Yanks sweep sox

The New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox tonight sweeping the 4 game series and putting themselves 6 1/2 ahead of the Sox. The Red Sox are now tied with Texas for the wild card lead and only 2 games ahead of Tampa Bay. Andy Pettitte started and was great going 7 shutout innings. The top 3 yankees starters went 7 2/3, 7 1/3 and 7 in the last 3 games without giving up a run. Phil Coke came on in the 8th and got Ellsbury but then he stayed in which I don't get at all since Phil Hughes only pitched to 1 hitter the last 2 days. Phil Coke gave up a 2 run homerun to Victor Martinez. The Yankees hitters didn't do much other then a A-rod homerun in the 7th but then after Josh Bard got 2 easy outs Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira went back to back for the 6th time this year to set a team record. They weren't done as A-rod walked, Posada doubled and Nick Swisher singled them both in. Mariano Rivera came on in the 9th for the save. The Yankees are in great shape but you don't want to let down now, Toronto comes in for 3 and it would be natural to let down but hopefully they wont. Sergio Mitre pitches tomorrow night against Mark Rzepczynski. The Yankees have now won 7 in a row and have won 13 of their last 14 at home. I have to say also that there is something about this team, they are looking like a special group. They were down 2-1 in the 8th with 2 outs and no one on when they went back to back and then scored 2 more runs and basically end the game with Mo coming in.

Yanks keep rolling

The New York Yankees defeated the Seattle Mariners tonight by the score of 4-2. Andy Pettitte got the start and pitched great going 7 innings giving up 6 hits and 2 runs with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts. Alfredo Aceves came in to get one out and then Phil Coke got a groundout and strikeout. Mariano Rivera had a 1-2-3 ninth for his 20th save of the year and 502nd of his career. Phil Hughes was warming up but I found it very strange that Alfredo Aceves pitched in the 8th, why not Phil Hughes??? The offense was led by A-rod hitting a 2 run homerun, he also had a single. Mark Teixeira had 2 hits, Derek Jeter had a hit and Johnny Damon had a hit, rbi and walk. Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher each had a hit and Melky Cabrera hit a solo homerun. The Yankees were crisp defensively making no errors. The Yankees are really on a roll now and will look for the sweep tomorrow with CC Sabathia on the mound. Jose Molina is going to start a rehab assignment with Scranton tomorrow.

Phil Coke News

I forgot to mention this before but Peter Abraham of the Journal News did ask Joe Girardi in the clubhouse today about Phil Coke. Phil Coke was told to prepare to be a starter but then of course the Yanks went out and signed CC,AJ and resigned Andy Pettitte. Joe Girardi said he is a reliever and that is how the organization now views him. Phil Coke said although he was always a starter he enjoyed being a reliever last year and would like to continue in that role especially if thats how he will make the team. I think there is a good chance he will make it and be a second lefty in the pen which i think is important. I do think Phil Coke can be this teams left handed version of Ramiro Mendoza as he could spot start, long relieve, face one lefty or pitch an inning. A guy like that can be very valuable and I expect Coke will be used in that way. There is no word yet on Edwar Ramirez shoulder, hopefully I will find out tonight and be able to post something about it later on.