The Daily Yankeeland - 1/7

It's time for the Shelley Duncan fan club to move on. The Yankees energetic bohemoth was released to make room on the 40 man roster for MarkTeixeira. Duncan burst on to the scene in '07 after a long siege in the minor leagues, giving the Yankees some pop from the right side, some major, arm bashing, and plenty of positive attitude. Unfortunately, that didn't translate to a good 2008 when Duncan had only 57 at-bats.

Deal or No Deal?
Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees are fielding offers for Xavier Nady, Nick Swisher, and possibly Hideki Matsui. We know there's a glut, but Nady?

Please don't ever allow him in Yankee Stadium
The Yankees announced the other day that they had signed veteran pitcher Jason Johnson to a minor league deal.

Yogi Berroa?
The Yankees have also brought in former AL Rookie of the Year, beating out Hideki Matsui, Angel Berroa to possibly back up Derek Jeter and serve as a utility infielder. Berroa put together 3 moderate to good seasons, including that rookie campaign, for the Royals. But he struggled the last 3 years, spending some of it in the minors. He played just 84 games for the Dodgers last season after being acquired from the Royals in June.

J-Rod is Back
The Yankees have re-signed former prospect John Rodriguez to a minor league deal. The lesser known Rodriguez spent the last 3 seasons with the Indians and Cardinals.

No Pepsi, Coke
Sam Borden, filling in for Peter Abraham, reports that Phil Coke has been told he'll come to Spring Training as a starter. PeteAbe also posted a story and some photos from the Yankees recent clinic in Taiwan.

Show the Mayor the Money
NYC has decided not to have luxury suites at either of the new stadiums being built in New York, but will take the money for them.

Don't Sh*t Where you Eat
The Scranton Yankees are suing their food vending company.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 1/4

Is Mark Teixeira really a Yankee? The way things have been kept under wraps you have to wonder. But according to the Daily News' Anthony McCarron, Tex may finally be shown off to the public this Tuesday. Teixeira's Dad played high school ball with one Bucky Dent.

McCarron's "teammate" Roger Rubin is looking for MLB to help get players like Chien-Ming Wang to give more than a few grunts in interviews. Wang is one of a number of players who, rather than using an interpreter, doesn't offer much or shies away from the press. We've said ourselves we would like to hear The Wanger on some post-game shows.

The Wanger will be part of a Yankees clinic in Taiwan this week.

The NY Post's Kevin Kernan thinks the Yankees should bring in Oliver Perez to fill the number 5 spot in the rotation. Then again, this is the guy who though the Yankees should sign Mets failure Scot Schoenweis 2 years ago.

We watched part of Don Larsen's perfect game again on the MLB Network yesterday. Earlier there was also a piece on Christy Mathewson. In both cases, Bob Costas was involved. Bob is great, or was great (now very good), but must he be involved with everything baseball related?

The Yankees are still looking for more city money for the new Stadium.

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The Christmas Yankeeland

For those of you celebrating Christmas, we hope you got everything you wanted and more and are sharing the day with friends and family.

The Yankees brass certainly got what they wanted this holiday season, but there's more going on than just CC, A.J., and Tex.

The Yankees, believe it or not, did get a bargain this week when they avoided arbitration by re-signing 2-time 19 game winner Chien-Ming Wang to a one year, $5 million contract. Wang matched his career high in wins in 2006 and 2007, and was 8-2 this past season before rupturing his Achilles tendon in an interleague game in Houston on June 15.

As part of his Turn 2 Foundation work, Derek Jeter hosted 500 top academic achievers in Central Park this past week.

The Yankees signed catcher Kevin Cash to a minor league deal as insurance in the event that Jorge Posada isn't ready when the season rolls around. Cash, who spent the past season in Boston as Tim Wakefield's personal knuckleball catcher, hit .225 in 142 at-bats with 3 home runs and 15 RBI.

One spoof site says the Yankees have signed Santa Claus to a long term deal, but no good will come of it. Meanwhile a NC Observer columnist doesn't like the spending spree, but understands the logic behind it. Even better is this Providence Journal article talking about how wonderful the Red Sox are with their money.

The new MLB Network will kick off on New Year's Day with the first TV re-broadcast of Don Larsen's perfect 1956 World Series game.


The humorous Peter Abraham has a funny take on the "Night before Christmas".


Alumni News

A nice article on Donnie Baseball's son Preston and his own battle to make it to the majors.

Dennis Werth was a mediocre ball player for the Yankees ('79 - '82), but his son Jayson was just a member of the World Champion Phillies and his daughter Hannah is one of the top volleyball players in the country.

