Never mind last night’s game. Painful as it was, it was just one loss. Far more damaging is the fact that three Yankees were placed on the disabled list after the game.
We knew Chien-Ming Wang was unlikely to make his next schedule start in Detroit on Tuesday and had already been skipped this time through the rotation thanks in part to Monday’s rain-out and Thursday’s off-day. Still, it smarts to hear Brian Cashman say that Wang’s problem is in his hips, a cascade injury of sorts stemming from the broken foot he suffered last June, and that he will need roughly two weeks of physical therapy. It’s not the bit about his hips that hurts—that may be bogus, after all—it’s the bit about the two weeks of physical therapy. Yes, a minimum DL stay is roughly two weeks, but Wang hasn’t pitched in a week, and his DL appearance could have been made retroactive, giving him a week to fix his clearly flawed mechanics and bringing him back after missing just three starts. Instead he’ll miss at least five starts. Add those to the three awful starts he already made, and suddenly Wang’s season is in the 20- to 25-start range at best.
The good news is that the Yankees have Phil Hughes looking very read to take Wang’s place. Hughes is 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA and 19 Ks against three walks in 19 1/3 innings for Scranton. If Hughes pitches well in Wang’s stead, the Yankees will have an interesting choice to make once Wang’s ready to return. (Note that the Yankees haven’t officially named Hughes Tuesday’s starter and are currently filling Wang’s roster spot with an extra reliever.)
In addition to Wang, Brian Bruney has landed on the DL with a strained flexor mass in his right elbow. You’ll be excused if you think you’re having deja vu. Last year, Bruney had a tremendous April (1.59 ERA, 11 1/3 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 6 BB, 12 K, opponents hitting .175/.292/.350) but broke his foot covering first on April 22 and was out until August. This year he was again dominating in April (3.38 ERA, 8 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 12 K, opponents hitting .111/.172/.148), but woke up with elbow pain on the morning of April 22 and is now back on the DL. The good news is that this year’s injury is muscular and the Yankees hope that a couple weeks off will allow it to heal completely.
David Robertson has been recalled from Scranton to help replace Bruney. Robertson struck out three in a pair of scoreless innings against the Indians in the Yankee Stadium opener, but was optioned back to Scranton the next day as the Yankees though they might need an extra bad with Hideki Matsui’s knees and Mark Teixeira’s wrist acting up. The injury to Wang allows Robertson to return to the team just before his minimum ten days in Triple-A had elapsed. Robertson has not allowed an earned run in eight Triple-A innings, but has struck out 14 against just two walks in those frames.
Joining Robertson in the Yankee pen (as of 5:30 this evening, per Pete Abe) is Mark Melancon (pronounced mel-LAN-son), who hasn’t allowed a run, earned or otherwise, in 10 1/3 innings for Scranton this year while striking out 17 against just three walks. In a perfect world, both will be here to stay, and Steven Jackson, who has been on the 25-man roster since Sunday without seeing action despite the Yankees playing a total of 25 innings over their last two games, will be the man farmed out to make room for Hughes on Tuesday.
The perpetually rehabbing Humberto Sanchez was released to make room for Melancon. It was the obvious move, though a disappointing one as Sanchez went to high school in the Bronx and remained active in the community. He would have made a good story had he made an impact with the Yankees, but he just couldn’t get healthy and the Yankees have too many other quality arms to worry about retaining Sanchez, who turns 26 in about a month.
Finally, Cody Ransom tore his right quadricep on a steal of second base in the eighth inning of last night’s game. With Alex Rodriguez about two weeks from returning, Ransom has been sent straight to the 60-day DL to make roster space for Angel Berroa as the only other infielder on the Yankees 40-man roster had been first baseman Juan Miranda. The 31-year-old Berroa carried his hot spring over to the Triple-A season and was hitting .316/.365/.491 for Scranton. He will start at third base tonight, reigiting the spring-training battle between himself and Ramiro Peña, as one of them is likely to be farmed out when Alex Rodriguez returns in a couple of weeks. Worth noting: Berroa has played just one game at third base in the major leagues prior to today and played just 14 games there in the minors before this season.
