Posted by: David
A-Rod hit the go ahead three run homer and added a two run blast for insurance later and Bobby Abreu went four for four plus a walk to lead the Yankees to a sweep over the Pirates at the stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Yankees got out to a 3-0 lead early and later extended their lead to 5-2. However, Tyler Clippard was ineffective and gave up the lead to the Pirates with a four run inning. With the Yankees behind 6-5 they got two runners on and A-Rod came to the plate. He dropped the bat head on a low inside pitch and golfed it over the left field fence to put the Yankees ahead for good. He later hit another homer for insurance.
The real treat though is Bobby Abreu. He has simply been awful through the first two months of the season, but over the last week to ten days is the player of old. He went four for four on Sunday and scored four runs. He is getting most of his hits to the opposite field which means he is seeing the ball well and waiting on the pitch.
The Yankees bullpen was great, not giving up any runs over the last 5 1/3 innings. Sean Henn was credited with the win as he pitched two scoreless innings. He pitched out of a bases loaded, one out jam with a strike out and also retiring the last batter without giving up a run.
With the Red Sox losing, the Yankees have reduced the deficit to 9 1/2 games and are now in second place behind the first place Bosox. Monday is an off day and interleague play resumes on Tuesday night vs. the Diamondbacks with the great pitching matchup of Brandon Webb vs. Chien Ming-Wang.
The Yankees got out to a 3-0 lead early and later extended their lead to 5-2. However, Tyler Clippard was ineffective and gave up the lead to the Pirates with a four run inning. With the Yankees behind 6-5 they got two runners on and A-Rod came to the plate. He dropped the bat head on a low inside pitch and golfed it over the left field fence to put the Yankees ahead for good. He later hit another homer for insurance.
The real treat though is Bobby Abreu. He has simply been awful through the first two months of the season, but over the last week to ten days is the player of old. He went four for four on Sunday and scored four runs. He is getting most of his hits to the opposite field which means he is seeing the ball well and waiting on the pitch.
The Yankees bullpen was great, not giving up any runs over the last 5 1/3 innings. Sean Henn was credited with the win as he pitched two scoreless innings. He pitched out of a bases loaded, one out jam with a strike out and also retiring the last batter without giving up a run.
With the Red Sox losing, the Yankees have reduced the deficit to 9 1/2 games and are now in second place behind the first place Bosox. Monday is an off day and interleague play resumes on Tuesday night vs. the Diamondbacks with the great pitching matchup of Brandon Webb vs. Chien Ming-Wang.
06/11: Enjoy the Day Off
Posted by: Patrick
After losing on May 29, we fell to 14.5 games back. After losing on June 2, we were 13.5 games back. What 8 days can do! Since that loss to the Red Sox, we're 7-1. Meanwhile, the Red Sox have gone 3-5 in that same span. So, we've averaged a gain of a half a game in each of the last 8 days and we're now 9.5 games back. Sweet. Is there a sweeter day off than one that comes on a winning streak? Enjoy this one.
Tomorrow, we'll open a 3 game set with the Diamondbacks (the NL Wild Card leader) and the Sox will open up with the Rockies (4th place in the West).
Tomorrow, we'll open a 3 game set with the Diamondbacks (the NL Wild Card leader) and the Sox will open up with the Rockies (4th place in the West).
06/10: Jorge Posada Q&A
Posted by: Patrick
Steve Serby has an interview with Jorge.
Q: Your contract is up after this season; do you want to end your career as a Yankee?
A: Yes.
Q: Why is that so important to you?
A: It’s the only place I know. I like it here, I understand it here, I know winning here, and I don’t want to go nowhere else.
Q: You understand the New York fishbowl?
A: It’s like a soap opera now. It’s not all about baseball, and that’s something that is getting worse and worse every year.
A: Yes.
Q: Why is that so important to you?
A: It’s the only place I know. I like it here, I understand it here, I know winning here, and I don’t want to go nowhere else.
Q: You understand the New York fishbowl?
A: It’s like a soap opera now. It’s not all about baseball, and that’s something that is getting worse and worse every year.
06/10: Henn Stays, Britton Goes
Posted by: Patrick
From the official site:
"It was a tough decision, even though probably by the next time we go on the road trip, we'll send another pitcher out," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "We just felt Sean Henn seems to be improving. He's probably closer to the long man we'd like to have."
Henn's stay with the Yankees is indefinite. The Yankees are still carrying 13 pitchers and almost certainly will option one to add a position player for the club's upcoming series at National League parks. In the meantime, he's packing light, carrying just enough clothing and equipment to get him to his next destination.
