In case you haven't heard, Derek Jeter tied and then passed Luis Aparicio on the all-time hits list for a shortstop!  Kudos to Derek!!  He is truly a class act, as well as my favorite Yankee! :) Unfortunately, the team wasn't as successful today, losing to the Mariners 3-10. :(  That's ok because we are still 7.5 games ahead of Boston for first place, thanks to the Texas Rangers who slipped past Boston in the AL Wild Card race.

(photo courtesy of zimbio.com)

Good series though, taking three out of the four and gaining a game on Boston in the process.  Both CC Sabathia and Andy Pettite had strong outings, both striking out 10 batters.  The offense was also hitting well, outscoring the Mariners 23-15.  Our five-game winning streak was nice while it lasted, but we'll just have to get things rolling again in Oakland tomorrow. 

                              vs.                                     

What is with all these West-Coast games in a row?!  I really don't appreciate trying to stay awake into the wee hours of the morning, even though I am a late-night person.  Ah well, as long as we win, I guess it's not so bad. :)

Hoping for the best tomorrow!

Go Yankees!!

--yankslove4life

After last night's game, I decided to sit down and ask a couple of questions of Derek Jeter.  Here's how it all played out...

This was an awesome extended weekend, especially for us Yankee fans!  A four-game sweep of the Sox in our home stadium?  Well, it hasn't been done in over two decades according to the record book.  And it was a very nice way to cap off the week.

I usually sum up the games with in-depth analysis (haha love that phrase), but instead, I shall finally let loose and just go.

Well, Thursday's game looked like it was not going anywhere.  Along came the bottom of the fourth inning when the Yanks tacked on eight runs to lead 9-3.  After that inning, the Bombers got some runs here and there while the Sox just got three more runs.  During the course of the game Damon (to tie the game in the 3rd), Teixeira, Melky, and Jorge all blasted some good shots.  The Yanks never looked back after the Sox went ahead 3-1 in the top of the fourth.  It was a seven-run blowout, the final score being 13-6.  Good way to start off a series with your longtime rival.

(photo courtesy of http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/photos?photoId=2294845&gameId= 290806110 )

I went to Friday night's game with my dad and his friend, my first Yankees/Red Sox game.  Hoo boy.  Good pitcher's duel between Burnett and Beckett.  Burnett lasted 7 2/3 innings and got a nice loud standing ovation, while Beckett lasted 7.  Both teams had their fair share of scoring opportunities, but the pitching was just phenomenal.  Of course, we had a lot of Boston fans surrounding us.  We tried to set them straight in the beginning, but they just didn't want to listen.  Tisk tisk.  The game went on for what seemed like an eternity, or you know 5 and a half hours.  We left after the 13th inning.  I would have loved to stay until the end, but it was getting way too late.  Finally with two outs and Jeter on base in the bottom of the 15th, A-Rod cranked a 2-run homer into the visitors' bullpen.  The Red Sox and Yankees used a lot of their bullpens, but the Yanks, thank God, prevailed, 2-0.

(photo courtesy of zimbio.com)

On Saturday, CC Sabathia had a no-hitter going into the sixth with two outs before Jacoby Ellsbury smacked a single to right field.  He would allow just two hits in 7 2/3 innings of work.  Clay Buckholtz, Boston's starter lasted 6 innings allowing 2 runs on six hits.  His replacement, Ramon Ramirez, recorded one out before getting thrown out for plunking A-Rod in the shoulder.  I was surprised that the bullpens weren't totally spent from the night before. The Sox pen let up three runs, two on Jeter's two-run homer in the eighth that just barely made it over the right field wall.  Teixeira, Jose Molina, and Swisher each had RBIs of their own prior to the eighth inning.  Yanks win 5-0.

(photo courtesy of zimbio.com)

Last night's game was the sweetest of all.  Andy Pettite pitched pretty well, not allowing a run to score while going 7 innings.  A-Rod got the scoring started in the 7th with a solo-shot.  In the eighth, Damon and Teixeira followed suit with solo homers of their own before the Yanks exploded for two more runs.  Victor Martinez, the newest Red Sock, made it look as if the Sox were going to win the game when he blasted a two-run shot off of Phil Coke to stop the scoreless streak at 31+ innings.  The rest is history.  The Sox hadn't had that long of a scoreless streak courtesy of Yankee pitchers since 1957.

(photo courtesy of zimbio.com)

This whole series, the place was alive with excitement.  We didn't know what to expect considering we had started off 0-8 against the rival.  It was a great four days of sellout crowds and broom sweeping.  Six and a half games feels nice. :)

Till next time,

Peace!

Another fine series for the red-hot Yankees.  And to boot, sole position of first place, the first time since June 8th.  Quite nice.

Andy Pettitte took to the mound on Monday against the Orioles.  Over his 7 1/3 innings of work, he gave up one run and six hits while striking out eight.  The run given up was on a solo-shot in the first by Nick Markakis.  Because the game was tied up by Eric Hinske in the second and lasted all the way through to the ninth, Pettitte got a no-desision.  In the top of the eighth, the game became very interesting.  Jose Molina tagged out Cesar Izturis on a bullet throw from Teixeira for the second out of the inning.  Phil Coke then tagged out Brian Roberts at home after the pitch bounced off of Molina's chest protector and into the backfield to end the inning.  Aceves had a clean top half of the ninth before Matsui hit a walk-off homer to be awarded the win.  As Matsui headed home from 3rd base, his gleeful teamates started to do the usual bounce and gestured for him to throw his helmet.  He obliged, Melky catching it as it fell and A-Rod took it away from his grasp parading it around the infield.  A.J. Burnett pied Matsui in the face, as is now the custom for walk-off wins.  Yanks 2-1, tied for first place.

(photo courtesy of sports.yahoo.com)

With Chein-Ming Wang injured at least until Friday Joe Girardi put 28-year-old Sergio Mitre on the hill on Tuesday.  He did his job and looked sharp over his 5 2/3 innings pitched.  Mitre gave up three runs and struck out four batters before giving the ball over to Aceves, Coke, and Mo.  The Yankees' later runs came off the bats of A-Rod and Cano.  A-Rod smacked a 2-run single and Cano hit a 2-run bomb.  For the final out of the game, Jeter made a really nice running grab to secure Mo's 27th save of the season, Yanks 6-4.  To make the day for us fans even better, the Red Sox lost to the Rangers for the second consecutive day, moving us into sole possession of first place in the AL East.

(photo courtesy of yankees.mlb.com)

The rubber game of the series put A.J. out to face the Orioles' lineup.  He had seven strong innings, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out six.  Burnett got some early run support in just the bottom of the first.  A-Rod singled to bring Jeter home, Cano plated A-Rod, and Swisher drove in two more with a single of his own.  Posada drove in the last two runs, one in the third on a solo homer and one on an RBI double.  Swisher "just missed" the ball on a line-drive over his head to allow Brian Roberts to get into scoring position with no outs.  Later in the inning though, he redeemed himself with a fabulous grab with two outs and two on to end the threat.  Hughes pitched a smooth eighth before Brian Bruney came on in the ninth.  After striking out the first two batters he faced, Bruney gave up back-to-back home runs.  Joe Gerardi had seen enough, took the ball, and in came Mo.  Mo only needed one out for his 28th save and he got it on a strikeout, Yanks 6-4.  Again Boston lost, swept by the Rangers, and the Yanks moved to 2 games up in the division.

(photo courtesy of yankees.mlb.com)

Hoping they keep the winning flow going!  Go Yankees!

See ya later :)

For all but three of the Yankees the All-Star break was a time to rest and recharge.  To start off the second half, they have a 10-straight-game home stand.  This weekend, they took care of one of their opponents, the Detroit Tigers.  Of late, the Tigers have been doing well, taking  4 of their last 5 games and 10 of their last 12 home games before New York showed they had other plans.

A.J. Burnett took the hill on Friday.  He didn't have his best stuff, and even admitted himself that he felt shakey.  It was just enough to keep the Bombers in the game, leaving after six innings down by a run.  He allowed 3 runs before Hughes pitched a scoreless, brilliant seventh and eighth, paving the way for Mariano Rivera's 24th save.  Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon each got singles to lead off the bottom of the seventh.  It made possible Mark Teixeira's 22nd homer of the season, a three-run blast off of the Tigers' Zumaya.  Mo finished the job with a clean ninth inning, Yanks win 5-3.

