Hughes couldn't Follow Lee...

Photo img.slate.com

The Seattle Mariners stepped up to the challenge of the first game at Yankee Stadium and defeated the New York Yankees 7-4 in a confrontation that didn't have bearing on what we expected to see: an excellent pitching match. The lefty Cliff Lee had an astounding performance, but the righty Phil Hughes couldn't be on the mound as the '2010 Ace Hughes': 5.2 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO.

Lee pitched his third consecutive complete game: 9.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO. It was his fourth in his last five outings, so it's really hard to beat the pitcher who also threw nine innings for the Phillies in Game 1 of the 2009 World Series.

Nick Swisher, the only Yankee player who hardly hurt Lee, blasted two homeruns in the first and in the sixth. Then, trailing by five in the ninth, the 'Bombers' tried to have a magic rally like in Los Angeles, but they only score twice: an error following Robinson Cano's base hit, and Jorge Posada's ground rule double gave the Yanks the last runs of the night.

On the other side, Hughes, who rested 10 days, allowed a run in the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, and three in the sixth.

The Mariners players with the productive impact were Ichiro Suzuki and Rob Johnson, who drove in two runs; but Franklin Gutierrez was also important hitting a solo homerun, scoring twice and getting the Yankees defense to make a mistake fielding his hit. The shortstop Jack Wilson also got an RBI.

The Yankees can overcome this loss on Wednesday, but they will have to face Felix Hernandez (5-5, 3.28), and wish that Javier Vazquez (6-6, 5.16) will continue as the 'Good Vazquez'.

MLB Results: June 29

Mariners 7 - Yankees 4

Phillies 9 - Reds 6 (10). Orlando Cabrera hit one single, scored one run and drove in another one in five at bats.

Dodgers 4 - Giants 2. Edgar Renteria, 1-4.

Rays 5 - Red Sox 8
Tigers 4 - Twins 11
Diamondbacks 0 - Cardinals 8
Astros 5 - Brewers 7

White Sox 4 - Royals 3
Pirates 1 - Cubs 3
Nationals 7 - Braves 2
Mets 6 - Marlins 7
Blue Jays 4 - Indians 5
Athletics 4 - Orioles 2
Rangers 5 - Angels 6
Rockies 6 - Padres 3

Let's go Yankees!
¡Por la lucha XXVIII! ¡Todos a portar el 28!

Low Attendance, Nice Gutierrez, Amazing Vargas and Fifth for Mariners!

Photo: Carlos Amador

This Tuesday was a beautiful day in Seattle! Seventy degrees Farenheit ! It was a perfect day to welcome the 'hotest' season of the year! It was a perfect day to go to the ballpark! It was a perfect day to begin the Chicago Cubs - Mariners series!

It might be an interesting match for the fans in Seattle. However, the attendance was 27.975 even though there are 47.116 sits available. 26.074 is the season average number of people who go to the games in the 'Emerald City'.

The Mariners haven't won over their fans yet, but they had won four consecutive games before facing the Cubs. The fanatics might think that despite that stat, their team's season is a shame. The straight couldn't be enough due to the fact that they had lost 10 of 16 and 13 of the previous 22; and they hold a lead in 49 of 69 matches (21 blown leads in losses).

Chicago Cubs' coach, Lou Piniella, who managed the Mariners for 10 years between 1993 and 2002 and got them to win 116 games in 2001, was not even a motivating factor for fans to attend and shout their displeasure.

With a huge or low number of people, with Lou Piniella or any other known face, it was time to hear, "Play ball!". The loyal fans who attended Safeco Field watched a close game, in which Franklin Gutierrez batted a two run-homeun in the second to defeat 2-0 the starter Ryan Dempster and the Cubs, who faced the pitcher Jason Vargas.

I was stunned when I read Vargas' stats (6-2, 2.66, including the game against the Cubs), so I had a lot of expectation to see him. This is the fourth season for the lefty (2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010-Don't count 2007 because he only threw in two games) and he has played his best pitching. In Tuesday's, he threw his fifth straight quality start and his 12th of the season: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO. Dempster also did a good job: 8.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO.

"Dempster pitched well; so did their trio of pitchers. We wasted a good pitching performance on our side. Give up two runs, your pitcher is doing his job", said Piniella about the Cubs losing and Dempster's performance.

The Mariners got their fifth consecutive win. It's time for Mariners fans to attend Safeco Field on Wednesday and Thursday. There were still be 18.000 and 9.000 tickets for each of those days when the series began.

Third

The Cubs and the Mariners are playing the third series between them. Now the Cubs have a 4-3 lead. Chicago took two of three in 2002 at Safeco, and two of three at Wrigley Field in 2007.

Yankees burned Arizona

The New York Yankees won the second game of the three game series in Arizona after losing 10-4 last Monday. This time the bats were hot hiting 12 hits to win 9-3 at Chase Field. Andy Pettitte was also awesome: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO.

The Yankees had scored three runs, batted in by Alex Rodriguez, who homered (2-RBIs) and singled to let their teammates run home, before they had a six-run inning in the eighth. Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada, Curtis Granderson and Colin Curtis (he hit the winning homerun in the first spring training game) had RBI in that explosive inning. Curtis hit a two-RBI double.
---
I won't write on Wednesday. I'll watch the second game of the series at Safeco Field, but as a baseball fan. See you on Tuesday.
---
MLB results: June 22

Yankees 9 - Diamondbacks 3

Giants 3 - Astros 1. Edgar Renteria, 0-3, one strike out and two men left on base.

Reds 4 - Athletics 2. Orlando Cabrera, 0-5. He left three teammates on base.

Cubs 0 - Mariners 2
Padres 2 - Rays 1
Red Sox 1 - Rockies 2
Dodgers 3 - Angels 6
Indians 1 -Phillies 2
Tigers 6 - Mets 14
Twins 5 - Brewers 7
Braves 6 - White Sox 9
Cardinals 9 - Blue Jays 4
Marlins 10 - Orioles 4
Royals 3 - Nationals 4
Pirates 3 - Rangers 6

Yankees win!



Let's go Yankees!
¡Por la lucha XXVIII! ¡Todos a portar el 28!

Yankees, Finally Halladay's Nightmare!

Photo: dailynews.com

I apologize to all the Yankees' fans who read the previous publication which was pessimistic, but there were more arguments to be made that the Yankees weren't going to defeat Roy Halladay, who had a 18-6 record and a 2.84 ERA against the 'Bombers' before Tuesday's game.

However, the Yankees beat Halladay and the Philadelphia Phillies 8-3 in the opening of this interleague series at Yankee Stadium, which some people called a rematch of the 2009 World Series. The real revenge for the Phillies will be gotten on the Yanks if both teams meet again in another Fall Classic...

Tuesday's game had a lot of variety: three homeruns allowed by Halladay, a struggling Halladay, a dominant CC Sabathia and a struggling Sabathia.

The righty pitcher of the Phillies had earned one homerun in his previous 62 innings, but Curtis Granderson (1 RBI), Nick Swisher (2 RBI), and Mark Teixeira (1 RBI) hit enormous shots. Three jacks over Halladay by the Yankees were also seen last year, on August.

Last Tuesday the Yankees were a nightmare for Halladay because they scored six runs against him. It's a high number due to his previous four outings in which he allowed three runs over 24 innings and also because April 30th, 2000 was the last time New York registered that number facing him.

The Yanks' offense started producing in the second when Brett Gardner tripled and drove in two teammates. The following inning Granderson and Swisher's homeruns surged the scoreboard to an strange 5-0. Science fiction!

A 5-0 score is a big advantage when you face Halladay, but Sabathia, who got six of the first nine outs with strike outs, had an awful slump and the Phillies scored three times in the fourth. Chase Utley's hit kicked CC's left hand and the Phillies' bats came back to Yankee Stadium. Placido Polanco singled, Ryan Howard got on base as a result of a hit by pitch, Jason Werth and Raul Ibañez batted RBI singles, and Ben Francisco got a productive forced out. Francisco was the first batter retired and two runners were in scoring position, but the Yankees starter controlled the situacion facing Juan Castro and Carlos Ruiz.

Teixeira shored Sabathia up with his solo blast in the fifth after the Phillies threatened again in the top of that inning. The bases were also loaded like in the fourth. It could be a tragedy for the pitcher and the team, but it was not the first time we saw CC overcoming.

The seventh was the last inning for Sabathia (5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 SO), and also a good offense moment because two runs were batted in by Francisco Cervelli, who got a single.

Huge victory! Now is time to win again! Wednesday, second game: Jamie Moyer (6-6, 5.03) vs. AJ Burnett (6-4, 3.86).

MLB results: June 15

Phillies 3 - Yankees 8

Dodgers 12 - Reds 0. Orlando Cabrera, 0-1, two BB.

Orioles 4 - Giants 1. We hope Edgar Renteria come back soon. It's possible, he is playing in the Triple-A.

Diamondbacks 3 - Red Sox 6
Rays 10 - Braves 4
Mariners 2 - Cardinals 4
Mets 7 - Indians 6
Astros 7 - Royals 15
Rockies 3 - Twins 9
Rangers 3 - Marlins 2
Nationals 4 - Tigers 7
White Sox 6 - Pirates 4
Blue Jays 2 - Padres 8
Brewers 7 - Angels 1
Athletics 9 - Cubs 5

Standings.

Yankees win!



Let's go Yankees!
¡Por la lucha XXVIII! ¡Todos a portar el 28!

Strasburg, 14! ... Yankees Gave 12!

Photo: sdnn.com

Stratospheric Debut!

Magic in Washington! Nationals Park was crowded to see the first real great moment of the Nationals since their arrival to the Capital in 2005. The 2009 first draft pick Stephen Strasburg was ready for his debut in the Majors.

Last year he wasn't just a first pick. He was also called a phenomenon and the baseball world talked and wrote about him as if he were an UFO.

He really is from another planet! If he is going to pitch like this Tuesday against the Pirates, ¡striking out 14!, he'll be a magic pitcher! It's awesome to watch his pitches reaching 97-98 miles per hour and his killer breaking throws. He is going to hurt all the batters' hearts.

Before Tuesday's superb gem, the right handed pitcher played in the minors for 11 games, winning 7, losing 2 and getting a little 1.30 ERA. Microscopic!

The Nationals beat the Pirates 5-2, but the true scoreboard is Strasburg 14 - Pirates 0. You must watch his 14 strike outs. Watch it! Click here!

Not 14... 12!

The New York Yankees jumped over the Orioles 12-7 to correctly begin the series at Oriole Park. Offense plus Phil Hughes was the formula to win this Tuesday in Baltimore.

Deep balls were the strategy for the Yankees to attack the Orioles and the unrecognizable starter Kevin Millwood (0-7, 5.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 6 SO) early. Nick Swisher batted a two-run homerun in the first inning and Curtis Granderson ripped a grand slam in the third.

The Yankees waited to score again until the seventh, when they reached home six times! First, Brett Gardner singled when the bases were loaded, then Swisher drove in his third, fourth, and fifth runs of his big night clearing the bases with a double. Following Swisher, Mark Teixeira, whose last homerun was on May 30 against the Cleveland Indians, blasted a two-run homer which the Yankees fans hope finally ends the big first baseman's slump. 'Tex' hit three times on four at bats, scored twice, including the two RBIs.

Pitching a three-run game, four strike outs and none walks outing over six innings, Phil Hughes now has eight victories in the 2010 season. Despite the Orioles who scored two in the fourth and one in the fifth, Hughes shouldn't be called as the fifth starter. He'll continue as the last man of the rotation, but imagine he is playing in a top vacancy.

The Yankees got fifteen hits, the same number as the Orioles that batted nine off Hughes. The majority of the other ones, five, were allowed by Chad Gaudin who had troubles as a result of four runs in two innings.

MLB results: June 8

Yankees 12 - Orioles 7

Giants 3 - Reds 0. Orlando Cabrera, 0-3, one walk. Edgar Renteria isn't playing due to an injury.

Red Sox 3 - Indians 2
Blue Jays 0 - Rays 9
Pirates 2 - Nationals 5
Marlins 8 - Phillies 10
Mariners 1 - Rangers 7
Astros 4 - Rockies 3
Royals 3 - Twins 7
Tigers 7 - White Sox 2
Cubs 2 - Brewers 3
Padres 1 - Mets 2 (11)
Cardinals 0 - Dodgers 1
Angels 1 - Athletics 10
Braves 7 - Diamondbacks 5

Standings.

Yankees win!



Let's go Yankees!
¡Por la lucha XXVIII! ¡Todos a portar el 28!

Eight = Four + Victory!

Photo: media.nj.com

When the Toronto Blue Jays were defeating 2-0 and sweeping the New York Yankees, a late four run rally gave the 'Bombers' a 4-3 victory at Rogers Centre this Sunday, the day that the pitcher Javier Vazquez really wasn't able to lose because he gave his best performance of the season.

The 'Bombers' had left three runners in scoring position before Derek Jetet got a RBI double in the eighth. In that inning the tying and the go ahead runs were on base and the Yankees struggled striking out with Nick Swisher, and Alex Rodriguez, who had the bases loaded after the Blue Jays walked Mark Teixeira.

However, 'A-Rod' was lucky in his at bat due to Brett Gardnet who scored thanks to a wild pitch of the closer Jason Frasor, and Robinson Cano drove in the third and fourth run batting a single. The little Yankees festival began when the starter Brandon Morrow and the reliever Scott Downs (the losing pitcher) hit Francisco Cervelli and Gardner respectively with their pitches.

If I were Javier Vazquez and the Yankees hadn´t won, I'd be very upset and disappointed because the Blue Jays' batters struck out nine times and only batted one hit against him through seven innings. I would be depressed because the hit was a two-run homerun by Vernon Wells that allowed the Blue Jays to take a 2-0 lead in the sixth, and it looked like a chance for the Blue Jays to sweep the three game series.

Yankees' fans felt jittery when Joba Chamberlain pitched in the bottom of the eighth. The right hander was vulnerable facing Jose Molina and Fred Lewis. A scary double and a single changed the scoreboard to a one run game. Fortunately, Joba got a double play when Aaron Hill was at the plate. Then, Damaso Mart dominated Adam Lind, and Mariano Rivera in the ninth got his 13th save of the year.

This Monday will be a day off for the Yankees and Tuesday they will come back to play in Baltimore.

Groin

'A-Rod' left the game with right groin tightness, but hopefully he'll play on Tuesday against the Orioles.

MLB results: June 6

Yankees 4 - Blue Jays 3

Reds 5 - Nationals 4 (10). Orlando Cabrera, 1-5. He got a double and scored a run.

Giants 6 - Pirates 5 (10). Edgar Renteria is still injured. Possible return for mid June.

Rays 9 - Rangers 5
Red Sox 3 - Orioles 4 (11)
Padres 6 - Phillies 5 (10)
Tigers 2 - Royals 7
Marlins 6 - Mets 7
Cubs 3 - Astros 6
Brewers 4 - Cardenals 3 (10)
Indians 7 - White Sox 8
Rockies 3 - Diamondbacks 2
Braves 4 - Dodgers 5 (11)
Angels 9 - Mariners 4
Twins 4 - Athletics 5

Standings.

Yankees win!



Let's go Yankees!
¡Por la lucha XXVIII! ¡Todos a portar el 28!

Happy come back!

Photo nypost.com

Welcome back! Not writing for one week it's a lot of time, but in this short period the New York Yankees remembered their real style : Two victories in Minnesota and three at Yankee Stadium against the Cleveland Indians with AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes on the peak. I'm glad to return and tell you that the Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1this Tuesday.

I'm glad to be in the blog again and tell you that Javier Vazquez struggled in Minnesota, but on Tuesday allowed the Orioles to create only one danger when a homerun was blast by Corey Patterson in the sixth inning. That big shot was only one of the four hits that the Orioles batted against the right hander. In seven innings, Vazquez found the correct way to continue improving, striking out seven batters and walking one player.

The Yankees scored thanks to Curtis Granderson's jack in the fifth, and a seven inning error when Alex Rodriguez got a ground ball. The Orioles defense mistake was made by the third baseman Miguel Tejada allowing Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher to run home. The bad play ended in a loss for Brian Matusz after an interesting performance in 6.2 innings: 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO.

The blog is back, the good Yankees are back!

-- Perdón a mis lectores en español por no traducir este artículo. --

MLB results: June 1

Orioles 1 - Yankees 3

Reds 9 - Cardinals 8. Orlando Cabrera, 1-5. Hit a double and drove in two runs.

Rockies 2 - Giants 1 (11). Edgar Renteria has misfortune. He's on the fifteen day disabled list as a result of a pulled right hamstring.

Atletics 4 - Red Sox 9
Rays 7 - Blue Jays 6
Twins 1 - Mariners 7
Phillies 3 - Braves 7
Diamondbacks 0 - Dodgers 1 (10)
Mets 4 - Padres 2
Rangers 9 - White Sox 6
Angels 3 - Royals 6
Nationals 7 - Astros 8
Indians 3 - Tigers 2
Cubs 2 - Pirates 3
Brewers 4 - Marlins 6

Yankees win!


Let's go Yankees!
¡Por la lucha XXVIII! ¡Todos a portar el 28!

Is the Bronx burning?

Photo: beuler.files.wordpress.com

Yankees fans woke up this Monday very sad and ashamed of losing the series against the Mets. They are also depressed and heart-broken because they are looking for the defending champions that disappeared last week.

Is the Bronx burning? Yes, the Bronx is burning thanks to last week's performance. The Yankees are playing awful baseball because nothing, but nothing is working. Terrible pitching and batting got married to make the Yankees an unrecognizable team at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field.

The door to last week's misfortune was opened at Sunday May 16th at home, when Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera couldn't hold a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning allowing Jason Kubel of the Minnesota Twins to hit a grand slam. The next day, Yankee Stadium hosted a big party when the 'Bombers' were trailing 7-9 and Alex Rodriguez and Marcus Thames happily ripped two-run homeruns to defeat the Red Sox. A fleeting victory...

On Tuesday, a struggling and disappointed Chamberlain pitched again in the eighth. The Red Sox were ready to hammer with four runs. The right hander blew a 5-1 advantage, and Mariano Rivera lost the game in the ninth .

It was just a loss? No, it wasn't. Unfortunately, the problems continued in the two-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the best team in the season. The 2008 American League Champions alarmed the starting pitching, batting hard against AJ Burnett and Andy Pettitte. It wasn't only Burnett's and Pettitte's fault, Phil Hughes and CC Sabathia couldn't take the correct way in the Subway Series played at Citi Field.

As a result of the lack of effective arms in the last seven games, the Yankees pitching ended with an ERA above 6.00, the exact number is 6.05, so far from the 3.93 that they've shown during the season.

No clutch!

The offense should look forward to trying to solve part of the pitcher's slumps. However, the bats also failed getting a good .288 average-.279 in the season-, but it was very difficult to score runs due to a hits shortage with runners in scoring position. A clear and horrible example happened in the last two games with the Mets when the Yankees only capitalized on 6 of 23 opportunities.

Furthermore, millionaire players such as Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez participated last week in the games being invisibles. Despite registering a .345, 'A-Rod' had just a good performance in the winning match against Boston (four RBIs), then drove in another run against Tampa, but striking out eight times doesn't justify a 33 million dollar salary a year. Teixeira is like the 'April-Teixeira' as a result of a 4-29 (.137), eight strike outs and 1 RBI.

'Tex' is the third batter in the lineup and 'A-Rod' the fourth. This performance can't be possible! The team really needs the clutch! They must improve! Kevin Russo, the two-RBI double hitter on Friday's win, Juan Miranda and Francisco Cervelli can help, but they are not called to carry the team and they can't do it all the time. Hopefully Curtis Granderson (injured) would come back in late May to contribute to wake up the sleepy clutch. Don't forget that Jorge Posada won't appear until three or four weeks.

The Bronx is burning! Losing five games and just winning two in a week is normal when you have to play 162 games in the regular season. It won't be the first time that the fans will have to watch it, but the Bronx is burning because the Yankees are driving in different roads to go the field, so al the pieces (pitching and batting) are not working together.

Good pitches and good swings have to end the divorce! The Yankees never surrender the fight! They scored in the ninth inning in five of the seven games of the forgettable week! Marriage and heart will bring back the winning streak! That's the Bomber's hope! The first challenge to rebuild will be the Minnesota Twins at Target Field! Goooooooooooo Yaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnkeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!

Go Yankees!


Let's go Yankees!
¡Por la lucha XXVIII! ¡Todos a portar el 28!

Big Walk-Off 'Pie'! Yanks defeat Red Sox in final inning!

Lea este artículo en español.

Photo: Reuters

It’s difficult to describe tonight’s game. Another amazing match was played by the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. An unbelievable ninth inning ended an epic fight at Yankee Stadium because two homeruns changed the 'Bombers''s destiny, who defeated their eternal rival 11-9.

They were losing 7-9 when the bottom of the ninth started, but Jonathan Papelbon once again struggled against the Yankees. A couple of two run homeruns were blasted: First, a ‘bomb’ by Alex Rodriguez to tie the game and then an enormous shot by Marcus Thames to get the first 2010 walk-off victory. If you were missing AJ Burnett’s pies don’t worry, he finally anointed one. Papelbon, the Red Sox’ closer, was the losing pitcher too on April 7th.

When both teams go out to the field the fans never come back home disappointed. It doesn’t matter which month, they will combat as in an October playoffs series. That happened today. The Yankees had a big rally of five runs in the first inning. ‘A-Rod’ singled for two RBIs, Robinson Cano got a base hit to drive in one run, Francisco Cervelli doubled (1 RBI) and Thames batted a sacrifice fly.

After that, Adrian Beltre’s bat gave the first run to the Red Sox thanks to a hit in the second, but in the bottom Mark Teixeira doubled and the Yankees scored for the sixth time.

Despite the 6-1 lead, the Boston’s resurrection began. David Ortiz homered in the fourth and JD Drew did the same in the fifth, but at that moment two teammates were on base. New York also attacked in that fifth due to one of tonight’s stars, Thames, who hit a RBI double before the Red Sox batted three scaring homeruns: Victor Martinez in the sixth, and Kevin Youkilis (2-RBI) and Martinez in the eighth.

Boston’s starter Daisuke Matsuzaka threw awfully: 4.2, 9 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB and 3 SO. On the other hand, Phil Hughes wasn’t ‘hughest’ as in other games: 5.0, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB and 3 SO.

Consequently, the Yankees bullpen had to charge overtime. It’s ironic that Javier Vazquez won throwing only one out. He will be on the mound next Friday vs. the Mets in the beginning of the Subway Series.

The Yankees were going to lose as the day before against the Twins, but the 'aura and mystique' didn’t fail: ‘A-Rod’ and Thames explained with two deep balls the Yankees’ tradition and pride.

It’s difficult to choose the player of the game: Thames (2-4, 1 R, 4 RBI), Rodriguez (2-5, 2 R, 4 RBI) or Cervelli (2-4, 3 R, 1 RBI)? The walk-off could be the reason to give Thames the award, but don´t forget ‘A-Rod''s tying blast and Cervelli’s astounding and constant performance.

It t wasn’t October, it was another great Yanks – Sox rivalry chapter!

MLB results: May 17

Red Sox 9 - Yankees 11

Brewers 3 - Reds 6. Orlando Cabrera, doubled, singled, scored one run and batted in one run. 2-5.

Giants 1 - Padres 3. Edgar Renteria didn't play (disabled list).

Indians 3 - Rays 4 (11)
Mariners 4 - Athletics 8
Astros 2 - Dodgers 6
Nationals 2 - Cardinals 6
Rockies 2 - Cubs 4 (11)
Angels 3 - Rangers 4
Mets 3 - Braves 2
Diamondbacks 5 - Marlins 1
Twins 8 - Blue Jays 3
Pirates 2 - Phillies 12
Royals 4 - Orioles 3
White Sox - Tigers (Postponed-rain)

Standings.

Lea este artículo en español.

Yankees win!


Let's go Yankees!
¡Por la lucha XXVIII! ¡Todos a portar el 28!

Yes, it was Vazquez; Hughes, Superb Again!

Lea este artículo en español.

Photo: baseball.bornbybits.com

Wednesday's doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers ended positively for the New York Yankees. They lost the first game 0-2 , but Javier Vazquez played as the Javier Vazquez who won 15 games and got a 2.87 ERA with the Atlanta Braves last season. In the second match, the 'Bombers' beat 8-0 with a repeated fact that is part of the Yankees' success in the season: a superb Phil Hughes.

I wrote yesterday that I was going to have nightmares as a result of Vazquez' stats previous to the first game of the doubleheader. Despite the 0-2 lost, the Puerto Rican pitcher finally showed his best performance for the first time in six appearances. It's difficult to believe, but it was true!

Vazquez played through seven innings and allowed five hits, two runs, two earned runs and seven strike outs. Do you want to know how many walks he threw? Just two!

In his last outings he had good offense response, but on Wednesday afternoon the Yankees bats were silenced by the starter Rick Porcello (7.0, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO), so Vazquez deserve a round of applause. His only sin happened in the sixth when he allowed four of the five hits and the two runs driven in by Magglio Ordóñez and Brennan Boesch.

Hughes, 'hughest'!

Phil Hughes doesn't want to lose this season and also is a great enemy of the rivals' runs. The right handed pitcher has five victories -no losses- and an envious 1.38 ERA. He continues throwing excellently and he never feels tired of pitching awesomely. In the second game at Comerica Park he got eight strike outs, only one walk and pitched for seven innings.

With Hughes pitching, two runs would be enough to get the victory against Jeremy Bonderman (7.0, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO) and the Tigers, but the Yankees offense, which was missed in the previous game, scored six times in the ninth.

The best batters of the night were Mark Teixeira (2-5, 1 run scored,2 RBIs), Alex Rodriguez (2-5, 2 RBIs) and Brett Gardner (3-5, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI).

Mariano Rivera finally came back and pitched the last inning. If he hadn't been absent since April 30, he wouldn't have thrown. He needed innings and outs.

The series in Detroit is not over. This Thursday the forth match will be played at 1:00 p.m. (East time - 12:00 p.m. in Colombia). CC Sabathia (4-1, 3.04) vs. Justin Verlander (3-2, 4.50).

MLB results: May 12

Yankees 0 - Tigers 2 (Game 1)
Yankees 8 - Tigers 0 (Game 2)

Reds 5 - Pirates 0. Orlando Cabrera, 1-5, one hit and one RBI.

Padres 5 - Giants 2. Edgar Renteria is on the dissabled list. He might come back in late May.

Rays 4 - Angels 3
Blue Jays 3 - Red Sox 2
Mariners 2 - Orioles 5
Athletics 1 - Rangers 10
Astros 9 - Cardinals 6
Marlins 3 - Cubs 4
Nationals 6 - Mets 4
White Sox 2 - Twins 3
Braves 9 - Brewers 2
Dodgers 6 - Diamondbacks 3
Indians 4 - Royals 0
Phillies 3 - Rockies 4 (10) (Game 1)
Phillies - Rockies (Game 2-Postponed due to rain)

Standings.

Lea este artículo en español.

Yankees win!


Let's go Yankees!
¡Por la lucha XXVIII! ¡Todos a portar el 28!

Shot + gem = Victory!

Lea este artículo en español.

Photo: everyjoe.com

While in Seattle the sky is sad showing cold and rain because of the Mariners' performance, New York is warm and happy as the Yankees and the Mets are having a great moment. Both organizations fight for the first place in their divisions.

This Monday, one inning was sufficient for the Yankees to beat a better and motivated Baltimore Orioles team, that just swept the Boston Red Sox last weekend. The fourth inning meant four runs, three of them thanks to a decisive Randy Winn's homerun, and the 'Bombers' won 4-1 in the series game opener at Yankee Stadium.

Both starting pitchers looked good. CC Sabathia threw a gem (8.0, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO, 2 BB), while Jeremy Guthrie (7.0, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 SO, 2 BB) only struggled in the fourth.

The Yankees scored for the first time when Nick Swisher singled and Alex Rodriguez reached home. Then, Winn batted his first homerun as a Yankee and the team got three runs with the shot: Swisher, Brett Gardner and Winn ran around the bases.

Sabathia was only down in the beginning of the second. Matt Wieters hunted CC's fast ball and blasted a solo homerun to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead, a too short advantage in Yankee Stadium.

The only worry in the game was Jorge Posada's injury. The catcher left the game with a mild calf strain, and he only played five innings against the 'Birds'. Yankees fans, it could be worse, please breath.

Another surprise was that Mariano Rivera didn't appear and there was a save situation. He feels some stiffness in his left side and hasn't pitched since Friday, so Joe Girardi called Joba Chamberlain to do the job in the ninth.

The 'boooo dancing' at Safeco Field

My video for today is a 'booooooooooo' to the umpire at Safeco Field. This Mariners fans were really mad last Friday in the game against the Texas Rangers, but the umpires are not the reason to explain why this team is not winning. Their pitching is good, however they forgot to score runs. Enjoy the video...

MLB results: May 3rd

Orioles 1 - Yankees 4

Mets 2 - Red 3 (11). Orlando Cabrera: 2-3, two singles.

Angels 8 - Red Sox 17
Royals 1 - White Sox 5

Tigers 4 - Twins 10

Blue Jays 5 - Indians 1

Cardinals 6 - Phillies 3

Rangers 4 - Athletics 2

Rockies 5 - Padres 2

Diamondbacks 9 - Astros 1

Standings.

Lea este artículo en español.

Yankees win!



Let's go Yankees!
¡Por la lucha XXVIII! ¡Todos a portar el 28!

Hughes, Good; Bullpen, a Disaster!

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Photo: nypost.com

I thought that Phil Hughes was left on the West Coast by the New York Yankees when he was missing his command in the Oriole Park. The right hander, who threw seven no hitter innings last Wednesday in Oakland, could leave the field early this Tuesday, but he remembered the Oakland Coliseum and had a good outing not enough in the Yankees’ 4-5 lost against the Baltimore Orioles because the bullpen was horrible.

Both teams missed opportunities with the bases loaded and one out at the beginning of the game. The Orioles couldn’t score more than one run in the second inning against Hughes, who would struggle hard, but a double play built by Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira helped him. The only run came when Hughes walked Cesar Izturis.

The Yankees tied the game with the help of Miguel Tejada’s fielding error in the third. In this play, Brett Gardner got first base and Nick Swisher scored. The Orioles’ third baseman recovered from the mistake preventing a hit by Rodriguez when there were bases loaded and one out, stopping the ball in the correct place without moving his feet, but only his glove.

Posada’s bat gave The ‘Bombers’ a 2-1 lead batting a solo homerun in the fourth against the starter Kevin Millwood, while Hughes forgot the worrisome second inning and came back in the game to exit in the sixth (5.2 innings, 2 H-both in the second-, 1 ER, 2 SO and 4 BB).

The Yankees’ bullpen did a terrible job. Hughes didn’t leave a runner and the relievers’ duty was to get only one out in the sixth. It was impossible! Boone Logan walked Luke Scott and David Robertson hit Ty Wigginton with a pitch. Robertson stayed and three singles were hit by Rhyne Hughes, Nolan Reimold and Cesar Izturis. Three runs were scored and the Orioles got the victory. I was thinking, "turn the inner 'pacientómetro'* on", but I calmed myself".

Alfredo Aceves pitched an RBI single hit by Izturis, tonight’s killer with three RBIs, in the eighth. The run wasn’t completely Aceves’ fault because the Orioles began the bottom of that inning getting on base thanks to Derek Jeter’s error. The Mexican pitcher had difficulties throwing after two outs.

The Yankees scored two in the ninth against rookie Alfredo Simon. Too late… The bullpen’s performance in the sixth lost the game.

* The ‘pacientómetro’ is a word that I invented to measure my feelings about the Yankees’ performance. When I turned it on, I’m not happy with the results. My patience is over! For example, last Sunday Javier Vazquez’ outing turned it on.

Wednesday's match: 7:00 p.m. (Eastern time)

CC Sabathia (2-1, 3.00) vs. Jeremy Guthrie (0-2, 3.46).

MLB results: April 27

Yankees 4 - Orioles 5

Phillies 2 - Giants 6. Edgar Renteria, 3-4. One run scored and two RBI.

Reds 6 - Astros 2. Orlando Cabrera, 2-4 and two runs scored.

Red Sox 2 - Blue Jays 1
Mariners 3 - Royals 2
Dodgers 0 - Mets 4 (Game 1)
Dodgers 5 - Mets 10 (Game 2)
Twins 2 - Tigers 0
Athletics 6 - Rays 8
White Sox 2 - Rangers 4
Padres 4 - Marlins 1
Pirates 7 - Brewers 3
Nationals 3 - Cubs 1
Braves 4 - Cardinals 5
Diamondbacks 1 - Rockies 12
Indians 9 - Angels 2

Standings.

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Let's go Yankees!
¡Por la lucha XXVIII! ¡Todos a portar el 28!

Walking for Victory!

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Photo: chrisoleary.com

Five of ten walks were transformed in runs by the New York Yankees and Javier Vazquez allowed only three runs in Tuesday's 7-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics. It’s the fifth straight victory for the defending champions. Vazquez (5.1, 6 SO, 3 BB, 6 H and 3 ER) won for the first time in the season, but he still needs to improve.

It seemed that Gio Gonzalez was going to be dominant at the Oakland Coliseum. However, after he struck out Derek Jeter and caused Nick Johnson to bat a fly ball, the Yankees made three runs in the first inning. The left-handed pitcher loaded the bases after allowing a double from Mark Teixeira and a walking Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano. Then, Jorge Posada (1-RBI) and Nick Swisher (2-RBI) singles gave the Yankees a 3-0 lead.

It was an important advantage for Vazquez to throw with more confidence after losing in the first two season appearances. The right-hander was scared when the three run advantage was threatened by Kurt Suzuki's single and Eric Chavez' double with no outs in the second inning. The Yankees defense eliminated the A’s opportunities to score. Suzuki was put out at home in a fieldier’s choice by Rodriguez when Mark Ellis batted. Then, Vazquez did an amazing double play: He stopped a fast line in the air from Travis Buck and threw to first because Ellis was not touching the base.

Buck homered in the fifth inning, but this shot wasn’t important in that moment in the scoreboard because Rodriguez hit before a monster homerun to center field in the top of that inning. It was a three run shot! ‘A-Rod’ got that big hit against the pitcher Craig Breslow, who replaced Gonzalez after he walked Johnson and Teixeira.

The problems came in the sixth inning with a two run homerun by Suzuki. The Athletics were losing only by three, so Joe Girardi called the bullpen. The lefty Boone Logan had his first chance of the season and threw the last two outs of the sixth and two in the seventh.

Logan left the game leaving the bases loaded. Joba Chamberlain had the goal to stop the danger and he stroke out Kevin Kouzmanoff. Ex Yankee pitcher Edwar Ramirez played before in the top of the ‘lucky inning’ and saw how his ex teammates scored another run, which was batted in by Posada. Johnson, who was on base thanks to a walk, scored.

The ninth inning was a disgrace. Damaso Marte came and started with a walk. Girardi immediately brought in Mariano Rivera.

Oakland pitching allowed ten walks and five of them finished in a run. Good work for the Yankees players. Wednesday’s game (10:00 p.m., Eastern time) starting pitchers: Phil Hughes (1-0, 3.60) vs. Ben Sheets (1-0, 2.65).

MLB results: April 20

Yankees 7 - Athletics 3

Dodgers 9 - Reds 11. Orlando Cabrera, one run batted in. He went 3-0.

Giants 0 - Padres 1. Edgar Renteria couldn't get a hit in four appearances at the plate.

Rangers 6 - Red Sox 7
Orioles 1 - Mariners 3
Royals 3 - Blue Jays 4
Cubs 0 - Mets 4
Brewers 8 - Pirates 1
Rays 1 - White Sox 4
Indians 1 - Twins 5
Phillies 3 - Braves 4 (10)
Rockies 10 - Nationals 4
Marlins 5 - Astros 7
Cardianls 7 - Diamondbacks 9
Tigers 5 - Angels 6

Standings.

Lea este artículo en español.

Yankees win!


Let's go Yankees!
¡Por la lucha XXVIII! ¡Todos a portar el 28!

Improvement wasn't enough

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Photo: bronxbaseballdaily.com

Great starting pitching for the New York Yankees is over! It ended last Wednesday when Javier Vazquez had a better outing against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim than Friday’s performance in Tampa Bay. However, the improvement wasn't enough and the Puerto Rican earned a 3-5 lost in the match at Yankee Stadium against the 'Halos' .

Compared with the 5.2 innings in Friday’s presentation, Vazquez allowed four runs in 5.1 and not 8. What a difference! He allowed eight hits at Tropicana Field, including two doubles and two homeruns. On Wednesday, hits were reduced to six (three doubles and no homeruns). Strikeouts and walks were roughly similar: 5 SO, 3 BB (Rays) vs. 4 SO, 2 BB (Angels).

The Angels scored two runs in the third and sixth against the right-hander pitcher. Erick Aybar, Bobby Abreu, Kendry Morales and Maicer Izturis batted in runs. Torii Hunter produced another run in the seventh, an inning thrown by reliever Alfredo Aceves.

Joel Piñeiro, also Puerto Rican, was solid against the Yankees’ offense, which only scored one time thanks to Nick Swisher’s triple. Piñeiro had seven strikeouts and no walks.

New York tried to come back in the eighth. Nick Johnson singled and Mark Teixeira grounded out, reducing the Angels’ lead.

The Yankees and Angels will close the series this Thursday at 6:00 p.m., Colombian time, 4:00 p.m., Seattle time. Scott Kazmir vs. Phil Hughes.

MLB results: April 14

Angels 5 - Yankees 3

Pirates 0 - Giants 6. Edgar Renteria, one hit, four at bats.

Reds 3 - Marlins 5. Orlando Cabrera rested. Jorge Cantu (Marlins), the first player in MLB history to register a hit and an RBI in the first nine games of the season.

Mets 5 - Rockies 6 (10)
Astros 1 - Cardinals 2
White Sox 11 - Blue Jays 1
Brewers 6 - Cubs 7
Rays 9 - Orioles 1
Red Sox 6 - Twins 3
Royals 7 - Tigers 3
Nationals 7 - Phillies 14
Rangers 6 - Indians 2
Atlhetics 2 - Mariners 4
Diamondbacks 9 - Dodgers 7 (11)
Braves 6 - Padres 1

Standings.

Lea este artículo en español.

Let's go Yankees!
¡Por la lucha XXVIII! ¡Todos a portar el 28!

Se movió, pero no Sanders

Foto tomada de imagescache5.art.com

Los movimientos más importantes en el béisbol de las Grandes Ligas (MLB) comenzaron a darse. Plácido Polanco, ex Tigres (Tigers) de Detroit, firmó por tres años y 18 millones de dólares con los Phillies (Filis) de Filadelfia. El bullpen de los Bravos (Braves) de Atlanta estará reforzado por el cerrador Billy Wagner y Takashi Saito. Ambos culminaron el 2009 en los Medias Rojas (Red Sox) de Boston y acordaron un contrato por una temporada.

En cuanto a los Yankees de Nueva York, a esperar cuál es el presupuesto para el 2010 y qué sucederá con Andy Pettitte, Hideki Matsui y Johnny Damon, agentes libres. No se preveé una alta inversión como la de hace un año: 423.5 millones de dólares en CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett y Mark Teixeira.

Perdido en el campo

Después de la información en torno a la 'pelota caliente', pasemos a un hecho divertido: Zebrie Sanders, de Florida State, literalmente fue una estatua en una jugada, en el partido del sábado contra Florida (Gators) en el fútbol americano colegial de la NCAA. ¿Dormido? ¿Olvidado de qué hacer? ¿Enfermo? ¿Parte de la estrategia? Juzguen, y feliz fin de semana.

Zebrie, estatua


New York Yankees, 2009 World Series Champions!
New York Yankees, 2009 American League Champions!
New York Yankees, 2009 American League East Division Champions!
Let's go Yankees!
¡Conquistado el camino 27!

Duelo de 'novatos' en la 'Gran Manzana'

Foto tomada de martelli.mlbblogs.com

El pitcher AJ Burnett (13-9, 4.04) de los Yankees de Nueva York se jugará, lo que que será hasta ese momento, el partido de su vida este viernes en Yankee Stadium cuando se pare en el montículo en el segundo juego de la Serie Divisional contra los Mellizos de Minnesota, que lideran los 'Mulos' 1-0. Jamás ha lanzado en postemporada. Estuvo en los Marlins de la Florida-2003, campeones de la Serie Mundial, pero no actuó por lesión.

El derecho, de 32 años, tuvo una temporada con altos y bajos. En las primeras semanas fue el salvador de la rotación, cuando CC Sabathia no se encontraba en su mejor forma. En general, le fue bien en los primeros tres meses. Luego, en agosto, su rendimiento se vino abajo, en picada. Cuatro derrotas sin victorias.

Retomó el comando de sus pitcheos en las últimas salidas para darle tranquilidad al entrenador Joe Girardi. Se caracteriza por la recta (cuatro costuras), la curva y el cambio de velocidad. Es vulnerable a perder el control, lo cual lo lleva a encontrarse con el wild pitch. Lideró en ese departamento en las Grandes Ligas junto con Félix Hernández.

Por su parte, Nick Blackburn (11-11, 4.03), más joven, de 27, es un derecho que tampoco sabe lo que es jugar en playoffs. Aunque cuenta con alguna experiencia en partidos importantes al abrir el año pasado en el desempate contra los Medias Blancas de Chicago.

El 2009 para Blackburn se caracterizó por unos primeros dos mes con más victorias que derrotas, en los próximos tres alternó y en septiembre estuvo parejo (2-2). No pierde desde el 11 de septiembre y a partir de ese día registra una muy buena efectividad de 1.65, en cuatro aperturas.

El repertorio de este derecho es más amplio y se basa en dos rectas (de dos y cuatro costuras), sinker, slider, cambio y curva.

Desde las cinco de la tarde, en Colombia, AJ Burnett y los Yankees contra el colombiano Orlando Cabrera y los Mellizos de Minnesota.

La cifra

Mencionarles los Medias Rojas de Boston a los Angelinos de Anaheim, es nombrarles el 'demonio'. Sin contar el partido del jueves, el récord de los 'patirrojos' sobre los de California en postemporada era de 13-4. 4-3, Serie de Campeonato-1986; 3-0, Serie Divisional-2004; 3-0, Serie Divisional-2007; 3-1 Serie Divisional-2008.

Ahora, con la victoria de este jueves, la marca es de 13-5 y rompieron un registro de 0-6 en casa. Angelinos no vencían a Boston en Anaheim por los playoffs desde el cuarto juego de la final de la Liga Americana de 1986 (11 de octubre).

Resultados y programación*
*Horarios para Colombia.

Liga Nacional

Rockies de Colorado 5 - Phillies de Filadelfia 4
Boxscore del partido.
Serie empatada 1-1.
Juego 3. Sábado. En Colorado. 8:30 p.m. Fox Sports mexicano (Canal 606 Directv), 12:30 a.m. del domingo, diferido. Por definir vs. Jasson Hammel (derecho, 10-8, 4.33).

Cardenales de San Luis 2 - Dodgers de Los Ángeles 3
Boxscore del partido.
Los Ángeles lidera 2-0.
Juego 3. Sábado. En San Luis. 5:00 p.m. Fox Sports mexicano (Canal 606 Directv). Vicente Padilla (derecho, 12-6, 4.46) vs. Joel Piñeiro (derecho, 15-12, 3.49).

Liga Americana

Medias Rojas de Boston 0 - Angelinos de Los Ángeles de Anaheim 5
Boxscore del partido.
Anaheim lidera 1-0.
Juego 2. Viernes. 8:30 p.m. Fox Sports mexicano (Canal 606 Directv). Josh Beckett (derecho, 17-6, 3.86) vs. Jered Weaver (derecho, 16-8, 3.75).

Mellizos de Minnesota - Yankees de Nueva York
No jugaron el jueves.
Nueva York lidera 1-0.
Juego 2. Viernes. 5:00 p.m. Espn+ y Espn2. Nick Blackburn (derecho, 11-11, 4.03) vs. AJ Burnett (derecho, 13-9, 4.04).

PD1: El segundo partido Cardenales-Dodgers, el mejor visto hasta ahora. Hubo duelo de pitcheo entre Adam Wainwright (ocho entradas, siete ponches, una base por bola y una carrera) y Clayton Kershaw (6.2, cuatro, una y dos). Matt Holliday le dio la ventaja con jonrón a los Cardenales, luego Andre Ethier igualó por la misma vía. San Luis volvió a anotar por un doble de Colby Rasmus.

Y en la parte baja de la novena entrada, los de Joe Torre cambiaron la historia. Trever Miller dominó a Ethier y el cerrador Ryan Fanklin a Manny Ramírez. Holliday cometió error en un batazo de James Loney, que se fue a segunda. Franklin, cuatro malas a Casey Blake y Ronnie Belliard empató. Después un passed ball, otro 'pasaporte', a Russell Martin, y el emergente Mark Loretta pegó un hit para dejar el partido 3-2 y la serie 2-0 a favor de los Dodgers.

La jugada de Holliday pasó de ser el tercer out y la igualdad en la llave a un error demasiado costoso.

PD2: Se viene un fin de semana largo en Colombia, lunes festivo. Por ser postemporada, haré todo lo posible por tener la página al día. Que la Selección Colombia lo permita...

¡Suerte a Orlando Cabrera!
New York Yankees, 2009 American League East Division Champions!
Let's go Yankees!
¡Todos por el camino 27!

A primera base: triunfo, barrida, División y perdón

Foto tomada de twitpic.com

Pasaron 156 partidos para que los Yankees de Nueva York definieran cómo se tomarían la primera base, los playoffs. Solo dos caminos: recibir una base por bola (Comodín) o dar un hit (la División). Joe Girardi y sus pupilos escogieron la segunda.

Y prefirieron rematar el imparable en Yankee Stadium, con sus hinchas, y sacar la champaña contra los Medias Rojas de Boston. Y con otro valor: con una barrida. Tres partidos, tres victorias y 'chao', no más cálculos: el Este de la Liga Americana es 'rayada'.

Como en la barrida de cuatro en agosto, los Yankees demostraron que hay con qué buscar el anillo 27 de la Serie Mundial. Lo de los últimos tres días, junto a las dos victorias en Anaheim, reivindican al equipo, que antes entró en un 'bache' de malas sensaciones.

¡Qué fin de semana en Nueva York! Además, los Yankees aseguraron el triunfo 100 y la mejor marca (100-56) de la Liga Americana (ventaja de localía), además de ser la primera en todas las Grandes Ligas.

Por tener el primer récord y estar en la liga que ganó el Juego de Estrellas, los Yankees seleccionarán cuándo arrancar en la postemporada, si el 7 o el 8 de octubre. La primera opción tiene un día de por medio entre el primer y segundo juego y permitiría usar solo tres abridores (se descartaría a Joba Chamberlain).

¿Cuál conviene? No hay respuesta, por la sencilla razón que los probables rivales en las Series Divisionales, Tigres de Detroit o Mellizos de Minnesota, están separados por dos juegos en la Central y deberán jugar desde hoy cuatro partidos.

Así, si para el fin de semana no hay definiciones en esa zona, los Tigres usarían a sus mejores pitchers, entre ellos Justin Verlander, candidato al Cy Young. Esto posibilitaría no verlo en el primer juego en caso de empezar el 7. Esto, por poner un ejemplo de las múltiples variables para analizar.

A fijarse en lo que ocurra en Detroit. Se decidirá una vez se definan todos los clasificados y a Nueva York le darán una hora para pensar.

Primera base tomada, ahora por la segunda: llegar a la Serie de Campeonato.

Audio: último out del partido del domingo


New York Yankees, 2009 American League East Division Champions!
Let's go Yankees!
¡Todos por el camino 27!

¡Por la sentencia! ¡Sí o sí!

Montaje

La primera alegría del 2009: ganarle a los Medias Rojas de Boston en la temporada regular de las Grandes Ligas. Es el objetivo del fin de semana de los Yankees de Nueva York, el cual en otras palabras se traduce en conquistar o quedar más cerca del título divisional en la serie frente a los 'patirrojos' que inicia el viernes y terminará el domingo en el Yankee Stadium.

Las cuentas son claras. Yankees lideran la División Este de la Liga Americana con 97 victorias y 56 derrotas. Boston, 91-61, cinco juegos y medio abajo. Pero llama más la atención el número mágico, que indica cuánto falta para la eliminación de un equipo en contienda por la zona. ¡Es de cinco!

Dos triunfos y éste se reducirá a uno. Uno y bajará a tres. Barrida y guarden las calculadoras porque los jugadores de Joe Girardi brindarán moderadamente por el primer paso.

Pueden no alzar el banderín, siempre y cuando queden bien parados en la División. De eso se trata la sentencia: celebración o jaque. La importancia de haber salido victoriosos contra los Angelinos en Anaheim el martes y el miércoles.

'¡Por la sentencia!', el lema para el fin de semana. ¡Vamos Yankees!

Viernes: 7:00 p.m. (Este, E.U.) (TV: MY9, Espn2, 652 Directv)
Jon Lester (zurdo, 14-7, 3.33) vs. Joba Chamberlain (derecho, 8-6, 4.72).

Sábado: 4:10 p.m. (Este, E.U.) (TV: Fox)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (derecho, 3-5, 6.80) vs. CC Sabathia (zurdo, 18-7, 3.31)

Domingo: 12:05 p.m. (Este, E.U.) (TV: Espn)
Paul Byrd (derecho, 1-2, 6.04) vs. Andy Pettitte (zurdo, 13-7, 4.15)

Por la sentencia!

Let's go Yankees!
Beat the Red Sox!
¡Todos por el camino 27!

Siete untadas

Foto tomada de 3.bp.blogspot.com

AJ Burnett no lo hizo mal este miércoles en el Angel Stadium. Cinco entradas y dos tercios, dos carreras y, lo destacado, 11 ponches. De haber logrado tres más, conseguía la cifra de 14 y empataba el número de veces que en la presente campaña los Yankees de Nueva York han dejado en el terreno a sus rivales en el Yankee Stadium.

Walk offs con una tradición. Se repite la imagen de un Burnett dispuesto a no perdonar al héroe y ponerle un pie en la cara. Aquí, siete untadas para despejar la mente antes de la serie con los Medias Rojas de Boston. La séptima, precisamente contra los 'patirrojos', el 7 de agosto cuando Alex Rodríguez terminó todo en la entrada 15.

Además de Rodríguez, las otras víctimas: Jonhnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, Jorge Posada y Hideki Matsui.

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Let's go Yankees!
¡Todos por el camino 27!

Con moderación: la champaña no está fría

Foto tomada de assets.nydailynews.com

Al abrir el ojo esta mañana reflexioné si fui radical y duro con los Yankees de Nueva York. Si debí enfocar la crónica del triunfo 6-5 sobre los Angelinos de Anaheim por el lado de la clasificación a los playoffs y no por las dudas que dejó la novena. Con el paso de los minutos no me arrepentí, por la sencilla razón que a dos semanas del comienzo de la postemporada el equipo debe estar alerta con su rendimiento.

Por ello, me satisface enormemente la celebración del equipo. Uno que otro abrazo y choque de manos entre los dirigidos por Joe Girardi. Nada de champaña, ésta se beberá si hay título divisional. No se ha ganado nada, solo se dio un pequeño paso para alcanzar la gran meta del 2009. Incluso, de alzarse con el banderín, el festejo no debe magnificarse. Desde luego que comprendo a los jugadores. Después de jugar más de 100 partidos y ser campeón divisional amerita uno que otro baño.

"La División es muy importante para nosotros. No ven champaña esta noche (martes), pero ojalá sí en un par de días", dijo Mark Teixeira.

La jornada del miércoles está interesante. En menos de tres horas, los Yankees cerrarán la serie con los Angelinos en Angel Stadium. De ganar, presionarán a los Medias Rojas de Boston, que más tarde buscarán un triunfo en Kansas City frente a unos Reales que contra los pronósticos los han vencido en los primeros dos juegos de los cuatro.

Y llamativo el duelo de pitcheo en Anaheim: AJ Burnett (11-9, 4.22) vs. Scott Kazmir (9-8, 5.08). Kazmir registra un 2-0 y un 2.63 contra Nueva York en el 2009. Y un 6-4 con 2.53 de por vida, en 13 aperturas y un relevo.

Let's go Yankees!
¡Todos por el camino 27!

Resta uno y más: ¡Despertar!

Foto tomada de media.signonsandiego.com

A los Yankees de Nueva York una victoria esta noche en Anaheim contra los Angelinos les asegurará su presencia en los playoffs. De lograrlo, el equipo no debe caer en un sueño profundo, pues la siesta que está tomando ha despertado a los Medias Rojas de Boston.

Nueva York pasó de una ventaja de nueve partidos a una de cinco en el liderato de la División Este. En una semana, 10 días para ser exactos, cambió el panorama. Y el miércoles puede ser de menos si no se actúa bien en el Angel Stadium.

Da escalofrío pensar en la serie que arrancará el viernes en el Yankee Stadium frente a unos crecidos y muy fortalecidos Medias Rojas. Por ello, teniendo en cuenta el historial negativo en Anaheim (lo más reciente, una 'barrida' en julio), las dos derrotas del fin de semana en Seattle dejan una sensación de preocupación. ¿Se imaginan llegar a Nueva York con diferencia de dos?

Boston tiene que jugar en estos días, pero con los Reales de Kansas City, un rival que no debe ponerle obstáculos, a excepción de Zack Greinke (14-9, 2.14).

Los Yankees necesitan vencer en el Angel Stadium, cambiar la historia para no pensar que estos tres juegos con los Angelinos sean una antesala de una Serie Divisional. Sonará esto como pesimismo, pero no, es una advertencia para retomar la racha ganadora en la penúltima semana de la temporada regular, además de reconocer que hay un equipo dispuesto a arrebatar la División, cero conformista.

¡A despertar con el 'despertador de Atlanta'!

Lanzadores Yankees-Angelinos

Lunes
Andy Pettitte (zurdo, 13-6, 4.14) vs. Joe Saunders (zurdo, 13-7, 4.75).
Martes
Chad Gaudin (derecho, 5-10, 4.81) vs. Ervin Santana (derecho, 7-8, 5.43).
Miércoles
AJ Burnett (derecho, 11-9, 4.22) vs. Scott Kazmir (zurdo, 9-8, 5.08).

Let's go Yankees!
¡Todos por el camino 27!