Islanders acquire center Bobby Hughes

Today, the New York Islanders have acquired 5'11'' center, Bobby Hughes, from the Carolina Hurricanes for center Rob Hennigar. Hughes was selected in the 4th round (123rd overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Hurricanes. Despite being small, Hughes is known for his strength as he could hold his own with the bigger skaters. In 243 career OHL games, Hughes scored 103 goals, had 150 assists, for 253 career points. He played 26 career AHL games and had 6 goals, 10 assists, for 16 points. Good move for the Islanders as Hughes is projected to be a better player then Hennigar.

Islanders - Mike Sillinger retires

Two days ago, Mike Sillinger announced that he will be retiring from a 17 year NHL career. The two hip surgeries is the main reason for his retirement. In a 17 year career, Mike Sillinger played in 1,049 NHL games, scored 240 goals, 308 assists, for 548 career points.

Yankees - Yankees beat Beckett, Red Sox 8-4 and win 3 game series

Hideki Matsui and his two home runs, help defeat Josh Beckett and the Boston Red Sox 8-4 on Sunday Night.

Yankees - The status of Matsui?

Sorry for the brief hiatus, went on a last minute one day vacation. Hideki Matsui, who hasn't played the last few games because of lingering knee problems, says his knees aren't as bad as they were in April which means he may come back sooner than later.

Yankees - Ok nevermind, Joba starts Sunday

A few days ago, it was reported that Joba would start a week from his last start and start on Wednesday against Oakland. Now, Joe Girardi has stated that Joba will pitch Sunday on regular rest. Instead, Gaudin will now start Wednesday's game. It is not known at this time when Chamberlain will receive the extra rest. Stay tuned.

Yankees - Yankees destroy mariners 11-1

CC Sabathia pitched another brilliant game and Hideki Matsui had his best game of the year, smacking two home runs to give the Yankees an 11-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.

Yankees - Joba will rest for week

In an effort to preserve Joba Chamberlain for the future, the Yankees are limiting his innings and having him rest this week. Chad Gaudin, who pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief in his Yankee debut, will start Sunday against the Seattle Mariners. Chamberlain, who has already pitched a career high 121.2 innings this season, will start next wednesday in Oakland. Despite the rest, by seasons end (including playoffs), Chamberlain should still end up with 150 innings pitched or more. It will be very interesting to see how Yankees manager, Joe Girardi, handles this.

As a fan, i'm not sure if I like this for this year despite it being beneficial in the long run because, the Yankees are serious World Series contenders and too much rest could throw Chamberlain out of a rhythm. But who knows, we'll see what happens.

Yankees - Another walk off win, this time in 12 innings

The New York Yankees, the kings of the walk off wins, have struck again. This time winning in extra innings 4-3. Game Recap will be up later.

Yankees - Yanks comeback and win 7-5

Yet again, the Yankees had late inning magic and yet again, they had back-to-back jacks to give them a lead. This eventually led to a 4-run 8th inning to give the Yankees a 7-5 win over the Blue Jays. The Yankees started the scoring early with RBI singles from Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the 2nd, Melky Cabrera would hit a sac fly to center, bringing home Robinson Cano for a 3-0 lead. The Blue Jays would strike in the top of the 3rd, as Lyle Overbay hit a bases clearing double, tying the game at 3. Randy Ruiz would give the Blue Jays the lead in the 4th, with a home run to right field making it 4-3. Then the late inning magic hit. Hideki Matsui led off the bottom of the 8th with a booming solo home run to deep right to tie it up at 4. Next batter, Jorge Posada would just barely clear the right field fence and the glove of Joe Inglett (the home run went to replay and went in favor of the Yankees) to give the Yankees a 5-4 lead. Eric Hinske would then get on base with a double to right field. Newly acquired Yankee, Jerry Hairston Jr, would then pinch run for Hinske and eventually come around to score due to a Melky Cabrera RBI single to left field, which gave the Yankees a 6-4 lead. Cabrera would then steal 2nd and come around to score via a RBI single to right field by Johnny Damon but, Damon would get caught up in a run down to end the 8th inning with the Yankees leading 7-4. Mariano Rivera would come in to close out the game for the league leading 33rd save of the season but, not before Edwin Encarnacion homered to deep center, cutting the lead to 7-5. The run would be the first run Rivera allowed since June 12th. Scott Richmond pitched well for the Jays ( 6 innings pitched, 5 hits allowed, 3 earned runs, walked 2 and struck out 8) but, would receive a no decision. Joba Chamberlain who's been superb in his last few outings, was mediocre tonight ( 6 innings pitched, 5 hits allowed, 4 earned runs, walked 2 and struck out 5) and would also receive a no decision. This team just never dies. They continue to fight no matter what, hence their 39 come from behind wins this season.

Winning Pitcher - David Robertson (2-1)
Losing Pitcher - Jesse Carlson (1-5)
Save - Mariano Rivera (33)

Player of the game - Jorge Posada ( 2 for 4, 2 RBIs and the go ahead home run in the 8th)

Other notes - The Yankees get their league leading 70th win of the season as they stand at 70-43. They are 8-2 in their last 10. The Blue Jays fall to 54-58. Boston is currently in a delay and lead the tigers 6-3. As of now, the Yankees have a 6 game lead over the Red Sox for first place in the American League East.

Yankees - Mark Teixeira for MVP?

With the timely hits, mammoth home runs, and irreplaceable defense at 1st base, Mark Teixeira could be the American League's Most Valuable Player in 2009. Teixeira, who has a .286 average with 29 home runs and, 83 runs batted in, is sure posting up MVP-like numbers. It's still early yet but, I can't see anyone winning that award over him. Come October, Mark Teixeira will win his first career MVP award. To go along with his MVP award, he will also undoubtedly win his 3rd career Gold Glove award for his astounding defense at 1st base this year. In 108 games this season, Teixeira only has 1 error and tons of highlight reel worthy defensive plays. Heck, he'll probably also win his 3rd career Silver Slugger award. So far, he's been worth every penny the Yankees spent on him this off-season. So I ask you, is there anyone more deserving of the MVP award than Big Tex?

Yankees - Blue Jays edge Yankees 5-4

Unfortunately, no late inning magic here as the Yankees winning streak ends at 7. The game went back and forth for a little bit until Lyle Overbay launched a home run to deep right center to give the Blue Jays a 5-4 lead that would hold up. The Yankees fall to 69-43 on the year and are now 5.5 games up on the Red Sox, who won 6-5 tonight over the Detroit Tigers. Tomorrow, Joba Chamberlain (8-2) will take the mound against Scott Richmond (6-6) as the Yankees try to get back on the winning track.

Yankees - Yankees Sweep 4 game set against Red Sox

The Yankees sweep a 4 game set against the Red Sox with a 5-2 win. This game had a similar feeling from Friday's 15 inning game because both teams remained scoreless til the bottom of the 7th, when Alex Rodriguez hit a solo blast off of John Lester to make it 1-0. The Boston Red Sox, who has been shutout for 31 consecutive innings, finally got the board with a Victor Martinez 2-run home run with one out in the 8th inning off of Phil Coke that gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. I wondered why Girardi did not go with Phil Hughes in the 8th inning because, despite pitching 2 days in a row, he only threw a total of 9 pitches. The Red Sox sent out the young, hard throwing, right-hander Daniel Bard in the bottom half of the 8th. He would get 2 quick outs before some more Yankee late inning magic came. Johnny Damon would send a 1-0 fastball to right center field to tie the game at 2. Next batter, Mark Teixeira sends a 0-1 curve ball to right field to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead. The back-to-back home runs would be the 6th time this season the Yankees have done the feat. Alex Rodriguez would then walk, sending in Hideki Okajima to relieve Bard. Jorge Posada would proceed to hit a double to right field leaving runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs for Nick Swisher. Swisher would hit a 2-run single to center field to give the Yankees a 5-2 lead. Mariano Rivera would come in and record the final three outs for save number 32. The Yankees win it 5-2, in yet another late inning, come from behind win. What a great pitchers duel as well. John Lester pitched 7 innings allowing 1 earned run on 5 hits, walked none and struck out 7. Andy Pettitte was just as good, pitching 7 innings, allowing only 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4. Both would receive a no decision. Boston, who have now lost 6 straight, falls to 62-48 and 6.5 games behing the Yankees for first place with the loss. The Yankees, who have now won 7 straight, improves to 69-42 (currently the best record in baseball) with the win. What a game, what a series.

Winning Pitcher - Phil Coke (4-3)
Losing Pitcher - Daniel Bard (0-1)
Save - Mariano Rivera (32)

Player of the game - Mark Teixeira ( went 2 for 4 with game winning home run)

Red Sox Vs Yankees Series Recap :

Red Sox 0 - wins - Yankees 4
Red Sox 8 - runs - Yankees 25
Red Sox .174 - AVG - Yankees .299
Red Sox 3 - home runs - Yankees 9
Red Sox 5.82 - ERA - Yankees 1.71

Yankees - Boston shutout for 31 innings.

Fun little fact, the Red Sox has been shutout for 31 innings for the first time in 35 years. Come back later for game recap.

Updated at 11:02 p.m. - Victor Martinez ended that streak due to a Victor Martinez 2-run home run.

Yankees - Yankees shutout and beat the Red Sox 5-0

For the first time since August 12-13th, 2002, the New York Yankees have shutout the Red Sox in back-to-back games. The Yankees dominated throughout in the 5-0 win in the Bronx. The Yankees started the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Mark Teixeira singled in Melky Cabrera to make it 1-0. Yankees would strike again in the bottom of the 6th with some small ball. Jose Molina with one out and a runner on 3rd, hits a sac-fly to make it 2-0. They tried to break the game wide open in the bottom of the 7th with the bases loaded and one out but, only managed a run thanks to a Nick Swisher walk to make it 3-0. Derek Jeter would finally make the game out of reach with a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 8th, making it 5-0. For a second straight game, Yankees starting pitching was dominant. CC Sabathia (12-7) had a no hit bid until the 6th. He pitched 7.2 innings allowing just 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out 9. For the Red Sox, Clay Buchholz (1-2) had a decent line: 6 innings pitched, 6 hits, 2 earned runs, 5 walks and 3 strikeouts. Ramon Ramirez would take over in relief but, only lasted 1/3 of an inning due to an ejection for hitting Alex Rodriguez with a pitch. This caused some controversy because there were no warnings during the game. I would guess he got thrown out because, earlier in the game Buchholz came up and in on Rodriguez and the ball maybe grazed his shoulder but, was ruled a foul ball as the ball went off his bat. Recently called up Enrique Gonzalez, would come in and pitch 1.2 innings and serve up the 2-run homer by Jeter in the 8th. The Yankees (68-42) have won the first 3 games in this 4 game set and now have won 6 straight. The Red Sox (62-47) now have lost 5 straight and have fallen 5.5 games back of the Yankees for first place. Also the Red Sox have not scored a run in 24 innings. Tomorrow, Andy Pettitte (9-6) will take the mound against John Lester (9-7) and try to complete a 4-game sweep of the Red Sox.

Winning Pitcher - CC Sabathia (12-7)
Losing Pitcher - Clay Buchholz (1-2)

Player of the game - CC Sabathia

Yankees - Yankees sign and bring up Josh Towers

Josh Towers, a 32-year old veteran, has joined the Yankees to provide a fresh arm in a tired bullpen. After a 5 1/2 hour, 15 inning game last night, this is a much needed move. Towers, who signed a minor league contract in early May, has signed a big league contract to join the Yankees. According to yankees.com, Towers last appearance was a 7 inning shutout where he allowed only 5 hits, 3 walks while striking out 2. In Towers' career of 7 major league seasons, he's compiled a 45-55 record and a save, with a 4.96 ERA. The former Oriole and Blue Jay could be a candidate for the 5th spot in the rotation if Mitre continues to struggle and if Gaudin struggles as well.

Yankees - 8/7/09 Yankees beat Red Sox 2-0 in 15 innings.

Alex Rodriguez went 71 at-bats without a home run, the longest homer-less drought of his career, before ending that streak and ending an instant classic game with a walk off 2-run home run in the bottom of the 15th inning. It sure felt like October baseball in the Bronx with the cool weather and a great pitching duel between Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett. Beckett pitched 7 innings, allowed just 4 hits, no runs, 2 walks and struck out 7. Burnett pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowed just 1 hit, no runs, 6 walks and struck out 6. The pitching in this game was so dominant that there was only one extra base hit (besides the a-rod home run) the whole game, a double from Robinson Cano. Both pitchers would end up getting a no decision. The bullpens were equally good too. The Red Sox used all 7 pitchers in their bullpen, as the Yankees used everyone but Robertson and Melancon. The Red Sox bullpen pitched 7.2 innings allowing only one hit (the home run), 1 earned run, 5 walks and had 7 strikeouts. The Yankees bullpen was even better in 7.1 innings pitched they allowed only 3 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks and had 8 strikeouts. It seemed like this game was never going to end because there were barely any hits, barely anything at all. That all changed in the bottom of the 15th inning. With one out and Jeter on 1st base, Alex Rodriguez launched a game winning, walk off 2-run home run to deep left center off of Boston's rookie pitcher Junichi Tazawa, to give the Yankees their 2nd victory of the season against the Red Sox and finally put an end to the 5 and a half hour game. With the win, the Yankees improve to 67-42 (best record in MLB) and extend their winning streak to 5 games. The Red Sox, who have lost 4 straight, fall to 62-46 and now are 4.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the American League East.
Overall, the game will one day be on the YES Network as a "Yankee Classic."

Winning Pitcher - Phil Coke (3-3)
Losing Pitcher - Junichi Tazawa (0-1)

Player of the game - Alex Rodriguez ( 2 for 7, 1HR, 2 RBIs)

Yankees - Yankees snap losing streak against sox, win 13-6

For the first time this season, the Yankees have defeated the Red Sox and it was by the large margin of 13-6. It's a big win for the Yankees, who improve to 66-42, as the Red Sox fall 3.5 games behind for first place. The Yankees hit four homeruns, two of them were 3-run homeruns in the bottom of the 4th inning by Melky Cabrera and Jorge Posada en route to 8-run inning. The other two homeruns were by Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira (both solo blasts). Both starters struggled today. For the Red Sox, Smoltz only lasted 3.1 innings for the loss and allowed 9 hits, 8 earned runs, and 4 walks. For the Yankees, Chamberlain barely pitched 5 innings for the win and allowed 6 hits, 4 earned runs, and a season high 7 walks. He also struck out 5. Other notes : Damon, Teixeira and Posada all had 3-hit games.

Winning Pitcher - Joba Chamberlain (8-2)
Losing Pitcher - John Smoltz (2-5)

Player of the game - Jorge Posada

Yankees acquire pitcher Chad Gaudin from Padres

A few moments ago, the Yankees acquired starting pitcher Chad Gaudin from the Padres for a player to be named later. Gaudin is 4-10 with a 5.13 ERA in 20 games this season. This will be Gaudin's 4th different team in the last 3 years. He played for Oakland and the Cubs in 2008 and, this past year with the Padres. This move gives the Yankees more depth at starting pitching and/or bullpen help.

Yankees - Can we finally win one this time around?

It's that time again. The team that's been causing the Yankees overwhelming frustration with each game played against each other, is back and in town tonight. The Boston Red Sox, who are 8-0 so far this season against the Yanks, are in the Bronx for a 4-game set. Joba Chamberlain, hopes to give the Yankees their first victory of the year against the Red Sox as he will be opposed by John Smoltz. With the Yankees 8-4 win last night over the Blue Jays and Boston's 6-4 loss to the Rays, the Yankees are in first place, 2.5 games up on the second place Red Sox. The Yankees will look to extend that divison lead starting tonight at 7:05.

Yankees - Yankees 5, Blue Jays 3 Final

Yankees hit 3 homeruns off of Roy Halladay for 5-3 win. The Yankees started the scoring early with an RBI double from Alex Rodriguez, and a throwing error by Kevin Millar which scored Matsui to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead after the 1st inning. Alex Rios put the Blue Jays on scoreboard with an RBI sac-fly in the bottom of the 4th inning, cutting the lead to 2-1. In the top of the 8th, Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira would hit back-to-back solo homeruns to right field to make it 4-1 Yankees. With Mariano Rivera pitching in the bottom of the 8th, Vernon Wells hits a 2 out, 2 run double but, Rivera would get the final out and escape with the score at 4-3. Hideki Matsui gave the Yankees a big insurance run in the top of the 9th inning with a booming solo homerun to straight away center field which made it a 5-3 Yankees lead. The Blue Jays made Rivera sweat in the 9th but, Rivera was able to get the final 3 outs for his 31st save of the year. The Yankees improve to 64-42 with the win and the Blue Jays fall to 51-55. Andy Pettitte (9-6) pitched 6.2 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 earned run, 4 walks and, struck out 6. Roy Halladay (11-5), despite pitching a complete game, gets the loss. He allowed 10 hits, 4 earned runs while striking out 5. Tomorrow the Yankees have Mitre on the mound as he'll face rookie starting pitcher Marc Rzepczynski.

Winning Pitcher - Andy Pettitte (9-6)
Losing Pitcher - Roy Halladay (11-5)
Save - Mariano Rivera (31)

Update 12:23 a.m. - Boston loses 4-2 to Tampa. Yankees are now 1 and 1/2 games up in first place.

Islanders - "Just Build It"

Updated 3:54 p.m. - Unfortunately, I could not really attend the hearing since I was cleaning and breaking down the rally event so, if you want information on the hearing CLICK HERE to go to the official Lighthouse Project live blog.

That was basically the theme today as well as on the back of many people. People who attended the early morning rally at the Coliseum received free "Just Build It" t-shirts (see picture to the right). A few hundred of supporters showed up and began "Just Build It," chants. Charles Wang and partner Scott Rechler spoke briefly, as well as Islanders broadcaster Howie Rose and Islander legend Bobby Nystrom. They all spoke mostly about the amount of jobs the project would create and how Long Island needs it, not just to keep the Islanders on Long Island but, to keep and bring in younger adults. The poor economic times was also brought up and how the project will put many Long Islanders to work during these difficult times. Howie Rose talked about how the Islanders desperately need a new state-of-the-art facility. He said, as a broadcaster he gets to visit just about all of the NHL's arenas. That how looking at them makes him realize how badly the Islanders really need a new building despite all the good times and experiences that took place at the aging Nassau Coliseum. My favorite quote of the day was delivered by Bobby Nystrom. “We cannot afford to lose the Islanders because they are a symbol of Long Island and a symbol of pride.” As a die hard Islanders fan, I cannot disagree with that statement. The rally really made everyone there feel optimistic that the project will soon be approved but, as Charles Wang said, “we’re not there yet. Don’t let up the pressure. We have to keep it going until we get that shovel in the ground,” we will have to show our continued support until the Lighthouse project see's the word “approved.”

Islanders - Show your support and come rally tomorrow!

The big day is here for the New York Islanders. The public hearing for the Lighthouse project is tomorrow August 4th, 2009 at the Adams Playhouse at Hofstra University at 9:30 a.m. There is a rally being held at 8:00 a.m. in parking field 8 at the Nassau Coliseum. People attending the rally will march from the parking field to the Adams Playhouse. First 2,000 people will receive a "Just Build It" t-shirt. Islanders Joel Rechlicz and Josh Bailey will be on hand for the hearing and rally. Of course, I will be attending this hearing to show my support and because I am working the event. I will probably be supervising the march so come find me to say hi, I'll be wearing a "Just Build It" t-shirt. I hope to see you all there. Show your support to help keep the New York Islanders on Long Island and let's all march together.

Islanders - Islanders re-sign Blake Comeau

Islanders re-sign forward Blake Comeau to a one-way, 2 year contract. It was only a matter of time before a deal got done.

Yankees - Aug 2nd - Yanks 8, Whitesox 5

Melky Cabrera hit for the cycle to help the Yankees avoid a 4-game sweep by beating the Whitesox 8-5 on Sunday. Cabrera went 4 for 5 with 4 RBI's on the day. CC Sabathia pitched 7 innings giving up 10 hits, 5 earned runs while striking out 5 to win his 11th game of the year. The not so perfect Buehrle only lasted 4 1/3 innings allowed 12 hits and 7 earned runs for the loss. Mariano Rivera pitched a scoreless 9th to pick up his 30th save of the season. Big win for the Yanks who remain 1/2 game on the rival Red Sox for first place in the American League East. Next up for the Yanks is an off day today, followed by a 3-game set in Toronto against the divison rival Bluejays. The 8-6 Pettite will face off against the Bluejays ace, Roy Halladay who is 11-4 on the season.

Yankees - Yanks getting dominated so far in Chicago

Whitesox win series with a 14-4 win over the Yankees today. Tough series so far for the Yanks. Pitching was non-existent. Mitre looked really bad in yesterday's game. Like i've stated a few days ago, he most likely isn't a good option for the 5th spot in the rotation. With a Boston (61-42) win, the Yankees (62-42) are now only a half game up on them for first place. Tomorrow, the Yankees will look to avoid a 4-game sweep with CC Sabathia on the mound tomorrow against Mark Buehrle.