New York Yankees Notes

Here are some notes courtesy of Chad Jennings of the Journal News. He also has the Lohud Yankees Blog. Here is Phil Hughes speaking about his changeup. "I threw some in counts where normally never, ever would do it. I got good results with it."

• Mariano Rivera had the bases loaded in his one inning of work. Here is what he had to say "It's good because you're out there throwing your pitches,working. It isn't 6,7,8 pitches, you need to throw to build you." He also added that it is like night and day how he feels now to how he felt last year at this time. He was coming off of surgery last season. He is scheduled to pitch on Friday which is a split squad and there was joking from the media on him going on the road. He of course never goes on the road in spring training.

• Burnett wasn't very happy with his outing. Jorge Posada was telling him that he was throwing his best changeup yet but Burnett was more focused on his fastball. He said he has to have command of that because it is his bread and butter. He said he knows he has a good hook but he needs his fastball to be successful. He said in his pen he is going to throw about 30 4 seamers down and away, he said he has to get back to that.

Grapefruit League Game 10 and 11-Yankees at Detroit and Orioles at Yankees

The New York Yankees are playing split squad games today. They have been rained out 2 days in a row and this is what they decided to do. The Yankees brought some of the minor leaguers up today just in case although one is scheduled to play. Edwar Gonzalez is scheduled to play. Here are a few quick notes and then I will have the lineups and reserve players for today.

• Kevin Russo will get to play shortstop today, he is trying to make a run at the major league utility job. I am still betting on Ramiro Pena getting that job but you never know what could happen.
• A.J. Burnett, Mark Melancon and Phil Hughes are each scheduled to throw side sessions today.
• Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher will all go on back to back roadtrips. They are going to Lakeland today and Bradenton tomorrow.

Yankees Lineup(Home Game)

Gardner(CF)

Johnson(DH)

Posada(C)

Cano(2B)

Granderson(LF)

Winn(RF)

Miranda(1B)

Laird(3B)

Pena(SS)

Yanks Lineup(Road Game)

Jeter(SS)

Swisher(RF)

Teixeira(1B)

Rodriguez(3B)

Thames(LF)

Cervelli(C)

Hoffman(CF)

Winfree(DH)

Nunez(2B)

Chad Gaudin will start this game and Javier Vazquez starts the home game.

Yanks lose a ugly one

The New York Yankees probably played their sloppiest game of the season today in Toronto. They lost 14-8 to the Blue Jays finishing a roadtrip at 5-2 which overall is very good. They now head home for the start of a 10 game homestand with tomorrows doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays. CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett will be pitching the two games tomorrow. The Yankees comitted 4 errors today but there were a few more miscues, they just looked terrible out there. Sergio Mitre got the start and in 4 1/3 innings gave up 11 hits, 11 runs, 9 earned with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. He wasn't as bad as the numbers indicate though as the defense really failed him with the errors and then several miscues that cost him runs also. It was just an overall bad day for the Yankees that thanks to their large lead they can just forget about and move on to the doubleheader tomorrow at the stadium and the huge crowds that will await them as they move closer to clinching and also Derek Jeter breaking Lou Gehrig's hits record. Mark Melancon pitched 1/3 of an inning giving up 1 hit and 1 run with 2 walks and a strikeout. Josh Towers finished out the game with 3 1/3 innings giving up 1 earned run on 3 hits and 1 strikeout. The offense wasn't bad with Derek Jeter getting 3 hits, Johnny Damon had 2 hits, Hideki Matsui and Nick Swisher also had 2 hits. Nick Swisher had another homerun on the road. Hinske, Hairston and Cabrera all had one hit each. It can't be any better then a Labor Day doubleheader with Jeter playing both games and having a chance to break the alltime Yankee hits record.

Yanks at Jays

The New York Yankees will take on the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon inToronto. This is the final game of the 4 game series that the Yankees have taken 2 out of the first 3. This is also the final game of the 7 game roadtrip that they have won 5 out of 6. Sergio Mitre takes the mound for the first time since getting hit in the arm about a week and a half ago. He is trying to build off of that brilliant outing. Here are the pregame notes and linup via Peter Abraham. Jorge Posada is hitting 326 in his last 22 games with 15 xbh, 14 runs scored, 24 rbi's and 10 walks. Yankee relievers are 11-0 with 9 saves since Aug 5th. They have a 3.27 era in that stretch. The Yankees are 31-14 against left handers this season including winning 10 of their last 11. This seems to bold well for today as Brian Tallett is a lefty. Melky Cabrera is heating up again batting 406 in his last 8 games with 5 rbi's. He is now batting 277. The Yankees have hit homeruns in 106 of their 136 games this season. They are on pace for a team record of 253 after hitting 180 last season. Yes Yankee Stadium helps them but they also have a major league leading 95 homers on the road. Mo could be back today if needed, he has converted 38 of 39 save chances this season and 34 in a row. He has allowed one run in his last 29 innings. Phil Hughes in 3 save oppurtunities this season has pitched 4 2/3 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks and 6 strikeouts. Could he be the future closer, he could do it but they view him as a starter and I could see the same debate next yr as we had this yr with Joba. The Yankees are an incredible 36-12 since the all star break. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) Matsui(DH) Swisher(RF) Cano(2B) Hairston(3B) Cabrera(CF) Molina(C)

Yankees at Orioles

The New York Yankees begin a 3 game series tonight in Baltimore at 7:05 on the YES network. The Yankees are also beginning a 7 game roadtrip that will see them go to Toronto for 4 games after they are finished with Baltimore. The Yankees begin today with a 6 game lead in the AL East and a 4 1/2 game lead on the Angels for best record in the AL and homefield advantage. The Red Sox are idle and begin a 3 game series in Tampa tomorrow. The Angels are playing in Seattle tonight. Here are pregame notes and the lineup via the great Lohud Yankees blog. The Yankees are 9-3 against the Orioles this season. The Yankees are 20-7 in August so they hate to see it go, but tomorrow September begins. Derek Jeter is hitting 381 this month with 26 runs scored, 17 rbi's and 11 extra base hits. He has reached base in the first inning in 9 of the last 13 games. Johnny Damon is 9 of his last 23 with 6 runs scored, 5 rbi's and 3 xbh. Jorge Posada is 8 of his last 20 with 5 xbh and 10 rbi's. He came back yesterday from 3 days off and looked good, hopefully this contraption on his finger will hold up. Andy Pettitte is 3-1 with a 2.79 era since the all star break. He has allowed only 43 hits in 51 2/3 innings with 54 strikeouts. Pettitte is 25-6 career against the Orioles with a 3.65 era. He has 38 career appearances against them. He has more wins against the Orioles then any other team. Guthrie is 1-2 with a 5.21 era this season against the Yanks. I would expect them to hit him hard tonight. Phil Coke in his last 14 appearances has gone 11 innings, given up 15 hits, 13 earned runs, 4 walks, 7 strikeouts and 4 homeruns. He has allowed 10 homeruns this season. Jensen Lewis of Cleveland is the only reliever in the AL to give up more. He has given up 11. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) Matsui(DH) Posada(C) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Hairston(3B) Cabrera(CF)

Yankee Notes

A-rod was in the original lineup but is out with Back Spasms, he said he hopes to play tomorrow. Joba will start after all in Seattle on Sunday but then not pitch again until they get back home after the roadtrip. Here is the pitching schedule now: Tomorrow-Sergio Mitre Sunday-Joba Monday- In Oakland-Burnett Tuesday-Sabathia Wednesday-Gaudin Thursday-OFF Friday- In Boston- Pettitte Saturday-Burnett Sunday-Sabathia Monday Aug 24th-OFF Tuesday Aug 25th-Joba Thanks to Peter Abraham for having this, check out his Lohud Yankees Blog

New York Yankees at Seattle Mariners

The New York Yankees begin a 4 game set in Seattle tonight at 10:05 on the Yes network. This is also the start of a long 3 city 10 game roadtrip that concludes in Boston. Here are the notes and lineup from the Lohud Yankees Blog by Peter Abraham of the Journal News. The Yankees are 30-25 on the road this season, only the Angels are better at 32-22. Everyone else in the league is under 500. CC Sabathia is 4-1 with a 2.83 era in 7 career starts at Safeco Field. CC faced them at Yankee stadium this season and was bad giving up 10 hits and 6 runs in 5 2/3 innings. CC is 30-9 with a 3.21 era in 48 career starts in August. Johnny Damon has 9 xbh with 5 being homeruns in his last 9 games. Melky Cabrera is batting 139 in 9 games since hitting for the cycle in Chicago. Phil Coke has made 55 appearances this year, only 11 guys have more, 2 in the AL which are Craig Breslow and Matt Guerrier. Robinson Cano is really hot going 18 of his last 39 with 8 xbh and 4 rbi's. He has 8 multihit games in his last 9 games. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) Matsui(DH) Swisher(RF) Cano(2B) Cabrera(CF) Hairston(3B) Molina(C)

Yanks sweep Jays heading home for showdown with Bosox

The New York Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays by the score of 8-4 tonight. Sergio Mitre got the start and wasn't great again although he wasn't horrendous. He went 4 1/3 innings giving up 3 runs on 8 hits. Alfredo Aceves gave up 1 run in 2 innings with 1 hit and 3 strikeouts. Phil Coke retired both batters he faced with a strikeout and Phil Hughes and David Robertson each pitched a scoreless inning giving up a hit but striking out two. The offense came to life in the seventh inning when Nick Swisher led off with a homerun and then they scored 3 more after that. Johnny Damon had 3 hits and 3 rbi's, Derek Jeter had a hit, Mark Teixeira had a hit and 2 rbi's. Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano had 2 hits each and Hideki Matsui had a rbi single. The Yankees did a really nice job of coming back strong in Toronto after losing 3 in a row in Chicago and then pulling out the last one, they finish their road trip at 5-4 which is good and remain 2 1/2 ahead of the Red Sox which they started this roadtrip at. The big 4 game series starts tomorrow at the Stadium with Joba Chamberlain going against John Smoltz, the Yankees by splitting now will remain right where they are now and unless they get swept 4 in a row will be in first place after this series. It would be really nice if they can win 3 out of 4 and move to 4 1/2 ahead. The Yankees really need to come out tomorrow and play their best and get that win and move forward.

Yankees finish off strong homstand with a win

The Yankees defeated the Oakland A's today by the score of 7-5 to cap off a 9-1 homestand. Sergio Mitre got the start and only lasted 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 9 hits with 1 strikeout. Phil Coke came on in relief and was shaky giving up 2 hits and a run in his one inning of work. Phil Coke has been so great but it is going to happen and it will really be beneficial to him and the team if Damaso Marte comes back and they can have the two lefties out of the pen. Phil Hughes came on for 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. He gave up a hit and a walk but had 3 strikeouts. He has just been so good you wonder if he will ever let up a run again out of the bullpen. Mariano Rivera also pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief giving up 0 hits and 0 walks with 2 strikeouts. The Yankees pitching has been so good and that is the key to their success, it will be interesting to see what they do, if they add another starter or take Aceves out of the pen and make him a starter again, I don't think they will move Hughes back as he has been so dominant and it would take him time to build back up to starting. The offense was led by Derek Jeter who went 2-4 with 2 rbi's and a walk. Johnny Damon had a hit and a walk and Big Tex had 2 hits and a rbi. Jorge Posada had a hit and a walk, Hideki Matsui had a hit, walk and rbi. Nick Swisher had a hit and a walk and Robinson Cano had a huge 3 run double. Melky Cabrera had a hit and 2 walks, he has started hitting well again lately and he is once again the CF as Gardner is hurt so this is a good sign. Cody Ransom had 2 hits, everyone in the lineup had at least one hit. The Yankees finished off the homestand at 9-1 which is great and they also are 2 1/2 ahead of the Red Sox as they got that game back they lost yesterday with their win and Bostons loss. The Yankees now begin a huge 9 game roadtrip with 3 in Tampa starting tomorrow, 4 in Chicago and 2 in Toronto. The Yankees will have the Red Sox for 4 games when they return home but lets focus on each series first and not look ahead, hopefully we will remain in first at the end of this roadtrip and go from there. I would accept 5-4 on this roadtrip but 6-3 would be really nice.