The new site is up and running at WordPress.  Please go to http://heartlandpinstripes.wordpress.com/ to visit.  There is a brief and painless registration with WordPress in order to leave comments.  Especially for anyone dropping by for the HDLR tonight, it--and all my future work--will be here.  So come by the blog, register, and please excuse the mess as I relocate. 

[Edit: I must approve you the first time you comment, then you will be free to comment afterwards.  Tonight during the HDLR, I'll have my e-mail open for anyone dropping by for the first time to speed things along.  Sorry for any difficulty.]

Despite the early-inning struggles of Andy Pettite and the late-game struggles of the offense, the Yankees put together a 5-3 win to sweep the two-game set against Tampa, pulling their mark back above .500.  Tomorrow night, the Yankees start a two-game series back in The Bronx against Boston before embarking on ten more consecutive road games.  But tonight, the Yanks improved their mark against Tampa to 4-2 thus far.  Jeter was 3-4 to raise his average to .303, Matsui was 2-5 with his 3rd homer and 8th RBI to raise his average to .314, and though Pettite struggled at times he buckled down and worked hard through seven to bring home his second win of the year.  While I'll address this at the end, in all likelihood this will be the last recap for Heartland Pinstripes here at MLBlogs, for reasons I'll elucidate at the end of the post.  I'll encourage readers to join the new blog at WordPress starting tomorrow. It's a move I've considered for some time, one hastened by the mess--in my opinion--at MLBlogs, and by what I'd like to accomplish with Heartland Pinstripes. 

On to the game.  Each team worked through the first quickly, though in different ways.  The Yankees went 1-2-3, while the Rays got two singles but only got Pettite to throw 12 pitches in the first. The Yankees took the lead in the second, as Matsui cranked a 2-1 fastball to right-center, 1-0 Yankees.  With one out, Pettite allowed three straight singles to load the bases, but got a 4-6-3 DP to escape trouble.  Remarkably, he only threw 10 pitches in the frame.  After the Yankees went down 1-2-3, Pettite surrendered the lead in the bottom of the third.  Pena walked with one out, Longoria worked a seven-pitch walk with two outs, and back-to-back RBI singles from Gomes and DiFelice with two outs made it 2-1 Rays.

But the Yankees did what they have often failed to do in 2008--score in response after surrendering runs.  The Yankees scored two in the fourth and two more in the fifth.  In the fourth, Abreu walked and A-Rod singled to left, first and third no outs.  Matsui's ground out to Pena tied the game at 2, and a WP during Giambi's at-bat gave the Yankees the lead they wouldn't surrender.  After Pettite's 1-2-3 4th, the Yankees made it 5-2 in the fifth.  Though he's had a tough start, credit to Damon for starting the two-out rally.  With two outs, Damon worked a walk and stole second, Jeter masterfully worked a nine-pitch at-bat to scald a single to center, scoring Damon for a 4-2 game and importantly taking second on the futile throw home.  Abreu then scalded a fastball to center, scoring Jeter 5-2 Yankees.

Pettite rolled through the fifth, but the Yankee offense stalled a bit thereafter.  In the sixth, Pettite was worked over somewhat, allowing a run but minimizing the damage, keeping it at 5-3 Yankees.  In the seventh and eighth, the Yankees stranded the bases loaded.  But with the Mikes and me wondering if Pettite would pitch the seventh, he did and did so well, retiring the side 1-2-3 on 11 pitches and rendering Upton and Longoria a combined 0-7 off Pettite.  Despite the Yanks' inability to add insurance runs, Nuke LaFarnsworth entered in the eighth and retired the side on 10 pitches with a K.  Mariano was The Man yet again in the 9th, setting down the Rays on 13 pitches to earn the Yankees the series sweep, move the Yankees above .500 for the early season, and gathering momentum against the tough Red Sox for the two-game set in The Bronx. This will be fun.

Jeter was 3-4 with his 4th RBI, raising is average in the TB series to .303.  Matsui was big with his homer, upping the average to .314; Abreu had a single and two walks, and A-Rod a double.  Credit to Chad Moeller and Johnny Damon for working two walks apiece, one of Damon's which led to a run.  I know Damon has struggled, but his walks and stolen bases have made a difference.  When he hits, he'll be potent at the top of that lineup.  The other components are falling into place.

Pettite wasn't smooth, certainly not in the early innings. But like a good veteran, Pettite knows how to pitch, how to settle down, and how attune his rhythms to the tenor of the game. Pettite was better later than earlier, which is good.  Nuke had a good eighth and Mariano is The Greatest.  Look at the comparative pitch counts, unrequited offensive opportunities notwithstanding--the Yankees threw 123 pitches through 9 IP.  The Rays threw 189 pitches--66 more, about 4 IP more.  Focus if you will on the Yankees' not scoring runners, in fact 10 LOB for the game and five in scoring position.  But to me, the keys are embedded in the inverse--the Yankees continue to get runners, continue to work counts and use opponents' bullpens, continue to threaten late in games.  They need to score them, no question, but a very good sign is that they get runners through good habits.  That will continue, another positive, especially later in games.  I'm confident of that.

I have been very thankful to Mark and others for the time, space, and grace to have this blog here.  It is not out of animosity, but rather how I envision The Heartland possibly growing, that precipitates the move elsewhere.  MLBlogs and its period of transition coincides with a period of transition with The Heartland, and in order to maintain the integrity of the blog and what it has done and strives to do in the future, moving to a more felicitous format has become necessary.  Many thanks for everything you've done for me, especially to highlight The Heartland, Mark and MLBlogs.  I cannot thank you enough.  I'll add links and information about the transition to WordPress in the next few hours as I work out the kinks and format the new blog.  I hope all readers will join me there, especially great new readers and contributors Dianna, Jimmy, Ty and many more.

See you all on the flip side.  Look for updates. Let's Go, Yankees!

In a topsy-turvy game, the Yankees raced ahead after battering junk-ball nemesis Andy Sonnanstine, the bullpen let the lead slip away, but a clutch pinch-hit performance from Robinson Cano and Mariano's typical greatness pulled out a big win for the Yankees, 8-7 in Tampa.  It should not have taken that much stress, but some clutch hitting was eventually going to emerge.  As important as anything, keep Joba Chamberlain's father in your thoughts and prayers. He collapsed and is in critical condition.  Joba has left the team to join his ailing father back in Nebraska.  Hang in there, Harlan.

The Yankees got it going early and often, and from some necessary sources.  Damon led off the game with a homer to right, ripping an 0-1 pitch to deep right off the beleaguered Sonnanstine for a 1-0 Yankees advantage.  With two outs. A-Rod positively creamed a 1-2 breaking ball to deep left, about 15 rows back, to make it 2-0.  A-Rod just tied Hall-of-Famers Willie McCovey and the legendary Ted Williams for 15th on the all-time home run list with his 521st career blast.  A-Rod savored every minute of it, strutting around the bases a little more patiently than usual.  More importantly, note what A-Rod did in that at-bat.  Though he planted his front foot because he was out in front, his short stride allowed enough weight to stay back, keeping his body and swing in balance so he didn't lunge for it.  When he got it, that ball was absolutely crushed.

After IPK worked a nine-pitch first, Morgan Ensberg cranked the first pitch, a belt-high slider, to deep left for his first homer of the year to make it 3-0.  Boy, pitchers who leave pitches up and over the plate to Ensberg will pay the price.  With his arms extended, Ensberg will spell trouble for mediocre pitching this year.  IPK allowed only a hit on nine more pitches in the second, working smoothly.  The Yanks threatened in the third but stranded two on Matsui's flyout.  Tampa broke through with a run in the third off Kennedy.  Haynes singled and stole second, Bartlett's 6-3 moved him to third, and Crawford sac fly put Tampa on the board 3-1. 

The Yanks broke it open in the fourth, chasing Sonnanstine.  Ensberg fanned, Melky singled and, on a hit-and-run, Chad Moeller (up to fill in for the ailing catchers Posada and Molina) reached across the plate on a pitch-out to not only spare Melky but also single to right, first and third on Moeller's great play.  Gonzo the new utility infielder walked on four pitches, and Damon continued his hot hitting by lining a double to right, scoring Melky and Moeller, 5-1.  Jeter then roped a curve to center to score Gonzo and Damon, 7-1 Yankees.  Abreu lined out to center, A-Rod singled, but Matsui grounded out to end the threat.  As it turns out, the Yankees needed more, but the hot hitting is a most welcome change.

Kennedy got a bad break in the bottom of the fourth.  Longoria doubled to right, and Hinske hit a ground-rule double to left to score Longoria, 7-2.  But Damon should have caught that ball, which hit off the top of his glove.  Going to his right as a lefty, it wasn't the easiest catch in the world for Damon to make, but when it hits your glove, you should catch it, period.  In the fifth, Melky singled and stole second, but was stranded at third.  After Damon, Jeter and Abreu went 1-2-3 in the sixth, the Yankees got into some trouble.  Upton got an infield single to short, Longoria walked, Moeller pegged out Upton stealing third--though it looked like he was safe but called out because the ball was there first--Hinske popped out to Kennedy, Riggans singled Longoria to third making Upton's caught stealing huge, and Kennedy fanned Haynes on a change. 

