Tanaka Stays Perfect, as Yankees Defeat Rays

mcall.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 3rd, 2014

Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Rays 3 Yankees 9

The New York Yankees were able to bounce back nicely after Friday night’s extra-inning marathon loss with a rather easy win on Saturday. The win moves Yankees to (16-13) on the early season, as they are currently .5 games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.

Yankees Starter Masahiro Tanaka didn’t have his best stuff on Saturday, but was still very good and improved to (4-0) on the season. Tanaka went a much needed seven innings for the Yankees bullpen, as he allowed three runs on eight hits, with five strikeouts. Tanaka would get hurt a bit by the long ball on Saturday, as Desmond Jennings and Wil Myers each hit solo-homeruns off of him.

For the Rays, Jake Odorizzi got the start, but he didn’t factor in the decision or last very long in the game. Odorizzi went just four innings while allowing three runs on five hits and two walks, as he didn’t help out the Rays bullpen much after the long game on Friday.

Yankees Sign Jacoby Ellsbury to Monster Deal

nydailynews.com

By Nick Ziegler 

December 4th, 2013

The New York Yankees have made their second big splash of an off-season that originally was thought to be one of trying to cut payroll, but has been the complete opposite so far. On Tuesday night they signed now former Red Sox Center Fielder Jacoby Ellsbury. After handing a five-year 85 million dollar contract to Catcher Brian McCann, the Yankees have now added a seven-year 153 million dollar contract for Ellsbury to their payroll.

This contract for the Yankees is going to be taking a lot of heat, and deservingly so. Although Jacoby Ellsbury is a very good player he does have trouble staying on the field. Another scary part of the contract for the Yankees is the seven years for a 30 year old player that relies most of his game on his legs, as he is coming off a 52 stolen base season. In his 2012 contract season, Ellsbury batted .298 with 172 hits, 92 runs scored, 31 doubles, eight triples, nine homeruns, 53 RBIs, and the aforementioned 52 stolen bases in 134 games. Power wise Ellsbury had one monster year in 2011, hitting 32 homeruns that season, but excluding that year he only has 33 career homeruns. It will be something to watch in 2014 if Ellsbury can find the short porch a few times.

Yankees Win Big Series Against Orioles

espn.go.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

September 12^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Baltimore Orioles Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 6 Orioles 5

The New York Yankees were able to take the four-game series on the road in Baltimore against the Orioles, which is huge for the Yankees, as they are closing in on the Tampa Bay Rays for the second Wild Card spot. The win moves the Yankees to (79-68) on the season, and now sit just one game behind the Rays.

Orioles Starter Wei-Yin Chen had a rough night in a big game, as the Yankees offense had no problem hitting the lefty. In the second inning Mark Reynolds got the Yankees on the board with a two-run home run, which was his 19^th of the season. In the third inning with the bases loaded Vernon Wells came thru with a two-run single that scored Alex Rodriguez and Alfonso Soriano, which made it a 4-0 Yankees lead at the time. The final Yankees run off Chen would come from the bat of Curtis Granderson, who smacked a solo-home run off of him, which was Granderson's sixth of the season. Chen finished going 6.1 innings allowing five runs on seven hits, and two walks, but Chen however did strikeout nine batters.

Yankees Complete Sweep of White Sox

nytimes.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

September 4^th, 2013

Chicago White Sox vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: White Sox 5 Yankees 6

The New York Yankees were able to complete the sweep at home of the Chicago White Sox, despite almost blowing their lead in the late innings. The win moves the Yankees to (75-64), which is 2.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the second Wild Card spot in the American League.

C.C Sabathia was able to put together a pretty good start together on Wednesday night, as he picked up his 13^th win of the season. The first inning was to good for Sabathia, but he kept the damage at a minimum, as only one run scored on Avisail Garcia double that scored Gordon Beckham. Sabathia went into the eighth inning, but after two singles allowed he was pulled for David Robertson, who allowed both of Sabathia's runners to score, which hurt his final line. Sabathia finished going 7.1 innings allowing three runs on five hits and four walks.

Ivan Nova Pitches a Gem Against Orioles

yanksgoyard.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

August 31^st, 2013

Baltimore Orioles vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Orioles 0 Yankees 2

The New York Yankees were able to pick up their second straight win and win the series against the Orioles at home behind a great start from Ivan Nova. The win moves the Yankees to (72-63), which is four games behind the two Wild Card spots in the American League.

For the Yankees in this win it was all about Ivan Nova, who was sensational on Saturday afternoon, while earning his eighth win of the season. Nova threw a complete game shutout, as he only allowed three hits and one walk, while striking out five. The scariest moment of the game for Nova came in the ninth inning with a runner on, as Chris Davis hit a fly ball to the warning track in Right Field, but luckily the hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium held it in.

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 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.

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.

Pettitte Gets Rocked in Yankees Loss to White Sox

newyorkdailynews.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

August 5^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Chicago White Sox

Final Score: Yankees 1 White Sox 8

The New York Yankees had yet another let down against a poor team, this time against the Chicago White Sox on Monday night. The loss moves the Yankees to (57-54), which is 9.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East, and five games behind both Wild Card Spots.

Yankees Starter Andy Pettitte had a very bad start, which resulted in his ninth loss of the season, and the second straight awful start from a Yankees Pitcher. The White Sox wasted little time getting to Pettitte, as in the first inning they scored three runs started from an RBI single from Alex Rios that scored Alexi Ramirez for the first run of the game. Adam Dunn would hit a sac-fly a few batters later to score Jeff Keppinger for the second run of the inning, and the Gordon Beckham would hit a single to score Rios for the third run. In the second inning Rios would get to Pettitte again, as he picked up two more RBIs on a single, which scored Josh Phegley and Keppinger, making it a 5-0 White Sox lead. The third inning would be Pettitte's last, as another bad inning led to two more runs against him, as Ramirez singled home Beckham, and with the bases loaded Joe Girardi pulled Pettitte for Preston Claiborne, who walked in the seventh White Sox run of the game before getting the final out in the inning. Pettitte finished going just 2.2 innings allowing seven runs on 11 hits, and one walk in what was an awful start.

W2W4: New York Yankees vs San Diego Padres

zimbio.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

W2W4: New York Yankees vs San Diego Padres Series Preview

August 2-4^th

After a split in Los Angeles against the Dodgers to start the New York Yankees eight-game road-trip, the Yankees will now be in San Diego to start a three-game series against the Padres. The Yankees are now (56-51), which is 8.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East, and this looks to be a winnable series on paper against the Padres, who are just (50-59).

- Pitching Match-Ups

In Game 1 of the series it will be the struggling C.C. Sabathia (9-9, 4.65), who has lost three of his last four starts, and has given up seven runs in each of his last two starts, facing Andrew Cashner (7-5, 3.88). In Game 2 Ivan Nova (4-4, 3.41) will be on the mound facing Tyson Ross (2-4, 2.90), who has won his last two starts, only allowing one run in 14 innings. In Game 3 the Yankees will be facing a familiar face in Ian Kennedy (3-8, 5.23), who will making his debut with the Padres against his former teammate Phil Hughes (4-9, 4.58).

Yankees Offense Comes Alive to Snap Losing Streak

nydailynews.com

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.

Orioles Complete Sweep of Yankees

sports.yahoo.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

June 30^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Baltimore Orioles Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 2 Orioles 4

The Baltimore Orioles completed the sweep of the New York Yankees on Sunday Night Baseball, by beating the Yankees 4-2. The loss makes it five straight for the Yankees, and they are now (42-39) on the season, which is just 1.5 games out of last place in the AL East.

Manny Machado wasted little time getting to Yankees Starter Hiroki Kuroda, as in the first inning Machado hit a solo-home run off him for his sixth of the season. The home runs would really hurt Kuroda in this one, as he picked up his sixth loss of the season. Chris Davis was the second Oriole to take Kuroda deep in the second inning for his 31^st home run of the year. In the third inning it was yet another home run off Kuroda this one another solo-shot from Nat McLouth for his sixth of the year. In the seventh inning a Matt Wieters single and a J.J. Hardy double forced Kuroda from the game. Boone Logan did a good job considering he came in with no outs and runners on second and third. Brian Roberts got the fourth a final run although with a sac-fly, scoring Wieters. Kuroda's day finished with him going six innings allowing four runs on seven hits, but Kuroda did strikeout seven batters.

Phelps and Yankees Get Crushed in Baltimore

usatoday.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

June 29^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Baltimore Orioles

Final Score: Yankees 3 Orioles 11

The New York Yankees suffered a blowout loss in Game 2 of their series in Baltimore against the Orioles, as they lost 11-3. The loss moves the Yankees to (42-38) on the season, as they are now on a four-game losing streak, and closer to last place than first place in the tough AL East.

This game got out of hand early for the Yankees, as David Phelps had a disastrous start, which led to his fifth loss of the season, and may have cost him his spot in the rotation. Phelps made it just 2.1 innings allowing nine runs on nine hits, and two walks. The Orioles wasted little time getting to Phelps, as Adam Jones got their first run of the game with an RBI single, which scored Manny Machado. After Jones, Chris Davis smacked a three-run homerun for his 29^th home run of the season, and made it a 4-0 game. Phelps pitched a scoreless second inning, but in the third the Orioles broke it open. Former Yankee Chris Dickerson had a two-run base hit with the bases loaded to make it 6-0, and then Ryan Flaherty hit a three-run home run, which was his sixth of the year, and ended Phelps' day early.

Errors Cost Yankees in Loss to Rangers

dallasnews.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

June 26^th, 2013

Texas Rangers vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Rangers 8 Yankees 5

The New York Yankee were unable to keep up their momentum from a big walk-off win on Tuesday, as the Texas Rangers got revenge against the Yankees with a 8-5 win on Wednesday night. The loss moves the Yankees to (42-35) on the season, which is 3.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

Justin Grimm got the start for the Rangers, and even though he had a mediocre start, the run support was enough to give him his seventh win of the season. Grimm went just five innings allowing three runs on six hits. Lyle Overbay got the first run of the game off Grimm in the second inning, as he hit his ninth home run of the season, which was a welcomed site with the news that Mark Teixeira is out for the season. After allowing and infield single to Brett Gardner and then a double by Ichiro Suzuki, Grimm was pulled for Robbie Ross, who allowed both those runners to score on a singles by Robinson Cano and Travis Hafner.

Yankees Get Walk-Off Victory Against Rangers

sportingnews.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

June 25^th, 2013

Texas Rangers vs New York Yankees

Final Score: Rangers 3 Yankees 4

The New York Yankees were able to get a walk-off victory against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night thanks to Ichiro Suzuki. The 4-3 Yankees win moves them to (42-34) on the season, and are back in second place in the AL East 2.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox.

Hiroki Kuroda was pretty solid against a talented Rangers lineup, but despite pitching well didn’t earn himself a decision. The Rangers struck first in this game in the third inning, as Leonys Martin hit a solo-home run in the third inning, which was his first of the season. In the fourth inning the Rangers would get one more run, on a Mitch Moreland RBI ground out with the bases loaded that scored Adrian Beltre. Martin would get the best of Kuroda again in the fifth inning with another solo-home run, which was the final run Kuroda would give up. Kuroda finished going 6.2 innings allowing three runs, two of which were earned, on five hits, one walk, and struck out six batters.

Yankees Lose Fifth Straight Game on West Coast

bleacherreport.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

June 15^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Los Angeles Angels Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 2 Angels 6

The back end of the New York Yankees West Coast trip continues to give them a lot of problems, as they lost again to the Angels on Saturday night 6-2. The loss moves the Yankees to (37-31) on the season, and are now four games behind the Boston Red Sox for first place in the AL East.

Yankees Starter David Phelps had a tough start on Saturday night against a very good Angels lineup, and picked up his fourth loss of the season. Eric Aybar got the Angels offense started in the second inning with a solo home run of Phelps, which was his second home run of the season. Albert Pujols would knock in the Angels second run of the game with a base hit scoring Mike Trout in the third inning. Aybar would get the best of Phelps again in the sixth inning with a RBI base hit to score Mark Trumbo. The last run charged to Phelps was given up by Shawn Kelley after a single from Peter Bourjos led to the end of the day for Phelps.

Yankees Win Series in Seattle

nydailynews.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

June 9^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Seattle Mariners Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 2 Mariners 1

The New York Yankees were able to start of their West Coast trip very nicely, by winning three out of four games against the Seattle Mariners with a 2-1 win on Sunday afternoon. The win keeps the Yankees in second place in the AL East, two games behind the Boston Red Sox.

David Phelps went toe to toe with one of the best pitchers in all of baseball in Felix Hernandez, and kept up with King Felix on Sunday. Phelps went six innings allowing only one run on three hits, and three walks. The Mariners one run against Phelps came in the second inning on a infield singe by Brendan Ryan, which scored Kelly Shoppach. Phelps also was able to strike out six batters, and this was his second straight great start after the disaster against the Mets.

Hernandez like Phelps also didn’t factor in the decision in this game, but he did pitch great for Seattle. King Felix went seven innings allowing just one run on five hits, two walks, and had seven strikeouts. The Yankees one run of Hernandez came in the second inning, as Brett Gardner knocked in Jayson Nix with a RBI single. Gardner had a great series in Seattle, as he went nine for 17 with four doubles.

David Robertson got the win for the Yankees, which was his fourth win of the year, but he had to escape some trouble in eighth. A lead off double by Alex Liddi and then a sac-bunt set the Mariners up with a runner on third with one out, but Robertson struckout Jason Bay and Nick Franklin to keep the game tied at one.

The Yankees would get the winning run across the plate in the top of the ninth inning, as Ichiro Suzuki walked to lead off the inning, and then was advanced to second by a bunt from Nix. With two outs Chris Stewart came up with a huge clutch base-hit to score Ichiro, and give the Yankees a 2-1 lead.

The ninth inning was a difficult one for Mariano Rivera, but he was able to get out of jams to earn his 23^rd save of the inning. Kyle Seager lead off the inning with a base-hit, but didn’t last long on the bases, as Rivera got Kendrys Morales to ground into a double play. The Mariners would try to rally with two outs however, as Raul Ibanez walked, and Endy Chavez singled. Despite having two runners on Rivera settled down and got Michael Saunders to fly out to Left Field to end the game.

Next up for the Yankees will be a three-game series starting on Tuesday in Oakland against the Athletics, as C.C. Sabathia (6-4, 3.74) will be facing former Yankee Bartolo Colon (7-2, 3.14).

Pettitte Gets Milestone Win Number 250

yankees.lhblogs.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

June 8^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Seattle Mariners Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 3 Mariners 1

The New York Yankees were able to bounce back on Saturday afternoon after what had to be an extremely disappointing loss to Jeremy Bonderman on Friday. The offense wasn’t great in this one, but Andy Pettitte gave an exceptional start in his milestone victory. The win moves the Yankees (36-26), and are just 1.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

The offense for the Yankees wasted no time getting Pettitte an early lead, as they were able to get a two-out rally going off Joe Saunders. Mark Teixeira had a double, and then Robinson Cano knocked him in with a base-hit for 40^th RBI of the season. The offense would go quiet for a while before Jayson Nix was able to break a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning with a base-hit the scored Ichiro Suzuki. Nix would also add an insurance run for the Yankees in the seventh inning, as after a double by Brett Gardner Joe Saunders was pulled for Danny Farquhar, and Nix promptly knocked in Gardner with a single. Overall it was a pretty good start from Joe Saunders, as he finished going 6.1 innings allowing three runs on seven hits, and two walks, but with no run support he picked up his sixth loss of the year.

Yankees Complete Sweep of Indians

pinstripedbible.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

June 5th, 2013

Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Indians 4 Yankees 6

The New York Yankees were able to finish up their home-stand on a positive note, by sweeping the Cleveland Indians before they head out to the West Coast. The win moves the Yankees to (34-25) on the season, and are now 1.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox for the division lead.

Indians Starter Corey Kluber got hit hard early in the game by the Yankees, who did a very good job against Indians Starters throughout this series. Travis Hafner got the Yankees on the board in the first inning with a two-run homerun, which was his 10th of the year, and scored Robinson Cano, who was on Second Base due to Michael Bourn dropping a line-drive hit by Cano. The Yankees would tack on their final four runs of the game in the second inning, as Chris Stewart had a RBI single to score Lyle Overbay, and then Brett Gardner continued his power surge this season with a three-run homerun scoring Jayson Nix and Stewart. For Gardner it was his sixth home run already this season, which is just one shy of his career-high of seven in 2011. Kluber did settle down after the big first two innings for the Yankees, and was able to throw four scoreless innings.

Late Inning Heroics Push Mets Past Yankees

Elsa/Getty Images

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, May 28^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. New York Mets

Final Score: Yankees: 1 Mets: 2

After an hour and 40 minute delay to start the game because of rain, more late inning heroics for the Mets led to another victory, as the 2-1 victory over the Yankees at Citi Field Tuesday night pushes the Mets winning streak to three.  Tonight’s game was very similar to the game Monday night as a pitcher’s duel was on once again between the team’s aces this season in Hiroki Kuroda and Matt Harvey.  The win gave Mariano Rivera the rudest goodbye that the Mets could give him, as this was the last regular season appearance he will make in Queens and resulted in Rivera’s first blown save of the season.