Bits 'n' Pieces: New Yankee Stadium

"Real" Firsts:

Despite having already recorded all the firsts at the New Yankee Stadium when the Yanks played the Chicago Cubs in two exhibition games, people were still anxious for the firsts that actually counted. Well here they are:

First Pitch: 

CC Sabathia (ball outside)

First Hit: 

Johnny Damon (Line-drive to left-field)

First Run: 

Kelly Shoppach drove in Ben Fransisco with an RBI-double

First

First HR:

Jorge Posada (Solo-Shot to centerfield)

First Strikeout:

CC Sabathia (K'd Victor Martinez)

Series Wrap: NYY 2-2 CLE

Although the first four games at the New Yankee Stadium didn't go exactly as the Yankees planned, the ceremonies were still considered a success. That aside, the series gave way to some highs and lows. In the first game of the series (and at the New Stadium), the game was tied 1-1 in the top of the seventh. But the Yankees bullpen gave up a 9 spot in the inning, ending the Yankees' hopes for a good start to the new ballpark.

The 2nd game showed better results from the Yankees as they won 6-5 with 5 of their runs coming on solo-home runs. Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira, Melky Cabrera, and Robinson Cano all hit home runs, but it was Captain Clutch (Derek Jeter) who hit the big one. With two outs in the bottom of the 8th, Jeter belted one over the right field wall to give the Yankees a 1-run lead, one that they wouldn't give up.

The 3rd game was unthinkable. It was one of the worst losses in Yankees' history as they fell to the Indians 22-4. Chien-Ming Wang tossed his third-consecutive terrible start as he only lasted 1 1/3 innings and gave up 8 runs. Recently recalled Anthony Clagget didn't over much support as he and Wang combined to serve up 14 runs to Cleveland in the 2nd inning. That ties the Yankees' club record for most runs given up in a single inning and breaks the record for most runs ever in the 2nd inning by any team in the MLB, a record I'm sure the Yankees wished to steer-clear of. The only bright spots in the game were Mark Teixeira and Melky Cabrera who both belted 2-run home runs.

Today's game resulted in a much better outcome. The Yankees won 7-3 in a very well played game by both sides. The Yanks fell behind early 3-0 as Shin-Soo Choo and Kelly Shoppach both belted home runs off Yankee starter, A.J. Burnett. But the Yanks rallied, Mark Teixeira drove in a run with an RBI-single to make it 3-1, but it seemed as though the game was lost in the 7th inning when the Indians loaded the bases with one out. But Jonathan Albaladejo worked out of it with a little help from Cody Ransom. Ransom later proved to be the

hero of the game as, after Jorge Posada belted a pinch-hit, 2-run homer that required the first

use of instant replay at the new Stadium, cleared the bases with a 3-run double. He also added

some nice defense to the game as he came up with a great bare-hand play and a diving stop in

the same game.

Quick Preview of the A's Series:

Here's a quick preview of the Yankees' next series with the Oakland A's: It will be a home- coming

of sorts for A's DH, Jason Giambi who will return to the Bronx after spending 7 seasons in

pinstripes. However, I predict it won't be a very good one as I'm thinking the Yanks may have

their way with Oakland. We've all seen the New Stadium is a great, great hitters park (20 HRs

in the first 4 games breaks MLB record) and with the Yankees great offense combined with the

A's lack of one, there could be some pretty lopsided games. On top of that, the Yankees will have

two LHPs going in the series in Andy Pettitte and CC Sabathia so Oakland lefties won't be

getting as good as a chance as they had hoped and cranking a few long ones.