Friday, April 30, 2010

The Captain Carries Yanks Past White Sox

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Final123456789RHE
Chi. White Sox310000000480
N.Y. Yankees 20002020x670
WP: A. Aceves (2-0) LP: M. Thornton (2-2)
SV: M. Rivera (7)

Andy Pettitte was bound to have a rough start, and as far as this season goes, this was his roughest. The White Sox scored three runs in the first off Pettitte, the big blow of the inning was a two-run homer by Paul Konerko on a hanging slider, that landed just out of the reach of a leaping Nick Swisher. It was his league-leading 11th of the season. They White Sox didn't exactly knock the cover off the ball in the inning, Alexei Ramirez and Gordon Beckham both reached on bloops singles, and Konerko's homer is a long fly ball in a lot of stadiums. Andy would allow one more run in the second on a sac fly by Beckham before he settled down.

It was a run that probably shouldn't have scored. Catcher Donny Lucy led off the inning with a double and Juan Pierre walked to put runners on first and second. Alexei Ramirez then hit a grounder to Alex Rodriguez that should have been an easy double play. A-Rod went to tag Lucy as he ran to third, but the catcher avoided the tag and the Yanks were only able to get one out on the play at second. The only problem is that Lucy clearly ran out of the baseline and should have been called out, making it two out with a runner on first instead of first and third with one out. I blame A-Rod and Joe Girardi for not making a bigger deal about it on the field, but the ump had a clear view and blew the call. Beckham was the next batter and hit the sac fly. But like I said, Pettitte was able to settle down and hold the White Sox at four, allowing the Yankees to get back in the game.

They started their comeback in the bottom of the first. Derek Jeter, who had a huge night, starting things off with a single. Then, after a Nick Johnson strikeout--boy does he suck right now--Mark Teixeira walked. A-Rod then got the Yankees on the board with an RBI double, and Robinson Cano followed with an RBI single to cut the Sox lead to 3-2. A-Rod's double broke an 0-for-19 slump, while Cano's hit extended his hitting streak to nine.

After Chicago's run in the second, Pettitte and White Sox starter Freddy Garcia traded zeros until the bottom of the fifth. With nobody on and two out in the inning, Brett Gardner singled to bring Jeter up as the tying run. After Gardner stole his tenth base of the year, Jeter took a hanging curve and launched it into the seats in left for a two-run homer to tie the game.

Gardner and Jeter teamed up again in the seventh, this time against left-hander Matt Thornton. With nobody on and Francisco Cervelli on first after being hit by a pitch, Gardner put together the at-bat of the night. After falling behind 1-2 he battling back to run the count full, and then line a 95 mph fastball up the middle for a single. Impressive AB for Gardner, especially when you consider it was against a hard-throwing lefty. Jeter then stepped to the plate and came through once again, this time lining two-run triple into the right field corner to give the Yanks a 6-4 lead. The Captain finished the night going 3-for-4, with 4 RBI, and was a double away from the cycle. The three hits also moved Jeter to2778 for his career, moving him past Ken Griffey Jr. as baseball's active hits leader. Gardner and Jeter also combined for five of the Yankees seven hits.

Pettitte would eventually stay in the game through six. He threw 97 pitches, 66 for strikes, and allowed the four runs on seven hits, walked two, and struck out three. It wasn't a great start, but he kept the Yanks in the game, and when you don't have your best stuff that's really all you can hope for.

After Pettitte left the game, Joe Girardi called on Alfredo Aceves. Ace pitched a scoreless seventh, which was good enough for his second win of the season. Damaso Marte and Joba Chamberlain combined to throw a scoreless eighth. Mariano Rivera then closed things out with a scoreless ninth for his seventh save of the season. It was a very nice night for the bullpen after a pretty rocky road trip.

Javier Vazquez look to turn things in the right direction as he takes the mound tomorrow afternoon in game two of this series against Chicago's ace John Danks. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. and the game will be on YES.

Derek Jeter, SS4234000.330
Nick Johnson, DH2000111.138
a- Jorge Posada, PH-DH1000011.310
Mark Teixeira, 1B2100201.136
Alex Rodriguez, 3B4011002.250
Robinson Cano, 2B4011000.400
Nick Swisher, RF4000011.250
Curtis Granderson, CF3000110.221
Francisco Cervelli, C3100001.360
Brett Gardner, LF3220000.323
Totals3067644

a-struck out for N. Johnson in the 7th
Batting
2B: Rodriguez, A (6, Garcia, F).
3B: Jeter (1, Thornton).
HR: Jeter (4, 5th inning off Garcia, F, 1 on, 2 out).
TB: Jeter 8; Rodriguez, A 2; Cano; Gardner 2.
RBI: Rodriguez, A (14), Cano (18), Jeter 4 (18).
2-out RBI: Jeter 2.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rodriguez, A 2.
GIDP: Swisher.
Team RISP: 4-for-7.
Team LOB: 5.

BASERUNNING
SB: Gardner (10, 2nd base off Garcia, F/Lucy).

