Thursday, July 3, 2014

Yankees Bounce Back From Slow Start to Beat Twins 7-4

After a sweep-avoiding, 2-1 win over the A's last month that snapped a three game losing streak, many Yankees players praised Masahiro Tanaka for his ability to turn things around. 

The 25-year-old rookie, entering tonight 11-3 with a 2.10 ERA, led the team to a victory they arguably had to get, giving his teammates confidence to take nine of their next thirteen games.

Now obviously, the Yanks' current future is unknown, although you have to think that Tanaka snapping another skid this evening will at least do something, as the youngster put together a solid performance in a 7-4 win over the Twins. 

For most of his outing, Tanaka wasn't necessarily dominant, but in the end, he still got through 7 innings allowing just 4 earned runs, helping him collect W #12.

In the early going, #19 did give up a pair that put the Bombers in an early 2-0 hole, but after getting a three-run home run from Carlos Beltran and another solo shot from Zealous Wheeler (his first career hit) in the top of the fifth he seemed to settle down, even if he didn't eventually collect a quality start.

Later on in the seventh, the Pinstripes' bats would again back up their ace in exciting fashion, putting a three-spot on the board when Brendan Ryan doubled down the third-base line, Brett Gardner singled to center, and Derek Jeter hit into a unique forceout to pretty much end the game. 

Those three trips around the bases also caused Twins Pitcher Phil Hughes to be removed, with his final line reading 6 1/3 innings of 7-run ball.

After Tanaka's departure, Dellin Betances and David Robertson combined for two more scoreless frames, officially clinching the victory, the Yankees' first since last Friday and 42nd in 84 contests this season.

Previewing The 2014 MLB All Star Game Hat


Above is a picture of the 2014 MLB All Star Game hat for the New York Yankees. All 30 teams will be represented using this general design. Not a bad design, me likes.

Game Thread: Yankees vs. Twins 7/3


Welcome to tonight's open thread and game thread as the New York Yankees travel to Target Field to play the Minnesota Twins in the first of a four game set this week. The Yankees fans will be treated with facing off with former All Star Phil Hughes facing our (probable) current All Star Masahiro Tanaka. The game will be played at 8:10 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Get your Yankees tickets for tonight's Tanaka vs. Hughes matchup or for any game this weekend in Target Field. Click HERE to get your tickets to see the home team live. If you can't make it to Target Field then join us on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes or search for The Greedy Pinstripes on Facebook to interact with us during the game. The comments section is also another way we interact with our fans and bring the Yankees family closer together so check that out as well.

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

Why Phil Hughes Struggled In New York Explained

Dude is a zombie! 

CC Sabathia Shut Down w/ Fluid In Knee


CC Sabathia came out of last night's  second rehab start pain free and discomfort free but woke up this morning with what else, a swollen knee. Another setback for Sabathia and he will now be shut down once again to try and get the swelling out of his right knee. CC will head for an MRI on the knee and probably get some fluid drained. For now, Vidal Nuno is safe.

7/3 Yankees Game Preview vs. Minnesota Twins


The New York Yankees are right in the middle of a five game losing streak and find themselves under the .500 mark for the first time since the beginning of the season. New York will travel to Minnesota tonight to take on the Twins for a four game set at Target Field this week and weekend. The Yankees will send Masahiro Tanaka to the mound to face off with former Yankee Phil Hughes. The game will be played at 8:10 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.

Tanaka earned the idiot moniker from a bunch of unwashed dumb slobs last time out in a loss to the Boston Red Sox, although he pitched well enough to win once again. Tanaka has lost back to back starts for the first time in his big league career even though he has only allowed five runs in 16 innings in those two starts.

Hughes gave up 11 hits and five runs in 7.2 innings last time out against the Texas Rangers in a loss. Hughes is 8-4 and owns a 3.58 ERA as he goes up against his old team for the second time this season. Hughes is 1-0 after shutting down the Bombers for eight innings in New York his first time out.

If you're in the Twin Cities area and want to see our old friend Hughes live go ahead and grab some Yankees tickets right here on the blog. Click HERE and get cheap tickets with no fees or shipping costs. 

Go Yankees!!

Yankees' Minor-Leaguer Aceves Suspended 50 Games for Positive "Drug of Abuse" Test

Yankees Minor League Pitcher Alfredo Aceves has been suspended 50 games for a second positive "drug of abuse" test, CBS Sports Baseball Writer Matt Snyder reports.

Aceves, who was on the Yanks' main roster from May 4 to June 4, went 1-2 with a 6.52 ERA in 19 1/3 innings this season, the reason why he is currently with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders. 

There, unlike in the majors, all players are required to undergo non-PED drug exams, where it's determined whether they are taking illegal substances such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin.

Aceves, 31, last pitched for the Bombers back on June 2, when he surrendered a pair of two-run home runs in a 10-2 loss to the Mariners.

Prior to that bad outing, though, the veteran did have a few scoreless appearances against the solid-hitting Rays (5 1/3 frames on May 4) and Cardinals (2 on May 26), possibly making this occurrence something to get worried about, as it probably kills any chance Aceves had of a 2014 comeback. 

Whether you agree with that glass-half-full observation or not, this suspension will definitely come without pay for #91, whose contract this season was originally worth $1.2 million.

Yankees Sign Deshorn Lake To Minor League Deal


Another day and another undrafted minor league free agent signed by the New York Yankees, this time it's Deshorn Lake. Lake has the talent but has fallen off the map a bit after being drafted in 2011 by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round. The Yankees saw enough talent in the relief pitcher to take a waiver on him after only pitching in 8.1 innings for his Mount Olive team with an 0-1 record and a 4.76 ERA with two saves in six appearances.

Lake will head down to the GCL Yankees after passing his physical.

Yangervis Solarte to AAA, Dean Anna DFAd

In an update to the news that Zelous Wheeler has been called up to the big club, the Yankees have announced the corresponding move(s) to open up spots on the 40-man and Active rosters.

Yangervis Solarte has been optioned to AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while Dean Anna has been designated for assignment. 

It would be nice if the Yankees would admit their mistakes and just get rid of the dead weight on the team (to name one... Kelly Johnson), but in typical fashion they're just rotating youngsters in and out of the minors.

Kevin Long Needs To Be Fired, Now!


The Yankees offense has struggled and has struggled mightily for more than one season now. Far too many times has Kevin Long been praised for making a .210 career hitter like Brendan Ryan into a .230 hitter, also see what he "did" for Mark Reynolds. Far too many times has the fact that career .280-ish hitters come to New York and struggled. Far too many times has Kevin Long opened up his mouth and trashed players past and present, see Robinson Cano, and far too many times has Long gotten away with it all. Time's up Long, time to go.

Carlos Beltran was a career .281 hitter before his 2014 season produced a .216 average to date. Brian McCann was a .273 hitter before coming to New York to become a .220 former shell of himself. Mark Teixeira hit over .300 five times before Kevin Long, none after Long and has instantly become a .250 hitter. I can keep going but you get the point here, right?

Tino Martinez is a Yankee, a former hitting coach, and more of a hitting guru then Long ever thought about being. Call Tino and make the guy Cry again by giving him a job with the club and watch the offense instantly improve.

Three People Become US Citizens Today In Trenton


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Newark District Director Dr. John Thompson will lead America’s newest citizens in a special naturalization ceremony prior to the Thunder vs. Portland game on Thursday, July 3rd. US Congressman Rush Holt will offer congratulatory remarks.

The ceremony will take place between 6:10pm-6:30pm on the field at ARM & HAMMER Park.  The game is scheduled for 7:05pm with an extended Independence Day fireworks show after the game.

The ten citizenship candidates come from the following countries: Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua, South Korea, and Spain.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow them on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon. 

Quick Hit: Shawn Kelley Take A Seat, Please!


Shawn Kelley has been absolutely horrible since coming off the disabled list on June 11. Kelley was out with a nagging back injury before being activated and has been terrible since returning. Take a look at Kelley's stat line since returning:

Rk Gcar Gtm Date Tm Opp IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA BF Pit
17 194 65 Jun 12 NYY @ SEA 0.1 2 1 1 0 0 0 4.02 3 14
18 195 67 Jun 14 NYY @ OAK 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.94 1 12
19 196 68 Jun 15 NYY @ OAK 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.71 3 8
20 197 71 Jun 19 NYY TOR 0.2 1 2 2 1 0 1 4.58 4 15
21 198 72 Jun 20 NYY BAL 1.1 1 0 0 1 2 0 4.26 6 23
22 199 75 Jun 23 NYY @ TOR 1.0 1 0 0 0 3 0 4.05 4 20
23 200 77 Jun 25 NYY @ TOR 0.1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.98 2 2
24 201 80 Jun 29 NYY BOS 0.0 1 2 2 2 0 0 4.87 3 13
25 202 81 Jun 30 NYY TBR 2.0 2 0 0 0 2 0 4.43 9 23

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/2/2014.

As you can see Kelley has struggled to say the least. Kelly has pitched a whopping total of seven official innings and allowed five runs in June and allowed the two run home run that ultimately lost the game for the Yankees yesterday afternoon. Kelley has been terrible and is not bigger than the team, sit down young man. 

Yankees Call Up Zelous Wheeler

Could Brian Cashman and the Yankees be back to reading The Greedy Pinstripes? The Yankees offense has struggled mightily over the last few weeks, well all season if you want to be downright honest, and may get a shot in the arm from within. The Yankees called up Zelous Wheeler and will have him in Minnesota before tonight's game. No word yet on the corresponding roster move but a 40 man and 25 man roster spot must be cleared to accommodate Wheeler. Kelly Johnson DFA?

Wheeler is 27 years old and has put up a triple slash of .300/.368/.469 this season. Wheeler has played left field, right field, shortstop, and third base this season giving the Yankees added flexibility while clubbing nine home runs. 

Should have been Jose Pirela, and a Wheeler isn't the kind of guy to save us all, but it's going to be an upgrade and that works for me. 

This Day In New York Yankees History 7/3: Jim Thome Approaches Don Mattingly


I know we're going way back on this one but apparently there used to a crazy Boston law back in the day that restricted baseball games on Sunday within 1000 feet of a church. Okay.... I don't see the correlation between the two of them but I digress. On this day in 1932 the Boston Red Sox joined the 20th century by playing their first Sunday Game at Fenway Park. The Red Sox and Boston lawmakers immediately regretted the idea as the Red Sox would lose to the Yankees 13-2 on this day. Whoops.

Also on this day in 2002 against the same Yankees team Jim Thome, a member of the Cleveland Indians at the time, hit a home run off New York's David Wells giving him a home run in his seventh consecutive game. The home run would leave Thome just one game short of the major league record shared by Dale Long (1956 Pittsburgh Pirates), Don Mattingly (1987 New York Yankees), and Ken Griffey Jr. (1993 Seattle Mariners) who all had home runs in eight consecutive games.