Typical Phil Hughes performance. His boys stake him to a 3-0 lead, he holds the Rangers scoreless through 5 innings and then in the 6th…poof. Granted, it was Boone Logan, not Hughes that gave up the big home run, but it was Hughes that couldn’t get the final out of the inning. Either way, the Rangers took a 4-3 lead and that looked to be plenty, particularly in the 9th inning with their closer Joe Nathan on the mound.
“Honey, they’re going to win,” said The Wife.
“They’re losing,” says I.
“What will you give me if they win?” she said?
“What will you give me if they lose?”
“Nothing”
“Right,” I said.
Now for the stranger things part. Vernon Welles walked with 1 out, and took second on a wild pitch in the middle of a long, impressive at bat by Eduardo Nunez. That wild pitch was critical because it drew the outfield in which enabled Nunez’s fly ball to center field to get over Craig Gentry’s head, good for a triple. Brent Lillibridge made like the hero next and looped a 1-0 slider into left for the go ahead base hit.
The Rangers went down like lambs against The Great Mariano in the 9th to the tune of a couple of strikeouts and a ground ball to short.
Final Score: Yanks 5, Rangers 4.
The Wife is always right (unless she’s wrong).
It was an unexpected and pleasing win for the Yanks. And despite the lousy outcome, the home crowd was treated to a handful of terrific plays in the filed–diving catches by Nelson Cruz, and Brett Gardner, and two beautiful stops at third base by Jurickson Profar.
My favorite fielding play, however, was when Robinson Cano fielded a ball behind second base and, still moving toward left field, half-turned and side-armed the ball to first. It was as if he flipped it but you can’t flip a ball that far, with that much on it. It was my favorite play because it showed off just how special this Cano is. We watch these guys because they are the best in the world, because they do things we can’t do. That’s what Cano does at second base sometimes–making it look so fluid that it appears easy.
[Photo Credit: Lm Otero/AP]
It's almost like his arm shouldn't be able to do that. Amazing and so smooth--as if he's waltzing around the infield.
1) That's exactly right. Isn't that why we go to movies, listen to music, watch sports--to see guys do what we could only dream of doing?
[2] Yes.
Well, probably more than one reason, but, yeah.
I was only half-watching, and my expectations blinded me so I was convinced that Hughes gave up that homer. Serves me right.
Also, I was listening to the Texas broadcast crew at the end of the game, and they just couldn't stop talking about how the strike zone was too small for Nathan and too big for Mo.
Losers.
I totally agree Alex. I watched that throw 7 times on the DVR. The angle was different than his usual throws since he was much further away from 1st, and I thought it was going to sail into the stands, because of the way it soared up. Cano is amazing! Great game. The Yanks might be done this season, but they show no sign of quitting.
I thought his arm was going to fall off, but it looked so effortless. I don't know if anyone has compared him to Joe D (just in terms of making the difficult look so easy) but its an apt comparison. On a more serious note, does Pedroia's new contract with the Sawks means that Cano might still remain a Yank?
"Waltzing around the infield." That's perfect. And to this day I still don't understand how that equates to great range and a cannon arm, but it does!
[5] I think the move to Roc Nation means that Cano wants to stay and has made it easier to make that happen. Honestly, if he were still with Boras, there'd be almost no movement off a ten-year gazillion dollar demand, which most everyone is trying to get away from. Cano can easily make up the difference in endorsements, providing he's following Jeter's path and not someone else. As for Pedroia's deal, I see Cano still getting more, but closer to what Pedroia will get rather than what Alex is getting.
Again, not having Boras sledgehammering a insane contract demand down the Yanks' throats and then redirecting him to a Miami-like team if they walk away likely makes a big difference.
(4) oh the team fights, that's for sure...a lot of the credit for that has to go to Girardi. The lineup is a joke, we know this, but it's not like they're going out and getting embarrassed every night or anything.
I think we all believe Robby is gonna stay, and between LA basically taking themselves out of the bidding and Pedroia signing with Boston for a reasonable sum I think it actually might end up being a not-terrible deal. The dollar amount has never been my concern as much as the years, if they can make this happen for 7 years I'm in.
[8] You make a good point. Jete's return could destroy the chemistry!
Now playing Third Base for the New York Yankees, Jurickson Profar, Profar, Third Base! So, Suz, what can you tell us about him? Well, he's 5'9" tall and in 29 games playing the infield for Texas, he made 7 errors.
As for A-Rod, I want the picture of Cousin Yuri driving him to the stadium to pick up his stuff after Bud suspends him for life. While I still am up in the air about Shoeless Joe, I will have no qualms about A-Rod joining Pete in Cocytus.
Ooops. See what I get for not doing research. Yuri, as reported by the Daily News, which I don't read, may be suing A-Rod. And, I forgot, he was banned from Yankee facilities. I wonder who will drive him to pick up his under armor?
uh...guys??
@McCulloughSL
So Michael Gross, who A-Rod apparently sought a second opinion from about his quad, just went on WFAN and said there was no injury.
@McCulloughSL
Just spoke with Dr. Gross. He read A-Rod's MRI this morning., and spoke to him via phone. Gross said "I saw nothing" on the MRI. More later.
11) It's just too good, ain't it?
ya know what this season needs?
Howie Spira.
[13] Just read the Deadspin article on him. Classic.
Just wait, my man. Someone or something will come. Not sure people like Howie live anymore. You got to have real Chutzpah. Today's system kills people with character and style. One may have survived the sharp knives and Shakespeare has his pen to the ready.
May I say this? The Commissioner knows stuff we don't know. We may not want to know. But suppose A-Rod did try to obstruct the investigation .... Wow. On to a blackboard no one wanted to ever see their name on.
Francesa has spent all afternoon on the "George would NEVER try to sabotage his best player and keep him off the field in order to get out from under a contract. It was all about putting the best team on the field for George!"
again...someone...please...GET HOWIE ON THE LINE!
This is so weird. Is Jeter going to repeat his previous statement that ARod is not a distraction?