YANKEES (59-48)
Damon DH
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
A. Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Nady LF
P. Rodriguez C
Cabrera CF
Pettitte LHP

Andy Pettitte (12-7, 3.76) vs. the Los Angeles hitters.

Jon Garland (9-6, 4.30) vs. the New York hitters.

Notes: The Yankees are 9-3 since the break, the Angels 10-2. … The Yankees are 15-23 against the Angels since 2004. … Los Angeles has won three straight and seven of their last eight.

GUESS WHO’S BACK: For the 1,987th time this season, Chris Britton was called up from Scranton. Chad Moeller was DFA’d.

WHO’S HOT: Bobby Abreu is 18 of his last 45 (.400) with 10 extra-base hits, 12 RBI and 15 runs scored. … A-Rod is 10 of his last 21 with four RBI and two HR.

WHO’S NOT: Robinson Cano is 3 of his last 18 with one run scored and no RBI. … Wilson betemit is 8 of his last 45 with 15 strikeouts.

HOW CAN THEY DO THAT TO ANDY PHILLIPS: Pudge Rodriguez will wear No. 12.

Check back for lots of updates and Pudge audio after his press conference.

* * * * * MINOR TRADE FOR YANKS * * * * *

4:13 p.m.: INF Alberto Gonzalez to the Nationals for RHP Jhonny Nunez.

UPDATE, 4:18 p.m.: Nunez is 2-8, 5.22 for AA Harrisburg. He’s 22.

Meanwhile three of the four players obtained for Randy Johnson (Gonzalez, Luis Vizcaino and Ross Ohlendorf) are gone and Steven Jackson isn’t much of a prospect. But they did get a draft pick for Vizcaino, which proved to be Jeremy Bleich.

* * * * * MANNY RAMIREZ HAS BEEN TRADED * * * * * *

So says the Boston Globe. No details yet. Seems to be the Dodgers. This may be the best news for the Yankees all day.

UPDATE, 4:30 p.m.: Meanwhile, back in the Bronx, here is audio from Pudge Rodriguez’s press conference:

OK, back later with updates.

UPDATE, 4:37 p.m.: IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT

Was this is the greatest trade deadline or what? Sabathia, Harden, Nady, Blanton, Teixeira, Pudge Rodriguez, Griffey, Manny. Holy smoke!

Sounds like it’s Manny to the Dodgers and Jason Bay to the Red Sox. Jason Bay is a decent player but he’s no Manny. Good news for the Yankees.

UPDATE, 4:46 p.m.: Here is what it seems to be:

Red Sox get: OF Jason Bay.

Pirates get: RHP Bryan Morris and INF Andy LaRoche from the Dodgers, RHP Craig Hansen and OF Brandon Moss from the Red Sox. Maybe another Dodgers prospect, too.

Dodgers get: Manny Ramirez and $7 million from Boston.

The team options were taken off Manny’s deal. He also will agree to decline arbitration so they can get draft picks when he becomes a FA.

I get it that Boston wanted to get rid of Manny. But the Red Sox traded three players (including Manny Ramirez) and $7 million for Jason Bay. That’s a hell of a lot for Jason Bay.

* * * * * EDWAR RAMIREZ SUSPENDED * * * * *

6:01 p.m.: Edwar Ramirez was suspended for three games for throwing at Kevin Millar. He appealed.

Daniel Cabrera got six games for actualling hitting A-Rod.

The Yankees have now had five players suspended this season for various offenses.

UPDATE, 6:20 p.m.: Here is the latest on our old pal Phil Hughes. He will pitch for Single-A Charleston on Saturday and be elevated to 50 pitches. Hughes could be a handful of starts away from being ready.

Cashman mentioned Hughes, Kennedy and Aceves as possible options in the rotation.

UPDATE, 6:22 p.m.: Here is some bonus audio for you. Brian Cashman’s interview from today. C-Money talks about what did happen and what didn’t. He would not bite on commenting about Manny.

UPDATE, 6:24 p.m.: Shameless plug: I will be on ESPN News around 6:45 p.m.

UPDATE, 7:02 p.m.: Huge cheer for Pudge when the lineup was introduced.

Is you listened to the audio, you could tell how excited he was to be here.

