MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

Wednesday, June 17th, 2008. Nationals (25-40) 1 Yankees (41-27) 5

The Yankees got a dominant performance from Darrell Rasner and took game 2 against the Nationals. Rasner went 8 shutout innings and gave up only 3 hits, allowed 0 walks and struck out 5. The game was 1-0 until the 7th inning when Bobby Abreu hit a solo HR, (his 2nd in 2 games) to put the Yankees up 2-0. 3 batters later, Jorge Posada hit a 3-R HR to break the game wide open.

After the game, Yankee manager could not say enough about Darrell Rasner. Since he was recalled from AAA on May 5th, Rasner is 3-1 with a 3.07 ERA. His only loss was May 26th at Texas and he pitched great in that game, allowing 2 ER in 7 innings.

The Yankee rotation has been a roller coaster this season. Chien-Ming Wang was released on waivers earlier in the year after a horrible start, Mike Mussina has been hit hard all year and spent time in the minors, and Carl Pavano is back in the minors as well after a short call-up.

Rasner has really helped stabilize a uncertain rotation. Pettitte and Mussina are in the twilight of their careers and Hughes and Kennedy are both 2nd year pitchers. As the trade deadline approaches, look for the Yankees to acquire some depth for the rotation.

With a White Sox loss to the Cubs today, the Yankees have pulled into 1st place in the wildcard race, 1/2 a game ahead of the White Sox. The Yankees are still 2 1/2 games behind the Red Sox in the A.L. East.

Game 3 of the series will see a familiar face as Chien Ming Wang, claimed by the Nationals when he was put in waivers by the Yankees earlier in the year, will face off against Mike Mussina.

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

Thursday, June 18th, 2008 Nationals (26-40) 2 Yankees (41-28) 1

Chien-Ming Wang made his return to Yankee Stadium after being claimed on waivers by the Nationals earlier in the season. Wang pitched 6.1 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 ER, 1 BB, and 2 K's. Jon Rauch pitched the 9th for his 13th save.

Andy Pettitte pitched 8 innings and gave up 2 ER's for the second straight start but could not pull out the victory. Pettitte only made 2 mistakes all game, but they were solo HR's by Austin Kearns and Paul Lo Duca.

The Yankees begin a 9 game road trip on Friday with 3 games at Florida, Atlanta, and cross town rivals, the New York Mets.

Game 1 will see the Yankee ace Phil Hughes (10-2, 2.11) vs Mark Hendrickson (2-2, 3.62)

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

Friday, June 19th, 2008 Yankees 1 Marlins 3
(41-29) (30-39)

The Yankees Florida road trip did not start off the way they hoped. Phil Hughes was his brilliant self, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing only 2 runs. He took the loss but still leads the A.L. in wins with 10, and ERA with a 2.16.

The Yankee offense was kept off balanced all game by Mark Hendrickson (3-2, 3.43), collecting only 8 hits and 1 ER. Damon and Jeter each had 2 hits.

Jorge Cantu led the Marlins with 2 hits and 2 RBI's. Cody Ross added a solo HR.

Game 2 will figure a pair of struggling starters. Mike Mussina (1-6, 6.67) against Andrew Miller (3-5, 7.35)

The Yankees are still holding a half game lead over the White Sox for the A.L. Wildcard thanks to a White Sox 3 game losing streak.

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

June 20th, 2008 (41-30) Yankees 6 (31-39) Marlins 7

The Yankees suffered probably one of the toughest losses of the season tonight against the Marlins. Mike Mussina was his usual ineffective self, lasting only 4 innings and giving up 9 hits and 3 ER's. However, the middle relief really picked him up. Dan Giese and LaTroy Hawkins pitched 4 innings of 3 hit ball and the Yankees took a 6-4 lead into the 9th inning with Mariano Rivera looking for the save.

Not really sure what happened next but I hope it wasn't the dreaded "comeback code."

Cody Ross led off the bottom of the 9th with a routine grounder that Robinson Cano fielded cleanly and throw it 5 feet over Betemit at first base. John Baker then singled Ross home to cut the lead to 6-5. Hanley Ramirez then took a Rivera Cutter and hit a 2-Run HR over the left field wall for the win...

