Last week, After Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez became the first pitchers in a decade to toss consecutive complete games against the Yankees, I pointed out the following about their recent performance.
In their last six combined starts, Lee and Hernandez have gone 5-0 with five complete games. In the sixth game, Hernandez allowed just one run in nine innings, but the Mariners lost in 13.
Both pitchers have made one start since then. Lee beat the Tigers, holding them to one run over eight innings, striking out 11 against one walk. Hernandez allowed a whopping two runs in seven innings to the Royals in a game the Mariners’ bullpen blew immediately in the eighth.
The Yankees will have to run the Lee/Hernandez gauntlet again this weekend in the middle two games of a four-game set against the Mariners that will conclude the first half for both teams. That puts the onus on them to make hay against bookend starters Jason Vargas and Ryan Rowland-Smith, the latter of whom held the Yanks to two runs over six innings in the finale of last week’s series only to be out-dueled by CC Sabathia. Rowland-Smith has posted a 4.15 ERA in seven starts since returning to the rotation from a May stint in the bullpen, but he has walked four more men than he has struck out and allowed seven home runs, including one to Robinson Cano, in those seven starts.
Tonight, the Yankees and All-Star Andy Pettitte (10-2, 2.82 ERA) take on Jason Vargas, the former Marlin and Met lefty who came to Seattle in the massive J.J. Putz trade. Vargas, now 27, has proven to be a perfect Mariners pitcher in that he throws strikes (2.3 BB/9) and lets his defense and ballpark take care of the rest. Opponents are hitting .263 on balls in play against Vargas, and the lefty has gone 5-1 with a 2.30 ERA at home (against 1-3, 4.50 on the road), though to his credit he’s also just flat-out nails against lefty batters, holding them to a .173/.204/.288 line this season with 18 strikeouts against just three walks.
Despite Vargas’s dominance of lefthanders, Curtis Granderson starts in center (after sitting to start Wednesday night’s game). Robinson Cano returns to the lineup after a 24-hour Derbyitis bug. Alex Rodriguez will be the DH with Ramiro Peña filling in at third base. Brett Gardner drops to eighth against the lefty, hitting between Gardner and Peña.
Oh, and Nick Swisher won his popularity contest.
Seattle Mariners
2010 Record: 34-50 (.405)
2010 Pythagorean Record: 34-50 (.405)
Manager: Don Wakamatsu
General Manager: Jack Zduriencik
Home Ballpark: Safeco Field
Bill James Park Indexes (2009):
LH Avg-97, LH HR-111
RH Avg-96, RH HR-84
25-man roster:
1B – Russell Branyan (L)
2B – Chone Figgins (S)
SS – Jack Wilson (R)
3B – Jose Lopez (R)
C – Rob Johnson (R)
RF – Ichiro Suzuki (L)
CF – Franklin Gutierrez (R)
LF – Michael Saunders (L)
DH – Milton Bradley (S)
Bench:
L – Casey Kotchman (1B)
L – Ryan Langerhans (OF)
R – Josh Wilson (IF)
S – Josh Bard (C)
Rotation:
L – Cliff Lee
R – Felix Hernandez
L – Ryan Rowland-Smith
R – Doug Fister
L – Jason Vargas
Bullpen:
R – David Aardsma
R – Brandon League
R – Sean White
L – Garrett Olson
R – Chad Cordero
R – Brian Sweeney
R – David Pauley
15-day DL:
RHP – Mark Lowe (back surgery)
RHP – Shawn Kelley (right elbow inflammation)
1B – Mike Sweeney (back)
60-day DL:
LHP – Erik Bedard (rehab from shoulder surgery)
Typical lineup:
L – Ichiro Suzuki (RF)
S – Chone Figgins (2B)
L – Russell Branyan (1B)
S – Milton Bradley (DH)
R – Jose Lopez (3B)
R – Franklin Gutierrez (CF)
R – Jack Wilson (SS)
R – Rob Johnson (C)
L – Michael Saunders (LF)
Omg!
"Manny Ramirez missed the bag and he stepped on the ball so he's out!"
These words just issued from the lips of my 7-y.o.
He's playing some pretend little game involving a tiny bat and some little foam "ball" and the Yankees are playing the Red Sox.
He hit the ball and then called the play: "Manny Ramirez missed the bag and he stepped on the ball so he's out!"
Now I can't recall ever having explained to him "Manny being Manny" so I have to wonder whether there's some cosmic vibe the guy exudes or something.
(Or maybe I actually did explain that to him once but simply forgot. Either way, I'm most amused. As you were.)
Swish-a-roony!
i think i did my part - i must've voted over 50 times...
let's hope Andy's his golden self tonight. would be great to get the 1st and last of this series...
[1] Awesome! Can't wait till Jazz Jr is old enough for such games.
We're going to see the Yakult Swallows tomorrow, weather permitting.
[1] Awesome!
[2] The Oakland series infected me with boredom in my sleep. If the Yanks keep the ball rolling through the weekend, I'll take it.
[3] Jinx. You owe me whatever passes for root beer over there >;)
[5] No alcohol for you, right? So two large cans of Salad Water for us both! Refreshing AND Nutritious!
[6] Correct and, um...
chyll - you can have my root beer (barq's), i'm goin' with the "real" beer tonight! : )
[8] Thelarmis with the save! Cheers to all...
not shocking news from lohud:
Stunning news out of Tampa: Nick Johnson suffered a setback. He was swinging a bat today when he felt pain in that surgically repaired wrist. He’s coming back to New York to see Dr. Ahmad. “What it means, how long he rests, I don’t know,” Girardi said.
this was just soooo obvious. i like nj, but i thought it was pretty dumb bringing him back, for this reason. i can't believe they went thru with it...
[10] It's not like they needed extra sod for the basepaths, but there it is.
[10] In other shocking news, morning trains in Tokyo are crowded, and real estate prices remain high..bye-bye NJ, nice seeing you walk for 8 games..
Can't NJ tape up his wrist? He just has to pretend to swing working his BBs.
These late games are talking a toll on my work and marriage.
At least Sea has some players of interest. At the beginning of the season I really thought they would compete for the AL West, with the starting pitching and some great position players.
Plus, they have pitcher named Fister (who the Yanks will miss). That would bring some interesting repartee from the banterers.
Ouch... looks like somebody better dispatch the Salvation Army and the Red Cross to Cleveland tonight.
[13] Can't NJ tape up his wrist?
You're asking plate glass to be flexible?
[14] A Pox on James! I hope this player collusion (Dwayne Wade is a genius) fails.
[14] Hey, is it cause I'm from NYC that I cannot understand the whole "tortured soprts city" thing? Seems so unbelievably pathetic that anyone's sense of their town's self-worth comes from sports..or is it really like that in depressing, regional cities? Once again..bow down to Athena for birthing me in New York!
[14] let them eat midges.
[18] kidding with the unduly harshness. Good town, Cleveland.
[16],[17] So many sports media writers and outlets and such got seriously played throughout this process, but I love the fact that E#$% had to eat sooo much poo while presenting this mess. They will soon lead the charge in remaking him into the new Darth Vader. Let the finger-pointing begin!
[0] 24 hr Derbyitis bug. That's rich. Sounds legit. Thanks for another excellent series preview.
[18] and a whole lotta beer...
[20] Sports media seems to get worse and worse..how on earth can anyone say LeBron "owes" anyone, ANYTHING? Guy plays hoops, seems like a nice guy, he can play wherever he wants..sad it ain't with the Knicks, but all the outrage and kerfuffle is silly..
Didn't see that last line, "Oh and Nick Swisher won his popularity contest." Funny!
Nice Yankee D! Saved Pettitte's from his first inning run bug.
[23] certainly us Yankee fans, ARod fans in particular, can't begrudge a superstar for forming/joining a conglomerate of superstars. That said, it will be fun to root against the Heat if the Knicks, Nets, and rest of the east can somehow put up a fight.
Go Andy Rautins! I think he's going to surprise people.
[23] When you're desperate for hope, you grab onto anything to stay afloat. But a lot of times the best hope you have is to leave town.
One pitch, one out!
Evening, peeps!
Way to drop in that curve for strike one.
[26] He was born in Jamesville, NY. Hmmm...
[26] O ye of faith! If this plays out as expected, no team has a chance to win the east from the Heat for the next five years. The games have to be played, and you can't negate injuries, but with Wade, James and Bosch, you and I could fill out the five, and they would win.
Beautiful inning, Andy.
Pettitte's a fuggin stud
In the where have I have been catagory: Did we see a replay of Gardner's throw, and Pena's tag on Ichiro? If so, I missed it. Was Ichiro truly out?
[33] He really is. He really is.
Wind knock that thing down from Swish?
Or off the end.
[31] they'll be something to behold, that's for sure. But bring Melo, and a few big players from the west to the east, and a formidable challenge could be made.
Woof, Andy is *dealing* out there!
You know, a Singleton-Curry broadcasting team would be a pleasure to listen to.
they best not waste this effort from Andy. Pett's in this to win tonight.
[39] damn, right?
NOOOOOOOO!!
Don't say that fucking shit!!!!
Wow.
Andy Pettitte.
yeah, andy!!!
[40] that would be enjoyable. Kenny plus anyone's a pleasure, but Curry would be a bonus.
Andy Pettitte is smoking, me likey!
God, that crazy fucking train.
Oooh, nice hit, Jorgie.
[48] That's what Ozzy sez when he has to sing that song for the millionth time in concert.
multiple baserunners in 3 of 4 innings. we'z gotsta push across some runs soon.
percraps the score truck stopped off in humboldt county for some tasty microbrews!
ack. i hate the leadoff walk. esp to a speedy runner. choad!
Andy is amazing.
[52] You forgot who was on the hill. :)
[51] If the score truck stopped in Humboldt, it will be very late tonight, man. Tasty is the word, but not microbrews.
Bravo, Andy.
Bravo.
andy fucking rules!!!
Pett's the man.
[57] He fucking does.
[55] lotsa hotties over there?!
that's it. Jeter's going deep here
that's it. Swisher's going deep here
Everyone's off balance.
Don't know how we're going to score.
Swish isn't off balance.
all-star!!!
that's it. Tex is driving in Swish here
Awww, yeah ... who's The Stick???
NICK'S THE STICK.
c'mon Arod. Fuck em up
[55] You're in Brooklyn?
ugh.
c'mon Arod at least muss up his hair
[60] I've heard it said, the best bud known to man. And if you like the earth mother type, I guess some hotties too.
[71] ah, that makes sense. i've never been stoned in my life, so that's not my deal. dimelo, on the other hand...! ; )
i played in the bay area a coupla times and got to drink Steelhead Ale. it was awesome. hard to come by. i believe it's from there. i'm a Sierra Nevada guy. that's chico, cali. i think maybe it's a little south of humboldt, but i'm not positive. cult might know...
Fuck, Swish!
He does it all!
Chico is in the Sierra foothills, north of Sacramento, 200 miles east of Humboldt.
Wow...Swisher really is an all-star!
PLEASE, people, for the love of God, get this man some runs!
i love andy!
[72] Evvvvvvverybody must get STONED!
I don't watch the NBA, but people aren't happy here in Cleveland.
On a happier note, Pettitte is just dealing this year. Where did this preternatural skill come from?
don't sully Andy's fine.. DON'T YOU SULLY ANDY'S FINE!
score some fucking RUNS
[74] ah, thanks for that! name of the beer makes sense! too bad i'm too tired to imbibe any. hopefully i'll make up for that this weekend...
[75] i 2nd that motion!!!
I feel a Hip Hip Jorge coming on here ...
[77] what's funny, is i'm a HUGE dylan fan! the last coupla days, i was listening to the live 1975 rolling thunder revue. the bassist/musical director of that group is named rob stoner!
This is frustrating.
[81] Well, he had the pitch to do it on ... meh.
[82] Heheheheh.
check out swish batting .305!
ouchie! furcal just got hit on the elbow. (i'm watching the cubs game. it's all i got...)
OH, goddamnit!!!
Grandy is not a lucky hitter this summer
Fuck you with the theatrics, ump.
Grrr. Gardner's SO pitch looked low.
1-2-3 Andy. Chop these fuckers up. Score Truck's SUPPOSED TO BE AROUND THE CORNER.
There's a Humboldt Street in Brooklyn, that's why I asked.
[93] McGuiness Humboldt something or other right?
[93] Thanks, I was confused.
double-plus ungood
Ohhh, fuck.
Didn't this just happen last week with Andy's fielding?
I just had a deja vu.
Now my stomach is turning. Could Jeter have caught the liner? Andy should have held on to the ball, did he have a play on Ichiro?
yeah, McGuiness Humboldt is a BQE exit. It's always jacked up on the traffic report.
Nice play by Pena.
oh, andy...
fuck these fuckers Pett!
i'm glad RI is on the other side of the pond. he would not approve of this IBB to load the bases.
still, i think there's a good chance it'll work in andy's favor...
[102] couldn't have said it better myself! : )
well, maybe: fuck these fucking fuckers?!
ooh, don't walk him!!!
Ohhhhh, beautiful!
YES!!!
now, get 1 more out now. thank you, please!
Andy.
Is.
A.
Golden.
God.
Andy Pettitte=Warrior!
He's just amazing to watch.
ok, very nice. 1 unearned run (even though it was pettitte's fault...).
our offense really needs to kick it into gear. now's the time, boyz!!!
[99] Humboldt Street/Meeker Avenue. Humboldt Street becomes McGuiness Boulevard when it crosses underneath the BQE into Greenpoint. Lots of film and TV industry stuff going on in Greenpoint. Good pizza, too.
NOW SCORE SOME FRIGGIN RUNS!
Pett's great.
Score some runs.
[112] I thought it was the Meeker/Morgan exit on the BQE? And the best pizza in Brooklyn...DaFara's or Tonnono's
[112] noice. I ransacked my brain for Humbodlt and came up McGuinness-Homboldt. Traffic report doesn't tell you about the pizza. Now we know.
nobody, not a man standing wants to pitch to Swish
Fuck.
this game is starting to suck...
tex... small letters. there is no i in that shit.
Friggin Vargas! And tomorrow Lee, Saturday King Felix. How is this team so far behind?
[115] Not a Brooklynite (yet?), so I'll have to get back to you on that. But in the Bronx, the best pizza's on Arthur Ave.
[121] on paper, and in reality they really shouldnt suck
The Humboldt is one vicious squid.
don't let this get away from you, andy.
birthday boy in at 3rd...
The Royals swept them?! I guess every pitcher steps up their game when they face the Yanks. If William was here, he would be apoplectic.
Now it's Ichiro. MUST STOP IT HERE!
andy seems to be striking out quite a bit of batters this year. maybe it's not more than his career average, but it seems that way. maybe part of last year, too... either way, me likey!
ONE MORE TIME! SCORE SOME FRIGGIN RUNS!
andrew. eugene. pettitte.
100 pitches for vargas.
hopefully, it's either bullpen or he gets tired...
alex, cano, jorgie.
we gotsta make somethin' happen here!
I'm a positive guy - but I might not have the will to watch this team until after the break if they can't pull this one out.
this is shaping up nicely.
make it stand up!
frozen. what's happening - pitching change? injury? score truck backup on the field???
ah, pitching change. i see now.
never hoid of b. sweeney. he's wearing a padres hat in his gameday photo. i guess that's why it took so long. san diego's far from seattle. i wonder if the score truck was on its way.
lotsa sweeney's in baseball... and worrell's. every one of 'em a pitcher....
thank you
sorry Vargas, you're no Pettitte
Well...I'll take the tie, but Posada could have been a little more productive there...don't ya think?
i'll take it. thankful for the wild pitch!
3-hit nite for grandyman
[136] see you in the 2nd half! : )
1 more easy inning here, andy
[141] me and my empty threats..heh
again with the leadoff walk to choad. no good.
nail it down, Pett
that's 1.
now...a dp
nice K
Dandy, Andy ... just DANDY!
where the fuck are the runs?
andy's the best!!!
Aardvark pitching
[148] yo, Cult. You bring the Score Truck?
[152] Let's hope so ...
damnit. kid's birthday in his hometown. goes down on strikes...
hey, the giambino went 4-4 today
good, cap'n
holy crap. i just saw highlights of carl crawford's 2 homers today. good lord!
C'mon Stick.
