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The Yankees lead over Boston was reduced to six games last night. What are the odds that it’ll be five after tonight? Jose Contreras goes against Yankee-killer Victor Zambrano while Curt Schilling will face Rich Harden. Hmmm. Glad I’m not a betting man. (How amped is Lou Piniella to come into New York with his surging Devil Rays?) However, the Yankees have Vazquez, Lieber and Mussina lined up for the weekend. Hopefully, they can help stop the bleeding as the Yankees have lost their last two series.

After another awful performance by Yankee pitching yesterday, Newsday is reporting that both Brad Halsey and Brett Prinz will be shipped off to Columbus today. The duo will apparently be replaced by two right-handers, Juan Padilla and Sam Marsonek.

I’ve been way too upset about how the Yankees have played over the past week. I called Cub fan Alex Ciepley to complain yesterday and he essentially laughed in my face. But the Yankees have dropped five of six I moaned. “Well, the Cubs have lost for 92 years…” That shut me up right quick. What did I expect? A Yankee fan calling a Cub fan for sympathy. Doh. Cliff Corcoran, a level-headed Yankee observer, calmed me down when he e-mailed me after the game:

I’m actually pretty pleased that the [Yankees] scored those five runs in the seventh and made a game out of it. I’m also a tough-love guy. I figure they could use a run like this (and it’s just five of six) to emphasize that Sturtze and company are not a champion caliber staff. It’s good for them to lose a few. With the break coming up to wipe the slate clean, it couldn’t come at a better time.

Of course, trade rumors are flying about. Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald writes how the Red Sox are in the thick of the so-called Randy Johnson sweepstakes, while Boston’s GM Theo Epstein denied any such doings in the Boston Globe. Meanwhile, Joel Sherman wonders if Roger Clemens could find his way back to the Bronx before all is said and done. Actually, Sherman make a strong case for southpaw reliever Eddie Guardado, a move I’ve been dreaming about for a few months now.

Finally, Hideki Matsui is the seventh Yankee to make the All-Star team. While Matsui is having a fine season, it would have been nice to see a non-Yankee fill out the AL roster, like future Hall-of-Famer Frank Thomas for one.

The Yankes are getting whipped by the Tigers at the Stadium this afternoon. Mt. Saint George is just about ready to erupt. The Yankees’ pitching has been nothing short of horrendous of late. Fury at eleven.

Spanked

Everything started so well for Mike Mussina. Working on three days rest, Mussina was sharp through the first four innings last night, striking out five of the first six batters he faced. After brushing back Bobby Higgenson with a fastball, Mussina caught him looking on a beautiful curve ball. But in his second at bat, Higgenson crushed an 0-2 delivery for a two-run homer, and that was the begining of the end of Mussina and the Yanks. That Higgenson flipped his bat and hot-dogged it around the bases didn’t help my digestion any. Jason Johnson, who pitched a terrific game, allowed the Yanks to score a run before the Tigers put up five in the sixth.

There wasn’t much to remember from this one. The Yankees put some good swings on the ball but didn’t have much to show for it. Also, Bernie Williams badly misplayed a ball during the Tigers sixth inning. And Taynon Sturtze plunked Pudge Rodriguez in the ninth. Rodriguez left the game and Ugie Urbina returned the favor by throwing behind Gary Sheffield in the bottom half of the inning. Sturtze was not run from the game like Esteban Yan had been the previous night. Both teams were warned after Urbina threw at Sheffield.

The Yankees lead over the Red Sox is down to seven games. Thank you very much, Mr. Zito. There were many writers in the New York and Boston media who believed the Yankees won the AL East last week. I’m not one of them. Not only do I think the Red Sox are alive and well in the wild-card race, I don’t think it’s beyond them to win the East either. (Ed Cossette however, remains cautious…)

For more Yankee news, check out the latest work from Dan McCourt, Derek Jacques, Jay Jaffe, Cliff Corcoran, and Rich Lederer.

Ahhh, just what the Yankees needed: an easy, blow-out win. On a stifling hot night in the Bronx, the Yankees jumped all over the Tigers early and Jon Lieber had a good outing as they cruised 10-3. Over 52,000 saw Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run homer in the second inning. After Gary Sheffield hit a solo shot later on, Rodriguez was knocked down by Estaben Yan’s first pitch. The ball sailed over Rodriguez’s head and Yan was tossed from the contest. The Yankees did not retaliate. Bernie Williams and Ruben Sierra added solo homers of their own; Jason Giambi had two hits. The Yankees are now eight games ahead of Boston, who was idle last night.

How Sweep It Ain’t: Happy Birthday George!

“They probably wanted it more than we did,” said Yankees reliever Tom Gordon, who allowed the game winner. “They played harder. We played good baseball. Don’t get me wrong; we played hard. But they didn’t quit. They absolutely did not quit, and they played winning baseball. That’s a good ball club over there.”

“You don’t enjoy it when you lose,” Torre said. “But I was proud, as I’m sure Artie was, with how hard the players played. That’s all you can ask. The results aren’t always going to be what you want them to be. We’ve been spoiled, because we’ve won a lot of those games where we’ve come back and come from behind. They bent a lot but they didn’t break. You really have to give them credit.” (N.Y. Times)

The Yankees needed a solid effort from Javier Vazquez yesterday and didn’t even come close to getting it. While Vazquez wasn’t as awful as Jose Contreras had been on Saturday, he was far from impressive as the Mets took it to the Yankees once again. Horrific pitching, and cockamamie base-running did the Yankees in on Sunday as the Mets swept the Yankees for the first time since Inter-league play began in 1997. In addition, the Metropolitans beat the Yankees in the season series for the first time as well.

Vazquez struggled with his control from the begining. He looked gassed, his body lanugage tense, and he ostensibly had nothing. It was painful to watch. But I was impressed that he hung in there and didn’t spit the bit completely. Felix Heredia was useless and Flash Gordon looked fatigued as well. I don’t think the Yankees will miss Richard Hidalgo much, huh?

The Yankees didn’t lie down. The offense chipped away. Bernie Williams went 4 for 5, but made a crucial mistake on the bases, limiting a Yankee rally. Jorge Posada later pulled his own numb-nuts move (that the Yankees filed a protest on the Posada play speaks to their level of frustration more than anything else). Williams’ solo home run off Jay Seo was the highlight of the day for the Yankees. Seo left a pitch up and over plate which Williams smacked high and deep to right. As soon as he hit it, Williams dropped his head and shoulders comically. It wasn’t a David Ortiz, let-me-admire-this, hot dog move. It was a “Oh, man, did I ever kill that,” reaction. At the same instant, Seo swiped at the air with his right arm, “Drat!” Head bowed, Williams paused for a moment and then went into a home run trot.

Alex Rodriguez continues to struggle offensively. He is not performing well with men on base at all. But the Yankees offense wasn’t the problem this weekend, it was pitching, pitching, and more pitching. 11 runs, 10 runs, 6 runs: ’nuff said. The only silver-lining for New York was that Derek Lowe and the Red Sox were torched in Atlanta. For the Yankees to get swept and only lose a game in the standings is a lucky break if I’ve ever seen one. Of course, it doesn’t get any easier this week, with the improved Tigers in town for three, and then the D-Rays here for four to finish out the first half. The Yankees dragged their way through the weekend; they need to stay sharp this week before they can exhale and get a break during the All-Star festivities.

Jason Giambi, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez will be starters in the All-Star game; Gary Sheffield, Flash Gordon and Mariano Rivera were elected as reserves.

I’m ashamed to admit that a two-game losing streak to the Mets is enough to get my blood boiling. But there it is: today’s loss had me rampaging like a four-year-old. The Yankees and Mets played an exciting game with the Mets coming out on top by a single run. Tony Clark had four hits, including two homers. Jason Giambi had a pinch-hit double. But I’m more fixated on what went wrong. Jose Contreras was nothing short of putrid (I have no idea why Torre had him out there to start the sixth inning), and Alex Rodriguez was a bust offensively. I don’t even want to re-live Posada’s at-bat against John Franco in the eighth. It wasn’t an exciting game, it was garbage. And Schilling is pitching tonight for the Sox. Bah-fuggin-humbug.

Anyhow, while I cope with my anger management issues, it was a terrific win for the Metroplitans. Luckily, Javier Vazquez is going for the Bombers tomorrow, who will try to avoid being swept, and losing a season series to the Mets for the first time since Inter-league play began in 1997. However, erstwhile Yankee, Shane Spencer is thinking big:

“To sweep ’em would be pretty sweet.”

You said it superstar. But hey, no matter how immature and furious I am, at least I can take comfort knowing that George Steinbrenner is even more immature and more furious than me. And that’s the truth: tttthhhppppt.

“The Bambino’s kicking our ass right now, but we’re going to get that ass back,” David Ortiz, “The Cookie Monster.” (Boston Herald)

The Yankees came into Shea Stadium last night as not-ready-for-prime-time-players after their draining three-game series vs. the Red Sox. Derek Jeter was in the starting line-up though. He had a bandage on his chin and a nice shiner under his right eye and was greeted by a mix of boos and a standing ovation during his first trip to the plate. Jeter’s right eye was blinking steadily all night, but it didn’t keep him from playing. With one out in the first, he made a nice back-hand stab and with some help from Tony Clark, threw out the speedster Kaz Matsui. That was as good as it would get for the visiting Bombers. Mike Piazza followed with a ground ball that took a funny hop and skipped past Alex Rodriguez for a single. Then Hideki Matsui dropped a long fly ball by Cliff Floyd for an error; Bernie Williams followed by taking a poor route to a fly ball by Richard Hidalgo and the Mets quickly led 2-0.

With two out in the second, Miguel Cairo apparently robbed Jose Reyes of a hit to end the inning, but Reyes was called safe, the ump blew the call and Kaz Matsui followed with a three-run shot, his first of two homers on the night. That was the kind of night it was going to be. But while the Yankees were half-asleep, give credit to the Mets, who were in good form.

Steve Trachsel had a nasty splitter going and he continues to be an excellent pitcher at Shea Stadium. Richard Hidalgo added another dinger off of Mike Mussina–who is no doubt pleased that he won’t have to face Hidalgo again this season.

Just like last Friday, the Mets opened with a bang vs. the Yankees. Fortunately for the Bombers, the Red Sox lost another heartbreaker in extra innings; this time, 6-3 in Atlanta. The Bombers remain eight-and-a-half ahead of Boston. Curt Schilling goes for the Sox this afternoon.

