We’ve seen this before. Last year, the Blue Jays shot out of the gate, were 27-14 (.659) on May 18, but went just 48-73 (.397) the rest of the way. This year, the Jays were 25-17 (.595) on May 19 and have gone 15-23 (.395) since. Of course, they took two of three from the Yankees in Toronto during the latter stretch, but that’s because the one thing the Jays still have going for them are some strong starting pitchers.
Tell me if this sounds familiar: the Jays have scored just three runs per game since June 1, but lefties Brett Cecil and Ricky Romero and righty Brandon Morrow, the same three pitchers who will face the Yankees this weekend in the Bronx, held the Yankees to a total of four runs in 23 combined innings in that previous series. Cecil, who faces A.J. Burnett tonight, has struggled in his last three starts (0-3, 9.19 ERA), but the other two, who face Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes over the weekend, have remained sharp.
Of course, the focus today will be how A.J. Burnett responds to the early-week return of pitching coach Dave Eiland. Not that Eiland had any magical fix. Here’s what he had to say upon returning to the team on Tuesday:
For me to sit here and say the reason that A.J. pitched the way he pitched was I wasn’t here is not fair. A.J. has been pitching a long time. He knows what he needs to do. It’s nothing that A.J. and I haven’t addressed and discussed already. Every pitcher you have to stay on about certain things, and with A.J. there are a couple of things. They’re very minor things that are going to make a huge difference. But A.J. has to do it. He’s been told over and over in the past what they are.
It seems Burnett’s main problem was opening up his left side to early. Said Eiland Thursday after working with Burnett in the bullpen, “It’s not like I gave him anything new today. Mike Harkey was telling him the same thing.”
There’s a certain element there of not wanting to throw Harkey under the bus for failing to get Burnett straightened out, but there’s also a lot of exasperation in those Eiland quotes.
Normally you’d feel good going up against a pitcher like Cecil who has been 0-3 with a 9.19 ERA in his last three starts, but Burnett has gone 0-3 with a 16.55 ERA in his last three starts and was 0-5 with a 11.35 ERA in June. The big question heading into tonight’s game is which one of these guys is going to snap out of their funk. The upside might be that, if the answer is neither, you have to like the Yankees’ chances of winning a slugfest in their own park.
Toronto Blue Jays
2010 Record: 15-36 (.294)
2010 Pythagorean Record: 17-34 (.333)
Manager: Cito Gaston
General Manager: Alex Anthopoulos
Home Ballpark: Rogers Centre
Bill James Park Indexes (2007-2009):
LH Avg-104, LH HR-115
RH Avg-107, RH HR-129
Who’s has replaced whom:
- Jarrett Hoffpauir (minors) has replaced Edwin Encarnacion (minors)
- Dewayne Wise has replaced Jeremy Reed (minors)
- Nick Green has replaced Mike McCoy (minors)
- Jesse Litsch (DL) has replaced Brian Tallet in the rotation and Rommie Lewis on the roster
25-man roster:
1B – Lyle Overbay (L)
2B – Aaron Hill (R)
SS – Alex Gonzalez (R)
3B – Jarrett Hoffpauir (R)
C – John Buck (R)
RF – Jose Bautista (R)
CF – Vernon Wells (R)
LF – Fred Lewis (L)
DH – Adam Lind (L)
Bench:
R – Jose Molina (C)
R – John McDonald (IF)
L – Dewayne Wise (OF)
R – Nick Green (IF)
Rotation:
R – Shaun Marcum
L – Brett Cecil
L – Ricky Romero
R – Brandon Morrow
R – Jesse Litsch
Bullpen:
R – Kevin Gregg
R – Jason Frasor
L – Scott Downs
R – Shawn Camp
R – Casey Janssen
L – Brian Tallet
L – David Purcey
15-day DL:
OF – Travis Snider (sore right wrist)
60-day DL:
RHP – Dustin McGowan (setbacks after labrum surgery)
RHP – Dirk Hayhurst (frayed right labrum)
Typical Lineup:
L – Fred Lewis (LF)
R – Alex Gonzalez (SS)
R – Jose Bautista (RF)
R – Vernon Wells (CF)
L – Adam Lind (DH)
R – Aaron Hill (2B)
L – Lyle Overbay (1B)
R – John Buck (C)
R – Jarrett Hoffpauir (3B)
"There’s a certain element there of not wanting to throw Harkey under the bus for failing to get Burnett straightened out, but there’s also a lot of exasperation in those Eiland quotes."
A.J.'s got a million dollar arm, make that a ten million dollar arm, but a ten cent head if he knows what he needs to to, the whole organization knows what he needs to do, but only one guy can tell him what to do.
But hey, the Dutch won! Go orange!
eiland definitely sounds exasperated.
i thought he also sounded that way last year with cmw though.
just to keep the again theme going, i am going to the july 4th game again this year.
last year i was treated to a posada walk-off in extra innings - given that it is going to be crazy hot this year i shall thank the boys in advance for no free baseball.
Dustin Moseley is up to serve as a long man and Boone Logan is optioned back to Triple-A.
Little "I told you so" here, Logan was working as a long man, not a LOOGY and the second lefty thing had nothing to do with his presence on the roster.
Moseley's promotion, meanwhile, was prompted by an out in his minor league deal. I'm not thrilled he's up, but in place of Logan, I'll give him a few chances.
One run, no hits?
Bases loaded. Can we get a run?
Nope.
Sure, it's only been three innings. Sure, he's still given up three hits and two walks. Sure, the pitching coach can't be that important for a veteran pitcher.
Lock Dave Eiland in the stadium. He's not allowed to leave.
No man is an Eiland, AJ needs his sage.
What are the chances that the Yankees don't score with bases loaded, no outs and Arod and Cano coming to bat?
This is exasperating. : (
If I had to be the guy to coach AJ, I think I'd need some personal time as well.
(9) clearly, 100%
Atta boy, Lewis. Way to think out there.
Holiday traffic, Score truck stuck on the Cross Bronx Expressway.
Can we commence throwing Harkey under the bus yet?
well, he has issued 3 walks, a hit batsmen and uncorked a wild pitch...
but that's a big K right there!
The time is nigh.
Hey all. Just stopping in briefly. Hoping the Score Truck will pull up to the curb with me...
Yeah. A double play is greater than a sac bunt from Cervelli. Bollocks!
Oh, for gods sake. I should have stayed quiet.
Oy. That might have been ball four.
Well, close.
[20] If only it was that easy...
[20] that'll learn ya!
i think the brains magic has officially worn off. sigh...
So, which do we prefer here: Bullpen Roulette, or AJ Roulette?
[23] I don't larn that easy.
Bullpen Roulette it is!
(I don't object -- lots of pitches for AJ, and this seems like a good spot for Damaso.)
[25] i don't think girardi "larns" very well, either.
i'd have stuck w/ AJ...
[26] we agree to disagree! may you be right, Sir Larn!!!
it's like AJ never left...
... And Joe and RIYank win, thelarmis loses!
(I admit I had my doubts...)
[26] we have a winner!
nice game by allan james, by way of david eiland...
[30] ah, i'm used to it...
brandon phillips just hit his 10th homer, to go along w/ his 10 stolen bases. he's easily on his way to his 4th straight 20-20 season. i love that power-speed combo!
Wow... a TV promo for RAB!
We are 0 -17 with men on base?. Seems almost statistically impossible.
Another shameful admission: I'm watching soccer now. ESPN3.
And glad of it! Wow!
From ESPN:
Kevin Cash is coming back to Boston.
The Red Sox re-acquired the 32-year-old catcher from the Houston Astros in exchange for infielder Angel Sanchez.
Cash is needed now that the Red Sox have put All-Star catcher Victor Martinez (thumb) and backup Jason Varitek (foot) on the 15-day disabled list.
Cinderella team Ghana scored to break a 0-0 time with seconds remaining in the first half.
Okay, now back to baseball.
Oy.
No luck for Teix.
[38] Yeah.
You might think that Cash isn't that much of a drop-off from Tek, and maybe it's true, but Varitek did manage to hit pretty well in the first few months.
[36] What's the shock value of Brazil losing yesterday? I haven't paid much attention this week.
i would love a no-nonsense, low stress, 1-2-3 inning from joba...
(asking a lot, i know...)
Spinning the wheel again... JOBA.