Andy Pettitte67442312.12
Alfredo Aceves (W,2-0)11001004.15
Damaso Marte (H,2)0.10000005.79
Joba Chamberlain (H,5)0.20000003.48
Mariano Rivera (S,7)10000200.00
IBB - Konerko by Alfredo Aceves
WP - Andy Pettitte (1)
Pitches-Strikes - Andy Pettitte 97-66, Alfredo Aceves 20-11, Damaso Marte 6-3, Joba Chamberlain 5-5, Mariano Rivera 20-12
Ground Balls-Fly Balls - Andy Pettitte 7-8, Alfredo Aceves 1-2, Damaso Marte 1-0, Joba Chamberlain 2-0
Batters Faced - Andy Pettitte 27, Alfredo Aceves 5, Damaso Marte 1, Joba Chamberlain 2, Mariano Rivera 3

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Derek Jeter
HONORABLE MENTION: Brett Gardner


4/30 Minor League Report

================

(Triple-A) Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (13-8) beat Louisville (7-15) 5-4: Box Score -Recap

The SWB Yankees defeated the Louisville Bats by a 5-4 score for their 5th win a row, all 1 run games. Greg Golson’s inside the park home run highlighted the game. The win puts the Yankees record at 13-8.

PITCHING: Dustin Mosely came off the DL to make the start for the Yankees. He missed 18 days with a forearm injury. Mosely shut out Louisville until the 5th inning. In the 5th, 2 runs scored on a single and 2 doubles to cut the SWB lead to 4-2 at the time. Mosely was relieved with 2 out in the inning and a 4-2 lead but did not figure in the decision. 66 pitches--45 strikes, 3 groundouts - 2 flyouts. Mosely’s line: 4.2 IP, 2 runs, 6 hits, 4 K’s--1 walk, ERA 3.86.

Jon Van Benscoten relieved Mosely in the 5th issuing a walk before getting the final out. He threw a perfect 6th inning. In the 7th, he gave up the Bats 4th run on a single and double to cut the Yankee lead to 4-3 at the time. Van Scoten was credited with the win.

Royce Ring came on to get the final out of the 7th. He tossed a perfect 8th inning.

Jonathan Albaladejo came on to pitch the 9th. He gave up a run on a walk, single, stolen base, and rbi sac fly to cut the SWB lead to 5-4, but he held on to pick up his 7th save.

OFFENSE: Matt Maloney got the start for Louisville. The Yankees got to Maloney for a run in the 1st inning when Juan Miranda singled and David Winfree followed with a rbi double to give SWB a 1-0 lead. The most exciting play of the game came in the 3rd inning when Greg Golson hit an inside the park home run (2) to up the Yanks lead to 2-0. In the 4th, Jesus Montero singled, Chad Huffman reached on an error. They both scored when Robby Hammock hit a 2-rbi double to give SWB a 4-0 lead. The Yankees scored their 5th run in the 7th inning when Reegie Corona doubled and Kevin Russo followed with a rbi single. 

MONTERO WATCH: Jesus Montero
went 1-4 with a single and run scored in the game. He threw out his first runner of the year, on a pitchout. He also had a passed ball. He’s currently hitting .247.

- Big Guy

Batting:
Kevin Russo, 2B: 1-for-4, RBI
Greg Golson, CF: 1-for-4, HR, RBI, R
Juan Miranda, 1B: 1-for-3, BB, R
David Winfree, DH: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Jesus Montero, C: 1-for-4, R, Louisville was 4-for-6 on stolen base attempts against Montero,
Chad Huffman, LF: 0-for-4, R
Jon Weber, RF: 1-for-3
Robby Hammock, 3B: 2-for-3, 2, 2 RBI
Reegie Corona, SS: 1-for-3, 2B, R

Pitching:
Dustin Moseley: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (3.86 ERA)
John Van Benschoten (W, 2-0): 2 IP, 2 H , 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (1.42 ERA)
Royce Ring: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K (0.00 ERA)
Jonathan Albaladejo (S, 7): 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K (1.42 ERA)

Pitches-strikes: Moseley 75-46, Van Benschoten 32-20, Ring 14-10, Albaladejo 30-18.
Groundouts-flyouts: Moseley 5-4, Van Benschoten 3-1, Ring 0-1, Albaladejo 1-1.

(Double-A) Trenton (10-11) beat Erie (10-11) 11-5: Box Score - Recap

Batting:
Austin Krum, CF: 2-for-5, R, SB (9)
David Adams, 2B: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 R
Austin Romine, C: 3-for-5, 2B, RBI
Brandon Laird, 3B: 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, R
Reid Gorecki, DH: 2-for-5, 2B, R
Edwar Gonzalez, RF: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 R, HBP
Marcos Vechionacci, 1B: 3-for-5, 2B, HR, RBI, 3 R
Luis Nunez, SS: 2-for-4, HR, 4 RBI, R

Pitching:
Ryan Pope: 5 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HB (5.68 ERA)
Noel Castillo (W, 1-2): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K (8.10 ERA)
Josh Schmidt: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (0.69 ERA)
Grant Duff: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (1.50 ERA)

Groundouts-flyouts: Pope 4-7, Castillo, N 2-1, Schmidt 2-0, Duff 1-0.

