Offense finally wakes up as CC earns 16th win

Finally. After attending last night's game in the awful humidity and watching the Yankees offense look anemic against Max Scherzer the Yankees offense finally woke up tonight against Justin Verlander of all people.

After Sabathia led off the game surrendering a home run by Austin Jackson things looked bleak for the Bronx Bombers in the beginning. But Nick Swisher hit a two-run single in first to give the Yankees the lead and they never looked back.

Curtis Granderson hit a solo home run off his former team and has been hitting the ball much better since Kevin Long worked with him to make some changes with his swing. Granderson is going to be a key piece down the road for the Yanks so the more production out of him the better.

CC Sabathia had a solid outing going seven innings while striking out nine and allowing three runs.

Robinson Cano capitalized in the cleanup spot with his 22nd home run of the season.

So good things all around, right? Well, not so much.

First, the Rays won, so they're still tied in first and the Red Sox won too so they're not separating themselves from them.

Second, Andy Pettitte had an MRI today on his left groin and it revealed that there was still a strain so he won't be back untill September.

Finally, A-Rod had an MRI on his calf today andd it revealed a minor strain and he should remain day-to-day.

All we can do now is hope the Yankees offense is out of this funk and can keep them ahead of the Rays until Pettitte comes back.

Read more...

Jorge Feeling Grand

HOU 5 8 1

NYY 9 9 1

WP: Hughes (9-1)

LP: Moehller (0-1)

Player/Play/Turning Point of the Game: Jorge Posada pulled off the trifecta and is awarded all three of these with just one swing of the bat. Posada hit a grand slam to put the Yankees up 7-1 in the sixth inning. It was his second grand slam in as many days after not hitting a grand slam since 2004. Despite a comeback from the Astros this hit really put them out of the game and had a long ways to get back into it.

Notes

• Chad Huffman must have enjoyed his debut. He singled, walked, and even reached base on a strikeout.
• Robinson Cano hit his 100th career home run which tied the game at 1-1 at the time.
• Ramiro Pena did a nice job filling in for A-Rod. He made a nice diving play and also hit a two-RBI bloop single to put them up 3-1.
• As I type this the Rays are losing in the ninth 6-1. If that score holds, the Yankees move into a first place tie with the Rays.

Tomorrow

OFF

See Ya!

Read more...

Game 21: Yankees at Orioles

Lineups via Chd Jennings:

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

Orioles
Adam Jones CF
Nick Markakis RF
Matt Wieters C
Miguel Tejeda 3
BLuke Scott DH
Ty Wigginton 2B
Rhyne Hughes 1B
Nolan Reimold LF
Cesar Izturis SS
LHP Brian Matusz

League Leader: Cano has been on an absolute tear to start the season. He leads the league in hitting with a .390 batting average and hit his sixth home run of the season last night.
Rubber Game: The Yanks are going out against the Orioles best pitcher (Matusz) to try and avoid their second consecutive series loss.
Jorge Update: Posada is available as only a pinch-hitter for tonight.

Read more...

Yankees 6- Rays 2

HEY BUDDY!

Yankees 6 12 0
Rays 2 6 1

WP: Chamberlain (7-2)
LP: Garza (7-8)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Duh, it's Joba Chamberlain. The right hander went 8 innings, and allowed only 3 hits and 2 walks, while shutting out the tough Rays lineup.

Image by Keith Allison via Flickr

PLAY OF THE GAME: Mark Teixeira's catch of the line drive off the bat of Dioner Navaro to save a double down the line.

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME: Robinson Cano's home run in the 6th inning that gave the Yankees a 3-0 lead, which was all that Joba needed.

GAME NOTES:

• There's no other way to say it, but right now, Brian Bruney sucks. He can't get people out consistently and tonight, he cost Mariano a night off.
• Unlike Bruney, Joba Chamberlain is pitching as good as he ever has as a starter. Since the break, he has now allowed only 2 runs in 21.2 innings of work over his last 3 starts.
• Oakland is beating Boston 8-5 in the bottom of the 8th, so if that score holds the Yankees will move 3.5 games ahead of the BoSox and 7.5 ahead of the Rays with 61 games left on the schedule.

TOMORROW:
Yankees at White Sox, 8:11 PM Eastern at Comiskey Park (I will always call it that, no matter what)
Andy Pettitte vs Gavin Floyd


SEE YA!

Read more...