Henn's stay with the Yankees is indefinite. The Yankees are still carrying 13 pitchers and almost certainly will option one to add a position player for the club's upcoming series at National League parks. In the meantime, he's packing light, carrying just enough clothing and equipment to get him to his next destination.
06/09: How Damon Oppenheimer Drafts
Posted by: Patrick
Mike has a nice analysis of Damon Oppenheimer's draft philosophy.
Posted by: David
The Yankees beat the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night 5-4 in ten innings. The Pirates jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with the aid of an Xavier Nady home run and three consecutive singles later on. The Yankees came back to tie the game on a two run homer from Hideki Matsui.
Pettitte got in to trouble again in the seventh and it looked like he would escape. However, Melky Cabrera misjudged a line drive from Duffy (the potential last out of the inning) and it sailed over his head and ended up as a two run inside the park home run.
The Yankees came right back against Gorzelanny in the bottom of the seventh with RBI singles from Jeter and Posada to tie the score. Rivera was summoned to pitch the ninth and got into a little trouble but escaped.
In the tenth, Mo gave up another single but got a double play ball from Nady to end the inning. You could see that Mo was pumped. In the bottom of the 10th, Robinson Cano led off with a double to left that just missed being a home run. Cabrera was called on to sacrifice and did just that, moving Cano to third with only one out. Cairo then hit a soft bouncer to third. Bautista fielded the ball and checked Cano back to third but then didn't throw to first and Cairo was safe. Damon was eventually intentionally walked to load the bases. It was Jeter's time to be the hero and he dribbled a bouncer to second which Freddy Sanchez tried to bare hand and throw to the plate but he couldn't handle it and the winning run scored.
Rivera was credited with the win and is 2-3 on the season. The Rocket relaunches on Saturday afternoon as the series continues.
Pettitte got in to trouble again in the seventh and it looked like he would escape. However, Melky Cabrera misjudged a line drive from Duffy (the potential last out of the inning) and it sailed over his head and ended up as a two run inside the park home run.
The Yankees came right back against Gorzelanny in the bottom of the seventh with RBI singles from Jeter and Posada to tie the score. Rivera was summoned to pitch the ninth and got into a little trouble but escaped.
In the tenth, Mo gave up another single but got a double play ball from Nady to end the inning. You could see that Mo was pumped. In the bottom of the 10th, Robinson Cano led off with a double to left that just missed being a home run. Cabrera was called on to sacrifice and did just that, moving Cano to third with only one out. Cairo then hit a soft bouncer to third. Bautista fielded the ball and checked Cano back to third but then didn't throw to first and Cairo was safe. Damon was eventually intentionally walked to load the bases. It was Jeter's time to be the hero and he dribbled a bouncer to second which Freddy Sanchez tried to bare hand and throw to the plate but he couldn't handle it and the winning run scored.
Rivera was credited with the win and is 2-3 on the season. The Rocket relaunches on Saturday afternoon as the series continues.
Posted by: Patrick
Just like yesterday, I will be updating this entry throughout the day with the Yankees picks. Again, please add your thoughts on the picks in the comments.
214. C Richard Weems, Columbus High School
244. 2B Damon Sublett, Wichita State University
274. CF Taylor Grote, The Woodlands High School
304. CF Austin Krum, Dallas Baptist University
334. SS Carmen Angelini, Barbe High School
364. LF Isaiah Howes, University of Louisville
394. RHP Manuel Barreda, Sahuarita High School
424. RHP Nicolas Chigges, College of Charleston
454. 3B William Pruitt, Stetson University
484. RF David Williams, Rutgers University, New Brunswick
514. RHP Daniel Mahoney, Cushing Academy
544. RHP Ryan Zink, University of Illinois at Chicago
574. RHP Christopher Carpenter, Kent State University
604. OF Taylor Holiday, University of California, Irvine
634. SS Ryan Wehrle, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
664. 2B Justin Snyder, University of San Diego
694. RHP Craig Heyer, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
724. CF Matthew Morris, University of California, Irvine
754. RHP Gregory Peavey, Hudson's Bay High School (from what I've been reading, this is gonna make some people happy)
784. RHP Jason Kiley, Florida Gulf Coast University
814. CF Gary Gattis, Yavapai College
844. 3B Brandon Laird, Cypress College
874. RHP Jeffrey Livek, Carthage College
904. RHP Matthew Pilgreen, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
934. 2B Christopher Carrara, Winthrop University
963. C Chad Dawson, Indiana State University
992. SS Brian Chavez, University of San Francisco
1,021. RHP Fred Jones, University of Evansville
1,050. RHP Drew Storen, Brownsburg High School
1,079. RHP Gregory Holle, Christian Brother's Academy High School
1,107. SS Daniel Cox, University of Washington
1,135. RF Steven Strausbaugh, Western Carolina University
1,163. CF Erik Komatsu, Oxnard College
1,191. LF Eric Thames, Pepperdine University
1,217. 1B Luke Murton, Georgia Tech
1,243. RHP Jake Shafer, Missouri State University
1,269. 1B Christopher Rader, Coastal Carolina University
1,295. RHP Jason Chowning, Texarkana Community College
1,321. LHP Tyler Herriage, Weatherford College
1,345. RHP Pat Venditte, Creighton University
1,368. RHP Daniel Kapala, University of Notre Dame
1,390. RF Colin Arnold, Daytona Beach Community College
1,411. RHP Joseph Bittle, University of Mississippi
1,432. LHP Kenneth Toves, Carlsbad High School
1,453. C Lawrence Day, University of Connecticut
The 2007 draft is in the books!
