Game 100: Yankees at Indians

So I came back in from my run, showered, turned on my TV at 7:15 and missed nothing. Turns out there was a rain delay. Looks like the tarp is off but apparently they're waiting an hour before starting. Here's the lineups:

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada DH
Curtis Granderson CF
Francisco Cervelli C
Brett Gardner LF

Indians
Trevor Crowe CF
Asdrubal Cabrera SS
Shin-Soo Choo RF
Carlos Santana C
Travis Hafner DH
Austin Kearns LF
Matt LaPorta 1B
Andy Marte 3BJ
ason Donald 2B

History in the Making....still: A-Rod's 22nd at bat since his last home run will pass Willie Mays' mark the longest time any player has taken to go from 599 to 600 home runs.
A.J. the Stopper: CC Sabathia lost his first game since May 23 so it's up to A.J. to right the ship and prevent the losing streak.

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Game 95: Yankees vs Royals (A-Rod 600 HR Watch)

Yankees
Brett Gardner LF
Derek Jeter SS
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Francisco Cervelli C
Colin Curtis RF

Royals
TBD


Milestone watch: As many of you already know, A-Rod is on the brink of history to join an exclusive club as he is sitting on 599 career home runs, one shy of 600. Only 6 players have ever hit 600 home runs and A-Rod would be the seventh. While there's alot of controversy that has surrounded A-Rod over the last year-and-a-half expect the media coverage to be, well, Bonds-like.
Psycho: A.J. Burnett makes his first start since his Saturday afternoon meltdown in which he cut his hand smacking a glass window in the clubhouse and had to be taken out of the game for it. Burnett has had a dissapointing season (7-8, 4.99) and needs to pitch better.
Swish Scratched: Nick Swisher was scratched from the lineup with a sore achilles. Sounds like a precautionary thing to me.
Dejesus Out: Royals outfielder and a local Jersey Shore high school product David Dejesus is out for the season to undergo surgery on a torn ligament in his right thumb. DeJesus has been a topic of trade speculation lately, especially with the Yankees as a fourth outfielder.

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Well, That Sucked

As Brett Gardner leaped into the air and robbed Alex Gonzalez of an extra base hit in the eighth inning, it appeared that the Yankees were catching all the breaks to seal a 1-0 victory. But Joba Chamberlain allowed a two-out single to Aaron Hill, which knocked in Jose Bautista, who walked earlier in the inning to tie the game 1-1.

Gonzalez came up again in the eleventh, and this time singled off David Robertson with the bases loaded to give the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead, and eventually win the game, 6-1.

The win snaps a five-game losing streak for the Blue Jays, but the loss for the Yankees makes it three losses in their last four days.

A.J. Burnett gave the Yankees what they were looking for, going seven innings without allowing a run, but it was the Yankees bats that were absent. After Alex Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning the Yankees couldn't muster up any offense the rest of the game.

Their best chance came in the bottom of the third when Brett Cecil loaded the bases with nobody out, but got out of the jam by striking out A-Rod, Robinson Cano, and getting Jorge Posada to groundout.

After Joba blew the game, the Yankees bullpen couldn't match the Blue Jays' pen's effort as Robertson gave up the go-ahead single and Chan Ho "white flag" Park gave up a bases loaded walk and triple to give the Jays a 6-1 lead.

Andy Pettitte takes the mound tomorrow, but the question is, will the Yankees offense finally show up this week?

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Get the Fireworks Out Early!

A.J. Burnett just threw two scoreless innings! That's the first time he's done that since May 30, wow! Let's see if he can make it three!!

Obviously I've been frustrated with A.J. so I'm being a bit facetious (I think that's the right word). Yankees lead 1-0 in the top of the third, we'll use this as our game post.

P.S. Any explanation for a 1:05 start on a Friday?

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Seriously, A.J.?

I'm probably going to be asleep before the end of this game, but A.J. Burnett threw another stinker today and the Yankees will most likely lose this one. There has to be a real cause for concern with him. I mean, it's gotten to the point where if the playoffs started tomorrow, I'd rather see, gulp, Javier Vazquez, formerly known as Public Enemy Number 1, starting in the playoffs over A.J. Burnett. And with the money Burnett's getting paid there's no reason why he shouldn't be starting in the playoffs.

