I remember having a strange but welcoming feeling when Alfonso Soriano replaced Chuck Knoblauch at second base. Plays that would have previously made me tense suddenly were made with ease. It’s not that Soriano was any great shakes as a fielder–he wasn’t–it’s just that he wasn’t a mess either. I don’t think Jason Giambi was a complete disaster at first, but in retropsect he seems like one since Mark Teixeira is in town. The season is still young, but doesn’t it seem like Teixeira is making brilliant plays almost every day? I think he’s the best fielding first baseman the team has had since Mattingly. Tino was solid, but he wasn’t this good.
Teixeira and the Yanks have their hands full today with Cole Hamels. CC Sabathia, who has pitched well of late, goes for the Yanks. It’s hazy in the Bronx with rain in the forecast for this afternoon. Let’s hope they get this one in and here’s hoping the Yanks can win this series.
Let’s Go Yan-Kees.
I want another dominating CC start, please...
: )
I am loving these late inning comebacks, especially the 9th inning variety. Tells me the team has "heart" and isn't simply going through the motions.
However, just for today can it be an easy 9-0 Yankee win? I've got a lot of chores to do, so I'll probably miss a lot of Yankee home runs. . .
Man, Yankees win, Papelbon loses a game. Yesterday was real good.
Oh, and funny Tank McNamara today, though the Yankees already have Godzilla.
Agreed on Teixeira. I'm not a fan of the contract, but I'm quickly becoming a fan of the player.
both cano and melky put a lot of work into improving their games - which is obviously paying off.
cano's stolen base and subsequent good jump off melky's hit were crucial - and i am pretty sure he wouldn't have done either last year.
tex's glove has been a part of at least two wins.
hamels- sabbthia - very similar seasons to date - will be interesting to see how this plays out.
It's very reassuring to know that the very least we'll get from Tex from day to day is GG fielding at 1B!
: )
Wow!
Nice first inning, that!
: )
me smell pitchers duel
me hear crickets ...
Carsten Charles appears to have brought "it" today
[10] yes, the big man is looking good
ah adventures with johnny -
[9] I'm here, Cult!
: )
[11] Agreed Ms October!
It's great to see CC "locked in" early!
Well, off to wash the dog and mow the lawn.
Woohoo!
They'll score now!
Thanks RBJ!
heh heh
sure would be nice if Matsui turned the dial off of 'suck'
[16] Well if any lefty can do that off of a lefty, it's Matsui, Cult...
: )
...
[16] yeah until po comes back (and even then) it would be nice for matsui and/or swish to get on one of their hot streaks
melky's rh is hitting is much, much improved - he may actually be allowed to call himslef as a switch hitter now
ops+ rh is 96 (still has some room to go) versus a career of 84
ugh - screwed up hit and run
interesting post from Sam Borden over at LoHud:
UPDATE, 1:11 p.m.: Since several of you mentioned it – and I’m all about obliging the loyal readers – I chatted briefly with Dave Eiland this morning about Wang’s issues with his sinker. Specifically, we talked about his release point and arm slot.
Eiland said that yes, there’s clearly a difference in Wang’s release point from when his sinker was consistently good to right now. What they are working with Wang on, Eiland said, is “staying over the rubber” longer. As you all know, Wang has a very deliberate wind-up – he raises his leg incredibly slowly and does a little “tap-tap” with the ball before throwing. The problem, according to Eiland, is that the “tap-tap” is coming a little later and Wang’s lower body has already started to push forward toward the plate. That means he’s forced to release the point at a higher point and thus, there’s no bite on the sinker and it hangs up.
If Wang is able to stay over the rubber long, Eiland said, the “tap-tap” will take place with his body still in one location – as opposed to the lower half having already started forward – and his release point will be lower again. That’s what they’re focusing on now.
[17] when the dial is turned to suck, the dial is turned to suck ...
=(
[21] yes, it gets stuck on suck until he breaks out - which he does and then the dial is up and he is godzilla
[20] thanks cult. interesting - his tming is certainly off.
i'm going to try to sop harping n this, but they should have left the poor guy in aaa to work on this.
the cc monster is impressive
damnit - not cool
BAD GRITNER, BAD, BAD, BAD.