Here’s the full Yankee lineup (the Red Sox’s remains the same as last night):
R – Derek Jeter (SS)
L – Johnny Damon (LF)
S – Mark Teixeira (1B)
S – Nick Swisher (RF)
L – Robinson Cano (2B)
S – Jorge Posada (C)
L – Hideki Matsui (DH)
R – Angel Berroa (3B)
L – Brett Gardner (CF)
This is the first time Posada will catch A.J. Burnett this season. Pitching behind Chien-Ming Wang in the rotation, Burnett started after a loss in each of his three previous starts and each time helped lead the Yankees to victory. In his last start, however, he got a no-decision after walking seven men against just two strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings (he compensated by allowing just three hits, but two of them were home runs).
Today he’ll be taking on his former Marlins teammate, Josh Beckett. Beckett should have started last night had he not been serving a five-game suspension for throwing at Bobby Abreu after Abreu had called time during Burnett’s windup. Beckett was dominant in his first start of the season, but has been less impressive in his last two starts, putting up this line: 12 IP, 14 H, 8 R (7 ER), 6 BB, 10 K, 5.25 ERA.
Pena was better than Ransom defensively and had better ABs. I'm not sure why Berroa deserves to start.
I'd say he doesn't, but here's one way it might make sense: I argued for Peña for the utility job because he does all of the things that a utility man needs to do better than Berroa (field, bunt, run, play multiple positions). That said, neither can really hit, but Berroa might get or stay hot for a while (like Jose Molina does from time to time), so if you want a starter, you might prefer Berroa, but if you want a bench player, you definitely want Peña.
Remember, Peña has never played at Triple-A and has never hit in the minors at any level (his .266/.330/.357 at Double-A last year was by far his best showing). There's no reason to expect him to outproduce a guy who once won the Rookie of the Year award, no matter how little Berroa now resembles the player he was in 2003.
Girardi told the press before the game that Berroa will start every day. He then said that Peña needs to play every day, though he meant in the minors after Alex Rodriguez's return. Ugh.
More encouragingly, it will indeed be Hughes that takes Wang's rotation spot.
I think your're right, Cliff, although the same reasoning probably could have supported a decision to start Berroa over Ransom, especially in view of his mammoth struggles.
I assume that Pena will be a defensive replacement in the 7th or 8th inning of any close game.
I disagree on Berroa vs. Ransom, but that's moot for a variety of reasons, including the fact that Ransom's hurt and it was his landing on the 60-day DL that made 40-man roster room for Berroa. Put simply, Ransom is better at everything than Berroa.
"Put simply, Ransom is better at everything than Berroa."
I believe that is called damning with faint praise. At least on the offensive side.
I am not one who thinks you can so easily brush aside last night's loss, but the loss of Bruney is defintely a bigger blow. As nice as Ransom seemed to be, I think it was clear that he was overmatched and think he should have been replaced by Berroa anyway. Either way, 3B is black hole. As for Wang, the DL stint is a good thing. He gets time to figure out what's wrong and the Yankees get another look at Hughes. I wouldn't be surprised if Hughes does so well that the team considers moving Joba to the pen when Wang returns, especially if Bruney is down for a while and Melancon falters.
[5] If Ransom had been able to play up to his true talent level, then that may well be true, but his wOBA is .244 and UZR/150 is -24, Granted, they are skewed by sample size as well as possibly anxiety, but given that the job was only going to be open over a small sample size until A-Rod returns, I'm not sure why Ransom was given deference over Berroa while Pena isn't.
well joe buck is already annoying me, but his point that lowell has recovered well from the hip surgery is hopefully foreshadowing of good news for arod who is obviously a much better athlete and in better shape than lowell.
the injury bug does seem to be pretty aimed at the yanks lately.
If there's any justice in the world A.J. will spend the afternoon making the Sox hitters look completely foolish. While the Yanks tee off Beckett. : )
It's not discussed much... but with all the injuries we've had, especially ARod, the one guy who has not stepped up at all.... is Tex. And CC might be #2. So while JD, Jeter, Melky, Cano and Po were all questions, the guys we counted on most have come up short.
