Kuroda Gets Rocked in Tampa Bay

sports.yahoo.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

August 23^rd, 2013

New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 2 Rays 7

The New York Yankees couldn’t keep their momentum from sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays into Tampa Bay against the Rays on Friday, as they were defeated in the opening game of the series. The loss moves the Yankees to 6.5 games behind in the AL East, and four games behind for the two Wild Card spots.

Rays Starter Chris Archer gave his team a great start against a red hot Yankees team, as the strong start earned Archer his seventh win of the season. The Yankees offense did get the lead in the first inning off of Archer however, as Alfonso Soriano was able to single home Brett Gardner. The final run the Yankees would score in this game also came off of Archer in the sixth inning, as Robinson Cano grounded out, which allowed Gardner to score once again. Archer finished going seven innings allowing just two runs on four hits, and two walks, as Archer seems to certainly have the Yankees number this season with three very good starts.

Yankees Complete Sweep of Blue Jays

espn.go.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

August 22^nd, 2013

Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Blue Jays 3 Yankees 5

The New York Yankees were able to pick up the win after a three hour rain delay on Thursday afternoon, as they completed the four-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays. The win moves the Yankees to (68-59), which is six games behind the Boston Red Sox for the AL East, but now just 3.5 games behind the two Wild Card spots.

Andy Pettitte made his second straight very good start for the Yankees on Thursday, as he picked up his ninth win of the season. Pettitte went six innings allowing just one run on four hits and three walks. The only mistake by Pettitte came in the fifth inning, as Blue Jays Catcher J.P. Arencibia hit a solo-home run, which was his 19^th of the year, and was the first run for either team in the game.

Yankees Complete Double-Header Sweep Against Blue Jays

nypost.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

August 20^th, 2013

Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap Game 2

Final Score: Blue Jays 2 Yankees 3

The New York Yankees were able to complete the double-header sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays with a walk-off win on Tuesday night. The win moves the Yankees to (66-59), which is 6.5 games behind the Rays and Red Sox in the AL East, and now just 5.5 games behind the second Wild Card spot.

A very rare occurrence happen for Phil Hughes on Tuesday night, and that was him pitching well in Yankees stadium, but despite the good start Hughes only got a no decision for his efforts. In the first inning the Blue Jays go one of their two runs off of Hughes on a wild pitch that allowed Rajai Davis to score, and then in the fifth inning Davis hit a sac-fly to score Munenori Kawasaki. Hughes ended up going six innings allowing just the two runs on seven hits, two walk, while striking out six batters, and he also didn’t allow a home run in a home start, which is a rare thing. Any improvement from Hughes will help the Yankees, as they continue their push towards a playoff spot.

Blue Jays Starter Mark Buehrle also gave his team a very good start, but like Hughes only earned a no decision for his efforts. The Yankees only got two runs off Buehrle, as in the third inning Robinson Cano singled home Austin Romine. Cano had quite the day at the plate going six for eight, which certainly helps the batting average. Jayson Nix would get the best of Buehrle in the seventh inning, as Nix hit his third home run of the season to tie the game up at two runs a piece at the time. Buehrle finished up going 6.2 innings allowing just the two runs on six hits, and one walk.

This game came down to a battle of the bullpens after both teams Starters gave them a good performance, and for the Yankees their 26^th man for the double-header Preston Claiborne gave them two solid innings allowing just one hit. Mariano Rivera had to work double duty on Tuesday pitching in both games, and in the second game he allowed two hits, but no runs, and earned his fourth win of the season.

In the ninth inning the Yankees got to Darren Oliver, as after a lead-off walk by Mark Reynolds, he was pinch-ran for by Ichiro Suzuki. A sac-bunt and then a steal of Third Base set up Jayson Nix to be the hero and that’s exactly what he was, as he singled home Ichiro for the walk-off win.

Next up the Yankees will look to take the four-game series against the Blue Jays, as Adam Warren(1-2, 3.57) will be making the start for the Yankees against R.A. Dickey (9-11, 4.49).

2013 NFL Previews: New York Giants

Jason O. Watson/US Presswire

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Last Season:

A 9-7 season can rarely be categorized as a disappointment but that is exactly what 2012 was for the New York Giants; 2012 was a difficult one for Big Blue in more way than one. The defending Super Bowl champs had to face the most difficult schedule in the NFL and struggled with injuries once again throughout the season. Prince Amukamara and Kenny Phillips missed time throughout the season and Terrell Thomas was lost in the preseason once again to decimate an already thin defensive backfield. Justin Tuck battled a number of injuries all season and was ineffective, not registering a sack until the seventh game of the season.

All of this led to an underwhelming performance on defense for the Giants last season. They were atrocious all season long, ranking 31^st in yards allowed with 383.4 yards per game; 28^th in passing yards per game at 254.3 yards per game and 25^th in rushing at 129.1 yards per game. They did give up only 21.5 points per game, good for 12^th in the league, but they had a penchant for giving up big plays. The Giants actually gave up the most plays of 20+ yards in the NFL. Where the biggest problem for the Giants occurred was in the sack department. The Giants, whose defense relies on pressuring the quarterback, finished last in the NFL with only 20 sacks last season. A big drop-off from Jason Pierre-Paul and Tuck being hurt really hurt the Giants.

Yankees Score 8 Unanswered in Game 1 Victory

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

August 20^th, 2013

Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap Game 1

Final Score: Blue Jays 4 Yankees 8

The New York Yankees were able to start their four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on a positive note, as they scored eight unanswered runs to take Game 1 of the double-header. The win moves the Yankees to (65-59), which is 7.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East, and six behind the two Wild Card spots.

Blue Jays Starter Esmil Rodgers once again didn’t look to good, but his bullpen also let him down a bit, as his struggles continued on Tuesday afternoon against a better Yankees lineup. Rodgers picked up his eighth loss of the season, as he went five innings allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks. The big blow off Rodgers came in the third inning, when Robinson Cano hit his 200^th career home run, which was a three-run home run. The final run that was charged to Rodgers was allowed by Neil Wagner, who struggled out of the bullpen, by allowing a walk to Jayson Nix, who was followed by Chris Stewart, and Stewart made Wagner pay by hitting a three-run home run for his fourth of the year.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Jets Recap

By Ryan McDonald (@RonnieMac90)

On 8/17/13, The Jets defeated the Jaguars 37-13. Due to injuries to Geno Smith and Greg McElroy, Mark Sanchez played into the 3rd quarter of the game.

Sanchez started off well, leading the Jets to a touchdown on the first drive of the game. Sanchez completed all his passes and looked comfortable in the pocket on the drive. However, it wouldn't last as he threw a pick in the redzone on his 3rd possession. Then on a muffed punt by the Jaguars, Sanchez and the Jets started on the Jaguars 5 at the end of the half but could not score on 4 plays. Sanchez scrambled for far too long on the last play and time expired so the Jets could not kick a field goal.

Sanchez finished the game 13-23 for 169 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. The starting quarterback position still remains an open competition due to Sanchez's miscues.

The Jets running game was effective against the Jaguars as well. Bilal Powell had 7 rushes for 68 yards and the offensive line caused huge holes for Jets runners. Chris Ivory who has been dealing with hamstring issues lately played in his first preseason game. Ivory did look slow and rusty, 6 rushes for 13 yards.

A new problem for the Jets may be their defense. Blaine Gabbert picked them apart completing 13-16 passes for 165 yards and a TD. The Jets couldn't muster any pressure on Gabbert and the Jets corners couldn't lockdown any of the Jaguars receivers one on one. It's worth noting the Jaguars came out in a no-huddle offense which took everyone by surprise including the Jets.

Another problem for the Jets defense is the loss of Quinton Coples for 3-5 weeks with a broken ankle. Coples was the Jets first round pick last year and was slotted to start as Outside Linebacker last year. Coples looks doubtful for the season opener againt Tampa Bay.

The Jets will hopefully name a starting quarterback after their 3rd preseason game against the Giants. It was suspected that the Jets would name their starter after their game against the Jaguars, but Geno's injury seems to have delayed these plans.

Rodriguez Getting Hit Sparks Yankees to Victory

yankees.lhblogs.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

August 18^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox Post Game Recap

Final Score Yankees 9 Red Sox 6

The New York Yankees were able to pull of possibly their best win of the season on Sunday night, as they took the rubber game in their series with the Boston Red Sox. The win moves the Yankees to (64-59), which is 7.5 games behind the Red Sox for the AL East and still six games behind the two Wild Card spots.

C.C. Sabathia once again did not pitch well, but with a lot of run support was able to pick up his 11^th win of the season. The Red Sox wasted little time getting to Sabathia. As in the first inning they scored two runs on a Johnny Gomes sac-fly, and a Jarrod Saltalamacchia base-hit. The middle innings wouldn’t be any kinder to Sabathia, as in the third inning a David Ortiz ground-out scored Shane Victorino for the third run off Sabathia. In the fourth inning it two more runs would be allowed on a Stephen Drew sac-fly, and then a Will Middlebrooks solo-home run. In the fifth inning the Red Sox would get their final run off of Sabathia with the bases loaded, as Daniel Nava was able to work a walk. Sabathia would finish going 5.1 innings allowing six runs on seven hits, five walks, and he did not retaliate to Alex Rodriguez being hit by a pitch.

Red Sox Get Revenge Against Yankees

washingtonpost.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

August 17^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 1 Red Sox 6

The Boston Red Sox were able to get revenge against the New York Yankees on Saturday afternoon after being handed a bad loss the night before they bounced back with an impressive win. The loss moves the Yankees to (63-59) on the season, which is 8.5 games behind the Red Sox in the AL East, and still six games back of the two Wild Card spots.

Yankees Starter Hiroki Kuroda came back down to earth a bit against the Red Sox after a spectacular month and a half of pitching, as he was handed his eighth loss of the season. In the fourth inning a throwing error by Lyle Overbay led to the Red Sox getting the lead in the game, as a fielder's choice and two singles by Boston gave them a three-run fourth inning against Kuroda. In the sixth inning the Red Sox would tack on two more runs, as Jarrod Saltalamacchia had a base-hit that score Daniel Nava, and then Jacoby Ellsbury hit a double to score him, and run Kuroda from the game. Kuroda finished going 5.2 innings allowing five runs, three of which were earned on 11 hits.