Edinson Turns Out Lights on 161st

The Yankees buzz saw ran into the hottest young pitcher in Major League baseball and their 7-game winning streak came to end. Edinson Volquez went 7 innings to push the Cincinnati Reds past the Yankees this evening, 4-2 at Yankee Stadium.

Volquez's ERA actually jumped up from 1.64 to 1.71 as he won his 10th game of the season. The game was tied 1-1 in the 5th inning when the entire evening turned on one play. Johnny Damon lost Edwin Encarnacion's lead off line drive, off of Yankees starter Mike Mussina, in the lights for what was, inexplicably, ruled a double though the ball glanced off of Damon's glove.

Corey Patterson sacrificed the runner to 3rd base and after Paul Bako grounded out with the infield in for the 2nd out, Joe Girardi made a decision that second guessers may still be debating tomorrow. Girardi opted to intentionally walk left-handed hitting rookie Jay Bruce, who was just 8 for his last 43, to set up a righty-righty match up with Mussina against Jolbert Cabrera, who was already 2-2. The move backfired when Cabrera doubled to left to score both runners for a 3-1 lead. Ken Griffey Jr. then singled to right to score Cabrera, who made an innovative slide to avoid Jose Molina's tag.

The Yankees cut the lead in half in the 7th, but blew a chance to get more. Alex Rodriguez and Hideki Matsui hit consecutive one out singles, but Jason Giambi flew out to deep left-center for the 2nd out. A-Rod moved up to 3rd base on the play and scored on Robinson Cano's single to center, but Volquez struck out Melky Cabrera to end the inning.

The Yankees had one last gasp in the 9th against closer Francisco Cordero when Matsui sliced a two out single to left. But Cordero retired Giambi on a chopper to 2nd baseman Brandon Phillips and just like that the Yankees winning streak was over.


News and Notes

Jason Giambi may want to at least trim his mustache. He's gone into a 0-12 skid.

Alex Rodriguez extended his hitting streak to 8 games, while Derek Jeter has now hit in 9 straight games.

It was the 2nd time this season that Mike Mussina pitched 8 innings.

June 20, 2008

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

Cincinnati	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Bruce, RF	4	1	1	0	1	2	0	.315
Cabrera, SS	4	1	4	2	0	0	0	.389
1-Janish, PR-SS	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.179
Griffey, DH	4	0	1	1	0	0	4	.244
Phillips, B, 2B	4	0	0	0	0	1	2	.264
Dunn, LF	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.224
Hopper, LF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.290
Votto, 1B	4	1	3	1	0	0	0	.286
Encarnacion, 3B	3	1	1	0	1	0	1	.242
Patterson, CF	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	.192
Bako, C	4	0	0	0	0	0	3	.235
Totals	35	4	10	4	2	5	13
1-Ran for Cabrera in the 7th.
BATTING 2B: Encarnacion (15, Mussina), Cabrera (1, Mussina), Votto (15, Mussina). HR: Votto (12, 2nd inning off Mussina, 0 on, 2 out). TB: Bruce; Cabrera 5; Griffey; Votto 7; Encarnacion 2. RBI: Votto (37), Cabrera 2 (2), Griffey (31). 2-out RBI: Votto; Cabrera 2; Griffey. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Griffey; Bako; Phillips, B; Patterson. S: Patterson. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING PO: Votto (2nd base by Molina). FIELDING DP: (Cabrera-Votto).

Cincinnati	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Volquez (W, 10-2)	7.0	7	2	2	1	5	0	1.71
Burton (H, 7)	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.58
Cordero (S, 14)	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2.76

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	4	0	1	1	0	1	0	.330
Jeter, SS	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.276
Abreu, RF	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.274
Rodriguez, 3B	3	1	1	0	1	1	0	.335
Matsui, DH	4	0	2	0	0	0	1	.324
Giambi, 1B	4	0	0	0	0	1	4	.254
Cano, 2B	3	0	2	1	0	0	1	.232
Cabrera, CF	3	1	1	0	0	1	3	.253
Molina, C	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	.218
a-Betemit, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.250
Moeller, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.262
Totals	32	2	8	2	1	5	10
a-Flied out for Molina in the 8th.
BATTING TB: Damon; Jeter; Rodriguez; Matsui 2; Cano 2; Cabrera. RBI: Damon (34), Cano (25). 2-out RBI: Cano. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cano; Cabrera. GIDP: Cabrera. Team LOB: 4. BASERUNNING SB: Rodriguez (9, 2nd base off Volquez/Bako). CS: Jeter (2, 2nd base by Volquez/Bako), Damon (6, 2nd base by Volquez/Bako). FIELDING E: Cano (6, throw). Outfield assists: Abreu (Cabrera at 1st base). DP: (Abreu-Giambi). Pickoffs: Molina (Votto at 2nd base).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina (L, 10-5)	8.0	10	4	4	2	4	1	3.93
Traber	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3.86

WP: Volquez, Mussina.
Balk: Volquez.
IBB: Bruce (by Mussina).
Pitches-strikes: Volquez 103-63, Burton 11-7, Cordero 21-11,
Mussina 110-76, Traber 7-6.
Ground outs-fly outs: Volquez 7-7, Burton 2-1, Cordero 2-1,
Mussina 10-8, Traber 2-0.
Batters faced: Volquez 26, Burton 3, Cordero 4,
Mussina 35, Traber 3.
Umpires: HP: Brian Runge. 1B: Scott Barry.
2B: Charlie Reliford. 3B: Greg Gibson.
Weather: 75 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 8 mph, Out to LF.
T: 2:46.
Att: 53,421.

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Yankees vs. Reds - June 20

The Cincinnati Reds come to the Bronx tonight for the first time since 1976 and that forgettable (except for the fact we finally got back there) World Series. The 3-game series is the first time the two teams have met since 2003 when they played at the Great American Ball Park in Cincy. The Yankees lost the first 2 games of that series, 6-2 and 4-3, before winning in a laugher, 10-2, in the finale. Al Osuna and Mike Mussina took the losses while Jose Contreras picked up the lone win.

On to today- the Reds are struggling. They sit 8 games under .500 and 12.5 games back of the Cubs in last place in the NL Central. They are currently mired in a 5-game losing streak. This comes a season after they finished 72-90 and cost Jerry Narron his manager's job. Dusty Baker was hired to turn things around, but so far that has not happened, mainly because of the same problem most teams have. A lack of pitching.

The Reds do have some good young players to build with though. Pitcher Edinson Volquez, who starts tonight's game, was acquired in the Josh Hamilton trade. He leads the NL in ERA and strikeouts. Fellow pitcher Johnny Cueto opened the season with a 10 strikeout performance, but has had the ups and downs of most rookie seasons. And then there's super prospect Jay Bruce, who made a fantastic splash in his first dozen games in the bigs- a .457 average with 3 home runs and 11 RBI, and a 1.293 OPS. But he's come back a bit to Earth since then, going 7-42 (.167) with 1 HR and 1 RBI. They also have highly touted pitcher Homer Bailey who struggled in a brief call up.

As for the veterans, Ken Griffey Jr. is struggling with some aches and some poor hitting. He attained his 600th career home run, but is hitting just .244-7-30 and has a .746 OPS. The Reds would love to find a taker for him, but Jr. may not want to be moved, even if its a contender.

Adam Dunn is having his typical year. Mediocre average, lots of strikeouts, and lots of home runs (.228, 18, 72). So much so that Blue Jays G.M. J.P. Ricciardi insulted him the other day. Dunn's 43 RBI lead the ball guy club, while Joey Votto has the highest average for a regular at just .278.

The Reds also have former Yankee Andy Phillips on their squad.

Pitching Probables for the Series

Friday: Edinson Volquez (9-2, 1.64) vs. Mike Mussina (10-4, 3.87)
Saturday: Daryl Thompson (0-0, 0.0) vs. Dan Giese (1-1, 1.23)
Sunday: Johnny Cueto (5-7, 5.19) vs. Andy Pettitte (7-5, 4.29)


Tonight's lineup via Peter Abraham:

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

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In Game Doubleheader

We had nothing else to do tonight so we were watching the Padres-Reds? Why, you ask? Because the game was in the 16th inning. The game ended moments ago with 2 outs in the bottom of the 18th when Padres 1st Baseman Adrian Gonzalez hit a walk off 3-run home run. Gonzalez hit a 3-2 pitch off of Edinson Volquez who was in his 2nd inning of relief after throwing 6 innings in his Friday start.

The Reds had the distinction of using 3 starting pitchers in the game. In addition to Volquez, there was the actual starter of course, Matt Belisle, who lasted only an 4.1 innings, and Aaron Harang who preceded Volquez with 4 shutout innings.

In all, Cincy went with 10 pitchers while the Padres used 8. Josh Banks threw 6 shutout innings of relief to get the win. These games of course can be tough on batting averages. Just ask Corey Patterson who was 0-8.

Oh, and Padres front office, those fatigue uniforms have gotta go.

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Around the Horn - 5/14

Good NL East battle last night between the Braves and Phillies. Atlanta jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the 1st, but Jayson Werth came up big in 3 spots for a 4 RBI night in the Phillies 5-4 win.

The Phillies victory moved them to within a game and a half of the first place Marlins after Florida lost to the Reds 5-3. Josh Hamilton is leading the AL in RBI, but no one in Cincy is complaining about the deal that brought them Edinson Volquez. The 24-yr old improved to 6-1 last night and has a 1.12 ERA. The news wasn't all good for the Reds though. Starting shortstop Jeff Keppinger broke his kneecap after fouling a ball off of it. Keppinger was hitting .324 and was third in the NL with RISP.

The Mets got a big time performance from rising star John Maine, who limited the Nats to 2 hits over 6 innings. The Mets took the game 6-3 thanks to Ryan Church's 4 RBI. There was a lot of criticism from Mets fans when the team dealt Lastings Milledge for Brian Schneider and Church, but there's nary a peep now. Church is in the top 10 in the NL in RBI and is hitting .324.

Sean Estes hadn't won a major league since 2005 and hadn't even seen a major league mound in 2007. But that all changed last night when he got the start and the win in the Padres 4-3 victory over the Cubs. Khalil Green's 3-run home run gave Estes the support he needed. Alfonso Soriano homered for the 2nd straight game for the Cubbies and is 8-14 over the last 3 games.

Ryan Braun stayed red hot, doubling in a pair of runs in the 5th to put the Brewers ahead for good in a 5-3 win over the Dodgers. Eric Gagne returned to the closer's role with mixed results. He nailed down the game without allowing a run, but did give up a hit and a walk.

The Pirates are within a game of .500 after pasting the Cards 8-4 in 10 innings. Adam LaRoche drove in 3 runs and Nate McLouth hit his 10th home run. That's tied for 4th best in the NL. The Cardinals have dropped 6 of 7.

Stephen Drew hit a 3-run home run to help Randy Johnson win his 287th career win in the Diamondbacks 8-4 win over the Rockies.

Matt Cain homered and went 8 innings to help the Giants snap the Astros 4-game winning streak.

Ryan Garko hit a 3-run home run and Paul Byrd tossed 7-plus innings in the Indians 4-0 over the A's. The Indians starting staff hasn't allowed an earned run in 34 innings.

Mark Teahen's 8th inning single snapped a 2-2 tie and the Royals sent the Tigers to their 8th loss in 11 games.

Hand Josh Beckett a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning and you figure the Red Sox have themselves a win. That wasn't the case last night when Luke Scott belted a 3-run home run and the Orioles pulled out a 5-4 win. The Sox have dropped 3 straight and 4 of 5.

Ramon Vazquez drove in 2 runs to help the Rangers beat the Mariners 5-2. The loss dropped them M's 11 games under .500. Eddie Guardado pitched the 9th to pick up his first save since 2006.

Jesse Litsch improved to 5-1 and Matt Stairs homered in the Blue Jays 5-3 win over the Twins.

John Danks and Jered Weaver (7 IP 1 H) hooked up in a good pitcher's duel as the White Sox and Angels were scoreless through 7.5 innings. Mike Napoli and Rob Quinlan each drove in a run in the 8th inning to give the Angels 2-0 win.

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NL Around the Horn - 4/28

Just as we talked about the Rays and Orioles being atop the AL East, who would have thought the Marlins would be leading the NL East, ahead of the Mets, Phillies, and Braves.

The Cardinals 16-10 start has to be a surprise considering what disarray their pitching staff has been in. And while many, us included, picked the Diamondbacks to win the NL West, we didn't see them being an offensive juggernaut and jumping out to an 18-7 record.

The Diamondbacks and Padres had all eyes on them yesterday as their aces, Brandon Webb and Jake Peavy went toe to toe. Both were very good, but it was Webb improving to 6-0 as his team won it 2-1.

And how about Edinson Volquez of the Reds, who is making about a buck and quarter while Barry Zito has his own Ft. Knox. Volquez dominated the Giants yesterday to improve to 4-0, 1.23. Meanwhile Zito, whose fastball couldn't break a pane of glass these days, dropped to 0-6, 7.53.

With no real offense outside of Pence, Tejada, and Berkman, how are the Astros 12-14.

After losing 6 of 10 the Dodgers bounced back with a 3-game sweep of division rival Colorado. Arizona is still the only team over .500 in the division.

The Nationals are only 9-17, but they just won 3 out of 4 from the Mets and Cubs combined.

The annual division contending Padres have dropped 8 out of 10 and are six games under .500. This despite having Peavy and Chris Young in the rotation.

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