Saturday, April 5, 2014

Pineda's quality start not enough for Yankees in 4-0 loss to Blue Jays

Despite getting 6 consistent innings of one-run ball from a technical sophomore starter in Michael Pineda, the Yankees had their two-game win streak snapped in frustrating fashion today by the Blue Jays, 4-0. Throughout his outing here, Pineda really did look dominant, striking out 5 while also inducing 6 groundouts and 2 popouts, but in the end, he didn't get any run support, something you obviously need in order to do well in this league.

Anyway, the only real success stories for the Bombers today came from CF Jacoby Ellsbury, who went 3-for-5 with 3 singles, C Francisco Cervelli, who went 2-for-3 with a double and a single, and 3B Yangervis Solarte, who, for the third day in a row, collected multiple hits (going 2-for-3 with an HBP). Besides those three, unfortunately, nobody did anything meaningful in this one, so let's just forget it. It was nothing but 3 hours of failure.

Game Thread: Yankees @ Blue Jays 4/5


The New York Yankees will travel to play the Toronto Blue Jays in the second of a three game set this afternoon at Rogers Centre. The Yankees saw the debut of Masahiro Tanaka tonight and get to see the long awaited debut of Michael Pineda this afternoon as he takes on RA Dickey. The game will be televised at 1:07 pm ET on the YES Network, MLB TV, and WFAN. Enjoy the game Yankees family and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Here is the Yankees lineup

Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Derek Jeter SS
Carlos Beltran RF
Brian McCann DH
Alfonso Soriano LF
Kelly Johnson 1B
Francisco Cervelli C
Yangervis Solarte 3B
Dean Anna 2B


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Teixeira To DL, Romine Called Up

After suffering a hamstring injury last night while fielding a foul ball, Mark Teixeira has been placed on the 15-Day DL.

Joe Girardi has said that it isn't a bad strain, but enough that the team doesn't want to take any chances.

Austin Romine has been called up to take Teixeira's spot on the Active Roster. It was reported that Francisco Cervelli will work out with Kelly Johnson at first base, meaning the team could use another catcher on the bench.

Quick Hit: Does Jeter Pass Molitor Today?


Derek Jeter was given the off day last night against the Toronto Blue Jays just one hit shit of tying Paul Molitor for 8th place on the All-Time hits list. Jeter is back in the lineup today so do you think he is good for two hits to tie and pass Molitor? It's something to watch for today but Jeter usually comes up big in big games, see the 3,000 hit game against the Tampa Bay Rays, so knowing Jeter he will probably get three hits today.

Preview: New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays 4/5


The New York Yankees will play the middle game of their three game set this afternoon with the Toronto Blue Jays in Rogers Centre in Toronto. The Yankees will send Michael Pineda to the mound for the first time in two seasons to make his season debut against R.A. Dickey for the Blue Jays. The game will be televised at 1:07 pm ET on the YES Network, MLB TV, and WFAN.

Go Yankees!!!

Trenton Thunder Game Recap 4/4


New Hampshire Downs Trenton, 7-3

TRENTON, NJ - New Hampshire had 12 hits and tagged Thunder starter Jeremy Bleich for five runs in the first four innings as the Fisher Cats defeated Trenton 7-3 on Friday night at ARM & HAMMER Park.
After Bleich retired four of the first six hitters he faced on strikes, the Fisher Cats offense rallied five runs over the next two innings. In the third, A.J. Jimenez doubled in a pair with a drive to left; the first of three hits in the game for the New Hampshire catcher. New Hampshire's offense added three more in the fourth inning when Michael Crouse drove in Brad Glenn with a sacrifice fly and Jon Berti followed him with a two-run single.
Bleich suffered his first loss of the season despite striking out seven. He allowed five runs on five hits and two walks.
The Thunder offense continued its slow start from Opening Night; earning just three baserunners over the first five innings of the game against New Hampshire starter Deck McGuire. Trenton finally broke through for its first offense of the season in the sixth inning when Zach Wilson drove in Mason Williams with an infield single.
Trenton had its best offensive threat in the eighth inning against reliever Gregory Infante. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Taylor Dugas grounded into a double play to plate the Thunder's second run of the game and Francisco Arcia followed with his second hit of the game and first RBI of the season to bring the Thunder within four.
Zach Wilson, Francisco Arcia and Ali Castillo each recorded multi-hit games for the Thunder.
The Thunder will send RHP Zach Nuding (NR) to the mound tomorrow night, New Hampshire will counter with RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (NR). First pitch will be thrown at 5:05 at ARM & HAMMER Park, the first 1,000 fans, 18 and over through the gate will receive a Thunder Cooler Bag courtesy of Black Bear Franks.

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

Eduardo Nunez Asked To Be Released

All those fans who feared Eduardo Nunez coming back to the New York Yankees on some sort of minor league deal, fear no more. Newsday broke the news that Nunez asked the Yankees to release him after he was not awarded the last bench spot on the final day of Spring Training. When you think about it I guess Yangervis Solarte won the last spot by default, but I think he would have won the spot in the end anyway.

