Tagged: A's
Straight A’s For CC; Yanks 5-0 Win Sweeps A’s
CC Sabathia was brilliant today, on a hot, humid, afternoon in the Bronx, allowing the A’s only one hit over eight shutout innings, leading the Yankees to a 5-0 victory that completed a four-game sweep against the visiting Oakland team.
Sabathia improved his record to (19-5), and, also, improved his chances of winning this year’s American League Cy Young Award, as he increased the gap ahead of the other contending pitchers including 16-game winner David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays.
CC is now (11-0) in games he started this year at Yankee Stadium. And (16-0) with a 2.05 ERA in his last 21 starts in the Bronx, going all the way back to the All-Star break in 2009.
The Yankees once again lived up to their great tradition as the Bronx Bombers, blasting three home runs in their sixth straight win. The Yanks defeated the Chicago White Sox 12-9 and 2-1, in the final two games of that three-game series. And swept the A’s by the scores of: 11-5; 9-3; 4-3; and 5-0.
Jorge Posada hit a solo homer (#17) in the second inning to give the Yanks an early 1-0 lead.
Then, Curtis Granderson, who was not in the original lineup but replaced Nick Swisher who injured his knee in the first inning, continued his late-season power surge by hitting a solo homer (#16) in the sixth, and a two-run homerun (#17) in the seventh inning, that increased the Yanks lead to 4-0.
The Yanks scored their final run in the eight on a RBI single by Austin Kearns that drove home Lance Berkman, capping the score at 5-0 in favor of the Bombers.
Dallas Braden (L,9-10), was the A’s starter, and also had a solid outing on this hot day. But with no outs in the sixth inning he had to leave the game because of cramps he experienced on the mound [due to the heat] after throwing his final pitch.
The only hit by the A’s in this game, was a “clean hit” stroked by Mark Ellis in the second inning.
Sabathia ended up tossing 95 pitches throughout his eight strong innings on the mound, walking three, and striking out five, along with the one hit he allowed. Another solid “Money” performance by CC.
Albaladejo pitched a scoreless ninth to close-out the Yanks 5-0 shutout, which was caught by Posada.
The Yankees (84-50) increased their lead in the AL East to 1.5 games over the second place Tampa Bay Rays (82-51); and 8 games ahead of the third place Boston Red Sox (75-58), who in my view, are still very much in this race, as there still are many important games yet to be played between these three rivals before this regular season ends.
So, as September begins, the pennant race in the AL East continues.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Babe Ruth Hits 500th HR … August 11, 1929
In 1929, the New York Yankees (88-66) finished in second place, 18 games behind the first place Philadelphia Athletics (104-46). The Athletics were the American League Champions that year, in a League that consisted of eight teams. The A’s then went on to beat the National League Champion Chicago Cubs (4-1) in the World Series.
The Yankees top three home run hitters in 1929 were:
* Babe Ruth …… 46 HR … 154 RBI … .345 BA
* Lou Gehrig …… 35 HR … 126 RBI … .300 BA
* Tony Lazzeri … 18 HR … 106 RBI … .354 BA
The top three home run hitters for the A’s in ’29 were:
* Al Simmons …. 34 HR … 157 RBI … .365 BA
* Jimmie Foxx … 33 HR … 118 RBI … .354 BA
* Mule Haas …… 16 HR ….. 82 RBI … .313 BA
On August 11, 1929, Babe Ruth hit his 500th career home run.
In the book, “The Big Bam” – The LIFE and TIMES of BABE RUTH, by Leigh Montville, the author describes the Babe’s historic homer in such beautiful detail …
“The Babe went back to his long-ball production. Despite missing 17 days and falling nine home runs behind Gehrig, he again would lead the league with 46 and hit .345. He reached a milestone on August 11 in Cleveland when he smacked Indians starter Willis Hudlin’s first pitch in the second inning far and wide over the right-field fence at League Park for his 500th home run. It was a startling figure, more than twice as many home runs as anyone in the majors ever had hit. The clout also was the Babe’s sixth home run in the past six games.”
“The ball ricocheted off a Lexington Avenue doorstep and rolled to the feet of Jack Geiser, 46, who was walking to catch a bus home to New Philadelphia. Geiser was found, brought to the Yankees dugout, and presented with two baseballs and an autographed $20 bill by the Bambino, in exchange for the ball in his possession.”
Just a little bit of [baseball history] and Yankees history on this date.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
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”
A’s Shut Down Yankees, 3-0
In a game that took only 2 hours, 15 minutes to play, the Oakland A’s defeated the New York Yankees 3-0, on a seven-hit, shutout, by former Yankee Brett Tomko and three relievers in the first game of a three-game series in Oakland, CA.
It is interesting, Tomko was just released by the Yankees in the middle of July to make room on the pitching staff for Sergio Mitre who has delivered mostly below average performances so far as the Yankees fifth starter.
Tomko did not pitch very well [at all] during his brief time with the Yankees this year; but, when he departed he expressed displeasure on the way he was used [in his role, out of the bullpen] by the Yankees. Maybe if given the opportunity as a starting pitcher, Tomko could have been another fifth starter option at this time. Certainly, though, Brett Tomko did not pitch well enough to be given that chance by Joe Girardi.
There was not much action in this quick baseball contest, other than some solid pitching by the A’s hurlers, and, also, by Yankees starter A.J. Burnett, who actually turned in an eight inning complete game while taking the loss in this game.
A.J. had only one bad inning, in the top of the fourth, when the A’ s scored all three of their runs.
In the fourth, Rajai Davis stroked a one-out double that was almost caught by Nick Swisher on a diving through the air effort in right centerfield; then, Davis stole third base before scoring on a base hit by Kurt Suzuki for the A’s first run.
The A’s scored their second run on a balk by Burnett, when he stopped his delivery right in the middle of his pitch, causing Suzuki to score from third. After the game, A.J. said the balk was the result of a cross-up of the signs from catcher Jorge Posada, but Burnett took responsibility for the mistake. It should be noted, A.J. Burnett has had some problems of late on the mound, as he threw three wild pitches in his last start.
Mark Ellis was the batter at the plate during the balk, and after all the dust cleared, Ellis produced a RBI double to right centerfield that upped the A’s lead to 3-0, which capped the scoring in this game.
The Yankees had a golden chance to score some early runs in the third inning when they loaded the bases with one out, and Alex Rodriguez coming up to the plate … but, A-Rod hit an easy first-pitch grounder to Tomko who fired home to start an inning ending 1-2-3 double play, that killed the Yankees threat and best opportunity to score in this game.
Other than the possible third inning rally, the only other offense by the Yankees was provided by Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher who each had a double but was left stranded; and, Derek Jeter who was (3-for-4), which raised his average to .327, and moved him to only 30 hits behind the great Lou Gehrig on the all-time Yankees hit list.
Jeter now has 2,691 hits, as his path travels to pass Gehrig’s 2,721 career hits.
A.J. Burnett (10-6), pitched eight innings, while allowing three runs, on six hits, two walks, and five strikeouts.
Brett Tomko (2-2), lasted five shutout innings to earn the win, as he gave up five hits, and one walk, while striking out one.
After Breslow pitched the 6th and 7th innings, and Ziegler tossed a scoreless 8th inning, A’s closer Andrew Bailey preserved this victory recording his 18th save in the ninth.
The first place New York Yankees now have a record of (74-45), as CC Sabathia (13-7, 3.64), faces off against Vin Mazzaro (4-8, 5.54) in the middle game vs. the A’s tonight, Tuesday, August 18th.
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Rain Drops; Rain Delay; Yanks Win Seventh Straight
The Yankees increased their lead over the Boston Red Sox in the AL East, winning their seventh straight game, a rain-soaked 6-3 victory over the Oakland A’s at Yankee Stadium in the Beautiful Bronx, New York.
This first game of a four-game series vs. the A’s was delayed two hours and forty three minutes before the first pitch was thrown. But, at the end of this contest in the early morning hours of Friday, the Bronx Bombers drove home another win on their current winning streak to move two and a half games in front of the second place Red Sox who did not have a game scheduled this day.
The A’s staked rookie starter Vin Mazzaro to an early 3-0 lead through the first four innings.
Mazzaro, (22), is a local kid from New Jersey, and had many family members and friends cheering him on from the stands. He was pitching a great game until the bottom of the 4th inning when the Yankees rallied to take the lead.
The Yankees scored four runs in the 4th inning on a two-run homer by Mark Teixeira, his 24th; a RBI double by Jorge Posada that tied the game 3-3; and, Eric Hinske’s RBI single that gave the Bombers a 4-3 lead.
The Yanks added two more runs in the 5th on a RBI double by Teixeira, and a RBI single by Posada, that knocked Mazzaro out of the game.
Vin Mazzaro (2-7), lasted only 4.1 innings, while allowing six runs, on eight hits, four walks, and seven strikeouts. As the young rookie walked off the mound after his poor performance, he was given a nice round of applause by his family and friends who were still in the stands supporting their local hero. It was a very moving moment watching this event unfold on the Yes Network.
Meanwhile, the Yankees starter CC Sabathia, (10-6), threw a very solid 109 pitches over seven innings, allowing three runs, on nine hits, no walks, and four strikeouts.
Phil Hughes was called in from the bullpen to start the 8th inning, and, once again, was “brilliant”.
Hughes pitched two strong scoreless innings in the 8th and 9th, to close out the Yankees 6-3 victory while earing his first career “save”.
This was a great victory for the New York Yankees (58-37) that kept their winning streak going on a rainy night in the Bronx — a night that did not look like a game would be played.
To view boxscore, click on: Yanks 6, A’s 3
Also, earlier in the afternoon, I had the pleasure to watch the final two innings of the 5-0 “Perfect Game” by Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox against the Tampa Bay Rays, on my MLB Extra Innings Package.
Buehrle (11-3) pitched himself into the baseball history books with his “gem”; but, the big play of the game came in the top of the 9th inning when center fielder, Dewayne Wise made an outstanding play off the bat of Gabe Kapler who led off the inning.
Kapler hit a deep “blast” to centerfield, and Wise, who entered the game for defensive purposes, ran the ball down and made an amazing, running, leaping catch, robbing Gabe Kapler of a home run to protect the “Perfect Game”, “No-Hitter”, and “Shutout” !!!
This was one of the “greatest” catches I have ever seen, and, certainly, one of the most dramatic plays I have ever viewed on a baseball diamond.
Mark Buehrle retired the final two batters and the “Perfect Game” was in the books.
This is only the 18th “Perfect Game” in Major League Baseball history.
“Congratulations” to both Mark Buehrle and Dewayne Wise for their excellent performances in the historic “Perfect Game” !!!
To view boxscore of this 5-0 game, click on: Perfect Game
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
The “Melky-Way” Leads Yanks To 9-7 Extra Inning Win
Melky Cabrera was given a rare start in centerfield by manager Joe Girardi which proved to be the guiding star for the Yankees as “The Melk-man” delivered two big homeruns, the biggest being his walk-off, two-run homer, in the bottom of the 14th inning, that led the Yanks to a 9-7 victory over the Oakland A’s at the new Yankee Stadium in the beautiful, Bronx, New York.
Hideki Matsui and Derek Jeter also homered for the Bronx Bombers, but it was Melky’s two big blasts, the first from the right side of the plate in the second inning; and, the game-winner, lefthanded, in the 14th, that were the hightlights of the Yankees five-hour marathon afternoon win.
The two Melky homers were very hugh because they helped the Yankees win their third straight game, and, also, their sixth victory in nine games, improving the Yanks record to 9-6, tied with the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.
Also, the homers will be a hugh boost to Melky Cabrera’s confidence, who was the Yankees opening day starting centerfielder in 2008, but lost the prized position to Brett Gardner in 2009.
Melky had a big smile on his face when he crossed home plate after hitting his dramatic walk-off homerun off A’s reliever, Dan Giese (0-2); and, after the game Melky Cabrera was looking forward to future time in center and the Yankees lineup when he said, “any time the manager uses me, I will be ready. He [Girardi] showed enough confidence in me, and I did what I had to do. I knew the ball was gone, and I knew we had won”.
Way to go, Melky !!!
I am very happy the Yankees won the game, and, also, very happy that Melky got the big hit.
Bobby Abreu will be very proud, as Melky now wears Abreu’s old #53 uniform number. I still wish Bobby Abreu was playing rightfield, and batting in the middle of the Yankees batting order. But, if Melky keeps hitting the way he did in this ballgame, maybe, just maybe, #53 will have a major impact in this Yankees season.
Much credit for this 9-7 Yankees victory also has to be given to the Yankees bullpen, including Mariano Rivera in the 9th, who combined to pitch 7.1 scoreless innings, to keep the game tied 7-7 into the 14th inning, after CC Sabathia’s very ineffective start in which he allowed seven runs (six earned) in his 6.2 innings of work.
The most effective of the six Yankee relievers was Jose Veras (1-1) who threw 46 pitches over 3.1 innings of scoreless ball, getting the final out in the 11th, then, the 12th, 13th, and 14th innings, allowing no hits, one walk, while striking-out four, to earn a well deserved win.
In the game, the Yankees pounded out 17 hits, including the four homeruns, and at least one hit by every starting position player.
* Derek Jeter (2-for-7); two runs; two RBI’s; HR
* Johnny Damon (3-for-5); two walks
* Mark Teixeira (2-for-7); one run; one RBI
* Jorge Posada (2-for-6); one run; one walk
* Robinson Cano (2-for-7); one RBI
* Nick Swisher (1-for-4); one run; one RBI; three walks
* Hideki Matsui (2-for-7); one run; one RBI; HR
* Melky Cabrera (2-for-6); two runs; three RBI’s; one walk; two HR’s
* Cody Ransom (1-for-3); one run
This victory was a perfect way for the Yankees to end their opening home stand at the new Yankee Stadium, as they now head up to Boston for a big three-game, weekend series, against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox are “red-hot” with a seven game winning streak, and are tied with the Yankees with a 9-6 record in the AL East, as both teams get ready to do battle in their first major showdown of the 2009 baseball season.
It will be a fun series …
“Playoff Baseball In April” !!!
