Recap of Tonights Yankees Game

The New York Yankees lost to the Tampa Bay Rays by the score of 6-2 this evening. The story of the game was Sergio Mitre who got the start. He pitched 5 innings giving up 2 runs on 2 hits with a walk and 7 strikeouts. He was outstanding all night long, he is really making a case for a spot on this team. Joe Girardi said "He threw the ball really well tonight. Command of his fastball, he had good sink tonight. His curveball and changeup were very good tonight." He also added that he thought he could do anything they ask of him meaning relieving also. Joe Girardi said last year it would of been tougher coming back from the injury but now he is good. Chad Gaudin came on in relief and though his line will look worse then it really was I think he is pretty much eliminated from the 5th starters competition. He pitched 2 1/3 innings giving up 7 hits, 4 runs, 3 of them earned and 3 walks. He did strike out a batter. Amaury Sanit pitched 2/3 of an inning getting both hitters out, he had a strikeout. Offensively Curtis Granderson had 2 hits and was hit by a pitch. He was taking out for precautionary reasons. He wasn't scheduled to play tomorrow and Girardi said he will be back on Sunday. Brett Gardner and Colin Curtis each had a hit and Nick Swisher had a hit and rbi. Jorge Posada had a hit and Juan Miranda had 2 hits, one of them was a solo homerun. Joe Girardi said they will have to make some decisions over the next couple of days regarding the 5th starter candidates. He said it is something they are going to have to decide pretty quickly. I think you will know a winner by the end of next week. Nick Swisher extended his hitting streak to 7 games. He is having a good spring and some other regulars are just starting to heat up like Alex and Curtis Granderson, the pitching seems to be all hitting their stride also. The Yankees always seem to have bad Aprils and I think they need to get out of the gate quick this year. The division is so tough and it will be hard to get behind this year like last year and make a comeback. The Yankees will play tomorrow at Houston at 1:05PM.

Yanks at Jays(Yanks go for abbreviated sweep)

The New York Yankees will play the Toronto Blue Jays tonight in Toronto at 7:07 on the YES network. Sergio Mitre who doesn't look like he will be kept around much more will try and get himself on track against a rookie named Mark Rzepczynski. Here are the notes and lineup via Peter Abraham. The Yankees are 6-2 against the Jays this year and have won 25 of their last 41 against them Mo has worked 1+ innings nine times this season including three of the last 4 appearances. He worked more then one inning 14 times last season and 13 times in 07 under Joe Torre. Mo has gone 19 1/3 innings without a run, yes he gave up the double that scored two last night but they were charged to Phil Hughes. Phil Hughes has 37 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings out of the pen this year. Alfredo Aceves has only pitched twice in the last 13 games. They keep saying he is fine but who knows. Big Tex is 11 of 34 on the road trip with 6 rbi's. A-rod is 13 of 34 on the trip with 5 rbi's. He has gone 57 at bats without a dinger though. The Yankees are 13-5 since the break trailing only the Angels who are 14-4, that is in the AL. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Swisher(RF) Cano(2B) Cabrera(CF) Hairston(3B) Molina(C) I forgot to mention that Cody Ransom was DFA'D and Anthony Claggett was called up. This isn't a what kind of move, it is to cover Mitre and then when he gets sent down in a couple of days Ramiro Pena will be back up which is good. I like Cody Ransom but he just isn't that good, they don't want to burn the pen before the Boston series.

Yanks go for 2 in a row over Tigers

The New York Yankees will try and win their second consecutive game over the Tigers this afternoon at the Stadium. Today marks the 10 year anniversary of David Cones perfect game and he will be on hand to throw out the first pitch and I am sure they will have some kind of pregame ceremony. I will be heading out to the stadium in about half an hour so not sure if I will have the lineup and notes before then but if not I will be back later with the postgame recap and notes if any. There was one not from yesterday that I forgot to mention. Sergio Mitre will be called up and be the fifth starter on Tuesday against Baltimore. He has been performing well at AAA and the Yankees feel Alfredo Aceves is too valuable out of the bullpen. Enjoy the game today and I will try to put something up before I leave if there is anything.