100 wins, the division, and a downing of the Red Sox, all in one day!
The classic Andy Pettitte-Mariano Rivera combo did it again today, with Pettitte showing he hasn't lost his edge (6 innings, 2 earned runs, 4 Ks) and Mo cleaning up in the ninth (44th).
The Yankees have six games left this season, during which they'll be able to tweak their lineup and rotation for the playoffs, which will start either October 7 or 8 for them.
Notables:
Derek Jeter went 2-for-4 today, going after several first pitches and raising his batting average to .333 for the season.
Mark Teixeira went 2-for-4 with a home run. His batting average has slowly risen to .294, and he has a chance to break .300 this season after spending the early months under the Mendoza Line. Teixeira also notched his 38th homer and 120th RBI today, on pace for his best MLB totals, save his 2005 season with Texas.
Nick Swisher, who was 1-for-3 with a double today, has hit 27 home runs this season in 481 at-bats. His career-high, 35, was during a season when he had 556 at-bats. Not bad for a bench-warmer.
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Showing posts with label american league east. Show all posts
Showing posts with label american league east. Show all posts
9.27.2009
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.
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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.
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9.20.2009
Yankees 10, Mariners 1
An update from the previous post:
After a sneaky 3-2 comeback win last night to the Mariners, the Yankees left no room for error and trounced Seattle 10-1 behind seven innings of scoreless ball from CC Sabathia (eight strikeouts) and a 4-for-5 performance from Mark Teixeira (5 RBI).
Robinson Cano was also 4-for-5, and Johnny Damon went 3-for-4 (RBI) in a strong night for the Bombers.
The Yankees are a comfortable six games up on the Boston Red Sox in the American League East with 13 games left to play. Boston has already pretty much nabbed the wild card, though, with Texas nine games behind them.
New York still has the best record in baseball by six games.
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After a sneaky 3-2 comeback win last night to the Mariners, the Yankees left no room for error and trounced Seattle 10-1 behind seven innings of scoreless ball from CC Sabathia (eight strikeouts) and a 4-for-5 performance from Mark Teixeira (5 RBI).
Robinson Cano was also 4-for-5, and Johnny Damon went 3-for-4 (RBI) in a strong night for the Bombers.
The Yankees are a comfortable six games up on the Boston Red Sox in the American League East with 13 games left to play. Boston has already pretty much nabbed the wild card, though, with Texas nine games behind them.
New York still has the best record in baseball by six games.
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8.10.2009
Revenge of the N.Y. front office
Tonight was the revenge of the New York front office, with three Yankee steals hitting homers to vault the Bronx Bombers past the Boston Red Sox 5-2.
The Yankees nabbed Johnny Damon out of the free agency market from under Boston's nose a few years back, then repeated the process while outbidding the BoSox for Mark Teixeira this year. And everyone remembers the bitter taste left in Boston's mouth when A-Rod chose the Bronx over Beantown.
Tonight, all three New York steals belted homers.
A-Rod, the new Red Sox-slayer, used his picture-perfect swing to put the ball past the fence in the same place as Friday night (or Saturday morning), breaking up an 0-0 tie once again, this time in the bottom of the 7th.
His bomb was especially important because the Yankees were facing a great pitcher in Jon Lester, whom New York had never beat (before tonight's game, Lester was 3-0, with a 3.43 ERA in six starts against the Yankees in his career, and 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA and 17 Ks in two starts this year). Lester had retired the previous nine batters before the home run.
One inning after A-Rod went yard, Damon plunked one over the fence, then Teixeira hit a towering fly that settled into the right upper deck. This is the sixth time this season Damon and Teixeira hit back-to-back home runs, a Yankees record.
Their blasts started a Yankee hit parade that put New York comfortably ahead 5-2, enough to leave a cushion for Mariano Rivera to close the game. (The rampage was interrupted by a two-run homer from Boston's Victor Martinez, who broke up a 31-inning shutout by New York pitchers when he scored. But I think the Yankees were just letting the Sox in to get their hopes up before crushing them again.)
With the win, the Yankees completed their four-game sweep of the Sox and jumped ahead six-and-a-half games in the American League East standings (the Rays are eight games back). New York still has the best record in the majors.
This was an awesome series, through and through, from the slugfest on Thursday night to the standoff on Friday, to the balanced attack on Saturday to tonight's late-inning explosion. The Yankees showcased their best batters, untouchable starting pitchers and a bullpen that is looking rock-solid.
Next up, New York hosts the Toronto Blue Jays.
In individual rankings, Rivera leads Major League Baseball with 32 saves, out of 33 chances. Teixeira leads the American League in home runs with 29.
And in case you're wondering, David "I didn't use steroids" Ortiz was 1-for-14 this series. Beautiful.
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The Yankees nabbed Johnny Damon out of the free agency market from under Boston's nose a few years back, then repeated the process while outbidding the BoSox for Mark Teixeira this year. And everyone remembers the bitter taste left in Boston's mouth when A-Rod chose the Bronx over Beantown.
Tonight, all three New York steals belted homers.
A-Rod, the new Red Sox-slayer, used his picture-perfect swing to put the ball past the fence in the same place as Friday night (or Saturday morning), breaking up an 0-0 tie once again, this time in the bottom of the 7th.
His bomb was especially important because the Yankees were facing a great pitcher in Jon Lester, whom New York had never beat (before tonight's game, Lester was 3-0, with a 3.43 ERA in six starts against the Yankees in his career, and 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA and 17 Ks in two starts this year). Lester had retired the previous nine batters before the home run.
One inning after A-Rod went yard, Damon plunked one over the fence, then Teixeira hit a towering fly that settled into the right upper deck. This is the sixth time this season Damon and Teixeira hit back-to-back home runs, a Yankees record.
Their blasts started a Yankee hit parade that put New York comfortably ahead 5-2, enough to leave a cushion for Mariano Rivera to close the game. (The rampage was interrupted by a two-run homer from Boston's Victor Martinez, who broke up a 31-inning shutout by New York pitchers when he scored. But I think the Yankees were just letting the Sox in to get their hopes up before crushing them again.)
With the win, the Yankees completed their four-game sweep of the Sox and jumped ahead six-and-a-half games in the American League East standings (the Rays are eight games back). New York still has the best record in the majors.
This was an awesome series, through and through, from the slugfest on Thursday night to the standoff on Friday, to the balanced attack on Saturday to tonight's late-inning explosion. The Yankees showcased their best batters, untouchable starting pitchers and a bullpen that is looking rock-solid.
Next up, New York hosts the Toronto Blue Jays.
In individual rankings, Rivera leads Major League Baseball with 32 saves, out of 33 chances. Teixeira leads the American League in home runs with 29.
And in case you're wondering, David "I didn't use steroids" Ortiz was 1-for-14 this series. Beautiful.
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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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8.07.2009
1-0 so far
Let's leave those other Red Sox-Yankees series behind us and consider the one occurring today through Sunday, which New York now leads 1-0.
Tonight's 13-6 win by the Yankees had many beautiful moments.
Take your pick:
1. David Ortiz, the meat-headed juicer, going 0-for-5
2. Joba Chamberlain recording his third win in a row (he's now 8-2)
3. Three-run dingers from both Jorge Posada and Melky Cabrera
4. 3 RBI from Hideki Matsui in his recent return
5. Mark Teixeira tying the American League lead for home runs with his 28th deep shot (he was 3-for-4 on the night)
6. Johnny Damon going 3-for-5 with a homer
7. Robinson Cano batting 2-for-4, raising his average to .309
8. The largest crowd in the new Yankee Stadium (49,005)
9. Torching John Smoltz in the third inning (but really, who didn't
see that coming?)
10. Well, we could go on for a while...
And in the obligatory standings update, that puts New York up three-and-a-half games on Boston, with Tampa Bay six behind. Another three wins by New York could even the Yankees up with the Red Sox in the American League East loss column (a potential tie-breaker at the end of the season, if needed).
Oh, and this win gives the Yankees the best record in Major League Baseball, tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Good night.
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Tonight's 13-6 win by the Yankees had many beautiful moments.
Take your pick:
1. David Ortiz, the meat-headed juicer, going 0-for-5
2. Joba Chamberlain recording his third win in a row (he's now 8-2)
3. Three-run dingers from both Jorge Posada and Melky Cabrera
4. 3 RBI from Hideki Matsui in his recent return
5. Mark Teixeira tying the American League lead for home runs with his 28th deep shot (he was 3-for-4 on the night)
6. Johnny Damon going 3-for-5 with a homer
7. Robinson Cano batting 2-for-4, raising his average to .309
8. The largest crowd in the new Yankee Stadium (49,005)
9. Torching John Smoltz in the third inning (but really, who didn't
see that coming?)
