The Yankees' action on the mound was the weakest link tonight as New York fell to Philadelphia 8-6. The good news is two-fold: (1) A.J. Burnett won't be pitching any more and (2) the bats stayed alive even after the Phillies appeared to have put the game away.
Johnny Damon went 3-for-4 for the Yankees and was sent home twice by Alex Rodriguez, who was 2-for-4 with 3 RBI.
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Showing posts with label a.j. burnett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a.j. burnett. Show all posts
11.03.2009
10.30.2009
Yankees articles
A CBS Sports writer gives a fair assessment of A.J. Burnett, including some juicy Jimmy Rollins quotes.
10.29.2009
The right medicine
A.J. Burnett was just what the Yankees needed tonight, and I'll credit the uneven No. 2 pitcher for New York for this Game 2 win.
After sporadic pitching performances throughout the postseason (not just winning some games and losing some, or letting a lot of runs in during one and not the other, but throwing more pitches in the dirt in some than some pitchers throw all year), Burnett was excellent tonight.
He pitched hard and kept his head in the game even after the Phillies went ahead. With nine strikeouts and seven innings pitched, he didn't just get the guys in red out, he also saved the New York bullpen (which had no right coming into this game) and sent a message to a hard-hitting Philly lineup. And by allowing just four hits, he reasserted that although he may not be an ace, he can still hold down that second-pitcher spot.
After allowing that one run, Burnett didn't let any runners get past second.
On Saturday Andy Pettitte, the Yanks' postseason veteran, gets to take his stab in enemy territory, but tonight, the Yankees are happy for the win.
This series has already turned into a National League showdown, and that's not a good thing, especially since the first two games were in New York. After sporting perfection at the new Yankee Stadium, the Yankees were no-shows in the first game, excluding the bullpen, which showed up to throw meatballs and let the Phillies run away with the 6-1 Game 1 win.
That all changed tonight. There was no New York bombing (the good kind), but there was gutsy Yankees playing, which is exactly what the Pinstriped Faithful needed to see their boys get back in the series.
After falling behind 1-0, Mark Teixeira showed up with a fourth-inning homer that evened the game. He had been batting .182 in the postseason so far.
Two innings later, Hideki Matsui (who has had middling postseason numbers) sent one into the right field porch with two outs to put New York up 2-1.
The seventh inning was a well-crafted Yankees onslaught, with Jerry Hairston Jr. (of all people) making good on his promotion into Nick Swisher's spot (finally) singling. Melky Cabrera provided another timely hit, putting guys on first and second without an out.
In a scene that is a great part of the 2009 Yankees' postseason, Jorge Posada came up to pinch-hit for Jose Molina, who was catching Burnett, as is usual of late. Posada has been able to come in fresh and inject some life into the late inning for the Yankees, and tonight was no different, with the New York catcher lacing an RBI single to put men on first and second with one out and the leadoff hitter coming to the plate. Yankees 3, Phillies 1.
But remember how I said this was a National League showdown? Yeah. On top of the ludicrous starting pitching and Joe Girardi's hyper hook with the bullpen, the manager who holds the American League pennant started managing his tuchis off again. And that's not a good thing because, remember, his team is in the American League. American League. With hitters, and designated hitters. Not the National League, where you managed the Florida Marlins. American League. American.
Nope, we've got Derek Jeter bunting. Not just bunting, but bunting three times in a row, for a strikeout. Derek Jeter. Mr. November. The guy who has more clutch, postseason hits than most people have years they've lived. The guy who hits a dozen home runs in a year then cranks half a dozen over the wall when it comes to the fortnight that is the playoffs.
Men on first and second, and Jeter is bunting. Oi, Girardi.
Stack another blown call by the playoff umps on the next play (a one-hopper into Phillies' first baseman Ryan Howard's glove was ruled a lineout), and the inning was over. But not even Girardi could derail the rest of the Yankees' day.
In a change from his six-relievers-for-two-innings approach, Girardi called on Mariano Rivera to take care of the last two frames. Mo didn't have to pitch in last night's debacle, and after letting guys reach first and second, a dark horse factor for the Yankees showed up. Robinson Cano turned a great double play to Derek Jeter, who fired, legs splayed over a sliding Phil, to Mark Teixeiera at first just in time to save the inning. The Yankees x-factor defense had made the difference.
Rivera was out for the ninth, of course, and Cano caught a lazy liner for a phenomenal second out before Rivera took down way-too-heavy Philly DH Matt Stairs on strikes for the win.
It wasn't a pretty night, with plenty of Yankee problems, but the goal is a win, and New York got that. Alex Rodriguez had another rough night, whiffing three times for the second day in a row to increase his World Series drought to 0-for-8 through two games. Let's hope it doesn't take him as long to get on track in the Fall Classic as it has in the postseason of recent years.
Phillies slugger Howard struck out four times.
Jeter had an uncharacteristic three strikeouts and a double, and aside from the aforementioned hits, there was only singles by Cano and Matsui, leaving the Yankees with eight hits on the night.
Rivera's fourth save of this postseason was his 10th World Series save and 38th playoff save of his career. Burnett got his first win of the playoffs after three no-decisions.
Game Recap
Other Yankees Posts
After sporadic pitching performances throughout the postseason (not just winning some games and losing some, or letting a lot of runs in during one and not the other, but throwing more pitches in the dirt in some than some pitchers throw all year), Burnett was excellent tonight.
He pitched hard and kept his head in the game even after the Phillies went ahead. With nine strikeouts and seven innings pitched, he didn't just get the guys in red out, he also saved the New York bullpen (which had no right coming into this game) and sent a message to a hard-hitting Philly lineup. And by allowing just four hits, he reasserted that although he may not be an ace, he can still hold down that second-pitcher spot.
After allowing that one run, Burnett didn't let any runners get past second.
On Saturday Andy Pettitte, the Yanks' postseason veteran, gets to take his stab in enemy territory, but tonight, the Yankees are happy for the win.
This series has already turned into a National League showdown, and that's not a good thing, especially since the first two games were in New York. After sporting perfection at the new Yankee Stadium, the Yankees were no-shows in the first game, excluding the bullpen, which showed up to throw meatballs and let the Phillies run away with the 6-1 Game 1 win.
That all changed tonight. There was no New York bombing (the good kind), but there was gutsy Yankees playing, which is exactly what the Pinstriped Faithful needed to see their boys get back in the series.
After falling behind 1-0, Mark Teixeira showed up with a fourth-inning homer that evened the game. He had been batting .182 in the postseason so far.
Two innings later, Hideki Matsui (who has had middling postseason numbers) sent one into the right field porch with two outs to put New York up 2-1.
The seventh inning was a well-crafted Yankees onslaught, with Jerry Hairston Jr. (of all people) making good on his promotion into Nick Swisher's spot (finally) singling. Melky Cabrera provided another timely hit, putting guys on first and second without an out.
In a scene that is a great part of the 2009 Yankees' postseason, Jorge Posada came up to pinch-hit for Jose Molina, who was catching Burnett, as is usual of late. Posada has been able to come in fresh and inject some life into the late inning for the Yankees, and tonight was no different, with the New York catcher lacing an RBI single to put men on first and second with one out and the leadoff hitter coming to the plate. Yankees 3, Phillies 1.
