Tagged: Orioles
The Butler Did It; HR Drowns Yanks 4-3
Billy Butler hit a solo home run off the opposite field foul pole down the rightfield line to give the Kansas City Royals a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning of a rain-soaked game at Kauffman Stadium in Game Two of their four-game series against the New York Yankees.
The homer, which turned out to be the game-winner, came just before the second rain-delay of two hours and ten minutes in this game [an earlier delay lasted thirty-one minutes], to make this an official game in favor of the Royals, as the rain and lightning continued to light-up the Kansas City sky throughout the night.
Kansas City took a 3-0 lead off Yankees starter Dustin Moseley (L,2-2), in the bottom of the second on a two-run double by Betancourt, and a sacrifice fly by Jason Kendall.
The Yankees battled right back to tie the score in the top of the third when they put together a rally powered by five hits off Royals starting pitcher Kyle Davies (W,6-7).
After Derek Jeter made the first out, Curtis Granderson blooped a hit to centerfield; Mark Teixeira doubled down the rightfield line; Alex Rodriguez hit an infield RBI single to cut the score to 3-1; Robinson Cano stroked a run-scoring single to right to drive home Teixeira with the Yanks second run; Jorge Posada was [just] safe at first after grounding into a (3-4) force play at second base, setting-up a first and third situation for Lance Berkman, who hit a hard line drive RBI double into the rightfield corner to tie the score at 3-3. Davies ended the rally by striking out Austin Kearns for the final out of the inning.
After the long rain-delay in the fifth, both bullpens delivered excellent performances to hold the score at 4-3. The Yanks did have a chance to tie the score in the sixth, though, but stranded two runners; and, had a runner at second in the eight, but again could not score. So the game entered the top of the ninth with the Royals closer Joakim Soria now on the mound.
Jeter led off the ninth with a single. Then, after Granderson and Teixeira were retired by Soria, A-Rod hit a two-out single to create a first and third situation for Cano. But Cano grounded out to second for the final out that gave Soria his 32th save, as he preserved the Royals 4-3 victory.
This loss was a golden opportunity lost by the Bronx Bombers (71-44), as both the Rays and Red Sox also lost their games yesterday.
The Tampa Bay Rays (69-46), were shutout 5-0 by the Baltimore Orioles, who are now (9-2) since Buck Showalter took over leadership of the team as new manager. And the Boston Red Sox (66-51) blew an 8-2 lead, losing to the Texas Rangers 10-9 on a walk-off homer by Nelson Cruz in the 11th inning.
So, the pennant races continue with all games being very important during this part of the baseball season. And no team or game should be treated lightly, as every game must be played like a playoff game.
– 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 …
Three Hits By The “Captain”, Ties The “Captain” …
The “Captain” Derek Jeter collected three hits in the Yankees 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in the final game of their four-game series at Yankee Stadium [which was swept by the Yanks], that tied the Yankees first “Captain”, Hall of Famer, Lou Gehrig, on top of the New York Yankees all-time hit list with 2,721 hits.
Derek Jeter
Jeter led off the game with a surprise bunt single on the first pitch by Rays starting pitcher Jeff Niemann that ended the captain’s 0-12 hitless streak.
In the third inning Jeter grounded out to short.
In the fifth inning Derek blasted a shot to straight away centerfield that sailed over the head of B.J. Upton before taking a bounce over the wall for a grounds-rule double.
And, finally, in the bottom of the seventh Jeter stroked a two-out, first pitch, single, past first base down the right field line for his Gehrig tying 2,721th hit.
Lou Gehrig
In the meantime, as this game headed into the eight inning, the Yankees were losing 2-0 to the Rays.
Without doubt, Jeter was happy that he had tied the “Great” Lou Gehrig’s all-time hit record; but, I’m sure Derek would be the first one to tell anybody: a Yankees loss would certainly take the shine off this outstanding accomplishment.
The Yankees had this in mind also, and, once again, provided some late-inning dramatics by first scoring a run in the eight that made the score 2-1, before Jorge Posada hit a solid line drive, one-out, three-run homer, off reliever Grant Balfour, into the lower right-field porch that moved the Bronx Bombers into a 4-2 lead.
Posada’s 21st homer kept the inning going; and, after Melky Cabrera made the second out, Derek Jeter had one more chance to travel past Gehrig’s hit record in this game.
Jeter had a couple of good cuts at the plate, but was walked on a 3-2 count by Balfour.
So, Derek would remain tied with Lou Gehrig until at least Friday night, September 11th, when the Yankees start a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at The Stadium.
The Yankees took their 4-2 lead into the top of the ninth inning; and, in a game that the “Joba Rules” once again limited Joba Chamberlain to only three innings on the mound, [in which he allowed both Tampa Bay runs in the first inning], the Yankees relievers: Alfredo Aceves, Jonathan Albaladejo (5-1), Brian Bruney, and Phil Coke, held the Rays hitless from the fourth inning on, with Coke earning his second save by closing out this win on a final out strikeout.
On this historic night that Derek Jeter tied the “Iron Horse”, Lou Gehrig’s all-time hit record, the Yankees 4-2 victory which completed a four-game sweep over the Tampa Bay Rays, made this special accomplishment even more “special”.
