Andy Pettitte threw 98 pitches over seven solid innings on the mound against the Seattle Mariners, allowing two runs, on six hits, one walk, and six strikeouts, in route to the Yankees seventh win in a row.

This victory brings Pettitte's record to 8-3; and, the Yankees record to 45-32.

The Bronx Bombers remain in second place in the AL East, 2.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox, who won a very dramatic 6-5 extra innings game against the Baltimore Orioles yesterday, after being down 5-1 going into the 8th inning.

The Sox scored four runs in the 8th to tie the score; and, then, scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th, to take the 6-5 lead which was preserved by Boston's closer, Jonathan Papelbon.

Andy Pettitte and the Yankees got all the support they needed in this game on three home runs, and solid performances from the bullpen.

Johnny Damon put the Yankees on the scoreboard first with a solo homerun, his 15th, in the third inning, off the Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn. Damon is certainly on pace to hit over 30 homers this season.

Seattle scored a run in the top of the 4th to tie the game 1-1.

Melky Cabrera moved the Yanks back into the lead with a towering solo blast over the left field foul pole in the bottom of the 5th off Washburn.

Melky's 8th homer of the year had to be reviewed on videotape by the umpires; but, after a quick two minute look by the umps, the ball was ruled fair, and the homerun counted, adding another run on the board for the Yanks, giving them a 2-1 lead.

In the top of the 6th inning, after Pettitte retired the first two batters, Ken Griffey, Jr. hit a solo homer into the short right field porch, his 10th of the season and 621st of his career, to tie the game 2-2.

Then, in the bottom of the 6th, the Yankees took the lead once again, this time for good, when Mark Teixeira singled, and was driven home on a long two-run homer, over the centerfield wall, by Alex Rodriguez, his 13th of the year and 566th of his career.

This was the third homerun of the game given up by Jarrod Washburn (L, 4-6), as the Yankees completed the scoring in their 4-2 win. 

The "Bridge to Mariano" was successfully built by Alfredo Aceves, who retired the lead off batter in the 8th, the only batter he faced; and, Phil Coke, who retired the final two batters of the inning.

Enter "Sandman", the "great" Mariano Rivera, in the top of the 9th inning, who closed out this very "crisp", 2 hour 17 minute, Yankees victory, recording his 20th save of the season, and 502nd of his "Hall of Fame" career.

The Yankees go for their 8th win in a row, tonight, in the final game of this three game series against the Seattle Mariners, with CC Sabathia (7-4, 3.55), taking the mound for the Yanks, pitching against the Mariners scheduled starter, Jason Vargas, (3-3, 3.79).

Go Yankees !!!

-- Jimmy Curran, "BY&L"   

Well, it has been awhile since my last post, and I am happy to be back at my mlblog as the 2009 Interleague Schedule of games has finally ended while the New York Yankees have a six game winning streak going, that has moved the Bronx Bombers to only 2.5 games behind the first place Boston Red Sox.

The Yanks were helped by Boston, as the Red Sox blew a 10-1 lead in yesterday's game against the last place Baltimore Orioles, losing 11-10, in the biggest comeback in the Orioles history.

No further commentary on this loss by the Red Sox, as these type of games happen to all teams throughtout each season. But, the Division Race in the AL East continues to tighten, with the following Standings as of the morning of July 1, 2009 ...

Red Sox       47-30   .610     --

Yankees      44-32   .579    2.5

Rays            44-35   .557    4.0

Blue Jays    41-38   .519    7.0

Orioles        35-42   .455   12.0

Since the Yankees 9-8 win over the New York Mets on June 12th, on the now infamous dropped pop-up by Luis Castillo, with the Mets leading 8-7, with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, the Yanks are 10-6 throughout the last 16 games, which includes ...

* Winning two of the three games against the Mets at Yankee Stadium [June 12-13-14th], including a 15-0 shutout victory in the final game of that series.

* Losing two of three games vs. the Washington Nationals [June 16-17-18th], that included my first visit to the new Yankee Stadium for the second game of this series, a very tough 3-2 loss by the Yanks; and, also, meeting our #1 blogger here at mlblogs, Jane Heller of "Confessions of a She-Fan"  , for her book signing at Stan's Bar before the game. Meeting Jane, her husband Michael, and some of her family members was the highlight on my first trip to the new Stadium; and, I will always cherish my signed copy of Jane's excellent book, which is a "great read" and a book that I highly recommend to be read by all -- Yankee fans and other baseball fans, alike.

Then, the Yankees embarked on a "nine-game" road trip in three National League ballparks that would close-out the 2009 Interleague schedule ...

* The trip did not start out well, as the Yankees lost two of the three games they played vs. the Florida Marlins on June 19-20-21st.  

* After an off day on Monday June 22nd, the Yanks lost their third straight game on this trip, a 4-0 shutout at the hands of the Atlanta Braves. But, the Bombers recovered nicely, winning the next two games, 8-4, and 11-7, that made their trip back to New York to play the Mets at Citi Field [for the first time], a very nice plane ride indeed.

* The Yankees totally dominated the Mets in this three-game series, on June 26-27-28th, sweeping their cross-town rivals, 9-1, in the first game; 5-0, in the middle game; and, 4-2, in the final game, in which the "great" Mariano Rivera recorded his 500th career save. This sweep gave the Bronx Bombers a 5-1 winning record in the 2009 version of the "Subway Series"; and, also, a five-game winning streak as the Yanks headed back to the "Beautiful Bronx" to start a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners.

After a well-deserved off-day on Monday June 29th, the Yankees were ready to play the final game in the month of June on Tuesday, with Joba Chamberlain (4-2, 3.81) taking the mound for the Yanks, against the Mariners Brandon Morrow (0-3, 5.64).

As has been the case for most of the days this June, there was a late afternoon rain-storm that delayed the start of the game for about a hour. But, the rain finally ended; and, hopefully, will not continue at the same pace in the upcoming summer months.

Before the game started, Mariano Rivera was given the honor of throwing out the first pitch in recognition of his 500th career save.

Then the game began, jockeying back-and-forth with the Yankees taking an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second; Seattle cutting the lead to 2-1 in the third; the Yanks increasing their lead to 3-1 in the 4th; and, the Mariners tying the score 3-3 in the top of the 5th.

Joba Chamberlain's work was finished after only 5.1 innings, in which he had an average outing, allowing three runs, on nine hits, three walks, and four strikeouts.

Phil Coke relieved Joba, and closed out the 6th inning without any further damage.

Phil Hughes then entered the game in the top of the 7th, and pitched a solid scoreless inning, retiring the side on only nine pitches, setting up Alex Rodriguez's two-run homerun in the bottom of the 7th that moved the Yankees back into the lead, 5-3.

At this point, in the top of the 8th, Joe Girardi decided to replace Hughes with the "eight-inning", "set-up man" of the moment, Brian Bruney, who has not been as effective as expected since his return from the disabled-list.

If Phil Hughes had a rough outing, throwing 30 or more piches in the 7th, Girardi's decision would have been justified; but, Hughes threw only "nine" very effective pitches.

Surely, Phil Hughes had earned another inning on the mound in this game, as he had started a very solid and secure "Bridge to Mariano", a bridge that Hughes should have been allowed to complete.

But, since it is now "in vogue" to over-manage, especially, over-using the bullpen, Manager Girardi decided to bring Bruney into the game to protect the Yankees 5-3 lead in the top of the 8th inning.

Bruney gave up three straight singles that reduced the Yankees lead to 5-4; then, after a sac bunt by Ronny Cedeno and an intentional walk to Ichiro, the Mariners tied the score 5-5 on a sac fly.

The "Bridge" had fallen.

With the Yankees five-game winning streak on the line, Hideki Matsui led off the bottom of the 8th with a double, and advanced to third on a bunt single by Nick Swisher.

Melky Cabrera was up next, and once again [this year] delivered a big clutch hit, stroking a go-ahead, RBI double, that scored Brett Gardner, who was pinch-running for Matsui, and advanced Swisher to third, giving the Yankees a 6-5 lead in the game.   

The Mariners brought the infield in with Derek Jeter coming up to the plate, and the "captain" promptly blooped a two-RBI single into the outfield to increase the Yanks lead to 8-5.

Mariano Rivera preserved the Yankees 8-5 victory by pitching a scoreless 9th inning for his 19th save of the year, and career save number 501.

It was very appropriate that Mariano threw out the first in this game, and, also, threw the final pitch, in the Yankees sixth straight win.

The Yankees go for their seventh win-in-a-row, tonight, against the Mariners, at the new Stadium.

Now, only if the rain will stay away ?

It is July ... So, that's a good sign !!! 

Enjoy the game !!!

Go Yankees !!!

-- Jimmy Curran, "Baseball, The Yankees, and Life"

Going into the bottom of the 9th inning of the first game of this year's version of the Subway Series against the New York Mets at the new Yankee Stadium, the Yankees trailed the Mets 8-7, as poor pitching by the Yanks was basically gift wrapping a potential victory for their cross-town rivals.

Yankees starter, Joba Chamberlain, lasted only four innings, and was lucky to give up only two runs during his very shaky 100-pitch outing.

Brett Tomko, who replaced Joba, entered the game at the start of the 5th, and was even more ineffective, allowing four runs, on a two-RBI double by Ryan Church; and, a deep two-run homerun down the line into the leftfield seats by Gary Sheffield that gave the Mets a 6-3 lead at the time.

Meanwhile, the Yankees looked like they were competing in a "Homerun Derby" contest against Mets starting pitcher, Livan Hernandez, hitting three homers off the Mets hurler: a solo homerun by Robinson Cano in the second inning, that gave the Yankees an early 1-0 lead; a two-run homer by Mark Teixeira, his 20th, in the third, that moved the Yankees ahead again, 3-2; and, an opposite field, solo homer by Derek Jeter in the 5th, that cut the Mets lead to 6-4.

Mets Manager, Jerry Manuel, replaced Hernandez with reliever Jon Switzer in the 6th inning, and Hideki Matsui decided to the join-in all the fun of the homerun derby, and celebrate his birthday, by lighting up the Stadium crowd with a three-run "birthday blast" off Switzer into the rightfield seats that moved the Yanks back into the lead, 7-6.

The Mets tied it up with a run in the top of the 7th; then, after Phil Coke retired the first two batters in the 8th, Mariano Rivera was called into the game by Manager Joe Girardi to hold the 7-7 tie, and, also, pitch the 9th.

The Great Mariano had not appeared in a game in about four days, and promptly walked the first batter he faced, Carlos Beltran.

David Wright was up next, and he stroked a solid RBI line drive double to right center field, scoring Beltran with the go-ahead run.

Rivera struck-out Ryan Church for the final out of the inning, but the damage was already done. The Mets now had an 8-7 lead.  

After the game, Mariano Rivera put his relief appearance in  perspective by saying, "any relief pitcher cannot come into a game and walk a guy. If you walk a guy, he is going to score."

The Yankees were held scoreless by Green and Feliciano in the bottom of the 8th; and, Mariano retired the side in order in the top of the 9th, setting the stage for one of the most unbelievable turn of events that has ever occurred in a baseball game.

Mets closer, Francisco Rodriguez, entered the game in the bottom of the 9th, and quickly got the first out when Brett Gardner popped out to catcher, Brian Schneider.

Derek Jeter was up next, and he kept hope alive for the Yanks by grounding a single up the middle. The "captain" then stole second when Johnny Damon, pinch hitting for Nick Swisher, struck out for the second out of the inning.

The Yankees were now down to their final out with Mark Teixeira coming up to the plate.

K-Rod pitched carefully to Teixeira, serving up three straight breaking balls that Tex did not swing at, to move the count to 3-0. At this point, Manuel decided to intentionally walk Tex putting the winning run on first, with Jeter, the trying run, still on second base.

As kids growing up, playing baseball in our back yards; in the streets; school yards; and, on Little League fields, this is the dream of all young baseball fans and future Major Leaguers -- coming up to the plate in the 9th inning with your team down, and being the hero by getting the "big" hit that wins the game for you team.

Well, Yankees clean-up hitter, Alex Rodriguez, was the next batter, and he had the opportunity to be the hero in this game.

With K-Rod on the mound looking for the save, A-Rod worked the count to 3-0. Then, K-Rod delivered a strike that brought the count to 3-1.

The Mets played a good game up to this point, battling back to take an 8-7 lead.

And, the Yankee hitters kept the Bronx Bombers in the game, powering four home runs that balanced out the poor pitching perfomances by the Yankee pitchers that took the mound in this very exciting game.

But, with all that said, a team needs to record 27 outs, as well as, have the most runs after nine innings are completed to claim the victory in the game. The Mets had only retired 26 batters up to this point; they still needed one more out for the win.

As I watched these events unfold on the YES Network, I was rooting hard and loud for A-Rod to hit a game-winning homerun, or, at least, get a base hit that would have tied the score.

The stage was set, for either a great Mets victory; or, a geat "comeback" walk-off win, once again this year, for the Yankees.

Francisco Rodriguez was set on the mound, and ready to deliver the next pitch to Alex Rodriguez.

At this very crucial moment in the game, I will "fade to black" on this post, and transfer my thoughts back to the night of the game, sitting in front of my television set, replaying the "call" of this dramatic next pitch and play as broadcasted by the great New York Yankees YES Network Announcer, Michael Kay ...

-- "And, the 3-1" ...

-- "Popped-Up" ...

-- "Castillo" ...

-- "Dropped The Ball" ..

-- "He Dropped The Ball" !!! ...

-- "Here comes Teixeira" ...

-- "And, The Yankees Win" !!! ...

-- "OH ... MY ... GOODNESS" !!! ...

-- "He Dropped The Ball" ...

-- "What An Ending" !!! ...

-- "The Yankees Win, 9-8" !!!

-- "In The Most Improbable Fashion" ...

-- "A-Rod Becomes A Hero, With A Pop-Up" !!!

                                          ... Michael Kay, YES Network

If Casey Stengel was here, he would say, "SIMPLY AMAZING" !!!

-- To view the boxscore, click on ... Yankees 9, Mets 8 

-- Jimmy Curran, "BY&L"  

Yankees 0-8 vs. the Red Sox [so far] this season

June 12, 2009

Game 1 -- Red Sox 5, Yankees 4

Game 2 -- Red Sox 16, Yankees 11

Game 3 -- Red Sox 4, Yankees 1

Game 4 -- Red Sox 6, Yankees 4 

Game 5 -- Red Sox 7, Yankees 3

Game 6 -- Red Sox 7, Yankees 0

Game 7 -- Red Sox 6, Yankees 5

Game 8 -- Red Sox 4, Yankees 3

How do the New York Yankees unravel this puzzle ?

Photo Credits:

Google Images

The Jam Factory - Oxford, England

Artist: Lisa "Miss Doubleyou" Whitehead 

-- Jimmy Curran, "Baseball, The Yankees, and Life"  

The New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox is the greatest "rivalry" in the history of baseball and all sports.

