Another Trip…

I will be leaving the country for the next ten days and daily updates can be expected to continue Friday, June 6th.  The Yankees are playing improved baseball as a cohesive unit and look to continue winning on the road making stops at Baltimore and Minnesota.  The Yankees are now sporting a 25-and-25 record, and can put their rough start behind them focusing on winning and improving. 

Go Yanks!

 

Yankees Late Inning Rally Solidifies Sweep

Down 5-2 in the 8th inning the Yankees offense roared back to defeat the Mariners 6-5.  The Yankees found themselves playing from behind until the 8th inning due to Chien-Ming Wang’s third consecutive shaky outing.  Wang surrendered seven hits and five runs during 6.1 innings of work and wasn’t able to get his effective sinker ball working.  Edwar Ramirez relived Wang and pitched through the 8th inning earning the win, displaying his effective change-up and sharp location.  Ramirez hasn’t allowed a run through eleven innings pitched and earned trust of Joe Girardi, allowing the team an opportunity to win the game.  Down 5-2 in the 8th inning, Derek Jeter ignited the comeback drawing a walk, followed by a Bobby Abreu run scoring double to right center.  Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano drove in a run each, and Jose Molina capped the dramatic comeback with a long double to right center that eluded the speedy Ichiro Suzuki.  Jose Molina delivered the game winning hit, and has slowly been finding his offensive groove lately.  The Yankees find themselves at 25-and-25 and have made significant strides in the right direction during their home stand playing to their capabilities.  The Yankees earned their first 8th inning comeback this season, and look to extended their win streak to six at Camden Yards tomorrow night, as Darrell Rasner faces Garrett Olson.

Edwar Ramiriez pitched 1.2 scoreless innings and has the oppurtunity to earn a key role in the bull-pen with Joba Chamberlain converting to a starter.

Yanks Continue Tear Shredding Mariners

The Yankees extended their win streak to a season high four games ripping the Mariners 12-6.  Mike Mussina earned his 7th win pitching five innings allowing seven hits and four runs while striking out four.  Mussina experienced a rough 4th inning yielding all four runs via two home-runs, but settled down to pitch scoreless 4th and 5th innings.  Joba Chamberlain relieved Mussina in the 6th inning continuing his conversion to become a starter.  Joba threw 40 pitches over the stretch of the 6th and 7th innings allowing no runs and one hits, but one walk.  As Joba evolves into a starter he will have to improve his pitch count, but he’s in the early stages of the transition phase, and has time to make improvements.  Kyle Farnsworth surrendered a two-run home-run in the 8th inning and must learn to keep the ball in the park as he takes over the vital 8th inning role.  The Yankees offense continues to frustrate opposing pitchers scoring 35 runs in the last four games, including 12 today.  Robinson Cano went 4-for-4 smacking three doubles continuing his resurgence.  Jason Giambi went 3-for-4 including a home-run to left field and double deep to right field.  The revival of Cano and Giambi add a new layer and dimension to the offense reducing holes in the lineup.  Tomorrow the Yankees look to continue their win streak while returning to .500 behind ace Chien-Ming Wang.

Jason Giambi has played a key role in the revival of the Yankees offense hitting the ball to the opposite field with authority.

Yankee Bats Erupt vs. Marniers

The Yankees extended their win streak to three in a row mashing the Mariners 13-2.  The offensive barrage was ignited by Shelley Duncan’s three-run homer crushed to left field which was succeeded by an eight-run 5th inning.  Hideki Matsui was the biggest contributor going 3-for-5 driving in two runs and scoring three.  Robinson Cano continued where he left off last night going 2-for-4 driving in three runs including two two-out RBI.  The Yankees displayed patience and cohesion offensively and must build on tonight’s offensive explosion.  Andy Pettitte earned his first win at Yankee Stadium this season pitching six innings allowing eight hits and two runs while striking-out a season high nine batters.  Pettitte improved his command and effectiveness, avoiding the big inning that has been so fatal to his success thus far.  LaTroy Hawkins pitched two scoreless innings partly due to an outstanding throw Matsui made from left field throwing out Jose Vidro at home plate.  Edwar Rameriz continued his bull-pen dominance working out of a jam with runners on first and second base striking out two batters, maintaining his 0.00 ERA.  The Yankees are firing on all cylinders and must continue to be consistent at the plate.  Tomorrow Mike Mussina looks to rebound from his terrible start on Tuesday dueling Carlos Silva.

