I just hope the outcome of this game doesn't fall into Girardi's hands. Hopefully the bats are active and CC is dominant so Joe doesn't have to make a single decision.

Just goes to show what kind of fan I am, because I was watching last night and when Ichiro came up I was like, "Good, this is a nice match-up, Mo vs. Ichiro." It didn't even occur to me that he should have walked him but that clearly was the smart move.

Doh.

I don't think there's a manager in the game who makes Mo walk Ichiro at that point. When you have Mo, you lock it in autopilot and wait for the landing. Dat's it, and dat's dat. and you're happy to have him no matter what happens.

[3] Absolutely. Remember, far more often than not, Mo wins that match-up. Hey, we lost with our best, they won with theirs. It's not like the guy with the Golden Sombrero finally caught one. And, what the hell, he caught a pitch that wasn't even a strike; though he did seem to anticipate it. A good hitter finally caught up to a good pitcher, coincidentally at the (for them anyway) right moment.

Alex, although it didn't work out I agree with Pete Abe's take on Girardi's decisions last night. I asked whether he should have pinch hit for Molina during last night's game thread but I forgot Po was out. I can see why he would want to keep Cervelli for emergency backup last night. As far as walking Ichiro I agree with Joe Posnanski's hate for the IBB. Ichiro was 2 for 10 vs Mo, he guessed right, an inside cutter at the knees and he was ready for it. Smart guy Ichiro. I don't have a problem with Girardi's decisions last night except as williamnyy23 mentioned in that he could have had Melky running during Molina's AB due to his propensity to ground into DP.

4 It totally looked like Ichiro was looking for that one pitch in that location.

I was pretty happy about the game last night despite the loss. My biggest concern going in was AJ and that turned out pretty good. My second biggest worry was the sloppiness of the defense, and that turned out pretty good, too. In the end it was a really well played game by the Yanks against a Cy Young award finalist that came down to one of the top hitters in the game going up against the best closer. Two hall of famers dueling is pretty amazing. On the other hand, game day advance says that Ichiro's favorite pitch is the cutter, so that was pretty worrying. Anyway, I know the best record isn't locked up, and I'm not trying to be glib, but losing to Ichiro with Mo on the mound only having given up one run through 8 innings and having scored two against the King is very confidence inspiring to me.

[5] Yeah, but that never stopped him from pinch hitting for Molina throughout the year before the roster expanded. And it shouldn't. The likelihood of the replacement catcher going down in a couple of innings is slim to none. I think it was a bad decision, period.

Girardi stuck with Molina for defensive purposes in a tight game. He was managing conservatively. I had no problem with it -- and even if Po's bat was an option Girardi could make a case for sticking with Molina's defense

Is it that cold in Seattle? What's with the fans wearing parkas?

[3] I don't think that's true. Ichiro is so much more likely to get a hit than Guitierez that you have to put him on. Even if every manager wouldn't make the decision, that doesn't mean it wasn't still the right move.

[9] Even if you stick with Molina, why not start Melky or try a squeeze. Girardi seems to be in love with the bunt except in situations that make sense. That extra run was gigantic. A good manager tries to get Molina through that at bat. Girardi's inability to manage a game is going to really haunt them in the playoffs.

With Boston winning again, the Yankees are very close to entering panick time. With the shaky status of the rotation, this game is very close to a must win.

Go, Teix!

Wow what a hit, and I can't believe he almost caught that.

Looks light it would've been gone.

Seattle's defense looks good again tonight, I wonder how many runs they save their pitchers.

Looks like Gutierrez' range is from left fielder to right fielder, he's 26 so he's not that young but man can he play the OF. Meanwhile Yankees fail to get runner in from 3rd with less than 2 outs again. That's Scooby Doo movies bad.

Oh, God, now he's going to just burn up CC's pitches.

Too late to walk him.

Good thing about CC is he has a lot of pitches to give. Nice play by Melky in center, nice not great, but he looked like he was moving in slomo compared to Gutierrez.

[11] a lot of times manager's have to go with how they feel a game is going. Like I said, I thought Joe was managing that one conservatively. It was a tight pitcher's duel, and he wasn't going to give away outs, or give away bases intentionally. He was relying on the best offense in the game (plus Molina) to come up with the big hit. He had his best relievers lined up, and deployed them properly. He didn't manage the game how you might have, (and perhaps your moves would have resulted in a win) but I don't think Girardi was demonstrating an "inability to manage" last night. Nor do I think this team (talented as it is) would have come this far despite their manager.