“A Season Within A Season” !!!
Solid Effort By Pettitte In Yanks 5-3 Win Over A’s
The Yankees are on a roll as they won their second game in a row, beating the Oakland A’s 5-3 on a solid pitching performance by Andy Pettitte.
Pettitte said after the game that he “struggled with his fastball command” and didn’t really feel great during the game. But, Andy battled on the mound, throwing 105 pitches over seven innings of work, allowing two runs, on nine hits, no walks, and no strikeouts, to help lead the Yankees to their 8th win of the year.
The Yankees got all the runs they needed in the second inning, when they scored four runs, giving them a 4-0 lead at the time.
Nick Swisher led off the 2nd with a walk, and advanced to third on a double by Hideki Matsui. After Cody Ransom flied out to centerfield, Brett Gardner singled home both Swisher and Matsui for the first two runs of the game.
Gardner then stole second, moved to third on a Derek Jeter single, and scored the third run of the inning on a Johnny Damon RBI base hit. Damon was out at second base when he tried to stretch his single into a double. But, the next batter, Mark Teixeira, stroked a single that drove home the “captain” for the Yanks fouth run.
Jorge Posada followed with a two-out single, the Yanks sixth hit of the inning; but, with two runners on base, Cody Ransom flied out to centerfield for the final out of the inning, keeping the Yanks lead at 4-0.
In the top of the 4th, Andy Pettitte got into a little trouble when the A’s loaded the based with no outs on three straight singles by Giambi, Holliday, and Jack Cust.
Andy got the next batter, Mark Ellis, to hit a ground ball to Mark Teixeira that scored the first A’s Run; and, then, after Eric Chavez also grounded out, catcher, Kurt Suzuki, hit a RBI single that plated Matt Holliday to cut the Yanks lead in half.
But, just like Ransom in the second inning for the Yanks, the next Oakland batter, Rajai Davis, hit a fly ball to the outfield for the final out, that left two runners on base, and the Yankees in the lead with a score of 4-2.
The Yankees increased their lead to 5-2 on a homerun by Johnny Damon in the bottom of the 6th inning. Damon playing his 2,000th career game, was 2-for-5, including his homer, and two RBI’s.
When asked about playing in his 2,000th game, Johnny Damon said, “I’ve been fortunate to be able to play the game for this long without many injuries; so, I definitely have been blessed.”
The A’s had a rally going in the 7th, but Andy Pettitte got out of the jam, and his night was finished with the Yankees leading 5-2.
Brian Bruney replaced Pettitte and gave up a run in the top of the 8th inning, which ended Bruney’s streak of 22 straight batters retired. The score was now 5-3 in favor of the Yanks.
In the top of the 9th, Mariano Rivera closed out this victory for the Yankees and Andy Pettitte, (2-0), by pitching a scoreless inning for his fourth save.
For the “Great Mariano” this was the 57th time that he saved a win for Andy Pettitte, which ties a record of starter/closer – win/save combinations that was set by Bob Welch and Dennis Eckersley of the Oakland A’s.
With this win, the Yankees are now 8-6, in second place behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East.
The Yanks wrap-up this two game series against the Oakland A’s with an afternoon game at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, April 22th, with a pitching match-up of CC Sabathia vs. Brett Anderson.
The Yankees have an off day on Thursday, and then head up to Boston for a big three-game weekend series against the Red Sox.
“Playoff Baseball in April” !!!
Now, that series at Fenway Park will be fun to watch !!!
Just Kind Of Recovering From 22-4 Bashing Of Yanks
It has been a very interesting roller coaster ride for the New York Yankees so far in the beginning of this young baseball season.
The Bronx Bombers started the 2009 baseball season by losing their first two games of an opening nine-game road trip; but, then, won the next five of seven games to return home with a respectful 5-4 record as they got ready to open the new Yankee Stadium against the Cleveland Indians.
And, the roller coaster ride began …
* Thursday, April 16th — Indians 10, Yankees 2
* Friday, April 17th — Yankees 6, Indians 5
* Saturady, April 18th — Indians 22, Yankees 4
* Sunday, April 19th — Yankees 7, Indians 3
So, after the disastrous 22-4 loss on Saturday, and a split of the four game series vs. the Indians — the Yankees go into their series against the Oakland A’s with a record of 7-6, tied for second place with the Red Sox, 2.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays, in the AL East.
Considering some of the issues the Yankees are dealing with, most notably, Alex Rodriguez’s injury, and Chien-Ming Wang’s poor 0-3 start in the rotation, the Yanks are not in that bad of a position at his point of the season.
The upcoming weekend series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park will be a major test for the Yankees, and certainly a series I look very much forward to watching.
There still are many games to be played this season; and, I think the Yankees will be fine.
Baseball, The Yankees, and Life... 