The Labor Day Weekend Yankeeland

We'll be travelling for the next couple of days, so there's won't be much posting until Monday. Enjo your Labor Day weekend and don't drink and drive!

Okay, maybe Victor Zambrano won't be getting a call up.

Joe Girardi backs instant replay.

Joba to be in the pen next week.

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This is a Stick Up

The Yankees announced the remainder of their ticket prices for 2009 today, and with the exception of $12 bleachers seats, you better be prepared for sticker shock.

Prices for the best seats were announced in March, with the Yankees charging $500-$2,500 for tickets near home plate in the first nine rows, contained in 25 sections ringing home plate. In all, the Yankees have sold more than 3,500 of approximately 4,300 premium seats on the field, main and terrace levels, chief operating officer Lonn Trost said Friday.

The Yankees said Friday the remainder of the field-seats level seats cost from $75-$325 as part of season tickets, while main-level seats go for $45-$100. The highest deck is split into two areas, with terrace seats going for $40-$65 and grandstand selling for $20 and $25.

Source: ESPN

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Pavano Out Pitches Burnett

They were teammates on the 2003 Florida Marlins team that bested the Yankees for the World Series title and then left for big free agent money. Tonight, Carl Pavano and A.J. Burnett faced off as the Yankees met the Blue Jays at the Stadium. And it was Pavano who came out on top, with help from the bullpen, in a 2-1 Yankees win.

The victory improved Pavano's record to 2-0 as he won his first home game since April 26, 2005. He threw five scoreless frames before running into trouble in the sixth, but after the Jays scored a run, he struck out Alex Rios with the tying run on first base.

Burnett entered the game with 16 wins, tied for second best in the AL with his teammate Roy Halladay, and the Yankees' Mike Mussina. He already dominated the Yankee twice in the last two months, including a sizzling 13 strikeout performance on August 19. It looked like more of the same after Burnett limited the Yankees to one hit over the first three innings.

But Johnny Damon started the fourth with his second single of the game, and after stealing second base, scored on Bobby Abreu's double to the gap in left-center field. Alex Rodriguez reached on an infield single as Abreu just beat shortstop Marco Scutaro's throw to third base. Jason Giambi then picked up a sacrifice fly and an RBI when his foul pop was caught by rookie Travis Snider in left field. Making his major league debut, the twenty year old reached over the wall in foul territory, leaving him no chance to throw out Abreu at home plate.

Pavano allowed just two base runners through the first five innings, but Snider doubled, for his first major league hit, with one out in the sixth. Joe Inglett lined out to Xavier Nady in left for the second out, but Scutaro singled to center to cut the lead in half. With steady raining falling and Brian Bruney warming in the pen, Pavano got Rios to wave at a strike three breaking ball, pitch number 72, to complete his night.

Joe Girardi mixed and match the rest of the night, using Bruney and Damaso Marte in the seventh inning, before turning things over to Jose Veras in the eighth. But for the second consecutive appearance, Veras struggled, allowing a lead off ground rule double to Rod Barajas and then a walk to Scott Rolen. Girardi sent for Edwar Ramirez, who struck out Snider, and then turned things over to Mariano Rivera for a five out save.

Rivera retired Inglett on a force out and struck out Scutaro to end the eighth. Vernon Wells singled with one out in the ninth, but Mo struck out Adam Lind and retired Lyle Overbay on a game ending force out for his 32nd save in 33 attempts.


News and Notes

Mariano Rivera's save was the 475th of his career. It puts him three behind Lee Smith for second place on the all-time list.

A.J. Burnett tossed his first complete game of the season and did it in front of a team that will definitely be after his services next season.

The family of the late Pete Sheehy, who ran the clubhouse from Ruth to Mattingly, pulled the lever, lowering the number of home games left to 12.

August 29, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Toronto	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0		1	5	0
NY Yankees	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	X		2	7	0

Toronto	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Inglett, 2B	4	0	1	0	0	0	3	.299
Scutaro, SS	3	0	1	1	0	1	2	.265
Rios, RF	4	0	0	0	0	2	2	.289
Wells, V, CF	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	.293
Lind, DH	3	0	0	0	1	2	1	.292
Overbay, 1B	4	0	0	0	0	0	2	.272
Barajas, C	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	.260
1-Eckstein, PR	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.274
Zaun, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.225
Rolen, 3B	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	.250
Snider, LF	3	1	1	0	0	1	2	.333
Totals	30	1	5	1	2	6	13
1-Ran for Barajas in the 8th.
BATTING 2B: Snider (1, Pavano), Barajas (21, Veras). TB: Inglett; Scutaro; Wells, V; Barajas 2; Snider 2. RBI: Scutaro (50). 2-out RBI: Scutaro. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Wells, V; Scutaro. S: Scutaro. GIDP: Overbay. Team LOB: 5. FIELDING DP: 2 (Scutaro-Inglett-Overbay 2).