10. Well, we could go on for a while...
And in the obligatory standings update, that puts New York up three-and-a-half games on Boston, with Tampa Bay six behind. Another three wins by New York could even the Yankees up with the Red Sox in the American League East loss column (a potential tie-breaker at the end of the season, if needed).
Oh, and this win gives the Yankees the best record in Major League Baseball, tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Good night.
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8.05.2009
Now the real test starts
The Yankees swept their two-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays tonight, winning 8-4, but the real test starts tomorrow as the Bombers host the Boston Red Sox for four games. The Yankees are a dismal 0-8 against the BoSox this season, and they need these games not only to keep a two-and-a-half game lead in the American League East but also to shore up their divisional standings in case of a Fall tie-breaker.
Johnny Damon (3-for-5, 3 RBI) and Nick Swisher (2-for-5) both hit home runs tonight to lead New York, and Robinson Cano went 2-for-4.
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Johnny Damon (3-for-5, 3 RBI) and Nick Swisher (2-for-5) both hit home runs tonight to lead New York, and Robinson Cano went 2-for-4.
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8.04.2009
Home Run Derby
The Yankees have had trouble against Roy Halladay in the past, but three home runs was enough tonight to get New York a 5-3 win over Toronto.
Mark Teixeira, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui all went yard, and Andy Pettitte struck out six while allowing only one run. It was his first win in six games, and pulled him up to 4-4 at home, where he's had trouble all season.
The Yankees are trying to rev up their attack after a poor 1-3 series at the Chicago White Sox. New York plays Boston Thursday through Sunday before hosting Toronto. New York, at 64-42, has a one-game lead in the American League East over the BoSox (62-42), who are holding on in the ninth inning of a 2-2 game at Tampa Bay (58-48).
UPDATE: Boston falls 4-2 to the Rays in the bottom of the 13th, dropping them one-and-a-half games behind the Yankees.
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Mark Teixeira, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui all went yard, and Andy Pettitte struck out six while allowing only one run. It was his first win in six games, and pulled him up to 4-4 at home, where he's had trouble all season.
The Yankees are trying to rev up their attack after a poor 1-3 series at the Chicago White Sox. New York plays Boston Thursday through Sunday before hosting Toronto. New York, at 64-42, has a one-game lead in the American League East over the BoSox (62-42), who are holding on in the ninth inning of a 2-2 game at Tampa Bay (58-48).
UPDATE: Boston falls 4-2 to the Rays in the bottom of the 13th, dropping them one-and-a-half games behind the Yankees.
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7.29.2009
W, sweep
New York swept Tampa Bay tonight with a 6-2 win, and with a Red Sox loss, that puts the Yankees up another game in the American League East.
Joba Chamberlain went eight huge innings, allowing no runs, before Brian Bruney let things get scary in the bottom of the ninth as two runs scored. Bruney hasn't been the same since his injury earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Chamberlain has won four of his last eight starts and rose to 7-2 on the season.
Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira both had two home runs and two RBI to lead the Bombers. Teixeira is tied for the lead in American League homers and is third in RBI.
Next, the Yankees head northwest to face the Chicago White Sox.
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Joba Chamberlain went eight huge innings, allowing no runs, before Brian Bruney let things get scary in the bottom of the ninth as two runs scored. Bruney hasn't been the same since his injury earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Chamberlain has won four of his last eight starts and rose to 7-2 on the season.
Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira both had two home runs and two RBI to lead the Bombers. Teixeira is tied for the lead in American League homers and is third in RBI.
Next, the Yankees head northwest to face the Chicago White Sox.
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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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7.24.2009
24-7 (and 10)
The Yankees beat the Oakland Athletics 6-3 Thursday night on Mark Teixeira's 24th home run of the season, making it New York's 7th win in a row, with CC Sabathia becoming the first Yankee to 10 wins as he notched a W.
Teixeira is now in a three-way tie for the home run lead in the American League (never mind that Albert Pujols and his 34 homers in the National League). New York is 2-and-a-half games up in the American League East.
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Teixeira is now in a three-way tie for the home run lead in the American League (never mind that Albert Pujols and his 34 homers in the National League). New York is 2-and-a-half games up in the American League East.
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7.21.2009
5 in a row; Division lead
Enter Sandman. Mo Rivera seals the game for the Yankees, who have won five in a row and took the American League East outright with a Red Sox loss tonight (4-2 to the Texas Rangers).
The young pitcher who was called up to start for New York tonight didn't look so sharp, but that's what the rest of the team (and super-efficient Alfredo Aceves: 12 pitches, 4 outs) is for. New York won 6-4.
Meanwhile, the O's sink to 41-52, giving them a firm hold on the cellar spot they fill so well. I'm tempted to say Baltimore would be better if it didn't play in such a tight division, but the botched double play and a dropped fly a couple innings ago took that argument from my fingers.
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The young pitcher who was called up to start for New York tonight didn't look so sharp, but that's what the rest of the team (and super-efficient Alfredo Aceves: 12 pitches, 4 outs) is for. New York won 6-4.
Meanwhile, the O's sink to 41-52, giving them a firm hold on the cellar spot they fill so well. I'm tempted to say Baltimore would be better if it didn't play in such a tight division, but the botched double play and a dropped fly a couple innings ago took that argument from my fingers.
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7.20.2009
Tied.
The Red Sox fell tonight 6-3, which, coupled with the Yankees' win over the Orioles, ties New York and Boston atop the American League East.
Both are 55-37, with the Yankees winning the last four in a row and the Red Sox losing the last three.
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Both are 55-37, with the Yankees winning the last four in a row and the Red Sox losing the last three.
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7.19.2009
Joba's back
Joba Chamberlain was back today, pitching a gem to lead the Yankees past Detroit in another National League-like 2-1 win. Joba had eight strikeouts, with five of them being the last five batters he faced. He went well into the game, too (six and two-thirds innings), and notched his first win since June 24.
The bullpen helped New York the rest of the way, with Phil Hughes throwing another solid inning (2 Ks) and Mariano Rivera closing it out the third day in a row for his 26th save in 27 chances this season.
(Side note: whether it's Hughes or Joba, I really like having a guy with starting pitcher-quality firepower anchoring the eighth inning. It's the missing link in a bullpen that was blowing huge leads earlier this season.)
Offensively, only two guys showed up for New York, and it was the two guys with the most green in their pockets: Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. Both went 2-for-4 with an RBI on solo home run shots. Teixeira also had a double.
The Yankees now sit just one game back from the division-leading Boston Red Sox.
The Bombers host the Baltimore Orioles, a division foe, for the next three games before welcoming the Oakland A's for a series.
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The bullpen helped New York the rest of the way, with Phil Hughes throwing another solid inning (2 Ks) and Mariano Rivera closing it out the third day in a row for his 26th save in 27 chances this season.
(Side note: whether it's Hughes or Joba, I really like having a guy with starting pitcher-quality firepower anchoring the eighth inning. It's the missing link in a bullpen that was blowing huge leads earlier this season.)
Offensively, only two guys showed up for New York, and it was the two guys with the most green in their pockets: Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. Both went 2-for-4 with an RBI on solo home run shots. Teixeira also had a double.
The Yankees now sit just one game back from the division-leading Boston Red Sox.
The Bombers host the Baltimore Orioles, a division foe, for the next three games before welcoming the Oakland A's for a series.
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7.01.2009
Huh. That was easy.
Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera combined for yet another win-save combo (their 60th) as the Yankees moved past Seattle 4-2 on the back of home runs by Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera and Alex Rodriguez.
Next up, New York welcomes Toronto in a hot matchup in the searing-hot American League East. The Yankees (44-32) are two and a half games back from the Red Sox (48-30), two and a half in front of the Rays (44-36) and four and a half in front of the Blue Jays (42-38). Boston and New York have the top two records, respectively, in the American League.
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Next up, New York welcomes Toronto in a hot matchup in the searing-hot American League East. The Yankees (44-32) are two and a half games back from the Red Sox (48-30), two and a half in front of the Rays (44-36) and four and a half in front of the Blue Jays (42-38). Boston and New York have the top two records, respectively, in the American League.
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6.29.2009
500 saves, 1 win, 0 errors
Tonight was a classic Yankees win (and God bless ESPN for broadcasting the game for those poor souls who live in Boston and can't get regular Yankees games on TV).
Mariano Rivera recorded his 500th career save; Chien-Ming Wang finally won a game for the first time in over a year; and the Yankees' defense powered the team to a 4-2 win over the hapless New York Mets.
Mariano Rivera tossed his 18th save in 19 chances, coming in during the eighth inning to whiff a batter, then closing it out in the bottom of the ninth. In between his trips to the mound, however, the batting order came around to give him his third regular-season hitting chance ever. Mo worked the count and drew a walk against a reliever who has been anointed as a next great one (Mets' closer Francisco Rodriguez), pushing a bases-loaded runner home to give the Yanks another run.
Chien-Ming Wang, the poor former-ace for the Yankees, finally got a W tonight. He'd been 0-6 so far this season, and even when he wasn't allowing what led to a 34.50 ERA (his first seven starts, runs allowed: 7, 8, 8, 5, 4, 3, 3), he just had bad luck getting the right situations for a statistical "win." Tonight, however, he was crisp, keeping the bases clean and not breaking his ankle when running out grounders.
But the real winner in tonight's game was the New York defense. In fact, the difference in the game was how much better the Yankees' defense was than the Mets' defense. Forget your All-Star closers (we'll even let K-Rod slink away without judgment here) and high-caliber batting orders.
This game was won in the diamond.
As the commentators murmured about Derek Jeter getting older and whether he'd have to be shifted away from shortstop, he once again showed that, no matter what the future holds, that is not the case right now. Flu bug or not, he was classic Jeter tonight, turning solid plays.
To his right, Alex Rodriguez showed his worth as a fielder. He made a couple diving plays and scooped up a key bunt for a force-out to keep New York in the game.
And Mark Teixeira keeps earning his dough at first, no question about it.
In contrast, the Mets avoided any Castillo-like game-ending error blunders (although there was a dropped Jorge Posada fly late in the game that was gratuitously ruled a base hit), but they were instead just mediocre in the infield. In the first inning, all three runs were because of less-than-great plays by Mets infielders, and although no errors were tagged on the blue-and-oranges, rudimentary conversions by the players would have kept those runs from scoring. Alas, tonight the Mets had strung enough together to win (they out-hit the Yankees 5-4), yet those unfortunate plays derailed what they needed to overcome a depleted batting order and the extremely bad luck the Mets have attracted recently.
Better luck next time.
The Yankees (43-32) are riding a five-game winning streak, have the third-best record in the league, and sit just three back of the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox. Next up, the Bombers face Seattle (39-36) at home, where they'll try to keep increasing space in their tight division. Tampa Bay (42-35) and Toronto (41-36) are nipping at their heels.
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Mariano Rivera recorded his 500th career save; Chien-Ming Wang finally won a game for the first time in over a year; and the Yankees' defense powered the team to a 4-2 win over the hapless New York Mets.
Mariano Rivera tossed his 18th save in 19 chances, coming in during the eighth inning to whiff a batter, then closing it out in the bottom of the ninth. In between his trips to the mound, however, the batting order came around to give him his third regular-season hitting chance ever. Mo worked the count and drew a walk against a reliever who has been anointed as a next great one (Mets' closer Francisco Rodriguez), pushing a bases-loaded runner home to give the Yanks another run.
Chien-Ming Wang, the poor former-ace for the Yankees, finally got a W tonight. He'd been 0-6 so far this season, and even when he wasn't allowing what led to a 34.50 ERA (his first seven starts, runs allowed: 7, 8, 8, 5, 4, 3, 3), he just had bad luck getting the right situations for a statistical "win." Tonight, however, he was crisp, keeping the bases clean and not breaking his ankle when running out grounders.
But the real winner in tonight's game was the New York defense. In fact, the difference in the game was how much better the Yankees' defense was than the Mets' defense. Forget your All-Star closers (we'll even let K-Rod slink away without judgment here) and high-caliber batting orders.
This game was won in the diamond.
As the commentators murmured about Derek Jeter getting older and whether he'd have to be shifted away from shortstop, he once again showed that, no matter what the future holds, that is not the case right now. Flu bug or not, he was classic Jeter tonight, turning solid plays.
To his right, Alex Rodriguez showed his worth as a fielder. He made a couple diving plays and scooped up a key bunt for a force-out to keep New York in the game.
And Mark Teixeira keeps earning his dough at first, no question about it.
In contrast, the Mets avoided any Castillo-like game-ending error blunders (although there was a dropped Jorge Posada fly late in the game that was gratuitously ruled a base hit), but they were instead just mediocre in the infield. In the first inning, all three runs were because of less-than-great plays by Mets infielders, and although no errors were tagged on the blue-and-oranges, rudimentary conversions by the players would have kept those runs from scoring. Alas, tonight the Mets had strung enough together to win (they out-hit the Yankees 5-4), yet those unfortunate plays derailed what they needed to overcome a depleted batting order and the extremely bad luck the Mets have attracted recently.
Better luck next time.
The Yankees (43-32) are riding a five-game winning streak, have the third-best record in the league, and sit just three back of the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox. Next up, the Bombers face Seattle (39-36) at home, where they'll try to keep increasing space in their tight division. Tampa Bay (42-35) and Toronto (41-36) are nipping at their heels.
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6.24.2009
Joba goes deep, Jeter lets one bounce off his butt en route to third
Joba Chamberlain proved me wrong again tonight, going deep into the game to set the Yankees up for the 8-4 win. Chamberlain went into the sixth inning, tossing 99 pitches and allowing only a couple runs before giving way to the bullpen. His recent stability has killed all rumors of him heading back to relief after a couple four-inning, 100-pitch debacles.
And tonight Derek Jeter continued to show his renaissance, making lithe plays at short and continuing to thieve around the basepaths. (I especially liked the top of the ninth, when he slid into second and the pickoff throw bounced off his butt. He advanced to third then was knocked in by a Johnny Damon single.)
The Yankees were back in full form, and as much as I'd like to wish for consistency, I'll take outbursts like this whenever I can get them. Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira both had two hits, and Alex Rodriguez was a pleasant surprise in the clutch when he singled home two runs to start the Yankee scoring.
Mariano Rivera almost got a hit of his own, but he settled for a flyout and striking out the side to end the game. His effort in getting the Yankees out of an eighth-inning jam, with two runners on base and only a two-run lead, gave him his 16th save in 17 chances.
Tomorrow New York faces Atlanta again with a chance to take the series and stay even with the Red Sox, who have jumped five games ahead in the American League East.
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And tonight Derek Jeter continued to show his renaissance, making lithe plays at short and continuing to thieve around the basepaths. (I especially liked the top of the ninth, when he slid into second and the pickoff throw bounced off his butt. He advanced to third then was knocked in by a Johnny Damon single.)
The Yankees were back in full form, and as much as I'd like to wish for consistency, I'll take outbursts like this whenever I can get them. Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira both had two hits, and Alex Rodriguez was a pleasant surprise in the clutch when he singled home two runs to start the Yankee scoring.
Mariano Rivera almost got a hit of his own, but he settled for a flyout and striking out the side to end the game. His effort in getting the Yankees out of an eighth-inning jam, with two runners on base and only a two-run lead, gave him his 16th save in 17 chances.
Tomorrow New York faces Atlanta again with a chance to take the series and stay even with the Red Sox, who have jumped five games ahead in the American League East.
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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.
6.10.2009
Yankees at Fenway: Foldable Version
There's something about this year's Yankees that just causes them to fold when they go to Fenway Park to play the Red Sox. They plate plenty of runs, bring their fireballing pitchers, then somehow end up on the wrong end of the score each time.
Tonight was no exception. New York had more hits than Boston (11 to 9) yet fell behind early and ended up losing the game 6-5.
The Yanks have now lost eight in a row to the Red Sox, and no amount of nice batting averages can reverse that statistic, which will continue to hang heavy in a tight American League East.
(Mark Teixeira, however, has continued to hit well, keeping the Yankees afloat. The man with the low-.200 average for most of the season now has the highest batting average of all Yankees, including team leads in home runs (19, American League lead) and RBIs (52, third in American League). Now for the wins, right?)
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Tonight was no exception. New York had more hits than Boston (11 to 9) yet fell behind early and ended up losing the game 6-5.
The Yanks have now lost eight in a row to the Red Sox, and no amount of nice batting averages can reverse that statistic, which will continue to hang heavy in a tight American League East.
(Mark Teixeira, however, has continued to hit well, keeping the Yankees afloat. The man with the low-.200 average for most of the season now has the highest batting average of all Yankees, including team leads in home runs (19, American League lead) and RBIs (52, third in American League). Now for the wins, right?)
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5.30.2009
CC gets settled
CC Sabathia seems to be getting settled in his new digs, going 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his last four starts. Tonight he led the Yankees past his former team, the Cleveland Indians, 10-5.
At 29-20, the Yankees have the third-best record in the league, and are on top of the American League East.
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At 29-20, the Yankees have the third-best record in the league, and are on top of the American League East.
Other Yankees posts
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