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CC Says Yes Yes

The Yankees have landed the big fish, the number one target in their free agent quest. Several sources are reporting this morning that CC Sabathia and the Yankees have agreed to a 7 year, $160 million deal, contingent on the big guy passing a physical.

Brian Cashman left the winter meetings in Las Vegas last night and flew to the Bay Area to meet with Sabathia and his wife Amber with the hope of getting a deal done. And it happened, though it took another year and $20 million.

Jon Heyman also reported last night that the Yankees had topped the Braves' bid for A.J. Burnett, supposedly offering 4 years for $64 million.

Yankees rotation at the moment - Sabathia, Chien-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain. Should the Yankees sign Burnett they may use Phil Hughes to get a bat (perhaps Prince Fielder?) rather than make Hughes or Andy Pettitte the #5 starter.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 9/18

Chien-Ming Wang and, and...George King says The Wanger is the only guarantee for the '09 rotation.

Joe Girardi knows he has to make adjustments for next year.

"He's definitely adjusting," Damon said. "In Florida he had a whole bunch of little kids. He's finding his way around with us veteran guys. I like the way he manages; the game's not too fast for him. He has a game plan, and that's a start; unfortunately, the horses didn't come through for him this year. He mixed and matched as well as he could. I like him at the post.

"I hope we can go out and get some big players in the free-agent market to see what we can do."

Bobby Murcer will be immortalized on the Graffiti Wall of Fame (at the corner of 158th St. and River Ave) tomorrow by local residents.

The Yankees called up first baseman Juan Miranda prior to yesterday's game.

Bobby Richardson to speak for the United Fund in South Carolina tonight.

A look back at Lou Gehrig's remarkable speech.

The new Stadium makes its debut on April 16 with the Cleveland Indians in town.

Dan Graziano longs for the press box to shake again.

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Starter Number 352

Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but Al Aceves joins the likes of Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina, Chien-Ming Wang, Darrell Rasner, Carl Pavano, Sidney Ponson, Joba Chamberlain, Brian Bruney, Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes, Dan Giese, and Kei Igawa when he gets the nod tonight as the Yankees starter.

Aceves was in the Mexican League last year before being signed by the Yankees. He dominated in eight starts for Tampa in the Florida State League, going 4-11, 2.11 and held opponents to a .188 average. His success continued in Double-A Trenton where he went 2-2, 1.80 in seven starts.

With the Yankees needing starters at the major league level, Aceves was promoted to Triple-A Scranton, where he struggled for the first time, and also spent some time on the DL. Aceves produced mixed results with a 2-3, 4.12 record in 10 starts, eight of which were starts. He was promoted to the Yankees after striking out eight hitters in each of last two starts, both of which lasted six innings.

In two relief appearances with the Yankees, Aceves has allowed just one run in seven innings and has recorded seven strikeouts.

Peter Abraham has more on Aceves, including info on his father who played in the Mexican League, and a brother who was once in the minor leagues.

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Results for Wang Poll

First off, thanks to the 76 respondents of our most recent poll. We asked what the Yankees should do to replace the injured Chien-Ming Wang in the rotation, and unlike past polls, there was no clear cut answer.

What may represent a change in fan attitude, paralleling the front office, is the largest margin (42%) selected to use a pitcher within the organization, rather than trading for a player on another team.

32% of you did want to go for the big gun though- a C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets, or A.J. Burnett type.

The final tally was a split between going after free agent Freddy Garcia, and trading for a less stellar pitcher, such as Randy Wolf or Kevin Millwood.

One things for sure, Sidney Ponson is NOT the answer.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 6/18

We're still up against since we're off tomorrow. Where will be? Yankee Stadium for the first time this year. WOooooooooooooHOooooooooooooo.

Al Aceves is blipping on our radar like crazy. The lefty the Yankees plucked from the Mexican League was outstanding at Tampa and has brought his 'A' game to 'AA' in Trenton. Last night he threw 1-hit ball over 8 innings in a 7-0 win over the Harrisburg Senators. Between the two stops, he's 6-3, 1.88 with a 5.5:1 strikeout to walk ration. Austin Jackson is getting his bat going too. He's had a pair of 7 RBI games this year. Last night he had to settle for 4 RBI, 3 of them coming on his 7th home run of the season. He's not hitting .283 with 33 walks and 45 RBI.

Willie Randolph will always be a Yankee at heart and that's maybe why a lot of us are even angrier at how his firing was handled by the Mets. Omar Minaya's interview with Mike and the Mad Dog yesterday is a must listen.