In Mike Puma’s New York Post article, Derek Jeter expressed his feelings on tying Lou Gehrig’s record:
“I was a Yankee fan growing up and to come up through this organization and what [Gehrig] stood for, being the captain, he’s probably one of the classiest people ever to play the game” … “To be alongside him, pretty much anything you can do to have your name next to his is quite an accomplishment” …
“We had so many special moments across the street”, Jeter said … “This is hopefully the first of many memorable moments here at the new Stadium. The fans have been tremendous and it’s just a lot of fun.”
— photo credits:
* google images
* photos. nj. com/star-ledger/2009/09/derek_jeter
* http:// yankeeology. com/yankeefans
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Yankees Sweep Orioles; Magic Number Is 23
Almost Perfect Andy Spins A Gem …
Andy Pettitte was masterful on the mound in the first game of this three-game series against the Orioles, almost tossing a perfect game in the Yankees 5-1 victory at Camden Yards in Baltimore.
Pettitte retired 20 straight batters until Adam Jones hit a grounder to third base that traveled through Jerry Hairston’s legs for an error with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning that ended Andy’s bid for perfection.
There was still a no-hitter on the board, though, that was broken by next batter Nick Markakis on an opposite field single, past third base, down the left field line that made this game even more interesting. The game was now “on the line” with the go-ahead run coming up to the plate with runners on first and second, two outs, and the Yanks leading 2-0.
But, Pettitte protected the shutout by retiring the final batter Nolan Reimold, on a full-count, ground out to Derek Jeter at short.
Nick Swisher (3-for-4), put the Yanks in the 2-0 lead with a solo homer (#22), in the third, and a RBI double in the fifth. And, the Bronx Bombers gave Pettitte a little more breathing room by scoring three runs in the top of the eight on a RBI single by Johnny Damon, and a two-RBI double by Robinson Cano that increased their lead to 5-0.
The shutout was wiped off the scoreboard in the bottom of the eight inning when Pettitte gave up a solo homer to Melvin Mora that cut the Yankees lead to 5-1.
Andy Pettitte (12-6), finished his brilliant performance with 104 pitches thrown over eight spectacular innings, allowing one run, two hits, no walks, while striking out eight.
After the game, Jorge Posada said, this may have been Pettitte’s best start, as he could not remember Andy ever having that good of a game.
Brian Bruney was called into this game at the start of the ninth but could not close out the victory. He put two runners on base on a single and walk with one out, which resulted in Mariano Rivera having to take the mound.
The “Great Mariano” retired the final two batters to preserve this 5-1 Yankees victory, recording his 37th save.
To view boxscore, click on: Yankees 5, Orioles 1
Five Homers Power Yanks 9-6 Win Over Orioles …
In a game that Yankees starting pitcher A.J. Burnett was “awful”, lasting only 5.1 innings, while allowing six runs, on eleven hits, two walks, and two strike outs, the Bronx Bombers won their fifth game in a row on a power surge of “five” home runs that led to a 9-6 victory in the middle game of their three-game series vs. the Orioles.
Robinson Cano (3-for-4), two runs, two RBI’s, hit his 22nd homer.
Jorge Posada (2-for-4), three runs, three RBI’s, hit two homers (#18, 19).
Nick Swisher hit homer number 23.
Eric Hinske hit his 6th homer as a Yankee.
This game started out poorly for A.J. Burnett right from the first inning when Felix Pie hit a homer that gave the O’s an early 1-0 lead.
Robinson Cano then hit a two-run homer in the second, and Posada hit a solo shot in the third that gave the Bombers the 3-1 lead in this contest.
The Orioles tied the score 3-3 in the bottom of the third before Posada hit his second home run of the night that moved the Yanks back into the lead at 5-3.
But, A.J. once again could not hold the score as Luke Scott sent a soaring three-run blast out of the ballpark over the right field wall onto Eutaw Street to give the O’s a 6-5 advantage, and basically ended Burnett’s time on the mound in this game.
In his last seven starts, A.J. Burnett is 0-4 with a 6.54 ERA; and, when the Yankees tied the score 6-6 in the top of the sixth, this took Burnett off the hook for the loss. But, a “no decision”, or loss, is not what is expected from one of our top free-agent signings every time he takes the mound.
The Yankee bats are hot, though; and, back to back homers by Nick Swisher (two-run blast, his 20th road homer), and Eric Hinske’s solo shot in the top of the seventh, moved the Bombers into the lead for good with the score now 9-6.
The bullpen held the lead the rest of the way, as Marte (1-1), Robertson, and Coke built a solid “Bridge to Marinao” who recorded his 38th save tossing a scoreless ninth inning that closed out the Yankees 9-6 win.
To view boxscore, click on: Yankees 9, Orioles 6
CC Rides to 16th win as Yanks Beat O’s 10-2 …
The Baltimore Orioles scored a run in the bottom of the first, and Eric Hinske tied the score 1-1 with a homer (#7) in the third which was all the scoring through the first six innings of this game.
Then, in the seventh, Johnny Damon walked; Nick Swisher doubled; and both scored on a single by Alex Rodriguez that gave the Yanks a 3-1 lead.
For A-Rod, that was his second single of the game, his first being his 2,500th career hit in the fifth inning.
In the meantime, CC Sabathia (16-7), pitched a very solid game, throwing 105 pitches over seven great innings of work, allowing one run, on seven hits, one walk, and nine strikeouts.
Brian Bruney replaced Sabathia at the start of the eight inning, and he was ineffective once again as he promptly gave up a solo homer to Nolan Reimold (#13), that cut the Yankees lead to 3-2.
Bruney was awarded his 9th “hold” for his one-third of an inning on the mound which is a totally ridiculous stat in this situation.
A “hold” is given when a reliever holds the lead of his team when he makes an appearance in a game. In my view, though, a “hold” should only be awarded when a reliever holds the lead by not allowing any runs to score during his time in the game.
Anyway, Brian Bruney was not effective once again out of the bullpen. That is the most important stat that should concern Joe Girardi, as well as, all Yankee fans, as we go forward in this pennant drive.
Phil Coke and Phil Hughes retired the final two batters of the eight, moving this game into the top of the ninth with the Yanks still leading 3-2.
In the ninth, the Bombers broke this game wide open by sending 12 batters up to the plate scoring seven runs which included another two-RBI single by Alex Rodriguez.
This ninth-inning outburst by the Bronx Bombers capped the scoring in this game, framing the Yankees 10-2 lead.
Phil Hughes pitched a scoreless ninth inning to preserve this Yankees victory, earning his second save of the season.
To view boxscore, click on: Yankees 10, Orioles 2
The first place New York Yankees now have a record of (85-48), and a seven and a half game lead over the second place Boston Red Sox (77-55) in the AL East.
This places the Yankees “magic number” at 23 games.
Any combination of 23 Yankees wins, and, or, Red Sox losses will clinch first place in the AL East for the New York Yankees.
“Go Yankees” !!!
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Yanks Win Sixth Straight; Increase Lead Over Red Sox
With their 6-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles, the New York Yankees completed a second three-game sweep in a row, [they swept the Detroit Tigers over the weekend], giving the Bronx Bombers six straight wins since the All-Star break and a two game lead over the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.
As well as the Yankees have been playing of late, the Boston Red Sox have been playing just the reverse, with five straight losses in their six games after the All-Star Game to fall into second place in the East.
The third place Tampa Bay Rays have also been playing good ball during the last week, which has created a roller-coaster ride in the standings with many peaks and valleys between the top three teams in the AL East.
At the start of baseball action on Thursday, July 23, 2009, the standings are as follows:
AL EAST
New York Yankees 57-37 .606 —
Boston Red Sox 55-39 .585 2.0
Tampa Bay Rays 52-43 .547 5.5
Toronto Blue Jays 47-48 .495 10.5
Baltimore Orioles 41-53 .436 16.0
After Yankees starter A.J. Burnett retired the side on eight pitches in the top of the first of this game, allowing only a single to Adam Jones, the Yankees batted around in the bottom of the inning to jump out to a quick 4-0 lead off Orioles starting pitcher Jason Berken, (L,1-8), who was hit very hard by the Yanks.
Derek Jeter led off the bottom of the first by stroking a solid line drive double to left centerfield on Berken’s first pitch. Johnny Damon then hit a fly ball to right for out number one.
Mark Teixeira followed with a hard hit line drive single to center that advanced Jeter to third.
Alex Rodriguez then hit another solid line drive for a RBI single to leftfield, driving home Jeter with the Yankees first run.
The next batter, Hideki Matsui hit a ground ball that forced A-Rod at second base for the second out of the inning, which was followed by a walk to Jorge Posada that loaded the bases.
Robinson Cano was up next, and hit a slow infielder grounder to second that became a RBI single, plating Teixeira for a 2-0 Yankee lead.
Nick Swisher then belted another solid line drive, a two RBI double to right-centerfield that scored Matsui and Cano, increasing the Bombers lead to 4-0.
Berken finally ended the inning by getting Brett Gardner to hit a third out fly ball to right field.
The third inning provided a couple of interesting plays, starting off with an easy fly ball to rightfield by Brian Roberts that should have been caught, but deflected off the top of Nick Swisher’s glove for a two base error — [And, one of the reasons the Yankees did not re-sign Bobby Abreu was because “they” said he was not a good fielder. I’m just saying. Of course, I wish Abreu was still playing for the Yankees]. Adam Jones then singled, advancing Roberts to third.
Burnett got the next batter, Markakis to hit a fly-ball to left, but Roberts did not try to score on Damon’s throw to the plate. Jones did advance to second, though, on the play.
Huff was up next, and struck-out on an unbelievable 1-2 “curveball” that started to break on the low inside part of the plate, and continued down and inside even further as the lefthanded Huff swung and missed the pitch by at least two feet for out number two.
So, it still was a second and third situation, with Wigginton coming up to the plate with two outs.
