When Curtis Granderson caught the final out of today’s game, the Yankees set a new American League record. The team, that has been decimated by injuries and picked against since the beginning of the season, is now 18-0 when scoring first to start the season. The Yankees are the only team in the major leagues who have yet to lose whenever they push the first run across. The franchise record for most consecutive wins when scoring first is 19, set in 2002.

This record speaks volumes about the team’s grittiness and pitching, which has been the strength of this club so far this season. When the Yankees score first, their starters do a good job of maintaining a lead or giving the offense a chance to stay in the game. The back end of the bullpen is also a big reason why the “no-name” Yankees have been able to rack up the W’s. The team is an amazing 21-0 when leading after six innings.

Setup man David Robertson has pitched to a 2.76 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 16.1 innings. Lefty Boone Logan has a 2.31 ERA with with 13 K’s in 11.1 innings. Rookie Preston Claiborne hasn’t allowed a run yet in eight innings. And of course, Mariano Rivera has been perfect – converting 16 saves in 16 chances.

Hiroki Kuroda has been the best starter so far, as he already has 6 wins to go with an impressive 1.99 ERA. CC Sabathia is 4-3 with a 3.19 ERA, and will pitch tomorrow against RA Dickey. The rest of the starters have been somewhat inconsistent, as Phil Hughes has strung together some good starts with some bad ones, and Andy Pettitte (now injured) has cooled off since his hot start. David Phelps turned in a solid effort today, going seven innings while giving up six hits, a run and totaling eight strikeouts; today was the longest outing of his career. His current ERA sits at 3.83.

If the pitchers can keep it up, the wins will keep on coming. Pretty amazing for a team that’s on it’s third string catcher, second string first-baseman and fourth string third-baseman.

Per Elias, the Yankees set an AL record. They are now 18-0 this season when scoring first. Longest streak in club history is 19 (2002).

— Lohud Yankees Blog (@LoHudYankees) May 18, 2013

The Yankees have made another move to add some depth at the big league level, as they have acquired utility man Reid Brignac from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for cash. Shortstop Alberto Gonzalez has been designated for assignment.

Brignac, 27, represents versatility and a slight upgrade offensively from Gonzalez. In his career, Brignac has played shortstop, second base and the outfield. He spent five years with the AL East rival Rays, before being traded to Colorado in February. He was designated for assignment on Thursday, so the Yankees scooped him up.

A lefty, New York hopes he can utilize the short-porch in right field. However, he is more known for his glove than his bat. This season, Brignac is hitting .250 with a homer and six RBIs. For his career, he is a .228 hitter. He is expected to be with the team for tomorrow’s series finale with the Jays.

#Yankees acquire INF Reid Brignac from Rockies in exchange for cash considerations. Alberto Gonzalez designated for assignment.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 18, 2013

So how are the Yankees still winning? One of the main reasons is the revival of outfielder Vernon Wells.

Wells has had a very good career just by looking at his overall numbers. He has 269 home runs, 931 RBI and is a .273 career hitter. But, since 2010, his offensive numbers have been on the decline. So what is Wells doing differently this year compared to years past? He’s having a little bit better luck then he has had in the previous seasons. Just look at his BABIP. For those who don’t know, BABIP is Batting Average for Ball In Play. Essentially, it is Wells’ batting average of just the balls he hits in fair territory.

Wells has a current BABIP of .287, which is the highest it’s been since 2008. Compare this to last year when Wells had a BABIP of just .226 or, in 2011, when it was at a career low of .214.

This indicates that Wells is the same player he has been the past couple years but is having more luck when it comes to the balls he puts in play.

There are other reasons also why Wells is seeing more success at the dish. His walk rate is currently the highest it’s ever been during his 15 year career. That brings his Strikeout to walk ratio down to a career low of 1.57 strikeouts per walk compared to back in 2011 when Wells struck out 4.3 times per walk.

So between seeing the ball a little better and having a little bit better luck, Vernon Wells is having one of his best seasons since he hit .273 and 31 homers in 2010. Wells production could not have come at a better time for the injury decimated first place Yankees.

Hiroki Kuroda shuts out the Blue Jays for 8 innings, allowing only 2 hits and a walk. (Photo courtesy of Newsday)

New York Yankees 5 — Toronto Blue Jays 0

Kuroda gave up a lead-off double to one-time Yankee Melky Cabrera to start the game, but then struck out the next two batters (Bautista and Encarnacion). This brought up J.P. Arencibia, who hit a line drive back to the mound, which was caught by Kuroda. A nice play by the Yankee pitcher and this first inning was the only time the Blue Jays threatened to score against Kuroda for the remainder of the game. He had it going.

