Yankees Post Game Recap 6/23

Yankees vs. Mets Post Game Recap 6/23

The Yankees were able to pull of the come from behind win tonight over the Mets, winning 4-3 and clinching the season series winning 4 of the first 5 games against the Mets. The win snapped the three game losing streak

Ivan Nova had an okay start for the Yankees, going 5.2 innings allowing five hits three walks and three runs, only two of which were earned due to a Alex Rodriguez error in the 4th inning. Nova's big mistake of the game came with runners on 1st and 3rd in the 6th inning with two outs, giving up a base hit to Mets starting pitcher Chris Young, scoring Daniel Murphy and leading to Nova getting pulled.

The Yankees offense was baffled by Chris Young for the first six innings before Raul Ibanez was able to hit a 3-run homerun, his 11th of the season, scoring Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira and tying the game 3-3 in the 7th.

The tie wouldn’t last long as Eric Chavez was able to hit his first career pinch hit homerun later in the 7th inning off Jon Rauch for his 5th of season and gave the Yankees the lead 4-3.

The Yankees were able to run, something that has certainly been lacking due to the absence of Brett Gardner; but with Chris Young’s long delivery to the plate Derek Jeter was able to get his 6th stolen base of the year and Curtis Granderson got his 4th of the season.

The Yankees bullpen was great tonight going 3.1 innings not allowing a run and striking out 8 batters, as Rafael Soriano was able to close the deal for the Yankees picking up 14th save of the season in the win.

The Yankees and Mets will face off for the 3rd game of the series as the Yanks will be looking to win the rubber game of the series at Citi Field and win 5 of 6 from the Mets for the year as C.C Sabathia (9-3, 3.55) will be facing the Mets red hot starter R.A Dickey (11-1, 2.00).

Lin and Novak Win Early Bird Rights Appeal

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The Knicks season did not go as hoped, but they could not have asked for a better start to the off-season. 

The day after the Miami Heat won the NBA Championship, the Knicks had a victory of their own.  Arbitrator Kenneth Dam ruled that Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak would retain their “Early Bird” rights heading into the 2012-2013 season.  In addition, Chauncey Billups and J.J. Hickson won their full Bird Rights from the same trial. 

"Bird and Early Bird Rights are the lynchpin of our Soft Cap system and we're pleased that Professor Dam recognized that a player does not forfeit these important rights unless he makes an affirmative decision to sign with a new team as a free agent," NBPA Executive Director Billy Hunter said.  "Players fought hard for a Collective Bargaining Agreement that allows maximum flexibility for free agent players while as permitting teams to retain their core free agents and today's decision affirms both these important principles." 

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This outcome was a surprise for some, especially NBA commissioner David Stern.  He had expressed confidence that the NBA would win this case, denying the players who were claimed on waivers their “Bird” and “Early Bird” rights.  The NBA plans to appeal the ruling, and have 10 days to do so.  Ron Klempner, the NBA players’ association Deputy General Counsel, has confidence that the ruling will stand even after the appeal.

Klempner said, "The NBA is entitled under the CBA to file and appeal and we will respond accordingly.  We don't think any such appeal has merit and we are confident that the decision will stand and these players will benefit from it, whether it's through an expedited appeal process or a negotiated resolution."

Future players claimed off waivers should reap the same benefits that these four players have as well.  

This is a huge win for the Knicks, whose outlook on the off-season was very cloudy at best; now it is clearer.  With Lin and Novak winning the case, their salaries will not count against the Knicks cap, meaning they can go over the salary cap to retain both players.  This is important because they can now save the mid-level exception slot to add another piece to the puzzle.  There have been plenty of rumors swirling about players such as Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Jamal Crawford, Raymond Felton and Lamar Odom wanting to play for the Knicks.  This ruling in court has made the possibility of adding players of such stature increase immensely.  

Yankees vs Mets Post Game Recap 6/22

Yankees vs. Mets Post Game Recap 6/22

Yankees fell to the Mets 6-4 in the first game of the series at Citi Field as a rough 1st inning for Andy Pettitte put the Yankees in a hole that they couldn’t climb out of as the Bronx Bombers are now on a 3 game losing streak.

Andy Pettitte's first start as a 40 year old didn’t treat him well, as he got rocked in the 1st inning giving up five runs on five hits and two walks in the 1st inning with Ike Davis providing the big blow with a 3-run shot that hit off a leaping Nick Swisher's glove helping it over the wall. Andy was able to settle down afterwards only giving up two hits in the next five innings.

Cory Wade's struggles continue as he gave up two hits and one earned run in 7th inning as that is now three straight appearances allowing a run.

Yankees offense took a while to score but Alex Rodriguez was able to hit a solo homerun, his 12th of the season in the 6th inning for the Yankees first run of the game.

Andruw Jones followed in the 7th inning hitting a solo homerun of his own his, 7th of the season, and tied Mets great Mike Pizza for 43rd on the all time homerun list. Jones also showed off some of his old fielding abilities making a diving catch in the bottom half of the 7th robbing Scott Hairston of a hit and making the throw to 2nd base to double off David Wright.

Robinson Cano was able to get the Yankees closer in the 8th inning with a monstrous two run homerun into right field scoring Mark Teixeira for his 15th of the season.

Yankees and Mets will play the second game of the series Saturday night as Ivan Nova (9-2, 4.32) will face Chris Young (1-1, 3.06).