Tagged: Alfredo Aceves
Three Hits By The “Captain”, Ties The “Captain” …
The “Captain” Derek Jeter collected three hits in the Yankees 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in the final game of their four-game series at Yankee Stadium [which was swept by the Yanks], that tied the Yankees first “Captain”, Hall of Famer, Lou Gehrig, on top of the New York Yankees all-time hit list with 2,721 hits.
Derek Jeter
Jeter led off the game with a surprise bunt single on the first pitch by Rays starting pitcher Jeff Niemann that ended the captain’s 0-12 hitless streak.
In the third inning Jeter grounded out to short.
In the fifth inning Derek blasted a shot to straight away centerfield that sailed over the head of B.J. Upton before taking a bounce over the wall for a grounds-rule double.
And, finally, in the bottom of the seventh Jeter stroked a two-out, first pitch, single, past first base down the right field line for his Gehrig tying 2,721th hit.
Lou Gehrig
In the meantime, as this game headed into the eight inning, the Yankees were losing 2-0 to the Rays.
Without doubt, Jeter was happy that he had tied the “Great” Lou Gehrig’s all-time hit record; but, I’m sure Derek would be the first one to tell anybody: a Yankees loss would certainly take the shine off this outstanding accomplishment.
The Yankees had this in mind also, and, once again, provided some late-inning dramatics by first scoring a run in the eight that made the score 2-1, before Jorge Posada hit a solid line drive, one-out, three-run homer, off reliever Grant Balfour, into the lower right-field porch that moved the Bronx Bombers into a 4-2 lead.
Posada’s 21st homer kept the inning going; and, after Melky Cabrera made the second out, Derek Jeter had one more chance to travel past Gehrig’s hit record in this game.
Jeter had a couple of good cuts at the plate, but was walked on a 3-2 count by Balfour.
So, Derek would remain tied with Lou Gehrig until at least Friday night, September 11th, when the Yankees start a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at The Stadium.
The Yankees took their 4-2 lead into the top of the ninth inning; and, in a game that the “Joba Rules” once again limited Joba Chamberlain to only three innings on the mound, [in which he allowed both Tampa Bay runs in the first inning], the Yankees relievers: Alfredo Aceves, Jonathan Albaladejo (5-1), Brian Bruney, and Phil Coke, held the Rays hitless from the fourth inning on, with Coke earning his second save by closing out this win on a final out strikeout.
On this historic night that Derek Jeter tied the “Iron Horse”, Lou Gehrig’s all-time hit record, the Yankees 4-2 victory which completed a four-game sweep over the Tampa Bay Rays, made this special accomplishment even more “special”.
In Mike Puma’s New York Post article, Derek Jeter expressed his feelings on tying Lou Gehrig’s record:
“I was a Yankee fan growing up and to come up through this organization and what [Gehrig] stood for, being the captain, he’s probably one of the classiest people ever to play the game” … “To be alongside him, pretty much anything you can do to have your name next to his is quite an accomplishment” …
“We had so many special moments across the street”, Jeter said … “This is hopefully the first of many memorable moments here at the new Stadium. The fans have been tremendous and it’s just a lot of fun.”
— photo credits:
* google images
* photos. nj. com/star-ledger/2009/09/derek_jeter
* http:// yankeeology. com/yankeefans
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Yanks Sweep ChiSox; Joba Rules Only Three Innings
The New York Yankees completed a three-game weekend sweep over the Chicago White Sox with an 8-3 win on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium in the Beautiful Bronx.
Joba Chamberlain was the Yankees starting pitcher; but, really, he was only a three-inning set-up man for construction of a very long bridge by the bullpen that thankfully led to victory.
In the “new and improved” [?] version of the Joba Rules, Chamberlain was slated to pitch only three innings — no matter how well he pitched. The top secret “rules” which are known by fewer people than those who know the top secret recipes of Coca Cola and Kentucky Fried Chicken have left all of us in the Yankees Universe, and I’m sure other baseball fans as well, to wonder: what exactly will be Joba’s innings limitations and pitch counts for the rest of the 2009 season?
I mean, come on already. Is it too much to let Chamberlain pitch at least five innings in games that he starts?
Joba threw “only” 35 pitches over three innings of work. He gave up two runs on four hits, walked none and struck out one, and, then, was replaced by Alfredo Aceves at the start of the fourth inning with the Yankees leading 3-2. Joba Chamberlain’s effort earned him a “no decision” without any chance of getting the win in this game because he did not pitch five innings [a decision made by the Yankees braintrust].
It is not only the fact that Joba was allowed to pitch only three innings that is annoying. The limited time on the mound by Joba meant the bullpen would be given extra pressure to perform perfectly; and, it was annoying to sit through a parade of five Yankee relievers entering the game starting from the fourth inning with our starting pitcher sitting on the bench.
The Yankees only had a 3-2 lead at this time; and, the odds are: the more relievers that take the mound in a game, not every relief pitcher is going to pitch well. Also, using some of these relievers in this game would prevent them from appearing in the next game or two, when they may be really needed.