That 0-1 curve to Swisher was vicious.
the scrappy, intelligent, flexible roster red sox love has begun
Nice 2-2 cut by Swisher.
Hanging in there.
swisher's abs remind me a lot of abreu's (sorry if this has been brought up before)
Nice ab, Swisher. Come on, draw the BB.
[11] Tex did have that wrist injury. And CC always takes awhile to warm up.
good get to beckett early
Wonderful. Bad taste, slowly fading.
Even better!
Very, very nice ab, beautiful line drive up the gut.
So pretty to watch.
Swish! For a non swish
[17] Not complaining... just sayin'
Cano let Beckett of the hook...Yankees need to get more than 1 run here...can't pick up where they left off yesterday by squandering opportunities.
Let's go Po
That's a big hit by Posada.
Well done, Jorgie!
Well thats a nice start to erasing the sour taste of last night.
I gave up trying to get the mlb.tv video feed to work through special means and am listening to the radio, which I realize is far less annoying than fox anyways. Which says a lot
wow that was an awful swing matsui - let's go
I hate the way Matsui swings.
He kind of sweeps the bat through the zone in a very awkward way.
I like seeing Beckett struggle.
Remember when Matsui used to use the whole field?
cripes - well at least 2 runs in - hopefully beckett doesn't settle down now
Matsui needs to get going to alleviate the burden on the bottom of the lineup.
Damn, woulda loved to knock Beckett out of the game, but I'll take two runs and almost 40 pitches. Now lets keep it up!
[32] fondly - i think his robotic knees just don't allow for that much anymore
[36] Ah, you think that's what it is? That'd explain things. It's really painful to see him like this.
"little fighters" - jeez spare me
[38] God, I know!
My buddy in Scranton was at a bar drinking witb Phil Hughes last night. He got me some SCOOPZ.
Namely?
i really wish someone would read a scouting report on that pissant - pitch him low
Berroa on the team is disappointing, but there was little other choice. I think he'll make us miss Ransom.
love these double plays!
Nice!
Off the bat I thought that was going through for sure.
Nice.
okay - got close to a 1,2,3 inning
Suffice to add, the Yankees certainly deserve to have Burnett pitch very well today.
I can't get over how Ortiz looks. Wow...
How come Manny jogging down the first base line is a crime, but no one cares about Big Fatty doing it?
I dunno... I do like Boston paying $12M per for past "glories," though!
How many years are left on that extention again?
Three pitches.
[41] He's approachable, friendly, apparently heterosexual and allegedly "dumb as a block."
He also seemed to be aware that he was going to be pitching in Wang's spot, just waiting for the official nod.
brett please swing the bat
I am sorry, but it's time to play Melky full time.
The a-hole side of me kind of hopes Dusty's career goest the way of Berroa's. Good ab, Brett. Cack.
Aaand looks like our window has closed. Lets just hope its the black hole of the order rather than beckett getting better
Punched up the middle for Derek.
Nice hit.
[52] If Hughes was really there, I would wonder why he is in a bar in Scranton. Reading his writing and listening to him speak leads me to doubt that he would come off as "dumb as a block".
"apparently heterosexual and allegedly “dumb as a block.”
Please elaborate, as I never really thought about the prior and the later needs some justification I suppose...
[54] Yeah... I'm afraid Gardy is looking more and more like a cup of coffee for AJax, if they want to go that route. I really don't see the difference in doing that and letting Pena stay up for the major league reps.
Earth to Tim...the Yankees won the 1956 WS, not the Dodgers.
[58] I didn't think he was all that dumb either, and the buddy I was speaking to didn't see it either, but apparently that's the opinion of those who cover him in the papers in Scranton.
I really hate these Burger King ads. They do not make me want to eat there.
at least berroa stopped the ball and made a dcenet enough throw to get ugly out
I.Q. notwithstanding, he is there to pitch well, not solve the economic crisis. If he's honest with injuries, and doesn't try to do things he's unable to do, that's good enough for me!