In other news, Phil Hughes, who's been maybe the best pitcher all season, is being skipped a start so they can manage his innings limit. I see the Yankees learned from last year, when they started skipping Joba's starts in August and limiting him to three to four innings the games he did pitch...which was just stupid. It's better to skip his turn now then down the stretch of the season.

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Game 5 A.J. Showed Up

I wasn't closely following this game so I'll just go over a few things on my mind.

• In a World Series rematch, the Yankees were hoping for Game 2 A.J. to show up and shutdown the Phillies. Instead he woke up a slumping offense by pitching more like the A.J. Burnett that got lit up in Game 5. I don't remember the last time Burnett had a solid start. April maybe?
• The good news is the bullpen did a fine job today. Boone Logan and Chad Gaudin were able to shut the Phillies down and keep the Yankees in the game. The Yankees ninth inning rally fell just short as Lidge struck out Posada who represented the tying run.
• What can I say about Robinson Cano? Did you see the home run he hit? It hasn't landed yet. The guy is on fire and it's safe to say he is the best second baseman in the league right now. Maybe even best hitter? Definitely in the discussion.

Tomorrow

Andy Pettitte vs Kyle Kendrick 7:05 p.m. Yankee Stadium

See Ya!

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Cano and Co.

We apologize for not getting a post game post last night...it's finals time so it makes us kind of busy. But as you've probably heard, Robinson Cano and A.J. Burnett led the Yankees over the Orioles in a 4-0 win yesterday. Cano had three hits, including two home runs to provide the offense for the Yankees, while Burnett threw eight scoreless innings and struck out four.

Marcus Thames, the man who couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat during spring training, had three hits and an RBI yesterday. That gives him 10 hits in 17 at bats (.588) for the season.

I still can't get over how good Cano has been. Historically, he's a slow starter that doesn't start finding his groove until June, but the fact that he has eight home runs and is hitting a league-leading .407 in April has me all giddy for the rest of the season. I know it's early, and A-Rod and Tex haven't done jack**** but Cano has been the team MVP of April, and I wouldn't be surprised if you hear his name and MVP in the same sentence come September. Hopefully he doesn't cool off and continues to have what is looking like a great season.

Oh, and how about A.J. Burnett? Just another day at work, throwing 8 innings of shutout ball, improving to 3-0, and bringing the ERA down to 2.43. I know the Orioles suck, but when he is on, he's as good as any other pitcher in the league.

Today

Yankees vs White Sox (finally a home game)

Pettitte (2-0) vs Garcia (0-2)

Photo from NJ.com

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Burnett Blanks Rangers

TEX 3 8 1
NYY 7 13 0

WP: Burnett (2-0)
LP: Feldman (1-1)

Player of the Game: A.J. Burnett. Burnett threw 7 scoreless innings giving up six hits and striking out seven. Burnett now has two wins after a mediocre outing against Boston to start the season.

Play of the Game: I'll give this one to A-Rod's home run, which put him ahead of Mark McGwire on the all-time home run list.

Turning Point of the Game: Derek Jeter's third inning home run. The two-run shot put the Yankees up 6-0 and there was no way the Rangers were getting back in the game after that.

Notes:

• Alfredo Aceves gave up a three-run home run to AL home run leader Nelson Cruz.
• Mark Teixeira finally did something with a broken bat RBI single in the second inning. It amazed me how people really thought A-Rod's return made Teixeira better last year. He's historically a slow starter. Also, once A-Rod starts heating up Tex will too.
• Jorge Posada got his 1,500th hit in the third inning.
• The Yankees have won their first four series this season. They only other team to have done that at this point (5:13 on April 17) are the Minnesota Twins. I know it's early, but this team really looks like it can be an unstoppable machine. Just think...A-Rod and Tex haven't even started heating up yet.

