ROTATION OF THE YANKEE NATION

If you were to take a photo of the Yankees starting rotation now you would no doubt need a wide angle lens. . . .  Phil Hughes had a setback on his rehab program and is seeing one doctor after another. . . . Teixeira hurt the shoulder when he dove for a ball Tuesday, and he aggravated the injury on another dive Wednesday. He was replaced by Eric Chavez late in the game. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said no tests were planned at this time, so it sounds like this is a day-to-day thing.

MY FAVORITE MARTIN....BUT NOT BUCK'S

Muscle from Russell

Russell Martin went deep twice tonight but didn't get a chance to park the next one due to the fact the the Oriole pitcher drilled him in the upper back.

AJ Burrnet was ready to storm the field with his team behind in defnese of his favorite battery mate.  Oh yeah, the Yankees beat the Birds 15-3. 

The HBP in Russell Martin's last AB may or not have been intentional, and nobody is sure if Buck Showalter issued the command.  But there may be retribution tomorrow or when the Yankees return to Kramdan Yards latter this season.

Orioles reliever Josh Rupe knows what it looked like. So did manager Buck Showalter. But Rupe said after Saturday's lopsided 15-3 loss to the Yankees that the pitch that hit New York catcher Russell Martin in the back was not intended to send any kind of message.

TEXAS TWO STEP?



Garcia 1-0

 For a while there it was looking like Deja Vu all over again, I was even looking for a place to hide Rafael Soriano.

Freddy Garcia looked great for his first start in pinstipes and his first start in 17 days in spring training.  Let's hope he doesn't need 17 games rest in between. 

The Yanks DLed Phil Hughes with a dead arm after days of swearing that he isn't hurt.  We can get fined on this one.  Funny in August our rotation could be CC, AJ, Bartollo, Garcia and Carlos Silva.

Note to Brian Cashman, keep you mouth shut.  Mr Torre is a league executive now he can get you in trouble. 

ON THE MARK

Happy Birthday to Mark Teixiera!  Now start hitting.

THE BOONE LOGAN EXPERIMENT IS OVER

Boone Logan once again came into a close game and began to put out fires with gasoline.  Hey Boone a lefty releif specialist is suppose to get out lefties.  There goes the last bit of saving grace from the Vasquez deal last season.  Got to be someone in SWB that can do that.  Makes you long for Bob Shirley.

OK Phil the season has started it is time to be up to speed.  I would love to tell my boss I am taking it light and not up to speed yet.  Got to be something there call the pitching guru ASAP.

Bartolo Colon says that his new role has him feeling like "a rookie" again, and the Yankees might have found a useful piece for their bullpen mix.  He pitched very well in the typical Fenway Park game.

YANKIN IT IN BEANTOWN

Phil Hughes 

0-1, 11.25 ERA

Last appearance:

4/03 vs DET

4.0 IP, 5 ER

To borrow a phrase from a really big Yankees fan who actually lives in the area this marks the first trip for our Bombers to Boston in 2011.  And one thing I never expected or wanted for that matter was to go up there when the cast of Bosox are winless. 

Carl Crawford has been under the proverbial microscope as the newspaper watch his every move as he mutters to himself, "I should have been an Angel." 

The team that everone handed them the 2011 World Series Trophy has yet to win a game.  Plus Friday is their home opener. 

Billy Martin always said "I rather play a hot team than a cold team, because sooner or later the cold team will win by accident."  The is nothing I would like more than to continue the streak but lets hope for our best.  GO YANKS!

Courtesy Of Shakey Giambino:

Soriano says he’s sorry



Rafael Soriano was so upset after blowing what seemed like a sure win for CC Sabathia on Tuesday that he stormed out of the clubhouse and went home, the Yankees reliever said on Wednesday afternoon.


“I don’t know what happened,” said Soriano, who walked three batters and was charged with four runs in New York’s 5-4 loss to the Twins. “I threw a couple of pitches and I feel like I don’t have balance. I don’t think that’s happened before – that’s the first time.”


Soriano said that his agent, Scott Boras, called him on Wednesday and reminded him that he needs to be accountable for his actions and make himself available to the media after games. Instead, his teammates – particularly catcher Russell Martin – were left to answer for Soriano’s performance.


“The reason I didn’t do it, I got mad because I think that’s a game CC is supposed to win,” Soriano said. “It didn’t happen and that’s why I got mad. I don’t feel comfortable to talk.”


