Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Tanaka's shutout leads Yankees past Mets. 4-0

Money well spent.

In a year when just about everybody in the starting rotation has struggled, Masahiro Tanaka has acted as the Yankees' light at the end of the tunnel. 

The Japanese rookie, who came into tonight's start against the Mets 5-0 with a 2.57 ERA, threw the game of his young major league career, striking out eight in a full nine innings as the Yanks ended their six-game losing streak against Queens' team with a 4-0 win. 

In the outing, Tanaka surrendered just four hits, keeping his record perfect and lowering his ERA to an impressive, 2.17. 

On the offensive end of things this evening, Yangervis Solarte, Mark Teixeira, and Brian Roberts, three guys who have really hit the ball well lately, led the way, collecting two solo home runs and an RBI Triple respectively. 

In the top of the seventh, SS Derek Jeter, with the Bombers up 3-0, collected the much-needed dagger, dribbling a ball in front of home plate for a run-scoring infield single.

At that point, this contest was pretty much over, and the Pinstripes, despite all their injuries and struggles, went on to improve to 20-19, somehow just a 1/2 game out of first place. 

CC Sabathia Has Degenerative Knee Condition

So much for the "latest" news on CC Sabathia's fluid build up in his knee that would only require rest to get over. Sabathia has a degenerative condition in his right knee that will require  a cortisone shot of stem cells tomorrow. Current and former Yankees Carlos Beltran and Hideki Matsui also had similar procedures and responded well to the treatment prolonging their careers. The bad news is there is no timetable for Sabathia to return to the mound but it seems like it will be much more than the 15 days originally prescribed.

Sabathia's knee is structurally fine and stable physically outside of the inflammation and the fluid build up so there is always that if you are looking for a silver lining.

Subway Series Game Thread: Yankees @ Mets 5/14


The New York Yankees and the New York Mets will take the subway and travel to Citi Field as the Subway Series shifts venues for tonight's game. The pitching matchup is Masahiro Tanaka for the Yankees facing off with the Mets Rafael Montero making his major league debut. The game will be played at 7:10 pm ET and can be seen on MY9, ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

The Yankees tickets in Flushing are actually cheaper than they were at Yankee Stadium so take advantage of that if you can. You can get your tickets for this game and every Yankees game right here on the blog through our friends at TiqIQ. Also remember to follow us on twitter, @GreedyStripes, where the conversation (and ranting lately) is always going on. Drop us a line in the comments section of the site and someone will be there to talk Yankees baseball as well.

Enjoy the night Yankees family and definitely enjoy the game.

Joe Torre Tells The Mets How It Is... Meme


Joe Torre knows who the king of New York is and it definitely is not the Mets. No matter what the record book says in the last six games against the Yankees, the Mets still suck.

Bryan Mitchell Activated Off Double-A Disabled List


The Trenton Thunder, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced a roster move prior to Wednesday's game against the Erie SeaWolves.
RHP Bryan Mitchell, 23, has been reinstated from the disabled list and is scheduled to startWednesday's ballgame. The right hander  is 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA and has not appeared in a game since April 22 and was placed on the disabled list April 25 (upper body).
He was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the week of April 14-20 (1 G, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 12 K) in which he struck out a career-high 12 batters in his lone start April 14 at Akron. The 12 strikeouts were the most in a game for a Thunder starting pitcher since August 18, 2010 when Adam Warren struck out 15 batters vs. Bowie.
Mitchell was also optioned to New York Yankees 4/20 and warmed-up in the bullpen for NYY vs. Tampa 4/20 in the 12th inning, but did not appear in ballgame. He was optioned back from the Yankees on 4/21.

Trenton had been playing with a 24-man active roster, and the move puts them at the league maximium 25 players.

Visit to Dr. James Andrews reveals no structural damage in Sabathia's knee

A recent visit to Dr. James Andrews revealed no structural damage in Yankees Pitcher CC Sabathia's knee, The Star-Ledgers's Jorge Castillo reports.

Sabathia, 33, suffered the injury some time during his last start in Milwaukee, where he surrendered 3 home runs in just 5.1 innings as the Bombers fell to his old team in competetive fashion, 5-4.