Tomorrow

Yankees vs Rangers

Pettitte vs Harden

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Game 2: Yankees at Red Sox

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Johnson DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Nick Swisher RF
Marcus Thames LF
Curtis Granderson CF
RHP A.J. Burnett

Boston
Ellsbury LF
Pedroia 2B
Martinez C
Youkilis 1B
Ortiz DH
Beltre 3B
Drew RF
Cameron CF
Scutaro SS
LHP Jon Lester

Lineups via Chad Jennings and former Yankee beat writer PeteAbe

A.J. the first: Last season A.J. Burnett delivered the Yankees first win of the season with a strong performance against the Orioles. He was the winning pitcher for their first World Series win last season too. He'll take the mound tonight at Fenway to try and give them their first regular season win of 2010
Thames is In: Marcus Thames will be playing leftfield tonight over Brett Gardner. With the left Lester on the mound, Thames has good numbers against lefties.
Who's Available?: The Yankees used four pitchers Sunday out of the bullpen, including a 30-pitch performance by Joba Chamberlain. However, all are expected to be available tonight, including Joba and Damaso Marte, who had been battling shoulder issues during spring training.

UPDATE 9:20: Jim: How many times do you think Brett Gardner has pinch-hit in his life?

UPDATE 9:41: Jim: Nick Johnson is doing everything they said he would do so far.

UPDATE 9:43: Jim: Nice play by Ellsbury. Info on Johnson via Sweeney Murti: Wondering how long Nick Johnson can go without a hit before people notice. 9 PAs, OBP=.444, but BA=.000.

UPDATE 9:46: Jim: It's okay, A-Rod is saving his clutchness for the postseason.

UPDATE 9:53: It's Jim the rest of the way unless we say otherwise: The new YES graphics are nice, but I think Kay likes them a bit too much.

UPDATE 9:57: Aceves does a great job out of the 'pen. He's the modern version of Ramiro Medoza.

UPDATE 10:02: That man was extremely happy to catch that ground rule double.

UPDATE 10:26: Very interesting that Girardi brings in Robertson in the 8th inning against the middle of the order. But Joba is warming up.

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World Series Game 2: Yankees vs Phillies

YANKEES
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Jerry Hairston RF
Melky Cabrera CF
Jose Molina C
Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (0-0, 4.42 ERA in postseason)

PHILLIES
Jimmy Rollins SS
Shane Victorino CF
Chase Utley 2B
Ryan Howard 1B
Jayson Werth
Ibanez LF
Matt Stairs DH
Pedro Feliz 3B
Carlos Ruiz C
Pitching: RHP Pedro Martinez (0-0, 0.00 ERA in postseason)
TIME/TV: 7:57 p.m., FOX

Power of the Pie: A.J. Burnett is pitching today. The last two home playoff games he pitched in ended in walk-offs. However in Game 5 vs the Angels he went 6 innings giving up 6 runs with a no decision.
Swishalish-less: Nick Swisher is on the bench and Jerry Hiarston Jr. will be taking his place. Swisher has been struggling to keep a .100 batting average and Hairston has good number's against that clown on the mound tonight.
Who's Your Daddy?: Speaking of that clown...Pedro Martinez makes his new Yankee Stadium debut. The old enemy is 11-11 against the Yankees in his career including a 1-2 record in the postseason. If you havn't heard the latest ridiculous remarks Pedro has made you can find it all here. Basically you can't call him a man until you have eaten rice and beans with him and he claims he is the most influential person to play at Yankee Stadium. There's a little more on the Zimmer incident in there too.
Empire State of Mind: So I just watched the Jay-Z and Alicia Keyes performance and I thought the player reactions were priceless. Jeter and Joba bobbing their heads was pretty funny and awesome to see,

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GAME 5 ALCS: Yankees at Angels

YANKEES
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Melky Cabrera CF
Jose Molina C
Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (0-0, 2.19 ERA in postseason)

ANGELS
Chone Figgins 3B
Bobby Abreu RF
Torii Hunter CF
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Kendry Morales 1B
Maicer Izturis 2B
Juan Rivera LF
Jeff Mathis C
Erick Aybar SS
Pitching: RHP John Lackey (1-1, 1.38 ERA in postseason)

TIME/TV: 7:57 p.m., FOX

For the Pennant: The Yankees can clinch their 40th pennant tonight, and their first since 2003 with a win. To do that, A.J. Burnett will take the mound for the Yankees while the offense will face John Lackey.
A-Mazing: Alex Rodriguez has driven in 11 RBI this postseason, and at least one in ever game. The franchise record is held by Scott Brosius (98) and Bernie Williams (96).
They've been here before: Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, and Andy Pettitte were all on teh 2004 team (that's as far as I'll go explaining what happened). They know nothing has been won and have probably been itching to get back to this point the last six years.