Dan Shaughnessy thinks it is time for the Sox to trade Nomar Garciaparra:

In every way, the Nomar Problem has reached a critical mass. The Red Sox know they can’t sign him at the end of the season. He’s already turned down boatloads of money ($60 million over four years before the 2003 season), and is admittedly (and rightfully) wounded by the offseason attempt to replace him with Alex Rodriguez. Garciaparra says he wants to stay here, but virtually no one believes him and his demeanor suggests he’d rather stick needles in his eyes than sign on for another tour of duty at Fenway.

… This is hardly a groundbreaking idea, but for the first time, management can make a Nomar deal that might improve the ball club and won’t be universally deplored by the Nation. A whopping 70 percent of 6,893 reponses to a Boston.com survey Thursday said Nomar should be traded. Stunning. And that was before Garciaparra took the night off in the most important game of the season.

One has to wonder why it always ends like this for Boston’s star baseball players. Go back through time. Mo Vaughn. Roger Clemens. Mike Greenwell. Jim Rice. Bob Stanley. Wade Boggs. Bruce Hurst. Carlton Fisk. Fred Lynn. Rick Burleson. All home-grown stars who left the franchise spitting nails at the front office. Nomar Garciaparra played harder and was more popular than any of them. Ted Williams compared Nomar with Joe DiMaggio. Now this. Everybody’s favorite Red Sox appears to have become a wildly unhappy ballplayer, struggling to return from an injury, resentful of the front office, and determined to walk at the end of the season.

Over at the Herald, Tony Massarotti thinks Garciaparra should stay:

Thursday in New York? Garciaparra deserves the benefit of the doubt, just as Pedro Martinez deserved it last summer, when it was suggested in some places that Martinez might have been ducking the Oakland A’s when he was, in fact, suffering from an infamous case of pharyngitis. Martinez took such assertions personally, just as Garciaparra is taking them now, eight years into a Red Sox career during which Garciaparra has routinely played with a familiar bounce.

…Earlier this week, amid escalating rumors that Garciaparra might be on the trade market, Red Sox officials privately denied they have any such interest. The Red Sox are better with a healthy and focused Garciaparra than they are without him, and the trick now is to get him healthy and focused. When those things have happened, after all, Garciaparra has demonstrated a unique and uncanny ability to play the game of baseball.

As Jack Nicholson asked himself in Prizzi’s Honor: “Do I ice her, do I marry her? Which one of dese?”

Meanwhile, Jack Curry gives props to the Bronx Bombers:

There are endless reasons for hating the Yankees. They have won more World Series titles than any team. They have a $180 million payroll that is at least double that of all but a few clubs. They have a principal owner in Steinbrenner who can be a bully and who often thinks others are plotting against him. To so many teams and fans, the Yankees really are the Evil Empire.

But for today and maybe a lot longer, it could be difficult for even the most ardent Red Sox or Mets fans to hate the Yankees. Anyone who saw Jeter risk a serious injury for a catch that could have maybe been the difference between the Yankees being a whopping eight and a half or a still comfortable six and a half games ahead of Boston had to appreciate the brilliance, had to acknowledge the desire to see their favorite player care that much.

“That’s who he is,” Rodriguez said. “He sets the tone for the team. You see something like that, you say, ‘O.K., we have to win now.’ ”

Jose Contreras will face Matt Ginter this afternoon in Flushing.

“We played a great game, and we take more from this game than we lose. I bet we’ll capitalize on the things we did tonight.”

Oh, My

“If you lose, it’s an ugly game, and if you win, it’s the best game ever,” said Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, who homered and doubled. “You’ve just got to find a way of winning.” (N.Y. Times)

Sleep must not have come easily for either Yankee or Red Sox fans last night. As I lay in bed, still feverish, my adreneline throbbing, I stopped worrying about how tired I would be for work this morning, and concentrated on just how fortunate Yankee fans have been for the past ten years. The state of exhaustion and joy, which borders of nausia, is not an unfamilar sensation. The Yankees had just won another thrilling game in dramatic fashion. That is came at the expense of the Red Sox made it even sweeter. This won’t last forever, this kind of success. I try to appreciate every ennervating, wonderful moment of it.

Emily thought I was a crazy man. She didn’t know what was going to get broken first–a piece of furniture or my hand. My face was red for most of the second half of the game, and I was cursing up a blue streak. “I thought you said this game didn’t matter since we already won the series,” she asked innocently. “You don’t understaaaaaand,” I replied. “This is the Red Sox. Everything is different. Aaargh.”

It was one of those games that was hard to piece back together; so many memorable moments stand out. I am not lucid enough to write a logical summary. Here are some of the images that made up this one…Gary Sheffield stepping out of the batter’s box twice in his first at bat vs Pedro Martinez, then Martinez promptly drilling him in the shoulder. Sheffield walked to first, glared at Pedro and said, “Not me.” Tony Clark hitting a two-run homer off Martinez, and then Jorge Posada, long Martinez’s whipping boy, smashing a solo shot into the upper deck in right field. David Ortiz blooping a double just beyond the reach of Hideki Matsui, followed by Manny Ramirez’s homer off of Brad Halsey. The Yankee rookie pitching more than admirably. Kenny Lofton’s error in center field. Pokey Reese making a sensational basket catch before tumbling into the stands along the third base side; Alex Rodriguez making a great diving play on a liner hit by Reese in the fifth. Later, Rodriguez snaring a liner off the bat of the Greek God of Walks. Sheffield almost blowing a routine fly ball in right field.

