Two collisions at home plate involving New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli were the only highlights of the team's 10th inning loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.
The spirited Cervelli almost single-handedly won the game by blocking the plate to save game-tying runs in consecutive innings before Scott Proctor surrendered a walk and two singles, the last which gave the Orioles a 5-4 win in Camden Yards.
Cervelli's heroics were in vain and probably left the catcher in a lot of pain.
The Yankees were clinging to a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning when centerfielder Curtis Granderson fielded Vladimir Guerrero's hit and threw a strike to second baseman Robinson Cano, who fired a perfect throw to Cervelli at the plate. Cervelli didn't budge as he was bulldozed by Nick Markakis, ala Rose-Fosse. The catcher went flying, but held on to the ball to preserve the lead.
In the following inning, Granderson caught the ball and cut down Mark Reynolds at the plate, in an almost identical play, with another great tag by Cervelli. Robert Andino followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 4.
Andino would deliver the decisive hit in the 10th, singling home Nolan Reimold from second base with one out.
Yankees starter Ivan Nova (15-4) kept his consecutive win streak of eight straight starts intact but got a no-decision. He didn't have his best stuff but was able to get out of trouble in the fourth and fifth innings and left the game in the sixth, after allowing five hits and three runs. He threw 97 pitches.
The Yankees appeared to have the momentum with Cervelli's two clutch plays but couldn't hang on.
It's a sure bet the Yankees are glad they won't see the Orioles anymore this season. The last two series were marred by weather, scheduling and home-run controversies including an 11 p.m. (?) start time after a four-hour rain delay on Tuesday night and playing in a monsoon on Wednesday. They might want to change their name to the Baltimore Ducks.
Now they lose two in a row to the pesky club.
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Showing posts with label Curtis Granderson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Curtis Granderson. Show all posts
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sabathia Gets Monkey Off His Back & Girardi Goes Ape As Yanks Beat Sox
It was like old times at Fenway Park on Tuesday night as tempers rose and benches emptied during the New York Yankees 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Batters from both sides were plunked and Yankees manager Joe Girardi was ejected.
The good news for the Yankees was that CC Sabathia finally won a game against their division rivals. The victory pulled the Yankees to within a half-game behind the AL East leaders.
It was Sabathia's first win this season against the Sox after losing his first four. The victory was no thing of beauty, but it had to look like Miss America to the Yankees ace.
Sabathia (18-7) scattered ten hits and struck out the same amount through 6 1/3 innings. He threw 128 pitches-- the most ever in one game as a Yankee-- and was lucky the Sox stranded 16 runners.
The Yank's bullpen wasn't perfect either, but were good enough to preserve the big guy's long-awaited win.
Boone Logan bailed out Sabathia by relieving him with two men on and one out in the seventh. Logan struck out two after loading the bases.
Rafael Soriano threw a scoreless eighth and Mariano Rivera wrapped up the game in the ninth.
The real excitement was centered around Red Sox starter John Lackey (12-10) and his penchant for hitting opposing batters. He now leads the league with 17.
While Sabathia did hit Jacoby Ellsbury to lead off the first, it was Lackey who was retaliating throughout the game.
In the first, Lackey bopped Curtis Granderson, who started towards first base, but was called back by the home plate umpire Ed Rapuano.
It was in the seventh, when Francisco Cervelli added a little spice to the game after Lackey's brush-back hit the Yankees player.
Cervelli, who sent a home-run ball sailing out of Fenway in his previous at bat, probably ticked off Lackey, who couldn't have liked the way the Yankees backup catcher clapped his hands as he emphatically hopped on home plate after circling the bases.
After Cervelli got popped, he started to rush the mound before being held back by Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltamacchia. Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild rushed in and was tossed out of the game by third base umpire Mark Wegner.
In the ninth, Girardi took offense when a Saltamacchia's check-swing stopped a Rivera cutter on his arm. This time the batter was awarded first. Girardi stormed out and was hopping mad. He was quickly sent to the showers by Wegman after arguing that the Red Sox batter had swung into Rivera's pitch.
It's good to see a little fire in the old rivalry. They'll do it again tomorrow night.
The good news for the Yankees was that CC Sabathia finally won a game against their division rivals. The victory pulled the Yankees to within a half-game behind the AL East leaders.
It was Sabathia's first win this season against the Sox after losing his first four. The victory was no thing of beauty, but it had to look like Miss America to the Yankees ace.
Sabathia (18-7) scattered ten hits and struck out the same amount through 6 1/3 innings. He threw 128 pitches-- the most ever in one game as a Yankee-- and was lucky the Sox stranded 16 runners.
The Yank's bullpen wasn't perfect either, but were good enough to preserve the big guy's long-awaited win.
Boone Logan bailed out Sabathia by relieving him with two men on and one out in the seventh. Logan struck out two after loading the bases.
Rafael Soriano threw a scoreless eighth and Mariano Rivera wrapped up the game in the ninth.
The real excitement was centered around Red Sox starter John Lackey (12-10) and his penchant for hitting opposing batters. He now leads the league with 17.
While Sabathia did hit Jacoby Ellsbury to lead off the first, it was Lackey who was retaliating throughout the game.
In the first, Lackey bopped Curtis Granderson, who started towards first base, but was called back by the home plate umpire Ed Rapuano.
It was in the seventh, when Francisco Cervelli added a little spice to the game after Lackey's brush-back hit the Yankees player.
Cervelli, who sent a home-run ball sailing out of Fenway in his previous at bat, probably ticked off Lackey, who couldn't have liked the way the Yankees backup catcher clapped his hands as he emphatically hopped on home plate after circling the bases.
After Cervelli got popped, he started to rush the mound before being held back by Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltamacchia. Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild rushed in and was tossed out of the game by third base umpire Mark Wegner.
In the ninth, Girardi took offense when a Saltamacchia's check-swing stopped a Rivera cutter on his arm. This time the batter was awarded first. Girardi stormed out and was hopping mad. He was quickly sent to the showers by Wegman after arguing that the Red Sox batter had swung into Rivera's pitch.
It's good to see a little fire in the old rivalry. They'll do it again tomorrow night.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Showalter Fires Back at Girardi's Lack of Compassion
Buck Showalter wasn't too happy with his former team, the New York Yankees, complaining about how this weekend's games were rescheduled due to Hurricane Irene. The Baltimore Orioles head coach was making a reference to the O's plan of refusing to play a double-header on Friday. Showwalter directed most of his anger at Yankees head coach Joe Girardi for his lack of compassion.
The Orioles had scheduled a Friday night tribute to former-Orioles pitcher, team executive and broadcaster Mike Flanagan who took his own life last Wednesday.
Girardi was puzzled buy the Orioles decision not to squeeze in the make-up game the same night and said their final say was "silly to me."
This remark steamed Showalter and the Orioles organization, who were still reeling from Flanagan's sudden death.
"First of all, I felt that some of the stuff was a little disrespectful to Flanny, quite frankly," Showalter said when told about the Yankees condemnation of this weekend's scheduling. "That didn't sit well with me very well. I can tell you that. We didn't say much-- I think we had an April rainout there-- and they just told us we were playing. We were OK with that. Like I told you the other day, you tell us when we're playing, we'll play."
The Orioles had a moment of silence and a video tribute to Flanagan on Friday which highlighted his career. A large #46 (his number) adorned the visiting scoreboard instead of the out-of-town scores and the Baltimore players wore a patch on the right arm of their jerseys.
