After a shaky outing and a thoroughly poor one, Shawn Chacon looks to get back on the good foot tonight for the Yanks. He’ll face Barry Zito in Oakland on the ESPN Sunday Night Game of the Week. The Red Sox won this afternoon, and the Angels are well on their way to a win, but the Indians fell to the Twins.
The Yanks didn’t score on Friday, and the A’s didn’t score yesterday. Wish I could say I had a hunch about what’s going to happen, but I don’t. Hopefully, the Yanks pull out a win and come back home feeling okay about things.
Enjoy. I hope everyone is having a beautiful holiday weekend. Let’s Go Yan-Kees.
1. hopefully Chacon isn't reverting back to form. I hope Bellhorn gets the start at 2B.
2. So far Zito is the one looking shaky. Jeter's first pitch homer, Sheff had another laser beam shot to left (though foul) on a 3-1 count, A-Rod's hard single up the middle, Giambi working a 3-1 count.
3. Ask and ye shall receive, markp - and a nice play by Bellhorn, too. Chacon looks sharp so far . . .
4. The Babehorn!
5. Very appropriate that his first Yankee hit is a home run. Quiet night here, huh? Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!
6. Jeter had a first-pitch homer? LOL! I turned the game on only a few minutes late, and was surprised to see it was already 1-0.
7. Thats some bad D in this inning.
8. Was there talk last winter that Andruw Jones might be traded? To the Yankees? Because he was washed up?
Damon is not leading the league in BA now, and ARod is just 4 points from the top. If ARod goes on an hitting/RBI tear, the triple crown is not out of the question.
According to ESPN:
Yankees BA: .279, with men on: .264, with 2 out and men on: 2nd worst in the league. Lack of clutch seems to be team wide.
9. They're hitting well now!
But yeah, this year they do seem to be wasting a lot of opportunities, stranding far too many, etc. They're doing better since Torre reminded them that small ball wins games, too.
10. Zito's thrown 78 pitches. I'm not sure if the Yankees are better off with him or the bullpen later on
11. Zito is not sharp so far...lots of pitches. But still, he's only down three runs. Bellhorn whiffing with the bases juiced in the third was a big out for him. A single there would have put the Yanks in a comfortable spot and might have run Zito from the game. Still, Posada getting an RBI single with two out was big.
This just in: Alex Rodriguez can hit. Two more singles tonight. Also, Sheff really does look banged up. Hit a vicious line drive foul in his first at bat. Almost a homer. Missed a couple of fastballs the next time up.
Two nifty basket catches by Bellhorn so far. Also, his first hit as a Yank a solo dinger. Not bad.
Chacon doesn't look great but he's okay so far.
12. Matsui with a slump busting triple!
13. Sheff with a wood chop floater into right to score Matsui, 6-1.
14. After getting Rodriguez to pop out in foul territory to the first baseman Johnson (on a full count) for the first out of the fifth, Zito hits Giambi and his night is done. It was his 95th pitch of the game.
Ball seems to be carrying well in Oakland tonight. Jeter lead off the game with a homer and it didn't look like it was going to travel out of the park...still plenty of time for the A's to come back. However, Flash and Mo are rested and could easily pitch the last three, even four innings between them if need be.
15. Oh, let's hope that need does not arise.
16. Chacon should do well with this lead. Or let's hope so.
While Morgan is far from my fav commentator, he's dead on with the observation that Yank batters have been going with the pitch these last two games. Great to see. And no reason on earth that shouldn't be done every game.
Zito's gone... too bad ;-)
17. Bad, bad AB, Georgie!
18. Yeah, Posada waved at two pitches--checked his swing really--in his third at bat, after narrowly missing a bullshit bloop down the left field line. He's batting from the left side now, and struck out to end the fourth. That was not a good-looking at bat. It's 6-1 Yanks, and Chacon needs to eat three innings and keep the A's down....
