A.J. and Cano- Don't Ya Know?

A.J. Burnett and Robinson Cano helped the Yankees salvage an up-and-down road trip. Somehow, despite a lackluster offense and an unfair schedule, the Yankees finish a 9-game trip to California and Baltimore with a 5-4 record, and they now finally head home to Yankee Stadium. Aside from Phil Hughes' and C.C. Sabathia's near no-hitters, A.J. Burnett's start tonight was the best of the young season for the Bombers. Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez made small offensive contributions in the first inning, but Robinson Cano continues to carry the offense. And in STUNNING news, Marcus Thames has finally broken even. He has now driven in as many runs as he has cost while playing left field. I think DHing against left-handers is just fine for my boy Marcus.

I honestly did not get a chance to see much of today's game, but I heard some classic lines from John and Suzyn over the airwaves in the seventh and eighth innings. First, John decided to use up an entire half inning to tell a story about Ralph Branca warming up in the bullpen before giving up Bobby Thompson's homer in 1951. Apparently Clem Labine was bouncing his curveball in the 'pen next to Branca, so John needed to tell that story after A.J. Burnett bounced a couple of curves to Ty Wigginton. Also, Suzyn was very disappointed with the Yankees' schedule, stating that even though the Yankees are heading home this weekend, the next road trip is "closely lurking behind." I didn't realize their jobs were so difficult.

For my loyal leaders, I must warn you that I will be out of state this weekend, so blog posts will be either rare, or non-existent. Tonight's game (a near must win) turned the trip into a solid one. Anytime you have a record over .500 on a trip that includes a West Coast swing, you smile and try to dominate at home. It's not the Yankees fault that the Rays are constantly home, and pounding the opposition. Looking ahead, the Yankees are still at a .667 pace, but the biggest game of this weekend will take place on Saturday, when the struggling Javier Vazquez takes on the White Sox and the Mouth of Ozzie Guillen.

Clueless Joe

Last night's game represented everything that's wrong with the 2010 Yankees: their lack of clutch hitting, weak offensive production from the outfield, the bullpen, and the most important part: their manager. With a team like Tampa Bay in your division, this is one of the series you have to sweep. Instead, the hapless Yankees will now have to scratch out some runs and pray that they can take a series against the worst team in the American League.

Brian Cashman did a horrible job putting this team together by not bringing back Johnny Damon. If Nick Johnson (who doesn't swing) gets hurt, which he usually does, Brett Gardner bats second in the lineup. Brett Gardner is nothing more than a solid AAA player. He has no business being in the big leagues. Randy Winn might be better as a 40 and over softball player than a baseball player. And I don't care if Nick Swisher is everyone's friend. It's tough to win when your outfield hits under .250 for the season.

And let's talk about the top of the batting order. It was great to see Mark Teixeira get a seeing eye single in the ninth inning to drive in a run. Tex and A-Rod have to start swinging for the fences; no more of these pathetic ground balls. It's also time for Derek Jeter to start getting some clutch hits. He must lead all of baseball in ground balls to the shortstop position. Everyone keeps saying that Cano is really on a tear- but it's only when the bases are empty. Bases loaded early on? Cano flies out to right field.

Joe Girardi ruined the game by pulling Phil Hughes after he retired the first two batters in the fifth inning. His pitch count was absolutely getting up there, but I don't see the need to start playing match-ups in the sixth inning. One more out and the game completely changes. Instead, Boone Logan does his best Damaso Marte impression, walking a lefty. Then Girardi comes out again and gets Robertson, who compeltely implodes, starting by plunking the DANGEROUS Ty Wigginton on an 0-2 pitch. The Yankees didn't even wake up until the ninth inning thanks to an error by whoever plays shortstop for the Orioles.

You can play the what if game if you want. If Jeter and Posada did not contribute embarrassing errors in the top of the ninth, maybe the Yankees end up tying the game and getting a dramatic victory. But it shouldn't even come to that. Girardi doesn't manage on instinct. He manages with his stupid book of statistics, and he's worried about getting second-guessed. Instead, he's looked like a complete idiot in the Yankees' last two games. Joe Girardi never made the Yankees a winner. The Yankees made Joe Girardi a World Champion.

Someone really needs to question Brian Cashman's offseason moves. Anyone miss Melky Cabrera yet? You might even rather have Cabrera than Granderson, who hasn't hit a homer since his dramatic bomb off of Jonathan Papelbon weeks ago. Instead of Cabrera, they picked up Boone Logan, who walks left-handed batters, and Javier Vazquez, who is nothing more than a decent National League pitcher. All in all, people have to be questioned. There's no excuse for losing any games to the Baltimore Orioles and a bunch of relievers with enormous ERA's. Then again, aside from Mariano Rivera, what exactly are the 2010 New York Yankees?

Exposing Our Weaknesses

Earlier in the season, this blog called for Brian Cashman to give Yankee fans an explanation. We are still waiting to hear his reasoning for trading the clutch Melky Cabrera for Javier Vazquez, but now I want more answers from the man they call Cash Money. Why did the Yankees sign the injury-prone Nick Johnson, who is out with a stiff back? I'm not quite sure why Nick Johnson has a stiff back...maybe from just standing around at home plate while pitches go by.

I'd also like an explanation as to why we traded three players: Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, and Ian Kennedy, for Curtis Granderson. Jackson, a young centerfielder with a lot of promise, hit his fifth double and first homer today against Texas. Curtis Granderson hit two homers against Boston in April, and has done absolutely nothing since. As we've seen in his career, Granderson is back down to .250, which we should get used to from the Yankees' outfield. Marcus Thames can hit, but the guy looks like an overweight softball player in left field. Again, questionable offseason moves made by Cashman and the Yankees.

Nice managing by Joe Girardi today. This is typical of what he did in the post-season. Girardi is not a great manager. He got lucky using three starters last October and November. Today, after Javier Vazquez once again proved why he can't pitch in the American League, Girardi let Alfredo Aceves pitch. Aceves retired five batters in a row, but for some reason, he was lifted for Damaso Marte. Marte, who already pitched yesterday, did his usual: walk, hit by pitch, fielder's choice, three run bomb. Game over. First series loss of the season.

The Yankees really do need to start hitting. Mark Teixeira continues to do nothing other than walk, and Alex Rodriguez still has just two homers. Where would this team be if Cano and Posada were not starting the season on an absolute tear? The team will enjoy an off day visiting Barack Obama Monday, followed by the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. Anything less than a sweep will be unacceptable, as the Orioles stand at 3-16. Then, believe it or not, the Yankees will enjoy some home games after their trip to Baltimore.

Bottom line: the team is still playing .667 baseball, averaging 2 out of 3 victories in each series. You play like that all year, you make the playoffs. Maybe not the division, based on how solid the Rays look, but you make the playoffs and you see what happens. It's really amazing that guys like Teixeira, Johnson, and Rodriguez haven't hit and the team is off to a good start for a change. It's also amazing that the team has lost 6 games on this young season, and Javier Vazquez is already 1-3. It's obvious that Cashman and the Yankee front office are sitting in Tampa resting on their laurels.

Not a Good Joba

The Yankees have lost two games in a row, but they remain at 11-5 despite having what is likely the toughest schedule in Major League Baseball. You've got the Yankees splitting the first four games of a West coast trip, and in Boston, you have Don Orsillo SCREAMING at the top of his lungs about a big 4-3 victory over the 2-15 Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Big win for the BoSox after blowing a 3-0 lead in the eighth inning. On the other hand, A.J. Burnett, Mark Teixeira, and Joba Chamberlain all ensured that the Yankees suffered another meltdown at Angels Stadium.

I thought things were going well when the Yankees took an early third inning lead, but Mark Teixeira's dirty third inning collision at home plate fired up the Angels and even made the announcers question Teixeira's intentions. Teixeira also continues to look lost at home plate. He's not aggressive, he pops up to the left side of the infield, and he constantly leaves runners in scoring position. In another key situation, Brett Gardner popped up a sacrifice bunt attempt on a pitch over his head. These are things that simply do not happen when the Yankees play anywhere else. But against the Angels, you can bet your money that something bad will happen.

Joba Chamberlain looked like he had no business pitching in the eighth inning. Of course, Hideki Matsui came through with a leadoff single, and you had a feeling at that point that the game was not going to end up in the Yanks' favor. Ken Singleton and John Flaherty described Joba's pitch to Kendry Morales over and over again: "it was a slider that just spun." We get it guys...the pitch stayed up, and Morales hit it. He has great numbers against Joba. I was confused at the fact that Damaso Marte was never brought in to face anyone, including Matsui leading off the inning.

Today becomes a must win game. You don't want to extend a losing streak, and the Yankees still want a shot to win another series. There are always disasters in Angels Stadium. We'll see if the team can actually hit Joel Pineiro, which they failed to do at Yankee Stadium recently. Unfortunately, Pettitte is due for a bad start. There's no way the near 40 year old can turn in another stellar outing on the road, this time against the Angels. Or is there?

Phil Comes Up Hughes

I'm tired and loading up on caffeine today. Why? Two words: Phil Hughes. The young California native was six outs away from a no-hitter last night and was absolutely masterful, keeping me up until 1:00 AM. Hughes and the Yankees continue to roll, already clinching their fifth straight series to begin the 2010 season. You have to wonder if last year's World Series took a world of pressure off this team, and they're just playing free and easy. I can't even remember a start as successful as this one.

Phil Hughes was dominant last night, bringing back memories of that tragic Texas evening in 2007 when he took a no-hitter into the seventh, only to pop his hamstring and put himself on the Disabled List. It really was memorable to see Hughes' parents in the stands, who made the trip to Oakland despite the bad weather forecast. I thought of Lou Gehrig's mother and father watching him play at Yankee Stadium. Phil apparently is telling this blog to shove it and that he deserves the fifth starter role. The way the season has gone after 14 games, I'd say he is the fourth starter who just happens to pitch the day after Vazquez.

One of the most amazing things about this team is the fact that they are 11-3 and their 2-3 hitters are both hitting way below .200. Sure, Nick Johnson walks more than anyone in baseball, but you'd think that he or Teixeira would like to get a base hit at some point. There's one other thing noticeable about this series on the West Coast: Michael Kay is not there. I'm sure it's too late at night for him, and it may negatively affect his radio show. So last night, it was just Phil Hughes on the hill, not PHIL YOOOOOOOUUUSSS.

Thank goodness for a day game today. The West Coast is swing is usually the time when I get sick during the season. Sweep the leg, C.C.

Prime Time

I thought I'd get in a post before tonight's Yankees-Athletics game because, quite frankly, now that I'm a working (and somewhat responsible) adult, I'm not going to be able to stay up until 1 AM watching a regular season game in April. Tonight, the NFL released its 2010 schedule, and as a Jets fan, I could not be more thrilled. Thanks to the charismatic Rex Ryan and the fantastic season the team had last year, the New York Jets have FIVE prime time games on their schedule: Baltimore and Miami in September, Minnesota in October, Cincinnati on Thanksgiving, and New England in December.

The Jets also picked up Jason Taylor today, who absolutely hates Jets fan, but who cares? Plenty of athletes have hated New York, shown up to play here, and succeeded. HBO is absolutely salivating at the idea of guys like Ryan, Taylor, Tomlinson, Holmes, Cromartie, Edwards, and even Sanchez on this year's edition of Hard Knocks. Finally, the Jets are not second fiddle to the Giants in New York. They are the main attraction. You have to wonder if signing Rex Ryan up as head coach is the greatest move the franchise has ever made. Maybe it's too early to tell, but no matter what, he puts "fannies in the seats" and brings the team a TON of publicity. He also has this thing about him that makes people want to play for him.

