The Yankees are finding new ways to lose. This time, they found a way to blow a four run lead on an afternoon where the offense showed up and scored some runs, not to mention a decent outing by their starting pitcher Darrell Rasner.

The game slipped away from the Yanks in the top of the 7th.With the Yanks up 6-3 and Toronto had a man on first base and no outs. A groundball was hit to Robinson Cano, he fielded it, and flipped it Derek Jeter at second. Problem was, Cano's flip was erratic and got away from Jeter. This puts runners on 1st and 3rd with no outs. A walk later loaded the bases, and Joe Inglett singled to center. This shaved the Yankee lead down to 6-5. In the top of the 8th Brian Bruney gave up a single to Vernon Wells, next up Adam Lind facing Damaso Marte. Lind gets a base hit to right. Edwar Ramirez then comes in to try and calm things down. He gives up a hit to Jose Bautista and the game is now tied at 6. Next batter Greg Zaun hits a slow grounder that went all of about 75 feet got the go ahead run in for the Blue Jays. Rasner left with a 6-3 lead, now going into the bottom of the 9th the Yanks were down 7-6.

Jeter leads off with a single and Bobby Abreu walks to start the 9th. Here comes Alex Rodriguez, chance to the hero but he failed in another late inning spot. He grounded into a double play, his 11th this month! Next up Cody Ransom flew out to left leaving Abreu at second and the game was over. Heartbreaking loss to say the least for the Yankees.

The bullpen that had been so good last night, let the Yanks down today. Bruney, Marte, and Ramirez all pitched in Friday's 2-1 win. The difference between last night and today was Mariano Rivera. Girardi could've gone to his closer today but it would've marked the 3rd straight day in which Joe would've called upon Rivera to get more than 3 outs. At some point you got to let the guy rest. Now we see why Rivera is so valuable to this team. Maybe if he comes in in the 8th inning, the Yanks don't give the game away.

Up 6-2 in this game, the Yanks MUST win this game. It's just another bad result in a season full of them. At some point the Yanks will be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs if things keep going this way. Time is running out, 27 games left and 6 out. Time is not on the Yankees side.

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Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Baseball, Bobby Abreu, Brian Bruney, Cody Ransom, Darell Rasner, Demaso Marte, Derek Jeter, Edwar Ramirez, Mariano Rivera, Yankees

The Yankees took out their brooms yesterday in Baltimore as they completed a 3 game sweep of the Orioles. It got a scary towards the end in the ninth as the O's had the tying run on 3rd base with two outs but Mariano Rivera struck out Nick Markakis to end the game.

Robinson Cano went 4-for-5 with a HR,two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. He hit the go-ahead HR in tghe top of the 7th to break a 7-7 tie. Cano called it the biggest hit of the season for him. Johnny Damon added a 3-run HR while Bobby Abreu added three hits.

“Being able to sweep Baltimore definitely puts us in a much better situation against Boston,” Damon said.

Boston comes into town on Tuesday to start a huge three game series with the Bombers. Their lead on the Yanks is five games in the wild card.

The Yanks blew a five run lead in this game. Yesterday's starter Darrell Rasner had his shortest outing of the year: 3 1/3 innings, eight hits, five runs allowed (three earned). It was a sharp contrast to his last outing in Toronto on Tuesday against the Blue Jays where he went into the seventh and gave up only one run on three hits.

Rivera entered the game in the eigth and was asked to get a four out save. Rivera up for the challenge excelled in making manager Joe Girardi pleased with his decision to bring in his closer early. With two oouts in the ninth Rivera walked Brian Roberts on four pitches. Roberts then stole second and an erratic throw by Pudge Rodriguez led to Roberts also taking third base on the play. With the tying run 90 feet away Rivera caught the outside corner on Markakis and the Yanks were on their way home with a sweep. It was their first road sweep of the season.

The Yanks have Monday off before their big series with the Red Sox. Let's see if the momentum stays with the Bombers against Boston.

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Tags: Baseball, Bobby Abreu, Darell Rasner, Joe Girardi, Johnny Damon, Mariano Rivera, Robinson Cano, Yankees

The New York Yankees (30-30) start a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals (23-37) at Yankee Stadium tonight. After yesterday's improbable win, the struggling Royals come in at just the right time for the Yanks to feast on. Here are your matchups this weekend.

Tonight - 7:05 p.m., YES
Kyle Davies - RHP (1-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Darrell Rasner - RHP (3-2, 2.67 ERA) NOTE: Davies served up A-Rod's 500th HR last season.

Tomorrow - 1:05 p.m., YES
Brian Bannister - RHP (5-6, 4.60 ERA) vs. Andy Pettitte - LHP (5-5, 4.21 ERA)

Sunday - 1:05 p.m., YES
Zack Greinke - RHP (5-3, 3.56 ERA) vs. Joba Chamberlain - (1-2, 2.42 ERA)

Monday - 1:05 p.m., YES
Luke Hochevar - RHP (3-5, 5.13 ERA) vs. Mike Mussina - RHP (9-4, 4.01 ERA)

Prediction: Yanks win 3 of 4.

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Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Baseball, Darell Rasner, Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, Joba Chamberlain, Mike Mussina, Robinson Cano, Yankees

Last night Joe Girardi announced to the world that the "process has started" with Joba Chamberlain. To many fans and many critics it was an announcement that has been long overdue. To some, it's a decision in question.

To any Yankee fan, you know wheter Joba pitches from the bullpen or in the starting rotation he's an important piece to the team now and in the future. There's no debate that he will be a starter next season, a season where the Yankees will need valuable arms in the rotation. Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte could be on their last legs in pinstripes this season so the move to the rotation for Joba is logical. The question is wheter the Yanks can win with Joba making this transition in the middle of the season.

Personally, I love Joba in the 8th inning. He comes in and blows away hitters, he ignites the crowd and brings an abundance of energy with him to the mound. He's the perfect set-up guy to Mariano Rivera, and as we've seen in season's past, that role hasbeen shaky (see: Tom Gordon, Kyle Farnsworth Jeff Nelson II). But the idea of getting Chamberlain ready for a starter's role while still in the 'pen is a good idea. He can still prove to be valuable in the late innings,yet work on his arm strength without going to the minors.

The 2009 projected starting rotation looks to be Chien Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and player to be named. Many, myself included would add C.C. Sabathia to that rotation in '09, but that will be up for discussion during the offseason. Wang is a sure thing at the top of the rotation, Hughes, Kennedy and PTN isn't. Joba has four major league ready pitches and they need to utilized. He simply can not be wasted in the pen for the rest of his career. So the process has begun.


I like the way Girardi made the announcement, I felt like a kid in the candy store when i heard it, I got goosebumps. This also does hint at the Yankees going into Year of Transition. It's been a tough year to this point but it can only get better. By the end of the summer one would think Joba's going to be in the rotation following Wang, Pettitte, Moose and Rasner? What happens to Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes? That's a question that can't be answered now, but it's a good problem to have. The only answer that matters now is that Joba is beginning his transformation into a starter.

Debate it all you want, Joba The Starter vs Joba The Set-up Man. But the call has been made. Joba told Girardi, his coaches and team officals that he wants to be a starter and that's what's going to happen. A good 8th inning guy can come along every now and then but a guy of Joba's talent come once in a blue moon so take advantage of the opportunity that is presented before you. Don't second guess the move, embrace it. Before you make your judgement, why don't we wait to see how this plays out, after all the Yankees will never set themselves up for failure and if they think this is the right move, then that's good enough for me.

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Tags: Andy Pettitte, Baseball, CC Sabathia, Darell Rasner, Ian Kennedy, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Girardi, Mike Mussina, New Yankee Stadium, Phil Hughes, Yankees

Things aren't right in the Bronx. That comes as no surprise. What does, is the lack of offense coming from the Yankees.

The Yankees lost another game and another series. This loss might be cause for some action. The powers that be, Hank Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman might need to find something to boost this ballclub. In recent years the Yanks have made additions to the ballclub when they felt it was necessary. We've seen them get guys off the free agent market: Aaron Small, Shawn Chacon, Roger Clemens and we've seen them promote within the organization: Chien Ming Wang, Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, and Joba Chamberlain.

Each of those moves have proved to be vital in terms of injecting life to a team that lacks the energy a $200 million ballclub should have. Granted, these moves have not led the Yanks to the World Series, but it has led them to the postseason. October baseball is a long way from now but it seems like years away with the way the Yankees have been playing.

12 runs scored in the last 6 games?? Horrid. Losing 8 of 11? Terrible. 20-24? Disappointing. Last place? Embarassing. I think the point was put across. I have said time and time again that the Yanks have been in worse situations ('05 and '07) but those were under different situations. Those were under the calm, cool, and collected Joe Torre. Those teams seemed to have an answer for the slow start. This season is under Joe Girardi, a much more emotional guy. Also, the Yanks had to go on incredible runs to make the playoffs in those years. Robinson Cano had a monster second half. Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada had career years last season and ironically both are out now with injuries.

“It doesn’t matter if people are out. You can bring back Ruth, Gehrig and DiMaggio, other guys have to step up. Every team deals with injuries over the course of the year” said Derek Jeter after Sunday night's 11-2 loss to the Mets.

A-Rod is expected back on Tuesday which will help the offense but he can't do it alone. The Yanks need to find a way to get things going. Darrell Rasner so far has been a nice addition to the team but he's only had 2 starts. The bench has been awful, the bullpen has come back to earth after having a nice stretch and the top guys in the roation Wang and Andy Pettitte are expected to win every game they pitch..that's not possible. Mike Mussina has stepped up nicely recently, let's hope that continues.

So what excatly is the answer for the 2008 Yankees? I wish I knew. I hope Cashman and his crew have a plan or else it's going to be a long and ugly summer.

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Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Baseball, Chien Ming Wang, Darell Rasner, Derek Jeter, Joe Girardi, Joe Torre, Jorge Posada, Melky Cabrera, Mets, Mike Mussina, Yankees

Is it possible to see David Wells come back to Yankee Stadium one more time? According to the NY Post,Wells wants to come back and Hank Steinbrenner is a fan of his.

Wells went unsigned over the winter but continues to throw to his son's high school baseball team to keep in shape.

"I'm in shape, I'd just have to fine-tune a couple of things," Wells said. "I'd need a little bit of time, but not much. Physically I feel fine, real good."

David pitched for the Bombers from 1997-98 and 2002-2003. In '98 Wells pitched a perfect game at the Stadium against the Minnesota Twins. He is beloved by most Yankee fans, although David did raise some eyebrows in Yankeeland. He took himself out of Game 4 of the 2003 World Series with a back injury, which forced Joe Torre to put in Jose Contreares in the game for a second consecutive night. That game was lost in extra innings when Torre summoned Jeff Weaver in and he promptly served up the game winning homerun. In 2005, Boomer signed with the rival Boston Red Sox, a move in which he once stated he would never do.

"New York has always been the favorite of all my stops," Wells said. "When I got traded, I was bitter. When they didn't re-sign me, I was bitter, but I know that wasn't the Yankees, everything was Joe Torre. I wasn't one of his boys. I don't think he liked the way I lived my life or that I spoke my mind."

Wells would welcome the idea of pitching under his former catcher Joe Girardi. Hank admits he's given Wells some consideration concerning a return.

"Obviously, he'll always be a Yankee to me," Steinbrenner said. "I've thought about it.....I saw him on TV, and I did think about it when I was watching.You never know," Steinbrenner said. [Wells] hasn't come up in conversation, but I've had so much other [bleep] to deal with lately."

Wells also stated he believes the Yankees have nothing to lose if they were to resign Wells. I agree. He's a lefty with expirence in New York and might still be able to pitch that big game they need. Whether David can prove to be useful in his mid-40's is another story. I don't think he can do much worse than Phil Hughes and his 0-4 9.00 ERA or Ian Kennedy's 0-3 8.37 ERA.

Give the guy a chance, you never know what you might get. I think the Yanks should take advantage of this situation while the time is right. This Wells-Yankee love affair could take on some stem if fill ins Darell Rasner and Kei Igawa struggle in their starts. As I always like to say, stranger things have happened, so the idea of Wells coming back may seem outrageous at first, but think about it...it could very well be what the Yanks need. I would love to see Boomer back, let's see if the door opens for a return to the House That Ruth Built.

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Tags: Baseball, Darell Rasner, David Wells, Ian Kennedy, Joe Girardi, Joe Torre, Phil Hughes, Yankees

After getting swept by the Detriot Tigers in the middle of the week, the Yankees responded with their own three game sweep of the Seattle Mariners this weekend.

“It’s been kind of streaky,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “I’d like to shorten one streak and lengthen another.”

The Yankee offense which was quiet for much of the Detriot series came alive in the recent days. Led by Derek Jeter and his four hit performance on Sunday, the Yanks were able to complete the series sweep with an 8-2 victory at the Stadium. Bobby Abreu also contributed with three hits of his own, Johnny Damon drove in two runs, and the Bombers got back-to-back homeruns from best buds Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano.

The other story in this game was the pitching of Darrell Rasner (1-0). Making his 2008 debut, Rasner pitched well. After giving up a first inning two-run homer to Adrian Beltre, Rasner settled down to pitch six innings, giving up five hits on only the two runs, and struck out four. His performance was much welcomed as he was filling in for the injured Phil Hughes, who has yet to record a win this season and is also on the DL until at least July.

Before Sunday's game the Yanks sent down struggling pitcher Ian Kennedy to Triple-A Scranton to work out his problems. Japanese import Kei Igawa will most likely take Kennedy's spot in the rotation when it presents itself next weekend.

Rasner's performance was the third consecutive start in which a Yankee starter pitched six innings, following Chien-Ming Wang on Friday and Mike Mussina on Saturday.

“Just try to run with this opportunity,” Rasner said. “I think I’m finally getting back in the groove.”

The bullpen was also effective in the victory on Sunday. Ross Ohlendorf, Kyle Farnsworth and Mariano Rivera each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

With the series sweep of Seattle, the Yanks are (17-16) and responded to co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner, who said he was “disappointed” with the season this far on Friday. The Yanks have an off day Monday but are back at it with the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday at the Stadium. The two teams split a four game series last weekend in Cleveland. Andy Pettitte (3-3) goes for the Yanks.

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Tags: Andy Pettitte, Baseball, Bobby Abreu, Chien Ming Wang, Darell Rasner, Derek Jeter, Ian Kennedy, Joe Girardi, Johnny Damon, Kyle Farnsworth, Mariano Rivera, Melky Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Yankees