Okay, here we go. Let’s set the scene.
The Yankees and Red Sox have ten head-to-head games remaining this season. Four of them will be played at the new Yankee Stadium tonight through Sunday. The remaining six are split between the Bronx and Boston. Coming into this series, the Yankees hold a 2.5-game lead over Boston in the AL East while Boston holds a three-game lead over Texas and Tampa Bay in the Wild Card race. The Yankees have played one more game than the Red Sox and have two fewer losses.
Of course, the story of the season for both teams thus far has been that the Red Sox have won all eight previous head-to-head games between the two teams this season. Take away those eight games and here’s how the two have done against against the rest of the majors:
NYY 65-34 (.657) –
BOS 54-44 (.551) 9.5
Since their last meeting, a three-game Red Sox sweep at Fenway Park in early June, the Yankees have gone 31-16 (.660) while the Red Sox have gone 26-20 (.565).
Given the Yankees’ dominance of third-party competition, it’s tempting to contemplate all sorts of “if only” scenarios (“if only they had split those eight games with Boston . . . if only they’d just won two of them . . .”), but those eight games count, and they just might reveal something about the relative strengths of the two teams and whether or not we can expect a different result this weekend.
With that in mind, here’s a quick look back at the first eight games of the season series:
April 24 @ BOS: Yankees hand a 4-2 lead to Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the ninth, but Mo gives up a Kevin Youkilis single and two-run Jason Bay home-run that tie the game. Youkilis later wins it with a solo homer off Damaso Marte in the bottom of the 11th.
April 25 @ BOS: The Yanks take a 6-0 lead on Josh Beckett, but A.J. Burnett gives up eight runs in the fourth and fifth innings combined. The lead changes hands four more times as the two teams combined to score another 13 runs in the six, seventh, and eighth. Jose Veras, Phil Coke, Jonathan Albaladejo (who gets the loss), Edwar Ramirez, and David Robertson combine to allow eight runs in three innings and when the smoke clears, the Red Sox are the victors by a 16-11 final.
April 26 @ BOS: The Red Sox win a 4-1 game when they score three runs in the fifth off Andy Pettitte. The three runners that score all reach base on walks (one intentional), and all three score with two outs, including Jacoby Ellsbury, who steals home. The Yankees go 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position against Justin Masterson and Takashi Saito and fail to put a runner on base against Hunter Jones or Michael Bowden.
May 4 @ NY: The Red Sox score one run in each of starter Phil Hughes’ four innings. Alfredo Aceves is dominant in relief, but serves up a two-run homer to Bay in the seventh that proves to be the difference. Jon Lester holds the Yankees to a three-run fifth later supplemented by a Mark Teixeira solo homer off Ramon Ramirez (Tex’s second solo homer of the game). Sox win 6-4.
May 5 @ NY: Joba Chamberlain allows four runs in the first only to settle down and strike out 12, but those four are enough as Beckett, Hideki Okajima, and Saito limit the Yankees to a three-run dinger by Damon in the sixth. The Sox get some insurance off Albaladejo, Mark Melancon, and Robertson in the final two innings to win 7-3.
June 9 @ BOS: Josh Beckett allows just one hit in six innings and Manny Delcarmen, Ramirez, and Daniel Bard allow just one more in the final three. Meanwhile, Burnett is bounced in the third and the Sox cruise to a 7-0 win.
June 10 @ BOS: In just his second start since April, Chien-Ming Wang matches Burnett by lasting just 2 2/3 innings. Phil Hughes struggles in long relief and the Sox are up 6-2 after four. The Yankees scrape out three more runs against Tim Wakefield and Ramirez, but fall short, losing 6-5 after going 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position.
June 11 @ BOS: Trailing 1-0 for most of the game due to a second-inning solo shot by David Ortiz, the Yankees break open a pitchers duel between CC Sabathia and Brad Penny with three off Ramirez in the seventh keyed by doubles by Francisco Cervelli and Alex Rodriguez. On his way to throwing 123 pitches, CC Sabathia gives one run back in the top of the eighth. Aceves then comes in with the tying and winning runs on base and lets them both in as the Yanks fall 4-3.
Boston offense: .287/.406/.515, 13 HR, 10-for-13 SB, 6.88 R/G
Yankee offense: .267/.347/.420, 10 HR, 9-for-9 SB, 3.88 R/G
Notable performances:
Jason Bay (.448/.568/.897, 3 HR)
Kevin Youkilis (.375/.531/.667)
David Ortiz (.321/.432/.679)
Jacoby Ellsbury (.400/.455/.650, 6 SB)
Mark Teixeira (.290/.436/.645, 3 HR)
Hideki Matsui (.450/.500/.550)
Jorge Posada (.350/.500/.500)
. . .
Alex Rodriguez (.100/.308/.200, 1-for-10)
Jason Varitek (.074/.188/.185, 2-for-27)
Boston pitching: 3.53 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 8.15 K/9, 4.01 BB/9, 1.2 HR/9, 2.03 K/BB
Yankee pitching: 6.06 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, 8.56 K/9, 6.32 BB/9, 1.7 HR/9, 1.35 K/BB
Notable performances:
Takashi Saito (4 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0.69 WHIP)
Phil Coke (4 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0.69 WHIP)
Jonathan Papelbon (5 2/3 IP, 0 R, 3 SV)
. . .
A.J. Burnett (2 GS, 12.91 ERA, 2.74 WHIP)
Ramon Ramirez (3 1/3 IP, 8.10 ERA, 2.70 WHIP, 3 HR)
Hideki Okajima (4 IP, 6.75 ERA, 1.75 WHIP)
Manny Delcarmen (4 2/3 IP, 5.79 ERA, 2.14 WHIP)
What’s the take away here? You can blame the Yankee bullpen for the first two losses and the last (or Joe Girardi for going too long with his starter in the second and last games), and blame the offense for the third, but the Red Sox were the better team in every way for the other four. Meanwhile, the aggregate stats show that the Yankee hurlers have been walking too many men and giving up too many home runs, while the Yankee bats have performed poorly with runners on base given the Red Sox’s weak WHIP but strong ERA.
The good news is that the Yankees won’t be throwing their fifth starter in this series, and Jason Bay, the best hitter in the series to this point, is out for at least the first two games with a sore hamstring. Then again, if Terry Francona wants to get really creative, he could use Kevin Youkilis in the outfield (where he’s played 20 errorless games in his career) and Victor Martinez at first base to make up for the loss of Bay. Martinez has started three of four games at first base since joining the Sox, with Youkilis shifting to third on those occasions and Martinez catching in the one exception. Martinez is 10-for-21 with two doubles and a homer as a Red Sock. You can read my thoughts on the Martinez deal and the other players it impacts (Youkilis, Lowell, Ortiz, and Varitek) here.
