Yankees Make it 4 straight

Mike Mussina pitched well enough to notch his 7th victory yesterday as he hung on for 5 innings while giving up 4 runs. It wasn't exactly a quality start, but it was good enough as the Yankees continued their assault on Mariners pitching with a 16 hit, 12 run blowout. The final score was 12-6, but it wasn't even that close. The bullpen did well, allowing only 2 runs in 4 innings of work (Farnsworh gave up a 2-run HR in the 8th.) Joba Chamberlain continued his program to get in shape for the starting rotation by tossing 40 pitches in his 2 shoutout innings.

Giambi continued his hot hitting by belting a big HR in addition to a double and a single as he has raised his average 50 points or so since A-Rods return. Cano also had a multi-hit game, going 4-4 including 3 doubles.

The only starter without a hit, for the second game in a row, was Jeter. His average has dipped into the .280's. Even Molina got a hit, so it looks like it's time for the Captain to man up and put on the thong.

The only thing that bothered me about all this is the pitching coach for the Mariners was one of my favorite Yankees when I was a kid. Mel Stottlemyre was a really good pitcher with some of the worst Yankee teams of all-time. During the mid-late 60's, he won 20 games 3 times, and his ERA was around a half-run per game under the league average. I hate to see him look bad. I hope after the Yankees drub the Mariners today, the M pitchers toss a few shutouts to make Mel happy.

Today, Wang is on the hill, going for his 7th win (1:05 on TBS and YES.)





The Giambino is on a hot streak

Go Yankees

Yankees win again, two in a row

Generation Trey finally came through with a start good enough for a victory.
Ian Kennedy pitched his best game as a Yankee, and while it was good enough for the win, the offense was so lame, he came away with just the satisfaction that he can pitch on a major league level. Kennedy turned in 6 strong innings, scattering 4 hits and allowing one run. The pen held the O's at bay, until Cano knocked in Matsui in the bottom of the ninth with a 2-out single.

Tonight, Pettitte is handed the ball against the Mariners. (7:05 on My 9)

The Yankees face the always tough Bedard, so look for a low scoring game.



Go Yankees

Yankees Win, finally (Caution Red Sox Photo included)

It wasn't pretty, but I'll take it. 2-1 against the division leading (I'll never get used to saying that) Rays wasn't exactly a huge victory, but it's a start. Mussina was great as he picked up his 6th win as he pitched 6.1 innings of one run ball. The bullpen then nailed the door shut. Joba struck out 3 in his one inning of work, and Mo picked up his 11th save.

The offense, as has become their habit lately, was awful.
5 singles (4 by Cano who finally got his average over .200) along with a couple doubles (Matsui, Abreu) really is sad.

Tonight, Ian Kennedy takes the ball against Kazmir at 4:10 at Trop Field. Only good thing I can find about this is at least the game will be over early.

Looking around the league, Manny (the only Red Sox player, ever that I don't hate--yeah, sure, Sean Casey I like, but he's only a Sox temporarily. Plus he's a Jersey guy) Ramirez made a play for the ages last night. It is protected by MLB copyright, so I can't put it here, but I'm sure it is available at MLB.com or the RedSox.com. It can still be found on some video (Google Manny Ramirez catch) but it's being removed almost as quickly as it is posted.

It has been on ESPN all morning. Basically, Manny made a running catch, and to stop, he had to take a step up the wall at Camden Yards. He then high 5'd a fan, came down, and doubled the runner off first.

Here's an AP still as he hi-5's the fan.



Go Yankees

Igawa is horrible as Yankees lose

AAs predicted yesterday Igawa was going to be terrible. He lived up (or wold that be down) to the advance billing. He surrendured 11 hits in 3 innings of work, and wasn't helped by less than spectacular fielding. Betemit was terrible at 3rd, making them miss A-Rod as much for his great glove work as for his MVP bat.

The only good news, and it's hard to find any good new when the team is below .500 nearly a quarter of the way into the season, is that Cano and Giambi seem to be coming out of their protraced slumps. That, and A-Rod's workout went well yesterday. He is scheduled to come back with the big club on Thursday against the Rays. Posada has been working out, but is believed to be about a month away. Karstens is also due to make a rehab appearance or two, and may be back with the squad very soon.

Today, Rasner takes the mound at Comerica Park at 3:40 on Fox 5 in NY against the talented, but inconsistent, Bonderman.

Despite the Yankees mediocre play, they are still within hailing distance of the league leading Red Sox.

Just a few more days until:



Go Yankees

Yankees follow blueprint and win

Yesterday everything went according to plan, which means the Yankees blasted home runs, and the starting pitcher gave them almost 6 innings (actual blueprint for success calls for 7 strong innings, but at this point, take what we can get.)
Moose did ok, then Ohlendorf held the lead until turning it over to Joba and Mo. Mo continues to be "lights out" as he has not allowed a run yet in his 9 saves.

It would be nice to say the offense really came through by scoring 6 runs, but I am a little disappointed. Giambi, Cano, Damon, and Betemit all homered, while Cano chipped in with a double, too. With that kind of power explosion, the team should have pushed across anywhere from 8 to 12 runs or more.

Today, the Yankees go into Comerica Park and try to get even for getting swept last week by these same Tigers.

Igawa gets his first start of the season against Kenny Rogers. I'm looking for a lot of Yankee runs, and, unfortunately, probably a lot of Yankee relievers.

Matsui quietly continues having a good year. His average is up to .345, and once the offense gets going, I'm sure his RBI total will start to rise. Right now, he is on a pace for a respectable total, but below his usual 100+.




Go Yankees