The last week, in which our heroes went 5-1 against the rival Red Sox and dastardly Devil Rays, has been a physically and emotionally draining one for both the Yankees and their fans. Fortunately, while there are no off-days left in the Yankees season, their schedule does get decidedly easier starting tonight when the Yanks begin a stretch of fourteen games against the Blue Jays and Orioles.
But it is exactly that that concerns me about these four series against the weaker sisters of the AL East. The Yankees avoided a let down after taking two of three from the Red Sox, and they avoided a let down after both unloading 17 runs on the Devil Rays in the first game of that series and pulling out a one-run victory in Game Two. But in both cases they were facing a team that had made them angry, the Red Sox by virtue of the natural rivalry, last year’s humiliating ALCS, the standings, and all of the accompanying baggage, and the Devil Rays by inexplicably pushing the Yankees around during the first five series between the two teams this year.
The Blue Jays and Orioles, on the other hand, have thus far minded their manners. After a hot start, the Orioles have tumbled to a .476 record, 14 games behind the still second place Yankees, and they haven’t been seen ’round these parts since just before the All-Star break when they dropped a pair to the Yanks in the Bronx. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, have gone a very accommodating 4-8 against the Yanks thus far this season, most recently dropping three of four to the Bombers at the Stadium in late August, the only Blue Jay win in that series coming on what remains Mike Mussina’s last game of the season, when the inflammation of his elbow became too severe for him to continue.
The fear, of course, is that after the fever pitch of their last six games, the Yankees will ease off against the Jays this weekend, forgetting that they’re markedly better than the Seattle team that split a four game set with the Yanks two and a half weeks ago, and perhaps completely unaware that Toronto has a .545 Pythagorean Winning Percentage, which, if substituted for the Blue Jays’ actual record, would rank them just two games behind the A’s and Angels in the overall American League standings.
Then again, looking back over the Yankees’ schedule, other than their struggles against the Devil Rays, the Yanks haven’t lost a series to a team not currently in a playoff slot since they dropped two of three to the Mets in late June, and other than that Mariners series the only other split they’ve suffered over that span was the rain-shortened two-game set against the Orioles that immediately followed that Mets series.
What that tells us is that, over the last two and a half months, the Yankees have done their job against the lesser teams in the league, but simply winning these four series may not be enough to get the Yankees in the playoffs. Let’s speculate, shall we?
Let’s assume the Yankees will take two of three from the Blue Jays in each of their two match-ups and three of four from the Orioles in each of their two match-ups, an optimistic, but not at all unreasonable assumption. That would make the Yankees 10-4 over that stretch and would find them entering the finals series of the season at Fenway with a record of 93-66.
Now assume the Red Sox take two of three from the A’s, Devil Rays, and Orioles and three of four from the Blue Jays. That would make them 9-4 over the same stretch and would put them at 94-65, a game better than the Yankees, entering that final series. They could then eliminate the Yankees with a series win. Meanwhile, the Yankees would have to take two of three from the Red Sox at Fenway to force a one-game playoff in the Bronx, thus effectively needing to win three of four against the Red Sox to continue on into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, assume the Indians take two of three from the White Sox and Devil Rays and six of seven from the pathetic Royals. That would make them 10-3 over this stretch and give them a one-game lead over the Yankees entering their final series of the year against the White Sox. The Yankees would then have to win one more game against the Red Sox than the Indians win against the White Sox over that final series to force a one-game playoff for the Wild Card as merely matching the Indians would eliminate them from the Wild Card.
Of course, the Yankees might be able to work their way back into the Wild Card if the White Sox collapse so badly that the Indians win the Central, but as the Yanks trail the White Sox by five games at the moment, that possibility is akin to shooting the moon in hearts and one the Yankees would be wise to ignore for the time being.
With all of this in mind, it would behoove the Yankees to mix in a sweep or two over the next two weeks. One thing’s for sure, unless the Yankees totally tank over these next fourteen games, it’s going to be an exciting two weeks, regardless of the inferiority of their opponents.
Tonight the Yankees send Randy Johnson to the mound against David Bush. Johnson is coming off of four straight quality starts, his best run of the season. His line in those four games:
28 1/3 IP, 15 H, 4 R, 0 HR, 6 BB, 26 K
More problematically, Johnson left his last start, that Sunday gem against the Red Sox, with a cramp in his left calf. Also, Johnson is 0-2 against the Blue Jays this year, though the first loss was his brilliant complete-game duel against Roy Halladay in April, which the Blue Jays won 2-0 on a two-run late-inning homer by Erik Hinske. The other game was one of those ugly mid-season games we’d all rather forget.
It’s also worth noting that Bush is also coming off of four quality starts, in which he’s produced this line:
28 IP, 22 H, 5 R, 2 HR, 5 BB, 22 K
Bush has faced the Yankees twice this year, turning in a quality start both times, though his bullpen blew the first game. In his most recent outing against the Yankees, he shut them out for six innings while striking out seven, picking up the win.
Should be a good one tonight. I just hope the Yankees are up for it.
