Yankees lose to the Rockies as Giambi has a big night

The New York Yankees lost to the Colorado Rockies by the score of 4-2 tonight.  Jason Giambi made a return to the Bronx.  He played with the Yankees for seven seasons and was a crowd favorite.  He did get a nice ovation and then in his first at-bat launced a solo homerun deep into the right field bleachers.  Giambi is now 40 years old and limited to pinch hitting duty but in this series with the DH he gets to play all three games.  The Yankees will play three games against the Rockies and then after an off day play three against the Brewers. 

A.J. Burnett made the start for the Yankees.  Burnett didn't have his control and he wasn't very good but what has been a major difference from last year is he kept the Yankees in the game.  If this were last year he would of totally imploded been out of the game and the Yankees would of had no shot.  In this game he figured things out and finished strong and was able to pitch into the seventh inning.  Boone Logan had another strong outing as he gave up one hit in 1 1/3 innings.  He is their only lefty out of the bullpen right now and they need him to get out some lefties.  Luis Ayala finished off the game with 1 1/3 innings giving up one hit. 

The offense was all supplied by Alex Rodriguez.  He had an RBI double and a sacrifice fly.  Rodriguez is starting to really heat up once again.  His power numbers are a little down but I wouldn't be suprised to see him go on a streak soon where he hits five in a week.  Nick Swisher had a good night with a couple of hits, Curtis Granderson had three walks. 

The two teams will play game two of the their three game series on Saturday afternoon.  It will be C.C. Sabathia vs. Aaron Cook.  On paper this looks like a total mismatch where the Yankees should win setting up a rubber game on Sunday which is Old Timers Day.  Sunday should be an emotional day as Joe Torre will be back in the bronx for the first time since 2007 when he managed against Cleveland in the ALDS that they lost in four games.  Bernie Williams and Lou Piniella will also make their first Old Timers Day appearances. 

Red Sox at Yankees

The New York Yankees will try to make it two in a row over their rivals and 5 in a row overall. A.J. Burnett goes up against his old friend Josh Beckett, this is the third time they have faced each other this year. A.J. has not fared well this year against the Red Sox but has done well overall in his career against them. Here are the pregame notes and lineups via Peter Abraham and the great Lohud Yankees Blog. The Yankees have won 15 of 20, 28 of 38 and 51 of 76. The Yankees last night drew 49,005 could they get to 50,000 tonight and tomorrow with the weekend games?? The weather looks good and its a great matchup tonight. Melky Cabrera has 11 homeruns which is career best. Josh Beckett is 10-2 with a 2.02 in his last 14 starts. He is 2-0 with a 5.82 in 2 games against the Yankees this season. A-rod has gone 66 at bats without a homer, his longest streak since going 77 at bats between 1997 and 1998. Boston is 27-28 on the road having lost 9 of their last 14 on the road. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Matsui(DH) Posada(C) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF) Jason Giambi was released by the A's today and Carl Pavano was traded to the Minnesota Twins from the Indians. Boston DFA'D John Smoltz and Billy Traber. They called up Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa and aquired Chris Woodward from Seattle.