Kennedy worked out of a jam and I figured he was done, but not to be as the wheels came off the Yankees in the seventh.  After throwing 92 through six, Kennedy re-entered the game and got hit on the hip with a line drive, prompting his speedy exit.  Traber entered and struggled, getting Iwamura on a lineout to right but allowing a homer to Crawford, 7-4 Yankees.  The pitch was low enough but was in instead of away, and Crawford waited and cranked it out.   He plugged Pena and Bruney entered, surrendering an 0-2 homer to Upton, 7-6 Yankees.  Not for long, as Bruney immediately coughed up the lead and Longoria's first major-league homer, tying the game at seven.  Horrible.  Also, anyone wondering why Joba is still in the bullpen, look no further than this game.  I like Bruney and Traber and think that they will be more positive in the pen.  But Joba is simply the most trustworthy set-up pitcher in the pen, no two ways about it.

In the eighth, Moeller fanned to start the inning and, against righty Al Reyes, Girardi made a great move.  After sitting the slumping Cano in favor of the righty Gonzales, clearly sending a message to Cano in what itself was a great move, Girardi sent Cano in to pinch-hit, and he tattooed a 2-1 change to deep right, a no-doubt shot to give the Yankees the 8-7 lead.  Way to begin your April belatedly, RC!  Clutch shot, a game-winning homer.  After Bruney allowed a deep F7 to the weak-hitting Bartlett for the second out of the eighth, and without Joba, Girardi saw enough and inserted Mariano for a four-out save.  Mariano delivered, setting down Iwamura, fanning Crawford on three pitches with a high fastball, getting Pena on a 4-3, and blowing away Upton to end the game.  Big win after dropping two straight in Boston.

A-Rod was huge, going 4-5 with his third homer and eighth RBI, batting .309.  More importantly for me, his refined approach at the plate paid big dividends.  Damon was 2-5 with two runs, three RBIs (five for the season), his first HR of the year to up his average to .213.  Ensberg was 2-5 with his first HR and RBI this year, batting .385, and possibly earning Giambi a second straight game on the bench although, with the righty Jackson tomorrow, we'll see.  Melky and Jeter were also 2-5, with Melky scoring a run and Jeter driving in two.  Melky is batting .306 and Jeter is up to .241.  Abreu and Moeller each had a hit, but Cano came through with a huge clutch homer to win it.  Get some confidence back, RC.  This team needs you.

Kennedy was good, going six and allowing eight hits, three runs earned, walking two and fanning four on 94 pitches/60 strikes.  He was in command and worked out of trouble well.  Traber and Bruney struggled, not a common sight this year but a reminder of how valuable Joba is.  Each allowed two earned runs.  But Mariano is Mariano, working a perfect 1 1/3 IP with two K's on 14 pitches.  Still, at his age, Mariano is the one guy in the majors I'd call on for an out, bar none.

Big win, clutch hitting at the right time, and lots of offense with the 15 hits.  Tomorrow night, Pettite (1-1, 3.09 ERA) looks to take the series win against hard-throwing Edwin Jackson (2-0, 0.64 ERA).  Get well soon, Harlan Chamberlain.

Congratulations to Mike for posting the 15,000th comment in the history of Heartland Pinstripes. Mike wins a laurel and hardy handshake,  [See "Blazing Saddles," sans subsequent epithet.]  Thanks for everyone coming by the HDLR tonight.  It was fun despite the loss.

As per Pete Abraham, helping to explain Posada's presence in the game and Molina's value to the team:

I second this last line from Abraham.  With all the speed that Tampa Bay has, I wouldn't be surprised if Girardi is the back-up catcher tomorrow.  Kennedy needs to be extra good or else the Rays will run wild.

Lots to disenchant people with tonight's game.  Hughes, to start with, was lousy.  Again, this is to be expected with young pitchers and, again, this is to be expected with Hughes when he does not locate his fastball.  He looked just ghastly tonight--2 IP (though he pitched to 4 in the 3rd), 6 hits, 7 runs 6 earned, 3 walks and 3 K's on 65 pitches/35 strikes.  Terrible.  In an 8-5 game, his poor start was the difference, no two ways about it, especially when Matsuzaka was not at all good.  Worse, the Yankees again left on a ton of runners--nine in all, six in scoring position--while having only one two-out RBI.  The offense was better, and should continue to improve, but it again failed to plate runners in key situations.  Worse, A-Rod shows signs of regressing to his 2006-style swing, a genuine cause for concern. Plus, Cano continues to look pathetic at the plate.  Spring Training is so far away, people.

The Yankees started the game and the tone in ominous ways tonight.  Damon worked a good walk, stole second before Cano recorded the first of five outs tonight, Abreu worked a four-pitch walk to put Matsuzaka on the ropes, and A-Rod came up, clueless as can be, swung at the first pitch which looked to be a slider down in the strike zone, and grounded into a 5-4-3 DP. Don't tell the arrogant Morgan otherwise, however; according to him, A-Rod hit the ball hard but at someone all night.  Nonsense.  His impatience and inability to recognize the pitch--a sure DP pitch--got just what Matsuzaka wanted as he threw 14 pitches, only five of which were strikes.  In a study in contrasts, the Red Sox plated three in the bottom of the first.  Ellsbury walked, stole second on a poor pitchout, an even poorer throw from Molina, and a horrible attempted catch by Gonzales gave him third.  Pedroia fanned.  Drew walked on four pitches--just as Abreu did in the top of the first--but Ramirez assembled a better, seven-pitch at-bat to score runs. While he too swung at the first pitch, it was a fastball down Broadway that he missed, then worked a 1-2 count to 3-2, and belted a hanging curve for a two-out single, 1-0 Red Sox.  Youkilis hit a sac fly to center, 2-0, and Sean Casey tagged a fastball up for a ground-rule double to right that gave the Yankees a lucky break by keeping Ramirez at third.  A passed ball that was really a cross-up--not the first of the inning or game between Hughes and Molina--gave Ramirez home, 3-0 Red Sox, and Hughes threw 39 pitches in the first.  Poor job, but worth remembering is who knows how many Matsuzaka would have thrown, and how many runs they would have scored, had A-Rod shown some patience.

Though the Yankees failed to threaten in the second, Hughes settled down briefly in the bottom half, fanning Pedroia.  The Yankees finally scored in the third, when Damon walked, stole second, and scored on Abreu's double off the monster, 3-1 Red Sox.  But A-Rod again wilted at the plate, popping out to Casey in foul territory.  Boston blew it open in the bottom of the third, burying the Yankees in a hole that was too deep despite a good comeback.  Hughes walked Drew, allowed a single to Ramirez and another to Youkilis that scored Drew, 4-1 and no outs.  Casey then singled to center, 5-1 still with no outs.  Hughes exited to end his terrible start, and Ohlendorf allowed two inherited runners to score.  Varitek flew out to Matsui in left, Crisp advanced the runners with a ground out to Giambi, a WP scored Youkilis 6-1, Lugo walked and Ellsbury singled to score Casey 7-1. 

Credit where due, the Yankees bounced back right away to make a game of it.  Matsui doubled on a ball that the greatest center fielder Francona has ever seen badly misplayed, Posada fanned, Giambi walked, Molina doubled to score Matsui, 7-2, Gonzales singled in Giambi after a great ten-pitch at-bat, 7-3, Molina failed to score on a wild pitch but scored on a sac fly from Damon that could have made it 7-5 but instead made it 7-4, and Cano ended the rally with a weak uppercut swing pop-out to Lugo.  Still, the Yankees cut the lead in half with more than half the game to play.  Ohlendorf wasn't great but got a bases-loaded DP to Varitek to end the fourth without allowing a run.  The Yankees got two on with two outs in the fifth but Giambi lined out to center to end that threat off a weak and tiring Matsuzaka.  The Yankees got two walks in the sixth, but Cano advanced the runners with a weak ground out, and Abreu flew out to left to again end the threat against a shaky Aardsma. 

Hawkins worked a 1-2-3 seventh, giving some hope for the eighth.  The Yankee closed the gap to 7-5 on a lead-off homer from Giambi to right off Timlin, Molina singled and was taken out for a pinch-runner--more on that later--Melky entered for Gonzales and singled, presumably with the thought that the K machine Betemit would move to short and Posada with the injured shoulder would catch.  First and second, no outs.  What happens?  You guessed it, Damon hits into a 4-4-3 DP, two down and a runner at third.  Not only does he not drive the ball, he hits it right at Pedroia at second.  Melky did a bad job of not obstructing Pedroia or making the DP tougher, but there was little he could effectively do after such a weak ground ball from Damon.  Cano then worked a long at-bat only to ground out on a 4-3.  Lousy baseball, lousy situational hitting yet again, and honestly lousy managing, as we'll see in the bottom of the 8th.

Enter Nuke LaFarnsworth, and also Jorge with his weak shoulder in to catch.  Crisp promptly singled on the first pitch and stole second without a throw, probably with Jorge told not to throw as he entered the game--brilliant move Girardi--Lugo flew out to move Crisp to third, and Ellsbury's sac fly scored him, 8-5, a big insurance run in what had been a tighter game.  Some questions here: how long is Nuke LaFarnsworth going to be on this team, trusted in key situations? Why was Posada, who was held out of the game because of a sore shoulder that prevented him from effectively throwing, inserted into the game when he might be expected to throw? While I like Girardi, why are more people not taking some of his in-game decisions to task?  He's made a few bad calls in less than a week that have directly led to losses.  I've heard a lot of guff from fellow bloggers last year who whined about Torre, complained about his allegedly sleeping during games, and crowed noisily about his bullpen and other decisions.  Some of these same people have sat on their hands as Girardi has made some genuinely poor decisions.  See above post.

The ninth was feeble, with Delcarmen setting down Abreu, A-Rod and Matsui in order.  For those who noticed, A-Rod is giving that same weak, clueless, front-armed lumberjack swing that he did in 2006 when he struggled so badly.  It's not the results that merit the comparison to 2006, it's what he's doing to merit the comparison to 2006.  He's out on his front foot, he's not waiting back, he's lunging, he's not recognizing, he's pressing at the plate, and he's plainly flailing.  It's not a good sign, especially as others struggle in their own special ways. He was 0-5 and has dropped to .260.  Cano is a mess at the plate, going 0-5 and lowering his sub-Mendoza average to .170.  He too is lunging, he's failing to take the ball to left field, he's golfing at balls in the dirt, and he's upper-cutting balls by dropping his back shoulder to produce pop-outs.  Horrible. 

Some positive at the plate.  Molina was 2-4 with a run and an RBI, upping his average to .364.  He's been huge.  Matsui was 1-3 with two BBs and a run, hitting .341, excellent.  Abreu was 1-4 but got his 6th RBI.  Gonzales to me has earned the right to stay, getting another hit, his first RBI to ignite a comeback, and working a walk to hit .385 now. I'd send Betemit packing and recall Duncan.  Jorge was 1-4, Giambi was 1-3 and scored twice, belting his second homer in three games off Timlin.  I'll reserve judgment on Giambi until he hits someone other than Timlin, and raises his average from .107 to at least .207 but, right now, it still doesn't cut it, not for over $20 million.  Damon was 0-1 but walked three times and stole two bases, the first two the team has this year, scoring once.  On offense, this team needs more than Jeter and Posada back healthy.  It needs an enema; it's got a backlog of dung. They force Matsuzaka to throw 116 pitches through five, including working six walks, and only got four runs.  He got off easy, and still doesn't impress me much.  He's not bad, but he's just not that good.

Speaking of which, Hughes was abysmal again. He again failed to locate his fastball, and he and Molina weren't on the same page on a couple cross-ups that hurt the team.   Crucially, Hughes lacks an effective third pitch.  Nice fastball--which he threw repeatedly and not necessarily for strikes--nice curve...then what? Boston is full of smart, patient, and talented hitters.  They can sniff out pitching problems a mile away and, even without Lowell and Ortiz, made Hughes and the Yankees pay.  Not so the other way around. Hughes has good stuff--not great.  His poise and maturity have helped him a lot thus far.  He needs to develop a good third pitch, either a change-up, splitter or slider.  I know he's young, but a big part of struggles stem from his being a two-pitch pitcher.  Ohlendorf wasn't great, especially with his three walks, but used his hard sinker to get a big DP from Varitek, and on the whole kept the Yankees in the game.  So did Hawkins through 2 good innings, throwing only 17 pitches.  How long will the Yankees continue to use Nuke in pressure situations?  Forget it! He's not worth it.  He's a bust.  Ditch him already.

Kennedy (0-1 13.50 ERA) faces Sonnanstine (1-1, 6.00 ERA) tomorrow night in Tampa Bay.  The Yankees need to right the ship and start winning division games again after dropping the series to Boston.  There's far more to analyze, but it's late and I have other work to do.  Maybe tomorrow night, after the two-week mark. It's long past due, guys.  Wake up.

[Edit: Before I forget, shame on the so-called "Fenway Faithful" for the choruses of "Yankees Suck" chants.  I've read insipid defenses of this from people who try to couch such boorish behavior at Fenway in terms that individualize poor behavior, that trivialize rank nonsense and heckling of players such as Posada's son who suffers from craniosynostosis, and pretend that Fenway is such a friendly place to visit for a game.  To think that such chants emanate from the stands with children about, every single game repeatedly, makes me wonder how parents explain this to their kids.  For anyone who knows me and what I've written, I'm critical of this wherever it occurs, including at Yankee Stadium.  In addition to setting a poor example before kids, it sets a poor example of rooting for a team--against one instead of for another.  Be proud, "Fenway Faithful."  Again you've illustrated none of the precious "class" that some of you like to assert doesn't exist at Yankee Stadium.  Pot and kettle for anyone trying to defend such rank behavior.]

Hi everyone, and welcome to the Heartland Digital Living Room where the hot dogs and chicken wings are always fresh, the beverages are always cold, and the chin-wagging is always fast and furious.  Tonight, the Yankees go for the series win against Boston.  Phil Hughes (0-1, 5.00 ERA) faces Matsuzaka (2-0, 1.47 ERA) in the series finale tonight in what should be cold, damp temperatures.  Jeter will sit the series finale and hopefully will be healthy soon, although Alberto Gonzales has been a good fill-in.  As per Pete Abraham, the line-ups are posted below; note Ortiz is not playing tonight.  Come on in, grab a digital leather recliner and a cold one, and enjoy the game.  Let's Go, Yankees!

YANKEES
Johnny Damon CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui LF
Jorge Posada DH
Jason Giambi 1B
Jose Molina C
Alberto Gonzalez SS

RED SOX
Jacoby Ellsbury LF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
J.D. Drew RF
Manny Ramirez DH
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Sean Casey 1B
Jason Varitek C
Coco Crisp CF
Julio Lugo SS

Mussina wasn't bad at all.  On the whole, in fact, he was quite good.  I started watching the game while running at the gym, and Mussina escaped 1st and 2nd no outs in the first by getting the struggling Ortiz for a 1-6-3 DP, then retiring Ramirez.  He got another DP in the second and was very good. He had to be because Beckett was flat-out dealing, whipping through the Yankees lineup.

Mussina made few mistakes, but they eventually cost him and the team.  The first was to Ramirez in the fourth, allowing a solo homer to give Boston a 1-0 lead.  But the Yanks responded, taking the lead in the sixth.  Back-to-back singles from the torrid Molina and the impressive Gonzo singled, Damon bunted them to second and third, and Melky the Clutch hit his second sac fly in two games to deep left center to tie it at one.  Impressively and importantly, Gonzo took third which was significant because Beckett's wild pitch allowed Gonzo to score, great base running to make it 2-1 Yankees.

But it wasn't to last.  Lugo grounded to short, but Ellsbury singled and Pedroia doubled to left with one out.  But Mussina got Ortiz on a foul tip for the second.  At this point, Girardi wisely came to the mound.  Why I'm not sure, but I was hoping it was to IBB Ramirez.  Whatever it was, the result was disastrously to pitch to Ramirez, who lined a double to right-center on the first pitch, 3-2 Red Sox, terrible pitch and an even worse decision.  A batter too late Bruney came in and surrendered an RBI single to Youkilis, 4-2 Red Sox.  The thing is, I grabbed a homemade Bock after Lugo's out and when I came back the Yankees were in trouble.  My bad.

The Yankees closed the gap to 4-3.  Jorge singled with two outs, smartly took second on a wild pitch, and scored when RC ripped a line-drive double off the Monster.  But Delcarmen entered and fanned Molina to end the threat.  In the eighth, the Yankees put two aboard, but again with two outs, problematically.  Melky walked on four pitches, Abreu ripped the first pitch through the box and just like that, the Yankees had two on with two outs.  Rather than face the righty A-Rod with the lefty Okajima, the Sox countered with Papelbon but, before he could actually warm up--and he hadn't warmed up much in the pen--the rain intensified and there was a two hour, eleven-minute rain delay.  A-Rod versus Papelbon--well worth it.

Or not.  Papelbon fanned A-Rod on three straight, then struck out Giambi and Posada before a long at-bat got Cano on a ground out.  At least the Yankees made Papelbon throw 25 pitches, but cold comfort in a 4-3 loss.

Some positives today, though.  Cano was 2-4 with an RBI.  Molina and Gonzo were each 1-3 with a run.  Gonzo by any sober estimation really should stay up with the Yankees and give Jeter and Cano a blow now and then, especially since he's hitting.  Betemit, pack 'em.  7-8-9 went 4-10 with 2 runs and an RBI, terrific work to cycle it back to the top of the lineup.  Abreu and Posada each had a hit.  Mussina was on the whole good--5 2/3 IP, 8 hits, 4 runs earned, no walks and a K of Ortiz, 71 pitches/51 strikes.  But a couple mistakes to Ramirez cost him.  Bruney was on the whole good, as was Hawkins.  A tough loss to take, as they all are especially against Boston, but another positive is that the pitching has been good thus far this year.  The offense will come around, believe it.  But Damon, A-Rod, and Giambi went 0-10, not good at all.

Hughes (0-1, 5.00 ERA) faces Matsuzaka (2-0, 1.47 ERA) tomorrow night in an HDLR event. Be there and enjoy.  This was the game I figured the Yanks might drop, although Mussina was better than I thought he would.  Get the series win tomorrow night. Let's Go, Yankees!

[Edit:  I was talking about HDLR matters with Mike, and we were both wondering, where's luckyleftie been?  luckyleftie, check in and let us know that everything's been all right.  Then stop by the HDLR and grace us with your witty and energetic presence, please.]

That was about as good as I've seen Wang pitch, right there with his flirtation with perfection last year against Seattle.  Going the distance on only 93 pitches, Wang threw a two-hit masterpiece, allowing a home run to JD Drew that Abreu really should have caught.  He faced only two over the minimum, not allowing a walk, fanning three and, while getting 10 ground outs, getting a remarkable 14 fly outs.  Some were deep, but many were easy pops.  Wang was in total control, giving the bullpen a night off.

Wang had to be good because Buchholz started extremely well himself.  Through four, he only allowed a single to Matsui.  But the Yanks broke through in the fifth when Matsui and Posada walked to lead off, Giambi fanned but Molina, who has been big thus far this year, doubled in Matsui, 1-0 Yankees. Gonzales--who is making Betemit increasingly expendable--walked to load the bases, but Melky lined to first for an unassisted double play, bad luck really on a hard-hit ball.  In the bottom of the fifth, Drew homered with two outs, but Wang allowed nothing else. 

The Yanks threatened in the sixth when A-Rod hit a two-out single, Matsui doubled, but Posada grounded out to end it.  They added two more in the seventh when Giambi blasted a homer to center, 2-1, Molina doubled through a wide gap in left center with Boston shading Molina to right center, Gonzales bunted him to third, and against Okajima Melky the Clutch hit a sac fly to make it 3-1, textbook run manufacturing.  Wang cruised through the bottom of the seventh, getting two ground outs and catching Ramirez looking.  The Yankees got singles from A-Rod and Posada, and Giambi walked to load the bases in the eighth, but Aardsma fanned Molina.  The Yankees added an insurance run in the ninth when Gonzales doubled, Melky bunted him to third and with two outs Abreu singled him in, 4-1.

A-Rod had two hits and is hitting .310, Matsui was 2-3 and is hitting .342, a great start.  Molina has been enormous, getting two hits to raise his average to .346, Giambi's homer was big and snapped a 1-20 start, Posada and Abreu each had a single, and how about Melky helping manufacture runs with a sac fly and a bunt, great job in the lead-off spot.  Girardi's moves paid off nicely, and the team's patience was excllent, drawing four walks.  I just knew they'd push runs over with the lead-off walks in the fifth.  Though the team left 9 on base, five in scoring position, they dominated the last five innings and threatened or scored in all of them.

But Wang was the story, having total command of all his pitches and locking down Ortiz and Ramirez with a collective 0-6 with three K's.  The best start of the year, which is saying something given Mussina's six-inning gem against Toronto.  Wang is now 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA.  Three starts, three wins, three gems.  Tremendous.

Speaking of which, Mussina (1-1, 3.09 ERA) faces Beckett (0-1, 9.64 ERA) this afternoon.  Thanks to everyone for stopping by the HDLR last night. It was a blast.  Let's Go, Yankees!!! [Three exclamation points for you, Jimmy.]

Hi everyone, and welcome to the Heartland Digital Living Room, where the hot dogs and chicken wings are always fresh, the beverages are always cold, the chin-wagging is always spicy, I have a batch of homemade Rivalry Bock chilling in the fridge, and I've been up for 36 straight hours.  Tonight, the Yankees head into Boston for the first series of the year against the Red Sox.  Jeter and Damon will sit tonight, Melky the Clutch leads off, Cano is batting second requiring extra helpings of patience for the kids in the 1-2 slots, Posada is again the DH, and Wang (2-0, 1.38 ERA) faces Buchholz (0-1, 5.40 ERA).  As per Pete Abraham, below are the lineups.  Come on in, grab a digital leather recliner, and enjoy the game.  Let's Go, Yankees! 

YANKEES
Cabrera CF
Cano 2B
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui LF
Posada DH
Giambi 1B
Molina C
Gonzalez SS
Wang RHP (2-0, 1.38)

RED SOX
Crisp CF
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Ramirez LF
Youkilis 3B
Drew RF
Varitek C
Casey 1B
Lugo SS
Buchholz RHP (0-1, 5.40)

I was busy as all get out last night, so I didn't have time until now to throw together a quick post on last night's win, which deserves a post.  The offense finally got back on track, banging out 12 hits while working three walks to salvage a game in KC, 6-1.  A-Rod and Posada belted insurance solo homers in the ninth to salt it, Melky the Clutch got the offense going with a solo shot to deep left in the 3rd to tie it, and the offense got back to looking like the Yankees.  Melky the Clutch was 2-5 with 2 RBIs, A-Rod was 1-4 with 2 RBIs, Posada was 2-4 with 2 runs and an RBI, Ensberg and Molina had two hits apiece, and Gonzales, Matsui and Damon added a single apiece.

Not to be overlooked, Pettite was outstanding, going 6 2/3 IP of one-run, five-hit ball with 2 BBs and a K.  The game turned around when yours truly mentioned how clutch a DP would be with one out in the third after Melky the Clutch's tater tied it, and Pettite got the grounder to A-Rod, who fielded it, crossed third, and whipped a bean to Ensberg at first for the DP.  After a short rain delay in the 4th with the Yanks up 2-1, Pettite picked off Gordon right away.  Pettite then cruised through the fifth, saved his head by snaring German's liner through the box, and handed it over to Joba in the 7th.  Joba did surrender two hits, but preserved the 4-1 lead with 2 Ks, looking good and using all pitches.  Mariano allowed a single in an otherwise uneventful ninth.

A-Rod is now at 520 homers, one shy of both Willie McCovey and Ted Williams.  Though the Yankees left on 8, 4 in scoring position, they got 3 two-out RBIs and added on for a change. That was a great way to head into Boston.

HDLR tonight.  I've got cold homemade Spring Bock icing down in the fridge, so I hope it's good.  I also have an ice cold Ommegang, which will get consumed tonight.

That's about the size of it.  Since I had a ton of work to do, and have more to do tonight, I'll try to make this brief.  Also, I'll only be able to catch parts of the game tonight.

The Yankees played in a rain storm last night, forced to do so primarily because, with inter-league play and the division-skewed schedule, this is the only trip to KC the Yankees make in 2008.  As a result, Girardi cleverly held Kennedy out of the game and cobbled together a staff of relievers in the event the game was called.  Bruney did well and Traber was decent through three, and Nuke had a good fourth.  They battled Zack Greinke to a stalemate on a rain-soaked field that had standing water around the infield perimeter by the third inning.  It could have been called to play a double-header today, except today's forecast was for more of the same.  Girardi's gamble worked fine until he left in Nuke to pitch a second inning.  He grooved a pitch to Buck to start the inning, and Buck creamed it to center, 1-0 Royals.  They then added another later in the fifth to make it 2-0.  Kennedy entered in the sixth and surrendered two more, hence the final score since the Yankees' offense has taken a collective powder through eight of the first nine games.

It's really disgraceful watching the so-called Yankees offense operate--seven hits, seven LOB, five RISP stranded, weak ground-outs, three double plays, swinging at the first pitch.  Perhaps worst of all, the offense played as though it was awaiting a rain delay.  It was an abysmal, run-for-the-bus performance, one that should precipitate some lineup changes. Such poor effort should not go unpunished, and I'd argue it's an important time for Girardi to put his foot down.

I'd sit Giambi.  He allegedly plays better when he's in the field, but is hitting all of .056.  Sit him in favor of Ensberg if he can play.  Duncan unfortunately got sent down to make room for Gonzales while Jeter's hurt.  Move Cano back to the second half of the order, say seventh. Mike from The Sommer Frieze suggested hitting Molina second--not a bad idea since he has some patience and bat skills.  I'd consider Melky, though I'd give him a good talking-to before the game about what's expected when hitting second--PATIENCE.  Either way, send the message to Cano that the impatient approach yielding poor results doesn't cut it, period.  Were it not for the lefty Bale going tonight, I'd consider Matsui second, but if Damon plays that means two lefties atop the lineup.

The offense should be ashamed of its collective self. According to Pete Abraham, the team is 11-66 with runners in scoring position. The return of a healthy Jeter and Posada--whose shoulder is apparently OK enough for a few days' rest to help him--will certainly help.  Nonetheless, this team cannot continue to waste early-season games, squander numerous scoring chances, and allow the pitching to shoulder the load and responsibility to win game after game. 

WAKE UP!!!

A few weeks ago, I had slated tonight as an HDLR night.  Since I'm putting the finishing touches on a dissertation chapter, and also since Friday's game against Boston will be an HDLR event of epic proportions, I'm going to abstain from doing the HDLR tonight.  My apologies to everyone in advance.  I do plan to watch at least some of the game and write up a summary.

This loss annoys me.  There are lots of reasons why--A-Rod going 0-4 with 4 K's, the Golden Sombrero; Cano going 1-5 with 2 K's, one of which with the bases loaded; Giambi's 0-2 with a K to strand a runner, eleven strikeouts for the team; allowing five stolen bases.  But honestly, the biggest reason why today's 5-2 loss to KC bothers me is because after the Yankees left the bases loaded in the top of the second after Cano fanned, even though the Yanks led 2-1 they were in trouble.  Not only with the offensive struggles, but also with the pattern that this team has unfortunately and frustratingly exhibited in recent years, when they let mediocre pitchers off the hook, when they strand runners and fail to assemble the big inning, they so often lose.  They positively worked over Bannister in the second, forcing him to throw 42 pitches--54 through two innings--but only 43 through the next three.  They only got three hits and a walk off Bannister for the next three innings--two of those in the third--and no more runs.  After that, they mustered only two hits and a walk off Ron Mahay--and nothing else to the end of the game.

I'm an optimist, and I'm still very optimistic about this team and the offense.  But this team just so often lacks the ability to mount comebacks, and that problem wreaks so badly in such games that it's palpable.  As soon as they started stranding runners, I just knew they'd fizzle.  I don't always think that, and some games they show resiliency.  In other games, it's pathetically easy to sniff out, as it was today.

Hughes struggled badly, which fans should expect to happen.  He's a kid with terrific stuff who's still learning how to pitch, and hopefully fans will be patient with him.  They need to be.  Though I feel he got squeezed by home-plate ump Mark Wegner a bit, he failed to consistently locate his fastball. His downfall was the second, when he threw 34 pitches, allowed a nine-pitch walk to the weak-hitting Pena, and was worked over.  He didn't record an out in the fourth, allowing six hits, three runs earned, four walks and fanning two on 87 pitches/47 strikes. Ohlendorf came in and got a strikeout and a DP, teasing us to think with the close game that the Yankees might come back.  But for the first time this year, Ohlendorf struggled, allowing two runs in the fifth to make it 5-2 Royals.  Otherwise he was good.  Traber and Hawkins each allowed a hit in an inning of work apiece.

Yet the offense was putrid in the clutch, leaving nine on base, four in scoring position.  Betemit was pathetic, fanning three times around his two-out RBI single.  In 13 at-bats this year, he's struck out seven times--wretched.  Although he was productive last season by any sober estimation, he's embarrassing me and anyone else who has defended him.  Let A-Rod play short for a few games, put Ensberg at third, and sit Betemit, period.  I'm baffled as to how A-Rod can be baffled by such a pedestrian pitcher as Bannister.  It's always the forgettable pitchers with fluff stuff who seem to bother A-Rod.  He, Betemit, and Cano fanned nine times as a group.  The offense continues to get chances; that's not the problem.  It's the continual failure to score runners that's the problem.

Ian Kennedy (0-1, 23.14 ERA) faces Zack Greinke (1-0, 1.29 ERA) tomorrow night.  The offense really needs to wake up and hit in the clutch.

[Edit: UH-OH.  According to Pete Abraham, "Trouble is mounting for the Yankees. Jorge Posada will have an MRI here tomorrow and could be headed for the disabled list with a sore right shoulder.  "Dead," Posada said when asked his shoulder felt.  

Talks will be held tonight and don't be surprised if Chad Moeller is on the roster tomorrow. Otherwise the Yankees will have Jose Molina behind the plate with Morgan Ensberg backing him up."  That's so often why I predicate my prognostications and assessments for the Yankees based upon health.  That might explain why Jorge's throws were poor today, but it also makes me wonder how long his shoulder has been sore, and how bad it's been.  The team quite frankly has a poor history of honesty about injuries.  Either way, the Yankees did themselves an enormous favor last year when they traded Jeff Kennard for Jose Molina, because the team will likely need him for the near future.  But with absolutely no offense to Molina whom I respect and enjoy, here at the beginning of this long road stretch, facing talented and deep lineups without one of the premier catchers in the game, this is baaaad news.  Let's hope it's short term, and that the others step up now.]

Finally, the offense broke out with a good night, belting eleven hits and getting diffuse production, while Mussina had an outstanding start to catapult the Yankees to a big 6-1 win over the Rays to earn the series split.  Bobby Abreu needed only a double to hit for the cycle, going 3-3 with three runs and two RBIs to raise his average to .400, Matsui was 2-4 with two RBIs and is hitting .375, A-Rod drove in his fifth run with a sixth-inning single and is hitting .320, Cano drove in his first run, and Damon had two hits to threaten the Mendoza line.  However, the Yankees await word on a leg injury that Jeter sustained.  At first reported as a quad injury, ESPN's Buster Olney later termed it a groin strain, with an MRI to come.  Whatever the problem, hopefully it's not serious.

The Yankees got going right away in the first, when Abreu's homer to right plated Jeter and him for a 2-0 lead.  After surrendering a solo homer to Gomes in the third, Mussina allowed a one-out walk to Bartlett, who stole second on a bad throw from Molina.  Yet he ended up stranded at third.  The Yankees squandered a chance to gain the run back in the bottom of the third when Molina doubled, Damon and Ensberg failed to advance the runner, and Abreu singled sharply to Upton, who has a terrific arm, holding Molina at third.  A-Rod's force ended the threat.  Yet Mussina held it tight, putting together a 1-2-3 fourth and stranding DeFelice after his two-out double in the fifth.  The sixth inning was key for both Mussina and the offense.  Cano's two-out error allowed Pena to reach but Mussina, throwing eighteen pitches in the inning, got Upton to ground into a force to end it.  His line was something--6 IP, 2 hits, a run earned, a BB, three K's on 82 pitches/52 strikes.  His curve and change were excellent, and he was able to locate his fastball on the hands of batters.  Great start for Mussina.

The offense came alive in the bottom of the sixth.  Abreu tripled, A-Rod brought him home with a single, and Matsui worked the count to 3-1 to get his pitch, cranking it for a double scored him to make it 4-1 with no outs.  But though Cano's productive ground out moved Matsui to third, Betemit fanned yet again for the second out, the Rays issued Melky an IBB, and Molina grounded into a 6-4 force on the first pitch.  Still, the runs were huge insurance, effectively burying the Rays.  The Yankees added two more in the seventh. Ensberg singled,  Abreu walked, A-Rod struck out on a bad call, Matsui's single to right scored Ensberg on a good aggressive call by Meacham at third, and Cano's single scored Abreu, 6-1 Yankees.

The bullpen shut it down in the last three.  Bruney worked a perfect seventh, Nuke was very good in a perfect eighth with a K, and though he struggled to throw strikes, Hawkins didn't allow any runs and fanned Gomes with two on to end the game. In all, Yankee pitchers allowed three hits and two walks, a great group effort that also gave Joba and Mariano a day off, and hopefully restored some much-needed confidence in Nuke and Hawkins.  The offense was much improved.  Though they stranded three in scoring position, they had two two-out RBIs.  The closer those are in balance--or the more two-out RBIs a team can have vis-a-vis stranded RISP--the better off it will be.

Terrific group effort by the Yanks tonight in a big game.  The Yankees earned a split after dropping the first two games of the series, they're back above .500, they got another excellent start, the bullpen was very good again, and the offense warmed up.  More of the same on the upcoming road trip will obviously serve them well.  KC has started hot, Boston is Boston, and the Yankees face Tampa Bay again for two before returning for only two against Boston mid-week before heading to Baltimore, Chicago, and Cleveland.  Big stretch upcoming and, while the pitching has been very good, the team will need to score against these opponents, count on it.

Warm it up, guys.

Hi everyone, and welcome to the Heartland Digital Living Room, where the hot dogs and chicken wings are always fresh, the beverages are always cold, and the chin-wagging is always spicy.  Tonight, the Yankees send Mike Mussina (0-1, 4.76 ERA) to the hill to face Jason Hammel (0-0) with the hope of gaining a split and pushing their record back above .500.  I might have to step out briefly near the beginning to bring GLG to soccer, but should be back shortly thereafter.  As per Pete Abraham, below is the Yankees lineup for tonight. Note Molina is catching Mussina, which may or may not continue this season though I'm not reading too much into it.  Betemit plays again for Giambi, who is out with the sore groin.  Come on in, grab a digital leather recliner and a cold one, and kick back with us and the game.  Let's Go, Yankees!!

PS Before I forget, a very hearty congratulations to Dick Vitale, the great ESPN basketball analyst (who is also a huge Yankees fan), for his induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame for all his contributions to the game.  This is long overdue.  The guy bleeds passion for the game, and for that matter everything he undertakes.  He was very emotional when talking about it.  It's long overdue.  Congratulations, Dickie V!

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Betemit 1B
Cabrera CF
Molina C

I was in and out of the game this afternoon since I was hosting family, but I got to catch up on things.  Very impressive pitching from the Yankees, starting with Wang who was fantastic--6 IP, 4 hits, no runs, 2 walks and an unlikely 6 K's on 96 pitches/56 strikes.  He didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning, but seemed to tire a bit in the seventh, allowing consecutive singles to begin the frame and leaving a first-and-third, no-out situation for Joba.  Not to fear, however, for Joba recorded his only strikeout right away on Aybar, then got big-time help from Cano who made a leaping catch and doubled Hinske off first to end both the seventh and the last credible threat the Rays mustered.  Joba pitched a perfect eighth, and Mariano fanned two in the ninth to record his third save.

To recap, thus far the Yankees have struggled to score runs, only getting two today on a two-run blast to right from Matsui--who has had a very good start, batting .350.  Yet they have three wins thus far, all in close games--two one-run wins and today's two-run win--and all coming with strong starting pitching, Joba playing Mariano the 1996 middle relief monster, and Mariano closing it down.  That's a potent combination that other teams will struggle against, and Girardi knows it.  Joba and Mariano have been dominant and, just as importantly, very efficient.  In part helped by the seventh-inning DP, Joba only threw 16 pitches, while Mariano only required 12 to end the game.  I very much like Girardi's aggressiveness and confidence in the bullpen tandem, and fans should certainly expect to see more of this successful, dominant formula in tight games.  That the Yankees could give Bruney and Ohlendorf a blow today is not to be overlooked, for they've pitched well and, given Hawkins and Nuke's struggles, the two youngsters might see more action in crucial situations.

Wang's strong start to the season is another big plus--two very good starts, one win, an ERA of 1.38, and a WHIP of 1.08.  Wang's sinker has been strong, but expanding his repertoire has as much to do with his success as anything.  He's returned to throwing a slider more often, and today it was his strikeout pitch. He has also incorporated a change-up that he's used early in counts and the game.  Wang is becoming a well-rounded pitcher--bad news for opponents.  Also, he's young and only in his fourth year.  That's easy to overlook with the much younger Joba, Hughes, and Kennedy on the staff.  Wang is a veteran of sorts, but certainly young enough to stick around for some time to come, and to still require patience as he makes adjustments.  I'm relieved that he's started strong this season, and impressed with his dominance today.

The Yankees struggled offensively, but again less to get runners on base than to score them. They left 8 on today, 4 in scoring position.  Most notably and problematically, the Yankees again left the bases loaded today, when Matsui struck out looking to end the fifth.  However, this will no doubt change, for the Yankees will plate runners soon enough.  It only stands to reason.  That offense will not continue to score only 2-3 runs a game.   Key to today's win was the 4-5-6 slot production of A-Rod, Matsui and Cano, going 6-11 collectively with both runs and RBIs.  It is worth adding that in the few games he's played, Melky has started well, hitting .364 with his single today.  While Damon and Jeter are still getting slowly out of the gate, each had a single today.  In sum, more Yankees are beginning to hit than in the first few games--not good news for opponents. 

Tomorrow night's game is big, for a win would not only split the series against an improved and confident Rays team, but would push the Yankees back above .500.  Given the slow starts the club has had in recent years, and how last year's poor start helped cost them the division, a win tomorrow has significant value.  Tomorrow night is also an HDLR game, so feel free to drop by and have fun during the game.  Excellent pitching to halt the short losing streak.  I can easily get used to the pitching recipe the Yankees have developed.

Another subpar performance from the Yankees led to their second straight loss to the Rays, 6-3.  It was another case, as in the second game of the year, of too little, too late with the offense.  Though more players got hits, the team still struggled to score with men on base.  Andy Pettite was for the most part good until he allowed a three-run homer to Gomes in the fifth to make it a 5-1 Rays lead.  An eighth-inning homer from Aybar made it 6-1. Though the Yankees mounted a comeback in the bottom of the eighth, scoring two with the bases loaded, they again failed to plate runners in scoring position, dropping to 2-3 for the year.

A-Rod smacked a two-out RBI double in the first to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead, but the defense let the Yanks down again.  Duncan threw away a force attempt into left-center to give the Rays second and third.  After Pettite loaded the bases with no outs by plugging Pena, Upton scored Iwamura with a force to tie the game, and Gomes's sac fly scored Crawford, 2-1 Rays.  The Yankees again squandered chances, leaving the bases loaded in the second with one out after Damon popped out again, and Jeter struck out again.  With two outs in the third, Giambi walked and Cano got his first hit of the year, but Posada flew out to deep left to strand two.  Despite working Edwin Stinking Jackson's pitch count over 80 through the first four innings, they failed to chase him from the game, in fact making his work easy in the 5th and 6th. 

Pettite wasn't terrible, but the homer to Gomes hurt him and sunk the Yankees, who exude the feeling thus far this year that their getting down a few runs is enough to bury them.  Hopefully he'll improve with steady work now that he's back.  Bruney was excellent in relief, throwing two perfect innings while fanning four.  Ohlendorf allowed the homer to Aybar to begin the eighth, but was otherwise solid and efficient.  I know it's early but if this keeps up, Bruney and Ohlendorf will move up the pecking order in the pen surpassing Hawkins and Nuke. 

The Yankees loaded the bases with three straight singles and no outs in the eighth, but Cano struck out, Posada singled to score two and bring the tying run to the plate, but Matsui was caught looking and Duncan grounded into a force to end the threat and, effectively, the game. The offense was more well-rounded than it has been, but still lethargic as a team especially in clutch situations.  Posada and A-Rod were each 2-4, with Posada driving in two and A-Rod one, while Duncan, Matsui, Cano, Betemit, and Abreu added a single apiece.  But really derailing the Yankees was the 0-9 that Damon and Jeter amassed, 9 LOB--five of whom were in scoring position--Duncan's defensive miscue and Pettite's mistake to Gomes.  The Yanks are 5-33 with runners in scoring position this year, really horrible execution. This is good news-bad news.  It's not that the Yankees aren't getting chances, it's that they're not cashing them in.  If they continue to put men on base, they'll improve their production. I'm confident in that and them.

No time to panic, people.  It's five games in, the Yankees haven't begun to hit as a team, and key players--Damon, Cano, Jeter, Posada (despite today), and Giambi (who left the game with a sore groin)--just haven't hit.  That will change, at least for a couple of them and certainly for the team.  How about sooner than 2004, and especially 2005 and 2007?

The Yankees struggled mightily last night with junk-baller Andy Sonnanstine for the third time (once last year, once this Spring, and last night), only scoring in the third.  Ian Kennedy was terrible, managing a meager 32 strikes on 70 pitches in 2 1/3 IP of sloppy work--four hits, six runs earned, and four walks with two strikeouts.  Inconsistent umpiring didn't help him, with Kennedy not getting corner calls that Sonnanstine was, but that's a small part of his woes.  He was consistently behind batters and, as John Flaherty pointed out during the broadcast, pitchers are less apt to get the calls when they're not consistently pounding the strike zone, and Kennedy surely didn't accomplish that.  After the Yankees closed a six-run deficit to 6-4 after three, Albaladejo kept it close, finishing with 2 2/3 IP of one-hit, scoreless ball with four K's.  That should leave the coaches with enough of a positive impression to call him back up--since he'll likely be sent down to make room for Pettite's return frorm the DL.  Ohlendorf continued his good work with a 1-2-3 sixth, Traber followed suit with a good seventh.  But LaTroy Hawkins and Nuke LaFarnsworth completely imploded, beginning with Cliff Floyd's solo shot off Hawkins and ending with Carlos Pena's three-run bomb off Nuke.

Though the Yankees had five extra-base hits out of their six, they got five of their six hits, and four of their five extra-base hits, in the third alone.  I know the old mantra about changing speeds and planes is the key to success, but how is it that a guy who tops out at 85 with his fastball, throws change-ups and curves, and otherwise stinks against most teams he faces, continually baffles the Yankees? It's frustrating to watch against someone who has been so ordinary throughout his brief career.  Worse, several Yankees have started out of the gate very slowly in the first four games.  Cano has one hit (.067), Posada is hitless in two games,  Giambi got his first hit last night (a double), Damon's hitless night sunk him to .143, and while A-Rod is 4-14 thus far, he's had some weak at-bats--pop-ups and strikeouts. I'm far from in a panic about the offense since the year is all of four games old, and the team will surely hit.  Also, they're a mere half-game behind Boston, Baltimore, and Tampa Bay for first.   It's early, and the team will come around.

Yet there is some reason for concern.  The youngsters will struggle, as Kennedy certainly did last night, but cannot struggle too much for the Yankees to be competitive.  Also, relying on Nuke is a roll of the dice, and too often the result is snake eyes.  Hawkins has had an awful start after a very good Spring, and the contingent of fans booing him and chanting "Paul O'Neill" at The Stadium aren't helping matters whatsoever with their boorishness.  Yet if his struggles continue, soon enough many more will begin booing only based on his performance.  The two relievers who are supposed to be the seventh-inning guys have been bad thus far.  Plus, the Yankees' YES announcers can only use the cold-weather discomfort excuse so much when the Rays pounded out 15 hits and 13 runs.  Plain and simple, the Yankees' offense has started slowly and been on its heels too much.  That needs to change soon, lest they face the same early-season slow start they've inflicted on themselves three of the last four years.  I am slightly concerned about the team having yet another bad April.

Before I forget, thanks to everyone who stopped by the HDLR last night.  It was fun, though the game didn't assist that nearly enough.

It's a good thing that Pettite is going today, since he has a good career record of winning games after the Yankees lose.  He'll need to be sharp to right the ship, but the offense needs to come alive as a group.  Enough of the garbage pop-ups, enough of the off-balance flailing, enough trying only to pull the ball. Time to play some good smart ball, guys.

Hi Everyone and welcome to the Heartland Digital Living Room, where the hot dogs are always fresh, the beverages are always cold, and the chatter is always lively.  Tonight, the Yankees host the (no longer Devil) Rays for the first of a four-game series.  Junk-baller Andy Sonnanstine, who sometimes gives the Yanks problems, faces Ian Kennedy. I'll be traveling back this evening and should be in sometime around the start.  Feel free to drop by, grab a digital recliner, grab a cold one and have fun.  Below is the Yankees' lineup, with Damon in center, Matsui in left, and Betemit at DH for Melky, whose suspension was reduced to two games starting tonight.  Enjoy the game.
Let's Go, Yankees

Damon CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Posada C
Matsui LF
Betemit DH

In another well-pitched game, the Yankees pulled one out late against a tough Jays staff to win 3-2.  Abreu was 2-3 with the game-winning RBI on a bloop single to center in the eighth, the Yankees played some "small ball" to get runners in scoring position in the eighth, and they got very good pitching to pull out their second 3-2 decision--and second one-run win--of the season. 

