"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Chicago White Sox II: Same As It Ever Was

Prior to the Rangers’ just-complete series win in the Bronx, the only series the Yankees had lost in the second half came against the White Sox in Chicago. The Sox took three-of-four in that weekend series as July turned to August. The first win came via an unearned run off Andy Pettitte in a 3-2 game. The next two came by a combined score of 24-9 as the Sox tore into Sergio Mitre, Alfredo Aceves, A.J. Burnett, and Phil Coke, who combined to allow 22 of those 24 runs.

Since then, the White Sox have acquired two high-profile players, but have yet to see any benefit from either addition. The first actually occurred on the eve of that last series, when the Sox traded for injured Padres ace Jake Peavy. I analyzed that deal for SI.com:

The White Sox’s trade for Jake Peavy appears on its surface to be a trump card designed to keep them in the division race. It is not that. . . . Peavy is hurt. He tore a tendon in his right ankle in early June, hasn’t pitched since, and isn’t expected back for several of weeks — if at all this season. Certainly the White Sox could benefit from activating Peavy down the stretch if they’re still within striking distance (they’re 2½ games out entering the weekend), and would benefit from his presence in the postseason should they get there. But more likely, the Tigers, with Washburn, are going to win the division.

Indeed, the Sox have since fallen to four games behind the Tigers as Peavy remains on the DL while the Sox have scrambled to fill Clayton Richard’s spot in the rotation. Richards’ spot has come up four times since he was dealt to San Diego in the Peavy deal. The Sox won the first two with spot starters, but have lost the last two behind Freddy Garcia, who will start again on Sunday after Peavy took a liner off his elbow in what was supposed to be his last rehab start.

The other big acquisition was their waiver claim of the Blue Jays’ Alex Rios. The White Sox seemed like one team that could actually benefit from taking on Rios and his contract given their proximity to first place and the .224/.280/.311 line their center fielders had put up prior to Rios’s arrival. However, Rios has started just eight of 13 games in center since joining the Sox, including just three of the last eight and is hitting a mere .200/.213/.333 in that limited time. Rios isn’t helping the White Sox at all, but he’s still going to cost them $59.7 million over the next five years. There’s still a month to go in the season, but Kenny Williams’ claim of the 28-year-old Rios is already looking like a worse move than the contract J.P. Ricciardi signed the 27-year-old Rios too last April.

It will be a great story if Peavy and Rios suddenly emerge to carry the White Sox to the Central title in September, but it ain’t gonna happen. In the meantime, the team the Yankees face this weekend is much the same one they faced at the beginning of the month, minus speedy second baseman Chris Getz, who is out with an oblique strain, and with better work from their bullpen (led by the major’s top set-up man), but weaker work from their rotation.

Tonight’s game pits lefty aces Mark Buehrle and CC Sabathia against each other. The two have had wildly disparate Augusts:

Sabathia: 5-0, 2.65 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 9.40 K/9, 7.8 K/BB, 1.2 HR/9
Buehrle: 0-3, 6.03 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, 2.59 K/9, 1.5 K/BB, 1.7 HR/9

On top of that, Sabathia and Buehrle have met up ten previous times without Buehrle ever picking up a win. CC is 6-0 in those match-ups.

Jose Molina starts again today as Jorge Posada continues to rest his bruised ring finger. Same lineup as yesterday.

In other news, the Yankees have decided to put Joba Chamberlain back in regular rotation, but to honor his innings limit by taking him out early. Sounds like a move to long relief minus the baggage of the word “bullpen.” This is a viable option because of the team’s lead in the division and rosters expanding on Tuesday, thus deepening the bullpen in support of Joba’s short starts. Given how poorly Joba’s pitched on irregular rest and how well he’s pitched in short stints in the past, this does seem like a better plan, even if it will drive some fans nuts to see Joba repeatedly pulled after five or fewer dominant innings.

