Rays at Yanks

The Yankees will try to avoid their second straight sweep by getting a win tonight with Andy Pettitte on the mound. The Yankees didn't lose 5 straight all of last year and will try to avoid doing that tonight. The Yankees really need to hit Niemann and give Petitte something to work with as they have been completely shut down other then one swing of the bat the last 2 games. This offense needs a jolt and will get one tomorrow when A-rod joins the team as the Yankees officially announced that around 5:00PM, I am guessing he will meet them in Baltimore but wonder if he will be in NY tonight for the game, that would bring a nice jolt to the team also. It will be great to have the cleanup hitter back and at least with the Manny news they won't be hounding him as much. I bet Tex is breathing a sigh of relief as he needs some protection. Here is the Yankees lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) Matsui(DH) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF) Pena(3B) Molina(C) The game is at 7:00pm on YES.

New York Mets back to 500

The New York Mets won their third in a row yesterday getting to the 500 mark. Johan Santana was brilliant as always winning 1-0. The Mets though still don't seem to score enough runs or at least consistantly much like the Yankees, have defensive problems in the outfield and first base and don't have any other starting pitching other then Johan. The Mets have earned themselves a reprieve for the time being but will it last. They play one more game against the Phillies tonight and then play the Pirates which is usually the problem with the Mets, they will beat some good teams and play well and make you think they are turning it around and then go lose to the Pirates. I hope for them and their fans this isn't the case but I just think they have too many issues to consistenly keep winning.

Manny Suspended for PEDS

Manny Ramirez was suspended 50 games today for violating the drug policy. The Dodgers called up a minor league outfielder to take his place. A-rod is expected back tomorrow and this seems to be good for him as it will take the attention away from him or at least some of it. I really think Alex has a chance to redeem himself to some degree now, the Yankees are once again struggling without him, they desperately need him. If he comes back plays well, the Yankees win and he stays out of trouble which is a big if then I think he can come back from all of this and be a hero at least to Yankee fans. A-rod has made mistakes but he still isn't Bonds or Clemens or even Manny and I really think people want to love A-rod but it has been hard to do. I think this is his chance to get everyone on his side and rewrite his legacy.

Yanks/Rays recap

There really is nothing to recap, the Yankees didn't hit all night off of Andy Sonastine who has been terrible this year, he is not a great pitcher. The Yankees had a 3 run double from Tex but then he couldn't get a hit or sac fly with a runner on third and one out in the tenth. The Yankees never get the big hit or a sac fly, a groundball when they need it. I don't know how the hitting coach Kevin Long has a job and I have had it with him being so good like they all say, he is a disgrace, there is a reason he never had a major league job before. It is the philosophy of the team, they don't know how to do the little things right and that is why they lose these close games. The Yankees are 5 for their last 32 with runners in scoring position which is totally unacceptable. I really don't know what to say or think anymore but they better get it going soon. I am so sick of the Yankees taking the first couple of months off, they count also and it could be too hard to catch up by June. Is there anyone else out there who thinks Kevin Long should be fired, he is the worst hitting coach please comment and let me know.

Rays at Yankees

Here are some pregame notes and the Yankee lineup via Peter Abraham. Phil Coke in his last 9 outings has gone 7 innings with 2 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. MO hasn't pitched since Thursday, they got to get him into a game soon. The Yankees have hit 39 homeruns only trailing Texas who has 48. This is disturbing to me as it proves they are one dimensional. Melky has a 9 game hitting streak, he has hit in 12 straight as a starter. Robinson Cano has gone hitless in his last 12 at bats. He is now at 336 after being at 378. Nick Swisher has played in 25 games and reached base somehow in 24 of them. His OBP is 427. He has been a great pickup for the Yanks. Yankees lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) Matsui(DH) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF) Pena(3B) Molina(C)

Yanks try and move on

The Yankees open up a two game series with the Tampa Bay Rays tonight at the Stadium. Here are the matchups for the two games. Tonight-A.J. Burnett vs Andy Sonastine Tomorrow-Andy Pettitte vs Jeff Niemann The Yankees should have the pitching advantage in these two games and need to find a way to win both of them. They have already beat the Rays 2 out of 3 in Tampa and usually beat them in NY. A.J. Burnett is looking to give the Yankees a dominating performance to set the tone and maybe the pitching will get on a roll. Lets hope Joba got them going with last nights performance.

Yanks/Red Sox wrapup

It is tough to be 0-5 against Boston but they got us at the right time and we are playing them at a bad time. The Yankees need to go out and win games now and forget about the Red Sox. They have Tampa the next 2 days at home and the pitching matchups favor the Yanks, they really need a couple of wins before heading to Baltimore and Toronto, teams they can beat. CC Sabathia needs to have a dominant game as well as Burnett and just get them going, this team is built around the pitching and once these guys get in a groove the team will roll off wins. Joba had a rough first inning but he looked awesome after that striking out 12 in the next 4 2/3 innings. This is why he needs to be a starter he won't be good one day but maybe great like a #1 starter. He just toyed with them and had all of his pitches working, remember he is the fifth starter and usually against other fifth starters the Yanks will score runs. I don't know if he keeps pitching well and Hughes does and Wang comes back what you do but its a good problem to have, hopefully they are all pitching well when Wang comes back. The Yankees don't have Bruney, Marte and A-rod, Nady and now Posada. These injuries hurt the Yankees but A-rod will be back and Marte and Bruney shouldn't be gone for too long. I think the bottom line is the starting pitching if they can get on a roll everything else will fall into place and watch out. The positives were Melky having 3 hits, Jeter had 2 and Damon had another homerun. Hideki Matsui continues to look good at the plate. It is late and I am frustrated and upset but tomorrow is a new day and I will be back tomorrow for the start of the Rays series.

Red Sox at Yankees

This is a big game for the Yankees, they can't let the Sox leave town 5-0 against the Yanks. These teams only play 1 more 3 game series in June before August so the Yankees have to get a win here. Jorge Posada was placed on the DL and officially they are saying 2-3 weeks but in the clubhouse they fear it could be 3-5 weeks. Francisco Cervelli was called up from AA-Trenton to be the backup. Here are some pregame notes and lineups via Peter Abraham. The weather looks better then last night so I think they will play and it will start on time but we will see. We will see if any bad blood spills over with Girardi and Tim Bogar the 1b coach for Boston, Girardi felt he was stealing signs and got into a shouting match with him over it. Joe was steamed after the game I am sure also with the umpire and the frustration of losing again to the Red Sox. Big Tex joined Nick Swisher and Melky Cabrera as Yankees to homer from both sides of the plate this season. Only 8 other Yankees have done that prior to this season. Elias is saying the Yankees are the first team since at least 1969 to have 3 hitters homer from each side in the same season. The homerun that Tex hit broke a 2-29 slump and then he hit another one before striking out in the ninth so hopefully this gets him going. I would guess Papelbon is not pitching tonight after throwing 32 pitches last night. Mariano Rivera hasn't pitched since April 30. A-rod played 7 innings again today at 3b and made several plays including a spin move. He was 3-6 with two long homeruns to centerfield, a single and a lineout. He will do the same tommorrow and if he feels good on Thursday after being off he will meet the team in Baltimore and play his first game with the Yankees Friday night. Here are the lineups: Yankees Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) Matsui(DH) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF) Pena(3B) Molina(C) Boston Ellsbury(CF) Pedroia(2B) Ortiz(DH) Bay(LF) Lowell(3B) Drew(RF) Bailey(1B) Varitek(C) Green(SS) The game is on the YES network at 7:00PM.

Yanks lose again to Bosox

The Yankees lost to the Boston Red Sox again last night after waiting through a 2 hour and 20 minute rain delay. Phil Hughes did not have his control last night and that got him into trouble. He only lasted 4 innings giving up 4 runs. The Yankees felt the umpire was squeezing Phil Hughes and giving Lester everything. Joe Girardi got ejected in the fifth inning when he reached his boiling point with Derek Jeter getting called out on strikes. This ejection did seem to light an immediate fire under the team as Johnny Damon and Mark Teixiera hit back to back homeruns cutting the lead to 4-3. Alfredo Aceves pitched well in relief of Phil Hughes but did give up a 2 run homerun to new Yankee Killer Jason Bay off of the left field foul pole to give the Sox a 6-3 edge. The Yankees attempted to rally in the 9th off of closer Jonathan Papelbon but couldn't finish it off. They had first and second no outs but then Damon popped out to right field, Big Tex and Swisher struck out to end the game. I still think Kevin Long is a terrible hitting coach and the philosophy is wrong with trying to hit homeruns instead of making good contact and getting base hits. The Yankees had seemed to right themselves after the 3 game sweep in Fenway winning four out of six but here came the Red Sox again and the Yankees just can't beat them right now. The Yankees desperately need to win tonight with Joba going against Beckett.

Yanks rain delay

The game is in a rain delay right now as I am sure everyone knows. I am not so confident they will get this game in but they are going to try, I don't know if there is a window or anything but the problem is it is going to rain all week so who knows what is going to happen. I will be back later with updates. Joba Chamberlain's mother was arrested in Nebraska on Saturday, it is really sad that she is such a mess and amazing he is pretty well grounded, well at least we hope he learned his lesson from that drunk driving. The AP has the story as well as Peter Abraham on his blog.

Red Sox at Yankees

Here is the Yankees lineup for tonights game weather permitting. I am sure they will try real hard to get this game in. The game is at 7:00PM on YES and ESPN. Here is the Yankees lineup via Peter Abraham Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) Swisher(RF) Cano(2B) Posada(C) Cabrera(CF) Molina(C) Berroa(3B) Alfredo Aceves has been called up with Anthony Claggett optioned back to AAA-Scranton. The Yankees finally have a long reliever and they should have had one from the beginning but this is a good thing, maybe now Joe Girardi won't leave guys in too long.

Weekly Minor league updates

I am going to start with AAA Austin Jackson continues to impress hitting 389 with 12 rbi's, he hasn't hit a homerun yet. Todd Linden is hitting 361 with 4 homeruns and 24 rbi's. Shelly Duncan is hitting 356 with 9 homeruns and 28 rbi's. Eric Duncan has been slumping but is still hitting 289 with 7 rbi's. Ian Kennedy was pitching well before his injury going 1-0 with a 1.59 era. He has 7 walks and 25 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings. Brett Tomko has done well as the closer with a .75 era AA Colin Curtis is hitting 296 with 4 rbi's. Edwar Gonzalez is hitting 326 with 9 rbi's. Zach McAllister is 1-1 with a 2.53 era in 21 1/3 innings he has 14 strikeouts and 9 walks. George Kontos is 1-1 with a 2.66 era in 20 1/3 innings he has 9 walks and 24 strikeouts. A Tampa Jesus Montero is batting 318 with 5 homeruns and 15 rbi's. Austin Romine is batting 282 with 2 homeruns and 10 rbi's. Jeremy Bleich who was drafted last year out of Stanford is 2-1 with a 2.33 era, he has pitched 27 innings with 8 walks and 18 strikeouts. Dellin Betances is 1-3 with a 4.44 era. He has pitched 26 1/3 innings with 14 walks and 30 strikeouts. His problem is his control, he is still only 19 years old though and has great stuff. Lance Pendleton is 2-1 with a 2.08 era. He has pitched 21 2/3 innings with 6 walks and 17 strikeouts. Wilken De La Rosa is 1-0 with a 1.29 era. He has pitched 14 innings with 4 walks and 17 strikeouts. I don't have the information for A-Charleston as their website isn't working, I will try and get that up tomorrow.

Yanks/Red Sox Matchups

The Yankees and Red Sox will play a brief 2 game series beginning tomorrow weather permitting. Here are the pitching matchups Monday- Jon Lester Vs Phil Hughes Tuesday- Josh Beckett vs Joba Chamberlain The Yankees said that Hughes and Chamberlain have pitched well and they didn't want to skip them so they just pushed everyone back a day with today's rainout. The Yankees placed Marte on the DL but he said it is the same problem from spring training that never went away and Brian Bruney said he isn't coming back May 10th that it will be longer, he didn't play catch today and was told not tomorrow either. The Yankees have lost what started out as their 8th inning guys and now they are trying to string it together. I know a lot of people are hoping for this but it is looking more possible that if Hughes continues to pitch well and these guys are injured and the bullpen continues to be bad that Joba will go back to the pen, of course Hughes has to keep it up and Wang has to come back strong so it is still a ways away before it becomes a really good question. A-rod is expected to go 7 innings tomorrow in the field and he should be back by Friday which will be a real boost to this lineup especially Big Tex who could use his protection.

Angels at Yankees

The Yankees are scheduled to finish their 4 game series with the Angels today at 1:00PM on YES. It is currently raining very hard and I am doubtful that they can get this game in. The problem is that the Angels don't come back to NY at all this season so they could wait around for a while before deciding to call if if they do. Damso Marte has been placed on the DL with a shoulder problem and Anthony Claggett has been recalled also something else may be up as no lineup is posted for the Yankees and Girardi is late to meet with the press for his pregame session. This information is coming from Peter Abraham. Phil Hughes is scheduled to start today looking to go 2-0 and make the Yankees think of keeping him in the big leagues. In 7 of the 11 losses by the Yankees they have had at least a 1 run lead Jose Veras can't get anyone out giving up 5 runs in his last 2 2/3 innings along with 5 hits and 4 walks. This is a wierd stat, when the Yankees don't make an error they are 11-3 and 2-8 when they do. Hideki Matsui has a 12 game hitting streak batting 370 with 6 extra base hits and 9 RBI. He must be feeling better. Melky has a 7 game hitting streak and the Yankees are 6-3 at home. The lineup has been posted now and here it is: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) Matsui(DH) Posada(C) Cano(2B) Cabrera(RF) Berroa(3B) Gardner(CF) I guess Nick Swisher is still banged up and Angel Berroa must have good numbers against Joe Saunders otherwise why is he playing.

Yanks/Angels recap

The Yankees looked half asleep today at least offensively, you can tell CC is starting to get frustrated as the Yankees are 2-4 in his games and the last 2 games he has pitched pretty well with nothing to show for it. He was cruising along today and had a 1-0 lead early but the Yankees couldn't do anything off of Matt Palmer who is a 30 yr old rookie which says it all right there. This is what gets me about the Yankees offense, they have a bunch of great games where they score a ton of runs and it makes them look better then they are, I still think Kevin Long is terrible and needs to go. A-rod coming back will help them but they have too many days where they are facing guys like today and can't do anything with them. CC is showing signs of improvement, he really hasn't pitched bad at all his last two times out but he still isn't getting the wins and not dominating like he can. The Yankees will try to win the series tomorrow with Phil Hughes on the mound trying to have his 2nd good start in a row. The way the bullpen is going if he keeps pitching well the Joba to the pen talk is going to heat up again. Chien-Ming Wang pitched 4 hitless innings in extended spring training and they thought he looked good, he will be pitching every fifth day and they will give him at least a couple more starts before they see if they are going to bring him back. A-rod looks ready to come back by Friday when the Yankees go on the road but we will see.