Toronto Blue Jays
2005 Record: 72-73 (.497)
2005 Pythagorean Record: 79-66 (.545)
Manager: John Gibbons
General Manager: J.P. Ricciardi
Ballpark (2004 park factors): Rogers Centre (106/105)
Who’s new?
Ted Lilly (activated from DL)
September Call-ups
L – Gabe Gross (OF)
L – John-Ford Griffin (OF)
R – Guillermo Quiroz (C)
R – Shaun Marcum
Current Roster:
1B – Shea Hillenbrand
2B – Aaron Hill
SS – Russ Adams
3B – Corey Koskie
C – Gregg Zaun
RF – Gabe Gross
CF – Vernon Wells
LF – Reed Johnson (R)/Frank Catalanotto (L)
DH – Eric Hinske
Bench:
S – Orlando Hudson (2B)*
R – Alexis Rios (OF)
R – Frank Menechino (IF)
L – John-Ford Griffin (OF)
R – Guillermo Quiroz (C)
R – Ken Huckaby (C)
*will miss series due to an ankle injury
Rotation:
L – Gustavo Chacin
L – Ted Lilly
L – Scott Downs
R – Josh Towers
R – David Bush
Bullpen:
R – Miguel Batista
R – Justin Speier
L – Scott Schoeneweis
R – Jason Frasor
R – Vinnie Chulk
R – Pete Walker
R – Brandon League
R – Dustin McGowan
R – Shaun Marcum
DL:
R – Roy Halladay
Typical Line-up
L – Russ Adams (SS)
L – Frank Catalanotto/R – Reed Johnson (LF)
R – Vernon Wells (CF)
L – Corey Koskie (3B)
R – Shea Hillenbrand (1B)
L – Eric Hinske (DH)
S – Gregg Zaun (C)
R – Aaron Hill (2B)
R – Gabe Gross (RF)
1. I'm actually more concerned about this game that I was about last night's. Mainly because of Randy Johnson. He was so awesome, and so intense in his last start. He left it all on the field against the Sox. Does he have anything left today? One thing about getting older...it starts taking longer to bounce back.
2. I'm concerned about Gordon and Rivera wearing down. The best antidote is for the offense to explode and for Johnson to go deep.
3. Aw crap, the game isn't on Extry Innin's. Maybe just as well, don't want to push off the important Tampa Bay - Baltimore game.
4. It's not carried because the game is on Channel 9 and not YES and Extra Innings doesn't have an agreement to carry those network games.
5. Thanks Tom.
I preferred it when WOR carried Mets games.
6. Great at bat...
7. HEY RANDY, THERE'S YOUR RUN!
8. Let's see Ortiz steal a base like that...
9. I'm also worried a bit about RJ. That last game had the feel of Ali-Frazier 3 where they left everything in the ring and were never the same
10. Fuck you Randy.
11. rbj — I hear ya... Friday night games are rarely on the Extra Innings package... but of course every other game is available. Oh, well — Plan B: MLB Gameday Audio and Sterling...
Damn! What a moment to tune in... Wells 3 run dinger. Shit.
12. oh well, those will be the only three runs the Jays score all night off of RJ...
13. Get Leiter loosening up
14. This is so not what we needed!
15. That error aside, it's time to pair Po with RJ, but of course, Torre won't do it.
16. He threw over 30 pitches.
Cover his butt offense.
17. Gawd, and people were complaining about Posada's throws.
18. He was either nowhere near the plate or down the middle saying blast me. Now he's getting more strikes at least. But he's gonna be at 32 pitches with Mo and Gordon needing a rest. Not good
19. Cano's still hot.
20. Marc....well then, he's going to have to throw 120 pitches today, won't he!
Like I said, the scoring for the Jays ends at three runs!
21. ROTY Robby
22. How good is Cano?
23. C'mon Lawton, make Joe look smart...
24. BB, You're asking him to do the impossible.
25. ;-)
26. Lawton and Flaherty, god I hate Torre.
27. Shit, he got a hit!
28. No way...
29. remember folks...Flash is the guy who won that famous "Jeter into the stands" game last year with the double into left field!
30. Come on Cap'n
31. Fuck you Bush.
32. That phrase has a nice ring to it. ;-)
33. Now get Cap's back, A-Rod!
34. "Fuck you Bush"
Feels like I've been saying this for 5 years straight now!!!!!
35. I hear that, unpopster.
No more runs, Randy.
36. Good start Randy, 1 pitch, one out
37. For those of us GameCasting, how does RJ look? Slider diving or flat? How's the fastball look? I'm hoping the first inning was a fluke. More likely, the last start was a fluke.
38. He had poor command in the 1st inning. He looks better now.
39. He's doing a lot better this inning.
40. If he can kepp it here and last seven, its a decent start
41. Fuck you ump.
42. OMG. RJ got ejected.
43. I want to fight that fat fuck.
44. WTF??? What did he say?
45. Head butt Torre, and I will never criticize you again.
46. what the hell happened?
