Cameron Headed to the Bronx

The much-rumored Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera deal has been completed according to the Daily News' Mark Feinsand. Cameron put up his usual numbers for Milwaukee last season - .243, 25 home runs, 142 strike outs in 444 at-bats.

While Cameron is a definite upgrade over Melky and Brett Gardner, we don't love this move. The Yankees are hoping it's a one-year move, with Austin Jackson taking over in 2010, but we've seen how those expected/hoped-for moves have gone.

This is Cameron's second time in the Big Apple, having played for the Mets in 2004-5. He hit 30 home runs in his first season at Shea, but drove in just 76 runs and hit .231. He followed that up with a .273-12-39 campaign and was limited to 76 games. As usual,l he had more strikeouts than hits.

Melky's demise was rapid after showing plenty of promise, hitting .280 his rookie year in 2006, with 7 home runs and 50 RBI. After putting up similar numbers in 2007, Melky stopped hitting after April and was sent to the minors late in the season, pretty much sealing his fate with the Bombers. We still love ya Melky. Good luck in Brew Town!

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Minor League Playoffs Under Way

It doesn't appear that the Yankees and Red Sox will be meeting in this year's post-season, not at the major league level anyway. But their Triple-A and Double-A are going at in the first round of the International and Eastern League playoffs.

The Scranton Yankees took a 1-0 advantage in the "Best of Five" series, with a 7-1 win against Pawtucket Red Sox knuckleballer, Charlie Zink. Chase Wright started for the Yankees, but was pulled after 4.2 innings that included five walks. Stephen Jackson picked up the win by recording four outs. He and three relievers combined to shut out the Pawsox over the final 4.1 innings.

Justin Christian broke a scoreless tie with a 2-run home run off of Zink in the fourth. Catcher Chris Stewart would take Zink deep in the sixth inning with a solo shot, and Ben Broussard added a solo shot against Marcus McBeth ("out damn spot?") in the ninth.

It was a big night for Christian, who in addition to his home run, added a double and a walk, and stole a base. Eric Duncan also had a big night with three hits and a run scored, and Melky Cabrera drove in a run as well.

Game 2 is Thursday with Ian Kennedy facing Devern Hansack.


The Trenton Thunder opened their Eastern League playoffs with a 2-1 win over the Portland SeaDogs. Eric Hacker, who opened the season at Single-A Tampa, picked up the win after allowing one run in 5.2 innings pitched. He scattered five hits and struck out six.

A SeaDogs error allowed the Thunder to take a quick 1-0 lead in the first, but Portland tied the game up in the second inning on a Josh Reddick RBI single. An Edwar Gonzalez RBI single put Trenton up for good in the fourth.

Hacker ran into trouble in the sixth and was pulled with two men aboard. But Mike Dunn, who except for Monday's appearance, had not pitched above the Single-A level, struck out Reddick to preserve the lead. After retiring the first two men in the seventh, Dunn gave way to Jhonny Nunez, who retired all seven men he faced, four by strikeout, to pick up the save.


In regular season action, the Staten Island Yankees edged the Aberdeen IronBirds, 9-8. The Baby Bombers lead the Brooklyn Cylones by three games in the New York-Penn League's MacNamara division with three games to play.

Hector Noesi, who won a pair of games for the GCL Yankees, picked up his first win of the short season schedule. David Adams drove in three runs, and Dan Brewer and Jaedyn Pruitt added two RBI each as SI built a 7-1 lead. The pen nearly blew the game, as Aberdeen cut the margin to 7-6. The Yankees added a pair of insurance runs and Pat Venditte picked up his 22nd save after allowing two unearned runs in the ninth.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/27

Sidney Ponson goes against Paul Byrd in the second game of the series tonight. Unfortunately that means Michael Kay will talk about how much Byrd looks like Kelsey Grammer.

The Boston Herald talked to Mariano Rivera about no longer facing Manny Ramirez on a regular basis.

Joel Sherman says Alex Rodriguez is the Yankees poster boy for failure. We don't disagree.

Jason Giambi continues to prove that the Yankees need a real first baseman.

The Post's Kevin Kernan says Andy Pettitte's big game performances are a thing of the past.

Tyler Kepner has info on Melky Cabrera, Joba's unscripted return, and Jose Molina's nickname.

Quote of the day from The Record's Ian O'Connor. In comparing Tiger Woods, who was at last night's game, and Alex Rodriguez, "Tiger shrinks the moment. Rodriguez? The moment shrinks him."

Jon Heyman has this on Jason Giambi:

Jason Giambi, Yankees first baseman ($21 million option, $5 million buyout): Teammate/good buddy Johnny Damon recently told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that Giambi likes it so much in the Bronx he'd be happy to return for less than that $21-million figure. Damon isn't exactly giving away state secrets, but no matter what Damon or anyone says, the Yankees are more likely to try to lure Teixeira as they try to get younger. The call: The Yankees buy Giambi out and let him go.

Needless to say, the Yankees better NOT bring Giambi back under any circumstances.

LoHud's Sam Borden wonders if this team would have responded differently under Joe Torre.

Igawa continues to earn that Triple-A money.

A man who wrote threatening, racially charged letters to Derek Jeter, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and others, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison.

John Flaherty was elected to the Hall of Fame. No, not that one.

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Breaking News: Melky Demoted

The NY Post is reporting that Melky Cabrera, slumping since the beginning of May, has been demoted to the Scranton Yankees and Brett Gardner has been recalled. The Yankees were clearly in need of a shake up and though Gardner did not hit in his first time around, his speed brings another element to the team. It also gives the team a chance to see if he's capable of being the every day center fielder for the last two months of the season.

In addition to the Cabrera move, the Yankees released first baseman Richie Sexson, who didn't do much in the limited time he was in Pinstripes. Utility man Cody Ransom has been brought up, which could lead to a cut back in Robinson Cano's playing time.

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Who Can Root for this Team?

The biggest bunch of overpaid, gutless, losers we have seen don the Pinstripes in quite some time. We're furious right now. Dan Giese pitched, arguably, the best game of his life, in front of his hometown, and the rest of the team shat all over it.

Alex Rodriguez can hit a million solo home runs, but that won't help him with men on base when he's more likely to flail at a third strike that's three feet out of the zone. And the distractions? He's a walking distraction from his divorce to his strippers to Madonna. Good God, does this guy have the worst taste or what?

The Captain has been playing some of the best defense of his life, but his bat has been anemic. We'd love to give him a pass, but he's been killing the Yankees in the two spot this year. It would take major balls for Joe Girardi to move him in the lineup, but that won't happen. Not that the alternatives are viable either.

Melky Cabrera is simply killing the Yankees with his offense. Three hits today practically matched his total for the last month. If he hit .260-.270 it would be totally acceptable, but to be in the .230's since May?

Bobby Abreu is having a very good offensive season. In a contract year, let us remind you. He should still not be a number three hitter, though. Defensively, any ball hit outside of a one foot diameter will drop in. Has this guy ever dived for a ball in his life?

Robinson Cano has to stop the two to three month dead zone to start the season. He's killed them two years in a row with his lack of early production.

Thanks for another two month season, Jason. Another guy that can hit a ton of solo home runs but can't come through in the clutch. Yes, we remember the home run off B.J. Ryan. That doesn't happen every day or close to it. And you stat idiots, don't be telling us how great his OPS is. His contract was even worse than the new one they gave A-Rod.

The pitching. What can you say about the pitching outside of Moose, Pettitte, and Wang (yes, Pettitte gets somewhat of a pass). Can't complain about Ponson, we know he stinks. Injuries happen, but when a punk like Ian Kennedy continues to shoot his mouth off after getting his ass kicked...it shows you the problem with this team and with athletes today.

This bullpen is atrocious, their hot streak a mirror of the tease this team gave us when they burst out of the second half gate like world beaters.

Disgusted. Angry. Done.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 7/24

We're enjoying a day off in the schedule before three big games in Boston this weekend. Here's what's going on.

Things have really begun to heat up in talks with Seattle that would sent pariah #2 Kei Igawa (Pavano is of course #1) to the Mariners for Jarrod Washburn and contract throw in Jose Vidro.

We're not big fans of Washburn, but he battles, gives you innings and has done well in the post-season. He would also give you another left-hander in the rotation in addition to Andy Pettitte, and would be a viable option out of the pen should the Yankees make the playoffs. He's got about $4 million left on his deal this year and has a $10 million contract for next season. Igawa's contract runs through 2011 and is worth about $14 million.

Vidro was once a good 2nd baseman and swung a good bat, but his knees and his skills have eroded and now he's a DH without any pop.

* * *

The media is blasting the Yankees from all sides for their decision not to shut down Jorge Posada immediately so that he'll be ready for the start of next season. There were even rumors that Randy Levine insisted that Posada play because of the big contract he signed in the off-season. It's very believable considering Levine is pretty much a dick.

We, as we stated yesterday, are in agreement that Posada will not be any use to the team this year. His shoulder will not strengthen to the point that he will be able to hit with any kind of authority.

* * *

Today is the 25th anniversary of a game that will in infamy. The Pine Tar game between the Yankees and Royals on July 24, 1983. Brian Heyman of the Journal News looks back, and has thoughts from George Brett and ump Tim McLelland.

* * *

Mark Lelinwalla of the Daily News has a nice piece on rookie outfielder Justin Christian. We repeat, time for Brett Gardner, who couldn't break a pane of glass right now, to go back to Scranton and for Christian to get increased playing time.

* * *

Pitching match ups for this weekend:

Friday: Joba Chamberlain vs. Josh Beckett
Saturday: Andy Pettitte vs. Tim Wakefield
Sunday: Sidney Ponson vs. Jon Lester

Saturday's game is one of those annoying 3:55 starts on Fox and Sunday is an 8:05 "we'll have to listen to Joe Morgan" affair on ESPN.

* * *

The YES Network continues to a great job covering the life and death of our man Bobby Murcer. Yankees Magazine included some new interviews from the likes of Reggie Jackson, Michael Kay, and others are the All-Star game. It's still shocking when Reggie acts humbly.

* * *

The Trenton Thunder have signed a 10-year extension with Mercer County that will keep the Yankees Double-A affiliate in Trenton through 2023. The new deal gives the Thunder more control over operations at Waterfront Park.

* * *

And finally, in case you missed it Tuesday, here's the video (we found the connection to be a bit troublesome) of Melky Cabrera making an error because he was paying attention to the Bleacher Creatures instead of the game.

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Pettitte Delivers an Ace Performance

The Yankees made it three straight wins last night over the teams their chasing in the AL East behind a star turn by Andy Pettitte. The Yankees ace tossed 4-hit ball over 8 scoreless innings in the Yankees 5-0 win. In out pitching Rays ace Scott Kazmir, Pettitte helped move the Yankees to within 7.5 games of the Rays for the division lead, and remain 4.5 back of the Red Sox for the Wild Card.

Derek Jeter had the key hit and the key defensive play in the game as the Yankees moved to six games over .500. The game was scoreless in the bottom of third when Robinson Cano lead off with a single and Jose Molina followed with a double. With two on and none out, Kazmir fired strike three pitches past Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera to get within an out of the jam. Jeter has not hit up to par this season, but he's still been solid with men in scoring position, and he came through again, doubling off the base of the wall in right field for a 2-0 lead.

Pettitte cruised through the first six innings, allowing just one base runner to reach 2nd base. B.J. Upton led off the 7th with a single, and after Pettitte struck out Carlos Pena, stole 2nd base. After Evan Longoria went down swinging, Dionner Navarro reached on an infield single to put the tying runners in scoring position with 2 outs. And that's when the Captain came through again. Much maligned for his lack of range, Jeter went deep in the hole at shortstop to stop Willy Aybar's grounder and threw to Cano to force Navarro at 2nd base for an inning escaping play. A fired up Pettitte punched the air to emphasize the play.

With Kazmir's pitch count up to 97 after 5 innings, Rays manager Joe Maddon went to the pen and the Yankees took advantage. Melky Cabrera took Gary Glover deep in the 8th for his 8th home run of the season and a 3-0 Yankees lead. Bobby Abreu added an RBI double and Cano an RBI single to push the advantage to 5-0, allowing Mariano Rivera to have a seat for the night.


News and Notes

Andy Pettitte struck out 5 Rays to top 1,500 career strikeouts as a Yankee.

Hideki Matsui took 45 swings in batting practice yesterday and felt fine afterwards.

Joe Girardi told Newsday's Kat O'Brien that he doesn't see Phil Hughes pitching until September. The Yankees phenom has still not thrown off a mound in his recovery from a fractured rib. Johnny Damon went to Tampa and hopes to swing a bat soon. Brian Bruney will pitch for Trenton on Saturday.

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Slide Continues

When you have allowed five runs in two games to the Texas Rangers, the league leader in runs scored, you should be chalking up two victories. But the Yankees bats are running silent right now. Instead of two wins, they have two more losses and are two more games back in the American League East. The Rangers scored the game winner in the 9th and held on, after some questionable managing by Joe Girardi in the 9th inning, for a 3-2 victory.

The game was tied 2-2 when Mariano Rivera entered the contest in the 9th inning. In possibly his finest season to date, Mo has struggled in tie games. The trend continued last night when Ian Kinsler lead off the inning with a double to left. He promptly stole 3rd base and scored when Michael Young bounced one up the middle, through the drawn in infield, for the go ahead run. Rivera would get out of a 1st and 3rd, 1-out jam, but the damage was already done.

The Yankees had a chance against Rangers closer C.J. Wilson in the bottom of the 9th, but Girardi's choice to have Melky Cabrera swing away ended all that. Wilson Betemit drew a lead off walk, which brought up the Yankees struggling center fielder. Cabrera mired in an 0-20 slump, should have been bunting, it was the clear fundamental play. But instead Girardi opted to have Cabrera swing away, despite having Derek Jeter available on the bench. Faster than you can say "managerial mistake", Cabrera bounced into a rally killing 6-4-3 double play. Wilson then retired Johnny Damon on a game ending ground out.

Joba Chamberlain made his first start since his 114 pitch effort, and whether or not that had an effect, the Yankees reliever turned starter struggled with his control. After issuing a walk in the 1st inning, he issued back to back walks to David Murphy and Marlon Byrd to start the 2nd. Rookie Chris Davis drilled a ball off of the base of the wall in left-center to score Murphy, who had inexplicably held up on the play, causing Byrd to stop at 2nd base. The Rangers base running in the inning would only get worse.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia singled to center to score Byrd, but Davis was gunned down by Cabrera trying to go to 3rd. Saltalamacchia advanced to 2nd base on the play, but quickly committed another base running cardinal sin by trying to advance to 3rd on Ramon Vazquez's grounder to short. Betemit threw to Alex Rodriguez, who actually missed the tag, but sold it well enough that umpire Dan Iassogna, who called Saltalamacchia out. Chamberlain then struck out Kinsler to escape further trouble.

Chamberlain was right back in the soup in the 3rd inning when he gave up a single to Michael Young and walked Josh Hamilton. But the gritty right-hander bounced back with strike outs of Milton Bradley (the 6th straight time he struck out) and Murphy, and then retired Byrd on a fly out to center. The 4th would be Chamberlain's last inning as the Rangers again put two men aboard with 2 outs, but failed to score when Young lined out.

The Yankees finally broke through against Rangers starter Kevin Millwood in the 4th. Jason Giambi drew a 1-out walk and moved to third on Jorge Posada's line drive single off the wall in right field. Robinson Cano singled through the right side to cut the Rangers lead in half. Millwood got a huge out when he struck out Betemit swinging, and then retired Cabrera on a fly out to left to end the threat.

Millwood was hit by a comebacker off the shin in the 2nd inning and it swelled to the point that he was forced from the game after five innings. The Yankees immediately took advantage against reliever Josh Rupe. Though Rupe retired the first two hitters, Posada, Cano, and Betemit strung singles together to tie the game up.

Dan Giese, Dave Robertson, who looked especially impressive, and Jose Veras got the game into the hands of Mariano Rivera, but the reliever's rep in tie games is becoming as standard as his rep in save situations.


News and Notes

Derek Jeter sat out completely for the first time since April 13.

Melky Cabrera's 0-18 the last 5 games has dropped his average to a season low .240.

Joba Chamberlain threw 91 pitches in 4 innings. His ERA jumped to 2.22.

All 4 runs that Mariano Rivera has allowed this season have come in non-save situations.

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Gardner May Change Landscape

Brett Gardner is headed to the Bronx according to his hometown paper, "The Times and Democrat, in Holly Hill, South Carolina, and confirmed by Scranton beat writer Chad Jennings. We would have to think that either Justin Christian gets sent down or Chad Moeller gets DFA'ed. Something tells us it will be the former.

Gardner is hitting .287-3-29 at Scranton with 34 stolen bases in 42 attempts. He also has a 11 doubles, 10 triples, and an .941 OPS. The left-handed hitter actually has a higher average, .318, against left-handers than against righties (.274). His recall could lead to a long term loss of at-bats for Melky Cabrera should Melky continue to struggle at the plate.

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Some Photos from June 19 Game

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Yankees Strike Down Padres

The Mantlemurcers made their firs trip of the season yesterday, and except for the traffic getting to the GWB on the way home, it was a very successful day. The Yankees pitching, which was so mediocre the night before, dominated on Thursday afternoon. Joba Chamberlain and 3 relievers combined for 15 strikeouts as the Yankees completed a 3-game sweep of the San Diego Padres with a 2-1 win.

Joba wasn't around when the Yankees took the lead on an Alex Rodriguez single in the 6th, but he was pretty impressive in his 5.2 innings pitched. His final pitch, his 100th on the day, finished off his 9th strikeout. Joe Girardi was greeted with a chorus of boos as he came out to the mound and called on Jose Veras, wary that Joba would go far past his 105 pitch max limit should he face one more batter.

Those were the only boos on the day, well except when Kyle Farnsworth came out of the bullpen, on a beautifully sunny day. We had seats behind home plate about 2 or 3 rows from the top of the Stadium, but when we got there we nestled into some loge box seats by 3rd base and lucked out when their owners never showed up.

As for the game itself, Joba did indeed struggle with his control at times, walking 3, but his pitch location continued to improve and he regularly reached the upper 90s with his fastball. His strikeout prowess and some hustle avoided the Padres building a big inning in the 2nd.

Adrian Gonzalez drew a lead off walk and rookie Chase Headley poked a ground rule double into the left field corner. Former Yankee Tony Clark drew another walk to load the bases with no one out. But Joba brought the heat and blew strike three past Scott Hairston. With Khalil Greene hitting, a Joba pitch scurried past Jose Molina, but both players hustled and Molina threw to Joba, who actually blocked the plate, to tag out Gonzalez as he attempted to score. Greene then went down swinging, eliciting a modified fist pump from Joba for out number three.

The Yankees weren't doing much against Padres starter Josh Banks, who has an impressive array of pitches himself. He escaped a 1st inning jam after Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter lead off with back to back singles, striking out Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi after Damon had advanced to 3rd base on Bobby Abreu's fly out. He only allowed one base runner, hitting Giambi with a pitch, over the next 3 innings.

The Padres broke through first in the 4th inning. Brian Giles lead off with a single and Gonzalez drew a walk. Joba struck out out Headley, but Clark sliced a pitch into the left field corner for a ground rule RBI double. Pitching and defense then stopped the Padres from a big inning. Hairston grounded a pitch to A-Rod who came home with his throw. Gonzalez, running on contact, was a dead duck and lamely let himself be tagged out by Molina. (How do you not run over the catcher or slide?) Greene then lined to Abreu in deep right to end the inning.

The Yankees tied things up in the 5th by taking advantage of the Padres inability to throw out base stealers. Melky Cabrera drew a one out walk and stole 2nd and 3rd, easily beating throws from Michael Barrett. Molina shot to deep center easily plated Cabrera with the tying run.

The Yankees ran into another run an inning later when Jeter singled and stole 2nd base. The Yankees were 8 for 9 in thefts in the 3-game series. Abreu's ground out to the right side to move Jeter to 3rd and A-Rod brought him home with a line drive single to right for a 2-1 Yankees lead.

Jose Veras picked up the victory with 1.1 innings of worked and Farnsworth turned the boos to cheers when he struck out Headley and Clark to strand a Padres runner on 1st. Mariano Rivera then entered to deafening cheers, which got even louder when he struck out the side to record his 20th save in as many attempts.

News and Notes

The announced crowd was 54,000 plus, but looked to be 50,000 tops. In the AL the announced attendance is based on ticket sales rather than how many people actually go threw the turnstyles.

Hall of Famer Jerry Coleman, a Padres announcer and Phil Rizzuto's former double play partner on the Yankees, pulled the lever to reduce the number of home games from 46 to 45.

GWB $8
Parking $17
Hot Pretzel and a Diet Coke $8.75
Sitting in Yankee Stadium on a beautifully sunny day and winning PRICELESS

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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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Flat on Their Face

Last night the Yankees did exactly what we were afraid they would do, come out completely flat against the Kansas City Royals. One night after their dramatic win against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Yankees could muster only 1 run against 'C' prospect Kyle Davies in a 2-1 loss.

Darrell Rasner gave the bullpen a lift, throwing 117 pitches in an 8 inning effort. But for the second time in three starts, the Yankees offense came up empty for him. Rasner has now lost three straight starts and is 3-3 despite a 2.58 ERA.

The Yankees had the first scoring opportunity when Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu stroked 1-out singles in the 1st inning, but Alex Rodriguez bounced into an inning ending double play. The Royals broke the scoreless tie when Mike Aviles lead off the 5th inning with a double, moved to 3rd on Joey Gathright's sac bunt, and scored on a David DeJesus single.

The Yankees had a chance to answer right back when Robinson Cano lead off the bottom with a 5th with a double. But after Jose Molina bunted him over to 3rd, Melky Cabrera fouled out and Johnny Damon grounded out.

The Royals added a run in the 6th that would prove to be the difference. Jose Guillen doubled and Miguel Olivo singled to put runners on the corners with no one out. But Rasner bounced back, inducing a double play grounder from Mark Teahen. Guillen scored on the play for a 2-0 lead.

The Yankees finally broke through in the 7th on Cano's 1-out double and Cabrera's 2-out RBI single. That finally knocked Davies, who improved to 2-0, from the game, in favor of lefty Ron Mahay to face Damon. Mahay won the battle getting Damon, whose 14-game hitting streak came to end, when he fouled out to end the inning.

Damon had one more chance to redeem himself when Cabrera came through with a 2-out single against closer Joakim Soria in the 9th, but he bounced out to Tony Pena Jr. at short to end the game.

News and Notes

Edwar Ramirez was back on the beam last night after his horrendous outing on Tuesday. He pitched a scoreless 9th inning, striking out two batters with his nasty change up.

The victory ended the Royals 11-game road losing streak.

The Yankees might have had a better chance in the 9th if not for a terrible checked swing strike three call by home plate ump Ed Montague. Replays showed that Jason Giambi didn't even come close to swinging at the pitch, which would have been ball four and a lead off walk.

