Entering their current two-game series in Toronto, the Yankees had to be anticipating a split due to Roy Halladay starting Game 1. Now that they’ve defeated Halladay, however, the Yanks have to be thinking sweep, which would give them a three-win head of steam heading into this weekend’s four-game showdown with the second-place Red Sox.
That’s easier said than done, however, as they have Sergio Mitre on the hill tonight. The Yanks are actually 2-1 in Mitre’s starts, and Mitre himself is 1-0, but things have been trending in the wrong direction. After a solid 5 2/3 innings his first time out (1 BB, 4 K), Mitre took a small step backwards in his second start (5 IP, 1 K), then crapped out against the White Sox on Friday, allowing five runs on seven hits in three innings. Most alarmingly, Mitre failed to induce more groundballs than flyballs in Chicago after getting 13 grounders to a pinch more than half as many flies in each of his first two starts.
After that disaster, Mitre said that the problem was mechanical and something he was going to address in his bullpen session. I’m curious to find out exactly what the problem was and whether or not he was able to fix it.
Opposing Mitre is 23-year-old rookie left-hander Marc Rzepczynski (pronounced rez-PIN-sky). Rzepczynski is also a sinkerballer, but compliments that pitch with a solid curve and change and is thus more of a strikeout pitcher than a groundballer. After posting a 9.8 K/9 across parts of three minor league seasons, he’s struck out 30 men in his 27 2/3 major league innings, albeit with 17 walks. He’s pitched in some hard luck thus far; the Blue Jays have scored just 3.13 runs per game in his five starts and thus gone 1-4 in those games despite Rzepczynski’s 3.25 ERA. If the Jays can get to Mitre tonight, however, Rzepczynski, who has allowed just one home run since reaching the majors, could deliver the win.
Alex Rodriguez gets a half-day off on the turf and Jorge Posada gets a full rest both in anticipation of starting all four games against Boston. Jerry Hairston Jr. mans third base, his worst defensive position, and bats eighth in front of Jose Molina. Nick Swisher hits fifth.
Cody Ransom has been DFAed to make room for extra bullpenner Anthony Claggett. Claggett, who came over in the Sheffield trade, was lit up by the Indians in the opening series at the new stadium in what remains his only major league appearance. He’s pitched well for Scranton since, but walks too many and strikes out too few, getting by with groundballs and a corresponding lack of homers. Seems Claggett is here to keep the pen rested in advance of the Boston series should Mitre only make it through three more innings. I’d expect Claggett to be farmed out again tomorrow in favor of Ramiro Peña, who no longer has to worry about playing center now that Hairston’s on the team. (For those wondering, barring an injury, Shelley Duncan won’t be eligible to be recalled until after the Boston series.)
Let's go Orgies! Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap.
Yay, Ramiro Pena! It'll be good to see him.
Off topic, look at this Big League Stew entry on Big Papi:
It continues very sensibly. I particularly like this line: "Big Papi made an OJ-like promise to get to the bottom of things..."
[0] 607? I'm almost certain Julia Child said nothing about such an oven temperature, Cliff...
[2] Oh that's just Kevin Kaduk's feeble attempt at name dropping in order to be relevant...
: )
Well, Ransom is finally DFA'a, though one wonders why, if he is expendable now, he was not ditched when they first got Hairston (which would have saved Dunca on the roster, at least temporarily). Does this now mean that Girardi will start Peña at 1B?
Still, I guess one can't complain too much. Let's go, boys!
OK, let's see what Sergio "I'm not the eighth inning guy" Mitre has to offer.
Wow! URParian...
So generally we're hoping for six innings and four runs, right? A nice simple 6 ERA.
Each one of these hits looks like it's on a decent pitch, 92-94 on the corners, I call it bad luck.
[7] i think so.
Bad news... Jays 2 - Yanks 0
More bad news... Red Sox 1 - Rays 0
Just when I reconcile myself to Mitre, I watch him pitch. If this keeps up much longer I may have to go for a walk.
According to Pete Abe:
[11] Don't you mean "resign yourself to Mitre," MP?
[12] Great... the Latin Sir Pizza...
[13]
But "resign" conveys the sense just as well.
Light game thread, but then again, if the Yankees are going to try to win this game, it's probably not worth commenting on.
Maybe I am missing something, but I wonder what about the American League this season makes the Yankees think they can afford to throw away games by having Sergio Mitre pitch. At least Girardi is using the day off as an opportunity to get some guys rest.
[14]
I'm just sitting back, trying desperately to be amused by the Yankees' ongoing "fifth starter" follies. When "So generally we’re hoping for six innings and four runs, right? A nice simple 6 ERA" [7] would be an improvement, it's tough to keep smiling.
So, is Russ Ortiz gonna take over for Mitre?
I have a feeling that if Mitre stinks it up today, we're gonna see Ortiz or Towers. Knowing the Yankees, they would lean toward Ortiz.
I would bunt Molina.
I wonder who in the organization thinks Mitre is a good idea.
Great job Molina.
I like the umps in the stands. But I generally laugh at pretty stupid things anyway. : D Hey, Molina. That was ball four. UGH.
[17] I wouldn't like Ortiz's "production" had it been in any AL division, much less the NL Central...
Here's the silver lining on Mitre...Mitre is so bad that the Yankees felt a need to call up a mop-up man, which finally forced the Yankees to DFA Cody Ranson. Sadly, the Yankees seem unable to simply cut dead weight unless their hand is forced.
[21] To answer that question involves exploring the sequence of pitchers used and not used to get to Mitre in the rotation, but that would open up a discussion the subject of which I have reconciled (or resigned) myself to.
Hairston's a decent baserunner.
The Score Truck arrives, and in a very timely fashion, too.
: )
Nice one JD. Jerry, Jetes, J's all around.
[27] Hairston's a decent everything, which is actually quite useful.
Gotta love Mark's hustle.
Tex with the hustle!
[25] Sadly, the Yankees seem unable to simply cut dead weight unless their hand is forced.
And even then, not before making other silly personal moves (like calling up Duncan for a day).
[26] Trust me...I don't have the stomach to open that can of worms either.
[30} He's not a very good SS. Even though the Reds started him there for a good chunck of this season.
[30] Yep. This was one nice, small pickup by Cashman.
[35] This is a serious question: is he better or worse than Ransom at SS?
I like Hairston, as I've said before. I haven't seen enough of him to tell for sure but he seems like a smart ballplayer.
[35] Luckily, the Yankees already have one of those.
[36] In the context of deadline deals, it seemed like a dud, but Hairston is a nice little 25th man, especially for a team that had been using guys like Berroa and Ransom.
2 run jack by Carl Crawford. 4-1 Rays.
[39] And especially for a team that seems to be trending once again to carrying 13 pitchers with unfortunate frequency. If you're gonna have basically a two man bench (excluding the BUC), they better be able to cover different positions.
[37] I think he's worse than Ransom at SS.
[40] The Rays seem to really handle the Sox.
So, who does everyone here want starting tonight instead of Orgies? Hughes does not count.
[41] Open the can of worms....but when you use an arm like Hughes to get 2 or 3 outs per game, well, you might just need 13 pitchers.
[42] Interesting. This would seem to justify eventually bringing up Peña, though I guess I would bite the bullet with an occasional Hairston start at SS and call up an extra bat for the bench.
[44] Trade for somebody like Bronson Arroyo.
Or call up Kei Igawa.
[44] I'd really like to see Igawa get one more chance. Who knows....maybe the most successful pitcher in AAA history could make a contribution.
[43] In the last 14 games in Tampa, the Sox are 2-12.
[45] That, and when the manager habitually refuses to use at least one of the pitchers on his staff.
If you like UZR, Hairston is just below average at SS. He is, however, an excellent out fielder.
Molina loves his arm...I do too.
Whoo-hoooooo. Hey, Jose!!!
What a fuckin' GREAT throw by Molina!
Nice throw, Molina.
[47][48] Yeah, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I would go with Igawa. In any case, I would have a short leash on all of these guys.
So, half way to six innings and four runs. We get that, we might have a shot...
Anyone notice that ARod has cut down on his swing and is going with the pitch more?
[et al} Igawa. Seriously? At least Orgies has a track record of being somewhat passable as a major league starter (when healthy). Igawa. Not so much. I shudderingly (new word) think Orgies might be okay once he's done getting his feet wet. Igawa. C'mon..........
This reconcile/resign thing is giving me a headache
[58] My point is that I would not reward pitchers with 6.50+ ERAs with additional starts, all while manager throws up his arms and claims "we are out of options." Maybe Ortiz would be good. Maybe Towers has recovered from surgery. Maybe Brett Tomko could have been converted back to a starter. Maybe Mitre could have worked out. But they should not throw away start after start on failed pitchers (and that goes for Wang, too, who should have been yanked from the rotation sooner, in my opinion).
[58] "Somewhat passable when healthy"...talk about damning with faint praise! I think the point is Mitre's "stuff" has looked so poor that I don't see the point in having give up 4-5 runs in 4-5 innings. Igawa has been awful, but he did have a good track record in Japan and has now spent enough time in AAA that you'd think he would have learned something.
I wonder who in the organization thinks Mitre is a good idea.
He was signed to a minor league deal. The idea was low risk high reward. Any production gotten from him would've been a bonus.
FWIW
resign = accepting something undesirable that cannot be avoided
reconcile = restoring friendly relations between...
Many of Mitre's hits allowed tonight have been fuckin' bullshit.
FWIW.. they have NOT been hitting Mitre that hard. Ground balls and a few bloops.
[62] I have no problem signing him to a minor league deal, a no argument with giving him a start or two. I think we have seen enough, however, to determine that Mitre is not the answer. So, why keep trotting him out there?
Good job...walk the #9 hitter.
Igawa has been awful, but he did have a good track record in Japan and has now spent enough time in AAA that you’d think he would have learned something.
Looking at his numbers @ SWB, I don't think he's learned anything. Having said that, I'd give him a shot as well.
This feels like pending doom!
[63] FWIW, see [15], or http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/reconcile!
SM with 2/3rds of a quality start!
Nice play by Hairston...that could have been tricky.
[65] Then Who? Not Igawa. If you want to watch him make a start in new Yankee Stadium then good luck with that.
Baltimore 5.3 ip 3 er
Oakland 5 ip 4 er
CWS 3 ip 5 er
Tonight, not getting hit hard at all knock on wood. He's going to get another start or 2 or 4 imo.
He's the 5 starter trying not to suck. And beyond that CWS start, well........
Ohayo Gozaimasu! Ransom bites the dust..nothing personal Cody but..Sayonara!!
Is it worth asking how Mitre "looks"? Is his suckitude such that many Banterites are boycotting the game thread tonight?
At least Brad Penny is throwing a stinkeroo...
So, why keep trotting him out there?
Because he posting a 4.02 FIP which is decent.
Why... is... watching... Mitre... pitch... so... BORING???
[72] I would try everyone else, including Igawa. I'd even do something like a bullpen game in which Robertson, Melancon and #13 try to get you 6 innings.
I don't know...regardless of how hard he has been hit, 11 ER in 17 innings sounds like it's time to move on to plan B.
[72] And beyond that CWS start, well……..
As you note, he gave up 7 ER in 10.3 INN in the two non-CWS-starts By my quick calculation, that equates to an ERA of more than 6.00.
Fifth starter or not, that is truly unacceptable.
[75] There's always the bar maids or the umps in the first row. : D
[75] You're bored? I am on the edge of my seat. I feel like I am watching a horror film...the scary music is playing, but nothing is happening...yet.
[77] What's the league average era for a #5 starter? I ask b/c I don't know nor do I know how to figure it out.
[74] We had this discussion last time...I don't buy the argument that stats like BABIP and FIP for a pitcher like Mitre are meaningful, just like it would mean much if I had a BABIP of .750. There is no way I am reverting to the mean.
