It hasn’t been pretty, or even all that encouraging given the injury to Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain’s first major league disaster start, but the Yankees are on the verge of sweeping this unusual wrap-around series of day games against the Blue Jays. I was going to title my series preview, “Toronto Blue Jays: You Ain’t So Tough,” but I didn’t want to jinx anything. With three games in the bag, however, I figure there’s no harm now.
Then again, if the Yankees thought they took care of the hard part by out-lasting Roy Halladay on Saturday, they likely failed to notice that this afternoon’s starter, former first-round pick Ricky Romero, enters today’s game with a 20-inning scoreless streak and a 1.91 ERA over his last six starts. Romero completed at least seven innings in five of those starts, all of the Toronto wins. In the exception, Romero lasted just 6 1/3 and the Jays lost 1-0.
Romero faces fellow lefty Andy Pettitte, who is coming off his best home start of the season, a seven-inning, two-run, 98-pitch gem against the weak-hitting Mariners. Andy beat the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre earlier this year, but needed 106 pitches to get through six and walked four. He’ll have to do better than that to beat Romero this afternoon and deliver the sweep.
Eric Hinske makes his Yankee debut in right field today as Nick Swisher plays first and Mark Teixeira gets a half day off at DH. Hinske can’t hit lefties, so Joe Girardi has set him up to fail in his debut in front of the home crowd. Good job, Joe. Johnny Damon gets a full day off as Melky plays left, giving the Yankees a bottom three of Cabrera, Hinske, and Brett Gardner.
I don't get it, Cliff. Do you think Girardi was on board with getting Hinske, or is this his way of a subtle protest? I can't believe Joe wouldn't have thought all this out before placing him in that predicament. Do you have any insight on this?
Girardi wanted to start Hinske against the righty Scott Richmond yesterday, but Richmond got hurt and the Jays started lefty Brett Cecil instead, so Girardi went with Ransom. The only thing I can think of as to why he didn't start Hinske against the lesser lefty (Cecil) is that he wanted to have the series in the bag first, and that he's starting Hinske today because he didn't want him to go his whole first series with the team without a break-the-ice start.
[2] Ah, that would actually make sense. Thanks!
And that's exactly the problem with Hinske. He's useless against lefties, so shouldn't be starting over Damon and Matsui and he's worse against than either against righties too.
I don't see how playing him though is the manager's fault. The guy, with no clear purpose, is on the roster. If he's going to have any value whatsoever, the manager has to find spots for him.
The real question is why Damon is sitting too.
this isn't even a house money lineup. this is like your backyard lineup.
[4] i would guess becuase of all the somewhat hot day games, in preparation for the road trip, and becuase they are headed to the mn turf - damon's legs are being rested.
Regardless of today's outcome, I'm still of the same opinion I got from the Yankees' first series in Toronto earlier this season. They are "Halladay plus meh," and not much more, at least as far as AL East supremacy or being a real threat to the Yankees are concerned.
: )
If only Andy could be more efficient.
Cashman is a genius. As is Girardi. What a brilliant pick-up! What a great call to start this gold glover!
[8] It weren't pretty, but it worked. Egads.
Pretty is as pretty does.
Whatever that means.
That was a nice catch!
Kid seems a little jumpy.
Stepped too much towards the plate there...
Wow!
WTF?
Too early for such a "horseshit" call!
: )
Yeah, he was safe, but still, not a smart move by Jetes.
Ouch, now that one hurts. Damn.
JOE!!!
What could Jeter possibly have been thinking about? That was way too close of a call to complain that much. Getting thrown out at third as the first out is simply a very bad mistake.
And Michael Kay has already lost track of the count. "Swinging on 3-0..."
no fair - am at work and don't know what you are talking about nor can i leave gameday open all afternoon!!
LOL @ Joe G. with "the finger"...
: )
Romero looks a lot pudgier than he looked when I saw him in spring training.
Patience please, Alex...
LOL @ Joe G. with “the finger”…
obviously, *that* was unacceptable!
=)
[20] Jeter tried to steal 3B with no outs and was thrown out. The ball beat him, but Jeter pulled his hand back. He then argued alot more than he ever does, causing Girardi to come out and eventually get ejected.
[20] Jeter tried to swipe third. The throw beat him, but he pulled a very cool trick, sticking out his left hand and then pulling it back and grabbing third with his right. The tag missed him, but the umpire didn't see the trick.
Damn, too slow this time. Curse you, William.
[20] On the slide of the SB attempt to third, Jeter went in head first and deeked Rolen pulling his left hand back and getting the base with his left. Ump called it on Rolen just having his glove down on the dirt as he ended up tagging Jeter on the chest.
Girardi came out, started pointing at eh ump... leading to his ejection.
That's a good nickname for Girardi...
"The Finger"
Joey "The Finger" Girardi
I like it!
: )
The Yankees really let Romero off the hook. I'd say I was shocked that it was Jeter who pulled a rock, but I believe he also made the last out trying to steal third earlier in the year. I wonder if he is trying to pile up the SBs to dispel some of the notion that he is getting older.
Ugh.
That big pitch count seems like a pretty hollow 'victory'.
thanks william, riy, and pj
[30] Yeah, I'd say that was a textbook example of letting a nervous rookie off the hook.
Frankie "Brains" and Joey 'the Finger" ... we've got the makings of a quality mob crew going here ...
I guess i shouldn't have made that C.B. Bucknor crack in the other thread, huh?
[35] Oh, you thread-killer, you! >;)
Hmmm...this game is heading in the wrong direction.
Meanwhile, it has been the Hinske show in RF.
Boy can the outlook of a game change quickly. The Yankees look like they are going to stick it to the rookie and then they let him off the hook. On the other side, Pettitte is cruising, but then pitches around Millar and gives up a series of hits.
Okay, runs, please.
[37] The momentum is definitely moving toward the Jays side :)
(BONK!) Andy! Don't let Kevin "Frying Pan" Millar start a two-out rally with a walk!
Doh!
[38] It looked like he watched the ball and said, "Hmm, I wonder where that's gonna go?"...
I was just going to say that it was inexcusable that the bottom 4 hitters in the Toronto lineup cause problems today, as they all have OBPs of around .300 or worse - and then I saw that Jose Bautista somehow has a .394 OBP. Will wonders never cease.
Though I imagine they all post better numbers vs a LHP . . .
[43] Yes, it did!
heh heh
Speaking of Mo [41], I guess Ace gave us a Mariano opportunity today, huh?
[46] Yes, Mo is available...
[46] The question is will the Yankees get another chance against Romero, who seems to get stronger as the game goes on. Pettitte will have to be alot sharper than he has been for most of the season.
[48] Right.
Well, I bet we get a shot at the bullpen.
[48] They'll get Romero out of the game...Andy needs to keep it close.
[49] Damn you!
[51] The replay shows that I was safe by inches!
Let's see Brett start off the bottom of the inning with a similar hustle.
Okay, folks, I have to go to a meeting -- give Pettitte a little help and I'll come back to a tie game with Romero on the pine...
[52] One for two on the basepaths today, RI.
Pettitte looked strong out of the gate, but the nibbling to Millar and Scutaro is troubling.
The question is will the Yankees get another chance against Romero, who seems to get stronger as the game goes on.
OPS against
1st time through order .567
2nd time .644
3rd time 1.052
Thanks BLUE x2
Looks like the umps might have an early flight.
that was not close
[56] [48] That is, don't trust your eyes!
Is today "horseshyt call" day or something?
[56] Thanks for the hope...that runs counter to what was just said on YES.
[58] Then why are they extending the inning for the Jays? >;)
Rolen has been trying to reach that short porch all weekend.
[63] Good point...just a poorly used cliche.
NYS giveth, and NYS...well, giveth some more.
[63] Okay, never mind. They have their bags packed...
On the "single to SS" by Wells - could Jeter have gotten that? Should Jeter have gotten it?
Just thinking about how inconsistent Pettitte, Joba and Wang have been makes you (1) appreciate how good the offense has been most of the time; and (2) and realize how desperately this team needed C.C. and AJ.
Unfortunately, it also means the Yankees are very shaky in 3/5's of their rotation, which isn't very comforting.
[65] Omnicient umpires, apparently. They knew that would happen if they let the inning go on just a little longer. You give a little to get a lot! >;)
[68] Not only did he get to it, but he made the play. The umps missed the call.
Holy crap. Gardy robbed.
dammit, Gritner might have gone all the way on that one
Jeter has now had words with 3 of the 4 umpires...this could be a rare ejection for him.
is 0-15 the official starting point of a slump?
So, is this "every close play goes against Jeter day"?
Jeter may very well have been the victim of a bad call by all four umpires in the matter of only three innings.
[74] I just predicted to my wife that he get rung today. This game has that feeling...
makeup call?
That's an awful gamble by Swisher...awful. The Yankees have played these first three innings as poorly as the umpires have called the game.
A "Wild Cherry" slide for Swish? >;)
wow maybe he did avoid that
No, that was a good call. Swish was safe.
I heart Swisher.
(I'm just glad he was safe and didn't hurt himself)
After considering he matchup, I fully anticipated a loss in today's game, but Jeter's attempted steal of 3B put the game back into play from a frustration standpoint.
Almost forgot the game was on in the afternoon today. Does it seem like the Yankees forgot too?
[79] Maybe a quickie? >;)
wow ... that ball just kept carrying
Girardi needs to relay that message to the Captain.
The Yankees are 8-9 in C.C.'s starts, 10-6 in AJ's, 11-5 in Joba's and 12-4 in Andy's. That completely contradicts how each one has pitched this year.
teh 5th spot is cursed!!11!!1!1
[91] Posada is very productive in that slot...when he actually swings the bat.
Bautista the Yankee killer.
Damn Bautista...meanwhile, the Yankees with another little league play.
Ugh. They must have all stayed up late last night...
Andy Pettitte has become scary flyball guy.
Nice catch by Gardner.
He's being very careful not to bang into the window again.
Welcome aboard, Hinske.
If at first you don't succeed...
Hinske should be able to reach the seats here, which makes him a nice bat to have on the bench.
Nice Eric...
: )
I don't get having Jeter, of all people, swing away with Gardner on the move.
The kid is gassed, no?
quickly checked-in - looks like hinske wasn't just working on the penske file
[100] Prophetic?
[105] Reactionary.
[106] Ah. Dang work keeps interrupting my following the game.
That was a comical throw.
Gardner's arm is not only not great, it's sorta...gawd-awful.
Yet another game where the Yankees get URP'd...
Excuse me...
: )
So much for getting Romero out of this game.
blech
I wonder if Cashman is placing some calls about a starter? The Yankees have been lucky to win so many of Joba's and Andy's starts, and I don't think they can bank on that going forward. With the 5th starter now in a state of flux, the Yankees suffendly have real rotation concerns.
Ouch, back to back bad outings by Yankee starters - first the baby of the rotation then by Gramps Pettitte. Makes you wonder if this team can ever fire on all cylinders for an extended period of time.
Bruney struggling is not good for my hopes to see Hughes in the starting rotation anytime soon ...
this game is terrible.
[113] Right now 3/5 of the rotation is looking very shaky. It is funny how these things work out.
I'm really glad Girardi saw the light and got Bruney away from the eighth.
[113] who's on the market?
Pettitte this year reminds me of Pettitte last year.
There have been far more efforts like today's, than like his last one...
I'm really not looking forward to his second half, especially if it's like a year ago.
That won't be good at all.
He seems haggard...
[118] Cliff Lee is probably the best prize.
[114] Yanks have just won 10 out of 11. I'd say that's a good stretch. Four game sweeps are pretty tough to do. That's my rational for today's fustercluck.
Haven't been watching the game, but reading the last few posts I thought we had suddenly dropped behind the O's.
You can't win 'em all folks . . .
Bruney is now the Sultan of Sweat. Sigh.
Not sure Cleveland would actually deal Lee, he's very well-priced for next year, if I'm not mistaken. They'd want a ransom. And that's not Cody.
[120] that'd cost a pretty penny, hard to imagine Cashman pulling the trigger on a deal that big
I'd kick the tires on Meche, but supposedly the Royals are telling people they're not interested in trading him.
[122] Yep. [121] beat me to it.
Is this why monkeypants said there was something funny about my question in this morning's NOTD post?
HORSESHIT CALL.
HORSESHIT.
[124] You're probably right. I think the point is you can't get fooled by good and bad stretches. The Yankees still have holes.
Any team would kill to have Joba as a number 3. For instance, the Sox second best is Lester. And he's been much more inconsistent.
If this was the NFL, the Yankees would be getting an apology after this game.
[127] So does everyone else . . .
Royals, according to Heyman, are pushing Bannister - who'd be a decent pickup for back of rotation. It always turns on what people want in return. Banny's not a salary dump, so they'd want talent.
Meche's start today is a big one: he had a tired arm, got shelled, and then was allowed to go 120 pitches in 6 innings in his very next (his last) start with many walks and baserunners, hence on 6 innings. That's abuse, and idiocy.
[130] So, does that mean you don't address them? The Yankees are trying to win a World Series, not be like everyone else.
Keep it going Nicky Baby
[131] Bannister wouldn't be an upgrade. If the Yankees did make a deal, it would have to be for someone who is a clear improvement...as well as someone who could potentially remain in the rotation next season. A lesser option might be Washburn.
bullpen.
let's make it 7-5 right here w/ a rally killing granny! ; )
[134] Neither is very appealing, but Washburn is certainly more so than Bannister.
[132] I don't want to address them at top dollar. And I think the Sox and Rays and maybe even our opponent today is trying to do the same thing. I'm just not in to looking for clouds on a sunny day
Nick the Stick!
The Yankees could win a Series with a front three of Sabathia, Burnett, and Joba. If they rightly made Hughes the #4, that might be the best rotation in baseball.
You absolutely can't blame Girardi, but too bad he didn't go right to Robertson.
The only reason yesterday was Joba's first disastrous start is cause usually they pull him before he can really implode properly.
Gardner stinks.
Nicky Squishy!
nasty change there by League
[139] With the way Joba has pitched, I would be confident. What's more, he is going to blow past his innings limit at this rate.
Tex has been a rally killer today...Arod has to pick him up.
ah, Tex...
i'll take 7-6. why is always 0-2 on Alex before he even strolls to the plate...
We used to destroy Brandon "Minor" League
Well, they sort of kinda made almost interesting.
[137] A figurative sunny day, or literal? Cause baseball-wise this is a pretty overcast day.
I'd trade Melky or Swisher and pay some of his deal, Robertson, and Molina, paying all of his remaining salary, to K.C. for Greinke, before he throws 250 worthless innings this year for them. He threw over 200 of those last year!
He would be a great replacement for Wang!
[149] that's pretty funny
[149] throw in jackson and montero and mccallister and Dayton Moore might not hang up on you ...
[150] Well they are short an OF with Crisp out for the year, and Buck is out, too...
[137] The time to prepare for clouds is on a sunny day. If they wait until it gets overcast, they run the risk of getting caught in the rain.
c'mon piss hands!
[151] Heh heh yeah, you maybe right. They'll probably hang on to him and merely get a draft pick when he signs somewhere else as a FA for big money...
[148] A 14-games-over-500-at-the-midpoint-of-the-season-kind-of-sunny-day
c'mon ... we could use a little shot of JD here
[156] I don't think that makes today in particular sunny. The weathers been good of late , but not today.
Some of you guys overdo the big picture thing ... ;)
sun trying to peek its head through the clouds right about now ...
nope, still cloudy
They're chipping away, but a hit by Swisher would have helped.
They still have the 9th!
Sigh. Oh well, you can't win 'em all.
Ah Nicky.
Hughes time?
[164] Oh, I didn't see Alby up...
[161] Yeah, a nice two-out hit in either the 8th or 9th would have made this a much tighter game.
Hey, I said when I cam back the game was supposed to be tied. Who let me down?
Never mind, I see who let me down.
Crazy, but not surprising, that Abreu is having a better year on a cheaper, shorter contract than Swisher.
Even if they don't win today, it seems this year's team has a lot more fight in it than last year's.
What a tease.
Holy crap.
Girardi empties the bench! I have to admit, I loves games like this.
If the ump didn't screw up that call in the 3rd . . .
Let's hope we don't have to reflect on that any longer!
Hinske could be an instant fan favorite if he comes through here . . .
I hate to be negative, but if we tie it, the outfield defense in extras will be... interesting.
[173] Or the bad call in the 1st, or in the 8th.
just got back from a mtg - i see matsui is trying his damndest
I say steal *if* Cody thinks he has the jump. That is: green light.
[175] It won't be that bad, with Swish in RF, Hinske in LF, and Damon in CF. And no DH, when Teix goes to 1B.
OK, maybe that's not so good.
This should be a 3-0 count on Hinske . . . c'mon, dude. . .
Swung at ball 4.
Oh, Jeez. Swung at ball four.
[179] Ransom has played the OF before.
Oh well...
Have a great rest to your day folks!
"Keep some sunshine on your face!" - Richard Prior as Mudbone
: )
[179] Uh, that OF isn't bad??
Ah well, it's all mute.
That was kind of fun, albeit horrible.
Aww heck. Awfully close, but this isn't horseshoes, or hand grenades.
Still, not a bad effort given they were down 7-1 at one point.
Rats!
I knew that was too much to ask. At the very least, this was a fun game.
If this team could ever get consistent starts from the bottom-3 it would clearly be the best team in baseball.
Meanwhile, Bruney's struggles further damn Hughes to the BP.
[188] Yep, it was kind of fun. It would have been more fun if I could have kept all the "what if?"s out of my brain there in the bottom of the ninth.
[189] I'm not too concerned about Bruney, but yeah, if the temporary struggle condemns Hughes to the Eighth Inning Purgatory, that could have longer term repercussions.
Will Carroll at BP:
Because of Wang's injury, the Yankees will need to replace him in the rotation with someone. The first name on virtually everyone's lips is that of Hughes, who would be coming back out of the pen. My feelings on his success in the role aside, the Yankees immediately waved this thought off, saying that Hughes couldn't move to the rotation because he's not "stretched out." Really? Hughes has spent the better part of his life as a starting pitcher, and only the last month or so as a starter. He threw 90 pitches in five of six May starts (yes, I'm including the one 89-pitch outing), and he threw 63 in a relief outing on June 10. Are we saying that a month in the pen de-conditions starting pitchers so much that they're unable to slide back into the rotation? Isn't that precisely what the Yankees did last year with Joba Chamberlain? Granted, that was the "plan" for Chamberlain, but having done it once, couldn't they easily do it again? I'm not saying that Hughes could go from the pen to 100 pitches, but I do have a hard time believing that any pitcher loses so much capability in a short time. There's likely a lot of data that could support my position here, but common sense does it effectively enough. Again, all that said, I don't think that Hughes should be moved, just that he could.
This is a good baseball team. Always disappointing to lose. But this team has a lot of depth, the ability to score, and the ability to hold and build leads. awesome stuff.
Not that it excuses Jeter's bad decision to try for 3rd, but according to Jeter, the conversation with Marty Foster (3rd base ump) centered around Foster's declaring that it didn't matter whether Rolen tagged Jeter or not, the throw beat him to the bag, therefore he was out.
That really explains Jeter's heated interaction with Foster and Girardi's subsequent ejection ...
From the ESPN game recap
[194] holy cow! I take Jeter on his word on that. It explains his reaction entirely. How unreal is that? And when was it that if the ball beat you you were out?
[195] When I was kid, the old time announcers (like Scooter, Bill White, etc) used to say that if the throw beat the runner by a lot, the ump pretty much gave the call to the defense. It was a courtesy or "rule" sort of like the old phantom tag-the-bag at 2B on a double play.
[196] yeah, which we also saw in action today when Hinske was running to 2nd.
can't get too upset (given the way the Yankees played) but there was some sort of lousy umpiring in today's game.
[196] I don't remember that but that doesn't surprise me entirely I guess. In any case, I can udnerstand why Jeter was pissed.
Wow. I'd be real f'ing pissed too. It's not a force play, you have to make a tag.
I've always suspected it was the practice (calling the runner out when the throw beats him), and plenty of sportscasters say so. I'm just surprised that an umpire actually admits it, since, you know, that's not the rule.
What do you bet Foster gets some kind of punishment (they can't be fined, can they?), and then word gets out among the Blues: don't f*** with Jeter.
Fun game in Boston, by the way. Giambi and Nomar (his first appearance as a visitor at Fenway) contributed to the big inning against Smoltz, and Anderson is shutting down the Boston bats.
[201] Anderson is looking very good.
[194] Hirschbeck's response is as close to an apology as you are going to get. At first, I thought Jeter was arguing excessively because of how bad the decision was, but it now makes sense. There is no way Jeter would have been as vocal in the postgame if it was simply a blown call. I really wish Girardi would have protested the game on the basis of that ruling because it would have definitely been upheld.
[201] Like the Yankees, the Sox have real questions with their bottom-3. Unlike the Yankees, they don't have an offense to compensate. However, I am sure the Red Sox will get one big bat after the All Star Break.
Teh "Boy Genius" just called up a 1st baseman (starting tonite) who was OPSing .568 in AAA*
FIRE CASHMAN!!11!!1!!1!
[204] I noticed that. It seems like they could have instead called up one of those gritty good-D infielders to play third base. Only now that I think of it, there isn't one. The Paw Sox don't really have any good position players. Interesting.
[205] well, the reason I used an asterisk was because Bates *was* smoking the ball in AA before he got promoted ... so he's not the complete waste he seems from his 100 at bats in Pawtucket.
But yeah, not much there otherwise
[206] I saw them get spanked by the Dunder Mifflins on Friday. They were woeful.
Meanwhile, I guess the Boston pen is just going through a slightly rocky period. They're still the best in the bizness. Saito sucks only temporarily.
[207] championship teams don't suck temporarily.
just watched that whole bit with Jeter and Girardi getting tossed and all. It is a little more clear on full screen in comparison to iphone video. :)
Anyhow, that was a terrific slide by Jeter. That juke slide isn't that easy to do effectively. And I like how you can see Jeter filling Girardi in. You can imagine him all incredulous saying "He told me that he doesn't need to tag me." Jeter really is some kind of baseball icon. The quotes from the crew chief show Jeter has incredible respect.
[208] Hm.
Well, do they get out-hit 15-2 by the A's?
[210] checking my championship team handbook.....
Looks like 15-3 would be ok, but not 15-2.
[210] oh that game is over. It feels right that our loss coincided with a sox loss. holding pattern for the day. Hopefully CC picks us up tomorrow. onward and upward!!
so ... open question ... would you trade Jesus "Mo" Montero, man without a position, for Brett Andersen, 21 year old 95 mph LHP?
After watching the game tonite, I'd be tempted ...
[211] Oh, man. So close! That means pretty much every at-bat by every Red Sox hitter contributed to their non-championshipness this evening.
[213] I'm not much tempted to trade Montero for anyone.
My question: who would try Hinkske out at 3B?
[213] No. Because (as I think we all know) pitching prospects, even those with some ML success, are just too unpredictable.
{sigh}
[0] Great title Cliff, you a big blues fan?
Seems like a let-down game but I will happily take 3 of 4, especially with the M's taking 2 of 3 against Boston..now let's get to the HeftyBag Dome and kick some tuchus!
[215] well, let's hope he can fake LF ...
[217] best way to get a great pitcher ... start with a handful of great prospects!
[219] I'm hoping he can fake C...Piazza managed.
[220] Unfortunately, nobody who doesn't cash a check sign by a certain "G. Steinbrenner" thinks he can stick at C.
Nobody.
We'll see, but it ain't promising ...
[221] Who are these nobodies? It's easy when not in the organization to make such statements, and indeed, it's even in the interest of other teams' employees to make these negative claims--why talk up an opposing team's prospects (and potential trade targets). Or is it the media, the same guys who said that Navarro was too small to play MLB catcher (I'm looking at you, Peter Gammons)?
All I know is the guys is smoking AA, and his CS against is hovering around 15%, which is below average but not entirely awful. I don't know about his ability to call games or catch the ball. I would argue that slugging C prospects are even rarer than young pitching prospects, so it's worth it for the team to invest as much patience as possible in Montero. At worst case, he turns into a RH DH in two years.