Tagged: Jason Giambi
Mark And Leigh Teixeira Are Now Yankees
Mark, “I want you to be a Yankee” … Leigh Teixeira
The New York Yankees battled the Angels, Red Sox, Orioles, and Nationals, in their quest to sign the best position player in this year’s “free-agent market”. And, in this battle, it has been reported that the Washington Nationals actually offered the highest amount of money to sign Mark Teixeira; and, according to Yankees GM, Brian Cashman, just a couple of hours before the Yankees signed Teixeira on December 23th, “all indications were he was going to be a Red Sox”.
In the end, though, the Yankees offer of: $180 Million over 8 years, was the winning offer in the great Mark Teixeira Sweepstakes of 2008.
But, money aside, ’cause Teixeira was going to get pretty much the same amount of money and number of years from “any” team that he signed with, it was Mark’s wife, Leigh, who turned out to be the major deciding factor in the Teixeira family coming to the “Beautiful Bronx”.
As he was taking questions at his “press conference” yesterday, at the old Yankee Stadium, Mark Teixeira talked about the role his wife had in his decision to accept the Yankees offer to play in New York.
Mark said, during this whole free-agent process he kept asking his wife what her thoughts and opinions were regarding what team he should play for. Leigh would keep telling Mark, “I just want you to be happy.” But, over dinner one night, Mark asked Leigh a more direct question, “if everything’s equal, where do you want to go”?
That’s when Leigh made her now famous quote, “I want you to be a Yankee” !
Well, from all Yankee fans, Thank You, Leigh !!!
Also, at yesterday’s press conference, Leigh added, “I thought it would be special for him [Mark] to be a Yankee” ! “When you think of a baseball team, they’re the team. I knew Mark would love the new Stadium; and, he knew the Yankees as an Organization would do what it takes to win. In the back of his mind, he always knew the Yankees would be a great place for him.”
Viewing the constantly “smiling” Mark Teixeira throughout his introduction to the City of New York at the Stadium yesterday, all could see just how special Mark feels it is to be a member of the New York Yankees, the team of his favorite baseball player, Don Mattingly.
Mark Teixeira looked confident; talked with great pride of now being a member of the Yankees and the great Yankees tradition; and, said all the right things in his brief statements to assembled media.
Teixeira said, “No one’s going to expect more out of me, than me. I believe I have yet tapped my potential; and, I’m trying to get better. I haven’t accomplished anything yet, since I don’t have a World Series ring on my finger”.
And, talking again about his decision to sign with the Yankees, Teixeira said, “in the back of my mind, the Yankees were always at the top. Once Leigh said, ‘I want you to be a Yankee’, it was a done deal”.
Yankee fans have to thank the Steinbrenner family, George, Hank, and Hal; and, GM Brian Cashman for making this deal happen.
Cashman has been very busy this winter, signing the top three free-agents on the market, Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia, and A.J. Burnett. And, Teixeira is the “crown jewel” of all the signings.
Talking about Mark Teixeira, in Kevin Kernan’s [Jan 7th] New York Post article, Brian Cashman said, “He’s got that All-American look; he’s Paul Bunyan; he’s well-educated; he’s the All-American high performer; and, he’s not a loud personality. He’s very disciplined, structured, a hard worker that’s got exceptional ability. It kind of fits our clubhouse”. Cashman continued, by saying, “Teixeira kind of has the same qualities as, Captain, Derek Jeter.”
Hal Steinbrenner was on hand, representing the Steinbrenner family; and, in an interview with Ken Davidoff of Newsday, [Jan 7th], said, “we had about $80 Million come off [the payroll]. So we have some money to spend, and we’re going to reinvest it. And, that’s going to continue, whether people like it or not. That’s for the fans. They deserve the best team we can put out there.”
Steinbrenner also said, “We’ve got a lot of great young pitching; Now we’ve got some position players who are coming through the system. We’ve spent as much on player development as anyone. And, we’re going to continue to do that, too. It’s a good balance of veterans and kids.”
So, it’s good to know that Hank and Hal Steinbrenner are going to continue with the same winning philosophy that their father George believes in. And, that’s, spending money; reinvesting it back into the team, by signing top free-agents; and, also, spending on player development.
