Game 43: Yankees Look To Pettitte to Even Series

The Yankees will hand Andy Pettitte the ball to stop the streaking Phillies in today's afternoon game at Yankee Stadium.

The Phillies (23-17) have won seven of eight game on their season-high tying 10-game road trip. Last night, the team hit four home runs in a 7-3 win, ending the Yankees nine-game winning streak.

The Phillies are a major league best 15-5 on the road this season.

The Phillies will hand the ball to their young lefthander J.A. Happ (2-0, 2.49 ERA). The lefthander is making his first start of the season after replacing Chan Ho Park in the rotation.

Happ, who has never faced the Yankees, is 1-1 with a 3.58 ERA in five career starts.

The Yankees will give the ball to veteran lefthander Andy Pettitte (4-1, 4.18 ERA). The lefty is looking to win his third straight start. Pettitte is 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA in six starts against the Phillies.

And now, you're New York Yankees lineup:

Jeter SS

Damon LF

Teixeira 1B

Rodriguez DH

Cano 2B

Cabrera CF

Swisher RF

Cervelli C

Pena 3B

And on the mound, the steady lefty, Andy Pettitte.

Game time is 4:10, and you can catch all the action on FOX.

My Thoughts:

1. Uh oh, a soft tossing lefty.

The Yankees haven't had great success against pitchers they've never faced before. The team needs to get to Happ early in this game and give him the Scott Richmond treatment. If they can get all over him, they can get into that Phillies bullpen, and maybe they'll get to pick on Chan Ho Park. But, with the dominant performance by Brett Myers last night, the Yankees need to strike first in this game. I don't think their bats stay dormant for long, but it worries me that they have to go against a guy they've never faced before.

Game 42: Ruiz, Phillies Snap Yankees WIn Streak

In his fist at bat, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins set the tone for tonight's game.

The shortstop sent A.J. Burnett's first pitch into the rightfield seats, the first of four Phillies home run, to lead his team to a win, 7-3, over the Yankees.

Carlos Ruiz, Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez hit the other home runs for the Phillies, who snapped the Yankees winning streak at nine games.

After Rollins gave the Phillies the one-run lead, Ruiz hit a two-run shot in the second inning. The home run was his first since Game 3 of last year's World Series.

Werth hit a two-run blast in the fifth inning, becoming the first player to hit a ball into the second deck in the new Yankee Stadium. His shot ran the lead to 5-0.

The run support was plenty for Phillies starter Brett Myers (4-2). Myers went eight innings, allowing three runs and eight hits. He struck out five and didn't walk a batter.

Burnett (2-2) dropped to 0-2 in his last seven starts. The Yankees righthander went six innings, giving up five runs on six hits and allowing three of the four Philadelphia home runs.

The three home runs allowed tied a career record for Burnett.

With the win, the Phillies have won seven of eight, with all the victories coming on the road.

Box Score:

Jeter: 2-for-4, SOLO HR

Damon: 0-for-4

Teixeira: 2-for-4, SOLO HR

Rodriguez: 2-for-4, SOLO HR

Matsui: 1-for-4

Swisher: 0-for-4

Cano: 0-for-4

Cabrera: 1-for-4

Cash: 0-for-3

Burnett: 6 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BBs, 7 Ks, 3 HR ALLOWED (59 of his 95 pitches went for strikes)

Wang: 3 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 Ks (29 of his 51 pitches went for strikes)

My Thoughts:

1. We've got the shake, now where's the bake?

Coming into the season, I thought CC and A.J. would become almost Talladega Nights-esque with their partnership. CC would bring the shake, and A.J. would bring the bake. Well, in the last seven starts, we haven't got the bake. Burnett has been struggling early in the season, and it just seems he hasn't been able to gain any momentum. I thought he had a good start in Toronto. And I thought that might propel him into a string of good starts. But it wasn't meant to be. It's been even more frustrating watching him because his struggles are so pronounced. Through three innings, he was near 50 pitches tonight. He was able to get through six, but he still let up three big shots. After tonight's performance, his ERA is up to 5.28. Ever since that start in Boston, Burnett hasn't been able to be the good pitcher we saw earlier this year. Let's see if he can turn it around.

2. Yes, that was Chien-Ming Wang in the 7th inning.

Wang wasn't terrible on the mound. He actually lowered his ERA to a respectable 25.00! In all seriousness, there was a return of the velocity tonight on the mound. He's still a little low (usually he's at 94-95, today he was at 92), but most of the balls were on the ground. It was an encouraging three innings, but it still left something to be desired. After all, he gave up six hits in those three innings, and many of them were hard hit balls on the ground. He did get a very Wang like double play ball. Overall, not a terrible outing.

