Royals at Yankees- August 15

Tonight will mark the first game of the quick 3 game home series against the KC Royals who are coming off a sweep at the hands of the Chi Sox. Yankees are back home after failing a big test going 3-7 on a 10 game road trip to Texas,Los Angeles and Minnesota.. The game may not start on time due to severe wx and mutiple tornado warnings that were issued in the city.

Pitching matchup:
RHP Gil Meche ( 10-9, 4.24) VS. LHP Andy Pettitte ( 12-9, 4.32)

Starting Lineups:

1.	M. Maier, CF	J. Damon, DH
2.	M. Aviles, SS	D. Jeter, SS
3.	M. Teahen, RF	B. Abreu, RF
4.	J. Guillen, LF	A. Rodriguez, 3B
5.	B. Butler, DH	J. Giambi, 1B
6.	A. Gordon, 3B	X. Nady, LF
7.	R. Gload, 1B	R. Cano, 2B
8.	J. Buck, C	B. Gardner, CF
9.	E. German, 2B	J. Molina, C

Notes:

Tomorrow game starts at 1:05 on YES and could be heard on WCBS 880

Melky Cabrera was demoted to triple A as Richie Sexson has been released

Royals hold slight 4-3 lead in the season series heading into tonights game

Slumping Melk man demoted| Sexson released

Breaking news: Melky Cabrera has been slumping since May has been demoted as Brett Gardner will make his second stint with the Yanks this season. Melky was hitting a poor 242 BA hitting 8 home runs ( 5 in April) with 36 rbis and   a low .296 on base percentage and only slugging a .377 average.

Yankees also made another move today when they released part time Richie Sexson who did not hit much when he was wearing pinstripes and on the Yankees. The only big thing he did was when he hit that grand slam in Texas to pull close down 2 but the Yanks lost anyway. Utily infielder Cody Ransom has been called up for his first ever stint with the pinstripes.

 

Notes:

Hideki Matsui’s first rehab game was rained out

Royals-Yankees series preview

Yankees are coming off a misrable roadtrip going 3-7 against the Rangers,Angels and the Twins. Yankees need to go on a rampage as the season is winding down quickly. Yankees come into this big series 9.5 behind in the east and 6.5 behind wild card leading Boston Red Sox. Kansas City was swept by the Chicago White Sox this week.

Pitching matchups:

Tonight: RHP Gil Meche ( 10-9, 4.24) VS. LHP Andy Pettitte ( 12-9, 4.32) 7:05,MY 9,WCBS 880:
Saturday: RHP Zach Grienke (9-8, 4.09) VS. RHP Sidney Ponson ( 7-3, 4.27) 1:05,YES,WCBS 880            Sunday: RHP Brian Bannister ( 7-11, 536) VS. RHP Mike Mussina ( 15-7, 3.30) 1:05,YES,WCBS 880

Royals hold a slight 4-3 season series lead heading into the series

Dan Giese to be put on 15 day DL

After going to a New York doctor Yankees have announced to put pitcher Dan Giese on the 15 day DL. That leaves the Tuesday starting pitchers spot vacant Darrell Rasner or Phil Hughes could pitch in that spot but Phil Hughes is scheduled to throw 100 pitches on Sunday for triple A Scranton. Yankees will make a mo0ve tomorrow

Derek Jeter on the other end expects to start tomorrow night in the opener of the 3 game weekend against the KC Royals who lost today 9-2 to the CWS as they gaved up 4 consective homers in the 5th to Thome,Konerko,Ramirez and Juan Uribe to secure the win

Yankees will send Andy Pettitte against Gil Meche tomorrow night and Saturday I will not be having a post a pregame post and post game notes will not b made as i will take a trip to Manhattan Saturday and could bring abck some Yankee Stadium pics

Times running out for Yankees

The Yankees were defeated yet again this afternoon against the Minnesota Twins despite a pretty good start from Darrell Rasner. Twinkies starter Kevin Slowey who was 0-2 with an ERA over 9 in 2 starts against the Yankees was very solid as the Yanks lost another game as time is really running down.

Yankees took an early lead when Alex Rodriguez was aboard on an double then scored on another 2 out hit that Jason Giambi smashed off the baggy. Darrell Rasner was surfing thru 3 shutting out the Twins until things that out of hand. Joe Mauer who was sick on Tuesday walked to begin the inning then Justin Morneau hit an groundball to A-rod that had a potential double play written on it Rodriguez threw to Cano who was off the bag and everyone was safe. Delmon Yonug who hit the 3 run homer on Tuesday to give Rivera his first blown save of the season hit another 3 run shot into dead center off the facing off the baggy tyo  give the Twins a 3-1 lead.

twins fourth and last run came on when Dan Giese who threw 84 pitches on Sunday came in relief today he surrendered a single to catcher Joe Mauer then walked Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel back to back as he left with a right shoulder issue. David Robertson got the first out then had Brian Buscher struckout but new plate umpire Camptos took over for Mike Winters who left the game  called it a ball he would go and give a sac fly to Buscher to secure a 4-1 Twins lead.

