And congrats to Roger Federer. Never thought I'd see someone tie Samparas

Joba still refuses to throw the fastball on 3-2. It's very strange-- slider and changeup there to Bossman Junior

nice 1,2,3 inning

[2] i think joba is in love with his slider. it has been such an effective pitch for him - i can see why.

That's because Joba's slider is his "go to pitch" that he uses to ensure his release pernt is in the correct position for his fastball.

It has always been so with him...

: )

Joba has allowed a first inning run in four of his eleven starts this season, and none in his last five starts including today. Can we stop with the "Joba troubles in the first inning" meme already?

[5] ok, but why doesn't he ever come out throwing gas like garza just did?

[5] "Can we stop with the “Joba troubles in the first inning” meme already?"

Was that for Kay and all of his "velocity talk," or for me?

ouch for pena - settle back in joba

[6] He was throwing 96 in the first inning against the Indians last week, so it's not like it's never happened.
[7] I was responding to Kay, who as the "voice" of the Yankees tends to perpetuate quite a number of myths. If the 4 run first inning back in May was against a team other than the Red Sox, we would never be discussing it. In fact, he's only allowed an earned run in the first inning in three of eleven starts, since Ellsbury scored on a passed ball in April.

[7] Okies... just checking...

These days, Kay=Francesa in the "shit stirring department."

: )

[9] true, but it would be nice if he were a little more consistent with the fastball, and if he threw it a little more. otherwise it worries me that he's still being careful with his shoulder.

good job after the hit batter

for those who love thinking about whose team it is and that it is no longer jeter's but arod's - my belief is it is more and more becoming tex's, fwiw

cone's zany tales are hilarious to me

what a joke that an outfielder can look like a complete idiot and still not get an error called on him

[12] With plays like that, yes. I approve of good fielding first base men.

wow that's the best play i've seen him make in years

Swisher barely hit the cutoff man on that double. He makes Johnny Damon look like Raul Mondesi.

[17] yeah swisher's arm is pretty shitty

alright let's get to garza

yeah swish - i knew you'd get to one of your true outcomes soon!

nice Swish

if I have to stare at Rudy and Palin for 3 hours, I better at least get a win out of it

[17] damon's arm is definitely the worst i've ever seen.

Woohoo Spanky McSkittles!

: )

Another 3-2 breaking ball from Joba. Now, the results have been good so far, but I would think that the other teams would pick up on it....

Swisher--what a waste of money. Cashman is a joke.

damn foul ball

[23] cone was talking about his tendency to throw the slider on 3-2 a few innings ago

[23] the rbi double was on a 3-2 fastball

wow that was close

[26] Good call. Fastball on 3-2, but in the middle of the plate belt high. Location, location, location.

[28] definitely bad location, but i think the problem is more that he isn't throwing enough fastballs in any count

nice play alex - he is looking much better in the field

2 very nice plays today

[30] Yes, that barehanded play to get "The Speedy Carl Crawford" was definitely a great sign!

: )

[29] Hoping that he compensates by pitching longer into games...

Wow, I went to get a drink and I missed the top of the fourth. Just 57 pitches... I guess Joba has learned to be more economical. But we should stick him back in the pen, just in case, right?

[34] Oh, indubitably; in fact he should be groomed as Mo's successor for after the All-Star Break! >;)

just as part of the 3-2 stuff for joba - he has gone 3-2 on (to my count) 5 of the 15 batters he has faced -
pretty economical though - and as cone pointed out using all of his pitches pretty well

Just to convince myself that 57 through 4 innings is above average, apparently the major league average for pitches in a game per team is 147.

I just wanna rip that shyt off of Garza's chin, don't you?

[38] i wanna rip that damn twitchy glove off of his hand

Baseball cliche #428: "He let the ball play him."

[38] I gave up on baseball players serving as examples of "style" and "fashion" long ago Chyll Will.

I think it was around the time players tried unsuccessfully to force Angela Davis sized afros into caps and batting helmets and coupled those with mutton chops...

: )

Hm, Dice-K not the same pitcher, or the league finally figured him out?

[41] Never took my fashion cues from the players, man; at least not on the field. Some of them could really style in street clothes, though.

"I just don't know where it's going... I wouldn't dig in too much if I were you..."

Ugh, Jorge. Wake up.

Can the Yankees set the MLB record for consecutive errorless games AND consecutive errorful games in the same season?

[42] All that. Plus, I gotta think his arm is on borrowed time.

We need corner outfielders. We have a stockpile of youngsters in the minors. Can we make it happen?

ah, the fond memories of the 18 game errorless streak ...

[42] Well, he was pretty average (and amazingly overrated) his first year. He had almost exactly the same--or worse--peripherals his second year, but was just about the luckiest SOB in the league. And he seems simply to stink this year. All in all, he has never really been all that good.

But he does have...the GYROBALL!!!!

good job to work around the error.

way to gun it, cap'n!

[48] Both starting corner OFs are slugging over .500. I'm not sure corner OF is a real problem. Or do you mean for next season?

[42] He's got a 28 year-old arm, with a 40 year-old's innings.

I'm just sayin'...

: )

[53] GYROBALL!!!!!

[54] Didn't Sidd Finch have one of those?

: )

[52] Yes, next season. I can't imagine wholesale changes right now.

[53] Seems like especially now the Japan Leagues are using up their best players, knowing they're more likely to go to the MLB as soon as eligible. Not saying they do it to harm their chances out of their league, but that they certainly have in mind to get the most out of them before they go, and consequently it takes a toll on them before they get here. Ichiro being a notable exception as all leagues have...

[56] Agreed...

I mean, in the case of Hideki Mastui, while productive with the Yankees, came to them with arguably his best seasons behind him...

Joe looked like he was about to die because Jeter didn't get the bunt down...

melky's lucky he didn't get the double play called on him with that slide.

HORSESHIT

Bad luck, but good that Swish was able to stay in the rundown as long as he did...

Bah @ Spanky McSkittles...

[57] I've never figured out Matsui, though. His power numbers were tremendous in Japan, but he never hit with that sort of power in MLB. His GB rates were much higher in MLB as well. I think with Matsui it was the case not so much that his best seasons were behind him, as much as his numbers suffered from competing against much, much better pitching.

Ichiro is really the "exception that proves the rule" (I hate that phrase)--his game is built so much on contact and speed--two skills that seem to transcend the difference in talent levels. I would argue, in fact, that Ichiro is the ONLY player from the Japanese leagues to play at the same or higher level in the MLB (at least for any extended period of time).

Hey, Team! I *finally* got my cable and can watch along with you fine-feathered folks. I was looking forward to watching Joba, but unfortunately, the installation took forever. Oh well, four full innings left to enjoy.

Didn't see that one coming... damn. Shouldda let him walk you, Tex.

[56] I like Swisher in RF or LF. That leaves only one corner spot to worry about. I'm not too worried, though...corner OF should not be too hard to fill with someone who is at least reasonably productive.

Hey, Dave Winfield, Jr.! (though Dave's bats generally ended up around 2nd base...)

[63] You are correct on both players, however you neglected to consider the wear and tear on Matsui's knees of playing for years on fake grass in the outfields of the Japanese League... and much shorter fences there, too.

He's like Big Papi, only an infinitely more fundamentally sound athlete from his background in his homeland.

Wow, look at that. Joba's pitch count is crazy low. He must be cruising.

[56] I doubt things have changed much at all. There's always been a very different attitude in Japanese baseball towards throwing programs, injuries and especially workouts.

Japanese teams work out for HOURS before EVERY game and that's nothing new.

I recommend reading "You Gotta Have Wa" which is really good look at the history of the NLB and especially the experiences of American players adapting (or failing to) to the Japanese version of the game.

[68] Shorter, are you serious? How short can they be?

[63] Yes about the shorter fences...though wasn't there an article a few years back that showed the distances were not so different since MLB parks were generally smaller? I'll have to find that. But besides that, the biggest difference is that Matsui hit into so many more ground outs. I the primary difference was the distance to the fences, he would have hit a lot of warning track outs, rather than turning into Groundzilla.

Grow an inch, Robbie!!

[66] Yeah, but the same argument was made for 1st base and you can see what a difference that a 1st baseman with good defense and "reasonable" production has made overall. Is it not reasonable to seek the same for the corner?

[67] Speaking of Dave Winfield, they showed Austin Jackson for Trenton pre-game. He was sporting #31. Hmm....

Ooooh, look at Melky!

phew, that had double written all over it

Fabulous! The kid's got his game back on this year...

[75] I wouldn't mind that; at least they'd reclaim it from the relievers...

Joba's not doing so good now. I hope he doesn't come out of this meeting throwing a change-up...

Tiring? He's losing the fastball...

cripes

buggerfuck.

Effin' Gross. C'mon!!!

[68][63] Japanese parks are a bit smaller, especially the older ones that tend to be c. 300 down the line and <400 in CF. However, most of teh newer parks are basically comparable to MLB dimensions--

http://baseballguru.com/jalbright/stadiums.htm

Stadium LF_Line LF LF_Gap CF RF_Gap RF RF_Line Wall_Ht FYear
Hanshin Koshien Kyujo 315 370 390 394 394 370 315 7 1921
Hiroshima Shimin Kyujo 300 330 360 380 360 330 300 8 1957
Meiji Jingu Kyujo 297 335 368 393 368 335 297 6 1926
Tokyo Dome 318 338 360 400 360 338 318 13 1988
Nagoya Dome 318 344 360 400 360 344 318 13 1997
Yokohoma Stadium 309 340 365 386 365 340 309 10 1978
Osaka Dome 330 350 375 400 375 350 330 12 1997
Chiba Marine Stadium 328 350 381 400 381 350 328 13 1991
Fukuoka Dome 328 355 387 400 387 355 328 19 1993
Green Kobe Stadium 311 350 383 400 383 350 311 13 1988
Seibu Lions Kyujo 311 350 373 394 373 350 313 10 1999

Bleh. Why all the fastballs?

fuck. and, at the same time, boston gets a hometown call and it cost Texas a run. total bollocks.

Fine. Now let's get those runs back.

Well so much for economical. Any time the Yankees would like to score some runs, it would be fine by me...

[74] Huh? Teix is is slugging over .600 and has a 1.000+ OPS. That is far more than "reasonable" production and, frankly, is far more important than his slick glove. I mean, if you're saying that the Yankees should have a 1.000+ OPS player and slick fielder at every corner position, yeah that would be great.

I was thinking a little more realistically, that getting a player who can OPS .800+ and play competent defense in the corner is not that difficult to find. And yes, I am willing to trade defense for offense in the corner.

nice k pitch - but ugh

"quality start". 6 innings, 3 runs. 4:1 K/BB ratio. 100 pitches.

Why pull Garza?

It wasn't great, but hey it was a "quality start" from Chamberlain. He still tends to get bogged down like he did in the sixth, but at least it wasn't in the fourth. It's frustrating cause it looked like he might cruise through seven, maybe even eight.

[71] Back in Sadaharu Oh's days, they were short enough for American baseball not to give much credence to his World HR Record.

[84] Couple those distances with inferior pitching and you get Godzilla...

They should have taken Joba out when he loaded the bases, in my opinion...

How did Robbie miss that 1-1?

89, right over the dish.

Oh and the Yankees need to win this G-D mother****ing game.

what a feeble inning that was. : /

[93] I'll take a QS from Joba every time out and "be laughin' mate!"

: )

Soooo...I guess Hughes is really buried in the pen. Unless he is being "saved" to shadow Pettitte or Wang.

[89] Easy now, killer. I put "reasonable" in quotations, hoping you'd recognize the facetiousness, but never mind. Tex is an outlier this year, and a premier 1st baseman in any year. I agree with you on the target offensive marks for the corner, but let's agree to disagree on the importance of defense. Finding a Johnny Damon and Nick Swisher for the corner is much easier than finding a Dave Winfield or Paul O'Neil.l

hopefully Ace can "vulture" another win...

So.... why is Phil Hughes in the bullpen, if he's not going to pitch in scenarios like this? This is the second time in four games that the starter's been pulled relatively early and they went to Aceves. He hasn't pitched in a week. What's the point of keeping him in the majors?

not a very good start...

[99] That's what I was thinking. Probably the smart thing to do, under the circumstances.

yes, they could have a dp if swisher could throw

[99] Clearly not, since Aceves relieved Wang on Wednesday, despite it being Hughes' normal days of rest.

Good lord Swisher's arm is sooooo bad.

Flip it to the Melk, Swish. Your rainbow arm ain't making that play.

That could've been an easy double play.

[100] Damon in the corner is not bad (range wise)...arm, not so good. Yes, we'll have to agree to disagree on corner defense. It has been fun seeing/hearing Teix play defense, but it his .600 slg that really counts. If Giambi batted 1.000+ OPS every year f his contract, no one would have cared much about his poor defense.

As for the corner OF, defense again is nice, but you can't sacrifice too much offense there.

My main point is that overall (defense + offense) corner OFs are not as hard to find than other positions. I would be comfortable going into next season with Swisher in one of the corners, leaving only one corner OF position to fill.

I guess he didn't "Reid" Aceves too well there.

Wowzers, you need to get your uniform dirty, kid. How do you go back to your bench after that?

well, sorta like a double play! ; )

hugues wasn't available until friday

so he wasn't getting in yesterday with cc - but today could have beeen a good time to let him get in

another terrible call by blue - this time a triple for the brew crew vs. the braves. pretty egregious error. it was an obvious out. amazingly, Cox did NOT get tossed...

[104] I sure hope that is the thinking. Otherwise, I'm getting that feeling that Hughes is the odd man out, basically lost in the BP because he doesn't have a "role" or is not "trusted."

{mute}

[109] I would have cared, just ftr.

[113] Why was he not available, given that he missed his regular start? I'm not disagreeing with you...I'm just curious the logic.

{/mute}

[117] Yes, yes, you would have. And you would have booed every HR because his approach was wrong (swinging for the fences rather than just trying to place the ball for a single, striking out instead of batting near to 1.000 by making contact).

; )

wow. Doc Halladay with another "complete-game shutout". he's 10-1 w/ a 2.52 ERA. threw 97 pitches, struck out 6, walked none. he gave up 7 singles...thazzit.

now, Sweet Lou is arguing a call at 3rd. he's pretty calm, actually...

If the boys don't pull this out, they'll be 2-10 vs Tampa and Boston. That's ugly.

[118] [113] No, she's right, Hughes pitched five innings a week ago, so he would not be available out of the pen until he had his four days' rest, so on Friday. I messed up and thought that Wang replaced Hughes' regular turn, but that was not the case-- CC was pushed back to take what would have been Hughes' start.

[120] I'm glad we understand each other. :)

[123] Ah, yes. I made the same mistake.

Can the Yanks score some frigging runs already? For ****'s sake.

[123] [125] okay - you got it - was looking up his last start to be sure

Le sigh.

Did the Yankees even come to bat the last two innings? That was sure fast.

wow. Fat Papi just tried to steal a base. pitcher spun and threw him out easily!

[126] Guess not >:'

[122] It's driving me nuts just thinking about it. I am growing concerned about the Yanks being a paper tiger. Need to win this game, and tomorrow.

I mean, these at bats have been terrible the last two innings. So detached-looking.

this is sucking, big time.

[121] Thank you for putting that in quotes.

It irritates me to no end and speaks to something like grade inflation in baseball, as if anything less than a complete game shut-out is any kind of a shutout.

One day we'll be talking about complete perfect games.

[121] yeah, halladay is having a tremendous first half.

[129] just some puppets carrying bats

Hey, that used to be my Allstate location (the agent's new, tho...)

"Aceves has got some pitches." - David Cone.

Coney just referred to that changeup down and away as "walk the dog."

That's a new one on me.

Anyone?

[137] Coney has got some style.

[134] yer welcome! but i put the period outside the quotes, like the British do! : )

[138] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6AZNywvF-s

[141] Much respect; beat me to it >;)

[140-142] Heh heh heh. Nice.

I liked Cone's reaction to Kay's gross propaganda re: Joba's performance.

[144] Yes, "nowadays."

nice work aceves

This guy really is a good pitcher. First I'm seeing of him.

Great change.

Nicely done.

[142] I almost posted the Aerosmith version; that would have gotten me less respect, I bet :-)

Al Aceves, meanwhile, get some respect from me. Strikes out the side!

Aceves high!

Ace "literally" striking out the side - in order! he has as many K's in 2 innings as Joba had in 6.

whoa! Nelson Cruz just hit one onto Landsdowne Street...

Aceves is like the pitcher Edwar Ramirez could have been, had his fastball had any movement on it.

Score. Some. Runs.

Win. The. *******. Game.

[132] I just don't worry about it on a game-to-game basis. Right now the Yankees are basically tied for first--it doesn't mater to me whom they beat to get there. It's a 162 game schedule--if they are smoke and mirrors they be revealed by the end of the year. If, on the other hand, they have been "unlucky" or had "bad match ups" early in the season, things will level out by the end of the season. But I don't get caught up in the "need to win this game today" perspective, at least not at this point in the season.

[148] I do respect Aerosmith, but yes. Good job >;)

The Pepsi Throwback commercial only makes me miss Barry White all the more :(

All right, boys, let's get it on.

[148] you would not have gotten less respect from me! Aerosmith are cool.

[149] you may not have intended it, but...Iron Maiden are MUCH cooler!!! : )

Runs, please.

Damn. I'm surprised Jeter was swinging 2-0.

[153] That must make for a very pleasant existence.

[158] I'm not liking the look of the at bats through the last few innings.

Damon's so good. I knew he'd get a hit, watching him foul those 1-2 pitches off.

Nice fucking hitting, Johnny.

!

It's almost surreal. A palpable hit.

Yay, a hit! Now would be a good time to take the lead in the home run race, Tex.

[159] It helps. Really, though, baseball is a marathon rather than a sprint. You have to pace your frustration. I try to save the "we need to win today" angst for football.

hey, whaddya know - a hit!!!!

now, steal and score!!!

[153] I hear ya'. I'd simply prefer that the Yanks top 2 rivals in the divsion did not have their # thus far. : /

David Cone doesn't have a good voice, but everything else about him is great to listen to. He's a character.

I'm almost expecting a "jerk beef" comment from Cone at any moment...

I just think it's such a beautiful thing to watch a guy down 1-2 and yet be in complete control of the ab.

Everyone should hone that skill.

Right the fuck on!!!

Come on, Alex, do it, man, do it!!

[163] Eh, close enough. Now A-Rod needs to hit the ball in the air, please.

Tex looks pretty good in pinstripes. : D Your turn, Alex.

Blast. If they don't score with a HR it *seems* like they don't score. Please let A-Rod pick up this run.

[156] (heh-heh, that was a secondary thought...)

Okay, time for Alex's obligatory strikeout/dp here and then we get on with winning!

[164] To be fair - to myself - I can take most losses in stride. But after yesterday, against this team, with the record thus far, in Yankee Stadium - I feel some intensity.

A Rod. Please for the love of god, you don't need to hit a home run. (It's okay if you happen to, though)

[167] Almost as much as Hernandez. Almost. Hernandez is the king on that count.

it always comes down to Alex.

PLEASE come through!!!

Holy smokes, Kay's little speech almost made me throw up.

He's jumpy.

He almost fished after that slider in the dirt.

Come on, Alex, calm down.

[176] Absolutely, it's not even close.

nice patience alex

He's always jumpy lately. I really think he benefitted from being away from the game. It was almost like he couldn't get too wrapped up in his own head.

We just need a base hit. Or a walk. It doesn't have to be heroics, A Rod, just keep things moving.

CRIKEY! Let's go, Cano.

Well done, Alex. Well done.

Next head case!

that he didn't swing at those breaking balls away is big

Awesome job by A Rod. Very encouraging.

Is this the loudest you've heard it on TV this year?

I think Cano takes Howell this time...

That was a good at bat for A-Rod. Didn't chase the breaking balls. Should have crushed the 2-0 belt high fastball, but didn't lose focus. I'm okay with the walk.

[186] It's true though I don't think any of them were very close.

Alex really has been getting on base at a great clip. we MUST tie this game, at the very least...

I'm not feeling confident based on Robbie's last ab, but here's hoping.

Breathe, breathe (to all of us)...

Now Cano needs to exercise some patience. Isn't he the guy who's no good with bases loaded? Come on, Robbie, let it come to you.

[186] INdeed. After the first pitch I was nervous. He rallied, though. NIce job, Alex.

[192] Agh, you're right about hat last AB. I wish you hadn't reminded me.

That first pitch looked good to me.

Good break!

That looked like a strike to me.

[186] lol for some strange reason >;)

I would really like to see them patient enough to get some runs walked in...

I wager they would do it if the Yankees let them!

: )

I actually would have more faith in Melky getting a walk here than Cano.

Yes. 2-1...

Yeah Gameday said that the first and second pitches were in basically the same spot....

Good, Robbie, good!!!!

Come on Robbie! No DP at least!

I'll find a hat to eat if Cano walks.

Let him walk you, Robbie!

There is a god.

Yummy. : )

Yay!

Hot damn!!!!

Beautiful, Robinson.

Hats off.

Oh. My. God.

A walk is as good as a hit! Somewhere Weeping has a warm afterglow...

cano walked - how is this possible!?!

yeah though!

c'mon Cletus!

OK.... time to take a break from work.....

yeah, Robbie!!!

keep it up, fellas!!!

[205] I hear they're rather nice sauteed.

Hip Hip?

Woohoo!

It seems like the trend, especially late, in situations like this, is for pitchers to miss low. Everyone's afraid of the bandbox factor and trying to keep the ball on the ground. It happened with Jorge yesterday, though cause of the ump he didn't benefit from it.

yes!! that's some revenge on aybar!

[218] Jorge?

OhHHHHHHHHHH!!!

HE DROPPED THE FUCKING BASEBALL!!!

HA!!~!!!

Das Boot!

OK, the Rays are throwing this game away now. It would be nice if the boys can really capitalize.

that about gave me a heart attack ... thanks big willie!

Sometimes it is better to be lucky.....
(I feel a little guilty).

That's what you get for hitting bullshit 3 run homers. Ha.

Can't throw what you haven't caught...

: )

Park it, Hideki.

Aybar saved Jorge from the goat horns.

Do the hustle!

wow - matsui beat a ball out - coupled with robbie taking a walk - the yanks must win!

Wow!!!

Hideki beat it out!

Robby walks and Hideki beats it out!

Look for locusts!

Sterling: "...and Matsui beat the throw."

Huh?

Wha?

Yeah, this is the least exciting 3 run inning ever.

Ugh, the Yanks are doing everything they can not to score, but they still score. Geez Louise.

wahoo!!!

even lines = 3-6-1

let's take the lead, then...WIN!!!

How about a bit more patience please to increase the lead...

Was that Jorge with that TERRIBLE BASERUNNING!!!!! God! How DUMB!!!!

Thanks for listening to [157]

Man, Matsui beat out the DP?

Posada always willing to show how terrible he is on the basepaths. Yikes.

I think someone's due to score on a wild pitch. Or a balk. That would be fitting.

YEAH!!!

we're winning!!! : )

well, we gave the rays two consecutive double play balls with our two slowest runners at the plate ... and they gave them right back.

big exhale.

c'mon nick, a cushion would feel good.

[236] I'm listening on the radio, but it sounds as though the Yankees' strategy has been to kill the Rays by hitting as many DP balls as possible. Quite canny, really.

It would be cool if someone actually came through here, instead of leaving it to fate. I think they need more runs.

C'mon Swish, nuthin' but net!

Keep the bat on your shoulders Melky!

Meltdown in progress!

I mean, the Yankees got lucky there, but at the same time, they did draw two huge walks to load the bases/walk in a run.

Wowzers...

[246] That is exactly what has happened. It's sort of embarrassing but I'll take it.

[236] No, it's great! It shows how fundamental baseball can yield results.

Nothing flashy, just tight baseball.

LEGS Berroa!

That was such a HORRIBLE play by Jorge, I'm having trouble enjoying this lead. How can a veteran make such a BAD TERRIBLE SHITTY job running to 2nd?

Break it open!!!

An Angel Berroa sighting...

Haven't we established that Berroa isn't really much faster than Matsui?

Melkdud NEEDS to work a walk here.....

jorge has always been a reckless baserunner

[258] where's pena?

Wait for it, Melk... wait for it...

I'd like some more runs, please...

[253] Ha, it actually shows how non-fundamental baseball from the other team yields results!

[253] I'm not sure that poor baserunning, DP balls, and relying on opposing errors is what I would precisely call "tight baseball"...

ah, that's why berroa's on the team. i was wondering. thanks, joe.

Feh...

How the hell was that a swing?

Bullshit, he didn't go.

THIS IS WHY YOU LOOK FOR THE BB!!!!!!!!! ARG!

Bullshit call (same ump?)

who's warming in our pen?

nick really knows how to get on base!

c'mon Melk!!!

[255] He's a total blockhead out there.

[260] I assume that the PR move is irrelevant, and that's why Girardi went with the otherwise useless Berroa. He's probably saving Pena for something, anything.

BS call, blue.

[270] prolly not. don't they usually switch around the field during series?

[263] Right, exactly. Look to your own game, play tight baseball and wait for the other team to crack.

It's a good baseline to have for those days when you don't have an honest rally in you.

[264] You're missing what our team did to set all that slop up, starting with Damon's great ab.

Player of the game should be Wilie Aybar

[260] he's more feckless than reckless

Come on Mo, prove the yearly "What's Wrong With Mo?" columns wrong.

let's go Mo!!!

3 outs, NO runs!!!

make it quick 'n easy.

i'm guessing he pitches to Longoria, at some point...

[276] I know we are all having good fun, but how is hitting consecutive double play balls and making horrid baserunning errors (I'm looking at you Po) "looking at your own game" and "playing tight baseball"?

[281] I hated that they had him put Longoria on base yesterday. Let Rivera go after him, it's not like he's David Ortiz or something. ; )

Hmm, maybe Longoria is a no-go, since there's nothing that makes more sense than pinch hitting for Gross. I guess Navarro too, but most managers hate pinch hitting for the catcher.

1 down...

Right on, Mo!

moliness

[277] No, I'm not missing anything. There were a lot of positive things in that inning. But overall the Yankees did not, in my opinion, play particularly "tight" baseball. But they got a bit of luck, and that's ok.

1 more...

[281] here we go

K, never mind I was wrong about Longoria.

here's the matchup. evan hasn't swung in awhile and can't really run. go after him Mo!!!

It *does* appear uncanny how Mo *seems* to pitch so much better in a save situation.

[282] The abs (Damon, Tex, Alex, Cano) were high quality.

The team seemed extremely focussed to me.

A Gift-Wrapped W. We'll take it.

"Won't you help me sing...
This song of freedom
Is all ever had...
Redemption Song!"

Thanks, Mo >;)

Ahhh...that was better...

all praise to mo - all is right with the world again!

Now that's my Mo!

Excellent, excellent win, Team!

Well done, Mo.

Johhny Damon, player of the game.

Down 1-2, fought his way on.

That was the ballgame.