Every game that is played by these two great teams each year takes on a very unique meaning with a playoff atmosphere, and really becomes its own very special "season within a season" in the overall American League schedule each year.  

This is the reason I coined the phrase "A Season Within A Season" for this great rivalry last year, and look to continue this special reflection on the Yankees vs. Red Sox games in 2009 and future seasons.

So, as a way of getting ready for the beginning of the games between both teams in 2009, the following is a listing of their scheduled games this upcoming year. I will offer my thoughts with updates, scores and highlights of each game throughout the year, and most importantly, look forward to all the comments, thoughts, and opinions of viewers of my mlblog.

My hope is, this ongoing season-long "post" will become a site where mlbloggers will visit throughout this season with their thoughts on each game, and any other comments or stories related to the great New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox rivalry.

Please let me know what think; and, also, feel free to offer any suggestions that you may have. Of course, I welcome all Yankee and Red Sox fans, as well as, all baseball fans, to visit any time to become a part of this great rivalry and tradition which is the most unique in baseball and all sports !!!

* Updated: Thursday, June 11, 2009 ... Check-out "post" below, and please offer any comments, thoughts, or observations that you may want to include in this "season-long" tribute in honor the great New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox rivalry ...

Thank you, everybody, for all your visits !!!  

"A Season Within A Season", 2009 ...

* Game # 1  --  April 24, 2009  -- Red Sox 5, Yankees 4      @ Fenway Park

* Game # 2  --  April 25, 2009  -- Red Sox 16, Yankees 11  @ Fenway Park

* Game # 3  --  April 26, 2009  -- Red Sox 4, Yankees 1      @ Fenway Park

* Game # 4  --  May 4, 2009  --  Red Sox 6, Yankees 4 @ Yankee Stadium

* Game # 5  --  May 5, 2009  -- Red Sox 7, Yankees 3  @ Yankee Stadium

* Game # 6  --  June  9, 2009   -- Red Sox 7, Yankees 0  @ Fenway Park

* Game # 7  --  June 10, 2009  -- Red Sox 6, Yankees 5  @Fenway Park

* Game # 8  --  June 11, 2009  -- Red Sox 4, Yankees 3  @ Fenway Park 

* Game # 9   --  August 6, 2009  --  Red Sox @ New York, Yankee Stadium

* Game #10  --  August 7, 2009  --  Red Sox @ New York, Yankee Stadium

* Game #11  --  August 8, 2009  --  Red Sox @ New York, Yankee Stadium

* Game #12  --  August 9, 2009  --  Red Sox @ New York, Yankee Stadium

* Game #13  --  August 21, 2009  --  Yankees @ Boston, Fenway Park

* Game #14  --  August 22, 2009  --  Yankees @ Boston, Fenway Park

* Game #15  --  August 23, 2009  --  Yankees @ Boston, Fenway Park

* Game #16  --  September 25, 2009  --  Red Sox @ New York, Yankee Stadium

* Game #17  --  September 26, 2009  --  Red Sox @ New York, Yankee Stadium

* Game #18  --  September 27, 2009  --  Red Sox @ New York, Yankee Stadium

The 2009 Baseball Season is almost here ...

But, let the discussion begin "now" about baseball's greatest rivalry ...

"New York Yankees" vs. "Boston Red Sox"

Everybody, have a great day !!!

-- Jimmy Curran, "Baseball, The Yankees, and Life"

****************************************************************    

* Game 1  --  April 24, 2009  --  Red Sox 5, Yankees 4  (11 innings)

With the Yankees leading 4-2 in the bottom of the 9th inning, with two outs, a runner on second base, Jason Bay the batter for the Red Sox, and Mariano Rivera on the mound -- Mariano blew this save by serving up a long, hard hit, two-run homerun, to Bay, to straight away centerfield, that tied the score 4-4.

The game remained tied going into the bottom of the 11th inning with Damaso Marte pitching for the Yankees. After striking-out the first batter, David Ortiz, the next hitter, Kevin Youkilis blasted a long walk-off homerun over the "Green Monster" to give the Red Sox a very dramatic 5-4 victory.  

The Yankees had many opportunities to score more runs in this game, including, in the top of the 9th inning, when the Yanks loaded the bases with no outs, but Robinson Cano hit into a 4-2-3 double play, and Melky Cabrera poped out to the catcher to end the rally and inning with the Yanks still leading 4-2 at the time.  

For the Boston Red Sox, this was a very well deserved comeback victory.

For the New York Yankees, this was, to say the least, a very disappointing loss.  

* To view boxscore, click on ...  Game 1 -- Red Sox 5, Yankees 4

*************************    

* Game 2  --  April 25, 2009  -- Red Sox 16, Yankees 11

-- To view boxscore, click on ... Game 2 -- Red Sox 16, Yankees 11

* Game 3 -- April 26, 2009 -- Red Sox 4, Yankees 1

-- To view boxscore, click on ... Game 3 

* Game 4 -- May 4, 2009 -- Red Sox 6, Yankees 4

-- To view boxscore, click on ... Game 4  

* Game 5 -- May 5, 2009 -- Red Sox 7, Yankees 3

-- To view boxscore, click on ... Game 5

The "Season Within A Season" 2009, continues with a three-game series at Fenway Park, starting on Tuesday June 9th.

