Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
At the end of five weeks in the 2014 season, the American League East division remains among the tightest races in Major League Baseball. As of May 5, the standings are:
New York Yankees 16-14 –
Baltimore Orioles 15-14 0.5
Boston Red Sox 15-17 2.0
Tampa Bay Rays 15-17 2.0
Toronto Blue Jays 14-17 2.5
The first place Yankees played just five games this week, going 1-4, all in the Bronx. They sandwiched two losses to the Seattle Mariners around a Wednesday rainout, and dropped two of three games to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Mark Teixeira had seven hits during the week, including three HRs and five RBI. Jacoby Ellsbury had eight hits and two SBs. Ichiro Suzuki slashed .556/.600/.778/1.378 in four games.
Masahiro Tanaka had the Yankees’ only win; David Robertson notched the team’s only save.
Among roster moves, the team sent Brendan Ryan to Double-A Trenton for a rehab assignment and recalled Alfredo Aceves from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to bolster their bullpen.
New York begins a week-long road trip today with the first of three games against the Los Angeles Angels. After an off day Thursday, they will play three games against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Yanks Go Yard is a great source for Yankees’ news and opinion, including this retrospective of the team’s 2009 championship season.
The Orioles enjoyed first place to themselves for a day this week, but Saturday and Sunday losses in Minnesota left them a half game out of the top spot. They were washed out at home on Tuesday and Wednesday against the Pirates. One of the games was made up Thursday as part of a doubleheader, which the Orioles swept. They also won their Friday game against the Twins to finish the week with a 3-2 record.
J.J. Hardy slashed .353/.389/.412/.801 during the week. Nelson Cruz had two HRs and four RBI. Nick Markakis also hit two HRs.
Ubaldo Jimenez picked up his first win of the season (against four losses) this week. Tommy Hunter and Zach Britton each recorded wins as well. Hunter also saved two games.
Manny Machado joined the Orioles lineup for the first time this season, being activated from the disabled list. Steve Lombardozzi was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.
After a day off today, the Orioles travel to Tampa Bay for three games against the Rays. They return to Baltimore Friday for a weekend series against the Houston Astros.
Catch all the Orioles news you need to know at Birds Watcher, including this analysis of rookie Jonathan Schoop.
The Boston Red Sox went 3-3 on the week, all at home. They beat Tampa Bay Tuesday but were rained out Wednesday. The lost game was rescheduled as part of a day-night doubleheader Thursday, which the Rays swept. The Red Sox took two games from the Oakland Athletics to start the weekend series but lost the series finale in 10 innings Sunday.
Jonny Gomes had a HR and five RBI on the week. Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz each had a HR and four RBI. A.J. Pierzynski had a home run and slashed .412/.412/.588/1.000.
John Lackey, Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester each earned a win this week. Lester struck out 15 Oakland batters, allowing just one hit in eight innings Saturday. Koji Uehara had two saves.
The Red Sox made no significant roster moves during the week.
The Cincinnati Reds visit Fenway Park for a two-game series beginning Tuesday. The Red Sox travel Thursday to Texas for a three-game weekend series against the Rangers.
Check BoSox Injection several times each day for the latest information about the defending World Champion Red Sox, including this take on the new MLB replay system.
The Tampa Bay Rays finished the week with a 4-3 record. In an oddly scheduled Monday game, to conclude a four-day series, the Rays lost to the White Sox in Chicago. They then traveled to Boston and dropped a Tuesday game to the Red Sox. After a Wednesday rainout, the Rays protested against a scheduled Thursday day-night doubleheader, but proceeded to win both games. The Rays concluded the week winning two of three games at Yankee Stadium in New York.
James Loney slashed .407/.467/.519/.985 for the week. Desmond Jennings had three doubles, three HRs and three SBs. Wil Myers had seven RBI and two HRs, including an inside the park homer against the Yankees.
Erik Bedard, Jake McGee, Brandon Gomes and Heath Bell posted wins. Grant Balfour notched two saves.
The Rays made no major changes to their active roster.
The Rays are off today then host the Orioles and Indians for three games apiece at Tropicana Field.
Check FanSided.com’s Rays Colored Glasses regularly for team updates and analysis, including this assessment of the team’s bullpen management.
The Blue Jays were 2-4 on a week-long road trip to Kansas City and Pittsburgh. The Jays played three games in each city and took one game apiece from the Royals and Pirates.
Colby Rasmus had three HRs and nine RBI during the week. Jose Bautista hit two HRs and knocked in three runs. Melky Cabrera had a HR and five RBI. Brett Lawrie slashed .476/.500./571/1.071.
Dustin McGowan and Mark Buehrle recorded wins; Aaron Loup had a save.
The Jays Jays placed Brandon Morrow on the 60-day disabled list with a torn tendon sheath in his right index finger and sent Adam Lind on a rehab assignment to Double-A Dunedin.
After an off day today, the Jays host the Philadelphia Phillies for three games and the Los Angeles Angels for four games (Friday through Monday) at the Rogers Centre.
Follow Toronto baseball news and developments at Jays Journal including this update on their farm system.