Win – Phil Hughes (3-4)

Loss – Jeremy Hellickson (10-6)

Notable

Rays

*Desmond Jennings – 2 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (4) in the 6th, RBI (13)

*Johnny Damon – 1 for 4, R, 3B

Yankees

*Jorge Posada – 3 for 5, R, Grand Slam (10) in the 5th, 6 RBI (37)

*Curtis Granderson – 2 for 4, 2 R, BB, Solo Home Run (33) in the 5th, RBI (94)

Current Yankees Record: 72-46

Notes

Jorge Posada had a big game, driving in 6 runs, 4 of which came on a grand slam in the 5th. Curtis Granderson continues feeling the long ball as he hit his 33rd to tie with Jose Bautista. Phil Hughes needed a big outing and he did just that. He went 6 innings and allowed 2 runs, both came in his final inning of work.

Win – David Price (10-10)

Loss – CC Sabathia (16-7)

Notable

Rays

*Casey Kotchman – 2 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (8) in the 3rd, RBI (39)

*Kelly Shoppach – 2 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (7) in the 3rd, RBI (18)

Yankees

*Andruw Jones – 1 for 3, 2B, RBI (23)

*Robinson Cano – 1 for 4, R

Current Yankees Record: 71-46

Notes

Casey Kotchman, Kelly Shoppach, Johnny Damon, Elliot Johnson, and Evan Longoria each hit a solo home run to score all 5 runs of the defeat of the Yankees tonight. This was the first time CC Sabathia ever gave up 5 home runs in his career and I believe his first time giving up 3 home runs in 1 inning. CC Sabathia consistently missed on location as many of these hitters hit pitches meant to be on the outside edge that leaked in or wound up right down the middle.

Andruw Jones drove in the only run on a double to right field. A second run was thrown out at home on the play as Nick Swisher was thrown out by a perfect relay from the right fielder to the second baseman to get the Yankees right fielder out at home.

Win – Rafael Soriano (2-1)

Loss – Fernando Rodney (2-4)

Save – Mariano Rivera (30)

Notable

Angels

*Alberto Callaspo – 2 for 5, R, 2B, 2-Run Home Run (4) in the 5th, 2 RBI (36)

*Russell Branyan – 1 for 1, R, 3-Run Home Run (3) in the 9th, 3 RBI (9)

Yankees

*Robinson Cano – 3 for 4, R, Grand Slam (20) in the 7th, 4 RBI (81)

*Curtis Granderson – 1 for 4, R, 2-Run Home Run (32) in the 6th, 2 RBI (93)

Current Yankees Record: 71-45

Notes

A crucial error with 2 outs in the 7th left the bases loaded for the hot hitting Robinson Cano. The Yankees All-Star 2nd baseman made the Angels pay for that in grand fashion as his grand slam to right field proved to be very important in the Yankees win this afternoon. Curtis Granderson tied the game an inning earlier in the 6th with his 32nd home run.

Bartolo Colon pitched 6 innings and allowed just 2 runs. Rafael Soriano came in and pitched a solid inning again to earn the win today as he continues to be the dominant reliever the Yankees expected when they signed him. Cory Wade took the ball in the 9th inning with a four-run lead and struggled today as Mariano Rivera was called upon with 2 runners on and 1 out. Russell Branyan came in as a pinch-hitter against Mariano Rivera and hit the first pitch he saw for his 12th career home run against the Yankees. His home run made the 6-2 game a 6-5 game but Rivera did not break after witnessing another difficult outing by the future Hall of Famer. The Yankees closer settled down and got the last 2 outs to keep the lead and earn his 30th save.