Sportsline still has Adams walking
47. (head butt HIM)
48. Even Sterling is going ballistic over that
49. Matt, Randy got squeezed and the ump got his panties in a bunch.
50. Someone explain... please.......
51. You fat piece of shit.
52. Is the ump a young fuck?
53. Was it an obvious blown call, or just a borderline pitch? Did Torre (hopefully) get himself tossed as well?
54. No, he is a middle aged fucktard.
55. I thought Randy has been squeezed all night. It was a strike.
56. Ump called the pitch inside. RJ started cursing him. Ump yelled back, then ejected him. It all happened very quickly.
Scott Proctor is coming in. Leiter is also warming.
Fans are ticked. They paid to see Randy Johnson, not Scott Proctor.
57. Is Mennechino still at bat, full count? Did he really toss RJ for arguing about BALL THREE???
58. All Randy did was stare in and say "Not inside" after a pitch was called a ball
AND THE UMP WAS LIKE !!!!!!!! and came charging to the mound, and Randy started yelling back and got tossed.
What bullshit.
59. Total BS. Proctor and gamble, boys.
60. So what happened? Did a 5 time Cy Young winner get tossed because he didn't like the ump's small strike zone, and the ump is too damn sensitive during the last 20 games of the season and one team is in a pennant race?
61. Just to look on the bright side, which is not easy to do right now: Unit had absolutely nothing tonight and was up to 50 pitches already. At least this way, he should be able to come back in a few days.
62. I really want to fight him.
63. I FULLY condone this umpire losing his job. Just like the one that picked a fight with David Wells, just like the one that picked a fight with Gary Sheffield.
The umps are NOT part of the show. They need to learn that.
64. I thought RJ found his stuff in the 2nd inning.
65. what a Fuckin outrage.
66. The offense better figure on about 12 runs tonight — I hope they're pissed off enough to get it done...
67. Remember when umps used to keep their heads on their shoulders? It's not as bad as it was five or ten years ago, but they seem to escalate -- and sometimes even instigate -- situations much more than they used to. They're all a bunch of bastards.
68. Hank, Waldman was just discussing that. The old school guys knew when to walk away.
69. I would start Randy on Sun. or Mon.
70. I think RJ said the F-word. That's what ticked the ump off. That's why the ump charged the mound.
Flaherty put himself between Randy and the umpire and kept them apart, or it could have been worse. They were both really ticked off. Torre was hot, too. He was yelling at the umpire himself, after Randy left.
71. Today's umps are jealous of these young multi-millionaires.
72. It was just reported that RJ said "You missed the one before it, too", then the ump lost it...
73. I miss the days where Tim McClelland and the like just called the game
74. Ok hitters, get fired up. The ball is that ump's head.
75. randy, Maybe so. But the ump has to keep his own insecurities out of it.
76. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
77. whoooooooooooooooo hoooooo
78. I think we should keep this kid...
79. His shin still hurts.
80. The umpire should have warned Randy first. He shouldn't have to take any abuse, but he threw RJ out in about 5 seconds. It was crazy.
Holy crap! Cano hit a home run!
This may be a blessing in disguise. The rest of the team has something to prove now. And Johnson was not pitching all that well.
81. huge homer Robby. ROTY
82. When Cano learns to hook the ball at YS, he will have 30+ HR potential.
83. whoa.. whats up with the bottom of our order...
84. Flaherty shut me up for tonight.
85. Might the guys on the bench start calling him ROY Canó?
86. Flaherty hit a homer, too. Sheesh. Flaherty and Cano are the heroes of the game.
87. Wow!!!!
88. Didn't Flaherty get the notice that he's not supposed to hit...
89. Flash! keep piling up those runs, we're gonna need a lot more.
90. Bye-bye, Bush.
I like the sound that that, too... ;-)
91. Hell, Flaherty hits one out? Must be angry over Unit getting tossed. Don't make Flaherty angry, you wouldn't like him angry. Er, scratch that, make Flaherty angry all the time.
92. Is the strike zone being called small for both sides, or is Flaherty just in the moment?
93. They're pitching to him high. I suspect they don't know he likes 'em high.
94. that's freaking right - get mad - bomb these guys and keep it rolling. Momentum's a dangerous thing...just ask Cleveland
95. Bubba is trying to do too much with the pitch.
96. It don't mean a thing if the Jays have their swing. We are pitcher challenged right now.
97. if crosby homers at some point in this game...i might just shart.
98. At least ESPN is giving me the Yankee TV feed now with the Boston rain
99. OK, picture this. I'm stuck in my living room with my in-laws tonight....no Yankee game on TV (they're watching "Dateline" ....so I am "watching" this crazy game on espn-gamecast.....WTF !!! Sounds like a great game ! Keep hitting Yanks! (I'm making believe I'm doing school work - I'm a teacher.....)
100. Scared me.
101. I spoke too soon, they just teased me. They got the Marlins on. I give about as much a shit about the Marlins game as some aardvark turd
102. Sterling is way off with his 'it is high, it is far' calls tonight. Drivin' me crazy...
103. Damn it throw strikes..
104. He usually does that with the Yankees hitting. At lease one of Sterling's premature articulations went our way
105. Is Sturtze healthy enough for 2 innings?
106. Double for Jeter.
107. rbj,
Maybe with a 10 run lead.
