Saturday, May 10, 2014

Sabathia, Aceves fold under pressure in 5-4 loss to Brewers

CC Sabathia gave up three home runs in 5.1 innings and Alfredo Aceves surrendered the go-ahead trip around the bases in the bottom of the seventh tonight as the Yankees frustratingly fell to the Brewers in the middle game of this weekend series, 5-4. Technically, Sabathia wasn't too terrible in this one, as just one of those runs was earned due to a Brendan Ryan error, but since he still was overall responsible for the other three I guess criticizing him here is justifiable. 

Anyway, the Bombers offense was okay this evening, scoring twice in the third when Brett Gardner tripled home Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran singled home Gardner. After those plays, the Yanks' bats would go on break until the top of the sixth, when Mark Teixeira hit a solo home run followed by a pinch-hit Alfonso Soriano single in the seventh. 

Besides those guys, Dellin Betances and the before-mentioned Ryan also played pretty well in this loss, striking out the only two hitters he faced and going 2-for-2 respectively. Those two knocks, as always, were fun, but since that bobble on a routine grounder did extend Milwaukee's big third inning we, unfortunately, do have to acknowledge #17's contribution to the team's losing. 

Game Thread: Yankees vs. Brewers 5/10


The New York Yankees and the Milwaukee Brewers will play for the second time of this three game weekend set at Miller Park. The Yankees will send former Brewers All Star pitcher CC Sabathia to the mound to face off with Kyle Lohse for Milwaukee. The game will be played at 7:10 pm ET on the YES Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Join the discussion on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes where the conversation is always going. If that's not your thing then drop us a line in the comments section of the site where we have a good group of guys always talking Yankees baseball.

Enjoy the game Yankees family and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

CC Sabathia... Those Were The Days


I figured instead of posting a meme like I usually do in between our game previews and our game threads but today I am going to try and send out some positive vibes and "juju." Remember when CC Sabathia was a fat cow that could pitch every third day, dominate the league, and throw 250 innings a season without blinking an eye? Well that was when he was in Milwaukee, not while he has been in New York, so here's to hoping that pitching in Miller Park will bring back some good vibes and even better pitching performances. Go Yankees and go CC!

Preview: New York Yankees vs. Milwaukee Brewers 5/10


The New York Yankees and the Milwaukee Brewers will play the second game of their three game series tonight in Milwaukee at Miller Park. The New York Yankees will send CC Sabathia to the mound as he makes his return to Milwaukee in a Yankees uniform. The Brewers will counter Sabathia with Kyle Lohse tonight. The game will be played at 7:10 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Sabathia returns to Milwaukee after getting shelled his last time out allowing five runs and 10 hits in 3.2 IP against the Tampa Bay Rays. Sabathia has allowed at least four runs in five of his starts this season and has blamed his ineffective changeup and wild fastball.

Lohse allowed two runs his last time out in 6.2 IP against the Cincinnati Reds getting a no decision. The good news for the Yankees is that Lohse owns a career 1-3 record with a 5.46 ERA in five starts against New York.

Go Yankees!!

Yankees Won't Shift Behind Kuroda Anymore


The New York Yankees have the second most shifts in all of baseball this season behind the Houston Astros but will no longer shift behind pitcher Hiroki Kuroda. Kuroda was apparently not comfortable with the shift behind him. This is not unprecedented, the Tampa Bay Rays kind of started the massive shifting that we see today and they don't shift behind David Price for the same reason.

Maybe this is to blame for a lot of Kuroda's struggles this season? Apparently, not that I noticed, the Yankees did not do it in his last start and he pitched the game of his short season. Maybe we're onto something here and that ship has been righted.

MRI on Kelley's back comes back negative

A recent MRI on Yankees Set-up Man Shawn Kelley came back negative today, NJ.com's Brendan Cuty reports. 

Kelley, who didn't appear in last night's win over the Brewers due to the back soreness, first mentioned the potential injury to Manager Joe Girardi on Wednesday, saying it got worse on the team's flight from Los Angeles to Milwaukee.

