Results tagged ‘ Rays ’
Manny doesn’t intrigue Yankees
Hearing news that Manny Ramirez has applied to Major League Baseball for reinstatement, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was succinct in summing up his interest level, telling the Wall Street Journal, “I don’t think so.”
Playing for the Rays, Ramirez retired in April after being hit with a 100-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. The Washington Heights product was 1-for-17 with Tampa Bay this year.
Game 162: Yankees at Rays
September 28, 2011 – Tropicana Field – 7:10 p.m. ET (YES/ESPN, WCBS 880 AM)
YANKEES (97-64)
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Robinson Cano DH
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Nick Swisher RF
Andruw Jones LF
Jesus Montero C
Eduardo Nunez 2B
Dellin Betances RHP (0-0, 27.00)
RAYS (90-71)
Desmond Jennings LF
B.J. Upton CF
Evan Longoria 3B
Matt Joyce RF
Johnny Damon DH
Ben Zobrist 2B
Casey Kotchman 1B
Kelly Shoppach C
Reid Brignac SS
David Price LHP (12-13, 3.35)
AT A GLANCE: The Yankees will play their final regular season game tonight at Tampa Bay…are concluding the season by playing 33 games over the final 32 days of the season from 8/28-9/28, playing on 30 of those days (have gone 19-13 thus far).
Are looking to avoid getting swept in a series of more than one game for just the third time in 2011 (also 5/13-15 and 6/7-9 vs. Boston), and just the second time ever by Tampa Bay (also 9/26-28/00 at Tropicana Field)…have not been swept in a multi-game series on the road since 9/10-12/10 at Texas.
THREE AND OUT: The Yankees are the only Major League team that has not lost more than three straight road games this season.
WRAPPING IT UP: The Yankees went 6-4 in the season’s final game over the last 10 years (2001-10), losing four of the last six such contests…have not ended a season on a losing streak of at least four games since 2000 (lost final seven contests).
LEAN LEFT: The Yankees are 35-16 (.686) vs. left-handed starters this season…have won seven of their last 10 and 21 of their last 29 games against lefty starters…are batting .282 (453-for-1,609) vs. LHP this season, fractionally the second-highest in the Majors behind Texas…have hit a Major League-most 67HR off LHP.
Game 161: Yankees at Rays
September 27, 2011 – Tropicana Field – 7:10 p.m. ET (MY9, WCBS 880 AM)
YANKEES (97-63)
Eduardo Nunez SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Jorge Posada DH
Russell Martin C
Brett Gardner LF
RHP Bartolo Colon (8-10, 4.02)
RAYS (89-71)
Desmond Jennings LF
B.J. Upton CF
Evan Longoria 3B
Matt Joyce RF
Johnny Damon DH
Ben Zobrist 2B
Sean Rodriguez 1B
Kelly Shoppach C
Reid Brignac SS
RHP Jeremy Hellickson (13-10, 2.90)
Game 160: Yankees at Rays
September 26, 2011 -Tropicana Field – 7:10 p.m. ET (YES, WCBS 880 AM)
YANKEES (97-62)
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez DH
Jorge Posada 1B
Eric Chavez 3B
Russell Martin C
Eduardo Nunez RF
Brett Gardner LF
Pitching: Hector Noesi RHP (2-1, 4.14)
RAYS (88-71)
Desmond Jennings LF
B.J. Upton CF
Evan Longoria 3B
Ben Zobrist 2B
Johnny Damon DH
Matt Joyce RF
Casey Kotchman 1B
Kelly Shoppach C
Reid Brignac SS
Pitching: James Shields RHP (15-12, 2.84)
Game 156: Yankees vs. Rays
It’s a good day to hate the Red Sox, apparently, in Russell Martin’s world. For everyone else, the Yankees begin the spoiler part of their season right here, seeing only the Red Sox and Rays the rest of the way.
I’m always amazed at how good stadium crews are about getting all the sticky, sweet bubbly out of the clubhouse the day after a clinching celebration. You’d never know what a mess the Yankees clubhouse was when we walked out last night.
I guarantee that if I invited 50 to 60 people over to my apartment and allowed them to do what the Yankees did last night, the place would be reeking of spoiled alcohol until well after Christmas. Then again, I can’t really fit a baseball team in my apartment anyway, so it’s a moot point.
The Yankees’ magic number to clinch the best record in the American League is 3, comprising any combination of Yankees wins and Tigers/Rangers losses.
Here are tonight’s lineups –
September 22, 2011 – Yankee Stadium – 7:05 p.m. ET (YES/ESPN, WCBS 880 AM)
RAYS (85-70)
Desmond Jennings LF
B.J. Upton CF
Evan Longoria 3B
Matt Joyce RF
Johnny Damon DH
Ben Zobrist 2B
Casey Kotchman 1B
John Jaso C
Reid Brignac SS
Pitching: Matt Moore LHP (0-0, 6.23)
YANKEES (95-60)
Derek Jeter SS
Eduardo Nunez 2B
Mark Teixeira DH
Nick Swisher RF
Andruw Jones LF
Jesus Montero C
Jorge Posada 1B
Brandon Laird 3B
Greg Golson CF
Pitching: Bartolo Colon RHP (8-9, 3.81)
Game 155: Yankees vs. Rays
An odd rain delay to start the second game of the night here at the Stadium — only the mound and tarp were covered. We’re on target for an estimated 8:05 p.m. ET start time.
Here are tonight’s lineups for Game 2 –
September 21, 2011 – Yankee Stadium – 7:05 p.m. ET (YES/ESPN, WCBS 880 AM)
RAYS (85-69)
Desmond Jennings LF
B.J. Upton CF
Evan Longoria 3B
Ben Zobrist 2B
Johnny Damon DH
Sean Rodriguez SS
Casey Kotchman 1B
Brandon Guyer RF
Kelly Shoppach C
Pitching: Jeremy Hellickson RHP (13-10, 2.91)
YANKEES (94-60)
Brett Gardner LF
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jesus Montero DH
Eric Chavez 3B
Russell Martin C
Chris Dickerson RF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Pitching: CC Sabathia LHP (19-8, 3.01)
Game 154: Yankees vs. Rays
I brought a windbreaker to the Stadium today, just in case things get a little wet in the Yankees’ clubhouse at some point. There could be some splashing around, with the Yankees’ magic number for the playoffs at two and the AL East at three.
Any win over the Rays clinches a postseason berth, while a doubleheader sweep and a Red Sox loss to the Orioles tonight would secure the division. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that he hasn’t really talked to the team about celebrating.
“I want the guys just to do what comes natural to them. I feel that’s important,” Girardi said. “The guys have worked extremely hard all year long and we know what the goals are here, to clinch the division and get home field advantage. I let them do what they want, in a sense.”
Girardi acknowledged that it might be a little odd to spray bubbly between games of a doubleheader, but there’s a chance it might happen.
“I want them to let out when they have an ability to let things out,” Girardi said. “Obviously we’d have to be careful what we did in between games, but we’ll see.”
Here are this afternoon’s lineups for Game 1 –
September 21, 2011 – Yankee Stadium – 1:05 p.m. ET (YES, WCBS 880 AM)
RAYS (85-68)
Desmond Jennings LF
B.J. Upton CF
Evan Longoria 3B
Matt Joyce RF
Johnny Damon DH
Casey Kotchman 1B
Jose Lobaton C
Elliot Johnson 2B
Reid Brignac SS
Pitching: James Shields RHP (15-11, 2.78)
YANKEES (93-60)
Brett Gardner CF
Derek Jeter SS
Robinson Cano DH
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Nick Swisher RF
Jorge Posada 1B
Andruw Jones LF
Eduardo Nunez 2B
Austin Romine C
Pitching: Hector Noesi RHP (2-1, 4.01)
Game 96: Yankees at Rays
ST. PETERSBURG — Interesting read on the front page of the St. Petersburg Times this morning, on the criticism of Tropicana Field and how it affects attendance.
With CC Sabathia starting on his 31st birthday today, I filed a column on his recent stretch, his chances of winning 300 and the possibility that he’s only reaching his prime right now.
CC (pictured right by The Associated Press) said he hasn’t made a decision yet on whether or not to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract (though the popular belief is that there’s no way he wouldn’t, considering how well he’s pitching, how important he is to the Yankees and how slim the free-agent crop of starters will be this offseason).
Asked if he can see himself finishing his career in New York, he said: “Of course. This is definitely one of the storied franchises in baseball, and to be able to be a part of it and win a championship two years ago was great. Hopefully I can continue to be here.”
Asked if he feels the Yankees need to make a rotation addition before the non-waiver Trade Deadline, CC said: “We’re good. Of course, you can always try to do something, but with the way we pitched this year, I think we can be good enough to make the playoffs.”
Interesting lineup prior to the rematch of CC and James Shields. Curtis Granderson is out, as expected, after getting banged up on Wednesday. And Brett Gardner is leading off, with Derek Jeter batting second, as Joe Girardi hinted at prior to Wednesday’s game. The fact Granderson and Alex Rodriguez are both out made that a pretty easy decision.
Only time will tell if Gardner continues to lead off on a consistent basis moving forward, but Girardi did say he has no problem leading him off against a lefty starter now …
YANKEES (57-38)
Gardner, LF
Jeter, SS
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Jorge Posada, DH
Russell Martin, C
Eduardo Nunez, 3B
Chris Dickerson, LF
Pitching: LH Sabathia (14-4, 2.64 ERA)
RAYS (51-45)
Ben Zobrist, DH
Sean Rodriguez, 2B
Evan Longoria, 3B
B.J. Upton, CF
Justin Ruggiano, RF
Kelly Shoppach, C
Casey Kotchman, 1B
Elliot Johnson, SS
Sam Fuld, LF
Pitching: RH Shields (8-8, 2.60 ERA)
Some other links from last night …
* Yanks-Rays game story on redemption
* Yankees Notebook, on Granderson, Nova, lineups and roofs
* Preview for Shields and CC
– Alden
Game 95: Yankees at Rays
ST. PETERSBURG — So, on Sunday, Sean Rodriguez shattered a light bulb. On Monday, there was a power outage. And on Tuesday, Curtis Granderson lost a ball in the roof. What’s the next strange occurrence at this quirky Tropicana Field?
We’ll find out soon.
Joe Girardi called an audible with his lineup just before batting practice, opting to put Nick Swisher in as the designated hitter and start Andruw Jones in right field. Girardi said it wasn’t physical — “Just changed my mind.” — so he probably just wanted to give Swisher a break from the turf, since he hasn’t had one yet in this second half.
Derek Jeter is back leading off, which is no surprise but is interesting considering how much he has struggled (5-for-26 since that magical 3,000th-hit day) and how well Wednesday’s No. 9 hitter, Brett Gardner (.591 batting average in the second half), is hitting. Girardi talked pregame about the possibility of a top three of Gardner, Jeter and Granderson while Alex Rodriguez is out. As for Jeter dropping to the bottom third of the lineup? I’d think something really drastic would have to take place for that to happen.
The lineup’s below, but I’m curious as to how y’all would order things while A-Rod is out …
YANKEES (56-38)
Jeter, SS
Granderson, CF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Swisher, DH
Russell Martin, C
Jones, RF
Eduardo Nunez, 3B
Gardner, LF
Pitching: RH Freddy Garcia (7-7, 3.43 ERA)
RAYS (51-44)
Johnny Damon, DH
Robinson Chirinos, C
Casey Kotchman, 1B
Evan Longoria, 3B
Matt Joyce, RF
B.J. Upton, CF
Sam Fuld, LF
Rodriguez, 2B
Reid Brignac, SS
Pitching: LH David Price (9-7, 3.73 ERA)
Some goodies from the game notes …
* The Yankees have had 17 players on the disabled list, the most of any Major League team in 2011 . Their current total of 11 players on the DL matches their total from all of last season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
* The Yanks are 19-9 with a Major League-high 39 homers vs. lefty starters this season.
* New York has gone seven straight games without allowing a homer, which marks its longest stretch since ’08.
* With one more stolen base, Gardner will become the first Yankees player with back-to-back 30-stolen-base seasons since Alfonso Soriano did it in three straight years from 2001-03.
* Opposing batters have hit just .182 with runners in scoring position off Garcia this year.
Some links from last night …
* Yanks lose, but Colon looks good
* Yankees Notebook, on Soriano, Nova, Mo and Garrison
* Yanks expect bounceback effort from Garcia
* HBO special on Jeter to air July 28
(picture above courtesy of The Associated Press)
– Alden
Game 94: Yankees vs. Rays
ST. PETERSBURG — It’s possible (though not likely) that two Yankees could make their Major League debut at Tropicana Field tonight.
Brandon Laird, called up yesterday after Ramiro Pena‘s appendectomy, is finally active after a flight delay forced him to arrive late yesterday. On Tuesday, it was lefty Steve Garrison who was called up from Double-A Trenton to take the place of righty Sergio Mitre, who’s battling a bacterial infection but was placed on the DL because of shoulder tendinitis.
More on all that soon, but here are the lineups prior to what most will agree is a very important start for Bartolo Colon …
YANKEES (56-37)
Derek Jeter, SS
Curtis Granderson, CF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Jorge Posada, DH
Russell Martin, C
Brett Gardner, LF
Eduardo Nunez, 3B
Pitching: RH Colon (6-5, 3.47 ERA)
RAYS (50-44)
Johnny Damon, DH
Ben Zobrist, RF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Casey Kotchman, 1B
B.J. Upton, CF
Robinson Chirinos, C
Sean Rodriguez, 2B
Sam Fuld, LF
Reid Brignac, SS
Pitching: RH Jeremy Hellickson (8-7, 3.21 ERA)
Some links from last night …
* Patience a virtue as Yanks edge Rays
* Jeter passes Kaline on career hits list
* Hurt corner: Pena to DL thins Yanks at 3B
* Yankees Notebook on Chavez and the Trade Deadline
* Yanks hope Colon has tossed aside concerns
(Sorry there was no blog yesterday — technical difficulties.)
– Alden
Bryan Hoch
Recent Comments