Yankees lose opener

That one hurt. The Yanks had plenty of chances to put the Sox away, including a bases loaded no out situation in the 7th. Instead, they wound up blowing a 2 run lead with 2 out in the bottom of the ninth.

The details are too painful for me to write.

Next game is today at 4:00 Burnett vs. Beckett.

Go Yankees

Yankees square off against Red Sox tonight

The Bronx Bombers are going into Fenway riding a nice 3 game winning steak tonight, and Joba will face Lester in game 1. Both teams have identical 9-6 records and the Sox have a 7 game streak.

While it is early to put too much emphasis on this series, it is always nice to beat Boston.

Game time is 7:10 tonight, and tomorrow it's the 4:00 game.

In Yankees news, Wang started against Phillie farmhands in Tampa and struck out 11. Most pitches were down, but he did hang a few that would have been hit hard in the bigs. Cashman is pretty sure Wang will have at least one more minor league start. He is working with Billy Connors (theres a name old Yankee fans should remember.) The DL is still a possibility.

In other news, Phil Hughes is 3-0 at Scranton. A-Rod is progressing well, and is expected back no later than May 15th.

Go Yankees

Playing with Joy; Yanks defeat A's

I watched tonight's game with the Mrs. and saw something that made me realize just how special a player Derek Jeter is.

He nearly got picked off at first base, and I told Mrs to watch his face as he gets up. And there it was--a huge smile on his face. This guy loves to play baseball, and it shows in his every action, every day. So many ballplayers have crappy attitudes, they bitch and moan all the time, yet Jeter always plays all out and with a smile.

As to the players who complain, what the hell is wrong with them? It's every kid's dream, to grow up and play (notice no one works baseball) and they are rewarded with huge amounts of money, and opportunities the average person never gets. Just look at mediocre players, after they leave the game, they usually are very successful as doors are opened that Joe Average never knows existed. Stars, of course, are set for life financially by age 35 or sooner. Players should be smiling all the time.

As far as the game, the Yankees looked good tonight. Pettitte was on, and in typical style, he would bend but not break. Andy scattered 9 hits and only allowed 2 runs. Teixeira and Gardner both threw some serious leather to help him out of a few jams. He tossed 7 innings and got the win as the Yanks beat Oakland 5-3. Mo picked up a save, and Bruney got a hold. Damon homered, the A's were kept in the park as the air was rather heavy.

By the way, Pettitte was hitting the low 90's on the radar gun, which made me happy.

And the current situation with Wang is being worked out. He will go to Tampa to try to get his mechanics straightened out. Last night's rainout and Thursday's off day has set it up so he can miss the Sox series. He said he is feeling well, and it's hoped an extended Spring Training game will get him back to his Cy Young contending self.

Go Yankees

What a weekend

Saturday, the Yankees stunk up Yankee Stadium with a terrible 22-4 loss as Wang got lit up. The next day, with AJ Burnett on the mound things looked better, but then the Indians mounted a comeback, and with the lead at 3-2 in the 7th inning, they had the bases loaded and one out. Oh no, not again.

Enter Albadelejo.

And this time, Girardi's call to the pen worked, as he shut the door and picked up his first win of the year. Bruney then came on the register a hold, and Mo nailed it down with a perfect ninth.

Posada belted a pinch hit home run, and the Yankees managed to come out with the win.

Homers continued to fly out of the Stadium, as a record was set for the most HR in the 1st games in a new stadium, ever. It seems as if a ball hit to right center just sails out. Talk already is that an engineer may be called in to correct this flaw. Hopefully, not until after A-Rod gets back and gets going. Right center is his favorite place to hit the long ball.

Go Yankees