PETTITTE REVVED UP, YANKEES WIN IN MINN

The Yankees came off an exciting series against the Oakland A's which they had two walk-offs the first 2 games. But Sunday their winning streak came to halt in a tough loss to the A's. Last night, the Yankees kicked off a series in Minnesota against a Twins team that has struggled all season. The Yankees struck first in the top of the first against rookie pitcher Liam Kendriks as Alex Rodriguez had an RBI fly out and Nick Swisher followed him with a two run home run to put the Yankees up 3-0 to start the game.

Andy Pettitte made his first away game start coming of the DL and he pitched excellent! He silenced the Twins in the bottom of the 1st and lead himself to 6 scoreless innings... another scoreless appearance. Curtis Granderson hit his 40th home run of the season in the 4th to put the Yankees up a commanding 4-0 lead.

Home runs, plus a dominant Pettitte equals a good day for the Yankees. Liam Hendriks would settle down all until he gave up home runs to Raul Ibanez and Eric Chavez in the 7th which would end his night. Joba Chamberlain worked another 1-2-3 for the Yankees in the bottom of the 7th. Cory Wade would come in to pitch the 8th but gave up a home run to Pedro Florimon to end the shut out. Joe Girardi would take the ball from Cory Wade and bring in Justin Thomas to get out of the 8th. Justin Thomas came back out into the 9th but gave up 2 base-runners and Joe Girardi would take the ball from him to bring in David Robertson. David Robertson who has been very good down the stretch gave up a triple to Chris Parmelee that would cut the lead to 6-3. David Robertson would buckle down to strike out the next batter and get Pedro Florimon to ground out to end the ball game.

Player of the Game: Andy Pettitte. It was a hard choice, but you can't ask any more from the guy like this! He has been consistent for us since his return in May and I'm excited to see him back for the playoffs.

Final Score: Yankees 6 - Twins 3


If you are wondering, the Yankees plan to call up David Aardsma today from the 60 day DL. The Yankees signed him as a free agent this off season. He is a former closer for the Seattle Mariners. BYB is looking forward to seeing him back in the pros.

--Sam Thaler, BYB Contributor
Twitter: @samt1836

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FLICKER OF HOPE NOT ENOUGH FOR SKIDDING YANKEES

(In Photo: Russell Martin gets excited after beating out a throw to first)
The story coming into this game is the return of Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees just losing ground to both the Orioles and Rays in the American League least...but first Alex. The Yankees have missed his bat in the lineup and I'm glad he is back so he can give that extra punch in the clean-up spot for the Yankees. At least, that's what we hoped for. Today he went 1-4, but more on that in a moment.  Say what you want about ARod...I firmly believe he will be the biggest September call up and will help the Yankees during this playoff push.

The name of the game for the Yankees this series is wins and the Yankees needed to get off to a good start, yet, they didn't. It was another heartbreak loss to start off this truly important series. Tampa got on the board first in the bottom of the 2nd as Jeff Keppinger and Ben Francisco started off with singles and Chris Gimenez scored Jeff Keppinger with a single of his own. BJ Upton lead off the bottom of the 3rd with a home run which put the Rays up 2-0.

The Yankees answered the Rays in the 4th as Robinson Cano started off the inning with a double and ARod followed him with a single which put Cano on third. With runners on the corners, Eric Chavez lined an out into left but Cano tagged up and scored to cut the Rays lead in half. Raul Ibanez then had an RBI off his own as he ripped a triple in front of the diving Francisco and Russell Martin followed with a hustle in-field single which put the Yankees up 3-2. Right then I thought maybe...maybe the Yankees have had enough losing.  Russell Martin looked so punched to beat that in-field hit out, I was convinced momentum was in the Yankees favor.  But no...the Rays would tie the game up in the bottom of the 5th on an RBI ground out by Longoria. CC Sabathia and James Shields both settled down to give up no more runs in their outings. Though, in the bottom of the 8th the Rays would rally as catcher Chris Gimenez hit the game winning single to score giving David Robertson the loss for the game. Fernando Rodney would then shut the door in the 9th to end yet another heartbreaking loss. One thing I didn't like about this loss was the lack of hustle by the Yankees. Yes, Martin was pumped, but they really need to start clicking on all cylinders and hustle through first if they want to win close ballgames. I'm calling out Robinson Cano.  I don't care how many years you've been playing, you need to bust down the line.

On a good note, CC was much better this start, he wasn't great, but better and we're going to need him to be the "Ace" CC for the rest of September.

Key Player of the Game: Chris Gimenez. Gimenez hit in the first run for the Rays and he got the last for them too. He indeed won it for Tampa and also played good "D."

Key Moment of the Game: HUSTLE! It seems like this Yankees team doesn't want to win sometimes and if you hustle, trust me, good things will happen. Let's turn around this funk right now!

Again, the final today...another Yankee loss: Rays 4 - Yankees 3.