This is a huge game for the Yankees. With Rasner and Ponson pitching in this series, they need Pettitte and Moose to win their games. The Yankees can’t expect to win the season series against the Angels with six of the games on the road, but they need to go 5-5 anyway. Just hold your own.

UPDATE, 7:07 p.m.: Lt. General Ray Odierno threw out the first pitch. He was the head of the division that captured Saddam Hussein in Iraq and will soon be the Army’s top man there.

UPDATE, 7:12 p.m.: OK, gang, I have a ton of newspaper work to go. I’ll update some later on. Enjoy the game.

Oh, and the Yankees have signed RHP Victor Zambrano to a minor-league deal. He’ll stay in Tampa and work out. He’s one of the huddled masses yearning to breathe major league air. I doubt he’s a realistic option for this season as he’s coming off surgery.

UPDATE, 8:05 p.m.: Hmm, it would seem Pudge and Pettitte have some kinks to iron out. One thing about Andy this season, when he gives it up, he really gives it up.

UPDATE, 8:10 p.m.: How’s the Pudge Rodriguez Era going? The Yankees are down 6-0, he’s made five trips to the mound to talk to Pettitte and he just stuck out on four pitches in his first at-bat. Other than that, it has been great.

UPDATE, 10:24 p.m.: Sorry for the lacks of updates. Bad game and lots of newspaper work to do.

The Yankees have had some brutal pitching the last five games, just awful. While getting Nady and Rodriguez were no-brainer moves, this team will rise or fall on the strength of the five starters and right now, they’re struggling (outside of Joba).

Back with some reaction and other notes.

Here is an internet exclusive for you. Brian Cashman discussing the trade, the entire 15-minute press conference:

A few points I found interesting:

* He was NOT looking for catching until Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski called today and proposed this trade.

* The Yankees are very much in “go for it” mode. You have to figure Jarrod Washburn is next. Or something else.

* C-Money clearly has a soft spot for Farnsworth.

* Hank and Hal have their pop’s love of spending money. That’s for sure. They have added $4.78 million to the payroll since Friday. Cashman said there is a limit. But who knows where that line is drawn?

UPDATE, 6:26 p.m.: “It’s going to be very exciting,” Rodriguez told reporters in Cleveland. “They are in the race and I’m ready to do my job.”

Rodriguez waived the no-trade clause in his deal without demanding compensation.

“Pudge has always wanted to play in New York,” agent Scott Boras told the Associated Press.

Rodriguez is scheduled to arrive in time to be on the roster for tomorrow’s game against the Los Angeles Angels.

YANKEES (57-45)
Damon DH
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Nady LF
Cabrera CF
Molina C
Pettitte LHP

RED SOX (60-44)
Pedroia 2B
Youkilis 1B
Ortiz DH
Ramirez LF
Lowell 3B
Drew RF
Lowrie SS
Crisp CF
Cash C
Wakefield RHP

Andy Pettitte (11-7, 3.86) vs. the Boston hitters.

Tim Wakefield (6-7, 3.69) vs. the New York hitters.

Just for kicks, here is Damaso Marte vs. the Boston hitters.

Notes: Sorry for the delay, they were waiting on Nady to arrive. … Nady is 0 for 1 in his career against Wakefield. …The Yankees have won seven straight and 12 of 15. … The Yankees have allowed only 13 earned runs in 66 innings since the break while striking out 73. Their team ERA is down to a season low 3.94. … Bobby Abreu has a 10 game hitting streak at Fenway Park (14 of 41, six doubles). … The Yankees are 22 of 71 (.310) with RISP since the break.

Back later with updates.

UPDATE, 2:54 p.m.: Brett Gardner was optioned to Scranton. LaTroy Hawkins was DFA’d. Also, Kei Igawa had cleared waivers and was taken off the 40-man. So they’re at 39 now. Plenty of room for Jarrod Washburn.

UPDATE, 2:55 p.m.: Here’s how the deal went down. Cashman has been trying to get Marte for a while. When the Pirates mentioned how much they liked Tabata, the deal expanded. Pittsburgh had to have Tabata and Ohlendorf.

Then the second tier of the deal became McCutchen or Coke. The Pirates had their choice. The third segment of the deal was a choice of Karstens or Kontos.

* * * BREAKING NEWS: Yankees close on Washburn * * *

Waiting to find out details, but it sounds like the Yankees may have traded for Jarrod Washburn. Or are at least close to that. More to come.

UPDATE, 3:12 p.m.: Hmm, maybe not. Says Brian Cashman, “I have no irons in the fire. I’m cold.”

Of course that could change in a second.

UPDATE, 4:09 p.m.: Here is Brian Cashman taking about the Pirates trade:

UPDATE, 4:10 p.m.: A few points about the trade:

* Cashman said he would not have surrended what he did for two rentals. Having Nady and Marte under their control was important.

* This will enable the Jorge Posada to have his shoulder surgery now and be ready for 2009. Cashman and Girardi said that will be discussed. But now that Nady is here and Damon is nearly healthy, there is no sense in delaying Posada’s surgery.

* Cashman said that Austin Jackson had passed Tabata in terms of being the best position player prospect in the organization.

* Dealing the prospects opens up space in terms of who they can protect in the Rule 5 Draft.

UPDATE, 4:31 p.m.: Brutal outing for Andy Pettitte so far. He is closing in on 50 pitches in the second inning and is down 2-0 thanks to an error by Alex Rodriguez.

With Sidney Ponson going against Jon Lester tomorrow, this is a game the Yankees need to get.

UPDATE, 4:42 p.m.: Marte has No. 34 and Nady No. 29.

UPDATE, 4:46 p.m.: I know I keep bringing this up. But what is up with Bobby Meacham? The Red Sox were giving that run up when Manny threw to second and he held Abreu. It should be 2-2.

UPDATE, 5:00 p.m.: Robbie Cano is now an insane 17 of 33 since the break. He hit that ball a long way.

UPDATE, 5:30 p.m.: At what point do you suppose the Yankees will figure out that Cano can’t steal bases? He is 1 for 5 this season and 11 of 25 for his career. Here’s a crazy thought: Stop having him run.

TRADE UPDATE, 5:41 p.m.: Jarrod Washburn might not be a Yankee today, but it could happen as early as tomorrow. The Yankees appear willing to absorb the $14 million he has left on his deal in return for not sending Seattle any player of significance. No, not Kei Igawa

Washburn will either waive his no-trade right or get compensated by Seattle in some way.

It’s a lot of money, but Washburn would be an upgrade on Ponson or Rasner. Having him around also would cushion the blow if Andy Pettitte and/or Mike Mussina retires after this season or go elsewhere.

UPDATE, 5:57 p.m.: There seems to be no stopping the Yankees. four hits and four runs in this inning (so far) and it’s 7-2. Meanwhile Brian Cashman is burning up his cell phone.

You have to like a weekend of roster improvements and getting tied with the Red Sox in the loss column. With all the road games the Yankees have left, any win on the road is huge.

The Hub is going to be Panic City if this lead holds up.

UPDATE, 6:00 p.m.: More brilliant base-running by the Yankees. But it should not matter.

It would be big if the Yankees can avoid using Mariano Rivera.

UPDATE, 6:06 p.m.: Assistant trainer Steve Donohue just visited Pettitte on the mound. He just threw an 87-mph fastball, so apparently he is OK.

UPDATE, 6:09 p.m.: All things considered, a solid six innings out of Andy Pettitte. He’s over 100, so that may have been it for him. Veras is warming up.

UPDATE, 6:26 p.m.: Right into the fire goes Damaso Marte, two on, one out and Big Papi up.

UPDATE, 6:29 p.m.: And he strikes out Ortiz on four pitches. Brian Cashman is a genius.

UPDATE, 6:30 p.m.: Look at Girardi, getting all Tony LaRussa on us. Three relievers in one inning.

UPDATE, 6:36 p.m.: It would not stun me if Hansen drills somebody in this inning.

UPDATE, 6:47 p.m.: That was pretty obvious in its intent. But the Yankees had something coming their way after Joba threw at Youkilis last night. Now it’s over unless the Yankees decide to continue it.

I’ll say this for Hansen, at least he threw at A-Rod’s body and not his head.

UPDATE, 7:01 p.m.: I’ve never understood the Sweet Caroline thing. It’s a creepy song. Neil Diamond admitted he wrote about it about Caroline Kennedy when she was 13. So, hey, let’s everybody sing!

YANKEES (56-45)
Damon DH
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Molina C
Gardner LF
Chamberlain RHP

RED SOX (60-43)
Ellsburg LF
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Youkilis 1B
Lowell 3B
Drew RF
Lowrie SS
Varitek C
Crisp CF
Beckett RHP

Joba Chamberlain (2-3, 2.52) vs. the Boston hitters.

Josh Beckett (9-6, 3.98) vs. the New York hitters.

Notes: The Yankees have won six straight and 11 of 14. They are a solid 23-23 on the road but have lost four of their last five away from the Bronx. … The Red Sox are coming off a three-game sweep in Seattle.

BECKETT AND THE BOMBERS: Beckett is 3-0, 3.92 ERA against the Yankees this season. He had been 4-3 prior to this season with a 6.65 ERA.

DAMON SINCE THE DL: Johnny Damon is 2 for 11 since he came off the disabled list. But playing at Fenway could be just what he needs to get going.

YANKEES IN THE SWING: Derek Jeter is 8 of 24 with four RBI and four extra-base hits. … A-Rod has eight RBI in the last six games. … Robbie Cano is 14 of 27 with 7 RBI and 5 runs scored since the break. He has gone from .246 to .265.

Back later with updates.

UPDATE, 6:11 p.m.: Manny Ramirez was in the lineup and was scratched just before BP. Suffice it to say, Red Sox fandom is displeased.

Meanwhile, lots of news from Brian Cashman:

* Phil Hughes will throw two innings in the GCL on Monday. He will soon be activated off the DL and optioned. Cashman would not predict whether Hughes would return to the majors. Cash said that teams are clamoring for Hughes in trade talks but he will not deal him.

* Carl Pavano is scheduled to start a GCL game on Tuesday. Assuming he is not attacked by bees first or gets a sunburn.

* Ross Ohlendorf has pitched so well as a starter for Scranton that he is being considered as a starter again.

* Cashman is not optimistic about making a trade. “But it only takes one call.” He drove up to Boston today and was on the phone the entire time.

* On the subject of Barry Bonds, Cashman would not rule it out because he never rules anything about. But he said he has not spoken to Jeff Borris, Bonds’ agent. So it’s not happening and never was.

* Brian Bruney needs more work on his velocity and command before they bring him back.

UPDATE, 6:32 p.m.: Cashman said he has faith in Molina and Moeller to catch the rest of the season. Finding a catcher is not high on his list.

UPDATE, 7:14 p.m.: Here is Joe Girardi’s pre-game media session:

UPDATE, 7:33 p.m.: It would seem that starting at Fenway for the first time is not going to shake up Joba Chamberlain. He fanned Ortiz and Youkilis to end the first inning. This has all the makings of a great matchup with these two guys pitching. The Yankees need to make Beckett work, which they did in the first inning.

UPDATE, 7:47 p.m.: Wow, two terrific defensive plays that inning by the Yankees. It’s like a new Robbie Cano came back from the Dominican.

UPDATE, 7:51 p.m.: Not sure what to make of this yet. But Phil Coke pitched an inning for Trenton (striking out the side) then was pulled from the game. Might he be on the move for somebody?

8:09 p.m.: THE YANKEES HAVE MADE A TRADE:

OF Xavier Nady and LHP Damaso Marte from Pittsburgh for OF Jose Tabata, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, LHP Phil Coke and RHP George Kontos.

TRADE ANALYSIS, 8:40 p.m.: This is a smart move for the Yankees. Nady gives the lineup a right-handed hitting boost with Matsui and Posada out and unlikely to return. Even if Posada comes back, his shoulder problem clearly was hampering his hitting.

Nady can play left field, allowing Damon to DH. Marte slides into the bullpen, giving the Yankees what is right now the best unit in the league.

Tabata, while only 20, has not hit for power and was a discipline problem this season. Ohlendorf is a No. 5 starter type or a set-up man. Coke has pitched well the last two seasons but you have to give up something to get something.

Neither Coke or Kontos were among the team’s A-list prospects, although Coke was moving up fast.

Getting Nady also serves as a hedge to letting Abreu leave as a free agent as he is under control through 2009. I don’t see the downside to this move beyond risking what those kids might become.