Wigginton hit a solid line drive to rightfield that looked like it would sail over Swisher’s head for at least a double; but, Swisher made an outstanding backhanded running catch that ended with Nick running half way up the rightfield wall, almost traveling into the rightfield seats. He held onto the ball for the third out of the inning, leaving foot marks of his cleats in the padding of the wall. A great catch by Nick Swisher that prevented any runs to score, and, also, was redemption for his error at the start of the inning.
After all the excitment in the top of the third, Jorge Posada hit his 12th homer of the year in the bottom of the inning that moved the Yankees lead to 5-0.
A.J. Burnett (9-4) continued to pitch a shutout into the seventh inning when he allowed two runs that cut the lead to 5-2. This completed Burnett’s work for the day, as Phil Hughes replaced A.J. at the start of the 8th.
Hughes pitched a scoreless inning, and the Yankees increased their lead to 6-2 on a RBI double by Posada in the bottom of the 8th inning.
Joe Girardi then called Brian Bruney into the game, to get some work because he had not pitched in awhile, and, also, close out this victory.
Bruney looked good striking-out the first two batters he faced; but, then, he gave up two long, back-to-back home runs to Adam Jones and Nick Markakis that cut the score to 6-4. Not exactly what Girardi and the Yankees expect from a late inning reliever out of the bullpen.
In a game that Mariano Rivera should not have had to make an appearance, “The Great Mariano” was now called in to close out the game and win.
Mariano ended the game by striking out the only batter he faced, to preserve the Yankees 6-4 victory recording his 28th save.
This winning streak is now the Yankees third time this year that they have won at least six straight games.
It is a nice view at the top of the AL East for the New York Yankees, leading the division by two games.
To view boxscore of game, click on: Yankees 6, Orioles 4
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Interleague Play Finally Over; Yanks Win 6th In-A-Row
Well, it has been awhile since my last post, and I am happy to be back at my mlblog as the 2009 Interleague Schedule of games has finally ended while the New York Yankees have a six game winning streak going, that has moved the Bronx Bombers to only 2.5 games behind the first place Boston Red Sox.
The Yanks were helped by Boston, as the Red Sox blew a 10-1 lead in yesterday’s game against the last place Baltimore Orioles, losing 11-10, in the biggest comeback in the Orioles history.
No further commentary on this loss by the Red Sox, as these type of games happen to all teams throughtout each season. But, the Division Race in the AL East continues to tighten, with the following Standings as of the morning of July 1, 2009 …
Red Sox 47-30 .610 —
Yankees 44-32 .579 2.5
Rays 44-35 .557 4.0
Blue Jays 41-38 .519 7.0
Orioles 35-42 .455 12.0
Since the Yankees 9-8 win over the New York Mets on June 12th, on the now infamous dropped pop-up by Luis Castillo, with the Mets leading 8-7, with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, the Yanks are 10-6 throughout the last 16 games, which includes …
* Winning two of the three games against the Mets at Yankee Stadium [June 12-13-14th], including a 15-0 shutout victory in the final game of that series.
* Losing two of three games vs. the Washington Nationals [June 16-17-18th], that included my first visit to the new Yankee Stadium for the second game of this series, a very tough 3-2 loss by the Yanks; and, also, meeting our #1 blogger here at mlblogs, Jane Heller of “Confessions of a She-Fan” , for her book signing at Stan’s Bar before the game. Meeting Jane, her husband Michael, and some of her family members was the highlight on my first trip to the new Stadium; and, I will always cherish my signed copy of Jane’s excellent book, which is a “great read” and a book that I highly recommend to be read by all — Yankee fans and other baseball fans, alike.
Then, the Yankees embarked on a “nine-game” road trip in three National League ballparks that would close-out the 2009 Interleague schedule …
* The trip did not start out well, as the Yankees lost two of the three games they played vs. the Florida Marlins on June 19-20-21st.
* After an off day on Monday June 22nd, the Yanks lost their third straight game on this trip, a 4-0 shutout at the hands of the Atlanta Braves. But, the Bombers recovered nicely, winning the next two games, 8-4, and 11-7, that made their trip back to New York to play the Mets at Citi Field [for the first time], a very nice plane ride indeed.
* The Yankees totally dominated the Mets in this three-game series, on June 26-27-28th, sweeping their cross-town rivals, 9-1, in the first game; 5-0, in the middle game; and, 4-2, in the final game, in which the “great” Mariano Rivera recorded his 500th career save. This sweep gave the Bronx Bombers a 5-1 winning record in the 2009 version of the “Subway Series”; and, also, a five-game winning streak as the Yanks headed back to the “Beautiful Bronx” to start a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners.
After a well-deserved off-day on Monday June 29th, the Yankees were ready to play the final game in the month of June on Tuesday, with Joba Chamberlain (4-2, 3.81) taking the mound for the Yanks, against the Mariners Brandon Morrow (0-3, 5.64).
As has been the case for most of the days this June, there was a late afternoon rain-storm that delayed the start of the game for about a hour. But, the rain finally ended; and, hopefully, will not continue at the same pace in the upcoming summer months.
Before the game started, Mariano Rivera was given the honor of throwing out the first pitch in recognition of his 500th career save.
