Yankees at Cubs

The New York Yankees will be playing at Wrigley Field this afternoon against the Cubs.  The game is a 2:20PM start and will have Doug Davis for the Cubs against Freddy Garcia as the pitching matchup.  Here are the lineups for the game.  The Yankees haven't played in Wrigley since 2003 so this is a rare occurence.  It is a homecoming of sorts for Mike Harkey, Joe Girardi and Mick Kelleher, Nick Swishers day played for the Cubs and Curtis Granderson is from the area.  It should be a fun weekend.  The Yankees will also see old friend Alfonso Soriano who was traded for Alex Rodriguez. 

Yankees Lineup:Nick Swisher, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Russell Martin, Eduardo Nunez, Brett Gardner, Freddy Garcia.

Cubs Lineup:Kosuke Fukudome, Starlin Castro, Blake DeWitt, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Pena, Alfonso Soriano, Tony Campana, Koyie Hill, Doug Davis. 

It is interleague play in the National League ballpark so there is no DH, it is always interesting but also a little scary when the Yankees pitchers have to bat.  C.C. Sabathia enjoys it, he is a good hitter, A.J. Burnett has experience with it.  Joba also likes it but he won't get the chance as he is lost for the year.  It is scary because Chieng-Ming Wang got hurt running the bases and was never the same.  It is a different brand of baseball though and the Yankees will try to have them bunt and be very careful on the basepaths. 

Yankees sweep the Rangers

Brian Gordon was the man of the hour on this day. It was the day for which he waited so long.

 The 15-year minor-leaguer had three relief outings with Texas as a September call-up in 2008. But this was a start and it was for the Yankees in Yankee Stadium. The 32-year-old righty got a no-decision in the 3-2, 12-inning win over the Rangers, but he pitched well, allowing two runs and seven hits in 5 1-3.
“There have been a lot of highs; there have been a lot of lows,” Gordon said. “This has got to be at the top of all the highs. It was a very special day for myself and my family. … Hopefully I can stick around for a little bit.”  He will be making at least one more start in Cincinatti, manager Joe Girardi said that after the game. 

He decided on a sort of career change before the 2007 season, feeling he had hit a plateau as an outfielder, although he was a .274 career hitter with 118 homers.  This really is a remarkable story because that isn't a bad career as a outfielder but he made the switch and he got to this point because of it.
“After 10 years of trying it with no big-league time and bouncing around from organization to organization, it just didn’t seem too promising,” said Gordon, who was born in West Point. “I was starting a family. So I was like, I’m at peace with retirement. But I loved to pitch when I was kid. Let’s give it a shot.”

“You spend 10 years grinding it out and then you decide to pitch, and now you get your first big-league at-bat,” Gordon said. “I guess that’s the way I like to operate.”  He will bat in Cincinatti because there is no DH, he does know how to hit I would guess so that should be fun. 

Jorge Posada extended his hitting streak to nine games by delivering an RBI double as a righty batter. Now he becomes a pinch hitter for the six-game NL trip, unless Mark Teixeira gets a rest from first in one game.
But Posada is encouraged at the moment: “I feel a lot of things are coming. I’m working counts well and good things are happening.”

Andruw Jones started in left as usual with a lefty going. But Brett Gardner came on in the ninth and had two singles in extra innings against lefty Michael Kirkman, including the walk-off hit in the 12th.
“I never worry about him against lefties,” Joe Girardi said. “I’m just trying to keep Andruw going.”  I know a lot of people criticize Girardi with the lineup but guys get their chances and if Jones isn't going to start against lefties then why is he here really. 

New righty reliever Cory Wade has been great since coming up yesterday, throwing three perfect innings in the two games, including the final two in this one. Russell Martin used to catch him with the Dodgers.
“He’s probably even better than the last time I saw him,” Martin said. “He reminds me of 2008. He had a great year in 2008. He looks like he’s got his stuff. He’s got command of his changeup, his fastball. He’s the type of guy who can throw any pitch, any count. That’s why he’s tough to hit.”

Hector Noesi, David Robertson, Mariano Rivera and Wade combined to go 6 2-3 scoreless innings, retiring 19 of 22. Yankees relievers haven’t been charged with a run in their last six outings, covering 18 innings.  It is amazing that they are still doing that without Soriano and Joba and not to mention the lefties that haven't even started the season. 

The Yankees bounced back well from the Boston sweep, ending the homestand with six wins in seven tries. They are 19-9 since May 17. They are also the first big-league team since 1958 to win 18 of their first 21 day games. The last team to do it,  The Yankees.  Robinson Cano has been on base in all of the day games. The Yankees like the day time and that should help them as they play a matinee on Friday and then also on Saturday before playing a Sunday night game. 

The Yankees now play 15 straight games against the National League.  They will play the Brewers and Rockies at home and the Mets in Citi Field after they play the Cubs and Reds on the road.  The game is at 2:20 tomorrow afternoon and will be on the YES Network. 

Yankees go for the sweep

The Yankees have won the first two games of this series 12-4.  They will go for the sweep today at 1:00.  Brian Gordon just picked up from AAA Lehigh Valley in the Phillies system will start today.  Here are some notes and the lineup.
Yankees Lineup:Nick Swisher, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, Andruw Jones, Jorge Posada, Russell Martin, Eduardo Nunez, Ramiro Pena.

Lance Pendleton was optioned back to AAA Scranton to make room for Gordon.
According to Elias last night was only the second time in Yankees history that every infielder hit a homerun.  1939 was the only other time.
Tex and Grandy are the eighth pair of teammates in MLB history to have at least 21 homeruns through the first 66 games of the season.  This is bringing up memories of Maris and Mantle in 1961.
C.J. Wilson starts for the Rangers against Brian Gordon.  Scott Kazmir was released by the Angels, the Yankees will take a look but its doubtful they sign him.
Lou Piniella, Joe Torre and Bernie Williams will appear at their first Old Timers Day on June 26.  It should be a great day.  Enjoy afternoon baseball today on YES.

Yankees Postgame Notes

The Yankees now have 11 men on the disabled list with Derek Jeter joining the party.  It was hard to tell last night as they beat up on the Rangers 12-4.  They are having trouble with Boston but seem to be just fine with everyone else. 

Swisher said the show goes on and Gardner said that there are some guys that are irreplaceable but that they have other guys and they need to step up and get the job done.  He said it isn't something they can dwell on.  Nunez said "I can show everyone that I can play."  It is his oppurtunity and I can see him being the shortstop in a couple of years pushing Jeter out of the way.  Jeter was sitting with him last night in the dugout giving him some advice and all.  It looked like class was in session and that was good to see.  Nunez will play every game for the next two weeks and he will have a chance to shine.

The Yankees are 17-9 since May 17th.  They have won four out of their last five.  Three of the losses have come to the Boston Red Sox.  The Yankees scored nine of their runs with two outs which is good to see.  The offense has been getting back to more of what they can do in the last couple of weeks. 

This was the fifth time that they have scored at least 12 runs in a game started by Sabathia.  To say he has the run counter on is an understatement.  Granderson has three less homeruns then he had all of last year.  He hit his 21st and fourth in his last six games.  It was also his sixth in seven games against the Rangers. 

The Yankees and Rangers will be at it again tonight at 7:00PM on the YES Network.  It will be Ivan Nova against Derek Holland.

Yankees pound the Rangers

The New York Yankees were shutout yesterday and they sure seemed mad about it tonight.  The Yankees pounded out 12 runs and knocked Alexi Ogando the Rangers starting pitcher out of the game in the second inning.  C.C. Sabathia wasn't at his best but I think he also pitched to the scoreboard as he went seven innings allowing four runs, he won his eighth game of the season.  Sabathia has gotten a lot of run support this season.  Luis Ayala and Lance Pendleton closed out the last two innings. 

Curtis Granderson his his major league leading and tying homerun, he has 21 on the year.  Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher also hit homeruns.  Jorge Posada had a hit to extend his streak to eight games and he made a couple of nice plays at first base.  Eduardo Nunez who is the starting shortstop while Derek Jeter is on the 15 day disabled list had two hits. 

The Yankees have now won four out of their last five games after losing three straight to the Red Sox.  The Yankees remain in second place but they did pick up a game on the Red Sox tonight to put them a game and a half behind in the AL East.  The Yankees and Rangers will play game two of their three game series tomorrow night at 7:00PM with Ivan Nova going up against Derek Holland. 

New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers-Lineup and Notes

The New York Yankees will begin a three game series with the Texas Rangers tonight weather permitting.  It has been raining off an on and right now it is raining.  The tarp is on the field at Yankee Stadium.  It will be C.C. Sabathia vs. Alexi Ogando if the game is played.  The Yankees have some things going on and here is the news and notes and also their lineup for the game. 

The Yankees will decide at 6:00PM if Derek Jeter will go to the disabled list or not.  He is trying to talk his way out of it and the Yankees are leaning that way.  The Yankees don't want to be shorthanded going to the National League parks starting this weekend.  The pitchers have to bat so there are more bench players used in the games.  Jeter feels he may only miss five or six days but the best bet is probably for him to go on the 15 day disabled list where he hasn't been since 2003.  The Yankees either way will be calling up Ramiro Pena, Eduardo Nunez will start at short and Pena will be the backup for now. 

The Yankees also have to make a decision on Russell Martin.  If he isn't able to play a couple of games in a row or he just can't play they may want to DL him also and call up Jesus Montero from the minor leagues.  It looks like though for whatever reason they don't want to do that.  Francisco Cervelli is the starter right now with Posada as the backup although Posada will not catch unless it is an emergency.  There is talk that they may even call up Gustavo Molina if they have too.  I don't see why they can't call up Montero and see what he has, he will only be the backup anyway and maybe he hits and you get to showcase him a little for a possible trade if the Yankees aren't going to keep him. 

The Yankees still need a starter for Thursday.  It looks like it will be Hector Noesi if he isn't needed in the next couple of days.  If he does pitch in the next couple of days then it will be David Phelps from AAA Scranton. 

Yankees Lineup:Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira(DH), Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada(1B), Nick Swisher, Eduardo Nunez(SS), Francisco Cervelli. 

The Yankees will announce something shortly after 6:00PM with Jeter, I would expect him to go to the DL and be eligible to be activated on the next homestand which will give him three home games to get to 3000 before they go to Citi Field. 

Mets lose to Pittsburgh and fail to get to 500 once again

The New York Mets lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates by the score of 3-1 and failed to get to 500 once again.  Mike Pelfrey started and pitched a really good game but not good enough.  The bats were very quiet in this one for the Mets.  The Mets have been hovering around 500 but that is twice now in the last week or so that they had a chance to get to 500 and failed.  The Mets will now head to Atlanta for three games against the Braves. 

The offense also wasn't there for the Mets.  The Mets have been getting good offensive production without hitting homeruns, they mostly get singles and a guy like Reyes hits doubles, triples steals some bases.  They are able to manufacture runs and they have been doing well with that.  They don't have David Wright or Ike Davis so they really have no choice.  Jason Bay used to be a power guy but isn't anymore.  Beltran is pretty much the only guy in the lineup with good power. 

The Yankees lose series finale to the Indians

The New York Yankees lost the series finale to the Cleveland Indians and weren't able to complete the four game sweep.  A.J. Burnett pitched great but he took the loss as Carasco pitched even better for the Indians.  The Yankees had a chance in the first couple of innings to jump out in front and really take control of the game but they couldn't do that.  The Yankees had the bases loaded and no outs in the first and didn't score, first and second no outs in the second and didn't score and then first and second one out in the third and nothing.  They didn't do much of anything after the third inning. 

Burnett pitched 7 2/3 innings giving up one run on five hits, he walked one in the last inning he pitched and srruck out eight.  Dave Robertson pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings.  He came in to the eighth inning with a two out jam and got out of it. 

Derek Jeter got a hit in the game to move to six away from 3000.  Jeter left the game in the fifth inning with a calf injury.  Jeter had an MRI after the game and it is a grade one strain of the calf and right now he is day-to-day.  The Yankees stated tonight that they will make a decision tmorrow on if he will go on the disabled list or not.  It may be the best thing for him to rest it and come back really strong but we will see what they do.  Robinson Cano was the only player with two hits. 

The Yankees won three out of four in the series after losing three straight to the Red Sox.  The Sox were off today and with the Yankees loss they are 2 1/2 games out of first place in the AL East.  The Yankees will begin a three game series with the Texas Rangers tomororw night before they head to Chicago to take on the Cubs and then Cincinatti.  It will be round two of interleague play and they will have five series in a row of interleague.  The Yankees will send C.C. Sabathia to the mound on Tuesday night vs. Alexi Oganda. 

Yankees Pregame-Martin is back and some roster moves

The New York Yankees will try and win their third straight this afternoon over the Cleveland Indians.  They will have Freddy Garcia on the mound and their regular lineup back in there.  Arod is ok one day after being hit in the thigh and Russell Martin is back after taking a few days off with a bad back. 

The Yankees did make some roster moves today.  They placed Batolo Colon on the 15 day DL with a strained hamstring.  He is expected back shortly after those 15 days though, so this isn't a horrible situation if that is indeed the case.  They have called up Hector Noesi to take his place and they also put Amaury Sanit on the DL with a elbow issue, they recalled Chris Dickerson from AAA Scranton.  There is no started listed yet for Thursday to take Colon spot but it could be another pitcher from AAA. 

Here is the Yankees Lineup for todays game: Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher, Jorge Posada, Russell Martin, Brett Gardner. 

Colon pitches brilliant in win but is lost to an injury

The New York Yankees defeated the Cleveland Indians on Saturday afternoon by the score of 4-0.  Bartolo Colon was crusing along and then he went to cover the bag for the second out in the seventh inning and strained his hamstring.  They are calling it a strain right now but he did go for tests after the game and they should know the results on Sunday.  Colon has been great this season and it would be a big loss if he was gone for an extended period of time.  The Yankees couldn't count on these guys lasting all year like they have up until this point.  Dave Robertson got himself in and out of trouble in the eighth inning and Boone Logan closed out the game. 

The offense got solo homeruns from Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson.  There was another beaning this time to Rodriguez.  The Yankees didn't retaliate but the pitcher was immediately ejected from the game.  Derek Jeter did not pick up a hit and remains nine away from 3000. 

The Yankees after losing three straight to the Red Sox have now won back-to-back games against the Indians.  The two teams will play game three of four on Sunday afternoon.  Freddy Garcia will make the start for the Yankees.  The Yankees remain two games out of first place in the AL East behind the Boston Red Sox. 

Hector Noesi is reportedly on his way back from AAA, Adam Warren, David Phelps and D.J. Mitchell are guys that may get a shot.  The Yankees have to see what happens and then they will make some roster moves as soon as they know for sure which should be on Sunday. 

Arod and Joe Girardi both called the beaning fishy, I happen to agree with them.  The thing is the Yankees batters are just getting hit too often and nothing is being done back at them.  The Yankees are going to need to start retaliating just to send a message. 

Joe Girardi said he is tired of seeing his players being hit, he said that they hit homeruns and the other teams don't like that so much.  He said "I don't like it, but we will protect our own."  Arod said he was hit in the IT band which is a group of fibers that run along the thigh, he said he will be ready to go for Sunday though. 

Russell Martin came through his work ok today and the plan is for him to catch on Sunday.  The Yankees have had Jorge Posada as the backup the last few days.  Girardi said he didn't have a problem with Gardner being thrown out twice on the bases today, he said he was being aggressive and he likes that.