"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

2008 Record: 100-62
2008 Pythagorean Record: 88-74

Manager: Mike Scioscia
General Manager: Tony Reagins

Home Ballpark (multi-year Park Factors): Angel Stadium (103/102)

Who’s Replaced Whom:

  • Kendry Morales replaces Casey Kotchman and Mark Teixeira
  • Bobby Abreu replaces Garret Anderson
  • Brian Fuentes replaces Francisco Rodriguez
  • Shane Loux, Anthony Ortega, and Matt Palmer are filling in for John Lackey, Ervin Santana, and Dustin Mosely (all on DL)
  • Rafael Rodriguez and Fernando Rodriguez are filling in for Darren Oliver and Kevin Jepsen (both on DL)

25-man Roster:

1B – Kendry Morales (S)
2B – Howie Kendrick (R)
SS – Erick Aybar (S)
3B – Chone Figgins (S)
C – Mike Napoli (R)
RF – Gary Matthews Jr. (S)
CF – Torii Hunter (R)
LF – Bobby Abreu (L)
DH – Juan Rivera (R)

Bench:

R – Jeff Mathis (C)
S – Maicer Izturis (IF)
R – Robb Quinlan (3B/1B)
R – Brandon Wood (IF)

Rotation:

L – Joe Saunders
R – Shane Loux
R – Anthony Ortega
R – Jered Weaver
R – Matt Palmer

Bullpen:

L – Brian Fuentes
R – Jose Arredondo
R – Scot Shields
R – Justin Speier
R – Jason Bulger
R – Rafael Rodriguez
R – Fernando Rodriguez

15-day DL:

RF – Vladimir Guerrero (torn pectoral)
RHP – John Lackey (forearm tightness)
RHP – Ervin Santana (elbow strain)
RHP – Dustin Moseley (elbow tightness)
LHP – Darren Oliver (shoulder stiffness)
RHP – Kevin Jepsen (back spasms)

60-day DL:

RHP – Kelvim Escobar (shoulder inflammation)

Typical Lineup:

S – Chone Figgins (3B)
S – Gary Matthews Jr. (RF)
L – Bobby Abreu (LF)
R – Torii Hunter (CF)
S – Kendry Morales (1B)
R – Mike Napoli (C)
R – Juan Rivera (DH)
R – Howie Kendrick (2B)
S – Erick Aybar (SS)

See that 88-74 Pythagorean record from 2008? That’s why the A’s traded for Matt Holliday. The Angels are vulnerable. They greatly overachieved last year. Their offense is more rumor than fact having ranked 11th in the American League last year and having since lost Mark Teixeira, who was worth three wins for them over the final two months. None of their younger hitters has a particularly high ceiling save for Howie Kendrick, who thus far hasn’t shown the ability to stay healthy or draw a walk. Vlad Guerrero and Torii Hunter are starting to show their age, particularly in the field, and while Bobby Abreu represents an upgrade on Garret Anderson, he doesn’t make the team any younger or any more likely to convert balls in play into outs.

Entering the season, the Angels’ hopes of a third-straight AL West title rested on their pitching and the weakness of the rest of their division. The latter seems to be unaltered by the A’s efforts, particularly given the recent injuries to Mark Ellis, Eric Chavez, and Nomar Garciaparra, but the Angels pitching isn’t holding up it’s end of the bargain. Certainly the Halos had to expect some regression from Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana following their breakout seasons last year, but a full season of John Lackey was supposed to help counteract that. Instead both Lackey and Santana started the season the DL and have yet to throw a regular season pitch. Both are throwing extended spring training innings now and looking toward returning in mid-May, but they’ll return to pitch in front of what has thus-far been the second-worst defense in the majors according to defensive efficiency.

Of course, the real tragedy (to use that word appropriately for a change), that struck the Angels pitching staff was the death of top prospect Nick Adenhart in a traffic accident following his first start of the year. That loss is immeasurable and unspeakable, but to deal with it coldly in baseball terms, Adenhart was supposed to replace Jon Garland as the team’s fifth starter, at least until Kelvim Escobar proved able to return from a year and a half on the DL. The team’s alternate plan was Dustin Moseley, but he’s also on the DL, as is lefty Darren Oliver, who was used for a spot start, his first in the majors since 2004, before (and possibly resulting in) hitting the DL with shoulder stiffness. With just two of their Opening Day starters still in the rotation, the Angels are tenth in the AL in pitching per runs allowed per game and arrive in the Bronx tonight with a 9-11 record.

I say that the impact of a of the death of a teammate is immeasurable, and it is, but given how rare an occurrence it is, I thought it might be informative to see how other teams have played in the weak of such a tragedy. With the help of my pal Steven Goldman I was able to come up with just seven teams that suffered a player depth mid-season (thus leaving out the 1978 Angels, who lost Lyman Bostock in late September). Those teams were the 2007 Cardinals (Josh Hancock), 2002 Cardinals (Darryl Kile), 1979 Yankees (Thurmon Munson), 1955 Red Sox (Harry Agganis), 1940 Reds (Willard Hershberger), 1920 Indians (Ray Chapman), and 1903 Senators (Ed Delahanty). Of those seven teams, all but two had higher winning percentages after the death of their teammate than before. The two exeptions, the 1940 Reds and 1920 Indians, went on to win the World Series. I’m not sure one can call that an encouraging fact, but perhaps it’s something around which the Angels can rally this season in their attempt to win their weak division.

Tonight, the Angels send 23-year-old Venezuelan Anthony Ortega to the mound. Ortega pitched well in Double- and Triple-A last year, but his weak strikout rate doesn’t portend big-league success. He faced the Mariners in his last and thus far only major league start and gave up five runs in five innings on five hits a walk and two homers. The Yankees counter with A.J. Burnett, who is looking to reverse the downward course he’s been on over his last two starts (combined: 11 1/3 IP, 11 H, 11 R, 4 HR, 10 BB, 5 K).

Categories:  Cliff Corcoran  Game Thread  Series Preview

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188 comments

Show/Hide Comments 1-100
1 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 6:36 pm

Did anyone catch the name of that book they were publicizing during the pre-game show? It was about Yankee Stadium's final year, and had a lot of cool photos.

(I was making dinner, and watching with only one eye.)

2 The Hawk   ~  Apr 30, 2009 6:45 pm

Hey if Burnett pitches decently, that will be the first time through the rotation without a meltdown!

Jinx!

3 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 6:47 pm

[1] "The Final Season" The Official Retrospective

C'mon A.J.! Let's get three wins in a row and keep rolling along!

Home Sweet Home?

: )

4 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 6:57 pm

[3] Thanks. Amazon lists two books:

Yankee Stadium: The Official Retrospective

Yankee Stadium: The Final Season

Same authors, but different covers. Not sure if they are different books or not. The latter cover was what they showed on YES.

5 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:09 pm

[4] Yes, Randy. The second one you listed was the one they showed today. Obviously, they used that book to obfuscate the one about Alex...

6 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:10 pm

ugh

7 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:11 pm

Chone comes in hitting 240. He'll leave hitting about 780. Little bastard.

8 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:12 pm

I miss Ken Singleton.

9 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:13 pm

I miss the Tigers.

10 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:14 pm

[5] They did ask him about the 'roids. He said he wasn't going to talk about it, and that was that.

At this point, who cares about more roid revelations. But the tipping pitches thing is unforgivable.

11 ms october   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:15 pm

i miss those games aj burnett got off to a great start

12 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:16 pm

[10] I'll be honest, A-Rod and Roberts really don't have any credibility between them, so I'm not sure whose story I would believe

13 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:16 pm

Morales kind of runs like me, doesn't he.

14 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:18 pm

Melky and Pena in the lineup again. I'm liking this.

15 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:20 pm

The little pictures next to the names are terrifying.

16 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:21 pm

[10] Considering the power wielded and abused by the MLBPA and their membership, especially since the '94 strike, I'm not surprised about the tipping thing (or the PED thing) in the least...

17 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:24 pm

Yay!

18 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:25 pm

What is this? Clutch hitting? I don't understand.

19 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:25 pm

Matsui en fuego!

20 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:25 pm

2 out rib-eye. Keep at it Matusui!!

21 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:26 pm

the Matsui years really are underrated. He has missed a lot of time late to injury, but I think he's more than carried his weight over the course of the contract.

22 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:27 pm

Wewt @ two out RBI!

23 51cq24   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:27 pm

[21] i think it's more that he's underrated right now than that all his years are, but i agree

24 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:29 pm

[16] It's a pretty rotten thing to do to your pitcher, though. Especially since A-Rod's job and salary were safe, no matter how he hit. While the guy on the mound was likely not as secure.

25 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:30 pm

Well, shit

26 51cq24   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:30 pm

[16] i don't really see the correlation between the union's power and undermining the game by helping the opposing team

27 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:30 pm

It's going to be one of those games, isn't it?

28 51cq24   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:37 pm

i wonder what the team ratio of fastballs to offspeed pitches is. it should be a lot higher with all the power arms we have.

29 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:38 pm

I am interested to find out who will actually corroborate these claims about A-Rod tipping pitches. Or will it be the dreaded "unnamed sources." That 2-2 pitch was a strike if Jorge just stayed put.

30 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:38 pm

I heart Swisher

31 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:39 pm

[25] He's not "helping the opposing team." He's helping his friends pad stats so they can make more money... in a similar fashion as umpires that spread the word on players who bitch and moan about close pitches when they don't get the calls, and that effects that player's future close calls.

32 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:40 pm

[29] I can't imagine anyone admitting it, unless it's a Canseco type who has nothing to lose. They'd be incriminating themselves.

But it seems possible that something might have been caught on camera, if anyone's willing to look through all the tapes.

33 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:43 pm

[31] Worse than that. He's not helping his friends. He was helping opponents with the expectation that they would return the favor. He was doing it to pad his OWN stats. That's why it's so sleazy.

34 51cq24   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:44 pm

[31] whatever you want to call it, i still don't see how the power of the union affects it at all. you seem to undermine that argument by likening it to umpires who are not part of the mlbpa (although i don't really see the comparison myself. i just don't see how the power of the union would make players do things like this. if they do it because they want to help their friends on other teams make money, couldn't you argue that it would be even worse if the union had less power?

35 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:45 pm

Good for the Melk-Man!

36 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:45 pm

[33] I'm certain he didn't invent doing that.

The MLBPA's levels of corruption are staggering...

37 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:48 pm

[36] But the ones hurt are his teammates. Especially the pitchers. Who are also members of the union.

Honestly, I don't see what the union has to do with it.

38 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:48 pm

Well at least he's not going in headfirst. Yikes.

39 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:49 pm

[32] Good luck with all that. Again, if no one is going to cop to these claims, I will consider them B.S.

40 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:52 pm

[39] I would believe videotape more than eyewitnesses, anonymous or not. I didn't believe Canseco until corroborating evidence came out.

41 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:52 pm

[34] There isn't any more integrity in the game 51cq24. It's all about the dollars and how many millions players can squeeze out of their respective playing windows. You don't see players offering to take cuts in pay, do you? Rather, they lie, cheat, and steal to make more and more. Meanwhile owners and cities are building new parks, and lowering their ticket prices.

If players are doing what is suggested in that book, that's criminal in a Black Sox Scandal type fashion, improperly influencing results for profits.

42 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 7:56 pm

Who's that old dude setting his feet at ss? : )

43 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:01 pm

Yup, going to be one of those games.

44 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:02 pm

[43] Not if AJ gets his groove on. Man, I hate the Angels.

45 51cq24   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:04 pm

[41] it seems to me that if anything society is at fault, not the union. i agree with the sentiment that there's too much self-interest in baseball (as in everything), but i don't see how you can blame it on players or their union when, as you say, owners are making more and more money too. if the union didn't have such good bargaining power, maybe the players would have to make more ad hoc little "unions" of their friends to try to get more money.
no one disagrees with you that this is terrible if it's happening, but nothing you say implicates the union. the black sox scandal was 34 years before the mlbpa was created.

46 cult of basebaal   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:09 pm

Meanwhile owners and cities are building new parks, and lowering their ticket prices.

I'm assuming this is sarcasm?

47 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:16 pm

Jorgie doesn't look so good tonight. I wonder if his hamstring is still bothering him.

48 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:21 pm

Posada wants to get back to looking crappy behind the plate ASAP. UGH.

49 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:22 pm

Just into Gameday..has the A.J. bandwagon crashed already? Why do the Angels always jump on us?

50 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:23 pm

I know this is a bit out of the blue, but at what point does .209 out of your number three hitter become alarming?

51 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:25 pm

[49] Chone the Yankee killer, who hasn't hit all season, led off with a triple before scoring Tough 2nd. Better 3rd and 4th for AJ.

52 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:27 pm

Pena is not a slugger but I like the way this kid plays. He also does not look scared at the plate.

53 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:28 pm

Was there any evidence or collaboration on the 'ARod tipping pitches' story?

54 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:28 pm

Nice, Derek.

55 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:28 pm

Ah, Bobby Abreu, thank you.

56 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:28 pm

Welcome back, Bobby!

57 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:29 pm

I don't miss El Comedulce.

58 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:30 pm

I'll save this discussion for another time... but no Cult, that wasn't sarcasm... Despite a $1.3B NYS, you can still get a seat for $12 albeit a bleacher seat.

Yay @ leading!

:O

59 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:31 pm

Where's Vlad? This Angel team is not near as strong as last year. Maybe Seattle wins the Div? Possible?

Any guesses on what Vlad gets as a FA?

60 Emma Span   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:31 pm

Hey everybody. I'm at the Stadium tonight -- turns out it DOES still get loud here. That was pretty deafening, and I'm relieved.

Also: they tell us Jeter is now 10th on the Yankees' all-time RBI list. I think he's getting to a phase where basically every single thing he does moves him up some all-time list or other, he's been here SO long...

61 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:32 pm

[59] Seattle playing good baseball. Beltre made a play on a bunt the other day that was just perfect! Love watching good D...

62 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:32 pm

Yay @ Rays, too!

: O²

63 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:33 pm

Running on Damon's rag arm.

64 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:33 pm

[60] Heyas Emma! Hope you're having a blast! Did you get any tennis balls yet?

:P

65 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:33 pm

A double on a routine single to left. Damn.

66 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:34 pm

[62] yes! Beckett's ERA up past 6 now..I am unhealthly ecstatic about that..

67 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:35 pm

Beckett's line for today and season ERA:
3.2IP, 8H, 6ER, 3BB, 7.16 era
As you know, TB up 6-0 after 4.

68 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:35 pm

[47] Po is aging by the game these days, I'm afraid (see also Damon)...

: /

69 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:36 pm

CHONE!!!!!!!!! If I was in a room with you and Youklis were in the same room my head would implode.

70 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:40 pm

[69] Please don't go to an Angels/Red Sox game, Just Fair!

: )

71 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:45 pm

[70] They got me so fired up I wrote a sentence that would make an English teacher's head explode. Ha.

72 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:45 pm

Here is where I really feel bad for Girardi. He's got Po, who has been an anchor for the organization for years, and sooner or later, he's going to have to play Molina in the lion's share of games because the numbers (ERA, BAA, etc.) are so significantly different between the two when they catch. I mean how do you bench Po? AND how do you not play Molina, especially against the running Angels?

Oy!

73 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:47 pm

[72] I forgot to add, Matsui hitting so well isn't helping Girardi with that dilema at all...

74 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:55 pm

I think next year, Po catches 50 games and DH'es 100 games, with Molina behind the plate. I wonder if Molina knew he would play so much next year if he might get in better shape?

75 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:57 pm

Damn, Cano. How bout that athleticism. Sweet.

76 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 30, 2009 8:57 pm

[74] Not a fan of the cannonball-fire hydrant physique? Worked for Yogi! :)

77 Dimelo   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:00 pm

Man, I hate games like these against the Angels.

78 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:00 pm

I would hope so OYF.

It's sad that even Napoli is running on Po...

I wonder if Scioscia calls that with Molina? Or they just wanted Kendrick to start the next inning...

79 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:01 pm

Posada has made an out 2x on the first pitch and struck out looking the other time on 3 or 4 pitches. Yuck.

80 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:02 pm

Becketts's final line:
4.2, 10H, 7ER, 3BB, 8K, 113-68, 7.22 ERA

81 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:03 pm

Bleh Melky...

82 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:03 pm

P.S. Boston with 0 hits after 5.

83 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:05 pm

Jeez... Got a glass of water and the Angels are up again? Did we get 3 outs that inning?

84 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:06 pm

Kendrick. Seriously. Fall down and hurt yourself.

85 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:09 pm

Dear lord, when Robbie tries he is so good.

86 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:09 pm

Me likey Pena...

: )

87 3rd gen yankee fan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:11 pm

guys guys guys -- Matt Garza has a rather special kind of game going right now... since we have the new rules I'm not allowed to mention that SPECIAL kind of game... but you might want to check it out...

88 3rd gen yankee fan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:12 pm

[82] Ah I'm sorry, you DO know.

89 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:14 pm

Multitasking = good... mhmm...

I wager Kay just jinxed that for us though.

LOL

90 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:14 pm

[87] Watching on mlb.tv now. They just showed Garza in the dugout, it was pretty funny, he's trying to talk to people and they all just look away.

91 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:15 pm

Jacoby, Dusty, Hefty in the top of the 7th. I smell a dusty hit.

92 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:15 pm

[87] It's called a very, very, very, VERY good game.
(I mean REALLY good)

93 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:15 pm

And Longoria goes long. 8-0.

94 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:19 pm

RE: Red Sox

What's that saying about sunshine and dogs' asses again?

I'm just sayin'...

Maybe we can get Tampa to do our dirty work since obviously C'land cannot.

95 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:19 pm

Wow, Longoria is good.

96 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:19 pm

And hey, Carlos Pena subscribes to the Melky school of baserunning.

97 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:23 pm

Damnit

98 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:23 pm

boo indeed

99 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:23 pm

*sigh*

100 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:23 pm

Phil Coke AGAIN??

Show/Hide Comments 101-188
101 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:27 pm

[100] EDPC?

102 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:30 pm

[91] A suppose a bullshit infield single that grazes the pither's mound is indeed, dusty. Crap.

103 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:30 pm

Oh HELL. Ellsbury hits a slow groundball single to SS. Cheap, cheap, cheap hit.

104 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:32 pm

How can we get outs without Joba as a reliever?!

105 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:33 pm

At this pernt, I'd pay Marte to "go away"...

106 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:34 pm

[106] Melancon? Veras? who do you bring out of the pen?

107 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:35 pm

[106] He had Alby warming...

108 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:36 pm

MO

109 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:36 pm

I'd go Edwar or Robertson myself. Maybe Melancon.

110 tommyl   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:37 pm

[108] Props to him if he does that, but um, Mo has given up 2 straight dingers.

111 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:37 pm

I Heart Robbie

112 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:38 pm

Nope, definitely not missing Abreu.

113 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:38 pm

If ever there was a series set up for the Yankees to shake off the Angels albatross, it is this one. And yet, here we are in another close/late game that seems to always break the Angels way.

114 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:38 pm

Bobby really is a poor fielder

115 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:38 pm

Abreu hasn't improved his fielding, the big lug

116 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:39 pm

[110] He's also the greatest reliever in history.

Buy you know that, I just wanted to point it out ;)

Bugger!!!!!! But Hip Hip

117 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:41 pm

Woohoo!

118 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:41 pm

MELK-MAN. WORD UP.

119 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:41 pm

That's a spot where Melky would usually fail miserably...it's nice to see him be put a nice easy swing on the ball and come through.

120 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:42 pm

Yay!

121 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:42 pm

[119] You're right about that; Flarhety is right on it as well

122 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:42 pm

ATTA BOY, PENA!!

123 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:42 pm

Viva La Leche!!!

124 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:43 pm

Melky + Pena >>>>>>> Gardner + Ransom/Berroa

125 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:43 pm

The Yankees past troubles with the Angles is obviously lost on Pena...

: )

126 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:43 pm

Attaboy AROD!!!!

127 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:43 pm

OMG, Pena with the clutchy clutchclutch hit!

128 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:45 pm

[126] Does this mean Pena will start dating Lindsey Lohan?

129 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:46 pm

It seems like the general tenor was that Burnett didn't pitch well, but most of the Angels runs were set up by the stolen base or taking a base on Damon's arm. I thought he pitched pretty well today.

130 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:47 pm

[92] Is it a game without spot, blemish or impurity?

131 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:47 pm

[128] If he keeps this up, he'll get his choice (see also Jeter)...

;)

132 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:48 pm

[130] Not any more, Weeping...

: /

133 Rich   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:49 pm

Grinding it out, like the team is doing tonight, is extremely encouraging.

134 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:50 pm

Pena is more the age to have to wait for Miley Cyrus

135 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:50 pm

[132] Meanwhile, back at the ranch, there seems to be a good ballgame going on right here. Too bad I've not been able to follow closely, but from the comments, it looks like Robbie and Melky have done well.

Robbie's really an amazing player. If he can be consistent and healthy (two huge ifs, I know), he's a surefire HOFer.

136 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:50 pm

This pitcher just isn't very good.

137 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:51 pm

GIambi's wet grand slam?

138 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:52 pm

[135] And Pena got his first RBI's with a clutchity durble!

: )

139 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:52 pm

April can't end soon enough for Tex.

140 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:52 pm

Jesus, Melky's hitting .327?

Damn.

141 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:53 pm

[138] Nice!

[139] April is the cruelest month. But seriously, when are we allowed to worry?

142 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:54 pm

[139] Quick! Change the day/date on his Rolex!

;)

143 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:54 pm

Poor Tex. Thankfully for us he's taking his walks.

144 Rich   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:54 pm

Tex has a lot of hits left in that bat.

145 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:54 pm

[134] Had to look that one up..umm, really?? Billy Ray Cyrus' daughter is a huge star???

Tex..maybe good to start swinging the bat? This could result in "contact", which could lead to "getting a hit". That in turn could lead to "driving in runs"..you may want to explore this idea.

146 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:55 pm

[141] We can worry next year. Just look at the back of his baseball card and chill. (like will)

147 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:56 pm

[143] Of course, I'm not against walks or anything, but they're decidedly not as good as a hit, especially when they come from your number three man.

148 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:56 pm

[145] A "huge star" would be an understatement dude (amongst the pre-teen set, which also has been re-named the "tween" set)

149 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:57 pm

[146] Ok, I'll be patient (like will).

150 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:57 pm

OH NO WHAT'S WRONG WITH MO week continues. It'll be fine.

151 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:58 pm

Please no Kendrick as the tying run!

152 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:58 pm

Looks like I'm back just in time to see Mo get another save.

153 ms october   ~  Apr 30, 2009 9:58 pm

that's it mo!

154 Rich   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:00 pm

The YES gun is way off tonight.

155 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:01 pm

What the hell was wrong with that pitch?

156 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:01 pm

[148] I can barely keep up with the pop-culture here..probably best not to try!

Early season Mo Better Blues will go away, he'll end the year solid as always.

157 ms october   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:01 pm

2 down

158 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:02 pm

NIce win.

Sorry to have missed it.

159 ms october   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:02 pm

nice - i love watching mo field

160 Raf   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:02 pm

And another good game being played by the Celtics & Bulls... Gordon just fouled out, not good for the Bulls.

161 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:02 pm

Nice win, that!

: )

162 Rich   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:02 pm

This was not an unimportant win v. that team.

163 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:03 pm

Watching GOB was hard.
Watching and waiting on Po and Jeter is brutal.
But I don't know if I could stand to watch Mo lose it.
I pray he can last through next year and still be above average.

164 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:03 pm

Mariano Rivera is a thing of beauty and a joy forever

165 ny2ca2dc   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:04 pm

and there was much rejoicing.

166 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:05 pm

Huge win, 3 in a row now. 12-10 April with NO A-Rod, half-a-Tex, Cody "Vortex" Ransom, Brett "Spunky" Gardner, semi-CC, not-quite Mo, so-so AJ, dysfunctional Wang... I have to say with all that to deal with this has been a VERY successfull month!

167 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:05 pm

Coke gets the "W"! Pena gets a clutchity durble! Mo gets the save! Three in a row!

Life = Good

: )

168 williamnyy23   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:05 pm

[163] Jeter and Po are far from done and Mo was at his career best last year. Stoppy worrying and keep enjoying.

169 Rich   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:06 pm

I would like to believe that the light has gone on for Melky.

170 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:06 pm

Minor update. TB up 8-0 in the 8th. Sox have pounded out ONE hit.

171 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:08 pm

[168] I hope you are right. The old guard will be gone soon. I hope it's a graceful exit.

172 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:08 pm

[169] Yeah, nothing quite like having your job on the line in the majors to motivate a guy. According to Girardi today on Francesa, he's "going with the hot hand" at the moment with Melky and Gardy "didn't lose his job"...

Yikes!

173 rbj   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:09 pm

And I have to take tomorrow off (too much accumulated vacation time + I didn't get laid off). Great way to start a 3 day weekend.

174 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:09 pm

[171] OYF, you may appreciate this.."Alice's Restaurant" was on tv here the other night..imagine trying to explain the context behind that film/song to my lady here..

175 Rich   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:10 pm

[174] Great album, so, so movie.

176 OldYanksFan   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:19 pm

Unfortunately, I can't get anything I want anymore. Got an address for the restaurant? Meanwhile, TB still batting.. up 13-0. Any calls for Francona's head? Theo's? Are the Sox an embarrassment?

177 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:23 pm

[169] I would like to as well, but I don't. Melky's always been streaky. Last year, he started out on fire. Didn't last.

178 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:28 pm

[169] et. al. Since I've not been able to see the games, can anyone give me a scouting report on Melky? What's he doing right these days? How's he striking the baseball, etc.?

179 Just Fair   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:29 pm

A most satisfying win. [176] Beckett to the bullpen. : )

180 thelarmis   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:29 pm

[174] i LOVE that song! my pop took the fam to see Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger ages ago. i used to think it was at Carnegie Hall at christmas when i was 8 years old. but, i was just up in my parents' attic a few weeks back, looking thru tons of my old baseball cards, and actually found the program from that concert! i think it was more like Thanksgiving and i was 7; can't remember the venue. either way, it was cool and that song RULES!

on a side note, i knew a kid (my age), who played bass w/ Arlo (and i think his son, also), for a long time...

nice win tonight! : )

Rays up 13-0 !!!

181 Rich   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:31 pm

[177] FWIW, his April 2008 OPS was .864. His April 2009 OPS is .971.

182 Rich   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:36 pm

[178] He seems to be using the whole field, and he's been effective batting both RH and LH.

183 thelarmis   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:37 pm

KC Catcher John Buck, was at it again today, going 3-3 w/ 5 RsBI

184 PJ   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:46 pm

Andy goes for four straight against Weaver tomorrow!

Have a good night all...

: )

185 randym77   ~  Apr 30, 2009 10:54 pm

[181] Pretty small sample size, though, given the late start to the season this year, and his starting the season on the bench.

186 Mattpat11   ~  Apr 30, 2009 11:17 pm

This was a game the Yankees of the last 10 years lose to the Angels.

187 The Hawk   ~  May 1, 2009 1:04 am

[166] I think AJ's been better than so-so. He had one crap game and today's game which fits snugly with his typical ERA. The others were good to very good. I'd say he's operating at about the right level for him.

I don't want to see Gardner in CF anymore. I believe Melky can hit .260-.280 with like a .330 OBP or thereabouts, and hit some HRs. I don't think Gardner can match that.

188 randym77   ~  May 1, 2009 6:23 am

I don't want to see Melky or Gardner in CF, actually. Melky's had his chance, and Gardner seems to have forgotten everything he learned last year.

Unfortunately, there aren't any other options at the moment.

The YES announcers seemed surprised when their poll about which AAA player can help the team the most had Austin Jackson the easy winner. I wasn't surprised. CF is the obvious hole now.

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"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver