06/30: Horne Update
Posted by: Patrick
Chad Jennings (who else?) spoke with Alan Horne regarding yesterday's outing.
“It was almost like I couldn’t get the ball there," he said. "It didn’t matter what I tried to do. I’d try to add something to it and it seemed like the harder I tried to throw it, the less effective it would be. My breaking stuff was just as slow and loopy as I think I’ve ever thrown it, and I can’t tell you why. Physically I’m fine. They came out there and checked me out and I said, ‘Nothing hurts. I just feel dead. My arm especially. It’s like I have no life, no drive through anything.’ ”
Posted by: Patrick
Chad Jennings reports:
Not sure exactly what or why, but Alan Horne is out after just two-thirds of an inning here in Buffalo. His control was horrible -- 32 pitches, 12 strikes -- and he was constantly shaking his right arm in between pitches. He walked three and allowed a two-out, two-run single before being pulled from the game.
Posted by: Seamus
Saturday's game came as advertised, as an expected pitchers' duel between Andy Pettitte and Johan Santana was just that. The Yankees defeated the Mets by a score of 3-2 in a game that featured two rain delays to go along with the stellar pitching. The Sox and Rays both lost, pulling the Yankees to within 5 games of the division lead and 4.5 of the wild card.
The game started out a litle shaky for Pettitte, who walked two straight batters in the first, but he got out of it without any damage. Ironically, the first run of the game came via a home run by Ramon Castro off of Pettitte in an inning he otherwise rolled through.
The Yankees went ahead in the 4th with back-to-back RBI ground outs by Jason Giambi and Jorge Posada. The Yankees added an insurance run in the 6th with a base hit by Robinson Cano that scored Alex Rodriguez to put the Yanks up by a score of 3-1. That run would prove to be needed as the Mets scored one in the bottom of the inning to pull to within 3-2.
Both pitchers left the game after 6 with impressive lines. Pettitte allowed two runs on five hits, striking out four. Santana allowed just four hits, but he did labor a bit as it took him 113 pitches to get through the 6th.
The game was uneventful after that, as both bullpens threw 3 innings of scoreless ball. Mariano Rivera picked up his 22nd save in as many chances.
The visiting team has won every game between these teams this season, and the Yankees will try to keep that going this afternoon as they send Darrell Rasner to the mound to face Oliver Perez. Barring a matchup in October, this will be the last game the Yankees ever play at Shea Stadium. Game starts at 1:10 E.T.
The game started out a litle shaky for Pettitte, who walked two straight batters in the first, but he got out of it without any damage. Ironically, the first run of the game came via a home run by Ramon Castro off of Pettitte in an inning he otherwise rolled through.
The Yankees went ahead in the 4th with back-to-back RBI ground outs by Jason Giambi and Jorge Posada. The Yankees added an insurance run in the 6th with a base hit by Robinson Cano that scored Alex Rodriguez to put the Yanks up by a score of 3-1. That run would prove to be needed as the Mets scored one in the bottom of the inning to pull to within 3-2.
Both pitchers left the game after 6 with impressive lines. Pettitte allowed two runs on five hits, striking out four. Santana allowed just four hits, but he did labor a bit as it took him 113 pitches to get through the 6th.
The game was uneventful after that, as both bullpens threw 3 innings of scoreless ball. Mariano Rivera picked up his 22nd save in as many chances.
The visiting team has won every game between these teams this season, and the Yankees will try to keep that going this afternoon as they send Darrell Rasner to the mound to face Oliver Perez. Barring a matchup in October, this will be the last game the Yankees ever play at Shea Stadium. Game starts at 1:10 E.T.
06/28: At The Halfway Point
Posted by: James
With the win today, the Yankees hit the halfway point at 44-37 and soon to be 5 games back of the first place Red Sox (4 GB on the loss side). Now, most fans would rather be in first place but consider that this is a noticeable step up from where they were last year (40-41, 10.5 GB in the AL East, and 7 GB in the Wild Card). They made a heck of a run last year and even with all of the injuries, pitching woes, offensive woes, and all of the sturm und drang that accompanies the Yankees, they are in a position to do the same this year. I think that the bullpen is in a far stronger position than previous years and while the rotation has obviously been bitten by the injury bug this year, the second half promises the hopefully healthy returns of help there (I am waiting on Carl Pavano myself). Combine that with a (hopeful) return to form from Robbie Cano, continued hot hitting from the heart of the Yankee order and and a little luck (and minimal injuries of course) and it should be another entertaining run.
Of course, this year, they also have the Rays to contend with as they head down the home stretch. They're tied with the Pirates right now in the ninth but with a win, will hop over the Red Sox to take over first place in the AL East (though they will have played 3 less games). In addition, there are a few more teams to worry about in the AL as the Central looks like it will be hotly contested as Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota vie for first there. LAnaheim is leading the West right now but they still look vulnerable to the As as the summer goes on.
Should be a wild summer in the Bronx...let's hope it's an enjoyable ride.
Of course, this year, they also have the Rays to contend with as they head down the home stretch. They're tied with the Pirates right now in the ninth but with a win, will hop over the Red Sox to take over first place in the AL East (though they will have played 3 less games). In addition, there are a few more teams to worry about in the AL as the Central looks like it will be hotly contested as Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota vie for first there. LAnaheim is leading the West right now but they still look vulnerable to the As as the summer goes on.
Should be a wild summer in the Bronx...let's hope it's an enjoyable ride.
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham reports that Yankees prospect David Robertson is now with the big league club. The move was made before today's game. Kei Igawa was sent back down and Oneli Perez was DFAed.
Posted by: Patrick
Yes, the title of this post is a joke. That said, Sidney Ponson did the job - and then some - on Friday night at Shea, holding the Mets to exactly zero earned runs over six innings of work. Yes, he walked four guys, to go along with five hits and 4 strikeouts. But, what matters is that all of those guys were left on base.
If you asked Yankees fans to bet on the outcome Ponson's performance tonight, before the game, let's just say that "6 scoreless" would not be a popular choice. Heck, "Yankees win the game" might not have even been a popular choice. But, regardless of Ponson's past, he's "earned" a second start now. Right? I think. Yeah. I'm going with that.
The Yankees bats came to life, putting together a streak of four consecutive innings of 2 or more runs from the fourth through seventh innings, giving them a 9-0 lead.
A suddenly hot Bobby Abreu led the charge, collecting four hits in as many at bats, with one of those being a double. He also stole 3 bases, scored a run, drove in 3 and walked once. Robbie Cano was 1 for 4, but his at bats counted. Besides a solo home run, he hit a sac fly that scored Jeter and a ground out that scored Abreu. That's 3 RBIs for the second baseman. Jeter (hit streak extended to 15 games) was big as well, going 2 for 4 with a double, a walk, 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Jose Molina scored 2 runs of his own, as well as an RBI, finishing 2 for 3 with a walk.
Kyle Farnsworth, Jose Veras and Kei Igawa (promoted before the game) combined to pitch one scoreless inning a piece and shut out the Mets, holding them to eight hits for the game.
The Yankees and Mets will pick it up again tomorrow at 3:55 PM ET when Andy Pettitte (8-5, 4.04 ERA) will face Johan Santana (7-6, 2.93 ERA).
If you asked Yankees fans to bet on the outcome Ponson's performance tonight, before the game, let's just say that "6 scoreless" would not be a popular choice. Heck, "Yankees win the game" might not have even been a popular choice. But, regardless of Ponson's past, he's "earned" a second start now. Right? I think. Yeah. I'm going with that.
The Yankees bats came to life, putting together a streak of four consecutive innings of 2 or more runs from the fourth through seventh innings, giving them a 9-0 lead.
A suddenly hot Bobby Abreu led the charge, collecting four hits in as many at bats, with one of those being a double. He also stole 3 bases, scored a run, drove in 3 and walked once. Robbie Cano was 1 for 4, but his at bats counted. Besides a solo home run, he hit a sac fly that scored Jeter and a ground out that scored Abreu. That's 3 RBIs for the second baseman. Jeter (hit streak extended to 15 games) was big as well, going 2 for 4 with a double, a walk, 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Jose Molina scored 2 runs of his own, as well as an RBI, finishing 2 for 3 with a walk.
Kyle Farnsworth, Jose Veras and Kei Igawa (promoted before the game) combined to pitch one scoreless inning a piece and shut out the Mets, holding them to eight hits for the game.
The Yankees and Mets will pick it up again tomorrow at 3:55 PM ET when Andy Pettitte (8-5, 4.04 ERA) will face Johan Santana (7-6, 2.93 ERA).
06/27: Matsui to DL
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees made room on the roster for Sidney Ponson by placing Hideki Matsui on the 15-day DL, according to ESPN. The move was made after the first game of today's doubleheader with the Mets and is retroactive to June 23.
The Yanks also sent down Ross Ohlendorf after his rough outing this afternoon and called up Kei Igawa.
The Yanks also sent down Ross Ohlendorf after his rough outing this afternoon and called up Kei Igawa.
Posted by: Patrick
The first four innings of the opener of today's double header went alright for the Yankees, who held a 4-3 lead up to that point. It's the other 5 innings that were a horrible, ugly mess. For that span, the Yankees were outscored 12 to 2 as the Mets knocked Dan Giese out of the game and proceeded to score off of every pitcher the Yankees threw at them.
Giese came out to start the fifth, but was taken out after a walk, walk and single that loaded the basis. Edwar came in and allowed 3 runs to score. Giese's line? 4 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 K. Edwar would throw 1 and 2/3 innings, charged with 2 earned runs. With the Mets leading 6-4 and 2 outs in the 6th with runners on first and third, Girardi opted for Ross Ohlendorf.
Like Ramirez before him, Ohlendorf would throw his own special blend was gasoline on the fire - perhaps a little more potent batch. After allowing an RBI single and walking Carlos Beltran to load the bases, he gave up a grand slam to Carlos Beltram, effectively putting the game out of reach at 11-4.
Ohlendorf pitched a scoreless 7th and was relieved by LaTroy Hawkins, who managed to allow 1 run in two innings of work.
Carlos Delgado absolutely victimized our pitchers, going 3 for 5 with a double, 2 home runs and 9 RBIs.
Meanwhile, we ended up scoring 6 runs - half of them in the third inning. A-Rod led the attack with a 3 for 4 day, with a home run, 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Melky and Betemit each had 2 hits and Jeter extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a double.
The second game of the double header starts at 8:10 PM with a couple of old friends - Sidney Ponson (4-3, 3.88 ERA with the Rangers) goes against Pedro Martinez (2-1, 6.57).
Giese came out to start the fifth, but was taken out after a walk, walk and single that loaded the basis. Edwar came in and allowed 3 runs to score. Giese's line? 4 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 K. Edwar would throw 1 and 2/3 innings, charged with 2 earned runs. With the Mets leading 6-4 and 2 outs in the 6th with runners on first and third, Girardi opted for Ross Ohlendorf.
Like Ramirez before him, Ohlendorf would throw his own special blend was gasoline on the fire - perhaps a little more potent batch. After allowing an RBI single and walking Carlos Beltran to load the bases, he gave up a grand slam to Carlos Beltram, effectively putting the game out of reach at 11-4.
Ohlendorf pitched a scoreless 7th and was relieved by LaTroy Hawkins, who managed to allow 1 run in two innings of work.
Carlos Delgado absolutely victimized our pitchers, going 3 for 5 with a double, 2 home runs and 9 RBIs.
Meanwhile, we ended up scoring 6 runs - half of them in the third inning. A-Rod led the attack with a 3 for 4 day, with a home run, 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Melky and Betemit each had 2 hits and Jeter extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a double.
The second game of the double header starts at 8:10 PM with a couple of old friends - Sidney Ponson (4-3, 3.88 ERA with the Rangers) goes against Pedro Martinez (2-1, 6.57).
Posted by: Patrick
Programming note: I'm going to be appearing on the "Seven Train to Shea" online radio show tomorrow, Saturday, June 28. The show starts at 1:30 PM ET and I'm set to call in at 2. They have a call in number, as well, on the show site, if you'd like to ask a question or share some thoughts. Should be fun.
06/27: Matsui May be DL Bound
Posted by: Patrick
From Peter Abraham:
It doesn't sound too serious, so hopefully if he does hit the DL, it'll be retroactive and for a short time.
Hideki Matsui was unavailable for the third straight game with an inflamed left knee last night and could be placed on the disabled list today.
"It's always a possibility," manager Joe Girardi said before the Yankees had their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates rained out in the third inning. "You don't want it to come to that. But if we feel it's in the best interest of him and the club, that's something we'll talk about.
"It's always a possibility," manager Joe Girardi said before the Yankees had their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates rained out in the third inning. "You don't want it to come to that. But if we feel it's in the best interest of him and the club, that's something we'll talk about.
It doesn't sound too serious, so hopefully if he does hit the DL, it'll be retroactive and for a short time.
