The LoHud Yankees Blog

Here we are at the Jake Taylor International Airport in Cleveland. After spending five days in Cleveland among the midges, I’m ready to go home. Enough is enough.

The Yankees open a three-game series against Texas tonight. The Rangers lead baseball with 83 home runs, the Yankees are second with 80. Meanwhile Yankee Stadium allows more home runs than any park. The over/under for home runs in the series has to be at least 20, no?

I asked Andy Pettitte and CC Sabathia about whether pitching at such a launching pad has changed their approach. CC dismissed the idea, saying his stuff is good enough not to matter. But Pettitte admitted there is a mental adjustment to make.

“You’re going to make the pitch you want and somebody might hit it out,” he said. “That’s just the way it is. You need not to walk anybody, limit the damage and hope your boys hit more than their boys.”

The Yankees didn’t know at the time that their new park would be such a launching pad. But signing two strikeout pitchers in Sabathia and A.J. Burnett really was a good idea. The fewer balls put in the air in the Bronx, the better. It also further emphasizes the intelligence of having Joba Chamberlain in the rotation.

In the meantime, it’ll be nice to get home. Thanks for reading on the road trip. We’ll have more later on.

Joba Chamberlain worked the bugs out as the Yankees ended their road trip by beating the Indians.

The Yankees set a record for error-free games. This notebook also has updates on Jose Molina, Xavier Nady, Andy Pettitte, Chien-Ming Wang, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira.

The Yankees weren’t overly impressed that Joba Chamberlain went eight innings and allowed two runs. They were still laughing about his belly-flop dive in the fifth inning to catch that popped-up bunt by Kelly Shoppach.

“I think he went straight up in the air,” said Derek Jeter, who was still chuckling.

When Chamberlain gathered himself, he looked around and didn’t realize that the runner on second — Ryan Garko — was nearly at third. Jorge Posada had to tell him. “The rest of us were still laughing,” Jeter said

Andy Pettitte was laughing so hard in the dugout that Joba had to step off the mound and compose himself before getting the last out of the inning. Even Joe Girardi had a smile.

“I think Joe underestimates my athleticism,” said Joba, who proudly slung the WWE belt over his shoulder as he conducted his post-game interview. Commissioner Johnny Damon said it was an easy call to give Joba the title.

“I thought about Nick (Swisher), but he has enough toys,” Damon said.

Jeter usually takes a pass when asked about records. But he was pleased with the Yankees setting the MLB mark with 18 consecutive errorless game.

“It’s quite an accomplishment. It’s something that a lot of people deserve credit for,” Jeter said. “That’s a complete team effort. We’ve been pitching real well as of late. But when you pitch, you have to play defense behind them and we’ve been playing pretty consistent. We’ve had routine plays and spectacular ones. We’ve made all of them pretty much.”

That’s 15 of 19 for the Yankees as they come home for seven games. They’re 30-21. As Joe Torre used to say all the time: get five over and then get 10 over. Keep leaping ahead.

This team has been chewing up ground lately. It’s not a stretch to say that the best team in the American League again resides in New York

YANKEES (29-21)
Jeter SS
Swisher RF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Cabrera LF
Berroa 3B (yes, Berroa)
Gardner CF

Pitching: RHP Joba Chamberlain (2-1 3.97).

INDIANS (22-30)
Cabrera SS
Francisco CF
Martinez DH
Choo RF
Peralta 3B
DeRosa LF
Garko 1B
Carroll 2B
Shoppach C

Pitching: LHP Jeremy Sowers (1-2, 7.71)

TIME/TV: 7:05 p.m. YES/ESPN.

END OF THE ROAD: The Yankees are 4-2 on a road trip that ends tonight. They are 15-12 on the road this season.

GOING FOR THE RECORD: The Yankees have played 17 consecutive games without an error, which is tied for the major league record with the 2006 Red Sox.

JOBAMANIA: Joba Chamberlain has not pitched especially well against the Indians in six career appearances. His line: 10.2 innings, 7 hits, 8 earned runs, 7 walks, 13 strikeouts.

STREAKS: Derek Jeter has hit in 14 straight at 25 of 63 (.397). … Mark Teixeira has hit in 13 straight at 22 of 55 (.400) with eight homers and 20 RBI.

MILESTONE WATCH: Jeter needs two runs for 1,500 in his career. He would become the fourth active player and fourth Yankee in history.

Back with more later on.

UPDATE, 5:33 p.m.: Jose Molina re-inured his strained left quad today in an extended spring training game in Florida and is likely to return to New York to be examined. The Yankees had hoped he might return this week. Not now and probably not any time soon.

Meanwhile, Xavier Nady started a throwing program today, felt discomfort in his right elbow and stopped throwing. He’ll try again tomorrow. Nady was diagnosed with a torn ligament in April but both parties agreed to try a course of rehab and experimental platelet injections in hopes of avoiding surgery. Today’s setback does not necessarily mean surgery will ultimately be required. But it’s certainly not good news for Nady.

UPDATE, 5:39 p.m.: Joe Girardi said he would discuss Chien-Ming Wang’s with Brian Cashman tomorrow. It sounds like the Yankees are at least considering the idea of putting Wang in the rotation.

UPDATE, 6:05 p.m.: Girardi said he wanted Berroa in the lineup because of the matchup. Berroa, he said, has power and experience.

You’d be proud of me, I didn’t burst out laughing when he said Berroa had experience. Sure, the last lefty he faced in Cleveland was Herb Score.

Meanwhile, in terms of power, Berroa has one home run in the majors since 2006. He does hit lefties better in his career than righties, but not by wide margins. Meanwhile, Damon is 5 for 9 with two doubles against Sowers. He’s just getting a day off.

I asked Girardi point blank why Berroa is on the team and he said they wanted an extra infielder more than an extra outfielder. So be it. That’s a fair point with Alex coming off surgery.

UPDATE, 6:34 p.m.: Andy Pettitte said, without qualification, that he’ll start as scheduled on Wednesday. He said the idea of skipping his start was never discussed.

UPDATE, 7:30 p.m.: The latest on the injury front from Brian Cashman: Molina will get an MRI in Tampa and is not NYC-bound. The Yankees, meanwhile, are hopeful that what Nady felt is just normal soreness. They’ll know after tomorrow.

UPDATE, 7:50 p.m.: Oh, sure, GGBG, now you steal.

UPDATE, 7:59 p.m.: Yankees flashing some leather tonight — and avoiding seagulls at the same time. That takes talent.

UPDATE, 8:02 p.m.: Joba perfect though three innings. Meanwhile, in Long Island, the Francesa family dog is dodging cans of Diet Coke.

UPDATE, 8:17 p.m.: So much for the perfecto. Clearly Joba belongs in the bullpen. Only 3.2 perfect innings and four strikeouts? Atrocious.

UPDATE, 8:40 p.m.: Wow, what a great play by Joba as he dove to catch a bunt then threw to second to complete the double play. Fantastic effort.

1-1 after 5. Yankees would be wise to take the lead based on the weather report. The rain is supposed to be coming.

UPDATE, 8:42 p.m.: They just had the hot dog condiments race here at Progressive Field. The hot dog with onions won then pumped its fist in celebration. What a disgrace.

UPDATE, 8:50 p.m.: Three walks in a row from Sowers to load the bases with no outs for … A-Rod. He can afford to wait for something he can crunch.

Oh, wait. Sowers is out.

UPDATE, 8:56 p.m.: Alex K’s looking on four pitches from Greg Aquino.

UPDATE, 8:57 p.m.: Yankees now 0 for 5 with RISP. Up to Cano now.

UPDATE, 8:59 p.m.: Bases loaded, nobody out, A-Rod, Posada and Cano up and they don’t score. Unbelievable. Yankees are 0 for 6 with RISP in the game.

UPDATE, 9:04 p.m.: Crack meteorologist and Ohio native Jason Zillo of the Yankees says the rain is 45 minutes away. Apparently the rain in Ohio keeps to a tight schedule like Metro North.

UPDATE, 9:06 p.m.: Joba has given them everything they could ask for. 6 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, 82 pitches. Can’t expect much better.

UPDATE, 9:09 p.m.: Matsui for Berroa.

UPDATE, 9:12 p.m.: Matsui walks and he replaced by Pena, who will play third base. Meanwhile the seagulls are getting restless as the storm approaches and we can hear rumbles of thunder in the distance.

UPDATE, 9:19 p.m.: The Yankees have drawn eight walks and scored one run. That math has to change soon, no? Bases loaded one out for Swisher.

Little fly ball, that’s all they need. GIDP, that’s not what they need.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Society of Seagulls is meeting in right center.

