A-Rod Still Stuck On 599

The Yankees loss 7-4 this afternoon to the Kansas City Royals and Alex Rodriguez is still sitting on 599 home runs. While Sergio Mitre struggled to keep the Yankees in the game, Mark Teixiera's bat was able to do enough damage to stay within striking distance. Down 6-0, Teixeira put the Yankees on the board with a solo shot to make it 6-1.

A couple batters later Jorge Posada hit a solo home run and narrowed the deficit to 6-2. After Jose Guillen hit a solo home run in the fifth, Mark Teixeira blasted a two-run shot to turn it into a 7-4 game.

In the ninth it came down to Teixeira again. With runners on first and second and two outs Teixiera was up with A-Rod looming on deck. Teixeira hit a soft grounder to short and replays show Tex may have been safe, but the ump ruled him out. Had the call gone the other way, it would have set the stage for A-Rod with the bases loaded and representing the game-winning run all with his 600th career homer on the line. But we never got to see that happen, boy would it have been something if he reached it in that kind of setting.

A-Rod will try and hit his 600th home run tomorrow as Phil Hughes takes the mound against Sean O'Sullivan, who faced the Yankees Tuesday as a member of the Angels.

I will be in attendance hoping to witness history tomorrow and will have a recap afterwards.

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Hughes Hit Hard

It's been a tough few days for the Yanks starting rotation. First Burnett gets hit hard and hurts his hand on a clubhouse door. Then Andy Pettitte is out for about a month with a groin strain. And now Hughes gives up 6 runs in 5 innings in what is probably his worst outing of the season. I know the Yanks have been doing really well so far, but the Rays are only 2 games behind in the AL East. This race is going to get really tight in August and September if the Yankee pitching starts falling apart.

I'll be at the game tomorrow afternoon. And if I can get UberTwitter on my BlackBerry to work, I'll be tweeting @jgeant.

SEE YA!

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World Series Rematch: Yankees vs Phillies

Yankees
Derek Jeter
Curtis Granderson
Mark Teixeira
Robinson Cano
Nick Swisher
Jorge Posada
Brett Gardner
Francisco Cervelli
Ramiro Pena

Phillies
Shan Victorino
Chase Utley
Placido Polanco
Ryan Howard
Jayson Werth
Raul Ibanez
Ben Francisco
Juan Castro
Carlos Ruiz

What's Up, Doc?: A year removed from the AL East Roy Halladay ventures back with the Phillies better than ever with an 8-4 record and 1.96 ERA. Halladay is 18-6 against the Yankees in his career and only Curtis Granderson and Ramiro Pena have over .300 batting average.
C'mon Carsten: CC Sabathia has four of his six wins against the Orioles. He has not been the ace like he was last year, and if they're going to win tonight, he's going to need to pitch better than the man on the mound for the Phillies tonight.
Injury News: A-Rod remains out of the lineup with an ailing hip flexor. Meanwhile, Sergio Mitre strained his oblique during batting practice and was put on the DL. Boone Logan has been called up.

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Game 37: Yankees vs. Twins

Yankees

Derek Jeter DH

Brett Gardner CF

Mark Teixeira 1B

Alex Rodriguez 3B

Robinson Cano 2B

Jorge Posada C

Marcus Thames RF

Randy Winn LF

Ramiro Pena SS

Sergio Mitre RHP

Twins

Denard Span CF

Orlando Hudson 2B

Joe Mauer C

Justin Morneau 1B

Michael Cuddyer RF

Jim Thome DH

Jason Kubel LF

Alexi Casilla SS

Matt Tolbert 3B

Nick Blackburn RHP

Notes:

• Swisher is getting the day off against a righty becuase his bicep bothers him swinging left-handed.
• I'm freaking out right now because the YES Network is showing Center Stage, despite the Channel guide saying it should be showing Yankee baseball. THe game is on TBS as well, but that's blacked out. So I'm scrambling to figure out whats going on.
  

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Yanks Struggling at Worst Time

The Yankees lost this afternoon, making 4 of their last 5 games losses. This isn't good, especially when the next few teams you have to face are the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, and the Twins again. There are two big concerns right now: offense and injuries.

First the injuries, there's really nothing you can do about them and it's how you overcome them. Over the last few weeks we've seen Jorge Posada get limited playing time, Andy Pettitte miss a start, Curtis Granderson and Nick Johnson go on the DL, and Alfredo Aceves sidelined. Even today it was announced Nick Swisher (who had been hitting the ball well) is day-to-day with tight biceps. These guys have been replaced by Francisco Cervelli (who's doing a good job), Sergio Mitre, Randy Winn/Marcus Thames, and Romulo Sanchez. The open DH spot has let guys like A-Rod DH and Ramiro Pena get in, thus weakening the lineup. These guys who are replacing the injured players are just not getting the job done, which means the healthy guys need to pick up the slack, which isn't happening either.

Derek Jeter is in a major slump right now. He was 0-for his last 16 at bats before he singled today. Still, he is 5-for-his last 47 or something like that (I've been listening to Francesa say that all day). Then you have A-Rod. Boy, oh boy, where did all that power go? Three home runs...really? That's it? A-Rod needs to get his power back for the offense to get going. Robinson Cano has slowed down from his hot start, and guys like Winn, Thames, Pena are just getting in more at bats than they should, and are being exposed.

So with injuries getting to the team and the healthy players and ones stepping in aren't getting the job done the offense has fallen apart.

But let's see some of the positives:

• The Yankees return home to play 7 games, in which they are 10-2 at this season.
• The Minnesota Twins are Pedro Martinez's brother. The Yankees absolutely own the Twins, and went 9-1, including the postseason, against them last year.
• They also haven't lost a series to the Red Sox since June of last year.
• Andy Pettitte should make his next start and Phil Hughes is Godly.

So if all goes well, and the Yankees go 5-2 on the homestand, and 3-3 on the road trip, they will be 30-17 heading into a softer part of the schedule...but of course that all depends on everything going right.

Tomorrow

Yankees vs Twins 7:05 p.m. Yankee Stadium

Burnett vs Liriano

See Ya!

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Game 31: Yankees at Tigers

Lineups via Chad Jennings

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Marcus Thames DH
Brett Gardner CF
Randy Winn LF
RHP Sergio Mitre

Tigers
A. Jackson cf
J. Damon dh
M. Ordonez rf
M. Cabrera 1b
B. Boesch lf
B. Inge 3b
S. Sizemore 2b
G. Laird c
A. Everett ss


Hello, Johnny: The Yankees will face Johnny Damon for the first time since he left the Yankees after five seasons with the team. The game is an away game so we're still going to have to wait to see the reaction he gets from the Yankees fans. Johnny was close to alot of guys on teh team so I'm sure they'll all be happy to see him.
And Hello, Sergio: Sergio Mitre makes the spot start today for the aching Andy Pettitte. Mitre had an impressive spring, but has been rarely used this season. It'll be interesting to see how he does.
AAA Reunion: The Yankees called up Ivan Nova to give them a long reliever in the pen. Austin Jackson is on the Tigers and Yankees utility man Kevin Russo had lockers next to each other in Scranton. The three of them all played together in the minors, and are all in the same ballpark today at the major league level.

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Game 28: Yankees at Red Sox

Lineups via Chad Jennings:

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Johnson DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Brett Gardner CF
Francisco Cervelli C
Randy Winn LF
RHP Phil Hughes

Red Sox
Marco Scutaro SS
Dustin Pedroia 2B
J.D. Drew RF
Kevin Youkilis 1B
David Ortiz DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
Jeremy Hermida LF
Jason Varitek C
Darnell McDonald CF
RHP Josh Beckett

Back in Beantown: The Yankees took 2 of 3 from the Sox to open up the season and since the the teams have gone separate ways. The Red Sox have spent their time trying to keep their heads above .500 and hoping Big Pop Up heats up. Meanwhile the Yankees ahve won every series except a road trip to Anaheim and sit 1.5 games back of the first place Rays.
Phil Phenom: Phil Hughes enters the game second in the AL in ERA with a 1.44 ERA. He is coming off another strong start where he did not allow a run against the White Sox.
Minor League Call-Ups: CF Greg Golson was sent down to Scranton Wilkes Barre and pitcher Romulo Sanchez was called up to take Sergio Mitre's role in the bullpen. Mitre will be making a spot start for Andy Pettitte later in the week.
Who's Available?: Jorge Posada is still not in the lineup but he can be ready to pinch-hit. Mariano Rivera is available and expected to close tonight, if the situation calls for it.

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Yanks Announce Final Roster

Nothing shocking, the only thing worth noting is that the Yankees will take Chan Ho Park instead of a second lefty Boone Logan. Otherwise, there's nothing to really question. Chad Jennings has the roster:

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

Bench
Francisco Cervelli C
Ramiro Pena INF
Marcus Thames OF
Randy Winn OF

Rotation
CC Sabathia LHP
A.J. Burnett RHP
Andy Pettitte LHP
Javier Vazquez RHP
Phil Hughes RHP

Bullpen
Mariano Rivera RHP
Joba Chamberlain RHP
Dave Robertson RHP
Damaso Marte LHP
Chan Ho Park RHP
Alfredo Aceves RHP
Sergio Mitre RHP

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The five battling for fifth

We are now less than two weeks away from the first pitch of the Major League Baseball season. 12 days to be exact. 12 more days until Derek Jeter walks to the plate taps the plate with his bat while he holds his arm held up to the umpire. 12 more days until we can just watch baseball everyday instead of the normal crap that is on TV.

Before we get to that point, however, the Yankees have some decisions to make. The most pressing issue, is the decision for the Yanks fifth starter. This despite the fact that the Yankees only need to use CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Javy Vazquez, and Andy Pettitte until April 24th because of the schedule.

But Joe Girardi will announce his decision Thursday about who will win the job, so I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at the competitors

Sergio Mitre- (14 IP, 3.21 ERA, 14 K)
Mitre has pitched very well this spring, as he now seems to be completely healed from Tommy John surgery. He is throwing harder and has better command. It will be interesting if the Yankees, as an organization, are willing to give Mitre the spot over two of their most higly-touted prospects in Hughes and Chamberlain.

Phil Hughes- (13 IP, 4.15 ERA, 10 K)
After being extremely effective out of the bullpen last year, Hughes is vying for a spot as a starter, which he has been throughout his entire career. He gave up 3 homeruns to the Phillies yesterday, but both Girardi and Hughes said that he was throwing his best stuff yesterday. He hasn't proven himself as a starter yet in the majors, but this may be his shot.

Joba Chamberlain-(6.2 IP, 16.20 ERA, 5 K)
He hasn't had very good stats this spring, but spring training stats aren't worth the paper they're printed on. He pitched well as a starter last season, until the Yankees started limiting his innings, but there are no inning restrictions this year, so they may finally just hand him the ball and say "go get 'em."

Chad Gaudin- ( 9.1 IP, 8.68 ERA, 5K)
This name on the list has a little bit of an asterisk next to it, because, according to some reports, Gaudin was placed on waivers, but Chad Jennings reports he's still in camp and there's nothing official on the Yankees website, so I'll at least mention him. He pitched very well last season, but he is out of options and due almost $3 million this season.

Alfredo Aceves-(14.1 IP, 3.77 ERA, 7K)
Aceves was impressive out of the Yankees bullpen last year, winning 10 games as a reliever. I think it is unlikely that he gets the nod as a starter, but he is in the mix. he's had one of the best springs of any of the candidates, which I'm sure is making Girardi's decision much tougher.


We're all waiting to hear Giradi's decision, as well as waiting for the roster to be finalized as we move closer to the season, so make sure you stay tuned for all that news.

SEE YA!

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Chad Gaudin Placed On Waivers

So just a couple of days after I speculated Mitre being traded and the Yankees keeping Gaudin as their long man, Gaudin has been placed on waivers. Gaudin is out of options so once he clears the Yankees could send him to AAA and pay the rest of his salary or release him pay a fraction of it.

Gaudin has been the least effective fifth starting candidate in spring training so it doesn't come as much of a shock. I do think this increases the chances of Mitre being kept on the team for the start of the season.

Chad Jennings of the LoHud Blog has a nice article about Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain's battle for the fifth starting spot. He mentions how despite Hughes giving up a walk-off home run eysterday he and Girardi feel he threw his best. The article also discusses Chamberlain's progress this spring from some dismal performances early on.

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Sergio Mitre: Possible Fifth Starter, or Trade Bait?

While March Madness has taken over everyone's lives the past week, all is relatively quiet in the world of baseball. The Yankees made cuts today, sending Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, Colin Curtis and Reid Gorecki to the minor league complex. But the big question is, who will be the fifth starter?

Sergio Mitre has caught the attention of everyone, especially after his stellar performance against the Tampa Bay Rays, in which he allowed two hits and struck out seven in five innings. But there has been some rumblings that either Mitre or Chad Gaudin will be traded at the end of spring training. Now if you look at spring training stats, Mitre seems to be the better pick. But if you look at spring training stats, Jon Weber should be the next Babe Ruth.

In a case like this you need to look past the spring training stats. Gaudin may have an ERA around 8, but his track record is much better and he is more reliable than Mitre in the long-run. If you're looking at Mitre as the fifth starter, you have to compare him to Hughes. Hughes has been the face of the Yankees farm system the last few years, and he has been groomed to be the next starting pitcher.

I think, in the end, what will benefit the Yankees in the long run is that Gaudin stays and Mitre gets traded, while Hughes gets the fifth spot in the rotation.

Today's game was rained out, but they will have an intrasquad game tomorrow because they need several pitcher to throw.

Just saw this on espn.com: Joe Mauer of the Twins has agreed to an 8-year $184 million contract extension.

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Park to pitch at Stadium this year

The Yankees have signed 36-year old right-hander Chan Ho Park to a 1 year $1.2 million deal. Brian Cashman could not confirm the deal, as it had not been officially completed but Park held a press conference in Seoul, South Korea just after 1 AM Eastern time. Park will join the bullpen mix, instead of joining the competition for the fifth starter spot that is already pretty packed with Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre, and Alfredo Aceves.

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

With the NL Champion Philadelphia Phillies last year, Park went 3-3 with a 4.43 ERA. That ERA is bloated as he made 7 starts to the tune of a 7.29 ERA. But, after moving to the bullpen, Park recorded a 2.52 ERA and a WHIP of 1.18.

While being most widely known as the first South Korean Major League, Park made some headlines in December when it became public that he was suing his former Dodger battery mate Chad Kreuter for failing to pay off a loan. So, don't go asking for him to loan you any money, Jorge.

Good move by Cashman, bringing in another quality arm to help David Robertson, Damaso Marte, and the rest bridge the gap to Mariano in the 9th because, as Cashman himself states, "The more the merrier. You can never have enough."

The Yanks 40-man roster is currently full, so there will be a corresponding move to free a spot when Park's contract becomes official.

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Smells Like Team Spirit

While you were sleeping, the Yankees won again, defeating the Seattle Mariners 5-2. The Yankees were clicking on all cylinders in this one. Nick Swisher and Derek Jeter led the charge as both hit home-runs to provide the offense. Sergio Mitre did his job by only allowing 2 runs in 5.1 innings pitched. David Robertson got the two biggest outs of the game, by bailing Mitre out of a bases-loaded one out jam without letting any of the runners score in the sixth. The bullpen went on to pitch 3.2 scoreless innings of relief. The Yankees are now 74-43 and have been 23-6 since the All-Star Break. They are simply in cruise control.

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Oops! They Did it Again: Yanks go back-to-back in eigth to beat Jays

Blue Jays 5 8 0
Yankees 7 14 0

WP: Robertson (2-1)
LP: Carlson (1-5)
S: Rivera (33)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jorge Posada. The catcher went 2-4 with 2 RBI's, including the go-ahead home run in the 8th inning.

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

PLAY OF THE GAME: Posada's go-ahead home run in the 8th.

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME: The Thrilla from Godzilla! Matsui's home run seemed to wake up the team, the Stadium, and certainly John Sterling (I was listening on the radio).

GAME NOTES:

• The Yankees win today's game exactly as they won Sunday's, with back-to-back home runs in the 8th inning after being down by one, hence the "Oops I Did It Again" headline.
• Rick Porcello is my new favorite player not on the Yankees, because he absolutely PWNED Kevin Youkilis. It wasn't as good as the Nolan Ryan v. Robin Ventura (which I can't seem to find a video of, but here's a picture) beat down, but because if was Pukelis, it will hold a special place in my heart.
  
• So the Yankees seemed to jolt themselves from the sleepwalk they were in after the Boston sweep. That's good because I'd like this divisional race to be over as soon as possible, and winning games is the only way that's going to happen.
• New Yankee Chad Gaudin will start on Sunday, with Sergio Mitre going on Saturday. This effectively gives them a 6-man rotation, at least for this turn. It basically helps them limit Joba's innings by pushing him back a day.
  

TOMORROW:
Blue Jays at Yankees
Romero vs Burnett


SEE YA!

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Game 112: Blue Jays at Yankees

Lineups via PeteAbe

YANKEES (69-42)
Jeter SS
Swisher RF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Posada DH
Cano 2B
Hairston LF
Cabrera CF
Molina C

Pitching: RHP Sergio Mitre (1-0, 7.50).

BLUE JAYS (53-57)
Scutaro SS
Hill 2B
Lind DH
Overbay 1B
Wells CF
Rios RF
Encarnacion 3B
Barajas C
Inglett LF

Pitching: LHP Marc Rzepczynski (1-3, 3.74).

Sorry for the lateness of the post, we're both still recovering from the late night at the game yesterday.

Jeter led off the Yankees half of the first inning with a home run to center field as the Yanks try to avoid a let down after the four-game sweep of the Red Sox.

UPDATE 8:50: Yanks have a rally going here as Cano and Hairston go back-to-back, belly-to-belly to tie the game.

UPDATE 9:54: So the Yankees are going to need another comeback to win this one. Let's hope they can pull it off.

UPDATE 10:11: So, Michael Kay asks if the Yankees have a "walk-off in their bones." At the very least, he's added a little variety, which is a start.

UPDATE 10:20: Pena has to RUN! He's watching! WHERE IS BRETT GARDNER, HE DOESN'T NEED HIS THUMB TO STEAL BASES!

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GAME 107: Yankees at Blue Jays

Lineups, as always, courtesy of PeteAbe

YANKEES (64-42, 1st place AL East)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez DH
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Hairston 3B
Molina C

Pitching: RHP Sergio Mitre (1-0, 7.80).

BLUE JAYS (51-55, 4th place AL East)
Scutaro SS
Hill 2B
Lind DH
Overbay 1B
Wells CF
Rios RF
Encarnacion 3B
Barajas C
Inglett LF

Pitching: LHP Mark Rzepczynski (1-2, 3.25).

TIME/TV: 7:07 p.m., YES.

Don't get caught looking ahead: The Yankees begin a four-game series tomorrow against the Red Sox, but they need to win this game first. And Mitre throwing some decent innings tonight to save the bullpen certainly wouldn't hurt for the upcoming series.

Divide and conquer: The Yanks are 21-18 against teams in the division, including 6-2 against Toronto.

One more to decide it all: The Yankees are 4-4 on the current road trip, so tonight's game will decide if they go home up one, or down one on the trip.

UPDATE 7:30: Mitre didn't help the cause there, with 2 runs on four hits. Hopefully he can settle down and give the Yankees some innings.

UPDATE 8:02: So the Yankees got the 2 runs back, Mitre just needs to make sure he doesn't keep putting the team in a hole.

UPDATE 8:45: I have to ask: Why Aceves? His shoulder has been bothering him, and they brought Anthony Claggett up just for tonight's game, and I assume it wasn't to just eat sunflower seeds in the bullpen.

UPDATE 9:05: Looks like the Yanks have locked in on how to hit this guy, and so he's gone.

UPDATE 9:58: That was a nice play by Melky starting off the inning. Let's hope Hughes can get out of this inning pretty quickly.

UPDATE 10:12: Robertson in to get the last 3 outs. Rays up 6-4 over the BoSox with JP Howell in for Tampa Bay.

UPDATE 10:17: The Rays held on to win, 6-4. The Yanks can go up 2.5 games on the Sox with a win here.

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GAME 103: Yankees at White Sox

YANKEES (62-40, First Place AL East)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Hinske LF
Pitching: RHP Sergio Mitre (1-0, 5.91).

WHITE SOX (52-51, Third Place AL Central)
Podsednik CF
Beckham 3B
Thome DH
Konerko 1B
Pierzynski C
Quentin LF
Kotsay RF
Nix SS
Getz 2B
Pitching: RHP D.J. Carrasco (3-1, 3.58).

Sir Sergio: Sergio Mitre makes his third appearance since being called up. He is 1-0 but has allowed 17 hits and 7 runs over 10.2 innings.
Slammin Shelley: Shelley Duncan has been called up from AAA to provide a right-handed bat. Duncan dominated AAA Scranton with 25 home runs and 70 runs batted in. However, with the acquisition of Jerry Hairston Jr. he may only be up for tonight because for some reason the Yankees love Cody Ransom.
Dreadful Defense: The Yankees have committed seven errors in the last 7 games.
Summer Sizzlin': The Yankees are 18-8 in the month of July.

UPDATE 8:25: Yankees stomping on the throat of the spot-starter for the White Sox early with a 3--0 lead. Also important to get runs with Mitre pitching, being you don't know what you will get out of him.

UPDATE 8:37: Mitre was making everybody sweat that inning. Got himself into a bases loaded jam but ended the inning on a pop up from Kotsay. 3-1 Yankees.

UPDATE 9:00: This is not a good game for Mitre, and I am sure Cashman is already working the waiver wire. 4-3 White Sox, Mitre on 2 outs into the second inning.

UPDATE 9:15: This is such a frustrating game to watch. Now down 5-3 after Quentin hit a bomb off Mitre to lead off the third. And Mitre is still pitchng. Ugh. Yanks offense better score 8 runs next inning, I swear.

UPDATE 9:29: Best move before the trade deadline? The Yankees getting Hinske (joking). But really, another HR for the lefty and 5 of his 7 hits since joining the Yankees ahve left the park, this time to tie the game at 5.

UPDATE 9:37:Well that's it for Mitre. David Robertson on for what is basically a clean slate. Mitre didn't evevn get past the third inning. NOT GOOD.

UPDATE 9:59: This game is extremely frustrating to watch. Robertson can't throw strikes here in the fifth and he has let the White Sox get back ahead 6-5.

UPDATE 10:50: This game is the absolute worst. The White Sox just pulled a Little League move stealing home as Posada threw to second to try and get the runner out. It's 9-5 White Sox, Aceves is still hurt, and now it's 10-5 as Cano had Getz out by a mile but Posada couldn't hold on.

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Yankees 7 A's 5

Athletics 5 12 0
Yankees 7 12 1

WP: Coke (2-3)
LP: Braden (7-9)
S: Rivera (29)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Derek Jeter. The captain went 2-4 with two singles, two RBI, and a run scored in the winning effort, including the go-ahead single in the bottom of the sixth.

PLAY OF THE GAME: Brian Bruney's eighth inning strikeout of Orlando Cabrera with the tying run on second and one out. It was the biggest out of the game, as it was able to set up Rivera for the four out save.

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME: Derek Jeter's go-ahead two-run single in the sixth inning. The Yankees had just lost the lead but Jeter was able to get it right back and that was enough for the victory.

