When I woke up on Tuesday morning it occurred to me that the first game of the double header between the Yankees and the Red Sox would be arguably the most important game of the Yankees’ season.
Sure, the Yankees’ recent resurgence had paired nicely with Boston’s regression to the mean, trimming several games off of a lead that had seemed insurmountable when the Bombers limped out of Boston last month, but this one game seemed crucial to New York’s hopes. It isn’t just that the Yankees had lost their first seven games to the Red Sox this season and 10 of 13, it’s that they were embarrassingly bad in many of those losses. So even though the Yanks had gone 15-5 since that Fenway series while the Sox were 8-20, a loss on Tuesday afternoon would have erased all of that and sent a powerful message to players in both dugouts. Same old Yankees, same old Red Sox.
And so when Boston loaded the bases with none out in the top of the softball-seventh, the Yankees’ 5-3 lead looked about as solid as a Times Square umbrella. Not only were the Yankees going to lose, they were going to lose in 2021 fashion, promising you victory before ripping your heart out and holding it aloft, beating but still dying.
But Jonathan Loaisiga, the most consistent member of the battered bullpen, cleaned up his own mess, retiring Travis Shaw on a line drive and striking out Kiké Hernández and Hunter Refroe to close things out, the last strike coming on a 100-mph heater that overmatched Renfroe and tipped the balance of power in the game’s most storied rivalry. Last month the jeering chants from the Fenway faithful carried an eerie ring of truth, but Loaisiga’s primal scream from the mound following that final strikeout sounded an awful lot like 1978.
The night cap was much less dramatic — solo homers by Luke Voit and Giancarlo Stanton gave the Yankees all they needed for a 2-0 win behind the historically precocious Luí Gil — and even the ending was uneventful. Chad Green’s three-up-three-down save was delightfully boring.
Yes, the Tampa Bay Rays are still five games clear of the Yankees, and yes, there are still 42 games left to play, but I no longer look at those 42 games with dread.
The last time the Yankees played a double header was on the Fourth of July. After they opened with a horrific loss to the Mets, I honestly hoped that Aaron Boone would be fired in between games. Only a young George Steinbrenner would’ve been bold enough for something like that, and it turned out to be a good thing that his son Hal is not as rash. No matter what happens with the Rays or the White Sox or the Astros, Boone is almost assuredly the American League Manager of the Year. There were times this season (last week even) when the players on the injured list could form a better team than the one on the field, but Boone has somehow not only kept his group afloat through one devastating loss after another, he’s had them playing their best baseball after most observers had written them off.
An entire starting rotation and a closer on the injured list? No problem. We’ll call up a kid from AAA (Luís Gil) and watch him become the first pitcher in more than a century to start his career with fifteen or more innings pitched over three scoreless starts. Not a lot of home run power? No problem. We’ll just become a running team. Since the All Star break, no team in baseball has stolen more bases than the Yankees.
When things were darkest, I found myself wishing for a firing, but even then I knew that the sky was not falling because of any decisions Aaron Boone was making or not making. I wanted a change simply for the sake of change, simply to send a message, but instead Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner chose to send another message — “We believe in this team.” On Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night, their faith was repaid.
When Aaron Judge was scratched from a lineup during the days before the trading deadline, Yankee Twitter immediately lit up with worries that the centerpiece of the team was being traded. Many voices wanted the Yankees to buy sellers at the deadline, not buyers. Less than a month later, those concerns are forgotten.
If the season ended today, the Yankees would be in the playoffs.
[0] Not just in, but I believe hosting the Wild Card game.
They still leave so many runners on base, but could you imagine if the pitching holds up and they put as many guys on and hit .300 with runners on the rest of the way?
42 games to go. It will be fun!
(0) Great write up Hank. I’m still hoping Boone doesn’t get a new contract after the season though..
What’s the point of Andrew Heany, btw? He’s terrible, surely should
Be DFA’d at this point?
Ha. Buckneresque.
[0] Great writing, Hank
I didn't come here to complain about Boone and Cash. I just came to say Let's go Yank-ees!
Oh, and Rickwood Field turned 111 today. It's still the oldest professional ballpark in the nation and I will personally give a deluxe tour to any banterer, including a trip to the roof. I've got the keys!
[4] Man, that is something I would happily take you up on, if I could take enough time off to drive to Alabama. Where's Bama Yank? He could do it!
[2] Eat innings and save the bullpen if at all possible? I don't disagree with you, but he did his job tonight.
(5) I stand corrected, happily!
Oakland losing so wild card position is there for the taking..can they make a run for the division though??
Chapman is just lost out there.
It took four months to get a left handed bat into the lineup. I give Cashman no credit for that. Look at the history of the club. The great squads were built on left handed power hitting and left handed pitching. If he’d ever figured that out in his 23 years he’d have built a winner more than the one in 2009 which will ialways be tainted by A-Roid
Yes, nice play, Rizzo — but let’s take a minute to think about the dream that Andrew Velazquez is living.
But I also wouldn’t mind a relaxing win once in a while.
Gleyber doesn't make that play
Wow. What a finish. That kid Velasquez is pretty good.
Cheers, y'all! What a run. Great write-up, Hank.
Gleaner doesn’t nor does Voit.
Just looking at the remaining schedule, we start with 4 with the Twins (a winnable series), then 2 with the Bravs (who are coasting away) 4 with the A's (always a problem), 6 with the Angels (another toughie), 3 with the O's (sweep?)7 with the BJ's 3 with the Mets, 3 with the Indians, 3 with the Rangers and three with the Sox (which could be for the marbles).
They also close the season with the Rays at home (thankfully)for three games the first weekend in October
[5] open invitation.
Game on in the background, did Voit lead off today? Interesting..
Twins, they only have one good player (Buxton) right?
Ah The Twins, they're the Guinness of opponents, always welcome and soothing to see.
Nice Guinness comparison. Ha. Another win. Sláinte!
Nice win. 3 cheers for the Bronx Boy A-Vel.
Somebody tell Chad Green to stop throwing curve balls.
Nobody watching today?
Is there some holiday in America?
It's fun to smash the Twinkies.
We needed this after a long, hard-ass season
8 is GREAT!
Keep it going...
Another nice win. I like this rotation of the DH and get Voit and Rizzo in lineup together.
Zooming through the game here over breakfast, another nice win. But my goodness Smoltz is one of the worst announcers ever. He actually said ‘Tyler Wade is a great all around player’
Maybe not a great all around player but he's been a big reason they have been winning lately, along with the other scrappy players. My fear is if they get into the playoffs and are all healthy does this team turn back into the boom-or-bust-solo-homees-only-station-to-station lineup that was easy to shutdown for most of the season?
Hey, Team!
Greetings from Yankee Stadium South!
LET’S GO YAN-KEES!! !!!!
There appears to be lots of Yankee fans, thelarmis. Glad ya made it. : )
Stanton is like a pinball flipper just knocking the ball around the park for points
Just Fair - *always*!!! : )
Yank in Texas - amazing analogy!
So can Chapman get through an inning without giving up a dinger?
[33] Apparently he can.
10 in a row. Keep it going Bombers.
Team been playing so well! Why give a game away starting Heany?
Stanton when he’s hot is scary..what a laser!
I wonder what the exit velocity of that rocket was?
Who's this Gary character?
As I was watching, it suddenly hit me: thelarmis could be in the stadium! So I came here to see... and I was off by a day.
How many hits does Gallo have as a Yankee? 2? 3? Does the defense even need to be out on the field when he bats?
[40] 12, with 5 doubles.
(41) Hey RI! Quite the up & down season, I’m in and out following the team, here for the big games though
Sigh.
Now I remember why I stopped watching the ninth innings.
Excruciating.
Unbelievable.
Does Chapman dunk his hat in water before pitching? It’s dripping wet! This is just horrendous to watch, he can’t close in the playoffs if they make it..
Jesus Fucking Christ!
Dreadful. And OmG the fans there still do that revolting chant??!!! %#*+<！！！
This has brutal walk off loss written all over it.
Sanchez' framing is terrible
Hot Damn!
In Wandy we trust.
My DVR stopped recording with 1 out in the bottom of the ninth and nobody on. Glad I didn't have to sit through that half inning. I saw that Yankees won 5-4, but Peralta got the save and wondered how that happened.
Seems to be a terrible chain of events with Chappie. He comes in and throws 100 off the plate once or twice, then realizes he can't control the fastball, so he goes to the slider, which he also caan't control. Larry Rothschild was just fired as Padres' pitching coach; maybe he can be brought in as a "consultant" for Chapman.
Is Rothschild going to bring him some sticky stuff because I suspect that's the real reason Chap fell off a cliff.
I know nobody is looking today, but...
RIP Charlie Watts. :(
I read that his first love was jazz drumming, so thought of Mr. OK and, of course, thelarmis.
RI - I actually ended up going to both games! Saw the news on Charlie Watts
Jazz - much agreed on that chant. My daughter was livid every time it happened.
It was once again Yankee Stadium South. Freddie was safe, Chappy wasn’t good, but I’ll take the W!!
[57] Thanks for mentioning it RI. Been watching Stones videos all day. Stumbled across one of Charlie explaining the drum kit he uses and getting very specific about the cymbals. Great human.
[58]Fantastic that you got to the games. Not sure when/if I'll ever be at a Yankee game again.
[58] Oh nice!
[59] When I was trying to watch the Olympics live but had to turn the tv on before breakfast to do it, I thought, "This must be how Boatzilla feels about Yankee games."
[60] True. My favorite baseball snacks now are coffee and muesli.
Kenny is in the house tonight!
Stanton is unstoppable
Gardy Party!
Hot damm. Get the fireworks in early. Need to see 7 a.m. for the first time in a while.
Oh, Hey. Kenny on the Mic like he never left. Just realized.
Ratzo Rizzo!
Gallo pours it on.
Rain maker!
Wow. This rapidly turned into a shitshow.
I can't get Kay's call of Gallo's homer out of my head. Acting like it was 16-0.
Marte is going to crush this ab.
And just like that…
It's just like starting over.
Here’s something to wonder about. Has a team with a double-digit winning streak ever had that streak end by losing a game in which they’d held a six-run lead? Only the 2021 Yankees could pull off something like that.
Actually, due to the blown lead, this game has become a lot more interesting.
Gardy has to be the Yankee you really trust with the bases loaded.
Fucking Bollocks, Brett! Grrrerr......3-1.
Can I take that back?
At least he made him throw a few pitches.
Balk! Wild pitch! Noonan!
Well that sucked.
Sigh.
Murphy got drop-kicked.
I see what you did there, Boat. Well played.
Should the Yankees end up losing this, there will be talk about failing to tack on runs when they were up early, but six runs should’ve been enough. Six runs should ALWAYS be enough.
Woo-hoo!
The thing that not enough people are talking about it how much better Judge has been this season. Yes, he’s been healthier, but he’s been a much better hitter.
I like this kinda baseball. Stolen base. Bloop single.
[86] Yes. Less of a slugger, more of a hitter.
This is NOT what the review was meant for. Ridiculous.
If their gonna do that they should review balks or balls and strikes.
Oops. "they're"
Totally agree. I guess you could argue that guys should just stay on the bag, but the replay wasn’t meant for ticky-tack stuff, just egregious errors. Oh, well.
So here we are with a one-run lead in the ninth. This team has won eleven straight, but I still don’t feel remotely comfortable.
Who wants to see Chapman pitch the 9th?
Feeling nauseous.
Dirty dozen!
Fingers bleeding. Good thing I have low blood pressure.
But a win is a win.
[96] So tomorrow we go for a Baker's Dozen.
The Yankees only lose in cornfields.
Checking the game now on MLB.com, when Stanton is hot he's really something..how can he look so bad other times? Analysis: baseball is hard..
Nice to see some RIYank and thelarmis sightings in the game thread!
[100] Paulie gave a good analysis on Stanton, when he's out of sync, once. Something about too much movement in the box, bailing, etc. For a guy that got hit in the face, it's amazing he's still the force he is
BTW, the talk about the A's moving to Vegas is everything that's wrong about baseball (and pro sports) in a nutshell. They can stage a game in a cornfield, but they can't keep the A's in Oakland. Grrrr.
This Higgy catching for Cole nonsense needs to stop at some point. Nobody wants to watch Higgy play in important games.
Wow. Double Wow.
This Kenny Williams Boys/Girls Club spot cracks me up. The kids are way better actors than him. I wonder if they are pros.
Judgement Day!
Hey Boat! I’m listening to the A’s radio guys now, they’re so dispirited: ‘You just can’t make ANY mistakes with these Yankee hitters..’
Whoa, Stanton went 472..!?
This game is going too well and it's too early. Something bad has to happen.
[106] The Rep is back!
BTW, Jazz, Kenny is on YES on the MLB feed. He's doing this series.
Oh, what fools these A's be. They have Puk pitching.
Really glad I’m not the only one who thought of Shakespeare as soon as Puk came in!
Why is Rodriguez on this time but Gil isn't? What exactly does Rodriguez provide besides suckage?
Team not time
Jaysus, I step away and somebody shits the bed.
Green. Stop throwing curves FFS.
Way to step on their necks.
Is an 8-2 lead safe?
Can’t believe the Rays keep winning. Yanks have gone 35-11 since July 6 and gained TWO GAMES on Tampa.
Well, winning thirteen of every fourteen games isn’t a bad thing.
This game has been kind of an adventure for Gold Glover Rizzo.
Outside of that first Marlin series Rizzo has been terrible. So has Gallo for that matter. He has a .146 BA and an equally abysmal .299 OBP. Granted, Gallo has played better in the field than Rizzo and takes a lot of pitches before eventually striking out so there's that. That said, apparently having those guys in the lineup has made Judge better and woke up Stanton.
The Stanton commercial where he mashes a Little League pitcher look like his recent games. Holy moly.
This is smelling like "one of those games." RISP wise.
WOW. Gardy. That play was unbelievable.
That Gio clank was also unbelievable. Sigh.
Phew!
Gio giveth. Gio taketh away.
What would be Monty's record if he ever got some GD run support.
Anyone listening to Ma and Pa Kettle right now? It’s almost like they don’t even know there’s a game going on. They’ve been rehashing the Mets “thumbs down” fiasco, in full disbelief, and occasionally mentioning a pitch here or there.
Sterling isn’t even bothering with the count. “There’s a pitch outside. And let me tell you another story…”
I mean, these games are fairly important. Sterling just went on a rant about how they’re all there to serve the fans. No hint of irony.
Rays are 18-1 vs. the O's this season. Win the games that you are supposed to.
This is an exciting game. Although, it's more exciting that it should be considering all the men the Yanks left on.
Does anyone trust Green in a big moment anymore?
why am I still watching?
When has anyone ever trusted Green in high leverage situations? He's not that guy.
Jogcarlo Stanton
I hope he's not hurt.
‘Jogcarlo’
I honestly don’t know any of these Angels players except Otani..
Hank W, you at the game?
[140] Fletcher is one of the best hitters in the AL. I think he's 1st or 2nd in hits. On a skid recently, though.
Howya doin' Jazz? Do you have to go to the office these days?
Hel-LO, Yankee offense. You're not done.
Yo Boat, Only in the office once a week these days. Kids about to return to online classes from tomorrow, they’re not happy about it..
You up to your neck in Zoom presentations?
When Kluber is done pitching tonight he needs to put his arm in a hyperbaric chamber.
Andrew Wantz Gets.
[144] I have to do a live orientation meeting next week. I knew it was coming as one of the key players hates Zoom. Grrrrr.
P.S. Sachi might have live uni sessions in September...or maybe hybrid.
JFC!
Lord.
[140] I had been hoping to go to tomorrow night's game with my son, but he's got a mild knee injury that will likely keep us home. (Too much walking, too many stairs, not enough leg room.) It's just as well. First day of school is tomorrow for me, and weeknight games aren't the best for that.
Back to the baseball, was anyone else surprised Boone left Kluber in after he loaded the bases? I guess someone has to get the outs, but he seemed to be unravelling quickly. The Angels announcers were itemizing all the hard hit balls, and the grand slam came right on cue...
Kluber not to blame there, was left in too long..
Boat: we all hate Zoom, tell your client to get a grip!
Hank: is it easy to get to the Big A from central Los Angeles?
[151] I guess I'm alone in thinking he would get out of it.
Who has faith in the Yankees coming back?
Not me.
From central Los Angeles? That would be a haul given the typical evening traffic. I’m in Long Beach, which is just up the road from Anaheim.
I have some faith. There are more runs out there for the Yankees, but they don’t tend to do well against teams employing the bullpen strategy, do they?
Boone doesn't like taking anybody out prior to the 5th, but afterwards, he becomes captain hook.
DJ could have scored there, IMHO.
[156] Your faith was rewarded.
[155] My sis in Lake Forest, hard core Angels fan, found a way to take the train right to the stadium, which sounds amazing considering it's SoCal.
Anyone surprised that Heaney gave that up? Not me. Not one bit. I’m in the car listening to the Angels announcers, and they’re saying they’ve never seen a ball hit where Ohtani just hit it.
Boone must have money on the Angels. Heaney? Really?
There’s an Amtrak station in the stadium parking lot, believe it or not. The most un-SoCal thing ever.
I’m really struggling to see why Heaney is getting innings and Luís Gil is not.
Because I like pitchers who don’t ever give up runs. But maybe that’s just me.
I missed the Otani tater because of the dog! Shocking given yo by Heany..?
Have you guys noticed the Yankees are starting to play more station-to-station since some of the regulars came back? Less aggressive running.
Well, Mayfield has made some big Impressions tonight.
[sorry]
Boone has done his best to take the Yankees out of this game.
(168) Hah! Nice one
Game kind of dragging now..
I stand corrected, Booooom!
Every time Stanton hits it in the air you expect it to nearly leave the stadium.
If Heaney comes out again, I'm calling for Boone's execution.
Jazz if you are watching the telecast all the ads behind the plate are J companies. NEC. Kura. Yakult, etc.
I love the west coast games, 'coz it's easier for vampires to watch! I, however, cannot stand Flaherty. He knows his baseball, but irks me something fierce. Especially, after having the pleasure of hearing Ken Singleton in Oaktown.
Battle of the back of the pens right now. 7 Up!
[175] I wholeheartedly agree. Flaherty gives off a smug, pedantic vibe that is insufferable.
No encore for Mayfield.
well, fuck.
In case you’re wondering, the Angels announcers are sophomorically obnoxious.
Shit. Impotent performance by Holmes.
top of the order in the 9th. iglesias is a very good closer.
really don't wanna lose 3 in a row . . .
[179] ugh. wasn't wondering. the crowd is like Yankee Stadium West!
dj down swingin'...
[180] that was unfortunate. i like holmes. legares has had a great game.
They can’t hit this closer..
crappity crap.
here comes the judge. tie it up, insanely large human.
C’mon Judge, make em rise!
[179] That "Big Fly" HR call is annoying.
fuck it all to hell.
Time for a dog walk..
How’s it swinging, thelarmis! All ok in Hotlanta?
I mean, in their defense, this is the closest the Angels will get to an important game, but the Angels announcers have proclaimed this the best game of the season. Meh.
Sheeaht. I was hoping to see Stanton again.
Yankee games at Anaheim are tons of fun. So many Yankee fans, probably the biggest road Yankee crowd anywhere, especially when the Angels are down like they are now.
[188] drummin' away, jazz! i hope all is well with you and yours in tokyo!
Ten home runs allowed as a Yankee for Heaney.
Less than ten home runs allowed for Luís Gil.
That was not what you want.
So John Smoltz & Al Leiter will no longer be in studio on MLB TV because they refuse to get the vaccine. So predictable would be those two morons, hopefully we don’t need to hear from them again. (And prayers for their families well-being they get the damn shots.)
Link: https://nypost.com/2021/08/31/al-leiter-john-smoltz-wont-appear-in-studio-at-mlb-network-after-refusing-vaccine/
Urshela looks like he's still rehabbing. He should be at Scranton.
[195] I always thought Stammering Al Leiter was a douche bag. Smoltz is just a bumpkin.
Looks like tonight's theme is GIDP.
Smoltz sucks on air. Good.
(198) The selfishness is just beyond belief. Why do their employers make allowances for such disregard of workplace safety?
Angels radio feed on here..
Bleah.
[201] Bring on the Scarlet Letter.
Made it out to the game tonight. Pretty much hate this place. Also, it’s crazy how many two-strike homers this staff has yielded.
One more thing — this is a night the Yanks should’ve scored seven runs minimum. But instead, three double plays in four innings.
Kraken is back!
Hank, where is the best place to sit at the Big A?
GARY!
[206] Not in the sun for a day game. My elderly dad and I nearly got boiled alive once.
(208) The bleachers look very far away as well.
Get him out of there, Boone!
Boone, it's too later to take him out now, you boob.
All five runs scored on two-strike hits.
My favorite place to sit here is down the right field line, from the visitors dugout to the foul pole. It’s like being in the Bronx down there. We’re up high tonight, though. Beautiful sight lines. Don’t like what I’m seeing, but beautiful sight lines.
This is a fucking embarrassment.
Did Ohtani steal home? I had to step away for obvious reasons.
Double steal, and yes, it was Ohtani stealing home. I don’t think people are talking enough about him. The poor Angels are cursed.
[216] Wow. Ballsy.
I'm done for today.
That’s five double plays, kids! In seven innings!
I’m going to venture that this could be a record — Angels five stolen bases and five double plays.
[219] Nae winning baseball on our part..!
Little rally coming on late..?
Not enough, and now Iglesias to close it..oh well.
Ohtani steal of home should have been an easy out. Why do fielders always try to reach for the runners body rather than bring their glove down to the base and then tag the body part that tries to touch the base?
The throw home on the double steal was on the first place side of the plate and Sánchez had to catch it and then dive across the plate to reach for the tag. He made a great play just to make it close. In no way was this an easy out for him.
[200] smotlz also sucks on land and sea : )
Hank, I agree it wasn't an easy play, especially since Sanchez had to reach back. I just don't understand the genwral approach fielders have when trying to tag a runner. Move your glove to where they are going (ie the base) and meet the runner there.