UPDATE, 9:23 p.m.: Swisher missed a grand slam by a foot or so. But the Yankees will take the two-run double and a 3-1 lead. Bases reloaded for Alex again. Sweep the leg, Alex. Sweep the leg.

The Indians are sort of tugging on the cape of Superman there, walking Tex to get to Alex.

Hey, look, it’s Luis Vizcaino.

UPDATE, 9:30 p.m.: Alex singles off the glove of Cabrara at shortstop, two runs scored and it’s 5-1. Not sure what Tex was thinking there. But at least they have the lead before the rain comes.

UPDATE, 9:32 p.m.: The Yankees have drawn eight walks in the last two innings (one intentional). How bad is that by the Cleveland pitchers?

UPDATE, 9:41 p.m.: Joba through seven: two runs on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts. He was hititng 97 in that last inning as he approached 100 pitches. Cleveland is third in the AL in runs scored, by the way.

Coming up tomorrow on WFAN: Can the Knicks get LeBron?

UPDATE, 9:47 p.m.: That was Melk’s first walk in 73 plate appearances.

UPDATE, 9:56 p.m.: Joba out for the eighth. He needs one out to match a career high for innings. He has never gone beyond seven.

UPDATE, 10:02 p.m.: See, Joba really can pitch the eighth inning. 1-2-3. Put him in the bullpen!

UPDATE, 10:24 p.m.: Yankees win. That’s a 5-2 trip and 15 of 19 overall as they head home. Back later with clubhouse reaction.

18 straight without an error. A new MLB record.

This from the Tribe:

The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has placed RHP Rafael Betancourt on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right groin. To replace Betancourt on the active roster the Indians have recalled LHP Tony Sipp from AAA Columbus.

Betancourt was injured in yesterday’s game vs. the New York Yankees in the 8th inning. So far this year Raffy is 1-1 with a 3.71 ERA in a team-high 25 games.

Sipp has split the 2009 season between AAA Columbus and Cleveland, going 1-0 with a save and a 4.15 ERA in 9 games for the Columbus Clippers.

Just returned from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and checking out the Bruce Springsteen exhibit. It was my first time at the Hall and it’s a nice museum. As somebody who enjoys music as much as I do baseball, it was a good way to spend a few hours. Sweeny Murti from WFAN, another committed Bruce fan, came along.

The best parts were the notebooks Bruce uses to write songs. They had some of the actual hand-written lyrics of some of his greatest songs with notes in the margins, scribbled out words and alternative verses. I read pretty much all of them. Fascinating stuff. Imagine seeing a rough draft of your favorite novel, that’s what it was like.

The display also had assorted memorabilia, guitars, clothing and even the Harley he rode through the Southwest a few years ago.

The most iconic object was Bruce’s famed 1952 Fender Telecaster guitar, first purchased in New Jersey in 1972 after he signed a record contract and used in so many concerts, including Super Bowl XLIII. There also was a nice display of assorted acoustic Takamine guitars and the four-track cassette recorder he used to record the Nebraska album at his home.

I was hoping there would be more representation of the E Street Band. But outside of a few items that belonged to Steve, Clarence and Danny, there wasn’t much. Of course, I’m insane when it comes to this stuff and I realize that. I stood there and stared at the actual audio tapes of the Hammond Demos like they were the Holy Grail.

For more on the Hall of Fame and Museum and the Bruce exhibit, visit rockhall.com

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Blustery day here in Cleveland and rain is said to be on the way. Headed to the ballpark shortly and we’ll keep you updated all day.

Full disclosure: I’m headed over to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this afternoon to take a look at the Bruce Springsteen exhibit and pay proper homage. But this mailbag should tide you over until the game post shows up at 3:30.

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Bruce writes: Does it seem that too many balls get by Alex down the third base line? Does he play very wide of the base? What is Joba’s innings limit this year? Could it be they are waiting for him to get near halfway to the limit, then send him to the bullpen and restore Wang to the rotation?

Answer: Bruce, I think it’s too early to evaluate Alex defensively. It’s pretty obvious he’s still not moving as well as he would like on his surgically repaired hip. As for where he is positioned, that is up to the coaches. Joba’s innings limit has not been revealed on the record. But it’s over 150 and he’s only at 45.1 now. He’s not going to the bullpen any time soon, if ever.

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MJ writes: Which player is more useless, Jose Veras or Angel Berroa?

Answer: Now there’s a no-lose query. I would say Veras is more useless because I can’t make corny jokes about how old he really is.

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Larry writes: Who do you think is the next Yankee hitter and pitcher to be called up from the minors? and when will they be called up?

Answer: It all depends on need, Larry. That is hard to answer. Austin Jackson is having a great season in AAA but they would like to see him hit for more power and gain more experience. As for the pitchers, it’s all on need, be it a starter or reliever. I’m sure they would like to see Mark Melancon make a push.

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Ralph writes: Everyone has their own breaking point. I’ve been accepting of all the changes at the Stadium this year. My breaking point came with every strikeout getting a P.C. Richard’s whistle over the loudspeaker and every stolen base getting a “Gotta Go to Mo’s.”

Answer: I’m with you, Ralph. The Yankees were so sanctimonious about not selling the name of the Stadium and then they went and sold everything else. What is accomplished on the field should not be commercialized.

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Brian in New Hampshire writes: What do you envision for the Yankees outfield in 2010? Do you think Damon will resign? What about Swisher and Nady? If Melky continues to produce at the plate do you think he may get a corner outfield spot in favor of Austin Jackson?

Answer: Lots of questions there, Brian. I do not think they will keep Damon. Nady is a possibility but you know that Scott Boras will take him out on the market first. I would think we’re looking at Matt Holliday or Jason Bay in left, Gardner or Cabrera in center and Swisher in right, unless Nady is back. But so much can — and will — happen before the Yankees get to that bridge. Let’s worry about 2009 first.

UPDATE, 6:37 p.m.: I was remiss not to include Austin Jackson in the mix for next season. But I don’t think they can go AJax, Melky and Gardner. They need some pop.

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Thanks to everybody for writing. Feel free to e-mail me any time with any comments, suggestions or questions.

This blog has been tough on the Yankees for not allowing fans closer to the field for batting practice at the new Stadium.

But fairness demands we mention this: The Indians do not open the gates of Progressive Field until 90 minutes before first pitch. The home team is long done by batting practice by then.

Two wrongs don’t make a right. But at least the Yankees let fans in plenty early.

The amateur draft is coming up on June 9. Now seems like a good to ask, whatever happened to Gerrit Cole?

Cole, you may recall, was taken by the Yankees in the first round last season, No. 28 overall. A 6-foot-4 right-hander from Orange County, Calif., Cole had an overpowering fastball and grew up a fan of the Yankees. Some teams backed off Cole because Scott Boras was his advisor. But the Yankees pounced.

But in what was a surprise to Boras and certainly a shock to the Yankees, Cole refused to negotiate. He went to UCLA and the Yankees were never able to make a firm offer. To this day, it’s something that the Yankees can’t quite figure out. After indicating before the draft that he was willing to sign, Cole backed away.

Cole made the All-Pac 10 Team has a freshman. In 15 games, he pitched 85 innings and allowed only 57 hits while striking out 104. But thanks to 13 unearned runs and a lack of run support, he went 4-8. UCLA finished 27-29.

So while Cole remains a very impressive prospect, he’s stuck on an unimpressive team.

As for the Yankees, they have the No. 29 pick in the draft this season as compensation for not signing Cole.

Here’s where the Yankees pick in the first four rounds:

No. 29
No. 76 (compensation for not signing second-round pick Scott Bittle)
No. 135

They lost these picks as compensation for free agents signed:

25 (Teixeira)
73 (Sabathia)
104 (Burnett)

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Here’s a commercial the Yankees and manager Joe Girardi did for the New York City chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Girardi will  will be honored with the Community Leadership Award at the Association’s “Forget-Me-Not” gala tonight at The Pierre. Accepting the award on his behalf will be David Cone.

The manager will be joined by Cone, Al Leiter, Michael Kay and others on June 15 at the Grand Central Oyster Bar for the second annual “Remember When, Remember Now” gala to benefit Girardi’s Catch 25 foundation.

The money raised will benefit the New York City Chapter of The Alzheimer’s Association, the Central Illinois Chapter, based in Peoria, and Alzheimer’s Research at the Texas Medical Center’s Neurological Institute.

Tickets are $250 with tables for 10 priced at $5,000 and $2,500. Call (212) 972-5337 to purchase tickets or e-mail johnnycigarpr@aol.com

Girardi’s father, Jerry, is afflicted with the disease.