Posted by: Patrick
SI.com's Jon Heyman reported that the Yankees had invited Aroldis Chapman to ALCS game 6.
On his Twitter, ESPN's Jorge Arangure reports that, according to a source, Brian Cashman and other team officials had "good conversations" with the lefty. It couldn't hurt to have him watch the team win a pennant. That has to be a good selling point, no?
On his Twitter, ESPN's Jorge Arangure reports that, according to a source, Brian Cashman and other team officials had "good conversations" with the lefty. It couldn't hurt to have him watch the team win a pennant. That has to be a good selling point, no?
Posted by: Seamus
The Phillies' quest to any possible repeat will have to include a stop in the Bronx as the Yankees put away the Halos with a 5–2 victory at Yankee Stadium. The pennant is the Yanks' first since 2003 and their 40th overall, and the Yankees have now opened up each rendition of Yankee Stadium with a trip to the Series (1923, 1976, 2009).
The Yankees had an early scare, as an RBI single by Bobby Abreu in the 3rd put the Angels up 1–0. The Yankees would answer back an inning later, however, as Johnny Damon put the Yankees ahead with a two-run single in the bottom of the 4th. A walk to A-Rod with the bases loaded later in the inning made it 3–1 Yankees.
Andy Pettitte was clearly unaffected by Saturday's rainout, as he held the Angels to just a run on seven hits in 6 and 1/3 innings. Joba Chamberlain finished out the 7th in relief of Pettitte, and recorded two quick outs before Joe Girardi went to Mariano Rivera in the 8th for an attempt at a 6-out save.
Rivera was touched up a bit in the 8th, and the Angels pulled to within a run when Vladimir Guerrero brought home Chone Figgins from second with an RBI single. The Yankees would add some insurance in the bottom of the inning, though, as Scott Kazmir threw the ball over the head of Kendry Morales at first after a sacrifice bunt by Melky Cabrera, making it 4–2 Yankees. A sacrifice fly to deep center field by Mark Teixeira would make it 5–2.
Mo went back to work in the ninth, and this time didn't even give the Angels a chance to breathe. He put down the side in order, capping the pennant off by getting Gary Matthews Jr. to wiff at a 3-2 pitch on the high outside corner.
So the Yankees are now set up for a date with the Phillies in the World Series. For what it's worth, the Yanks went 1–2 against the Phils this year, losing two out of three in an interleague series at Yankee Stadium. The series will actually be the second Fall Classic between these two teams, as the Yankees swept the Phillies 4–0 in the 1950 World Series. The series will begin Wednesday with a battle of former Indians teammates, as CC Sabathia and the Yanks will be up against Cliff Lee and the Phillies.
The Yankees had an early scare, as an RBI single by Bobby Abreu in the 3rd put the Angels up 1–0. The Yankees would answer back an inning later, however, as Johnny Damon put the Yankees ahead with a two-run single in the bottom of the 4th. A walk to A-Rod with the bases loaded later in the inning made it 3–1 Yankees.
Andy Pettitte was clearly unaffected by Saturday's rainout, as he held the Angels to just a run on seven hits in 6 and 1/3 innings. Joba Chamberlain finished out the 7th in relief of Pettitte, and recorded two quick outs before Joe Girardi went to Mariano Rivera in the 8th for an attempt at a 6-out save.
Rivera was touched up a bit in the 8th, and the Angels pulled to within a run when Vladimir Guerrero brought home Chone Figgins from second with an RBI single. The Yankees would add some insurance in the bottom of the inning, though, as Scott Kazmir threw the ball over the head of Kendry Morales at first after a sacrifice bunt by Melky Cabrera, making it 4–2 Yankees. A sacrifice fly to deep center field by Mark Teixeira would make it 5–2.
Mo went back to work in the ninth, and this time didn't even give the Angels a chance to breathe. He put down the side in order, capping the pennant off by getting Gary Matthews Jr. to wiff at a 3-2 pitch on the high outside corner.
So the Yankees are now set up for a date with the Phillies in the World Series. For what it's worth, the Yanks went 1–2 against the Phils this year, losing two out of three in an interleague series at Yankee Stadium. The series will actually be the second Fall Classic between these two teams, as the Yankees swept the Phillies 4–0 in the 1950 World Series. The series will begin Wednesday with a battle of former Indians teammates, as CC Sabathia and the Yanks will be up against Cliff Lee and the Phillies.
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees found themselves just nine outs away from a trip to the World Series, but a 7th inning tandem of A.J. Burnett, Damaso Marte and Phil Hughes couldn't hold a 6-4 lead and this series will be heading back to New York for a Game 6 on Saturday.
The game at first looked like the Yanks might not even get into it, as A.J. Burnett allowed 4 runs to score before recording an out in the game. Burnett would settle down, however, as he held the Angels scoreless from that point on through the 6th inning.
The Yankees struggled to get anything going offensively as John Lackey kept them off the scoreboard through 6 and 2/3. That would all change with two outs in the 7th, as the Halos went to Darren Oliver to face Mark Teixiera and Teixeira made them pay. With the bases loaded, Tex lined a double through the left-center field gap for 3 runs, pulling the Yankees to within 4-3. After a walk to A-Rod, Hideki Matsui tied the game with a base hit up the middle. Robinson Cano would then put the Yankees up 6-4 with a two-run double to cap off a 6-run inning.
The lead was short-lived. After Burnett put the first two batters on, Joe Girardi went to Damaso Marte and then Phil Hughes, who couldn't keep the Yanks on top of the scoreboard. Vladimir Guerrero would eventually tie the game with a base hit and Kendry Morales would put the Angels ahead, this time for good, with a ground ball that found its way into right field.
The Yanks did threaten in the 9th, but Nick Swisher ended a lengthy two-out at-bat by popping up to shallow left with the bases loaded to end the game.
So back to the Bronx we go. The teams will meet again for Game 6 on Saturday at 7:57 ET, weather permitting. Andy Pettitte will face off against Joe Saunders.
The game at first looked like the Yanks might not even get into it, as A.J. Burnett allowed 4 runs to score before recording an out in the game. Burnett would settle down, however, as he held the Angels scoreless from that point on through the 6th inning.
The Yankees struggled to get anything going offensively as John Lackey kept them off the scoreboard through 6 and 2/3. That would all change with two outs in the 7th, as the Halos went to Darren Oliver to face Mark Teixiera and Teixeira made them pay. With the bases loaded, Tex lined a double through the left-center field gap for 3 runs, pulling the Yankees to within 4-3. After a walk to A-Rod, Hideki Matsui tied the game with a base hit up the middle. Robinson Cano would then put the Yankees up 6-4 with a two-run double to cap off a 6-run inning.
The lead was short-lived. After Burnett put the first two batters on, Joe Girardi went to Damaso Marte and then Phil Hughes, who couldn't keep the Yanks on top of the scoreboard. Vladimir Guerrero would eventually tie the game with a base hit and Kendry Morales would put the Angels ahead, this time for good, with a ground ball that found its way into right field.
The Yanks did threaten in the 9th, but Nick Swisher ended a lengthy two-out at-bat by popping up to shallow left with the bases loaded to end the game.
So back to the Bronx we go. The teams will meet again for Game 6 on Saturday at 7:57 ET, weather permitting. Andy Pettitte will face off against Joe Saunders.
10/20: Sabathia Dominates on Short Rest; Big Nights from Melky and A-Rod Put Yankees One Away from Pennant
Posted by: Patrick
In a night where bad umpiring was a story that didn't impact the outcome of the game, CC Sabathia gave the Yankees a dominating start on 3 days rest as the team moved within a game of an American League pennant.
Having been held scoreless through the first three innings by Scott Kazmir, the Yankees broke through in the fourth after A-Rod and Jorge Posada led off with a single and double respectively. After a Hideki Matsui strike out, Robinson Cano would hit a grounder just slow enough for Alex Rodriguez to score, sliding under Angels catcher Mike Napoli. Posada moved to third on the play.
