Yankees baseball blog

Sheffield's finally putting himself first

Learning to play first base has turned out to be "more work" than Gary Sheffield envisioned, but he is making it his priority right now, in the interest of helping the Yankees win a championship. He does this without complaint but not without a feeling that he is due compensation.

Or as he put it yesterday, "I've made enough sacrifices for everybody. (Soon) it will be time for people to make some sacrifices for me." Before anyone starts rolling his eyes and saying "typical Sheffield," he wasn't making any demands yesterday, nor was he trying to use his move to first base as leverage for a new contract. Continue

Win secures home-field edge for Yanks

The Yankees won their 50th home game of 2006 on Friday night, and if their performance against the Blue Jays is any indication of things to come, they could be giving the home fans a lot to cheer about in October.

New York's 7-2 victory, combined with losses by both Detroit and Minnesota, wrapped up home-field advantage throughout the American League playoffs for the Yankees. The AL's All-Star Game win secured home field for the league in the World Series, so the Bombers know that as long as they're playing in October, they will own the home-field edge the whole way. Continue

Big Unit a big '?' with herniated disc

Randy Johnson has a herniated disc in his lower back, Yankees manager Joe Torre announced on Friday, and is now an even bigger question mark for the playoffs. Torre said he still expected the Big Unit to make his scheduled Game 3 start next Friday. "That's the expectation," he said.

Torre said an MRI taken Wednesday or Thursday revealed the herniated disc. Johnson had an epidural shot on Friday to relieve his pain and discomfort. He was not at Yankee Stadium on Friday, but is expected to play catch on Saturday and throw a side session on Sunday. "Right now, he's gotten that epidural, and hopefully that will ease the discomfort," he said. "And if it doesn't ease the discomfort, I'm not sure he's going to be able to pitch, obviously." Continue

Phils' Flash takes verbal jab at Jeter

News flash from Flash Gordon: Jimmy Rollins is better than Derek Jeter. So said Tom Gordon Wednesday night, according to a Philadelphia newspaper. The ex-Yankee reliever was praising his Phillies teammate, who had just hit a game-winning triple - and who admires Jeter. "I think J's better than Jete," Gordon was quoted as saying in the Philadelphia Daily News.

"Every time the team needed something done, Jete did it. I see the same thing from J-Roll. Like with Jeter, the game just comes to him naturally." Hold on, though, said Gary Sheffield. Only one of these shortstops has a long-term track record and postseason pedigree. "He's a great player; he's going to get even better," Sheffield said of Rollins. "But when you compare players, you look at how many years you've done it. You have to do it year in and year out. You've actually got to do it in the playoffs. That's when you start hearing from other players." Continue

Yanks manage only one hit

After 16 runs and 18 hits the night before, the Yankees had to be prepared for just a little bit of a letdown Thursday night. Only they weren't expecting this. Baltimore's Daniel Cabrera held New York hitless for 8 1/3 innings, facing just three batters over the minimum as he finished with a one-hitter as the Yankees fell to the Orioles, 7-1, at Yankee Stadium.

Robinson Cano ended the no-hit bid with a single into left field with one out in the ninth, but it didn't help much as Bobby Abreu followed by hitting into a game-ending double play. Continue

He's Chien-Ming one

When Ron Guidry approached Chien-Ming Wang to tell him he would start Game 1 of the Yankees' division series next week, the response wasn't surprising. Wang just shrugged his shoulders. It would take more than that to get a rise out of him, which is precisely the reason the Yanks have so much confidence in him.

He doesn't get rattled. Whether it is the postseason opener or a meaningless regular-season tune-up like last night's 16-5 victory over the Orioles, Wang's demeanor and approach are the same. Continue

New-look Yanks blast past O's

All season long, the Yankees have waited to put their best lineup out there. When they did, the Bronx Bombers showed just how devastating this new version of Murderer's Row can be. The new-look Yankees -- finally able to bat the likes of Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui, Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu at the same time -- pounded out 18 hits, including a season-high five home runs, en route to a long, but easy 16-5 win over the Orioles on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.

Just how good was this lineup? The No. 8 hitter, Jorge Posada, came in with 20 home runs and 85 RBIs, and No. 9 hitter Robinson Cano was hitting .343 and battling for the American League batting title. Continue

Cano's in hunt for title

The names atop the AL batting race had been the same for months, with Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer and Derek Jeter fighting for the crown most of the second half. But Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano entered the charts with a bullet Monday night, like a hit song entering the Top 10 in its first week of release. Instead of slowly working his way up the list, Cano automatically joined the leaders after his four at-bats in Monday's victory over Tampa Bay finally gave him enough plate appearances to qualify for the race.

"It is very nice to see your name there," Cano said before raising his average to .343 with a homer and single in four trips last night against Baltimore. "I'm excited for the season that I'm having, not just going for the batting title. If I was in first, I'd be happy, but I'm second right now, and I'm happy with that, too. Continue

Long balls sink Birds

The Yankees know full well they're embroiled in a fight with Detroit for the American League's best record and the chance for home-field advantage throughout the postseason -- a race that remains tied following the Yankees' 5-4 win over Baltimore at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night. Yet, the Yankees are also trying to do much more over the next week, including getting their lineup healthier and game ready, their rotation settled and their playoff pitching staff in order. Continue

Johnson will skip final turn to rest

The Yankees' postseason rotation was shaken up on Monday night, as Joe Torre revealed that Randy Johnson would not make his final regular-season start. Johnson has been dealing with spasms in his lower back, so he, Torre and pitching coach Ron Guidry decided to skip his Thursday start, allowing him to rest for the postseason.

"If there was no postseason, I'd be out there pitching," Johnson said. "I chose to make a wise decision and not make my next regular-season start so I could hopefully be a little healthier for my postseason start." Continue

Yanks ride early outburst to series split

With six games remaining in the regular season, the Yankees are in a dead heat for home-field advantage in the American League. New York's 16-1 beating of Tampa Bay on Monday night moved the Yankees to 94-62, pulling them even with the Detroit Tigers for the best record in baseball.

"It's important for us," Robinson Cano said. "Every team plays better at home, because everybody knows their own house." Bobby Abreu went 4-for-4 with four RBIs, while Hideki Matsui went 3-for-4, also driving in four runs. Eight different Yankees drove in runs in the game, as New York finished the season with a 47-34 record away from Yankee Stadium. Continue

Mussina thumped but OK

Mike Mussina suffered a bruise near his left thumb when he was hit by a line drive yesterday, but said it wouldn't cause any problems in his final start of the season or the playoffs. "My thumb's okay, just a little sore," Mussina said. "It won't be a factor."

Mussina allowed seven hits and six runs (two earned) in 4-2/3 innings. He faced the minimum of nine batters in the first three innings, but then "looked like he stopped being able to locate," Joe Torre said. It was the second consecutive dud by one of the Yankees' top three starters, following Randy Johnson's poor outing Saturday. "It was frustrating," Mussina said. "It could've been better than that." Continue

Giambi pushing for quick return

Jason Giambi is trying to accelerate his return from a cranky left wrist. While the Yankees' plan is for Giambi to hit off a batting tee Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, Giambi is lobbying to do it today so he can possibly play against the Orioles.

"They threw out Tuesday, but I want to see if can do it (today)," Giambi said before missing his fourth straight game yesterday with what has been described as a bad case of tendinitis or a slight ligament tear. Continue

Sheffield learns on job in loss

If the playoffs are the baseball equivalent to final exams, then Gary Sheffield is in the process of taking a crash course at first base. Sheffield has played three games at first base this weekend, the first three of his career. Every play has the potential to bring something he has never seen before, making every out a new lesson for the 19-year veteran.

On Sunday, Sheffield and the Yankees saw a lot of action in the field during the Devil Rays' 11-4 win. Despite falling victim to a lopsided loss for the second straight day, Sheffield seemed optimistic about the day. Continue

A-Rod head games

IN yet another example of how dumb Alex Rodriguez could be when it comes to something he cares so, so, so much about - his image - he allowed himself to be quoted in last week's Sports Illustrated saying, "I can't help that I'm a bright person."

Rodriguez will not be winning a Gold Glove in 2006, but a silver foot in his mouth seems about right. For Rodriguez, this latest brouhaha came with a strong lesson, if he really is "bright" enough to absorb it. The lesson is: He is going to be judged more harshly than any player except, perhaps, Barry Bonds. Continue

Holder of canceled Yankee tix cries foul

A die-hard Yankees fan who had his season tickets revoked after the Bronx Bombers caught him reselling tickets online yesterday accused George Steinbrenner of going too far. "Tell George to give the little fans a break," the 39-year-old Brooklyn man told the Daily News. "Season tickets should not be canceled for something like this. "Give me a break, George."

The Brooklyn court clerk, who asked not to be identified, had been a season-ticket holder at the House that Ruth Built for the past two seasons. But the Yankees canceled his account, barred him from buying playoff tickets and banned him from getting season tickets - ever again - after he twice resold ducats on StubHub.com. Continue

Yankees blanked by Rays

Randy Johnson hasn't been Randy Johnson lately. And he definitely wasn't Randy Johnson on Saturday night. But for now, no one seems to be concerned. The lanky lefty allowed five runs in an 8-0 loss to Tampa Bay, the third consecutive game in which he'd done so. Three of those scores on Saturday came by way of home runs, and the other two on an extra-base hit.

So what gives? "I've been fighting a lot of things ... I just need to get better," said a soft-spoken Johnson at his locker after the game. "Things just haven't been where I want them to be in my last three starts, and I'm very much aware of that, and going into my last start, things need to be a lot better." Continue

A-Rod: Halo? No

Speculation about Alex Rodriguez being dealt to the Angels in the offseason is just that. "I am not going anywhere," vowed Rodriguez, who can nix any deal thanks to a no-trade clause in his contract.

Two media outlets reported Thursday the Angels might acquire Rodriguez, but just as he did in July when his name was linked to the Phillies, the Yankees third baseman said he would invoke the no-trade right and stay in the Bronx. As part of Joe Torre's plan to rest regulars, Rodriguez and his 4-for-23 (.174) funk were out of the lineup last night for the Yankees' 4-1 victory over the Devil Rays. (NY Post)

Pavano crashes Bombers' party

On the first day Carl Pavano set foot in the Yankee clubhouse since he hid his auto accident from team officials, Joe Torre gave the pitcher a stern warning, telling reporters that Pavano "has got to understand what his priority is. "Baseball has to be his life and he's got to live his life that way," Torre added.

Pavano, 30, who last week was shut down for the rest of the season because of a rib injury sustained in the Aug.15 car accident, was ordered by Yankee officials to come to the clubhouse yesterday and see his teammates. His Yankee career has been pockmarked by injury - he hasn't pitched in the majors since June of 2005 - and team officials believe Pavano has lost his teammates' respect, something that became obvious when someone hung a mocking poster in Pavano's locker at Yankee Stadium after details of his car crash became public. Continue

Yanks top Rays in opener

Another win helps toward the Majors' best record, but the Yankees also found out Friday night that Mariano Rivera hasn't lost a step, Gary Sheffield can scoop balls from the dirt like nobody's business and New York's Mr. Reliable, Derek Jeter, just keeps on ticking no matter where the focus is.

The Yankees' 4-1 win over the Rays was a test of many sorts, and everyone lived up to their expectations. Some even surprised a little. "[Sheffield] had a lot better at-bats than I thought he would," said manager Joe Torre, of the slugger who hasn't seen game time at any level since late May. "And first base ... he looked like he'd been there a lot longer than just working out this past week." Continue

Boss issues new order

George Steinbrenner has stayed relatively quiet this season, but with October looming the once bombastic Boss is back. "We're going to win (the World Series)," Steinbrenner told The Associated Press in a recent phone interview. "We're going all the way."

He's not the only one who believes that. Several Las Vegas bookmakers already have installed the Yanks as the favorites to end their five-year title drought and many have the Mets favored to be in the Series with them. With a playoff berth assured following the Yanks' clinching of their ninth straight AL East title on Wednesday, The Boss made it clear that he was pleased with his team's accomplishment but hardly satisfied. Continue

Giambi playing with torn wrist ligament

Jason Giambi has a torn ligament in his left wrist that may require surgery after the postseason if it doesn't improve. Giambi flew to New York with Joe Torre from Toronto early yesterday and was examined by hand specialist Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser and Yankees team physician Stuart Hershon and had an MRI and CT scan.

Yesterday, for the first time since Giambi had an MRI on Aug. 30 the club announced he had been was diagnosed with the tear on that date. On Aug. 31, he received a cortisone shot. Eight days later Rosenwasser traveled from New York to Baltimore to examine Giambi and gave him another injection of cortisone. Continue

Click for tickets

Registration at Yankee Stadium and online for the opportunity to purchase postseason tickets will continue through 5 p.m. today. Because there are a limited number of tickets available, fans will be required to register their intention to purchase.

To register at Yankee Stadium, go to the Stadium Advance Ticket Windows between Gates 4 and 6 and provide the Yankees with your name and address. Fans who register will receive a Ticket Account Identification Card and a voucher. Based upon a random wristband drawing, select fans will have an opportunity to purchase two tickets to one home game of the 2006 ALDS or ALCS on Monday, Sept. 25, beginning at 11 a.m. Continue

Slow-healing wrist concerns Giambi

Jason Giambi's left wrist has been bothering him for more than a month, and he sounds as if he has accepted that it will not be 100 percent again until the offseason. But what he has not accepted is his lack of power, the main reason why he is in the Yankees' lineup. He has not homered since Aug. 20, and he wants his big swing back before the postseason begins."That definitely is a concern," Giambi said.

Giambi, who will not play for at least a couple of days, expects to be examined by one of the team's Tampa-based doctors today. He has already asked the medical staff to look into the possibility of a third cortisone shot. Continue

Yanks celebrate ninth straight East title

It's not very often that you will see the Yankees whooping it up in the clubhouse after a loss. In fact, it's not very often that you will see the Yankees whoop it up after a win. On Wednesday night, about 30 minutes after losing to the Blue Jays, 3-2, the Yankees sat and watched the Twins finish off the Red Sox, 8-2, on the big-screen television in the visitor's clubhouse at the Rogers Centre.

That's when the party started. Corks were popping, champagne and beer was flying through the air and tears were flowing as the Yankees clinched their ninth straight American League East title. Continue

Spoiled rotten

Last night the Yankees tried to play down a Sports Illustrated cover story on Alex Rodriguez that is filled with tantalizing quotes from Yankees criticizing A-Rod. The long article presents the $252 million dollar man as a disconnected, weird and statistics-conscious loner in his own clubhouse.

Rodriguez said last night that he hadn't read the story yet, but he was unfazed by it. Among the biting SI quotes, Jason Giambi says, "Alex doesn't know who he is. We're going to find out who he is in the next couple of months."

"That doesn't bother me at all because I have gotten a lot of support from this team," Rodriguez said before last night's game in Toronto. "This is the most support I have ever got from a team. Jason is a very supportive teammate as well." Continue

Yanks use long ball again against Jays

The Yankees can officially put the champagne on ice. Three home runs, a quality start by Jeff Karstens and a relatively stress-free performance by the bullpen gave the Yankees a 6-3 win over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

Meanwhile, 550 miles to the south, the Red Sox lost to the Twins, lowering the Yankees' magic number to clinch their ninth consecutive American League East title to one. A Yankees win or Red Sox loss on Wednesday will end the race. Continue

Mariano, Yanks can't wait for comeback

Mariano Rivera has been getting a little "antsy" lately, Joe Torre said yesterday, and he's not the only one. The Yankees are itching for their closer to get back on the mound - a place he hasn't been in a game since Aug. 31 - and if he gets through a bullpen session today without any issues, he might get into a game by the end of this week.

Rivera, who has suffered from a muscle strain just below his right elbow, has been mostly upbeat throughout his layoff, but Torre noticed an even further upgrade in Rivera's demeanor recently and is encouraged by it. "He's been in a lot more playful mood," Torre said. "The last few days, his personality has been up a bit more." Continue

Jeter, A-Rod lead Yanks past Jays

Life without Mariano Rivera is no picnic. Just ask Joe Torre. Torre and the Yankees carried a four-run lead into the ninth inning on Monday against the Blue Jays, only to watch four pitchers struggle to record the final three outs.

Troy Glaus hit a three-run home run off Octavio Dotel to cut the lead to one. Two batters later, Toronto had the tying run on base, but Jose Veras retired Aaron Hill to seal the 7-6 victory for New York. "It's sort of helpless," Torre said. "It makes you hate Mariano Rivera. I told him not to send me a Christmas card." Continue

Jeter run ends after 25 games

They chanted "MVP" every time he batted, and they screamed his name during much of the time David Ortiz was at the plate. But all of the love showered on local MVP favorite Derek Jeter last night at the Stadium didn't translate to any hits, as his career-high batting streak ended at 25 consecutive games in the Yankees' 5-4 loss to the Red Sox in the nightcap of their day-night doubleheader.

"It's one of those things, it just didn't happen," said Jeter, who batted .377 (40-for-106) during the streak. "I guess it was my day not to get a hit. ... I was always focused on the team's goals. The thing with a hitting streak, regardless if you have one or not, you're trying to get a hit." Continue

Lidle heading to bullpen

Cory Lidle likely will be a reliever when he initially returns from a finger injury, Joe Torre said yesterday. Before seeking treatment for tendinitis in his index finger, Lidle (3-3 with a 5.26 ERA in eight Yankee starts) was originally scheduled to start tonight in Toronto. Initially, the Yanks hoped he could start Wednesday, but he said he needs about four or five extra days. Lidle played catch Saturday and yesterday, but he won't stress the finger by throwing his signature splitter. Continue

Yankees' swept in twin bill action

Under normal circumstances, losing three of four to the Red Sox in mid-September would have the potential to ruin the season for the Yankees. Then again, the 2006 American League East race can hardly be described as normal circumstances.

New York dropped the nightcap of a day-night doubleheader, 5-4, as Boston swept the twin bill to win the final series of the year between the two rivals. The Yankees still hold a 9 1/2-game division lead over the Sox with two weeks to play, so Sunday's sweep isn't likely to cause too much stress in New York's clubhouse. The Yankees' magic number to clinch their ninth straight AL East crown remains at four. Continue

Yanks fall in doubleheader opener

The Red Sox made sure the Yankees weren't going to clinch against them with a bit of evasive maneuvering in topping New York, 6-3, in Game 1 of their doubleheader on Sunday. With the scored tied at 2-2, two outs and Coco Crisp on first, Yankees reliever Ron Villone thought he had Crisp picked off first. But the elusive Boston center fielder did a crouching juke move around Craig Wilson's tag to get back safely and extend the inning.

Dustin Pedroia cashed in with a go-ahead RBI double and Kevin Youkilis added three more runs with a bases-loaded double in the inning. The Yankees wouldn't have clinched even with a sweep since Toronto beat Tampa Bay. Continue

Mariano makes it to mound

The Yankees' most important pitches yesterday didn't come during either game against the Red Sox. Instead they were thrown by Mariano Rivera early yesterday morning, when the closer threw off a mound for the first time in 16 days. Rivera, who has been sidelined with a muscle strain in his right elbow, threw about 30 pitches to catcher Wil Nieves in the bullpen before the first game.

"I have no worries," Rivera said. "I know exactly what I'm doing. I feel good." Joe Torre said Rivera will repeat the exercise on Tuesday in Toronto. If all goes well, Rivera plans to resume his typical daily throwing routine and could get into a game by the end of the week. It would be his first action since Aug. 31. Continue

Captain & The Clipper

Every day the Captain walks into the clubhouse with his grande skim cappuccino from Starbucks, answers questions at his locker, goes off to the training room, takes batting practice, takes the field on a sprint ahead of the rest of the guys, plays baseball without much more emotion than an occasional pumped fist.

There is something in Derek Jeter's routine, the clean lines and the gentle strides that looks familiar to a couple of old Red Sox. He was born to pinstripes, never grandstands, never gives voyeurs a glance within. He has the unquestioned respect of a clubhouse where players carry enough MVP and Cy Young awards to fill a wing of a museum, and the same respect from those who play against him. Continue

Yanks rally past Sox in nightcap

The Yankees moved one step closer to a ninth consecutive American League East title, giving themselves a chance to clinch the division crown on their own turf Sunday night. New York took a 7-5 victory over Boston on Saturday, earning a split in the day-night doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees' magic number now stands at four, with the two rivals set to play another day-night twin bill on Sunday.

Jason Giambi's RBI double -- aided by one of three defensive miscues in left field by Wily Mo Pena -- snapped a 5-5 tie in the seventh inning, while Scott Proctor threw two innings of scoreless relief to pick up the victory. Continue

Matsui ready for outfield

Hideki Matsui has only been the designated hitter since returning from left wrist surgery, but that soon will change. Joe Torre said yesterday that Matsui has been cleared by doctors to return to the outfield and probably will play there once the Yanks get home from next week's road trip. The reason for waiting that long is that Torre doesn't want to "take a chance" with putting Matsui on the artificial turf the Yanks will see in Toronto and Tampa Bay.

"It should be okay - as long as I don't get that kind of play again," Matsui said through an interpreter, pantomiming the awkward bending of his wrist that broke it when he dove for a ball on May 11. Continue

Wang's the one

It was raining hard enough in the pregame yesterday for Joe Torre to abandon his familiar perch in the home dugout and instead chat with the media in the corridor outside the Yankees' clubhouse.

For nearly 13 minutes, Torre talked about injuries, seeing Hideki Matsui play left field, and the current benefits of having Sal Fasano catch Jaret Wright. The Red Sox were down the hall, and Torre hardly mentioned them. What a powerful statement - and non-statement - about where we are now. It is mid-September and, really, all that matters for the Yanks is October. Continue

Robby keeps rolling along

When Robinson Cano returned from the disabled list last month, Joe Torre was not the only one wondering how the second baseman would do in his return. Cano himself was a little curious. "It was the first time for me to go on the DL and to come off," Cano said last night. "I wasn't so sure how it would be." Cano need not have worried, apparently.

After sitting out six weeks with a pulled hamstring, he came back stronger than before. He continued his tear last night by driving in three runs while hitting in the third spot in the lineup for the first time in his career. "It feels good," Cano said of hitting third. "It means I am doing pretty good." Cano has 40 RBI in 36 games since returning to the active roster on Aug.8, leading the major leagues over that span. Continue

Bombers may say goodbye, Columbus

The Yankees have informed Triple-A Columbus that they'll be exploring other minor-league options this fall, and industry sources told the Post they will part company with the Clippers. A baseball official cautioned last night that the two sides could still remain partners in 2007, but other sources said it's a done deal - as did a report in the Columbus Dispatch.

The Yankees and Columbus have been together for 28 seasons, which is the fifth longest affiliation of that kind. The Yankees are looking at Scranton, but they can't yet make official overtures. General manager Brian Cashman had no comment. Continue

Yanks win sixth straight, finish off Rays

The Yankees inched closer to a division title on Thursday night, finishing off a three-game sweep of the Devil Rays. Robinson Cano drove in three runs, including the tying and winning tallies, leading New York to a 7-4 victory. Cano, batting in the No. 3 spot for the first time in his career, collected eight RBIs in the past two games, helping the Yanks move to 33 games over .500.

Hideki Matsui homered for the first time since May 7, while Derek Jeter (2-for-4, RBI, 23-game hitting streak) and Alex Rodriguez (two RBIs) also contributed offensively. Continue

This time it counts for Jeter

Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak with a hit last night. Though that may seem like an obvious statement, it's not. On Tuesday night, Jeter kept the streak alive without getting a hit because he walked three times and got hit by a pitch without making an out, complying with rule 10.24d in the Major League Baseball rule book.

Last night, Jeter got it done the traditional way, singling in his first at-bat in the Yankees' 8-4 win over the Devil Rays. The hit extended Jeter's streak to 22games, the longest by a Yankee since Don Mattingly hit in 24 straight in 1986. Of course, Joe DiMaggio holds the Yankee record, the all-time record - 56games. Jeter is on track to tie that mark in the 16th game of next season. Not that he's counting - or caring. Continue

Mo moves step closer

Mariano Rivera is scheduled to test his elbow off a mound on Saturday, and that throwing session figures to go a long way in determining when the Yankees closer pitches in a game again.

Rivera cleared himself for work on the mound after playing another game of catch yesterday, this time saying he felt no tightness in the area just below his right elbow.Rivera threw about 15 pitches on flat ground from 60 feet, estimating the effort was 90 percent. He threw another 10 or more from 70 feet. Rivera is expected to need at least two bullpen sessions before he pitches in a game. Continue

Yankees cruise to win against Rays

Offensively, things couldn't be much better for the Yankees. But with the playoffs all but on the calendar, the postseason rotation is still a mystery. The Yankees beat the Devil Rays, 8-4, on Wednesday, but starter Cory Lidle was tagged in his second straight start, leaving the door open for the No. 4 spot.

Lidle went four innings while giving up nine hits and four earned runs. He gave up two solo home runs in the first inning and RBI singles in the fourth and fifth before being relieved by Brian Bruney, who ended up with the win. Continue

Jeter's 'hits' keep coming

Derek Jeter went hitless last night, but his hitting streak is still alive. Huh? Though Jeter did not have a hit in the Yankees' victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Yankee shortstop never made an out - he walked three times and got hit by a pitch. So he's still on pace to break Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak sometime next season.

Even though Jeter did not get a hit, his 21-game streak remains intact, thanks to rule 10.24d of the official Major League Baseball rule book, which states that a hitting streak will not end if a batter walks, gets hit by a pitch, lays down a sacrifice bunt or gets on via defensive interference while not making any other outs. Continue

Sheff of the near-future

Hideki Matsui returned last night - and Gary Sheffield felt he could've joined him. "I'm ready now," Sheffield said before last night's game against Tampa Bay. Sheffield took 40 swings indoors, then joined batting practice for the first time since having surgery for a dislocated tendon and ligament tear in his left wrist. Yankee manager Joe Torre said Sheffield might be activated by the end of the homestand Sunday night, but offered no guarantee. Continue

Godzilla leads Yankees' rampage

The Yankees figured it wouldn't take Hideki Matsui long to get his stroke back. But nobody could have guessed Matsui's presence could this kind of instant effect -- not even him. Matsui went 4-for-4 with four singles in his first game since May 11 as the Yankees scored nine runs in the first inning and pounded the Devil Rays, 12-4, Tuesday night. Bobby Abreu powered the offense with seven RBIs, including six in the first, and Yankees starter Mike Mussina pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Continue

Jeter won't return Papi blast

Derek Jeter didn't seem particularly moved by David Ortiz's argument that the Yankee shortstop's season isn't MVP-worthy because he's got so many talented hitters around him. A day after Ortiz said that Jeter should "come hit in this lineup, see how good you can be," Jeter responded succinctly yesterday.

"I don't have to do it in his lineup," he said. The captain shrugged when asked further about Ortiz's comments, saying, "I'm not thinking about the MVP right now. We're thinking about winning a division. We've still got something to play for." He then added, "No one here's focused on individual awards." Continue

Rivera remaining cautious

Noticing that Mariano Rivera cut loose the last 10 tosses he made Sunday, Yankees trainer Gene Monahan scratched Rivera from a scheduled game of catch today. Instead, Rivera will play catch tomorrow. "It's not a setback," Joe Torre said of Monahan's decision. "They wouldn't schedule him at all if there was a problem. They would shut him down."

Rivera hasn't pitched since Aug. 31, hours after undergoing an MRI on his right forearm that he has complained about being tight. The test showed no structural damage, but nobody knows when Rivera will return to action. And because of what he means to the Yankees' October dreams, it's a situation that is being followed very closely. Continue

Six-run seventh leads Yanks past O's

The ball was hit hard into left field, but it looked like Fernando Tatis would be able to make the play to end the top half of the seventh inning. But instead, Tatis -- who was making just his third career start in the outfield -- misjudged and misplayed Robinson Cano's liner. Tatis leaped and missed the ball, allowing three runners to score, which gave the Yankees the lead.

"I just started running ... I didn't see what was happening in left field," said Cano, who had already hit the ball hard twice earlier in the game with nothing to show for it. "I was thinking, 'It's my time to get a hit right here.'" Continue

Mo may skip week

Anyone hoping to see Mariano Rivera back on the mound for the Yankees this week probably will be disappointed. Rivera, who is suffering from a muscle strain in his right forearm, doesn't appear likely to pitch during the Yankees' upcoming home stand since the Bombers are determined to keep him from taking the mound until he feels no discomfort at all.

The Yankees closer threw with pitching coach Ron Guidry before yesterday's game and said he made about 40 tosses at around 70-80% effort, dialing it up on the final 15 or so. He will rest today, hopes to play catch again tomorrow and might throw off a mound Thursday but will need to do that twice before getting into a game, according to Joe Torre. Continue

Yankees slug their way to win over O's

The Yankees broke out the bats early and often on Sunday, but it wasn't the usual suspects inflicting all of the damage. Sal Fasano and Nick Green, starting in place of Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez, each homered for New York, while Derek Jeter continued his MVP-caliber season with a home run and four RBIs in the Yankees' 9-4 win over the Orioles. "We want to contribute to the team -- and not just by cheering," Green said. "When we can put some runs on the board and get some big hits, it's fun." Continue

A-Rod falls ill again

Alex Rodriguez was scratched from yesterday's game with a stomach bug, the second time this season he's become ill while the Yanks were here playing the Orioles. "I must be allergic to something - the ice or water," Rodriguez said. "I don't know what it is."

A-Rod, who missed two games with a virus during the Yanks' June series, said he felt fine during Friday night's game but woke up yesterday feeling queasy. He had no other symptoms besides stomach issues and said he hoped to be back in the lineup today but couldn't guarantee it. Continue

Another shot for Giambi

Jason Giambi took a second shot of cortisone in his bothersome left wrist yesterday during the Yankees' 3-2 win over the Orioles. "He moved it over a little bit," Giambi said of Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser, who traveled from New York to examine Giambi. "We are going to take a couple of days to give it a chance to get in there. He said we didn't take enough time last time." Giambi said he is shooting for a return Tuesday. Continue

Wang becomes second 17-game winner

Chien-Ming Wang is confident when he takes the mound, but even the 26-year-old never believed he would have as much success in 2006 as he has had. Wang became the Majors' second 17-game winner, joining Minnesota's Johan Santana for the league lead by leading the Yankees to a 3-2 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards. Wang (17-5) held Baltimore to one run on eight hits over 7 1/3 innings, striking out one batter without issuing a walk. Continue

Rivera stays off mound

At first, the Yankees thought Mariano Rivera might throw off a mound yesterday for the first time in more than a week. But Rivera is being particularly cautious with the muscle strain just below his right elbow and only played catch before last night's game, saying he still feels "a little tight" and might try getting on the rubber tomorrow.

That effectively rules out the Yankees closer pitching in any of the four games against the Orioles this weekend, though the Bombers continue to put forth a worry-free attitude about Rivera, who last pitched in a game on Aug. 31, tossing a scoreless inning against the Tigers for his 33rd save of the season. Continue

Yankees downed in series opener

Cory Lidle continued his trend of following a good start with a bad one, proving his manager to be prophetic. On Wednesday, when asked what he expected to see from Lidle on Friday against the Orioles, Joe Torre said it depended on how well the right-hander commanded his pitches and worked the corners of the strike zone. "He's one of those guys who can give you six strong innings," Torre said of Lidle, who was coming off six shutout innings against the Twins. "Or maybe he won't get out of the second." Continue

Hit on Jeter meter

There has been only one hitter in the last 27 years to win the American League Most Valuable Player award while hitting fewer than 20 home runs. Can Derek Jeter be the second? Jeter's candidacy is unusual. Typically MVPs are power hitters who are among the league leaders in the so-called glamour categories: home runs and RBI.

If this year's race was a political election, Boston's David Ortiz (47 homers, 121 RBI) and the White Sox's Jermaine Dye (40-109) would be the mainstream party candidates while Jeter - who enters this weekend's series in Baltimore with just 12 homers and 85 RBI - would be running as an independent. Continue

Forearm problem doesn't worry Mo

Mariano Rivera will test his troubled right forearm today at Camden Yards. To what degree is the question. Following the Yankees 8-3 win over the Royals in Kansas City Wednesday night, Joe Torre said his closer would do "something meaningful, more than [play catch]."

However, Rivera followed that with, "It won't be off the mound. I am just going to play catch." The fact Rivera wasn't slated for treatment yesterday, a dark day on the schedule, was a positive sign. Rivera, however, hasn't pitched since Aug. 31, and nobody knows when the key to the Yankees' October will surface again. Continue

No field day for Matsui: He'll come back as DH

Hideki Matsui began his minor-league rehab assignment yesterday in Trenton as the designated hitter, and that is a position he is going to be in a lot once he returns to the Yankees. Joe Torre put to rest any thoughts of a potential left-field controversy yesterday when he said that the plan is to use Matsui only at DH for the rest of the regular season.

That means there could be a bit of a logjam at that spot. Jason Giambi would figure to play more at first base and Bernie Williams could see even less action. If Gary Sheffield - also recovering from left wrist surgery - makes it back as well, things could get even more crowded. Continue

Unit, Posada lift Yankees

Making his last start as a 42-year-old, Randy Johnson didn't make history with his third career no-hitter. What he did, though, was give the Yankees another strong start down the stretch, moving them one day closer to October baseball.

Johnson tossed seven innings of one-hit ball, leading the Yankees to an 8-3 win over the Royals in the rubber match of the three-game series. Johnson took a no-hitter into the seventh before David DeJesus' leadoff triple ended his bid. Continue

Rivera needs one Mo test

The most valuable arm in the Yankees' universe took yesterday off by design and likely won't play catch again until Friday. And since Mariano Rivera needs to throw off a bullpen mound before he can return to action, his availability for the four-game series in Baltimore this weekend is in doubt.

After playing a light game of catch Monday in which he admitted he didn't push his strained right forearm, Rivera didn't pick up a ball yesterday. Because he won't work a game before throwing off a bullpen mound, Rivera doesn't know when he will return. Continue

Giambi ailment sore subject

Jason Giambi was planning to shave off his mustache Monday night anyway, but when he saw the clippers during the game he figured there was no point in waiting any longer. So after striking out in the first inning, Giambi went back into the clubhouse and emerged a little later sans 'stache, hoping a change in facial hair might help spark a change in his results at the plate.

Unfortunately for Giambi, the biggest problem for him at the plate recently has been the tendinitis in his left wrist and not the bushiness above his lip. Giambi was hit by two pitches and went 0-for-4 Monday to run his hitless skid to 18 at-bats. He wasn't in the starting lineup last night against the Royals, but entered the game in the sixth as a pinch-hitter for Craig Wilson. He went 0-for-1 with a walk and played first base. Continue

Yanks blanked by Royals

The first seven innings of Tuesday night's Yankees-Royals game looked strikingly similar to the first seven innings of Monday night's game. Unfortunately for the Yankees, there was nothing remotely the same about the eighth inning.

Kansas City's bullpen, which served up 10 runs in the eighth on Monday, held on to finish off New York on Tuesday, as the Royals shut out the Yankees, 5-0. It was Kansas City's first shutout of New York since Aug. 13, 2003. "It shows you that, if you pitch, you have a chance to win," Derek Jeter said. "They've pitched us pretty good." Continue

Mo out till at least Fri.

The most important arm in the Yankees' universe played catch yesterday. But don't look for Mariano Rivera to return to action at least until Friday. "I didn't play catch to test it," Rivera said after the Yankees' 12-5 victory over the Royals last night. "I just played catch. It's tight." Rivera, who is battling tightness in his right forearm, doesn't plan to play catch today and won't return to action until he throws off a bullpen mound. An MRI taken last Thursday didn't reveal structural damage. Continue

Moose ready to return from strained groin

Mike Mussina hasn't gotten bored over the past two weeks because . . . well, because starting pitchers are used to sitting around a lot between outings. He knows how to keep himself occupied. "This wasn't that new or anything," Mussina said yesterday.

The righthander's break ends tonight when Mussina returns to the mound for the first time since Aug. 20. He's rested a tweaked right groin since then and will make a few modifications to his routine to keep tabs on it: first, he's been getting regular treatment on the area (the injury cropped up earlier this season, too) and he'll also be wearing a tight wrap on his leg during all games and bullpen sessions for the rest of the year. He's thrown three bullpen sessions since his last start and reported no problems. Continue

Yanks erupt late in opener

For seven innings, the Yankees couldn't do much right. In the eighth, they could do no wrong. New York used a 10-run inning -- a season-high -- to overcome a four-run deficit, downing the Royals, 12-5, to kick off a seven-game road trip on Monday night. The runs came against four Royals relievers, who couldn't hold the lead handed to them by starter Luke Hudson.

"It looked like we weren't going to be able to generate anything," Joe Torre said. "It's all about confidence; we don't feel that there's anything we can't do, offensively. If we get a little crack in the armor, we feel we can exploit it." Continue

A-Rod on the rebound

When Alex Rodriguez struck out six times in 10 at-bats in Anaheim last weekend despite conversing with John Wooden prior to the Saturday game, it was the greatest reminder since the UCLA choke job against N.C. State in the 1974 NCAA semis that even the genius of a wizard has its limits.

When Rodriguez finished the Angels series in which he went 1-for-15 with 10 Ks, he had reached rock bottom. He had fallen so low that Yankee fans recognized there could be no joy in booing their favorite pinata when he and the team returned to The Bronx for a six-game homestand against the Tigers and Twins that commenced Wednesday. Continue

Rasner, A-Rod overpower Twins

By every indication, the Yankees have every gear churning towards October. Alex Rodriguez may be finally out of his extended slump, the lineup is pounding out runs with ease and the team is getting stellar starts from pitchers they knew basically nothing about. Those elements added up to a 10-1 win over the Twins in Sunday's series finale, putting the Yankees ahead of the Red Sox by nine games in the American League East. Continue