Game 108: Yanks vs. Halos

Regular Season Game 108
Yankees (59-48) vs. Angels (67-40)
Yankee Stadium - Bronx, NY
Game Time: 7:05 p.m.
TV: YES - MLB.TV | Radio: WCBS 880

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES
Johnny Damon DH
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Xavier Nady LF
Ivan Rodriguez C - Welcome to the Bronx
Melky Cabrera CF

Andy Pettitte LHP (12-7, 3.76)

ANGELS

Jon Garland RHP (9-6, 4.30)

Notes: ****Yankee-Killer Manny Ramirez has been traded to the Dodgers. The Red Sox get Jason Bay from the Pirates, the Pirates recieve Andy LaRoche and one other player from L.A., and C. Hansen & B. Moss from Boston.*****

Chris Britton was called up to fill a bullpen spot, and Chad Moeller was DFA.

According to Peter Abraham, Edwar Ramirez has been suspended for three games for throwing at Kevin Millar. He has appealed the suspension. Note to the Yankees pitchers, if you are going to throw at someone throw it at their back and actually hit them.

Yanks vs. Garland:

	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
I. Rodriguez	38	7	2	0	0	2	1	7	.184	.205	.237	.442
A. Rodriguez	34	14	2	0	2	8	5	6	.412	.487	.647	1.134
D. Jeter	25	5	1	0	0	2	2	3	.200	.259	.240	.499
J. Damon	24	8	2	1	1	4	0	3	.333	.333	.625	.958
J. Posada	20	5	2	0	1	2	2	5	.250	.318	.500	.818
H. Matsui	16	4	1	0	0	1	1	4	.250	.294	.313	.607
B. Abreu	15	8	1	0	3	8	4	1	.533	.632	1.200	1.832
R. Sexson	13	3	0	0	1	2	0	2	.231	.231	.462	.692
J. Giambi	12	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	.000	.200	.000	.200
R. Cano	12	8	1	1	1	2	1	0	.667	.692	1.167	1.859
M. Cabrera	11	2	0	0	1	1	0	2	.182	.182	.455	.636
X. Nady	6	2	1	0	0	2	0	0	.333	.333	.500	.833
J. Molina	5	2	1	0	0	1	0	0	.400	.400	.600	1.000
C. Moeller	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.500	.500	.500	1.000
W. Betemit	1	1	0	0	1	3	0	0	1.000	1.000	4.000	5.000
Totals	234	70	14	2	11	38	19	35	.299	.352	.517	.869

Angels vs. Pettitte:

	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
G. Anderson	71	27	2	0	3	10	1	11	.380	.389	.535	.924
T. Hunter	22	5	1	0	0	6	1	9	.227	.240	.273	.513
M. Teixeira	19	9	3	0	0	1	1	7	.474	.500	.632	1.132
G. Matthews Jr.	16	5	3	0	0	2	3	2	.313	.421	.500	.921
V. Guerrero	12	4	2	0	0	0	0	2	.333	.333	.500	.833
R. Quinlan	9	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	.444	.444	.556	1.000
R. Willits	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	.000	.000	.000	.000
M. Izturis	4	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.500	.600	.500	1.100
C. Figgins	3	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	.333	.333	.333	.667
H. Kendrick	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.333	.333	.333	.667
J. Rivera	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.500	.500	.500	1.000
J. Mathis	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000	.500	.000	.500
Totals	168	59	12	0	3	20	8	39	.351	.376	.476	.853

Stick around and discuss the game

as it happens in the comments section.

Alberto Gonzalez Traded to Nats

From Peter Abraham:

Alberto Gonzalez to the Nationals for RHP Jhonny Nunez.

UPDATE, 4:18 p.m.: Nunez is 2-8, 5.22 for AA Harrisburg. He’s 22.

Gonzalez was stuck with Jeter at SS, and didn't really have a place on this team, hopefully he can crack the MLB roster for the Nats. And there's never anything wrong with adding another young pitcher.

Yanks Pursuing Byrd?

From Ken Rosenthal:

12:36 p.m.: Yankees pursuing Byrd?

The Yankees, frustrated by their attempts to land Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn, are "kicking around" the idea of adding Indians righty Paul Byrd, according to major-league sources.

As of 12:30 p.m. ET, the Yankees and Indians had not yet exchanged names, but a deal could come together quickly if the Yankees decided to pursue it.

The Indians likely would not seek much in return from Byrd, who also has drawn mild interest from the Rockies. For the Yankees, Byrd would be a potential upgrade over right-hander Darrell Rasner.

