The Quest for #28 - 2014 New York Yankees

[NYY #23]

Cliff Lee was making the start tonight for the Yankees against David Price of the Rays. Price entered tonight's game with a 4-4 record and 5.05 ERA, but we'd get to see the better side of Price tonight unfortunately, 8 innings, 7 hits, 2 runs, and 7 strikeouts.

We'd need a big night from Cliff Lee, but Lee made a very costly mistake in the top of the second. With one out and a runner on first base Lee fielded a groundball hit right back at him, and threw it into centerfield. That led to a single and homer, and the Yankees were quickly in a 4-0 hole.

Overall Lee would pitch well tonight, just not well enough. He'd strike out 10, but allow 6 runs on 9 hits. With Price pitching well we didn't stand much of a chance.

McCann and Jeter drove in our only runs of the game with singles. Everyone in the lineup except Beltran and Ellsbury would get a hit, but nobody would get more than one.



Season Record: 51-32

--------------------------

Luckily the Red Sox also lost tonight, so the Yankees will maintain a half game lead in the AL East.

[NYY #23]

We sent Masahiro Tanaka to the mound for the series finale against the Rays going for his 11th win of the year. Tanaka has certainly had his ups and downs this year, starting off with four great starts, then struggling. He's been pitching well lately though, and tonight was perhaps his best start of the year.

That's saying a lot as Tanaka has already pitched both an 8 and 9 inning 3 hitter. Tonight Tanaka would pitch into the eighth inning with a one hitter while striking out 7. He quickly got the first two outs of the inning, but three consecutive singles loaded the bases. There was no need to risk anything despite the comfortable lead, so Pedro Figueroa was brought in to retire the lefty James Loney. One pitch later we were out of the inning. After giving up a run in his first appearance of the year Figueroa has been pitching well when used against lefties.

Carson Smith came in to pitch the ninth inning in a non-save opportunity. He once again got the job done.

As for our offense we got started early and scored 6 runs in the first four innings. We didn't score another run, but we didn't allow another run either in our 6-0 win. Carlos Beltran drove in 3 runs tonight on a pair of home runs, his 22nd and 23rd of the year. Dean Anna got the start tonight at shortstop and also hit a 2 run home run.

Yesterday we had 7 hits and scored just 2 runs, tonight we had 8 hits and scored 6.



Season Record: 52-32

[alpagoode]

Great production out of Beltran. He is doing great in both of our leagues. We are on a tear. We have won five straight, and now lead second place Boston by an astonishing 12 games. Beltran has taken the team lead in HRs and RBI for us. He is amazing in the field as well.

Loving the way our teams are playing. Wish the real Yanks were as successful.

Beltran .284 (2nd on team) 19 HRs 57 RBI

GO YANKS!

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by alpagoode

Great production out of Beltran. He is doing great in both of our leagues. We are on a tear. We have won five straight, and now lead second place Boston by an astonishing 12 games. Beltran has taken the team lead in HRs and RBI for us. He is amazing in the field as well.

Loving the way our teams are playing. Wish the real Yanks were as successful.

Beltran .284 (2nd on team) 19 HRs 57 RBI

GO YANKS!

I also wish the real Yankees were playing like this too. I'm disappointed and wish Beltran was playing like he was for us. He's been a beast at the plate, and is always playing well in the field.

Glad you've built a big lead over Boston, I really would like to create some separation myself. Hopefully it'll be a good series against the Twins!

[NYY #23]

The Yankees would begin an eleven game road trip today in Minnesota where we'll play four against the Twins, four against the Indians, and three against the Indians before the All-Star break. Hiroki Kuroda would be making the start tonight taking on former Yankee Phil Hughes.

It looked like we'd get off to a fast start when Jacoby Ellsbury led off the game with a single. He'd quickly be thrown out trying to steal on a pitchout though. We missed an opportunity to score with back to back singles by Dustin Ackley and Carlos Beltran and the score remained scoreless through one inning.

The Twins got on the board first in the bottom of the second when Josh Willingham hit a solo homer. The Twins would add two more in the bottom of the third to go up 3-0.

