Blogging The Bombers

From USA Today:

“I’m very disappointed with the way the season has gone, period.”

“The injuries have been a killer, too, there’s no question about that,” Steinbrenner said. “It happens to one team every year, sometimes more than one team. And it just appears to be our year. It’s something you’ve got to deal with in every sport.”

“There’s no question, you just can’t stick him in there right away,” Steinbrenner said. “He’s got to be brought along properly. You have to stick with it (the plan).”

“We just can’t win one out of five games, every time Wang pitches,” Steinbrenner said. “It’s not going to work. It’s not a good win percentage. Starting pitching is where it’s at, especially in the postseason. At this point, we’ll see if we even make the postseason.”

Classic Hank Steinbrenner right there.

Felix Hernandez RHP (2-1, 2.22 ERA) @ Mike Mussina RHP (3-3, 4.73 ERA)

Game Time: 1:07

TV Station: YES

YANKEES
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Matsui DH
Giambi 1B
Cabrera CF
Cano 2B
Ensberg 3B
Molina C
Mussina RHP

MARINERS                                                                                 Ichiro Suzuki CF
Miguel Cairo 2B
Raul Ibanez LF
Adrian Beltre 3B
Jeff Clement DH
Richie Sexson 1B
Kenji Johjima C
Wladimir Balentien RF
Yuniesky Betancourt SS

Notes: Molina is 0 for his last 22 after a blazing start. Hopefully he can get back on track soon….3 years ago today Robby Cano made his ML debut, happy anniversary!….Look who’s batting 2nd for the M’s, remember him?

Non - Yankee Notes: Congrats to Kobe Bryant on winning the MVP award, his first of his career.

Update, 3:06p.m.: Now this is what our offense is supposed to be game in and game out, scoring 6 runs through the first 6 innings….GREAT outing by Moose.

Great game all in all. Great pitching and great hitting.

Final Score: 6 - 1 Yankees

Recap of the game

In other news, 48 year old Julio Franco has decided to retire.

From Yankees.com

NEW YORK — The Yankees announced today they have exceeded 4 million tickets sold for the 2008 season, becoming the first franchise in Major League Baseball history to reach the total in four consecutive years (2005-08).

“This achievement is a testament to our great fans,” said Yankees Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost. “In this final season of the current Yankee Stadium, we think of each remaining game as a celebration. We continue to invite our fans to the House that Ruth Built as we salute the most famous venue in sports.”

Originally constructed prior to the 1923 season, Yankee Stadium was remodeled in 1974 and 1975. The club will move into a new state-of-the-art Yankee Stadium across the street from the current one in 2009.

The Yankees have surpassed the Toronto Blue Jays (1991-93) as the only other Major League team to accomplish the feat in as many as three consecutive years. The Yankees have also seen their home attendance increase in each of the last seven seasons (2001-07).

There are 68 regular season games remaining at the current Yankee Stadium.