Andy Pettitte pitched extremely sharp earning his first win at Yankee Stadium this season.

9th Inning Dramatics Pave Way to Victory

Robinson Cano stroked the game winning single to left field in the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs leading the Yankees to a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Orioles.  Moments earlier Joe Girardi stormed the field in Billy Martin fashion lashing out umpire Chris Guccione for punching Jason Giambi out on strikes.  Girardi’s tirade sparked the Yankees and showed his players he’s willing to stick up for them.  The Yankees offense was inconsistent and their first run came off a Shelley Duncan sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to tie the score.  The game was a pitcher’s duel for the most part and Ian Kennedy took a big step in the right direction pitching six innings of one run ball allowing four hits while striking out four.  Kennedy allowed his lone run off a Freddie Bynum triple in the third inning, then worked himself into a jam loading the bases.  Kennedy allowed no runs after loading the bases and was dominant after working out of the jam, suggesting this could be a turning point and confidence booster for the 23 year-old right handed pitcher.  Kennedy walked four Orioles and must continue to improve in this area of the game, but Kennedy displayed he has the goods to be a major league pitcher.  The bull-pen was lights-out the remainder of the game as Jose Veras, Kyle Farnsworth, and Mariano Rivera combined for three scoreless innings allowing only one hit.  It was crucial for Kyle Farnsworth to cruise through the eighth inning to avoid controversy regarding the Joba Chamberlain conversion and he was just that, recording three outs throwing only seven pitches.  Jose Veras has also been a positive light for the Yankees sporting 3.52 ERA and could have bright future in the Yankees bull-pen.  The Yankees put together two consecutive quality wins, but must become more consistent offensively.  Today Andy Pettitte squares off against the Mariners Erik Bedard as the Yankees look to win three in a row.

Robinson Cano provided the game winning hit and hopes this will heat up his cold bat.

A-rod, Rasner Propel Yanks Past O’s

The Yankees smothered the Oriole’s 8-0 recording a much needed win.  Darrel Rasner continued to solidify his case he belongs in the rotation pitching seven shut-out innings striking out six.  Rasner has been a pleasant surprise for the Yankees and pitched magnificently tonight playing the role of stopper.  Joba Chamberlain pitched the 8th and 9th innings allowing no runs while striking out three Orioles.  Tonight was the first time Joba pitched multiple innings this season, and interestingly Joe Girardi mentioned this was the first step toward converting Chamberlain to a starter.  Offensively Alex Rodriguez displayed why he is so valuable to the team batting 3-for-4 at the plate launching a home-run to left field and smacking two doubles.  Alex Rodriguez brings much needed balance to the Yankees heavy left handed lineup, and brings power and fear into the lineup.  Jonny Damon, Bobby Abreu, Robinson Cano, and Chad Moeller contributed the offensive resurgence logging two hits each.  The Yankees offense needs to play consistent and must continue to gel being 7.5 games out first place in the division.  Tomorrow the Yankees proceed with the Ian Kennedy project as he squares off against lefty Brian Burres.

Alex Rodriguez was outstanding at the plate and spoke with words of confidence regarding the team and their ability to score runs after the game.

Orioles Engulf Spirtless Yankees

The limp Yankees were downed 12-2 by the Orioles playing the game to the worst of their collective abilities.  Mike Mussina departed after two-thirds of an inning after surrendering six unearned runs due to an erratic throw to first base from Derek Jeter.  Jonny Damon contributed to a night of choppy defense misreading a pop-up fly ball in left field that led to rwo unearned runs, and misreading a line drive, diving toward it, and ultimately allowing it get by him for a run scoring triple.  The Yankees have shown no ability to backup teammates when they falter which leads to extra pressure on all players, because it’s evident there’s no room for error whatsoever.  The offense continues to show they can only score runs via the home-run, as Alex Rodriguez launched a two-run home-run to left field.  The offense has scored 12 runs the last six games and continues to show no versatility or fight stringing together poor at-bats.  The Yankees are now 7.5 games behind the Red Sox and desperately need to turn a corner.

Derek Jeter experienced a terrible night, committing the error that blew the game open, grounding into a double play, and being forced to leave the game with a contusion after being hit by a pitch.

Mets Pulverize Listless Yanks

The Mets thrashed the Yankees 11-2 on a night where everything went wrong for the Yankees.  Ace Chien–Ming Wang imploded in the fourth inning behind two poor defensive plays and couldn’t overcome an overturned home-run call that truly was a three-run home-run lined by Carlos Delgado.  Wang departed after 7.2 innings allowing six hits, three walks, and seven runs logging his second worst start of the season.  Ross Ohlendorf relieved Wang to log the final out of the 7th inning and got mashed, allowing four runs including a three-run home-run crushed by Jose Reyes.  The lone positive from the game was Jose Veras pitched a scoreless 9th inning continuing to look sharp sporting a 1.59 ERA.  Offensively there aren’t many positive things to be said.  The Yankees hit 0-15 with runners in scoring position during the past two games and are in last place in the American League in batting average with runners in scoring position.  There are only three batters in the Yankees starting lineup including Bobby Abreu, Derek Jeter, and Hideki Matsui hitting above .280.  The Yankees need more than just Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada, the team needs contributions from every batter in the lineup one through nine.  The Yankees need to improve their defensive and play as a cohesive unit.  Mike Mussina looks to extend his win streak to six games when he pitches against the Orioles on Tuesday.

Joe Girardi witnessed his team experience a melt-down tonight and must figure out how to turn this season around.

Attending Tonights Game

I will be attending tonights game vs. the Mets, therefore an update can be expected tomorrow morning.  The Yankees need to turn a corner and Chien-Ming Wang offers them a solid chance to win.  Hopefully the offense can push some runs across the plate despite facing a lefty in Oliver Perez.  I am off to the game now.  Go Yanks!

 

Santana, Mets Power Past Yanks

The Yankees blew an early lead and couldn’t recover losing 7-4 to the Mets.  Andy Pettitte struck out the side during the first inning and had a season high seven strike-outs, but ran into trouble during the 4th inning surrendering bloops, singles, and a bases loaded walk, allowing all three of his runs.  Pettitte had several unlucky breaks during the costly inning, but can’t seem to avoid the big inning through-out his starts, and remains winless at Yankee Stadium.  Andy muscled through six innings, but the Yankees offense couldn’t pick him up.  Derek Jeter smashed a two-run home-run off Johan Santana during the first inning and the Yankees continued to hit Santana hard, as Bobby Abreu and Jason Giambi smashed solo home-runs off the southpaw, but the Yankees couldn’t put together the big inning against Santana.  During the third inning Bobby Abreu lined a ball to the gap in right center and Jonny Damon raced home from first base, but Mets Catcher Brian Schneider made a spectacular play blocking home plate tagging Damon out, and that set the tone for the rest of the game.  The Yankees have been able to score runs via solo home-runs, but struggle to put together a big inning via base-hits, and their offense has certainly lacked versatility as of late.  The Yankees did show some fight during today’s game but once Kyle Farnsworth yielded home-runs to Jose Reyes and David Wright in the 7th inning the game seemed to reach out of grasp for the Yankees.  Another flaw the Yankees have made apparent is their overall team chemistry.  For example, when the pitching is strong the offense seems absent, or when the team seems to be on the verge of a come-back the bull-pen will falter.  The Yankees must fire on all cylinders and have a variety of improvements to make.  Although Andy Pettitte came across several unlucky breaks the Yankees must become a more resilient team.  Ace Chien-Ming Wang looks to pick up the Yankees once again tomorrow dueling lefty Oliver Perez. 

Kyle Farnworth served up two home-runs yielding three runs putting the game out of reach for the Yankees struggling offense.