Yankees with a dramatic win over the Jays

The New York Yankees were losing 4-1 in the eighth inning and this was  fast moving game.  It looked like another one of those games where the Yankees just don't look that good and they would have to try and avoid a sweep at home against the Jays on Wednesday afternoon.  Then with two outs in the eighth they got an RBI double by Robinson Cano and a Russell Martin RBI single, suddenly the game was 4-3.  In the ninth inning with one out Jorge Posada hit a pinch hit double, Chris Dickerson pinch ran for him and go tto third on a Jeter groundout in the shortstop hole that he almost beat out.  Granderson hit an RBI single to tie the game and then stole second he scored the winning run on a Mark Teixeira hard smash off of the first baseman Juan Riveras glove.  A wild celebration ensued and Teixeira got the pie in the face although he turned away from it at the last second.  This was only the second walk-off for the Yankees this season and they badly needed a game like this.  Here are some postgame notes. 

Forty percent of the RBI this season from Granderson(14 of 35) have either tied the game or given the Yankees the lead.  He has been their MVP so far this season and also playing outstanding defense in center field.  He said he was just trying to get something to handle and it is a mental battle with yourself.  He said you just have to try and put the ball in play hard somewhere. 

Posada said going to second was as soon as he fell down he thought he would have a chance so he took the chance and made it.  Posada said he was only going to pinch hit if Gardner got out because if not they would of bunted with Eduardo Nunez. 

Russell Martin is three homeruns shy of his total for the previous two years with the Dodgers. Sabathia pitched a complete game which was the first nine inning complete game win by a Yankees starter since Sabathia did it on May 8, 2009 in Baltimore.  The Yankees went 341 games without a nine inning complete game win by a starter.  It was the longest such streak in American League history.  This informatiion was from Elias. 

There was nothing new with Rafael Soriano.  He is going to see Dr. Andrews which isn't good news.  He had to shut himself down again yesterday and who knows how long he will be out.  The Yankees will have to make due with Joba Chamberlain and Dave Robertson as the main set up guys now.  It may be a double whammy for the Yankees who could lose Soriano for the season and then be stuck with him next year because he won't be able to opt out. 

Grapefruit League Game 24-New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles

The New York Yankees are taking on the Baltimore Orioles this evening from Sarasota. I don't know why I said the Cincinatti Reds yesterday but I did and that was clearly wrong. Here is the lineup for tonights game which won't be on TV or radio. I will then have some notes after the lineup. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Johnson(DH) Teixeira(1B) Rodriguez(3B) Cano(2B) Thames(LF) Winn(RF) Cervelli(C) Golson(CF) Javier Vazquez is making the start. The big news of the day is that Alfredo Aceves has a balky back. He will skip tomorrows relief appearance. Joe Girardi said he has been tight and "a little out of line" for a few days, the Yankees have decided to give him a few days off. Girardi said he believes that Aceves will pitch later this week and be ready for the opener on Sunday. Girardi said "It is something we're going to have to manage." Joe Girardi said the team will likely wait until Thursday or Friday before they finalize their roster. It is still a possibility that Phil Hughes starts in the minor leagues and is called up when the Yankees need the 5th starter. Girardi said him and Brian Cashman have not had a chance to talk about it yet, how they are going to do it. Girardi said "I am not quite ready to make that decision, but I am definitely leaning one way." That is what he said when asked about who his CF will be. Joel Sherman of the NY Post has reported a team source told him it would be Granderson and that is what I believe also. Pat Vendite the switch pitcher is on the travel roster for tomorrows game and Girardi is excited. He said "I have wanted to see it all spring, I would like to put him in against a left, right ,left." Joba, Dave Robertson, Grant Duff and Royce Ring are available out of the bullpen today. Alan Horne is injured again, he was the Eastern League pitcher of the year a couple of years ago. He just can't stay healthy. He has more then a 80 percent tear in his rotator cuff.

Pitching Matchups for Yanks/Baltimore series

The New York Yankees begin a 3 game series with the Baltimore Orioles tomorrow at Yankee Stadium. Here are the pitching matchups for the series. Tomorrow- Andy Pettitte vs Chris Tillman Saturday- A.J. Burnett vs Brian Matusz Sunday- CC Sabathia vs Jeremy Guthrie The Yankees just swept Baltimore in Baltimore last week so I would look for the same although 2 out of 3 would be ok. The Yankees will enter the series 9 games up in the AL east over Boston and 6 1/2 ahead of Anaheim for homefield advantage. There pretty much is nothing left to play for except personal milestones like Derek Jeter needing one more hit to pass Lou Gehrig and become the alltime Yankees hits leader. A note from today was that Dave Robertson got good news from Dr. Andrews. He only needs to rest his elbow for 10-14 days and then he can begin a throwing program. It looks like he will be ready to go for the playoffs then which is great news as he has moved himself up the pecking order of the bullpen.

Game 46: Yankees at Rangers

The game notes can be found here via the link from Peter Abraham. The lineup is as follows for the Yankees: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Cano(2B) Cabrera(CF) Matsui(DH) Swisher(RF) Cervelli(C) I don't remember if I mentioned this yesterday but Brian Bruney is on the DL and headed to see Dr. James Andrews which is never a good sign. David Robertson will be joining the team tonight to take his place. The Yankees also don't know when Marte will be back so the two guys who were counted on to be the 8th inning bridge have been out and looks like will be out for a while. I know some people will call for Joba but first you have to get Wang back which may take a while and Hughes is pitching well but has to keep it up also. Game 46: Yankees at Rangers Posted using ShareThis