Yankees Silenced in Subway Finale

The Yankees dropped their last game ever at Shea Stadium 3-1, as the offense was shut down by Oliver Perez who improved to 5-1 lifetime against the Yankees.  The offense managed only four hits and left four men on base rarely having the opportunity to strike.  Derek Jeter logged half the Yankee hits and Wilson Betemit blasted a long towering home-run to left field in the 6th inning.  Darrell Rasner tossed five innings of two-run ball surrendering eight hits while issuing three walks pitching sightly inconsistent.  Rasner hasn’t looked like the same pitcher as he did earlier in the season and the Yankees have lost six of his last seven starts.  Highly touted prospect David Robertson made his Yankee debut reliving Rasner, pitching two innings yielding one run on four hits and looked slightly nervous, but managed to settle down.  Edwar Ramirez has allowed five runs in his last four appearances prior to today’s game, but bounced back pitching a perfect 9th inning.  The Yankees have been inconsistent through-out the last four games and must find a way to find offense rhythm.  The pitching has proven to be more effective when they have the lead, but the offense must manage a way to provide them with a lead.  Tomorrow the Yankees face the Texas Rangers as Mike Mussina squares off against Scott Feldman.

Reliver David Robertson made his Yankee debut and Joe Girardi hopes Robertson can help improve the bridge to the great Mariano Rivera.

Pettitte Outduels Santana

The Yankees won their 14th one-run game of the season rising above the Mets 3-2.  Andy continues to dominate the opposition, as he pitched six innings surrendering two runs and five hits while striking out four.  Pettitte won his fourth straight start and has astoundingly surrendered only three runs in his last 27 innings pitched.  Pettitte has proved the Yankees pitching staff can handle the loss of ace Chien-Ming Wang and the bull-pen has been a key contributor as well.  The Yankees are now 36-1 after leading in the 6th inning and the bull-pen was lights out today.  Jose Veras lowered his ERA to 2.96 allowing one hit in the 7th inning and Kyle Farnsworth continues to shine under Joe Girardi pitching a perfect 8th inning.  Mariano closed the game earning his save number 22 striking out two continuing one his greatest seasons yet.  At this point last season four relievers had at least 38 appearances and this season under Joe Girardi no relievers have had 38 appearances.  Joe Girardi and David Eiland have done an outstanding job bringing balance to the bull-pen avoiding under-using and/or over-using relievers.  The Yankees offense struggled to get their wheels in motion, but took advantage of walks and went three-for-nine with runners in scoring position, including a two out RBI by the resurging Robinson Cano.  The Yankees are seven games above .500 tying their high water mark.  The Yankees look to go eight games over .500 tomorrow when the struggling Darrell Rasner faces Oliver Perez.

Kyle Farnsworth has been extremely effective in the 8th inning role contributing to the Yankees record of being 36-1 when leading after six innings.

 Video clip of Andy Pettitte picking off Jose Reyes in the 5th inning:

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200806283020983