(High-A) Tampa (11-11) lost to Brevard County (9-12) 5-3: Box Score - Recap

Batting:
Walter Ibarra, DH: 1-for-4, 2B, BB, SB (8)
Corban Joseph, 2B: 1-for-5, SB (2)
Bradley Suttle, 3B: 1-for-4, BB, R
Neil Medchill, LF: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R, HBP
Jose Pirela, SS: 0-for-4, BB
Melky Mesa, CF: 0-for-3, HBP, SB (6)
Mitch Abeita, C: 0-for-1, 3 BB, R
Trent Lockwood, 1B: 1-for-4, 2B
Jack Rye, RF: 0-for-3, RBI, BB

Pitching:
Adam Warren (L, 3-2): 6.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K (2.12 ERA)
Brad Rulon: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, WP (0.93 ERA)

Groundouts-flyouts: Warren 11-1, Rulon 3-2.

(Low-A) Charleston (10-13) lost to Hickory (13-10) 9-2: Box Score - Recap

Batting:
Zolio Almonte, RF: 3-for-5, R
Deangelo Mack, LF: 1-for-4, 2B, BB, R
Jimmy Paredes, SS: 1-for-3, RBI, BB
Luke Murton, DH: 0-for-3, BB
Robert Lyerly, 1B: 2-for-4, RBI
Garrison Lassiter, 3B: 1-for-4
Kelvin Castro, 2B: 2-for-4

Pitching:
Sean Black (L, 1-2): 4.1 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, WP (6.66 ERA)
Michael Solbach: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, WP (1.42 ERA)
Francisco Rondon: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HB (6.17 ERA)

Groundouts-flyouts: Black 6-7, Solbach 2-3, Rondon 1-2.

Regular Season Game 22: Yankees vs. White Sox

Regular Season Game 22
Yankees vs. White Sox
Yankee Stadium - Bronx, NY
Game Time: 7:05 p.m.
TV: YES | Radio: WCBS | XM: 176


Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (14-7)
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Johnson DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Curtis Granderson CF
Francisco Cervelli C
Brett Gardner LF

Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (3-0, 1.29 ERA)

WHITE SOX (9-13)
Alexei Ramirez SS
Gordon Beckham 2B
Andruw Jones RF
Paul Konerko 1B
Alex Rios CF
Carlos Quentin DH
Mark Teahen 3B
Donny Lucy C
Juan Pierre LF

Pitching: RHP Freddy Garcia (0-2, 5.82 ERA)

Yankees vs. Garcia

ABH2B3BHRRBIBBSOBAOBPSLGOPS
A. Rodriguez3313115895.394.545.9391.485
Derek Jeter317101114.226.250.355.605
C. Granderson3161001412.194.286.226.512
Randy Winn2610102320.385.429.6541.082
J. Posada173001226.176.263.353.616
M. Teixeira110000214.000.133.000.133
R. Cano91000001.111.111.111.222
N. Johnson82001202.250.250.625.875
N. Swisher60000001.000.000.000.000
M. Thames31001110.333.5001.3331.833
Totals175434111202035.246.330.469.799
White Sox vs. Pettitte

ABH2B3BHRRBIBBSOBAOBPSLGOPS
O, Vizquel4610200246.217.280.261.541
P. Konerko3312211834.364.417.576.992
A. Jones277200217.259.286.333.619
A. Rios268101515.308.321.462.783
A.J. Pierzynski228100201.364.364.409.773
M. Teahen164200202.250.294.375.669
J. Pierre157200012.467.500.6001.100
M. Kotsay81000001.125.125.125.250
C. Quentin51000101.200.200.200.400
G. Beckham32100100.667.6671.0001.667
J. Nix20000001.000.000.000.000
A. Ramirez21001110.500.6672.0002.667
Totals205611313241130.298.335.415.749
Data provided by Elias Sports Bureau via ESPN

News & Notes

- Andy Pettitte is 11-9, with a 4.34 ERA in 23 career starts against the White Sox. He only faced them one time last year, , and in 6.1 innings allowed one earned run on five hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out eight in a no decision.

- In ten starts against the Yankees, Freddy Garcia is 4-4, with an ERA of 4.21. He faced them once last year, allowing three runs on four hits over six innings in a loss at the stadium. In his career in the Bronx, he's 3-2, with a 4.10 ERA.

- According to Wallace Matthews, Jorge Posada said, "I could've played tonight, but Joe wanted to give me an extra day." Girardi thinks Posada will be able to start tomorrow or Sunday, and he could pinch-hit tonight if the Yankees need him.

- Over his last 8 games, Robinson Cano is hitting .531/.559/1.000 with 4 HR and 7 RBI. He also has an 8-game hitting streak.... Check that, now it's 9.

- Alex Rodriguez is 0 for his last 19.

- Curtis Granderson is 2 for his last 26.

- The Yankees went 4-3 against the White Sox last season.

- Click on the team name for the Yankees or White Sox 2010 batting stats.

- Like always, the chat room in the forums is open. You can also leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below... And if you can spare a few minutes don't forget to come sign up for the Sliding Into Home Forums.