It has become a common refrain during the Yankees’ slow starts the last few years, “this must be rock bottom, now they can start winning.” The Yankees seemed to hit rock bottom on Thursday after suffering a five-game losing streak at home that included two-game sweeps at the hands of both key division rivals, the Red Sox and Rays, saw both of their catchers hit the disabled list, and saw Mariano Rivera blow the last game of the homestand by giving up back-to-back home runs for the first time in his major league career. The Yankees arrived in Baltimore two games below .500, but the dramatic return of Alex Rodriguez, a strong showing from rookie backstop Francisco Cervelli, and CC Sabathia’s first Yankee shutout seemed to confirm that Thursday had indeed been rock bottom.
Then Phil Hughes couldn’t get out of the second inning yesterday and the Yankees took a humiliating loss followed by the news that today’s intended starter, Joba Chamberlain, had burst a blood vessel in the thumb of his pitching hand while flipping a ball underhand durring batting practice and was doubtful for today’s start.
Are you freaking kidding me?!
As I type this, the Yankees are still expecting Joba to make his start. Supposedly the burst blood vessell didn’t cause him any pain, and though the thumb comes into play on every pitch, there’s not as much friction against it as there is against the other fingers, particularly the first and second fingers. Still, if Joba decides during his warmups that he can’t go, Alfredo Aceves will take the ball. Either way, it doesn’t look good, as Koji Uehara, the 34-year-old former Yomiyuri Giants ace, has been sharp thus far this season.
Uehara didn’t strike out a single Yankee back on April 8, but he did hold them to one run over five innings for the victory. His next start, in Texas, was ugly, but since then he’s been sharp every time out, the one blight on his record being three unearned runs (on top of three earned) in his last start, though he struckout eight Rays against just one walk and no homers in that game. Throw out that one ugly Texas start, and Uehara’s ERA drops to 3.12 ERA and he’s walked just three men against 24 strikeouts in his other five starts. He gives up a lot of fly balls, which makes him homer prone, but otherwise he’s been everything the Orioles could have hoped for if not more.
As for Joba, throw out his worst start (five runs in 4 2/3 against Cleveland in the second game at the new stadium), and his ERA drops to 2.63. His last two starts have been very encouraging as he held the Tigers to one run on three hits over seven innings, then recovered from an ugly first inning to strike out twelve Red Sox against just two walks his last time out. Aceves, who could wind up playing a key role in this game, even if he doesn’t start, has pitched just once since being recalled, throwing 4 1/3 innings of relief following Hughes’ previous start. He struck out seven Red Sox in that outing, with the only runs against him coming on a two-run home run by Jason Bay. Aceves started against the Orioles on September 20 of last year and threw six shutout innings as the Yankees won 1-0.
This team is rapidly approaching unwatchable. Fortunately last night I had just returned from a trip and had the Barca. vs. Chelsea Champions League game on my DVR. Now that was a game.
The rock bottom comment always amuses me because playoff-type teams are not supposed to hit "rock bottom". Also, the comment seems to imply as if the reason for the team's struggles is some random, temporary force. Instead of really examining the issues hurting this team (I think it starts in the manager's office), it's much easier to just hope the team has hit "rock bottom".
Joe Girardi is going to look a heck of a lot smarter if the Yanks get some consistent starting pitching.
[2] Who are you bringing in to manage this team?
@2
Seriously, man, name three games lost because of the manager.
[5] It doesn't work that way. "You can't fire the players so you fire the manager." At this rate, the only question is whether Cashman goes with him.
Teixeira's coming around.
Sore thumb, or just another sucky first inning?
Huff again.
christ almighty.
[8] Given that he's missing big, I would say it may be a combination of the two.
5 hits in that 1st inning of hell.
What a crazy play that was. 2-3-6-2-4-3
Aw jeez. 3 runs in the first already? Is this going to be another abuse the bullpen game?
all 8 of Swish's homers have been on the road?! hmmm...
[14] Probably. Even if Joba buckles down like he did last time, he's not going to go deep.
Could have been a lot worse. The Orioles had some baserunning blunders that cost them.
[13] that was real?!?!?! i thought the gamecast line was a typo! i tried to copy/paste it to post here, but it wouldn't let me. shit, i'd like to see a highlight of that...
whaddya know - robbie cano! c'mon leche, bring in your buddy!
[17] Yes, that was real! I'm sure it will be a highlight.
[16] I bet Scott Proctor is real happy he's not on this team. At least his right arm should be.
Halliday's already up to 6 wins? Wow.
I don't much like Chamberlain's fist pumping antics, but I do think they are an honest expression. Aubrey Huff on the other hand is just a douche. And a big baby. And his name is Aubrey.
I kind of wish Joba didn't pitch today. They need to break up the Hughes-Chamberlain part of the rotation.
nice, easy 11-pitch, 1-2-3 inning for Joba.
Nice rebound!
And heckling Joba about his mom is real low class.
[21] yeah, Grienke, too! Carlos Pena's got 13 dingers and Longoria has 44 rbi. yup, forty-four!
[23] Not to mention it's kind of awkward having him pitch on Mother's Day. Probably no heartwarming mom stories from him today.
[25] esp on Mother's Day. that's just wrong. Ball-Tumor Oreo's.
[26] Longroria must be hitting .500 with risp.
When I think about it, I gotta admit that if Joba was on the Red Sox, I'd probably despise him.
[28] They are making fun of Joba's mother because she got caught selling meth, which is something the Oriole fan base has been getting away with for years...
[30] That's nothing. If Jeter was a Sox (Sock), I would hate him. It's the uni, no doubt. : )
[30] Yeah. And if, say, Jorgie did what Huff did, we'd love it.
[31] yes, i know why. still, it's wrong...
[32] definitely the laundry. i HATE all sox! i hate the color red, too. it's true, i do...
that was too quick an inning... : /
Joba's splits w/ 1st inning badness, per pete abe:
First inning: 6 innings, 13 hits, 9 earned runs, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts, 3 HR. 13.50 ERA
All other innings: 29.2 innings, 23 hits, 6 earned runs, 14 walks, 17 strikeouts, 1 HR. 1.82 ERA.
BIG NEWS:
Tanyon Sturtze now considering retirement!
woo-eee!!! ; )
[32] Not me, I don't think. Jeter's pretty bland. I can't stand Youklis, Pedroia kind of gets on my nerves, but it's not like I hate Ellsbury or Lester. They're still "the enemy" of course, but I'm talking about a more extreme feeling.
Joba has an on-field demeanor that would bug me, even though he's a pretty nice guy. Kind of like Papi; he seems arrogant and annoying while playing, but he's anything but that when you hear him talk.
he overslid, he's out.
[35] That overrates the trend though, since SEVEN of those nine runs were scored in just two starts. So of his other four starts, he only has two earned runs in the first.
Kay was expecting retaliation? With the Yanks down 2 runs, and a runner on first?
Lucky for us, the Orioles keep trying to steal, or the bases would be loaded with no outs.
Umpire's zone is all over the place..
gamecast:
adam jones singled to center
a. huff walked, markakis to second.
am i missing something?!
[42] Then again, so is Joba...
[41] sounds like gamecast missed a play. thanks.
good points on the laundry and joba's first inning...
i don't mind ellsbury, lester or wake. i don't like anybody else really. including lowell...
Good recovery.
[43] Jones made a stolen base attempt and overslid the bag on the walk to Huff. He was called out.
yeah! pitchers best friend.
[47] thanks, man. he's a really good player. M's can't be happy about that trade. bedard is pitching today and there are 2 twins on, 1 out...
Joba at 58 pitches. I reckon we'll see Aceves today one way or another.
What exactly did Huff do to show up Joba? Trot too slowly? I thought that was his normal speed.
*shrug*
uehara, is at the same pitch count, pretty much. hopefully we can destroy their 'pen...
[51] i think he turned to the dugout (yankees?) and gave a joba-like fist pump in a faux fashion...
swish keepin' that OBP at .400!
wow, Cano's IsoD is only .033, not that i'm surprised...
[53] Wow... such "slights" sure have changed since real baseball was played...
I would argue he should be plunked simply because he's been rakin' during the last game and a half, but that would be "real baseball"...
This from some schlub who went from obscurity on shitty Tampa teams, to obscurity on shitty B'more teams?
*shrug again*
[51] He did a Joba-style fist-pump as he passed 1B, and again as he reached home. While looking in at Joba.
nice AB by Leche, poor result.
[56] huff's last AB, was not a good situation to add another baserunner - on purpose, at least...
Soriano just crushed his 10th homer of the season - tied the brew crew at two. his wrists are still sooo strong and quick. wow! i still love lil sori...
joba plunked Ty Cobbington, instead. great, more leadoff baserunners...
joba's in-game WHIP, is hovering around 3. me no likey...
way to get out of it, joba! 74 pitches thru 4. it's possible he can go 6. that'd be nice. let's score some runs now, thank you please!
[57] Back in the day, Joba simply would have placed one in the middle of Huff's back for rakin' yesterday right away, in his first AB, no HR, and no fist pumps, he "harmlessly" goes to 1B, and isn't "quite so comfortable and dug in" next time up...
Now it's some bullshit FOX-type drama, that Kay can go on and on and on about ad nauseum, because he's got nothing to talk about other than how shitty the Yankees are playing...
This isn't even a cheap imitation of "real baseball."
It's the good ole boy network of the MLBPA members protecting the status quo of free millions, win or lose...
Now that's depressing!
: (
christ almighty, we're letting this guy off the hook...
[64] I never though I'd see the day Derek Jeter sits dead red, and gets blown away by a FB from a junk man... in the high 80's.
Wow!
They should let Kei Igawa face the Yanks to give him a confidence boost.
and...for the 4th time in 5 innings, the leadoff man is aboard. : /
oh, my bad - there was 1 out. oopsie!
92 pitches thru 5. i say send him out for the 6th...
a miguel cairo sighting - he's pinch hitting for the Phils vs. Atlanta... and he singles to shallow right!
[69] Miggy was considered a long shot to make the roster the last two or three years, but somehow, he keeps hanging in there.
jesus, another quick inning. dammit!
Uehara disposes of Tex, A-Rod, and Matsui with 8 pitches. 5 of those for Matsui.
[66] I'd rather watch Kei Igawa, Hideki Irabu, Sidney Ponson, Dale Berra and Ed Whitson play Tickle Me Elmo, Ouija, and Mystery Date on the huge interlocking "NY" in the heart of the Clubhouse in the New Yankee Stadium for Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, and Double Bubble Bubble Gum, than watch these emasculated millionaire major leaguers pretend they are actually men.
Okay, Uehara out of the game. Time to make our move.
And Ace is warming for the Yanks.
well, i guess Joba's thumb is okay - he got thru 6 innings on just over 100 pitches. gave up a lot of hits, but some infield and mostly singles. only 2 walks; 5 strikeouts. "quality" game.
time to put some runs on the board. we can't afford to lose this series...
[75] Indeed Thelarmis! That is a quality start, regardless of the outcome.
Nothing bad about one pitch he might like to have back...
: )
good AB by Swish; bad outcome...
hey there Robbie! and an infield single to the right side of the infield by a catcher!
just win.
My God! F'n JD wants to be a Yankee next year REALLY BAD!!!!!
Johnny Baseball!!! he's been tearin' it up, i loves it!!! : )
5-3 Yankees!!!
ba dum bump!
JD has the Yankee's Triple Crown right now.
Of our 9 starters, the 3 lowest OPS: Jeter, Tex and ARod.
JD is obviously not following the Girardi-Cashman memo to suck. I keed. I keed. : )
Is there any reason why Coke is not out there for the 8th? I don't think so...
Wow, how 'bout that Damon, eh?
And again it looks like Robbie only knows how to hit on the road. What's up with that?
[79] I'll agree with that as well OYF! Ironic how such a self proclaimed "Idiot," who enjoyed success with the Red Sox of all teams, comes here to play with the Yankees, and is clearly on his last legs and a liability in the field, yet has carried the team offensively for longer than just this week.
Meanwhile, Joba gets the last laugh against Huff the schlub!
Wewt @ Coke!
: )
great job by Coke! Is GI Joe saving Aceves or will we see him today...?
[87] I'm much more worried about Mo saving this game in a less than struggling fashion, than Phil Coke lacking any ability to go two innings, including the 8th.
do it again, johnny boy!!!
[88] let's hope it's Mo for the 9th and it's a nice 'n tidy 1-2-3 inning!
Wow. I go out to do some yard work and the Yankees have scored runs.
[90] At least he gets the bottom of the order?
But getting Melky in there would have been huge...
[91] do that more often! ; )
1 more strike...
MOSES!!!
Yanks win. thank god...
Yay!
Whew!
Thank God!
Have a great rest to your Mother's Day all!
: )
We'll take it. 2 of 3 here. 2 of 3 there. Rinse. Repeat. Hr's are nice, but maybe vs. Toronto they can mix in some singles and doubles to drive guys home. Ridiculous, I know.
An extension for Damon is sounding more appealing.
Nice win.
Meanwhile, the SWB Yanks lost in 11 innings. Melancon gave up a walkoff homer to Wilkin Castillo.
[93] I do remember that happening frequently last year too.
I really needed this win today.
Just popping in to type, because you KNOW you want me to ...
Damon's Da Mon.
I'll add that Aubrey Huff was good to very good for a few years and was outstanding last year, PJ. Check his career before you dump on him as lame. Last year was .304/32/108 and he's a career .826 OPS ... not flat-out stellar, but a very solid player. Clearly Joba ticked the Orioles off, and as some said, they'd be ticked by him if he played elsewhere. It reminds me of K Rod, actually, though K Rod is more flashy with his celebrations. Same effect, though. I'd still want to keep my eyes open as a batter if I did that after a homer.
Yo.
I listened to this game (outside, playing some catch, grilling, keeping the kids out of Mom's hair kinda thing), but I came in to watch the bottom of the ninth. That walk was ridiculous, but Mo's pitching didn't seem at all worrisome. Strong, and his control was only a hair off what it is when he's unhittable.
And I feel like we're very close to having a decent bullpen. Coke, Mo, Bruney when he gets back... and somebody else has to step up.
Oh, and Cervelli is the new Aaron Small.
Joba on his first innings "I need to be more consistent. I need to be more aggressive. I have no idea why this is happening, but I am going to get it real soon."
Sounds like a great game, going to get the archive up asap and watch it on mlb.com.
Aubrey Huff is bush-league, you don't act the same as a 22yr old to prove a point. Hope he gets plonked on his ass next game.
thelarmis, if you are out there, just grooving to Miles "Bitches Brew", how you like Jack D on that record?? top notch!!
OK, be sure to watch the bottom of the third, when Adam Jones steals on a walk. Cool play.
Also: Carl Crawford scored on a single in the first inning, a few minutes ago. Admittedly it was a Monster single, but still. Impressive.
Good Tampa -Sox game on now, Dusty PEDroia out of the game with a strained right groin..ouch..Crawford is amazing.
Joe Morgan just mentioned Maury Wills for the seventy bajillionith time tonight in reference to base-stealing..I don't hate Morgan that much but he can be annoying at times..
There's part of me that almost feels bad for Big Papi..
[107] i DO hate joe morgan that much...and, yes, he is annoying - ALL the damn time!!! : )
there is NOT a single iota of me that feels bad for Big Papi.
ya know what's weird? i'm such a HUGE fusion fanatic, with a pretty massive music collection and i DON'T own Bitches Brew! blasphemous, huh?! i have miles and miles of Miles cd's. in fact, i was JUST holding his 2 Blue Note early cd's in my hand. i'm not a huge DeJohn fan either, though i know he's great. he sat in on 1 song on Lee Morgan's Live at the Lighthouse 3cd set for Blue Note. he played on "Speedball" and it's the best i've ever heard him. of course, he does some great stuff w/ McLean & Jarrett, too. i'm just not a big fan of 70's Miles, that much...
my high school has its Spring Concert tomorrow night. i'm conducting my Percussion Ensemble and am really psyched. these kids are doing great and i'm sooo proud of them! : )
Oh come on, someone hit a single and ruin Papsmear's night.
[109] yeah, that sucked. i can't believe they didn't score. i'm pissed. man, i HATE paplebitch...