Here kitty, kitty…
What does catwoman have to do with the slumping Chicago White Sox? You got me. I just wanted an excuse to post this picture.
Over at PB, Cliff has the series preview. Lo-Hud has the latest not-so-good news on Phil Hughes.
Here at the Banter, we root, root, root for the home team.
Never mind the Meow Mix, forget the rain: Let’s Go Yank-ees!
[Photo Credit: Christina Ricci by Gas Station]
Good thing the Yankees are so careful with their young pitchers, it's really paid off.
And yet, you can make the argument that they *weren't* as careful as they should have been with Hughes last year ...
Oh good, Directv is giving the YES feed too
There is always a "bullying" aspect of Kay's kidding ...
Hey Hey.... Good AJ?
Oh, just shut the hell up, Sutcliffe ...
Hey, it's Phil Humber. Mets fans had high hopes for him, but he never panned out.
AJ flying open here in the 2nd ...
Get. Fucking. Ahead.
[5] I'm gonna say no.
Now that's how you catch a fly ball. Nice work, Curtis.
[10] Good AJ? Is that like "a little cancer?"
STFU A.J. PierzUWys|fiudiwihskfoIOE. You swung.
I wonder how many A.J. vs. A.J. matchups there have been in history.
He broke it like Beckham
oh no .... Kay just uttered that same line (I hang my head in shame)
Nicely done, AJ ...
[16] I did that yesterday. It's a terrible feeling.
Ahhhhh. Good AJ!
Aw, Pierdkflsgiersdgkjs;e has a pouty.
[12] As Larry David said, "The good Hodkin's or the bad Hodkin's?"
[20] HA! Well done.
[16], [18] Uh oh, is there an epidemic of michealkayism going on?
Is it me, or is the YES video and audio out of sync slightly?
I listen to the Hughes talk, and I think "aneurysm" (like Coney), except Phil isn't mentioning numbness/coldness in fingers. But I think its a circulation issue.
(strictly a guess)
So far, so good for AJ ...
GAH.
I hate it when we get URP'd.
Humber's pitching like a number one draft pick here. We're being no-hit.
I'd love to see Kay get canned for giving away a trivia answer.
Bollocks! Rather have the lead off walk.
[27] ESPN announcer did mention that Humber was perfect through three.
Jeez. Humber was DFA'd by the Royals in the offseason. To make room for Jeff Francoeur.
I really don't need to watch the Yankees get shut down by Phillip freaking Humber.
There goes the perfecto.
[31] Well, with 58 pitches through 3 1/3, you may not have to that much longer ...
[32] Just the idea that we're saying this in the fourth inning annoys me.
There goes the perfecto, now we need to lose the no-hitter, shut out and Sox lead with one swing from Teix.
[33] You can go seven with that
Or by A-Rod, either way is fine by me.
GAH.
...
The Yankees have been no hit for four innings by Phillip Humber. I really don't even remember solid contact, to be honest.
This reminds me of the Bryan Bullington game.
I prefer Sutcliffe when he's been drinking ...
I don't see Humbert Humbert shutting down the Yanks the third time around the order. They were honing in the last few at bats.
Now will AJ keep Quilty from stealing the game?
holy no hitter batman!
Oh Jesus fucking Christ. ITS PHILLIP HUMBER.
Swish looked like he didn't want to take first on the HBP. And Jorge grounds into the DP before I can post. Oy.
I think Burnett started the Bullington game as well.
That Gardner play reminded me a lot of the play on which Matsui broke his wrist years ago.
Christ. When you play 180 feet out in left you better make that catch.
Humber doesn't exactly look like he has great stuff. Not sure if that's a good sign though.
Who the hell is Phillip Humber and what is he doing to theBx Bombers???
Is it just me or is Brett always 0-2 before he swings the bat?
[49] Failed Mets prospect of yore.
The Yankees have never seen him.
[50] Yep. Occasionally its 1-2, or something, but it seems like its always two strikes before he swings.
Man, 88 and over the dish and Derek can't put it in play.
[51] Failed Mets prospect..big pool to choose from there..
Oh well, someone will take him yard soon..
This is a disgrace.
Humber is humping Yankee lumber.
[53] So far, he is not alone...
I agree.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/posada-looking-old-in-the-dh-role/
I think Jesus is up mid-season.
[50] It's not you...Gardner has a ridiculous first pitch strike percentage. It seems as if pitchers are finally doing what I always wondered why they didn't: pound the zone with fastballs.
AJ must get through this inning clean to get the win, there will be a run or two scored in the bottom of the 7th. I'm calling it...
[58] So are you saying, 40 days after Easter, Jesus ascends to Heaven (Yankee Stadium)?
[59] I think he has a ridiculously low swinging percentage period.
[60] I'm with you! Can't waste anymore good CC or AJ starts.
Humber bringing Yankee thumpers into slumber.
Humber was a number one draft pick from Rice. Drafted #3 overall, with fellow Rice pitcher Jeff Niemann taken #4. He was kind of a disappointment, but maybe he's just a late bloomer. They were members of the College World Series championship team, along with Paul Janish. Who is now a SS, in part because there was so much pitching talent at Rice he lost his closer's job there.
It's funny that we have two millionaire adult A.J.'s facing each other. At least neither one is a "Junior" And thanks Anthony John for hitting into a DP.
[65] And he's also been waived by three organizations in two years, including two in the last six months.
I have zero idea what this umpire's strike zone is.
Time to crash back down to Earth, Humber. Ya' bum!
[67] Williams and Ozzie smarter than most? He is coming off lots of injuries and surgeries.
Alright Alex, dump the Humbp!
HOORAY!
Beautiful, Alex.
Nice and easy, up the middle.
Finally!
Now that's over. Score some Modamn runs!
[70] I'm pretty sure no one has ever suggested that Guillen and Williams are smarter than anyone.
Yay-Rod!
[76] lol
Jesus, chill out, Robbie.
He's swinging like a gorilla!
Yeah, there have been some articles on how Rice draftees have generally been disappointing. Berkman was worth the #1 draft pick. But then there was Bubba Crosby. And Phil Humber. Niemann...he's been serviceable, but I dunno if he was worth drafting in the first round. Wade Townsend retired after never getting above AA.
Still..Humber's had a lot of injury problems. Including freak things like getting hit in the face by a line drive. And pitchers ofter take longer to develop than hitters. I wouldn't write him off yet.
Cano is swinging at everything.
Fuck.
Robbie KEEPS chasing that high fastball.
Fuck.
Robbie KEEPS chasing that high fastball.
[79] Gorilla my dreams, not tonight.
Bad Cano..
Just go the other way, Nick, nice and easy.
All we need is a goddamned single.
Remember when Cano stopped swinging at everything and made himself one of the best hitters in either league?
Yeah, I remember that guy too ...
You don't have to pull the ball, Nick!
[87] No kidding.
[87] He is batting 316 (or was until tonight). I wouldn't write him off yet...
Fail. boooooooooooooooooo
Did you see that?
He was hell-bent on puling the ball come hell or high water.
Why, exactly?
BUGFUCKINGDONKEYBALLS.
Didn't Robbie and Nick see how Alex just hit the ball up the middle?
This isn't rocket science.
Well, Humber's at 100 pitches. He's not coming back out, is he?
How's the Pale Hose pen?
[87] Cano really "never stopped swinging at everything". In fact, last year was his highest rate of swinging at pitches out of the zone. Some more numbers are here: http://t.co/znqWdSl
[90] He has *1* walk this year and is seeing significantly fewer pitches per plate appearance.
I'm not writing him off, I just think his drop in selectivity is noticeable and troubling ...
[96] Oh fine, way to bring "analysis" and "facts" into the discussion ...
=)
[80] I wonder if Rice is more about winning than developing baseball players. It's a fine line, because you do want to win at the college level, but do you abuse a player, giving him a permanent injury derailing a ML career?
I've calmed down somewhat. This has gone from epic embarrassment to just unbelievably annoying. It really is now the Bryan Bullington game. Or maybe the Mike Maroth game.
Driven deep. 10 feet short of the 314 sign. You the man, Kay!
On the other hand, it's good to see a good AJ performance ...
just you wait, Gardner is going to homer to win the game ...
(hopeful/wishful)
[101] I just switched over to the ESPN broadcast. Sutcliffe and Boone. Nice break from Kay.
the way i see it, lay an egg against the starter and it's still only a 1 run game. makes me feel good. nice work aj!
[104] I've been listening to them all game ... not sure if I'd go that far ... they should let Sutcliffe drink on the job ...
I'd better see me some Andruuw up next ...
[99] I dunno if that's it. Might just be the luck of the draw. 1/3 of first round draft picks never make it to the big leagues, and another third have less than stellar careers. And of course, some think drafting college players in general is a mistake.
I have heard that Wayne Graham believes in teaching kids the value of hard work. After the game, the Rice players are expected to rake the infield and other chores. Bubba Crosby and Lance Berkman were often seen doing that. All-stars or not, they were expected to pull their weight.
I wish Kay wouldn't say "mix and match."
[105] I guess, except I wanted to rack up the Ws against the struggling W-Sox.
Has anyone mentioned how bad this Swisher/Papelbon commercial is?
[110] well yeah that's what i mean. we're very much in this. one swing. now, we have to hit someone though.
OK .... Girardi overmanaged this
He's a good hitter, this Chavez.
[113] Nope, just fine.
[108] Could be. I believe most college coaches don't abuse the legit prospects, a good high school player is going to look at coaches who develop the most ML talent. "If I go there, I've got a better chance at a ML career than going the HS - MiL route." But the coach also have to be successful in his own right.
I like drafting college pitchers, not sure if it matters either way for position players.
Have we had a pinch stand there all year?
Excellent.
But this guy throws 95. Derek can't hit 95.
Dear Captain,
Get a #@$@$@# hit.
Thanks,
Me
[117] No, they usually get CS.
sigh
Well, that was disappointing.
Christ, Jeter, could you at least get the ball past the pitcher's mound???
Thanks, Cap'n Clutch.
Jeter..man, is the end really near?
Seriously, he has a lot of pride, he may bow out after 3000..
Captain Fungo
[125] Can't help but starting to feel that tinge of sadness that accompanied watching Donnie Baseball wrap up his career. Instead of rooting for him to succeed, I find myself hoping he won't fail.
Dear Mr. Binder ... would you ever consider PH for Jeter? Ever?
....
What the hell was that?
[128] With who? C.C. Sabathia?
Oh fer FUCK'S FUCKING SAKE.
WHAT.
THE.
MOTHER.
FUCK?
That was lovely.
boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
That's why the goddamn pithcer should just catch the fucking ball.
Jeebus. Hey Derek, that was your ball, apologize to A-Rod.
G'night folks.
[125] Sigh. Jeter's way past his sell-by date for a SS. This contract could be ugly if he doesn't bow out.
[136] As Yankee fans, Jeter is our generation's Joe D, right? "Classy", hot women, etc etc. He'll walk away before he humilates himself..not yet, but after this season?
You know what?
This is a stupid fucking game to lose.
I'm pissed off.
Keep it to ONE RUN, people!
FUCKING HELL.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
[139] Too late.
Hmm.
You see now Steinbrothers?
*This* is why you don't listen to Randy Fucking Levine.
I'm sorry, I'm going to have a tantrum now...
Do you really think we can afford to lose a game like this, with a great start by AJ and Hughes all fucked up and our four and five guys going on fairy dust?
Wouldn't it be good to win a game like this instead of losing it?
BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love when teams playing like shit come in and turn a garbage pitcher into Cy Young and can't make basic plays. I hope Soriano opts out, too.
Hmmm.
[137] Torre seemed to think so. He said Jeter is the only one he knew who could walk away from baseball and not miss it. He doesn't even watch baseball when he's not playing, which seemed to shock A-Rod.
But I'm starting to have Bernie flashbacks watching Jeter these days. :-(
36 million for this guy? wtf?!?!
What "role?"
Just GET FUCKING OUTS!!
What's to adapt to?
Just get FUCKING OUTS, WHATEVER THE FUCK INNING IT IS!!
Good work, team.
You see what you've done tonite, team???
You've weeping all stabbity!
I know he was the one who didn't catch the popup, but that last inning wasn't an example of poor pitching. The Yankees are losing this game because they couldn't figure out a mediocre pitcher throwing mediocre pitches.
[143] Its not like Cashman didn't want Kyle Farnsworth.
And Kei Igawa.
And Damaso Marte
And Pedro Feliciano.
And Steve Karsay.
Bad deals to middle relievers is a Yankee tradition.
[152] And I'm fairly calm post hit.
[154] Don't EVER besmirch the name of the QWEST master! Igawa has set many AAA records, don't you know that??
Good work, Curtis.
Good start, Curtis. The man's been rakin'!
Is Igawa still in Scranton? I thought his contract was over, but I haven't heard anything about him.
Well, that stinks.
Well, that blew chunks.
Well fuck me running. Goddamnit!
This is some kind of horse shit.
A fitting ending.
Glad that's over. Garbage.
[164] Indeed.
Well, that was a fitting end.
Lets never speak of this game again.
Or at least until the Yankees get shut down by Matt Bush.
Tough crowd, the team was playing .666 baseball and was bound to have a cold night hitting sometime.
That last inning, the pop was not catchable by anyone but Soriano. The key to the run was Cano not catching the throw by Martin on the steal. That was a great throw btw.
No one hit the ball hard in this game, so getting on Jeter about tonight is not fair (he was 4 for 6 yesterday...remember?)
White Sox had to win tonight, they lost like 10 in a row.
But a shame that Burnett took the loss.
Ah well, games like that happen when you play 162.
Time to watch Game of Thrones ...
And I'm bummed that no one picked up on the Lolita reference [41].
[168] Yep, already forgotten Team will get 'em tomorrow!
I'm actually much more pissed off at the Anaheim Scioscias and their beyond pathetic showing against the Sox over the weekend. Apalling baseball in every way, they should be ashamed.
[168] Its never okay to not hit a slop throwing Phillip Humber.
[173] agreed