Yo. I got here late but I'm catching up on the dvr. That first half inning was pleasing. Freaking Teixeira. Anyway, I will not be looking at the comments so as not to spoil anything. But I'll be caught up soon.
'Bout this time o year aren't we all supposed to be anxious and moaning about the team's poor chances? I guess that's in a couple weeks, not to jinx the team. I'm loving the offense. I'm loving that everyone cliff and Emma included picked the sox to devour our boys. So far, I love the juxtaposition of the box scores.
Damn, the Red Sox just can't hit at all. It's shocking.
Interesting fact about the Twins having the most salary on the DL last year. I don't see how that's possible. Red Sox Nation was whining incessantly about their injuries, and you didn't hear a peep from Twin fans.
Oh, hm. Never mind.
[51] Got the live feed on my laptop here at ACME but no sound thankfully..did he drop another JoSoMo? I only recently blocked Generation Tres from my memory..
It really is strange that anybody, let alone a successful manager, could think that next inning will be a tougher, more Mo-worthy situation than this one.
[100] I just wanted to know if it was a double (i.e., a bloop to no man's land), or "double" (i.e., a playable pop fly that the 2B misplayed, but since his glove didn't touch it, the play is ruled a double rather than error).
I can only surmise that Joey Joe Joe decided that a normal win wasn't exciting enough and he wanted to give the fans a chance to witness the 1st Pie Celebration of the season.
Which, of course, would be incredibly stupid, but no less stupid than whatever logic Girardi was actually operating under in that inning.
Tony Sipp just threw a 1-2-3 8th against the Sox, for Cleveland..I have never once heard or read that name before..am I out of it or is Cleveland really full of no-names?
Wait, that's what Kay thinks is the reason that Valencia isn't bunting? Because if he did they'd walk Morneau?
Well, Gardenhire, Girardi. Could be the reason.
Man, I can't banter, proof report cards, watch the Sabres and the Yankees all at the same time. Now that I only have the Yankees to watch here's my $.02.
Girardi's a $@$%ing idiot for pitching Soriano.
Holy Ariziona flashback!
[120] Managing closers can be really hard. On the one hand, you have the "he's the ___th inning guy" imperative pushing you to use Mo in the 9th. On the other hand, you have the need to pitch to the stat and wait for a save situation. Fortunately for Girardi, there can be no save in a tie game in the 9th at home, thus making the decision for him.
[131] Bases loaded with 2 outs in the 8th and the team up 4-1 WAS a save situation. The greatest closer of all time stayed in the pen in lieu of Dave Robertson (who, it must be said, induced a bloop that only bad luck let fall in).
[140] The key moment (and I said so at the time) was the Mauer AB. One of the best hitters in the game, a lefty, you have possibly the single best pitcher for getting him out, bases loaded... nope, let the wild reliever pitch to him. That was the moment.
Textbook loss by the manager. Still can't understand bringing in Soriano AND letting him throw so many pitches when he was obviously wild..managing bullpen the MOST important part of a managers job!!
I'm not sure what the argument is against Soriano pitching. Is it because he's tired? My understanding is he's the best option there. Four runs isn't so big a lead you should jus throw anyone out there.
ps I need this game to end so I can go to sleep, I'm tired
[170] Robertson was already warm and Robertson isn't just "anyone". He's certainly a good choice for an 8th inning, 4 run lead situation.
I mean, if Robertson was good enough to bring on in the 7th, he was certainly good enough to bring on in the 8th and not dry hump.
I mean, if you bring Soriano in with a 4 run lead in the 8th because he's the best option, does that mean you bring Mo in with a 4 run lead in the 9th, because he's certainly the best option?
I sure hope Martin has a good year this year.
It would certainly put the team in a better position in several ways and I'm really starting to dig watching him play
Man, a game thread all to myself!
Nice eye from Jeter.
Watching his foot, he still seems to be indecisive with the stride vs toe-tap question ...
Cornflake with the quality single!
This is ridiculous, Teix.
Damn.
TEIXEIRA GO BOOM!
GO GET YOUR SHINEBOX, TWINKIES!!!
[5] Hahahahah!!!!!
Teixeira definitely not getting off to a slow start this year.
i hope he doesn't tire from all this heavy lifting!
Fuck, that thing got out fast!
Well, that's an auspicious beginning for Andruuw.
haha nice jones!
I'll try and keep the memory of that moment in mind as Jones is repeatedly rolling over outside pitches throughout the year ...
PASTADIVING!
Wow... things are slow at the ole' Banter. Maybe we need more 'fisted' talk to liven things up (or at least get Diane here...)
Does Jeter have more then 1 fly ball/Linedrive yet this year?
Check that: Has Jeter fisted more then 1 fly ball/Linedrive yet this year?
