Here’s what a five-game winning streak will do for you. All of a sudden, the Yankees are just a game and a half behind the Red Sox and have the fifth-best record in the American League, a half-game behind fourth-best Detroit. They’re 7-3 over their last ten games, which is second in the AL to only the Rangers (8-2) over that stretch, and have won their last three series.
As for how this winning streak has come about, obviously the walk-off magic of the last three games has been the key feature, but the Yankees were only in position to make those comebacks because of how well they’ve been pitching, and how well they’ve been playing in the field (think Mark Teixeira’s game-saving dive and throw to home in yesterday’s game). Over the last five games, which is once through the starting rotation, the Yankees have allowed just 14 runs, or 2.8 per game. The only Yankee starter to last fewer than six innings or allow more than two runs in that span was Phil Hughes, who gave up three runs in five innings on Friday night. Collectively, the starters’ ERA has been 2.84.
The bullpen, meanwhile, has been even better. In 16 1/3 innings over the last five games, the pen has allowed just three runs for a 1.65 ERA. All three of those runs were charged to Phil Coke, and two of them came on solo home runs by Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. The only time a reliever has replaced a starter mid-inning during this streak came yesterday, when Jonathan Albaladejo replaced A.J. Burnett with the bases loaded and two outs and struck out Jason Kubel to strand all three runners. The Yankees also haven’t made an error since the first game of this streak.
Andy Pettitte got things kicked off with six innings of two run (one earned) ball in Toronto on Thursday. Now, the streak has wrapped back around is asking him to keep it going as well as to complete a sweep of the Twins, who have to be going slightly batty after losing three straight on Yankee walk-offs.
Alex Rodriguez gets a half-day off at DH today as Ramiro Peña fills in at third and Hideki Matsui rides pine against lefty Glen Perkins. The switch-hitting Peña has had just three plate appearances against lefties this season (one walk, two Ks), so it’s nice to see him getting some exposure from the right-side, though it again begs the question, “why is Angel Berroa still taking up a roster spot.”
As for Perkins, his first three starts of the season were excellent (8 IP each, 4 runs total), but since then he’s posted a 7.25 ERA, going five or six innings and allowing four or five runs in each of his last four outings, three of them Twins losses.
Steven Jackson was claimed by the Buccos...
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez DH
Nick Swisher RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera CF
Ramiro Pena 3B
Francisco Cervelli C
Bruney may be activated tomorrow. i get to watch some of the game tonight, yay!
i was going to get a little grumpy over seeing Swisher in the lineup again (he really *could* use a rest), but Gardner's got a "rotator cuff contusion" from his collision with Mauer.
Adding injury to insult ...
[3] Insult to Injury = Whiplash's 3rd album title! terrible cover art, however...
[1] sure glad we got a chance to see what jackson had during his time here in NY ...
well, from his perspective, i'm sure the move to the Pirates organization is a good change for his career opportunities ...
[4] heh. that's funny, i looked up their entry over at allmusic ... and that was an album they had sound clips for so i pulled it up ... and yes, it may be one of the lousiest covers for any album ever ... but simply crappy and cheap, not even awesomely bad.
[6] all their album covers were pretty awful. kind like Metal Church & Flotsam and Jetsam. just terrible. there's gonna be a new Heathen record and i saw the cover art today - it's awesome!
the music on Insult to Injury is rather incredible though!!! Essence of Evil !!! : )
[6] fun fact: all 3 members were named "Tony." when they got a new drummer, his middle name was Tony. new singer blew a hole in that, as his name was...Glenn. i like to call them a funny moniker, based on all the Tony's last names ending in vowels, but it's probably not kosher to type it here...
It seems we're getting a Pena appearance in order to spell the starting infielders after all. I asked for as much a month ago here on Banter.
Fine by me!
: )
[9] Is anyone left from the Johnson trade?
[10] That should be [1]
Greetings from New Orleans!
It appears that my leaving NYC has spurred the Yankees on.
Alas, I must return tomorrow night.
I've been reading the Banter . . . good to see the spirit alive and well here.
Diane the "Terry Forster-proportioned" :-)
[12] Hey hey! I hope you are having a fun-filled foodie blastola! You have been missed, Yankees winning or not!
: )
[12] hey, it's the news of the day lady!
hope you've had a wonderful trip. travel safely. looking forward to reading you again...
The Brand New Yankee Stadium, the House that Ruth Rebuilt? Chris Berman tries too hard at times.
[12] Howdy! I love N.O. real fun place.
I briefly toyed with the idea of going to grad school there, but my liver quickly vetoed that idea.
[10] depends if you want to count Jeremy Bleich and what portion of credit you want to give to Ollie for bringing us back Marte and Nady.
hey what a monday treat - coney and singy - and the yanks didn't even have to go to the motor city
[13]
Alligator
Beignets
Double chocolate bread pudding
Crabmeat cheesecake (its an appetizer)
Many many fried oysters
Many many glasses of white zinfandel
Commander's Palace seafood gumbo, softshell crab with lump crabmeat and a "death by chocolate" concoction
Mother's Restaurant "debris" po-boy (the beef that falls off a roast during cooking)
Lots of pancakes at a newly-opened IHOP
The best bleu cheese salad I've ever had, at Palace Cafe, along with their signature version of strawberry shortcake (think of a sweet biscuit for the "cake")
burp ...
you had me til 'white zinfandel' ... that's a hate crime against your palate
Um, Robbie, please don't make the game any more exciting than it already is.
