MLB 09 The Show: Girardi takes over for Torre

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June 21st, 2008 Yankees 5 Marlins 1

The Yankees finally snap their 3 game losing streak and take the 3rd game of their series with the Marlins.

Ian Kennedy was his usual brilliant self, pitching 6 innings and allowing only 6 hits and 1 ER. (His only mistake was a solo HR by Hanley Ramirez in the 1st inning.) Kennedy is now 9-2 on the season with a 2.97 ERA. Ricky Nolasco (5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 11 K's) took the loss.

The Yankees were led by Jason Giambi, who went 3-4 with a 2-R HR, his 14th, and 3 RBI's. Derek Jeter and Melky Cabrera each had 2 hits.

After an off day on Monday, the Yankees start a 3 game set in Atlanta against the Braves. Game 1 should be Darrell Rasner vs John Smoltz.

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June 23rd, 2008. Yankees 7 Braves 3

The Yankees (43-30) made it 2 wins in a row tonight as they got the better of John Smoltz and the Atlanta Braves (31-40). Andy Pettitte went 6 innings allowing 5 hits and 3 ER's to pick up his 8th win of the season. John Smoltz (4.0 IP, 4 H, 5 ER) falls to 6-8 on the season.

The Yankee offense was led again by Jason Giambi (1-4, 3-R HR), who homered in his 2nd straight game. Alex Rodriguez was 2-4 with 2 RBI's and added a solo HR, his 13th on the season.

Yunel Escobar and Jeff Francoeur hit solo HR's for the Braves.

The Yankees still hold a 1/2 game lead over the White Sox for the A.L. Wildcard spot.

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June 24th, 2008 Yankees 3 Braves 4

The Yankees dropped a close one tonight against the Braves in extra innings. Jason Giambi homered for the 3rd straight game, tying the game at 3 in the 6th inning. However, after 3 scoreless innings from LaTroy Hawkins, Kyle Farnsworth gave up a game winning double to Mark Teixeira in the bottom of the 10 inning to take the loss.

Phil Hughes pitched 6 innings, giving up 5 hits, 3 ER's, 1BB, and 5 K's. Hughes is tied for the most wins in the A.L. with 10 and a league leading 2.31 ERA.

The Yankees will go for the series win tomorrow night as they send Ian Kennedy against Jair Jurrjens.

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June 25th, 2008 Yankees 1 Braves 0

The Yankees ended their 3 game series with the Braves on a high note with a brilliant outing by Ian Kennedy. Kennedy, (10-2, 2.73) was incredible, going 8.0 innings and giving up only 4 hits, no walks, and 4 K's. Mariano Rivera pitched the 9th for his 17th save.

Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, and Jorge Posada each had 2 hits. Posada had a Sac Fly to account for the only Yankees run. A couple of base running blunders cost the Yankees a couple of runs.

Jair Jurrjens (5-4, 4.48) pitched well in the loss, going 6 innings and allowing 8 hits and 1 ER.

The Yankees will end their 9 game road trip with 3 games against the crosstown New York Mets.

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June 26th, 2008 Yankees 1 Mets 4

The Yankees opened their 3 game inter-league series against the crosstown Mets tonight and for a moment traveled back in time. Pedro Martinez looked like the the 1999 Pedro Martinez and totally shut down the Yankees. Pedro (7.0 IP, 5 H, 1ER, 2 BB, 8 K's) kept the Yankees guessing all night with his Curveball and Change up and dominated. Pedro avenged a loss he took from the Yankees from back on June 13th at Yankee Stadium.

Mike Mussina (1-7, 6.48) pitched decent in the loss, going 6 IP and giving up 7 H and 3 ER. A Hideki Matsui pinch hit HR in the top of the 8th was the only bright spot for the Yankees.

Game 2 will have Darrell Rasner vs Brian Stokes.

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June 27th, 2008 Yankees 4 Mets 1

Game 2 of the subway series saw the Yankees bounce back from yesterday's defeat to beat the Mets 4-1. Darrell Rasner continues to pitch brilliantly for the Yankees, going 8.0 IP and giving up 6 H and 1 ER. Since Darrell's call-up on May 5th, he is 4-1 with a 2.82 ERA.

The Yankees had all kinds of trouble against Brian Stokes, who was called up on May 30th to take the spot of Oliver Perez who suffered a broken forearm. Stokes entered the game 1-3 with a 8.66 ERA but you would never know it. He dominated the Yankees with his 95+ heater, striking out 11 batter in 5.2 innings. The Yankees finally broke through against the Met bullpen. Jorge Posada hit a solo HR in the 7th inning off of Pedro Feliciano and Jason Giambi iced the game with a bases loaded 2-Run single in the top of the 8th off Duaner Sanchez.

Mariano Rivera pitched the 9th inning and picked up save #500. The Announcers mentioned it after the final out. I recorded the final out and will try and post it if I can figure it out.

Game 3 should be a great matchup. Andy Pettitte (8-5, 3.98) goes against Johan Santana (8-6, 2.67) These 2 met on June 12th at Yankee Stadium with Pettitte getting the CG win 3-2.

In a unexpected move, the Royals and Rockies pulled off a blockbuster trade on June 26th as the Royals sent RP Ramon Ramirez and SP Zack Greinke to the Rockies for RP Taylor Buchholz and CF Willie Taveras.

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June 28th, 2008 Yankees 3 Mets 2

The Yankees ended a 9 game road trip this afternoon with a close win over their crosstown rivals the Mets.

Andy Pettitte (9-5, 3.85) got the better of Johan Santana (8-7, 2.76) with Mariano Rivera picking up Save 501 in his HOF career.

The Yankees opened the scoring in the 3rd inning thanks to a 2-Run single by A-Rod off of Santana. The Yankees added a run in the 5th when Bobby Abreu doubled home Derek Jeter.

Pettitte made one mistake all game when he missed with a change up outside and Moises Alou took him deep for a 2-Run HR. Moises and Johnny Damon each had 4 hits on the day.

Pettitte had a season high 12 K's.

The Yankees have a off-day on June 29th (Monday) before they start a 7 game home stand against the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. Then they take to the road for 3 games against the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels before the All-Star Break.

After Tuesday's game against the Mariners, I will post Stats and Standings for the end of June.

The Yankees are currently 5 games behind the division leading Boston Red Sox. However, they hold a 1 game lead over the Chicago White Sox in the Wildcard race.

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June 30th, 2008 Mariners 2 Yankees 4

The Yankees kicked off their 7 game home stand with a 4-2 victory over King Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners.

Jason Giambi was the hero of the game, going 3-4 with a 3-R HR and 3 RBI's. Phil Hughes (11-3, 2.32) won his Major League leading 11th game and Mariano Rivera got his 20th save of the season.

Now that June is in the books, stay tuned for standings, stats, and notes from around the league.

Game 2 will be Erik Bedard (8-3, 2.95) vs Ian Kennedy (10-2, 2.73)