Game 24: Angels at Yankees (updates with comments from Brian Cashman)

This is the game post via Peter Abraham and the Lohud Yankees Blog. I am sorry I couldn't post my own stuff but I just didn't have time before the game. CC will try to make it 2 good starts in a row and 5 in a row for the Yanks. No roster moves were made yet but the bullpen will be watched. I will be back later with more and any updates on A-rod and Wang. Game 24: Angels at Yankees (updates with comments from Brian Cashman) Posted using ShareThis

Yanks/Angels Recap

What a thrilling come from behind win for the New York Yankees. I was at the game and what a great game it was. Jorge Posada hit a 2 run homerun early and then had the game winning 2 rbi single in the ninth. Andy Pettitte started off pretty well but then fell apart in the sixth before leaving with the bases loaded and two outs. Mark Melancon came in and gave up a 3 run triple and wild pitch and all of the sudden it was 6-4 Angels but the gritty, gutty Yankees came back with 4 runs in the eighth and 2 runs in the ninth to win the game. Robinson Cano has been great and he had 3 more hits and some stellar defense. Mark Teixeira continued to struggle but had a walk to lead off the ninth, maybe that will get him going. Melky Cabrera and Ramiro Pena continue to play well but the bullpen is all messed up right now. The Yankees though got the win and that is all that counts, CC Sabathia will be on the mound tomorrow as the Yankees go for their 5th straight win. Brian Bruney played catch before the game and felt fine. A-rod was 1-6 again today and you can find more about his day from Peter Abraham on his blog and also the Associated Press. He is scheduled to play 5 innings tomorrow at third base. Peter Abraham also reported on his blog that Joe Girardi was meeting with Brian Cashman after the game and it would appear a move or moves are going to be made. I would think the bullpen could be changing again, Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras have been dreadful and I wonder if they will get rid of these guys. I am sure there will be some news tomorrow regarding roster moves. The Yankees are now 13-10 and tied with the Red Sox in the loss column and 1 game behind Toronto for first place, I don't think anyone thinks Toronto will keep it up.

Good game by yanks so far jorge with 2 run homer

Angels at Yankees

I know its raining now but it is supposed to clear up and we should have baseball. I will be heading out to the Bronx in a few minutes some I am not going to put as much as I usually do but I will post more tonight when I get home from the game. The Yankees have won 3 straight scoring 26 runs their best 3 game stretch of the season. Phil Coke in his last 7 outings has gone 6 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. Big Tex is 2 of his last 20 with 0 RBI in six games, he does have 9 walks though, he is one guy that is definitely glad it is May. Hideki Matsui is hot going 15 of his last 28, with 6 extra base hits, 7 RBI and 6 runs scored. He is on a 10 game hitting streak. Nick Swisher is hot again going 6 for his last 14 with 3 homeruns and 6 RBI. Melky is 11 of his last 32 with 5 RBI and 6 runs scored. Ramiro Pena is hitting a little going 5 for his last 13. The lineup is as follows Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) Matsui(DH) Cano(2B) Posada(C) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF) Pena(3B) Enjoy the game everyone, I may chime in from the stadium.

April is over time for Yanks to roll

The Yankees finished the month of April 12-10, a winning record which usually doesn't happen. This is their best April since 2006. Mark Teixeira is happy the month of April is over as he struggled mightily I am sure dropping his career 256 April average. Robinson Cano is a guy who isn't happy as he had his first good April of his career, hopefully he can take it into May. CC Sabathia had his best start last time out and he is looking forward to the warmer weather and getting on a roll. The Yankees survived the month and A-rod should be back within the next week or so. The Yankees also lost Brian Bruney to injury, Wang to ineffectiveness and Xavier Nady and didn't come out too bad. They got off to a good start on their 8 game homestand and at the end of this homestand if it goes well they can be in good shape. Here is looking for a strong May and the Yankees begin to make their move. They currently sit in third place 2 games back of the Red Sox and 1 game back of the Blue Jays. Andy Pettitte will try to get May off to a good start tonight.