It was a nice ceremony-- even the Yankees team came out of their dugout, but didn't exactly take up a lot of time.
Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson also expressed his frustration at the O's decision by issuing a prepared statement to the press criticizing the Orioles handling of the schedule and saying the solution was inadequate.
Girardi wasn't quiet about not playing a double-header on Friday after Saturday's game was already considered a wash-out due to the hurricane.
Showalter said the Yankees called Orioles president of operations Andy McPhail only 24 hours before the series started-- asking to play two on Friday. The O's declined for a list of reasons -- including the short notice and loss of money in playing a Friday afternoon game.
The Yankees were not pleased with the outcome-- using a Sept 8 off-day to make up one of Saturday's double-header games.
Asked if there was any way avoid using the Sept. 8 off-day-- which is one of two remaining off-days for New York, Girardi opened up the idea of playing the game as part of a split-doubleheader in New York instead of Baltimore in a move that would help the Yankees because they travel cross-country to Anaheim to play the Angels on Sept. 9. while they are in the middle of a playoff race. I've got my own team to worry about says Bucky.
"We hope we can be as competitive as they are," said Showalter. "I respect where they are in the season and what their people are saying about the competitive part of it, but it means something to us too."
Girardi might want to stop whining and start winning. The Yankees Bartolo Colon was outdueled by the Orioles Zach Britton, 2-0, in the first game of the night-day doubleheader on Sunday.
The Yankees are 14-10 so far this August and head to Boston on Tuesday.
The Orioles had scheduled a Friday night tribute to former-Orioles pitcher, team executive and broadcaster Mike Flanagan who took his own life last Wednesday.
Girardi was puzzled buy the Orioles decision not to squeeze in the make-up game the same night and said their final say was "silly to me."
This remark steamed Showalter and the Orioles organization, who were still reeling from Flanagan's sudden death.
"First of all, I felt that some of the stuff was a little disrespectful to Flanny, quite frankly," Showalter said when told about the Yankees condemnation of this weekend's scheduling. "That didn't sit well with me very well. I can tell you that. We didn't say much-- I think we had an April rainout there-- and they just told us we were playing. We were OK with that. Like I told you the other day, you tell us when we're playing, we'll play."
The Orioles had a moment of silence and a video tribute to Flanagan on Friday which highlighted his career. A large #46 (his number) adorned the visiting scoreboard instead of the out-of-town scores and the Baltimore players wore a patch on the right arm of their jerseys.
It was a nice ceremony-- even the Yankees team came out of their dugout, but didn't exactly take up a lot of time.
Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson also expressed his frustration at the O's decision by issuing a prepared statement to the press criticizing the Orioles handling of the schedule and saying the solution was inadequate.
Girardi wasn't quiet about not playing a double-header on Friday after Saturday's game was already considered a wash-out due to the hurricane.
Showalter said the Yankees called Orioles president of operations Andy McPhail only 24 hours before the series started-- asking to play two on Friday. The O's declined for a list of reasons -- including the short notice and loss of money in playing a Friday afternoon game.
The Yankees were not pleased with the outcome-- using a Sept 8 off-day to make up one of Saturday's double-header games.
Asked if there was any way avoid using the Sept. 8 off-day-- which is one of two remaining off-days for New York, Girardi opened up the idea of playing the game as part of a split-doubleheader in New York instead of Baltimore in a move that would help the Yankees because they travel cross-country to Anaheim to play the Angels on Sept. 9. while they are in the middle of a playoff race. I've got my own team to worry about says Bucky.
"We hope we can be as competitive as they are," said Showalter. "I respect where they are in the season and what their people are saying about the competitive part of it, but it means something to us too."
Girardi might want to stop whining and start winning. The Yankees Bartolo Colon was outdueled by the Orioles Zach Britton, 2-0, in the first game of the night-day doubleheader on Sunday.
The Yankees are 14-10 so far this August and head to Boston on Tuesday.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Yankees Beat A's With Record Three Grand Slams and Posada Playing Second Base
Robinson Cano, Russell Martin and Curtis Granderson each belted a grand slam as the New York Yankees rallied to beat the Oakland A's, 22-9, at Yankee Stadium today.
The three bases-loaded home-runs are a MLB record for most grand slams by a single team in one game.
Phil Hughes started the game and was hit hard early. He went 2 2/3 innings and gave up six runs.
After a rain delay of almost an hour-and-a-half, the Yankees were looking up a 7-1 A's lead. After four innings, the home team then scored 20 runs to rally for the victory.
Cano hit the first grand slam off A's starter Rich Harden, in the fifth, to knock the deficit down to one and Russell Martin followed up with his slam in the sixth to put the Yankees in the lead. Granderson put the game in the record books with his home-run in the eighth.
The wild and lengthy game ended with the appearance of Jorge Posada grabbing a mitt and playing second base in the top of the ninth inning. It was garbage time, with a big Yankees lead, and there was no chance of blowing the game because A.J. Burnett was no where near the mound.
Posada, the former-catcher, appeared rusty. In the game's final at bat, he fielded a routine grounder and almost, single-handedly, made it look difficult. It seemed like he was gunning out a base-stealer at second from behind the plate, after he drilled the ball into the dirt in front of the first baseman.
Nick Swisher, playing first, scooped up the ball and rolled over the base for the out as the hitter jumped over him.
Posada and Swisher had a good laugh afterwards. Posada, who played second base in the minors, volunteered to take the position in the top of the ninth and the Yankees leading by 12 runs.
"I wanted to give Russell [Martin] a break and grabbed a glove and said put me in," said Posada. "It's been a while since I've been in the middle of the infield."
Martin had two home-runs and the catcher recorded a career-high six RBI's in the game.
Too bad Hughes couldn't have reaped the rewards of this historic slugfest. He had won his last two outings but it took 78 pitches to get eight outs in this game.
Derek Jeter got his 3,056 hit to pass Rickey Henderson as No. 21 on the all-time hits list. He is now batting .299.
The game lasted four-hours and 31 minutes.
The three bases-loaded home-runs are a MLB record for most grand slams by a single team in one game.
Phil Hughes started the game and was hit hard early. He went 2 2/3 innings and gave up six runs.
After a rain delay of almost an hour-and-a-half, the Yankees were looking up a 7-1 A's lead. After four innings, the home team then scored 20 runs to rally for the victory.
Cano hit the first grand slam off A's starter Rich Harden, in the fifth, to knock the deficit down to one and Russell Martin followed up with his slam in the sixth to put the Yankees in the lead. Granderson put the game in the record books with his home-run in the eighth.
The wild and lengthy game ended with the appearance of Jorge Posada grabbing a mitt and playing second base in the top of the ninth inning. It was garbage time, with a big Yankees lead, and there was no chance of blowing the game because A.J. Burnett was no where near the mound.
Posada, the former-catcher, appeared rusty. In the game's final at bat, he fielded a routine grounder and almost, single-handedly, made it look difficult. It seemed like he was gunning out a base-stealer at second from behind the plate, after he drilled the ball into the dirt in front of the first baseman.
Nick Swisher, playing first, scooped up the ball and rolled over the base for the out as the hitter jumped over him.
Posada and Swisher had a good laugh afterwards. Posada, who played second base in the minors, volunteered to take the position in the top of the ninth and the Yankees leading by 12 runs.
"I wanted to give Russell [Martin] a break and grabbed a glove and said put me in," said Posada. "It's been a while since I've been in the middle of the infield."
Martin had two home-runs and the catcher recorded a career-high six RBI's in the game.
Too bad Hughes couldn't have reaped the rewards of this historic slugfest. He had won his last two outings but it took 78 pitches to get eight outs in this game.
Derek Jeter got his 3,056 hit to pass Rickey Henderson as No. 21 on the all-time hits list. He is now batting .299.
The game lasted four-hours and 31 minutes.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Mariano Rivera Has Another 'Uh-Oh' Moment; Yankees Beat Angels, 6-5
Today, under the brilliant blue skies over Yankee Stadium, hot-hitting Robinson Cano made the Los Angeles Angels pay dearly for an error by Macier Izturis, after the second baseman muffed an easy ground ball that should have ended the seventh inning. The goof led to the winning margin of a Yankees victory. The only grey cloud in sight, on this sunny day, was the one hovering Izturis' head the rest of the game.
With the score tied, 2-2, and two outs, Mark Teixeira squibbed a soft blooper towards second. Izturis bobbled, then dropped the ball after it hit him in the chest. Teixeira was safe at first and the Yankees had the bases loaded. Hot hitting Cano came to the plate and sent the next pitch from Scott Downs over the right field fence for the fifth grand slam of his career and a 6-2 Yankees lead.
The Yankees held on to win the game and the series, 2-1, from the Angels but the 6-5 victory didn't come without any trepidation about Mariano Rivera. The Yankees closer had another "blip" in the ninth inning after another fine start from starter Bartolo Colon.
Colon went six strong innings although he ended up with his second straight no-decision. The rotund righty continues to build on one of the great comeback stories in the major leagues this season.
The only slip-up in Colon's day was giving up a two-run to Alberto Callaspo in the fifth inning which gave the Angels a 2-0 lead. Fourteen of Colon's 18 outs came from strikeouts or infield outs. Colon finished the day going six innings, allowing 2 runs and striking out three.
The Yankees once again called on the smoking bat of Curtis Granderson. The Yankees centerfielder skied--and I mean sent into orbit-- his 32nd home run of the season off Angels starter, Tyler Chatwood. The homer knocked in Derek Jeter to tie the score. It was Granderson's fourth dinger in three games.
Everything looked good for the Yankees after Robinson's curtain call. That was until Rivera was called in to bail out an ineffective Cory Wade with one out in the ninth.
Rivera came in after Wade struck out Vernon Wells and allowed two hits which put two men on base. The Hall of Fame closer was coming off a blown save and a loss-- "a blip" as manager Joe Girardi calls them-- and a lot of hand-wringing by Yankees fans. Rivera only needed to get the final two outs.
Digging in at the plate was the Angels pinch-hitter Russell Branyan. Branyan-- who had eight home-runs in 47 at-bats at Yankee Stadium-- immediately sent Rivera's first pitch into the right field stands to close the score to 6-5.
Rivera did a half-snarl/half-grin as he watched the ball sail over his head and into the hushed crowd. Uh-oh. Could what was once called a blip, now be an epidemic many anxious fans were probably wondering. Things were getting interesting-- and too close.
Not to worry. The usually reliable Rivera got the next batter to ground out and the final out was a short fly to left which Brett Gardner gathered in as he crashed into the box-seat wall.
Game over and Rivera picks up his 30th save of the season for a record-extending 14th time.
It's been a long time since Yankees fans held their breath when Rivera was on the mound, if ever.
It was the ninth straight home series the Yankees have won and gave the Yankees a comfortable eight game lead over the Angels in the wild-card race.
Except for Wade, the bullpen was nearly perfect. Rafael Soriano continued to play like the 45-save closer the Yankees spent $35 million for. He handled the seventh inning handily but gave up his first hit in five appearances since coming off the DL on July 30.
Dave Robertson was perfect in the eighth.
After the game, Girardi was asked if he was worried about Rivera. The manager joked, "If it happened for a month."
Girardi continued to downplay the anxiety surrounding Rivera and believes hitters are just being more aggressive with Rivera so they don't fall behind.
"He's close to the perfect closer as we'll ever see," said the manager. "[But] He's not perfect"
Rivera said he wasn't concerned about his weapon of choice-- the cutter.
"I didn't lose velocity, " said the 41 year-old Rivera. "I put the ball where I want it, that's about it."
Asked if he sees any trend to his last three outings, Rivera shook his head.
"It's always only one pitch, stressed the closer. "It's one pitch, but it can't be like that."
With the score tied, 2-2, and two outs, Mark Teixeira squibbed a soft blooper towards second. Izturis bobbled, then dropped the ball after it hit him in the chest. Teixeira was safe at first and the Yankees had the bases loaded. Hot hitting Cano came to the plate and sent the next pitch from Scott Downs over the right field fence for the fifth grand slam of his career and a 6-2 Yankees lead.
The Yankees held on to win the game and the series, 2-1, from the Angels but the 6-5 victory didn't come without any trepidation about Mariano Rivera. The Yankees closer had another "blip" in the ninth inning after another fine start from starter Bartolo Colon.
Colon went six strong innings although he ended up with his second straight no-decision. The rotund righty continues to build on one of the great comeback stories in the major leagues this season.
The only slip-up in Colon's day was giving up a two-run to Alberto Callaspo in the fifth inning which gave the Angels a 2-0 lead. Fourteen of Colon's 18 outs came from strikeouts or infield outs. Colon finished the day going six innings, allowing 2 runs and striking out three.
The Yankees once again called on the smoking bat of Curtis Granderson. The Yankees centerfielder skied--and I mean sent into orbit-- his 32nd home run of the season off Angels starter, Tyler Chatwood. The homer knocked in Derek Jeter to tie the score. It was Granderson's fourth dinger in three games.
Everything looked good for the Yankees after Robinson's curtain call. That was until Rivera was called in to bail out an ineffective Cory Wade with one out in the ninth.
Rivera came in after Wade struck out Vernon Wells and allowed two hits which put two men on base. The Hall of Fame closer was coming off a blown save and a loss-- "a blip" as manager Joe Girardi calls them-- and a lot of hand-wringing by Yankees fans. Rivera only needed to get the final two outs.
Digging in at the plate was the Angels pinch-hitter Russell Branyan. Branyan-- who had eight home-runs in 47 at-bats at Yankee Stadium-- immediately sent Rivera's first pitch into the right field stands to close the score to 6-5.
Rivera did a half-snarl/half-grin as he watched the ball sail over his head and into the hushed crowd. Uh-oh. Could what was once called a blip, now be an epidemic many anxious fans were probably wondering. Things were getting interesting-- and too close.
Not to worry. The usually reliable Rivera got the next batter to ground out and the final out was a short fly to left which Brett Gardner gathered in as he crashed into the box-seat wall.
Game over and Rivera picks up his 30th save of the season for a record-extending 14th time.
It's been a long time since Yankees fans held their breath when Rivera was on the mound, if ever.
It was the ninth straight home series the Yankees have won and gave the Yankees a comfortable eight game lead over the Angels in the wild-card race.
Except for Wade, the bullpen was nearly perfect. Rafael Soriano continued to play like the 45-save closer the Yankees spent $35 million for. He handled the seventh inning handily but gave up his first hit in five appearances since coming off the DL on July 30.
Dave Robertson was perfect in the eighth.
After the game, Girardi was asked if he was worried about Rivera. The manager joked, "If it happened for a month."
Girardi continued to downplay the anxiety surrounding Rivera and believes hitters are just being more aggressive with Rivera so they don't fall behind.
"He's close to the perfect closer as we'll ever see," said the manager. "[But] He's not perfect"
Rivera said he wasn't concerned about his weapon of choice-- the cutter.
"I didn't lose velocity, " said the 41 year-old Rivera. "I put the ball where I want it, that's about it."
Asked if he sees any trend to his last three outings, Rivera shook his head.
"It's always only one pitch, stressed the closer. "It's one pitch, but it can't be like that."
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Ivan Nova Makes Case For Permanent Spot In Rotation; Yankees Win, 9-3
Ivan Nova pitched six strong innings tonight and has made it almost impossible for the Yankees to send the pitcher back down to Triple-A. Nova's workman-like performance guided the Yankees to a 9-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels and snapped New York's three-game skid. It was Nova's seventh straight win.
You can add the word "stopper' to the 24 year-old Nova's resume. He is 3-0 this season in games after a Yankees loss. The only problem with Nova's victory, it didn't do anything to clear up the six man logjam in the team's rotation.
Nova was consistent, if not as overpowering as in recent games, through the first six innings. He gave up a couple of harmless singles and a hanging fifth-inning slider cost him a solo home-run to Peter Bourjos.
In the seventh, Nova started to lose his fastball. Up until then, it was clocked in the mid-90's and his slider was mostly good.
Vernon Wells' RBI single knocked in a run in the seventh, leading to Nova's exit with the bases loaded and no outs. He received a warm ovation from the fans in Yankee Stadium as he exited the diamond.
Enter Rafael Soriano into the precarious situation. The former-closer has been lights out since returning from the DL. Soriano didn't disappoint. He got the first batter to hit into a run-scoring double-play and the next batter, Jeff Mathis, popped up to end the threat. He threw a total of four pitches
Since returning from the DL, Soriano hasn't allowed a single base runner in four appearances. He pitched a critical inning in last Friday's win against the Red Sox and tonight, quite possibly, saved a trip to the minors for Nova.
"He's back to himself," said manager Joe Girardi when asked about the difference in Soriano at the beginning of the season and his appearance tonight. "Sometimes, coming here could be an adjustment. What he did tonight was huge for us."
Nova's final line read: six innings, three runs, three walks and no strikeouts. In his last outing, Nova dominated the White Sox and struck out 10. Still, since returning from the minors on July 30, Nova (11-4) has three quality starts under his belt but Girardi did notice a slight change from Nova's last outing.
"He [Nova] had to work a little harder tonight," said Girardi of his pitcher's adjustments. "It's a sign of maturity. He's made great strides as a starter since last year. He's more consistent and developed another pitch."
Nova agreed. "My fastball wasn't there, my slider wasn't there," he told the YES Network. "I battled to the end and got the win."
Luis Ayala came in to pitch the eighth and ninth innings. He allowed three hits and struck out three.
Offensively, the Yankees didn't make Angels pitcher Garrett Richard's major league debut a red carpet affair. The newbie walked the first two Yankees batters he faced, before Curtis Granderson hit the first of his two home-runs on the evening. Welcome to the big leagues Garrett. It could be Grandy was trying to atone for his base-running gaff which ended the game last night. Robinson Cano came up one single short of hitting for the cycle. He had a double, triple and home-run.
The Yankees victory was the first against a pitcher making his debut in seven years. Oddly, the team has lost the last six meetings to starters making their debut.
Nova's victory-- with Soriano's assist-- is sure to keep Girardi awake at night thinking about how to slim down his six-man rotation. Or at least until Saturday, when Phil Hughes goes to the mound.
How can the manager send Nova-- who has the second most wins (11) on the team, behind CC Sabathia (16)-- back to the minors?
Hughes got rocked by the Red Sox, in a relief role, last Sunday, and hopes to rebound this Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The righthander needs a good outing to keep him from returning to the bullpen.
Meanwhile, Sabathia has been grumbling about the over-stocked rotation, and the extra day between his starts, and wants Girardi to "make a decision on who to pitch."
Tonight, Nova didn't make it any easier.
You can add the word "stopper' to the 24 year-old Nova's resume. He is 3-0 this season in games after a Yankees loss. The only problem with Nova's victory, it didn't do anything to clear up the six man logjam in the team's rotation.
Nova was consistent, if not as overpowering as in recent games, through the first six innings. He gave up a couple of harmless singles and a hanging fifth-inning slider cost him a solo home-run to Peter Bourjos.
In the seventh, Nova started to lose his fastball. Up until then, it was clocked in the mid-90's and his slider was mostly good.
Vernon Wells' RBI single knocked in a run in the seventh, leading to Nova's exit with the bases loaded and no outs. He received a warm ovation from the fans in Yankee Stadium as he exited the diamond.
Enter Rafael Soriano into the precarious situation. The former-closer has been lights out since returning from the DL. Soriano didn't disappoint. He got the first batter to hit into a run-scoring double-play and the next batter, Jeff Mathis, popped up to end the threat. He threw a total of four pitches
Since returning from the DL, Soriano hasn't allowed a single base runner in four appearances. He pitched a critical inning in last Friday's win against the Red Sox and tonight, quite possibly, saved a trip to the minors for Nova.
"He's back to himself," said manager Joe Girardi when asked about the difference in Soriano at the beginning of the season and his appearance tonight. "Sometimes, coming here could be an adjustment. What he did tonight was huge for us."
Nova's final line read: six innings, three runs, three walks and no strikeouts. In his last outing, Nova dominated the White Sox and struck out 10. Still, since returning from the minors on July 30, Nova (11-4) has three quality starts under his belt but Girardi did notice a slight change from Nova's last outing.
"He [Nova] had to work a little harder tonight," said Girardi of his pitcher's adjustments. "It's a sign of maturity. He's made great strides as a starter since last year. He's more consistent and developed another pitch."
Nova agreed. "My fastball wasn't there, my slider wasn't there," he told the YES Network. "I battled to the end and got the win."
Luis Ayala came in to pitch the eighth and ninth innings. He allowed three hits and struck out three.
Offensively, the Yankees didn't make Angels pitcher Garrett Richard's major league debut a red carpet affair. The newbie walked the first two Yankees batters he faced, before Curtis Granderson hit the first of his two home-runs on the evening. Welcome to the big leagues Garrett. It could be Grandy was trying to atone for his base-running gaff which ended the game last night. Robinson Cano came up one single short of hitting for the cycle. He had a double, triple and home-run.
The Yankees victory was the first against a pitcher making his debut in seven years. Oddly, the team has lost the last six meetings to starters making their debut.
Nova's victory-- with Soriano's assist-- is sure to keep Girardi awake at night thinking about how to slim down his six-man rotation. Or at least until Saturday, when Phil Hughes goes to the mound.
How can the manager send Nova-- who has the second most wins (11) on the team, behind CC Sabathia (16)-- back to the minors?
Hughes got rocked by the Red Sox, in a relief role, last Sunday, and hopes to rebound this Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The righthander needs a good outing to keep him from returning to the bullpen.
Meanwhile, Sabathia has been grumbling about the over-stocked rotation, and the extra day between his starts, and wants Girardi to "make a decision on who to pitch."
Tonight, Nova didn't make it any easier.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Yankees Taunt Rays' Mascot During Lightning Delay; Then Win
Last night, while the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays game was delayed due to a lightning strike which knocked out a bank of lights in Tropicana Field, the Yankees dugout had fun playing keep away with the Rays mascot, Raymond.
