Wait a second, scratch that, then reverse it.  I’ve fallen a little behind on reviewing the last few series the Yankees have played.  So today I want to get caught up on the last 3 series dating back to last weekend and cover all the other Yankee related news.  So without wasting anymore time lets jump into the way back machine:

Cincinnati Series

Not exactly the outcome I was looking for, but at least they were able to avoid the sweep.  Losing to Volquez wasn’t a shock, and Thompson continued the tradition of rookie pitchers giving the Yankees trouble.  Cueto was very good on Sunday, but so was Andy, and the yankee offense was able to feast on the Reds bullpen after the rain delay.  After Sunday’s win the Yankee’s record stood at 7-2 in interleague play (not counting the first Met’s series), so I couldn’t complain.  Also it was nice to see Griffey hit a homerun in his last major league at bat in Yankee Stadium (barring the All-Star game in July), even though he refused to acknowledge the crowd.  Geez does anyone hold a grudge longer than Junior?

Pittsburgh Series

A lot of Yankee fans were flipping out over Tuesday’s loss, but all I can say is to let it go.  Besides they rebounded well on Wednesday, thanks to Joba whose proving to be quite an asset in the starting rotation.  Good thing Cashman decided to move him or else the starting rotation would consist of Giese, Rasner, Ponson and Igawa.  But the Yankees would still have THE MOST DOMINATING CLOSING COMBO IN THE GAME!!! right?  That still makes me laugh.  Thursday was a waste since we lost Mussina after the rain washed him away after only 3 innings.  And now the Yankees lose their off day next week, fantastic.  And people wonder why the Yankees complain about always having night games on get away days.

Subway Series Part II

Going in I said I’d be happy with a split.  And if you don’t know why I felt this way, well you can just look at the pitching matchups.  Giese finally getting smacked around was to be expected, however Ohlendorf continued his struggles and was optioned to AAA after the game.  That is the right move if you ask me, because I still think he can be useful as a reliever if USED CORRECTLY!  Hated how Girardi kept using him as the long man after Albaladejo went down last month.  If Ponson never throws another pitch in a Yankee uniform, you still have to consider his signing a success.   I thought he’d do an okay job, but never did I expect 6 shut out innings.  I’m not going to get carried away with his performance since he very well could have been knocked out after the 2nd, but I think he earned himself another beer, no wait how about another cheeseburger after Friday’s game. 

Pettitte was great against Santana on Saturday, with help from Reyes who seems to make a baserunning mistake every game.  I mean seriously how do you get picked off second, especially when it wasn’t even a designed play?  I would have bet my morgage (if I had one) that the yankee would lose on Sunday, since they never hit Oliver Perez.  As a Met Perez is 4-0 with a 1.21 ERA against the Yankees.  Think Tampa or Boston have made any calls to Minaya lately?  David Robertson made his debut finally, and he was a little shaky.  I’ll chalk that up to nerves since his track record in the minors has been phenomenal.  Again the scouting report on him is low 90s fastball, so-so control but big breaking curveball.  Unlike Bill Madden I think Robertson will last in the Yankee bullpen for a long time.  Madden however seems to think one major league appearance is enough to right him off.  Yeah you keep up the good work Bill.   Arod was just missing the ball all day, especially as we saw in his at bat in the 9th.  All in all I’m fine with a split, now time to take 2 of 3 from Texas, no excuses.

Other Yankee Related News

- Brett Gardner has finally been called up, but no word yet on who will be sent down.  I think Girardi wants to keep Moeller around a little while longer, so my guess would be Alberto Gonzalez, although Christen could be done now that the string of lefty pitchers has passed.  I think many Yankee fans have overhyped Gardner a bit.  He’s not going to hit for much power and he will strike out a lot.  But he’s shown great plate discipline in the minors and has the speed to beat out a few slow rollers in the infield.  He’s adaquate in the outfield, and we’ll probably see him in left since Damon is hurting.  However I hope to see him spell Melky in center for a few games.  Melky has become an automatic out and needs to see some time on the bench. 

- Matsui could be done for the season if he needs another knee surgery.  I doubt we’ll hear any official word on this anytime soon, since there is no rush to get this surgery done.  Still losing Matsui for the year would hurt, since he was probably the most consistent hitter all season. 

- http://itsaboutthemoney.blogspot.com/2008/06/interview-with-darrell-rasner.html  Good interiview which is a quick read.  In it Rasner discusses his life as a major leaguer, his favorite teammates and his love for all things Metallica.  Take a quick look.

- The rosters have been announced for the Futures Game which will take place over All-Star weekend at Yankee Stadium.  The only Yankee represenative will be Jesus Montero who will be playing for the World Team.  Montero’s line currently stands at .303/.351/.441, which is not bad at all for a 19 year old in A ball.  If Montero can stay as a catcher, which is a big IF (he’s a big kid, 6′4 already), he could be a perennial All-Star.  Even if not he could develop into a solid MLB regular at firstbase.  No Austin Jackson at the futures game unfortunately, as the US team is only carrying players who may play for Team USA, and the Yankees won’t allow Jackson to be apart of that so he wasn’t selected.  Oh and btw Tino Martinez will be managing the World Team. 

- I wonder how Posada feels about being asked to play so much first base over the weekend.  I understand Girardi’s reasoning for making the move, but I can’t imagine Jorge likes it.  He takes a lot of pride in his catching and game calling, and to see Molina back there in a big spot must bother him a little.  Still Girardi has to protect that shoulder so expect to see more of this as the season wears on. 

- Girardi had some harsh words for Ian Kennedy over the weekend, as he emphasied that Kennedy is not on a rehab trip through the minors but that he has been demoted until he pitches better.  Kennedy’s biggest problem in the majors this season was his walk total, and until he learns to trust his stuff he won’t last in the Yankee rotation.  Also Hughes is slowly on his way back, and we’ve heard he may not even pitch in the majors this year, as the organization wants to take it slow with him.  I can undestand that, but if healthy I’d be surprised not to see him pitching meaningful innings come September.

- And closing out the minor league news starting pitchers Alfredo Aceves and Alan Horne, two internal options to join the rotation, both appear headed for the DL.  Aceves has a mild groin strain and will be back in 7 days but Horne may be experiencing a dead arm.  Horne has a potential to throw 4 plus pitchers but has been hampered by injuries and lack of command.  I see no need to rush Alan, although I was hoping he could join the bullpen in August ala Joba from last year.  I still think we see Aceves in the rotation after the all-star break, especially since this groin strain appears to me minor.

- Finally I’ve covered the draft and have mentioned the international free agents before, but just a reminder teams can officially begin signing the international free agents on Tuesday.  Top prize RHP Michael Inoa, who has been called a “once in a generation prosepct” has apparently struck a deal with the A’s for a record bonus of 4.25 million.  The rumor according to John Manuel of Baseball America was the Yankees originally had a deal in place with Inoa for 2.7 million a while back, but Inoa then hired agent Adam Katz as his agent who put the kibash on the deal.  This is disappointing to read since Inoa has been compared to Felix Hernandez, but I’m not going to lose too much sleep over it as Inoa is only 16 and won’t make it to the majors, if he ever does, for at least another 4 years.  I’ll keep you updated on all the other major signings that go down. 

Okay thats it for me, any questions or comments can be sent to jvg019@yahoo.com.  Enjoy your Monday.

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