3. It had to end some time.

Well, the win streak is over at nine. The Yankees just couldn't find a way to break Myers tonight, and in the end they couldn't make a dent in Ryan Madsen. Oh well, tomorrow is another day and an opportunity for another streak to start.

Game 42: Yankees Look To Win 10 Straight As They Welcome The World Series Champion Phillies

The New York Yankees will look to stretch their winning streak to ten games Friday night when they take on the world champion Philadelphia Phillies in the start of a three-game series.

The matchup pins the league's two top offenses against each other. New York leads the majors with 66 home runs and ranks second in runs per game with 5.66, trailing first place Philadelphia, who averages 5.74 runs per game and tops the National League with 56 home runs.

Philadelphia is 6-1 during their 10-game road tripe, and they carry a 14-5 road record into the game, best in the majors.

The Yankees will send righthander A.J. Burnett (2-1, 5.02 ERA) to the mound. The righthander is winless at four outings in the stadium and hasn't recorded a win in his last six starts. The streak matches his longest winless streak, when he went 0-for-6 in his final seven appearances as member of the Florida Marlins in 2005.

Burnett is 5-7 with a 4.57 ERA in his career against the Phillies.

Pitcher Brett Myers (3-2, 4.50 ERA) will take the ball for the Phillies. The righthander is 3-0 in four road starts, and is the only Phillies pitcher to have a winning record.

Myers won his only start against the Yankees in 2006.

And now, you're starting lineup for the New York Yankees:

Jeter SS

Damon LF

Teixeira 1B

Rodriguez 3B

Matsui DH

Swisher RF

Cano 2B

Cabrera CF

Cash C

And, on the mound, the $80 million dollar arm, A.J. Burnett

Game time is 7:05, and you can catch all the action of YES.

Cano Powers Yankees To Ninth Straight Win

Even with a new number two hitter, the New York Yankees offense kept on chugging Thursday night against the Baltimore Orioles.

Robinson Cano, hitting in the second spot in the order, drove in three runs as the Yankees overcame a first inning injury to starter Joba Chamberlain to defeat the Orioles, 7-4.

Cano drove in the first run of the Yankees' four-run first inning against Baltimore starter Adam Eaton (2-5). Mark Teixeira then doubled home Cano, doubling the Yankees lead.

Melky Cabrera would extend the lead to four with a double that scored Teixeira and Nick Swisher.

In the second inning, Cano connected for a two-run shot off of Eaton, extending the Yankees lead to 6-0.

Righthander Joba Chamberlain did not make it out of the first inning because of an injury to his right knee. Baltimore centerfielder Adam Jones lined a ball back at Chamberlain, which hit him in the knee. Chamberlain was able to throw Jones out, and convinced Joe Girardi and Yankees trainer Gene Monahan to let him continue to pitch.

After giving up two straight singles, Girardi came to the mound and removed Chamberlain, who walked away gingerly. Alfredo Aceves (3-0) came in to earn a win in relief.

X-Rays on Chamberlain's leg were negative, and he is listed as day-to-day with a right knee bruise.

Game Notes:

Mariano Rivera, who came in for the save, recorded his 57th save against Baltimore, the most among any team...This is the first time the Yankees have won nine games in a row since June 5-14, 2007...Aubrey Huff was booed every time he came up to the plate in tonight's game. The booing stemmed from an incident May 10, when he made two exaggerated fist pumps toward Chamberlain after hitting a home run off the righthander.

Box Score:

Jeter: 1-for-4, R

Cano: 3-for-4, 3 RBI, 2 R

Teixeira: 2-for-3 RBI, R

Rodriguez: 0-for-4

Matsui: 1-for-4, SOLO HR

Swisher: 1-for-2, R, 2 BB

Cabrera: 1-for-4, 2 RBI

Cervelli: 0-for-4 (maybe John Sterling will hop off of the Cervelli Train for one night...maybe)

Gardner: 0-for-3, R

Chamberlain: 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 K (left after being struck by an Adam Jones line drive - day-to-day with a right knee bruise)

Aceves (W, 3-0): 3 1/3 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K (threw 50 pitches, 32 for strikes and gets his third win of the season)

Albaladejo: 2 1/3 IP, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K's (gave up two home runs in those two innings - not a good night of work)

Veras: 1 2/3 IP, 2 H (12 of his 22 pitches were strikes)

Rivera (S, 9): 1 IP, 1 K

My Thoughts:

1. Who needs Johnny Damon?

Robbie Cano had a great night in that #2 hole. There must be something with that spot. Step in the #2 hole, and you're going to produce. Cano had been slumping coming into this homestand, with his average dropping below .300 for the first time all season. But he's been hot since the Yankees have come home, and his average is back up above .300. It hasn't only been Cano, but the whole lineup has been doing its job. Cano just had the superior night.