We have to second guess Joe Girardi on his choice not to use Wilson Betemit in last night's lineup. We're not fans of Betemit, but considering his big home run in Thursday's comeback and his success against Davies (3-4, 2 HR 5 RBI) it would have made sense to have him in the lineup.

Brian Bruney got the go ahead to start throwing on flat ground and was in the outfield tossing before last night's game.

June 6, 2008

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

Kansas City	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
DeJesus, LF	4	0	1	1	0	0	1	.300
Grudzielanek, 2B	3	0	1	0	0	0	1	.294
Gordon, 3B	4	0	0	0	0	2	2	.263
Guillen, RF	4	1	2	0	0	0	1	.253
Olivo, DH	4	0	3	0	0	1	0	.299
Teahen, 1B	4	0	1	0	0	0	4	.258
Buck, C	4	0	0	0	0	2	4	.250
Aviles, M, SS	3	1	2	0	0	0	0	.333
Pena, SS	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.155
Gathright, CF	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.247
Totals	33	2	10	1	0	6	15
BATTING 2B: Aviles, M 2 (2, Rasner, Rasner), Olivo (14, Rasner), Grudzielanek (13, Rasner), Guillen (20, Rasner). TB: DeJesus; Grudzielanek 2; Guillen 3; Olivo 4; Teahen; Aviles, M 4. RBI: DeJesus (26). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Grudzielanek; Buck; Gordon; Pena. S: Gathright. GIDP: Buck; Teahen. Team LOB: 6. BASERUNNING SB: Teahen (2, 2nd base off Ramirez/Moeller). CS: DeJesus (5, 2nd base by Rasner/Molina). FIELDING DP: (Aviles, M-Grudzielanek-Teahen).

Kansas City	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Davies (W, 2-0)	6.2	7	1	1	1	3	0	1.54
Mahay (H, 8)	1.1	2	0	0	0	2	0	2.20
Soria (S, 13)	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	1.03

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	5	0	0	0	0	0	3	.308
Jeter, SS	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	.281
Abreu, RF	4	0	2	0	0	1	0	.288
Rodriguez, 3B	4	0	2	0	0	1	3	.299
Matsui, DH	4	0	1	0	0	1	2	.332
Giambi, 1B	3	0	0	0	1	2	3	.253
Cano, 2B	4	1	2	0	0	1	1	.227
Molina, C	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.220
a-Betemit, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.255
Moeller, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.254
b-Posada, PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.299
Cabrera, CF	4	0	2	1	0	0	1	.271
Totals	35	1	10	1	1	7	15
a-Flied out for Molina in the 7th. b-Struck out for Moeller in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Cano 2 (13, Davies, Davies), Rodriguez (14, Davies). TB: Jeter; Abreu 2; Rodriguez 3; Matsui; Cano 4; Cabrera 2. RBI: Cabrera (27). 2-out RBI: Cabrera. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Damon; Matsui; Giambi. S: Molina. GIDP: Rodriguez. Team LOB: 9. FIELDING DP: 2 (Cano-Jeter-Giambi, Rodriguez-Cano-Giambi).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Rasner (L, 3-3)	8.0	9	2	2	0	4	0	2.58
Ramirez	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	2.65

WP: Ramirez.
HBP: Grudzielanek (by Rasner).
Pitches-strikes: Davies 104-65, Mahay 26-16,
Soria 20-14, Rasner 118-75, Ramirez 18-12.
Ground outs-fly outs: Davies 9-8, Mahay 0-2, Soria 1-0,
Rasner 13-6, Ramirez 0-1.
Batters faced: Davies 27, Mahay 6, Soria 4, Rasner 31, Ramirez 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Mahay 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Ed Montague. 1B: Jerry Layne. 2B: Phil Cuzzi.
3B: Jim Wolf.
Weather: 72 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 7 mph, In from LF.
T: 3:10.
Att: 52,187.

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