Teixeira really is an outstanding first baseman, although the weakest part of his game so far has been scoops.
Melky's throws have been awful this series.
[23] ain't *that* the truth, he overthrows too much
fuck. i go to the laundry and we're losing already? christ.
whoa, rickey weeks out for the season. he's having a good year. surgery for delgado.
Yankees need to learn that it's ok to walk Morneau.
I think the Yankees are just addicted to come from behind victories now.
[27] my stomach wouldn't mind if we make that comeback earlier in the game and then have it stand up...
oh, and to finish off a conversation about yesterday, here's what Mauer had to say about the play at home with Gardner, "[he is] about as fast as they get on the bases. As soon as I got to the ball, I remembered who was at second and thought I'd fake and maybe have a chance to throw him out at third. I didn't really think I'd have to race and beat him home."
Even though the offense hasn't exactly been firing, giving up these two early runs doesn't inspire that same doom and gloom that they would have last week. Now, hopefully the Yankees ABs over the next few innings don't change that perception.
[19] What's for lunch?
heh heh
: )
That could have gone better
Jeter seems to be getting on base twice a game lately.
I don't remember his last pre-HR extra basehit, but at least he's getting on
[28] Yup. A nice, easy win would be a good tonic.
Well that's a good start.
[26] See also a good old fashioned plunking!
Perish the thought from Pettitte though...
: /
that is wonderful. perkins taking a play out of the Pelfrey handbook. let's go Tex...
HELL YEAH!!!
Yes!! Tex!!!!!
Woohoo Tex!
tex!!
[35] i was waiting for that from you!
whatta Bum.
Oh, Yeah!!
fuck - i shoulda called that as i TOTALLY was thinking it!!! seriously, i was.
That is the classic Arod HR swing. Man, I love watching it.
[40] LOL
How many more years do we get to watch that again?
Whoopie!
from "he doesn't have his timing" to "he's got his timing back." um, thanks announcers!
wow ... watching that is going to SUCK for 8 years.
back-to-back BUMS!
[45] "How many more years do we get to watch that again?"
Meaning Tex followed by Alex...
aw, that woulda been AWESOME!
Dang, Nick.
crowd seems pretty tame.
this has been rather enjoyable
yeah! nice robbie.
[49] call that one a 'john sterling special' ... IT IS HIGH, IT IS FAR, IT IS ... caught at the track.
jason kendall and todd helton each 1 hit away from 2,000.
beautiful!!!
Andy BEST make this stand up.
Perkins isn't fooling anybody.
Melkman: -2,+1
Heads up baseball by Melky...little things like that really make a difference.
we've been on the wrong end of enough of these innings this year that I feel no sympathy whatsoever
RA Dickey. doesn't he throw a floater?
c'mon pena, little bit of pepper ...
[60] SWEEP THE LEG JOHNNY!
[63] GET HIM A BODY BAG!! YEEEEEAH!!!
fuggin' beautiful!
[61] Yes, he does throw a floater
Incredible...can a team's luck change so suddenly and dramatically?
Mwahahahaha! That is a seeing-eye single.
FRANKIE CERVIX!!!
[67] I don't think luck can change any other way
R.A. are just weird initials to go by. doesn't roll off the tongue, like C.J., or something.
[33] well, there's Jeter minimum of on base twice!
[71] is he from Texas? they like their initials there ...
Nice inning.
note to Andrew Eugene:
please throw a quick, efficient, 1-2-3 inning.
thanking you,
t-mis
[72] i think he pitched there. and seattle.
i just checked. he's from nash-vegas, tenn. "robert allen dickey". just...not a good name.
I enjoyed that inning.
wow i get on the phone for a few minutes and an offensive explosion happens
[75] that's definitely a tn sounding name (sorry pj)
haha andrew plunked somebody :}
Ken, there's a reason you don't have 30 bunt attempts and Gomez does. You were great, he sucks.
i suppose if you're going to put a rabbit on the bases, you might as well plunk him in the foot first ...
"my stomach wouldn’t mind if we make that comeback earlier in the game and then have it stand up…"
"i shoulda called that as i TOTALLY was thinking it!!! seriously, i was."
Nostralarmis rears his head again!
'24' has their 2 hr season finally, so hold the ship until 10:00. That bottom of the first made me feel much better.
Web. Gem.
nice play robbie
NICE ROBBIE!
[81] csi:miami season finale AT 10pm. i'm hoping we have the game in the bag by then...
i didn't love to see Andy on the mound in the desert in 2001. 15-2 drubbing. i was actually playing a gig in Chattanooga, Tenn that night...
Tampon matched our 6-run 1st inning.
nice play Cap'n!
Not to sidebar but just wanted to compliment Cliff for his writing here at the banter....today's writing is exactly what we're feeling about this team. Excitement and anticipation at the next games starter to see if this can keep going, finally seeing a glimpse what we all hope for...They're starting to deal and if we can do something its going to start there... and defense paying off as well...Did Cash actually had a thought?