Go get 'em, kid.
[39] the ewe and ashanti people rejoice w/ highlife!
i'll play a Gahu at my studio later to honor their team : )
[41] Oh, not yesterday, today. This morning.
It wasn't a huge shock just that Brazil lost to Holland. Holland is a very good team. The rap on them is that they're the best team never to win. Brazil was the favorite, and when they were up at the half they became the prohibitive favorite -- so it was pretty shocking that they blew the lead.
HOLY SHIT!
[42] 1-2-3, maybe. Low stress, fuggidaboutit.
whew. that looked close to going out on gameday.
did he at least try to put him away with his slider?
[48] He definitely tried, but that last pitch (the one Gonzales creamed, and yeah, not just on Gameday!) was a very juicy fastball.
jesus christ. throw strikes, you stoopid fucker!
Oh, man. Not good.
Let's go, big guy, get serious!
[49] tankoo. (that's what my little niece used to say!)
I think Gardner needs to be promoted from AAAA to AAAAA.
[49] Well creamed? All of 325 ft?
I feel like Joba would be fine, at least here, if he could throw the breaking pitch for strikes. But they're sitting on the fastball, scary.
[54] Well, Alex Gonzales. Cream is relative.
{insert own joke here.}
[45] Thanks. I'll watch again in 4 years. But not until then.
I'd go to Mo.
i think it would be fine if mariano could pitch 2 innings every game we have a lead from here unto eternity. yeah, that'd be really fine. in that utopia, "that'd" would be an acceptable conjunction, too...
You are not good, Joba.
(I just like restricting myself to two-letter words, just for one comment.)
[58] i would have, too.
FUCK YOU JOBA.
i'm no longer a fan...
If the stupid fucking offense did its part this would be meaningless. Goddamnit!
Fuck.
Yep.
That was the biggest, highest leverage at bat of the game. You want Mo for that one. Even if he isn't going to get four outs, let him get that one.
Well, I'd go to Mo against Overbay, but I guess not...
[61] OK.
F.U., J.C.
a-rod with the (true) walkoff...
Whew.
Now we just need a run. Just one. Come on. Please. Top of the order.
not that anyone here is saying it, but can we now officially stop with "the Yankees screwed up Joba!!" He came into this year with a clearly defined role and no rules, limits, or anything else...and he has completely shit the bed.
he's not a rookie, he's not a kid...he's just a mediocre reliever with good but hittable stuff. Kyle Farnsworth, Jr....there, I said it.
MEMO TO CASHMAN: This team desparately needs another bat.
MEMO TO GIRARDI: Joba IS NOT an "8th inning guy". He is a middle reliever at best.
What does Girardi need to see before he realizes that Joba is not worthy of games like these? Then again, this from the man who didn't bunt with Cervelli and then let Joba face Lind because he used his only lefty against a non hitter.
Joba roba AJ of the win.
[62] How do you really feel about him?
[66] Uh. No. Ha!
[67] heart of the order.
btw, today is friday...
[72] I lost track of a full inning! Now I remember, that Teixeira line-out DP.
[71] this would not play well at boggle, at all!
[70] swell guy! ; )
damnit.
c'mon robbie. atone for the bases loaded K...
Scott Downs.
He will now attempt to walk Robinson. Let's see if he succeeds.
He fails, even in his success.
our offense has really been scuffling.
[obvious observation!]
Oh no! Uruguay ties it up!
Sorry.
[78] For over a month now. Incredible that no addition has been made.
Fission Mailed for Ghana, there.
[79] Which of the 4 teams will be the first to break the 1-1 tie? The Yankees.
I don't know if it's his hip, but ARod can't seem to reach the CF wall anymore. He was generating a lot more power last year.
Huh. So, Mo is now allowed to pitch in a tie game. I guess he earned it with a couple of W's recently.
[84] Is this the right move with the bottom of our order coming up? This is going 10 at least.
[84] Mo has earned a lifetime achievement award, that if he gets thru this inning unscathed, he should earn his team the winning run w/out us having to bat. in addition, he receives a win AND a save.
i think is inherently just & fair.
[85] Yes, definitely.
Here's why. Suppose you assume we need an inning from Mo and an inning from D-Rob (or some other mortal). And suppose, as you suspect, the bottom of our order will do nothing. Then going to Mo first means that even if Robertson gives up a run, we still have a chance to win, since we could get a run or two in the bottom of the tenth.
granderson will fly out to deep center.
brains will reach on an infield single to third.
gritner will hit a clean single.
runners on corners.
jeter will ground into a fielders choice.
still 1st & 3rd.
swish will win the game w/ lined base hit.
aj will supply the pie.
ri will miss the whole thing...
[88] Yay!
[88] The Yankees could pinch hit...wait, they don't have any of those.
the online game seems to have frozen.
any movement?
ah, there it is.
MO!!!
[91] Disputed call.
From Goldman:
I predicted their stab at contention would be but a memory by mid July: it seems as if they’re a bit ahead of my proposed schedule. Having been swept by a Cleveland club that was on a pace for 100 losses, the Jays will face the Yankees this weekend having lost five straight games and seen their record plunge back to .500.
In the month just ended, the Jays went 9-17. Their bullpen let them down and their offense just quit, averaging .221/.293 /.367 in the month for weddings
---------------------------------------------------------
And we have all of 1 run against these bums?
[94] Well, they only scored a run so the Jays are doing their part.
[93] thanks.
this inning is not going as planned...
Granderson being a near automatic out against lefties is a major problem, especially when you have no bench and a guy like Cervelli always in the lineup.
Mo threw 21 pitches so I'm guessing he's done. Might Joe let him get one out?
[93] It is bs we go to ei.
well, that was feeble.
heart of the jays lineup ...
[98] If it makes sense, Girardi isn't going to do it. I am predicting a Moseley loss.
Can't wait to hear how many times Joe says Joba is my 8th inning guy. That's sweet music after a loss.
[99] Do it!
[87] I might disagree primarily because Mo got 9-1-2. D-Rod now gets 3-4-5.
[97] Even if they had a bench, I doubt that they'd PH for Granderson
[103] Fair point.
[104] He did hit for him as early as the 6th inning in LA, but even so, it's alot easier to have a player with a bad split when you dont have other outs in the lineup.
[103] Though on the other hand, #3 and #4 are righties (better for D-Rob), and #5 is a pinch runner...
A break as Wells swing at hits a crappy pitch.
Why is he trying to pinpoint the corner against Wise!
Argh!
Wise has 18 at bats this season, three hits, and D-Rob walks him.
great. fast man on base...
and a dude who hit 36 bombs last year (that was weird...)
Now is when Robertson loses the strikezone. There was no reason to nibble against Wise. Mindboggling thought process.
Meanwhile, Cervelli is not only struggling at the plate, but he has been very poor on defense. I think it is time for Romine.
This hasn't been Frankie's best day defensively ... sigh.
Christ. If we lose this game, Brain will blow his Posadas out.
omg. how'd he get to 3rd?!?!?! : /
[114[ DAMN! BrainS wii....
[112] I wish we had traded Frankie a month ago. He would have had significant trade value...
[114]
Frankie will be Posada non grata
whew!
[112] I think the organization wants Romine to get his reps in. No need to rush him because Cervelli made a bad throw.
Whew.
This game has the same warning signs as yesterday: no offense, no late relief and poor defense behind the plate. It will be amazing if they escape with another win, but I really hope Cashman is working on at least one of these problems.
[115] Frankie throwing error.
acha, i see. stolen base attempt, bad throw...
i have things to do. i'd like to get on with my day.
yankees: please win now!
[120] The need is the Yankees do not have any close resembling a competent catcher. Romine is doing well, so I'd rather give him a shot than continuing to tolerate Cervelli's anemic offense (and less than impressive defense).
[122] Cashman really squeezed the buck last Winter. How much did Hinske cost? I thought he was a great Bench player.
Hmm .... last year Frankie nailed 43% of base-stealers ...
this year ... 15%
Only 1 passed ball this year ...
[125] Posada's the primary, Cervelli's the BUC, unless Romine's the second coming of Johhny Bench, he's not going to get a promotion to sit on the bench in NY while he could be playing every day in the minors.
[126] $1.5 million. he's doing great here in atlanta. i agree, he was a great bench guy. cash definitely shoulda gone after him and tied him up immediately. you, me & william are all in utter agreement on that!
I don't think I've heard ONE syllable of news on NJ. Is he still alive. And what about Miranda? Is he due back anytime soon?
We really need Swish to get on base now. Seriously.
[128] This team has no DH, so they might as well make Romine the stater, Cervelli the BUC and Posada the DH.
OK.... It's Pie time for Swisher!
[127] the SABR convention is in atlanta next month? when & where? is it open to the public? for a price? how long will you be in town? boy, that's a lot of ?'s!!!
[126] I am big Cashman fan, but he had a miserable off season. It's time to make amends because the offense has been sputtering for over a month.
[126] I don't think Hinske signed for more than $1M
[130] nuthin'. only that thames is close...
[134]
http://convention.sabr.org/
I'll be there from late Tuesday night through Sunday afternoon.
[136] $1.5mil. i'll gladly take that extra half-mil from him and split it with you! : )
[82] Extra for both games!
GODDAM IT.
I don't think Teix got one pitch that was in the strike zone, not one.
I guess Tex is going to pull the outside pitch all year. So much for the back of his baseball card.
it's gonna come down to alex next frame, innit...
The offense sucks, but if Girardi bunts with Cervelli in the 7th or has the sense to realize Joba sucks too, then this game is over. Managers make a difference when the team isn't firing on all cyclinders. Girardi only makes matters worse.
Drob for 2 innings...why do I remember that second inning always being a problem for him?
Sticking with D-Rob: I think that's right. His replacement would be too likely to be worse.
[138] whoa, that's a long convention! i used to play right around the block from the hotel. unfortunately, that place closed down a year ago. downtown atlanta is just a business district and not much fun or indicative of the city.
if you wanna meet up or have any ?'s about what to do/where to go, don't hesitate to ask. i'll be around that whole time...
Bad time for Cano to have a misplay.
E4. Do doubt.
Oiks. My guess is proved wrong verrrrry quickly.
Surprise for surprise...Robertson isn't effective in his second inning.
[147]
cool!
We're going to the Braves game the night they're retiring Glavine's #.
jesus fucking h. christ
Bunting with a weak hitter when you have men on 1st and 2nd. What a concept!
[152] nice! when is that exactly?
turner field is a really great place to see a ballgame.
[154] In this situation, Girardi would definitely bunt. I think any manager would.
[156] Are you sure? What explains the Cervelli brain lock? Nothing that makes sense is assured with Girardi.
Interesting pitch selection; know the sac is coming, yet he throws a couple of breaking pitches...
RI's favorite!
the 4-fingered special
that 0-1 pitch was down the middle of the plate. that's a huge blown call.
Is Robertson going to throw strikes?
[156] He wasn't too concerend with it before Cervelli pulled his gdp trick.
[139] Deal! :D
all of a sudden, my stomach hurts.
and pepto didn't even pitch in this game...
Ya can complain about Bad AJ, Joba and a less then stellar BP, but the bottom line is we can't win with Jeter, Teix and ARod all having poor years.
[155]
Friday the 6th ...
[162] But this is a different situation.
Dang, I hate this IBB.
reds up 10-0 over the not-so-sweet lou's...
[166] coolio. i'm barely gigging these days (sucks), so i should be around. who knows if i'll go. but to be in the same building as christine glavine...wowza!!! ; )
Ballgame. G'night.
that should have been caught.
motherfucker.
Is that pitch selection for real?
Robertson is a one inning pitcher. He should be the "8th inning guy".
and here's pepto.
just what i needed...
: /
[173] what's the problem with him throwing a curveball? the problem is hanging it in the middle of the plate.
So, I guess it does make sense to have your non-hitter bunt.
[175] Because the curve ball is easy to hand and Gonzalez like to chase high fastballs.
[176] Tie game in extras, runners on first and second, it does.
ESPECIALLY if the opposing team is then going to issue an IBB.
[178] Why doesn't it make sense up 1-0 in the 7th? The key factor in the equation is the non-hitter part.
Nick Green's still in the league? Amazing
[179] That helps, but when there are more innings ahead of you it's a close call whether to sac.