108. BOOOOOOOM
109. An A-Bomb by A-Rod
110. Keep piling up boys. We need all the runs we can get tonight.
111. Rich,
We may just get that. Let's hope so. The last thing we need is for Gordon or Mo to have to pitch.
112. I think Sturtze is healthy and rested. He just can't deal with being put into situations where there are already runners on and a narrow lead to protect. He needs some time to get his bearings, settle in.
Doesn't look like pitching will be critical tonight, anyway. The Jays look like they've rolled over and given up.
113. Nice Sheff. They try some rinky-dink shift on him and he hits it where they ain't, knocking out the pitcher
114. Keep 'em coming.....
115. Why do the Blue Jays have American flags on their hats?
Maybe it's just League.
116. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
117. ROBBIE! ROBBIE! ROBBIE!!!
118. Cano is unreal!
119. Man alive he's hottttttttt.....
120. This is the way Cano hit to start the season in Columbus.
121. You have GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!
122. robby ROT¥ another 2 run blast!
123. robby ROT¥ another 2 run blast!
124. Vockins, it's MLB wide. Minor leagues too.
And now's the time for Flash Gordon's nemesis, Ming the Merciless. 19-3 would be fine. And put pressure on the late starting Red Sox.
125. You know, gentlemen, I think tha yankees may be annoyed tonight
126. Anyone paying attention to what's happening in Boston? They're battling rain, with much more due tomorrow, so if they don't get to play these two games, the A's and Sox will have to make them up on a single off day -- or maybe the day after the regular season ends. Not a bad scenario for the Yanks.
127. I second on Robby for ROTY
128. Raining here now....I'm 25 miles north of Boston
129. and let's keep wearing out their pitching too. Proctor can go for a while...he was starting for a little bit in AAA when he got sent down a little while ago.
130. That's why I didn't want to platoon him with Bellhorn despite the stats. He needs to play. btw, I have yet to see his R/L splits broken down for home v. road.
131. I'd probably vote for Huston Street myself but Cano would be on my ballot.
132. Will Boston have to make those games up, if they're rained out? What will they do, play a doubleheader?
133. Boston now on ESPN, they're playing in the rain and they look like they're slip sliding a bit on the wet field. I hope the rain plays issues on Wakefield's knuckler
134. I'm sure they'd raise holy hell if told to play a double header, but what else could they do? They couldn't delay the playoffs, and you can bet that two games between Boston and Oakland will DEFINITELY affect the playoff picture.
135. Good inning there...
136. How about, they play 6-7 innings in Boston tonight, it's scoreless, then they have to suspend play. Game's declared a tie and they have to make it up Sat. or Sun. as a doubleheader.
137. I think the concern is that the weather is supposed to be worse tomorrow. Sounds like they're already expecting a rainout. That's why they're playing in this mess.
138. Humidity is considered good for knuckleballers.
139. There's something to be said for domed stadiums, I guess. Even if they have stupid catwalks in 'em.
140. I don't like this calling off the dogs BS. Sure if it's an absolute blowout but it's early, Toronto still has 5 innings to hit and we have a serious pitcher problem today
141. I was bummed when we traded Ford-Griffin.
142. Hey, anyone know if J Griffin is the guy the Yanks drafted in the first round a few years ago? John Ford Griffin, I think?
143. The best thing in Boston outside of an A's win (shortened or otherwise) would be for the teams to play enough innings to waste Wakefield. Plus the Sox don't get a break and continue their exhausting stretch of consecutive games.
Although it looks like they'll get their break tomorrow...all the signs are that tomorrow will be a complete washout. But then the Sox will have to turn around and play a doubleheader on Sunday.
144. Proctor's future should be as a starter.
145. Does Shea ever get hits against any other team?
146. Even at 7.62, Brandon is the League leader in ERA.
Ouch.
Hey, put the pitchforks down. . .
147. Hank - J griffin and John Ford are one in the same -
148. JFG was our first round pick back in the day (2001). He was part of the Weaver deal, he went to Oakland with Lilly & Arnold. oakland then sent him to Tor for a PTBNL a couple years back.
149. He's tiring.
150. Detroit got the best of the three way deal, by far.
151. I was hoping Proctor could go longer. Sturtze? Embree? F.Rodriguez . . .?
152. Embree and F-Rod are warming. F-Rod's coming in.
153. yep - Bonderman was a nice little prize - maybe German will work out too.
This was the deal in case anyone was wondering - the Oakland Athletics traded Carlos Pena, Franklyn German and a player to be named later (Jeremy Bonderman) to the Detroit Tigers, the Tigers traded Jeff Weaver to the New York Yankees, the Yankees traded Ted Lilly, Jason Arnold and John-Ford Griffin to the Athletics.
154. Assuming out of this with minimal damage, once F-Rod tires, I'd see what Mendoza has...or is that nostalgia just playing with my head?
155. F-Rod was not the right man for the job.
156. Torre looks perturbed, but it's kind of tough for F-Rod to come in with the bases loaded.
157. K
158. What I don't understand is why A-Rod didn't steal second a few innings back when there was an opportunity to score another run.
Wasn't it a little early to be consenting to "baseball etiquette" and not run up the score? Now it's a game again.
159. They're just going to have to score a few more runs.
160. Is that still the etiquette? I'll have to ask Gehrig367 or whatever his handle is.
161. cough: Oakland up now...please Lord, don't let me have jinxed it.
162. Torre should have changed pitchers when the first runner got on base. I'm kind of surprised that he didn't use Leiter.
163. Switched over to the deuce, the Houston - UTEP game is 9-5. We're outscoring them.
And F-Rod needs to get an out when he comes in, even if it results in a run. Don't be too fine, just get outs.
164. good point rich - i had forgotten about him - he does have pretty good numbers against toronto this year in 2 starts
165. I agreee Max, It was ridiculously early to call off the dogs given the early inning and our pitching problem with Randy gone. If they're so concerned with etiquette let him worry about where to set the doylees on the table when he gets home
166. Gehrig383 or whatever says you steal with an 8-run lead, but you still can't bunt for a base hit in the 8th inning of a close game where the pitcher is tossing a no-hitter, for those who care.
167. Mofo asshole.
168. Actually marc, Torre doesn't believe in using doylees until they have been used by someone else...he prefers proven veteran doylees.
169. Double steal.
170. JVarghese81, too funny. And probably true.
171. Really wanted a run there, pretty weak stuff. Come on Sheff!
172. He looked out.
173. Leiter started warming when Randy was tossed, but never came in. Maybe Torre wants to keep him in reserve. In case Chacon implodes again.
174. See ya, F-Rod.
175. This is not good.
176. good point there randy - that makes sense - lets hope FRod can get out of the inning and we don't have to bring him in then
177. yeah - never mind then.
178. Ugh, this is like the Rays all over again.
179. Come on Embree, it's time to make Yankee fans trust you.
180. I swear to GOD...IF either Flash or Mo have to come into this game, I will...well, i'll just probably be annoyed but still...
181. It's almost a certainty that Flash and/or Mo will pitch.
182. The ump was an ass, but Randy screwed the pooch.
183. K
184. God, this pen sucks. Try Leiter Torre, please.
185. Gawd, this is awful.
186. I think I just broke a bone in my hand
187. I leave for an hour and I see the Yankees are doing whatever they can to lose this game
188. Tanyon must really be dead.
189. This is horrible. How can it have come to this, when we were up 11-3?
190. this is absolutely...there are no words
191. I swear to Christ this team gives me fits
192. $200 million and we still only have two relievers that have any shot of getting outs.
193. Gawd. Tanyon's coming in. I'm not sure that's a good idea.
194. Obviously, fuck our bullpen, but fuck RJ too
195. What do you suggest, randy?
196. Where's Colter Bean? Can't he get a shot?
197. How the fuck are we going to get six outs without giving up another run?
198. C'mon Tanyon.
199. this is bleek. But figure it this way. We lose the game and have to pitch Flash and Mo. But on the other side we maintained our gentlemanly etiquette by not running A-Rod when they were giving us the base
200. Well, it might not be so bad with two outs and only one man on. Tanyon seems to do better if he has some breathing space, at least at first.
I think I'd go with Leiter. He's used to pitching with men on, after all. :-P
Well, my worries were for naught. Tanyon got the out. Though not without some nervous moments.
201. WTF!!
It was 11-3 and now it's 11-10?
Words fail.
202. And the Red Sox are down 2-1. It's possible we could tie them tonight.
Don't be nice Yankees.
And if A-Rod had stolen that base, they might have hit him later. Oh, wait.
203. We are not going to get six outs without giving up another run. Unless we bring in Flash and Mo, and even then it's hardly guaranteed.
Yankees must score!!!
204. OK get some run you pathetic bunch of crap
205. This is not the 1st, or the second, or even the third time our pen has blown a big lead. You wonder why in the past, Torre has brought in Gordon with a 4 run lead? You wonder why TanGorMo has been overused?
It is embarrassing to think about this bullpen playing in the PS.
And Rich... forget about the "F-Rod has not been used enought". There is good reason for that.
206. I'm not looking at a scoreboard until this game is over.
207. Mean culpa, F-Rod SUCKED!
208. mea
209. we need more runs. All the momemntum is on their side
210. I duck out for some food and this happens! Holy Shit! Then I remembered about our pitching staff...
ESPN just picked up the feed here...
What a mess...
211. Why is Lawton hitting here? - Fuck
212. Sadly, if not pathetically, Gordon and Mo will have to suck it up and Chacon will have to be a warrior tomorrow.
213. nice four pitch inning there
214. 5 pitches, 3 outs. Are we trying to pump Toronto up even more?
215. Unbelievable. Two innings left, an almost completely blown 8 run lead, a spent bullpen, and an offense that's gone to sleep. Getting through this will be a minor miracle.
216. lets go Sturtze
217. And the offense has been somnolent since the 4th.
218. If Tanyon can keep the score as is for the 8th, I say let him start the 9th... and keep Rivera up just in case.
219. Screw Lawton. Time to let this guy ride pine for the rest of the year.
220. 4 pitches. B/c we wouldn't want to break up their offensive momentm or anything. Let em get right back at bashing our "bullpen".
221. When even the Jays announcers are saying "Catalanoto might have caught a break there" you know the ump blows
222. Yeah, I think that's the big problem. They eased off on offense. Eight runs is not a big enough lead. Not with the pitching problems the Yanks have had this year.
223. Ortiz ties it with #43. Shit.
224. Friggin Ortiz again.
225. I really wish Giambi made a productive out in the 7th now.
226. I'm already pissed and I see Ortiz standing there and say shit but then I say he can't homer ever time and then Boom tie game
227. Memo to Joe Kennedy. You are not good enough to pitch to David Ortiz. Please stop trying.
228. You know, it's shit like this that makes me feel like the season's already over. I mean, even if we make the PS, then what?
Can anyone give me even a shred of hope that this team can contend in the PS?
229. Watching this game, how can you blame Torre who all those times he used Gordon or Rivera with a 4-run lead? Who was he supposed to use?
230. This feels like the bottom of the 9th... you mean we have to do this again?
231. Whew! Thank God! 3 more outs and I can breathe....
232. Good job Sturtze
233. Can't take another inning of this.. we need some runs!!!!!!!!!!
234. Nice job, Tanyon!
Let's bring out Flash or Mo to close this out...it sucks, but no more screwing around. Clearly, the offense has checked out for the rest of the night.
235. Gordon for one out, Mo for two?
Hitters, now would be a good time to manufacture one, or two, or twenty.
236. can we PLEASE get some runs?
237. I don't care about Boston now, just win this game.
238. Phew, that was nerve-wracking. One more inning. Please, give Mo a few more runs.
239. Mo in the pen. If they bring em in I just hope it's in a win.
240. Wakefield's pitching another gem. That's not a good sign for the season
241. how many people have grounded out to the pitcher tonight?
242. What the hell happened to the offense, they can't get the ball out of the bleepen infield. This team,cannot stand success!
243. Alright, fuck how we got to this point. 1 run lead, 9th inning, go get em Mo
244. well then
245. The soft under belly of the pen is a mile wide.
246. I would have left Giambi in.
247. We're in trouble. Not only is Mo coming in but under a high stress situation with no breathing room after having already pitched a lot recently
248. Stop squeezing him dickhead.
249. I wouldn't worry about Jason, Rich. If the Blue Jays score one, they'll score two. But they're not going to score any.
250. Define deep, Kay.
251. Whew... not letting the leadoff guy on is huge... Keep it up, Mo!
252. Still squeezed.
253. ESPN says lineout. Was it a happy lineout or a holy shit lineout?
254. One more.
255. squeezed or not, don't argue Mo. There's nothing left if this ass tosses you
256. One more, baby... one more.
257. Without Mariano, we are a .500 team
258. It was not a deep line out
259. Then Mo is the MVP.
260. One more pitch Mo...
261. It was a holy shit lineout, at least to me. Luckily, it went straight to Bubba.
262. STFU Kay.
263. Phillips would have had it. He's better than Tino now.
264. Ugh.. nine pitch single
265. There. Another easy win... ;-) Now, let's go A's!!!
266. JUST END IT DAMNIT
267. Damn, Zahn got the hit on the 9th pitch
268. pphhhhhhhhhhewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww..
269. Mo, a win is a win is a win!!!!!
270. Oh thank God that's over. I need some Pepto(TM)
271. Holy goddamn effin' shit. They held on. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
272. Theeeeee Yankeees win.
273. Let's Go Oak-Land
274. HOLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SHIT
I didnt need that
275. What's that Harrison song "Man, it don't come easy"?
Mo can't be anywhere near the park tomorrow. He needs to be in his pjs at game time, drinking some cocoa and reading his Bible.
277. Someone care to tell me how Johnson could possibly have gotten himself tossed? I didn't see it, but it sounds like a bush-league, Kevin-Brown-punching-the-wall type of situation. I mean, not like the team needs you or anything.
278. Free Colter Bean NOW!
279. Hope Chacon does not implode tomorrow..
280. Johnson was getting squeezed and he told the ump. The ump had Johnson envy and he moronically tossed him.
281. rbj.... that Ringo... You know it Don't Come Easy.
Red Sox about to win. Based loaded.
On a different not, anybody check out Andruw Jones' numbers lately?
282. He was getting squeezed and yelled "Fuck You Ump" or something close to that. I'm watching on MLBTV on the computer and the F word was clearly audible. He was frusterated after an awful first inning, then got 2 quick outs in the 2nd, starting getting squeezed, and let his emotions get the best of him. If we had lost, he would have gotten absolutely destroyed in the papers tomorrow.
283. The Sox leave the bases loaded...
284. The Yankees better stomp all over the Jays tomorrow. Our bullpen is shot. Besides, the freakin' Jays plunked Jeter AND A-Rod tonight.
285. Whewwwwwwwwwww. Sox leave 'em loaded. 2-2 in the 8th.
286. "The Yankees better stomp all over the Jays tomorrow". Sad. Eleven runs is not enough.
287. Renteria for MVP?
288. weeping, everyone was kind of shocked when he got tossed so it wasn't anything obvious. He apparently has a history with this ump who is known to be aggressive instead of just doing his job. I guess we'll find out what he supposedly said or not. We don't even know if he was warned before he got tossed
289. No takers?
290. Ellis, Kendall and Kotsay due up for Oaktown...
291. Worst win of the year...our "ace" has a piece of crap first inning then gets ejected in the second, offense cranks it up against poor pitching, middle relief does OK then starts tanking HUGELY, offense completely shuts down against mediocre pitching, then a tired bullpen finally gets some clutch outs that shouldn't have been necessary.
But hey, it's still a win. At least we don't fall behind in the loss column.
292. hey Cano said it in the postgame, why didn't they score more against the jays relievers? They were savings some runs for tomorrow...he makes a good point ;)
293. Yeah, the f-word was clearly audible on YES as well, at least the first time. He was really screaming.
They muted the sound out on the replays.
But it was really quick. Like, seconds. All of sudden, he's screaming, the ump's screaming, and he's ejected.
The ump had a really short fuse, and I think he should have given Randy a warning first.
But Randy should know better. The guy's over 40, and should know that nothing good will come of cussing out umps.
294. Wakefield is cruising. 1.2.3. — bottom 8
295. Cookie Monster, Manny and Millar due up...
296. Any chance Ortiz doesn't homer right now?
297. Oh geez, Ortiz's face back on my TV
298. Ortiz grounds out to short...
299. They got him out!
300. So how 'bout this Robbie Cano kid in September?
Way north of .400 AVG and 1.000 OPS for the month, even though he's only really been crackin' off some big power in the last few games.
At this point, "white-hot" wouldn't quite cut it.
301. Allright, Dorchester-shyster-schuster, whatever his name is... he punches out Manny looking!
302. The way I figure it, the A's have 2 innings (7 batters until Ortiz) to win this thing
303. Millar skies out deep to right...
304. and Kevin Millar flies out to my favorite name in baseball Hiram Bocachica!
though Coco Crisp comes very close
305. All right, so atc's account is the most damning, but otherwise, I'm hearing that the consensus is with RJ. So he didn't pull a Kevin Brown. And a mighty good thing for him that he didn't because I'd never forgive him for that. But be that as it may, his last start was his best yet and he needs to do that EVERY time from here on our and in the PS if he's to even remotely earn the keep that was so recklessly assumed on his signing.
306. I don't think he should have been thrown out without being warned, but he had no business pulling a Clemens and putting himself, and the team, in that situation.
307. I'm glad that this game wasn't on Extra Innings, 'cause I think I would be in the hospital now if I had. I'll take the win, but christ! The bullpen imploded and Mo had to a pitch a 23-pitch inning - argh!!!!!!!!!!!
Since Johnson pitched so little, perhaps he could be used on his throw day out of the 'pen? Might give GorMo a rest.
Rich is right - where the #%(& is Colter Bean!?!
Meanwhile, Cleveland won, ChiSox just took the lead in the top of the 10th, and Boston-A's still tied. #%()in Ortiz.
308. Bottom 9 in Boston, Trot, Mirabelli (probably Tek pinch hits), and Mueller up . . .
309. Cano has been amazing.
Someone here suggested that Cano's sudden improvement was due at least partly to the acquisition of Bellhorn. I didn't buy it at the time, but now I wonder. He suddenly seems worried that he'll lose his job. He hasn't had those brain fart moments on defense lately, either, which seemed to be due to lack of focus.
310. "Mirabelli (probably Tek pinch hits)"
Wakefield will pitch until a decision is reached.
311. Free baseball in Beantown! C'mon A's, make this one something like 19 innings...
312. Check out Duchscherer.
Why can't our middle relievers be more like Oakland's?
313. You're right rilkefan, I was hoping that with the rain and all, Wakefield would come out . . .
How many times have I wished that the Pirates had held onto him? Here comes the tenth . . .
If the Yanks go to the playoffs, and Cano keeps hitting like this the last two weeks, I think he may sew up ROY, Street or not.
314. per Suzyn: No warning given to RJ and he got thrown out for saying "where the fuck was that"
Torre thought the ump uncharacteristically short tempered. He hasn't talked to RJ. I think he's afraid to talk to him until RJ hopefully cools off by tomorrow
note:what Suzyn actually said was RJ said where the blank was that and I assumed RJ didn't say where the blazes was that.
315. rabid stan, instead of blowing millions on washed-up hacks like Steve Karsay, or uselss veterans like Wayne Franklin, Oakland looks for guys who throw strikes, don't walk people, and don't give up home runs, and then lets them play, regardless of their age and/or amount of big-league experience.
In other words, Colter Bean would've been in the A's pen since Opening Day. Sigh.
316. Here's AP's description of the Randy Johnson thing:
======
With Toronto leading 3-2 with two outs in the second inning, Frank Menechino at the plate and the count 2-2, Johnson threw a pitch on the inside part of the plate that was called a ball. The 6-foot-10 left-hander yelled at umpire Fieldin Culbreth, who popped out to the first-base side of the plate and took off his mask.
Culbreth yelled something at Johnson and pointed at the pitcher. Johnson yelled something back, and the umpire then ejected him.
======
317. "You're right rilkefan"
And no I'm not. Funny managing.
318. I'm confused, too - if Wakefield wasn't coming back out, why not pinch hit with Varitek? Is he hurt? No complaints if so!
319. Well that was was my point.
I left that unsaid because because I couldn't have said it without alot of four-letter words.
320. About Wakefield, it only takes one, ala Aaron F. Boone. The guy could go another 5 tonight, though...
Wow! Scutaro legged out a double on a short hit to right. good hustle!
321. Scutaro again
322. Scutaro takes third on a ball that rolled a few feet from Mirabelli... almost threw it into left field...
323. Shit. Ellis grounds out... bottom 10
324. Juan Cruz is not as sure a play as the rest of that pen...
325. It's raining like crazy. What happens if the game is rained out while it's tied in the 10th?
326. The only fair thing to do in that case would be to award the win to Oakland, in my opinion.
327. ROFL!
But it looks like the Sox are gonna pull it out again. A man on 3rd and one out.
328. randy — I think it would be suspended and resumed where it was left off, probably prior to their next scheduled game... not completely sure...
329. Edgar got plunked on the elbow. 1st and 3rd. Guess who's up now?
330. Did I just see that? It's ruled the ball hit the bat, then Renteria says no, it hit my elbow, and the ump says, oh, OK. Not that it wasn't the right call, but it was amazing how quickly the call was changed by the ump.
331. Yeah, Boston won this one, might as well turn it off.
332. They walked Ortiz. It's all on Manny now.
333. IBB for Ortiz. Bags loaded. Manny up... Yabu coming in...
334. I'm with JeremyM who's just revealed himself to be one of the brilliant legal minds of our day. That's a very considered judgment.
BTW, there's a couple of spots on the high court. ;)
335. Rick Sutcliffe is the worst. Master of the obvious, purveyor of the inane hyperbole...yeah, there's almost 40,000 in Fenway tonight. As if a difference of more than 5,000 is "almost." Well, according to that line of reasoning, there's almost 5,000 in my house right now. Gotta go, they're sucking up all the oxygen. Feeling light-headed.
336. Yabu plunks Manny. Sawks win. What a horseshit ending.
337. Well, that was lame.
338. well that strategy didn't work very well. Sox win when Manny gets hit forcing in winning run
339. By the way, if ESPN insists on using Gary Thorne on Red Sox games, why won't they use John Sterling for Yankees games? Same difference.
340. 'night, all! And make sure Chacon has a 'Do Not Disturb' on his door tonight...
341. Wow, what a way to end that one. I still think they should've called it due to rain- the rain picked up in the bottom of the 10th which caused Oakland's pitchers to lose their grip and hit two guys, as well as causing the walk to Ortiz. The pitcher threw 4 of them way outside to Ortiz because of the weather, the poor guy couldn't even get them close to the plate:)
342. MF.
343. Wow, what a way to cap off a surreal day.
All things considered, this isn't that bad. This was the game the Sox were supposed to win, and it took them 10 innings and every ounce of effort from their best two pitchers to do the job. They're still struggling offensively, even at home.
Let's see how they do the rest of the weekend.
344. BTW, I'm listening to WFAN and a couple of callers have attacked Sterling for something to do with the ejection. Anyone hear anything objectionable on that front from Sterling?
I'm guessing Sterling took up an irrational defense of Johnson just as Republicans do of Bush, but I can't be sure.
345. Sterling was outraged and pretty much said so. The usual stuff like the fans didn't come to watch the umpires in a penant race. Frankly everyone I've heard so far is outraged. The ESPN guys were outraged everybody was. they showed it was the umpire who pulled his mask off and headed toward Randy. As I said before Suzyn was told RJ said "where the fuck was that" though she said blank instead of F. On ESPN they said this ump has had a lot of problems throwing people out and they were wondering why he isn't sisciplined. I'm not saying RJ is a saint and completely innocent but this is baseball not tiddlywinks.
346. Callers to WFAN attack Sterling on principle. It's the Mets' radio outlet after all. I don't listen to WFAN for longer than 2 minutes...it takes only that long for some poor fool of a Mets fan to voice some silly opinion about the Yankees. Oh, I forgot, I do listen to Sir Sominex, Richard Neer...when I need 40 winks. WFAN is a joke.
347. Marc, sisciplined? Sounds like something they do to young inmates in the Big House.
348. Ok, I'm getting mixed accounts. Callers on the radio seem to suggest that Johnson actually provoked the whole thing, stepping off of the mound and being confrontational about the call.
Whosever fault it really is, we can't have this. Given the import of each game, RJ has to account for irascible umps and act accordingly, for the good of the team.
349. weeping, while I agree in principle, it's that mean viscious intimidating bastard giant quality in RJ that makes him the great pitcher he is. If he gets too nice for a game he'll become nothing but an awkard clumsy thrower.
350. MLB.com has a story on the RJ incident:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?B198210DB
Culbreath claims he warned Johnson in the previous inning, though not formally.