"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Texas Rangers II: Who’s Better, Who’s Best?

The Yankees and Rangers enter this week’s three game series in the Bronx separated by a half game for the best record in the American League. Since the Yankees took two of three from the Rangers in Arlington last week, both teams won three games of a four-game series against a lesser opponent. Beating up on losing teams has been the Rangers’ m.o. thus far this season, but they’re just 5-10 against teams currently over .500, including last week’s series loss to the Yankees.

The Yanks, meanwhile, are flat-out rollin’, beating all comers. Dating back to May 8, they’re 16-6 (.727) and 6-1 in series. Their one series loss came at home against the NL East-leading Phillies, but their current run also includes series wins against the then-AL best Blue Jays and still-AL best Rangers. Since May 13, the Yankees are 14-4 (.778) and have not made a single error, setting a major league record with 18-straight errorless games. Just three American League teams have turned balls in play into outs at a higher rate than the Yankees (Texas is one of them), and no team in the majors is scoring runs more often than the Bronx Bombers.

The Yankees current run began after they were swept at home in consecutive two-game series by the Red Sox and Rays. After this week’s three-game set against Texas, the Rays return to the Bronx for four games after which the Yankees travel to Boston for three. That will be the real test, of course, but by taking two of three from the Rangers now, they could enter that gauntlet with the league’s best record.

As for the Rangers, they haven’t changed much since we last saw them save for tonight’s starter, Vicente Padilla, who returns from the disabled list to reclaim his rotation spot from the now-injured Matt Harrison (sore shoulder). Padilla ran off three impressive starts (23 IP, 4 ER) before landing on the DL with a strained shoulder two weeks ago, but had a 7.42 ERA entering that stretch, so who knows what to expect from him tonight. Last year, he faced the Yankees just once, allowing four runs in six innings in Arlington in early August.

Padilla will be opposed by A.J. Burnett, who ten starts into his Yankee career looks an awful lot like the same old A.J. Burnett. He’s struck out 21 men in 18 2/3 innings across his last three starts, but also walked 12 in that span and allowed three home runs in a loss to the Phillies two starts ago. Last time out, he held Texas scoreless on three hits (and four walks) over six innings to earn the win. Here’s hoping for a repeat of that tonight.

Categories:  Cliff Corcoran  Game Thread  Series Preview

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385 comments

Show/Hide Comments 1-100
1 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 6:10 pm

I'd be concerned if I were Padilla. This isn't "last year's Yankees"... not even close, especially these days!

I am concerned however, with all of the starters' worse digits at home versus on the road except for Joba. Pettitte's and Hughes' are really worse, particularly HR allowed and BAA.

I'm expecting more improvement out of A.J. tonight, and I will not be satisfied until he duplicates that gem he twirled in Tampa in April!

Who gets the "Wrastlin' Belt" next?

: )

2 LAJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 6:43 pm

Cliff: We know that you're busy with your girls (belated congratulations btw), but what's the chance that while performing your homemaking duties on Thurs, you work in a little Live Blogging for the poor working stiffs (particularly in Pacific Time Zone) who'll have not opportunity to watch Sabathia? No better time than now to have Amelia join our tribe.

3 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:13 pm

Wow, that was kind of lucky (getting a soft liner to Jeter for the second out, run can't score).

4 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:13 pm

Yanks do seem to be positioned very well on the IF.

5 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:14 pm

That's my AJ.

6 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:14 pm

[3] That kind of luck simply MUST contribute to momentum. ; )

7 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:14 pm

Oh no, not again...

: P

8 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:15 pm

OK...my first chance to see a game at the launching pad since very early in the season. Let's see if Jeter, whom I defended vehemently over the winter, can keep taking advantage of the winds/dimensions/ghosts...

9 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:16 pm

[5] I like your AJ a whole lot better than everyone else's AJ.

10 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:16 pm

I just hope it's not the kind of momentum that immediately flips back to the other side!

11 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:17 pm

[9] I'm sorry, I've been keeping my AJ in my basement. I'll try to let him out more.

12 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:17 pm

[10] Do you mean "pendulum momentum?"

: )

13 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:18 pm

i just want to know if a dead horse can have momentum?

14 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:18 pm

I'm glad AJ got new shoes. Those other ones were bothering me.

15 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:18 pm

Ohhhhh. It was the good kind of momentum.

16 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:19 pm

[13] It doesn't need any, unfortunately.

17 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:19 pm

[13] Well played.

18 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:20 pm

Any more talk about momentum and I'm going to need Mentholatum!

19 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:20 pm

It sounds kind of like half-baked down home wisdom. "This team has all the momentum of a dead horse falling down the stairs."

20 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:22 pm

o'neill's calling padilla's slow curve a "blue ball"

21 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:22 pm

Which is worse, us talking about momentum or Kay going on about "protection"?

22 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:22 pm

[18] Have a Mento instead!

23 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:23 pm

[20] Well, if he had protection, you know, that wouldn't happen.

24 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:24 pm

[21] kay is always worse, but at least his droning on doesn't increase the amount of times i have to press "see all"

25 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:24 pm

Beating a dead horse is not a worthwhile pursuit when done with sincerity ; sarcasm makes it almost painful to endure.

26 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:24 pm

[21] I think you only need to be hungry to work in the YES Booth these days!

: )

27 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:24 pm

least no dp - only the 1st inning and already on you alex

28 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:26 pm

A Rod has looked bad at bat recently. He did get a big hit yesterday but it was a leaky ground ball. He really seems to be swinging at that pitch low and outside again.

29 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:27 pm

I would argue that YES really should rid themselves of Kay and Francesa... and they needed to do it yesterday!

30 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:27 pm

That was very unclutch. Dare I say, the -------- might be shifting already?

31 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:27 pm

Base hit for Cano

32 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:27 pm

It looks like the game thread has carried over the momentum from yesterday. There's always room for more converts!

33 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:27 pm

Damn. I thought the start to that inning had some serious motential.

34 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:27 pm

[31] Ah well, at least I tried.

35 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:27 pm

Bleh!

36 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:28 pm

[31] [34] You jinxed him. Baaaad Hawk.

37 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:28 pm

[25] Certainly for the horse!

38 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:29 pm

[32] [33]

: )

39 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:29 pm

Who ordered the momentum? I've got a momentum with a side of string beans here.

40 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:31 pm

oh no will that be an error!?!?

41 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:31 pm

With the Yankees playing well, I've stopped expecting them to squander golden opportunities, which ironically makes it more frustrating.

42 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:31 pm

hmm i don't know about that, tough play but he should make it

43 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:32 pm

That's why the "no errors streak" is not a very serious thing. As we all knew, anyway.

44 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:33 pm

[39] are they Pad Prik Khing style?

45 tocho   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:34 pm

Is it me or is o'neil extra-yappy tonight.

46 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:34 pm

[42] That was an absolute rocket. Those balls are always called hits.
[43] I am sure all the other errorless streaks had similar plays, so it's all relative. The streak is not a huge deal, but it does have meaning, especially for this team, which couldn't go innings without making errors earlier in the season.

47 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:34 pm

[45] Two man booth.

48 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:35 pm

[47]

Blue Man Group?
Randolph Mantooth?

49 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:35 pm

Posada's arm looks very weak...that could become a problem.

50 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:36 pm

alright jorgie these are not the greatest throws

51 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:36 pm

[46] i agree with your 2nd point and mostly agree with your 1st, but he should have moved a little more to get his body in front, and should have made the play, whether or not not making it is an error

52 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:36 pm

Davis doin' what he does!

53 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:37 pm

heh, watching jorgie's eyes after he took that ball off his mask was like watching a slot machine spin after you pull the handle.

54 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:37 pm

Oh my goodness!

55 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:39 pm

nice pitch aj - that is what has people into him

56 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:39 pm

[46] Errors are of course problematic as stat/analytical tool, but it does say something that in all of MLB history, no team has gone more than 18 games--a little more than 10% of the season--without an obvious misplay, poor throw, bobbled ball, etc. Baseball is a simple game, but also a very, very difficult game at this level.

57 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:39 pm

Burnett's stuff looks great today...if the Yankees can get him a nice 2-0 or 3-0 lead, he could sail.

58 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:40 pm

I was going to say, "That's my AJ.", but Wordpress won't let me!

59 ny2ca2dc   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:40 pm

As annoying as it is to keep hearing about Salty's name, it is pretty funny seeing that horseshoe of a nameplate. Clearly he should be a Yankee.

60 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:42 pm

The book on Posada is out...

"Run Forrest RUN!"

They are going to have to DH him sooner and more often than they would like.

61 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:42 pm

Who has the shortest name in MLB history? I can think of lots of 3-letter ones (though none active).

62 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:43 pm

[61] Tough to beat Ron Cey...

63 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:44 pm

substitute pete has some player news up-

cmw still not in the rotation
nady feeling better
and marte is alive after all

64 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:44 pm

Ed Ott

65 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:44 pm

...

66 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:45 pm

This team does everything well except base running.

67 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:45 pm

[60] It all depends on how he hits.

Meanwhile, error streaks only refer to defense...

68 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:45 pm

god po is infuriating on the base paths

69 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:46 pm

That was absolutely awful....how can that happen to a major leaguer. Posada has always been an awful baserunner, but it seems like he hasn't improved at all in his long career. That's really inexusable.

70 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:46 pm

Oh, I only meant last names, but Ed Ott, good call. I was thinking of Mel, and also Ron Cey.

71 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:46 pm

That's why errorless game streaks are meaningless...

They make mistakes on the paths almost every day.

72 tommyl   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:46 pm

That's some pretty awful baseball right there.

73 ny2ca2dc   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:46 pm

Oh boy, my Georgie is such a bad baserunner.

74 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:47 pm

Christ, Jorge is the worst baserunner.

Awful, awful, awful.

75 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:47 pm

Posada non runna ...

76 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:47 pm

[70] Pie is active...

77 ny2ca2dc   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:47 pm

I still love you JoPo.

78 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:47 pm

[70] Not MLB, but Oh is probably the shortest in professional baseball.

79 tommyl   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:47 pm

He should have gone to third, but even if he had just run to second and stopped it'd have been better. What is jogging halfway between and then standing there supposed to accomplish exactly?

80 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:48 pm

I thought of Oh, too. Pie, great call. And two syllables, for the bonus.

81 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:49 pm

Okay, I think we heard enough about Brett's failure to steal yesterday. One game is enough, boys.

82 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:49 pm

[80] I still like... you know...

: )

83 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:50 pm

[60] he's at 33% for 2009 right now (as of last night).

he was at 24% in 2007 and nobody was talking about having to move him to DH because of his catching.

His career CS % is 29%.

84 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:50 pm

Brett Gardner..you can only hope to contain him...

85 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:50 pm

It's Brett "RBI" Gardner!

Way to go, Chauncy, way to go.

86 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:50 pm

Woohoo Brett!

87 Just Fair   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:50 pm

Are good omens measurable?

88 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:50 pm

Lots of Orr's...maybe we can one to drop an "r"?

89 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:50 pm

[87] Only using the metric system.

90 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:51 pm

mOMENtum ...

91 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:51 pm

That hit by Gardner was very Gardner-esque.

92 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:51 pm

Now that's a play I have never seen.

93 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:51 pm

GRITNER, getting it done.

now STEAL, SLAPPY!

94 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:51 pm

That was one of the most awesome plays I've ever seen, and Kay and O'Neill are just "ho hum"!

95 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:51 pm

[78][80] The Sox had an Oh in their MiL a few years ago, but he never made it to the bigs.

96 ny2ca2dc   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:52 pm

Jeter's stats looking Jeterian

97 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:52 pm

[90] Brett Gardner puts the OMEN in mOMENTum!

98 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:52 pm

Damon Runbattedinyan?

99 Just Fair   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:53 pm

[89] Well Jete bounced a ball aboot (Candadian sp.) 30 meters into the air...so he's got that going for him.

100 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:53 pm

[94] And a rare good call by the ump--not on the bag and did not tag him with the ball. Oh, and Jeter with another 2 hits tonight. he's washed up.

Show/Hide Comments 101-200
101 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:53 pm

Oh, way to go RIY, screw up the joke by a stupid typo. Just like Jorge. [97]

102 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:53 pm

[99] Canadian spelling AND "meters"???

103 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:53 pm

KICK SAVE!

104 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:54 pm

[100]

Jeter for MVP!

105 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:54 pm

[95] Chul Oh.

106 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:54 pm

[83] All I know is when Choo steals 2B and 3B off Po, that's not good...

Clearly they are running on him more often these days.

Meanwhile, Cervelli is catching Wang sinkers in the dirt and still throwing runners out.

I'm just sayin'...

107 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:54 pm

I like how AJ Burnett can get a strikeout without once hitting his spot during the sequence. It's just chaos, unleashed.

108 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:54 pm

[102] Can't take these kids anywhere. It's embarrassing. I'm just glad Justin Morneau isn't here.

109 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:55 pm

[107] Yeah, that was a great point by O'Neill, I thought. (I wouldn't have noticed it on my own.)

110 Just Fair   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:55 pm

[102] It's all that air that wafts over Lake Ontario. : )

111 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:56 pm

Are they ever going to get Cone back in the booth? I miss him.

112 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:56 pm

balk!

113 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:56 pm

Brett does it every which way!!!

114 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:56 pm

What a scrappy inning.

115 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:56 pm

Brett Gardner...you can only hope to contain him...

116 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:57 pm

At times like these I think about how I'd feel if the roles were reversed. I'd certainly have a handful of hair. Two.

117 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:57 pm

[113] ...but loose.

118 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:57 pm

[109] It reminded me to watch for that sort of stuff. It's an interesting part of the game.

119 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:57 pm

I wouldn't be surprised if that was intentional.

120 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:57 pm

A Rod didn't swing at that one! I guess it has to be reallllll low and outside.

121 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:58 pm

[117] No, actually, Brett does it loose, too.

Paul and Mike agree: 17 is a huge number.

122 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:58 pm

[119] Cosign

123 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:58 pm

That was an excellent pitch by Padilla.

124 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:59 pm

Some inning or other Alex will drive the ball beyond the pitcher's mound.

125 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 7:59 pm

Uh oh here we go. A Rod, meet A Rod.

126 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:00 pm

Looks like Boston will miss Verlander and Jackson. They have been on an annoying run of not facing their opponent's best pitchers.

127 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:00 pm

[126] I noticed this too.

128 seamus   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:01 pm

[126] and papi still can't hit.

hey everyone. 51 pitches on padilla already? wow

129 Just Fair   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:02 pm

[108] I just came home from Curling with Larry Walker. : ) Geez, nothing like bad Canadian jokes when the boys are playing Texas.

130 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:02 pm

[106]

Cervelli's at 36%

131 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:04 pm

de-FENSE!

132 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:04 pm

[127] In May alone, they missed Graza in TB, Sabathia in NY, Lee in Cleveland, Felix in Seattle and Halladay in Toronto 2x. The only ace they hit was Johan. Now, they start off in Detroit and miss Verlander.

133 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:06 pm

Hi-hum...pop fly to the wall. A Lonn Trost special.

134 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:07 pm

Concentrate, AJ.

135 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:08 pm

[133] That was hit pretty hard. I can't see that ball being the kind impacted by whatever theory you want to advance.

136 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:08 pm

um i wasn't a nolan ryan fan michael

137 Just Fair   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:09 pm

Damn 2 out walks.

138 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:09 pm

thankfully melky was out there rather than swish

139 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:09 pm

Come on AJ, don't give these runs back.

140 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:09 pm

Bear down, AJ.

141 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:09 pm

Burnett's curve is scary right now.

142 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:10 pm

[5] can we get your AJ back, please?

shit, too late ...

143 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:10 pm

hoooooooo boy.

144 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:10 pm

that was drilled - buck up aj

145 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:10 pm

That three hitter sequence was just bad.

146 RagingTartabull   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:10 pm

lovely

147 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:11 pm

[145] Four.

148 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:11 pm

as I mentioned last night, the answer to the question of "what is momentum" was AJ Burnett.

149 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:11 pm

At times, it really seems that Burnett just stops pitching and starts throwing.

150 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:13 pm

Five.

151 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:13 pm

Better get Ace up because AJ looks like he is going to pack it in early tonight.

152 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:14 pm

jesus christ aj-

i wish cmw could get aj's spot (yes i know i am over reacting - but still)

153 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:15 pm

deeeee-FENSE!

154 Just Fair   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:15 pm

Put a tent on that circus, Brett!

155 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:15 pm

Gardner's route to balls aren't pretty.

156 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:15 pm

nice scrappy catch

157 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:18 pm

It seems like Burnett gives up a high % of runs after his team scores. I wonder if that's true.

158 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:19 pm

Great, now Padilla will start making pitches.

159 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:20 pm

[158] yep nice easy 1,2,3 inning

160 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:21 pm

[130] I guess the higher percentage for Cervelli is due in part because of the Wang sinkers in the dirt he managed to cleanly pick and successfully got a couple of caught stealings...

: )

161 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:22 pm

these last 3 games reek like April

162 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:22 pm

[157] I think he gives up an unusually large percentage of his runs in big innings. To put it the other way, very few one-run innings off AJ.

163 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:24 pm

Start the runners...

164 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:25 pm

Pop.

165 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:25 pm

Posada's arm looks about as bad as any catcher I've seen.

166 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:25 pm

[161] today's reeks like last year with po's throws and a pitcher "meltdown"and not scoring with risp

167 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:25 pm

[165] What you said...

168 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:26 pm

well, there's the errorless streak.

the basepaths aren't being kind to jorge tonite.

169 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:26 pm

Strange inning for Burnett. Two K and that completely wild curve.

170 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:27 pm

[169] Kind of wish he would have just attacked the 9th hitter with fastballs.

171 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:29 pm

Ya know, I would hazard a guess that Halladay played Burnett like a song when he told him to "hold back"...

I'd like to know if that was after Burnett signed his deal with an opt-out clause, such that Halladay knew he wasn't sticking around, and so he told him that because he knew he might face Burnett one day.

How did that game work out again?

172 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:31 pm

has anyone looked at pfx to understand what aj did diffrently in his first starts versus these mediocre ones?

alright i'm not going to let my annoyance with aj continue to drag me down tonight.

173 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:32 pm

What the...?
Brett squares to bunt, then lets the pitch in the zone go by, and Melky isn't running???

174 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:33 pm

I guess the bunt sign was on?

175 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:33 pm

[172] There's no pitch f?X for this game, unfortunately.

176 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:34 pm

I'm picturing A-Rod up again with the bases loaded...

177 tocho   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:35 pm

this is not new for burnett. he's cruising, gets a guy on a 0-2 count, then decides to fool him with 3 stupid pitches, ends up walking him, and then he breaks down...

178 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:37 pm

[177] definitely. but he didn't pull that crap so much in his first few starts.

still don't see any resemblenace btween mike and greg maddux.

179 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:38 pm

ah a damonian slap - nice

180 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:38 pm

Impressive hit. And, just as impressive, neither he nor Jeter was caught standing in between two bases!

181 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:39 pm

[178] O'Neill mentioned "those little eyes", which made me laugh, but otherwise I too see not much resemblance.

182 Just Fair   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:39 pm

Jimmy Smits not helping his cause on the mound.

183 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:40 pm

[176] Ahem.

184 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:40 pm

[176] are you going for nostralarmis's title?

tex definitely has some don't f with me in him - that was a bs pitch

185 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:43 pm

Damn, Tex, really was pissed!

186 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:43 pm

nice slide tex - arod motoring down the line

187 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:43 pm

nicely done

188 Just Fair   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:43 pm

Now that's good baseball. : D

189 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:44 pm

Nice takeout by Teix...a sort of weird reverse protection for A-Rod!

190 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:44 pm

If the Yanks lose this game, A Rod is the goat. Pending something worse than his performance of course.

191 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:44 pm

[184] wow, nice takeout slide there by Teix.

192 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:47 pm

Who would you rather have up in a big situation, Rob or A-Rod?

193 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:47 pm

Tex gets the "Wrastlin' Belt!"

LOL

194 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:47 pm

I feel like the Yanks should be tearing Padilla apart, but they're just sort of nibbling at him. If it works it works but it seems like they could be up 5 or 6 runs by this point.

195 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:48 pm

[192] I choose C...Brett Gardner.

196 Chyll Will   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:48 pm

Now that's what I'm talkin' about. You pissed them off, P, now siddown and eat some payback...

197 Just Fair   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:48 pm

2 out ribbies are a wonderful thing. Atta boy, Robbie!

198 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:48 pm

[192] if you just need a hit (not a walk or hr), robbie, as long as he isn't in the middle of one of his long slumps

199 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:48 pm

[192] That's a good question. It's a toss-up - unless one has been swinging a hot bat lately.

200 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:49 pm

[194] They could be, if AJ didn't melt down with two outs.

Show/Hide Comments 201-300
201 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:50 pm

[200] I'm not saying it's a good job but I don't think 3 runs - esp. on a HR in the Bandbox - is a meltdown.

202 seamus   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:50 pm

[192] have you seen robbie's avg with the bases loaded? a-rod all the way.

203 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:51 pm

[195] Well, duh, or Babe Ruth. But that wasn't the question!

204 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:51 pm

[201] like a 425 ft hr in the bandbox

205 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:51 pm

[202] Hm, good point. But I think he's over that phase (crosses fingers).

206 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:52 pm

[202] The question wasn't about bases loaded situations.

207 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:52 pm

[201] He got absolutely smacked around for five straight batters that inning--he was just lucky that the moonshot came in the middle, not at the end of the string.

208 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:52 pm

[204] It still counts the same.

209 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:53 pm

Or Posada. I'd feel pretty good almost any time with Jorge up in a big situation.

210 Chyll Will   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:53 pm

Mmm, nice.

211 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:53 pm

Yeah, that inning was definitely a Burnett meltdown. That was classic meltdown. And classic Burnett.

212 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:53 pm

[207] We were talking about the score. At least I was. How dare you hijack my comment for your own nefarious purposes. Next time I'll be more wary.

213 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:54 pm

Or Matsui. I always like to see him in a bit situation.

214 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:54 pm

keep pounding away - nice ab jorgie

blue jays up 6-0 on the angels - i can't even really enjoy the angels not being good

matsui!

215 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:54 pm

[208] counts the same, but the bandbox part is irrelevant. he didn't give up a pop fly hr.

216 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:54 pm

Be sure to plunk Tex again please!