After Nick Swisher walked to load the bases, Melky delivered with a two RBI single, putting the Yankees up at 3-0. Swisher was the aim of a pick-off attempt at second base and video replays showed him to be out, even though he was called safe. He would advance to third as Derek Jeter walked to load them up once more.
However, one bad call begot another as Johnny Damon hit what appeared to be a sure thing sacrifice fly. Swisher tagged and scored. Wait, not quite. The Angels questioned whether or not Swisher had left the base early and third base umpire and crew chief Tim McClelland decided that Swisher hadn't. Once again, replays showed this to be the wrong call.
Having been held scoreless through the first three innings by Scott Kazmir, the Yankees broke through in the fourth after A-Rod and Jorge Posada led off with a single and double respectively. After a Hideki Matsui strike out, Robinson Cano would hit a grounder just slow enough for Alex Rodriguez to score, sliding under Angels catcher Mike Napoli. Posada moved to third on the play.
After Nick Swisher walked to load the bases, Melky delivered with a two RBI single, putting the Yankees up at 3-0. Swisher was the aim of a pick-off attempt at second base and video replays showed him to be out, even though he was called safe. He would advance to third as Derek Jeter walked to load them up once more.
However, one bad call begot another as Johnny Damon hit what appeared to be a sure thing sacrifice fly. Swisher tagged and scored. Wait, not quite. The Angels questioned whether or not Swisher had left the base early and third base umpire and crew chief Tim McClelland decided that Swisher hadn't. Once again, replays showed this to be the wrong call.
Posted by: Patrick
Joel Sherman and George King of the Post report that MLB has investigated the alleged Mariano Rivera spitball and have concluded that Mo did not spit on the baseball. I doubt it'll do much to effect the people who believe he did, but it's nice to have a quick, official response to this.
Posted by: Patrick
So, let's acknowledge this story. In the clip below, popularized by Angels fan blog Halos Heaven, Mariano Rivera is shown spitting in the general direction of a baseball he is holding, in the 10th inning of last night's ALCS game 3. Here's the clip:
The post at Halos Heaven is tremendously unfair and short sighted, unfortunately. Even if Mo comes out today and admits to using a spitball for his entire career, the post would still be unfair and short sighted. While suggesting that "you be the judge," it also calls the clip "pretty conclusive evidence of why Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera is able to throw only one pitch that has unpredictable, yet precise movement." Really? You're ready to throw a man's entire career away because of an 11 second clip where he may or may not have spit on a baseball? This goes beyond team loyalty and into fairness in judgment. This is really a case of treat people as you'd want to be treated. It makes me think of the discussion we had on the "Social Media: The Bad and The Ugly" panel, on which I was a panelist, at Blog World & New Media Expo, which I just returned from.
At it's very best, the clip is inconclusive, and it is just as likely that Mo spit in the direction of the baseball while holding it, as he did actually spit at it. As Big League Stew's 'Duk points out, the white shadow that some people are taking to be spit hitting the baseball, is actually the Majestic logo on Mike Scioscia's jersey.
In our society, we build people up to tear them down. Rivera, revered by players, front office people, fans and press alike, is in a special tier of player. He is a rare blend of performance and success as a human being. Unfortunately, because he has done things the right way, those looking for him doing the wrong thing will look that much harder to find something that could cast him in a bad light and this may be an example of it.
At the end of the day, the only factual thing about this clip is that Mariano Rivera spit in the general direction of the baseball while holding it. Everything, and I mean everything, else is not fact; it's opinion or speculation. It comes down to what you want to believe and how much you want to judge from an inconclusive video clip.
Choose what you want to believe, but be open to people judging you in the same manner.
The post at Halos Heaven is tremendously unfair and short sighted, unfortunately. Even if Mo comes out today and admits to using a spitball for his entire career, the post would still be unfair and short sighted. While suggesting that "you be the judge," it also calls the clip "pretty conclusive evidence of why Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera is able to throw only one pitch that has unpredictable, yet precise movement." Really? You're ready to throw a man's entire career away because of an 11 second clip where he may or may not have spit on a baseball? This goes beyond team loyalty and into fairness in judgment. This is really a case of treat people as you'd want to be treated. It makes me think of the discussion we had on the "Social Media: The Bad and The Ugly" panel, on which I was a panelist, at Blog World & New Media Expo, which I just returned from.
At it's very best, the clip is inconclusive, and it is just as likely that Mo spit in the direction of the baseball while holding it, as he did actually spit at it. As Big League Stew's 'Duk points out, the white shadow that some people are taking to be spit hitting the baseball, is actually the Majestic logo on Mike Scioscia's jersey.
In our society, we build people up to tear them down. Rivera, revered by players, front office people, fans and press alike, is in a special tier of player. He is a rare blend of performance and success as a human being. Unfortunately, because he has done things the right way, those looking for him doing the wrong thing will look that much harder to find something that could cast him in a bad light and this may be an example of it.
At the end of the day, the only factual thing about this clip is that Mariano Rivera spit in the general direction of the baseball while holding it. Everything, and I mean everything, else is not fact; it's opinion or speculation. It comes down to what you want to believe and how much you want to judge from an inconclusive video clip.
Choose what you want to believe, but be open to people judging you in the same manner.
Posted by: Seamus
Well, it all started off well enough. Derek Jeter led the game off with a home run, the Yankees led the game 3–0 halfway through, and Andy Pettitte had the Angels scoreless through the first four innings of the game. The Yankees even got some more timely extra inning pitching and defense that made it look like they might be headed for another tight postseason victory. This time, however, it wasn't meant to be as some over-managing by Joe Girardi cost the Yankees a chance at a 3–0 ALCS lead.
The Yankees went ahead early as three solo home runs (Jeter in the 1st, A-Rod in the 4th, Damon in the 5th) had the Yankees up by a score of 3–0 after four and a half at Angel Stadium.
The Halos would begin to claw back as Howie Kendrick crushed a pitch from Andy Pettitte and took it deep over the left field wall to pull the Angels to within 3–1. The Angels would tie it in the next inning after Vladimir Guerrero launched a ball over the left field wall for his first home run in over a month. Pettitte would leave the game after 6 and 1/3, allowing 3 runs and 7 hits.
Joe Girardi would summon Joba Chamberlain with one out in the 7th. Joba did not fair well in this one, as Kendrick got ahold of another one, taking the first pitch from Chamberlain the other way and launching it off the right field wall for a triple. Maicer Izturis would bring him home in the Angels' next at-bat, as a deep fly ball to right would score Kendrick on a sacrifice fly to give the Angels a 4–3 lead.
The Yankees tied the game in the 8th on a solo blast to center from Jorge Posada. The fact that the home run only tied it was unfortunate, as the shot came just after Brett Gardner was caught stealing second base.
The game was still tied after nine innings, and the Yanks and Angels went to extra innings for the second straight game. The Angels looked like they might be able to end it in the bottom of the 10th as they had runners at the corners with just one out, but back-to-back ground balls served up by Mariano Rivera and some excellent defense at first base by Mark Teixeira prevented Jeff Mathis from scoring the winning run.
The Yankees failed to score in the 11th, giving the Angels another shot to win it in the bottom of the inning. The inning started off innocently enough, as David Robertson retired the first two batters in order. Enter Joe Girardi, who comes in and pulls Robertson in favor of Alfredo Aceves for no apparent reason to face Howie Kendrick (Aceves had never faced Kendrick in his career and Robertson had faced him twice). Kendrick would hit a ground ball up the middle for a base hit, and what followed was a double from Jeff Mathis into the left-center field gap that scored Kendrick all the way from first, giving the Angels a 5–4 victory and keeping them alive in this series.
I couldn't for the life of me tell you what Girardi was thinking in that situation, but the folks over at NoMaas say that it was perhaps because Robertson is a predominantly fastball pitcher and Kendrick is predominantly a fastball hitter. Either way, it was probably unnecessary especially with two outs and nobody on base. Besides, this game could have gone on forever. If Girardi didn't think Robertson could come in and pitch a full inning, why would he even go to him in the first place?
Whatever the case, the Angels are now within one game of tying this series and they'll have a chance to do so tonight. CC Sabathia and the Yanks will try to shrug this one off and look to take a commanding 3–1 series lead. Scott Kazmir will be going for the Angels. Game is slated to start at 7:57 ET.
The Yankees went ahead early as three solo home runs (Jeter in the 1st, A-Rod in the 4th, Damon in the 5th) had the Yankees up by a score of 3–0 after four and a half at Angel Stadium.
The Halos would begin to claw back as Howie Kendrick crushed a pitch from Andy Pettitte and took it deep over the left field wall to pull the Angels to within 3–1. The Angels would tie it in the next inning after Vladimir Guerrero launched a ball over the left field wall for his first home run in over a month. Pettitte would leave the game after 6 and 1/3, allowing 3 runs and 7 hits.
Joe Girardi would summon Joba Chamberlain with one out in the 7th. Joba did not fair well in this one, as Kendrick got ahold of another one, taking the first pitch from Chamberlain the other way and launching it off the right field wall for a triple. Maicer Izturis would bring him home in the Angels' next at-bat, as a deep fly ball to right would score Kendrick on a sacrifice fly to give the Angels a 4–3 lead.
The Yankees tied the game in the 8th on a solo blast to center from Jorge Posada. The fact that the home run only tied it was unfortunate, as the shot came just after Brett Gardner was caught stealing second base.
The game was still tied after nine innings, and the Yanks and Angels went to extra innings for the second straight game. The Angels looked like they might be able to end it in the bottom of the 10th as they had runners at the corners with just one out, but back-to-back ground balls served up by Mariano Rivera and some excellent defense at first base by Mark Teixeira prevented Jeff Mathis from scoring the winning run.
The Yankees failed to score in the 11th, giving the Angels another shot to win it in the bottom of the inning. The inning started off innocently enough, as David Robertson retired the first two batters in order. Enter Joe Girardi, who comes in and pulls Robertson in favor of Alfredo Aceves for no apparent reason to face Howie Kendrick (Aceves had never faced Kendrick in his career and Robertson had faced him twice). Kendrick would hit a ground ball up the middle for a base hit, and what followed was a double from Jeff Mathis into the left-center field gap that scored Kendrick all the way from first, giving the Angels a 5–4 victory and keeping them alive in this series.
I couldn't for the life of me tell you what Girardi was thinking in that situation, but the folks over at NoMaas say that it was perhaps because Robertson is a predominantly fastball pitcher and Kendrick is predominantly a fastball hitter. Either way, it was probably unnecessary especially with two outs and nobody on base. Besides, this game could have gone on forever. If Girardi didn't think Robertson could come in and pitch a full inning, why would he even go to him in the first place?
Whatever the case, the Angels are now within one game of tying this series and they'll have a chance to do so tonight. CC Sabathia and the Yanks will try to shrug this one off and look to take a commanding 3–1 series lead. Scott Kazmir will be going for the Angels. Game is slated to start at 7:57 ET.
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees got off to a head start in the 2009 ALCS thanks to some stellar pitching from CC Sabathia, some timely hitting and some lousy defense on the part of the Angels. Friday night's game was the third straight time the Yankees opened up a postseason series against the Angels with a victory (the Angels won the other two series).
The Yankees would lead throughout this one, as they jumped ahead early with two runs in the 1st inning. A sac fly by Alex Rodriguez with one out made it 1–0 Yankees. The second run came on a bizarre missed pop up hit by Hideki Matsui that both third baseman Chone Figgins and shortstop Erick Aybar were unable to haul in. The play was scored a single and an RBI for Matsui.
Through 8 innings, Sabathia plowed right through a powerful Angels' lineup, allowing a run on just 4 hits and a walk while throwing 113 pitches. The loan run for the Halos came on a 4th inning RBI single by Kendry Morales.
Hideki Matsui would record a second RBI in this game as a 5th inning double scored Johnny Damon and almost scored A-Rod, who collided with Jeff Mathis, but was unable to jar the ball loose. Derek Jeter added some more insurance in the next inning with base hit that scored Melky Cabrera. Jeter would end up at second base after Torii Hunter misplayed the ball in center field, but this error would not cost the Angels any further damage as Jeter was left stranded.
That was pretty much it for the ballgame as Mariano Rivera closed the game out in the 9th and after walking the leadoff hitter, retired three straight batters to put the Yankees just three victories away from a trip to the World Series.
It hasn't been determined if there will be even be any baseball at all today because of the inclement weather that is expected, but if the game is played we'll see A.J. Burnett take the mound for Game 2 against Joe Saunders. Scheduled start time is at 7:57 ET. Stay tuned.
The Yankees would lead throughout this one, as they jumped ahead early with two runs in the 1st inning. A sac fly by Alex Rodriguez with one out made it 1–0 Yankees. The second run came on a bizarre missed pop up hit by Hideki Matsui that both third baseman Chone Figgins and shortstop Erick Aybar were unable to haul in. The play was scored a single and an RBI for Matsui.
Through 8 innings, Sabathia plowed right through a powerful Angels' lineup, allowing a run on just 4 hits and a walk while throwing 113 pitches. The loan run for the Halos came on a 4th inning RBI single by Kendry Morales.
Hideki Matsui would record a second RBI in this game as a 5th inning double scored Johnny Damon and almost scored A-Rod, who collided with Jeff Mathis, but was unable to jar the ball loose. Derek Jeter added some more insurance in the next inning with base hit that scored Melky Cabrera. Jeter would end up at second base after Torii Hunter misplayed the ball in center field, but this error would not cost the Angels any further damage as Jeter was left stranded.
That was pretty much it for the ballgame as Mariano Rivera closed the game out in the 9th and after walking the leadoff hitter, retired three straight batters to put the Yankees just three victories away from a trip to the World Series.
It hasn't been determined if there will be even be any baseball at all today because of the inclement weather that is expected, but if the game is played we'll see A.J. Burnett take the mound for Game 2 against Joe Saunders. Scheduled start time is at 7:57 ET. Stay tuned.
Posted by: Patrick
Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports that Mariano Rivera has been named as the 2009 Delivery Man of the Year award. The award is given to the best relief in all of baseball.
Thanks Mr. Diaz for the tip.
Thanks Mr. Diaz for the tip.
Posted by: Patrick
Earlier today, we passed along a report indicating that games 1 and 2 of the ALDS, to be played on Friday and Saturday, would begin at 7:37 PM ET. Well, the full schedule has now been released and the start time of both of those games is actually 7:57 PM ET. Here's how it all shakes out:
Game 1: Friday, October 16 at 7:57 PM ET
Game 2: Saturday, October 17 at 7:57 PM ET
Game 3: Monday, October 19 at 4:13 PM ET
Game 4: Tuesday, October 20 at 7:57 PM ET
Game 5: Thursday, October 22 at 7:57 PM ET
Game 6: Saturday, October 24 at 4:13 PM ET (if the NLCS has completed, this game will move to 7:57 PM ET)
Game 7: Sunday, October 25 at 8:20 PM ET
Game 1: Friday, October 16 at 7:57 PM ET
Game 2: Saturday, October 17 at 7:57 PM ET
Game 3: Monday, October 19 at 4:13 PM ET
Game 4: Tuesday, October 20 at 7:57 PM ET
Game 5: Thursday, October 22 at 7:57 PM ET
Game 6: Saturday, October 24 at 4:13 PM ET (if the NLCS has completed, this game will move to 7:57 PM ET)
Game 7: Sunday, October 25 at 8:20 PM ET
