GAME 107: In the movie Goodfellas, the second half started out with the voice-over “… and these were the bad times…”. Everything went to shit from there for the boys, and one can’t help think about the parallel.
After the 7-1 head fake coming out of from the All-Star break, this team is back to it’s under-achieving self. After blowing two pivotable and winnable games against Toronto to close out the recent home stand, they roll into Texas with optimism of at least a series win if not a sweep. Against the worst team in MLB. Nope. The Darvish loss was expected and understandable. The near loss in Game 2 was almost unforgivable. It still does not feel like a win. Then tonight. Another maddening loss. This time 3-2.
19 Straight!
Against the combined worst ERA of a pitching staff in Major League Baseball, the Yankees were unable to scratch out even a bleeping walk after the 3rd inning. That’s when the offense checked out and mailed it in. NINETEEN STRAIGHT hitters went down. Against Texas!!!
Here’s the box score and recap.
NY’s 2014 Season On the Brink
Literally. If the Yankees fail to sweep the white-flag waving Red Sox this weekend, what hope can realistically remain? The Baltimore Orioles are taking care of business. The Blue Jays are streaking in the right direction once again. The surging Tampa Bay Rays are back in it big time — and time is quickly running out for the 2014 Yankees to keep pace.
Rangers, President Bush Honor Jeter
Former Ranger stars Michael Young and Pudge Rodriguez were joined by former President George W. Bush in a pre-game ceremony (video) honoring The Captain.
Trade Deadline Countdown
Check out MLB Trade Rumors for the latest. John Danks (White Sox), Marlon Byrd (Phillies), Dayan Viciedo (White Sox), Joaquin Benoit (Padres), James Russell (Cubs), Josh Willingham (Twins), and Antonio Bastardo (Phillies) are some of the names being bantered about regarding the Yanks.
Chad Jennings of LoHud reports the Yanks have a mild interest in former hurler Ian Kennedy.
MEMORY LANE: Only July 30th, 2008, the Yankees traded Kyle Farnsworth to the Detroit Tigers for Ivan Rodriguez. In a trade dealine deal in 2006,the Yanks acquired Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle from the Philadelphia Phillies for C.J. Henry (minors), Jesus Sanchez (minors), Carlos Monasterios and Matt Smith.
In 1990, George Steinbrenner was forced to resign as general partner of the New York Yankees by baseball commissioner Fay Vincent.
On this date in 1979, the Yankees traded Mickey Rivers (and players to be named later) to the Texas Rangers for Oscar Gamble, Amos Lewis (minors), and players to be named later. The Rangers sent Ray Fontenot and Gene Nelson to the Yankees on October 8, 1979 to complete the trade.
In 1955, the Yankees traded Eddie Lopat to the Baltimore Orioles for Jim McDonald. (Sources: Baseball-Almanac.com, Today in Baseball History)