We're in the midst of reading Bobby Murcer's "Yankee for Life: My 40-Year Journey in Pinstripes ". It's a good read to pick up. Some good stories about Thurman, Sweet Lou, and the Scooter, among others.

Chien-Ming Wang told Mike Puma of the NY Post that he's confident he'll be back by September. From the Wanger's mouth to God's ears.

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Tonight's Lineup (6/17)

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

Peter Abraham reports that Billy Traber has been called up to take Chien-Ming Wang's spot on the 25-man roster. He's also added a slider to his repertoire (which in his case meant "I stink" in French).

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Yankees vs. Padres - June 17

The Yankees begin a 3-game series this evening with the San Diego Padres at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees are 3-2 in interleague play thus far, with all the wins coming against the Astros and the two losses against the Mets. The Padres, under second year manager Bud Black are playing better of late after a bad start.

The Padres have been perennial NL West division contenders since the new millennium, but they started this season with an 11-17 April. The dropped 7 of their first 8 games in May and were 23-34 at the end of the month. But after a 3-game losing streak start this month they've won 8-11 to get back to 9 games (31-40) under .500 and 6.5 games back of the Diamondbacks in the NL West.

The Padres starting rotation was supposed to be among the best in the NL and all of baseball lead by Jake Peavy, Chris Young, and Greg Maddux. But both Peavy and Young, who was hit in the face by an Albert Pujols line drive, have missed significant chunks of time due to injury. Peavy recently returned and picked up a victory. Guys like Randy Wolf and Josh Banks have recently stepped up to help the Padres start to turn things around.

On offense, Adrian Gonzalez is quietly having one of the best seasons in baseball. He's hitting .293-19-62 with 25 walks. His OBP/SLG is .358/.555/.913. Shortstop Khalil Greene hit 27 HRs and drove in 94 runs last year, but has struggled this season, with just 6 home runs and 27 RBI in 69 games. Second year 3rd baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff is putting up numbers similar to his rookie year (.275-18-74). His play has allowed the Padres to move stud prospect Chase Headley to left field. Headley is expected to get his major league call up tonight.

Brian Giles is the biggest name at the plate, but his numbers aren't reflective of his ability. His power continues to decline (4 home runs in 67 games) and there are rumors he could be moved.

The Padres bullpen has not performed as well it has in the past, though in a typical Trevor Hoffman season, there are plenty of big saves and plenty of blown ones.

* * *

The Yankees last faced San Diego in 2004 when the Yankees took 2 of 3 at the Stadium. The Yankees lost the opener 10-2 after Mike Mussina had to leave after 3 innings with a groin pull. The All-World trio of Felix Heredia, Paul Quantrill, and Gabe White (whose mustache would fit in today) got lit up.

The Yankees took the second game 3-2 behind good ol' Johnny Lieber's 6 innings. The angry old man, Gary Sheffield, drove in 2 runs against one of his many former teams. The Yankees came back not once, but twice to win the finale 6-5 in 12 innings. Hideki Matsui and Kenny Lofton hit back to back 2-out home runs in the 9th off of Trevor Hoffman (remember what we said) to tie it. Then down 3 runs in the 12th the Yankees came back again. A walk by Bernie Williams, a double by Derek Jeter. Alex Rodriguez's ground out drove in one run and it was 5-3. Sheffield's single put men on the corners for Jason Giambi who delivered an RBI single to center to cut it to 5-4.

Then manager Bruce Bochy sent for a guy we all hated in NY, Jay Witasick or Witasuck as he was known. He delivered as usual. Jorge Posada tied things up with a double, and after an intentional walk to Matsui, Ruben Sierra brought home the winning run with a sac fly.

Of course the most famous meeting of the two teams was the 1998 World Series when the Yankees finished off their magnificent season with a series sweep.


Pitching Probables

Tuesday: Randy Wolf (5-3, 3.83) vs. Andy Pettitte (6-5, 4.64)

Wednesday: Jake Peavy (5-3, 2.64) vs. Darrell Rasner (3-4, 3.64)

Thursday: Josh Banks (2-0, 1.29) vs. Joba Chamberlain (1-2, 2.48)


Yankees vs. Wolf

Damon 1-6
Jeter 0-3
Moeller 3-6 1 HR 2 RBI
Joe Girardi may want to grab a bat. He was 3-9 against Wolf.

Padres vs. Pettitte

T.Clark 5-28 1 HR 3 RBI
Gerut 1-3
Giles 3-13 1 RBI
Gonzalez 1-5
Greene 2-10
S. Hairston 3-9 1 HR 2 RBI
Iguchi 0-2

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Giese for Now, Who for Later?