UPDATE, 9:16 p.m.: Well, you knew that was coming. I get that Joba doesn’t like Youkilis, nobody does. But in a 1-0 game in the seventh inning, why start something?

But you have to like how Joba gets after it. The Yankees need a guy like this atop their rotation.

UPDATE, 9:48 p.m.: Joba’s seven innings were a career high, hence Farnsworth.

But even Girardi and all his boundless faith had Rivera warming up and now he’s in. It would be the second five-out save of the season for Mo if he can get it.

UPDATE, 9:54 p.m.: All hail the great Rivera. Eight pitches, crisis over.

UPDATE, 10:10 p.m.: Terrific game. Seven straight for the Yankees, one behind Boston in the loss column and Joba has established himself as a beast.

With the trade and this win, it’s a very good day for the pinstripes.

YANKEES (52-45)
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi DH
Cano 2B
Betemit 1B
Cabrera CF
Molina C
Gardner LF
Pettitte LHP

Andy Pettitte (10-7, 4.03) vs. the Oakland hitters.

Justin Duchscherer (10-5, 1.82) vs. the New York hitters.

Notes: Late report for the fellas today and the lineup was just posted. The Yankees claimed yesterday that Posada bruised his hand, which could be why he’s out. That he can’t throw could also be a reason. … The Yankees have won 7 of 10 overall and six straight at the Stadium. … Cano is 6 of 10 since the break with three runs scored, three RBI and threee extra-base hits. … This is interesting: The starters have a 3.86 ERA since Joba Chamberlain joined the rotation. It was 4.88 before. … The starters are 4-2 with a 2.64 ERA over the last 10 games. … The Yankees have struck out 30 over 21 innings in the first two games of the series.

A NO-NO FOR EDWAR: Edwar Ramirez has thrown nine consecutive hitless innings, walking two and striking out 14. He has allowed one hit in his last 11 innings while walking two and striking out 15.

A NEAR NO-NO FOR FARNSWORTH: Kyle Farnsworth’s last 9 appearances: 8 0 0 0 4 7. He has dropped his ERA from 4.24 to 3.43.

Edwar and Krazy Kyle are actually reliable. Joe Girardi and Dave Eiland should start working on gas prices next. Clearly they are brilliant men.

BLOG INTERVIEWS SOME DOPE: The Chuck Knoblog did an interview with me if you’re interested.

Back later with updates.

UPDATE, 10:57 p.m.: Sen. John McCain is scheduled to be at the Stadium today and will be interviewed on YES.

UPDATE, 12:00 p.m.: Johnny Damon started a throwing program today and tried to get activated for today, to no avail. “My decision is to play today and hit leadoff,” he said.

Brian Cashman said there was a chance Damon could go on a one-day rehab. It seems to be a fluid situation.

UPDATE, 1:08 p.m.: It’s 92 degrees (and rising) at first pitch. Yikes.

Sen. McCain and Rudy Giuliani are in the box next to the Yankees dugout. The Senator is wearing a light blue shirt, which would seem to be a bad choice in the heat.

UPDATE, 1:24 p.m.: That’s twice in the last three games that Bobby Meacham has gotten A-Rod thrown out at the plate. It’s one thing to be aggressive, but it’s another thing to give away outs. Meacham is getting guys thrown out by five feet.

Meacham and Mike Harkey were the two choices Girardi made for his staff. It’ll be interesting to see whether the Yankees make any changes in the offseason.

Paging Willie Randolph.

UPDATE, 1;34 p.m.: By popular demand, here are the pregame interviews of Joe Girardi:

and Johnny Damon:

UPDATE, 1:51 p.m.: Andy Pettitte is dealing. He has struck out five of the first 11 batters he has faced. Of his 41 pitches, 29 have been strikes. The big Texan is used to the heat and seems to be thriving.

UPDATE, 1:51 p.m.: Forgot to mention this before, but Mike Mussina took BP today before the game. He informed Kevin Long that since he had the only hit by a pitcher this season, he had earned the right to hit whenever he wanted.

With many of the guys taking a pass on BP today, they let Moose take his hacks.