2. How serious is the injury to Joba?

Well, it seemed like the Yankees were getting healthy until this unfortunate accident. While the X-rays were negative, there's no way of knowing the extent of Joba's injury. The Yankees don't think it's too serious - Girardi said he took Joba out because of the way he ran towards the first base line, not because of the pitching. The team doesn't seem to be worried about it, but you have to wonder if someone from AAA will be getting an emergency start Tuesday night in Texas just to make sure Joba's ok. We all know how much the team protects its young starters.

3. Winning is nice...

The Yankees have played very well during their nine-game winning streak. Every hitter is producing, and the Yankees pitchers are keeping other teams at bay. If I can be nitpicky, it seems the Yankees are sometimes letting teams back into the game. Tonight they jumped out to 6-0 and 7-1 leads, but they let Baltimore chip away and make it a slightly uncomfortable 7-4 win. I know there's supreme confidence going around that clubhouse, and it seems this team is playing loose and having fun.

Game 41: Yankees Look To Keep Good Times Rolling Against Baltimore

The Yankees will look to sweep their second straight series tonight and win their ninth game in a row against the Baltimore Orioles Thursday night.

Joba Chamberlin (2-1, 3.76 ERA) will get the start as the Yankees look to defeat the Orioles for the fourth time in a row this season. Earlier this season, Chamberlain went six innings and gave up three runs in a Yankees victory.

The Yankees righthander is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA as a starter against the Orioles.

Adam Eaton (2-4, 7.93 ERA) will start for the Yankees. Although Eaton has been hit hard this season, he held the Yankees at bay in his last start. The righthander went five innings and gave up four runs in a 12-5 victory over the Yankees on May 9.

Lifetime, Eaton is 2-1 with a 5.17 ERA against the Yankees.

The Yankees won last night's game, 11-4, on the strength of three straight home runs. Those home runs increased the Yankees season total to 64 - tops in the league.

Tonight's game also marks the first time Chamberlain will face Aubrey Huff, who mocked his fist pump after hitting a home run off the pitcher on May 10. Both players have downplayed the incident.

The Orioles pitching staff has struggled recently, compiling a 7.20 ERA on their road trip. The Yankees pitching staff has compiled a 2.88 ERA during their eight game win streak.

The Yankees will look to win nine games in a row for the first time since June 5 - 14, 2007.

The lineups have yet to be announced. I'll post later when they come out.

[UPDATE (6:00 PM): HERE'S A NEW LOOK YANKEES LINEUP]

Jeter SS

Cano 2B

Teixeira 1B

Rodriguez 3B

Matsui DH

Swisher RF

Cabrera LF

Cervelli C

Gardner CF

Game time is 7:05, and you can catch all the action on YES.

My Thoughts:

1. The importance of an early lead

During this winning streak, the Yankees have been able to play ahead, usually scoring early. That's helped this team dramatically. It's always easier for a pitcher to relax when they have a lead. Even with Phil Hughes getting hit a little hard yesterday, that five-run lead was a big help. Continuing to strike first will only continue to bring good results.

2. The pitching staff lives up to expectations

As stated above, during the winning streak, the Yankees pitchers have a 2.88 ERA. It seems like the pitchers have been able to figure it out, and they're limiting the damage. It helps that the offense has time and time again come up with a clutch hit or a big inning. But these guys have pitched well, from the starters to the bullpen.

3. The Joba - Huff matchup

I have a prediction for Huff's first at - bat: Huff steps up to the plate, and Joba pitches to him. Either he gets a hit or he makes an out. I don't think we're going to see Joba brushing Huff back, etc. It doesn't even seem like it's bothering him. But I'd love to see him strike him out and give him a little fist pump. We'll have to see what happens, but I don't think it's going to be a huge deal.

Sorry The Blog Hasn't Been Updated

Hey all,

I just wanted to send a quick apology about the blog not being updated. I've had finals and, unfortunately, studying comes before the Yankees (I know, it's a shocker.) Expect full game previews/recaps and more activity come Thursday.

Once again, sorry for the inconvenience.

AJ

Matsui, Sabathia Power Yankees To Win

It seems that the Yankees are finally seeing their big-time free agent pitcher.

CC Sabathia tossed eight innings, giving up two runs as the Yankees defeated the Blue Jays, 3-2.

Hideki Matsui, who returned after missing a game with a hamstring injury, gave the Yankees a lead with a solo home run in the top of the eighth inning. Matsui hit a 2-2 slider from Jesse Carlson (0-2) over the rightfield wall for his fourth home run of the season.

Sabathia (3-3) allowed five hits in eight innings to win consecutive starts for the fourth time this season. All three of Sabathia's wins this season have come on the road.

Both Matsui and shortstop Derek Jeter returned to action after missing last night's game. Jeter, who sat two games with a strained oblique muscle, finished 1-for-5 with an RBI. Matsui finished 1-for-3 with a walk.

The win gave the Yankees three straight road series wins and moved them back to .500. Toronto, meanwhile, lost consecutive home games for the first time this season.

The Yankees scored the first run of the game when Nick Swisher worked a bases-loaded walk against Blue Jay's starter Brian Tallet. The Blue Jays tied it in the fourth inning with a solo home run from Alex Rios.

Toronto took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning. Scott Rolen led off the inning with a walk and scored on Rod Barajas' one-out double. John MacDonald followed with a single, but Yankees centerfielder Brett Gardner threw out Barajas at home.

The Yankees came back to tie the game in the seventh inning. Gardner left off the inning with a walk, and advanced to third on a successful hit-and-run with Frank Cervelli. The Blue Jays brought in Jason Frasor, and Jeter hit a single to bring home Gardner.

The Blue Jays loaded the bases on Sabathia in the bottom of the seventh, but the threat ended when Aaron Hill grounded out.

Tallet allowed two runs and six hits in six plus innings, issuing a season-high five walks.

Box Score:

Jeter: 1-5, RBI

Damon: 1-5, 2B (tied the franchise record for most consecutive games with an XBH)

Teixeira: 1-4

Rodriguez: 0-5

Matsui: 1-3, SOLO HR

Swisher: 0-2, RBI

PH: Cabrera: (defensive sub - did not get an at-bat)

Cano: 1-4

Gardner: 0-2

Cervelli: 2-4

My Thoughts:

1. Is this the CC we paid for?

CC Sabathia has been picking up steam, having a great start in Detroit and continuing to carry that momentum. He went eight innings tonight, making sure he brought his team to Mariano Rivera in the ninth. It seems he's found his comfort zone on the mound. The four walks were a little high, but he still pitched pretty well tonight. He had some hard hit balls, but at one time he retired eight in a row. These are the starts we should expect from an ace, and in his last four I feel CC has stepped up and become the ace of this staff. Just an interesting tidbit: In the past two games, CC has gone 17 innings and gave up two - TWO - earned runs (that's a 1.06 ERA)

2. Is Teixeira finally coming around?

Tex had himself two pretty good days. Overall, he went 3-for-8 with an RBI. It seems as if he's been showing glimpses of coming out of this slump he's in, and the past two days have been encouraging. It can be a little maddening though - it seems every time we see something good, Tex goes back into a shell and strikes out four times in a game. We'll wait to see, but I think we saw some good things from him in the past few games.

3. A-Rod, where did you go?

Since A-Rod has come back, he's 3-for-16 with three strikeouts. He's had four walks, and he's made some solid contact, but I was thinking we'd see him come out a little more hot. Maybe I was just a little to optimistic. I would assume that tomorrow we'll see Ramiro Pena at third, as A-Rod has started six straight days at third base. In the pregame show, Kimberly Jones of YES made it seem as if Girardi wants to try and limit his play in the field early in his comeback.

4. Would you look at that - a winning streak!

Sure, it's only two in a row, but you have to think the Yankees feel confident after winning their third straight road series. They beat a good Blue Jays team, and they played solid baseball. They also, finally, beat some tougher AL East competition. The team has watched CC pitch two good games, and now they head home for a weeklong homestand. At 17-17, the Yankees are only three back in the loss column from Toronto and Boston.

By the way, all three Boston teams lost tonight. I have no rooting interest in the NBA, I'm glad the Sox loss, but as a Devils fan I was hoping to see Carolina bounced from the playoffs. But at least I don't have to hear Bob Ryan gloating about how great Boston sports are tomorrow.