Yankees acquire Alfonso Soriano from Cubs

The Yankees have released the following statement after acquiring outfielder Alfonso Soriano from the Cubs for minor league Corey Black.

The New York Yankees today announced they acquired outfielder Alfonso Soriano and cash consideration from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Corey Black.

Soriano, 37, hit .254 (92-for-362) with 47 runs, 24 doubles, 17 home runs and 51 RBI in 93 games with the Cubs in 2013. He owns a .272 (1,989-for-7,305) career batting average with 1,093 runs, 458 doubles, 31 triples, 389 home runs and 1,086 RBI in 1,850 games over 15 Major League seasons with the Yankees (1999-2003), Texas Rangers (2004-05), Washington Nationals (2006) and Chicago Cubs (2007-13). His 54 career leadoff home runs trail only Rickey Henderson (81) for most in Major League history.

The San Pedro de Macoris, D.R., native was named to the All-Star team in seven consecutive seasons, playing for the American League from 2002-05 and the National League from 2006-08. He has also earned the Silver Slugger Award four times, once with the Yankees (2002), twice with Texas (2004-05) and once with the Nationals (2006). 

The Yankees hope Soriano will provide a spark to their offense and help them reach the playoffs.

Probable Pitchers: Rays at Yankees: July 26th-28th

The Yankees and Rays will begin a three-game set at Yankee Stadium on Friday.

Here are the Probable Pitchers for this series:

Game 1: Friday, July 26th, 7:05 pm ET, Yankee Stadium

Rays:
Jeremy Hellickson RHP (9-3, 4.62 ERA this season)
(Jeremy Hellickson against the Yankees: Click Here)

Yankees:
C.C. Sabathia LHP (9-8, 4.37 ERA this season)
(C.C. Sabathia against the Rays: Click Here)

Game 2: Saturday, July 27th, 1:05 pm ET, Yankee Stadium

Rays:
Chris Archer RHP (5-3, 2.76 ERA this season)
(Chris Archer against the Yankees: Click Here)

Yankees:
Ivan Nova RHP (4-3, 3.66 ERA this season)
(Ivan Nova against the Rays: Click Here)

Game 3: Sunday, July 28th, 1:05 pm ET, Yankee Stadium

Rays:
Matt Moore LHP (14-3, 3.17 ERA this season)
(Matt Moore against the Yankees: Click Here)

Yankees:
Phil Hughes RHP (4-9, 4.33 ERA this season)
(Phil Hughes against the Rays: Click Here)

Enjoy the series! 

Kuroda, Yanks' defeat Rangers; Spit Series

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	2	10	0
Rangers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	x	0	7	1

R

H

E

Yankees

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

2

10

0

Rangers

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

x

0

7

1

R

H

E

Yankees

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

2

10

0

Rangers

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

x

0

7

1

Hiroki Kuroda pitches against the Rangers on July 25th. (Getty Images)

The Yankees were able to split their four-game set with the Rangers on Sunday as they took the finale by a final score of 2-0.

Hiroki Kuroda started for the Yankees and he was outstanding once again as he quietly puts himself into the Cy Young race. Kuroda allowed no runs on six hits in seven innings of work. He struck out three and walked only one. He finished his outing with 100 pitches thrown, in which 61 of them were for strikes.

The Yankee offense was powered by Brent Lillibridge and Eduardo Nunez as both of them contributed with one run batted in each.

Mariano Rivera came on in the ninth inning and ended the game for the Yankees to collect his 33rd save of the season.

The Yankees will head back home to begin a three-game set with the Rays tomorrow night.

Game 102: Yankees at Rangers

Game 102: Yankees at Rangers

July 25th, 2013, 2:05 pm ET, Rangers Ballpark

TV: YES Network Radio: WCBS 880

Weather: 

The Yankees and Rangers will conclude their four-game set today.

Here are the lineups:

Yankees (53-48)
Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Brent Lillibridge, 3B
Robinson Cano, DH
Vernon Wells, LF
Eduardo Nunez, SS
David Adams, 2B
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Melky Mesa, LF
Austin Romine, C

Pitching: Hiroki Kuroda RHP (9-6, 2.65 ERA this season)
(Hiroki Kuroda against the Rangers: Click Here)

Rangers (56-45)
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Elvis Andrus, DH
Nelson Cruz, RF
Adrian Beltre, 3B
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Jurickson Profar, SS
David Murphy, LF
Leonys Martin, CF

Pitching: Derek Holland LHP (8-5, 3.10 ERA this season)
(Derek Holland against the Yankees: Click Here)

Enjoy the game!

Yanks' lose again against Rangers

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	6	0
Rangers	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	x	3	9	2

R

H

E

Yankees

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

1

6

0

Rangers

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

x

3

9

2

R

H

E

Yankees

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

1

6

0

Rangers

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

x

3

9

2

Andy Pettitte pitches against the Rangers on July 24th. (Getty Images)

The Yankees were unable to defeat the Rangers on Wednesday as they were defeated 3-1.

Andy Pettitte started for the Yankees and he was given absolutely no run support tonight. Pettitte allowed two runs on eight hits in six innings of work. He struck out two and walked only one. He finished his outing with 94 pitches thrown, in which 65 of them were for strikes.

The Yankee offense came from Robinson Cano tonight as he drove in their only run with a RBI single to center field in the sixth inning.

The Yankees and Rangers will conclude their four-game set tomorrow afternoon.