Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Phelps struggles as Orioles snap Yankees four-game win streak, 3-2

David Phelps gave up 5 hits (1 run) in just 2.2 innings of work tonight as the Yankees had their four-game win streak snapped by the Orioles, 3-2. Like with yesterday's game, the Yanks scored all of their runs in this one's second inning, as Francisco Cervelli hit a line-drive home run to left field and OF prospect Yangervis Solarte drove in another run with a ground-ball single.

Anyway, some notable Pinstripes who played in this loss were Jacoby Ellsbury, who went 0-for-2 with a walk, Carlos Beltran, who also went 0-for-2 with a walk, Derek Jeter, who went 0-for-2, Brian Roberts, who went 1-for-1 with a walk, and Matt Thornton, who retired the only man he faced on one pitch. So yea, this game was a loss, but I'd say it went alright. Roberts finally reached base multiple times, and Thornton, though not for a too long, finally appeared.

New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles 3/4


The New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles play tonight at George M. Steinbrenner Field in the Yankees first prime time game of the spring. The Yankees are riding three consecutive spring wins and three consecutive stellar pitching performances from their starters. The game will be televised on the YES Network and on MLB Network for those interested. Enjoy the game and go Yankees!

Here is the Yankees lineup:

Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Derek Jeter DH
Carlos Beltran RF
Brian Roberts 2B
Eduardo Nunez 3B
Francisco Cervelli C
Brendan Ryan SS
Russ Canzler 1B
Yangervis Solarte LF

Orlando Hernandez Hired As Minor League Instructor


El Duque Orlando Hernandez has been hired by the New York Yankees as a minor league pitching instructor, very cool. No word on whether he will teach his patented leg kick or eephus pitch but either way it is great when a blast from the past comes back to work with the team, especially when they are as successful as Hernandez was. He is being listed as a spring training minor league instructor so no word whether he keeps the title after spring is over, but I would think that he would and should.

Hernandez did not retire all that long ago after announcing his retirement in 2011 but last pitched in the majors in 2007. Very cool and very well deserved so congrats to him.

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 3/4


All signs seem to be pointing to Francisco Cervelli being the personal catcher for Masahiro Tanaka. Cervelli is catching his bullpens and spending a ton of time with him, most recently at the Yankees bonding trip.Nothing is official obviously, especially this early in spring, but it seems to be looking that way.

Alfonso Soriano and Mark Teixeira are both on track to make their spring training debuts on Thursday. Matt Thornton is expected to make his spring debut tonight against the Baltimore Orioles.

Speaking of spring debuts Scott Sizemore will make his tonight donning Robinson Cano's #24 jersey. He will come off the bench to finish out the game, not start. Brian McCann is also penciled in to replace Derek Jeter as the DH tonight when he night is complete.

Pat Venditte is up for the day for some reason. No word on if he is available or if it is just an emergency situation. Also no word on whether he would throw with his left hand or right hand tonight if needed. Jeremy Bleich and Graham Stoneburner are also up for the day.

Chad Jennings has the assignments from today:

Today’s bullpen sessions:
Vidal Nuno (to Pete O’Brien)
Shane Greene (to John Ryan Murphy)
Bryan Mitchell (to Roman Rodriguez)
Michael Pineda (to Francisco Arcia)
Hiroki Kuroda (to Jose Gil)
· Today’s second string: C Gary Sanchez, 1B Francisco Arcia, 2B Scott Sizemore, SS Dean Anna, 3B Zelous Wheeler, LF Ramon Flores, CF Mason Williams, RF Antoan Richardson, DH Brian McCann
· Today’s scheduled relievers: Matt Thornton, Brian Gordon, Cesar Cabral, Chris Leroux, Chase Whitley and Preston Claiborne (Bruce Billings, Graham Stoneburner, Jeremy Bleich and Pat Venditte listed as available if necessary).
· Tomorrow’s travel squad to Port Charlotte:
Pitchers: Dellin Betances, Dan Burawa, Robert Coello, Matt Daley, Jim Miller, Mark Montgomery, Yoshinori Tateyama
Catchers: Francisco Arcia, Jose Gil, John Ryan Murphy, Pete O’Brien, Austin Romine, Gary Sanchez
Infielders: Dean Anna, Russ Canzler, Kelly Johnson, Corban Joseph, Addison Maruszak, Eduardo Nunez, Jose Pirela, Yangervis Solarte, Zelous Wheeler
Outfielers: Zoilo Almonte, Ramon Flores, Adonis Garcia, Brett Gardner, Antoan Richardson, Ichiro Suzuki, Mason Williams

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #27 Yogi Berra


Yogi Berra was a dominant force in the American League during the 1950's behind the dish for the New York Yankees. Berra was named the Most Valuable Player three times in the decade and was also named to the MLB All Star Game in each of those 10 seasons. Berra would start in nine of the All Star Games behind the dish for the American League as a member of the Bronx Bombers. In 1958 Berra made headlines with his glove by posting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage as a catcher, impressive.

27 days until Yankees Opening Day

This Day In New York Yankees History 3/4


On this day in 1913 the New York Yankees became the first team to train outside the Unites States when they started their spring training in Bermuda. The team's island ballpark in Hamilton is a converted cricket field. The Yankees would tune up for the regular season by playing a local New Jersey team, the Skeeters.


On this day in 2006 The Yankees played an exhibition game at Legends Field in Tampa and had to post a sign outside the stadium apologizing to the fans. The sign apologized because the Yankees were without Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, and Bernie Williams due to the World Baseball Classic.