And here I thought I’d missed all the dramatic comebacks. I was away last weekend, bridesmaiding (and if that’s not an action verb, it should be), and for the first time in years was mostly without internet and TV – so I didn’t catch any of those three walk-off wins. I hasten to add, in case the lovely bride is reading this, that it was of course completely worth it. But fortunately the Yankees were willing to give me a little encore today, coming back from a two-run ninth inning deficit with another big homer from A-Rod, who continues to give the world the finger, and a Melky Cabrera single to beat the Phillies 5-4.
Regardless of the outcome, I’m loving this weekend’s baseball – I get a kick out of seeing Yankees fans pulling for the Mets, and vice versa. A rare moment of city-wide unity, even if it is based on a “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” sort of sentiment.
Andy Pettitte was the starter today, and he looked pretty good in the early going. In fact, he looked pretty good all afternoon if you just ignore a crucial five minute stretch in the middle there. In the second he allowed a solo shot to Raul Ibanez, which is the fashionable thing to do this spring, and then held things down ’til the fifth. Meanwhile the Yankees evened things up right away, when Cano doubled (or when Jayson Werth lost the ball, if you want to be less charitable) and Cabrera and Swisher got him the rest of the way home.
J.A. Happ was the Phillies starter, a classic URP situation. Mark Teixeira got two hits but other than that and Cano’s run in the second, New York didn’t put a dent in him. The game stayed tied at 1-1 until Pettitte slipped a bit in the fifth, with a base hit, walk, and home run from John Mayberry (Jr.), in his first Major League game.
(Mayberry doubled in the seventh, too. I was all ready to start seriously disliking this kid but then he looked so happy, I couldn’t hold it against him. His dad, who played for the Yanks at the very tail end of his career, though before my time, was in the stands – but FOX kept cutting to an entirely unrelated middle aged black Phillies fan, and misidentifying him as Mayberry, for more than an inning. Awkward. I was relieved when they announced their mistake, though, because I’d been wondering why the first guy they had onscreen didn’t seem all that proud.)
After that Pettitte buckled down and got through the seventh without further damage; and really, four runs in seven innings isn’t too bad against an offense like the Phillies’. This start pretty much encapsulated what I’ve come to expect from Pettitte these days: he doesn’t usually have the stuff to totally shut down a good-hitting team anymore, but he won’t let things get completely out of hand either.
Derek Jeter’s homer in the seventh made it 4-2, well within stirring comeback range. And so in the bottom of the ninth, Damon walked, Teixeira struck out on three hideously nasty Brad Lidge sliders, and A-Rod came to the plate. I have to say, given Teixeira’s AB, my hopes were not high at this point. But Rodriguez had a good at-bat, laid off a couple of low sliders, and waited out a fastball, which he then blasted into the seats — it wasn’t one of his tape-measure shots but he still knew right away it was out and took a little pause before breaking into his trot. I may never know what to make of that guy, but whatever else he is, he’s sure not boring.
After that Cano singled and stole second, and Melky worked out a nice careful at-bat and singled him home. There was a big happy celebratory knot of players on the field, and AJ Burnett marched off very businesslike and determined to fetch the whipped cream. This was the Yankees 17th come-from-behind win this season, and their 9th in their last at-bat, which if you want to be all glass-half-empty about it means they’re falling behind an awful lot, but still it’s fun to watch.
Meanwhile, up at Fenway, Omir Santos of all people just hit a game-winning two-run homer off of Papelbon. And Toronto lost, too. Can I get you anything else?
No, Emma, nothing else -- that's just about perfect, thanks.
The bottom of the ninth in Fenway was fun, too. Youk walked, Bay hit a screamer that Wright turned into an out at second, Drew drilled one straight at Pagan in RF, and then Martinez made a nice play in the hole to rob Lowell. Papelbon gets the L. Yummy.
Great day of baseball.
Wow!
And the four DL'd Yankees are heading to Tampa tomorrow for rehab!
I can't wait until they are at or nearer to full strength!
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090523&content_id=4902138&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy
Gah, typos: "AND really, four runs in seven innings isn’t TOO bad against an offense like the Phillies’." Sorry! I'll get those fixed...
Jonathan Papelbon gets the Gas Face!
heh heh
My favorite part of the bottom of the ninth in Fenway was when Papelbon came charging out of the dugout to dispute that nice play at second (when Wright threw out Youkalis). I can never get enough of that guy making a fool of himself.
Jeez, it's nice that those guys are getting healthy, PJ, but who has to leave to make room for them on the roster? I won't shed a tear for Berroa or Cash, but it will be sad to see Gardner and Cervelli return to the branch office in Scranton. I guess it will be good to have an extra bat on the bench (although Brett did come through with his pinch hit double tonight -- not his fault the team left him stranded).
SNY postgame guy Chris Carlin, a few minutes ago: "Did you see Papelbon spin around there, like 'No way did I just give up a home run to this guy'? But you did, Jonathan."
Ha. I actually think Papelbon is a lot of fun to watch, and I don't mind his... er, let's call them "antics". But it's not hard to see why he rubs people the wrong way.
Private Pyle has a serious case of backpfeifengesicht
[6] I'm afraid I'm going to plead the Girardi line of, "We are going to wait until we have to make those decisions." As soon as they "planned" to have CMW throw another rehab start for SWB, they needed to keep him up because of the Burnett start.
I could hazard a guess that Berroa, Cash, Alby and Veras may draw the short straws... if those decisions were made right now. That's my call "Fi, fi, were King."
: )
Did you see Paplebon spin out of the dugout in a frenzy after Youk was forced at second in the ninth? That was a classic. Paps is starting to remind me of that red-haired villian in "The Incredibles."
Those were three hard hit outs by the Sox in the ninth. Talk about a PHEW moment.
And great comeback by the Yanks. Terrific ab for Alex, down in the count and then guessing fastball on that full count pitch. I keep wanting to think that Melky is horseshit but he keeps coming through with big hits.
Love your post Emma. A few thoughts:
1. bridesmaiding is indeed a verb, god bless all the bridesmaids in the world!
2. It is a giddy feeling, seeing Papelbon blow the game - did you see him fly out of the dugout when Wright made the great stop and castillo made the great play at 2nd? What a little b$tch.
3. Can someone run some #'s for me? What's Melky's avg. when Cano gets on base in front of him? I'm guessing about .750.
4. I can't wait for tomorrow's game, and neither can the Yanks; and that's pretty damn cool.
Cheers, Eddie
Look who is here!
My wife and I saw all the carnage at The Fens, Alex. It's about time they lost a series there for the first time since their first one against Tampa in April.
I turned to my wife and said, "See Boston what it's like playing the Mets instead of the Braves in IL?" They'll kick your ass no matter where!
: )
12)
LOL, Classic.
Watching the end of another good NBA playoff game here...
Lakers hit their free throws here and they can win this (they've missed 14 all night)
Melo just fouled out.
Aw man, Lamar, you can't fould Chauncey there....24 seconds left.
22 seconds left. Lakers by 2. Kobe to the line...
cans the first one. 38th point of the game...nails the second.
Lakers by 4 with 12 left, Kobe back to the line...Ah ha, looks like the Lakers are going to win this.
Lakers take it. Kobe looked exhausted at the end. But he ends up with 41 and hit the big shots down the stretch. Huge win for the Lakers. The Nuggets looked like this one was theres, and I still think they are in good shape vs. L.A. which made this a bigger win for the Lake Show.
That Yankees lineup will be beastly once they get Po and the stronger bench back!
A-Rod's AB was beastly on its own!
Every time I see/hear folks rail against Cabrera and Hughes, like Francesa for example, who does it practically every day, I always consider them being 23 and 22 respectively. Then I try to remember what I was doing at that age.
At least I was a "professional" way back then, albeit just a Club Pro...
: )
I keep reminding myself of that too. Hughes is only 22. Still has time...
Thanks for popping by tonight!
Have a great rest to your evening and I'll catch yas tomorrow for the series win!
: )
Let's hope the rain holds up and that CC is on his A game again.
Two revealing quotes:
From the NYT:
From the Daily News:
A-Rod is just such an an amazing baseball player..11 hits on the season, SEVEN home runs..with a bad hip.
Papelbon..oh the joy!
Kobe is a straight up gangsta at the end of the game, Lakes vs Cavs (if it happens!) will be great.
Oh, I watched the replay this morning..all apologies to Michael Kay after sitting through a whole game of Buck/McCarver..torture, pure torture!
Oh, I watched the replay this morning..all apologies to Michael Kay after sitting through a whole game of Buck/McCarver..torture, pure torture!
Which is why I turned down the TV audio and listened to Sterling/Waldman. I only had to endure two faux HR calls.
[26] [27] i turned the tv on mute and listened to Jimmy Smith! : )
Big G joined the 400 homer club tonight. 44th player to do so...
[10] and [11] on Papelbon's embarrassing charge out of the dugout: see [5]!
[30] but it was so ridculous it had to be mentioned multiple times. :}
it really was enjoyable to watch.
i caught just the right section of that game.
[25] good quotes rich.
not surprisingly, the walks are the big killers.
and leaving the ball up is what worries me about cmw and why i think he should have been given longer to work on his mechanics.
nevertheless, i'm still enjoying yesterday's game (though not lakers-nuggets and that fool george karl)
The pain ... was at a party, able top check a tv in the 8th and sighed, but missed the 9th! Caught highlights late. NINE last at-bat wins by Memorial Day? Want to say that contribute sot team dynamics and chemistry? Wow.
Interesting that the joy of Rod-Melk seems less here than the joy of Papelbon-surrenders-a-homer! I think it actually means that we fear the guy so much, that his glitches register so strongly. Hard to get such a hate-on for the mediocre.
Props, again to our bullpen for shutting Philly down. I don't have the numbers, but my guess is the era and overall effectiveness of the pen is very competitive, last 2+ weeks. And that means a winning streak becomes possible.
1/2 game out? Ye gods and little fishes! OYF you left out a few exclamation marks in your post last night commenting on this!
[25] The more I watch these games, the more I'm coming to the conclusion that most of the NYS HR's "barely sneaking out" are the result of terrible pitching, or better hitting, coupled with much more advanced hitting training, and nothing of any real substance being done to improve pitching in a similar way. I think it has more to do with hurlers getting squeezed, resulting in the obligatory "cookies," or simply "missing out over the plate," than The Stadium being a "Bandbox."
Yes, the pitching has been that bad at times, especially in terms of location! We need only look at the "Omir Santos Papelbon Bomb" from last night as another example of this. It was an "overthrown fastball right down the middle," according to "Jonathan Tantrumbum!" ™
Just a thought that popped out of my ear (no not rear)...
[31] Obviamente, "Cinco Ocho" no está jugando con una baraja completa!
Translation:
Obviously, "5-8" isn't playing with a full deck!
Whatta dipshit! LOL
The next time some asshat makes note of anything any Yankee does (the "Joba fist pump" for example), we need only mention that fantastic display of absolute immaturity, which was nothing more than the tantrum of a two year old, taking place in a MLB game at The Fens, with the Red Sox Closer being the two year old! No surprises there really, except for how it will immediately disappear from all sports media consciousness, if it's even mentioned or discussed at all anywhere other than here!
Time for your nap, "Cinco Ocho!"
: )
'Twas a great day of unity for NYC baseball. The Yanks helping the Mutts, the Mutts helping the Yanks, both in the 9th. I was overjoyed by both games. I do, however, give the edge to the Mets. Here's why, in no particular order:
1. Their lineup is even more depleted than the Yanks
2. They were on the most enemiest of enemy turf
3. They gave Papelbon his first blown save
4. They gave Papelbon his first loss
5. They made Papelbon insane with rage
6. Santos's reaction after the ball left the bat
I don't know if there will ever be a pan-NYC baseball day like yesterday again, but if it's going to happen, I eagerly anticipate it.
Papelbon's entry music should be this ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK33KD7j_nc
[35] How about the first 50 seconds of this, Diane?
: )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoWMJhjh7Ts&NR=1
[36]
touche'!