BAD MELKY, BAD, BAD, BAD.
[24] i'd like to see an overhead shot of that play, i kept waiting and waiting and waiting for melky to even come into view of the camera behind gardner.
fuck.
Note to CC:
Don't "double up" on changeups to the nine hole hitter, when you can throw 95 MPH!
*sigh*
Gardner isn't a very good outfielder. The attempt wasn't so bad, but his jump on the ball was very delayed. At some point, simply being speedy can't overwhelm all of his shortcomings.
FRANKIE CERVIX!
Yay Cervelli!
nice hit frankie c - now let's get these runs back
That was a mistake to try and attempt that catch, unless the run was going to score if he played it on a hop. I couldn't really tell.
I don't see what Melky did wrong there, I think Cano messed up a bit.
God, Gardner's swing is ugly.
ok, so, Leiter (or Flaherty) just said that when Cervelli came up, Kevin Long said he wasn't using his lower half in his swing.
that makes 2 players that have come up in the last year that haven't been doing something utterly fundamental (in order to succeed in MLB) with their swings.
doesn't that seem like something is lacking in terms of hitting instruction in the Yankees system?
Gardner has to get the runner over...his impact on this game has been decidely negative.
One quick note on the Yankee HR issue that I think is worth noting: while the HR pace is reaching silly proportions, the Yankees are only pace to score 464 runs at home, which for perspective, would be well short of their 2007 total of 520.
So, if the ballpark turns out to be a homer haven, but overall run production isn't changed, what's the big deal?
[31] he was horribly late getting over, unless he was positioned deep and for a dead pull hitter.
gardner only makes the dive because he anticipates the RF being in position to back up the play.
[36] I disagree with that assumption...that ball was hit on enough of a line that I don't think Melky could have backed up enough to definitely prevent the runner from scoring. In fact, if Cano handles the ball, they may have had a chance to throw him out. The trangression is all Gardner's...although the bigger problem I have is a CF'er with his speed should make that play.
[33] We can say the same about the pitchers too Cult, because practically to a man, they have all had times so far this season where their mechanics break down, such that they have no command on a portion of their arsenals. Usually it happens when under stress caused by any number of in game situations.
Not good signs, those...
: /
Woohoo Damon!
nice hit johnny d - needed to get at least 1 run
[34] he hit a line drive to the right side. not much you can do about that, although it may have been ball 4. and that would have been a very good catch in the outfield, and like you i don't think it was a bad idea to try to get it. i don't want to defend gardner, but i think you're overreacting to both plays.
[37] agree william.
[33] [38] if we want to take it a step further - there are some "fundamentals" issues lacking as well.
though i think it is likely someone besides the player has to get some credit for frankie c
[42] that is - i don't think melky really f'd up
damn got him
[41] It was on a line, but not hit hard. When you are as poor a hitter as he is, you have to go out of your way to move the runner. For example, why not try a drag bunt. With his speed, that's probably his best chance to get a hit.
[37] and i'll disagree. that ball wasn't scorched, it hung up AND it was sufficiently into the gap that Cabrera should have been then sooner if he was positioned normally.
again, that's why i wondered about the overhead view since that would answer the question of the positioning and the break that Cabrera got off the bat.
bugger, that's 2 runs down at home in the last 2 days.
bah.
why is damon not running hard there? he should have seen that it was going through, and even if someone gets it no one would or could throw him out at 3rd. damon has not been running hard recently.
Bleh! Ball hit too hardly there maybe?
At least the "Cerveza" served well and they got one back!
: )
I hate the collision at the plate (think it is always dirty) and would definitely not want to sacrifice an injury to Damon, but Ruiz is sitting on the plate without the ball. That is the classic definition of obstruction. I really wish baseball would get around to enforcing the rules.
eek, that could have been nasty.
Guess the Yankees aren't shifting on Howard.
[50] i believe the SS stays home and the 3rd baseman shifts over to 2nd or short RF, which is a fairly common shift positioning
[51] I am not sure they had it on though because that ball was right up the middle, which is usually what you want to take away. Also, Jeter fielded the ball, so he must have just been shaded toward the middle, with Arod still around 3B.
[52] yeah, i think you're right (thanks MLB.tv HD DVR), Cano was in his regular position and unless Alex was positioned 1/2 way out to RF, he wasn't in the picture when they followed Jeter's throw to 1st.
Well dog mowed, lawn washed. Just stopped in to see how things are going. Looks like a pitchers duel at this point. Back out to do the trimming.
[54] LOL
[54] Poor dog...
: )
tim redding just struck Fat Papi, after a rain delay. it was a thing of beauty!
blow jays got a run back. 2-1 bravos.
[54] i hope the law appreciates the wash
ah - i was hoping no chase utley would pay off
pouk goes down swinging, too. sweet!
Steve Carlton could. I loved watching him just hang his right leg and screw with the runner on 1st ...
leiter with a blunt assessment of piazza's arm
well, another chance for Matsui
i don't think i have ever seen cano run or put in hit and runs as much as he has the past few games.
[63] and another weak hack
I've never seen a hitter who could blow as hot and cold as Matsui. What's more, I don't think anyone swings better when he is hot, or swings worse when he is cold. There is seldom an in-between with Matsui.
castro knocks a floater over the Monstah. 1-0 Muts!
[64] good!
[66] i agree.
[66] *cough* nick swisher *cough* *cough*
wow, Frency (franceour) is a really bad baseball player right now.
[69] I haven't seen enough of Swisher to know if what he has done this season is a trend. Also, Swisher's AB always seem similar anyway...he pretty much works a 3-2 count and then either Ks when he is going poorly or hits a line drive when he is going well. Swish does have an in-between though...he does draw his walks regardless of how he is hitting.
[70] He has been for a good part of his career.
[70] i think he may just actually be a bad baseball player. my mom (who watches a decent amount of braves games) was never high on him. someone should have lsitened to her!
wow, J-Roll has a .280 OBP. yikes.
that 3rd pitch appeared to be on the black.
beautiful inning by C2 !!!
[66] So true. I wonder if it has to do with his knees and how he feels overall because of them - if that exacerbates his ordinary streakiness.
[66] Everyone looks great when they're hot and terrible when they're cold. Tex, Papi, Cano, etc, etc...
[76] I don't think "everyone" does, but even those who do have lesser extremes (IMHO).
[72] that's what i'm saying. right now, he's brutal.
[73] i've watched him a ton. he's never had on-base skills and swings too aggressively, but he does have baseball talent. he's got pretty good range, a decent glove and an absolute canon of an arm. he's so-so on the basepaths, but he's got power. he's just TERRIBLE right now.
crap. shit sox are threatening...
I really don't like Cervelli swinging 2-0 there.
christ. lowell hits a 3-run bomb. 3-1 sux, 0 out. caray can't contain himself. asshole.
[79] you think he should take a 2-0 pitch even if it's down the middle of the plate?
With Redding on the mound, I wouldn't even bother checking the score of the Met game.
[77] I forgot about Gardner. He could hit .750 for a month and still have a worse swing than Madonna in A League of Their Own.
[81]Yes... we are talking about a hitter with very little extra base power, leading off an inning with Gardner behind him and facing an ace pitcher who is one long pitch count inning away from exiting.
[82] i fear you're right. i thought of that...
[83] He always looks awful though...even when he gets a hit.
[78] the Atlanta media has had a HARD-ON for Frenchy, it's ridiculous the amount of coverage he gets (its a running joke over at BBTF, there must have been 30 articles this year on Frenchy's "new approach" at the plate this year, even as he continued madly hacking at everything within the same zip code as the plate ...)
By not making Hamels work in that inning, he gets to face the middle of the order in the 6th.
[87] oh, trust me, i know! i live here and it's Frency all the time. actually, it really has worn off quite a bit. it's not nearly as ubiquitous as it was.
[83] seriously, his "swing" is uglier than Tim Robbins' pitching "motion" in Bull Durham.
[89] yeah, i know. there was actually an article that was linked the other day where a columnist was actually pointing out his struggles. people think the team may be leaking their frustration to pave the way for a demotion, trade or eventual non-tendering at the end of the year.
Nice work, Shane. Dumbass.
Victorino really helped the Yankees out...meanwhile, Gardner has another misplay. It seems like regardless of how well your team is playing, there is always one guy who gets under your skin. Gardner is that guy for me...aside from being used as a pinch runner, I just don't think he serves any useful purpose.
damnit - need to dtay close here
That's a very bad pitcher by C.C....very bad. I guess he is allowed a mistake, but it comes at an awful time.
Bleh!
bleargh.
c'mon CC, hold it together here.
[91] it was HUGE news when they demoted him the other year to Double A-Miss. yeah, they're talking about simply releasing him, 'coz he certainly has no trade value.
dammit. C2 throwing a nice game and we can't do a thing. would be REALLY nice to win this series. somehow...
good thing that didn't jump out
settle in cc
Raúl Ibañez is living proof there is life after the American League!
: )
how close were those 2 pitches? seem to be on the outside corner.
How the hell did Ibanez get such a good jump? Ibanez has undergone some king of operation to remove the weaknesses in his game.
c'mon big fella, settle down. easy now.
Sabathia did make a mistake but it could have come at a worse time, ie with more men on base. Or the location could have been even worse.
[102] I didn't think any of the pitches to Werth were missed calls.
there ya go. waste this rook real quick.
well, CC wiggled off the hook there.
need to see the heart of the order do something here.
Ok guys, time to go to work!
Let's go Yankees!
alright. heart of the order. time to score some runs!
there are some Muts fans at the Fens and Wright just drove in the tying run! 3-all.
time to score team - might not be so fortunate as to get brad lidge today
tex time!!!
Broken bat. Yowsers.
Ok...I'll admit...that HR is strange.
Woohoo Tex!
With a broken bat no less!
: )
oh, wow.
like that's not going to get the mediots frothing about NYS!
damn - that was a broken bat hr?!?!?
Mets grab the lead. REALLY nice to hear loud "Let's Go METS" cheers at the Fens. me likey! : )
doesn't that mean he's on steroids?
[119] the bat is
TEX!!!
[118] I like that too...way to represent NY!
I have seen broken bat HRs before, but that one was a little odd.
tough day for alex. let's pick it up robbie.
on the replay, he hit that on a pretty fat part of the bat
Wow...Arod K'ed on some mediore stuff from Hamels. He got away with a few bad pitches there.
damnit, alex.
Yuck...back to back bad ABs by the Yankees.
jimmy key - the pride of huntsville
nice ab and hit for melky
I got to think if there was stat for "pitches he would have swung at last year but is not this year" the Melk would be top dog. Good for him.
Melky really has a clue this season. Even something as simple as stepping out to collect his thoughts after taking the 3-1 change for a strike is impressive.
it seems as though Melky's been having some good AB's lately. nice work, kid!
Come on good Matsui...where are you??
[129] i've played there before. is that where you're from?
Melky has developed into quite the "pita" so far this season! I'd love it if he can keep that up!
: )
[134] on vacation with one of Milo Minara's sketches! ; )
[137] quiet you, you're talking about a man's wife, here!
The Yanks have 'em right where they want 'em. Besides, C.C. already has one complete game loss this year. That's enough. Perfect logic. : )
[138] aw man, i thought it was hilarious! ; )
btw, the original cd of Whiplash's 2nd record, just went for over $40 on ebay...
[135] yeah
[136] me too :}
[137] hahaha
sun + jd = even more adventerous
god damn ruiz has been tough to get out
Carlos Ruiz is not a good hitter...someone needs to remind him of that. It's really becoming annoying.
[140] don't you remember when Matsui announced he was getting married? and he held up the drawing of his bride to be?
=)
[141] i've got a buddy in Mobile - the Pride of Jon Lieber.
[144] of course "I Do" - that was the whole crux of my joke!!! i don't think Abreu ever paid up on that bet. i don't think boBBy has homered yet this season...
Blow Jays tied up the Bravos here at 2.
[145] i didn't know that - jake peavy too though :{
alright team more runs this inning
99 pitches thru 7 for C2.
let's make our move now...
[147] oh yeah, he'd win. but Lieber lives there now and takes his family out to the minor league games and stuff. he's completely approachable...
Not for nothing but Kay is a douche sir jinx-a-lot. Right before the Ruiz single - 2 outs in the 7th - he's commenting how it's another good start for CC Sabathia. Dude - shut the hell up. He could give up five more runs for all you know.
Nine more outs to do some damage. I don't think Cole is going to last much longer...
See?
: )
[149] that's cool. lieber seemed like a nice guy.
hamels out - chad durbin in
oh good, no more Cole. time to WIN!!!
c'mon Slappy!
dammit Gritner, let that HIT YOU!
C'mon Stein. Lean into one.
[155] he heard you! nice slappy hit.
Even better. Now steal 2 on the 1st two pitches to remind us why you're here. : )
haha gardner is in his head.
that's ususally a yanks pitcher.
Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why? is he still on first?
eek. that would have been bad.
Gardner is useless.
damn that little shitbird
what a piece of shit. nice jump asshole.
Well 'eff me runnin'. Damn you, Ruiz!!
fuck. perfect execution all around by the Phillies.
It's always something for Gardy...
*sigh*
alright jeter just go for the solo shot
At least we got the right guys up for the eighth and ninth...
Not a very good inning by anyone ...Jeter went way out of the strike zone on that last pitch.
wakefield's throws to first are faster than his pitches to home.
jeremy reed is from San Dimas. Bill & Ted's!!!
5-3 Mets. hopin' for one more right here...
If your one "asset" can be so easily canceled out, what good are you? Gardner!
There has been a lot of sloppiness in the game, which is very disappointing.
No wonder Mets fans can be so miserable. Collapsing to this team several years running would drive me to the edge, too. : )
Anyone notice that Gardy had FOUR dives back to first before he took off? That's gotta take a fraction of a second of when he runs. He also has such a big lead, he has to be looking/leaning a little towards first.
I prefer a walking lead. Enough to distract the pitcher, but keeping his momentum towards second.
So it looks like I'm not missing much, am I.
Come on CC, don't give it up here.
Welcome to school, Kiddo!
goood k cc
Huge K...now the Yankees need some runs.
HOW CAN HE PUMP HIS FIST WHEN HE'S LOSING THE GAME???
nice goin' C2!!!
braves just got out of a tough bases loaded situation
another homerun review at the Fens. whining Poukilis and the left field foul pole.
FOUL BALL!!! nice review Joe West!
[182] he's excited
ah hell
what's going on? gamecast is frozen at johnny's flyout.
oh, nevermind...here we go.
tie the game, Alex.
gah.
well, it'll have to be the robbie and melky show again today ...
oh boy, the Jose Veras Experience ...
Highly doubtful the Yanks will come back again but at least it's just one run (for now). This has been a good game, I don't have any major complaints beyond everything Gardner does ; )
The problem in this series was the first game, where the offense was flat but more importantly Burnett stunk up the joint.
man, do they ever LOVE the Chipster here in Hotlanta. bases-loaded pinch hitting appearance for Larry Wayne... Chipper comes thru. Jays down by 1.
and the Shit Sox come back and take the lead. Feh!
kind of a hanger but that can work sometimes
Veras makes me want to kick kittens ...
throw strikes, you idiot. that said, one of those pitches looked in on the gamecast box.
braves blowing it open...
and punch puppies ...
[195] listen to Whiplash instead! ; )
that was a nice pitch
Mutts meltdown!
Ah, it's Dr. Veras today, (as opposed to Mr. Hyde, Veras, I want to kill you for sucking).
[200] it was inevitable. man, do i HATE the Shit Sox AND The Fens. i really do dislike that ballpark...
[201] don't you have more errands and chores for another half-inning?! ; )
Little bingo!
9-2 Braves. it could be a 1/2 game swing for 1st place.
good start Robbie!
let's WIN!!!
[203] Moping the kitchen floor, cleaning the bathroom too. And laundry.
huh? is pena that much faster than cano?
Bunting with Matsui and Cervix coming up?
Really?
better, baby!
It's about time you effed up Ruiz. : )
wow, Takahashi literally DROPPED the ball before pitching!!! didn't even realize it!!! holy weird.
yeah, why is Joey Joe Joe PR'ing for Robbie?!
why bunt now with the guy who's been hot??
Melky isn't good at bunting.
[206] i would be "moping", too!!! ; )
Holy Shit. Good times.
[212] Exactly!
Papi strikes out...again!!! man, i hate how buck martinez calls him OR-teez. as opposed to...or-TEEZ.
[212]
[213]
EXACTLY!!!
like i said, up to Robbie and Melky.
LECHE!!!!!
I wonder if Hideki can bunt. I'm guessing no.
Terrible having him bunt once Pena was on 2nd but luckily Melky came through.
looks like it's about time i dust off my "Got Melky?" t-shirt.
hey, rbj - can i throw it in w/ your dark wash?! ; )
"yeah, why is Joey Joe Joe PR’ing for Robbie?!"
Question answered?
[220] but he can ground out to 2nd with the best of 'em! ; )
Too bad we can't pinch run for Melky and have Melky bat again.
Matsui sure stinks now
boy was the umpire happy to make that call
Mr. OK... How do you say "YOU SUCK" in Japanese?
prolly shoulda had Swish pinch hit...
[227] 3rd pitch looked low on the box. was it?
yeah, called out swinging on a checked swing
time to break the slump, Swish. howza bout a double?!
Boy, now I *really* wish Melky could bat. It'd practically be a lock.
Well... we have Mo waiting. Who do they have?
Redemption Song.
redemption time, Gritner.
all will be forgiven.
matsui must be contagious and swish caught it.
c'mon Gritner...
Uh oh
This could be awesome. I could see a walk off infield hit...
i'll settle for a wild pitch.
7-5 shit sox.
Curses.
[236] or not.
Rats.
[239] that'd rule. if it happens, can i post that in #238?! ; )
another bat would sure be nice
better be Mo ...
I don't think I have less faith in anyone than Brett Gardner in that spot. Maybe Cash?
well, at least haven't lost. still have a pulse, still have Mo, and still have last licks and the top of our order coming up...
Hey... a walk off in extras is cool too.
Melky absolutely saved Girardi in that inning...not only by getting the hit, but also by failing to bunt. How Girardi could even think that it would be worth sacrificing an out to set up a hitter who has looked awful is beyond me. Things worked out, but it's another example of the Yankees having to overcome some very bad game management.
Meanwhile, what good is Gardner if he never bunts. A drag bunt to Ryan Howard would have meant another walk off. It might not be the highest percentage play, but neither is Gardner swinging away.
[248] And they are at the bottom of their order? The 10th MUST be our inning. No HRs Mo (please?)
joe simpson here at the braves game: upset that Youk's homer wasn't called fair, upset that lidge blew a lead and the Yanks tied. what an asshole. he should be happy the Phils didn't win. i usually like him, but i'm really sick of all the Pro-Sux/Anti-Yanks shit that is omnipresent.
[250] agree on both counts
it's Moses.
Oops... I'm out of order.
I wish Robinson were still in the game, though.
[255] wishful thinking though! ; )
[256] me too.
more quick outs, please.
well the umpire was squeezing lidge a little too so i can't complain, but that first pitch to ibanez looked pretty good
Who do you figure we face in the bottom? Tired Lidge?
In some shots Ibanez looks like Mark Grace. In my head anyway. Bastard with another hit.
i really think flaherty is probably the best announcer they have, but sometimes i wish he'd shut up
Not a fan of this match-up. C'mon Mo!
[260] fine by me.
i'd like a DP here.
1 more out. then...let's WIN!!!
that was literally down the middle of the zone
Mo a little sloppy today ... sorta like when he created the platypus ...
High Heat!!!!!! (coming?)
oh what the fuck? he just took a time out so he could look at the location
[267] It was part of his master plan to catch people lookin'. : )
Werth was just guessing.
Had he ever batted against Mariano before?
[270] good thing Werth wasn't looking right down the middle, Mo missed Cash's glove by about 4 feet there.
I'm not sure I'll be able to watch this team when Mo is gone (or done).
[272} Don't follow you. The pitch caught the inside corner...
OK.... It's Banter WIN ENERGY TIME. We need to effect (affect?) the cosmic vibrations here.
Affect seems right?
[272] did miss the glove, but definitely not right down the middle. werth was definitely trying to get a look at location, so maybe it was on purpose (if anyone can locate a pitch not into the catcher's glove it's mo).
Ah, 1988. Back when they were called game winning hits and/or game winning homers.
[272] and Cash stood to give location.
[222] Sure. Looks like I missed the tie up. Still have more to do. Sure would hate to miss another walk off. And by hate I mean would not mind
Cap!
[278] That was before they'd figured out the True Name.
[280] It was Cano and Melk who did it... to nobody's surprise, I guess.
atta boy, jetes. he does have a stolen bag in this game...
See, that is why you don't ask Damon to bunt. This Clay dude is a little nervous, and they could move Jete's up without giving up the out, on a freebie...
just about anything is called a strike on 3-0
was the 3-0 pitch a generous call?
Maybe it's the Old Guys' turn today...
alright, it's Bum time!
Get the pie ready.
[286] definitely outside, definitely further out than anything he's called a strike today
aw man, i can taste it.
big boys comin' up. make it happen...
If Tex could bunt, would you call for it here?
Too late now, but just askin'.
Fat Papi now 0-5. some boos showering down. sox winning 9-5, but ortiz is terrible...
don't strike out!!!!
or hit into DP...
TAKE ONE FOR THE TEAM!
ooh ball 4
Oh, Tex, that was ball four!
[295] normally, i agree, but not when it's at the knees or lower.
those can really hurt.
sorta like that double play.
dammit.
Oh, man, that really sucked.
Well, it always comes down to A-Rod...
nonononononononononoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
IBB to ARod
throw the ball away!
Can Cano PH for Pena here?
looks like it's up to El Nino.
Yep. Wish we had Rob in there.
crap, tex.
and youk hit a 3-run bomb that needed no review. it's blown open at the Fens.
win the game, Alex.
[303] Awesome. Better yet: pull the double-switch and let Melky bat...
1st pitch single. C'mon, Rook.
That really sucked. Very bad omen not to be celebrating now.....
Pie for Pena?
Lets see if he can work a walk
PATIENCE!
well, it's the eleventh.
who will be on the mound?
Tex blew it trying to pull the ball there.
The key pitch was when Tex went after ball four.
Fuck.
[313] Mo, I figure.
Fuck. Pie for Matsui I guess. Can Mo go one more?
i dont even want to know who's pitching
Again, is the thought of putting pressure on Howard even entering Girardi's mind?
Also, putting the runners in motion on 3-2 might have been nice. Condrey didn't look like he had enough to get a swing and a miss, so the only risk would have been the line drive.
[318] doubt it. someone was warming.
Is Bruney available? Coke?
Hm, Melky, Matsui, Cash, Gardner for us in the bottom of the eleventh. We might have to hold them here...
[314] That was definitely a very poor AB.
Umbrella day? WTF? What's next... broom day?
Well, Veras was good today, maybe this is Good Bullpen Day.
[320] now i don't agree. only in retrospect.
[282] Thanks.
the wheel of middle relief turns ever onward, pausing now to present us with Brett Tomko ...
is coke warming for utley?
Tikki Tikki Tomko
[330] my guess, is their thinkin' Tomko is gonna be like a "long guy" here...
i don't want to watch this at bat
just walk him
ugh, the Friars home sunday uni of camo, is just disgusting.
[333] you can open your eyes now. twas a walk.
Crap! Do or die now.
That's right, Michael, the steal changes the whole specter of the at bat. Whatever the hell that means.
[332] wait, i think Joe said they weren't considering Tomko a longman. i'll just shut up now... : ~
I'm getting anxious. This at bat is too long.
Damn, did I jinx that?
what the fuck arod??
yes, this AB is torturous.
hang it and bang it.
ugh.
just ugh.
somehow, i don't think Cash went out there to say, "hey, why don't you hang a slider here."
I feel sick.
I wish they hadn't allowed that steal.
fuck you!!!
Really too bad. This came down to Tex, I think. One at bat, maybe one pitch - that ball four he swung at.
Sorry, my fault. Shouldn't have stopped to catch my breath.
Tomko sucks, so you can't get too upset about his failure, but this game is still being played because of miserable game management. It's great that this team has been playing so well, but that doesn't mean they can afford to throw games back. It's hard enough to beat good teams, but it's even more difficult when you have to overcome a manager with no feel for running a game.
throw strikes, moron.
yeah, Tex screwed up royally last inning...
[342] You can't blame Arod because his manager wasn't guarding the line.
[348] See [315].
[352] he was playing close to the line and hardly tried to get that. a good 3b makes that play.
My condolences to Yankees fans for having to resort to Brett Tomko. I still haven't recovered from this game:
http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2007/B06300LAN2007.htm
[354] a-rod with 2 good hips makes that play.
Also, Girardi's poor decision making has BOTH Cash and Gardner still in the game. Instead of having Swisher (who while struggling is still more of a threat) take over for Gardner and moving Cash to the 9-hole, the Yankees now have two awful hitters coming up. Again, had the game been managed well beforehand, it wouldn't matter, but now it does.
First and second, no outs and you don't move the runners over - in fact, hit into a DP. That's the failure that sunk our battleship.
"Now it's up to Cash to keep the game alive."
Not the words I was hoping to hear.
this is pathetic. we need more hitters on the bench.
Very fitting that Cash steps in to make the last out. With a good manager, the Yankees are getting on a bus after another great win. Against the better teams, Girardi's inability to manage the game rears its ugly head. If this team is fortunate enough to make the playoffs, that is going to be a major albatross.
"It's up to Kevin Cash to keep this inning alive" doesn't inspire confidence.
completely lame. i hate that Cash will be our last out. boo.
well, that sucked.
[359] ha
Ah, well.
Ciao, dudes, see you in Texas.
LOL at that last out.
I hate hearing all the Phillies fans cheering, man that is a drag
bollocks.
[361] as you acknowledged before, the big mistake was nullified by melky's inability to bunt. this game should have been won in the bottom of the 9th.
10th i mean.
All in all the Yanks lost a series at home but it could have gone the other way, pretty easily. I'm not too bummed out. It helps that the Mets took 2 of 3 from the Red Sox.
[369] He could have had Gardner or Pena attempt a game ending bunt and had the runners on the move in the 9th. All the elements in the game pointed toward those being wise moves. Meanwhile, when he does have a hot hitter up and tries to bunt. If LaRussa or Showalter or any decent game manager is running this team, they would have probably won the game.
The Yankees definitely have enough talent to overcome a manager like Girardi, but this is a game they lost because their weakest link wasn't on the field, but in the dugout. Games lost by the manager bother me a lot more than ones lost by the players, and this game is on Girardi more than any one else.
[372] but the melky bunt never happened! so basically you're saying that the yanks would have won if gardner had successfully bunted for a hit in the 9th. that's ridiculous. teixeira shouldn't have swung at ball 4.
So why in H. E. doublehockeysticks were there so many Philly fans at these games?
[373] The Mleky bunt points to Girardi being a serious concern in any big/close game. The other three points are all things that Girardi could have done to help his team win. He did neither. Now, you may think it is ridiculous that guys like Garnder and Pena swung away instead of attempt a drag bunt (especially with a Giambi-bad 1B), but I think it would have been their best chance to get a hit.
[375] no, i agree that gardner should have attempted a drag bunt there (not pena). but the chances that that would have been successful were tiny. and i agree girardi made a couple mistakes in this game, but even the melky bunt mistake wasn't terrible- as hot as he's been in these situations, it's not absurd to try to get the runner to 3rd with 1 out against a (usually) quality pitcher. i just think you are blaming girardi when in this case it was just a close game that they could have won but lost, due to various reasons.
[376] The problem with the Melky bunt is the batter is hot and the pitcher is struggling AND the guy you'd be setting up has been in an awful slump.
As for the two drag bunts, I think you have to try to make the perfect bunt, especially with Ryan Howard involved. Gardner, in particular, has one real asset, so it makes no sense not to use it.
Finally, there is also the poor decision to waste Swisher and not do a double switch. No matter how much he has been struggling, he is much better than Cash. There is no defense of a move like that.
Sure, if Tex doesn't hit into the DP, the Yankees probably win anyway, but that doesn't eliminate the 4 or 5 poor decisions by Girardi at the end of the game. A good manager can make the difference...Girardi seldom does.