Good morning! Day off here, sunny outside, Yanks-Sox on tv at 9am..they better win though or else I'll be joining Kusanagi-san.. http://tinyurl.com/cmj8dp

Dr. Andy is here, I feel confident!

Great job Alex! Perfect motif!

I have plenty of gauze at the ready!

;)

Did anyone see the line drive HR Justin Upton hit .... wow!

My roto team could also use a good performance from Andy tonight .... (I hemorrhaged first place away in 2 days).

*throws gauze @ Diane*

:)

(gauze clangs off my mitt). E7 ....

:-)

[3] Wow!! Awesome shot..those Upton brothers can play.

*throws Barkeepers Friend @ Diane for "frying pan glove"*

Bad weekend for baseball for me. Yankees lose Friday & Saturday. Mudhens lost Friday, Saturday ( ihate going and watching the home team get shutout) and today. Gotta salvage something here, Jeter & Co.

C'mon Yankees rescue me!

[9] I have to say, though, I laughed at the headline: "Hens Lay Egg."

Damon isn't playing?

Is anyone else having trouble logging in with Firefox on Mac? It crashes the program every time I click on "login." I'm using Safari now, which is less than ideal.

Just in case the Yankees don't recover tonight, here's a fun drinking game: every time Miller, Morgan or Phillips says something stupid, drink. The first one to pass has to buy drinks for everyone else!

Damon lost a battle with the Green Monster ...

[12] Already started with Phillips first sentence..
[13] Oh right..

[11] I predicted it!

Damon crashed into the Green Monster. He stayed in the game, but I kind of expected he would get today off. You don't feel it until the next day.

Gardner leading off. Hmmmm....

I like walks but..doesn't it seem that Tex is a bit too patient?

ESPN ad talking about Buster Olney being "part of the best team in baseball." Heaven forbid they put that excellent talent in the broadcast booth, though.

I really don't want to see Brett Gardner anymore. A .270 OBP? Holy crap.

This has been a bad weekend but it ain't the first time. Won't be the last. Friday was heartbreaking, Saturday a farce. If they can win tonight, I'll call it even and let's move on. If they can't, I won't be surprised.

The thing about this team that's killing me is every starting pitcher has been shellacked at least once, except Pettitte. Tonight's your chance, Andy!

Seriously, the starting pitching was supposed to be our strength. Annoying.

Oh no way,,that is NOT Dusty's AB music!

I would have loved to have seen a Pettitte vs. Rickey showdown on base stealing.

That's better.

YEAHHH! Nice Dp, keep that pitch count down.

Well, that wouldn't have happened if they shifted.

Great, heads-up play by Cano to get that throw to Tex so quickly.

The truth is, I am jealous of the Red Sox. They have their funky old park, a better team (?) and an apparent curse boomerang that has caught the Yanks flush in the face. I feel doomed. Say it ain't so.

Ouch... Yankees with the WORST ERA is MLB? My Lord! Maybe 9-8 ain't bad considering this fact and the injuries to our offense?

In any event, I find myself watching tonight with my hands over my eyes.

You no Big Papi.

I'm kinda wishing we'd done what Red Sox Nation did, and gotten our stadium declared a historic landmark, so they couldn't tear it down.

[26] My advice to you is to start drinking heavily.

[25] "....their funky old park". That's a very nice way to put it. I consider Fenway to be a joke... a minor league field. It's fun to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.

[28] That would've worked before the renovations in the 70's. Not so much now.

[26] Yeah, Pythagoras says the Yankees should be 7-10...

Jason Bay batting 6th for the Sox..perhaps I uderestimated their lineup?

Shut up Phillips .... of COURSE Joba's fastball isn't 95+ 60% of the time this season .... he's a STARTER now!

I wish to hell Youklis hadn't grown that goatee back. Or whatever it is. In ST he was clean-shaven and I could actually look at him without hatred boiling up deep in my soul. But now ...

Hey does anyone else feel like the Yanks have already given up on this game? Or is it just that I have already given up on this game?

The last time the Yanks gave up 118 or more runs in any 17-game stretch?

145 runs surrendered: 9/15/00-10/1/2000 .... 3 wins, 14 losses

my lady: "Why do you always curse when that ugly man is batting for Boston?"

me: "sigh..."

Two nickel and dime hits..this is not good..

[36] But that season ended on a happy note. Maybe a foreshadowing for this year. . .

Yes, Joe Morgan can be an idiot in multiple sports! He is so versatile!

Gawd, I hate the ESPN announcers. They make me appreciate Michael Kay.

[40] I like his consistency!

We're on place for a 4-hour 1-0 game ...

[43] Clearly, you underestimate the ability of the Yankees to go 1-2-3....

nice..and still only 32 piches for Andy P.

Matsui kaette kimashita! (Matsui is back!)

time for a pinch-runner

I was thinking "the Yankees are being no hit" but figured it was too early to mention it.

Wow! "First Baserunner for the Yanks", eh buddy? Two whole innings w/o a baserunner? I'm appalled.

