Boston Red Sox
2008 Record: 95-67 (.586)
2008 Pythagorean Record: 95-67 (.586)
Manager: Terry Francona
General Manager: Theo Epstein
Home Ballpark (multi-year Park Factors): Fenway Park (108/106)
Who’s Replaced Whom:
- Jason Bay replaces Manny Ramirez
- Jonathan Van Every is filling in for Rocco Baldelli (DL), who replaces Coco Crisp
- Jeff Bailey is filling in for Mark Kotsay (DL), who replaces Sean Casey
- George Kottaras replaces Kevin Cash
- Nick Green is filling in for Jed Lowrie (DL) and Julio Lugo (DL), thus Gil Velazquez is replacing Alex Cora
- Brad Penny replaces Clay Buchholz (minors), Paul Byrd, and Bartolo Colon
- Ramon Ramirez replaces Mike Timlin
- Takashi Saito replaces David Aardsma
- Justin Masterson is filling in for Daisuke Matsuzaka (DL)
- Hunter Jones is filling in for Masterson in the bullpen
25-man Roster:
1B – Kevin Youkilis (R)
2B – Dustin Pedroia (R)
SS – Nick Green (R)
3B – Mike Lowell (R)
C – Jason Varitek (C)
RF – J.D. Drew (L)
CF – Jacoby Ellsbury (L)
LF – Jason Bay (R)
DH – David Ortiz (L)
Bench:
R – Jeff Bailey (OF/1B)
L – Jonathan Van Every (OF)
R – Gil Velazquez (IF)
L – George Kottaras (C)
Rotation:
L – Jon Lester
R – Josh Beckett
R – Justin Masterson
R – Tim Wakefield
R – Brad Penny
Bullpen:
R – Jonathan Papelbon
L – Hideki Okajima
R – Manny Delcarmen
L – Javier Lopez
R – Ramon Ramirez
R – Takashi Saito
L – Hunter Jones
15-day DL:
RHP – Daisuke Matsuzaka (shoulder strain)
SS – Jed Lowrie (wrist surgery)
SS – Julio Lugo (meniscus surgery)
OF – Rocco Baldelli (hamstring)
RHP – John Smoltz (shoulder surgery)
OF/1B – Mark Kotsay (back)
60-day DL:
RHP – Miguel Gonzalez (TJ)
Typical Lineup:
L – Jacoby Ellsbury (CF)
R – Dustin Pedroia (2B)
L – David Ortiz (DH)
R – Kevin Youkilis (1B)
L – J.D. Drew (RF)
R – Jason Bay (LF)
R – Mike Lowell (3B)
S – Jason Varitek (C)
R – Nick Green (SS)
If it feels as though the Yankee-Red Sox rivalry swung decidedly in the the Sox’s direction following their unprecedented comeback in the 2004 ALCS, you might be surprised to learn that Boston hasn’t won the regular-season series between the two teams since. Over the last four seasons, the Yankees have held the lead in the regular season series by a 40-34 tally, winning the series in 2005, 2006, and 2007, and splitting it 9-9 last year. Of course, Boston fans will point out that the Red Sox lead the Yankees over the last five years in the only stat that matters, world championships, by a 2-0 margin. They’re right. They’d also be correct to point out that, while the Red Sox missed the playoffs in 2006 and the Yankees missed it in 2008, the Red Sox’s record in postseason series dating back to the 2004 ALCS is 4-2, while the Yankees’ is 0-4.
All of which goes to show just how much the 18 games the two teams will play against each other this year are likely to mean. Yes, the Yankees and Red Sox are each other’s primary rival for both the division and/or the Wild Card, but they’ll most likely come close to splitting the 18 games once again. The most lop-sided the series has been over the last four years was in 2006 when the Yankees won 11 and the Sox won 8. The Red Sox missed the playoffs by nine games that year. Last year, the Yankees missed the playoffs by six games after splitting the series with the Sox. From 2003 to 2005 and in 2007, both teams made the playoffs, and I, along with many others, expect that both will make the playoffs again this year despite the emergence of the defending American League champion Rays (I’d say it’s how each performs against the Rays that’s more important, but the Yankees went 11-7 against Tampa Bay last year and still missed the postseason, while the Red Sox went 10-8 against the Rays and still had to settle for the Wild Card).
Indeed, with the Yankees having upgraded significantly over the winter, the Yankees and Red Sox are once again both equally matched and similarly constructed. Both enter this weekend’s game with 9-6 records and 84 runs scored (5.6 per game). Both are starting a weak-hitting minor league veteran due to an injury in their infield. Both have pulled their returning Asian ace from the rotation due to extremely poor performance. Both have deep, talented bullpens, but in part due to injuries elsewhere, short-handed and unimpressive benches. Both have prematurely aging designated hitters who strike fear in the opponent’s fan base but are struggling to prove that they can remain healthy and productive. Both have speedy 25-year-old center fielders who are struggling to hit for power. Both have expensive, 37-year-old catchers trying to rebound from awful, injury-plagued seasons. Both have been buoyed in the early going by the inning-eating veterans who first joined their respective teams in 1995 and the erratic, injury-prone former Florida Marlins in their rotations. Both have endured disappointing starts from their young, left-handed would-be aces.
Despite all of these similarities, I picked the Red Sox to take the division because of the relative stability of their lineup and the depth of their rotation. The Yankees appear likely to turn to Phil Hughes to fill Chien-Ming Wang’s rotation spot on Tuesday. The Red Sox have a Hughes equivalent in Triple-A in Clay Buchholz, but they filled Daisuke Matsuzaka’s rotation spot by taking Justin Masterson out of the bullpen and were quickly rewarded with a solid start (5 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 R) and a win over the Orioles. That makes Buchholz their seventh, not sixth, starter, and if they need an eighth man in the second half of the season, John Smoltz lurks on the disabled list, where he’s recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, and prospect Michael Bowden lurks beside Buchholz in Triple-A. By comparison, the Yankees’ rotation depth chart behind Hughes, features head-case prospect Ian Kennedy, middling Mexican League find Alfredo Aceves, and human lighter fluid Kei Igawa.
As for the lineup, if everyone on both teams stays healthy and hits, the Yankees will have the better offense, but that’s not going to happen, and the Yankees entered the year with far too many question marks, including the health of Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui, and now Alex Rodriguez, the advancing ages of those three as well as Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon, and the erratic or unestablished production of Robinson Cano and the team’s center fielders. One could even put Nick Swisher in that last category coming off his miserable 2008 season, and Xavier Nady has since been thrown on the injury pile. Due to Alex Rodriguez’s hip injury, the only sure thing in the Yankee lineup is Mark Teixeira, who himself has already suffered a minor wrist injury.
As for the Red Sox, they have age and injury concerns with David Ortiz, Mike Lowell, J.D. Drew, and Jason Varitek, and concerns about production from shortstop and center field, but Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, and Jason Bay are all sure things in their prime.
The good news for the Yankees is that the early returns have been positive on everyone but Gardner. Even Hideki Matsui has come around of late, going 6-for-14 with three walks and three extra-base hits in his last four games. The Red Sox, meanwhile, have seen only Jacoby Ellsbury and Ortiz struggle significantly in the early going. Thus the two teams’ matching runs-scored totals.
The Red Sox enter this weekend’s series red hot having won seven straight against the A’s, O’s, and Twins, and having outscored Baltimore and Minnesota 29-5 over their last three games, one of which was shortened by rain but still saw the Sox win 10-1 over the Twins.
The Yankees arrive in Boston on a three-game winning streak kept alive by their 14-inning 9-7 victory over the A’s on Wednesday. The hero of that game, Melky Cabrera, starts in center again tonight with the left-handed Jon Lester on the mound for the Red Sox (in the smallest of small samples, Melky is 3-for-7 with a homer and two walks from the right side of the plate this year). With Nady on the DL, Melky has reestablished himself on the team, though it’s informative to compare what he’s doing this April with what he did last April:
Melky April ’08: .299/.370/.494, 5 HR, 11 BB (101 PA)
Melky April ’09: .304/.385/.826, 4 HR, 3 BB (26 PA)
Then remember what he did over the remainder of 2008:
.235/.281/.300, 3 HR, 18 BB (352 PA)
After playing all 14 innings on Wednesday, Hideki Matsui has a day off against the lefty Lester. Jorge Posada, who caught all of both Oakland games, will DH as Jose Molina (.265/.306/.401 career vs. LHP and 3-for-7 career vs. Lester) gets the start behind the plate. Jorge bats cleanup again and Cabrera, Molina, and Cody Ransom form the bottom third of the order.
Lester dominated the Yankees in three starts last year (1.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 24 K, 3 BB, and 0 HR in 22 2/3 IP) and after starting the season with two rough outings, dominated the Orioles in his last start (7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K). He’ll oppose Joba Chamberlain, who pitched well in two starts against Boston last year (13 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 HR, 5 BB, 14 K), dominating them in Fenway in the latter (7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K). Joba pitched well in his first start this year, but wasn’t sharp in his last (4 2/3 IP, 5 BB). With CC Sabathia suffering through his annual April doldrums, and Chien-Ming Wang on the verge of a performance-motivated DL stint, the Yankees have more than the usual reasons to hope Joba will make that last outing look like the exception rather than the rule.
Tubby warns Joba not to throw at hitters. You lose the respect of baseball or something.
This is coming from a Boston Red Sox
I wonder if Joba would get a free pass if he sent Ortiz and Youk to the hopspital on back to back ab's like Pedro. Hmmmmm. I doubt it. Oh well. Pretty excited to see what transpires tonight. No extraordinary expectations other than it's close.
[1] You'll be happy to know I saw our old buddy Farsny give up a game winning hr. in the 9th in Texas on Sunday. : )
Maybe if Torre told his pitching staff to throw at Ortiz the way Pedro threw at the Yankees, and the Red Sox threw at A-Rod, '04 might not have happened and Ortiz might not have been "so clutch!"
Better to plunk his fat ass and bog the basepaths down? Or not and allow him to paste Yankee pitching in "heroic" fashion?
Instead, we got '04 et al!
This from a man that caught Bob Gibson!
*rolling eyes*
[3] As long as he continues to fail, I only place it at a 65% chance that he'll be back within the next 18 months.
Crazy idea: no one throws at anybody in this game and everyone drops the subject.
That said, with Burnett & Beckett going tomorrow, duck!
[6] "Crazy idea: no one throws at anybody in this game and everyone drops the subject."
This your first Yankees/Red Sox game Cliff?
;)
I wonder, without such a lefty heavy lineup, maybe we hit Lester better this year.
Booyaa
If I were on the Yankees and didn't get booed at Fenway, I think I'd feel worse.
Games is on NHK here today (national broadcaster)!! What a relief to not have to follow with Serling and Suzyn.
Let's Go YANKEES!!
Joba: time to step it up buddy, Don't lest Babyface Lester show you up!
Boston fans are such assholes..they boo a guy for NOT signing with them? Hope Tex hits 5 dingers today.
Bah! They boo A-Rod much worse than that!
Must be due to all of the "Pink Sox Hat Wearin' Fans," who "think he's cute"...
[13] You know, I'm tempted to get a pink Sox hat, just to mess with people ;).
Efficiency Joba, efficiency.
Didn't Ellsbury have a neck last year?
Ugh, not a good start
Oh christ.
This is going poorly.
Ugh, fundamentals, come on people.
We should have dangled a ho ho over home plate. Joba would have gotten there quicker.
Joey G sure does seem to call a lot of pitchouts. Just let them pitch Joe.
O come the fuck on
We're gonna lose, just plunk Ortiz so we get something out of this.
[23] I'd rather he hit Youkilis again. I enjoy that.
Methinks the YES gun is a bit fast. 99?
[25] Par for the course.
Ok, that was satisfying. DP ball here.
Do you "respect" Joba now David?
Joba's scared of Big Head here.
stupid MLB.tv is all jacked - YES audio cutting out so they running the sterling/waldman audio over the video, but about a second or two ahead of the audio. So joba starts his motion as sterling announces the pitch is outside. really irritating!
err, the audio is ahead of the video.
Ok good, Joba decided to pitch like Ian Kennedy circa 2008. This should be fun.
Joba has to start challenging hitters...if he doesn't, I'd rather he return to the bullpen in favor of Hughes. For some reason, he doesnt seem to have any confidence in his suff.
I wonder how damn many BBs Yankees starters are "on course" for this season. sheesh!
G$%Damn 30+ first inning pitches. My ultimate bugaboo! Not there, yet.
Pfew!
That's a bit better.
Nice DP on that tough hop to Robbie!
:)
[34] 411.
Uh oh, Lester's looking pretty good.
He's only lost three games at home.
There ya go Melky.
Come on Jose, we need to clear the Ransom!
Can Molina possibly hit Letser??
Wow. That looked like strike three.
[44] .429/.500/.429/.929
Enter the lore, Cody.
Before the strikeout, Cody Ransom made a face that did not fill be with confidence.
Ransom..kind of sad...
Hurry back, A-Rod.
Having Ransom in the lineup is demoralizing. I can't understand why he not only continues to remain in the lineup, but even on the roster. Even Berroa would be a big upgrade.
I wouldn't mind at all giving Berroa a shot, but I really fear him throwing even more balls than Ransom into the stands.
[51] Lets not say things we can't take back.
At least Lester got some work in. Atta boy, Cody.
[49] No "kind of" about it, OK...
: /
This really looks like a different Joba.
[50] Per Girardi today, A-Rod is "on schedule" for his mid-May return.
Joba Wangberlain.
Lowell ran like me before the surgery.
[51] Cody Ransom at the plate makes baby Jesus cry.
I wonder if replacing Arod with Ransom would qualify as the greatest sustained downgrade in baseball history.
See Joba, don't be afraid of contact. Much better!
[60] you made me lol
[61] I dunno, Molina replaces Posada has to be pretty close.
[59] Lowell ran?
:O
[61] Please don't write "sustained". Don't give the baseball gods ideas. How about "short lived".
[61] Replacing Mo will pretty tough. : )
[64] At least Molina was tops fielding.
Michael Kay's stories are mind numbing.
[65] I [b]think[/b] he did.
I feel bad for him.
[69] Speaking of demoralizing, it really sucks to think that I'll be an old man before I can regularly enjoy a Yankees TV broadcast.
[67] Before the last contract was signed, there was a segment of the fanbase that thought Farnsworth could pick up the slack.
Enough with the anti-WBC talk about Matsuzaka! It may or may not have had an effect, but in his case look at the amount he threw age 18-21!
Go Go Damon! run up the pitch count then gets on base
Nice try Nick Green, you asshole, who's team are you on!
Never thought I'd miss Nick Green.
How about Drew Henson for Robin Ventura?
Lester getting a bit wild here. Hopefully the boys let him work
[70] That makes one of us!
GoodHustleGoodHustle Tex!
So far at least, I heart Tex..great eye, great D..the taters will come soon.
Baltimore chop from the Baltimore native
Swing the fuckin' bat Jorge.
Is it me, or does Lester seem to be throwing the ball down the middle?
[77] Eh, I like Lowell. He's not obnoxious.
[81] Not you William... He's having trouble spotting that tonight...
[82] Lowell is definitely a guy you'd root for as soon as he takes off the Red Sox uniform.
[72] is that a joke?
That was a hanger!!!
darnit. That was a really nice play.
[84] nice job
[84] I take that back! A-hole!
[82] I dunno Mattpat... pretty shitty putting Cano on his ass that time... and then saying, "The Yankees taught me that."
Its going to be one of those games.
Damn! Nice fielding, Lowell.
[82] I disagree.
[85] Unfortunately, no.
[90] If I remember, that was the Stinky Minky play, where I really don't think Lowell did anything wrong.
Hey, Team! Just joining in the fun.
How're we doing?
More to the point, how's Joba doing?
Don't walk Nick Green.
That's not a hard text poll.
When did Nick Green become a good hitter?
[96] Inefficient but ok
Don't do that either.
That's an AB where Joba has to go right at Green...he is wasting his talent pitching so tentatively.
Umm, why the fuck is Molina catching?
Crap.
I have an irrational, psychotic dislike of "Dusty" McMVP..
[103] My guess is that Matsui was too beat up to go. If that's the case, might as well give Jorge some rest and let him DH. Your alternative is to what? Play Gardner and Melky? Let Pena DH?
[99] When he joined the Red Sox. Everybody overachieves when they do that...
:)
[103] Hits Lester. Posada is DKing.
Esther Rolle's swing looks awful..
Sit down fat-ass.
perfect time to plunk youkilis
[106] Per Girardi today, Jorge is DH because he didn't want Matsui against Lester with the Lefty/Lefty matchup.
Open base...hit him.
Before the Ramones there, was Youkilis' AB music by Foghat??!
[106] [108] Cheers!
[113] I'd rather he strike his ass out.
Joba challenged Papi more than he did Nick Green. I wonder if that says something about Joba or Papi?
Stop pitching around Youk!!
[112] EDIT
AND Molina has had success against Lester...
Joba, just throw strikes
I know Youk is hot, but Joba is a righty. I don't think this move makes much sense.
I hate IBBs..Nancy still scares me here..
Yikes.
Yay Joba!
Joba really has to up his efficiency. This is shaping up to be another 5 inning start.
Kay starts screaming over a routine flyball to frigging left field at Fenway frigging Park
Lester at 60 pitches after 3.
I notice Cano's down to .355.
Anyone who watches him everyday have any thoughts on the matter?
Melky
Molina
Ransom
Murderer's Row indeed.
[128] His approach and patience still looks good. His defense looks even better. Robbie is poised for a great year.
What is the technical term for Molina and Ransom at the bottom of the order? Vortex? Black Hole? Apoplexy-inducing-whiffitude? WemissArodicus?
Molina shouldn't be swinging like that
No DP! Clear the Ransom!
[131] Two outs?
[130] Thrilled to hear it.
Ransom should try to hit lefthanded. It couldn't hurt.
Wow. Molina owns Lester.
[131] "The suck"...
Lester 2-0 on Ransom? wow..why not throw it down the pike and make him hit it?
If I was Girardi, I might order Ransom to not swing.
[140] Guess that's why the Yankees haven't asked me to manage :)
How's Joba looking, mentally speaking? Does he look cool, confident, poised?
RAnsom, how about that!
I'm now in the floor doing a traditional Japanese apology to Molina and Ransom. Great job Cody!!
[142] He looks under control, but he seems to start each inning nibbling.
Good on ya' mate.
A hit now would be a really good thing!
I always had faith in Cody
[144] Yeah, he did that last year, as I recall. I wonder what's up with that.
Cody Ransom. Your one moment of glory.
[147] heh heh heh heh!
Getting Molina in from third should be its own statistical category.
I'll take it
I have a capital idea, Joba. How about a 1,2,3 inning?
I got the trivia question right. I figured Pesky was the only guy that fit.
Lester with 80+ pitches. A patient 5th could be Lester's last inning.
[153] So much for that.
What an absolutely awful throw by Damon.
[151] At least he's not Bengie! Jose only needs a weekly planner to time him between the bases. Bengie needed a moon phase chart...
Good. Now get Captain Facemask and the Nick Green
God Kay. Shut the fuck up.
And the Yankees went to game seven in 2001.
Joba nibbles = batter gets on
Joba goes right after hitters = they make out
Joba should be made to write this on the black board 100 times.
Except for that Game 7 in 2001 Mike. But whatever, not a classic or anything.
I look forward to Kay knowing it will be his "last" broadcast.
[157] That throw made me laugh..my 1yr old throws like that
That is oddly satisfying
Don't hit fucking Varitek.
Booing? The crowd should be ecstatic!
Thank You Ryan
What a fucking disaster.
Best Varitek has looked at the dish in years!
Oh MOTHERF!"#$%..CMON Joba!!
Speaking of 2001
jesus joba - that throw was damon like
Oh, for fuck's sake!
And that's how you lose games.
wonderful
Jebus Fraking Cristal!
Speaking of game seven
Ugh
And then Yes!
And that's how you win games.
Okay. No harm, no foul.
Woohoo!
yes - escaped that bs
THAT'S the Sheeeeeeet, awright Joba!
Phew!
Really Joba, is it so hard to throw from the mound to second?
That side-hand throw from Robbie is gonna cost us sometime in the future.
BooYa! AGAIN Joba, throw strikes, don't be afraid of contact, good things happen
Agony to yee-haw. Atta boy, Jacoby. : ) Good flip, Cano.
Wait, what's going on with Kay, Game 7, last broadcasts?
All that and we got a free plunk on Varitek!
Life is good...
[191] That is a good way of looking at it
[187] He's been doing it for years and never seems to screw it up. It may cost us once, but it has saved much more.
I will be quite happy when Toronto fades away in a month.
[187] So will that over-the-shoulder hot-dog catch he does.
64 pitches through 4 for Joba
[193] He has been doing it for years, but man, it sure looks scary.
[195] As long as Cano doesn't go into an offensive slump induced defensive depression he is one of the best defensive 2B in the game. I can live with a little hot dog.
[194] If they head to Boston any time soon, it might not take that long (see also B'more)...
Lester has Posade completely confused.
ANyone else getting the radio audio with the yes feed on mlb.tv, meaning that I hear the play a second before it happens?
Hell of a night for Posada.
Posada doesn't seem to like facing Lester...he has had some uncharacteristically bad ABs.
Po has taken a recent nosedive. 0 for his last 11 with RISP.
[201] Anything is better than listening to Kay do his radio show while the game is going on. I think I am going to start FireMichaelKay.com.
WE WANT MOLINA
That is NICE protect-the-plate hitting by Swish.
[200] Correction
DH'ing in the cleanup spot has Posada confused...
;)
[205] At least he only does one game this series. He's at his worst when he starts telling the same story he told yesterday and the day before.
[205] i'll sign - i have zero patience for him right now.
then i think what we are stuck with this weekend - ugh!
Just think. We could have Wilson instead.
[210] Kay>EPSN>FOX
: /
[212] ESPN*
102 pitches through five for Lester.
I saw Bay when the Pirates played the Yankees in the Bronx in 07. I was astonished at what a bad outfielder he was during that series. Just watching him tonight, he seems to be better.
[214] We were at the same game because we discussed it the next day. He did play a brutal LF, but a first trip to spacious YS can do that (especially in the day).
The umpire, crouching, towers over Dustin Pedroia standing up.
You have got to be FUCKIN' kidding me.
christ joba - stop walking people!
More early inning nibbling...I really wish Joba would be more aggressive. Why don't they make him throw more fastballs?
Stop putting the leadoff man on!
this is not fun to watch
And here comes Joba's inevitable meltdown after flirting with disaster all night
Even there...Ortiz can't tough anything hard and he plays with the curve. The pitch selection makes no sense.
[220] Not that guy either
Inside at the knees is NOT where to pitch Papi.
37 strikes, 34 balls.
I miss Mike Mussina
This is the most important AB of the game here..
STOP NIBBLING JOBA!
I hope the wheels can stay on this train 1 inning longer.
All of Joba's starts this season he seems totally unwilling to throw his FB, lacks control, and walks the house from messing around with offspead pitches that aren't close. It really makes me wonder if something is wrong?
[219] Because they have to save his arm for innings, so they make him throw a whole bunch of crappy pitches instead of fewer, better pitches.
F&CK! How did they miss the DP there!!
Jeter cost them that DP...that's why Cano's quick flip is worth the risk.
This game is rough. Just missing all over the place, teetering on the edge of total disaster, missed chances, coming out ok. Bad vibe
Pitches-strikes: Chamberlain 71-37
wow
Holy freakin' smokes.
I like second chances.
And just as I type that, there we go again.
But for the love of GOd, we can't keep relying on these DP!
You cannot give Boston extra outs..not THAT's what I'm talking about!
damn the dp is your friend - and michale kay siad it just as i am typing - uh oh
[229] I am starting to feel the same way...he doesn't have the same velocity or movement on the slider, which shows you how dominant he can/will be when everything is working.
Jeter babied the flip again...he has to get Cano the ball faster.
Good job.
He can't keep poking the bear and expecting to get out of it though.
Jeez... this game makes Russian Roulette look like a kids game.
76 pitches. I have to imagine its 40K-36BB or somewhere in that neighborhood.
201, yes and it's killing me. I have the audio off most of the time.
How is Joba going better with men on than without... (I suppose we might looksee if his windup is off)
Not having Manny in the Sox lineup has definitely removed a level of tension from these games. Along with Pujols and Edgar Martinez, Manny is one of those hitters that I also think is going to do damage.
[244] He is throwing more strikes with men on base.
damn - little bit more
Does Michael Kay no what it means when an outfielder starts to camp under a ball?
[240] Exactly! It's like he doesn't have an out pitch and knows it.
Well now, Melky really did give that one a ride.
[198] Oh, I'm not complaining. He just makes me nervous sometimes is all.
If only Molina could see the ball as well against everyone else he'd be Johnny Bench.
248 Sterling had a fit too. I know you're shocked about it.
We need to get that Molina guy more ab's. : )
Molina owns Lester.
I listened to Bernie's new album. Its good for what it is, but everything seems to sound exactly the same.
Jose Molina, ladies and Gentlemen. He had a little spurt like this April last year. Then he got worse.
And Ransom makes up for that accidental double. And lets Lester finish the inning.
Joba is bound to have an easy inning. Right? RIGHT?
i still feel like any minute this will turn really really ugly. THROW STRIKES!!
I am not sure if I can blame Joba for his early inning troubles because Girardi/Molina should be taking charge of the pitch selection.
slider slider slider slidier slidier. Whats so weird is that sliders are WORSE for your arm than FB, so who knows about an injury
[261] He's not evening throwing the hard slider...it's the baby curve-like slider.
Throw fucking strikes
THROW STRIKES
Thats what happens when you fall behind
God, I can't believe the score's only 2-1. What a crazy game.
Jeez Joba.... nibble more.
Ya know I think he just doesn't have command at all on this early season. Would be nice if he found some.
Why would he be afraid to throw his fastball?
What the fuck is going on?
I like Melky trying to get everything in the OF, but it really highlights how much of a liability Damon's arm has become.
Stop letting Varitek get on base.
269, doesn't cone or leiter always say the catcher will try a breaking ball when the pitcher is struggling with their heater as a way to readjust the mechanics
We can't possibly *expect* another dp here, can we?
holy christ 42 bb/ 48k
and no wonder the game is tied
Time to get him out, Joe.
[272] It seems like he can't get the breaking ball over though.
That's some bad pitching by Joba...I think you have to pull him here.
Joba deserves to lose this game.
he should have already been taken out..
Jesus, freaking pathetic. Varitek and Green?? Yeah, something is definitely not right with Joba...
As much as I hate to say it, Joba is leaving open the option of returning him to the bullpen. This game could easily have gotten out of hand with his strike/ball ratio.
And here comes that disaster thats been looming all game.
The Yankees really have no business even being tied right now
Phil Coke..sigh...
[280] I don't think it really has anything to do with the BP, he seems like a different pitcher, as in a hurt pitcher.
[282] It could be the return of the Damaso Marte Experiment.
I haven't been watching for most of the game, WTF is up with the strike zone?
The Ransom-Molinas are now tied with the Varitek-Greens.
4 walks and 2 strikes is NOT the norm for Joba Chamberlain, at least pre shoulder issues
[283] If he is hurt, you're right. After all, he was dominant as a starter before the injury last year. Perhaps he just can't sustain arm strength as a starter.
Scary matchup here.
Coke vs Dusty...i am scared..
[289] "I'll be Your Mirror"..
[288] But its not like his issues have been end of the game stuff, hes struggled the whole game. Who the hell knows, we'll never find out anything from the Yanks anyway.
it seems both joba like wang is just still behind the season curve
- at least i hope that is the extent of it and with time and some work both will be okay.
Nice pitching Coke! I'd bring him back out for the 7th, no?
that could have been a lot worse
Hey look a lefty got a righty out
[292] I agree with you...the only thing I can muster is that he didn't start until midseason last year, so maybe he had time to build arm strength. Then, however, after a flash, he broke down. So, maybe he isn't ready to start, or isn't capable of sustaining arm strength? I am just throwing out some worst case scenarios.
[296] Damaso Marte got that last out! If he was pitching well, Girardi would have brought a righty in to get Dusty.
Given that he's still just the #5 starter and the crappy command tonight, I'm surprised that Joba only gave up two runs.
293 CC too
Joba uses his slider to get his arm in the correct slot for his FB when he has trouble with the FB release pernt, and thus, its command...
Also, sliders get DP's, not FB's. I don't know why he threw FB's to Tek and Green, seeing as they're FB hitters and all...
Bottom of the order tied the game because they were sitting dead red (see also Lowell's wall ball)...
Sigh...
[301] It seems like he was pitching backwards...sliders early and fastballs late.
[302] Exactly. When you have a FB like Joba's, you shouldn't have to throw sliders until you put away hitters. He can't or isn't establishing his FB at all
I still don't understand why Okajima is effective.
Did Drew get Abreu disease there?
[302] That very well could have been the game plan and Joba coudn't execute.
[306] Fair point...when the pitcher doesn't execute every game plan looks bad.
[305 bada-bing!
Nancy with the nice try.
Okajima blew it!! now we're cooking!
oopsies okie
[302] He does that because his slider is his "go to" pitch for mechanics to regain command of the FB. He said as much before...
I think he has to get on top of the slider for the nasty movement. He also has to get on top of the FB for command, or else he's all over the place with it, IIRC...
[307] Wang befuddled the Sox a season or two ago by pitching completely different than his usual M.O.
[309] japanese announcers are great when an error happens..sound like they will have a heart attack over the "fielding failure"
I don't want to jinx anything, but this team has a penchant for coming back late, no
[311] I can't wait for Wang to deviate from his current M.O.
Cone: "He looks hitterish"...I like that!
Tex can't K here.
Wow @ "Yankees Suck" chant not before the seventh inning!
RSN is "slippin'" (see also lame boos for Tex)!
That's got to be the "Pink Hat Factor"///
[314] Ha. I expected something like that. : )
the dink will work
Yay!
Ellsbury was playing very deep.
And Tex messages in an RBI single.
Tex is Hitterish!!!
Perhaps after this game, teams won't send out lefty after lefty against the Yankees as was their wont to do recently...
The best thing about Teixeira is he doesn't K a lot. Arod's only real flaw as a hitter is his penchant for K'ing, so having another slugger who doesn't could make for an excellent combo.
Keep the hits coming.
[324] Just wait until #13 comes back...this lineup will be absolute death to lefties. Jeter, Arod, Tex, Posada, Swisher...those are some dangerous righty bats.
[327] Precisely!
:)
SHIT.
Well, that was a total and complete waste of an AB Swish
They must get more runs here...I really thought Swish was a lock there.
bummer Swish..
ok Robbie, be paitent here!
[311] All those sliders, right?
That was a great game.
[315] Heh heh. I like that too. Who's he talking about?
where is mlb.tv!!!
damn good play by Bay..that would have cleared the bases..
Would have liked more, but that's another great AB by Cano.
Man, I thought that was going to dent the Monster off the bat. D'oh.
nerts
I mean, beating Lester and Okajima at The Fens to the tune of 11 hits will most certainly get scouts' attention, and that's without A-Rod.
:)
Nice job, Robbie!
Well hit Robbie, forced Bay to make a great play.
Well 2 runs is good, but one more woulda been a lot bettah
That's it?
I mean, I'll take it, but bases juiced, no out...
On the one hand, it feels like they should have gotten more, but then you could also argue that Bay and Okajima should have been able to retire Jeter and Damon and Posada's dunk wasn't exactly a smash.
On the radio Girardi said no Bruney tonight unless it's an emergency.
[344] Better than in that 14 inning game against C'land...
;)
[346] why not?
[346] I thought he said "no Veras unless..."
346 No Bruney? When was the last time he was used? Do you mean Veras?
Ortiz looks like he's lost a full tire.
ALby warming. huh...
Again, WTF is up with the srike zone?
It was no Veras; not no Bruney.
I keep thinking to myself: "at what point would Manny have wrecked this game"?
[355] Dude was a fucking menace.
That's a very bad walk.
What's that, like the fiftieth walk of the game?
[354] Whew! I did play 18 holes today and was a bit tired watching Girardi on Francesa, but I didn't think I was that tired...
:)
Hmm, do I really agree with the choice here? And furthermore, hwo the heck can you walk him?
The 1,2,3 inning remains allusive. : /
Does Coke use a youth model glove or what
[358] That's one thing this staff needs to correct...too many walks so far.
[355] Agreed... he presents an entirely different paradigm... regardless of what RSN "claims" about Bay.
Are they both unavailable. I could have sworn Joe said Bruney's been in 3 out of the last 4. I've been outta town so I must the whole Cleveland series.
we've issued 5 walks today; lester gave up 3.
btw, hey all! listened a bit on the radio, just caught up on all the comments.
c'mon Alba!!!
nice Alby!
beautiful! let's score some insurance runs...
[365] I think Bruney can go, as can Mo...
Veras looked great and actually helped get that 14 inning "W" against Oakland pitching 3.1 innings.
Btw, anyone know the latest status report on Alex?
[370] He's running, fielding and hitting...everything is going well and there's a great chance he'll be back before May 15.
[369] Cheers!
[372] Onya mate!
;)
Jose Molina has a 350 OBP. Savor it
wow, cody ransom and his .212 OBP, coaxes a walk!
Where the hell is Lil' G to pinch run?
Hey, Ransom gets on base! Baby Jesus smiles. Or maybe that's just gas.
[371] Fabulous.
[376] There's your Gardner right there! I have a feeling Girardi doesn't want the young Mr. Pena on defense in the late innings at Fenway.
nice! i was just wanting ransom to steal a bag!
fuck it, steal another one!
Breakout game for Ransom? Great timing, Cody!
"Any offense will be a plus"...
That's not a great play! It was a very high hope that gave Pedroia the chance to circle.
NESN had a shot of Jeter in the circle and it looked like his batting glove had a pad over the hand. Anyone else notice that? That would be nice, considering how ofter he gets jacked there.
[384] I'd be surprised if he wasn't always wearing them. As an aside, I popped into the Steiner sports store at YSIII and they had Jeter's game used batting gloves on sale. He has very big hands.
now they're pinch running?! huh?!
[379] But what about the career minor leaguer who hadn't stolen a base in 5 years.
[386] Ransom left the game with an injury, possibly as a result of his slide into 2B.
"These players are sissies today! If anyone said what Ortiz said when I pitched, we all would have thrown at him!" - Goose Gossage
Priceless...
this umpire is shit
Again, the strike zone
[388] Must have been the headiness of reaching all the way to second base.
cody get hurt on the SB?
[390] That was definitely ball four...bad call cost the Yankees.
dammit damon!
[389] Where did you see that quote? I love it.
[388] thanks, william!
and i got the "SLOW DOWN" message from Word Press. Fuck those guys!
that Goose quote is hysterical. ...and true!
Yanks do not have the 40-man space to 15-day DL Ransom if he's hurt...
[394] he's been all over the place all game, for both sides
Clearly something IS up with Bruney.
Seriously though, shouldn't they just DL Wang to bring up RObertson by now?
seriously, how many times do i have to click "show all"? i thought that issue was fixed.
Wo ist Herr Bruney?? Wo ist Mo??
But Ab fans Lowell!
[388] "Gasp!" @ Yankees '09 3B "Injury Factor"
Just as Cody was "getting going," too...
"Gasp!"² @ Alby in the eighth and not Bruney!
Fingers and toes crossed!
[400] fuck! that can't be good...
Punch 'em out!
[400] Before the game, Girardi said he might use Bruney and Mo to get more than 6 outs if needed, so if there's an injury, it could be something that just happened.
I really hope Joe goes to Mo instead of Marte if he insists on making a move...
[402] yes, it's quite annoying!
[404] i'll add EYES to that equation! ; )
1 down...
Sterling is really really trying to jinx this
That's an awful HBP...awful...AWFUL....AWFUL!!!
[396] Kay said that earlier during the broadcast.
First Inning I think...
You just can't make quotes like that up!
:)
And of course he does. Thanks John
don't hit nick fucking green. c'mon, man. you were doing so well!!!
Get the batter.
I'd go to Mo right here...no question.
Ump taketh away and giveth
Perhaps Girardi is trying to "bank" Bruney for the next two games...
*shrug*
what the fuck?
WTF!!!!
[417] Should be a no-brainer.
I'm kinda falling off the GIrardi train. Geez.
[417] Better late than never, but Girardi looked very unprepared there.
Well... I guess Girardi is serious about this game.
Does Girardi actually have any sort of plan, or does he just sort of do things randomly???
Do it, Mo.
k-rod just gave up a leadoff homer in the 9th. Nats down by 1.
here's Mo! was that AFTER strike 1?
Even Sterling's wondering wtf is going on with Joe's moves.
am i crazy or was there once a rule that if you switched pitchers during an ab (no injury) the strikes were wiped away?
did Alba get hurt, too?
[428] Yes..that made no sense at all..
[430] i think you're crazy. but...what the hell do i know?!
[430] You're crazy.
oh FUCK FUCK FUCK..i just saw 2001 flashbacks..
Jeter getting old before our eyes...
Oh get the motherfuck out of here.
Motherfucking motherfucker.
No.
This *CAN'T* happen.
the mo pop up sucks
Dann it...Jeter usually catches that.
Um, why am I flashing back to 2001?
[440] because we all are !!!
[435] Jinx!
[435] [440] I know, me too.
Well, maybe Girardi didn't expect Mo to be ready, then the phone rang... I duno, don't see that often. Better late than never, and Joe's pushed the right buttons so far. No overmanaging, banterers!
fuck! was that a little bloop shot? can't fully tell on gamecast.
if dusty hits it out...i'm gonna lose my shit.
throw a changeup!
Dustbag like pitches up. I go low/inside here.
I don't have a good feeling about this at-bat.
Low/inside it IS!!!!!!!!!!!!
yes sit down you leprachun -
c'mon Mo, get him NOW!!! we need you for another inning...
YESSSSSS! Sit the fuck down Dusty or you'll have to go to bed early!
Mo erases all errors.
Mariano.
Fucking.
Rivera.
Ladies and gentlemen.
Backwards K.
Unbelievable, this man.
It just never, ever gets old.
I was afraid Dusty would get thrown out arguing and I wouldn't be able to see him field in the 9th. : )
that's it! NICE!!!
William... Ms. October on board. No talk about Jeter's hands.
i love my MO!!! : )
god in human form.
Cry some more... mini-sissy!
;)
I sure wish I'd seen that. Was it as beautiful as it sounded on the radio?
Did Pedroia's fanny jut backwards only to be punched out?
God, I miss having YES.
[452] i'm listening to Freddie Roach - Blue Note organ player. he's pretty cool!
[460] yes and yes
[460] It was even better!
445, lol
Mo's already in line for the save, so get some more runs.
according to game cast, looked like it hit him on his right foot. Tex okay?
I know I'm gushing, but Pedroia's no slouch, you know.
Nice.
[466] Yep...it kind of skipped in there...Lopez' has been bouncing a bunch of them.
looks like he's fine! : )
insurance run...please!
[467] Don't sell him short. He's a tremendous slouch. : )
[461] thelarmis, going to an African Bar this evening for some live djembe drumming. will let you know how it goes!
[466] yeah - he seems okay - he trotted to 2nd pretty okay
i like that there are enough yankee fans to salute posada at fenway, but it's more than a little embarrassing to be doing that ridiculous chant all over the place
Robby's going to do some damage.
I can feel it.
rally!
c'mon Swish - atone for that bases loaded no out situation AB...
[471] "It's easy to grin..when your ship comes in.." :)
[471] Nice Caddyshack reference! And with "short" included for "good measure"...
;)
The nice thing about Swisher is he takes such good ABs that even when he slumps, you don't really notice it.
I'm sorry, if you're going to bunt, fucking bunt.
None of this bunt at the first pitch, foul, take the next pitch, strike.
I mean, please.
[472] sweet, have fun, man! i'm not a hand drummer myself. gotta stay in tonight - not feeling well and i have 25 songs to chart for some gigs in the midwest next weekend...
[480] It wasn't a sac attempt. He was trying to catch the defense off guard by pushing one past the mound.
Swisher..thy name is Grinder!
Oh, hell yes!
Put the hurt on, Robby.
Scorch that motherfucker!
[478] Is there a bad one? Ha. Come on, Cano!
lopez is going to kill c-tek if he keeps this up
Alright Swish!
Now blow out this game. Mo's already set up for the save.
I'm note sure what Francona is saving Papsmear for. Too late now.
atta boy, Swish! let's wear out their 'pen.
c'mon Robbie, it's all you, buddy!!!
[482] Ah, thanks.
That wasn't the game plan.
Fuck.
Damn it!
cripes that wasn't good
Yeesh.
D'oh!!!
UGLY!
wha happened?
[497] 4-2-3 DP.
ah, nevermind.
fuckity fuck fuck
basehit, Leche...
Well that happened.
That's the definition of a wasted opportunity.
yuck
at least back to mo
crap.
alright, let's go Mo! 3 more outs...
Ok. It's Mo time..we got this one wrapped up!
..............................
[speechless]
I really, really, really hate not scoring after bases loaded, no outs. C & C Didn't Come Through Factory.
[485] I'm afraid so...
I'm not very fond of "Pick up that Kleenex."
:)
This game is driving to me to drink.
Did Melky at least swing at a strike?
zack grienke pitched a complete game. 10 K's, 1 BB, 3 hits, 0 ER, 108 pitches.
[510] yes.
[510] Yes...it was close enough.
[508] please have 1 for me. no beer for me til i feel better... : /
cmon Mo! Whiff this cat and let's end it!
Mariano Rivera, ladies and gentlemen.
[514] My condolences. Get better soon. That Ortiz high cheese was good.
sit the fuck down you fat fuck!
yes - 1 k - papi looks like he is swiniging a tire
[508] :)
You no Big Papi.
One more reason to hate Shrek.
damn this ugly mf is really off to an amazing start
[517] oh, thanks man! it's nothing major - just rundown and head cold stuff. i'm in a stretch of at least 33 days of work in a row. : ~
Shut up Flaherty!
that ball was smoked..
damn, i have to leave in 5mins..may miss the ending..
Cmon Mo, send Nancy back to the bench!
[523] he really is impossibly ugly. just hideous to look at...
One more, Mo.
One more.
Maybe A.J. can get a 1,2,3 inning tomorrow. That's my dead pony for tonight. 1 more.
was that first pitch really a ball???
[523] [527] He really is.
No joke.
And his ridiculous stance merely compounds the grotesque.
Cmon Jeter, stop clowning with Youk!
k, well he got the 2nd pitch.
fucking shit
Damn it....you just knew something was going to come back and haunt them.
1 more out!!!
oh...no.....i don't believe it..
I swear to God I want to cry.
FRAK!
See Melky & Robbie? You should have gotten a run in.
Octuplecrap.
I'm stunned.
we're still winning.
1 more out. c'mon Mo - get it...NOW!!!
Horseshit.
what?!?!?!
gamecast was fucked up.
now i wish i was...
total fucking bollocks. that place must be going insane.
and yes gave player of the game to the bullpen as a whole (with 1 out)
great and Paplebitch is waiting in the pen with his stoopid stare. great, just great.
Group cry.
Bases loaded, no out.
Mo is done.
Swish is out.
They got Papsmear.
Looking VERY dim.
Ya know I'm not one to complain about the Yankees Captain and all, but seeing Jeter joke around with Youkilis at 2B just now really causes me to believe the Yankees deserve what just happened...
You simply do not play your biggest rival like that... EVER!
Whenever you squander opportunities, it always seems to bite you. Even if they get out of this, the outlook is pretty bleak...bottom of the lineup; no Bruney; Papelbon in the bullpen.
Yankees should have locked this one down...would really suck to lose this, especially if Mariano is toast for the final two games.
alright mo - get c-tek out
i hate this crap. 2 more days of this hell. now i can add "stomach ache" to my symptoms...
I'm switching from beer to vodka.
Horseshit.
It's all horseshit.
Molina...Pena...doesn't look good.
i really hope the comments thing gets fixed soon
From so good to so bad so fast.
[550] I agree. It's like begging for punishment.
well, we still have life. i really wanna win this game. just not sure we're gonna...
[556] Alex checked into it and it can't be fixed. I wish the new Banter was as convenient as the new ballpark.
[559] or at least as the old banter
The Yankees had to do a lot to lose this one! Not sure the effect on the players, but as a fan, it's demoralizing.
8,9,1. How nice.
I know it's only April, but I'm feeling very deflated right now.
I was all ready for a nice win and now I just feel ill.
[559] thanks william - that stinks though
It is not so much the Papel-stare that annoys me, but the open mouth.
Rivera's really working that gum...it would be nice if this team could pikc him up.
Stafford to the Lions, btw.
Matsui is on the bench. He could hit for Melky (Gardner's not in for D, is he?)
oh marte - should we just end this misery now
oh wow molina with a hit
Hey, Molina, how 'bout that!
That's something, I guess.
[563] A loss like this has the I wish I never heard about baseball feel.
Molina = POTG?
err, wait, nevermind. malky made last out
it seems like molina has been calling for outside pitches all night
Run with Gardner and lose the DH?
[568] yes gardner in - swisher out
[576] Didn't realize the switch...that wasn't a bright move.
[568] yeah, i think he is. damon, gardner, melky out there. i guess that means Swish is out of the game. wonderful...
I am going to vomit.
basehit, captain. i beg of thee!
screw that damn leprachaun
Hey, Jeter's good buddy comes up big. BLEH.
Baseball sucks.
Come on, Damon, get a hit.
A lousy goddamned hit.
Please, for the love of baby Jesus.
[581] ha ha hah a a ha aha ha hah ah !!
Ok, I needed that laugh.
Thank you!
i'd love johnny to get a hit here.
[559]. [560] At least the new banter is still as cheap as the old one. Plus we get hyperlinks and italics.
[583] Don't it, though?
alright. earn your stripes, Tex!!!
Here's your grandslam in the rain moment, Tex!
Be a hero, show us what you got!
Please!!!
Hit it the fuck *OUT*!
OK Tex, time to earn that contract.
alright tex - now would be a great time to shut those massholes up
Come on. Eye for an eye.
I wonder if they pitch around him with Gardner on deck.
hope johnny can steal 2nd...
[590] I'll even take 3 runs!
[594] i think Jorgie's still on deck. no?
[597] Right...sorry.
2-0!
Ok, this is it, do it here, please!
What decides defensive indifference? The exact stats don't matter, but they may to the player.
Just missed that...this game gets even more frustrating!
i'll take a basehit scoring 2 runs. thank you, please!
don't fucking strikeout here, tex...
Calling that defensive indifference is b.s. It's a tie score, extra innings. Damon's run does matter. It's a difference between 5-4 bottom of tenth and 6-4 bottom of tenth.
Come on, Tex, turn that heat around!
damnit to hell
Crud.
jesus fucking h. christ
No.
No.
No.
It's not fair.
No.
From bad to worse...here comes Marte.
You can't like the Yankees inability to close this game out.
edwar, marte, steven jackson...???
well that was total shit. but one thing i noticed about teixeira that i love is that he stays in the box and just waits for the pitcher to pitch, which i think is a lot more intimidating than all the other bullshit so many players do between pitches.
This is torture.
holy crap, the Blow Jays have put 13 runs up on the board. they also put 2 more pitchers on the DL - romero and ryan...
If Marte doesn't lose this game, I'll be shocked. If he doesn't walk the lead off batter, I'll be pleased.
carlos pena hit his 7th homer and dionner navarro just stole 2nd. 6-0 Rays early...
so how many batters does marte face til they score?
An awful loss combined with a Bruney injury would really change the feeling around the team.
please have a quick 1-2-3 inning. thank you, please!
Is this the same game Joba started or was that yesterday?
[615] well put.
[615] That's quite a high bar you've set there, william!
[620] Wednesday's, actually.
[615] There you go!
We're still playing the A's, right?
Cripes, why does these damn games ALWAYS take forever, and why does someone on the Sox always manage to take Mo deep on a Friday night game??!?
At least I'm in NY and not MA right now.
william, how about a K? =)
i'll take 2 more of those!
This game has become like sitting betting side by a dying a patient.
[628] make that bed side.
There is exactly, exactly one good thing about this whole situation. My FB rival gets no Mo-save points.
What could make this game worse?
let's get it done here, marte! get him out!!!
[631] i'm NOT answering that!!!
Only fair if the Sox's ex-Pirate plays well, that the Yanks' ex-Pirate does too.
Is Ransom hurt (in addition to Bruney)? PeteAbe seemed to imply that.
[628] don't bet on death
Is that Marte?
why does it always seem like Fat Papi is on deck?
The midget didn't hit a walk-off (at least not yet). Maybe the tide is turning?
well i'm very pleasantly surprised - nice job marte
did they actually say something about bruney being hurt or are we still guessing?
[631] Jeter "proving how much he cares" again...
Maybe he'll take Youkilis out to dinner after the game tonight...
Pfft!
Thurman Munson just rolled over in his grave...
[631] Schilling appears in a Sox uniform, comes to the plate, and hits a game-winning home run with blood oozing out of his socks?
(You asked)
beautiful! he was efficient, too - can probably pitch the next inning, though that's playing with fire...
[635] Actually it is "never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!"
The Yankees have played a much better game than Boston...they should be enjoying the post game meal.
I heart you, Lincecum.
sometimes i think cone thinks he's on the yankee coaching staff - it's quite funny
[640] we're still guessing about Bruney. but obviously something's up...
[641] Thurman, was my 1st idol. i recently put up a vintage photo of him in uniform, replete with orange chest protector and menacing mustache, up right behind my main kit at my drum studio! : )
[644] i do not think that means what you think it means
Bruney has been kept as our secret weapon.
Booya. I was hoping to be asleep an hour ago though. Now lets make this worth our while by, uh, winning.
[646] why? 'coz he has 8 K's thru 5 innings and is on your fantasy team?! just a guess...
Great AB Posada...now Gardner can bunt.
good start, jorgie! let's plate him!!!
[653] But take a strike first.
not who i wanna see at the plate!!!
i want A-Rod back!!!
I'm showing my age here, but EPIC FAIL.
jesus christ this is the second time this week that happened
ABs like that in games like this only fuels a growing dislike for Gardner.
I think they were expecting the bunt there . . .
OK Gardner, just steal second, and it will be the situation we all wanted.
nice hit robbie
[649] Inconceivable!
let's go Robbie! steal the show, kid!!!
Girardi has shown a penchant for replacing Swisher in the late innings. That needs to stop.
do it again, Leche!!! do it again...
Isn't a gyroball a slider that doesn't slide?
seriously this umpire is fucking shit
[664] yes, it does!
do not swing at that melky!
14 team runners left on base - cripes.
C'mon Melky, no outs . . .
Good, good, walk the bases loaded dude.
jesus this is frustrating
robby what the fuck
my heart is pounding...
Cano! DELAY THE TAG-OUT.
This is torture
Nice to see some more bad baseball before the end of the game. I guess Cano couldn't have been bothered to stop short or run through Pedroia?
Yeeaaaarrrrgh! What a frustrating team.
[670] I'm sorry,
1615 team runners left on base. (Cano was technically erased by the DP, right?)fucking crap...
shaun - i'm listening to VoiVod. you like them? weird science metal from Canada!
I wish they had just let Wang start this game after all.
From Peter:"Bruney was not in the bullpen. So clearly something is up"
Does. Not. Sound. Good.
i have things to do tonight and this is just taking too fucking long. it's really hard to be mad at Mo. we needed to step on their throats when we had the chance...
Here comes the countdown...
more Marte. wahoo!
[682] Could be a personal issue...an injured guy usually would sit there to at least be a decoy.
[648] At least Thurm didn't laugh and joke around with Red Sox players... EVER, much less during a game he was trying to win, in the ninth inning, at Fenway!
But hey, as long as you're getting $20M guaranteed, plus endorsements, win or lose, it really doesn't matter... does it? That 30K square-foot monstrosity goes up just as quickly!
Amazing!
That type of shit really burns my ass!
Um, anyone know what the "Gameday Audio coming soon!" thing is in the upper right corner of Gameday? Isn't that the radio broadcasts that they've had for years now? Or is the audio going to be fed through Gameday now?
I'm just wondering.
C'mon Marte!!
Keystone motherfucking cops
[683] I am not mad at Mo...I am upset with a team that couldn't put the nails in the coffin.
Outcome aside, Papi isn't the same.
well marte is showing a little something tonight
hell yeah! 2 more outs, nice 'n quick, please!!!
That a way, Marte!
[680] thealarmis, I've never heard of VoiVod, but they definitely sound like a group I'd enjoy! Can I find them on iTunes?
alright get this troll out
ooh, golden sombrero for fat papi. me likey! : )
What's wrong with Veras? Just because he pitched 3.3 innings on Wednesday?
[697] Yep...the pitch count was high.
Thanks, Youk. For replacing all of my Manny-Hatred.
[687] there's no place for civility in baseball!!! jeter's joking around with youkilis clearly boosted the morale of the sox at the worst possible moment!!!
[689] i agree, that's what i was saying! : )
Dammit!!!!!
Fucking troll.
somehow that was fitting - damnit
BOOOO!
Dodecafuck.
FRAKKING FRAK FRAK!
I blame the hitting, not the pitching.
I just knew that is how this was going to end...Marte did a good job...Mo made one mistake...this one's on an offense that couldn't lower the boom...I have a feeling this loss carries into the next two games.
Now... how can we blame this on Girardi or Cashman?
Well, at least the torture's over.
brutal.
marte probably shouldn't have been pitching to ugly.
I wish I had an excuse not to watch the next two games.
[709] haha - i just did [712] . maybe it's not fair, but youkilis is by far the most dangerous hitter there, maybe should have brought in someone else to face him - but i see why he was trying to ride marte.
[700] Ya, "great leading by example" from the Yankee Captain! Peace, love, hugs, and kisses to you Youk!
Now they can go out to eat together! That's what's really important... anyway...
[707] mariano's my favorite player all time. but when he blows a game he blows a game. no need to excuse him.
[716] They shoudn't have needed him to close it out. It's not an excuse. This game could have been salted away on several occassions.
[713] wanna chart the rest of my tunes?! that'd be awesome! : )
i best get to some now...
[694] Shaun - Voivod, have been around for 25 years now. they started out pretty noisy, then became the Pink Floyd of Metal. more recently, Jason Newsted of Metallica fame, was the bassist. the longtime guitar player died not too long ago from cancer and i'm sure the band is done.
they are incredibly well-known in the metal world and have had a lot of different "phases" to their career. i'm sure they're on itunes, but i don't know itunes very well, at all. i could recommend an album, or something. they're definitely weird and not for everyone. i don't know your metal likes and dislikes. they're a good, classic band and i pretty much have all their output, but they're certainly not amongst my fave metal groups...
[717] Exactly... what you said!
this was a very disheartening loss and i wouldn't be surprised if we get swept...
sometimes, i wish i didn't care so much...
[720] I hear you...after losses like this I don't even watch the next one...unfortunately, I can't turn away.
Well, that was a waste of five hours of my life.
[721] I meant I don't "want" to watch.
since it's on Fox tomorrow - well, IF they show it here in Atlanta - i'll have it on. buuuut, it'll be on mute and i'll be charting songs, so i won't be fully enthralled in it.
i really wish i was drinkin' tonight... : /
What's that blog called, Fack Youk?
Ugh. I hope like heck Girardi doesn't go back to thinking that Marte is a LOOGY. I'm starting to think that Marte has maybe 20 or so pitches in him per apperance. This wasn't Texas last August bad, but he was at 25 pitches when he hung that one to Youkilis. Does b-r.com break down what happens in numbers of pitches? I want to say I've seen that data somewhere before . . .
Hmm, by b-r.com, with 25 pitches or less in his career, Marte's given up a .224/.315/.351 line in 1866 PA. 26-50 pitches, .237/.337/.362 (in 179 PA), so just a bit worse . . . strikes a lot less guys out too, which I'd expect.
Yahoo! breaks it down into 15 pitch increments . . . this is a huge small sample size, but for 15 pitches or less, in 2.0 this year (not including tonight), Marte has given up 5 hits but no runs. In the 1.7 IP he's gone with more than 15 pitches, 3 hits (including 2 HR).
I still don't think Girardi should use him as a LOOGY, but I am starting to think he ought to be on a pitch count.
Last year: 15 pitches or less, 46.3 IP, 49 K 11 BB 3 HR, 2.14 ERA.
16-30 pitches: 17 IP, 21 K 12 BB 1 HR but a 5.29 ERA.
I wonder if that was due to Marte getting lifted and then the next guy letting the guys Marte left on come in to score. His peripherals in both situations (again, admittedly a bit of a small sample) are excellent. Too bad we don't have that data (ie, bequeathed runners scored).
Most years in his career, Marte has not been very good between 16 and 30 pitches.
Oh well, tomorrow's another game!
more bad news...
from Pete Abe:
Wang to DL, Robertson coming.
Ransom on DL (quad). No word on who is coming.
Bruney has an injured elbow. Tests tomorrow.
[727] That's awful news on Bruney...what a disasterous day for the Yankees. I think there is going to be hang over from this one.
[727] frtvgtjuhngtdhyki;l.pjunhym
If Bruney is injured and Joba doesn't dominate in the rotation, I can see the team being tempted to shift him back to the bullpen, especially if Wang finds himself.
Going into the 9th, I felt great about this team...now I can't see them winning a game this series...baseball really sucks.
And christ help us, I'm sure Berroa is on his way up.
Just to make us pine for the days of Cody Ransom.
I wonder who they'll call up for Ransom. Eric Duncan maybe?
reason Bruney wasn't in the pen -
was sent back to New York for an MRI.
This really feels like more than one loss.
One reason I have always felt like losses in the regular season hurt more than in the playoffs is because this one now has the potential to haunt the Yankees for the next 5 months. In the playoffs, one loss doesn't change how many games you need to win and when you are eliminated, it's over fast.
Hopefully they get the hell over it and get back on the horse tomorrow. I never want this team to see .500 again.
/Jeter on
Excuse me now; I have a date with Youkilis! We're going to get tramp stamps of each other's names over our asses tonight!
/Jeter off
[731] [732] Unless Ransom (or heaven forbid, Wang) goes on the 60-day DL, there is no open 40-man roster spot for Berroa, so I can't see him coming up. (Ditto Eric Duncan.) If i had to guess, Miranda comes up for Ransom for the weekend, and then perhaps A-Rod comes back on Monday or Tuesday. He's supposedly ahead of schedule, May 1 has been the alleged return date anyway - and will him coming back two or three days early hurt him? My guess is, no.
I hope it rains on Saturday and Sunday...good night all.
[737] I'm sorry, I just don't see how being friendly with someone on the other team matters at all. I understand that at one point in time, baseball players allegedly hated all the other guys on all the other teams - and that some Yanks hated some Red Sox players - but what does that matter now? I'm pretty sure Marte and Cano (and A-Rod, for that matter) are all friendly/friends with Big Papi, and that sure didn't make a difference in the game.
Lata WM...
I hope Jeter's tramp stamp gets infected!
I don't think MIranda is an option. He's a first baseman. I don't think he can play any other position.
The YES guys said they think it will be Berroa. The 40-man roster issue is probably why the Yanks haven't announced who it will be.
I don't think they'll rush A-Rod back. He's doing well, but it sounds like he's still weeks away.
[740] Soft and friendly players, yield soft and friendly results...
Hard ass players yield... you know...
Learn it, live it, or don't!
But hey, as long as they're getting paid, right?
This isn't MLB! It's a friggen circle jerk of millionaires!
[740] Please don't feed the troll.
i'm with Shaun on the friendliness...
pete abe has a bit more about bruney, wang, cody and the 40-man. nothing definitive yet. nothing good, though...
quite frustrating!!! : /
Tomorrow's another day. Wipe the smug look off Beckett's face and get on a nice five game winning streak again.
[745] Interesting. Pete Abe says a 40-man roster move will have to be made, which suggests it won't be Miranda or A-Rod.
He, too, thinks it will be Berroa.
Nady or A-Rod could go on the 60-day DL.
i say we bring in Stan Musial. he's still alive...right?! ; )
Andy Phillips, come back! All is forgiven.
[747] Don't know about Nady, but A-Rod can't go on the 60 day, they expect him back in 2 weeks!
[750] Can they backdate it to spring training?
[744] Yeah sure Randy, I'm a troll.
Laughable!
If the Captain of the Yankees laughing, joking, and cutting up with Youkilis, while the game was on the line, doesn't bother you, then like the Captain of the Yankees, you deserve tonight's result!
Did you even stop to think that if Jeter went to the mound to help Mo with some words of encouragement, while he was under all of that pressure in such a hostile environment, instead of yucking it up with Youkilis, Mo might not have grooved one right down the middle to Bay? Of course you didn't! You couldn't have fathomed that in ten of your lifetimes! This is what happens when players make so much money! The winning or losing doesn't matter, because "gettin' paid" has become the priority. All of the "talk" about winning has merely become lip service, to keep the PR machine a-going in order to maintain the status quo of guaranteed money!
Apparently, Jeter has completely forgotten about being sent to the hospital along with Soriano in the same inning by a Red Sox pitcher who plunked Yankees repeatedly at OYS every 12 innings he pitched there! That's every other start! He obviously forgot about him throwing an old man in his 70's down on the ground at The Fens too, like the thug asshole that he is!
I however, did not!
This isn't MLB as it was meant to be played! It's the MLBPA's "Good ole Boy Network" at its worst! Save that bullshit for the off-season or the WBC, which is meaningless, not during games that count! Or should Yankees Universe and RSN just all get together and have a sing along!?
Michael Kay made an interesting pernt this evening as he mentioned this quote...
I'm paraphrasing...
"Players today are sissies! If Ortiz said what he did when I was pitching, we all would have thrown at him!" - Goose Gossage
Did he really play that long ago?
Pfft!
Mo was a wreck in that frame with each swing, literally praying that he wouldn't make a mistake as he has in the past in huge games there! It's really in his head now! Had the Captain pulled his head out of his ass long enough, instead of being a goofy fuck with Youk, he might have noticed that and gone to the mound to slow things down a bit and help his teammate! Nope, can't do that! More important to cut up with friggin Youkilis at 2B!
With priorities like that, they'll never win anything again!
But, I'm a "troll!"
LOL
Your neglect to acknowlege the inherent value of the mental side of the game is tragic to say the least. The Yankees Captain failed the greatest closer in MLB history tonight. I sincerely hope he doesn't do that ever again as long as he's a Yankee! The club deserved a better leader in that situation! Instead, they got a soft, rich, clown with his head up his ass, whose priority was having a laugh and a smile with Kevin Youkilis!
Did you even stop to think that if Jeter went to the mound to help Mo with some words of encouragement, while he was under all of that pressure in such a hostile environment, instead of yucking it up with Youkilis, Mo might not have grooved one right down the middle to Bay? Of course you didn’t!
I didn't either... Figured the Greatest Closer Ever, who has been doing this on a regular basis since 1997, knew what he was doing or what he needed to do.
Yeah well, things can change, very rapidly in fact in MLB (as well as in life itself), especially when your heart is racing after a linedrive whizzes by your dome at 110+ MPH, and if you don't move out of the way "with tha quickness," you get it right in the face in a Mike Mussina-type fashion, not only hurting you severely, but possibly even ending your stellar career in a flash or worse, crippling you beyond recognition permanently! But you knew that already, didn't you? Ever almost get into an accident in traffic, and it shocks you so much you have to pull over and “compose yourself” in order to absorb all of the adrenalin that’s rushing through your bloodstream from that “close call?” You are very lucky indeed, if you have not experienced that at least once in your life!
Cone said as much right after it happened, that something such as that can and will rattle the shit out of you! But what does he know, right? Alas, there are no stats for that, calming down your closer/pitcher after such an occurrence, and only experience prepares you for that as well! Instead of ensuring that your single largest commodity during the last decade-and-a-half calms down such that he can resume his HoF production, you just stand there pulling your pud, making fun of the hole Youkilis made in his pants from sliding, you know, as your adrenalin-filled closer coughs up still another game at Fenway because you leave him alone to “fend for himself!”
See what happens when you "assume?" You make an “ass” out of “u” and “me!”
Do try not to “assume,” okay? Mo’s not going to be around forever! Sometimes (Gasp!) he can use a little support and encouragement that hits and runs and defensive plays cannot ever provide!
Apparently, spoiled fans and players (and some managers) alike, are most ignorant of such things!
Doh!
: /
Apparently you're projecting your feelings onto professional players. You think Rivera doesn't know that? You don't think he's never had a liner whiz by him all this time he has been in pro ball? You think that he doesn't know when he needs to pull over to compose himself? You honestly think that?
Puh-leeze
"You think Rivera doesn’t know that?"
From his failure to slow down in that frame on his own, no.
"You don’t think he’s never had a liner whiz by him all this time he has been in pro ball?"
In The Fens, under that pressure, right at his face? I don't remember ever seeing that in Boston. And when Rivera is "on," that simply doesn't happen. Not "right at his face"...
"You think that he doesn’t know when he needs to pull over to compose himself?"
Not in the least, because he didn't in that instance, nor has he whenever he's blown saves there. In fact, I would argue he speeds up, which is the worst thing he can do.
"You honestly think that?"
Until I see them visit him on the mound to purposefully slow him (and the game) down, when under such duress, absolutely!
Clearly that comebacker rattled the shit out of him, because of its proximity to his face, and nobody on the team did a thing to help him regain his composure... Or does Jason Bay "own" Mo now, in a Manny Ramirez fashion?
LOL
You can possess all the baseball knowledge there is. It is meaningless if you are unable to use that knowledge within a game for whatever reason (see also Posada calling games).
After years of "playing comfortably" under Joe Torre, these veterans (with the lone exception of Jeter, who has inherent flaws of his own) are ill equipped to handle adversity of all forms, in my opinion.
I mean Mo is faced with such adversity so rarely (save situations in Boston after a line drive barely misses his face), that's probably why he fails more there than anywhere else. I'm saying shame on Jeter, and Girardi, for letting the "same ole thing" happen, as Jeter laughs and jokes around with Youkilis, instead of recognizing the need for a mound visit. How many more blown saves are we all going to have to endure there, for them to finally do that when Mo needs them the most?
It's obvious to me, that his ability to blow a save in Fenway is directly proportional to his Captain and Manager's ability to recognize when he's clearly "not himself," and get out there to slow him down and help him if/when he's ever rattled. Such was the case after that batted ball nearly shattered his face. According to David Cone, no matter how experienced, a comebacker to the face can and will rattle any pitcher. Unless Jason Bay really is the "new Manny," Mo needed some help, and Jeter laughed and joked with the opponent instead, and Girardi was a tree stump, in a Joe Torre manner.
Mo Rivera deserves much better than that!
I would like to add one more thing nobody has mentioned with respect to Rivera.
For the first time in his career as Yankees Closer, IIRC, (He has not had any surgery on his pitching arm since work on his elbow in 1992.), he's beginning a season after surgery on his pitching shoulder.
That rarity in and of itself tells me, this is not the Mo we are all accustomed to. It is in fact the oldest he's ever been, recovering from surgery he's never had, to boot.
Girardi clearly broke from his philosophy of "erring on the side of caution," not only requiring him to get four outs, but also neglecting to recognize the additional rare adversity of a comebacker right at his face, and trying that at Fenway, where he's historically had the most failure.
Hopefully they learned from that. I’m skeptical however, until it’s proven otherwise, and they help him during his attempted saves there, dealing with all sorts of unpredictable adversity, including the most rare of fully recovering from surgery, and being so rattled after a comebacker that headed directly for his face.