Then the game began, jockeying back-and-forth with the Yankees taking an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second; Seattle cutting the lead to 2-1 in the third; the Yanks increasing their lead to 3-1 in the 4th; and, the Mariners tying the score 3-3 in the top of the 5th.
Joba Chamberlain’s work was finished after only 5.1 innings, in which he had an average outing, allowing three runs, on nine hits, three walks, and four strikeouts.
Phil Coke relieved Joba, and closed out the 6th inning without any further damage.
Phil Hughes then entered the game in the top of the 7th, and pitched a solid scoreless inning, retiring the side on only nine pitches, setting up Alex Rodriguez’s two-run homerun in the bottom of the 7th that moved the Yankees back into the lead, 5-3.
At this point, in the top of the 8th, Joe Girardi decided to replace Hughes with the “eight-inning”, “set-up man” of the moment, Brian Bruney, who has not been as effective as expected since his return from the disabled-list.
If Phil Hughes had a rough outing, throwing 30 or more piches in the 7th, Girardi’s decision would have been justified; but, Hughes threw only “nine” very effective pitches.
Surely, Phil Hughes had earned another inning on the mound in this game, as he had started a very solid and secure “Bridge to Mariano”, a bridge that Hughes should have been allowed to complete.
But, since it is now “in vogue” to over-manage, especially, over-using the bullpen, Manager Girardi decided to bring Bruney into the game to protect the Yankees 5-3 lead in the top of the 8th inning.
Bruney gave up three straight singles that reduced the Yankees lead to 5-4; then, after a sac bunt by Ronny Cedeno and an intentional walk to Ichiro, the Mariners tied the score 5-5 on a sac fly.
The “Bridge” had fallen.
With the Yankees five-game winning streak on the line, Hideki Matsui led off the bottom of the 8th with a double, and advanced to third on a bunt single by Nick Swisher.
Melky Cabrera was up next, and once again [this year] delivered a big clutch hit, stroking a go-ahead, RBI double, that scored Brett Gardner, who was pinch-running for Matsui, and advanced Swisher to third, giving the Yankees a 6-5 lead in the game.
The Mariners brought the infield in with Derek Jeter coming up to the plate, and the “captain” promptly blooped a two-RBI single into the outfield to increase the Yanks lead to 8-5.
Mariano Rivera preserved the Yankees 8-5 victory by pitching a scoreless 9th inning for his 19th save of the year, and career save number 501.
It was very appropriate that Mariano threw out the first in this game, and, also, threw the final pitch, in the Yankees sixth straight win.
The Yankees go for their seventh win-in-a-row, tonight, against the Mariners, at the new Stadium.
Now, only if the rain will stay away ?
It is July … So, that’s a good sign !!!
Enjoy the game !!!
Go Yankees !!!
— Jimmy Curran, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
Yankees Head Into Boston In First Place In AL East
Four Yankee homeruns.
A great pitching effort by Yankees starter Andy Pettitte.
Solid performances by three relievers out of the Yankees bullpen, including a save by Mariano Rivera.
All add up to a 5-3 New York Yankees win over the Tampa Bay Rays, last night, at the new Yankee Stadium in the beautiful Bronx.
Oh, yeah, the victory also increased the Yankees lead to one full game over the second place Boston Red Sox in the AL East.
So, as of June 9, 2009, the standings in the AL East are as follows …
Yankees 34-23 .596 —
Red Sox 33-24 .579 1.0
Blue Jays 33-27 .550 2.5
Rays 29-33 .492 6.0
Orioles 24-33 .421 10.0
The Yankees now travel up to Boston to play the Red Sox in a very important three-game series at Fenway Park with “first place” on the line in the AL East.
Boston has won the first “five” games of the 2009 version of the Yankees vs. Red Sox “Season Within A Season” series; but, the Yankees hope to open up their lead in the AL East to “four” games with a sweep of the rival Sox.
Playoff baseball in June. It doesn’t get much better then that.
The Bronx Bombers are playing much better “ball” then the last time they played the Red Sox, and look to continue their solid play on the field at Fenway.
Homeruns by Mark Teixeira (#18 in the 1st); Nick Swisher (#12, two-run HR in the 2nd); Johnny Damon (#12 in the 6th); and, Derek Jeter (#8 in th 8th), accounted for all five Yankee runs, which was all the support Andy Pettitte needed to record his 6th win of the year.
The Yankees have now hit 92 total homeruns in the 57 games they played this year; and, with the four Yankee HR’s and one Rays homer hit in the game, there have now been a total of 105 homeruns hit in the 29 games at the new Yankee Stadium, so far.
Yes, the baseballs continue to travel far into the seats, soaring through the air, powered by the new “launching pad” at the new Stadium in the Bronx.
Pettitte (6-2) threw a solid six innings, allowing three runs (two earned); on five hits; three walks; and seven strikeouts.
The only trouble Andy had was in the top of the 4th inning, when the Rays tied the score 3-3 on a RBI single by Michel Hernandez that plated Ben Zobrist, who reached first on an Alex Rodriguez error; and, a two-run homer by Gabe Kapler.
Andy Sonnanstine (4-6) started for the Rays, and allowed all five Yankee runs in his seven innings of work, on six hits (including the four homers), two walks, and one strikeout.
After Pettitte completed his six innings on the mound, the Yankees bullpen took over and it was lights out the rest of the way.
Phil Hughes was very impressive pitching a scoreless 7th inning.
Phil Coke tossed a scoreless 8th inning.
And, “The Great Mariano” closed out this well-played Yankees victory, throwing a perfect 9th inning for his 14th save, preserving the Yanks 34th win of 2009.
It is a very nice view at the top of the AL East for all in the Yankees Universe.
CC, A-Rod, Cervelli, Lead Yanks In 4-0 Win Over O’s
The script in yesterday’s 4-0 victory against the Orioles at Camden Yards in Baltimore was what the Yankees envisioned throughout Spring Training. A great pitching performance by their new “ace” CC Sabathia; a game-winning homrerun by Alex Rodriguez; and, a solid effort by the whole team in a crisp well-played game.
Of course, no one expected the Yankees would enter this game with a record of 13-15, with CC taking the mound with a 1-3 won-loss record, in Alex Rodriguez’s first game of the year, following all the drama of A-Rod’s spring training press conference in which he admitted using performance enhancing drugs during his Texas Ranger days; then, missed the first 28 games of the season because of a hip injury that required surgery, returning to the lineup the same week a new book about his on and off the field activities hit the bookstores.
Just another day in the Yankees Universe.
But, this win was just what the Yankees needed.
After the Yankees had lost five straight games, and basically looked like they were in a free fall, CC Sabathia threw a brilliant 4-0 complete game shutout, allowing only four hits [two each in the first and ninth innings], and one walk, while striking out eight, on 112 pitches, to earn his second win of the year, in certainly his best pitching performance so far in his short career with the New York Yankees.
The Yankees and CC got all the runs they would need in the top of the first inning when after Derek Jeter led off with a groundout, Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira drew back-to-back walks that were followed by a big three-run homer on the first pitch of the year to clean-up hitter Alex Rodriguez, giving the Yanks a very early 3-0 lead.
This was the first lead the Yankees have had in a week, covering 42 straight innings.
In the bottom of the first it looked like CC would give the runs right back as the first two Oriole batters, Brian Roberts and Adam Jones, singled.
But, on what could be considered one of the turning points in the game, rookie catcher, Francisco Cervelli, threw Jones out trying to steal second on a play that looked like Jones was safe, but he slid into the base with his back leg for the out. Roberts advanced to third on the play.
CC retired the next two hitters, Nick Markakis and Melvin Mora, though, ending the O’s early rally, keeping the score at 3-0.
From that point on in the game, Sabathia was unhittable, easily getting the next 23 of 24 Oriole batters out, including, 16 in-a-row, after walking Roberts in the third inning.
The Yankees scored their final run in the 7th on a RBI double by Damon that scored Cervelli who led off the inning with a walk.
Francisco Cervelli (1-for-2) had a big night, throwing out the runnner in the first; laying down a nice sac-bunt in the second; getting his first Major League hit, a single, in the 4th inning, in addition to his walk and run scored in the 7th.
And, oh yes, Cervelli called a beautiful game, catching CC Sabathia’s CG shutout, the first complete game Yankee shutout since July, 2006, which was pitched by Chien-Ming Wang.
CC took the mound in the bottom of the 9th with the 4-0 lead, and no one warming up in the Yankees bullpen.
It didn’t start out too well for Sabathia in the 9th as the first two batters, Ceasar Izturis and Brian Roberts hit back-to-back singles; but, Yankees Manager, Joe Girardi, did not panic and let CC continue to pitch [the ineffectiveness of the Yankees bullpen certainly made that decision very easy for Mr. Girardi].
CC did not disappoint, as he struck-out the next three batters, Jones, Markakis, and Mora, to end the game, and complete the 4-0 shutout, and make everything in the Yankees Universe, okay, at least, for this brief moment.
The game took only 2 hours, 32 minutes to play, and moved the Yankees record to 14-15, in third place, 4.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox (19-11, .633), and the Toronto Blue Jays (20-12, .625), in the AL East.
Hopefully, the New York Yankees repeat the above script many more times throughout the rest of the 2009 season, right into the playoffs and World Series this October.
The 1998 Yankees Started Season, 0-3 …
“In each new baseball season a team will win 54 games and lose 54 games …. It’s what a team does in the remaining 54 games that matters most.”
… Hall of Famer, Baltimore Orioles Manager, Earl Weaver
I am not comparing the 2009 Yankees to the great 1998 New York Yankees team that ran away with the American League Championship with a 114-48 regular season record, and then went on to win the World Series by sweeping the San Diego Padres.
I’m just trying to put this new season in perspective. There are still 160 games remaining, and a team losing its first two games is not the end of the world.
The above paraphrased quote by the great Orioles Manager Earl Weaver perfectly sums up the direction each new baseball season takes.
Each team will play brilliantly in one-third of their games, and win those contests.
In another third of their games, a team will be lose because they were totally dominated by the other team.
Then, there are those remaining 54 games — the most important part of each team’s schedule. In this “third” of each season are where Championships are made.
Reflecting on Mr. Weaver’s theory, a perfect season in baseball would be 108-54.
Of course, any team that wins 100 or more games in a season is certainly part of a very exclusive high-rent district of all-time baseball seasons. The foundation of these great seasons were solidified in the one-third of games in between the teams 54 wins and 54 losses.
As an example, the 1998 Yankees started their Championship season with an 0-3 record, and were 1-4 after five games. But, then, they won eight straight games before their next loss that brought their record to 9-5; won six more in a row before losing again, for a record of 15-6; went on another eight game winning streak moving their record to 23-6; and, finally won three of their next four games to bring their record to 26-7, in first place by only 4.5 games on May 13, 1998. The ’98 Yankees had many more similar winning streaks that season, and ended up with 114 victories.
So, the first few games of a new baseball season do not necessarily determine the final outcome of a team’s record or place in the standings; and, this must be taken into consideration when talking about the 2009 Yankees 0-2 start against the Orioles.
It was the starting pitching that once again doomed the Yankees in Game Two of the opening three-game series vs. the Orioles.
Chien-Ming Wang was awful in this start, pitching only 3.2 innings, allowing seven runs, on nine hits, including a homerun, and three walks. Wang did not record any strikeouts in his brief appearance, which made him part of an infamous historical record.
This was the first time in New York Yankees history that the starting pitchers in the first two games of a new season did not record a single strikeout in either game. Certainly, not the way CC Sabathia and Chien-Ming Wang expected to start the season.
The O’s jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on three straight doubles by Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, and Aubrey Huff, after lead-off hitter Brian Roberts made the first out.
Huff was caught trying to steal third after his double drove home Markakis, which was a good break for the Yanks as the next batter, Mora, singled after Huff was thrown out. This hit would have driven home the fourth run in the inning, and maybe would have knocked Wang out of this game earlier. Luke Scott then made the final out to end the first with the O’s leading 2-0.
The Yankees scored a run in the 4th on a single by Nady and a RBI double by Cody Ransom that cut the O’s lead to 2-1.
Everything fell apart for Wang in the bottom of the 4th inning when the Orioles exploded for five runs.
Scott led off the inning with a single, moved to second when Felix Pie walked, and scorerd on a RBI double by Gregg Zaun; the second run of the inning scored on a fielders choice RBI grounder by Cesar Izturis; then, a single by Roberts, and sac fly by Adam Jones plated run number three.
Now, with two outs, and a runner on first, Markakis, who already had two hits, was the next batter, and he delivered once again by blasting a two-run homer that increased Baltimore’s lead to 7-1, and ended Chien-Ming Wang’s night on the mound.
Not a great performance by Mr. Wang.
In the meantime, the Orioles starter, Koji Uehara threw a solid 87 pitches over five innings of work, allowing only one run, on five hits, five walks, and one strikeout.
The Yankees scored a run in the 6th on a RBI double by Robinson Cano (2-for-4); but, after a wild pitch advanced Cano to third with no outs, the bottom of the Yankees order, Nady, Ransom, and Gardner, could not drive that runner home. [getting runners home from third with less than two outs was a major problem for the Yankees last year; let’s hope it will not continue to be a problem this season].
After Wang was removed from the game, the Yankees bullpen was very effective, as relievers Edwar Ramirez, Jonathan Albaladadejo, and Jose Veras, shutdown the O’s the rest of the way, from the 6th through 8th innings.
The game entered the top of the 9th, with the Orioles leading, 7-2.
With one out, the Yankees tried to rally back in this game. After Nady made the first out, Nick Swisher, pinch-hitting for Ransom, walked; then, Swisher was forced at second on a grounder by Brett Gardner, for out number two.
This brought Derek Jeter up to the plate, and the “captain” delivered, crushing an opposite field, two-run homerun that cut the O’s lead to 7-4.
Johnny Damon then walked, bringing Mark Teixeira up to the batters box.
Tex had no hits in four at-bats up to this point in the game, which delighted the still booing Camdem Yards crowd. Actually, Teixeira was (0-for-8) so far, in these two games which was even more delightful to the Oriole fans.
The Orioles lefty closer, George Sherrill, was brought into the game to close out the O’s victory.
This move turned Teixeira around to the right side of the batters box, and proved to be the perfect cure for his lack of hits as Tex belted the first pitch into right-centerfield for a line-drive double that scored Damon all the way from first, and set-up a possible game-tying situation for the next batter, Hideki Matsui.
The Orioles now led the game, 7-5, with the Yankees clean-up hitter up at the plate.
Matsui was (0-for-4); but, one powerful swing of the bat could tie the score.
Geroge Sherrill won this battle, though, as he got Matsui to pop-out to third base, closing out the Orioles second victory of this very young season, and reducing the Yankees record to 0-2.
160 games to go.
“Go Yankees” !!!
To view boxscore, click on: Orioles 7, Yankees 5
Rare Moment In The Game …
With “no” strikeouts by CC Sabathia in Game Number One, and “no” strikeouts by Chien-Ming Wang in Game Number Two, of this opening series against the Balitmore Orioles, this was the first time in New York Yankees history that the starting pitchers of their first two games of a new season did not strike out a single batter in either game.
