Yankees Tie Reds, Beat Tigers, Lose to Rays

Posted on March 15, 2008 by Yankees Blogger

The Yanks tied the Reds yesterday 7 to 7. Phil Hughes had a rough outing, allowing nine hits and four runs in the 2 2/3 innings he pitched. Coming into the game he was solid, retiring 18 of the 20 batters he had faced. Everyone has an off-day sometimes, and this shouldn’t be something that lasts. After his outing Hughes said:

“I wasn’t behind every hitter, that was tough but it’s better to get it out of the way now than later. It’s one of those things I have to battle through.”

The Bombers still ended up tying the Reds (thanks to good offense in the first 3 innings, notably Alex Rodriguez’s home run), through ten innings. The game was stopped due to rain and no one really cared since its only spring training.
Also yesterday punishments were issued for the conflict that cleared the benches last Wednesday. Shelley and Melky Cabrera both got a 3 game suspension. Mr. football player, Jonny Gomes of the Rays, got 2 days. I really think Gomes should have got more days considering he flat out tackled Shelley, which is what led to the clearing of the benches and more conflict. The Cabrera suspension was also a surprise, but the league said that he threw a punch during the upheaval. Both Cabrera and Duncan are appealing their suspensions. Joe Girardi was initially going to get suspended too, but the mediators decided against it, reducing his punishment to a fine.

Moving onto today’s games: the Yanks rolled past the Tigers, in their first meeting this year, but lost to the Rays. We had a great offensive game against the Tigers, with 17 hits and 11 runs. We went on to play the Rays later, where we lost in a very peaceful game. The players were less aggressive than usual due to the recent flares between the two teams.

Up next are the Indians at 1:15 EST tomorrow (it will be aired of YES). It will be the first meeting between the two teams since last year’s sad ending.

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Moose Looks Great In Loss to Pirates

Posted on March 13, 2008 by Yankees Blogger

Moose pitched 5 perfect innings against Pittsburgh today. He threw 64 pitches and struck out two. If today was an indication of anything to come then this should be a great season for Moose as well as the Yanks because if Mussina can stay solid that means we basically have 4 reliable starters for the post season. That’s a big if, considering Moose’s age (he turns 40 this year!), but he really showed that he’s still got it in today’s outing.

The Yanks weren’t able to hang to the win though, as Jeff Karstens had a tough day which led to the team losing it’s lead in the eighth. The big story of today was not really Karstens or Moose though, it was Billy Crystal. The actor and comedian was given the opportunity to start off today’s game as lead-off hitter (as DH) as a present for his 60th birthday. The 10,000 plus at Legends Field cheered loudly and many gave a standing ovation as he came onto the field. His words afterwards:

“It was unbelievable”

It probably was. That is certainly one of those once in a lifetime opportunities, and most people including famous celebrities like Crystal would be excited by it. Some saw the event as a publicity stunt for the Yankees, but the organization has said it was just for fun. And that it was, a lot of people seemed to have a good time at today’s game and its moments like these that sometimes bring back the joy to baseball in a league which is often too business-like.

Hopefully today’s event was good for the players. The games continue tomorrow, as the Yankees take on the Reds once more (at 1:15EST.)

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Another Crazy Game With the Rays

Posted on March 12, 2008 by Yankees Blogger

It happened again. Another conflict between the Yanks and Rays in today’s spring training game. This is crazy because we’re only two games in spring training and these teams are already neck and neck; this will certainly be an interesting season. Today’s cause of conflict: a slide by Shelley Duncan into second where it was questionable whether or not he intentionally slide in a way so that his spikes were up high going towards Akinori Iwamura. Tampa right fielder Jonny Gomes then tackled Shelley and the benches were cleared. Shelley and Gomes got ejected as did Bobby Meacham and Kevin Long.

