Through three innings, David Price was so dominant that it looked to me like he was a real threat for a no-hitter. He painted the corners with 97 mph fastballs and induced swings so late that you could hear the thud of the catcher’s mitt before you saw the barrel of the bat cross the plate.
(AP PHOTO/MIKE CARLSON)
He eventually lost a few mph on the heater as the game progressed. Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher got good wood on a couple of fastballs over the middle of the plate in the third and staked the Yankees a very, very brief 2-0 lead. Price quickly regrouped. He mixed in some of his other pitches and cruised into the eighth before losing the script. The Rays bullpen got the production back on track for an easy 9-3 victory.
For the first three innings, Javier Vazquez kept up his end of a potential pitching duel. He complimented an ordinary, but well-placed 89 mph fastball with impressive breaking balls and a really good looking change-up. While he clearly didn’t have the stuff of his counterpart, he looked like he would be effective for several innings. He wasn’t.
With a freshly minted lead, Vazquez walked Ben Zobrist on four pitches to lead off the bottom of the fourth. With one out and the count even at 1-1, Javy went to the gopher ball, 89 mph, perfectly located up and out over the plate… for Carlos Pena to poop on. Vazquez didn’t have much else to offer that inning, and with Marcus Thames playing left field like he was handling nuclear waste, the Rays made Javy’s assortment of previously impressive pitches look like just so much slop. Hit after hit after hit made it 5-2.
Javy’s night wasn’t done there. Somehow he was still in there in the sixth to ensure Willy Aybar’s first start of the 2010 season be a memorable one. All in all Vazquez allowed eight earned runs in five and 2/3 innings. He allowed 11 baserunners in the process of recording 17 outs. It was worse than any start in the entire 2009 season with the Braves.
When Vazquez came aboard in the winter, I anticipated a divide within the fan base. Those who put great value in advanced metrics loved the move and harbored little to no grudge for 2004. Others would just not accept the guy who etched in stone the most embarrassing choke in team sport history. I tried to come down with the smarties, but tonight, as Vazquez evaporated in the 4th, I just found myself unable to do it. I really expect nothing from this guy this year.
Anyway, as much fun as it would be to pile on Javy’s dud, the real story was Price. Cliff was all over it in the pre-game post; Wright is the key to the Rays’ season. He looks like he is ready to take a huge step forward this year. He may have dropped some weight – it was especially evident in his face. His large, sad eyes, peer out from sunken sockets under the shadow of the bill of his cap. His milk saucer ears, and long, gaunt, face with big rubber-ish features reminded me of Brad Daugherty from his UNC days.
He had his best stuff for three innings, and his b-grade issue was excellent until the eighth. He looks to be a scary opponent for a long time.
I thought we might see a no hitter for the first two innings. For whatever reason, logical or not, Swisher's at bat in the third convinced me that Price was not unhittable.
As for Javy, I'm the biggest grudge holder here, and tonight was very, very familiar, but its still his first start of the year. If this is still going on in May I'll be more annoyed.
I know this may be hard to believe, but I just watched Edwar Ramirez give up a HR, throw a ball away and uncork a wild pitch.
[2] Shocking! It's Global Warming for sure..
I watched the Royals play keystone kops on the bases an do everything possible not to win the game..and they still won by coming back against the Boston pen..ya just can't predict baseball..
[3] That's what John Sterling keeps telling me...
A-Jax is off to an excellent start.
Fahrnsworth is hurt, I hear -- he played a positive role in that game against Boston and then left with an injury.
Uh, sorry, that should be "Price is the key..." in the last paragraph.
How he became Wright will plague me all day long...
"but tonight, as Vazquez evaporated in the 4th, I just found myself unable to do it. I really expect nothing from this guy this year."
Honestly? This is pretty silly. It is just wrong to point to 2004 (and hurting) and a single start in April and talk about 'grudge' issues. This is a solid strikeout pitcher in a very tough division. He'll be a good starter for us and he, as CC did, will get hammered a few times by seriously good offenses.
(The Hoss returneth, with his usual message: patience)
I want to appreciate Javy, and part of me does, (better than average stuff/ eats innings) but at the same time I see him as a back of the rotation guy who has a bad habit of coming up small against good lineups. I never saw him as a suitable replacement for a big game pitcher like Pettitte.
He's a nice piece, but I don't understand how so many intelligent fans eagerly embrace and defend Vazquez. I suspect it's partly backlash against small-minded 2004 scapegoating, and anti-Ozzie Guillenization.
But performances like last night don't lie. Bottomline to me: what we saw last night is what we should expect from Javy against elite lineups. I think we should forget the widely held notion that he's a top of the rotation pitcher. In the AL East, which happens to be his reality, he's a #4 starter. He'll win his games, and sometimes he'll surprise us, but against the best teams I wouldn't bet a dollar on him, not yet..
[7] I agree w/ you 100% that we should not use his 2004 performance, or last's night game, to predict the rest of 2010. But he also was not good in 2005, 2006, & 2008. I was harsh by saying "nothing." 200 in, .500 record, and an bad ERA north of 4.5 is something (all of which I think are reasonable to expect). It's just not what I want.
[9] word.
Jon, man, that was a great recap. So pleased to read you doing one of 'em. Thanks!
Brad is a start, decent call, but it's not perfect. Hmmm...he sure is SOMEBODY though.
I have no problem liking Javy. It's actually NJ that I can't stand for some reason.
yeah i like javy and always have.
if there is anything i look to that is a slight caution flag - it is he started doing poorly once runners got on base and he had to pitch out of the stretch, which is something that has been a concern for him before.
just for a dirty illustration - a career 697 ops with no one on and 773 with men on.
[11] haha yeah, now i'm going to be trying to figure it out all day.
[9] I wouldn't exactly say not good, his peripherals in those years, along with his "good" years have been fairly consistent.
[6] Were you watching the Mets at all? That could possibly explain the "Wright" reference.
No, Raf, and Jon, the answer is obvious.
Disappointing game last night, but this afternoon ... It's Cervelli time.
[17] i love frankie brains, but that's not very inspiring! ; )
according to LoHud:
YANKEES
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Johnson DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Curtis Granderson CF
Brett Gardner LF
Francisco Cervelli C
CC Sabathia LHP (0-0, 8.44)
and A-rod is 1 hit away from 1,000 w/ the Jankees. a homer will move him past mcgwire on the all-time list. and he's 3 stolen bases away from 300.
Is this the game thread?
[19] i dunno, i've never had one of those before. is it kosher?
[20] Tropicana is kosher. But Evan Longoria doesn't look kosher to me.
what the hell was he staring at those last two pitches?
i know he likes to see a lot of pitches, but the 3rd one in that sequence was all his. that last slider froze him a bit.
[21] i'll take mine with 'some' pulp, thank you please.
I guess Price was so good last night, he decided to headline today's game thread?
By the way, Happy Birthday to the "Yankees". 97 years ago today, they played their first game officially called the Yankees.
0-17.
do all teams always play the shift like that on lefty Tex? i'm thinking it's more of a Maddon thing. he won this time...just 'coz it's April!
If Tex doesn't get a hit soon Wally Schang is going to get nervous.
Lovely ... 0-17
It's not that I'm worried about Teix, but it sure would be nice if he'd switch things up on occasion and get off to something other than a cold start ...
meanwhile, I still hate baseball on FOX ... fucking blackouts.
Early in the season to be slacking on game thread creation, Banter Overlords!
[25] Definitely a Maddon thing...10 more and Tex has the Yankee record.
Fox also has the crummiest HD image. I feel like the English Patient watching this
See, thelarmis, it's the Taco Bell line-up. That's definitely not kosher.
I was watching some cheesy thing on YES that showed some Sabathia footage from back in the day. Man he sure has packed on the pounds. I think he should start thinking about doing some crunches or laying off the pasta. Something.
[32] I wouldnt argue with the results.
One inning into the game and I am already sick of FOX.
Geez, it's the Carl Crawford Appreciation Hour. He's a decent---decent---player, but not the next coming Joe DiMaggio.
I hate these Fox broadcasters.
[27] at least you don't have to deal w/ buck & timmay. i'm not gonna deal w/ them for much longer. need to get on with my day...
joe fuck hates baseball. he is bored out of his mind.
i hate joe fuck.
Jeez, I just reloaded to type a little thing about how annoying Buck is, and I guess it's not necessary to add anything.
Yeah, if we have to choose between getting Carl Crawford and getting Lee, well, that's an easy one.
[37] I'm enjoying the wonderful voices of somebody and some other dude, who are the radio broadcasters for Tampa Bay ...
[33] The jury is out, friend.
Game threads are often "recycled" on weekends. Guess they have better things to do on a sunny spring Saturday.
Tyler Clippard was pitching in the Mets game. He's been a very good reliever for the Nats.
CC !!!
stfu announcers. how these chumps have jobs? mute button.
[40] Lucky.
There's that car rental commercial where Joe Buck is walking through the parking lot, and he's moving real weird, like he's a marionette or something. It gives me the willies.
[42] speaking of former yanks... soriano hit a homer today. i believe it was his 291st. that's a goodly amount. he's not running much these days, but i still think he'll reach 300-300. he's not terribly far.
c'mon Alex. get your 1,000th yankee hit. he got a decently loud mixed reaction...
There's a deal at the Trop where for $55 you get nice seats (I think, I haven't seen the locations) and all the baseball food you can eat. (No beer, obviously.)
[45] does he get run over by the rental car?!
[48] I think he may actually transform into one of them at the end, then run over himself.
1,000!
nice hit. now, steal 2nd and rattle this kid.
Congrats, A-Rod!
[46] I didn't realize he had hit so many dingers, so I looked him up on baseballreference. He only has 257 SB, and the last three seasons he had 19, 19, 9. It might be tough for him to get to stick around for three or four more seasons to get to 300 SB.
Crack.
good, glad they saved the ball for him.
We get to talk to you? Great, here's my advice: Shut the Hell Up.
[46] Yeah, Harang hung a breaking ball. Sori still swings at balls at his feet, but when you serve up a meatball, it's not coming back.
I think the Cubs way overpaid for him, but he's good player.
[52] yes, 257 SB's (i keep track of all the potential 300-300 guys!). he still has 5 years left on his contract. i think he gets the 300 homers this year and the stolen bases in 3 seasons. it might take all 5, but i think he gets there. he loves #'s and will be aware. i really hope he makes it!
Hey, Gameday is about 15 seconds ahead of my Fox feed. I've never seen that.
[41] The jury is out on Sabathia?
crap.
stuck on 297...
[50] On second thought...
[57] Hey, I love numbers too!
I wonder how many SBs I'm going to get.
great ... another media error ... MLB.tv has been craptastic this year. Hope they get the bugs worked out soon.
Ah, and old free-swingin' Cano re-emerged during that AB.
What an awful two pitches....Arod with an ill advised 3-1 steal attempt and than Cano hacks at ball four. Not a good start to the game.
Alex will become the 7th 300-300 guy this season (prolly this month...). the next batch, will include 4 guys (i hope) and should all be in 3 seasons from now. here they are (HR / SB)
boBBy - 254/347
Soriano - 291/257
Beltran - 272/286
Cameron - 263/295
beyond that, it's gonna be if somehow the Captain reaches 300 homers. i'm not holding my breath, but i wouldn't put anything past him...
Zobrist, Longoria and Upton absolutely crush CC...so hopefully he has a new game plan!
[62] SB = stolen basis?!
i love #'s, too. you like algorithms and logarithms. i like cross-rhythms & rhythmic illusions. (and playing in 7/8!) : )
[78] It's all the same thing, really, just absorbed by different parts of the brain. I'm fond of polyrhythm myself!
Do you really like playing in 7/8?
That Arod kid is pretty good.
Uh, [68]. Sorry, numbers.
the twinkies have gone 5-1 on the road this week. and, no, RI - i've never had a twinkie before!
GREAT play Alex!!! what a freaking canon he has.
Aha. From [70] I conclude that my Fox feed is behind everyone else's. I wonder why that is.
[71] ah, beat me to it! i'm well impressed w/ your use of "polyrhythms"! of course, i love them lots!!!
yes, 7/8 is absolutely my very favorite time signature. my heart beats in 7.
[72] He does have a great canon, yeah! It's a freaking fugue.
[73] things are slower out there on the left coast. ask cult - he's got blackout problems and more today! ; )
[75] i guess we can call him Cool Pacha Bell !!!
just a little bit high and outside...
[74] Awesome.
I still remember listening to Pink Floyd's "Money", as a kid, and trying to tap my foot along with it, and wondering why I kept ending up on the wrong beat, and then realizing it was in 7/4.
what's up, BB peeps? See that f'n long throw from Arod?
Let's go Yankees! (clap, clap, clap clap clap)
[76] Oh, I'm back on the Right Coast. Yeah, missed yesterday's game, being in the air and all. Got back just in time to listen to the BoSox lose on my drive home from the airport.
[77] Yes! And maybe Taco Bell will sponsor him!
[79] wow, VERY nice knowing that Money is in 7/4 and NOT 7/8. there is most definitely a difference. i'm not a big Floyd fan (though i don't dislike them at all), but never liked that tune much. it's a very very weird 7 and i don't really care for it.
funny, i recently taught that tune to a student of mine, so i'm pretty familiar with it right now...
nice hustle Curtis. hey Robbie, you watching that?!
Hm, a usefrul remark by McCarver, What are the odds of that happening??
Usefrul, that's a good word. And it's mine.
[81] welcome home! yeah, i got to see boston lose last night, as i was setting up my drums on stage.
btw, with Money being in 7/4 - a quarter note based time signature - you should still be able to tap your foot to it without it going over the barline, it would just have a weird feel, as far as phrasing is concerned.
it goes to "straight" time for the guitar solo...
Great Gazoo!!! talk about the helmet and not fucking joe west. assholes.
does frankie brains pee on his hands too? (eeeewwww!!!!)
first pitch looked inside. breaking pitch was beautiful.
Oh noes ... TB announcers beginning to bring the stoopid ... just got done calling Molina the best backup catcher the Yankees have had recently, in part because his clutch hitting made him tough to face late in games ...
So does Timmay want pitches that aren't strikes to be called strikes?
[85] Hm, right, I guess the problem was that I was counting it somehow, and kept sliding forward in the measure for the upbeat. How's that?
(I didn't realize there would be a quiz!)
ouch!
and what a weird flat-top 'do cervix has going on...
Yo guys, apologies for not having a game thread up...that's my bad. Long story, don't ask..
Anyhow, there's an open game thread in the post above now.
One, two, three...Shift.
Thanks!
Nicely done, Frankie Braaaaaaaaaaaains!!!
Double steal!
Double steal!!!
[90] uh, now you're stretching it. you totally lost me there, trying to sound smart!
btw, did you play an instrument in school band growing up?
nice AB frankie! damn you, cap'n... : /
I'm surprised that was not interference on Cervelli, though I don't know the rules for that scenario.
Drat, Jeter!
Yankees have really let Davis off the hook...they need to break through here.
ROBBIE!
Making fun of the concussion helmet, Joe? Really, at this late date? New to the game, are we?
Wow, I can't argue with the result, but that swing from Gardner that produced the single to left was probably his ugliest ever.