Wow, Park got away with one there, thought that was a ball, myself
[181] I disagree...considering the context (Cervelli is awful and the Jays haven't been scoring), the bunt was the best way to add another run, and one more run would have made a big difference.
[180] i think i just read about him getting traded and/or called up recently at mlbtraderumors...
why do i have the feeling we're gonna be in 3rd place soon...
i really miss ace... get well soon, vulture man!
[183] True, and I'd have been happy with the bunt, but it's also a way of making it very hard to get more than one run. I think it's about a toss up in that situation.
[179] I don't think it's that close a call. Non hitter, with Gardner and co coming up to bat, bunting Cervelli isn't the worst idea in the world
[186] I agree with that...but getting the one run was vital there. It changed the game completely.
[187] Well, couldn't it be both not the worst idea in the world and also a close call? That's what I think.
And this is why I hated that IBB.
Oh well.
The .237 team batting average, leading the majors in homers Jays ... being gifted runs. Sigh.
woulda been nice if we made something happen when the bases were loaded, no one was out, and tex/arod/cano were up...
prolly more of a debate than bunt/non-bunt.
either way...
FUCK YOU STRAIGHT TO HELL, PEPTO.
get the fuck off my baseball team, you fucking shithook
oh boy...
What a pathetic loss...if they keep tolerating this kind of play, the Yankees can forget the playoffs.
Can someone remind me again why Park not only remains on this team, but continues to pitch important innings?
Well, I think the biggest managerial mistake of the game was in not going to Mo to get the third out of the eighth. (And that's not hindsight, I said it at the time.) The IBB was a bad move, but our winning chances were already smallish so it comes in second.
Now I can watch soccer. Great match!
and there it is.
this fucking douchelord best not ever pitch for us again. ever.
i'm out...
Like Alex said the other day, I really miss not having the Boss in full force.
[195] i agree. Mo shoulda been in for that out...
this is pathetic and embarrassing...
Oh, and I regret to note:
[82] Nope.
[195] With Girardi, you can really add up his bad moves. It's a shame that the Yankees accept incompetence from their manager.
shit sox are facing the oreo's
price is pitching for the rays.
we're not long for 1st place...
[195] Having a closer come in before the 9th inning? Imagine that! (as, Gaston saved his closer for a lead on the road...)
[201] Yankees have squandered a chance to really put some space between themselves and the Sox and Rays. This team has ignored its faults all season and will be in for a rude awakening if they don't snap out of it.
Well this royally sucks. Get home in the 7th inning with a 1-0 lead, go out and mow the lawn etc. Come back and it's 1-1 in the 11th, and then the Yankees shit the bed.
Another shameful performance...how much longer does Cashman sweep this team's problems under the rug?
That at bat says it all...Posada doesn't look like he even cared...doesn't seem like this entire organization is too interested of late.
No ice cream, but rather extra laps for everyone. Except AJ. Nah, with wild pitch & HBP, more running for him too.
Are you f'ing kidding me? Blame this on Girardi???
I am livid. I am incensed. This was the most annoying fucking game of the season. Fuck this team. Fuck it to high holy hell. Fuck me for wasting four good hours on this shit show.
I'm taking a few days off, I think. This is not fun to watch this leaking Hindenburg fly straight into the electrical wires.
But this sure as shit isn't Girardi's fault.
You want to go to Mo for the last out in the 8th? Fine. But there are great arguments on the other side.
You have to be really careful about not breaking the one fantastic piece we have in the otherwise utter sea of garbage and horse shit in the bullpen.
But I can certainly see the arguments for using him there.
But it's all endemic to the real problem, which is that Joba is a fat fucking useless piece of shit, who none of us trust. Get this - beyond Mo, there is not a single bullpen arm that any of us trust.
You can't manage your way around that forever.
And the bases loaded horse shit? When we all knew we were going to lose this fucking game?
That's not on Girardi. BUNT? Are you fucking kidding me?
That should only be said to humor someone as ridiculous as the person who wanted to see a Madoon squeeze there.
It's fucking ARod and Cano. You get hung by your heels if you have either of them bunt. Either one of them should have gotten the fucking run in and both their at bats sucked. 2-0 fucking count, bases loaded, no outs. That's not on the fucking manager.
The problems are the problems, and yes, I think it is time to have a harsh word for Brian Cashman. Duct tape and bubble gum can only go so long.
