The Yankees won 10-6, with a big game from Johnny Damon. Robinson Cano, Bobby Abreu and Derek Jeter all had big offensive afternoons as well.
Johnny Damon has not been his usual havoc-wreaking self most of this season. Yesterday was a notable exception.
Damon was on base much of the afternoon and scored four runs in the Yankees’ 10-6 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards. He even had an impressive game in leftfield, making a running catch towards center field over his head and stopping a run from scoring with a perfect throw home.
“Johnny had a great game – defensively, offensively, on the bases,” Yankees manager Joe Torre said. “He got a great jump on that ball he caught over his head.”
In Saturday’s loss, Damon ground into his first two double plays all year. His play yesterday helped make up for that. He went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, two RBIs and four runs scored.
“(Saturday) night was a disappointing game for me,” Damon said. “You have to show what you’re made of. You’re only as good as your last at-bat.”
The Yankees had dropped three straight before yesterday’s win, as Friday’s completion of the suspended game counted in the books as a June 28th win. Since both Boston and Cleveland lost, the Yankees are eight games out in the AL East and four back in the wild card race.
Damon was by no means the only Yankee hitter to have a good game. Bobby Abreu went 2-for-4 with two walks, a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Derek Jeter went 2-for-3 with two walks, a double and a run scored. Robinson Cano had his 11th multi-hit game in the past 16 games. And Melky Cabrera was 3-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored.
Yankee starter Chien-Ming Wang improved to 12-5, even though he described his outing as “bad”. He gave up nine hits and four walks in six innings, but limited the damage against him to three earned runs.
Joba Chamberlain will pitch an inning in relief for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre tomorrow night, which could be a precursor to his joining the Yankees' bullpen, though that's not a done deal.
Phil Hughes pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings at S/W-B, and should rejoin the Yankees' rotation Saturday.
Comments (13)
I believe Joba should develop as a starter. We have enough guys in front of him at AAA who could do a nice job such as Karstens, Rasner and Britton. If we consider the SP for 2008 of Wang, Pettitte ?, Musina?, Hughes and ??? There is room for him to compete in the 4 or 5 slot because Pettitte's option is a players option for 2008. You don't know what will occur between now and 2008. The same could be said of Mussina at his tender age. I know Joba's promotiom to a relief spot in 2007 does not preclude him from starting in 2008 but I believe he would serve the team better in a starting roll.
On another note, It appears the Yankees are not in the running for Tex. and so be it. He's will opt. for FA in the 2009 with Boras as the agent. I prefer to make an attempt then and not loss a player or two. Also, I hope Melky does not get traded. He's playing so well hitting .291 with excellent defense. He's a doubles hitter but could develope some pop in the next year or so. The trio of Cano, Melky and Phillips are fun to watch and provide energy to the team just give th young guys a chance maybe Cashman is seeing good production from these follows and is hoping for some of the same with additional callups.
Larry,
I agree about Chamberlain, I'd rather see him stay in the starting rotation but have heard that scouts predict (for whatever that's worth) that his future is in the 'pen.
I also think the Yanks would be foolish to give up more than mid level prospects for Tex at this point, and if the Braves are willing to give up Saltalamachia (sp?) then the Rangers should jump on it.
Like we've said all along, Tex isn't going to save the Yankees this season, the bullpen and starters will if it is going to be done. Tex can be had as a FA after next year so I'd wait on him if it means giving up too much.
Kat: Go get some blue crabs before you get out of Baltimore! Nothing goes better with a cold beer than picking crabs.
Larry and Jim,
The only question I have about the Yankees planning to use Joba in relief is how closely Torre's use of him will be monitored. He needs to be used regularly enough to stay fresh but not overused.
Chamberlain slipped in the draft in part because of arm issues and Torre has a history of destroying relievers...it could be a terrible combination.
On the other hand though Chamberlain has shown he is not being challenged by minor leaguers, keeping him down there won't do anything to help his development - he needs to face big league talent.
Hi,
Its nice to see how well Kennedy and Chamberlain have been doing down in the minors. Both guys have been putting up numbers like Hughes did last year. That is pretty impressive.
Chamberlain does dominate down there and he brings it 97mph if the info passed by the beat writers is accurate. If these guys dominate down there I see no reason not to bring them up and throw them in the bullpen. Chamberlain could go to the bullpen and never come back ala Mo Rivera. If the Yankees are fortunate enough to battle into the playoffs he could be a good long man option as well. Since 2000 whenever the starter was knocked out, the bullpen, save a performance by Mussina I recall in relief of Randy Johnson, the Yankee relieve always poured more gas on the fire. I would rather have Chamberlain than one of the other options currently available.
How about we go with Joba as a reliever this year. Next year is for next year. He probably will move into the starting pitching down the road. I hope the Yankees sign Rivera. . .if they don't maybe Chamberlain takes that job down the road.
Jesse
Gagne...
-Have zero Torre overuse concerns. When healthy as he now appears to be...Has a more successful save conversion rate than even MO!!-THAT'S A FACT(by no means am I advocating he take over or even be part of next years plans)
-If we could aquire Gange I needn't remind most of you that every game would be shortened to 7 innings-(Virtually)
-If he doesn't cost us Hughes Wang Cano Melky or Chamberlain I believe it should be done.
I am as smitten with Gagne as Roy is with Tex. I'll probably whine about this issue for the next 48 to 72hrs...For this I apologize in advance.
I'll hope for the best but it will be sad if Cashman stands PAT with Farns/Proctor/Bruney these guys have failed our failing team.
1. Fortify the bullpen
2. FORTIFY THE BULLPEN
3. I know I sound like "ROY"
GAGNE
GAGNE
GAGNE
Gagne should be a no brainer for the Yankees
What's slowing it up?
Sully: It will be done and soon for 7/31/07 is a few hrs. away but its about getting the better part of the deal. And no one wants to give up too much. I just hope the yanks can package Farnsworthless and some A or AA type for Gagne which sounds reasonable to me. You have one guy who has injury issues and the other one who is lights out mentally. They are both limited.
Why does Gagne have a veto to the Red Sox?
Don't be surprised if the BOSOX jump in and offer Gagne the bonus on his contract to rescind the no-trade to become the 8th inning guy for them. The obvious reason is they would want to stop the Yanks from getting him. They are also more willing to part with upper tier prospects at the moment. It takes an additional 3.9 mill for Gagne to hit full value on contract. The reason he wants to close is simply to hit the $$$$, maybe the Yanks will pay him, they don't have to because he has to accept trade. The question remains for anyone acquiring him is will he pout if he can't close, certainly paying him will stop any chance of pouting.
Really need to understand the draft to determine if Texas just sits on Gagne, keeping him and letting him walk will turn into several draft picks so whatever value they receive now has to be what they feel is better than what they would turn in the draft. Don't beleive Texas is going to let Gagne go for a mid level prospect and that's all the Yanks are going to offer. The bluff will go on to the last minute and see who blinks. Texas knows they can get Boston to give up more to stop the Yanks from acquiring Gagne, so I believe Texas is looking at the Red Sox real hard.
PS the reason Gagne has veto to Boston is because of the fact they have a young closer. He left the NY markets open because he knows they would probably pay for him not to close. Ironic that his no-trade probably gets the Red Sox to pay for him not to close.
I read Igawa is now down in minor leagues. Being up Karstens, Rasner and Briton and try them at relief and as starter. The problem is pitching, ie, Mussina. Trades now won't do it so bring up the three I've mentioned. Might work
Tough win that should have been a piece of cake. Farnsworth is in the wrong sport. I predict you will see him in about 3 years on SPIKE TV (ultimate fighting). He is stubborn and inconsistent. Crossed up Posada and could have ruined Yankees season if that fastball broke Posada's wrist. When Farnsy goes, he should take Michael Kay with him. Kay is in love with his own voice and for a guy who has never played (and stunk when he did in school)he has too many opinions. Leiter has been polite up to now, but it is time to tell Kay to shut his pie-hole. O'Neill is right, Kay is a JINX!
People complain about Kay yes he can be Annoying but that is his ROLE he is the Watered down but ENTERTAINING ANNOUNCER on the telecast. in other words he brings personality. does he stretch it?? yes why , do you ever hear the other guys? they all sound plain and alike, Bobby Murcer is supposed to be the SCOOTER like personality, Ken SIngleton is more like Bill white. Kaat should have never left and should have been paired with either Murcer and or Giradi giving you a pitcher catcher duet.
The Yankees need a Mcgraw type personality on their
MSG4EVER
Re;Reason Gagne's Sox veto
That's one way to put it.
Another way is that many players don't like Boston or the crazy fans.
Still yet another is the long and shameful history of racial prejudice praticed by the Sox.