Make Big.
nicky baby!!!
SWISH!!!!
That'll do Stick, that'll do ...
cash 'em both in, tex!
Swisher filling the shoes he cobbled together to be in the ASG. He IS an all star.
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME TEIX???????
FUCK.
FUCK.
FUCK.
omg, fuck you, tex!!! : /
Tex, alas, is not an all-star this year.
always comes down to alex. in his first 'hometown'...
c'mon America's Boyfriend (TM)
AMERICA'S BOYFRIEND!
YAY-ROD!!!!!!!!
Thanks to Arod.
CENTAUR!!!
[170]???
that inning was a lotta fun!
now...Mo.
nice 'n easy. don't hurt yourself. 3 quick outs, very few pitches.
thanking you in advance! : )
[171] the whole a-rod centaur thing... you no remember?
Well, let's hope Mo is feeling ok tonite ...
[173] for some reason, it's not ringing a bell tonite ...
[173] Apparently collective memory does not reach back to the before time (i.e., before 2009).
[176] Well, that ... and I'm drunk tonite.
friggin kockman, wasting 12 of Mo's pitches before he strikes out.
siddown, krotchman.
and Fuck Off for making Mo throw so many pitches...
[177] good for you! i was planning on it, but i'm too tired. i hope to drink both fri/sat...
have one for me!
[180] working on it!!!
[180] Never smoked pot, but plan on drinking for two nights? What's the difference?
There is no Mo, but Mo ...
ballgame over!
mo had to work, but still a good 1-2-3 inning.
we needed to take this first one...
Whew, that was a tough game to watch. Andy Pettitte looked marvelous. Jeter, Posada, Tex, and Gardner...anything but marvelous.
[182] HUGE difference. not really the time or place to go through them...
Oh, fuck yes!
The balls on Andy and A Rod tonight...
I wanted to kiss A Rod after that hit.
And Swish was fucking awesome. I told you all I had a feeling Swish was the type of guy who would get a shot of confidence from being an All Star!
We sent Swish!
[186] OK, I respect that.
andy: 11-2 2.70 era
mo: 20 saves 1.05 era
[188] right on.
ok, we've now played the same # of games as boston. we've scored 5 fewer runs, but have a 5 game lead.
+109 run diff
That game had potential heartbreak written all over it.
Thank you Yankees for winning another late game. So tired, such a headache, but very happy.
[191] With all of Boston's injuries, the Yanks and Rays have to bury them, then duke it out between them for the Division and Wild Card. BUT, guarantee the playoff spot early.
G'night. (Another 5 hour sleep coming for me).
nice! i'm glad to see a nice win what a great night.
LATE NIGHT MUSIC THREAD!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yuoJr0Lxwc
Hey, once again you and the Yankees have given me a bright and shiny morning to wake up to. Thanks, Banterers!
[187] You totally did!
I missed the end of the game due to lateness. I fell asleep on the couch but was just "conscious" enough to hear some kind of action in the top of the ninth. Alas, I have no idea what happened and I missed Mo.
But good game anyway. No Mo but Mo and Andy is a golden god.
All is right in the universe tonight.
[198] If only they would stop reminding me that Swish is a Buckeye...
The irrepressible grin on Swisher's face in his video where he thanks the fans is awesome, though.
I voted to the point of intense and discomfiting boredom! I sent many, many votes Swisher's way (and Votto's, while I was at it)... and... and... we sent Swish!
One of the better handled pr campaigns by the Yankees' org in some time. The whole thing was gold.
And yes, Andy, with the exception of his sudden bunt-related malady, was fricking awesome. Curry kept pushing the Andy might retire thing. I was like, Curry, shut it! Why the heck should he retire now? He's pitching awesome, and it's not smoke and mirrors. He's at 92 way more often than I would expect, and his stuff looks great. I'm more of the mindset that he's getting "this pitching thing" at a very advanced level now, and he may be eschewing an extremely productive part of his career if he were to stop now. One of the guys on the telecast suggested this a while back, and I'm inclined to agree.
I want to believe it was Coney who said it, but with my luck, it will turn out to be Leiter...
Hard sledding ahead with Lee tonight - would be fantastic to see some good at bats from our guys...