S.T. Game 30. Yanks walk-off with 7-6, 10 inning win.

Ronnier Mustelier, fighting for a place on the team, hit a walkoff HR leading off the bottom of the 10th as the Yanks won 7-6 over the Rays to increase their S.T. record to 12-18. Mustelier may have trouble sticking despite a good spring because apparently the Yanks are making a deal for Vernon Wells from the Angels (see the next post).

Long-time readers of this blog know I wanted Mustelier up last year and wanted Andruw Jones cut. Jones hit .197-14-34, OPS+ 88 and his D (10 GG) diminished. Mustelier’s D is a “?” but he did hit .314-15-69 in 114 games between AA and AAA.

Kevin Youkilis hit two two-run HRs in the game, but also made an error that led to four unearned runs. Travis Hafner, having a rough spring, also homered.

Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 3 with an RBI triple.

Adam Warren started, went 3 2/3, 5 R, 1 ER, 6 hits, 2 walks, 2 K. Vidal Nuno 1/3, 0 R, 2 H a walk, no K (the out was on Cervelli catching a runner trying to steal. Cervelli nabbed two runners today).

Eppley, Mo, Joba and Logan combined for four shutout innings (one each) before Aardsma allowed the Rays to tie it in the top of the 9th (1 IP, 1 R).

Josh Spence (1/3) and Preston Claiborne (2/3, W) combined for a scoreless tenth before Musty’s walkoff.

John Sterling is a bit over-the-top, but his HR call of Play Musty For Me is a good one.

Yuniesky Betancourt has been released by the Phils. You wonder, given Jeter’s problems, if the Yanks may take a flyer. More on Wells and Betancourt in the next post.

 

Can Yanks dump Alex? Yanks looking at Hafner

Joel Sherman today reported that the Yanks’ brass (and some of his teammates) have had it with A-Rod. As I stated yesterday, if A-Rod did dope it up AFTER his mea culpa in the spring of 2009, then he is a bigger dumb-ass than we thought.

He is too big of a distraction. Not only this, but the hitting on a model in the middle of a playoff game… the Yanks are looking for ANY reason they can find to void the $114 MM and 5 years left on his deal. They’ve had enough.

I can say that if he’s gone, good riddance. Especially if it helps them get under the cap.

Meanwhile, the Yanks are supposedly interested in Travis “Pronk” Hafner of the Indians to fill the DH role. Hafner will be 36 next June. He hit .228-12-34 OPS+ 121 in 2012 in 66 games. His lefty bat plays well in Yankee Stadium, but Hafner has not played the field since 2007. Since 2007, Hafner has averaged just 86 games a season, .259-12-43, OPS+ 117. His 162 g. ave for his career is .278-30-102, OPS+ 137 (great) but he never plays. I mean, 86 g. a year since 2007?

Hafner did finish 5th & 8th in MVP voting in 2005 & 2006 but that seems so long ago.

Hafner has been compared to Fred Flintstone in the way he looks and runs. I wonder, should he join the Yankees, if John Sterling’s HR call will be “Yabba Dabba Doo!”.

S.T. Game 2: Yanks 7, Phils 4

A-Rod went 3 for 3 today as the Yanks beat the Phils again, 7-4. One of the hits was a HR off Roy Halladay in the first inning.

Freddy Garcia went 2, and Garcia, a notoriously poor spring training pitcher, gave up a first-inning HR to Hunter Pence (who torched the Yanks and Nova yesterday) for 2 runs. Garcia’s line: 2 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 0 walks and 2 K.

D.J. Mitchell came in and had a 1-2-3 third, then got out of trouble in the 4th. Mitchell, 25 in May, was 13-9, 3.18 for AAA in 2011. Meanwhile, a bases-loaded walk to Cervelli in the third tied the game. Mitchell’s line: 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 walk and 0 K.

Sloppy fielding led to a couple of Yankee runs in the fourth. With one out, an E5, then with two out, an E4 led to a run, and then A-Rod doubled in another to put the Yanks up 4-2.

Boone Logan pitched a scoreless fifth, giving up 1 hit, and striking out two.

In the sixth, Cory Wade got two outs, then ran into tough luck. It was a windy day again, and Colin Curtis dropped a fly ball. It was ruled a double, but radio reports indicated that the scoring could have been an E-7 instead. The next hitter hit one past Jose Gil for a double to make it 4-3. Gil is normally a catcher. You have to wonder if in a regular season game, Gardner and Teixeira make those kinds of plays. Wade: 1 IP, 1 R, 2 questionable hits, 0 walks and a K.

Clay Rapada, trying to make the team as a LOOGY (and 2nd lefty in the bullpen) had a good 7th, 1-2-3 with 2 K. The spot he is competing for may not be there long—until Joba comes back. At that time, there may be just the one lefty (Logan) again. But you never know. Injuries…

The Yanks got three in the 7th. Another Philly error helped (they made four in the game). After that two-base error, Gil doubled in a run, and J.R. Murphy singled in another. The hot Zoilo Almonte got another hit, and Jayson Nix got an RBI single.

At this point, John and Suzyn on the radio got sloppy. They mentioned seeing Kevin Whelan last spring. Whelan did pitch 1 2/3 innings for the Yanks last year, walking five. Whelan, 28, isn’t a prospect anymore. He did save 23 for SWB last year, but had those control problems in his brief time up with the Yanks. Whelan is likely to go back to AAA, and could be a midseason callup. Time is running out on him, though. He gave up a double, then a couple groundouts got the run in. 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 walks, 1 K.

Then, in speaking about SWB and the fact that they have no home this year, John wondered where they’d be based. Uh, nowhere, John. PNC park is being worked on, and AAA SWB will be playing its home games spread out throughout the International League. Cue Clarence “Frogman” Henry. Ain’t Got No Home… They will have no base in 2012. The SWB Yankees will be nomadic.

Chase Whitley pitched the 9th. Whitley, 22, was 3-5, 2.47, with 7 saves combined between A+ Tampa and AA Trenton last year. He’ll probably be starting the year at AA Trenton. Single, forceout (7-4 after the windblown popup), single, groundout, and a K. 1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 walks and a K.

Game 123. Yanks add a lefty to the bullpen. Martin’s 2 HR back Hughes gem, 8-1 Yanks.

Freddy Garcia was put on the DL. He will start (rehab, cut finger) Monday for SWB. This puts him in line for one of the two DH starts on 8/27 in Baltimore.

The Yanks picked up Aaron Laffey from Seattle. Laffey is a lefty who’ll join Boone Logan as the two lefties in the bullpen. He was 1-1, 4.01 ERA+96 for the Mariners this year. His career record is 19-22, 4.36, ERA+ 96. C Gus Molina was DFA’d.

Andruw Jones credits his recent resurgence to advice from Mom regarding his stance. Guess Mom does know best.

The earliest A-Rod will be activated is Sunday.

Tonight’s lineup:

Gardner 7   .281-5-31  36sb/47 att  ops+ 104
Jeter 6 .291-4-46  13/18  96    3047 hits, since off the DL, hitting .344 
Granderson 8 .281-34-95  22/32  154   leads mlb in r, rbi, AL in triples
Teixeira 3  .249-33-91  3/4  126
Cano 4  .305-21-86  8/9  132
Swisher 9  .269-15-67  2/4   120
Chavez 5  .276-1-15  0/0  96
Posada DH  .237-10-37  0/2  88
Martin 2   .226-13-49  8/9  86

Hughes 1  (3-4, 6.55, ERA+ 65)

Trevor Plouffe HRs for the Twins in the first. 1-0 Twins.

Martin ties it in the third with #14. In the fourth, the Yanks take the lead on doubles by Teixeira and Cano. 2-1 Yanks after 3 1/2.

The Yankees add two in the fifth. Martin singles but is forced at second by Gardner. Jeter singles (3048, five behind Carew) Gardner to third. Granderson doubles in a run and Teix gets a SF. 4-1.

In the sixth, Martin gets #15 after a Posada single. It’s his third hit of the game and second HR. 6-1 Yanks.

It’s bad enough that Sterling sings “The Grandy Man” after a Granderson HR (embarrassing). But what the heck is he saying in French after Martin HRs? Embarrassing. The Yanks can’t do better than him for a play-by-play radio guy?

After six, Hughes has been fabulous. 1 hit (the HR) and 1 walk is all he has given up.

Hughes goes 7 2/3, and what a gem. 7 2/3, 1 R, 2 H, 3 walks, 2 K. ERA to 5.75. Hey, after three games it was 13.94.  He evens his record at 4-4.

Logan got the last out in the eighth.

Jeter gets #3049, an infield single, in the 9th. Granderson walks and Teix doubles in two. 8-1.

Ayala to finish it up. Logan’s one batter and out dropped his ERA to 2.84.

Ayala gets a 1-2-3 with a K. ERA to 1.36.

Game 118. Day of redemption for Hughes, Posada. Jorge GS, 6 RBI in Yanks’ 9-2 win.

Huge start for Hughes, who, it appears will be bumped from the rotation. It’s AJ and Hughes for the #5 spot, and Hughes has the bullpen experience AJ doesn’t have.

Yanks 71-46, 2 back of Boston for the division, 7 up for the WC spot.
4 gms. worse than the Pythagorean record. OPS+ 110, ERA+ 119

Posada gets a game.

Gardner LF .280-5-28  36sb/47att  OPS+ 105
Jeter SS .276-4-41  12/16  89    3034 hits
Granderson CF .273-32-93  22/32  148     40/30?
Teixeira 1B .247-32-86  3/4  124
Cano 2B .302-20-81  8/9  131
Swisher RF .269-14-64  2/4  119
Chavez 3B .295-1-14  0/0  109
Posada DH .230-9-31  0/2  83
Martin C .225-12-46  8/9  87

Hughes P 2-4, 7.11   ERA+ 59

Interesting stuff in the Post today. First off, Sherman’s column on Mo and how the Core Four is proving more mortal. Pettitte is retired, Jeter is in the .270′s, OPS+ in the high 80s as opposed to .314, OPS+ 115, Posada has been benched (playing today, but see his numbers above) and now Mo has had three consecutive lousy outings. He’s still 1-2, 2.40 with 30 saves.

At 41, people look for any excuse to write Mo off. I’ve had discussions here and on other blogs regarding this. It seems like people have been wanting to write Mo off for some six years or so now. Yes, I know Mo gave up HRs in two consecutive games, almost three (double off the monster). I also know the fact that he turns 42 on November 29 and is mortal. I also know that in the last four years lefties’ B.A. against him has gone up in each of those years. the cutter may not be cutting in as much. One day age will catch up to him.

I also know that Mo’s history shows blips between say August 4 and August 23. It is like Superman for 20 days meets kryptonite. Each time Mo snaps out of it.

Am I one to throw him under the bus already? No. For me, Mo has to show over a more extended period of time that he has lost it. The people throwing him under a bus now probably conveniently forget that before these last three outings, that from June 1st to August 5th of this year, Mo had an ERA of 1.29. You knew that 1.29 wasn’t going to last all year. He was due for a blip.

Now if Mo is like this for 3-4 more weeks, and continues to be shaky not for one bad week, but for four consecutive weeks, every time out, then I’ll worry. But not now. Not after ONE bad week.

The standards Mo has applied to himself and has set are sometimes ridiculously high. Someone else, three bad outings in a row, you wait it out and see how he is over a month. Mo? People write him off after one bad week. Shouldn’t Mo get the same benefit of a doubt? Mo’s ERA is 2.40, not far off his career average of 2.24. Maybe he’s not the Mo who averaged a 1.86 ERA from 2003-2010, but he isn’t bad. Maybe he turns into a Dave Righetti ca. 1987-1990 type, when “Rags” averaged 4-4, 3.40 and 29 saves a year. Those numbers by Righetti weren’t bad numbers. A lot of teams would kill for those numbers out of their closer, especially one in his early 40′s. But they aren’t Rivera numbers, and if Mo puts up those numbers, people want to throw Mo under a bus and say he’s done.

Like I said, let’s see what Mo does over the next month before we throw him under the bus. He’s earned that. Not after three bad outings.

More news: Cashman defends A.J. Sorry Cash, you are the only one. Saying the fans’ reaction is emotional bull**** that doesn’t accurately reflect reality? He’s 8-9. Take away Hughes, and he’s the only starter (CC, Nova, Colon, Garcia and AJ) with a 1) losing record and 2) an ERA over 4.00. When Cash defends AJ it’s like Tom the consigliore defending the Godfather…  there’s no good reason to defend him other than…

I don’t know about today’s game. It’s some 40 minutes before gametime and the sky is getting dark…. in fact, it’s now raining here.

McCarver. Ugh. Ok, Tim, you state the Yanks come playoff time will have a problem with DH against lefties. Um… Chavez? I understand the concern about Posada (.230-9-31, OPS+83) but um, A-Rod will be back in a week to 10 days, and Chavez (.295-1-14 in 78 ab) can DH. If Chavez can maintain his 109 OPS+, then what is the problem? McCarver. Ugh.

Jeter (honored for 3000 pre-game) makes an error in the first. A DP (6-4-3) gets him off the hook. Gardner gets picked off in the bottom of the 1st.

It looks like A-Rod will DH again today. He wants another DH day before going back to 3B.

With two out in the 2nd, the Rays put two on, but Hughes gets out of it. A single and two walks load the bases for the Yanks with no out in the 2nd for Chavez. Chavez pops up. Posada gets a nice hand. Sterling & Waldman state about how much the Yanks want him to succeed. True. But they don’t say the other truth. That the fans are also saying goodbye. Jorge comes through with a two-run single. 2-0 Yanks after two.

Hughes making his case. Three scoreless.

Jeter gets hit 3035 and the Yanks get two on, two out in the bottom of the 3rd. Swisher strikes out. 2-0 after three.

In the fourth, Posada gets his second hit and a hit by Gardner puts men on 1st and 2nd, two out. But Sterling and Waldman are brown-nosing Posada so badly on the radio it’s embarrassing. Jeter lines out. Still 2-0 after four.

Well, at least Torre isn’t there to abuse him…. the Yanks sign Scott Proctor to a minor league deal. Ugh. Proctor was 2-3, 6.44 for the Braves this year.

Lightning and thunder were I’m at. Not so NY, but there later?

Granderson ties Bautista for the MLB lead with HR #33 in the fifth to make it 3-0. Can he wrest the MVP away from Adrian Gonzalez?

And… if this is Jorge Posada’s swan song, he’s having one great last day. After Granderson’s HR,  and Teix’s flyout, Cano doubles and Swisher and Chavez walk. Jorge breaks the game open with HR #10 (271 of his career). It’s a 6-rbi day (so far, we’re only in the fifth) and it puts the Yanks up 7-0. 7-0, end of five. For Posada and Hughes, a day of redemption.

Some trouble for Hughes in the 6th. HR, triple, K, RBI groundout make it 7-2.  Nevertheless, this has been a good outing for Hughes, and Girardi’s decision gets tougher. The Yanks come back. Granderson singles, Teix doubles him in. A groundout, walk and forceout By Chavez bring in Teix. 9-2 after six.

Hughes is done. 6 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 walk and 6 K. He makes Girardi’s decision tougher as to who #5 will be, him or AJ. It should be Hughes based on recent performance, but as I stated, Hughes has bp experience, AJ doesn’t.  Hughes ERA goes to 6.55 as he went to 3-4.

Wade in for the 7th. He has a 1-2-3.

Jeter gets hit 3036 in the 7th. He’s now chasing Carew 3053, Henderson 3055 & Biggio 3060. Still 9-2 after seven.

Wade also pitched the 8th. 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 walks, 1K. ERA 2.31.

Noesi a scoreless 9th. 1-2-3 with a K. 3.96 for his ERA.

Yanks win 9-2 to go to 72-46.

Mo wants two, and a raise

LoHud reports:

Jeff Passon from Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Rivera is looking for a two-year deal worth roughly $18 million per year. The Yankees, Passan says, want to offer one year.

Whoa. $18MM per for a closer who will be 41 and 42? No one loves Mo more than I do, but a raise from $15MM per to $18MM per for someone who’ll be 41 next week? Whoa.

Hmmm, will negotiations with Lee go smoother than those with Jeter and Rivera?    

MLBTR reports that the Yanks signed Neal Cotts. 

Cotts, a 30-year-old left-hander, has pitched parts of seven seasons in the majors, but he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2009 and didn’t pitch in 2010 because of hip surgery.  

Well, they ARE looking for another lefty reliever. Cotts is 10-12, 4.63 in his MLB career. White Sox 2003-2006, Cubs 2007-2009. He had one superb year, winning a WS ring with the Chisox in 2005 when he went 4-0, 1.94. He’s a project. Who knows how he’ll bounce back? After his recent problems, I wonder if it was a minor league deal. Probably was. Even if not, he’d be less than $1MM per.

A few things:

Check out the Radbourn awards (named after 1880′s stud Hoss Radbourn) and check out Ed Achorn’s book, Fifty-nine in ’84, about Radbourn. … and yes, that is 1884.

Finally, this piece of news:

Yankees radio voice John Sterling is looking to put a few Pinstripes into “Black Friday” when he meets kids of all ages at Last Licks Ice Cream Store (245 East 93rd St.) in Manhattan on Friday from noon until 2 p.m., where he’ll greet fans and help them pick out the perfect Holiday gift.  Sterling has broadcast Yankees games on radio for more than 20 years, and his signature calls are a huge hit with the hometown faithful.  Fans can learn more at www.lastlicksicecream.com.

 

Game 116. Alex DHs

This road trip has been something, hasn’t it? Mo loses an extra-inning game. The comeback vs. Lee and Texas, and two one-run games (one a win, one a loss) in KC. Heck, in both of the wins the tying run was on third.

Alex DHs today. Pena at 3B.

Yankees 71-44, +2; OPS+ 114, ERA + 104.
Even with the Pythagorean record.

Derek Jeter SS .282-9-52-12sb/16att; OPS+ 103; 2883 hits. Leads MLB in AB, R.  
Nick Swisher RF .296-22-67-1/3; 143 
Mark Teixeira 1B .256-26-86-0/1; 134; tied with Jeter in leading MLB in R.
Alex Rodriguez DH .262-18-92-3/6; 117  leads AL in SF with 8  
Robinson Cano 2B .326-21-73-2/4; 155
Jorge Posada C .251-12-39-1/1; 119; Lowest his average would be since 1999, when he went .245-12-57; Only .213 since the end of May. Turns 39 on Tuesday.
Curtis Granderson CF .243-10-34-10/10; 98
Brett Gardner LF .282-5-37-33/39; 110
Ramiro Pena 3B  .204-0-13-5/5; 27

Phil Hughes RHP 13-5, 3.92    ERA+ 102

Hughes gave up a run in the first. Listening to the game, either there is a black hole in the air towards RF in KC or Sterling needs new glasses. In the first two innings, he called two balls as if they were HRs only to find the balls caught at the fence.

The Yanks got two on in the 2nd and executed a double steal with Alex and Posada but Gardner whiffed to strand them there.   

Going to the bottom of the 2nd, 1-0 KC. Full recap later.

There is some commercial with cats (NY State Lottery?) on WCBS that is the most annoying commercial I’ve ever heard. If you’ve heard it, you’ll know exactly which one it is.

Game 66. Phils @ Yanks. Posada out tonight, Alex Dh, “Gazoo” catching.

Interesting point about last night. Posada states how he and AJ weren’t in sync. Being that it was Jorge’s 2nd game catching since coming off the injury, makes sense.

Now here is something else. I don’t know what happened on Sunday, but if I were the Phils, I’d have done this last night. I didn’t see it, however.

Remember how I got on the Yanks for not squeezing the other night? Cervelli (good bunter) up, Gardner (speed) at 3B and one out?

Well, I didn’t see the Phils try to lay one down last night. I’m looking at the other side for a change here. You have a catcher who had a hairline fracture in a foot. It’s his second game catching since coming back from that. Don’t you think someone would lay one down to see how quickly he is able to get out from behind the plate? Test that foot? I would have.

Tonight’s lineup:
Yankees tied for 1st in AL East 41-24. 1 game worse than Pythagorean.

OPS+ 121; ERA+ 107
BA/HR/RBI/SB/total attempts and OPS+ (100 is average, as with ERA+)

Derek Jeter SS .286-8-39-7/10-109; 2827 H, 312 SB, 232 HR; Leads AL in AB. Last 14 days, .208.
Curtis Granderson CF .241-5-18-5/5-107
Mark Teixeira 1B .226-10-38-0/0; 103  252 HR, tied w Jorge, Murcer, Torre and Bret Boone.
Alex Rodriguez DH .291-8-44-2/4; 130  still looking for SB #300. With the groin and hip, it could be awhile. Stuck on 299. Last HR 2 weeks ago.
Robinson Cano 2B .370-14-48-2/4; 179  Leads MLB in H, BA, TB
Nick Swisher RF .296-11-42-0/0; 145
Brett Gardner LF .317-3-22-22/26; 128; Where are the Gardner detractors now?
Francisco Cervelli C .284-0-29-0/0; 98  38 hits, 29 RBI; talk about making them count. Amazing .447 with RISP!
Ramiro Pena 3B .196-0-8-2/2; 28   11 for 56 

LHP Andy Pettitte 8-1, 2.46 ERA+ 166

Andy is looking for career win #238. 

Celts/Lakers Game 7 tonight.

Someone tried to bring in and blow (play?) one of those vuvuzela horns that they play during the World Cup matches. Security told him he can’t. Those things can reach 120 db?! I agree with the decision to ban them. Who needs that? But on the other hand, they do drown out Sterling…and that can’t be bad, can it?

     

 

Home Opener today. Andy gets #230 in 7-5 Yankees win, fueled by El Capitan.

Whitey and Yogi hand out the rings, Bernie throws out the first ball and Pettitte on the mound vs. Ervin Santana. I’ll be at work until 2, so will miss the start, then have some errands to do.

BTW, a nice piece from the SWB scorecard I received from a friend. Last year, Scott Aldred, SWB’s pitching coach, coached AAA SWB to the best ERA in the International League. The previous two years, while coaching the AA Trenton Thunder, they had the best ERA in the Eastern League.  

 

In the 6th as I get home from work and a few errands. Yanks up 3-0. Nick Johnson HR’d in the first and Jeter in the 3rd. Jeter had another RBI in the 4th with an infield single. Andy looks great.

Jeter HR #225, twenty less than Jorge.

2 run bases loaded single for A-Rod in the 6th. 5-0.  

Andy out after 6 superb innings, 0 R, 5 H, 3 walks and 6 K. Looking for career win #230.   

Park in.   

Posada doubles in the 7th. The double passes Mickey Mantle on the all-time list and Sterling shows some ignorance.

Yes, John, it is something that Posada passed the Mick in doubles. Let’s remember something though. The 536 to 245 HR difference. When the Mick got a hold of one, lots of times it wasn’t off the wall…it was OVER it. Even in the Old Stadium with its cavernous dimensions.

A couple of walks and El Capitan comes up with the bases loaded. He GIDP to finish the inning. A funny story about today is making the rounds. An hour before the ceremony, Girardi and Jeter presented the Boss with his ring. The Boss took off his 2000 ring and slipped on 2009. Jeter, raised in Michigan, then asked the Boss to remove his Ohio St. ring.

Kendry Morales’ HR in the 8th off Park breaks up the shutout.

The Yanks rebound with two in the bottom of the 8th. Johnson leadoff double, walk, double by Posada (again) for one, single by Granderson for another.

Robertson in to finish it off. 7-1 Yanks.   

Robbie having trouble. Best to have it when up six. Bases loaded and no out. He gets a K, but gives up a grand slam to Abreu.

7-5. Now it’s a save situation. Mo?  

Winn in for defense in RF, btw. Nothing he could do on Abreu’s but watch, however.

It is Mo. 2 up, 2 down. A K and a popup of Godzilla.

Save #529 for Mo, win #230 for Andy. HR #225 for Derek, who tied Vada Pinson on the all-time hit list with 2757. Next up? Ken Griffey, Jr. with 2767 (and above that, Andre Dawson’s 2774). Once Jeter passes Junior, Jeter will be the ACTIVE hit leader.

 

Game 38. 6 in a row. Yanks 7-6. Bruney to return tomorrow, Yanks get six in first. Teix continues to heat up.

YANKEES (20-17)
Derek Jeter SS  (OPS+ 99)
Johnny Damon LF (161)
Mark Teixeira 1B (114)
Alex Rodriguez DH (126, even though just 5 for 29; 3 of 5 hits HR) 
Nick Swisher RF (137)
Robinson Cano 2B (109)
Melky Cabrera CF (121)
Ramiro Pena 3B (72)
Francisco Cervelli C (77)

Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (3-1, 4.00 ERA)  ERA+ 117

Team OPS+ 112. ERA+ 88.

More team stats.

A-Rod gets a 1/2 day off.

Pettitte looks for career win #219. It would tie the “Coward of the County,” Kenny Rogers, on the all-time list.

Andy starts off slow though, giving up two in the first.

Bruney returns tomorrow. I would like to see the corresponding move. I hope they do not send Aceves back. Maybe it will be Tomko. I would rather see Veras or Edwar go. 

Too many walks. Josh “The Truth,” thinks maybe Edwar.

Pete Abraham says:

Jonathan Albaladejo, Edwar Ramirez and Alfredo Aceves have options left. Girardi said “that’s my plan” when asked if Bruney would immediately return to his 8th inning role. 

Goodness gracious, let it be Alby (2-1, 4.82, 10 walks in 18 2/3) or Edwar (0-0, 4.86, 14 walks in 16 2/3). Aceves is 2-0, 2.16, 2 walks in 8 1/3. As for now, Aceves must stay!

Reader Jeff is getting some people out in Pittsburgh. It beehooves him to keep checking my minor league reports. Karstens, Ohlendorf, Tabata…now Eric Hacker was traded to the Buccos after the Yanks dfa’d him and Steven Jackson winds up there too after a DFA.

Suzyn made a good point about some of Melky’s throws being off.

As for Sterling, check Phil Mushnick in the Post today. He just about calls for (Moskowitz’s—right, Tim) scalp. I can’t say I blame him. Mushnick points out some egregious errors Sterling has made.

Also in the Post—George Willis has a nice statement about how the Yanks are having fun again (whipped cream facial pies after walkoff wins).

Brett Gardner has a bruised shoulder from a play yesterday. A great play by Mauer who got a richocheted liner off the pitcher and got back to the plate to nab Gardner, running from second and not stopping, at the plate to temporarily save yesterday’s game.

More D: Teixeira had earlier saved the game yesterday with some D on his on.

Well, after Andy struggled in the first, giving up two runs, the Yanks have exploded in the bottom of the first, knocking out Perkins.

Teix (heating up!) and A-Rod go back-to-back. For A-Rod, #557* (I must be fair and put the asterisk there).  The Yanks get six in the first.

Suzyn states that Thome tied Schmidt today with #548.

The Twins crept back into the game, making it 6-4. Pettitte left after 6 2/3.

Whereupon Girardi just about gave me a heart attack. He brings in stinking Veras.

Sure enough, Veras, once again, walks the first batter he faces. Gomez then helps out the Yanks by stupidly swinging at the first pitch he sees and flying out to end the inning. Thanks, Carlos. Don’t take a strike against a guy who walks the world. Thank you very much. Much appreciated.

Teix hit his 2nd of the game to make it 7-4. Much needed because Edwar gave up a gopher ball.

Memo to Cashman and Girardi: Once Bruney is back, dump Veras. Keep Aceves. Bring up Robertson or Melancon and dump Edwar.

Coke gave up the HR to Morneau the other day but got revenge with a big K of Morneau tonight to end the 8th.

Chris Berman needs to do some homework. He is surprised Mo isn’t in. If Berman was substance and not schtick, he might realize (he said it before on the broadcast) that the Yanks just won three walk-offs in a row. Check the boxscores, Chris. Mo pitched in the games. He needs a night off.

Coke tries to finish it off. He walks the leadoff hitter.

For the umpteenth time this week, I write “throw strikes.”

WP moves the runner to 2nd. Nice play by Teixeira getting a 3-1. Runner moves to third.

Groundout brings in the run. 7-6.

Hmmm…..Coke pitching to Cervelli. Who would have thought that in say, February?

Speaking of, Cervelli has done a nice job filling in. He doesn’t try to do too much, stays inside himself, but is getting a hit here and there, lays down a bunt, and the defense hasn’t been bad. You can say the same for Pena. Neither will hit for power, but play D and do the little things.

Coke gives up a walk. Tying run on first, two out.

Girardi shows faith in Coke. Righty ph up. You could argue for Tomko here. Coke goes to 3-1. Misplaced trust? The count goes full.

He survives. A groundout. # 219 for Andy ties Rogers.

The Yanks’ sixth win in a row.