Now the 26 year old Nunez will look for a "fresh start" elsewhere and is not without his suitors. The Houston Astros get the first crack at him in a trade since the Yankees have 10 days to release or trade him from the DFA. The Blue Jays and the Cubs are also said to be interested in the infielder so this whole Nunez mess should be sorted out soon.

Good luck Eduardo!

Mark Teixeira "Not Optimistic" About Hamstring Injury


Mark Teixeira was asked about his hamstring injury that forced him to leave the Yankees 7-3 victory Friday night and Mark responded that he was "not super optimistic" about it. I guess you have to appreciate the honesty in a world of lies and political correctness but still, not great news for the Yankees. Teixeira also said there was a "slim" chance that it would feel better on Saturday.

Teix did say it did not feel as bad as the hamstring injury that he suffered in the 2010 ALCS, which was a Grade II strain, which is encouraging. The plan seems to be for Teix to get an MRI on the hamstring on Monday when the Yankees return to New York which puts Mark out for the remainder of the Toronto series.

Charleston Riverdogs Game Recap 4/4


Avelino’s Offense Not Enough at Augusta
GreenJackets even series despite two runs and a run-scoring single from Abiatal Avelino

AUGUSTA, GA – Abiatal Avelino was responsible for all the Charleston RiverDogs offense with two runs scored and another batted in, but the Augusta GreenJackets claimed a 6-3 win on Friday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium in South Atlantic League action. The RiverDogs and GreenJackets are both 1-1 for the season with their series even at one game apiece. Charleston had won the series opener on Thursday.

Charleston scored in the first inning after benefitting from a rough start for Augusta’s Luis Ysla. Avelino received a one-out walk from Ysla and made it home on a stolen base and two wild pitches for a 1-0 RiverDogs advantage.
The GreenJackets answered quickly and took a 2-1 lead in the home half of the first. Randy Ortiz walked and Brandon Bednar singled to put runners at the corners. After Charleston’s Luis Severino induced a foul pop out, Ryan Tuntland hit a double that scored Ortiz and sent Bednar to third base. Bednar put Augusta in front by scoring on a wild pitch.

In the second inning, Augusta brought in another run with a double steal. Tyler Horan scored after Ortiz took off for second base, drawing a throw from RiverDogs catcher Luis Torrens. Horan’s run put the GreenJackets ahead 3-1.

Avelino answered for Charleston during the third inning to cut the deficit to 3-2. Avelino led off the top of the frame with a walk and advanced to second on a Mike Ford single. A pair of wild pitches from Ysla plated Avelino and kept the contest close.

Augusta was quieted by RiverDogs reliever Jaron Long until the fifth inning when its lead improved to 6-2. Bednar came in on a Ryder Jones double, and Tuntland and Jones scored after an error.

The RiverDogs threatened the GreenJackets in the final inning. Gosuke Katoh took a leadoff walk and was on second base with two outs when Avelino singled to score Katoh and cut Augusta’s lead to 6-3. Raymundo Montero came out of the bullpen to face Aaron Judge, who flew out to right field for the final out.

Matthew Lujan was credited with the victory. His record stands at 1-0 after firing four scoreless innings of relief. Severino is 0-1 after taking the loss. Montero earned his first save in the contest.

COMING UP: Game three of this four-game set is scheduled for 7:00pm on Saturday. The RiverDogs will start with RHP Giovanny Gallegos (0-0, 0.00) while the GreenJackets will counter with RHP Keury Mella (0-0, 0.00). Following the end of this series in Augusta, Charleston will return to The Joe for a seven-game homestand that starts on Monday, April 7. The RiverDogs host the Greenville Drive for Charleston’s grand Opening Night celebration, complete with $1 hot dogs and $1 beers presented by Coors. 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 on 1250 WTMA, the new radio home for RiverDogs baseball.


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

Quick Hit: Cal Ripken Jr. Would Switch Careers W/ Jeter


Cal Ripken Jr. had a marvelous career in a Baltimore Orioles uniform but answered a question without hesitation that came as a shock to many, including myself, when asked if he would trade careers with Derek Jeter. Cal wasted no time in saying that he would in fact trade with Derek because a bad season for Derek is "losing in the first round of the playoffs."

We have the video embedded here on the site but we are having problems with iframes right now for some reason so just in case HERE is the link to the video to hear Cal say it himself.

This Day In New York Yankees History 4/5


On this day in 1913 in an exhibition game the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers played a game in front of 25,000 fans. The significance behind the game was it was the first ever game played in Ebbets Field. Casey Stengel hit the first home run, an inside the park home run, and the Dodgers beat the Yankees 3-2.


On this day in 1925 Babe Ruth collapsed at a railroad station in Asheville, North Carlina. The "bellyache heard round the world" would require hospitalization and an operation that would keep the Yankees star out of the lineup until May. One writer suggested too many hot dogs and soda caused the illness, I guess we will never know.


On this day in 1934 Babe Ruth, with the backing of Quaker Oats, agreed to do weekly NBC broadcasts. Ruth's 13 week salary for the radio gig was $4000 more than his Yankees contract.