Yankees baseball blog

Yankees agree to trade Proctor to Dodgers for Betemit

The Yankees continued to reshape their bullpen before the trade deadline, agreeing to deal Scott Proctor to the Dodgers for infielder Wilson Betemit.

Proctor has struggled with his consistency in recent weeks, allowing four home runs in his last six games. Sources say the Yankees plan on recalling righthander Edwar Ramirez from Triple-A Scranton to fill Proctor’s spot in the bullpen. Top prospect Joba Chamberlain is also expected to join the bullpen before too long. Continue

Gagne on Yanks radar

It was just three years ago that Eric Gagne and Mariano Rivera were far and away the top two closers in the game. If the Yankees get their wish, they'll be teammates by late this afternoon. The Yankees are making a big push to land Gagne, the 2003 National League Cy Young winner, from the Rangers before today's 4 p.m. trade deadline. They have competition for the 31-year-old righthander, most notably from the Red Sox, Mets and Cubs.

One Texas source said the Yankees, who have made it clear to Rangers GM Jon Daniels that top prospects Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy are not available in any deal, turned down a proposal over the weekend that would have included Double-A pitcher Alan Horne. Continue

Jeter: Torre is doing ‘Great job’ this season

Joe Torre’s club might miss the playoffs for the first time in his dozen years as the Yankees’ manager. And there is a very strong chance that the Torre Era has two months left in it since his contract expires whenever the Yankees’ season does. Yet, to Derek Jeter, Torre might be doing his finest managing job in pinstripes.

“He does a great job every year,” Jeter said of Torre, the only manager he has played for. “This has definitely not been an easy year by any stretch of the imagination so you can say it’s his best. He has done a great job.” While George Steinbrenner has refused to discuss an extension for Torre, his leaving could create voids other than in the manager’s office. Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera, huge Torre backers, are free agents. Their decision to stay or leave could hinge on what happens with Torre. Continue

Torre writes off Canseco on A-Rod

Jose Canseco may have some "other stuff" on Alex Rodriguez that he plans to use in his next book, but Joe Torre and Johnny Damon had some stuff of their own to offer yesterday when informed of Canseco's latest comments. Canseco, whose book, "Juiced," detailed his use of steroids with Mark McGwire, Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Palmeiro, Pudge Rodriguez and others, wouldn't say specifically whether his A-Rod info involved steroids or not, simply telling a Boston radio station on Friday, "Wait and see."

Following yesterday's game, Torre was disappointed to hear of Canseco's comments and expressed concern about how much an impact they might have on A-Rod when the book is published. "You worry about anything like that, because unfortunately, when people see it in print, they add credence to it. That's the sad part about it," Torre said. "It's a shame, because when you play this game, you'd like to believe you play with some kind of respect. Obviously, Jose needs the money." Continue

Perfect set-up

There are questions whether the Rangers are serious about keeping Eric Gagne if they do not get a significant prospect by tomorrow's trade deadline. There are questions whether the Yankees will budge off their current refusal to include a significant prospect. But there seems no question about this: Gagne is exactly what the Yankees need.

"It would be a very significant upgrade if the Yankees get [Gagne] because of who their other [set-up] options are right now," said an AL executive. "You feel very comfortable against every Yankee reliever before you get to [Mariano] Rivera. You want their starter out of the game as quick as possible." Continue

Wang strong enough to earn 12th win

The Yankees found themselves in yet another close game against the Orioles on Sunday afternoon, but this time, they found their collective stride at the plate late in the game to march to a 10-6 win. New York batted around in the eighth inning and awoke for five runs to avoid being swept for the first time in more than a month, while ending Baltimore's win streak at six games.

Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang worked six solid innings, holding the Orioles to three runs and inducing eight groundouts. Shortstop Luis Hernandez's two-run single in the third inning did most of the damage done against Wang, who improved to 12-5 on the season and won his ninth game in his last 12 tries. Continue

Jose: I got 'stuff' on A-Rod

The last time Jose Canseco put pen to paper, all of baseball quaked. He promises to do it again - and this time he says he'll have something to say about Alex Rodriguez. Canseco, who wrote "Juiced," his 2005 book detailing his use of steroids with Mark McGwire, Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Palmeiro, Pudge Rodriguez and others, says he has another book in the works, due this fall.

He told Boston's WEEI Radio on Friday that he had "other stuff" on A-Rod that will be coming out. When asked directly if Rodriguez had used steroids, Canseco replied: "Wait and see." Rodriguez cut off a question about Canseco's comments yesterday after being asked in Baltimore if he had heard the former slugger's words, saying, "Nope, I haven't. And I have no comment." Continue

Farnsworth, Proctor are likely chips

If the Yankees make a trade before Tuesday afternoon's deadline it's highly likely that Kyle Farnsworth and or Scott Proctor will be in it. And even if they aren't moved, neophyte Joba Chamberlain is a solid bet to be added to the bullpen mix as early as Tuesday.

The Yankees have made it clear Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Chamberlain are untouchable. That took Texas' switch-hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira, who is going to either the Angels or the Braves, out of play. While the White Sox dangle starter Jon Garland, they want a lot for him. Ditto first baseman Paul Konerko. Continue

Ninth-inning rally not enough for Yanks

It wasn't Johnny Damon's night. With runners on first and second and no outs in the top of the ninth, Damon stepped to the plate with the Yankees in the middle of a furious comeback. Trailing by six entering the frame, New York had put together a three-run rally, highlighted by a two-run homer by catcher Jorge Posada, and Damon had a chance to tie the game.