But remember how I said this was a National League showdown? Yeah. On top of the ludicrous starting pitching and Joe Girardi's hyper hook with the bullpen, the manager who holds the American League pennant started managing his tuchis off again. And that's not a good thing because, remember, his team is in the American League. American League. With hitters, and designated hitters. Not the National League, where you managed the Florida Marlins. American League. American.
Nope, we've got Derek Jeter bunting. Not just bunting, but bunting three times in a row, for a strikeout. Derek Jeter. Mr. November. The guy who has more clutch, postseason hits than most people have years they've lived. The guy who hits a dozen home runs in a year then cranks half a dozen over the wall when it comes to the fortnight that is the playoffs.
Men on first and second, and Jeter is bunting. Oi, Girardi.
Stack another blown call by the playoff umps on the next play (a one-hopper into Phillies' first baseman Ryan Howard's glove was ruled a lineout), and the inning was over. But not even Girardi could derail the rest of the Yankees' day.
In a change from his six-relievers-for-two-innings approach, Girardi called on Mariano Rivera to take care of the last two frames. Mo didn't have to pitch in last night's debacle, and after letting guys reach first and second, a dark horse factor for the Yankees showed up. Robinson Cano turned a great double play to Derek Jeter, who fired, legs splayed over a sliding Phil, to Mark Teixeiera at first just in time to save the inning. The Yankees x-factor defense had made the difference.
Rivera was out for the ninth, of course, and Cano caught a lazy liner for a phenomenal second out before Rivera took down way-too-heavy Philly DH Matt Stairs on strikes for the win.
It wasn't a pretty night, with plenty of Yankee problems, but the goal is a win, and New York got that. Alex Rodriguez had another rough night, whiffing three times for the second day in a row to increase his World Series drought to 0-for-8 through two games. Let's hope it doesn't take him as long to get on track in the Fall Classic as it has in the postseason of recent years.
Phillies slugger Howard struck out four times.
Jeter had an uncharacteristic three strikeouts and a double, and aside from the aforementioned hits, there was only singles by Cano and Matsui, leaving the Yankees with eight hits on the night.
Rivera's fourth save of this postseason was his 10th World Series save and 38th playoff save of his career. Burnett got his first win of the playoffs after three no-decisions.
Game Recap
Other Yankees Posts
10.18.2009
"Classic," defined.
This kid has only been here since July, but Jerry Hairston Jr. knows what it means to be a 2009 Yankee: "We knew we were going to win this game."
Hairston was the baserunner for the Yanks in the bottom of the 13th, the random cog left from New York's postseason-shrunk roster who scored on a Melky Cabrera slapshot up the middle that the Angels bobbled. The Yankees won the second game of the American League Championship Series 4-3 but more importantly kept their hex over an Angels team that doesn't appear to be able to beat them, even with the game handed over on a silver platter.
Los Angeles left 28 men on base tonight, committed two errors and saw its everyone-hits-over-.300 lineup bat .170.
But the Angels faults were of secondary concern, for their failure was a reaction to the Yankees, who squandered most of the game until gutting out the win four innings past the end of regulation, in nasty conditions of heavy rain and whipping winds. New York had already committed three errors of its own, putting Angels on base with no outs due to walks, wild pitches, errors and muffed catches. Even the vaunted Yankees lineup left 20 men on base, with the 2009 Murderer's Row bleeting just .271 with hardly any runs to show for it.
The Angels left the door open, and the Yankees charged through. Pie in hands, ear-warmers in their pockets, Anaheim on their minds, New York took the contest by the neck once the game went to extra innings and produced what can be called nothing other than a fall classic.
It was a win so good you could barely touch it, with soaked fans in rally caps watching the new version of the New York Yankees sketch a picture-perfect win the same way Yankees teams have done in the postseason 26 times before.
Every New York starter had a hit in the marathon, sans Mark Teixeira (who was busy earning his paycheck by devouring every ball that came near first base). Robinson Cano, who appeared eager to become the team goat with two terrible errors, put the Yankees up early with an RBI triple.
Derek Jeter's solo home run gave New York a 2-0 edge before A.J. Burnett's wild throws let the Angels back into the game.
But New York's bullpen was phenomenal, and after Alex Rodriguez continued his postseason rampage with an equalizer in the bottom of the 10th, the Yankees calmly held on before squirting the winner across in the 13th, breaking the Angels' will.
Maicer Izturis lost the game for the Angels the same way the Pirates lose every season: trying to be the Yankees, when you really, really can't be. Izturis tried to throw across his body and get the runner on second, pulling a "Jeter" (the classic spin and throw move from the New York shortstop). Instead, he threw the ball, and the game, away.
Damon and Cabrera were the only Yankees with two hits. Jeter, Rodriguez and Cano had the three RBI (the final run scoring on an error).
Although his usual erratic self on the mound, Burnett threw some good stuff, too, picking up four strikeouts against only two walks in 6.1 innings of work.
Mariano Rivera worked a little longer than usual, logging 2.1 innings in the 13-inning contest.
The series now shifts to sunny California, with three games scheduled. Judging by the mood of the Yankees clubhouse, and all that shaving cream Burnett is stuffing in his duffel, though, the Angels' season could easily end in two.
Mrs. October? A tribute to the 2009 version of A-Rod
Photos from tonight's game
Other Yankees Posts
Hairston was the baserunner for the Yanks in the bottom of the 13th, the random cog left from New York's postseason-shrunk roster who scored on a Melky Cabrera slapshot up the middle that the Angels bobbled. The Yankees won the second game of the American League Championship Series 4-3 but more importantly kept their hex over an Angels team that doesn't appear to be able to beat them, even with the game handed over on a silver platter.
Los Angeles left 28 men on base tonight, committed two errors and saw its everyone-hits-over-.300 lineup bat .170.
But the Angels faults were of secondary concern, for their failure was a reaction to the Yankees, who squandered most of the game until gutting out the win four innings past the end of regulation, in nasty conditions of heavy rain and whipping winds. New York had already committed three errors of its own, putting Angels on base with no outs due to walks, wild pitches, errors and muffed catches. Even the vaunted Yankees lineup left 20 men on base, with the 2009 Murderer's Row bleeting just .271 with hardly any runs to show for it.
The Angels left the door open, and the Yankees charged through. Pie in hands, ear-warmers in their pockets, Anaheim on their minds, New York took the contest by the neck once the game went to extra innings and produced what can be called nothing other than a fall classic.
It was a win so good you could barely touch it, with soaked fans in rally caps watching the new version of the New York Yankees sketch a picture-perfect win the same way Yankees teams have done in the postseason 26 times before.
Every New York starter had a hit in the marathon, sans Mark Teixeira (who was busy earning his paycheck by devouring every ball that came near first base). Robinson Cano, who appeared eager to become the team goat with two terrible errors, put the Yankees up early with an RBI triple.
Derek Jeter's solo home run gave New York a 2-0 edge before A.J. Burnett's wild throws let the Angels back into the game.
But New York's bullpen was phenomenal, and after Alex Rodriguez continued his postseason rampage with an equalizer in the bottom of the 10th, the Yankees calmly held on before squirting the winner across in the 13th, breaking the Angels' will.
Maicer Izturis lost the game for the Angels the same way the Pirates lose every season: trying to be the Yankees, when you really, really can't be. Izturis tried to throw across his body and get the runner on second, pulling a "Jeter" (the classic spin and throw move from the New York shortstop). Instead, he threw the ball, and the game, away.