Dan Giese will step into Chien-Ming Wang's cleats (don't hurt yourself) this Saturday (we erroneously reported Sunday yesterday) against the Cincinnati Reds. But the question remains, will it be a long term solution, will the Yankees look inside the organization, or elsewhere. Let's take a look at the option.

Dan Giese: Let's start right with the guy who gets the first crack. Giese was a journeyman who had only appeared in 8 games last season with the Giants. But he blossomed as a starter (4-2, 1.98 in 13 games, 10 starts) this season at Scranton and that earned him the right to be Joba Chamberlain's back up for his first two starts. Now that Joba is ready to go out and throw 90-100 pitches, the plan would have been for Giese to be the long man out of the pen. Wang's injury changed all that.

Internal Options:

That guy incredibly bad import from Japan: We so don't want him back here we won't even mention him by name. But you know who he is and how bad he is. 'nuff said.

Ian Kennedy: Kennedy was tremendous last season, dominating at 3 levels in the minors and getting the notice of fans with an impressive September debut. But this year he has been just plain awful. He already made one very brief trip down to Scranton and then was DL'ed with a Lat injury shortly after his return. This is guy whose confidence has to be shaken right now since he has never had anything other than success prior to this season. At the moment he's a number 5 starter. With Wang out, possibly for the season, the Yankees need better than a number 5.

Dan McCutchen: McCutchen has made just 5 starts at the Triple-A level and from Brian Cashman's comments yesterday, doesn't seem like a viable solution for that precise reason. His numbers at Scranton have been decent (1-4, 3.62 21 K/4 BB) after an outstanding start at Trenton (4-3, 2.55 52 K in 53 IP).

Alan Horne: Horne missed two months of the season with a bicep injury and has thrown only 18.1 innings this season. Cashman won't throw him into the fire.

Jeff Karstens: Karstens is a decent pitcher who can't seem to stay healthy. He looked like he was going to go north with the club out of spring training and got hurt. He was nearly done with his rehab and got hurt. Now he's coming back again, but we already know what he can do and its not fantastic.

Jason Jones: This would be a very long shot. Jones has spent a year and a half at the Double-A level and is having an outstanding season (8-2, 2.30), but Cashman doesn't like to rush the Yankees prospects and is unlikely to pull up a guy who hasn't pitched at Triple-A.

Outside Solutions:

Obviously the biggest name out there is the biggest guy out there, C.C. Sabathia. The left-hander is set to become a free agent after the season and, you would have to think, the Yankees would want a window to negotiate a new contract with him before approving a deal. Indians GM Mark Shapiro is also going to want a bundle for him. Brian Cashman would look foolish if he threw a package of Phil Hughes and others together to get him after turning down a deal for Johan Santana. At worst, the Indians will get 2 draft picks as compensation if Sabathia stays the season and leaves as a free agent.

Ben Sheets: Sheets will turn just 30 this summer, but has spent significant time on the DL. He hasn't made more than 24 starts since 2004. He's missed some time this season already with triceps stiffness. Sheets is off to a great start this season (7-1, 2.42), but the Brewers are scuffling after being in contention all of last season. Sheets will also be a free agent after the season.

Randy Wolf: Another pending free agent who will be starting tonight against the Yankees when the San Diego Padres come to town. The up side is that he's left-handed, the down side is that he's not fantastic. He's got a career ERA of 4.23 (5-4, 3.83 in '08) with all 10 years of major league service in the National League. We've seen how average NL pitchers do in the AL and so it doesn't make sense to us unless you can get him cheap. He also had Tommy John Surgery and missed significant chunks of 2005 and 2006. He also suffered from shoulder soreness last season.

Rich Harden and Joe Blanton: A pair of talented right-handers from Oakland. Harden is a free agent after the season while Blanton can't be a free agent until 2011. He is arbitration eligible. GM Billy Beane would surely command a king's ransom for either pitcher just as he has when he dealt Dan Haren, Mark Mulder, and Tim Hudson in the past. Harden, when healthy is fantastic (4-0, 2.53 67 K in 53.1 IP in '08), but that's a big if. He threw 72.2 innings combined in '06 and '07 and has spent time on the DL this year as well. Blanton has control trouble at times, but is still a very good pitcher. The biggest down side as we mentioned earlier is that Beane would want too many prospects back.

Freddy Garcia: Garcia is sitting at home right now, getting in shape for when the phone rings. He had 7 seasons of 200 or more innings and it seemed to catch up to him last year when he threw just 58 innings due to a shoulder injury. Whether he's got enough left in the tank remains to be seen.

