Sunday, May 18, 2014

Yankees fail to complete sweep; drop finale to Pirates, 5-3

A sweep would've been nice. 

Despite getting a solid 6 inning, three-run start from Vidal Nuno and a long home run from Yangervis Solarte, the Yankees failed to complete a sweep of the Pirates this afternoon at Yankee Stadium, falling 5-3.

In today's bottom of the second, the Bombers, after commiting two errors in the top half of the frame that led to an RBI Single from ex-Yank Chris Stewart (who also had a run-scoring sac fly in the game), scratched across a pair to take an early lead, as Solarte scored from first on an outfield error and Brendan Ryan bunt-singled home John Ryan Murphy.

At that point, the Pinstripes were ahead 2-1, and appeared to be on their to way another W. 

They weren't, however, as the Pirates would take the lead in the sixth thanks to a two-run shot from Starling Marte. 

After Solarte's homer tied the game in the bottom of the frame, Pittsburgh would again take the lead in the seventh, when Josh Harrison put an Alfredo Aceves pitch into the left field stands.

That play pretty much ended this contest, and the veteran Aceves went on to take the loss, his second already this season.

Kuroda's quality start leads Yankees to 4-3 win over Pirates

Thank God for first and second innings.

Hiroki Kuroda, entering this start just 2-3 with a 4.62 ERA, threw 6 innings of three-run ball as the Yankees, helped out by another four-out save from David Robertson, slipped past the Pirates in today's Game 1, 4-3.

The second hitter Kuroda faced this afternoon, Neil Walker, actually homered to right field, putting the Yanks in an early 1-0 hole. 

That period of trailing, however, would quickly end for the hometown Bombers, who scored a combined 4 runs in their first two at-bats thanks to a 2-run Single from Mark Teixeira, an RBI Single from Brian McCann, and an RBI Double from Brett Gardner. 

Those three plays would put the Pinstripes up 4-1, with that score staying the same until the top of the fifth, when Pittsburgh drove home a pair to bring the game to within one. 

That'd be as close as the visitors would get though, as Matt Daley induced two flyouts on just three pitches in the top of the seventh followed by an inning-ending strikeout from Matt Thornton.

In the eighth, Right-Hander Adam Warren also appeared for the Yankees, picking up two outs to set up Robertson's three-strikeout save, his eighth in as many opportunities this season.

Game Two Thread: Yankees vs. Pirates 5/18


Game 2 of the single admission double header at Yankee Stadium begins any time now between the New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the second game, which will start 30 minutes after the first game, the Yankees will send Vidal Nuno to the mound to face off with Gerrit Cole for the Pirates. This game can also be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Nuno was hammered in his last outing and now may be pitching for his starting rotation job after Chase Whitley was impressive in his last outing. Nuno allowed seven runs, five earned, in 3.1 IP against the New York Mets. Nuno is 1-1 this season with a 4.94 ERA leaving fans wondering when the Vidal Nuno Experiment will end in New York as a starting pitchah.

Cole was originally drafted by the New York Yankees only to return to school and get drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates a year later in the MLB draft. Cole was not sharp in his last outing allowing three walks and seven hits in 5.2 IP against the Brewers. This is only the second time Cole had not gone six innings in a start this season so let's hope today is the third.

Go Yankees!! Enjoy the game Yankees family and enjoy what's left of your weekend.

Pittsburgh Got Tired Of Winning... Meme


I guess this is why the Pittsburgh Pirates are choking so bad and in fourth place in the NL Central division. The Pirates just got tired of winning and being a follower and not a leader and are back to being the lovable losers. Oh well, our gain. On to Game Two...

Yankees Injury Updates From Twitter

Michael Pineda on his way back...
So is Shawn Kelley...
Beltran, not so much....

Game One Thread: Yankees vs. Pirates 5/18


Game 1 of the doubleheader today begins now at Yankee Stadium between the New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Yankees will send Hiroki Kuroda to the mound to face off with Charlie Morton for the Pirates. The game will begin at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Follow @GreedyStripes on Twitter to chat with us during the game or to ask us a question. We want to restart out "Ask A Greedy Pinstripe" series where we answer your questions from email, twitter, comments in our comments section, etc. It's basically like a mailbag session that you see anywhere else, so the idea is not original, but I think everyone enjoys them so send them in to us. You can tweet us, leave us a line here or in any post in the comments section of the site, or you can email us at the greedy pinstripes (at) gmail.

Enjoy the game Yankees family and get ready for the second game right after this one.

Girardi "would be shocked" if Sabathia returns when eligible

As of now, Yankees Starting Pitcher CC Sabathia is eligible to come off the DL in eight days.

The veteran lefty, just 3-4 with a 5.28 ERA so far this season, hurt his knee last Saturday in Milwaukee, making him the third New York starter (joining Michael Pineda and Ivan Nova) to go down in 2014.

When the injury first happened, reports stated that #52 would be back as soon as possible, but now, according to Manager Joe Girardi, that likely won't be the case.