"Didn't think anything of it (on Wednesday)," Kelley said. "Woke up on the off day and it was pretty tight. The flight was pretty uncomfortable."

According to Girardi, the club's main concern about the feeling was a problem with the reliever's discs, something capable of keeping athletes out for months. 

So far this season, Kelley has been pretty reliable for the Pinstripes out of their bullpen, collecting 4 saves and a 3.52 ERA in 15.1 innings. Unfortunately, when he has struggled he's really struggled in the season's first one and a half months, losing two games due to two-run and three-run performances in losses to the Orioles and Angels. 

In his last outing on Tuesday, Kelley, while possibly hurt, even blew a save in .1 frames in Anaheim, surrendering a two-out, RBI Single to Albert Pujols that tied the game.

The Yankees When They Were The Face Of Racism


Remember when the Yankees first basemen Ben Chapman was the face of racism in Major League Baseball? Thanks goodness we have come this far with acceptance and diversity because it sickens me that on this day in 1934 Chapman made the news not for his game but his antics on the field. Chapman, who will lead the protest against Jackie Robinson in 1947, harasses a Jewish fan during a Yankees game in Yankee Stadium. Chapman shouted disparaging epithets and taunts the team's supporters with Nazi salutes. Disgusting. 



Trenton Thunder Game Recap 5/9

Anniversary Capped By 8-2 Win

The Thunder celebrated their 20th anniversary of the first Thunder home game, May 9th 1994, with an 8-2 thrashing of the Reading Fightin Phils on Friday night at ARM & HAMMER Park.

Reading took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the third against Thunder starter Manny Banuelos. The Thunder struck back immediately in the bottom of the inning to take the lead on a Ben Gamel RBI triple and a sacrifice fly by Rob Segedin.

After the Fightin Phils tied it back up with a run in the fourth inning; the Thunder responded with six unanswered runs starting in the bottom of the fifth.

With the bases loaded and one out in the inning, Gary Sanchez delivered a sacrifice fly against Jessie Biddle to take a 3-2 lead. The Thunder stretched their lead to 5-2 with a pair of runs in the sixth on an Ali Castillo RBI single and passed ball.

Biddle was tagged with his fourth loss of the season, he surrendered five runs on eight hits and three walks in five and a third innings. Manny Banuelos took a no-decision and allowed both Reading’s runs during his three innings of work.

A run-scoring double by Thunder newcomer Peter O’Brien, called up from single-A Tampa earlier in the day, coupled with Dan Fiorito’s two-run double in the seventh gave the Thunder the final margin.

Manny Berrada raised his record to 2-0 with three shutout innings in relief of Banuelos. Aaron Dott and Cole Kimball combined for three scoreless innings to finish off the victory.

The win raised the Thunder record to 22-13, one-half game behind Eastern Division leading Portland.

The Thunder recognized one of the most beloved stars from their inaugural season, 15-year Major League veteran and current Major League Player Association President Tony Clark.
2,000 fans were presented with a mini-bobble head of the former popular Thunder star.

The Thunder win had historic significance in more than one way. It was win number 564 in manager Tony Franklin’s Eastern League career, making the Thunder eighth year skipper the winningest Manager in league history.

The Thunder continue their seven-game homestand tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. Saturday’s game is sold out and the first 2,000 fans through the gates will get Visit Princeton CVB Bags and every fan will be treated to post-game fireworks. RHP Caleb Cotham (0-0, 0.00) will start for the Thunder, the Fightin’ Phils will counter with RHP Mike Nesseth (0-2, 10.80). Listen live on 91.3 WTSR and TrentonThunder.com beginningat 6:45 p.m.


Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder. 

Can't Predict Baseball: Tino Matches Campanella


On this day in 1953 the Brooklyn Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella hit a double and a home run driving in all five Dodgers runs in a shutout victory over the Phillies at Ebbets Field. Campanella had 40+ RBI's in the first 30 games of the season setting a Major League record. The record would not be matched until the Yankees Tino Martinez matched the feat in 1997. Don Mattingly who?