Byrd is 5-10 with a 4.93 ERA, and a 1.36 WHIP. I'm not a big fan of Byrd, and don't see him as much of an upgrade. I'd stay away from this deal.

Kyle Lohse Available?

From Jayson Stark:

Here's one of the most surprising names to pop up on the "available" list in the past 24 hours -- Kyle Lohse. Officials of two teams that spoke with the Cardinals report that they've been offering to deal Lohse if they can get back the right package.

The Cardinals have been looking for both a bat and a bullpen arm. And apparently, they concluded they didn't have the prospects to get both. They got Chris Carpenter back from the disabled list Wednesday, with Adam Wainwright a couple of weeks behind. And they have no assurance they can re-sign Lohse because he's a Scott Boras client.

So Lohse could dramatically alter the starting-pitching market Thursday if the Cardinals can find the right taker. Among the teams still looking for a starter: White Sox, Rockies and Yankees.

Back in March I suggested that signing Lohse as a free agent wouldn't have been a bad idea, well the Yankees passed him up and he's only having one of his best seasons. He is currently 12-3 with a 3.68 ERA, and a 1.27 WHIP. If the Yanks could acquire him and not give up too much I'm all for bringing him to the Bronx. He'd be a better option than either Rasner or Ponson.

Kevin Millar: Just Shut Up

From Peter Abraham:

Kevin Millar was asked whether he thought Edwar Ramirez was throwing at him.

“One hundred percent,” he said. “I was upset they threw him out of the game because he’s really good hitting. He’s a cute little fellow, he doesn’t throw that hard and he doesn’t have very good stuff. So it’s probably a good idea they threw him out, because it probably would’ve been in Monument Park.”

That’s pretty funny. What’s even funnier is that Millar is 1 for 4 against Ramirez with three K’s.

It's a shame the ball didn't hit you in the face. Freakin' scab.

Yankees - Angels Series Preview

Yankees - Angels

Yankee Stadium
(4 games)

After a disappointing series with the Orioles that saw the Yankees drop two of three the Yankees welcome the Angels into town. The Angels are the best team in baseball, they can pitch, they can play defense, they can run the bases, and now with the addition of Mark Teixeira they can really hit too. And luckily for the Yanks, they get to play them ten times in the next two months, starting off with this weekend's four game series.

The Angels are 10 - 2 since the All Star break, and have actually helped the Yankees because six of those wins came against the Boston Red Sox, including a three game sweep at Fenway that was concluded last night. They are currently running away with the AL West with a 67-40 record, and an 11.5 game lead. They've also owned the Yankees lately, in the last three seasons the Angels are 18-11 against the Yankees.

The Yankees are coming off of a disappointing series against the Orioles, in which the Orioles took two out of three at the Stadium. But as I said they were helped by the Angels, and actually gained a game on the Red Sox. They currently have a 59-48 record and are tied with the Minnesota Twins for second place in the Wild Card, 1 game behind the Red Sox. And they're also now 4 games behind the first place Tampa Bay Rays in the division race. New addition Ivan Rodriguez will make his Yankees debut this weekend.

This series will be a huge test for the Yankees, but they have been known to play up or down to their competition so who knows. Anything can happen.

MATCHUPS

Game 1 - Today @ 7:05 p.m.
TV: YES; Radio: WCBS 880
Andy Pettitte LHP (12-7, 3.76) vs. Jon Garland RHP (9-6, 4.30)

Game 2 - Tomorrow @ 7:05 p.m.
TV: MY9; Radio: WCBS 880
Sidney Ponson RHP (6-2, 4.59) vs. Ervin Santana RHP (11-5, 3.57)

Game 3 - Saturday @ 3:55 p.m.
TV: FOX; Radio: WCBS 880
Mike Mussina RHP (13-7, 3.56) vs. Jered Weaver RHP (9-8, 4.11)

Game 4 - Sunday @ 1:05 p.m.
TV: YES; Radio: WCBS 880
Darrell Rasner RHP (5-8, 4.92) vs. John Lackey RHP (9-2, 2.93)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Yankees - Alex Rodriguez: A-Rod has always been an Angel killer, in his career he's hitting .329 against the Halos, with 58 home runs, 133 RBI, and an 1.085 OPS. The 58 homers are the most A-Rod has hit against any opponent in his career. And with the way they're playing right now he's going to need to step up and have a big series. The timing may be right for A-Rod as he's been on fire since the All-Star break, hitting .425 with 3 HR, 10 RBI, and a 1.270 OPS.

A-Rod vs. Garland: .412 (14-for-34), 2 HR, 8 RBI, 1.134 OPS
A-Rod vs. Santana: .143 (2-for-14), 2 RBI, .343 OPS
A-Rod vs. Weaver: .167 (1-for-6), HR, RBI
A-Rod vs. Lackey: .190 (8-for-42), 3 HR, 5 RBI, .776 OPS

Angels - Mark Teixeira - The newest Angel also has hit very well against Yankees pitching throughout his career, especially after the last three years. From 2005-2007, Teixeira is hitting .327 with 4 HR, 18 RBI, and a .908 OPS against the Yanks, and at Yankee Stadium he's been even better, hitting .339 with 2 HR, 12 RBI, and a .917 OPS. In his career his numbers aren't as impressive but they're still very good, .298 with 7 HR, 25 RBI, and an .864 OPS, and at the Stadium in his career he's hitting .308 with 4 homers, 16 RBI, also with an .864 OPS.

Teixeira vs. Pettitte: .474 (9-for-19), RBI, 1.132 OPS
Teixeira vs. Ponson: .538 (7-for-13), 4 RBI, 1.154 OPS
Teixeira vs. Mussina: .160 (4-for-25), RBI, .352 OPS
Teixeira vs. Rasner: NR

INJURY REPORT

Yankees:
- Chien-Ming Wang is out till at least September with a mid-foot tearing of the Lisfranc ligament and a partial tear of the peroneal longus tendon.
- Phil Hughes is out till at least August, most likely September, with a stress fracture of the rib.
- Brian Bruney is out with an injured foot. He's now pitching with AAA Scranton, and could return soon.
- Jonathan Albaladejo is out for the year with a stress fracture in his right elbow.
- Hideki Matsui is on the 15-day DL with an inflamed left knee. He is trying to rehab is the knee, and says he hopes to be back in two weeks.
- Jorge Posada is on the 15-day DL with a shoulder problem. He is deciding whether to have season-ending surgery, or to attempt to rehab the shoulder so he could return as a 1B/DH.

Angels:
- Mike Napoli is on the 15-day DL with right shoulder inflamation.
- Kelvim Escobar is on the 60-day DL with a torn right labrum.

7/30 Minor League Report

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

We are lucky enough to have a SWB report from BigGuy tonight. He won't be doing these all the time by when he does I will post them. Thanks BG for the great contributions.

(AAA) Scranton (68-45) beat Syracuse 6-0: Box Score - Recap

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Scranton/WB	2	1	1	0	0	0	2	0	0		6	11	1
Syracuse	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	1	2

W: C. Wright (1-0, 0.00); L: B. Murphy (5-9, 5.84)
HR: SWB: J. Closser (4), A. Gonzalez (4).

PITCHING: Chase Wright promoted the other day, got his first AAA start of the year and pitched very well. He went 6 shutout innings allowing only 1 single. He did walk 3 but got 2 DP's to help him out. Wright picked up 4 strikeouts. He got 11 groundouts only 3 flyouts. He threw 70 pitches in his 6 innings, 42 strikes. Wright got the win (1-0)

Mark Melancon made his AAA debut and pitched a perfect 7th inning getting 3 groundouts. Melancon also pitched a perfect 8th inning with 3 flyouts. ... He threw 19 pitches--15 strikes in his 2 innings. ... Scott Strickland came on to pitch a perfect 9th inning.

OFFENSE: The Yankees broke out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning. Brett Gardner doubled, Matt Carson followed with a rbi triple. Juan Miranda added a RBI single. ... In the 2nd. SWB made the score 3-0 with a solo run. Chris Stewart singled, Brett Gardner walked, Matt Carson got the RBI single. ... Alberto Gonzalez made the score SWB 4-0 in the 4th inning on a solo homer (4). ... The Yanks scored 2 more runs in the 7th to make the score 6-0 when J D Closser hit a 2-run homer (4) after Eric Duncan singled.

NOTES; SWB catcher Chris Stewart was ejected in the 4th inning for arguing strikes. ... Ben Broussard has an 8 game hit streak. Broussard's strikeout in the 7th inning won all the fans a free taco. ... Brett Gardner was 2-4, double, walk, 2 runs scored. ... Kei Igawa gets the start Thursday against Syacuse.

SWB Yankees:
Brett Gardner: 2-for-4, 2B, BB, 2 R
Bernie Castro: 0-for-4, BB, 2 SB
Matt Carson: 3-for-5, 3B, 2 RBI, R
Juan Miranda: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, SB
Cody Ransom: 0-for-4, BB
Ben Broussard: 1-for-4, BB
Alberto Gonzalez: 1-for-5, HR, RBI, R
Eric Duncan: 1-for-4, BB, R
Chris Stewart: 1-for-2
JD Closser: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, R
Chase Wright: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K (0.00 ERA)
Mark Melancon: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (0.00 ERA)
(AA) Trenton (66-43) beat Altoona 6-3: Box Score - Recap

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Altoona	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		3	9	4
Trenton	0	3	1	1	1	0	0	0	X		6	6	0

W: Z. Kroenke (5-0, 2.89); L: K. Bloom (2-6, 4.30); SV: J. Valdez (2)
HR: TRE: W. Ibarra (1).

Trenton:
Reegie Corona: 0-for-4, R
Ramiro Pena: 0-for-2, R, BB
Cody Ehlers: 0-for-0, BB

Austin Jackson: 0-for-4
Chris Malec: 0-for-2, R, BB
Colin Curtis: 1-for-4, RBI
Edwar Gonzalez: 2-for-3, 2B, 2 R, SB
Walter Ibarra: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, R
James Cooper: 1-for-1, RBI, BB
Zachary Kroenke: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K (2.89 ERA)
Phil Coke: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (2.51 ERA)
Jose Valdez: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K (1.69 ERA)

(High A) Tampa (54-52 overall; 17-19 in 2nd half) lost to Lakeland 6-5: Box Score - Recap

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10		R	H	E
Tampa	0	1	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	0		5	9	0
Lakeland	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	1	1		6	14	3

W: J. Sborz (3-2, 2.61); L: R. Semerano (1-1, 5.91)
HR: None.

Tampa:
Eduardo Nunez: 1-for-5, 2B
Mitch Hilligoss: 1-for-5, 2B, SB
Kevin Smith: 2-for-5, R
Josh Kreuzer: 1-for-4, 2B, R, BB
Seth Fortenberry: 0-for-4, R, BB
Jose Gil: 0-for-4, BB, SB
Tommy Baldridge: 2-for-4, RBI, R, BB
Chris Kunda: 1-for-4, RBI, R
Tim Battle: 1-for-5
Philip Bartleski: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K (1.28 ERA)

(Low A) Charleston (63-43 overall; 18-18 in second half) beat Asheville 6-5: Box Score - Recap

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Asheville	3	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1		5	9	1
Charleston	1	0	0	3	0	0	1	0	1		6	8	1

W: J. Ortiz (4-2, 1.95); L: M. Reynolds (4-2, 3.30)
HR: CHA: J. Montero (11), A. Krum (5).

Charleston:
Justin Snyder: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 R, BB
Bradley Suttle: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Austin Romine: 1-for-3, RBI, BB
Jesus Montero: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R
Brandon Laird: 0-for-3, BB
Carmen Angelini: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB
Abraham Almonte: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB
Austin Krum: 2-for-3, HR, RBI, R
Dellin Betances: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (3.74 ERA)
Craig Heyer: 3.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (1.95 ERA)

(Low A Short-Season) Staten Island (25-17) lost to Lowell 5-2: Box Score - Recap

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Staten Island	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0		2	6	2
Lowell	1	0	0	0	2	0	2	0	X		5	9	0

W: H. Strickland (3-2, 4.50); L: L. Greinke (0-6, 4.01); SV: C. Rosario (2)
HR: None.

SI Yankees:
Addison Maruszak: 0-for-4, RBI
Brian Baisley: 1-for-4, R
Mike Lyon: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Daniel Brewer: 2-for-3, 2B, BB
Raymond Kruml: 1-for-4
Jahdiel Santamaria: 1-for-4, 2B, R
Taylor Grote: 0-for-2, 2 BB
Luke Greinke: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K (4.01 ERA)
Jacinto Gonell: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (3.71 ERA)

(Rookie) GCL Yankees (16-19) lost to the GCL Phillies 10-1: Box Score - Recap

Cmpl. Early: Rain	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
GCL Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0					0	1	2
GCL Phillies	3	2	1	4	0	X					10	10	0

W: M. Matos (4-3, 3.30); L: C. Garcia (0-2, 14.73)
HR: PHL: L. Castillo (1).

GCL Yankees:
Corban Joseph: 1-for-2, 2B
Francisco Cervelli: 0-for-2
Manuel Banuelos: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K (3.75)