The Yankees were led by Bobby Abreu and Melky Cabrera, who each had 3 hits. Jose Molina, in to give Jorge Posada a day off, even had 3 hits as well. The Marlins were led by Cody Ross, (3-5, RBI), and Hanley Ramirez, who 2-4 with 3 RBI's.

The Yankees hope to take the last game of the series before moving on to Atlanta for a 3 game series.

Game 3 will see Ian Kennedy (8-2, 3.09) against Ricky Nolasco (6-5, 4.11)

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

June 21st, 2008 Yankees 5 Marlins 1

The Yankees finally snap their 3 game losing streak and take the 3rd game of their series with the Marlins.

Ian Kennedy was his usual brilliant self, pitching 6 innings and allowing only 6 hits and 1 ER. (His only mistake was a solo HR by Hanley Ramirez in the 1st inning.) Kennedy is now 9-2 on the season with a 2.97 ERA. Ricky Nolasco (5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 11 K's) took the loss.

The Yankees were led by Jason Giambi, who went 3-4 with a 2-R HR, his 14th, and 3 RBI's. Derek Jeter and Melky Cabrera each had 2 hits.

After an off day on Monday, the Yankees start a 3 game set in Atlanta against the Braves. Game 1 should be Darrell Rasner vs John Smoltz.

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

June 23rd, 2008. Yankees 7 Braves 3

The Yankees (43-30) made it 2 wins in a row tonight as they got the better of John Smoltz and the Atlanta Braves (31-40). Andy Pettitte went 6 innings allowing 5 hits and 3 ER's to pick up his 8th win of the season. John Smoltz (4.0 IP, 4 H, 5 ER) falls to 6-8 on the season.

The Yankee offense was led again by Jason Giambi (1-4, 3-R HR), who homered in his 2nd straight game. Alex Rodriguez was 2-4 with 2 RBI's and added a solo HR, his 13th on the season.

Yunel Escobar and Jeff Francoeur hit solo HR's for the Braves.

The Yankees still hold a 1/2 game lead over the White Sox for the A.L. Wildcard spot.

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

June 24th, 2008 Yankees 3 Braves 4

The Yankees dropped a close one tonight against the Braves in extra innings. Jason Giambi homered for the 3rd straight game, tying the game at 3 in the 6th inning. However, after 3 scoreless innings from LaTroy Hawkins, Kyle Farnsworth gave up a game winning double to Mark Teixeira in the bottom of the 10 inning to take the loss.

Phil Hughes pitched 6 innings, giving up 5 hits, 3 ER's, 1BB, and 5 K's. Hughes is tied for the most wins in the A.L. with 10 and a league leading 2.31 ERA.

The Yankees will go for the series win tomorrow night as they send Ian Kennedy against Jair Jurrjens.

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

June 25th, 2008 Yankees 1 Braves 0

The Yankees ended their 3 game series with the Braves on a high note with a brilliant outing by Ian Kennedy. Kennedy, (10-2, 2.73) was incredible, going 8.0 innings and giving up only 4 hits, no walks, and 4 K's. Mariano Rivera pitched the 9th for his 17th save.

Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, and Jorge Posada each had 2 hits. Posada had a Sac Fly to account for the only Yankees run. A couple of base running blunders cost the Yankees a couple of runs.

Jair Jurrjens (5-4, 4.48) pitched well in the loss, going 6 innings and allowing 8 hits and 1 ER.

The Yankees will end their 9 game road trip with 3 games against the crosstown New York Mets.

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

June 26th, 2008 Yankees 1 Mets 4

The Yankees opened their 3 game inter-league series against the crosstown Mets tonight and for a moment traveled back in time. Pedro Martinez looked like the the 1999 Pedro Martinez and totally shut down the Yankees. Pedro (7.0 IP, 5 H, 1ER, 2 BB, 8 K's) kept the Yankees guessing all night with his Curveball and Change up and dominated. Pedro avenged a loss he took from the Yankees from back on June 13th at Yankee Stadium.

Mike Mussina (1-7, 6.48) pitched decent in the loss, going 6 IP and giving up 7 H and 3 ER. A Hideki Matsui pinch hit HR in the top of the 8th was the only bright spot for the Yankees.

Game 2 will have Darrell Rasner vs Brian Stokes.

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

June 27th, 2008 Yankees 4 Mets 1

Game 2 of the subway series saw the Yankees bounce back from yesterday's defeat to beat the Mets 4-1. Darrell Rasner continues to pitch brilliantly for the Yankees, going 8.0 IP and giving up 6 H and 1 ER. Since Darrell's call-up on May 5th, he is 4-1 with a 2.82 ERA.

The Yankees had all kinds of trouble against Brian Stokes, who was called up on May 30th to take the spot of Oliver Perez who suffered a broken forearm. Stokes entered the game 1-3 with a 8.66 ERA but you would never know it. He dominated the Yankees with his 95+ heater, striking out 11 batter in 5.2 innings. The Yankees finally broke through against the Met bullpen. Jorge Posada hit a solo HR in the 7th inning off of Pedro Feliciano and Jason Giambi iced the game with a bases loaded 2-Run single in the top of the 8th off Duaner Sanchez.

Mariano Rivera pitched the 9th inning and picked up save #500. The Announcers mentioned it after the final out. I recorded the final out and will try and post it if I can figure it out.

Game 3 should be a great matchup. Andy Pettitte (8-5, 3.98) goes against Johan Santana (8-6, 2.67) These 2 met on June 12th at Yankee Stadium with Pettitte getting the CG win 3-2.

In a unexpected move, the Royals and Rockies pulled off a blockbuster trade on June 26th as the Royals sent RP Ramon Ramirez and SP Zack Greinke to the Rockies for RP Taylor Buchholz and CF Willie Taveras.

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

June 28th, 2008 Yankees 3 Mets 2

The Yankees ended a 9 game road trip this afternoon with a close win over their crosstown rivals the Mets.

Andy Pettitte (9-5, 3.85) got the better of Johan Santana (8-7, 2.76) with Mariano Rivera picking up Save 501 in his HOF career.

The Yankees opened the scoring in the 3rd inning thanks to a 2-Run single by A-Rod off of Santana. The Yankees added a run in the 5th when Bobby Abreu doubled home Derek Jeter.

Pettitte made one mistake all game when he missed with a change up outside and Moises Alou took him deep for a 2-Run HR. Moises and Johnny Damon each had 4 hits on the day.

Pettitte had a season high 12 K's.

The Yankees have a off-day on June 29th (Monday) before they start a 7 game home stand against the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. Then they take to the road for 3 games against the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels before the All-Star Break.

After Tuesday's game against the Mariners, I will post Stats and Standings for the end of June.

The Yankees are currently 5 games behind the division leading Boston Red Sox. However, they hold a 1 game lead over the Chicago White Sox in the Wildcard race.

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

June 30th, 2008 Mariners 2 Yankees 4

The Yankees kicked off their 7 game home stand with a 4-2 victory over King Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners.

Jason Giambi was the hero of the game, going 3-4 with a 3-R HR and 3 RBI's. Phil Hughes (11-3, 2.32) won his Major League leading 11th game and Mariano Rivera got his 20th save of the season.

Now that June is in the books, stay tuned for standings, stats, and notes from around the league.

Game 2 will be Erik Bedard (8-3, 2.95) vs Ian Kennedy (10-2, 2.73)

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

MLB Standings - Updated: Jul 1, 2008
AL EAST	W	L	GB	RS	RA
Boston Red Sox	50	27	-	455	308
New York Yankees	47	32	4	385	339
Toronto Blue Jays	41	39	10.5	371	340
Tampa Bay Rays	39	41	12.5	345	350
Baltimore Orioles	29	48	21.0	313	439
AL CENTRAL	W	L	GB	RS	RA
Detroit Tigers	54	24	-	479	331
Chicago White Sox	45	34	9.5	371	319
Cleveland Indians	41	38	13.5	378	353
Kansas City Royals	27	49	26.0	264	385
Minnesota Twins	28	51	26.5	304	394
AL WEST	W	L	GB	RS	RA
Los Angeles Angels	44	33	-	321	303
Oakland Athletics	39	39	5.5	324	292
Seattle Mariners	35	41	8.5	313	358
Texas Rangers	33	44	11.0	372	405
AL WILD CARD RACE	W	L	GB	RS	RA
New York Yankees	47	32	-	385	339
Chicago White Sox	45	34	2.0	371	319
Cleveland Indians	41	38	6.0	378	353
Toronto Blue Jays	41	39	6.5	371	340
Oakland Athletics	39	39	7.5	324	292
Tampa Bay Rays	39	41	8.5	345	350
Seattle Mariners	35	41	10.5	313	358
Texas Rangers	33	44	13.0	372	405
Baltimore Orioles	29	48	17.0	313	439
Kansas City Royals	27	49	18.5	264	385
Minnesota Twins	28	51	19.0	304	394
NL EAST	W	L	GB	RS	RA
Philadelphia Phillies	45	31	-	440	407
New York Mets	37	41	9.0	344	294
Florida Marlins	35	44	11.5	342	401
Atlanta Braves	33	44	12.5	326	336
Washington Nationals	31	46	14.5	290	359
NL CENTRAL	W	L	GB	RS	RA
Houston Astros	48	29	-	358	295
St. Louis Cardinals	45	36	5.0	337	295
Milwaukee Brewers	43	34	5.0	396	377
Chicago Cubs	42	35	6.0	315	307
Pittsburgh Pirates	37	42	12.0	349	377
NL WEST	W	L	GB	RS	RA
Arizona Diamondbacks	46	32	-	337	300
San Diego Padres	41	36	4.5	298	295
Los Angeles Dodgers	39	39	7.0	329	314
Colorado Rockies	29	48	16.5	291	378
San Francisco Giants	28	48	17.0	235	318
NL WILD CARD RACE	W	L	GB	RS	RA
Milwaukee Brewers	43	34	-	396	377
Chicago Cubs	42	35	1.0	315	307
St. Louis Cardinals	45	36	2.0	337	295
San Diego Padres	41	36	2.0	298	295
Los Angeles Dodgers	39	39	4.5	329	314
New York Mets	37	41	6.5	344	294
Pittsburgh Pirates	37	42	7.0	349	377
Cincinnati Reds	35	41	7.5	327	340
Florida Marlins	35	44	9.0	342	401
Atlanta Braves	33	44	10.0	326	336
Washington Nationals	31	46	12.0	290	359
Colorado Rockies	29	48	14.0	291	378

2008 New York Yankees Stats - Hitting
NAME	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	BA	OBP	SLG
Johnny Damon	296	54	99	21	2	8	37	15	57	8	4	.334	.377	.500
Alex Rodriguez	279	54	93	14	0	13	52	17	59	0	0	.333	.388	.523
Wilson Betimet	190	19	62	10	0	5	28	5	44	0	0	.326	.354	.458
Derek Jeter	315	53	91	14	2	4	21	12	65	1	2	.289	.325	.384
Bobby Abreu	292	40	83	23	1	9	44	14	65	1	0	.284	.332	.462
Cody Ransom	53	10	15	2	0	1	6	4	17	0	0	.283	.328	.377
Jorge Posada	241	28	64	9	0	13	36	7	37	0	0	.266	.293	.465
Jason Giambi	257	32	64	15	0	17	58	8	64	0	0	.249	.289	.506
Robinson Cano	273	37	66	14	0	8	35	15	45	0	0	.242	.284	.381
Jose Molina	59	4	14	1	0	0	3	2	14	0	0	.237	.274	.254
Hideki Matsui	198	23	45	8	0	5	19	4	50	0	0	.227	.250	.343
Melky Cabrera	211	23	46	7	1	5	28	6	48	0	0	.218	.254	.332
Brett Gardner	73	5	10	1	0	0	5	2	13	1	1	.137	.158	.151

2008 New York Yankees Stats - Pitching
NAME	GP	GS	W	L	SV	QS	HLD	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Andy Pettitte	16	16	9	5	0	10	0	112.0	109	48	20	10	93	1.06	3.86
Phil Hughes	16	16	11	3	0	13	0	104.1	87	27	10	17	73	1.00	2.33
Ian Kennedy	15	15	10	2	0	12	0	95.2	88	29	10	11	53	1.03	2.73
Mike Mussina	11	11	1	7	0	2	0	68.0	87	49	18	4	39	1.34	6.49
Darrell Rasner	9	9	4	1	0	6	0	60.2	56	19	6	6	33	1.02	2.82
Dan Giese	7	1	2	1	0	0	1	14.0	23	10	2	1	8	1.71	6.43
Mariano Rivera	24	0	1	2	20	0	0	23.0	23	8	4	0	14	1.00	3.13
Joba Chamberlain	24	0	0	2	1	0	7	32.0	40	17	7	2	28	1.31	4.78
Kyle Farnsworth	17	0	2	2	4	0	2	24.0	23	5	1	2	19	1.04	1.88
LaTroy Hawkins	20	0	3	0	1	0	6	35.2	47	13	2	2	24	1.37	3.28
Jose Veras	20	0	0	1	0	0	8	34.0	38	13	6	5	33	1.26	3.44
David Robertson	14	0	1	1	0	0	3	18.1	23	12	2	4	8	1.47	5.89

The month of June was not as good for the Yankees as May. The Yankees finished May with a record of 20-9 but could only manage a 16-11 record for the month of June.

Alex Rodriguez could only muster 1 HR and 8 RBI's in June. Jason Giambi supplied a lot of power in June, hitting 8 HR's and 24 RBI's.

Johnny Damon raised his average by 28 points in June, while Bobby Abreu had a good month with 6 HR's and 18 RBI's.

The Yankees hold the lead in the wildcard by 2 games. They will play the Red Sox 10 more games in their quest to take the A.L. East Title.

In the A.L., Magglio Ordonez and Mike Lowell are tied for the lead in AVG at .346. Jack Cust and David Ortiz have the most HR at 23, while Grady Sizemore leads in RBI's with 66.

In the N.L., Kazuo Matsui is leading the league with a .349 AVG. Lance Berkman leads the league with 28 HR's and RBI's with 71.

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

July 1st, 2008 Mariners 3 Yankees 2

July did not start off on the right foot as the Yankees saw their modest 3 game winning streak go by the wayside.

Ian Kennedy (10-2, 2.54) was brilliant, pitching 7 innings of 1 hit ball before watching the bullpen implode. Joba Chamberlain (0-3, 5.45) came in for the 8th inning and promptly gave up 4 hits and 3 ER's before getting the final out. Manager Joe Girardi is contemplating on whether to send Joba to AAA to see if he can get back on track. However, since Joba is out of options, the Yankees run the risk of losing him on waivers.

The Yankees did manage to rally in the bottom of the 8th, pushing across 2 runs before a Bobby Abreu strike out ended the comeback.

Thursday the Yankees will send Mike Mussina to the mound against Jarrod Washburn.

[MBMavs20]

Re: MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

July 2nd, 2008 Mariners 1 Yankees 3



The Yankees took game 3 of their series against the Mariners in dramatic fashion. Alex Rodriguez, who hit 1 HR in June, came up clutch with a walk off bomb against Mark Lowe.

Mike Mussina (1-7, 6.00) had his best start of the season, pitching 7 innings and giving up only 1 ER and 6 hits. Jarrod Washburn pitched even better, going 6 IP, allowing only 5 hits.

The Mariners held a 1-0 lead headed into the bottom of the 9th. Roy Corcoran started the 9th inning because Mariner closer J.J. Putz is on the DL with a broken hand. Corcoran couldn't get the save and walked PH Hideki Matsui with the bases loaded to tie the game at 1. However, Sean Green came in and got Damon to pop up to 2nd and Jeter grounded out.

Green came out for the 10th and walked Abreu so the Mariners yanked him and brought in Mark Lowe to face A-Rod. The result was an A-Bomb from A-Rod. This was A-Rod's first walk off of the season and only his 2 HR in the past 5 weeks.

The Yankees finish up their home stand with a 4 game series against the Blue Jays. The Yankees luck out and will miss Roy Halladay as he pitched Toronto's last game against the Rays.

Game 1 will be A.J. Burnett (7-5, 4.04) vs Darrell Rasner (4-1, 2.82)