Andy Pettitte Roughed Up In Triple-A Start On Sunday

New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte had a rough game in Triple-A ball on Sunday in his start for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (via Democrat and Chronicle).

Pettitte went five innings, allowed eight hits and five runs (three earned) while throwing just 59 strikes out of 92 pitches. Pettitte also walked two and struck out five. He did finish his last inning by going 1-2-3 in the fifth.

Pettitte played in front of a crowd of 13,584 (a regular-season record) at Frontier Stadium. After the game, Pettitte said

""I did not expect it," he said of the packed house. "I didn't realize there were so many people here, or even that the game had been moved from Batavia. Tell everyone I said ‘thank you.' I wish I had pitched better.''

While the speed on his fastball was fine, Pettitte pointed to his off-speed pitches as the source of his trouble on Sunday.

"I got my work in, but the feel for my off-speed stuff was just not there,‘' said Pettitte. "It's good to get into trouble and have to work my way out."

Pettitte is scheduled to fly to New York tonight. The Yankees begin a series at home against the Rays on May 8.

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

Yankees Vs. Royals Final Score: Robinson Cano, A-Rod Homers Power 10-4 Win

The New York Yankees defeated the Kansas City Royals, 10-4, in the fourth game of the series on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. The Yankees split the series 2-2 with Sunday's win.

After two innings, the score was tied 1-1. Then, the Yankees' bat woke up for a six-run third which put the game away. New York chased Kansas City starting pitcher Luke Hochevar after 2.1 innings with seven runs (all earned) on seven hits. After Curtis Granderson drove in Dewayne Wise in the third inning on a single, Robinson Cano unloaded the bases with a grand slam. Following the Cano homer, Nick Swisher hit a solo shot to extend the lead to 7-1. The Royals scored one run in each of the fifth and seventh innings. Alex Rodriguez responded with a three-run homer in the eighth inning. The Royals got one more run in the ninth but it was too little too late.

Phil Hughes picked up his second win for New York, going 6.2 innings. Hughes struck out seven batters and walked one while allowing three earned runs. Hochevar took the loss, his third of the season.

The win improved the Yankees' away record to 8-7. New York's next series begins on May 8 against Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium.

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

Royals Vs. Yankees, Game 4: Nick Swisher Returns To Lineup In Series Finale

The New York Yankees offense is looking for a spark, and they could get it Sunday as outfielder Nick Swisher will return to the nine-man batting lineup in the series finale in Kansas City. Swisher was listed in the Yankees starting lineup for the first time in a week, when he was taken out of the game because of a leg injury.

Since then, a lot has happened for New York as it has dropped four of its last six games, which have featured an average of just two runs per game.

Here's Sunday lineup that will try to get the Yankees out of its offensive slump:

1) Derek Jeter, SS

2) Curtis Granderson, CF

3) Alex Rodriguez, 3B

4) Robinson Cano, 2B

5) Mark Teixeira, 1B

6) Nick Swisher, DH

7) Raul Ibanez, LF

8) Russell Martin, C

9) Dewayne Wise, RF

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York for more information about Mariano Rivera's injury.

Yankees (14-13) At Royals (9-17): Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers

At this point in time, the New York Yankees would like to leave Kansas City as fast as possible. However, there is one more game to be played and a four-game series to possibly split Sunday, when Phil Hughes (1-4, 7.48 ERA) takes the mound against Luke Hochevar (2-2, 7.36 ERA) at Kauffman Stadium (2:10 p.m. ET on YES Network).

So far, a usually routine trip to the Midwest has turned into a nightmare for the Yankees (14-13), who have lost four games and their long-time closer, Mariano Rivera, in a five-day span. On Sunday, their hopes hinge on Hughes, who has really struggled for consistency and is pitching for a spot in the five-man rotation, and sputtering offense that has averaged less than two runs per game in the past four losses.

Meanwhile, the Royals (9-17) looked good in the Game 1 and 3 victories and are now trying to take the finale for a series win.

Location: Kauffman Stadium

Game Time: 2:10 p.m. ET

TV Channel: YES Network

Series: Royals lead four-game series 2-1.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York for more information about Mariano Rivera's injury.

