The Yankees clicked on all cylinders Friday night as a good start by Joba Chamberlain and some good production out of the offense helped the Yankees extend their winning streak to eight with an 8–3 victory over the A's. Amazingly, it was the first time during this streak that the Yankees won by a margin of more than three runs.

It was also the sixth time in these last eight games that the opposing team scored first. The A's led briefly after jumping ahead with a run in the first inning but it was short lived as the Yankees scored two runs in the third to take a 2–1 lead. The Yanks led from that point on, and blew the game open with a four-run eight inning that made it 8-1.

Joba Chamberlain was very solid for the second straight time, as he allowed only 2 hits in 7 innings of work. Phil Coke pitched a scoreless eighth and David Robertson shut the door in the 9th, although he did allow two runs in the inning.

The Yanks will try to make it nine in a row this afternoon and will send Andy Pettitte to the mound to take on 23-year old Gio Gonzalez and the A's. Game starts at 1:05 ET.

Recap records: Patrick: 28–13, Seamus: 24–16, Andrew: 7–8

CC Sabathia became the first Yankee to reach 10 wins this season as the team topped the Athletics, 6-3.

Those three Oakland runs were also the first three of the game, putting the Yankees at a deficit after the first 3 and 1/2 innings. But, the team stormed back in the bottom half of the inning. First, a Mark Teixeira two run home run scored Johnny Damon. This was followed by an RBI double by Posada that brought home A-Rod. Finally, Eric Hinske singled in Posada, allowing the team to take a 4-3 lead after 4.

The offense did not treat A's starter Vin Mazzaro very hospitably, pushing him out after just 4 and 1/3 innings of work. To start the fifth, Deerk Jeter walked, Damon singled, Teixeira doubled to score Jeter, A-Rod struck out, Hideki Matsui walked and Posada singled to score Damon. That was the end of Mazzaro's day. It also proved to be the end of offensive production by either team.

Sabathia cruised for his final three innings of work, retiring 9 of the last 11 hitters he faced. Phil Hughes came in and was lights out: 6 batters up, 6 batters down. He earned his first career save in the effort, giving Mo a much deserved night off. It's worth nothing, as well, that the combo of Sabathia and Hughes did not issue a single walk.

Damon (2 for 4, 2 R), Teixeira (2 for 4, double, home run, 3 RBI) and Posada (2 for 4, double, 1 R, 2 RBI) led the offense.

At 7:05 PM ET on Friday, Joba Chamberlain (5-2, 4.05) will face Brett Anderson (5-7, 4.25).

Recap records: Patrick: 28–13, Seamus: 23–16, Andrew: 7–8

The Yankees improved their record after the All-Star break to 6–0 as they capped off a sweep of the Orioles with a 6–4 victory this afternoon. The Yanks extended their A.L. East lead to a game and a half, pending the Red Sox' game in Texas later on tonight.

It was all Yankees pretty much from the start, as the Yankees jumped ahead with a 4-run first inning in which the team batted around. The Yankees' 6-run, 11-hit attack was also highlighted by 2 RBI from Jorge Posada, who homered in the third and brought in another run with a double in the eight.

A.J. Burnett was on his game once again, leaving the game after 7 innings with a line of 2 runs on 6 hits and 6 strikeouts. Burnett was put into a jam in the third thanks in part to Nick Swisher, who let a ball pop right out of his glove in right field to start the inning, but Swisher redeemed himself and saved two runs by making a great running catch to end the inning.

Phil Hughes pitched a scoreless eighth inning, and Brian Bruney entered the game with a four-run lead in the ninth. Bruney struck out the first two batters he faced, but with one out to go he served up back to back homers by Adam Jones and Nick Markakis, causing Joe Girardi to bring in Mariano Rivera to record the final out. Rivera struck out Aubrey Huff to end the game and recorded his 28th save of the season, which is just one behind Angels closer Brian Fuentes for the league lead.

The Yankees will open up a four-game series with the A's tomorrow night (tomorrow's game is a makeup of the rained out game originally scheduled for April 20) at 7:05 ET. CC Sabathia will take the mound for the Yankees while the A's will be sending Vin Mazzaro to the hill.

Recap records: Patrick: 27–13, Seamus: 23–16, Andrew: 7–8

Peter Abraham has Brett Tomko's reaction to being designated for assignment.


Between May 9 and July 20, Tomko pitched in 15 games and 20.2 innings. One appearance every 4.8 games, in other words. He was 1-2 with a 5.23.

Sergio Mitre's debut for the Yankees, if not pretty, was still a winning effort, as the Yankees took game one in Baltimore, 6-4. He was aided by a lock down effort by the bullpen, who allowed only one base runner in the final 3 and 1/3 innings.

The offense got on Orioles starter Rich Hill, forcing him to throw 82 pitches in 3 innings, ending his day at that point. They scored 5 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks, led by Alex Rodriguez (1 for 2, 1 run, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 1 SB) and Robinson Cano (2 for 3, HR, 2 RBI). Cody Ransom also scored 2 runs.

Alfredo Aceves relieved Mitre with 2 out and a runner on in the sixth, retiring the first batter he faced. He'd pitch a scoreless seventh and Phil Coke would do the same in the eighth, setting the table for Mariano Rivera, who was making an appearance in his fourth straight game. Three batters later, the game was over.

The Red Sox lost, giving the Yankees the AL East lead all alone at 56-37 - the best record in the American League, second only to Joe Torre's Dodgers in all of baseball.

Tomorrow at 1:05 PM ET, A.J. Burnett (8-4, 3.81) will face Jason Berken (1-7, 6.44).

Recap records: Patrick: 27–13, Seamus: 22–16, Andrew: 7–8.

The Yankees have designated Brett Tomko for assignment in order to make room for Sergio Mitre, reports Peter Abraham. Mitre will be making his Yankees debut tonight against Baltimore.

To be honest I thought this move was coming about a week earlier when they had to call up another reliever for the Angels series, instead of sending down Jonathan Albaladejo just days after he was called back up. I guess it doesn't really make a difference, though.

The Yankees got another walk-off win Monday night, this time thanks to Hideki Matsui, as the Yankees for the third straight day won by a score of 2–1. Matsui's walk-off home run, coupled with a Red Sox loss, put the Yanks into a first place tie with Boston in the A.L. East.

Not only was this the third straight game in which the Yankees won by a score of 2–1, but it was also the second straight game in which all three runs were scored on solo home runs. A homer by Long Island-born Nick Markakis put the Orioles up 1–0 in the 1st. The Yankees tied the game in the bottom of the 2nd with a solo shot by Eric Hinske. Hinske now has 4 home runs in just 15 at-bats as a Yankee (slugging 1.153). Neither team scored the rest of the way and the Yankees didn't even record a hit until Hideki Matsui ended the game with a home run to right with one out in the 9th.

Andy Pettitte was effective, going 7 and 1/3 innings and allowing just a run on 6 hits. Phil Coke finished out the 7th in relief of Pettitte without any trouble and recorded the first out in the 9th (he did hit a batter) before handing it over to Alfredo Aceves, who walked a batter but was able to escape further trouble. Aceves received the victory in this one and is now 4th on the team with 6 wins despite having only made one start this season.

The series will resume tonight in the Bronx as Sergio Mitre will be making his Yankee debut on the mound. Mitre was signed by the Yanks before the season began but had to serve a 50-game suspension after testing positive for a banned substance. His counterpart will be Rich Hill. Game time is 7:05 ET.

Recap records: Patrick: 26–13, Seamus: 22–16, Andrew: 7–8.

Wang was feeling good late last week, but MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports that he's experienced a setback: he's feeling some tenderness in his right biceps. He will not be throwing until at least Friday.

The Yankees today kicked off HOPE (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) Week, a new program which is described by MLB.com's Bryan Hoch as being "designed by the Yankees to bring to light five remarkable stories, which are intended to inspire individuals into action in their own communities." To start things off, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira appeared on the Today Show on NBC to talk a little about the program with Lester Holt and Meredith Viera.

I'll admit I didn't watch much of the Old Timer's game itself, but I did make sure to catch the introductions and all that ceremonial stuff. I guess I can be considered a bit of a young'un, so I was happy to see some of the guys I actually grew up watching; guys like Jeff Nelson, Homer Bush, Chad Curtis, Doc Gooden, Mike Mussina and even Pat Kelly. Of course there were the usuals such as Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson, Moose Skowron and of course good 'ol Yogi who remind us all of the legacy we hope our current heroes will be able to carry on. What really caught my attention though was the introduction of Don Zimmer, who had previously vowed to stay away from the Yankee organization after a rough divorce from the franchise in 2003. A visibly emotional Zim waved his cap as he got a long and loud standing ovation from the fans who decided to make it to the park early enough to catch the festivities.

After about an hour or so of the old timers getting in some action and testing out the surface of the new stadium for the first time, the stage was cleared out for the final game of the three-game set between the Yankees and Tigers. Sunday's game was another pitcher's duel, a 2–1 victory for the Yanks, as all three runs in the game were scored on solo home runs. Clete Thomas homered for the Tigers in the top of the 4th to put the Tigers ahead 1–0, A-Rod homered to left center in the bottom of the inning to tie the game, and Mark Teixeira put the Yankees ahead for good in the 6th with a solo shot to right.

Joba Chamberlain put in what was probably his best performance since an 8-inning performance in Cleveland on June 1, going 6 and 2/3 this time and allowing just a run on 3 hits. Phil Coke came in and recorded a one-pitch out to finish off the 7th, Phil Hughes pitched a scoreless 8th, and Mariano Rivera pitched the 9th and recorded his third save in as many days.

The Yankees will continue this 10-game homestand tonight as they'll begin a set with the Orioles. Andy Pettitte will take the mound for the Yanks and will face David Hernandez and the O's. Game time is slated for 7:05 ET.

Recap records: Patrick: 26–13, Seamus: 21–16, Andrew: 7–8.