The Daily Yankeeland - 8/18

Melky Cabrera played his first game for Scranton on Sunday, going 1-1 with four walks. The walk total is significant since he had only walked four times in total for the Yankees since June 27.

George Willis of the Post says Derek Jeter shows the way.

Telling us something we don't know, the Steinbrenners plan to spend this off-season.

MLB.com's Jack O'Connell looks at how much Yogi Berra is a part of Yankee Stadium.

Maybe Jose Tabata needed a wake up call and/or a fresh start. Dealt as part of the Xavier Nady/ Damaso Marte deal, Tabata has been on fire for the Pirates organization. He was 5-11 with 2 home runs and 7 RBI, in an injury rehab assignment, in four Gulf Coast League games, and his hitting .359-1-5 in nine games for Altoona of the Eastern League. His .903 OPS is 273 points higher than the mark he had put together for Trenton.

The Yankees have added Victor Zambrano to the roster at Trenton.

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Quick to the Bat Poll

We cut the the bat poll short since the Yankees acquired Xavier Nady on Friday night. "Funnily" enough, 8 more of you filled out the poll before we closed it, with 3 selecting "Blake or Nady". Ironically, Blake was dealt yesterday as well to the LA Dodgers.

So now we want to know what you think of the trade. We don't agree with Pa Yankee, John Sterling, that it was phenomenal, but it was very good.

Nady has been overhyped due to the season he's having, but he's a serviceable outfielder, who could take over in right field next season for Bobby Abreu.

Marte, of course, has been an outstanding set up man in his career, and even part time closer this year, with the White Sox and Pirates. (Note to ESPN's Larry Hardesty, who was on 1050 with Jody Mac yesterday. Marte pitched 4 seasons with the White Sox, so you don't have to wonder if his stuff will translate to the AL. Your a professional, do you homework.)

Jose Tabata could be the real deal, but at 19 he's still a good ways from the majors. He's had a balky wrist issue, and maybe more important, maturity issues.

Jeff Karstens is mediocre, Dan McCutchen may or may not be good, and Ross Ohlendorf could still turn into a decent pitcher, though we think losing him is no biggie.

So what do you think? Quick, to the trade poll, Robin. Boy that was stupid.

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Breaking News: Yankees Acquire Nady and Marte

SI's Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees have acquired right-handed hitting outfielder Xavier Nady and lefty set up man Damaso Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates for outfielder Jose Tabata, and pitchers Ross Ohlendorf and Phil Coke, and another minor league prospect.

The Yankees have not made an official announcement yet and all players will have to clear physicals.

Update 8:25 PM EDT

According to mlb.com, the 4th player is believed to be pitcher George Kontos.

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Minor League Recap - 7/2

Games of 7/1

The Scranton Yankees came from behind to top the Buffalo Bisons 5-2. Ross Ohlendorf made his first start for the Yankees, allowing 1 run in 3 innings pitched. The Yankees trailed 2-0 until tying it in the 6th inning on a Justin Christian 2-run home run. Then it was red hot J.D. Closser striking in the 7th with a 3-run home run, his second in as many games. J.B. Cox pitched 2 scoreless frames for the win.

Chad Jennings reported that Justin Christian has been named to the Triple-A All-Star Team. Austin Jackson, Chris Malec, PJ Pilittere and Jason Jones have been named to the Double-A All-Star squad.

Shelley Duncan will getting checked out today for a possible separated shoulder.

	July 1, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Buffalo 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 8 0 Scranton/WB 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 X 5 7 0 Recap | Box | W: J. Cox (3-2, 1.59); L: J. Rincon (0-1, 16.20); SV: S. Strickland (2) HR: SWB: J. Christian (5), J. Closser (2).

The Trenton Thunder lost the first game of their three game series with the Portland SeaDogs 4-1. The Thunder fell behind early, as George Kontos got tagged for 3 runs in the 1st inning. Zach Kroenke and Eric Wordekemper did a good job keeping the Thunder in the game over the final 4 innings, but Trenton could manage only a single run after an Austin Jackson double in the 8th.

Mike Ashmore reported that Jose Tabata had to leave the game with a possible hamstring issue. It was later reported as a cramp, but he's not expected to play today. Carlos Mendoza also had to leave the game after being hit in the leg by a pitch.

	July 1, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Portland 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 6 2 Trenton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 8 2 Recap | Box | W: K. Johnson (7-3, 3.09); L: G. Kontos (3-8, 3.39); SV: B. Vaughan (10) HR: None.

19-yr old Deolis Guerra, acquired from the Mets in the Johan Santana deal, shut out the Tampa Yankees on just 3 hits as the Ft. Myers Miracle won 4-0. Phil Bartleski was the lone bright spot for Tampa. The 25-yr old reliever has allowed just 3 earned runs in 27.1 innings this season, with 33 strikeouts. He's also walked just 9 hitters.

	July 1, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Tampa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 Fort Myers 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 X 4 9 2 Recap | Box W: D. Guerra (8-4, 4.32); L: G. Duff (1-5, 3.27) HR: None.

The Charleston RiverDogs had their 3-game winning streak snapped as the Savannah Sand Gnats salvaged the finale of the 4-game series with a 7-0 win. Lance Pendleton was tagged with 4 earned runs in 4 innings pitched. Austin Krum had 2 of the RiverDogs 6 hits and also added a walk.

	July 1, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Savannah 0 0 1 4 0 1 0 1 0 7 12 0 Charleston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1 Recap | Box | W: J. Stinson (2-4, 2.96); L: L. Pendleton (6-4, 2.64); SV: N. Abel (1) HR: SAV: C. Guzman (4), G. Veloz (4).

Staten Island was out hit 9-6, but beat the Aberdeen IronBirds 9-4. Dan Brewer drove in 2 runs and Walt Ibarra had an RBI and a pair of runs scored. Andy Shive picked up his first win of the year.

	July 1, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Aberdeen 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 9 3 Staten Island 0 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 X 9 6 2 Recap | Box W: A. Shive (1-2, 3.09); L: A. Odom (1-2, 3.24) HR: None.

The GCL Yankees dropped a 6-2 decision to the GCL Indians as Rich Martinez was tagged for a pair of home runs.

	July 1, 2008
	Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E GCL Yankees 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 8 1 GCL Indians 0 0 1 0 2 2 1 0 X 6 9 1 Recap | Box W: T. McFarland (1-1, 3.14); L: R. Martinez (0-1, 5.14) HR: IND: A. Abreu (2), A. Rodriguez (1).

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Minor League Weekend Recap - 6/30

Games of 6/28, 6/29

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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