The Daily Yankeeland - 1/16

Most players or coach would like to avoid road trips for as long as possible, but Yankees' hitting coach Kevin Long hit the road early this year. Bergen Record writer Pete Caldera tells us about Long's trips to see A-Rod, Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada, and Johnny Damon.

The Roger Clemens perjury investigation continued with sleaze bag Kirk Radimonski on the stand. Fellow sleaze bag Brian McNamee thinks the Rocket is headed for prison. Perhaps they should share a cell.

Shelley Duncan cleared waivers and was out righted to Scranton. He'll also receive an invite to the Major League training camp along with Austin Jackson, Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, Mark Melancon, Kei Igawa (CRINGE), Jason Johnson, Angel Berroa, Jason Johnson, Kevin Cash, Kyle Anson, Colin Curtis,Eduardo Nunez, Ramiro Pena, P.J. Pilittere, John Rodriguez, Doug Bernier, Justin Leone, Todd Linden, and Kevin Russo.

Xavier Nady, Melky Cabrera, and Brian Bruney have filed for salary arbitration.

Jorge Posada said he's training for the World Baseball Class, but the Yankees have other thoughts...like NO.

Share

Swisher or Nady, Which Will it Be?

It seems a certainty that either Nick Swisher or Xavier Nady will be dealt prior to Spring Training, or at the very worst, prior to the start of the regular season. It seems almost comical in light of the recent free agent signings, but the Yankees want to lower their payroll to a figure comparable, if not lower, to last season's salaries.

That's where Swisher and Nady come in. The Yankees don't want to deal Johnny Damon and realize that Hideki Matsui doesn't have the trade value he once did. So as Ken Davidoff of Newsday writes, it's down to Nady and Swisher.

We like both players and were really impressed with Nady in his post trade deadline stint here. We'd hate to see him go, but he's a free agent after this season and with Scott Boras as his agent, the Yankees aren't likely to bring him back.

Meanwhile, Swisher is signed through 2011 and can play both outfield and first base, though he doesn't particularly stand out in either spot. Swisher's ability to play center field also weighs in, and to a lesser degree, the fact that he's a switch-hitter. The Yankees also like Swisher's "upbeat personality and fiery attitude".

With Andy Pettitte still not signed, Nady could have major value in obtaining another starting pitcher. Now it's up to Brian Cashman to find the best deal possible, which may not be easy since more calls are coming in about Swisher than Nady.

Share

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.

Share

Mussina Wins 20th

It took Mike Mussina 18 seasons, but he can finally say he's a 20-game winner. The 39-year old became the oldest pitcher to earn 20 wins for the first time in his career when the Yankees downed the Red Sox 6-2. Mussina tossed six scoreless innings to extend his season-ending streak to 11.1 innings, leaving after 73 pitches were thrown.

An Xavier Nady 3-run home run off of Daisuke Matsuzaka in the fourth inning snapped a 0-0 tie. The win didn't come easily, however, as the Red Sox rallied in the eighth inning. Joba Chamberlain issued a lead-off walk to Jason Bay, and Mark Kotsay followed with a ground rule double to right. With the tieing run at the plate, Joe Girardi sent for Brian Bruney.

The right-hander, who missed much of the season with a torn Lisfranc ligament, struck out Jed Lowrie looking and retired Chris Carter on an RBI ground out. With Jacoby Ellsbury due up, Girardi went to left-hander Damaso Marte, but it was for naught, as Ellsbury singled to left field to cut the lead to 3-2.

Mariano Rivera went to New York earlier this week and has been contemplating surgery for his sore right shoulder, but he came back for the final series knowing that Mussina had a chance for 20 wins. With base stealing threat Ellsbury on base, Rivera blew three fastballs past Dustin Pedroia to retire the side.

The Yankees added three insurance runs in the ninth off of Jon Papelbon to increase the lead to 6-2, and then it was up to Rivera. David Ortiz reached on an error by Cody Ransom at short, but Rivera retired Kevin Youkilis, Jon Van Every, and Bay, on a ground-out to Ransom, for his 39th save in 40 tries. A jubilant Mussina sat on the bench and was greeted by the Yankees coaches, before joining his teammates on the field. Rivera gave him the game ball for career win number 270.

