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.
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?
: )
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.
Wow, that was kind of lucky (getting a soft liner to Jeter for the second out, run can't score).
Yanks do seem to be positioned very well on the IF.
That's my AJ.
[3] That kind of luck simply MUST contribute to momentum. ; )
Oh no, not again...
: P
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...
[5] I like your AJ a whole lot better than everyone else's AJ.
I just hope it's not the kind of momentum that immediately flips back to the other side!
[9] I'm sorry, I've been keeping my AJ in my basement. I'll try to let him out more.
[10] Do you mean "pendulum momentum?"
: )
i just want to know if a dead horse can have momentum?
I'm glad AJ got new shoes. Those other ones were bothering me.
Ohhhhh. It was the good kind of momentum.
[13] It doesn't need any, unfortunately.
[13] Well played.
Any more talk about momentum and I'm going to need Mentholatum!
It sounds kind of like half-baked down home wisdom. "This team has all the momentum of a dead horse falling down the stairs."
o'neill's calling padilla's slow curve a "blue ball"
Which is worse, us talking about momentum or Kay going on about "protection"?
[18] Have a Mento instead!
[20] Well, if he had protection, you know, that wouldn't happen.
[21] kay is always worse, but at least his droning on doesn't increase the amount of times i have to press "see all"
Beating a dead horse is not a worthwhile pursuit when done with sincerity ; sarcasm makes it almost painful to endure.
[21] I think you only need to be hungry to work in the YES Booth these days!
: )
least no dp - only the 1st inning and already on you alex
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.
I would argue that YES really should rid themselves of Kay and Francesa... and they needed to do it yesterday!
That was very unclutch. Dare I say, the -------- might be shifting already?
Base hit for Cano
It looks like the game thread has carried over the momentum from yesterday. There's always room for more converts!
Damn. I thought the start to that inning had some serious motential.
[31] Ah well, at least I tried.
Bleh!
[31] [34] You jinxed him. Baaaad Hawk.
[25] Certainly for the horse!
[32] [33]
: )
Who ordered the momentum? I've got a momentum with a side of string beans here.
oh no will that be an error!?!?
With the Yankees playing well, I've stopped expecting them to squander golden opportunities, which ironically makes it more frustrating.
hmm i don't know about that, tough play but he should make it
That's why the "no errors streak" is not a very serious thing. As we all knew, anyway.
[39] are they Pad Prik Khing style?
Is it me or is o'neil extra-yappy tonight.
[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.
[45] Two man booth.
[47]
Blue Man Group?
Randolph Mantooth?
Posada's arm looks very weak...that could become a problem.
alright jorgie these are not the greatest throws
[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
Davis doin' what he does!
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.
Oh my goodness!
nice pitch aj - that is what has people into him
[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.
Burnett's stuff looks great today...if the Yankees can get him a nice 2-0 or 3-0 lead, he could sail.
I was going to say, "That's my AJ.", but Wordpress won't let me!
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.
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.
Who has the shortest name in MLB history? I can think of lots of 3-letter ones (though none active).
[61] Tough to beat Ron Cey...
substitute pete has some player news up-
cmw still not in the rotation
nady feeling better
and marte is alive after all
Ed Ott
...
This team does everything well except base running.
[60] It all depends on how he hits.
Meanwhile, error streaks only refer to defense...
god po is infuriating on the base paths
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.
Oh, I only meant last names, but Ed Ott, good call. I was thinking of Mel, and also Ron Cey.
That's why errorless game streaks are meaningless...
They make mistakes on the paths almost every day.
That's some pretty awful baseball right there.
Oh boy, my Georgie is such a bad baserunner.
Christ, Jorge is the worst baserunner.
Awful, awful, awful.
Posada non runna ...
[70] Pie is active...
I still love you JoPo.
[70] Not MLB, but Oh is probably the shortest in professional baseball.
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?
I thought of Oh, too. Pie, great call. And two syllables, for the bonus.
Okay, I think we heard enough about Brett's failure to steal yesterday. One game is enough, boys.
[80] I still like... you know...
: )
[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%.
Brett Gardner..you can only hope to contain him...
It's Brett "RBI" Gardner!
Way to go, Chauncy, way to go.
Woohoo Brett!
Are good omens measurable?
Lots of Orr's...maybe we can one to drop an "r"?
[87] Only using the metric system.
mOMENtum ...
That hit by Gardner was very Gardner-esque.
Now that's a play I have never seen.
GRITNER, getting it done.
now STEAL, SLAPPY!
That was one of the most awesome plays I've ever seen, and Kay and O'Neill are just "ho hum"!
