Yanks and More

The New York Mets dropped the rubber game of their 3 game series with the Florida Marlins tonight by the score of 3-1. Jon Niese got the start for the Mets and pitched 6 effective innings giving up 8 hits and 3 runs. He walked 2 and struck out 3. The Mets bullpen was outstanding and gave the Mets offense a chance to come back in the game, even thought they couldn't do so. Ryota Igarashi and Hisanora Takahashi each pitched a scorless inning giving up 1 walk each. Fernando Nieve faced one batter and got him out and Pedro Feliciano pitched 2/3 of an inning giving up 1 hit.

The Mets offense looked lifeless and there was no energy from them or the crowd tonight. Angel Pagan and Jeff Francoeur each had 2 hits, Francoeur had a rbi. Luis Castillo, Jason Bay and Rod Barajas each had a hit and that was it for the Mets offense. Nate Robertson was able to stymie them for 5 innings and then the bullpen completely shut them down. Burke Badenhop pitched 3 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit with 2 strikeouts and Leo Nunez closed out the game with a 1-2-3 ninth. This wasn't the start that the Mets were hoping for, after looking very impressive on Opening Day with Johan Santana pitching and the offense scoring 7 runs they have dropped 2 straight to the Marlins and will now try and regroup as they take on the Washington Nationals this weekend before heading out on the road. The Marlins were 2-13 with runners in scoring position while the Mets were 0-4. The Mets didn't even really threaten to score.

At least the Mets can take out of this that they were able to put together a good pitching performance with someone other then Santana and the bullpen really looked good tonight. The Mets are hoping that the bullpen will become a strength and that the other pitchers other then Johan Santana will step it up. Jon Niese is a good young pitcher but if he is counted on as more then a 5th starter there are some problems with your pitching staff. The Mets did receive some good news after the game. Jerry Manuel the Mets manager announced that start shortstop Jose Reyes will workout at Citi Field tomorrow and play in a game on Saturday. He also announced that second baseman Luis Castillos calves are bothering him and he will sit out tomorrows game with Alex Cora getting the start at second base.

The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles played to a 6-6 tie this afternoon. The big news of the day though was that Nick Johnson fouled a ball off of his knee in the first inning. He is day to day and stated to the media that he will be playing on Sunday night. It isn't so much that he got hurt but the last couple of days they have had guys coming down with injuries. Alfredo Aceves who has been battling back issues stated today that he will also be ready for Sunday. He pitched one inning today in minor league camp and came out of it in good shape.

Damaso Marte has had a sore shoulder. He thinks it is from the strenthening exercises he has been doing on his shoulder. He said this injury is nothing like last year and that he is confident he will be fine. Andy Pettitte started the game today and pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings giving up 7 hits. He walked one and also struck out a batter. Andy was happy with his start saying "I felt like my command could of been a little bit better with my fastball. Other then that I felt really good." He stated that he got tired at the end which he knew would happen. He said even though he threw 100 pitches in his simulated game it isn't the same as the real game, that you can't duplicate the adrenaline. He said the biggest need from this game was to build his stamina up and he was glad to be out there and accomplish that.

Mariano Rivera pitched an inning giving up 2 hits and 3 runs but none of them were earned. He also had a walk, strikeout and hit a batter. He hasn't been feeling well the last couple of days but I wouldn't worry about him. Boone Logan pitched a scoreless inning giving up a hit, he also had a strikeout. It looks like he will make the team as the second lefty if they go that way because there is no one else left on the roster. The Yankees sent Royce Ring down.

Offensively Randy Winn was 2-5 with a rbi and Mark Teixeira continued his hot spring with a couple of hits. Nick Swisher hit a 2 run homerun and Robinson Cano had a hit and rbi. Alex Rodriguez had a hit and rbi also. The Yankees will take on minor league all stars tomorrow at 1:05PM at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

A-rod confirmed a NY Daily News story that he did meet with the Feds on Thursday. He didn't offer any other details then to say read the story. I guess there is nothing else to worry about with that and he will start the season and hopefully have a great drama free season once again. Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 7:22 PM 0 comments Labels: Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, baseball, blog, bullpen, George M. Steinbrenner Field, Joe Girardi, Mark Teixeira, minor league camp, New York Yankees, pitches, simulated game, stamina

Yanks offense keeps rolling as tempers flare The New York Yankees defeated the Baltimore Orioles by the score of 11-7 tonight in Sarasota. This game though was more then just the final score, Mark Teixeira left the game early with a elbow contusion after getting hit by a pitch, later on in the game Francisco Cervelli got hit also and Joe Girardi lost his temper. It was reported by Chad Jennings who was live blogging the game from down there that he was shouting and motioning to the other dugout. I don't know what the repercussions will be if any but Baltimore and the Yankees will play many games this season as they are in the same division and I am sure this isn't over.

Javier Vazquez got the start and pitched 5 1/3 innings giving up 7 hits and 4 runs with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. He was pitching well until he gave up a 3 run Adam Jones homerun in the 6th inning. Joba Chamberlain got the final 2 outs of the 6th inning giving up a hit and striking out one guy. Chan Ho Park once again pitched a scoreless inning. Dave Robertson pitched an inning giving up 2 hits and 1 run with a walk and strikeout. Royce Ring didn't pitch too well in his bid to be the second lefty. He pitched 1 inning giving up 2 hits and 2 runs with 1 walk and strikeout.

Robinson Cano hit a 3 run homerun, David Winfree hit a 3 run homerun and had 4 rbi and Marcus Thames hit another homerun. Mark Teixeira had a hit and rbi before leaving the game and Alex Rodriguez had a hit. Randy Winn had a hit and Francisco Cervelli had a hit, walk and stolen base. Greg Golson also had a hit. The Yankees will play split squads tomorrow with the away game at Atlanta at 1:00PM and a home game against Toronto tomorrow night at 7 on the yes network. Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 10:39 PM 0 comments Labels: Alex Rodriguez, baseball, blog, Chad Jennings, homerun, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Girardi, New York Yankees, strikeout, temper, YES network

Some Yankee notes from Today Here are some notes from today via Chad Jennings of the Journal News and Lohud Yankees Blog.

Chad Gaudin has reportedly signed with the Oakland A's.

Sergio Mitre is starting the home game of the split squad games on Tuesday and the Yankees plan on him pitching more then 3 innings. They want to keep him stretched out in case of an injury, he will be the guy they go to early in the season. It could also be Alfredo Aceves but most likely it would be Mitre.

CC Sabathia will pitch the road split squad game on Tuesday. Girardi said "That is where CC asked to go. I said great that works out good."

Joe Girardi said that all of these missed games for Andy Pettitte may actually keep him stronger through the year. I guess you can always find a positive in any negative.

The Pitchers scheduled for tomorrow night are Javier Vazquez, Joba Chamberlain, Chan Ho Park, Dave Robertson and Royce Ring.

The whole regular infield will make the trip tomorrow. Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher will not along with Jorge Posada. Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 11:33 PM 0 comments Labels: Andy Pettitte, baseball, blog, CC Sabathia, Chad Jennings, infield, injury, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Girardi, Journal News, media notes

This Blog Linked From Here The Web This Blog Linked From Here The Web Monday, March 22, 2010 Mets lose to Nats The New York Mets lost to the Washington Nationals this afternoon by the score of 7-5. Mike Pelfrey started for the Mets and wasn't too good. He pitched 4 2/3 innings and gave up 7 hits, 6 runs, 5 of them were earned. He also had 1 walk and 3 strikeouts, he gave up 4 homeruns. Jenrry Mejia pitched 1 1/3 innings giving up 1 hit, 0 runs and 1 walk. Ryota Igarashi pitched 1 inning giving up 2 hits, 1 run and 2 walks. Bobby Parnell pitched 1 inning giving up 2 hits, 0 runs and 0 walks or strikeouts.

Chris Carter led the offense again going 3-5, Ruben Tejada and Jeff Francouer each had a hit. Russ Adams had a hit and Henry Blanco had 2 hits and a rbi. The Mets will take on the Braves at Tradition Field tomorrow at 1:10PM, the game is on SNY and ESPN.

The buzz today on talk radio here in NY was that Daniel Murphy has won the job at first base and Mike Jacobs feels he is the better player. Jacobs has better numbers in the spring and more experience but the Mets appear committed to having Murphy start. Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 10:52 PM 0 comments Labels: baseball, blog, buzz, ESPN, Mike Jacobs, New York Mets, offense, Pitching, SNY, spring, WCBS radio

Looks can be deceiving The New York Yankees lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater by the score of 9-7. A.J. Burnett got the start and had a horrible first inning, he recovered after that. He ended up throwing 4 innings giving up 5 runs on 7 hits with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. He gave up all of his runs in the first inning and then threw 3 scoreless after that. This is typical A.J., he can be soo good yet so bad at times and sometimes it is just one inning. Royce Ring faced one batter a lefty and got him out. Phil Hughes who probably could have locked up the 5th starter spot appeared to get roughed up. His line was 4 1/3 innings 5 hits, 4 runs, 0 walks and 6 strikeouts. He gave up a 2 run homerun that was legitimate but he also gave up 2 other solo homeruns that were wind aided. The good thing was 0 walks and 6 strikeouts.

Mark Teixeira led the offense going 4-4 with a 2 run homerun. Brett Gardner had a rbi and Curtis Granderson was 2-3 with a walk and rbi. Nick Swisher had a hit and rbi and Ramiro Pena had 2 hits. Kevin Russo and Eduardo Nunez each had a hit and rbi. The Yankees are off tomorrow.

Here are some notes from today via Chad Jennings of the Journal News. Joe Girardi said that they will be having serious discussions about the 5th starter on Wednesday and then see what their next move is and who will get more innings.

Girardi said he isn't ruling anything out at this point. "We have five guys, we have in a sense one spot in the rotation and three in the bullpen. I can't tell you exactly what is going to happen, we have two weeks to go." There is a couple of audio of Girardi today on the Lohud Yankees Blog.

A.J. Burnett said he threw some good changeups today, he said some got hit but but you keep throwing them. He said it is different, in the season you probably wouldn't keep throwing it but in the spring you can.

Joba Chamberlain said his changeup is getting better and better. He said this is the best changeup he ever had today. He threw 5 innings giving up 6 hits and 2 runs in the intrasquad game today. He had 1 walk and 1 strikeout, he threw 75 pitches, 48 for strikes.

Mariano Rivera got three outs, one of them a strikeout in the intrasquad game. He said "feeling good fellas, feeling good." He is scheduled to pitch again on Wednesday.

Chan Ho Park was brilliant in the intrasquad game. He got 7 outs, 5 of them by strikeout. He only gave up one hit and threw 21 out of 29 pitches for strikes. Joe Girardi said "He did everything we wanted him to do."

Damaso Marte got 4 outs, he got a double play and had 1 walk and 1 strikeout. Dave Robertson also got 4 outs. He struck out 3 and had 1 walk.





Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 8:09 PM 0 comments Labels: A.J. Burnett, Chad Jennings, homeruns, intrasquad game, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Girardi, Journal News, Mark Teixeira, media notes, New York Yankees, Phil Hughes, Philadelphia Phillies, strikeout

Saturday, March 20, 2010 Mets Lose to Cardinals The New York Mets lost to the St. Louis Cardinals today by the score of 6-5. John Maine got the start and pitched pretty well today. He allowed 2 runs and 2 hits in 4 innings. Pat Misch and Francisco Rodriguez didn't pitch so well either. Francisco Rodriguez allowed 2 runs and Pat Misch allowed a run. Misch allowed 2 hits and 2 walks, Rodriguez allowed 3 hits and 2 runs with a strikeout. Sean Green pitched a scoreless inning with a walk and Elmer Dessens pitched a inning giving up a hit. Kiko Calero gave up a hit and a run without giving up a hit.

Gary Matthews Jr. gave up a hit and Ike Davis had a hit and rbi. Luis Castillo and Russ Adams had a hit. Fernando Martinez and Alex Cora each had a hit. Henry Blanco gave up a hit and Chris Coste had a hit and rbi. Frank Catalanotto had a hit and 2 rbi. The Mets play split squads tomorrow, one at Kissimmee against the Astros and one game at Tradition Field against the University Of Michigan.

According to Adam Rubin of the NY Daily News the Mets have released Josh Fogg. Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 10:04 PM 0 comments Labels: baseball, blog, Francisco Rodriguez, hits, homeruns, New York Mets, Ny Daily News, offense, pitched, released, Tradition Field

Yanks Fall to Astros The New York Yankees lost to the Houston Astros today by the score of 6-4. Alfredo Aceves got the start and for the first time this spring he struggled. He pitched 4 1/3 innings giving up 5 hits and 5 runs with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. His numbers do look a little worse then he pitched though. Most of the damage was done at the end of his outing but this clearly was his worst start of the spring. Mark Melancon pitched 2/3 of an inning giving up 2 hits and a run with a strikeout. Boone Logan pitched another scoreless inning, he did give up a hit and he had a strikeout.



Brett Gardner had a couple of hits, one of them was a bunt single. The bunt hit was his 3rd of the spring, he had 2 all of last season. He has been hitting well lately and has his spring average up to 281, if he can hit like that then he will be a starting outfielder on this team. Mark Teixeira had a hit and walk and Alex Rodriguez continues to heat up as he had 2 hits and 2 rbi. Greg Golson and David Winfree each had a hit and Robinson Cano had a hit and rbi. Francisco Cervelli, Jon Weber, Kevin Russo, Ramiro Pena, Mike Rivera and Reid Gorecki all had a hit.

The Yankees will host the Detroit Tigers tomorrow afternoon at 1:00PM on the YES network. Here are some postgame notes from today:

Joe Girardi on the 5th starter competition being such a big topic "I think people are interested that is why, because once that is set, you iron out your bullpen from there. There's a lot kind of up in the air because you don't know who's in your bullpen because of the 5th starter spot. I'm not really suprised by the attention."

The other competition is for the last roster spot and it is between Marcus Thames and Jaime Hoffman and neither is playing well. Hoffman is batting 130 and Thames is hitting 107 this spring. Girardi said they aren't in that big of a hurry to make that decision. The 5th starter should be decided by Friday. The Lohud Blog has audio of Joe Girardi speaking with the media.

A.J. Burnett will start tomorrow with Phil Hughes pitching in relief. Joba will start on Monday with Andy Pettitte pitching in a minor league game. Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 9:42 PM 0 comments Labels: A.J. Burnett, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, bullpen, competition, Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees, offense, Phil Hughes, pitched, recap, spring, starting pitching, topic

This Blog Linked From Here The Web This Blog Linked From Here The Web Wednesday, March 17, 2010 New York Mets defeat Boston Red Sox The New York Mets defeated the Boston Red Sox today by the score of 4-2. Mike Pelfrey got the start and pitched well. He went 4 innings giving up 1 run on 4 hits. Jenrry Mejia was outstanding again pitching a 1-2-3 inning. His spring era is now 1.08. Kiko Calero and Elmer Dessens each pitched a perfect inning. Dessens got the win, Tobi Stoner pitched 2 innings giving up 3 hits and 1 run. You have to love the name, he is a guy to root for just because of his name.

The offense was kept quiet for the first few innings by John Lackey. Fernando Martinez continued his hot spring with a 3 run homerun. Angel Pagan had 2 hits and a walk, Gary Matthews Jr. had a hit and Ruben Tejada had a hit. That was all for the Mets offense. Fernando Martinez has 3 homeruns and 10 rbi on the spring and is batting 538. Daniel Murphy had a sac fly.

The Mets will travel to Jupiter again tomorrow night to face the Florida Marlins. The game is at 7:05PM. Anderson Hernandez was claimed off of waivers by the Cleveland Indians according to Brian Costa of the Star Ledger.

MLB is set to announce tomorrow that the June 28-30 series that was to be played in Miami with the Mets and Marlins is now being moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Marlins will remain the home team. Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 10:03 PM 0 comments Labels: baseball, blog, Brian Costa, Florida Marlins, Jupiter, Miami, Mike Pelfrey, MLB, New York Mets, offense, pitched, Puerto Rico, Star Leger, travel

Joba steps up as Yanks fall down The New York Yankees lost to the Philadelphia Phillies today by the score of 6-2. The big story of the day though was the way Joba Chamberlain pitched. He looked really good today and has now not eliminated himself from the 5th starters competition. I am going to recap the pitchers and then the hitters and then have some notes.

Andy Pettitte made the start for the Yankees, it was his first start against live competition. He pitched 4 innings and gave up 2 runs on 5 hits with 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. I would say it was a pretty good outing for being his first time out with real competition. He was throwing simulated games because of the rainouts. Damaso Marte pitched in relief of Andy and just had a terrible day. He didn't record an out and gave up 4 hits and 3 runs. He left the game after getting hit in the back by a Ryan Howard line drive. He should be ok but he is going to be sore for a while after that. Joba Chamberlain finished the game off with 3 innings giving up 2 hits and 1 run. He walked a batter and had 3 strikeouts.

Francisco Cervelli who survived a scare after getting beaned in the head is tearing it up offensively. He had 3 hits today and is batting 582 in the spring. He has the second highest average on the team. Brett Gardner had 2 hits and Nick Johnson had a hit and rbi. Mark Teixeira, Marcus Thames and Randy Winn each had a hit.

• Andy Pettitte had this to say "I threw a lot of good stuff, a lot of good pitches. My location I thought was fairly good. The balls that they hit, were just balls that I just didn't quite finish on a couple of them."

• Damaso Marte said he is fine after getting hit by a line drive off of Ryan Howards bat. Joe Girardi asked him if he had Bud Seligs signature on his back and he said no just seams.

• Andy Pettitte threw 55 pitches, 36 of them were strikes and Joba threw 47 in the game and about another 15 in the bullpen afterwards.

• Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain are on the same schedule so Joe Girardi said that there is a good chance that Andy Pettitte will pitch in a minor league game in his next start so Joba can make another start

• Tomorrow night against the Rays none of the 5th starter candidates will pitch. Joe Girardi said we will see some of the relievers. Dave Robertson and Chan Ho Park are expected to pitch. Javier Vazquez will start the game.

Posted by Gary W. Marchese Jr. at 9:45 PM 0 comments Labels: Andy Pettitte, competition, concussion, Francisco Cervelli, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Girardi, New York Yankees, notes, offense, Philadelphia Phillies, Pitching, story, strikeouts