“I would be kind of shocked,” Girardi told the New York Post before yesterday's 7-1 win over the Pirates. “None of us really know [how long he will be out]… There’s not a lot of history on this.”

When CC's turn to start came around last Thursday, minor-league right-hander Chase Whitley threw a scorless 4.2 innings, so, while Sabathia being back as soon as possible would be nice, I don't see a need to hurry him.

Whitley wasn't necessarily dominant in his first start, but overall, I'd still say he contributed to the team's win. He kept the game tied, and gave the bullpen their much-needed chance to hold the Mets offense down.

History of The Pittsburgh Pirates Logo... Meme


I had to post this as I am the biggest AJ Burnett fan in all of AJ Burnett fandom. This is obviously a little outdated since he is in Philadelphia now but still, it's funny.

Michael Pineda Comes Through Bullpen Session


Michael Pineda threw his second bullpen session since his teres major back muscle landed him on the disabled list and came through it pain free. Pineda threw 20 pitches and reported no pain or discomfort in the shoulder/back which is extremely encouraging. Pineda is scheduled to throw another 25 pitches today in the bullpen in the next step of his rehab. Early June still looks like the timetable for return for Pineda.

Yankees Call Up Jose Ramirez As 26th Man


As you all know the New York Yankees have a double header scheduled today with the Pittsburgh Pirates so thanks to Major League Baseball both teams get to call up a 26th man for the game. The Yankees decided to add a fresh arm to the major league team and have selected Jose A. Ramirez from Scranton to fill the void. If the game gets out of hand, either way and either game, expect Ramirez to take one on the chin for the Yankees bullpen today.

Preview: New York Yankees vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 5/18


The New York Yankees will host the Pittsburgh Pirates for two games today, the first being played in a couple hours at Yankee Stadium. In the first game the Yankees will send Hiroki Kuroda to the mound to face off with Charlie Morton for the Pirates. The first game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Kuroda has had an up and down season but it has mostly been up since telling the Yankees he felt uncomfortable with the defense shifting behind him. Kuroda pitched the game of his season against the Los Angeles Angels two starts ago and took a no decision last time out against the New York Mets while allowing four runs and seven hits in six innings. Kuroda has pitched in at least six innings in six of his eight starts this season which is worth something to the taxed Yankee bullpen.

Morton has not been helped by his defense this season and has allowed nine unearned runs this season already. Morton has only allowed three earned runs in his last three starts but does not have much to show for it in the ways of victories. Let's hope that trend continues this afternoon in the Bronx.

Go Yankees!!

Can't Predict Baseball: No More Night Games In NY


On this day in 1942 New York City Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine announced that night games in New York are now banned for the duration of World War II. The All Star Game was set to be played in the Polo Grounds on Monday, July 6 of that year but the game time would be changed. This will also change the starting times for 28 games involving the Dodgers and the Giants.

The first night game played at Yankee Stadium was pushed back to 1946. Thanks Hitler.

Charleston Riverdogs Game Recap 5/17

Gallegos Wins Series Opener at Savannah
Giovanny Gallegos snaps a personal losing streak as four RiverDogs lock down the win

SAVANNAH, GA - In front of a sell-out crowd for "Pink in the Park" at Historic Grayson Stadium, Giovanny Gallegos combined with Rookie Davis, Rony Bautista, and Cesar Vargas for a 3-1 Charleston RiverDogs win over the Savannah Sand Gnats on Saturday evening in South Atlantic League action.
Charleston improves to 22-19 as Savannah goes to 28-13. The RiverDogs lead this four-game series by a 1-0 margin and climb within six games of the first-place Sand Gnats. Although Savannah scored a run on a late groundout, the Sand Gnats went 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position.
Gallegos' win ended a personal streak of ten consecutive losing decisions. His last victory came on July 2, 2013 when the Staten Island Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Cyclones in a match-up of New York affiliates. A different RiverDogs streak continued as Mike Ford's eighth-inning single extended his on-base streak to a career-high and team-best 14 consecutive games.
Two runs in the first inning provided Charleston with an early 2-0 lead. A game-opening error allowed Tyler Wade to get on base to begin the frame. Wade scored from second base on a one-out single by Aaron Judge for a 1-0 advantage. With two outs and Judge at third, Miguel Andujar singled to score Judge and extend the lead for the RiverDogs.
In the top of the fifth, the RiverDogs added an important insurance run. Gosuke Katoh's one-out buntsingle set up Wade, whose groundout moved Katoh to second base. O'Neill singled and brought in Katoh to stretch Charleston's lead to 3-0.
Davis tossed three shutout innings prior to Gallegos' appearance from the bullpen. Savannah pressured Gallegos in the fifth and sixth innings by putting runners in scoring position before the RiverDogs reliever escaped those tight spots. Gallegos also stranded a Sand Gnat at third base in the seventh during his final inning of work.
Bautista induced a double play by Wade, Katoh, and Ford in the eighth inning but had trouble getting the final out. After a single and a walk for Savannah, Vargas relieved Bautista and got Colton Plaia to end the inning with a fly out. In the ninth, the Sand Gnats opened with back-to-back singles against Vargas and broke up the shutout with a groundout that scored Champ Stuart. Vargas answered with a game-ending strikeout to protect the RiverDogs victory.
Gallegos has a 1-3 record this season by picking up the win in relief. Savannah's Robert Gsellman allowed two unearned runs but suffered the loss, sliding to 2-3. Vargas nailed down his second save of the season, both coming against the Sand Gnats.
COMING UP: Game two of this four-game series is scheduled for 2:05pm on Sunday afternoon with Charleston RHP Luis Severino (1-1, 1.95 ERA) pitching against Savannah RHP Chris Flexen (1-4, 6.98 ERA). The RiverDogs will follow this road stretch with an eight-game homestand at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. "Re-Opening Night" is scheduled for a May 27 doubleheader with the Greenville Drive while "Bark for Your Brew" on June 1 precedes the homestand finale against the Asheville Tourists. 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.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

Trenton Thunder Game Recap 5/17

Early Offense Not Enough in 4-3 Loss to Sea Dogs

PORTLAND, ME - A diving play by Portland second baseman Mookie Betts, turned into a game-ending double-play and thwarted what was a bases loaded, no outs situation in the 9th inning of Trenton's 4-3 loss to the Sea Dogs.
After allowing a solo homer to Portland's Travis Shaw in the bottom of the 8th for a 4-3 deficit, the Thunder loaded the bases with a walk, hit-by-pitch and an error by third baseman Heiker Meneses. The next batter was Ben Gamel who was celebrating his 22nd birthday and was 3-for-4 in the ballgame up to that point. Reliever Jose Valdez fanned Gamel for the first out of the inning however, and it brought Rob Refsnyder to the plate.
Refsnyder slapped a line drive to the right side of the infield but Betts dove to make the catch, popped to his feet, wheeled around and threw behind Taylor Dugas at second base for the final out of the ballgame.
The Thunder jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to Peter O'Brien's fifth home run in seven games with Trenton, and consecutive doubles by Tyler Austin and Dan Fiorito in the second inning. A sacrifice fly by Gary Sanchez scored Gamel in the third for a 3-0 lead.
The loss spoils the Double-A debut of Eric Ruth who allows two runs over 4.2 innings, but did not factor in the decision. Trenton, who has now lost a season-worst five games in a row, is 3.5 games behind East Division leader Portland.
The Thunder conclude their three-game series with Portland Saturday at Hadlock Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. with a 12:45 pre-game show that can be found streaming on 91.3 FM, the TuneIn Radio app and on www.trentonthunder.com

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

Quick Hit: Hope You're Well Rested Yankees Family


Good morning and happy Sunday Yankees family, we sure hope you slept well. The Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates will play a back to back single admission double header today at Yankee Stadium. The first game will begin at 1:05 pm ET and the second game will come a mere 30 minutes after the end of the first game. I hope you're well rested because we have a LONG day ahead of us. Go Yankees!

Respect, it is a two way street!

''There's a time when the respect for the game takes over and you can't do what you once did,'' Mets manager Terry Collins said. ''The game deserves all you can give it, and if it's not there you got to step aside. Some guys have a tough time doing it but the really great ones don't.''

This statement by Mr. Collins is the truth but, that will not matter at all to the media...those same guys that hyped him and made him into a player no one dares to critique, without being called a Jeter hater. Mr Collins has been around baseball for years and has seen many of the recently trashed greats of the last half Century.
I started to notice a change in Jeters play in 2009 and it has progressively gotten a bit weaker. Not bad by any means, just not real good!

The media and announcers for YES and some of the other sports stations across this country have been telling the fans how great Jeter and MO are that they now believe Both rate as being greater than the real greats of Yankee History. Maybe you have heard of them, then again, as ones perspective of history begins with our first two or so years of life, it is no surprise!

They were the for-runners of the players we see today, they set the standards and the NOW players try and break those standards, setting new ones for someone else to break, sometime in the future.

There are certain players that transcend the era they played in! To say that Jeter is one of the Greatest Yankees of all time, would mean he could have been a great player back in the days of the 1940's and 50's. That would be up for debate for sure.

Let me just say, as one that saw most every Yankee player playing in the 1940s and 50s. It is easy for me to say; not only would Jeter not be great as he has been for the last 20 years.  But, conversely a few of the stars back then wouldn't make it in today's baseball...although I could see many more of them being stars in today's game than the other way around

Thus, try as one may, the players of each 30 or 50 years should never be compared. It is way to subjective with most every player except maybe; NO, I will not pass judgement on the players of either era.

But the respect for those that came before, and the game itself is paramount...one must give respect to receive respect!

This Day In New York Yankees History 5/18


On this day in 1999 after missing the team's first 36 games Joe Torre returns to the Yankees dugout to manage his first game of the season. Torre missed the first month and a half due to a successful surgery for prostate cancer. The Yankees would lose the game 6-3 against the Boston Red Sox but Torre would receive a two minute standing ovation from the Fenway Park crowd when the scoreboard lights up welcoming him home.