September 28, 2008

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

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Gardner, CF	5	1	1	0	0	1	1	.228
Damon, LF	4	0	0	0	1	0	0	.303
Abreu, RF	2	1	0	0	2	1	0	.296
Cabrera, RF	1	0	0	1	0	0	2	.244
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	1	2	1	1	1	0	.302
Giambi, 1B	4	0	0	0	0	3	4	.247
Miranda, 1B	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	.375
Nady, DH	4	1	2	3	0	1	0	.307
Cano, 2B	4	1	3	0	0	0	1	.270
Ransom, SS	3	1	2	0	1	1	1	.325
Molina, C	3	0	0	1	0	1	5	.216
Totals	35	6	10	6	5	10	16
BATTING 2B: Cano (35, Matsuzaka). HR: Nady (25, 4th inning off Matsuzaka, 2 on, 2 out). TB: Gardner; Rodriguez, A 2; Nady 5; Cano 4; Ransom 2. RBI: Nady 3 (96), Molina (18), Cabrera (37), Rodriguez, A (103). 2-out RBI: Nady 3; Rodriguez, A. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Gardner; Molina; Giambi; Miranda. SF: Molina. GIDP: Molina. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING SB: Abreu (22, 2nd base off Matsuzaka/Varitek), Cano (2, 3rd base off Matsuzaka/Varitek). FIELDING E: Ransom (3, fielding). Outfield assists: Damon (Pedroia at 2nd base). DP: 2 (Cano-Ransom-Giambi 2).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina (W, 20-9)	6.0	3	0	0	2	3	0	3.37
Coke (H, 5)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0.61
Chamberlain	0.0	1	2	2	1	0	0	2.60
Bruney (H, 12)	0.2	0	0	0	0	1	0	1.83
Marte	0.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	4.02
Rivera (S, 39)	1.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1.40

Boston	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Ellsbury, CF	4	0	1	1	0	0	1	.280
Pedroia, 2B	4	0	2	0	0	1	2	.326
Ortiz, DH	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	.264
2-Bailey, PR-DH	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.283
Youkilis, 3B	4	0	0	0	0	1	3	.312
Drew, RF	2	0	0	0	1	1	2	.280
Van Every, J, RF	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.231
Bay, LF	3	1	0	0	1	2	2	.286
Kotsay, 1B	3	1	1	0	0	0	1	.276
Lowrie, SS	3	0	0	0	0	2	2	.256
Varitek, C	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	.220
1-Kottaras, G, PR	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.200
Ross, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.230
a-Carter, PH	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	.429
Cash, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.232
Totals	30	2	5	2	3	7	15
a-Grounded out for Ross in the 8th. 1-Ran for Varitek in the 6th. 2-Ran for Ortiz in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Kotsay (25, Chamberlain). TB: Ellsbury; Pedroia 2; Ortiz; Kotsay 2. RBI: Carter (2), Ellsbury (47). 2-out RBI: Ellsbury. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Bay. GIDP: Drew; Pedroia. Team LOB: 4. FIELDING DP: (Youkilis-Pedroia-Kotsay).

Boston IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Matsuzaka (L, 18-3) 4.0 4 3 3 2 5 1 2.90 Lopez 1.0 1 0 0 1 2 0 2.43 Delcarmen 2.0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3.27 Okajima 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.61 Papelbon 1.0 4 3 3 1 1 0 2.34

Chamberlain pitched to 2 batters in the 8th. Marte pitched to 1 batter in the 8th. WP: Lopez. Pitches-strikes: Mussina 73-48, Coke 13-9, Chamberlain 10-4, Bruney 10-7, Marte 6-5, Rivera 23-16, Matsuzaka 73-46, Lopez 29-17, Delcarmen 23-16, Okajima 11-8, Papelbon 33-18. Groundouts-flyouts: Mussina 9-5, Coke 1-0, Chamberlain 0-0, Bruney 1-0, Marte 0-0, Rivera 2-1, Matsuzaka 4-3, Lopez 1-0, Delcarmen 4-2, Okajima 0-1, Papelbon 1-1. Batters faced: Mussina 20, Coke 3, Chamberlain 2, Bruney 2, Marte 1, Rivera 5, Matsuzaka 18, Lopez 5, Delcarmen 7, Okajima 3, Papelbon 8. Inherited runners-scored: Bruney 2-1, Marte 1-1, Rivera 1-0. Umpires: HP: Phil Cuzzi. 1B: James Hoye. 2B: Jerry Layne. 3B: Randy Marsh. Weather: 67 degrees, drizzle. Wind: 3 mph, Out to LF. T: 3:16 (:00 delay). Att: 37,091.

Share

Mussina Keeps Ray of Hope

Mike Mussina did his job once again and this time out the Yankees offense provided some support too. The end result was a 7-2 Yankees win that kept them 7 games behind Boston in their every fleeting wildcard hopes.

Mussina scattered 10 hits over 6 innings, allowing 2 runs, 1 walk, and struck out 8, for his 17th win of the season. The veteran right-hander still has a shot at his first 20 win season with four more probable starts. Last night's win was career victory number 267, putting him in sole possession of 35th place, one win behind Jim Palmer.