GAME NOTES:

• Sergio Mitre so far has done a pretty good job. He's done more than Chien-Ming Wang has done for us this year, so that is a good thing. He is also being a more effective number 5 starter than what someone like John Smoltz has been doing for the Red Sox.
• Both the Red Sox and Rays lost today so the Yankees are now 2.5 up on the Red Sox and 6.5 up on the Rays. They begin a 3-game set against the Rays tomorrow, so maybe they can start to distance themselves from the Rays.
• Nice to see Robbie Cano get a big hit with RISP today. A bases clearing double in the first was key in the Yankees victory today, so hopefully it's a sign of things to come for Robbie.
• Hughes scoreless innings streak still lives on, but he is probably unavailable to pitch tomorrow.

Tomorrow:

Yankees @ Rays 7:08 (08?) ET at the Trop

Burnett vs Shields (should be a good one)

See ya!

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Yankees and MLB News and Notes

Right now we are going over our Mid Season Awards aroudn the majors, we will have that post up sometime later tonight. Meanwhile, a few news and notes around the Yankees and majors.

• First, out latest poll shows that many of you Yankee fans believe Mark Teixeira was the Yankees first half MVP. Excellent choice as he has had a tremendous first half as a Yankee.
• Much speculation has been going around the Yankee Universe about who should be the fifth starter after the break. Sergio Mitre went 8 innings giving up no runs, six hits, and striking out five for AAA Scranton. He is the most likely candidate.
• Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum were named the starting pitchers for the AL and NL All Star Teams.
• The Philadelphia Phillies may be getting a former Cy Young Award winner on their team not named Roy Halladay. Former Met and Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez is scheduled to take a physical on Tuesday for the Phillies, meaning he could sign with the team by Wednesday.
• The Washington Nationals gave their managaer Manny Acta the boot today. Bench coach Jim Riggleman is expected to replace him as interim coach. The Nationals are 26-61, the owrst record in the majors.
• The Home Run Derby is tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Representing the NL will be Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder, Adrian Gonzalez. The AL will have Brandon Inge, Nelson Cruz, Joe Mauer, and Carlos Pena.

Enjoy the HR Derby. I think Pujols will win in front of the hometown crowd. But watch out for A-Gone (Adrian Gonzalez) and Carlos Pena. Those two are my sleepers. Once again, we'll have out Mid Season Awards up later tonight.

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Posada Lifts Yanks over Jays in 12

Blue Jays 5 10 0
Yankees 6 12 0

WP: Tomko...yes Tomko(1-2)
LP: Camp (0-4)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jorge Posada. He hit a solo home run to give them a lead in the 5th and he got the game-winning single in the bottom of the 12th.

PLAY OF THE GAME: Posada's walk-off RBI single. It brings the Yankees now one game behind the Red Sox.

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME: Johnny Damon's home run in the 7th inning to tie the game. It was a "Yankee Stadium Home Run" so you know Halladay is not going to be too fond the new Yankee Stadium, but nonetheless, it put the Yankees back in the game and gave them a chance to win.

MICHAEL KAY QUOTE(s) OF THE DAY:
"This is a corny question, but..."
"We don't want to make any speculations, but say Wang goes on the DL, do the Yankees bring Hughes back into the rotation, or do they have somebody else fill the void."-he really has no idea what the word "speculate" means.

GAME NOTES:

• If we had a category for Dumba$$ of the Game, it would go to Robinson Cano. He went 0-6 and bunted on a 3-0 count. That bunt resulted in getting the lead runner out at third. It was also in the bottom of the 12th. AWFUL! He is also 0 for his last 20 with RISP.
• Wang left the game with a strained right shoulder. Should he go on the DL the Yankees would need someone to fill his spot. Hughes hasn't pitched more than 2 innings in a good 3-4 weeks, and Aceves usually burns out around 45-50 pitches. What they can do is possibly call up someone such as Sergio Mitre from AAA.

Tommorow:

Yankees vs Blue Jays 1:05 ET Yankee Stadium

Chamberlain (4-2, 3.89) vs Scott Richmond (6-5, 3.69)

I'll be at the game tommorow, pending if Jim has work, their may not be an in-game thread.

See Ya!

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