: )

217 Just Fair   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:54 pm

Tex is far more fiery than can be seen by just watching him for however many series there are in a year. He's been more than I'd imagined he'd be. There just isn't enough time in the day to watch baseball. And the 2 out hits keep comin'. 3runzilla!!

218 Chyll Will   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:54 pm

Woo-hoo! Pissed off! I love it! It's like '98 again...

219 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:54 pm

[190] yup, total goat.

nice going Godzilla, jogging is easy on the knees.

220 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:54 pm

[215] I didn't say he did.

221 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:55 pm

Now that's what I call a crooked number.

222 Alex Belth   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:55 pm

Has anyone mentioned that game in 98 against the Os with Tino and Benetiz yet? That was Teixeria's signature moment in pinstripes so far.

223 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:55 pm

[219] Did the Yankees lose the game? TWC must be delaying it something fierce cause on my TV they're winning.

224 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:56 pm

[217] yeah that has taken me by surprise. i thought he was a bit of a pansy/nerd who buttoned his shirt to the top and was too polite to get pissed

225 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:57 pm

[220] ok

226 Chyll Will   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:57 pm

[222] Psst! [218] >;)

227 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:58 pm

[212] ???

You said the Yanks should be up by 5 or 6, implying they had not "done the job" against Padilla. But in fact, they scored 5 against him in less than five innings. They did plenty good (though obviously they could have scored more)--it only seemed like they offense had "failed" because AJ allowed the other team to score a bunch of runs.

Thus, I did not hijack your comment for nefarious purposes--I was spot on topic.

And in any case, the additional runs may render the entire discussion "mute".

228 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:59 pm

I used to find that look on Teixeira's face, when he bats, to be irritating. But it's grown on me. Now I think I'm going to get a big kick out of it.

229 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:59 pm

[223] yes, which they were at the time you made the comment, which ought to tell you something about trying to decide who's going to be a goat in the 4th inning with your team in the lead, no?

230 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 8:59 pm

[224] The only "pansy/nerd" thing about Tex is he has a PB&J before every game...

: )

231 Just Fair   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:00 pm

Yikes. Good job, blue. I thought he was goint to toss him they way he came out of there.

232 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:00 pm

hell yeah!!! lookin' good, y'all. some unknown kid on the Cubs just lost his no-no in the 7th vs. Chipper.

233 Chyll Will   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:01 pm

Nice. Our guys stopped doing that for a while, nice to see some protection again...

234 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:01 pm

I imagine more than a couple of Rangers giving Padilla a beating in the clubhouse later on.

235 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:01 pm

[231] Yep..I too thought he was gone. Refreshing restraint by the ump.

236 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:02 pm

[227] referencing a mute point was not the same without you around the banter :}

much better aj

237 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:02 pm

[227] When I said that it was a tie game and A Rod had done poorly in three at-bats with the bases loaded twice and two men on once, only bailed out by the ire of Teixeira.

Since I was talking about how many runs it seemed like the Yanks could be up, how many hits Burnett gave up was not relevant.

Anyway I was talking about how the Yanks should have been getting to Padilla more, and you changed it to how poorly Burnett did. Hijack! I guess the plank you walked across was because I put it in terms of the spread instead of just Yankee runs scores, but that's no excuse.

238 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:03 pm

[234] he kinda looks like he deserves a "Code Red". He's kinda got that Irabuian "fat toad" look going on.

239 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:04 pm

Cruz manages to 'contain' Brett.

240 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:04 pm

[229] I said if they lose, he's the goat. That's pretty simple. That means: the jury is out but thus far he is the main problem. And I even said pending something worse happening.

And when I wrote that, it was a tie game, the Yanks weren't losing.

241 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:06 pm

O Captain, my captain. Makes you glad to be a Yankee fan.

242 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:06 pm

[236] Absence make the heart grow fonder?

Jeter is scorching right now!

243 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:07 pm

i'll never get tired of opposite field singles by the Captain. i'm sure Weeping won't either! ; )

244 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:07 pm

i for one took jeter in both my fantasy leagues. what will all you cite as evidence of blind faith when judgment day comes?

245 Chyll Will   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:07 pm

[238] I dunno, he's got a little more of a sculpted look about the face as opposed to moon-man Irabu. I would say Padilla's more of a blockhead than a fat pussy toad...

246 tocho   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:08 pm

[230] that, and running the bases grabbing his gloves.

247 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:10 pm

[240] no, they were winning. damon drove in cabrera, arod drove in jeter.

that's made it 4-3.

again, thinking about who deserves to be called "the goat" if your team loses when a) they're winning b) they're still threatening and c) it's only the bottom of the 4th d) they're facing Vincente Padilla and the Rangers bullpen seems pretty pointless to me.

But YMMV, obviously ...

248 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:10 pm

oh who just saw that 2 brothers scrap metal commercial?? a gem

249 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:11 pm

[237] Since I was talking about how many runs it seemed like the Yanks could be up, how many hits Burnett gave up was not relevant.

I'm not sure how that follows mathematically. Anyway, I'm not in the mood to bicker about this--apparently you feel I violated some sort of etiquette, so I'll just concede.

250 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:12 pm

Thelarmis, check out my [176], then [183] et seq. [184].

Feel threatened?

251 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:13 pm

[240] You can think what you want, obviously, but I know when I wrote that and I know why I wrote it. You don't, apparently, but I'll just leave it at that.

252 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:13 pm

Sure seems like our outfielders are catching a lot of baseballs running toward the wall, doesn't it?

253 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:13 pm

man, between Gardner and Damon, there sure are a lot more adventures in the outfield than I'd like to see ...

254 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:14 pm

I'm not threatened, just concerned about how our starters are doing at home but for Joba...

: /

255 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:15 pm

[253] If wind patterns are really an issue, I guess that would make it a lot more difficult to track a fly ball.

256 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:16 pm

[249] I thought my use of pirate imagery made it pretty clear that the "etiquette" breach was something I brought up in jest. I was merely stating that we were talking about two different things.

The way it follows mathematically is: I was talking about the score, so since the score is kept with runs, hits aren't relevant, only the runs they produce. In AJ's case only two hits resulted in runs so ... etc.

257 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:17 pm

[251]

186. ms october
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:43 pm
nice slide tex - arod motoring down the line

187. 51cq24
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:43 pm
nicely done

188. Just Fair
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Now that’s good baseball. : D

189. monkeypants
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Nice takeout by Teix…a sort of weird reverse protection for A-Rod!

190. The Hawk
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:44 pm
If the Yanks lose this game, A Rod is the goat. Pending something worse than his performance of course.

gotcha ...

258 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:19 pm

Speaking of "pirate imagery"... poor Metsies...

: )

259 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:19 pm

Marginal Reward in to pitch!!! : )

260 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:20 pm

[258] more specifically, poor Santana. i don't mind the Muts losing one bit! ; )

261 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:20 pm

[257] Wha??? How did you do that? Positively Holmesian ... but I think you need a Watson!

262 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:20 pm

[256] Ah, I didn't pick up on the jest! My fault.

I brought up AJ since you cited lead rather than runs scored: AJ's failure to hold the opposing team was relevant. Yes, the Yanks' offense could have scored more off of Padilla, but 5 runs in lass than 5 innings is not that bad!

263 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:20 pm

The Madrigal Mystery Tour!

264 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:21 pm

[260] What you said!

heh heh

265 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:21 pm

NICE Robbie!

266 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:22 pm

let's continue to pad our Run Diff and make this lead Veras-proof (if that exists).

267 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:23 pm

[263] Awesome!!!

268 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:23 pm

Well, that certainly makes up for a few SB against...

269 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:23 pm

Hip Hip!

270 Just Fair   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:23 pm

Holy Smokes!

271 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:23 pm

Coming to take you away ... take you today ....

272 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:23 pm

[263] Goo goo g' joob, Diane!

: )

273 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:23 pm

wow jorgie - that was absolutely smacked - and to think i was letting my annoyance at aj mess this game viewing up tonight - good offense team

274 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:24 pm

Hip hip...

275 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:24 pm

I'd really like to look at every HR in the new stadium because it seems like so many of them are absolutely crushed and the result of some pretty poor pitches.

276 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:24 pm

[262] That's why later I said I shouldn't have put it in terms of the lead, but rather in runs scored. And like I say, at the time they'd scored 3 or 4. Not bad, of course, just that there were some missed opportunities. It became irrelevant though by the end of the inning. Obviously the Yanks responded to my post.

277 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:24 pm

hell to the YEAH!!!

278 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:24 pm

[271] is he the fool on the hill?

279 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:25 pm

veras proof.

280 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:25 pm

[275] I've been saying it's the awful pitching for weeks, William...

: )

281 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:25 pm

[275] Hittracker is your friend:

http://www.hittrackeronline.com/

282 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:26 pm

another interesting but sorta sad tidbit from sub pete - andruw jones was warming up the pitcher

283 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:26 pm

[278] brilliant!

284 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:27 pm

yeah Melk!

285 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:27 pm

[281] I mean watch the point of contact, pause the tape and then try to guess if it the swing ended with a HR. If you pause any of three swings tonight, I think you would absolutely think the balls would be leaving every ballpark in the majors.

286 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:27 pm

[278]

Wish I had thought of that .... well done!

287 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:29 pm

[285] without looking it up (i don't feel like it), it seems like the home runs that shouldn't have gone out were mostly very early, like first couple weeks of the stadium. and it was very windy in april.

288 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:30 pm

[278] Better than being the "Nowhere Man"...

289 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:30 pm

halladay w/ a complete game victory and 14 K's.

290 Just Fair   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:30 pm

[285] Pausing the tape would cause the momentum of the swing to stop. It all comes full circle.... ; )

291 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:31 pm

[283] [286] thanks i was just thinking of magical mystery tour references and it was too perfect to ignore

292 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:31 pm

I'm sure there were a bunch of HR that just cleared right-center. But there have definitely been quite a lot of no-doubters.
As I said a few days ago, I don't think anybody has come up with a hypothesis that explains the data. There's just no way the wind could explain the differential between this year and last, between home and away dingers, etc.

293 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:31 pm

[287] I agree...I can think of four or five in the Cleveland series...two that helped the Yankees win a game in fact (by Jeter and Posada). I am sure there are more, but for the most part, it just seems as if so many balls are being crushed. Maybe it's becoming a self fulfilling prophecy whereby pitchers are trying to be too careful and making mistakes as a result.

294 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:31 pm

Yanks all get up and swing at a pitch
That was a hit before this Warner had thrown
Though he was bombed a long, long time ago
Posada should know (Posada should...)
Posada should know (...know.)
Sing it again.

295 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:31 pm

[286] you thought of both "Warner Madrigal" AND Madrigal Mystery Tour. you win! : )

296 51cq24   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:32 pm

[288] he's certainly not one of the beautiful people

297 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:32 pm

[290] Oh, if it comes full circle, then momentum returns to its original measurable value.

Momentum is conserved, meaning you can never get rid of it, ever.

298 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:33 pm

Momentum in a jar .... just add water.

299 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:34 pm

[292] The Yankees were up about 15% in road HRs the last time I ran the numbers, so that's part of it. I really think instead of one factor, it's a perfect storm of circumstances. Because runs in general aren't up, I am not concerned about the impact on the pitching staff and see no reason to treat the situation as a national tragedy.

300 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:34 pm

Dammit, Johnny! If the bullpen implodes, the Yankees are going to regret leaving those two men on base!

Show/Hide Comments 301-385
301 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:35 pm

[285] Sure, these have been blasts tonight. Of course, the popup in the third inning that took Melky to wall looked like, well, a popup off the bat...and yet it carried to the fence. According to Hit Tracker, about 20 HRs (not including Gardner's inside the parker) have been < 360 ft. It would be worth looking at these wall-scrapers to see if they would have gone out in the old stadium.

302 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:35 pm

[299] Right, it pretty much has to be a combination, a confluence if you will. A convergence.
Also, some coincidence, I'm sure.

303 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:35 pm

we really made the kid work that inning.

so, how many of you ended up eating pizza today 'coz of Alex's earlier post? while i was super tempted, i'm holding out for tomorrow, as Wednesday's are my traditional "pizza night".

304 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:36 pm

[303] me!

frozen though, wasn't very good at all.

=(

305 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:38 pm

[304] remember Elio's frozen pizza? i wonder if it still exists...

306 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:38 pm

[304] frozen pizza is so...so...L.A.! ; )

307 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:39 pm

[296] Unless you're looking through a glass onion...

308 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:39 pm

I had pizza for lunch ... thanks to that post.

309 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:41 pm

[307] i bought a glass onion on Penny Lane

310 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:42 pm

We had Baked Chicken Amatriciana with Ziti Rigati...

311 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:43 pm

nice work AJ. in-game WHIP of 1, struck out 8, just 1 walk, 7 innings...

312 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:44 pm

[306]

delivery choices around here are hideous.

dominos, pizza hut, papa johns and a local abomination called "pizza man" which might just be the worst pizza ever delivered, cardboard covered in red paint and plastic shavings would be better.

313 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:44 pm

[310] hey, i just cooked a dish w/ Ziti Rigati also! Ronzoni brand.

314 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:45 pm

wow, some kid for the Cubs was throwing a no-no into the 7th, had a 5 nuthin' lead and now Frenchy (of all people), just crushed a 2-run tying homer in the bottom of the 9th w/ 2 outs against Kevin Gregg. Baseball.

315 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:45 pm

[311] I would have been disheartened had this one been a nail-biter going into the last three frames, especially against Padilla.

316 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:45 pm

[301], etc...

By comparison, last season (81 games) there were 35 HRs at YS that carried <360 ft, according to hit tracker. This season, there have been 19 in 23 home games before tonight, or a pace for about 67 short HRs.

I may not "believe" in momentum, but I sure do believe what my eyes tell me--the ball carries a lot more at the new stadium, and the obviously shorter dimensions in RF have created many more "cheap" HRs.

317 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:46 pm

[312] ouch. we had Gumby's at Penn State. i ONLY go to the pizza joint for fresh slices. there's no other way...

318 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:46 pm

[313] Same here Thelarmis! Good eats!

319 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:47 pm

Very observant, Michael! It's definitely not Teixeira.

320 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:47 pm

Kris Benson .... WHIP it .... WHIP it bad (39 baserunners in 19 innings)

321 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:47 pm

Anna Benson in to bitch.

322 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:48 pm

swine flu, swine flu, whatcha gonna do?
whatcha gonna do when it come for you?

PITTSBURGH—An SNY employee who travels with the Mets has been stricken by an unidentified strain of the flu, prompting concerns about swine flu in a clubhouse that has had two players come down with a stomach virus in the past several days.

The Mets would not identify the person, but a source close to the situation said it is a member of the network’s technical staff. The employee has been isolated from the team since coming down with the flu Monday, but it could take up to a week before test results reveal whether it is swine flu.

In the meantime, the Mets are taking every precaution possible. Trainer Ray Ramirez briefed players on the situation before Tuesday’s game against the Pirates, describing the symptoms of swine flu and telling players to immediately report any signs of the flu.

Pitcher John Maine and center fielder Carlos Beltran have both been bothered by a stomach virus recently, but assistant general manager John Ricco said their illnesses are unrelated to the flu.

323 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:48 pm

[318 on sale at Kroger, haha!!! : )

324 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:48 pm

[321] Typo?

325 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:48 pm

A Zales water bottle ..... is it made of diamonds?

326 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:49 pm

I know it's a blow out, but I would really prefer the announcers NOT talk about other sports not baseball. Why are they droning on about the NBA?

327 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:49 pm

[322] yikes. that's scary stuff!

328 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:50 pm

well, i guess this one is for Jayson Stark's Useless Info columns:

A-rod drove in Jeter's 1,500th run. i wonder how many times a batter w/ 1,500 runs drove in his teammates' 1,500th run. now, that friends, is truly useless...

329 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:51 pm

[327] Indeed! I don't want the Yankees playing the Mets while they are all carriers! And by that I don't mean cool from air conditioning!

330 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:51 pm

[322] But what exactly does it mean to be stricken by an unidentified strain of the flu? When I get the flu, its strain is never identified. If there's a certain strain going around, I figure I've got that one. So what the hell are they talking about?

331 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:51 pm

[324] no.

332 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:51 pm

[326] michael is practicing topics for his radio show

333 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:53 pm

[328] I cannot imagine anything useful coming from Jayson Stark (see also Ken Rosenthal, "Miked Up Moron," and other recent Gas Face recipients)!

: )

334 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:53 pm

wow, Garrett Anderson is brutally slow in the outfield.

335 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:54 pm

[333] do you watch Braves games since you're here in the South?

336 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:54 pm

[333] yeah, i know. i was kinda joking about the Stark thing. that's why i wrote "friends" in there, like he always writes...

337 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:55 pm

[333]

I have a soft spot for Jayson Stark .... he's included some tidbits from me in his Useless Info columns over the years.

338 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:55 pm

[325] Why yes, it is! Like Strawberry Fields, Diamonds are Forever!

339 ms october   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:56 pm

speaking of useless things - for some odd reason i like that all 4 of the yanks out fielders throw left handed

340 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:56 pm

[338] But where's Lucy?

341 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:57 pm

You can't stop Brett (Tomko), you can only hope to put him in a container.

342 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:59 pm

i've actually been to Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane and Eleanor Rigby's grave, amongst other Beatles-related places. i've toured in Liverpool a few times...

343 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 9:59 pm

Tomako Can?

344 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:01 pm

wow ... Eddie Guardado ... who knew he was still pitching?

345 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:03 pm

[343] Well, he probably can't, if we're being realistic.

[342] I've been to Abbey Road.. Someday I hope to visit the Sea of Green!

346 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:03 pm

[341] wow, i missed the entire Tikki Tikki Tomko outing, putting away dinner and cleaning up. 11 pitches, 9 strikes!

[342] ps - NONE of those places are really exciting, so it really wasn't anything...

347 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:03 pm

[344]

He may not even be aware of it himself!

348 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:04 pm

[344] i did. : p

349 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:05 pm

Wow how did Burnett last into the seventh? Anyone know how many pitches he threw? It was around 70 after four, I think. I figured him getting through the sixth would be a stretch.

350 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:05 pm

Good inning for Gordito.

351 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:06 pm

Bad Melky!

The Yank need ALL the paying customers in *those* seats!

352 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:07 pm

[349] 110, 71 for strikes. I know, in the fourth I was just thinking I hoped he would make it through five...

353 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:07 pm

[349] 110 pitches. 71 strikes.

354 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:08 pm

veras. ugh. keep the Run Diff where it is, dude!!!

[352] great minds!

355 seamus   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:08 pm

[351] where did melky hit it?

356 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:09 pm

This is the first time I can remember smiling broadly when Veras came in to pitch.

357 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:09 pm

[355] He didn't -- his bat helicoptered into the stands.

358 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:10 pm

[353] Danke

359 seamus   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:11 pm

[357] oh thanks.

360 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:11 pm

Why is Posada still catching, by the way?

361 monkeypants   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:12 pm

Sweet mother of all that's good and pure...Kay just brought up the Joba-bullpen debate. OK, I retract my previous posts: please start talking about basketball again.

362 The Hawk   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:12 pm

[352] Ooops , missed that - thanks

363 seamus   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:12 pm

[360] that is a good existential question. :)

364 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:12 pm

[335] I used to way back when they showed all their games on TBS and all of the Cubs games on WGN. Since MLBEI however, I don't...

365 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:13 pm

[340] I don't know! She's got some splainin' to do!

: )

366 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:14 pm

put him away already.

367 PJ   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:17 pm

Woohoo!

Have a great evening everyone!

368 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:17 pm

"So Veras works a 1-2-3 half inning..."
Could that be the most shocking event of this MOMENTous game?

369 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:17 pm

[364] i hear ya. i'm still on the TBS/WGN train. well, braves are mostly on FSN or Turner South or Peachtree TV...

took 10 pitches for Kinsler, but it's over. nice game, guys!!! : )

370 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:20 pm

Big Pop-up went 1-5 with 3 more Ks.

371 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:22 pm

Papelbon in the ninth, with a four run lead.
Cabrera singles.
Granderson singles.
Inge singles
Anderson strikes out swinging
Larish strikes out swinging
Santiago strikes out swinging.

Drama queen.

372 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:23 pm

paplebitch gives up 3 straight singles to start the 9th, then struck out the next 3 batters. boo. took him 35 pitches, but no runs. sox, jays & rays all win... our Run Diff is close to those teams now and above 30.

373 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:23 pm

And the Yankees now own the best record in the AL. Very cool.

374 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:23 pm

Toooooo slow, thelarmis!

375 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:24 pm

[371] brilliant minds. you and me, RI !!! ; )

376 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:25 pm

[374] damnit! i'll get you yet... ; )

377 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:26 pm

[373] plus, the best road record and tied for most in runs (300)

378 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:31 pm

Awesome.
I don't know why I'm still here. I'm actually listening to John Sterling's recap. It's a crazy thing to do, but I'm in the mood to relive this MOMENTous game.

379 seamus   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:34 pm

I am absolutely loving Tex's fire. He seemed a little stiff to me at first but I like what i see. I actually enjoyed watching him throw his bat down after getting hit the second time.

380 thelarmis   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:36 pm

[379] word.

381 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:36 pm

Good god.
Apparently Sterling called the Matsui home run an "A Bomb". Then corrected himself, "Or would have been if A-Rod had hit it."
Nice work, John. Next time just shout "Hiroshima!"

382 RIYank   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:44 pm

Suzyn Waldman reports that she asked some Ranger employee what the deal was with Padilla and Teixeira, and was told that there's "history" between Tex and Padilla. Padilla beaned Tex when Teixeira came back to town as an Angel, too.

Also that Burnett and Sabathia are kind of in awe of Jeter. Interesting.

383 seamus   ~  Jun 2, 2009 10:53 pm

wow, i just realized I now get the YES network. So cool!!

384 SteveAmerica   ~  Jun 3, 2009 2:14 am

Just read the entire thread, all the talk about how shitty AJ is seems pretty absurd in hindsight. He held one of the best AL offenses to 3 runs over 7, with no breaking ball to speak of.

Yeah, he sure sucks.

385 SteveAmerica   ~  Jun 3, 2009 2:16 am

372, check out NoMaas for some good stuff on Run Diff. Yes the yanks have the 2nd worst in the AL east but that's being dragged down by April. In May we beat everyone.

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"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver