Game 128. One strike away from victory, the Yanks blow it. Lose 8-7 in 11.

Earlier today, the Yanks acquired Steve Pearce from Houston and DFA’d Brandon Laird. Pearce will join the team tomorrow (Tuesday). No corresponding move on the major league team yet.

Laird was hitting .254-15-77 for AAA SWB (Empire State). He’ll be 25 on 9/11.

The move was made to get another righty bat on the team. The Yanks expect to face several lefties over the next few weeks. Pearce, 29, started the season with SWB after having been released by the Twins 3/27. The Yanks signed him 3/29. He hit .318-11-30 for SWB in 53 games, then the Orioles purchased him on 6/2. With Baltimore, he hit .254-3-14 in 28 games (OPS+ 104). Houston selected him off waivers on 7/28 and he hit .254-0-8 in 21 games for them (OPS+ 91). For the season so far, .254-3-22, OPS+ 98. He can play 1B, the OF corners, and has also played 3B. His career stats are .237-12-74 in 599 AB, OPS+ 83. He is only a .215 hitter (OPS .599) vs. righties, but is .277, OPS .831 vs. lefties.

Now to tonight’s game.

Robbie Cano hit two homers, and became the all-time leading Yankee homer-hitting second baseman in the process. Nick Swisher added a HR and David Phelps was decent in the Yankees’ 8-7 11-inning loss.

One strike away from victory, Rafael Soriano gave up a single, then a 3-run HR to blow the lead. Although Derek Jeter tied the game with a HR in the bottom of the 9th, an error by Derek Lowe doomed the Yanks in the 11th.

In the first, Cano’s 26th HR of the year put the Yanks up 1-0. His 170th career HR enabled him to pass Tony Lazzeri on the Yankees’ list.

After Phelps gave up a game-tying HR to Lind in the second, Cano hit #27 in the fourth to put the Yanks up 2-1. Teixeira walked, then Chavez and Martin singled to put the Yanks up 3-1. Martin’s single off pitcher Alvarez’ leg literally knocked the pitcher from the game.

But it also knocked Teix from the game with a calf strain in scoring that run. He’s going for an MRI.

Ibanez grounded into a force out, and the Yanks were up 4-1.

Phelps gave two back in the fifth on a two-run HR by Torrealba.

Swisher hit #20 in the bottom of the fifth, a two-run shot, to put the Yanks up 6-3.

The Blue Jays got a run in the seventh to make it 6-4.

Phelps 6 1/3, 4 R, 5 H, 1 walk and 7 K. ERA to 2.96.

Eppley 2/3, 0 R, 1 H, 0 walks and 1 K. 3.34.

David Robertson became the father of a baby boy earlier today. He pitched the 8th.

1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 walks and 1 K. 2.23.

So the Yanks turned it over to Soriano for the 9th. A K, single and pop-up, and Soriano was one out away from wrapping up the game. Then he was one strike away…but he gave up a single. Then he gave up a 3-run HR to Colby Rasmus to put Toronto up 7-6.

Soriano 1 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 0 walks and 2 K. ERA jumps to 2.05.

But the game wasn’t over yet… for Jeter HR’d (#14) leading off the bottom of the 9th to tie the game. Hit #3262 of Jeter’s career was career HR #254.

Rapada for the 10th. One batter, got a K. 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks, 1 K. 2.94.

Lowe then came in. He got out of the 10th but blew it in the 11th. He gave up a leadoff single, then threw over to first several times trying to pick off the runner. One of the throws got away, and PR McCoy went all the way to third. He scored on a dribbler.

The Yanks didn’t score in the bottom of the 11th, and lost 8-7.

Lowe 1 2/3 IP, 1 R, unearned. 1 H, 0 walks and 1 K. He falls to 8-11, 5.27.

One strike away from a win, and instead a very disappointing loss. The Orioles picked up a game with their win, while TB lost.

A tough loss to take.

Eric Chavez had three hits.

UPDATE:

Jack Curry‏@JackCurryYES

Girardi said Teixeira is unlikely to play in at least the next 5 games.

UPDATE 2:

Sweeny Murti‏@YankeesWFAN

Teixeira said MRI revealed Grade 1 strain, left calf. Thinks he could be out anywhere from 1-2 weeks. Of course, it could be more too.

The Minors Today. SWB close to clinching; Mark Montgomery news.

AAA: SWB reduced its magic # to 1 with a 6-2 win over Lehigh Valley, just a few miles from my home. Justin Thomas 2 R, 3 H in 7 IP (2-1, 3.45). Cory Wade two scoreless IP for the save. 2 RBI each for DH Brandon Laird, CF Melky Mesa, and 1B Kosuke Fukodome.

AA: Trenton won 3-2. Brett Marshall 2 R in 6 IP, 9 K (ND, 3.23). RHP Mark Montgomery 2 scoreless, 3 K for the win (3-1, 2.14 at AA, was 4-1, 1.34 high A. He’ll be 22 this week, and his totals this year are 7-2, 1.61, 15 saves, 95K in 61 1/3 IP). CF Adonis Garcia 3 h, double, HR, 2 RBI. Solo HR 3B Rob Segedin.

High A: No game scheduled.

Low A: 5-4 Charleston win. 3B Dante Bichette, Jr. 2 for 2, 3 walks, 2 RBI. (.240, 43 RBI). LF Eduardo Sosa solo HR. SS Cito Culver 2 for 2, 3 walks. 2 h, double, rbi CF Ben Gamel (.299).

 

The minors today.

AAA: SWB (Empire State) moved closer to clinching its division with a 4-2 win today. 2 scoreless IP and the save for Cory Wade. Justin Thomas 5 1/3, 2 R, 1 ER. SS Eduardo Nunez 3 h, .240. Brandon Laird, 1b, 2 RBI. 2 hits for CF Chris Dickerson.

AA: Trenton got shut out 5-0. Brett Marshall 4 R in 6 IP (13-6, 3.24).

High A: Tampa ppd.

Low A: Charleston won 5-4. Scottie Allen 4 2/3 scoreless, 5 K. 2 H, HR, 3 RBI Cody Grice, RF. Solo HR 1B Saxon Butler.

Yesterday in the minors.

AAA: SWB’s magic # to clinch its division is 9 after a 7-5 win. Ramon Ortiz 3 R, 2 ER in 7 IP (12-5, 3.13). 2 h, HR, 2 RBI 1B Brandon Laird (.255-15-71). 3 H, 2 RBI SS Eduardo Nunez (.222). 3 H, solo HR CF Melky Mesa.

AA: Trenton lost 6-2. Shaeffer Hall just 1 R in 6 2/3 (3.46) but the bullpen imploded. Solo HR SS Addison Maruszak (.274-14-50) but he made two errors. 2 h, rbi CF Adonis Garcia.

High A: No game for Tampa. Tampa is in first place for the second half of the season, 31-23, and have a game and a half lead.

Low A: 9-2 loss for Charleston. Corey Black 5 R in 3 IP. 2 hits, CF Ben Gamel (.298).

The minors today.

AAA: SWB won 5-1. Kelvin Perez got the win in his first game since being promoted from AA. The 26 yr. old Righty reliever was 6-1, 1.14 at AA. He pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings today for the win. He must be one skinny dude. He’s listed at 6’1″, 140. LF Ronnier Mustelier HR, 2 RBI (.292-9-44 at AAA, combined AA/AAA (.308-14-64). SS Eduardo Nunez double, rbi. 3B Brandon Laird 2 hits, solo HR (.253-14-68).

AA: Trenton lost 5-4. Brett Marshall (12-5, 2.91) 4 R in 6 ip. RF Adonis Garcia 2 h, rbi. 3B Kevin Mahoney 3 hits. DH Zoilo Almonte 2 hits.

High A: 6-2 loss. 2 hits for 1B Tyler Austin (he usually plays RF).

Low A: Charleston was supposed to have a DH. Game 2 was cancelled. Game 1 ended early due to to same weather that suspended today’s PGA golf. Charleston lost Game 1 2-0, game called after 5+.  2B Ali Castillo 3 for 3.

One thing I notice. 39 year old ex-MLB Ramon Ortiz is NOT on the 40 man roster. He is 10-5, 3.25 for AAA SWB, and quite frankly, I’d rather him be on the 40-man and be given a shot than Derek Lowe.

The minors today. Banuelos shut down.

The Yanks have shut down 21 year old LHP Manny Banuelos for the rest of the season. Banuelos has been on the DL since Mid-May with an elbow problem that should not require surgery. The Yanks are hoping he can pitch in winter ball and then be ok in spring training. It’s been a wasted year for Banuelos, 0-2, 4.50 in 24 IP. Expect him to be at AAA in 2013 and to be “babied” a bit to protect that elbow.

AAA: 9-2 win for SWB (Empire State). Chase Whitley 4 scoreless innings of relief for the win (8-5, 4.02). 1B Brandon Laird 3 hits, HR, 4 RBI (.252-13-67). Ramiro Pena accepted reassignment to SWB. 3 hits tonight. (2B). SS Eduardo Nunez 2 hits, 2 RBI.

AA: Trenton off. 69-45, 1st place by 7 in Eastern League’s Eastern Division.

High A: Tampa off. 26-18, 1st by 1 1/2 in the Florida State League’s North Division. They were 30-37, 12 back, 4th place, in the first half of the season. (Split season).

Low A:  Extra innings for Charleston as they win 4-3 in 14 innings. Matt Bashore 5 scoreless IP, 4.11. LF Eduardo Sosa 4 hits (.281), CF Ben Gamel 2 h, 3 RBI (.304).

The minors Friday.

Joba will be pitching for AA Trenton Sunday. After that… he could be back in a week.

AAA: SWB (Empire State) won 6-4. 3B Brandon Laird 2 H, 3 RBI, 2 HR.  .252-12-61.  SS Eduardo Nunez 1 for 4. Adam Warren 3 R in 6ip. 6-6, 3.69.

AA: 7-4 loss for Trenton. Dellin Betances 7 IP of relief. 4 R, 1 ER. 3B Addison Maruszak 3 H, rbi.

High A: Tampa lost 5-4. Jeremy Bleich 3 R, 1 Er, in 2 IP. C Austin Romine 3 for 5. RF Tyler Austin  2 h, Rbi.

Low A: 4-1 loss for Charleston. Matt Bashore 1-3, 4.50.

Monday’s minors.

Regarding the majors, if I didn’t mention it already, DeWayne Wise was DFA’d to make room for Ichiro. A tough break for Wise, who played well, but it’s not like he was DFA’d for a nobody.

AAA: SWB lost 10-6. Mike O’Connor 6 r, 5 er in 3 1/3 (2-4, 3.90). Recently promoted Preston Claiborne 3 R in 2 2/3 (9.00). Juan Cedeno (2.58) 1 R in 2 IP. CF Chris Dickerson 2 H, Hr, 2 RBI. 1B Brandon Laird HR, 2 RBI (.249-10-57). 2B Corban Joseph (.275) 2 h, rbi.

AA: Trenton lost 7-4 in 11. Vidal Nuno 3 R in 5 IP (1.84). LF Jose Pirela 3 hits, HR would have given him cycle. .333. Dave Adams (.318) solo HR. RF Neil Medchill solo HR (.254-4-8 since callup).

High A: Tampa swept a DH.

Game 1: 3-1. Matt Tracy 1 R in 7 IP (5-2, 2.22). SS Eduardo Nunez 1 for 3.

Game 2: 7-0 win. Nik Turley 7 IP, 2 H, 9 K. (6-3, 2.69). Nunez didn’t play in this one. RF Adonis Garcia 2 h, 2 RBI.

Low A: 8-2 loss for Charleston. Brett Gerritse 3 R in 6 IP (3-5, 3.88).

Austin Romine (.190) 0 for 2 in GCL rehab action.

The minors today.

AAA: 13-8 win for SWB (Empire State). 3B Kevin Russo 4 hits, rbi (.306). 1B Brandon Laird 3 H, HR, 4 RBI (.249-9-55). RF Cole Garner 2 h, HR, 4 RBI (.274-5-21). 2B Corban Joseph 2 h, 2 RBI (.266). 39 yr. old Ramon Ortiz 6 R, 1 ER in 5 IP (8-3, 2.80). Cory Wade 2 IP, 2 R, both unearned. Danny Farquhar 2 scoreless innings. SWB entered the game in first place (by 1/2 over Pawtucket and by 1 over Lehigh Valley) in the IL North.

AA: Trenton lost 7-1. Mikey O’Brien 6 R in 6 IP (4-3, 4.52). RF Zoilo Almonte (.273) and CF Melky Mesa (.274) 2 hits each.

High A: Tampa 5-3 loss. 2 hits CF Mason Williams, HR by DH Slade Heathcott. HR 3B Zach Wilson.

Low A: Charleston won 8-5. DH Dante Bichette, Jr. 3 H, 2 RBI. 2 h, 3 rbi for 3B Casey Stephenson.

GCL: SS Eduardo Nunez 1 for 3 in his rehab. DH Austin Romine 0 for 4.

 

Friday’s minors. Joba.

Sorry for the late recap. Long night, lots of errands today.

AAA: 11-3 rain-shortened win for SWB (Empire St.). 5 1/2 innings. John Maine 3 R in 5 IP (4-3, 6.15). 3B Kevin Russo (.399) 2 H, 3 RBI. 1B Brandon Laird  3 h, 2 RBI (.244). Cole Garner (RF, .269) and Ramiro Pena (2b, .252) two rbi each. Pena was the subject of a trade rumor earlier in the week.

AA: Trenton lost 8-3. Brett Marshall 2 R in 7 IP (10-4, 2.97). Graham Stoneburner gave up 6 in the 8th. LF Jose Pirela (.324) and CF Melky Mesa (.271) with 2 h.

High A: Tampa lost 3-2. Joba took the loss, starting and pitching two innings. He gave up 2 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 walk, 1 K, gave up a HR. Slade Heathcott, DH, 3 H, 2 doubles, rbi.

Low A: 5-3 loss for Charleston. Scottie Allen 4 R, 1 ER, 9 K in 5 IP (3-6, 4.59). Charleston pitchers had 14 K in the loss.

GCL: SS Eduardo Nunez 0 for 3. C Austin Romine 1 for 1, 2 walks.