Posted by: Patrick
Sam Borden reports that Melky Cabrera may have a full hamstring tear, rendering him inactive for the rest of the World Series. Brian Cashman told Borden that under MLB rules, the Yankees could petition for a new player if it is decided that Melky cannot play. He said that, if that happened, the player selected would be someone who was with the team right now. Borden says that this likely means it'll be one of Francisco Cervelli, Freddy Guzman, Ramiro Pena and Sergio Mitre.
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees are now just 27 outs away from wrapping up their 27th World Series title, thanks to a tie-braking 9th inning rally that led to a 74 victory over the Phillies and a commanding 31 series lead. This latest installment of the 2009 World Series was a seesaw, back-and-forth affair in which the Philles rallied from two separate two-run deficits before the Yankees finally put them away in the final inning.
The Yankees jumped ahead against Joe Blanton in the first inning on a series of productive outs. A ground out by Mark Teixeira to first scored Derek Jeter from third and also moved Johnny Damon from second to third. Damon was brought home on a sacrifice fly by Jorge Posada after Alex Rodriguez was hit by a pitch.
The HBP was the third for A-Rod in the last two nights, prompting home plate umpire Mike Everitt to issue a warning to both benches. The warning could have turned out to be huge, because it potentially could have taken the inside part of the plate away from both pitchers before CC Sabathia even took the mound, but it didn't really seem to be much of an issue and there were no further extracurricular fireworks to speak of in the game.
Philadelphia would bounce back with a run in the bottom of the inning as Sabathia's apparent nemesis, Chase Utley doubled home a run, scoring Shane Victorino from second with a knock to right to pull the Phillies to within a run. The Phils would later tie the game in the bottom of the 4th, as a base hit by Pedro Feliz scored a hustling Ryan Howard from second.
The Yanks would get those two runs back in the 5th. A ground ball to the left side by Derek Jeter found a hole and rolled in to the outfield, scoring Nick Swisher from second to give the Yankees a 32 lead. Johnny Damon was next up and he would add some insurance, scoring Melky Cabrera from second on a base hit to right.
The Phillies would claw back again, however. In the bottom of the 7th, Chase Utley took Sabathia deep for the third time in this series, pulling Philly to within 43. That was the end of the night for CC, who in 6 and 2/3 labored a bit, but was in position to win the game as he left. Sabathia did allow 10 runners to reach base, 7 of them on hits and 3 via walks, allowing 3 runs while striking out 6.
Damaso Marte was able to finish the 7th without any damage, but Joba Chamberlain was not quite so fortunate in the 8th. Joba struck out the side, but it was not before Pedro Feliz took him deep to tie the game for the second time, this time at 4 apiece.
The Yankees would eventually deliver the final knockout punches in the 9th. Brad Lidge entered the game and retired the first two batters he faced, before Johnny Damon kept the inning alive with a line drive single to left. With Mark Teixeira up next, Damon stole both second and third base on a bizarre play in which no Phillies defender had been covering third base because of the defensive shift they put on for the pull-hitting Mark Teixeira. Teixeira was later hit by a pitch, making the stolen bases a bit less consequential.
That set the stage for A-Rod, who delivered, to date, his biggest hit as a Yankee and probably his career to this point, breaking the tie with a double to left field that scored Damon from third. Jorge Posada would add two more runs to the scoreboard for good measure, as he lined one into the left-center field gap, scoring both Teixeira and Rodriguez to put the Yankees ahead 74. Posada tried to stretch the play into a double, but was tagged out well before making it to second base to end the top half of the inning.
Mariano Rivera would enter the game to close things out in the bottom of the 9th, and as he customarily does, went through an opposing lineup in the World Series without even having to breathe. Rivera retired the side in order, giving the Yanks a 31 series edge, and giving the Yanks an opportunity to wrap up the series as early as tonight.
A.J. Burnett will take the mound tonight on short rest, and will hope to put his team in a position to wrap up their 27th World Championship. It won't be a cakewalk, though, as he'll be up against Cliff Lee and the Phils. Get your champagne ready, folks. Game starts at 7:57 ET.
The Yankees jumped ahead against Joe Blanton in the first inning on a series of productive outs. A ground out by Mark Teixeira to first scored Derek Jeter from third and also moved Johnny Damon from second to third. Damon was brought home on a sacrifice fly by Jorge Posada after Alex Rodriguez was hit by a pitch.
The HBP was the third for A-Rod in the last two nights, prompting home plate umpire Mike Everitt to issue a warning to both benches. The warning could have turned out to be huge, because it potentially could have taken the inside part of the plate away from both pitchers before CC Sabathia even took the mound, but it didn't really seem to be much of an issue and there were no further extracurricular fireworks to speak of in the game.
Philadelphia would bounce back with a run in the bottom of the inning as Sabathia's apparent nemesis, Chase Utley doubled home a run, scoring Shane Victorino from second with a knock to right to pull the Phillies to within a run. The Phils would later tie the game in the bottom of the 4th, as a base hit by Pedro Feliz scored a hustling Ryan Howard from second.
The Yanks would get those two runs back in the 5th. A ground ball to the left side by Derek Jeter found a hole and rolled in to the outfield, scoring Nick Swisher from second to give the Yankees a 32 lead. Johnny Damon was next up and he would add some insurance, scoring Melky Cabrera from second on a base hit to right.
The Phillies would claw back again, however. In the bottom of the 7th, Chase Utley took Sabathia deep for the third time in this series, pulling Philly to within 43. That was the end of the night for CC, who in 6 and 2/3 labored a bit, but was in position to win the game as he left. Sabathia did allow 10 runners to reach base, 7 of them on hits and 3 via walks, allowing 3 runs while striking out 6.
Damaso Marte was able to finish the 7th without any damage, but Joba Chamberlain was not quite so fortunate in the 8th. Joba struck out the side, but it was not before Pedro Feliz took him deep to tie the game for the second time, this time at 4 apiece.
The Yankees would eventually deliver the final knockout punches in the 9th. Brad Lidge entered the game and retired the first two batters he faced, before Johnny Damon kept the inning alive with a line drive single to left. With Mark Teixeira up next, Damon stole both second and third base on a bizarre play in which no Phillies defender had been covering third base because of the defensive shift they put on for the pull-hitting Mark Teixeira. Teixeira was later hit by a pitch, making the stolen bases a bit less consequential.
That set the stage for A-Rod, who delivered, to date, his biggest hit as a Yankee and probably his career to this point, breaking the tie with a double to left field that scored Damon from third. Jorge Posada would add two more runs to the scoreboard for good measure, as he lined one into the left-center field gap, scoring both Teixeira and Rodriguez to put the Yankees ahead 74. Posada tried to stretch the play into a double, but was tagged out well before making it to second base to end the top half of the inning.
Mariano Rivera would enter the game to close things out in the bottom of the 9th, and as he customarily does, went through an opposing lineup in the World Series without even having to breathe. Rivera retired the side in order, giving the Yanks a 31 series edge, and giving the Yanks an opportunity to wrap up the series as early as tonight.
A.J. Burnett will take the mound tonight on short rest, and will hope to put his team in a position to wrap up their 27th World Championship. It won't be a cakewalk, though, as he'll be up against Cliff Lee and the Phils. Get your champagne ready, folks. Game starts at 7:57 ET.
Posted by: Patrick
MLB.com's Barry M. Bloom reports that Derek Jeter has been named as the American League Hank Aaron Award winner, the second such award he has won (the first was in 2006). It was created to honor the top offensive performer in each league and was determined by an online vote.
Posted by: Patrick
On Halloween night, the Yankees sent Andy Pettitte up against Cole Hamels as the Yankees stepped into Citizens Bank Park for the first time since June 21, 2006.
The first run of the day came when Jayson Werth led off the bottom of the second with a home run to put the Phillies. It didn't stop there. After a Raul Ibanez strike out, Pedro Feliz doubled and Carlos Ruiz walked. Hamels, the pitcher, laid down a bunt that neither Pettitte nor Jorge Posada fielded, which loaded the bases with one out. Pettitte would issue a bases loaded walk to Jimmy Rollins for the second run and Shane Victorino's sacrifice fly brought the third one in. After the dust settled, the Yankees found themselves down 3-0.
In the fourth, the Yankees would answer. A one out walk to Mark Teixeira brought A-Rod to the plate. He hit what at first looked like a double. But, upon watching the replay, it was clear that the ball had hit a camera that was leaning over the right field fence slightly. A-Rod felt it was actually a home run and Joe Girardi came out to request a replay review. The umpires did so and upon further review, they declared it a home run. The Phillies still had the lead, but it was down to 3-2.
Nick Swisher finally broke out in the fifth with a lead-off double. Melky Cabrera struck out for the next out and Pettitte was the next hitter. The lefty delivered a single that scored Swisher. Derek Jeter followed this up with a single to move Pettitte to second. Johnny Damon came through with the go ahead double to put the Yankees ahead 5-3. In the top of the sixth, Swisher added what had to be a gratifying home run off of Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ to move the Yankees to 6 runs.
The first run of the day came when Jayson Werth led off the bottom of the second with a home run to put the Phillies. It didn't stop there. After a Raul Ibanez strike out, Pedro Feliz doubled and Carlos Ruiz walked. Hamels, the pitcher, laid down a bunt that neither Pettitte nor Jorge Posada fielded, which loaded the bases with one out. Pettitte would issue a bases loaded walk to Jimmy Rollins for the second run and Shane Victorino's sacrifice fly brought the third one in. After the dust settled, the Yankees found themselves down 3-0.
In the fourth, the Yankees would answer. A one out walk to Mark Teixeira brought A-Rod to the plate. He hit what at first looked like a double. But, upon watching the replay, it was clear that the ball had hit a camera that was leaning over the right field fence slightly. A-Rod felt it was actually a home run and Joe Girardi came out to request a replay review. The umpires did so and upon further review, they declared it a home run. The Phillies still had the lead, but it was down to 3-2.
Nick Swisher finally broke out in the fifth with a lead-off double. Melky Cabrera struck out for the next out and Pettitte was the next hitter. The lefty delivered a single that scored Swisher. Derek Jeter followed this up with a single to move Pettitte to second. Johnny Damon came through with the go ahead double to put the Yankees ahead 5-3. In the top of the sixth, Swisher added what had to be a gratifying home run off of Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ to move the Yankees to 6 runs.
Posted by: Patrick
Steve Serby has a Q&A with George Steinbrenner. Of course, it's through his spokesperson Howard Rubenstein, so it's kind of like a series of issued statements. But, nonetheless, it's an interesting read and the Boss shines through.
10/31: Joe Blanton to Start Game 4
Posted by: Patrick
The Philadelphia Daily News reports that the Phillies have elected to start Joe Blanton over Cliff Lee on short rest in game 4 of the World Series on Sunday. CC Sabathia is likely to be his opponent.
Via Justin Sablich.
Via Justin Sablich.
Posted by: Patrick
With much hoopla, Pedro Martinez returned to postseason baseball at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night, facing A.J. Burnett in Burnett's first ever World Series start.
The Phillies struck first, in the second inning, when Matt Stairs hit a hard grounder by A-Rod, scoring Raul Ibanez to take a 1-0 lead.
Mark Teixeira put the Yankees on the board with a solo home run in the fourth. And Hideki Matsui would hit one of his own in the sixth, moving the Yankees ahead, 2-1.
Pedro's night was at an end after back to back singles by Jerry Hairston Jr. and Melky Cabrera to start the bottom of the seventh. Joe Girardi opted to punch hit Jorge Posada for Jose Molina and the Phillies brought in Chan Ho Park to face him. But, he delivered a single to put the Yankees ahead 3-1.
After a weird bunt foul out by Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon hit a line drive to Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard. Howard scooped the ball, but it was really close to being a catch and the umpire called Damon out. Posada, thinking it was a ground ball, had advanced to second and was easily doubled off. After some debate with Girardi and the Yankees waiting to take the field, the umpires decided to stick with the incorrect call and the game moved to the top of the eighth. In comes Mariano Rivera.
The Phillies struck first, in the second inning, when Matt Stairs hit a hard grounder by A-Rod, scoring Raul Ibanez to take a 1-0 lead.
Mark Teixeira put the Yankees on the board with a solo home run in the fourth. And Hideki Matsui would hit one of his own in the sixth, moving the Yankees ahead, 2-1.
Pedro's night was at an end after back to back singles by Jerry Hairston Jr. and Melky Cabrera to start the bottom of the seventh. Joe Girardi opted to punch hit Jorge Posada for Jose Molina and the Phillies brought in Chan Ho Park to face him. But, he delivered a single to put the Yankees ahead 3-1.
After a weird bunt foul out by Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon hit a line drive to Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard. Howard scooped the ball, but it was really close to being a catch and the umpire called Damon out. Posada, thinking it was a ground ball, had advanced to second and was easily doubled off. After some debate with Girardi and the Yankees waiting to take the field, the umpires decided to stick with the incorrect call and the game moved to the top of the eighth. In comes Mariano Rivera.
Posted by: Patrick
Howie Rumberg at the AP reports that Derek Jeter was named as the recipient of the 2009 Roberto Clemente Award, which honors an MLB player for his service to the community. Well done.