Although it's Yankee season, training camp is not far behind. The Jets have made enough moves this off season, so no one in Jets-land really cares about the draft this year. Sure, it would have been nice to add Brandon Marshall to the receiving core, but not for a first round pick. Adding the troubled Santonio Holmes for just a fifth round selection was a great no-risk move for the team. They got to the AFC title game with Edwards, Cotchery, and Keller. Now, they have another gun to go to.

The schedule doesn't mean too much, other than the fact that the new stadium will be hopping with excitement this year. For once, win or lose, the Jets will own the back pages in New York come September. That is of cours unless the Yankees want to repeat, which is totally fine with me.

Vintage Weekend

It was just a perfect weekend in Yankeeland, aside from the fact that Chan Ho Park is already on the disabled list. Three amazing starts from our three aces and a three game sweep over the Texas Rangers, who bobbled the ball around the infield like a Little League team. The Yankees are 9-3, tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for the best record in baseball. Then, you look down toward the bottom of the American League East, and the Boston Red Sox are 5 games back. It's early, and it doesn't mean much, but it's nice to be off to this kind of start, the team's best since 2003.

C.C. Sabathia was outstanding on Friday night, and A.J. Burnett turned in another solid performance on Saturday. But today, Andy Pettitte was simply unbelievable. He has been the Yankees best and most consistent starter thus far. After a rocky start to the game, with Michael Kay analyzing every mechanical flaw in his delivery, he turned in an eight inning masterpiece. The Yanks' bullpen was unbelievably conserved this weekend and Joe Girardi still got his wish: Mariano Rivera picked up another save.

In addition to the pitching, I've got to say that I'm impressed with Jorge Posada after the first 12 games of the season. Sure, he likes to chuck the ball into center field once in a while on a stolen base attempt, but the fact that he is close to 40, still hitting the tar out of the ball, and catching some great games really says a lot. The Yankees have been very lucky to have him since 1995. Mariano Rivera is still lights out. I don't care if Trevor Hoffman has the most saves. He'll never even be in the same league as Rivera. His playoff numbers don't even compare. Hoffman choked in Game 3 of the 1998 World Series against Scott Brosius, then gave up a 2 run lead in extra innings during a 2007 one game playoff with the Colorado Rockies. He only saves so many games because the teams he plays on can't blow other teams out, so every game is a save situation.

Two points of negativity after this weekend. It wouldn't be an Inside Corner entry without something to complain about. First of all, someone needs to tell Nick Johnson that he is allowed to swing the piece of wood that he carries up to the plate with him. Remember those vintage Home Run Derby shows? "It's either a Home Run or an out here on Home Run Derby!" Well with Nick Johnson, it's either a walk or a strikeout. The guy just doesn't swing!

Second, someone needs to train Michael Kay on fly balls. Every time someone hits one the outfield, you can hear the volume in his voice like the ball's got a shot at going out, when the outfielder doesn't even have to move to catch it. How this guy emerged from a sportswriter to becoming the television voice of the franchise is completely beyond me. During a game last week, he called out Al Leiter for mistakenly saying that Joe Torre, not Joe Girardi, manages the Yankees. Maybe someone should have called him out when he talked about Derek Jeter's first pitch homer leading off Game 4 of the World Series. Kay insisted that he hit it off of Leiter, but that must have been difficult to do since Leiter pitched Game 5, which any idiot Yankee fan should remember thanks to Mr. Luis Sojo.

All in all, a fantastic weekend and all is right in Yankeeland. Even Mark Teixeira hit a home run! Let's hope the Yankees can keep it going out west, and we don't see another regular season implosion in Anaheim next weekend.