On the Yankees beat

You can't understate what a win against the Angels can do for the Yankees tonight.

The Red Sox, who just got swept by the Angels, got worse by giving up Manny Ramirez. Sure they got Jason Bay in return. But the Yankees know that he is no Manny. In effect, the Red Sox kept Bay away from Tampa Bay; and both teams were made less strong with one move. July 31 could be the date it all turned around for the Yankees.

The Yankees, of course, will have Ivan Rodriguez batting eighth in the line up. Andy Pettite is up against John Garland. Darren, here. Let's play ball.

Top 1st -- Chone Figgins flew out to left, then Petitte struck out Erick Aybar with a live fastball on the outside corner. Here's where the Angels will become d-a-n-g-e-r-o-u-s through t he rest of the year: Mark Teixiera and Vlad Guerrero both walked, but Torii Hunter grounded out for the force out at second.

Bottom 1st -- Yankees go down in order in the first: Damon grounded out, Jeter flew out to center and Abreu grounded out.

Top 2nd -- This Angels line up is so good, but a base-running miscue may have wasted a potentially big inning. Garrett Anderson (can anyone get this guy out?) singled to left. Howie Kendrick (.330?) singled to center, but Petitte picked off Anderson at second. Juan Rivera flew out, and so did Jeff Mathis.

Bottom 2nd -- The Yankees -- A-Rod, Giambi and Robbie Cano -- go down in order in the second. They had better make Garland work a little, and soon.

Top 3rd -- Here is why the Angels are so dangerous: Figgins singles, Aybar grounds out, but Figgins advanced to second. Texieira singled to short, and Guerrero flew out (just missed a home run) to left. Torii Hunter blasted an opposite-field home run to make the score 3-0. Anderson singled to right-center, then Kendrick singled to advance Anderson to third. Juan Rivera hit a high home run to left, then Petitte finally notched a strikeout. Angels 6, Yankees 0

Bottom 3rd -- How long before Joe Girardi throws in the white flag -- again? Xavier Nady made an out on a soft grounder. In his first at-bat as a member of the Yankees, I-Rod struck out. Melky reached on an error, but Damon flew out to end the inning.

Top 4th -- Figgins singled again, Aybar and Teixiera both flew out. Guerrero struck out to end the inning, but telling by the swing he took, he probably thought they were down by six runs. Then again, he always swings like that.

Bottom 4th -- Garland had a no-hitter going through three. Then he said hello to Bobby. Jeter flew out to right, but then Abreu homered to break up the no-no. A-Rod doubled to left-center, and Giambi flew out to Hunter. Cano flew out to end the inning. Angels 6, Yankees 1

Top 5th -- Hunter struck out to lead off the inning (has Petitte settled down all of a sudden?) and Pettite set down Anderson and Kendrick for his first 1-2-3 inning. Maybe he has settled down, though those Angels bats can't be as quick, having batted around and all.

Bottom 5th -- Nady walked, I-Rod then hit into a 6-4-3 double play. What a first impression. Melky and Johnny Damon tripled, Damon's drove in Cabrera. Jeter grounded out to end the inning. Failed to get an extra run across the plate. Angels 6, Yankees 2

Top 6th -- Petitte retired Rivera, but Mathis doubled. Figgins scored Mathis on a single to left. That was all she wrote for Petitte. Chris Britton came on for the Yankees and retired Teixiera, but gave up a three-run home run to Vlad. Angels 10, Yankees 2

Bottom 6th -- Abreu grounded out, A-Rod flew out and Giambi singled to extend the inning. Garland got Cano to ground into the force at second to end the inning.

Top 7th -- Anderson singled to lead off the inning, but Kendrick flew out to the warning track in right. Rivera flew out to left, and Mathis flew out to Cano.

Bottom 7th -- After a base hit by A-Rod, the Angels decided that Garland had seen enough. The Angels got a force out at second, and supposedly tagged I-Rod out on a questionable call at home. Jeter grounded out to end the inning.

Top 8th -- Figgins leads off with yet another base hit. Figgins scores on a fly ball by Aybar, and miscommunication by Melky and Abreu in right center. Guerrero hit into a double play. Britton gets Hunter to strike out. Angels 12, Yankees 3

Bottom 8th -- No life in the eighth. Abreu grounds out, A-Rod popped up in the infield, and then Sexson lines a base hit to left. Cano struck out and ended the inning. To the ninth.

Top 9th -- Angels threaten in the ninth, but can't score. They're already thinking about the showers anyway. Britton meanwhile, was decent in his first appearance since returning.

Bottom 9th -- The Yankees finally make some noise. The Yankees loaded the bases, including a double by Cano. Damon walked in a run, by which point Sciosia changed pitchers. Jeter drove in a run, but Figgins was still able to get the runner at second. Abreu gets the next RBI, but the lead runner is forced out at second. A-Rod grounded out to end the game. Not a good game at all. Angels 12, Yankees 6: ANGELS WIN

Well, the Yankees may have to face an improved Angels lineup with Mark Teixeira now in the mix. But the task of facing the Red Sox just got easier. Jason Bay's a very good hitter, but he's no Manny Ramirez. The Red Sox sent Manny to the Dodgers in a three-team trade that sent Bay to Boston.

On the Yankees front, the only last-minute deal they made was to send Alberto Gonzalez to the Nationals for minor league pitcher Jhonny Nunez. That doesn't mean something won't happen in August. A pitcher like Jarrod Washburn is likely to clear waivers because the salary is so high on him, so they might still pick him or a similar guy up in August.

Ivan Rodriguez was very happy about the trade. This is a big deal for him, make no mistake, regardless of the fact that he has been in the major leagues since 1991. He brought his family in for his Yankee debut tonight, and by that I mean his ENTIRE family. His mom is flying in from Puerto Rico. His dad was already with him, and came to New York with him. His three kids are coming in, I believe from Miami. And his wife (he is remarried, and the kids were in Miami with his first wife) is flying in from Colombia.
"Absolutely, it's a big deal for me," Rodriguez said.
He has a close, long-term relationship with Jorge Posada, whom he used to train with in the offseasons in Puerto Rico. He also knows Jose Molina, and spent some time with him talking about the pitchers.
Molina said nothing bad about the move, even though it will lessen his playing time substantially. Said Molina: "Whenever Joe puts me in the lineup, I will be ready. ... He knows I'm going to continue working and do the best I can to help (Pudge) and help the Yankees win."

Rodriguez has worn No. 7 his entire career, a number that's obviously not available in New York. So he now has No. 12. Said Rodriguez: "Now I'm very happy to be in the pinstripes, to be a New York Yankee."

Joe Girardi is very happy about the move, as would be expected. He said he will continue to have Molina catch Mike Mussina, but beyond that, he'll have to see how things play out.

Pudge is in the lineup and batting eighth. I saw something I've never seen before -- an opposing player listening to a press conference. The Angels' Ervin Santana was in listening to Pudge's intro press conference. I asked him why, and he said he just wanted to listen. I asked if he knew Rodriguez, and he said no, he just wanted to listen. Anyway, thought it was interesting.

Also in the Angels' clubhouse, Mark Teixeira talked about now being an Angel. He said it's been kind of a whirlwind but he is excited and looking forward to hopefully playing in October and getting to a World Series.

I-Rod is here and in the lineup, batting eighth. Chris Britton in is the bullpen. Chad Moeller has been taken off the roster.

Lineups

Yankees

Damon DH
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
A-Rod 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Nady RF
I-Rod C
Melky CF
Pettitte P

Angels

Figgins 3b
Aybar SS
Teixeira 1b
Guerrero rf
Hunter cf
Anderson Dh
Kendrick 2B
Rivera lf
Mathis C
Garland p

It's been a very active trade deadline around baseball, it seems. Or maybe it just seems that way to me because the Yankees have been very active, picking up Ivan Rodriguez, Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte; as well as getting a decent prospect back for LaTroy Hawkins, who had been designated for assignment. For the first three pickups, the Yankees' only major league subtraction was Kyle Farnsworth. GM Brian Cashman's been getting rave reviews from everyone I've talked to for his moves this trade deadline.

But outside of the Yankees, there have been significant moves -- some of them well in advance of the trade deadline. Mark Teixeira to the Angels, Rich Harden to the Cubs, CC Sabathia to the Brewers, just a few of the headliners.

The big TBA, of course, is what happens with Manny Ramirez. A perfect example of "Manny being Manny" which is still a funny phrase if overdone -- he proposed the following idea to Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes (though I have to suspect even Manny was kidding), "I should go to Green Bay straight up and they should send Brett Favre to Boston. That will end two soap operas at the same time."

Back with updates if there are any on the Yankees front.

That deal happened in a hurry! Wow, we went in to talk to Joe Girardi after the game, and he started talking about the trade before all the reporters had even filed in. All of a sudden it was, we're excited about getting Pudge.
Alrighty then. But seriously, IMHO, this is a smart move for the Yankees. Their bullpen has been great. Jose Molina is overworked, and the Yankees clearly don't have much confidence in Chad Moeller given how little they have used them. Yes, losing Farnsworth is a hit (I never would have expected to say that), but Ivan Rodriguez is an upgrade both offensively and defensively over Molina.
Anybody want to bet against the Yankees getting another starting pitcher by tomorrow?

The Yankees have traded Kyle Farnsworth to the Detroit Tigers for catcher Ivan Rodriguez.

More to come shortly.

Orioles (51-55) v. Yankees (58-48)

The Yankees go into the final game against the last place Orioles under the threat of a sweep and having dropped three straight - possibly in the midst of a post-Red Sox swoon. The Yanks have been going down early, and spending the rest of the game playing catch-up. The were down 11-0 in game one before staging a mini rally and it was much of the same yesterday as the their offense woke up late, scoring two in the eighth and three in the ninth before eventually falling, 7-6.

They'll be looking towards Joba Chamberlain (3-3, 2.30 ERA) to play stopper in the third and final game of the series this afternoon. His last start was deeply encouraging for the Yankees; Joba went seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts in a 1-0 win over Boston. He's been decent against the Orioles in relief. He's allowed one run in four appearances with a 2.08 ERA.

Facing him will be Dennis Sarfate (4-1, 3.78 ERA). Safarte is a late-add after the Orioles scratched Brian Burres for, well, pitching badly. It's the first big-league start for the righty, who, in four innings of work against the Yankees, has struck out six and allowed no earned runs. The question will be how long he can go before being pulled for pitch count, as unaccustomed as he is to starting.

Laura Albanese here to take you through it. Back soon with the live blog.

FINAL: 13-3, YANKS

Top of the ninth
Dan Giese pitching. Scott grounds out. Millar grounds out to short. Quiroz flies out to right.

Bottom of the eighth
Abreu flies out to left. Moeller hitting for A-Rod; He strikes out swinging. Sexson walks. Cano strikes out.

Top of the eighth
Jones flies out to right and Markakis grounds out. Juan Castro hitting for Huff; Castro hits a solo home run to left. More flies out.

SCORE: 13-3, YANKS

Bottom of the seventh
Abreu homers to right for his second of the day. A-Rod follows up with a solo shot of his own. Richie Sexson into hit and he singles to left. PITCHING CHANGE: Alberto Castillo. Cano grounds out. Nady doubles and Sexson scores. Molina gets grazed by a pitch (left foot) and goes to first. Justin Christian hitting; he singles up the middle. Nady scores. Wilson Betemit hits for Jeter. He strikes out swinging.

SCORE: 13-2, YANKS

Top of the seventh
Edwar Ramirez throws his first pitch up near Millar's head and he gets tossed out. Ramirez doesn't even flinch. PITCHING CHANGE: DAVID ROBERTSON. Millar walks. Quiroz strikes out. Fahey strikes out. Wild pitch and Millar goes to second. BRoberts strikes out.

Bottom of the sixth
Abreu doubles to the right-center wall. A-Rod flies out to left. Giambi bloops an RBI single to left. Cano lines a single to right and Giambi goes first to third. Nady hits a groundrule double to the leftfield corner. Giambi scores and Cano moves to third. PITCHING CHANGE: Fernando Cabrera. They walk Cabrera intentionally. Bases loaded, one out. Molina strikes out swinging. Damon walks and Cano strolls home. Wild pitch; Nady scores and the runners move up. Jeter strikes out for the third time today.

SCORE: 9-2, YANKS

Top of the sixth
Markakis lines a basehit to right and Huff flies out to center. Mora flies out and Markakis is chased back to first. The ball hits him, but Joba backs it up. Chamberlain balks and Markakis goes to second. Scott flies out to right.

Bottom of the fifth
Burres in to pitch. Molina grounds out to short. Damon grounds out to first and Jeter strikes out.

Top of the fifth
Fahey strikes out swinging. Roberts goes down looking for Joba's sixth K. Jones grounds out to short.

Bottom of the fourth
Cano flies out to left. Nady strikes out and Cabrera grounds out to short.

Top of the fourth
Scott strkes out swinging. Millar flies out to left and Quiroz lines out to short.

Bottom of the third
Damon walks. Jeter strikes out swinging. Abreu slams a home run off the right foulpole screen. Two-run shot. A-Rod flies out to left. Giambi pops out to short.

5-2, YANKS

Top of the third
Fahey singles to right. Roberts lines a ball off Cano's glove to put runners at first and second. Jones strikes out swinging. Markakis lines the ball to center. Fahey scores and Roberts goes to second. Huff flies out. Mora grounds out to second.

SCORE: 3-2, YANKS

Bottom of the second
Xavier Nady pops out to Roberts in shallow right. Cabrera pops up to Fahey in shallow left. Molina strikes out swinging and it looks like Sarfate has settled.

Top of the second
Luke Scott pops up to third. Kevin Millar strikes out looking. Quiroz grounds out to short.

Bottom of the first
Damon strikes out swinging. Jeter walks. Abreu walks on four straight, all on fastballs. A-Rod lines the ball to right, Jeter scores, Markakis sails the ball over the plate and Abreu scores (E-9). A-Rod moves to third on the error. Giambi strikes out swinging at the high heat. Sarfate throws a pitch in the dirt and it gets by Quiroz for a passed ball. A-Rod scores. Cano grounds out.

SCORE: 3-1, YANKS

Top of the first
Brian Roberts bounces a ball off of Cano's glove for the E-4. He goes to first. Adam Jones strikes out swinging on a nasty slider. Nick Markakis grounds the ball to a diving Giambi, who takes it to the bag. Roberts moves to second. Aubrey Huff loops the ball into left. It drops in for a single and Roberts scores. Mora bunts for a hit, but Joba gobbles it up for the 1-3.

SCORE: 1-0, ORIOLES

Here's the Yankees lineup and some pre-game talk. They'll try to avoid the sweep at the hands of the Orioles this afternoon. They have Joba Chamberlain on the mound, while Orioles starter Dennis Sarfate is making his first big league start.

Orioles
Roberts 2B
Jones CF
Markakis RF
Huff DH
Mora 3B
Scott LF
Millar 1B
Quiroz C
Fahey SS

Sarfate RHP

Yankees
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu DH
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Nady RF
Cabrera CF
Molina C

Chamberlain RHP

*Hideki Matsui is gradually incrasing his workload. He is becoming slightly more optimistic about his chances of returning to action this season, but we'll see.
*Jorge Posada's surgery is scheduled for this afternoon.
*A couple pitching notes -- Edwar Ramirez has retired 38 of the last 43 batters he has faced. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the 35 consecutive hitless is the longest hitless stretch by a Yankees pitcher since 2005. Mariano Rivera reached the 1,000-inning mark for his career. Also according to Elias, his 2.30 career ERA is the fourth-lowest all-time among pitchers with at least 1,000-innings pitched. The three lower all lived a long time ago: Eddie Cicotte (2.20), Jim Scott (2.26) and Babe Ruth himself (2.28).

This is not a joke.

Carl Pavano threw a pair of scoreless innings tonight for Class A Charleston in his first minor-league rehab game. He allowed one hit and one walk with four strikeouts.

Phil Hughes followed Pavano in that game and threw three scoreless innings in his first rehab outing. He allowed two hits and one walk and struck out one.

And Ian Kennedy is pitching for Triple-A Scranton tonight.

And Chien-Ming Wang had the cast removed from his foot today. He's still on crutches.

So the question is: Which of these pitchers, if any, do you think will be in the Yankees' rotation in September?

Adam Ronis here to be your moderator tonight as the Yankees try to break a two-game losing streak. The Yankees better get the bullpen ready to work tonight. Darrell Rasner is on the mound and he has failed to pitch six innings in seven consecutive starts. He is 2-4 in that span. He is 5-7 with a 4.83 ERA. He has fared well against the Orioles this season. He is 1-1 and in 13 innings, he has allowed 10 hits, one earned run, two walks and struck out nine.

Daniel Cabrera, think a poor man's version of Oliver Perez from the right side, will pitch for the Orioles. He is 6-6 with a 4.86 ERA. He has erratic control and his strikeouts are down this season. He is 2-0 against the Yankees this season. He has allowed 13 earned runs in his last two starts over 10 innings.

Bottom 9: George Sherrill on the mound for the Orioles. Damon singles. Jeter walks. Abreu hits an RBI double to bring the Yankees within 7-4. A-Rod strikes out swinging on a high fastball inside. Giambi hit a two-run single that went off Sherrill and into shallow centerfield to bring the Yankees within 7-6. Christian is the pinch runner and steals second. Cano strikes out swinging. Betemit strikes out. Yankees lose, 7-6.

Top 9: Rivera now pitching. Huff hits a homer to right. Mora grounds out to third. Payton lined out to first. Millar flied out to Abreu. Orioles 7, Yankees 3

Bottom 8: Abreu doubles to right. A-Rod gets hit and gets ejected from the game. Jim Johnson in to pitch. Giambi singles to left to load the bases. Cano hits a two-run single up the middle. Betemit strikes out. Cabrera lines out to center. Nady pinch hits for Moeller and strikes out looking on a breaking pitch. Orioles 6, Yankees 3

Top 8:Veras now pitching. Roberts grounds out. Jones struck out. Markakis strikes out. Orioles 6, Yankees 1

Bottom 7: Moeller singles with one out, but the Yankees don't score. Orioles 6, Yankees 1

Top 7:Roberts singles up the middle. Jones gets hit by a pitch. Rasner is out of the game and Damaso Marte enters. Markakis singles to center to load the bases. Huff hits a three-run double. Mora hits a RBI double to make it 6-1. Scott strikes out. Millar grounds out to Jeter. Mora goes to third. Hernandez intentionally walked. Castro pops up to Jeter. Orioles 6, Yankees 1

Bottom 6: A-Rod homers to center for the 540th of his career. Giambi singles to right. Cano grounds into a 6-6-3 double play. Betemit grounds out to first. Orioles 2, Yankees 1

Top 6: Millar singles and Hernandez grounds into a double play. Castro grounds out to first. A four-pitch inning. Orioles 2, Yankees 0

Bottom 5: Moeller flies to left. Damon pops up to left. Jeter doubles to right-center. Abreu strikes out looking.Orioles 2, Yankees 0

Top 5:Markakis grounds out to Cano. Huff singles to right. Mora lined out to left. Scott strikes out looking. Orioles 2, Yankees 0

Bottom 4: Cano flies to center. Betemit grounds out to Roberts. Cabrera grounds out to short. Orioles 2, Yankees 0

Top 4: Millar homers to leftfield for his 16th of the season. Hernandez doubles to left. Castro grounds out to Cano. Hernandez goes to third. Roberts grounds out to Giambi. Jones lines out to Damon. Orioles 2, Yankees 0

Bottom 3: Moeller strikes out looking. Damon singled to right. Jeter walks. Abreu lines out to Millar. A-Rod walks to load the bases. Giambi grounds out to Roberts into the shift. Orioles 1, Yankees 0

Top 3: Markakis walks. Huff flies out to Abreu. Markakis steals second. Mora grounds out to Jeter. Scott flies out to Abreu. Orioles 1, Yankees 0

Bottom 2: Cano lines out to left. Betemit lines to center. Cabrera grounds to second. A nine-pitch inning for Cabrera. Orioles 1, Yankees 0

Top 2: Hernandez walks. Castro sacrifices Hernandez to second. Roberts bounces back to Rasner. Jones pops up to Jeter. Orioles 1, Yankees 0

Bottom 1: Damon grounds out to third. Jeter grounds out to third. Abreu reaches on an infield single to third. A-Rod singles to left, sending Abreu to third. Giambi pops up to left. Orioles 1, Yankees 0

Top 1: Roberts grounds out to Rasner. Jones flies to deep right. Markakis bloops a single to shallow right and is 10-for-12 lifetime against Rasner. Huff singles up the middle. Mora singles up the middle scoring Markakis. Three straight hits with two outs. Scott walks on four pitches. Millar fouls out to first base. Orioles 1, Yankees 0

Funky lineup today

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
A-Rod DH
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Betemit 3B
Melky CF
Moeller C
Rasner P

Pitching for the Orioles: Daniel Cabrera

So Jorge Posada is out, opting for season-ending shoulder surgery at the request of the team. This move makes sense, given how long the recovery period is likely to be. He'll probably miss six months, and if it takes longer, you're looking at the start of spring training. If he waited, Opening Day would be in jeopardy. Even so, I know it was a tough decision for Posada.

The Yankees got blown out by the Orioles last night in a rare poor start for Mike Mussina.

With the trade deadline less than three days away, a deal for Jarrod Washburn is appearing less likely. But you never know -- Brian Cashman plays things pretty close to the chest.

The Bronx is buzzing that Jorge Posada's bum shoulder will need season-ending surgery. But really, it was just a matter of time before this fate befell him, no? Even at the plate he was not himself, and more glaring were his throws to second base; defensively he had become a bit of a liability too. And so hopefully for the Yankees, he'll be back next season. I'm not convinced that Jose Molina is the Yankees catcher of the future, but for now he's good enough.

Meanwhile, this is still one of the hottest in baseball and tonight it's Mike Mussina's turn to keep it up against his former team, the Baltimore Orioles. While last night didn't necessarily go as planned, winning two out of three games against the Red Sox after the All-Star break is not a bad result. It's Darren here to take you through the first game against the Orioles, stay tuned.

Top 1st -- Mussina walked the speedy Brian Roberts to lead off the inning and Nick Markakis slapped a base hit to left, but Roberts was thrown out at the plate by Derek Jeter. Why he had the green light at third with one out? No idea. Mussina struck out Aubrey Huff to end the inning. Mussina caught a break by getting out of the first untouched.

Bottom 1st -- Johnny Damon struck out, and Brian Roberts made a spectacular defensive play on a tough ground ball to put out Jeter for the second out before retiring Bobby Abreu.

Top 2nd -- Kevin Millar hit a three-run home run on a first-pitch breaking ball from Mussina. Millar, he just keeps hanging around doesn't he? Now the Yankees find themselves needing to come back yet again. Ramon Hernandez then hits a solo shot to make the score 4-0. Four runs on four hits. Orioles 4, Yankees 0

Bottom 2nd -- Both A-Rod and Giambi gave it a ride to right-center and left field, respectively, and Cano grounded out to end the inning. Six up and six down. Guthrie rolling.

Top 3rd -- More troubles for Moose, though no runs scored. Aubrey Huff easily lifted a double off the wall before striking out Mora and Scott to end the inning. Mussina just doesn't look like he has much out there.

Bottom 3rd -- Guthrie retires the Yankees in order again. Exactly nine batters up and nine batters down.

Top 4th -- Damon finally gets a base hit offbut Jeter hit into a double play to stifle any hope of getting something going with the lead runnier on. A-Rod is retired to end the inning. Guthrie still going strong.

Bottom 4th -- Still no offense for the Yankees, doesn't seem as though Mussina will survive for much longer.

Top 5th -- Brian Roberts hits a double down the right field line and is driven in on a RBI triple by Adam Jones to give Baltimore a 5-0 lead. Jones scored to make it 6-0. With every game important as it is in the AL East its surprising to see such a lackluster performance from the Yankees when they had been playing so well.

Bottom 5th -- Giambi strikes out, Jones made a nice play on a fly ball to center by Cano. Guthrie hit Nady with a pitch in the back (expect a payback from the next pitcher to protect the new teammate). Melky lined out to right to end the inning. Still 6-0, Orioles.

Top 6th -- Adam Jones hit his first career grand slam against David Robertson to give the Orioles an 11-0 lead. Robertson had no more than Mussina did today, and was replaced by Edwar Ramirez who came in to end the inning. Orioles 11, Yankees 0.

Bottom 6th -- Jeter reaches on a single, Abreu walked. Guthrie brushed A-Rod with a fastball to load the bases; of course Giambi struck out to end the inning.ama

Top 7th -- Damaso Marte comes in during the seventh and gives up one hit, strikes out a pair. He is going to be lights out as a set up man.

Bottom 7th -- Finally, the Yankees get to Guthrie. Xavier Nady hit a solo a home run for his first base hit as a member of the team. Yankees get pumped up when Johnny Damon hit a three-run home run down the right field line. A-Rod struck out to end the rally. Orioles 11, Yankees 4

Top 8th -- Aubrey Huff, doing his best Josh Hamilton impression, cracked a bomb to right field and Orioles get two more runs on the board. Orioles 13, Yankees 4

Bottom 8th -- The Yankees threatened in the eighth with two runners on, but then again, even threatening to score this late in the game seems as if they would only be delaying the inevitable.

Top 9th -- Kevin Millar reached on a double to lead off and Veras loaded the bases to face Adam Jones who already hit a grand slam. Veras got out of the inning setting up a last chance for the Yankees offense.

Bottom 9th -- Betemit grounds out, Sexson reached on a single to left, but it was for nothing as Justin Christian popped up to end the game.

Here's a quick update. More details to come.

Damon DH
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
A-Rod 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Nady LF
Melky CF
Molina C
Mussina P

Jeremy Guthrie pitching for the Orioles.

You can't win every game, and I suspect that looking at the matchups for the series against Boston, most people pegged last night's game as the one that would be most difficult for the Yankees to win. Ponson inspires less confidence than Joba Chamberlain or Andy Pettitte. And Jon Lester's been tough on the Yankees.

Headed home now for a week before a long road trip. The Yankees have been playing very well at home of late. We'll see if they can keep that up against the Orioles. Maybe Jarrod Washburn will be in uniform in the next couple days.

As you may have noticed, we're in a rain delay here. Which is funny, since it's not even raining. It did rain earlier, but it's not now. First pitch is tentatively scheduled for 9 p.m.

Anyway, here's the lineup:

Yankees
Damon DH
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Nady LF
Cano 2B
Sexson 1B
Cabrera CF
Molina C

Ponson RHP

Red Sox
Pedroia 2B
Youkilis 1B
Ortiz DH
Ramirez LF
Lowell 3B
Drew RF
Varitek C
Cora SS
Ellsbury CF

Lester LHP

Hey everyone! Katie Strang blogging tonight for the Yankees sweep attempt against the Red Sox. The weather might complicate things for us here...but we'll see. Sidney Ponson (6-1, 4.02), will be on the mound for the bombers tonight. He'll face Boston's Jon Lester (8-3, 3.20).

Back after top of the first:)

Top 1st
Lester begins the first by striking out Damon looking with his curveball. Abreu hits a two-out double to center to keep the inning alive, but birthday boy A-Rod flies out to left.
0-0

Bottom 1st
Pedroia leads off with a base hit, but is out at second after Youkilis grounds into the force. Big Papi rips one to right, to put runners at the corners....nice throw though by Abreu that almost caught Youkilis at third. Manny doubles to score Youk to put the Red Sox on the board...scary stat for Yanks fan just shown...he's .449 against NY since 2006. Lowell's RBI single scores Papi and Manny; Lowell out at second, but not before boosting Boston to a three-run lead.
3-0 Boston

Top 2nd
Two down and Sexson singles, but Cabrera goes down swinging for the third out.
3-0 Boston

Bottom 2nd
Cora on base, and Ellsbury doubles to put two in scoring position. Cora scores on Pedroia's sac fly...Ponson's getting hit hard early...could be a long night for the Yankees bullpen.
4-0 Boston

Top 3rd
Back-to-back singles for Molina and Damon. Molina advances to third after Jeter grounds into a DP, but is left stranded as Lester fans Abreu.
4-0 Boston

Bottom 3rd
Manny doubles for the second time in as many attempts. Varitek bloops one to left to score Manny and extend Boston's lead to five runs. Looks like Ponson is having trouble without the run support he usually enjoys...
5-0 Boston

Top 4th
A-rod leads off with a double but Lester retires the next three to keep the Yankees scoreless.
5-0 Boston

Bottom 4th
One-out double for Pedroia and Ponson can't stop the bleeding. Ortiz smashes his first homer since his DL stint, a two-run shot to right, to give the Red Sox a seven-run cushion.
7-0 Boston

Top 5th
Three consecutive Yankees singles and with the bases loaded and no outs, Lester walks in a run. Lester walks in one more, but retires the next three to prevent the Yankees from capitalizing even more.
7-2 Boston

Bottom 5th
Giese replaces Ponson. He gives up a walk to Drew, who steals second and moves to third on Varitek's fly-out, but he's left stranded on Cora's pop out.
7-2 Boston

Top 6th
Lester recovers with a 1-2-3 inning.
7-2 Boston

Bottom 6th
Ellsbury singles and Youk's ground ball single moves him to third. Ortiz brings him home on a sac fly that gives Boston another insurance run. Manny flies out to right and Youk tags up to narrowly avoid the tag at home.
9-2 Boston

Top 7th
Three up, three down, as Lester retires his ninth straight batter.
9-2 Boston

Bottom 7th
Moeller in to replace Molina. Two outs and both Cora and Ellsbury single, but Pedroia flies out to leave two runners on.
9-2 Boston

Top 8th
Manny Delcarmen in to pitch and A-rod gets a base hit off him to begin the 8th, but the Yankees fail to get anything going.
9-2 Boston

Bottom 8th
Giese retires the Red Sox in order, sending it the Yankees' way for one last comeback effort.
9-2

Top 9th
Mike Timlin in for the save and he retires the side for the Red Sox win.
Final 9-2

Not to be the bearer of bad news, but heavy thunderstorms are predicted in Boston this evening. It's overcast now, but dry. However, the skies are supposed to open up in the next couple hours. Hopefully the storms will take a sharp turn north or south and we can get this game in tonight.

Andy Pettitte said after yesterday's game that even two weeks ago, when he said: "We stink right now," he still figured the Yankees would turn things around and make the playoffs, probably by winning the division. But even he admitted yesterday that they have narrowed the gap with the Red Sox faster than he expected.

Alex Rodriguez got hit yesterday, but since Craig Hansen was wild all outing, it didn't create quite the stir that Kevin Youkilis getting hit Friday by Joba Chamberlain did.

Trade deadline moves are getting lots of attention, whether it's Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte, both one day into their tenure as Yankees, or Yankee target Jarrod Washburn.

One more game left at Fenway: 8 p.m. start.

Good afternoon Yankee fans. Marcus Henry is back to take you through game 2 of this pivotal three-game set between the Yanks and the Sox.

Yankees (57-45) vs. Boston (60-44), 3:55 p.m.

Starters: Andy Pettitte (11-7, 3.86) for the Yankees and Tim Wakefield (6-7, 3.69) for the Red Sox.

Last starts: Pettitte took a beating in his last outing against the Red Sox last week as he got battered for six runs and nine hits over 4 2/3 innings. But he was stellar against Oakland on July 20, as he struck out nine in eight innings of one-run ball. With Mariano Rivera probably not available, the Yanks need Pettitte to come up big. Wakefield was a bit shakey against the Angels last week, giving up four runs, including two homers over seven innings in a 5-3 loss.

Good times, bad times: The good; The Yankees, winners of seven straight are streaking and made things a little more interesting with the acquisition of Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte. The bad; There's isn't much to complain about, although the Yankees could use a hot streak by Alex Rodriguez and Melky Cabrera.

Top 1st Johnny Damon flied out to left for the first out. Derek Jeter doubled to right centerfield. Bobby Abreu grounded out to second on a nice play by Dustin Pedroia. Alex Rodriguez gorunded out to third for the final out.
Yankees 0, Red Sox 0

Bottom 1st Pedroia reached on an error by Rodriguez. Kevin Youkilis walked, Pedroia moved to second. David Ortiz singled, scoring Pedroia. Youkilis moved to third on the throw home. Boston leads 1-0. Manny Ramirez grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing Ortiz at second and scoring Youkilis to give the Red Sox a 2-0 lead. Mike Lowell grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing Ramirez at second on a nice play by Jeter, ranging far to his right. J.D. Drew struck out swinging to end the inning.
Red Sox 2, Yankees 0

Top 2nd Jason Giambi struck out swinging on three pitches. Robinson Cano singled up the middle. Xavier Nady grounded out to the pitcher for the second out. Cano moved to second. Melky Cabrera struck out swinging for the final out.
Red Sox 2, Yankees 0

Bottom 2nd Jed Lowrie walked to lead off the inning. Coco Crisp fouled out to third. Kevin Cash struck out swinging. Pedroia struck out swinging for the final out.
Red Sox 2, Yankees 0

Top 3rd Jose Molina walked. Damon flied out to deep centerfield. Molina moved to second on a wild pitch by Wakefield. Jeter flied out to centerfield, Molina moved to third. Abreu singled to right, scoring Molina, to cut Boston's lead to 2-1. Rodriguez doubled to left. Abreu moved to third. Giambi flied out to deep right for the final out.
Red Sox 2, Yankees 1

Bottom 3rd Youkilis singled to right. Ortiz struck out swinging. Ramirez lined out to left. Lowell walked. Youkilis moved to second. Drew flied out to left for the final out.
Red Sox 2, Yankees 1

Top 4th Cano homered to straight away centerfield to tie the score at 2. Nady grounded out to shortstop. Cabrera legged out a bunt single. Molina flied out to left. Cabrera stole second base (his 8th). Damon singled to center, scoring Carbera to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead. Damon stole second base (his 15th). Jeter grounded out to third for the final out.
Yankees 3, Red Sox 2

Bottom 4th Lowrie struck out swinging. Crisp struck out swinging. Cash singled to left. Pedroia grounded out to second for the final out.
Yankees 3, Red Sox 2

Top 5th Abreu flied out to centerfield. Rodriguez walked. Giambi struck out swinging. Cano walked. Rodriguez moved to second. Cano was thrown out trying to steal second for the final out.
Yankees 3, Red Sox 2

Bottom 5th Youkilis grounded out to shortstop. Ortiz reached on an infield single to second. Ramirez grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.
Yankees 3, Red Sox 2

Top 6th Nady walked to leadoff the inning. Cabrera doubled off the leftfield wall. Nady moved to third. Molina was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Damon grounded into a fielder's choice, forcing Molina at second. Nady scored to give the Yankees a 4-2 lead, Cabrera moved to third. Wakefield left the game. Justin Masterson is pitching. Jeter singled to short rightfield, scoring Cabrera to give the Yankees a 5-2 lead. Damon moved to second. Abreu doubled to left, scoring Damon to five the Yankees a 6-2 lead. Jeter moved to third. Rodriguez singled to left, scoring Jeter to gives the Yankees a 7-2 lead with one out. Abreu moved to third. Javier Lopez is in to pitch for the Red Sox. Giambi grounded into a 3-5 double play, taggint out Abreu at third, to end the inning
Yankees 7, Red Sox 2

Bottom 6th Lowell grounded out to third. Drew homered to right to cut the Yankees lead to 7-3. Lowrie grounded out to third on a nice scoop from Giambi. Crisp struck out swinging for the final out.
Yankees 7, Red Sox 3

Top 7th Cano grounded out to shortstop. Nady was hit by a pitch. Cabrera struck out swinging for the second out and Nady was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning.
Yankees 7, Red Sox 3

Bottom 7th Veras is into pitch for the Yankees. The Yankees are 6-1 when leading after the sixth. Cash struck out swinging. Pedroia walked. Youkilis singled to left. Lefthander Damaso Marte will make his first appearance as a Yankee and will face Ortiz. Ortiz struck out swinging for the second out. Edwar Ramirez is in to pitch for the Yankees and will face Ramirez. Ramirez flied out to center for the final out.
Yankees 7, Red Sox 3

Top 8th Craig Hansen is pitching for the Red Sox. Molina walked. Damon grounded out to second. Molina moved to second, just avoiding a tag by Pedroia. Damon limped off the field with an apparent leg ailment. Jeter struck out swinging for the second out. Molina moved to third on a wild pitch. Abreu walked. Rodriguez got hit by a pitch. Abreu moved to second. Giambi walked, scoring Molina to give the Yankees an 8-3 lead. Sexon inserted as a pinch runner for Giambi. Cano doubled to left centerfield, scoring Abreu and Rodriguez to give the Yankees a 10-3 lead. Mike Timlin relieved Hansen for Boston. Nady grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.
Yankees 10, Red Sox 3

Bottom 8th Wilson Betemit relieved Rodriguez at third base and Sexon relieved Giambi at first base for the Yankees. Lowell struck out swinging. Drew grounded out to second. Lowrie walked. Crisp flied out to centerfield to end the inning.
Yankees 10, Red Sox 3

Top 9th Cabrera grounded out to shortstop. Molina singled to right. Justin Christian, pinch hitting for Damon, grounded out to the pitcher. Molina moved to second. Jeter struck out swinging to end the inning.
Yankees 10, Red Sox 3:

Bottom 9th David Robertson relieved Ramirez for the Yankees. Cash grounded out to shortstop. Pedroia grounded out to second. Youkilis flied out to centerfield to end the game.
Final score: Yankees 10, Boston 3

Yankees (58-45) win, 10-3, to move within one of game of the Red Sox (60-45) for second place in the AL East behind the Tampa Bay Rays, who were in Kansas City. Sunday night's matchup will pit Sidney Ponson (6-1, 4.02 ERA) against Jon Lester (8-3, 3.20 ERA) for the Red Sox. Good night Yankee fans.

The final two minor leaguers in the trade have changed. Instead of Phil Coke and George Kontos going to Pittsburgh, it's actually Jeff Karstens and Daniel McCutchen. The move is expected to be officially announced by the Yankees shortly.

The Yankees keep racking up the wins, along with picking up some prime new players in a trade with the Pirates last night. Here's the linkage:

Joba Chamberlain shuts down the Red Sox (with a little help from Mariano Rivera).

The Yankees add outfielder Xavier Nady and lefty reliever Damaso Marte.

Here are Ken Davidoff's thoughts on the deal.

And the Red Sox aren't happy about Joba Chamberlain nearly hitting Kevin Youkilis.

The Red Sox have bigger concerns than losing a game to the Yankees in which Josh Beckett is pitching, though. Manny Ramirez is a big concern. Apparently the Red Sox are fed up with his antics. Here's Dan Shaugnessy's column in the Boston Globe.

Hi, Ken Davidoff here. As Kat writes our story on the trade, just wanted to fill you in: It's not an official deal yet, as there are some unclear medical issues to resolve, but the Yankees and Pirates have agreed in principle on a trade that would bring outfielder Xavier Nady and left-handed reliever Damaso Marte to the Bronx in return for Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Tabata, left-hander Phil Coke and right-hander George Kontos. The final two were both at Double-A Trenton.

Instant analysis: Seems like Pittsburgh lowered its price considerably. We saw that Ohlendorf was no great shakes, and Tabata's behavior has been a major issue. I don't know much about Coke, although one official from an AL club with whom I spoke with tonight likes him and thought the Yankees gave up too much in this deal.

For now, though, the Yankees get an offensive boost and the final piece to their bullpen, without sacrificing any of their prime minor-leaguers. Pretty good.

Hey everyone! Katie Strang here to blog the first of a 3-game series against the Red Sox. Tonight should be an exciting pitching match-up...with Joba Chamberlain (2-3, 2.52) taking on Josh Beckett (9-6, 3.97) for Boston. Manny Ramirez will not be in the lineup...but David Ortiz is back. Should be a nice way to kick off the weekend!

Leave your comments, just make sure to keep the PG!

Back after top of the first :)

Top 1st
Damon leads off by grounding out to second, but he works Beckett for 10 pitches. Back-to-back singles for Jeter and Abreu as Beckett has stuck to his fastball for the first 14 pitches. After an ugly AB from A-rod, Two on and two outs and Giambi goes down looking.
0-0

Bottom 1st
One-out single for Pedroia before Big Papi steps up to the plate for the first time since his lengthy absence. Joba fans Ortiz, but Pedroia steals second on a great move. Although he gets beat by the ball, he pulls a spin move to try and avoid the tag and is called safe..although it looks like Jeter got a piece of his thigh. Youkilis goes down swinging to end the first...no drama between those two yet.
0-0

Top 2nd
Cano lifts one to left center for a base hit, but with two away, Gardner goes down looking.
0-0

Bottom 2nd
Lowell goes deep of the left wall, but Gardner plays it well to hold him to a single. One out, and Jed Lowrie gets robbed of a single on a great 4-6-3 DP.
0-0

Top 3rd
Two down, and Abreu and A-Rod both single to put runners at the corners with Giambi at the plate. Giambi places an RBI single to score Abreu and put the Yankees on the board.
1-0 NY

Bottom 3rd
Joba strikes out the first two batters and retires Ellsbury on a ground ball for a 1-2-3 inning.
1-0 NY

Top 4th
Cabrera singles on a line to center, but he gets caught stealing second. Molina goes down swinging and Gardner lines out.
1-0 NY

Bottom 4th
Cano can't handle the hop on Ortiz' grounder and is charged with a error, as Ortiz reaches first. NOTE: unconfirmend at the time, but Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to Yankees for Ohlendorf, Jose Tabata, and Phil Coke. Joba gives up a walk to Lowell, but fans Drew to end the inning...
1-0

Top 5th
Damon leads off the fifth with a single, but with one out and Abreu lines into an unassisted double play.
1-0 NY

Bottom 5th
1-2-3 for Joba, and his pitch count is relatively low...75 through 5.
1-0 NY

Top 6th
A-Rod singles and then moves to second on a wild pitch. Cano's grounder moves A-Rod to third. Cabrera strands A-Rod but Beckett's up to 94 pitches.
1-0 NY

Top 7th
Two away and Damon gets on base with a walk, but Jeter flies out for the third out.
1-0 NY

Bottom 7th
Joba fans Youkilis but not before beaning him...so I guess the fireworks have begun. Anyone that can read lips knows he is NOT happy. Another 1-2-3 inning for Joba.
1-0 NY

Top 8th
Yankees go down in order, but it takes three pitchers to get the eighth.
1-0 NY

Bottom 8th
Farnsworth in to replace Joba and he gives up a single to Lowrie. One down and Crisp reaches first after Farnsworth muffs the play. Mo comes in to bail him out for the next two outs.
1-0 NY

Top 9th
Okajima notches a 1-2-3 to send it to the bottom of the ninth with Ortiz at the plate.
1-0 NY

Bottom 9th
Tying run on base as Youkilis slices one past A-Rod. Lowell goes down on strikes and is HEATED. He lets the ump know and gets ejected from the game. One out left for Rivera and he gets it, by fanning Drew.
1-0 NY