The Daily Yankeeland/TGIF Hot Stove

Talk about your mixed bag. The Daily Yankeeland and the Hot Stove are one abbreviated post today due to an oh so busy schedule. We're still laughing at yesterday's news of David Ortiz telling reporters that Alex Rodriguez will play for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Papi, you honestly believe Turkey-Rod will make his mind up that quickly? Do you not recall his flip flopping for the last WBC?

At least this news about A-Rod has to do with baseball, not his latest Madonna episode. BTW, the scuttlebutt (Been watching too much NCIS) is that A-Rod is already cheating on the Kabalah Kook. And in case you missed it, check out this photo of A-Rod at KK's concert. Did he just escape from "Project Runway"?

Anyway, back to business.

Brian Cashman has already met with Scott Boras and is planning on talking to CC Sabathia before Monday's winter meetings begin. Tyler Kepner of the Times reported that Cashman also flew to Washington today to meet with Boras and another of his clients, Mark Teixeira. The Daily News reports that Cashman also spoke with Boras about Derek Lowe.

Andy Pettitte has spoken with Joe Torre, but Torre feels Pettitte only wants to play for the Yankees.

The biggest news today though is who won't be back next year. Greg Maddux has decided to calll it quits and will make an official announcement on Monday. Conveniently, Maddux lives in Las Vegas, site of the winter meetings. A sure Hall of Fame entrant in 2013, Maddux calls it quits with 355 career wins.

Speaking of Sabathia, Jon Heyman of SI reports that the Brewers are willing (and may have already) to up their $100 million offer to the lefty. Sources told Heyman that there two other teams, in addition to the Yankees and Brewers, that have made offers to the lefty.

The Atlanta Constition-Journal feels the contract offer to A.J. Burnett includes an attainable fifth year.

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Pettitte Wins Stadium Finale

Last night's game, in some ways, was anti-climactic in comparison to everything else going on. Perhaps having non-Yankees announcers in John Miller and Joe Morgan was part of the problem. Especially since there times when they weren't saying what was going in the game. Class move by ESPN though bringing in Michael Kay to do a half inning and reminisce. Kay at least did actual play by play.

Andy Pettitte started out shaky and we were thinking, "no, this can't be the way to go out.". Thankfully Pettitte settled down enough and the Yankees bats woke up against Orioles starter Chris Waters.

Trailing 2-0 in the third, Hideki Matsui, who is undergoing knee surgery today, and Jose Molina started the inning off with back to back singles. Johnny Damon then belted his 16th home run of the season for a 3-2 Yankees lead.

Pettitte gave the lead right back on a game tying single by Brian Roberts in the fourth, but the Yankees countered in their half of the inning. Robinson Cano led off with a rare walk and one batter later Molina cracked his third home run of the season on to the netting in left field, for a 5-3 Yankees advantage.

Pettitte gave up a lead off single to Adam Jones to start the sixth and exited to a standing ovation and calls of "An-dy Pett-itte". The fans got their wish, a curtain call, and Jose Veras and Phil Coke combined to strand Jones and Oscar Salazar, who had walked.

The Yankees added to their lead in the seventh with the help of some shoddy Orioles defense. Bobby Abreu stroked a lead off single and easily stole second base. He moved to third on Alex Rodriguez's fly out and scored when Jason Giambi's pop up fell between Brendan Fahey and Melvin Mora for a gift RBI single.

Pinch-runner Brett Gardner moved all the way to third base when Fahey booted Xavier Nady's grounder and scored on Cano's fly to left for a 7-3 advantage. The Yankees went down in order in the eighth, including Derek Jeter. Jeter had a tough night at the plate, bothered by the baseball he took off his wrist and hand on Saturday (he would never admit it of course), going 0-5. He struck out twice looking and both times, argued more than usual with home plate ump/tough guy Angel Hernandez. In the eighth it would get no better, as he grounded to third to end the inning, but appropriately, he was the last Yankees batter in the game.

Joba Chamberlain pitched 1.2 innings and handed the ball over to Mariano Rivera in a non-save situation. But Mo had his wish, he would be the last pitcher to toe the rubber. retired RiveraJay Payton on a grounder to Jeter and Luke Scott on a bouncer to Cano. Girardi then pulled Derek Jeter from the game for another standing ovation and a curtain call to the chants of "Der-ek Jet-er". Rivera then retired Roberts on a grounder to Cody Ransom, who had replaced Giambi for defense at first base.

And just like that, the final game at Yankee Stadium was over. Andy Pettitte got the final win, Brett Gardner scored the last run, Jose Molina had the last home run, and Jason Giambi picked up the final RBI. It was a must win, and for once this season, the Yankees came through when they had to.

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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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Yankees Knuckle Under the Pressure

The way last night's Yankees-Red Sox game started out, it looked like whomever batted last would win the game. Only thing is, someone forgot to tell the Yankees. Lead by Alex Rodriguez, they failed in the clutch, Jason Giambi made a huge mental mistake, and Andy Pettitte picked the wrong night to have a miserable performance. The end result was a 7-3 Yankees loss that dropped them six games back of the Red Sox in the wildcard race.

The top of the order did everything they could in setting the table for the big guns that followed, but they flailed and failed miserably. Johnny Damon had a pair of solo home runs on the night, including one that led off the bottom of the first inning to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead. But Pettitte gave it right back in the second inning.

In fairness, home plate ump Jim Reynolds was squeezing Pettitte, but he can't be blamed for the poor pitches Pettitte made all night. Pettitte escaped a two on, two out jam in the first inning (yes, we weren't disappointed..."he worked into, and out of, trouble"), but couldn't replicate his Houdini act in the second inning. Two out singles by Jeff Bailey, Kevin Cash, and Jacoby Ellsbury tied the game at 1-1.

The Yankees went back ahead in their half of the inning with a two out rally of their own off of Tim Wakefield. Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano set things up with singles, and Jose Molina delivered a big two out hit up the middle for an RBI single. With a chance for more, Damon grounded out to end the inning.

But this was not to be Andy Pettitte's finest hour. He was greeted in the third inning by back to back doubles by David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis to tie the game, and Jason Bay put the Red Sox on top for good with a single to center field.

The Red Sox added to their lead in the fifth inning with some help from Jason Giambi. Once again Pettitte retired the first two men he faced, but consecutive singles by Bay, Jed Lowrie, and Coco Crisp produced a fourth run. After Crisp stole second base, Bailey hit a high chopper near the line at third, A-Rod fielded it and fired across the diamond to Giambi, but not in time. The only problem was Giambi thought it was in time, and watched as Crisp, who never stopped running, scored behind Lowrie for a 6-2 lead. The play also ended the night for Pettitte, who gave way to Brian Bruney.

The Yankees had a chance to come right back against Wakefield in their half of the fifth inning. Damon's second home run cut the lead in half and Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu followed with one out singles. But A-Rod and Giambi both flied out to let Wakefield off the hook.

The Red Sox added another run in the seventh after Bruney walked the bases loaded (and yet Girardi left him in). Bay's sacrifice fly brought home the Sox seventh run and made a comeback that much more difficult. But the Yankees did have an opportunity against Javier Lopez in the seventh.

Walks to Damon and Abreu, sandwiched around a Jeter single, loaded the bases with just one out. But a chorus of boos would come crashing down from the fans when A-Rod bounced into an inning ending double play against Justin Masterson.

The Yankees tried again in the eighth. Giambi reached on an error and Xavier Nady singled to left. With two on and no one out, Terry Francona sent for left-hander Hideki Okajima. The Japanese import struck out his fellow countryman, Matsui, looking, and retired Robinson Cano on a pop up. Francona then went to his closer Jon Papelbon, who got the final out on a comebacker from Ivan Rodriguez.

The Yankees put a man on in the ninth, but it was apropos that A-Rod struck out to end the game.


News and Notes

A-Rod is 1-10 with the bases loaded this eason.

Johnny Damon's multi-homer game was the 11th of his career and first since 2006.

Dustin Pedroia's misplay in the eighth inning snapped a 61-game errorless streak.
Joba Chamberlain is set to throw another bullpen session on Thursday.

Lou Lamariello pulled the MetLife lever last night to reduce the number of Yankees home games to 15. They couldn't find a former Yankee to do it?


August 26, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Boston	0	1	2	0	3	1	0	0	0		7	14	2
NY Yankees	1	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0		3	10	1

Boston	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Ellsbury, RF	6	0	1	1	0	2	3	.263
Pedroia, 2B	5	1	0	0	1	0	5	.315
Ortiz, DH	3	1	2	0	2	0	0	.263
Youkilis, 3B-1B	2	1	1	1	3	0	0	.319
Bay, LF	4	1	2	2	0	0	2	.293
Lowrie, SS-3B	5	1	1	0	0	1	6	.296
Crisp, CF	5	1	3	1	0	1	0	.263
Bailey, 1B	4	1	2	2	0	1	1	.278
Cora, SS	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.278
Cash, C	4	0	2	0	1	1	2	.229
Totals	39	7	14	7	7	6	20
BATTING 2B: Ortiz 2 (19, Pettitte, Ramirez), Youkilis (35, Pettitte). TB: Ellsbury; Ortiz 4; Youkilis 2; Bay 2; Lowrie; Crisp 3; Bailey 2; Cash 2. RBI: Ellsbury (38), Youkilis (90), Bay 2 (84), Crisp (32), Bailey 2 (3). 2-out RBI: Ellsbury; Crisp; Bailey 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Bay; Pedroia 2; Lowrie 3. SF: Bay. GIDP: Lowrie. Team LOB: 13. BASERUNNING SB: Crisp (16, 2nd base off Pettitte/Molina). CS: Crisp (6, 2nd base by Robertson/Molina). FIELDING E: Pedroia (6, fielding), Lowrie (1, fielding). DP: 2 (Lowrie-Pedroia-Bailey, Cora-Youkilis).

Boston	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Wakefield (W, 8-8)	5.0	8	3	3	1	1	2	3.73
Lopez	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2.92
Delcarmen	0.1	1	0	0	2	1	0	4.25
Masterson (H, 2)	0.2	1	0	0	0	0	0	3.21
Okajima (H, 20)	0.2	0	0	0	0	1	0	2.77
Papelbon (S, 34)	1.1	0	0	0	0	2	0	1.71

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	4	2	2	2	1	1	2	.313
Jeter, SS	5	0	2	0	0	0	0	.294
Abreu, RF	4	0	2	0	1	0	1	.298
Rodriguez, A, 3B	5	0	0	0	0	2	7	.308
Giambi, 1B	4	0	0	0	0	0	2	.247
Nady, LF	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	.328
Matsui, DH	4	1	1	0	0	1	3	.310
Cano, 2B	4	0	1	0	0	1	3	.269
Molina, C	2	0	1	1	0	0	0	.230
a-Rodriguez, I, PH-C	2	0	0	0	0	1	2	.283
Totals	37	3	10	3	3	6	20
a-Struck out for Molina in the 7th.
BATTING HR: Damon 2 (11, 1st inning off Wakefield, 0 on, 0 out; 5th inning off Wakefield, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Damon 8; Jeter 2; Abreu 2; Nady; Matsui; Cano; Molina. RBI: Damon 2 (57), Molina (15). 2-out RBI: Molina. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Damon; Giambi; Rodriguez, I. GIDP: Rodriguez, A 2. Team LOB: 10. FIELDING E: Rodriguez, A (10, throw). DP: (Cano-Giambi).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Pettitte (L, 13-10)	4.2	10	6	6	3	3	0	4.37
Bruney	1.1	0	1	1	3	0	0	2.38
Robertson	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	5.76
Ramirez	1.0	1	0	0	1	0	0	3.59
Britton	1.0	2	0	0	0	1	0	4.30

Masterson pitched to 2 batters in the 8th.

IBB: Youkilis (by Ramirez).
Pitches-strikes: Wakefield 80-55, Lopez 9-9, Delcarmen 18-7,
Masterson 9-6, Okajima 14-8, Papelbon 15-10, Pettitte 101-60,
Bruney 33-16, Robertson 13-10, Ramirez 15-8, Britton 18-12.
Groundouts-flyouts: Wakefield 7-7, Lopez 1-1, Delcarmen 0-0,
Masterson 2-0, Okajima 0-1, Papelbon 2-0, Pettitte 8-3, Bruney 1-3,
Robertson 0-0, Ramirez 1-2, Britton 0-2.
Batters faced: Wakefield 23, Lopez 3, Delcarmen 4, Masterson 3,
Okajima 2, Papelbon 5, Pettitte 26, Bruney 7, Robertson 3, Ramirez 6, Britton 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Masterson 3-0, Okajima 2-0, Papelbon 2-0, Bruney 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Jim Reynolds. 1B: Tim Timmons. 2B: Gary Cederstrom. 3B: Fieldin Culbreth.
Weather: 75 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 8 mph, In from LF.
T: 3:22.
Att: 55,058.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/25

Newsday's Kat O'Brien spoke to Ivan Rodriguez about his struggles since coming to New York.

Others may not want to say it, but Mike Mussina knows the wildcard is the Yankees only shot at making the post-season.

Mike Ashmore has a Q & A with up and coming pitcher, Eric Hacker. He also reports that Victor Zambrano could be the guy to replace Darrell Rasner.

Mr. Met is a Moron.

Newsday's Ken Davidoff thinks it's time to stop bashing A-Rod.

Chad Jennings talks about Al Aceves' outstanding start for Scranton on Sunday.

Former bat boy and Yankees advisor Ray Negron dedicates his second children's book to King George.

The Trenton-Yankees alliance has been a profitable one.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/21

The Yankees appear to be leaning towards Carl Pavano against the Orioles on Saturday, rather than Phil Hughes or Victor Zambrano. We think the Yankees don't want to rush Phil Hughes back and Zambrano isn't a very good option. They must figure they'll see if Pavano has anything. As for now, Hughes is listed as Scranton's starter on Friday.

Sidney Ponson goes against Roy Halladay in tonight's series finale with the Blue Jays.

Joba Chamberlain is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday.

Mariano Rivera's son, Mariano Jr., served as the Yankees bat boy last night.

Joel Sherman annoys us by telling us how much better the Mets youngsters are doing in comparison with the Yankees kids.

WCBS radio has new pics, including the one above, of the Yankee Stadium 2.0 construction.

A-Rod defends his Tuesday night base running.

Sidney Ponson fits in with the Yankees, so says Peter Abraham.

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Yankees vs. Blue Jays - 8/19

The Yankees already had their work cut out for them before they arrived in Toronto. Now they have to face Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett as part of a three game series. Things get underway tonight at the Rogers Centre with Darrell Rasner squaring off against Burnett.

Rasner, for the moment, is back in the rotation due to the rotator cuff tendinitis that befell Dan Giese. Rasner pitched well in his last start, but like most of his pitching teammates, he lost, 4-2, due to a lack of run support.

Burnett has put together a 15-9 mark, despite a 4.67 ERA. However, he has excelled against the Yankees in his career, going 5-2, 2.85 in eight starts. He defeated the Yankees, 4-1 on, July 13, and struck out eight in 8.1 innings pitched.

Andy Pettitte faces rookie David Purcey on Wednesday, and the series concludes on Thursday with Sidney Ponson going against Halladay.

The Blue Jays have won 9 of 13, including 5 of their last 6 contests. They swept the Red Sox over the weekend, winning two games with a third rained out. They trail the third place Yankees by just two games.

The Blue Jays have gotten good pitching all season, but have begun to hit better as well. Vernon Wells missed a month, but recently returned and has driven in nine runs in his last seven games. Alex Rios leads the team in just about every offensive category - average, RBI, runs scored, and stolen bases. The Jays don't hit home runs, Matt Stairs leads the team with just 11.

Second year player Adam Lind is beginning to show the promise expected of him. After hitting just .238-11-46 in 290 at-bats last season, Lind is at .308-8-34 in 186 at-bats. He's also struck out only 28 times.

Strange things happen in Toronto, maybe it's the 7:07 start time. Derek Jeter suffered that devastating shoulder injury back in 2003, and last year there was the infamous Alex Rodriguez "HA" incident. And of course there was the Dave Winfield seagull brouhaha back at old Exhibition Stadium in 1983.

UPDATE 3:33 PM

As expected, Justin Christian was optioned to Scranton to make room for Hideki Matsui's return. Chad Jennings also reports that Jason Lane has been released and will most likely sign a minor league deal with the Red Sox.

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Yankees Stink

Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Yankees Stink!!!!!!

We were really expecting John Sterling to belt that out at the conclusion of today's game. The Minnesota Twins, the team that actually showed up and were awake this afternoon, won it 4-2 behind a dominant performance from Kevin Slowey. Darrell Rasner pitched decently, but fell victim to Robinson "I have my head up my ass" Cano, who has been mentally missing for the past few weeks (Where is Larry Bowa when you need him?).

The Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the first when A-Rod doubled and scored on a single off the baggy, which Sterling was going into his home run call for, by Jason Giambi. Things unraveled in the fourth though after Rasner walked lead off man Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau hit a potential double play ball to A-Rod. Cano came across the bag to turn two, the only problem was A-Rod's throw hadn't arrived yet and everyone was safe. One batter later Delmon Young made the Yankees pay with a 3-run home run. His second in as many games.

The Yankees did nothing against Slowey after the first inning until Wilson Betemit, filling in for Derek Jeter, singled with two outs in the fifth. The Twins added an insurance run in the sixth as another Yankee fell victim to an injury. Dan Giese threw 83 pitches on Saturday and was coming back from that on three days rest. Apparently it wasn't enough. After giving up a lead off single to Mauer, he walked Morneau and Jason Kubel, before leaving with pain in his right shoulder. Brian Buscher's sac fly off of Dave Robertson brought home Mauer with the Twins' fourth run.

The Yankees finally mounted a minor rally in the eighth inning. Ivan Rodriguez and Betemit lead off the inning with back to back singles. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire came out and signaled for lefty Dennis Reyes to face Melky Cabrera, but Richie Sexson was already announced into the game. Gardenhire quickly tried to call for a right-hander instead, but was forced to stick with his original move. It turned out to be a fortunate error as Reyes struck Sexson out swinging.

Johnny Damon hit a come backer for the second out of the inning, with the runners each moving up a base. Bobby Abreu struck out, but it also resulted in a wild pitch as the ball got past Mauer, allowing Pudge to score from third and Abreu to reach first base safely. With the tying runs on base, Gardenhire sent for right-hander Jesse Crain, who retired A-Rod on an easy fly out to center field.

The Yankees final chance came in the ninth when Cano drew a two out walk from Joe Nathan, but I-Rod K'ed to end the game and the rotten road trip.

News and Notes

The Yankees have the day off on Thursday before returning home for a three game series with the Royals before hitting the road again.

With Giese injured, the Yankees will need yet another starter for his turn, which means Phil Hughes' next start could come at the major league rather than minor league level. More likely the Yankees will go with someone else for one start.

In addition to Giese, home plate ump Mike Winters had to leave the game after he took a foul ball off his mask.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/12

As the losses mount, Joe Girardi is starting to get a bit testy with the press. He was clearly not pleased with yesterday's questions regarding why Johnny Damon, a .322 hitter, was riding the pines.

George King has the Yankees' "Death Watch" going.

Things are not going right for the Yankees, but not due to the effort of Sidney Ponson.

Joba Chamberlain wants to start throwing ASAP, but the Yankees are holding him off until Friday.

Twins closer Joe Nathan donated a half-million dollars to his alma mater, Long Island's Stony Brook University, for help in the construction of a new baseball facility. More funding is needed, but the new joint will be called, "Joe Nathan Field".

Former Yankees manager and tormentor, together in LA, are having a hairy disagreement.

A-Rod has apparently donated $500K to Madonna's charity (no, it does not pay for those cone bras).

Phil Hughes will get the start tonight when Scranton takes on the Pawtucket Red Sox. No word if the game will be rescheduled due to the death of manager Dave Miley's son.

Is this guy on a month's tape delay?

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IPK STINKS

Another horrendous performance by Ian Kennedy tonight. He's gone after 2 innings and 5 batters in the third inning. 5 runs, 9 hits, and a walk allowed. This isn't going to cut it. What happened to the guy who pitched with confidence last year and was dominating again recently in the minors?

On a positive note, A-Rod ended his hitless skid with his 25th home run.

Oh, and CC Sabatahia had another complete game shutout tonight. Get the checkbooks ready Steinbrenners.

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Guess it's over, call it a day

Guess it's over, call it a day
Sorry that it had to end this way
No reason to pretend
We knew it had to end some day, this way.


We never got the chance to comment about Monday night's debacle as we were in the the city that never sleeps all day yesterday. The only comments we'll make regarding Monday's loss are: 1) Why the hell did Joe Girardi leave Damaso Marte in after he loaded the bases with walks, and 2) If the ball really hit Ian Kinsler, then it hit him out of the box, not in, and he should have been out. Crappy umpiring is, unfortunately, something we've become accustomed to.

As for last night, Andy Pettitte let his teammates down for the second straight start. He got tagged for a 2-run home run by Josh Hamilton in the first inning and a 3-run double by Chris Davis in the 7th.

The Yankees offense was lifeless against rookie left-hander Matt Harrison, before finally coming up with a Richie Sexson grand slam in the 8th that made for an interesting finish. But after Derek Jeter lead off the 9th with a walk against Eddie Guardado, Bobby Abreu went down on strikes and Alex Rodriguez hit into a game-ending double play.

The bullpen imploded again as well. Dave Robertson, who started out so well, had his third straight bad game, and Brian Bruney showed that he doesn't look ready to pitch at the major league level yet.

The Yankees also dropped another game back in the East (6.5) and the Wild Card (3.0).

On the injury front, Joba Chamberlain is headed to see Dr. James Andrews to see what's wrong with his shoulder. This can't be good. Ian Kennedy will reportedly take his next start.

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Sexson and Yanks Coming Out Swinging

If last night was any indication of how the Yankees will perform in the second half of the season against left-handed pitching, things should be all right. Newly acquired Richie Sexson had an RBI single plus a walk in 4 plate appearances and Robinson Cano hit a big 3-run home run to catapult the Yankees to a 7-1 win over the Oakland Athletics.

Mike Mussina (12-6) turned in another gem, allowing one run over 6 innings to earn his 12th win, and the bullpen continued to excel with 3 scoreless innings. Mussina fell behind 1-0 in the 1st inning, but in the Yankees half of the inning, their newest acquisition paid immediate dividends.

Bobby Abreu started things off with a one out single against starter Greg Smith and Alex Rodriguez followed with a walk. Then it was Sexson's turn. The 6'8" 1st baseman, released by the Mariners on July 10, singled to center field to score Abreu with the tying run.

In the 3rd, a single by A-Rod and a walk to Jorge Posada put two men on with just one out. Smith struck out Sexson, but Robinson Cano drove a pitch into the right field seats for a 3-run home run and a 4-1 Yankees lead. The Bombers drove Smith from the game an inning later when Abreu and A-Rod stroked RBI hits for a 6-1 advantage. A-Rod would cap the night off with his 20th home run of the season, and the 538th of his career, in the 6th inning.

The A's put two runners on against Mussina in both the 4th and 5th innings, but he escaped the former with an inning ending strikeout and the latter with a 4-6-3 double play. He threw 93 pitches on the night, scattering 9 hits and didn't walk a batter, while striking out 6. It was also career win number 262.


News and Notes

The Yankees held a moment of silence for Bobby Murcer prior to the game and the scoreboard outside the Stadium also honored him.

The Yankees sent Billy Traber down to Scranton before the game and moved Phil Hughes to the 60-day DL to make room on the 25 and 40 man rosters for Richie Sexson.

A-Rod's home run was his 40th against the A's, the most by any active player.

The Yankees bullpen has posted a 1.51 ERA over the past 17 games with a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio.

July 18, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Oakland	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		1	9	1
NY Yankees	1	0	3	2	0	1	0	0	X		7	10	0

Oakland	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Ellis, 2B	4	1	1	0	0	3	3	.238
Suzuki, C	4	0	2	0	0	1	0	.283
Sweeney, R, RF	4	0	1	1	0	0	1	.300
Cust, DH	4	0	1	0	0	3	3	.230
Brown, E, LF	4	0	1	0	0	1	3	.255
Crosby, SS	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	.260
Gonzalez, C, CF	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	.273
Hannahan, 1B	3	0	0	0	0	1	2	.223
a-Murton, PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.208
Murphy, 3B	3	0	1	0	0	2	1	.186
Totals	35	1	9	1	0	12	16
a-Struck out for Hannahan in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Ellis (18, Mussina). TB: Ellis 2; Suzuki 2; Sweeney, R; Cust; Brown, E; Crosby; Gonzalez, C; Murphy. RBI: Sweeney, R (31). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Crosby; Ellis. GIDP: Brown, E. Team LOB: 7. FIELDING E: Crosby (11, throw). Outfield assists: Sweeney, R (Rodriguez, A at home). DP: (Murphy-Ellis-Hannahan).

Oakland	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Smith (L, 5-8)	3.2	8	6	6	5	1	1	3.79
Blevins	1.1	1	0	0	0	2	0	0.00
Braden	1.0	1	1	1	1	0	1	4.80
Brown, A	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.23
DiNardo	1.0	0	0	0	1	1	0	9.28

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Jeter, SS	3	1	0	0	2	0	2	.282
Abreu, RF	5	2	2	1	0	0	1	.275
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	2	3	2	1	1	1	.318
Posada, DH	1	1	0	0	3	0	2	.270
Sexson, 1B	3	0	1	1	1	1	3	.220
Cano, 2B	4	1	2	3	0	0	3	.249
Cabrera, CF	4	0	2	0	0	0	0	.245
Molina, C	4	0	0	0	0	1	2	.220
Gardner, LF	4	0	0	0	0	1	2	.150
Totals	32	7	10	7	7	4	16
BATTING 2B: Abreu (23, Smith), Cabrera (11, Blevins). HR: Cano (7, 3rd inning off Smith, 2 on, 2 out), Rodriguez, A (20, 6th inning off Braden, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Abreu 3; Rodriguez, A 6; Sexson; Cano 5; Cabrera 3. RBI: Sexson (31), Cano 3 (41), Abreu (60), Rodriguez, A 2 (55). 2-out RBI: Sexson; Cano 3; Abreu; Rodriguez, A. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cano 2; Jeter. GIDP: Sexson. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING SB: Rodriguez, A (14, 2nd base off Smith/Suzuki). FIELDING DP: (Cano-Sexson).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina (W, 12-6)	6.0	9	1	1	0	6	0	3.49
Robertson	1.0	0	0	0	0	3	0	2.00
Ramirez	1.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2.65
Hawkins	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	5.63

Pitches-strikes: Smith 88-49, Blevins 22-16, Braden 15-5,
Brown, A 9-5, DiNardo 19-10, Mussina 93-64, Robertson 12-11,
Ramirez 11-9, Hawkins 9-6.
Ground outs-fly outs: Smith 3-6, Blevins 1-1, Braden 2-1,
Brown, A 1-2, DiNardo 1-1, Mussina 8-4, Robertson 0-0, Ramirez 1-0, Hawkins 2-0.
Batters faced: Smith 23, Blevins 5, Braden 4, Brown, A 3,
DiNardo 4, Mussina 26, Robertson 3, Ramirez 3, Hawkins 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Blevins 3-0.
Umpires: HP: Mike Winters. 1B: James Hoye.
2B: Mike Estabrook. 3B: Hunter Wendelstedt.
Weather: 93 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 6 mph, Out to CF.
T: 2:47.
Att: 54,145.

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