Hughes and Dustin McGowan locked up in a terrific battle of young, talented right-handers, compiling nearly identical statistical lines through six even innings.  Hughes buzzed through the first three innings without allowing a base runner, using only 30 pitches.  McGowan allowed only a walk in the second and finally surrendered a single to Molina in the third, when it looked as though the Yankees would push across a run.  Melky followed Molina's single with a walk, first and second with no outs.  But Damon scalded a ball right to Rios for the first out, and Jeter ended the threat when he grounded into a 6-4-3 DP, yet they started to make McGowan work by forcing him to throw 19 pitches in the third--though it should have been more with some damage done.

The Jays scored a run in the fourth, forcing Hughes to labor a bit.  Eckstein led off with a bloop double down the left-field line, Stairs's slow-rolling 4-3 moved him to third, and Rios stroked an RBI single to center to give the Jays the first run.  Rios ran on the first pitch and would have been thrown out had Cano caught Molina's great throw.  Instead it bounced off his glove and into center, giving Rios third.  Yet Hughes buckled down well, fanning Wells on a 3-2 curve for the second out, and getting Thomas looking on a 3-2 fastball off the plate inside, inducing a temper tantrum that got Thomas ejected.  It was a ball, and was part of an ethereal strike zone from home plate umpire Bill Miller--here one minute, gone the next.  Hughes struggled in the fourth, throwing 26 pitches, but showed good grit, stuff and maturity for a kid.  I also distinctly saw Hughes flexing the knuckle on curve balls a few times, perhaps tinkering with Mussina's patented knuckle curve.

The Yankees again put the lead-off man aboard in the fourth when Abreu smoked a single to right. After A-Rod popped out to second, Giambi's 4-3 into the shift allowed a heads-up Abreu to go all the way to an uncovered third. Yet Cano flew out to shallow left to end that threat.  The Jays tacked on a second run in the top of the fifth with two outs. Hughes walked Scutaro, then Zaun doubled to right off the tarp, second and third.  Eckstein on cue, just after Kay said he hit under .200 last year with runners in scoring position, got an infield hit to third when A-Rod couldn't handle a tough play, 2-0 Jays.  Matsui singled to left in the third to start the fifth, but Molina popped out to second and Melky chased a low pitch and hit into a double-play, making it the third straight inning that the Yankees put the lead-off man aboard but didn't plate him, terrible execution.

Hughes worked a quick, 1-2-3 eleven-pitch sixth, his last.  Tonight he was very good and he had to be--6 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs earned, a walk and four K's, including the two of Wells and Thomas to escape the fourth. Importantly, he spotted his fastball well and commanded his breaking pitches with maturity.  Conversely, the Yanks worked over McGowan in the sixth to tie the game, making him throw 29 pitches. Damon doubled to right in a seven-pitch at-bat, Jeter was reached on a HBP, Abreu assembled a great eight-pitch at-bat for a walk to load the bases for A-Rod. At this point, McGowan had thrown 20 pitches in the sixth without recording an out.  A 1-2 wild pitch in the dirt scored Damon, 2-1 Jays, but A-Rod fanned for the first out.  Giambi hit a sac fly to right to score Jeter, but Abreu committed a cardinal sin by making the third out on his way to third, leaving the game tied and letting a laboring McGowan off the hook.  I have to say I really felt the Yanks would come back in the sixth, that they'd finally break through.  It took time and was a bit frustrating to watch, but they did it.

Traber came into the seventh to face the lefty Overbay and looked good, fanning him on I believe a curve.  It was a risky move for Hughes had only thrown 87 pitches, but it paid off for Girardi.  Bruney then got Hill on a 4-3 (but not before his 2-2 fastball on the outside corner should have retired Hill) and got Scutaro to fly to shallow right on a terrific running catch by Abreu.  After the Yankees went down 1-2-3 in the seventh, Joba entered and promptly caught Zaun looking on a fastball, retired Eckstein on a 4-3, allowed a single to Stairs, but got Rios to fly to right to end the eighth.  He ended up with his first win of the year when the Yankees scored in the eighth. Melky the Clutch lined a single to right, Damon laid down a great bunt that Downs couldn't handle for a sac bunt and E1, first and second no outs, Jeter also bunted and may have been safe at first on Zaun's double-clutch, but it was still second and third with one out.  Abreu blooped a single to shallow center, repaying the Jays for their bloops singles this series, to give the Yanks the 3-2 lead.  A-Rod struck out looking as part of his tough night, Giambi was HBP to load the bases, but Cano started with a very low strike, fouled one off, then flew out to center to end the threat and leave three on.

But Mariano shut it down, just not right away.  Wells led off with a single up the middle, went to second on Stewart's slow 5-3, went to third on Overbay's hard-hit 6-3 with Jeter well-positioned, and Mariano got Hill looking on a fastball on the inside corner.  Yankees win 3-2.

Abreu was clutch with his 2-3 night with the GW RBI, Damon had a double and the great sac bunt, Matsui, Molina and Melky (the M&M&M boys) went a combined 3-8 from the 7th, 8th and 9th spots with a single apiece and, though the Yankees squandered some chances from the third inning onward, they cleverly manufactured runs even with A-Rod and Cano going 0-8.  Count on people singing Girardi's praises for his bullpen decisions and willingness to use the bunt to play for the winning run.  He made really good decisions, and the players made them pay off.  As important and good as Hughes was tonight, so was the bullpen, with Traber, Bruney, Joba and Mariano combining for two hits, no walks, three strikeouts, and most importantly no runs in three innings.  Well-pitched, well-coached game, even if the Yankees didn't execute enough.  I'm not worried.  The Jays have a very good staff, and there is no doubt the Yankees will hit this year.  They scored eight runs in three games and have a 2-1 record.  Wait until they DO score. Two one-run wins to start the year is also huge, especially after how poorly the Yankees fared in close games in 2007 before the all-Star break. Teams must win close games to be successful, and the Yankees have now won two. With the exception of Cano's error, the defense was better, especially Giambi.

Very good start, terrific bullpen work, finally scoring runs in a pinch. Good win tonight.  It wasn't easy on the stomach, but ultimately was worthwhile.   

As per Pete Abraham via Sam Borden, below is tonight's staring lineup:

Johnny Damon DH
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Hideki Matsui LF
Jose Molina C
Melky Cabrera CF

Matsui in left gives Damon the DH.  Giambi continues to play first, especially against right-handed pitchers. Posada needs another day to rest the sore shoulder.  Phil Hughes gets the start tonight.  Enjoy the game.

A. J. Burnett had his "A" game tonight, clamping down the Yankees' potent offense with help from Tallet and Accardo, topping the Yankees 5-2.  Vernon Wells again hurt the Yankees with a homer and three hits in all, Alex Rios drove in two and went 2-3, while the Yankees mustered little off Jays' pitching.  Mussina wasn't bad in all, but a couple mistakes on his part, plus defensive miscues, hurt his cause.

The Jays scored right away in the first when Giambi knocked down a grounder, bobbled it and was caught between tossing it to an unusually lazy Mussina covering first or taking it himself. Eckstein was safe and would have been regardless of Giambi's decision. [Giambi had a tough day in the field.  Though he made a couple nice scoops to ensure DPs, he misplayed the Eckstein grounder, dropped a pop-up in the first row of the stands, and perhaps could have had the Barajas grounder that was a double to start the seventh.]  Stewart got a single behind Cano into right, Rios blooped a single that scored Eckstein when Abreu's off-line throw was mishandled by Molina, but Wells's grounding into the first of four 5-4-3 DPs tonight ended the threat.  Abreu got caught stealing second in the bottom of the first, but looked safe.  Another 5-4-3 DP got Mussina off the hook in the second, but the Yankees mustered nothing.  Cano got hit on the left foot with a breaking ball but didn't act like it, and wasn't awarded first.  He subsequently fanned to end the inning.

In the third, Mussina lost Rios after having him down 0-2, just missing on a 2-2 pitch.  I wondered right away whether or not the two-out walk would haunt Mussina, and it sure did as Wells pasted Mussina's first pitch for a homer to left, 3-0 Jays. Several at-bats tonight, starting in the third, reflected the Yankees batters' poor approaches, with Melky flying out on the first pitch for the second out, and Damon squandering a good at-bat and being ahead 3-1 by popping out, terrible.  Equally bad, the Yankees lost the chance to get the lead-off runner aboard in the fourth when Jeter reached on a throwing error that bounced off the tarp in shallow right, but he foolishly tried for second and was easily thrown out, dumb poor [Edit: "dumb" is too strong, but Jeter misread the carom, and I strongly suspect Jeter did not notice a hard-charging Rios from right who really made the play] decision by Jeter, who doesn't make those often. In the fifth, Cano swung at the first pitch to ground out to second after they had started to work up Burnett's pitch count a bit--he was at 27 through 2, 44 through 3 and 58 through 4, but be sure to swing at the first pitch.

The Jays got to Mussina for another run in the sixth.  Rios nearly hit a homer but Damon caught it at the top of the wall, but Wells singled, Thomas was HBP and with two outs, Hill drove in a run with a single, 4-0 Jays.  After the Jays added another run in the top of the seventh, the Yankees finally woke up in the bottom of the seventh when Abreu worked a walk, and A-Rod belted a 3-2 fastball belt-high and over the inner half to deep center, 5-2 Jays.  Yet lefty Brian Tallet came into the seventh and, facing four of six lefties, retired six straight, fanning Giambi, Cano, and then Damon in the 8th.  No chance for big momentum after A-Rod's blast. The Yankees threatened in the ninth against Accardo, with Jeter getting an infield single, Abreu blooping a single to center, but A-Rod K'd on a fastball right down the pipe, Giambi hit one to deep left-center that Wells grabbed, and yet again, Cano swung at the first pitch to pop out to very shallow left. 5-2 Jays.

At least we're not saddled with the pressures of an undefeated season.

Jeter was 2-4 but made the base-running gaffe, A-Rod had the big homer in the seventh but fanned twice, and Abreu, Matsui, Molina, and Melky all had a single apiece.  But the offense was way too little, way too late against a sharp Burnett and bullpen.  Mussina really wasn't bad.  He was hurt in the first by Giambi's error but also his own failure to quickly cover first, his homer allowed to Wells was knee-high and over the plate, and the RBI single to Hill.  But he threw a lot of strikes (62 of 91 pitches), walked two and struck out two, and allowed three earned runs through 5 2/3 IP.  Not great, but not bad and certainly good enough to keep the Yankees in it with any kind of offense.  Hawkins left a fastball right over the plate for Rios to drive in the fifth run, giving up two hits with the run in 1 1/3 IP; Nuke allowed two hits but had a K in a scoreless eighth, and Ohlendorf hit Scutaro with his first pitch but settled down and got a DP ball with a K.  In all, the bullpen was decent.

But the offense was lethargic, largely put there by good pitching and several poor at-bats. Hughes goes against Dustin McGowan tomorrow night at 7:05.  Tip the cap to Burnett, who was very good, but also look askance at a few impatient at-bats by the Yankees as well, seemingly at the worst times.  Get 'em tomorrow, guys.

The Yankees won a tight one against the Jays, eking out a 3-2 win against Roy Halliday.  Melky the Clutch made two great plays in the field in the fourth, and hit a game-tying homer in the sixth.  Joba and Mariano sealed the deal in the eighth and ninth, following up on Wang's very good start.  Though the Yankees squandered chances, such things are much easier to address after a win.  Great way to start the season, and the Yankees have set the major-league record with their eleventh straight home opening win.  Also, Joe Girardi earned his first win as Yankees manager, showing good patience with Wang in the seventh.

Halliday was tough and efficient, throwing only 42 pitches through four innings.  In the first with two outs, Abreu singled and A-Rod drove a ball to the wall in right-center, scoring Abreu to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead.  Yet Wang surrendered the lead right away in the second, with back-to-back singles from Thomas and Overbay to start the second pinching Wang.  Hill's fly ball to fairly deep right moved Thomas to third, and Scutaro's weak tapper for a 3-6 force tied it at one.

The Yankees had some chances against Halliday, but not nearly enough.  Jeter singled in the third with two outs, but was caught stealing to end the frame.  Wang worked a 1-2-3 4th with a little help from his friends, namely Melky who nabbed a deep fly to right-center off Overbay's bat, then made a terrific leaping catch to his right in left-center to rob Hill of at least a double, A-Rod's DP erased Abreu's lead-off single.  The Jays took a 2-1 lead in the 5th when the pesky Scutaro walked and stole second (for the second time), Zaun singled to move him to third, Eckstein's tapper held Scutaro at third but made it second and third, one out, and Stewart's weak grounder to third scored Scutaro, 2-1 Jays.  But Wang escaped with a good K of Rios.  After Wang got three straight ground-outs in the sixth, Melky had a terrific at-bat.  He got behind 1-2, took an off-speed pitch in for 2-2, fouled off four of the next five pitches with a ball in between for a full count, then drilled a fastball just over the right-field fence to tie the game.  Melky the Clutch came through again, great moment for the kid.  Even Damon's at-bat imemdiately following was useful, getting a fatigued Halliday to throw six pitches after allowing Melky's homer.  They really turned around the pace of the game with those two at-bats in the Yankees favor.

With the pitchers back to rolling into the seventh, Wang got into trouble when Hill doubled to left-center past Melky's dive, apparently all out of heroics. Scutaro then scalded one to Big G, who made a terrific leaping snare as he was playing in, one down.  Zaun's fairly weak grounder to Jeter pushed Hill to third with two outs.  Girardi then came to the mound and briefly conferred with Wang, keeping him in the game to face Eckstein.  Wang promptly got him on a 5-3 to end the top of the seventh.  This was a huge moment.  Wang got out of a big jam while holding the lead, and Girardi showed good guts and judgment by staying with his number one starter for his ninety-second and final pitch of the game.  Great moment, rather definitive for the game, and perhaps telling for the season as it proceeds.  I really like that Girardi showed presence, wanted to size up Wang as a catcher would, and made a bold and accurate call.  Great non-move.

The Yankees took the lead for good in the seventh when A-Rod singled to right, part of a very good opening night for the reigning MVP.  Big G worked a walk, Cano's ground out to Eckstein moved the runners to second and third, the Jays intentionally walked Jorge, and Matsui's hard grounder to Hill at second was difficult enough that the Jays could only force Jorge at second, scoring A-Rod for a 3-2 lead they'd never relinquish.  Though Melky fanned to end the inning, the damage was done.  They also made Halliday throw 53 pitches in his last three innigs after cruising through the first four with only forty-two pitches.

Joba entered for the eighth, getting Stewart on a 4-3.  Though he walked Rios after having him down 1-2, Joba caught Wells looking on a slider up, though Rios stole second.  Yet Joba showed his moxie, fanning Thomas on three pitches--foul ball, fastball painting the outside corner at 96 MPH, then fanning him with a 97-MPH heater down the pipe.  Fist-pump, shout, classic Joba.  The Yankees squandered a chance to pad the lead in the eighth, when JD hit a triple to right to lead off.  Yet Jeter meekly tapped back to Downs for the first out, Abreu grounded out mildly to Overbay for the second, the Jays issued A-Rod an IBB, and got Big G to ground out.  Terrible execution from the Yankees, not the least of which was Abreu of all people swinging at the first pitch.  Yet Mariano nailed it down, getting Overbay looking over the outside corner, getting Hill on an F8 in deep center, and Scutaro on a 4-3 to end the game.

This was a big first win of 2008 for the Yankees, and it starts with pitching.  In a terrific clash of top-flight righties who keep the ball down, Wang emerged victorious by allowing six hits, two runs earned, two walks, and fanning two on 92 pitches, fifty-six of which were strikes.  Thirteen of his outs were via ground out, where he should be, and he was efficient by pitching just over thirteen pitches an inning.  His pitching out of trouble in the seventh was as definitive a moment as there was tonight. Joba allowed only the walk in a twenty-one-pitch eighth, and Mariano was Mariano, setting down the Jays 1-2-3 on 12 pitches.  That's easily something I can get used to--seven innings from a starter, Joba with the lead, and Mariano to put it to bed.  Outstanding pitching tonight.

A-Rod was 2-3 with a run and an RBI, Abreu 2-4 with a run, Melky the Clutch with the game-tying homer in the sixth, Matsui with the game-winning RBI force, and Damon, Jeter, and Robbie C each with a single. The team did leave three on base in scoring position, but fared fairly well against the tough Halliday. This was a big game to win, a one-run game against a very good pitcher in Halliday. Pitching, defense, and clutch at-bats (not enough of the last, but enough to win).  Great sign with the back end of the pen, showing why Joba must help solidify the late innings.  I'd take Joba and Mariano up against anybody, any day of the week.

The Yanks and Jays go again tomorrow night on ESPN2 at 7:05 EDT, with A.J. Burnett facing Mike Mussina in a study in contrasting pitching styles.  Burnett will be tough, throwing very hard and also sporting good off-speed stuff such as a good change-up.  Big win, great way to start Girardi's tenure as Yankees manager, and very nice to see the pitching handcuff a potent lineup. 

Hi Everyone, and welcome to Heartland Digital Living Room, where the beverages are always cold and fresh, the hot dogs are always cheap and tasty, and the chin-wagging is always fast and furious.  Tonight the Yankees attempt to play their first game of the year with a re-scheduled Opening Day game against the Blue Jays.  Roy Halliday will face Chien-Ming Wang in a match-up of very good right-handed pitchers.  There seem to be scattered showers in the area, according to weather.com, but they seem scattered enough to allow for baseball tonight--hopefully. 

I believe that the Yankees will usher out the same lineup they would have yesterday, which would be as follows:

Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Hideki Matsui DH
Melky Cabrera CF

Cano's batting sixth reflects Girardi's confidence in him and, as Josh at The Sommer Frieze mentioned, book-ending Cano with two slower but certainly more patient hitters is a very good move.  Imagine how many teams could actually have a batter in Matsui, the DH no less, batting eighth who has hit for more than 100 RBI in every full season he's played.  Only the Yankees.  This is a special lineup.

Yet Halliday is no walk in the park.  It's tough to work him over because he throws a lot of strikes, and he throws a good, tempting sinking fastball.  Don't be surprised to see more batters than usual swinging early in the count because Halliday can get even good batters behind in the count and fast.  He'll be a very good test for the Yankees' potent lineup.

I'm working on a pot of chili, and will be in and out for the ninety or so minutes before the game.  Come on in, grab a digital leather recliner, and enjoy the game, everyone.

Let's Go, Yankees!