214. C Richard Weems, Columbus High School
244. 2B Damon Sublett, Wichita State University
274. CF Taylor Grote, The Woodlands High School
304. CF Austin Krum, Dallas Baptist University
334. SS Carmen Angelini, Barbe High School
364. LF Isaiah Howes, University of Louisville
394. RHP Manuel Barreda, Sahuarita High School
424. RHP Nicolas Chigges, College of Charleston
454. 3B William Pruitt, Stetson University
484. RF David Williams, Rutgers University, New Brunswick
514. RHP Daniel Mahoney, Cushing Academy
544. RHP Ryan Zink, University of Illinois at Chicago
574. RHP Christopher Carpenter, Kent State University
604. OF Taylor Holiday, University of California, Irvine
634. SS Ryan Wehrle, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
664. 2B Justin Snyder, University of San Diego
694. RHP Craig Heyer, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
724. CF Matthew Morris, University of California, Irvine
754. RHP Gregory Peavey, Hudson's Bay High School (from what I've been reading, this is gonna make some people happy)
784. RHP Jason Kiley, Florida Gulf Coast University
814. CF Gary Gattis, Yavapai College
844. 3B Brandon Laird, Cypress College
874. RHP Jeffrey Livek, Carthage College
904. RHP Matthew Pilgreen, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
934. 2B Christopher Carrara, Winthrop University
963. C Chad Dawson, Indiana State University
992. SS Brian Chavez, University of San Francisco
1,021. RHP Fred Jones, University of Evansville
1,050. RHP Drew Storen, Brownsburg High School
1,079. RHP Gregory Holle, Christian Brother's Academy High School
1,107. SS Daniel Cox, University of Washington
1,135. RF Steven Strausbaugh, Western Carolina University
1,163. CF Erik Komatsu, Oxnard College
1,191. LF Eric Thames, Pepperdine University
1,217. 1B Luke Murton, Georgia Tech
1,243. RHP Jake Shafer, Missouri State University
1,269. 1B Christopher Rader, Coastal Carolina University
1,295. RHP Jason Chowning, Texarkana Community College
1,321. LHP Tyler Herriage, Weatherford College
1,345. RHP Pat Venditte, Creighton University
1,368. RHP Daniel Kapala, University of Notre Dame
1,390. RF Colin Arnold, Daytona Beach Community College
1,411. RHP Joseph Bittle, University of Mississippi
1,432. LHP Kenneth Toves, Carlsbad High School
1,453. C Lawrence Day, University of Connecticut
The 2007 draft is in the books!
Posted by: Patrick
If you've read YanksBlog.com much, you know we generally avoid things like this (i.e. we try not to delight in others falling short). However, I really have to mention this. Peter Abraham, Tyler Kepner and Dom Amore all talked about the reaction from the Yankees clubhouse when Schilling's no hitter last night (he went 8 and 2/3 with Shannon Stewart breaking it up).
Kepner:
Amore:
Kepner:
The Yankees watched the end of Schilling’s game in the clubhouse Thursday afternoon. When Shannon Stewart broke up the no-hitter, the room erupted in cheers, players bursting from their seats and shouting.
Amore:
The Yankees were into Schilling's no-hit bid, and a big scream in the clubhouse went up when it was broken up. The Yankees were rooting hard for a walk-off home run by Oakland.
06/08: Torre Reaches 2,000 Wins
Posted by: Patrick
With last night's victory, the Yankees have won 2,000 regular season games with Joe Torre at the helm. As Bryan Hoch points out, he's the only person in baseball history to have 2,000 hits and 2,000 managerial victories. Congrats.
This puts him in 10th place all time. Before the season is over, he'll reach 8th by passing Leo Durocher (2,008) and Walter Alston (2,040). That would place him directly behind Joe McCarthy (2,125).