Then the drama…Ruben Sierra’s terrible pinch-hit at bat with the bases loaded. Later, Sierra allowing a fly ball to drop in front of him for a single. Jason Giambi striking out weakly. Alex Rodriguez’s brilliant double play, robbing Kevin Millar of a double and nailing Gabe Kapler at the plate, with the bases loaded an nobody out vs. Mariano Rivera. “Triple play, a triple play,” I yelled, echoing Michael Kay on the YES network. No, calm down, chill, it’s a double play, dude.

Derek Jeter’s courageous catch, taking a hit away from Trot Nixon, sacrificing his body, and adding to his legend in the process. Gary Sheffield getting hit for a second time, then later playing third base. Manny’s blast–Pie-yah!–off of Tanyon Sturtze. Nomar Garciaparra–who did not play–sitting alone, sullen, apart from his teammates. How did that make Red Sox fans feel? Then Ruben Sierra’s single, Miguel Cairo’s double (on a 1-2 pitch), and finally, John Flaherty’s game-winning single.

Gary Sheffield told the New York Times:

“The message is clear,” Sheffield said. “We’re not laying down for no one. We’re trying to take it all. We’re trying to send a message to everyone we play. Everyone was jacked up for this series. We wanted to sweep, and we did.”

Still, Joe Torre was upset when Gary Sheffield was plunked for the second time, and Curt Leskanic wasn’t tossed. Earlier, both teams had been warned. According to Newsday:

“The situation is a runner on third base in an extra-inning game,” Torre said. “I’m not going to tell Terry [Francona] how to manage, for sure. That’s certainly his business. But you hit Sheffield with the first pitch and then walk the next guy. That makes it a little suspicious, especially when the next hitter is an inexperienced kid named Bubba Crosby.”

…”I don’t understand why you would want to pitch to our hottest hitter with the winning run at third base,” Torre said. “That doesn’t make sense to me. It’s a travesty. An absolute travesty.”

Regardless, the Yankees swept Boston and are now eight-and-a-half games in first place. Both teams played their guts out last night. It was a crushing loss for the Sox and another elating one for the Yankees.

Cliff Corcoran was at the Stadium. He should have an incredible post up later in the day. For a coherent and articulate account of the game, head over to The Hardball Times and read Larry Mahken’s excellent write up. Expect another stellar report from Joe Sheehan later today at Baseball Prospectus.

Cruising around the Net during my lunch hour, I’m getting a mixed-vibe out of Red Sox Nation. The usually up-beat Edward Cossette just isn’t feelin’ this year’s version of the Home Towne Team, no matter how much positive visualization he employs. Others, like my pal Sully, think there is still plenty of time for the Sox to turn things around. Sully reminds us how far back the ’78 Yankees were before they came to life. Sure, they were the defending world champs, but this Boston team is still mad talented. OK, it’s not likely that the Yankees will blow a huge lead. Why? Cause it hasn’t happened before. But for skeptics like me–and Larry Mahnken–that isn’t a good enough answer. After all, it has to happen some time. Why not now? (The glass is half what?)

One thing seems sure: Theo Epstein is on the spot to make something happen. Rumors have it that Nomar Garciaparra will be moved. Previously, this would have been unfathomable, but right now, it makes sense, especially if Garciaparra is firm about not returning to Boston next year. Epstein has performed admirably thus far as GM of the Sox. It will be interesting to see what he can cook up. Obviously, Red Sox fans fear that Randy Johnson could wind up in pinstripes. I’ll counter that by worrying that he could join his pal Schilling in Boston. However, Peter Gammons is saying that Anahiem is a more likely scenerio for the Big Unit if he moves at all.

Meanwhile in New York, there is a growing perception that Jason Giambi isn’t a gamer. OK, those who have thought that Giambi was soft have thought so for more than a minute now, but in light of Gary Sheffield playing through obvious pain, Giambi looks bad being disabled with a bizarre stomach condition. This isn’t fair, but Sheffield plays baseball like a linebacker, just the kind of spirit that the football maven George Steinbrenner covets. Meanwhile, Giambi is becoming a fallen star in New York. fair or unfair. Was Sheffield calling his teammate out last night when he told reporters, “”They’re paying me a lot of money to play and not sit and watch.” I don’t know. But I’m holding out hope that Giambi can get healthy and start enjoying the game once again. I know I’m rooting for him. If he continues to falter, he could become George’s whipping boy and a target of the boo boids in da BX; worse, he could become the second-coming of Mo Vaughn. Or he could be the best hitter in the line up. Which one of these?…

Bring the Pain

“I’m just going out there and grinding it out. I just want the guy who plays next to me to know that I’m accountable.” Gary Sheffield

We are prone to hyperbole in New York and Boston when it comes to our baseball teams, but I don’t think it’s a stretch to call last night’s game an agonizing affair for Red Sox Nation. Boston received a brilliant performance from Tim Wakefield, but the offense was unable to hit with men on base, and the Sox were ultimately undone by poor fielding for the second-consecutive night. The Yankees swiped this game, one of the most satisfying victories of the year according to this observer. The Yankees now lead Boston by seven-and-a-half games.

Jon Lieber left several pitches up in the zone early in the game and the Sox pounced all over him. The first three Red Sox hitters reached base. With a 1-0 lead, two men on and nobody out, the Red Sox could not score another run in the first. The first two men of the second reached as well, but again Boston could not score. Lieber was aided by two key double plays and then he settled down and pitched well. Wakefield dominated the Yankees, scattering a few harmless singles. Bother pitchers worked quickly, and the game breezed along.

David Ortiz connnected for a solo homer–a blast–and Lieber allowed two men to reach in the seventh before he was yanked. Brett Prinz came on to get one batter, and he walked him. The bases were loaded with nobody out. Enter Felix Heredia. This was not a welcome sight for Yankee fans, especially with the top of the order due up for the Red Sox. Johnny Damon hit a ground ball to Tony Clark, who came home for the force, one out. Then Mark Bellhorn lofted a fly ball to left field for the second out. It was not deep enough to score Mirabelli from third. Finally, David Ortiz was called out on strikes. It was a close call, but Heredia earned his pinstripes for the year by getting out of the jam:

“This was Heredia’s game,” Manager Joe Torre said. (N.Y.Times)

The Stadium, which had been subdued for a night-and-a-half, was now rocking. Wakefield plunked Gary Sheffield to start the bottom of the seventh. With one out, he walked Godziller Matsui, the last batter he would face. Scott Williamson replaced him and struck out Bernie Williams. Then Jorge Posada walked to load the bases. Williamson came up lame and was replaced by the hard-throwing Mike Timlin. Tony Clark hit a bullet on one-hop to Ortiz at first and the ball scooted through Ortiz’s glove into the outfield. Two runs scored and the game was tied.

Ortiz examined his glove much like a tennis player inspects his racket after making an error. The glove was not broken, but it the pocket was so loose that the ball simply scooted through it. Unbelievable. A freak play if there ever was one.

Gordon worked a perfect eighth, striking out two, including Manny Ramirez to start the inning (another close call that went the Yankees way). Kenny Lofton led-off the bottom of the frame with a ground ball to Nomar Garciaparra’s right. Garciaparra rounded the ball and hurried his throw. Ortiz could not pick it and suddenly the go-ahead run was on second base. It was scored as a single and an error but it could have just been a straight error. Regardless, Jeter sacrificed Lofton to third and then Gary Sheffield had one of the most memorable at bats of the year.

Timlin pounded fastballs inside and Sheffield fouled off eight pitches. On two occasions, Mirabelli stood up, looking for the high cheese; Sheffield swung, fouling the pitches straight back up in the air foul. He also got ahead of two pitches and pounded shots foul into the upperdeck; he also hit a rocket line drive into the third base seats as well. According to the New York Times:

Luis Sojo, the third-base coach who stands well behind the coaching box when Sheffield hits, told Lofton to be careful while leading off third.

“I’m scared I’m going to get my head knocked off,” Lofton said. “One went over my head, one went in front of me. Sojo said, ‘Watch yourself.’ I said, ‘What do you think I’m doing?’ “

On the tenth pitch of the at bat, Mirabelli pointed outside, but Timlin shook him off. At home I couldn’t believe that Timlin wanted to challenge him inside again. Maybe it was a macho thing. Sheffield later told reporters:

“I’m just glad [Timlin] threw me strikes. If he had thrown them in the dirt, he probably would have made me look bad. He made good pitches. He kept pounding me inside with the sinker. After about the third pitch, I could see the ball coming out of his hand pretty well. I just wanted a ball I could get through the infield at that point.” (Boston Globe)

And that’s just what he did, slapping the pitch past a diving Mark Bellhorn down the third-base line for a double. The Stadium erupted and the Sox were all but cooked. Alan Embree replaced Timlin and gave up a run-scoring single to Matsui.

Mariano Rivera blew the bottom part of Boston’s order away in the ninth, striking-out the side. I don’t recall the last time he did that. Again, it was a tremendous win for the Yanks, and a painful loss for the Red Sox. Some pundits suggest that the AL East race is over, but I think it’s too early for that kind of thinking. Boston is in a slump, and will eventually awaken. They hope that Pedro Martinez can stop the bleeding tonight when he pitches against a rookie.

In Summing Up…

I love Larry Mahnken’s take on last night’s game:

…The victory cinches nothing, nor would a sweep–devastating to Boston though it would be. Not with the immense talent on the Boston roster, and the potential for debilitating injuries on the Yankees’. A Red Sox fan friend of mine at work claimed the other day that Boston’s just been toying with the Yankees for the past 85 years–just to make their ultimate victory that much more bitter for the Bombers. I pass that on for its humor, but there is a caution that comes with it: Boston will eventually beat the Yankees out, they will eventually win the World Series, some day. The Yankees rebounded in ’78 later in the season from a larger deficit than Boston could possibly face entering July, and the circumstances that brought that Red Sox team down could happen to the Yankees. Celebrate the victories, rub it in–but don’t ever allow yourself to believe it’s over until the champagne bottles are uncorked.

The series now turns in Boston’s favor, with Tim Wakefield and Pedro Martinez facing off against Jon Lieber and Brad Halsey. Wakefield’s had tremendous success against the Yankees recently, and Pedro Martinez shut them down in their last meeting in April, so a series victory by Boston is still very much a possibility, almost even a probability. But if the Yankees can keep the offense going like it has in the past three games, and get reasonable outings from their starters… well, just watch. It’s New York/Boston–it feels like October baseball already, and it’s barely summer.

I couldn’t have put it better myself.

Simply Blunderful

Sorry for the delayed post today, y’all. I’m home sick and I’m not the only one under the weather; my computer has been crashing all morning, so I’ve had a heck of a time getting these links done. Regardless, it was a good night for the Yanks on Tuesday, and a horrible one for Boston. The Red Sox sabatoged themselves last night with three errors and two more misplays which led to Yankee runs, as the Bombers creamed Boston 11-3. The most costly error came with two men out in the fourth. The Yankees already held a 4-2 lead, thanks in part to aggresive base-running, and despite the fact that Johnny Damon crushed two solo home runs off of Javier Vazquez. With Miguel Cairo on second, Derek Jeter hit a ground ball to Nomar Garciaparra. Cairo held up momentarily, and just as the ball passed him, he clapped his hands together, as he headed for third. Garciaparra, who made a throwing error in the first, bobbled the ball and Jeter reached first. Gary Sheffield, “The Punisher,” followed and launched a 1-0 pitch over the left field fence.

The Yankees had a comfortable 7-2 lead and didn’t look back. Tony Clark added a monster shot into the black seats in center field, and David “Cookie Monster” Ortiz hit a solo blast that was similar to Ruben Sierra’s home run on Sunday night. Three solo home runs were all the Sox could muster off of Yankee pitching. Javier Vazquez has allowed 15 dingers this season; fortunately for the Yankees, 12 have been of the solo variety.

Vazquez wasn’t dominant, but he was solid, striking out eight and walking none. It was a forgettable evening for Derek Lowe and the rest of the Red Sox who hope to rebound tonight behind Tim Wakefield. Red Sox fans could not have been pleased at the sight of Pedro Martinez standing on the top step of the Red Sox dugout, smiling and laughing with the fans, even posing for pictures. According to Jim Kaat on YES, Martinez stopped in on the Yankees’ batting practice earlier in the day. He appeared in the empty stands and walked toward the field clapping like a Yankee fan as Derek Jeter took BP, chanting, “De-rek Je-ter.” He came down to the field and shook hands with Jeter, Mattingly and Tony Clark among others. Somewhere, Bob Gibson is rolling his eyes.

The Red Sox defense is killing them right now. Yesterday, Peter Gammons spoke with Fatso and Fruit Loops on the FAN (excerpt via Steve Silva):

The starting pitching’s been pretty good. But it’s the baseball they play. This is incredible to me. They’ve gone eight consecutive games without turning a double play. That’s incomprehensible. They are so dysfunctional defensively. They lead the major leagues in unearned runs allowed. It’s really disturbing. And I know it really disturbs management that they’re just playing blas

Jeez, with all the hype in the morning papers you’d think the Red Sox are in town or something. But that’s what professionals get paid to do, right? (Pump, Pump, Pump, Pump You Up!) While there isn’t any news, or particularly interesting information, the gist of it is, the Red Sox have been mediocre since beating up on the Yankees early in the year. They could use a good kick in the pants and hope that playing in the Bronx will get them rolling again. Meanwhile, the Yankees have played well since April and would like to perform better against their arch rivals. Tonight may be New York’s best shot, as Javier Vazquez goes against Derek Lowe. Tomorrow gives Jon Lieber vs. Tim Wakefield, followed by Prince Pedro vs. the rookie Brad Halsey on Thursday.

Red Sox fans will be amused by the fact that George Steinbrenner has aimed his most pointed criticism at struggling first baseman Jason Giambi and not the Red Sox. Here is some of the old Knute Rockne, as told to the New York Times:

“I think he has to want to get back out there,” Steinbrenner said. “I think that’s the thing. I think he will. There is no reason for him not to be out there.”

…When Steinbrenner was asked if his comments meant that he thought Giambi had some reason for not playing, he said: “I hope he doesn’t. I hope he isn’t that way. That wouldn’t be the guy we thought we got.”

Be sure and peep the Red Sox sites listed on the right-hand column here, including of course, Bambino’s Curse, Boston Dirt Dogs, The House that Dewey Built, Surviving Grady, The Joy of Sox, and The Soxaholix

Game One: Yankees 8, Mets 1

Game Two: Yankees 11, Mets 5

The Yanks bombed the Mets twice yesterday at the Stadium, winning the first match-up of the season between the crosstown rivals. They remain five-and-a-half games in front of the Red Sox who defeated the Phillies in Boston on Sunday afternoon. In the first game in the Bronx, Jose Contreras performed well, striking out a career-high ten in six innings of work. (His wife and two children were in the house to watch him pitch.) He allowed two hits and walked four. Both of the Mets who had hits off of Contreras were thrown out stealing by John Flaherty. Contreras got into trouble in the fourth and fifth innings, but with a little help from his friends–the Yankees have many meetings on the mound when Contreras is in a jam–was able to escape without any damage being done.

In the fourth, Kenny Lofton made a glaring one-out error, dropping a ball that was hit directly at him, and then Mike Piazza drew a walk. But Contreras struck the next two men out to end the frame. In the next inning, Contreras walked the bases loaded. With two out, the count went full to Kaz Matsui, who fouled a ball off before flying out to left field to end the threat. Contreras was also aided by Brian Runge’s liberal strike zone. The Mets hitters were not pleased, notably Jose Reyes who posed, hands on his hips, after being called out on strikes for the second time.

Derek Jeter and Gary Sheffield hit back-to-back solo dingers off of Steve Traschel in the first, and Jeter smacked another solo homer in his second at bat. But Traschel settled down and pitched reasonably well. However, the last two men he faced reached base and eventually scored when Godziller Matsui hit Mike Stanton’s first pitch into the bleachers for a grand slam. Flash Gordon pitched the final two innings for the Yanks.

Jason Giambi was a late scratch due to illness. Giambi has been fighting a virus for several weeks and was taken to the hospital. He was suffering from dehydration and was treated with fluids. I thought we might hear whispers in the morning papers about Giambi not being a gamer–especially after being called out by Boss George for a fielding mistake on Saturday afternoon–but so far, I haven’t heard anything to that effect.

Game Two started off well for the Yankees. Bernie Williams led-off against Matt Ginter and slapped a ball through the box. It was well struck but Ginter got a glove on it. The Mets pitcher couldn’t handle it though, Williams reached first, and was awarded a base hit–a home-field call if there ever was one. Next, Ginter threw a purpose pitch at Jeter–3-4 in the first game–which nailed the Yankees’ captain in the hand. Jeter was not pleased.

My adreneline was spiked as Gary Sheffield walked to the plate and I thought, “There isn’t anyone I’d rather see in this spot than Sheff.” Sheffield responded by lashing a single into left, a measure of revenge for the Yanks. Then Alex Rodriguez topped a 2-2 offering slowly down the third base line for a cheap infield hit scoring Jeter, a demoralizing moment for the Mets. Rodriguez’s face was flush as he stood on first, but he’ll take it. After Matsui whiffed on three pitches, Jorge Posada singled to left scoring another run and then Ruben Sierra launched a three-run bomb to right.

The Mets chipped away. Mike Cameron lined a solo home run, and Richard Hidalgo smoked two monster solo bombs–one to straight-away center, another deep into the Yankees bullpen. They were shots. (Not for nothing but Eric Valent launched one into the upper deck in right later too.) If the Mets were unhappy with the balls and strikes in Game One, it was the Yankees turn to be miffed in the second game. Gary Sheffield got himself tossed in the fourth inning riffing with home plate ump Bill Hohn; Mike Mussina was fuming all evening in his own quiet way too. The Mets actually closed the gap to 7-5 in the seventh. But the Bombers loaded the bases and Mike Stanton was called on again. This time, Ruben Sierra reached out and poked a good curve ball into left, scoring two more runs. One batter later, Miguel Cairo singled up the middle, the Yanks were ahead 11-5 and the game was out of reach.

It was a good day for the home team, a long one for the Mets. Both New York teams lost out on the Freddie Garcia sweepstakes. Garcia was traded to the Chicago White Sox last night. Looks like it’s back to the drawing board for Brian Cashman.

The Red Sox will be in town for a three-game series this week. Anyone interested? Ben Jacobs and Larry Mahnken have a preview over at The Hardball Times.

Blasted

The Yankees had a chance to get to Senator Al Leiter in the first inning at Yankee Stadium yesterday and failed. With one out and the bases loaded, Leiter fell behind Jason Giambi 2-0, but came back to get the slugger looking on a full-count pitch. It felt like a big moment at the time, and it turned out to be one in the long-run. Jorge Posada followed and tapped out weakly to the mound. It was the begining of a long, listless day for the Bombers.

The Yankees provided rookie pitcher Brad Halsey with four first inning runs last week in Los Angeles. But they didn’t give him a lead against the Mets, and the young control-specialist simply could not throw strikes. He walked five in all, and his three walks in the fourth inning helped sink the Yankees. So did a poor play by first baseman Jason Giambi. With runners on first and third, the Yankees looked to have Jose Reyes picked off of first base. But Giambi, whose greatest weakness is his throwing arm, faked to second and ate the ball. Perhaps he was afraid that he would throw the ball into left field. The infield came in and Kaz Matsui poked one into right scoring two more runs.

Although Gary Sheffield hit a game-tying homer early, the Yankees were blown out at home. Frankly, they played a terrible game and deserved to lose. Al Leiter and Brad Halsey were a study in contrasts. Leiter was effectively wild, a veteran who was utterly at ease going to a full count before he made his pitch; Halsey nervously danced around the strike zone, afraid to challenge hitters. Though Halsey appeared as calm as he did last week–Joe Torre’s “paper boy” looks as if he could be Buck Showalter’s son–but he didn’t pitch with confidence. Leiter, with his full array of tics and quirks, vexed the Yankees, dictating the pace of the game. His fastball had some zip and his breaking ball was good too. But even more, he used his guile to throw the Yankee hitters off balance. In the second, with the count 2-2 to Ruben Sierra, Leiter began his motion, only to break it off mid-way through. “Let’s do this over.” An innocent enough mistake, or was it? After the count went full, Sierra struck out on a breaking ball and he glared at Senator Al as he made his way back to the dugout. Leiter was all-school yard for sure.