(photo courtesy of www.nj.com)

On Saturday, C.C. Sabathia pitched seven innings of shut-out ball.  In the bottom of what would be Sabathia's las inning, Alex Rodriguez broke the 0-0 tie with a solo-shot off of Justin Verlander, A-Rod's 18th dinger of the season.  Nick Swisher showed off his baseball smarts later in the inning.  Melky Cabrera came to the plate with two outs and two men on, Robinson Cano on 3rd and Swisher on 2nd, and knocked the ball to the short-stop.  Swisher made a move that caused Adam Everett to have to catch the ball deeper in the infield before throwing it to 1st, but Melky was already safely to the bag, which in turn allowed Cano to score the winning run.  Alfredo Aceves came on in relief of Sabathia and allowed the Tigers' only run on a solo homer courtesy of Marcus Thames.  Mo then recorded his 25th save in the ninth, Yanks win 2-1.

During the All-Star break, Joba Chamberlain traveled back to his hometown in Nebraska and came back to reality.  Sunday, he pitched a one-run gem to help the Yankees sweep the Tigers.  Joba struck out eight batters and lasted 6 2/3 innings.  The lone run he gave up was a solo shot to Clete Thomas in the fourth.  A-Rod and Teixeira provided the run support on solo-shots of their own off of Edwin Jackson.  The Yankees had other reason to celebrate, seeing as it was Old Timers' Day at the Stadium.  Mo capped the day off with his 26th save after Phil Coke and Phil Hughes did their part to make the Bombers victorious, 2-1.

(photos courtesy of www.zimbio.com)

For teams like the Yankees, an All-Star break can work wonders.  They hope to continue their winning streak as they face off against division rival Orioles.

Until next time, Go Yankees!

Laters :)

There were so many good and bad things that happened during the first half of the season.  There were winning streaks, errorless streaks, hitting streaks, milestones and much much more.  Before the second half starts tonight, I thought I'd give a quick summary of all the important things that went on during the first half.

During the course of the season so far, the Yankees have had 8 walk-off victories, 25 come-from-behind wins, and 4 shut-outs pitched.  They have souly enjoyed the amount of come-from-behind victories because it means they are capable of getting hot at the right time.  Two of the four shut-outs have been near no-hitters.

Speaking of walk-off victories, the season-series sweep of the Minnesota Twins started off with the last three of the home series being walk-offs.  It started with Melky's two-run single on Friday, May 15th.  That was also a come-from-behind victory.  Saturday was won by A-Rod's two-run blast, his first hit at the new Stadium.  Sunday's game was also won by a homer, this time off the bat of Johnny Damon in solo fashion. 

(photo courtesey of http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/...)  

The strangest of walk-offs was against the Mets with K-Rod on the mound.  A-Rod thought he had hit a routine fly ball to end the game, smashed his bat in disgust and started trotting toward first.  Then, all of the sudden, he sees that Luis Castillo dropped the ball and picks up the pace just in case he gets thrown out.  Luckily, Mark Teixeira was hustling around third and safely made it home along with Derek Jeter.  At Citi Field, A-Rod cranked his 564th homer to move ahead of Reggie Jackson on the All-Time Home Runs list, 11th place.

Even though the Bombers are 0-8 against the Red Sox this year, I have a feeling they are going to either win or sweep one of their upcoming series.  It's coming, I can just feel it in the air or something.

Against the Mets, the Yanks lost only one game.  It was against the pitcher they knew practically nothing about: Fernando Nieve.

A-Rod hit another milestone home run while playing the Angels this past weekend, No. 570 to put him in 10th place All-Time and passing Rafael Palmeiro.  He's already hit like 15 mile-stones, not all of them significant, and there is plenty of baseball left to go.

(photo courtesy of www.zimbio.com/pictures...)

I would say this is going to be a sea-saw type of a season between the Yanks and Red Sox.  Right now, Boston is on top by three games, but in a matter of a week, New York could be either tied or take Boston's place.  It'll be interesting to see what happens at the end of the long season.  There are also the Tampa Bay Rays and the other wild card teams to look out for, but not right now.  We just need to focus on one game at a time and then the big picture.

Can't wait for the second half, for us tomorrow!  It's going to be a good race to the finish!

See ya on the flip side!

;) YL4L

I figured that I'd post my thoughts on how the Yanks did so far in the first half of the season.  Enjoy!

Record: 51-37

--Not bad, but it could be better.  Those darn Red Sox are a nuisance.  We'll get 'em soon enough though.  Only 3 games behind them.

--Chein-Ming Wang's struggles didn't exactly help either.  It's alright though because we are in second place.

--Grade: B

Pitching: CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Joba Chamberlain, Chein-Ming Wang/Other Pitcher, Andy Pettite

--There have been plenty of rough starts for all of the pitchers in the rotation.  That's normall.  It means they are human.

--With bad starts come bright spots as well.  And there have been many of those as well.

--As the second half gets underway, I look forward to everyone stepping up their game.

--I wish Wang the very best luck on the road to improvement and recovery from the shoulder injury suffered in his last start against Toronto on July 4th.

--Grade: B-

The Bullpen: The guys that usually finish the job.

--In many of Wang's starts, the bullpen has had to come in earlier to bail him out.  Same with Joba and some, not many, of Pettite's starts.

--There are days where the setup men are fantastic, and others where they are not so much.

--Mariano Rivera is the most consistant.  He could easily have another 20 or so saves in the second half

--Hopefully Bruney will improve.

--Grade: B

Hitting: Team batting average: .276

--Everyone has seemed to have improved slightly since A-Rod's return.

--Plenty of the players have had multiple game hitting streaks of 5 games or more.  That's always a good sign.

--A-Rod was not a part of the All-Star festivities so he should be well-rested and ready to roll, as well as the rest of the non All-Stars.

--The break was long enough for All-Stars Jeter and Teix to be ready as well.

--They've scored alot of runs, a lot of home runs, and have a .471 slugging pct.

--Grade: A- or B+ 

Fielding: Fielding Percentage: .986

--There have been 47 errors made, but other than that, they are doing pretty well.

--Mark Teixeira was an excellent choice for an offseason aqusition.  His fielding is much better than Jason Giambi's ever was, no offense to Jason.

--There was that nice long 19-game errorless streak which was really nice.

--All of the position players that we have are good fielders, which is really nice.

--Grade: B

The overall grade that I give for the first half of the season is an 87.2 or B+

Good job, guys! 

This year's 80th All-Star game, hosted in St. Louis by Busch Stadium, was another example of how deeply talented the American League is compared to the National League.  President Barack Obama threw out the ceremonial first pitch delivered to him by Stan "the man" Mussial.                           

(photo courtesy of zimbio.com/pictures...) 

There isn't much of a summary to explain, but it sure was a good game.

First, in the top of the first inning, Ichiro Suzuki got a base hit off of Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum and Derek Jeter was then hit by a pitch.  With the first two men aboard, Joe Mauer grounded out and Mark Teixeira hit on the ground to first baseman Albert Pujols.  Pujols couldn't trap it and booted it so that Ichiro could score.  Jeter was driven in two batters later by Josh Hamilton of the Rangers on a force play.

(photo courtesy of zimbio.com/pictures...)

Roy "Doc" Halladay of the Blue Jays retired the first five batters he faced before giving up 2 two-out singles to David Wright and Shane Victorino.  Yadier Molina of the host Cardinals drove in an RBI, and a miscue on the throw allowed the second run to score.  Then Prince Fielder, 2009 State Farm Home Run Derby Champ, got the third and final run in with an RBI double.  NL up 3-2 in the second inning.

(photo courtesy of zimbio.com/pictures)

In the fifth, Jeter beat out a potential double-play ball and scored on Joe Mauer's double to tie the game at 3.  The AL would go ahead 4-3 in the eighth inning.  Curtis Granderson hit a triple thanks to his speed.  He then was brought home two batters later on a sac-fly by Adam Jones.

(photo courtesy of zimbio.com/pictures)

Jonathan Papelbon of the Red Sox earned the win after he pitched a perfect seventh, helped out by a magnificent play by Carl Crawford snagging the ball from going over the fence for a homer.  Mariano Rivera came in to close the ninth and did exactly as planned: no runs allowed and getting his record fourth All-Star save of his storied career.

(photo courtesy of mlb.mlb.com)

Hope next year's All-Star Game can live up to the excitement of this year's!

;) YL4L