[78][80] The Sox had an Oh in their MiL a few years ago, but he never made it to the bigs.
Jeter's stats looking Jeterian
[90] Brett Gardner puts the OMEN in mOMENTum!
Damon Runbattedinyan?
[89] Well Jete bounced a ball aboot (Candadian sp.) 30 meters into the air...so he's got that going for him.
[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.
Oh, way to go RIY, screw up the joke by a stupid typo. Just like Jorge. [97]
[99] Canadian spelling AND "meters"???
KICK SAVE!
[100]
Jeter for MVP!
[95] Chul Oh.
[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'...
I like how AJ Burnett can get a strikeout without once hitting his spot during the sequence. It's just chaos, unleashed.
[102] Can't take these kids anywhere. It's embarrassing. I'm just glad Justin Morneau isn't here.
[107] Yeah, that was a great point by O'Neill, I thought. (I wouldn't have noticed it on my own.)
[102] It's all that air that wafts over Lake Ontario. : )
Are they ever going to get Cone back in the booth? I miss him.
balk!
Brett does it every which way!!!
What a scrappy inning.
Brett Gardner...you can only hope to contain him...
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.
[113] ...but loose.
[109] It reminded me to watch for that sort of stuff. It's an interesting part of the game.
I wouldn't be surprised if that was intentional.
A Rod didn't swing at that one! I guess it has to be reallllll low and outside.
[117] No, actually, Brett does it loose, too.
Paul and Mike agree: 17 is a huge number.
[119] Cosign
That was an excellent pitch by Padilla.
Some inning or other Alex will drive the ball beyond the pitcher's mound.
Uh oh here we go. A Rod, meet A Rod.
Looks like Boston will miss Verlander and Jackson. They have been on an annoying run of not facing their opponent's best pitchers.
[126] I noticed this too.
[126] and papi still can't hit.
hey everyone. 51 pitches on padilla already? wow
[108] I just came home from Curling with Larry Walker. : ) Geez, nothing like bad Canadian jokes when the boys are playing Texas.
[106]
Cervelli's at 36%
de-FENSE!
[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.
Hi-hum...pop fly to the wall. A Lonn Trost special.
Concentrate, AJ.
[133] That was hit pretty hard. I can't see that ball being the kind impacted by whatever theory you want to advance.
um i wasn't a nolan ryan fan michael
Damn 2 out walks.
thankfully melky was out there rather than swish
Come on AJ, don't give these runs back.
Bear down, AJ.
Burnett's curve is scary right now.
[5] can we get your AJ back, please?
shit, too late ...
hoooooooo boy.
that was drilled - buck up aj
That three hitter sequence was just bad.
lovely
[145] Four.
as I mentioned last night, the answer to the question of "what is momentum" was AJ Burnett.
At times, it really seems that Burnett just stops pitching and starts throwing.
Five.
Better get Ace up because AJ looks like he is going to pack it in early tonight.
jesus christ aj-
i wish cmw could get aj's spot (yes i know i am over reacting - but still)
deeeee-FENSE!
Put a tent on that circus, Brett!
Gardner's route to balls aren't pretty.
nice scrappy catch
It seems like Burnett gives up a high % of runs after his team scores. I wonder if that's true.
Great, now Padilla will start making pitches.
[158] yep nice easy 1,2,3 inning
[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...
: )
these last 3 games reek like April
[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.
Start the runners...
Pop.
Posada's arm looks about as bad as any catcher I've seen.
[161] today's reeks like last year with po's throws and a pitcher "meltdown"and not scoring with risp
[165] What you said...
well, there's the errorless streak.
the basepaths aren't being kind to jorge tonite.
Strange inning for Burnett. Two K and that completely wild curve.
[169] Kind of wish he would have just attacked the 9th hitter with fastballs.
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?
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.
What the...?
Brett squares to bunt, then lets the pitch in the zone go by, and Melky isn't running???
I guess the bunt sign was on?
[172] There's no pitch f?X for this game, unfortunately.
I'm picturing A-Rod up again with the bases loaded...
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...
[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.
ah a damonian slap - nice
Impressive hit. And, just as impressive, neither he nor Jeter was caught standing in between two bases!
[178] O'Neill mentioned "those little eyes", which made me laugh, but otherwise I too see not much resemblance.
Jimmy Smits not helping his cause on the mound.
[176] Ahem.
[176] are you going for nostralarmis's title?
tex definitely has some don't f with me in him - that was a bs pitch
Damn, Tex, really was pissed!
nice slide tex - arod motoring down the line
nicely done
Now that's good baseball. : D
Nice takeout by Teix...a sort of weird reverse protection for A-Rod!
If the Yanks lose this game, A Rod is the goat. Pending something worse than his performance of course.
[184] wow, nice takeout slide there by Teix.
Who would you rather have up in a big situation, Rob or A-Rod?
Tex gets the "Wrastlin' Belt!"
LOL
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.
[192] I choose C...Brett Gardner.
Now that's what I'm talkin' about. You pissed them off, P, now siddown and eat some payback...
2 out ribbies are a wonderful thing. Atta boy, Robbie!
[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
[192] That's a good question. It's a toss-up - unless one has been swinging a hot bat lately.
[194] They could be, if AJ didn't melt down with two outs.
[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.
[192] have you seen robbie's avg with the bases loaded? a-rod all the way.
[195] Well, duh, or Babe Ruth. But that wasn't the question!
[201] like a 425 ft hr in the bandbox
[202] Hm, good point. But I think he's over that phase (crosses fingers).
[202] The question wasn't about bases loaded situations.
[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.
[204] It still counts the same.
Or Posada. I'd feel pretty good almost any time with Jorge up in a big situation.
Mmm, nice.
Yeah, that inning was definitely a Burnett meltdown. That was classic meltdown. And classic Burnett.
[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.
Or Matsui. I always like to see him in a bit situation.
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!
[208] counts the same, but the bandbox part is irrelevant. he didn't give up a pop fly hr.
Be sure to plunk Tex again please!
: )
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!!
Woo-hoo! Pissed off! I love it! It's like '98 again...
[190] yup, total goat.
nice going Godzilla, jogging is easy on the knees.
[215] I didn't say he did.
Now that's what I call a crooked number.
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.
[219] Did the Yankees lose the game? TWC must be delaying it something fierce cause on my TV they're winning.
[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
[220] ok
[222] Psst! [218] >;)
[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".
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.
[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?
[224] The only "pansy/nerd" thing about Tex is he has a PB&J before every game...
: )
Yikes. Good job, blue. I thought he was goint to toss him they way he came out of there.
hell yeah!!! lookin' good, y'all. some unknown kid on the Cubs just lost his no-no in the 7th vs. Chipper.
Nice. Our guys stopped doing that for a while, nice to see some protection again...
I imagine more than a couple of Rangers giving Padilla a beating in the clubhouse later on.
[231] Yep..I too thought he was gone. Refreshing restraint by the ump.
[227] referencing a mute point was not the same without you around the banter :}
much better aj
[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.
[234] he kinda looks like he deserves a "Code Red". He's kinda got that Irabuian "fat toad" look going on.
Cruz manages to 'contain' Brett.
[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.
O Captain, my captain. Makes you glad to be a Yankee fan.
[236] Absence make the heart grow fonder?
Jeter is scorching right now!
i'll never get tired of opposite field singles by the Captain. i'm sure Weeping won't either! ; )
i for one took jeter in both my fantasy leagues. what will all you cite as evidence of blind faith when judgment day comes?
[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...
[230] that, and running the bases grabbing his gloves.
[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 ...
oh who just saw that 2 brothers scrap metal commercial?? a gem
[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.
Thelarmis, check out my [176], then [183] et seq. [184].
Feel threatened?
[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.
Sure seems like our outfielders are catching a lot of baseballs running toward the wall, doesn't it?
man, between Gardner and Damon, there sure are a lot more adventures in the outfield than I'd like to see ...
I'm not threatened, just concerned about how our starters are doing at home but for Joba...
: /
[253] If wind patterns are really an issue, I guess that would make it a lot more difficult to track a fly ball.
[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.
[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 ...
Speaking of "pirate imagery"... poor Metsies...
: )
Marginal Reward in to pitch!!! : )
[258] more specifically, poor Santana. i don't mind the Muts losing one bit! ; )
[257] Wha??? How did you do that? Positively Holmesian ... but I think you need a Watson!
[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!
The Madrigal Mystery Tour!
[260] What you said!
heh heh
NICE Robbie!
let's continue to pad our Run Diff and make this lead Veras-proof (if that exists).
[263] Awesome!!!
Well, that certainly makes up for a few SB against...
Hip Hip!
Holy Smokes!
Coming to take you away ... take you today ....
[263] Goo goo g' joob, Diane!
: )
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
Hip hip...
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.
[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.
hell to the YEAH!!!
[271] is he the fool on the hill?
veras proof.
[275] I've been saying it's the awful pitching for weeks, William...
: )
[275] Hittracker is your friend:
http://www.hittrackeronline.com/
another interesting but sorta sad tidbit from sub pete - andruw jones was warming up the pitcher
[278] brilliant!
yeah Melk!
[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.
[278]
Wish I had thought of that .... well done!
[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.
[278] Better than being the "Nowhere Man"...
halladay w/ a complete game victory and 14 K's.
[285] Pausing the tape would cause the momentum of the swing to stop. It all comes full circle.... ; )
[283] [286] thanks i was just thinking of magical mystery tour references and it was too perfect to ignore
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.
[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.
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.
[286] you thought of both "Warner Madrigal" AND Madrigal Mystery Tour. you win! : )
[288] he's certainly not one of the beautiful people
[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.
Momentum in a jar .... just add water.
[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.
Dammit, Johnny! If the bullpen implodes, the Yankees are going to regret leaving those two men on base!
[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.
[299] Right, it pretty much has to be a combination, a confluence if you will. A convergence.
Also, some coincidence, I'm sure.
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".
[303] me!
frozen though, wasn't very good at all.
=(
[304] remember Elio's frozen pizza? i wonder if it still exists...
[304] frozen pizza is so...so...L.A.! ; )
[296] Unless you're looking through a glass onion...
I had pizza for lunch ... thanks to that post.
[307] i bought a glass onion on Penny Lane
We had Baked Chicken Amatriciana with Ziti Rigati...
nice work AJ. in-game WHIP of 1, struck out 8, just 1 walk, 7 innings...
[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.
[310] hey, i just cooked a dish w/ Ziti Rigati also! Ronzoni brand.
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.
[311] I would have been disheartened had this one been a nail-biter going into the last three frames, especially against Padilla.
[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.
[312] ouch. we had Gumby's at Penn State. i ONLY go to the pizza joint for fresh slices. there's no other way...
[313] Same here Thelarmis! Good eats!
Very observant, Michael! It's definitely not Teixeira.
Kris Benson .... WHIP it .... WHIP it bad (39 baserunners in 19 innings)
Anna Benson in to bitch.
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.
[318 on sale at Kroger, haha!!! : )
[321] Typo?
A Zales water bottle ..... is it made of diamonds?
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?
[322] yikes. that's scary stuff!
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...
[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!
[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?
[324] no.
[326] michael is practicing topics for his radio show
[328] I cannot imagine anything useful coming from Jayson Stark (see also Ken Rosenthal, "Miked Up Moron," and other recent Gas Face recipients)!
: )
wow, Garrett Anderson is brutally slow in the outfield.
[333] do you watch Braves games since you're here in the South?
[333] yeah, i know. i was kinda joking about the Stark thing. that's why i wrote "friends" in there, like he always writes...
[333]
I have a soft spot for Jayson Stark .... he's included some tidbits from me in his Useless Info columns over the years.
[325] Why yes, it is! Like Strawberry Fields, Diamonds are Forever!
speaking of useless things - for some odd reason i like that all 4 of the yanks out fielders throw left handed
[338] But where's Lucy?
You can't stop Brett (Tomko), you can only hope to put him in a container.
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...
Tomako Can?
wow ... Eddie Guardado ... who knew he was still pitching?
[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!
[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...
[344]
He may not even be aware of it himself!
[344] i did. : p
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.
Good inning for Gordito.
Bad Melky!
The Yank need ALL the paying customers in *those* seats!
[349] 110, 71 for strikes. I know, in the fourth I was just thinking I hoped he would make it through five...
[349] 110 pitches. 71 strikes.
veras. ugh. keep the Run Diff where it is, dude!!!
[352] great minds!
[351] where did melky hit it?
This is the first time I can remember smiling broadly when Veras came in to pitch.
[355] He didn't -- his bat helicoptered into the stands.
[353] Danke
[357] oh thanks.
Why is Posada still catching, by the way?
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.
[352] Ooops , missed that - thanks
[360] that is a good existential question. :)
[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...
[340] I don't know! She's got some splainin' to do!
: )
put him away already.
Woohoo!
Have a great evening everyone!
"So Veras works a 1-2-3 half inning..."
Could that be the most shocking event of this MOMENTous game?
[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!!! : )
Big Pop-up went 1-5 with 3 more Ks.
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.
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.
And the Yankees now own the best record in the AL. Very cool.
Toooooo slow, thelarmis!
[371] brilliant minds. you and me, RI !!! ; )
[374] damnit! i'll get you yet... ; )
[373] plus, the best road record and tied for most in runs (300)
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.
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.
[379] word.
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!"
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.
wow, i just realized I now get the YES network. So cool!!
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.
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.