Yankees Notebook: Rainy Day Edition

Perhaps after yesterday's proceedings, the baseball gods needed a day off.

The third and final game of the New York Yankees' first 2012 series against the Boston Red Sox was postponed due to rain in Boston, allowing the latter team -- now a paltry 4-10, last in the AL East -- a chance to catch its collective breath. The Yankees, meanwhile head to Texas to begin a three-game series with the Rangers Monday night.

Due to the rainout (no makeup date was announced), manager Joe Girardi announced the Yankees' starting rotation would be moved back by a day.

at Texas
Monday: CC Sabathia
Tuesday: Hiroki Kuroda
Wednesday: Phil Hughes

Thursday: off day

vs. Tigers
Friday: Ivan Nova
Saturday: Sabathia/Freddy Garcia
Sunday: To be announced.

Jeter approaching all-time hit leaders:

Derek Jeter is currently hitting .382 with four homers, a pace of power nearing that of his 1999 season, when he hit a career-high 24. Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com, citing an article by his coworker Andrew Marchand, puts these numbers into context by estimating Jeter will retire with approximately 3,560 hits -- putting him behind just Stan Musial, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb and Pete Rose on the all-time hit list.

Yankees Vs. Red Sox, Game 3: Rain Postpones Sunday's Series Finale

The New York Yankees will not get their shot of earning a three-game series sweep of their rival the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. That's because the prime time match-up, which was suppose to feature ace CC Sabathia against Boston's Daniel Bard, has been postponed to to rainy weather conditions at Fenway Park. There has been no announcement about when the game will be reschedule.

The postponement came around 3 p.m. ET, as rain began to fall on the 100-year-old park and isn't expected to stop until sometime Monday. The cancellation came in the middle of a possible three-game sweep of the Red Sox, who blew a nine-run lead to the Yankees on Saturday.

The Yankees will travel to Arlington, TX to play the Texas Rangers in a three-game series. According to MLB.com writer James Walker, Sabathia is expected to take the mound and will oppose youngster Derek Holland.

See Pinstripe Alley for complete discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

Yankees Vs. Red Sox, Game 3 Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Pitching Matchups

Spoiling a 100th birthday party (check). A massive come-from-behind victory (check). A three-game series sweep at Fenway Park? That will be determined Sunday night, when the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox finish off three-game series at 8:05 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The series finale between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox might feature ace CC Sabathia (1-0, 5.59 ERA) against Daniel Bard (0-2, 4.63 ERA). Of course, that's if the game happens as the weather forecast is calling for a 100-percent chance of rain.

On Saturday, New York (9-6) rallied for a nine-run deficit to down Boston (4-10), 15-9, in another historic Yankee-Red Sox game. The memorable contest came a day after New York ruined the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park.

If Game 3 isn't postponed because of rain, Boston will try to snap a five-game winning streak, while New York will be looking for its fourth straight victory.

Here's the game's basic viewing information:

Location: Fenway Park, Boston, Ma.

Game Time: 8:05 p.m. ET

TV Channel: ESPN

Radio: 880 CBS

Pitching Match-Up: CC Sabathia (NYY) vs. Daniel Bard (BOS)

See Pinstripe Alley for complete discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

PHOTO ESSAY: Yankees 15, Red Sox 9

Here is what basically amounts to a photo essay of Saturday's 15-9 victory by the New York Yankees over the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees came back from a 9-0 deficit to humble Boston.

Adrian Gonzalez hits an RBI double as the Red Sox build a 9-0 lead. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Yankee starter Freddy Garcia lasted less than two innings. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Nick Swisher started the Yankee comeback with a seventh-inning grand slam. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Boston manager Bobby Valentine kept changing pitchers, and things kept getting worse for Boston. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Yankees were the team celebrating in the late innings. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Yankees Vs. Red Sox Final Score: Yankees Mount Massive Comeback, Clobber Red Sox

Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park was a reminder that no lead is safe against a New York Yankees lineup as powerful as it is rich.

The Boston Red Sox stormed out to a 9-0 lead on Saturday after chasing Yankees starter Freddy Garcia in the second inning, but a Mark Teixeira solo home run in the top of the sixth inning started what would prove to be a memorable offensive run by New York.

Nick Swisher's grand slam in the seventh cut the gap to -5, and Teixeira swatted his second home run of the afternoon shortly thereafter, a three-run shot that made the score 9-8.

Swisher would give New York's its first lead of the day with a two-run double in eighth inning, and the Yankees would go on to pile up 15 runs in total on the afternoon.

The 12 RBIs from Swisher and Teixeira would prove to be more than enough for New York, although Garcia's continued struggles in the start of the season remain a cause for concern.

These two teams will square off on Sunday night for the final game in their three-game set, and the Yankees have a chance to put five and a half games between themselves and Boston in the standings with a win.

-- See Pinstripe Alley for complete discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

Michael Pineda Injury Update: Pitcher Shut Down After Extended Spring Training Apperance

Joel Sherman from the New York Post is reporting that Michael Pineada was shut down after pitching in extended spring training.

Pineda IP in extend spring, still felt some shoulder weakness, shut down, #Yankees will determine next few days how to proceed

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) April 21, 2012

The 23 year old pitcher was acquired from the Seattle Mariners during the off-season, in exchange for catching/DH prospect, Jesus Montero.

Pineda has yet to pitch a regular season inning for the Yankees after struggling in spring training and being placed on the 15 day disabled list. His velocity was reportedly down after many thought he came into camp out of shape.

The young pitcher racked up 171 innings for the Mariners last season. He won nine games and struck out 173 batters. He finished the season with an ERA of 3.74 and a K/9 of 9.11. His average fastball was 94.7 miles per hour – the fourth fastest velocity amongst qualified pitchers, behind Alexi Ogando, Justin Verlander and David Price.

See Pinstripe Alley for complete discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

Yankees Vs. Red Sox Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Pitching Matchups

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox meet again on Saturday after the Bronx Bombers ruined Fenway Park's 100th birthday celebration on Friday. (Game Time: 4:05 p.m., TV Schedule: YES)

The Yankees beat Boston 6-2 Friday after the two teams participated in a ceremony to honor the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park. New York slugged five home runs off Red Sox starter Clay Bucholz, who surrendered his first lost in 12 starts.

Alex Rodriguez slammed his 631st home run to pass Ken Griffey Jr. for fifth place on the career list, Eric Chavez added two dingers and Russell Martin and Nick Swisher each hit one. Ivan Nova earned the win for the Yankees by allowing just seven hits and two earned runs over six innings.

Felix Doubront gets the ball Saturday for the Red Sox, while the Yankees will turn to Freddy Garcia.

See Pinstripe Alley for complete discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

Yankees Vs. Red Sox Final Score: New York Wins, 6-2, A-Rod Moves Into 5th On All-Time Home Runs List

The New York Yankees won, 6-2, against the Boston Red Sox on Friday at Fenway Park in Boston.

The Yankees ruined the Red Sox Fenway Park 100th birthday celebrations with the long ball. The Yankees belted five homers off of Boston starter Clay Buchholz during the game. One of the home runs was historic in its own right. Alex Rodriguez's solo shot in the 5th inning was the 631st of his career which put him past Ken Griffey Jr. for 5th place on the all-time list. Rodriguez also got the scoring started for New York with an RBI single in the first inning.

Nick Swisher homered in the second inning and Eric Chavez hit one out of the park in the 2nd and 4th innings. After the A-Rod homer, Russell Martin hit his home run in the 6th inning. Derek Jeter didn't hit a homer but passed Dave Winfield for 18th on the all-time hits list (3,111) with a single in the second inning.

Ivan Nova picked up the win for New York after going six innings. He struck out five and gave up seven hits (one home run) and two earned runs. Buchholz took the loss for Boston after giving up six runs (five earned) and the five homers on nine hits in six innings of work. After Cory Wade and David Robertson each threw a scoreless inning, Cody Epperly took the mound in the 9th for New York. After giving up a hit to the leadoff hitter in the inning, he was pulled for Mariano Rivera. Rivera had two strikeouts and quickly closed the door on the Red Sox to give the Yankees the win in the first game of the series.

See Pinstripe Alley for complete discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

Andy Pettitte Update: Pettitte Throws Five Strong Innings, Expects To Move To AA For Next Start

New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte threw 66 pitches in five innings of extended spring game work on Friday at the Yankees' Himes Avenue Minor League complex (via Yankees).

Pettitte allowed two runs, four hits and no walks while striking out five batters facing the Pirates prospects earlier today. Fifty-eight of his 66 pitches were thrown for strikes.

Pettitte anticipates moving up in class for his next outing, possibly to Double-A Trenton. In his last start with the Tampa Yankees (Class A) on April 15, Pettitte threw four scoreless innings. He is currently on pace to return to the majors in May.

The 39-year-old left-hander's retirement from MLB lasted just one year. Pettitte started his career with New York (1995-2003) before a short stint with the Astros (2004-2006) before returning to the Yankees (2007-2010). Pettitte is 240-138 as an MLB starting pitcher, with a 3.88 ERA and 2,251 strikeouts.

See Pinstripe Alley for complete discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

Yankees Vs. Red Sox: A-Rod Hits 631st Homer, Passes Ken Griffey Jr. For 5th All-Time

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez hit his 631st career home run in Friday's game against the Boston Red Sox as the Red Sox celebrate the 100th birthday of Fenway Park. Rodriguez's latest homer pushed him past Ken Griffey Jr. for 5th place on the all-time home runs list.

With the Yankees already leading 4-1 in the fifth inning, Rodriguez crushed a Clay Buchholz pitch over the Green Monster at Fenway Park. The solo shot for A-Rod was the fourth homer of the day given up by Buchholz. The homer was the second of the season for Rodriguez and the 286th of his Yankees career. He had 16 homers in 99 games last season.

Rodriguez is now chasing Willie Mays' 660 homers for fourth place all-time. The top three home run hitters in MLB history are: Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714).

See Pinstripe Alley for complete discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

Yankees Vs. Red Sox: Historic Occasion As Rivals Meet For First Time In 2012