Yankees would get a run on Bobby Abreu strikeout that went away for Mauer into the backstop that scorde Pudge Rodriguez with the Yankees threatning for more Alex Rodriguez got under it and flied out to end the Yanks 7th.

Joe Nathan came on for third straight day and shut the Yankees down despite a four pitch to pee brain Robinson Cano as he got Pudge to fan on a check swing to end the horrible roadtrip with an 3-7 record that could have knocked us from the post season we will go home for the weekend against the Royals then go back on a roadtrip to Toronto and Baltimore. The Injury of Giese could result in Phil Hughes being caleld up for Tuesday’s game against the Jays.

Yankees at Twins- August 13

After a Glen Perkins shutout on Monday and a thriller won last night by the Yankees this afternoon will be the rubber game of the 3 game series as both teams eye a series victory with a win today. Yankees start the day 8 games out of first place in the East and 5 games in the lost column behind the wild-card leading Boston Red Sox. Today Darrell Rasner who is 1-1 in his career against the Twins will take the mound vs Kevin Slowey who was roughed up by the Yanks on July 22 at Yankee stadium allowing 4 runs in 5.1 innings pitched.

Pitching matchup:
RHP Darrell Rasner (5-8, 5.28  VS. RHP Kevin Slowey ( 8-8, 4.07)

Starting 9:

	MINNESOTA
1.	J. Damon, LF	D. Span, CF
2.	B. Abreu, DH	B. Harris, SS
3.	A. Rodriguez, 3B	J. Mauer, C
4.	J. Giambi, 1B	J. Morneau, 1B
5.	X. Nady, RF	J. Kubel, RF
6.	R. Cano, 2B	D. Young, LF
7.	I. Rodriguez, C	B. Buscher, 3B
8.	W. Betemit, SS	R. Ruiz, DH
9.	M. Cabrera, CF	N. Punto, 2B

Notes:
Yanks are 3-6 on the roadtrip that ends after todays game

Mariano is 28 for 29 in save opp as he blown his first save yesterday

Bobby Abreu has been caught stealing 8 times this season

Yankees beat the Twins in 12

A night where we saw everything from Mariano Rivera’s first blown save to Alex Rodriguez go ahead homer in the twelve inning last night. Nady also hit a homer in the twelve a 2 run bomb to put the game away as then Edwar Ramirez who has been struggling easily retired the Twins in order to end the ballgame.

Yankees had 3 leads in the game and Mussina and the pen blew then all they were up 1-0, 3-2 and 6-3 as the Twins tied the ball game at 6-6 on a Young 3 run homer down the right field foul pole but Jose Veras went 2 nice innings to hold the game for theYankees. They would go on to win on  go ahead Alex Rodriguez homer and a Xaiver Nady 2 rundinger to beat the twinkies. Full recap to come after the finale today.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12		R	H	E
NY Yankees	1	0	0	2	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	3		9	16	0
Minnesota	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0		6	12	1

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	6	2	3	1	0	1	1	.325
Jeter, SS	5	0	3	1	0	2	0	.284
2-Cabrera, PR	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.243
Sexson, 1B	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.222
Abreu, RF	5	1	2	1	1	1	2	.290
Rodriguez, A, 3B	6	1	1	1	0	1	6	.313
Giambi, DH	2	1	2	0	2	0	0	.257
1-Christian, PR-DH	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.250
a-Rodriguez, I, PH-DH	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.292
Nady, LF	5	1	2	4	0	3	2	.332
Cano, 2B	5	0	1	0	1	0	4	.264
Betemit, 1B-SS	6	0	1	1	0	3	3	.250
Molina, C	4	1	0	0	1	0	4	.226
Totals	47	9	16	9	5	11	23
a-Grounded out for Christian in the 10th. 1-Ran for Giambi in the 8th. 2-Ran for Jeter in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Nady (31, Blackburn), Rodriguez, I (17, Guerrier). HR: Damon (8, 1st inning off Blackburn, 0 on, 0 out), Rodriguez, A (27, 12th inning off Guerrier, 0 on, 1 out), Nady (19, 12th inning off Guerrier, 1 on, 1 out). TB: Damon 6; Jeter 3; Abreu 2; Rodriguez, A 4; Giambi 2; Rodriguez, I 2; Nady 6; Cano; Betemit. RBI: Damon (51), Nady 4 (74), Jeter (57), Abreu (78), Betemit (20), Rodriguez, A (71). 2-out RBI: Nady 2; Jeter. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cano; Rodriguez, A; Molina; Sexson. GIDP: Cano; Rodriguez, A; Betemit. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING SB: Damon (19, 2nd base off Guerrier/Redmond), Christian (7, 2nd base off Crain/Redmond). CS: Abreu (8, 2nd base by Blackburn/Redmond).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina	7.0	8	3	3	1	5	0	3.30
Marte (H, 19)	0.1	2	2	2	0	0	0	4.50
Rivera (BS, 1)	1.2	2	1	1	0	0	1	1.56
Veras (W, 3-1)	2.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2.79
Ramirez (S, 1)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3.77

Minnesota	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Span, RF	6	0	1	0	0	2	1	.309
Punto, 2B	6	0	2	0	0	2	1	.258
Redmond, C	6	1	2	0	0	1	2	.277
Morneau, 1B	4	0	0	0	1	0	2	.305
Kubel, DH	3	1	1	0	0	0	2	.265
a-Ruiz, PH-DH	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.364
Young, LF	5	3	3	3	0	0	0	.288
Buscher, 3B	4	0	0	1	0	1	1	.307
Everett, SS	4	0	1	2	0	0	0	.214
Gomez, CF	5	0	1	0	0	2	1	.254
Totals	45	6	12	6	1	8	10
a-Singled for Kubel in the 8th.
BATTING 2B: Young (21, Mussina), Punto (10, Mussina), Redmond (5, Marte). HR: Young (6, 8th inning off Rivera, 2 on, 1 out). TB: Span; Punto 3; Redmond 3; Kubel; Ruiz; Young 7; Everett; Gomez. RBI: Buscher (31), Everett 2 (14), Young 3 (49). 2-out RBI: Everett. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Span; Kubel. SF: Buscher; Everett. Team LOB: 6. BASERUNNING SB: Young (13, 2nd base off Mussina/Molina), Gomez (25, 2nd base off Mussina/Molina). CS: Span (4, 2nd base by Mussina/Molina). FIELDING E: Punto (5, throw). DP: 5 (Redmond-Punto, Punto-Morneau, Punto-Everett, Punto-Everett-Morneau, Morneau-Everett).

Yankees at Twins- August 12

Mike Mussina will take the mound who is looking for another victory if he can get the win tonight that would be his 16th win of the season. Yankees were silent eyt again last night when Twins rookie Glen Perkins pitched an 8 inning gem allowing only 4 hits as the Twins took the opener 4-0.

Pitching Matchup:

RHP Mike Mussina (15-7, 3.27) VS. RHP Nick Blackburn (9-6, 3.60)

NO.	NEW YORK	MINNESOTA
1.	J. Damon, CF	D. Span, RF
2.	D. Jeter, SS	N. Punto, 2B
3.	B. Abreu, RF	M. Redmond, C
4.	A. Rodriguez, 3B	J. Morneau, 1B
5.	J. Giambi, DH	J. Kubel, DH
6.	X. Nady, LF	D. Young, LF
7.	R. Cano, 2B	B. Buscher, 3B
8.	W. Betemit, 1B	A. Everett, SS
9.	J. Molina, C	C. Gomez, CF

 

Notes:
Yankees have 4 game losing streak entering tonight

Abreu is batting .350 (21-for-60) in his last 14 games and .375 (12-for-32) with six RBIs in eight games vs Minnesota in 2008

Rookie Nick Blackburn is making his 3rd start against the Yankees this season he is 0-1 including pitched bad against the Yanekes at Yankee Stadium after the ASB

Jeff  Karstens coverage below as he looks to go 3-0 with the Pirates against the Reds

Live Jeff Karstens coverage

Former Yankee pitcher Jeff Karstens is pitching tonight for the Pittsburgh Pirates in PNC Park against the Cincinnati Reds at 7:05 this will mark Jeff Karstens first game at his home park as his first 2 outtings resulted in wins at Chicago and at Arizona stick here with complete coverage of Jeff Karstens

Update: Jeff Karstens walked Chris Dickerson to leadoff the game and he came around on a 2 run big fly off the bat of Cincinnati’s second basemen Brnadon Phillips as Reds take early 1-0 lead

Byrd to Red Sox: Garcia to Tigers

The tigers have signed pitcher Freddy Garcia to a minor league deal as he hasnt pitched since last year for the fightin Phils. Tigers hope he will pitch great in the minors then be ready for an September call up as the Tigers are in the race.Tigers are eight games out in the AL Central and 9.5 out of the wild card

Meanwhile couple hours later the Red Sox have gotten pitcher Paul Byrd from the Indians in exchange for play to be named later or cash. Yankees lost there chance to claim Paul Byrd who has been on fire in his last 4 starts