Finally, before I get to the Red Sox roster, here’s how the Yankees have changed since last leaving Boston on June 11:
- Eric Hinske has replaced Brett Gardner (DL)
- Jerry Hairston Jr. has replaced Angel Berroa
- Jose Molina (DL) has replaced Francisco Cervelli (minors)
- Anthony Claggett (minors) has replaced Ramiro Peña (minors) unless Peña is brought back before game time tonight
- Brian Bruney (DL) has replaced Jose Veras
- Sergio Mitre (minors) has replaced Chien-Ming Wang (DL)
- Mark Melancon (minors) has replaced Brett Tomko
Boston Red Sox
2009 Record: 62-44 (.585)
2009 Pythagorean Record: 62-44 (.585)
Manager: Terry Francona
General Manager: Theo Epstein
Home Ballpark (multi-year Park Factors): Fenway Park (108/106)
Who’s Replaced Whom:
- Victor Martinez has replaced George Kottaras (DL)
- Jed Lowrie (DL) has replaced Julio Lugo
- Casey Kotchman has replaced Mark Kotsay
- John Smoltz (DL) has replaced Tim Wakefield (DL)
- Clay Buchholz (minors) has replaced Daisuke Matsuzaka (DL)
- Billy Traber (minors) has replaced Justin Masterson
25-man Roster:
1B – Victor Martinez (R)
2B – Dustin Pedroia (R)
SS – Jed Lowrie (S)
3B – Kevin Youkilis (R)
C – Jason Varitek (C)
RF – J.D. Drew (L)
CF – Jacoby Ellsbury (L)
LF – Jason Bay (R)
DH – David Ortiz (L)
Bench:
R – Mike Lowell (3B)
R – Nick Green (SS)
R – Rocco Baldelli (OF)
L – Casey Kotchman (1B)
Rotation:
R – Josh Beckett
R – Clay Buchholz
L – Jon Lester
R – Brad Penny
R – John Smoltz
Bullpen:
R – Jonathan Papelbon
L – Hideki Okajima
R – Manny Delcarmen
R – Ramon Ramirez
R – Takashi Saito
R – Dan Bard
L – Billy Traber
15-day DL:
RHP – Tim Wakefield (old)
1B – Jeff Bailey
C – George Kottaras
60-day DL:
RHP – Daisuke Matsuzaka (suck)
RHP – Miguel Gonzalez (TJ)
Typical Lineup:
L – Jacoby Ellsbury (CF)
R – Dustin Pedroia (2B)
S – Victor Martinez (1B/C)
R – Kevin Youkilis (1B/3B)
L – David Ortiz (DH)
R – Jason Bay (LF)
L – J.D. Drew (RF)
S – Jason Varitek (C)
S – Jed Lowrie (SS)
As for tonight’s pitching matchup, Joba Chamberlain has been nails since the All-Star break, going 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA and just eight hits in 21 2/3 innings. I still think he’s been a bit hit-lucky, but you can’t argue with success. It was Joba who was in line for the win in the first game of this series before Mo blew the save, and his last 4 2/3 innings against Boston produced this line: 4 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 12 K. On his career, Joba is 2-1 with a 3.49 ERA in four relief appearances and four starts against the Red Sox. He’s as good a choice as anyone to help break the spell tonight.
Opposing Joba is a pitcher 18-years his senior, John Smoltz. The 42-year-old Smoltz’s Red Sox career has thus far had the feel of Joe Namath on the Rams, or in baseball terms, Warren Spahn on the Mets. He has yet to turn in a quality start in seven tries and the Red Sox are 2-5 in games he has started. Over his last three starts, two of which came against the Orioles, he’s posted a 9.18 ERA and allowed six home runs. Opponents are hitting .323/.356/.535 against him on the season. He’s not walking anyone, and he’s still getting his strikeouts, but he’s also throwing a whole lot of hittable pitches that his opponents aren’t missing. It could be that Smoltz has been a bit hit-unlucky. It certainly wouldn’t surprise me to see the future Hall of Famer and legendary big-game stud (15-4, 2.65 ERA, 194 Ks in 207 postseason innings) find his old form against the Yankees tonight, but that would be a decided divergence from his performance to this point.
Usual suspects in the Yankee lineup tonight. Francona has indeed put Youkilis in left field, but Martinez is catching with fellow deadline addition Casey Kotchman playing first base. Varitek rides pine.
YANKEES (65-42)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF
Pitching: RHP Joba Chamberlain (7-2, 3.58).
PED SOX (62-44)
Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Martinez C
Youkilis LF
Ortiz DH
Drew RF
Lowell 3B
Kotchman 1B
Lowrie SS
Pitching: RHP John Smoltz (2-4, 7.12).
sigh
Youkilis in the big YS left field could be interesting.
[3] Indeed. I left my proposal vague in the above because I thought it might make more sense to put him in the smaller right field and let the more experience outfielder, Drew, roam left. That said, Youkilis has played nearly as many games in left field as Drew in his career. My remaining question is this: will Youk be any worse out there than Damon has been?
Bring it bring it bring IT bring it Bring it Bring it bring it bring it BRING IT bring it.
I’m fired up.
[4] Possibly. Is Smoltz getting a lot of air outs this year? If so, Tito's offense-first strategy might backfire on him.
great write-up cliff.
reading the summary of those 8 games was a bit painful.
though the pain of that was not equal to the euphoria of the 5 game sweep of the sox back in 2006 - i was visiting my parents in al at that time and every day remeber the glee i had in looking at the score ticker on espn2 - that was just so wonderful.
that's probably the sox best offensive lineup given who is available. let's hope the shitty defense will come back to haunt them. especially the big headed elf.
[7] They'd be better off with Martinez at first, Varitek catching and Kotchman on the bench, offensively. Kotchman at 1B and Youk in LF suggests a groundballer on the mound, but as Shaun suspects, Smoltz has been a fly-ball pitcher thus far this year.
Our man Alex has his next post up on Neyer's SweetSpot blog at espn.com.
Outstanding work, but oh yeah dude, the haters of RSN are going to be all over you in the espn comments of that one. I wonder if any will bother to come here?
My only regret for tonight - with Remy still out, I'd prefer to avoid NESN, but of course, MLB Network (and Jim Kaat) will be blacked out in Boston as much as NYC. Sigh.
I hate that the MLBN games are blacked out. I would love to listen to Kaat and Costas call a Yankee-Red Sox game, particularly if I'm leaving Michael Kay to do it.
[8] cliff, you'd rather have c-tek and his 229/339/449, 97ops+ in the lineup than kotchman's 281/353/408, 102 ops+ ?
c-tek just has an advantage in slugging and has hit 13 hrs to kotchman's 6.
[9] i hope not. one thing i really like about this site is the lack of red sox fans - trolls or the "friendly" type. every so often you just like to have a family conversation.
[10] My thought exactly, just sub "Orsillo + blech" for "Michael Kay".
[11] There were at least a couple of Red Sox fans who used to frequent at the Toaster, though I've forgotten their names because I haven't seen them in so long. I recall they were high-minded and added to the discussion, so they were welcome.
But yes, in general, trolls are not a good thing.
Simply can't wait.
If we lose tonight, though, I just may jump off the Brooklyn Bridge.
I want Joba to throw at Youklis in the first, btw. Buzz him high and tight just to set the tone.
[5, 14] Ditto. All signs point to a Yankee win which make me exra jumpy. I'm mad on edge. IF they stink up the joint it's going to wreck my night. OY!
[13] except for that one horrible troll - rik, i think. then there was some kind of "murphy", that wasn't good. there was a "murphy" that was one of us and another, who was a terrible troll.
personally, i hope it's just us tonight - it's gonna be stressful enough.
thanks for linking Alex's article. i'm not checking on Neyer til he gets back, but i'm glad to have gotten wind of Wilker and Alex pinch hitting. Wilker, included his at his site, i wonder if Alex will post his here...
GO YANKS!!!
Alex had two posts on Neyer's blog. He'll likely have a post up here linking to them tomorrow.
[18] oh, good - thanks!
No Ramiro Pena today. Anthony Claggett remains. Hughes is unavailable having pitched last night.
[20] "Anthony Claggett remains. Translation: "an extra pitcher in the pen who will never be used."
[21] . . . except in a blowout to save the better pitchers for the remainder of the series, yes. And how would Ramiro Pena be used?
The same way.
[22] Oh I agree entirely, though there is at least a *chance* that Peña would be used in a close game, as a PR or if there was need for a defensive replacement...or even, heavan forbid, if Jeter tweaks something. Claggett will only see the light of day if there is a blowout...but in that case, there are other guys hiding out there...like Brian Bruney or Mark Melancon.
I would much rather see them carry a right-handed bat, though of course they burned Duncan for ten days with that silly call-up-send-down at the trade deadline, and bringing up AJax would require a 40-man roster move.
I have a feeling Smolz won't even last five innings. We beat him when he was younger and better when with atlanta, imagine now. Simply put, Smoltz, "we're not the national league anymore."
[24] Smoltz has no decisions in two regular season starts against the Yankees. He's 0-2 against the Yanks in the World Series, but lost one game 1-0 and the other 4-1. I'm not sure what it is you're remembering.
If we fall behind early it is going to make me very anxious. Which I bet is what the players will be feeling too. Hopefully we can get some early confidence building going.
[25] nice, and [0] great write-up. I've been trying to read about the game out in the interwebs, and yours is the most interesting and informative of any media site.
I'm super excited about this game. Hell yeah.
[25, et al]
Cliff, you seem pretty fired up for the game--I haven't seem this much activity from you on a game thread in a long time!
As for me, I'm in luck again. The Jays have an off day, so the Yankees-Sox are on the boob tube.
[28] was just thinking the same thing re: cliff posting.
Hey guys, haven't posted in a while. I was up in NY a couple of weeks ago and was able to go to Yankee Stadium.
I have to say, I loved the place! I especially loved the atmosphere. I felt like at the old YS. The crowd was very much into the game, (it was the 8-2 win v Oak, with Joba pitching extremely well). Really loud boos for Nomar, great cheers for the usual: Jeter, hip hip, etc.
I know everybody can have their opinion on the place, but for me it could not have been better.
I am having my usual pre-sox series stomach ache but am pretty confident in Joba tonight.
Vamos Bombarderos!!!
[28] I'm totally fired up. Unfortunately, I have a rather consuming non-writing job I'm working on right now, so once the game comes I'm going to vanish. I have to watch the game on DVR delay so that I can watch it faster and get more work done before (and possibly even after).
[31] Work sucks..i'll be following as usual on Gameday from my post at P.Marlowe Investigators..usually get in for 5th inning but at Yanks-Sox pace I figure bottom 2nd?
Let's Go YAN-Kees!!!!
[31] Ah, too bad. Good luck on the job, and enjoy the game when you get the chance!
[33] God help us all to "enjoy" this game. I already feel a bit of a nervous wreck.
(from ESPN) - Big Mami speaks:
The Boston slugger and incoming players' union head Michael Weiner plan a news conference Saturday at Yankee Stadium before the Red Sox play New York.
Go Joba go!
Dominate those Chowdah Heads from The Hub!
: )
let's go yan kees - - -
(coney is still mia)
Waldman claims this is a much more anxiety inducing game for the Sox.
shitty double.
ruh-roh.
is that bad slow joba? ugh
good got ugly out
nice!!
stfu papi and sit down
Exhale.
what is papi peds complaining about?
Joe said something that worked. Any catch it. three words?
[47] huh?
[47] girardi is very hard to lip read -
[47] Trust you catcher????????? : D
my heart stopped when big liar hit that one... exhale.
4 runs in the bottom of the 1st will do for me thanks
i guess smoltz is getting a foot outside tonight
o'neiil and kenny are ready to cut through mk's bullshit tonight
fouling a lot of smoltzie's pitches off in these abs
22 pitches for 2 outs. Hope that's Smolt's pace. Tonight is a great night to go deep into the pen.
Costas just said "Now that Ortiz has been lumped into that company, fairly or not..."
Fairly or not? WTF is unfair about it?
big game. i'm surprised it is so quiet around here.
Now now, but ARod needs a day off. No DH. Maybe 2 days.
LOL @ O'Neill never hearing of "salad days!"
That's only William Shakespeare, Paul...
Doh!
: )
[57] yup. must be a lot of folks went to the bar or are watching it with friends. I'm still at work or I'd probably be out too...
[55] lots of pitches but he looked pretty good. Damn.
let's go joba!
man, I hate these games
did johnny just give up on that or what?
Joe? Oh JOE!!!!!
the beginning of this innings sucks.
[56] yeah, what the fuck is that about? i'm sick of Papi getting a free pass. why does that happen? (<--- that's rhetorical)
get it together Joba. DP time!!!
joba looks bad
Back to the farm, Rookie. Nasty slider. High cheese.
joba's pitch count is brutal. he is all over the place.
Why am I getting the feeling that this will not end well?
[68] Hopefully Claggett will not have to come up big in this game.
BALLS.
nice pitch! He needs to get his accuracy down though or this will be a short game.
He did it. He did it the hard way, but he did it!
[71]...said the queen, if had TWO, i'd be king!!! : )
Thanks for not facing Pedroia with the bases loaded there, Joba!
: )
pitch count for joba is a it disturbing but he's making his pitches when he needs to - let's hope he buckles down even more
seriously...where is everybody?!
i hate these games. but i'm trying to enjoy the awesome asian noodle dish i just brought in! : )
what was the reaction like for Fat Fuki's AB?! loud boos, nasty signs, stoopid chants???
[78] mostly just some "unfair" boos
42 pitches in two innings. 7 pitches per out. projects to 4 2/3 innings at 100 pitches. Not so great. There was a while there when if he got through the first two or three, he was less trouble later in the game. I hope that rend is true here.
Nice to see Smoltz getting healthy against the "A" line up. Grrrr.
[79] that's kinda lame. maybe classy though. whatever...
[81] i had a feeling Smoltz was gonna be on fire tonight. boo!
Smoltz got squeezed there on 2-2, it looked like on TeeVee.
[81] patience my friend - he doesn't look unhittable or anything
nice hitting from po
[81] Or as O'neill is saying. Schmoltz. Extra rest for Joba. Extra amped. A few 1,2,3's and he'll be good to go.
hey, the no-no is no more!
[84] yeah, you're right. i was thinking we'd get to him after i typed that...
[86] yeah what is he thinking of schlitz beer or something
[88]
Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!
good job, robbie!
batters are being patient which is good. mostly anyhow. Smoltz at 39 pitches.
man, oh man, do i ever wanna see the Score Truck!!!
C'mon Swish - you can do this at HOME!!!
WHAT THE FUCK
WHAT THE FUCKKKKKKKKK
po and your horrible fucking basetunning!!
why didn't he slide? wtf?
there is some kind of MLB special on ESPN at 9pm...
Why in the FUCK did he NOT SLIDE. My God Posa da is a terrible base runner.
Posada is a bad baserunner.
for those not watching, an easy slide scores the run. I have no idea what he was thinking.
GOD DAMN! WTF was THAT!!!!!!!!!!
damnit. what happened w/ jorgie? the score truck is supposed to drive him home. did he fasten his seatbelt?!
god damnit
[92] Posada said, "Stop the score truck, I wanna get off."
1. you don't turn and look for the ball
2. Melky didn't seem to help
3. DAMMIT
fucking shit i am so angry at po
bollocks.
damn. we should have the lead. pedroia's throw was awful. at the top of Martinez's head.
booooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Why are the Yankees 0-8 against Boston....because of stupidity like that.
Meanwhile, Posada has become such a massive liability in so many phases of the game that I am not sure his bat makes up for it anymore.
That sucked. I'm not sure I'd even have sent Jorgie, he's so slow and such a poor baserunner.
Melky didn't do a very good job of coaching, either.
[105] The whole sequence was awesomely bad. At first I was shouting at them not to send Po, because he's so goddamned slow. But then, he was going to be safe when the throw came in high. BUt then Melky didn't tell him to slide...and Posada inexplicably didn't slide.
And then Joba leaves an 0-2 pitch over the plate. What the Yankees have in talent they give away with a stunning lack of brains.
Pedroia is an annoying little $#!+.
And now a NYS home run for the opposition. Welcome home, boys.
OMG. motherfucker. i HATE that little twerp.
i can't believe Po didn't slide. : /
God... I hope Po didn't cost us the game. How can you not slide? HOW???
anger rising. 0-2 count no less.
i'm not going to complain about joba throwing strikes on 0-2. he is having enough trouble doing that tonight.
Melky may have fucked up, but VM was standing ON THE PLATE POISED TO CATCH THE BALL. How could Po not slide? HOW???
Professional Hitter swinging at 3-0
Victor Martinez, Professional Hitter.
He actually RAN INTO VM rather then slide. WHAT A MORON!!!!!!!
christ almighty. why does this always happen against this godforsaken team???
I HATE THEM!!!
[118] anger rising.
Yep. Even though it's only 1-0 (for now), I may have tune out and go for my evening constitutional.
how badly do you think Joba wants to hit Ugly Fuk right now???
Did anyone see that play??? How could Po not slide? HOW???
[126] He should have just hit him on 0-0, just to save pitches.
puke is a loser.
Joba appears afraid to pitch to this team.
[127] everyone saw it. breathe in.
Must this fucking scumbag take 30 seconds after every pitch? This is brutal.
Jesus H. Christ. 4 walks already and 1,728 pitches.
joba has been awful all night. he can't throw strikes. infuriating.
unfuckingbelievable.
60 pitches = 6 outs.
fuck you boston!!!
Phil not available today. Bad news. Oooooo, Mami helps out.
nice DP! But is what Ugly did even legal? He literally jumped up in front of Jeter. Jeter should have thrown the ball in his face. I'm feeling feisty tonight.
we needed that.
Well... getting off the juice hasn't hurt Mami's running at all.
Alright, let's see if the Yankees can remember to touch home plate this inning. And then maybe, just maybe, they squeeze five+ out of Joba.
6 innings is still possible. Posada's bonehead moment aside, they were getting to SCHMOLTZ in the 2nd and he wasn't looking too hot either.
I will say not having Farnsey makes getting in a fight less attractive. Can J.H.Jr fight?
[137] i hear ya. i'm a very passive man, but i think if i saw that ugly fuk on a ballfield, i would be thrilled to throw the ball in his face!!!! (not really, but you know what i mean...)
[137] Yeah, that was some production. He is an uber-douche.
That should two outs for grit.
[143] heck, i'm trained in non-violent conflict resolution! I'm ready to bury the ugly fracker.
[145] that looked like it hurt too
HELLS YEAH.
haha! that was definitely a stadium shot!
Woohoo Johnny!
fuck you we can hit ys hrs too
NYS giveth, and NYS taketh away. A battle of 340' homers.
Missed the camera by 2 feet!
woo hoo tex!!!
JD (on the) ROCKS!!!
i went to the bathroom real quick and thought of what i typed above if he went yard. wish that happened more often, but it was a total "nostralarmis" moment! : )
3 shots. About 1,200 feet of shots. Add about 450 to it A-Rod.
TEX!!!
ooh, how close was that to leaving the yard???
ARod ain't right.
Smoltz turning into a scary flyball pitcher.
[157] Hit low on the way.
...on the WALL
Anyone got any Valium? I need to chll out.
bullshit
should have had more there but it's a start
was that as far out of the strike zone as it looked on gameday?
[165] it was a sharp slider, but the checked swing on 2-1 wasn't close
[166] yep that strike swing call was awful
[164] agreed. should be leading 3-1 at least. Szchmoltzch looks rather hittable.
OTH Joba is back to beating himself with the high pitch counts... this inning is crucial, must shut them down with 7 pitches
krotchman looks like a dick in his gameday picture. stoopid snarl on his punim.
See [152].
the ball is flying tonight even more than any other night i remember.
yes i said god damnit before i am saying it again
OMG. well, there's the 3-1. how in the fuck does that happen? krotchman, really?!
motherfucker.
Who the hell is Casey Kotchman and why did he just homer off Joba?? this is NOT acceptable..it's 90degrees with 80% humidity here at 9:30 in the morning, losing 3-1 now is UNACCEPTABLE inthese conditions!!
i haven't read - and won't - a single comment at lohud, but pete's over 1,000 already...
not a single legit home run yet. not damons. not theirs. really sucks.
[174] this is unacceptable under ANY conditions. it's utter bullshit, is what it is.
i'm seething mad.
Fuck! Three HRs in the first 2 rows.
fuck this inning
While we may have more of the advantage, I hate that this Stadium plays so small. It is UN-Yankeelike. They MUST move the RF wall back 10'-15'.
I'm hoping 2nd time through that they mash up Smoltz..but these Red Sox games..I am no longer human during them, wayyy too hyped up...
81 pitches in 4 innings. 4 XBH, in-game WHIP of over 2.
absolute crap.
[175] the worst ones are from pete himself. just loves being sarcastic and "funny" when the yanks are losing. I can't stand him when the team is bad.
don't worry guys, we're gonna get the lead here in the bottom of the 4th
Joba has really had good stuff, while Smoltz has been absolutely awful...and the Yankees are still losing 3-1. There comes a point where you have to just admit this is mental. The Yankees may not be capable of beating the Red Sox often (or, unfortunately, at all).
Meanwhile, because he wasted Hughes, this is headed toward Robertson, Melancon and Bruney territory. Thanks to Posada, the Yankees have really let Smoltz off the hook. They HAVE to score over the next two innings because otherwise they'll be on the fast track to 0-9.
gotta think we have right field back in the off season. nick green!
[182] and 4 walks
lowrie hurt?
hip hip!!
at least po is hitting
[183] ooh, i wouldn't read the comments there ever. that's pretty lame pete does that. then again, i remember his "feud" with nomaas - that was pretty silly, too.
i made the mistake of reading some comments there when Todd Drew left the planet. there were a few really disgusting comments about it. forget about throwing a baseball at Pukilis's face - i would've destroyed the assholes who were being disrespectful to Todd.
[186] thanks for reminding me. : /
Jorgie: SLIDE this time...if'n you get the chance!
[190] why would they be disrespectful to Todd?
woo hoo! Robbie!!!!
SLIDE PO....SLIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yeah!! that was better
Yeahhhh, Whaddayaknow Robbie Cano!! Take that "Smoltzie" you bald, golf-loving poopoohead!
[192] NO idea. it made me sick to my stomach. it was just a few comments. i pretty much blocked it out. the kid didn't know how Todd was and was poking fun about the whole thing. even called it a joke. loads of bullshit. it was truly disgusting. i don't understand how people could be so evil...
ROBBIE!!!
JORGIE!!!
SCORE TRUCK!!!
We MUST cream Smoltz before they take him oit of the game.
make them pay leche
nice! smoltz lost all control...
Hey... any of you ever use chicken Smoltz on a BLT?
[196] : )
i used to have a 5 day/wk studio gig about an hour north of here at some rich, fancy, upscale golf course (long story). smoltz used to play there some. i never saw him, as i was inside working a studio job...
[197] oh ok thanks. I couldn't even visualize what it could be.
[203] and i meant to say: "who todd was" - anagrams are killing me!!! ; )
C'Mon MelkDud! We need some actiob.
melky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
leche!!!!
That ain't no cheapy. WOW.
let's go Leche. do something good!!!
[205] WOW!
that was a legit homer!!!
Woohoo Melky!
Holy cow. Who is this, and what has he done with Melky Cabrera?
oh, FUCK YEAH!!!! : )
another shot in the second row!!!
(only this was the second deck at least haha)
74 pitches for 9 outs for schmoltzie
Oh Leche...Mi Amor!!!
ok, THAT was a little bit of a longer HR.
John Smoltz is a future Hall of Famer and really sounds like a great guy, but I think it was foolish for him and the Red Sox to think he could make it back from major shoulder surgery in one year. I am not sure a 25-year old could have done it.
The Red Sox were lauded for their bargain basement shopping, but they have pretty much missed on Penny, Smoltz and Baldelli. Where would they be if they had just signed Teixeira? I am glad we don't know the answer to that.
So... Was Theo magic this last Winter? Penny? Smoltz? Baldelli? No impact player?
[219] it made more sense to put him in the pen
[182] and [216] Both starters tonight have been downright Mitrerian.
[219] Why repeat what I said?
so...the ESPN scoreboard states it was Krotchman's 1st homer (AL), but the ESPN Gamecast stats have him at 7 HR's (incl. NL). it's really, really stoopid. i HATE how stats roll over to zero when a player switches leagues. esp w/ interleague nowadays...
Now when I hear Smoltz, it just doesn't sound right. Thanks, Paulie. : D
[219] I don't feel sorry for him one bit. just retire!
Damon's been kicking some major booty lately!
keep pounding the schmoltz!
Man, Nancy just missed it.
they have got to sweep the leg here
"His mind is writing checks that his arm can't cash"... old, but chuckleworthy nonetheless. Anybody remember the hip-hop group Whoudini?
Nancy doing his version of Blue Danube in RF, nice...
yeah, TEX!!!!
c'mon A-Rod - it's time!!!
billy traber!!! bwahhhhhhhaaaa
Come on Yankees...time to get the one, last big hit to blow open the inning.
no Groundzilla. thank you, please!!!
[231] nice one chyll - i remember whoudini
[231] What's up Chyll? Lurking? Working?
I remember Whoudini..vaguely..
Whoa, when did the Sox sign Billy Traber?!?!
[228] "May the schmoltz be with you!" >;)
Smoltz was still throwing 91-92 with a tight breakign ball early on. Obviously, his command was off, but I think he had taken it slow and undergone a full rehab, he could have made it back. I wonder if rushing back has now made that impossible.
Smoltz was so bad that 5 runs in 4 innings (so far) feels like a disappointment.
smoltz gone. billy traber - still in a Yankee cap in his photo - in to face Mats.
let's blow this one wide open!!!
Matsui eats up lefties and his Mr. Clutch..prediction: Pain...
Francona is NOT goiung to burn out his BP on this game. Our BP is also light. We need LOTS of runs so we don't need to use any of 'The Trusted'.
[239] well, shoulda been 6 runs... (slide!!!)
Any Beasties fans round these parts?. I just read that MCA has throat cancer. : /
[237] A little of both, really. A video gig fell through, so I've been doing some summer cleaning around the crib, wondering how a skylight will work in a basement apartment...
Slap one into left, Mats.
[245] would be great for an "Upskirt" documentary! ; )
Godzilla with the speed.
good hustle mats but god damn your groundzillaness
i'll take another run and no DP...
Not ideal, but not completely unacceptable. Come on, Po...
All is forgiven, Jorge.
HIP HIP!!!
posada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i knew he was going to break through this game
SLIDE PO..... SLIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posada makes up for it big time! I guess his bat does mitigate all else.
Ah, FUCK YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow...what a BOMB. POsada knew it when he hit it, before Kay could get excited!
[244] Not throat cancer, though the cancer is affecting a gland and I think a lymph node near his throat. I just worked a festival gig at Liberty State Park in Jersey City where the Beastie Boys were supposed to be one of the headliners, but because MCA is sick, they had to find a last minute fill-in. The guy the got wasn't too bad, either.
Man, good thing I showed up right now, huh? >;)
Woohoo Jorge!
JORGIE!!!!!
no sliding necessary!!!!
Jorge is a HOFer, he's a catcher at 37 with that bat!!!
nice nice nice.
let's keep piling on.
this is the kind of spot where I love Cano's 1st pitch swinging.
[259} Whoops. Thanks, Chyll. He's got a video on Youtube talking about it.
[255] woulda been hilarious if he slid into home!!! didn't boggs do that, or something?
let's continue down this road and right the run diff, while we're at it!
And we will get to feast off of Traber for the rest of this game!
Claggett?
Melancon?
Robertson?
Oh yeah, I remember this Billy Traber.
MLB special on ESPN, for those who can't see the game. Blyleven segment on right now - he's very good!
[265] Luckily he's too slow to be able to run past the runner ahead of him on the base paths. It's the only trick missing from his base running repertoire.
[247] NO... not with these hillbillies it wouldn't. There's a reason the entire house shakes when they walk, even beyond the shoddy construction...
[267] i wish i could train a dog to throw lf
Swish is bringing the road back home.
[266] I sure hope if the lead stays big, that they at least try to steal an inning or two with Claggett.
In the meanwhile, the Sox BP simply has to be shot after that series with TB.
do it again, Melk!!!
[269] somehow i could see him doing that to a confused cano or swisher one day
Traber has a weird delivery....
of all the "celebrities" at the stadium tonight - i think it is cool that eddie muuray is there
Don't want to jinx him or anything, but has anyone told Jorge that he is a triple short of the cycle?
[270] i left a scathing note downstairs 2 days ago and left another complaint with the manager. i'm looking at real estate and can't move soon enough. hopefully, i'll find something good in the coming months...
Swish segment on now. he's really cool!
that was a glorious inning
4 innings in about 2 hours
i thoroughly enjoyed that inning and wish it went on longer! : )
Melky had such a comfortable at bat...it looked like he was expecting to go yard again. I know I was expecting him too.
[278] Now just how does Jorge hit a triple? Have all 3 OFers even fallen down on the same play?
[281] Maybe the long inning, in an unusual turn, give Joba chance to get his act together.
1-2-3, JOBA!
[278] Well, if he hits another HR, but fails to touch the plate, he would get a 3B.
[279] Why don't you practice your drums at 5 int he morning when they are trying to sleep? Or play some Pharoah Sanders records at full blast!
Need I say now..we CANNOT lose this game?
[277] oh, cool. i always dug eddie murray. if possible, i think he's underrated, or at least, not talked about enough. i know he hated the media, but whatever. frank robinson, isn't talked about as a player a whole lot either, and he was pretty amazing.
i guess Murray is not coaching anymore...?
Joba has to settle down and throw strikes. This game is far from over.
WTF JOBA!
How do you go 3-0!!!
hope the long layoff doesn't hurt Joba.
Swisher in a tight t-shirt is a pretty built dude. then again, pretty much everybody is "built" compared to me! : ~
joba i know you had a long delay but throw strikes man
are you kidding me!
That's disgusting.
i guess the professional hitter doesn't swing 3-0 this time...
c'mon Joba, get back on it!!!
Victor Martinez, Professional HItter..
Don't you dare bring them back in this game Joba!
OK, time get the pen up.
jesus this guy is frustrating sometimes - STRIKES!!!
Girardi has to get the pen up now...if Joba can't throw strikes, then he has to make the change immediately. This is just brutal by Joba...I can't wait for him to finally learn how to pitch.
They're going to find a way to lose this game
thank you ump
This game is loooong from over...
Yay Big Pop Up.
Even I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulder too.
Luckily Big Papi's steroid free self was unable to deliver there.
Let's go Joba!!!!!!
[288] that's CRAZY - i was just about to write this to you:
i picked up another Pharaoh Sanders Impulse CD today ($5) - Summun, Bukmun, Umyun
!!!
k, now a DP Joba...
Damn it Joba.
why isn't jorge running out there with every ball?
Fuckign breaking ball!
[278] not if they don't want a face full of redass, they didn't...
SOMEBODY: Hey Jorge, you need a triple for the cycle!
JORGE: Wtf? You talkin' to me? You expect me to run my ass to third for a freakin' cycle? Have you seen me run lately? What, are you betting on baseball or something? Wtf are you doing here anyway, who are you??
[279] My roommate confronted the woman who holds the lease upstairs, and they both had an interesting conversation. Turns out the landlord has been ignoring both of us for quite some time, including our maintenance requests. I'm pretty much powerless to do anything since I'm month-to-month, but the people upstairs are receiving Section 8; you'd think they'd have called the office quite some time ago. But then, they are hillbillies...
[310] My innards feel like a Pharoah solo right now as Joba can7t find the plate..
booooooooooooooooooo
is this a joke?
This is insufferable
[312] you don't want him to commit a homicide do you?
