The LoHud Yankees Blog

The Yankees were riding high as they started a series in Boston on June 9. They were in first place alone, 11 games over .500 and had won 19 of their previous 25 games.

They are 4-9 since and now tied for second place with Toronto. Tampa Bay is closing fast.

What happened? Let’s look for reasons as to what caused this:

Pitching: Nope, not here. The Yankees have a 3.89 ERA in those 13 games and the bullpen has actually pitched better than it has all season.

Schedule: Nope, not here. Outside of the Red Sox, the Yankees faced the Mets, Nationals, Marlins and Braves. This was supposed to be an “easy ” stretch.

Offense: What else could it be? The Yankees are hitting .240 with a .326 on-base percentage and a .394 slugging percentage in those 13 games and averaging 4.0 runs. In their previous 57 games, they were averaging 5.7 runs and hitting .277/.356/.482 as a team.

Clutch hitting: The Yankees were hitting .266 with runners in scoring position over the first 57 games. Not great, but it was working. They are at .238 since. If you discount that 15-0 game against the Mets, it’s .194. They’ve fallen off the cliff of clutch.

Power hitting: The Yankees have 13 home runs in the last 13 games including one in the last five. They had been averaging 1.6 home runs per game previously. I think there is something to the idea that they had grown content with the idea of waiting for somebody to hit a home run. Then when it doesn’t happen, nobody knows what to do. Has the new Stadium screwed them up?

Let’s look at the players individually. Here are games played, batting, RBI and OPS for the key Yankees. We’ll go in descending order of OPS

Matsui: 12 games, 8 of 28, 5 RBI, .980
Gardner: 12 games, 8 of 20, 2 RBI, .955
Cano: 13 games, 17 of 52, 8 RBI, .903
Teixeira: 13 games, 13 of 49, 5 RBI, .838
Jeter: 12 games, 12 of 47, 4 RBI, .716
Cabrera: 12 games, 8 of 20, 2 RBI, .694
Damon: 13 games, 8 of 43, 6 RBI, .643
Posada: 12 games, 7 of 26, 2 RBI, .598
Swisher: 12 games, 7 of 42, 1 RBI, .548
Rodriguez: 12 games, 4 of 39, 5 RBI, .486

Matsui and Gardner, who have played the least, have played the best. That’s not good. But with interleague play, Matsui has little use. Swisher’s inconsistent tendencies are hurting them. He has been either very good or very bad this season and he’s in one of his very bad periods. Posada has not given them the lift hoped for when he came off the DL. Melky also has reverted to his usual Melkyness.

And of course we have our old friend Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez. The Yankees basically have had one of the coldest hitters in the game in the middle of their lineup. The problem, as Tyler Kepner explained on Bats, is that we have no idea whether Alex can emerge from this or not. This could be what he is post-steroids and post-surgery.

Here’s a lineup to consider tonight, assuming Damon can play:

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Cano 2B
Teixeira 1B
A-Rod 3B
Posada C
Swisher RF
Gardner CF
Chamberlain RHP

Or take a chance and play Matsui in LF. He hits Kawakami well according to the Japanese media. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

————

Our next live vide chat will tomorrow at 1 p.m. Go to our Pro Talk Live page and get your questions answered.

The chat is sponsored by Friedrich Air Conditioning.

This release from YES:

The YES Network, Cablevision Systems Corp. and MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball, today announced a multi-year agreement that will allow customers who receive the YES Network by subscribing to Cablevision’s Family Cable (expanded basic) level of television service or above – and its Optimum Online high-speed Internet service – to purchase a package of YES’ New York Yankees game telecasts for live in-market online viewing. This agreement will make Yankees on YES live game streaming over broadband the only live in-market streaming product in professional sports to include games with local television rights.

Any eligible Cablevision customer who elects to purchase this package can watch YES’ Yankees telecasts live on his or her computer throughout the entire home broadcasting territory of the New York Yankees, or on laptops or other portable computers using Cablevision’s Optimum WiFi wireless Internet service.