Phillips: "..all the kinetic links in the rotations.." Am I not smart enough to understand that? Or is he talking nonsense?

Nice play Lowell!

lucky non-hop for Melky hacking at a bad outside pitch

I'm sure this has been mentioned on previous ESPN broadcasts, but the fact that the OBP, SLG, and OPS are listed above the score is at once progressive and kinda funny. I mean, if you give us OBP and SLG, do you really need to give us OPS? Or is adding too much to ask of viewers?

So will Matsui be able to score from third on a Brett Gardener home run?

[52]

true .... giving the "slash stats" would suffice

Uh, you oughtta take into account who's up next when you have a player bunt.

[53] I can't see Gardner making good contact here at all

[52] Ha

[56] Happy to be wrong!

Gardner got even gimpy Godzilla home!

I meant [53] Ha ... But [52] is cool too.

That was just Gardner's second major league sac fly and his first of this season.

gack ..... someone offer Morgan a hot dog, or a muzzle ...

I'm blown away that Gardner did anything worth a damn there.

[50] Makes sense to me. I was doing some heavy gardening the other day, and stained my kinetic links a bit.

rough inning for Lowell..cmon Tex, swing the damn bat here!

[61] He had 16 Sac-Flies in 384 minor league games, about 4 per season.

People complain about Joe Morgan but he seems like a genius next to Jon Miller.

Well that would have been a homer a Teh New Stadium

(would be nice if Tex heated up a bit. Just sayin'.....)

I'm almost glad Lowell got let off the hook there. He's one of the few "good" Red Sox.

Phillips was actually right about Jeter being at his best with two out and runners in scoring position, both career and in 2008, his OPS in those situations has been higher than his overall OPS.

[70] Only because he's a former Yankee!

Dear ESPN Crew,
Lowell simply butchered a routine ground ball. Don''t give me any of this irregular hop bs. Cripes.
OK, Andy, quick inning.

[67]

Miller has been slowed by age and prolonged exposure to Morgan

What's going on at 3B tonight?

I wonder if they'll bunt towards Berroa

wonder if the ESPNites will mention Pedroia's brother's trouble?

My favorite thing about Joe Morgan, My favorite thing about Joe Morgan, My favorite thing about Joe Morgan, My favorite thing about Joe Morgan,My favorite thing about Joe Morgan, is his ability to say everything so succintly without repeating himself.

Is it really 310 down the line to the Monster? Looks so much closer..

That graphic was incorrect. Angel Berroa only has two career starts at third base, both of them this weekend. His other 1/3 of an inning was in a May 18, 2007 game when he entered as a pinch runner, went to third base in the bottom half of the inning. Zero outs were recorded when Tony Pena made a double switch and Berroa moved to short. I guess he gets credit for the 1/3 inning anyway?

Wow does Berroa suck

Paging Eric Duncan.... Eric Duncan to the majors please.

Awwwww cmon...

I miss Cody Ransom

Bad throw, but Tex shoulda had it.

[84] Which is a phrase you should never, ever hear

[86]

its better than "I miss Celerino Sanchez"

I wonder if they'll give Eric Duncan a shot. He's been playing a lot more 3B in Scranton than Berroa was. He's been hitting well, too.

And he's really no longer a prospect. He'll be a six-year minor league free agent after this year, so they might as well see what he can do.

Pedroia looked awfully safe on that. Why was Jeter so far from the bag and/or why didn't Cano cover?

Jete's was a tad late. Nice try, Dusty.

If Joe Girardi loses his job, will the Tri-State GMC dealer pay for Joe's car for 3 months?

Coming into this series, the Yankees seemed to be in good shape with their 9-6 record, but this series has really exposed some flaws.

Hey, Team.

I opted to work tonight because I just couldn't bear to go through another night of agonizing horseshit when I really should be productive.

But checking in, how are we doing? (I've not even checked the score--I'm afraid.)

[93] Ugly 1-1 tie in the fourth. Angel Berroa sucks.

Morgan offering revisionist analysis ...

[80] Seriously? The Yankees' response to their third base situation is someone who's basically never played that position at this level? I mean, sure, there's basically a double injury at the position so you're looking at #3 on the depth chart; but c'mon this isn't Kansas City, the Yankees should have an actual third baseman at the position.

What was that again Just Fair?

;)

Stealing 20 out of 21 makes you a basestealer ...

[93] 1 all, with an apparent blackhole hovering over 3B tonight.

There seems to have been one too many 3 balls counts in the last few games where a clearly outside pitch is called a strike. Really throws a wrench in things.

Angel Berroa has been playing mostly SS in Scranton. I know SS is tougher, but still...it's a different position. If Berroa was Plan B if Ransom was hurt, then they should have had him play more 3B in Scranton.

Is Mike Lamb still playing somewhere?

Oh, never mind. Pedroia was out per the replay, he slid about 10 feet before the bag.

Move Jeter to 3rd! (just kidding)

The Mets just signed Lamb to a minor league deal after the Brewers released him this spring.

I still want to know what in hell happened to Burnett yesterday. I might've expected that from Sabathia, but isn't Burnett supposed to "thrive in the spotlight", not to mention shut down the Sox?

[96] Well to be fair to the Yankees, Ramiro Pena is the #3 option, while Berroa is #4. Still, they had to designate Humberto Sanchez in order to add Berroa to the 40-man, which they could have done with Eric Duncan as well. As an eight-year veteran, Berroa is "out of options," so when the Yankees decide what we know (that Berroa sucks) he'll be gone for good. Hopefully that is sooner rather than later. Pena can't hit, but there's no reason to carry two middle infielder backups who can't hit, and Pena is the better fielder, clearly.

Eric Duncan is hitting .340/.419/.453 with no home runs for the unstoppable SWB Yankees.

Hey it's almost the ten year anniversary of the last Yankee World Championship ... Sweet.

[94] [99] Cheers. I'm very pleased to hear Andy is pitching well, then. That's something.

Of course I've probably just jinxed everything all to hell.

[106]

With Toronto last year, in 4 games against Sox, allowed .206/.312/.314

Is Mike Lamb still playing somewhere?

Morgan Ensberg?

[111]

Dick Enberg
Moe Berg

Would have been cool if that was a HR.

I still think the only reason Berroa's with the team or was even signed was because it was a favor to Tony Pena

[109] No way Weeping! You never jinx!

Ensberg was in camp with the Rays, but they released him. Pretty sure he's available.

[108] Based on that definition of "almost," some other things "almost" approaching their 10th anniversary:

1) Barry Bonds' 73 homer season
2) The last Patriots super bowl win
3) My college graduation (class of 2006)
4) Comment #108 on the 4/26/09 game thread.

Tony Peña was the reason they signed Berroa, for sure.

Heat up, Mats! I really cant put too much stock in the Yanks having the worst pitching #'s in the league. Wang. Hello!

Nice first-to-third by Cano.

I believe Morgan Ensberg is still available. The Rays cut him loose at the end of spring training, and so far as I know, no one else has signed him.

As much as 3B has become a black hole, it really isn't even on the list of things that have hurt the team in this series. Sadly, the team has come up lacking in so many areas that it makes you wonder.

[117] Not really, since I was talking about something upcoming. TIme moving forward and whatnot, we're almost there, kids. Maybe you're Tralfamadorian?

Sorry about [120] didn't realize I'd fallen a bit behind on the DVR.

I'd almost rather Cashman scout the independent leagues for a 3Ber, someone who's been in organized ball but couldn't hang on. Or make a minor league trade. Just get a competent glove with a potential for some hitting. He doesn't need to be hitterish.

Girardi just said Wangs problem is his hips "and his glutes." In other words, Wang literally needs to get his ass in shape.

HOF pitchers ..... Blyleven before anyone else ...

[115] :)

Ok, I'll bite, could someone give me a short precis of Berroa's follies and deficiencies?

[112]
Iceberg
Pittsburgh
Hamburg
Strasburgh
Bürgermeister

[128] He made two errors, but one was a scoop that Tex should have handled. I don't think he is the reason the Yankees have struggled in this series though.

[128] Former RoY for K.C. Never overcame sophomore jinx... probably due to the firing of Tony Pena...

[122] Absolutely. All 5 starters doing what they're capable of for a turn or two through the rotation and it doesn't matter who's on third (I don't know). Maybe Andy's gets 'em off the on the good foot this eve.

[128] Nick Green hit a sharp grounder straight at him, bounced off his chest for an error. Two batter slater, Pedroia hit an easy grounder to Berroa's left. Fielded cleanly but he rushed the throw in the dirt, allowing 1st and 3rd with 1 out.

He laid down a good bunt though, I guess.

Quit buggin' me about my food. Everyone's always buggin' me about my food.
-Engleberg

Masterson reminds me a little of the good Wang, which would be good for Boston and bad for the Yankees.

[134] LOL I forgot about him!

Onya JF!

:)

Cheers, friends.

I'm guessing he's super jittery and not simply a poor fielder? If the latter, we're in trouble.

[135] He reminds me of Farnsworth, if he maximized his stuff instead of... you know...

;)

Berroa wearing the same number as Wilson Betemit, #14..can that possibly be good karma?

[137] Well said with the former, Weeping. Hopefully, he'll remember how good he is now that he's reunited with Pena.

It's comforting to know that Brett Gardner will be getting the most ABs in the Yankee lineup today.

[137] He's not used to playing 3B. He only played 3B once in Scranton this year. He's a SS.

What do the Yankees see in Gardner??

The Constant Gardner

[141] Scary to think how many ABs will be wasted on Gardner and Ransom..

Cmon Tex, let's see some power here!

[143] Um... Bubba Crosby?

;)

Nice to see Jeter pull the ball.

Enough Brett Gardner. Please.

Gardner is Tony Womack Part II...just because he is really fast, the Yankees will let him waste two months worth of ABs.

[146] I think Bubba was a better hitter.

[142] I think he's just a bad fielder. Someone described him as "the rare zero tool player" over the winter.

Bubba Crosby had more power than Gardner.

Gardner leading off makes Horace Clarke look like Rickey Henderson...

I'm just sayin'...

I read Brett as a baby learned to k looking before he learned to walk. OY!

Oh, that original "Yankees suck" chant. Fi8gures that Beantowners can't come up with something more creative.

PS, Tex, a HR would be good right about now.

[143] 2009 Spring Training:

66 AB, .379/.446/.621 (3 home runs)

Not saying it was a correct judgment or not, just answering your question. That's what the Yankees saw.

Damn! No luck with the wind there..

[151] Heh heh heh heh heh!

Ouch.

[156] At the very least, Gardner lit a fire under Melky, so that's one positive about him...

:)

If you suffer from a ballgame lasting more than 4 hours, seek immediate medical attention.

[156] Gardner has proven he is a pretty good AAA level player, which is exactly what Spring Training is. I'd hate to think the Yankees are letting those 66 ABs obscure what is painfully obvious...Gardner is not a major league hitter.

[143] Juan Pierre. They think that's good.

Any chance Austin Jackson will be called up this year?

[162] I wish Gardner was 1/2 the player Pierre is.

[164]

A one-legged Juan Pierre? :-P

[163] I would do it tomorrow and install him as the CF'er.

[154] It seemed a lot worse last year. It felt like he struckout looking at least once a game.

[163] Considering is tremendous start at SWB and this is his first year at that level, it's highly likely he will at least get a cup of coffee (see Pena)...

[164] That's a good point. At least Pierre hits for average.

Well, Juan Pierre circa 2003-2004 was good. Not OPS+ good, but when someone with that kind of base stealing ability can get on base at above .350, the extra bases can take care of themselves. Not coincidentally, 2003 and 2004 were also the only years Pierre OBP'd above .350, and his only two valuable years.

But yeah, there's nothing that says Gardner is not Juan Pierre, 2006-present.

Could we extract Coco Crisp from the Royals?

[170] He would have to make a big improvement to even reach Juan Pierre levels. He is the reincarnation of Tony Womack.

[171] I'd rather they called up AJax...

On the other hand, is Brett Garder capable of hitting .280/.336/.394 at the major league level? I think that is possible, and that was the 2008 line from Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury. They seem to be okay giving a hitter like that the CF job with no competition.

[174] I don't think he is capable of coming close to that. Simply hitting the ball square seems difficult for him. Ellsbury is Gardner, but with the ability to make solid contact.

firejoemorgan needs to come back. With a companion firestevephilips.

Wait, I got it! Gardner is Willie Mays Hayes (Wesley Snipes)!

[172] Are we even sure he's that good?

[176]

you forgot firetimmccarver and firejoebuck

[174] He doesn't appear to be good enough to hit .280

[178] He isn't actually...but I was talking about the Yankee version of Womack.

[177] Yeah, but one would have to get on base 100 times to steal 100 bases... He's more like Willy Mays Hayes (Omar Epps version)

Andy is short-arming that pitch

[179] Joe Buck is the worst..Timmy you can at least tune out but the play-by-play putridness of Joe Buck is unavoidable..

Cmon, why are you walking guys here!?!

Bad time for Pettitte to lose the strike zone...he is the only thing keeping the team alive in this game. If he breaks, the team will pack it in.

[181]

Ah.

That wasn't all that fun.

[179] Heh.

Scrappy-Don't. Phew.

Gardner's D is part of the equation

[186] But he was fast...so naturally, he got 300 ABs.

Hopefully all this brutal honesty will lead to a game winning HR...infield single from ol Brett.

[182] Well if he led off all year (Gardner), and got 600 PA's, he'd probably get on base 100 times...

;)

I'm really scared of Papi's first tater here..

[189] His range is average at best and his arm is a minus. His fielding doesn't come close to mitigating his awful hitting.

[174] I'd be happy if Gardner hit that well. But right now, he's .hitting 271 / .286 / .232.

Ballgame.

Love them walks.

stupid walks ....

sigh..we're going to lose this game now..

A Youkilis hit here and the Yankees can leave Boston with their tails between their legs. The team's performance in this series has been shocking, but I think it serves as an early wake up call and perhaps a sign of what's to come.

Bah... terrible... just terrible...

[195] Gardner's hitting .224

[200] Yeah... the same thing in Detroit...

*Sigh*

It sure seems like the Red Sox and Yankees have now completely swapped roles. You just get the feeling that the Red Sox will beat the Yankees (or the Yankees will fold) when they need to.

[189] In the Probably Way Too Early To Tell Dept:

There are 27 Centerfielders who qualify at CF for The Hardball Times Zone Rating statistic. Brett Gardner is 26th, with an .833 Zone Rating. He is ahead of only Elijah Dukes. Five CFs (Ankiel, Guttierez, Chris B. Young, Kemp, and Bourn) have perfect zone ratings.

Oh, fuck, what happened?

I just puked.