:)
[63] Completely ruined the fun that was Sir Mixalot for me...
I don't like square butts!
;)
Yeah, why would Hughes in a bar in Scranton?
In a bar, I can see. Starting pitchers are notoriously party animals.
But the team is in Rochester. They left on Thursday. Don't the starting pitchers travel with the team, even if they aren't playing?
Though I suppose they could have sent him back to Scranton when they knew he was going to be called up.
Definitely not easy to make Lowell look stupid. Cheers, A.J.!
Wow @ pitching ahead while throwing Uncle Charlie for strikes!
I was out with Igawa last night. Man, it's like he's from another country. : 0 Seriously, he gave up 9 hits, 8 runs, and 4 hrs in 4 ip this afternoon. The lil' Yanks are in an 11-11 slugfest.
YEEEESSS! I love that Sterling was so musy being blustery that he actually missed the call and had to rush through it!
Cano is born again!
Yes, Robbie. Gotta keep applying pressure to Beckett.
Groundzilla
Well, Matsui seems to be running a little better these days.
Wow again at Robbie going down after that one and hitting it out!
:)
Beckett at 70 pitches through 2 2/3
[77] Maybe they can get deep into the Sox BP today! That would be great!
Hey, Matusi can still run at times.
Berroa. Not making me miss Ransom yet.
Hey, Brett. That thing in your hands. It's a bat and it's used to swing. Preferably on the ground.
[42] The knome can't hit 'em low and inside. He's likes 'em up and in, and will turn on it. And he can go outside, He has good plate coverage, but doesn't like them down and in.
[61] Heh. I guess someone at Fox pays attention to The Banter.
... slowly
... feeling
... better
(am I headed for a fall?)
[84] Might I suggest a nickname for Burnett?
How about "HCS," which is short for "Homade Chicken Soup!"
:)
[84] I'll feel better when Mo comes in to shut them down in the ninth. I want to see him back on the horse today.
NIIICE ROBBIE! En fuengo!
It's a beautiful day.
More runs, please.
Here's to Robbie's hits waking up Beckett in the middle of his nights often!
After last night's freak of nature (how many mistakes does God make.... the mosquito maybe?) I hesitate to say this... but with AJ and Beckless in the game, I say this one's in the bag.
Jinx?
Man... how much fun will it be, if Robbie continues to live up to his potential?
Robbie currently at .368 with an OPS close to 1.000.
TB down by 3 after 5.
[92] Lots!
He's really got much more of that than his Red Sox counterpart. It's only a matter of time before he's hitting in the front half of the order permanently! I can hardly wait!
:)
[92] I'm on board with that OYF. Robbie's a can't miss at bat when he's right. He can lace the ball all over the place.
I really really wish Sterling would shut up. Everytime he starts worshiping at the feet of whatever yankee pitcher, that pitcher gets into trouble. Its clockwork
Ugh. Come on AJ. I blame this wholly on Sterling.
I blame this [91] asshole.
thank god mike lowell chases that pitch a lot
[98] Seriously, WTF was he thinking?!?!
Mother of God.
I quit baseball. FUCK!!!!!!
Frakitty frak frak!
Seriosuly???? SERIOUSLY?? Varitek?????? Ugh, just awful. Unacceptable. I hate this team
christ alive - - c-tek with a god damn grand slam
I can't. Fucking. Believe this.
Didn't we just leave this party?
man i ran to the grocery store for a sec- came back to 6-0 feeling so good and then this crap!!
I don't understand how these pitchers are giving up absolute bombs to not very good players, walking the house, and generally sucking.
God I hate Sterling. Literally 5 minutes ago he was talking about how unhittable Aj is, how few pitches hes thrown, how its in the bag etc.
Looks like those scrappy, never say die Sox are gearing up for a sweep
Bad pitch call that... Tek was, and is always, sitting dead red. And Burnett has so much command on that Yacker today, too...
: /
All right, I guess it's up to Robbie to single-handedly win this motherfucker.
Two days in a row of getting punched in the gut.
I really can't take it.
Ok, so now we're going to just pack it in, right?