Win – Ivan Nova (11-4)

Loss – Garrett Richards (0-1)

Notable

Angels

*Peter Bourjos – 2 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (5) in the 5th, RBI (24)

*Vernon Wells – 1 for 4, RBI (44)

Yankees

*Curtis Granderson – 2 for 3, 3 R, BB, 2 HR (31; 3-Run & Solo) in the 1st & 5th, 4 RBI (91)

*Robinson Cano -3 for 4, 2 R, 2B, 3B, 2-Run Home Run (19) in the 7th, 2 RBI (77)

Current Yankees Record: 70-45

Notes

Ivan Nova continues to show why he belongs in the MLB as he earned his 11th win of the season, putting him second on the team behind 16-game winner, CC Sabathia. Nova went 6 innings and induced 14 ground outs. He struggled in the 7th inning and handed the game over to Rafael Soriano with the bases loaded and no outs. A double play and a ground out led to only 1 run scoring in another strong outing by the former 8th-inning reliever.

Curtis Granderson & Robinson Cano were the key contributors of the offense. Curtis Granderson drove in 4 runs on 2 home runs, a three-run home run and a solo home run. These 2 home runs put him 2 behind Toronto Blue Jays’ Jose Bautista and it also became a career-high for the All-Star center fielder. Robinson Cano almost stole the spotlight as he fell just a single short of the cycle.

Win – Scott Downs (6-2)

Loss – Mariano Rivera (1-2)

Save – Jordan Walden (26)

Notable

Angels

*Bobby Abreu – 2 for 5, 2 R, 2 HR (6; Solo & 2-Run) in the 6th & 9th, 3 RBI (45)

*Jeff Mathis – 1 for 2, 2B, 2 RBI (17)

Yankees

*Derek Jeter – 1 for 4, BB, 2 RBI (41)

*Eduardo Nunez – 2 for 3, R, BB, RBI (26)

Current Yankees Record: 69-45

Notes

Former Yankee Bobby Abreu struck twice against the Yankees. He got the first run off of A.J. Burnett (who in my opinion, did not have a terrible start, more on that later) and he also scored the last two runs the Angels would need as he hit the go-ahead two-run home run off of Mariano Rivera in the 9th with the game tied at 4. The game had another unorthodox event take place as Curtis Granderson, as the tying run, stood on 1st base and was picked off by All-Star closer Jordan Walden using the “Jeff Nelson” move to end the game.

The Yankees were trailing 4-2 against Dan Haren but once the game moved onto the bullpen, the Yankees tied it on a two-run single by Derek Jeter. Curtis Granderson got a home run early in the game for his 29th, even though this does not take him off the hook for his 9th inning mistake. The Yankees offense continued struggling with runners in scoring position, going 2 for 10.

Now, in my opinion, A.J. Burnett’s outing was not terrible. It looks much worse when you look at the previous start and were hoping for a 7-inning, 3-or-less run game. Burnett lasted 6 innings and the 6th inning was his rough spot as all 4 runs he gave up were in that inning. The solo home run by Bobby Abreu cannot be defended but that is on him. I think a big change in this inning was when Mark Trumbo tagged up on a fly ball and moved from 1st to 2nd. A runner tagging from 1st to move to 2nd on a fly ball is a rare occurrence (oddly it occurred twice tonight). This move made by Trumbo led to the intentional walk of Maicer Izturis, who is certainly not a tremendous offensive threat. By the end of the inning, 3 more runs scored after Trumbo’s simple move that changed the whole flow of the inning.

(10 Innings)

Win – Daniel Bard (2-5)

Loss – Phil Hughes (2-4)

Notable

Yankees

*Brett Gardner – 3 for 5, R, Solo Home Run (5) in the 7th, RBI (28)

*Eduardo Nunez – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (4) in the 5th, RBI (25)

Red Sox

*Josh Reddick – 1 for 5, Walk-off Single, RBI (23)

*Marco Scutaro – 4 for 4, R, 2B, RBI (24)

Current Yankees Record: 69-44

Notes

After the 1st 2 games of this 3-game series, nothing had been decided, the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox were still tied atop the AL East. The game to decide who enters Monday with the AL East featured Freddy Garcia against Josh Beckett.

To the surprise of this Yankees fan, Freddy Garcia held the game tied with Josh Beckett. The Yankees offense could not capitalize on the opportunities they had when Josh Beckett was near the edge as the Yankees offense went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position. Freddy Garcia also managed to escape jams and keep the 1-1 tie.

After Josh Beckett was out of the game, Brett Gardner took a pitch to right-center and put the Yankees ahead 2-1 in the 7t inning. With the game in the 7th inning, the modified bridge to Mariano Rivera was put into effect. Rafael Soriano was formerly the 8th inning reliever but he was called upon in the 7th and pitched a perfect inning. David Robertson was not initially part of the bridge but with injuries, he became a critical part of it and embraced this role as he was a 1st time All-Star and tonight he pitched a scoreless 8th with 2 strikeouts. Now that the bridge was complete, the ball was handed to Mariano Rivera, unfortunately he surrendered the game-tying run.

The Yankees made it known that Phil Hughes was scheduled to start Tuesday’s game but was also available to pitch in tonight’s game. He was called upon in the 10th inning to keep the game going but a 1-out double by David Ortiz eventually became the game-winning run. This win let the Red Sox move to the top of the AL East and the Yankees had to settle for second…for now.

Win – John Lackey (10-8)

Loss – CC Sabathia (16-6)

Notable

Yankees

*Mark Teixeira – 1 for 4, 2 R, BB, Solo Home Run (32) in the 8th, RBI (86)

*Eric Chavez – 2 for 4, RBI (13)

Red Sox

*Jacoby Ellsbury – 2 for 4, R, 3-Run Home Run (19) in the 4th, 6 RBI (72)

*Carl Crawford – 4 for 4, 3 R, 2B, RBI (38)

Current Yankees Record – 69-43

Notes

CC Sabathia‘s struggles with the Boston Red Sox continue. 4 of his 6 losses this season came at the hands of Boston Red Sox. Today was no different as Jacoby Ellsbury set a career-high for RBIs with 6. Carl Crawford, who has been struggling throughout most of his first season with Boston, went 4 for 4 with 3 of those hits coming off of the 16-game winner.

The Yankees offense could not take advantage of opportunities presented to them with runners in scoring position and less than 2 outs. John Lackey struck out the Yankees in big spots and the Yankees hit themselves into double plays as well.

This loss splits the first 2 games of this 3-game series as tomorrow will be the rubber match that determines who goes into Monday with the sole possession of the AL East lead.

Win – Ivan Nova (10-4)

Loss – Philip Humber (8-8)

Notable

Yankees

*Robinson Cano – 2 for 3, 2 R, BB, Solo Home Run (18) in the 2nd, RBI (75)

*Russell Martin – 1 for 3, R, 3-Run Home Run (12) in the 9th, 4 RBI (45)

White Sox

*Adam Dunn – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (11) in the 9th, RBI (39)

*Juan Pierre – 1 for 3, RBI (28)

Current Yankees Record: 68-42

Notes

With the possibility of Scranton or the bullpen in the future of these Yankees starting pitchers, they sure step up their game. Ivan Nova entered tonight’s game unsure about which team will be on the field with him the next time he takes the mound, the AAA-Scranton Yankees or the MLB New York Yankees. With this information unclear, Nova expressed his intent to create a good frustration for manager Joe Girardi with an outstanding start to complete the sweep of the Chicago White Sox.

Ivan Nova pitched 7.2 innings of one-run baseball. He also set a career-high 10 strikeouts as his slider baffled the White Sox lineup. Robinson Cano provided early run support as he sent a solo home run the opposite way. Walks and singles helped manufacture another run as well as a sacrifice fly to show various aspects to the Yankees offense. Finally, to ensure the victory would be sealed, Russell Martin delivered a long three-run home run in the 9th inning off of former Yankee Brian Bruney.

With tonight’s victory and the Red Sox losing to the Cleveland Indians, the Yankees and Red Sox are tied for the AL East lead with a 68-42 record. The next series for the Yankees is in Boston as this series will play a huge role in what is always a hard-fought battle atop the AL East.

