Tagged: Blue Jays
Eight Wins In-A-Row For Bronx Bombers
The Yankees (86-50) continued on their path to another first place finish in the AL East by taking the first two games of their three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-3 and 7-5, in the Bronx, increasing their winning streak to eight games, and upping their lead to 2.5 games over the second place Rays (83-52). The third place Red Sox (76-60) lost a day-night double-header by an identical 3-1 score in both games to fall 10 games out of first, and 8 games behind the Rays in the wild card race.
The Bronx Bombers are on a late-season roll.
In the first game of this series, the Yanks were led to victory by another fine performance by Curtis Granderson, (2-for-3), with two walks, one run, and three RBI’s. Granderson continues his hot hitting ways since working on his swing with hitting coach Kevin Long. A great game by Brett Gardner, (1-for-3), with two walks, three runs, and one RBI, also contributed to the 7-3 win.
The Yankees bullpen also delivered a solid effort after starter Ivan Nova was replaced on the mound after throwing only four and two-thirds innings. Kerry Wood (W,3-4) was awarded the win by the official scorer for pitching the best of the Yankee relievers [in the opinion of the scorer]. The win could have easily been awarded to Mariano Rivera who closed out the victory by tossing a six-pitch scoreless ninth.
Berkman was (2-for-4); Pena was (2-for-4), with one RBI; and the rookie Nunez, who played short for Derek Jeter [who had a day off], raised his batting average to .308 with a (2-for-4), one run, day.
Derek Jeter was the major topic of discussion in the sports sections of the New York newspapers, and on Sports Talk radio, this past week. More on Jeter in another post.
In Game Two of this series, Manager Joe Girardi provided more controversy when he replaced starter Javier Vazquez in the fifth inning, with two outs, and runners on first and third, with the Yankees in the lead 5-3.
Over-managing by Girardi? Maybe, as this was the third time over the last couple of weeks that the Yankee manager has replaced his starting pitcher with only four and two-thirds innings of work on the mound. Nova in the first game of this series, and Dustin Moseley in his last start, were the other two starters to fall victim to Girardi’s quick hook.
Ironically, Moseley, who was called into this game to replace Vazquez, was taken out of the rotation and sent to the bullpen after his last start. And Vazquez, after two good bullpen appearances, was placed back into the rotation in Moseley’s spot to make this start against the Blue Jays. Sounds very confusing and over-calculating by the Yankees braintrust, doesn’t it?
At any rate Moseley replaced Vazquez in this game. And just as quick as one of Girardi’s hooks of late, he allowed a two-run double to Lyle Overbay that tied the score 5-5.
Vazquez could have been just as ineffective, or maybe he could have gotten out of the jam. At least he should have been given the opportunity to get the final out, and complete five innings that would have given him a possible chance to earn the win as the starting pitcher. Probably Vazquez should have just remained in the bullpen at this time since he has been effective in that role in his previous two appearances.
Well, the game remained tied until the seventh inning when Marcus Thames blasted a two-out, two-run homer (#11), that drove home Robinson Cano who kept the inning going with a two-out single, moving the Bombers into a 7-5 lead.
Thames has been just as hot at the plate as Granderson in recent weeks, hitting .314 with seven home runs and 13 RBI’s over his last ten games in the lineup.
Other than Moseley the bullpen was very solid the rest of the way in this game, as Logan, Chamberlain (W,2-4), Wood, and Rivera all pitched a scoreless inning each from the sixth inning on.
The Great Mariano closed out this 7-5 victory by recording his 29th save.
Anyway, when all was said and done, the Yankees ended up winning their eight straight game to stay atop the AL East by 2.5 games.
Even with the best record in baseball there is always room for some controversy.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Bosox Win 2-1 To Split Four-Game Series With Yanks
Well, okay, give the the Boston Red Sox credit for doing what they had to do in this very important four-game series against the New York Yankees in the Bronx. The Sox did not get swept or lose three of four games to the first place Bombers. They held on to take the final game 2-1, to earn a split, powered by excellent pitching by their starter Jon Lester (W,12-7), and great bullpen work by Daniel Bard, and Jonathan Papelbon, who closed out this Boston victory with his 28th save.