Right after a bolt of lightning zapped the domed stadium, with Robinson Cano holding a full-count at the plate, Yankees manager Joe Girardi told officials he wouldn't continue play until the field was fully illuminated. That's when Raymond went to the Yankees side to play catch.
The Yankees own unofficial mascot, Bartolo Colon, led the heckling during the 18 minute delay before his team eventually went on to defeat the home team 5-4 after the Rays walked in the winning run.
Colon, the cuddly 260-pound pitcher, wouldn't play catch with Raymond during the fifth-inning delay until finally giving in to the fuzzy mascot.
Raymond, who has been punched out by a Baltimore Oriole player, tackled by a fan and out danced by a Cardinal mascot tossed the ball back to Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson, who also refused to give it back. Raymond just left in a huff. His team should have followed.
The Rays pounced on A.J. Burnett--pitching on eight days rest-- early and scored three runs in the first inning. Burnett looked like his old inconsistent self. The Rays held a 4-2 lead until the Yankees tied it up in the eighth.
Rays starter Alex Cobb held the Yankees to three hits and two runs through six but the depleted Rays team was coming off a 16-inning loss to the Red Sox late last night and it seemed only a matter of time before the Yankees could shred through the taxed Tampa Bay bullpen.
In the top of the ninth Rays manager Joe Maddon went to his only remaining reliever, rookie Alex Torres--who was called up earlier in the day. Torres immediately gave up a lead off single to Granderson who stole second. Mark Teixeira struck out then a grounder by Robinson Cano moved Granderson to third.
Next, Maddon had Torres intentionally walk Nick Swisher before walking Andruw Jones to load the bases. A 3-2 ball to Russell Martin walked in the go-ahead run.
Hector Noesi and Mariano Rivera pitched 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to keep Burnett from getting a loss.
Later Girardi commented about the power outage and his discussion with the umpires. " They asked me if we wanted to continue to play through it or not," said the skipper. "I said, 'No, I don't.' It was a big time in the game, and I want all the lights all on in that situation."
Torres wasn't exactly lights out in his first major league outing and it looks like he took the lightning express back to the minors.
Right after a bolt of lightning zapped the domed stadium, with Robinson Cano holding a full-count at the plate, Yankees manager Joe Girardi told officials he wouldn't continue play until the field was fully illuminated. That's when Raymond went to the Yankees side to play catch.
The Yankees own unofficial mascot, Bartolo Colon, led the heckling during the 18 minute delay before his team eventually went on to defeat the home team 5-4 after the Rays walked in the winning run.
Colon, the cuddly 260-pound pitcher, wouldn't play catch with Raymond during the fifth-inning delay until finally giving in to the fuzzy mascot.
Raymond, who has been punched out by a Baltimore Oriole player, tackled by a fan and out danced by a Cardinal mascot tossed the ball back to Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson, who also refused to give it back. Raymond just left in a huff. His team should have followed.
The Rays pounced on A.J. Burnett--pitching on eight days rest-- early and scored three runs in the first inning. Burnett looked like his old inconsistent self. The Rays held a 4-2 lead until the Yankees tied it up in the eighth.
Rays starter Alex Cobb held the Yankees to three hits and two runs through six but the depleted Rays team was coming off a 16-inning loss to the Red Sox late last night and it seemed only a matter of time before the Yankees could shred through the taxed Tampa Bay bullpen.
In the top of the ninth Rays manager Joe Maddon went to his only remaining reliever, rookie Alex Torres--who was called up earlier in the day. Torres immediately gave up a lead off single to Granderson who stole second. Mark Teixeira struck out then a grounder by Robinson Cano moved Granderson to third.
Next, Maddon had Torres intentionally walk Nick Swisher before walking Andruw Jones to load the bases. A 3-2 ball to Russell Martin walked in the go-ahead run.
Hector Noesi and Mariano Rivera pitched 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to keep Burnett from getting a loss.
Later Girardi commented about the power outage and his discussion with the umpires. " They asked me if we wanted to continue to play through it or not," said the skipper. "I said, 'No, I don't.' It was a big time in the game, and I want all the lights all on in that situation."
Torres wasn't exactly lights out in his first major league outing and it looks like he took the lightning express back to the minors.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Life Without Derek Jeter Ain't So Bad For The Yankees
It's only been a week since Derek Jeter strained his calf muscle and the Yankees had the monumental task of placing The Captain and his quest for his 3,000th base hit on ice. Jeter reluctantly went on the 15-day DL and now the Yankees seem to be sailing along nicely without their team leader.
The Yankees have scored 42 runs, including a sweep of last year's AL Champs the Texas Rangers to go 5-1 while Jeter treats his calf down in Tampa.
Jeter's replacement, 24 year-old Eduardo Nunez, isn't Derek Jeter circa 1998, but has handled himself adequately at the plate. In 77 at-bats, Nunez has knocked in 11 runs with two home-runs and eight stolen bases.
Jeter, before he went down, had 20 RBI's, two homers and seven stolen bases in 262 plate appearances.
The 24 year-old Nunez won't remind anyone of Ozzie Smith in the field. Every ground ball hit to short is an adventure with Nunez. On Saturday, he muffed a double-play grounder for his eighth error in 37 games. First basemen Mark Teixeira has probably saved half-a-dozen careless throwing errors from fumbling Nunez already.
The young shortstop knows his time at shortstop will be limited; no matter how good he is playing. It's only a matter of time before Jeter says "Helloooo Nunez...good job, now go."
"I feel good you know? It's my opportunity to show I can play," said Nunez. "But I keep telling you, I don't want to think like that. Some one goes down like Jeter, in two weeks, he'll be back in the same place."
While it's a given Nunez will relinquish his position at shortstop when Jeter returns, it is the resurgence of Brett Gardner that will give manager Joe Girardi headaches regarding the lead-off spot.
Right now, batting in the top of the order where Jeter was loosely ensconced, Gardner has become a torrid offensive force.
After a slow start, which made it easy to put the creaky-boned Jeter in the lead-off spot, Gardner is showing all the tools which kept him from being trading over the past few seasons.
Gardner is doing a little of everything to spark an aging, home-run slugging team.
The spunky left-fielder is batting .360 over his last 51 games and his average is creeping to .300. He has eight multi-hit games over the last 14 games.
When Jeter returns, Girardi's conundrum will be what to do with his current No. 1 and No. 2 batters. Gardner and Curtis Granderson, who is having an MVP-type season, have ignited the top of the Yankees line-up and it's a sure bet Jeter is squirming in his whirlpool while witnessing it.
Jeter's diminished play at short is still better than Nunez at full ability, but it's where he bats in the line-up after he gets his milestone 3,000th hit that will be intriguing.
Sure, Jeter has earned the right to bat first when he returns and, unless he acquires those six hits in quick succession, he will probably be dumped to a lower spot in the batting order after the big hit.
It's any one's guess where, and how tactfully, Girardi places the legendary Yankee. Jorge Posada took his demotion kicking and screaming. It's unlikely the cordial, but proud, Jeter will go the same route, but I seem to remember a blistering Jeter press conference after the Yankees front office leaked details of his contract talks last winter. So who knows.
Granderson is hitting both righties and lefties and there is no way you can move him from the No. 2 spot and Gardner is the speedster the team needs in the lead-off spot. He is a mini-weapon of mass destruction right now and the Yankees are a hell of a lot more fun to watch when Gardner is prowling the base.paths.
Where does Jeter actually fit in the line-up when he returns on June 29?