But instead, the Yanks' designated hitter bounced into a double play, his second of the night and of the entire season, and all but sealed the team's third straight defeat, a 7-5 loss at Camden Yards on Saturday. Damon, one of two players in the Majors who hadn't hit into a double play this year, went 0-for-4 with a walk and, along with the struggling bullpen, fell victim to the Orioles for the sixth time in eight games this season. Continue

Kei to Triple-A

With his team in a pennant race and just two months to go in the regular season, Joe Torre decided he no longer could afford to send Kei Igawa to the mound. Igawa was optioned to Triple-A Scranton before last night's game, where the Yankees hope the lefthander can work on his mechanics and figure out what it will take to succeed at the big-league level.

"I just felt he needed to be more consistent," Torre said. "I told him that we felt he moved forward, but he needed to do more of that in locating his pitches, being more consistent with getting the ball down." Igawa was the losing pitcher on Thursday, allowing five runs in 5-2/3 innings against the Royals. Igawa, on whom the Yankees spent a total of $46 million to sign for five years, is 2-3 with a 6.79 ERA this season, posting just one quality start in 11 tries. Continue

Yanks can't get big hit against Guthrie

The chances were there, but the hits weren't. Despite putting 10 runners on base and advancing five of them to third base, New York couldn't come up with a timely hit Friday and lost the series-opening game, 4-2, to the Orioles at Camden Yards.

Center fielder Melky Cabrera drove in a run in the second inning with his fifth triple of the season, and second baseman Robinson Cano singled in a run in the sixth. But after Baltimore starter Jeremy Guthrie exited the game after six innings of work, the Yankees notched only one hit against four Orioles relievers and lost their second straight game. Continue

Rivera works around trouble in win

After waiting for almost a month, the Yankees could finally say they won. New York put the finishing touches on a game that was suspended due to rain June 28 by playing the final two innings at Camden Yards on Friday and completing an 8-7 victory.

Left-handed reliever Mike Myers faced two batters, walking one, in the eighth inning, and then closer Mariano Rivera took over to earn his 16th save of the season. Rivera allowed three hits and a run in the ninth inning, but was able to narrowly escape with a one-run win. Continue

A-Rod's 499th may be his 500th

Alex Rodriguez may have hit his 500th home run on Wednesday night. He just won't know whether that's the case until tonight. While Wednesday's homer was the 499th of A-Rod's career, there is a scenario in which that dinger will go down as No.500, thanks to the June 28 suspended game which will be completed tonight at Camden Yards before the regularly scheduled game.

A-Rod will be on deck when the suspended game resumes in the eighth inning tonight, so he is guaranteed to get at least one more at-bat in the contest. Should Rodriguez go deep in the suspended game, it would officially be the 493rd homer of his career, making Wednesday night's homer his 500th in the record books. "Try to figure that one out," Joe Torre quipped. Continue

Igawa's struggles continue in loss

The Yankees' plan to continue using their fifth starter, which means that Kei Igawa could have one more chance to impress. He didn't take advantage Thursday. With top prospect Phil Hughes gaining steam in his rehab and nearing a projected return, Igawa struggled yet again, allowing five runs to the Kansas City Royals as the Yankees fell Thursday at Kauffman Stadium, 7-0, ending a six-game winning streak.

"I haven't been able to make gains, and that's very frustrating," Igawa said. "I have to look at this and move forward." Alex Rodriguez went homereless, remaining at No. 499 for his career. Continue

Cash: Hands off young arms

Just call them The Untouchables. With the trade deadline five days away, several teams would love to pry Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain or Ian Kennedy away from the Yankees, but Brian Cashman has no intention of dealing any of the three. "You can't hold them all, but certain ones, you have to," Cashman said. "It's what you're supposed to do - collect as much talent as you can to help yourself."

Texas' Mark Teixeira remains the marquee name on the market, but multiple sources believe the first baseman will still be in a Rangers uniform after July 31 given GM Jon Daniels' excessive demands. That's not to say that the price won't come down before Tuesday. "People get more serious when the deadline gets closer," Cashman said, not speaking specifically about Teixeira. "They're forced to make some decisions." Continue

One moonshot from milestone

This wasn't just a mighty swing, it was a bolt of energy. Alex Rodriguez needed it as much as his teammates. The Milestone Man crushed home run No. 499 last night in the eighth inning of the Yankees' 7-1 victory over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium against Gil Meche. Some day Rodriguez will lead the home-run parade, but he was starting to jump at the plate, not being patient, not letting the pitch travel into him so he could explode on the baseball. Continue

Trio of homers plenty for Moose, Yanks

Alex Rodriguez hit career home run No. 499, Melky Cabrera and Hideki Matsui also homered and the Yankees won their sixth straight game Wednesday, defeating the Royals Wednesday at Kauffman Stadium, 7-1. Rodriguez's blast, his Major League-leading 35th and a two-run shot to right-center that gave the Yankees a four-run lead, came in the eighth inning off Kansas City starter Gil Meche, "The key is to do things to help the team win at that point," Rodriguez said. "We had a two-run lead, and I thought it was important to keep building on that lead. Obviously, it's a lot more fun when you win."  Continue

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Bombers brass meets but won't force trade

The trading deadline is six days away, but the Yankees appear to be content to sit back and let any potential deals come to them. Team brass gathered in Tampa yesterday to discuss the state of the team, from potential trade possibilities to the status of this year's draft selections. GM Brian Cashman, team president Randy Levine, COO Lonn Trost and special adviser Gene Michael made the trip from New York, meeting at Legends Field with George, Hal and Hank Steinbrenner.

Felix Lopez, a senior vice president and Steinbrenner's son-in-law; Mark Newman, the senior vice president of baseball operations and Damon Oppenheimer, the vice president of amateur scouting, were also involved in the session. One source with knowledge of the meeting said that many hypotheticals were floated during the day, adding that the team wasn't close to making any moves - and might not make any if the right opportunity doesn't come along. Continue

Alex gets work ethic from mama A-Rod

Don't be blinded by the light of milestones. Alex Rodriguez's sprint to 500 home runs is not just about his incredible talent, it's about work ethic, too. Rodriguez is not only the most talented player in baseball, he is the game's hardest worker. Where does that work ethic come from? Who inspired Rodriguez?

"My mother, when I was a kid I used to see her take on two jobs like it was nothing," Rodriguez told me in a quiet voice last night in the visitor's clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium. Continue

Joe won't rule out Joba jumping up to the majors

Joba Chamberlain's promotion to Triple-A on Monday may not be his final move up the organization's ladder this season. Joe Torre wouldn't rule the 21-year-old out as a potential relief pitcher at the big-league level before the end of the year, a move that is being debated in the front office. "You never know," Torre said. "I think Cash is curious."

Brian Cashman, who did not return a phone call, is apparently intrigued by the idea of using the hard-throwing righty starter in relief, but there are some above him in the organization who are cool to the idea, not wanting to mess with Chamberlain's health by switching up his routine at this point in the season. Continue

Yanks top Royals for fifth straight

The Yankees have appeared refreshed following the All-Star break, but if Johnny Damon's explanation is to be believed, the secret to their success is that they never rested. The rejuvenated Yankees offense couldn't be contained for yet another night, beating up on the Royals pitching staff to post a 9-4 victory at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, their 11th win in 14 games since reconvening for the second half.

"We could have sat around and drank plenty of beer, but I think most of the guys went into the break staying in shape, staying focused," Damon said. "We all knew what we had to do." Continue

Bombers convene trade

Just because nothing is hot on the trade front isn’t going to keep Yankee brass from convening for meetings in Tampa. General manager Brian Cashman arrived last night and was spotted watching Single-A Tampa play Clearwater in a Florida State League tilt. More executives, including president Randy Levine, who gets involved when decisions involving money are on the table, are expected today. Minor-league head Mark Newman will be on hand as will various scouts.

Of all the teams following the Yankees, the White Sox seem to be paying the most attention. And while the Yankees don’t have an interest in bringing Jose Contreras or Javier Vazquez back, industry sources indicated last night they could be interested in 27-year-old right-handed starter Jon Garland or 30-year-old lefty reliever Matt Thornton. Continue

Clemens strong as Yanks take opener

The Yankees haven't given up hope of banging out some noise in the division race. The way their offense is cranking, they have little reason of doing so. Alex Rodriguez reached the 100-RBI mark, and each starter had at least one hit as the Yankees rolled to a 9-2 victory over the Royals on Monday, earning Roger Clemens his 351st career win.

"It's what you would expect from the lineup," said Clemens (3-4), who pitched seven solid innings to log his first win since July 2. "Guys are finding a way to get it done. The intensity is up. It's good to see our hitters walking around with smiles on their faces." Continue

A-Rod: Forget the chase for 500 homers

Alex Rodriguez, who hit his 498th homer in the sixth inning of the Yankees' 21-4 win over the Devil Rays yesterday, still doesn't want to discuss his chase of the magical 500-homer mark. "Right now, we're focusing on winning games," he said. A-Rod did mention one aspect of the whole thing he finds "frustrating" and "annoying." (And no, he didn't mean the New York media.)

Ever since Rodriguez got to 495, Major League Baseball has been using specially marked baseballs for each of his at-bats. It's something MLB also is doing with Barry Bonds as he chases Hank Aaron. The idea is to avoid fraud if a fan catches a historic homer. Continue

With a huge start, Shelley has created a monster

I am not yet prepared to declare Shelley Duncan the next coming of Roy Hobbs or, for that matter, even the second coming of Shane Spencer. For as impressive as three homers in his first three major league games might be, there is, after all, the Tampa Bay Devil Ray pitching staff factor to be considered.

But one thing you've got to say about this 27-year-old late-blooming slugger who has burst onto the Yankee scene in such spectacular fashion: His exuberance has seemed to be infectious in a dugout that too often this season has resembled a corporate boardroom. Indeed, after that deflating 3-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday, followed by the humiliating 14-4 beating by the moribund D-Rays Friday, it was fun being a Yankee and Duncan was a central figure in all of it. Continue

Keeping an eye on Joba

As prospect Joba Chamberlain impresses in the minor leagues, there might be a natural temptation to consider bringing him up this season. Joe Torre said yesterday morning the issue has "not yet" come up with the front office, though. Torre admittedly doesn't know much about Chamberlain, a right-hander picked 41st overall in last year's draft.