Starting Pitcher Match-Ups for the New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox series:

Game 1: Bartolo Colon (8-6, 3.30) vs. Jon Lester (11-4, 3.17)
Game 2: CC Sabathia (16-5, 2.55) vs. John Lackey (9-8, 6.23)
Game 3: Freddy Garcia (10-7, 3.22) vs. Josh Beckett (9-4, 2.20)

Win – Cory Wade (2-0)

Loss – Gavin Floyd (9-10)

Notable

Yankees

*Curtis Granderson – 4 for 6, 2 R, 2B, 3B, 5 RBI (84)

*Robinson Cano – 3 for 5, 2 R, 3-Run Home Run (17) in the 1st, 4 RBI (74)

*Eric Chavez – 3 for 6, R, 2-Run Home Run (1) in the 3rd, 4 RBI (12)

White Sox

*Carlos Quentin – 1 for 4, R, 3-Run Home Run (21) in the 4th, 4 RBI (66)

*Juan Pierre – 2 for 5, 2 R, 2B, RBI (27)

Current Yankees Record: 67-42

Notes

The Yankees scored a season-high 18 runs and the Yankees starting pitcher did NOT factor into the decision. Derek Jeter led the hit parade with 5. Curtis Granderson followed with 4 but those hits led to 5 runs driven in, to lead the team tonight. Robinson Cano & Eric Chavez also played a big part in the impressive offensive output as they each hit a home run and drove in 4 runs each. Every starting Yankee in the lineup had a hit and a run scored.

A.J. Burnett was the starting pitcher for the Yankees tonight. After 3 innings, he had a 13-1 lead. Following the offense he received, there was a belief that he may “pitch to the scoreboard” as he had space to work and not be as picky with the strike zone. However, he was not picky at all as he left the ball in very hittable spots for the White Sox batters who had a total of 13 hits. The big blow of the bad outing was Carlos Quentin’s three-run home run. Burnett could not finish the 5th inning as he only got 1 out and was taken out to the frustration of Yankees fans, Yankees manager Joe Girardi, and Burnett himself.

A start like tonight’s is a bad sign for those that want A.J. Burnett to be considered the #2 starter. His fastballs had no life to it and his curveball could not stay out of the middle of the plate. Burnett must improve and put confidence behind the talent he has shown to the Yankees faithful. He has shown untouchable stuff but has confusingly been unable to get things done.

(7 Innings)

Win – Phil Hughes (2-3)

Loss – John Danks (4-9)

Notable

Yankees

*Mark Teixeira – 3 for 4, 2 R, 2 HR (31; 2-Run & Solo) in the 3rd & 7th, 3 RBI (82)

*Russell Martin – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (11) in the 2nd, RBI (41)

White Sox

*Adam Dunn – 1 for 2

*A.J. Pierzynski – 1 for 2

Current Yankees Record: 66-42

Notes

Mark Teixeira set a Major League-record as he hit home runs from both sides of the plate for the 12th time. The two home runs by the Yankees first baseman gave him a total of 31 for the 2011 season, one behind Jose Bautista. The 3 runs driven in by Teixeira made up for half of the run support that starter Phil Hughes received and based on the way the righty was pitching in the stormy Chicago, that was more than he needed.

Phil Hughes exhibited confidence in his fastball, reaching 94 mph, and his other pitches as he went a complete game of 6 shutout innings.  Obviously a “complete game” is 9 innings so he was simply credited with his 2nd win of the season. However this start may have been one of the bigger starts by Hughes this season. With the return of Ivan Nova during the doubleheader with the Baltimore Orioles, Joe Girardi was put in a dilemma as he had to determine what to do with his rotation. Ivan Nova’s solid start may have lit a fire under Phil Hughes as tonight was reminiscent of the dominance he exhibited during the first half of last year’s season.

Sadly (speaking as a Hughes fan), despite unexpectedly having 6 effective starting pitchers, it would not be the optimal situation for the Yankees to implement the 6-man rotation. While they are all effective, the one that needs to be on the mound every 5 games is CC Sabathia, no doubt about it. He is one of the most effective starting pitchers in baseball. He is leading the league in wins with 16 and is a horse of a pitcher. He’s capable of making a bad outing last 7 or 8 innings and still give his team the opportunity to win. A 6-man rotation would reduce his starts. Based on what the Yankees have in front of them, I believe Phil Hughes talents would be better suited in the bullpen, for the good of the team.