UPDATE, 1:59 p.m.: Get this, Brian Cashman attended the New York premiere of The Dark Knight on Monday. Seems that a member of Assistant GM Jean Afterman’s family was involved in the making of the movie (which is great, go see it) so C-Money was in the house with all the celebs.

UPDATE, 2:25 p.m.: That’s seven in a row for Pettitte, three by strikeout. He’s at a solid 68 pitches after five innings. Duchscherer is at 70 as we start the bottom of the fifth.

UPDATE, 2:27 p.m.: Brett Gardner has to stop hitting the ball in the air as much as he does. He has not been nearly as tough an out as the Yankees thought he would be.

UPDATE, 2:43 p.m.: Nice AB by Sweeney who came back from 0-2 and hit Pettitte’s cutter for an RBI single to center. The Yankees have let Duchscherer off the hook with two quick innings. He’s at 79 pitches after 5.

UPDATE, 2:46 p.m.: The ’stache delivers the short way, just inside the foul pole in right field and just above the wall. 2-1 Yankees. That’s 20 homers for Giambi.

Nine outs to get for the pinstripes. Pettitte 3, Farnsworth 3 and Mo 3? Not blowing out Mo yesterday was a smart move by Girardi.

UPDATE, 3:04 p.m.: Great job by Pettitte (7 4 1 1 0 7). He’s at 97 pitches and is likely done for the day.

UPDATE, 3:07 p.m.: But no, Pettitte is going back out for more. Girardi got burned by this once before in that wild game against KC on June 7, we’ll see what happens.

UPDATE, 3:1x p.m.: That’s how you Kyle-proof a game, you retire the side in order in the eighth inning. That was a dominant start for Pettitte. 8 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 0 walks and 9 punchouts. 114 pitches by my count.

UPDATE, 3:24 p.m.: Tough error there. Bet they change it to give Alex a hit.

Enter Sandman.

UPDATE, 3:26 p.m.: Hmm, Richie Sexson as a defensive replacement at first base. I guess he is the best option. Betemit is an adventure there.

UPDATE, 3:34 p.m.: And there you have it, a 2-1 win after a little drama. That’s a three-game sweep, eight wins in the last 11 games and a 53-45 record for the Yankees. They are eight games over .500 for the first time this season. Has the train started to roll?

Back later with some reaction.

Here’s the audio of Brian Cashman’s interview on the field this afternoon:

The highlights:

* Today was a setback for Matsui and surgery appears to be a possibility.

* They remain optimistic about Johnny Damon.

* Barry Bonds is not going to be in pinstripes. He didn’t come out right out and say that, but if you know how to translate Brian Cashman, that’s what he said.

YANKEES (47-42)
Cabrera CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Posada DH
Betemit 1B
Cano 2B
Molina C
Gardner LF
Pettitte LHP

RAYS (55-33)
Iwamura 2B
Crawford LF
Upton CF
Pena 1B
Longoria 3B
Navarro C
Aybar DH
Gomez RF
Zobrist SS
Kazmir LHP

Andy Pettitte (9-6, 4.22) vs. the Tampa Bay hitters.

Scott Kazmir (7-3, 2.63) vs. the New York hiters.

Notes: The Yankees have split 10 games with the Rays. … The Yanks are 3-4 on their homestand and 25-22 at home. … Abreu has 3 hits in his last 25 at-bats and is down to .272. .. A-Rod is 7 of 17 with six RBI and seven runs scored since the whole Madonna/divorce mess started. Now that’s focus. … Giambi is 0 of his last 11. … Cano is 9 of his last 23. … Good move using Molina to control the Tampa running game. … Shameless plug alert: I’ll be on SportsCenter tonight before the game.

Back later with lots of updates.

SUPPORT THE ‘STACHE UPDATE: The Yankees will hand out 18,000 fake mustaches to fans tomorrow. I asked Girardi if he would wear a mustache tomorrow in support of TBG and he didn’t say he wouldn’t. That would be fantastic, even if he just did it briefly.

UPDATE, 4:20 p.m.: Lots to catch you up on … The rotation for the rest of the week is Ponson (Rays), Moose (Pirates) then Joba, Rasner and Pettitte against the Jays. … Johnny Damon is down in Tampa working on his rehab. … Girardi said just now that he expects Hughes to pitch in the majors in September, which is different than what Brian Cashman has been saying. Of course in general Cashman is always more a pessimist and Girardi an optimist.

JOE GIRARDI PRE-GAME AUDIO: Here’s Girardi talking about the lineup, Matsui, Hughes and even … Carl Pavano. Stop the insanity!

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UPDATE: 5:53 p.m.: Hideki Matsui hit off a tee today in the cage, which is a good sign as he starts to return. The question is whether his left knee can handle the workload. If it becomes swollen again, surgery may be the only option.

UPDATE, 6:04 p.m.: Matsui took 45 swings. “I felt pretty good, no pain. I hope to keep going in a positive direction,” he told a team spokesman.

UPDATE, 6:09 p.m.: Here is a worldwide internet exclusive, Kim Jones of the YES Network posing in the fake Giambi mustache that will be given out to the fans tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks to Kim for being a trooper. We also snapped a photo of Tyler Kepner of the Times in the fake mustache but, let’s be honest, we’d all rather see Kim.

UPDATE, 6:42 p.m.: Rich Harden to the Cubs in a six-player deal. Details to come.

UPDATE, 6:50 p.m.: Harden and Chad Gaudin to the Cubs for Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, Eric Patterson and Josh Donaldson.

UPDATE, 7:33 p.m.: Kazmir is overmatching the Yankees at this point. The lefty/righty lineup thing doesn’t matter much with a guy like him. That trade keeps getting worse for the Mets, doesn’t it?

UPDATE, 7:47 p.m.: Jose Molina has 14 doubles, three away from matching his career high of 17 (2006). He is sixth on the team in doubles which is amazing when you consider that he’s not an everday play and he can’t really run.

UPDATE, 7:52 p.m.: Just when you think he’s out, Derek Jeter pulls you back in. Just some more clutchiness from the captain. In a game like this, that is a huge, huge hit.

UPDATE, 7:55 p.m.: Tremendous throw by B.J. Upton. Bobby Meacham is an aggressive third-base coach. With two outs, it’s not a bad risk. But with A-Rod on deck? That’s why coaching third is a tough job.

You know how it works, Alex will lead off the next inning with a single.

UPDATE, 8:02 p.m.: Just posted Girardi’s pre-game audio if you’re interested. In the interest of keeping things in order, it’s further up in this post.

UPDATE, 8:21 p.m.: Big Game Andy Pettitte is really dealing. 5 2 0 0 0 3. 67 pitches / 48 strikes.

UPDATE, 8:28 p.m.: Brett Gardner. Pesky, scrappy, Ecksteinish (Ecksteiny? Ecksteinesque?). He’s making things happen.

(I am not a big believer in scrappy. I’m a big believer in doubles in the gap. But people will totally fall head over heels for this guy if he plays even remotely well. It will be a tri-state crush of the highest proportions.)

UPDATE, 9:03 p.m.: Evan Longoria has struck out twice and is 0 for 3. How in the world could anybody vote or him instead of The Big G? Giambi hasn’t made an out all night.

UPDATE, 9:06 p.m.: No range, huh? Reports of the Captain’s demise seem premature.

UPDATE, 9:20 p.m.: I always try and read Baseball Musings at least once a day because David Pinto is a smart guy.

He made this great point tonight:

If you want to know what’s wrong with the Yankees this year, look at the OBAs of the starting lineup this evening. Only two players have OBAs over .350. It used to be that the Yankees might have one player under .350. The bottom four in the order are all under .300. Giambi is out due to a lefty on the mound, and Damon and Matsui are hurt, but this lineup makes clear the lack of depth on the team.

UPDATE, 9:24 p.m.: You go to Mariano because that is what you do. But if it were 4-0, you’d have to give consideration to letting Andy finish off his gem even though he is at 114 pitches. He threw only 89 in his last start. What a well-pitched game. He has allowed four hits, one of them on a bad hop. Three of Tampa Bay’s hits have come with two outs.

UPDATE, 9:28 p.m.: Mo is warming up.

In the big scheme of things, one loss means nothing to Tampa Bay. They came in 22 games over .500. But getting shut down by the Yankees here could plant a little seed of doubt in their minds.

Of course that would mean more if somebody other than Sidney Ponson was taking the mound tomorrow.

UPDATE, 9:32 p.m.: Hmm, no save situation now. Relievers hate warming up and not coming in (”dry humped” is the baseball term), so maybe Mo will still pitch. But if it gets to 6-0 what then?

UPDATE, 9:39 p.m.: Edwar Ramirez warming up. Dry hump for Mo. But it’s the smart play, what if you need him the next two or three days? You can’t waste him in a 4-0 game.

UPDATE, 9:46 p.m.: It doesn’t much matter tonight. But Bobby “Wave ‘Em In” Meacham is going to cost the Yankees a game one of these days. Sending Jorge Posada from second on Gomes? I thought this staff was all about preparation?

If George Steinbrenner had any say, he’d send him to Columbus like the old days.

UPDATE, 9:52 p.m.: 5-0 and 11 hits. Impressive win for the Yankees.

While anger drives blog traffic, it’s only right that I point out the players voted Jason Varitek onto the team, he wasn’t selected by Terry Francona. Further evidence that the players should have no role in this.

It goes to show you how much they hate A.J. Pierzynski (.299/.338/.447).

Francona picked Carlos Guillen, Dioner Navarro, Joakim Soria, George Sherrill, Justin Duchscherer and Joe Nathan.

UPDATE, 3:47 p.m.: The players also went with Joe Crede (.260/.336/.480) over Evan Longroia (.281/.351/.529) and Mike Lowell (.302/.361/.525). Seriously, Joe Crede?

UPDATE, 7:15 p.m.: Here is the audio of Terry Francona’s All-Star press conference today. This will give you some insight into the process.

If you’re a Mike Mussina fan - and we know you’re out there - here’s a little treat for you. It’s the complete postgame press conference from today’s game.

Because so many of us wanted to speak to him, Moose went into the interview room. So I was able to get my battered Olympus WS-100 voice recorder right on the table in front of him.

Moose talked about pacing around waiting for Mo to close the game out, his chances for the All-Star Game and his plans to attend the County Fair in Hughesville, Pa., if he doesn’t make it. Seems they have a good demolition derby.

At one point, a writer asked Mike what he was doing differently this season.

“I changed everything! Everything I do!” Mussina said with a chuckle. “Well not quite everything, I still throw right-handed. But it was suggested that I change.”

Everybody laughed. Take that, Little Stein.

Here’s the interview:

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Thanks to everybody for reading today. Can’t believe that on the Saturday of the July 4th weekend, we have nearly 900 comments for the day. Your passion for baseball and the Yankees is impressive.

The Yankees have held two team meetings over the last 10 days after bad losses. This one was loud, players said. Joe Girardi is never profane and wasn’t this time. But he and his coaches were forceful.

There’s a problem with meetings, however. What happens if you lose the next day?

At some point a manager has to find a way to reach his players. The Yankees may not be a championship team this season. They are too beat up for that and the rotation is too thin. But also shouldn’t be a team on pace to score 200 fewer runs than last season. That speaks to effort and approach.

The Yankees have been held to two or fewer runs 28 times this season. That’s one third of the time. Jon Lester needed 105 pitches to throw a shutout. He’s good, but he’s not that good. The Yankees played like they had a cab to catch. Or Madonna’s limo.

“The Steinbrenners spent $200 million on us and we haven’t showed what we’re made of,” said Johnny Damon, one of the players who also spoke during the meeting. “I know this is one game and I know we have 75 or so games left. But we’ve got to do something soon.”

It sounds good that they had a meeting. But think about it for a second, nearly half the team are guys just thrilled to be there. Yelling at Betemit, Molina, Gardner, Moeller, Gonzalez, Ponson, Rasner, Veras, Ramirez, Giese and Robertson accomplishes zippo. They have nothing to do with what’s going on or can’t do much to change it.

Girardi has to connect with the core guys. Jeter, Damon, Abreu, A-Rod, etc. The team will rise or fall on how they play. Joe Torre always found a way out of the woods, now Girardi has to find his path. This is what managing is about. Strategy is 10 percent, the rest is getting your guys to play the game right.

Meanwhile the Yankees face Josh Beckett tomorrow and send Darrell Rasner against the Red Sox for the first time in his career.

Here’s Joe Girardi’s postgame interview session:

Thanks for reading today and check back tomorrow for a full day of holiday blogging.