After being embarrassed by the Devil Rays all season, including losing two of three to them at home last week, the Yankees were clearly a team on a mission last night in Tampa, unloading on the D-Rays for five runs in the first inning, knocking starter Doug Waechter from the game before he had recorded a single out, and finishing the night with a whopping 17-3 victory.
From one point of view such an outburst was exactly what this team needed to do: send a message to Tampa Bay that clowntime is over and papa won’t take their mess no mo’. From another point of view, such an outburst is actually cause for concern. Could it be that the Yankees expelled all of their frustration over a season worth of series loses to the Devil Rays with one cathartic explosion of run scoring and will thus lack that fire in the remaining two games of the series, which are every bit as important to their playoff chances? After all, hasn’t it been true all season that the Yankee offense has followed such a outbursts by failing to score more than a run or two the next day?
Well, no, actually.
Prior to last night, the Yankees had run up a double-digit run total in thirteen games this season. In six of the games that followed such an outburst, the Yankees scored fewer than five runs, but in six others they scored more than five runs (in the one remaining game they scored exactly five), twice scoring in double-digits again the next day and once scoring nine runs and following that with a fifteen-spot the next day. While it may not look impressive compared to the nearly 14 runs the team scored on average in their thirteen highest-scoring games, the Yankees have scored an average of 5.62 runs in the games immediately following those outbursts, with a median total of five runs. That average is actually higher than their overall season average of 5.39 runs per game.
It’s much more informative to look at tonight’s starting pitchers for an indication of what tonight’s contest might bring. For the Devil Ray’s, that man is Mark Hendrickson, who has made four starts against the Yankees, all of which the Devil Rays have won, with Hendrickson himself picking up the win in three of them. In his last two starts against the Yankees, which includes his most recent start of the season, Hendrickson has posted this line:
14 1/3 IP, 12 H, 9 R (8 ER) 2 HR, 5 BB, 8 K
That translates to a 5.02 ERA, more than a run better than his season mark of 6.06. But then consider what Hendrickson did in his three starts in between those two games against the Yankees:
21 2/3 IP, 17 H, 5 R, 3 HR, 3 BB, 15 K, 2.08 ERA
And what weaker sisters of the league did he amass that line against you might ask? The Blue Jays (who are an even .500 after defeating the Red Sox last night), the AL West-leading Angels (against whom Hendrickson hurled 8 2/3 innings of one-run ball), and those red hot Cleveland Indians.
What all of this goes to show is that if the Yankees do struggle to score runs tonight it has nothing to do with the 17 runs they scored last night or Hendrickson “owning” them, as he’s actually pitched much better over the past month against the Yankees’ rivals than against the Yankees themselves.
The Yankees will send Chien-Ming Wang to the mound tonight for just his second start since returning from a minor league rehab assignment and what was once thought to be a season-ending rotator cuff injury. Wang’s last start also came against Hendrickson and the Devil Rays and saw the rookie groundball pitcher surrender three runs on eight hits and a pair of walks in five innings.
Curiously, that outing was Wang’s best result in three starts against the Devil Rays this year (he surrendered five earned runs in six innings in each of his other two and took the loss in all three). The loss in his last start could be considered hard-luck as the Yankees did score four runs, one more than Wang allowed, but their bullpen gave up four more after Wang departed to put the game out of reach before the Yankee bats finally got to Hendrickson in the eighth (it’s worth noting that Hendrickson needed just 85 pitches to get through 7 2/3 innings in that game, which means that the Yankee runs were not the result of Hendrickson tiring, but also means he was alarming efficient through the first seven innings).
Wang threw just 80 pitches in that game, likely due to concerns over the health of his shoulder. With the bullpen well rested following Monday’s off day and last night’s blow out, I would expect the Yankees to again be cautious with Wang’s pitch count, so the performance of the bullpen tonight could turn out to be every bit as important as Wang’s, though it would certainly do the Yankees well to see Chien-Ming continue to improve coming off his injury and, hopefully, heading toward the postseason. Of course the latter will be less of a concern should the Yankees fail to pull out another win (and their first series victory over the Rays this season) tonight.
1. All right, Jete's done his part. C'mon, A-Rod!
2. A-Rod The Rally killer! ;-)
3. I don't understand why Crosby is not on the field on a daily basis. I know his bat is not that good and he is left-handed, but he is clearly the ONLY good defensive OF of the team. He certainly brings more to the table than Sierra (he can field, he can run, he can lay down a bunt), Sierra only hits (occasionally) and is better as a left-handed batter.
I'm a Torre fan and like his managing of a team full of potential prima donna's but somebody should jump up and down infront of him and tell him to put at least one good defensive outfielder out there. Matsui is not bad but also not good.
4. Jeter better not have the only hit 'til the 6th.
5. tocho, I get the willies whenever Sheff does that one arm thing or when Matsui gets turned around on one...
6. Torre should be the director of human resources, not the manager.
7. BANZAI!!!
8. Matsui = Money.
9. Sheff runs like an 80 year old.
10. Whaaaaaaaaat?
11. Nice try, Jorgie... now blast one!
12. Come on, Bernie.
13. Wonder if Giambi could beat him in a race...gotta hope they can score more than one here...
14. Well, Sheff was running like a 102-year-old yesterday, so he's improving.
15. Damn
He did throw 33 pitches.
16. No first pitch outs either, but 3 LOB sucks...
17. K
18. Nothing wrong with that pitch!
19. Way to hustle, Bernie.
20. Bad camera work on my feed, did Bernie dog it?
21. Boras has said that Bernie would be willing to play LF next year. If so, why can't he play it this year.
22. He didn't really dog it, but he didn't look like Charlie Hustle either.
23. Give Cano props.
24. Robbie! Nice glove, great positioning!
25. out at third?..how did that happen?
26. Wang almost beat Jason to bag!
27. Mick — Smash up the middle, Cano was right there and made a nice swoop. D-Ray (on second base) ran on contact, was a dead out at 3rd, and Cano ran him down, tagging him about midway...
28. Wow, one point away from leading the league in road hitting.
29. Not a strike.
30. Cano caught the ball at second. Crawford was headed toward 3rd, changed his mind and headed back to 2nd, turned and headed toward 3rd again. Cano ran him down and tagged him.
31. Grabbing that foul ball was the most competent thing Sojo has done all season.
32. This ump is on drugs, or should be.
33. Useless Info Dept: Jays up 2-1, top of 3
34. Thanks for the recap...hard to follow the games live in Salt Lake, but this board is awesome.
35. Line out to Ruben in RF...yup, he caught it.
36. 1st and 3rd, one out.
37. Bad AB, Mat.
38. Runners LOB is killing them.
39. Get some runs guys!!!
40. A-Rod guns out Gaithwright.
More runs.
41. Gaithrwright shows us what it's like to have a real CFer.
42. C'mon, A-Rod. Show us you're clutch! ;-)
43. Holy crap, Ruben is playing right tonight? What, does Torre intentionally put out his worst defense everytime Wang, the pitcher most reliant on defense, pitches? I know, Sheff can't play the field, but maybe today would be a day to bench him, start Bubba in right or center, and maybe DH Giambi? I know, he hits better at first, but still, this is Wang...
44. I don't want to see Giambi DH. Bubba was the way to go.
45. I don't know why Bubba's not in.
46. Good enough!
47. Clutch-Rod singles.
48. The good news after three-and-a-half: the Yanks are up 2-0, Hendrickson has thrown 83 pitches, and Wang looks good. The bad news: they've left 7 men on base and haven't broken it open.
49. randym77
Joe likes Ruben, period.
50. randym77
Joe likes Ruben, period.
51. This is probably only funny for me but my countryman (Mexico), Cantu has mariachi music as his into, a very famous mariachi song by the way.
52. 3-2 Sawk, top 6
53. Trouble.
54. tocho, that is cool, must be the trend. There were bagpipe tunes at the Stadium before Flaherty's at bats...
55. How many f'in runners have we left on so far?
56. Oy. What is it with Wang and Tampa, anyway?
57. Time to kick Hendrickson's freakin' butt.
58. The artificial turf aided one or two of those hits.
59. okay, just two runs. Lets rock the shitty pitcher now. No big deal
60. Thanks Gary. At least we would be up by 1.
"I'll never make a play and risk an injury, I won't do it"
I thought your feelings were just hurt but I guess you were serious.
You can't hold Paul O'Niel's Jock!
61. Yeah, no more Mr. Nice Offense.
62. Yeah, nice pick by Rodriguez to end it too. Wang didn't get rocked or anything there. It's not so much that Tampa can't put some runs on the board, it's that their pitching shouldn't be shutting the Yanks down.
63. Second single of the game (plus a walk) for Sheff, poking it to right to start the fifth.
64. Mattpat11 . . . yikes
Joe already told the guys during that half inning that they reached their 2 run quota following a win by 7 or more. I saw Giambi tell him to shut up, and Joe said "prove me womg, I dare you, 2 run wonders!"
Rocket pitching tonight, his mom died today, I'm sorry Roger, that's like a month off for Gary.
Gary should be a pinch hitter, he's clogging up the works like a hair-ball.
65. This season Hendrickson has a less than 13 ERA against us. Thats not acceptable
66. I come home to find Sierra starting in right? Ugh. Crosby has had some nice hits and plays a good field, so of course he's on the bench again because he's apparently not a Torre guy.
I see we're doing it again against Tampa. Lots of stranded runners and no killer instinct.
67. Michael Kaye hs so much interesting insight from his long carreer spent toiling in the big leagues.
Toronto tied it up!
68. Jays tie it at 3 against Fat Boy, top 7
69. I have no confidence in Ruben.
70. BB
71. Ruben drew a walk! Bases are loaded.
72. C'mon Cano. Bases juiced. Hendrickson on the ropes. Another golden scoring opportunity...
73. Focus Robinson.
74. Ruben walked. You have to try to walk Ruben
75. Better take take take take, that seems to be the only way we can score.
Man, if we had 10% of the runners we've left on this year.
76. Clutch
77. Cano did it! 2-run single!
78. cano!
79. Thank fucking God
80. Who leads the league in LOB?
Holy Cow Phil!
They're in!
81. Great time for number 2!
82. Hendrickson gets ahead of Cano 1-2..Cano swinging at the second pitch, fastball inside. I thought for sure he'd go with slop, low and away but he tried to bust another fastball by him (like he did when he gave up the RBI single to Rodriguez) and Cano slaps it for a two RBI base hit. Jeter flies out to end the inning. Five innings and I can't imagine that Hendrickson will return--he threw over 100 pitches. The Yanks have left 9 men on base so far.
83. Oh shit. Orvella has our number
84. $$$
85. Dude, if it says Ray's on the uniform, he has our number, they are all Channeling Finley.
86. Turf hit.
87. Nice stab by Giambi, who makes an awful throw, which Jeter short hops.
88. doesnt count any less
89. Oh boy, I'm out of Dishwashing Powder. I'm using Laundry Detergent . . . Wish me luck!
90. Shit. First ball that was really hit hard against Wang.
91. of course.
Crawford will score easily and we wont score again all game
92. For your dishwasher? Don't do it.
93. The Yankees are winning this game.
94. Proctor and Embee? Keep Wang in no matter what. Sheesh.
95. Should have thrown home.
96. Damnit. Damnit Damnit.
97. Give up the tie run, what are you thinking Joe? If I'm not mistaken, Crawford would not have scored there, thanks Joe. He says "playoffs" but I think he means "Pinehurst Number Two."
98. Cock-high fastball to Crawford for an RBI triple. Lucky it wasn't a dinger. If Giambi doesn't make that play...Cantu RBI ground out. Does ANYONE want to see Scott Proctor enter this game?
99. Crawford is now the one guy on that team that I pitch around.
100. Rich,
You've done it, Laundry Det.?
101. No, only a fool would take Wang out.
102. Cue that ominous sample from DJ Shadow's Endtroducing: it is happening again... it is happening AGAIN
I want Rich to be right...Yanks have to gut this out.
103. Alex,
I don't want to see Proctor enter the stadium, well unless it's called Legends Field.
104. Yes, and suds came out the dishwasher at the bottom of the door. If you have to do it, use a thimble full or less.
105. I assume Wang's problem with the Devil Rays is a combination of turf (when at Tampa) and a speedy, slap hitting team that is willing to put the ball on the ground and rely on speed?
That, and our crappy D...
And the fact that we suck against the Rays..
106. Hey, I wonder if Boggs is available for middle relief, he did a better job than Proctor.
107. Rich,
Good idea, I've got one eye on it, and a towel at the ready, I had a feeling it might suds up.
108. I was just about to say that starting Sierra today is almost acceptable because Wang is such an extreme groundball pitcher (if Ruben could hit from the right side of the plate, it would have been acceptable), but then the Seirra/Bernie combo yields a triple (we all should have put money on that, BTW).
And now that triple has led to the game being tied once again.
Meahwhile, Stormer, I can't imagine what you could possibly have against Sheffield, he constantly plays hurt and has been one of the Yankees two most valuable players over the past two seasons (with Rodriguez).
109. Giambino! Lets Go!
110. Sox up 5-3, Westbrook pitching a no-no against Oakland
111. another Ortiz HR
112. Yeah, it occurs to me that Wang may not be the best match for this team and this turf.
Wang hasn't been pulled yet. Proctor's sat back down.
Plain ol' hot water works in a dishwasher. Dishes get pretty clean even without any soap.
113. Cliff,
I know I know, about Sheff, it's a carry over from when I lived in LA. My apologies.
114. Josh fn Towers decided to pitch to Ortiz in a tie game?
News flash, Josh YOU'RE NOT THAT GOOD
115. So how many we gonna lose this game by? I can just feel it--this is just like all the other damn Tampa losses.
116. K
117. Clutch . . . thy name is Ortiz!
We must win this game, Cleveland, no score, but I wouldn't bet against them.
118. As I've posted, I would rather have Manny beat me than that Fat Dave.
119. K
120. That Tampa heckler is too much, I wonder if he is keeping an anthology of his best moments for sale on Ebay.
121. Nice.
Now freakin' score.
122. Zito falling apart in Cleveland
123. Jeez, Ortiz with another dinger. Meanwhile, really nice pitching by Wang in the sixth. Two K's (on breaking pitches) and a fly out.
124. Great inning for Wang. Now the offense has to get those runs back...
125. Did Ortiz just take the lead for HR? Anyone think that might affect the MVP vote? It better not.
126. Zito is so overrated.
127. Double for Godzilla!
128. Mat with a double to RF.
WE MUST SCORE.
129. MATSUUUUUI
Now knock him the fuck in
130. Hey look on the bright side, maybe it will go 18 innings, Joe will use up the bullpen, and he won't be able to use them tomorrow.
131. Po does his job...sort of.
132. KNOCK HIM IN
133. yankz,
No Dh is winning the MVP. I pray at least.
134. Productive out, I guess. Let's go Bernie baseball...
135. I saw Joe ask "how can we strand this runner?" shook up the majic eight ball and had a morose look on his face.
136. BB
No DP Big Rube.
137. Bernie walks. It's up to Sierra now.
138. Bernie! Oh Oh Oh, the walkin man. Good at bat.
139. Oh Christ here comes the GIDP
140. I really don't trust Sierra. Prove me wrong Ruben
141. Ruben is . . . . um . . . . due?
142. Matt,
shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
143. just dont hit into a DP. Get it into the outfielfd
144. Green light him?
145. Don't pull an outside pitch, Robby.
146. Someone get Orvella a GPS unit. He can't find the plate.
147. Sierra with a multi-walk game.
5-2-3 DP now set up
148. I smell Juiceeeeeeeeeed basesssssss.
Can we pinch hit Giambi here, think they'll notice?
149. Cleveland tied up on a homer by Nick Swisher... no hitter, shutout and lead lost in one move...
150. Is it too much to ask Cano to come through a second time with the bases loaded in one game? Please put together a good at bat, kid.
151. No double play, no double play...
152. Bubba pinch running?
153. no dp, no dp no dp
154. Red Sox final...grrrrr.
155. I say you make him take, take
156. Why wasn't he taking?
157. FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKKKKKKKKKKKK
158. Cano worked a hitter's count, and got a good pitch to hit...dammit.
159. Cano had already come through. It's time for the Captain to lead.
160. I said TAKE!!!!!!!!
Pop up, Jesus Cano.
161. Well, there was no DP. No runs in, either. Shoulda taken a walk, Cano.
It's in Jeter's hands now.
162. Think Jete's will swing at the first pitch? Got to somehow get Rodriguez up in this inning.
163. Sure could have used Tino there.
164. How about a grand slam? That would get A-Rod up. ;-)
165. please score
166. Jeter has looked awful so far.
167. Please not an out . . .
168. YES!!
169. Fuck yeah.
170. Wow.
How 'bout them apples.
171. YES! Way to go, Cap'n!
172. Finally!!!! 2-run single.
173. thank you
174. There's a reason he's my favorite player ever.
175. We are winning this freakin' game!
176. single by jeter, 2 runs score
177. Cough clutch cough ;)
178. Follow the leader!!!!!!!!!!
179. Way to go Jetes! Textbook opposite field Jetes! C'mon Alex. Nail em.
180. Jete!
Jete!
Jete!
Jete!
181. he is derek jeter after all
182. 159- damn right. Cano's been on fire this month- see nomaas.org
183. NOT Embree! Dammit Joe.
184. Ah, nertz. Nice breaking ball by Harper to get Rodriguez.
185. They're chanting MVP, and we wonder why their ownership said there aint no way they'll let Lou go to NY.
186. If he wants a lefty, why not Lieter, wasn't he lights out in his last relief appearance?
187. Stop calling Ortiz that nickname Spiro. It's for bullshit Sox fans.
188. Whoa. Wang's back out there.
189. Please.... someone tell me why ARod is batting second... and why the guy leading the league in OBP in batting BEHIND the guy leading the league in HRs?
190. I would use Leiter over Embree too.
191. F'in Gonzalez - but it was a nicely hit ball, on a pitch that caught way to much of the middle of the plate. Time to hold'em, Chien-Ming.
192. It's like torture.
Am I the only one who has a physical response to the word "Embree?"
193. OK, Torre woke up - Bubba is in the OF. 'Bout time!
Cleveland-Oakland tied at 3. C'mon A's!!
194. I thought Wang would and should be back. He only pitched 73 pitches and they don't exactly have a great 7th inning pitcher these days.
195. embree and sturtze. does torre want to lose this game?
196. I would bring Gordon in now.
197. we didnt expect to hold this lead, did we?
198. Stormer Sports.
You had a spelling error there. I think it's spelled m-i-d-d-l-e r-e-l-i-e-f.
199. Bad feeling about this inning fellas...
200. We will hold this lead.
201. Wang isn't doing so well this inning.
202. damn this looks bleek
203. Summnabatch! I was all set to post about how I thought letting Wang face Gathright (and his .316 OBP), lefty or no - and then he chops a single up the middle.
Now its righty Lugo, lefty Crawford, righty Cantu. I see no need to use Leiter here, 'cause he's AWFUL against righties. Meanwhile, Embree actually shows an ability to get righties out, just not lefties . . .
Leaving Wang in is fine, too - only 73 pitches so far.
204. Christ
205. Bring Gordon in.
206. What? I tune out for like two minutes to write an email and suddenly the tying run is on second with no outs?
WTMF?