The 21-year-old University of Nebraska-Lincoln product dominated Single-A Tampa (going 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA in seven starts) and was promoted to Double-A Trenton, where he's 4-2 with a 3.43 ERA after seven Trenton starts. Continue

Yankees blow by Rays in finale

That wasn't a miscue lit up on the scoreboard at Yankee Stadium. The bulbs were in fine working condition and the electronic switchboard checked out normal. Those two dotted numbers squished together under the fourth-inning column wasn't a malfunction

. Fourteen Yankees came up to bat in the 10-run inning to kick-start a 21-4 rout of the Devil Rays on Sunday. The 29-minute hitting barrage marked the first time the Yankees have plated double-digit runs in an inning since Sept. 4, 2006, against the Kansas City Royals. Continue

Duncan's mates feel his power

Every kid who grows up playing baseball dreams about hitting his first major league home run. Shelley Duncan got to live it yesterday. He couldn't have dreamed it up better. Duncan, called up from the minors on Friday, hit a two-run home run to cap a five-run sixth inning as the Yankees beat Tampa Bay, 7-3, in the first game of their day-night doubleheader sweep at the Stadium.

When Duncan completed what can only be described as a sprint around the bases, he was greeted at the plate by his closest friend on the Yankees, Andy Phillips. And after being mobbed in the dugout by his new teammates, Duncan got to take his first Stadium curtain call and listened as the sellout crowd of 54,412 chanted his name. "I never really expected anything like that," Duncan said. "It's probably one of the coolest things I've ever been a part of. ... It gave me goose bumps. You're frozen. That's your little moment right there for a brief second. It's something you can always keep with you." Continue

Yanks acquire Molina

In an effort to bolster their bench, the Yankees last night acquired catcher Jose Molina in a trade with the Angels, sending minor-league pitcher Jeff Kennard in return.

Molina, 32, was batting .224 with no homers and 10 RBIs in 40 games for the Angels. Regarding his talent, Jose is not to be confused with his brothers Bengie (of the Giants) and Yadier (of the Cardinals). The Yankees announced the trade in the eighth inning of last night's game against the Devil Rays. Molina will replace Wil Nieves - he'll be designated for assignment once Molina arrives - as the Yankees' backup catcher. Continue

Yanks bash their way to twin-bill sweep

In their pregame meetings, the Yankees have talked about needing to force the issue more. Nothing accomplishes that like busting out the bats. Alex Rodriguez hit career homer No. 497 and the Yankees recorded a season-high 20 hits in a nightcap barrage, blasting the Devil Rays, 17-5, to complete a day-night doubleheader sweep at Yankee Stadium.

After clubbing the Rays in the afternoon game of the twin bill, posting a 7-3 victory behind home runs from Hideki Matsui and rookie Shelley Duncan, the Yankees kept their offense cranking in the nightcap. "We didn't have many dry innings, and to me, that's probably the manager's best friend," said Joe Torre, "when you score runs and you keep going after it every at-bat. We had some tired puppies out there, but they never gave away an at-bat." Continue

Big inning lifts Yanks past Rays

Andy Phillips dubbed Shelley Duncan the "Big Donkey" when the 6-foot-5 rookie set foot in the Yankees' clubhouse. Now, the Yankees may have found another nickname for Duncan after he capped a sixth-inning rally with a two-run home run to beat the Devil Rays, 7-3, in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

Let it be known that the Big Donkey is a Colossal Clapper. "This kid has so much energy," manager Joe Torre said. "In fact, when he hit the home run, Don Mattingly was standing next to me and said, 'Don't let him give you a high five when he comes in.'" Continue

Ramirez rocked

Of the 19 pitches Yankee reliever Edwar Ramirez threw last night, two were strikes. One of those landed in the right-field seats - for a grand slam. It's hard to imagine a worse outing than Ramirez's relief effort during the fifth inning of a 14-4 loss to the Devil Rays. You've heard of the movie, "Three Men and a Baby?" This sad show was called, "Four Walks and a Granny."

Though Joe Torre told him to forget about the putrid outing, Ramirez still was haunted by it and unsuccessfully tried to fight off tears while talking to reporters. Continue

Slugger's wife makes marital woes easy read

His fans still love him, but Alex Rodriguez's wife didn't seem too enamored yesterday at a joint midtown book signing. The Yankee slugger's long suffering partner took her seat before her famous husband for a reading and signing of his children's book, "Out of the Ballpark," at Fifth Ave.'s FAO Schwarz. Cynthia Rodriguez barely looked at him as he joined her to hold up his book to show illustrations as she read to kids from the Police Athletic League.

Not only was their first public appearance since he was accused in May of having an affair with a blond stripper cool - it also was short. His wife left him alone to sign hundreds of books as soon as the reading was finished. Her only smile was during a staged family photo shoot with the couple's 2-year-old daughter Natasha. Continue

Yanks knocked around by Rays

A small surge after the All-Star break renewed hope that the Yankees could ride it all the way back to the head of the American League East. While anything remains possible, there weren't many reasons for optimism on Friday. The Yankees were stifled by struggling right-hander Edwin Jackson and couldn't figure how to handle sub-.200-hitting catcher Dioner Navarro, among other major problems, dropping a 14-4 decision to the Devil Rays on Friday.