As we move forward from the Mark Teixeira signing, the Yankees tradition of great first basemen continues …
Lou Gehrig, Chris Chambliss, Don Mattingly, Tino Martinez, Jason Giambi, and now … Mark Teixeira !!!
Manager Joe Girardi was asked where Mark Teixeira will bat in the Yankees lineup, and as of now he is still undecided. Girardi said, “We’ve added a great player who has a lot of character. Where he bats in the lineup will be discussed with my coaches when spring training starts next month in Tampa.”
So, where Mark Teixeira will bat in the Yankees lineup, will be the start of another great debate for the Yankees braintrust, and all Yankee fans, to ponder and discuss the rest of the winter; into spring training; and, into the new 2009 baseball season.
But, for now, all us Yankee fans are very happy that Leigh Teixeira wanted her husband to be a Yankee !!!
To view Mark Teixeira’s lifetime stats on “Baseball-Reference.com”, click on:
Giambi Saves Yankees Season, for now
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher, Jon Lester, was pitching a 2-0 shutout, in yesterday’s 3-2 comeback Yankees victory, when he was replaced by reliever, Hideki Okajima, with a runner on second, and two outs, in the bottom of the 7th inning.
In the past, a starting pitcher would have remained in the same kind of game that Lester was pitching yesterday. But, after Cody Ransom doubled, the hook was given to the pitcher throwing a shutout. Just another pitching decision based on “pitch-count”, [Lester did throw 119 pitches up to this point], that has become the “norm” throughout baseball.
In this case, the move turned out to be a good one for the Yankees, as Jason Giambi was sent up to pinch hit; and, on one swing “Saved The Yankees Season” — at least, for now — by hitting a long, game tying, two run homerun, deep over the centerfield fence, off the base of the old centerfield bleachers to tie the score 2-2.
This homerun insured that both starting pitchers would not get a decision in the game, thus, wasting two excellent pitching performances by Mike Mussina and Jon Lester.
So, the Yankees had life in them.
The game moved into the bottom of the 9th inning, still tied 2-2.
Xavier Nady singled, and was replaced by Brett Gardner, who promptly stole second base. An intentional walk was issued to Hideki Matsui; and, Ivan Rodriguez also walked, loading the bases.
Red Sox closer, Jonathan Papelbon, was brought in to face the next batter, Jason Giambi.
Giambi worked the count to (0-2), and then on a high outside fastball, stroked a solid line drive hit to left centerfield, for the walk-off game winning RBI, as the Yankees avoided the sweep by the Red Sox, with the 3-2 win in this game.
Mariano Rivera, (5-5), who recorded four outs, was the winning pitcher for the Yankees; and, Jason Giambi was the hero, keeping the Yankees in this pennant race.
Until the numbers say otherwise, there still is hope that the Yankees will play baseball in October.
Yankees 5, Orioles 3 … Giambi; Matsui Hit Homeruns
The Yankees have now taken the first two games of this very important three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles, with a 5-3 victory last night in Baltimore.
Carl Pavano was the winning pitcher for the Bronx Bombers, as this was Pavano’s first start of the year, since returning from what has seemed like a life-time on the disabled list. He last pitched for the Yankees on opening day, in April 2007, against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. In that game, in which Pavano was the winning pitcher, the Twins starting pitcher was, Sidney Ponson. It’s amazing how things work out in baseball. Now they are both part of the Yankees starting rotation.
I will reserve further judgment on Carl Pavano at this point, as he didn’t pitch too bad in yesterday’s game, and the Yankees did win. But, it goes without saying, Pavano is going to have to be near perfect the rest of 2008 for any type of praise from this author, and I’m sure from most Yankee fans.
The Yankees took the lead, 2-0, in the first inning of this game. Johnny Damon led off with a single, and scored on a two-out double by Alex Rodriguez; who then crossed the plate on a RBI single by Jason Giambi.
Carl Pavano got off to a shaky start in the bottom of the first, giving up back-to-back singles to the first two batters in the Orioles lineup, Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis; but, then, got out of trouble when Melvin Mora hit into a very unusual double play, a soft liner to second that Cano caught, and then completed the 4-4 double play by placing the tag on Roberts who strayed too far off the bag. Aubrey Huff singled with two outs, but was left on base when Ramon Hernandez grounded out to end the inning.
It looked like the Orioles would knock Pavano out of the game in the second inning, when Luke Scott led off the inning with a double; Kevin Millar walked; and Jay Payton singled, to load the bases with no outs.
Juan Castro was the next batter, and he hit a long sac fly to Damon in centerfield, that scored Scott, and, also, advanced the two other runners. Roberts then hit a RBI fielders choice to short, that plated Millar to tie the game, 2-2. Markakis then stroked a RBI single to move the Orioles ahaed, 3-2.
The second inning ended on a swinging strike three by Melvin Mora. The ball bounced in the dirt and into catcher Ivan Rodriguez’s glove. Mora didn’t realize that he could advance to first on the play, and was out for going out of the circle around home plate, before running to first. The Orioles mananger argued the out call by the home plate ump, and was tossed out of the game. So, there was no further damage for Pavano in the inning, but Baltimore still had a 3-2 lead.
The lead didn’t last long, though, as the Yankees came right back in the top of the third, when after two outs, A-Rod was hit by a pitch, and scored on a long two-run homerun by Jason Giambi that put the Yankees back in the lead, 4-3.
Pavano (1-0) settled down after the first two innings, and finished his first somewhat productive work for the Yankees over the last two years, as he pitched five innings, allowing three runs, on seven hits, one walk, two hit by pitches, and five strikeouts.
Hideki Matsui hit a solo homer in the top of the 7th to complete the scoring, 5-3, in favor of the Yankees.
The Yankees bullpen pitched scoreless innings the rest of the way — Bruney in the 6th and 7th; Veras in the 8th; and, Mariano Rivera closed out the 5-3 win in the 9th, earning his 30th save.
Get out the brooms, as the Yankees go for the sweep in the final game of this series on Sunday, August 24th.
Four Homeruns Power Bombers Over Royals, 15-6 Mike Mussina Wins 16th … Career # 266
The way this game started, it looked like the K.C. Royals were going to knock Mike Mussina out early, and they would be the team that would score 15 runs. The Royals hit Mussina hard in the top of the first inning, banging out four hits that resulted in an early 3-0 lead for the Kansas City team.
But, the Bronx Bombers exploded with a display of power that brought back images of the Bombers of old, as they teed-off on Royals starter, Brian Bannister, scoring six runs in the first, and four in the second, to charge ahead 10-3 in the game.
Bannister faced a total of ten batters in the first, as the Yankees took an extended batting practice. Johnny Damon led off the game with a walk; Derek Jeter singled; and Bobby Abreu lined out to left to start off the inning. Then, on a 0-2 curve ball, Alex Rodriguez tied the game 3-3, by blasting a long three-run homerun into Monument Park.
Jason Giambi grounded to second base, for out number two in the inning, and Bannister had a chance to close out the first with the scored tied.
But, the Yankees were not finished yet. Xavier Nady hit a two-out solo homer, that hit the right field foul pole, to move the Bombers into the 4-3 lead. Then Cano singled, and scored on Jose Molina’s double. Brett Gardner, again starting in centerfield for the demoted to AAA-SWB, Melky Cabrera, followed that hit with a RBI triple, that gave the Yanks the 6-3 lead. Damon batting for the second time in the first, flied out to right to end the inning.
The Royals continued to hit Mussina hard in the second inning, as the first two batters got on base by a double and single; but, a fly-out to center, and a double play, ended any threat of a rally by K.C. This was a key moment in the game for Mike Mussina, as he held the Royals from scoring any runs, and settled down very nicely the rest of his time on the mound in this game.
The Yankees finished off Brian Bannister (7-12) in the second inning, on a lead off single by Derek Jeter (4-4); back-to-back walks to Abreu and A-Rod, to load the bases; and, then, a Grand Slam Homerun by Jason Giambi, that put the game out of reach for the Royals, as the Yankees now had a 10-3 lead.
Bannister gave up two more singles before being removed for reliever, Josh Newman, who retired the Yanks on a double play, and fly ball to center. The damage was already done, though.
The Yanks scored another run in the 3rd inning, upping their lead to, 11-3.
After the first two shaky ininngs, Mike Mussina (16-7) was perfect throughout the next four frames, retiring the final 14 batters he faced. Moose threw 97 pitches over his 6 innings of work, allowing only the three first inning runs, on six hits, without walking anyone, and striking-out five. A very solid performance by Mussina, once again.
