Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Soriano's late homer lifts Yankees to another home win over Toronto

David Huff gave up no runs in 5 innings of relief tonight as the Yankees continued their recent hot streak with a 4-2 win over the Blue Jays. Tonight's starter, Adam Warren, did okay, giving up 2 runs in 3 innings. But apparently Girardi thought he sucked because, at the time he was taken out, the Pinstripes were definitely still in the game. 

With the game at tied at two in the bottom of the eighth inning, Alfonso Soriano continued to hit like an MVP when he took R.A. Dickey deep to left field for a go-ahead two-run home run. It really is amazing what he's done this past week. Let's hope he keeps it up. 

Jayson Nix Leaves Game In 2nd Inning After HBP


Jayson Nix has left the game against the Toronto Blue Jays with an apparent hand injury after being hit by a pitch in the knuckles from RA Dickey. Knuckle ball or not taking a pitch off the knuckles has to hurt so hopefully this is just precautionary. Nix is surely headed for X Rays on the hand now since we are in New York. Hopefully we are over the year of the injury and Jayson Nix will just be day to day with a bruise or something, cross your fingers.

UPDATE:

Jayson has a fractured hand and his season is likely over. Wow this hurts the team big time. Expect David Adams to be called up and Jayson to be added to the 60 day DL. Or we could always just go trade for Chase Headley....

Congratulations To Ichiro Suzuki On 4000 Hits


Congratulations go to Ichiro Suzuki on his 4,000th hit as a professional baseball player including his time in Japan. While some may say that this is watered down, that Ichiro is "no Ty Cobb or Pete Rose," the Japanese League stats should not count, etc. it is a pretty big deal nonetheless. Counting T-ball and little league stats some players still would not even sniff 3,000 hits so this is an impressive milestone for both the Yankees and Ichiro. Congrats to Itchy and here's to 300 or so more so he can reach the 3,000 hit plateau in the major leagues.

Game Thread: Blue Jays @ Yankees 8/21


The Blue Jays and the Yankees continue their four game set at Yankees Stadium tonight at 7:05 pm ET. The pitching match up is Adam Warren for the Yankees and RA Dickey for the Blue Jays and it can be seen on the YES network and MLB TV. The Yankees look to continue their winning ways and their push towards the playoffs and a potential wild card spot. The Blue Jays are looking to be spoilers as they find themselves in last place in the AL East.

Here is the Yankees lineup:
Brett Gardner DH
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alfonso Soriano LF
Curtis Granderson CF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Lyle Overbay 1B
Jayson Nix 3B
Austin Romine C


Follow us on twitter bu following @GreedyStripes. Go Yankees!!!

Yankees Scouting Japanese Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka


The New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers have both sent some of their top evaluators to scout the top Japanese pitching prospect Masahiro Tanaka recently. Tanaka is expected to be posted after this season by his team in the Japanese League, the Rakuten Golden Eagles. Tanaka is only 24 years old and is coming off of a 1.20 ERA season and pitching 158 innings so far this season.

Tanaka has a nice pitchers frame with his 6'2" and 205 lbs frame throwing his fastball comfortably in the low 90's, although hitting 96 at times, along with with a low 80's slider, and a high 80's splitter. Tanaka has easily been the best pitcher in the Japanese League for a couple years now so the interest should be extremely high for Mr. Tanaka.

The Major League Baseball Association has been discussing changes to the posting system with the NPB with the possibility of placing a hard cap on the posting fees but nothing is final yet. Tanaka may be the last pitcher for teams to go all out on and take a chance on so that may increase the bidding considerably.  Tanaka is being projected as a #2 starter that can contribute now in the major leagues although he does not pencil in better than, or as good as say a Yu Darvish.

The Yankees need arms, especially young and cheap ones, and Tanaka may fit that mold since the posting fee does not count against the luxury tax. With the Yankees possibly losing Hiroki Kuroda, Andy Pettitte, and Phil Hughes I think they kind of have to go all out on Tanaka. No one guy in the system has given us the feeling that we will not miss one of those three guys so Tanaka may be the answer, let's hope.

Derek Jeter To Rehab With AAA Scranton Team


Starting tomorrow Derek Jeter will begin a rehab assignment with the Yankees AAA affiliate the Scranton Wilkes Barre RailRiders. Jeter is penciled in to play five innings at short stop tomorrow and will need at least one more game before coming to the major leagues. Manager Joe Girardi says there is no chance of Jeter being activated for the weekend series with the Tampa Rays so stay tuned. Looks like next week is when we see the return of the captain, again.

Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees 8/21


The Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees will play their third game of this four game set at Yankees Stadium tonight. The Yankees will send Adam Warren to the mound to face off with R.A. Dickey for the Toronto Blue Jays. The game will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on the YES Network and MLB TV.

Hal & Others Address Poor Farm System

Via George King & Dan Martin, owner Hal Steinbrenner, and various other front office members, reportedly held a meeting about the lack of talent in the upper levels of the farm system. Although we don't know the names of those other front office members, I'm sure that people such as Brian Cashman, Amateur Scouting Directer Damon Oppenheimer, and VP of Baseball Operations Mark Newman, were there.

It's about time that the team addressed the fact that they had to look at free agency, waivers, or trades in order to fill the many holes that opened up on the team this year. And instead of having somebody to promote to take a rotation spot, the team has had to tough it up with a struggling Phil Hughes. 

If the Yankees not only want to get payroll down, but keep it there, then it's imperative that they start getting better at developing young talent. 

Game 126 Lineup: Blue Jays vs. Yankees

Here's Game 3 of this four game set! Here is your starting lineup!

Brett Gardner DH
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alfonso Soriano LF
Curtis Granderson CF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Lyle Overbay 1B
Jayson Nix 3B
Austin Romine C

Adam Warren RHP

 

A-Rod Helping the Yankees Turn it Around


You can say what you want about Alex Rodriguez, but there is no denying the impact his return has had on the Yankees.

The Yankees are 9-5 since Rodriguez has returned and that includes winning nine of their last 11 games. The Yankees have averaged 5.6 runs per game in those 13 games compared to just the 3.96 runs per game they are averaging over the full season.

Obviously, Rodrirguez is not doing everything for the Yankees alone. Alfonso Soriano went on one of the greatest streaks you will ever see an MLB player go on and Curtis Granderson has hit .288/.422/.462/.883 since his return from the DL. Also, Robinson Cano has caught fire, as he is finally seeing pitches to hit with Soriano and Rodriguez hitting behind him.

What Rodriguez has really done is make this season relevant again for the Yankees. Forget about all the off the field nonsense, Rodriguez has finally made the Yankees worth watching on it. He has hit .308/.400/.462/.862 with two home runs since returning to the Yankees. The aura around the team seems different and a ton of that has to do with A-Rod’s presence. Even when he is not hitting well Rodriguez’s presence alone usually has a positive affect on the lineup.

The narrative was that Rodriguez’s return was supposed to divide the team and his distraction was supposed to be too much to handle. As is the case with most media narratives, that turned out to be just a total fabrication.

If anything, the Yankees have rallied around Rodriguez, as was evident Sunday night in Boston. After Ryan Dempster purposely threw at Rodriguez three times before finally hitting him, Joe Girardi came out and cursed out home plate umpire Brian O’Nora and Dempster in a big rage.

Fortunately, Dempster was not thrown out of the game and the Yankees crushed the gutless, cowardly and mediocre pitcher to the tune of 7 runs in 5.1 innings. This included an absolute bomb from Rodriguez that went almost 450 feet out to dead center and started the Yankees rally from down 6-3. He hilariously imitated David Ortiz' home run celebration for good measure. His teammates played with much more energy after the incident, and Dempster might have woken up a sleeping giant.

With all the attention being placed upon Rodriguez, other players seem more free to just go about their business without being bothered. Rodriguez, who is no stranger to all the attention and criticism, has absolutely thrived off of it. His focus to go out there and perform the way he has with everything that is going on off the field is incredible.

With the recent additions of Rodriguez, Soriano, Granderson and Mark Reynolds the Yankees now have a playoff caliber offense. Reynolds was a solid pickup so that Lyle Overbay no longer has to embarrass himself against lefties. The question will be can CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes pitch better?

Hughes pitched very well last night, as he went six innings, allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out six. However, it came against a very mediocre Toronto lineup with Jose Reyes and Jose Bautista. I do trust that in big games down the stretch that Pettitte can come up big like he always does. However, Sabathia has not shown many signs that he will be able to turn it around this season. He has just allowed far too much hard contact on his fastball and changeup and has completely lost the strike zone in his last two outings. It may take a whole offseason of changes to fix his problems.

Before Rodriguez came back the Yankees were dead in the water and just a boring team to watch. Now they’re back in the race for a playoff spot, albeit still a long shot at six games behind a playoff spot. Even if they fall short of a playoff spot, at least they will be entertaining to watch the rest of the season. Love him or hate him, but in your heart of hearts you know you have enjoyed the Yankees so much more with the return of Rodriguez.

Adam Warren To Make Spot Start Tonight

Originally the New York Yankees had Andy Pettitte slated to pitch tonight but instead Adam Warren will make a spot start and give the veteran an extra days rest. With the double header the Yankees needed a spot starter some time through this turn in the rotation and they are getting it out of the way tonight. Warren gets RA Dickey tonight and it seems to be all hands on deck for the pen tonight so we may get to see David Huff tonight as well. 

Yankees rally late to beat Blue Jays again, 3-2

Phil Hughes gave up just 2 earned runs in 6 innings of work last night as the Yankees beat the Blue Jays for the second time in two days, 3-2. Hughes didn't get the win, but the effort was definitely there.  

Despite winning this one, the Yankees were almost always trailing. The Blue Jays scored one the first, and eventually the Yankees scored one in the third. The Blue Jays scored one in fifth, and then Nix hit a home run in the seventh. In the ninth, Nix would end the game with a walk-off single, giving the Yankees their first lead of the night. Bottom line: watching this game made me think the Blue Jays were gonna win. But in the end, that wasn't the case. 

Greg Bird Blasts RiverDogs Past Power in Extras


Bird Blasts RiverDogs Past Power in Extras
Greg Bird goes 3-5 with a homer and game winning RBI double in the 11th

CHARLESTON, SC - Greg Bird went 3-5 including a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the 11th inning to send the Charleston RiverDogs to a 3-2 victory over the West Virginia Power on Tuesday night in front of 2,538 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in South Atlantic League action.

Greg Bird continued his amazing season by collecting his team leading 19th homer of the year plus his first walk-off hit. Bird has his average up to .289 now on the season and also leads the team with 78 RBI.With the win, the RiverDogs are back to .500 at 29-29 in the second half and 68-58 overall. West Virginia falls to 35-22 in the second half and 72-55 overall with the loss. The victory also snaps Charleston's three game losing streak.
It was a pitcher's duel early with neither team advancing a runner past second base until Bird's solo homer in the bottom of the fourth.
West Virginia tied it in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Francisco Diaz that plated Luis Urena.
After singling to start the bottom of the fifth, Angelo Gumbs stole second, then stole third, and scored on a throwing error to put the RiverDogs back up 2-1.
Urena and F. Diaz were at it again though in the seventh inning with a triple and a double to tie the game at 2-2.
The RiverDogs loaded the bases in the ninth but couldn't push across any runs which forced extra innings.
The Power never got a base runner in extra innings, and following a walk to Jose Rosario to begin the bottom of the eleventh Bird won it with a double into the left field corner for Charleston to give them the 3-2 walk-off win.
Vicente Campos worked two perfect innings of relief for Charleston and fanned three to earn the win and improve to 3-2.
Jhondaniel Medina got tagged with the loss for the Power after allowing one run on one hit and two walks in 1.1 innings with three strikeouts. His record is now even at 2-2.
COMING UP: Game two of this three game series will see Charleston send out LHP Daniel Camarena (4-6, 4.49 ERA) for the RiverDogs and RHP John Creasy (4-4, 2.96 ERA) starting for the Power. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm on Wednesday. It's another Senior Wednesday presented by AAA Carolinas. All seniors who enter the gates will get a free hot dog, soda and bag of chips (must 65 and older). Show your AAA card at the box office to buy one ticket and get one ticket free. It is also Dogs With a Cause night presented by Charleston 9/11 Heroes Run. Military Appreciation Night presented by General Dynamics gives active and retired military members FREE entrance for themselves and family members by showing Military ID at the box office! Fans can listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.
--RIVERDOGS--

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

Rock Cats Score Early, Hold Off Thunder Late


(New Britain, CT) - Trevor May tossed six strong innings and New Britain scored six unanswered runs to build big lead as the Rock Cats defeated the Trenton Thunder, 6-4, in the second of a three-game series Tuesday night at New Britain Stadium. The Thunder have dropped five of their last six games.
The loss, coupled with a New Hampshire win at Portland, means the Thunder's (66-62) lead for the Eastern Division Wild Card spot fell to 2.5 games over the third-place Fisher Cats (63-64) with 14 games remaining in the regular season. Portland (61-67) remained 5.0 games back in fourth.
After Kyle Roller's two-run home run (15) put Trenton ahead 2-0, New Britain reached Thunder starter Mikey O'Brien (7-7) for three runs in the first and two more in the second. Miguel Sano's two-run first-inning double tied the score, and Evan Bigley's sac fly made it 3-2 Rock Cats.
Reynaldo Rodriguez led off the second against O'Brien with his league-leading 21sthome run of the season, a shot just inside the left-field foul pole. Brad Boyer's single later in the inning made the score 5-2. New Britain, which added a run in the sixth, would collect only two more hits the rest of the night.
May (8-9) held the Thunder to just two hits and two runs while recording four strikeouts. Trenton scored twice against reliever Cole Johnson to draw within 6-4, with Mason Williams' RBI single in the seventh and Yeral Sanchez's RBI groundout in the eighth doing the damage.
Closer Dakota Watts closed the door in the ninth, pitching around a one-out triple from Williams by inducing routine fly outs from Ramon Flores and Gary Sanchez.
The finale of the series is slated for a 7:05 pm first pitch on Wednesday as Trenton tries to avoid a 1-5 road trip. Thunder right-hander Shane Greene (6-3, 3.45) will get the ball for manager Tony Franklin while righty Cole De Vries (0-2, 2.70) will start for New Britain. Radio coverage on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and also streaming online begins at 6:50 pm.
Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original article can be seen HERE.

RiverDogs - Renegades To Trade PA Announcers


CHARLESTON, SC -- Throughout the history of baseball, there have been countless player trades and even manager trades that were intended to help both teams. 
However, it is not a permanent trade but for only one game.But the Charleston RiverDogs and their Goldklang Group sister team, the Hudson Valley Renegades of the New York-Penn League, will "trade" public address announcers to benefit not the teams but the fans.
On Wednesday, August 21, the RiverDogs and Renegades will trade PA announcers in what is believed to be among the first "P.A. Announcer Swaps" in baseball history. 
The RiverDogs' popular PA guy, Ken Carrington, will be sent to the Renegades to provide his unique announcing and emceeing style, while the Renegades' PA man, Rick Zolzer, will provide his distinctive show here in Charleston.
"We all know that change can be good," said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. "Our fans have enjoyed Ken's work for many years, and I think they will like having Rick utilize his microphone for a game. We think both PA guys will enjoy the different scenery for a game and it will certainly be different for our fans."
Carrington, whose style has him walking amongst the Riley Park fans, has held the RiverDogs' mic for 10 years. In addition to games, he has been on hand for many events and promotions, including the famed "Silent Night." Like Carrington, Zolzer is known for his high energy and was also part of a unique promotion in 2012 when he worked a Renegades game poolside from his home and delivered his announcements over the Internet via Skype.
The RiverDogs are slated to host the West Virginia Power at 7:05 pm while the Renegades entertain the Aberdeen IronBirds.
Tickets to the game may be secured by contacting the RiverDogs Box Office at 843/577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com.
--RiverDogs--

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

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/21


On this day in 1931 Babe Ruth becomes the first player in Major League history to hit 600 career home runs.

On this day in 2006 the Yankees held the second Boston Massacre when sweeping a five game series in Fenway Park burying the Red Sox that season. After the five game sweep, the first since 1943, the Sox found themselves 6.5 games behind in the AL East and four games behind in the wild card race.