Do I still think this team has a chance at meeting its goals? Of course. They're still in first place, but add me to the list of people worried as shit about making it to the ASB.
And you can add me to the list of people who think Cashman has to make one bullpen move and one bench move. Pretty much NOW.
Well, that disappointment is very, very pale by comparison to what Ghana just went through...
Of course, they still have a shot to win.
[209] Can the Ghana coach manage a baseball team? I bet he'd do a better job than Girardi.
For soccer aficionados only:
I think that last call (handball on the line) was a disastrously incorrect call. That is: it clearly was a handball on the line, but I'm pretty certain that the correct call is to award the goal, not give a P-kick. Let's see if any analysts say the same thing. A handball that prevents the ball from going into the goal is supposed to be ruled a goal by the ref.
I really, really hope this turns out not to determine the outcome of the game. (Or that I have the rule wrong.)
I have to lay it out here, which I don't think is a surprise to anyone - I am as angry as I've been after a loss in a loooong time.
The whole fucking damn series was there for the taking. Cecil was BEGGING to be knocked the fuck out, to turn this game into a breeze, and to set them up to have a short bullpen for the rest of the series.
They fucking breathed life into a corpse. Hideous.
Of course, Cecil was going to be full of confidence from there on in.
It has come to the point that I *hate* Joba. Which is fucked up. But I fucking hate watching him, I hate his mannerisms, his lack of poise, his lack of fortitude, and fairly or unfairly, what I perceive as his lack of not coming into the season as such a fat fucking piece of shit.
There isn't a better joke to be made about Centerstage than that guy's appearance.
I want to love Joba again. But we're getting close to me burning Joba's shirt in a ceremony territory. The only other time we did that was after the Rags game where he threw the ball over the centerfield wall. We burned his card. I think things were marginally better after that, but I can't remember.
God, this is just magnificent. They give him the first kick in the shoot-out! Oh, bathos, thy name is soccer...
Oh, heartbreaking. Oh man, that was murder. Oh no. The captain.
Life! Hope lives!
I'm well aware that I'm talking to myself, by the way.
[216] I'm watching and listening :)
Ahhhhh.....
Wow. Two saves on the shoot-out. Amazing. Crushing.
Uruguay wins...
As much as I also love the World Cup, I've been gutted since we lost and I just can't bring myself to give a shit when I'm this angry about the Yankees right now.
And there go the car horns...
Oh, hi Raf.
This is sad, And Abreu finishes.
Oh, man. That's real heartbreak. How terribly cruel. They'll be reliving those kicks for the rest of their lives.
Good. I'm glad Uruguay won. Apparently, they have hot women in Uruguay. From what I've recently learned, it's not just the countries that I've been to - basically all South American countries have hot women. Amazing about Brazil.
I'm sorry for Africa that they are now all out, but fuck Ghana. We had them dead to rights the whole 2nd half (and frankly from the moment of the sub for the ridiculous Clark and on) - and the magic Ghana stretcher and assorted other bullshit they pulled during that game left me with no positive feelings for them.
Gawd, this was ugly. I had to work today, and was following via Gameday.
Is anybody seriously hurt? Gameday noted some injury delays, but didn't give any details.
[222] Unfortunately, that's just the way it is sometimes..
Joba is biggest problem is his attitude. Last year, he would talk about how well he was throwing the ball regardless of his performance. This year, his mantra is he has pitched well in "X" games, compared to the "Y" games when he hasn't. Unfortunately, Y continues to grow. The first move the Yankees need to make is remove Joba from the 8th inning role. He has been a failure.
I see Fat Farnsworth blew another one
[208] I just cooked me some bacon and eggs on that comment. That heat could feed the homeless of NYC, my friend...
Feel the sizzle, Will. Hotter than a match head.
[226] His biggest problem is that he can't locate his pitches.
[228, 229] Ha ha!
I'm glad someone could feel the heat.
I was embarrassingly pissed off about this loss. I punted an empty water cooler bottle and it smacked high off the door frame. Seriously, cross your fingers for me. If there's no letter from management, I am a lucky, lucky man.
Somehow when you see the awful thing coming from a mile away, watching it happen is that much more excruciating.