The Rays struck first on a Cliff Floyd RBI single in the third and Rays starter Matt Garza blanked the NYers through the first three innings. But in the fourth, Derek Jeter singled and stole second base. Bobby Abreu's drive to center field fell just short of the 404-ft mark for an out, but it allowed Jeter to advance to third base. After a walk to Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi brought Jeter home with the tying run with a sacrifice fly to center fielder. The X-Man then struck. Xavier Nady hit his 9th home run since donning the Pinstripes to give the Yankees a 3-1 lead.

Mussina escaped a two on, no one out jam in the fourth with a double play ball and the Yankees took advantage a half inning later. Robinson Cano reached on a Garza error and moved to second on Jose Molina's sacrifice bunt. Johnny Damon brought him home with a triple to center, and he in turn would score on a Jeter ground out, for a 5-1 lead. Hideki Matsui added an insurance RBI single in the sixth as Trevor Miller replaced Garza.

Mussina exited the game after allowing back to back doubles to Gabe Gross and Shawn Riggans to start the seventh. But unlike Saturday's fiasco with Toronto, the Yankees were not going to blow this 6-2 lead. Damaso Marte allowed a single to put runners on the corners, but then struck out B.J. Upton swinging, and Carlos Pena looking for the first two outs. Joe Girardi was then able to revert back to the beginning of the season by bringing in Joba Chamberlain to face Rocco Baldelli. Chamberlain picked right up where he left off the last time he was in the pen, retiring Baldelli on an inning ending ground out.

The Yankees would add one more run in the eighth on Alex Rodriguez's 548th career home run, tying him with Mike Schmidt for 12th place on the all-time home run list. Reggie Jackson is next in line, but it will take 15 home runs to catch him.


News and Notes

Dan Giese was activated from the 15-day DL before the game and pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

Xavier Nady is hitting .299 with 9 home runs and 27 RBI in 35 games as a Yankee.

Share

Late Rally Bats Down O's

Mike Mussina wasn't able to garner his 17th win, but the Yankees rallied from 3-1 and 4-3 deficits to beat the Orioles, 9-4, last night at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Mussina didn't have his best stuff and fell behind 3-1 on a pair of Aubrey Huff RBI singles and a Ramon Hernandez solo home run.

The Yankees tied things up in the 5th inning on back-to-back solo home runs by Robinson Cano and Jose Molina, but the Orioles took the lead against Mussina again in the sixth on Kevin Millar's sac fly.

With Mussina out of the game, the Yankees came back against the Orioles bullpen, which was without closer George Sherrill. Bobby Abreu greeted lefty specialist Jamie Walker with his fourth of five hits on the night, and Alex Rodriguez ripped a double to left to put two men in scoring position with no one out.

Jason Giambi failed in the clutch for a change, popping out to Juan Castro at shortstop, but reliever Kam Mickolio uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Abreu to score just ahead of Hernandez's retrieval and throw to the plate. Xavier Nady then singled to right to put the Yankees ahead for good.

Damaso Marte retired the first two Orioles in the bottom of the eighth, but when he hit Huff with a pitch, Joe Girardi immediately went to Mariano Rivera for a four-out save. Rivera retired Yankees killer Millar on a pop up to Derek Jeter to end the inning and then the Yankees piled it on in the ninth.

With two away, Abreu singled for hit number five, and A-Rod followed with another double, this one a one-hopper into the seats. Cody Ransom, who had replaced Giambi for defense in the eighth and homered in his only Yankees at-bat last Sunday, made it two home runs in two at-bats. He crushed a Francisco Cabrera pitch into the left field seats to bust the game open. Nady wanted in on the act too though, and hit his eighth home run since joining the Yankees and his 21st of the season overall.

Armed with a four-run lead, Rivera easily retired the Orioles in order in the ninth for this 29th save in 30 attempts.


News and Notes

When Derek Jeter was asked after the game about hit number 2,500, he said he was only focused on 2,501 on Saturday. Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth are the only other two Yankees to reach the 2,500 hit mark.

Xavier Nady is hitting .321-8-21 in 25 games, with a 1.012 OPS.

Bobby Abreu's 5 hits tied a career-high mark he set on Aug. 8, 1999. No fans were happier than the Venezuelan little league team that Abreu paid to have transported from Williamsport, PA to the game. Abreu also made a great running catch on a foul ball in the right field corner. Unfortunately, he also shied away from a ball in right-center field that led to the Orioles taking a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning.

August 22, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
NY Yankees	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	4		9	16	0
Baltimore	1	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	0		4	9	1

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	5	1	1	0	0	0	2	.312
Jeter, SS	5	0	1	0	0	2	0	.296
Abreu, RF	5	2	5	1	0	0	0	.295
Rodriguez, A, 3B	5	2	2	0	0	1	4	.309
Giambi, 1B	4	0	1	0	0	2	3	.250
Ransom, 1B	1	1	1	3	0	0	0	1.000
Nady, LF	5	1	2	2	0	2	0	.328
Matsui, DH	3	0	0	0	2	1	1	.313
Cano, 2B	4	1	2	1	0	0	1	.263
Molina, C	4	1	1	1	0	2	4	.227
Totals	41	9	16	8	2	10	15
BATTING 2B: Damon (26, Liz), Rodriguez, A 2 (28, Walker, Cabrera, F). HR: Cano (11, 5th inning off Liz, 0 on, 0 out), Molina (2, 5th inning off Liz, 0 on, 0 out), Ransom (2, 9th inning off Cabrera, F, 2 on, 2 out), Nady (21, 9th inning off Cabrera, F, 0 on, 2 out). TB: Damon 2; Jeter; Abreu 5; Rodriguez, A 4; Giambi; Ransom 4; Nady 5; Cano 5; Molina 4. RBI: Abreu (82), Cano (56), Molina (14), Nady 2 (78), Ransom 3 (5). 2-out RBI: Ransom 3; Nady. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Giambi; Damon 2; Molina. GIDP: Rodriguez, A. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING CS: Abreu (10, 2nd base by Liz/Hernandez, R). FIELDING DP: (Rodriguez, A-Cano-Giambi).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina	6.0	9	4	4	0	3	1	3.45
Veras (W, 4-2)	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.78
Marte (H, 20)	0.2	0	0	0	0	0	0	4.45
Rivera (S, 29)	1.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.60

Baltimore	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Roberts, 2B	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	.299
Markakis, RF	4	1	1	0	0	2	1	.301
Mora, 3B	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	.283
Huff, DH	3	0	2	2	0	0	0	.301
Millar, 1B	4	1	2	0	0	0	3	.249
Scott, LF	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	.272
Hernandez, R, C	3	1	1	2	0	0	0	.257
Payton, CF	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.239
Castro, J, SS	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	.202
Totals	33	4	9	4	0	3	7
BATTING 2B: Millar (24, Mussina). HR: Hernandez, R (14, 4th inning off Mussina, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Roberts; Markakis; Mora; Huff 2; Millar 3; Scott; Hernandez, R 4. RBI: Huff 2 (89), Hernandez, R 2 (56). 2-out RBI: Huff. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Scott. SF: Hernandez, R. GIDP: Millar. Team LOB: 4. BASERUNNING SB: Roberts (32, 2nd base off Mussina/Molina). CS: Scott (2, 2nd base by Mussina/Molina). FIELDING E: Castro, J (3, fielding). PB: Hernandez, R (9). Outfield assists: Markakis (Giambi at 2nd base). DP: 2 (Hernandez, R-Roberts, Mora-Roberts-Millar).

Baltimore	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Liz	4.2	9	3	3	1	4	2	7.32
Sarfate	1.1	0	0	0	1	2	0	5.09
Cherry (H, 2)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	7.20
Walker (H, 8)(L, 1-1)	0.1	2	2	2	0	0	0	5.64
Mickolio (BS, 1)	0.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	9.00
Castillo, A	1.1	1	1	1	0	2	0	2.84
Cabrera, F	0.1	3	3	3	0	1	2	4.24

Mickolio pitched to 1 batter in the 8th.

WP: Mickolio.
HBP: Huff (by Marte).
Pitches-strikes: Mussina 110-75, Veras 11-5, Marte 6-4,
Rivera 15-10, Liz 83-52, Sarfate 23-12, Cherry 11-8,
Walker 13-7, Mickolio 6-4, Castillo, A 29-16, Cabrera, F 13-8.
Ground outs-fly outs: Mussina 7-7, Veras 2-1,
Marte 0-2, Rivera 1-3, Liz 5-3, Sarfate 1-1, Cherry 0-2,
Walker 0-1, Mickolio 0-0, Castillo, A 2-0, Cabrera, F 0-0.
Batters faced: Mussina 25, Veras 3, Marte 3, Rivera 4,
Liz 21, Sarfate 5, Cherry 3, Walker 3, Mickolio 1, Castillo, A 6, Cabrera, F 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Rivera 1-0, Sarfate 1-0,
Mickolio 2-2, Castillo, A 1-0, Cabrera, F 1-1.
Umpires: HP: CB Bucknor. 1B: Joe West. 2B: Ed Rapuano. 3B: Ed Hickox.
Weather: 80 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 7 mph, R to L.
T: 3:23.
Att: 43,543.

Share