W: James Shields (13-8) L: David Robertson (1-5) S: Rodney (41)

--Sam Thaler, BYB Contributor
Twitter: @samt1836

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YANKEES LEFT IN THE DARK IN LIFELESS EFFORT

Last night was a nightmare game for Yankees. They didn't get crushed, but they showed nothing.  What should have been the most important game for them in a 3 game series against Buck and the Baltimore Orioles became another loss as they see their lead in the AL East shrinking. This is a game that we all need to forget about. Also, understand this... the Yankees have been struggling but I do believe once ARod and Mark Teixeira are back in the lineup there will be major change. Both of their presence helps the whole team.

Hiroki Kuroda wasn't as sharp as he usually last night. The Orioles got to him in the 2nd inning as the inning started off with singles by Jones and Matt Wieters, then Chris Davis hit a sac fly which scored Jones. Mark Reynolds followed that with a long home run which put Baltimore up 3-0. After that, Kuroda settled down but in the 6th, he gave up a solo home run to JJ Hardy.

The Yankees threatened in the bottom half of the 6th but their runners in scoring position struggles continue. Miguel Gonzalez, who was excellent for Balitmore, buckled down to get out of trouble. Mark Reynolds hit his 2nd home run of the game in the 9th and Nick Markakis hit an RBI single which lengthened their lead and put the game out of hand. Curtis Granderson got the Yankees on the scoreboard in the 9th but that was not nearly enough as the Orioles would hold on to win Game 1 of the most important series of the season for both teams... 6-1. The Yankees need to come back today and get a victory.

Keys of the Game: The Yankees had a textbook rally going in the 6th but their RISP struggles set the tone for the game.

Key player of the Game: Mark Reynolds. Mark Reynolds had two home runs tonight for 3 RBI's and scored half of the Orioles runs.

Final: Orioles- 6 Yankees- 1

W: Gonzalez (6-3) L: Kuroda (12-10)

If anyone is interested here are the 6 players that will be called up tomorrow: Catcher Francisco Cervelli, Infielder Eduardo Nunez, Outfielder Chris Dickerson, and pitchers Cory Wade, Adam Warren, and Justin Thomas. 

--Sam Thaler, BYB Contributor
Twitter: @samt1836



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HUGHES AND SWISHER SAVE THE DAY!

Phil Hughes set the pace in the game last night. It was a very important game for the Yankees. They needed to start a winning streak going and they did. He was very good and he needed a good start! He was steady throughout the game. He pitched 7 full innings and has been getting better and better each start. The key for Phil is to maintain his success throughout every start from this point forward. I love Hughes but he has been inconsistent this season. The Yankees broke the bank first in the 3rd innings last night via an RBI single by Swisher.

Nick Swisher has been red hot and if he continues, he will be a huge key in the playoffs and could make a huge dent. The next inning the Yankees scored as newly acquired Steve Pearce scored on a sac fly by Curtis Granderson.

Hechavarria broke up Hughes shutout in the 5th as he poked a home run into the short porch in right. Hughes looked shaky to start the 6th but buckled down and got help from Robinson Cano on an excellent catch and throw to pick off Colby Rasmus on third. Hughes would end his day with a scoreless 7th inning. New father David Robertson worked a scoreless 8th. Congrats on the child David!

Rafael Soriano looked sharp in the 9th as he proudly bounced back tonight with a scoreless 1-2-3 9th. He looked up, pumped and untucked and he really has been great all season. Closers have there bumps in the road so it is key for them to bounce back the following day. He did. Great work!

Keys of the Game: The bullpen. The Yankees had to come back last night after they lost the game to the Jays the night before. They did and Hughes got the win holding the Jays to 1 run.

Key Player of the Game: Phil Hughes. He was been rather inconsistent this season but I can see he was more consistent this start and hopefully he can continue it the rest of the season.

Final: Yankees: 2 Blue Jays: 1

W: Hughes (13-11) L: Romero (8-12) S: Soriano (34)

--Sam Thaler, BYB Contributor
Twitter: @samt1836


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GRANDERSON CRANKS 200TH & YANKEES WIN SERIES IN CLEVELAND

Freddy Garcia was fairly good today. All we needed from him was to be good and he did that. He continues to do the job for the Yankees and that's what we love about Freddy.  His line looked like this:4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R and 6 Strikeouts!

The Yankees struck first in the 3rd as Eric Chavez started it off with a base hit and Raul Ibanez followed with a walk. Ichiro Suzuki scored Chavez with an RBI single off of Ubaldo Jiminez's glove.  Chris Stewart did his job by moving over the runners with a beauty bunt Jeter followed with an RBI ground out and Swisher made it 3-0 with an RBI single.

The Indians threatened in the bottom half of the 3rd but Garcia got Santana to pop out with the bases loaded. Garcia worked a 1-2-3 4th inning to stay on a roll. The Indians got on the scoreboard in the 5th by a double by Kipnis and Cabrera would be hit by Garcia's pitch. Shin Soo Choo walked and then Santana hit a 2 RBI single that would end Freddy's day. Boone Logan came in and got Michael Brantley to pop out.

Granderson in the top half of the 6th hit his 200th career home run to make it 4-2 Yankees. Congrats Grandy! Nick Swisher started the 7th inning off with a double but the Yankees would strand him there. Logan and Robertson combined for a scoreless 7th and Yankees didn't get anything done in the 8th. DRob struck-out Carlos Santana and Casey Kotchman and nearly have up a 2 run home run that would of tied the game but Ichiro caught it at the track. Yankees threatened in the 9th but Jeter hit into an inning ending double play. Rafael Soriano worked a scoreless 9th and the Yankees escape Cleveland with a series win.

Keys of the Game: The bullpen; the Yankees bullpen did the job working 4 and 1/3 innings this afternoon.

Final: Yankees 4 - Indians 2
W: Logan (5-2) L: Jiminez (9-13) S: Soriano (33)

--Sam Thaler, BYB Contributor
Twitter: @samt1836





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TOP OF THE RIVALRY. ICHIRO & KURODA DO DAMAGE

Hiroki Kuroda answered his near perfect game in grand style last night against the rival Red Sox. He has been nothing but a second ace for the Yankees this season. Incredible! He has had a special second half for the Yanks and has filled in for top ace CC Sabathia various times. Kuroda yet again was sharp:
8IP, 4H, 1 R.

Derek Jeter started off the bottom of the 1st with a double and later in the inning Curtis Granderson scored him with a RBI double. Small ball, I love that! Next at bat for Jeter he had another double and Swisher would follow him with a walk. They would both advance on a double steal and Jeter later scored on a pass ball. Ichiro showed off his power in the 4th by launching a home run in the second deck in right for a home run to put the Yankees up 3-0. Eric Chavez and Raul Ibanez foiled a bases loaded rally in the 5th via a pop-out and fly-out. Ichiro would come back in style his next at bat with his second home run of the game to give the Yankees a 4-0 lead. Ichiro would greet the crowd with a curtain call. Kuroda's shutout would come to an end in the 7th as Adrian Gonzalez broke it up with a home run to right. He would bounce back to get out of the 7th inning and would work a 1-2-3 8th inning to get his 12th win of the season. Rafael Soriano came in and did his job. It got sketchy to start it off as Carl Crawford started the inning off with a single. But Soriano got Dustin Pedroia to hit into a double play and then he got Gonzalez to strike out to end the game.

Key Players of the Game: Hiroki Kuroda and Ichiro will take home the BYB co-players of the game as Kuroda worked 8 strong and Ichiro blasted 2 home runs.

Key Point of the Game: Eric Chavez popping out with the bases loaded is my key point of the game. If he had gotten an RBI the lead could of been a lot bigger then it was. We're not slamming him, we love Chavez, but it's a big moment.

Final:  Yankees 4 - Red Sox 1

W: Hiroki Kuroda (12-8) L: Josh Beckett (5-11) S: Soriano (31)

Finally, and this is just damn cool so we need to mention it; Our Friends over at the Facebook page House of Champions became stars last night in the post game.  Jessica Noonan and Rudy Laurens had their Facebook comments read on the YES Network.  here's the screen grab below:

Congrats guys! You gotta love the Yankees family.

--Sam Thaler, BYB Contributor
Twitter: @samt1836


ORDER A BYB SHIRT NOW, DROB WEARS ONE! Also, Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

NOVA & MCGEHEE BEAT JAYS. YANKS WITH 4 GAME WINNING STREAK

The story of this game was Ivan Nova. He looked sharper then ever finally ending his losing streak. He worked 7 and 1/3 innings in his best start since the All-Star break. He worked fast changed speeds and threw strikes. That's what we need right now. August has to be our big stretch!

Coming into the day Nova was 0-3 with a 8.36 ERA in 5 starts since the All-Star break. He finally turned it around and we got to see the Nova we've always known and loved.

The Yankees broke it open in the 4th. today when Mark Teixeira and Andruw Jones both walked and Jayson Nix being his old clutch self scored Tex on a single. Casey McGehee then broke it open with a huge 3 run home run. This gave the Yankees a 4-0 lead.

Nova's perfect game was broken up in the forth by Rajai Davis and he moved over on a Nova balk. Edwin Encarnacion would bring him in with a single. Despite that run, Nova was impressive just because his past performances he'd given up countless runs with men on base.  This game he buckled down by making quality pitches.  Also, something that can't be overlooked from today.... Chris Stewart blocked some key breaking balls which could of lead to more runs, he's a great defensive catcher no doubt.

McGehee was back at it in the 6th when he hit a double and later scored by a Derek Jeter ground rule double.  That would be the Yankee 5 runs.

After Nova came out, David Robertson came in and only had to throw one pitch as he got Omar Vizquel to hit into a inning ending double play. Rafael Soriano shut the door in the 9th and got his 28th save and put the Yankees winning streak to 4 games..untuck, game over.

Player of the Game: No doubt Ivan Nova. He needed a big win and he got one today.

Key Highlight of the Game: Casey McGehee's 3 run home run was the difference in this one. He got his first career home run for the Yankees, you gotta love that.
Final: Yankees:5 - Blue Jays:2

W: Ivan Nova (11-6) L: Aaron Laffey (3-3) S: Soriano (28)

--Sam Thaler, BYB Contributer
Twitter: @samt1836


ORDER A BYB SHIRT NOW, DROB WEARS ONE! Also, Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.