Opening Daze at Yankee Stadium…
Except for the ending, it was a very majestic day in the Bronx…
Chuck Solomon/SI
The historical first lineup at the new Yankee Stadium was:
1-Derek Jeter, SS
2-Johnny Damon, LF
3-Mark Teixeira, 1B
4-Nick Swisher, RF
5-Jorge Posada, C
6-Robinson Cano, 2B
7-Hideki Matsui, DH
8-Cody Ransom, 3B
9-Brett Gardner, CF
SP: CC Sabathia
Johnny Damon delivered the first hit at the new Stadium, and Jorge Posada hit the first home run.
John Munson/The Star-Ledger
The game was very tight in the early going, as CC Sabathia was locked in a pitcher’s duel with his former Indians teammate Cliff Lee. Sabathia departed with two outs in the sixth inning. He gave up five hits, one run, and had four strikeouts. He did allow five walks which had driven his pitch count up to 122, but at the time of his departure, the Yanks were tied with the Indians at 1-1.
Enter the bullpen…
Jose Veras began the seventh inning and walked the first batter he faced. He then proceeded to allow consecutive doubles by Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta. Peralta’s hit scored two runs.
More gasoline…
Damaso Marte was brought in to replace Veras, but the floodgates had been opened. A walk and an error loaded the bases. A single by Kelly Shoppach scored a run. Trevor Crowe walked with the bases still loaded to bring in another run. Grady Sizemore came to the plate and hit a grand slam to right to clear the bases. Martinez came around in the order again, and homered to cap the inning’s scoring at nine runs (3 charged to Veras and 6 to Marte).
In the end, the Indians had emerged with a 10-2 victory in the first game played at the new Stadium.
As the new era begins, we will forever remember the Cathedral…
AP
The Yankees will look to Joba Chamberlain to bring the Yanks’ first home victory on Friday.
Getty Images
OTHER NOTES
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As expected, the Yankees placed right fielder Xavier Nady on the disabled list. I had expected a corner infielder to come up from Scranton, but the Yankees opted to recall reliever David Robertson. Robertson pitched the final two innings of today’s game, giving up two hits, but allowing no runs with three strikeouts.
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Alex Rodriguez participated in his first full batting practice session today. He took a total of 49 swings, which included three home runs. Is it May 15th yet?
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The Massachusetts state medical examiner’s office has ruled former Tigers pitcher Mark Fidrych’s death to be accidental. He suffocated when his clothes became entangled in the power takeoff shaft of a truck he was working on. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
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John Madden has called it a career. I can’t say that I was a big Madden fan in 1977 when the Raiders thrashed my Minnesota Vikings, 32-14, in Super Bowl XI, but I’ve always enjoyed Madden the broadcaster. When Madden and Pat Summerall were together, I felt they were the top NFL broadcasting team. Madden has meant so much to the NFL, and his voice will be missed but I am glad that he’ll be able to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests.
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The Texas Rangers’ second baseman Ian Kinsler had the game of a lifetime on Wednesday. He went 6-for-6, hitting for the cycle with two singles, two doubles, a triple and a home run. He scored 5 runs, and had 4 RBI. The six at-bats came within the confines of a standard 9-inning game, which is unusual. The Rangers defeated the Baltimore Orioles, 19-6, in Arlington, Texas. Great game, Ian! Get it out of your system before you make the trip to the Bronx! On second thought, maybe that was just some awful O’s pitching…
Hopefully, tomorrow’s blog will be more uplifting!
–Scott
I'm Not A Headline Guy... 
It was a tough game today. We really need a guy to pitch the 7th and 8th innings. Joba should be in the pen. Veras and Marte won’t get it done with 10.00 plus ERAs. The bullpen needs help.
shortporch http://shortporch.mlblogs.com/
Hmmm…..home field jitters? The new stadium does look good! Is Joba going to stay in the starter role or head to the ‘pen? My daughter said that if the Sharks win, it’ll make up for the Yankees loss…is that how it works now? 😉
Canuck
http://watercooler.mlblogs.com
SHORTPORCH – I have tried to maintain confidence in Marte but I am losing the fight. That was an ugly inning. I am not ready to support ‘Joba to the Pen’ but the Yanks need to do something.
CANUCK – Your daughter is so right. A Sharks win over the Ducks tonight would restore a wonderful day!
Scott
Scott – I can honestly say I never expected the Yankees to lose today. Did I hear correctly that Jeter was taken out of the game? I’m not sure if I heard it or imagined it. And I’ll even root for your Sharks tonight. (My Bruins are up 2-1 with 5 minutes left in the second period.) And I really will miss John Madden. He made the games so enjoyable to watch. I hope that tomorrow is a better day for you! 🙂
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
Scott,
Tough day, I’m sure… but I loved the pictures. CC did do well, it was just a bullpen massacre. Ian Kinsler is pretty much a beast.
Elizabeth
http://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com
I have just posted my “dedication” blog. Ok, it’s sort of a dedication blog… 🙂 Enjoy!
How the Sharks/Ducks series is a sweeping good time for the Sharks! The Bruins/Habs game is pretty good so far!
Maybe you guys should move Nick Swisher to the bullpen 🙂 Although, my team got thumped by the Blue Jays last night (and is threatening to lose again tonight) so I completely sympathize. And I hope the Sharks beat the Ducks, I hate them almost as much as I hate the Canucks.-Erinhttp://plunking-gomez.mlblogs.com
The Bruins take game 1! And the Big Bad Bruins are back! The “extra action” in the game tonight reminded me so much of the games I watched growing up between the Bruins and the Canadians! The series is going to be fun to watch!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
JULIA – Of course, I was hoping to start the new Stadium with a victory. It was a thrill to see all those former Yankees. But it wasn’t meant to be…not with our bullpen. Thursday was a double-negative…the Sharks lost too. Ugh! Nevertheless, today is a new day.
ELIZABETH – Kinsler is definitely a good player. That was an impressive day that he had, but I am sure that there will be more. I heard there was good news with Jed Lowrie…I bet you’re glad to get him back this season when it looked like he’d be gone until next year.
GINNY – Well, the Sharks were toothless last night. Bummer. But they will be back for Game 2. The Bruins were impressive…but don’t tell Julia that! LOL!
ERIN – I checked the Yankee score in the 6th and it was 1-1, and then I checked shortly thereafter, and it was 10-1. That was horrible! Hopefully things will go better today.
Have a great day!
Scott
I hadn’t heard about the Sharks yet. I’m cheering them on so that my Bruins can have the pleasure of beating them. 😉 And I didn’t notice you saying anything about how impressive my Bruins look! 😉 And should the “unthinkable” happen – you will receive a copy of the photo. Of course I might move before IT arrives…..
Have a great day!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
LOL that we both used the flames/fire analogy to describe the bullpen’s contribution to yesterday’s game. I read one blogger describe Veras and Marte as “arsonists,” so I guess it’s a running theme. Here’s hoping today brings a sparkling performance by Joba and Mo!
– http://janeheller.mlblogs.com
Congrats on the win today! Yankees’ fans must be breathing a sigh of relief! 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/