I fucking hate this team.

That's always been a problem for Pettitte...just awful.

Mufferflugger!

[204] That's *exactly* what my kid said to me in the car today! He's in first grade, and musing on our loss yesterday said, "It's like the Yankees are now the Red Sox and the Red Sox are now the Yankees."

I could only sigh and nod sadly.

Out of the mouths of babes.

The Yankees are being outclassed in just about every way.

Ugh, how can we be this inept?

Pathetic..absolutely indefensible..The Sox are just rubbing out nose in it now.

[207] So did the Yanks...

: /

You could just tell that when the Red Sox took the lead, the Yankees would fold...sadly, I don't know if this team can compete with Boston.

Yay. 500 again.

jesus fucking h. christ. why do i even bother with this shit?! i fucking HATE the Shit Sox. hate them...

How about a website called firebriancashman.com?

Too soon?

Disaster. Fucking disaster. Team just simply isn't all that good.

Just remember, no lead is safe in Fenway.

none of this happens without those walks

[195] Sorry, that should be ..224 /.258 /.276

Holy crap, this game is going downhill fast.

This game is still on the offense. 1 run in 5 innings isn't good enough guys. We can't win every game 2-1.

[218] I'd focus my ire on the Yankees...it's just as much the Yankees playing to lose as Boston playing to win.

[216] Agreed. The Sox are just stronger in almost every area and without question mentally as well.

Think it's time to head out and enjoy some sunshine, this is too damn depressing.

Pretty sure there are four innings left. And the Red Sox are probably without Papelbon, as per their pitching coach in an interview earlier.

Oh and Pettitte up over 100 pitches already. Another 4 inning night for the pen. That'll work out well.

[216] Hell William, they can only compete with K.C. if the starters throw quality starts! That's how bad they are!

[219] i'd rather http://www.contractbostonredsox.com

[224] This game and the series is on the entire team and the manager. Sure it's early, but when you play like the Yankees have this weekend, I think it rightly makes you wonder whether this team has what it takes to win.

[226] I don't think it's a talent issue, which is more concerning.

[231] They don't even represent mediocrity well...

[232] No, it's execution, which isn't a bad idea for Brian Cashman, either...

i cannot believe angel berroa is on my team. i think harold reynolds is the ONLY person on the planet that likes this guy. outside his family, that is...

[232] Sox about to win 10 in a row and Big Papi has ZERO home runs.

Yes, we're missing A-Rod but when you look at the bullpen problems, how much difference would there have been?

You'd think Pettitte would have learned from the HA! game when the Jays had a straight steal of home. It's really inexusable to allow that to happen.

[235] I'd rather the Yankees had H.R. playing 3B!

Cano is bringing it this year at least, I just love to watch his swing.

[236] Sadly, the starters haven't been much better. Girardi hasn't helped out either.

[236] These Yankees couldn't win 10 in a row in AA ball!

[241] let's switch the major league club w/ Scranton - straight up. i'll take my chances with that...

Did I just hear Sterling say that they stole home?

I mean good God.

[243] these baseball gods, are NOT good...at all.

First walk of the night!

Its depressing when you know that any rally runs through Berroa and Gardner.

[242] They certainly couldn't do worse!

Hey thelarmis, picked up JIm Hall/ Ron Carter live album for $4 recently. Brilliant!

[243] Of course they did.

[237] I don't think that was the same game, was it?

[235] At the annual Berroa family picnic, Angel is usually picked last.

Good night all. Try the veal. And tip your waitress.

I'm closing it up for the night. Sadly, no faith in this team. :-(

if the shit sox were in this position, they'd greet our bullpen w/ a game tying 3-run blast. i'm guessing Groundzilla will ground into a 4-6-3 DP. you heard it here first!

[243] Yes Weeping... I'm afraid Ellsbury did just that...

[239] It's a thing of beauty. Like Mattingly's.

[246] That made me tear up..

Cmon Matsui, hit one out here!

Yes, Ellsbury stole home. Easily. :-P

Matsui is hitting .292? How the fuck did that happen?

[257] Really?

[248] nice Tokyo! ron carter is amazing. i got 2 Horace Parlan's today and a mid-70's Eddie Henderson cd today (well yesterday, listened to 'em today) - all on Blue Note...of course!

how was the djembe concert?!

[252] It's almost as if Francona is saying where so much better our journeyman minor leaguers can get the job done.

[258] he's had quite a few multi-hit games recently, methinks. plus, he's been walking a lot - his OBP is 4.14, so his IsoDiscipline, is over 100 points. me likey!

This is how I think Belth is passing the time ...
http://www.sporcle.com/games/stagenames_rap.php

[260] And they will..

[259] Just an African bar with some jamming. Was great!

Eddie Henderson 70s space-funk, very nice.

[261] I could have sworn he finished last night hitting .266. I was just shocked to see him jump that much

they've got to be pleased w/ masterson tonight...

mats roped a nice shot. stayed up too long...

i have NO faith in leche here...

Of course.

Hunter Jones. but, of course!

[257] 12 for 46 = .261

Add 2 for 2 to that = .292

well, no surprise there.
Have a good night everyone, I am going to head out into the sun and try to forget this awful awful sweep. Time to face facts, this is not a championship team at the moment.

Shut down by Hunter Jones...pathetic. The levels to which this team has sunk in this series is shocking. It's really embarrassing.

A series like this makes me very happy about the Wild Card.

[263] the Eddie Henderson is not my fave. it's on BN and was cheap, so i added it to my collection. it is a pretty good album. Mike Clark on drums and there's some Herbie Hancock type moments in there. some 70's Miles, too, of course. Julian Priester's on there and there's a tune in 11, which makes me happy, as odd meter is my FAVORITE bag!!! : )

btw, the album is called Heritage. there's only one Horace Parlan BN cd i need left. it's proving harder to find than it should be though...

You could just tell that when the Red Sox took the lead, the Yankees would fold…sadly, I don’t know if this team can compete with Boston.

FWIW, as bad as the Yanks were last year, they did go 9-9 against the Sox .

[273] It's not so much their record against Boston or the teams' relative talent, but how they respond in certain situations. In this series, the Yankees have played like a team waiting to lose...that's a quality that could rear its head at the wrong time.

"Ellsbury has stolen two bases, including one LITERALLY!"

No, in fact, he did not.

I wouldn't hire these bums to wash dishes in the restaurants in NYS!

In fact right now, I wouldn't blame Hank to do a "Gary Sheffield" to all of them just to make them go away, far, far away!

I'd do like Thelarmis said and bring up the SWB Yankees. They deserve to play games in NYS!

Paradise by the Dashboard Light should be Ellsbury's song .... for stealing home.

[277] Scooter just rolled over in his grave @ that Diane...

: )

let's just take berroa out now, and put the kid in. let's see what he can do...

I don't know what's worse about Ellsbury stealing home. That its going to convince people that Ellsbury is good, or that the Yankees are going to redouble their efforts with Gardner so that "we have someone that can do that too!"

[277] Wasn't it a suicide squeeze in that song?

[276] can i be a batboy?!

OK .... I think some extra sleep would be a good thing .... night all.

Look. Ellsbury took everyone by surprise. Even the announcers didn't call it until he was almost at the plate. Our 3Bman was playing in the SS hole and nobody thought to move him over. Just a good play by Ellsbury, taking advantage of the situation.

Michael Bowden, Jed Lowrie, Hunter Jones..is there some WASP farm where they find these guys??

Great...to add more shame, the PawSox are now going to take their turn shutting down the Yankees.

[284] Allowing a steal of home is always a bad play on the defense.

Why am I watching Angel Berroa play baseball?

Sir Pontoon took a hard-luck loss today. 8 IP, 7 K, O BB, 6 H, 3ER, 101 pitches.

what a terrific, productive AB by Berroa. christ almighty...

[289] Oh God no.

[288] Gardner is up now...it gets better!

[291] At least Gardner has a skill. Its largely useless if he can't get on base, but its something.

What is the point of Angel Berroa?

Youk is one FUGLY son of a bitch. he's got A-Rod's purple lips now, taboot...

[292] Berroa is playing because of need...Gardner is playing by choice.

[294] Berroa is playing because of stupidity.

fucking bollocks.

Why can't our bullpen do this?

[295] Ransom was playing because of stupidity...Berroa is playing because of necessity.

Each inning, the Yankees find a way to embarass themselves more. Good thing this isn't a 4-game series.

[284] Ellsbury stealing home = Pettitte and Posada's heads up their asses

I would expect as much from a catcher who abandoned the plate only to allow that slug of a baserunner Jason Giambi to score from 3B on a comebacker in Sabathia's last start!

But hey, he can throw now!

Pfft!

[297] They're not facing Yankee hitters.

"The K Factor" has a spokeswoman with the personality of drywall.

[298] I think its the other way around. Ransom was in the wrong place at the wrong time. This team went out of their way to seek out and sign Angel fucking Berroa which never had any point.

Melancon! welcome to the BIGS, kid!!!

[302] Berroa was minor league filler. He didn't make the team out of spring, which shows they had no intention of actually using him.

2 quick outs. good job, kiddo! 1 more, buddy...

TERRIFIC inning for Melancon. next stop...DL. : ~

Hmmm....maybe Melancon would have been a better option yesterday?

[304] Well, he's here.

[308] After Ransom was injured, which is my point.

Gameday seems to have gone belly-up.

Btw, when can we start calling for Tex's head?

[311] Why? He's played great defense and has an OBP around .400.

Wow... a tiny bright spot in a black weekend.

[309] And my whole point was that signing Angel Berroa for any reason under any circumstances is a waste of paperwork, let alone signing him and having him be Plan B.

Tex's OPS is well below Matsui's.

My goodness...Francona is treating this like a Spring Game. He's managing this game care free, while the Yankees plummet.

I'm convinced that Girardi is just too tight for this team. Whatever faults Torre had in the micro, in the macro his approach was perfect for the Yankee atmosphere. I think (or thought more before some bizarre stuff this year) that Girardi is a good tactician, but that's not really what baseball's about.

Though on the other hand, this team has actually shown a lot of fight this season, now that I think about it. They've come back a number of times and yesterday's loss was not for a lack of offensive stick-to-itiveness. Today might be a hangover game, where you scored 11 the day before, still lost and just get burned out.

what a pathetic "middle of the order". or, "Ardor". as the brilliant Joe Morgan would say...

[317] I'm not all that sure he's a good tactician. If I sauntered up to the plate, I think he'd remove CC Sabathia to bring in the worst righthander in the bullpen.

[316] It's an embarrassment.

Yankees need to take this very seriously or else by the time A-Rod is back they'll be 8 games back of first place.

very cool "stat" per Pete Abe:

That at-bat was No. 8,102 for Jeter. That ties Mickey Mantle for the most in franchise history.

[320] I think this is perhaps the most embarrassing three game series the Yankees have played against Boston in recent memory.

Mo grooved one. AJ spit the bit. Andy walked 2. BLEH.

What a disgrace.

wow. we just really suck. all the way around. i wish it wasn't on tv, so i could go chart tunes...

2010 Free Agent OFers:
-------------------------------
Left fielders
Jason Bay
Carl Crawford - $10MM club option with a $1.25MM buyout
Johnny Damon
Matt Holliday
Hideki Matsui

Center fielders
Rick Ankiel
Coco Crisp - $8MM club option with a $500K buyout

Right fielders
Jermaine Dye - $12MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Brian Giles
Ken Griffey Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero
Xavier Nady
Magglio Ordonez - $15MM club/vesting option with a $3MM buyout

Sox will sign Bay. Vlad is to worn down and can barely walk. I'm surprised to see Crawford only has a career OPS of 100. Who's left... Magglio and Holliday.... unless you would consider one Coco Crisp?

Yanks need a power bat for the OF.

Well, the Red Sox have passed their first character test with flying colors, and the Yankees have failed theirs miserably. In another era, there might be a new Yankee manager in Detroit.

I was so happy that I wouldn't have to watch this team hover around .500 for half a year. They sure fucking showed me.

I hate this team. I hate watching Angel Berroa play baseball. I hate hearing about how spunky gritty Brett Gardner is as he strikes out looking on three pitches. I hate that we're stuck with Damaso fucking Marte. I hate that Jose Veras is still on this team.

Yankees need to take this very seriously or else by the time A-Rod is back they’ll be 8 games back of first place.

Who's to say they aren't? I'm not going to worry too much yet, I may show mild concern around the all star break.

Drill 'em in the ribs, Melly-Mel.

[327] Would it really be the worst thing on earth?

pastanondivingjetah...

God... Jeter has zero range.

[312] Yes, defense is great, but he's not hitting. OPB is nice and all, but a number-three hitter's supposed to hit, no?

Youk didn't have a hit so he was trying to get a hit. Thanks, Joe. A-Hole.

Ya know William, I really liked your comment about the Yanks and Red Sox switching roles and I think that's very accurate. I have a real problem with the Red Sox FO requiring their players to watch any and all Yankees games whenever they can, including watching them in their clubhouse between their doubleheader against the Twins before this series, as Jeter says things like, "I don't watch games unless I'm playing in them," when A-Rod couldn't believe Jeter doesn't get the games at his home. IMHO, there lies the significant difference between these two clubs... attitude and a willingness to prepare. These Yankees lack that, and it shows. They are just in it for the money, and that shows, too.

Ruins the games for me really, because they are merely experts at mailing it in these days. Another dead give away is all the same answers they give in interviews, like they are to a man, reading off of their issued MLBPA queue cards...

Disgusting!

[329] That's a sensible reaction for a fan, I guess, but I sure hope this team doesn't wait until ASB to show some concern over being flat out embarrassed by a team with whom they are supposed to be able to compete. I really hope this team is embarrassed and takes the attitude that they now have to prove they are championship contender. If they just shrug it off as a bad weekend, they'll be plenty of more to come.

Tex's OPS just slid under .800.

[335] and i can't stand how he says "cahmfortable" the hot "carner". what the hell is up with that?! i don't get the accent...

[326] I think the reason the Yanks haven't signed a power bat for the OF is they are expecting Austin Jackson to take over CF soon. Melky and Gardner are just keeping it warm for him.

And there goes our one bright spot.

Great, more fuel for the argument that Red Sox prospects are great and Yankee prospects are pretenders. Sadly, it might be true.

not a good start to the inning, kid...

[337] It should be worth noting that a middling team at the Allstar Break last year continued to be a middling team all year. Sometimes the time to fix glaring problems IS May.

[342] Small sample size

[327] "In another era, there might be a new Yankee manager in Detroit."

In another era, this roster would be minor leaguers.

siddown, Vagitek! c'mon kid, 1 more out, NO runs!!!

One more, Kid.

suh-weet!

Yay.

Boston made the Yankees pay for not cashing in a bases loaded situation on Friday. Can the Yankees do the same today?

Hey, the kid got out of the jam!

Is there anyone on the bench to hit for Berroa if we rally (HA!)? Is Damon available?

last licks. 3 outs away from another loss... : /

Wow... One Yankee shows some balls. Nice game Mark.

Bah! For every "bright spot" there are ten "not so bright ones"...

Like my golf game... one good shot, ten bad ones...

[353] Damon's all banged up. how 'bout Adam Dunn. oh, wait...

[351] doubt it...

[358] He almost broke the wall yesterday

Damon hit one of those bolts in the monster y'day... bruised pretty good...

2-0...down three...facing a pitcher with poor control...WHY DO YOU SWING.

When you want to know what's wrong with this team, that AB is Exhibit A.

Nothing like hitting it on the screws when its 2-0.

That’s a sensible reaction for a fan, I guess, but I sure hope this team doesn’t wait until ASB to show some concern over being flat out embarrassed by a team with whom they are supposed to be able to compete.

To which I ask again, "Who’s to say they aren’t?"

[363] Who's to say they are? I don't know how they'll react, but I hope it's with a sense of urgency. They sure didn't respond well in this series though.

[363] I think if they continue to trot out Gardner and Berroa and all these awful bullpen arms, I'd say management isn't all that concerned.

2 crappy uppercut swings, resulting in lame popups... : /

Could you imagine if the Red Sox used their better pitchers?

They let fans bring brooms in?

LOL @ one run off Matsuzaka's replacement. Good thing he's on the DL. He might have no-hit them!

nice hit.

heeeeeeeeere's Johnny!

Could you imagine if the Red Sox used their better pitchers?

Like Beckett?

[371] Like Papelbon.

i wouldn't be surprised if we lose this 4-3...

[369] Yankees pound Matsuzaka.

speaking of #53 (melky), Abreu already has swiped 8 bags this young season...

[374] okajima, too.

B-O-L-L-O-C-K-S-! There's a 2 game series in a couple weeks between these 2? WTF.

YANKEES SUCK. YANKEES SUCK. YANKEES SUCK

who did Johnny just wink and blow a kiss to? was it Dusty???

Wow.

There you have it, folks.

That's our ballclub.

Better off...would have been more frustrating to have the game end with Gardner.

I really hope the Yankees are ashamed about how poorly they played.

One run. Courtesy of Brett Gardner, no less.

[344] Rodriguez is coming back soon, Wang has been DL'ed to get himself worked out. Sabathia and Texiera are noted slow starters. Let's see if Hughes steps up in Wang's place.

Let's not panic just yet.

[377] yeah, 2 Bos, then 2 TB. weird, indeed. strange things are afoot at the Circle K...

[383] i'm not panicking, but i am pissed.

[374] "Yankees pound Matsuzaka."

Not these Yankees! (See also "Wang won 38 games in two seasons!" Not this Wang!)

Anyone see how the Florida Marlins have done as of late?

wow, our run differential is -22. wonderful. just fabulous!

[387] yeah, lost 6 in a row and big today vs. Jamie Moyer. it's a streaky game; hopefully we get on a good winning one soon!

there are only 6 teams in each league w/ positive run differentials, at the moment...

[383] I'm fucking sick of watching this team dig itself a huge hole every year and praying that there's enough time to dig back out. Because, as we learned last year, sometimes there isn't.

[389] Hopefully, the Yankees don't aspire to be the Marlins.

Yes Thelarmis, you can be batboy for the SWB Yankee replacement team. Hell, I'd even pay NYS prices to see them! At least they can actually play at home and on the road!

;)

well, off to Detroit and at least we don't have to face Galaragga. Tiggers are a 1st place team, w/ a pos. run diff. and 4-1 record at home. i like Curtis Granderson.

[393] cool! but, i've got a really long pony tail and slight beard. not so sure how well that'll go over w/ the Yanks! ; )

[392] Point was last week the MLB network was all over the "feel good story of the year" and now the Marlins may be playing down to their level.

[391] There wasn't last year due to injuries to Rodriguez, Wang & Posada, and off years from Cano, Cabrera & Jeter. Despite all that they were in the race as late as September.

[395] The same way Manny "goes over" with Torre and the Dodgers!

heh heh

Of course, although there is plenty of time to sort it out, I have to say, they look like they could use some jou-jou. Boston has it in abundance.

This begs the question, if they somehow continue on this course, will this ulitmately affect the already compromised attendance?

[398] Despite tickets sold Yankee Mama, I predict games with 20K or less showing up prior to A-Rod's return...

I wouldn't buy a $12 bleacher seat to watch this fiasco!

[396] Being in the race mathematically and having a realistic shot are two different things.

And Posada's 37. Damon's 35. Matsui is 35. Jeter is 35. Gardner sucks. Melky is probably slightly less sucky. Punting the early parts of the season because a team of the old, hurt, and not very good SHOULD be able to make up for it in August seems unwise.