Yankees Vs. Royals Final Score: Felipe Paulino Shuts Down Yankees Bats

The New York Yankees couldn't solve Kansas City Royals starter Felipe Paulino on Saturday night, and the Bronx Bombers dropped a 5-1 decision to the Royals in Kansas City.

Hiroki Kuroda opposed Paulino, who was making his season debut upon his return from the DL, and threw just four and one thirds innings for New York before being pulled. He allowed six hits and three runs, and dropped to 2-4 on the season.

Designated hitter Billy Butler led the Royals offensive charge, knocking in three RBI's on the evening.

Russell Martin and Curtis Granderson combined for five of the eight Yankees hits, although the team was unable to convert in nine at-bats with runners in scoring position.

The two will finish off their series on Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium, and New York will aim to earn a series split when Phil Hughes takes the mound for the Yankees against Luke Hochevar.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York for more information about Mariano Rivera's injury.

Yankees (14-12) At Royals (8-17): Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers

The New York Yankees look to ride the torrid bat of Derek Jeter Saturday as their four-game series continues with the Kansas City Rotals. (Game Time: 7:10 p.m. ET, TV Schedule: YES)

Jeter had two hits Friday, including a home run, as the Yankees snapped a three-game losing streak. That performance followed his four-hit game during New York's series-opening 4-3 loss on Thursday.

Jeter is now batting .404 to lead the American League, with five home runs after hitting just six all of last season.

Hiroki Kuroda (2-3, 3.69 ERA) gets the ball for the Yankees. The Royals will counter with Felipe Paulino, making his season debut after a stint on the DL.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York for more information about Mariano Rivera's injury.

Royals Vs. Yankees, Game 3 Final Score: CC Sabathia, Derek Jeter Propel New York To 6-2 Victory

CC Sabathia put together another solid eight-inning performance and Derek Jeter continued his torrid pace at the plate going 2-for-5 with a two-run home run Friday, as the New York Yankees earned a much needed 6-2 victory at the Kansas City Royals. New York (14-12) snapped a three-game skid and more importantly earned its first win since hearing the disappointing news about long-time closer Mariano Rivera.

Sabathia allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out five, while reliever David Robertson tossed a scoreless ninth inning for the Yankees, who got homers from Mark Teixeira and Jeter.

Teixeria's blast came in the top of the first inning and gave New York a quick 2-0 lead, which was quickly blown by Sabathia who gave up two runs in the bottom half of the same inning.

From there, Sabathia was pretty much flawless and used a four-run eighth inning, capped by Jeter's fifth home run of the season, to earn his fourth win of the season.

Royals' starting pitcher Bruce Chen tossed 6 2/3 innings and allowed six runs in the loss.

The Yankees and Royals will resume their four-game series Sunday, when Hirkoki Kuroda (2-3, 3.69 ERA) opposes Felipe Paulino, who's making his first start of the season, at 7:10 p.m. ET.

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

Yankees (13-12) At Royals (8-16): Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers

The New York Yankees season continues on Friday, when they look to snap a three-game losing streak and figure out life after Mariano Rivera. Fortunately, they have perfect guy on the mound to right the ship – their ace, CC Sabathia.

Opposing Sabathia will be Bruce Chen for the Royals. Chen has yet to record a win on the season and has an ERA of 4.23. The 35-year-old is coming off a respectable season for Kansas City, winning 12 games with a 3.77 ERA in 2011. He's a fly ball pitcher, who throws his fastball at an average of 86 miles per hour.

Despite Sabathia's three wins this season, his ERA of 4.58 is well under par for the ace. Historically a slow starter, Sabathia's fastball velocity is down from 93.8 last season, to 91.8 in his 35 innings in 2012.

First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.

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

Yankees Vs. Royals Final Score: 4-3 Loss Overshadowed By Mariano Rivera Injury

The New York Yankees lost their third straight game of the season on Thursday night, falling to the Kansas City Royals, 4-3, to open their four-game series at Kauffman Stadium. The win was the Royals first at home this season.

The game, of course, was overshadowed by the horrific injury suffered during pre-game warmps by Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who is likely lost for the season with a torn ACL.

David Phelps of the Yankees made his first career start Thursday, giving up two earned runs and six hits in four innings.

The Royals got on the board first with a solo home run by Mike Moustakas in the first inning. They expanded their lead with singles in the third and fifth innings by Eric Hosmer and Moustakas, respectively. Moustaka's hit to right field off of D.J. Mitchell scored Hosmer and Alex Gordon to put the Royals' decisive runs on the scoreboard.

Derek Jeter went 4-for-5 for the Yankees, raising his average to .404, and Andruw Jones was 3-for-4. Unfortunately, 13 hits by the team didn't translate into many runs. After Mark Texeira's third-inning double to score Jeter, New York did not score again until the sixth inning when Eduardo Nunez drove in a run on a sac fly. Texeira capped the scoring for the Yankees with another sac fly to score Jeter yet again in the seventh.

Jeter and Curtis Granderson reached base to open the ninth inning for the Yankees, but Royals closer Jonathan Broxton got Mark Teixeira to hit into a double play and Alex Rodriguez to ground to third base to end the game.

Danny Duffy (2-2) got the win for Kansas City, going 5 1/3 innings and giving up six hits and two earned runs.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York for more information about Rivera's injury.

Mariano Rivera Injury: Yankees Closer Suffered Torn ACL, Joe Girardi Confirms

The worst has been confirmed for New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. Following the Yankees' 4-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night, manager Joe Girardi clarified that Rivera indeed suffered a torn ACL while shagging fly balls prior to the game.

Oof RT @BloggingBombers: Girardi on Rivera: "it appears he has a torn ACL"

— SB Nation (@sbnation) May 4, 2012

The initial diagnosis of the injury was a "twisted knee," though the actual video of the injury hinted at much worse. Rivera crumpled to the ground on the warning track after oddly planting his foot while chasing a ball hit over his shoulder.

Rivera was examined immediately by the Royals' team physician before being sent in for MRIs. The injury likely means the veteran closer is out for the year barring an astonishingly fast recovery and a World Series run by the Yankees.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York for more information about Rivera's injury.

Mariano Rivera Injury: Yankees Closer Injures Knee While Shagging Fly Balls

Mariano Rivera went down before Thursday's game against the Royals with a knee injury sustained during batting practice.

Eric Chavez Injury Update: Yankees Place Infielder On 7-Day DL With Whiplash, Concussion

The New York Yankees have moved reserve infielder Eric Chavez to the seven-day disabled list due to whiplash and a concussion suffered while diving for a ball in Wednesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles (via Hardball Talk).

Chavez tried to play after sustaining the injury but was removed during his plate appearance in the fifth inning. The veteran had played in 15 games this season, hitting .290 at the plate with 3 homers and 5 RBI.

While sending Chavez to the DL, the team also called up Jayson Nix from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The journeyman Nix will get the start tonight in left field against the Kansas City Royals. Nix has played for the White Sox, Rockies, Indians, and Blue Jays during his MLB career. He has hit .207 in 264 big league games with 30 home runs and 84 RBI.

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

New York Yankees' Roster Moves: Jayson Nix To Be Added, Eric Chavez Likely Headed To DL

The New York Yankees will reportedly call up veteran utility man Jayson Nix from AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre to join them in Kansas City Thursday night. Nix would seem likely to take the roster spot of Eric Chavez, who suffered whiplash and a concussion after diving for a ball during Wednesday night’s 5-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

The Yankees are also without outfielders Nick Swisher (tight hamstring) for a few days and Brett Gardner (DL with an elbow injury).

The good news here is that this might curtail the Adventures of Eduardo in the Yankee outfielder. Infielder Eduardo Nunez has been forced into the outfielder by the injuries to Gardner and Swisher, but with Nix on the roster and Chavez down that might change.

The bad news is, of course, that Chavez — a valuable bench player — is once again. Bad news, of course, but hardly a surprise.

Chavez, a one-time star, in Oakland has spent at least some time on the disabled list every season since 2007. The 58 games he managed to appear in with the Yankees in 2011 (working around a long DL stint for a broken foot) is the most he has played in since 2007, when he appeared in 90 games for Oakland.

Yankees (13-11) At Royals (7-16): Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers