No Foul for Yanks

Bombers Lose to A’s but Maintain 1st Place Lead

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, September 24- On Sunday, despite being edged by the A’s, 5-4, the Yanks ended their penultimate home stand of the 2012 season in first place in the American League East. After the three game series ended, the Yankees departed for a seven-game road trip, three games in Minnesota and four in Toronto. On October 1, the Yanks will return to the Bronx for the final three games of the regular season against the Red Sox.

The loss to Oakland ended New York’s seven-game winning streak. The damage was nullified as the Orioles were defeated by the Red Sox on Sunday. Thus, the Yanks still held a one-game advantage over the Baltimore Orioles as the week ended.

The Yanks were held to five scattered singles during eight innings of Sunday’s contest. It was only in the fourth frame that the Yankees offense erupted. After a single by Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher poled a two-run homer into the right field seats. Two more runs scored after singles by Curtis Granderson and Russell Martin and a double by Raúl Ibañez.

Derek Jeter’s single in the third extended the Yankee captain’s current consecutive game hit streak to 17. His infield single in the sixth raised his multi-hit games this season to a league leading 62. Jeter’s total of 206 hits in 2012 is first in the majors. This is the 8^th season in which Jeter has bettered 200 hits.

All five of Oakland’s runs were scored off Yankees starter Hiroki Kuroda, who suffered his 11^th loss of the season. Oakland’s lead-off hitter, Stephen Drew, beat out an infield single in the first and scored the first run of the game. Yankee manager Joe Giradi placed the blame on, “His [Kuroda’s] command a little bit. He left some pitches in the middle of the plate.”

A questionable infield single by Josh Donaldson began the second. He crossed the plate on a two-run homer by Cliff Pennington. Talented rookie Yeonis Cespedes singled home the fourth run for the A’s in the fifth.

Donaldson reached first on an error by shortstop Eduardo Nuñez in the seventh. Later in the inning, he scored what turned out to be the winning run. As Nuñez made a second error in the seventh, Girardi was questioned about how long he would replace Jeter at short. He expressed concern about Jeter being unable to control his efforts on defense as he plays with such great effort.

Of Nuñez, he remarked, “For the most part, he’s done a good job. I like what the kid does. He gives us some excitement out there.”

After winning seven of the nine home games, Girardi expressed great respect for his players, “We had a great home stand. I like the way we’re playing. I like the fight in our guys. We’re a very professional group, a very mature group.”

In the first road game on Monday, Andy Pettitte (4-3) will start for the Yanks against Liam Hendriks (1-7) of the Twins.

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Yanks Win Marathon

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Beat A’s in 14 Innings

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, September 23- After  nearly six hours of play, an error allowed Ichiro Suzuki to cross home plate with the winning run in the 14^th inning. The victory was the seventh straight for the wearers of the pinstripes and their tenth in the last 12. The win kept the yanks in first place over the Orioles, who seem to win every day.

The chance of Saturday afternoon’s game emulating the pitchers’ duel of Friday night ended in the first inning. Back-to-back-to back doubles by the first three batters of the game, Stephen Drew, Seth Smith and Yeonis Cspedes, put two runs on the board before the first out was recorded.

The Yanks countered with three runs in the bottom of the first. He torrid hitting by Ichiro Suzuki continued as he homered on a 0-1 pitch to give the Yanks their first run. Three walks, a balk, an error and a single by Robinson Cano added two additional scores for New York. Both teams completed their half inning with bases filled.

Oakland starter Travis Blackley left the game after two innings and Yankees starter Ivan Nova was removed after 2.1. Pitching was not the focus throughout the contest as the game included 19 runs, 31 hits, seven home runs, 15 walks, two hit batters and three errors.

A run by Oakland tied the score at 5 in the top of the seventh, but the greatest excitement was yet to come.

Drew led off the 13^th with a single, his fourth hit of the game. Jonny Gomes followed with a homer to left that scored two. The next batter, rookie Cespedes connected with his 20^th home run. Two batters later, Chris Carter belted the third home run of the inning into the left field seats.

According to Ichiro, the fans streamed from the stadium after that four-run half inning, “When they scored four runs, a lot of fans went home. I bet they’re shocked to get home and see the score.”

Yankee skipper Joe Girardi explained the faith of the Yankees players was very much higher than the fans who left the park, “When guys came in, there were a lot of guys yelling ‘Let’s go, let’s go, one at bat at a time.’ Everybody was kind of caught up in that.”

Suzuki led off the 13th with his third hit of the game, an infield single. The big blow of the four-run inning, was Raúl Ibañez’s second home run of the game. Ibañez entered the game in the fifth as a pinch hitter and broke a 0 for 18 streak with a homer. Before blasting the four bagger, the veteran outfielder had only hit safely twice in 45 at bats.

Cory Wade, who was awarded the win, retired all three batters he faced in the 14^th.

With the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the inning, Eduardo Nuñez grounded to first. The ball was booted by first sacker Brandon Moss, which allowed Ichiro to cross the plate with the winning run.

The final game of the three game set will have Hiroki Kuroda (14-10) on the mound for the Yanks. A.J. Griffin (6-2) will start for Oakland.

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Yanks Walk Off with Win

CC Shines as MartinWalk Off Homer Gives Yanks Win

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, September 22-A walk-off homer by Russell Martin, the lead-off batter in the bottom of the ninth on Friday night, gave the Yanks their sixth straight victory and their ninth win in the last 11 games. The win kept the Yanks in first place in the American League East, one game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles. The victory was an encouraging start for the Yanks in their weekend set against the Oakland A’s.

The first eight frames were a crisply played and exciting pitching duel between CC Sabathia and Jarrod Parker. Sabathia did not allow a hit during the first five innings. The Yankee starter retired 14 straight batters after Jonny Gomes, the second batter of the game, drew a walk.

Oakland’s first hit was a single to center by Stephen Drew that led off the sixth. Drew’s single with one out in the eighth was the second hit by Oakland.

Sabathia left the game after hurling eight shutout innings. He yielded three hits, two walks and hit a batter during his outstanding stint on the mound. The lefty fanned 11 batters, the fifth time in 2012 when he recorded double figures in strikeout Yankee manager Joe Girardi was pleased by the work of his starter, “I thought his slider and his change-up helped him. I thought he got stronger as the game went on. This season that’s what we’re used to seeing from him. Tonight might have been the best game he pitched this season.”

Walker pitched eight innings and the final score was 2-1 in both of his starts against the Yanks in 2012. On July 5, he gave up five hits and one run while earning the win.

He was at least as impressive on Friday night when he surrendered six hits and a single tally. He fanned seven but did not walk a batter, yet, like Sabathia, was not involved in the decision.

The only run off Walker was scored in the fourth. Nick Swisher led off with a single, moved up on a single by Alex Rodriguez and crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly to left by Curtis Granderson.

The A’s skipper, Bob Melvin, made a wise move in the ninth as pinch hitter Brandon Mossi homered off closer Rafael Soriano to tie the contest.

Russell Martin wasted no time in the tenth as he lifted the second pitch he saw into the left field seats to end the contest.

Two veteran Yankees, who will be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame five years after their playing careers end, continued to display their abilities at the plate. Derek Jeter singled to lead-off the sixth, raising his consecutive game hitting streak to 15. Ichiro Suzuki singled in each of his first two trips to the plate. The 38 year old has hit successfully in 11 of his 15 at bats during the last four games. He also stole his 27^th base this season.

On Saturday afternoon, Ivan Nova (12-7) will start for the Yanks against Travis Blackley (5-3) for Oakland in the second of the three game series.

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Yanks Sweep Jays

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, September 21- Buoyed by an impressive offensive output, the Yankees won their fifth straight game on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium. The 10-7 Yankees win while Baltimore was idle moved the Yankees one game in front of the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East.

Ichiro Suzuki followed his superlative performance during Wednesday’s day/night doubleheader by crashing a homer to right in his first trip to the plate in the third inning on Thursday. Suzuki also played an important role in the seven run outburst by the Yankees in the next inning. Two walks and an error filled the bases to start the inning. Suzuki followed with a two run double, his seventh straight hit.

Jayson Nix then walked to again fill the sacks. Derek Jeter then upped his consecutive game hitting streak to 14 with a run scoring single. Nick Swisher cleared the bases with the record tying 10^th grand slam of the season for the Bronx Bombers. That mark had only been reached by the Yanks in three previous seasons, 1987, 2010 and 2011.

The seven run inning that broke up the game had only been done three times earlier by the team in 2012.

Doubles by Curtis Granderson and Nix and a single by Jeter netted two additional runs for New York in the fifth.

Yankee starter Phil Hughes lasted the requisite five innings to be credited with the win, his16th this year.

Doubles by Adam Lind and Kelly Johnson scored the first Toronto run in the second.

Lack of control by Hughes in the third led to two runs. During that frame, he walked two and hit two batsmen.

A two-run homer by Moises Sierra on the first pitch he saw gave the Blue Jays two runs in the fifth.

Hughes did tie a major league record by fanning four batters in the fourth. Adeiny Hechavarria reached first on a passed ball after striking out, thus, creating the need for a fourth batsman. Hughes was only the second Yankee hurler to accomplish this feat. It was previously done by AJ Burnett on June 23, 2011. David Robertson obtained his second save by striking out all three batters he faced in the ninth.

The two hitting heroes of the game, Swisher and Suzuki commented on the recent performance of the team.  The outspoken and energetic Swisher said, “I feel that we’re getting that inner confidence back that we lost there for a little bit. Regardless of whatever the situation is, whatever team we’re playing, we feel like we’re going to go out there and get the job done.”

The quiet veteran from Japan, who is batting .321 since joining the team and is batting .362 against lefties, expressed his opinion through a translator, “Having this momentum come at this point in the season, O think that’s the Yankees. And I think that’s what makes this team special.”

The Oakland Athletics come to the stadium for a three game weekend series that will have bearing on the race for the playoffs in the American League.

On Friday night, CC Sabathia (13-6) will start for the yanks against Jarrod Parker (11-8) of the A’s.

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Daily Double for Bombers

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Yanks Remain in First Place

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, September 20- A combination of outstanding pitching and timely hitting gave the Yankees a second victory on Wednesday. The 2-1 victory in the second of a day/night doubleheader on Wednesday allowed the Yanks to remain in first place in the American League East with 14 games remaining for the Bronx Bombers.

David Phelps hurled his lengthiest and most impressive start of 2012. He threw 110 pitches, 12 more his previous high of the season in 6.2 innings, a distance he had only reached once this year.

Two walks and an RBI single by Aderiny Hechevarria scored the only Toronto run in the game. Rajai Davis led off the third with a single, but was thrown out trying to steal. Phelps retired the next 12 batters before J.P. Arencibia reached first on a throwing error by Derek Jeter with one out in the sixth.

Although Pettitte pitched his expected maximum of five innings in game one, it took six relievers to complete the game. Thus, it was necessary to Phelps to carry the load in the second game. He stated, “I know I had to go out there and pitch deep into the game.”

Ichiro Suzuki showed his superior abilities are still intact. In the doubleheader he hit safely seven times, stole four bases and made a critical great catch in the first game with the bases loaded to preserve the Yankees 4-2 victory.

Suzuki went four for four in the nightcap. In the second, with Jayson Nix and Casey McGehee on base via walks, Ichiro singled to center, but Nix was thrown out trying to score.

In the eighth, with the game knotted at one, Ichiro got his fourth hit of the contest. The hit drove in Curtis Granderson with what proved to be the winning run.

After the game, the calm outfielder explained his feelings, “I came in the middle of the season; I wanted to contribute. Today was a great day. I was glad I was able to help.”

Of his fellow outfielder, Nick Swisher exclaimed, “I don’t think anybody could have got him out today.”

Another hero of the doubleheader was closer Rafael Soriano. The closer saved both games. In the opener, the save was a rare four out effort. Soriano has saved 42 games in 45 opportunities. Even more impressive is the fact that his first save did not come until May3, when Mariano Rivera was placed on the DL.

The Yankees will attempt to sweep the series on Thursday night with Phil Hughes (15-12) on the mound. Hughes will be opposed by Aaron Laffey (3-5).

Andy Shines in Yank Stadium Return

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, September 19- Andy Pettitte was again wearing the Yankees pinstripes on Tuesday preparing to pitch in his first major league game since June 27. In that contest nearly three months ago, Pettitte’s left ankle was fractured by a ground ball.

Pettitte was not attempting to come back for the first time this week. He retired after the conclusion of the 2010 season. His desire to play again resurfaced and he signed a $2.5 million contract with the Yankees for the 2012 season.

May 13 was the date of Pettitte’s first start of the season. Although Pettitte was the losing pitcher in that contest, he gave up no runs in his start five days later. In nine starts this year, the veteran lefty is 3-3 with an impressive ERA of 3.22. In only one of his previous seasons with New York, 1997, was Pettitte’s ERA lower than it is this season.

The 40-year old gave an honest appraisal of how events could transpire in his comeback start, “[If] I can get a rhythm and have my command, I feel like I’ll throw the ball well. If not, I’m going to get knocked around.”

The hope of the Yankees that Pettitte’s first game would be on Tuesday was dashed by the inclement weather as the night games of the Yanks and Mets were cancelled. It was also hoped that Pettitte would get four starts before the regular season ends. This desire of the Yankees now becomes impossible as his first start was the day game played on Wednesday afternoon.

Fortunately for the Yanks, Pettitte was extremely impressive on the mound. He threw five more pitches than the anticipated 70. He showed no rust after his three month absence just as he picked things up after missing the entire 2011 season.

Pettitte was pleased with the outing although he was sorry for the delay of one day, “All in all, it was good. I was able to get through it and make pitches when I had to get out of some innings.”

Pettitte gave up only four hits and walked two batters. He fanned three in his five innings on the hill. Toronto runners reached third in the second, third and fourth innings, but none crossed the plate during Pettitte’s stint.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi spoke about the veteran’s effectiveness in dangerous situations, “You have confidence in Andy because he knows how to get the double-play ball or the strikeout and make the big pitch. You know he’s not going to be overwhelmed by the situation.”

Base hits by Ichiro Suzuki, Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano in the first led to three runs for the Yanks. As Pettitte hurled five frames and left the contest with the score 3-0 in favor of the Yanks, he earned his fourth win of the season.

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Do the Yanks have the goods to earn playoff berth?

Will They or Won’t They?

(Photo by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, September 18- Two months ago, it appeared as if the Yanks were a sure thing to finish first in the American League East. The club led the conference by a season-high 10 games on July 18. Since that date, New York has faltered.

In the following 50 games after that high-point of the season, the Yanks won only 22. Although they have remained on top or tied for the lead in the A.L. East at the end of every day since June 20, it will take effort for the team to win the pennant or even qualify for the post-season.

Parity is alive in each American League division as each game during the final 2 ½ weeks of the regular season are critical to the Yankees and their A.L. East rivals, Baltimore and Tampa, to the White Sox and Tigers in the A.L. Central and to the Rangers, Athletics and Angels in the A.L. West. The addition of a Wild Card in each league has, as was hoped, increased interest in more cities as the season nears its conclusion.

The victories of the Yanks over the Rays on September 15 and 16 kept New York one game ahead of the Orioles and increased their lead over the Rays to four with 16 games remaining.

The outstanding work of the two starters, Ivan Nova and Hiroki Kuroda, and the hope instilled by the scheduled return of Andy Pettitte from the disabled list on Tuesday greatly increases the self-confidence of the team and its rooters.

Nova’s last start was on August 21. Two days after, he was placed on the DL with right rotator cuff inflammation. Nova only allowed his “cousins” only two runs and four hits in his innings of his first start in nearly one month.

After the contest, Tampa skipper Joe Maddon spoke words of praise for Nova, “Great command of his breaking ball again. His fastball was there, too. He was up to 95. So he was well, definitely well today. Whatever was bothering him is not bothering him right now. The curveball was really good again and then the fastball velocity was up.”

Nova has little difficulty with the Rays, especially in the Bronx. Nova, at home, is 4-0 with an ERA of 1.83 against the Rays. Maddon jokingly remarked, “He [Nova] likes our uniforms. I know that. He’s very comfortable when he sees our uniform.”

On the next day, Sunday, Kuroda demonstrated his talent. He almost duplicated his stats of 11 days earlier in his only other start against the Rays. In both games he gave up four runs in six innings, but earned the win, 6-4. He threw 101 pitches I both outing with 62 as strikes on September 5 and 61 on September 16. On Sunday, he fanned 10.

Although the win was Kuroda’s 14^th, better hitting support from his teammates would have increased that number. After Sunday’s game, Yankee manager Joe Girardi commented, “His off speed was tremendous today; he really used it effectively.” He also spoke of the lack of run support during his appearances [3.07 during his previous 10 starts], “He hasn’t got a lot of run support.”

There is gleeful anticipation awaiting the schedules start of Andy Pettitte on September 18. Pettitte last started on June 27, when his left ankle was fractured by a ground ball.

Of his experience and the respect the other pitchers have for Pettitte, Girardi stated, “I think his presence is very important to our staff. He also pitched very well.”

The Yankees are hopeful the return of Nova and Pettitte and the presence of Kuroda will gave the team a berth in the playoffs.

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