Yo. I got here late but I'm catching up on the dvr. That first half inning was pleasing. Freaking Teixeira. Anyway, I will not be looking at the comments so as not to spoil anything. But I'll be caught up soon.
I meant second half inning, of course. Although the first was fine.
at what point does Ron Gardenhire just set fire to the dugout?
Umm...when will we have the pleasure of your attention, one wonders.
I'm glad we have Andruw.
I'm caught up, so now I'm paying attention to you, weeping.
:)
Well it's nice to have you.
You didn't catch Jorgie's dinger, did you? About thirty seconds after you said you were checking out to pick up your kid?
[23] No, I heard Sterling call it. Which, as you know, is almost as good. "Jorgie JUICED one!"
[12] What was that about rolling over on outside pitches?
I'm so happy, I have mlb.tv premium now. It's fantastic. (You don't need it, but I miss a lot of Yankee games without it.)
Hahah!!
"Al Leiter's going to be shot out of a cannon up there, statistics all over the place..."
[27] ??
Oh! I guess I'm still a minute behind or so. (Just heard Kay say the thing about Leiter.)
Take a seat Repko. You can pick up your bat along the way, douche.
[30] Someone's a little on the feisty side for the first week against a teqam that can't beat us to save their life.
I like it.
Derek, you're killing me.
[31] I'm making up for the (in)frequency of my comments with their intensity!
=)
Hehehe.
GAH.
Duensing keeps throwing the same fucking pitch low and away and the Yankees keep trying to pull the fucker.
Good thing we're up by 4 runs.
Nice play, Curtis!
One more inning for the big guy, I figure.
Nice hit, Al!
Slow Banter tonight?
Man, A-Rod swingin the bat well so far, going to right field always a good sign.
Plus, this game is moving quickly. Huzzah.
Man, I've really come to love CentWAR; goofy insecure twit that he is off it, he's easy to love when on a baseball diamond.
Plus, this game is moving quickly. Huzzah.
That's ok, this weekend's series ought to last into approximately the middle of next week ...
Plus, Beckett is getting very frustrated in Cleveland.
'Bout this time o year aren't we all supposed to be anxious and moaning about the team's poor chances? I guess that's in a couple weeks, not to jinx the team. I'm loving the offense. I'm loving that everyone cliff and Emma included picked the sox to devour our boys. So far, I love the juxtaposition of the box scores.
[44] Well, I think William said he's in Peru now enjoying some pan flute music..am sure that reduces the anxiety somewhat.. :)
[45] William doesn't get all hand-wringy when the Yankees win, though, Mr OK Jazz.
What kind of fool tries to catch a baseball with his onion rings???
dang CC
On the other hand, showering him with onion rings is likely a good way to get Andruuw Jones to throw you a baseball some inning ...
Damn, the Red Sox just can't hit at all. It's shocking.
Interesting fact about the Twins having the most salary on the DL last year. I don't see how that's possible. Red Sox Nation was whining incessantly about their injuries, and you didn't hear a peep from Twin fans.
Oh, hm. Never mind.
Onion rings!
Oh, Kay, you're killing me!!! Stop it!!
Tremendous self control by Andruw to not eat those onion rings...
[51] Got the live feed on my laptop here at ACME but no sound thankfully..did he drop another JoSoMo? I only recently blocked Generation Tres from my memory..
They gave out Hideki's number!
[54] He said the onion rings lying in the dirt on the field were like the zeros CC has been putting up on the board.
Ugh!
Kay was disturbingly interested in the onion rings.
He really was.
Gave me the willies.
Oh, which reminds me, who was it the other day, in the booth? Someone came in to visit and his first words to Kay were, "You still married?"
It was SO funny!!
When is it not too early to start crying about Derek's performance?
[58] We'll let you know.
Huh. Soriano. Even though he pitched yesterday.
Why is Soriano in this game?
[58] Soon (3 years, 157 games to go)
Oh, because he's the eighth inning guy, and this is the eighth inning. I forgot. Joe's iPad.
[60] I hope they don't burn him out.. 4-0, why not someone else?
[57] haha yeah that was Billy Crystal
Swisher has improved so much in the field!
Remember what an adventure he was two seasons ago?
He's really, really improved a lot.
[65] Of course! That was so funny!
[66] He's better, but he still looks scary, like he's going to overrun the ball or something.
So now it's a save situation.
Wait, what?
Logan?
Robertson?
What the motherfuck?
[69] Made zero sense to go to Soriano two days in a row with a 4-0 lead..inexplicable. Sgt. Joe already with the baffling moves in game 5..
Good lord.
I wonder why Joe thought it was a good idea for Soriano to pitch this inning, seriously.
[68] Yes, that last play was what reminded me. He looked like he was going to overrun it but he didn't.
But in general, I realized I don't hold my breath like I used to when it's hit out by him.
Uh oh...this is not good...
I dunno, I don't really think he's that much different than he was.
He's always been an good (decent+ ?) fielder, with good range day in and day out.
He just has a penchant for making the occasional truly awful looking play that stands out and makes people think he's a bad fielder.
Meanwhile, how's that binder looking, Coffee Joe???
Nice.
Two outs.
I'm sorry, but Mo can get four outs.
[75] The key is to get this out. If Mo came in and got Mauer, then anybody could pitch the ninth, it wouldn't matter.
So it's illegal to use Mariano in the eighth, ever?
please bring Mo in
Fucking brilliant Joey Joe Joe, fucking brilliant.
They'll win this game but that was such a waste of pitches from Soriano.
Damon fucking Robertson????
Err, David?
This game counts as much as a game in August, doesn't it?
so Soriano is basically Proctor with a better tan?
It's a SAVE situation! let Mo SAVE the game!
[82] Oh, god! Good old Proctor! Remember him? Where'd he end up? LA?
It really is strange that anybody, let alone a successful manager, could think that next inning will be a tougher, more Mo-worthy situation than this one.
Jesus Christ.
This is fucking exasperating.
[85] Mo's the ninth-inning guy.
This is the eighth inning.
Un
Fucking
Believable.
I'm seething over here.
and mark it down: April 5th at 9:31 pm, my first "OH WHAT THE FUCK!?!?!" of the season
Dear Coffee Joe.
FUCK.
YOU.
Sincerely,
Me.
And the go-ahead run is on second base and still no Mo.
I can't really hold D-Rob responsible. Tough situation.
[84] He was with the Braves in Spring Training this year.
Didn't make the team.
Seriously idiotic managing. Totally inexplicable.
fuck nuts
Wait, what's that sound
It's coming from the South.
Yep ... I can hear William's howl of rage all the way from Peru!
What exactly does "double on pop up to second base" mean?
Can't blame DRob for a shit, lucky, bloop hit. Looking at extra innings, I let DRob finish the inning.
And there it is.
TIME FOR THE BATS!
(P.S. Sox down 3-1, with 3 outs left)
so Mo faces Kubel in the 9th inning of a tie game at Yankee Stadium....great...
[97] What it sounds like. Pop fly, Swish couldn't quite get to it. Well, it wasn't to second base, but shallow right.
What just happened?
Can someone explain what just happened?
[99] But it won't be a tie game. It will be with the lead.
If only the yankees could sign four or five lockdown closers, then who pitched what inning after the start leaves would be "mute".
[97] It was along the RF line, behind 1st base rather than 2nd or in between.
Swisher will come through. Watch.
[100] I just wanted to know if it was a double (i.e., a bloop to no man's land), or "double" (i.e., a playable pop fly that the 2B misplayed, but since his glove didn't touch it, the play is ruled a double rather than error).
Game 5 and I'm furious already..this is going to be a long season if Girardi takes a huge strength of the team (bullpen) and turns it into a debacle.
Fuck.
Was that a broken bat?
My pulse raced on that one...
[106] Yeah, the former.
Well that sucked.
I can't believe this game.
I can't believe this game.
Enter Sandman, HOF ninth-inning guy.
What just happened?
Can someone explain what just happened?
I can only surmise that Joey Joe Joe decided that a normal win wasn't exciting enough and he wanted to give the fans a chance to witness the 1st Pie Celebration of the season.
Which, of course, would be incredibly stupid, but no less stupid than whatever logic Girardi was actually operating under in that inning.
Tony Sipp just threw a 1-2-3 8th against the Sox, for Cleveland..I have never once heard or read that name before..am I out of it or is Cleveland really full of no-names?
I missed those at bats. Did Alex just miss one?
And let's just take this opportunity to remember Mo's three innings in Game 7, 2003. His finest hour.
[115] No, it was a routine fly.
[115] Nah, got way under it, skyed to shallow right.
Wait, NOW he brings Mariano in???
[119] Can you not read Arabic numerals? This is the ____th inning. Fill in the blank.
Kubel, really?
Does it strike anyone else as odd that neither of the commentators think the awful bullpen management is even worth discussing?
Wait, that's what Kay thinks is the reason that Valencia isn't bunting? Because if he did they'd walk Morneau?
Well, Gardenhire, Girardi. Could be the reason.
Man, I can't banter, proof report cards, watch the Sabres and the Yankees all at the same time. Now that I only have the Yankees to watch here's my $.02.
Girardi's a $@$%ing idiot for pitching Soriano.
Holy Ariziona flashback!
Hey, that kid can field his position, too.
Good thing we saved Mo for the highest possible leverage situation.
