Rod made a couple of nice plays.
All in all, a satisifying victory that puts us 3 games over .500 and 4.5 back of the first place Orioles. Moose goes against Sergio Mitre tomorrow.
No longer.
With 1 out in the 6th, Jeter homered to deep center to put the Yankees ahead 7-1.
D. Jeter finished the game 2 for 5 with 2 HRs (he added a solo shot in the 8th) with 5 RBI.
Chien-Ming Wang pitched a brilliant 8 innings, throwing 88 pitches (57 of them for strikes). He allowed 1 ER (a solo HR in the 6th) and 5 hits, bringing his ERA down to 3.97 and uping his record to 4-2.
Not to be lost in the mix were 3 hit games from Bernie (3 for 4, 1 R) and Sheff (3 for 5, 1 R, 1 RBI). The Yankee offense combined for 13 hits and 3 walks. Cano scored 2 runs, as did Jeter.
I watched much of the game (had it on while working) and the Yankee defense looked good. A-Rod made a couple of nice plays.
All in all, a satisifying victory that puts us 3 games over .500 and 4.5 back of the first place Orioles. Moose goes against Sergio Mitre tomorrow.
06/18: CF Watch and Untouchables
Posted by: Patrick
On the center fielder watch:
From the New York Daily News: Griffey Gambit:
From the New York Post: Bombers in Chase for Mets' Cameron.
There was also an article in The Star Ledger a few days back on who may or may not be untouchable on the Yankees:
I'm not into trading Posada, Matsui, Bernie, Sheffield, Mussina or Mo. I think we need more guys like Matsui, not less. And I'd prefer not to trade Cano, Wang and Gordon, but, if we are going to trade, where does it come from? Going to have to be the minors.
Via Off the Facade and Pro Sports Daily.
From the New York Daily News: Griffey Gambit:
Trade speculation is always rampant in the Bronx and the latest scenario making the rounds had the Yanks dealing for Ken Griffey Jr. One Yankee official said simply, "Not happening," when the situation was posed to him.
From the New York Post: Bombers in Chase for Mets' Cameron.
There was also an article in The Star Ledger a few days back on who may or may not be untouchable on the Yankees:
Multiple baseball people familiar with the Yankees' plans said yesterday the team has been calling around to assess the trade market and that the Yankees could do something major if they don't start playing better by the end of the homestand. One of those people said the only untouchables on the roster would be shortstop Derek Jeter, third baseman Alex Rodriguez and starting pitcher Randy Johnson. That person didn't mention Mariano Rivera as an untouchable, but it's hard to envision the Yankees making any sort of move with their Hall of Fame closer. ...
The Yankees aren't ruling out the possibility of asking players such as Hideki Matsui and Bernie Williams to waive their no-trade protection if teams are interested enough to give something good in return for them.
"They're talking about almost everything," an official with a National League team said. "They're talking about players who used to be off-limits."
Among Yankees regulars, the only players who don't have no-trade clauses are catcher Jorge Posada and right fielder Gary Sheffield, and either could bring back a great deal in a trade if the Yankees were willing to help pay his salary. The question is whether such a move would constitute a change simply for change's sake, or whether the team could actually improve itself with such a major move. ...
The Yankees also would consider moving their two impressive rookies, pitcher Chien-Ming Wang and second baseman Robinson Cano, to teams that are out of the race and looking to make veteran-for-prospect deals. But that will cause a rift in the organization, as some believe the Yankees should keep Wang and Cano and build their future teams around them.
The Yankees aren't ruling out the possibility of asking players such as Hideki Matsui and Bernie Williams to waive their no-trade protection if teams are interested enough to give something good in return for them.
"They're talking about almost everything," an official with a National League team said. "They're talking about players who used to be off-limits."
Among Yankees regulars, the only players who don't have no-trade clauses are catcher Jorge Posada and right fielder Gary Sheffield, and either could bring back a great deal in a trade if the Yankees were willing to help pay his salary. The question is whether such a move would constitute a change simply for change's sake, or whether the team could actually improve itself with such a major move. ...
The Yankees also would consider moving their two impressive rookies, pitcher Chien-Ming Wang and second baseman Robinson Cano, to teams that are out of the race and looking to make veteran-for-prospect deals. But that will cause a rift in the organization, as some believe the Yankees should keep Wang and Cano and build their future teams around them.
I'm not into trading Posada, Matsui, Bernie, Sheffield, Mussina or Mo. I think we need more guys like Matsui, not less. And I'd prefer not to trade Cano, Wang and Gordon, but, if we are going to trade, where does it come from? Going to have to be the minors.
Via Off the Facade and Pro Sports Daily.
Posted by: David
Hideki Matusi had a five RBI night with a RBI single, a two run homer and a two run double. The home run put the Yankees back ahead to stay at 7-6 in the seventh and the double provided additional insurance in the eighth for Rivera to end the game at 9-6.
The Yankees really beat up the Cubs bullpen by hammering Ohman, Wuertz and Remlinger after demonstrative Carlos Zambrano left the game. The Yankees had a 4-0 lead but the Cubs battled back against Pavano to eventually take the lead 6-4 on a two run single from catcher Henry Blanco.
In the seventh the Yankees battled back with A-Rod delivering Sheffield from second with a one out single up the middle just prior to Matsui's go ahead homerun. The difference proved to be the Yankees bullpen with Quantrill, Stanton, Gordon and Rivera not giving up any runs.
The Yankees still need to do something in left field. Tony Womack isn't the answer. He looks very uncomfortable, has no arm to speak off and it appears that he really doesn't like the experiment. With Cano firmly in charge of second base it appears that Womack is prime trade bait. The San Diego Padres are without Mark Loretta and may try to acquire a veteran like Womack for the pennant race. The Yankees are only obligated for a two year contract for $4 million which for the Yankees is pocket change. If they could get some bench help from San Diego or a couple of minor leaguers I think Womack isn't long for the Big Apple. The rumor mill has the Cincinnati Reds thinking about dealing any or all of their outfielders. Could Junior be headed to NY to play center?
The Yankees really beat up the Cubs bullpen by hammering Ohman, Wuertz and Remlinger after demonstrative Carlos Zambrano left the game. The Yankees had a 4-0 lead but the Cubs battled back against Pavano to eventually take the lead 6-4 on a two run single from catcher Henry Blanco.
In the seventh the Yankees battled back with A-Rod delivering Sheffield from second with a one out single up the middle just prior to Matsui's go ahead homerun. The difference proved to be the Yankees bullpen with Quantrill, Stanton, Gordon and Rivera not giving up any runs.
The Yankees still need to do something in left field. Tony Womack isn't the answer. He looks very uncomfortable, has no arm to speak off and it appears that he really doesn't like the experiment. With Cano firmly in charge of second base it appears that Womack is prime trade bait. The San Diego Padres are without Mark Loretta and may try to acquire a veteran like Womack for the pennant race. The Yankees are only obligated for a two year contract for $4 million which for the Yankees is pocket change. If they could get some bench help from San Diego or a couple of minor leaguers I think Womack isn't long for the Big Apple. The rumor mill has the Cincinnati Reds thinking about dealing any or all of their outfielders. Could Junior be headed to NY to play center?
