Game 101. Magic 8 ball! 8 in 8th gives Yanks 11-5 win. Judge 2 HR, 6 RBI inc. Grand Slam.

You’ve run out of words for Aaron Judge this season. Really. July isn’t over yet, and he has 41 HR, and is making a run at the AL and Yankee record of 61 set by Roger Maris in 1961. He has 11 HR in his last 13 games. His 9 multi-HR games this season is a Yankees’ record.

The NL and MLB record of course is 73 by Barry Bonds, but those three guys who hit more than Maris (Bonds, McGwire and Sosa) are all linked to steroids. For purists, the true record still belongs to Roger.

Trivia: Sammy Sosa hit 60 or more HR three separate times but didn’t lead the league in any of those three seasons.

Before the game recap, some moves and thoughts on a recent big trade. First off, the Yanks re-signed Ryan Weber and Shane Greene to minor league deals.

Secondly a Yankees’ target is off the market. Reds’ starter Luis Castillo (29, RHP) was dealt to Seattle. As much as I wanted Castillo, I can see why the Yankees, although it’s rumored that they were close to getting him, backed off. Seattle gave up four prospects for him, including their #1, #3 and #5 prospects. For the Yankees, that would have meant SS Anthony Volpe (1), CF Jasson “The Martian” Dominguez (3) and LHP Ken Waldichuk (5), along with another prospect. That wasn’t going to happen. It looks like the Yankees will face Castillo (4-4, 2.86, ERA+160 this year) Tuesday night.

With Castillo off the board, the Yankees’ top trade target now is Frankie Montas (29, RHP) of Oakland. Montas is only 4-9 this season, but his ERA is 3.18 and his ERA+ is 117. Not as good as Castillo, but still good. If they can’t get Montas, then rumors are they are then looking at Noah Syndergaard of the Angels (RHP, 30 in August) who is 5-8, 3.83, ERA+104 this season, or Jose Quintana (33, LHP) of Pittsburgh, who is 3-5, 3.50, ERA+ 120.

As far as Syndergaard is concerned, it has been written that since TJ surgery, he hasn’t been the “Thor” (and yes, he’d need a haircut) of his Mets days, and although still decent, he’s lost 2 MPH off his fastball since the surgery. Quintana was a Yankees’ farmhand many years ago.

The Yanks are looking to deal Miguel Andujar and Joey Gallo. Teams are looking at prospects and are most likely prioritizing them over Andujar and Gallo.

We will see what develops. Another deal I would like besides one for Montas would be one with the Cubs to get bullpen help. Could David Robertson (37, RHP, 3-0, 2.23, 14 saves this year) be back for what would be his third go-round with the Bronx Bombers?

Ok, now to the game recap.

In the top of the first, Judge robbed the first batter of the game, Kansas City’s MJ Melendez, of a HR. The guy can do it all, defensively as well as offensively.

The Yanks got off to a quick 3-0 lead. Anthony Rizzo hit a solo HR in the bottom of the first inning (#24), and two innings later, after a walk to D.J. LeMahieu, Judge hit a 2-run HR (40).

Maybe it’s me, but Gerrit Cole seems a bit off his game this year. Aces shouldn’t be coughing up 3-0 leads. Cole seems more prone to the HR ball this season, too. With two out in the fifth, the Royals got four straight hits, followed by a 3-run HR by Salvador Perez, to stunningly go up on the Yanks 5-3. A misplay (ruled a hit when it could have been an error) by Isiah Kiner-Falefa helped KC to its big inning. IKF would make up for it later. Another big play was on a grounder to Rizzo, who had a little bit of a delay in flipping the ball to Cole for the out. Batter beats it out, inning prolonged.

After a rain delay to start the eighth inning, the Yanks exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, Rizzo and Gleyber Torres got back-to-back singles. An error by KC SS Maikel Garcia loaded the bases. Andrew Benintendi got an infield single to make it 5-4. It then appeared as if Aaron Hicks was HBP to force in a run, but he wasn’t. Hicks worked a walk anyway and the game was tied at 5. IKF then made up for his previous miscue by hitting a single to put the Yanks up 6-5. A groundout by Jose Trevino made it 7-5. A walk to LeMahieu re-loaded the bases, then Judge unleashed HR #41, a grand slam, for the final score of 11-5.

Judge 3 hits, 6 RBI. A 2-run HR and a grand slam. (41). Also robbed KC of a HR.
Rizzo 2 hits, RBI. Solo HR (24)
Torres 2 hits.
Kiner-Falefa 15 game hitting streak.

Cole 6 IP, 5 R, 7 H, 0 W, 9 K. gave up 1 HR. 3.30
Chapman 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 5.24
Abreu (W, 2-0) 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. 2.22 (3-team W/L, ERA)
Peralta 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 3 K. 2.37

The Yanks are 68-33, have a 12 1/2 game lead in the AL East and the magic # for clinching the division is 50.

Game 99. Yanks sting Rays, 4-3; trade Cessa and Wilson.

The Yanks (52-27, 3rd, 9 GB; 2 1/2 out of playoff spot) beat Tampa Bay 4-3 Tuesday night, then made another trade that makes you wonder if something bigger is forthcoming.

First, the game. Jordan Montgomery was in and out of trouble, but pitched five scoreless innings, throwing 102 pitches in doing so.

The Yanks for whatever reason, haven’t been giving Montgomery much run support, and after missing out on a couple of early opportunities, finally got a run in the fifth. Greg Allen led off the inning with a double, and D.J. LeMahieu singled him home.

The Yanks got two more runs in the top of the sixth to make it 3-0. Gleyber Torres singled to lead off the inning, and Rougned Odor then singled. Gio Urshela doubled both runners home.

Chad Green gave up a 2-run HR in the bottom of the sixth and Tampa Bay cut the Yanks’ lead to 3-2.

Ryan LaMarre homered (2) for the Yankees in the top of the eighth to put the Yanks up 4-2, but Tampa Bay got a run off of Zack Britton in the bottom of the eighth to cut it to 4-3. Britton got a DP with runners on first and third to end the inning.

The Yanks got the first two batters on in the ninth but could get any insurance runs. In the bottom of the ninth, after getting the first two hitters, Aroldis Chapman gave up a walk before striking out Nelson Cruz to end the game.

Before the game, Aaron Judge and Kyle Higashioka came off the Covid-IL. Estevan Florial and Albert Abreu were sent down. I feel bad for Abreu, who has pitched well. Michael King was moved to the 60 day IL. Just acquired Clay Holmes was added to the active roster. Minor leaguer Yoendrys Gomez went on the Covid-IL list.

LeMahieu 2 hits, RBI
Torres 2 hits,
Urshela 2 hits, 2 RBI
LaMarre solo HR (2)

Montgomery (W, 4-5) 5 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 3 W, 5 K. 3.78 1 WP, 1 Balk.
Green (H, 14) 1 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 2 W, 2 K. 3.35 Gave up 1 HR.
Loaisiga (H, 13) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K. 2.76
Britton (H, 4) 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 W, 1 K. 7.56 1 WP
Chapman (S, 19) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 2 K. 4.04

The Yanks traded Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson to the Reds for a player to be named later.

Cessa was 3-1, 2.82 (ERA+ 154) this year for the Yanks. He’s 10-13, 4.19 (ERA+ 105) in his MLB career, all with the Yankees (2016- present).

Wilson was in his second stint with the Yankees, and this year was 1-1, 7.50, ERA+ 58. He is 33-23, 3.44 (ERA+ 118) in his career, in which (2012-present) he has pitched for the Pirates, Yankees, Tigers, Cubs, Mets and Yankees again.

So Cessa and Wilson are gone, and Clay Holmes is in. Holmes was acquired for two minor leaguers, Diego Castillo and Hoy Jun Park the other day. Park was hitting .327 for SWB. Holmes was 3-2, 4.93 (ERA+ 85) for Pittsburgh this year and is 5-7, 5.57 (ERA+ 76) for his career.

The trade deadline is Friday at 4 PM. All I can say is that I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. Something is up.

Yanks make trade for Pirates’ reliever.

The Yanks made a minor trade on their off-day yesterday, trading two minor leaguers to Pittsburgh for righty reliever Clay Holmes. They also lost a 1/2 game in the standings, since Boston won.

I must admit and be honest. I am not enthused about the trade. It is hard to know about prospects, but I feel a) the Yanks gave up too much for Holmes and/or b) didn’t get enough for what they gave up. Neither prospect is among the Yanks top 30, but both were having good seasons.

Holmes is a ground-ball pitcher who does significantly better vs. righty hitters than lefties. Lefties have been eating him up. Walks also have been a problem. Hopefully the Yanks can get him going.

Holmes, 28, was 3-2, 4.93, ERA+84 for the Pirates this season in 44 games (42 IP). For his career, he is 5-7, 5.57, ERA+ 76. So those numbers aren’t great. To be fair, three bad outings out of the 44 this year pushed his ERA from 1.99 to 4.93. Hopefully the change of scenery helps.

The prospects the Yanks gave up were:

Hoy Jun Park, lefty hitter, 25. Got 1 at bat with the Yanks this year in his only MLB game. At AAA, was hitting .327-10-29. Mostly a 2B/SS. Combined AA/AAA this season: .307-11-32, 11 SB in 58 games. I feel as if the Yanks didn’t give him a fair shot. Granted he’s only hit .255 in his minor league career, but maybe this season found something. Maybe he’d have been a better bench option than Tyler Wade. We won’t know, but he was having a good season for AAA SWB.

Diego Castillo. Righty hitter, 23. Another 2B/SS. Granted the Yanks have a few good SS in the minor league system (Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe) and could sign a free agent SS (or trade for one) in Trevor Story or Corey Seager. They also could keep Gleyber Torres at SS (although many think he is better at 2B and that the Yanks might be moving him back there). Castillo was hitting .277-11-32 at AA Somerset. Mostly a 2B (and the Yanks have Odor, LeMahieu and Torres who could play there) , he has hit .269 in his minor league career.

So, two players doing well in the minors this year who were probably blocked by players in front of them with other players like Volpe and Peraza coming up behind them. Sad to see them go. Hope Holmes does well.

The Yanks sent Rob Brantly back down, a sign that Kyle Higashioka will be returning off the Covid-IL list.

Minor League Report. Lots of Doubleheaders. No-hitter at High-A. 3 HR for Breaux.

AAA: SWB (37-19) split a DH. (7-inning games in this and below for the DHs)

Game 1: Lost 6-5 in 8 innings. CF Estevan Florial 2 RBI, solo HR. RF Trey Amburgey 2 hits. 3B Andrew Velazquez 2 RBI.

Game 2: Won 1-0. Brandon Wagner 2 for 2, RBI. Matt Krook (1-1, 3.21) 5 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 1 K. Trevor Lane (S, 2.08) 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 W, 2 K.

AA: Somerset (38-20) won 5-0. Starter Glenn Otto (6-3, 3.17) 6 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 0 W, 8 K. 3B Diego Castillo 2 hits, RBI. C Donny Sands 2-run HR. LF Isiah Gilliam 2 hits, RBI. RF Aaron Palensky 3 hits.

High A: Hudson Valley (39-19) swept a DH.

Game 1: won 7-1. SS Ezequiel Duran 3 hits, 3 RBI, 2-run HR. Elijah Dunham 3 for 3, RBI, 3 SB. Starting P Mitch Spence (3-1, 3.79) 6 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 W, 8 K. gave up 1 HR.

Game 2: Won 5-0 on a combined no-hitter (just 7 IP). C Josh Breaux not only caught the combined, shortened no-no, but he went 3 for 3, drove in all 5 runs, and all 3 hits were home runs.

Sean Boyle 4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 W, 3 K. 0.00
Nick Ernst (W, 4-0, 4.45) 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 WS, 4 K
Derek Craft 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 4.70

Low A: Tampa (39-18) split a DH.

Game 1: Won 14-2.
SS Anthony Volpe 2 for 2, 3 walks, 2 RBI. Solo HR.
DH Austin Wells 2 RBI
CF Everson Pereria 2 HR, 6 RBI. 2-run HR and a Grand Slam
RF Jake Sanford solo HR.
3B Jesus Bastidas solo HR.

Game 2: Lost 5-1. RF Juan DeLeon HR.

Minor League Report.

AAA: SWB (36-18) lost 2-1 in 10 innings. A decent outing (finally) for the struggling Deivi Garcia, but he was still wild. 5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 5 W, 1 HBP, 3 K. Still a 7.45 ERA in AAA. 2B Hoy Jun Park 1 for 2, 2 walks (.355). C Rob Brantly 2 hits. SS Andrew Velazquez 2 hits.

AA: Somerset (37-20) split a doubleheader.

Game 1: Won 9-2. SS Diego Castillo 2 hits. 2B Oswaldo Cabrera, grand slam. CF Michael Beltre 2 hits, 2 RBI. 3B Cristian Perez 2 hits.

Game 2: Lost 4-1, game called in sixth, rain. They only got 3 hits. 1B Dermis Garcia HR.

High A: Hudson Valley (37-19) won 6-4. SS Josh Smith 2 hits, RBI. C Josh Breaux 3 hits, 2 RBI, solo HR. DH Anthony Seigler 2 hits, 2 RBI. CF Brandon Lockridge 2 hits. Starter Jhony Brito (3-3, 3.04) 7 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 0 W, 7 K, 1 WP, 1 HBP.

Low A: Tampa (38-17) won 4-1. DH Trevor Hauver 3-run HR. RF Jake Sanford solo HR. Starter Randy Vazquez (2-3, 2.40) 6 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 W, 5 K, 1 HBP.

Top prospect Jasson Dominguez, 18, who is playing in the Florida complex league, had his first multi-hit game yesterday, and first RBI. So far he is 4 for 20 (.200) all singles, 2 SB, has walked 6x and was HBP once. He’ll be playing in Sunday’s futures game.

Funny how all four teams above all basically close to the same record.

Minor League Report

AAA: SWB (36-17) split a DH. 7 inning games.

Game 1: won 3-2. CF Estevan Florial 2 RBI. LF Hoy Jun Park 2 hits (.360. What more does he have to do for a callup?) 3B Armando Alvarez 2 hits. C Rob Brantly 2 for 2.

Game 2: lost 5-0, rain-shortened. DH Socrates Brito 2 of SWB’s 3 hits.


AA: Somerset (36-19) split a DH. Both 7-inning games.

Game 1: Won 6-1. Another great outing for LHP starter Ken Waldichuk. 5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 W, 6 K. Gave up 1 HR. 4-0, 1.24 in 11 starts this year, and 4-2, 2.14 in 21 total minor league starts in his career. SS Oswald Peraza 2 hits. 3B Oswaldo Cabrera 2 hits, both HR, 5 RBI (2-run HR & 3-run HR). LF Isiah Gilliam solo HR.

Game 2: Lost 4-3. Janson Junk no-decision, 5 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 W, 6 K. Gave up 1 HR. DH Diego Castillo solo HR. SS Peraza 2 hits.

High A: Hudson Valley (36-19) won 3-2 in 10 innings. Barrett Loseke 4 scoreless relief innings, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 6 K. SS Josh Smith solo HR. CF Brandon Lockridge 2 hits. LF Elijah Dunham 3 hits, RBI.

Low A: Tampa ppd.

Minor League Report. Otto dominates.

AAA: SWB (34-15) lost 4-3. 1 for 12 w/RISP. Adam Warren (remember him?) 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, 2.96. CF Estevan Florial 2 hits, 2 RBI, a 2-run HR. C Max McDowell 2 hits. Derek Dietrich opted out of his contract. He was just hitting .215 at AAA.

AA: Somerset (34-18) won 10-0. Glenn Otto (5-3, 3.49) 7 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 12 K, 1 WP, 1 HBP. Somerset hit 5 HR. SS Diego Castillo 2 hits, solo HR (.327-10-28). DH Oswald Peraza 2 hits, solo HR. 2B Oswaldo Cabrera 2 hits, 4 RBI, a 3-run HR. C Donny Sands 2 hits, solo HR. CF Michael Beltre solo HR.

High A: Hudson Valley (33-19) split a DH, both 7-inning games.

Game 1: got only 4 hits in a 2-0 loss. 2B Ezequiel Duran 2 hits.

Game 2: Won 2-0. Only got 4 hits again, Duran a solo HR.

Low A: Tampa ppd.

Minor league report.

AAA: SWB (33-13) scored five in the top of the ninth to take a 9-3 lead, and hung on to win 9-7. LF Ryan LaMarre 2 hits, RBI. C Rob Brantly 2-run HR. RF Socrates Brito 3 hits, 2 RBI. 2B Andrew Velazquez 2 hits.

AA: Somerset (31-17) lost 7-4. 2B Diego Castillo 3 hits, 2 RBI, 2-run HR. CF Thomas Milone solo HR. DH Isiah Gilliam 2 hits.

High A: Hudson Valley (31-17) won 4-1. Starting P Shawn Semple 6 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 W, 11 K. DH Josh Smith 2 hits. SS Ezequiel Duran 2 hits. C Josh Breaux 2 hits, RBI. LF Elijah Dunham solo HR. 3B James Nelson solo HR. 1B Kyle MacDonald 2 hits.

Low A: Tampa PPD.

Top Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez has begun playing games. In two games, he has had six plate appearances and is 0 for 3 with 3 walks. He’s struck out twice and popped out. He will be playing in the Futures Game. The switch-hitter, nicknamed “El Marciano” or “The Martian”, is just 18 years old.

Minor league report.

AAA: SWB (31-13) beat Lehigh Valley 10-4. CF Estevan Florial 2 RBI; 1B Chris Gittens solo HR, 2 RBI. DH Derek Dietrich 2 hits, 5 RBI, inc. a 3-run HR; C Rob Brantly 2 hits. 3B Armando Alvarez 2 hits. SS Andrew Velazquez solo HR. SP Matt Krook 4 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 6 K. RP Reggie McClain 2 IP, 0 R, 5 K.

AA: Somerset (31-15) won 3-0. 3B Diego Castillo 2 hits, solo HR. 1B Dermis Garcia 2-run HR. SP Hayden Wesneski 6 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 W, 7 K. Ron Marinaccio the save, 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 4 K.

High A: Hudson Valley (30-16) won 8-4. Nick Ernst win in relief 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 W, 4 K. SS Josh Smith 3 hits, RBI. C Josh Breaux 2 hits, RBI. DH Anthony Seigler game-winning walk-off grand slam. LF Elijah Dunham solo HR. 1B Chad Bell 2 hits, RBI.

Low A: Tampa (31-15) split a DH.

Game 1: Lost 7-5. CF Pat DeMarco 2 hits. 1B Pedro Diaz 2 for 2, walk, RBI.

Game 2: Won 6-5. SS Anthony Volpe 3 hits, RBI, solo HR (9) (.305, 18 SB). 2B Trevor Hauver 2 RBI. 1B Eric Wagaman 2 hits, RBI.

Minor League Report. What’s wrong with Deivi Garcia?

In spring training, Deivi Garcia, still just 22, was competing for a rotation spot for the Yankees. Now, it appears as if he needs a demotion from AAA back to AA.

Last year, Garcia started six games for the Yanks, going 3-2, 4.98. Not great, but decent for a 21 year old. Of course, he started as an “opener” in that playoff game. Bad decision that didn’t work out, especially when Garcia gave up a HR in the first inning then J.A. Happ was ineffective afterwards.

Garcia has started two games for the Yankees this year, going 0-2, 6.48. But it is his performance back at AAA SWB that is most alarming. In nine starts there, he is 1-3 with an 8.80 ERA. Read that again. What’s happened?

In just two innings last night, Garcia gave up 5 runs, 5 hits, 2 walks and only struck out one. He gave up a HR.

AAA SWB (30-13) lost to Lehigh Valley, 6-3. CF Estevan Florial 2-run HR.

AA: Somerset (30-15) won 7-4. Starter Janson Junk, 7 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 0 W, 3 K. Impressed Luke Voit while Voit was on his rehab stint. (3-1, 1.07). Maybe Junk comes up to AAA and Garcia goes down to AA. We’ll see. SS Diego Castillo 3 hits, RBI on a solo HR. DH Oswald Peraza 2 hits. 2B/3B Oswaldo Cabrera 2 RBI. C Donny Sands 2 hits, 2 RBI, solo HR.

High A: Hudson Valley (29-16) won 11-9. LF Isaiah Pasteur 2-run HR. 2B Ezequiel Duran 3 hits, RBI. C Anthony Seigler 2 hits, 4 RBI. 1B Kyle MacDonald 2 hits, RBI.

Low A: Tampa ppd.