One through five are solid and have the team on cruise-control right now. The sixth spot is for the DH or Nick Swisher, who has also come alive. That leaves the seventh spot and even that is up for grabs.
It's easy to rip the unassuming Jeter, while he hobbles around his Florida mansion, and it almost seems blasphemous. He is about to make history and maybe that 3,000th hit is the only thing keeping the soon-to-be 37 year-old in the conversation, but he is still The Captain with a $17 million-a-year contract and on the verge of legendary stature.
The experienced and sure-handed Jeter, even lugging around a .260 batting average, is still the Yankees best choice at shortstop--even if he has to bat seventh.
Are the Yankees better without Jeter? This last week has produced an intriguing plot when he returns.
The Yankees have scored 42 runs, including a sweep of last year's AL Champs the Texas Rangers to go 5-1 while Jeter treats his calf down in Tampa.
Jeter, before he went down, had 20 RBI's, two homers and seven stolen bases in 262 plate appearances.
The 24 year-old Nunez won't remind anyone of Ozzie Smith in the field. Every ground ball hit to short is an adventure with Nunez. On Saturday, he muffed a double-play grounder for his eighth error in 37 games. First basemen Mark Teixeira has probably saved half-a-dozen careless throwing errors from fumbling Nunez already.
The young shortstop knows his time at shortstop will be limited; no matter how good he is playing. It's only a matter of time before Jeter says "Helloooo Nunez...good job, now go."
While it's a given Nunez will relinquish his position at shortstop when Jeter returns, it is the resurgence of Brett Gardner that will give manager Joe Girardi headaches regarding the lead-off spot.
Right now, batting in the top of the order where Jeter was loosely ensconced, Gardner has become a torrid offensive force.
After a slow start, which made it easy to put the creaky-boned Jeter in the lead-off spot, Gardner is showing all the tools which kept him from being trading over the past few seasons.
Gardner is doing a little of everything to spark an aging, home-run slugging team.
When Jeter returns, Girardi's conundrum will be what to do with his current No. 1 and No. 2 batters. Gardner and Curtis Granderson, who is having an MVP-type season, have ignited the top of the Yankees line-up and it's a sure bet Jeter is squirming in his whirlpool while witnessing it.
Jeter's diminished play at short is still better than Nunez at full ability, but it's where he bats in the line-up after he gets his milestone 3,000th hit that will be intriguing.
Sure, Jeter has earned the right to bat first when he returns and, unless he acquires those six hits in quick succession, he will probably be dumped to a lower spot in the batting order after the big hit.
It's any one's guess where, and how tactfully, Girardi places the legendary Yankee. Jorge Posada took his demotion kicking and screaming. It's unlikely the cordial, but proud, Jeter will go the same route, but I seem to remember a blistering Jeter press conference after the Yankees front office leaked details of his contract talks last winter. So who knows.
Granderson is hitting both righties and lefties and there is no way you can move him from the No. 2 spot and Gardner is the speedster the team needs in the lead-off spot. He is a mini-weapon of mass destruction right now and the Yankees are a hell of a lot more fun to watch when Gardner is prowling the base.paths.
Where does Jeter actually fit in the line-up when he returns on June 29?
One through five are solid and have the team on cruise-control right now. The sixth spot is for the DH or Nick Swisher, who has also come alive. That leaves the seventh spot and even that is up for grabs.
It's easy to rip the unassuming Jeter, while he hobbles around his Florida mansion, and it almost seems blasphemous. He is about to make history and maybe that 3,000th hit is the only thing keeping the soon-to-be 37 year-old in the conversation, but he is still The Captain with a $17 million-a-year contract and on the verge of legendary stature.
The experienced and sure-handed Jeter, even lugging around a .260 batting average, is still the Yankees best choice at shortstop--even if he has to bat seventh.
Are the Yankees better without Jeter? This last week has produced an intriguing plot when he returns.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Bartolo Colon Limps Off Field And It Means More Bad News For Yankees
Just a couple of days after the New York Yankees found out relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain would miss the rest of the season due to a damaged elbow; the team's second best starting pitcher, Bartolo Colon, limped off the slippery Yankee Stadium field with a "strained left hamstring" on Saturday afternoon.
Yankees GM Brain Cashman told the YES Network, after New York beat the Cleveland Indians 4-0, the injury to Colon "looks like a DL situation."
Since getting swept by division rivals the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees have literally taken one step forward and two steps back when it concerns their pitching staff.
The one step forward was Ivan Nova's gutsy win against the Indians last night. Nova needed a solid performance to save his spot in the Yankee rotation after being winless since May 17. His continued ineffectiveness would have meant possibly coming out of the bullpen to replace Chamberlain. Now it looks like he will be needed to fill Colon's big spot in the rotation.
The two steps backward are the injuries to Chamberlain and Colon--and they are of mammoth proportions.
Chamberlain had settled nicely into his role as set-up man after Rafael Soriano went out for up to eight weeks. He was having one of his finest seasons.
Now comes Colon's pulled hammy and it could really spell trouble for the Yankees.
The flawless Colon cruised through six innings in the drizzling rain against the Indians when he went to cover first base during Shin-Soo Choo's seventh-inning dribbler down the first base line. Colon's slipped or landed oddly on the damp turf and limped back to the mound. Manager Joe Girardi and team doctor Gene Monahan ran out and convinced the pitcher to exit and take his 2-hit, six strike-out gem to the showers.
Dave Robertson relieved Colon with one out in the seventh and continued to pull his Houdini act by giving up three hits then striking out the side in the eighth. Boone Logan mopped up the ninth.
Girardi wouldn't make any predictions on the possibility of putting Colon on the DL or the extent of the injury to his pitcher's "planting foot." "We won't know anything until tomorrow," he said. "We'll have to wait until he shows up tomorrow."
Colon has resurrected his career after under missing a year and a half of major league play. He had undergone a radical, but controversial, treatment in the Dominican Republic for his damaged right shoulder and elbow. This season, Colon is 5-3 and has become the number two starter on the Yankees rotation. He won his last three starts in dominating fashion. Extended time on the DL would be a real set back for New York.
When asked about Colon's performance so far this season, Alex Rodriguez said, "He [Colon] is off the charts. He is pitching like his Cy Young caliber season in 2005."
A-Rod-- who got Indians starter Mitch Talbot tossed out for plunking him in the sixth-- homered and then compared Colon to the Yankees # 1 ace CC Sabathia.
"He [Colon] has been consistently great all year," said Rodriguez. "He is pitching like 1-A."
If Colon does go on the 15-day DL, it could take longer for the portly pitcher to rehab than other players. He packs over 260 pounds on his short frame and was never known as the best physical specimen on any team.
It's too bad because it looked like Colon was headed for his second straight complete game victory and sensational comeback season.
Yankees GM Brain Cashman told the YES Network, after New York beat the Cleveland Indians 4-0, the injury to Colon "looks like a DL situation."
The one step forward was Ivan Nova's gutsy win against the Indians last night. Nova needed a solid performance to save his spot in the Yankee rotation after being winless since May 17. His continued ineffectiveness would have meant possibly coming out of the bullpen to replace Chamberlain. Now it looks like he will be needed to fill Colon's big spot in the rotation.
The two steps backward are the injuries to Chamberlain and Colon--and they are of mammoth proportions.
Chamberlain had settled nicely into his role as set-up man after Rafael Soriano went out for up to eight weeks. He was having one of his finest seasons.
Now comes Colon's pulled hammy and it could really spell trouble for the Yankees.
The flawless Colon cruised through six innings in the drizzling rain against the Indians when he went to cover first base during Shin-Soo Choo's seventh-inning dribbler down the first base line. Colon's slipped or landed oddly on the damp turf and limped back to the mound. Manager Joe Girardi and team doctor Gene Monahan ran out and convinced the pitcher to exit and take his 2-hit, six strike-out gem to the showers.
Dave Robertson relieved Colon with one out in the seventh and continued to pull his Houdini act by giving up three hits then striking out the side in the eighth. Boone Logan mopped up the ninth.
Girardi wouldn't make any predictions on the possibility of putting Colon on the DL or the extent of the injury to his pitcher's "planting foot." "We won't know anything until tomorrow," he said. "We'll have to wait until he shows up tomorrow."
Colon has resurrected his career after under missing a year and a half of major league play. He had undergone a radical, but controversial, treatment in the Dominican Republic for his damaged right shoulder and elbow. This season, Colon is 5-3 and has become the number two starter on the Yankees rotation. He won his last three starts in dominating fashion. Extended time on the DL would be a real set back for New York.
When asked about Colon's performance so far this season, Alex Rodriguez said, "He [Colon] is off the charts. He is pitching like his Cy Young caliber season in 2005."
A-Rod-- who got Indians starter Mitch Talbot tossed out for plunking him in the sixth-- homered and then compared Colon to the Yankees # 1 ace CC Sabathia.
"He [Colon] has been consistently great all year," said Rodriguez. "He is pitching like 1-A."
If Colon does go on the 15-day DL, it could take longer for the portly pitcher to rehab than other players. He packs over 260 pounds on his short frame and was never known as the best physical specimen on any team.
It's too bad because it looked like Colon was headed for his second straight complete game victory and sensational comeback season.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Right Place & Best Cure For Yankee Blues: Camden Yards & Boog's BBQ
The New York Yankees took the first step to overcoming a tumultuous week by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays last night, 6-2. Now the New York Grandersons take a two-day jaunt to their home-away-from-home--Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The remedy to any Yankees slump seems to be a series against the Baltimore Orioles. It's take two and call me on Friday.
The confines of the Baltimore stadium seem to be as inviting to the Yankees and their fans as one of those Boog Powell pulled BBQ sandwiches.
When the Yankees visit the Yard, you can usually spot more pinstripes than orange and black birds in the stands. If anything can help the Yankees get on a roll and win back-to-back games after a six-loss skid, it's the sight of the fragrant BBQ smoke wafting in front of the Baltimore & Ohio Warehouse in right field.
The Yankees are in a lot of trouble. Issues with Core Four members Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada in the clubhouse and front office, an aging starting rotation, a fragile bullpen and soft hitting. Not to mention Hal Steinbrenner lurking in his luxury box last night. Manager Joe Girardi is getting to know how Billy Martin felt during his five terms as manager under George's constant glare.
Besides Curtis Granderson (.270, 14 HR's, 31 RBI's) having an All-Star caliber start, most of the other Yankees make Abe Vigoda like spry.
A.J Burnett has reverted back to his bi-polar swings on the mound and the $30 million set-up man, Rafael Soriano, was just put on the 15-day DL.
There were a lot of high-fives going around after Alex Rodriguez busted out of his weeks-long slump by going yard twice last night. Maybe his hip is okay. There were even banner headlines in the tabloids after the DH Posada raised his average to a whopping .179 after getting two hits in the #7 spot. I guess he showed Girardi who is boss.
One other bright spot is Brett Gardner who went 3-for-4 last night and is batting .397 over his last 22 games.
The Yankees are 4-0 against the O's this season and will roll out Bartolo Colon (2-2,3.74) to battle the Oriole's Zach Britton (5-2, 2.42). It won't be easy for Colon, who has a lifetime 10-7, 3.50 record against Baltimore, because Britton is having the kind of season any of the Yankees starters could only wish for.
Let's see if Girardi has forgiven Posada for pulling out on Saturday night. If he lets Posada (0-for-24 against lefties) start against the southpaw Britton, I'd say the manager is showing a lot of love. Don't count on it.
The Yankees pulled out all the stops to beat the Rays last night. They had Mariano Rivera come out in the ninth to protect a four-run lead. That's how much Girardi thought his team needed a victory.
"We needed to win that game," said Girardi. "I wouldn't say it was a must-win, but it was as close to a must-win is in May."
The remedy to any Yankees slump seems to be a series against the Baltimore Orioles. It's take two and call me on Friday.
When the Yankees visit the Yard, you can usually spot more pinstripes than orange and black birds in the stands. If anything can help the Yankees get on a roll and win back-to-back games after a six-loss skid, it's the sight of the fragrant BBQ smoke wafting in front of the Baltimore & Ohio Warehouse in right field.
The Yankees are in a lot of trouble. Issues with Core Four members Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada in the clubhouse and front office, an aging starting rotation, a fragile bullpen and soft hitting. Not to mention Hal Steinbrenner lurking in his luxury box last night. Manager Joe Girardi is getting to know how Billy Martin felt during his five terms as manager under George's constant glare.
Besides Curtis Granderson (.270, 14 HR's, 31 RBI's) having an All-Star caliber start, most of the other Yankees make Abe Vigoda like spry.
A.J Burnett has reverted back to his bi-polar swings on the mound and the $30 million set-up man, Rafael Soriano, was just put on the 15-day DL.
There were a lot of high-fives going around after Alex Rodriguez busted out of his weeks-long slump by going yard twice last night. Maybe his hip is okay. There were even banner headlines in the tabloids after the DH Posada raised his average to a whopping .179 after getting two hits in the #7 spot. I guess he showed Girardi who is boss.
One other bright spot is Brett Gardner who went 3-for-4 last night and is batting .397 over his last 22 games.
The Yankees are 4-0 against the O's this season and will roll out Bartolo Colon (2-2,3.74) to battle the Oriole's Zach Britton (5-2, 2.42). It won't be easy for Colon, who has a lifetime 10-7, 3.50 record against Baltimore, because Britton is having the kind of season any of the Yankees starters could only wish for.
Let's see if Girardi has forgiven Posada for pulling out on Saturday night. If he lets Posada (0-for-24 against lefties) start against the southpaw Britton, I'd say the manager is showing a lot of love. Don't count on it.
The Yankees pulled out all the stops to beat the Rays last night. They had Mariano Rivera come out in the ninth to protect a four-run lead. That's how much Girardi thought his team needed a victory.
"We needed to win that game," said Girardi. "I wouldn't say it was a must-win, but it was as close to a must-win is in May."
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Yankees Could Put Six Position Players on 2011 All-Star Team
Alex Rodriguez leads a team of nine New York Yankees All-Star hopefuls listed on the American League All-Star ballot released today. The way things look right now, six Yankees position players alone could be playing in the July 12 classic--maybe even seven.
A-Rod will be looking to be elected to his 14th All-Star game. He is one of the league leaders in batting and RBI's with 17 and having one of his best starts ever.
Shortstop Derek Jeter, while showing signs of inconsistency this year, is always a perennial fan favorite and will be looking to make his fifth straight appearance and 12th all-time. Even the one year Jeter wasn't there, other players said it didn't feel just right without The Captain. Could it be his last?
The Yankees have been sending the ball over the fence at an unbelievable rate and all those home-runs could lead to All-Star turns for their sluggers.
Surprisingly, centerfielder Curtis Granderson is tied for the league lead in home-runs with seven and is looking to make his second All-Star slot. His first and last was for the Detroit Tigers in 2009.
