Yanks walkoff with win

The New York Yankees were trailing 4-2 in the ninth today when A-rod stepped to the plate with a man on. He fell behind in the count and then battled ending up hitting a game tying 2 run homerun. Robinson Cano came up hit a single up the middle stole second and Melky Cabrera who has become the king of the walkoffs hit a single to right center to win the game. Melky and Robbie both got pies in the face marking the first double pie this year for the Yankees. Andy Pettitte pitched well making one mistake in seven innings of work which ended up being a 3 run homerun to John Mayberry Jr. John Mayberry was making his major league debut. Phil Coke came on to pitch 1 2/3 of scoreless relief and Jose Veras made one pitch getting an out. Mark Teixeira had a couple of hits and another spectacular play in the field, Derek Jeter had a solo homerun. Brett Gardner had a pinch hit double and that was all for the Yankees offense as they did virtually nothing against J.A. Happ who was making his season debut as a starter. The series finishes off tomorrow with a great matchup of lefties CC Sabathia and Cole Hamels.

Phillies at Yanks

Todays game is a 4:05 start on FOX. I will get to the lineups but first a update from the Elias Sports Bureau on the bandbox that is the new stadium. There have been 82 homeruns setting a record for the first 21 games in a major league park. The previous record was at Enron Field in Houston in 2000 when there were 77 hit. There have been 9 games of 5 or more and three of seven or more including last night. Hopefully Andy Pettitte and CC Sabathia will help neutralize the Philly left handed hitters. Here is the Yankees lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Cano(2B) Cabrera(CF) Swisher(RF) Cervelli(C) Pena(3B)

Win streak ends at 9

The World Champion Philadelphia Phillies came in to Yankee Stadium and snapped the Yankees 9 game winning streak tonight by the score of 7-3. A.J. Burnett was not very good giving up 5 runs in 6 innings. He hasn't won a game since April 14 and that is a big concern to me. He needs to get it together soon and start winning games. The thing about him is he can be like CC Sabathia in that once he gets it going he may just roll out a bunch in a row but right now he is not getting it done. Chien-Ming Wang came in relief and pitched 3 innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits with a walk and a couple of strikeouts. His velocity was better and he did a little better but it still wasn't great. It is something to build on though, he won't pitch until Tuesday at the earliest although it is expected that Joba will pitch that game. Phil Hughes pitches Monday and I am guessing now that if he pitches well he will keep starting and Wang will stay in the pen. Offensively A-rod had a couple of hits one of them a solo homerun, Tex had a couple of more hits including a monster shot that almost reached the third deck in right field. Derek Jeter had a solo homerun. The Yankees were shut down for the most part by Brett Myers who had good offspeed stuff tonight. The Yankees will try and start a new winning streak tomorrow with Andy Pettitte on the mound against J.A. Happ.

Phils at Yankees

Here is the lineup via Sam Borden of the Journal News filling in for the furloughed Peter Abraham. Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Matsui(DH) Swisher(RF) Cano(2B) Cabrera(CF) Cash(C) A.J. Burnett is on the mound opposed by Brett Myers, the game is at 7:05pm on YES and is the marquee interleague matchup. Mets/Redsox is also good and Dodgers/Angels

Wang not headed to AAA

Chien-Ming Wang was on his way to Pawtucket to pitch for Scranton tonight but was called back and will be in the bullpen as the long man for the Yankees tonight. I am guessing Alfredo Aceves not being able to go for at least a couple of days had a lot to do with that but I also wonder if its because the Phillies are in town this weekend and can hit anyone and the Yankees could use the extra pitcher?? I would like to hear any thoughts and opinions on this.

Another sweep as streak hits 9

Joba Chamberlain started and didn't make it through the first inning but not due to ineffectiveness rather taking a shot off the knee. X-rays are negative though and it was diagnosed as a bruised knee, he should make his next start. Alfredo Aceves came in to get the last out of the first and pitch the next 3 innings giving up 0 runs on 3 hits with a walk and strikeout. Jon Albaladejo pitched 2 1/3 innings giving up 4 runs and 5 hits with 2 strikeouts. Jose Veras pitched 1 2/3 innings giving up 2 hits and nothing else and MO pitched the ninth for the save. It was a 1-2-3 inning for MO with a strikeout. The offense was led by Robinson Cano who had 3 hits and 3 rbi's batting in the #2 hole. Derek Jeter had a hit and a walk, Big Tex had 2 hits a walk and rbi. Hideki Matsui hit a solo homerun and Nick Swisher had a hit and 2 walks. Melky Cabrera had a hit and 2 rbi's. The Yankees broke out to a big lead and Aceves looked great when he was out there but as soon as he came out it got interesting. Phil Coke wasn't available tonight but should be tomorrow and the Yankees haven't used Bruney in 2 nights which I find interesting. The Yankees will begin a 3 game series to close out their homestand with Philadelphia tomorrow. A.J. Burnett will be on the hill against Brett Myers. A.J. needs to get back in the winning column here, he pitched really well last time out but didn't get any run support.

Yanks go for another sweep

The Yankees go for 9 in a row with Joba on the mound. Here is the lineup and a couple of notes. Johnny Damon strained his neck trying to get Adam Jones homerun yesterday and Joe Girardi hopes it will only be one day so he is out for at leastiltonight. Phil Hughes will get another start on Monday in Texas and Chien-Ming Wang will pitch tomorrow for Scranton, the Yankees said they want to see what they saw in the bullpen the other day. Here is the lineup: Jeter(SS) Cano(2B) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Matsui(DH) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(LF) Cervelli(C) Gardner(CF)

Yankees make it crazy 8's

What a game to go too tonight. I am not going to make this very long as I am tired but the Yankees won their 8th straight tonight. I was never at a game where there was back to back to back homeruns until tonight and that was really fun to witness. Phil Hughes was much better, I still didn't see the homrun but am pretty sure Adam Jones was struck out on the pitch before he hit the homerun anyway it was progress for Hughes and that is a good thing. Phil struck out a career high 9 in 5 innings which is great. Joe Girardi will make a decision on Wang tomorrow and therefore what to do with Hughes. Alfredo Aceves was outstanding in his 2 innings of work and has really taken to this relief role and is becoming very valuable in that pen. MO came in to get one out in the eighth and then close it out after it became a laugher because as Girardi said he wanted to pitch and this is the best way to get his arm strength back. A-rod walked twice and got hit by a pitch. The Yankees will go for 9 in a row tomorrow with Joba on the mound.

Yanks go back to back to back awesome

Orioles at Yankees

The Yankees will try and make it eight in a row tonight with Phil Hughes on the mound. Phil got roughed up in Baltimore earlier in the season. This could be his last start in the majors for a while with Wang looking to come back as early as this week. It will be interesting to see if they keep Hughes up in the Pen or send him back to AAA-Scranton. Big Tex is out of his yearly April slump, in his last 10 games he is 14 of 37 with 6 homeruns and 15 rbi's. A-rod hasn't hit consistently but his power is there with 5 homeruns and 10 rbi's in 11 games. Here is the lineup courtesy of Sam Borden of the Journal News: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Matsui(DH) Swisher(RF) Cano(2B) Cabrera(CF) Cash(C)

Yanks are 7th heaven

The New York Yankees won their seventh in a row tonight by beating the Baltimore Orioles by a score of 9-1. The game wasn't that easy as they had trouble with the rookie pitcher. The Yankees scored 7 in the seventh though and turned this game into a laugher. Brian Bruney pitched the eighth and looked good and Tomko came on to finish it. A-rod hit a 2 run homerun and almost hit another one later in the game and Big Tex had another homerun also. Derek Jeter had a hit and 2 rbi's and Johnny Damon had a couple of hits and a rbi. Melky Cabrera had a hit and Francisco Cervelli had a hit and a rbi. The Yankees will go for their 8th in a row tomorrow with Phil Hughes opposing Jeremy Guthrie, this may be Phil Hughes last start in the majors for now with Chien-Ming Wang looming.

Orioles at Yankees

The Yankees are going for their seventh win in a row and CC Sabathia is looking for his first win at home. They trail the Red Sox by one game and of course Toronto is still in first, I am one to not believe in them though. The Sox and Jays begin a three game series in Fenway tonight. Big Tex is batting 458 with 11 rbi's during the six game winning streak. The team hasn't made a move for Bruney yet, it should come shortly. They haven't decided what to do with Wang and Hughes yet although Wang appeared to be confident after his bullpen session today. Girardi said there will be no decision with Wang today and they will cross that bridge when they come to it speaking of the rotation and what happens to Hughes. It does appear a reliever will get sent out as the Yankees still feel they need Angel Berroa and Ramiro Pena, why I don't really know but I guess they feel its protection for A-rod which I don't agree with but I am not making the decisions. The lineup for today is as follows Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Matsui(DH) Swisher(RF) Cano(2B) Cabrera(CF) Cervelli(C)

Pitching matchups for Baltimore series

Tonight- CC Sabathia vs Brad Bergesen Tomorrow- Phil Hughes vs Jeremy Guthrie Friday- A.J. Burnett vs Brett Myers The games are all at 7:05PM tonight and Thursday on MY 9 and tomorrow on Yes network. Brian Bruney will be activated and the question is who gets sent out for him. I really want Angel Berroa off the team but I have a feeling it may be Aceves, if not Berroa it should be Edwar Ramirez or Jose Veras.

