Back to .500

On yet anothe cold night in April, Phil Hughes and the Yankee defense and offense couldn't get it together and win. This is very clearly a hot weather team, and there hasn't been enough of it for them to thrive yet. Still, better than last April.

And Then There Were None

With their last two picks in the 6th round, the Giants completed their 2008 draft class by adding Kentucky QB Andre Woodson and Southern Mississippi's DE Robert Henderson. Woodson was a hot prospect when the season began, but fell on wind-up and accuracy issues. The hope here is that he can be coached up and traded for a pick or two in the future. He'll probably supplant Jared Lorenzen in camp.

Robert Henderson is a DE/DT tweener, who is bigger than our other DE's. He has a great first step and is a bit of a sleeper. He'll compete for a spot in both rotations. I wouldn't be surprised to find out he had a great workout for the Giants.

And that wraps up the draft for the Giants. They'll start signing undrafted FA's almost immediately. Go Giants!

Mike of the Future?

And in the fifth, the Giants took Jonathan Goff, the freakishly athletic middle linebacker from Vanderbilt. This will probably be Pierce's long term replacement. He'll earn his keep on specials till that day comes. Another Giant-type player. Great fit. The Giants have two picks left, both at the end of the 6th, don't be surprised if they are used on an OL and DL. Go Giants!

Giants Get Their Backer!

The Giants used an extra 6th to move up in the 4th and take LB Bryan Kehl from BYU. He has typical Giant athleticism, and was awfully productive, making tackles, getting some sacks and even some picks. He'll compete for the WIL backer roll in the base D and upgrade specials while he learns the defense. This draft is starting to look a lot like last year's in terms of getting great value with all the picks. Go Giants!

The Giants Take a Risk!

The Giants took a risk with their third round pick and selected the most talented WR they have chosen in my lifetime. Here's why he's a risk. He's got a traffic stop and some positive tests for pot on his record. That's why he was available late in the third. The Giants had him in for a visit and they must have come to some understanding. If he booms it will be all the way to the prowbowl. Let's hope he does. Go Giants!

Giants Add Another 2nd Round Trojan

The Giants hit the defensive backfield for a second time today, and added their second straight second rounder from USC when they picked Terrell Thomas to end the second round. I like this player a lot. He's had some bad luck with injuries, but he is a big, physical, athletic corner with a ton of upside. The Giants need a big day tomorrow if they want to get their dynasty on track, but today they got younger, faster, better and deeper at DB, and as such had a fine day.

Giants Pick from Da U Again

The Giants solved their Safety problem by catching a falling star rather than reaching for a need in the first round of the NFL draft. They took 21 year old junior S Kenny Phillips from Miami. Probably the best S in the draft, he could step in and start right away, adding speed, savvy and athleticism to the champ's back seven. Strong pick.

Yanks Lose

Yanks were up until Andy gave up a three run homer, followed by a solo shot in the 5th. They didn't have the steam to make a comeback. This April schedule, featuring lousy weather and only one off day, has been brutal.

The Rangers Lose

They blew a 3 goal lead for only the second time in their entire playoff history. The NHL loves them some Sidney Crosby, and the Rangers are gonna have to work a little harder to overcome that.

Report: Shockey Traded?

On Draft Eve, word is seeping out through the PFW website and other sources that Jeremy Shockey as been traded to the New Orleans Saints for a package of picks including the 40th in tomorrow's draft. Any deal cannot be evaluated till it is confirmed and we know what else the Giants got. If this is true, it's a bittersweet day for the Giants. Shockey has been a warrior for the team. I'll update when more is known.

UPDATE: Seattle may have countered before a Saints deal was complete, and there is said to be a 3rd team still in it. We'll see. Seems like something will be known tonight, even if it's not announced until the draft starts.

FURTHER UPDATE: It's possible that Atlanta came in late and offered one of their high 2's and a 4 and a future pick for Shockey and a 6th.

Yanks Blow One

Phil Hughes was off to a good start when the rains came and delayed the game to a point where the Yanks wouldn't risk Phil returning. This left the bullpen, already down Bruney, with 7 inning to make up, and they just weren't able to get it done. The Yanks had chances to take a late lead, but pinch hitter Jorge Posada GIDP'd, which he seems to do every game. Joba was on the mound when the fatal pitches were thrown. Alas, he opted for too many breaking pitches in a row. They'll need reinforcements tomorrow as it seems Farns might also be hurt. It was a tough loss, but at least they didn't gamble with Phil's future. Go Yanks.

Wady Wins It!

Wady Rufino unknotted a 3-3 game with a two run bomb, his 3rd, in the bottom of the 8th to give the Dogs their margin of victory tonight. Ortiz struck out the side to the the save in the 9th. Betances started and gave up 1 earned run while walking 3 and K'ing 7. He was in line for the win after Brandon Laird's two run homer, his first, in the 6th, but Jesse Hoover gave up a jack to tie it in the 7th, and Wady's heroics became necessary. The Dogs are now 18-3! Pendleton pitches for them tomorrow, his first start of the season. Go Dogs!

Yanks Note: They're in a rain delay but Phil Hughes has looked good through 2 innings.

The Odd Couple RENEWED!

Mike Mussina and Jorge Posada who historically have seemed to have an antipathy to each other, combined to beat up the White Sox tonight. Moose looked like old time Moose, as Po had him working quickly and using a better fastball to set up the breaking stuff. Moose worked 7 strong innings allowing just two solo shots. Po added 3 doubles as part of a 4-5 night, and Jason Giambi, was IBB'd twice in the Yanks 6-4 win. Hawkins and Traber couldn't get anyone out, so Mo had to come in for a 5 out save. He did so almost effortlessly. The O and at least one previously disappointing starter seem to be coming around. Phil Hughes goes tomorrow, and let's hope he finds the corners and some run support. Go Yanks!

SWB Note: Brett Gardner hit a walk off homer to ice a comeback victory for the SWB Yanks tonight. His SLG has been impressive since he made that adjustment.

Dogs Rule!

Zach McAllister pitched 6 strong innings of 2H, 2K, 1BB ball as the Riverdogs won 4-0 to boost their record to 17-3! Montero was 1-4 with an RBI double, two more baserunner kills, and a great play he made to retire a bunter. Ibarra, playing second broke up a no hitter with a double then scored an unearned run. Carmen Angelini added a two run single with with bases loaded. Both Austin Romine and Jario Heredia were put on the 7 Day DL today. Romine has a groin strain and Heredia's injury is unknown, but reported to be no big deal. Suttle is just about ready to come back and we could see him on the homestand which starts tomorrow.

Yanks Note: The Yanks are currently up 3-0 with Moose dealing through 5.

Rest in Peace, Al Wilson

Al Wilson has shrugged off this mortal coil at the age of 68. Best known for his soul classic Show and Tell, Wilson actually charted a number of songs on the R and B charts over the years. He was a cooner with a lot of jazz influence, who ultimately might have been a bigger star if he had been born 20 years earlier. As it was, he gave us a classic and a lot of other good music and he will be missed.

Return of the Lefties

Abreu hit a grandslam, Giambi homered to left, Damon had three hits including a homer and a double, and Cano had a double to deep left center as the Yankees lefthande power bats finally woke up in Chicago. Wang was just okay and Traber and Bruney walked themselves into trouble before Joba came in to restore order. Farnsworth came in with a 9-4 lead in the 9th and gave up a 1 out homer and a walk before chilling to record the final two outs in the Yanks 9-5 win. It would be a good thing if the lefties all corrected at the same time. Go Yanks!

Rangers Will Face The Pens

The Rangers know who their next opponent is and it's the Penguins. Should be a tough series, but if the Rangers can stay out of the box, and quit deflecting things into their own goal, they should be able to win. The O is finally coming around and the D and goaltending should make the difference. Go Blueshirts!

Jesus Goes Deep!

Jesus Montero had 3 hits including the first homer Dogs anouncer Josh Mauer has ever seen hit over the 20 foot CF wall in Savannah as the Riverdogs increased their record to 16-3 with a 6-3 win over the Sandnats (Mets). Snyder had some mamoth ab's and a big double, and Carmen Angelini had two or three more hits and stole a base. Austin Romine, who was catching, left the game with an unknown injury after sliding into second. Let's hope it's nothing big. Almonte had another hit and stole another base, but was also the victim of a terrible call at first. Laird is still struggling and Adam Olbrychowski was a little better tonight, still hasn't quite got his best stuff back, but it might be coming now. Go Dogs!

Yankees Note: They've just pulled ahead of the White Sox on a Grandslam by Bobby Abreu!