It wasn’t just the media that kept Soriano silent. He said he also screened a couple of calls from his mom, who watched the game on television from the Dominican Republic, but finally called her back on Wednesday.


“My mom, she called me and I didn’t answer my phone,” Soriano said. “I don’t feel comfortable to talk to her. I feel like that. I said, ‘All right, let me go home and be relaxed and ready for today.’”


Soriano said that while he is fine with his role setting up for closer Mariano Rivera, he sometimes struggles when coming into games with a larger lead. The Yankees led 4-0 when Soriano took the ball for the eighth.




“To me, it’s different when I’m in that situation like that,” Soriano said. “I don’t know why. It’s usually a lot closer. When it’s a situation like that, sometimes the [opposing] team gets a couple runs. I don’t know why it happens like that. The last three years, that’s what happens. I tried to do the best I can last night, but nothing happens.”


Joe Girardi said that there is no issue in the clubhouse with Soriano, who also stopped by the manager’s office today to apologize.


“He understands that he has a responsibility to the media, and he knows that,” Girardi said. “There are days after games where you just don’t feel like talking. It can be difficult and you feel like you’re not going to say the right things in a situation like that, and you step away. But he understands that he has a responsibility. I think he knows what he’s supposed to do.


“It happens. Players sometimes need to blow off a little steam. He was upset that CC didn’t get the win. And we didn’t get the win. We move on.”


Read more: http://btbfansite.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=19823#ixzz1IqXaYjdH

SO SORRY-ANO

Didn't Quite Have It

Hey it's a long season and this was our first ugly loss.  Soriano's fastball just wasn't finding it's spots.  When releiver like Rafael walks 3 it is bad news.  His high pitch count gives him the day off tomorrow.  Boone Logan who didn't look good all year took the loss.

It is our old friend Crazy Carl Pavano facing Freddy Garcia tomorrow.

Twins 5 Yankees 4 in 10 innings

AS EASY AS 1 - 2 - 3

A-Rod Goes Deep in the first

The Yankees beat the Twins tonight by a score of 4-3.  And it was as easy as 1-2-3.

1: Nova got win #1 while Joba got hold #1.
2: Jorge and Alex hit "2" run homers and Soriano got Hold #2.
3: Mariano got Save #3. 

Tuesday CC Sabathia is on the mound for the Yanks while Freddy Garcia makes his Pinstriped debut on Wednesday,  AJ Burnett will pitch the getaway game Thursday afternoon to wrap up the home stand.

IN THE WORDS OF MEATLOAF . . .

Not So Philty Today

Two out of three ain't bad.  Of course when you win the first two you want the broom.

The Yankees are now on a pace to win 108 games.  Mark Texiera is on pace for 159 homers.  Bartolo Colon made his pinstriped debut, no they are not slimming.  As the Tigers finish (yes finish) 2011 at Yankee Stadium 1-2 it is time to gear up to play the Twins.  We do play them in Detroit in May for four games.

The Tigers battered Phil Hughes for five runs and five hits over four innings, including a pair of two-run homers by Miguel Cabrera. Bartolo Colon was putting out fire with gasoline, in his Yankees debut. The 37-year-old former Cy Young Award winner gave up four runs and five hits in his four-inning stint.  The homers were flying as Jorge had a pair of 2-run dingers for the good guys as well.  The Tigers salvaged one game 10-7. 

Also what is with Brian Cashman blaming the Mets for abusing Jose Feliciano?  Don't you give a guy a physical before signing him? 

OFF DAY!

AJ Burnett

I hate off days especially when you win the game before it. Today would have been even nastier to sit through. Should be dry this weekend. Good luck yo AJ and Phil to wrap up the first series of the season.

Need something interesting to read try The Yankee Analyst.  Condolences go out to the Pride of the Yankees Blog over at NJ.com.  They have been auditioning writers for over a year. 



GAME 1: YANKEES 6 TIGERS 3

Sabathia goes 6 but Joba picks up the win in relief

Game one went as the doctor ordered.  One of CC's best Opening Day Starts in his eight chances, although not at his CC best.  Joba Chamberlain came in and shut the Tigers down in the seveth until the new tag team of Soriano and Mariano nailed down the Yankees first victory.  Tex and Grandy went long for the Bombers and A-Rod hit a double off the Yankee bullpen wall. 

It was cold as a bat's @$$ but just great game nonetheless.