Yankees @ Indians - 5/30/09 - CC Returns

CC Sabathia will make his first ever start as a visitor at Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field) tonight. He spent 7 and a half years with the Indians before he was traded to the Brewers last season and then signed on with the Yanks. He'll face former teammate Fausto Carmona.

CC threw against Cleveland on Opening Day in the Bronx and wasn't economical in a 10-2 loss. Fausto Carmona was the winner in the Indians 22-4 romp of the Yanks two days later. The teams split that four-game set back in mid-April.

Some quick little tidbits:

*The Yanks have a chance to go 1.5 games up on the Red Sox, who lost again in Toronto 5-3 this afternoon.

*The Yanks are 14-11 on the road, which is the best mark in the American League and tied for third in all of baseball with the Brewers.

*The Yanks have gone 15 straight games without making an error. That is the longest stretch in franchise history and two short of the Major League record of 17 by the Red Sox in 2006. This courtesy of the Elias Sports Bureau

*Robinson Cano ended a streak of 54 consecutive plate appearances without a strikeout last night when he went down in the 1st.

Back with thoughts as the game begins later. 7:05 start in Cleveland.

UPDATE (6:32): Some brief medical notes I read...Pettitte is fine after hurting his back yesterday, will make his next start. Melky took swings and is planning to return Monday. Molina and Nady both played in Florida. Molina could be activated later next week.

UPDATE (7:08): According to the Yankees game notes, Jeter had picked up a hit in the first inning in the Yanks' last five games (all leading off). Sadly, it ended on the groundout to Fausto, but that's impressive.

UPDATE (7:11): Teixeira now has a hit in 12 straight games with a single to right. Amazing how he has turned it on in May since A-Rod returned. Hopefully for him, he keeps it going into June.

UPDATE (7:31): Victor Martinez fouls a ball of his leg, is down for a while, and decides to stay in after about 5 minutes on the ground. He almost fouls another ball of his foot, then grounds out to second and limps halfway to first. I doubt he stays in. It's not worth risking further injury on May 30th! 1-2-3 for CC is a good start. ...And on cue, Kelly Shoppach is into the game. I'll update if I hear what the injury is.

UPDATE (7:35): Jorgie juices one to right. Long homer for him. 2 hits and a walk last night, and now a homer in his return from the DL. Good to see from the veteran catcher! 1-0 Yanks

UPDATE (7:39): Nick Swisher launches one over the centerfield wall. Yanks showing the power in the 2nd. 2-0 NYY

UPDATE (7:48): Carl Pavano (starting tomorrow against Phil Hughes) has won 5 games in May for the Indians. He won 9 total over time in three different seasons with the Yanks. Hmmm...Anyway, CC looks good so far. Gets a double play after a 1-out walk.

UPDATE (8:22): Yes, it's been a long time, but that's because the Yanks pounded away against Carmona in the 4th, a half-inning that lasted nearly 20 minutes. Jeter knocked home two with a single that extended his hit streak to 13 games. Damon brought in another with a single to right. Then, Cano had a two-run single to left, though A-Rod was thrown out trying for 3rd. 5 runs on 4 hits, and they were helped by two errors, including a big one on a throw to second to try for a force by Garko. Yankees up 7-0

UPDATE (8:32): Meanwhile, CC continues to deal on the mound. Four strikeouts and a walk over four innings. Back to the Yanks' fourth, one play you'll notice if you look at the play-by-play is Teixeira grounding into a fielder's choice to first and Jeter getting out at home. On that play, Jeter knew he was done for, but got into a decent rundown and directed the baserunners to move them each up a base despite getting out. That great play lead to two more Yanks runs. That's the Captain for you.

UPDATE (8:40): Of course, it wasn't weird enough that the Indians finally retired the Yanks in order in the 5th. A flock of seagulls all of a sudden flew into right centerfield and appeared to be feeding on something atop the wall and on the warning track. Crazy stuff!

UPDATE (8:50): Interesting as Shin-Soo Choo grounds one up the middle that Cano tries to bare-hand and can't come up with. They rule it a hit, I say Cano might've had a chance if he gets the glove on it. That's the first one of the day for the Indians. DeRosa then grounds one into the hole on the right side, Cano stops it but can't get the out. Infield single and Choo goes to 3rd...barely. Finally, Garko gets a clean single to center to plate Choo. 7-1 Yanks

UPDATE (9:04): Sorry for the delay...Indians scratch across another on a single to left by Carroll. CC goes from 0 runs and 0 hits to 2 runs and 4 hits in one inning, all after the dribbler up the middle which did scrape CC's hand. 7-2 Yankees

UPDATE (9:06): That's what Gardner can do for you. Works a lead-off walk, then as he's stealing second, Jeter singles to left. Gardner then scores on the grounder to 1st. 8-2 Yanks

UPDATE (9:16): Grady Sizemore absolutely obliterated that one into the right centerfield bullpen. CC definitely has lost his dominance after giving up that first hit. However, his offense has given him plenty of support and he's still going to go 7 most likely. 8-3 Pinstripes

UPDATE (9:22): CC gets out of the inning with a 4-6-3 DP after a walk to Peralta. He has 94 pitches through 6. Do you bring him out for another inning or go to the pen? I say, one more, then bring on Wang for 2 or Coke/Robertson.

UPDATE (9:42): CC strikes out Asdrubal Cabrera for the 3rd time to end the 7th and most likely, his night. 7 innings, 5 hits, 3 runs (earned), 3 walks, 8 strikeouts, 113 pitches. Pretty good again for CC, who was dominant early, then limited damage while laboring late. I say with a five-run lead, let Coke and/or Robertson finish this out. Or perhaps get Wang some work.

UPDATE (9:50): And it is David Robertson on to pitch. He' s been alright so far this year, and got all five batters he faced in Texas out. Let's see if he can shut the door on this one.

UPDATE (9:57): Nice play by A-Rod ends a 1-2-3 inning. Ranging to his left, Rodriguez stabbed it and made a strong throw to 1st to get Peralta. To the 9th we go!

UPDATE (10:10): Yanks pick up some insurance. Teixeira leads off with a bloop double then comes home on a Robbie Cano single. Matsui would later double Cano home. Godzilla with 3 hits tonight, but looks awful running the bases. Don't think he has much of anything left in those knees. Either way, Jose Veras comes in to finish off the game. Yanks up 10-3

UPDATE (10:11): Even with a 7-run lead, Jose Veras gives up the required home run (solo shot to Choo) whenever he pitches. Then, he hits DeRosa. I think it's about time for Veras to go to the minors and Mark Melancon to join the team. He can't be any worse than Veras has been. 10-4 Yanks

UPDATE (10:23): Veras gives up another run on a Ben Francisco double, but strikes out Carroll and gets Cabrera to ground to short. Yankees win the game 10-5 to move a game and a half ahead of the Sox in the AL East.

Some final notes:
*The Yankees have won 3 straight, 4 of 5, and 14 of 17. They are rolling right now.
*Yanks now have not commited an error in 16 straight games...they'll look to tie the record tomorrow
*CC Sabathia improves to 5-3. That's five straight great starts by CC, and he's gone 7 innings or more, giving up 3 runs or less in all of them.
*Jose Veras needs to go, as does Angel Berroa as Berroa does nothing and Veras only makes things worse. Bring up Melancon to help the pen and bring up another bat for the bench (Shelley Duncan anyone?? He leads the International League w/ 16 homers)

That's all for tonight. Yanks and Indians go again tomorrow with Phil Hughes against Yankee Fan Favorite (NOT!) Carl Pavano. I won't be live-blogging that one, but YES will have all the action at 12:40 (odd start time).

Yankees vs. Indians - 5/29/09

Hey Everyone. Back to do some live-blogging of tonight's game between the Yanks and Indians in Cleveland. It'll be Andy Pettitte pitching for the Yanks and Cliff Lee for the Tribe. Big news is that Jorge Posada will return to the line-up tonight, after being out since early May with a hamstring injury. He'll bat 6th.

The game is currently in a rain delay. Radar shows a small thunderstorm moving over the area. Should pass quickly...hopefully. Also, after looking through some other blogs, I read that the midges are back in Cleveland! For those who don't remember, these small bugs descended upon Progressive Field (then Jacob's Field) in the 2007 playoffs and were a big problem for Joba Chamberlain. He would give up the tying run and eventually, the Yanks would lose the game and the series. Good thing he's not pitching tonight.

UPDATE (7:32): Interesting fact from Kim Jones of YES...Tonight (if the game is played) would be the first time that Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui, and Alex Rodriguez are all together in the same line-up since June 22nd of last year. This shows how much injuries have taken a toll on the major players of the Yanks.

UPDATE (7:47): Still raining in Cleveland. Some additional notes from around baseball to mention. Matt Wieters is making his ML debut for the Orioles tonight at home against the Tigers. He is highly touted and could be a major force in turning the team around. I still think they need pitching bigtime. Brett Myers could miss the rest of the season for the Phillies with a hip injury. And the Rockies fired Manager Clint Hurdle after a dismal start finds them in the basement of the NL West. Hard to believe he was in the World Series in 2007. Stay Tuned...

UPDATE (8:10): Word is that they are getting the field ready to play and first pitch will be at 8:30! There will be baseball in Cleveland tonight!

UPDATE (8:43): Underway at Progressive Field. Delay lasted 1 hour and 23 minutes. Couple hit streaks extended right away. Jeter to 12 games with a single to left-center and Teixeira to 11 with a blooper to right. Yanks load the bases for Cano and Posada and both go down swinging. Nice rebound by Cliff Lee.

UPDATE (8:51): Good start for Pettitte as all he allows is a Grady Sizemore single.

UPDATE (9:07): Hits keep coming for the Yanks, and this time, they cash in. Derek Jeter is 2-for-2 as he singles to left to bring home Swisher. Then, Teixeira knocks in Gardner on a groundout to 1st. 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk for the Yanks. A-Rod however strikes out after the Tribe elect to face him with 1st base open instead of setting up a lefty-lefty with Cano. Odd choice, but it works out.