What the hell is Girardi waiting for? If the Yankees can't win this game, it's time to look ahead to 2010.
OMFG! A nightmare in the making?
At 90+ pitches, Joba is done this inning one way or another. Another walk and I might pull him for a good reliever (is Ace available, or Coke?), then depending on teh situation, try to bring in one of the end of the bench guys.
get him out!!
jesus christ this is ridiculous
Joba is a Joke.
[298] did Word Press give you shit? no duplicate posts!!!
holy shit, Joba. STRIKES!!! get thru 5 damn innings.
[322] Already one batter too many, in my book.
[319] just a little, but then it would be a waste that we didn't get halladay
What are the odds that the Yankees win this game?
PULL HIM.
As usual, Girardi fiddles while Rome burns. Joba's performance in this game is sickening.
why is this fucker still in?
My dinner is beginning to come back up....
[327] I absolutely do not want to see David Robertson against the Red Sox with the bases loaded.
[326] Yes, but I tricked by using two periods. Bwahahahahahaha.
With Girardi as manager, no lead is ever safe.
[334] how about against the tying run?
[334] We may get to see him with the bases empty soon enough.
Why he continues to shake off Posada is beyond me. Ugh.
[314] i caught wind downstairs is getting evicted. but who knows if it's true. and if it is, when it will happen. couldn't happen soon enough. then again, the evil keeps seeming to get worse down there. i hope i find a place soon...
yeah, i've got a maintenance request that has gone unheeded, as well. roof damage leading to ceiling leak. it's near my marimba and i'm none to pleased...
this is insane w/ Joba. anyone up in the pen?!?!
[336] honestly though, i'm not sure exactly what he should have done. with no hughes and probably no aceves, how can he just go right to the bullpen?
[337] I think Robertson will walk at least one run in. I'd rather not see him at all this inning. Find someone better.
Shit finally!
thank the lord kotchman is a dipshit
Lucky, lucky, lucky.
Thank you Kotchman for giving away an AB...hopefully Green is as generous.
Ellsbury scares the hell out of me..
YES!!!!
NICE FINISH!!!
Okay. Enough of that. Lets tack on.
wow - good recovery - but oh my god
ok well that was despicable but now maybe try to squeeze one more out of him and it was worthwhile
YEAH!!!
Holy crap, that inning effing SUCKED!!!
All part of learning process. Learning how to drive us all f$%#ing nuts!!
[341] You're talking about two outs...it's not that much of a difference. He got away with it, but if Kotchman had left the bat on his shoulders, it could be another story.
Whatever...I'll take it. I amm just glad he didn't gyrate after that last K.
[354] err, top of inning
wow - 13 baserunners for Joba. crappy.
Relax, everyone. One run. Let him work it out on the bench and if he comes out the same way in the sixth, then pull him.
Girardi is trying to save the BP for the next 3 games. With a 5 run lead and Traber in, not a toally insane idea.... and FWIW, it paid off.
[359] He's done...he must be over 110 pitches.
[352] No way Girardi sends him out there in the sixth, at around 100 pitches and no control. It will probably be Robertson or Coke next; I would go with Melancon. Claggett will hold the door for them on the way by.
[359] i don't think we can send him out anymore. he's drained. over 100 pitches, top of the order, innings cap. Joba's night is finished...
[359] I won't let Joba anywhere near a pitching mound
Jeter might need a day off.
108 pitches..he's done..
Yankees need to stay in their ABs...Traber will give up more if they stay patient.
108 pitches for Joba. 62 strikes
istop talking to aj joba
[360] Girardi is trying to save the BP for the next 3 games
He has a 13 man staff tonight, with a pitcher called up specifically for this evening (if it's a blowout). There's not much need to save the pen tonight, especially given that we know Hughes is unavailable tonight (but available tomorrow or Saturday at the latest).
108 pitches. Fair enough; looks like Robertson's coming in...
[365] Agreed.
I have a real bad feeling about Robertson coming in.
[362] claggett is too busy sorting the candy in the backpack to hold the door
How's this for symmetry: Smoltz' ERA+ in his rookie season was 67. His ERA+ going into this game was 66. Sometimes things really do come full circle.
[375] I feel bad for him. I really do like him.
ARod has turned into a slap hitter.
[374] : )
Matsui with some Robertson insurance!!
Keep adding on
godzilla!!!!!!!!
Nice!!!!!! Insurance.
[369] um...wha?!?!
GOZILLER!!!
Shweet!
[383] i think she is speaking jive
That's the best Arod has run all season. He looked like an express train.
GO-GO GODZILLA!!! : )
"posada is a triple away from the cycle."
That's nice.
What... did Kay just say?
Robbie Thompson has been on the mark most of they year. Can anyone recall the last time someone was thrown out at home? NOT POSADA. : D
Easy Jorge!
if jorgie gets a triple i somehow think youk's big skull will be involved
[375] [376] Smoltz does seem like a class act as a human being. I admire him for playing until they tear the uniform off of his back - but I think he's done. I would be scared if the Sox put him in the pen when Wakefield returns though - in short stints, especially with his command and control, he could be trouble.
Reading the comments in this thread is like riding a roller coaster!
[387] And he slid!
[394] And we've just about reached the top of the first big hill. : )
OK, Robertson is warmed up, so bring him in. Then I wanna see Melancon-Claggett time.
松井頑張れ！！
Oh christ
[383] [386] i was just instructing joba to stop taking pitching lessons from aj after all those walks - i figured speaking jive might get through better to joba :}
"Don't you love it... when a plan... comes together?"
Was that an attempt to avoid copyright infringement or a William Shatner impersonation?
Can anyone throw strikes?
[397] I'm not sure I really want to putz around. This team scores in bunches
robertson versus the top of the order...
[402] strikes are'nt exactly davey's specialty
that was horsehit
Jorge, Jorge, Jorge...you used to be a solid catcher. When did you forget how?
Here we go.
Coke warming up. What lefty is there to give up a HR to? Big Fatty?
Great...here we go again. How do you become a professional pitcher when you can't throw strikes to hitters who are taking all the way?
I really don't like David Robertson.
H-O-R-S-E-S-H-I-T
christ. if you're gonna strike the guy out, get a freaking OUT!
now...throw STRIKES!!!
cokey is up - if he comes in just to face papi i will jump on the 4 train immediately -
[410] This is why I didn't want to see him come in with the bases loaded.
Get Melancon up....some must be able to throw strikes. IF the Yankees win, I have a feeling Mariano will be used.
There's another 3 run homer hiding in here somewhere.
robertson has good stuff but until he throws more strikes he is a liability
Eddie Murray is just randomly in Yankee Stadium?
[412] That's what they play at the ol' PAL...
This has really been the Yankee problem all year....by far their greatest weakness is a pitching staff that often struggles to throw strikes.
Robertson hasn't come close to hitting a target.
swisher was about to fall asleep out there
Robertson doesn't even miss by a little
[419] He thought it was a full moon...
Girardi...you have a 13 man pen...get Melancon up, damn it!
nice k - just throw strikes man
6hours +, 800 comment night? at least??
good. now...a DP!
If I was Francona, I would have instructed all my batter to not swing...between Joba and Robertson, it would be a merry-go-round.
0-2...now he'll throw it down the middle.
That was the same damn pitch as the first two!!
I am having horrendous flashbacks to my recently completed JV season. 14 and 15 year olds stinking on the mound makes me nuts. Professionals even more so.
[428] also picked up a 70's Blue Note. violinist named Noel Pointer. i hadn't heard of him, but it's a really great lineup of musicians and Steve Gadd is on drums. i believe he has a 2nd on BN, from around the same time. i haven't spun it yet.
these are the hazards of having to drop off fliers at CD Stores!!! : o
why would you pull robertson after two batters (one who he struck out)?
[421] I've been saying this for years (Since the heyday of Farnsworth/Veras/Edwar) Some teams build a pitching staff around strikeouts, some around ground balls. The Yankees build a staff around walks
The call can't be changed now anyway.
i don't think i would waste time here
That was fair.
what's the delay?
[435] Because he's not very good?
[436] they have even given cc their walk disease
[440] Youkilis hit into a 2-63- DP, but the umpire missed the call.
[440] Girardi half-heartedly arguing another blown call by the umps.
I want to see Shrek strike out looking and then see his head expode.
the one ball, appeared to have been right in between the first two pitches, both of which were called strikes...
[440] argued call -
[426] Melancon- 5 walks in 10 innings
What was he looking at?
sit down you fucking ugly christmas ornament
YEAH!!! that's really 3 K's already...
let's get one more...
YES!!!!! 1/2 way there.
Three run HR?
did Puke complain and whine like a baby???
Oh good, I thought we would go a whole game without Girardi over-managing.
Hysterical...the only way you get taken out of a game is by throwing strikes. Had he walked Youkilis, Joe probably leaves him in!
[454] Nope, he grimaced and walked back before the ump even made the call.
[450] sweet.
[454] Surprisingly, no.
The ump HAD to call that a strike, even pYouk walked off before it was called...
[434] Never heard of him..will have to investigate! Will need some jazz after this game..
[456] To be fair, William, you just HAVE to use your lefty specialist against a struggling batter with a 7 run lead in the sixth inning...on a day when you are trying to save your good pitchers and have an extra arm in the pen.
[455] baseball is not that unpredictable suzyn
[462] Good point.
Yay! Big Pop Up!
Cokey does his job...now is the perfect time to see what Melancon can do.
fuck you - "David"
9 more outs..........Atta boy, Coke.
least cokey got the job done - he needs to be used to start the 7th though
Phew...lucky we Cokey to deal with Papi. I would go straight to Mo for the last two innings.
(sarcasm)
oh, thelarmis..had on Cannonball Adderley's "Black Messiah" last night..with a spaced-out George Duke on electric piano..
6 down!
[470] Check that, use Mo for three innings and the SAVE!!!!
[463] ha-ha : )
Keep hitting Yankees! Thank goodness for the Yankee bat, because it could have gotten dicey with the 13-man bullpen depleted.
Yay Eddie Murray!
billy traber = rented mule
Kevin Youkilis = Head Elf
: )
[475] yeah i think it is cool eddie muuray took in the game
[476] Yes, but ironically, the Yankees will win this game in a laugher and fry their BP, while the Sox will give up a dozen or more runs and somehow use only two pitchers, one of whom is completely expendable.
Ken Singleton was an excellent play...it's good to remind ourselves of that.
Swish = OBP
[480] Especially since Kenny usually doesn't. He's very humble.
I think this must be th first time I've heard Eddie Murray speak for a prolonged period of time.
[472] Apparently Goose Gossage could have thrown 3-inning saves..I think he mentioned it once when visiting the booth...
[482] Very humble...Kenny is one of my favorite ex-players.
[479] yeah it is amazing girardi went from a competent bp manager last year to downright awful this year.
what changed? was it rob thomson as the bench coach? fear of losing his job? what?
Yankees pick up Chad Gaudin.
Chad Gaudin,
That will solve our problems.
[484] Yes, Goose (like Singleton) is very humble about his playing days. (more sarcasm)
nice job, Melkowitz!
[485] He's also their best announcer.
Maybe Gaudin can channel his A's days because he was awful in the NL, despite having very good K/9 and H/9 rates.
[483] what did eddie murray have to say? was he just in the regular seats, as a fan?
[487] pronounced: Go-Dan, right?
Yankee highlights on BBTN right now...
poor decision jetes
extra runs are good though
Wow...Lowell's reaction time is slooow.
Rare bad baserunning from Jeter.
The shine on Jeter's excellent baserunning apple has come off this year.
When (if??) Peña is called up, they should give a Jeter a day + half-day off.
[493] They didn't really mention why he was there, but he has had a lot of fun stories about Earl Weaver and the Orioles days.
[492] I think he could walk me.
[496] He's been frisky this year.
[499] Oh, he'll fit right in that's for sure. His 4.3 BB/9 sounds just right.
[498] I love Earl Weaver stories!
somebody needs to eat some innings here.
[501] Gaudin is a better option than Mitre, no?
Or - shudder - Russ Ortiz. Though I'm pretty sure Russ Ortiz is in the organization only because Scranton is in desperate need of starters.
[503] Anthony Claggett, come on down - you're the next contestant on "Eat Some Innings, Go Back to AAA Tomorrow!"
can no one on this team throw a first pitch strike tonight?
What...? Coke?
[504] I think he is a better option.
Nice, Cokey has the no strikes disease. Great decision to use a key member of the pen here for an extended period.
Mo wiil be undoubtedly stretching in the 8th. Goddamn lead off walks. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
[505] i don't think so - bullpen candy doesn't sort itself - maybe, just maybe if the candy is all set he will pitch the 9th inning
What was written about Murray's family?
Traber has 55 pitches. How long can they leave him in? Luckily for the Sox, they have only 2 more innings to get through.
And ANOTHER BB from the Yankees.
Definitely makes sense to extend Cokey here...it'll be even better if they wind up having to bring Melancon in with men on base.
[507] Girardi is absolutely blowing my mind lately. Honestly, if an 8 run lead is not Melancon time...
14 walks in this game..
Ha-ha...Hairston is in the game, to rest Swisher (not Jeter)...but the front line BP is still being used.
[504] I've just always said I'm not a big fan of acquiring people to be *bad,* but less bad than *him*
[512] If I were Tito, I'd leave him in for 100 pitches.
melancon time
ok melancon should go until he can't go no more.
[511] It was a Dick Young article...he claimed Murray's family poorly treated the Oriole scout who signed him.
OK, my wife has just informed me that this is enough baseball for one eveing..time for that walk. Hopefully they hold the lead. I'll check in about an hour from now...probably in the top of the ninth or so. ; )
[518] Yes, why don't managers do this more in blowouts? Not like your season rests on the health of Billy traber..no romo for sentiment!
[517] Less bad IS better. If it costs nothing, there is no harm in getting less bad...I mean better.
[521] Falsely?
last week, Pete Abe had a cool tidbit about Damon becoming the 14th player to reach 200 HR, 300 SB, 2,000 Hits. i love the power-speed combo. 300-300 club is my favorite exclusive club in baseball and i keep track of all 20-20 type seasons (Ian Kinsler & Mark Reynolds are already in this season).
i tried to guess the other 13 players Damon joined. i got most, but not all and there's a good surprise on there. i looked 'em all up. in no order, here are all the members:
Johnny Damon
Bobby Abreu
Rickey Henderson
Willie Mays
Paul Molitor
Joe Morgan
Ryne Sandberg
Robbie Alomar
Barry Bonds
Marquis Grissom
Craig Biggio
Steve Finley
Andre Dawson
Vada Pinson
Notes: Jeter is 6 steals away! A-Rod, is 10 steals away. when he gets there, he'll also be the 7th member in the 300-300 club!
So...Damon, Abreu, Jeter & A-Rod = pretty cool!
Barry Larkin was the closest to miss this "club" = 2 homers away.
Grissom, was the biggest surprise to me, though one could forget about Molitor, i suppose...
[525] In his mind, yes.
Coke couldn't face Green?
The entire Yankee pitching staff can't throw strikes.
these assholes should be made to kneel on rice or something until they start throwing strikes
I would think this would be such a fun game to pitch in...big stage and big lead. Instead, it seems like it's torture for these guys. Cashman better get back ont he phone and find a reliever because Coke/Hughes/Ace/Mo need some help.
chad godan. i know nothing. what do folks think?
Becareful out there Johnny.
[524] I consider the weeks and sometimes months that we spend trying to get blood from the (new) stone. a potentially high cost
[532] Gaudin...strikes people out; walks alot too. He is better than Mitre, but really struggled this season in San Diego.
guess so - just need to end this thing now
[526] Never would have guessed Grissom had 200 homers..
These walks must be awful to watch on tv..bad enough on Gameday!
[531] I wonder how much of this is because guys like Melancon pitch so infrequently, and (perhaps) feel pressure not to give up any runs lest they get buried for another two weeks.
[538] Quick walk? :)
[535] well an upgrade is always good. Hopefully we keep looking for something better. But still, we needed an upgrade on Mitre who couldnt' give us 6.
[535] btw, thanks for the info.
[534] That argument makes no sense. If the problem is that they wait to long to get blood from a stone (Mitre), you should welcome such additions because they at least raise the possibility of trying to get blood from a different stone.
[538] That was a short walk. =)
9 Ks by the pitching staff is good.
10 BBs is not. But I'll take the only 4 runs given up!
[540] It really depends on how you define upgrade. If he continues to pitch poorly and put the Yankees at a disadvantage, does it really matter that he's a different kind of awful?
Billy Traber being used the way such a call-up should be used.
[537] yeah, Grissom was the biggest surprise to me.
boBBy Abreu, just hit his 250th homer! ESPN, just ran a similar list to what i had. check this out - i may have missed one name...
250 HR, 2,000 Hits, 1,000 RBI, 1,000 Runs, 1,000 BB, 300 SB
BoBBy Abreu
Craig Biggio
Barry Bonds
Willie Mays
Rickey Henderson
Joe Morgan
hughesy really wanted that hr ball
i KNEW Tex would go yard tonight!!!
ROCK ON!!!
Does Traber look a little tired to you? Will Tito put him in for the 8th too?
Kind of feel bad for Traber..takes one for the team and will be released within days..
[544] yes. If he is marginally better than Mitre then he gives us a better chance of winning. We were 3-1 in Mitre's starts. If we can keep that up by upgrading on Mitre (even if a small upgrade) then I'm all for it.
woo Tex!!!
[545] for all the francoma jokes (and this decision probably has the masses of rsn upset) he seems to make pretty good decisions from what i see
ARod swings at a BAD pitch.
[542] Its still getting blood from a stone. Its almost certain to fail. And now the clock starts all over again before we give up on the new awful pitcher.
If we're resigned to having a terrible player, I'd much rather just keep the terrible player we have, or dip into our own system to get a terrible player than waste time, energy, money, and/or personnel on acquiring a whole new terrible player.
if tex leads the league in hrs and the yanks win the al east he will get the mvp
How about taking Po out of the game, to give him a little rest? Hinski in for ARod? Why make these guys play 9?
we owe Gaudin about $650,000 for the rest of the year. for that, we could've had Brian Bannister a coupla weeks ago. i would've rather have him than Mitre and/or Gaudin... : /
the big mystery now is whether clagget will pitch.
from MLB trade rumors:
Gaudin is 4-10 this year with a 5.13 ERA, but he is averaging a strikeout per inning and his FIP is at 3.68.
Girardi has been managing this game like its a lot closer than 12-8.. While Francona has not.
Red Sox ss problems > than Yankee #5 starter problems. : D Not that that's relevant at all.
Simmer down midget- that was about twelve feet over your head.
Well, Michael, "right around his head" is roughly naval level on anyone else.
FUCK YOU DUSTBIN
stop whining little boy.
Posada looks like Pedroia's father.
jesus christ dusty
[561] Relevant! I am enjoying this victory and won't join ni the debate about our 5th starter..Sox have much bigger problems, it is clear now. Big PooPoo, Drew and Varitek are major zeroes in their lineup right now..offensively, they can't touch us..
no mk - he said "that's fucking twice asshole"
What the hell's Posada thinking flipping his mask on top of his head like that? : D
sturtz!!!
is the midget bitching like the ugly lumberjack?
any warnings?
[568] all so very true.
[572] yes, no
[572] yep he was. no warning i don't think. it was clearly just a ball that got away.
[568] How's Friday looking so far? : )
[574] maybe, i don't know. um...i mean - thank you! : )
[559] Nice using FIP - but apparently xFIP is better (just read that at BP.com the other day).
Gaudin's xFIP is a still OK 4.23 . . . which is actually better than any starter the Yanks currently have. Mitre's xFIP, BTW - 4.32. CC is best at 4.30, AJ is worst at 4.77.
Note xFIP is a better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.
poor thing - those glasses make him look like a real dork
i'm still really impressed with boBBy. this from the game recap:
Bobby Abreu joined Willie Mays, Rickey Henderson, Joe Morgan, Barry Bonds and Craig Biggio as the only players with 250 homers, 2,000 hits, 1,000 runs, 1,000 RBIs, 1,000 walks and 300 stolen bases.
[576] Schweeeeet! Slow afternoon on the desk, and a jazz cafe on the way home..great start tto the weekend! Ortiz now hitting .222....
Wow. Some hustle there Big Fatty.
oh my that was a beauty!!
Put a star on that one.
answer: ortiz
question: who is slower than po?
Big Poopi has no bat speed anymore.
for gameday folks, that was a nice jump throw by cano. of course he had a lot of time...
BBTN just showed the Pedroia AB. they're all talking about how it was on purpose, you can't do that and there's gonna be retaliation...
[579] Hey, I wore glasses like that in LIttle League.. :(
[557] The cost in player personnel would not have been close for Bannister.
[578] thanks, shaun! what does the "x" stand for?
[579] who's 4-eyes?
bill traber was put to sleep after the 7th
[585] To be fair, Pop Up wasn't hustling at all.
Isn't that what got Manny run out of town?
[591] Josh Reddick
[593] i don't think i have ever seen him run hard to 1st - though that was worse than usual
papi's just frustrated, manny was a team destroyer
[594] ah, thanks.
hairston's been gettin' on base.
okay mk you had this conversation about the bloody uniforms last night
how 'bout a nice, quick, easy, 1-2-3 end of the game here in the 9th?!
[599] that would be nice - i just want to see how girardi trots out there
CLAGGETT!!!
ah wonderful - candy sorted - claggett in
Christ
fortunately claggett got the memo about walking people
jesus, kid - throw STRIKES!!!
[605] Perhaps the Yanks are in a strange "no strikes" zone.
Jesus Christ
They need to quarantine the bullpen.
jesus christ, that's TWO 4-pitch walks.
STRIKES, kid...strikes.
see. strikes are your friend. keep throwing them. friends are nice to have! : )
10 walks. We got off easy. Burnett luck tomorrow.
JUST END
xb,mynmjg 3wnmjenjmy57rkejhet6gfgnjy
ridiculous. idiot. 34.71 ERA. nice.
38.57
RUN DIFF, people!!!
does edwar really suck worse than this guy?
Sorry, 12, was away from the TV.
[616] Yes.
no more runs.
just end the damn game.
OUR LONG NATIONAL NIGHTMARE IS OVER
That final out was a metaphor for the whole game.
oh that was hilarious - po was like god damnit move victor i need to get the ball and get you out
nice to win here. but man that was torture.
finally. that was fugly, but i'll surely take it!
The Yankees now have a two game winning streak v. teams with the word Sox in their name.
[620] Truer words have never been spoken, but they're being spoken tonight in the Red Sox Nation. Finally.
Yay Yankees!
And Woohoo to Tex, A.J., and CC for their first of many more victories against the Red Sox as Bronx Bombers!
Now get the next three and we'll be laughin'!
Have a great evening folks!
Posada Must Have an IQ of About 90
I have been a die hard yank fan for 45 years so I hate to say this but has anybody noticed over the years Posada plays like an imbecile. Examples last night included not sliding and then on the dropped third strike he just stood there with the ball and let the guy run to first. Fortunately he atoned later but I am always afraid his brain fart will cost us big sometime in the future.