ran up in your shell about a dozen
you never see bank like frank white
your hand clutchin, your chest-plate contemplate
looking forward to the big man tonight, so i'll drop this once the game starts, but did a little more research on the the whole burnett/po battery
aj has made 25 starts this year. po has caught 15 of them; molina 4; cash 4; and cervelli 2 (in a few of the games the catcher was pinch hit for and an inning or 2 was caught by someone other than the starter, but to keep this somewhat simple i just looked at the starting catcher).
of aj's top 5 game scores - po caught 3 of them (including the top 2)
of aj's bottom 5 game scores - po caught of 4 them (the 4 lowest)
aj's median game score was 54 - po caught 7 games above the median score (molina caught 1 below and 1 at the median) and po caught 8 games below the median (molina caught 2 below)
aj has thrown some gems and some horrible games - which is who he is and has been for years - po has been there for both extremes - he should only get so much credit or blame for either outcome. yes they need to get the signs and pitch calling worked out a bit better - but i am not ready to pin much ado about the pitching staff overhwelmingly on posada.
The Yanks-Sox 09 record right now is 9-5, Boston. After tonight there's 3 more games to play between the 2. So NY needs to win this series and sweep the final to tie them for the year.
That being said, I don't give a crap about it for braggin rights reasons. Hopefully, the AL East doesn't come down to tiebreakers.
Morgans says, twice, that CC stayed "consistently" outside against Pedroia, all while the ESPN graphic shows hall of the pitches during the AB on the inside corner.
Maybe leaving the sound on will provide some real entertainment after all.
[38, 33] That is interesting, although I'm left to wonder how hard Rickey TRIED to hit leadoff home runs. After all, that would mean he wouldn't be stealing. Can't prove it one way or the other so whatever, but it's just interesting to wonder.
[55] you would think a leadoff walk would lead to more big innings than a leadoff walk - well at least that is what tim mccarver told me once or maybe 300 times
damn i stepped out and because i only marginally had the volume on didn't even realize matsui hit a homer until i read it here. all i saw was the outs.
[65] sorry - should read you would think a leadoff walk would lead to more big innings than a leadoff hr – well at least that is what tim mccarver told me once or maybe 300 times
not so unsolvable - at least for those not named tim mccarver - though perhaps he should make fun of me tonight
Douchability aside..is Youklis Boston's best player? With his ability to move from 1B to 3B and his ridiculous .OPB...he's way more valuable than Dusty or Bay (and Drew, obviously..)
be nice if the umps would ever throw a Red Sox player out for arguing strike calls!
[86] Is it unusual to start a batter off with a change-up? I would have thought the change would be much more effective after a fastball. (I'm speaking of the Baldelli pitch.)
[70] Yeah, I think Youkilis is the best player on the Shit* Sox. He's got the best OBP and usually gets a good pitch to hit; and he hits 'em where they ain't. I can't stand him; a lot of it is that he's good, but there's also something really whiny about him. Whiny and somehow smug. But he's not the most unlikeable guy on their team -- that's between Beckett and Papelbon.
It would be nice if Miller didn't seem to be rooting for the Sox. Homers for the home announcers are one thing, but on a national broadcast is most unacceptable.
Then again, it would be nice if the Yankees top two starters didn't stink it up.
[100] everytime that happens it gives me gorrible flashback to the cleveland alds from 2007 when cleveland (and seemingly especially kenny lofton) got rbi after rbi with 2 outs and chip caray was giddy beyond belief
[118] i'll do my best. even if i didn't find what i was looking for and then realized the band had already played in pittsburgh so my curiosity was a bit late. oh well.
[120] a guy i've been playing with recently is doing a coupla gigs in Pitt next month. i won't be on them, but i'll let you know when/where, if/when i find out...
Very unselfish play by A-Rod. No rally killing HR, no bases-clogging walks. Just playing the game the right way. The only mistake was grounding out to the left side instead of the right side (and advancing the runner).
That ground out makes him a Real Yankee in my eyes.
[144] I actually thought the opposite. It was a fastball over the plate that Arod hit pretty hard. If he hooks him, I think he might have caught Arod guessing.
[144] Hmm, it was down and on the outside part of the plate. Maybe he could have taken it into RC for a single, but I thought he did a good job to get solid wood on it.
[146] hey buddy! i'll think i'm headed back to The Ted later this week. my parental units are coming in from NY tomorrow to visit me for the week. i think we're gonna go see the Friars on Thursday.
my friend here at the apt complex has a pet turtle! how are yours doin'?
[161] Credit to me! I missed the Jeter and Matsui homers while doing laundry, and just missed the last 2-runs due to a "training session" with Mr. OK Jazz Jr in the "boudoir"...will try to get him going again next inning for more Score Truck deliveries?
MOrgan is such a terrible announcer, and getting worse. But he was such a great, great player. I actually don't mind when he talks about his playing days a little, and when he talks about playing for Sparky Anderson. I actually like to hear about some of teh great managers from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
[168] The turtle is doing fine...thankfully, he's been spending his days at the in-laws house (about 5 blocks from ours').
That's cool about going to the Ted....Oh -- forgot to mention -- I am going to Philadelphia in 2 weeks and I'll catch a Phils/Giants game. I am hoping I'll get a Cliff Lee v. Lincecum matchup -- that would be cool.
Hey question to everyone who's been to Philly ---- Which is better for cheesesteaks -- Geno's or Pat's, and more importantly, why?
[175] Yep. CC is not long for this game, I think. But Hughes and Mo are rested. In all seriousness, tonight would be a good time for a two-inning Hughes appearance.
I am doing chores and now am very well-informed about the Texas Rangers...who ARE NOT PLAYING IN THIS GAME! SHUT the fuck up and do the play-by-play!!! Excuse the profane rant, i think it's time to change to the Japanese announcers..at least they describe the damn game!
That's the pitch that has been missing. He has not thrown many changes. I think the reason he hasn't been more efficient is because he is throwing mostly fastballs low to middle.
[260][262] PLus the camera panned high, so I thought when I lost the ball that it had gone over teh fence. The subsequent replay was better.
One of the things that I hate, which has become more and more typical since about 1998, is how the cameras will track the ball high in the air so that you totally lose the perspective of the fielders and field. I would rather track the OFs than the ball, but maybe that;s just me.
I like the HR, but otherwise Cano has played like shit. The last two nights make me wonder if the Yankees IFs and OFs practice communicating with each other.
[279] Cano is very good on pops, but like last year, he has gone into a late season tailspin.
That error is HUGE! It's imapct is more than a run. The Yankees have played like absolute shit since the 4th inning of Firday and that's just not acceptable.
Cano has had several gaffes since last Sunday. Girardi had a chance to send him a message, but didn't. Now, you have to worry about Cano's head. When it goes south for him, he heads straight to the pole.
[285] i agree raf that he gave max effort, but it was another poor pop-up/communication play that needs to get worked out - it is very sloppy and william's right in [284] and i said it after friday's game, crisp baseball is not being played
If the Yankees are lucky, they'll get through five with the lead and the sky will open up for 8 hours. Otherwise Cano is going to torch this game all on his own.
That Cano drop was eating at me, but if he catches that ball, it's likely that the whole inning is different, so now I will consider it part of the grand plan.
Keep in mind that Arod JUST missed two HRs on Friday, so maybe he is coming around. If he gets hot, that could carry the Yankees through to the finish line.
i just heard it in the car on the way home on ESPN radio. campbell and the play-by-play guys sounded sooooo deflated and disappointed when A-Rod homered. i'm sure Miller did also.
i wanna see the replay.
just so's ya knowz - i said, "Crush it, Alex" aloud in the car! : )
I get credit for that HR too! Laundry for Jeter's, potty-training with the boy for Matsui's, laundry again for Cano's, and on the phone to the tax-man during A-Rod's!! Would like Swisher to get a tater too so will get think up some more chores for his next AB!
Steve Phillips is actually making a good point by saying CC's Ks may be down because he is pitching with bigger leads in the past. I wonder if the stats back that up.
Wait, did Phillips actually get the Hughes-to-pen narrative more or less right? That the original move was temporary but developed along an unplanned trajectory? I am stunned.
[427] Gonzalez is a sucky batter. I expect sucky batters to try to wile their way on base. When Jeter is smoking the ball, I let him swing away. Frankly, Tito should oredered Gonzalez to take.
Do managers even have the "take" sign any more, or would today's players feel insulted if told to take?
UPDATE, 10:21 p.m: Bad news: The grounds crew is poised near the tarp. There must be some bad weather coming. At least it’s a official game. No rain as of now.
Hey all. I had to radio for several innings, long story. I listened to the Sox broadcast, which was not bad. Except for two misplayed pop flies, I mean -- Castiglione enjoyed those a little too much.
[420] I actually have a "Bean Stringfellow" autograph on a Richmond Braves Team ball from 1988 when I worked as a parking lot attendant during the summer. It used to piss my boss off when the Clippers came to town and I work my Yankees hat. I saw Jay Buhner pitch that Summer and thought he was the second coming of the Mick.
there you go hughes and swsih managed not to decapitate himself there
[451] just saying c -c -c- c- c- c (with a like a small pause between each c) when i tried to type just c's wordpress wouldn't let me - it's so damn strict
[456] Swisher looks ugly with the glove, but he really does get to most everything hit out there. Now, balls off the wall, throws to the IF...not so good.
has anyone else gotten the sense that this has probably been the first season where A-Rod has just sorta blended into the team? He's having a good year considering the hip, but certainly not a vintage year...but we all have to be generally pleased with his production.
He hasn't been an everyday obsession of the tabloids, hasn't really said anything stupid, and I get the feeling that the playoffs won't really be marketed as "BUT HOW WILL A-ROD PLAY?!!?"...it's kinda nice.
[474] That's the slogan for today's game. I guess Diane can use it as the title of tomorrow's recap blog entry, but we'll all know that it's really "Fuck You Beckett".
[468] I think so too, and it's not surprising. After this offseason, things couldn't get worst. I think Arod now realizes that he doesn't have to maintain an image because that has been shattered. Now, he can just play ball. Even though he hasn't had an Arod year, he has been very, very good. Ironically, most people probably think he hasn't had as good as season he really has.
I don't think Matsui leaving is a foregone conclusion. I can definitely seeing him take a reasonable contract to stay. Unless the Yankees have replacements in mind, bring back Damon and Mastui might be the best alternative...of couse, that's something to think about in November.
[468] i think so too - maybe, playing pop pyschologist, it helped him to stop having to hide his "secret" and he could relax a bit more - something he needed to do - plus i think having the other 3 high priced free agents come in and spread out the attention helped a bit too
[487]Do not post anything resembling a Mad Men spoiler. I'm watching this game like you should be, Mad Men tomorrow. Actually Mad Men deserves your full attention, quit screwing around posting in here at all.
[505] man, oh man, do i ever HATE that song. i used to have to play it a lot in 2 bands. brutal. with one of the groups, it brought us a lot of tips though...
an old teacher of man used to tour with Neil Diamond some...
um, joe, how was THAT the "barrel of the bat" but Matsui's wasn't. you're a complete hypocritical moron who watches baseball games with your eyes closed. fuck you (and beckett, while i'm at it).
[501] Oh they'll still talk about the Yanks....In the third quarter of every pats game they'll break into that stupid chant of theirs.....I bet no one has ever chanted "Red Sox Suck" at a Giants game. They're completely obsessed and jealous of the Yankees.
John Miller positive squealed when he saw Melky having trouble on that fly. I bet he soiled his "oops I crapped my pants" when Melky caught the ball.
UPDATE, 6:24 p.m.: Here’s what the always professional and classy Jonathan Papelbon told WEEI.com yesterday about the idea of the Red Sox obtaining Billy Wagner:
“What has he done? Has he pitched this year? Is he ready to pitch or is he not? … I think our bullpen is good where we’re at right now. Don’t get me wrong. But I guess you could always make it better. It’s kind of like the (Eric) Gagne thing, I guess.”
Gagne had a 6.75 ERA in 20 games for Boston in 2007.
Here is what Wagner said today: “I dont have anything to say about somebody like that.”
Let us pause here to fervently hope that the Red Sox trade for Wagner.
[542] Maybe I misunderstood what Morgan said, but I thought that he said both Matsui and Youk just missed the sweet spot, and both hit it a long way. Only Matsui "got around on teh pitch" and pulled it, but Youk hit it to dead center.
On this one, I actually thought Morgan made a decent observation. Or I misheard.
[551] Again, Pete Abe made a crack about him, and he probably should not have said anything about a potential future teammate. But Papelbon is pretty much spot on with that comment, IMO.
[552] oh yeah, Coke has to come in and give up a leadoff homer - my bad! ; )
[553] he tried to say the ball ran in on Mats (it really didn't). he even drew a little chalk dot and line. it made NO sense. then, he showed where the sweet spot was. Youk's shot was on the OPPOSITE side of Joe's previously drawn sweet spot and said that he nailed it. Morgan is an idiot. Miller is an enabler. Phillips is a useless sack of shit. ESPN are a bunch of morons for employing them for sooo long...
[556] Maybe subconscious. Really, it's just that, despite being in a profession where I write all the time, I can't type worth a damn. And I don't proofread or preview (so my witty comments and sage observations get to you all as quickly as possible).
So, really, I deserve any and all mockery for "teh" typos.
At what point did you stop wanting the Yankees to drive up Beckett's pitch count? For me it was after the third inning. "Protecting the bullpen" sounds like a euphemism when you give up more than five runs. If it were Smoltz, nobody would say anything like that.
[581] i know that the gag me experience didn't pan out but i thought it was a descent move at the time. Certainly would have seemed to strengthen the bullpen, though a bit risky due to injury stuff.
[601] Because his run is largely irrelevant, so it's not worth compromising the defense or risking a bad throw, or even worth wasting a strike [609]. Just go after the batter.
At least that's the logic, whether one agrees with it or not.
[615] I ask knowing that that's what they think, but I don't get it. That run is important ... I'd say a four run lead is probably the maximum lead where it is important, but it is. That's 25%, yo.
[621] I said largely irrelevant. The DP doesn't matter much, because you can trade runs for outs and still win. The throw *might* lead to an overthrow, and extra base, though that's not all that important. But, you have to consider that you rarely even jold the runner on in that case, so there is very little chance for a throw out in any case.
Hey all, I high five you en masse. The Yankees are officially back and in the driver's seat. Sweeping the Sox at home then taking 2 of 3 at Fenway to prove it wasn't a fluke, leaving with a 7.5 game lead ... It's all good! Until Tuesday at least, I tell you!
[625] The chances of winning a game in the ninth with at three run lead is around 97%. each additional run has a pretty marginal impact on chances of winning at that point.
[646] I think that's one of those potentially classic misuses of statistics (making your decision based on that single percent you say is there).
What you would have to compare, at a minimum, is BA/OBP/SLG/OPS while holding a runner on vs. the same while not holding a runner on, plug that in to the new situations that are more likely to result from holding the runner on, and see where those win percentages come out, matched to their probabilities.
[656] Yes, that's right. But I think those are apt to be very small differences. If they weren't, then you'd almost never hold a runner on. (There are almost no situations in the middle of a game where stealing second base adds a full percentage point of win expectancy.)
Ladies and gentlemen, this was the night. God bless Yankee dollars and CC Sabathia. God bless a .260 hitting, clutch as hell A Rod. God bless a Nick Swisher who scares the bejeesus out of you but usually makes the catch and not only will go to the wall, but leave the wall pocked with cleat holes. God bless the first Red Sox batters in the ninth for warming Mariano up. God bless Robinson Cano's potential. God bless the baseballs spinning eternally in Derek Jeter's eyes.
[662] That would make sense, because in those situations you're moving a runner into scoring position, which will move the percentages of the run scoring accordingly, which will often move the win % numbers accordingly, in a way that a runner in scoring position down four in the 9th will not. Which I'm sure you got, just spelling it out.
I'm not sure what the differences are between the first baseman holding on vs. not holding on. As a first baseman for many, many years, particularly one who is not breathtakingly mobile, I can say the two positions seem very different.
Now one other thing is that the not holding on scenario should probably last over one or two pitches in most situations, while the holding on situation would be over a full at bat. That would seem to be another complication in calculating.
That ball that dropped in front of a charging Damon - should that have been Melky's ball? I was watching on a little screen on espn360, so it was impossible to tell.
[0] Geez, talk about your stoppers... >;)
Heavy, but intermittent rains here in the North Bronx @7:05PM.
[2] thunder... thunder... thunder...
ran up in your shell about a dozen
you never see bank like frank white
your hand clutchin, your chest-plate contemplate
looking forward to the big man tonight, so i'll drop this once the game starts, but did a little more research on the the whole burnett/po battery
aj has made 25 starts this year. po has caught 15 of them; molina 4; cash 4; and cervelli 2 (in a few of the games the catcher was pinch hit for and an inning or 2 was caught by someone other than the starter, but to keep this somewhat simple i just looked at the starting catcher).
of aj's top 5 game scores - po caught 3 of them (including the top 2)
of aj's bottom 5 game scores - po caught of 4 them (the 4 lowest)
aj's median game score was 54 - po caught 7 games above the median score (molina caught 1 below and 1 at the median) and po caught 8 games below the median (molina caught 2 below)
aj has thrown some gems and some horrible games - which is who he is and has been for years - po has been there for both extremes - he should only get so much credit or blame for either outcome. yes they need to get the signs and pitch calling worked out a bit better - but i am not ready to pin much ado about the pitching staff overhwelmingly on posada.
oh, and while i am quite happy to not have to see hinske in left field, i hope jd is actually okay enough to play
The Yanks-Sox 09 record right now is 9-5, Boston. After tonight there's 3 more games to play between the 2. So NY needs to win this series and sweep the final to tie them for the year.
That being said, I don't give a crap about it for braggin rights reasons. Hopefully, the AL East doesn't come down to tiebreakers.
[4] I could Chyll, the heat doesn't... >;)
[0] love that film..
can this one be a "normal" game please? Baseball Gods, let it be CC2 - Grinch 1...
My God, I'm already contemplating turning the sound down.
we win tonight and I'm doin' the Frank White dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-lqaTtwKFA
[9] "i never killed anybody that didn't deserve it" -frank white
[7] the heat has got things on his mind that he wants to discuss with you, and he wants to know where and he wants to know when.
Well, there you go then.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and predict a bad game for Beckett tonight.
Yes! Cap'n!
JETER!!!
woo jeter - what a start
NO DON'T CUT HER OFF!!! I'd rather listen to the Fenway press box announcer for 3 hours
JETE!
The Captain...you are my Lovetron Machine!
Jeter en Fuego
was that the producer or someone else we heard for a second there?
300 to 3,000 for the Captain
[19]
It wasn't Erin Andrews .... too intelligent ...
Joe Morgan IS a technical problem
technical problems with joe's mic - 1 down 2 to go!!!
[16] that was hysterical
[9] Hard to tell who is worse, this or FOX yesterday..does ONE McCarver = Morgan/Phillips in suckitude?
[24] this at least can be somewhat entertaining, if nothing else I think Miller is tolerable. McCarver/Kenny Albert on the other hand was just awful
ugly plays a better 3b than i figured he could
[16] Ha-ha-ha. If only they had technical difficulties all night!
[27]
Could we get her to replace Suzyn Waldman too?
The bottom third of the Sox lineup is brutal. Of course, I will write this and they wll go a combined 11-12 with 7 RBIs.
Sigh. Here we go again.
Looking for your own unassisted triple play, Robbie?
Woohoo for Jeter and his 27th-hundredth hit, so says Joe Morgan.
(my wife started cracking up when his mic cut out... she said, "well, that's one way to phase him out")
That was Jeter's 560th PA leading off a game, and his 21st leadoff HR.
Rickey, by contrastt had 2,875 leadoff PAs with 81 leadoff HRs.
Nice.
damn ellsbury is so fast he almost made it to 2nd
Yes! CC bails out Robbie.
Molina demonstrates Girardi's genius.
[33] good stat diane - jeter with a leadoff hr 3.75% of the time compared to rickey's 2.82%
sit the hell down dusty - and try for once to not argue a strikeout call just once - i mean play the game the right way you douche
Supergritty strikeout.
Morgans says, twice, that CC stayed "consistently" outside against Pedroia, all while the ESPN graphic shows hall of the pitches during the AB on the inside corner.
Maybe leaving the sound on will provide some real entertainment after all.
[38]
Well, to be fair, Rickey was taking pitches to get on base ...
[39] Dusty is to Mini-Me as CC is to Fat Bastard?
[38, 33] That is interesting, although I'm left to wonder how hard Rickey TRIED to hit leadoff home runs. After all, that would mean he wouldn't be stealing. Can't prove it one way or the other so whatever, but it's just interesting to wonder.
jump throw!
Professional hitter™, but slow runner.
leadoff hr - jump throw - jeter has is jeterian tonight
[41] Simple explanation: he isn't watching the game.
(I think he might be listening to Sterling.)
[47] This pretty nearly guarantees an inside-out single to plate a run later, doesn't it?
I gotta say...."The Goods" was pretty damn hilarious
[49] i would say so
godzilla!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TORA TORA TORA!!!
Damn!
MATSUI!
So it's lead-off-the-inning home run night? Very acceptable.
I think Cano may need to ride the pine for a day or two. He has not only played relatively poorly over the past week, but has also had some lapses.
[55] you would think a leadoff walk would lead to more big innings than a leadoff walk - well at least that is what tim mccarver told me once or maybe 300 times
Henderson's career: 4.34 pitches seen per plate appearance
Jeter (overall, not just as leadoff man) 3.75 pitches seen (career)
[57] Which would clog the bases more, a leadoff walk or a leadoff walk. ; )
oh beckett needs his varitek or he stinks
damn i stepped out and because i only marginally had the volume on didn't even realize matsui hit a homer until i read it here. all i saw was the outs.
[59] haha - oh damn - i really hope my iq is not suffering from these nitwits i listen to night after night
[61]
please step out again prior to the top of the next inning :-)
Interesting offensive approach by the Yankees tonight--lead off HR followed by three quick outs. That's one way to avoid that whole RISP thing!
[57] huh? Is that one of those unsolvable riddles?
[63] yeah i might just have to do that. :)
[65] sorry - should read you would think a leadoff walk would lead to more big innings than a leadoff hr – well at least that is what tim mccarver told me once or maybe 300 times
not so unsolvable - at least for those not named tim mccarver - though perhaps he should make fun of me tonight
Well lead off walks leads to clogged bases. And you don't want clogged bases. On the other hand, home runs are rally killers.
CC looks like he's getting the call off the plate to RH.
Douchability aside..is Youklis Boston's best player? With his ability to move from 1B to 3B and his ridiculous .OPB...he's way more valuable than Dusty or Bay (and Drew, obviously..)
be nice if the umps would ever throw a Red Sox player out for arguing strike calls!
[68] Remember, Matsui repeatedly killed Yankee rallies in game one of this series by smacking 3-run homers.
Can't wait till a Red Sock get's booted for arguing tonight.
[68] Right. So maybe a leadoff HR is not good, but a three run HR (in the middle of a nascent rally) is really bad.
[70] yes, and it is probably not even close
[70] I hadn't thought about it that way, but yes, he's pretty clearly their MVP. (Assuming you don't count Beckett.)
shit, I thought he was out.
Damon looked Hinskeian on that play?
[73] Okay, so you agree with me that Matsui sucks and practically ruined the game by hitting those 3-run bombs.
[71] That's why the Yankees only scored 20. Otherwise it would have been 25 runs.
that was a nice play by melky
Can't Morgan wait till the cheers die down a bit before starting his comments?
Letting Lowell and Baldelli get a run in..Unacceptable...
Argh. DAMN. That shouldn't count.
Goddammit. Come on CC.
2-1 ok jazz - now what?
That's a huge run....two bad mistakes by Sabathia.
[78] Most definitely. Really, Matsui's only redeeming quality is that he doesn't walk quite as much as, say, Swisher or Giambi.
[86] Is it unusual to start a batter off with a change-up? I would have thought the change would be much more effective after a fastball. (I'm speaking of the Baldelli pitch.)
ugh bullshit
shitski
Grrrrr.
[70] Yeah, I think Youkilis is the best player on the Shit* Sox. He's got the best OBP and usually gets a good pitch to hit; and he hits 'em where they ain't. I can't stand him; a lot of it is that he's good, but there's also something really whiny about him. Whiny and somehow smug. But he's not the most unlikeable guy on their team -- that's between Beckett and Papelbon.
*H/T to thelarmis.
O fer....
That's awful pitching by Sabathia. The Yankees really need a pitcher to throw a good game at Fenway.
[77] That was certainly an interesting attempt. Seemed like he forgot where he was.
It would be nice if Miller didn't seem to be rooting for the Sox. Homers for the home announcers are one thing, but on a national broadcast is most unacceptable.
Then again, it would be nice if the Yankees top two starters didn't stink it up.
Well, don't worry. There are seven more innings to lead off, so we've got plenty of run potential.
Has anyone else lost the game, or is this just a Canada thing?
captain facemask was close to being put out to pasture - how is he getting hits now?
Lately the Yankees have been giving up a ton of runs with 2 outs. That's a very disturbing trend.
Ah, the ever intelligent and classy "Yankees suck" chant.
[94] overcompensating for the Monstah, I think: everything outside....
[98] i haven't lost it
[96] Monkeypants, you called the production by the bottom of the lineup..we'll have to ban north of the border Banterers from now on as a precaution?
gotta go read a book to my kids. [pause]
Damn, hopefully CC will chill out a little bit....
We need to run up redneck's pitch count.
[99] iwas pondering the same thing.
Would someone please tell me what is happening? Or do I not want to know?
[99] It appeared to be a fastball away, off the plate
Sabathia has his good stuff and he got batted around by a weak bottom of the lineup. That doesn't bode well.
[100] everytime that happens it gives me gorrible flashback to the cleveland alds from 2007 when cleveland (and seemingly especially kenny lofton) got rbi after rbi with 2 outs and chip caray was giddy beyond belief
[110] For that, then, you can blame me [29].
[105] Enjoy!
OK, the game is back...and Jeter slaps it through the middle...order restored.
sorry that out by molina was my fault. forgot to leave the room. i was too busy googling a band. :(
[114] okay good - i think only bad things happened while you lost your feed
shit, i've been in the laundry room and missed most all the fireworks. dammit!
i assume the 2 runs CC gave up were Jorgie's fault? calling pitches from the bench?! ; )
[hi everyone]
[115] hmm - you'll have to at least use your knowledge in a music conversation with thelarmis to be forgiven :}
[117] Close. Actually, Hinske is to blame for much of it too.
[118] i'll do my best. even if i didn't find what i was looking for and then realized the band had already played in pittsburgh so my curiosity was a bit late. oh well.
i repeat - dusty's mvp season is jeter's CAREER average
[118] ooh, what'd i miss? i'm here for reference! : )
line drive in the box score!!!
let's get those 2 runs back...
Let's see if the big boys can do some damage here.
[120] a guy i've been playing with recently is doing a coupla gigs in Pitt next month. i won't be on them, but i'll let you know when/where, if/when i find out...
c'mon TEX!!!
TEX!!!
there we go tex
Yay Teix!
yeah TEX!!!!
c'mon Alex. nice 'n easy. a base hit will do. (a 3-run bomb will do better!)
hopefully Alex will drive in 2 here and we can step on their throat.
[124] yeah please do that! i need to take advantage of being single and attend as many shows as possible. :)
[123] And the answer is... YES.
Way to keep the rally going Tex. Now watch A-Rod kill the rally with a homerun.
OK, A-Rod, time to become a Real Yankee™.
I kid, I kid.
[132] would be just like him to do such a thing
[132] i would love to see that rally killer!
Does Beckett try to ARod with the curve here?
An off-field single would be nice for Rodriguez
Remember, one of Matsui's homers did lead to only three more runs by the Yankees in the inning. I'm sure it would have been far more had he singled.
Let's run this A-holes count up....get him out and get into that pen.
Good job by Arod there.
not ideal, but we got the 2 runs back!
we'll take the run
And Alex helpfully keeps the rally going with an RBI groundout.
Good pitch by Beckett.
I was taught similar, to throw to the catcher's shoulders and knees
Hola thelarmis. what's up dude?
[140] Right, that's what I was thinking when I typed [144] actually.
Very unselfish play by A-Rod. No rally killing HR, no bases-clogging walks. Just playing the game the right way. The only mistake was grounding out to the left side instead of the right side (and advancing the runner).
That ground out makes him a Real Yankee in my eyes.
[137] Instead, he tried pulling an outside pitch
[136] what verb were you going for oyf? try to *fool* arod?
[144] I actually thought the opposite. It was a fastball over the plate that Arod hit pretty hard. If he hooks him, I think he might have caught Arod guessing.
[148] Jesus, m-pants, I have the freaking sound turned off. Please.
I wanted to see a basehit and then for Tex to go Rose into Ray Fosse.
Is Baldelli always this bad?
Damn!
CC has to be an ace now and makes these runs stand up.
[144] Hmm, it was down and on the outside part of the plate. Maybe he could have taken it into RC for a single, but I thought he did a good job to get solid wood on it.
alright let's have at least one *ace* show up here big man
[150] Jeez... I gotta spell EVERYTHING out?
OK everyone, what's that song that is played over the Chevy Equinox ad?
[152] : )
[157] At least the Score Truck has shown up.
CC really needs to hold this lead now. Giving it back twice would be painful.
[158] yes, i spent over 3 hours yesterday with timmy and now i am spending quality time with phillips, morgan, and miller - i is a dummy now
[159] his life of academic freedom i think. wait. you meant on the tv...
[164] Yup. on tv
[161] yes very true, i think it was spending time at the cape yesterday
Come on CC.
[146] hey buddy! i'll think i'm headed back to The Ted later this week. my parental units are coming in from NY tomorrow to visit me for the week. i think we're gonna go see the Friars on Thursday.
my friend here at the apt complex has a pet turtle! how are yours doin'?
oh good i was worried we wouldn't spend enough time on booth shots this week
[161] Credit to me! I missed the Jeter and Matsui homers while doing laundry, and just missed the last 2-runs due to a "training session" with Mr. OK Jazz Jr in the "boudoir"...will try to get him going again next inning for more Score Truck deliveries?
[169]
"Booth shots" sounds like a good drink ... what's in it? :-)
that little pedroia sure is gritty
[170] i missed the 2 homers whilst doing laundry, too! i've gotta head back down to the driers in a few minutes...
[171] lots of captain morgan spiced rum :}
I hate these 3-2 counts.
MOrgan is such a terrible announcer, and getting worse. But he was such a great, great player. I actually don't mind when he talks about his playing days a little, and when he talks about playing for Sparky Anderson. I actually like to hear about some of teh great managers from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
[172] He almost gritted himself into a hbp diving out over the plate
Joe Morgn with a CAREER OPS+ of 132 for a 2nd baseman and an 81% SB success rate. Pretty heady numbers.
[168] The turtle is doing fine...thankfully, he's been spending his days at the in-laws house (about 5 blocks from ours').
That's cool about going to the Ted....Oh -- forgot to mention -- I am going to Philadelphia in 2 weeks and I'll catch a Phils/Giants game. I am hoping I'll get a Cliff Lee v. Lincecum matchup -- that would be cool.
Hey question to everyone who's been to Philly ---- Which is better for cheesesteaks -- Geno's or Pat's, and more importantly, why?
[175] Yep. CC is not long for this game, I think. But Hughes and Mo are rested. In all seriousness, tonight would be a good time for a two-inning Hughes appearance.
damn dusty won the battle - just got that by tex
Sabathia is going to end this inning with at least 60 pitches.
-Rod looked like he was running in sand.
yuck - 2 hits that were only so by inches
If Sabathia gives up, the Yankees will leave Fenway with a big question mark.
[183] A-Rod...
[182] If he's lucky.
Oyph!
C'mon, double play here
[179] Neither, Tony Luke's is the spot, Geno's & Pat's are tourist traps
ugly should have drilled that - let's make good pitches here
[179] just caught up on the game thread - thanks for the hat tip before! : )
please get a DP here...
CC is pretty much throwing just fastballs.
CC just UNABLE to get strike 3 now.....
yes, good job getting the dp ball big man
.....ah, that was HUGE!
Big DP...seemed like it took forever to turn.
YEAH!!!!!!!!!
off to the laundry room.
feel free to hit another leadoff homer!
Yikes, that play at 1B was close!
Yay, DP!!!
Now, perhaps a leadoff-rally-killer?
People driving 1,000 miles to meet Jeff Gordon ... go around and around on a racetrack ... in a car that gets 2 miles per gallon ...
feh!
[198] feh for sure!
[188] cool...someone else told me that I should go to Jims...south and 4th. how does that compare?
[198] Diane -- We've got Talladega down here and I've never understood the entire thing. They're just turning left all day...
Smoltz's line today: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 9 Ks, 75 pitches.
Did the Sox give up too fast?
CC at 60 pitches through 3.
[202] Did the Sox give up too fast?
No.
i left the room and no homerun???
[202] Welcome to the National League. The difference is that big.
[198] yeah, i don't get it.
feh, indeed!
[202] Against the Padres? Nah, I'd wait another week before I make a fair assessment...
[204] i thought the same thing!
[202] i posted that earlier and then mentioned [205]
I am doing chores and now am very well-informed about the Texas Rangers...who ARE NOT PLAYING IN THIS GAME! SHUT the fuck up and do the play-by-play!!! Excuse the profane rant, i think it's time to change to the Japanese announcers..at least they describe the damn game!
oh it was just delayed! yay robbie!!
RALLY KILLER!!!!
Wow...that looked like a one-handed swing.
ROBBIE!!!
of course, bases clear...
robbie cano - yes, i know
Not a lead off, but I'll take it.
Even that swing looked kinda lazy >;)
[212] Sounded bad too..I thought it was a pop up off the end of the bat.
Must be the jet-stream toright. Fenway is such a joke of a park.
why can't morgan enunciate simple, everyday words. it's beyond me...
I'm writing from the past. [hello all you banterers in the future!]
CC's pitches look good.. location is working, but he seems to be laboring too damn much.
AHHHHH.... nice DP ball there. outta the jam
[209] tonight seems particularly bad - where is luis tiant to save us?
[209] "Excuse the profane rant, i think it’s time to change to the Japanese announcers..at least they describe the damn game!"
describe the game? How quaint and, oh, what's the word I'm looking for, ah, sensible.
[202] Nope, they needed results. Different time, they'd let him work through his issues.
[209] Yeah -- I'd rather listen to two people having an argument in Mandarin Chinese for 3 hours than to listen to Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips.
[218] Fenway has actually been more of an offensive park than YS.
[221] I think Morgan wants Juan Marichal instead >;)
[220] do you have a big eraser? i'd like you to fix some things for me!!! ; )
btw, i could've used you on low-end this weekend. not a good weekend for bass players on my gigs. thankfully, that's a rarity 'round here...
and we cleared the pitcher's spot - maybe jeter will lead off with another hr
[220] What was it like living in the past? I can tell you that here in the future, we no longer need telephones and people can breath underwater.
[225] Are you serious? I thought that Fenway went from being first in homers to last in homers when they built the pressbox to house their "homers"...
[226] that'll work too!
[225] Yep. But NYS has yielded the most HRs in the league by far.
that was an awkward 30 seconds
[229]
comment of the night nominee!
Cano is in a fielders slump.
[225] just pointing out the hypocrisy of some sox fans
[233]
I would suspect that sex with Joe Morgan is an awkward 30 seconds
[200] Jim's is good too. Either or, I suppose, but my Philly friends tell me to stay away from Pat's & Geno's
[229] why didn't you tell him about the parade planned for tomorrow now that the Yankees finished off the Dodgers today?
now this is what an unlucky pitcher looks like
[230] Fenways batters factor is 105 and YSIII is 103.
[237] nice diane - i think you are gunning for cotn (comment of the night) :}
[236] I know...just backing up your point.
[229] Will I love my new Jetta?
shit, i'll miss the Wed game on tv, due to my teaching schedule... : (
[239] Shhh...don't ruin the ending.
Too many fouls off CC today.
Cano. My god what is up with this guy?
Did anyone else's screen freeze for 3 pitches?
that was a beautiful pitch
yeah, Diane wins comment of the night!
[247] to my unprofessional eye he has b or so stuff today rather than his a stuff - but he has good control and not really given up hard hit balls
The past is dark and dank. Well, it's not that bad. I mean, the Yanks are in the lead.
Shit, Cano just missed an over-the-shoulder grab of Bay's popup. (Shouldn't Swisher have made it there?)
[225] It's because of the RS fans. They add a considerable amount of offensiveness.
[251] I think he should be using his off speed more ahead in the count.
Phew!
whew
How did that go foul??? Quick, pitch before they review it!
That's just an awful pitch to Baldelli. Awful, awful, awful. Baldelli can hit one pitch...a fastball middle-in.
Ah, ok, I see on the replay now. I totally lost track of the ball.
[257] Wasn't close to HR distance.
nice catch, dude!
waaaay too many pitches for Carsten...
Rocco Baldelli has the Pat Burrell stance and swing ... and results.
[259] miller did his version of sterling - a silent hr call
CC needs to kick into a second gear.
That's the pitch that has been missing. He has not thrown many changes. I think the reason he hasn't been more efficient is because he is throwing mostly fastballs low to middle.
[254] that was a very nice off speed pitch there. maybe he didn't have the feel fo rit earlier in the game or something?
wow, actually an interesting stat--I would not have guessed CC ranked 3rd in MLB in swinging strikes....
Fenway is not so much a HR park as a wallball singles/doubles park.
[260][262] PLus the camera panned high, so I thought when I lost the ball that it had gone over teh fence. The subsequent replay was better.
One of the things that I hate, which has become more and more typical since about 1998, is how the cameras will track the ball high in the air so that you totally lose the perspective of the fielders and field. I would rather track the OFs than the ball, but maybe that;s just me.
Sabathia hasn't been sharp but he's also been unlucky. A nerve-wracking combination.
I don't get it...he seems like he doesn't trust his other pitches. He is making it easier on the batters.
that was complete and utter horseshit
doh!
BENCH CANO NOW--BENCH HIM NOW.
ouch
Cano needs to be benched. He is absolutely playing defense like horse shit.
no no no no no . that didn't just happen...
[269] Same with me. Didn't know where that ball was going.
why is it that Jeter nearly always makes those amazing over the shoulder catches, and Cano almost never does?
total bollocks
Seems like it's time to bench Robbie to send him a message ... Jesus Christ.
I like the HR, but otherwise Cano has played like shit. The last two nights make me wonder if the Yankees IFs and OFs practice communicating with each other.
Has to be an error..Cano needs a Larry Bowa can of whupass...
[279] Cano is very good on pops, but like last year, he has gone into a late season tailspin.
That error is HUGE! It's imapct is more than a run. The Yankees have played like absolute shit since the 4th inning of Firday and that's just not acceptable.
Calm down, everyone, Cano was busting his ass (then busted it) on that play. It's not like he was loafing
[279] because Jeter is God!!!
i'm off to pick up dinner.
how 'bout another leadoff homer while i'm gone? get that run back!!!
[284] Don't forget Cano can be considered wholly responsible for that run, as he also helped put him on base in the first place.
Cano has had several gaffes since last Sunday. Girardi had a chance to send him a message, but didn't. Now, you have to worry about Cano's head. When it goes south for him, he heads straight to the pole.
I hope Girardi told Cano to stop doing that
I really don't want to hear anyone defending Cano right now. 2 1/2 errors is at least two too many.
[285] i agree raf that he gave max effort, but it was another poor pop-up/communication play that needs to get worked out - it is very sloppy and william's right in [284] and i said it after friday's game, crisp baseball is not being played
Cano's problem, imo, is not so much loafing as lack of concentration--he busted his ass for a ball that wasn't his....
Has CC hit 7000 pitches yet?
[285] It's not a question of effort. It should be a routine play and he misplayed it. Similar events have been happening all week.
I seriously would like to see Pena replace Cano tonight. Or Hairston; whoever. Cano hit his homerun then gave it back last inning, so fuck it.
C'mon Johnny -- Steal second.
I'd like to see where that ball was. Looks like Johnny really reached out to hit that one
If the Yankees are lucky, they'll get through five with the lead and the sky will open up for 8 hours. Otherwise Cano is going to torch this game all on his own.
[295] I wouldn't mind seeing Peña replace Cano tonight, but that opens a whole other conversation.
[297] He did...it was a hanging curve on the outside corner.
He blew that call. It was definitely a stip.
facemask trapped that
[302] Looked like a catch on the replay, I thought. In any case, the ump looked a bit confused.
Yankees could really use an A-bomb here.
CC with 84 pitches
Very confusing. Catch on the replay, but could've gone either way.
ARod is just out of sync...
[305] thanks! I was just about to look that up. That's ridiculous... over 4 innings. [shakes head]
BEAUTIFUL!
Kabbalah!!!!!!!! HAH!
woo hoo arod!!!
there we go alex - that's how you do it
A-BOMB!
All synced up now!
304 - thanks
Rally Killer!!!!`
Way to kill the rally Alex! Good thing too, as it's approaching Mad Men time.
Way out of sinc. That ball should have been out of the stadium.
[315] Anytime.
oooh, he hit the shit out that one!
Take that, Boston fans! I swear, I knew that Alex was going to hit that home run. It was almost in slow mo.
he was completely balanced on that hit - very nice
That Cano drop was eating at me, but if he catches that ball, it's likely that the whole inning is different, so now I will consider it part of the grand plan.
Does that "Mute" Cano's error?
We need 2 more IP from CC....
Keep in mind that Arod JUST missed two HRs on Friday, so maybe he is coming around. If he gets hot, that could carry the Yankees through to the finish line.
looks like the hr bugaboo is rearing it's ugly head for beckett tonight
The only thing that could get me off of Cano is beating up on the Grinch ... Thank you A Rod.
CC's mindset has to be a clean 5th and 6th and then batter by batter in the 7th. Let's go big man...
[317] I think I'm just gonna wait till the 11 o'clock showing
FUCK YEAH!!!
i just heard it in the car on the way home on ESPN radio. campbell and the play-by-play guys sounded sooooo deflated and disappointed when A-Rod homered. i'm sure Miller did also.
i wanna see the replay.
just so's ya knowz - i said, "Crush it, Alex" aloud in the car! : )
[330] I gotta get up at 6:30 am. :-(
Ellsbuy doesn't really get down the line quickly for a fast man.
Quick inning would be good here
I get credit for that HR too! Laundry for Jeter's, potty-training with the boy for Matsui's, laundry again for Cano's, and on the phone to the tax-man during A-Rod's!! Would like Swisher to get a tater too so will get think up some more chores for his next AB!
Steve Phillips is actually making a good point by saying CC's Ks may be down because he is pitching with bigger leads in the past. I wonder if the stats back that up.
I don't like seeing Sabathia near 90 pitches. This feels like a Marte game.
[336] "than in the past"
One more strike and official game.
i really would like to see film on some of these guys who used to play another position - giambi, posada, martinez
[333] yeah he doesn't give max effort all the time
[321] That whole AB felt like a HR
Sit down Victor.
Not much of a swing. The ump is calling a big zone and quick strikes. I'll take it with the lead!!
Nice inning...CC should be good for the 6th. If he can get through that in similar fashion, you can have him start the 7th.
Nice. That innings changes the complection of the game.
[334] Yep. And the ridiculous 13-man staff may come in handy, since the real BP is very, very rested. Girardi can go to town in the late innings.
Good little piece in the Times today...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/sports/baseball/23bojangles.html?ref=sports
Swisher has hit the ball well all series. Too bad for him the Yankees are going home.
[346] I don't trust him to not do something stupid.
[335] We really, really like it when you're not here.
; )
[349] Probably right, but robo-managing all but guarantees Hughes-8, Mo-9. That only leaves the 7th.
so i guess someone decided the 6th inning was pitcher duel inning
[351] Marte. And Coke so he can give up a big homerun to a lefty.
alright.. here comes an 11 pitch inning for CC.
Melky needs a rest...Yankees have to consider playing Hairston for a few games this week. His swing looks very slow.
Oh Chase Wright.
[347] Thanks for that.
Look at JD Drew pretending like he wants to actually play.
Is replaying the "four-straight-homers" game NESPN's way of throwing Roid Sux fans a fucking bone?
[355] Hairston the one-man-bench is going to be busy filling in for all of the resting and benched players this week!
i guess the worse night of chase wright's life is the best of espn
Come on CC!! Lock this down!! And trsu the off speed damn it.
Pena's not with the team...right?
c'mon CC, don't let them back in !!!
Chase Wright...you sir are no Tyler Clippard
[360] Stop! I'd prefer not to get all riled up by the roster management.
Phil is up?
[354] because he gets pulled? (i hope not.)
[363]
Of course not.
[365] OK, I'll stop. But folks are calling for several players to ride some pine this week. I'm just sayin'...
What the hell was Jason Bay looking for?
[367] 3 piches left.
STOP THAT
DAMMIT
As a Melky booster it pains me to say his ABs are painful to watch. Though he did have a good game Friday.
jesus motherfucking christ.
this is ludicrous. and infuriating.
seriously?
I should've just watched the 10 o'clock Mad Men...
This is getting disgusting. That has to be caught. The Yankees have played piss poor defense at Fenway all season.
Once again, the pop-up communication looks b-a-a-a-d.
these pop-ups are driving me insane
I hate to say it, but that's Jeter's ball.
[380] not if he was keeping ugly on at 2nd
bogus.
Sabathia is pitching a pretty good game, and would be pitching better if not for the awful defense
Swisher seems to catch everything over his head .... his depth perception ain't great.
guess I forgot to account for the missed pop up. C'mon CC!
[380] That's what it looked like, but then he backed off. So, was he called off? What is the deal with these pop-ups??
That's another run just given away. It's a shame that CC gets tagged with both.
Come on, CC ...
CC..be the ace and K Varitek NOW!
this should be his last batter; I do not let CC face the tying run....
[381] He gave up on the ball....he was closest to it.
YES!!!! a caught pop-up
Its gotten to the point where I scream "Oh No" on every pop up.
That's not normal.
whew.
do we let CC start the 7th? i say yes.
[376] I'm flipping back & forth and am confused on both channels.
CC didn't pitch poorly there. I let him throw to Gonzalez and Ellsbury and take it from there.
OK, that's a good outing, considering it's in Fenway with lousy luck and worse defense....
[390] Unless Hughes is pitching two tonight, I want no one else out there
i hope sergio is watching closely so he sees what unlucky really looks like
CC has done a good job. Not great, but very good. It's the awful fielding that's the problem.
[394] I say yeah, bring out CC
[395] don't give anything away!! I don't want anyone to spoil Sal Romano's journey of self discovery for me
you know, 107 pitches for CC, I take the opportunity to give Hughes two innings here, considering his pitched all of 6 2/3 so far this MONTH...
[399] Sergio is the luckiest man on the planet because he has no business being on the roster.
How the hell did that miss him?
I really think Sabathia should only have 3 earned runs tonight.
you fucking cocksucker.
i truly HATE Fuckett.
beckett losing his shit and throwing at jeter or arod - what a fucking surprise
that was on purpose right? i just expect the worst from that prick.
[405] i don't know!
[406] he does.
One other thing to consider is the rain. If there is a chance for a delay, you probably don't want to bring Hughes in too soon.
[406] Two. The Cano and Jeter dropped pop-ups both led to runs.
[403] Geez, do we have to attach actual numbers to it? It makes it that much tougher to stomach.
[410] Oops I meant two.
[402] Still in Season One here, so stay mum!
Does anyone like Beckett, even his teammates??
Nah, if he wanted to hit him he would've done it with the fb
That was a disgusting inning.
Francis Albert is spinning in his grave
[415] My wife and I just started watching Mad Men. It's great.
Let's go CC... shut em down!
Billy Wagner's agent's name is Bean Stringfellow?
[420] Looks like Papelbon and Wagner had a nice exchange between potential future teammates.
Jon Miller pisses me off with his blatant Red Sox love. DICK
If the big man can get through this, he will definitely deserve a big pat on the back.
Short leash for CC, methinks.
the latter part of Papelbon's career is gonna play out so predictably, its gonna be awesome seeing him close out games in Newark in 3 years
Damnit CC...he's the 9 hitter.
I know MP might disagree, but Gonzalez HAS to take a strike there.
[426] It all worked out.
Wait, did Phillips actually get the Hughes-to-pen narrative more or less right? That the original move was temporary but developed along an unplanned trajectory? I am stunned.
[421] wagner is just crazy enough to get in a fist fight with paps if he does end up in the boston pen
[425] It wouldn't surprise me if Boston doesn't offer him a big contract and he walks K-rod style.
"slide piece" just sounds dirty.....
"yeah, I got this little slide piece across town, know what I'm sayin?"
[402] I won't say anything about the ninja clowns. Man, those throwing stars. . .
The big problem for me is that there was such down time that I've forgotten a lot. Though I only came aboard the second half of season two.
And to actually see a pregnant woman smoking & drinking wine. (true scene).
Given what's been going on this weekend, 7-4 is a pitchers duel.
I'm not happy with there still being so much time left in this game.
[420] yeah, they get a kick outta that over at MLB Trade Rumors, though i haven't seen his name there for awhile til the Wagner waiver claim...
Wow...that looked like a strike.
Miller thought that wooden sound was Ellsbury?
[427] Gonzalez is a sucky batter. I expect sucky batters to try to wile their way on base. When Jeter is smoking the ball, I let him swing away. Frankly, Tito should oredered Gonzalez to take.
Do managers even have the "take" sign any more, or would today's players feel insulted if told to take?
[429] It's called Blind Squirrel syndrome. In that anyone will stumble across something correct at some point.
nice work, big man!!!
[438] Wont re-open the Jeter debate, but glad to have you on the take a pitch side in this circumstance.
my god shut the fuck up miller - enough already - we are trying to watch a basbeall game you asshat
I could never figure out what made that big sweeper so effective for so many years for so many people. It just looks like it should be easy to hit.
I never have a problem with more Hughes, but CC has such dominant numbers against Pedroia that I would give him one last batter.
So, does this mean Hughes for four outs, or for one out? Girardi is a tricky one! (Actually, I like the way he has handled this so far).
uh-oh:
UPDATE, 10:21 p.m: Bad news: The grounds crew is poised near the tarp. There must be some bad weather coming. At least it’s a official game. No rain as of now.
Phil best be in for 4 outs. or at least 3, w/ Mo in for 4. Mo hasn't pitched in a minute, has he?
word press won't let me do the c c c c c chant
If Hughes pitches only 1/3 of an inning this game...
443 - that's what makes it so effective.
[448] ?? what is the c c c c c c c c chant?
yes hughes has been toiling away for years now
[446] Part of the reason I would have given CC one more batter.
[450] Makes sense. :)
[444] Flashbacks to the Pedroia walk in June, probably.
Jesus Christ this guy scares the hell out of me.
um...nice catch, Swish.
Phil best be out there in the 8th.
If the Yankees return to Fenway in October, they really need to have defensive practive EVERY day.
Hey all. I had to radio for several innings, long story. I listened to the Sox broadcast, which was not bad. Except for two misplayed pop flies, I mean -- Castiglione enjoyed those a little too much.
Girardi seems to be making a point of getting in front of that camera. Yeah yeah, you're real old school Joe - congrats.
[420] I actually have a "Bean Stringfellow" autograph on a Richmond Braves Team ball from 1988 when I worked as a parking lot attendant during the summer. It used to piss my boss off when the Clippers came to town and I work my Yankees hat. I saw Jay Buhner pitch that Summer and thought he was the second coming of the Mick.
there you go hughes and swsih managed not to decapitate himself there
[451] just saying c -c -c- c- c- c (with a like a small pause between each c) when i tried to type just c's wordpress wouldn't let me - it's so damn strict
good for CC, no BBs.
[456] Swisher looks ugly with the glove, but he really does get to most everything hit out there. Now, balls off the wall, throws to the IF...not so good.
[458] I counted at least three misplayed pop ups
Is The Goods as bad as it looks?
[461] really? wow. thanks. i guess that should have been obvious lol.
I hate when he does that. Its usually an omen.
It's amazing how cocky Beckett can look even in the midst of a game where he's coughed up seven runs.
has anyone else gotten the sense that this has probably been the first season where A-Rod has just sorta blended into the team? He's having a good year considering the hip, but certainly not a vintage year...but we all have to be generally pleased with his production.
He hasn't been an everyday obsession of the tabloids, hasn't really said anything stupid, and I get the feeling that the playoffs won't really be marketed as "BUT HOW WILL A-ROD PLAY?!!?"...it's kinda nice.
[464] Hm, I meant the Cano error and the Damon thing where he called off Jeter and then did a somersault.
[464] Its funny in the Super Troopers/Anchorman vein
I LOVE GODZILLA!!!
MATSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUI
yeah godzilla!!! 2hr games are nice
Make that eight. Fuck you, Beckett.
The Yankees are going to re-sign Matsui, right?
Godzilla....so much for Beckett figuring things out.
MATSUI-SAN !!!!!!!
i have a feeling we're gonna miss him next season...
Good evening, Josh.
Rally Killer San!
SO happy Matsui is going to end his Yankee years with such a good season! 5 taters off of Beckett..love it!!
He's on a fucking tear.
Godzilla stomps Boston.
Wow, we really hit Redneckett a TON.
[474] That's the slogan for today's game. I guess Diane can use it as the title of tomorrow's recap blog entry, but we'll all know that it's really "Fuck You Beckett".
be careful swish - if you call time out too late josh might throw at your head - the last dude who played rf at yankee stadium could tell you about it
[475] I sort of expect him to retire.
Oh and Don Draper does the right thing? Very confusing.
[468] Absolutely. This is why I think the steroid blow-up was a blessing in disguise.
The fact that he's got an injury excuse helps too probably, but on the other hand he's come up big a lot this year.
[468] I think so too, and it's not surprising. After this offseason, things couldn't get worst. I think Arod now realizes that he doesn't have to maintain an image because that has been shattered. Now, he can just play ball. Even though he hasn't had an Arod year, he has been very, very good. Ironically, most people probably think he hasn't had as good as season he really has.
schquare. um, okay, joe...
Has ESPN been harping on the fact that this is Beckett's second consecutive crappy outing?
[486] after hitting 25+ home runs? I kind of expect him to DH somewhere.
[487] QUIET!!
[484] I really feel it in my heart.
[469] Right before the Cano error he and Swisher misplayed a ball that allowed Bay to get on.
[491] no John Miller's still kissing his ass.
I don't think Matsui leaving is a foregone conclusion. I can definitely seeing him take a reasonable contract to stay. Unless the Yankees have replacements in mind, bring back Damon and Mastui might be the best alternative...of couse, that's something to think about in November.
[492] His knees are still a wreck though
[468] i think so too - maybe, playing pop pyschologist, it helped him to stop having to hide his "secret" and he could relax a bit more - something he needed to do - plus i think having the other 3 high priced free agents come in and spread out the attention helped a bit too
[484] “Fuck You Beckett”. = i LOVE that !!!
i just shorten it and call him: "Fuckett"
After tonight, there will be not more talk of the Yankees in RSN. Only Texas and Tampa Bay.
[495] Oh, jeez, of course. I ran them together.
[487] Do not post anything resembling a Mad Men spoiler. I'm watching this game like you should be, Mad Men tomorrow. Actually Mad Men deserves your full attention, quit screwing around posting in here at all.
[501] Still plenty of time left...
Good lord. The crowd is actually singing Sweet Caroline.
I find it incredible that Sox fans are oblivious to how idiotic it makes them sound.
[494] that is some lofty hate in your heart hawk
hughesy back out there - color me happy
[501] Be careful...
[505] Hey now. We can all appreciate a creepy pedophile song every once in a while.
30-29 Yankees. (this weekend)
c'mon Hughes - DON'T walk the leadoff man!!!
[501] On the Sox radio broadcast they mention the Texas win each inning and update the Tampa situation. They're most definitely thinking WC.
[498] An incentive laden contract might be a nice compromise.
[507] Seriously! Crikey!
Easy with those chickens.
Very professional.
[511] I'm not as worried about his knees (although its a concern) as I'm not sure he'd be willing to do this again.
This is a fun matchup
[505] man, oh man, do i ever HATE that song. i used to have to play it a lot in 2 bands. brutal. with one of the groups, it brought us a lot of tips though...
an old teacher of man used to tour with Neil Diamond some...
[498] yeah probably. that is the unknown. who knows how much they hurt.
c'mon hughes ugly loves to walk
Hughes looks a little jumpy.
Uh, I don't like the looks of Hughes right now. Prove me wrong, Phil.
[503] But what he did, you don't know. It just got even more interesting. But I can't stay away from a Beckett beat down.
Whew.
When Hughes makes needless pickoff attempts, it worries me.
sorry to disappoint jon
man, that was a LOUD out...
[519] i'm sorry Papelbitch is from your home state
Miller screamed "He makes the catch" like it was some charging basket catch or something
Wow...I thought that was out. Must have missed the sweet spot or something.
[522] Do us a favor and leave it at that though. Seriously, I treasure Mad Men above all else right now.
Obviously, you've read my file, as I can empathize with the Beckett beat down of course.
that curveball is sick!
Oh no. Who's the lefty that Coke can give up a huge homer to?
um, joe, how was THAT the "barrel of the bat" but Matsui's wasn't. you're a complete hypocritical moron who watches baseball games with your eyes closed. fuck you (and beckett, while i'm at it).
[527] Hahaha, but that's Miller for you.
Wow...that was dominant.
That's more like it. Bay blown away.
He made Bay look silly.
[528] Didn't square up..
What did Wagner say about Papelbon?
ok Sterling Cooper time...later gang
[501] Oh they'll still talk about the Yanks....In the third quarter of every pats game they'll break into that stupid chant of theirs.....I bet no one has ever chanted "Red Sox Suck" at a Giants game. They're completely obsessed and jealous of the Yankees.
John Miller positive squealed when he saw Melky having trouble on that fly. I bet he soiled his "oops I crapped my pants" when Melky caught the ball.
What the hell is Phillips talking about?
Swish!!!
[528] not according to the Big Red Machine. even though it was the exact OPPOSITE of what he described as the "sweet spot" for Matsui.
GOLD GLOVE, Nicky Baby!!!
I think that close call with Youkilis popped Hughes's cherry. Nice job Phillip!
Wait, is that permitted? I thought they were required to let the ball bounce in front of them.
I hate these people. Must everything be an adventure?
[526] don't add another douche to alabama - he was born in louisiana, went to hs in florida, and college in mississipi - just missed bama
way to make it interesting
when was the last time Mo pitched? feels like July...
[537] Nothing. Papelbon spoued off about Wagner. It was impolitic to say about a probable future teammate, but I actually agree with what he said.
Ah Nick Swisher. What a guy.
[537] “I dont have anything to say about somebody like that.”
[537] from Pete Abe:
[547] Mo isn't allowed to pitch, dummy. Look at the score. Are you really bad at subtraction, or do you not understand what "closer" means?
[542] Maybe I misunderstood what Morgan said, but I thought that he said both Matsui and Youk just missed the sweet spot, and both hit it a long way. Only Matsui "got around on teh pitch" and pulled it, but Youk hit it to dead center.
On this one, I actually thought Morgan made a decent observation. Or I misheard.
Hmm. Yeah, [551], it's all true.
Not proper to say, but true.
[546] ah, you're right! my bad. i'm sorry; please accept my sincere apology! he was born in baton rouge, like Andy...
[553] Teh pitch, nice!
If you really aren't doing this deliberately, then your subconscious is very good at it.
[548] The quote I read was something like "I don't respond to people like that". That's not exactly a diplomatic statement.
[551] Oh, this will be fun
Cano had no interest in that AB. Someone needs to take him aside before Tuesday.
[551] Again, Pete Abe made a crack about him, and he probably should not have said anything about a potential future teammate. But Papelbon is pretty much spot on with that comment, IMO.
[555] definitely forgiven. plus you drop more f-bombs than me and when you are not here oyf scolds me for my un-lady like language.
melky and cano trying to see who can swing at a worse pitch
Wow, could Melky look any worse?
[560] Just because he is probably right, doesn't mean you should say it.
[552] oh yeah, Coke has to come in and give up a leadoff homer - my bad! ; )
[553] he tried to say the ball ran in on Mats (it really didn't). he even drew a little chalk dot and line. it made NO sense. then, he showed where the sweet spot was. Youk's shot was on the OPPOSITE side of Joe's previously drawn sweet spot and said that he nailed it. Morgan is an idiot. Miller is an enabler. Phillips is a useless sack of shit. ESPN are a bunch of morons for employing them for sooo long...
[556] Maybe subconscious. Really, it's just that, despite being in a profession where I write all the time, I can't type worth a damn. And I don't proofread or preview (so my witty comments and sage observations get to you all as quickly as possible).
So, really, I deserve any and all mockery for "teh" typos.
Suzyn Waldman just said that Saito has a sneaky fastball.
We're all just waiting for Mo. Rob, Melk, Jose, Suzyn, me.
[562] He and Cano were playing "anything you can do, I can do better".
[559] send him to Nebraska!
So 7-3 on a big road trip and a day off and then a big home stand with Texas and the Palehose followed by 12 games against O's and BJs
Jose's not quite ready to call it a night.
[563] exactly - paps is just an ass - and while he is correct, i tend to think the comment is more about wanting to be the only "name" out in the pen
[559] I just don't understand what his deal is. What goes through that pea brain of his?
Steve Phillps.. "Beckett gets credit for protecting the bullpen"..this guy really a GM??? Beckett gave up 8 runs...
Yes, Steve, Beckett was lousy and probably killed any shot they had at the division, but he gave innings
so. Mo holds and CC goes to 15 wins. Leaving dumb ass in his dust. :)
[569] After this homestand, the Yankees only play 13 games against .500 teams (not including Seattle, which really isn't a .500 quality team).
[561] i absolutely LOVE it when girls curse up a storm!!! don't worry, i've got your back!!! : )
Is there a YES postgame?
[573] plus he was a faux gm for a while
[577] ditto.
[563] I find the frankness somewhat refreshing. And the Gagné experiment was a disaster.
[576] Do you count the ChiSox?
[574] He may have also extinguished any chance of winning the Cy Young with his past two outings.
[578] Yes.
At what point did you stop wanting the Yankees to drive up Beckett's pitch count? For me it was after the third inning. "Protecting the bullpen" sounds like a euphemism when you give up more than five runs. If it were Smoltz, nobody would say anything like that.
[573] I was gonna say - "he got knocked around a little"? Eight runs, Steve! Five home runs.
[581] i know that the gag me experience didn't pan out but i thought it was a descent move at the time. Certainly would have seemed to strengthen the bullpen, though a bit risky due to injury stuff.
[578] yes, i remember bob lorenz talking about it friday
[571] i think you mean: "fucking ass" !!! : )
[578] no but Gammons will be on for 2 hours on NESPN with the Red Sock Report
If it's not a save situation, will Mo explode or combust spontaneously? Why is Girardi taking such a risk??
Hmmmmmmmm.
I wonder how hard Francona had to ask to get Drew off his ass.
[582] I was counting only games after this homestand.
That's just rust. Don't worry.
I'll tell you what, if Sabathia did what Beckett did tonight - at home - I'd be pissed.
What could possibly explain that?
Oh Christ
rusty Mo at the Fens, isn't a great combo.
let's keep the score here, thank you please!
[591] Girardi's now thinking to himself, "I knew it, I knew I shouldn't put him in. STUPID STUPID STUPID."
Why'd they let him take second?
[594] Ah, sorry.
[596] and Phillips would destroy him, saying it's not what we paid him to do, etc. etc....
Phillips really just spent too much time "analyzing" the defensive indifference play, almost obligatory in this situation.
Sitdown Facemask.
Yeah, that's him. I mean, Him.
Strike three - that was a great pitch.
ran back to the dugout and collect your facemask ashhole
[601] I've always insisted that teams would be wise to pitch out in such circumstances.
[604] Still hate that rule.
that is the captain facemask we all know and love.
siddown you goddamn shithook
It looked a lot closer than their graphic showed, didn't it.
[601] Yeah, good question. Why not throw when Drew steals? Can't hurt.
[601] Because his run is largely irrelevant, so it's not worth compromising the defense or risking a bad throw, or even worth wasting a strike [609]. Just go after the batter.
At least that's the logic, whether one agrees with it or not.
K.C. Crotchman
there seems to be a good amount of defensive indifference when mo pitches - granted po is often catching but molina didn't seem to care tonight either
I wasn't listening to Phillips so I don't get it. Try and throw the runner out.
joe west gives Ugly a run for his money...
I kind of want to hear Joe West's album.
[615] But (a) when he runs, if you throw you might get him; and (b) it does remove the DP, so it's not irrelevant that Drew takes second.
Please stop singing. This is not MNF c. 1974.
Is that Teixeira that's always screaming on the gorunders?
2 down, 1 to go.
i wanna see highlights of the homers i missed - Jetes, Matsui's first & A-Rod's
[615] I ask knowing that that's what they think, but I don't get it. That run is important ... I'd say a four run lead is probably the maximum lead where it is important, but it is. That's 25%, yo.
It's interesting that Tito used two left handed PH to face Mo.
[620] that makes one of us!
he gone.
filthy! WOO HOOO!!!
Buried.
[620] Cosign. I assume we won't see a torrent any time soon.
i LOVE Mo!!! : )
[621] I said largely irrelevant. The DP doesn't matter much, because you can trade runs for outs and still win. The throw *might* lead to an overthrow, and extra base, though that's not all that important. But, you have to consider that you rarely even jold the runner on in that case, so there is very little chance for a throw out in any case.
Now that's a very satisfying victory...one that Boston really needed to have.
nicely done boys (well not the pop-ups) but nice hitting, good enough pitching, and mo is mo
Boy, that was good. Great finish. Told ya it was just rust.
This is for sure the FY Beckett game.
love the homer fest highlights to end it. the announcers could sound a little more enthused.
Hey all, I high five you en masse. The Yankees are officially back and in the driver's seat. Sweeping the Sox at home then taking 2 of 3 at Fenway to prove it wasn't a fluke, leaving with a 7.5 game lead ... It's all good! Until Tuesday at least, I tell you!
[633] I guess that's right, it's not worth holding him on, so it would be hard to throw him out.
g'night yinz
[625] The chances of winning a game in the ninth with at three run lead is around 97%. each additional run has a pretty marginal impact on chances of winning at that point.
High five, Hawk.
(We need an icon for that.)
Matsui just smiled once in his interview with the Japanese announcers..that's an emotional explosion from him based on his usual chats!
OK, so I think we can start talking about the division being sewn up. Yes, I am tempting fate, jinx, karma and apple pie.
[626] That's one way to put it.
[641] Oddly, win expectancy goes up a full percent when the runner on first takes second.
That surprises me. Now I think it's worth trying to hold him on.
[643] he was really smiling in the dugout too after his first hr too
and after tomorrow's off day we get baseball at a civilized hour (at least for some of us) for a nice stretch
Fuck yes.
Sweet, sweet win. Wonder what's up with Beckett.
I despise Miller and Phillips and Morgan is Morgan. Hope they enjoyed choking on that.
As frustrated as I was yesterday, I am that pleased tonight.
[646] Interesting!
[641] Well I see the number next to your "%" is bigger, so you win this one.
battle of the bullpens tomorrow in boston - Jose Contraras v Clayton Bigsby Bucholtz. Good chance it'll be an 8.0 game lead on Tuesday morning.
See yall later folks. 4am comes early.
Anyone know what the magic number is?
7.5 games up is HUGE! So much better than 5.5
I love watching the replay of Beckett's face after the A Bomb ... from A Rod. I may rewind just to see it again. Har de har har har.
And yes, [644] let's start, at least. Cautiously. Respectful of the baseball gods, of course.
we're gonna miss Bizarro Kramer this series against Texas
[646] I think that's one of those potentially classic misuses of statistics (making your decision based on that single percent you say is there).
What you would have to compare, at a minimum, is BA/OBP/SLG/OPS while holding a runner on vs. the same while not holding a runner on, plug that in to the new situations that are more likely to result from holding the runner on, and see where those win percentages come out, matched to their probabilities.
I think what I just said is right.
[652] No. But I do know what the word is.
[654] Respectfully, of course. : )
[656] Yes, that's right. But I think those are apt to be very small differences. If they weren't, then you'd almost never hold a runner on. (There are almost no situations in the middle of a game where stealing second base adds a full percentage point of win expectancy.)
I said I do know what the word is.
[655] Scott Feldman? yeah, he kicked ass today...
[659] Hmm, I take that back. It's quite common to add more than a percentage point in Win Exp by stealing.
[662] Where do you get your Win% numbers from?
Ladies and gentlemen, this was the night. God bless Yankee dollars and CC Sabathia. God bless a .260 hitting, clutch as hell A Rod. God bless a Nick Swisher who scares the bejeesus out of you but usually makes the catch and not only will go to the wall, but leave the wall pocked with cleat holes. God bless the first Red Sox batters in the ninth for warming Mariano up. God bless Robinson Cano's potential. God bless the baseballs spinning eternally in Derek Jeter's eyes.
[660] Love the song, but not the show - sorry!!!
[663] Oh, if you haven't seen the <a href="http://winexp.walkoffbalk.com/expectancy/search"Win Expectancy Calculator then you have some fun in front of you.
Hey, new thread!
Yeah, not a bad win...
Crud. Sorry.
The Win Expectancy Calculator.
[662] That would make sense, because in those situations you're moving a runner into scoring position, which will move the percentages of the run scoring accordingly, which will often move the win % numbers accordingly, in a way that a runner in scoring position down four in the 9th will not. Which I'm sure you got, just spelling it out.
I'm not sure what the differences are between the first baseman holding on vs. not holding on. As a first baseman for many, many years, particularly one who is not breathtakingly mobile, I can say the two positions seem very different.
Now one other thing is that the not holding on scenario should probably last over one or two pitches in most situations, while the holding on situation would be over a full at bat. That would seem to be another complication in calculating.
wow, i didn't realize Bruntlett was responsible for the 2 runners on base before his unassisted triple play. WILD!!!
[668] Awsome.
[RI] Forgot to close the tag, you devil you >;)
That ball that dropped in front of a charging Damon - should that have been Melky's ball? I was watching on a little screen on espn360, so it was impossible to tell.