“I still like how we feel right now,” Manager Joe Torre said. “We have a great deal of confidence right now. A game like today is not going to shake that.”
I’m glad that Torre feels that way. I felt far more discouraged yesterday after the Yankees dropped the final game of a four-game set in Seattle yesterday afternoon, 5-1. But I should keep things in perspective, especially considering what is happening in New Orleans right now. I know the two don’t have anything to do with each other, I simply mean that in light of the distressing situation down there it is inappropriate for me to feel too grave about how our team is playing. Jaret Wright was beaned by a line drive in the collarbone in the sixth inning. It was a scary moment, fortunately, x-rays were negative. However, Taynon Sturtze, Alan Embree, and Ramiro Mendoza did not pitch well in relief, while Joel Pineiro had a fine game for the M’s. It was an unfortunate loss. The Bombers fell another game behind Boston who beat up Tampa Bay again (Ah, so that’s what good teams do–beat the bad ones). The Red Sox offense has carried a mediocre pitching staff. Meanwhile, the Yankees have scored six runs in the last three games combined. The Angels beat Oakland last night, and the two teams are tied for first in the AL West, and tied for the wildcard lead with the Yankees.
1. I'm not discouraged, it's just a temporary glitch. I hope.
2. Dang!! Wright was looking better and better as the game went on. It had the makings of those tense 1-0 final score sorts of games. Seeing him hit was scary. It was unsettling to me, and it obviously was to everyone else, too.
My gut told me Tanyon was gonna give up a gopher. I was out in the kitchen making dinner when the thought hit me "he's gonna give up a homer". I walked into the living room and BOOM!!
(sigh)
He seems to be all over the plate these days. Is it arm fatigue, mechanics, injury, or what?
Still - the game was close and I had hope, but we our bats were just lifeless. It seemed like the team had a big offensive let down after facing the phenom the night before.
Let's hope we can pick it up in Oakland. This is not the time for a team-wide batting slump.
BP
3. //Ah, so that's what good teams do--beat the bad ones//
in our case, unless it's kansas city.
4. Some good news, as pointed out by someone in the game thread yesterday:
"First baseman Tino Martinez will miss at least three or four games with an injury to his rib cage, Manager Joe Torre said. Andy Phillips was called up as a backup at first."
Even if Phillips doesn't play, at least it means Giambi plays the field all weekend. That can only mean good things for the offense, right?
Meanwhile, note that Oakland's offense has been slumping lately too. Hopefully that will continue this weekend, and our offense will wake up.
5. Shaun, I suppose with Sierra active the Yanks can deal without Tino's bat on the bench for a few days (previously he was the only useful pinch hitter they had). It will be interesting to see if Phillips draws a start against a lefty, such as vs. Zito on Sunday. But at this point I don't expect much from him. The point of freeing Andy was to get him regular playing time with the big club and make someone like Tino or Sierra expendable. That didn't happen and won't at this point in the season.
As for yesterday's loss, I chalk it up to a letdown after the "Battle in Seattle." It stings, but the Yanks are still in a tie for the Wild Card, within striking distance of the Red Sox. They can't win 'em all (though they should have won 3 of 4).
6. I agree with Shaun. Torre's insistence on giving Tino so many games at 1B despite the fact that Giambi, for whatever reason, hits so much better when he plays the field, makes Tino's injury a blessing.
7. The thing is, that with Lawton in the OF, Torre's much less likely to start Tino at all, and is more prone to DH Bernie/Matsui/Sheffield, bench Tino and give Giambi the start at first. So really the Yanks are losing Tino's bat of the bench here. Not a huge loss, as the line-up is so strong that there's little call for pinch-hitters, particularly left-handed pinch-hitters, but not cause for celebration. There's no margin for error right now, and this, however slighty, does hurt the team.
8. At this point in his career, Tino is best used as a late inning defensive replacement (LIDR). Give Jason 3-4 ABs, hit a couple homers, have everybody's favorite whipping boy be his legs for the last time he's on base, and then put Tino in. That should work for a month. Er, two months.
9. I dunno, Tino can still draw a walk and jack one out, I think he's best used as a lefty PH. His defense this year hasn't been so hot.
10. You've got a great point, Cliff, but given that we saw Torre start Tino (again) yesterday, anything that keeps Giambi in the field is welcome. Especially if Lawton keeps hitting .100/.217/.250, which may make Joe staple him to the bench (though I hope not).
I wish Phillips had truly been freed to contribute more, but at this point, having him around and Tino unavailable will work for me. Even if its only 3 or 4 games, it makes us better.
11. The problem with the above scenario is that Torre shouldn't use the acquisition of Lawton to DH Bernie/Matsui/Sheffield. Lawton's presence should be used to play Matsui in CF almost every day, and to DH Bernie almost every day. He is their best CFer, by far, offense/defense.
12. I'll give you offense, Rich. Their best defensive CF is Bubba Crosby, by far. Combo: Matsui because he's so far ahead of everyone else with the bat. So yeah, I agree.
What?