On Sunday, the Yanks put the lefty on the 15-Day DL, with #52 requesting the visit the same day. It was never meant to be taken too seriously, as Sabathia has never been legitimately hurt anywhere in his leg, but since he is owed $23 million this year I guess it wouldn't hurt anything to make sure he's healthy. 

The eighth-highest player in baseball has been very un-ace like for the Pinstripes so far this season, going just 3-4 with a 5.28 ERA in 8 starts. Among those eight starts, unbeknownst to some, Sabathia has put up a pair of high quality road performances in Boston and St. Pete, where he gave up just 2 earned runs in 6 innings and 1 earned run in 7 innings respectively.

The point of that last sentence: this guy can still pitch. Don't give up on him yet.

Preview: New York Yankees @ New York Mets 5/14


The New York Yankees and the New York Mets will play their third game head to head this week as the Subway Series shifts to Citi Field for the next two games. The Yankees will send Masahiro Tanaka to the mound to get his first taste of the Subway Series and will face off with Rafael Montero for the Mets. The game will be played at 7:10 pm ET and can be seen on MY9, ESPN's Wednesday Night Baseball, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Tanaka's undefeated streak is still alive as he comes into this start 5-0 on the season after going 24-0 last season in Japan. In Tanaka's last start he held the best record in baseball holding Milwaukee Brewers to just two runs and seven hits in 6.1 IP. Including his 2013 and 2012 seasons in Japan Tanaka has not lost a game in his last 41 starts, quite the impressive streak no matter where you're pitching.

Montero is making his major league debut after the Mets thought otherwise in giving struggling pitcher Jenrry Mejia another start. Montero is the top Mets prospects in the minor leagues after going 4-1 with a 3.67 ERA in Las Vegas with the Triple-A team. Montero is coming off a start in which he threw 5.1 IP of no hit ball before giving the ball to the bullpen and now looks to take New York.

Go Yankees!!

Update On The Yankees Walking Wounded


The New York Yankees currently have four players on the 15 day DL and two additional players on the 60 day DL just on their 40 man roster alone. The list includes Bruce Billings, who I totally forgot was on the 40 man roster, Shawn Kelley, Michael Pineda, and CC Sabathia for the 15 day DL's and Ivan Nova and Francisco Cervelli for the 60 day DL's.

That does not include Carlos Beltran's bone spurs in his elbow that may or may not require surgery, Ichiro Suzuki's sore back, or Mark Teixeira's cement legs and groins issues. 2013 Part II? Lord I hope not.

That is a ton of pitching that the Yankees have done little to replace and it has been reflected in the standings of late. The Yankees are struggling, the pen is tired, and we are losing and I don't like it.

Remembering The 2000 World Series - Game 3


The 2000 World Series featured the New York Yankees and the New York Mets facing off in the World Series for the first time in their history. This was the first Subway Series since 1956 when the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees faced off. Let's take the time to remember Game 3 of the 2000 World Series.


The Yankees would send Orlando Hernandez to the mound to face off with the Mets Rick Reed in Game 3 of the Subway World Series. The game would go into the 8th inning tied at 2-2 when Orlando Hernandez gave up two runs to break the game open and give the Mets a 4-2 lead. The Mets would win the game by that same score breaking Orlando Hernandez's perfect playoff record of 6-0 and ending the Yankees 14 consecutive World Series victories dating back to the 1996 World Series. John Franco would take the victory and Orlando Hernandez would take the loss with Armando Benitez notching the save to make the Subway World Series 2-1 in the Yankees favor.

Pitchers in Demand...Do-da!

Ichiro is day to day, they say with his back, but we did have; Soriano, Brett, Ellsbury and Solarte as players they can put in the outfield. Zoilo call-up is very questionable, at best!

I would like to give Warren a chance to start but, who will take his place in the BP? He is a better BP pitcher than a starter...in my opinion! We do need pitchers that throw harder than 88 FB, without C&C. You tell me where we can pick up a pitcher or two that are good enough to play in the Beast of the East! There are a couple down on the farm that Fans think are more than ready but, are they really?
Again, I ask, where do we get a #3 or #4 starter? Ok, there are one or two out there to be had but, giving up the farm for one pitcher is how we got into this mess over the years.
Pineda should be back in a few weeks, as will CC and along with David Phelps we will have a full complement of pitchers again.
Yes, I would love to have another #1 or #2 on the staff, but it AIN"T GONNA HAPPEN FOLKS!
Cashman wouldn't even consider trading away some of the players that show great talent down on the farm. Brett, Solarte and even Betances would headline the asking price for a good young pitcher. I just can't see the Yankees giving up any one of those players.

Mariano Could Pitch Right Now If Brian Cashman Called


In a recent interview with Michael Kay during the YES Network's "CenterStage" Mariano Rivera said that he could pitch right now for the New York Yankees if Brian Cashman were to call him. Obviously Rivera was teasing us all, and I am too with the title of the post, as Rivera quickly added how much he is enjoying retirement. Here is the direct quote from Rivera:

“I can do it,”  “But, would I do it? No. I’m enjoying what I’m doing now.”

So for all those that were thinking this could be a Roger Clemens announcing his comeback at Yankee Stadium in George Steinbrenner's personal luxury box and receiving a prorated $28 million contract redux think again, at least for now.


Quick Hit: What The Hell Is Going On Here?


Nothing like a good rant to start the day, no? What in the hell are the Yankees thinking/doing right now? Shawn Kelley gets placed on the 15 day DL with his back issues and the Yankees call up Zoilo Almonte to take his place, not a joke. The Yankees bullpen is already thin, depleted, and tired and it doesn't get any better when you consider the Kelley and CC Sabathia injuries. Instead of calling up Chase Whitley or a laundry list of pitchers I could mention they call up Zoilo Almonte?

Sure Carlos Beltran has bone spurs in his elbow and could be out more than few days after receiving a cortisone shot but last I checked we already had four other outfielders besides Beltran already on the roster. If Beltran is that bad off and the Yankees have that little faith in Ichiro Suzuki that they need to call up Zoilo then why not place Beltran on the disabled list as well and be sure?

I don't get it, I don't agree with it, and I don't like it. Enjoy your Wednesday (Hump Day) Yankees family.

Trenton Thunder Game Recap 5/13


Thunder Drop Series-Opener to Erie, 5-1

The Trenton Thunder fell Tuesday night to the Erie SeaWolves 5-1 at ARM & HAMMER Park.
The SeaWolves scored two runs in the second inning on a bloop, two-out base hit from Francisco Martinez to get the scoring started. Martinez, who added an RBI single in the sixth inning as well, finished 2-for-4 with three RBI.
Erie jumped out to a 5-0 lead before the Thunder added their only run of the ballgame. In the bottom of the sixth, with one out and the bases empty Rob Segedin and Gary Sanchez walked before Tyler Austin singled to load the bases. Peter O'Brien's fielder's choice scored a run for the Thunder, giving the DH nine RBI in his first four Double-A games.
Taylor Dugas entered with a 24-game on-base streak and used a pair of walks to extend it to 25. Rob Refsnyder accounted for two of Trenton's four hits on the night to give him 11 hits in the first five games of the current homestand (11-for-21, .524).
Jeremy Bleich picked up the loss for Trenton to even his record at 3-3. He matched his Double-A career-high from July 31, 2009 with 7.0 IP, but allowed five runs (3 ER) in defeat.
The three-game series continues Wednesday night at New Britain Stadium when the Thunder take on the SeaWolves with a scheduled 7:05 p.m. first pitch. The game can be heard on www.trentonthunder.com or on 91.3 FM WTSR with the Trenton Thunder Pre-Game Show beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder. The original post can be seen HERE

Charleston Riverdogs Game Recap 5/13


Savannah Comeback Spoils Severino's Solid Start
Sand Gnats even four-game series in finale, rally from four-run deficit

CHARLESTON, SC - Luis Severino recorded six shutout innings for the first time in his professional career, but the Charleston RiverDogs were on the wrong side of an 8-4 comeback victory for the Savannah Sand Gnats on Tuesday night in front of 2,455 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in South Atlantic League action.
Charleston's record is 20-17 as this four-game series ends in a 2-2 split. Savannah jumps to 25-11 and continues to hold on to first place in the Southern Division.
The RiverDogs had four doubles in the first inning and grabbed a quick 4-0 lead. Tyler Wade started the frame with a two-base hit and scored on a one-out double from Aaron Judge. Another double by Mike Ford plated Judge for a two-run advantage. Following a single for Michael O'Neill, Miguel Andujar drove in Ford and O'Neill with a double of his own.
In perhaps the best outing of his career, Severino was solid in his third straight quality start. He allowed a bunt single to open the game, but the next 11 batters he faced made outs. Stefan Sabol walked and L.J. Mazzilli doubled to put runners in scoring position during the fourth, but Severino drew a groundout that closed the only major scoring threat that he encountered.
Savannah erased Charleston's lead in the top of the seventh. The Sand Gnats loaded the bases with one out against Andury Acevedo and cut the gap to 4-2 on a Colton Plaia single. Patrick Biondi singled and Jorge Rivero scored when the ball got away during a play at the plate. After a strikeout, Philip Walby replaced Acevedo but the game was tied at 4-4 when Plaia scored on a wild pitch. Jeff McNeil's go-ahead single plated Biondi and gave Savannah a 5-4 lead.
The Sand Gnats extended their lead to 8-4 with three runs in the eighth inning. Walks loaded the bases to open the frame before Cesar Vargas came in from the bullpen. A wild pitch allowed Mazzilli to score the first run of the inning. Dominic Smith scored on Rivero's single to add to the advantage. Victor Cruzado completed the scoring later in the frame, scoring on a groundout.
Although the RiverDogs pounced on Ricky Knapp for a four-run first inning, Knapp did not allow any more runs while Tyler Vanderheiden and Robert Coles provided scoreless relief behind him.
Vanderheiden picked up the victory and is 1-0 this season. Acevedo took the loss and fell back to 1-1. Coles recorded his eighth save as Savannah improves to 11-for-11 in save attempts.
BALLPARK FUN: Apollo, a one-year-old American Bulldog that loves car rides and playing tug-of-war, was the "Puppy of the Game," courtesy of Pet Helpers. Harris Teeter 2-for-$20 Date Night Tuesday, presented by Nash FM, offered a great deal for Lowcountry couples. The deal for couples that show their VIC card at the box office is a pair of tickets, two tacos, two fountain drinks, and a nacho tray for just $20 at Tuesdayhome games.
COMING UP: Charleston welcomes the Hickory Crawdads for a three-game series that starts on Wednesday at 7:05pm. RiverDogs LHP Ian Clarkin (1-0, 0.93 ERA) will start against Crawdads RHP Kelvin Vasquez (1-1, 3.64 ERA). HealthSouth Senior Wednesday, presented by MeTV, includes a free food voucher for senior citizens that arrive at The Joe by 7pm, which offers a free hot dog, bag of chips, and 16-ounce fountain drink. It is also Middle Child Awareness Night and Guaranteed Wins-Day, when the RiverDogs will win their game or all fans in attendance can use their tickets to get into the next Wednesday home game for free if the RiverDogs lose. Tickets may be purchased at the Riley Park Box Office, (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or on-line at www.riverdogs.com. If fans cannot make it to the ballpark, they are encouraged to tune in to all the action this year both home and away worldwide on www.riverdogs.com and locally on 1250 WTMA, the new radio home for RiverDogs baseball.

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs. The original post can be seen HERE

This Day In New York Yankees History 5/14


On this day in 1920 the New York Giants informed the New York Yankees that their lease to play in the Polo Grounds would not be renewed at the end of the season. The Yankees have played at the Polo Grounds since 1913 and will continue to play there until Yankee Stadium was completed in 1923. Speculation was that the Giants were not pleased with the acquisition of Babe Ruth for the Yankees and that was the reason they wanted them out of their stadium.


On this day in 1967 Mickey Mantle kept his promise to his wife Merlyn and hit his 500th career home run on Mother's Day. The "Commerce Comet" was the sixth player to ever reach the 500 home run club when he hit a ball into the right field corner off Orioles pitcher Stu Miller.


On this day in 1996 Dwight Gooden threw 135 pitches and threw a no hitter against the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees would win the game 2-0 and the 31 year old Gooden would become the eight Yankee pitcher to throw a no hitter in their history. Gooden hadn't won a game in nearly two years prior to the no hitter and was almost released a month prior after a slow start to his season.