Dogs Move to 15-3

Carmen Angelini broke out of his slump with 3 hits including a double, and Brandon Laird also broke out of his slump with 3 hits including a double. Montero had two doubles of his own. Noel Castillo pitched seven strong, and Jesse Hoover added to scoreless innings in the Dogs 7-2 victory. Adam Olbrychowski pitches tomorrow.

Yanks Note: ARod is day to day with a right quad strain.

Whither Shockey?

With the draft just 6 days away, the Shockey trade rumors aren't quieting down at all. New Orleans keeps being mentioned, but the Giants have, reportedly, already turned them down. I'm not in favor of trading Shockey, but if a trade is made, the Giants better get a lot of the perrenial pro-bowler. Look at it this way: the only true first round TE that will be available this weekend is Shockey. I hope it doesn't come to it, but I have a feeling it will. I hope the Giants get enough. More draft talk as the week progresses.

Joba to the Rotation?

In Hank's latest statements to the press he has said they are going to put Joba in the rotation ASAP, and that they should have done it all along. He then goes on to say putting him in the pen last year was a mistake. While I agree with all of this, it will be interesting to see how they stretch Joba back out. There are plenty of opportunities with Phil, Ian and Moose struggling. I'd imagine he'd go 3 innings, then 4, then 5 then start. And if he didn't throw enough pitches, he could pitch in the pen after an appearance. Anyway, it's a move in the right direction, and with the time he missed and the time they will take stretching him out out of the pen, they should be able to manage his innings cap. Go Joba!

Dogs Clobber Catfish

18 year old Abe Almonte had 4 hits including 2 homers in the Riverdogs sudden and overwhelming attack on Catfish pitching. Both Montero and Romine added 3 hits, and Wady Rufino added 5RBI's with a two run double, and a 3 run homer. Gabe Medina came in in the bottom of the 9th and gave up a garbage rally, but it was too little, too late. Here's the boxscore.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_20_crdafx_clmafx_1

The Dogs are now 14 and 3.

Yanks Note: After a rain delay, the Yanks are up 4-1 after 8.

UPDATE: Yanks win 7-1, but ARod had to leave the game with a pulled quad. Let's hope this is a mild one. Pettitte was dynamite, Damon had a homer and got on base a few times, and Jeter is hitting like Jeter. Gotta get Giambi and Cano going now.

Riverdogs Snap Out of It!

Austin Romine's smiling cause he had 2 hits in a 6-0 win by the Charleston Riverdogs who snapped out of a two game skid tonight. Abraham Almonte was the hitting star with his first homer and a three run triple in the 9th. Dellin Betances got the win going 5 inning, giving up 2 hits, 5 walks and K'ing 5. The walks have got to go. Wilkins De La Rosa also mixed K's and BB's in his two innings of work. Montero's hitting streak came to and end, and Snyder E streak kept going. It will all get cleaned up. Early game tomorrow. Go Dogs!

Yanks Note: They lost again tonight. Shut out.

One Week!

The NFL Draft is just seven days away, and I have never felt more relaxed about it. Jerry Reese has earned my trust, so I'm not worried about them blowing it. There will be a lot of players available at 31 who could make a strong team even stronger. Trevor Laws is probably my favorite, but I know we'll get a good one. If Shockey is traded for say, the #40 pick and stuff, the Giants might be able to get someone like Sweed at 31 and Laws at 40. That would be exciting, but we'll have to wait and see. The Giants may not hold the opinion of those players that I hold, and I will defer. I would; however, like to see the Giants come out of the draft with another big wide receiver, whether that be Sweed, Jordy Nelson or Marcus Monk. Other than that, I expect them to beef up the D, get an OL and maybe a developmental QB, who can be developed then flipped for future picks. Should be a really relaxing Saturday - unless Shockey is traded. Go Giants.

Yanks Lose

While Phil inched a little closer to Hughesness, the Yankee D and O really let him down. He was still falling behind too often, and not mixing in the slider or change much, but his velocity is coming around and so will big things, soon. This schedule is brutal for the Yanks, but they'll pick it up.

Dogs Note: They lost their second in a row! There is panic in the Carolinas!

The Rangers Advance!

The Rangers closed out the physically toughest opponent they will face this postseason, 5-3. After taking a 4-1 lead early in the second on goals by Rozsival, Jagr, Gomez and Drury, the Devils were able to get back into in with a pair of seeing eye, pinball shots, that had the Rangers scramble to protect the lead the rest of the way. Dubinsky scored an empty netter with less than a minute left to provide the final margin. Lundqvist was the better goalie this series, and he proved it once again turning away a penalty shot in the 3rd. The latest chapter in a series of Ranger/Devil confrontations that will likely go on as long as the league does. Overall, an outstanding day for MSG. Go Rangers, get that shiny cup!

Ding Dong!

Today, Donnie Walsh made it official: Isiah Thomas is out as Knicks coach. He has no new job with the organization and will either get one or just reach a settlement and leave. He will report directly to Walsh until a final arrangement is reached.

This is a breath of fresh air for Knicks fans. Mark Jackson, Scott Skiles and others are being considered to replace him as coach. It is unknown whether or not a new GM will be named first. I am once again pleased to write: Go Knicks!

Yanks Come Up Short

This guy can't beat the Red Sox anymore. The Yanks tried to come back from 7 down with rallies of 3 and 2 runs, they came up short. There were some good signs, though: Melky had a good game and a homer, and Farnz buzzed Manny in a dominant inning of work. But the real point of tonight was a sad one: Moose can't beat the sox anymore, and they're gonna have to work around staring him against them in his last year in Pinstripes. No rest for the weary, tomorrow the Yanks face the O's.

Dogs Note: The Riverdogs lost tonight. It was a game they could have won with a couple more patient AB's and better AB's with men on third and less than two outs. A new streak will start tomorrow. Go Dogs!

Yanks Win!

This was one of those Yankees/Red Sox slugfests that people have been watching since the dawn of the lively ball era. Neither Wang, nor Buchholz had anything tonight and both teams were ready to rip. Abreu and ARod had first inning homers and it kind of rolled on from there. The Yanks blew a huge lead only to re-take it, and win going away. I haven't checked the boxscore yet, but Moeller probably had the greatest night of his career going 3-4 with a walk. Jeter seems to be back in his groove, and both Cano and Giambi showed some signs. The umps were horrible, but Hawkins and Bruney provided welcome relief, and it was a thoroughly entertaining game.

Dogs Note: the Dogs won their 9th in a row tonight to begin a road trip, they are now 12 and 1.

Rangers Win to take a 3-1 Lead!

Marc Staal scored the gamewinner with 3 minutes left on the kind of plays that defensive superstars have been making forever, a big perfectly timed slapshot. Gomez added two, including big insurance off a faceoff in the final minute. Straka and Drury added the other goals. This was far from a tight performance as the Rangers blew three separate leads. But ultimately they overcame the Devils' tactics and gave themselves a 3-1 lead in the series. Go Rangers!

Yanks Win Again

Pettitte didn't have his best stuff tonight, in fact he had no stuff, but he gave the Yanks 7 innings of 3 run ball, and Farnsworth and Mo each added a scoreless inning of their own. The O only managed 5 runs, though they had plenty of opportunities. Oh well, home for two starting tomorrow. Go Yanks.

Yanks Win!

The Yanks just won a wild one. They got out to a 7-1 lead on homers by Damon, ARod, and Ensberg and Ian Kennedy was cruising. He ended up giving up another run on what should have been an error charged to Damon. With 1 out in the 7th, though, he got hit with a line drive and had to be lifted. The bullpen, which is now missing Joba, proceeded to give up 3 HR's and the game was tied. Cano who had a night off, came up the bench to untie it with a homer in the 8th. Bruney, who gave up two homers in the 7th got two outs in the 8th before Mo came in for the 4 save out. We have to hope that Ian is alright and able to take his next turn, and that the on switch for Cano has been found. Big win. Back to .500. Nice to see some runs. Go Yanks.

Dogs Note: They moved to 11-1 with another late game comeback. Montero was at the center of it again, but his hit off the 2b was ruled an error, and he didn't collect his 3rd game winning hit as a result. But we know what he did.

Rough Sunday

The Yanks and Rangers both lost. Though the Yankee game was disconcerting due to the poor results of both Phil Hughes and the continued struggles of the O, it's not a worry. Both will improve. The Rangers really blew on and need to win Wednesday to keep this series from becoming a war off attrition. There are bigger fish to fry than the Devils. Go New York

Yanks Lose

Moose threw two bad pitches to Manny Ramirez today, and as a result the Yanks lost. When are the Yankees gonna throw at this punk? It's ridiculous. Hughes goes tomorrow. Go Yanks.

Wang 2-hits the Sox

Wang was tremendous tonight in Boston as he went the distance only allowing to hits and beating the Sox 4-1. For awhile it looked like on a pussy job by Abreu at the wall on a JD Drew "homer" would be the only blemish in an otherwise perfect game, but Crisp bunted safely with 2 out in the 9th and it will go in the books as a two hitter. Wang was just awesome. Giambi finally hit a homer, but it was a pretty quiet night for both teams tonight. This one will be remembered for Wang and little else. And with Phil and Ian in the rotation, we can use every complete game we can find. Go Yanks.

Dogs Note: after falling behind 5-0 in the top of the first and 6-1 later, the Dogs picked up a solo homer from on base machine Justin Snyder in the 7th, then scored 5 runs in the 8th to come all the way back and beat the Rome Braves. The key hit was a two out bases loaded double by Jose Montero, who was awarded home as he was taking third on an overthrow! The Dogs are now 8 and 1!

Rangers Take a 2-0 Series Lead

It was a pretty brutal game. Jagr and Avery scored mid-3rd to start the scoring. The Devils added a goal of their own late, but it was not enough. The Rangers now have a commanding two games to none lead, and look like they could sweep. Staal has been a revelation with his rugged play. Go Rangers.

Yanks Get Back to .500

Melky was the hero when the game was tight, with a game tying homer and an rbi single. ARod and Po homered in the 9th but the game was more or less over then. Pettitte, Joba and Mo did the job. The Yanks finally scored 6.

On the farm, Alan Horne had to leave his start after two innings with a biceps injury. The extent of it is unknown, but the hope here and everywhere in Yankeeland is that it's just a strain.

Tabata and AJax both had two hits including doubles and Jose also added a walk.

Charleston moved to 7-1 and took sole possession of first in the Sally league. David Williams had a first inning grand slam. Both Jose Montero and Austin Romine had two hits including doubles.

Go Yanks!

Rangers Take Game 1 From The Devils!

Shanny had a goal and an assist and Callahan, Avery and Dawes had the other goals. Shanny could have scored the empty netter but he passed it to Dawes instead. He rock. Lundqvist had some big saves, and had to overcome some sloppy play and turnovers to hang on and win 4-1. Big win. Keep it going, Rangers!

Dogmania!

Though the Yanks have gotten off to a .500 start, their low A Charleston Riverdogs and 6-1 and loaded with prospects. Betances, Heredia, Montero, Abie Almonte, Brad Suttle, Angelini, Snyder, Romine, Laird, Williams and Krum are all on the team and most have been really impressive. You can listen to them through a link at riverdogs.com or milb.com, and the games are a blast. Abie Almonte was 4 for 5 today, and Montero added a double and homer in a win over the Low A Mets. If you're not innoculated with ignorance, you will catch Dogmania this summer. Go Dogs!

Yanks Win 6-1

Bobpy Abreu got the O moving with a homer, single, triple and walk, and Moose was strong through 6 innings of 1 run ball. Bruney, Farnsworth and Hawkins provided scoreless relief. Jeter had to leave the game with a strained quad, and with Giambi out, and Shelley suspended, Betemit moved to short and Ensberg came in to play first. Not ideal, but only one run was scored at that was on a solo shot by Gomes. Yanks have an early game against KC in KC tomorrow. Hughes goes for his first win of the season. Go Yanks.

Yanks Lose to Fall Below .500

The bats still haven't shown up from Florida, but other than Hawkins and Farnz, the bullpen is looking good. The Yanks will get going, the sooner the better. Alan Horne, McCutchen, Patterso and Ramirez were all impressive in their minor league work today. George Kontos, another possible bullpen add down the line this season, is pitching now for Trenton in the second game of a double dip. Go Yanks.

Yanks beat Halladay 3-2 !

The Girardi era begins with a win. Wang was pretty good tonight, working in and out of trouble and only giving up 2 runs through 7. Joba and Mo were lights out in the 8th and ninth, and there were lots of heroes in a really tight opening win against one of the best pitchers in baseball. Melky made back to back highlight reel catches and added a big homer to tie the game at 2, and Jason Giambi made a great play of the basepaths to prevent a DP and keep the game winning rally going. ARod had an RBI double, and was walked in the 8th with a man on 3rd and two outs. Jeter and Abreu threw away AB's in the 9th that could have given Mo more of margin for error, but he didn't need one. Go Yanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!