Posted by: Seamus
The first World Series game at the new Yankee Stadium was one for the Yankees to forget. Cliff Lee, Chase Utley and the rest of the defending champion Phillies dominated the Yankees in Game 1 of the 2009 World Series, winning the game by a final score of 61.
The game was scoreless until the 3rd inning, when Chase Utley went yard off of CC Sabathia to give the Phils a 10 early advantage. Utley would strike once again in the 6th, taking an 0-2 pitch deep into the right field bleachers for his second solo shot of the game and a 20 lead for Philadelphia.
The Phillies would tack on two more runs in each of the 8th and 9th innings, rolling to an eventual 61 final score.
The Yankees just could not get anything going offensively, striking out 10 times and not drawing a walk against Cliff Lee. While the Yankees used six pitchers, Lee went the distance for the Phillies in this one, with the only Yankee run coming on a throwing error by Jimmy Rollins in the 9th inning.
Despite the Yankees' offensive futility, the Yankees found themselves still in the game most of the way thanks to a nice job by CC Sabathia on the mound. CC allowed just 4 hits in 7 innings, with just the two runs scoring on the solo home runs by Chase Utley.
One interesting albeit rather useless stat from Wednesday night's game: None of the Yankees who were playing in their first World Series game (Teixeira, A-Rod, Cano, Swisher, Cabrera) had a hit in the game and were a combined 0for-17. Each of the four Yankees who DID have World Series experience coming in (Jeter, Damon, Posada, Matsui) had at least one hit and were a combined 6-for-15.
The Yankees will take another crack at the Phillies in a huge Game 2 in the Bronx tonight. A.J. Burnett will make his first World Series start while the Yankees will matchup against old friend Pedro Martinez. Scheduled start time is 7:57 ET.
The game was scoreless until the 3rd inning, when Chase Utley went yard off of CC Sabathia to give the Phils a 10 early advantage. Utley would strike once again in the 6th, taking an 0-2 pitch deep into the right field bleachers for his second solo shot of the game and a 20 lead for Philadelphia.
The Phillies would tack on two more runs in each of the 8th and 9th innings, rolling to an eventual 61 final score.
The Yankees just could not get anything going offensively, striking out 10 times and not drawing a walk against Cliff Lee. While the Yankees used six pitchers, Lee went the distance for the Phillies in this one, with the only Yankee run coming on a throwing error by Jimmy Rollins in the 9th inning.
Despite the Yankees' offensive futility, the Yankees found themselves still in the game most of the way thanks to a nice job by CC Sabathia on the mound. CC allowed just 4 hits in 7 innings, with just the two runs scoring on the solo home runs by Chase Utley.
One interesting albeit rather useless stat from Wednesday night's game: None of the Yankees who were playing in their first World Series game (Teixeira, A-Rod, Cano, Swisher, Cabrera) had a hit in the game and were a combined 0for-17. Each of the four Yankees who DID have World Series experience coming in (Jeter, Damon, Posada, Matsui) had at least one hit and were a combined 6-for-15.
The Yankees will take another crack at the Phillies in a huge Game 2 in the Bronx tonight. A.J. Burnett will make his first World Series start while the Yankees will matchup against old friend Pedro Martinez. Scheduled start time is 7:57 ET.
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees have altered their roster just a touch from what they had in the ALCS, dropping Freddy Guzman and Francisco Cervelli in favor of Brian Bruney and Eric Hinske.
With the subtraction of Cervelli one might wonder if Joe Girardi will still go with Jose Molina as the personal catcher for A.J. Burnett in this series. Burnett pitched well through most of the postseason, but was shelled to the tune of 6 runs in his last start out in Anaheim.
Leaving Guzman off the roster seems like an easy decision considering that he is..well, rather useless, especially with a guy like Brett Gardner coming off the bench. Not exactly sure why Girardi decided to go with Brian Bruney after not pitching for almost a month, but having an extra pitcher is not the worst idea since not having the DH for three games will give the Yankees an extra bat off the bench anyway.
With the subtraction of Cervelli one might wonder if Joe Girardi will still go with Jose Molina as the personal catcher for A.J. Burnett in this series. Burnett pitched well through most of the postseason, but was shelled to the tune of 6 runs in his last start out in Anaheim.
Leaving Guzman off the roster seems like an easy decision considering that he is..well, rather useless, especially with a guy like Brett Gardner coming off the bench. Not exactly sure why Girardi decided to go with Brian Bruney after not pitching for almost a month, but having an extra pitcher is not the worst idea since not having the DH for three games will give the Yankees an extra bat off the bench anyway.
