A bittersweet farewell

Just three short months ago, I launched Tri-State Yanks in the hopes of attempting to someday break into the sportswriting industry. I figured it was a process which would take a few years, at minimum, to accomplish. As it turns out, I was dead wrong.

I have been approached by BronxPinstripes.com, a Yankees fan blog with over 30,000 followers — more than I could ever imagine having on a small scale operation such as this. I’ll be doing some writing on the Yankees’ minor league affiliates over there, and possibly pitching in a little bit in regards to the big league operation.

Thank you all for following these past few months, and I hope to see all of you over at BronxPinstripes.com!

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The training room’s a happenin’ place after tonight’s game

Ivan Nova. Clay Rapada. Raul Ibanez. Those three all left Monday night’s game with an injury of some sort. Add in David Robertson, who will go for tests tomorrow with a rib injury, and the Yankees training staff is going to be awful busy taking care of business tonight. Robertson is probably the most worrisome of the bunch, as any injury that puts him out for some time would seriously deplete a Yankee bullpen which has already lost Mariano Rivera for the season.

But now, some quick injury updates on the walking wounded…uhh, the New York Yankees.

• Ivan Nova suffered an ankle injury fielding a chopper in the sixth inning. After the game, Nova was still limping. Joe Girardi admitted that it’s possible he’ll have to miss a start. The x-rays came back negative, so right now it’s a wait-and-see game to determine when he’ll pitch next.

• David Robertson is headed for tests on his sore ribcage tomorrow after Joe Girardi determined he was unavailable tonight. Robertson first felt soreness on Friday night, and still felt it while playing catch today. When asked about the injury, he said, ”I’m not really concerned. I would like to get back out there as soon as I can, but I don’t want to go out there and take a risk, end up putting myself on the DL for a long period of time. There’s a little worry, but I honestly don’t think it’s too bad.”

• Raul Ibanez  has a sweet bruise on his arm, stitchmarks and all. Other than that, his injury wasn’t all that serious. He said he could probably play tomorrow if he had to, but it isn’t likely he would have been in the lineup against a lefty starter anyways.

• Clay Rapada has the same head cold that has hit half the clubhouse. It didn’t sound after the game like he would be available tomorrow, but hey, you never know.

Chavez at third for Yanks tonight

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Alex Rodriguez DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Raul Ibanez LF
Eric Chavez 3B
Russell Martin C

Ivan Nova RHP

Yankees at Baltimore Orioles: Pitching Match-ups

Monday, 7:05 p.m., YES Network
RHP Ivan Nova (4-1, 5.02 ERA) vs. RHP Jason Hammel (4-1, 2.09 ERA)

Tuesday, 7:05 p.m., MY9 and MLB Network
LHP CC Sabathia (5-0, 3.51 ERA) vs. LHP Wei-Yin Chen (3-0, 2.68 ERA)

Minors wrap-up: Banuelos shines again for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

Durhum 3, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 1

Manny Banuelos shined today for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. He pitched six innings, allowing just five hits and an unearned run. He struck out seven batters and threw just 89 pitches. However, it wasn’t enough for the Yankees, as they dropped to 18-17 on the season. Chase Whitley, who relieved Banuelos, took his second loss of the season after giving up a run in his only inning of work. The pitching wasn’t really the problem today though, as Scranton mustered just three hits, one a piece by Steve Pearce, Jack Cust, and Ronnier Mustelier. Pearce also scored the team’s only run.

Trenton 7, Portland 4

There wasn’t much pitching in this one, especially after Thunder starter Craig Heyer left after three innings with shoulder stiffness. Melky Mesa continued his hot streak, going 3-for-4 with an RBI this afternoon. Cody Johnson tacked on a pair of runs after a two-run blast in the 6th inning, his eighth of the season. Kevin Mahoney and Abe Almonte also homered. Additionally, Mahoney reportedly had a couple of nice plays with the glove at the hot corner today. Francisco Rondon got the win with two scoreless innings in relief of the injured Heyer.

West Virginia 3, Charleston 1

The RiverDogs couldn’t do anything offensively against West Virginia pitching today as they dropped to 24-10 on the season. Only top catching prospect Gary Sanchez and outfielder Kelvin De Leon were able to scratch out hits for Charleston. Starting pitcher Scottie Allen had another good outing, dropping his season ERA to 3.41. Allen tossed six innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out a pair. He then gave way to Wilton Rodriguez, who gave up two runs on four hits over two innings pitched, taking his first loss of the season.

Game #34: Yankees vs. Seattle Mariners

New York Yankees (19-14)
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Raul Ibanez LF
Eric Chavez DH
Russell Martin C

Andy Pettitte LHP

Seattle Mariners (15-20)
Dustin Ackley 2B
Casper Wells LF
Ichiro RF
Jesus Montero C
Justin Smoak 1B
Alex Liddi 3B
Mike Carp DH
Michael Saunders CF
Brendan Ryan SS

Kevin Millwood RHP

Time/Television: 1:05 PM/YES Network

Eppley optioned: With Andy Pettitte being activated today, Cody Eppley has been optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Mariano Rivera was transferred to the 60-day DL.

Yanks claim lefty: The Yankees claimed LHP Justin Thomas off waivers from the Red Sox. Thomas, 28, was removed from Boston’s 40-man roster last week. He’s got one minor league option remaining and will likely report to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Pitch count: Joe Girardi stated he expects that Pettitte will be able to go 100 pitches today. He also said that he expects that Pettitte will be as good as he was when he last donned pinstripes back in 2010.

Update 1:10: First pitch of the 2012 season for Andy Pettitte and we’re under way here in the Bronx.

Update 1:14: Three up, three down for Andy Pettitte and the Yankees in the first.

Update 1:42: Andy Pettitte is dealing. He’s faced just one over the minimum through three innings.

Update 1:49: Yankees finally have something going here in the 3rd. A single by Chavez followed by a Russell Martin walk and there’s runners.

Update 2:16: Pettitte fails to cover the drag bunt and immediately tugs at his cap in disgust.

Update 2:18: Great throw by Martin and a nice tag by Jeter to throw out Saunders.

Update 2:20: The old check swing/swinging bunt for Mark Teixeira, who I don’t think I’ve ever seen run that fast before.

Update 2:23: After a single by Swisher, Millwood walks Raul Ibanez to load the bases with no one out in the bottom of the 5th.

Update 2:29: Russell Martin works a walk and the Yankees are on the board. It’s 2-1 Mariners.

Update 2:35: Casper Wells bounces one off the right field foul pole, and just like that it’s 4-1 Mariners.

Update 2:44: Pettitte loads the bases, and the Yankees get Cory Wade up in the pen.

Update 2:47: A great play by Mark Teixeira to bail Andy Pettitte out. Heads up decision to come home with the ball as opposed to go to second.

Update 2:58: And that’ll be it for Andy Pettitte. 6.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 K’s. Pettitte tossed 94 pitches today.

Update 3:46: The Yanks score one, but Teixeira leaves the bases loaded.

Update 4:03: A huge error in so many ways by Rapada. Should have let that ball go. Definitely should not have thrown it.

All hands behind Pettitte

Jeter SS
Granderson CF
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Teixeira 1B
Swisher RF
Ibanez LF
Chavez DH
Martin C

Pettitte LHP