Until the Yankees reach the eight inning in a game, where Phil Hughes has performed brilliantly; and, of course, the ninth inning, in which the “Great Mariano” Rivera is having one of his best seasons of his career — a Cy Young Award type season — it is in the best interest of the New York Yankees to have their starting pitchers work [at least] seven innings in every start they take the mound.
As it turned out, though, in this game …
Johnny Damon hit a two-run homer (#24, which tied his career high) that gave the Yankees the 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third.
Alfredo Aceves (9-1), pitched very well in three innings of relief to earn the win in this game.
Derek Jeter had two hits in three at-bats, walked once, and scored three runs, raising his batting average to .335.
The Yankees broke this game wide open when they scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on a three-run homer (#32) by Mark Teixeira; a RBI double by Melky Cabrera; and, a sac-fly by Jerry Hairston, Jr., that increased their lead to 8-2.
Mark Teixeira was (1-for-3), with four RBI’s, which moved his season RBI total to 101. This is Teixeira’s sixth straight season with 30+ homers, and 100+ RBI’s. Only Mark Teixeira and Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals have accomplished this feat over the last six seasons.
Phil Coke ended the five scoreless innings streak by the bullpen when he allowed a ninth inning homer to Dye (#25) that capped the scoring in this 8-3 Yankees victory.
This win increases the first place New York Yankees record to 82-48, still six games ahead of the second place Boston Red Sox (76-54) who just completed a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Well, as we reflect on the “Joba Rules” the one good thing is: next year there will be “no more” Joba rules. Joba Chamberlain will be allowed to be a real starting pitcher without innings limitations, and hopefully, also, without an unreasonable pitch-count limitation, that will advance Joba’s progress into the 200+ innings pitched neighborhood.
Then, the new discussion that everybody will be focusing on, will be:”Innings Usage Rules for Phil Hughes” who the Yankees project as a starting pitcher next season.
What will these rules be called?
“Innings Use Rules For Hughes”, or some other ridiculous version of this year’s Joba Rules.
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
First Place Yankees Still On Winning Path
After being shutout 3-0 in the first game against the Oakland A’s, the NY Yankees quickly returned to the winning track by taking the next two games, 7-2 and 3-2, that increased their record to 5-2 on this current ten-game road trip which now leads the Bronx Bombers into Boston for a three-game weekend showdown vs. the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
The Yankees (76-45) lead the second place Red Sox (69-51) by six and a half games in the AL East.
In the middle game vs. the Oakland A’s, CC Sabathia (14-7), delivered another fine performance on the mound for the Yanks, throwing 94 pitches over eight solid innings, while allowing two runs, both on solo homers; five hits; one walk; and seven strikeouts in route to his 14th win this season. As the regular season starts to wind down, Sabathia is more and more in the American League Cy Young Award conversation.
Sabathia gave up a solo homer to Kurt Suzuki (#10) in the first inning, and another solo homer to Tommy Everidge (#2) in the second inning; and, the Yankees scored a run on an error in the second, and a run in the third on a RBI double by Jorge Posada that tied the score 2-2 at the time.
A’s starter Vin Mazzaro lasted five good innings, giving up the two runs (one earned), on seven hits, three walks, and two strikeouts.
Then, the Yankees blew this game wide open with a big five-run sixth inning off A’s relievers Jay Marshall (L,0-1), and Santiago Casilla, that capped the scoring in this game.
The Yankees rally in the top of the sixth started with a one-out double by Nick Swisher who advanced to third on a passed ball. Melky Cabrera was then hit by a pitch, and Derek Jeter (3-for-5), hit a RBI single that scored Swisher that moved the Yanks into a 3-2 lead.
Johnny Damon was up next and stroked a RBI double that drove home Melky with the Yankees fourth run. This set-up a second and third situation for Mark Teixeira who was intentionally walked to load the bases. Alex Rodriguez was the next hitter, and A-Rod also walked that forced home the fifth Yankees run.
Hideki Matsui then singled to score another run; and, Poasda hit a sac fly that drove home the seventh and final Yankee run of their 7-2 victory.
CC Sabathia tossed only 94 pitches through eight innings, and this would have been a perfect opportunity to let CC go for the complete game win and give the bullpen a full day of rest. But, Joe Girardi stayed true to form with the whole “pitch count” philosophy that is now in-vogue and brought David Robertson into pitch the ninth.
Robertson did close out the game, though, after walking two batters, and striking out two. But, in the middle of the inning Mariano Rivera was stirring around in the Yankees bullpen, in a game that CC could have easily completed with no relievers having to warm-up. Anyway, just my view of certain pitching strategies involving the starters and bullpen.
This win over the A’s was a very solid 7-2 Yankees victory.
In the final game of this three-game series, Mark Teixeira provided the Yankees with all the runs they would need in their 3-2 victory.
Teixeira drove home Derek Jeter on a RBI ground-out, after Jeter led off the game with a single, stole second, and advanced to third on a grounder, in the top of the first inning; and, then, after Johnny Damon led off the fourth inning with a single, Teixeira blasted a two-run homer (#31), off A’s starter Brett Anderson, that gave the Bombers a 3-0 lead at the time.
The Yankees received an excellent effort from Chad Gaudin who made his first start for the Yanks in this game.
Gaudin lasted 4.1 innings, giving up only one hit, while walking five and striking out five. But, it was in the fourth that Gaudin had some trouble when he loaded the bases on two walks and an error by Robinson Cano.
The Cano error really hurt Gaudin’s chances of pitching the full five innings required for the starter to get a possible win in this game. The error occurred when Jeter fielded a grounder at short and then on the short throw to second for a force, the ball was tossed slightly behind Cano who could not make the catch as the ball deflected off his glove. It was a ball that looked like Cano should have caught.
Anyway, with one out and the bases loaded, Girardi made the right move, in my view, and replaced Gaudin with Alfredo Aceves.
Aceves got out of the jam by getting Kurt Suzuki to hit an easy grounder to the mound, in which Aceves started a 1-2-3 double play that ended the A’s threat.
Alfredo Aceves (8-1), allowed both A’s runs on a solo homer by Jack Cust (#17) in the sixth inning; and, a run in the seventh that was built on a Rajai Davis single, who then stole second base, and scored on a RBI single by Mark Ellis that cut the Yanks lead to 3-2.
But, after Aceves finished his 2.1 innings of work, Phil Coke and Phil Hughes paved a solid bridge to Mariano who closed out this 3-2 Yankees victory with a scoreless ninth inning, recording his 36th save.
Now, the Yankees travel to Boston for another huge three-game weekend series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park [August 21-22-23, 2009].
More “Playoff Baseball In August” in the great Yankees vs. Red Sox rivalry.
“A Season Within A Season” continues …
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Yankees Lose; Still Lead Red Sox By 7.5 Games
The New York Yankees did not have many highlights in their 10-3 loss to the Mariners in Seattle yesterday, as their bid to complete a third four-game sweep of the season [they swept the Twins earlier in the year, and the Red Sox last weekend], ended with very disappointing performances by the Yankee pitchers and hitters.
But, with that said, even in losing it still was not that bad of a day for the Yankees and all in the Yankees Universe.
The “Capatin” Derek Jeter was (3-for-4) in this game, with his lead off single in the top of the first inning tying Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio for first place on the all-time hit list by shortstops; and, then, Jeter moved ahead of Aparicio on the all-time list with a RBI double in the third inning which was the major highlight of the game.
Derek Jeter now has 2,675 hits, and counting, passing Luis Aparicio’s career total of 2,673 hits while playing shortstop.
Derek Jeter
Luis Aparicio turning a double play while playing for the White Sox
Also, the Red Sox were defeated by the Texas Rangers 4-3, thus maintaining the Yankees seven and a half game lead over the Sox in the AL East, which also moved the Rangers into a half game lead over Boston in the wild card race.
So, as the Yankees continue their ten-game road trip with a three-game series in Oakland against the A’s, tonight, August 17th, the Bronx Bombers hold the best record in all of baseball with an outstanding mark of 74-44, which is two and a half games better than the L.A. Angels (70-45), and, four games ahead of Joe Torre’s Los Angeles Dodgers (70-48).
This game was a complete disaster for the Yanks, as all the scoring was produced by the RBI double by Derek Jeter in the second inning; and, a two-run homer by Nick Swisher (#20), off Mariners starter Doug Fister in the fourth, that gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead at the time.
But, Seattle scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth off Joba Chamberlain to regain the lead at 4-3, and, also, end Joba’s time on the mound in this game.
Joba Chamberlain (8-3), did not pitch very well, lasting only five innings, allowing four runs, on seven hits, three walks, while striking out only two batters during his ineffective 90 pitch outing.
The Mariners broke this game open with a big five-run inning in the bottom of the seventh, and their final run in the eight, off Yankee relievers Alfredo Aceves and Chad Gaudin who both got hit very hard as the M’s completed the scoring in this 10-3 embarrassing loss by the Yankees.
Doug Fister (1-0), pitched a very good game for the Mariners, tossing 101 pitches over seven strong innings, allowing three runs, on eight hits, no walks, and four strikeouts, to earn his first win of the year.
— photo credits:
* google images
* http;// www .insidescore .com
* mlb.mlb .com/images
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Yanks Win 5-2 Over M’s; Go For Sweep Today
Okay, I have recently been a little critical of the Yankees fifth starter, Sergio Mitre.
In his five starts this season, Sergio had a record of 1-1 with a 7.04 ERA, a WHIP of 1.91, and a .376 batting average by opposing batters. Mitre did not have any quality starts in all those five previous appearances.
So, many Yankee fans, including myself, have been wondering how long the Yankees braintrust planned on pitching Sergio Mitre in the fifth spot of the rotation. The Yankees have given Mitre enough of a chance to prove himself, at least in my view; and, there are two very good options already on the big league pitching staff for the Yankees to turn to: Alfredo Aceves and Chad Gaudin.
I have to give credit, though, when credit is due.
Sergio Mitre delivered a very good performance in yesterday’s 5-2 Yankees victory, hanging in there long enough on the mound to be credited with his second win this season.
Mitre threw 92 pitches into the sixth inning when he departed the game after loading the bases with one out. He allowed a groundball single, infield hit, and a walk before David Robertson entered the game to put out the fire by getting the final two outs on strikeouts.
The final numbers by Sergio Mitre (2-1) were respectable: five and a third innings pitched; two runs (one earned); seven hits; two walks; and, three strikeouts. But, Mitre has to deliver a few more similar starts before I am totally convinced that he should be the Yankees de facto “fifth” starter.
The Mariners took an early 1-0 lead on an uneraned run in the first inning when Ichiro reached first on an error by Robinson Cano, and later scored on a sac fly by Jose Lopez.
Then, in the top of the second inning, the Yankees scored all the runs they would need to win this contest, four uneraned runs.
Cano led off the second with a single before Jerry Hairston made the first out on a fly ball.
Melky Cabrera was up next and hit what looked like was an easy fly ball out to centerfield, but there was some mixed communication between Ichiro in right and Franklin Gutierrez in center, and at the last second the ball deflected off the glove of the centerfielder for an error.
This opened the flood gates for the Yanks, as Jose Molina tied the score with a RBI single that plated Cano; Derek Jeter hit a sac fly to score Melky; and, Nick Swisher capped the gift inning by hitting a long two-run homer (#19) off M’s starter Lucas French (2-3) scoring Molina ahead of him that gave the Bronx Bombers a 4-1 lead.
The Mariners cut the lead in half with a RBI single by Rob Johnson in the bottom of the fourth inning, but that would be all the runs the M’s would score on this day.
Derek Jeter hit his 15th homer of the season in the top of the ninth, an insurance run that increased the Yankees lead and framed the scoring in this 5-2 Yankees win.
The Yankees bullpen was brilliant once again, striking out eight Mariner batters in 3.2 scoreless innings of work, as David Robertson and Phil Coke built a solid bridge to Mariano Rivera who closed out this 5-2 Yankees win in the ninth, recording his 35th save
This victory by the Yankees (74-43), coupled with the Red Sox (66-50), 7-2 loss to the Texas Rangers last night, increases the Bronx Bombers first place lead to seven and a half games over Boston in the AL East.
The Yankees go for the “four-game” sweep over the Seattle Mariners in today’s game, Sunday, August 16th, with Joba Chamberlain (8-2, 3.85), taking the mound for the Yanks, against the Mariners Doug Fister (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Playoff Baseball In August …
Well, the first part of the big playoff week in August is now in the books.
The New York Yankees traveled up to Toronto for a two-game series, and swept the Blue Jays 5-3 and 8-4 … while, the Boston Red Sox played a two-game series in Tampa Bay, and were swept by the Rays, 4-2 and 6-4.
Both wins were big for the Yankees, especially the first game against All-Star starter Roy “Doc” Halladay, in which the Bronx Bombers blasted three homers off the good doctor that led to a very important victory. The home runs were hit by Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira, and Hideki Matsui. A shaky save by Mariano Rivera sealed the deal, preserving the Yankees victory.
In the second game against the Blue Jays, Sergio Mitre started for the Yanks and did not last a full five innings, pitching only 4.1 innings while allowing three runs; on eight hits, including a homerun; two walks; and, three strikeouts. Alfredo Aceves replaced Mirte, and was credited with the win. Aceves record is now 7-1.
In my view, I think it is time to end the Sergio Mitre experiminent as the Yankees fifth starter. The Yankees are in a pennant race, and if the budget will not allow the addition of a quality starting pitcher, then the perfect pitcher for that spot in the rotation is Alfredo Aceves.
The big inning for the Yankees was in the 7th, when Nick Swisher tied the score 3-3 with his 18th homer of the year. Then, RBI base hits by Matsui, Damon, and Teixeira capped off the four-run rally, moving the Yankees into the 6-3 lead.
Johnny Damon completed the scoring with his 19th home run of the season in the ninth inning, framing the Yankees 8-4 victory.
The Red Sox lost two big games to the Rays in Florida, the first an exciting 13 inning contest in which the Rays tied the game 2-2 on an Evan Longoria homer in the eight inning; and, won the extra innings affair 4-2 on a two out, walk-off, two-run homer by Longoria in the bottom of the 13th.
The Rays won the second game of the series, 6-4, to move the numbers around again in the AL East standings, and drop the Bosox to two and a half games behind the first place New York Yankees. Tampa Bay remains in third place, five and a half games back of the Bombers.
Now the center of the “baseball world” moves to the Beautiful Bronx, New York, this weekend, to continue the great Yankees vs. Red Sox rivalry.
Of all the playoff and World Series games that have been played in October, a four-game series between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in any month is just as exciting and important as any game in the Fall … especially, when first place is on the line.
So, let the baseball action begin, and the great Yankees vs. Red Sox rivalry continue.
“A Season Within A Season”
photo credits:
google images
cache .daylife .com
— Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” – “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
Yanks Sweep Twins; Tied For First With Red Sox
The New York Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the Twins with a 6-4 win in an afternoon game in Minnesota that moved the Yanks a half game behind the Red Sox who were scheduled to play the K.C. Royals later that night at Fenway Park.
It was not a pretty win, but was a win, the Yanks 51st of the season, which became even more important when the Red Sox lost their game against the Royals 8-6, thus creating a tie at the top of the AL East with both the Yankees and Red Sox now sharing identical 51-34 records.
The Yankees now travel to the West Coast to continue their road trip with a three-game series against the L.A. Angels; as the Red Sox play the second of four games vs. the Royals in Boston.
At the end of baseball action on Sunday, there will either still be a tie in the AL East, or one of the two teams tied now will take the lead into the All-Star break.
The “race for first place” in the AL East is starting to heat up at the same time the days of summer are finally getting hotter. This race, between the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays, will go right down to the wire in the final weeks of September; and, October baseball is surely calling for two of these three great teams.
The end of the 2009 regular season will reveal which of the two teams will be headed into the American League playoffs. Of course, I envision the Yankees being one of those teams. I’m sure there are at least a few other varying opinions out there among my fellow mlbloggers. But, it will be a “fun” pennant race to watch.
Yesterday’s spot in the Yankees pitching rotation belonged to Chien-Ming Wang until he was injured in his last start. So, Joe Girardi gave this pitching assignment to Alfredo Aceves, an award for his fine performances of late, including a brilliant four-inning save in his previous appearance. Aceves has been a great addition to the pitching staff this year, working in short, middle, and long relief; and, now as a starter which is his natural position as a pitcher.
The first innings for both the Yankees and Twins started off very uneventfully; then, all the fun began in the second inning.
Alex Rodriguez led off the second with a walk off Twins starter, Francisco Lirano, which was the beginning of a very sloppy inning by the Twins.
Lirano hit the next batter, Jorge Posada; then, Robinson Cano reached first base on an error by second baseman Matt Tolbert that loaded the bases with no outs.
Melky Cabrera hit a short fly ball to right that was not long enough to advance any of the base runners for out number one.
The next batter, Cody Ransom, walked, to force in A-Rod from third base with the first run of the game. Brett Gardner then hit a force-play grounder that scored Posada, giving the Yanks a 2-0 lead with Derek Jeter coming up to the plate.
The “captain” blooped a RBI single into short right-center field that plated Cano with the Yankees third run.
The way this inning was going, it had to end on an equally unusual play; and, it did, when Lirano made an attempted pick-off throw to first, Gardner tried to steal home but was out on a very rare 1-3-2 play.
So, in an inning that the Yankees scored three runs on: a walk; hit-by-pitch; error; walk; force-play; and bloop single, it was only fitting that the inning ended on the base paths, with a runner being thrown out at the plate on an attempted steal of home, on a play that started with an attempted pick-off at first base.
Anyway, all that action added up to a 3-0 Yankees lead.
In the inspirational movie, “Rudy”, in one of the scenes during a football practice session, the Notre Dame coach says, “Sloppy, lets run it again”.
Well, in the bottom of the second inning it looked like it was a continuation of all the “sloppiness” of the top of the inning, but this time with the Yankees on the field.
After a long half an inning sitting of the bench, Aceves took the mound in the bottom of the second, and was greeted by a long, line drive, homerun to straight away centerfield, a ball that traveled 420 ft, by Jason Kubel leading off the inning.
Michael Cuddyer then walked, and advanced to second on a terrible pick-off attempt by Alfredo Aceves, who threw the ball way out of Teixeira’s reach.
Brian Buscher was up next, and hit a high pop-up in the direction of third and short that Ransom totally lost sight of looking up at the roof of the Metro Dome. But, Jeter drifted back, found the ball, and made the catch for the first out of the inning.
The next batter, Mike Redmond, then stroked a hard grounder to Ransom that hit the edge of part of the artifical turf surrounding third base, resulting in a bad hop that Ransom did field, but he made a very poor throw to first, for an error, that scored the second Twins run.
Aceves retired the final two batters without any further damage, keeping the Yankees lead at 3-2.
The game moved into the 4th inning after a scoreless third by both teams.
The Yankees put together a nice rally in the top of the 4th, that started with a single by Posada, followed by a double by Cano.
After Melky Cabrera made the first out, the Yanks scored two runs on back-to-back RBI singles by Cody Ransom and Brett Gardner. The rally was ended when Jeter hit into a 4-6-3 double play; but, the Yanks increased their lead to 5-2.
The bottom of the 4th turned out to be another “sloppy” inning for the Yankees.
Aceves retired the first batter, Kubel, on a easy infield dribbler in front of catcher Jorge Posada who made the throw to Teixeira for the out.
The next hitter, Michael Caddyer, blasted a shot off the top part of the left field wall for a double. The ball missed going out of the park by inches. Buscher then singled setting up a first and third situation with no outs. Aceves then hit the next batter, Redmond, to load the bases. Alfredo Aceves’ day was now finished after only 3.1 ineffective innings when Girardi replaced him with David Robertson.
Robertson struck out Nick Punto for out number two.
But, after the strikeout, Robertson continued the theme of the game by walking Denard Span on four pitches forcing in the Twins third run; and, also, walking the next batter, Matt Tolbert, cutting the Yankees lead to 5-4.
The bases were still loaded with the very tough hitter Joe Mauer coming up to the plate; but, Robertson got out of the jam by getting Mauer to hit a third out grounder to second.
The game now entered the top of the fifth, and after one out, Mark Teixeira hit a long homer into the left field seats that upped the Bronx Bombers lead to 6-4. This was Teixeira’s 21st homerun of the year, and his first in 95 at-bats. This run also completed the scoring in this game.
Both bullpens were very effective the rest of the way holding the score at 6-4 as the game entered the bottom of the 9th inning.
The “Great Mariano” was now on the mound for the Yankees, and pitched a scoreless inning to protect the Yanks 6-4 victory. Marinao Rivera now has 23 saves.
The winning pitcher was Jonathan Albaladejo, who increased his record to 4-1.
This was a big win for the Yankees, and a great sweep of the Twins.
The road is looking very nice for the New York Yankees so far on this trip.
And, the view is even more beautiful at the top of the AL East.
AL EAST STANDINGS (at the end of baseball action, July 9, 2009)
New York Yankees 51-34 .600 —
Boston Red Sox 51-34 .600 —
Tampa Bay Rays 47-39 .547 4.5
Toronto Blue Jays 43-44 .494 9.0
Baltimore Orioles 38-47 .447 13.0
“Go Yankees”
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Yanks Celebrate Holiday Weekend With Three Wins
The New York Yankees gave George Steinbrenner an extra special birthday gift this holiday weekend — three straight victories over the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium, that moved the Bronx Bombers only one game behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.
Mr. Steinbrenner’s birthday was on the “Fourth of July”, and his Yankees delivered the first of their three wins on Friday July 3rd — a 4-2 win in the first game of four straight day games vs. the Blue Jays. When was the last time the Yankees, or any team other than the Cubs in Chicago, played four straight day games?
A.J. Burnett (7-4) pitched a solid game on Friday to earn the win; as Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez hit home runs that led the Yankees hitting attack, setting the stage for Mariano Rivera to close out this 4-2 victory with his 21st save of the year.
On the “Fourth of July”, the Yankees won a very dramatic, extra-innings, 6-5 victory, on a walk-off, RBI single by Jorge Posada off Shawn Camp (0-4), in the bottom of the 12th inning.
The Yankees tagged Blue Jays starter, Roy Halladay, maybe the best pitcher in the America League, for three home runs: Hideki Matsui (12th), leading off the 2nd inning; Jorge Posada (11th), leading off the 4th inning; and, Johnny Damon (16th), a two-run shot into the short right field porch in the 7th inning, that tied the score 5-5 at the time.
After the Damon homer, Halladay had a look of disbelief on his face, maybe thinking “that” home run was not going to reach the seats, and was the product of the increased jet stream of air flow at the new Yankee Stadium.
The bad news for the Yankees in this game was another ineffective pitching performance by Chien-Ming Wang, who had to leave the game in the sixth inning after he felt tightness in his right shoulder on a pitch to Adam Lind, who blasted a two-run homer on the Wang delivery that tied the score 4-4.
On the next pitch to Scott Rolen, it was catcher Jorge Posada who noticed that Wang didn’t follow-through all the way on the pitch, and just kind of pushed it up to the plate. Posada called Joe Girardi and trainer Steve Donohue from the dugout, and Wang was removed from the game.
Wang had a MRI after the game, and was placed on the disabled list after it was determined that he had a right shoulder strain and bursitis, which calls for total rest without any throwing for Wang until some time after the All-Star break. The Yankees have not yet decided who will replace Wang in the rotation.
Chien-Ming Wang allowed four runs, on six hits, in his 5.1 innings on the mound, and was replaced by David Robertson who gave up the final Blue Jays run, a well as, recording the final two out of the sixth inning.
The Yankees bullpen was lights out the rest of the way, with five relievers: Bruney (7th); Hughes (8th); Mariano Rivera (9th); Coke (10th and 11th); and, finally, Brett Tomko (W, 1-2), in the 12th inning, all delivering solid performances.
A final note of interest occurred after the game when Jorge Posada was being inteviewed by Kim Jones of the Yes Network.
Joba Chamberlain and A.J. Burnett charged out of the Yankees dugout and teamed-up to toss a “shaving-cream” pie in Jorge’s face in celebration of Posada’s game winning hit.
Jorge did not exactly look too happy to be the latest “victim” of this new ongoing form of celebration for the heroes of late-inning Yankee victories.
In my view, I have to say, the first couple of times the pie-tossing was kind of humorous; but, I think this “parlor-trick” has run its course, and this “long-time” Yankees fan wouldn’t mind if these antics are not seen any more after games. This is just not what Yankees “tradition” is all about.
In the third game of this four-game series, the Yankees staked starter Joba Chamberlain to an early 4-0 lead, scoring two runs in each of the first two innings.
Then, in the top of the third, Raul Chavez doubled, and scored on a RBI single by Aaron Hill to cut the Yankees lead to 4-1. Aaron Hill followed with a two-run homer off Chamberlain, cutting the Yankees lead even more to 4-3.
In the top of the 4th, Joba Chamberlain had an even tougher inning that began with a single by Lyle Overbay. Vernon Wells was up next, and hit a fly ball to left for out number one. Then, Alex Rois hit a hard shot to Cody Ransom, who was filling-in for Alex Rodriguez at third base. The ball took a wicked hop that bounced high off Ransom’s glove for an error.
In fairness to Ransom, the ball was hit very hard, and took a high bounce at the last second; but, it was a ball that Ransom probably should have fielded, and thus the play was called an error.
It was now first and second with one out when David Dellucci hit an easy fly ball to right for the second out of the inning. If not for the error, this may have been the final out, but the inning continued.
Raul Chavez was up next, and promptly hit a RBI double that plated Overbay to tie the score 4-4.
Marco Scutaro then stroked a two-RBI single that increased the Blue Jays lead to 6-4.
The damage was not done yet, as next batter, Aaron Hill, blasted a two-run homer off Joba, over the auxiliary scoreboard in right centerfield to up the Jays lead to 8-4.
As Yes Network announcer David Cone said, “Joba put a snowman up on the scoreboard with the eight runs that he allowed; and, no pitcher wants to do that.”
After Joba gave up a single to Adam Lind, Joe Girardi replaced Chamberlain with Jonathan Albaladejo. As Joba walked to the dugout he was booed by the Yankee Stadium crowd.
The error hurt Joba Chamberlain’s final numbers; but, after two outs in the 4th inning, Joba did get hit hard, and did not get out of the jam. He lasted 3.2 innings, while allowing eight runs, (three earned), on nine hits, one walk, and only one strikeout.
In the bottom of the 4th, the Yankees came right back in this game when after one out, Mark Teixeira walked; Jorge Posada singled; and, both runners scored on Hideki Matsui’s three-run homer off Brett Cecil that cut the Blue Jays lead to 8-7.
The Yanks were now on the road to another comeback as the game entered the bottom of the fifth.
Melky Cabrera led off the 5th inning with a walk, and after Ransom grounded out, scored on Derek Jeter’s 10th homer of the year, an opposite field shot off B.J. Ryan, that gave the Bronx Bombers a 9-8 lead.
Johnny Damon then walked and scored all the way from first on a RBI double by Jorge Posada that increased the Yanks lead to 10-8, and completed the scoring in this game.
There were still four innings to play, though, and Girardi brought Alfredo Aceves into pitch.
Aceves turned in one of the best relief performances by a Yankees middle-inning reliever in awhile, throwing 43 pitches over “four” brilliant innings, allowing no runs, while giving up only one hit, no walks, and striking out five.
Very simply, “brilliant”, and very “old school” !!!
Alfredo Aceves brought back images of Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage who would routinely pitch two, three, or four innings when closing out Yankee victories.
The winning pitcher in this game could have been either Albaladejo or Aceves, based on whom the official scorer felt had pitched better in relief.
Albaladejo (3-1) did pitch well enough to earn the victory [1.1 innings pitched; no runs; two hits; no walks; two strikeouts], and he was the pitcher of record when the Yankees took the lead in the 5th inning. So, the decision to award him the win cannot really be disputed. And, it was nice to see Alfred Aceves credited with his first career save.
The hitting stars for the Yankees in this game were:
* Derek Jeter (4-for-5); including his 10th HR; three runs; two RBI’s
* Jorge Posada (4-for-5); two runs; three RBI’s
* Hideki Matsui (2-for-4); including his 13th HR; one run; four RBI’s
**** Happy Birthday, Mr. George M. Steinbrenner, III ****
**** Happy Birthday, to the United States of America ****
— Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” — “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
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Update: July 6, 2009 …
The Yankees lost the final game of their four-game series vs. the Blue Jays, 7-6.
But, the Boston Red Sox also lost their game this day, on a 6-0 shutout by the Oakland A’s.
So, at the end of baseball action on this beautiful day, the battle for first place in the AL East is really starting to heat up as the 2009 season moves into the summer months.
This “race for first place” will go right down to the wire between the Yankees and Red Sox, with the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays also still very much in the race. It will be fun to watch.
AL EAST STANDINGS … (at the end of action on July 6th) …
Boston Red Sox 49-33 .598 — Last 10 Games: (5-5)
New York Yankees 48-34 .585 1.0 Last 10 Games: (8-2)
Tampa Bay Rays 44-39 .530 5.5 Last 10 Games: (6-4)
Toronto Blue Jays 43-41 .512 7.0 Last 10 Games: (3-7)
Baltimore Orioles 36-47 .434 13.5 Last 10 Games: (3-7)
The Yankees now head on the road, traveling to Minnesota to start a three-game series against the Twins on July 7-8-9th … Then, go to the West Coast to play the L.A. Angels in a three-game weekend series, July 10-11-12th, which leads to the All-Star break.
The Red Sox continue their schedule at Fenway Park with two more games vs. the Oakland A’s on July 7-8th. Then, the Sox host the K.C. Royals in a four-game weekend series in Boston, July 9-10-11-12th, leading up to the All-Star break.
The All-Star Game will be played on Tuesady, July 14, 2009.
The Red Sox have an advantage on the schedule over the next six games. But, hopefully, by the All-Star break the Yankees will be standing on top of the AL East as we approach the long summer days ahead in July and August.
“Go Yankees” !!!
— Jimmy 27NYY, “BY&L”
Three Home Runs Power Yanks To 7th Straight Win
Andy Pettitte threw 98 pitches over seven solid innings on the mound against the Seattle Mariners, allowing two runs, on six hits, one walk, and six strikeouts, in route to the Yankees seventh win in a row.
This victory brings Pettitte’s record to 8-3; and, the Yankees record to 45-32.
The Bronx Bombers remain in second place in the AL East, 2.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox, who won a very dramatic 6-5 extra innings game against the Baltimore Orioles yesterday, after being down 5-1 going into the 8th inning.
The Sox scored four runs in the 8th to tie the score; and, then, scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th, to take the 6-5 lead which was preserved by Boston’s closer, Jonathan Papelbon.
Andy Pettitte and the Yankees got all the support they needed in this game on three home runs, and solid performances from the bullpen.
Johnny Damon put the Yankees on the scoreboard first with a solo homerun, his 15th, in the third inning, off the Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn. Damon is certainly on pace to hit over 30 homers this season.
Seattle scored a run in the top of the 4th to tie the game 1-1.
Melky Cabrera moved the Yanks back into the lead with a towering solo blast over the left field foul pole in the bottom of the 5th off Washburn.
Melky’s 8th homer of the year had to be reviewed on videotape by the umpires; but, after a quick two minute look by the umps, the ball was ruled fair, and the homerun counted, adding another run on the board for the Yanks, giving them a 2-1 lead.
In the top of the 6th inning, after Pettitte retired the first two batters, Ken Griffey, Jr. hit a solo homer into the short right field porch, his 10th of the season and 621st of his career, to tie the game 2-2.
Then, in the bottom of the 6th, the Yankees took the lead once again, this time for good, when Mark Teixeira singled, and was driven home on a long two-run homer, over the centerfield wall, by Alex Rodriguez, his 13th of the year and 566th of his career.
This was the third homerun of the game given up by Jarrod Washburn (L, 4-6), as the Yankees completed the scoring in their 4-2 win.
The “Bridge to Mariano” was successfully built by Alfredo Aceves, who retired the lead off batter in the 8th, the only batter he faced; and, Phil Coke, who retired the final two batters of the inning.
Enter “Sandman”, the “great” Mariano Rivera, in the top of the 9th inning, who closed out this very “crisp”, 2 hour 17 minute, Yankees victory, recording his 20th save of the season, and 502nd of his “Hall of Fame” career.
The Yankees go for their 8th win in a row, tonight, in the final game of this three game series against the Seattle Mariners, with CC Sabathia (7-4, 3.55), taking the mound for the Yanks, pitching against the Mariners scheduled starter, Jason Vargas, (3-3, 3.79).
Go Yankees !!!
— Jimmy Curran, “BY&L”
Nine Straight Wins And Counting For Yankees
The New York Yankees continued to roll on their drive towards first place in the AL East by winning their ninth straight game, a 7-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium, completing a three-game sweep of the O’s.
This sweep followed a four-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins over the past weekend, and victories in the final two games against the Blue Jays in Toronto before the Twins series, increasing the Yankees record to 24-17, placing the Bronx Bombers in a virtual three way tie for first with the Blue Jays (27-17), and Red Sox (25-16).
After a scary top of the first inning when Yankees starter Joba Chamberlain was knocked out of the game by a hard line drive off his right knee by Adam Jones, the Yankees exploded for four runs in the bottom of the first on a lead off double by Derek Jeter; a RBI double by Robinson Cano; a RBI double by Mark Teixeira; and, a two-out, two RBI double by Melky Cabrera that scored Tex and Nick Swisher, who walked, for the early 4-0 lead.
Robinson Cano (3-for-4) blasted a two-run homer in the second inning to give the Yanks a 6-0 lead; and, after the O’s scored a run in the top of the 5th, Hideki Matsui hit a homerun in the bottom of the 5th inning, that completed the scoring for the Yankees, and gave the Bombers a 7-1 lead at the time.
Thank God the X-rays of Joba Chamberlain’s knee were negative; and, Joba said, he was “100 percent confident” that he would make his next start against the Rangers in Texas on Tuesday.
Alfredo Aceves (3-0) replaced Joba, and pitched brilliantly over 3.1 innings of work to earn the victory in this game.
The Orioles scored two more runs in the top of the 6th, and another run in the 7th, all off Jonathan Albaladejo, who, to say the least, was not effective [at all] in his 2.1 innings out of the bullpen, as he allowed all four Oriole runs.
With the score now 7-4, Jose Veras built the bridge to Mariano Rivera who closed out the Yankees victory with a scoreless 9th inning, recording his ninth save of the year.
The Yankees open a big three-game series this Memorial Day Weekend against the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, starting Friday night, May 22, 2009, with A.J. Burnett (2-1) on the mound for the Yanks against Brett Myers (3-2) for the Phillies.
Baseball, The Yankees, and Life... 