"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals

2009 Record: 16-45 (.262)
2009 Pythagorean Record: 23-38 (.377)

2008 Record: 59-102 (.366)
2008 Pythagorean Record: 62-99 (.385)

Manager: Manny Acta (for now)
General Manager: Mike Rizzo (acting GM)

Home Ballpark (Park Factors): Nationals Park (101/102)

Who’s Replacing Whom:

  • Adam Dunn replaces Lastings Milledge (minors)
  • Corey Patterson is filling in for Josh Willingham (bereavement list), who replaces Wily Mo Peña
  • Nick Johnson reclaims his playing time from Aaron Boone
  • Josh Bard is filling in for Jesus Flores (DL)
  • Anderson Hernandez replaces Felipe Lopez
  • Alberto Gonzalez replaces Emilio Bonifacio
  • Jordan Zimmermann replcaes Tim Redding
  • Shairon Martis replaces Odalis Perez
  • Ross Detwiler replaces Shawn Hill and Collin Balester (minors)
  • Craig Stammen is filling in for Scott Olsen (DL), who replaces Jason Bergmann (minors) and Matt Chico (DL)
  • Joe Beimel, Ron Villone, Kip Wells, Julian Tavarez, and Mike MacDougal replace Jon Rauch, Luis Ayala, Saul Rivera (minors), Garrett Mock (minors), Steven Shell, and Charlie Manning

25-man Roster:

1B – Nick Johnson (L)
2B – Anderson Hernandez (S)
SS – Cristian Guzman (S)
3B – Ryan Zimmerman (R)
C – Josh Bard (S)
RF – Austin Kearns (R)
CF – Elijah Dukes (R)
LF – Adam Dunn (L)

Bench:

L – Willie Harris (UT)
R – Ron Belliard (IF)
R – Alberto Gonzalez (IF)
R – Wil Nieves (C)
L – Corey Patterson (OF)

Rotation:

L – John Lannan
R – Craig Stammen
R – Jordan Zimmermann
L – Ross Detwiler
R – Shairon Martis

Bullpen:

R – Joel Hanrahan
L – Joe Beimel
R – Julian Tavarez
L – Ron Villone
R – Jesus Colome
R – Kip Wells
R – Mike MacDougal

Bereavement List: OF – Josh Willingham (R)

15-day DL:

LHP – Scott Olsen (shoulder tendonitis)
RHP – Kip Wells (strained adductor)
C – Jesus Flores (fractured shoulder)
1B – Dmitri Young (back)
OF – Rogearvin Bernadina (broken ankle)

60-day DL:

LHP – Matt Chico (elbow soreness)
RHP – Terrell Young (shoulder inflammation)

Typical Lineup:

S – Cristian Guzman (SS)
L – Nick Johnson (1B)
R – Ryan Zimmerman (3B)
L – Adam Dunn (LF)
R – Elijah Dukes (CF)
R – Austin Kearns (RF)
S – Josh Bard (C)
S – Anderson Hernandez (2B)

Let’s make this quick. The Nationals are the worst team in baseball. They had the worst record in baseball last year, and this year they’re 8.5 games behind the second-worst team in the majors. Their current .262 winning percentage is worse than that of the 119-loss 2003 Tigers and would be the sixth worst since 1901 if they were to maintain it throughout the season.

What makes the Nationals so bad is their inability to prevent their opponents from scoring. They have the worst defense in baseball (by defensive efficiency) backing up the worst pitching staff in baseball (by ERA). They’re allowing a whopping 5.81 runs per game. Their starting rotation consists of four rookies and 24-year-old sophomore John Lannan, who faces Chien-Ming Wang tomorrow night. The rookies are not untalented, 22-year-old WBC no-hit artist Shairon Martis of Curaçao (who starts tonight) and 23-year-old Jordan Zimmermann appear to have bright futures, but only Lannan currently sports an ERA below 5.00, and Lannan backs up his 3.51 mark with a dismal 1.23 K/BB.

The bullpen has been worse. Largely stocked with veteran retreads such as Julian Tavarez and Kip Wells, both of whom have had their chance to close games, the Nat’s pen has posted a collective 5.59 ERA. The only bullpen in baseball with a worse mark is that of the Angels. The Rockies relievers, who are third worst, have an ERA a full 0.7 runs better than that of the Nats corps. The Nats’ pen leads the majors in blown saves with 15 in a mere 24 chances for a devastating 38 percent conversion rate, and has a collective WXRL of -3.36, which is 2.5 wins worse than second-worst Cleveland.

It’s a good thing the Nats can hit. Their 4.47 runs scored per game is right around the NL average thanks to strong seasons from franchise player Ryan Zimmerman and late-winter free agent signing Adam Dunn, and the surprising health of OBP Jesus Nick Johnson. Those three bat in the two-through-four spots in the lineup. Cristian Guzman has hit .319/.351/.447 since missing all of the 2006 season and is maintaining that level of performance out of the leadoff spot despite drawing just six walks. A league average performance from oft-injured center fielder Elijah Dukes (a.k.a. Milton Bradley 2.0) give the Nats a solid top half of the order, which helps explain that league-average performance overall.

As for the Yankees, Brian Bruney is back from the DL and Jose Veras has been finally, mercifully designated for assignment. Standard lineup tonight to face Martis, whose strikeouts have gone missing this season. CC Sabathia takes the mound for the Yankees, but doesn’t promt any significant lineup shifts for the Nats. Guzman will DH while Alberto Gonzalez plays shortstop.

Trivia: the Nats have six former Yankee minor leaguers on their 25-man roster: Nick Johnson, Cristian Guzman, Alberto Gonzalez, Wil Nieves, and Ron Villone are five of them. Who is the sixth?

Categories:  Cliff Corcoran  Game Thread  Series Preview

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245 comments

Show/Hide Comments 1-100
1 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 5:57 pm

I want seven runs per game coupled with quality starts during this series, please.

: )

2 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 5:59 pm

[1] By the Yankees*

3 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 6:05 pm

"Trivia: the Nats have six former Yankee minor leaguers on their 25-man roster: Nick Johnson, Cristian Guzman, Alberto Gonzalez, Wil Nieves, and Ron Villone are five of them. Who is the sixth?"

Jesus Colome

*bow*

4 The Hawk   ~  Jun 16, 2009 6:08 pm

Aside from his injury, I wish the Yanks had just gone from Tino to Nick Johnson and left it at that. (I mean vis a vis Giambi, not Teixeira of course.) And kept Soriano too ... The Yanks could have had a good homegrown team.

5 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 6:14 pm

Everyone once in a while, i'll mention that i blame everything that went wrong after 2000 on Nick Johnson, International Man of Glass.

I'm only *mostly* kidding ...

6 Mattpat11   ~  Jun 16, 2009 6:15 pm

I did my "Veras is Gone" jig

7 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 6:28 pm

[6] I'm reminded of the "jig" the guy who had his foot nailed to the deck did in Yellowbeard after the mutiny...

: )

8 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 16, 2009 6:36 pm

Sammy Sosa joins A-Rod on the 104 list ...
http://tinyurl.com/m44unn

9 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 6:42 pm

[8] In other "news," fire is hot and Posada couldn't score from 2B on a single to the OF if you set him on it!

: )

10 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:01 pm

The game is on My9 tonight for those of you with MLBEI, 726 on DirecTV...

11 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:13 pm

Wow @ six pitches for CC in the first!

That's got to be a low for starters this year?

12 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:19 pm

[11] Viva Posada!!!
:-)

13 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:20 pm

gah, stop pulling outside pitches, alex!

14 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:21 pm

I can't watch. MLB.COM isn't working at all. (Anybody getting a signal?)

15 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:22 pm

[14] yeah, no problems so far

16 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:23 pm

[15] Dang. I can't get the away or the home broadcast. Maybe I'll try a different browser.

17 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:24 pm

Hey, that worked! Good to know, for future reference.

18 randym77   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:25 pm

The Attorney General has been playing pretty well for the Nats. We could've used him this year.

And speaking of backup infielders...Andy Phillips filed for free agency yesterday. He must have an escape hatch written into his contract. I can't imagine any player would bail out in this economy, unless they had a better offer lined up. Haven't heard where he's heading, though.

19 randym77   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:29 pm

[11] Luke Hochevar took only four pitches to get through the first inning in his last start.

20 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:29 pm

Did you see Adam Dunn's take-out slide? That may be the worst slide I've ever seen.

21 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:33 pm

Pasta Divingalberto!

22 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:36 pm

I want to see 3 blowouts, but that's just me. : D

23 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:43 pm

That first Red Sox run was garbage. cack.

24 Diane Firstman   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:44 pm

Michael Kay just said he doesn't like being touched ...

(insert one-liner here)

25 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:45 pm

did anyone just see the commercial telling people to watch for bicyclists in ny? i wouldn't want to be hit by a car if i were riding a bike, so that's good. but meanwhile as a pedestrian i've been hit by several reckless bicyclists who don't really seem to give a shit about anyone else but them. of course, maybe if drivers wouldn't hit them on the road they'd stay off the sidewalks.

26 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:50 pm

I think warning tracks should be like golf course rough. Just thick, tall grass. It would cut down on automatic doubles bouncing off that rubber track. Or something like that.

27 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:50 pm

[24] I would imagine Kay has nothing to worry about with regards to that, Diane...

: )

28 The Hawk   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:52 pm

[25] It became clear to me when I started biking in the city years ago that being on the bicycle is the least-advantageous in the three way battle between pedestrians, automobiles and bicycles. People get out of the way for cars; not so much for bicycles. Cars seem to take liberties with bicyclists that they don't with pedestrians, or at least the stakes are higher due to higher closing speeds, etc, not to mention the relationship is more contentious cause they don't share the road as they should, and they get annoyed at bicyclists blocking their way, etc.

LOL at you being hit by several bicyclists, no offense - I'm sure it hurt. But I've only ever heard of one pedestrian/bike crash, so it seems funny that you've had more than one.

29 The Hawk   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:53 pm

[25] I should be clear that I strongly disapprove of bikes on sidewalks except provisionally.

30 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:55 pm

Man, Cano ripped that!!

31 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:56 pm

Ow. Dang.
HBP hurts, that must have been considerably harder, huh?

32 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:56 pm

[30] Hey, I've been waiting for ages for you to comment on a ball that's... down the line, shall we say?

33 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 7:59 pm

[28] nothing serious, just little bumps. it only happened to me once on the streets (that was when the cyclist was going the wrong way on a one way street and i was looking the other way), but it happens a lot in the parks when you share a path with bikes. i'm sure it's tough to ride a bike around the city, but i also think that the faster you go the less willing you are to stop or get out of someone's way, so runners don't like to move for walkers, bicyclists don't like to stop for anyone. which makes some sense, but can also be extremely annoying when you have to jump out of the way of a bike.

34 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:03 pm

Matsui didn't look so well in that AB...

35 randym77   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:03 pm

[28] My roommate got run over by a bicyclist. He didn't even stop to see how she was. She ended up in the hospital with with a concussion and 15 stitches in her face.

36 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:05 pm

Poor broken-hipped Alex can't really field balls as much as fall on them.

37 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:05 pm

Nick Johnson. Shoulda...woulda...coulda.... It sucks when players with talent simply can't stay unhurt.

38 randym77   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:08 pm

[36] I've noticed that, too. I wonder if the second surgery will fix that, or if he'll never be the player he used to be.

39 The Hawk   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:09 pm

[33] Yeah I don't have much experience as a bicyclist nor pedestrian on mixed park paths, but I will say that on the streets, if a bicycle is coming at you, it's generally best to maintain your pace and direction; the riders don't want to hit you usually, and moving out of their way sometimes has the opposite effect.

40 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:18 pm

Gets two outs, throws six straight balls.
Manny Acta sucks, huh?

41 The Hawk   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:18 pm

Is anyone else watching this game on channel 9 on TWC? Because I am and it is all ****ed up.

42 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:18 pm

i hear just kay and flash tonight - blah

i just got home from riverside park where the bicyclists are rampant and pretty dangerous for pedestrians

43 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:18 pm

[41] i am hawk - no problems for me

44 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:22 pm

[42] yes riverside is particularly treacherous since it's so narrow and there are few places to walk on the lower level other than the shared path.
i thought you were an out of towner though.

45 The Hawk   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:24 pm

[43] I should say TWC in HD. Every other goddamn channel is fine except the one I want to watch.

46 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:25 pm

Arsenio Hall is back? Did he bring the dog pound?

47 The Hawk   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:25 pm

[44] No I live in Windsor Terrace.

48 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:26 pm

[44] not anymore - moved back to the city in april, but am not a native nyer

49 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:27 pm

[43] i am watching my9 in hd - no problems though - maybe it is specific to bk

50 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:32 pm

That's about right.

51 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:32 pm

ugh - that was not in the script cc

52 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:33 pm

Hmmmmmmmmm.

53 The Hawk   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:35 pm

Man I went through over 30 channels, they are all fine except "my" 9. And when I flip back to 9, the ****ing Nationals are up 3-2. Christ on a crutch, Sabathia, pull yourself together.

54 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:35 pm

wow

55 randym77   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:36 pm

Ye gods. His first home run in three years?

He just doubled his career home run total.

56 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:36 pm

sooooo, should the yanks start hitting or should the yanks start hitting?

57 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:36 pm

The guy's way ahead on a change-up and the big man can throw 95+. Why the slider? Ugh.

58 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:38 pm

Holy shit! How many more times are they going to get beat down by the bottom of the opposing lineup?

That schlub hasn't hit a HR since '06 for Christ's sakes!

I hate that "horseshit!"

I still say it's Flash!

59 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:39 pm

Hernandez now has a story to tell his grandchildren. I just hope it ends with "we ended up losing that game by 5 runs, but it was a nice moment for me"

60 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:39 pm

if this game were one on one martis v. teixeira i think a full 9 innings would take about 1.5 hours. except that teixeira would start to hit everything at some point.

61 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:40 pm

This is exactly the kind of game that makes me very suspect of this Yankee team. They are facing a pitcher in Martis who wants to walk the ballpark, but like Nieve on Saturday, the lineup goes hacking away and lets him off the hook several times. Then, you have C.C. allow Alberto Gonzalez to completely take him out of the Nieves AB before throwing a bonehead slider to Hernandez.

It doesn't matter if they come back to win this game 20-3. The way they have played to this point is an absolute disgrace. The idea they could be experiencing a lull after playing so poorly last week would be laughable if there wasn't a good chance that it's true.

62 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:40 pm

umm..who is Sairon Martis and more importantly..WHY are we losing to him????

63 seamus   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:40 pm

hey folks. so 3-2 eh? hmmm

64 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:41 pm

bright spot - robbie hitting

65 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:41 pm

At least Cano's stars are back in order.

66 seamus   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:41 pm

[62] should it be Sauron?

67 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:41 pm

[57] So much for all the problems being Posada's fault. C.C. shook off Jorge nefore throwing that slider.

68 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:41 pm

I also hate how CC "gets bored" in the middle of games.

I fine him for that crap!

Six figures if they lose this game!

69 seamus   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:43 pm

I'm disappointed that Veras didn't work out but glad to see him go at this point. We need to emphasize control.

70 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:44 pm

Matsui doesn't look good.

71 seamus   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:45 pm

uh oh, offense playing down to the competition?

72 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:47 pm

[71] Well, sort of. Plenty of base runners, but (a) some smallball technique and (b) Matsui stranding guys....

73 seamus   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:48 pm

[72] thanks. hopefully they wake up.

74 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:48 pm

[71] I think it's more a case of the most of the lineup abadoning a patient approach, which is becoming so common against lesser pitchers.

75 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:49 pm

One of their runs is unearned!

76 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:49 pm

[71] Actually, [74] pretty much agrees with your assessment.

77 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:50 pm

this is not funny anymore. meanwhile the blowsox taking care of their business...

this reminds me of that stupid 3-run HR CC gave up to Aybar (!). I agree, he gets out of focus or something

78 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:51 pm

[75] Not only did Damon reach on an error, but the Cano RBI single bounced off the chest of Nick Johnson. Right now, the Yankee offense consists of a sac fly by Melky.

79 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:51 pm

wow nice play melky - if you did in fact catch it

80 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:52 pm

Bounce?

81 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:52 pm

Good on ya', Melk! : D

82 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:54 pm

[80] You and Dukes!

83 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:54 pm

[77] It's not panicking to say the BoSox are clearly the better team right now..but lots of time left..

84 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:54 pm

I'm kind of glad we don't have Adam Dunn, actually.

85 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:55 pm

[82] His reaction was classic wtf? ha.

86 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:56 pm

i haven't gone through the pfx - but it seems in the middle of the game cc backs off throwing the fastball some - not sure if this is even the case, but if it is, not sure if it is a focus or strategic , or endurance issue

87 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:57 pm

[83] I think the last week has made that clear. As a result, the jury is still out on this team. If it was an isolated game, you'd have to take a step back, but these kinds of efforts are not that uncommon. Afterall, the last two losses were to Fernando Nieve and Brad Penny.

88 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:57 pm

[83] They are better right now. Hopefully their bullpen comes crashing down the second half. Still not bought on the Okajima, Ramirez, Saito, Delcarmen.

OTOH, the yanks have to start hitting with RISP, just don't get it..., 4 hits, 5 walks and only 2 runs

89 seamus   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:57 pm

c'mon swish. let's start a rally!

90 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:57 pm

2-0 count...Swisher swings and pops up...is anyone watching Mitre completely struggle with his control? This is a replay of Saturday.

91 seamus   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:58 pm

geez i'm slow

92 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:58 pm

[87] something tells me you wouldn't be taking a step back in an "isolated game"

93 knuckles   ~  Jun 16, 2009 8:59 pm

If we get URP'd by the Nats...

94 The Hawk   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:00 pm

[67] If Sabathia throws the slider the way he should, that guy is not hitting it out of the park, even this park.

Yeah, it is laughable but the Yanks are taking a day off. They certainly don't deserve to.

95 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:00 pm

[92] Well, when the Yankees start playing well enough, we can test the theory.

96 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:01 pm

nice quick inning. I'm elated

97 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:02 pm

[95] fair enough. after accounting for the hyperbole, i usually agree with your assessments anyway.

98 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:04 pm

I am sorry Michael Kay, but Martis has thrown 56 strikes and 53 balls...you can't convince me he is shutting down the Yankees. This game is squarely on a lineup that has swung at bad pitch after bad pitch. When the Yankees were legit championship contenders, they rarely played games like this one. This is the third one they've had this week.

99 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:05 pm

I don't miss abreu

100 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:06 pm

can we petition michael kay to stop saying "he ties a record held by many" if some dope makes all 3 outs in the inning?
christ enough already.

Show/Hide Comments 101-200
101 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:08 pm

If the Yankees lose this game, I think it could rank among the most embarrassing losses in the past 10 years.

102 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:08 pm

[100] the one that bothers me most is "___ tries to pull an outside pitch" on every single ground ball, even when it's clearly not the case.

103 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:08 pm

[94] If my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle. : D C.C's doing that guy a favor, I don't care how good his sinker is. Bad sliders are 3 run run homers.

104 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:09 pm

christ on a a cracker, i fall asleep listening to a 2-0 game and wake up to this???

guess i wasn't the only one napping in the middle innings ...

105 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:09 pm

Can you guys remember that that HR was hit 320'? ARod will hit 100 balls over 360', and more then half will be outs. But sometimes (especially with Jeter) some cheap fly balls end up in the seats. Such is the RCNB.

I don't really think it's disgraceful to give up a short fly ball.

106 seamus   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:09 pm

wow it is ex-Yankee night at the Stadium.

107 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:09 pm

Hey, Ron VIllone!

108 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:10 pm

ah i think i have seen this villone fellow before :}

109 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:10 pm

[100] he thinks he's so smart by saying those things. just ignore him, must be pretty boring sometimes to call a game like this one and saying those things are kind of his hobby.

110 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:10 pm

that was the 2nd clear strike called a ball on teixeira today

111 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:10 pm

tex!!!

112 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:10 pm

That was exciting.

113 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:11 pm

[103] I agree and C.C. knew it. Posada wanted a fastball outside, but he shook to the slider. He knows he made a mistake. What bthers me more is he allowed Alberto Gonzalez to completely take him out of the Nieves AB. At some point, Posada or Eiland should have gone to the mound with Nieves stat line and told CC to let the AG steal second.

The ballpark is playing very big tonight.

114 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:11 pm

Yeah, that's Ron VIllone. I remember him well.

115 seamus   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:11 pm

sweet Tex!

116 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:12 pm

[101] i was about to say "maybe hyperbole is the wrong word"

117 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:12 pm

[110] Jeez, I read that exactly backwards and I was about to correct you. Then something clicked in my brain.

118 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:12 pm

Tex, meet the MVP trophy

[100] I want to hear more about why he doesn't like being touched...

119 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:13 pm

[116] A littl hyperbole isn't a bad thing, but can you think of the last time the Yankees lost to a team with a worse record, especially with such a significant pitching matchup. Only the really bad Detroit team of 2002 comes to mind as a contender.

120 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:13 pm

[118] I think that was a joke. It's hard to tell. It was deadpan.

121 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:13 pm

[109] you are right - most nights i am able to tune him out but not as much tonight - probably since there is no cone to distract me

122 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:14 pm

well, evidently, now that *i* have awoken, so have the bats!

well, except for arod, but he's been asleep for June.

123 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:14 pm

Oh come on Alex...

124 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:14 pm

[103] PLEASE... the correct saying is "If the Queen had balls, she would be King".

That shot hit Dukes on his throwing hand. Almost caught it with the wrong hand!

ARod is not right. You can see it.

125 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:16 pm

[118] i don't know anything about that ok jazz - i think diane is who brought that up

[124] yeah - he is off - i'd like to see him with a day off/dh assignment before they get to an nl park

126 randym77   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:16 pm

1.42 ERA?

Who is this guy, and what has he done with Ron Villone?

127 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:16 pm

[119] good question, but first they have to lose this game

128 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:16 pm

RIPPER!!!!

129 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:16 pm

[86] [100] I agree with all those Ms October. In fact I'd add they try to "establish the fastball early," go to the offspeed stuff in the middle innings for a "different look," and "let it out" at the end with CC. But it takes focus to effectively throw junk with a lead. CC lacks that from time to time apparently...

I hate getting beat by schlubs at the bottom of any order!

They had better fix that shit and with tha quickness!

Woohoo Damon and Tex and Cano?

Thank God they have guys who can maintain their focus?

: /

130 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:16 pm

1. Dukes is not a good fielder.
2. The Yankees are not good at base running.

131 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:17 pm

nice hit cano - bad play dukes - bad baserunning robbie

132 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:17 pm

Nationals defense comes to the rescue again....wait...not to be out done, Robbie gets thrown at third.

133 randym77   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:17 pm

[130] Exactly what I was thinking.

134 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:18 pm

talk about a perfect relay throw

135 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:19 pm

Does anyone aquare up the ball as well as Cano? Man... he make solid contact so many times.

Well... another disgraceful inning by our bats.

136 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:21 pm

huh ... pena in at short.

137 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:21 pm

[135] I don't know, OYF, I thought Girardi and Cashman had a pretty good inning.

138 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:21 pm

shit

139 randym77   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:22 pm

Ruh-roh.

140 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:22 pm

Damn...that's not a good sign. Hopefully, Jeter leaving is precautionary.

141 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:22 pm

[135] Cano is the key to this lineup, methinks..you know Damon, Jeter, Tex and A-Rod (when healthy) will bring the noise.

Pena in for Jeter??

142 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:22 pm

christ - hope nothing major

143 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:22 pm

wow ... take a look at that thing living on bruney's upper lip

144 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:23 pm

[135] Cano and Tex hit the ball well, but if most other CF'ers are in the game, there's a very good chance the Yankees don't score in that inning.

145 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:24 pm

Cano had more time on that throw, but man can Teixeira play 1B.

146 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:24 pm

Our infield looks good. It's an unfamiliar feeling -- I mean, compare to past years.

147 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:24 pm

[124] Please. The correct saying is almost caught it with the bare hand. : )

148 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:25 pm

[143] nick johnson says hello

149 randym77   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:26 pm

Is Dukes really the best they can do? It's not like his hitting is any better than his fielding.

150 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:26 pm

You can not, I repeat can not go to Bruney in this inning,

151 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:26 pm

c'mon carsten or never mind bruney time

152 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:27 pm

[150] May as well jump in head first. : /

153 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:27 pm

interesting to put bruney into this situation

154 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:28 pm

Even if Bruney comes in to K Zimmerman on three pitches, this is an absolutely awful decision. No one knows exactly what Bruney the Yankees have right now and this isn't the time to find out.

155 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:28 pm

Nick Johnson's photo on Gameday..looks like he hit the Big Macs while on the DL..

156 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:28 pm

let the big guy finish his business joe!!

fingers crossed here

157 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:29 pm

Bruney is money.
He's ice.
He's ice money.

158 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:29 pm

[144] But if the Queen had balls, she'ld be King.

159 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:29 pm

[155] supersized!!

160 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:29 pm

[154] well the people who have been watching him rehab may know

161 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:29 pm

First pitch at 90mph...

162 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:29 pm

wow ... where did 1/2 of brian bruney go?

163 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:30 pm

[156] he's probably reacting to cc's last outing

164 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:30 pm

3rd pitch at 96.

165 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:31 pm

Wow did Zimmerman miss one.

166 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:31 pm

[161] That was his cutter.
Pitches look better than his face, that's for sure.

167 randym77   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:31 pm

Holy crap. Now that you mention is, Bruney is looking pretty scrawny. For him, anyway.

168 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:32 pm

Robbie saves the day...nice play.

169 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:32 pm

[165] come on don't be like that

170 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:32 pm

BaBaBruney!

171 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:32 pm

Bruney and A-Rod as a hunting reality show would make for an interesting show. : )

172 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:32 pm

Money.

173 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:32 pm

nice play cano- nice pitching bruney
who the hell would have ever thought brian bruney was the pen savior?

174 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:33 pm

[169] You lost me? Be like what?

175 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:33 pm

Sosa on the 104 list..shocking..
in other surprising news, real estate in Tokyo is expensive, and I listened to some jazz last night!

176 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:33 pm

Well CC gave 'em the quality start, although that wasn't what I had in mind.

I'd like three more runs please...

: )

177 Joel   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:34 pm

This is the formula. But if I'm Sabathia, I'm pissed. You don't yank your ace just because one guy got on base.

Girardi may be remembering Zimmerman's walk-off against CMW.

178 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:35 pm

[163] probably. liked the result much better

179 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:36 pm

[174] well he missed a pitch that was 96 mph, not 90 like the 1st pitch (as you quickly noted). bruney looked pretty good there.

180 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:36 pm

[177] I know that's what was on my mind.

181 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:36 pm

jeter with left ankle stiffness

182 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:37 pm

[177] Jeez, I forgot that -- but I bet you're right!

183 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:37 pm

per Jeter. Left ankle soreness sounds better than hamstring.

184 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:37 pm

[179] It was a fastball down the middle though. I am not saying it was an awful pitch, but guys like Zimmerman can hit fastballs down the middle. When it came out his hand, I flinched. Of course, when it came out, I didn't know it was going 96mph.

185 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:38 pm

don't you think the more recent event of cc's last outing when girardi arguably left cc in a batter too long was more on his mind that zimmerman/cmw?

186 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:38 pm

[183] Yeah, I was thinking "Uh oh, not hamstring please..."

187 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:38 pm

[177] Actually, was that the year Girardi managed Florida?

188 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:38 pm

steal it

189 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:39 pm

jeez ... macdougal just looks too tall for his own good on the mound

190 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:40 pm

[183] yes, i'm sure it will just hamper jeter enough that he'll play like an old man. at least no dl!!

191 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:41 pm

that's a pretty play

192 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:41 pm

Jeter was playing pretty well, so hopefully this doesn't set him back. I'd almost rather have him take a day or two off then play through discomfort.

193 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:41 pm

NICE play by ZIm.

c'mon Melky, get the run in.

194 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:41 pm

This run would me make me feel alot better, esp. with Dunn coming up.

195 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:42 pm

[192] Much rather.

196 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:42 pm

[190] That's worst case scenario. Maybe the big brains may have finally learned something and will sit Jeter for a few days and play Pena. Watch out Wally Pipp! : )

197 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:43 pm

How about a squeeze?

198 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:44 pm

A successful squeeze would make my day.

199 51cq24   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:45 pm

i just looked up melky on wikipedia to see if melky is his real first name (it is). this is the paragraph under "personal life": "His best friend is second baseman Robinson Canó. They both own an apartment complex in New Jersey. Melky also has a son named Melky Jr. Cano drives Melky to the home games in New York. Robinson Cano is considered a big part of Melkys life." made me laugh.

200 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:45 pm

Or, do that.

Show/Hide Comments 201-245
201 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:45 pm

Even better.

202 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:45 pm

Pena's a keeper.

203 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:45 pm

nice hit pena - insurance runs = nice

204 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:46 pm

I was very happy to see that hit by Ramiro!

: )

205 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:49 pm

Ramiro Pipp!

206 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:49 pm

gotta love my countryman peña

207 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:49 pm

I played with Beimel's older brother as a redshirt freshman. Go Duquesne. : )

208 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:49 pm

[204] Especially off of Robert Meiklejohn MacDougal!

: )

209 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:49 pm

The little MY9 corner scoreboard has removed our base runners.

210 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:51 pm

alrighty, Teix, sweep the leg!

211 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:52 pm

is that joaquin phoenix pitching?

212 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:53 pm

crud teix ... shoulda hit strike 1

213 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:54 pm

[211] haha

poor phil - looked so bored in the pen

214 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:54 pm

[211] was thinking the US cousin of Pau Gasol..

215 tocho   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:57 pm

[213] some sudoku should do. you think he's rooting for wang?

216 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 9:57 pm

I'm rooting for Elijah Dukes in the grand scheme of things. He needs to become a monster hitter with a bad ass name like that.

217 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:01 pm

Ca-YES!

218 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:01 pm

That play by Cano is fan-tas-tic.

219 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:01 pm

[215] too bad moose didn't get him into crosswords. yeah awkward situation for him.

[216] yeah that is a great name. i am also hoping that for his sake doing well will in baseball will correlate with doing well in life.

220 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:02 pm

[219] Hey, speaking of Moose, did you see that Pennsylvania Legislature resolution honoring him? Very cool.

221 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:02 pm

The Nats announcers VERY impressed with Cano.
(as the ball is traveling up the middle....)
"Can he do it again?..."
(after the play)
"That kid can play some 2nd base!"

222 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:03 pm

Ah, the backward K and all is well in the universe.

223 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:03 pm

be you ti full

[220] yes saw that. very cool for moose.

224 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:03 pm

Mo and the Super Chief!

225 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:04 pm

I hope Mo gets #500 at Home. Could be a very special... and the first BIG moment at the new YS.

226 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:04 pm

I do believe that Mariano Rivera painting the outside corner for a backwards k is the single most beautiful thing in all of baseball.

227 Just Fair   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:05 pm

Word and pfewww......

228 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:05 pm

Leather!
Ballgame.

229 williamnyy23   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:05 pm

Great range up the middle in that inning!!

230 ms october   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:05 pm

ah that's a wonderful ending

231 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:05 pm

pastadivin .... oh, wait ... pena's out there!

que the music!

232 OldYanksFan   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:05 pm

Could Jeter do that????
Thhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhe Yankees Win!

233 knuckles   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:05 pm

Mo's smiling b/c he remembered Pena came in for Jeter.

234 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:06 pm

[226] Backdoor cutter.
Gives you that Peace on Earth feeling.

235 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:06 pm

[222] It just feels me with such awe and contentment.

It never gets old.

It really never, ever gets old.

How was the game?

Boxscore looks like a crisp game.

236 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:07 pm

[229] No kidding.

Especially Robbie, with that ridiculous arm of his.

237 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:07 pm

Yay!

: )

238 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:08 pm

[232] I know, I was amazed Jeter got to that and then I realized it wasn't Jeter.

239 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:09 pm

[235] There was some upset and panic kinda thing, because CC served a gopher ball the only time the Nats got more than one man on base. And we had some Timely Hitting trouble (but good advancement of base runners on outs).

The defense was superb. Pena and Cano particularly. Pena came on because Jeter had stiffness in his ankle, result of a DP where he had to jump to avoid the slide.

240 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:10 pm

[235] Bats struggled early with their starter, Weeping. CC lost focus again in the middle giving up a go-ahead three-run HR to their nine-hole hitter on a hanging slider. He hadn't hit a HR since September '06!

Other than those "niceties," they finished strongly.

: )

241 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:16 pm

[239][240] Cheers!

Hope Derek's all right.

242 PJ   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:20 pm

[241] Anytime friend!

Have a great evening everyone!

: )

243 RIYank   ~  Jun 16, 2009 10:22 pm

Last year after 63 games, the Yankees were 32-31. In 2007 after 63 games? 32-31.

244 The Hawk   ~  Jun 16, 2009 11:50 pm

[103] You missed the point, which was that the failure was execution, not selection.

245 Just Fair   ~  Jun 17, 2009 12:05 am

[244] Don't waste sliders on the 9 batter when you can throw 95mph. That's all. : )

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