Thus, the AL East race remains close, with the Yankees (69-42) in first place by 1.5 games over the second place Rays (68-44), who ended their five-game losing streak with a 6-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers. And six games ahead of the third place Red Sox (64-49). And ten games ahead of the surging fourth place Blue Jays (59-52). Even the last place Orioles (38-74) could be a spoiler down the stretch, as they are (6-1) under the new leadership of Manager Buck Showalter. The AL East is certainly the toughest division in baseball.
Both starters delivered great efforts in this game. But, Lester was the better pitcher in this battle against Phil Hughes (L,13-5), as he took a no-hitter into the fifth inning that was broken up by a one-out single by Austin Kearns.
The Sox scored all their runs in the second inning when they took an early 2-0 lead. With one out, Ryan Kalish hit a single, then stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Jorge Posada, before scoring the first run on an infield hit by Bill Hall. J.D. Drew drove home the second run on a RBI groundout.
Hughes struggled early on, but made adjustments while throwing a total of 114 pitches over six strong innings, giving up the two runs on six hits and one walk. He ended his time on the mound by getting 14 outs on the last 15 hitters he faced in this game.
The Yankees had plenty of chances to make a comeback, starting in the seventh inning when they loaded the bases with no outs.
For sure, the Bombers had some bad luck while loading the bases in the seventh. After Jorge Posada led off with a single, a blast belted off the bat of Marcus Thames landed on top of the right-centerfield wall just inches from being a game-tying two-run homer [the ball bounced back on the field for a double]. There was also a play in the inning in which a fan distracted the Red Sox leftfielder Ryan Kalish from making a catch that could have been a sacrifice fly with Kearns batting.
At any rate, after all these exciting events, Austin Kearns was then hit-by-a-pitch which did load the bases with no outs, giving the Yankees a golden opportunity to score some runs and take the lead in this game. This would have given the Yanks a great chance to win Game Four, and drop Boston eight games out of first place.
Lester stayed composed, and struck out Curtis Granderson who has been a big disappointment for the Yanks this season, for out number one.
Terry Francona then brought Daniel Bard into the game. And Bard promptly struck out both Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher to end the Yankees threat. The score remained Red Sox 2, Yanks 0.
The Yanks finally broke through in the bottom of the eight when Mark Teixeira led off the inning by blasting his 26th homer, to cut the score to 2-1. This was Teixeira’s fourth lifetime hit in eleven at bats against Bard, including three homeruns. Interesting stat, since no other batter has hit more than one homer against Bard.
Alex Rodriguez continued the rally with a single. And, then, Joe Girardi sent Brett Gardner to first to pinch-run for A-Rod with Robinson Cano up at the plate. For some reason, though, Gardner did not attempt a stolen base, but did advance to second on a groundout by Cano. Posada then walked to set-up a first and second situation with Lance Berkman [pinch-hitting for Thames] now the batter. Berkman did not deliver [once again] for the Yanks, hitting an easy pop-up to left-field on a (2-0) pitch for the second out.
Francona then called Papelbon into the game to face Kearns, hoping for a four-out save by his closer. Papelbon threw one pitch that resulted in a ground ball to second base for the third out of the eight, ending another Yankee rally, and keeping the score 2-1 in favor of the Sox.
Yankee relievers Wood, Logan, and Chamberlain delivered scoreless pitching performances from the seventh through the ninth innings, to bring this [classic] game into the bottom of the ninth with the Red Sox still holding a 2-1 lead.
With Papelbon on the mound, Granderson led off the ninth by striking out.
Jeter then walked, and stole second, to put the tying run in scoring position and the winning run at the plate.
Nick Swisher was the next batter, and was struck out for the second out of the inning.
The Yanks were now down to their final out with Mark Teixeira coming up to the plate.
Teixeira battled Papelbon.
Strike One.
Strike Two.
Ball. (1-2).
Another Ball. (2-2).
Foul Ball. Still (2-2).
And, the pitch.
Strike Three.
Ball Game Over.
Red Sox 2, Yankees 1
Well, not much more to say.
It was a great series. And the race in the AL East continues.
Now, onto Texas for the New York Yankees.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
CC Aces Red Sox 5-2, Recording 150th Career Win
It was a big week for CC Sabathia and his family, as he and his wife Amber were blessed with their fourth child on Thursday. Then, on Saturday, CC recorded his 150th career victory in Game Two of a four-game weekend series against the Boston Red Sox, leading the Yankees to a 5-2 win on the “Fox Game of the Week”.
The Sox scored first in the top of the second on a solo homer by Victor Martinez, and back-to-back doubles by Adrian Beltre and Mike Lowell to take an early 2-0 lead.
The Yanks struck right back to tie the score against Bosox starter John Lackey (L,10-7), in the bottom of the second on a RBI triple by Curtis Granderson, and a groundout RBI by Ramiro Pena … Pena was playing third in place of the injured Alex Rodriguez, who was hit on the left ankle by a line drive off the bat of Lance Berkman in batting practice.
In the fifth inning, the Yankees took the lead on four straight two-out singles by Nick Swisher, Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, and Jorge Posada, moving ahead in the game by a score of 4-2.
Pena stroked a RBI single in the sixth inning to drive home the final run of the game, framing the score at Yankees 5, Red Sox 2.
Sabathia (14-5) had a very solid outing, throwing 101 pitches over eigth innings on the mound, allowing [only] the two runs in the second inning, on six hits, one walk, and four strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 3.14.
CC retired the final 20 of 24 batters he faced, before the “Great Mariano” closed out this victory by pitching a perfect ninth for his 23th save.
This victory, combined with the 17-11 Tampa Bay Rays loss to the Toronto Blue Jays [a game in which the Blue Jays hit eight homers], upped the Yanks (68-41) lead over the Rays (67-43) to 1.5 games in the AL East, and dropped the third place Red Sox (63-48), to six games behind the Bronx Bombers.
A very fine week and day for CC Sabathia. And, a great game by the New York Yankees.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
* 600 … Does It Really Matter Anymore?
After the Yankees big 5-1 win against the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday afternoon at the Stadium, the only numbers that I am concerned about are: 67-40 and 67-40, which are the records of the Yanks and Tampa Bay Rays, tied for first place atop the AL East.
Alex Rodriguez’s homerun in the first inning was only a side note as far as I’m concerned, except for the fact that it helped the Yankees win a very important game, avoiding the Yanks being swept by the Blue Jays. Also, the win kept the Bronx Bombers on pace with the Rays, who lost to the Twins 2-1 last night in 13 innings.
When these milestone Home Run records are reached in this era of baseabll, such as A-Rod’s 600th yesterday, my thoughts always turn to Babe Ruth, reflecting on true greatness. But, it seems most fans have forgotten about The Babe of late.
In my view, maybe it’s time for Major League Baseball to do a better job of promoting Babe Ruth, and refocusing attention on the greatest player and homerun hitter in the history of our National Pastime.
My suggestion would be to encourage MLB to release a statement sometime before the end of this season, proclaiming the greatness of Babe Ruth [I know, as if this really is necessary]. But, the statement would acknowledge this very real fact. And maybe it is something that is needed to done at this time – something that is long overdue.
Included in the statement should be a missive informing all in the Baseball World that starting at the beginning of the 2011 season, the great Babe Ruth’s #3 will be permanently retired throughout all of Baseball … the same honor that Baseball has bestowed on Jackie Robinson by retiring his #42 throughout all of Major League Baseball.
Numbers are very sacred in the history of baseball. And with the many records being broken in recent years, many tainted because of alleged or admitted use of performance-enhancing drugs, these records should probably have an asterisk attached to them [in some form or another] for the overall good of the “Game”.
Retiring Babe Ruth’s #3, and issuing asterisk’s on tainted homerun records and other questionable baseball records, will be a great start to fully putting the Steroid Era behind us, while also honoring Baseball’s “Greatest Player”.
So, congratulations to Alex Rodriguez, ’cause he helped the Yankees win a big ballgame yesterday.
In the Yankees Universe, though, as the season continues, the only number that Yankee fans will care about, and be focused on, will be #28, as in the New York Yankees winning their 28th World Championship.
To view Babe Ruth’s lifetime stats, click on: Babe Ruth
– Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
A Game To Just Forget
Blue Jays 14, Yankees 8 …
With this loss, the New York Yankees split a four-game series against the Blue Jays in Toronto. But, this was a very successful road trip as the Bronx Bombers (87-50), won five of seven games to remain in first place in the AL East, seven and a half games ahead of the second place Boston Red Sox (79-57).
The Yankees return home to play a Labor Day day/night doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in the Beautiful Bronx.
The big story, of course, is Derek Jeter’s pursuit of Lou Gehrig’s all-time Yankees hit record.
The “Captain” Jeter is four hits away from passing the Yankees first “Captain”, the Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig on the all-time New York Yankees hit list.
Gehrig has 2,721 career hits; and, Jeter with three hits in yesterday’s loss to the Blue Jays, now stands at a total of 2,718 hits.
“Best Wishes” and “Thanks” to Derek for his many great years in Yankee Pinstripes.
And, Best Wishes to all who have visited my blog …
I hope everybody has a very enjoyable Labor Day holiday weekend !!!
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
A Tale Of Two Starting Pitchers …
After beating the Blue Jays 10-5 in the first game of this four-game series in Toronto, the New York Yankees were stopped right in their tracks by the good doctor, Roy “Doc” Halladay, on a masterfully pitched, one-hit, complete game, 6-0 shutout.
Roy “Doc” Halladay
This game could really be called “A Tale Of Two Starting Pitchers”, as Halladay delivered a performance that once again showcased why he is one of the best pitchers in baseball, while the Yankees braintrust are still dabbling with the “Joba Rules”, trying to find the right formula that will limit Joba Chamberlain’s innings pitched [this year] in the range of 150-160 innings, and, also, win ball games during this experiment.
In this era of baseball when the “complete game” is a very rare feat indeed, Roy “Doc” Halladay (14-8, 2.98 ERA), pitched his sixth CG this year by tossing 111 pitches, over nine brilliant innings, allowing no runs, on only one hit, a double to Ramiro Pena in the sixth innng, three walks and nine strikeouts.
In his 12-year Major League career, all with the Blue Jays, Doc Halladay has started 282 games; has a record of (145-74, 3.46 ERA); 46 complete games, including 13 shutouts, with two shutouts in 2009.
Halladay had a perfect game going with two outs in the fifth inning when he walked Jorge Posada, ending his bid for perfecton. But, Doc struck out Robinson Cano to end the inning with a no-hitter still on the scoreboard.
Then, in the sixth inning with a 4-0 lead, Halladay had his most trouble of the night, loading the bases on Pena’s one-out double, which broke up the no-hitter; and, back-to-back, two-out walks to Eric Hinske and Mark Teixeira that brought Alex Rodriguez up to the plate.
But, A-Rod could not deliver a big clutch hit, striking out on four pitches, with the third strike being a pitch right over the middle of the plate that fooled Rodriguez as he was called-out [looking] to end the Yankees only threat of scoring in this game.
At this point, Joba Chamberlain (8-5, 4.41 ERA), was already out of the game, lasting a pre-determined three innings, in which he threw 59 pitches, allowing three runs (two earned), six hits, and two walks, while striking out only two batters.
Joba Chamberlain
Well, maybe it did not mean much, as Joe Girardi said after the game, “Roy Halladay was great; if we gave up one run, we wouldn’t have won tonight.”
But, the Yankees did use four relievers out of the bullpen after Joba’s early departure; and, in his next three scheduled starts, Chamberlain is projected [?] to pitch only four, five, and six innings in successive order of those games.
This all adds extra pressure to the Yankees bullpen, as well as, not giving Joba enough innings of work to go the distance [at least seven or eight innings] in his future starts this season, and in the post-season.
I guess the only reason the Yankees (86-49), can continue this experiment is because they are in first place, up by seven and a half games over the second place Boston Red Sox (78-56) in the AL East.
It would have made a lot more sense, though, to limit Joba’s innings in April and May so these ridiculous set of “rules” were not in effect at this late stage of the 2009 season, in the middle of a pennant race.
I look forward to the 2010 season, for Joba’s sake, and all in the Yankees Universe, when the “Joba Rules” will be no more.
— photo credits:
* google images
* http:// www. rightfieldbleachers. com/
* http:// blogs. mycentraljersey. com / yankees
— 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”
Help Wanted By Yankees: Fifth Starter
The New York Yankees look to take the rubber game of their three game series against the Toronto Blue Jays in a Wednesday afternoon contest at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx after a disappointing 5-4 loss in the first game, and, a very exciting, come from behind 7-5 victory in the middle game.
This series has certainly been a let down from the four-game weekend sweep over the Boston Red Sox. But, the Yankees continue on the winning path, in first place in the AL East, five and a half games ahead of the Red Sox who won both their games since the weekend, 6-5, and 7-5, over the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park.
The Yankees hitting has been fine as the Bronx Bombers pounded out 11 hits, including three homers: Jeter (#13), leading off the game; and, Cano (#17), and Hairston (#1) — back-to-back in the 4th inning, in the first game; and, 14 hits, including, five doubles; and, back-to-back home runs by Matsui (#17), and Posada (#15), in the second game of the Jays series.
The major concern for the Yankees, though, if they really have any major concerns at this point in the season, is the fifth spot in the starting rotation.
Sergio Mitre started the first game of this Blue Jays series, and was probably his most effective since joining the Yanks, striking out six of the first nine batters he faced. Mitre did give up two singles in the first, and a solo homer to Aaron Hill in the third inning, as the Yankees staked him to a 2-1 lead going into the top of the fourth.
Then, in the fourth, Mitre had a very damaging inning, putting the first two runners on base before hurting his own chances on the mound by making a bad throw to Cano on a comeback ball that looked like an easy double play gounder. Sergio threw the ball wide of second base, just out of reach and off the glove of Cano, into centerfield to allow a run to score. Cano was first charged with the error, but after the game the call was rightfully changed as Mitre was given the error on the play.
That play seemed to unglue Sergio Mitre, as he allowed two more runs in the fourth on a sac-fly, and, a RBI triple that gave the Blue Jays a 4-2 lead.
The Yankees tied the score 4-4 on the back to back homers by Cano and Hairston in the bottom of the fourth. But, Mitre could not hold the score, as he gave up a long solo homer to Lyle Overbay off the back wall of the bullpen just in front of the right field bleachers in the top of the fifth, that was actually the game winning run, completing the scoring in this 5-4 Toronto victory.
Sergio Mitre (L,1-1), retired the final batter of the fifth inning which also finished his work on the mound in this game.
So, the Yankees number five starter at the moment threw 96 pitches over five unacceptable innings of work [in my view]; while, allowing five runs (three earned); on six hits, including two homers and a triple; three walks; and, six first and second inning strikeouts.
Alfredo Aceves replaced Mitre, and pitched four brilliant scoreless innings, alllowing only two hits, and no walks, with one strikeout, while tossing a very effective 42 pitches.
This performance, coupled with Aceves’ outstanding three scoreless innings pitched in the 10th, 11th, and 12th innnings of the classic 15 inning game against the Red Sox, has now given Aceves seven straight scoreless innings pitched over his last two outings.
Manager Joe Girardi has already stated that Sergio Mitre will pitch in his next scheduled start on Saturday, August 15th against the Mariners in Seattle. And, newly acquired pitcher Chad Gaudin is scheduled to make his first Yankee start in the final game of the four-game series vs. the Mariners on Sunday.
These two pitching moves are in part also the result of moving Joba Chamberlain’s next scheduled start back a few more games because of the innings-limitations that have been imposed on him by the Yankees braintrust.
Also, Joba’s last two starts have not been very good performances, including his start against the Red Sox; and, his start in the second game of this Blue Jay series in which he lasted only six innings, throwing 103 pitches while allowing four runs, on five hits, two walks, and striking out five in a no decision appearance in the Yankees 7-5 win.
The Yankees are playing very well right now, and are in the middle of a pennant race. In my view, I think they have given Sergio Mitre enough of a chance to prove himself in the rotation, and even though he pitched a little better, in the early innings of his last start, it is now time to replace Mitre with Alfredo Aceves as the fifth starter in the Yankees rotation.
Alfredo Aceves (7-1), who has always been a starting pitcher throughout his baseball career before he joined the Yankees organization, has pitched very well this season; and, has most definitely earned a spot in the Yankees rotation, at least, in the opinion of this long-time, life-long, die-hard, Yankees fan.
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Update: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 — 11:15 p.m. ET …
Another Walk-Off Win By Yankees …
The Yankees won the rubber game of this three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-3, on another “walk-off”, game-winning, hit — an RBI single by Robinson Cano in the bottom of the 11th inning that broke a 3-3 tie, driving home Alex Rodriguez with the game-winning run for another dramatic victory for the New York Yankees.
This is the 11th time this season that the Yankees have a won a game on the “walk-off” variety.
The Yankees built their game-winning rally off reliever Shawn Camp (1-6), on a hit-by-pitch that allowed A-Rod to reach first; followed by a Jorge Posada single; and, then, the game-winning RBI single by Cano on a first pitch shot that traveled over the right fielders head off the right centerfield wall.
Johnny Damon hit his 22d homer, and Cano hit his 18th homer, in addition to his game-winning RBI single, while Yankees starting pitcher A.J. Burnett lasted only six innings on the mound, allowing three runs, on 10 hits, and three wild-pitches, in a sub-par performance.
Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero also did not have a great outing, allowing three runs, on four hits, including the two Yankee homers, in six innings of work.
Randy Ruiz hit a homer (#2) off Burnett, for the Blue Jays.
After the sixth inning, both bullpens battled to hold the score in this game, highlighted by three scoreless innings pitched [7-8-9th] by Blue Jays reliever Bradon League; and, a very impressive debut performance by new Yankee pitcher Chad Gaudin (1-0), who pitched two solid innings in the top of the 10th and 11th to earn his first win as a member of the Yankees. Joe Girardi said Gaudin was going to throw 85-90 pitches the rest of the way [if needed] in this extra innings game.
To view boxscore, click on: Yanks 4, Blue Jays 3, (11 innings)
Some items of concern for the New York Yankees, are possible injuries to:
Derek Jeter, who was hit-by-a-pitch on his foot leading off the game, and was replaced by Pena in the second ininng. Jeter did score the Yankees first run, though.
Alex Rodriguez, who was hit-by-a-pitch on his elbow in the 11th inning, which resulted in a great deal of pain for A-Rod. But, he did stay in the game, and scored the winning run.
Jorge Posada finished the game with a sore right hand.
And, Mariano Rivera was not available to pitch in this game because of some discomfort in his right arm or shoulder before the game, as reported by Joe Girardi in his post-game press conference in response to a question about the availability of Mariano in this extra innings game. Girardi expects Rivera to be ready to pitch in the first game against the Seattle Mariners.
The New York Yankees are now (71-43), still in first place in the AL East by five and a half games over the second place Boston Red Sox (65-48), who won their third straight game over the Detroit Tigers with an 8-2 victory tonight, and go for a sweep of their four-game series Thursday afternoon, August 13th.
After this afternoon’s game, the Yanks traveled to the West Coast to begin a 10-game road trip, starting with a four-game weekend series against the Seattle Mariners, on August 13-14-15-16th.
Then, the Yankees play the Oakland A’s three games, on August 17-18-19th, before making the trip back East to battle the Red Sox once again in another very important three-game series in Boston at Fenway Park, on the weekend of August 21-22-23, 2009.
The pennant race in the AL East continues.
Everybody, have a great night !!!
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Another Update: Thursday, August 13, 2009 — 2:02 a.m. ET …
Into the 14th Inning, 0-0, again …
Just finished watching another exciting “0-0” game — between the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners.
The three hour, fifty-two minute game in Seattle entered the bottom of the 14th inning tied 0-0, when Ken Griffey, Jr. stroked a game-winning RBI single into the right field corner that scored Adrian Beltre from second base to give the Mariners a 1-0 victory.
Another historic baseball game, and great story, as the New York Yankees play the Mariners in Seattle later on tonight, 10:00 p.m. ET.
— 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 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”
_______________________
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”
Baseball, The Yankees, and Life... 