I can't believe they let that piece of shit Beckett back into this game! And he had nothing today, too!
Tragic...
Well, off to watch the Mudhens. Let's go Yankees.
Yup, this has all the makings of one of those games where the Yanks seemingly give up while those "scrappy" Sox first climb back in and then win it.
Do you believe this shit?
Jesus Christ. Ellsbury? WTF is wrong with this team. Unbelievable.
This is fucking humiliating.
Anyone still so confident that this team is playing well and we shouldn't' be concerned? We are heading right back to .500, and in pathetic fashion
It was six nothing.
Am I on LSD or was it six nothing ten minutes ago?
Not only was it six nothing, but it was six nothing with our "co-ace" on the hill.
Hey, Robbie, can you pitch?
Pathetic. Um, I think its time to get AJ out of there. Not that it matters at this point
Watch Beckett go out and strike out two batters per inning for the next three innings.
Well, I'm out of here, I can't take this BS. Somebody let me know when this team wakes up out of its annual April garbage play.
Just walk this troll. Nothing to gain by pitching to him, of all people.
[125] how 'bout hitting him?
this is awful.
Prediction: Tomorrow, we will have golf ball sized hail, the sun will rise in the North, and Brittany will wear white, high waisted, cotton panties.
Now excuse me while I go into the kitchen and slit my throat.
All right, well that's something.
well that was slightly redeeming
Of course.
damn this game and the monster
I just can't take this.
I feel sick.
This is not fun to watch.
Now what happens?
Can we score even one more run, or is that all she wrote?
It's getting hard to know if our offense or pitching is more to blame.
I'll bet a lot of ARod haters are turning into ARod lovers right about now.
I'll take an arm injury for Beckless for chasing a W. 105 pitches and counting. We gonna see a Sox player get a HBP?
So... here we are, standing behind the ambulance, saying 'maybe I'll wait here and get another peek at the body....'
I know.
All right, that's something.
nice shot damon - now i'm back in again -
and beckett in for the win but how stupid
Wow.... 112 pitches for Beckless... and he will be winless. Good job Terry!
Tell me, John Sterling, in your considered opinion, is baseball something you can predict?
Come on, Robbie!
We need more from Tex.
The A's up by 4 over TB after 8.
OH SHIT!
I don't like our bullpen.
damnit run in - but at least jeter was able to spot the gnome and tag him out
WTF? What was Pedroia thinking?
9-8???? going back to bed..i can't take losing to the Sox so early in the day..so much for Beckett-Burnett I guess..
[149] Hang in there. Tying run on base!
[149] Yes, and you do realize we were actually winning six-love, right?
What happened to Gardner's supposed outstanding eye?
[152] It's in SWB at the moment...
[152] you mean the one where he takes strike 3 quite often ?- he has a wonderful eye for that
[154] He got the job done this time. Can't complain!
[155] i know - i just find when he does that especially frustrating - he has one pus tool - looking at strike 3 completely negates that.
crap - can't strike out there jeter
What a terrible spot to K in.
Damn it.
Nick Green toiled in Scranton all last year. He played really well in the games I saw. And nearly killed me by rocketing a foul ball past my head. Strange to see him in a Sox uni.
Bloop. Bleeder. C'mon Damon!
jesus mcacrver - you actually think melky would ph for damon?
yes the gnome f'd up
Even better.
Oh, HELL yes!
Right the fuck on, Johnny!
Wow, how clutch was that!
Ok, that was somewhat poetic :)
Yes!!! Get some lifts, Dusty McSneezey!!
And this is why Derek's striking out was inexcusable.
And the circus continues.......
damnit damon - not godd
alright yanks hold this lead
WTF, Damon?
OMG! Life! We have a pulse!
:)
another chance to earn your pinstripes, Tex...
Is there something in the water?
The one-two hitters are not supposed to K in big spots and get picked off base.
These guys are supposed to put the ball in play wreak havoc on the basepaths.
[172] "Is there something in the water?"
Yes, I'm afraid Boston is famous for their dirty version of that...
damnit not ugly again
[173] Tea maybe?
