Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham reports that Derek Jeter will bat second in today's All-Star game, while A-Rod will bat fourth.
Posted by: James
5 Games over at the ASB and 5.5 GB of a playoff shot (that's an 18% shot of getting into the playoffs. That's where today's 4-1 loss leaves the Yankees.
If anything, this game was pretty indicative of the Yankees woes this year. The Yankee offense was pretty much non-existent and the Yankees pitching, while ok, just wasn't good enough for the win.
A.J. Burnett, pitching on 3 days rest, came within two outs of a shutout and only gave up one run (a solo shot by Giambi in the 9th) over 8 and a third, giving up six hits, walking and stirking out eight in the process.
For the Yankees, Andy Pettitte took the mound and gave up 4 runs the Blue Jays would score. All the scoring took place in the second, as Kevin Mench doubled to lead off the inning and came home on a Scott Rolen single. An Adam Lind walk put runners on first and second before Marco Scutaro strolled to the plate. Then, in an really odd (and annoying) turn of events, Scutaro tried to get a bunt down and failed (TWICE)...and then, after fouling off a few pitches, homered to left to give the Blue Jays a 4-0 lead.
Going into the ASB at 5 over when they could have been making up ground on the Rays (who just finished losing 7 straight) is just plain disappointing. Catching the Red Sox for the AL East will be an achievement...but people really shouldn't be banking on a straight freefall from the Rays. Yes, they just lost 7 straight...but they are still in command of the Wildcard spot even after that horrific run. They have a good hitting, good fielding young team...and a nice list of prospects that they are apparently ready to part with to shore up their team for the stretch run. Heck, there are rumors of a trade from Oakland that would add Huston Street and Matt Murton to the team for a few prospects. This is going to be a tough and certainly interesting second half of the season...so here's to hoping that it's not as frustrating as the first half of this season.
If anything, this game was pretty indicative of the Yankees woes this year. The Yankee offense was pretty much non-existent and the Yankees pitching, while ok, just wasn't good enough for the win.
A.J. Burnett, pitching on 3 days rest, came within two outs of a shutout and only gave up one run (a solo shot by Giambi in the 9th) over 8 and a third, giving up six hits, walking and stirking out eight in the process.
For the Yankees, Andy Pettitte took the mound and gave up 4 runs the Blue Jays would score. All the scoring took place in the second, as Kevin Mench doubled to lead off the inning and came home on a Scott Rolen single. An Adam Lind walk put runners on first and second before Marco Scutaro strolled to the plate. Then, in an really odd (and annoying) turn of events, Scutaro tried to get a bunt down and failed (TWICE)...and then, after fouling off a few pitches, homered to left to give the Blue Jays a 4-0 lead.
Going into the ASB at 5 over when they could have been making up ground on the Rays (who just finished losing 7 straight) is just plain disappointing. Catching the Red Sox for the AL East will be an achievement...but people really shouldn't be banking on a straight freefall from the Rays. Yes, they just lost 7 straight...but they are still in command of the Wildcard spot even after that horrific run. They have a good hitting, good fielding young team...and a nice list of prospects that they are apparently ready to part with to shore up their team for the stretch run. Heck, there are rumors of a trade from Oakland that would add Huston Street and Matt Murton to the team for a few prospects. This is going to be a tough and certainly interesting second half of the season...so here's to hoping that it's not as frustrating as the first half of this season.
Posted by: Seamus
In what seems like an afterthought after news of the tragic passing of Bobby Murcer, the Yankees defeated the Blue Jays by a score of 9-4, following a two-hit dud last night against Roy Halladay. All 13 of the runs scored in the game came in the first four innings.
The Yankees bounced back after a four-run first for the Blue Jays, scoring four of their own to take a 5-4 lead. The Yankees scored at least one run in each of the first four innings, capped off by a solo shot off the left field foul pole by Alex Rodriguez, who passed Mickey Mantle for 13th place on the all-time home run list. Derek Jeter hit a milestone home run of his own as well, as he led the game off with the 200th dinger of his career.
Darrell Rasner was a bit shaky once again, but was good enough to pick up his 5th win of the season. Rasner allowed four runs in the first, but didn't allow another, as he got out of a bases loaded jam in the 2nd and worked his way out of trouble a couple more times in the 4th and 5th innings. Rasner finished with a line of four runs off seven hits and six strikeouts in five innings.
The bullpen was excellent once again, as Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, Kyle Farnsworth and LaTroy Hawkins combined for four scoreless innings and allowed just one runner to reach base. The Yankees came into the game with a bullpen E.R.A. of 3.52, which is second in the American League only to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Yankees will try to finish their "first half" of the season on a high note tomorrow afternoon, as Andy Pettitte will take on A.J. Burnett before heading back home for the All-Star break. Game starts at 1:07 E.T.
The Yankees bounced back after a four-run first for the Blue Jays, scoring four of their own to take a 5-4 lead. The Yankees scored at least one run in each of the first four innings, capped off by a solo shot off the left field foul pole by Alex Rodriguez, who passed Mickey Mantle for 13th place on the all-time home run list. Derek Jeter hit a milestone home run of his own as well, as he led the game off with the 200th dinger of his career.
Darrell Rasner was a bit shaky once again, but was good enough to pick up his 5th win of the season. Rasner allowed four runs in the first, but didn't allow another, as he got out of a bases loaded jam in the 2nd and worked his way out of trouble a couple more times in the 4th and 5th innings. Rasner finished with a line of four runs off seven hits and six strikeouts in five innings.
The bullpen was excellent once again, as Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, Kyle Farnsworth and LaTroy Hawkins combined for four scoreless innings and allowed just one runner to reach base. The Yankees came into the game with a bullpen E.R.A. of 3.52, which is second in the American League only to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Yankees will try to finish their "first half" of the season on a high note tomorrow afternoon, as Andy Pettitte will take on A.J. Burnett before heading back home for the All-Star break. Game starts at 1:07 E.T.
07/12: Bobby Murcer (1946-2008)
Posted by: Seamus
YES has just announced shortly after the conclusion of today's Yankees game vs. the Blue Jays that longtime announcer and former player Bobby Murcer has passed away at the age of 62.
Very sad news to hear. Bobby had a very positive reputation with the Yankees and fans alike and will be missed very dearly. R.I.P...
Very sad news to hear. Bobby had a very positive reputation with the Yankees and fans alike and will be missed very dearly. R.I.P...
Posted by: James
Hey, you can sum up last night's game in two words, Roy Halladay. He was brilliant, facing only 31 batters and using 113 pitches to toss a complete-game two-hitter (and one of those hits was in the ninth) and leading the Jays to a 5-0 win over the Yankees. The Yankees couldn't do anything against him all night long...which made for a VERY quick (2 hrs, 21 mins) game.
In opposition, Joba wasn't bad in his start...but on a day where he had to be practically perfect just to keep the Yankees in the game, he was merely effective. He gave up 3 runs over the course of six and a third. In the third, he gave up two singles to lead off the inning and both of those runs came around to score on a later single and a groundout. He gave up another run on Rod Barajas' 8th homer of the season in the 6th. Billy Traber (why he has a roster spot over Scott Strickland is beyond me) came in for an inning and a third and gave up 2 runs on a double followed by a HR to Matt Stairs.
Now the Yankees have to win 2 in a row to win this series and head into the ASB +7 games over .500. I was hoping for a nice round +10...but with the way this season has gone, I will gladly take what I can get. Let's go Darrell Rasner...and let's hope those adjustments he made actually have a positive effect.
In opposition, Joba wasn't bad in his start...but on a day where he had to be practically perfect just to keep the Yankees in the game, he was merely effective. He gave up 3 runs over the course of six and a third. In the third, he gave up two singles to lead off the inning and both of those runs came around to score on a later single and a groundout. He gave up another run on Rod Barajas' 8th homer of the season in the 6th. Billy Traber (why he has a roster spot over Scott Strickland is beyond me) came in for an inning and a third and gave up 2 runs on a double followed by a HR to Matt Stairs.
Now the Yankees have to win 2 in a row to win this series and head into the ASB +7 games over .500. I was hoping for a nice round +10...but with the way this season has gone, I will gladly take what I can get. Let's go Darrell Rasner...and let's hope those adjustments he made actually have a positive effect.
07/11: Yankees Considering Sexson
Posted by: Patrick
Joel Sherman reports that the Yankees are considering signing the recently released Richie Sexson. Though he's been awful overall, Sexson has victimized lefties to the tune of Sexson did hit a .344 average, 423 OBA and a .623 slugging percentage.
Posted by: Patrick
Former Yankees first round pick Eric Milton has returned to the club, thanks to a minor league deal, reports Ed Price.
Milton is at least six weeks away from contributing anything, thanks to Tommy John surgery. Back in 1998, he was traded to the Twins in a prospect package to acquire Chuck Knoblauch.
Cashman indicated to Price that part of the motivation behind the signing is to be able to see what Milton might be able to offer the team in 2009.
Milton is at least six weeks away from contributing anything, thanks to Tommy John surgery. Back in 1998, he was traded to the Twins in a prospect package to acquire Chuck Knoblauch.
Cashman indicated to Price that part of the motivation behind the signing is to be able to see what Milton might be able to offer the team in 2009.
Posted by: Patrick
The Top 10 Jason Giambi Mustache Facts were a lot of fun to come up with, as Seamus, James and myself were constantly laughing as we crafted them.
The link was picked up on a handful of websites and blogs and I just wanted to take a moment to thank those that highlighted it. Thanks to the following for the love:
Ben Fawkes, Paul Kix and Ethan Trex of ESPN The Magazine
Alex of Bronx Banter
Mike of River Ave. Blues
Dave and Aziz of Pride of the Yankees
Everyday Baseball
It was also highlighted on Ballbug, which was pretty sweet.
While I'm on the subject of press, I may as well mention that YB was recently highlighted by the New York Observer, in regard to our participation in the WCBS ad network.
Anyway, thanks all!
The link was picked up on a handful of websites and blogs and I just wanted to take a moment to thank those that highlighted it. Thanks to the following for the love:
Ben Fawkes, Paul Kix and Ethan Trex of ESPN The Magazine
Alex of Bronx Banter
Mike of River Ave. Blues
Dave and Aziz of Pride of the Yankees
Everyday Baseball
It was also highlighted on Ballbug, which was pretty sweet.
While I'm on the subject of press, I may as well mention that YB was recently highlighted by the New York Observer, in regard to our participation in the WCBS ad network.
Anyway, thanks all!
Posted by: Patrick
USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale has a nice feature on Hank Steinbrenner.
The article also notes that Steinbrenner plans to hire Lou Piniella as an assistance once Piniella is done managing.
Via Peter Abraham.
"There's a lot of excitement around here from the Rays fans, but almost to a point of arrogance," he says. "They better be careful. They'll learn this (expletive) can change real quick."
The Yankees have been subsidizing the Rays and other teams with their revenue-sharing and luxury-tax payments, Steinbrenner says, so they should be thanking the Yankees.
"People in baseball know it, whether they want to admit it or not," Steinbrenner says. "It helps everyone when the Yankees are good. The Red Sox, whether they're good or not, doesn't necessarily matter, nationally. … Let's face it: The Yankees are baseball history. You're talking about 26 championships."
The Yankees have been subsidizing the Rays and other teams with their revenue-sharing and luxury-tax payments, Steinbrenner says, so they should be thanking the Yankees.
"People in baseball know it, whether they want to admit it or not," Steinbrenner says. "It helps everyone when the Yankees are good. The Red Sox, whether they're good or not, doesn't necessarily matter, nationally. … Let's face it: The Yankees are baseball history. You're talking about 26 championships."
The article also notes that Steinbrenner plans to hire Lou Piniella as an assistance once Piniella is done managing.
Via Peter Abraham.
Posted by: Patrick
Unfortunately, the "Support the 'Stache" campaign fell short, as Giambi finished third in the final vote.
Evan Longoria took the honors, while Jermaine Dye finished second.
Giambi appreciated the fan support.
"That's kind of special," Giambi said. "That's definitely come full circle [and] to have that closeness back with the fans again is definitely cool."
"That's kind of special," Giambi said. "That's definitely come full circle [and] to have that closeness back with the fans again is definitely cool."
Evan Longoria took the honors, while Jermaine Dye finished second.
