I can't help but crow about the lunacy at the Boston Globe, where, a day before the Yankees enter their 40th World Series, the Globe decided to run a full-photo cover story about how the Red Sox finally won the World Series after 86 years last year. Really? That's all you got, Boston?
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Showing posts with label red sox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label red sox. Show all posts
10.27.2009
10.06.2009
Yankees-Twinsies, tomorrow at 6
The Yankees will play the Minnesota Twins Wednesday at 6:07 (on TBS) in the first game of the American League Championship Series. New York is expected to start CC Sabathia. The Red Sox play the Angels on Thursday.
9.30.2009
Ugly Sox
I'm at the Globe, watching the Red Sox play the Blue Jays. Wait, that's not what's happening; the Red Sox are getting killed by the Blue Jays.
A day after Boston let itself earn a playoff berth by watching the Texas Rangers lose out, the Red Sox are looking positively minor league-ish. Roy Halladay is tossing a no-hitter through five, and the camera just cut to a guy in the parking lot who had left the Sox game and was lucky enough to snatch a sixth-inning Blue Jays homer.
Toronto now leads 9-0.
Rest is one thing, but the Red Sox have looked so bad these past few games (albeit with a lot of benchwarmers in) that you wonder whether they'll be able to turn it back on once the postseason starts. The Angels are pretty sharp this year, and no one should be counting them out, especially with the kind of effort Boston's had lately.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are facing off against the Royals, looking for the sweep. Derek Jeter hit a home run in the first at-bat of the game for the Yankees, notching the game at 1 early.
A day after Boston let itself earn a playoff berth by watching the Texas Rangers lose out, the Red Sox are looking positively minor league-ish. Roy Halladay is tossing a no-hitter through five, and the camera just cut to a guy in the parking lot who had left the Sox game and was lucky enough to snatch a sixth-inning Blue Jays homer.
Toronto now leads 9-0.
Rest is one thing, but the Red Sox have looked so bad these past few games (albeit with a lot of benchwarmers in) that you wonder whether they'll be able to turn it back on once the postseason starts. The Angels are pretty sharp this year, and no one should be counting them out, especially with the kind of effort Boston's had lately.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are facing off against the Royals, looking for the sweep. Derek Jeter hit a home run in the first at-bat of the game for the Yankees, notching the game at 1 early.
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blue jays,
derek jeter,
new york yankees,
red sox,
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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?
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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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Labels:
a.j. burnett,
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juan miranda,
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red sox,
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9.28.2009
Oh well for taking it easy, Yankees
A day after clinching the American League East, winning their 100th game, and having their manager say they'll sit back for the next 10 days until the playoffs start, the Yankees came out and beat up on the Kansas City Royals, winning 8-2 on a rain-delayed night. Oh well for taking it easy.
Facing a team that had beat the Red Sox two games out of four last week (really, Boston?), New York got some nice input from Robinson Cano, who smashed a seventh-inning grand slam from the number-three spot to put the game away for the Yankees.
Cano is hitting .322 this season, his second-best batting average in the bigs, and has surpassed 200 hits this year for the first time in his career.
New York's blowout win came on a night when most of the starters were resting, and fifth pitcher/bullpen man Chad Gaudin was throwing. (Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera and Jorge Posada were the only starters in the game.)
Meanwhile, the Red Sox (considered by most to already be in the American League Championship Series, which they will only do if they beat the powerhouse Angels, after actually making it to the playoffs...which still requires two wins in the next six games) lost a nasty 8-5 tilt to the Blue Jays tonight.
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Facing a team that had beat the Red Sox two games out of four last week (really, Boston?), New York got some nice input from Robinson Cano, who smashed a seventh-inning grand slam from the number-three spot to put the game away for the Yankees.
Cano is hitting .322 this season, his second-best batting average in the bigs, and has surpassed 200 hits this year for the first time in his career.
New York's blowout win came on a night when most of the starters were resting, and fifth pitcher/bullpen man Chad Gaudin was throwing. (Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera and Jorge Posada were the only starters in the game.)
Meanwhile, the Red Sox (considered by most to already be in the American League Championship Series, which they will only do if they beat the powerhouse Angels, after actually making it to the playoffs...which still requires two wins in the next six games) lost a nasty 8-5 tilt to the Blue Jays tonight.
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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.
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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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9.23.2009
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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9.20.2009
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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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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8.26.2009
Payback
UPDATE: It's a win for the Yankees, in a game that saw Paul McCartney, Lorne Michaels and Jack Nicholson in the front row. Rats. I should have been there.
The Yankees are getting payback at Yankee Stadium, leading the Texas Rangers 9-2 in the bottom of the seventh.
As I write, A-Rod is at the plate with no outs, and New York has scored five runs in the frame.
It's just the kind of game Andy Pettitte needed to get back on track. After starting the season as New York's most reliable pitcher, he went through a dry spell then a spate of bad luck, watching his ERA shoot up and gathering a wad of no-decisions. (The Yankees' recent 20-11 win over the Red Sox was marred by Pettitte pitching a gem until a 38-minute inning by the Yankees batters that threw the lefty off his mark when he came back out to pitch again.)
Tonight, he's allowed only two runs and pitched a full seven innings, striking out seven.
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The Yankees are getting payback at Yankee Stadium, leading the Texas Rangers 9-2 in the bottom of the seventh.
As I write, A-Rod is at the plate with no outs, and New York has scored five runs in the frame.
It's just the kind of game Andy Pettitte needed to get back on track. After starting the season as New York's most reliable pitcher, he went through a dry spell then a spate of bad luck, watching his ERA shoot up and gathering a wad of no-decisions. (The Yankees' recent 20-11 win over the Red Sox was marred by Pettitte pitching a gem until a 38-minute inning by the Yankees batters that threw the lefty off his mark when he came back out to pitch again.)
Tonight, he's allowed only two runs and pitched a full seven innings, striking out seven.
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8.24.2009
Massarotti, on the ball
Tony Massarotti's column about how the Yankees and Red Sox pursue their respective players is spot-on.
Labels:
boston globe,
new york yankees,
red sox,
tony massarotti
Yankees blast Beckett
It was supposed to be a pitcher's duel, but the bats came out again tonight in the matchup between New York's CC Sabathia and Boston's Josh Beckett. The Yankees had the upper hand, homering off Beckett five times (the most home runs he's allowed in a game in his career), and New York won 8-4.
Sabathia now leads all Major League Baseball pitchers with 15 wins. He pitched into the seventh inning and struck out eight.
Derek Jeter homered in his first at-bat and overall had another stellar night, going 2-for-5 and making an awesome (classic Jeter) grab, twirl and throw to first for an early-inning out.
Alex Rodriguez was 1-for-4 with 3 RBI, including a homer that cleared the Green Monster.
Hideki Matsui (2 RBI, home run) and Johnny Damon (RBI) both went 2-for-4.
The Yankees have a homestand against the wild-card-pursuing Texas Rangers next, starting Tuesday night.
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Sabathia now leads all Major League Baseball pitchers with 15 wins. He pitched into the seventh inning and struck out eight.
Derek Jeter homered in his first at-bat and overall had another stellar night, going 2-for-5 and making an awesome (classic Jeter) grab, twirl and throw to first for an early-inning out.
Alex Rodriguez was 1-for-4 with 3 RBI, including a homer that cleared the Green Monster.
Hideki Matsui (2 RBI, home run) and Johnny Damon (RBI) both went 2-for-4.
The Yankees have a homestand against the wild-card-pursuing Texas Rangers next, starting Tuesday night.
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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
Other Yankees Posts
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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8.20.2009
Mark that W
Mark Teixeira batted in all three of the Yankees' runs tonight, putting New York over Oakland 3-2 with a two-run homer and an RBI groundout. The A's edged within one after starting pitcher Chad Gaudin was chased in the fifth, but Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera combined to close the game for New York.
Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon both went 2-for-4 as the Yankees salvaged the series 2-1.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox have proved they are still very, very alive. With a 6-1 win over the Blue Jays tonight (which followed a 10-9 late-inning win last night), Boston is revving up for what will be a hot weekend series in Beantown against the Yankees. The Sox are seven games back, holding almost even with the Yankees since the sweep in New York (Boston has been 6-3, the Yankees 7-3).
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Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon both went 2-for-4 as the Yankees salvaged the series 2-1.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox have proved they are still very, very alive. With a 6-1 win over the Blue Jays tonight (which followed a 10-9 late-inning win last night), Boston is revving up for what will be a hot weekend series in Beantown against the Yankees. The Sox are seven games back, holding almost even with the Yankees since the sweep in New York (Boston has been 6-3, the Yankees 7-3).
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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.
Other Yankees Posts
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.
Other Yankees Posts
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.
Other Yankees Posts
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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7.30.2009
In your face, Red Sox dopers!
What!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz, the two sluggers who anchored the Boston Red Sox lineup on its way to World Series in 2004 and 2007, have been tagged for using steroids.
Ramirez and Ortiz were both named in the 2003 report that implicated Alex Rodriguez and a total of 100 MLB players.
I am almost speechless, unable to make the thousands of points cramming into my head, at this news. Euphoric? Yes. Trying to say something that involves the word "tainted"? Also yes. Pleased that the Curse of the Bambino could only be broken with juice? Yes, yes, yes.
Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz, the two sluggers who anchored the Boston Red Sox lineup on its way to World Series in 2004 and 2007, have been tagged for using steroids.
Ramirez and Ortiz were both named in the 2003 report that implicated Alex Rodriguez and a total of 100 MLB players.
I am almost speechless, unable to make the thousands of points cramming into my head, at this news. Euphoric? Yes. Trying to say something that involves the word "tainted"? Also yes. Pleased that the Curse of the Bambino could only be broken with juice? Yes, yes, yes.
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alex rodriguez,
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