:)
wait, what's going on? everything is frozen and i don't have it on tv. is it 9-8, 9-9 or 10-9 Yanks??? thanks.
10-9 now
10-9 Yanks, Youk on 3B with one out.
whoa. thanks guys! but, shit, Boston threatening again? crap...
[179] Try reloading GameDay. It's working fine for me.
They walked Jason Bay, so it's runners on the corners, 1 out.
3-run homer for Lowell. :-(
Why?
i'll be god damned - wat the hell
$%$%#!!!
the pitch selection this game - to lowell and varitek in particular - has been awful.
is this girrardi, po, or the pitchers?
[180] thanks, man. i've got espn gamecast and it's frozen at 9-9. their scoreboard is 9-8. i appreciate the updates. my tv is taping a channel and i'm old school (read: technologically challenged!), so i can't change the channel to watch the game. i've gotta go to work soon anyway...
12-10 Boston.
You know, the number crunchers say it doesn't pay to IBB anyone, and I'm starting to think they might be right.
$200 million and still no bullpen...
This game sucks. The Yankees do not have one decent pitcher today. Unbelievable.
[187] christ. how? someone hit a 3-run homer? the fens is more of a launching pad than our new digs... : /
I really think that's the difference between us and the Sox. Their pen is better. At least, I'm not terribly confident about any of our bullpen pitchers, except Mo.
Unbelievable, indeed.
[185] I don't care who is calling for these pitches. I'm weary of whoever it is calling pitches (and playing) right into the hands of the opponents!
Ok folks, I've had enough punishment for today. Have a great rest of your Saturday, if you are able...
I'm going to get some ice cream. At least I can enjoy that!
: )
[190] They IBBed Bay, then Lowell hit one onto the Monster.
This series is a disgrace..shows that the Red Sox are the better team. We just cannot get late-inning outs when we need it..
we are pathetic and i freaking HATE the shit sox...
Fuck, you go Robbie!!! Cmon guys, you can do it!!
All right, move Robbie into the three-hole already.
Cano homers! 12-11 Sox.
Come on, Jorgie, your turn. You get yours!
It was nice to see Okajima's neck snap one way, and then the other. Man, Cano. I think tomorrow I might just watch a couple of monkeys play RBI baseball.
gamecast is caught up! go robbie! c'mon jorgie!!!
Well done, Jorgie.
Come on, Hideki.
'deki! we best score both of these runners...
why didn't Jorgie score?? did a fan interfere??
Come on, Melky, be a stud.
Please.
Ok, Melkdud. Do something good here.
let's go melky!!
Melky..you HAVE to get the run in here..there is no alternative. FUNDAMENTALS!!
[205] he thought ellsbury might catch the ball - and he is slow as all hell
NO........
damnit - not good
ATTA BOY, MELK.
oh, i hope Melky is just a pinch hitter and they keep Swish in the game. put Pena at the hot corner...
[210] he needed to call a taxi to get home!
crap Leche. that was fucking pathetic.
[205] Jorgie is not fast. Also, Ellsbury deked him a bit.
i'm rooting for a wild pitch...
C'mon, Gardner. Prove you deserve your job.
Does anyone out there need 2 sucky centerfielders? Oy. And Bollocks.
oh hell
and there's the ballgame. no way we win this one...
Glad am listening online, don't think I can handle the Papelbon fist pumps that are coming soon..
Is it that hard to score when you have second and third one out?
I mean we're not asking for the fucking grail here.
There's few things more depressing that seeing Brett Gardner stride up to the plate with two outs.
Swisher's still in!
I need a drink
wow, the ERA's for our 5 pitchers today are quite unsightly...
[226] please have one for me! thanks.
At some point doesn't Cashman HAVE to take responsibility for having a shite bullpen year after year?
How do you not throw the guy out on a PITCH-OUT???
this is one of those games - even a pitchout doesn't work
Looks like the umps are going to manufacture a run. An interference call, and then a botched call on the attempted steal. Maybe a balk will be next.
[229] No because it is always the maager's fault.
C'mon, Joe. Get fired up. Or did you use up all your energy looking confused last night.
Ugh. I meant "manager's fault." I need an edit button.
If anything can come of this game, hopefully its the end of the Veras Experment
[234] But seriously..look at the garbage that has been in the pen for years now? It's infuriating and solely on Cashman..
[229] Ask Bengie Molina. Bubba Crosby stole 2B on a pitchout in the infamous Game 5 in 2005.
Great, laundry and housework more fulfilling than this crap. Time to face reality, the Sox are just the better team now.
perfect. we lose again. fucking great. i'm off to work...
[236] For a while, the primary qualification for entering the Yankees bullpen was walking people.
Oh Christ, here comes Marte.
I like how Brett didn't charge that one full speed. Maybe he would have had a better play at the plate. Too bad Jacoby shouldn't have been there in the first place. UGH.
[236] On this blog, it is NEVER the players or the GM, it is always the manager's fault.
Another IBB. I hope this doesn't come back to bite us. Again.
[242] Cashman gets called out on his total inability to evaluate major league pitching.
The Yanks bullpen was terrible last year. That's why it had to be revamped this year. Oh wait, too many innings had to be filled in due to CMW, a 14 inning game, and your usual full of horseshit hitting with RISP. Pardon the frustration. Will the 09 Yanks win 9 in a row this year at any point? It's hard to imagine.
[245] It just shows that if/when Wang Burnett or CC cannot go 7 solid, the pen just cannot keep them in the game..It's inexcusable with this payroll not to have a better pen.
This team is exhausting
This game is a complete and total disgrace to the entire organization..it shows that 22-4 was not a fluke. The Yankees will not sniff the playoffs with this pitching staff.
[246] I do think exhaustion is part of the problem. Wang was pulled so early in his games. Joba hasn't been able to go deep, either. (He's starting to give me Jaret Wright flashbacks.)
[249] Damn, at this point I seriously think they should promote Hughes and send Joba to the pen. Have him throw 130 innings as a long-man. This bullpen is a disgrace!!
[250] I think Cashman can be blamed for not having a long man in the pen. They cut Giese loose because they didn't want give up Albaladejo or any of the other pitchers in the pen. Basically, Cash was betting none of his starters would be Jaret Wright. He lost.
[251] Bullpen losses are just so demoralizing..make me irrational and wayy to emotional.
Jeter at least grinds out a walk against Paps.
Downside of morning baseball here, makes me grumpy all day.
Shouldn't you make him throw a strike before swinging there??
cmon Tex, start something here!
If nothing else, Jeter's line is probably starting to look good.
I wonder if Damon will be playing tomorrow. He crashed into the Monster pretty hard.
[253] If I had to start my day with this nonsense I would be less than thrilled. Good luck! : ) At least I'll be asleep in a few hours with tomorrow's fiasco (whatever it'll be) to look forward to. Yeesh.
[255] Its get away day. Which, in the Big Book of Moronic Baseball Traditions (which Joe Giardi clearly subscribes to) means three starters must sit. I'm sure Damon will be one of them.
Oh no. Not Luis Vizcaino.
I can't get too mad about the game. It's just a joke - one of those games. Yesterday was the problem. Yeah giving ups six run lead sucks but it got even crazier after that, just a stupid flip a coin game. Both starters got shellacked, and boy bullpens stunk.
I was so excited about the prospect of this team leaving .500 in the rearview mirror.
They showed me.
This team is a fucking chore.
Holy shit. I left to cut down a 100 year old Red Oak tree when the score was 9-8. I'm glad I ddn't see the Yanks take the lead. 2 HRs each for Ellsbury, Lowell and Tek? We should be thrown out of the league.
[261] One HR each for them.
Which is bad enough with Varitek and Ellsbury.
So... I guess the game was NOT in the bag.
Unreal.
I'm afraid to watch tomorrow.
With these teams, I'm afraid no game is in the bag until the last out is recorded.
[229] The Yanks had a pretty good pen last year, how soon do we forget?
Ouchies are seemingly all over baseball, happening to major stars .... off the top of my head:
Mauer
McCann
Vlad
Webb