The offering will enable Yankees fans who already watch YES on Cablevision to access a package of Yankees games with enhanced convenience and portability. In addition to the YES Network’s Yankees telecasts, Cablevision customers who also subscribe to the Cablevision broadband package will have the opportunity to receive unprecedented access to YES’ Yankees telecasts via broadband, including over Cablevision’s new
Optimum WiFi wireless Internet service.

The Yankees on YES live game streaming over broadband package, available for a one-time fee of $49.95 for the remainder of the season or $19.95 for any 30-day period, is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 8 at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) with the YES Network’s Yankees-Twins broadcast. All games will be delivered in true high definition, the highest quality live streaming as pioneered by MLBAM this year in its MLB.TV package.

Beginning immediately, eligible Cablevision subscribers can review FAQs for the product and begin purchasing the package on Yankees.com, YESNetwork.com and Optimum.net. Cablevision and MLBAM will implement and manage an authentication process ensuring that only those Cablevision customers who receive the YES Network as part of their cable service and also subscribe to Optimum Online will be able to subscribe to the package.

“We are delighted to partner in this collaborative effort to deliver greater access Yankees fans within their local market,” said Bob DuPuy, president and COO, Major League Baseball. “This agreement represents an important opportunity for Yankees fans to stay connected with their favorite team while providing them the portable flexibility to do so when they cannot be at the ballpark.”

“This is a landmark agreement in that it respects our partners’ core business models while enhancing their new business prospects,” said Tracy Dolgin, president and CEO, the YES Network. “At the same time, Yankees fans have more choices than ever before to follow the team, and there are no extra costs passed on to those who choose not to sign up for the package. Of course, Yankees fans can continue to watch the most storied franchise in sports on the YES Network.”

“This is an important and groundbreaking agreement among YES, Cablevision and MLBAM that greatly benefits Yankee fans,” said Hal Steinbrenner, managing general partner and co-chairman, New York Yankees. “This gives fans the flexibility to watch Yankees games on YES almost anywhere. It is an enormous step forward and I know our fans will jump on the opportunity.”

The Nationals, Marlins and Braves are 85-118 (.418) against teams not named the Yankees.

They are 5-2 against the Yankees.

The Yankees are 5-8 in interleague games. Other teams in the AL East:

Red Sox 8-5
Rays 8-5
Jays 5-8
Orioles 9-4

Thanks again, Luis Castillo. It should be even worse.

Frustration is mounting as the Yankees lost again.

CC Sabathia will throw a bullpen today to determine his status for Friday. This notebook also has updates on Johnny Damon, a denied protest, Cody Ransom and Ian Kennedy.

———–

I found this amusing. Armando Benitez blew the save in the Atlantic League All-Star Game last night. Handed a 5-3 lead in the ninth, Armando allowed four runs. Luis Lopez drove in the game-winner. Armando is 36 and hoping to make yet another return to the majors after breaking hearts for 15 years.

This comment from A-Rod should cheer you up:

“I’ve got to take it one day at time. I certainly don’t think it’s going to be a bad year. I think I’m going to do a lot of good things to help the team win. I have complete certainly I’m going to do a fine job.”

Well, complete certainty. You can’t ask for much more than that. As your his slump, maybe it’s October on the Kabbalah calendar. Somebody needs to check that out.

In other news: Wang will start Sunday. Hughes is being held back in case he’s needed on Friday. … Girardi said he would consider changing the lineup. … Yankees 5-8 against the NL and 15-16 in interleague games under Girardi. … Cody Ransom on his way from Scranton. No word yet on the corresponding move.

After 70 games in 2008: 37-33, six games out of first.

After 70 games in 2009: 38-32, five games out of first.

“This is going to turn,” Joe Girardi said. “And when it does, it will be a welcome sight.”

A-Rod said his swings are getting more aggressive. Well that’s good.

YANKEES (38-31)
Jeter SS
Swisher RF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Posada C
Cabrera LF
Gardner CF
Wang RHP

Pitching: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (0-5, 12.30).

BRAVES (33-36)
McLouth CF
Escobar SS
Jones 3B
McCann C
Anderson LF
Kotchman 1B
Francoeur RF
Johnson 2B
Hanson RHP

Pitching: RHP Tommy Hanson (2-0, 4.08).

TIME/TV: 7 p.m., MY9.

STATE OF THE ‘STRIPES: It’s not good. The Yankees have lost four of their last five games and eight of their last 12. They trail the Red Sox by four games in the AL East.

INTERLEAGUE MESS: The Yankees are 5-7 against the National League this season and 15-15 in interleague games under Joe Girardi.

WANG ONE TIME: Chien-Ming Wang has gone 373 days without a win. He pitched better in his last outing (5 6 3 3 2 4) but not well enough. This game will be only his third since June 4.

DON’T SWING: The last time Wang swung a bat, he reached on a fielder’s choice then tried to score from second on a single. He blew out a ligament and tendon in his right foot and hasn’t been the same since. That was last June 15 in Houston.

A-ROD UPDATE: He is 1 of his last 19, 3 for 25, 5 of 43 and 9 of 59. Rodriguez is hitting .213 for the season and has one home run in his last 13 games.

POWER OUTAGE: The Yankees have hit one home run in their last four games.

CENTER FIELD COMPARISON: Melky Cabrera is 12 of his last 62 (.193). Brett Gardner is 15 of 43 (.349).

TWIN-KILLINGS: The Yankees have grounded into eight double plays in their last four games.

SWISHER THE ROAD DOG: Nick Swisher has 22 of his 30 extra-base hits on the road. He is at .302/.391/.655 on the road and .177/.373/.323 in the Bronx. Memo to Nick: Yankee Stadium is a good place to hit.

A LITTLE BETTER: The Yankees were 36-33 and six games out of first after 69 games a year ago.

TOMKO TROUBLES: His last three appearances: 3.2 6 7 7 2 4 with three home runs.

Back with more later.

UPDATE, 4:19 p.m.: Damon still has pain in his calf. He’s available off the bench. Day to day.

UPDATE, 4:28 p.m.: CC Sabathia just received treatment and feels good. They delayed his bullpen until tomorrow. He still plans to start Friday.

UPDATE, 4:49 p.m.: As expected, MLB denied Joe Girardi’s protest of Sunday’s game. No reason was given.

UPDATE, 5:28 p.m.: Girardi indicated that Cody Ransom would be here tomorrow. They have to decide whether Pena or Berroa goes.

UPDATE, 7:22 p.m.: We’re through one inning here in Atlanta, where it was 89 degrees at first pitch. So far, so good for the Wanger.

Yankees are 9-1 here all-time including the Series. Hope you enjoy the game.

UPDATE, 7:44 p.m.: The good news for Wang is that he ran the bases without getting injured. The bad news is that he has given up a couple of hits here in the second inning.

UPDATE, 7:49 p.m.: Nice play by Wang and Cano. He has squirmed through two innings.

UPDATE, 7:56 p.m.: Tommy Hanson just pitched around Tex to get to A-Rod. And of course Alex hacks at the first pitch he sees.

UPDATE, 7:58 p.m.: And Alex takes a half-swing to strike out on three pitches. He’s very rejuvenated.

UPDATE, 8:06 p.m.: A-Rod just let a grounder get past him, keeping Wang from a 1-2-3 inning. Girardi said before the game that his day off could come in this series. Cody Ransom at third base tomorrow? At least he would pick up a grounder.

UPDATE, 8:08 p.m.: Bad error there by Posada, who threw a rainbow into center field from his knees with the runner halfway to the base.

UPDATE, 8:11 p.m.: 1-0 Braves as Wang can’t pick up A-Rod and Posada.

UPDATE, 8:14 p.m.: Another rocket, this one by Anderson. Braves leads 3-0. Wang has allowed five hits in three innings and four of them were line drives. He is not pitching well at all.

UPDATE, 8:28 p.m.: Yankees have put seven runners on base in four innings and are scoreless. They are 0 for 6 with RISP and have left eight runners on, six in scoring position. The whole team is in an offensive malaise. The defense has been bad, too.

UPDATE, 8:39 p.m.: A-Rod flies out to right field. He is 1 for 7 since his rejuvenating rest period and a sparkling 9 for 61 (.148) this month.

UPDATE, 8:56 p.m.: Another “Well, he did OK” outing for Wang. 5 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs, 3 earned runs, 1 walk, four strikeouts. He wasn’t very good, he wasn’t all that bad. He was OK. That third inning blew up on him when A-Rod fanned on the groundball with two outs and nobody on.

If this was an American League game, he would have stayed in for another two innings or so. He threw only 62 pitches, 42 strikes.

UPDATE, 9:05 p.m.: Wow, another GIDP. That’s nine in five games. Yankees are 0-7 with RISP and have left 10 runners on base in six innings. In essence, nearly the whole team has stopped hitting for two weeks.

Girardi’s seat is getting warmer by the day. But it’s going to take somebody in the Steinbrenner family to decide he’s out. Brian Cashman is not going to can his manager in June.

UPDATE, 9:13 p.m.: Nice to see Hughes get his work in when they’re down 3-0. Then again, the odds of the Yankees have a lead any time soon seem pretty slim.

UPDATE, 9:26 p.m.: You know what’s astonishing? The Yankees still lead the wild card.

UPDATE, 9:37 p.m.: Posada didn’t even bother to run to first base. Pretty grim. Unless something changes, the Yankees will have lost nine of their last 13.

Back with more later on.

I post this only to save lives.

The voting for the Triple-A All-Star Game ends Friday at 11:59 p.m. If Shelley Duncan does not get voted in, he could go on a rampage that would take the country and the particularly the state of Pennsylvania years to recover from.

Fan votes count for 33 percent of the decision, so you can make a difference.

Go to swbyankees.com or minorleaguebaseball.com to vote. You can vote up to 25 times. Imagine all the time you would waste.

Seriously, Shelley and Austin Jackson deserve to go. John Rodriguez, Chris Stewart, Juan Miranda and Mark Melancon also are doing well in the voting. Plus if Kei Igawa gets in, Brian Cashman will make a funny face when we ask him about it.

So click those links.

————

If you’re in Tampa tonight, Phillies closer Brad Lidge is scheduled to make a rehab appearance tonight at Steinbrenner Field against the Single-A club.

CC Sabathia had a sore arm on Sunday and left the game in the second inning. After investing $161 million in the big lefty, that was the last thing the Yankees wanted to see.

George King of the Post talked to Sabathia yesterday and asked him what he thought caused the pain. Was it throwing 253 innings in the 2008 regular season and making his last four starts on three days’ rest?

“No, that’s not it,” Sabathia said. “It could be the 120 pitches this year.”

Has CC been abused this season? Let’s check it out.

Sabathia has thrown 119+ pitches three times this season: April 16 (122), May 2 (119) and June 11 (123). In his 14 starts before the injury, he pitched into the eighth inning eight times.

When Sabathia was with the Indians and Brewers last season, he did not get to 119 pitches until June 5 and his first time over 120 was on July 2. He pitched into the eighth inning four times in his first 14 starts.

So Yankees manager Joe Girardi has pushed Sabathia more than he was last season, but not by an unreasonable amount. Throwing 122 pitches in mid April is eye-opening. But it’s hard to say that caused a sore arm two months later.

CC is also a 28-year-old man with a long-term contract. If he thinks he has had enough, he can voice that opinion and presumably the manager would listen to him.

But these situations bear watching. Clearly Girardi made an error by playing Alex Rodriguez every day, something that even he admitted. And now Sabathia is raising questions about his use.

Girardi knows if the Yankees fail to make the playoffs, he’s out of a job. At the age of 44, he would have already been fired twice. Finding a third chance would be difficult. Were I in his spot, I’d want CC Sabathia on the mound, too.

Now that the Yankees seem to have crafted a reasonably effective bullpen, perhaps Sabathia won’t have to get pushed quite so much.

Tonight: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (0-5, 12.30) vs. RHP Tommy Hanson (2-0, 4.08), 7 p.m., MY9

Wednesday: RHP Joba Chamberlain (3-2, 3.89) vs. RHP Kenshin Kawakami (4-6, 4.42), 7 p.m., YES, ESPN2

Thursday: LHP Andy Pettitte (7-3, 4.26) vs. RHP Derek Lowe (7-5, 4.09), 7 p.m., YES