UPDATE (9:16): Pettitte works into and out of trouble. A walk and infield single is followed up with a fly out and a 6-4-3 double play. Walking the lead-off hitter is never good, but Pettitte did a great job to get out of the jam.

UPDATE (9:26): Yanks squeak out another run. Back-to-Back infield singles to short by Cano and Posada followed by a Sac Fly off the bat of Swisher after Matsui advances them to 2nd and 3rd on a groundout. Good, fundamental baseball by the Yanks.

UPDATE (9:41): Pettitte again works into trouble by walking Martinez and Peralta to load the bases, but gets out of the jam when DeRosa grounds to second. Pettitte has been good and relatively economical (50 pitches in 3 innings), but has walked 3.

UPDATE (9:53): Quiet inning for the Yanks...3 up, 3 down. Meanwhile, it's all over in Toronto as the Red Sox lose to the Blue Jays 6-3. The win ends a 9-game losing streak for Toronto. Now, a Yankee win vaults them into sole possession of 1st place in the East. Also, Mets and Marlins are in extra innings in a 1-1 battle. Good starts from Mike Pelfrey and Sean West.

UPDATE (9:59): Pettitte allows only a single to Kelly Shoppach. Still 3-0 Yanks after 4. Pettitte should be able to go at least 6 as he has only 67 pitches. The bullpen is rested to after an off-day yesterday. Meanwhile, I found that if the Yanks do move into first, it would be the first time they'd be alone there since the last game of 2006.

UPDATE (10:08): Posada is now 2-for-3 as he doubles to right-center with 2 out, but Matsui gets caught looking on a borderline pitch.

UPDATE (10:15): Only a single to Cabrera (who's 2-for-3) and Pettitte gets through the 5th with 76 pitches. He's been solid once again. Meanwhile, Lee is at 102 but is out there for the 6th.

UPDATE (10:22): Yankees hit the ball hard, but a Nick Swisher lead-off single is wasted. Jeter and Damon both hit it hard to the corner outfielders, but both balls were caught.

UPDATE (10:30): Pettitte gets into trouble in the 6th, giving up a hit and a walk, then gets to 2-0 on Carroll before he's removed. Looks like he might have something wrong with him as Steve Donahue comes out with Girardi. Shame after such a good start. We'll see if Aceves can hold the lead.

UPDATE (10:41): Aceves comes in, walks Carroll to load the bases with no out and gives up a run on a sac fly that gets charged to Pettitte but maintains the lead...barely. Cabrera grounded out to Jeter, but he made a poor throw that Teixeira did a great job of scooping. That's why the Yanks paid the big bucks for him. 3-1 into the 7th.
Final Line on Pettitte: 5 innings, 6 hits, 1 run (earned), 5 BB, 1 K, 84 pitches, 45 strikes
Final Line on Lee: 6 innings, 9 hits, 3 runs (earned), 2 BB, 5 K, 112 pitches, 71 strikes

UPDATE (10:50): A-Rod singles, and Posada walks, but Yanks can't add to the lead. Posada has now been on base in 3 of his 4 plate appearances with 2 hits and the base-on-balls. Not a bad return at all.

UPDATE (10:53): Some other stats - Yanks are 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and have left 10 on base. Yet, they still lead. Yanks pen needs two more innings before Rivera. If Aceves gets through the 7th, the 8th will be interesting wiht the bullpen. I say, leave Aceves in or bring on Wang.

UPDATE (10:57): 1-2-3 go Sizemore, Martinez, and Peralta. Very impressive 2 innings by Alfredo Aceves. It appears like the Yanks might have found their late inning guy. Now, do they keep Aceves for the 8th or go to another guy? Wang? Coke? Veras? I say either Aceves or Wang.

UPDATE (11:05): Yanks go quiet in the 8th. Now, the big question of who pitches the 8th to try and bridge the gap to Mo. And the answer is...Alfredo Aceves. They leave him in for a 3rd inning of work. I say, Good Choice!

UPDATE (11:15): Aceves gets the job done. Gives up a hit to Francisco for the only blemish over 3 innings. 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks (it was charged to Pettitte), and 3 strikeouts. Tremendous job by him after Pettitte left. Yanks may have finally found their guy late in ballgames.

UPDATE (11:19): After reading Peter Abraham's blog, Andy Pettitte apparently has lower back stiffness. We'll see if it's anything that will keep him out, but I don't think so. At his age, though, you never know.

UPDATE (11:25): Yanks do nothing in the 9th, and now it's up to Mo to close the door. He hasn't pitched since Sunday in the Yanks 4-3 extra-inning loss to Philly.

UPDATE (11:36): Mariano comes in and after a lead-off blooper by Choo, strikes out Cabrera and Sizemore and gets Martinez to grounds to first to end it. Yanks win 3-1 and are in sole possession of first place in the AL East. Pettitte moves to 5-1 on the year. Thanks Everyone!