Posted by: Patrick
MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports that X-rays done on the right foot of Jorge Posada have come back clean. Posada had fouled a ball off of his foot during last night's game, but remained in the game, throwing out a base stealer in the ninth.
Posted by: Patrick
The Yankees bashed their way to a 5-0 lead after 4 and 1/2 innings on Tuesday night. All of these runs came on homers. An A-Rod two run shot (scoring Teixeira), a Posada two run homer (Matsui) and a Matsui solo home run. And through 4, starter Chad Gaudin had things well in tow, holding the Angels scoreless on 3 hits and 1 walk.
But, the fifth inning was not his friend. After retiring the first two hits, he allowed a solo home run to Chone Figgins, a double to Maicer Izturis, walked Bobby Abreu and allowed an RBI single by Vladimir Guerrero. Joe Girardi went and got the book and brought out Alfredo Aceves, who retired Torii Hunter with runners on first and second to bring the fifth to a close.
The Angels came right back in the sixth, causing more trouble. An RBI single and a two out, bases loaded walk, cut the Yankees lead down to 1. Alex Rodriguez made a great, diving play down the line to retire Vladimir Guerrero for the final out.
After Aceves retired the first hitter in the seventh, Girardi turned to Damaso Marte, who promptly allowed a double to Kendry Morales and was just as promptly removed from the game. Phil Hughes was next in line and he retired the next two batters to end the 7th.
But, the fifth inning was not his friend. After retiring the first two hits, he allowed a solo home run to Chone Figgins, a double to Maicer Izturis, walked Bobby Abreu and allowed an RBI single by Vladimir Guerrero. Joe Girardi went and got the book and brought out Alfredo Aceves, who retired Torii Hunter with runners on first and second to bring the fifth to a close.
The Angels came right back in the sixth, causing more trouble. An RBI single and a two out, bases loaded walk, cut the Yankees lead down to 1. Alex Rodriguez made a great, diving play down the line to retire Vladimir Guerrero for the final out.
After Aceves retired the first hitter in the seventh, Girardi turned to Damaso Marte, who promptly allowed a double to Kendry Morales and was just as promptly removed from the game. Phil Hughes was next in line and he retired the next two batters to end the 7th.
Posted by: Patrick
Sponsored by Peter Abraham, here's some news that caught in interest:
Robertson on the Road: David Robertson had a bullpen session earlier today and it's sounding good. He hopes he'll need just one more such session before he's able to return.
Pettitte Earning Incentives: Abraham calculates that Pettitte will finish the season with a total salary of $10.5 million when all the incentives are counted. The deal worked out well for all sides, I'd say.
Nady Back: Xavier Nady is back with the club and will travel with the team for the rest of the season. Nady, out for the season after Tommy John surgery, will mainly be a source of moral support.
The Power of Mo: Finally, I couldn't let this joke pass, because it made me laugh. Panama President Ricardo Martinelli will be throwing out the first pitch for the September 25th game against the Red Sox. Abraham says: "If youre the president of Panama, one would assume that staying on the good side of Mariano Rivera is key to retaining power. One word from the Sandman and youre out." Ha.
Robertson on the Road: David Robertson had a bullpen session earlier today and it's sounding good. He hopes he'll need just one more such session before he's able to return.
Pettitte Earning Incentives: Abraham calculates that Pettitte will finish the season with a total salary of $10.5 million when all the incentives are counted. The deal worked out well for all sides, I'd say.
Nady Back: Xavier Nady is back with the club and will travel with the team for the rest of the season. Nady, out for the season after Tommy John surgery, will mainly be a source of moral support.
The Power of Mo: Finally, I couldn't let this joke pass, because it made me laugh. Panama President Ricardo Martinelli will be throwing out the first pitch for the September 25th game against the Red Sox. Abraham says: "If youre the president of Panama, one would assume that staying on the good side of Mariano Rivera is key to retaining power. One word from the Sandman and youre out." Ha.
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees continue to struggle in Angel Stadium. On Monday night they were outdueled by Joe Saunders and company en route to a 52 Angels victory. With the Rangers winning, the Yankees will still have to wait at least one more night to clinch a postseason berth. A loss by the Red Sox, however, puts the Yankees' magic number to clinch the A.L. East at 8 with 11 games to go (13 for Boston).
The Angels jumped ahead early and would lead from there on, as back-to-back doubles by Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter put them up 20 in the first.
The Yankees' only offense came via two solo home runs, one by Alex Rodriguez in the seventh and one by Hideki Matsui in the eighth. Both homers were neutralized, however, as the Angels would answer back with one run in the following inning each time. An RBI double by former Yankee Juan Rivera in the eighth capped off the scoring for the night and made it 52 Angels.
Joe Saunders was the better pitcher in this one (8.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R), but Andy Pettitte put in a respectable performance, allowing 3 runs in 6 innings as he kept the Yankees in the ballgame. Brian Bruney and Jonathan Albaladejo each gave up one run and two hits in relief, as they pitched the seventh and eighth innings respectively.
The Yankees will get another crack at clinching their 15th postseason birth in 16 years, as Chad Gaudin will go up against Ervin Santana tonight at 10:05 ET.
Recap records: Seamus: 4525, Patrick: 3920, Andrew: 1111
The Angels jumped ahead early and would lead from there on, as back-to-back doubles by Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter put them up 20 in the first.
The Yankees' only offense came via two solo home runs, one by Alex Rodriguez in the seventh and one by Hideki Matsui in the eighth. Both homers were neutralized, however, as the Angels would answer back with one run in the following inning each time. An RBI double by former Yankee Juan Rivera in the eighth capped off the scoring for the night and made it 52 Angels.
Joe Saunders was the better pitcher in this one (8.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R), but Andy Pettitte put in a respectable performance, allowing 3 runs in 6 innings as he kept the Yankees in the ballgame. Brian Bruney and Jonathan Albaladejo each gave up one run and two hits in relief, as they pitched the seventh and eighth innings respectively.
The Yankees will get another crack at clinching their 15th postseason birth in 16 years, as Chad Gaudin will go up against Ervin Santana tonight at 10:05 ET.
Recap records: Seamus: 4525, Patrick: 3920, Andrew: 1111
Posted by: Patrick
In a 5-4 victory over Dave of Pride of the Yankees, Dan of Pinstripes, Pa. came away with the crown in the 2009 Yankees Bloggers Fantasy Baseball League. The pair tied in saves with 3 each. This proved pivotal as a tie would have gone to Dave who had the first tiebreaker (ERA) locked up. Congratulations to Dan!
Thank you to everyone who participated this season. Here are the final standings:
Thank you to everyone who participated this season. Here are the final standings:
Rank Team W-L-T Pct GB
1. Dan (PA) 92-102-16 .476 21.5
2. Dave (POTY) 104-97-9 .517 13
3. Eric (PP) 116-83-11 .579 -
4. Greg (SIH) 101-100-9 .502 16
5. Patrick (YB) 108-93-9 .536 9
6. Aziz (POTY) 113-84-13 .569 2
7. YankeeGM 110-88-12 .552 5.5
8. Steve (M2M) 86-112-12 .438 29.5
9. Andrew (SPA) 82-114-14 .424 32.5
10. Seamus (YB) 78-117-15 .407 36
Posted by: Seamus
Joba Chamberlain was torched by the Mariners Sunday afternoon as he continues to struggle, and the Yankees left Seattle on a losing note after taking a 71 pounding from the M's.
The Yankees had intended to use Joba for 5 innings but he lasted only 3, getting rocked to the tune of 7 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. The big blow in this one was a three-run homer by Ken Griffey Jr. in the second that blew the game open and gave Seattle a 70 lead.
Once Joba was taken out of the mix, the Yankees actually outscored the Mariners 10 over the last 6 innings, thanks to a great cleanup job by Sergio Mitre. Mitre pitched the last 5 innings of the game, allowing just one hit and retiring the last 13 batters he faced (15 of 16 total).
Offensively the Yankees didn't get much, aside from a 3-hit day from Mark Teixeira who is starting to sizzle again and an RBI double from Jorge Posada, who returned Sunday from his 3-game suspension.
A loss by the Rangers' clinched at least a wild card tie for the Yankees, but the Bombers will have to wait at least one more night to officially seal a trip to the postseason as their magic number is still at 1. The Yankees will be in Anaheim tonight and will try to solve their Angel Stadium woes. Andy Pettitte will be facing off against Joe Saunders at 10:05 ET.
Recap records: Seamus: 4524, Patrick: 3920, Andrew: 1111
The Yankees had intended to use Joba for 5 innings but he lasted only 3, getting rocked to the tune of 7 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. The big blow in this one was a three-run homer by Ken Griffey Jr. in the second that blew the game open and gave Seattle a 70 lead.
Once Joba was taken out of the mix, the Yankees actually outscored the Mariners 10 over the last 6 innings, thanks to a great cleanup job by Sergio Mitre. Mitre pitched the last 5 innings of the game, allowing just one hit and retiring the last 13 batters he faced (15 of 16 total).
Offensively the Yankees didn't get much, aside from a 3-hit day from Mark Teixeira who is starting to sizzle again and an RBI double from Jorge Posada, who returned Sunday from his 3-game suspension.
A loss by the Rangers' clinched at least a wild card tie for the Yankees, but the Bombers will have to wait at least one more night to officially seal a trip to the postseason as their magic number is still at 1. The Yankees will be in Anaheim tonight and will try to solve their Angel Stadium woes. Andy Pettitte will be facing off against Joe Saunders at 10:05 ET.
Recap records: Seamus: 4524, Patrick: 3920, Andrew: 1111
Posted by: Patrick
As we mentioned yesterday, this year's rookie hazing theme was 1960s Batman. Peter Abraham has the picture.
Posted by: Patrick
CC Sabathia was cruising on Saturday night, having allowed no runs and 3 hits through the first 4.2 innings. Then, we all got a bit of a scare when a liner back to the pitcher struck CC in the chest. It's a good thing he's such a big man: a shorter pitcher might have taken the ball in the face.
But, that was the only way the Mariners would be able to score. After Franklin Gutierrez reached first on the play, Jose Lopez hit a grounder to A-Rod that turned into a throwing error, leading to an unearned run. Sabathia then retired the final seven batters that he faced, yielding to Brian Bruney for the eighth.
Bruney and Jonathan Albaladejo threw back to back scoreless frames to end it, but not without a little drama. Bruney put runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out before settling down, while Albaladejo had runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs before he did the same.
The offense gave the pitchers plenty of margin for error. Mark Teixiera drove in the first run, scoring Johnny Damon on his third triple in five games.
Hideki Matsui added a solo homer in the 4th, breaking the record for most home runs in a season by a Yankees DH. Don Baylor, with 25 in 1984, had set the previous mark.
But, that was the only way the Mariners would be able to score. After Franklin Gutierrez reached first on the play, Jose Lopez hit a grounder to A-Rod that turned into a throwing error, leading to an unearned run. Sabathia then retired the final seven batters that he faced, yielding to Brian Bruney for the eighth.
Bruney and Jonathan Albaladejo threw back to back scoreless frames to end it, but not without a little drama. Bruney put runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out before settling down, while Albaladejo had runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs before he did the same.
The offense gave the pitchers plenty of margin for error. Mark Teixiera drove in the first run, scoring Johnny Damon on his third triple in five games.
Hideki Matsui added a solo homer in the 4th, breaking the record for most home runs in a season by a Yankees DH. Don Baylor, with 25 in 1984, had set the previous mark.
09/19: Phil and the Hammer
Posted by: Patrick
Tyler Kepner of the Times has a feature on Mariano Rivera's emotional consistency with Phil Hughes talking about the closer and their relationship.
Via Joseph Pawlikowski.
Via Joseph Pawlikowski.
Posted by: Patrick
As hinted at earlier in the day, Ian Kennedy has made his way back to the Majors and will be utilized in spot starter or long relief roles, reports Peter Abraham. Great moment for Ian. In May, he had surgery to remove an aneurysm. Now, in September, he's with the big league club.