All of this happened in the second. The first had a moment of rush as well, but not as much so I decided to talk about it after the big story. Anyway, Andy Pettitte was not able to start today because of irritation in his left elbow (Girardi said he should be good by his next scheduled start.) So instead, Heath Phillips got some playing time, but he was quickly ejected after a ball grazed the shirt of Evan Longoria. Girardi had complained and both benches were given warnings then (they obviously didn’t stick.)

Yanks ended up losing this one 7 to 6 with both teams in fury over another hectic game. Up next are the Pirates at 1:15pm EST tomorrow.

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A Pair of Wins

Posted on March 11, 2008 by Yankees Blogger

The Yankees shut out the Cincinnati Reds yesterday (4 to 0) and beat the Blue Jays 6 to 1 today. A Rod’s swing is starting to pick up already as he got 2 hits and an RBI yesterday and hit a 2 run home run today. He was a bit rusty coming into yesterday’s game defensively because he had been playing DH for a few games due to a sore right shoulder. He said he is no longer in pain, but he isn’t throwing at full capacity just yet because he wants to ease back into it instead of risking an injury. Posada also played a little yesterday after having a similar soreness as Rodriguez. He went one for three, getting his first hit of the spring.

Joba was the starter vs. the Reds. He ended up pitching two and a third scoreless innings before being taken out. 31 of his 49 pitches were strikes. Rivera got some more pitching  time too, ending up pitching a perfect fourth. So far he has been perfect against the 6 batters he has faced this spring. Today’s game was started by Chien-Ming Wang, who allowed 2 hits and no runs in the 3 2/3 innings he pitched. Farnsworth pitched for an inning today too, allowing one hit and no runs.

Things are looking good for the Yankees. This spring some of our duds are also playing well, but then again its spring. We’ll see how things continue on into the season. Next up for the Yanks are the Rays at 1:05pm EST tomorrow. Should be a good one and I wonder if the Cervelli incident will come up again.

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Hughes Looking Great

Posted on March 9, 2008 by Yankees Blogger

Phil Hughes started today against the Twins and had a great game. In four innings he didn’t allow any runs and retired the first 9 batters. He showed good control and was able to place the ball where he wanted. After the game, Girardi said:

“He’s doing everything that he has to do to be successful, it seems he’s growing as a pitcher.”

Even Ron Gardenhire (the Twins’ skipper) complemented Hughes:

“He’s got good stuff. He’s as advertised. I thought he did what we try to get our guys do, and that’s pitch.”

So, Johan who? Ok maybe its too early to say that, but I really think that Hughes will be better for us in the long run. He has the dedication, work ethic, and talent to become a great pitcher.

Hughes was taken out after the fourth and Kei Igawa was put in. Surprisingly Igawa was not his horrible self, not allowing any hits today (although he did walk 3). He was in for two innings. We ended up winning 6-4 and our Spring training record improves to 4-4.

Just a quick recap of yesterday’s game, which I haven’t written about yet:

We ended up losing to the Rays 4 to 1. Moose started and allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings. The main story of the day was a collision between Yankee catcher Francisco Cervelli and Rays’ Elliot Johnson that led to Cervelli’s wrist being broken. Johnson lowered his shoulder and ran into Cervelli; it was definetely uncalled for considering it’s Spring training. Girardi is furious, but Don Zimmer came out today and said he doesn’t understand why Girardi is mad. I wonder why, maybe it has something to do with the fact that one of his players got injured in a game that doesn’t count for either team?

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More Spring Training

Posted on March 8, 2008 by Yankees Blogger

Now we’re on a losing streak. It’s not a big deal because its Spring training and the reason why we lost is because we certainly aren’t playing our best players all the time since Girardi (like every manager) is testing out the other guys too.

On the 6th we lost to the Reds, 8 to 12. Wang had a bad start, being pulled in the first after allowing 6 runs. He later said:

“My stride was too long, my ball was not moving. I’ll fix it quick.”