Chicago White Sox

2009 Record: 64-64 (.500)
2009 Pythagorean Record: 65-63 (.508)

Manager: Ozzie Guillen
General Manager: Kenny Williams

Home Ballpark (multi-year Park Factors): U.S. Cellular Field (105/105)

Who’s Replaced Whom:

  • Alex Rios has replaced Dewayne Wise (DL)
  • Brett Lillibridge (minors) has replaced Chris Getz (DL)
  • Freddy Garcia has replaced Clayton Richard

25-man Roster:

1B – Paul Konerko (R)
2B – Jayson Nix (R)
SS – Alexei Ramirez (R)
3B – Gordon Beckham (R)
C – A.J. Pierzynski (L)
RF – Jermaine Dye (R)
CF – Scott Podsednik (L)
LF – Carlos Quentin (R)
DH – Jim Thome (L)

Bench:

R – Alex Rios (OF)
R – Brent Lillibridge (IF)
L – Mark Kotsay (1B/OF)
R – Ramon Castro (C)

Rotation:

L – Mark Buehrle
R – Jose Contreras
R – Freddy Garcia
R – Gavin Floyd
L – John Danks

Bullpen:

R – Bobby Jenks
R – Octavio Dotel
L – Matt Thornton
R – Tony Peña
R – Scott Linebrink
R – D.J. Carrasco
L – Randy Williams

15-day DL: RHP – Jake Peavy (strained ankle), RHP – Bartolo Colon (inflammed elbow), 2B – Chris Getz (oblique), OF – Dewayne Wise (strained shoulder)

Typical Lineup:

L – Scott Podsednik (CF)
R – Gordon Beckham (3B)
R – Jermaine Dye (RF)
L – Jim Thome (DH)
R – Paul Konerko (1B)
R – Carlos Quentin (LF)
L – A.J. Pierzynski (C)
R – Alexei Ramirez (SS)
R – Laynce Nix (2B)

Categories:  Cliff Corcoran  Game Thread  Series Preview

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443 comments

Show/Hide Comments 1-100
1 Yankster   ~  Aug 28, 2009 6:56 pm

I'm here to see Jete get his 17th homer and 2705th hit. A win would be quite nice. Hope everyone stays healthy today.

2 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:10 pm

First Friday game I haven't mean at the Stadium in a while...never thought they'd play.

Looking at the radar, I would have moved Mitre up to this start and pushed CC back. It looks like a lock for a delay or two or three.

3 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:13 pm

So now they will start Joba regularly, but lift him early in the game..exactly what am I not understanding about this whole thing? Is Joba a damn ming vase that has to be handled with padded gloves? No one is calling for him to throw 275 innings but this is just getting ridiculous...

4 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:13 pm

[2] I wonder whether CC would be comfortable coming into the middle of a game.

Man, he sure looks comfortable now.

5 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:14 pm

[3] The way he is going, Joba will likely take care of the lifting early part all on his own.

6 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:14 pm

[3] What the...? What are you doing up at this hour??

7 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:14 pm

[5] Maybe, or quite possibly the psychology of expecting to pitch only four innings will make a huge difference.

8 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:15 pm

[4] They could have pushed him to Saturday. Hopefully, the rain holds up and it works out. With Buerhle on the other side, the game should move along quickly.

9 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:16 pm

Unbefreakinglievable.

10 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:16 pm

yeah jeter with the rickey henderson special

11 Just Fair   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:16 pm

Whoo-hooooo. : D

12 Yankster   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:17 pm

[1] well. I guess I got what I came for. see you all later...

13 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:17 pm

Well, there goes the perfect game!

14 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:17 pm

[6] 8:15am here..but been up since 6..such is the jazzy life with a 1.8yr old in the house...
Jays-BoSox on tv, maybe will turn in to see if the Grinch gets pounded again..

15 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:17 pm

[12] Oh please stay.

16 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:18 pm

[12] damn your wish didn't take long

17 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:19 pm

[14] Check in right away. Good start for the Jays.

18 Just Fair   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:19 pm

Too high. : /

19 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:19 pm

damn i think the wind stifled that hr

20 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:19 pm

Mr OK Jazz, that Teix shot realllly looked like it was going to leave the stadium. The wind is blowing straight in, and hard.

21 NYYfan22   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:20 pm

Yanks getting started early tonight. I like it!

What's chill, everyone?

22 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:25 pm

[20] Reverse jet-stream?

23 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:25 pm

I'm back after witnessing that debacle in person yesterday afternoon. After two visits I have decided that the new stadium...just doesn't do it for me.

Go Jays!

24 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:27 pm

The radar is so colorful...lots of pretty reds and greens. I can't imagine how they are going to get through this game.

25 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:27 pm

[23] $10 beers? JumboJumboTron? "Attentive" security guards? I hear the garlic fries rock though..

26 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:27 pm

Jeter kills the rally before it even starts, and the Jays stink (as usual).

27 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:27 pm

Beckett is pretty bad tonight, but he got out of a big jam scoreless.

28 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:28 pm

[23] that must have been torture. just following on gameday sporadically sucked.

guess the goal is to get through 5 with this lead as fast as possible

29 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:28 pm

Yow.

30 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:28 pm

[25] Not those things in particular.

31 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:29 pm

The Yankees (or whomever is responsible) are stupid for playing this game. I am not a meterologist, but if the radar I am looking at isn't accurate, then they should dispense with the science altogether.

32 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:29 pm

[24] i wonder if that is what melky saw too

33 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:29 pm

Gulp.

34 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:30 pm

mk that was foul by QUITE a lot

35 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:30 pm

The umps are in rain delay mode!

36 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:30 pm

[31] what sucks is possibly wasting a cc start

37 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:31 pm

NOAA website is down! Please evacuate!

38 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:31 pm

[36] Yep, see [2].

39 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:33 pm

[37] Wha?? I'm looking at it, and clicking around (hourly weather charts). It's fine.

40 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:33 pm

[31] I believe they want to get this in because the weather doesn't look too promising for tomorrow

41 Just Fair   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:33 pm

That ball Melky butchered b/c he was waving to the bleacher creatures was rough. At least he has a semi-good excuse tonight.

42 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:33 pm

I wish the Yankees could let the White Sox take all their ABs first like in Cricket.

43 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:34 pm

Hm, so Konerko reached on a double.
It's really hard to make an error in the OF, isn't it?

44 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:34 pm

[40] Tomorrow afternoon, but a twinighter seems good.

45 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:35 pm

[39] Hmmm...I am getting a server busy notice.

46 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:35 pm

[41] Yeah, can't really blame Melk, but on the other hand chalking a double onto Sabathia's record is a bit rough, too.

47 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:35 pm

[38] yep - you called it early -
the only bright side for me is i am going to be out of town for the next week so i much prefer to see cc than mitre for my last game for a week -
but i am not so selfish as to want to waste a cc start

48 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:35 pm

[45] forecast.weather.gov

49 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:37 pm

Well, 14hours ahead of all youse guys I can say the sky is bright and the temperature is HOT!
RIYank, going to skip Beckett and watch King Felix at 11am..he's facing the Royals so definite No-No possibilities!

50 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:37 pm

[46] petey is trying hard to - it was obvious he lost the damn ball, it happens

51 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:40 pm

since buerhle pitches so fast and cc is working quickly tonight and striking guys out, there is a decent chance they do get in 5 quickly

52 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:42 pm

Did Molina really just swing 3-0? Couldn't be?

53 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:42 pm

[28] Yesterday's game featured so many of my favorites coming into play: thirteen man staff meaning short bench, so PH for awful Molina (or Melky for that matter); AJ pulled after six innings because he crossed the magical number of pitches. Phil Hughes not used in seventh because it was...the seventh inning, not the magical eighth inning. The best relievers watching in the BP, for the third straight game, while the game was basically lost in the seventh.

Add to that the specific frustrating aspects: I called for Molina to bunt, only to watch him rap into a DP (fourth inning, maybe?); millions of base runners but no one scores; bad AJ makes a devastating appearance in the fourth inning.

Add to that features of the live game experience that I found personally irritating: despite the purpose-built design in new stadium, lines for monument park were again insane, and I missed the cutoff to enter even though I lined up plenty early; music and sound effects were excruciatingly loud; fans chanting for the opposing team's HRs to be thrown back on the field (a la Wrigley Field) and, worse, the relevant fan obliging.

Grrr.

The one god thing--it was a beautiful day for baseball, and watching batting practice for the first time in years was fun.

54 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:42 pm

Hey, Team.

Oh no, what's the word on Jorgie?

55 Diane Firstman   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:43 pm

HOWDY folks

56 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:43 pm

[52] It was 2-1, actually.

57 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:45 pm

[53] Hey, mp, I was there too, with the kid and his cousin! Too bad we missed each other!

I could not agree more re: the music. It was the same in the old place. It's like they're doing their damndest to sabotage the pastoral baseball experience. It's just noise, noise, noise for the sake of it.

Imagine how pleasant the experience would be without it.

58 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:45 pm

[56] Good...YES had 3-0 and I thought that was wrong.

59 Just Fair   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:46 pm

Whenever weather comes up I think of the whole dome debate. I recently heard Seattle has less summer rain than NCY so I checked it out. Huh?

From Wikipedia
Average rainfall
June Seattle 1. 49 inches NYC 3.84 in
July Seattle 0.79 inches NYC 4.62 in
August Seattle 1.02 inches NYC 4.22 in

60 Yankster   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:46 pm

[57] funny thing is that sterling actually kept repeating 3 balls like some kind of incantation. I even doubted gameday. And then molina swang and I had the same [52] annoyance.

61 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:47 pm

mk saying he just got a text from coney made me think of this link i saw for the michael kay drinking game

62 Just Fair   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:47 pm

Jeter nicely handled a nasty hop on that grounder. Yikes.

63 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:48 pm

Dude is dealing tonight.

64 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:49 pm

[57] did the boys at least enjoy themselves weeping?

65 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:50 pm

[57] I was hoping that the new stadium would bring with it a new sound system and, thus, less obnoxious noise. Not quieter, per se, but better sounding, less distortion, etc. Instead, I am convinced that the sonic assault is actually worse.

66 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:51 pm

[59] New York is a pretty rainy city, but it's usually more concentrated. I can't remember a summer with this many days of rain. Still, rain delays have never been a problem in the team's history, so I don't think it's worth the extra cost for a dome. Aesthetically, I also prefer the wide open view.

67 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:52 pm

[59] Seattle is rainy almost all the time, but it comes down in mist so doesn't accumulate a lot of inches.

68 Just Fair   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:52 pm

[61] That's the 3rd time I've read that. It kills me. Many of them I enjoy. Most make me want to bang my head through the table. : )

69 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:53 pm

johnny damon with a johnny damon special!!

70 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:53 pm

[65] I haven't noticed the increased noise...maybe it's louder during the day (or the crowd is more subdued)? I too would love to get rid of the extra noise, but the players ask for it and much of the crowd seems to like it.

71 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:53 pm

Good.
This means Teixeira will homer in the fifth.

72 Just Fair   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:53 pm

(61} Playing with shots of JD would be deadly. Whoo-hoo.

73 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:53 pm

[41] Is that what happened?

74 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:54 pm

Teixeira runs alot like Mike Piazza...maximum effort.

75 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:54 pm

[68] yeah he did a good job of putting the list together - it's pretty funny

76 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:55 pm

[74] And yet, when he tries for second, you don't have that "Uh oh" feeling like you might with about half our guys.

77 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:56 pm

Ozzie looks like a vampire.

78 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:56 pm

[70] Just FYI..at the last Yakult Swallows game I went to, the "coming to bat music" for the Good Guys included, the Doobie Brothers "Without Love, where would you be now", some Jay-Z track, a Japanese folk song, "Africa" by Toto (seriously..who would choose that?) and some pretty bad country music for Aaron Gueil...I was riveted...

79 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:56 pm

[66] Agreed. This summer has been unusually rainy (and cool) through much of North America. One of the benefits of the new stadium (for both players and fans) are the superior amenities for waiting out a rain delay. Better to delay a game at the beginning than in the middle. In any case, no real "need" for a dome.

80 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:56 pm

Beckett is really struggling. Of note, this is the first season in which the Red Sox HAVE NOT given Beckett a midseason beather by sending him to the DL.

81 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:57 pm

[73] raf - no melky did that last year - tonight he lost the ball in i think the combo of the wind and lights

[74] he should be the inspiration for the other slow basrunners on this team most of whom not only give medium effort but have horrible instincts (though i don't think they can improve the latter much)

82 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:58 pm

[80] It's too bad that the Jays are just so pitiful that they can't seem to take advantage.

83 Just Fair   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:58 pm

[66] I agree. I'm no fan of domes but everytime I'm looking forward to a game and it rains I think hmmmm...
[67] That's interesting. I had not considered the mist. Playing 81 games in that would be....not good.

84 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:59 pm

[77] the teeth?

85 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:59 pm

Nice play by Beckham...he is going to be a good player for a long time.

86 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:59 pm

[82] Well, it's 3-0, so they are.

Nice bunt, Swish!

87 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 7:59 pm

[82] Ah, but I look back at the game and the Jays lead 3-0. I should leave the room more often?

88 Just Fair   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:00 pm

Too. Many. Men. Left. On. Base.

89 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:00 pm

Yankees are really wasting opportunities. Sad to see Cano continue to have poor ABs with men in scoring position.

90 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:00 pm

[64] They did very much, Ms. O, thank you.

Yes, mp, it may actually be worse, if that's possible.

One of the funny things about yesterday was that we watched the first four or five innings from our actual seats, way the hell out, last row, behind the left field foul pole. I was less inclined to find a proper seat (behind the plate) with two extras in tow. It's one thing for one person to slip into an an occupied seat, another for a group. Anyway, it was really strange from out there, like watching the game through the looking glass. Teix bounced a hit past 1B and I had no idea where the ball was. Simply didn't see it at all but only knew it got through from the fan reaction. Also, there was a line drive I swore was going right to Melky but in reality it ended up in Swisher's mitt.

I don't know how anyone can watch a game from out there and have any idea what's going on. Maybe your mind adjusts to the distortion and to the fact that most of the people around you aren't really that locked in to the game, but it was kind of weird.

91 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:02 pm

[90] I had pretty much the same seats, but on the RF side. My depth perception is so bad that I have pretty much given up trying to judge where the ball is going. Once it goes in the air, I just switch to tracking the fielders.

92 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:03 pm

Oh, *THAT* was a check swing?

wtf?

93 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:04 pm

What a beautiful change.

Oh, man.

Leiter called it a cut fastball. Whatever it was, it was gorgeous.

94 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:04 pm

[92] I no longer have an opinion about check swings. I just have no idea. I was glad to hear Leiter sound mystified, frankly, makes me feel better.

95 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:06 pm

[94] Heh heh he heh he.

96 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:06 pm

Should the rain be causing me this much stress? I feel like I am playing beat the clock.

97 Just Fair   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:06 pm

Hey, Blue. You're missin' a great game back there!!

98 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:07 pm

I do have opinions about balls and strikes, though.

99 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:08 pm

[90] I had the same reaction sitting in those seats. It wasn't quite as bad in the old place, but those wings obstructed half the outfield. Of all the vantage points I've had, the only places I didn't like were high up in the wings of the upper deck.

100 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:09 pm

[83] They seem to do fine in Tacoma

Show/Hide Comments 101-200
101 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:09 pm

I feel fairly confident that we'll get an official game in, and I suppose it's a good thing to get a W and keep CC down to 70 pitches or whatever. But we'll be deprived of an hour of great pitching if the rain does come down hard after five.

102 OldYanksFan   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:10 pm

[23] As someone who has yet to go to the YSIII, could you give some details of your impressions?

103 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:12 pm

Melky should have to register Mark Buerhle everytime he comes to the Bronx.

104 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:12 pm

Wow, did you all know there was a deal being negotiated by the Halos for Kazmir?? But it fell through, apparently. Good!

105 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:12 pm

[90] good to hear weeping

[101] me too - i think that is why i am not as disturbed by all the men lob - because i feel it is for the greater good

106 The Hawk   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:13 pm

Here's what it comes down to with Cano: Why, if he's such a relaxed player, does he underperform in "clutch" situations so often? It sort of gives the lie to the loosey-goosey Cano - if he were really that relaxed he wouldn't choke all the time.

107 The Hawk   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:13 pm

Here's what it comes down to with Cano: Why, if he's such a relaxed player, does he underperform in "clutch" situations so often? It sort of gives the lie to the loosey-goosey Cano - if he were really that relaxed he wouldn't choke all the time.

108 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:13 pm

Joe...this is the time to bunt!

109 The Hawk   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:13 pm

Hey look at me - double-post. I am special

110 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:13 pm

Beckett has thrown 36 balls, 34 strikes. Something's up, I bet.

111 The Hawk   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:13 pm

[108] Seriously

112 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:13 pm

[104] Heard about it...have to be honest, I was on the fence about it. I have concerns about Kazmir's arm and was thining the Rays might be doing something smart.

113 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:14 pm

can we officially crown molina the dp king now?

114 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:14 pm

Girardi's lack of feel for a baseball game is astounding. He has no strategic instinct.

115 Diane Firstman   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:14 pm

M ... V ... P ...

116 The Hawk   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:16 pm

[113] Yes, as long as we can crown Girardi the perverse bunt-calling king.

117 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:17 pm

[102] This may sound obnoxious, but ask me again after the game and I'll try to type out a longish response. The short version is that it doesn't do enough to capture the feel of the older stadium in terms of the field dimension; though it is aesthetically attractive for the most part, certain features seem rather ugly to me; for some reason the "big ball park in the Bronx" now feels small and somewhat underwhelming; and I cannot even look at CF with getting extremely angry because of that godawful, obnoxious; visually offensive restaurant.