Yankees sweep away the Twins

Andy Pettitte started and didn't have much but gutted his way through 6 2/3 innings giving up 4 runs on 12 hits. Jose Veras somehow after a walk to load the bases got the final out of the seventh on a pop fly and Coke got a big out in the eighth by striking out Morneau and then got the save since MO was resting. The offense was led by Mark Teixeira who hit 2 homeruns, one righty and one lefty for the second time this year. A-rod had a homerun going back to back with Tex in the 1st and also had a walk. A-rod has had a homerun in 3 straight games now. Derek Jeter had 2 hits and so did Francisco Cervelli who also had a sac bunt. Cervelli has really impressed me, he has been great defensively but has also hit which is a suprise. The Yankees really showed off the leather tonight as well with a couple great plays by Cano, Tex as always was good and Pena made a really nice play at third. The Yankees will open up a three game series with the Baltimore Orioles tomorrow and try to stretch the winning streak to seven games.

Some Yankees News

Brian Bruney will be activated tomorrow and go back to his eighth inning role. We will see what happens when he comes back, Edwar Ramirez, Jon Albaladejo and Alfredo Aceves have options left, my guess would be Edwar unless of course they get rid of Angel Berroa. Bruney said he got hurt during that game with Posada having that homerun review that took 8 1/2 minutes he said he was warming up and kept doing so because he didn't know how long it would take. He talked to the union about the incident but was told it is a central office that does the reviewing not the umpires on field. He said 8 1/2 minutes is a long time for someone to be throwing is obviously very upset about that incident. Chien-Ming Wang will be at the Stadium tomorrow to throw a bullpen in front of Yankees personnel. Girardi was non commital about when he might return but the Yankees would like to see his sinker be a little sharper then it was in his last outing, the velocity was down a little but Girardi said he is more concerned with the quality of his sinker. I am going to assume Phil Hughes will go down and Wang will slot in at the end of the week but what happens if Wang still isn't good so maybe they will keep Hughes around for the time being. Brett Gardner is day to day with a contusion of his right rotator cuff, he said he didn't feel anything after the collision with Joe Mauer yesterday but woke up with pain. Steven Jackson was claimed off of waivers by the Pirates

Yankees looking for the sweep

Peter Abraham is off this week due to being furloughed, times are rough especially in the newspaper business. I am providing the notes and lineup via Sam Borden of the Journal News and as always you can check the Lohud Yankees blog. The Yankees have won five straight and seven of nine not coincidentally that is since A-rod came back. A.J. Burnett has the pie going for the game winning hits but also another fun tradition the Yankees have incorporated is the wrestling belt given to the star of the game and they carry it around. This stuff is silly but it shows the good chemistry and cohesiveness this group has. The Yankees relievers have allowed 3 runs in their last 11 1/3 innings and have 11 strikeouts. The Yankees haven't made an error in 35 innings. The attention to detail and little things is what will really seperate the Yankees. Andy Pettitte hasn't recorded back to back victories since July 20 and 26th of last year. Yankees lineup Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(DH) Swisher(RF) Cano(2B) Cabrera(CF) Pena(3B) Cervelli(C) Enjoy the game, its at 7:00PM on the Yes network.

Yankee notes and thoughts

Chien-Ming Wang started the first game of a doubleheader in Scranton today pitching 7 shutout innings giving up 4 hits and it appears he will be rejoining the Yankees this week at some point. Cashman was there and had a lot to say, you can check it out on Chad Jennings blog, he writes for the Times Tribune or you can access it via Peter Abrahams blog. Brian Bruney pitched an inning giving up a run on 2 hits with a strikeout. He will be activated on Tuesday. The Twins are 3-22 in their last 25 games at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees are 10-1 in their last 11 at home against the Twins. Minnesota must be shot after these 3 games and I am sure the last thing they wanted to do was play another game here tomorrow. I think the Yankees need to stomp on them and sweep them away hopefully scoring a bunch of runs and having an easier game. Andy Pettitte will look to continue the recent string of good performances. The Yankees then have Baltimore for 3 and should win at least 2 of the 3 there before playing the World Champion Phillies which should be interesting as they can hit but don't have much pitching at all.

Weekly look at the Yankees Minors

AAA-Scranton- They are 26-11 in first place by 4.5 games. Kevin Russo is batting 449, they like this guy and are trying to turn him into a super utility player. Austin Jackson is hitting 342, he doesn't have a homerun and has 13 rbi's. The power is usually the last to come but he is a great athlete and has done a good job in AAA so far and could be with the Yankees at the end of the year or next year. Shelly Duncan is the big power guy down there batting 313 with 11 homeruns and 32 rbi's. I wonder if he may get a shot again at some point, I don't think they will keep Angel Berroa and Ramiro Pena both around forever. Juan Miranda and John Rodriguez both have 6 homeruns. Juan Miranda really doesn't have a place since he plays 1b and Tex is here now for a long time and John Rodriguez is another guy like Shelly Duncan but we will see what the Yankees do. Pitching wise Kei Igawa started bad but is pitching well going 3-0 with a 3.70 era. He has pitched 41 1/3 innings giving up 36 hits with 8 walks and 25 strikeouts. I wonder if someone will want him if he puts up another good year in AAA because this guy won't sniff NY again. Casey Fossum has pitched well since being claimed off waivers for them, he has a 1.78 era in 5 games. Zachary Kroenke is lights out going 3-0 with a 1.08 era, he has pitched 16.2 innings giving up 10 hits, 10 walks and 10 strikeouts. Mark Melancon is 2-0 with a 0.66 era and Dave Robertson is 0-2 but has a 1.54 era. AA-Trenton- Trenton is 16-18 on the year 3 games out of first place. Jorge Vasquez a prospect they signed out of Mexico is hitting 329 with 6 homeruns and 26 rbi's. Colin Curtis is batting 291. Reegie Corona is batting 282. Pitchers- Zach McAllister is 2-1 with a 2.38 era. He has pitched 34 innings with 12 walks and 22 strikeouts. George Kontos was pitching well here and just got promoted to AAA, I will wait a little longer to see how he does there. Wilkins Arias is 0-1 with a 2.95 era, Wilkin De La Rosa is 1-0 with a 2.45 era. He has thrown 11 innings giving up 12 hits with 4 walks and 16 strikeouts. He was pitching so well in A they bumped him up to AA. A-Tampa- The tampa Yankees are 15-21 in last place 9.5 games out of first. Jesus Montero is one of the Yankees brightest prospects he is hitting 318 with 5 homeruns and 25 rbi's, he is a catcher. Austin Romine another catcher is hitting 275 with 3 homeruns and 16 rbi's. Mitch Hilligoss is hitting 316. Austin Krum is hitting 284, he is an outfielder that was drafted last year. Pitchers- Jeremy Bleich is 2-2 with 3.13 era. He has pitched 46 innings giving up 41 hits with 15 walks and 31 strikeouts. Dellin Betances one of the other Yankees top prospect is 2-3 with a 4.19 era. He has pitched 38.2 innings giving up 41 hits with 20 walks and 39 strikeouts. A-Charleston- They are 20-17 and 1.5 games out of first. David Adams is batting 291 with 16 rbi's. Corbin Joseph is batting 321. Pitchers- Manny Banuelos is 1-1 with a 3.38 era. He has pitched 26.2 innings giving up 24 hits with 9 walks and 31 strikeouts. Andrew Brackman is 0-4 with a 4.01 era, he has pitched 42.2 innings giving up 42 hits with 17 walks and 40 strikeouts. Pat Venditte is 2-1 with a 1.06 era. He has pitched 17 innings giving up 13 hits with 1 walk and 26 strikeouts. He has 10 saves.

Yanks/Twins recap

The Yankees won another game against Minnesota on a walkoff, this time a Johnny Damon homerun. This was their 3rd straight walkoff win the first time that has happened since 1972. The Yankees have now won five in a row and are one game behind Boston and three behind Toronto in the loss column. Toronto plays at Boston starting Tuesday so if the Yankees keep winning they will gain on someone. A.J. Burnett had good stuff today and was throwing up zeroes for six innings. He got into trouble in the seventh and gave up two runs but the Yankees came right back and tied the game and he ended up with the no decision. This must be a frustrating time for him as he has now had 5 no decisions and a loss in his last 6 starts but because the team is winning he is doing ok even giving another pie today at the urging of Mariano Rivera. I really can see this team coming together and now they should be getting Wang and Bruney and maybe Posada back this week. The offense is still not getting it done for most of the game but I like how they never give up and battle back and the bullpen has been doing better. A-rod had another homerun today and he is looking better at the plate, just having him in the middle of the order makes it that much tougher and they are 7-2 since he came back. Mark Teixeira had a big defensive play today to save the Yankees and Alfredo Aceves, Brett Tomko and Jon Albaladejo all had scoreless outings in relief. The Yankees play one more game in this weekend wrap around series tomorrow night with Andy Pettitte facing Glen Perkins. I hope the Yankees can win a regular game without the walkoff heroics.