As always Jim will be tweeting @jgeant and I may or may not be tweeting @KaysSuccessors. I've been slacking off on my tweeting since school started and I hate doing it from my phone because it kills my battery and I don't get good service in my room.

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Guzman Added, Hinske Dropped

Joe Girardi announced today that Freddy Guzman will be on the roster and that he will be replacing Eric Hinske's spot. Also A.J. Burnett was officially announced as the Game 2 starter and Andy Pettitte will pitch Game 3. Girardi continues to keep everyone on their feet as a Game 4 starter is still yet to be announced.

I really like this move out of Girardi. The Angels are a very fast team and the only way to beat them may be to make their greatest strength a strength of ours as well. Hinske would only have been used in a pinch-hitting situation, which is highly unlikely considering the Yankees lineup. With Guzman on the bench, that gives you him, Gardner (or Gardy as Girardi calls him), and even Jerry Hairston Jr. as possible pinch-runner options. This also leads me to believe Gardner will get a start in the ALCS too, now that they have an extra pinch runner.

As far as Burnett pitching Game 2, Molina will most likely catch him again although I do not think Girardi has made that official. Although you lose Posada's bat, Molina will be twice as important because if Burnett is walking guys, they will steal and Molina's arm is much better than Posada's.

Lastly, the one thing on everybody's mind before we begin the ALCS tommorow is the weather. Heavy rains are expected the entire weekend (it evened snowed today in Connecticut). Friday there appears to be a window in which the game can be played, but Saturday is very questionable. The Yankees would not want to have a rainout because it would allow them to use Sabathia three times in this series should it go to seven games. Also, with the games being broadcasted on FOX, if they cancel a game and it is replayed Sunday there will be a conflict with the football games. All I can say is hopefully the rain is light and they can play through it or else the entire ALCS schedule is going to have to be remodeled.

Also, those who have tickets for Games 1 and 2 must use their tickets for the game that they bought. So if Game 1 is pushed back to Saturday night, fans with tickets for Game 1 would go Saturday and fans with Game 2 tickets would go Sunday. I hace tickets for Game 2 and the easiest thing for my travel plans would be for them to play the game Saturday night. But the MLB loves screwing me over with playoff tickets so who knows.

Anyway that's all the news out of Yankeeland today. Seems like I wrote a lot so I'll try and find a picture of Freddy Guzman to make this post look better.

Now, back to writing a paper on the bioethics of human cloning!!! (Don't ask me why a journalism major is required to take 7 credits of science).

(Note from Jim: It may have snowed in Connecticut, but it hasn't snowed more than a couple of minutes yet in Syracuse, and none of it's stuck. Unfortunately, however, I haven't seen the sun in over a week.)
See Ya!

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California Dreamin'

YANKEES (96-56)
Jeter SS
Hairston 3B
Teixeira 1B
Matsui DH
Duncan RF
Cano 2B
Cabrera LF
Gardner CF
Molina C

Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (11-9, 4.22).

ANGELS (90-61)
Figgins 3B
Aybar SS
Abreu RF
Hunter CF
Morales 1B
Rivera LF
Kendrick 2B
Matthews RF
Napoli C

Pitching: LHP Scott Kazmir (9-8, 5.08).

TIME/TV: 3:35, YES.

Sorry for the late post, sometimes that "going to class" thing gets in the way of the important things.

So the Yankees FINALLY won a game in LA with a sac fly by A-Rod in the 9th inning. And right now it is 0-0 in the 4th inning in a match up of Scott Kazmir and AJ Burnett. The Yankees also clinched a playoff spot.

UPDATE 4:50: This isn't like a Yankees Classic right because I didn't think Cano got hits with runners in scoring position anymore.

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