Things getting feisty tonight

We had Brian Bruney talking again and now K-rod fired back saying "He needs to keep his mouth shut and do his job." "If he was a big guy I would probably pay attention, If he was someone big like Mariano, I'd respect that. But if I don't know who he is I don't listen." "Instead of sending a message through the paper next time when he sees me at Citi Field come up to me and say it to my face. Don't be sending a message through the media. I don't even know who that guy is, somewhere in Double A? I believe he hasn't even pitched one full season, he is always on the DL and that is all I know right now." He say's he doesn't know who he is but knows that he is always hurt that is pretty funny to me. There are others who don't like K-rod including MO but I don't know what got Bruney started on this and why it would matter. Brad Penny also reacted tonight to Joe Girardi saying he intentionally threw at A-rod the other night. "I don't give two f---s what Joe Girardi says. I am coming inside, I don't care. Anybody can say that, we can say it about the time they hit our guys. I am just trying to pitch inside. Maybe he should worry about managing and let the umpire crew do their job." Wow it seems the Yankees are fired up and got others fired up, maybe this will lead to the Yankees playing well again I hope or could this all be nonsense and distract them, only time will tell.

Mets even up Subway Series

The New York Yankees played a pathetic game today against the Mets. I guess you have to give credit to Fernando Nieves for pitching a good game but the Yankees sure know how to make no names look great. He pitched the game of his life and personally I didn't see any great stuff from him, the Yankees just embarrassed themselves. I still don't know what people see in Kevin Long but I would fire him. If GeorgeSteinbrenner was still around he would fire Long and Dave Eiland. The pitching is a mess right now as Andy Pettitte once again threw too many pitches and lasted just 5 innings giving up 5 runs and 12 hits. Alfredo Aceves came in and gave up a solo homerun to Gary Sheffield and that was it in a inning. Jose Veras actually pitched 2 scoreless innings but I hope he is the one that goes when Bruney is activated. There really are no good words to describe the way the Yankees are playing right now, they should have lost 5 in a row as they got a nice fat gift from the Mets yesterday and couldn't take that and run with it. They now have a rubber match tomorrow with A.J. Burnett vs Johan Santana. The Yankees need A.J. to come up with the best start of the year for himself and hope they can hit Santana a little but I wouldn't count on it. I am not going crazy longterm because the Yankees are 3 up on the Jays in the loss column for the wildcard and I have no doubt they will make the playoffs but they are showing right now they can't beat good teams. They lost 2 out of 3 to the Phillies at home, should have lost these two to the Mets and are 0-8 against the Red Sox, I hope this gets straightened out and a big win tomorrow would help but they don't get another crack at the Bosox for 2 months.

Lineups for the Subway Series Game 2

Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Cano(2B) Posada(C) Matsui(DH) Cabrera(RF) Gardner(CF) Mets Lineup: Castillo(2B) Cora(SS) Beltran(CF) Wright(3B) Sheffield(DH) Tatis(1B) Church(RF) Santos(C) Martinez(LF) Andy Pettitte vs Fernando Nieve Brian Bruney had a lot to say after making his rehab start in Trenton. He has this to say about the final play yesterday. "Couldn't have happened to a better guy on the mound, either. He's got a tired act." "He gets what he deserves, man. I just don't like watching the guy pitch. I think it's embarrassing." Bruney was talking about the way K-rod always celebrates which I really hate also but I don't know if Bruney should be saying all of this to reporters. K-rod responded with I don't even know who that guy is. This should be interesting to watch, if anything develops but since it is two pitchers there won't be any retaliation.

Game 62: Mets at Yankees

Here is the pregame notes from Peter Abraham of the Journal News, I will post the lineup later when it is available, I wonder how Luis Castillo will ever recover from that play yesterday. Game 62: Mets at Yankees Posted using ShareThis

Yanks get Real Belt

Here is a cool article on the Yankees getting a real wrestling belt from a WWE announcer, Jerry The King Lawler. NEW YORK - To have a little fun, the Yankees have been giving a toy WWE championship wrestling belt to the player of the game after every victory this season. triggerAd(1,PaginationPage,8); Now they have the real thing. Famed grappler Jerry "The King" Lawler sent an actual WWE championship belt to CC Sabathia and has promised to send a custom-made belt with the Yankees logo within a few weeks. "The old belt is retired," Sabathia said yesterday before the Yankees played the Mets. Sabathia and his son, 5-year-old CC III, are wrestling fans and attended several events a year. He got to know Lawler a few years ago. "He heard what we were doing and sent the belt," Sabathia said. "It's pretty cool." At 6-foot-7 and 290 pounds, Sabathia would make a fearsome challenger for the title. But he has no designs on entering the squared circle. "No way," he said. "Nothing. I'll ring the bell."

Bizarre ending to Subway Series

I must say I am pretty much speechless, I have never seen a game end the way it did tonight. The Yankees really have to thank the mets and kiss their lucky stars as they got a nice gift tonight. The Mets Luis Castillo dropped a pop up by A-rod in the bottom of the ninth that would of ended the game and instead became a 2 run walkoff error. The Yankees had just lost 3 straight to Boston and were about to go down to the Mets when boom a dropped pop up happened. I really don't know what to say because I have never seen anything like that before and I have seen lots of baseball games in my lifetime. Joba Chamberlain got the start and just had no command, he walked 5 and hit 2. Brett Tomko came on in the fifth and wasn't good at all, the first batter he faced was a fly ball that Nick Swisher turned into a double and then the barrage began as Tomko just couldn't get anyone out. Mariano Rivera came in to the 8th inning in a tie game and gave it up again with a walk and a rbi double. Phil Coke was the only guy that came in and gave up nothing in 1 1/3 innings. The offensive star was Mark Teixeira, yes he hit a long homerun but he is remembered for running hard on what should of been the last out and scored the winning run, young guys take notice, that is how you should play the game and why Mark Teixeira is a true pro. Big Tex is truly everything you could want in a ballplayer and you have to love that. Derek Jeter hit a solo homerun and Hideki Matsui hit another homerun on his birthday a 3 run shot. Robinson Cano also hit a homerun. The Yankees will send Andy Pettitte to the hill tomorrow looking for some length out of him, as the bullpen is pretty much shot. Brian Bruney will pitch in Trenton tomorrow and then should be ready to go if everything is ok.

Subway Series Part I

The New York Yankees will take on the Mets in the first installment of the Subway Series for this year from Yankee Stadium. Here are the pregame notes from Peter Abraham and the lineups. The Yankees were 2-4 against the Mets last year. They are 20-13 overall against the Mets. The Yankees are 124-89 in interleague games, the best mark in baseball. Hideki Matsui turns 35 today and last year on his birthday he hit a grand slam. He was the first Yankee to hit a grand slam on his birthday. The Yankees have lost 5 of their last 8. The Mets have lost 6 of 9. Derek Jeter has 11 hits in the first inning of 19 games. The Yankees with runners in scoring position against Boston were 3 of 28 and are 7 of their last 62 a awesome 113 average. This is what I hate about Kevin Long, the offense is inconsistant and there are not injury excuses now, he should be fired in my mind. Today is the 14th anniversary of A-rod hitting his first career homerun. His 561 homeruns through today are the most for any player within 14 years of hitting his first homerun. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Swisher(RF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Cano(2B) Posada(C) Matsui(DH) Cabrera(LF) Gardner(CF) Damon is out with a problem with his eyes and is being examined sometime today, he is day to day right now. Brian Bruney may be activated tomorrow instead of going out on a rehab assignment, I wonder if that has anything to do with yesterdays 8th inning debacle?

Pitching matchups for Subway Series

Tonight- Livan Hernandez vs Joba Chamberlain Tomorrow- TBA vs Andy Pettitte Sunday- Johan Santana vs A.J. Burnett TBA is because John Maine has been placed on the 15 day dl with shoulder fatigue. It would be nice for the Yankees to get off on the right foot tonight and pound Livan Hernandez and then also whoever pitches tomorrow before facing Johan Santana. A.J. Burnett needs to get it going and it would be nice for him to beat a great pitcher in Johan Santana and then get him going.

Yanks can't beat Sox

The New York Yankees lost to the Red Sox again and now they are 0-8 against them. The good thing is they don't play them for 2 months. I don't know how they blew this game, CC was cruising and I was sure he would get through the 8th inning. I don't really know what to say except that the Red Sox are the better team right now and own the Yankees. The good thing is the Yankees are only 2 games out in the division even with all these losses and they have only played them twice at home meaning most of the games left against them will be at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees now have a big series against the Mets and have to beat up on them and Washington and then they play 9 straight in National league parks but teams they can beat in Florida, Atlanta and then the Mets again. I hope the Yankees start hitting these next couple of days before they see Santana.

Yanks at Red Sox and Wang stays in rotation

The New York Yankees need to salvage the last game of this series with CC Sabathia facing Brad Penny. The matchup on paper isn't much of one at all and the Yankees have to take advantage of it before coming home to the homerun haven and teeing off on John Maine and Livan Hernandez the next couple of games. Here are the notes and lineup from Peter Abraham. Chien-Ming Wang will start on Wednesday at home against the Nationals, of course why not when I am at the game. I would have to figure that if he can't beat the worst team in baseball then that will be it for him and hopefully if he does then I guess they will take it start by start. If he pitches well he should have confidence and keep it going. I don't have any faith in him at this point though. Brian Bruney will pitch in Trenton on Saturday so he should be back fairly quickly. This the longest winning streak for Boston over New York since 1911-1912. They had a 14 game winning streak from Oct 3, 1911- July 1, 1912. CC Sabathia is 4-0 with a 2.49 era in his last 6 starts. This will be his first appearance against Boston since the 2007 ALCS. He is 1-1 with a 2.35 career era in Fenway during the regular season. A-rod is in a slump going 0-7 in this series and 0-12 overall. He has one homerun in his last 16 games and is 4-27 in his last 8 games. He is now hitting 231, I really wouldn't worry about A-rod as they have been so good since he came back and he will get it together eventually. The bigger problems are Wang and Burnett for this team right now. At least one of these guys has to get it going. Jorge Posada has 28 homeruns against Boston the most for a Yankees since Mickey Mantle hit 69. Only 3 active players have more A-rod with 39, Jason Giambi with 35 and Jim Thome with 35. Yankees lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Matsui(DH) Cabrera(CF) Cervelli(C)

Yankees Draft

I don't want to really get into this without researching it more but the Yankees took a lot of pitchers again, a lot of lefthanders. I will get all the names and some stats about them up as soon as I can but this will take some work. I am not sure if too many people really care but I am one who likes to follow the minors and see up and coming guys. I am going to Scranton over the 4th of July weekend and can't wait to see Austin Jackson. I will get the information up as soon as possible hopefully at some point tomorrow so stay tuned for that.

Red Sox own the Yanks

The Yankees played another game against the Red Sox and once again lost. Chien-Ming Wang stunk again pitching 2 2/3 innings giving up 4 runs which is unacceptable. Phil Hughes came out of the bullpen and pitched through the sixth inning. He gave up a 2 run homerun to Youkilis but pitched well, had 5 strikeouts and I would think he has to go back to the rotation. The Yankees are 0-6 in Wang's starts this year and this just can't go on. I know you want to fix him and all that but the Yankees need to win games and can't fool around here anymore. Wang said himself he can understand if the Yankees put him back in the bullpen. Joe Girardi in the postgame didn't committ to him which is basically saying he isn't going to make his next start on Tuesday against the Nationals. The positives were the bullpen and the way the Yankees battled back but once again the offense couldn't get the big hits when needed, they were terrible with runners in scoring position something like 1-15 which is unacceptable Kevin Long. I don't know what else to say but they better win tomorrows game and then come home and take out their anger and frustration on the Mets.

Yankees at Red Sox

The Yankees will finally try and beat the Sox tonight in a very important game in lots of ways. The Yankees want to keep first place first of all, they need to get a win against the Bosox and its huge for Wang. I don't really feel good about this game but I hope the Yankees can hit the knuckler and they better run all day when they get on base no excuses for not running wild on him. Here are the pregame notes and lineup from Peter Abraham's Lohud Yankees Blog. This is the 33rd start Wakefield has had against the Yankees, he is 10-17 against them with a 5.03 era. He has more losses to the Yankees then any other team. Derek Jeter has 423 doubles and needs one more to tie Babe Ruth for fourth place in team history. The Yankees have at least on error in their past 7 games, this is weird to me after setting the record for most games without one. Melky is 4 for 28 since missing time with a shoulder injury. Jose Veras has pitched 23 2/3 innings this year putting 38 runners on base. He has given up 3 homeruns in his last 4 1/3 innings. The Yankees have hit at least one boston batter wiht a pitch in all 6 games this season and in nine straight dating back to last season. Boston's bullpen has allowed one earned run in the last 17 1/3 innings. Yankees lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Big Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Cano(2B) Posada(C) Matsui(DH) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF)

Yankees Draft Picks

The Yankees first round selection was Zachary Heathcott a high school outfielder. They consider him a 5 tool prospect. He is only 18 and comitted to LSU but the Yankees should get him signed. They have stocked the system with pitching so it will be nice to get some good position players in the mix also. The Yankees selected a prep catcher with the second pick. His name is John Murphy. I will have more on these guys tomorrow but it is good to see some position players. I do think they are pretty stacked at catcher though with Cervelli, Montero and Romine but hey you never know.

Yanks lose again to Bosox

I don't have much to say about tonights game as the Yankees just stunk it up. They can't beat the Red Sox who have all the confidence right now over the Yankees and the Yankees don't. A.J. Burnett pitched a couple of good games against the Rangers, but he just hasn't been that great, the Yankees have been looking for a vintage performance that he always had against them and it hasn't come to this point. The Yankees now are looking at Wang, who struggles in Fenway when he is good, I don't have a good feeling tomorrow and the Yankees really don't want to let this go to 0-7 and lose first place. The Yankees better find a way to hit Wakefield and when they do get on base just run wild on him, they have to score runs and hope Wang will be more like himself and pitch a decent game. The Yankees were shutout so there isn't much offensively, i think they had 2 hits, one was a infield single by Cano. Brett Tomko pitched pretty well in relief, Jose Veras yeah can you believe it pitched 2 scoreless innings and David Robertson pitched a scoreless inning.

Yanks at Red Sox-Rivalry renewed

The Yankees are 0-5 against the Red Sox this year but they are a different team now with A-rod and Jorge Posada back in the lineup. Here are the pregame notes and lineup via Peter Abraham. The Yankees have won 19 of 25 and eight of their last 9 series. The Yankees are 9-4 in one run games and have come from behind to win 20 games which is best in baseball. Mark Teixeira has 8 homeruns in his last 14 games. Nick Swisher is 12 of his last 31 with 7 extra base hits and 8 rbi's in his last 11 games. HIdeki Matsui has tied his career high with 16 straight hitless at bats. The Yankees are 4 of thier last 34 with runners in scoring position in the last 5 games. This is what I don't like about this team, they are too inconsistant offensively. MO has pitched in 3 straight games, I wouldn't expect him to go tonight. The Yankees team era is 4.81 which is the lowest it has been since April 12th. The Yankees are 21-0 when holding opponents to 3 runs or less. A-rod makes his first trip to Boston this year. Yankees lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Cano(2B) Posada(C) Swisher(LF) Cabrera(RF) Gardner(CF)

MLB Draft today

Today is the MLB amateur draft. The Washington Nationals select first and will pick Steven Strasburg, the only concern is negotiating with Scott Boras who has already floated 50 million around. It will be interesting to see what happens there. The Yankees pick 27th and it looks like they may go with an outfielder from CAL. The draft will be live on MLB network, at least the first round. The thing about the baseball draft is that unlike the other sports you usually don't know about guys for at least a couple years, even longer for some, for every Joba Chamberlain there could be a CJ Henry or Eric Duncan. It is very hard to know in baseball, so enjoy the draft but really don't get too crazy, just watch to see where they may end up and have fun following them in the minors and hopefully one day they will be playing in the major leagues. I know the Yankees have gotten criticized but lately they have done a much better job, does anyone notice Robinson Cano, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Dave Robertson, Phil Coke, Alfredo Aceves, yes some are international signings but hey they have a lot of guys. What about Brett Gardner, Melky Cabrera, Ramiro Pena and Francisco Cervelli, all of these guys have had some impact on this season and it is fun to watch.

Pitching matchups for Red Sox series

Tomorrow- A.J. Burnett vs Josh Beckett Wednesday- Chien-Ming Wang vs Tim Wakefield Thursday- CC Sabathia vs Brad Penny Tomorrow is a battle of ex teammates and a game earlier in the year where the Yanks were winning 6-0 and A.J. gave it up and the Yankees got blown out. Wednesday Wang would like to get back on track and Wakefield is hit or miss, he is either very good or can get hit. Thursday the Yankees seem to have the advantage. It would be nice for the Yankees to take 2 out of 3 and leave Boston with a 2 game lead in the division and then head hom for the Subway series.

Yanks take another series

The New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays by the score of 5-3 today. Andy Pettitte pitched 6 innings giving up 3 runs, he did hit a batter and have 3 walks but he also had 7 strikeouts. Phil Hughes came in to the game in the seventh and looked great pitching a 1-2-3 inning hitting 95 on the gun and showing a good curve. Phil Coke came on in the eighth and had a man on second but survived the inning and Mo went 1-2-3 in the ninth. The Yankees are a full game ahead of the Sox for first place in the AL East heading into the Beantown showdown. The Yankees offense didn't get many hits but when they did they hit homeruns with 4 of them. Mark Teixeira hit his league leading 18th in the first inning. Nick Swisher has seemed to get his stroke back hit a 2 run homerun, Johnny Damon who loves hitting at home hit a solo homerun and so did Derek Jeter. A-rod didn't get a hit but hit the ball sharply tw16ice at the third baseman. Hideki Matsui is 0 for his last 16 and may need a day off. A.J. Burnett goes against former teammate Josh Beckett who has righted himself lately tomorrow night at 7 with pre and post game on the Yes network and the game on MY9.

Rays at Yankees

The New York Yankees take on the Tampa Bay Rays tonight at 7:00PM. Here are the pregame notes and lineup via Peter Abraham's Lohud Yankees Blog. The Yankees with a win tonight will have won 8 of their last 9 series. Andy Pettitte is tied with CC Sabathia for the team lead in wins with 5, he hopes he takes the lead tonight. He has been bothered by a bad back and given up a lot of hits and walks his last couple of starts but somehow survived, he is hoping to do better tonight though. Andy Sonnanstine has given up 78 hits and 16 walks in 56 innings this year. He is 3-1 with a 6.75 era in his last 4 starts which is an improvement. The Yankees need to make him throw pitches and hit the good ones they get. The Yankees have committed an error in 5 straight games. The Yankees are 17-11 at home after starting out so-so there. The best thing about the Yankees this year is their never say die attitude. They lead baseball with 20 come from behind wins and have won 11 games in their last at bat which leads the American league. The Yankees are 20-0 when holding opponents to 3 runs or less. They are the only team undefeated in this category, so if the Yankees get the pitching which they do more often then not they will win. If they ever get Wang going watch out with him CC and AJ and Andy and Joba on the backend that is a great staff. I think Joba is getting better and better and him being upset with his 6th inning yesterday is a good sign of that because he felt he should of gone at least 7. Nick Swisher has 11 homeruns, he did not get that until June 30th of last year. I love Swishers personality and intensity but Nady is just a better player and Swisher can really help this team coming off the bench and playing outfield and first base when guys need a rest. It will be interesting to see what happens when Nady does come back. Yankees lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Big Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Cano(2B) Posada(C) Matsui(DH) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF)

Yankees upcoming schedule

The Yankees finish their abbreviated 3 game series with the Rays tonight before heading to Boston to take on the Sox for three then coming back home to face the Mets for three. Andy Pettitte will get the start tonight and hopefully will have better control as he has walked 11 batters in his last 2 starts. Andy Sonastine gets the start for the Rays, he has been awful this year having an ERA north of 7, I think the Yankee bats will be happy tonight. The Yankees then begin rivalry week, where they hope to take 2 of 3 from the Sox and send a little message before taking on the seriously depleted Mets. They better win at least 2 of 3 from the Mets, Santana does pitch the second game. The Yankees have A.J. Burnett, Chien-Ming Wang and CC Sabathia going against Boston with Joba, Andy Pettitte and A.J. Burnett going against the Mets. It should be a fun week for the fans or intense depeding on how you look at it but hopefully by the end of the week the Yankees and their fans will be feeling really good.

Yanks defeat Rays and MO gets right back on the horse

The New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 today. Joba Chamberlain pitched 6 innings giving up 3 runs, he was ok but not great. He threw too many pitches in the last inning and that is when he got in trouble and gave away the lead. Alfredo Aceves came in for 2 innings and was brilliant giving up a single, 0 runs, 4 strikeouts. Mo came in for the save and got it 1-2-3 on 10 pitches. The offense looked dead for most of the day, Mark Teixeira had a big double in the eighth and Nick Swisher had a solo homerun. The Yankees scored 3 runs in the eighth but it was on a bases loaded walk, a error and a slow groundball that was beat out to avoid the double play by Hideki Matsui to give the Yanks the lead. The Yankees didn't exactly kill the ball that inning to take the lead but they did what they had to do. Johnny Damon was 2-4 and A-rod had a hit and a walk. Jorge Posada had a hit and a rbi. The Yankees will try to take the series and assure themselves that they will be walking into Fenway Park on Tuesday in first place. Andy Pettitte takes on Andy Sonastine who the Yankees should be able to hit.

Rays at Yankees

The Yankees will try to even their abbreviated three game set with the Rays this afternoon with Joba Chamberlain on the hill against Matt Garza. Matt Garza pitched well against the Yankees earlier in the year, but the Yankees came back and won the game 7-2. The goal of the Yankees should be to get the starters of the Rays out of the game early and go to work on the questionable and beat up bullpen of the Rays. Here are the pregame notes and lineup as always from Peter Abraham. The Yankees have lost 2 of three and are 8-6 in their last 14. They enter today tied for first in the loss column. It would be nice if they can beat the Rays the next couple of games heading into the Fenway showdown. The Yanks are 2-9 vs the Rays and Red Sox and that has to change. Yankee Stadium and Tropican Field are the only 2 ballparks in baseball that have given up at least one homerun in every game played there this year. The Yankees set the record with 18 straight errorless games, since then they have at least one error in 4 straight games, it definitely hurt them yesterday. Melky Cabrera has 23 rbi's and 11 of them have been to tie the game or give the Yanks the lead in the seventh inning or later. Big Tex has 12 homeruns and 35 rbi's in his last 26 games, man is he hot not coincidentally he has really shined with A-rod back. Those two have formed a great bond and they should. Derek Jeter has 11 stolen bases, he stole that many all of last year. Yankees lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Cano(2B) Posada(C) Matsui(DH) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF)