Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Tampa Bay Rays 4/19

The New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays played late last night and are right back at it again in a getaway game for the Bronx Bombers. This afternoon the Yankees finish their three game set against the Rays before traveling to Detroit for a big four game set against a set of faces in Shane Greene and David Price. This afternoon the Yankees will send Michael Pineda to the found looking for another victory for New York while the Rays will send Matt Andriese to the mound looking to stop Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees offense. The game will be played at 1:10 pm ET and can be seen on WPIX 11 Channel 11 and MLB TV.

• Pineda picked up his first victory of the season last time out when he lasted 6.1 IP against the Baltimore Orioles. Pineda's control contiues to be great as he has only walked one batter while striking out 15 batters this season in 12.1 IP. Last time out Pineda game up five runs on nine hits raising his ERA but I expect Pineda to be much better this afternoon against a weaker Tampa Bay Rays lineup. 

• Andriese heads into the game this afternoon after making his first start of the season last time out against the Toronto Blue Jays. Andriese has also pitched once out of the Rays bullpen and has made the jump to the rotation after showcasing an incredible ability to induce a ton of ground balls. Andriese allowed two runs on five hits in 3.2 IP in his first start of the season and is likely stretched out enough to go around 5 IP this afternoon if he's on. 

Check out the game on this lazy Sunday afternoon and hopefully the Yankees can repay you with a victory. Go Yankees!!

TGP Daily Poll: Yankees Win 3/4 from Detroit

I may be looking ahead a bit but I feel good about what the Yankees are doing right now. With a big four game set coming inside Comerica Park I can see the Yankees winning at least three of the four games this week.

Vote in our prediction poll on Knoda.com

RiverDogs to Host 12th Annual “Run Forrest Run” 5K Race on May 16

Race Benefits MUSC’s Storm Eye Institute

CHARLESTON, SC - Fans of the Charleston RiverDogs can lace up their running shoes and head to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park for the 12thAnnual “Run Forrest Run” 5K Race presented by Fleet Feet Sports on Saturday, May 16 at 4 pm before the RiverDogs game against the Greenville Drive.

The race features split times at each mile marker with chip timing for quick and accurate results.

The rain-or-shine race benefits the MUSC Storm Eye Institute and their fight to cure Retinitis Pigmentosa and other blinding diseases.

“This race is fun for all ages and caters to every type of participant,” said RiverDogs Vice President of Special Events Melissa Azevedo. "Our 5K race begins in front of The Joe and finishes at home plate where runners are greeted by RiverDogs players and coaches."

Pre-registration by May 14 cost for the race is $30, and includes a race packet, T-shirt, one ticket to that evening’s RiverDogs game against the Greenville Drive (6:05 pm first pitch), an awards ceremony and a post-race party with dinner. Late registration and walk-up after May 14 is $35. T-shirts will be available while supplies last.

Additional game tickets are $8 each and can be purchased online with your race registration or at packet pick-up.

Race packets may be picked up on Friday, May 15 at Fleet Feet Sports in Mt. Pleasant from 12-noon until 6 pm. On-site registration and packet pick-up on race day will open at 2 pm at The Joe and closes at 3:45 pm prior to the 4 pm start.

Recap: Yankees 9, Rays 0

Masahiro Tanaka recorded his first quality start of the year, yielding just two hits in seven shutout innings as the Yankees trounced the Rays, 9-0, on Saturday night at Tropicana Field. 

Tanaka Terrific: Tanaka retired 15 consecutive after surrendering a single in the bottom of the first, ultimately finishing with eight strikeouts on the evening. He worked around a Brandon Guyer double to put up a zero in the sixth, throwing just 85 pitches in the outing for his second straight win.

A Slow Offensive Start: The Yankees' bats, however, didn't hold up their end of the bargain for much of the contest -- mustering just three hits over the first five innings against Tampa Bay's Jake Odorizzi. The Yanks' only real threat early on came in the top of the first, when Mark Teixeira stranded a man at second with a routine grounder to third. 

McCann Breaks the Tie: Thanks to the dominance of Tanaka, though, the Yankees were able to still keep the game even going into the sixth -- a turn in which Odorizzi suddenly walked a pair to bring up Brian McCann. McCann, already 2-for-2 at the time, capitalized on the rare opportunity with a sharp two-run triple to right -- plating both runners easily as the ball rolled away from Steven Souza. 

Building the Advantage: The Yankees then scored seven more in the seventh to establish a comfortable cushion -- sending 12 hitters to the dish while logging five hits. A deep grand slam by Chris Young highlighted the onslaught, preceded by a Brett Gardner RBI single and a couple of sac flies from Teixeira and Gregorio Petit to make the once-close matchup a blowout.

Closing it Out: Needless to say, the Yankees didn't have much to worry about from that point on -- bringing in righties David Carpenter and Brandon Pinder to get the last six outs. Carpenter and Pinder entered following an unexpected removal of Tanaka, whose performance ended sooner than presumed due to New York's sizable lead.

Next Up: Michael Pineda will look to complete a sweep for the Yankees Sunday when they and the Rays battle it out in the series finale -- beginning at 1:10 p.m. ET and airing live on Pix11. Pineda will be hoping to rebound from a rough visit to Baltimore on Monday when he faces off with the recently weak-hitting Rays -- a team who has crossed home in just one inning so far this weekend. 

This Day In New York Yankees History 4/19: Gossage Hurt in Fight w/ Teammate

On this day in 1979 Goose Gossage sprained a ligament in his thumb while fighting with teammate Cliff Johnson. The closer would be out until mid July and Johnson was traded to the Indians for Don Hood due to the brawl in the clubhouse.

Also on this day in 1960 Roger Maris made his New York Yankees debut going 4-5 while batting leadoff on Opening Day. Maris racked up 11 bases, including two home runs and a double, and saw the Yankees win 8-4 over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Also on this day in 1949 Babe Ruth joined Lou Gehrig and Miller Huggins in receiving a center field monument from the Yankees after their deaths. Ruth died eight months prior before joining Monument Park in Yankee Stadium.

Also on this day in 1948 Yankees pitcher Allie Reynolds refused to leave second base after hitting his first and only home run of his career. Allie thought the Washington Senators were trying to trick him as he did not see the ball clear the left field fence. Obviously Reynolds, in front of President Truman, eventually was convinced enough to run the bases.

Finally on this day in 1939 Joe DiMaggio learned the news that he was engaged and planned to marry that summer to actress Dorthy Arnold. DiMaggio quickly shot down the rumors saying that no ceremony would take place during the baseball season and the two wed in November of that year.

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Tampa Bay Rays 4/18

It’s time for Saturday night baseball on Fox Sports 1 as the New York Yankees travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees will send Masahiro Tanaka to the mound to face off with possibly the Rays best pitcher in Jake Odorizzi. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on FOX Sports 1 and MLB TV.

If you’re in the Tampa St. Pete area tomorrow afternoon you can catch a Yankees game by getting a pair of Yankees tickets right here on the blog. If you’re not a transplanted Yankees fan and you’re in the Bronx you can also get your tickets now for any game this season right here on the blog without all those fees and shipping costs being added on. Click the Yankees Tickets link above on the page to get yours and receive a discount just for being a Greedy Pinstripes reader. If you’d rather stay at home and cook your own hot dogs and drink your own beer then we invite you to comment on our comments section for every game or we invite you to join us on Twitter (@GreedyStripes). We try and live tweet and comment on every single game so join us and support the home team. Go Yankees!!!

Joe Girardi Teaches Zen of Yogi Classes w/ Outtakes

FYI Mr. Girardi and class but these are only funny if you’re winning. Just saying. And now the outtakes!

Okay so the bloopers made up for a bit…. But just a bit. 

Marlins Claim Yankees LHP Matt Tracy

The New York Yankees called up Matt Tracy after purchasing his contract to give the team a fresh arm in the bullpen. After just one appearance Tracy was designated for assignment with the hopes of clearing waivers and being sent back to Scranton. That hope did not work out for New York as the Miami Marlins claimed Tracy off waivers this afternoon and will send him to their Triple-A affiliate.

Missing Robinson Cano Yet?

Since the New York Yankees lost one of their own in Robinson Cano to free agency the team has seen the likes of Brian Roberts, Yangervis Solarte, Stephen Drew and others playing at the vacated second base position. None of these players have been especially good but with players like Jose Pirela and Robert Refsnyder on the horizon there seems to finally be a light at the end of the tunnel. Oh and when Cano does stuff like he did earlier this week it doesn’t make me miss him much either.

Cano is easily one of the best players in the game of Major League Baseball but could you imagine what he could be if he put forth 110% and kept his head in the game? We’d be talking about one of the best players of all-time. Instead we’re talking about how Cano simply trotted home after one of his teammates, Logan Morrison, drew a walk. Cano obviously thought the bases were loaded but they weren’t as the Mariners only had a runner on second base joining Cano at third. Whoops.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Paco Rodriguez caught Cano trying to “steal home” and the Mariners second baseman was eventually tagged out at third base. Hey we all make mistakes and Cano did take full responsibility for the play after the game calling himself the “dumbest guy in the game” but these little nonchalant plays happen a little too often for Cano. Remember when many in Seattle worried that his physical after signing his free agent mega deal was going to be a simple run down to first base after a single? Well I made that last part up but you get the picture. Cano, get your head in the game pal!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Tampa Bay Rays 4/18

The New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays continue their three game set today on the holiday that only comes once every fifth day for Yankees fans, we call it Tanaka Day. The Yankees will send their ace Masahiro Tanaka to the mound to face off with Jake Odorizzi for the Rays. The game will be played at 7:10 pm ET and can be seen on Fox Sports 1 and MLB TV. New York is still searching for their first series win of the season and a win tonight would go a long way to helping the team achieve those goals in this series inside Tropicana Field.

• Tanaka was not the Tanaka that made 18 starts in the first half of the 2014 season in his second start this year but he was much better than he was on Opening Day. Tanaka pitched well enough to earn the win against the Boston Red Sox thanks to a seven run first inning by the Yankees offense. Tanaka held the Red Sox to four runs (three earned) in five innings on 97 pitches. Any step forward is good for Tanaka and he definitely took a step forward last outing so let’s hope for another step (or two) forward tonight in Tampa.

• Odorizzi has pitched well this season allowing just one run combined in his two starts to start 2015. Odorizzi allowed one run on two hits in his last start against the Toronto Blue Jays as he pitched eight innings. Odorizzi has pitched well against the Yankees in an extremely small sample size of 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA, numbers that hopefully go up by the end of the day today.

I know it’s a Saturday night and all but let’s still come out and support our Yankees tonight against the Rays. Whether it be on the blog, on our Twitter account or down in Tampa St. Pete let’s support our Yankees tonight and let’s beat those Rays. Go Yankees!!!