Road Trip Continues in Cleveland

The Bronx Bombers seem relaxed heading into their four-game set with Cleveland this weekend.

Former Indians ace CC Sabathia took in an NBA playoff game last night. Along with Sabathia, Mariano Rivera, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano were in the crowd at Quicken Loans Arena as the hometown Cavaliers, led by reigning league MVP LeBron James, hung tough in the Eastern Conference Finals, winning game 5 to force a game 6 in the best-of-seven series this weekend.

With the help of Yankees PR, Sabathia, the new Yankee ace, arranged the evening for he and his teammates. “King” James did not disappoint, posting a triple-double (37 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists) in Cleveland's 112-102 win.

The Yankees have been a different team since Rodriguez's return on May 8 – both on and off the field. Mark Teixeira has been a primary beneficiary. Since that date, Teixeira has hit .383 (28-for-73) with 10 homers and 24 RBIs.

Hideki Matsui has also stepped up as a contributor and New York's lineup may get a little bit longer on Friday as they are primed to welcome back switch-hitting catcher Jorge Posada from the DL.

The Yankees had an off day Thursday after taking two of three from Texas. New York shared first with the Red Sox going into Thursday’s action, but Boston regained the AL East lead with a victory last night.

New York is 13-11 on the road. Posada’s return will certainly help the lineup, especially with Melky Cabrera sidelined nursing a bum shoulder. Both Jose Molina and Xavier Nady are on the mend and could rejoin the team shortly. The Yankees have also elected to keep Chien-Ming in the bullpen for the time being with Phil Hughes coming off a dominant start in Texas. Hughes will take his turn in the rotation this week.

The Yankees play four in Cleveland and then return to the Bronx for another long homestand in early June starting Tuesday against the Rangers.

Yanks Move into Tie for First

Baseball has a way of yielding the results we come to expect. The game just always seems to even out.

The Yankees struggled in April and early May while Toronto jumped out to a sizzling start in the tough American League East. Talent wise, the Bronx Bombers came into the 2009 campaign with a much improved roster and was arguably the team to beat in the division.

Now, that talent is coming together. The proverbial "cream is rising to the top." Toronto has lost nine straight. Tampa, the reigning AL East champs, have looked nothing like the team that won the division last year. With injuries and decline to slugger David Ortiz, even Boston has taken a step back of late.

Enter the Yankees. Propelled by their 10-game homestand and two wins in Texas, New York now has a share of the AL East lead. The Rangers defeated the Bombers 7-3 Tuesday night, but the Yankees won 9-2 Wednesday, taking two of three from Texas. New York will now continue its road trip. The Yankees head to Cleveland tonight to open a four-game set.

The Yankees have won 12 of 15 and are tied atop the division with Boston. It is the first time this season New York has been in first place in the AL East.

New York was dominant Wednesday in Texas both on the mound and at the plate. AJ Burnett pitched six shutout innings to win for the first time since April 14 and Hideki Matsui homered twice, while the Yankees reached double-digit hits for the fourth straight game with 15 in the victory.

Mark Teixeira homered for the seventh time in 10 games and 10th time since Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup. Matsui homered twice for the third time in his career and first since July 31, 2007 against the White Sox.

Despite the offensive outburst, the story was Burnett. The right-hander, who was 0-2 with a 6.04 ERA over his past seven starts, said he wanted to stay aggressive against a hard-hitting Rangers lineup. Burnett (3-2) allowed three hits, walked four and struck out seven, fairing much better than Joba Chamberlain the night before. Tuesday, Chamberlain lasted four innings for the Yankees, allowing three earned runs. After getting hit in the knee in his start, Chamberlain didn’t look 100 percent. Chris Davis homered twice for the Rangers providing starter Kevin Millwood all he would need on the mound. Millwood scattered nine hits, allowing just three runs in 5 2/3 innings as he beat the Yankees for just the second time in his career.

All in all, another good series for the Yankees. Anytime you can take two-of-three on the road, you’re in good shape. Andy Pettitte will take the hill Friday for New York opposing Cleveland’s Cliff Lee. Pettitte looked dominant at times during his last start. If only he could have two pitches back, he may have earned the win. Pettitte allowed two home runs to the Phillies on Saturday. The left-hander surrendered just five hits in taking a no-decision. The Yankees came back to win the game, saving Pettitte from his first loss since April 26.

A-Rod Inspired on Memorial Day

The jeers in Texas didn’t slow A-Rod Monday. If anything, the patriotic Rodriguez appeared more inspired if nothing else on Memorial Day as he returned to Arlington for the first game since admitting earlier in the year that he used steroids while playing for the Rangers.

A-Rod had a memorial day to remember, collecting five hits in an 11-1 rout of his former club. He tied a career high (done four times previously) and set a season high with four RBIs.

“There’s no panic. I know exactly what I'm capable of doing,” Rodriguez told reporters in the postgame press conference. “I'm feeling much better each and every day.”

After dropping two of their last three to Philadelphia to wrap their 10-game homestand, every Yankee seemed back on track in the first game of a three-game set in Texas. Every Bomber in the starting lineup had a hit and the first five in the lineup combined to go 12-for-23 with 11 runs and eight RBIs.

Rangers starter Matt Harrison allowed seven runs, which matched the total runs he had allowed in his previous four starts combined.

Offensively, A-Rod was the story Monday. He singled in the eighth for his fifth hit of the day and was lifted for a pinch runner with the Yankees sporting a 10-0 lead. His first five-hit game since April 2005 raised his batting average 70 points – from .189 to .259.

With A-Rod shouldering the load with the bat, Phil Hughes took care of the rest on the mound for the Bombers. He limited the Rangers to three hits over eight shutout innings, leaving after 101 pitches and eight full innings. It was by far his best start of the season. He had allowed 17 earned runs in 15 2/3 innings since throwing six scoreless innings in his first start of the season April 28 at Detroit.

The weekend series was a disappointment, despite Saturday’s theatrics. The two weekend losses could have easily gone the other way. New York played solid baseball in both defeats. The interleague series didn’t slow he Yanks, though, which is a good sign. They returned to form Monday.

A-Rod has been great. Hughes lived up to the expectation of another start and continues to give the Yankees time to handle nursing Chien-Ming Wang back to full health.

The Bombers donned red caps with stars and stripes through the interlocking NY Monday. They certainly seemed inspired. Whether it was Memorial Day, or the cavernous Ballpark at Arlington, New York started its road trip on a positive.

Diamond in the Rough? Prospect Noesi Opens Eyes

Down on the farm, Hector Noesi is having a dream season for the Yankees.

He didn’t allow a run in over 20 innings through mid May and earlier in the month struck out seven and walked one over seven hitless innings for Charleston. The 22-year-old right-handed pitcher looks like the real deal. At 6-foot-2 and174 pounds, the native of the Dominican Republic has shown poise on the mound and could rise through the Yankees minor league system quickly.

Signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on Dec. 3, 2004, Noesi spent his first two seasons in the Dominican Summer and Gulf Coast leagues before sitting out the first 50 games of 2007 for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

A strained right elbow limited Noesi to five appearances with Charleston upon his return, but he did bounce back with a solid campaign in 2008, going 3-2 with a 3.33 ERA in 14 appearances (seven starts) between the GCL Yankees and short-season Staten Island.

I personally have not seen him pitch live, but from looking at his stats and seeing some video, he looks very promising. I doubt the Yankees would promote any good prospects quickly. It took them a while with Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy. I can’t imagine it being any different here.

But it might be food for thought. Maybe Noesi is major league ready. I know it’s low A ball, but if he continues to carve up batters, the Yankees should consider promoting him to at least Double A. If that success continues, a cup of coffee come September wouldn’t be out of the question.

Phillies Answer Last in 11th

A day after providing the game-winner, Melky Cabrera tied it in the ninth Sunday, but this time the Phillies would get the last say in the series finale.

Philly scored in the top of the 11^th and held on to beat the Yankees, 4-3, taking 2-of-3 from the now not-so-surging Bombers.

It was New York’s first series loss since dropping a two-game set at home against Tampa on May 6-7. The Yanks appeared to be in a position to part again. Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon opened the 10^th with a pair of hits. Mark Teixeira, who stepped in 2-for-3 with a homer, couldn’t come through this time, grounding into a double play. After the Phillies walked A-Rod intentionally, Ramiro Pena flied out to force extra innings.

The missed opportunity would come back to haunt the Yanks in the 11^th as reliever Brett Tomko issued a two-out walk to Chase Utley and served up a double to Carlos Ruiz, plating Utley with the go-ahead run.

Notes: Reliever Brian Bruney again experienced discomfort in his right elbow on Monday and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list…The Yankees begin a road trip and open a three-game series today in Arlington, Texas against the Rangers. Phil Hughes will oppose Matt Harrison. Hughes allowed three runs in five innings in an 11-4 victory over the Orioles in his last start. Left-handed hitters are batting .372 off him while right-handers are hitting .283. He is also averaging 5.4 walks per nine innings.

Back by Popular Demand: Yanks Pull Walk-off Again

Just catching up. The holiday weekend has contributed to some delay in posting in this space. No worries. I’ve been in tune.

After the Yanks lost Friday night to the defending champion Phillies, the Bronx Bombers were back to their familiar ways Saturday afternoon at the Stadium. With one out in the ninth, Melky Cabrera completed yet another comeback win, lacing an RBI single to right-center to seal a 5-4 walk-off win. Cabrera’s single scored Robinson Cano and evened the series with Philly at 1-1. It also marked the Yankees’ fourth walk-off in nine games of their current 10-game homestand.

In the process, Cabrera emerged the hero for the second time in eight days. The rally was started in the ninth when Johnny Damon walked off closer Brad Lidge. Damon promptly stole second. Mark Teixeira struck out, but Alex Rodriguez came through in the clutch, launching a full-count homer to right to tie the game.

Say what you want about Alex. He’s clutch in the regular season. Hopefully, the law of averages will turn the tide come October for A-Rod and the Yankees.

With the game tied, Cano singled and stole second to put the go-ahead run in scoring position for Cabrera. The “Melk-Man” delivered again.

It’s been a great homestand for the Yankees. This stretch has them in prime position to take control of the AL East.

Eight...Nine, but Phils Snap Yanks Win Streak Before 10

The Yanks used the long ball to roll to eight and nine straight wins, but Friday night, the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies came to town and gave the Bombers a test of their own medicine.

Seven more home runs were hit at baseball's newest launching pad – Yankee Stadium – when the top home run-hitting teams in each league faced off. Four were hit by the Phils, who rolled to a 7-3 victory in the first interleague game at new Yankee Stadium and ended New York's nine-game winning streak.

There have been 82 homers at Yankee Stadium, a record for the first 21 games at a major league park, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Hey, the Yankees couldn’t keep winning. If they were to lose, the Phillies are as formidable an opponent as any. Ten straight would have been nice, but the Yankees continue to hit and they did get some positive news Friday on the Chien-Ming Wang front. Activated before the game after nearly a month on the disabled list, Wang made his third career relief appearance and gave up a long homer deep over the Yankees bullpen to Raul Ibanez. He threw 51 pitches, allowing two runs and six hits in three innings while lowering his ERA from a ridiculous 34.50 to 25.00.

AJ Burnett struggled once again for New York. He’s been a great addition to the clubhouse, but from the looks of things his velocity is down. His heater has lost some zip.

Meanwhile, Wang looks like he’s regained some of his velocity, touching 94 on the gun. However, his command wasn’t there – something that will likely come with more innings in the majors. Wang could get a start next week in place of the injured Chamberlain. As for Burnett, he made need some side sessions to work on things. He is winless in his last seven starts.

Chamberlain was knocked out in the first inning Thursday night, bruising his right knee on a liner off the bat of Adam Jones. Thankfully, the Yankee lineup came through once again and the bullpen picked it up in Chamberlain’s absence. Robinson Cano drove in three runs, Alfredo Aceves led a solid effort by a depleted bullpen and the surging Yankees shrugged off Chamberlain's injury in a 7-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles Thursday night. The victory completed New York’s three-game sweep of the Orioles.

The home run played a major role in New York’s long win streak. Nick Swisher hit the first of three consecutive homers that sent Phil Hughes and the Yankees to their eighth straight win Wednesday night. In the 11-4 victory, Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera also hit solo shots to right field in the second inning against starter Jeremy Guthrie – all with two strikes.

Unlike the woeful Orioles, the Phillies can pitch a little bit. That was the difference Friday night in ending the Yankees win streak.

Behind Sabathia, A-Rod, Streak Hits Seven

NEW YORK – The Yankee win streak was in good hands Tuesday night with CC Sabathia reprising his role of ace on the mound.

The burly lefty won for the third straight time and looks every bit like the work horse the Yankees hoped he would be, allowing one run on three hits in seven innings in a 9-1 win over Baltimore at Yankee Stadium. Sabathia, who struck out seven, settled in after allowing singles to the first two batters of the game. He then retired 21 of 23 hitters.

“I could have finished it,” Sabathia explained when asked if he could have tossed a complete game, “but I understand why Joe (Girardi) took me out. We had a big inning and he had a chance to take me out.”

It remained a 2-1 game through Sabathia’s entire outing before the Yankees erupted for a seven-run seventh en route to their seventh straight victory. The bullpen threw two scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth. Brian Bruney, who came off the disabled list before the game, and Brett Tomko each pitched 1-2-3 innings to close it out.

The Orioles (16-23) struck first on an RBI groundout by Aubrey Huff in the first inning, but Alex Rodriguez quickly erased the small deficit in the bottom half of the inning by connecting off Baltimore starter Brad Bergesen for a two-run shot. A-Rod has now homered in four consecutive games.

The home run was all Sabathia needed. Baltimore had just one hit the rest of the game – a fifth inning single by Nolan Reimold. Sabathia, who has a 1.12 ERA in his past three starts, improved to 4-3. He threw 105 pitches on the night.

The Yankee manager said Sabathia would have returned for the eighth if not for the big bottom of the seventh. Girardi then praised his ace for being able to stay strong and make quality pitches throughout the game. “He’s able to continually keep the ball down in the zone and make his pitches,” he said. “I talk about CC being such a strong guy. I mean he’s physically a strong man. He doesn't seem to get tired around 90-100 pitches. He’s the type of guy that can continue and stay strong and make his pitches, and that’s what’s so impressive to me.”

For six innings, Bergesen (1-2) matched Sabathia pitch-for-pitch. He exited after 6 1/3 innings with runners on first and second in a 2-1 game, leaving it for reliever Chris Ray.

Ray allowed a single to Melky Cabrera to load the bases, but got Francisco Cervelli to hit a slow grounder to shortstop Robert Andino that should have at least recorded the second out. Instead, Andino booted the ball, plating Nick Swisher from third, reloading the bases.

Derek Jeter followed with double into right-center that cleared the bases after center fielder Adam Jones made an errant throw, allowing Cervelli to score. Mark Teixeira put on the finishing touches, blasting a two-run homer – his fourth in four games.

The Yankees will try and make it eight straight tonight in the middle game of a three-game series with the Orioles. Phil Hughes (1-3, 7.56 ERA) will oppose Baltimore’s Jeremy Guthrie (3-3, 5.21).

Notes: The Yankees’ 15 come-from-behind wins are tied for tops in the majors with Philadelphia’s 15. The Yankees have won an MLB-best eight games in their last at-bat…The Yankees lead the majors with a .355 batting average (81-for-228) in “close and late” situations (defined as the seventh inning or later with the batting team ahead by 1R, tied, or with the tying run on base, at bat or on-deck), with 21 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs and 52 RBI…Chien-Ming Wang threw a side session before the game after making his second rehab start Sunday with Triple A Scranton. He tossed a complete game shutout in a 3-0 victory. He allowed four hits and walked none, throwing 49 of 75 pitches for strikes.

White’s Appearance Postponed

NEW YORK – Out at the ballpark tonight and decided to remind everyone at home that Yankee legend Roy White will be on the show, but that his appearance has been postponed for the moment.

I promise I will let everyone know as soon as I do when White is to appear. The former Yankee All-Star will be on to discuss his new book, Then Roy Said to Mickey...: The Best Yankees Stories Ever Told. From the publisher, Triumph Books: “White provides a fascinating array of stories from the Yankees' residence in the dumpsters of baseball and triumphant tales from the last five years of his career when the team's star rose again. White gives the reader an insider's point of view and provides previously untold tales that bridge the gap between the phenomenal Yankees of the early 1960s to their reemergence as a baseball powerhouse in the mid-1970s.”

I’m very excited to have Roy on set. I apologize for the delay. He was supposed to be on the show recently, but a book signing came up and he couldn’t make it.

You know, you gotta make that money!

Hey, good things come to those who wait. You won’t want to miss Roy White. Stay tuned.

Hot-hitting Tex Powers Yanks in Sweep of Twins

Monday night at Yankee Stadium didn’t end in walk-off fashion for the Bronx Bombers, but it did end in victory.

The surging Yankees swept the Minnesota Twins in four straight, holding on for a 7-6 win on a chilly night in the Bronx. After a string of three straight walk-off victories, the Yankees overcame a 2-0 first-inning deficit to win their season-high sixth straight.

I decided to watch my first game of the season from the stands tonight. I actually purchased tickets, even though I have a full season credential, just to catch a glimpse of the new Yankee Stadium from a fan perspective – all of which will be captured in a package for this Friday’s morning show. Don’t forget to catch OPEN on BronxNet Ch. 67, live from 10 to 11 a.m.

I certainly picked a hell of a night to watch a game from the stands. It was very chilly in the Bronx. More like October baseball than a game in late spring.

Despite the briskness, the Yankees didn’t disappoint. Did you expect anything less against the Twins? The Yankees improved to 23-3 at home against Minny during the regular season since the start of 2002. With the loss, the Twins fell to 4-12 on the road this season, last in the AL.

Homer happy Yankee Stadium was up to its old tricks again last night. Surging Mark Teixeira was the primary culprit. He homered twice in the win. Through 17 games, there have been 63 dingers hit in the new ballpark (32 by the Yankees and 31 by opponents).

Tex was hitting .198 on May 8, but has raised his average to .239, doubling his home run and RBI totals since A-Rod’s return. He homered from both sides of the plate, combining with Rodriguez for back-to-back home runs in a six-run first inning. Starting pitcher Andy Pettitte was solid and the Yankee bullpen held it together late to secure the win. Pettitte improved to 9-5 all-time against the Twins and 4-1 on the season. With Mariano Rivera overworked of late, manager Joe Girardi opted to go with left-hander Phil Coke in the ninth. He as a bit shaky, but earned his first career save.

Teixeira was all the talk afterward. He explained how much easier it is to hit with A-Rod in the lineup “Pitchers are just making a few more mistakes,” Teixeira told reporters. “It puts a lot of pressure on them when Alex is in the lineup and, you know, a pitcher is not going to want to get into deep counts and maybe walk me with a guy like A-Rod behind me.”

Happy to see Tex coming around. The Yankees welcome Baltimore next as they continue their 10-game homestand. Back to the press box tonight. It’s a lot warmer there.

On a final note, every reporter should watch one game a season from the stands. It helps keep everything in perspective. Sportswriters can be as cynical as they come. Sometimes catching a game from the other side helps us keep in touch with why we wanted to cover baseball in the first place.

Wild Weekend of Walk-off Heroics for Yanks

A couple of weeks ago, I suggested the Yankees were gelling without A-Rod. I stand by my comments, even though the team floundered for a while with big time disappointments against the Red Sox and some of the AL’s finest earlier this month.

I think the Bombers took their lumps, found some level of camaraderie while Rodriguez was sidelined and now that they are getting healthy, have A-Rod back in the lineup and are in the middle of an important early season homestand, are playing their best baseball.

Dare I say it: The corporate Yankees are having fun.

It looks like the Yanks have found an identity. They’re really starting to put it all together. The Yankees have a wacky way about them recently and are becoming masters of the late inning comeback. All of sudden, the Yankees are gritty. They’re enjoying the game. Everyone’s stepping up. Which is saying a lot, considering it was only a couple of weeks ago that guys like Mark Teixeira couldn’t get out of their own way on the diamond.

A-Rod’s absence, I believe, provided some much need bonding and far less distraction in the early going. But his arrival has provided the Yankees with more fire power and comes at the perfect time. New York was reeling. A-Rod was ready to provide some much needed spark.

The combination of the two has really electrified the team.

Not coincidentally, the Yankees are beginning to enjoy the spoils of these late-inning heroics, which around their clubhouse means proudly wearing a facial mask of whipped cream. Johnny Damon was the latest to take one in the face on Sunday, belting a 10th-inning home run to lift his club to a 3-2 victory over the Twins, New York’s third straight in walk-off fashion.

And just as in the previous pair of thrilling finishes, AJ Burnett slathered Damon right on the field.

Damon's blast into the second deck in right field off Twins reliever Jesse Crain continued a string of late magic for the Yankees, who have won a season-high five straight to improve to three games over .500.

The last time the Yankees had three consecutive walk-off wins was Aug. 27-29, 1972.

Saturday afternoon, Rodriguez hit a two-run walk-off homer in the 11th inning to record his first hit at the new Yankee Stadium and stun the Twins. Teixeira, who had four hits and finished a triple shy of the cycle, set up the homer with a leadoff walk.

Friday night set the stage for the wild weekend. Even before Melky Cabrera stunned the Twins with his walk-off hit in the ninth, it had been a memorable one at Yankee Stadium. Alex Rodriguez made his debut in the new park and Brett Gardner, filling in for Johnny Damon, proved to be a supersonic sub, speeding around the bases for an inside-the-park homer.

Andy Pettitte will look to sweep the Twins out of town tonight when the Yankees try and close out the four-game series with another victory over Minnesota. Glen Perkins will oppose Pettitte.
The MLB record is five straight walk-offs. If the Yankees truly want to make some history, they'll need to accomplish this rare feat two more times to tie the record. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that belongs to the Houston Astros, who victimized the New York Mets and Montreal Expos five times at the Astrodome from July 19-23 in 1986.

Is another walk-off in store?

A-Rod Ready for Stadium Debut

Finally, A-Rod news that’s baseball related.

Forget injuries. Forget steroids. Forget Madonna.

Let’s talk A-Rod coming home. Rodriguez is expected to suit up in home pinstripes for the first time in 2009 when the Yankees open a 10-game homestand tonight against the Minnesota Twins.

“I’d like to see it, first of all,” Rodriguez told reporters of the new Yankee Stadium. “All the guys have been telling me about it. I'm really excited just to see our new home, so for me, it’s like Opening Day all over again.”

Rodriguez has played six games since re-joining the Yankees on May 8 at Baltimore. His first swing of the year sent a three-run rocket out of the park. But his lack of a legitimate Spring Training – interrupted by March 9 right hip surgery that cost him 28 games – has made regaining his timing a project.

A-Rod is 2-for-20 since hitting the longball at Camden Yards. He is now hitting just .143.

Say what you like about A-Rod. The Yankees need him as much as they need any one player on this team. It was clear how much he was missed through the first month and a half of the season.
He may be a poor postseason player, especially by the lofty standards he sets for himself during the regular season, but from April to September there are few in the game as good as Mr. Rodriguez.

This is an important stretch for the Bombers. All of a sudden, the Boston Red Sox are really banged up, New York just took two of three from Toronto and Tampa can’t seem to get it all together. Sounds like a golden opportunity for the Yankees to climb in the standings.

A-Rod can help play a big role in that. Welcome home!

Yanks hit .500 Mark

The Yankees are back at .500 after last night’s victory in Toronto. It may not seem like a big deal, but to the Bombers, it’s a start. Plus, New York returns home tonight against the Minnesota Twins as it opens a weekend series with a good chance to build on taking two-of-three from the AL East leading Blue Jays.

Thursday night, CC Sabathia tossed eight solid innings, striking out five, but the ace lefty was trailing until the seventh frame. Derek Jeter knotted the game with an RBI single before Hideki Matsui belted a go-ahead homer in the eighth to lift the Yanks to a series victory in Toronto. Sabathia also broke even, improving to 3-3.

Jeter and Matsui both returned from injury to spark the club. As noted, if the Yankees can get solid play from their core, despite age and injuries, there is no reason to believe this team can't win the division, or clinch at least a Wild Card berth, with the pitching they have.

The question still remains: Can the Yankees keep it together?

The last two nights were positive. The Bombers even got some contributions from places they least expected. Brett Gardner sparked a five-run second inning with his first career homer, a two-run shot, and the Yankees cruised to an easy victory over the Jays Wednesday to even the series. Andy Pettitte worked six solid innings for his third win and Mark Teixeira drove in two runs.

All in all, a good series in Toronto. We shall see if it continues at home tonight with Phil Hughes taking the hill to oppose Twins lefty Francisco Liriano.

Is Roger Telling the Truth?

To believe or not to believe in Roger…that is the question?

Or, better yet, do you care anymore about steroids in baseball?

With American Icon: The Fall of Roger Clemens and the Rise of Steroids in America's Pastime hitting book shelves this week, Clemens is back in the news, refuting the book yesterday on ESPN’s Mike and Mike in the Morning radio show.

For me, I care. I also happen to be a big Roger Clemens fan. Let reporters tell you that they don’t play favorites, but in reality, we all have guys we root for. Guys we like, because they gave us the time of day, or come up with good quotes.

Roger Clemens is a likeable baseball personality and arguably the best pitcher of this generation. There have been guys better in given years, but his resume, from top to bottom, is unmatched. Seven Cy Young awards can attest to that.

But we had to know something was up.

Right?

To be in your forties, throwing ninety plus. That was an impressive feat in and of itself.

Prior to my reporting days, I never cared much for Clemens as a Yankee fan; he was always the enemy, but when he put on the pinstripes, there was no one I wanted more on the mound than him, especially after he settled in after his first year in New York.

Clemens could match any ace. He was intimidating and gave fans a sense of confidence just with his sheer presence alone.

But there’s a lot of potential evidence pointing to his drug use, which to me, begs more questions, like when did he start?

How long did he use?

Is he a Hall of Famer?

Would he have been a HOF before he started using, if he did indeed use steroids later in his career?

Do I believe Roger? Yes and no.

I want to believe him.

But I have a hard time dismissing the 2000 Subway Series bat tossing incident with Mike Piazza as anything less than ’roid rage. (Note, I didn't care very much at the time so long as the Yankees won another World Series.)

More importantly, I want to believe Roger. I want to believe in his greatness.

I almost feel he’s lying to himself and that he’s so convinced that he’s living a lie. He sounds believable, because he believes it.

Which is why I believe we’ve reached a point I’ve been sharing for years now. The game is loaded with steroids, creating a level playing field of sorts – in a bad way, of course – but still a level playing field.

If the stars are doing it and the scrubs are doing it, there’s a very good chance the guys in between are too. It's rampant and likely still going on. Masking agents make that possible.

Did you ever think that owners and baseball organizations might welcome it. They don't have to deal with the side effects. They won't have to worry years from now if their kidneys shut down. All they care about is winning. All they care about is making money.

Nearly everyone using it doesn’t make it right, but that seems to be the reality.

The reason why I care is two fold. Kids shouldn’t grow up believing steroids make a major leaguer. If anything, the recent admissions and cases like A-Rod, Manny and Roger prove that steroids – even allegations – ruin careers.

Plus, the record book has always been the most respected part of the game. Baseball has always been about numbers. The 56-game hitting streak. 61 Homers. Hank Aaron’s 755.

All of that is tarnished now.

And because of it, it’s hard to believe anyone these days.

Oh Doctor! Burnett Done in by Mentor, Jays

AJ Burnett tried to focus, but the presence of ace Roy “Doc” Halladay, his former mentor, loomed too large Tuesday night in New York’s series opener with the Blue Jays in Toronto.

Halladay, meanwhile, had the Yankees' number, firing a five-hitter to lead his team to a 5-1 victory over his former buddy and pupil. Burnett was greeted with boos north of the border for the first time since departing Toronto this past offseason for a big free agent contract with the Yankees.

The hard-throwing right-hander is winless in his last five starts, falling to 2-1 last night against division rival and first place Toronto.

Halladay improved to 7-1 in another dominating performance.

"I tried to block it out once I got out there," Burnett said. "But we all know who’s pitching and what he's going to do. I tried my best not to worry about him and just do what I can for myself."

I happen to really like Burnett, even though his injury history is sure to catch up to him some time in pinstripes. Like so many Yankees right now, Burnett is not living up to expectations. He inked a five-year, $82.5 million contract.

Now, he has to pitch like it.

He’s getting rattled in TORONTO!

Granted, the Yankees didn't exactly have their “A” lineup – Hideki Matsui left the game after one at-bat with tightness in his right hamstring and is listed as day-to-day, and Derek Jeter also did not play for the first time this season, mending a sore right oblique.

When does panic start to set in, Yankee fans?

The Yankees, at their core, at starting to show their age. Jorge Posada is hurt. Jeter is on the mend. Matsui has been a shadow of the player we saw five, six years ago due to lingering injuries the last three years. With Xavier Nady out, the bench is depleted, because a guy like Nick Swisher now has to start.

Ironically, Swisher has been the best of the free agent crop thus far.

With that said, are you surprised the Yanks are two games under .500, third in the American League East?

Sizzling Damon Playing for Ring, Contract

What’s got into Johnny Damon? Wheaties? 'Roids? Rings? How 'bout the all mighty dollar?

About the only thing going right for the Yankees these days is “Johnny on the Spot.” The Bronx Bomber lineup has been far too inconsistent, but Damon keeps coming through, turn after turn. He rediscovered his home-run stroke last week and has been named the American League Player of the Week, presented by Bank of America for the period ending May 10.

Damon led the Major Leagues last week with five home runs and 15 RBIs in seven games, while hitting .419. His 1.032 slugging percentage, built on at least one extra-base hit in each of the seven games, was tops in the AL.

The weekly award was only the second of the 15-year veteran’s career. He had previously earned honors for the week ending Aug. 21, 2006, during his first season with the Yankees.

This could be Damon’s last go around with the Yankees. He’s in his walk year. Figures, whenever a guy is ready to be a free agent, he summons that little extra. I think the owners had it right 30 years ago when many players played for a contract on a year-to-year basis.

Free agent has, to a certain extent, really affected the game in so many ways. Some guys play better with job security and others tend to slack off once they get the big payday.

I would assume the Yankees would consider Damon for another small contract, but at the same time, the youth movement in New York may push the organization toward giving prized prospect Austin Jackson a chance to shine next season.
Damon was a huge part of Boston’s World Series run in 2004. I’ll never forget his grand slam off Javier Vazquez that sealed the deal in game seven of the ALCS. I never thought the former “idiot” would ever don pinstripes, but he’s played well for New York, albeit never as good as he was in Boston.

I happen to really like Johnny Damon. I’m just not sure if he’s durable enough in the outfield these days to contribute to a World Series winner in New York. He may have to contribute in a lesser role after this season if he wants to finish his career in the Big Apple. Whatever the story, Damon is focused right now and I truly believe he wants a deal and a ring so his days in New York aren’t considered a failure.

The Red Sox have won another title since his departure. If the Yankees can’t, Damon joins a list of free agents over the past nine seasons, including Jason Giambi and Mike Mussina, who haven’t been able to help the Bombers resume their championship ways. Check out this footage from the Yankee/Red Sox series last week. We caught up with Johnny D. after the Bombers’ opening loss to Boston last Monday night. I’ve included the entire morning show for your pleasure. Skip ahead to the end for my segment. http://bronxnet.fliggo.com/video/ScJO7gZe

Yanks 2-2 Over Last Four

Checking back in with another small blog post. I was out covering New York Giants rookie mini-camp this weekend and didn’t have a chance to pen any Yankee notes.

The show went well Friday morning, but the appearance of Yankee legend Roy White is on hold until later this week. He had a book signing and couldn’t attend.

More on that later. As for the Yankees, they are still not playing consistent baseball, having dropped five straight games heading into Friday before snapping that streak in the opener against the Orioles in Baltimore. The arrival of Alex Rodriguez Friday night provided a 4-0 win. A-Rod went deep on the first pitch he saw, homering to left. Rodriguez would later strike out twice, but his presence in the lineup was a tremendous lift – it was clearly evident in New York’s swagger.

However, confidence is only as good as the next day’s starting pitcher. Phil Hughes proved that Saturday. The Yankees lost 12-5 and looked ready drop the finale of that series yesterday on Mother’s Day before Johnny Damon came through in the seventh.

Damon has sent baseballs out of big league ballparks in five of his past seven games for the Yankees, but this one was easily the most meaningful. He belted a three-run home run in the seventh inning on Sunday that proved to be the game-winner in New York’s 5-3 win over Baltimore, connecting with a light pink Louisville Slugger bat in honor of Mother's Day.

If it takes pink bats to rally the Yanks, I say everyone in the lineup should hit with them.

AJ Burnett has consistently credited Roy Halladay with being one of the most influential people in his baseball life – and now they'll face each other when the Yankees travel to Toronto Tuesday.

Four Straight Losses

Hate is a strong word. So I won’t use it here. But I will say this: I strongly dislike the Boston Red Sox – and most especially their fans.

First off, I apologize for not penning a blog post in a day. I’ve been pretty consistent with putting together a few thoughts daily. Honestly, Monday night’s marathon slowed me up the last couple of days. I’m still recovering.

Secondly, I’m so disgusted with the Yankees that I’d rather not get into it. I’m tired of looking for the silver lining. I’m tired of grasping at straws. This is one of the best teams money can buy, but they aren’t playing like it.

Make all the excuses you want. CC Sabathia shouldn’t be 1-3. Mark Teixeira shouldn’t struggle for a whole month and have it be OK in Yankee Land. He’s been pretty good the last few days, but we didn’t sign him to be good, we signed him to be great.

Pressure. Yes, of course. It’s New York. It’s time to perform. It’s time for the Yankees to get their acts together.

A few days ago I suggested they had finally turned a corner on the early season. On second thought, I believe the Yankees are gelling, but only against competition they can beat. They are clearly not as good as Boston – at least yet – and after tonight’s defeat to Tampa Bay, I wonder to myself if they are third in the race in the East. And I don't mean from a standings perspective. I mean from a team perspective. Do you think the Yankees have the edge against Boston in many of the categories? Would you take Boston's staff over the Yankees? There bullpen? There depth? There lineup?

I think I would. Can you explain to me how in the world David Ortiz doesn't have a home run and the Yankees are 0-5 against Boston?

How many times is Jason Bay gonna kill the Yanks? How many times is Nick Green, a former castoff of the Bombers turned Red Sox starting shortstop, going to outshine Derek Jeter in the short series at home. We're talking about Nick Green.

I said at the outset of the season that the Yankees will likely be the Wild Card winner. I still believe Boston is the team to beat. But the Yankees have some concerns, albeit so early in the season. They lack depth in some big areas. And they are an older club with an aging core.

Lastly, I want to throw in my two cents here once again about Joba Chamberlain. He’s proved nothing as a starter. I don’t care about his 12 Ks last night. He’s still made for the bullpen. Though Chamberlain struck out 12 batters and left to a standing ovation, the Yankees couldn't overcome his shaky first inning and suffered a 7-3 defeat to the Red Sox on a damp Tuesday evening at Yankee Stadium. No silver lining from me here. A loss is a loss. That made five straight to Boston.

Johnny Damon belted a three-run homer off Red Sox starter Josh Beckett, but that was the sum total of New York's offensive production against the right-hander. Boston took both games of the abbreviated two-game series.

We know what happened Monday. Which is why I’ll flash back and comment on a few Boston fans. Filming the game from the main level in the late innings, these two burly men jumped in front me and then had the audacity to tell me that I wasn’t where I said I was. I didn’t bother to make a stink. But I’ll say this: Red Sox fans have no class. I understand these are only two fans and that two fans shouldn't be enough for me to come to this decision, but honestly, I don't think I've ever met a nice Sox fan.

And that organization, a Yankee doormat for over 85 years, now has the upper hand. That has to change. We finally have a rivalry, because Boston is legit. I'll give them that.

Jon Lester pitched the Red Sox to a 6-4 victory before 46,426 fans Monday. The contest started two hours and 17 minutes later than scheduled, thanks to steady rain. It ended at 1:10 a.m. ET on Tuesday. I'm still exhausted from the night. It didn't help me that the Yankees didn't win. Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon loaded the bases in the ninth, but struck out Teixeira and later Robinson Cano to end the game. Teixeira had already belted two dingers, so he gets a bit of a pass, but the Yankees, on the whole, do not.

It was another weak performance.

The same could be said tonight.

The Bombers were on top of the world after Teixeira hit a bases-clearing double in the eighth to help force extras against Tampa. But in the 10th, Carlos Pena hit a game-winning homer to right field off Phil Coke, as the Yanks dropped their fourth straight game.

Final score: Rays 4, Yankees 3.

New York has played well at times, but remains very inconsistent.

The Yankee 411

NEW YORK – Make no mistake about it, it’s still the hottest ticket in town.

Yankees vs. Red Sox. Boston. New York.

Tonight, the greatest rivalry in sports resumes. And, oh yes, the stars will be out – both on the field and in the press box. Just the thought of the Yankees welcoming the Boston Red Sox to the new Yankee Stadium for the first time ever has BronxNet Executive Director Michael Knobbe coming out for the ballgame.

The “Big Boss” and I will be there as the Bronx Bombers open a mini two-game series against their longtime rival. Don’t forget to tune in Friday in the a.m. for Open’s coverage of everything Yankees. We’ll recap this week in Yankee baseball like no one can.

As for the Yanks, a rain out Sunday pushes Phil Hughes into the lime light tonight in the opener. Previously winless in the big leagues since Sept. 27, 2007, Hughes showcased sharp stuff in handcuffing the Detroit Tigers to just two hits over six scoreless innings on Tuesday.

Hughes was activated from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre earlier that afternoon, summoned to jump into the rotation as right-hander Chien-Ming Wang works on mechanical and physical issues in Tampa.

Hughes will oppose Boston left-hander Jon Lester. Should be a great matchup. The Yankees, who were swept at Fenway Park last week, could use a pair of Ws against Boston. The Red Sox are reeling, having dropped three of their last four to Tampa Bay.

As for Sunday’s game between the Yankees and Los Angeles Angels, there’s no date for the rescheduled game just yet. Fans holding paid tickets for the May 3 postponed game may use them for the rescheduled game between the Yankees and Angels, or exchange their paid tickets for any regular season game at Yankee Stadium within 12 months of the postponed game (subject to availability), according to Yankees.com.

In other Yankees news and notes…

The Yankees placed left-handed reliever Damaso Marte on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday, retroactive to April 26, with tendinitis and weakness in his pitching arm…

Derek Jeter, who was battling on a stiff neck Saturday after a hard slide and collision at second base on a stolen base attempt, should be ready to go tonight. He told BronxNet Saturday: “It’s a little stiff, but it’s all right. I’ll be alright. It’s a little sore.”

Jeter also commended staff ace CC Sabathia, saying he pitched well on a day when the Yankee offense stumbled…

Speaking of stumbling offense. Robinson Cano had his American League-season-high hitting streak snapped at 18 games on Saturday. The streak was a personal single-season best and tied a career best. He batted .363 (29-for-80) over the stretch…

Hideki Matsui has a 12-game hitting streak and is 17-for-46 (.370) over the stretch. ...

The Yankees have also signed ex-Met Casey Fossum to a Minor League contract Friday. The left-hander was assigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Palmer, Halos Halt Yanks' Win Streak

NEW YORK – No comebacks for the Yankees Saturday.

A little bit of thunder in the ninth from the Bronx Bombers, but it wasn’t enough as the Angels held on 8-4 behind Matt Palmer and a late rally of their own.

Palmer outpitched CC Sabathia for his second major league victory. Torii Hunter chased Sabathia with a two-run double in a four-run seventh and the Angles ended New York’s four-game winning streak. The 30-year-old rookie pitcher, who improved to 2-0 on the season, pitched three-hit ball for 6 1/3 innings before the Angels’ struggling bullpen survived a scare in the ninth. The Yankees scored three runs in a late rally, unlike the night before, that would fall short.

The Yankees put up a season low four hits, while Sabathia fell to 1-3 on the year, giving up four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. The burly lefty threw 119 pitches.

“CC is so strong. He’s used to throwing that many pitches,” explained Yankee manager Joe Girardi of why he left Sabathia in with runners on in the seventh. “He had a big strikeout of the previous batter. I didn’t think it was a problem. He’s such a competitor.”

Girardi talked about Palmer’s performance, too. “He’s a guy we’ve never seen. He threw a good ballgame. We had a chance to get some runs and we didn’t.

“You’d like to be able to do it every day,” Girardi added of comebacks, “but that’s not going to happen. CC is able to shut people down, but he didn’t do it today. He threw a pretty descent game today, but Palmer threw a better game. We haven’t scored him a bunch of runs this season.”

Sabathia admitted his frustration. “We were in the game late and I gave up some hits. Hunter has a quick bat. I had him 0-2 and he got the hit.

“It all evens out,” Sabathia added of the lack of run support. “It’s a long season and sometimes the offense is going to be big. I feel I threw the ball well today, but I got the loss.”

Despite the loss, Sabathia’s velocity was the best it has been this season. He was throwing in the high 90s in the seventh, touch 98 on the radar gun at one point.

Yanks Gelling without A-Rod

NEW YORK – Something has finally clicked in the Bronx.

Maybe lowering ticket prices has the Yankees feeling chipper, or maybe, just maybe, the

Bombers are finally gelling – and dare I say it, minus the great Alex Rodriguez.

There’s no denying that A-Rod’s potent bat is sorely missed in the lineup, but one thing the Yankees haven’t had since Rodriguez joined the team in 2004 is the same kind of chemistry in the locker room that they had during the dynasty run of the late 1990s. I’m not blaming A-Rod for that, but I think he’s part of it. He’s just not one of the boys, like Scott Brosius, Tino Martinez, David Cone and Paul O’Neill – or that’s my observation from the clubhouse.

Ooh, timeout. As I pen this latest blog entry, Yankees media at the ballgame Saturday has just announced in the press box a rehab update on A-Rod and Chien-Ming Wang. Rodriguez, today, had six plate appearances, went 0-for-6 with two strikeouts and played five innings at third base in an extended spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Tampa. In that same game, Wang, who’s also on the DL, went four innings and gave up no runs.

Excellent news for Wang, and despite the hitless afternoon, good news for A-Rod, too. I know he homered yesterday. I mentioned it on the morning show in the sports recap. Rodriguez should be back no later than May 15 and possibly as soon as May 8. Wang should be back within two weeks as well.

Back to the latest topic: Chemistry. Is it overrated? Or has the Yankees star-studded lineup the past few seasons contributed to a lack of it. In Boston these days, it seems like there’s a no hero every night – whether it be a rookie, or a veteran off the bench. It’s not just the starts in Beantown that carry the Red Sox, it’s the 25th guy, too.

That’s the measure of a team. I’ll never forget my high school baseball coach (Steve Macias) telling us, “You’re only as strong as your weakest link.” A little self promotion here, we win two city titles and one state championship on his watch.

As far as the Yankees go, maybe this is there year, because guys like rookie Ramiro Pena, refocused center fielder Melky Cabrera, who has earned his starting job back with his hot hitting, and the ever-positive and hot-hitting Nick Swisher (nursing a bum elbow today, but who’s expected back in the regular lineup Sunday), have breathed new life into that clubhouse. Even Robinson Cano has shed his lazy ways, looking an early season MVP candidate (.378 avg., 5 HRs, 17 RBIs)

Last night was a perfect example. Four straight in the win column for New York.

Why the sudden surge, you ask?

Team work.

Cabrera (hitting .321; had a hit and an RBI Friday night), Pena (3-for-4, 2 RBIs) and company sent 10 men across the plate – a new trend for this club, whose lineup was supposed to be anemic without A-Rod, but instead has proved that small ball still wins games in the majors – if you give it a chance. The Bombers scored 11 runs Tuesday, another eight the following night and brought home seven against the Angels Thursday in the opener of their homestand. Friday, the Yankees rallied for a 10-9 comeback victory as Jorge Posada knocked in the winning runs in the ninth with a walk-off two-run single.

New York won when trailing by five runs or more at the end of the seventh for the first time since Sept. 14, 2007, when it rebounded from a 7-2 deficit to win 8-7 at Boston, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Angels hadn't lost when leading by that much after seven since blowing an 8-3 lead at the Chicago White Sox in a 9-8 loss on Sept. 1, 2000.

Yankees Streaking

In Yankee Land, this April could best be described as a rollercoaster ride. From one series to the next, the Yankees have been night and day.

The Bombers looked terrible in Boston last weekend, pretty sharp toward the tail end of the Detroit series middle of the week and down right terrific last night in the opener of their series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anheim.

Melky Cabrera has earned his stripes back, taking command of the center field job with his sensational hitting. Cabrera spoiled Angels manager Mike Scioscia’s strategy, smashing a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning that led the Yankees over Los Angeles 7-4 on Thursday night for their third straight win.

Joba Chamberlain disproved my point the game before – at least for now – earning his first win as a starter in 2009. He gave up only three hits as the Yankees escaped a bullpen meltdown in the ninth Wednesday.

Like their previous game in Detroit, the Yanks stung the Tigers with one big inning – this time, it was a seven-run fourth Wednesday night at Comerica Park. Nick Swisher homered in the fourth and fifth to start and cap the scoring for the Bombers in the finale for Joba’s first win.

Swisher is hot again, too. The Yankees could also have Alex Rodriguez back in the lineup by May 8, or at the latest May 15. A-Rod went 1-for-6 yesterday with a home run in a game down in Florida Thursday.

That’s great news for the Yankees.

Couple of quick points: I still think, especially with the 150 inning cap for this season, Chamberlain would better served coming out of the pen. Not going to change my mind on that front just yet. Again, the most important innings are the last ones. Just ask Mets ace Johan Santana, who could have easily won 25 games last season and watched again this week as JJ Putz blew a one-run lead in the eighth. That’s right, the same JJ Putz the Mets signed as a free agent to try and prevent bullpen meltdowns this year.

The last outs are always the toughest to get.