Damon and Cabrera were the only Yankees with two hits. Jeter, Rodriguez and Cano had the three RBI (the final run scoring on an error).
Although his usual erratic self on the mound, Burnett threw some good stuff, too, picking up four strikeouts against only two walks in 6.1 innings of work.
Mariano Rivera worked a little longer than usual, logging 2.1 innings in the 13-inning contest.
The series now shifts to sunny California, with three games scheduled. Judging by the mood of the Yankees clubhouse, and all that shaving cream Burnett is stuffing in his duffel, though, the Angels' season could easily end in two.
Mrs. October? A tribute to the 2009 version of A-Rod
Photos from tonight's game
Other Yankees Posts
Mrs. October? A tribute to the 2009 version of A-Rod
You want him to do it. He comes to the plate, and you say, "Come on, A-Rod. Over the fence."
And he does it, effortlessly. In his prettier-than-springtime swing, he sends the ball sailing out of the diamond. Left field, right field, deep, short — a homer's a homer, and Alex Rodriguez is hitting them whenever they're needed.
Rodriguez took the monkeys off his back last week as the Yankees steamrolled the Minnesota Twins behind half a dozen A-Rod RBI.
Tonight, he pulled the Yankees onto his back by keeping them in a game they blew numerous chances to win.
New York had been clipping along fine, with Robbie Cano smashing a triple to score a run, then Mr. Postseason hitting a homer (Derek Jeter, who is not much of a power hitter, smacks round-trippers in the postseason like a kid raiding the cookie jar once his parents have left the house).
But scattershot-throwing A.J. Burnett let the lead slip away. A walk and a wild pitch with hits interspersed vaporized the 2-0 New York edge.
Both teams hung tough and piled men on the bases. Both teams saw unusual errors fall from their usually golden gloves. Both teams also got gutsy pitching and good fielding to keep it all close.
At first base, Mark Teixeira showed he was worth every penny of his $172 million with play after play. Stretching, lunging, scooping — any ball tossed within 10 feet of the bag fell into Tex's mitt.
Johnny Damon made a great catch in left, and Yankees speedsters Freddy Guzman and Brett Gardner were available to spare the old legs.
But New York couldn't break the tie. And then Los Angeles went ahead by a run.
The Yankees have had 51 come-from-behind wins this year (out of 103 total wins) and 15 walkoff shots. Signs in the outfield seats read "WE WANT PIE" as the rain fell harder and Burnett, the team's resident walk-off baker, watched his squandered lead loom larger.
Enter A-Rod.
The cleanup batter was 0-for-4 so far in the game, the first game of this postseason he didn't have an RBI in yet.
But when Alex Rodriguez shows up in October, he really shows up. The 2009 A-Rod changes games, bails his team out, pierces the challengers to the heart.
A-Rod fell behind 0-2 in the count, but looking as calm as he has every other time he's altered a game in the past two weeks, he stepped back into the box for another pitch.
Connection. It's in the air, a line drive at least. It'll drop in right. No wait, it's carrying. It's carrying! It's in Bobby Abreu land (that's a good sign this won't be a catch).
It's gone. How on earth did he do that — again?
Bottom of the 11th, game tied, a few more scoreless frames to follow. (Including one where A-Rod fails to drive in a go-ahead run with the bases loaded; does he only work October magic when tying games?) I don't think there's anyone in New York, or the rest of baseball, doubting A-Rod anymore. Monkeys off the back, team on it.
I'm not ready to anoint him Mr. October — he still runs like a girl. Could this be Mrs. October?
Yankees 4, Angels 3 game recap
Other Yankees Post
And he does it, effortlessly. In his prettier-than-springtime swing, he sends the ball sailing out of the diamond. Left field, right field, deep, short — a homer's a homer, and Alex Rodriguez is hitting them whenever they're needed.
Rodriguez took the monkeys off his back last week as the Yankees steamrolled the Minnesota Twins behind half a dozen A-Rod RBI.
Tonight, he pulled the Yankees onto his back by keeping them in a game they blew numerous chances to win.
New York had been clipping along fine, with Robbie Cano smashing a triple to score a run, then Mr. Postseason hitting a homer (Derek Jeter, who is not much of a power hitter, smacks round-trippers in the postseason like a kid raiding the cookie jar once his parents have left the house).
But scattershot-throwing A.J. Burnett let the lead slip away. A walk and a wild pitch with hits interspersed vaporized the 2-0 New York edge.
Both teams hung tough and piled men on the bases. Both teams saw unusual errors fall from their usually golden gloves. Both teams also got gutsy pitching and good fielding to keep it all close.
At first base, Mark Teixeira showed he was worth every penny of his $172 million with play after play. Stretching, lunging, scooping — any ball tossed within 10 feet of the bag fell into Tex's mitt.
Johnny Damon made a great catch in left, and Yankees speedsters Freddy Guzman and Brett Gardner were available to spare the old legs.
But New York couldn't break the tie. And then Los Angeles went ahead by a run.
The Yankees have had 51 come-from-behind wins this year (out of 103 total wins) and 15 walkoff shots. Signs in the outfield seats read "WE WANT PIE" as the rain fell harder and Burnett, the team's resident walk-off baker, watched his squandered lead loom larger.
Enter A-Rod.
The cleanup batter was 0-for-4 so far in the game, the first game of this postseason he didn't have an RBI in yet.
But when Alex Rodriguez shows up in October, he really shows up. The 2009 A-Rod changes games, bails his team out, pierces the challengers to the heart.
A-Rod fell behind 0-2 in the count, but looking as calm as he has every other time he's altered a game in the past two weeks, he stepped back into the box for another pitch.
Connection. It's in the air, a line drive at least. It'll drop in right. No wait, it's carrying. It's carrying! It's in Bobby Abreu land (that's a good sign this won't be a catch).
It's gone. How on earth did he do that — again?
Bottom of the 11th, game tied, a few more scoreless frames to follow. (Including one where A-Rod fails to drive in a go-ahead run with the bases loaded; does he only work October magic when tying games?) I don't think there's anyone in New York, or the rest of baseball, doubting A-Rod anymore. Monkeys off the back, team on it.
I'm not ready to anoint him Mr. October — he still runs like a girl. Could this be Mrs. October?
Yankees 4, Angels 3 game recap
Other Yankees Post
10.04.2009
A new Mr. October?
Alex Rodriguez is known for being terrible in October, the time of the postseason, but today he showed once again that this season may be different.
With the Yankees trailing 2-0 to the Rays in the last game of the regular season, A-Rod launched a three-run homer. Then, when the Yankees batted around, he hit a grand slam. 1 inning. 2 at-bats. 2 home runs. 7 RBI. 30 homers, 100 RBI for the season.
Let's hope he keeps this up once the playoffs start.
The Yankees are waiting for either the Minnesota Twins or Detroit Tigers to win today, with the winner being New York's first-round opponent for the coming week.
With the 10-2 win over the Rays (10 runs in the sixth inning), the Yankees showed that they're not looking too far ahead. A.J. Burnett recorded the win.
Other Yankees Posts
With the Yankees trailing 2-0 to the Rays in the last game of the regular season, A-Rod launched a three-run homer. Then, when the Yankees batted around, he hit a grand slam. 1 inning. 2 at-bats. 2 home runs. 7 RBI. 30 homers, 100 RBI for the season.
Let's hope he keeps this up once the playoffs start.
The Yankees are waiting for either the Minnesota Twins or Detroit Tigers to win today, with the winner being New York's first-round opponent for the coming week.
With the 10-2 win over the Rays (10 runs in the sixth inning), the Yankees showed that they're not looking too far ahead. A.J. Burnett recorded the win.
Other Yankees Posts
9.29.2009
Walkoff win #15
Will someone please tell the Yankees that they've clinched the division and can sit back and enjoy themselves until the playoffs start?
New York notched its seventh win in a row tonight, and its 15th walkoff victory, as fill-in Juan Miranda singled home the winning run to beat the Royals 4-3.
Yankees players streamed out of the dugout to celebrate the win, and A.J. Burnett (who also pitched well for the Yanks) delivered his customary pie-to-the-face.
After last night's 8-2 stomping of Kansas City, during which New York used only three of its regular starters, you've got to be happy that these Yankees are keeping the excitement high for every game heading into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox lost another one to the Blue Jays as they continue to "rest" their players, guessing the Texas Rangers' ineptness will be enough to let them crawl into the last playoff berth. Is it just me, or have the Red Sox been employing this "resting"strategy for the whole second half of the season?
Other Yankees Posts
New York notched its seventh win in a row tonight, and its 15th walkoff victory, as fill-in Juan Miranda singled home the winning run to beat the Royals 4-3.
Yankees players streamed out of the dugout to celebrate the win, and A.J. Burnett (who also pitched well for the Yanks) delivered his customary pie-to-the-face.
After last night's 8-2 stomping of Kansas City, during which New York used only three of its regular starters, you've got to be happy that these Yankees are keeping the excitement high for every game heading into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox lost another one to the Blue Jays as they continue to "rest" their players, guessing the Texas Rangers' ineptness will be enough to let them crawl into the last playoff berth. Is it just me, or have the Red Sox been employing this "resting"strategy for the whole second half of the season?
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9.26.2009
Twice now: Yankees over Boston
The Yankees beat the Red Sox 3-0 this afternoon, which, combined with last night's 9-5 shellacking (it wasn't as close as it looks) puts the New York-Boston series for the year at 9-8, Boston's favor, with tomorrow's game still to come.
Of course, no one cares about the season series anymore, especially Red Sox fans, who make a big show of acting like they don't care about going into Yankee Stadium and getting embarrassed. (The Yankees left 32 men on base today and still shut the BoSox out.)
But Boston should care, because with New York about to notch its 100th win tomorrow, the Yankees are back at their rightful spot: American League East leaders, playoff contenders, and perhaps best in the league and World Series champs...we'll see.
The Red Sox have been helpless against the Yankees' onslaught of late. Just check the stats. Boston has been bludgeoned ever since its early 8-0 edge on the Yanks. Ever since the Yankees' slow start, it's been all bats and pitching from the Bronx, torching the Red Sox 13-6, 2-0 (walkoff A-Rod homer in a pitcher's duel), 5-0, 5-2, 20-11, hiccup, 8-4. And there's no question that player-for-player, the Bronx is better than Beantown.
Best yet, the Yankees were about to chase Red Sox ace Jon Lester Friday night when instead they did one better and knocked him out of the game with ball off his knee. These Yankees don't just win; they destroy.
And the Red Sox are going to have to start caring soon, because if they're as good as everyone thinks they are, they'll be meeting the Yankees again soon.
The Yankees are firing on all cylinders right now. Joba Chamberlain (no-hitter through four) and A.J. Burnett are looking good again after some disastrous pitching performances. CC Sabathia recorded his Major League-leading 19th win today. The batting lineup, from top to bottom, has been contributing at an even pace, with no big slumps. And the bullpen is as sharp as ever.
Postseason talk will begin soon, but I'm happy to sit and enjoy the Yankees where they are now: a tick away from 100 wins, sitting pretty on top of the American League East, dominating in all facets of the game.
Boston-New York, tomorrow at 1.
Other Yankees Posts
Of course, no one cares about the season series anymore, especially Red Sox fans, who make a big show of acting like they don't care about going into Yankee Stadium and getting embarrassed. (The Yankees left 32 men on base today and still shut the BoSox out.)
But Boston should care, because with New York about to notch its 100th win tomorrow, the Yankees are back at their rightful spot: American League East leaders, playoff contenders, and perhaps best in the league and World Series champs...we'll see.
The Red Sox have been helpless against the Yankees' onslaught of late. Just check the stats. Boston has been bludgeoned ever since its early 8-0 edge on the Yanks. Ever since the Yankees' slow start, it's been all bats and pitching from the Bronx, torching the Red Sox 13-6, 2-0 (walkoff A-Rod homer in a pitcher's duel), 5-0, 5-2, 20-11, hiccup, 8-4. And there's no question that player-for-player, the Bronx is better than Beantown.
Best yet, the Yankees were about to chase Red Sox ace Jon Lester Friday night when instead they did one better and knocked him out of the game with ball off his knee. These Yankees don't just win; they destroy.
And the Red Sox are going to have to start caring soon, because if they're as good as everyone thinks they are, they'll be meeting the Yankees again soon.
The Yankees are firing on all cylinders right now. Joba Chamberlain (no-hitter through four) and A.J. Burnett are looking good again after some disastrous pitching performances. CC Sabathia recorded his Major League-leading 19th win today. The batting lineup, from top to bottom, has been contributing at an even pace, with no big slumps. And the bullpen is as sharp as ever.
Postseason talk will begin soon, but I'm happy to sit and enjoy the Yankees where they are now: a tick away from 100 wins, sitting pretty on top of the American League East, dominating in all facets of the game.
Boston-New York, tomorrow at 1.
Other Yankees Posts
9.23.2009
Yankees in playoffs, take series from Angels
The Yankees edged into the playoffs yesterday when Texas lost, then topped the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 on the fast feet of Brett Gardner, who ran home on an Alex Rodriguez sacrifice fly.
Today, the Yankees beat the Angels again, this time holding off a small comeback to win 3-2. That gives New York the series victory, a reassuring sign after the slides of late (and the recent lackluster performance by the Yankees in the playoffs against the Angels).
That means that all that's left for the Yankees is the division. New York looks to hold off Boston, while in the Central Detroit competes against Minnesota. Los Angeles is holding off Texas's last gasps in the West.
The Yankees are 6.5 games up on the Red Sox headed into Boston's game at Kansas City tonight (where the BoSox have already lost two). After another Royals-Sox bout tomorrow, the Red Sox come to the Bronx for a three-game set this weekend, with Boston's last chance to make a run at the division.
In today's game A.J. Burnett helped everyone calm down by pitching into the sixth with 11 strikeouts and only two earned runs. It was only his second win since July as the Yankees try to line up reliable starters behind CC Sabathia.
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Today, the Yankees beat the Angels again, this time holding off a small comeback to win 3-2. That gives New York the series victory, a reassuring sign after the slides of late (and the recent lackluster performance by the Yankees in the playoffs against the Angels).
That means that all that's left for the Yankees is the division. New York looks to hold off Boston, while in the Central Detroit competes against Minnesota. Los Angeles is holding off Texas's last gasps in the West.
The Yankees are 6.5 games up on the Red Sox headed into Boston's game at Kansas City tonight (where the BoSox have already lost two). After another Royals-Sox bout tomorrow, the Red Sox come to the Bronx for a three-game set this weekend, with Boston's last chance to make a run at the division.
In today's game A.J. Burnett helped everyone calm down by pitching into the sixth with 11 strikeouts and only two earned runs. It was only his second win since July as the Yankees try to line up reliable starters behind CC Sabathia.
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9.15.2009
Stinkin' Yankees
Well, it's a good thing the Yankees won't be facing the Baltimore Orioles or the Toronto Blue Jays in the playoffs, because New York has been horrible against them lately. (New York is currently losing to Toronto 9-2.)
As the last two weeks until the end of the season trickle by (with most of the playoff berths tied up in both leagues), many teams are trying to conserve talent and rest players. That could really hurt the Yankees, though. They need to keep plugging, keep hitting, keep pitching...especially with all the lackluster playoff performances they've had lately.
In the tiny series that are the first round of the playoffs, even a great team can get sent home with a couple bad games. And considering the crap that A.J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain have been tossing off the mound lately (actually, Chamberlain would be throwing crap, but he hardly stays in long enough to throw anything), it's looking scary. CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte can't handle it all, and they've been shaky plenty of times this season, too (although Sabathia is a real September-October workhorse).
The good news is, the Yankees bullpen is great, and those pitchers have able to keep their arms fresh as the bum half of the pen has taken care of these last few games.
The return of Brett Gardner to the lineup has also given New York a little spark, and the spate of young players that showed up with the September expansion of the rosters has also been a good test of the Yankees' wide range of weapons.
But really, Yankees? Losing to the Blue Jays? And by half a dozen? That's got to stop.
Roy Halladay, a usual Yankees foil, was pitching for Toronto today. That means that as good as the Yankees are this year, they're still not drop-dead amazing enough to dethrone players who usually give them fits, such as the entire rosters of Red Sox and the Angels and even Detroit's Justin Verlander (a probably first-round foe). Not a good sign.
These next few games will be a good test to see whether New York is going to keep its foot on the gas, or whether the Yankees are letting off just in time for the most important games of the season.
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As the last two weeks until the end of the season trickle by (with most of the playoff berths tied up in both leagues), many teams are trying to conserve talent and rest players. That could really hurt the Yankees, though. They need to keep plugging, keep hitting, keep pitching...especially with all the lackluster playoff performances they've had lately.
In the tiny series that are the first round of the playoffs, even a great team can get sent home with a couple bad games. And considering the crap that A.J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain have been tossing off the mound lately (actually, Chamberlain would be throwing crap, but he hardly stays in long enough to throw anything), it's looking scary. CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte can't handle it all, and they've been shaky plenty of times this season, too (although Sabathia is a real September-October workhorse).
The good news is, the Yankees bullpen is great, and those pitchers have able to keep their arms fresh as the bum half of the pen has taken care of these last few games.
The return of Brett Gardner to the lineup has also given New York a little spark, and the spate of young players that showed up with the September expansion of the rosters has also been a good test of the Yankees' wide range of weapons.
But really, Yankees? Losing to the Blue Jays? And by half a dozen? That's got to stop.
Roy Halladay, a usual Yankees foil, was pitching for Toronto today. That means that as good as the Yankees are this year, they're still not drop-dead amazing enough to dethrone players who usually give them fits, such as the entire rosters of Red Sox and the Angels and even Detroit's Justin Verlander (a probably first-round foe). Not a good sign.
These next few games will be a good test to see whether New York is going to keep its foot on the gas, or whether the Yankees are letting off just in time for the most important games of the season.
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9.01.2009
Hip, Hip Jorrrrgeee!
Jorge Posada hurt his finger the other day, which is no small deal for a catcher. Posada's been battling injuries for years, especially to his throwing arm, which has many critics telling him to hang up his catcher's gear, and even his spikes. This recent injury kept him out of a couple days just when controversy was also stewing about whether the Yankees' longtime catcher should be the one to catch for A.J. Burnett, who is in his first year for New York. Some said Posada messed things up for Burnett in his last few starts, that they didn't agree on the pitch selection, blah blah blah.
Burnett allowed six runs tonight with Posada behind the plate, so one of those arguments may have merit. But when the Yankees win 9-6 because of a player's batting, it doesn't really matter much what happens that night for that player behind the plate.
Posada tore the game open, going 2-for-4 with two home runs, accounting for 3 RBI. Behind him, Robinson Cano went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and a home run, and Nick Swisher added a 2-RBI dinger to complete the 5-6-7 stackup slugfest for the Yankees.
The Orioles put up a fight tonight, not finished until a Mariano Rivera silencing in the ninth. Baltimore will have its last chance for a win tomorrow before the Yankees move on to a four-game set in Toronto.
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Burnett allowed six runs tonight with Posada behind the plate, so one of those arguments may have merit. But when the Yankees win 9-6 because of a player's batting, it doesn't really matter much what happens that night for that player behind the plate.
Posada tore the game open, going 2-for-4 with two home runs, accounting for 3 RBI. Behind him, Robinson Cano went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and a home run, and Nick Swisher added a 2-RBI dinger to complete the 5-6-7 stackup slugfest for the Yankees.
The Orioles put up a fight tonight, not finished until a Mariano Rivera silencing in the ninth. Baltimore will have its last chance for a win tomorrow before the Yankees move on to a four-game set in Toronto.
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8.21.2009
Bombs.
I'm not sure how to explain this game. Its tone kept changing, and things weren't always how the score appeared.
On one side, the Yankees scored a whopping 20 runs. Then their bullpen couldn't shut the door, and the Red Sox scored 11. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, Andy Pettitte pitched a gem, only to be thrown off his groove by a 38-minute inning where he watched his team score six runs. He ended up being tagged for five earned runs but still won the game. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, poor Michael Bowden allowed seven runs to score and was left in the game for two full innings while the Sox bullpen rested its arms. New York still won by nine, though. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, the Yankees scored 20 runs. But they left 19 men on base. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, the Yankees had eight doubles from seven players, and everyone got a hit, minus Johnny Damon (injured several pitches into the game) and pinch hitter Jerry Hairston Jr. (walked). But on the other, the Red Sox were able to score 11 runs on 12 hits.
So, it wasn't as lopsided as it looked; this game was confusing throughout.
The Red Sox came in with a seven-game win streak at Fenway, and they looked like a team ready to go after sweeping the Blue Jays. The first inning, when the Yankees loaded the bases, appeared to be nothing more than a fluke (Alex Rodriguez's single was barely a hit). Boston then countered with a Jacoby Ellsbury run, and it looked like a classic Boston out-last-'em type of game.
But really, it turned out it was Boston that was flukish. The Yankees exploded in the top of the second, and Pettitte didn't allow a hit until the last play of the third inning.
[Derogatory comment about the NESN announcers HERE: As the fourth inning started, with zero outs, and Sox starter Brad Penny having finally gone one inning without allowing a run, they said, "Penny has settled down." He was chased early in the fifth.]
Another fluke of the night (or maybe not) was Hideki Matsui showing up to record seven RBI on two homers. I guess that's why he's the New York designated hitter.
[Another derogatory comment about the NESN announcers HERE: Commenting on the Sox finally getting some hits, they said, "They'll scratch and claw their way back into the game with two runs in the fifth." The score at this point was 12-3 Yankees. Granted, Boston did edge closer (if keeping the game within nine runs constitutes "closer"), but really, NESN?]
A-Rod almost hit for the cycle tonight, if not for his plunking the ball off the top of the Green Monster instead of going over it, and for trying to stretch a single and getting tagged out at second. He was breaking up a slump, as were Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano (details with the game recap here).
And finally, Brian Bruney just hasn't been good since he came back from injury. He escaped without an earned run tonight but isn't lights-out anymore.
This 20-run thing is unusual for the Yankees, despite what detractors may say. It's the first time this season they went over 15 runs (which they did once), and their previous high to that was 11 a few times. See their full game results here.
In New York's last four-game sweep of Boston, the first game was a slugfest before the beautiful pitching showed up. With A.J. Burnett, CC Sabathia and Josh Beckett filling out the next two days, that trend may repeat.
The Yankees (77-45) still have the best record in baseball.
Quick lines from tonight:
Hideki Matsui: 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2-for-6
Mark Teixeira: 3-for-5, 3 RBI
Alex Rodriguez: 4-for-4, RBI, triple
Melky Cabrera: 4-for-6, 2 RBI
Derek Jeter: 3-for-6, 2 RBI
Jorge Posada: 2-for-5, 2 RBI
Eric Hinske: 2-for-4, RBI
Nick Swisher: 2-for-6, RBI
Robinson Cano: 1-for-6, RBI
Andy Pettitte: 10th win of the season
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On one side, the Yankees scored a whopping 20 runs. Then their bullpen couldn't shut the door, and the Red Sox scored 11. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, Andy Pettitte pitched a gem, only to be thrown off his groove by a 38-minute inning where he watched his team score six runs. He ended up being tagged for five earned runs but still won the game. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, poor Michael Bowden allowed seven runs to score and was left in the game for two full innings while the Sox bullpen rested its arms. New York still won by nine, though. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, the Yankees scored 20 runs. But they left 19 men on base. (20-11, Yankees.)
On one side, the Yankees had eight doubles from seven players, and everyone got a hit, minus Johnny Damon (injured several pitches into the game) and pinch hitter Jerry Hairston Jr. (walked). But on the other, the Red Sox were able to score 11 runs on 12 hits.
So, it wasn't as lopsided as it looked; this game was confusing throughout.
The Red Sox came in with a seven-game win streak at Fenway, and they looked like a team ready to go after sweeping the Blue Jays. The first inning, when the Yankees loaded the bases, appeared to be nothing more than a fluke (Alex Rodriguez's single was barely a hit). Boston then countered with a Jacoby Ellsbury run, and it looked like a classic Boston out-last-'em type of game.
But really, it turned out it was Boston that was flukish. The Yankees exploded in the top of the second, and Pettitte didn't allow a hit until the last play of the third inning.
[Derogatory comment about the NESN announcers HERE: As the fourth inning started, with zero outs, and Sox starter Brad Penny having finally gone one inning without allowing a run, they said, "Penny has settled down." He was chased early in the fifth.]
Another fluke of the night (or maybe not) was Hideki Matsui showing up to record seven RBI on two homers. I guess that's why he's the New York designated hitter.
[Another derogatory comment about the NESN announcers HERE: Commenting on the Sox finally getting some hits, they said, "They'll scratch and claw their way back into the game with two runs in the fifth." The score at this point was 12-3 Yankees. Granted, Boston did edge closer (if keeping the game within nine runs constitutes "closer"), but really, NESN?]
A-Rod almost hit for the cycle tonight, if not for his plunking the ball off the top of the Green Monster instead of going over it, and for trying to stretch a single and getting tagged out at second. He was breaking up a slump, as were Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano (details with the game recap here).
And finally, Brian Bruney just hasn't been good since he came back from injury. He escaped without an earned run tonight but isn't lights-out anymore.
This 20-run thing is unusual for the Yankees, despite what detractors may say. It's the first time this season they went over 15 runs (which they did once), and their previous high to that was 11 a few times. See their full game results here.
In New York's last four-game sweep of Boston, the first game was a slugfest before the beautiful pitching showed up. With A.J. Burnett, CC Sabathia and Josh Beckett filling out the next two days, that trend may repeat.
The Yankees (77-45) still have the best record in baseball.
Quick lines from tonight:
Hideki Matsui: 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2-for-6
Mark Teixeira: 3-for-5, 3 RBI
Alex Rodriguez: 4-for-4, RBI, triple
Melky Cabrera: 4-for-6, 2 RBI
Derek Jeter: 3-for-6, 2 RBI
Jorge Posada: 2-for-5, 2 RBI
Eric Hinske: 2-for-4, RBI
Nick Swisher: 2-for-6, RBI
Robinson Cano: 1-for-6, RBI
Andy Pettitte: 10th win of the season
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8.12.2009
Downing the Jays
In a game when they were out-hit 14-6, the Yankees held onto a 3-3 tie into the 11th inning before Robinson Cano hit a walkoff single to win the game for New York, 4-3.
(Better yet, I saw that Cano was up to bat with a man on first and second, and the score was tied, and I wrote the above sentence, hoping it would come true. Then he fulfilled my prediction. That's what I'm talking about!)
A.J. Burnett absorbed most of the damage, allowing 10 hits and three runs over six innings. He also struck out seven.
Cano was 2-for-5 with two RBI, and Johnny Damon went 2-for-4 with an RBI off his solo shot in the third.
Derek Jeter left the game after being hit by a pitch on his right foot. He ran the bases and scored a run before being replaced.
With a 2-1 series win over the Blue Jays in its pocket, New York now heads west to Seattle for a series against the Mariners.
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(Better yet, I saw that Cano was up to bat with a man on first and second, and the score was tied, and I wrote the above sentence, hoping it would come true. Then he fulfilled my prediction. That's what I'm talking about!)
A.J. Burnett absorbed most of the damage, allowing 10 hits and three runs over six innings. He also struck out seven.
Cano was 2-for-5 with two RBI, and Johnny Damon went 2-for-4 with an RBI off his solo shot in the third.
Derek Jeter left the game after being hit by a pitch on his right foot. He ran the bases and scored a run before being replaced.
With a 2-1 series win over the Blue Jays in its pocket, New York now heads west to Seattle for a series against the Mariners.
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8.08.2009
That good.
There was only one way I wanted to see this game end, and in the 15th inning, it happened.
An A-Bomb! From A-Rod!
This is why I watch baseball.
Alex Rodriguez hit a home run in the bottom of the 15th to lead the Yankees past the Red Sox 2-0. His clutch hit wasn't the only abnormal thing to happen this night (or this morning, I guess), but it's the only anomoly from this slugfest I want to see repeated in the future. Other oddities included the first three New York batters in the lineup go 1-for-20 (including 0-for-6 from Mark Teixeira and 0-for-7 from Johnny Damon) and the Yankees churning through six pitchers.
But it was a stellar night for the pitching staff, showing that the bullpen that was considered all-but-dead at the beginning of the season can be playoff-caliber. The relief staff allowed three hits over its 7.1 innings, following A.J. Burnett's best performance of the year: 7.2 innings pitched, no runs allowed, six strikeouts, one hit. (When Jacoby Ellsbury got a hit to start the game, I remember actually saying to myself that it was a shame that Burnett's no-hitter was already gone. Little did I know how close to that he would actually pitch.)
The real hero, of course, was A-Rod.
I was in a bar right next to Fenway, watching the game drag on (it totaled five hours and 35 minutes by the end), clad in my Yankees hat and Rodriguez shirt. Each time he came up, I was ready to see him shed his unclutchness and win the game.
Bottom of the 11th, 2 outs: struck out.
Bottom of the 13th, 2 outs, man on first: flied out.
Bottom of the 15th, 2 outs, man on first: an A-bomb. For A-Rod.
A-Rod had gone 72 at bats without a homer, and his batting average has hovered around the Mendoza Line all season. But looking at the team's performance since he's come back (New York is 46-27 since his arrival, and just 13-15 before; plus better statistics for several players), and his strange ability to eventually come through in the clutch at points this season, you have to wonder if he's figuring out which kind of cog he needs to be in the mighty Yankee machine.
And thanks to the pitching staff for keeping the game close until he was ready.
Next up, 16 hours after the end of this win: the game of the week on Fox, at 4 p.m. Saturday.
As of right now, the Yanks are running away with the American League East, and with the Dodgers losing tonight, they have the best record in baseball.
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An A-Bomb! From A-Rod!
This is why I watch baseball.
Alex Rodriguez hit a home run in the bottom of the 15th to lead the Yankees past the Red Sox 2-0. His clutch hit wasn't the only abnormal thing to happen this night (or this morning, I guess), but it's the only anomoly from this slugfest I want to see repeated in the future. Other oddities included the first three New York batters in the lineup go 1-for-20 (including 0-for-6 from Mark Teixeira and 0-for-7 from Johnny Damon) and the Yankees churning through six pitchers.
But it was a stellar night for the pitching staff, showing that the bullpen that was considered all-but-dead at the beginning of the season can be playoff-caliber. The relief staff allowed three hits over its 7.1 innings, following A.J. Burnett's best performance of the year: 7.2 innings pitched, no runs allowed, six strikeouts, one hit. (When Jacoby Ellsbury got a hit to start the game, I remember actually saying to myself that it was a shame that Burnett's no-hitter was already gone. Little did I know how close to that he would actually pitch.)
The real hero, of course, was A-Rod.
I was in a bar right next to Fenway, watching the game drag on (it totaled five hours and 35 minutes by the end), clad in my Yankees hat and Rodriguez shirt. Each time he came up, I was ready to see him shed his unclutchness and win the game.
Bottom of the 11th, 2 outs: struck out.
Bottom of the 13th, 2 outs, man on first: flied out.
Bottom of the 15th, 2 outs, man on first: an A-bomb. For A-Rod.
A-Rod had gone 72 at bats without a homer, and his batting average has hovered around the Mendoza Line all season. But looking at the team's performance since he's come back (New York is 46-27 since his arrival, and just 13-15 before; plus better statistics for several players), and his strange ability to eventually come through in the clutch at points this season, you have to wonder if he's figuring out which kind of cog he needs to be in the mighty Yankee machine.
And thanks to the pitching staff for keeping the game close until he was ready.
Next up, 16 hours after the end of this win: the game of the week on Fox, at 4 p.m. Saturday.
As of right now, the Yanks are running away with the American League East, and with the Dodgers losing tonight, they have the best record in baseball.
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7.28.2009
Yes, I lll-ove you!
As the fearsome American League East-threatening Tampa Bay Rays charged into their 10-game homestand, one could only hope for the safety of New York, fat off its 9-1 home furlough.
But it was the Yankees who devoured their southern division foes tonight, gulping an 11-4 win that keeps the Bombers a step ahead of the Sox.
A.J. Burnett went seven again, making him one of the hottest pitchers of late in the hitter-friendly half of the league. But the real hero tonight was Nick Swisher, who hit long bombs from both sides of the plate.
He led a Yankee offense that had 15 hits, including three from Derek Jeter and two apiece from Robinson Cano (2 RBI), Melky Cabrera, Mark Teixeira and Swisher (3 RBI). Alex Rodriguez doubled home two runs, and Johnny Damon hit a three-run homer.
The Yankees (61-38) have ticked off the first game in their string of the next 26 games, 19 of which will be away from home. They lead Boston (58-40) by two and a half games, and Tampa Bay (54-46) by seven and a half. Toronto (48-51) has slipped to 13 back.
New York trails the L.A. Dodgers (62-37) for the best record in the majors.
Tuesday and Wednesday's bouts will also be against the Rays, then New York heads to Chicago to face the White Sox into the weekend.
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But it was the Yankees who devoured their southern division foes tonight, gulping an 11-4 win that keeps the Bombers a step ahead of the Sox.
A.J. Burnett went seven again, making him one of the hottest pitchers of late in the hitter-friendly half of the league. But the real hero tonight was Nick Swisher, who hit long bombs from both sides of the plate.
He led a Yankee offense that had 15 hits, including three from Derek Jeter and two apiece from Robinson Cano (2 RBI), Melky Cabrera, Mark Teixeira and Swisher (3 RBI). Alex Rodriguez doubled home two runs, and Johnny Damon hit a three-run homer.
The Yankees (61-38) have ticked off the first game in their string of the next 26 games, 19 of which will be away from home. They lead Boston (58-40) by two and a half games, and Tampa Bay (54-46) by seven and a half. Toronto (48-51) has slipped to 13 back.
New York trails the L.A. Dodgers (62-37) for the best record in the majors.
Tuesday and Wednesday's bouts will also be against the Rays, then New York heads to Chicago to face the White Sox into the weekend.
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7.09.2009
Enough about those "highly paid" Yankees
Whine about the Yankees' incredible spending power if you will, but remember that it's veterans who have risen through the system (Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada) and low-paid or young players (Brett Gardner, Melky Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Cody Ransom) who are doing most of the work.
Right now, it's the top of the sixth, and the Yankees are beating the Twins 6-4. Ransom and Gardner have two RBIs apiece and Jeter has another.
The only place you can really get away with whining about all that money buys? Half of the starting rotation (CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett) and the No. 3 hole (Mark Teixeira), I guess. But still, the rotation is building on Yankee veteran Andy Pettitte, and New York-raised Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes.
A lot of money has been spent, but that's not necessarily where the wins are coming from.
Check out the Yankees' payroll here. With the exception of the aforementioned veterans, who deserve a pretty buck after spending their entire career in New York, the Yankees' big contributors for the days are all making regular MLB money. Cut out the ridiculously paid guys (Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, Burnett, etc.), and the Yankees would still have a contending team.
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Right now, it's the top of the sixth, and the Yankees are beating the Twins 6-4. Ransom and Gardner have two RBIs apiece and Jeter has another.
The only place you can really get away with whining about all that money buys? Half of the starting rotation (CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett) and the No. 3 hole (Mark Teixeira), I guess. But still, the rotation is building on Yankee veteran Andy Pettitte, and New York-raised Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes.
A lot of money has been spent, but that's not necessarily where the wins are coming from.
Check out the Yankees' payroll here. With the exception of the aforementioned veterans, who deserve a pretty buck after spending their entire career in New York, the Yankees' big contributors for the days are all making regular MLB money. Cut out the ridiculously paid guys (Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, Burnett, etc.), and the Yankees would still have a contending team.
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7.08.2009
Yankees hit 50 wins
The Yankees won their 50th game of the season tonight, pulling out a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins.
A.J. Burnett continued his solid pitching, allowing only two runs over his six and one-third innings. Mariano Rivera notched his 22nd save, out of 23 chances.
Brett Gardner singled in two runs, and Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher (both 1-for-4, 1 RBI), Derek Jeter (2-for-5) and Jorge Posada (2-for-3) helped the Yankees at the plate.
Tomorrow night the Yankees close out their series in Minnesota, going for their second sweep of the Twins this year, before flying to Los Angeles to face the American League West-leading Angels (46-36) on Friday.
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A.J. Burnett continued his solid pitching, allowing only two runs over his six and one-third innings. Mariano Rivera notched his 22nd save, out of 23 chances.
Brett Gardner singled in two runs, and Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher (both 1-for-4, 1 RBI), Derek Jeter (2-for-5) and Jorge Posada (2-for-3) helped the Yankees at the plate.
Tomorrow night the Yankees close out their series in Minnesota, going for their second sweep of the Twins this year, before flying to Los Angeles to face the American League West-leading Angels (46-36) on Friday.
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6.28.2009
And the pitching follows
First, the Yankees bats lit up, then the pitchers started to shine. A day after CC Sabathia led the Yanks to a 9-1 three-hitter win, A.J. Burnett tosses seven innings of one-hit ball to guide the Bombers to a 5-0 victory.
New York firing on all cylinders will be hard to stop; let's hope this trend dominates the next couple months, with slumping losses to teams such as the Nationals far behind.
New York firing on all cylinders will be hard to stop; let's hope this trend dominates the next couple months, with slumping losses to teams such as the Nationals far behind.
6.23.2009
Return to inter-league play for Wang's ankle
Around this time last year, the Yankees headed into inter-league play. During a New York romp, when even their starting ace, Chien-Ming Wang, got on base, a fateful accident happened that has bugged the Yankees since.
Rounding the bases, Wang misstepped and hurt his ankle, dropping him on the disabled list for a few weeks. Throughout the rest of the season, he struggled with injuries, leaving the Yankees deprived of their best pitcher going into the pennant race. New York then missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, and although it was a team effort that took the Yankees out of the 2008 postseason, not having two-time 19-game winner Wang down the stretch certainly didn't help.
The Yankees were excited to have Wang back for a full season this year, joining ace CC Sabathia, Yankee stalwart Andy Pettitte, young up-and-comer Joba Chamberlain and veteran A.J. Burnett in a powerhouse staff. But Wang quickly became the weakest link, if he could be called a link at all.
Wang has lost five games this season, holding down an ERA of 32.30 at one point. Entering tonight's game, his ERA had sunk to 12.30 (a "bad" major-league pitcher can get benched at 6.00 or so). Nothing has gone right for Wang.
So, as another inter-league tilt arrives, and Wang pitches the Yanks into a 3-0 hole (through five innings), how many New York fans are wishing that Wang hurts his ankle lapping the bases again? He had time on the DL already this year, and it didn't cure him, and now Phil Hughes (3-2, 4.78 ERA, 43 Ks, 17 BBs in 43.1 IP) waits in the wings. Compared toWang (0-5, 12.30 ERA, 21 Ks, 14 BBs in 26.1 IP), Hughes looks like a Cy Young-caliber option.
(And, as fate has it, Hughes is usually the reliever who comes in and picks up the pieces after Wang's slow starts.)
Wang has been a great contributor to the Yankees. He went 8-5 in his first season, in 2005, with a 4.02 ERA, then ripped through the next two seasons, going 19-6 and 19-7 with ERAs of 3.63 and 3.70, respectively. (In 2007, his strikeout total peaked at 104, 28 Ks higher than the next closest season, even as he pitched 19 innings less. And he's a sinkerballer, which means he's not even supposed to be getting guys to whiff.) But with all the problems he's been having this season, and the Yankees' inability to pull away in the American League East, he needs to find a solution to his pitching decline, and quick.
Rounding the bases, Wang misstepped and hurt his ankle, dropping him on the disabled list for a few weeks. Throughout the rest of the season, he struggled with injuries, leaving the Yankees deprived of their best pitcher going into the pennant race. New York then missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, and although it was a team effort that took the Yankees out of the 2008 postseason, not having two-time 19-game winner Wang down the stretch certainly didn't help.
The Yankees were excited to have Wang back for a full season this year, joining ace CC Sabathia, Yankee stalwart Andy Pettitte, young up-and-comer Joba Chamberlain and veteran A.J. Burnett in a powerhouse staff. But Wang quickly became the weakest link, if he could be called a link at all.
Wang has lost five games this season, holding down an ERA of 32.30 at one point. Entering tonight's game, his ERA had sunk to 12.30 (a "bad" major-league pitcher can get benched at 6.00 or so). Nothing has gone right for Wang.
So, as another inter-league tilt arrives, and Wang pitches the Yanks into a 3-0 hole (through five innings), how many New York fans are wishing that Wang hurts his ankle lapping the bases again? He had time on the DL already this year, and it didn't cure him, and now Phil Hughes (3-2, 4.78 ERA, 43 Ks, 17 BBs in 43.1 IP) waits in the wings. Compared toWang (0-5, 12.30 ERA, 21 Ks, 14 BBs in 26.1 IP), Hughes looks like a Cy Young-caliber option.
(And, as fate has it, Hughes is usually the reliever who comes in and picks up the pieces after Wang's slow starts.)
Wang has been a great contributor to the Yankees. He went 8-5 in his first season, in 2005, with a 4.02 ERA, then ripped through the next two seasons, going 19-6 and 19-7 with ERAs of 3.63 and 3.70, respectively. (In 2007, his strikeout total peaked at 104, 28 Ks higher than the next closest season, even as he pitched 19 innings less. And he's a sinkerballer, which means he's not even supposed to be getting guys to whiff.) But with all the problems he's been having this season, and the Yankees' inability to pull away in the American League East, he needs to find a solution to his pitching decline, and quick.
6.14.2009
15-0.
The Yankees light it up in a 15-0 win over the Mets, and this was no flukish short-right-porch home run derby.
Derek Jeter went 4-for-4 and knocked in a couple runs, Robinson Cano was 3-for-4 with three RBI, and Johnny Damon went 2-for-4 with another three RBI. Best yet, A.J. Burnett produced a quality start for New York, going seven innings and striking out eight, while only walking four (although the staff probably prefers that he saves these gems for when the lineup produces less runs).
The team batted .459 today, with 17 hits, including doubles from Damon, Cano, and Melky Cabrera (who laced two). Once again, the Yankees stranded a load of runners (21), but when you're scoring 15 runs, that seems excusable.
New York gets a day off tomorrow, then its three games against the lowly Washington Nationals (16-45) before heading back on the road to face the Marlins next weekend.
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Derek Jeter went 4-for-4 and knocked in a couple runs, Robinson Cano was 3-for-4 with three RBI, and Johnny Damon went 2-for-4 with another three RBI. Best yet, A.J. Burnett produced a quality start for New York, going seven innings and striking out eight, while only walking four (although the staff probably prefers that he saves these gems for when the lineup produces less runs).
The team batted .459 today, with 17 hits, including doubles from Damon, Cano, and Melky Cabrera (who laced two). Once again, the Yankees stranded a load of runners (21), but when you're scoring 15 runs, that seems excusable.
New York gets a day off tomorrow, then its three games against the lowly Washington Nationals (16-45) before heading back on the road to face the Marlins next weekend.
Other Yankees Posts
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