— Jimmy [27NYY], “BY&L”
Yankees Lose Opener To Orioles, 10-5
Okay, CC Sabathia had a bad outing in his first start as a Yankee; the Yankees bullpen was totally ineffective; and, Mark Teixeira was almost booed out of Camden Yards.
There still are 161 games remaining this season, though; so, it’s not a time to panic, yet, after only one game, even though a 10-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles is not how the New York Yankees expected to begin their new journey — back to playing October Baseball in 2009.
Sabathia lasted only 4.1 innings, allowing six runs, on eight hits and five walks, while striking-out “none”. CC threw a total of 96 pitches and basically didn’t have command of most of them, as this was only the fifth time in his career 255 starts that he did not strike out any batters.
Based on Sabathia’s preformance at the beginning of last year with the Cleveland Indians, when he started the season with a 1-4 record and 7.88 ERA, this could be a pattern for CC until the weather gets a little warmer. In my view, though, more concern should be directed towards the reasons why CC Sabathia was using some kind of a heating pad in between innings during this game.
After the game, CC said he was using the heaing pad only to stay warm. But, it was kind of a strange placement of the pad, inside his jacket, covering his stomach, that should be of some concern to the Yankees and Yankee fans. Sabathia’s fastball was only clocked in the low 90’s, which certainly has to raise some questions as the end result was no strikeouts, five walks, and eight hits allowed in this game.
As is the case with most teams, the Yankees don’t usually talk too openly about player injuries. So, it will be worth watching if the heating pad was a precursor of something more serious that may prevent Sabathia from being is most effective on the mound in future starts.
Jonathan Albaladejo replaced Sabathia in the 5th inning, and pitched the most effective of the Yankee relievers in his 1 1/3 innings of work.
But, the Yankees were down 6-1 as the game entered the top of the 6th.
At this point the Bombers actually started to mount a comeback, led by a long lead-off homerun by Jorge Posada to straight away centerfield in the 6th; and, a two-run homer by Hideki Matsui in the top of the 7th, that cut the O’s lead to 6-5.
Posada and Matsui hitting the ball with power is very encouraging news for the Yankees as both are recovering from injuries that kept them out of the lineup for a good part of 2008. If the Yankees are going to be successful this season, it is important for both Posada and Matsui to have a huge year, driving in many runs in the middle of the batting order.
The Yankees put together another rally in the top of the 8th, and had a golden opportunity to tie or take the lead when they had runners on first and third with two outs and Mark Teixeira up at the plate.
Teixeira was booed mightly by the Baltimore crowd right from the beginning of the game because Tex signed with the Yanks instead of his hometown Orioles. And, up to this point in the game Teixeira had no hits in three plate appearances.
Tex would not be a hero this day, as he hit a very soft grounder up the midde that forced Johnny Damon at second base for the final out of the inning.
The poor debuts by CC and Tex are certainly the major story lines in this game; but, the real lead story of the Yankees 10-5 loss could be buried in the bullpen.
I think the Yankees should be more concerned about the ineffectiveness of their middle relievers, Phil Coke, Brian Bruney, and Damaso Marte, who in this game gave up a combined five hits, including a homerun, and three walks, in their total 2.1 innings of work, that led to the Orioles scoring four runs in the bottom of the 8th, increasing their lead to 10-5, putting the game out of reach for the Yanks.
Other than Mariano Rivera, who had a great year in 2008, the rest of the Yankees bullpen was a major problem last season.
Yes, it is only one game; but, the Yankees really need their middle relievers to basically be “perfect” in just about every appearance they make this year. It may sound like I’m asking a lot from the bullpen, but isn’t this part of what baseball has become in this era?
By imposing strick pitch-counts on the starters, which limits their innings pitched in each start, the middle relievers become very important to the success of any team. This most definitely applies to the New York Yankees, and why it is so important for the bullpen to pitch “perfectly” every time one of the relievers takes the mound.
For Mariano Rivera to close out Yankee victories this season, the middle relievers will have to build a solid “bridge” in the 6th, 7th and 8th innings, from the starters to the “Great Mariano”.
Will the middle relievers be a “weak link” or successful “bridge-builders” in 2009 for this Yankees team?
Well, in my view, Yankees success this season depends on “perfection” from the bullpen.
The Orioles 10-5 victory was closed out by George Sherrill who pitched a scoreless 9th inning, to preserve the win for the O’s starter Jeremy Guthrie.
Some highlights for the Yankees, in addition to the Posada and Matsui homeruns, included ..
Three hits by Derek Jeter (3-5); Johnny Damon (2-3) with a walk, one run, and one RBI; and, a pinch-hit double by Nick Swisher.
Rare Moment In The Game …
“Zero” strikeouts by Yankess starting pitcher, CC Sabathia.
This is only the fifth time in Sabathia’s 255 career starts that he did not strike out a batter in the game.
— Jimmy [27NYY], “BY&L”
Baseball, The Yankees, and Life... 