[20] why the apostrophe s, dip?

Nice smack, Robbie.

That's my Robbie.

Bunting to set up Cervelli?

Looking at the fangraph of the game, interesting. Last night's was a doozy.

Melky gets the runner to third.

[23] Very bizarre, really.

Counting from last night, that's 3 straight failures to score the runner from 3rd with less than 2 outs. Isn't the normal percentage on that run scoring around 70%?

Good to see the Yankees pulling the ball with men on 3rd...even though both runs probably score if they go on contact. The Yankees had a chance to put Seattle away with some early runs, but if they let them hang around much longer it will be another close game.

Just a note but on the Melky out the Yankee win probability actually went down even though he got the runner to third. Goes to show the importance of not making outs.

holy crap, Syracuse just won a football game. Beat Northwestern 37-34 in the final seconds. My in-laws from Syracuse are celebrating like.. holy crap, Syracuse just won a football game.

Nice throw by Melky. It's nice to see.

30 It's a shame how bad they are now, I went to school in upstate NY and I used to love Syracuse football and basketball.

Arod slow with the tag?

Yanks have been walking the 8th hitter a lot this series.

BTW wasn't Tuiassosopo a player for the SF 49ers?

[35] Looks like that was his dad, and his older brothers both played in the NFL.

[27] Also, two light hitting catchers who are solid bunters, but no thought of the squeeze.

36 Thanks.

JD a doubles machine lately.

Another great inning.

That there is just bad luck, caused by good defense. Arod hit it perfect right back up the middle.

He hadn't even dropped his bat and left the box and the ball was in the 2B glove.

I am so sick of Ichiro already. Damn you.

He was out. Umps have been so bad this year. Cano so quick and smooth on the relay.

Nice play by Arod but no chance on that one.

When you don't cash in on opportunities, you can get beat by things like blown calls.

Godzilla! No doubter.

Matsui now has most HR's by a Yankee DH.

Matsui's probable last season in NY a very good one. You know, he'd be a good fit with Seattle next year.

ESPN has Gammons latest Sox love fest article up. Victor Martinez is now the best and manliest catcher to play in Boston since Fisk. Hey Captain Varitek don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. Thanks we are done with you. I said good day sir.

David Cone is awesome, I hope the Yankee coaches are as observant.

JD singles in a run. 3 straight hits to start the inning. He is definitely having a good walk year. Tex hits a 3-run home just over the fence. It really is amazing how many Yankees are having really good years.

According to Pete Abe, Ian Kennedy was called up today, might be a chance to see him pitch if this becomes a full blown blow out.

CC hit by pitch right in his chest. Looked like it may have knocked the wind out of him.

I can see them letting him finnish the 5th to be in line for the win, but if he comes out for the 6th someone should be fired.

Sweet Jebus, that was terrifying.

[54] Agreed. Get him to the trainer's room.

There is a dirt stain on his shirt where the ball hit him. And to me he looks like that is still hurting him. Yankees make bad throws all over the place and a run scores. Runner now on third. CC ok enough to get the over throw to home. I just want CC out of the game getting checked out.

Beautiful play by Tex to get the final out. Get CC checked out.

Cervelli hits one of the top of the LF wall, he gets the RBI but gets thrown out at 2B. Cervelli making a good case to be the backup catcher next year.

I don't care how tough CC is. I don't care if he is not hurt. It is totally irresponsible to have him out there right now until he gets checked out by a doctor. Kids have been killed after being hit in the chest, and I know CC is not a kid but he wasn't hit by a kid either. This game has a big enough lead and it isn't that important. This really is up to the manager to put his foot down.

Seattle fans with the lame beachball at the ballpark, Melky pops it before throwing it back. I guess they are really bored.

JD makes his first out of the game. Tex's bat absolutely explodes as he gets enough of the ball to drop it in short RF. Arod skies to RF as Ichiro takes 2 steps to make the catch. Kenny does mention that Tex needs a double for the cycle as Matsui gets punched out on a questionable strike.

Okay, I allow Coke to stay on the team until the kid is no longer cute.

Solo night for you here, eh? Thanks for keeping the light on...

[60] I totally agree with you too. I just don't see the upside. Do they think this is psychologically therapeutic?

64 It's actually been an interesting game, some nice fielding plays. Cano just made a nice one as he goes behind second and does the flip to first. CC has breezed the last 2 innings. Plus Kenny and Cone have been fun to listen to.

65 I can see him wanting to get out of the 5th and being in line for the win. I'm sure he's a proud guy and it means something to him, but after that leave it up to the BP. This game is not that crucial.

Bill Hall dives for Cano's blooper and just misses it. Cano has a double as Hall can barely get up after the dive.

Melky rips a single to RF for his first hit tonite and drives in Cano, 8-1 Yankees.

Cervelli is ho,t as even when he makes an out it is a bullet to 3B.

Shelley sighting as Jeter walks and they bring in a lefty for JD.

Gatorade trying to break the record for most athletes in one 30 second commercial.

Yankees put some backups in. Gardner makes an outstanding attempt on a blooper but short hops it. Bruney in to pitch with his new number trying to change his luck. Not good so far.

Brian Bruney is one of few men who can come in with a seven run lead and still pitch in a manner that makes you beg them to take him out

After the blooper Bruney goes K, 1B, K, F7. I still hope we don't see him in the PS unless we are up by 10.

74 It's too late for this year, maybe we can gain confidence in him for next year.

[76] He has to come back next year?

Tex blows his chance at the cycle by hitting the ball too hard and over the fence for his second HR.

Hit it too hard.

77 :) Seriously though he was pretty good before he got hurt, maybe he can be that again.

[80] He's a dime a dozen right handed reliever who was never any good at all before or after 2008.

Gardner legs out an infield hit as somebody at Safeco yells something out, somebody's still really into this game. Of course that could have been the 1B coach.

81 True, but he does have a live arm, and he's shown flashes, maybe they can make him more consistent.

Hairston gets a single, Guzman gets into the game. Guzman gets a SF and it's now 10-1.

81 plus he's younger than I thought , he's 27.

Cano get the Yankees' 18th hit of the night.

[83] I really don't think right handed relievers who throw 95 with no control are such a precious commodity that we need to devote time, energy and games to straightening one out.

A walk with a nine run lead.

[86] Agreed. Bruney's had enough chances at this point. Given he's in his second arbitration year, I think a non-tender and a mL contract offer are the most the Yankees should offer him.

We Love Ya CC

I love him a little more after tonight's close call.

Somehow I missed Juan Miranda also came into the game, he got a single.

This game is still going on?

Way to bounce back.

86,88 You guys are probably right, it just seems he's been really good as many times as he's been really bad. I think I just described Farnsworth.

94 Yankees win, Tex almost hits for the cycle but homers for the second time instead. CC pitches very well despite getting hit by a line drive comebacker to the chest.

I had forgotten but, Tex's triple in the first was a HR that got pulled back in by Gutierrez. Tex would've had a 3 HR game.

[78] Weeping will be Pissed Off over such a selfish homer... shame on Tex for depriving himself and the fans of the cycle! >;) Btw, would that have been the second or third for a Yankee this season? I thought I remember Hinske coming in one of his first few games with us and almost hitting for the cycle...

20-20 Watch:

Nelson Cruz notched his 20th stolen base today, becoming the 8th player this season to reach the club.

next up:

Justin Upton - 1 stolen base away
Jimmy Rollins - 1 homerun away

just got done reading the game thread (why am i still up?!). BuckFoston - THANKS sooo much for the play-by-play, much appreciated!

sorry i couldn't join you, was working. great gig tonight! one of those that make you happy and proud to do this for a living. i play this gig monthly and it's always fun, but when i packed my kit in my car this evening and closed my drivers' side door, i exclaimed out loud: i wanna play some music!!! it was on!

it's nice going to bed musically satiated and with a Yankees win in the books! : )

see you guys tomorrow. wish the game was on tbs so i could see it. oh well...

GO JOBA!!! GO YANKS!!! (Go Oreo's & Go Rangers!!!)

Couple things (this thread might be about to be superseded, but still).
1. Teixeira had no triples for two years. Now three in five games. Sterling's Law confirmed again!
2. Ian P. Kennedy! Awesome. Ask not what your team can do for you, but what you can do for your team.