"Every once in a while, you get it handed to you," said Yankees starter Mike Mussina, who allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings. "Obviously, I didn't pitch very well at all, and we played kind of flat. Continue

Scouts flock into stadium

The Yankees continue to talk to the Dodgers about utilityman Wilson Betemit, but the Dodgers are also chatting with the Royals about reliever Octavio Dotel, whom they like a little bit better than Scott Proctor. The Dodgers had scout Mark Weidemaier at Yankee Stadium yesterday. The Twins, Tigers and Marlins were also represented.

According to an NL talent evaluator, the Yankees' top priority before the Aug. 1 trading deadline is to acquire a reliever. However, that's high on a lot of teams' list. The Tigers are talking to the Rangers about Eric Gagne and have an interest in Dotel. The pitching-poor Devil Rays have told clubs they will "listen to anything about anybody" on their roster. The Yankees like utility infielder Ty Wigginton, but the Devil Rays are against making trades within the AL East. The Devil Rays could use Proctor, but indications they are looking for more than that for Wigginton, who can play first, second and third. Continue

Punchless Johnny feels 'great'

Johnny Damon followed another hitless game yesterday by saying all the right things about fighting his way through his season-long slump, and claiming not to be frustrated by his rapidly declining average. But as he answered questions following the Yankees' 3-2 loss to the Blue Jays, it seemed Damon himself was searching for answers.

"Well, I definitely don't want to be where I'm at," said Damon, who's now hitting .233. "If I'm not hitting, at least I'm getting some walks and running the bases. I'd definitely like some hits. Unfortunately, people always judge how a player is by batting averages. But what can you do? I need to keep battling through it." Continue

Yanks fall short in finale vs. Jays

After cruising through the first six innings, Chien-Ming Wang ran into his first dose of trouble in the seventh. It turned out to be a little too much. Held scoreless through the first six innings, the Blue Jays rallied against the right-hander to knock out a 3-2 victory on Thursday afternoon, snapping the Yankees' five-game winning streak and avoiding a four-game sweep as they departed New York.

Facing Wang, the Yankees' victories leader with 10, Matt Stairs opened the seventh by ripping a double up the gap in left-center field. Vernon Wells reached on an infield tapper up the third-base line that never rolled foul, leaving Wang to scoop the baseball off the grass and trudge back to work. Continue

Everything starts with Alex, but how will everything end?

The suspense builds with every clutch hit that Alex Rodriguez delivers these days as though he were born to play in New York alongside Derek Jeter - the last three seasons be damned. Yes, A-Rod's past failures in pinstripes, combined with his uncertain future, add layers of intrigue to his spectacular 2007 season that make this the most compelling TV since "The Sopranos."

We can only hope this one doesn't leave us waiting for an ending that never comes. In other words, you don't even have to be a Yankee fan at this point to be rooting hard for this hot streak in the Bronx to lead to a 1978-like comeback. Continue

Joe mulls yanking Farnsworth

Lately, Kyle Farnsworth has been either on the defensive or on the move, alternating between snapping at the media and blowing them off following one failed outing or another. Joe Torre, meanwhile, has remained steadfast that the reliever's recent blowups on and off the mound wouldn't cost him his job.

Both of those patterns changed last night, beginning with Farnsworth uncharacteristically entertaining reporters and owning up to his recent struggles. Perhaps not coincidentally, Torre followed by acknowledging that he finally is thinking about replacing the hard-throwing righty as his primary eighth-inning setup man with the increasingly effective Luis Vizcaino. Continue

Yanks strike late against Jays

The Yankees may be getting to the point where they expect late rallies in games, but that doesn't mean they're taking success for granted. Alex Rodriguez's go-ahead double highlighted a four-run seventh inning as New York downed the Blue Jays on Wednesday, 6-1, securing the Bombers' fifth consecutive victory.

The win moved the Yankees within seven games of the division-leading Red Sox and six back of the AL Wild Card lead. While the Yankees can't seriously begin scoreboard-watching yet, they also can't afford to waste this surge. Continue

Pettitte gaining steam

The Yankee season feels like it's beginning to turn, and that feeling doesn't just come from looking at the Bombers' record. Confidence has replaced hesitation on the basepaths and slumps have become surges. Perhaps more important is that with his effort last night, Andy Pettitte is looking like an ace again.

Pettitte shook off three consecutive lackluster starts at a critical moment. He went inning-for-inning against Toronto star Roy Halladay, a former Cy Young winner and one of the AL's toughest pitchers. Continue

Cano's single caps wild night for Yanks

Miguel Cairo rolled his fingers over his collarbone, wincing, in the ninth inning. The collision at home plate hurt, sure, but it would be nothing compared to how the Toronto Blue Jays would soon feel. A timely balk by closer Jeremy Accardo helped the Yankees tie the game before Robinson Cano won it for New York in 10 innings, toppling the Jays on Tuesday, 3-2.

The Yankees brought the winning run around on Casey Janssen, who hit Alex Rodriguez and watched as A-Rod alertly moved up on a wild pitch. Hideki Matsui missed a game-winning home run by mere feet before striking out, but after Jorge Posada was intentionally walked, Cano stroked Janssen's next pitch down the left-field line to score A-Rod with a single to celebrate. Continue

Not mad at Ha-Rod

AFTER LOSING for the third time in five games since the All-Star break, the Blue Jays have only one memory of Alex Rodriguez - the long two-run homer he hit off Josh Towers in the third inning of last night's 6-4 Yankee win at the Stadium.

Any threat of retribution for the disputed play on May 30, in which Rodriguez shouted to distract an infielder as he ran to third base, is out of mind. It is now a small on-field blip in what has been a summer filled with Rodriguez controversies. It's one Rodriguez has put behind him. A-Rod dismissed any notion of retaliation from the Blue Jays during this four-game series. "Zero (worries)," he said. "Next question." Continue

Giambi focused on return

Jason Giambi, fresh off his talk with baseball's steroids investigator, is determined to play again this season. The Yankees slugger has been sidelined since May 30 after tearing tissue in his left foot. The former AL MVP didn't rule returning in a few weeks and spoke with Roger Clemens and teammates during the series at Tampa Bay over the weekend.

"I came in and saw the guys," Giambi said. "They know the type of person I am, so I really wasn't really worried about it. They were great. I saw Rocket here yesterday. They were like 'hurry up and get back; we need you.' " Giambi was interviewed by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell and his staff about steroids on Friday in New York. Giambi declined to talk about the meeting. "I cannot. I've been asked not to comment about it. Sorry about that," Giambi said yesterday. Continue

Phillips' bloop takes Yanks past Jays

For much of the Yankees' first half, the season was the Alex Rodriguez show, and it was a solo one. Since the All-Star break, A-Rod has had a little help. The supporting cast kept plugging away Monday, helping the Yankees to a 6-4 victory over the Blue Jays. The Yankees' first four runs all scored on blasts, including Rodriguez's Major League-leading 32nd home run, but it was Andy Phillips who put them on top with a bloop.

Phillips' shallow two-out, two-run single off Toronto starter Josh Towers barely eluding the charging grasp of Jays center fielder Vernon Wells, snapping a sixth-inning tie as Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano raced home with the go-ahead runs. Continue

Joe, Boss do lunch

Joe Torre had lunch with George Steinbrenner on Friday, taking some time during the Yankees' trip to Tampa to visit with The Boss. "We had a sandwich together," said Torre, who set up the lunch during the All-Star break. "He seemed like he was good."

Torre sat with Steinbrenner, as well as his son, Hal, and his son-in-law, Felix Lopez, at Legends Field on Friday afternoon. The group discussed the state of the Yankees, "more in generalities," according to Torre, who said that his future beyond this season did not come up during the conversation. Torre said Steinbrenner didn't express any major concerns about the team, telling him "just that we have to start winning." Continue

Torre mum on Lofton's words

As he did Friday when Gary Sheffield accused him of treating white and black players differently, Joe Torre refused to comment yesterday in the wake of Kenny Lofton backing Sheffield's claims.

"I don't feel a need to respond," Torre said yesterday. "I feel comfortable with who I am. I don't try to make evaluations to be honest with you." Lofton, who played poorly for the Yankees in 2004 when he criticized Torre for not batting him leadoff and using him as a designated hitter and not a center fielder in the first week of the season, backed Sheffield. Continue

Rest an imperfect 10, but Mussina shows grit

Ten days' rest. A shrunken strike zone. Shaky control and a lifeless fastball in the early innings. That was what Yankees starter Mike Mussina had to deal with in yesterday's series finale against the lowly Devil Rays, but the veteran righthander gritted his way through six innings, leaving with the lead. Mussina, who detests long layoffs between starts, had last pitched on July4 before taking the mound at Tropicana Field in his first start of the second half.

Mussina didn't get the win in the Yankees' 7-6 triumph after Ron Villone gave up a two-run homer to Carlos Pena in the seventh inning, but it was the sixth time in his last seven starts that the righthander has pitched at least six innings. Continue

Yankees rally to climb above .500

The Yankees survived a seesaw battle for control and came out on top, taking a 7-6 win on Sunday, and three of four games in the series from the Rays at Tropicana Field. New York trailed, 5-4, with one out in the eighth, when a Robinson Cano sacrifice fly scored Alex Rodriguez to tie the game. Andy Phillips then blasted a single to left and advanced to second as teammate Hideki Matsui beat the throw home for the go-ahead run.

Derek Jeter beat out a bases-loaded single for an insurance run before the inning was through. Prior to that, reliever Ron Villone secured two outs in the seventh inning before leaving a 1-0 breaking ball hanging that Carlos Pena lifted over the right-field wall for a two-run homer that erased a narrow Yankees lead. Continue

Torre's 12th is 'toughest'

Joe Torre's first year in pinstripes read like a Hollywood script, the story unfolding just the way he must have always imagined it could - veteran manager in the starring role, leading the proud New York Yankees back to the World Series. But that was 1996 and if 2007 turns out to be Torre's final year at the helm of George Steinbrenner's very expensive production - his contract does expire after the season - there is sure to be quite a different ending.

The Yankees have struggled this season, battling on a daily basis to stay in the postseason picture. The losing has led to one controversy after another, from contract issues surrounding some of the team's top players, to the constant speculation regarding Torre's own job security. Continue

Lofton: Sheff is right on Joe

Gary Sheffield isn't the only player who feels Joe Torre treated black players differently than white players, as Sheffield's former teammate, Kenny Lofton, chimed in with his thoughts yesterday before his Rangers played in Anaheim. Lofton, who played for Torre in 2004, concurred with Sheffield's assessment of the Yankee manager and his attitude toward African-American players.

"All I can say is, Sheffield knows what he's talking about," Lofton told The Associated Press when asked to respond to Sheffield's comments about Torre. "That's all I'm going to say." Lofton's one-year tenure in pinstripes was a tumultuous one, as he was signed to a two-year deal by George Steinbrenner to hit leadoff and replace Bernie Williams in center field, only to have Torre declare the job an open competition in spring training. Continue

Abreu's five RBIs lift Yanks past Rays

The Yankees did a lot of things right on Friday. Everything but win, that is, after a big inning doomed them. On Saturday, New York made sure to redeem itself. It was much the same scenario on Saturday as it was one night prior, with New York down three early after its starter battled through a rocky frame. The Yankees weren't about to go down without a fight two nights in a row.

Thanks to Bobby Abreu, they didn't have to. "Last year, when we got him, he was such a perfect fit for what we do," manager Joe Torre said of Abreu, who had five RBIs in the Yankees' 6-4 win over the Rays on Saturday at Tropicana Field. "And tonight was another example. It was a great game for him." Continue

Red Sox still warm for A-Rod

The Yankees' loss could be the Red Sox's gain this fall if Alex Rodriguez decides to opt out of his contract and become a free agent. The Bombers have told A-Rod and his agent, Scott Boras, that they have no plans to become part of the bidding process if Rodriguez elects to become a free agent, but multiple baseball sources believe the Red Sox will make a huge push to add the two-time American League MVP if he becomes available.

The Red Sox nearly brought A-Rod to Boston in December 2003, but the deal fell through because Rodriguez's contract would have had to be restructured in order for it to happen, prompting the union to reject it. One baseball source told the Daily News that Red Sox team president Larry Lucchino has wanted Rodriguez in a Boston uniform ever since the original deal collapsed, even after he was traded to the team's hated rival. "Lucchino has never stopped wanting him," the source said. Continue

Glass half Phil

A few hours before Phil Hughes took the mound here last night, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman cautioned everyone not to get caught up in results. This rehab start for the jewel of the Yankees' farm system was not about strikeouts and walks, Cashman warned. It was about getting Hughes some innings, shaking off the rust, and making sure his left hamstring was fully healed.

Then Hughes went out and put up a pitching line to make Yankees fans drool. The 21-year-old struck out six batters in three innings, allowing three hits, no runs and no walks in a start for Double-A Trenton at Waterfront Park. Continue

Late homers not enough for Yankees

Not quite two innings in, Roger Clemens had already surrendered more runs than during his last two starts combined, and he had run his pitch count to the mid-30s. If things didn't change soon, Friday was not going to be the Rocket's day.

The good news was, Clemens followed up the rocky second with some stellar pitching, and limited the Rays to just two hits in the five innings he worked outside of that frame. The bad news was that the damage had already been done, and New York dropped the second game of the series to the Rays, 6-4, before 29,803 fans. Continue

Sheffield: Yankees treat black players differently

Gary Sheffield asserts black and white players are treated differently under Yankees manager Joe Torre, says Derek Jeter "ain't all the way black," and denies he ever has used steroids because "steroids is something you shoot in your butt" in an eye-opening interview with Andrea Kremer for the next edition of HBO's "Real Sports," debuting at 10 p.m. Tuesday night. In a copy of the interview made available to Newsday late Friday morning, Sheffield begins by saying, "I tell myself every offseason I'm not going to say anything crazy. I'm just going to have a peaceful season . . . Can't do it. I'm cut from a different cloth."

And how. In the middle of the interview, Kremer reports that Sheffield believes white and black players are coached differently, then asks him to name teams on which they are not coached the same. He immediately answers: "The Yankees." Continue

Yanks reach out to Posada & Mo

Back in spring training, GM Brian Cashman made it clear that he planned to wait until the end of the season to discuss new contracts with Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada, two of the Yankees' pending free agents. So the news that the Yankees were hoping to discuss a contract extension with Alex Rodriguez before the end of the year raised some eyebrows, especially considering both Rivera's and Posada's place in team history.

Would the Yankees really make two players from their championship era sweat it out until the offseason while negotiating with Rodriguez now? As it turns out, no. According to a source, the Yankees are quietly reaching out to the agents for both players in an attempt to wrap up new contracts for the pair before the end of the season. "I don't know anything about that," Rivera said after last night's game. "We'll see what happens." Continue

Take Boras & Alex in this game of pinstriped poker

What if Alex Rodriguez went to Yankee management today and proclaimed, “I will stay long-term, but here are the two items I need: I must be the shortstop and Joe Torre must be fired immediately?” We can act like the Yanks would not accede to demands that in his heart of hearts Rodriguez almost certainly wants. But, come on, A-Rod knows now that when desperate, the Yankees will dismiss anything they hold dear.

After all, this was the organization that was never going to allow any player to have special rules to come and go as he pleased, and then relented for Roger Clemens’ “Family Plan” earlier this season. And this is the organization that was not going to discuss a contract with Rodriguez during the season, and 31 homers and 87 RBIs later, is pretty much begging A-Rod to stay. Continue

A-Rod leads Yankees back to .500

At one game under .500 and 10 games out of first place, the Yankees faced much pressure to start off the second half on a good note. And with principal owner George Steinbrenner in town and peering down at the field from his suite, Thursday was the perfect time to kick it up a notch. Bobby Abreu took the challenge to heart, and he continued the torrid pace he began just prior to the break with a three-hit, three-RBI night during the Yankees' 7-3 win over the Devil Rays.

It was the Yankees' third win in four tries and the sixth victory in their last eight games. "I feel like I'm trying to do my best to help the team win," said Abreu, who's hitting .538 (14-for-26) over his last seven games. "I feel more relaxed in the box. ... I normally hit from behind in the count. I've felt good over the last 10 days."  Continue

30 something

Alex Rodriguez is assured of soon becoming the first-ever $30 million-a-year baseball player. His agent, Scott Boras, yesterday told The Post that even if Rodriguez does not opt out of his contract after the season, stipulations exist in the pact that all but guarantee that Rodriguez's salary will climb to a minimum of $32 million for both the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

The language in Rodriguez's record-breaking contract says that for the 2009 and 2010 seasons, A-Rod will receive $27 million plus the higher of $5 million or $1 million greater than the annual average value of the non-pitcher with the largest annual average value package. Thus, Boras explained, even if Rodriguez does the minimum and agrees to give up his free-agent rights to stay with the Yankees for the next three seasons, he would be guaranteed $32 million in each of the final two of those years. So Boras had the ultimate insider information when he recently told Los Angeles Magazine he anticipates the first-ever $30 million player coming soon. Continue

Bombers have Rays of hope

Following Tuesday night's All-Star Game, in which the American League extended its unbeaten streak over the National League to 11 years, Alex Rodriguez seemed to be relieved that his team pulled out the win. "You never want to be the team that stops a streak," A-Rod said.

If Rodriguez and the Yankees want to avoid bringing the Bombers' 12-year postseason run to a screeching halt, they will have to put together one of the more impressive second-half stretches in recent history. The season resumes tonight at Tropicana Field, as the Yankees and Devil Rays kick off a four-game series. Andy Pettitte, who has been knocked around for eight runs in each of his past two starts, takes on James Shields in the opener. Continue

A-Rod, Boras won't give in to Yankees

Until today, the Yankees were chasing only the Red Sox for the division title and five other teams for a wild-card spot. Now, they are chasing Alex Rodriguez and Scott Boras, too. Believe me, they have a much better chance of catching Boston.

Boras did not write that opt-out clause into A-Rod's contract because he had some extra ink in his pen. He didn't put it in to fill space, or to make the 10-year, $252-million deal look more hefty than it already was. He didn't put it in as a threat. He put it in as a promise. The clause is there because he intended for A-Rod to use it. And if A-Rod doesn't use it after the kind of season he is having now, when exactly does he use it? Continue

Yankees plan to negotiate contract extension with Alex Rodriguez

The Yankees plan to talk to Alex Rodriguez about a contract extension before Nov. 10, when he can invoke an opt-out clause and get out of the final three years of his contract, a source familiar with the negotiations confirmed Wednesday.

General manager Brian Cashman declined to comment on the forthcoming negotiations, which were first reported on SI.com Wednesday. Rodriguez has not addressed the possibility of opting out with reporters. He has consistently said this season that he loves playing in New York and for the Yankees but has avoided responding to questions about his contract.Owner George Steinbrenner's spokesman, Howard Rubenstein, said Wednesday: "George Steinbrenner certainly thinks that Alex is a spectacular athlete, and he wants to keep him." Continue

For A-Rod, now's not time to talk future

Alex Rodriguez has four months to decide whether to opt out of his contract, giving him an opportunity to sign a new deal with the Yankees or move on to his fourth team. A-Rod insists he hasn't spent any time thinking about that decision. He has more pressing matters on his mind. "We're a game under .500; who cares about my future?" Rodriguez said. "My future is trying to get this team to the postseason."

Scott Boras, the agent who negotiated Rodriguez's record 10-year, $252 million deal before the 2001 season, said he hasn't spoken with his client about the opt-out decision, and he doesn't plan to for several months. "We don't really talk about the contractual things; we talk about his performance," Boras said. "The Yankees are 10 games back and he's trying to catch up. That's what he's focused on. We have a lot of time in October to address that." Continue

Yanks: It ain’t over yet

The Yankees sit 10 full games behind the Red Sox in the AL East, but the Bombers believe Boston can be caught in the second half.

“You don’t set your goals on second place,” Derek Jeter said last night before the 78th All-Star Game at AT&T Park. “Our goal is to play well and win the division. We know what we have to do. Everyone is aware of the fact of what we have to do in the second half.” Asked if the Red Sox can be caught, the Yankees captain answered, “No question.” His pinstriped All-Star teammates were right there with Jeter. Continue