Boom.
Greetings, Banterers. The Yankees moved into first place in the AL East tonight – for now – in a sloppy 9-7 win over the Royals that didn’t relly make anyone except Robinson Cano look good. Ivan Nova didn’t have it, but neither did the Royals pitchers, and Cano’s mega-homer in the interminable fourth inning was the difference. Nova gave up all seven of those runs in 5 and a third, and while one might hope that nine runs would be enough for an easy victory, this was tighter than it should’ve been. Nova’s exceeded expectations enough that I’m willing to spot him a few, however, and KC pitcher Danny Duffy (who has a fantastic mlb.com profile photo, by the way) gave up eight in just three, so maybe it was one of those something-in-the-water games.
Ned Yost got ejected arguing balls and strikes on Duffy’s behalf in that fourth inning, but Cano hit his monster shot immediately afterwards to cap off a great 12-pitch battle, so apparently getting tossed didn’t have quite the fire-up-the-troops effect Yost was going for. Though again, it was a great at-bat from Cano, and Duffy hardly disgraced himself although things did not exactly go his way.
Also coming through for New York were Derek Jeter (now up to .283 and OBPing .344, though with no slugging percentage to speak of), Mark Teixeira, Russell Martin and Brett Gardner; the bullpen quartet of Boone Logan, Rafael Soriano, Dave Robertson, and Mo, who seems to be just fine, thankyouverymuch.
I’d be shocked if the Red Sox didn’t take the lead back at least once or twice, and frankly surprised if they didn’t end up with it, given the eyebrow-raising nature of the Yanks’ rotation. But hey, it’s gotten them this far. Starting tomorrow: the Incredible Colon.
yay, Emma's back!!!
more, please : )
Inevitable. That's what is was. Robby was just so locked in. His opp field single was just a breathtaking swing on a slow yakker, hands kept back, even with weight forward, punched a bullet into left. In a later at bat, he hit one at about eye level foul down the RF line, but nearly. Nearly. Nearly another honer. He makes me feel like the girl in Saturday Night Fever. "I love to watch you hit, Robby. I love to watch you hit"
\\man-crush
Oh, okay. When I saw "that didn’t relly make anyone except Robinson Cano look good", I was all ready to remind you about the Yankee relief corps, but you remembered by the end. And if you really think the Red Sox will win the division because of the questionable Yankee rotation, then all I can say is, take a closer look at the Sox' rotation.
Eddie Lee, look at #63 from last night.
Great to see your name under the banner, Emma.
[2] yeah that ab when he adjusted his swing as the ball was getting to home plate was impressive. the ab when he hit the homer was some really good stuff too - just fouling off everything he couldn't drive - til he found one he could drive.
also very glad to see jeter fulfilling monkeypant's and my belief that he would have a solid second half.
and please can those bloody crickets not make an appearance on the broadcast tonight.
5. Is that what that was last night, crickets? I thought I was going insane!
[6] yeah - that noise was driving me crazy. i kept muting the tv, closed the windows. then we figured out that it was crickets at the stadium. then bob lorenz confirmed that about 5 minutes later. but damn that was annoying.
Yay, Emma!
[1] Ditto!
Win, 1st place, an Emma writeup - we hit the trifecta!
Was looking at the box score and decided to look at other AL closers. Top 20 guys in saves and Mo (despite bad week last week) is second in WHIP and ERA (i know, so conventional of me). Who is first? frackin farnsworth. WTF?