On the Yankees beat

You heard it here first: Brian Cashman is coming back on a three-year deal. Here's the link to my story.

Here's an update with comments from the Steinbrenners and Cashman via the Yankees' official release.

JOINT STATEMENT FROM HAL AND HANK STEINBRENNER

NEW YORK YANKEES CO-CHAIRPERSONS

RE: RE-SIGNING OF SR. VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER BRIAN CASHMAN

"Before we could move forward as an organization this off-season, we needed to come to a resolution on the person who would hold the important position of general manager and allow us to make another run at a 27th World Championship. We are thrilled that Brian has accepted to renew his commitment to this organization for at least three more years.

“Holding the position of general manager for any Major League team is a challenge. But to do so in the great city of New York, where baseball is passionately followed 12 months a year, you must possess a number of unique attributes.

“Brian has shown throughout his Yankees career that he has the dedication, integrity and know-how needed to perform—and succeed—in this environment. Having him in place allows us to begin an off-season of hard work, and we are pleased he will be working hand-in-hand with us to bring the New York Yankees back to the postseason.”

STATEMENT FROM BRIAN CASHMAN

NEW YORK YANKEES SR. VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER

RE: RE-SIGNING WITH YANKEES THROUGH 2011

"I know I’ve said it before, but it’s an incredible opportunity and honor to hold the title of general manager for the New York Yankees. With it comes a great responsibility to ownership, the people who wear the uniform and our fan base.

“I’ve got a job to finish here. That’s the bottom line.

“I consider coming off a season where we didn’t reach the playoffs for the first time since 1993 as a personal challenge. I’ve never been one to run from a challenge, and I look forward to having the chance to go after this thing again.”

So Hal Steinbrenner just confirmed what I surmised in my last post, that Brian Cashman's situation will be resolved in the next few days. Steinbrenner said: "We're going to get it done this week, one way or another."
He said he met with Cashman at the Stadium yesterday, and they'll talk again. Called it "a family decision" for Cashman. Steinbrenner said they had talked about how a contract might be structured -- years, autonomy, money, etc. -- but sadly, would not share the details of those talks with me :)

That's the topic I addressed in today's newspaper. Thoughts?

No news yet on Cashman, and that is the only big Yankees news I expect any time soon. I would anticipate word coming down in the next several days, but don't know more than that. The sooner there is resolution, the better, IMHO.

But this is a big decision to make. As great as the job of Yankees GM is, and I know many of you think it's crazy for Cashman to even think of leaving, sometimes you don't want to do the same thing forever. Sometimes it's time for a change, a new challenge. And going somewhere else with a smaller payroll and less winning tradition would certainly be a challenge.
On the other hand, does he really want to leave the organization he's worked for for more than 20 years? And I'm sure he'd like to see his youth project pan out, doing so first-hand.
Then again, what's the relationship going to be like working with Hal and Hank Steinbrenner, whose relationship I've heard termed anywhere from "not close" to "they don't talk." And there are a lot of things that need fixing with this team, some certainly by Cashman's own hand but others on things he got overruled on (say, 10 years to A-Rod and four to Jorge Posada).
Plus there's the huge factor of what his family thinks is best.

I don't think it's as cut and dried a decision as many believe. I'm looking forward to finding out the answer, whatever it is.

That's all from the Stadium. Andy Pettitte came by, and while he is certainly thinking about pitching next year, he's not ready to commit to it.

If there's any news on Brian Cashman later, I'll get it to you ASAP. Otherwise, that's probably it for the blogging for the day. Headed home w/my suitcase in check.

Mariano Rivera is going to have arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder soon to remove some calcification over the AC joint. That was expected, but it is now official, per Joe Girardi.

Other highlights from Girardi:
*He expects Andy Pettitte to pitch again.
*He doesn't know what Mike Mussina will do.
*The rotation is their primary focus by a long shot.
*He wants to get more athletic as a team.
*He does not anticipate any changes on the coaching staff.

This is a very quiet locker cleanout day, since most of the guys took care of stuff before the last road trip. So far we've talked to Jose Molina and Humberto Sanchez. Francisco Cervelli is here, and so is Hideki Matsui, but Matsui hasn't talked yet and Cervelli's not in high demand.

Heading in for a press conference with Joe Girardi in a minute. No word yet on Cashman.

Anybody want to chime in with MVP/Least Valuable Player thoughts for the Yankees? Or award candidates around the league?

And that's a wrap -- your 2008 Yankees finished at 89-73. It's not awful, but obviously wasn't good enough to make the playoffs. They finished strong, which is a positive. You have to wonder how things might have been different if one of the following things had happened -- Chien-Ming Wang had been productive and healthy, Jorge Posada had been productive and healthy or Joba Chamberlain had remained in the rotation the last two months.

Either way, it's over. We said goodbye to most of the players just now. A handful may be by the Stadium tomorrow to clean out their lockers, but I expect a sparse crowd. Joe Girardi will be there. Jason Giambi claimed he would. Beyond that, I don't expect much.

Here's Mike Mussina on the 20th win of his season and the 270th of his career -- possibly the last of his career, the way he sounded.

On what it feels like: "This is one of those things, I think, that's going to take a little while to sink in."

Mentioned doing it in the last game, then when asked about it, said: "As of right now, it's my last game in my last year and I don't know what the future holds."

Is he ready to hang them up? "I'm getting there, I think. If the situation isn't ideal for me, or it's better for me to be pitching Little League, then it's time. We'll see."

(satisfied with his career?) "Completely satisfied. I'm completely satisfied."

(is it a Hall of Fame career?) "All I'm trying to do is get into the discussion."

You'll see a lot of bench players in tonight's game. Everyone chipped in for Mussina's 20th, but that was it.

Mike Gavin here to wrap up the 2008 season.

The Rays own the AL East, the Red Sox own the wild card, and the Mets own the backpages. The Yankees have not been so irrelevant entering their final game of the season since the early-90s'. They conclude their disappointing season tonight at Fenway as they go for a sweep of the Red Sox, in the second game of a doubleheader.

The Yankees started the second half of the season with an eight-game winning streak, and have now won 12 of their last 14 games. It was the space between that killed them.

First pitch is just minutes away......

Top of the 1st -- Gardner gets plunked but the Yanks go down quietly.

Bottom of the 1st -- Crisp scores on a fielder's choice. Red Sox 1, Yankees 0.

Top of the 2nd -- Yanks go down 1-2-3. Not exactly a star-studded lineup for the Yanks. Cano, Giambi, and Nady being the only regulars. Strange move in a game of such significance. You really have to question the motives behind making up this game when it has absolutely no impact on the pennant races.

Bottom of the 2nd -- Ponson puts a zero on the scoreboard.

Top of the 3rd -- Yankees strand two runners after singles by Cabrera and Miranda.

Bottom of the 3rd -- Another quick inning for Ponson and the Yanks.

Top of the 4th -- Three up, three down for Wakefield.

Bottom of the 4th -- Sox go down in order. Both teams are swinging as if this game doesn't mean anything.

Top of the 5th -- No runs, no hits for the Yanks.

Bottom of the 5th -- Ponson has retired eight in a row.

Top of the 6th -- Singles by Cano and Girardi led to a fielder's choice by Nady to tie the game. Ivan Rodriguez hit into an inning-ending double-play. Yankees 1, Red Sox 1.

Bottom of the 6th -- Yet another perfect inning for Ponson. Production of his Yankeeography is now underway.

Top of the 7th -- Yanks go down easily. This game has the making of an 18-inning classic.

Bottom of the 7th -- Still 1-1 through seven innings.

Top of the 8th -- The Yanks were threatening with runners on second and third but Francisco Cervelli (not exactly a household name) struck out to end the inning.

Bottom of the 8th -- Darrell Rasner set himself up for disaster by walking the bases loaded. Casey singled to score two runs. The bell begins to toll for the 2008 Yankee season.....Red Sox 3, Yankees 1.

Top of the 9th -- The 2008 Yanks were flat-lining but have somehow been revived. Miranda hit a sac-fly, and Cano followed with an RBI single to tie the game and prolong the season. If only they had played with this fire in the previous 161 games. Yankees 3, Red Sox 3.

Bottom of the 9th -- The winning run was in scoring position, but the Yankees managed to escape. Extra frames of meaningless baseball.

Top of the 10th -- Yanks go down 1-2-3.

Bottom of the 10th -- The 2008 Yankee season has officially came to its untimely end. After allowing a lead-off triple, Jose Veras intentionally walked the bases full then allowed a game-winning single to Van Every. Final Score: Red Sox 4, Yankees 3, 10 innings.

After a season that saw: 1) devastating injuries to Jorge Posada, Chien-Ming Wang, Hideki Matsui and Phil Hughes; 2) a rotation that relied upon the likes of Sidney Ponson, Carl Pavano and Darrell Rasner; 3) a grand total of zero wins between Hughes and Ian Kennedy; 4) a regression and occasional lack of hustle by Robinson Cano; 5) little to no offensive production from the centerfield position; 6) a season-long absence of consistent, situational hitting; and 7) Alex Rodriguez hit only when the Yankees were either winning with a comfortable lead or trailing by an insurmountable deficit, the postseason will begin on Wednesday, without the New York Yankees.

Following the trend of the weekend here in Boston, the first game of today's split doubleheader is in a delay. It actually wasn't raining -- for the first time all weekend as far as I'm aware -- a little bit ago. But it is now, and the tarp's on the field. Hopefully they get it in. You'd like to at least see Mussina get a chance at win No. 20. Winning it is up to him and the Yankee offense, but you'd like to see him get a chance. Or I would at least.

The Red Sox have a full lineup going at him, unless they change something due to the weather. Here are the lineups:

Yankees
Gardner CF
Damon LF
Abreu RF
A. Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Nady DH
Cano 2B
Ransom SS
Molina C

Mussina RHP

Red Sox
Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Youkilis 3B
Drew RF
Bay LF
Kotsay 1B
Lowrie SS
Varitek C

Matsuzaka RHP

Hey Yankees fans. After Saturday’s washout, the Yankees (88-72) will play a day-night doubleheader with the Boston Red Sox. It goes without saying that it has been a disappointing season for the Bronx Bombers. At this point, there is nothing left to cheer for except Mike Mussina’s pursuit of a career-best 20 wins.

Mussina has flirted with 20 wins before. In 1995 and 1996 he reached as many as 19 wins. If he can scratch out a win today in the final day of the season, Mussina will reach the lustrous 20-win mark as a 39-year-old pitcher in his 18th season.

With Red Sox clinching the wild card, they have nothing to play for, but don’t expect them to just roll over for Mussina, who is winless in his last eight starts at Fenway Park, going 0-3 with a 6.29 ERA.

Daisuke Matsuzaka (18-2, 2.80) will be on the hill for the Red Sox (94-66). In the nightcap: Tim Wakefield (10-11) will go against Sidney Ponson (8-5) at 7:35 p.m.

1:40 p.m. -- Rain delay.

2:30 p.m. -- OK, the tarp is off the field. This game is about to start.

Top 1st: The Yankees got nothing against Matsuzaka as Brett Gardner, Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu go down in order.

Bottom 1st: A nine-pitch inning for Mussina. He gave up a single to Dustin Pedroia, who was thrown out at second trying to stretch it to a double.

Top 2nd: Six up and six down for the Yankees. This time it was Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi and Xavier Nady who went hitless.

Bottom 2nd: Mussina allowed a one-out walk to J.D. Drew, but nothing else.

Top 3rd: Robinson Cano led off with a double and later stole third, but the Yankees couldn’t drive him in. Cody Ransom and Jose Molina struck while Gardner grounded out.

Bottom 3rd: 1-2-3 inning for Mussina.

Top 4th: After Abreu and A-Rod walked, Nady slapped a three-run homer around the Pesky Pole. Cano and Ramson followed with base hits before Molina grounded out. Yankees 3, Red Sox 0.

Bottom 4th: Mussina worked in and out of trouble. He allowed singles to Pedroia and David Ortiz before getting Youkilis to fly out and getting Drew to hit into a double play.

Top 5th: Abreu drew a two-out walk against Javier Lopez , who replaced Dice-K. He took second on a wild pitch and moved to third on A-Rod’s single before Giambi struck out.

Bottom 5th: Moose set the Red Sox down in order.

Top 6th: Nady had a leadoff single, but that was it for the Yankees.

Bottom 6th: Veritek drew a leadoff walk, but Mosse got Ellsbury to fly out and Pedroia to hit into a DP.

Top 7th: The Yankees went down in order.

Bottom 7th: Phil Coke relieved Mussina, who scattered three hits in six scoreless innings, and retired the side in order.

Top 8th: The Yankees went down in order for the second straight inning.

Bottom 8th: It was an ugly inning for the Yankees. Joba Chamberlain came on and didn’t fair well. He allowed a walk to Jason Bay and a double to Mark Kotsay before getting yanked. Brian Bruney entered. He fanned Jed Lowrie but surrendered an RBI ground out to Chris Carter. Damaso Marte then took his turn on the mound and gave up a run-scoring single to Ellsbury before Mariano Rivera struck out Pedroia to end the inning. Three more outs and Mussina gets win No. 20. Yankees 3, Red Sox 2.

Top 9th: Yanks picked up three runs this inning. Molina lifted a sacrifice fly, Melky Cabrera had an RBI ground out and A-Rod hit a run-scoring single. Yankees 6, Red Sox 2.

Bottom 9th: Rivera closed it out! Mussina becomes the oldest pitcher to win 20 games. Final: Yankees 6, Red Sox 2.

Despite the fact these games are meaningless in the playoff standings, the Yankees will play a doubleheader tomorrow against the Red Sox. Mike Mussina will start the first game as he aims for win No. 20 this season. He'll be opposite Daisuke Matsuzaka.

The Yankees had a little fun after today's game was called. They dressed up the first-year players for the annual rookie hazing, with clubhouse manager Rob Cucuzza coming up with the idea of the Village People singing “YMCA.”
Humberto Sanchez was dressed as a sailor, Francisco Cervelli as a biker, Brett Gardner as a construction worker, Juan Miranda as a police officer, Alfredo Aceves as an Indian and David Robertson as a cowboy.
Always fun-loving Jason Giambi joked that the costumes were actually on loan from him.

Mike Mussina said he has ot made up his mind about continuing to pitch. He said at one point that if he did, going year-to-year would be best. But at another point, he said if he's in for three, he might as well be in for three so he could try to get to 300 wins.

Mussina will try for win No. 20 tomorrow. He's finished with 19 twice before. Said Mussina: "Am I going to be disappointed with what I've done for all these years (if I don't get it)? No."

If Mussina does decide to pitch, he said his first choice is to return to New York. If he pitches and the Yankees are interested, that will be that. If he wants to pitch and the Yankees aren't interested, it's a short list of teams he'll consider. Essentially those within a short distance of his Pennsylvania home, and he didn't sound real enthused about the idea of going to the National League. He said of his family: "They're probably leaning towards me going home, I'd say. My wife would have liked me to retire about five years ago. Ultimately, it's still up to me."

The question, Mussina said, is: "Pretty much, can I do it for three more years?" Because if he gets past 280 wins, "By the way, I would absolutely owe it to myself to try."
If Mussina does retire and makes it to the Hall of Fame, he said he'd be leaning towards going in with a Yankees cap and not an Orioles cap.

Girardi wouldn't indicate what type of conversations he's had with Mussina, but said he wasn't sure if Mussina and Pettitte are in the same place mentally. Since we all believe Pettitte's coming back, either we're wrong or Girardi's getting a different vibe from Mussina.

Derek Jeter is done for the year. Unable to swing, he's shutting it down.

No updates on when or if the game might start.

Mike Gavin here for another day of Yankee baseball.

One of the major reasons the Yankees will be missing the playoffs for the first time in 13 years has been their inability to hit consistently this season. An abundance of runs one night would be followed by a lack of hits the next. After last night's onslaught, it will be interesting to see how the bats respond today.

Nothing on the line but pride today as Sidney Ponson takes on Josh Beckett and the Red Sox. The rain is coming down hard, first pitch may not be anytime soon......

5:15 -- No baseball at Fenway today which means double the fun tomorrow with a day-night doubleheader.

It looks like they're actually going to start this game sometime soon. I'm stunned, but here's the lineup. Daisuke Matsuzaka's been scratched due to the weather.

Yankees
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
A. Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Nady DH
Cano 2B
Moeller C
Gardner CF

Aceves RHP

Red Sox
Ellsbury CF
Lowrie SS
Lowell DH
Youkilis 3B
Kotsay RF
Bay LF
Casey 1B
Cash C
Velazquez 2B

Pauley RHP

Mike Gavin here for another night of Yankee baseball.

Nothing captures the intensity of baseball's pennant races better than a late-September series between the Yankees and the Red Sox. Which is why tonight's game has such an unusual feel.

The Yankees haven't played a meaningful baseball game since the Red Sox clinched the wild card berth. Although the Sox still have an outside shot of winning the AL East, the postseason fate of each team has already been determined, eliminating the significance that schedule makers originally anticipated for the series.

Nevertheless, the games must go on, and Yanks/Sox is always worth watching despite the significance. Alfredo Aceves (1-0), who is making a bid to secure a spot in the 2009 rotation, opposes Daisuke Matsuzaka (18-2) and his impressive 2.80 ERA.

First pitch is just minutes away....(Mother Nature may have a thing or two to say about that).

7:05 -- As expected, the tarp is on the field, and the game won't be starting on time, if at all. Lets hope they can get this one in.....

8:30 -- A little late, but we are ready to play some ball.....

Top of the 1st -- David Pauley replaces Dick-K as tonight's starting pitcher. He allowed an RBI-single to Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod driving in runs when it counts as usual. Yankees 1, Red Sox 0.

Bottom of the 1st -- Not a good start for Aceves. He allowed two long fly balls, one off the foul pole and the other off the light tower over the Green Monster. A solo shot for Ellsbury, and a two-run homer for Youkilis. Red Sox 3, Yankees 1.

Top of the 2nd -- This one has the making of a slug fest. Gardner drove in Nady with a fielders-choice, and Damon followed with a two-run homer that just eluded the outfield wall. Yankees 4, Red Sox 3.

Bottom of the 2nd -- Aceves settled down, allowing only a single to Ellsbury.

Top of the 3rd -- The Yanks put three more runs on the board after a Cano sac-fly and a two-run single for Gardner. Yankees 7, Red Sox 3.

Bottom of the 3rd -- Aceves puts another zero on the scoreboard.

Top of the 4th -- The Yanks are hitting as if the division is on the line. Cody Ransom led-off with a home run, Cano had a two-run double, and Moeller and Gardner each had an RBI. Yanks have scored in every inning thus far. Yankees 12, Red Sox 3.

Bottom of the 4th -- The Red Sox pick up a run on a Velazquez single. Yankees 12, Red Sox 4.

Top of the 5th -- Ransom, doing his best Mickey Mantle impression, hit his second homer of the night just before the umpire called for the tarp once again. Seems like they were desperately trying to get through five innings to make this one official. I wonder how many fans will wait it out during a nine run game? Yankees 13, Red Sox 4.

11:05 -- The tarp is off the field and the action has resumed. Yanks go down quickly and quietly in the fifth. Three more outs and this game is official.

Bottom of the 5th -- Red Sox pick up another run on a Van Every fielders-choice. This game is now official, should there be any more rain delays. Yankees 13, Red Sox 5.

Top of the 6th -- Nothing doing for the Yanks.

Bottom of the 6th -- The inning came to an end after Kevin Cash got hit by a batted ball while he was advancing from second to third.

Top of the 7th -- Yankees added to their lead after Betemit hit an RBI-double and Giambi drove in a run on a fielder's choice. Cano collected his fourth RBI of the night with a double to left. If Cano had played as well as he is tonight for the first 159 games, the Yanks might have actually been playing for something tonight. Yankees 16, Red Sox 5.

Bottom of the 7th -- Sox go down 1-2-3.

Top of the 8th -- Abreu picks up RBI number 100 as he hits a sac-fly to score yet another run. Yanks have scored in every inning but the sixth. Yankees 17, Red Sox 5.

Bottom of the 8th -- Bailey singles but the rally falls short.

Top of the 9th -- Yanks collect their 19th run and 20th hit of the night. Cano singled for his fifth RBI, and another un scored on Moeller's double-play ball. The Yankees scored in eight of nine innings and set a season high for runs and hits. Yankees 19, Red Sox 5.

Bottom of the 9th -- Congratulations to the 2008 AL East Champions, the Tampa Bay Rays. The Sox put up three runs but fell just short. With the loss, Tampa clinches their first ever division title. Heading into the season, who would have thought that a game between New York and Boston in late September would determine the winner of the AL East, and it would be neither the Yankees or the Red Sox. Final Score: Yankees 19. Red Sox 8.

Mariano Rivera is back with the team, as we await official word for them to cancel this game. Seriously, it's torrential rain out there. I don't know why they haven't called it yet. Even if it stopped right now, the field would be too wet to play. They opened the gates to fans, and usually they'd have a large crowd as soon as the gates opened. The weather's so bad that Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter each went to the concession stand -- seriously -- to get an ice cream cone. Trust me, they're not mingling with the Fenway fans normally. There'd be a brawl with some drunken Sawx fans.

As for serious matters on Rivera, he is considering surgery to repair calcifications over the AC joint in his right shoulder. He has seen two doctors, Dr. Ahmad and Dr. Altcheck, and has been told he can either try to treat it with cortisone injections or have surgery. Surgery is more of a sure fix but there is always some inherent risk, even in a relatively minor surgery.

Rivera sounded like he is leaning towards the surgery, though that's not official. Either way, he should be ready for spring training. He may even pitch on Sunday to try to save a win for Mussina. He has been pitching with this all season, he said, but did not tell anybody about the shoulder pain until Wednesday.

As for yesterday, Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman had planned to reveal the shoulder issue. But Mariano called Girardi in the 4:00 hour yesterday, shortly before Girardi met with the media, and asked Girardi not to mention the shoulder pain, as Rivera wanted to address us directly today. Girardi tried to follow Rivera's wishes, but then word got out about his shoulder and Girardi was still trying not to mention the shoulder issue.
Today Rivera got mad at reporters for calling Girardi a liar. He said he was watching the postgame and he was very upset. Girardi, however, apologized for the way he handled it. He said he knows he needs to be better at addressing injuries and that is a goal for next year.

Brian Cashman was asked about his status. He said he hasn't made a decision yet about returning, but that it will not drag on.

If the Yankees play a split doubleheader Sunday, as seems likely, Girardi will let Mike Mussina pick which game he wants to pitch.

Mussina appeared amused by Jim Palmer's telling a Maryland TV station he had talked to Mussina and Mussina doesn't think he'll pitch in 2009. Mussina said he's not leaning any way.

Obviously the big story of the day is, what's wrong with Mariano Rivera. He flew back to New York yesterday to get an MRI done on his right shoulder and to get the shoulder examined. The NY Times and Post each reported that he might need minor arthroscopic surgery. Brian Cashman didn't rule that out to me, but basically said he wouldn't have any real guesstimate until the MRI results come back today.

The other underlying issue on this situation is Joe Girardi and his handling of it. He described Rivera as having a "cranky body" before yesterday's game, and did not identify any specific problem, even when asked. Cashman, however, identified Rivera's shoulder as a problem. After the game, Girardi continued to say he did not know any specifics. The session grew contentious, as some people basically flat-out indicated they thought he was lying, and he grew defensive.

I readily admit that Girardi has not been the most forthcoming on injury situations this season. As a fan, you're free to think that's a problem or it's not. That has led some to believe he simply is dishonest. I think it's a little less straightforward than that. I think Girardi absolutely does not want to talk about injuries, and his relentless optimism leads him to act things are better than they sometimes might be. But as nice as it might be to have him share every little detail, I'm realistic too and don't expect that. I think people were spoiled by how Joe Torre handled things, but he also had decades of managerial experience to get to that point.

Could Girardi be a little more up-front? Sure. But I don't expect him to give us a play-by-play of the medicals.

In other news, the weather is horrible here in Boston. There's a good chance they won't be playing baseball at Fenway Park tonight.

Mariano Rivera is back in New York getting his shoulder checked out. Joe Girardi made it out to be that he was just getting his year-end physical now, but there must be at least some level of concern for him to do it now rather than wait until after the season ends. Girardi said Rivera wouldn't have pitched yesterday or today after throwing four out of five days.

Lineup
Yankees
Gardner CF
Cano 2B
Abreu DH
Nady RF
Giambi 1B
Betemit 3B
Ransom SS
Cabrera LF
Cervelli C (first major league start)

Pavano C

Blue Jays
Inglett 2B
Scutaro SS
Rios CF
Wells DH
Lind LF
Overbay 1B
Rolen 3B
Snider RF
Zaun C

Halladay RHP

Good evening Yankees enthusiasts! I'm Chris Mascaro and I'll be bringing you all of tonight's live game action, as the Yankees (87-71) look for their first three-game sweep in Toronto since 2003 against the 83-75 Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

The Yankees have won seven in a row and 10 of their last 11, but that couldn't stop them being eliminated from the wild-card chase Tuesday night.

So Joe Girardi is playing some younger players as the season comes to a close, while sitting some veterans (namely Jeter, A-Rod and Damon). Last night Phil Hughes pitched eight innings of two-run ball with six strikeouts, but he didn't factor into the decision because the game wasn't nailed down until Bobby Abreu's 10th inning grand slam.

Tonight, the Yankees will get their first look at 22-year old catcher Francisco Cervelli. The Venezuela native broke his wrist after a collision in a spring training game, but has posted strong numbers upon his return.

Carl Pavano (4-1, 4.99 ERA) will take the mound for the Yankees for what most assuredly will be his last time in pinstripes. Here are the Blue Jays' career numbers against him. Pavano was a winner his last time out — Friday against Baltimore — when he threw five innings of two-run ball.

The story of tonight's game will be Blue Jays' starter Roy Halladay (19-11, 2.81), who will try to hit the 20-win plateau for the second time in his career in what will be his final start of the season. Halladay won 22 games in 2003 on his way to the Cy Young Award. That honor will likely to go Cliff Lee this year, but 20 wins is still a great achievement (just ask Mike Mussina).

Halladay has slowed up slightly in September but has been great against the Yankees, going 4-1 with a 2.50 ERA, allowing 10 runs in 36 innings with 26 K's. In home outings against New York, Halladay is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in 16 innings. He pitched six innings of three-run ball to beat Boston on Saturday. Here are the Yankees' career numbers against Halladay.

**Just a couple of quick notes before we get to the lineups, the Yankees are looking for their eighth straight win tonight, which would match their season-high, and if the season ended today, the Yankees would have their lowest win total (87) since 2000.

And finally, here are tonight's lineups:

Yankees
1. Gardner, LF
2. Cano, 2B
3. Abreu, DH
4. Nady, RF
5. Giambi, 1B
6. Betemit, 3B
7. Ransom, SS
8. Cabrera, LF
9. Cervelli, C
Pavano, RHP

Blue Jays
1. Inglett, 2B
2. Scutaro, SS
3. Rios, CF
4. Wells, DH
5. Lind, LF
6. Overbay, 1B
7. Rolen, 3B
8. Snider, RF
9. Zaun
Halladay, RHP

Okay, plenty more to talk about tonight, so let's get the conversation going in the chat box below! And be sure to vote on the poll questions!

I'll be back with updates after each half-inning.

We're minutes from baseball on YES!

Top of the 1st: After Gardner singled up the middle, Cano grounded into a 6-4-3 double play (although replays showed he was safe at first). Abreu flied out to left to end an inning in which Halladay needed just 11 pitches.

Bottom of the 1st: A 1-2-3 inning for Pavano, as Inglett grounded out to second, Scutaro did the same to third and Rios flied out to center.

Pavano needed just 10 pitches.

Top of the 2nd: After Nady flied out to right, Giambi hit a double down the left-field line. He moved to third on Betemit's grounder to second, but Ransom grounded to short to end the inning.

Bottom of the 2nd: Wells reached on an error by Betemit, but then Lind struck out swinging. Overbay walked before Rolen flied out to center. Snider singled to left to load the bases, but Zaun grounded out to first to end the inning.

Top of the 3rd: Cabrera lined one back to Halladay and Cervelli (in his first career at-bat) grounded out to short. But then Gardner doubled down the right-field line and Cano singled to right to score Gardner and give the Yankees a 1-0 lead.

Abreu grounded out to short to end the inning.

Halladay is at 41 pitches.

Bottom of the 3rd: After Inglett flied out to right and Scutaro grounded out sharply to short, Rios lined a single to left. He stole second (his 32nd of the year), and then Wells lined a homer just over the wall in left to put the Blue Jays up 2-1. Wells has 18 homers and 71 RBIs on the season.

Lind ripped an infield single off Pavano's leg, but Overbay flied out in foul ground to left.

Top of the 4th: A 1-2-3 inning for Halladay, as Nady flied out to center before Giambi and Betemit struck out swinging.

Halladay has thrown 51 pitches through four innings.

Bottom of the 4th: Rolen flied out to center, but Snider reached on a chopper to second. Zaun singled to center, putting runners on first and second for Inglett, who singled in Snider to put the Jays up 3-1.

Scutaro grounded into a force at second, but Rios walked and then Wells lined a single to left to score two runs and put the Jays up 5-1.

That prompted Girardi to bring in righty Dan Giese (1-3, 3.16), who got Lind to fly out to deep center to end the inning.

Pavano went 3 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks with one strikeout. He threw 79 pitches.

Top of the 5th: Ransom walked to lead off the inning, and he moved to third on Cabrera's single to right. He scored on Cervelli's 6-4-3 double play to cut the lead to 5-2.

Gardner hustled for an infield single on a grounder to second, but Cano's hot shot to short was snagged by Scutaro and he was thrown out to end the inning.

Bottom of the 5th: After Overbay struck out swinging, Rolen singled to left and Snider doubled to the wall in right-center to score Rolen and put the Jays up 6-2.

Next up was Zaun, and he too launched a double to the base of the wall in right-center to score Snider and give Toronto a 7-2 advantage.

That was all for Giese, as Girardi replaced him with righty David Robertson (3-0, 6.08). He got Inglett to ground to second before walking Scutaro. But Rios flied out to right to end the inning.

Giese allowed two runs on three hits in 2/3 of an inning.

Top of the 6th: A 1-2-3 inning for Halladay on three groundouts — Abreu to second, Nady to first and Giambi to second/short rightfield.

Halladay has thrown just 70 pitches thus far.

Bottom of the 6th: Righty Edwar Ramirez (5-1, 3.98) replaced Robertson, who pitched 2/3 of an inning without allowing a hit.

Ramirez struck out Wells swinging before Lind singled to right. Overbay struck out swinging and then Rolen grounded into a force to end the inning.

Top of the 7th: Another 1-2-3 inning for Halladay (his third tonight), as Betemit grounded out to first, Ransom did the same back to the mound and Cabrera struck out swinging.

Halladay, who has retired seven straight, is at 79 pitches. Could this be his 9th complete game?

Bottom of the 7th: Righty Humberto Sanchez (0-0, 0.00), who came over from Detroit in the Gary Sheffield trade, replaced Ramirez, who pitched a scoreless sixth.

Sanchez got Snider to fly out to deep left, but then walked Zaun and Inglett. Scutaro singled to right to score Zaun and make it 8-2 Jays. But Rios knocked into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Top of the 8th: A third straight 1-2-3 inning for Halladay (he has retired 10 straight), as Cervelli struck out swinging (he is 0-for-3 tonight) and Gardner and Cano grounded out to first (although Cano claimed his was fouled off his foot).

Halladay has thrown 89 pitches.

Bottom of the 8th: Righty Darrell Rasner (5-10, 5.38) replaced Sanchez, who gave up a run on a hit and two walks in the seventh.

Rasner tossed a 1-2-3 inning on three groundouts — Wells to third, Lind to first and Overbay to short.

Top of the 9th: Halladay ends the game with four straight 1-2-3 innings for his 20th win of the season. Abreu struck out swinging, Nady flied out to right and Johnny Damon (pinch-hitting for Giambi) grounded out to second.

That's the ballgame, folks! Toronto wins, 8-2.
Blue Jays: 84-75
Yankees: 87-72

WP--Halladay (20-11)
LP--Pavano (4-2)

HR: Blue Jays 1 (Wells, his 18th)

Here are your three stars:
1. Halladay: 9 IP (his ninth CG), two runs, six hits, one walk and five K's for his 20th win
2. Wells: 2-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs
3. Snider: 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs

Gardner was 3-for-4 for the Yanks, while Cervelli, in his major-league debut, went 0-for-3.

As always, it was my honor and pleasure to bring everyone all of tonight's live game action. I'll see ya'll soon!

Goodnight!

Phil Hughes pitched his best game of the year last night, allowing two runs in eight innings. It was also his most economical game, as he had never pitched so deep in a game. It should give him something pleasant to look back on despite a rough year.

Colleague Shaun Powell has a great column on Joe Torre out in L.A. Torre, by the way, is headed to the playoffs again.

Yankees (86-71) at Toronto Blue Jays (83-74), 7:07 p.m.

Starters: Phil Hughes (0-4, 7.96) for the Yankees and A.J. Burnett (18-10, 4.18) for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Well, the Yankees take the field tonight knowing that they won't be going to the playoffs for the first time since finishing second in the AL East in 1993.

So a new chapter in Yankees history is technically beginning with tonight's game.

Ironically, tonight's game features two pitchers who could figure into pitching plans for the Yankees in 2009.

Hughes is one of the young pitchers -- along with Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy -- that the Yankees were counting on this season. It will be interesting to see whether the Yankees stick with the young pitchers or go in a different direction and pursue big-name free agents in the offseason.

Burnett, who will be a free agent in the winter, could be one of the big-name free agents the Yankees try to sign. Burnett is enjoying the best season of his career. He has set a career high for wins this season with 18. His previous high was 12.

Top of 1st: Brett Gardner started with a single, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. Nothing after that. Yankees 0, Blue Jays 0.

Bottom of 1st: Joe Inglett bounces a single over third base and stretches it into a double. Early trouble for Hughes. Marco Scutaro did his job by grounding to Robinson Cano. That gets Inglett to third base. Alex Rios hits a long flyball to left field. Xavier Nady catches it, but Inglett scores easily. Burnett has a run to work with, and with the way he can throw that can prove to be a big run. Blue Jays 1, Yankees 0.

Top of 2nd: Back-to-back strikeouts for Burnett -- on Nady and Giambi. Wilson Betemit hits a chopper over Burnett for an infield single. Cody Ransom, playing shortstop in place of Derek Jeter, walked. Juan Miranda flied out. Blue Jays 1, Yankees 0.

Bottom of 2nd: 1-2-3 inning for Hughes. Blue Jays 1, Yankees 0.

Top of 3rd: Chad Moeller singled to right. Gardner grounded into a fielder's choice, Moeller out at second. Robinson Cano reached on an infield single to short. Scutaro made a bad throw to first, and Cano went to second on the throwing error. Burnett got a very big out, getting Abreu on a nasty curveball for the strikeout. Nady gets a big two-run single to centerfield. Gardner and Cano score. Yankees 2, Blue Jays 1.

Bottom of 3rd: Another 1-2-3 inning for Hughes. Yankees 2, Blue Jays 1.

Top of 4th: Betemit leads off with a double into the gap. Ransom grounds to Scutaro at short. Betemit can't advance. Miranda singles, but third-base coach Bobby Meacham had to hold Betemit. Betemit should've scored. He got a late jump. Burnett got Moeller on a strikeout. Gardner also went down on a strikeout. Missed opportunity for the Yankees. Yankees 2, Blue Jays 1.

Bottom of 4th: Rios lines a double down the left-field line to start. But Hughes did a nice job of pitching, getting two outs, including a strikeout of Adam Lind. Hughes finished the inning without any damage. Yankees 2, Blue Jays 1.

Top of 5th: 1-2-3 inning for Burnett. Yankees 2, Blue Jays 1.

Bottom of 5th: One hit, but no runs. Another good inning for Hughes. Yankees 2, Blue Jays 1.

Top of 6th: Burnett is at 96 pitches. He has seven strikeouts, but how much longer does he go in this game? This is his last start of the season. We'll see. The Yankees go down quietly. Yankees 2, Blue Jays 1.

Bottom of 6th: Wells drilled a shot to right-center that Gardner tracked down to end the inning. Scutaro flied out to right and Rios grounded out to second to start the inning. Yankees 2, Blue Jays 1.

Top of 7th: Another 1-2-3 inning for Burnett, including two strikeouts. He's got nine strikeouts in the game. Yankees 2, Blue Jays 1.

Bottom of 7th: Scott Rolen ties the game with a two-out home run on a hanging curveball. Yankees 2, Blue Jays 2.

Top of 8th: Burnett is still in there. He started the inning with 107 pitches. Cano strikes out to start the inning, Burnett's 10th. How big would the run have been in the fourth? Betemit needed to score on that single, but couldn't. Nady also strikes out. Looks like Burnett is getting stronger, with five strikeouts among his last six outs. Another 1-2-3 inning for Burnett. Yankees 2, Blue Jays 2.

Bottom of 8th: Hughes, who has thrown 93 pitches, is back out for the Yankees. 1-2-3 inning for Hughes. Nice outing by Hughes -- two runs on five hits through eight innings. Yankees 2, Blue Jays 2.

Top of 9th: Cito Gaston came out to get Burnett out of the game. Is that perhaps the last game Burnett pitches for the Blue Jays? Time will tell. A great game for Burnett. Burnett goes eight, with two earned runs on seven hits, 11 strikeouts and just two walks. Jesse Carlson relieves Burnett and hits Giambi. Johnny Damon is the pinch-runner. Betemit loops an out to Inglett. Damon out trying to steal second. Ransom strikes out. We're going to the bottom of the ninth! Yankees 2, Blue Jays 2.

Bottom of 9th: Hughes is gone. He was great -- eight innings, two earned runs on just five hits, six strikeouts and NO WALKS. Hughes got ahead of hitters tonight. Big key. A 1-2-3 inning for Veras. On to extra innings. Yankees 2, Blue Jays 2.

Top of 10th: Miranda pulls a double down the right-field line to lead off the inning. Melky Cabrera is the pinch-runner. Moeller will try to bunt Cabrera over. Moeller works a walk in what turned out to be a nice at-bat, aided by the umpires who didn't call strike three on what appeared to be a bunt attempt by Moeller. Up to Gardner now. Gardner bunts the runners over, runners at second and third with one out. Cano gets hit by the pitch. Bases loaded, which might not be a bad thing since it sets up a double play. Grand slam by Abreu, a high drive to right into the Yankees' bullpen. Abreu now has 20 home runs and 99 RBIs. Yankees 6, Blue Jays 2.

Bottom of 10th: Odd choice -- Sidney Ponson is in for the Yankees. 1-2-3 inning for Ponson, who I thought was pitching Saturday in Boston. Oh well. FINAL: Yankees 6, Blue Jays 2.

Andy Pettitte will not start Saturday. Pettitte's left shoulder has been "barking" for some time, and since they are out of it, he will be shut down. He had an MRI done at the start of the last homestand and nothing was found to be structurally wrong. In other words, rest should cure it.

Nevertheless, Pettitte was very hard on himself about the way he's pitched. When asked about what has been the biggest factor in their slipping further from contention in the last two months, he said: "I just look at the big thing was me personally. I just think I pitched terrible."
He said it makes him feel sick that they aren't going to the playoffs, and also to think that even with how "pathetically" they played, they almost went into Boston with a chance.
While Pettitte hasn't said he absolutely wants to pitch next year, it sure sounds that way. He said it would be here or nowhere, and he expects to reach a decision much earlier than last year.

Alfredo Aceves will start Saturday.

Mike Mussina's right elbow is stiff, but not as bad as last night. He said he'll pitch Sunday unless he gets hurt in the training room between now and then. Kidding, he was, on the last part.

Yankees
Gardner CF
Cano 2B
Abreu RF
Nady LF
Giambi DH
Betemit 3B
Ransom SS
Miranda 1B
Moeller C

Hughes RHP

Blue Jays
Inglett 2B
Scutaro SS
Rios RF
Wells CF
Linnd DH
Overbay 1B
Rolen 3B
Snider LF
Zaun C

Burnett RHP

Kat O'Brien answers your Yankees questions in a live chat at 2:30 p.m.