A.J. Burnett: The much embattled, much injured right-hander has worn out his welcome in Toronto. GM J.P. Ricciardi publicly questioned his heart and guts and Burnett recently made comments that he wouldn't mind playing for the Cubs. He then threw grease on the fire by saying he didn't care what the fans reaction to his comments would be. The guy's got talent, no doubt, but his physical problems and mental toughness probably will make Cashman shy away (we already have Carl Pavano). He still has 2 years remaining on a 5-year, $55 million deal, but he can opt out of it after this season, which makes his departure from Toronto even more likely.

Gil Meche: He's in the 2nd year of a 5-year, $55 million deal with the Royals. After having an outstanding season in '07, he's been pretty mediocre this year and the Royals are floundering. His contract really isn't that bad by today's standards and the Royals need someone to put in the seats, so its not likely he would be available.

Erik Bedard: Would seem to be odd for him tobe on the market already, but the Mariners stink and there's a question of just how focused Bedard is on baseball. The Blue Jays were thought to be very interested in him, but have backed off.

There are other names (Jarrod Washburn, Livan Hernandez, Kevin Millwood, etc.) that we are sure will be bandied about, but none really intrigue us. We would give Giese the job for now, but would definitely take a look at how Garcia is progressing, and start making the rounds calling up about guys like Sabathia. With so many teams still in division and wild card hunts though, it's not likely that a major deal would get done too soon.


So what would you do? Please participate in our poll at the top of My Pinstripes.

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Breaking News: Wang out 2-3 Months

That according to the NY Daily News citing a source familiar with the test results.

Wang was examined Monday at New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia Medical Center by Stuart Hershon, the Yankees' team physician, Dr. Jason Greisberg, a foot and ankle specialist, the Yankees said. According to a statement released by the team, "Imaging studies revealed a mid-foot sprain of the Lisfranc ligament of the right foot and a partial tear of the peroneal longus tendon of the right foot."

Wang will be on crutches and wear a protective boot for a minimum of six weeks, the statement said. The Yankees initially said Wang had a sprained foot after Sunday's game.

We are not amused.

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Crushing Victory Crushing Loss

The Yankees pounded the Houston Astros 13-0 at Minute Maid Park yesterday afternoon, to complete a 3-game sweep and take 5 of 6 on the road trip, but the win was the least talked about item after the game. Instead it was the possible extent of the right foot injury Chien-Ming Wang suffered while scoring in the 6th inning on Derek Jeter's single to right field.

Joe Girardi would not speculate as to the severity of the injury, but felt it possibly occurred when Wang step on the 3rd base bag as he headed home. As soon he crossed home plate the Wanger had to grab on to Robinson Cano for support and was helped off the field. His foot swelled to the point that he couldn't even put his shoe on after the game. He'll go for tests back in New York today, but a trip to the DL is a foregone conclusion.

The injury took away from a great game by the Yankees, who won their fourth straight to move 4 games above .500 for the first time all season. The Yankees put together a 2-out rally against Astros starter Roy Oswalt in the 3rd inning and never looked back. Oswalt retired Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter to start the inning, but Hideki Matsui doubled and Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi drew back to back walks to load the bases. Oswalt missed inside on a 3-2 pitch to Jorge Posada to force in a run, and then the Yankees got a big break when Robinson Cano's broken bat bloop dropped just into fair territory and out of the reach of 3rd baseman Geoff Blum for a 2-run single.

Wang had a relatively easy 5 innings, scattering 6 hits while not issuing any walks. He also struck out 3 and induced 2 double play grounders. The Yankees broke open the game in the 6th and lost their pitcher in the process.

Posada and Cano started the inning with singles, but Oswalt came back to retire Melky Cabrera on a fly out and Wang on a force out that forced him to run the bases. Damon picked up one of his three hits to load the bases for Jeter. The captain singled through the right side and Wang chased Cano home before grinding to a halt.

Astros skipper Cecil Cooper brought in left-hander Wesley Wright to face Matsui, but the move back fired when Matsui delivered an RBI single to center for a 6-0 lead. Then the Yankees really poured it on. A-Rod belted his 14th home run of the season, a 3-run shot to the deepest part of left-center and two batters later Posada followed suit with a moon shot to the same general area for a 11-0 lead.

The Yankees completed the shutout with an inning each thrown by Ross Ohlendorf, Edwar Ramirez, LaTroy Hawkins, and Dan Giese.

News and Notes

More ladder climbing for A-Rod. The home run was the 530th of his career and his 185th as a member of the Yankees, tying him for 16th on the team list with Paul O'Neill. The 3 RBI moved him passed Joe Dimaggio and tied him with Willie Stargell for 40th on the all-time baseball list with 1,540.