It isn’t something to worry about as long as it doesn’t continue. A lot of players come into Spring training a little rusty. Just look at Barry Zito. I know he’s not what he used to be, but I doubt he will be repping an ERA of over 100 all season.
Yesterday we lost to the Astros, 9 to 5. Jose Veras and Steven White both allowed 2 runs late in the game, which gave the Astros the win. Rivera made an appearance in the 4th and struck out two, throwing all strikes except for one. Shelley’s streak is over, going 0 for 3 in his last at-bats.

In other Spring Training news, a few of our players have minor injuries. It isn’t anything serious and they would probably play through them had it been the regular season, but since it isn’t they are taking it easy by playing less. Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada both have a similar problem in their right lats with soreness. Matsui, who hasn’t played in a game this Spring, is having problems with his right knee, but is expected to play soon.

Next up are the Devil Rays, at 1:15EST today; the game will be broadcasted on YES if anyone wants to watch it.

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First Loss of Spring Training

Posted on March 5, 2008 by Yankees Blogger

Well it was bound to happen; we got our first loss of Spring training today against the Twins. Ian Kennedy started, but didn’t have a great outing, allowing a home run in the second. Joba got some pitching time later too, but it wasn’t his day either. He ended up giving up two hits, walked a player, and hit one in the two innings he was out. Everyone has their off days. Chamberlain later said:

“It was just one of those days. You live and learn. It’s bound to happen.”

Shelley continued his excellence today, with yet another home run (this time a solo shot.) His batting average so far this Spring (in four games) is .636 and he has two homers and 9 RBIs! Hopefully he can keep that up and carry the momentum into the season, even though we are a bit away from that right now.

Tomorrow it’s the Reds, in Cinci at 1:05pm EST

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5 Perfect Innings

Posted on March 4, 2008 by Yankees Blogger

Today the Yankees took on the Blue Jays in Toronto and again looked very strong. The game was cut short due to rain, so only 5 innings were played. Phil Hughes, Scott Patterson, Kei Igawa and Billy Traber pitched a perfect 5 innings (yes that’s not a typo, Igawa was part of it; in fact he pitched more than the rest with 2 innings today and a combined 13 strikes for 18 pitches.) A lot of our starters didn’t get much playing time with many of the AAA guys out there today. Shelley was in for a little bit and manged to get another RBI today before he was taken out. He is having a great Spring training so far.  This has been a nice start to training and hopefully we can continue it and play similarly when the games that count come around.

Tomorrow there is a quick intrasquad game as well as one against the Minnesota Twins at 1:15pm

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7-6 Vs. Astros

Posted on March 3, 2008 by Yankees Blogger

It has been a great start for the Yankees so far. They won again today, this time against the Astros. It is not just the winning, but seeing guys who are iffy stepping up. Sure its just Spring training, but its still a preview of what might be coming. Who stepped up today? Arguably the guys who we need the most to step up this year: the relievers. Steven Jackson, Dan McCutchen and Mark Melancon all got some relief time (total of 3 innings) and they were all successful in keeping the Astros from scoring and taking the lead. Moose was the starter, but Jeff Karstens got the win in a good effort today (he pitched three scoreless innings.)

Yankees in Toronto tomorrow, game starts at 1:05pm EST

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7-7 Vs. Phillies

Posted on March 2, 2008 by Yankees Blogger

Today the Yankees tied the Phillies in their second spring training game, 7 to 7. Pettitte started and said he felt lousy the first inning, but he was better in the second. He didn’t look too distracted from all of the Mitchell madness, so I think he will be fine going into the regular season.

The other big story today was the first basemen. I was really too fast jumping at the conclusion that Shelley will take the 1st baseman position. I just got caught up in the excitement. Today’s performances by the first basemen put them right up there with Shelley in terms of how good they look this Spring. Giambi and Lane both homered in todays game which makes 4 of the top 5 candidates (Duncan, Betemit, Giambi, and Lane) for first baseman having homered in the first two games. That’s one of those good problems to have.

Up next are the Astros (tomorrow at 1:05pm EST)

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