A-Rod Catches a Foxx

Alex Rodriguez climbed another rung in baseball imortality tonight when he tied Jimmie Foxx for 14th place on the all-time home run list with 534 blasts. A-Rod hit a Scott Feldman pitch into the Yankee Stadium monuments sections, nearly clipping the Bambino. Next up is The Mick with 536.

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Yankees vs. Rangers - June 30

Brett Gardner makes his major league debut tonight and he's right in the lineup, in the lead off spot. Johnny Damon gets a night off as Gardner mans left field with Mike Mussina on the mound.

Here's tonight's lineup courtesy of Peter Abraham:

Gardner LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Posada DH
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Molina C


Mike Mussina (10-5, 3.93) has faced only a handful of the current Rangers, most notably, Michael Young (-35, .257 3 RBI) and Frank Catalonotto (26-59, .441 2 HR 10 RBI). Moose is 17-12, 3.76 in 35 career starts against the Rangers.

The Rangers have the major leagues leading RBI man in Josh Hamilton, who has been bothered by some nagging injuries lately. It's overshadowed the all-star type season from pending free agent Milton Bradley, who's hitting .323-16-49 with a 1.056 OPS.

Scott Feldman (1-3, 4.60) has faced just four Yankees, none for more than 1 at-bat. He's pitched just one-third of an inning and has allowed 3 runs.

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Bobby Murcer is Ailing

Peter Abraham posted this press release from the Yankees on our guy Bobby Murcer.

Bobby Murcer continues to recover from the effects of cancer and shingles, which caused him to cut short his broadcasting work and his book tour earlier this month. He has been under medical care in Oklahoma City.

The cancer treatment over the last 18 months has been intensive and has, as a side effect, somewhat compromised his immune system and made the fight all the more challenging. While he has shown some measured improvement in recent days, this is clearly a major battle, as all who have been through it understand.

Bobby remains hopeful that he will be able to resume his broadcasting work down the road, but for now, is appreciative of the thoughts and prayers of his fans, and wants them to know that he is aware that he is in their hearts, as they are in his.

You're in our hearts, minds, and prayers Bobby. Hang in there!

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Minor League Weekend Recap - 6/30

Games of 6/28, 6/29

It was a tough weekend for the Scranton Yankees as they were swept by the Buffalo Bisons in a 3-game series. Jason Jones made a great Triple-A debut on Saturday, allowing just 1 hit over 5 innings while striking out 7. But the Yankees bats were silenced by veteran Matt Ginter and Brian Slocum who allowed just 1-hit in the Bisons 3-0 win.

J.B. Cox was roughed up for 2 runs in just two-thirds of an inning and took the loss. J.D. Closser had the lone Scranton hit.

	June 28, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Scranton/WB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Buffalo 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 X 3 6 1 Recap | Box | W: M. Ginter (6-6, 4.13); L: J. Cox (2-2, 1.80); SV: B. Slocum (1) HR: BUF: J. Cooper (9).

Sunday was no better, primarily because starter Alan Horne had to leave the after just two-thirds of inning. Chad Jennings reports that Horne complained of feeling no strength in his pitching arm.

“It was almost like I couldn’t get the ball there," he said. "It didn’t matter what I tried to do. I’d try to add something to it and it seemed like the harder I tried to throw it, the less effective it would be. My breaking stuff was just as slow and loopy as I think I’ve ever thrown it, and I can’t tell you why. Physically I’m fine. They came out there and checked me out and I said, ‘Nothing hurts. I just feel dead. My arm especially. It’s like I have no life, no drive through anything.’ ”

“I was really excited going in,” he said. “Just warming up, it didn’t feel that great -- no pain or anything like that -- I just figured once we got into the game everything would step up and be fine. It’s almost like I took a step backward. I was really excited and this is about as frustrating as it could have gone.”

“I was really excited going in,” he said. “Just warming up, it didn’t feel that great -- no pain or anything like that -- I just figured once we got into the game everything would step up and be fine. It’s almost like I took a step backward. I was really excited and this is about as frustrating as it could have gone.”

Horne said he's hoping his arm is simply going through a slight dead period after the extensive rehab work he did in Tampa. He's planning to throw on the side tomorrow and prepare for his next regularly scheduled start. As for shaking his arm throughout the start, Horne said it had nothing to do with aches and pains.

“It wasn’t hurt, I was just trying to get it going,” Horne said. “No pain or anything, it’s just like there’s nothing there. I’m just trying to get it to wake up, or whatever you do.”

Horne said that he did strength tests after the game and was told his shoulder was strong and healthy. You hear people talk about a "dead arm," and maybe that's what Horne's going through right now. It's weird to say the least. As Horne said after the game, he's using the word "frustrated" way too often lately.

Buffalo went on to a 7-5 win despite 2-run home runs from Bernie Castro and Cody Ransom.

	June 29, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Scranton/WB 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 5 6 0 Buffalo 2 0 1 0 4 0 0 0 X 7 6 2 Recap | Box | W: J. Halama (4-1, 4.80); L: B. Traber (2-1, 4.85); SV: J. Lewis (1) HR: SWB: C. Ransom (13), B. Castro (1). BUF: J. Brown (3).

After losing the opener on Friday, Trenton took a pair of games from the Portland SeaDogs over the weekend to take the series. Oddly the teams play another series right away, this time at Trenton. On Saturday, the Thunder came back from a 4-1 deficit after Chase Wright was knocked around. Anthony Claggett tossed 3.2 scoreless innings to allow Trenton to get back in the ball game. Carlos Mendoza drove in 3 runs, including a pair in the game winning 8th inning rally, and Colin Curtis added a solo home run.

	June 28, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Trenton 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 3 0 7 9 3 Portland 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 12 1 Recap | Box | W: Z. Kroenke (4-0, 4.10); L: C. Rhoades (2-2, 4.89); SV: B. Hall (2) HR: TRE: C. Curtis (5).

The Thunder romped on Sunday, breaking the game open with a 5-run 9th inning for an 8-2 win. Jose Tabata drove in 4 runs, 3 of them on this 3rd home run of the season. Edwar Gonzalez added 3 RBI, including a 2-run home run of his own. Phil Coke allowed 1 earned run over 6 innings to pick up the win.

	June 29, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Trenton 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 5 8 12 2 Portland 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 8 1 Recap | Box | W: P. Coke (6-3, 3.09); L: M. Bowden (7-4, 2.48); SV: S. Jackson (2) HR: TRE: E. Gonzalez (5), J. Tabata (3).

Thunder beat writer Mike Ashmore recently spoke with hitting coach Tom Wilson about Jose Tabata and Austin Jackson.

Ian Kennedy made a rehab start at Tampa on Saturday, allowing 2 hits and a walk in 5 shutout innings. He also struck out 4. Ivan Nova followed that up with 3 solid innings, but the Palm Beach Cardinals beat the Yankees 1-0.

	June 28, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Tampa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 Palm Beach 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 X 1 4 1 Recap | Box | W: B. Dickson (6-5, 3.12); L: I. Nova (3-9, 5.10); SV: F. Samuel (15) HR: None.

Tampa rolled on Sunday 7-1 behind 6.2 innings of 1-run ball thrown by Zach McCallister (3-3). Kevin Smith enjoyed a 3-hit, 3 RBI day, while Mitch Hilligoss set the table with a hit and 3 walks. He scored 3 of the 7 Yankees runs.

	June 29, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Tampa 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 7 11 0 Palm Beach 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 9 1 Recap | Box | W: Z. McAllister (3-3, 2.52); L: B. Furnish (7-4, 3.99) HR: None.

The Charleston RiverDogs and the Savannah Sand Gnats began a 4-game series with the RiverDogs taking a weekend pair. Jesus Montero drove in a pair of runs as the Dogs held on a 4-3 win on Saturday. Noel Castillo allowed a run on 3 hits over 6 innings for the win. Jon Hovis picked up his 21st save with 3 strikeouts in 1.1 innings pitched.

	June 28, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Charleston 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 8 0 Savannah 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 3 8 1 Recap | Box | W: N. Castillo (7-4, 3.43); L: N. Carr (1-2, 3.33); SV: J. Ortiz (21) HR: None.

Charleston pulled out another 1-run ball game on Sunday, 3-2. Jesse Hoover pitcher 3.2 scoreless innings out of the pen to pick up the win, while Chase Vacek earned his 6th save. Abe Almonte was 3-5 with a pair of doubles and a run scored, while Carmen Angelini was 4-4 with an RBI.

	June 29, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Charleston 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 12 1 Savannah 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 12 0 Recap | Box | W: J. Hoover (4-3, 2.98); L: M. Cleto (2-6, 3.49); SV: C. Vacek (6) HR: None.

Staten Island lost the rubber game of their series, with the Hudson Valley Renegades, on Saturday, 3-1. Luke Greinke didn't figure in the decision, but was outstanding in his second start, allowing 1 hit over 5 scoreless innings. Mike Lyon had 2 hits and drove in the lone Baby Bombers run.

	June 28, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Staten Island 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 5 2 Hudson Valley 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 X 3 8 1 Recap | Box | W: F. De Los Santos (2-1, 2.12); L: J. Kiley (0-1, 3.38); SV: J. Baird (2) HR: None.

The RiverDogs have also added 2 pitchers, Nick Asselin and Dan Kapala, from the GCL Yankees roster as the team is need of some fresh arms. To make room, the RiverDogs have temporarily sent Craig Heyer and Ryan Zink to the GCL.

Staten Island started a series with the Aberdeen IronBirds on Sunday, but the game was suspended in the 2nd inning. It will be completed prior to tonight's regularly scheduled game. Infielder Walter Ibarra has been sent down from Charleston to the S.I. roster.

Dickson Marquez allowed 3 runs on 7 hits in 4.2 innings pitched as the GCL Yankees lost 6-1 to the GCL Braves on Saturday. The Yankees had just 4 hits, one of them by Zoilo Almonte, who scored the lone Yankees run.

	June 28, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E GCL Yankees 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 4 1 GCL Braves 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 X 6 12 0 Recap | Box W: C. Hung (1-0, 1.50); L: D. Marquez (0-1, 4.00) HR: BRA: D. Elorriaga-Matra (1).

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