Waiver Wire: Justin Morneau Placed On Waivers

Since Mark Teixeira went down for the season because of wrist surgery, the Yankees have been looking for another bat, preferably a first baseman, to provide a reliable backup for Lyle Overbay. The Yankees have used David Adams and even Vernon Wells at first, but acquiring a real first baseman isn't out of the question.

A first base bat the Yankees have had interest in is now on the open market. According the multiple reports, the Minnesota Twins have place left-handed hitting first baseman Justin Morneau on waivers. The 48-hour waiver period expires Wednesday at 1 pm EST.

The Yankees are in a good position to claim the former all-star, as they are currently ahead of the Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland A's, Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox, in that order.

The waiver order is based on the American League standings entering the day, from worst to first. Being ahead of other contending teams, the Yanks have a chance to either claim him, or keep the other contenders from grabbing.

Morneau is currently hitting .262 with 14 home runs and 67 RBIs, and he's still owed $3.67 million for the rest of the season as of Tuesday, entering free-agency this offseason.

Any team that might claim him would be getting him at a good time, as he's been hitting the ball well lately, with six homeruns over his last 12 games, with 52 at-bats in that span. Three of those homeruns came over the weekend while the Twins were playing the White Sox in Minnesota.

"I don't think a hot streak or a cold streak will affect that too much," Morneau said of his trade value. "If there's a team that feels like you can contribute, if they feel like it's worth giving up something, that will happen. If not, I'm happy here."

If the Yankees did claim Morneau, the two teams would still have to work out a trade for the slugger, or the Twins could let Morneau go to the Yankees for only the cost of his salary.

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Sabathia And Vargas Face-Off On National Left-Handers Day

At this moment, there is no pitcher in the American League that's been more successful since the starts of the July than Hiroki Kuroda. Kuroda showed the Angels his greatness last night, firing off eight shutout innings, giving up just three hits, in an effort that lead to his fifth scoreless outing in his last nine starts.

Curtis Granderson was also a big factor in the Yankees 2-1 win last night over the Angels, as Granderson launched his third homerun of the season, taking a fastball right down the middle from Angels starter Garrett Richards, that ended up in the second deck in right field.

The Yankees win last night gave them consecutive wins for the first time since July 10th-11th against the Kansas City Royals, and now they'll go for their first three-game winning streak for the first time since July 10th-12th, when Yankees beat the Royals twice, then took the series opener against the Twins.

Tonight's Lineup, 7:05 EST @ Yankee Stadium:

Nunez SS
Soriano LF
Cano 2B
Rodriguez DH
Wells RF
Granderson CF
Nix 3B
Overbay 1B
Romine C
Sabathia LHP

Pitching Preview:

It's a simple fact, the New York Yankees can not win if CC Sabathia is not pitching well. Obviously, that's been the case for the Yankees lately, as Sabathia has struggled mightily, giving up 30 runs in his last five outings.

The best of those outing was just last week when Sabathia tossed 7 1/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox, permitting just three runs on five hits, and hit didn't walk a single batter. A lthough the solid effort, the Yanks went on to lose the game after Mariano Rivera blew the first of three straight saves in the 9th.

"Obviously, we want to win the game," Sabathia said after the loss to the White Sox. "It's a tough situation, but, you know, hopefully this [good start] will help me out."

Sabathia will take the mound against the Angels tonight for the second time this season, the last coming June, when CC held the Angels to two runs on five hits in eight solid innings.

Taking the mound for the Angels is left-hander Jason Vargas, who hasn't pitched since mid-June, when a blood clot was discovered in his armpit area and surgery was required. The Angels are happy to have him back.

"It's a big piece to get back, but you need more than just Jason," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "You need the opportunity to win games and have your starters give you a chance to win games on a daily basis. That's the depth that we need. Jason is one piece of that. Hopefully, he can pick up where he left off."

When Vargas left, he was sporting a 6-4 record with a 3.65 ERA. Along with, Vargas had fired off six quality starts in his last seven outings, and the Angels are 7-2 in his last nine starts.

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Kuroda Dominates Again, Yankees Win 2-1

Let's get this straight, Hiroki Kuroda is a top three candidate for the American League Cy Young award. The Yankees most dominating and consistent pitcher in 2013 was at it again Monday night, tossing eight shutout innings against the Los Angeles Angels in the Yankees 1-0 win.

Kuroda was just as dominant as any other outing for him this season. The only three hits he gave up on the night were a double to Josh Hamilton to open the 2nd, an infield single by the speedy Mike Trout, and a double by Chris Iannetta with two outs in the 8th.

He worked very economical all night, need just 16 pitches to get through the 6th and 7th innings combine, with a total of 107 pitches for the game.

"His offspeed stuff is very difficult to pick up," Angels catcher Chris Iannetta said. "The rotation on it, you couldn't really pick it up. You had to wait a long time, which made you late on the fastball. If you're trying to hit the fastball, you're ahead on the offspeed. He kept guys off balance -- very deceptive, very good location."

Although Kuroda has pitched well all season, his low win total has been the product of very poor run support from the Yankees offense. That wasn't much of an issue Monday night, as Kuroda kept Anaheim off the board, the Yanks were able to put a pair of runs on the board to back Kuroda.

The Yanks first run came in the third inning after Eduardo Nunez single to center field with one out, then a well timed hit and run put on by Yankees manager Joe Girardi move Nunez over to second on a groundball out by Chris Stewart.

A couple pitches later, Brett Gardner, Sunday's hero with his walk-off homerun in the 9th inning, lined a single into left-center field that brought home Nunez, giving the Yanks a 1-0 lead.

Angels starter Garrett Richards battled with Kuroda all night, virtually matching his line, apart from a couple mistake here and there. His biggest mistake of the game was a fastball to Curtis Granderson in the 7th inning that he left right over the plate, that Granderson would put into the second deck in right field, extending the Yankees lead to 2-0.

"[Granderson] knows when he's starting to get right," Girardi said. "It's a feeling you feel when you're seeing the ball better. [Richards] has good stuff."

Like Kuroda, Richards pitched into the 8th inning, giving the Angels an equally impressive performance, permitting just the two runs on seven hits, while walking one and striking out three in eight very solid innings, with just the couple of mistakes to his credit.

With Mariano Rivera not available to pitch, Boone Logan was the man to come into the game for Kuroda, who finished with a line of no runs on three hits, while walking one and striking out seven in eight innings.

"I told Larry I will pitch no matter what, but I would take the day off if it's OK," Rivera said.

J.B. Shuck opened the inning with a single to right field off the first base bag, then Logan came back to strike out Kole Calhoun. Girardi then pulled the plug on Logan, bringing in David Robertson to get the final two outs.

Robertson walked Trout to put runners on 1st and 2nd, then Hamilton blooped a shallow fly ball over A-Rod at third that brought home Shuck, moved Trout to third and put Hamilton on second. Robertson intentionally walked Erick Aybar with first base open to load the bases.

Robertson struck out Mark Trumbo for a big second out, then he Chris Nelson to a full-count and struck him out on what would have been ball four to end the ball, and give the Yankees consecutive wins for the first time since July 11th-12th.

"It was a little different, but we've got a pretty good bullpen down there," Stewart said. "We've got guys that can do the job. They made it a little interesting toward the end. They didn't get hit hard, but balls fell in. They kept their cool and finished the game out."

Monday's start was just another in the impressive run by Kuroda, as he's now 4-1 since the start of July, with a stellar ERA of 0.94. It was also the 5th scoreless outing in his last nine starts, and the 9th scoreless start this season, a major league best for Kuroda.

"We saw last year, coming into the [American League] East is not an easy task," catcher Chris Stewart said. "For him to come in and do what he did last year is really special. He's topping that -- even better this year. It just goes to show you, he's a veteran guy, he doesn't get fazed out there. With runners on base or in scoring position, he goes into shutdown mode and eliminates runs. He gets extremely focused."

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Kuroda Faces The Angels In Series Opener

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These days, it's going to take a lot to overshadow anything Alex Rodriguez does on the field. In the 9th inning yesterday, Mariano Rivera and Brett Gardner found a way to do that.

Rivera gave up a pair of homeruns in the 9th to Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez to tie the game, marking the third consecutive blown save by Rivera, just the first time in this legendary career that he's blown a save in three straight chances.

Then in the bottom half of the 9th, Gardner ended the game with one swing of the bat, taking Jose Veras deep to right field, sending the Yanks home with a 5-4 win, and their first series win since July 5th-7th against the Baltimore Orioles.

Now the struggling Los Angeles Angels come to town, having lost five of their last seven games, and were swept by the Texas Rangers last week on walk-off homeruns in all three games of the series.

The Yankees and Angels have already met once this year, back in Anaheim, when Los Angeles took two of the three games against a Yankees team that had been struggling badly at the time.

Tonight's Lineup, 7:05 EST @ Yankee Stadium:

Gardner CF
Suzuki DH
Cano 2B
Rodriguez 3B
Overbay 1B
Soriano LF
Granderson RF
Nunez SS
Stewart C
Kuroda RHP

Pitching Preview:

The Yankees bullpen was forced to put in a heavy workload over the weekend, with Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes lasting only 4 1/3 in each of their starts on Saturday and Sunday. The bullpen will get a chance to have an easy night with workhorse ace Hiroki Kuroda taking the mound.

Kuroda has been dominant on the mound over the past five weeks, going 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA and with 28 strikeouts in six starts over that span.

"He has pitched extremely well and he should have a lot more than 10 wins," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said after Kuroda's last start.

Kuroda didn't have his best stuff in his last outing, tossing seven innings of three-run ball against the Chicago White Sox, but was tagged with the loss after the Yankees failed to provide him with any run support, as usual in most of his starts.

"I wasn't really sharp out there, but I think I was able to get the big outs," Kuroda said.

Garrett Richards gets the ball for the Los Angeles Angels, making just his fourth starts for LA since taking over for Joe Blanton in the Angels in the rotation. In those three starts, Richards has an ERA of 2.50.

Richards came away with the no-decision in his last start after tossing giving up three runs on six hits, while walking one and striking out five in six innings of work, despite not having his best stuff.

Yankee Notes:

* Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before the game that Derek Jeter, who's currently on the DL with a Grade 1 calf strain, is scheduled to go through "tee and toss" drills today. "Then tomorrow I'm going to do some dry swings," he said. "In the pool."

When the Yankees leave for Boston on Friday, Jeter is expected to head south and continue his rehab at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa, Florida. Girardi was asked if Jeter would return to the lineup when he becomes eligible August 17th, and he said, "I'm not sure."

* Travis Hafner was eligible to return to the Yankees today after being on the DL since July 27th, but he's not ready yet, says Girardi. "He feels better and he's continuing his rehab," Girardi said. "But he's not ready to do baseball activities yet." Hafner might not return until September 1st, when rosters expand to 40-men.

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Gardner's Walkoff Homer In The 9th Win It For The Yanks

NEW YORK -- Yankees fans are cheering for Alex Rodriguez once again -- for now. After getting Saturday's game off, A-Rod was back in the Yanks lineup and launched his first homerun of the year off Justin Verlander in the 2nd, one of his two hits on the day to help the Yanks defeat the Tigers, 5-4.

Coming up to the plate to face Verlander in the 2nd, A-Rod was greeted by the fans with a mixture of cheers and boos, that would quickly turn to cheers after A-Rod took a fastball and turned on it, sending over the wall in left field to tie the game, 1-1.

"I think the fans have been incredible. I said that yesterday," Rodriguez said. "You want to turn boos into cheers, you want to go out and make them proud. All you want is really an opportunity and a chance. I think New York always gives you that. I certainly feel that way walking around the city. The support has never been stronger in my 10 years. I'm very thankful."

The Yankees would go on to take the lead later in the inning after Lyle Overbay singled following the homerun by A-Rod, then Curtis Granderson singled after Alfonso Soriano struck out, moving Overbay to third with one away.

Eduardo Nunez came up with runners on the corners and lifted a fly-ball to center field that would be deep enough for Overbay to tag and score, giving the Yanks a 2-1.

After Robinson Cano ripped a ground-rule double left field with two away, A-Rod came up again with a chance to drive in another run. A-Rod took a 2-2 pitch from Verlander and lined it down the right field line, bringing home Cano for the Yanks third run.

"Our hope was that he is in midseason form when he gets here, but you're never sure when a guy comes off the DL, and he's been there for a long time," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Today was a great day for [A-Rod]."

Soriano said after yesterday's game that the thought of getting his 2,000th with certainly on his mind, making it hard for him to focus during at-bats. Well, he can finally stop thinking about it. The first pitch he saw from Verlander in the 4th, Soriano blasted out to left field his career hit No. 2,000.

All this run support came to the benefit of Andy Pettitte, who didn't have his best stuff on this day. Detroit was all over Pettitte early, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single by Prince Fielder -- the eighth straight start in which Pettitte has given up a run in the first inning.

Although the Tigers were putting runners on base, they weren't able to do much against Pettitte, or any of the other Yankee pitchers in the game. Girardi decided to pulled the plug on Pettitte's day with one out in the 5th, taking him out after loading the bases. He gave up only one run on eight hits, walking three and striking out three in just 4 1/3.

"It's taxing on my body to throw that many pitches early in the game," said Pettitte. "I'm out there battling and grinding as hard as I can, but we've got to win ballgames right now."

Shawn Kelley took over for Pettitte, holding the Tigers to just one hit over an inning and a third. Boone Logan also tossed a scoreless inning and a third. David Robertson pitched the 8th, giving up a long homerun to Brian Pena, the first earned run given up Robertson since June 16th.

Perhaps the play of the game took place in the 8th inning. Austin Jackson was on first base with one out when Torii Hunter lifted a fly-ball that carried to deep center, and as Brett Gardner went back, he made the catch while slamming into the wall.

Shaken up by the play, he rolled the ball over the Soriano. Jackson thought the ball had been dropped, so he stayed at second, and when the ball made it's way back into the infield, Cano applied the tag,  completing the double play to end the inning.

Miguel Cabrera was on deck when the 8th inning ended, and was forced to face Mariano Rivera to open the 9th. Down two-strikes, Cabrera recreated Friday's magic, taking Rivera deep to pull the Tigers within one run, making it a 4-3 game.

A couple batters later, Victor Martinez tied the game with a no doubter into the second deck in right field, knotting the score at 4-4. It was the third consecutive blown save by Rivera, the first time in his Hall of Fame career that he's blown three straight saves.

"At least it's only the first time," Rivera said. "I don't pay attention to that stuff. I just try to go out there and do my job. The last three opportunities, I haven't done it. You have to continue battling and get better."

But with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, Gardner, who won the game for the Yankees on Friday with a walk-off single in the 10th, blastes a long, walk-off homerun to right field, giving the Yankees a 5-4 win.

"I think Mo has bailed us out quite a few times. Things like that happen," Gardner said. "That's the first time I've ever hit a walk-off homer. It might be the last. It didn't matter if it was me or someone else, we just needed to get a win today."

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Live Blog: Tampa Yankees vs Daytona Cubs

DAYTONA BEACH, Fl -- Hey! I'm currently blogging live from the legendary Jackie Robinson Ballpark in sunny Daytona Beach, Florida, for a Florida State League matchup between your Single-A Tampa Yankees and the Daytona Cubs.

Follow along here throughout the night as I keep you updated on everything that happens to the Baby Bombers.

Top of the 1st: Cubs starting pitcher C.J. Edwards -- recently acquired from the Rangers in the deal for Matt Garza -- retired Mason Williams, Robert Refsnyder and Ben Gamble in order to begin the ballgame.

Bottom of the 1st: Yankees No. 4 prospect Rafael De Paula is on the mound for the Yanks and he got himself into trouble early. An error and a single set up 1st and 3rd with one away, the a sac-fly brought home the game's first run. Another single set up runners on the corners once again, this time with two away. De Paula hit Dustin Geiger in the helmet, the got himself a flyout to left field to end the inning.

Top of the 2nd: Peter O'brien struck out to open the inning, the Matt Snyder drew a walk. After another strikeout by Tyson Blaser, Ali Castillo hammered his second homerun of the year over the left field wall to put the Yanks up 2-1.

Bottom of the 2nd: Much better inning from De Paula in the 2nd inning, getting a flyout to left field, but then followed by walking the No. 9 hitter. The runner wouldn't matter as DePaula would get the next two hitters to flyout.

Top of the 3rd: Yanks made a big threat, but didn't come away with much.Mikeson Oliberto doubled to open the frame, then a single by Williams and a walk by Refsnyder loaded the bases. Ben Gamble grounded out to bring home the Yanks third run of the game, then two of the next three Yanks struck out to end the inning.

Bottom of the 3rd: De Paula is starting to settle in nicely, striking out the first two hitters of the inning. Cubs outfielder dropped down a nice bunt over to third base, with the third baseman playing back, he beat it out. But no worry, the next hitter popped out to shallow right field for the third out.

Top of the 4th: Quiet inning for the Yankees, as Castillo hit a swinging bunt out in from of the plate, then Toussen walked. Oliberto and Williams followed with back to back punchouts, ending the inning, standing the runner on first.

Bottom of the 4th: Rough inning for De Paula in the 4th, as he showed off some control issues to open the inning, walking the first two batters. The No. 9 hitter laid down a sac-bunt to move the two runners over, the Zeke DeVoss ripped a two-run double over the head of the right field, tying the game, 3-3. Da Paula quickly rebounded, striking out the next two hitters, stranding the runner at 2nd.

Top of the 5th: Not much brewing for the Yanks in the 5th inning. Refsnyder grounded out the first base, then Gamel singled to right field for the Yanks third hit of the game, but O'brien and Snyder each grounded out to end the inning, still tied 3-3.

Bottom of the 5th: Yankees brought in their switch pitcher, yes, switch pitcher, Pat Venditte to begin the 5th. He walked the first two batters, then a got himself a strikeout for the first out. After a wild pitch put let the runner on 2nd moves to 3rd, the Cubs took a 4-3 lead on a sac-fly to right field. Ben Carhart flew out to right to end the inning.

Top of the 6th: Another quiet inning for the Yankees' bats. Blaser grounded out to get things going, then Castillo flew out on a weak flyball to right field. Toussen drew his second walk of the game, then the No. 9 hitter Oliberto followed right behind with a walk of his own. After the Cubs brought in a new pitcher, Williams grounded out to the second baseman.

Bottom of the 6th: As this game come barreling home at a snails pace, Venditte walked the leadoff hitter in the 6th, then got DeVoss to flyout. After a single from the Cubs' No. 2 hitter, Daytona grounded out, then a new Yankees pitcher, Charlie Short struck out the first hitter he faced to end the inning.

Top of the 7th: Gamel drew himself a one-out walk off Cubs pitcher Frank Del Valle, but was then picked off on the bases by the lefties move. O'brien then followed up with a walk, then Snyder singled to left-center field to set up runners on 1st and 2nd with two-away, but Blaser struck out to strand the runners.

Bottom of the 7th: Daytona tacked on two more runs on the bottom of the inning. The first two hitters singled to get on, then a walk loaded the bases. A 4-6-3 double play brought home a run, while also putting two outs on the board. The No. 9 hitter continued to be productive, singling on a line drive to left center, scoring the second run, extending the Cubs lead to 6-3. A questionable strike three call ended the inning.

Top of the 8th: Yankees didn't do anything to answer Daytona's two-runs inning in the 7th.Castillo struck out swinging, the Toussen flew out on a fly-ball to deep center, the Oliberto struck out the end the inning, going down in order.

Bottom of the 8th: Tampa pitcher Alex Smith opened the inning wit a strikeout, then the Cubs' No. 3 hitter reached base on a throwing error by the Yanks shortstop, airmailing the throw over first base. The runner on second was caught stealing third, then a flyout ti right field ended the inning.

Top of the 9th: Williams opened the inning with a flyout to center. The Yanks No. 2 prospect finished 1-for-5 with a single. Refsnyder stuck out swinging for out number two. Gamel walked to keep the game alive, but O'brien flew out to center field to end the game.

Final: Daytona Cubs 6, Tampa Yankees 3.

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Hughes Flops Again, Yanks Lose 9-3

NEW YORK -- The Detroit Tigers are one of the best teams in the American League and the New York Yankees are not, and that statement held true Saturday as the Tigers' offense burst out for nine runs off Phil Hughes and company, keeping the Yanks from winning consecutive game for the first time in almost a month.

Hughes didn't get off to a good start, giving up a triple to Austin Jackson to open the game. He would come in to score as the next batter, Torii Hunter, brought him in on a sac-fly to center.

A couple innings later, Miguel Cabrera continued to do what he does best, launching his 35th homerun of the season off Hughes in the 3rd inning, his second homerun in three at-bats -- his two-run homerun off Mariano Rivera tied the game in the 9th last night.

After a quiet 4th inning, the Tigers struck for most of their damage in the 5th. Jackson took Hughes deep for a solo blast, then Hunter singled to knock Hughes out of the game, allowing four runs on seven hits, while striking out six in only 4 1/3 innings. It was the sixth straight outing in which Hughes failed to pitch at least five innings.

The usually solid Preston Claiborne took over for Hughes but things didn't go over much smoother for him. Claiborne was welcomed to the game by giving up a single to Cabrera, then followed up with striking out Prince Fielder. Victor Martinez then lashed out with an RBI double to left field, then Don Kelley made it a 6-0 game with a two-run single to center.

The Yankees scored their only runs in the game on a long two-run homerun off the bat of Lyle Overbay in the 5th inning, putting the Yankees on the board against Anibal Sanchez, who had retired the first nine Yankees hitters to open the game.

Sanchez gave the Tigers a great effort and a good outing, giving up just the two runs on four hits, walking only one and striking out eight on 107 pitches in seven innings of work.

Claiborne induced a groundout to open the 6th, but then permitted a single to Jose Iglesias and walked Jackson. Yankees manager Joe Girardi had seen enough, making the move to bring in Joba Chamberlain to clean things up. That didn't work out too well as Joba gave up a three-run homerun to Hunter, extending the lead to 9-2.

Following Overbay's homerun in the 5th, only two more Yankees even reached base, with Overbay drawing a walk in the 7th and Ichiro songling in the 8th, putting him just seven hits shy of 4,000 career hits in the Majors and in Japan.

Adam Warren came into the game for the first time since blowing the lead in the 12th inning of the Yankees loss to the White Sox on Wednesday. He gave up just three hits in two shutout innings for the Yanks.

Though it didn't matter much, Overbay put another run on the board with a two-out RBI single, he drove in all three of the Yanks runs on the day, as the Yanks went on the lose 9-3.

Tonight: I'll be in Daytona Beach, Florida, checking out the Single-A Tampa Yankees as they take on the Daytona Cubs (Chicago Cubs Single-A team). Check be here as I'll have posts and update on anything I see from the Baby Bombers.

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Yanks Go For Second Straight Win With Hughes On The Mound

NEW YORK -- There's nothing more rare than a blown save by mariano Rivera, but a back to back blown saves by Mariano Rivera is almost unheard of. Last night, Miguel Cabrera took advantage of a cutter from Rivera, sending it into Monument Park to tie the game in the 9th inning.

Then, with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th, Brett Gardner slapped a fastball past a diving Cabrera into left field, scoring Jayson Nix to send the Yankees fans home happy with a 4-3 win, snapping the Bombers four-game losing skid.

Alex Rodriguez went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his game game at Yankee Stadium since his atrocious postseason. After receiving an almost even mixture of boos and cheers in his first at-bat, the boos grew louder as the night went on and the strikeouts piled up.

Today's Lineup, 1:05 EST @ Yankee Stadium:

Gardner CF
Ichiro RF
Cano 2B
Soriano DH
Granderson LF
Nunez SS
Overbay 1B
Nix 3B
Romine C
Hughes RHP

Pitching Preview:

It's been over a month since Phil hughes last won a game for the Yankees. This past month has been a struggle for Hughes, and in his last outing against the San Diego Padres on Sunday, he gave up five runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings.

"It's been really tough. It's been like a nightmare I can't wake up from," Hughes said after that game. "It's like a battle every time, even if I have a good start. It's not easy. On a day like this, it's really disappointing."

Hughes has been on and off in his career against the Tigers, going 5-5 with an ERA of 4.67 in the 11 times, nine starts, he's faced Detroit.

On the other hand, Hughes' counterpart, Anibal Sanchez, has been tossing the ball pretty well over the past couple of weeks. In four starts since the All-Star break, he's 2-1 with a 1.35 ERA. In his last starts against the Indians, he allowed two runs on four hits in, while striking out 11 in 7 2/3 innings.

"I pitched good and I feel good, but my first pitch [for strikes] hasn't been there, and I need it," Sanchez said after a recent outing. "I need to work on that, and I need to work on the out pitch, especially late in the count that I used to do right before I went on the DL [in June]."

Yankee Notes:

* According to reports from Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York, prior to A-Rod's home debut Friday night, the Yankees sent him a letter, officially informing him he will be disciplined for seeking a second opinion on an injury without club approval.

Francisco Cervelli was also given a letter by the Yankees, telling him he will be disciplined for failing to report to work prior to the announcement of his 50-game suspension.

* Last night's win snapped the Yankees four-game losing streak coming into play, and the loss for Detroit snapped their-12-game winning streak. The Yanks will now go for their second straight win on Saturday, looking for back to back wins for the first time since July 11th-12th.

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Gardner's Single In The 10th Win It For The Yanks

NEW YORK -- Friday marked the long awaited return of Alex Rodriguez to the Bronx, but by the end of the night, A-Rod was just a simple footnote on the side of Mariano Rivera's blown save in the 9th, and Brett Gardner's walk-off single in the 10th, snapping the Yanks 5-game losing skid.

"Well, I hope it jump-starts it a lot," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We need to win series. We need to win a lot of games moving forward."

Yankees starter Ivan Nova kept the Tigers hot bats quiet throughout the night, holding down the Tigers for just one-run over seven innings.

Nova lived on the edge all throughout the night, putting himself into in three of the first four innings, escaping a bases loaded jam with two big strikeouts in the first, and got out of the 3rd inning unharmed after the Tigers put runners on 2nd and 3rd with two outs in the second inning.

In seven inning of work, Nova only gave up one, coming in the 7th inning on an RBI single by Miguel Cabrera of all people, putting the Tigers on the board. The one run came off eight hits and a walk, while also striking out seven on 97 pitches.

"I've been pitching really good," Nova said. "I've been feeling really good with all of my pitches, working both sides of the plate to righties and lefties, and getting quick outs."

The biggest problem that's Nova has been facing over his last few starts was the lack of run support the Yankees have been giving him, but that wouldn't be a problem in this one as the Yanks jumped out to a 3-0 lead early, giving Nova the supports he's been looking for.

Gardner and Ichiro lead off the bottom of the first by reaching first and second, then Robinson Cano moved them over on a groundout to second base. Alfonso Soriano brought home Gardner on a groundout to third base.

Both Gardner and Ichiro single to get on base to open the 3rd inning, but this time, Cano lined a double into the left-center field gap, bringing home Gardner and Ichiro all the way around from first, as Cano advanced to third on the throw home, pushing the Yankees lead to 3-0.

As mentioned, A-Rod took the field at Yankee Stadium for the first time since the 2009 ALCS against the Tigers. Coming to the plate to about 50/50 cheers and boos in his first at-bat, that numbers of boos raised quickly as A-Rod went 0-for-4 with three strikeout's on the night.

Coming into the game with a 3-1 lead in the 8th, David Robertson came entered to hold things down for his usual 8th inning appearance, shutting down the Tigers in order on 12 pitches.

As the rulebook state, when leading by three runs or less, Mariano Rivera will be called upon to record the final three outs of a ballgame, but for the second straight game, Rivera and the Yankees were within a strike away from winning the game, before Rivera blew the save once again.

Mo started the inning by getting Don Kelley to fly out to center, then Austin Jackson doubled into the left field gap. Torii Hunter was the next hitter and he shot a ball back up the middle that was miraculously stopped by Mariano, retiring Hunter for the second out of the inning.

With one out to go, Mariano was pitted into a battle against the games best hitter, Miguel Cabrera, for an at-bat no one will forget. Lyle Overbay came within inches of ending the game, reaching over the railing in the first base dugout, just barely missing that popup that could have ended things.

"It almost cost us the game," Overbay said

But a couple of pitches later, just one strike away, Cabrera, after just fouling a pitch off his knee and the next off his shin, launched  his 34th homerun of the year to deep center field, landing on the netting that cover Monument Park, tying the game, and blowing Mariano's fourth save attempt of the year.

"Cabrera put a tough at-bat on him. Fouled a bunch of pitches off. Fouled it off his knee. Fouled it off his foot. He did a good job of getting two strikes. He just couldn't put him away," Girardi said.

Luckily, though, the Yankees were able to put up a fight in the bottom of the 10th. Jayson Nix walked to open the frame, then Curtis Granderson singled to right field, setting up 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Overbay struck out swinging on a wild pitch that advanced the runners to 2nd and 3rd with one away.

Girardi could have made a move to the bench with Chris Stewart coming up, but he elected to let his catcher hit and strike out looking to end a bad at-bat. Then came Gardner with the bases load and he slapped a groundball single past a diving Cabrera to score Nix and give the Yankees a 4-3 victory.

"It's good to pick [Rivera] up like that," Gardner said. "He probably won't do it again the rest of the season. He'll probably reel off 15, 20 straight until the end of September."

It was a much needed win that snapped a four-game losing skid and also ended the Tigers 12-game winning streak, and overall, the win kept the Yankees from suffering another tough loss.

"We haven't been playing good baseball the past couple of months, and sometimes you've got to keep winning or you'll be out of it," Gardner said. "I think everybody in this room kind of feels the same way. We have to come in every day and work hard and really focus on one thing, and that's grinding out a win."

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A-Rod Makes His Yankee Stadium Return Against The Tigers

NEW YORK -- As much as I like watching the Yankees play road games, traveling to different ballparks, usually parks you don't get to see multiple time a year like other places in the AL East, it's always great to be back at home, enjoying the comforts of the good old Yankee Stadium.

And if there's anyone more happy to be back home at their home ballpark, it's the Yankees. Coming off an awful 2-6 road trip that included being swept by the last place Chicago White Sox. The Yanks are now back in the Bronx to open up a 7-game homestand with a weekend series against one of the hottest teams in baseball -- the Detroit Tigers.

The biggest storyline heading into tonight's game is that Alex Rodriguez will be playing in his first game at Yankee Stadium since being booed off the field for his poor postseason performance. Whether he'll be cheered or booed in his first at-bat is also a big part of the story.

Tonight's Lineup, 7:05 EST @ Yankee Stadium:

Gardner CF
Ichiro RF
Cano 2B
Soriano DH
Rodriguez 3B
Granderson LF
Overbay 1B
Nunez SS
Stewart C
Nova RHP

Pitching Preview:

Ivan Nova will be the man getting the ball in the series opener, taking the mound for the first time since tossing seven shutout innings, striking out eight against the San Diego Padres last Saturday.

"I've been feeling really good," Nova said. "Like I've said in the past, I don't remember the last time I felt the way I feel now. I'm working hard to try to repeat it every time. I'm trying to go out there and do my job, try to help the team to win games."

Nova has been pitching great for over a month, pitching five straight quality starts since the beginning of July. He's been absolutely dominant on the mound, and has arguably been the Yankees best pitch for the past month, alongside Hiroki Kuroda.

Rick Porcello gets the call from his manager, given the task of outdueling Nova, as well as trying to shutdown a Yankee offense that's been anything but a force to be reckoned with for the past few months.

Porcello has tossed six straight quality starts for the Tigers, and in three starts after the All-Star break, he is 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA, and also hasn't walked more than two batters in 20 of his 21 outings this season.

"When you pitch to contact, you have to keep runners off base any way you can, and not give them any walks," Porcello said. "I take pride in not giving up many of them, and get pretty frustrated when I do give up some walks. Trying to keep those at a minimum is definitely big for me being successful out there."

Question: Would you boo A-Rod tonight? Tell me your answer on my twitter feed, @GavinEwbank2013.

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CC Tries To Turn Things Around Against The White Sox

CHICAGO -- Even with Alex Rodriguez back in the lineup, the Yankees have only been able to push three runs across the plate in the first two games of this series with the White Sox -- one run Monday night and two runs last night.

Hiroki Kuroda gave the Yanks another win-worthy effort, but once again, the offense failed to provide any support, managing only one-run off the White Sox dominant left-hander, Chris Sale.

Tonight's Lineup, 8:10 EST @ US Cellular Field:

Gardner 8
Soriano 7
Rodriguez 5
Cano 4
Wells DH
Granderson 9
Nunez 6
Overbay 3
Romine 2
Sabathia 1

Pitching Preview:

CC Sabathia has been the complete opposite of Kuroda lately, giving up at least five runs in each of his last four starts since the beginning of July, allowing 27 runs over 19 2/3 innings in his past four starts, all of which were losses.

"I mean, it's crunch time," Sabathia said. "I think every start is important, and it's up to me to go out and pitch better."

Sabathia and the Yanks will square-off against Sox starter Hector Santiago, who has given up three earned runs or fewer in each of his last six starts -- 2.75 ERA in that span -- though Chicago has lost all of those games, scoring fewer than two runs in each.

Santiago is 3-7 this season, yet has a 3.28 ERA and 111 strikeouts. In his last start against the Tigers, he allowed two runs over seven innings. White Sox manager Robin Ventura called his last outing one of Santiago's better efforts of the season.

Yankee Notes:

* The MLB Players Association announced that Alex Rodriguez has officially filed his appeal on the 211-game suspension that is suppose to take effect tomorrow. When asked about it, A-Rod said: "I have no reaction to that."

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Late Rally Fails As Kuroda Takes Another Loss

CHICAGO -- Since the beginning of July, hiroki Kuroda has been the best starter that the New York Yankees have been running out on the field. As the rest of the rotation, apart from Ivan Nova, has struggled, Kuroda has stood strong, leading the way.

But facing-off against one of the league's most dominant pitcher, Chris sale, Kuroda came up on the short end after giving up three runs in seven innings, while the Yankees were only able to put one run on the board in a 3-2 loss to the White Sox.

"[The White Sox] had some hits with runners in scoring position, and that was probably the difference in the game," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "[Kuroda] gave up three runs in seven innings. I mean, usually, you'll sign up for that. … He has pitched extremely well, and he should have a lot more than 10 wins."

The Yankees drew first blood when Alfonso Soriano became the first player to touch home plate after scoring from second base on a wild pitch from Sale bounced away from White Sox catcher Josh Phegley.

From there, the White Sox would do most of the scoring, tying the game in the 4th on a RBI single by Conor Gillaspie, then scoring a big go ahead run in the 6th off Kuroda on a fielder's choice that Paul Konerko narrowly beat out at first base.

Chicago added another run in the 7th off Kuroda, when Alejandro De Aza lined a double over the head of Ichiro in right field, plating Gordon Beckham to push the White Sox lead to 3-1.

"I didn't think it was a game-decider, but at the same time, that third run -- I have to admit -- was a big run," Kuroda said. "I wanted to contribute to a win, and I couldn't do that."

Kuroda gave the Yankees seven inning, allowing three runs on nine hits, while walking one and striking out four on 116 pitches. Isn't the top of the line Kuroda that we've been seeing lately, but it was still go enough to keep them in the game.

"I wasn't really sharp out there, but I think I was able to get big outs," Kuroda said after the game.

Trailing 3-1 heading into the 9th inning, the Yankees tried to put a rally together, with Brett Gardner singling to right field with Ichiro on second base, he came around to score to pull the Yanks within one run with two outs in the innings. With A-Rod on deck, Soriano struck out to end the game.

"You always want to have an opportunity to come up with the game on the line and get a big hit for us," Rodriguez said. "I thought [Soriano] was going to get a big hit, and he looked pretty good up there."

The Yankees missed out on a run that could have helped them come much closer to a win, when in the 3rd inning, Robinson Cano singled into left field, Gardner attempted a score from second, by was called out running through the plate -- though replays seemed to disagree with the call.

"Possibly [Gardner would've been called safe if he'd slid], but possibly he's blocked out," Girardi said of the play. "It looked like Phegley was doing a pretty good job of blocking the plate. Possibly he's safe, though."

"It's a tough call," Girardi added. "The one thing I don't understand is [umpire] positioning, and I've never understood it. … I think they've got to be where the tag takes place, so I think they almost have to be in line with the right-field pole and first base and up the line a little bit at third base, where the tag is going to take place, so they can see the tag."

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A-Rod's Return Pushed Aside In Bad Loss To the White Sox

CHICAGO -- The headline of this game was suppose to be the return of Alex Rodriguez. But instead, we now have to talk about how Andy Pettitte came out and pretty much ruined the night giving up six runs in only 2 2/3 innings in the Yanks 8-1 loss to the White Sox.

"It's frustrating. There's just no other way I can say it," Pettitte said. "[It was] just so disappointing. Obviously I didn't feel like they hit the ball real hard. The second inning, I felt like they hit it, I left a couple balls in the zone but, man, we're trying to win series and for me to go out there and to give up three in the first ... it's just so disappointing."

Pettitte was knocked around the park all night, he just couldn't seem to settle in from the first pitch onwards, yielding three runs in the first inning to a Sox team that had scored four runs total in their last four games coming into play.

Chicago added another run on Pettitte in the second inning, then two more in the third inning to pretty much put the game out of reach early, making it 7-0. Pettitte was removed from the game after walking Alex Rios to load the bases.

"I mean, you look at the first inning, they didn't really hit him hard," Girardi said. "You look at the second inning, they didn't hit him hard, but [the hits] were just well placed. But I think the first two innings wore him out. He threw a ton of pitches."

"Obviously after those first couple innings, I ran out of gas," Pettitte added. "I can't work like I used to and I can't be throwing 60 pitches in the first two innings of a start anymore."

From there, the Yankees' bullpen was forced to carry most of the workload once again. Preston Claiborne gave 1 1/3 innings on only one hits and a pair of walks. Shawn Kelley put the biggest outing, throwing 49 pitches in two innings, allowing a runs. Then both Boone Logan and Joba Chamberlain tossed a scoreless inning of relief.

Then, of course, there was the biggest story of them all - A-Rod. He began his night with a bloop single single to left in his first at-bat, a flyoff to deep center in his second time around, a sharp warning track line-out to left in his third at-bat, then he struck out looking in his final plate appearance of the night.

"I felt OK, for the first game," Rodriguez said. "It was hard today, that's for sure. [A] long day. I felt pretty good. From this moment on I want to focus on baseball like it's do or die. Every game's very important for us."

A-Rod didn't look that bad for a man who hasn't play big league baseball since October and isn't coming of the second hip surgery in his career, and isn't 38-years-old. I thought he took some nice swings.

"His swing looked more explosive," said Girardi. "You kind of see him get into his legs a little bit more. You see more torque in his swing. I thought he just missed the ball to center field."

As for the only that the Yankees would score on the night, Eduardo Nunez lifted a fly ball deep enough to left field in the 7th inning that let Brett Gardner tag and score from third to put the Yanks on the board.

"It's a bad way to start the series," Girardi said. "You're facing their ace [Tuesday]. It's a bad way, but we've got to win a game and we've got to start playing better, there's no doubt about it."

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A-Rod Returns As The Yanks Play The White Sox

CHICAGO -- The circus has arrived in the Southside of Chicago!

Major League Baseball made the announcement at 3 pm EST that they have suspended Alex Rodriguez for 211-games. A-Rod will be eligible to play while he appeals, and he is in Chicago to make his long await return to the Yanks lineup as they open up a three-game series tonight with the White Sox.

As for the Yankees themselves, they are coming off a disappointing weekend in San Diego, losing two of three games against the Padres, a team under .500 and in 4th place in the NL West. Now they come into Chicago to play a team running through even rougher times, in the White Sox.

Tonight's Lineup, 8:10 EST @ US Cellular Field:

Gardner 8
Soriano DH
Cano 4
Rodriguez 5
Wells 3
Granderson 7
Suzuki 9
Nunez 6
Stewart 2
Pettitte 1

Pitching Preview:

Andy Pettitte began the season a 40-year-old wonder, putting up solid numbers while pitching in a way that someone his age should be pitching. But lately, he's started to fall of the agon as a 41-year-old dud, allowing four or more runs in six consecutive starts in June and July.

But since the skid, he's started to find his footing once again, just two runs in each of his past two starts, allowing eight hits over six innings against the Rangers on July 24th and eight hits over seven innings against the Dodgers on Tuesday.

"I was happy with the way [Pettitte] threw the ball," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday. "To give me seven innings, and only give up two runs against a lineup that's scoring a lot of runs, that's pretty good pitching."

The White Sox will counter with the first of their three scheduled lefty starters in this series, Jose Quintana, who's coming off a pretty successful month of July, in which he made six starts, going 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings.

Quintana's last start was in July, when he threw five innings of three-run ball in a no-decision against the Cleveland Indians.

Yankee Notes:

* Derek Jeter has been placed on the 15-day DL with his Grade 1 calf strain, putting him on the shelf for the third time this season. A-Rod is the likely move for him on the roster -- ironic, right?

* Brent Lillibridge has been designated for assignment by the Yankees, he has been replaced by David Adams, who has been called up from Triple-A Scranton.

* Yankees manager Joe Girardi will speak to the media at 6 pm EST, followed by A-Rod's press conference at 6:15 pm EST. Stay tuned here for updates on that.

Enjoy the craziness going down tonight, follow @GavinEwbank2013 on Twitter.

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Hughes' Poor Start Leads To Another Yankee Loss

SAN DIEGO -- CC Sabathia gave the Yankees a clunker on Friday, Ivan Nova delivered a gem on Saturday, the Phil Hughes gave the Yanks another poor outing, failing to make at past the 5th inning for the eighth time this season in the Yanks 6-3 loss to the Padres.

"He just didn't make pitches when he had to," Girardi said. "He got into some counts where he couldn't put people away today. It comes down to quality pitches, it really does. If you miss by a little bit in this league, you usually get hit."

Hughes clearly didn't have his best stuff on the mound, giving up three runs in the second inning and a pair in the third on six hits, walking three and striking out just one as he couldn't make it past the third innings when an RBI single by Mark Kotsay knocked him out of the game.

"It's been really tough. It's been like a nightmare I can't wake up from," Hughes said. "It's like a battle every time, even if I have a good start. It's not easy. On a day like this, it's really disappointing."

The Yankees offense wasn't able to do much better against former Yankee Ian Kennedy, making his first start with the Padres since being acquired by the team on Wednesday.

Kennedy was only tacked for two runs on four hits over 5 2/3 innings, leaving the game after Curtis Granderson and Lyle Overbay each singled home a runs to help the Yankees try to come back.

"The adrenaline got the best of me later on, but early on I tried to control it," said Kennedy, who was acquired by the Padres from Arizona last week. "I started feeling it, trying to control it -- the first start against the team that drafted me. I was a lot into it."

Austin Romine made some history in the 7th inning, when he launched a homerun to deep center field, his first career major league homerun.

Though it wasn't enough, as the Yanks would go on to lose to the Padres, failing claim the rubber-match of the series. The Yanks haven't won a series since taking two of three games against the Baltimore Orioles July 5th-7th.

"It's frustrating," Girardi said. "We had a chance to win the series here and we didn't do it. But we've got to do it. If we want to play in October, we've got to do it."

Tomorrow could be the long awaited return of Alex Rodriguez to the lineup. Reports have indicated that Major League Baseball is expected to announced it's suspension on A-Rod, although he is expected to appeal, and reports are also making it likely that he'll be allowed to play against the White Sox on Monday.

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I'm Not Sure How To Feel About Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez may have played his final game of professional baseball, walking four times in a rehab assignment for the Double-A Trenton Thunder Saturday night.

A-Rod has stuck by his thoughts that he'll be with the New York Yankees in Chicago Monday, and manager Joe Girardi even says that he’s got him penciled into the lineup. But if Major League Baseball announces Monday that A-Rod will not be able to play while appealing a suspension, A-Rod’s dream won't be reality, and we may never see A-Rod play baseball again.

As a young fan myself, I don't and still won’t know how to deal with this once the news is made public by the commissioner on Monday.

Growing up, I always looked up to Alex Rodriguez. I didn't know what steroids were and even after he admitted that he used, it would still take me a couple years to comprehend that message, and what it actually meant.

I always look at Barry Bonds as a cheater and still to this day, I consider Hank Aaron to be the all-time homerun champion. Yet, because A-Rod was a Yankee, I didn't consider him a cheater because he was on my team, and I was on his side.

But as I've grown, baseball history has become a much bigger part of my knowledge and I've started to understand what A-Rod did and how it was a terrible thing.

Over the past few months, everything that has come unearthed on A-Rod, along with everything that he’s said and done, has only continued to disgrace himself, the Yankees, and most importantly, the game of baseball – the sport I've grown to love.

Getting him back in the lineup was all I could ask for earlier in the year after it was announced that he would have to undergo hip surgery. But not long after that, the truth of Biogenesis came to light.

As more and more details came up during these past few months, it’s started to shine the light on who Alex Rodriguez truly is: a liar, a cheater, a fraud and an embarrassment to baseball.

I no longer know if I want him back. In many ways, I'd give anything I own just for him to be kicked out of the game for life. For other reasons, I really wouldn't mind to see him back in uniform for the Yankees Monday night.

Of course, his enormous contract is what has caused a lot of this mess, and it’s also one of the reasons I don't want him coming back. Until I'm told I can't, I'll always root for the Yankees. I want them to be as successful as they can – saving the money on A-Rod’s contract will help that cause.

Yet, A-Rod, regardless of age and what type of injury he’s coming off, can easily help the Yankees on the field. As we all know, third base production has been terrible, and A-Rod hit three homeruns in rehab games this year – his three long balls are more than the Yankees third baseman hit in that span.

Maybe if I wasn't a Yankees fan, this would be a lot easier to process, because I would have to deal with this if I was a fan of another team.

While the suspensions will be handed out tomorrow, I probably won't know for years how I'll feel about this. A-Rod is a Yankee, but he’s also a cheater. But for now, he’s our cheater whether we like it or not.

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Hughes And Kennedy Create An Interesting Matchup

SAN DIEGO -- Last night, Ivan Nova continued to solidify himself as a legit starter in the Yankees rotation, tossing seven shutout inning, while giving up only four hits and striking out eight. Nova continued his hot run since becoming a start for the Yanks in July, lowering his ERA to 1.66 over his last five starts.

"I've been feeling really good," Nova said. "Like I've said in the past, I don't remember the last time I felt the way I feel now. I'm working hard to try to repeat it every time. I'm trying to go out there and do my job, try to help the team to win games."

Curtis Granderson gave him such much needed run supports in the 7th inning when he blasted his second homeruns of the season into the right field seats.

Now, after losing to series opener Friday night, the Yankees will do what they can to come out of San Diego with a series win, before heading out to Chicago on Monday.

Today's Lineup, 4:05 EST @ Petco Park:

Suzuki RF
Cano 2B
Soriano LF
Granderson CF
Overbay 1B
Nunez SS
Nix 3B
Romine C
Hughes RHP

Pitching Preview:

As the trade deadline approached last Wednesday, many wondered if Phil Hughes would still be a Yankee at days end. Well, he's still a Yankee, and now he's got a chance to show the Yankees fans why he still deserves to be here.

He's looking to rebound from his last start against the Tampa Bay Rays last Sunday when they knocked him around for five runs on nine hits in only four innings of work. He'll be making his first start in August after posting a 1-2 record with a 3.86 ERA in five July starts.

Hughes will be pitching against his former Yankee teammate Ian Kennedy, who made his major league debut in 2007 along with Hughes. Kennedy is making his first start since being traded to the Padres on Wednesday, and he'll also be making his first start against the Yankees.

Kennedy, like Hughes, has struggled throughout the season, his struggles were one of the main reasons he was traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"It is kind of interesting. When we had them both here in 2008 and they were both in our rotation, that's not what you expect to see, them matching up five years later," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "That's the world we live in in baseball. Somebody said we have to make sure we get Joba [Chamberlain] in that game, too. Maybe there will be some innings limits tomorrow."

Yankee Notes:

* Alex Rodriguez went 0-for-0 with four walks in his final rehab game with Double-A Trenton Saturday night, in what could have been his final as a professional baseball player, as Major League Baseball is expected to announce a lengthy suspension for A-Rod on Monday.

Enjoy the game, follow @GavinEwbank2013 on Twitter.

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Grandy Goes Deep, Nova Dominates In Win Over The Padres

SAN DIEGO -- If there's anyone who can, the Grandy Man can!

Playing in just his 10th game of the season, second since coming off the DL for the second time, Curtis Granderson helped back up another strong outing from Ivan Nova, blasting his 2nd homerun of the season in the Yankees' 3-0 win over the Padres.

"It's still interesting," Granderson said. "I've still got to get reps, I've still got to get at-bats. One at-bat felt better than the other. One at-bat felt not as good as the other. But I'll continue to swing."

After posting a sub-three ERA in the month of July, Nova keep the hot streak going against the Padres.

Nova gave up a few hits in the first, but was able to get out of the inning unharmed, then went to give up just one hit over the next six innings, keeping the Padres off the board in the process, working efficiently throughout the night, throwing three different single-digit pitch innings.

Nova ended with day with a big strikeout of Nick Hundley looking at a called third strike to end the 7th with runners on 1st and 2nd, pumping up Nova. He permitted just four hits, while walking just one and striking out eight San Diego hitters on 85 pitches.

"I've been feeling really good," Nova said. "Like I've said in the past, I don't remember the last time I felt the way I feel now. I'm working hard to try to repeat it every time. I'm trying to go out there and do my job, try to help the team to win games."

He looked good right from the start. He was making to pitches he need to make, and his curveball was a good as I've seen in awhile.

"He's been really good since he's come back," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "The big thing is that he stays consistent with his fastball. When he does, it just makes everything else that much more effective."

Nova's biggest issue during his 1-2 run in July was that both losses were because the Yankees had been shutout. Through the first six inning, that looked like reality once again, up until Granderson smacked a fastball over the heart of the plate into the right field seats to give the Bombers a 2-0 lead.

"It was good. Any way to help the team out," Granderson said. "It was a scuffle against Ross out there. He had thrown really well against us. Finally, the third time around we were able to get just a little thing going with Soriano getting the bloop [single] there, and then finally to get a pitch that caught some of the plate."

Granderson's homerun came against San Diego's right-hander Tyson Ross, who, through the first six innings, looked as if the Yankees might never score on him.

"It's always great for a hitter to do that, to get a little work in and then you see the dividends," Girardi said. "He was a part of all three runs tonight. I've talked about how Curtis can change the complexion of a game, really quickly, and that's what he did tonight."

Ross set a new career-high with nine strikeouts against the Yankees, his sliders was his biggest weapon. The Yankees just couldn't pick up his slider, striking out five straight at one point in the game. He's didn't let a Yankee reach base until Lyle Overbay single to left to open the 5th.

David Robertson did his usual thing in the bottom of the 8th inning, Jayson Nix singled home Granderson in the top of the 9th to extend the lead to 3-0, then, of course, Mariano Rivera would come in, making his first appearance at Petco Park, setting down the Padres 1-2-3 in the 9th, sealing the Yanks 3-0 victory.

The series finale will commence Sunday at 4:10 pm EST from, what I can only assume will be a sunny San Diego. Your pitching matchup with feature former Yankee farm-hand Ian Kennedy, facing off against a likely soon to be Yankee Phil Hughes.

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MLB No Long Talking Settlement With A-Rod

After Friday night's rehab game with the Double-A Trenton Thunder, Alex Rodriguez made a comment that Major League Baseball and the New York Yankees are trying to keep A-Rod off the field, making sure he doesn't get another cent of the $100 million he's still owed.

"I think we all agree that we want to get rid of PEDs," Rodriguez said. "That's a must. I think all the players feel that way. But when all the stuff is going on in the background, and people are finding creative ways to cancel your contract and stuff like that, that's concerning for me, that's concerning for present, and that's concerning for future players as well.

"I will say this: there is more than one party that benefits from me not ever stepping back on the field. That's not my teammates and that's not the Yankee fans."

Those comments didn't sit well with MLB, as today, the New York Daily News has reported that the comments have forced MLB to cease from continuing any negotiating with Rodriguez about a possible settlement.

According to the reports, MLB is ready to announce on Monday a 214-game suspension on the aging third baseman, effectively keeping him off the field for the remainder of this season and all of next season.

Says the Daily News, "Players Association chief Michael Weiner reached out to MLB on behalf of Rodriguez Saturday morning in an attempt to talk settlement but was told that baseball is no longer interested in negotiating with the disgraced third baseman."

Following the attempt to reach out to MLB, along with the comments he made about the Yankees, A-Rod then reached out to the Yankees about a possible settlement on the nearly $100 million remaining on his contract. As you would expect, the Yankees denied to engage in any talks.

It was also reported that during the last round of negotiations with MLB and the Players Union, A-Rod's camp offered to for Rodriguez to sever an 80 to 100 game suspension, then have A-Rod retire, while also getting paid out the remaining money on his contract.

“The only problem with that,” said one source told the Daily News, “is that they wanted him to retire and get paid his remaining contract -- a paid vacation, in other words.”

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"Super Nova" On The Hill To Face The Padres

SAN DIEGO -- CC Sabathia is not pitching well. Last night against the San Diego Padres, he tossed his fourth straight bad outing, coughing up five runs on 11 hits, issuing at least eight base knocks for the fourth straight outing.

His poor effort led to the Yankees dropping the series opener against the Padres Friday night, 7-2 from the always nice Petco Park in the always gorgeous San Diego.

Tonight's Lineup, 8:40 pm EST @ Petco Park:

Gardner CF
Cano 2B
Soriano LF
Granderson RF
Overbay 1B
Nunez SS
Lillibridge 3B
Stewart C
Nova RHP

Pitching Preview:

As I mentioned in the opener, Sabathia has been very good on the mound lately. On the other hand, Ivan Nova has been nothing short of dominant in his starts for the Yankees, in which he posted a 2.03 ERA over four starts in July, holding opponents to a .188 batting average.

Regardless of how well Nova has pitched, he's lost each of his last two starts as the Yankees have been shutout in each of those outings, giving Nova nothing to back up he solid outings.

"It feels really bad. We haven't scored enough runs in my last two starts," Nova said after his last outing against the Rays, when he gave up just one run on six hits in seven innings of work. "Sometimes when you pitch good, it's hard to be charged with a loss. It doesn't feel great."

Coming from the opposing dugout, the Padres will be sending right-hander Tyson Ross to the hill to try to shutdown a Yankees lineup that really hasn't imposed much of a threat lately.

Tyson is coming off an outstanding start against the Arizona Diamondbacks last Sunday, when he tossed a career-high eight shutout innings, allowing just three hits to the D-Backs hitters.

Yankee Notes:

* Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced before the game that Derek Jeter will sit out for the remainder of this weekend series against the Padres, sitting out Saturday and Sunday because of issues with his right leg and calf.

Girardi said that the hope is for Jeter to return to the Yankees' lineup  Monday in Chicago when the team opens up a three game series against the White Sox at US Cellular Field.

* David Phelps was scratched from his scheduled rehab with the Double-A Trenton Thunder Sunday night because of soreness in his right elbow, according to Trenton manager Tony Franklin.

"Just a little soreness, that's it. I think the proper way to go when you're sore is to be cautious with him, push him back a day or two, see how they feel the following day and go from there. No sense in running him out there," Franklin said. "There's some concern there, even when there's some soreness. Let's see how he feels tomorrow. If he feels better tomorrow, I'm sure they'll get him back in there as quickly as they possibly can."

* The New York Daily News is reporting the Major League Baseball is no longer looking to negotiate a deal with Alex Rodriguez, with sources saying the MLB is frustrated with the comments A-Rod made Friday night, basically saying that the Yankees and MLB are trying to keep him off the field.

The NYDS is reporting the MLB is getting ready to announce a 214-game suspension for A-Rod on Monday, which would equal out to sitting out for the rest of this season and all of next season.

For the full story on this situation, click here.

Follow @GavinEwbank2013 on Twitter for game coverage.

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