In all, it was an ugly day for the Yankees, and a bright one for the Mets. The Shea faithful made plenty of noise at the Stadium and had themselves a B-A-double L. For the Bombers, they can’t forget this game soon enough. Especially with a grumpy Boss George in the house. Fortunately, the Red Sox were pounded by the Phillies too, so New York’s lead remains at five. (Boston gained a half a game on Friday night when the Yankee game was rained out.)

It’s a beautiful sunny Sunday in New York and they’ll play two today. At one o’clock Jose Contreras will go against Traschel. This could be a decent game or it could be plodding, and drawn-out affair. Neither pitcher is known for being economical or brisk. (The Mets ran on Halsey and Sturtze yesterday; best believe they are licking their chops at the thought of getting on base vs. Contreras.) Then tonight, Matt Ginter will face Mike Mussina in the Sunday Night Game of the Week.

Hopefully, the Yanks put forth a more compelling effort today, or we’re really going to hear it from George.

King of Chill

New York magazine features an excerpt from Buster Olney’s forthcoming book about the Joe Torre Yankees (“The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty: The Game, The Team, and the Cost of Greatness”) this week. The excerpt in question profiles Mariano Rivera. What makes Rivera so special? Olney writes:

Where other relievers are crushed after giving up a game-winning home run (the emotionally wrecked reliever is a baseball clich

As I mentioned the other day, I don’t look forward to the annual Subway Serious. I can’t speak for other Yankee fans, but considering how heavily-favored the Yankees usually are, it’s more of a relief than anything else when they beat the Mets. It’s not nearly as gratifying as when the Yanks defeat the Sox or the A’s or even Anahiem as far as I’m concerned. (They are 28-13 against the men from Queens since this nonsense started.) I don’t hate the Mets or Mets fans, though I’ll be rooting hard against them this weekend. And yeah, when the Mets beat the Yankees, I do get extra vexed. (How can I forget Matt Franco’s game-winner off of Mo.) But while some of the newer Mets are amped about all the hoo-ha, the veteran Yankees have grown weary of this match-up. Joe Torre hit the nail of the head when he told the Times:

“It’s not a rivalry,” Torre said. “It’s a rivalry more to management than it is to me or the players, because you don’t have to beat them out for anything in terms of the division. It’s more a battle for recognition in the city – not in the standings, in the city. I still put it in the exhibition category. Not that you’re not trying to win, but you’re still playing a team from the other league.”

The Mets get a break of sorts as they’ll face a rookie and Jose Contreras. The Yanks are fortunate to miss Tom Glavine. Regardless of what goes down, be sure and check out the host of great Mets sites linked on the right-hand column, inlcuding The Eddie Kranepool Society, The Raindrops, Jeremy Heit’s Blog, The Shea Hot Corner, Saber Mets, and of course, the fellas over at Yankees, Mets and the Rest.

The Yankees finished their nine-game road trip with a 5-4 record as they return to the Bronx tonight for a three-game series against the Mets. (It is supposed to rain today so we just may be looking at a double-header tomorrow.) Javier Vazquez gave up a two-run homer in the first and that was all the Orioles would get for the duration of the game. Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter both hit two-run dingers of their own and Kenny Lofton had a nifty assist in the seventh inning which proved to be the defensive play of the game. (By the way, not for nothing, but Bernie Williams actually had an assist the night before…though throwing out old man Raffie isn’t exactly something to write home about; that’s probably why I neglected to mention it yesterday.)

Coupled with a Red Sox loss, the Yankees are now five-and-a-half games ahead of the Bostons. The Twins won in ten innings, aided in part by a critical error by Nomar Garciaparra. As Tony Massarotti notes, Boston is 25-25 in their last 50 games. The Yankees scored a moral victory of sorts against the Sox yesterday as well when Carlos Beltran was traded to the Astros and not to Boston (shows you how much I know). Houston moved Octavio Dotel to Oakland, which should help a lousy bullpen plenty.

Ah-ha, just what Red Sox Nation has been waiting for: the Orioles finally gave the Yankees a beating. Unfortunately for Sox fans, it came on a night when the home nine lost (4-2 to the Twins). Jon Lieber was pounded in Baltimore as the O’s finally defeated the Bombers. According to the New York Times:

“I know I’m much better than this,” Lieber said… “It’s definitely embarrassing. I’m embarrassed for the ball club to go out there and just get beat around.”

…”People I’ve talked to said it’s not going to be an easy road that first year, and you’re not going to be as consistent as you’d like to be,” Lieber said Tuesday. “Even though you might feel good, as far as command of your pitches, it’s going to bury you from time to time. It’s just going to be a battle.”

Futher, John Harper reports:

When Jon Lieber gave up three runs in the first inning last night, one wise guy in the press box couldn’t resist:

“The Mariners are raising the price on (Freddy) Garcia by the minute,” he said, to laughs all around.

Down 7-2, the Yankees loaded the bases with nobody out in the sixth. But Jason Grimsley, the former Yankee and newest member of the Orioles, struck out Ruben Sierra, and Tony Clark, then got Miguel Cairo to ground out. That was as close as New York would get.

Gary Sheffield sat again and just may have to go on the DL. So for all of the talk about Freddie Garcia, if anything happens to Sheffield who would be surprised if the Yankees swoop down on Carlos Beltran after all?

Javier Vazquez will pitch against Sidney Ponson tonight. Here are some more articles on Jose Contreras for those of you who are interested in that sort of thing…