19. Well, that was a fun inning. A double, a triple, 3rd base stolen. All before there was even one out. :)
20. Wow! Nice play by Bellhorn!
21. With one out and Payton on first, Mark Bellhorn just turned a Major League Quality double play. Johnson hit a ball to Bellhorn's right. Bellhorn field it, spun immediately and threw a strike to Jeter who then completed the dp. It was the pivot and throw to Jeter, with no hestitation that was so impressive. Really nifty play.
22. Man! Looked even better on the replay!
23. Bellhorn is certainly earning his paycheck tonight.
24. %#@&!
Talk about a 'game of inches'. Jeter's poke down the right field line goes just foul, then a DP...
25. Chacon's breaking ball is on!
26. In the bottom of the fifth, A Rod fell on his puss trying to go back and catch a pop up in foul ground. His bugaboo strikes again. Fortunately, Chacon struck Keitly out. But he left an 0-2 fastball up on the inside part of the plate to Marco Scutaro who nailed a solo homer to left.
6-2 Yanks. Still a lot of time left.
27. Not to re-start this once again, but tell me Morgan does not get a little "too excited" when a Yankee opponent does something noteworthy... as in anything from beating out a bunt to hitting a dinger. Or is it still just me?
28. Morgan resents the Yankees because their accomplishments in the last decade have eclipsed those of his beloved Reds teams.
29. I pulled my calf muscle this week, but I can still run faster than Ruben.
30. Nertz. Not a good evening for Sierra at the plate. Finally got a good pitch to hit in the top of the sixth and he fouled it off. Ended up grounding out weakly to first to end the inning, stranding two runners (Matsui, single, Giambi, walk).
2-3-4 hitters for Oakland in the bottom of the inning. This is the game for Chacon right here. If he gets through this frame unharmed then he gets to work the seventh for free with Flash and Mo getting ready to go.
31. I don't think Morgan hates the Yanks at all. Especially not with his favorite "Moneyballers" out there.
32. Chacon walks Ellis to start the sixth...dammit. I'm getting the pen started NOW if I'm Torre.
33. First pitch is low to Chavez. I'm getting the pen started NOW I tells ya.
34. Felix Rodriguez is warming up as Chavez skies out to left.
35. Embree is now up too as Hatteburg laces a single to right. First and second, one out.
36. Payton, 2-2 on the night, rips a long...foul down the left field line. The crowd is making some noise.
37. Payton's been one tough out since he's been in Oaktown.
38. Did Embree get a hold of those compromising pictures of Torre that Todd Zeile used to have?
39. Two outs. One more Shawn.
40. Payton, check swing tapper back to the mound. Too slow for a dp. Chacon gets the out at first. Two men down, runners on second and third.
41. Chacon gets out of it. The kid has El Duque's mental toughness.
42. Johnson rips the first pitch foul, 0-1. Pops the next one foul, 0-2. That was his pitch to hit and he was just off. Morgan is saying how he's slumping of late. Chacon takes something off the next pitch and gets Johnson to ground out to second.
That's all they need from Chacon. Way to go getting out of a jam, dogs.
43. Solid single to center by Jorge on a 2-0 pitch to start the seventh.
44. Bernie with a ground ball single past Johnson into right. First and second. Yabu is still in there for Oakland. Rincon is warming...
45. Bellhorn bunts the first pitch foul..
46. Takes a ball, fouls another bunt...oy.
47. Morgan is small ball obsessed.
48. First 2 men on. We can't waste opportunities like this.
49. Flies out to center. One out.
50. Why does Morgan think that Cano can bunt?
51. I guess its not such a quiet night after all . . . C'mon Jeter! Let's break this even wider open.
BTW, IMHO, Ruben needs to not come up to make an out for the 5th time tonight. Think Torre will pinch hit with Phillips? I'd take anyone over Sierra tonight, except Womack.
52. Couple of pitches way inside to Jeter...who works a full count...
53. Runners go, ball in the dirt. Base loaded.
54. Rincon is coming in the Matsui. And I feel good about this match up just like I did last night.
55. Oh now, they say its time to go, let's call Godzilla!
That BOC song runs through my head every time Matsui comes up with RISP. I'm hoping he comes through . . .
56. Torre also likes small ball, and our 1996-2000 boys did it well. We have tremendous power on this team, but a single is all that's needed much of the time. I, for one, like it when this team wins with singles... not HRs.
57. Torre would never use Phillips over Ruben becauses Ruben has experience, and Torre puts more value on experience than ability.
58. I don't mind small ball in close and late games. Early in the game with an offense as potent as the Yankees have, it's counterproductive.
59. Rincon wins. Matsui fouls off two pitches then whiffs.
60. Well, that's why Beane got Rincon, right? Now its up to Mr. Laser Beam.
61. Here comes Jay Witasick to face Sheff...Yanks sure could use some breathing room. A single would give it to them. Another scoring opportunity for them with Sheff up. He's hurting, but has been good in these spots. We'll see...
62. Falls behind, 2-0, then Sheff takes a vicous cut. Laser foul, probably killed someone in the stands...
63. Grounds out to short. Weak.
64. Yanks letting Oakland hang around. Let's see if they can come back against New York pitching in the last three innings...I'm not feeling too secure about this one yet.
65. Boy, Sheff's really hurting, huh? He needs to get healthy quick, 'cause we need his bat down the stretch.
In the meantime, a 6-2 lead is not bad. I'm iffy on Chacon coming back out - 94 pitches is almost enough. He should NOT throw 120 again.
66. No one in the history of MLB ever hit more long hard foul balls than Sheff.
67. Chacon falls behind Nick Swisher 3-0, gets two strikes (the second one was close and the fans behind home plate were not pleased about the call), Swisher fouls three pitches off then grounds out to Bellhorn.
68. Falls behind Keilty, 2-0. Foul, ground out to Bellhorn.
69. Nothing wrong with Bellhorn so far at second for defensive purposes...
70. Very effective outing by Chacon. But for Sheff's misplay of the fly ball in RF, he would have only let up one run.
71. Fastball taken for a strike by Scutaro. Breaking ball low, curve ball strike, curve ball low, 2-2, sinker low, 3-2, fastball high?!?! Walked him. In comes Flash.
72. Cano's defense is fine. The defensive problems are in the OF.
73. Yeah Chacon gets the job done in a most undazzling manner. Fug it, we'll take it, right? Flash on to get four outs.
74. Cano is solid at second, but I doubt he would have turned that DP that Bellhorn did tonight.
75. Gordon throws two pitches and gets Jason Kendell to pop out to Bellhorn in short right field.
76. Rich, definitely yet another strong outing for Chacon. We should be able to bring this one in for a landing without too much drama. As least on paper, the A's are not a big, late inning rally team. Here's hoping we don't hand 'em one with walks and sloppy D...
77. Was just going to say wish Chacon had made it through the inning, but Gordon gets a one or two pitch out, so no biggie.
Alex, slow sunday night for you? I don't think I have ever seen so many consecutive posts by you, nice to have you around tonight!
I would also like to thank Jeter for his first pitch home run, which, at the wire, got my fantasy team into the playoffs, where I will promptly get trounced, but still, thanks Jetes!
78. If Flash has a problem we'll see Mo in early. Torre really is managing now like a playoff, playoff for the playoff or whatever he said like that
79. Rodriguez smacks a 3-1 fastball into center for his third single of the game to start the eighth.
80. Giambi, who was 1-1 with two walks and a HBP, whiffs on a full count pitch, A Rod swipes second.
81. Ruben goes down on three pitches...bad night for Rubes.
82. Wright's OK:
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050904&content_id=1197391&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy
83. Jorgie walks on four pitches.
84. Another opportunity for the Yanks to add to the lead...
85. 2-0 to Bernie...
86. Yeah, c'mon — let's put this away... we had enough chances.
87. Bernie walks, bases loaded...yes, yes, again. Second time for Bellhorn.
88. Good eye, Bellhorn!
89. There's the beauty of Bellhorn. Strikes out a lot and walks a lot
90. Witasick missed the 2-1 pitch and put his hands on his head. The home plate ump is squeezing the pitchers some here. Count goes full...gotta be thinking strike out or walk here, and Bellhorn walks. A run scores. That's it for Jay. Nice insurance run. A base knock by Jetes here puts it away for good.
91. Jay "12-Run" Witasick delivers again...
92. They got more insurance, time to go for the umbrella policy
93. Bellhorn took some tough curves... ending up inside. Bernie and Posada would have struck out on those.
94. Jeter grounds out to Chavez.
95. Flash gets ahead of Mark Ellis 1-2 but then the count goes full before Ellis singles to center.
96. Batting Race Update: Unless A's send this into extra:
1. Young .325
2. A-Rod .324
3. Damon .322
97. Chavez singles past Rodriguez at third. Good piece of hitting. First and third, nobody out. Wayne Franklin is warming up. Better make that Mo.
98. Mark 'Gold Glove' Bellhorn!
99. Hatteburg pulls on toward right. Bellhorn dives, slides, gets the ball and throws Hatteburg out at first. Run scores, 7-3, man on second. Good play.
100. Payton grounds out to third.
101. Nice work on Payton by Flash...
102. Flash strikes Dan Johnson out with curve balls. End of inning.
103. I like how matter of factly Bellhorn made that play on Hatteburg...good jump on the ball, took his time getting up, made the play at first. Though I was highly critical of his signing, his even disposition is a positive in situations like this.
Cano's at least as good on defense, but his tendency to style at times can cost the team.
104. Both closers will get a look in the ninth...Huston Street works a perfect inning (Matsui, ground out, Sheffield, strike out, A Rod, pop out).
105. This Street kid, not bad.
106. Uno.
107. If Cano did that he would get skewered.
108. Mark 'Silver Glove' Bellhorn.
109. The Yankees took Poterson over Street.
110. Swisher flies out to center. Kielty checks his swing and looks like he hurts his back on a cutter. 0-2, he actually shifts his feet and grounds an easy ground ball to Bellhorn. Bellhorn boots it and Kielty is on. Weird sequence.
111. Sure enough, I praise the new acquisition's defense, he boots it big time.
The boos at Fenway for that play would have been deafening.
112. Nice play, Andy!!!!
113. Stellar play by Phillips. He is underappreciated.
114. Scutaro lines one down first. Andy Phillips, who replaced Giambi, fields the ball, throws to second. Jeter goes back to him and Scutaro is called safe (he was out).
115. Man, Joe Morgan loves the Yankees!
116. I can understand not taking Street, we didn't exactly need a closer
117. Mo wals Kendell...stupid.
118. Street could have been a set up man. The Yankees do need bullpen help, but since when does a team draft for immediate need? BPA.
119. I really wish Shef. wouldn't dive like that
120. yeah, but we need a catcher more, but thats a whole other story
121. Too bad A-Rod isn't clutch. ;)
122. Beautiful catch
123. One more time: Best Player Available.
124. "Too bad A-Rod isn't clutch. ;)"
He can't be clutch -- he doesn't have a WS ring! ;)
125. Scary moment. Ellis pops an 0-2 pitch foul. Sheff dives and can't catch it...takes a tumble. With a bad knee and sore back..ouch. He comes up hobbling a bit. Mo misses upstairs and then Ellis laces one...diving stop by Rodriguez and the game is over. ESPN didn't even show a replay...cue ol' Silver Throat John Sterling, "Thuuuu..."
Good win. That plane ride home just got a lot easier.
126. I hope Sheff is OK tomorrow. Or at least status quo.
127. Geez, that last half-inning seemed to go on forever. I hope Sheff's okay. I don't think he meant to dive, at least not quite like that. He tripped on that @#$% turf.
Now...is taking a series from Tampa Bay too much to ask?
128. If they don't take, if not sweep, TB, forgot about the playoffs.
129. The way this Yankees team has been playing, I'm half-expecting them to lose to TB but sweep the Red Sox.
130. The Yanks made up for missing out on Street by drafting his replacement as U Texas closer, Brent Cox, in the 2nd round of this year's draft.
Anyone know how he's doing in the minors so far?
131. Answered my own question. Looks like he's listed as James Cox.With Tampa from 7/18. 1 win, 2 losses, 2.81 era, 26 ip, 19hits, 5 bb, 25 k.