This puts him in 10th place all time. Before the season is over, he'll reach 8th by passing Leo Durocher (2,008) and Walter Alston (2,040). That would place him directly behind Joe McCarthy (2,125).
06/08: June 7th at the White Sox
Posted by: James
Heck of a win by the Yankees tonight. I was in Chicago watching the game with some Sox fans so I'll have to be brief. The game is a pretty simple breakdown.
Mike Mussina, perhaps taking a cue from Chien-Ming Wang, decided to pitch one heck of a game over 6 innings. Unfortunately for Moose, Jose Contreras was just as effective in shutting down the Yankees bats. The Yanks scored their first run in the fourth on a Matsui groundout that scored Bobby Abreu after he and A-Rod had started the inning off with singles.
Chicago tied it up in the 7th. Mussina started off the inning by giving up singles to Thome and Konerko before being taken out. Mike Myers then came in for the thankless job of LOOGY and gave up a RBI single to A.J. Pierzynski to tie the game at 1-1. Scott Proctor then came in with 2 on and none out and proceeded to bail the Yankees out of the inning. Rob Mackowiak lined a pitch deep to center but the ball got knocked down by the wind.
The Yankees took the lead in the eighth when Derek Jeter pinch hit, stole second and took third on a single by Melky Cabrera. Bobby Abreu then came up and with one out, laced a double to right to score both Jeter and El Leche. 3-1 Yanks. After the bases got juiced with two walks to A-Rod and Hideki, Abreu scored on a ground-out from Cano. 4-1 Yanks.
In the 8th, Kyle Farnsworth came in and after one quick out, gave up a single to Jerry Owens. After an errant throw to first put a man in scoring position, Tad Iguchi hit a ground rule double to make it 4-2. At that point, Joe had seen enough and brought in Mo. Iguchi did came around to score on a Konerko single to make the score 4-3 but Mariano sat Pierzynski down on some high heat (A.J. promptly got tossed for slamming his bat down in frustration of his ineptitude.)
In the top of the ninth, the Yankees put the game out of reach. Singles by Jeter and Melky and a walk from Abreu loaded them up and A-Rod brought them home. Grand slam A-rod. 8-3 Yanks. Hideki got aboard on a walk and came around on a Cano triple. Cano scored on a Uribe error on a groundball by Posada. 10-3 Yanks. At that point, the formula was back in play. Bottom of the ninth. Enter Sandman. Game over. Good win, good pitching, good clutch hitting and now, finally some positive momentum. Let's go Yankees.
Mike Mussina, perhaps taking a cue from Chien-Ming Wang, decided to pitch one heck of a game over 6 innings. Unfortunately for Moose, Jose Contreras was just as effective in shutting down the Yankees bats. The Yanks scored their first run in the fourth on a Matsui groundout that scored Bobby Abreu after he and A-Rod had started the inning off with singles.
Chicago tied it up in the 7th. Mussina started off the inning by giving up singles to Thome and Konerko before being taken out. Mike Myers then came in for the thankless job of LOOGY and gave up a RBI single to A.J. Pierzynski to tie the game at 1-1. Scott Proctor then came in with 2 on and none out and proceeded to bail the Yankees out of the inning. Rob Mackowiak lined a pitch deep to center but the ball got knocked down by the wind.
The Yankees took the lead in the eighth when Derek Jeter pinch hit, stole second and took third on a single by Melky Cabrera. Bobby Abreu then came up and with one out, laced a double to right to score both Jeter and El Leche. 3-1 Yanks. After the bases got juiced with two walks to A-Rod and Hideki, Abreu scored on a ground-out from Cano. 4-1 Yanks.
In the 8th, Kyle Farnsworth came in and after one quick out, gave up a single to Jerry Owens. After an errant throw to first put a man in scoring position, Tad Iguchi hit a ground rule double to make it 4-2. At that point, Joe had seen enough and brought in Mo. Iguchi did came around to score on a Konerko single to make the score 4-3 but Mariano sat Pierzynski down on some high heat (A.J. promptly got tossed for slamming his bat down in frustration of his ineptitude.)
In the top of the ninth, the Yankees put the game out of reach. Singles by Jeter and Melky and a walk from Abreu loaded them up and A-Rod brought them home. Grand slam A-rod. 8-3 Yanks. Hideki got aboard on a walk and came around on a Cano triple. Cano scored on a Uribe error on a groundball by Posada. 10-3 Yanks. At that point, the formula was back in play. Bottom of the ninth. Enter Sandman. Game over. Good win, good pitching, good clutch hitting and now, finally some positive momentum. Let's go Yankees.
