And That's That

Talk about a game of missed opportunities. All they needed was one big hit and they'd be preparing for the ALCS right now, but sadly, that hit just never came. Instead they fell 3-2 to the Tigers and now face another long winter.

I've seen and heard many complaints over the last few hours, many of which are warranted, but in the end this was a game where the Yanks clearly beat themselves, squandering chance after chances and ultimately coming up just one run short. Here is a great breakdown of their lack of clutch hitting tonight via friend of the blog SteveB:

Inning 2-
Teixeira hits a double with one out.
Swisher hits a grounder to SS (ahead of the runner) for an out and no advance.
Posada called out on strikes.

Inning 3-
Granderson walks, putting runners on first & second, two out.
In a long at-bat, Cano flies out to CF.

Inning 4-
Posada singles to load up the bases, one out.
Martin pops out to 1B, Gardner pops out to 3B.

Inning 7-
Cano singles to load the bases, one out.
Arod strikes out swinging.
Teixeira manages a walk to score one run.
Swisher strikes out swinging.

Awful.

2-for-9 with RISP, 11 men left of base, and from a team that wasn't that great in the clutch all year I can't say I'm surprise. It's terribly disappointing, but not a surprise at all.

Back To The Bronx We Go

So, how's the prediction looking now, Jose?

With their backs against the wall, A.J. Burnett and the Yankees came through in a huge way, beating the Tigers 10-1 on Tuesday to force a do-or-die game 5 on Thursday at The Stadium.

There was a lot that led to this huge win for the Yanks; solid pitching from AJ, clutch hitting, and good relief work. But there was nothing was more important than Curtis Granderson's spectacular play in the first inning to save A.J. Burnett and the Yankees from almost certain defeat.

Burnett was walkinng the ballpark and looked lost on the mound and the Tigers had the bases loaded with two out for Don Kelly. Kelly then hammered a 1-0 fastball deep to center. Granderson, who initially took a step in, had to back track and leap to make a lunging grab saving at least three runs.

Had the ball fallen in the Tigers would have had a commanding lead, Burnett might have been done (Wade was warming), and we'd almost certainly be talking about a disappointing end to the 2011 season for the Yanks. Instead, Burnett got out of the inning, eventually settling down and pitching 5.2 innings of one-run ball, Derek Jeter started the Yankees off with a two-run double in the 3rd propelling the Yankees offense to a 10-run 13-hit outburst, and now we're headed to a game 5.

But that season-saving play wasn't it for Granderson on the night. In the 5th, he came through with a big RBI double extending the Yanks lead to 3-1 at the time. Detroit had just cut the Yanks lead to 2-1 when Victor Martinez hit a solo shot off Burnett in the 4th--Burnett's lone blemish after his shaky first. Granderson also made another highlight reel play in the bottom of the 5th, robbing Jhonny Peralta of extra bases and probably and RBI with a diving grab in left-center.

Back to Burnett, who I'm sure shocked most of you with his performance. I know I'm shocked. He had good stuff, and most importantly, command of it. This is the guy we've been waiting for all year and to be honest, he couldn't have picked a better time to show up. If the Yanks can win game 5 and go on to the ALCS, Burnett, I assume, will have a starting spot in the rotation--one he most certainly deserves after today.

Some other notes:

- Jesus Montero went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored in his first two postseason at-bats.
- Rafael Soriano had a solid 1.1 innings of work after his rough outing on Monday.
- Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez actually got hits.
- So did Nick Swisher.

Just an overall great win for the Yanks who have to be feeling good about themselves as they board that plane back to NY.

Game 5 is Thursday in the Bronx with a rematch of game 1 (part 2), Ivan Nova vs. Doug Fister.

Haren Throws CG Shutout, Yanks Drop 4th Straight

(Getty Images/Yahoo!)

Just this sight alone, though a somewhat happy one, represented that things were not going right for the Yankees tonight. Russell Martin left the game with an injury in the 3rd inning, and in to replace him at catcher went 40-year old Jorge Posada. Though he did a serviceable job, the Yankees bats did not, and the Bombers dropped their 4th straight game 6-0.

CC Sabathia had another very high pitch count, but another nice outing as well, throwing 6 innings of 1 run ball. CC managed to escape a few jams, and normally would have done enough to get a win. But not tonight. In fact he was tagged with the loss.

For the Halos, Dan Haren threw a complete-game 4-hit shutout, as the Yankees simply couldn't get anything started against him. Yes, Weaver has been great, but don't overlook Dan Haren. If the Angels make the playoffs, that 1-2 punch can seriously give them a chance to get to the Fall Classic.

Rough outings by Hector Noesi and George Kontos (his MLB debut) gave the Angels those 5 extra insurance runs.

Luckily, Boston lost to Tampa again, so the Yankees' lead in the AL East remains 2.5 games.

The Yankees will now try to regroup, and honor New York City with a win on the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The game will be on YES.

A.J. Bleepin' Burnett

(AP/Yahoo)

Coming into tonight I thought of A.J. Burnett as just an inconsistent pitcher who is having an incredibly bad season. But after tonight I see him in a whole new way - a gutless bitch, a la Javier Vazquez.

But this time it's for real. A.J., after LOADING THE BASES and allowing four runs, was pulled from the game - and he didn't understand why, and yelled expletives. He then ran into the clubhouse and probably had a tantrum until Joe Girardi ran after him and pulled him out of the clubhouse to watch the rest of the inning.

Burnett's final line: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO

Nice job by the Yankees "#2 starter". Yeah right. There's no nice way to put it, this guy just sucks right now. It's not even that he only pitched bad tonight, but cursing your way to the dugout as you leave the field and run into the clubhouse like a baby is just sad. Burnett is making $82.5 million to go out every 5 (6 recently) days and pitch as bad as... well.... I can't even think of someone to compare him to. He has been that bad.

This sad excuse for an MLB pitcher does not deserve to be in the rotation and I PRAY the Yankees front office will realize that and give Joe the greenlight to pull him. He's had so many chances to turn it around, yet he shows everyone he simply can not.

A.J., you saved the Yanks' ass in the World Series (Game 2 he pitched a gem), but now you're worth less than 2 dugout seats at Yankee Stadium. And I don't think I'm exaggerating that much.

Hughes Rusty in Return As Yanks Fall 5-3

 

For the first time in eight tries the Yankees lost a series thanks to their 5-3 loss in Cleveland last night. Phil Hughes returned from the DL and took the loss. He wasn't terrible, but did deal with some rust in the first inning which would cost him.

The first three batters of the game would reach -- a leadoff walk to Brantley, a single by Cabrera, and then an RBI single by Hafner to open up the scoring. Hughes would then uncork a wild pitch to the next batter allowing Cabrera to go to 3rd and then score on a throwing error by Russell Martin. Eventually he would get out of the inning, but it took him 32 pitches to do so.

Hughes would eventually settle down and complete five innings of work, allowing just those two first-inning runs. His stuff was pretty decent after that rocky first as was the velocity on his fastball, which averaged 91.5 MPH and topped out at 92.9. Either way, it was his first start back so there's really no need to hyper-analyze it.

Here is a quote from Girardi on the right-hander's outing:

“People are going to say it’s a good outing, but we know that he can be better,” Joe Girardi said. “We know that he can be downhill more… I talked about with the extra days off and the first outing, my concern was that he would be up a little bit. That’s what we saw.”

Indians starter Justin Masterson, had no such problems. He dominated the Yankees over 8 shutout innings, holding them to just three hits and two walks, while striking out six.

The Yankees bullpen also didn't help matters allowing three runs over the final two frames to help the Indians put the game away. Boone Logan served up a solo shot to Lonnie Chisenhall in the 7th and then Sergio Mitre walked three and allowed two more runs in the 8th to give the Indians a 5-0 lead.

Those runs proved to be the game-winners because the Yankees would score three times in the top of the 9th before Chris Perez came in to shut the door.
 
One positive on the night was Derek Jeter's 8th-inning double, moving him just 3 hits away from 3,000. He now has four games in the Bronx to pick up three hits and be able to reach his milestone in front of the home fans. Game one of that series is tomorrow night at the stadium, with Bartolo Colon facing Jeff Niemann.

(BOXSCORE)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Justin Masterson
HONORABLE MENTION: Michael Brantley
GOAT OF THE GAME: Sergio Mitre

CC & Granderson Lead Yanks To Easy Win Over Tribe

CC Sabathia was tremendous once again, holding Cleveland to just five hits and two walks over seven shutout innings. He also racked up another ten strikeouts as the Yankees rolled to a 9-2 victory in Cleveland. I think this quote from Curtis Granderson sums up CC's night pretty well:

“Today was amazing because I got a chance to see the radar gun,” said Curtis Granderson, who could see a radar reading above the third-base dugout. “The one at-bat that stood out a lot was the at-bat against Travis Hafner — I think his second or third at-bat — when (Sabathia) went 97 with a fastball that Hafner had a swing and miss on, and then came back with a hard slider down and away. I was like, that’s just not fair, the fact that you’re able to do those two as effectively as he was able to all night tonight.”