Way to go, Mo.
That's what I'm talking about.
I wish they hadn't reassigned #55 so soon.
Posada is slow
[120] Managing closers can be really hard. On the one hand, you have the "he's the ___th inning guy" imperative pushing you to use Mo in the 9th. On the other hand, you have the need to pitch to the stat and wait for a save situation. Fortunately for Girardi, there can be no save in a tie game in the 9th at home, thus making the decision for him.
this is pretty awesome timing for Time Warner in NYC to lose its YES feed
Was Capps this fat last year?
Papi is up as the winning run, 2 out in the 9th.
And Papi, after a 3-0 count, flies out to LF.
The 120 Win Red Sox and now 0-4.
And the Rays are 0-4 now too.
Free baseball.
Hmmmmmm, 10th inning guy. Oh, yeah. Get Logan up.
Remind Ayala that he's the 13th inning guy.
[134] Hey, remember the '98 Yankees started the season 0-3 and 1-4. The Sox are just setting everybody up for MLB's first 100-game winning streak.
7 scoreless innings for our Bats was not a good idea.
[131] Bases loaded with 2 outs in the 8th and the team up 4-1 WAS a save situation. The greatest closer of all time stayed in the pen in lieu of Dave Robertson (who, it must be said, induced a bloop that only bad luck let fall in).
[138] RSN may not be around to see it, though. There's already a line at the Tobin Bridge.
You know the season doesn't really start until a blown lead and much cursing.
138) EXACTLY my first thoughts too. LOL
[140] The key moment (and I said so at the time) was the Mauer AB. One of the best hitters in the game, a lefty, you have possibly the single best pitcher for getting him out, bases loaded... nope, let the wild reliever pitch to him. That was the moment.
[140] Like I said, managing closers is hard...which button to push??
[142] Yeah, where the fuck is fuckin thelarmis??
Is it cold in NYC tonight? Stadium looks empty..
[142] I'm unusually calm.
I don't know what this means.
I was out for much of the beginning of the game. How many pitches did the big man have?
This is another big batter, but not for Girardi, just for Logan.
[148] 104, I think.
Interesting. So they trust this kid to bunt.
[147] Resignation and/or acceptance. You have reached the last stage of grief and mourning.
Fug.
Joe decided not to win this game.
It's almost as if he's on the take.
Boooooooooo
ne.
Do we really want a ground ball John? I think we need a K.
Of course.
Well, this game isn't going too well.
Never mind didn't realize the infield was in.
Boooooooo.
SPRINGTIME for Mauer and Twinkietown ...
Winter for Logan and Joe ...
Does it really matter what terrible reliever is in?
Let the season begin. I'm cursing and bitter. LOL
I'm shutting down the laptop, Banterers. I'll watch to the end, but this one has 'L' plastered all over it.
Logan sucks and Girardi's a douche for bringing in Soriano. Soriano's a bigger douche for walking the ballpark. Fucking Bollocks!
Oh Coffee Joe, how I've missed your inane machinations these long months.
Can you do me a favor and insert a pinch-stander in the bottom of the 10th, that would be pretty awesome, too!
Textbook loss by the manager. Still can't understand bringing in Soriano AND letting him throw so many pitches when he was obviously wild..managing bullpen the MOST important part of a managers job!!
[166] Hey now. That's my stuff.
[168] Seriously though, if Brett Gardner gets on and stands around until the game ends, I may have a stroke.
I'm not sure what the argument is against Soriano pitching. Is it because he's tired? My understanding is he's the best option there. Four runs isn't so big a lead you should jus throw anyone out there.
ps I need this game to end so I can go to sleep, I'm tired
Twins need some karma payback but there is still time for a comeback!
Were strikes one and two more iffy than they appeared to me?
7 solid from CC right down the tubes. booooooooooooooooooooooo!
Terrible loss
[170] Robertson was already warm and Robertson isn't just "anyone". He's certainly a good choice for an 8th inning, 4 run lead situation.
I mean, if Robertson was good enough to bring on in the 7th, he was certainly good enough to bring on in the 8th and not dry hump.
I mean, if you bring Soriano in with a 4 run lead in the 8th because he's the best option, does that mean you bring Mo in with a 4 run lead in the 9th, because he's certainly the best option?
HORSE.
SHIT.
[174] First Girardi loss of the season.
"Soriano's our eighth-inning guy."
[178] Is that from the post-game presser?
[179] Yes, yes it is. He must've said it about 10 times now.
[180] Well, good thing I don't get to see those on MLB.tv, I'd probably explode in rage.
Terrible..chance to put some early distance between us and Bos/Tampa while they struggle and Joe pretty much gives a game away.
[181] Yes, it's a bit annoying. Media were pretty persistent about it, so you know Girardi messed up.