Charleston Riverdogs Game Recap 5/9

Win in Rome: RiverDogs Take Road Series

Rallies in fourth, seventh innings secure Charleston win in series finale

ROME, GA – A five-run rally in the fourth inning and three more runs in the seventh lifted the Charleston RiverDogs to a 9-2 win over the Rome Braves in the rubber game of a three-game series on Friday evening at State Mutual Stadium in South Atlantic League action.

Charleston improves to 18-15 as Rome’s record goes to 10-24. Friday’s contest marks the final first-half meeting between these teams. The RiverDogs now have a 4-2 edge in the season series.

Tyler Wade put the RiverDogs in front with a go-ahead single in the third inning. Eduardo de Oleo began the frame with a walk before moving to second base on a walk by Gosuke Katoh. After de Oleo advanced on an Abiatal Avelino fly out, Wade produced a single for a 1-0 Charleston lead as de Oleo scored.

In the fourth inning, Charleston exploded for a five-run rally and stretched its lead to 6-0. Katoh’s one-out single brought in Brandon Thomas to open the scoring. Avelino loaded the bases with a walk ahead of Wade, who cleared the bases with a triple and knocked Rome’s Carlos Salazar out of the contest. Wade added to the advantage when he scored on Mike Ford’s two-out double.

Charleston’s shutout bid was spoiled by Rome in the bottom of the fifth. The Braves put runners on the corners and had two outs when the RiverDogs brought in Omar Luis for Ian Clarkin. Seth Moranda singled off Luis to score Jacob Schrader and bring Rome within 6-1. In a no-decision, Clarkin allowed just three hits and was charged with the run that was scored by Schrader.

The momentum quickly swung back to the RiverDogs as their lead grew to 9-1 in the seventh. Aaron Judge led off with a solo shot over the left-center field scoreboard for his third career home run. Following a Ford walk and a wild pitch, Michael O’Neill tripled and scored on a throwing error for two more runs.

Rome was able to add a run in the ninth and cut the deficit to 9-2, but the RiverDogs closed the inning and the series with no further damage. Luis would earn his first professional victory in relief of Clarkin while Wade finished with a career-high four runs batted in.

Friday’s win moves Luis to a 1-0 record this season. Salazar is 1-3 after the loss, allowing six earned runs and six walks in 3.1 innings pitched.

COMING UP: A seven-game homestand will begin at 6:05pm on Saturday with the RiverDogs hosting the Savannah Sand Gnats. Charleston LHP Caleb Smith (3-1, 0.66 ERA) opens against Savannah RHP John Gant (3-1, 2.79 ERA) at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. The first 1,000 fans through the gates receive a Tony the Peanut Man singing bobblehead, courtesy of WCSC Channel 5, and all fans have a chance to personally enhance their ballpark experience on Social Media Saturday.Tickets may be purchased at the Riley Park Box Office, (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or on-line atwww.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.comand locally on 1250 WTMA, the new radio home for RiverDogs baseball.

Box Score:http://atmilb.com/1mL6dK0


Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs . 

Quick Hit: Remembering Chien-Ming Wang


With the Yankees pitchers actually taking at bats for the first time this season this is no better of a time then to remember Chien-Ming Wang. Wang won 19 games in consecutive seasons for New York and was well on his way to the mark a third time when he tore his Lisfranc ligament. Wang was running the bases while playing in Houston, they were in the National League then for those new to the sport, when he tore the ligament that has basically ended his career.

Wang was never the same and Yankees owner George Steinbrenner lashed out at the league telling the National League to "join the modern age." I said all that to say this, be careful out there Yankees pitchers. We don't need you getting injured because the National League sucks.

This Day In New York Yankees History 5/10


On this day in 1934 the New York Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox 11-3 and the Yankee clipper Lou Gehrig had himself a week. Gehrig hit four extra base hits tying a big league record including two doubles and two home runs. Gehrig had 12 total bases and seven RBI's in just five innings when he benched himself due to a severe cold.