GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: TORONTO (78-77) at NY YANKEES (90-65)

AL: TORONTO (78-77) at NY YANKEES (90-65)

<h3>Yankees aim to clinch 13th straight playoff berth</h3>



<div class="pre">Toronto (78-77) at NY Yankees (90-65) 1:05 pm EDT</div>

BRONX, New York (Ticker) - The New York Yankees aim to clinchtheir 13th straight playoff berth when they face off with theToronto Blue Jays in the finale of a four-game series on Mondayafternoon.


With a win, the Yankees can assure themselves of a spot in thepostseason in every season since 1995. New York has won theAmerican League wild card in two of those campaigns - 1995 and1997.


But since their last appearance as the wild card entry 10 yearsago, the Yankees have reeled off nine straight division titles,a streak that is in jeopardy. New York trails the Boston RedSox (92-64) by 1 1/2 games in the race for the AL East crown.

The Yankees are 5 1/2 games ahead of the Detroit Tigers (85-71)in the wild card standings.


Winners of six of its last seven games, New York will look forcontinued success behind Andy Pettitte (14-8, 3.79 ERA), whopicked up his 200th career win in a 2-1 victory over theBaltimore Orioles on Wednesday.


The lefthander allowed one run and seven hits in 7 2/3 inningswhile striking out four and walking two.


Pettitte is starting in place of Roger Clemens, whose start waspushed back to Tuesday due to a hamstring injury. Pettitte is1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts against the Blue Jays thisseason.


Toronto will counter with A.J. Burnett (9-7. 3.40), who haspitched well against New York this campaign. The oft-injuredrighthander is 1-0 in two starts, allowing just one run andeight hits in 15 frames while striking out 13 and walking six.

The Blue Jays dropped a 7-5 decision to the Yankees on Sundayafternoon, their second straight loss after a four-game winningstreak.

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">TORONTO AT NY YANKEES -- LINEUPS

TORONTO NY YANKEES
AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI
Reed Johnson LF .234 2 12 Johnny Damon DH .259 11 60
Matt Stairs RF .296 20 61 Derek Jeter SS .319 11 68
Alex Rios CF .297 24 84 Bobby Abreu RF .284 16 98
Frank Thomas DH .273 25 91 Alex Rodriguez 3B .312 52 146
Aaron Hill 2B .284 16 74 Hideki Matsui LF .287 25 102
Gregg Zaun C .247 10 50 Jorge Posada C .337 20 86
Curtis Thigpen 1B .229 0 8 Robinson Cano 2B .303 18 89
Hector Luna 3B .208 1 3 Doug Mientkiewicz 1B .259 5 23
John Mcdonald SS .247 1 28 Melky Cabrera CF .281 8 70

Jesse Litsch RHP (6-9, 4.16) Andy Pettitte LHP (14-8, 3.79)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO (78-77) at NY YANKEES (90-65)

<h3>Yankees aim to clinch 13th straight playoff berth</h3>



<div class="pre">Toronto (78-77) at NY Yankees (90-65) 1:05 pm EDT</div>

BRONX, New York (Ticker) - The New York Yankees aim to clinchtheir 13th straight playoff berth when they face off with theToronto Blue Jays in the finale of a four-game series on Mondayafternoon.


With a win, the Yankees can assure themselves of a spot in thepostseason in every season since 1995. New York has won theAmerican League wild card in two of those campaigns - 1995 and1997.


But since their last appearance as the wild card entry 10 yearsago, the Yankees have reeled off nine straight division titles,a streak that is in jeopardy. New York trails the Boston RedSox (92-64) by 1 1/2 games in the race for the AL East crown.

The Yankees are 5 1/2 games ahead of the Detroit Tigers (85-71)in the wild card standings.


Winners of six of its last seven games, New York will look forcontinued success behind Andy Pettitte (14-8, 3.79 ERA), whopicked up his 200th career win in a 2-1 victory over theBaltimore Orioles on Wednesday.


The lefthander allowed one run and seven hits in 7 2/3 inningswhile striking out four and walking two.


Pettitte is starting in place of Roger Clemens, whose start waspushed back to Tuesday due to a hamstring injury. Pettitte is1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts against the Blue Jays thisseason.


Toronto will counter with rookie Jesse Litsch (6-9, 4.16), whois a late replacement for A.J. Burnett.


Burnett had to travel along Baltimore in order to take care ofsome personal matter. The righthander will start Tuesday'sseries opener against the Orioles.


Litsch is coming off a strong start against the Boston Red Soxon Wednesday, yielding a run and two hits in 6 2/3 innings ofthe 6-1 win.


The 22-year-old righthander has faced the Yankees twice before,giving up eight runs and 10 hits in just 5 2/3 frames.

The Blue Jays dropped a 7-5 decision to the Yankees on Sundayafternoon, their second straight loss after a four-game winningstreak.

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES
WARMUPS: TOR - JESSE LITSCH (6-9, 4.16)
NYY - ANDY PETTITTE (14-8, 3.79)

UMPIRES: HP - TED BARRETT
1B - MARK CARLSON
2B - ANGEL HERNANDEZ
3B - DERRYL COUSINS

WEATHER: 76 Degrees, sunny
WIND: 2 mph, right to left</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES
STARTING BATS: TOR - JESSE LITSCH AND GREGG ZAUN
NYY - ANDY PETTITTE AND JORGE POSADA

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: R JOHNSON (.234, 2 HR, 12 RBI)
M STAIRS (.296, 20 HR, 61 RBI)
A RIOS (.297, 24 HR, 84 RBI)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 0 0 0 0
NY YANKEES 0 0 0 (BOT 1)

CURRENT PITCHERS: TOR - JESSE LITSCH
NYY - ANDY PETTITTE

DUE UP FOR NY YANKEES: J DAMON (.259, 11 HR, 60 RBI)
D JETER (.319, 11 HR, 68 RBI)
B ABREU (.284, 16 HR, 98 RBI)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">TORONTO (0) VS NY YANKEES (0) - MID 1ST - IN PROGRESS

TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Johnson lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .233
M Stairs rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .295
A Rios cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .296
F Thomas dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
A Hill 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
G Zaun c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
C Thigpen 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .229
H Luna 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .208
J McDonald ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 1 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


NY YANKEES ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Damon dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .259
D Jeter ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .319
B Abreu rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
A Rodriguez 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .312
H Matsui lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
J Posada c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .337
R Cano 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
D Mientkiewicz 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .259
M Cabrera cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281

Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


----------------------------------------------------
TORONTO - 0 -- 0
NY YANKEES - -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
J Litsch 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.16

NY YANKEES ip h r er bb so hr era
A Pettitte 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.77

Pitches-strikes: A Pettitte 10-7. Ground balls-fly balls: A Pettitte 1-1.
Batters faced: A Pettitte 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Ted Barrett. 1B--Mark Carlson. 2B--Angel Hernandez. 3B--Derryl
Cousins.

Weather: 78 degrees, sunny. Wind: 1 mph, in from left.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES
CONFIRMED STARTERS: TOR - JESSE LITSCH
NYY - ANDY PETTITTE</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 0 0 0 0
NY YANKEES 0 0 0 0 (TOP 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: TOR - JESSE LITSCH
NYY - ANDY PETTITTE

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: F THOMAS (.273, 25 HR, 91 RBI)
A HILL (.284, 16 HR, 74 RBI)
G ZAUN (.247, 10 HR, 50 RBI)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">TORONTO (0) VS NY YANKEES (0) - END 1ST - IN PROGRESS

TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Johnson lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .233
M Stairs rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .295
A Rios cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .296
F Thomas dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
A Hill 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
G Zaun c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
C Thigpen 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .229
H Luna 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .208
J McDonald ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 1 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


NY YANKEES ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Damon dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .258
D Jeter ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .319
B Abreu rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
A Rodriguez 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .312
H Matsui lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
J Posada c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .337
R Cano 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
D Mientkiewicz 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .259
M Cabrera cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 0 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


----------------------------------------------------
TORONTO - 0 -- 0
NY YANKEES - 0 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
J Litsch 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.12

NY YANKEES ip h r er bb so hr era
A Pettitte 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.77

Pitches-strikes: J Litsch 9-7; A Pettitte 10-7. Ground balls-fly balls: J
Litsch 1-2; A Pettitte 1-1. Batters faced: J Litsch 3; A Pettitte 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Ted Barrett. 1B--Mark Carlson. 2B--Angel Hernandez. 3B--Derryl
Cousins.

Weather: 78 degrees, sunny. Wind: 1 mph, in from left.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL TORONTO AT NY YANKEES
NOTE: TORONTO SECOND BASEMAN AARON HILL EXTENDED HIS
HITTING STREAK TO 10 GAMES WITH A SINGLE IN THE SECOND INNING.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES - SCORING UPDATE
DOUBLE BY CURTIS THIGPEN SCORED AARON HILL.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, C THIGPEN ON SECOND, G ZAUN ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 1
NY YANKEES 0 TOP, 2ND

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: H LUNA (.208, 1 HR, 3 RBI)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES - SCORING UPDATE
GROUND OUT BY HECTOR LUNA SCORED GREGG ZAUN.
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, C THIGPEN ON THIRD, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 2
NY YANKEES 0 TOP, 2ND

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: J MCDONALD (.247, 1 HR, 28 RBI)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES - SCORING UPDATE
DOUBLE BY JOHN MCDONALD SCORED CURTIS THIGPEN.
SITUATION: 3 RUNS IN, J MCDONALD ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 3
NY YANKEES 0 TOP, 2ND

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: R JOHNSON (.233, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 0 3 3 3 0
NY YANKEES 0 0 0 0 (BOT 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: TOR - JESSE LITSCH
NYY - ANDY PETTITTE

DUE UP FOR NY YANKEES: A RODRIGUEZ (.312, 52 HR, 146 RBI)
H MATSUI (.287, 25 HR, 102 RBI)
J POSADA (.337, 20 HR, 86 RBI)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">TORONTO (3) VS NY YANKEES (0) - MID 2ND - IN PROGRESS

TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Johnson lf 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .232
M Stairs rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .295
A Rios cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .296
F Thomas dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .272
A Hill 2b 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .285
G Zaun c 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 .247
C Thigpen 1b 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .238
H Luna 3b 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 .200
J McDonald ss 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .249

Totals 9 3 3 3 1 1 1

BATTING: 2B - C Thigpen (4, A Pettitte); J McDonald (18, A Pettitte). RBI - C
Thigpen (9), H Luna (4), J McDonald (29). 2-out RBI - J McDonald. Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - R Johnson 1. Team LOB - 1.


NY YANKEES ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Damon dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .258
D Jeter ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .319
B Abreu rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
A Rodriguez 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .312
H Matsui lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
J Posada c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .337
R Cano 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
D Mientkiewicz 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .259
M Cabrera cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 0 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


----------------------------------------------------
TORONTO - 03 -- 3
NY YANKEES - 0 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
J Litsch 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.12

NY YANKEES ip h r er bb so hr era
A Pettitte 2 3 3 3 1 1 0 3.88

Pitches-strikes: J Litsch 9-7; A Pettitte 35-24. Ground balls-fly balls: J
Litsch 1-2; A Pettitte 3-2. Batters faced: J Litsch 3; A Pettitte 10.

UMPIRES: HP--Ted Barrett. 1B--Mark Carlson. 2B--Angel Hernandez. 3B--Derryl
Cousins.

Weather: 78 degrees, sunny. Wind: 1 mph, in from left.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 0 3 3 3 0
NY YANKEES 0 0 0 0 0 (TOP 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: TOR - JESSE LITSCH
NYY - ANDY PETTITTE

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: M STAIRS (.295, 0-FOR-1)
A RIOS (.296, 0-FOR-1)
F THOMAS (.272, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">TORONTO (3) VS NY YANKEES (0) - END 2ND - IN PROGRESS

TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Johnson lf 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .232
M Stairs rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .295
A Rios cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .296
F Thomas dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .272
A Hill 2b 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .285
G Zaun c 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 .247
C Thigpen 1b 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .238
H Luna 3b 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 .200
J McDonald ss 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .249

Totals 9 3 3 3 1 1 1

BATTING: 2B - C Thigpen (4, A Pettitte); J McDonald (18, A Pettitte). RBI - C
Thigpen (9), H Luna (4), J McDonald (29). 2-out RBI - J McDonald. Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - R Johnson 1. Team LOB - 1.


NY YANKEES ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Damon dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .258
D Jeter ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .319
B Abreu rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
A Rodriguez 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .311
H Matsui lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
J Posada c 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .336
R Cano 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
D Mientkiewicz 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .259
M Cabrera cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281

Totals 6 0 0 0 0 0 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


----------------------------------------------------
TORONTO - 03 -- 3
NY YANKEES - 00 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
J Litsch 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.08

NY YANKEES ip h r er bb so hr era
A Pettitte 2 3 3 3 1 1 0 3.88

Pitches-strikes: J Litsch 19-12; A Pettitte 35-24. Ground balls-fly balls: J
Litsch 4-2; A Pettitte 3-2. Batters faced: J Litsch 6; A Pettitte 10.

UMPIRES: HP--Ted Barrett. 1B--Mark Carlson. 2B--Angel Hernandez. 3B--Derryl
Cousins.

Weather: 78 degrees, sunny. Wind: 1 mph, in from left.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES - SCORING UPDATE
ERROR BY DEREK JETER ALLOWED ALEX RIOS TO SCORE.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, A HILL ON FIRST, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 4
NY YANKEES 0 TOP, 3RD

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: G ZAUN (.247, 0-FOR-0, BB)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 0 3 1 4 4 0
NY YANKEES 0 0 0 0 1 (BOT 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: TOR - JESSE LITSCH
NYY - ANDY PETTITTE

DUE UP FOR NY YANKEES: R CANO (.303, 18 HR, 89 RBI)
D MIENTKIEWICZ (.259, 5 HR, 23 RBI)
M CABRERA (.281, 8 HR, 70 RBI)</div>