Posted by: Seamus
Ken Davidoff announced on his Twitter that Joe Girardi is going with a rotation of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte in the ALDS, in that order. Also of note is that Jose Molina will be the catcher for A.J. Burnett, meaning that the Yankees could play up to 40% of this series, including a possible Game 5 without Jorge Posada in the lineup.
Posted by: Seamus
Alex Rodriguez entered Sunday's game against the Rays with 28 home runs and 93 RBI. He needed two home runs and seven RBI to become the first player ever to reach 30 homers and 100 RBI for the 13th time. Alex got it...all in the same inning.
With the Yankees trailing 2–0 in the sixth, Rodriguez launched a ball into the left field seats for a 3-run homer, giving him 29 home runs and 96 RBI and giving the Yankees a 3–2 lead. A-Rod would get another chance later in the inning, this time with the Yanks up 6–2 and with the bases loaded, and this time he launched one the to the opposite field for a grand slam, giving him exactly 30 home runs and 100 RBI. The Yankees altogether sent 16 batters to the plate in the inning, and the 10-run frame was the entire offense for the Bombers for the day.
Also of note in this game was a relief appearance from Joba Chamberlain, who pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning in what he hopes was a tuneup for an appearance or two out of the bullpen in the ALDS.
The Yankees will rest a little for the next two days and will begin their postseason run at 6:07 ET Wednesday against an opponent yet to be determined. They'll face the winner of the Twins-Tigers one-game playoff that will be played on Tuesday. The Yankees went 5–1 against the Tigers this season and they were 7–0 against Minnesota.
Recap records: Seamus: 49–27, Patrick: 42–20, Andrew: 12–12
With the Yankees trailing 2–0 in the sixth, Rodriguez launched a ball into the left field seats for a 3-run homer, giving him 29 home runs and 96 RBI and giving the Yankees a 3–2 lead. A-Rod would get another chance later in the inning, this time with the Yanks up 6–2 and with the bases loaded, and this time he launched one the to the opposite field for a grand slam, giving him exactly 30 home runs and 100 RBI. The Yankees altogether sent 16 batters to the plate in the inning, and the 10-run frame was the entire offense for the Bombers for the day.
Also of note in this game was a relief appearance from Joba Chamberlain, who pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning in what he hopes was a tuneup for an appearance or two out of the bullpen in the ALDS.
The Yankees will rest a little for the next two days and will begin their postseason run at 6:07 ET Wednesday against an opponent yet to be determined. They'll face the winner of the Twins-Tigers one-game playoff that will be played on Tuesday. The Yankees went 5–1 against the Tigers this season and they were 7–0 against Minnesota.
Recap records: Seamus: 49–27, Patrick: 42–20, Andrew: 12–12
10/03: CC Roughed Up in Yankee Loss
Posted by: Seamus
CC Sabathia failed in his bid to win 20 games for the first time in his career, as the Rays knocked him around in Friday night's 13–4 defeat. It was an offensive feast for the Rays, which included B.J. Upton hitting for the cycle by the fifth inning.
Only 5 of the 9 runs allowed by Sabathia were earned, but he just didn't have it last night. CC walked in a run in the first inning and the Rays were 5-for-7 with runners in scoring position against him. He left the game with two outs in the third with a line of 8 hits and 9 runs (5 earned) in his 2 and 2/3 innings of work.
The Yankees ended up using seven pitchers in total, and after Jonathan Albaladejo and David Robertson both allowed RBI hits to B.J. Upton (the latter was the single that gave him the cycle in the 5th inning), the Yankees were able to hold the Rays to just one run in the last four innings.
The Yankees didn't get a lot going offensively, as the 2 through 6 spots in the order were a combined 0-for-17. The one bright spot was Juan Miranda, who in the 8th inning launched a home run to right for his first major league homer.
A.J. Burnett will get a postseason tuneup tonight and hopefully it'll look a little bit better than the one CC had last night. He'll be up against Wade Davis. Game starts at 7:08 ET.
Recap records: Seamus: 48–27, Patrick: 42–20, Andrew: 12–11
Only 5 of the 9 runs allowed by Sabathia were earned, but he just didn't have it last night. CC walked in a run in the first inning and the Rays were 5-for-7 with runners in scoring position against him. He left the game with two outs in the third with a line of 8 hits and 9 runs (5 earned) in his 2 and 2/3 innings of work.
The Yankees ended up using seven pitchers in total, and after Jonathan Albaladejo and David Robertson both allowed RBI hits to B.J. Upton (the latter was the single that gave him the cycle in the 5th inning), the Yankees were able to hold the Rays to just one run in the last four innings.
The Yankees didn't get a lot going offensively, as the 2 through 6 spots in the order were a combined 0-for-17. The one bright spot was Juan Miranda, who in the 8th inning launched a home run to right for his first major league homer.
A.J. Burnett will get a postseason tuneup tonight and hopefully it'll look a little bit better than the one CC had last night. He'll be up against Wade Davis. Game starts at 7:08 ET.
Recap records: Seamus: 48–27, Patrick: 42–20, Andrew: 12–11
Posted by: Patrick
Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci has a great on Mariano Rivera and his cutter of lore. Check it out.
Via Steve.
Via Steve.
Posted by: Seamus
Joba Chamberlain labored through another mediocre performance in a contest some say he needed to pitch well in as the Yankees lost to the Royals 4–3 in their last home game of the regular season.
Joba was unable to get through the fourth inning as he put 11 runners on base in just 3 and 2/3 innings (7 H, 4 BB, 3 R). Chamberlain's rough ending to the regular season creates more uncertainty about his role in October. Tough to say whether or not he'll get a start at all during the postseason, especially considering the nice job Chad Gaudin has done of late at the back end of the rotation.
Offensively, there wasn't much to talk about as the Yankees were held to just 5 hits, with just one coming against the Royals' bullpen that shut the Yankees out for the final 4 innings of the game. Derek Jeter was the only Yankee with more than one hit, including a home run as he raised his average to .335.
The Yankees did get the tying run into scoring position in the ninth after Freddy Guzman stole second, but that was immediately followed by a Ramiro Pena fly out to end the game.
Today will be the Yankees' final travel day of the regular season and they'll begin a three-game set tomorrow night in St. Petersburg against the Rays. CC Sabathia will get a tuneup for the postseason and will face David Price, who will be tuning up for next season as the Rays are currently 19.5 games back. Game is scheduled to start at 7:38 ET.
Recap records: Seamus: 48–26, Patrick: 42–20, Andrew: 12–11
Joba was unable to get through the fourth inning as he put 11 runners on base in just 3 and 2/3 innings (7 H, 4 BB, 3 R). Chamberlain's rough ending to the regular season creates more uncertainty about his role in October. Tough to say whether or not he'll get a start at all during the postseason, especially considering the nice job Chad Gaudin has done of late at the back end of the rotation.
Offensively, there wasn't much to talk about as the Yankees were held to just 5 hits, with just one coming against the Royals' bullpen that shut the Yankees out for the final 4 innings of the game. Derek Jeter was the only Yankee with more than one hit, including a home run as he raised his average to .335.
The Yankees did get the tying run into scoring position in the ninth after Freddy Guzman stole second, but that was immediately followed by a Ramiro Pena fly out to end the game.
Today will be the Yankees' final travel day of the regular season and they'll begin a three-game set tomorrow night in St. Petersburg against the Rays. CC Sabathia will get a tuneup for the postseason and will face David Price, who will be tuning up for next season as the Rays are currently 19.5 games back. Game is scheduled to start at 7:38 ET.
Recap records: Seamus: 48–26, Patrick: 42–20, Andrew: 12–11
Posted by: Patrick
A.J. Burnett logged his third consecutive solid start and Juan Miranda played ninth inning hero as the Yankees topped the Royals, 4-3.
Burnett went 6.1 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) over 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 8. His ERA in his last 3 starts is 1.89. Not a huge sample, but we'll certainly take it.
In just his 5th career start, Anthony Lerew held the Yankees scoreless through 5 innings. The team finally got on the board in the sixth, when Mark Teixeira hit a solo home run to tie the game at one.
In the sixth, however, Phil Coke would not have his best inning. After Burnett walked a batter and retired one, Coke was called and Alex Gordon reached on a bunt single back to the pitcher. The next hitter, Josh Anderson, hit the ball back to Coke and he made a throwing error, allowing a run to score and the runners to move to second and third. Would you believe? Yes, another ball hit to Coke by Mitch Maier. He got the out at first, but the runner scored at home. Finally, someone - in this case, Yuniesky Betancourt - hit the ball away from Coke. It was a ground ball to A-Rod, who took care of it and the inning was over.
Burnett went 6.1 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) over 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 8. His ERA in his last 3 starts is 1.89. Not a huge sample, but we'll certainly take it.
In just his 5th career start, Anthony Lerew held the Yankees scoreless through 5 innings. The team finally got on the board in the sixth, when Mark Teixeira hit a solo home run to tie the game at one.
In the sixth, however, Phil Coke would not have his best inning. After Burnett walked a batter and retired one, Coke was called and Alex Gordon reached on a bunt single back to the pitcher. The next hitter, Josh Anderson, hit the ball back to Coke and he made a throwing error, allowing a run to score and the runners to move to second and third. Would you believe? Yes, another ball hit to Coke by Mitch Maier. He got the out at first, but the runner scored at home. Finally, someone - in this case, Yuniesky Betancourt - hit the ball away from Coke. It was a ground ball to A-Rod, who took care of it and the inning was over.
Posted by: Seamus
Despite the fact that Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada were the only regulars who started in Monday night's game against Kansas City, the Yankees were still able to come up with a convincing 8–2 victory.
Joe Girardi gave most of his regular starters the day off as the Yankees have already clinched the A.L. East, homefield throughout the playoffs and the best overall record in baseball this season. Girardi did opt to play Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada, who went a combined 4-for-6, including a grand slam by Cano that blew the game wide open in the seventh.
Chad Gaudin gave the Yankees another solid start, allowing just 4 hits and 2 runs in 6 and 2/3 innings of work. Gaudin is now 2–0 with a 3.54 E.R.A. as a Yankee and you start to figure that Girardi will find a way to squeeze him onto the postseason roster somehow.
Ramiro Pena had a day he'll never forget as he hit his first career home run in the fifth inning. The Yankees pretended to give Pena the silent treatment when he came back into the dugout before Jorge Posada jumped up and hugged him, followed by the rest of his Yankee teammates. Pena was 2-for-4 in the game and drove in two runs.
A.J. Burnett will take the mound tonight and will make his final start of the regular season against the Royals' Anthony Lerew, who will be making just his second start of the season. Game starts at 7:05 ET.
Recap records: Seamus: 48–25, Patrick: 41–20, Andrew: 12–11
Joe Girardi gave most of his regular starters the day off as the Yankees have already clinched the A.L. East, homefield throughout the playoffs and the best overall record in baseball this season. Girardi did opt to play Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada, who went a combined 4-for-6, including a grand slam by Cano that blew the game wide open in the seventh.
Chad Gaudin gave the Yankees another solid start, allowing just 4 hits and 2 runs in 6 and 2/3 innings of work. Gaudin is now 2–0 with a 3.54 E.R.A. as a Yankee and you start to figure that Girardi will find a way to squeeze him onto the postseason roster somehow.
Ramiro Pena had a day he'll never forget as he hit his first career home run in the fifth inning. The Yankees pretended to give Pena the silent treatment when he came back into the dugout before Jorge Posada jumped up and hugged him, followed by the rest of his Yankee teammates. Pena was 2-for-4 in the game and drove in two runs.
A.J. Burnett will take the mound tonight and will make his final start of the regular season against the Royals' Anthony Lerew, who will be making just his second start of the season. Game starts at 7:05 ET.
Recap records: Seamus: 48–25, Patrick: 41–20, Andrew: 12–11
Posted by: Patrick
Peter Abraham reports that David Robertson has been given the go-ahead and will pitch tomorrow.
Posted by: Seamus
Wrapping up the American League East Division title had been all but a formality for quite some time now, but the Yankees finally put the nail in the coffin this afternoon in poetic fashion, defeating the Red Sox 4–2. The Yanks had actually assured themselves of having a better record than the Angels with yesterday's victory, so they have locked up home field throughout the playoffs as well. The victory was also the 100th this season for the Yankees, making it the first time since 2004 that the Yankees hit the century mark.
The Yankees actually trailed during a good portion of this game and didn't go ahead until Hideki Matsui put them on top 3–2 with a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth. Mark Teixeira added a little insurance with a home run in the bottom of the eighth.
Andy Pettitte pitched six strong innings and kept the Yankees in this one, allowing two runs on seven hits. Pettitte passed the baton over to the bullpen before the seventh and the pen gave Joe Girardi three scoreless innings. Mariano Rivera closed things out for his 44th save of the year.
Pretty amazing that the Yankees were able to finish with a 9–9 head-to-head record against the Sox this season after starting out 0–8. It's also pretty awesome that they were able to wrap up the division with a win over their rivals. This is actually the second time in the last five seasons that they've done that, the last time being in 2005 as they clinched the East at Fenway on the second to last day of the season.
The Yankees will go out and have a little fun tomorrow night against the Royals, as there are still six games remaining left on the regular season schedule. Chad Gaudin will go up against Luke Hochevar beginning at 7:05 ET.
Recap records: Seamus: 47–25, Patrick: 41–20, Andrew: 12–11
The Yankees actually trailed during a good portion of this game and didn't go ahead until Hideki Matsui put them on top 3–2 with a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth. Mark Teixeira added a little insurance with a home run in the bottom of the eighth.
Andy Pettitte pitched six strong innings and kept the Yankees in this one, allowing two runs on seven hits. Pettitte passed the baton over to the bullpen before the seventh and the pen gave Joe Girardi three scoreless innings. Mariano Rivera closed things out for his 44th save of the year.
Pretty amazing that the Yankees were able to finish with a 9–9 head-to-head record against the Sox this season after starting out 0–8. It's also pretty awesome that they were able to wrap up the division with a win over their rivals. This is actually the second time in the last five seasons that they've done that, the last time being in 2005 as they clinched the East at Fenway on the second to last day of the season.
The Yankees will go out and have a little fun tomorrow night against the Royals, as there are still six games remaining left on the regular season schedule. Chad Gaudin will go up against Luke Hochevar beginning at 7:05 ET.
Recap records: Seamus: 47–25, Patrick: 41–20, Andrew: 12–11
Posted by: Andrew
CC Sabathia pitched seven shutout innings and the Yankees - who had numerous opportunities to score - were able to push across three runs in their 3-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
Sabathia struck out eight, walked two and only allowed one hit to earn his 19th victory of the season. Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera each pitched a scoreless inning to secure the victory.
The Yankees left 12 men on base as a team, including not scoring after loading the bases with no outs in the fifth inning. In fact, they didn't have a hit with runners in scoring position until Johnny Damon's two-out, two-run single in the eighth to give the Yankees insurance runs.
The Yankees scored the game's first run in the bottom of the sixth on Robinson Cano's solo home run the banged off the top of the left field wall. It was the only run Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed in seven innings, despite walking five and allowing six hits. The Yankees' runs in the eighth came against Billy Wagner.
With the win, the Yankees earned their 99th win of the season and reduced the magic number to clinch the American League East to one. Andy Pettitte gets the start tomorrow afternoon, as New York looks for the sweep.
Recap records: Seamus: 46–25, Patrick: 41–20, Andrew: 12–11
Andrew Fletcher regularly blogs about the Yankees at Scott Proctor's Arm.
Sabathia struck out eight, walked two and only allowed one hit to earn his 19th victory of the season. Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera each pitched a scoreless inning to secure the victory.
The Yankees left 12 men on base as a team, including not scoring after loading the bases with no outs in the fifth inning. In fact, they didn't have a hit with runners in scoring position until Johnny Damon's two-out, two-run single in the eighth to give the Yankees insurance runs.
The Yankees scored the game's first run in the bottom of the sixth on Robinson Cano's solo home run the banged off the top of the left field wall. It was the only run Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed in seven innings, despite walking five and allowing six hits. The Yankees' runs in the eighth came against Billy Wagner.
With the win, the Yankees earned their 99th win of the season and reduced the magic number to clinch the American League East to one. Andy Pettitte gets the start tomorrow afternoon, as New York looks for the sweep.
Recap records: Seamus: 46–25, Patrick: 41–20, Andrew: 12–11
Andrew Fletcher regularly blogs about the Yankees at Scott Proctor's Arm.
