Offense Goes Quiet For Yankees in Loss

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By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

July 13^th, 2013

Minnesota Twins vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Twins 4 Yankees 1

The New York Yankees offense went back to its one-run ways against the Twins, as they loss 4-1 on Saturday afternoon. The loss moves the Yankees to (51-43) on the season, which is 6.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

The offense for the Yankees got off to a quick start against Samuel Deduno, but after scoring in the first inning they went scoreless. Deduno earned his fifth win of the season going seven innings allowing just one run on six hits and three walks. The lone Yankees run came from a Robinson Cano base-hit that scored Ichiro. The double for Ichiro was his 3,970^th hit of his professional career, as he is closing in on 4,000 hits combined between Japan and America.

MLB First Half Award Winners

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

With the MLB season reaching its midway point and the All-Star break almost upon us, what better time than now to get into the first half season awards? It has been a great first half of the MLB season as plenty of players have put on historic performances. On the other hand, there are also some players that have put forth some performances that they would soon like to forget.

Robertson Finishes Second For Final All-Star Vote

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

The 2013 All-Star Game Final Vote ballots came in Thursday afternoon and the end result did not change much from when voting started Sunday afternoon. Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Steve Delabar and Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman each collected wire-to-wire victories in record-setting fashion.

There was a total of 79.2 million votes cast, blowing away the previous record of 68.6 in 2009. 10.2 million of the votes this year were cast through text messages as well. Freeman broke the record with 19.7 million votes being placed, breaking the previous record held by Shane Victorino of 15.6 in 2009. Delabar received 9.6 million votes to pace the American League.

Matt Harvey and the All Star Game dilemma

By Kenny Bowe (@kbowe114)

In the time since Matt Harvey's last start, in which the Mets eventually won a 16 inning marathon on Monday night in San Francisco, the debate around New York is over whether or not Mets manager Terry Collins made the correct move in skipping Harvey's final scheduled start of the first half, and whether or not Harvey should pitch in the All Star Game at his home ballpark this upcoming Tuesday night.

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Of course, there are a number of factors in play here over the debate. Harvey's next scheduled start would have been on Saturday in Pittsburgh against the upstart Pirates, but it was discovered that Harvey has a blister on his right index finger, which is one of the reasons for Collins deciding to sit Harvey, as the rest would allow him to recover. 

Another consideration taken into account for Collins and the Mets is that although there has not been a definitive limit announced to the public at least, the Mets have Harvey under an innings limit for his first full season in the Major Leagues, and skipping this start would help to keep his innings down and prevent the team from shutting Harvey down in September as was the case last season.

However, the debate has now emerged over whether or not Harvey should pitch in the All Star Game at Citi Field on Tuesday night. On one hand, if his start is getting skipped in order to allow him to recover from the blister and to keep his innings down, why should he be pitching in an exhibition game? Why should Harvey be kept out of a regular season game that gives the Mets a better chance to win yet pitch in an exhibition game? If Harvey's blisters are not completely healed by the time the All Star Game rolls around, an appearance by him in the game could prevent the blisters from healing and potentially risk him losing another start after the break. 

On the other hand though, what better way would there be for Harvey to cap off his incredible first half of the season by pitching in and potentially starting Tuesday's All Star Game in front of a nationwide television audience at his home ballpark? Chances are that this will be the only All Star Game that the Mets will host while Harvey is on the team, and for Mets fans to see their young phenom possibly start the All Star Game in front of his hometown fans would be a very special moment not only for the franchise and the fan base, but for Harvey himself. Finally, although Harvey starting obviously gives the ball club a greater chance to win games, but not many people predict the Mets to make a serious run at the playoffs, so in the eyes of many fans, Harvey appearing in the All Star Game and missing his next start should not make a serious impact on the final outcome of the Mets' season. 

Yankees Win in The Captain's Return

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By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

July 11th, 2013

Kansas City Royals vs. New York Yankees

Final Score: Royals 4 Yankees 8

The New York Yankees were able to get the win on Thursday afternoon to salvage a split in the series with the Kansas City Royals after losing the first two games. The win is number 50 for the Yankees, but they are still in fourth place in the AL East, six games behind the Boston Red Sox.

The Royals got off to a quick start against Andy Pettitte, but with a lot of run support Pettitte was able to pick up his seventh win of the season. In the first inning the Royals scored three runs, as with the bases loaded All-Star Catcher Salvador Perez hit a two-run double to score Alex Gordon and Eric Hosmer. Lorenzo Cain would then hit a sac-fly to score Billy Butler to cap off the three-run first inning. In the second inning the Royals would get another run on an Alcides Escobar base-hit, which scored David Lough. Pettitte would settle down after that not allowing anymore runs to score, as he finished going 5.2 innings allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk.

Yankees Offense Comes Alive to Snap Losing Streak

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By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

July 10^th, 2013

Kansas City Royals vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Royals 1 Yankees 8

The New York Yankees offense finally woke up after three straight games of scoring just one run, which resulted in a three-game losing streak. The win moves the Yankees to (49-42) on the season, but are still in fourth place in the AL East, and six games behind the Boston Red Sox for first place.

Royals Starter Wade Davis got roughed up in this one, as he earned his eighth loss of the season. The Yankees first run of the game came on a wild pitch by Davis, which allowed Brett Gardner to score. Robinson Cano had a nice day at the plate going three for four, and in the third inning he took Davis deep for a three-run home run, which was his 21^st of the season. The big blow against Davis came in the sixth inning, when Lyle Overbay hit a Grand Slam to break the game wide open. For Overbay it was his 11^th home run of the season. Davis was pulled right after the Grand Slam from Overbay, as he went five innings allowing eight runs on six hits and three walks.

Giants and Cruz Agree to Contract Extension

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By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

On Monday, July 8^th the New York Giants and wide receiver Victor Cruz agreed to a contract extension to keep the Salsa Dance with the Giants. The contract agreed to is a six-year deal through the 2018 season and worth $46 million. $15.625 of it will be guaranteed the first two years of the deal and will have a $9.5 million signing bonus and $1.5 million roster bonus given to him the first day of the 2014 league year.

Cruz, who skipped the Giants OTA’s and only signed his first-round restricted free agent tender after mandatory minicamp completed said he was relieved to finally have his contract situation resolved. “It was fun to finally get it done with. I was smiling from ear to ear the whole time; I couldn’t stop grinning. Good to put my ink on that piece of paper and feel good about it and feel confident about it and get back to football.”

Yankees Lose Third Straight Game in Bronx

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By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

July 9^th, 2013

Kansas City Royals vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Royals 3 Yankees 1

For the third straight game the Yankees offense was only able to score one run, and for the third straight game the Yankees lost. The loss moves the Yankees to (48-42) on the season, which is six games behind the Boston Red Sox for first place in the AL East.

Facing familiar foe James Shields, who is no stranger from facing the Yankees when he played for the Tampa Bay Rays, but this Yankee lineup couldn’t do much against Shields. The Yankees got their only run off Shields in the first inning with a Robinson Cano single that scored Brett Gardner, but the Yankees could have gotten much more, as they loaded the bases. The Yankees however had Lyle Overbay strikeout and Eduardo Nunez flew out ending a chance to get to Shields for more runs. Shields would pick up his fourth win of the season, by going seven innings allowing just one run on five hits and two walks.

Yankees Offense Struggles Once Again at Home

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By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

July 8^th, 2013

Kansas City Royals vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Royals 5 Yankees 1

The New York Yankees lost their second straight home game this time to the Kansas City Royals who started out the four-game series in the Bronx on a positive note winning 5-1 on Monday night. The loss moves the Yankees to (48-41) on the season, which is five games back of the Boston Red Sox for first place in the AL East.

Kansas City struck first in this game, as they got to Yankees Starter Phil Hughes in the second inning for two runs. Billy Butler got them going with a solo-home run, which was his seventh of the season. David Lough would then double home Mike Moustakas for the Royals second run of the inning. Hughes picked up his eighth loss of the season, and only went four innings due to a hour rain delay.

Knicks Summer League Roster

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By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

You will not need to wait to see New York Knicks’ first round draft pick Tim Hardaway Jr. and other youngsters as the Knicks will be taking part in the Las Vegas Summer League. The first game for the Knicks will be Friday, July 12^th against the New Orleans Pelicans. They will play the Washington Wizards July 14^th and then the Charlotte Bobcats July 15^th. The Knicks will play at least five games with the NBA implementing a new tournament style format that will crown a champion formally for the first time since the summer league was introduced. There will also be four practices held at the facilities prior to all of the games starting July 12^th.

Here is a look at who will be taking the court for the Knicks in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas:

Orioles Snap Yankees Winning Streak

oriolespost.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

July 7^th, 2013

Baltimore Orioles vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Orioles 2 Yankees 1

The New York Yankees had their six game winning streak snapped on Sunday afternoon, as they were unable to sweep the Orioles at home. The loss moves the Yankees to (48-40) on the season, which is fourth in the AL East.

Orioles Starter Jason Hammel gave up the first run of the game in the second inning, as Eduardo Nunez knocked in his third run in his last two games since coming off the DL, with his sac-fly that scored Zoilo Almonte. Hammel would end up going just five innings, allowing the one run on six hits and two walks.

The Yankees got a great start from Hiroki Kuroda, but sadly for Kuroda he only got a no decision for his efforts. Kuroda would go seven shutout innings allowing just three hits and a walk on 88 pitches, leaving the game in the hands of David Robertson and Mariano Rivera.