207. Posada's shoulder is still stiff. I think it's affecting his throwing.
208. WOW - was that a mistake, or a message?
If a message - the kid has a pair!
209. Where was that?
210. Nice snag, Wang.
211. Wang can field.
212. I'll practically settle for getting out of this with a tie
213. its not like Posada's been throwing anyone out in a big spot all year.
214. Good lord, whatta nice, $$$ play by Wang to get Lugo.
215. another Yankee game, more chest pains for me
216. Embree?
And people wonder why I think Torre is a an idiot.
217. Embree, the embedded Red Sox
218. Joe you son of a bitch.
Bringing in Gordon would say, "I want to win this game."
Bringing in Embree says, "I like my book of numbers, look at it, see the cover, my wife made it, it's cute huh?"
219. Yeah, Joe, I'm with you. Lots of pacing and a very tight chest.
220. OK, its an out. I would've been really mad if he rushed the throw to second and it went into CF - Cano had to get to the bag, Giambi was already there. Take the safe out at first.
I have the Rays' feed on Extra Innings - is there any chance that Gordon is coming in? The announcers haven't been telling me who's up in the 'pen.
221. Embree...Why not Sturtze? He hasn't pitched in forever, and these matchups DO NOT WORK when the pitchers suck regardless. If it wasn't so late in the season, I'd half-hope this would backfire. Not that it would have any effect on Torre's strategies.
222. Embree's in.
Cue required cano error in 3...2..
223. Prove me wrong.
224. For Torre, bringing in Embree says :"Damn, a vacation in October will be nice"
225. I then come-backer to Wang Sterling said said they had one of the lead runners trapped if would have played it. Anyone who's watching see that?
226. Cano can field.
227. Dammit. Hold. the. fucking. lead.
228. cant hold that run against Embree. If he lets Gathright score...
229. Yeah, Gaithwright was trapped off 2B, but pitchers hate to make throws to 2B.
230. The laptop forces me to sit, not pace.
OK, only 1 run in, now two down. And Cantu is a righty - Embree actually gets them out.
231. Hey Taynon, this is your life...wish I had more faith in ya, big guy, but prove me wrong dog and I'll go to sleep a happy man.
232. Hmmmmm, and the reason for bringing in Embree was um, what was it Joe, no seriously, I'm lost, tell me, what the fuck was it?
233. My wife is wondering what the hell I'm doing on the computer this late......
porn would be less stressful...
234. I wasn't expecting Posada to throw out the speedy Gathright. However, he can usually get the ball within hailing distance of 2nd base.
235. They said Crawford had a horrible record against Embree so that's why Joe used him. Of course this may not be the same Embree as when most of those outs were made
236. Gordon is the play here.
237. Except, of course, that Torre is now bringing in Sturtze. Sturtze gives me chest pains, the way he's been pitching lately - - c'mon, Pride of Worcester, please get Cantu out!
238. Bring Gordon in. NOW you moron.
239. geez, cmon sturtze
240. what the hell did Embree do wrong therer?
241. Rich, you're dead on the money. We shouldn't be f'in around with Sturtze here.
I'll be somewhat appeased if he gets the out - BUT NOT IF THE SOB HITS CANTU!!!!
242. what the hell did Embree do wrong there?
243. Good job Tanyon, you da man.
244. Guys, Sturtze is shot. All done for the year. Stick a fork in him
245. No one handles a pen worse than Torre, which is why I look forward to his well-deserved firing.
246. I don't like Embree either, but if his job is to get a groundout, he's generally gotten the job done the last few times I've seen him...it isn't his fault Cano has made some nasty errors (though he did the job this time).
Sturtze, on the other hand...
247. Sturtze has been Quantrillized.
248. Um. Why bring in Embree and Sturtze at all if he was going to yank them both so fast?
249. Drills Cantu with the first pitch, and man, did that ever look painful. Hope he's OK. That's it for Sturtze. Hello, you must be going.
250. Embree did OK, but you wanted a K.
251. 240 Embree actually got Crawford out, which is good - but his numbers against lefties this year are awful. That's my only complaint. I'm very happy he got the out.
OK, I guess Sturtze hitting Cantu wasn't so bad, as we have Gordon in finally.
252. We could have brought in Gordon two batters ago, right?
253. he brought in Embree for one batter and yanked Sturtze when he sucked.
254. Man, is this a "must win" or what ?
Yikes. It's only Tampa Friggin Bay !!
255. Torre should be ashamed of himself for turning Tanyon back into Sturtze...
He really has a problem with bullpen managament that goes so far beyond having bad pitchers...
256. Rich, you're right again - the K prevents the run. Around reason Gordon made more sense.
257. Cleveland up 6-3
258. Pull your fucking helmet up, maybe you'd see it! Who the hell are you, Andy Fox?
Oh Gordon you say, no way Joe, Gordon, seriously, he was out there, you don't fucking say!
God, I'm starting to hope you get canned. You see Timlin in that game the Red Sox won the other day, in the 7th, you stipid FUCK!
You're script is worse than Ron Jeremy's.
259. He clearly went around.
260. Yeah Joe, its "only" Tampa Bay - the team that's 11-6 against us this year. They ain't bad anymore.
261. Cleveland back in the lead -- 3 run shot. Today is not looking good all around.
262. ZITO sucks
263. Torre is a run late again. Moron.
264. Whew. I didn't want to see any part of Gomes, man. Way to go Flash.
Insurance. Talk to me guys.
265. Popped up!
266. Nice Job Gordon !
(breathe, joe ... breathe.....
267. I'd rather have Ruben Sierra managing this team. He did ok last year in that last game, hey, we won.
268. Giambi, Sheff, 'Zilla coming to bat - they should create some insurance.
Let's go boys!
269. Gordon comes in with one out and gets a fly ball and the runs scores anyway.
270. Shaun P.
I know. It still kills me tho...
271. Gentleman (especially those who complain about overworking Gordon)....
should the Cleveland plane crash and we make the playoffs, don't you think it would be good for Torre to have more then 2 relief pitchers? I hate Embree, but he is a Lefty, has PS experience and has pitched well in the past. We need to know if we can count on this guy. We just need more relief help then Gordon can provide.
Granted, it ain't pretty.
272. Giambi's overdue. C'mon, Jase!
273. nevermind. It was a pop up? Sportsline is on crack.
274. Joe Mcarthy you aint Torre!
275. singledd
My complaint is that Torre has often used Gordon (and Sturtze) with 5+ run leads.
276. How bout a blast, you're due Sheff
277. Mo in the eighth if anyone gets on Joe, don't fuck this up, I'd rather die with Mo than be poisoned slowly by Sturtz.
278. singledd, you make a good point 271 - but Flash does only have 6.1 innings so far in September. I want him rested for the playoffs but we gotta get there first!
Guys (and any gals out there too) - look how we all are now. My heart is racing, as I'm sure many of yours are. Imagine what it will be like if we do make the playoffs? 600+ comments? At the least, my wife will be happy - I curse a lot less when I can just type my frustrations here. =)
279. Shit
280. Rich,
I agree, take last night, 12 run lead and he leaves our most fragile pitcher in the game, but yet refuses to go with Gordon tonight, he's a lost puppy.
Again, I say Joe has dropped the bottles, and in his harried attempt to save them all, he salvages none.
281. Let's see if Gordon and Mo can earn their money now. Blanking them for two innings is going to be extremely tough unfortunately per history
282. True Stormer, Kay even made that point today on his radio show.
283. K
284. I think George should manage a game. That would be worth the price of admission. Shit, I'd be there for sure.
"180 pitches, get the fuck back out there, what, you think this is band camp mother fucker!"
285. Two
286. Rich,
Kay agreed with me? Let me rethink that then.
287. Three
Insurance run(s) please...
288. Heh
289. FLASH-He's a Miracle
290. Great job, Flash!
Now can we PLEASE get some insurance runs?
291. Yet another fun fact about our matchup with our "nemesis": that was only the fifth time in 18 games against the D-Rays this season that we've entered the 8th inning with a lead.
And we let Joe Borowski off the hook. Gawd. Thank goodness for Flash.
292. Gordon's been great but outside of him and Mo the bullpen is pretty hideous for a stretch run
293. Gordon, thanks buddy, Joe owes you one.
Come on guys, who's with me? We should really get George out there for one game to manage, I have to see that before I leave the planet.
294. Man, Flash is pretty tough.
Can we get some runs please?
295. Nicely done, Flash - only 3 more outs and my heart can resume a normal pace.
NOW could we get some insurace, PLEASE?
296. Nice eye Jorge
297. I fear they may bean one of our hitters.
298. Bubba needs to play more...in CF, preferably.
299. I dare say Bubba Crosby has a hitting streak
300. C'mon Robbie... big night...
301. They'll probably retaliate tomorrow, Stormer.
302. It's up to Capt. Clutch.
303. Nice hit Bubba!
I think if do retaliate tonight, they'll wait until the top of the order comes out.
304. Cleveland up: 6-3
Mercy me
305. Rich.
If I know Lou, they will.
306. OK Cap'n, time to come through with 2 outs again . . . don't swing at the first pitch, please!
307. Sigh. Cleveland still winning 6-3, top of the ninth, one out.
308. 6-4 Cleve, Next years' Yankee center fielder, Mark Kotsay.
309. joe, I'm guessing you've got Extra Innings too - are you tired of these damn "AutoWay" jingles every time they go to the bullpen? What a night to have 8 relievers come in!
Kotsay homers, A's down only 6-4, still one out Chavez up!
310. Stormer, no offense, but sometime around the ASB, Kotsay signed a 3-year extension to stay with the A's.
311. Jeter walks. Bases loaded for A-Rod.
312. Just do it, Alex.
313. A-Rod is due...
314. Wow, that was so strike 3.
315. It's up to A-Rod
316. Um, not what I meant.
317. Well, that sucked...
318. Um, Arod, that was the FIRST FRIGGIN PITCH !
319. Really disapointing night for Rodriguez. 14 men left on base for the Yanks.
320. here we go
321. Shaun, I know, a man can dream, no?
I know you guys give me the numbers, is it only the games I watch where Arod lays an egg late, am I crazy?
322. The last three at bats for Alex were not good at all.
323. You are crazy. He's been a fine hitter in big spots. Just not tonight.
324. Now it's up to Mo.
325. Shaun P,
yes I have Extra Innings. How about the lame announcers? The only consolation that I have, is that my dad (die-hard Italian Yankee fan in bradenton, Fl is watching the same game/announcers that I am). Some sort of being a kid again thing there....
How about the cheesy way they sell the "call to the bullpen" and promote stuff that happens during the game ?
326. Speaking of next year's CF, I remember hearing Torii Hunter will be a FA(?), and the thinking was we could get him for way less than Beltran money, which is why we passed on Carlos... Not sure about Hunter's contract status, tho...
327. Alex, thanks, that's what I thought. I just needed some reinforcement before I became Skip Bayliss.
328. STFU Singleton.
329. Strikes, Mo.
330. If you want to know why ARod isn't going to win the MVP its BS nights like tonight while Papi is keeping the headlines with last inning heroics. Of course add Peter Gammons and his soap box with the assist as well. Don't walk him Mo
331. Alex, just curious... why do you type "Rodriguez" instead of AROD ?
332. K
333. 2 left
334. Nice K - how about 2 more (and keep shooting for the CY Young....
335. Way to go Mo, coming back down 3-1 and blowing Gonzalez away. 1 down.
336. huge strike Mo
337. I'm not sure about Tori Hunter's status, but my gut tells me he doesn't want to play for us. Further, Cashman made the right call on Beltran, props to Brian there!
338. Have not check the roster lately — did we bring up Melky?
339. oh shit. Yankee killer
340. Hunter has a .321 career OPB, which is better than Pierre, and he is much better defensively, but still.
341. We could have countered with Beltran for five years at $75. He might have said yes.
342. Seriously. Did anyone think Bernie and Beltran's offensive numbers would be even this close?
343. Beltran had an off year. He'll bounce back.
344. I'm a big Melky supporter, I had buttons and pins made, want one?
And noooooo, we did not. Did he do something or say something while he was up? He fell faster than Sun Microsystems.
345. Bxsparksnyc-
I agree on Gammons. I'm a little down on him - his site is now a "pay" (Insider) site on ESPN.... I mean , c'mon.
I'm babbling now, I realize it. Too nervous to watch the game...so I'm just typing.....
346. Cleveland wins
347. Beltran aint worth that kind of money, uh uh, no no, no way, 9 mil./per. max!
348. Sit down fat man. 2 out.
349. K
350. Only one more to go, Mo!
351. One more to go Mo
352. Thanks, Storm... maybe they don't want to "over-expose" him for trade bait in the offseason...
353. We would have given Beltran too much money and too many years. I'm glad we didn't.
354. Joe in Boston,
Hey, Gammons made the Hall, time to cash in, he's low on Scotch. He is setting up a booth next to Pete's next year I hear.
Is it seriously a pay portion?
355. Melky's stats at Trenton aren't bad. He's only like 20:
.275/.322./.411
356. Not good.
357. Walks Lugo.
358. I'm not sure that last pitch was a ball - time to get Carl out, Mo, and let us all go to sleep.
359. If not Belran, then who? And how many prospects have to be burned to get him?
360. Nice way to end the game.
361. YEA, Thuuu Yankeees win
362. Woo-hooo!
363. Dumb Rays
364. Dead
365. What a relief
366. NICE THROW, POSADA!
We beat the Rays for a series!
George is smiling tonight. As we all are. =)
367. This team has turned the corner just in time. Get ready for a torrid run to the playoffs and beyond.
368. Now, that was sweeeeeeeeeeeet! Mad kudos to whoever signaled that pitch-out!
2.5 and holding...
369. Wow, approaching 400 again!
370. Look at Beltran's numbers carreer, he just isn't worth it, even with the defense and SB's. There are good defensive Center Fielders, he's not Andruw Jones, compare those guys, then decide how much Beltran is worth, his tennis ball pitching machine notwithstanding.
371. As Mel Allen would say, "How about that?" Lugo caught stealing--Yanks pitched out--on the first offering to Crawford.
Wow. Well, no matter how poorly Giambi and A Rod did tonight, no matter how many runners were left on base, a win is a win is a win.
Very important victory. Nice following it with ya, guys. See you in the a.m.
372. YEAH! 20 games over .500 and the first series win against these clowns all year...I'll take it.
373. Rich, there had to be someone who could put up shitty numbers and good defense without paying them 75-100 million
374. There we go, a close win for the old psyche!
375. joe in boston - my folks still live in upstate NY, so they get YES - its hard talking on the phone with my dad during a game, as he's always a few seconds ahead of me! =)
BTW, off topic, but did anyone notice how well Clemens pitched tonight, considering his mom died this morning? I miss the big lug, and am glad to see him do so well. I feel privileged to have watched the best pitcher since WWII - maybe the best ever - wear pinstripes.
376. Stormer - yeah, it is. Too bad.
Hey, what a win ! G'night all
377. I'm sure Torre called for the pitch out. I guess he can do something right every once in a while...; )
378. Beltran was worth $75 million over five years. They Yankees should have made him reject that offer.
379. Later fellas.
380. If Torre called it, kudos to him.
381. Hey Shaun P - where in Upstate ? I'm from Burnt hills (outside of schenectady...
Good Yankee/Giants/Knicks/Rangers territory - in that order too !
382. Give that one to Torre for the pitch out , Posada for the throw, and the Rays for a gamble that failed
383. Matt, That's just year one. I don't want to trade Duncan for Pierre or sign Damon for big money for four years.
384. And good point about Roger. Got to feel good for the Rocket on a day when he must be hurtin. Thank goodness his team actually scored some runs for him.
385. Shaun,
Strike zoone shrunk, mound lowered, fences in, hitters juiced and more athletic --Clemens is the best ever!
386. joe, I'm from Utica, my wife's folks live in Cazenovia - and we both went to Union, to complete the upstate trifecta. =)
Where do you live out here? We're in Medway (not too far from Foxboro)
387. Another near classic. For the Yankee's it's as important as a play off game
388. Rich, his career numbers aren't worth anything he was asking either.
I would cap it at 10 mil a year on beltran
389. FWIW, I love upstate NY (especially Ithaca), except for the snow.
390. I heart Mo.
391. Shaun P -
North Andover. I went to Siena, had a friend from Cazenovia - Ken Hergert - class of '84. At least in Medway, you can probably hear FAN for some Yankee talk. I'm stuck with Red Sox propaganda on WEEI. It was so good for so long listening to that crap (at least until last year....) We always had the upper hand. Oh well.
392. Utica - home of the greatest road race -
the Utica Boilermaker....
393. He's still only 28, Matt, and he spent the early part of his career in the majors when he should have still been in the minors, which skewed his career stats.
We can't fully assess it until we see the price paid in money and players (if any) for the next CFer.
394. Well it'll be intersting if Boston loses a little bit of edge with 2 center fielders probably out at the moment
395. "FWIW, I love upstate NY (especially Ithaca)"
Cornell, class of '89, physics and math. I even miss the snow, surprisingly enough.
396. joe, many people I went to high school with went to Siena. A very nice school.
And yes, I get WFAN and WCBS out here, at least with clear weather. Much better than 'EEI.
The good old Boilermaker - I'm guessing you've run it? I run it while I was in college and law school, but not since - always busy now in July. =)
397. What I remember about Upstate NY Winters is the grey sky for, say, about 4.5 months. The sun NEVER seemed to shine ....
398. Shaun P -
Ran it about 7 years ago. Lots of fun. Local bands at every mile mark, great crowds, and LOTS of free beer at the end...
good times, good times.
399. I wished WFAN streamed on the internet. No interesting Yankees talk out of town.
400. Wow, lots of people from upstate NY. I'm originally from Hawaii, but came to NY to go to college. (RPI, in Troy.) Ended up staying. And becoming a Yankee fan. :-)
401. Not jump back in but I grew up in New Paltz and went to SUNY Buffalo, you think Ithica was bad, yikes!
It's the all upstate team.
402. Torre says he didn't call the pitch out. He says it was either Mel or Jorgie.
403. I'm from upstate. Don't live there anymore though.
404. I'm still upstate, but not as far upstate as I used to be. I'm in Poughkeepsie now. Across the river from Stormer's old stomping grounds.
405. yeah, Torre said all the pitch- out's called by Mel. One thing about Torre and Cashman these are the most honest guys who usually don't take credit for anything. Torre will always give it to someone else instead of stealing credit like others might and Cashhman the same where people want to give him credit for Small or Chacon and he just says he had no idea what they were going to get, he just figured he needed someone so he'll see how it works and he got lucky.
406. randym- I was born in Poughkeepsie.
407. I used to date a girl from Modena. Apple country. Good times.
408. I went to Jr. High in Woodstock, high school and college in Poughkeepsie. Po-town.
After that strictly NYC, but I hope to move back the the Husdon Valley when I decide to come back from Japan.
My old stomping grounds.
409. I went to college at SUNY New Paltz...
410. Ever go to that ice cream store in Red Hook (just north of Rhinebeck), called Holy Cow? Haven't been there for years, so I don't know if it's still the same. But it used to have excellent homemade ice cream. And an autographed photo of Phil Rizzuto on the wall.