As of June 9, 2009, the Yankees are in "First Place" in the AL East.

The AL East standings are as follows ...  

New York Yankees    34-23    .596       --

Boston Red Sox         33-24    .579      1.0

Toronto Blue Jays     33-27    .550      2.5

Tampa Bay Rays       29-30    .492      6.0

Baltimore Orioles      24-33    .421    10.0 

"Go Yankees" !!!

* Game 6 -- Tuesday, June 9, 2009 -- Red Sox 7, Yankees 0

-- Josh Beckett (7-2) was brilliant in his start for the Red Sox, in total control throughout his six innings on the mound, allowing zero runs, on only one hit and two waks, while striking out eight batters. The Boston bullpen closed out the Sox shutout victory.

-- For the Yankees, their starter, A.J. Burnett (4-3) was "awful" !!! ... A.J. allowed five runs (three earned), on five hits, five walks, and one strikeout in only 2.2 innings. A two-run homer by David Ortiz in Boston's four run second inning was the turning point of the game, as the Red Sox easily coasted to their sixth straight win vs. the Yankees this year.

-- To view boxscore, click on ... Game 6 

* Game 7 -- Wednesday, June 10, 2009 -- Red Sox 6, Yankees 5

-- Chien-Ming Wang started for the Yankees, and was totally ineffective, allowing four runs, on six hits, [including a homerun], and three walks, in 2.2 innings pitched. Phil Hughes replaced Wang, and was also not effective, giving up two runs, on two hits, including a home run, two walks, and five strikeouts in 3.2 innings out of the bullpen.

-- The Yankees had three homeruns in the game ... Posada in the 2nd inning; and back-to-back homers by Damon and Teixeira in the top of the 7th; and, Tex was 4-for-5 including two doubles with his homer; but, this power was not enough for the Bronx Bombers, as the Red Sox held on for a solid 6-5 win. Mike Lowell and Kevin Youkilis homered for the Sox; and, Tim Wakefield (8-3) pitched six strong innings for the victory. This was Boston's seventh straight win against the New York Yankees this year.

-- To view the boxscore, click on ... Game 7 

** The win in Game 7 moved the Red Sox back into first place in the AL East, one game ahead of the Yankees, as of the morning of Thursday June 11, 2009.

** The final game of this three-game series at Fenway Park continues tonight, June 11th, with CC Sabathia (5-3, 3.56) on the mound for the Yankees vs. the Red Sox starter, Brad Penny (5-2, 5.85).

Enjoy the game, everybody !!!

* Game 8 -- Thursday, June 11, 2009 -- Red Sox 4, Yankees 3

-- A VERY CRUSHING LOSS BY THE NEW YORK YANKEES !!! ... [Enough said]

-- The Yankees are now "0-8" against the Red Sox this year !!!

-- To view boxscore, click on ... Game 8    

Four Yankee homeruns.

A great pitching effort by Yankees starter Andy Pettitte.

Solid performances by three relievers out of the Yankees bullpen, including a save by Mariano Rivera.

All add up to a 5-3 New York Yankees win over the Tampa Bay Rays, last night, at the new Yankee Stadium in the beautiful Bronx.

Oh, yeah, the victory also increased the Yankees lead to one full game over the second place Boston Red Sox in the AL East.  

So, as of June 9, 2009, the standings in the AL East are as follows ...

Yankees     34-23     .596      --

Red Sox      33-24    .579     1.0

Blue Jays    33-27    .550      2.5

Rays           29-33    .492      6.0

Orioles        24-33    .421    10.0

The Yankees now travel up to Boston to play the Red Sox in a very important three-game series at Fenway Park with "first place" on the line in the AL East.

Boston has won the first "five" games of the 2009 version of the Yankees vs. Red Sox "Season Within A Season" series; but, the Yankees hope to open up their lead in the AL East to "four" games with a sweep of the rival Sox.

Playoff baseball in June. It doesn't get much better then that.

The Bronx Bombers are playing much better "ball" then the last time they played the Red Sox, and look to continue their solid play on the field at Fenway.

Homeruns by Mark Teixeira (#18 in the 1st); Nick Swisher (#12, two-run HR in the 2nd); Johnny Damon (#12 in the 6th); and, Derek Jeter (#8 in th 8th), accounted for all five Yankee runs, which was all the support Andy Pettitte needed to record his 6th win of the year.

The Yankees have now hit 92 total homeruns in the 57 games they played this year; and, with the four Yankee HR's and one Rays homer hit in the game, there have now been a total of 105 homeruns hit in the 29 games at the new Yankee Stadium, so far.

Yes, the baseballs continue to travel far into the seats, soaring through the air, powered by the new "launching pad" at the new Stadium in the Bronx.  

Pettitte (6-2) threw a solid six innings, allowing three runs (two earned); on five hits; three walks; and seven strikeouts.

