Of course you want to win every game, but realistically, a baseball team enters a three-game series, particularly one against the team with the best record in the league, hoping to take two of three. Looking at this week’s series in Toronto, the Yankees had to assume last night’s game against Roy Halladay would be the loss, so really everything’s going according to plan, right?
Tonight, Andy Pettitte looks to keep the Yankees on track against Scott Richmond. Richmond is a 29-year-old rookie who went undrafted after graduating from Oklahoma State. He then posted a 14-19 record with a 4.37 ERA over three seasons with the Edmonton Cracker-Cats of the independent Northern League, during which the Vancouver native also pitched for Canada in the inagural World Baseball Classic, though again without particularly encouraging results. The Blue Jays signed Richmond after he made the move to the Cracker-Cats’ rotation in 2007. He split most of 2008 between Double- and Triple-A, going 6-11 witha 4.45 ERA, but also made five spot starts for the major league club. The first four of those starts were nearly identical (between five and 5 2/3 innings, three runs, no more than one walk and either four or five strikeouts in each), but left him 0-3. His last saw him shutout the Orioles in a rain-shortened six-inning ballgame on September 26.
Richmond didn’t get into a game before Canada was eliminated from this year’s WBC, but opened the season as the Blue Jay’s fifth starter and has thus far gone 4-1 with a 3.29 ERA. In the middle four of his six starts, Richmond went 4-0 with a 2.o5 ERA, turning in a quality start each time out with an average of nearly 6 2/3 innings pitched. That streak was snapped his last time out, when he took his first loss after giving up five runs in the second inning against the A’s in Oakland. Still, Richmond recovered from that rocky frame to shut out the A’s the rest of the way, needing just 96 pitches to complete eight innings.
Richmond has been hit-lucky thus far as his opponents’ average on balls in play is just .245, and he’s always had good, but not spectacular control. The result has been a solid 1.2 WHIP. A fly-ball pitcher, he’s given up five home runs, a rate of 1.2 every nine innings, but three have been solo shots and the other two came with just one man on base. Richmond is also death on right-handed hitters (.155/.183/.182 in his young major league career), but can struggle against lefties.
Unfortunately, Hideki Matsui is out today after tweaking his hamstring in last night’s game. Derek Jeter (oblique) is also out for the second-straight day. Pete Abe reports that Jeter hasn’t swung a bat since Sunday, but “hopes to play tomorrow,” which is what he said yesterday. Ramiro Peña and Brett Gardner once again benefit from these aches and pains per this lineup:
L – Johnny Damon (DH)
S – Nick Swisher (RF)
S – Mark Teixeira (1B)
R – Alex Rodriguez (3B)
L – Robinson Cano (2B)
S – Melky Cabrera (LF)
L – Brett Gardner (CF)
S – Ramiro Peña (SS)
S – Francisco Cervelli (C)
If there’s any upside there it’s that only Alex Rodriguez will hit right-handed against Richmond.
As for Pettitte, his last two starts have been shaky. Against the Angels on May 1, he walked four and gave up five runs in 5 2/3 innings, though the Yankees rallied to win that game 10-9. In his last start, last Thursday against the Rays, he gave up five runs in six innings courtesy of four Tampa homers. The Yankees also rallied to tie that game, but lost on two more home runs off Mariano Rivera. On the season as a whole, however, Pettitte looks like Pettitte: 4.38 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 6 1/2 innings per start.
Updates from Pete Abe:
"Phil Coke’s back 'locked up on him' yesterday and he is out today."
Paging Kyle Farnsworth . . .
"Jeter is available for defense, which is like me being available for the 100-yard dash."
Ouch.
"Matsui could pinch hit."
In that case, he should, though if it's for Gardner, the Yanks will have to give up the DH and put Damon in the field the following half-inning.
Regarding Richmond, looking @ his FIP compared to his ERA, I'd say he's due for a correction. Will that correction happen tonight remains to be seen.
Is it simply age that so many players are getting injured almost regularly, or is there a (increasingly serious) fundamental something or lack of something involved? Stupid question, yes, but one that has been ringing in my ears like tinnitus...
Raf, yeah FIP . . . BABIP, they both point to the same thing.
Will . . .
Age: Jeter, Matsui, Rodriguez, Posada, Molina, Marte, Rivera
The others not so much.
The clock has to be ticking on Gardner. If he's all slappylooksalot batting seventh in the middle of a rally tonight, I'll lose my mind.
What about Berroa? At least Gardner's needed in the outfield. Berroa is dead weight and he's not even playing? He should be DFAed so someone like Duncan or John Rodriguez can get up here to keep Gardner to his proper defensive-replacement/pinch-runner role. Berroa's been on the roster since 4/25 and has made three starts. He hasn't seen game action since May 4, more than a week ago.
I don't think team team can afford to keep either guy right now. Get rid of them both and call both Duncan and Rodriguez up. We're not nearly at the point where we can have the luxary of keeping a pinch runner on this bench, at least until Posada is back, and Teixeira, Jeter Matsui and Rodriguez are hitting.
Thanks for the unspoken love Chyll and Cliff. I was shocked to find one championship club in the last twenty years that had as many over the hill position players as the Yankees of 2005-2009. I thought it would have been higher with all the PEDs.
Given the complaints about last night's lineup, good to see it take one game, rather than forty, for this manager to learn. Always fun to see a guy with a sub-.400 career SLG in the 6 hole!
doesn't Duncan have a shoulder injury?
@ 6
Yup.
@ 7
I'd be fine with that too. Problem is, how do you use them? Start one, use the other to pinch hit? The other problem, because Cashman has no idea how a 40-man should work, who else do you DFA besides Berroa? Seems too early to completely give up on Gardner and I'm sure an NL team would snag him.
[10] How long do we wait before we give up on Gardner?
The only "track" Andy Pettitte can keep the Yankees on, if he continues to have his head up his ass, is the "Highway to Hell!"
After seeing what the Blue Jays did to Burnett last night, I'm not enthused about this game at all.
If friggen Kevin Millar rakes off of Andy, well I'm no longer allowed to type how that will make me feel here other than to state...
"Filth, flarn, flarn and filth!" - Eddie Murphy doing his Bill Cosby
D'oh. Tartabull is right. Shelley's on the DL. Well, Rodriguez then.
Bum, I'd DFA Christian Garcia if they needed another 40-man spot. He's constantly hurt and could slip through waivers as a result, and is unlikely to be much of a loss if he doesn't despite his talent.
@ 11
Until he runs out of options (i.e., after 2010). He's a useful spare piece (as a 5th OF) for a club, especially one as decrepit as this one.
Eddie doing Cos...NICE
Linden would also be better than Gardner.
No he wouldn't. Linden has proven he can't hit in the majors.
Miranda would also help this team as a bat off the bench. Besides, what else is his role in this organization going forward?
Good call on Garcia. Or Claggett. Hard to see him contributing this year.
If Linden can't hit major league pitching, can we say Gardner couldn't hit major league pitching with a tennis racket?
nice to see the fans in Toronto follow up on last night's big crowd...
[4] Yikes! A nasty combination of both, including the FO apparently! >;)
Speaking of fundamentals... (sigh)
we still have a no-hitter going on!!
meanwhile, the Toronto annooncers have already worn me oot, for the 2nd night in a row.
time to switch to the YES feed ...
I was just thinking how it must be difficult for the Yankees hitters lately, constantly playing from behind. But then I remembered that that "difficulty" is all mental and therefore has no impact on the game.
ok, if THAT isn't a good omen...
Holy f***ing sh**
ZOMG
How did that happen?
Melky!
baaack to liiiife, baaack to reality Richmond
More like that.
Finally! The Yankees face a pitcher for the first time who more closely resembles Sandy Duncan rather than Sandy Koufax!
: )
Wow, what's with all this hard hitting at the bottom of the lineup by our nominally worst hitters? Has the world turned upside down?
Must score Pena.
[33] No Will...
They are merely kids playing with attitude, you know, something with absolutely no bearing whatsoever in a baseball game...
: )
Triples and near-triples... 3 IS the magic number!
HAHAHAHAHAHAH!
that's FARGING hilarious!
i'm watching on the YES HD MLB feed (which is always delayed) and I just saw [27][28] right as Gritner stepped to the plate ... and I thought, "hmmm, were those for melky's hit??? naw, couldn't be *that* big of a reaction, melky's been hitting, must be for gardner ... OMG, Gritner must have ..."
crack of the bat ... long drive down the line ...
"GONE DEEP!!! I DON'T FARGING BELIEVE IT!!!"
When is the last time the Yankees had two triples in an inning?
@ 25
What next, find some stats that show the team that scores first is more likely to win?
Keep up the good work, Father Chicken.
what the fuck!? Did Brett Gardner just hit a homerun!?
[35] What is this "attitude" you speak of in Yankee pinstripes? >;)
[40] No, he did it four or five batters ago...
[39] Remember that slugger who got the fat contract and couldn't get out of his own way early in the season because he was "pressing", trying to justify all that dough? It never happened.
Girardi is a genius with this lineup! He's really motivated them tonight! They came prepared!
@ 43
Yeah, his bum wrist had nothing to do with it.
Two out hits are slump busters.
Another near-triple!!
oh, unfrozen caveman jesus, i'll miss you when you're gone ...
[44] Extending that logic, most of his lineups make him an idiot. Just sayin'.
Wow, you’d like if someone was hitting .198 they’d really be "pressing".
don't be scurred Scott, throw it down the middle
[45] Giambi had a bum wrist?
I was talking generally. Unless you truly think Teixeira is the only guy that's ever fit that particular narrative.
@ 49
All I know is I'm less stressed by Girardi's lineups than I was Torre's.
That particular narrative that gives guys like Kay and Sterling and Morgan something to blather on about?
No.
[53] Torre's time had come and gone.
Cito was probably saying, "Man, he's not getting the calls on the corners. We'd better send him down..."
[53] So you don't think Teixeira's the only one. Good, we agree!
Oops the above should be [54]
[41] How about the "Finally! Granpa Jeter is giving me the chance I've been waiting for to play my real position!" attitude?
: )
That airhorn was funny at first...
I have to run so this is kind of off-topic, but I saw the Brett Gardner HR (!!!) and the Ramiro Pena triple on Gameday....
Worth noting:
Ramiro Pena May 2009 OPS: .840
Derek Jeter May 2009 OPS: .630
Just saying.
Cano's the only regular to start every game for the Yanks this year. The Jays 1-4 hitters have all started every game. Gaston is a genius. Tex, wake up, dude.
Keep the line moving.
Somebody's been eating their grits...
anyone see Millar's pregame with Kim Jones? Outside of his obligatory '04 reference he actually wasn't all THAT insufferable. He readily admitted that the Jays pitching outside of Hallady hasn't proved anything yet and that the jury was still out until they played the East. The cockiness was turned down noticeably.
[61] LOL @ The Captain as the UI... @ only $20M per!
Can he play 3B?
>: XO <=== This is my Salvador Dali, whose birthday was Monday...
[62] Maybe a sly or evil genius. Did you see that glance he gave after the pick-off attempt? >;)
[65] I saw that RT. I liked the Canadian Money > U.S. Currency in his pocket.
: )
If the Yanks can score a couple more runs, then we don't have to sweat it when Andy gives up the obligatory 4 or 5.
[65] I honestly hadn't read your post when I used the word "obligatory" ... Jinx!
[69] LOL
Have I mentioned how much I like Brett Gardner?
I wish Millar would retire. He's on my obligatory "Go screw yourself" team. : )
[61] (8->o
[74] for [66] my bad...
I have a new role for the Captain.
He can be "The Keeper of Ramiro Pena's Bat" while he's on the bench...
[72] he cannot be stopped! you can only hope to contain him!
man the Yankees are so young and athletic tonight...some might even say "scrappy"
[72] Only 1,000,001 times, not that anyone's counting...
Just got in. I like this new Yankee philosophy of bunching hits together to score a bunch of runs.
[78] Hey; you get younger, ya add a letter. What a concept!
so ... that's what actual Gold Glove caliber defense at SS looks like ... i'd pretty much forgotten.
[80],[81] Who said baseball isn't a thinking man's game? >;)
wow Exposition Stadium was a hell hole
Wow, and then shutting down the other team 1, 2, 3. An even more complete philosophy.
Kay's voice is so irritating after listening to Singleton's all game.
Anyone watching YES; what was that about the game in 1977 on my birthday??
[84] Still better than Olympic Stadium, I'd wager.
Or The Vet, which I saw in person.
[87] Blue Jays franchise home opener.
[88] Or the Kingdome. Just a big ugly warehouse.
[89] Oh. I share a birthday with the Blue Jays. How quaint.
I think Jeter actually makes that Pena play too.
[88] Oh I experienced Le Stade Olympique in person. Rockies/Expos, hands down the most random sporting event I've ever been to. Vlad hit an absolute bomb though, and Youppi was there so that was cool.
[92] The 1999 Jeter, yes...
The 2009 Jeter, not so much...
I just looked, and this is only the third inning. Why does it feel like I should be in bed by now?
[94] I actually think he gets it too.
[95] Last nights game was winding down at this point. It was probably bottom of the seventh.
[95] Bored with us already Will?
[98] You guys? Only when we're losing horribly do you get boring >;)
[96] The "Jump Throw" Jeter, yes...
The "Root Down" Jeter, not so much...
[99] I miss Diane already.
Oh yeah!
I was actually encouraged by Alex's dive for the ball that went for a double.
Cervelli is going to be good if he can hit even a little.
WOO-HOO
!Ciao, Francisco Cervelli!
Italian National Hero Francisco Cervelli is holding his own much better than we had any right to expect.
The answer has to be Fergie Jenkins, right?
Mike Kelleher looks like Soupy Sales, with better reflexes...
Damon's bat is still smokin'.
Swisher's bat is still not.
[110] productive out, productive out!
Is there really any reason theres two guys sitting behind home plate dressed as umps? Is that a Canadian thing?
I'll take it
that ought to make weeping happy!
Good to see Tex showing signs of life.
[112] They used to have hot girls.
[111] That was a productive out!
So, Cash and Girardi's real plan is to somehow play the older players in a way that they injure themselves and people would say they are too old, and then slowly integrate younger, unheralded players in their spot until they were all on the field at the same time, then make a dash for the playoffs... [ /hypothesis ]
[112] Umpire Day at Rogers Centre?
A-Rod doesn't like fake umps.
Dropping acid in Toronto...I guess.
[112] sweet! nicely done a-rod, those two douches are pissing me off, too!
[118] How else will they have a "deep bench?"
: )
[118] "Cash's Plan" reminds me of the old days of like 2007 when people actually believed there was one.
[124] I believe almost anyone with a plan in 2007 is sorely disappointed in 2009...
Hey yall.
That big pile of runs was gratifying (esp. all those extra base hits by the children), but my favorite part of the game so far was the Pena leaping catch. The defensive play generally has been really great to watch.
dumb play Andy
Why did Andy pick up the ball? (I'm listening to the Jays' crew and they have no idea.)
[127] Yeah. He would've lost nothing by letting it roll to a stop, doubt the runner would've turned the corner.
for all the bitching about the defense, this team does have the 3rd fewest errors in the AL. And yeah I know errors aren't the best barometer of defense, but it should at least be noted.
[128] Just a reflex, I suppose. But it's little plays like that which almost invariably lead to the kind of meltdowns we've seen from the beginning of the season. Annoying.
[131] quiet you.
la-la-la-la, i can't hear you!
Melky would have nailed him.
that 6th run is looking mighty nice right about now
I must be the Greg Brady tiki-doll or something..evertime i join in late we have a lead and "Gardy" or Pena is the unsung hero..yet when I am in the Banter from first pitch we play like the Yokohama Baystars..mmmm....
hey Chyll, did you really drop a Soupy Sales reference earlier? You are a ray-nay-sance man!
With our pen and no Coke, no lead is safe if a starter can't be effective for 7 or 8.
Thanks for keepin' things interesting, Andy. Oy! Jeter woulda had that one. : /
completely disregard my earlier statement about the defense
Jeter would have had him.
Jeter wouldn't have made the jumping catch, but he makes that one.
[132] uuuughh...
Ramir-NO!
[137] [139] Dammit.
Good thing Scutaro sucks.
Tack on time.
and exhale
That was some funky camera work there.
Phew!
Someone please pass the Tums...
[130] Yeah, but they're 10th in UZR, & Defensive Efficiency.
ooooh nice Morneau, thats much needed fantasy points
Odds that Morneau doesn't win the MVP?
[150] Right, they don't get to a lot of balls, but they make plays on balls hit right at that.
[94] I don't even mean it as a compliment. It's just that Jeter's taller and the ball wasn't hit all that hard. Speed and jumping ability not necessary, is all.
Andy + Two Outs = Bleeding Ulcer
: )
I love Cano's power to LF.
just jpined the action - billy murphy - great baseball name
robbie looked good on that swing
[152] he did beat out Jeter when Jeter was everyone's sweetheart pick, so its not like he's underappreciated...at least not by the BBWAA
[158] He won the MVP for no discernible reason in 2006 and came in second for even less of a reason in 2008. He's my odds on favorite every year.
Jeter has not been treated well by the BBWAA. He should have won the MVP in 1999.
[159] oh ok, I thought you meant he'll deserve it but won't get it. And yeah, '06 annoyed the hell out of me.
Brett using his legs.
Okay, when was the last time we had three triples in a game?
Gardner is unstoppable.
And another!
Ok, who is this guy really?
Who replaced Gardner with this baseball player?
if gardner can be that aggressive at the plate he can be adequate
and al i don't know what you consider fun to watch - but watching someone look at strike 3 is NOT fun
[161] If they gave it to Joe Mauer, I would have been totally fine.
I usually hate productive outs but I'll gladly take one here.
GGBG a single and double away from the cycle?
[167] He needs to consistently integrate his legs into his swing.
[160] Especially when you consider he lost to Pudge. If they had given it to Pedro, I wouldn't have loved it (I'm of the mind that that's what Cy Youngs are for) but I'd understand. Pudge though? No
[169] You jinxed it...
[173] I'm very powerful.
[171] definitely - wasn't that what he and kevin long were supposedly working on?
i don't even know how that's a habit you get into.
Wheels Cervelli!
[171] Is that what his problem is; he has separatist legs?
[175] Yes, he seemed to get it in ST, but left in FLA.
It's about learning sound mechanics.
oh yes - cervelli just might be the fastest catcher i have seen.
[179] I would make a spoof promo of Cervelli breaking the sound barrier getting down the line...
[159]
he won for *very* discernible reasons in '06.
he had very good 'slash' numbers.
he had a tremendous final month (and very, very good 2nd half) for a team that just made the playoffs.
they're not good reasons, but since when has the BBWAA needed 'good' reasons to do silly things?
my vote would have gone to Mauer, but Jeter would have been an acceptable choice ...
[180] You would or you will?
DO IT!
[179] Craig Biggio ...
[163]
UPDATE, 9:06 p.m.: Yankees have three triples in a game for the first time since April 5, 2003 when Bernie Williams, Alfonso Soriano and Raul Mondesi each had one at Tampa Bay.
From Peter.
[180] yeah chyll - make the promo - though i read that wrong at first and cult's name for cervelli did not help
Jeter would have had that.
[182] I would... if I had the money. >;)
[163] 2003: Bernie, Mondesi and someone else.
(They just mentioned it on the radio broadcast. :)
I always thought Mondesi's presence hurt Soriano's work ethic.
[167] It is when Mo's on the mound.
Amusing Pena got in that ball's zip code
Mondesi did have a cannon though, he really did. Complete whackjob, but some arm.
[183] ah true - though that is sorta cheating
[188] Why, thank you, Mr Too-Late-Brunnhilde (cf. [184]).
[191] "Amusing Pena", is that his nickname? Not bad.
[194] Heh heh.
Any time, my friend. Any time. That's what they keep me around for.
Every time I think of Mondesi, I see him with a ski mask on playing in that game with the snow...
: )
Nice that Gardner's having a good game, but he just bought himself a few more starts... I would't expect this on the regular from him.
[198] Seriously, you wouldn't expect him to triple and homer tomorrow?
[193] jason kendall, before he tore up his leg.
=)
[198] I'd get used to seeing him if I were you Raf, considering Matsui being out is forcing Damon to DH.
anyone else just lose the MLB.tv feed?
[202] nevermind, back.
[202] I had a lot of trouble with the YES mlb.tv feed. That's why I've been listening to these Jays' announcers. It's a little weird. They're so Canadian.
[172] Wasn't 99 the year where like 7 people were more deserving than Pudge?
[182], [185] Ah! I figured out how to make that spoof promo work, and without money. Now it would be a matter of convincing my producing partner to add it to the slate. Hopefully Cervelli's still around by the time it would be made (providing convincing) to prove us right...
man, the Jays have some ugly looking 'gingers' on their roster ...
when you're faced with something overtly Canadian, i.e. going to Canada or watching DeGrassi, you notice every little difference
Blue Jays' announcers apparently don't know who the Yankee RF is. "It caroms away from... the right fielder."
I liked their call of Pena's leaping play.
"Millar with a base hit... or is it???"
Also, one of 'em praised the way A-Rod handled his steroids situation. Respected him for coming clean, taking it like a man, kinda thing.
[205] Yes
last inning for Pettite, i wanna see da Gangsta!
Why does mlb.tv keep insisting in the middle of an inning that it's a commercial break
[210] wow, Jeter only finished 6th...that's a crime
lovely, MLB.tv out again ...
Andy has pitchability.
[214] Go to the Home feed. I will not tell you this again.
[208] I wish that the Expos were still around and playing in the un-built Parc de LaBatts..
Attention!
Andy Pettitte just hurled a "quality start" on the road!
That is all...
[200] okay on kendall
even though i like andy i am a bit bummed he has probably pitched the best so far.
I texted no. I think at the end of the day, they'll be back in fourth place. I'm not sure what order the top three teams will be in though.
well, glad i missed *that* entire inning ... anything interesting happen?
[216] tried that the last time, didn't work
[221] Nothing other than Scott Rolen leads the game with "filth flarn flarn and filth" hits...
Brett Gardner, power and patience. Who knew?
It's getting to the point where even Melky's outs are good ABs. I really think leche is going to reward the Yankees for not doing something rash like dumping him in a trade.
[224] I'm scared.
Mainly because I think he'll now start for the next two months.
[220] Agreed, its Halladay and a bunch of guys playing over their heads
I'm a little late to the party, but go go Gardner!
[222] Oh, huh. I always thought it was a problem at the mlb.tv end -- I guess it's a combination of the feed and the recipient.
That fan wasn't coordinated enough to interfere.
[220] You're the reason it was an "overwhelming no" >;)
[228] Do you think Inspector Gadget would qualify as a hybrid Transformer?
Does Cervelli subscribe to the I piss on my hands so I don't need batting gloves school of hitting?
[231] Baseball Today podcasts guys have the Yanks finishing 4th this year..ouch..
[231] I put "2" with an exclamation point.
[234] Remember when the 05 Orioles were TEH REEL DEEL?
[233] This is 2009, man! He uses Zim's Crack Creme...
If Marcum and McGowan return and regain their form, the Jays could be very dangerous. Their offense is actually pretty good if they can keep guys like Rolen, Rios and Wells healthy.
Moises frigging Alou had a 30+ hitstreak in 2007?
Papa John's is neck-and-neck with Little Caeser's as the most disgusting-tasting pizza in America.
There, I said it.
[225] i really hope so. i was all but ready to abndon my melky support this year, but i held out a glimmer of hope that he could have plate discipline - which he has so far. he just has to really continue working and value a good approach.
[232] I am just glad Gardner is no longer hitting like Penny. For tonight at least. : )
[238] That's alot of ifs. Some of them not all that likely.
ask and i shall receive ... da Gangsta!
let's hope his 10 (or whatever it is) day layoff doesn't mess with his command too much ...
Am I allowed to throw a fit if I see Tomko or Edwar?
The BJ fans do the deep seated inadequacy chant.
[243] Of course, if they had Lyle Overbay...
[244] I was at his one game this year
[247] Division Changer, natch.
[240] I know John Schnatter personally. I would never buy a pizza from him!
: )
[245] would you rather see them at some other time?
say in a game that we *weren't* winning 8-2???
=)
[243] It's definitely a lot of ifs. Rolen is probably just biding time until his next injury, but I don't see why Rios and Wells can't avoid the DL. If Lind and Snider keep developing, they could have a deep lineup.
The Jays really need Marcum and McGowan to return, and that is a much a bigger question mark.
The buckler. Sick.
Nice inning, AA.
how nice - a 1,2,3 inning from the pen
[252] The pitchers (and Rolen) were the big ones that stuck out to me.
That wasn't merely Uncle Charlie. That's Great-Uncle Charlie.
those were two nice knuckle-curves Aceves threw right there.
nasty.
[250] Nice insight, but I already came to that conclusion >;)
LOL on that curve to Rios!
No chance with those Yackers!
[258] We can call that his "Papa John's Pitch"?
I hope Aceves finishes this game
damn, another smoked ball off the bat of JD.
damn millar.
[263] I'd kind of like to get him out of there and save an inning or two for tomorrow or Friday.
The Blue Jays announcers seem confused by the concept of a switch hitter.
Wow. I just realized the phrase, "Just shut the F$%# up" has not occurred to me all night. No Kay. : )
[265] But this way, the rest of the bullpen is available for tomorrow or Friday.
Oh, I see what you mean, yes.
[268] Hopefully with C.C. going tomorrow, the Yankees will only need to call on Mo.
I’d kind of like to get him out of there and save an inning or two for tomorrow or Friday.
I can understand Hughes on Friday, but Sabathia tomorrow?
[259] He lives in Louisville, KY and is a member at Valhalla Golf Club.
Nice guy to be sure, but I'm sorry, I refuse to buy a pizza from a man from Kentuckiana!
I'm just sayin'...
: )
[267] Visa problems?
[265] yeah.
[241] Same here. I was a big booster but last year really wore me down. So much, in fact, that, now that I think about it, it's been hard for me to appreciate him this year because I've yet to allow myself to think it's for real.
Here's hoping it is.
Frasor sets him down. Frasor sets him down.
Dunno why my inner Howard Cosell just popped up.
[269] Or on nobody... but I shouldn't be greedy.
Come on, we need a base runner so Brett can go for the pseudocycle in the ninth. Oh fer crissake.
Well, we need a base runner in the ninth, then.
[270] If CC has turned the corner, he wont need much back-up, but I'd like to see one more dominant outing before being too confident. Having Aceves ready for Hughes' start is definitely a good idea though.
[271] KFP? That is nasty. Whatever his secret recipe is, he should be locked up for crimes against the state.
[274] For whatever reason, I've invested a lot in Melky. He's one of my favorites and I really hope he develops into a productive major leaguer. He is still only 24, so maybe things have finally fallen into place.
[272]
Over.
Head.
[277] I hope that's the case, that CC has turned a corner; with Chamberlain & Hughes going back to back, I'd like to have a well rested pen.
I guess this is Hughes last start? Is CMW slated to come back soon?
[275] The Thrilla in Manilla on HBO was very good.
[280] Maybe he was referring to his credit card usage? :)
meh, Swisher's got a LF'ers arm in RF.
[280] Did they stop Kay at the border?
Amazing how less vitirolic the game threads are when the Yanks are winning :D
[279] Hear, hear.
Oh, and since I've not been able to watch, how's his focus been? Has he cut down on his gaffes?
[281] I read Wang is still only throwing 88-92, which worries me. He is scheduled for at least one more start in Scranton.
[283] If he were conferring with Alex about Toronto nightspots, I could see that being a problem too >;)
With Chyll Will, it's not so much "over your head" as it is just a little off-center.
[277] And even a dominant outing could be 7 IP.
[285] Ha. Thanks. Maybe they were having all you can eat Papa J's at the border and he couldn't tear himself away.
Nice bounce back.
[288] Still, he has the stuff to be successful with that velocity, particularly if he relies more heavily on his slider.
Impressive job by AA.
in the short run, the blue jays won't score a run ...
Isn't Papa John the guy who started Papa Gino's?
"Even though he just struck out, in the long run he'll feel better about himself."
Best line of the night!
[287] yeah much better - still not without the occasinal wtf play, but much better.
[288] what worries me is they think his sinker still needs more work. i guess his slider is going well, which is great that another pitch is working, but though i really appreciate cmw, he has a pretty set history of not doing that well if his sinker is not on.
Interesting tidbit trivia from the Jays' announcers:
Charlie Keller and Alfredo Aceves are the only two Yankees to...?
We got the "Ace"ves tonight instead of the "Ass"eves!
: )
[287] I can't think of any head scratchers. His pay Robbie still seems to tune in and out, but perhaps Melky's brush with the minors and losing his job this spring has honed his focus.
Also, I read an article that indicated Melky showed the same improvement in Winter Ball, so perhaps the transformation has more legs than just the first month of the season.
[300] Wear 91?
[299] He did it masterfully that one game against Boston, as I recall.
[300] shoot a man in Reno, just to watch him die???
I don't think Wang can be successful maxing out at 92.
[303] Good enough. Wear a # in the 90s.
Damn, no chance for Brett to go for the pseudocycle.
[300] Eat Mexican food and chase it with Orange juice?
[290] Thanks. I occasionally come out of LF. but I usually play the gap >;)
[292] I would not even wish that on Kay, though I bet his favorite topping is "sizzlin' bacon"...
[297] If a businessman has more than one alias, I would probably not trust him too much...
Aceves looks like he is trying to prove his former organization was wrong for abandoning him to the Mexican league.
[297] No OYF.
John Schnatter from Southern Indiana near Louisville, KY only founded Papa John's.
Alas, I'm afraid there is too much of a Churchill Downs influence in his pizzas from a "horsesh*t" standpernt...
: )
[310] He was an undrafted signee with the Jays, right?
[306] Neither do I...that extra velocity seemed to make up for the times when Wnag's location wasn't perfect.
A-Rod never would have had that.
(Sorry, I just can't help myself.)
[310] And then there's Edwar who is determined to prove LAA right.
[313] Ummm....
Nah, too easy.
Speaking of adjusting to decreased velocity, I sure do miss Moose, the old sour puss.
[312] Yep, but he was quickly released from the organization.
[288] I've also not felt blown away by CMW's progress
Al Leiter lecturing a pitcher on walking men
Hey everyone, happy banter tonight = smiling Mr. OK Jazz.
I'm too lazy to search on the web, am sure you people can enlighten me..
why are there so many references here and elsewhere to "You can't stop so-and-so, you can only hope to contain them.." Is this some catch-phrase from tv?
[311] I remember we had this conversation before on a recent post about horses#!+ and my point about bulls#!+; I would place his pizza in the bullS#!+ pantheon. Most NYers have decidedly strong opinions about good pizza and bad pizza, but I would say that's a no-brainer on any part of the continent >;)
[300] Pat their head and chew gum at the same time without getting injured?
[317] All these walks make me miss Moose and Boomer.
I know exactly what they're talking about.
"Francisco, is it the Strange Quark that spins up, or is that the Regular Quark?"
"Jonathan, I am not sure. Can you just pitch?"
"I think so."
....
"Francisco, please call a coach, I need to know."
"Okay. Joe, can you come out here? And please, Romero, come."
[327] Way to tear off the scab
[321] It was an old SportsCenter line...think it was Patrick or Olberman.
[313] Well, sure, velocity does that, but it's possible that a decreased velocity will force him to be more vigilant in that regard. The movement on the sinker should still be enough to get outs.
Plus, as I say, if he can make more use of the slider, that could help compensate as well.
We'll have to wait and see.
Not an Alby fan.
[325] should ref [317] not, uh, the future.
[321] yeah dan patrick (i'm pretty sure) coined it on sportscenter some years ago
Okay, this is not as funny as it was before.
Bright side: now maybe Mo can close another Pettitte start!
[300] They've both dressed as blond transvestites to throw the Toronto paparazzi off the trail.
jumping jesus h. christ on a teeny tiny pogo-stick, albaladejo, you motherfarging corksucking son-of-batch icehole, you're gonna make us get Mo up and bring him in.
AAAAARTGTGHGH!
Ah, now it's funny again.
See, should've left Aceves in.
Lucked out.
But I'll take it.
More like this.
Well, that was fun
It seems we got the All-Balls-All-Day-Oh! instead of Alby, but that was a nice DP to end it!
Yay!
Have a great evening everyone!
: )
alright - good win - berroa didn't f anything up
though albie is not strengthening his case
from petey:
UPDATE, 9:41 p.m.:
...
I’d like to point out that Angel Berroa warmed up the pitcher while Cervelli was getting his gear on. Maybe that is why he is still on the roster.
Take one tomorrow. Win another series. Baby steps.
C.C. has to make this win stick tomorrow. Then, the Yankees need to really have a good homestand heading into interleague play.
[326][330] Thanks! Dan Patrick always was a bit too smarmy for me..
Yanks win!! Happy days are here again!
[333] Dude, have a drink >;)
It's nice to win a baseball game.
Hats off to Andy.
g'nite all ...
Yankees are now 3-13 when they make an error.
[340] I want to either laugh hysterically or scream, so I'll just hum...
[345] in the pantheon of infractions that will land you in my doghouse, pitching in a 8-2 ballgame in such a lousy manner that Joey Joe Joe must 'dry hump' the allmighty Mo is pretty damn high.
bad alby, bad!
Damn, another HR by Bay.