Yanks Lose

The Phil Hughes had some bad luck today and so did the Yanks. After coming back from 4-0 to tie it in the 8th, they couldn't score in the top of the ninth or hold the Indians in the bottom of the ninth. Still in first by half a game, Joba goes tomorrow. Go Yanks.

Down on the farm Zach McAllister K'd ten in 6.2 inning of 5 hit, 3BB 1R ball. He's coming fast. Montero had two more hits for Tampa he'll be promoted to Trenton soon - perhaps this week.

Yanks Score

It was a tale of two games for CC Sabathia, he was throwing a no-no into the 5th when he tried to stop a batted ball with his pitching hand. He ended up giving up 3 runs over the next two innings, but that was okay, the Yanks were way ahead. Everyone seemed to chip in on offense as the Yanks scored 10. Joe Girardi wisely called on David Robertson to pitch a 1-2-3 8th before Veras came in to try to make it interesting in the ninth. Yanks win 10-5. Phil Hughes goes tomorrow. They are now up 1.5 games in the AL East. Go Yanks!

Getting Darko Around Here?

Rumors are once again circulating that the Knicks are interested in adding 6'11.5 Memphis C Darko Milicic. It would probably be some sort of salary swap involving Quentin Richardson and hopefully bringing back a pick. Needless to say, Milicic is the type of player who could really blossom in the D'Antoni system and, provided nothing crazy gets thrown in, I'd be in favor of adding a big who can shoot. Go Knicks!

Ace of Diamonds!

Andy Pettitte's back tightened up after the fifth and after he had put two men on and had a 2-0 count to a third. The Yanks were clinging to a 3-0 lead when Alfredo Aceves was called in to pick up the 2-0 count. Ace walked the guy to load the bases, then got a K, a sac fly and a ground out to limit the damage and get the Yanks out of the 6th up 3-1. He went on to pitch a scoreless 7th and 8th as well, and is really turning into a bullpen option we can put our arms around. Mo came in in the ninth, gave up a dink hit, the proceeded to strike out the next two hitters and get Martinez to ground to Tex to end it. Yanks win 3-1. CC goes tomorrow. Andy got the win and Mo got the save, giving them the all time record for saved wins between a pitcher and closer. Jorge Posada returned and looked good. Oh, and the Yanks took sole possession of first. Go Yanks!

Boldin?

So, the hot rumor these days is that Anquan Boldin has fired Drew Rosenhaus and signed with Tom Condon because he wants to get himself traded to the Giants. Tom Condon is the agent for Eli, Tom Coughlin and some other Giants. Of course, the question on the Giant end is, what the trade will cost and what the new deal will cost. Boldin is still in his prime but getting close to 30. Aside from his diva act over the new deal in Arizona, he is known as a real football player and would be a good influence and not a distraction for the kid receivers on the Giants. On the other hand, do the Giants really need him? I don't know. They have a lot of potential with the kids they have, and the passing game might become too Boldin-centric if he became part of it. We'll see. Go Giants!

Yanks Pull Into a Tie for First

AJ Burnett finally got a win tonight, contributing 6 innings of shutout ball as the Yanks beat up on the Rangers, 9-2. AJ gave up just three hits and K'd 7, but he did have 4 walks which escalated his pitch count. Hit-Deki Matsui broke out of his slump with two homers. Mark Teixeira and Cano also homered. Derek Jeter had three hits and walked twice and basically the only one without a hit was Johnny Damon, but he made two sparkling catches in Left. Jose Veras was touched up for a 2 run shot in the 7th, but David Robertson cleaned up for him. Chien Ming Wang pitched a hitless and 8th and 9th. The Yanks are off tomorrow, then they have some payback for Cleveland. Go Yanks!

Dr. Andrews Finds Nothing

Brian Bruney met with the fame Dr. Andrews in Birmingham today, and the master of TJ surgery found no ligament damage whatsoever. That's great news. Bruney's pain has been left over from a muscle strain and will require some rest. He'll start a throwing program in a couple of weeks. This is very good news.

In other news, Melky will be out 5 to 7 days, and if it's longer they will call someone up.

Rangers Add Another International Player

Out of the blue, the Rangers have once again signed an undrafted player. This time it's Swiss forward Andres Ambuhl. He's 25, scored 41 points in 50 games last season and is 5'10", 190. Ambuhl was one of the leading scorers on a championship team in Switzerland and seems like more of an assist guy than goal scorer. We still need some of those. Go Rangers.

Yanks Lose

Joba never found his rhythm and was out after 3 runs and 4 inngs, and the pen was not much better. That said, the offense had lots of chances to score but could not come up with the needed hits that would have lead to the sort of scoring they did yesterday. AJ goes tomorrow and it would be a great time for him to get another win. Go Yanks!

Dave Robertson Recalled

Fastball/curveball combo man has been recalled to take the place of Brian Bruney who was put back on the DL with elbow pain. Hopefully, DR will do the job and stay up. Melancon should be next.

Dominance

Well, well, well, and that's, just how Phil Hughes pitched today. Though Phil didn't have his good velocity, he had location, a good cutter and filthy curve as he pitched 8 innings of 3 hit, shut out ball against the heavy hitting Texas Rangers in Arlington. He was quick and efficient all day. ARod went 5 for 5 as the Yanks surged to an 11-0 lead without the benefit of a home run. Everyone pitched in - even Kevin Cash had three hits . Alfredo Aceves gave up a homer in the bottom of the 9th to end the shut out bid, but that was all. Big win. Joba goes tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Yanks Lose in Extras

We had our chances, sorry. 8 and 2 for the homestand and now it's onto Texas. Hughes goes tomorrow and we may need some pen call-ups. Go Yanks!

MelkyMania Running Wild in The Bronx!

Melky Cabrera just had his third walkoff hit of the year, scoring Cano from second to cap off a three run ninth that was made possible by a Damon walk, a game tying shot from ARod, a single and stolen base from Robby and Melky's big hit. The Yanks fell behind early but never gave up, and now they have some pieces they can really comeback with. CC goes tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Here Endeth the Streak

Yankee hitters were as impatient as this fan tonight. Sorry about that. And the pitching just wasn't up to snuff, though Chien Ming Wang did get three innings of work that could pay dividends as the season moves on. I think it's a Fox game tomorrow. Happy Holiday Weekend, folks!

Wang to the Pen

Due to the number of innings the pen had to put together after Joba left last night's game, Chien Ming Wang, who was supposed to start for Scranton, will instead be in the bullpen. I don't know if they plan to activate him, yet, but it would require a roster move.

Nine in a Row!

Yanks won what could have been a disaster tonight. With one out in the first, Joba took a comebacker off the side of his right knee, and left the game after giving up two hits and not being able to drive off his backfoot. X-rays were negative and I'm sure he's day to day. Alfredo Aceves came in, got the final out in the first and pitched till the 5th. The reason it wasn't as bad as it could have been was that the Yanks scored four runs on doubles by Jeter, Cano, Tex, Matsui and Melky in the first, and a two run shot by Cano in the second. They were up 6-0 while Aceves cruised. Albaladejo came and gave up 4 runs before giving way to Veras and finally Mo who pitched a 1,2,3 9th. Good win for a team that could have been sent reeling by the Joba injury. Here's hoping Joba's back soon. AJ goes tomorrow as the Phil's come to town. Go Yanks!

Giants Add Reyes

Looking to increase competition for their back up C/G spot, the Giants today signed 10 year vet Tutan Reyes, who they hope will compete with Adam Koets, the 2007 5th rounder who's looking to switch from T to C/G. Martrez Milner was cut to make room, so #86 is now available for Mario Manningham. It was the number he wore at Michigan. Go Giants.

Eight Straight!

The 6,7 and 8 hitters got a lot done tonight starting in the second. Swisher homered, Cano homered and Melky homered all in a row. Cano had two more RBI singles on the night, and Melky added another RBI in the 6 run 8th. Tex had an RBI double in the first, but he and ARod spent most the night night getting hit by pitches, walking and making outs Hughes had a good start, giving up 3 runs, 3 hits and 1 walk wall striking out 9 over 5 innings. Alf Aceves pitched a scoreless 6th and 7th and Coke and Mo combined for a scoreless 8th. The Captains double was the big hit in the long 8th inning rally. Mo came out after sitting a long time and gave up a homer. The Yanks ended up winning 11-4. Joba pitches for the sweep tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Rangers Add Another Offensive DMan

In a move that seems to indicate either Sangs or Del Zotto will be on the move this summer, the Rangers added yet another offensive defensive when they signed Finnish FA Ikka Heikkinen, 24. Ikka finished third in points among all SM-liiga defenders this year with 8 goals and 26 assists. He had a previous high of 11 goals in an SM-liiga season. Another interesting and thought provoking move by the Rangers. Go Blueshirts!

Carm Sent Down

2007 bonus baby Carmen Angelini, who is off to his second poor start in a row at low A Charleston has been sent down to extended Spring Training to get his head, offense and defense back together. It's good that they're interrupting his spiral this year. There's still plenty of time for him to get his head, glove and swing together. There wasn't a lack of talent when they picked him. In his place will be former high upside IFA Jose Pirela who had been in EST. Pirela is a big infielder who has drawn comps to Soriano. Let's hope this move works out for both players.

Find A Way?

The Clippers, who won the lottery last night, have already declared that they will take Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma. That puts the dynamic and made for D'Antoni PG Ricky Rubio available at #2. Now, since the Knicks cannot trade Lee or Nate during the draft, do they have enough to move up to #2 and get Ricky? They have the #8 pick and Wilson Chandler, and unless they can make a "future consideration" trade that would include sending Lee to Memphis after July 1, there really doesn't seem to be much else they can do. Now, I love Steph Curry, but he's still a bit of a projection at PG. Ricky Rubio is an 18 year old dynamo, who like Gallinari last year, has been playing against men from an early age. So every avenue of moving up and getting him should be explored. Steph Curry is not a bad consolation prize if it can't be done. Go Knicks!

More Dominance

CC pitched like an ace again tonight going 7 strong, giving up just 3 hits, a walk, one run and K'ing 7. And the Yanks allowed him to watch the rest of the game in utter comfort as the batted around for 7 in the 7th stretching their 2-1 lead to a 9-1 lead before Bruney returned for a 1-2-3 8th and Tomko did the same in the ninth. ARod homered, a two run jack in the first. Tex homered, a two run jack in the 7th. The other big hit was a bases loaded double by Derek Jeter, that would have scored 2, but Frankie Cervelli scampered all the way home from first on a bad throw. Things are starting to gel. Edwar Ramirez was sent down to make room for Bruney. Hughes throws tomorrow. Go Yanks!

Knicks Stuck a 8

Well, the lottery took place and the Knicks neither moved up or moved down. They stayed at #8 where they will hopefully be able to draft Stephen Curry or another guard who can ignite the D'Antoni O and hit the jay. I'm hoping the Knicks can find a way to pick up another pick to go with their first and second and come out with a 1, a 2 and a 5 who can run the floor, block shots and hit free throws. Go Knicks!

Lottery Day!

Tonight, the Knicks will know if they are staying at #8 in the draft, moving back one or, if they're lucky, moving into the top three. If they do get to move up, the target seems to be Spanish PG Rickey Rubio. If they stay where they are, they are thought to want Stephen Curry. It seem clear and logical that the Knicks want a player who can run D'Antoni's O. Here's hoping they win. Go Knicks!

Sweep!

Well, the Yanks batted around in the first featuring homers by Tex and Arod and totalling six runs overall, then had to hold on and get another homer from Tex to eventually preserve a 7-6 win for the sweep. The Yankee hitters got quieted down by knuckleballer RA Dickey as Andy gave up four, Edwar gave up one and Phil Coke gave up one for his first ever save. It was a four out job and it was nerve racking. The Yanks have now won six in a row and the will be activating Bruney tomorrow. CC's will face the Orioles. Go Yanks !

Damon's Turn!

It was Johnny Damon's turn to provide a walk off win for the Yanks today, and he took care of it with one out in the tenth as he drilled a 3-2 fastball into rightfield stands. The Yanks have won 5 in a row and 3 by walk-off. And it was another crazy game with the Twins who are a very good team and hard to beat. The game was 0-0 till the 7th when the Twins touched up AJ Burnett for two runs. Then ARod answered right back with a homer and Yanks, then Matsui doubled and got small balled home to tie it up. Tex made an amazing play to keep it tied in the 8th, cutting down a homebound runner from his knees to preserve the tie. And Joe Mauer returned the favor in the 9th as he dove to tag out a speeding Brett Gardner who was trying to score from second on an infield hit that had bounced off the pitcher. Mo pitched a scoreless 9th and Alfredo Aceves got his second win in as many days by pitching a 1-2-3 10th. What a game, what a series, what a great new stadium! Go Yanks!

AROD!!

ARod just hit a walk off bomb to win the game 6-4 for the Yanks! Mark Teixeira had a great daw himself going 4-4 with a double, a 3run jack, and RBI single and a walk. Joba pitches well and left after 6 up 3-2. Unfortunately, the pen did not hold it and the Yanks fell behind 4-3. But Tex tied it up with an RBI single in the 8th, and after Mo pitched a scoreless 9th and tenth, Aceves contributed a 1-2-3 11th, before Tex walkd and AJack went YARD for the win. That's four in a row and Tex and ARod figured large. AJ goes tomorrow. Keep it going, Yanks!

In other news, the Yanks have traded Eric Hacker to the Pirates for RHP Romulo Sanchez. Sanchez has touched 98 but sits 92-94. Good arm.

Melky Mania Runs Wild!

Melky just had his second walk off hit of the year. It wasn't a homer this time, but it was a single that split the OF's with the bases loaded, Ramiro Pena, running for ARod who had been at second scored the game winning run. It was a bit of a wild game. The homeplate umpire tossed Johnny Damon for pointing out his ridiculous strikezone, which brought in Gardner. And that would prove to be huge. Hughes once again had no curve ball and gave up 3 runs in five innings. Jeter homered to make it 3-1, but Coke gave it right back when he allowed a homer to Mauer. Gardner answered that in the 7th with an inside the park homer to left.

The Yanks left the bases loaded in the 8th, before facing Nathan in the ninth down 4-2. So, Gardner triples to start the inning, Tex singles him home. Alex walks. Matsui K's and Swisher is robbed by Morneau, but the runners move to second and third. They walk Cano to get to Melky who delivers his game winning hit on the first pitch he saw!

What a night at the stadium - oh and there was also a near fight in the 8th when that scrub they got from the Mets nearly took off Teixeira's arm on play at first. What's more? Gardy apparently told a kid in the Cancer ward at Columbia Medical Center, he'd try to hit a homer for him if he got in the game! And he did!

The Magic has apparently crossed the street! Joba goes tomorrow. Go Yanks!

CC Comes Up Big!

CC Sabathia scattered 5 hits and 2 runs over 8 innings, and Hit-Deki Matsui was kind enough to give him a win with an 8th inning solo shot. Mo pitched a 1-2-3 9th and we're back to .500 and headed home. The Yanks have won both of their last two series, and head home to face the Twins tomorrow. Phil Hughes will start the 4 game set. Go Yanks!

Gardy Goes Yardy

Brett Gardner got a start in Center tonight while Damon DH'd, Melky played Left and Swisher played right, and made some noise. Gardy hit his first big league homer in the second and later followed up with a triple and a walk. He scored twice, drove in three and played good D. Nice night for Gardy. Melky, Cano, Teixeira, Pena and Damon also had a extra base hits, as the Yanks surged to an 8-2 lead behind six cagey innings from Andy Pettitte. Alfredo Aceves pitched a scoreless seventh and eight, and Jonathan Albaladejo made things interesting in the ninth - again. Having gotten the first out, he proceeded to lose the plate and walk the next two batters before giving up a hit and loading the bases. He finally got a 5-4-3 DP and the Yanks won 8-2. CC goes tomorrow in the rubber game. Go Yanks!

No Strategy in Latest Loss

The Yanks were the victims of a bad call on a Johnny Damon double in first and things got flatter from there. Facing Roy Halladay, they obliged his every whim as they didn't grind, didn't have Gardner, Pena or Cash bunt, and didn't do anything else to get him off his game as he pitched a complete game against us. It doesn't seem like our team is managed. Meanwhile, Jeter was out with an oblique straint and Wang pitched six shutout innings in AAA. We should, and probably had better win the next two games. Go Yanks!

Have We Promised Curry?

There are rumors circling the internet that the Knicks have promised Stephen Curry that they will draft him eigth. I love Stephen Curry. He is a legitimately great shooter and passer and has a better handle than most guys who can shoot like he can. He's a willing defender who needs coaching, but he dragged an undertalented Davidson team all ove the place as a sophomore and a junior. He'd be a great fit for Coach D'Antoni. However; much as I love Steph, I would be uncomfortable taking him unless we had another first rounder or two. Perhaps we can trade for, or buy more. A side benefit of getting Curry, though, is the fact that he is one of LeBron's best friends. The lottery drawing is May 19th, we'll find out then if we're 8th. Go Knicks!

Damon Does It!

Johnny Damon got Joba off the hook and in the winner's circle with a 3 run shot in the seventh. Joba had another weird start, giving up 3 runs in the first, then being lights out for the next 5. It was a quality start but they have to fix those first innings. Cano is waking up and had a double and a homer. Tex had a homer in the first, then went hitless and walkless. Jeter had a couple of hits, and so did Frankie Cervelli who's doing a great job. Coke pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth, and Mo got the save. Tomorrow is an off day.

No Breaking Ball No Success

Terrible Defense, little command and no curveball got Phil Hughes out of the ball game after 7 runs and 1.2 innings tonight. See ya in Scranton, Phil.

Get Well Soon, IPK!

Yankee prospect Ian Kennedy has been shut down with and aneurysm they found under his pitching arm that was creating numbness in the fingers of his pitching hand. Ian will have surgery Monday and I wish him nothing but health and success as he returns to the mound. This is similar to the condition that made David Cone miss much of the `96 season and hopefully Coney will reach out to Ian. I hope he really undersands what's going on and is not scared.

CC! CERVELLI! AROD!

CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez arrived at the same time! CC just finished a complete game shutout of the Baltimore Orioles and he got all the help he needed from ARod who hit the first pitch he saw this year into the stands for a three run jack. It needs to be recognized that Frankie Cervelli caught his first full major league game, and not only did he get his first hit, take a walk and execute a sac bunt, but he threw out a runner in the first to break up the only thread the Orioles mounted, and called and caught a great game for our ace. We are not in as much trouble as people thing at Catcher. Cervelli is good. He has little power, but he gets on base and doesn't throw away at bats. Hughes goes tomorrow. Go Yanks!

This Guy's Back

LET'S ROCK!


UPDATE: AND HE HIT A 3-RUN JACK ON THE FIRST PITCH HE SAW THIS YEAR!

Yanks Lose

Andy and Mo couldn't keep the Rays in the park, so the Yanks lost again. They get ARod back tomorrow. Maybe that will wake them up. Go Yanks!

ARod Set to Return Tomorrow

If all goes well in EST today, ARod will start at 3rd against Baltimore tomorrow. Hopefully he'll be returning to a .500 team. Go Yanks!

Yanks Lose on Umpire Error in the 9th

The Yanks lost tonight when the first base umpire called Ramiro Pena out at first when he was safe. The correct call would have loaded the bases with 1 out instead of two, with Molina coming up. Molina's subsequent flyball would have won the game. Instead, former Yankee minor leaguer Carlos Pena homered in the top of the tenth, and Neither Mark Teixeira, nor Hideki Matsui could score Johnny Damon from third in the bottom of the tenth to re-tie the game. Tex had tied the game, earlier with a 3 run triple, but when he could have re-tied or won it, he popped up a cookie. The Yanks are now 1 game under .500. Maybe they can win tomorrow.