In the 7th inning, after two outs, the Bombers tacked on another four runs. Jeter was hit by a pitch, and scored on a double by Abreu. Alex Rodriguez (3-3), with two walks, three runs scored; and five RBI’s, then singled home Abreu, for the 13-3 lead.
The next batter was, Cody Ransom, who was recently called up from SWB, and entered this game as a replacement for Giambi at first. Boom. Ransom unloaded his first homerun as a Yankee, a two-run shot into the leftfield seats, that capped off the Yankees scoring at 15 runs. His teammates encouraged him to take a curtain call to the delight of the Stadium crowd.
The Royals scored one run off Billy Traber in the 8th; and two runs off Chris Britton, on a walk to Alex Gordon, and a two-run homer by Gload, in the 9th, that completed the 15-6 score in this very important victory by the New York Yankees.
Mike Mussina is now 16-7, and continues on his path to his first 20-win season.
The Bronx Bombers were back in this game. An interesting side note about the four Yankee Homeruns, was the fact, the Yankees had sort off a “Homerun Cycle”, a feat I have never seen, and I’m sure hasn’t been accomplished many times in the history of baseball.
Jason Giambi blasted a “grand slam” homerun !!!!
Alex Rodriguez hit a long three-run homer !!!
Cody Ransom hit his first homerun as a Yankee, a two-run shot !!
Xavier Nady stroked a solo homer off the rightfield foul pole !
A “baseball rarity” for sure. But, isn’t it so, that we always see something we have never seen before, in each new baseball game we watch.
It was also rare [at least in 2008] to see so many runs scored by the Yankees in a game. Hopefully, the sight of many runs by the Yankees in each remaining game of this season, will not become as rare a sight as the first three-quarters of this season.
Orioles Fly Away With Second Straight Win Over Yanks
After two straight games in which Yankee starters got pounded, Darrell Rasner pitched a pretty good game tonight against the Baltimore Orioles, taking a 2-1 lead into the 7th inning.
But, Damaso Marte, who replaced Rasner in the 7th, quickly let things get out of hand, allowing the two runners Darrell Rasner put on base, to score; and, then, also, allowed four more runs of his own, turning a 2-1 Baltimore lead, into what looked like another bashing of the Bronx Bombers, 6-1.
The Yankees did mount a comeback, by scoring two runs in he 8th, to cut the O’s lead to, 6-3.
Mariano Rivera hadn’t pitched in awhile, so Joe Girardi brought the future Hall of Famer into the game to pitch the top of the 9th. Mariano gave up a solo homer to Aubrey Huff, that looked like a meaningless run in this game, that the O’s now led, 7-3.
In the bottom of the 9th, the Yanks tried to put meaning back into the game, by putting together another rally against Orioles closer, George Sherrill.
A single by Johnny Damon, a walk to Derek Jeter, and a RBI double by Bobby Abreu made the game interesting, as the Yankees were now only behind, 7-4, with two runners on, no outs, and the tying run up at the plate, Alex Rodriguez.
But, A-Rod, who homered earlier in the game, struck-out [swinging] on a high, inside, fastball, making the first out of the inning.
Jaason Giambi [3-for-5, with two RBI’s in the game] hit a ball up the middle, that hit the pitcher, and deflected towards the open hole at short, for a two-RBI single, cutting the Orioles lead to only a run, 7-6.
Justin Christian pinch-ran for Giambi, and stole second base, easiely, on the first pitch by Sherrill, with the winning run, Robinson Cano, at the plate; also, there was only one out, and a base hit would tie the game.
Cano (1-for-5), could not deliver the big hit, as he struck-out on a breaking pitch that was well out of the strike zone. Two outs.
Then, Wilson Betemit, with no hits in four at-bats up to this point, was the batter. The Yankees had right-handed, power hitter, Richie Sexson on the bench, who is batting over .300 against left-handed pitchers, and was brought to New York in big part because of his outstanding hitting against lefty’s.
Girardi decided to let Betemit hit, though, in this important, two out, possible game tying, or game winning situation.
Wilson Betemit was totally over-matched by George Sherrill as he struck-out swinging to end the Yankees rally, and watch the Orioles celebrate their, 7-6, victory.
The Yankees have now lost three straight games, and hope to break that losing streak with Joba Chamberlain pitching the final game of this series tomorrow afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
Yanks Sweep Rays; Ponson Solid In 2-1 Win
The two game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays extended the Yankees winning streak to four games, and moved them to 6.5 games behind the first place Rays in the AL East. Tampa Bay is now 55-35; and, the Yankees, still in third, are 49-42. The Boston Red Sox, after sweeping a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins, remain in second place with a record of 55-39.
This four game winning streak by the Yankees is a statement to the rest of the AL East, that this is a long baseball season, there are still plenty of games remaining, and the Yankees will be in the race until the end, when hopefully, they will finish on top of the AL East.
On a day when the Yankees celebrated the great success Jason Giambi has been having since growing his mustache — by giving out 20,000 fake mustaches to the fans lucky enough to enter the Stadium first — Giambi gave the Yankee fans a gift back, by singling home Derek Jeter in the first inning, to give the Yanks a quick, 1-0 lead.
From that point on, it was an old-fashioned pitching duel between Yankees starter, Sidney Ponson; and, Rays starting pitcher, Edwin Jackson.
Ponson pitched shutout ball over the first five innings, until giving up a lead-off homerun to Carlos Pena in the top of the 6th, which tied the score at, 1-1. He finished the inning without allowing any more runs, and would be replaced by Veras in the 7th.
Sidney Ponson’s solid effort [again] for the Yanks produced a start in which he threw 87 pitches, over the 6 innings he pitched, allowing only the one run, on 5 hits, 2 walks, 2 HBP’s, while striking out four. In his four starts, so far, Ponson has given the Yankees way more than they could have ever expected, and are hopeful his excellent pitching will continue into the second half of the season.
Edwin Jackson, for the Rays, also pitched a good game today, throwing 100 pitches in 6 1/3 innings of work, giving up one run, on 6 hits, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts.
Both pitchers left the game with the score tied, 1-1, and would not get a decision in this game.
The bullpens for both teams pitched scoreless baseball through the 9th inning, as the game headed into the 10th for extra innings. Mariano Rivera, [4-3], who entered the game in the 9th, pitched another scoreless inning in the top of the 10th, to keep the scored tied at, 1-1, as the Yankees when to plate in the bottom of this very exciting extra innings game.
The Rays reliever, Grant Balfour, [2-1], walked Derek Jeter, with one-out in the bottom of the 10th. Then, Bobby Abreu, on a 1-2 pitch, hit a line-drive double, in the gap in right-center, that scored Jeter all the way from first, for the winning run, in this, 2-1, Yankees victory.
As hard as it may be to believe, that was Bobby Abreu’s “first” walk-off hit as a Yankee. [Wow, that is a very surprising stat] … Maybe, this is what motivated, Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera to sneak out of the dugout after the game, and dump a bucket of water over Abreu’s head, as he was being interviewed by YES reporter, Kim Jones. Will this [football type] celebration now be the new trend with the Yankees [and, other baseball teams] ???
So, on a day that started with the Yankees handing-out “fake mustaches”, and ending with Bobby Abreu getting a celebratory shower, after driving home, Captain Derek Jeter, [who scored both Yankee runs], in the bottom of the 10th, for the 2-1 Yankee win — the Yankees now head into Pittsburg, to play a one-game, make-up game, of their rain-out, against the Pirates.
Mike Mussina, who was not selected to the American League All-Star team, will start for the Yankees, and go for his 12th win of the year. In my view, I think it’s a shame that Mussina is not on the All-Star team. And, to take it one step further, I think he should be the starter for the American League. But, he is still on a path for his first 20-win season; and, hopefully, that will also be a path that will lead the Yankees right into the playoffs, and World Series !!!
Yankee Bats Finally Explode In 18-7 Win
The Yankees put on an early 4th of July fireworks display at the Stadium last night, as they avoided embarrassment of a possible sweep, by smashing the Rangers, 18-7. This “must-win” salvaged the final game of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers, and gave the Bronx Bombers much needed momentum as the Boston Red Sox are their next opponent, starting tonight [Thursday July 3th], in a big four-game Holiday weekend series at Yankee Stadium.
Maybe hearing Hank Steinbrenner’s words that the Yankee bats need to start producing some more runs was just the motivation the Yankees needed to break out of their hitting malaise. At any rate, this type of a win, right before an always important Red Sox series, was huge. Especially, even more so, since the Sox were just swept by the AL EAST leading, Tampa Bay Rays.
Jason Giambi was the hitting star for the Yankees, as he belted a grand slam [his 18th homer of the year] in the third inning; and, also, a two-RBI double in the 7th, driving home one-third of the Yankees 18 runs.
Alex Rodriguez also had a big night, going (2 for 3), including his 17th homerun, with two walks, while scoring 4 times, and driving home three runs.
Johnny Damon was (3 for 6), with three runs scored , and two RBI’s.
Bobby Abreu went (2 for 5), driving home two, and scoring three.
Robinson Cano, continued his hot hitting, going, (2 for 5), with a run scored, and a RBI, raising his batting average to .248.
Brett Gardner, playing centerfield, got his first major league hit in this game, and also, walked, drove home a run, scored two, and had a stolen base.
Sidney Ponson, released by the Rangers a few weeks ago, was the starting pitcher for the Yanks, and pitched okay for the first five innings. He looked like he was finished after he got the final out of the 5th, and I thought Joe Girardi would go to the bullpen in the next inning. But, with a 6-3 lead, Ponson took the mound to continue his start in the top of the 6th.
It was in this inning that the Rangers would put on a fireworks display of their own, as Ponson allowed two homeruns, both two-run blasts, by Milton Bradley, and Chris Davis, to give the Rangers a 7-6 lead.
The 6th inning disaster finally did end Ponson’s night, lighting up his numbers to the tune of 5 innings pitched, 9 hits, 7 earned runs, 3 walks, and only one strikeout.
But, the Yankees “light show” was just about to begin, as the 7th inning rolled around.
The Yanks sent up 12 batters in the 7th, that produced 9 runs, and a 15-7 lead.
Bobby Abreu led off the inning with a double. Then, A-Rod walked. Both were driven home by an RBI double by Giambi, to move the Yankees back into the lead, 8-7.
Posada doubled home Giambi, plating the Yanks 9th run, and advanced to third on a single by Robinson Cano. Wilson Betemit hit a ground ball for the first out of the inning, which scored Posada to increase the Yankees lead to, 10-7.
Then, Brett Gardner got his first major league hit, driving home Cano; and, Johnny Damon, also, followed, with a RBI single, to bring the Yankees lead to: 12-7.
After Derek Jeter grounded out for the second out of the inning, Bobby Abreu, hitting for the second time in the 7th, walked, which set-up a three-run homer by Alex Rodriguez. Jason Giambi grounded out for the final out of the inning, but the damage was done. The Bronx Bombers unloaded their full arsenal, as they lit up the centerfield scoreboard for 9 runs in the bottom of the 7th, to take a 15-7 lead.
The Yankees put the final icing on this victory with three runs in the bottom of the 8th, highlighted by a two-RBI hit by Bobby Abeu [his team leading 54th and 55th RBI’s], and the 18-7 lead.
The bullpen was solid, pitching four scoreless innings. Ramirez, (2-0), the winner, pitched the 6th and the 7th; Farnsworth, the 8th; and, Hawkins closed out the game in the 9th.
So, the Yankees go into the Red Sox series with a record of: 45-40, four games behind the Sox, who, after losing five straight games, are: 50-37.
Tampa Bay is in first place in the AL EAST with a record of: 52-32 [that’s 20 games above .500]. Boston is 3.5 games out of first; and, the Yankees, are 7.5 games behind.
July 4th is George Steinbrenner’s birthday. A four-game sweep of the Red Sox is the perfect gift for our “Hall of Fame” owner. I think Hank and Hal [and all Yankee fans] would agree !!!
Big Win For Yanks, 4-2 Over Orioles
In a must win game for the Yankees, after losing two straight games to the Baltimore Orioles, including the disastrous 10-9 extra innings loss on Tuesday, the Yanks played a good crisp game yesterday to salvage the final game of this series by beating the O’s, 4-2.
Andy Pettitte pitched a strong 6 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs, on 8 hits and 1 walk, while striking-out three, during his very solid start. The win evened Andy’s record at 5-5 this season.
Even though Pettitte threw 96 pitches, he said, he still felt strong when Joe Girardi replaced him with Joba Chamberlain in the 7th inning. He understood the reason the move was made – to continue the process of getting Joba ready to become part of the starting rotation – but, wasn’t totally “okay” with being taken out of a game. Andy continued by saying,”I’m never happy about being taken out of a game, but Joe [Girardi] is the manager, and Joba throws 98 mph”; but, [Pettitte said, half kiddingly], “there would have been a fight on the mound” [for me to stay in the game], if Joba had to pitch 4 innings to throw the planned 50-55 pitches the Yankees had on his work schedule for today’s game.
As it turned out, Joba Chamberlain threw only 28 pitches in 1 1/3 innings. Joba entered the game with two outs in the 7th and struggled with some early control problems. But, he settled down in the 8th, and finished up his brief appearance by giving up no runs while allowing one hit and one walk, and striking-out three.
Joe Girardi was asked after the game why he did not allow Joba Chamberlain to pitch the 9th inning. Girardi said, “In a save situation, Mo pitches”
So, as Mariano Rivera was called into the game to close out the Yankees win [recording his 13th save], Joba Chamberlain headed back to the bullpen to complete his work for the day, throwing an additional 27 pitches, to reach the 55 pitch total the Yankees had planned for him.
The “Joba Plan” calls for Chamberlain to throw about 75 pitches in his next outing, and it is very probable Joba will get his first start when he does pitch again. The Yankees brain trust will decide if that start will be on Monday [June 2nd], in the final game of a four-game “wrap-around” weekend series against the Twins, in Minnesota; or, back in the Bronx, in the opening game of a three game series vs. the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday [June 3rd].
If Joba starts Tuesday, against the Blue Jays, the Yankee Stadium crowd will be electric. The excitement level will take on the atmosphere of a Playoff or World Series game. A lot is riding on Joba’s move into the starting rotation, and I think most Yankee fans would want Joba Chamberlain’s first start to be at Yankee Stadium. I would, because it would be another historic event, added to the long list of historic events, that have taken place in the most historic sports arena in the history of all sports.
The time for Joba, is now !!!
As the Yankees enjoy an off-day on Thursday, they will head into Minnesota with the hot hitting of Jason Giambi, Hideki Matsui, and Johnny Damon leading the way.
Damon was 3-5 with a RBI in the final game vs. the Orioles, which raised his batting average to .288.
Matsui had 2 hits in 4 at bats, and scored 2 runs, raising his team leading BA to .330.
And, Jason Giambi continues his power surge, hitting his second long homerun [of the series] out of Camden Yards, over the right-field bleachers onto Eutaw Sreet in the middle of the food court area. The blast [Giambi’s 11th this season] traveled over 400 feet, bouncing just in front of the hugh warehouse over-looking the field. This was only the 42nd time this feat has occurred, and the third time Giambi lifted a ball out of Camden Yards. The ball almost landed right into the middle of “Boog’s Barbecue Pit”.
Also, it was good to see Melky Cabrera go 2-4 [two doubles], and score one run.
The season continues, Friday, May 30th, as the 26-27 Yankees start a four game series against the Twins in Minnesota. Yesterday’s 4-2 win certaintly helped the flight to Minnesota be a little more enjoyable. A great series against the Twins will have the Yankees flying on auto-pilot when they return back to New York early Tuesday morning. Go Yankees !!!
Yankee Bats Finally Come Alive – Go For Sweep Today
In the first two games of this three-game series against the Seattle Mariners, the Yankee bats finally exploded, resulting in a 13-2 win Friday night, and a 12-6 victory yesterday. The “Bronx Bombers” now are 24-25, and will be back at .500 if they win today’s game. With a four-game winning streak going, it is very likely the Bombers will be using their brooms [with their bats] today, to complete the three game sweep of the Mariners.
Also, since the Boston Red Sox lost their last two games against the Oakland A’s, the Yankees are back in the race for the AL East lead, only 5 1/2 games behind the (31-21) Sox. It’s important the Yankees stay within 5 games of the Red Sox, and not fall behind as far as they did last year [14.5 games behind]. As long as the Yankees keep hitting, and scoring runs – they will keep winning ballgames. And, then, little by little, will chip away at the Red Sox lead, and rightfully stake their claim at the top of the AL East. The winning streak continues with a sweep of the Seattle Mariners today.
The hitting has been off the charts in the first two games vs. the Mariners, [especially] by four Yankees:
– Bobby Abreu … (4-10); with 6 RBI’s; and 2 runs scored – .295 BA [season]
– Hideki Matsui … (5-8); with 3 RBI’s; and 6 runs scored – .317 BA [season]
– Jason Giambi … (5-7); with 3 RBI’s; and 5 runs scored – BA up to – .234
– Robinson Cano … (6-8); with 4 RBI’s; and 2 runs scored – BA up to – .232
“Don’t you know, Robinson Cano”, is finally hitting the ball like we all know he can. At this rate, he will be at the .300 mark very shortly. Cano was 4-4 yesterday, including 3 doubles [he also had a double on Friday].
Jason Giambi is also hot, as his hits included his 7th homerun, and his 7th and 8th doubles.
Bobby Abreu hit his 6th HR; and also, had a double.
And, Shelley Duncan “dunked” one, hitting a three-run homerun in yesterday’s game.
Andy Pettitte was Friday’s winning pitcher, and is now 4-5.
Mike Mussina won yesterday’s game, and is 7-4 this season.
The process to move Joba Chamberlain into the starting rotation continued in yesterday’s 12-6 Yankees win. Joba threw 40 pitches over two scoreless innings [in the 7th and 8th].
But, the story the last few days has been the Yankees hitting. Hopefully, the hits and runs will keep coming, which will greatly take the pressure off the pitching staff; and, help the winning streak continue.
Three Homers Not Enough As Indians Beat Yanks, 6-4
Two long homeruns by Jason Giambi, a solo shot in the 2nd; and, a two-run homer in the 4th, gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead as they entered the bottom of the 5th inning. Andy Pettitte was pitching okay up to this point, and retired the first two batters in the inning. Then the trouble started.
Pettitte gave up singles to Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez, setting-up a launching pad for the Cleveland Indians. The next batter-up was, Jhonny Peralta; and, on a 3-1 pitch he blasted a long shot way over the left-centerfield wall for a 3-run homer, giving the Indians a 4-3 lead.
To complete the damage, Franklin Gutierrez followed that blast with another homerun, that was also hit on a 3-1 pitch, and traveled a little bit longer than the Peralta homer, deep into the leftfield seats. The score was now: Indians 5, Yankees 3.
Pettitte finished out the 5th inning by getting the last out; but, he was done for the night.
Andy didn’t have his best stuff, and looked uncomfortable on the mound throughout this brief start. The Yankees bullpen has been over-worked over the last few games [over-worked the whole season, really], and Joe Girardi needed Andy Pettitte to pitch at least 7 solid innings. But, Andy would not be the stopper this night.
The numbers tell the story, and it isn’t a pretty picture. Pettitte threw 99 pitches over his 5 innings of work. He gave up 8 hits; 5 runs (4 earned); walked 3; and struck-out three. It was those two 3-1 pitches [in the 5th] that brought Pettitte’s night to a close, though.
Hideki Matsui hit a solo homerun in the top of the 6th to bring the Yankees one run closer. But, Billy Traber gave that run back in the bottom of the 6th, completing the scoring for the night, and giving the Indians a 6-4 lead.
The Cleveland starter, Paul Byrd, also, did not pitch a good game tonight. In 5 2/3 innings, Byrd gave up 6 hits, and 4 earned runs. He walked none, and didn’t strike-out any Yankee batter.
Jonathan Albaladejo [just called-up from (AAA) SWB] was a bright spot for the Yankees bullpen, as he pitched two scoreless innings.
And, credit must be given to Cleveland’s bullpen. Two Rafael’s, Perez and Betancourt, closed out the 6-4 Indians win.
In a rare game that lasted less than three hours, [2 hours and 51 minutes], the Yankees pitching staff once again struggled. This has become a pattern for this Yankee team. The question is: Will the Yankees find a solution to their pitching woes, before this pattern becomes a major problem ???
Baseball, The Yankees, and Life... 