It would stay that score until the top of the seventh when Brian McCann and Dean Anna walked. With two outs Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Ackley hit back to back RBI singles to cut the Twins lead to 3-2. Carlos Beltran then hit a single to load the bases, and that was the end of Phil Hughes night. Brien Duensing came on in relief and through an 0-2 wild pitch that allowed the tieing run to score.

After 7 innings of 4 hit ball Kuroda was done for the night, and Shawn Kelley came on to pitch the 8th inning. With the bases loaded and two outs he surrendered a bases clearing double to Trevor Plouffe which give the Twins a 6-3 lead.

The Twins brought on Glen Perkins to pitch the ninth, and Dustin Ackley started off the inning with a double before Perkins got wild, walking Beltran, Headley, and Morales to push across our fourth run of the game. That brought up Brian McCann who tied the game with a base hit. Unfortunately that was the end of Perkin's night, and Casey Fien came on to retire the next three batters for the Twins.

Joel Hanrahan came on to pitch a scoreless ninth, and left after issuing a one out walk in the tenth. David Robertson came on in relief and gave up a single to put runners on first and third with one out, but struck out the next two batters to send the game to the eleventh.

Kendrys Morales singles to lead off the eleventh, and two batters later Mark Teixeira put us ahead for the first time with a two run homer. That was all we would need with David Robertson pitching a hitless 11th to win his 3rd game of the year.

With the Red Sox idle we now lead by one game. We'll be counting on Sabathia tomorrow to pitch deep in the game with Kelley, Hanrahan, and Robertson unavailable.

[NYY #23]

After yesterday's extra inning win the Yankees would be sending CC Sabathia to the mound hoping that he'd be able to provide a long outing with a taxed bullpen. The Twins would be sending Chris Tillman.

The top of the first started with the Yankees manufacturing a run with Jacoby Ellsubury reaching base on an error, stealing second, moving to third on the second error of the inning by the Twins, and scoring on a sacrifice fly by Chase Headley. That lead wouldn't last long as CC gave up a double to Josmil Pinto and RBI single to Josh Williangham to tie the game. He'd give up another double and single in the bottom of the second as the Twins took a 2-1 lead.

During a scoreless third inning the rain started, and in the top of the fourth we experienced a lengthy rain delay, which ruined our plans for a long Sabathia outing. We'd have to rely on Vidal Nuno to pitch as long as possible. Nuno would end up going 4 innings, and allowing 3 runs.

The last 2 runs coming in the bottom of the seventh, after the Yankees had just taken a 5-3 lead in the top of the inning scoring 3 runs. We'd head to the eighth inning and call on Dellin Betances to try and hold the Twins scoreless. He's been one of the pitchers who hasn't come close to his real life success this year, entering the game with a 4.96 ERA. He turned in one of the most dominant pitching performances we've seen this year, striking out the first 8 batters he faced.

I'd love to say that we provided Betances with the win, but the Yankees couldn't score, despite a base runner on in every inning. We send Pedro Figueroa to the mound for the eleventh, who retired the side, getting out a pair of right handers.

Carson Smith was our last reliever in the pen tonight, and he came on to pitch the twelfth inning without allowing a base runner. The top of the thirteenth we put on a pair of runners with nobody out, but couldn't push a run across. Smith came out for the bottom of the thirteenth and walked Josmil Pinto to start the inning. A pinch runner (Byron Buxton), stolen base, and a pair of strikeouts made it two outs with a runner on second and Joe Mauer at the plate.

A single past the diving Mark Teixeira would allow Buxton to score from second and the Twins to walk off victorious in the thirteenth.

While every starter on the team would get at least one hit tonight, nobody could seem to put together a string of hits that would score a run. Dean Anna would lead the team with 3 hits, and he's been playing very well. That leaves us with a choice to make with Stephen Drew ready to be activated from the disabled list. He was activated while Slade Heathcott was sent down.



With the Red Sox losing tonight the Yankees remain a game up in the standings. With the international signing period underway I tried to emulate the Yankees free spending way. To start off the signing period we agreed to terms with shortstop Aluizio Lupi and starting pitcher Sergio Velez.

[NYY #23]

It's been a rough series in Minnesota so far, and today's game didn't make it much easier. Ivan Nova got the start today and ended up going 6 1/3 innings while allowing 9 hits and 4 runs. He was relieved by Pedro Figueroa (1/3 IP) and Shawn Kelley (1 1/3 innings) who both did their job and held the Twins scoreless.

Four runs for the Twins was more than enough for them to get the win though, as our offense again struggled to score runs. We managed 10 hits, but just two of those were for extra bases (doubles by Stephen Drew and Kendrys Morales). Jacoby Ellsbury picked up 3 hits to lead the team.

It was a disappointing 4-1 loss, but the Red Sox lost 11-8 to the Orioles so we maintain our one game lead.

[Yanksrock02]

Nice dynasty you got going here.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by Yanksrock02

Nice dynasty you got going here.

Thank you. As a Yankee fan there always seems to be a lack of Yankee dynasties, at least compared to other teams. Hopefully this will help fill the void.

[NYY #23]

We've lost 2 of 3 games in Minnesota, and today we sent Cliff Lee to the mound in order to go for the series split. The Yankees took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first off Jair Jurrjens when Jacoby Ellsbury led off the game with a single, Dustin Ackley doubled, and Derek Jeter hit a sacrifice fly. That lead didn't even last through the inning though, as Cliff Lee allowed a solo homer in the bottom of the first to Josmil Pinto. Pinto would be in the midst of a huge series against the Yankees after coming into the series hitting .230. He'd go 8-15 in the series with 3 home runs to match his season total.

The Yankees would get the lead back in the top of the second though when Nyjer Morgan had a one out walk, Jacoby Ellsbury doubled, and Derek Jeter doubled to give us a 3-1 lead. Jurrjens would leave the game with an injury the next inning, and our hopes of a big offensive game were dashed.

Cliff Lee would cruise through the first seven innings, allowing 1 run on 6 hits while striking out 5 and walking 1. He'd go out to the mound to start the bottom of the eighth, and Josmil Pinto struck once again with his second home run of the game to cut the lead to 3-2. Joel Hanrahan came on in relief of Lee, and the first batter he face, Nelson Cruz, hit a solo home run. The game was all tied up, and with a tie score Hanrahan had no trouble retiring the Twins in order after giving up the tieing run.

Hanrahan headed back out for the ninth and struck out the side and we were again headed to extra innings. The Yankees were again set down in order in the tenth, and Dellin Betances entered the game, giving up a single to Pinto and recording a flyout. With Joe Mauer at the plate Pedro Figueroa was called upon to get the lefty out, and recorded the second out of the inning.

Shawn Kelley was called upon to get the final out of the tenth, but gave up back to back singles to Trevor Plouffe and Oswaldo Arcia as the Twins walked off with a 4-3 victory.

If there is any consolidation to losing three of four to the Twins it's that the Red Sox were swept by the Orioles. We did miss out on a prime opportunity to pad our lead, but we left Minnesota with the same one game lead we came in with.

[NYY #23]

The Yankees head to Cleveland next for a three game series with the 46-43 Indians. Masahiro Tanaka would be on the mound tonight, and we'd be giving Jacoby Ellsbury a routine night off. That would mean a rare start for Alfonso Soriano, and Dustin Ackley playing centerfield and leading off.

It looked like it would be a long night after the first inning. We were hitting the ball hard, but right at everybody. The bottom half of the inning was even worse. The Indians hit just one ball out of the infield, a single between first and second, but added four infield hits and scored 3 runs.

We managed to cut their lead to 3-2 in the top of the second when Teixeira singled, McCann doubled, Soriano singled, and Dustin Ackley hit a sacrifice fly.

I felt that Tanaka pitched pretty well tonight though, with a solo home run by Carlos Santana the only other run he allowed. His final line was 8 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 BB, and 6 K's. If he could have taken a mulligan for the first inning he would have gotten the win, but our offense only managed to score 3 runs tonight.

We got lucky again with the Red Sox losing, so our lead remains at one.