Back to .500

After Joba's down then up start, the Yanks could do nothing to pick him up. What's more the bullpen gifted the Red Sox with 3 more runs. Melancon and Robertson finally got to pitch, but Melancon, who got squeezed, walked the bases loaded, then Robertson got a K, got a flyball, and walked in a run on strike 3, before getting ground out to end the ninth with the Yanks down 7-3. Oh well, good thing it's on the first week of May. Rays show up tomorrow. Go Yanks!

A Tale of Two Starts

Wow, after giving up 4 runs before recording an out in the first, Joba K'd 12 over the next 4.2 innings without giving up another run. He K'd them with fastballs, curveball, sliders and a great change! The Yanks are down a run here in the bottom of the 6th and it's raining pretty hard. Hopefully, Joba will get a no decision. They have runners on second and third with 1 out. They need to score them! Go Yanks!

Cervelli Up!

The Yanks made the smart move when Posada went down and called up Frankie Cervelli. Cervelli is off to a bad start at Trenton, but that's all it is. Healthy, he has good patience and some doubles power. He's also a better, more dynamic defensive receiver behind the plate than Molina is. What's more, if he shows well, perhaps the Yanks can trade Molina when Po gets back. Go Yanks!

Po to the 15 Day DL

Jorge Posada has been put in the 15 day DL, for the hamstring he re-tweaked in the rain last night. Frankie Cervelli is the only other catcher on the 40 man roster and he's currently struggling with the bat at AA. That said, he's probably a better hitter than Molina and also better defensively. He lost development time last year after he broke his wrist in ST. He doesn take some walks, so maybe if he comes up and walks a bit, he'll help. Might as well get his feet wet. Go Yanks!

Yanks Lose

At least Tex hit two homers.

At Least His Velo is Coming Back

Well, Phil only lasted 4 innings tonight, after being squeezed like a rubber duck all night, and he did give up 3 earned runs. On the bright side, his velocity continues it's climb, and if the homeplate ump and Jose Molina had been better at their jobs tonight, he wouldn't have given up 3 earned runs. The Yanks are down 4-3 in the top of the sixth after exploding for 3 on back to back homers from Damon and Tex right after Joe Girardi was tossed from the game, for among other things, yelling about the strikezone and telling the ump that the Red Sox first base coach was tipping the catcher's location to the Red Sox hitters. Go Yanks!

Aceves Up

After getting his mojo back together in his last few AAA starts, Alfredo Aceves was recalled to the Yanks today. Aceves gives us a 6th starter and a long man who should take a lot of pressure of the pen. Anthony Claggett was sent down to make room for the former Mexican Leaguer. Go Yanks!

Naslund to Retire

Apparently, Marcus Naslund has told his teammates and the Rangers that he is retiring. He's had a very nice career, and his retirement comes at a good time for the capped up, but not quite out, Rangers. Naslund's retirements saves them 4M against the cap next year and should allow them to sign Dubinsky and Callahan. Still, there are more vets they need to dump and the chances of any of the others taking retirement are slim. Schoenfeld or Sather or whoever is in charge over there has to move a lot of money if they don't want more of the same next year. Go Rangers.

Yanks Lose

The Yanks didn't grind against a 30 year old journeyman, and got nothing from their 2,3,4,5 hitters today, so it's no surprise that they lost. CC pitched valiantly, but melted down in the 9th and the pen did not help him. The Yanks staged a mini rally in the bottom of the 9th changing the final score from 8-1 to 8-4. Usually such comebacks portend good offense the next day, so we'll see. Go Yanks!

Cano Ends His Streak

Robbie Cano just ended his 18 game hitting streak by swinging at a ball and creating his 4th ground out of the game. He turned down at least one walk and maybe more today and needs to get back to only swinging at strikes.