The only trouble Andy had was in the top of the 4th inning, when the Rays tied the score 3-3 on a RBI single by Michel Hernandez that plated Ben Zobrist, who reached first on an Alex Rodriguez error; and, a two-run homer by Gabe Kapler.

Andy Sonnanstine (4-6) started for the Rays, and allowed all five Yankee runs in his seven innings of work, on six hits (including the four homers), two walks, and one strikeout.

After Pettitte completed his six innings on the mound, the Yankees bullpen took over and it was lights out the rest of the way.

Phil Hughes was very impressive pitching a scoreless 7th inning.

Phil Coke tossed a scoreless 8th inning.

And, "The Great Mariano" closed out this well-played Yankees victory, throwing a perfect 9th inning for his 14th save, preserving the Yanks 34th win of 2009.

It is a very nice view at the top of the AL East for all in the Yankees Universe.  

The New York Yankees just completed a very successful home stand, winning 8 of 10 games, even though they lost their final game to the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-3, in 11 innings on Sunday.

In Boston, the Red Sox avoided an embarrassing sweep at the hands of the New York Mets by winning the final game of their three-game weekend series, 12-5.

So, okay, the Yankees lost two of three games to the Phillies over the weekend; and, the Red Sox also lost two of the three games they played against the Mets. Now, we can all go on our merry way to play the next teams on the schedule.

As you can see, I really do not like "Interleague Play".

In my view, the past weekend would have been much more fun if the Yankees had played the Red Sox, and the Mets played the Phillies. These games would have been much more meaningful as both matchups would have featured teams playing other teams in their own divisions that have a direct impact on each individual division pennant race in the AL East and the NL East.

What an interesting concept. Rival teams playing each other in important games on the Memorial Day Weekend, instead of "meaningless" interleague games.

Of course, my view has nothing to do with the outcome of the past weekend games. Most of the games were very exciting to watch. I just feel these interleague games are a big distraction, create an unbalanced schedule, and kind of taint the overall stats of players in both leagues. The interleague games can also affect the final standings, for good or bad, depending on what team you root for.

As a Yankees fan, the Red Sox vs. Mets series offered an interesting dynamic for myself.

Even though I knew it would help the Yankees if the Mets beat the Red Sox all three games, I still could not root for the Mets to win. I never root for the Mets to win; and, I do not look forward to the "six" games the Yankees and Mets play every year.  

But, certainly, I was not rooting for the Red Sox to win.

The only way I could justify all this in my mind was to just hope the Red Sox would lose all three games, and leave it at that.

See, all these interleague games are just a major distraction.

I wonder how other fans feel about interleague play?

Also, how about the instant replay review of questionable homerun calls?

There were two such reviews in the Red Sox vs. Mets series.

Another distraction?

Well, I hope the replay reviews end with "only" questionable homerun calls, and are not used on other close plays in the future. We really don't need any more distractions.

Just let the teams play good old-fashioned hardball.

And, in my opinion, the only time American League teams should meet National League teams is during the World Series !!!  

I hope everybody is having a very enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend.

Let's all remember the true meaning of this Holiday.

May we keep in our prayers all the men and women who have served our country in the military, and, especially, keep close to our hearts, and in our prayers, all those who made the ultimate sacrifice, losing their lives, defending our country and freedom.

May God always bless all those who serve, and served, in our military; and, also, all those who died serving our country in the many wars and battles that have been fought defending the great United States of America.

Have A Great Day !!!

-- Jimmy Curran, "BY&L"    

Well, the Yankees winning streak had to end sometime, and it ended last night as the Philadelphia Phillies soundly defeated the Yanks 7-3 in a game of "Homerun Derby" in the Bronx.

There were seven homers hit in the game with the Phillies winning that battle over the Bronx Bombers, four homeruns to three. But, more importantly, the Phillies out-scored the Yanks 7-3 in runs, and in the process, ended the Yankees winning streak at nine games.

After 21 games now played at the new Yankee Stadium, there have been a total of 82 homeruns hit, an average of four homers per game.

So, it is fair to say this pattern looks like it will continue to be the norm at the new Stadium, and we can all expect an even greater number of homers to fly into the seats as the weather gets warmer. If the homer average remains the same, this pace will lead to 316 homeruns being hit in the first year at Yankee Stadium.

Is it time to say, "enough, already, with the homeruns?"

I don't know what the answer is, but, clearly, the new design of Yankee Stadium has created some interesting air-pockets that are helping baseballs sail into the stands, especially, in right and right centerfield.

New open air-vents in the upper decks surrounding the roof, and the areas in the bleachers that are now enclosed, which used to be "open", where the old bullpens were located, certainly seem to be part of the reason for the new launching pad of homeruns in this new ballpark.

Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies hit Yankees starter, A.J. Burnett's first pitch of the game into the seats for the early 1-0 Philadelphia lead.

Burnett hit the next batter, Chase Utley, in what looked like a message as the result of the lead-of homer. The next three batters were retired by Burnett, and the game headed into the bottom of the first.

The Phillies starting pitcher, Brett Myers, threw behind the Yankees lead-off hitter, Derek Jeter, protecting his player, Utley. The home plate umpire immediately warned both benches that the next batter thrown at would result in "that" pitcher and the team's manager being kicked out of the game. 

So, that ended any more possible fireworks from both mounds; but, there still was plently of fireworks yet to come -- rockets blasted into the seats by many more batters from both teams.

Jeter did get a single after being thrown at by Myers, though, and was forced at second base on a grounder by Johnny Damon for out number one. Mark Teixeira then struck-out, bringing Alex Rodriguez up to the plate with two outs.

A-Rod stroked a solid double down the leftfield line, and Damon raced around third trying to tie the score. But, a beautiful relay throw from Raul Ibanez, to shortstop, Jimmy Rollins, to catcher, Carlos Ruiz, gunned down Damon at the plate, keeping the Phillies in the lead.

Ruiz then belted a one-out, two-run homer in the top of the second inning, scoring Matt Stairs, who hit a lead-off single, for the 3-0 Phillies lead.

The Phillies scored two more runs in the 5th, on a two-run homer by Jayson Werth, increasing their lead to 5-0.

A.J. Burnett, (L, 2-2), ended his work in this game with six inning pitched, in which he allowed five runs, on eight hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts. A very disappointing outing for Burnett.

The Yankees got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the 6th, on a solo homerun by Alex Rodriguez that cut the Phillies lead to 5-1.

Chien-Ming Wang, called up from his injury rehab because the Yankees needed help in the bullpen after their 8.1 innings of relief in the previous game in which Joba Chamberlain was injured by a line drive that hit his knee in the first inning of that game, now entered the game, and was greeted by a solo homerun off the bat of Raul Ibanez, the Phillies fourth homer of the game. Philadelphia now led 6-1.

The Phillies scored their final run in the top of the 8th increasing the score to 7-1.

In the bottom of the 8th, the Yankees attempted to comeback in this "Homerun Derby" when both Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira hit solo homeruns, but that was all the damage the Yankees could manage to put up on the board, as Brett Myers finished up the inning with the Phillies still leading 7-3.

Myers, (W, 4-2), delivered a solid pitching performance in this start, allowing three runs, on eight hits, no walks, and five strikeouts in his eight innings on the mound.

Chien-Ming Wang pitched a scoreless 9th inning, but still looks like he needs more work on his mechanics. Wang pitched three innings and gave up two runs, on six hits, one walk, and one strikeout.

Phillies reliever, Ryan Madson closed out the 7-3 Philadelphia victory, as the Yankees nine game winning streak came to an end.  

Update:  Saturday,  May 23, 2009 ...

Four more homeruns were hit in the second game of the three-game series between the Yankees and Phillies ... two by the Yankees, and two by the Phillies.

The Phillies took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the 9th inning, when the Yankees made a dramatic comeback, scoring three runs, to win the game 5-4.

Johnny Damon led off the 9th with a walk, and stole second base with Mark Teixeira up at the plate. Tex struck out for out number one. Alex Rodriguez was the next batter.

A-Rod was clutch in this at-bat, blasting an opposite field two-run homer into the lower rightfield porch that tied the score 4-4.

Robinson Cano kept the rally going by stroking a single up the middle; and, then, stole second to put the winning run in scoring position for the next hitter, Melky Cabrera.

The Melk-man delivered with a solid line drive, walk-off, game-winning, RBI single to right centerfield, that drove home Cano with the winning run in the Yankees 5-4 victory that was played in front of a national television audience on FOX Baseball Saturday Game Of The Week.  

Derek Jeter had the Yankees other homerun in this game.

Later on this night, the Boston Red Sox lost a very tough 3-2 game to the New York Mets, at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox were leading 2-1 with two outs in the top of the 9th inning when Omir Santos hit a two-run homerun over the Green Monster that gave the Mets the 3-2 lead at the time.

In the bottom of the 9th, the Red Sox hit the ball hard, and had a few chances to tie or win the game; but, the Mets made a couple of dazzling defensive plays that sealed their 3-2 victory and set up an opportunity to sweep the Sox with a win on Sunday, May 24th.

The Yankees and Red Sox are now tied in the AL East with a record of 25-18.

I still do not like interleague play, though; and, would much rather have the Yankees playing the Red Sox, and the Mets playing the Phillies this weekend.

In my view, the only time the American and National League teams should meet is in October during the World Series.

Have a great weekend, everybody !!!

-- Jimmy Curran, "BY&L"      

The New York Yankees continued to roll on their drive towards first place in the AL East by winning their ninth straight game, a 7-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium, completing a three-game sweep of the O's.

This sweep followed a four-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins over the past weekend, and victories in the final two games against the Blue Jays in Toronto before the Twins series, increasing the Yankees record to 24-17, placing the Bronx Bombers in a virtual three way tie for first with the Blue Jays (27-17), and Red Sox (25-16).

After a scary top of the first inning when Yankees starter Joba Chamberlain was knocked out of the game by a hard line drive off his right knee by Adam Jones, the Yankees exploded for four runs in the bottom of the first on a lead off double by Derek Jeter; a RBI double by Robinson Cano; a RBI double by Mark Teixeira; and, a two-out, two RBI double by Melky Cabrera that scored Tex and Nick Swisher, who walked, for the early 4-0 lead. 

Robinson Cano (3-for-4) blasted a two-run homer in the second inning to give the Yanks a 6-0 lead; and, after the O's scored a run in the top of the 5th, Hideki Matsui hit a homerun in the bottom of the 5th inning, that completed the scoring for the Yankees, and gave the Bombers a 7-1 lead at the time.  

Thank God the X-rays of Joba Chamberlain's knee were negative; and, Joba said, he was "100 percent confident" that he would make his next start against the Rangers in Texas on Tuesday.

Alfredo Aceves (3-0) replaced Joba, and pitched brilliantly over 3.1 innings of work to earn the victory in this game.

The Orioles scored two more runs in the top of the 6th, and another run in the 7th, all off Jonathan Albaladejo, who, to say the least, was not effective [at all] in his 2.1 innings out of the bullpen, as he allowed all four Oriole runs.

With the score now 7-4, Jose Veras built the bridge to Mariano Rivera who closed out the Yankees victory with a scoreless 9th inning, recording his ninth save of the year.

The Yankees open a big three-game series this Memorial Day Weekend against the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, starting Friday night, May 22, 2009, with A.J. Burnett (2-1) on the mound for the Yanks against Brett Myers (3-2) for the Phillies.    

After losing 5-1 to the Toronto Blue Jays on a masterful complete game pitching performance by Roy Halladay (7-1) in Game 1 of this three-game series, the Yankees beat the Jays, 8-2, in the middle game of this series with solid efforts from the bottom of the Yankees batting order.

The Yankees entered the game with an expanded "Injury List" that includes: Derek Jeter, Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, Jose Molina, Xavier Nady, Cody Ransom, Chien-Ming Wang, Brian Bruney, Damaso Marte, Phil Coke, Ian Kennedy, and Alex Rodriguez, who is still not 100% recovered from his hip surgery.

So, Manager Joe Girardi had to rearrange the Yankees lineup, featuring a very interesting bottom of the order -- (6) Cabrera, LF; (7) Gardner, CF; (8) Pena, SS; (9) Cervelli, C -- which certainly doesn't look like part a typical Bronx Bombers batting order. But, sometimes, unexpected results happen. That's what makes baseball such a wonderful sport.

The Blue Jays jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning off Yankees starter, Andy Pettitte.

Then, in the top of the second, the Bronx Bombers sent ten players up to the plate, exploding for five runs, on six hits, and a walk, giving the Yanks a 5-1 lead, and all the runs they would need to win a very "big" and "important" game in the early part of this season.

The top of the second was a fun inning to watch, as it was great to see the players in the bottom of the order lead the Yanks to victory. Each player has done a good job so far this year in their limited roles, and all have shown to be very capable baseball players, at bat and on the field.

Melky Cabrera led off the the inning with a double, off Blue Jays starter, Scott Richmond (L, 4-2), and scored on Bett Gardner's first homerun of the season to move the Yankees into a 2-1 lead.

Then, Ramiro Pena, filling-in for the injured Derek Jeter at short, stroked a beautifully hit triple to right centerfield; but, the next batter, Francisco Cervelli grounded out to third for the first out of the inning, leaving Pena on third.

But, Pena didn't stay on third for long, as the next batter, leadoff hitter, Johnny Damon, also crushed a triple to increase the Yankees lead to 3-1.

Nick Swisher grounded out for out number two; then, Mark Teixeira hit a RBI double over the centerfielders head, scoring Damon with the Yanks fourth run.

The next batter, Alex Rodriguez, walked, setting-up a first and second situation, with two outs, for Robinson Cano, the ninth hitter of the inning.  

Cano battled at the plate in a brilliant at-bat, finally, grounding a RBI single to rightfield on the 11th pitch thrown to him, that drove home Teixeira for the 5-1 lead by the Bombers.

Melky hit a fly ball to leftfield for out number three, but the damage was done.

The Yankees scored another run in the 4th, and two more runs in the 5th, highlighted, by a RBI triple by Gardner, the Yanks third triple of the game; and, the Jays scored their final run in the bottom of the 4th, that completed the scoring in this 8-2 Yankes victory.

Andy Pettitte (W, 3-1), pitched a good game, throwing 106 pitches over six innings of work, and was replaced by Alfredo Aceves in the 7th.

Aceves was solid in his two scoreless innings in relief, and really should have been allowed to pitch the 9th inning for a "very-rare" three-inning "save".

But, what would a Yankees game be without some drama out of the bullpen?

Girardi brought Jonathan Albaladejo in to pitch the bottom of the 9th, and Alba made things interesting by loading the bases on a single and two walks, and one out.  

The Yankees had a six run lead at this point, and Joe Girardi actually had to get Marinao Rivera up in the bullpen "just in case" !!!

Albaladejo composed himself, though, and threw a game-ending double play, preserving this must-needed Yankees victory.