The win was Sabathia's MLB leading 12th of the year and the start dropped the big fella's ERA to 2.90.

Speaking of Granderson, he led the way for the Yanks offensively, picking up three hits, including two long balls and driving in three. The two homers raised his total to 25 on the year, tying him with Mark Teixeira for the team lead. It's also the first time since 1961 that the Yankees have two players with at least 25 home runs at the break.

 Derek Jeter also had a nice game, going 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and two RBI. Jeter is now just four hits shy of 3,000.

Jorge Posada, Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher and Francisco Cervelli also drove in a run apiece for the Yanks.

Overall, the Yankees banged out 17 hits on the night, their 2nd highest total of the season -- their highest was 18 in their June 2nd win also over the Tribe.

The rubber game of this three-game set is tomorrow night at The Prog as Phil Hughes makes his return to the mound. He will be facing former Red Sock, Justin Masterson. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM.

(BOX)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: CC Sabathia
HONORABLE MENTION: Curtis Granderson

Yanks Take The Opener 4-2

I'm writing this as the game is still going on. In fact, Mo hasn't even thrown a pitch yet. But it's Mo, so I'm not too concerned about the jinx.

(One out...)

Early RBIs from Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano gave the Yanks a 2-0 lead. Which should have been enough for Freddy Garcia, who was very sharp over seven. But he was hurt by a few errors and ended up allowing two unearned runs on three hits....

(...Two out... Nice play Ramiro!)

That's funny, the two unearned runs Garcia gave up were thanks to two errors by Pena. (He had three on the day.) The two runs also tied the game at 2 in the bottom of the 5th.

But the Yanks didn't wait too long to regain the lead, scoring twice in the 6th on a two-run homer by Jorge Posada.

(....Three out... Ballgame over!)

David Robertson and the aforementioned Mariano Rivera finished off the game with two scoreless innings. The Yanks will now eat and sit around for a while until game two starts tonight @ 7:10 PM.

Burnett Solid As Yanks Take Middle Game 4-3

Yankees 4 - Cubs 3

Curtis Granderson hit a tie breaking sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, and Brett Gardner made a terrific play in the outfield to highlight the Yankees 4-3 victory over the Cubs on Saturday Chicago.

Yankees starting pitcher, A.J Burnett, went 5.1 innings, allowing 2 runs, 3 walks, and striking out 8. As you can see, he had his better stuff today, and besides one long ball that accounted for the two runs he pitched a pretty good game. One the day, he threw 104 pitches with 59 of them being strikes.

The Yankees relievers, with the exception of Mariano were solid. In fact, besides Mo, the Yankees other three relievers -- Cory Wade, Hector Noesi and David Robertson -- all had perfect outings. As for Mo, we'll get to him later.

(Top 3rd: Yankees 2 - Cubs 0)

Grandy ripped a single into right center to leadoff the inning. Teixeira followed by grounded out to first and moving Granderson over to second base. A-Rod then ripped a single to left to advance Granderson to third. Robby Cano, don’t cha know? came up a shot a ball deep and into the ivy for a double, scoring Granderson and moving Arod to third. The Yanks were in business with a 1-0 lead and men on 2nd and 3rd. Swisher drove the ball to deep center, giving A-Rod plenty of time to scurry home with the Yanks 2nd run.

(Bottom 4th: Yankees 2 - Cubs 2)

Blake DeWitt walked to start the inning, Ramirez followed by striking out swinging, then former Ray, Carlos Pena launched a 386-foot shot to right to tie the game. That was Burnett's only mistake of the day.

(Top 6th: Yankees 3 - Cubs 2)

Nunez singled to center to begin the inning, then, following a Burnett sacrifice, Gardner tapped an infield hit to short stop to put runners on the corners with one out. Granderson then gave the Yankees the lead for good wit ha sac fly to right.

(Bottom 6th: Yankees 3 - Cubs 2)

After loading the bases with one out on a walk and two errors, the Cubs looked like they were about to take control of this game. Following the first of two errors Burnett, who had clearly run out of gas, was replaced by Cory Wade. Luckily Brett Gardner turned Geovany Soto's sinking liner into an inning-ending doubleplay. Russell Martin also came up big on the play, holding his ground and taking a nice hit from Carlos Pena at the plate.

(Top 9th: Yankees 4 - Cubs 2)

The Yankees added what turned out to be a huge insurance run in the top half of the 9th. With one out, Cano doubled and then Swisher walked to put two on with one out. After Russell Martin popped out to foul territory, Nunez came up and ripped a clutch doubled to scored Cano. Swisher, who tried to score all the way from first, was thrown out at home to end the inning.

(Bottom 9th - Yankees 4 Cubs 3)

Mariano Riviera came in for the ninth and you could tell from his first few pitches that he didn't have his best location. One of his first offerings actually crossed up Russell Martin behind the plate, nailing the homeplate umpire in the arm. One of his early misplaced pitches to Reed Johnson ended up in the seats and cut the Yanks lead to 4-3. Alfonso Soriano followed the homer with a single up the middle and the Cubbies had the tying run on base. But like he does, Mo would eventually settle down. The next batter, Geovany Soto, grounded into a 4-4-3 double play, and Jeff Baker struck out to end the game. Ballgame over, Yankees win! Thaaaaaaaaaaaaa Yankees Win!

(BOX SCORE)

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Sabathia Implodes, Yanks Swept Again

After a 3+ hour rain delay, for six innings it actually looked like the Yanks could win this game. Curtis Granderson gave the Yankees an early 2-0 lead with a 2-run homer in the first and Boston had CC Sabathia had allowed just two hits, a few walks, and one overdue hit batsman (A 97 MPH fastball to David Ortiz's leg).

Then all hell broke loose.

Boston would send 12 men to the plate and score seven in the inning as Sabathia imploded. I'm not going to go into the details of the massacre, nor do I believe you want me to.

Sabathia's meltdown couldn't have come at a worse time. This was a game the Yankees needed (even if it is June), and to have your ace shit the bed like that is certainly a demoralizing way to go down. It also solidifies that fact that this Red Sox team is just a much better baseball team right now.

There would be no such meltdown for Josh Beckett. The Yanks wouldn't score another run off him after the first as he picked up his 3rd win against the Yanks this season.

This latest disaster makes it six losses in a row AT HOME to Boston and eight in nine tries overall. Boston now holds a two-game lead in the division.... Pathetic.

(BOX SCORE)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: David Ortiz
HONORABLE MENTION: Adrian Gonzalez
GOAT OF THE GAME: CC Sabathia

Make It Six Straight Losses To The Sox

It was another ugly night for the Yankees against Boston, this time falling by the score of 11-6, making it 6 straight losses to Boston and 7 of 8 overall. Like Garcia on Tuesday, A.J. Burnett had nothing. It was 4-0 after two, and 7-0 after three and a half. By the time he walked off the mound with two out in the sixth he had given up 8 runs (7 earned) on 7 hits, walked 4 and struck out three. One of the hits allowed was a 1st inning two-run homer by David Ortiz, however there was no excessive bat flip that I noticed.

Tim Wakefield wasn't great for Boston either. After putting up zeroes for the first three, he ran out of gas towards the middle innings. Alex Rodriguez got the Yankees on the board with a solo homer in the 4th. They added three more in the 5th and another in the 6th to cut the Boston lead to 8-5.

It would remain that way until the top of the 9th when Lance Pendleton came in and gave up three runs on two long balls-one to Carl Crawford and another to J.D. Drew.

The Yanks would score on in the bottom of the 9th, but that would be all. The Sox are now alone in 1st and the Yanks, well they don't look like they belong on the same field at this point.

Hopefully they can salvage the finale tomorrow night when CC Sabathia takes on Josh Beckett at the big ballpark in the Bronx. First pitch is 7:05 PM.

(Box Score)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jacoby Ellsbury (3-for-5, RBI, R, SB)
HONORABLE MENTION: JD Drew (1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, R, BB)
GOAT OF THE GAME: A.J. Burnett

Garcia Struggles As Yanks Drop 5th Straight To Sox

It was a struggle from the start for the Yanks last night at the stadium last night as they fell to the Red Sox 6-4. The loss drops the Yanks record to 33-25, and was the Yanks' fifth straight loss to the Sox, who they're now just 1-6 against this season.

Freddy Garcia had absolutely nothing and the problems started with the very first batter, Jacoby Ellsbury, who led off the game with a solo homer. A walk to Pedroia, an RBI triple by Adrian Gonzalez, and a sac fly by Youkilis made it 3-0 Sox before the Yankees saw a pitch. 

The Yanks would get one back off Jon Lester in the bottom of the first when Cano singled with runners on the corners and two out. Lester then hit Russell Martin to load the bases but got out of the jam when Swisher grounded out to third.

Lester also knocked out the Yankees hottest hitter in the inning, when he drilled Mark Teixeira on the knee with a cutter that cut way too much. If you're wondering, I don't believe it was intentional. Lester was pretty wild all inning and it did look like that one just got away. Luckily for the Yanks, the X-rays came back negative and Tex should be back in a few days.

In the top of the 2nd, the Sox would push their lead back up to three on a Dustin Pedroia double. Garcia would stay in the game to intentionally walk Gonzalez, but would then make his exit after just 1.2 innings (4 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 1 K). Luis Ayala replaced Garcia and held the Sox off the board in the 3rd and 4th as the score remained 4-1 until the top of the 5th.

Hector Noesi came in to replace Ayala. Noesi would walk Gonzalez to start the inning and two batters later David Ortiz made it 6-1 with a two-run homer into the seats in right. Noesi would settle down and end up throwing six solid innings, allowing two runs on just three hits. The only problem is that those two runs would prove to be the game winners.

Swisher cut into the Sox lead in the bottom of the 5th with a two-run double scoring Jorge Posada and Martin. Posada, who came into the game to pinch run for Tex, had a rare great night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a walk, a run scored, and an RBI.

The Yanks wouldn't really have another scoring opportunity until the bottom of the 9th against Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon. Brett Gardner started things off with a walk and would eventually steal second and score on Posada's two-out RBI single. The single also brought A-Rod to the plate as the tying run, but Papelbon quickly got ahead 0-2 and would eventually strike out A-Rod to end the game.

I know it's only June, but the Yanks need a big start from A.J. Burnett tonight. This is a very good Red Sox team who have already played their worst baseball of the season, the last thing you want to do is give them any more confidence than they already have. After getting swept last time Boston came to town, the Yanks must avoid letting this team come into the Bronx and win another series, or even worse, sweep another series.

(BOX SCORE)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Adrian Gonzalez (1-for-2, 2 BB, 3B, RBI, 2 R)
HONORABLE MENTION: David Ortiz (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI)
GOAT OF THE GAME: Freddy Garcia

Yanks Win 3-2 Behind Another Strong Start From CC

Make it four wins in row for CC Sabathia after his latest gem, an 8.2 inning effort in Cali to lead the Yankees over the Angels 3-2. Not only was it his fourth win in a row, but the fourth with at least 8 innings pitched. The southpaw scattered eight hits, while allowing just one earned run, walking one, and striking out three. The earned run came all the way in the bottom of the ninth when the Halos strung together two 2-out hits, with a defensive indifference in between, to knock the big fella out of the game.

Ervin Santana pitched well for the Angels as well, and both he and Sabathia traded zeros over the first three. Robinson Cano changed on that when he hit a solo homer with two out in the 4th to give the Yanks a 1-0 lead. The homer was his 12th of the season. The Angels came back with one of their own after Alberto Callaspo led off with a double and later scored on a sac fly by Jeff Mathis. It was an unearned run thanks to an error by Jeter on a Howard Kendrick grounder which allowed Callapso to get to third.

It would remain tied at one until the top of the sixth when Alex Rodriguez crushed Santana's 1-1 offering deep into the seats in left-center for a two-run homer.

The 3 runs would prove to be enough, even if things did get a little scary in the 9th after the Angels brought the winning run to the plate. Those fears wouldn't last very long, because Mariano needed just one pitch to get Erick Aybar to pop out short and wrap up the Yanks 32nd win of the season.

Nice solid win for the Yanks who look to take the series in tomorrow afternoon's rubber game with Bartolo Colon on the mound. Joel Pineiro will start for the Angels. First pitch is at 3:35 PM.


(BOX SCORE)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: CC Sabathia
HONORABLE MENTION: Alex Rodriguez 

Colon Blanks A's, Yanks Cruise To 5-0 Win

I was out for most of the game, so when I quite shocked when I walked into the house and saw that Colon complete his seventh shutout inning of the day by retiring Hideki Matsui on a grounder to Cano. Maybe I shouldn't have been, after all, the guy's been one of the Yankees best starter this year. I guess after his last rocky start I expected a little bit of a fall back to earth, but no, there was none of that on Monday.

Colon would go on to complete his gem, tossing a complete game four-hitter. As you might expect, his command was excellent all day--throwing 71 of 103 pitches for strikes--and did not walk a batter while striking out six. Just an absolutely dominating performance from Bartolo.

The Yankees would give Colon all the runs he'd need in their first at-bat scoring three in the top of the first. Mark Teixeira made it 2-0 with his 16th homer of the game. The homer was Tex's 7th in his last 11 games. Derek Jeter had previously singled to leadoff the game on his 2981st hit of his career. Later in the inning Cano would drive in a run with a double to plate A-Rod, who had reached on a walk.

Jeter later drive in the Yankees fourth run with a seventh inning sac fly.

The win improves the Yankees to 29-23 on the year and moves them in a tie for first with the Red Sox.

Game two of the series is tonight @ 10:05 PM, and Freddy Garcia will face A's left-hander Brett Anderson.

(BOX SCORE)

 PLAYER OF THE GAME: Bartolo Colon
HONORABLE MENTION: Mark Teixeira

Yanks Finally Show Up in Seattle, Take Finale 7-1

It was an overall solid win for the Yankees in Seattle on Sunday, winning by the score of 7-1. The win improves the Yankees record to 28-23 on the year.

CC Sabathia was sharp over eight innings allowing just one run on five hits and three walks while striking out five. Seattle's only run came on a sixth inning solo homer by Justin Smoak. The start earned CC his 6th win of the season and dropped his ERA under 3.00 to 2.98. 

As for the offense, they got to M's starter Jason Vargas early and often, scoring all seven of their runs before the fifth. Nick Swisher got the Yankees started with a solo homer in the 2nd, just his 3rd long ball of the year. The Yanks then put the game away with a 5-spot in the 3rd. Andruw Jones got the big hit in the inning with a bases clearing 3-run double. Eduardo Nunez, Mark Teixeira, and Robinson Cano also drove in runs on the day. Curtis Granderson did not drive in a run, but it was another big day for his as he picked up three hits, including two doubles and two runs scored, in five at-bats.

Derek Jeter is now one hit closer to 3000 after his 1-for-3 day, he's now just 20 shy of the milestone.

The Yankees now head to Oakland for a three-game set with the A's starting on Monday. First pitch in the opener is at 4:05 PM, and Bartolo Colon will face A's starter Trevor Cahill.

(BOX SCORE)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: CC Sabathia
HONORABLE MENTION: Curtis Granderson

Yanks Make it 0-for-2 in Seattle

Another day, another ugly loss to the Mariners, this time losing 5-4 in walk-of fashion. The loss drops the Yankees to 27-23 on the season.

Like Friday night, the Yankees once again blew an early lead. Tonight, they were leading 3-1 after three, thanks to two long balls off M's starter Felix Hernandez; a solo shot by Cano and a two-run homer by Teixeira.

Seattle took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the 4th off Ivan Nova, who did not have a good outing. The big hit in the inning was a two-run game-tying double by Miguel Olivo. Brendan Ryan later singled to give the Mariners a 4-3 lead.

The score would stay like that until the top of the seventh when Curtis Granderson followed up a Derek Jeter walk with an RBI triple. All four Yankees runs came off King Felix, who went seven on the night.

Both bullpens did a great job tonight as the team's traded zeros over the next four+ innings. For the Yankees the work was that much more impressive considering Nova lasted just 3.2 innings. The combination of Hector Noesi, David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain, Boone Logan, and Luis Ayala threw 7.1 innings of shutout ball, allowing just five hits, walking one, and striking out seven.

That said, it wasn't like the Yankees didn't have their chances, but once again the offense failed to get the big hit, going 1-for-9 with RISP and leaving 9 on base.

That set things up for Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the 12th, and once again, Mo was anything but great in a non-save situation. After retiring Chone Figgins to start the frame, Justin Smoak singled, Jack Cust doubled to men on 2nd and 3rd, and following a walk to Franklin Gutierrez, Adam Kennedy drove in the winning run with a bloop single to center. Mo's Line: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K ---- Yikes!

The series concludes tomorrow afternoon in Seattle. First pitch is at 4:10 PM, with CC Sabathia facing Jason Vargas.  

(BOX SCORE)
 

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Miguel Olivo (3-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI, R) 
HONORABLE MENTION: Adam Kennedy (walk-off single in 12th) 
GOAT OF THE GAME: Mariano Rivera

Yanks Comeback To Beat Jays 5-4 in Walk-Off Fashion

Very nice win for the Yanks in the Bronx tonight, as they came back from a 4-1 8th inning deficit to win 5-4. The Yankees haven't had many of these this year, so it was good to see. By the looks of the players reactions after the winning run crossed home it looked like they all needed a game like this. With the win the Yankees are now 26-21, and alone in first thanks to Tampa's loss in Motown.

CC Sabathia went the whole way for the Yanks, allowing the four runs on eight hits and a walk, and struck out three. He struggled a bit in the 3rd and 4th leading to all four Jays runs, but was dominant from their and would eventually retire the last 16 batters he faced.

After Russell Martin gave the Yanks a 1-0 lead with a solo shot in the 2nd, the Jays responded with a run on three singles led to the Jays. Corey Patterson's RBI single to right drove home the run for Toronto.

In the 4th things got a little ugly for the CC. Juan Rivera started the inning with a double. He came around when the next batter, J. P. Arencibia, singled to center. to give the Jays their first lead of the game. A couple batters later, Rajai Davis made it 3-1 with an RBI single, and then Jason McDonald finished off the rally with a squeeze bunt. The inning could have gotten much worse, but with two out and the bases loaded CC got the dangerous Jose Bautista to ground into a force to end the threat. Like I said before, he cruised from there.

Ricky Romero pitched very well for the Jays. He held the Yanks to just the one run on seven scattered hits and three walks over seven. The Jays would then turn things over to their bullpen and the Yankees took over from there.

Curtis Granderson, who had four hits on the night, started the bottom of the 8th with a double off Jays reliever Casey Janssen. After Janssen retired Tex and A-Rod, the Jays brought in Marc Rzepczynski to face Cano. Cano responded by lining a double into right-center to score Granderson and cut the lead to two. Russell Martin followed with an RBI single to shave one more off the deficit.

In the 9th, Jorge Posada came up as a pinch-hitter with nobody on and one out. It's no secret how badly he needed a hit, and luckily for him and the Yankees he came through by lining a ball to right. The ball took a funny hop off Bautista's glove in right which allowed Posada to get to second with a double. As you might expect, that extra base turned out to be huge. Derek Jeter was next and he moved the runner (now Chris Dickerson who pinch ran for Posada) over to third on a ground out to leave things up to Granderson.

Last night, Jays closer Frank Francisco struck out Granderson to end the game, tonight it was time for a little payback. With a 2-1 count, Granderson lined a hanging curveball ball just out of the reach of first baseman Juan Rivera's outstretched glove and the game was tied. With Granderson now at second after stealing the base, Teixeira took a 3-1 offering from Francisco and hit a similar ball to Granderson-a liner towards first--this time a little closer to Rivera, which actually helped the Yankees. Instead of going into right and setting up a play at the plate with Bautista's rocket arm, the ball trickled off Rivera's glove, rolling slowing into right and allowing Granderson to score without a throw.

PIE!

I keep hoping that one of these wins is the win that lights a spark under this team and gets them going, maybe this will be it. Taking the rubber game in this series would be a nice start. It's an afternoon affair in the Bronx tomorrow with a 1:05 PM start. Freddy Garcia will go for the Yanks, with Jo-Jo Reyes starting for the Jays.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Curtis Granderson
HONORABLE MENTION: CC Sabathia

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Colon Struggles as Yanks Fall 7-3

It was a rare rough start for Bartolo Colon in the Bronx tonight. In six innings the right-hander allowed six runs on seven hits, walked four, and struck out eight. He was pretty good over the first five, allowing just one run on Jose Bautista's league-leading 19th home run of the year, but then in the sixth, it all fell apart as the Jays were able to plate five.

After loading the bases with one out in the inning, Aaron Hill broke a 1-1 tie with an RBI single. Colon then walked Eric Thames to make it 3-1 and the next batter, J. P. Arencibia, cleared the bases with a double to the wall in right-center.

Carlos Villanueva was sharp over five innings for the Jays, holding the Yanks to just one run on two hits and walk, while fanning five. The lone run scored against him came in the 4th on a sac fly by Robinson Cano. They picked up individual runs in the sixth and eighth off the Jays relievers--both also driven in by Cano--but overall it was a pretty disappointing night for the offense. As a team they left eight men on, and went 2-for-15 with RISP.

Tampa and Boston both lost as well, so nothing changes in the standings (It's way too early for this, I know).

Game two of this three-game set is tomorrow night, with CC Sabathia facing Ricky Romero. First pitch is 7:05 PM.

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Weekend Wrap: Yanks Take Round 1 of Subway Series

It was a busy weekend here at the Cohen household so I wasn't able to post as much as I would have liked to (what else is new?) so here's a summary of the weekend's action in the Bronx.

 
Friday night's opener was an ugly one for the Yanks, as they wasted a nice start from Freddy Gacia, falling 2-1 to their crosstown rival. The Yankees bats were shut down by R.A. Dickey and his knuckleball, and their late-game chance was snuffed out by a great play by the always annoying Jose Reyes. Mark Teixiera drove in the Yankees only run with a homer. Daniel Murphy went yard for the Mets, a solo shot off Garcia in the 6th that proved to be the game-winner. Luckily, things improved from there as they were able to take the next two to win take the series.

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Saturday they homered their way to a 7-3 win. Russell Martin, Curtis Granderson, A-Rod and Tex all went deep. A.J. Burnett went 6.1, allowing three runs on six hits for his 5th win of the year. The combination of Boone Logan, David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain, and Luis Ayala took care of the rest. Robertson's outing included another Houdini act, this time getting out of a 1st and 3rd jam with one out.

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Ivan Nova continued where Garcia and Burnett left off, following up their outings with a solid one of his own on Sunday. Although he allowed 11 hits, only three men crossed the plate and as they say, he kept the team in the game.

The Yankees trailed for most of of the game, failing time after time to drive in a run. Until the 7th they were 0-for-11 with runners on base for the game. Their only run up until that point came on another homer by Granderson, his 16th of the season. But in the 7th the Yankees finally got to Mets starter Mike Pelfrey and blew the game open with an eight run inning, and all without the use of a homer, and mostly without the use of a hard hit ball.

After the Yankees loaded the bases, Jeter tied things up with a two-run 18-hopper up the middle. (Jeter is now 25 hits shy of 3000 after picking up 5 this series.) A couple batters later the Yankees once again had them loaded and took the lead on slow roller from A-Rod that turned into an infield single. Cano then singled in one, Gardner doubled in two, and Dickerson capped off the rally with an RBI single. Luis Ayala shut the Mets down from there.

In a sad turn of events, it appears that the 7th inning was just too much to take for this Mets fan:



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Overall, I'd say it was a good weekend for the Yanks. Three good outings from the starters, the bullpen didn't allow a run, and maybe, just maybe, the Yankees broke out of their home run spell with their rally in the 7th on Sunday.

At 25-20 the Yankees also finish the weekend in a tie for first with the Rays, who lost two of three to the Marlins. Boston, who dropped two of three to the Cubs, is a half-game out.

Toronto now comes into town for a three-game set. Game one is Monday night, with Bartolo Colon facing Carlos Villanueva.

CC Dominates As Yanks Destroy O's 13-2

After losing six straight the Yankees have now won three in a row after beating up on the O's in Baltimore on Thursday to the tune of 13-2. All problems are not solved with this team but at least they're showing some signs of life after that ugly losing streak.

CC Sabathia was outstanding, throwing 8 shutout innings, while scattering 7 hits, walking none, and striking out 9. He had everything working, especially his command as he pounded the zone, throwing 84 of 109 pitches for strikes. CC hasn't been himself lately so clearly this is very good to see.

With 13 runs and 14 hits on the board there's a lot of credit to go around on the offensive end. Nick Swishher led the way with two hits, including a double, and four RBI. Mark Teixeira and Eduardo Nunez each homered, both two-run shots. Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Jorge Posada and Brett Gardner all picked up at least one hit and drove in a run. Just a great offensive night from top to bottom.

The Yankees now head back to the Bronx for Subway Series round 1. Freddy Garcia will start for the Yanks in the opener, with R.A. Dickey starting for the Mets.

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Back in the Win Column.... Finally

The team desperately needed something to feel good about and tonight's win was certainly that. Ivan Nova pitched pretty well over 5.1, allowing just a run on four hits. The bullpen, and especially David Robertson did a solid job (more on that later) holding the lead, something they haven't done lately. And the Yankees got some nice timely hitting, including two bombs by A-Rod, three hits by Gardner, two hit for Posada (WOW!), and Chris Dickerson even picked up a hit and an RBI in his debut. All in all, a very nice win over the first place Rays.

Things were pretty much decided in the 6th when David Robertson came into a 2-1 game with the bases loaded and one out. He would come up huge, striking out BJ Upton and Casey Kotchman to end the inning. The Yanks would score two more in the top of the 7th to increase their lead to three.

It's just one win, but it came when they needed it the most. Hopefully, it's something they can build upon. Who knows, maybe after getting destroyed in the papers for the last few days they'll play with a chip on their shoulder. They did seem a little extra pumped up on the bench tonight, but obviously winning for the first time in a week will do that to you.

The Yanks start a two-game series with the O's in Baltimore tomorrow before interleague play, and the Subway Series, kick off on Friday.

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