Another wonder has been catcher Russell Martin. The off-season pick-up, with the rehabbed hip, is lighting up pitchers with a .328 average, six homers and 16 RBI's so far this season. His OBP is one of the best in the league. Martin was a two-time National League All-Star with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira round out the six Pinstripers who could be showing up at Chase Field in Phoenix for baseball's big showcase.
Cano, one of the best all-round players in the majors is batting .314 with 4 HR's and 14 RBI's. It would be the second-baseman's third appearance.
Teixeira, battling his usual m.o., started the season fast then slumped badly. Over the past week, the first-baseman has picked up steam and seems to be back on track. He has six home-runs and 16 RBI's already this year. His last All-star appearance was in 2009.
The Yankees could bring their own Home-Run Derby to the 82nd All-Star Game. Five players--A-Rod, Cano, Teixeira, Martin and Granderson have 28 home-runs between them. If you throw in Jorge Posada, who is on the ballot for the first time as a DH after five All-Star games as a catcher, you have a major-league leading line-up boasting 34 dingers between those six players.
Shortstop Derek Jeter, while showing signs of inconsistency this year, is always a perennial fan favorite and will be looking to make his fifth straight appearance and 12th all-time. Even the one year Jeter wasn't there, other players said it didn't feel just right without The Captain. Could it be his last?
The Yankees have been sending the ball over the fence at an unbelievable rate and all those home-runs could lead to All-Star turns for their sluggers.
Another wonder has been catcher Russell Martin. The off-season pick-up, with the rehabbed hip, is lighting up pitchers with a .328 average, six homers and 16 RBI's so far this season. His OBP is one of the best in the league. Martin was a two-time National League All-Star with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira round out the six Pinstripers who could be showing up at Chase Field in Phoenix for baseball's big showcase.
Cano, one of the best all-round players in the majors is batting .314 with 4 HR's and 14 RBI's. It would be the second-baseman's third appearance.
Teixeira, battling his usual m.o., started the season fast then slumped badly. Over the past week, the first-baseman has picked up steam and seems to be back on track. He has six home-runs and 16 RBI's already this year. His last All-star appearance was in 2009.
The Yankees could bring their own Home-Run Derby to the 82nd All-Star Game. Five players--A-Rod, Cano, Teixeira, Martin and Granderson have 28 home-runs between them. If you throw in Jorge Posada, who is on the ballot for the first time as a DH after five All-Star games as a catcher, you have a major-league leading line-up boasting 34 dingers between those six players.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Yankees Granderson Picks Up Slack For Slumping Gardner
No one would have doubted that a New York Yankees player would be tied for the AL home-run lead at this point of the season, but nobody would have ever predicted his name would be Curtis Granderson. The Yankees center-fielder is on fire over the last five games. He is batting .421 (8-for-19) with four home-runs and six RBI's over that span.
The Yankees head into Baltimore for a scheduled three-game set against the Orioles--tonight's game has been called due to rain--as the AL East leaders and Granderson is the biggest SCUD on the Bronx Bombers.
Nine games into the season, Granderson was hitting .156 at the back of the order. Since then, the 27 year-old has gone from batting ninth, then eighth and now second. He has lifted his average to .273.
"I talked to [hitting coach] Kevin Long and he liked my at-bats and my swing," the rejuvenated player said. "I wasn't really out of whack and there was no need to change. It was a matter of an inch and being late."
Granderson always had a little pop in his bat, but heading to Camden Yards this weekend, he has homered in three straight games and, after struggling against lefthanders (.218 lifetime), is also taking them yard this year, hitting .353 (6-for-17), with three HR's and five RBI's.
Gardner, meanwhile, is stuck in a rut. He has as many hits (six) as Granderson has home-runs and is carrying a minuscule .128 average and .196 OBP to the plate.
The 27 year-old right-fielder finally won the lead-off spot this season but, after his pitiful start, has been bumped down to batting ninth and watching lefties from the bench.
Two years ago, a slump like this cost Gardner his starting job to Melky Cabrera, but don't expect manager Joe Girardi to replace his speedster at one time. Just expect to see Andruw Jones in the line-up against lefthanders. Jones, another one of the Yankees scrap-heap pick-ups, has seen limited play and is hitting .250 with one homer.
Gardner knows he is rooted in a bad slump is hoping he can turn it around; much like Granderson has done over the last seven games.
"I feel like every day is an opportunity to come out here and turn it around," said Gardner. "I don't think about too much long-term stuff right now."
The Yankees have been shuffling the struggling Gardner and inconsistent Derek Jeter at the number one and two spots all season and felt they had to pull Gardner after a horrible game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. The speedy Gardner blew a sac-bunt and was thrown out stealing--his third time in six attempts this season. Speed is considered Gardner's saving grace.
"The last thing you want to do when you're not swinging the bat well is to get the most at-bats on the team," hitting coach Kevin Long said. "It's a smart move. He a smart kid, so he gets it. He doesn't have to be happy about it, but at this point in time, it's the best thing to do."
Gardner has been hitting the video rewind button pretty hard lately; while trying to find out where he is failing at the plate.
"If you can be successful for a couple of months, there's no reason that I shouldn't be able to find that and get back in that groove again," he reasoned.
The Yankees head into Baltimore for a scheduled three-game set against the Orioles--tonight's game has been called due to rain--as the AL East leaders and Granderson is the biggest SCUD on the Bronx Bombers.
"I talked to [hitting coach] Kevin Long and he liked my at-bats and my swing," the rejuvenated player said. "I wasn't really out of whack and there was no need to change. It was a matter of an inch and being late."
Granderson always had a little pop in his bat, but heading to Camden Yards this weekend, he has homered in three straight games and, after struggling against lefthanders (.218 lifetime), is also taking them yard this year, hitting .353 (6-for-17), with three HR's and five RBI's.
Gardner, meanwhile, is stuck in a rut. He has as many hits (six) as Granderson has home-runs and is carrying a minuscule .128 average and .196 OBP to the plate.
The 27 year-old right-fielder finally won the lead-off spot this season but, after his pitiful start, has been bumped down to batting ninth and watching lefties from the bench.
Two years ago, a slump like this cost Gardner his starting job to Melky Cabrera, but don't expect manager Joe Girardi to replace his speedster at one time. Just expect to see Andruw Jones in the line-up against lefthanders. Jones, another one of the Yankees scrap-heap pick-ups, has seen limited play and is hitting .250 with one homer.
Gardner knows he is rooted in a bad slump is hoping he can turn it around; much like Granderson has done over the last seven games.
"I feel like every day is an opportunity to come out here and turn it around," said Gardner. "I don't think about too much long-term stuff right now."
The Yankees have been shuffling the struggling Gardner and inconsistent Derek Jeter at the number one and two spots all season and felt they had to pull Gardner after a horrible game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. The speedy Gardner blew a sac-bunt and was thrown out stealing--his third time in six attempts this season. Speed is considered Gardner's saving grace.
"The last thing you want to do when you're not swinging the bat well is to get the most at-bats on the team," hitting coach Kevin Long said. "It's a smart move. He a smart kid, so he gets it. He doesn't have to be happy about it, but at this point in time, it's the best thing to do."
Gardner has been hitting the video rewind button pretty hard lately; while trying to find out where he is failing at the plate.
"If you can be successful for a couple of months, there's no reason that I shouldn't be able to find that and get back in that groove again," he reasoned.