The Mariners got some bad news when they lost Felix Hernandez to injury. Closer to home the Rays made a trade to improve bringing aboard Francisco Liriano in a deal with the Pirates. They are now 3 1/2 games back.

[NYY #23]

We've had a rule welcome from July after losing again to the Indians 6-4 today. We're now 2-6 in July, or as I'm going to start calling it April part 2.

I felt pretty good after scoring 3 runs in the third to take a 3-0 lead. We got back to back singles from Nyjer Morgan and Jacoby Ellsbury and a sacrifice fly from Dustin Ackley to score our first run. Carlos Beltran reached on an error, and Chase Headley broke out of his slump with a single to drive in the second and third runs of the game.

Hiroki Kuroda would have a meltdown in the bottom of the third though, hitting three batters, walking two, and surrendering 4 runs to give the Indians the lead. Outside of the fourth inning Kuroda would pitch a gem, but he'd leave the game with a blister in the seventh after allowing the leadoff hitter to reach.

Carson Smith would come on to pitch a scoreless seventh, and we'd tie the game at 4 in the eighth with a double by Kendrys Morales, who would come around to score on a sacrifice fly two batters later.

I made a mistake in the eighth inning and sent Smith back out to the mound for the first batter. He wasn't tired, and he only gave up a single, but I intended to bring in Joel Hanrahan for a clean inning. That single would make Smith the pitcher of record after Hanrahan gave up a two run homer to Nick Swisher though.

Trailing 6-4 the Yankees went down in order in the ninth without much of an effort, three up three down.

Once again the good news is the Red Sox losing. Nobody really wants to win the AL East, and now the Rays are sitting just 2 1/2 games back.

[NYY #23]

The Yankees were looking to end a five game losing streak tonight in Cleveland and were sending CC Sabathia to the mound against Danny Salazar of the Indians.

The top of the first started with some much needed offense, with Jacoby Ellsbury leading off the game with a walk, Dustin Ackley singling, and a flyout by Kenrys Morales that advanced Ellsbury to third. He'd come home to score on an RBI double by Chase Headley to make it 1-0, but after Brian McCann struck out we were down to our final out with runners on second and third. Mark Teixeira made it 4-0 with one swing of the bat though on a 2-2 home run.

We'd add one more run in the first inning when Alfonso Soriano doubled, and scored on a single by Nyjer Morgan. With a 5 run lead we just needed CC Sabathia to get outs and go deep into the game. He'd allow a run and barely escaped a bases loaded jam that could have been much more costly in the bottom of the first.

The Yankees would add an even bigger cushion in the second when both Kendrys Morales and Alfonso Soriano would each hit two run homers.

With a 9-1 lead Sabathia should have cruised through the game, but he only lasted six very adventurous innings. He'd get the undeserved win with 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, 3 runs, and walking 8. Luckily our bats broke out today, and our bullpen pitched much better. Carson Smith pitched a scoreless inning, and Dellin Betances would pitch two scoreless innings.

Our offense carried us today though in our 14-3 win. Every starter would get at least one hit except Jacoby Ellsbury, who would walk twice. Teixeira and Morgan would each get three hits and it felt very good for our bats to breakout.

[NYY #23]

Yesterday our bats broke out and scored 14 runs, and our offensive outburst continued with a 13-5 win over the Indians. We got the scoring started early with a 4 run first, and a 7 run third helped seal the win.

Let's start with our pitching first though, a shaky Ivan Nova went 7 1/3 innings to improve to 6-5 for the year. He allowed 5 runs on 11 hits today, and turned the ball over to Pedro Figueroa who pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings today, getting out both lefties and righties. His Yankee career is only 10 games old and he's only pitched 6 innings, but I'm encouraged by his 1.50 ERA.

But today's game was really about our offense. Jacoby Ellsbury had a big game today going 4-5 at the plate with a pair of home runs. He added a walk, drove in 5 runs, and scored 3. He's raised his average to .291 this season and is playing well of late.

Alfonso Soriano had another big game as well going 2-4 with 3 RBI. Dustin Ackley, Chase Headley, Kendrys Morales, and Austin Romine each added two hits today.

With our win today and the Red Sox losing we now lead the AL East by two games. We're off to Baltimore for three games before the All-Star break. Hopefully we can end the "first half" on a good stretch.

[NYY #23]

Some losses hurt more than others, and today's 5-2 loss to the Orioles hurt quite a bit. It wasn't so much the final score, but the uncertainty of today's starter, Cliff Lee, leaving the game with injury, and later in the game Alfonso Soriano leaving the game with an injury. We don't know how serious either injury will turn out, but Cliff Lee's injury really worries me. Losing him for a long stretch of time will really hurt. Soriano, while playing well recently, will be an easier blow to deal with.

Lee dropped to 10-6 on the season with 4 innings, 7 hits, and 5 runs allowed. We did get solid relief pitching today from Shawn Kelley (2 2/3 IP) and Vidal Nuno (1 1/3) who kept the game within reach.

Unfortunately our offense who scored 27 runs the previous two games could only muster 2 runs on 5 hits tonight. Both of the runs came on a homer from Dustin Ackley. The Red Sox fell 5-4 to the Astros today, so we'll keep our 2 game lead.

With the All-Star break coming up I could have taken a wait and see approach on both Lee and Soriano, but I placed them both on the disabled list. Zoilo Almonte was recalled to take Alfonso Soriano's spot on the roster, because I need another outfielder. Even if Lee's injury is minor I don't mind giving him some extra rest, so Bruce Billings will be recalled to take his place in the rotation.

Billings pitched well earlier this year out of the bullpen, and is 3-3 with a 3.66 ERA in AAA. He earned the nod over Shane Greene (6-3, 3.76 ERA) and Michael Pineda (3-2, 5.83). Hopefully Billings will suffice until Lee returns.

[alpagoode]

That stinks about Lee. Hopefully it's something minor and he can get back in there and contribute. You have one heckuva race brewing with the Sox, and it would be a shame if an injury is the deciding factor (like in real life with CC and Tanaka).

In my league, we remain hot. But the suddenly hot BoSox have won 8 of 10. They are still well behind us (11 GB), but they are creeping back into the wild card race (only 4 GB the leaders).

[alpagoode]

Today we made our second trade. Actually, the Padres proposed it.

We get

3b Chase Headley .277 9 HR 31 RBI

and $3.000,000 cash

They get

C Austin Romine .307 15 HR 55 RBI (AAA)

and

MR Brad Wegman 2.25 8 IP (lowest level minors). He is only 18 and 3 star potential.

For us, we get a good third baseman who can hit with power from both sides of the plate. I found that late in the game, we never seemed to have a decent right handed bat. Soriano has been terrible for me this year. I felt that with the cash it was a deal that made sense. I don't know what Wegman will become. I know that Romine is outstanding, but catcher is the one position where we are loaded, and with Murphy and McCann playing so well, he'd just be wasted in the minor leagues.

[Caporegime]

Wow! 55-38, with Tanaka still healthy? If only....oh, by God, if only!

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by Caporegime

Wow! 55-38, with Tanaka still healthy? If only....oh, by God, if only!

Oh I wish that was the case in real life. I do have the benefit of both CC and Nova healthy as well. That's definitely made a big difference.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by alpagoode

Today we made our second trade. Actually, the Padres proposed it.

We get

3b Chase Headley .277 9 HR 31 RBI

and $3.000,000 cash

They get

C Austin Romine .307 15 HR 55 RBI (AAA)

and

MR Brad Wegman 2.25 8 IP (lowest level minors). He is only 18 and 3 star potential.

For us, we get a good third baseman who can hit with power from both sides of the plate. I found that late in the game, we never seemed to have a decent right handed bat. Soriano has been terrible for me this year. I felt that with the cash it was a deal that made sense. I don't know what Wegman will become. I know that Romine is outstanding, but catcher is the one position where we are loaded, and with Murphy and McCann playing so well, he'd just be wasted in the minor leagues.

I like that trade quite a bit. Headley has worked out well for me. He's been a little hot and cold at the plate, but he's really played well defensively.

You've definitely got a nice cushion in the division, but hopefully Headley helps you keep that lead, and will come up big in the postseason!