[80] I am not sure either...but that figure would include all the 5th starters on all the bad teams. The Yankees are trying to win a tough division. The average 5th starter might not be good enough.
So much for the bloops?
just walked him to that bomb - perhaps the orgies timer has gone off
[79] You forget I work in the film industry; knowing the ending before it comes is Boring.
See what I mean?
[78] bar maids at the SkyDome??
[81] Think we can just go back to the days of the 4-man rotation then and solve this problem??
[84] um in not him ... cody being dfa'd has thrown me for loop
poor guy - he just wasn't a ml player
I don’t buy the argument that stats like BABIP and FIP for a pitcher like Mitre are meaningful
Why wouldn't they be?
Ok Joe...no mas!!
4 1/3 and at least 3 runs....and he pitched as well as he has in his 4 starts, which I think says it all. If Mitre gets another start, then the Yankees just aren't trying hard.
[80] I don't know, but I can't believe that he is pitching above replacement level. I'm not sure how to identify team's fifth starters--I guess one could look at the worst starter on every team.
Mitre's going to get another start and I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that the other 4 starters stay healthy.
[86] Hey, don't knock the honeys... the BJ fans have to have some reason to stay through most of their games...
[88] Because they assume that pitchers of different quality have little impact on batted balls. If I pitched, every batter would hit ropes, so even balls right at fielders might get caught. I'd probably sport a high BABIP and though it would be deserved, FIP might think I was unlucky.
[73] Konbanwa! I don't know why there aren't many here tonight, OK Jazz. Mitre is his typical self, mitigating damage at best. When "The Speedy Carl Crawford" goes to the opposite field on you, "stinkeroo" is a great word!
: )
well 86% of the people who voted in the yes poll are done with mitre...
that settles it
[86] I dig the cheerleaders they have @ Jays games
Ian Kennedy is back on the mend which is good for him, obviously. Sit down, Rios.
[91] Something tells me if Sir Sidney were pitching with the same results, there'd be a lot more screaming and carrying on... and that's without Mattpat in the mix >;)
[93] Remember the days when the SkyDome was the coolest park around.."wow, the roof opens and closes! They have a hotel facing the field!"
[95] Tampa really has the Sox #..let's hope we are 2.5 up going into the Big Showdown..
[96] I can't believe that some folks are willing to dump Mitre after 4 starts in favor of the Scranon Hall of Famer. Egads.
[88] I think William is arguing that for pitchers at the extreme end of the spectrum (i.e., really bad), typical expectations do not apply. We cannot, therefore, look at his high BABIP and say it's bad luck and given enough time the BABIP will drop to .300. Rather, the BABIP is high BECAUSE he's so bad. William then employed a hypothetical that if he pitched, his BABIP play would likely be very very high, but we would be foolish to wait for his BABIP to revert to the normal .300 or so.
I would make the same case, but cite somewhat different evidnce. If you look at Mitre's hit trajectories before this start (on baseball-reference), he is giving up a very high % of line drives (25%, the highest in his career), and not surprisingly, the BABIP on those line drives is very high. Meanwhile, the BABIP on his ground balls and fly balls is much more typical (between .260 and .300, IIRC). This tells me that he has not suffered from bad luck, but rather from giving up lots of line drives.
[94] yeah william and i argue this last mitre start - if someone is hit hard often they are going to have a high babip that is the result of poor pitching not bad luck
[99] Sir Pizza was just released, so don't be surprised if we see that very soon Chyll, signing Russ Ortiz today notwithstanding...
I for one will be dashed if they bring that schlub back!
fuck you vernon wells
...
Wells is annoying.
Holy cow. Nice catch.
[100] Yeah, and George got 'geolous' and started pining for the fjords (New Jersey)...
Damon---> warning-track power >;) Okay, that was a nice catch...
F-@-#-$
[100] The Yankees will get Boston's number back OK Jazz, starting tomorrow against Smoltz! After all, he couldn't beat them when it mattered most ten years ago...
: )
[104] Well, you could knock me over with a feather if he is released on the post-game spread in the Yankee clubhouse again...
Okay, Wells is annoying... we here about his losing a step or two, but never against the Yanks. Phooey...
[100] I haven't been to Toronto, but I would like to one day. I want to stay in the hotel in the ballpark, and watch a baseball game from my window.
[113] Don't forget to wear a towel!
[94] Then you look at other stats such as LD% in your case. At any rate, something is up when there is a large discrepancy between FIP & ERA, much of it I would attibute to luck.
[112] I thought pizzas weren't allowed in the new "Food Room"...
: )
Will Girardi deploy PHs as this game heads into the late innings, or is he going to stick to the rest-day plans?
Ace has looked good so far. Maybe he has recovered from "tired arm"?
[115] (sorry Raf, but when I read LD%, I immediately thought of Doc Ellis >;)
I GOT IT. Let Molina pitch every 5th day. He throws hard AND and has good control. : O
[115] There are two schools of thought when FIP and ERA diverge significantly: one is luck and the other is the pitcher is just really bad. I am more inclined to believe the latter, especially when my eyes tell me the same thing.
[113] I think Jim Caple on ESPN a few years ago did a great series on unique ballpark experiences, the SkyDome Hotel was in there..as was the old Hiroshima Carp stadium across the street from the "Peace Dome" (64th anniversary of the bomb today, btw..always a big ceremony down there, sadly no one cares in Tokyo anymore, alas..)
For me my dream is a rooftop outside Wrigley..only been to Chicago in the winter so no games!
[116] But it does include Lickable Wallpaper...
Swishilicious.
way to go swishy!!
Spanky McSkittles!
Why is he so much better on the road?
[123] I'd pay to see Alex Rodriguez lick Babe Ruth's ass on a wall!
"Tastes like beer and hot dogs!"
: )
I think Mr. Buy-a-vowel is running out of gas.
[122] Did you ever catch that old commercial where this guy is showing his small, shitty apartment but it has great view. (overlooking Wrigley) Awesome commercial. Awesome Swish. No mas Pole.
[128] Is that what they mean by "fartlicks"?
I want to give Swisher a big hug!
[122] No, but sounds perfect..would love to live there for a season!
Melky unting for Hairston and Molina??
Girardi strikes again!
[133] Unless he's bunting for a PH or two.
This pitcher the son of Gary?
[131] Only Tiger Woods would know for sure...
[121] And when he was relly bad, his FIP was pretty close to his ERA.
Do the Yankees lose the DH now?
[133] That's why he couldn't get it down... he was using an at instead of a bat?
[136] Yes.
Woohoo Hideki!
hey we'll take it matsui
[130] I remember that commercial. I think he mentioned something about it being too small, and he paid way too much for it, but he really enjoyed the view.
[136] Singleton says yes... but then Singleton is on YES...
How do you say "get down" in Japanese?
We'll take it. Inglett sounds like something a middle school girl wants to get.
松井！！Always Mr. Clutch, he knows how to handle the bat..learned a lot from his video collection!
[139] that's one rule i get confused by
[145] "get down" as in "to get funky"?
Has a manager ever sent in 2 pinch runners at once? Ha.
[149] Yeah, let's go with that...
[150] i guess pr with hinske isn't that great an option
[149] No as in Hideki's fly ball to get down on the ground...
Kudaru?
[138] For his career, Mitre's ERA is 5.47 versus FIP of 4.60. Of course, that's in a small sample, comes from when he was healthy and occurred against weaker competition. Still, I think that shows Mitre will always be "unlucky" because he will seldom be "good".
That was a slloooow developing play at the plate.
My knees hurt. YAY JD!!!!!
Woohoo Johnny!
i don't even know what to say about that play
excepy yeah to another run
Barajas = Oops...
[139] Only if they put ARod at 3B. they could go with Hinske at 3B. I suspect they will move ARod to the field, lose the DH, then PH for the pitcher (in the 8th spot) should it come up again.
On the Mark, Teixeira!
way to keep it going tex
I thought Hideki was going to be out by a couple of miles...
Yay Tex!
That was a hell of a knuckler from the outfield, gotta admit...
It's a celebration for Orgies. : )
[160] That's what I was getting at. With a three run lead it doesn't seems as pressing.
[163] i think that is what caused barajas to drop the ball
Did Matsui score from 2nd?!?
[153] PJ, yes the verb "kudaru" means to descend, but in this case you are "willing" of "ordering" the ball to go down so you could say "kudarinasai!"
[151] Japanese would use English when they want to sound funky..but you might compliment someone by saying "saikoh" (psycho), which means "great"...no real words in the language to express funkiness!
Man, I am SO gald we signed Tex!
Jeter must be asking why he saved his three best pitches for him.
kudarinasai!
swishy is such a wacko even jd is probably like calm down man
"Albert" Swisher, "Albert" Swisher...
[148] If you move DH X into the field to replace player Y, you lose the DH and the pitcher bats in the spot vacated by player Y.
This rule is in place because otherwise a manager could "cycle" players through the DH spot into and out of the field, effectively changing the batting order.
I'd like a Swisher stick in a shot of JD that is Bruney proof.
[169] Thanks!
My Japanese is getting better!
I'm glad I didn't post this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ-gP2hsBbA
Heh heh
: )
[169] I hear people say that around me a lot, now that you mention it... >;)
For a guy with such a good eye, Swisher swings at alot of balls with a full count.
[168] Ah, shock that Matusi was chugging home. Caught Barajas by surprise :)
It appears Roenicke has a ways to go before he takes over the closer's role.
[174] thanks
i guess what confuses me is i think anytime you do something with the dh (like pinch run) you are going to lose the dh, but as you point out it is only when the dh moves into the field to replace another player
[178] I was looking fastball too. Guess it makes sense that he went with the slider after the previous pitch was a high fastball
[179] I would think he'd have died laughing...
The Yankees could definitely use Pena instead of pitcher #13.
Come on Ace!
Feh!
The Yankees just don't win laughers...this bullpen is going to be in shambles by Spetember.
Why does Scutaro always kill us???
Ace hasn't pitched much lately...he could be tiring.
[181] Right. If you replace DH for DH, there is no problem. Thus, PR X could run for DH Y, and then Y leaves the game and X becomes the DH. Similarly, PH X can hit for DH Y and simply replace him. But if the DH comes into the field, then the DH is lost.
I used to play around thinking of all the goofy things you could do if this rule was not in place: you could keep swapping the DH and fielder back in forth into and out of the field (is there ever a time when this would be advantageous?). I think that there is also a way that you could "hide" a pitcher as the DH, so that you could take a starter out an then return him to the game, but I can't remember how you would have to do it.
To think the Mets could not use that guy at the time... actually, there are a lot of players like that playing around the league now...
I don't know about you guys, but I would have preferred a lead off walk...
: /
Big out...hate to have Cokey immediately face a tying run. Meanwhile, it looks like Hughes and Mariano will both be used back-to-back heading into the Boston series.
[188] I don;t know, but my wife is giggling right now as the Jays announcers keep saying his name over and over again.
cokey should really thank babe ruth for the pinstripes, cause the road grays make him look rather hefty
anyhow - shut em down cokey
Cokey time.
[193] hopefully the yanks will score some extra runs and make at least 1 of them mute
Well done Cokey.
nicely done cokey
and sit the hell down lyle overbay - you professional hitter
[195] There's always the PJ Suggestion [128]...
Bartlett just smoked a hr off Declarman. 6-3.
[193] Please do not use either of them..
Returning to the can of worms, and speaking about options for the #5 starter: Cokey used to be a starter. They could try to *stretch* him and his 4.98 ERA (admittedly that is inflated a bit), and return him to the rotation. That would open the door for Igawa as the lefty out of the pen.
I don't really believe this plan is practical. I'm just pointing out that there must be "options" for the #5 spot, especially for a team that is a little bit clever.
[202] I agree, but unless the Yankees score two runs, it will be a SAVE situation. So...
[200] The Sparky Lyle on the wall tastes like cake!
LOL
Bunt, please.
That will do instead.
[205] The Reggie is a hot caramel mess! >;)
The Hinske pick-up has paid off so far, as well.
Hey, small ball. [203] Just say no to Igawa. : )
[210] I can quit any time, man.
[209] Cashman's weakness has always been the bench, but in Hinske and Hairston he has done a good job addressing it. When Gardner gets back, the pine will be well stocked.
Ms October, perhaps the Curse of Flash is negated in other countries...
*shrug*
Thank God he's in the studio for the Red Sox series instead of like earlier this year!
: )
I will be dashed if they bring in Albaledejo...
[203] Roberton and Melancon are never used anyway, so why not have them be a two-headed starter? They couldn't be much worse than Mitre and would likely give you the same number of innings.
I thought Girardi would show some imagination and go with Bruney, but I guess that's too much to ask.
[211] On the Intervention show I watched last night there was some middle age guy addicted to poor to middling Japanes lefties. Fortunately, he agreed to treatment. In Canada no less. : D
Is there any one else available in the 13 man pitching staff? Sure would like to think that Melancon, say, could hold onto to a three run lead.
[213] haha - i think so - flash does strike me as a hoser :}
joey joe joe is managing the pen in a very "i have to win this game and the only do so is my trusted guys" style
I suppose you can't blame Joe too much for going for the kill. 2-1/2 up is better than 1-1/2 going into Boston, regardless.
[220] there's some words missing from that sentence - but you get the drift
[203] I would think Marte would get the call before Igawa as the LHP out of the pen.
[216] Yes, but it's a save situation, and Hughes is the 8th inning guy...
[216] I really wonder what it would take for Girardi to actually use the innumerable pitchers rotting out in the pen. Tonight's situation: Hughes and Rivera both worked longish yesterday, tonight's starter only lasted 4+, they have a key 4 game series coming up, they called up an extra pitcher, they have a three run lead.
If not now, when?
Melky has played some snappy defense in this series.
Take THAT, Vernon. Vernon, kind of a lame name.
nice catch leche
hughesy is starting to get hit harder - i hope girardi realizes it is not grreat to use him 4 of 5 days or whatever
Melky to Wells: "Anything you can do, I can do better..."
[221] But who will pitch the 8th in the Boston Series?!?!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scream
[221] But you need to be able to trust some other arms when you have a three run lead. Otherwise, you'll be stuck going to them in more crucial moments against Boston.
[227] The league may also be figuring out some his tendencies as a reliever, better scouting, etc.
[224] Makes me wonder myself. I wish managers would be more creative WRT BP usage. No sense having 8 man bullpen when 3-4 of them get regular work. Claggett's probably gone after this game, anyway.
[226] Makes me think of Jim Varney...
Sox are creeping back.
[231] good point
if girardi panics and bring mo in the 8th tonight i will grab my passport immediately
[227] Are you related to Tony The Tiger? >;)
Girardi is going to burn out this bullpen. He has now completely morphed into Joe Torre. I really wish the Yankees were able to make a change.
That was tight.
[235] yes, he is my brrrrrother
[227] [231] I don't think he has been hit harder, nor do I think he has the kind of stuff that you can scout. The Wells ball was a product of Hughes not wanting a lead off walk. I don't remember him being hit too hard in other outings.
If not now, when?
When they have a 4 run lead? :)
very nice pitch
wow nice cutter tonight
Great job Phil...see you Saturday.
Yeah, Yeah, Phil.
[236] And, to bring the can of worms full circle (huh?), it is Girardi's unwillingness to trust more than about 3 guys in the pen that has effectively buried Hughes there for the rest of the year. If he had been willing to trust a couple of more guys now an again, maybe Melancon or Robertson could have entered the Circle of Trust, and that *might* have freed Hughes to be at least an "option" for the #5 spot.
Am very concerend that Joba will not eat up innings tomorrow, and Philthy Phil will be tired..then again, Sox pen is exhausted too and Smoltz also unlikely to last 6...
[238] nice >;)
[246] Call Sir Sidney, he'll eat anything...
[238] LOL!
Hopefully they scratch across a run and keep Mo out of the game. Thank you Damon!
Woohoo Johnny!²
Johnny with a get out of Mo card?
thank you jd - hopefully the night off for mo
Well, it looks like we're determined to win, in spite of Girardi's mechanitions, eh?
nice JD!
now, let's go JP in Tampa!!!
[hi everyone]
[246] I think (hope) Joba will be ready to go to tomorrow.
[254] That's three wins out of the four Mitre starts, right?
That is very acceptable for any fifth starter in my opinion, whether he's the pitcher of record or not.
Nancy PHing for the Sox, top of the 9th, down by 2.
Nancy walks!
"Lucky Jeffrey had Lo-Jack... and if you try it again, I'll f@#$in' kill you..."
When you turn the sound down on some of these commercials, the message is a lot clearer...
they shoulda kept wheeler in to face nancy.
vagitek is the tying run...
[257] Yet, far from optimal...
siddown "C" !!!
[257] That's a classic case of winning "despite of" the performance and not "because of" it.
maybe this guy should have been the 5th starter
Now that was an optimal pitch sequence!
And teh Captain strikes out, dipping his average below .230.
Nick Green playing LF. Lowrie up w/one out.
[263] How do the Sox justify starting Varitek anymore? Can't hit or throw out runners..mystifying, the power of the "C"...
[257] But the Scranton Hall of Famer is now well learned in the art of pitching in the A.L. East. : D
I keed, I keed.
Uh-oh, another hit and it's a SAVE SITUATION.
mo is up - this is ridiculous
lowrie strikes out! 2 down.
Sutcliffe is insufferable....
Down goes Lowrie! Down goes Lowrie!
[265] could you imagine???
why is Mo up?! : /
[268] Grit, leadership, unparalleled pitch calling ability, captainness, moral uprightness, toughness, charisma, and captainness (so important, you have to count it twice).
[272] HEY!!!!!!! DO YOU LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND???
Love them accidental k's.
And the Roid Sox lose!
Boston loses!!!
[267] Nick Green...the new Miguel Cairo?
[276] you know i don't, so i don't get it... : ~
Cue fat lady..........So at worst we'll be 2 1/2 back in four days. : /
I usually like the Jays announcer, but they were pissing and groaning of that strike three call, then simply ignored the overhead camera that showed it caught a lot of plate on teh inside corner.
[276] game was on espn, so i caught the last inning or so. just getting home from teaching...
[272] Sutcluffe worse than Phillips..just horrid..
Joe G..please do not abuse Mo..the gods will punish you...
you better hope joba is watching this game
If he goes to Mo...
2.5!
Yay Yankees!
Have a great evening folks!
Nice recovery from the three game skid, but now there are no more excuses...the Yankees have to beat Boston.
nice mini series team - win against halladay, win in mitre's start
Swish has had a lot of big hits.
The Yankees: Two And A Half Men >;)
Ok, Team, I missed today and yesterday, but just want to say, God help us tomorrow.
Feels like the WS in my world.
The Yankees signed Russ Ortiz?
[295] Jason Hirsch needed a roomie...
[295] Just for you. : )
That was the report on Pete Abe's blog, but I couldn't find any actual transaction news.
That headache has returned.
[295] isn't that preferable to ponson?
[294] Feels like the WS in my world.
Hee-hee, can't wait to try that line on some fine young lady... of course, I might alternate that with pants >;)
[299] So is losing a limb. This is still bad.
What???
We signed Russ Ortiz?
[302] I still think Lima Time is in our future.
[303] There's no reason to think he wouldn't be
[303] *** BAD PUN ALERT ***
If you got HBP from Jose Lima, would that be a Lima Bean?
(ducking...)
That sweep was huge! Going in with a half game lead, leaving with a 2.5 game lead. After facing Halladay and then throwing Mitre the next day? That is awesome!!!
[305] i think that's very clever! : )