NYCurve Yankees Blog

Yankees Avoid Sweep

The Yankees avoided the sweep against the Royals today, in solid performance by several players. Andy Pettitte started and was able to lead the Yanks to victory with only 1 run allowed in over 6 innings of pitching. It is good to see Pettitte finally get some good back into his life. Skipper Girardi later said,

“Andy knows how to win big games, I don’t know if I would call this a big game, but you don’t want to be swept at the start of an eight-game road trip.”

That is definetely true and I think that this game also shows that Pettitte will still be able to concentrate and pitch like he did before this past offseason’s clamor. After Pettitte were Joba and Rivera, both who had a couple more good performances as each didn’t allow a run. Joba and Rivera have been solid this season and I believe that they are the best 1-2 punch in all of baseball for the 8th and 9th innings.

Another bright spot last night was the Yankee offense, which finally scored more than a few runs. It still wasn’t too many, but its a start. I said that the first time the Yanks scored 6 this season and we ended up going back into the offensive slump again, but hopefully this time it will be different. The Bombers ended with 12 hits, including home runs by Alex Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera, and Jorge Posada.

It’d be great if the Yanks can keep this momentum going into the upcoming road games, especially the next three, which are against the BoSox. Game one of the series starts tomorrow at 7:05EST. Clay Buchholz will face the Yanks for the first time. Pitching for the Bombers is Chien-Ming Wang. The game will be aired on YES.

The Yankee Future

Today was another step towards the day when boss George is no longer atop the Yankee empire. Hank and Hal were named the co-chairpersons of the organization today, and their sisters and mother were are now the vice chairpersons. Big Stein is now under the title of chairperson, instead of chairman. In terms of control this probably won’t change anything, but it is a step towards the sad day when the greatest owner in sports history leaves his throne.

Royals Win in Bad Weather

Rain was in the forecast today, so manger Joe Girardi took Ian Kennedy out of the starting role and put in Brian Bruney instead. It ended up raining during the game, but the umpires let the teams play through it. Bruney pitched 2 scoreless innings in his first career start, and ended the day with four strike outs. Billy Traber followed up with a scoreless inning and after him both Farnsworth and Kennedy pitched 2 innings a piece, allowing 2 runs each as well. Zack Grienke, the Royals starter for the day, pitched eight scoreless innings before being taken out. He looked great against the Yankees as our offensive troubles continued.

The Royals ended up winning the game 4-0, as the Bombers weren’t able to score a single run. The team ended with 7 hits. This offense really needs to start scoring soon because the pitching is doing fine so far, so with the offensive compliment we can really do some damage.

Hopefully they can get the ball rolling against the Royals tomorrow. The game is at 8:10 EST and will be aired on YES. Andy Pettitte will make his second start and John Bale will start for KC.

Royals Beat Yankees, 5-2

The Yankees are back at .500 (4-4) after losing to the Royals today. Conditions were horrible for pitchers, with a lot of wind. Phil Hughes only pitched for three innings, allowing three runs and six hits in the process. Ross Ohlendorf came in for another three innings after Hughes, and gave up four hits and two runs. BIlly Traber and LaTroy Hawkins both pitched a scoreless inning each after that.

The Yankee offense was not able to overcome the 5 runs put up by Kansas City. They combined for seven hits and only two runs. Alex Rodriguez had a notably bad day with four strikeouts. Tomorrow is the rematch against the Royals at 8:10 EST. Ian Kennedy will face off against Zack Greinke. The game will be aired on YES.

Mussina Leads Yanks to Victory

The Yankees beat the Rays today, ending the 4 game series with 2 wins and 2 losses. Mike Mussina started and had a wonderful day, pitching 6 innings and allowing only 2 hits/1 run. With this win Moose tied Bob Gibson on the all time wins list. He used a variety of pitches and was able to get some nice outs. Reliving Mussina were Brian Bruney and Kyle Farnsworth. Both pitched an inning of hitless ball before making way for LaTroy Hawkins, who would close. Hawkins allowed one hit, but ended the ninth without giving up any runs. He left with the W.

On the other side of the ball things finally seem to be picking up. The Yankees scored 6 runs today and combined for a total of 11 hits. Bobby Abreu had a great night, going 3 for 3 including a home run off of Jason Hammel.

The biggest news of the day was probably Derek Jeter (although Mussina’s day was big too.) Jeter left before the third inning after feeling something in his leg. It had been bothering him last Sunday, so he didn’t want to take any chances last night. An MRI later revealed that it was a minor strain, meaning Jeter won’t be placed of the DL, although he may miss a few days. And with that the ‘A Rod to shortstop?’ question began…

It is possible since we now have Ensberg, who used to play 3rd base for the Astros. If it happens it probably won’t be a big deal (atleast to me), since Jeter should be returning in a week or two.

The Yankees will head out to Kansas to play the Royals next. The game is at 4:10 EST tomorrow and it will be aired on YES. We will get to see Phil Hughes start again, this time against Brian Bannister.

Finally Beat the Rays

The Yankees got their first win against the Rays this season, in a 2-0 shutout. The offense is still struggling, but the defense looked stellar today. Chien-Ming Wang started and had an excellent day, getting 6 Ks and only allowing 4 hits in over 6 innings pitched. He left with the win as his record improves to 2-0. Joba Chamberlain came in to relieve and pitched two innings of hitless ball, with one strikeout. Rivera closed, pitching a hitless ninth as he recorded his third save of the year. So far this year both Joba and Mariano Rivera have been stellar. The rest of the defense looked great too, particularly in the seventh when Robinson Cano and Joba worked together to get the team out of a jam.

On the other side of the ball it was the same as it has been so far this year. The Yankees were able to get nine hits, but only capitalized once, during a two run shot by Matsui.

Girardi was back for this game and was pleased with the outcome. Tomorrow is the last of a four-game series against the Rays. The game will be at 7:05pm EST and will be aired on both ESPN2 and YES. Moose will take the mound for the Yanks, as Jason Hammel starts for the Rays.