The LoHud Yankees Blog

Mariano Rivera taped ESPN’s Sunday Coversation yesterday. It’ll be on the 11 p.m. Sunday edition of SportsCenter.

Mo was asked about Jonathan Papelbon’s statement (since retracted) that he would play for the Yankees.

“If he wants to do that, he’ll have to wait for me to retire,” Rivera said. “You know, then I think he has a shot at that. Besides that, he don’t have a shot at that.”

On PEDs: “The reason why I’m laughing is because I don’t even drink coffee. And if I don’t drink coffee, I would never put in my mind or think to put that in my body. If the talent that God has given me is not enough, well, I’ll have to quit. When I leave this game I know deep in my mind, deep in my heart that I was clean.”

Good morning from the Mookie Blaylock International Airport in Atlanta. Here waiting for an early flight back to New York and the second round of the Subway Series.

The airport televisions all have CNN on and there is nothing but Michael Jackson coverage. Carlos Diaz, who apparently is an entertainment reporter, just told Larry King that, “the world is waking up to the enormity of this tragedy. None of us will ever be the same again.”

OK, Carlos, calm down. This is not Sept. 11. Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly died and we managed to figure it out. These things happen. The KIng of Pop is probably fortunate he wasn’t starring in the Cellblock B spring production of Annie given some of the things he was accused of.

That said, iTunes is going to make a fortune today. A fortune.

Meanwhile, you probably heard that Braves pitcher Jeff Bennett broke a bone in his left (non-pitching) hand when he punched a door on Wednesday night after giving up A-Rod’s two-run single in the sixth inning. But what you might not have heard is that Bennett pushed the broken bone back into place and pitched the seventh inning. That had to hurt. Bennett went on the DL yesterday and needs surgery.

As for the Yankees, it appears they’re over their offensive woes. But Mike Pelfrey has a 4.74 ERA for the Mets and is no pushover. The Yankees should punish Tim Redding and Livan Hernandez later in the series.

Anyway, they’re calling the flight. Catch you later on.

A-Rod stayed in the lineup and drove in four runs to help the Yankees beat the Braves.

Xavier Nady suffered what may a serious setback with his elbow. This notebook also has updates on Andy Pettitte, Robinson Cano and two Future Stars.

Sam Borden writes that the Yankees and Mets enter the second round of the Subway Series with plenty to be concerned about.

A-Rod now has 563 homers, matching Reggie Jackson for 11th place all-time.

“It’s quite an honor to tie Reggie,” Rodriguez said. “I’m sure Mr. October will have a lot to say about it.”

The important part is this: after a 4-for-40 skid, Rodriguez is 5 for 15 with eight RBI over the last four games. Tonight, believe it or not, was his first multi-hit game since May 25.

Rodriguez said something interesting before the game. For the first time he acknowledged that the hip surgery and subsequent recovery could hold his production down.

“I’m going to go out and do the best I can every night. Sometimes it’s a couple of walks and a hit. It doesn’t have to be a 500-foot home run, it just has to be good at-bats, situational hitting and play good defense. I do have my limitations,” he said.

Perhaps admitting that will take away some of the pressure he was under. He certainly looked like a different player the last few days.

Or maybe the untimely passing of Michael Jackson will prove inspirational to Alex moving forward. After all, he wears one glove to perform in front of large crowds, altered his body in unnatural ways and is the target of much tabloid gossip. He and MJ had a lot in common.

(I’m just kidding, calm down.)

If you’re awake and interested, I’m going to be on WFAN at 1:05 to talk some Yankees.

Xavier Nady took himself out of the Scranton game tonight when he felt pain making a throw.

“We don’t know what he did yet but it could be the worst-case scenario,” Brian Cashman said.

Somehow, that ended up with Mo getting a save. No. 499 for him.

What a mess.

But it seems the offense has returned. The Yankees have scored at least one run in 10 of the last 13 innings since Joe Girardi wad ejected in the sixth inning on Wednesday night. They have 19 runs on 26 hits in the last two games.

The Yankees had scored 18 runs in the seven games before that, losing five of them.

Don’t stay up late expecting a post-game wrap-up. I have an early flight home and a story to write.

Catch me on WFAN around 1:05 a.m. however.

YANKEES (39-32)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Posada C
Swisher RF
Gardner CF
Ransom 2B
Pettitte LHP

Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (7-3, 4.26).

BRAVES (34-37)
McLouth CF
Prado 2B
Jones 3B
McCann C
Escobar SS
Anderson LF
Francoeur RF
Kotchman 1B
Lowe RHP

Pitching: RHP Derek Lowe (7-5, 4.09).

TIME/TV: 7:10 p.m., YES.

STATE OF THE ‘STRIPES: The Yankees are 2-3 on their road trip. The actual road trip part ends tonight. Then they travel back to New York to face the Mets for three games at Citi Field. The Yankees have lost three of four, five of seven and nine of 14.

NOT THEIR FAULT: The Yankees have a 3.83 ERA in the last 14 games.

MO MILESTONES: Mariano Rivera needs two saves for 500 and 29 strikeouts for 1,000.

MO VS. THE NL: Rivera has converted 32 of his last 33 interleague save chances.

THE LOWE DOWN: Derek Lowe is 8-10 with a 6.07 in 39 career games against the Yankees in the regular season. But in his last appearance against the Yankees, in Game Seven 2004 ALCS, he allowed one run over six innings at Yankee Stadium.

Derek Jeter (15 of 52), Jorge Posada (10 of 36) and Alex Rodriguez (7 of 24) have hit Lowe pretty well. Hideki Matsui (12 of 22, 1 homer, 12 RBI) has crushed him.

ON THE RUN: Jeter has stolen 16 stolen bases. That’s his most since 2006 when he swiped 34.

PETTITTE POWER: Andy allowed one run over seven innings against Florida on Friday. He allowed three hits without a walk and fanned seven.

IT MUST BE THAT SCARY MUSTACHE: The Yankees are 12-1 in games Brian Bruney appears in.

MAKING THE MOST OF IT: Frankie Cervelli has played in only six games this month. But he is 6 of 20 (.300) with five runs scored and three RBI. The Yankees are 3-3 in those games.

HE’S ALSO MAKING THE MOST OF IT: Of Nick Swisher’s 17 hits this month, 11 are for extra bases.

HANDLING THE BAT: Yankee pitchers have 13 plate appearances in the last five games They are 2 for 11 with two sacrifices and have struck out only twice. Three of the outs were line drives.

ON THE iPOD RIGHT NOW: Domino by the great, great Van Morrison. Hey, Mr. DJ, I just wanna to hear some rhythm and blues music on the radio.

SHOW SOME CIVILITY: If you want to comment on the game post, welcome. Please review our commenting guidelines. The link is over to the right.

Back with much more later.

UPDATE, 3:57 p.m.: Cano scratched. No word why.

UPDATE, 4:29 p.m.: Cano has his left wrist taped up but says he’s just getting a day off. Still, he was in the original lineup.

UPDATE, 5:55 p.m.: Turns out Cano was fibbin’ to the writers. His wrist is bothering him according to Girardi, which is why he is out They expect him to play tomorrow. … As for A-Rod, turns out he’s going to play through the end of the weekend. The Yankees have again reversed direction and have decided that Monday’s scheduled day off will suffice. Remember four days ago when “he’s getting a day off whether he likes it or not.” Yeah, not so much now.

Team physician Chris Ahmad spoke to the vaunted Dr Philippon and they decided A-Rod could keep playing.

Melky Cabrera and Hideki Matsui have had the flu, which explains why the Melkman has been out. Girardi acknowledged that Godzilla is none too pleased not be playing. But the docs and trainers have decided his knees will blow up if he plays the outfield. … CC played catch earlier today, felt fine and flew home to New York. He’ll start tomorrow.

UPDATE, 6:55 p.m.: Weird day, huh? Farrah Fawcett (sure, I had the poster) and Michael Jackson both dying. Strange doings. I was never a big solo MJ fan. But ABC by the Jackson 5 is one of the best pop songs of all time. Little MJ had a great voice.

UPDATE, 7:01 p.m.: We’re about to get underway. Enjoy the game.

UPDATE, 7:31 p.m.: 2-0 Yankees as A-Rod connects and ties Mr. October for 11th place all-time with 563. It was his first road HR in 69 bats, his longest such drought since 1997.

A-Rod has been hitting the ball to center and right center lately, even when he makes out. Usually a sign that he is on.

UPDATE, 7:48 p.m.: So it would seem A-Rod’s slump is over. It’s 3-1 Yankees as he drills an RBI single into center field. He’s 3 for his last 3 with two walks and four RBI.

UPDATE, 7:50 p.m.: Lowe has allowed seven hits and walked two in two innings. He’s lucky its only 3-0. The Yankees are 2 for 6 with RISP and have left five runners on base.

Looks like Knute Rockne Cashman will be making every road trip.

UPDATE, 8:12 p.m.: That is what they needed. Lowe had to pay for all those hits and walks and Johnny Damon made him pay dearly with a three-run triple. Yankees take a 6-1 lead. The offense is back.

UPDATE, 8:38 p.m.: Cody Ransom, welcome back. 2 for 3 with a two-run double. The Yankees have the big stick out and are beating the Braves 8-1.

UPDATE, 8:53 p.m.: And we’ve got a game. Brett Gardner’s error in center allows a run and the Yankees lead 8-4. Atlanta has runners at first and second with one out.

This game is crying out for three innings of Phil Hughes.

UPDATE, 9:03 p.m.: Terrible inning for the Yankees and Pettitte. Now it’s 8-6 and Aceves needs to get an out and get this over with. An AL game has broken out.

UPDATE, 9:06 p.m.: This whole mess started when the pop-up fell between Damon, Jeter and Gardner. Damon’s ball all the way, too.

UPDATE, 9:23 p.m.: Aceves retired the first three guys he faces no problem then walks Javy Vazquez. The game doesn’t much make sense.

Meanwhile, Red Sox about to lose and Nady was 0 for 2 with a strikeout for Scranton.

UPDATE, 9:30 p.m.: Derek may turn 35 tomorrow but he can still play shortstop.

UPDATE, 9:55 p.m.: Another chance for Alex to do some damage. Yankees need some cushion.

UPDATE, 9:59 p.m.: Another big hit for Alex. That’s eight RBI in four games. Yankees lead 10-6.

UPDATE, 10:29 p.m.: Man, that no-good Alex is killing them! Striking out with two guys on.

UPDATE, 10:30 p.m.: Only kidding … CC is lucky, he got to go home and avoid this mess. 17 runs, 25 hits, four errors.

UPDATE, 10:32 p.m.: The Yankees are 6 of 19 with RISP and have left 14 runners on base. And they have scored 11 runs.

UPDATE, 10:33 p.m.: Phil Hughes warming up. Nice to see the Yankees have such a carefully designed and thoughtful plan for one of their best arms.

If he pitches in the ninth inning of an 11-6 game, what is the point of his being here? He might as well start in Scranton and get ready for when they need a starter again. Edwar Ramirez can pitch in low-leverage situations.

UPDATE, 10:44 p.m.: Dave Robertson to mop up this tediously long game.

UPDATE, 10:57 p.m.: I’m shocked Mo was awake this long. Is anybody reading or you all watching Jacko on CNN?

Today’s live video chat from Atlanta went well as we talked about the Yankees for 45 minutes. To see a replay, go to our Pro Talk Live page and hit the In Demand button.

The Yankees had two players selected to the Futures Game on July 12 in St. Louis. Catcher Jesus Montero and left-hander Manny Banuelos were named to the World Team.

(Before you lose your mind, every team had to have one prospect selected and no more than two players could be selected from one organization. Austin Jackson is doing just fine.)

Montero you know. Banuelos you may not. His rights were purchased from a Mexican team in the same deal that landed Alfredo Aceves last year. Banuelos is a thin 18-year-old who is 5-3, 2.51 with Low Class A Charleston. Check out his stats on MinorLeagueBaseball.com.

Baseball America has the Futures Game rosters.

Montero went 1 for 2 for the World Team in last year’s game.

UPDATE: 3:21 p.m.: Trenton Thunder manager Tony Franklin was chosen as a coach for U.S. Team.