In the bottom half of the first, Gardner led off the inning with a lined ball into the left-center gap, which was tracked down apprehensively by Cabrera. By the time the left-fielder got to the ball, Gardner was already heading to third. An easy triple. He was later driven in on a groundout by Cano, giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead.

Kuroda later picked off Munenori Kawasaki in the top of the third, ending any kind of rally the Blue Jays had in them. Other than that play, the second through fourth innings were rather uneventful, filled with some strikeouts, pop-outs, and ground balls. Pitchers making pitches, keeping the hitter off-balance.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Yankees added a run on a sac fly by Jayson Nix, scoring David Adams. This made it 2-0 Yankees.

Kuroda kept on rolling through the 6th, as he went 1-2-3 for the third straight inning, retiring a total of 10 batters in a row. The top of the 6th inning ended on a nice play by Gardner, who really utilized his speed to make the play look easier than it was, as he ran in and made the play. Kuroda’s streak of consecutive batters retired ended at 11, as, in the top of the seventh, Encarnacion lined a single into left. An impressive run by Kuroda.

The Yankees broke out in the seventh inning. David Adams lined the first pitch of the inning over the head of Cabrera, who was frozen by the hit. That was followed by a sensational bunt base hit by Ichiro. He was just attempting to move Adams to third, but it was so perfect that it did not even draw a throw. The Yankees were set up with runners on first and third for Romine, who came through with an RBI double and knocked out starter Mark Buehrle, with the Yankees up 3-0. In relief, the Jays called on Aaron Loup, a lefty, to face Brett Gardner, who continued his good night with an RBI single past the drawn-in infield, and a diving Brett Lawrie, to score Ichiro and put the Yankees up 4-0. Jayson Nix followed with his second sac fly of the game, scoring Romine to make it 5-0. Cano ended the rally with a soft liner to the pitcher, which ended up being a double play, as Gardner was too far off the bag. However, the damage was done, as the Yankees were up 5-0 after 7 innings.

Kuroda finished 8 strong innings, allowing only 2 hits and 1 walk. He kept batters off balance all night, even though he only had 5 strikeouts. Preston Claiborne came in to finish the game in the 9th. The Blue Jays got threatened, Claiborne prevailed.

The game ended on a pop-up behind the plate, where catcher Austin Romine looked a bit lost and almost lost his balance, but made the catch nonetheless, preserving the Yankees win and the shutout, their 4th shutout of the season.

Win: Hiroki Kuroda (6-2)

Loss: Mark Buehrle (1-3)

Notables:

Yankees

*Jayson Nix: 0-0, 2 RBI (9), 2 BB

*Brett Gardner: 2-3, R, RBI (15)

*David Adams: 2-4, 2 R

Mariners

*Melky Cabrera: 2-4

*Edwin Encarnacion: 2-4

Current Yankees Record: 26-16

It’s almost becoming laughable. Another Yankee has landed on the disabled list – this time it’s Andy Pettitte’s turn, according to Mark Feinsand of the Daily News. Pettitte felt tightness in his trapezius muscle last night in the fifth inning and was removed from the game. Although the team isn’t worried about the injury and believe it to be minor, they are being careful with the soon-to-be 41-year-old veteran.

Vidal Nuno, who pitched in game two of Monday’s doubleheader against Cleveland, will take Pettitte’s spot in the rotation. The Yankees will give Pettitte some time with the hopes that he won’t be shelved for longer than 15 days.

Cashman: “This is the safe play. … Thankfully it’s minor.”

— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) May 17, 2013

The Toronto Blue Jays are in town to face the Yankees for a three-game series. After losing two of three to the Seattle Mariners, New York looks to rebound with Hiroki Kuroda on the mound tonight. Last night, Andy Pettitte and Chris Stewart both left the game with injuries. The team isn’t too concerned with Pettitte’s back, and the results on Stewart’s MRI came back negative; he will rest for a few days and can be used as an emergency catcher, according to Sweeny Murti of WFAN. Austin Romine will start in his place. Here are tonight’s lineups:

Toronto Blue Jays (17-24)

Melky Cabrera LF
Jose Bautista RF
Edwin Encarnacion 1B
J.P. Arencibia C
Adam Lind DH
Brett Lawrie 3B
Colby Rasmus CF
Emilio Bonifacio 2B
Munenori Kawasaki SS

LHP Mark Buehrle (1-2, 6.19 ERA)

New York Yankees (15-16)

Brett Gardner CF
Jayson Nix SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Vernon Wells LF
Ben Francisco DH
Lyle Overbay 1B
David Adams 3B
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Austin Romine C

RHP Hiroki Kuroda (5-2, 2.31 ERA)

Game Time: 7:05 pm EST – Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
TV: MY9
Radio: WCBS 880, WADO 1280
Weather: Great night for baseball! Clear, 69°F 

When Joe Girardi took over the then Florida Marlins in 2006, little was expected of him. The team was young, inexperienced and projected to finish in dead last. Girardi guided them to a 78-84 record, en route to winning Manager of the Year for the National League. After having disagreements with management, as most people seem to have with the Marlins nowadays, Girardi was fired and took a year off from baseball. He interviewed for the managerial job with the Yankees, and signed a three-year contract on October 30, 2007.

In Florida, there was no pressure to win. The team could win or lose and no one really seemed to care. In New York, you are expected to win – and if you don’t, the front office will dismiss  you. Girardi is taking each and every obstacle thrown in his way in stride, day-by-day, and the Yankees now have one of the best records in baseball.

Since he signed on the dotted line (he then re-upped for three more years in 2010), fans have often criticized Girardi for his moves, most notably his tedious “binder logic” when bringing in relievers or playing match-ups with his hitters. His teams in years past haven’t had much flexibility, as seasoned veterans making big bucks were locked into their positions. In 2013, things are different; Girardi may be tasked with his most difficult year as a manager. Injuries to key players has allowed him to be more creative with using his guys, and we are finally seeing his prowess as a manager – without the superstars.

Girardi is putting players in positions to succeed. At times, he’s  put Robinson Cano, the best player on the team, second in the lineup to increase his plate appearances. He has hit David Phelps eighth in order to spark the bottom of the order. He is trusting and sticking with Lyle Overbay and Jayson Nix, two guys who are playing important positions on the field. Girardi is willing to move Vernon Wells to third base late in a game when his bench is tight. He is trying to squeeze out every ounce of baseball these old guys still have left in them by knowing when to play Travis Hafner and when to sit him because he’s injury-prone.

Girardi is also trusting the younger players. In the second game of the doubleheader in Cleveland, he started Vidal Nuno, 25 – who went five innings giving up three hits and no runs. In a late game situation and only up by a run, Corban Joseph and Austin Romine – both 24-years-old, each hit back-to-back doubles, sparking a six-run seventh inning. It’s trusting and having confidence that the young guys can do the job that is making this team fun to watch and easy to root for.

A manager’s job is not only to fill out a lineup, it’s to manage 25 different personalities and create chemistry that is conducive to winning. With practically a new face at every other locker it seems like, Girardi has done a masterful job. Take a look at the Angels who are loaded. You can have all the talent in the world, but if the guys in the clubhouse don’t have good chemistry wins will be hard to come by.

Maybe it’s time for fans to stop being so hard on Girardi, who after all, took over for a legend in Joe Torre. Along with always being able to manage his bullpen by knowing when to rest guys and when to pitch guys, Girardi’s ability to work with the players he has has been remarkable. If you were to say on April 1 that on May 17 the Yankees would have the third best record in baseball with some of the names they have now, no one would believe it. When the stars come back, Girardi will have some very tough decisions to make. If this season is any indication, he’ll handle it just fine. In 2013, we are seeing Joe Girardi at his very best.

 Enter Our Joe Girardi Ticket Giveaway & Win $100 in Ticket Credit + 50% OFF for ANY GAME from our partners at TiqIQ.com.

Enter Here: http://www.tiqiq.com/yankees_contest_cs

Photo courtesy of the NY Daily News.

15 years ago today, David Wells achieved baseball immortality. He threw the second perfect game in Yankees history, and the 15th in MLB history. David Cone would join him as the third 14 months later.

Starting against the Twins on a cool Sunday in the Bronx, Wells was untouchable as the Yankees won by a score of 4-0; the game only took two hours and 40 minutes.  He threw 120 pitches; 79 of them strikes, 41 balls.

New York only registered six hits, with three of them coming from Bernie Williams who also drove in a run. The game ended with a pop-up to Paul O’Neill in right field. Wells was carried off the field, doffing his cap to the 49,820 in attendance.

In Wells’ autobiography, Perfect I’m Not: Boomer on Beer, Brawls, Backaches, and Baseball, he claims to have been “half-drunk” when he tossed the perfecto. Wells had gone out to a Saturday Night Live cast party the night before, which ended in the early hours of Sunday morning – the day he pitched.

To add to the legend, Wells attended the same high school as Don Larsen: Point Loma High in San Diego, Calif. Larsen of course, threw a perfect game in the 1956 World Series. To this day, it is the only perfect game thrown in the playoffs.

For the second time this season, the Yankees lost both their catcher and starting pitcher to injury in the same game. Andy Pettitte would leave after 4.2 innings with tightness in his trapezius muscle, and Chris Stewart followed in the seventh after hurting his groin while running the bases. Back on April 26, New York lost pitcher Ivan Nova with an arm injury and catcher Francisco Cervelli to a broken hand.

The injury to Pettitte isn’t too concerning, however, according to Chad Jennings. Pettitte had asked manager Joe Girardi and the trainers if he could stay in the game and battle through it, but it was best that he didn’t test it. Stewart went for an MRI, but the results were not immediately known.

It’s likely that Stewart will land on the disabled list, since a groin injury to a catcher can be debilitating and hard to recover from. Should that happen, the Yankees have veteran Bobby Wilson down at Triple-A who could be called up. Prospects J.R. Murphy and Gary Sanchez don’t appear to be ready yet. It’s always possible the Yankees look outside of the organization for help as well.

It’s unclear if Pettitte will miss his next start, but the Yankees will probably be careful with the soon to be 41-year-old. More information on both players should be available closer to game-time tonight.

Yankees not too concerned about Pettitte’s back, but Stewart getting an MRI on his groin.

— Lohud Yankees Blog (@LoHudYankees) May 17, 2013

Yankees and Mariners play the rubber game tonight, as Andy Pettitte takes the hill against former Yank Hector Noesi; Aaron Harang, who was originally scheduled to start for the M’s, has been scratched with lower back stiffness. Pettitte hopes to continue the success he had against the Royals in his last start, when he went 7 innings giving up five hits, two runs, seven strikeouts while earning the win. Prior to the game, the Yankees called up pitcher Dellin Betances, who will come out of the pen. Brett Marshall was optioned down to Triple-A, after he threw over 100 pitches last night in mop-up duty. Here are the lineups:

Seattle Mariners (19-21)

Michael Saunders CF
Jason Bay LF
Kyle Seager 3B
Kendrys Morales 1B
Mike Morse RF
Raul Ibanez DH
Jesus Montero C
Dustin Ackley 2B
Brendan Ryan

RHP Hector Noesi – first start of season (0-0, 3.86 ERA in four relief appearances)

New York Yankees (25-15)

Brett Gardner CF
Jayson Nix SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Vernon Wells LF
Lyle Overbay 1B
Curtis Granderson DH
David Adams 3B
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Chris Stewart C

LHP Andy Pettitte (4-2, 3.83 ERA)

Game Time: 7:05 pm EST – Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
TV: YES Network
Radio: WCBS 880, WADO 1280
Weather: Great night for baseball! Mostly sunny, 74°F

Photo courtesy of milb.com

The Yankees have called up righty pitcher Dellin Betances to add another arm to the pen, according to Daniel Barbarisi of the Wall Street Journal. No corresponding move has been made yet, but chances are Brett Marshall will be sent down since he threw over 100 pitches last night in mop-up duty.

Betances, 25, was once considered one of the Yankees’ top pitching prospects. Standing at 6’8″ and 260 lbs and part of the “Killer B’s” (the other being Manny Banuelos), Betances was supposed to develop into a front-end starter. He made his major league debut in 2011 with the Yanks against the Rays, appearing in two games and registering a 6.75 ERA.

After being sent down, Betances struggled with his command and injuries. He was recently scratched from his last start with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and placed in the bullpen because the organization wanted to get him some reps in relief. Now, he will get the chance to come out of the pen with the big league club.

Before getting the call, Betances appeared in eight games (six starts) this season with Scranton and went 3-2 with a 5.40 ERA. He walked 17 in 28.1 innings.

Yankees recall Dellin Betances from AAA. No corresponding move yet, but Marshall makes sense after last night’s work.

— Daniel Barbarisi (@DanBarbarisi) May 16, 2013

Phil Hughes wonders what went wrong in 0.2 innings, giving up 7 runs. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners 12 — New York Yankees 2

Yankees can’t recover from Hughes’ collapse in tonight’s 12-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners.

Phil Hughes could not get anything going in tonight’s start. The big blow against Hughes came from former Yankee Raul Ibanez. Already down by two, Ibanez would put the Mariners ahead by six with a grand slam into right field. Leadoff hitter Michael Saunders would single in his second at-bat of the inning and that would be all for Hughes.

Getting just two outs, Hughes allowed seven runs on six hits.

Preston Claiborne took over for Phil Hughes and was able to provide 2.1 innings scoreless, with one hit and two strikeouts. The savior from the bullpen came in the form of the major league debut of Brett Marshall. He would take over in the fourth inning and have a clean first inning for his debut. Raul Ibanez would show that it didn’t matter which pitcher he faced, he can hit the long ball. In the fifth inning, Raul Ibanez would hit his second home run of the game, a two-run home run to give him a six RBI night. Marshall would also give up a three-run home run to third baseman Kyle Seager in the sixth inning. The runs that Marshall would be insignificant to the game but he preserved the bullpen with his outing and in the ninth inning, received a small, yet deserving cheer for his efforts.

In 5.2 innings, Marshall used 108 pitches and gave up five runs on nine hits with five walks and a strikeout for his major league debut.

For the Mariners, breakout star Hisashi Iwakuma benefited from the tremendous lead he received before even throwing a pitch. With two outs in the first inning, Vernon Wells would get the Yankees on the board with his 10th home run of the season. The Yankees would show the long ball one more time in the fifth inning when Chris Stewart went deep for his third home run of the season.

In seven innings, Iwakuma allowed two runs on eight hits.

Third baseman David Adams made his major league debut tonight. Also, it is his birthday (Happy Birthday David Adams) so a present of his major league debut is nice. In the sixth inning against Hisashi Iwakuma, David Adams would get his first major league hit on a single to left center. Phil Hughes (0.2), Preston Claiborne (2.1), and Brett Marshall (5.2) made up 8.2 of 9 innings, so who got the last out?

Alberto Gonzalez. Yes, the shortstop.

Shortstop Alberto Gonzalez made his first career pitching appearance and with an 81-mph pitch on a 3-1 count, Gonzalez would point to the sky and “aid” his right fielder Ichiro Suzuki on making the out on a fly ball from third baseman Robert Andino to finish the ninth inning.

Win – Hisashi Iwakuma (5-1)

Loss – Phil Hughes (2-3)

Notables

Mariners

*Raul Ibanez – 2 for 5, 2 R, 2 HR (6; Grand Slam & 2-Run) in the 1st & 5th, 6 RBI (17)

*Kyle Seager – 2 for 4, 2 R, 3-Run Home Run (5) in the 6th, 3 RBI (21)

Yankees

*Vernon Wells – 1 for 3, R, BB, Solo Home Run (10) in the 1st, RBI (23)

*Chris Stewart – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (3) in the 5th, RBI (6)

Current Yankees Record: 25-15

Get your Yankees Tickets from our friends at TiqIQ.

After an exciting comeback win last night the Yankees look to win their third straight, as Phil Hughes takes the mound with hopes of regaining the form he had before his most recent start. In his four starts leading up to his last one at KC, Hughes had given up a combined six earned runs. In just 5.2 innings, he matched that run total, even though he registered the win. David Adams will be making his long awaited major league debut tonight, after being called up today on his birthday; Chris Nelson was let go to make room on the roster. Jesus Montero is in the lineup for the Mariners along with Raul Ibanez – they hit back-to-back. Here are the lineups:

Seattle Mariners (18-21)

Michael Saunders CF
Dustin Ackley 2B
Kyle Seager 3B
Kendrys Morales DH
Mike Morse RF
Justin Smoak 1B
Raul Ibanez LF
Jesus Montero C
Brendan Ryan SS

RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (4-1, 1.74 ERA)

New York Yankees (25-14)

Brett Gardner CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Vernon Wells DH
Curtis Granderson LF
Lyle Overbay 1B
David Adams 3B
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Chris Stewart C
Alberto Gonzalez SS

RHP Phil Hughes (2-2, 4.43 ERA)

Game Time: 7:05 pm EST – Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
TV: YES Network
Radio: WCBS 880, WADO 1280
Weather: 65°F, chance of thunderstorms

Taken in December 1941, Joe DiMaggio kisses his bat after the season in which he hit in 56 consecutive games.

In a game against the Chicago White Sox on May 15, 1941, Joe DiMaggio went 1-for-4 against Eddie Smith. The Yankees lost that game by a score of 13-1, with the lone run knocked in by, you guessed it, Joe D. Although it seemed rather insignificant at the time, it was the birth of “The Streak.” From that day until July 16, “The Yankee Clipper” hit safely in 56 straight games, setting a record that still stands today.

During the streak, Joe D hit a robust .408 with a slugging pct. of .717. He faced four future hall-of-fame pitchers, and went 1-for-4 in the All-Star game with a run scored and an RBI. DiMaggio finished that 1941 season with a .357/.440/.643 slash line, with 30 homers and 125 RBIs en route to a World Series Championship. He only struck out 13 times in 622 plate appearances that year.

It is widely believed that this record will never be broken. It is one of the greatest accomplishments not only in baseball, but all of sports – and it all began 72 years ago today.

*Stats courtesy of the Baseball Almanac.

The New York Yankees have found their new third baseman.

David Adams, who turns 26 today, has officially been promoted from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre according to a tweet by the Trentonian’s Josh Norris. Adams has produced a .316/.407/.490 batting line, and hit three home runs in 27 games with the RailRiders this season.

Adams had been released earlier this offseason, losing his 40-man roster spot to make room for Vernon Wells. He was re-signed three days later to a minor-league deal, which prohibited him from being promoted until May 15.

Though no corresponding move has been announced, multiple sources have told me they expect infielder Chris Nelson to be designated for assignment.

Curtis Granderson returned to the lineup last night and went 0-for-3 with a run scored and a big walk in the Yankees’ seventh inning rally. His presence represented a somewhat return to normalcy in the lineup. Now, it seems as if first baseman Mark Teixeira will return soon.

According to beat writer Bryan Hoch, Teixeira said yesterday that his “rehab is going great” and that Teixeira expects to be playing in big league games before June 1. When he returns, it will be very interesting to see what the team does with Lyle Overbay, who has gotten some big hits this season. The Yankees may end up having too many guys and not enough roster spots, meaning that Overbay would be the odd man out.

Teixeira has been sidelined since spring training with a partially torn tendon sheath in his wrist. Should he continue to have no setbacks, his return before June 1 seems reasonable.

Mark Teixeira said yesterday his rehab is going “great” and he expects to be playing in big league games before June 1st.

— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) May 15, 2013

Lyle Overbay brought in two runs, including the go-ahead run in the seventh. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Seattle Mariners 3 — New York Yankees 4

Felix Hernandez exits and the comeback is in effect in tonight’s 4-3 win over the Seattle Mariners.

The matchup of aces lived up to the hype. Until the sixth inning, Felix Hernandez and CC Sabathia were in a battle in a one-run game. The lone run came off of Sabathia in the third inning shortly after an error by Lyle Overbay. A ground ball to the Yankees first baseman went off of his glove and would allow outfielder Michael Saunders to reach base. A double by third baseman Kyle Seager would allow the unearned run to score.

Former Yankee Raul Ibanez made his return to Yankee Stadium and put on a familiar show, just to disappoint Yankees fans instead. With one on, Ibanez would hit a two-run home run into the short porch in right field.

CC Sabathia would pitch into the seventh inning. Through 6.1 innings, CC Sabathia allowed three runs on 10 hits with a season-high 10 strikeouts. The sixth inning would also be the time the Yankees were able to mount a small burst of offense against the King.

Lyle Overbay would hit a double to the right field corner that bounced and barely stayed in play. With the returning Curtis Granderson on first base, had it bounced over the wall for a ground-rule double, the Yankees may not have scored on the double. The favorable bounce got the Yankees on the board as they trailed the Mariners by a score of 3-1.

Felix Hernandez would leave after six innings. He allowed one run on five hits while striking out eight. So what is the biggest reason Felix Hernandez is unable to get more wins, despite having a 1.53 ERA? The bullpen.

The first reliever, Yoervis Medina, gave up a leadoff single and got on out but a pair of left-handed batters would follow. Left-handed reliever Charlie Furbush would be called on for Brett Gardner and Robinson Cano. Brett Gardner would walk to put two on for Robinson Cano. The Yankees second baseman would hit a deep double to right center field that hit the wall, scoring two runs and tying the game.

Felix Hernandez, sorry about your bullpen.

Furbush would stay in the game to face Curtis Granderson after intentionally walking Vernon Wells. He would then go on to walk Curtis Granderson unintentionally and faced Lyle Overbay with the bases loaded. Overbay would hit a laser into center field for a sacrifice fly and the comeback was nearly complete. All that was needed was the seal.

David Robertson enters for the eighth inning. A walk of Dustin Ackley and a poor decision on a sacrifice bunt by Austin Romine would put two on with no outs to create a problem for Robertson. Then before you know it, a strikeout and a perfectly positioned Jayson Nix turned the unassisted double play and the Yankees finished the eighth inning, lead intact. With the lead, there’s only one man you know you can count on.

Mariano Rivera entered for the ninth inning and a save opportunity. Two fly outs, a few broken bats, and a called third strike wraps up the ninth inning up and Mariano Rivera’s 16th save of the season.

Curtis Granderson had an uneventful season debut. Batting in the four spot, Granderson went hitless in four plate appearances with a walk and a run scored. He reached base twice, hit into a double play, and struck out. He also played left field tonight, putting Vernon Wells in the designated hitter role.

Win – Shawn Kelley (2-0)

Loss – Charlie Furbush (0-2)

Save – Mariano Rivera (16)

Notables

Mariners

*Raul Ibanez – 2 for 4, R, 2-Run Home Run (4) in the 6th, 2 RBI (11)

*Kyle Seager – 1 for 5, 2B, RBI (18)

Yankees

*Robinson Cano – 2 for 3, R, BB, 2B, 2 RBI (25)

*Lyle Overbay – 1 for 2, 2B, 2 RBI (24)

Current Yankees Record: 25-14

Get your Yankees Tickets from our friends at TiqIQ.

Welcome back, Curtis Granderson!

The All-Star slugger returns to the lineup after missing the first month and a half of the regular season with a broken forearm – he will hit cleanup and play left field; pitcher Vidal Nuno was sent down to clear a roster spot. There is another homecoming at the Stadium tonight, as Raul Ibanez returns to the place where he put himself in Yankee lore forever with some unforgettable home runs in last year’s postseason. As if all that wasn’t exciting enough, CC Sabathia will face off against King Felix Hernandez in one of the better pitching match-ups you’ll see all year. Tonight is definitely must watch! Here are your lineups:

Seattle Mariners (18-20) managed by Eric Wedge

Michael Saunders CF
Jason Bay LF
Kyle Seager 3B
Kendrys Morales 1B
Michael Morse RF
Kelly Shoppach C
Raul Ibanez DH
Robert Andino 2B
Brendan Ryan SS

RHP Felix Hernandez (5-2, 1.53 ERA)

New York Yankees (24-14)

Brett Gardner CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Vernon Wells DH
Curtis Granderson LF
Lyle Overbay 1B
Jayson Nix SS
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Chris Nelson 3B
Austin Romine C

LHP CC Sabathia (4-3. 3.23 ERA)

Game Time: 7:05 pm EST – Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
TV: YES Network
Radio: WCBS 880
Weather: 58°, mostly cloudy

It’s very hard to call a team with the highest payroll in baseball the underdog, but coming in to this season things felt a little different for the New York Yankees. Everyone said they were old. Everyone said they were a lock to miss the playoffs. Everyone was bashing the General Manager, Brian Cashman. How could they win with a bunch of rag-tag guys whose best years were behind them?

It turns out 2013 may be Cashman’s finest hour.

Joe Girardi is also doing his best managing job. With all the new personalities in the clubhouse, he has done a great job mixing and matching and building chemistry.

Time after time, as players who were integral parts of past teams began leaving for free agency, Cashman was getting criticized. Why can’t the Yankees spend? You can’t win if you don’t shell out the bucks! The team that “won” the offseason now has one of the worst records in the game – the Angels – at 14-24.

Then the injuries came. One by one, players began dropping like flies. From Derek Jeter to Eduardo Nunez, and everywhere in between, the Yankees have had to patch things together on the go. Well, on May 14, the Yankees have the second best record in all of baseball.

Cashman is very good at analyzing players, taking a chance, and looking for a bounce-back year. Look at Nick Swisher. In 2008 with the White Sox, Swisher hit just .219 with 24 homers and 69 RBIs. He earned $5.5 million in 2009 with the Yankees after coming over in a trade (Wilson Betemit was the main piece Chicago received), and hit .249 with 29 homers and 82 RBIs. His best year came in 2010, when he hit .288, 29 home runs and 88 RBIs.

Vernon Wells, 34, was relegated to being a fourth outfielder with the Angels, making $21 million per year. He had been an All-Star and gold glove winner with Toronto, but has completely fallen off the map in recent years. A trade necessitated by injury brought Wells over to the New York in March, with the team picking up $15 mill of his remaining $42 million over this season and the next. Last year, Wells hit .230/.279/.403 with 11 homers and 29 RBIs in 77 games. Currently, he’s hitting .299/.349/.526 with nine homers and 22 RBIs in just 36 games. Wells is tied with Robinson Cano for the team lead in average. He is second in runs (20), second in home runs, second in RBIs and third in stolen bases (4).

Cashman, who has always been a big believer of high on-base guys with power, saw value in Travis Hafner – a guy who once hit 42 home runs and 117 RBIs while leading his team to the World Series but has since been plagued by injuries; Hafner, who will be 36 in June, has only played in over 100 games once since 2007. Last year, he hit .228/.346/.438 with 12 homers and 34 RBIs in 66 games. This year, he’s hitting .269/.387/.527 with six homers and 18 RBIs in 31 games.

Lyle Overbay, 36, was on the scrap heap in spring training, signing with the Red Sox before they ultimately released him towards the end of camp. With only three days to impress the Yankees before the season began, he donned the pinstripes. Overbay played on four teams from 2010-2012, clearly at the end of his career. Entering play on Tuesday, Overbay – who is making just over $1 million – has more RBIs (22) than Albert Pujols (21) – who is making $15 million.

The young guys have contributed as well. Clinging to a one-run lead in the seventh yesterday, rookie Corban Joseph doubled for his first career hit. Then Austin Romine doubled him in, knocking starter Trevor Bauer out of the game. The Yankees went on to have a six-run inning en route to a 7-0 win. 25 year-old Vidal Nuno, who made his first major league start yesterday, went five scoreless innings allowing just three hits, keeping the team in the league. It’s having trust in guys like these that gives this team a boost.

Things didn’t look so good when spring training started. Cashman himself even got hurt from jumping out of a plane to support the Wounded Warrior Project. In year’s past, the Yankees have fielded hall-of-famers at nearly every position. 95-100 wins and a playoff appearance were givens. The team steamed through the regular season like a juggernaut. Now, things are different. Nothing is guaranteed – October is an unknown, not a formality. This team is fun to watch – they have to earn these wins.

Even though these guys probably can’t maintain their current production, they have gotten the Yankees through the tough part of the season with flying colors. The cavalry is on the way and the team can only get better, as Curtis Granderson is set to return possibly tonight and Mark Teixeira in a few weeks. But right now, these players from the “island of misfit toys,” it seems like, are producing. No one wanted them in the offseason. The Angels are paying Vernon Wells to play against them. Hafner spent 10 seasons with Cleveland before they let him go. Overbay was released from the Sox when they had first-base issues. Cashman has said all along he believes in the guys he’s brought aboard.

If the Yankees go anywhere this year, they will have earned it and surpassed any and all expectations anyone had for them… Except Brian Cashman’s.

Romine’s first RBI helped Vidal Nuno to his first MLB win today. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

New York Yankees 7 — Cleveland Indians 0

Yankees split the doubleheader with a 7-0 win over the Cleveland Indians.

For the second game today, Vidal Nuno started the game. Vidal Nuno was effective and pitching in a timely manner. Through his five innings of work, he constantly faced the tying run as he received just a one-run lead. Nuno toughed out the fifth inning as he faced  two on, two out situation and he was already exceeding the pitch count Girardi had in mind for the 25-year-old left-hander. He would get a called strike three on his 89th pitch of the game.

Through five scoreless innings, Nuno gave up three hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

In the first inning, Indians starter Trevor Bauer was hurt by an error, both physically and statistically. A wide throw from first baseman Carlos Santana left Bauer exposed to be stepped on as Cano reached first base. Vernon Wells would ground out and bringing in the first run of the game. The Yankees wouldn’t get to Bauer until the seventh inning. Rookie second baseman Corban Joseph led off the seventh inning with his first major league hit, a double to center field. Catcher Austin Romine would come through with a double for his first major league run batted in to give the Yankees a two-run lead. Bauer would exit the game and left-handed reliever Nick Hagadone wouldn’t fare any better.

A walk of Brett Gardner would assist in the rally. Jayson Nix, Vernon Wells, and Lyle Overbay would bring in four runs. The next reliever, Matt Albers, would allow another run to score on an error. The six-run seventh inning put the Yankees ahead by seven.

Adam Warren came in in the sixth inning for Nuno. He would continue pitching for four innings and struck out four and allowed just two hits. The four innings he pitched would get Adam Warren his first major league save.

In today’s second game, Vidal Nuno got his first major league win, Corban Joseph got his first career hit, Austin Romine got his first major league run batted in, and Adam Warren got his first major league save. The future may be bright for the  Yankees.

Win – Vidal Nuno (1-0) *First major league win*

Loss – Trevor Bauer (1-2)

Save – Adam Warren (1) *First major league save*

Notables

Yankees

*Vernon Wells – 2 for 4, R, BB, 2 RBI (22)

*Lyle Overbay – 1 for 5, R, 2B, 2 RBI (22)

Indians

*Nick Swisher – 1 for 3, BB, 2B

*Drew Stubbs – 1 for 3, BB

Current Yankees Record: 24-14

Get your Yankees Tickets from our friends at TiqIQ.