Game 41. No #250 for Andy as he leaves early. Yanks lose, 3-2.

Not only did Andy Pettitte not get his 250th career win tonight, he could not qualify for the win. He was pulled with neck and back trouble and took the loss after going just 4 2/3 in the Yanks 3-2 loss to Seattle.

Before the game, the Yanks optioned Brett Marshall back to SWB and brought up Dellin Betances. Here’s some info from mlb.com on the 6’8″ Betances, who may make it as a reliever, but to be frank, has been a disappointment.

Betances, 25, had been touted as one of the club’s brightest pitching prospects, ranked No. 19 by MLB.com, but the local product has experienced struggles with his control and recently moved to the bullpen full-time at Triple-A, where he was 3-2 with a 5.40 ERA in eight games (six starts).

Marshall gave up 5 R in 5 2/3 in his MLB debut but threw 108 pitches, hence the move.

In the 2nd, Andy gave up an RBI double, and the Yanks got it right back on a double by David Adams for his first career RBI.

Andy gave up a run in the fourth on a bases-loaded, 2-out infield single. He had to leave with the injury after 4 2/3. Hopefully a DL stint isn’t necessary, but after his last outing, it’s good to know that Nuno is available.

Not only that, C Chris Stewart left the game with an issue.

Calling Hawkeye and B.J. The M*A*S*H* unit is getting (can you believe it?) larger.

Pettitte, 4 2/3 (L, 4-3, 3.83), 2 R. 4 H, 3 walks and 5 K.

Shawn Kelley gave up a HR to Mike Morse (code) in the 6th. 3-1 Mariners.

Kelley 2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 walks and 5 K.  5.71.

Logan 1 1/3, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks and 1 K. 2.31.

Warren 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 walks and 0 K. 1.37.

The Yanks had their chances. They were 2 for 13 with RISP tonight.

I don’t know when the Yanks last successfully executed a squeeze play. In honor of one of the greatest bunters ever, Phil Rizzuto, I’ll pop open a bottle of champagne the next time they do so.

In the 5th, 1st and 3rd, one out and Gardner K’s, Nix pops up. One thing I’ve harped on FOR YEARS. Why no squeeze with Gardner up? He can beat OUT a bunt. Why no squeeze down 2-1?

They had 1st & 2nd, two out in the sixth and the rookie, Adams, bounced into a forceout.

They did cut it to 3-2 in the 7th (the final score) on a single by Ichiro, walk by Stewart and after two outs, a single by Cano.

They had Granderson on 2nd with one out in the 8th. Adams popped up and the slumping Ichiro struck out.

Gardner singled with one out in the 9th and stole 2nd and 3rd. With two out, Robbie bounced to SS to end the game.

Granderson had 3 hits tonight. Meanwhile, prospect Austin Romine has to start hitting. 1 for 17 so far in the majors this year.

Game 40. Hughes, Yanks, hammered, 12-2.

We hit the quarter pole with the Yanks at a surprising 25-15 considering all the injuries.

The bad news is the loss tonight, a 12-2 pasting by Seattle, and it was led by our old buddy, Raul Ibanez.

Phil Hughes is an enigma. When good, he can be very good. When bad, he can be horrendous. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Tonight he was very, very bad.

He only lasted 2/3 of an inning, giving up 7 R (a grand slam to Raul), 6 H, 2 walks and 0 K. He falls to 2-3, 5.88.

His first two starts this year were not good. That could be written off because he missed a lot of spring training due to a bulging disc in his back. He then rattled off four good outings in which his ERA in those outings was 1.93. Now two bad outings.

You don’t know what you’ll get. That is his problem. He must be more consistent. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The last pitcher I used that on was … A.J. Burnett. Hughes is like Burnett right now. You don’t know which one—good or bad—will show up.

From the LOHUD blog:

In his first two and his last two – the starts when he’s struggled — he’s had a combined ERA of 14.17 with seven strikeouts. In his middle four starts, he’s had a combined ERA of 1.93 with 30 strikeouts.

Preston Claiborne continued his impressive beginning of his MLB career with 2 1/3 scoreless innings. His ERA is still 0.00.

Brett Marshall then made his MLB debut, and unfortunately for him, it was a forgettable one. With the Yanks down by a bunch, he kind of “took one for the team.” He went 5 2/3, 5 R, 9 H, 5 walks and 1 K. He gave up 2 dingers.

The last out was recorded by SS Alberto Gonzalez, who faced one batter and got a flyout. He recorded just one less out than Hughes.

I hope Hughes was watching Monday when Phelps and Nuno did well. For if he continues the inconsistency, then he must know there are others ready to step in. I’ve defended Hughes, but there is no defense for tonight. He was awful. It’s the kind of performance that makes you wonder if he is disguising an injury. If not, there is no need to panic yet. But eight starts into the season, an ERA of 5.88 isn’t anywhere near good enough.

Before the game, David Adams was activated from AAA, and he played 3B, his first MLB game. Recently acquired 3B Chris Nelson was DFA’d. Adams went 1 for 4.

The Yanks got their runs from HR by Vernon Wells (10) and Chris Stewart (3).

It’s funny. Wells, who the Angels couldn’t wait to dump (salary) after two subpar years for them, has more HR combined than Pujols & Hamilton.

Games 37 & 38. Yanks split a DH behind great pitching.

If I told you that Yankees’ pitchers would give up just one run in a DH, you might think it’d be CC and Kuroda, or Pettitte or Hughes… with Mo and D-Rob in relief.

but would you have thought of Phelps, Nuno and Warren? Probably not.

It’s too bad that the great pitching effort led to just a split of a (rare) traditional DH today rather than a sweep.

Nowadays, you see more of the day/night DHs, two separate admissions, two gates, more $$$$. But with two postponements in April, and both the Yankees and Indians needing to put these two games behind them and get on to their next destinations, it was an old-time 2 for the price of 1 DH.

In game one, David Phelps made just one mistake, and it cost him the game as the Yanks lost 1-0. He gave up a HR to Jason Kipnis in the first inning. Unfortunately, the Yanks only got four hits and three of those were infield singles.

Phelps (L, 1-2, 4.33) 6 2/3, 1 r, 4 H, 5 walks and 7 K.

Logan 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks and 1 K. 2.61.

Claiborne 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 walks and 1 K. ERA still 0.00.

Corban Joseph made his MLB debut in this game.

Game 2: Vidal Nuno made his 1st MLB start (2nd MLB game) & got his 1st MLB win with five scoreless innings. He’s now pitched eight innings this year for the big club, ERA still 0.00. The Yanks won 7-0.

Nuno 1-0, 0.00   5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 3 walks and 3K.

Adam Warren finished up the last four innings for his first save. D-Rob and Mo had pitched in four of the previous five games, so for Nuno and Warren to team up on a shutout was huge for saving the bullpen (so was Phelps in a losing effort in game one).

Warren 4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 walks and 4 K. 1st MLB save, ERA 1.45.

In the first, Nix singled, and went to third on a Cano single and an error. Wells forceout made it 1-0 Yanks.

The Yanks got six in the seventh to break open a close game. Corban Joseph doubled for his first MLB hit. After Alberto Gonzalez popped up a bunt attempt, Austin Romine got his first MLB hit of the season to make it 2-0. Gardner walked and Nix singled to make it 3-0. After Cano struck out, Wells singled to make it 4-0. Overbay then doubled in two, 6-0. Ben Francisco reached on an error, Overbay scoring, for the final of 7-0.

The Yanks now are 24-14 on the season and come home to face Seattle.

The Yanks, between games, brought up Brett Marshall and sent down OF Brennan Boesch. It appears as if the Grandy Man is close to coming back.

The Minors today.

AAA: 7-6 loss for SWB. Emergency starter Kelvin Perez 5 R in 2 IP (scheduled starter Brett Marshall may be activated for the DH tomorrow. Him or infielder Corban Joseph). Mark Montgomery 3 scoreless, 4 K, ERA to 1.45. Curtis Granderson RF, 3 for 5.  Dave Adams 3b, 3-run HR. 1B Dan Johnson HR, 3 RBI. DH Thomas Neal 2 h, .343.

AA: Trenton got shut out 4-0. Jose Ramirez 6 Ip, 3 R, 2 ER, on only 2 H. 0 walks and 9 K. 1B Kyle Roller, 2 doubles, .306.

High A: Tampa off.

Low A: Charleston won 9-8. 1B Rey Nunez 2 H, HR, 4 RBI.

The minors today.

AAA: 3-1 win for SWB. Brett Marshall 6 IP, 1 R, 8 K.

AA: 5-1 win for Trenton. Jose Ramirez (keep an eye on him!) 4 Ip, 1 R, 3 H, 2 walks and 5 K. Josh Romanski with 3 scoreless IP, 0 H, 4 K. CF Heath Sladecott 2 H and 3 RBI. 2 RBI SS Ali Castillo.

High A: 4-2 loss for Tampa. Solo HR 1B Saxon Butler. 2 H, rbi for 2B Rob Refsnyder, now .391 at High A after .370 at Low A.

Low A: Charleston PPD.

The minors tonight.

AAA: The Yanks will be calling up Preston Claiborne to fill Joba’s place on the team while Joba is on the DL. Claiborne, a 25-yr.-old RHP, was 0-0, 3.48 for SWB so far this year with 3 saves. 10 K in 10 1/3. Last year for AA Trenton and AAA SWB, he was a combined 6-2, 2.96, 6 saves, 78 K in 82 IP.

Luckily nothing was wrong with Mustelier, he just went right to AAA. It was strange how they did it though. Started for A+ last night, pulled after one inning and no at bats. You think he’d have played longer and at least received one AB before switching.

SWB won 4-1 tonight. Brett Marshall 7 scoreless IP. Mustelier 3B, 0 for 3 with a walk in his first game (full game, that is) after coming off the DL. RF Addison Maruszak double and 2 RBI. 2 H, triple, and an RBI for CF Melky Mesa.

AA: 2-1 win for Trenton. Nik Turley 6 IP, 1 R, 2 H and 8 K. LF Ramon Flores 2 H, double, RBI. 2 doubles, RBI for C Nick McCoy.

High A: Tampa lost 8-0, getting just five hits and striking out 11x. Corey Black went 5, 3 R and 11 K.

Low A: Charleston got shut out 6-0. Dan Camarena 6 R, 4 ER in 4 IP. C Pete O’Brien and DH Rey Nunez 2 hits each.

 

Just a note. You are free to comment, but I do delete all spam. Keep it intelligent and keep it (for kid’s sake) CLEAN.

The minors today.

AAA: Austin Romine was called up from SWB to replace Cervelli on the Yanks’ roster when Cervelli broke his hand tonight. He went 0 for 1 in this game before getting the notification to report to NY ASAP. Romine was 14 for 42, .333-1-4 for SWB. The HR was his only XBH.

SWB lost 3-2. Brett Marshall 2 R, 1 ER in 5 1/3. 5 walks, 7 K. SS Addison Maruszak with 2 H, RBI.

AA: Trenton won 6-3. Nik Turley 3 R in 5 IP. Jose Ramirez 4 IP of scoreless relief with 6 K. This was his first outing of the season. C J.R. Murphy 3 h, 2 doubles, RBI (.323). 1B Kyle Roller 2 RBI (.337). 3B Casey Stevenson 2 H, RBI (.289).

High A: Tampa lost 9-4. Some news: CF Mason Williams was hit with a DUI. He was under the limit, (.06, the limit .08) but failed a field sobriety test. 2B Rob Refsnyder HR, 2 RBI (.344).

Low A: Charleston 5-1 winners. 3B Dante Bichette Jr., 2 H, 2 RBI.

The Minors Today: Wang back in pinstripes.

AAA: Chien Ming Wang is back in Pinstripes, even if it is only AAA. SWB had a DH.

In the reg. sched. game (7 inn. In AAA, DHs are 7 innings each), Wang went 5 1/3 scoreless, and SWB won 5-3. 2B Corban Joseph 2 h, solo HR. 2 H, HR, 2 RBI for C Bobby Wilson.

In the other game, SWB lost 4-3. Brett Marshall 4 R in 5 IP. 2B Joseph had 2 H and an HR in this game also.

AA: Trenton won 3-1. Nik Turley 1 R in 5 2/3. 2 H, CF Ramon Flores (RBI). 2 for RF Tyler Austin. 3 for 1B Kyle Roller (RBI) & a solo HR for LF Casey Stevenson.  2 H for DH Neil Medchill.

High A: 6-4 Tampa win. Bryan Mitchell 5 IP, 1 R. 2B Rob Refsnyder 2 h, 2 RBI. SS Jose Toussen 3 h. 2 RBI LF Ben Gamel.

Low A: Charleston lost 10-9. 2 H, HR, 2 RBI LF Kelvin De Leon.

The minors today.

AAA: SWB split a DH. Both 7-inning games.

Gm 1: 6-1 loss. Dellin Betances was awful, 6 R in 2/3 IP.

Gm 2: 12-5 win. Brett Marshall 5 R in 4 1/3, but Cody Eppley 2 2/3 scoreless. LF Zoilo Almonte 3 for 3, 2 RBI. C Bobby Wilson 4 RBI. 2 H, 2 RBI RF Thomas Neal.

AA: Trenton won a 15-1 laugher. Caleb Cotham 1 R in 4 IP. Shaeffer Hall (1), Kelvin Perez (2) and Josh Romanski (2) with five scoreless innings of relief. CF Ramon Flores 2 for 2, 4 RBI. RF Tyler Austin 3 H, 5 RBI. C J.R. Murphy 3 H, 4 RBI. Six players with 2 or more hits.

High A:    Tampa lost 3-1. Scottie Allen 3 R in 6 IP. DH Francisco Arcia 2 hits.

Low A: Charleston’s game was suspended, tied 7-7 after 13. 2B Rob Refsnyder 3 H, 2 RBI.

The minors today.

AAA: SWB dropped to 0-4 on the season, losing 6-2. Brett Marshall gave up 5 R in 3 2/3. The RailRiders managed just 4 hits. Dan Johnson, who had an awful spring for the Yanks, is just 1 for 17 so far.

AA: Trenton is now 2-1 after a 9-7 win today. Francisco Rondon 3 R in 5 IP. 3B Rob Segedin 3 H, 3 RBI. CF Ramon Flores 2 H, 2 RBI. Each of the first six hitters in the lineup got at least 2 hits.

High A: Tampa dropped to 2-2 with a 3-1 loss. Mikey O’Brien 3 R in 4 2/3, John Brebbia 3 1/3 scoreless IP. HR for C Francisco Arcia. 2 H for CF Mason “Classical Gas” Williams.

Low A: Charleston won by shutout, 5-0. Gabe Encinas (6), Brett Gerritse (1) and Taylor Garrison (2) combined on a 3-hitter. 2B Robert Refsnyder and 1B  Greg Bird each had 3 H, Bird had a HR and 2 RBI and 3B Dante Bichette Jr. had a HR and 2 RBI. DH Kelvin DeLeon had a solo HR.