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Yankees on verge of sweep

Peter Abraham
March
14

The game is over here in Tampa. The Yankees beat the Astros 3-1. Meanwhile in Bradenton, a Jesus Montero grand slam has helped the Yankees take a 13-5 lead. The game is close to being done, we’re told.

(I’ll be honest, I wanted to go to Bradenton to see Hughes, Montero and Austin Jackson play. But common sense said to stay here and watch Burnett. He does get hurt on occasion.)

Meanwhile, the hard-working media relations staff of the Yankees showed their versatility today. With no New York reporters in Bradenton, Mike Margolis obtained a quote from Phil Hughes for us.

“My command wasn’t perfect and I was behind in the count a lot, nibbling with my fastball. The home run to Morgan was a decent pitch and the other, I was behind in the count,” he said. “I was trying to get my change-up some work and mix in some cutters. I feel strong. I feel good.”

Mike also e-mailed Ian Kennedy’s line. That was 3 3 0 0 1 5 with one hit batter.

Meanwhile, Lauren Moran debuted as the press box announcer and official scorer in Tampa. She did admirable work.

Finally, here are a few notes from our post-game conversation with Joe Girardi:

· He spoke to Alex Rodriguez — remember him? — yesterday. A-Rod is off crutches, feeling good and about to move his rehab into a pool. He is in the proverbial good spirits.

· Colin Curtis and Austin Romine were reassigned to the minor-league camp while Mike Dunn was optioned out. I bet we see Dunn again this season.

· Edwar Ramirez pitched in his first game today and felt fine

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 14th, 2009 at 4:19 pm by Peter Abraham.
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62 Responses to “Yankees on verge of sweep”

  1. Elizabeth

    No. Montero’s granny gave them a 10-3 lead. It’s now 12-5.

  2. PAT M.

    The parodox that is Ian Kennedy…Someday he’s going to be a very effective # 3 starting pitcher

  3. Peter Abraham

    I updated the score. ESPN.com is way behind it seems.

  4. dennis-costanza(sox fan)

    PatM.

    Excellent pick on FSU. Well done.

    I hedged with the second half over of 76.5. I was pulling for OT to win both but to no avail.

    Have a good night.

    -dennis

  5. Fran

    Good news on Alex and Edwar. Thanks for the updates Pete.

  6. Elizabeth

    Sorry that comment was so clipped. I was doing about 5 other things at the time. :)

  7. zippy

    Sidney Ponson looking good in the WCS. Wish we had that fatso back.

  8. jb

    Montero is simply a beast. I read a few articles questioning his bat speed and a few other things. You have to be really biting on finding something wrong. As young as he is, his development seems to be coming along a lot quicker than anyone could have imagined. And nice to see AJax knock one out. I hope he’s able to take it to the next level this year.

    Have we gotten any radar gun readings on Hughes yet? Not that it’s important, but was curious if he is throwing harder now than in his first few games. He seemed good 91-93 the first few, but wanted to se if he had the random 94-95 touches he had in the minors. And I mean touching the speed once in a while, not consistently throwing there. If he could settle in at 92-93 he;d be all set.

  9. Nick in SF

    Go Vols, go Terps.

  10. carl

    13-5

  11. dann

    “But common sense said to stay here and watch Burnett. He does get hurt on occasion.)”

    lol

  12. carl

    13-9 :(

  13. dennis-costanza(sox fan)

    NickSF.

    I took the over in the Vols game which looks OK but I went with Duke as my alma mater handed them the game last eve so I figured they would better today.

    I am all over your Mizzou pick.

    Have a good night.

    -dennis

  14. Rick

    Not a good outing for Melancon

  15. carl

    13-10

  16. 7*7

    Did Melancon give up all 5 runs?

  17. pat

    No drawing straws in the press box for who had to go to Bradenton and be the pool reporter?

    Good to hear Alex is getting more mobile. My niece arrived in Vail yesterday for Spring Break and called her parents to say they got almost 2 feet of snow the past week. Great for skiing, not so much for walking with crutches.

  18. Nick in SF

    dennis, I wish you luck with your Vols over and Mizzou picks.

    When you say “Have a good night”, “have a good weekend”, etc., is that just a polite affectation? I used to think that meant you were politely signing off, but then you would have more false exits than James Brown.

  19. carl

    Yes 7*7

  20. DT

    13-10 Yanks – Bill Mazeroski coming up!

    oh wait… wrong year.

  21. carl

    Yankees win.

  22. vtred

    Wow, rough outing for Melancon.

    He was a long shot to make the team anyway considering Cashman probably wanted him to get more AAA seasoning and buy the extra arb. year.

    He’ll be fine though

  23. Mike NYY

    Slightly random though, who’s the best leftfielder in the division?

  24. Giuseppe Franco

    No big deal.

    Not only is it ST, but Melancon wasn’t very likely to make the team out of the gate anyways even if he went all Scott Patterson on us.

    I don’t have a problem with them letting him pitch for a month or two down in Scranton just to get his stuff in midseason form and to get his rhythm.

    This outing today really doesn’t change anything because he probably wasn’t making the team regardless. People just wanted to believe he had a legitimate shot.

  25. dennis-costanza(sox fan)

    Nick.

    Just being polite. An insomniac never signs off.

    -dennis

  26. Rick

    Melancon gave up a walk, solo HR, solo HR, double, single, single, double.

  27. A-List

    I’d say Bay is the best LF in the division.

  28. GreenBeret7

    GreenBeret7
    March 14th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
    Melancon….2/3rds of an inning inning, 6 hits, 5 runs, 5 earned runs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout, 2 homers (Garrett Jones, Jeff Salazar). Bloop double by Pedro Alverez, single by Tabata, single by Luis Cruz, double by McCutchen.

    Final score 13-10 Yanks. Robertson closed it out.

  29. A-List

    Franco,

    Agree 100%. It was kind of funny to see people putting him in their opening day bullpen when there was no way that would happen unless everyone in front of him flopped.

    We are stacked with relievers, no reason to rush him.

  30. Gary

    Jesus Montero has had some kind of spring. He’ll start out at High A Tampa but don’t bet against him seeing time in Trenton.

  31. Brandon, 'Watching Jorge Vasquez in the WBC & Wade go MVP in the NBA'

    Dwayne ‘my name might as well be Michael Jordan’ Wade vs Jazz

    50 PTS 10 REB 9 ASST 4 STL 2 BLK

    YOUR NBA MVP

  32. Nick in SF

    dennis: I’ll try to be on better behavior now that I know you might be out there at any time.

  33. Al from BK

    So much for Melancon making the team out of ST. Burnett looked phenomenal.

  34. Mike NYY

    Yeah, I had Bay number one, Damon second, and Crawford third. I just made a post about it on my blog and now I`m second guessing myself.

  35. Mike NYY

    Yeah, I had Bay number one, Damon second, and Crawford third. I just made a post about it on my blog and now I`m second guessing myself.

  36. Al from BK

    Correct me if I am wrong but Tuesdays game against the Pirates on YES will be started by CC?

  37. dennis-costanza(sox fan)

    Thanks Mr. Rickles. I am appreciatve.

    -dennis

  38. GreenBeret7

    Jackson 3 at bats, 2 hits, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI, 1 homer, 1 HBP, 1 strikeout. Both hits off of good major league relievers (Capp and Dennys Reyes).

    Montero was 1 at bat, 1 hit, 2 runs scored 14 RBI, 1 homer (GS) to the right of center field and 1 walk.

  39. GreenBeret7

    add a stolen base to Jackson

  40. Michael

    how’d aj pitch?

  41. Nick in SF

    No problem, ya hockey puck!

  42. dennis-costanza(sox fan)

    Hey GB.

    Hope you are well. The city is packed this weekend. Amy and I went for a run with the dog at Daffin this AM and are looking forward to Gnats games in April.

    Good day for the Yanks. AJ IMO will dominate this year. His stuff is electric.

    -dennis

  43. Betsy

    Good quotes from Phil – the wind was blowing out and he didn’t have perfect control, a bad combination. The key: he’s working on his cutter and change – this is what ST is for. He feels good and strong – just what I like to hear.

    I just watched my tape of AJ – wow. He reminds me of Mariano Rivera (and Coney said the same thing) because of his beautifully smooth motion – it’s so fluid. His early curves weren’t getting over, but the last several were just plain nasty. He’s a big guy, I think – 6′5? I loved seeing him out on the mound; like others said in the prior thread, I’m going to assume good health. I pointed out in the other thread as well that AJ has a chance to remake his career and really take off- I hope he takes advantage of it.

    No biggie on Melancon – it’s not the first time he’s going to get hit and it won’t be the last. It obviously was not a good day to be a pitcher in Bradenton……

  44. Uncle Ellsworth

    hockey puck – love it

  45. Betsy

    Good news on Alex and Edwar – boy, now I’m waiting on Cano and Marte…….

  46. Betsy

    Pics from today:

    http://tinyurl.com/aaacu2
    *AJ looks mean, lol

    http://tinyurl.com/dgubs8

    http://tinyurl.com/arrfvs

    http://tinyurl.com/cyuhht

  47. vinny-b __NYY fan and WBC promoter__

    “Dwayne ‘my name might as well be Michael Jordan’ Wade vs Jazz
    50 PTS 10 REB 9 ASST 4 STL 2 BLK
    YOUR NBA MVP”

    bein originally from Miwaukee, and the fact he went to Marquette. I would like to claim Dwayne Wade

  48. espresso

    It’s pretty much a wash on the best lf. Damon has been the better player but the other two are younger. If I were picking who I want on my team it’s Damon, Crawford, Bay. Of course I’m from VT and Bay came through the Expos and played locally. It doesn’t push pass Damon for me.

  49. GreenBeret7

    dennis-costanza(sox fan)
    March 14th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
    Hey GB.

    Hope you are well. The city is packed this weekend. Amy and I went for a run with the dog at Daffin this AM and are looking forward to Gnats games in April.

    Good day for the Yanks. AJ IMO will dominate this year. His stuff is electric.

    -dennis

    ————————————————————

    Afternoon, Dennis. Good run for you, huh? The parks and squares are great places to run in the early morning. I still go down to Lake Mayer to run with the guys I know in the military. Run 2 plus miles….we all finish together, but they give me a two mile head start. Looking forward to Tuesday.

    I’m still a liittle upset about last Tuesday. I didn’t get an invite to Mandy Moore’s wedding, did you? I meant to ask you…do you know Doyle Todd of Todd Oil? I haven’t seen him for about 3 years.

  50. Betsy

    http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/

    I thought this was a good point:

    Burnett has already spent time picking the brains of his new rotation mates Andy Pettitte and Sabathia, two guys that have made a living pitching deep into games. As a youngster in Florida with guys like Josh Beckett, Brad Penny and Carl Pavano, there were no veterans to give Burnett such guidance, which probably led to his all-out, hard-throwing ways.

    “If we had guys like that coming up, things might have been different,” Burnett said. “We had all the young kids that threw hard, so that’s all we did.”

  51. Timmy

    I never want to see that baby Kennedy in pinstripes again

  52. GreenBeret7

    Best all around left fielder in the AL is Carl Crawford.

  53. RalphieD (for free sports betting look here http://www.centsports.com/?opcode=317843)

    i loved the way burnett was pitching today…full of confidence…i cant wait to see him pitch when the season starts!!

  54. dennis-costanza(sox fan)

    GB.

    Do not know Doyle Oil. I am good friends with the Demere’s who own Colonial Oil/Enmark. We stay in touch daily re:crude oil trends. In fact Houstoun Demere will be with us on Tuesday for the parade…

    Again, the offer stands if you need a bathroom or a cold one. Our place is on the route so you are more than welcome.

    Cheers. -dennis aka, the hockey puck

  55. GreenBeret7

    Thanks, Dennis. Appreciate the offer for a pitstop. I’ll probably be busy looking for a future wife on Tueday. At least, that’s what I’ll tell them. I’ll have a pocket full of “engagement rings” from Wal-Marts. It worked last year.

  56. m

    I’ll probably be busy looking for a future wife on Tueday.

    You should try Stiletto & Lace. :?

  57. pat

    Derek’s new “bromance” may be coming to a quick end. Pedroia could have oblique injury.

    http://weblogs.newsday.com/spo.....d_and.html

  58. m

    damn that WBC. ;)

  59. GreenBeret7

    Burnett’s pitches were all working and he was sharp, but, let’s not carried away with the “amazing” part. He was facing Houston’s backups and minor leaguers. He’ll be just fine for NYY, though. we’ll find out if he can pitch against Toronto like he did against NY and continue killing Boston and Tampa. He needs to do better against Baltimore, Detroit, LAA and Texas, though.

  60. GreenBeret7

    m
    March 14th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
    I’ll probably be busy looking for a future wife on Tueday.

    You should try Stiletto & Lace.

    ———————————————————–

    I have an idea that those women are jewelers during the day. They can spot glass “gems” from about 500 yards.

  61. herbert warren

    Melancon looked horrible. Should we have joba go back to the pen?

  62. ridwanzero

    Everyone has their favorite way of using the internet. Many of us search to find what we want, click in to a specific website, read what’s available and click out. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because it’s efficient. We learn to tune out things we don’t need and go straight for what’s essential.

    onlineuniversalwork

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About the authors
Chad JenningsChad Jennings joined the The Journal News in October 2009, having spent the better part of seven years covering baseball in Scranton, PA. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and an award-winning beat reporter and features writer. E-mail me at cjennings@lohud.com
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Sam BordenSam Borden is an award-winning journalist who joined The Journal News and LoHud.com in January 2008. He covered the Yankees for the New York Daily News from 2004-06, and has also worked as a columnist for the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. E-mail me at sborden@lohud.com
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