It cooled down in New York tonight after an almost muggy afternoon. Rained some and the wind kicked-up but Phil Hughes was effective and cool, kind like so:
Well, maybe not that cool, but he pitched well and the bullpen was excellent. Robbie Cano made like so…
and hit a couple of dingers, while Curtis Granderson was more like yay:
with a pair of triples. Derek Jeter hit a home run but also made a two-out error in the ninth which allowed Mariano Rivera to earn a cheap save.
And that’s word to Jackie Rob:
Final Score: Yankees 6, Angels 2.
That is my favorite baseball photo of all time. If you are speechless and looking for an ice breaker when you meet Yogi like I was, mention that play.
Anyway, I'm jacked up over Hughes. Wasn't great, but very encouraging. Not sure I agree with taking Chamberlain out in that situation.
AB, you've outdone yourself with this post. Fan-Fugu-Tastic!
Yanks are slugging .490.
Really liked Swish in the 2 spot. Great at bats, more sparkplug type energy than Nick J. Let's try it again soon, like, tonight.
[1] I think Hughes was great. Nice movement on his pitches, impressive command. He got squeezed a couple times, and Po seemed to be confusing him a bit, (looks like they got crossed up a few times) but he didn't get rattled. He secured a series win in a rubber match. Didn't make it thru 6, but everything else adds up to a great start in my book.
Rangers are gonna be tough. Nelson Cruz is hitting everything in sight.
I swear the Yankees are trying to get Mo 50 saves this year. Two games in a row he got saves in games he really had no business being part of. It's almost like they're doing it on purpose. I know not - but you know what I mean.
[3] Yeah - I thought he was getting squeezed big time in the few frames I got to see. Looked sharp, though, with some velocity on the FB and a nice tight curve. I like this kid.
Hughes never should have come out for the 6th, and Joba shouldn't have been pulled in the 9th.
Girardi's management of in-game pitching is befuddling.
Every time Rivera gets a one-out save like that, Gossage strangles a kitten.
[4] Frankly, last night, I think Girardi did not want Joba in a spot he might fail at.... at much for his confidence as for the game.
Joba is beginning to remind me of AJ a bit. Great stuff.... but there is also a 'Bad Joba' lurking about somewhere.
Well..... Robbie has certainly addressed my concerns about him. The dude is EL FUEGO! Was is ARods tutelage? The '5 spot'? No more Leche to party with? The guy is really a new man. I don't think it's just random or SSS. He seems like a changed man.
Following Big Poopi this year may be more fun then following the Yankees.
I must admit, the little Midget is a fine ballplayer. Even with an MVP (not even close to Jeter's better years), I wonder if his diminutive size lulls the pitcher. He is just deadly on high/inside heat. It's like vintage Vlad. He had great hand/eye, and can foul off or poke an outside pitch to RF, but he is purely a singles hitter that way. Ya gotta throw this guy low/outside slop.
Wow! We are playing .667 ball against 3 of the best teams, with black holes at the 3 and 4 spot. It's a great lineup when your 2 best hitters are barely replacement level and you're still winning. Sure will be fun when Teix and ARod get on track.
Jeter continues to amaze me. Me eyes tell me he is not having good ABs. Shitty ABs actually, to the tune of .333 .364 .524 .887.
Nick the Stick's OBP (.425) is .218 pts higher then his BA. When he starts to hit, he may have a Bondsian OBP.
OK.... Gardner has one of the 5 lowest OPS on the team. The other 4? Our 1 - 2 - 3 and 4 spots. This is an amazing team!
[6] As much as I would love it, Cano isn't going to hit 72 HRs this year. Swisher isn't going to have an OBP of .610 if he starts hitting. I don't think Cano's going to walk 18 times, either, but his current pace isn't encouraging.
[5] LOL.
Robbie Cano made like Beta Ray Bill!
[6] If only Joba's stuff was as nasty as AJ's
9)YES!