Derek Jeter's 2 hits added to his interleague leading total, which is now 262.

Johnny Damon had 3 hits for the second straight game and is 45-99 (.455) since he was hitting .250 on May 18.

Cecil Cooper lashed into his team after the game, saying the finale of the series was a total embarrassment. The Astros started off the season strong, but have lost 14 of their last 17 games to fall 4 games under .500.


June 15, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
NY Yankees	0	0	3	0	0	8	0	2	0		13	15	0
Houston	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	7	2

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	6	1	3	0	0	0	0	.328
Jeter, SS	4	1	2	2	0	0	0	.273
a-Gonzalez, PH-SS	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	.191
Matsui, LF	5	2	2	1	1	0	1	.325
Rodriguez, 3B	4	3	2	3	1	0	1	.326
Hawkins, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
c-Molina, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.217
Giese, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Giambi, 1B	2	2	1	0	1	1	0	.262
Ohlendorf, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Ramirez, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
b-Moeller, PH-C	2	1	1	0	0	0	2	.262
Posada, C-1B	2	1	2	3	3	0	0	.318
Cano, 2B	4	1	2	3	1	1	2	.225
Cabrera, RF	5	0	0	1	0	2	8	.258
Wang, P	3	1	0	0	0	2	4	.000
Betemit, 1B-3B	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	.224
Totals	42	13	15	13	7	6	22
a-Grounded into a forceout for Jeter in the 7th. b-Doubled for Ramirez in the 8th. c-Reached on error for Hawkins in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Matsui (13, Oswalt), Moeller (5, Villarreal). HR: Rodriguez (12, 6th inning off Wright, 2 on, 2 out), Posada (3, 6th inning off Wright, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Damon 3; Jeter 2; Matsui 3; Rodriguez 5; Giambi; Moeller 2; Posada 5; Cano 2. RBI: Posada 3 (17), Cano 3 (24), Jeter 2 (30), Matsui (34), Rodriguez 3 (37), Cabrera (31). 2-out RBI: Posada 3; Cano 2; Jeter 2; Matsui; Rodriguez 3. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Wang; Cabrera; Betemit; Moeller. GIDP: Gonzalez. Team LOB: 10.

BASERUNNING
CS: Damon (5, 2nd base by Oswalt/Ausmus).

FIELDING
DP: 2 (Jeter-Cano-Giambi, Rodriguez-Cano-Giambi).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Wang (W, 8-2)	5.0	6	0	0	0	3	0	4.07
Ohlendorf	1.0	0	0	0	1	1	0	5.65
Ramirez	1.0	0	0	0	1	1	0	2.25
Hawkins	1.0	0	0	0	1	1	0	5.65
Giese	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1.23

Houston	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Pence, RF	4	0	1	0	0	2	4	.278
Erstad, 1B	2	0	1	0	2	0	1	.316
Tejada, SS	4	0	1	0	0	1	4	.300
Byrdak, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.250
Lee, LF	3	0	0	0	0	2	2	.273
Villarreal, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
a-Quintero, PH-C	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.250
Blum, 3B-SS	4	0	0	0	0	0	2	.233
Loretta, 2B	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.270
Bourn, CF	4	0	2	0	0	0	0	.239
Ausmus, C-3B	3	0	0	0	1	0	2	.229
Oswalt, P	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	.194
Wright, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Abercrombie, LF	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.333
Totals	32	0	7	0	3	7	17
a-Struck out for Villarreal in the 8th.
BATTING TB: Pence; Erstad; Tejada; Bourn 2; Oswalt 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Tejada; Pence. GIDP: Erstad; Ausmus. Team LOB: 9. FIELDING E: Tejada (6, missed catch), Ausmus (2, fielding). DP: (Loretta-Erstad).

Houston IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Oswalt (L, 5-7) 5.2 8 7 3 4 6 0 5.04 Wright 0.1 3 4 4 0 0 2 5.11 Villarreal 2.0 3 2 2 2 0 0 4.86 Byrdak 1.0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1.31

HBP: Abercrombie (by Ramirez), Giambi (by Wright). Pitches-strikes: Wang 71-51, Ohlendorf 12-7, Ramirez 17-9, Hawkins 17-10, Giese 14-10, Oswalt 118-78, Wright 11-7, Villarreal 41-21, Byrdak 23-14. Ground outs-fly outs: Wang 7-5, Ohlendorf 0-2, Ramirez 2-0, Hawkins 0-2, Giese 0-2, Oswalt 6-4, Wright 1-0, Villarreal 2-4, Byrdak 2-1. Batters faced: Wang 19, Ohlendorf 4, Ramirez 5, Hawkins 4, Giese 4, Oswalt 29, Wright 5, Villarreal 11, Byrdak 5. Inherited runners-scored: Wright 2-2. Umpires: HP: Marty Foster. 1B: Derryl Cousins. 2B: Angel Hernandez. 3B: Eric Cooper. Weather: 74 degrees, roof closed. Wind: 0 mph, None. T: 3:12. Att: 43,165.

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We HATE the NL

We've been against two styles of play for a long time, particularly making American League pitchers bat in the National League ball parks. These guys aren't used to the stop and starting it takes to run the bases. Well now we're REALLY ticked off.

Chien-Ming Wang pitched a gem his last time out and was again today against the Houston Astros. Then he got on the bases in the 6th and moments later had to be helped off the field with an undisclosed leg injury. Wang was halfway between 3rd base and home plate when whatever happened hit him. He scored and immediately grabbed on to Robinson Cano for support, and was helped off the field. A season that had started to turn around just took a big blow.

YES has now said it is a right foot injury.

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Houston, We Have Lift Off

Sounds a lot better than, "Houston, we have a problem". The Yankees player their first ever regular season series in Houston when they start a 3-game series tonight. The Yankees haven't played the Astros since June 10-12, 2003. The Yankees took two of three in the series, but in the one game they lost they were no-hit.

The Houston Astrodome was a tough place to hit home runs, but that is not the case in Minute Maid Park, which opened in 2000 and, at the time, unfortunately had its naming rights owned by Enron. The Brewers and Astros combined for 15 home runs in the latter two games of their series on Wednesday and Thursday.

The park includes a retractable roof, and an annoying replica train filled with replica oranges. The craziest part of MMP is the uphill slope in center field, which can trip up the best defender. MMP holds just under 41K and its dimensions, per mlb.com are as follows:

Distances from plate:
Left field - 315 feet
Left-center - 362 feet
Center field - 435 feet
Deepest point - 436 feet
Right-center - 373 feet
Right field - 326 feet

Height of wall:
Left field - 19 feet
Left-center - 25 feet
Center field - 10 feet
Deepest point - 10 feet
Right-center - 10 feet
Right field - 7 feet


The Yankees did play one game here, back on March 30, 1999. It was an exhibition game prior to the regular season, with the Astros winning it 6-5. Jason Grimsley took the loss, while Paul O'Neill and Ricky Ledee each homered in the first game in the park's history. The Yankees also played the first exhibition game in 1965 prior to the Astrodome opening. Mickey Mantle hit the first home run and the Yankees lost 2-1.

The Yankees have already made a roster move and it's a good one. They've sent little used Shelley Duncan down to Scranton and recalled infielder Alberto Gonzalez. The latter's defense and mobility will make him a much better fit in the NL parks.

Pitching Probables for the Series

Friday - Joba Chamberlain (1-2, 2.67) vs. Shawn Chacon (2-2, 4.96) 8:00 EDT
Saturday - Mike Mussina (9-4, 3.82) vs. Wandy Rodriguez (2-2, 1.99) 7:00 EDT
Sunday - Chien-Ming Wang (7-2, 4.30) vs. Roy Oswalt (5-6., 5.06) 2:00 EDT

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Wang Gets Grounded

Chien-Ming Wang was dazed and confused after his last bad start, one that stretched his winless streak out to six games. But last night the Wanger was back on track, getting four double plays in the Yankees 3-1 win over the Oakland Athletics.

Wang won for the first time since May 2 and pitched past the 7th inning for the first time since May 18. He scattered 7 hits, walked 2 and struck out 2 before being pulled with one out in the 8th inning. More importantly, he had his sinker working again and it got him out of a few jams.

Remarkably, the A's had the lead off man in the first seven innings, but could only push a run across in the 4th when Jack Cust singled, moved to 2nd on a ground out, and scored on Mark Ellis' double.

The Yankees had built a quick 2-0 lead in the 1st inning against A's starter Dana Eveland. Derek Jeter drew a 1-out walk and Bobby Abreu followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi delivered, with back-to-back RBI singles to center field to score both runners. Jorge Posada drew a walk to loaded the bases, but Eveland was able to retire Wilson Betemit to escape further trouble.

Wang ran into trouble in the 7th when the A's loaded the bases with one out on singles by Ellis and Carlos Gonzalez, and a walk by Travis Buck. But Wang's sinker sunk the A's. Kurt Suzuki grounded to Alex Rodriguez who began a 5-4-3 inning ending double play.

Eveland settled down after that and the Yankees managed just 4 hits the rest of the game. They left runners in scoring position in the 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 8th innings. Finally Melky Cabrera added a big insurance run when he hit a solo home run, his 7th, off of Keith Foulke in the 9th.

Jose Veras escaped a 2-out, 2-on jam in the 8th, retiring Ellis on a ground out, and Mariano Rivera came on in the 9th to record his 17th save. Gonzalez gave the A's life with a 2-out single, but Rivera retired Suzuki on a routine fly to Cabrera to seal the win.

News and Notes

Johnny Damon was 1-4 and is now hitting an AL 3rd best .325.

Jason Giambi, much to the amusement of his family (including brother Jeremy) tagged up from 1st base and advanced to 2nd on a deep fly out.

Melky Cabrera's home run was his first since May 4.

June 10, 2008

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

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	4	0	1	0	1	1	0	.325
Jeter, SS	4	1	0	0	1	2	1	.271
Abreu, RF	2	0	2	0	2	0	0	.294
Rodriguez, 3B	4	1	2	1	0	0	2	.321
Giambi, DH	2	0	1	1	1	1	2	.257
Posada, C	3	0	0	0	1	1	5	.299
Betemit, 1B	4	0	0	0	0	2	5	.222
Cano, 2B	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	.227
Cabrera, CF	4	1	1	1	0	0	0	.269
Totals	31	3	7	3	6	7	16
BATTING HR: Cabrera (7, 9th inning off Foulke, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Damon; Abreu 2; Rodriguez 2; Giambi; Cabrera 4. RBI: Rodriguez (32), Giambi (35), Cabrera (28). 2-out RBI: Giambi. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Betemit 2; Posada; Rodriguez; Cano. GIDP: Jeter. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING CS: Damon (4, 2nd base by Gaudin/Suzuki). FIELDING DP: 4 (Jeter-Cano-Betemit, Rodriguez-Cano-Betemit 2, Cano-Jeter-Betemit).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Wang (W, 7-2)	7.1	7	1	1	2	2	0	4.30
Veras (H, 3)	0.2	0	0	0	2	0	0	3.71
Rivera (S, 17)	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0.90

Oakland	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Hannahan, DH	3	0	0	0	0	1	1	.236
Crosby, SS	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	.264
Cust, LF	3	1	1	0	1	0	2	.249
1-Davis, PR-CF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.191
Chavez, 3B	3	0	0	0	1	0	2	.286
Ellis, 2B	4	0	3	1	0	0	2	.244
Barton, 1B	4	0	0	0	0	2	3	.227
Buck, RF-LF	3	0	0	0	1	0	2	.165
Gonzalez, C, CF-RF	3	0	2	0	1	0	1	.263
Suzuki, C	4	0	1	0	0	0	5	.251
Totals	31	1	8	1	4	3	20
1-Ran for Cust in the 8th.
BATTING 2B: Ellis 2 (12, Wang, Wang). TB: Crosby; Cust; Ellis 5; Gonzalez, C 2; Suzuki. RBI: Ellis (23). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Gonzalez, C; Buck; Ellis; Suzuki. GIDP: Crosby; Suzuki 2; Cust. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING SB: Davis (11, 2nd base off Veras/Posada). FIELDING Outfield assists: Gonzalez, C (Abreu at 3rd base). DP: (Chavez-Ellis-Barton).

Oakland	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Eveland (L, 4-5)	6.0	4	2	2	6	3	0	3.76
Gaudin	1.1	2	0	0	0	1	0	3.29
Embree	0.2	0	0	0	0	2	0	4.00
Foulke	1.0	1	1	1	0	1	1	3.10

Balk: Eveland.
HBP: Hannahan (by Wang), Giambi (by Embree).
Pitches-strikes: Wang 83-46, Veras 20-9, Rivera 20-13,
Eveland 100-51, Gaudin 22-13, Embree 12-9, Foulke 20-11.
Ground outs-fly outs: Wang 15-5, Veras 2-0, Rivera 0-2,
Eveland 7-7, Gaudin 1-1, Embree 0-0, Foulke 1-1.
Batters faced: Wang 28, Veras 4, Rivera 4, Eveland 26,
Gaudin 5, Embree 3, Foulke 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Embree 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Jerry Crawford. 1B: Brian O'Nora. 2B: Paul Nauert.
3B: D.J. Reyburn.
Weather: 74 degrees, clear.
Wind: 12 mph, L to R.
T: 2:58.
Att: 26,402.

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