Again I just get hyped when I read Cliff writing...Its like my boy's sitting next to me and we're watching the game....LOL
Back to business...good job Pett
Andy isn't inspiring a ton of confidence tonight. Hopefully the Yankees just keep hitting.
That's 6 more grey hairs gratis of Andy Pettitte.
[90] yeah, i hope the floater doesn't flutter us into a coma...
[90] Some of the Yankee teams of the last few years would be thrown out of whack for days by the knuckler. Hopefully not here.
[All] "R.A." is neither a reflection of me, nor of Nashville.
"Dickey" on the other hand, while additionally not a reflection of me, you know the rest...
And "back leg sliders" to the bottom of the order are not to be confused with a "payback plunking" to the heart of the order that's been wtfpwning you for more than three games.
heh heh
: )
damn, he's a good hitter.
instead of morneau, i say: NO MORE!!!
eh eh eh...
andy - locate please
man, is there another LF who (statistically) is at least average but who looks so awful on so many flyballs other than Johnny Damon?
400 albums? boomer can add a zero and still not catch up to me! : )
[99] let me clarify - most of my collection is on compact disc. still, i have more lp's than berman, but not by a ton. a hundred more or so...
[99] For someone who "can't play a lick," I think he's got you in the guitar collection though...
: )
not pretty, but andy is hanging in there and keeping them off the board ...
[100] albums? cds? these things you speak of, what are they?
i'm afraid i measure my music in gigabytes!
=)
[102] As we say here Cult, "Andy's hanging in there like a hair in a biscuit!"
: )
[101] i do have TWO Paul Gilbert mini guitars! ; )
[104] the crux of the biscuit, is the Apostrophe (')
robert allen, should just go by all his initials - RAD. then, he'd be cool...
[105] heh
[105] is that a real poncho...i mean
Is that a mexican poncho
Or is that a sears poncho?
well, that went nowhere fast ...
oh boy
bad andy. bad.
[108] here fido!!!
That seemed somewhat inevitable. Pettitte's been getting by on luck, good defense and guile so far. I was just thinking I'd be pretty stoked if he could get through five innings without coughing up the lead.
I'd be getting the pen up right about now.
I'm just sayin'...
Time to get refocused...can't let the Twins inch their way back.
Frankie Cervix, the multi-threat man!
suh-weet! nice throw cervix!
Punto was out.
Woohoo Cervy!
ZOMG Pena!
ooh, that was close. show it again.
HELL YEAH!!! El Nino!!! nice scoop, Tex.
Wow...Pena could be the utility guy the Yankees have needed for a while.
Wow!
Nice defense tonight
there's a nice scoop!
and a nice play by Pena.
whatta concept, a utility infielder who can actually field!
Pettitte owes his infielders a round of beers. Or two.
Pena picked that ball up so smoothly - no hesitation, just completely assured.
[121] really the only question is, 'can he hit enough?'
he's the best infielder they have a 2 and probably at 3 positions.
can we please get rid of berroa...NOW?!?!
Cervix is on fire!
[129] i think there are shots for that ...
[124] We'll trade him to get Betemit back.
He's the next David Ortiz donchanknow.
Oakland is wretched.
unfortunately, that too is 'Jeterian',
[127] And at "only 23," and coming into this season with zero experience past AA ball, I'll give him as much time as he needs with the bat...
He's a natural in the infield at all three positions and clearly has major league range and a plus arm.
As far as knocks against his fielding go, he needs more reps on fake grass...
: )
[128] I'm starting to suspect that Berroa has some photos of Cashman . . .
[130] i put that on a tee for you! you didn't disappoiint! ; )
LOL @ Coney and Boomer "seeing the sunrise"...
Some things never change!
: )
Is that the injury Sheffield had? (The Weeks injury?)
this game is far from over... pettitte needs to get through the 5th without giving up runs (mauer & morneau up).
In the words of wisdom "I have a bad feeling about this"
[139] i dunno, but it's the injury that weeks' had ... on his other wrist
[136] it was either that or ... "damn, you should really see a doctor about that!"
I thought Swisher was watching that one go out.
Nice, Melkman.
whew. that was a wee bit scary....
Pettitte does not look good at all.
Tex & A-Rod, yayyy! (sorry, late to the party here.)
Singleton and Cone too, this is a must-watch tonight...and hopefully no more "M&M Boys" references..I find that terribly annoying..
thelarmis, some jazz browsing scheduled for tomorrow pm, will check on that Blue Mitchell for you.
Suddenly, I'm not feeling as confident as I was in the bottom of the first.
andy looked more athletic than i thought he was at this point
Ow.
that's cool - Andy only the 3rd Yankee to rack up 1,600 K's.
good got out of that jam
gotta give Andy credit
Whew.
I wasn't feeling good about that -- I was actually yelling at Andy for not going to second for the DP on that grounder...
that was as fun as playing with matches and gasoline...
Phew.
[146] chris berman has already referred to them as the M&M boys.
THANKS, in advance, for checkin' on that title. i won't be surprised if you don't find it. or, if it's really expensive. jewel case edtion is what i need, not the mini-lp. you ROCK! (or is that...swing?!)
[147] yeah, 6-5 would've been brutal.
let's hope the offense gets the wake-up call
[150] guidry and ruffing the others?
Jose Contreras has no hit the Mudhens through 7 innings. 2 BB & 5 Ks. Only 75 pitches. Yet he was awful in the majors this year.
What bothers me about Andy, is how hardly the balls are getting hit, even by the bottom of the Twins' order.
Not good at all, no matter how much leather is being flashed. Each time through the order, that's just tempting fate with the lead.
The longer they keep Andy in, the more they need to tack on...
IMO
Need...more...runs.
did Alex just look up at the scoreboard to see .188???
[158] Guidry #2, Ford #1.
[162] ah, forgot that Ruffing started his career with Boston. he had nearly 2k strikeouts, but not all with the yankees.
old friend, nick johnson just hit a freaking BOMB off Ohlendorf.
[164] Probably hurt himself doing it
zappa would be fond of andy's honker.
d-lowe throwing a great game here in atlanta, but they have no offense.
I want to see all three of those Yankeeographies
[156] I really dislike Berman..
No problem on the Mitchell. I rock, swing AND groove..but not too good at shakin that thang..
I really dislike Carlos Gomez.
oh i love cone
the twins - thee of the great fundamentals didn't get a bunt down!!
[165] http://www.rimshot.com
Jeter played that horribly.
This game has heartbreaking loss written all over it.
Primarily because it also has "Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras" written all over it.
Man, that was a cheap run. Jeez. Grr.
My only satisfaction is that stinking Nicky Punto failed.
[167] which 3? pettitte, guidry & ford?
i've got the box sets of Vols. 1-4. then they released that massive set. i made a list of the yankeeographies that are on that, but not the first 4 volumes. i have it here somewhere...
[168] i don't blame you on the berman thing. i liked him okay years ago. he got old, pretty quick. hershiser doing a decent job tonight. ooh, another 'M&M Boys' refrenece. sorry dude.
me no likey 6-4. something tells me where gonna see Veras tonight. i really Really REALLY don't wanna see Veras...
[171] Looks like rimshot.com is now shot.
Oh good, new pitcher. Get that knuckler out of there.
I'm not looking forward to the top of the 7th...
alright.
new pitcher in.
time to pack on a couple of runs.
andy's at 90 pitches. i'm sure he'll be out there in the 7th to face the heart of the lineup. would be wise to score more runs now...
Who will pitch the top of the seventh??
oh, hell yeah - no more floater!
bunt coming.
good job, leche!
Oh [179], you're probably right. Okay.
Had Jeter slapped a tag on the guy who earlier broke up a DP, instead of a "love tap," he might have got him maybe?
Out or safe, he should have bruised a rib or at least knocked the wind out of him!
*sigh*
[182] thankfully not.
Good thing we have a power-hitting 3B.
Okay. Now at least hit it in the air Derek
I really, really hate the bunt here.
[185] you are violent!
jeter better make this stand up and get that run back. cervix doing a nice all-around job today.
[186] i didn't say *Pena* was going to bunt, did i?
=)
[189] well, at least Cap'n can't go all 'Jeterian' here again ...
Saw that coming.
Ooh. That was awful.
swing the fuckin' bat, dude.
ah, on 2nd look, that was a ball...
Crud.
It might have been a real strike, too. Well, Kenny says no, but I think it could have nicked the corner.
[189] And that's the reason why! If you are going to play for 1 run, you might as well seal the deal with a squeeze.
The Yankees continue to strand runners on 3rd, so setting up those situations makes no sense.
[196] The corner of what?
Not a strike, but too close to take.
well, pitching is much easier when you get the inside batter's box as the edge of the plate ...
[198] the batter's box?
Shocked that wasn't called a strike.
[197] No, they were playing for two runs, not one.
Grumble grumble grumble.
Yankees are trying to lose the game so the Twins feel better
fugh.
this team specializes in breaking my balls ...
This is where a manager really impacts the game. The Yankees could have put the game away with a big inning, but instead they get nothing because they gave away outs. Now, the Twins have the momentum with Morneau and Mauer heading to the plate. Girardi really seems to have very little grasp for managing a game.
[198] the corner of close and soon!
[207] And God help us, the bullpen is lurking.
[203] I'm pretty sure the chances of scoring two runs is much greater with 1 and 2 and no out than 2 and 3 and one out.
[207] Huh?
Playing for two runs is fine in this situation. If you go up by four runs, the win expectancy is astronomical.
i really hate the feeling i have when we have a lead, but don't step on their throats and just know it's gonna bite us in the ass and we're gonna lose.
Is it Cashman's job or Girardi's job to rid this team of Edwar?
(at least) 3rd "M&M Boys" references by boomer berman.
wait, Orel just added his own m&m ref.
1 down...
[213] Cashman.
[190] I'm not violent. I just play to beat your ass, not be your friend. There is more than enough time for that "horseshit" after the games...
: )
andy missed his target, got it too up.
Don't bring in Edwar. Don't bring in Edwar. Don't bring in Edwar. Don't bring in Edwar.
[216] Fire him.
The overall run expectancy goes down by 1/10 or so if you successfully bunt two runners up (with the sac being the first out). But the chance of scoring two goes way up. I'll check that in a minute (I have a roundabout way of doing it).
Oh christ. Veras.
[213] Both! My loyalty to the skinny-bespectacled brotherhood does not extend to Edwar "Home Run" Ramirez..
[219] well, Veras is up as well, happy?
Feels like Andy has thrown alot more than 30 balls.
BIG pitch Andy!
ONE more out!
[223] Then fire them both. I don't find this nearly as hilarious as they do.
Is Aceves available?
Oh no.
[221] You also have to consider the opportunity cost by giving away an out (minus the decreased risk of the DP). Also, Jeter in particular and the team in general has been very poor at knocking in the man from 3rd with less than two outs. I just don't get why you create that situation.
that was NOT what you needed to do there.
well, bring on the firestarter
man alive andy
now we get veras!!!
Damnit to hell.
that's it for andrew. hang onto your hats, people!!!
Come on Andy! How can you walk him on 4 pitches....everything about this AB spells doom...and it began with the strategy employed in the bottom of the 6th. In two straight half innings, Girardi has put the team in a less than optimal position to win.
this can turn into a 7-6 deficit in a hurry...
We need to dust off the old "run fairy" nickname for Ramirez and Veras.
throw a damn strike
throw strikes, you fucking bastard.
In situations with a man on 3rd and less than two outs, the Yankees have an OPS of .683 and have been successful in only 36/68 times.
Oh for christ sakes.
OMG, throw a fucking strike!!!
[230] The opportunity cost is part of the run expectancy.
Jeter has also been good at hitting into DPs, which means the particular situation makes the sac have a higher value added.
Okay, so if you're trailing by two in the bottom of the ninth with runners on fist and second, nobody out, you have a 28% chance of winning. If you bunt successfully, it goes up to 30%.
It's a small difference, Most situations where a manager would consider bunting give you a pretty small difference. This time, it happens to tilt in favor of the bunt (assuming it's a good bunter).
Hello, Jose Veras.
jesus h christ veras is unbelievable
[244] I believed he would do this.
awesome. just great.
i can't stand this gomez kid.
Good job. That's why Veras was brought in, to walk the batter.
Must be. Why else would you call on Veras?
Grah! frakking Veras.
Meanwhile, it doesn't take a genius to expect that Veras will not throw strikes. Bringing him in here is the definition of incompetent...Girardi has adopted the Torre style of bullpen management whereby you continue to beat your head against the wall thinking you'll finally be able to knock it down.
Just because the Yankees won 5 in a row and had three walk offs doesn't mean Girardi can toss a win back.
where are edwar's goggles?
Who could have possibly predicted this stunning turn of events.
Girardi is now thinking, "Good, Jose Veras is very dependable, just as I thought."
oh, ye of little faith.
[249] I don't even know why Jose Veras is on this team. Make him go away.
thank god - [245] cause i believed he was going to give up a bases clearing double
let's all breathe a collective sigh of relief... : ~
I think it would be funny if someone tried to defend Girardi's decision to bring in Veras. Hell, *some* Banterer is always prepared to defend practically anything.
Anyone?
Any takers?
Who thinks Veras will start the eighth?
[257] no. i thought veras was good enough last year. this year he clearly is not. relief pithers have to be treated like football place kickers - use them and then lose them once they are no longer getting the job done. i believe you coined the term "rang" it is very tru and should be emplyed by managers and gms far more.
oh thank you tex -this is great.
Oh, man, it's nice to have Teixeira back. Whew.
[243] Just as you factor in Jeter's DP tendencies, you have to consider how poor he and the team have been in the 3rd and less than two out split. The Yankees have a team of hitters who are very good at doing just that...it seems like when they need to force the issue, they are less successful. With a lineup like this, I think you play to their strength and let the hitters hit (except in obvious situations like the Pena squeeze that should have been called against Beckett).
hell yeah! i shoulda been typing, 'coz i was thinking that one, too!!!
that's some breathing room...
I never once doubted Teixeira...nope...never
Meanwhile, Tex does his part to make sure this gane wont come down to strategy.
Tex deserves a serious "BOO-YAH!" 10 taters already...awright...
Yay Tex!
We have our two guys...
How about "The T&A Boys?"
: )
[262] you might be nostralarmis - but pretty soon we aren't going to believe you - you'll be wolflarmis :}
We needed that badly.
[257] well, it's not that hard to defend, given a combination of reality and baseball 'wisdom'.
aceves, a career starter, has already pitched 2 days in a row and quite possibly unavailable.
coke is probably being saved for the 8th and is a lefty.
mo is the 9th.
so you've got ramirez and tomko and albaladejo.
pick your poison.
Swish really cannot catch a break
I think the Yankees might set a record for most times having a hitter go deep from both sides of the plate. I think they must have done it at least 5 different times.
[259] Even last year he just allowed way too many baserunners. You could see this coming.
[269] But Veras is the worst pitcher of those four.
Also, what about Dave Robertson? I'd rather see him, by a mile.
[267] i know. i was thinkin' the same thing. but i really was thinking about both tex's and alex's solo shots!
[266] T&A sounds great. sign me up! ; )
[271] i love that.
[266] Given what we know about A-Rod..not sure 'T&A Boys' would be a good idea..
I saw a JV team lose today 23-2 and they committed 15 errors in only 6 innings. FIRE THE COACH! Wait. that' me. UGH. Good thing it was our last game I am able to come home and tune into a nice looking score.
[273] weird, didn't even know he was on the roster. when did he get called up?
[270] But his ABs are much better over the past two days, so a hot streak might be coming.
The ball really doesn't seem to carry well to centerfield and left field. Byleven stated the same thing on one of the weekend telecasts.
alex seems to be moving around pretty well. methinks, carlos delgado will have a hard time coming back from this surgery in 2 months...
With the Yankees and Rays starting to win games, and the Jays refusing to lose games, this division could really be something to watch all season. I really hope Bruney comes back strong...I also wish the Yankees would give Melancon or Roberts more of a chance. Right now the only area where the Yankees are clearly weaker than their rivals (at least Boston and the Jays) is in the pen, so suring that up a little could go along way.
Edwar.
Crap.
oh boy, it's the edwar experience
[283] I still see the Blue Jays wilting once they start facing the East regularly.
[283] Roberts = Robertson?
He's on the 25 man roster now, I do believe.
But I'd like to see Melancon here too.
that shouldn't have taken 10 pitches, but i'll take the result.
Thank god. If Edwar had walked Stinky Stinko, I would have exploded.
punto vs edwar ... the irresistable force versus the unwalkable object
[288] Yes...Robertson I meant. Is he on the 25-man? He was sent down on May 9, so I don't think he could have returned so quickly.
[292] Oh, well done there cult!! You got me in hysterics
[288] it's a mistake in the 25 man roll.
he's in SWB.
unless we're allowed 26 players.
Why do we keep such obvious deadweight on this team?
Ah. Yes, that's Edwar's weakness.
how in the hell did that go out?
that's fuckin' ridiculous. off his shoetops. he's not that strong. fence too close!
[293] Alex B. has him listed in the margin...
Most of the Yankee relievers have two problems: they walk too many and give up too many HRs. That's like mixing ammonia and bleach.
[297] He only has one?
Remember when we kept bringing in Proctor to pitch to Manny?
Coke warming up before Mauer and Morneau reminds me of that.
see, edwar is *my* LVP.
i don't want veras around either and i don't know if it really matters (other than the issue of who has options left) but i want Edwar gone the most (in favor of bruney or melancon or robertson).
[298] That's called "sitting on the changeup"...
[301] other than that, how was the play?
Robertson isn't listed on the newyork.yankees.mlb.com official roster, so I guess Alex is out of date. Or Cliff, whoever.
why the HELL wasn't Coke ready to be brought in to face Mauer?
[301] I've always said; some GMs build a pitching staff around men that get groundballs, some around men that strikeout alot of people.
Cashman seeks out pitchers that put alot of men on base, usually by way of walk.
When Girardi gave an interview after one of the Boston debacles, he talked about how he trusted the guys that performed for his last year. In fact, he even singled out Melancon as someone who had not earned his trust. That mentality is why they are in the minors.
Oh, right, that's Edwar's weakness.
[306] there are also 26 men on the Banter 25 man roster.
since everyone else on the roster *is* actually here, Robertson isn't ...
alright coke - help me not be annoyed by edwar and girardi
Ok...can someone justify bringing in Coke to face Morneau, but not having him ready for Mauer? If Morneau homers, you can blame the bullpen all you want, but the real culprit is bullpen management.
By season's end it will be Coke, Melancon, Bruney and Mo getting most the bullpen work..Edwar and Veras will be gone..as for Marte...Nationals??
[303] If I had to keep one, it would probably be Veras too.
[313] you can owe me a coke
=)
I hate to say it, but Mo should enter now.
He's available. And he's *obviously* more important now than the ninth will be -- obviously. Not close. This is much higher leverage.
[316] I'll take a Pepsi! Has more carbonation and gives up fewer HRs.
Maybe this is all a secret scheme by Yankees management to win over more fan support for Joba in the pen.
[314] maybe they'll join the rest of the alumni of the 2007 Columbus Clippers as part of the official "Yankees-in-Exile" pitching staff in Pittsburgh
Impressive. I like Coke's psycho makeup. After Morneau beat him last time, he just came out with ice water.
Well, that went better than I thought it would.
Coke Adds Life!
that was gorgeous
[318] No, I'll take a Coke.
very nice pitching coke. and i think frankie c gets a little credit too.
[325] Then, Coke is it!
After that, I get the feeling we've just seen the last of Edwar Ramirez as a Yankee...
[327] with a Mo chaser!
Coke is sweeter than M&Ms.
[327] Will Coney and Singy start calling him Cokie?? Shudder...
[329] uh, oh ... is Mo available tonite?
[326] Frankie C is close to earning himself a spot on this team even when both Molina and Posada come back. Molina is so inept with the bat and Posada has become very fragile, so the Yankees actually could benefit from having 3 catchers.
Coke adds life!
: )
[332] Yes.
There he is.
Lets get three runs so Mo can rest
I don't think Mo is available tonight...toward that end, if Aceves is available, he should be the closer. Of all the arms in the pen, Aceves is the only one I see not freaking out by the thought of having to close.
[328] goddamn right. if edwar doesn't get an express bus ticket to Scranton tomorrow, i'm gonna have to bum rush Cashman.
[333] I agree, although if there were a good bat to have on the bench instead I wouldn't think so. But given the opportunity cost (which is low), I'd have all three catchers on the roster.
no Mo tonight?
[328] We haven't
[337] he might be less available than Mo.
3 days in a row for a lifelong starter and all ...
Uh oh...looks like Coke to close. I'm sure he'll be able to handle that responsibility.
he punto'd it!
[337] If no Mo, I'd let Coke continue, no doubt about it.
Nicky Punto!
I am so, so grateful that Nicky Punto is not on the Yankees.
[345] Really..how do the Twins compete with guys like Punto getting 500 ABs every year??
So, Ortiz will return against the Blue Jays. Rocco Baldelli (a Rhode Islander, by the way) was 0 for 11 in the DH role, and his OPS is an alarming .529.
[346] Grit.
[342] He only pitched on Saturday and Sunday, and he threw only 10 and 11 pitches, respectively. I'd have to think he is still available.
I think the bunt is an even proposition here. If you think Cervelli has a decent chance of a hit, let him rip; otherwise, the sac is fine.
Esp. since it worked.
Frankie Cervix, our best bunter and that's not sarcasm, he does it right.
[350] The bunt bothers me less here because it doesn't create a situation that the Yankees have repeatedly failed at.
and cervelli can actually bunt - something the yanks shitty bucs over the years have not been able to do
Jeter went around further than I thought he did
Anyone hear that Steve Phillips went on some srtange rant against Carlos Beltran the other night?? I missed it, but sounds odd..Beltran is awesome at baseball, what is there to criticize?
Jeter seems to be leaning/diving over the plate more than usual...that's usually the posture he takes when he isn't right.
[353] At first I thought you meant the Yankee's dirty money.
[355] Hmmm. Could it be that Phillips is an idiot? That might explain it.
well this should be exciting
[355] He was declaring that if the Mets should dump anyone at the end of the year, it should be Beltran instead of Wright or Reyes
Damn...two runs might not be enough for Coke. I really wish Aceves was available here. I fear the pressure to "close" might be a bit much for Coke at this point.
Well, let's hope we don't see them, but it's nice to have Tex and Alex coming up next...
[349] i'm not sure that it's the number of pitches (+plus warmups), but rather the fact he most likely hasn't ever pitched back-to-back days. it takes a while to get used to that kind of throwing schedule.
just don't know whether the staff made the decision on whether he's available to go or not tonite and if they decided that he shouldn't, i wouldn't argue it.
'course we'll never know unless someone asks Girardi or Eiland after the game ...
Phillips thinks that Reyes and Beltran are underachieving and leaving the team devoid of a leader. He's disappointed in both and thinks the Mets might have better 'personality' if they dumped them.
[363] should be back-to-back-to-back days
[356] I wasn't thinking of that specifically but I have sense that Jeter's hurt.
[355, 360] Which we agree is asinine...right?? right??
[355] are you kidding? - beltran is NOT GRITTY!
The biggest trouble with the Mets is Manaya has fooled nobody but the Wilpons...
c'mon Coke, you're performing in front of the mighty Mo.
step up, Rook!
Have a Coke and a smile guys....
[363] If anything, any personality problem of the Mets comes from Reyes. It seems obvious. Maybe Phillips was being a contrarian to appear "smart"
[367] If I had no idea who any of those guys were, and you told me Phillips had said it, I would be 99% sure it was ridiculous.
I sound like Marge Simpson tonight.
I like to think of it this way: The Washington Nationals felt more comfortable handing their perrenial last place team over to Jim Bowden than Steve Phillips...that says something.
alright put him away coke
[360][364] WHAT?? He actually said that on national tv??? Seriously, I would fire any "analyst" who said that..shocking lack of understanding of what baseball is..
The lead off walk seemed inevitable...I fear the blown save does as well.
Freaking Joe Crede.
Good at-bat, I have to say.
shite coke - no walks man
This is such a helpless feeling...Coke blowing this save seems unavoidable. Are Mo and Aceves really both unavailable?
Kubel's the most dangerous batter Coke will have to face.
[377] dude, this is a network that employs Chris Berman to do baseball broadcasts, it's not like they know any better ...
Coke just hung an 0-2 slider!! That scares the hell out of me.
[377] IIRC, it had something to do with him overthrowing a cutoff man, making the whole thing that much more bizarre
That was kind of stupid, even though he made second. The benefit is small, the cost would have been enormous.
Love Tex.
Another hanger on 0-2, but Tex bails him out. If Coke gets through this, I'll be amazed.
more nice D at 1st.
[384] Good thing Twins have no power outside the M&Ms..
[377] Point taken. Am actually very glad I never get to watch ESPN here. The website is enough for me!
Cuddyer was the batter who scared me most...a one pitch out saves me an extra ulcer.
[383]
Steve Berthiaume.
RIGHT AT HIM!
I'd walk Gomez to get to Punto.
[394] A walk to Gomez would be a double.
(I was joking. Expressing my hatred and disdain for Punto.)
Throw it down the damn middle! Let him hit it.
[394] i hope he's not listening to you
So when he walks Gomez, is the next pitch a run scoring double?
Oooh. Was that my fault?
That's pure awful pitching...awful.
[400] yes
I'm glad we have pitchers that feel the need to pitch around Carlos Gomez.
toothpick chewing time..
Nostralarmis! What's going to happen?????????
Oh christ. Tomko.
This has disaster written all over it.
I hope Gomez steals, because Cervelli's arm might be the best chance to win the game.
Remember after 2007 when there was a vocal minority that wanted us to let Mo walk and have Farnsworth close?
deep breaths...
This is such a helpless feeling.
Come on kid, close the thing.
High strike.
I'm not seriously worried.
This is agitating.
jesus christ - THROW STRIKES
Redman looks the guy you'd get from central casting for "white street thug"
These pitches are missing by so much, it's obviously nerves...you can't let him face Span. Unfortunately, Tomko will have to close, which means this game is careening toward a loss.
Holy shit, this is way more intense than I imagined earlier. FUCK
Try a few pick-offs!
Whew! That wall ball 4.
[417] i was thinking he might make a great extra as one of the road gang cannibals from 'The Road'.
When I become commissioner, I'm going to institute a rule that if the catcher drops a called strike, its a ball. No good reason, no logic behind it, but its always irritated me.
The Real Thing!
COKE IS IT!
oh that was too close!!
Thank you Mike Redmond...thank you, thank you, thank you!
Well, that was a relief.
Well... that was Ball 4 too. We catch a break!
Ok. I can breath now.
oh ye of little faith.
alright - slightly taxing - but a win is a win
great series
[423] unless he catches for the yankees.
Coke I never lost faith in you, I just KNEW you'd do it and win the game - no offense, but I hope you never close another game again.
Welcome to a preview of life without Mo...that is such a gruesome thought.
[435] that's not happening in my world
[435] See [409]
and the gritty Twins get swept..so so happy!
Yay Phil!
: )
Does anyone believe that ARod isn't important to this team?
[431] see [414]. I was pretty confident.
[437] NO! I refuse.
Does this mean we are only slightly better than the Twins? I really don't have a good read on this team - meaning, they need to find a facet of their game where they know they are really good.
For example, the Red Sox know they have a good bullpen. What do the Yanks that's really exceptional? That's what I hope to find out in the next few weeks.
I still like Coke Classic!
: )
[438] Gardenhire has already been bad-mouthing his team. This should really set them off into a feeding frenzy.
I hate Gardnehire. More than I hate Punto.
I got my seven runs... the only thing missing was the ahem... quality start...
Have a great evening everybody!
: )
It's funny...the Twins and Angels both have historically had gritty teams that rely on pitching (especially bullpens) and defense, but the while the Yankees dominate one, they have been handled by the other.
[443] Seriously?
The Yankees have an exceptional top-of-the-rotation, and an exceptional line-up.
What do the Yanks that’s really exceptional?
drive william and mattpatt up the wall?
[440] Steve Phillips
[449] On fire tonight, man..
Sabathia vs Bergesen tomorrow..I predict: victory
[448] I agree...the Yankees should eventually develop the personality of a team that beats you early and late, but they could very well also be the kind of team that struggles in games decided in the middle. The Yankees don't need a lights out pen like Boston, but they do need more consistency and guys that can throw strikes. You simply can't have a bullpen few of guys who can walk the lead off batter in their sleep.
[449] Up the wall....or into it?
[452] I'd love to have a great bullpen. It makes a fan's life much nicer. But for winning games, it's overrated.
I think we'll eventually settle on a combination that's good enough. It won't include Veras or Ramirez, but it will include Coke and Aceves, Bruney and Melancon maybe.
Coke is completely blowing the lid of the argument that closing isn't a special skill. He looks and sounds like he has just been through an ordeal.
I think Coke is drunk
Real classy, YES - putting up A Rod's BA ... for the last three games.
I can't recall a more candid and interesting interview than the one Coke just gave.
Girardi is weird. Twitchy, tense, even after a win. I guess he's always like that. He was tweaking when he called Mike Francesa the other day too.
[458] Cosign
[459] Men who have crewcuts at that age usually are.
Jeter is the Captain, but it sure seems like Damon is the "vocal leader" of this team.
[448] Agreed. Not sure what people want.
Boy, the Twinkies are really, really jinxed in the Bronx ... in ANY stadium.
I am now officially watching the homers fly and wondering what the air flow is in this place. I know I'm late to this party, but really ... yes, there were a lot of monster shots, that's the only catch.
Life without Mo ... painful thought. The only thing that'll be required of the GM the year before, Cash or whomever, is to be on the ball and find a solid, current, stable closer a few years younger. Me, I'd want Joe Nathan. He can name his price.
OYF, relax, have a scotch.
[455] Closing for the first time is tough. STARTING for the first time is tough. Doing either in NY is VERY tough.
[463] The Yankees have hit a ton of HRs on the road and given up quite a bit as well. I think that's the answer to most of the HRs at the YSIII. A small portion are probably the result of the RF fence being a little closer. That can be fixed next season (if deemed a problem), so I hope this issue dies out.
[464] don't think that you can just show up at the end of games and act like the voice of reason. you have to spend time in the asylum to have the right to talk sense around here!
=)