Toronto	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Burnett (L, 16-10)	8.0	7	2	2	1	8	0	4.48

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	3	1	2	0	1	0	0	.313
Jeter, SS	4	0	0	0	0	2	4	.295
Abreu, RF	4	1	2	1	0	1	0	.298
Rodriguez, A, 3B	3	0	1	0	0	0	1	.307
Giambi, 1B	2	0	0	1	0	2	0	.250
Ransom, 1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.750
Nady, LF	3	0	0	0	0	2	1	.324
Matsui, DH	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	.304
Cano, 2B	3	0	2	0	0	0	0	.269
Rodriguez, I, C	3	0	0	0	0	1	2	.277
Totals	28	2	7	2	1	8	8
BATTING 2B: Abreu (35, Burnett), Cano (27, Burnett). TB: Damon 2; Abreu 3; Rodriguez, A; Cano 3. RBI: Abreu (83), Giambi (82). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Nady; Jeter. SF: Giambi. GIDP: Jeter; Rodriguez, A. Team LOB: 4. BASERUNNING SB: Damon (24, 2nd base off Burnett/Barajas). FIELDING DP: (Jeter-Cano-Giambi).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Pavano (W, 2-0)	6.0	3	1	1	1	1	0	3.27
Bruney (H, 6)	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.31
Marte (H, 22)	0.2	0	0	0	0	1	0	4.19
Veras	0.0	1	0	0	1	0	0	3.64
Ramirez (H, 5)	0.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	3.47
Rivera (S, 32)	1.2	1	0	0	0	3	0	1.46

Veras pitched to 2 batters in the 8th.

Pitches-strikes: Burnett 108-67, Pavano 72-42,
Bruney 4-2, Marte 5-4, Veras 10-5, Ramirez 5-3, Rivera 17-13.
Groundouts-flyouts: Burnett 13-3, Pavano 4-13,
Bruney 0-1, Marte 0-1, Veras 0-0, Ramirez 0-0, Rivera 2-0.
Batters faced: Burnett 30, Pavano 21, Bruney 1,
Marte 2, Veras 2, Ramirez 1, Rivera 6.
Inherited runners-scored: Ramirez 2-0, Rivera 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Jim Joyce. 1B: Jeff Nelson.
2B: Adrian Johnson. 3B: Tim Tschida.
Weather: 73 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 9 mph, Out to LF.
T: 2:36.
Att: 53,088.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/29

The Yankees open a tough three game series with the Blue Jays tonight at the Stadium. What makes it tough is facing A.J. Burnett and Roy Halladay in two of the games.

Friday - Carl Pavano (1-0, 5.40) vs A.J. Burnett (16-9, 4.58)
Saturday - Darrell Rasner (5-9, 5.03) vs. John Parish (1-0, 4.05)
Sunday - Andy Pettitte (13-10, 4.37) vs. Roy Halladay (16-9)

Veteran outfielder Matt Stairs was dealt earlier today to the Phillies for a player to be named. The Blue Jays are calling up their top hitting prospect Travis Snider, who has played at three different levels in the minor leagues this season.

A Joba Chamberlain update from the Post.

Joel Sherman begs YES not to make yesterday's game a "Yankees Classic".

Hank says don't blame Girardi. He's also monitoring the initial boys- CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.

Brian Cashman falls on the sword.

Two Yankees prospects in the Dominican Summer League are going to sit 50 games for PED.

Mike Ashmore has an interview with the newest Yankee, Al Aceves.

The NY Times has a profile on Cody Ransom.

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The Giambino Saves the Day

Jason Giambi has been the Giamnoshow in big spots for over a month, but today he single-handedly provided the Yankees offense in a must needed 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox. The victory moved the Yankees back to within six games, which still sounds insurmountable, but is better than being eight games out, of Boston in the wildcard race.

The Yankees trailed the Red Sox 2-0 with two outs in the seventh inning, when Cody Ransom doubled off Boston starter Jon Lester. Joe Girardi sent up Giambi to pinch-hit for Jose Molina, even though he knew Terry Francona would counter the move with lefty specialist Hideki Okajima. But Giambi made Girardi look like a genius when he hit a laser over the center field wall for a game tying home run.

Then with two outs in the ninth and the bases loaded against Justin Masteron, Francona sent for his closer Jon Papelbon to face Giambi. Again, Giambi came out on top, singling to center for the game winning run.

The game was a classic pitcher's duel as Mike Mussina and Jon Lester put up goose eggs until the fifth inning. But with one out, Jed Lowrie reached on a single and Mussina hit Alex Cora. Jason Varitek, who has struggled at the plate all season, singled to right to score Lowrie with the game's first run. A second Red Sox run would score on yet another mental mistake by Robinson Cano. Jacoby Ellsbury hit a potential inning ending double play ball to Cano, but instead of taking it to the bag himself, he flipped the ball to Derek Jeter, whose throw to first base was not in time to double up the speedy Ellsbury. Cora scored on the play for a 2-0 lead.

The Yankees put two men aboard in the second inning on one out singles by Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu, but Alex Rodriguez struck out for the first of three times on the day, and Xavier Nady grounded out. In the sixth, Damon was hit by a Lester pitch and Jeter reached on another single to put two aboard with no one out. But fly outs by Abreu and Nady, sandwiched around an A-Rod foul out, led to a chorus of boos and no runs.

Mussina was pulled after seven innings and 113 pitches. Brian Bruney got the first out in the eighth and then Girardi sent for Damaso Marte to retire David Ortiz. Mariano Rivera then retired Kevin Youkilis, for a three pitcher, three out scenario. Rivera retired the side after a Jeter error in the ninth to earn his fourth win.


News and Notes

Derek Jeter was 3-4 and 6-13 (.462) in the series to raise his average to .297.

Brett Gardner pinch-ran for Xavier Nady in the ninth and stole his sixth base in as many attempts. Gardner was 37-46 in steal attempts for Scranton.

Phil Hughes had a much better outing for Scranton Wednesday night, picking up the win in a 3-2 game with Buffalo. Hughes allowed allowed 2 runs on 6 hits in 6.1 innings pitched, with 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.

August 28, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Boston	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0		2	5	0
NY Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1		3	8	1

Boston	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Ellsbury, CF	4	0	0	1	0	1	2	.262
Pedroia, 2B	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.317
Ortiz, DH	2	0	0	0	2	1	1	.265
Youkilis, 1B	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	.316
Bay, LF	4	0	0	0	0	0	3	.293
Kotsay, RF	4	0	1	0	0	1	3	.289
Lowrie, 3B	4	1	1	0	0	1	2	.295
Cora, SS	3	1	1	0	0	0	2	.269
Varitek, C	3	0	1	1	0	1	1	.225
Totals	31	2	5	2	2	6	16
BATTING 2B: Kotsay (18, Mussina). TB: Pedroia; Kotsay 2; Lowrie; Cora; Varitek. RBI: Varitek (37), Ellsbury (39). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cora 2; Kotsay 2; Ellsbury. GIDP: Bay. Team LOB: 6. BASERUNNING SB: Cora (1, 2nd base off Mussina/Molina). CS: Ellsbury (8, 2nd base by Mussina/Molina).

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	3	0	0	0	0	2	0	.311
Jeter, SS	4	0	3	0	0	0	0	.297
Abreu, RF	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	.296
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	0	0	0	0	3	4	.307
Nady, LF	4	0	1	0	0	1	4	.327
1-Gardner, PR	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.189
Cano, 2B	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	.266
Matsui, DH	3	0	0	0	1	2	0	.307
Ransom, 1B	2	1	1	0	0	1	0	.750
Rodriguez, I, C	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.280
Molina, C	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.228
a-Giambi, PH-1B	2	1	2	3	0	0	0	.251
Totals	32	3	8	3	2	10	12
a-Homered for Molina in the 7th. 1-Ran for Nady in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Ransom (1, Lester). HR: Giambi (27, 7th inning off Okajima, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Jeter 3; Abreu; Nady; Ransom 2; Giambi 5. RBI: Giambi 3 (81). 2-out RBI: Giambi 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Nady 2. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING SB: Gardner (6, 2nd base off Masterson/Varitek). CS: Jeter (4, 2nd base by Lester/Varitek). FIELDING E: Jeter (11, throw). DP: (Cano-Ransom).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina	7.0	5	2	2	2	6	0	3.41
Bruney	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.35
Marte	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4.24
Rivera (W, 5-5)	1.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.50

IBB: Matsui (by Masterson).
HBP: Ransom (by Lester), Damon (by Lester), Cora
(by Mussina), Youkilis (by Mussina).
Pitches-strikes: Lester 119-78, Okajima 16-11, Masterson 26-12,
Papelbon 3-3, Mussina 113-73, Bruney 2-1, Marte 2-1, Rivera 15-10.
Groundouts-flyouts: Lester 3-8, Okajima 0-2, Masterson 0-1,
Papelbon 0-0, Mussina 7-7, Bruney 0-1, Marte 1-0, Rivera 2-2.
Batters faced: Lester 26, Okajima 4, Masterson 5, Papelbon 1,
Mussina 28, Bruney 1, Marte 1, Rivera 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Okajima 1-1, Papelbon 3-1.
Umpires: HP: Gary Cederstrom. 1B: Fieldin Culbreth.
2B: Jim Reynolds. 3B: Tim Timmons.
Weather: 80 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 10 mph, R to L.
T: 3:21.

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Moose Gets No Decision

Mike Mussina came up with another big performance today, two earned runs in seven innings, but came away with no decision. As of this post, the game was tied 2-2 in the ninth inning. Jason Giambi tied things up in the bottom of the seventh with a two out, 2-run home run against reliever Hideki Okajima.

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Phil Jackson and Al Aceves Love Dennis Rodman

Phil Jackson, in a possible attempt to motivate Kobe, said the other day that the greatest athlete he has ever coached was not Kobe nor MJ, but that cross-dressing, multi-pierced, multi-tatted, Dennis Rodman.

And Jackson isn't alone. Al Aceves was recalled from Scranton today to replace Dave Robertson, who has been hammered more times than John Daley. In a tribute to Rodman, Aceves has chosen number 91. He did make sure to mention that he's "not nuts though". Good to know.

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The Pennant Race - 8/28

The Mets leap frogged the Phillies back into first place in the NL East. One day after blowing a 7-0 lead, the Mets came back from a 3-1 deficit behind a pair of Carlos Delgado home runs and beat the Phillies bullpen 6-3.

Rookie Glen Perkins won his 12th game as the Twins defeated the Mariners, 6-5, to move back within a game of the White Sox in the AL Central. John Danks and Lance Broadway got shelled in the Orioles 11-3 win over Chicago. Aubrey Huff and Brian Roberts drove in three runs each.

Joe Saunders had a rare bad start, getting knocked out in the second inning as the Angels fell to the A's 6-5. The Halos are still 28 games over .500.

The Rays maintained their lead over the Red Sox with a 1-0 dazzler against the Blue Jays. Matt Garza pitched into the eighth inning to pick up his 11th win. Carlos Pena's 27th home run was the game's lone run.

Jason Marquis, Carlos Marmol, and Kerry Wood combined on a shutout as the Cubs beat the Pirates 2-0. That pushed their lead over the Brewers to six games after Milwaukee lost to the Cardinals, 5-3. The Cards struck for four runs in the eighth and now trail the Brewers by 3.5 in the NL wildcard race.

Randy Johnson pitched well for Arizona, but the Diamondbacks blew a 4-0 lead and lost to the Padres 5-4. No harm though as the Dodgers lost to the Nationals again, 5-4. Tim Redding out pitched Greg Maddux for the win.
Other News

The Indians won again, their 10th straight, beating the Tigers 9-7. Kelly Shoppach hit his career high 17th home run. The Indians lost 10 in a row earlier this season.
Josh Johnson is back for Florida and excelling. He pitched a complete game last night in the

Marlins 4-1 win over the Braves, to improve to 4-0, 3.12.
Tim Lincecum is 15-3 after the Giants beat the Rockies 4-1. Lincecum struck out 10 in 7.2 innings pitched.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/28

The Yankees will try to salvage the finale of the three game series this afternoon when Mike Mussina faces Jon Lester. Yankees aren't going anywhere but downward, but they owe it to Mussina to show up today.

Hank says things will change!

Ken Davidoff thinks Joe Girardi needs to loosen up.

Pavano is on waivers and available. Yankees couldn't possibly be that lucky to get someone worthwhile back for him.

Like the rest of us, Joel Sherman says it's time to look towards '09.

Too little, too late for A-Rod.

Girardi defends the middle of the lineup.

Viedo of the fan ejected for trying to blow off God Bless America.

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We Sucked

Those were Hank Steinbrenner's words last night as he left the Stadium. It says it all.

August 27, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Boston	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	7	0		11	13	0
NY Yankees	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1		3	8	0

Boston	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Ellsbury, RF	5	2	2	0	0	2	0	.264
Pedroia, 2B	5	3	3	4	0	1	0	.317
Ortiz, DH	3	1	2	0	2	0	0	.267
Youkilis, 1B	4	1	1	1	1	1	4	.318
Bay, LF	4	1	2	4	0	0	1	.295
Lowrie, 3B	3	1	1	0	2	1	2	.296
Varitek, C	4	1	1	0	1	1	1	.224
Cora, SS	4	0	0	1	0	0	1	.267
Crisp, CF	4	1	1	1	0	1	0	.263
Totals	36	11	13	11	6	7	9
BATTING 2B: Ortiz (20, Ponson), Bay (27, Ponson), Lowrie (16, Ponson). 3B: Bay (4, Veras). HR: Pedroia (15, 8th inning off Robertson, 3 on, 1 out). TB: Ellsbury 2; Pedroia 6; Ortiz 3; Youkilis; Bay 5; Lowrie 2; Varitek; Crisp. RBI: Bay 4 (88), Youkilis (91), Cora (8), Crisp (33), Pedroia 4 (68). 2-out RBI: Bay 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cora; Lowrie. SF: Bay; Cora. GIDP: Youkilis. Team LOB: 6. FIELDING DP: (Pedroia-Cora-Youkilis).

Boston	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Byrd (W, 9-11)	6.0	5	2	2	2	5	0	4.55
Delcarmen (H, 17)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	4.18
Timlin	2.0	3	1	1	0	0	1	5.09

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.313
Jeter, SS	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	.294
Abreu, RF	3	1	0	0	1	0	2	.296
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	1	2	1	0	0	1	.310
Giambi, 1B	4	1	1	1	0	1	2	.247
Nady, LF	4	0	1	0	0	2	1	.327
Matsui, DH	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	.311
Cano, 2B	4	0	1	1	0	2	2	.268
Rodriguez, I, C	4	0	0	0	0	1	4	.280
Totals	34	3	8	3	2	7	13
BATTING 2B: Rodriguez, A 2 (31, Byrd, Byrd). HR: Giambi (26, 9th inning off Timlin, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Damon; Jeter; Rodriguez, A 4; Giambi 4; Nady; Matsui; Cano. RBI: Rodriguez, A (79), Cano (59), Giambi (78). 2-out RBI: Rodriguez, A; Cano. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Giambi; Rodriguez, I. GIDP: Rodriguez, I. Team LOB: 6. FIELDING Outfield assists: Abreu (Bay at home). DP: (Rodriguez, A-Cano-Giambi).

NY Yankees IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Ponson (L, 7-5) 4.2 7 4 4 4 3 0 4.80 Ramirez 1.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.49 Marte 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 4.26 Veras 0.1 3 5 5 2 0 0 3.64 Robertson 0.2 3 2 2 0 0 1 6.31 Britton 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 4.02

Pitches-strikes: Byrd 106-66, Delcarmen 17-9, Timlin 21-15, Ponson 89-51, Ramirez 8-4, Marte 19-13, Veras 23-9, Robertson 18-10, Britton 10-9. Groundouts-flyouts: Byrd 4-9, Delcarmen 0-1, Timlin 5-1, Ponson 6-4, Ramirez 3-1, Marte 1-0, Veras 0-1, Robertson 1-1, Britton 1-0. Batters faced: Byrd 25, Delcarmen 3, Timlin 8, Ponson 23, Ramirez 4, Marte 3, Veras 6, Robertson 5, Britton 3. Inherited runners-scored: Ramirez 2-0, Robertson 2-2. Umpires: HP: Tim Timmons. 1B: Gary Cederstrom. 2B: Fieldin Culbreth. 3B: Jim Reynolds. Weather: 72 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 7 mph, R to L. T: 3:16. Att: 55,027.

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