Yankees Snatch Defeat from Jaws of Victory (Postgame Notes 12 April 2008)

Must be something about my birthday but the Yankees didn't win on April 12th last year, either.

Anyway, it looked like the Yankees were going to have one of their best early season wins, coming from behind to take the lead against Kansas City's number one starter, and the Yankees were one out away from getting the baseball to Mariano Rivera.

Disaster struck, however, when Joe Girardi over-managed the bottom of the eighth. After Damaso Marte got two quick outs Girardi elected to play mix-and-match, but Veras walked his lone batter and Phil Coke gave up three earned runs and a 4-3 Yankees' lead turned into a 6-4 Royals win.

Joba Chamberlain pitched six decent innings, giving up one earned run and two unearned runs. Even with a line up that included both Gardner and Melky, not to mention Molina and Ransom, and without Teixeira or Posada, the Yankees still managed to score four runs. In that respect, today's game wasn't a disaster.

It just hurts like hell when you're that close.


The Yankees head next to Tampa. The Rays lost two of three to the Orioles, but won today by a score of 11-3.

Yankees at Royals, 12 April 2008, A Liveblog

1.04 PM: Teixeira scratched from line up again, and spotted with wrist brace. This is, no doubt, the moment you say, "thank G-d the Yankees traded for Swisher".

1.05 PM: Thus far in the season, Toronto has scored 42 runs. The Royals have scored 8.

1.05 PM: Today's lineup, courtesy LoHud:


Gardner CF
Jeter SS
Swisher 1B
Matsui DH
Nady RF
Cano 2B
Cabrera LF
Ransom 3B
Molina C


It's not an offensive juggernaut, but with rain in the forecast, it could just as well be likely Girardi taking a good opportunity to give Damon some rest...and Posada would have likely not started this game, anyway.

2.15 PM: Brett Gardner says, bad hitter? Who? Me?

2.27 PM: That gritty, gutty Brett Gardner (tm, LoHud) stole second, went to third on a ground out and went home-standing up-on a wild pitch that wasn't really all that wild. At the end of a half, Yankees up 1-0.

2.33 PM: Joba's first inning: K, slow grounder and deep fly. He's working exceptionally quickly, at least through the first, which is a good sign that he's comfortable.

2.38 PM: When's the last time Canó took six straight pitches? It was for naught, though, as he strikes out, Melky pops out and Ransom strikes out. Ransom looks awful at the plate and the debate about whether or not to start Ramiro Peña cannot be too far away.

2.45 PM: Joba looks great as he has another easy inning. Starting to drizzle in KC, but with any luck the heavy stuff will hold off.

2.56 PM: Joba hangs a slider to John Buck. May be overthrowing through the rain. 1-1.

2.59 PM: After a triple for Coco Crisp, Joba gets out of the inning limiting the damage to one run. Still, it all may be for naught if the rain keeps coming down.

3.05 PM: Yankee offense does nothing, again. They have been retired now ten in a row and the rain is coming down even harder.

3.22 PM: A ground ball that should have been fielded slips through on the wet basebath and instead of getting Joba out of a major jam the Royals now lead 2-1.

3.27 PM: Base hit and now the Royals up 3-1. Likelihood the game is called after five innings has increased exponentially.

3.36 PM: A lead off single from Canó is wasted as Melky GIDPs. I know there are a lot of Melky defenders out there but I am finding it harder and harder to do.

3.50 PM: A Molina lead off single is wasted by a Gardner GIDP although Gardner was safe on the replay. Sometimes you get the games where it's just not your game, and this seems to be it. The Yankees do have Damon and Posada sitting on the bench, however...

3.56 PM: It might not seem like it, but technically Joba's had a quality start, which are usually defined as six innings with six or fewer runs...

Would be nice to perhaps see Damon pinch hit for Melky next time through the line up or some such. Two runs in three innings is doable...even if the Yankees aren't playing like it.

4.02 PM: After two singles from Swisher and Matsui, Xavier Nady rips a double down the left field line. 3-2 Royals...would likely be 3-3 had a faster runner been on third, but you take what you can get. Two RISP and 0 out.

4.02 PM: Right on cue, Canó sneaks one through and this game is tied.

4.03 PM: And this play is scored an E while the Swisher miscue was a hit. Hometown scoring at it's finest.

4.04 PM: Melky GIDPs, but makes it productive as Nady comes into score and Yankees take the lead, 4-3.

4.18 PM: Brian Bruney works a very efficient seventh inning and the Yankees head to the eighth with the top of the line up due up--and hopefully a chance to get Marte/Coke/Mo more than a one run lead.

4.33 PM: Scoring change on the Callaspo through Swisher and Canó play from a hit to an error means that instead of 3 ER Joba only gave up 1 ER on the home run from Buck.

4.44 PM: Damaso Marte gets two quick outs but Veras and Coke blow the lead. Now Royals lead 5-4.

Sabathia Rebounds while Swisher and Posada drive offense (Postgame Notes 11 April 2009)

Going into this game the number one thought on the minds of Yankee fans was: how would CC Sabathia rebound from a rough outing on Opening Day?

The answer: illustrative of the reason the Yankees dug deep in their pockets to shell out the big dough in December.

Sabathia was nothing short of brilliant, giving up six hits over 7.2 innings, while walking none, striking out six and allowing no runs to cross the plate. José Veras was responsible for the Royals' run in the ninth.

Sabathia simply appeared more relaxed today, and it showed.

After the Yankee offense, courtesy of Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada, staked him out to an early lead, he never faltered. Had the Yankees stopped after scoring just two runs they would still have won--though it's certainly better that they scored the six they did.

The story on the offense continues to be Nick Swisher. His OBP? .625. Okay, so it's a small sample size, but he keeps playing himself into the line up and has quickly become a fan favorite. He should get quite the reception in New York if he keeps this up.

Having won three straight, the Yankees now move above .500 for the first time this season, and with the rotation of Sabathia-Wang-Burnett-Pettitte-Joba, it seems unlikely that the Yankees will ever lose more than two games at a time this season. It will happen, of course, as it does to every team, but each of the Yankees' starters could theoretically be an ace on another team.

Joba Chamberlain makes his first start of the season tomorrow he's on a strict innings count so don't be surprised if he isn't allowed to go more than five or so innings.

EDIT ON TEIXEIRA: According to post game, day-to-day with tendinitis below wrist.

Yankees at Royals, 11 April 2009: A Liveblog

4.05 PM: Yankees' line up today, courtesy LoHud:

Jeter SS
Swisher LF Damon LF
Teixeira 1B Swisher 1B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Nady RF
Ransom 3B
Gardner CF

I've got no issues with sitting Damon for a day, but I would take Matsui out of the clean up spot. The way they're hitting right now, why not have Canó or Posada behind Teixeira? Ok, so Canó wouldn't do well in the clean up spot since he's not really a power hitter, but Matsui's 1-14 does have to raise eyebrows.

4.07 PM: Early season weirdness: Toronto is an out away from going 5-1 (though BJ Ryan is doing his best to blow that), Detroit two-hit Texas and the Pirates are 3-2 while the Reds are 1-3.

I love baseball.


4.26 PM: I would have to imagine by now the Red Sox and the Angels have developed one heck of a rivalry. Will be interesting to see if the familiar Angels-in-the-season-but-collapse-to-the-Sox-in-the-Postseason MO holds for 2009.

5.07 PM: Someone brought up an interesting point on LoHud. I quote: "BTW, to repeat something I heard at the end of yesterday’s game, that was Andy Pettitte’s 216th career win, tying him with… Curt Schilling. Andy will have to lose 19 more times to tie Schilling in that category.

Congrats, Andy. You’re one Heinz accident away from serious Hall of Fame consideration!"

While the comment, courtesy of Nick in SF, may be lighthearted, the question it raises is a good one: Andy Pettitte for the Hall of Fame? Like Schilling and unlike Mussina, Pettitte has the 'soft' factors in the WS championships...but then again, Pettitte has admitted to HGH use, which probably won't go over too well with voters, for now, anyway.


6.37 PM: Teixeira scratched. According to LoHud, Teixeira has been scratched with a sore wrist. One has to hope this sore wrist is not a sign of anything more serious.

7.13 PM: Jeter hasn't looked very good at the plate of late. It's only been a couple games, but the lead off hitter is, you know, supposed to get on base.

7.19 PM: Matsui needs to not be hitting clean up right now,. Even just switching him with Posada I could wirk with for the moment!

7.21 PM: Is it just me or is Posada kind of emulating that kid in Rookie of the Year? There's coming back from shoulder surgery...and then there's coming back and hitting like Posada's been hitting.

7.23 PM: Canó flies out. Yankees lead, 2-0 on Posada's hit.

7.29 PM: Two strike outs in the first for CC Sabathia. What a difference a start makes, huh?!

7.36 PM: Yankee offense goes quietly in the second. They still lead 2-0. Best quote of the night, courtesy of LoHud, re: Teixeira: "Is there anything that guys do with their left hand that makes them happy for their birthday? Something that flexes your wrist in a consistent motion?" Yeah, my mind went there, too.

7.44 PM: Double play gets CC out of yet another inning. The home plate umpire's strike zone this game is about half the size of Rob Drake's zone yesterday--good for hitters, bad for pitchers.

7.47 PM: Jeter singles to right and sighs of relief are heard from a certain apartment in the Fordham area in the Bronx.

7.50 PM: Swisher drives Jeter in and stretches a single into a triple, Yanks up 3-0. And then Matsui fails to bring Swisher in with just one out, yet again showing that he should not be hitting clean up.

7.52 PM: Posada with a double and his third RBI of the night. Yanks up 4-0. Again I ask, shoulder surgery? What shoulder surgery?

8.02 PM: Four strike outs for Sabathia as he works around a one-out single. Still 4-0 Yanks.

8.17 PM: Yankees and Royals mirror themselves with inning-ending double plays.

8.26 PM: You get the feeling Nick Swisher is having the time of his life. 2-run home run and the Yankees are up 6-0.

8.51 PM: CC struggles a bit (for him) in the fifth inning, but part of that may be considered due to a poor play from Ransom at third. Either way, it doesn't matter as he works out of it and the Yanks are still up 6-0.

9.15 PM: Again CC works out of struggle. Been a couple innings without a strike out, but the score is still 6-0 so you will see few complaints from here.

9.26 PM: This Tejeda dude pitching for the Royals is pretty good, apparently.

9.35 PM: CC seven strong innings, though I don't expect to see them push them out for the 8th. Yankees still up 6-0.

9.44 PM: Keeping getting requests from fantasy leaguers to trade Swisher. No. Not right now, anyway... (yeah, there's a reason I always end in last place in my fantasy leagues...)

9.50 PM: Now, THAT was the Sabathia the Yankees paid for.

Pettitte Strong as Yankees Take Opener (Postgame Notes 10 April 2009)

Andy Pettitte was not a big name signing in the offseason, but never matter. Tonight, he pitched like it. Through seven innings, Pettitte allowed just three hits and walked one while striking out six. One of the hits was a ball misplayed by Nick Swisher in right; had it been ruled an error, Pettitte would still not have an ERA.

Strangely enough, Kansas City pitching actually struck out more Yankees than Yankees struck out Royals (11 to 10). Most of KC's strikeouts came via their bullpen, striking out six.

The most notable aspect of the Yankee offense at this point, however, is not Mark Teixeira beginning to pick things up or Nick Swisher's leading the team with six RBI; it has got to be the performance of Robinson Canó.

The .571 average probably won't last much longer, but there is no competing with the 2-3 with a walk; Canó has now walked four times this season (four games old), while last year, he did not walk his fourth time until the 22nd game. I'm not sure what it was that seems to have gotten Canó on track this season--maybe it's simply a primeval fear of repeating what happened last season--but as a Yankee fan, I'm in no mood to complain.

The lack of any serious Yankee offense after the fourth inning is a concern only if it becomes a habit. In today's game, the pitching was so strong for the Yankees that the three run lead was enough, but this, of course, will not always be the case. Matsui has not looked sharp in the clean up spot; and while A-Rod will be back soon enough, it is still an issue the Yankees may want to address. There are too many other hitters that have been hitting well to leave a struggling Matsui hitting fourth.

Still, there is enough to be happy about--the number four starter goes seven strong innings, the 8th inning guy has a 1-2-3 inning, Mariano Rivera notches his first save of the season, and the offense does enough to win the game.

Yankees at Royals, 10 April 2009, a Liveblog

2.58 PM: Afternoon start today...I think the Yankees have something like two evening games total in the first few weeks of the season, but that's the wonderful thing about April baseball. When it's too cold to play evening games, you still get the old-timey baseball feel.

3.00 PM: Today's Yankees' lineup:


Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Hideki Matsui DH
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Cody Ransom 3B
Brett Gardner CF

I've heard the idea that Canó should bat third and Teixeira clean up, but I think Teixeira has stated he would not do well in that role.


3.28 PM: Can't believe I'm reading that some want to trade Wang. He's won 19 games in back to back seasons and likely would have done so again last year had he not been injured. I understand concern about recovery from injury but unless you were getting a pitcher like Sabathia or a hitter like Teixeira/A-rod...all of which we have...you'd be overpaying...

4.13 PM: Looks like it's absolutely freezing in Kansas City. At least it's not raining...

4.16 PM: Think the screen in Yankee Stadium is big?


Courtesy LoHud.


4.26 PM: Flash and Coney in the booth today. Should be a lot of fun to listen to. Kaufman Stadium looks like they spent $250 million on renovations, but at the same time, I miss the fountains.

4.37 PM: More saxophonists need to play the National Anthem. That was amazing.

4.45 PM: All this hoopla about Jeter against Ponson and he hits a weak grounder, but Damon lines a single to left.

4.49 PM: You young baseball and softball players out there: watch what Teixeira did there, stopping in between first and second to break up the double play. It's compounded by a bad choice by KC, not trying to tag Teixeira, so, they didn't nab the lead runner.

4.50 PM: Now the trainer's out to check on Ponson.

4.52 PM: Jorge makes solid contact and singles to right, scoring two...which is, if you're KC, the reason you go after the lead runner. Yanks up, 2-0.

4.57 PM: After (yet) a(nother) single by Canó, Swisher flies out to center. Sidney Ponson is looking very much like...Sidney Ponson. Now the attention turns to Andy. Yanks up 2-0.

5.00 PM: Robbie Canó illustrates why, yes, defense matters...

5.03 PM: Very strong first inning from Andy. He may have overthrown a couple pitches, but he got three outs which is all that matters.

5.11 PM: Quiet inning for Yankee offense, going down 1-2-3. Jeter doesn't look like he's owned Ponson in the past. Still 2-0 Yankees.

5.19 PM: Once again, defense matters. Swisher misplays a fly ball, perhaps miscommunicating with Canó, and then an errant throw home, and the score is now 2-1 Yankees. The Royals have been given a hit, but it should be an error.

5.29 PM: Another quiet inning for Yankee offense. It's almost as if they've said, hey, two runs is plenty...at any rate, they seem to have forgotten the pitcher they're facing is Sidney Ponson. Then again, Sir Sidney did have some good starts for the Yankees last year, so make of it what you will.

5.40 PM: Nick Swisher taketh, and giveth away. Redemption is a wonderful , no? Anyway, nice hit for Canó, Yankees, get the run back, and now the real only harm done is that Pettitte still has an ERA.

5.47 PM: You can tell Ransom's been in the minors a while. Bad baserunning there. Still, sacrifice bunt and a grounder from Jeter, and the Yankees now lead 4-1.

5.54 PM: Another quick and easy inning for Andy Pettitte. He has looked very strong thus far.

5.56 PM: Note to self: Teixeira can do many things. Run the bases fast is not one of them.

6.03 PM: Canó has now walked four times this year. I'm not sure I want to know when he got his fourth walk last year...

6.06 PM: Lead off double is wasted, though you do have to wonder if a couple of the called strike threes on Matsui and Posada were actually strikes. Also, one has to consider if Matsui is really the best fit in the clean up spot right now. I wouldn't put Teixeira there, I like him as the three hitter, but even Swisher or Posada, seem like a better option.

6.14 PM: Royals copoy the Yanks and waste a lead-off double from Billy Butler.

6.19 PM: Jeter looks pretty awful today. Still he did get the one RBI for the one insurance run, so it can't be all bad. I'm not actually sure Ponson beat Gardner on that play. Kid can fly.

6.24 PM: According to ESPN, Anthony Thomas Gallo, the 22-year-old driver who ran a red light in the crash that killed Nick Adenhart now faces murder charges and 55 years to life behind bars.

6.33 PM: Pettitte has without question looked the best of all the Yankee starters thus far.

6.38 PM: Only the Yankees can make Kyle Farnsworth look like Cy Young. Yanks still lead 4-1 as game moves into later innings.

6.47 PM: Through seven innings, Andy Pettitte has pitched three hit baseball. If the Yankees get this from their four starter all season, the team will be in decent shape all year long.

6.56 PM: Yankee strikeouts have made five of the last seven outs on offense. Canó, at least, decided not to do that.

7.03 PM: Minus the first game, the Yankees' bullpen has looked great so far.

7.06 PM: Yankee batters have struck out 9 times since the fifth inning. That can't be good.

7.10 PM: Gardner beats it out for an infield hit and then promptly gets picked off. At least now Jeter can't GIDP.

7.22 PM: Best Mariano related comment I read all day: "Can Mo play on Sunday? What time does he ascend into heaven?"

Midnight for the Comeback Kids (Postgame Notes 09 June 2008)

After the dramatic wins on Thursday and Saturday, that today's game should have come down to the ninth inning should not be a surprise.

Alas, despite having the bases loaded with the tying run on third, the Yankees could not even the score, and once again fell back to .500.

The Yankees' loss today can in no way be put on the shoulders of Mike Mussina. Mussina was excellent--beyond, excellent even. Usually, when you pitch eight full innings and surrender only two runs (on one bad pitch), you will win the game.

Like Rasner's performance on Saturday, Moose was excellent, but done in by a lack of run support (which might be more a tribute to Luke Hochevar's pitching than anything else). If it's any consolation (and I'm not sure it is), Moose, at least, was not saddled with the loss.

In what was an uncannily similar performance to Saturday's, Mariano Rivera surrendered the solo home run before getting three quick outs. It is probably only fitting that the hitter of that home run was Jose Guillen, who has been killing the Yankees all weekend. Simply put, the Royals figured out that to win they had to pitch around Jason Giambi and the 'stache in the ninth. The Yankees forgot to do the same with Guillen.

The Yankees did not have a good offensive performance--only four hits--but Alex Rodriguez's home run in the seventh kept them in the game, and they had the bases loaded in the ninth, when Melky Cabrera just missed beating out the relay throw to first.

In the eighth inning, a blown call by first base umpire Ed Montague on a bunt by Melky Cabrera should be noted. Although the Yankees did not lose the game on the call, it may be argued that it took away the best chance the Yankees had at winning the game. Melky threw his helmet off in disgust, and was lucky not to get thrown out.

There's one thing that you can say about the Yankees' recent play--they've begun to show emotion, and life. When Rivera gave up the home run to Jose Guillen, the television replay showed him screaming in disgust (looked like a four letter word, but I don't lipread), before remembering that he was Mariano Rivera, the King of Cool.

When you show emotion like that, and remember to play all twenty-seven outs (as the Yankees have at last seem to be able to do), the wins will not be far off.

Joba Geise Win (Postgame Notes 08 June 2008

Don't look now, but the Yakees are beginning to fall into place.

Today's game was just the type of game we'd hope the Yankees would play this season--solid pitching, timely hitting, and more than five runs. If not for some stellar outfield defense from Kansas City's Joey Gathright, the Yankees would have at least had another two runs; probably closer to another three or four.

Anyway, to start at the beginning, coming off of yesterday's improbable win (I'm not quite sure how I managed to keep my car on the road while listening to the game on my way to Scranton), the Yankees were once again at .500 and with emotion on their side.

It was Joba's second start, and while he certainly wasn't perfect, Yankee fans (and management) have got to be pleased with his performance today. He threw 78 pitches, mostly strikes, going 4.1 innings. He did give up three runs, but two of those came on one mistake pitch to Jose Guillen and the third was unearned, on a passed ball.

Dan Giese, the Designated Reliever on Joba days, was excellent. In 2.2 innings, he allowed exactly one baserunner--and even that baserunner technically struck out. Jose Veras pitched a very good 8th and Mariano Rivera was, well, Mariano Rivera.

As for the offense, well, it was only the third time all year the Yankees had their Opening Day line up, but the line up performed as expected.

Johnny Damon continued his hot hitting (what is he eating for breakfast, and where can I get some?) despite going only 2-4...

Bobby Abreu had a two-run home run, adding to his RBI total, and the renaissance of Jason Giambi continued as he hit the home run to break the three-three tie.

If not for Joey Gathright, Jorge Posada would have had a two-RBI hit as well.

Right now, the Yankees look like they are finally beginning to figure out this season. Once again, they are above .500--and this time, they've gotten there with energized line ups and actually playing all 27 outs of the game.

Looks like the sleeping beast is beginning to wake up.

****

Had a tremendous night in Scranton last night with some of the fellow LoHud readers. A special thanks goes to Ron H. for putting it all together. It was wonderful to be able to meet so many people--here's hoping we can do it again next year!

Rasner, Yes, Offense, No. (Postgame Notes 06 June 2008)

Two walk off wins in a row.

Could it be?

Twice in a row, the ninth inning came with the Yankees down and two outs before anyone reached base. Twice down to their final strike. Could they repeat the feat and walk off again?

Alas, they could not.

It's a little weird. Yesterday's game could not have been more different than tonight's--a slugfest against a good ole' pitcher's duel. Yesterday, Chien Ming Wang had another shaky outing. Tonight, Darrell Rasner had, possibly, the pitching performance of his career. Yesterday had costly errors; tonight had (mostly) solid defense.

Yet, at the end, in the ninth inning, it was the same scenario: down a run, two outs and no one on.

Momentum was clearly on the Yankees' side yesterday--having been down at one point 7-2, while, tonight, a very clearly botched call by home plate umpire Ed Montague in the eighth stole much of the momentum that the Yankees had in that inning.

That said, the Yankees lost tonight's game because of a total lack of offense.

Rasner did not just what he was supposed to do but more, and the offense reverted back to what they've been doing in stranding runners and not getting the big hits.

Rasner should be satisfied with his performance (though I'm not sure any pitcher would be when his team is on the losing end), but the offense needs to figure this not-getting-the-big-hit thing. A-Rod's healthy and Posada's healthy. They're out of excuses at this point.


Headed up to Scranton tomorrow for the LoHud gathering. Since I won't be able to catch the Belmont, I'd go ahead and put money on Big Brown.

The Rainmen Cometh

The rain cleanses and nourishes.

It restores a balance in the atmosphere, and breaks the heavy fog.

Tonight, on a much less mythical note, it woke up the stopper in Andy Pettitte and woke up the Yankee offense.

After the first two innings of play, the game felt much like a continuation of last night. Pitching that was good, but not good enough. Hitting that didn't, well, hit, with the exception of Melky Cabrera's home run.

Then, the rain.

It was only a 28-minute delay, which is hardly remarkable, but sometimes that is all it takes.

When the rain cleared, Pettitte was on, retiring seven straight, including a reaction play that involved snagging a line drive ticket for center field, with a stop at Pettitte's forehead. As might be expected, Pettitte also had patented Pettitte pick-off, but the caught line drive is the one will make top play lists.

Offensively, it was the Melky Cabrera show for a while--he took to the two spot in the line-up better than Canò had--but then the rest of the team began to get into the act. Everyone except Robinson Canò had a hit; Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada went back-to-back with home runs in the ninth.

More impressive, the Yankees managed to score in three straight innings, which they had not yet done.

While no series with the Red Sox will ever be easy, the Yankees can at least board the flight knowing that they've got the bats working again.


OPTIMIST TAKE: Canò walked. Johnny Damon has a five-game hitting streak. Alberto Gonzalez had a clean single, again. He's no Derek Jeter with the bat, but he's not quite the automatic out everyone makes him out to be. Andy Pettitte went 6.2 innings, which saved most of the bullpen. Joba Chamberlain might not be able to pitch tomorrow, but the rest of the bullpen should be set to go.



As I said before, I'm off to Boston, so tomorrow's postgame will be done by Brent Nycz of The Bronx Block.


SCORES AND STUFFS (of interest):

Boston beat Detroit, 12-6. Detroit had closed to within 8-6, but 1-8 teams are 1-8 for a reason.

Texas swept a double-header with the Orioles. The Orioles are still AL-East leading, and the only AL East team currently over .500. The Yankees and Sox are tied at the .500 mark, but as you might imagine, it probably won't last.

Tampa Bay defeated Seattle 7-0. Apparently there's something to this Edwin Jackson guy.

Oakland beat Toronto 3-2, in 12.

Mets beat Philadelphia, 4-3 in 12.



Happy weekend, I'll catch you all sometime on Sunday.

Pregame Notes 10 April 2008

The Yankees need a win tonight, but more than that, they need an offensive showing.

Fortunately, for those that think a little line-up shuffle will get the job done, that is exactly what's in store for tonight.

The Yanks are sitting Bobby Abreu, so A-Rod is hitting third in his place and Posada is batting clean-up. Since Jeter is still sitting, Melky Cabrera (as opposed to Canò) will get his chance in the two-spot and Gonzalez playing in short. Morgan Ensberg gets the start at first and Molina will be catching.

So, if the Yankees are looking for speed on the basepath, tonight's not especially the night.


Andy Pettitte will be on the mound, which should hopefully give the bullpen a little bit of rest, as he looks to bounce back from his so-so first start.


This time tomorrow I will be on my way to Boston (I have tickets for Saturday), so Brent Nycz from The Bronx Block has kindly agreed to do tomorrow's postgame recap.

Check back for more after the game.

Topsy-Turvy Washout (Postgame Notes 09 April 2008)

Any game in which the starter relieves the bullpen is going to have a topsy-turvy feel to it. For the Yankees, however, it was no better than yesterday afternoon.

It wasn't that the Yankees pitched exceptionally poorly; they took a scoreless game to the sixth and learned the hard way that Kyle Farnsworth really can't go back to back innings, and then Ian Kennedy had his soon-to-be-patented first inning jitters.

It was that the Yankees still have yet to put together a solid offensive performance, even when all the cogs are not working. Most notable, they have not figured out a way to hit with runners in scoring position, the same major issue they had in the postseason. After one or two games, you don't worry, but going into the middle of the month, it becomes frustrating, and then the pressing starts.

There's something to be said for the horrible game conditions, in terms of weather and temperature, that have dogged the Yankees for the first nine games, but even so, if the other teams have been able to do it, why not the Yanks?

That said, it will turn around. No team can pitch as well as the Yankees have , on the whole, been pitching and sustain losing.

OPTIMIST TAKE: There's actually a lot to be optimistic about--first, Brian Bruney. He was excellent. Sure, he was no Joba or Rivera, but the turnaround from last season to this season is incredible and inspiring. Girardi and Eiland are not the first managers/coaches in baseball history to pull a starter due to rain, but it does show ingenuity on their part and a willingness to adapt on the fly as needed. Alberto Gonzalez, the one who's not supposed to be able to hit, actually had one of the hardest hits for the Yankees, with a stand-up double. Jose Molina threw out two baserunners attempting to steal, again showing himself to have been the best move the Yankees made at last year's deadline.


SCORES AND STUFFS

The ones that'll interest you:

Detroit beat Boston, 7-2, getting their first win of the season. The Sox and the Yankees now have the exact same record, neck and neck for....the AL East cellar!

Oakland beat Toronto, 6-3, mounting a four-run ninth to do so.

Seattle beat Tampa, 7-1, and Baltimore-Texas was a rainout.

In the National League, Mets beat the Phillies 8-2, and the Cubs and Pirates have hit the 15th.

Pregame Notes 09 April 2007

First things first.

If the story of Doug Davis doesn't inspire you or move you or get a response from you, you don't have a heart.

You don't even have to be a baseball fan to understand.


As far as the Yankees are concerned, Ian Kennedy will take the mound against Zach Greinke; Kennedy struggled greatly in his first start while Greinke, well, didn't.

However, ultimately, the bigger concern for the Yankees are the injuries. Jeter's out. Posada's out. Giambi is not 100%. Last year, the injury concerns included pretty much the entire pitching staff and Bobby Abrea; this year (thankfully, knock on wood) they haven't hit the rotation.

Right now, the trade and resigning of Jose Molina looks like a genius move; in him the Yankees have a capable, durable back-up that might not fill Posada's offensive shoes, but can certainly play some defense and hit enough to not be an automatic out.

However, the situation at shortstop is much more precarious; Alberto Gonzalez was pulled from the Scranton AAA game last night, ostensibly to come up and replace Jeter at short should Jeter be gone for any extended time. Gonzalez's one advantage over Wilson Betemit is supposed to be his glove work, but the absence of Jeter's bat in the line up will be felt. Robinson Canò has the makings of future batting titles, but a number two hitter, he is not.

If the Yankees can pull of a series win at Kansas City, it will put them in excellent shape heading into Boston.

Royal Pumpkins (Postgame Notes 08 April 08)

Ugly. Like Cinderella's stepsisters.

That's pretty much the only thing that comes to mind when you think of the Yankees' performance today. That they escaped by a score of only 5-2 belies a much nastier truth: sloppy defense, and a poor start from Phil Hughes, did them in much more than the lack of any discernable offense, though it certainly doesn't help.

Hughes wasn't helped by a small and inconsistent strike zone on the part of Mark Wegner, the home plate umpire, but neither was Brian Bannister. Both starters had thrown over 50 pitches by the start of the third inning.

The lack of Derek Jeter in the line up was felt at both ends--defensively, Wilson Betemit had trouble with a couple of throws that would have otherwise caught Kansas City baserunners attempting to steal, and offensively, Robinson Canò could not muster anything in the number two spot. Betemit did have an RBI single, which was about the only serious offense the Yankees mounted in the entire game.

Alex Rodriguez, especially had a rough day; he was the not-so-proud recipient of the Golden Sombrero, striking out four times. Jorge Posada came out of the game in the late innings; no official word yet, but given his recent shoulder problems, they might have been an issue.

OPTIMIST TAKE: Despite the over-all ugly stepsister feel of the game, there are bright spots. Phil Hughes escaped bases-loaded situations a couple of times without surrendering a run, which, at the very least shows that he is maturing as a pitcher. Billy Traber and LaTroy Hawkins pitched well. Hideki Matsui has hit in every Yankee game so far. The Yankees don't play again until tomorrow evening, so now they can get some rest and hopefully not play like zombies, like they did today.


SCORES AND STUFFS

Don't have time to go through them all, but the ones of interest:

Boston beat Detroit, 5-0. Detroit is now 0-7, and while the first week in baseball usually doesn't mean anything, it's quite a hole to have to climb back from--Detroit is already 4+ games out in the Central. Boston is now 4-4, equal with the Yankees.

Baltimore beat Texas, 8-1 The Orioles are now 6-1. It's still probably a fluke start, but even so...

The Mets lost their home opener to the Phillies, also 5-2.

Pregame Notes 08 April 2007

You'll forgive the Kansas City Royals if they forget there's a baseball game today.

Anyone who's ever had the experience of winning an NCAA basketball tournament knows what it's like--for that brief, shining moment, nothing else seems to matter.

However, the Yankees don't have the luxury to enjoy it. Instead, they begin a stretch where they play 18 of 20 on the road, with one off day, and the two they do play at home? Against Boston.

You'll forgive the Yankees if they're counting down the days to May 1.

Still, that might not be the Yankees' biggest concen.

There is still no official word on Jeter's injury with the amount of time that he'll be out; ESPN 1050 in NY has him out a week, but athletes (with the exception of one who shall-not-be-named) have a habit of downplaying injuries.

Some are throwing about the idea that if Jeter is hurt for any length of time, A-Rod should move to short so Ensberg can play third; this is an idea, but unlikely; A-rod has not spent considerable time at short since 2003--five years--and throwing him there cold would, from a defensive standpoint, be a very bad idea. However, if Jeter's injury is DL-worthy (and hopefully, of course, it's not), it might be a possibility the Yankees seriously consider.


Phil Hughes is on the mound; he pitched well in his first start, and has a chance to pitch the Yankees to their third straight win.

Brian Bannister will pitch for Kansas City, who has a surprisingly solid top three in Bannister, Gil Meche and Zach Greinke.

A Preview A day Keeps the Winter Away, #26

For the month of March I will be doing a season preview, with a new team each day, going in alphabetical order by team so I can save the Yankees for last, because I am, in fact, that devious.

As this is a Yankees' blog, the previews for AL East teams will be more detailed than those of AL Central and AL West teams, and any AL team previews will be more detailed than NL team previews, save maybe for the Mets. Each preview will involve consideration of how much 'threat' a team is to the Yankees, for fairly obvious reasons.

Up today: The Kansas City Royals

A couple of years ago the Royals were the worst team in the American League (if not all of baseball) no questions asked. While they still might not be legitimate playoff contenders, they have made some significant strides--nearly finishing out of the AL Central basement last year as well.

In Gil Meche, Zack Greinke and Brian Bannister are solid pitchers, though there are significant questions outside the three.

While they don't have many names that jump out at you as far as regulars go, but they did sign Jose Guillen and some of their young players, such as Billy Butler show potential.

The Royals have not made a postseason berth since 1985 and it's not likely to change this year, but they are laying the foundations for a future run, and look to be moving in the right direction.

Threat to the Yankees: Green, Proceed Normally.

I don't remember what our record against them was last year, but I know we swept them at least once, and I think maybe twice (or we at least took two of three), so I doubt the Yankees feel terribly threatened by them.

Yankees' Classic Moments

So this week's classic moment is in recognition of the guest we will have on the SPORTSTALKNY webcast tomorrow, Mark Littell.


In 1976, the New York Yankees made it back to the postseason for the first time since the early 1960s, where they faced the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS.

Going into the deciding Game Five (the LCS was a five game set at the time), at Yankee Stadium, the Yanks started Ed Figueroa on three days' rest, and both teams scored quickly, the score tied at two at the end of the first.

The Yankees were able to build to a 6-3 lead in the eighth, but Kansas City struck back, and the game was tied at six going into the ninth.

In the ninth inning, Mark Littell was on the mound for KC and the Yankees had Chris Chambliss up at bat...

Yep, just as you might think, Chambliss sent the pitch high over the right-field wall, and the Yankees went on to their first World Series in 12 years. They lost the Series, but won the next two--including the '77 World Series, where Jackson blasted three home runs in one game.

Dethroned! (Postgame notes 09 September 07)

Well, that went well! Ooh, just for the heck of it: so far I am 6-4 on my football picks, afternoon games still being played and night and Monday games to-be played.

Anyway, the stuff you actually care about:

Yankees sweep Kansas City, Wang gets his ML-leading 18th win, and A-Rod gets #52, the most home runs in a season for the Yankees for a right-handed batter.

Anyway, got to start with the pitching:

Wang wasn't dominating, like he was against Seattle, but KC only did score in one inning and he recovered nicely from that inning. Didn't seem like he could, but he went seven innings, and gritted through it. He got a nice prize for it: his eighteenth win of the season!

Farnsworth had a 1-2-3 eighth inning, and those two strikeouts were glorious! If he continues to pitch like this, the the Yankees are just that much more of a threat in October. I'm still a bit nervous about bringing him in a close game, but he got the job done today.

Rivera was Rivera. 'Nuff said.


A-Rod had his Home Run, and made a great defensive play in the eighth. I guess it says something that I'm disappointed he hit only one home run. He's got 53 on the year, and he hit five in May.

That is, as my brother says, not human.

Betemit and Posada both had huge clutch hits. Betemit has something like 48 hits and 46 RBIs. He, apparently, likes to hit with men on base. Fine by me! Posada won't get the MVP over A-Rod, but, really, any other year he'd be a shoe-in.

If the Yankees were going to pick a series to sweep, they picked a good one--sweeps of Boston not withstanding, sweeping the series while Seattle and Detroit were playing each other, and neither one of them swept, means the Yanks now have four games on Detroit and five on Seattle. It's not an insurmountable lead, but it feels pretty good...

Which brings me to...

Scores and Stuffs

Seattle took advantage of Detroit's decision not to pitch today, and won big, 14-7, despite an extremely shaky start from Felix Hernandez.

Boston eked out a win in Baltimore, 3-2, so Beckett got his 18th win as well. No change atop the AL East tonight.

Tampa beat Toronto, also 3-2. Carlos Pena has 38 home runs on the year. Pity he's playing for a team that's fighting for last-place rights. Actually, Tampa's only two back in the loss and one back in the win columns of Baltimore. If current trends continue, Tampa might actually finish fourth...(that just sounds odd!)

Minnesota beat the Chi Sox, 5-2. The White Sox are putting up quite a fight for worst-team-in-the-league honors. They've joined Tampa as the only teams to be completely eliminated from Postseason contention all together.

Texas is up on Oakland 2-1 in the second, and the Angels and Indians play in tonight's Sunday Night game.

In the National League,

Pittsburgh beat the Cubs 10-5, which, coupled with Milwaukee's win over Cincinnati by the same score, now means the Brewers have possession of the NL Central first place honors. In the Milwaukee game, the Brewers hit six home runs. Ryan Braun had two of him, giving him 30 on the year. Think A-Rod's having a good season? This Braun kid ain't half-bad, either...

Philadelphia beat Florida 8-5. Florida out-homered the Phillies, but the win's what matters...

Mets beat Houston, 4-1, furthering their stronghold on the NL East.

Atlanta lost to Washington, 7-4, their playoff hopes considerably dimmer than this time two weeks ago.

San Francisco and LA are tied at one in the sixth. Bonds is in the game but as of yet doesn't not have a home run.

Colorado is up on San Diego 3-1 in the eighth. The Rockies are fighting to the bitter end...(still, though, how did they sweep us?!)

Lastly, St. Louis and Arizona are tied 2-2 in the third. Rick Ankiel does not have a home run. Yet.

Pregame Notes 09 September 07

Something interesting: If the Yankees win today and Boston loses, they will be 4.5 games out on September ninth.

In a year not too long ago, the Yanks were five out on September 10th.

Some people say the division is out of reach, but with three games left against Boston, I don't quite believe them!

The Yanks have Chien Ming Wang on the mound today, which has got to be sending good vibes through the heart of Yankeedom, though, of course, nothing is a given.

Jeter is not playing today because of the knee. While Alberto Gonzales is yet without a hit, he's shown some glove and, if need be, the Yanks can have Wilson play short late and can chose from Giambi, Mientkewiecz (sp) or Duncan for first.

A-Rod has been kind of crazy this month. I mean, when it's near the middle of the month and you have as many home runs as there have been days in the month (as there was yesterday on the eighth)? Yeah, it's pretty cool.

Matsui has had a very rough patch recently. Sore knees have probably come into play, but I wouldn't be surprised if more frequent roles at the DH also had something to do with it. I wouldn't be surprised to see Posada batting after A-Rod today, ahead of Matsui.

Yankees' game doesn't start till 2, so the Jets fans among us can catch the beginning of the Jets game as well!

(If there's a better way to have a Sunday than September baseball and opening week of the NFL, please, do so enlighten me...)

FORE! (In a Row!) (Postgame Notes 08 September 2007)

Unlike last night, where we escaped with a win, we did the little things right tonight...especially in the sixth.

First things first:
With a spent bullpen, we needed Pettitte to go deep tonight, and he lasted into the seventh only allowing two runs, giving us exactly what we needed. Pettitte needs just one more win for 200 and will get the chance in Boston.

Britton and K-Ram also pitched well, while Bruney...well, let's just say he and the umpire probably aren't going out to dinner any time soon.


The offense tonight was eons better than last night--and two home runs from A-Rod always help!

Seriously, A-Rod has hit eight home runs this month. It's September 8 and the Yankees haven't even played every day! He has five home runs in his last three games, six in his last four.

He wants 60 pretty bad, doesn't he?


As great as A-Rod was tonight though, there was something more important: The Yankees' offense came through with RISP, something they didn't do last night. You get seven-run innings without coming through in those situations. That's how you win in October.

The run Melky scored off of Alex Gonzalez's little nubber? That's the kind of run that wins you a ring.


Jeter left the game early with stiffness in his right knee...hope he's all right, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a day off tomorrow, which coupled with the day off on Monday would be a great blessing in disguised...we need our most clutch player in October!

On the bright side the former Attorney General showed that he can play some defense--on that one play he bobbled, he stayed with it and made the throw. There are lots of fielders that come to mind that would not have made the throw. If we can get him to hit....

Matsui hit the ball hard a couple times, and was robbed his last time out.


Wang is on the mound tomorrow, and if he notches 18 here, then he's in great shape for 20, which, as I've said before, is an amazing accomplishment given he missed a month.

Lots of things going right for the Yankees tonight--and you can add a Boston loss to the mix, which brings me to

Scores and Stuffs from around the league

Boston lost to Baltimore, 11-5. Baltimore had a huge 7 run inning early, knocking Matsuzaka out of the game after just 2.2 innings. Yankees thus picked up a game on Boston, who will play Tampa after the series ends. Tampa has been playing much better ball of late...

Detroit beat Seattle, 12-6. The best hope for the Yanks is that Seattle wins tomorrow (which, given their recent performance is unlikely). If Seattle wins, and the Yanks win, then Seattle and Detroit would both be four back of the Yankees, not a huge lead, but much better than just one or two games.

Tampa beat Toronto 5-4, scoring four in the ninth to do it. Further proof that Yogi Berra is the greatest genius that ever lived: 'It ain't over til it's over'

The Chi Sox beat Minnesota 8-7. Apparently the pitchers for both teams have been told not to show up for this series.

Texas is up on Oakland 7-3, in the eighth.

Cleveland is up on the Angels 3-0 in the sixth. Indians have Sabathia going.

National League:

Dodgers beat Giants, 6-2 in a game the Dodgers had to win just to stay in the post-season mix. David Wells (yes, THAT Wells) took a perfecto into the sixth.

Speaking of Perfectos, Glavine had one through five for the Mets. Mets went on to win, 3-1.

Phils beat Florida 9-1, to stay alive in the NL East, and Atlanta beat Washington by the similar score of 9-2.

Cubs beat Pittsburgh 5-1, Zambrano getting his first win since signing his extension, but gained no ground, as Milwaukee beat Cinncinati 4-3, courtesy of a top ninth triple.

St. Louis is currently up on Arizona, 7-4, but so far no home runs for Ankiel. The NL Central will probably be decided on 30 September.

Lastly, San Diego beat Colorado 3-1.


Whew.


Great night for the Yanks, and what I just heard on TV makes it even better:


KJ: Would you settle for an MVP?
A-Rod: I would settle for a World Series

Perfect.