118 The Hawk   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:18 pm

On a side note, I really like Sabathia. Obviously part of it is he's a very good pitcher, but I love his presence, how he goes about his business.

I think he and Swisher have done good things for the personality of the team. Out with cold Mussina and boring Abreu, in with warm Sabathia and ... interesting Swisher.

119 Diane Firstman   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:18 pm

Good to see all those fans practicing safe spectating :-)

120 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:19 pm

[117] Look forward to your longer response because I feel exactly the same way. I think they did a great job capturing the feel of the old place, so much so that it seems like the new place was just a fancy renovation. I do agree about the restaurant...it is the one feature of the new place that I really don't like.

121 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:19 pm

[120] Meant to say I feel exactly the opposite.

122 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:20 pm

[118] The thing I like about CC is you feel like he is always under control. A bad call or an error isn't going to send him into a tailspin.

123 The Hawk   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:20 pm

[117] I think I had a more positive reaction overall but I agree with those specific details about the size and that god-damned restaurant.

124 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:21 pm

[116] sure - i have come to the conclusion that girardi's bunt calls are similar to the time on seinfeld when george decided to do the opposite of his natural instinct - only that worked out well for george - the bunt decisions are not working out so well for girardi, so something is flawed, either his natural bunt instinct or the opposite of it

125 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:21 pm

Hmmm...Damon made a nice throw. I wonder why he can't do that more often.

126 Diane Firstman   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:22 pm

The CF batter's eye seats are IN NO WAY worth the $125 they are getting .

127 Just Fair   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:22 pm

[114] But if he bunted he may have started a rally. Which could have led to a long inning. Joe G. knows the rain is coming too, so he wants C.C back out there asap. : D

128 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:22 pm

It's official.
Now let's kick the Score Truck into high gear!

129 The Hawk   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:22 pm

[118] Exactly. Very true. There's a certain comfort having him on the mound, a secure feeling, even if he isn't dealing ... per se.

130 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:23 pm

[127] Right, because making an out does increase the chance of a rally.

131 The Hawk   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:23 pm

[127] Y'know ... that is possible!

132 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:23 pm

[118] [122] yeah cc is very enjoyable to watch - even earlier in the year when he was not at his best i did not find him frustrating
as i said earlier the only sp i enjoy watching right now are cc and andy

133 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:26 pm

Jeter cleanly fielded at least 2 of those bad hops.

134 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:26 pm

Was it really a bad hop? Didn't look like a bad hop. Ramirez just lost concentration or something.

135 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:27 pm

Yanks need to cash in these opportunities or they will regret it.

136 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:29 pm

[129] The ultimate comfort is provided by Mo. Not only do you feel like he is in complete control, but you know there is no one else you'd rather have out there. When Mo does fail, it does still sting, but there really is little regret.

137 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:29 pm

[135] The Red Sox have just failed to cash in. Scott Richmond really doesn't look good, but the Sox are kind of tired-looking.

138 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:29 pm

[134] Looked like thre was some backspin on it.

139 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:31 pm

Cano + bases loaded = ?

140 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:31 pm

[137] I would love to watch that game, but my wife just mandated that we watch some clothes-and-make-up show on TLC. This is the price for me listening to Sterling-Waldman on the radio.

Egads!

141 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:32 pm

oh robbie - what is this hangup you have?

142 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:33 pm

Cano's body language was telling...it looked like he went up taking the first pitch and when it was right down the middle, he slumped a little, almost like he was saying, that's why I swing at the first pitch.

Then, it looked like he decided to just swing at the second pitch. The Yankees have to fix this Cano problem, or move him down to 8th when Posada plays.

143 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:34 pm

[140] Beckett's control is the worst I've ever seen him. Five walks, and he just hit Scutaro. 42 balls, 41 strikes. Fourth inning.

144 OldYanksFan   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:34 pm

Scutero was just beaned by Beckett. He looks OK but is out of the game. Jays up 3-0 in the top of the 4th.

145 Yankster   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:34 pm

[132] I feel the same way about Swisher. He's a professional and doesn't get flustered at the plate. He's obviously not in CC's class, but in a tight spot he doesn't give me much anxiety cause his OBP is so high. He might not hit for average, but at least he's not going to start guessing like Arod (which might work, but makes me anxious), and he's not noticeably worse with risp. I pick cano and arod because they are both better than Swisher but both make me more nervous. Jeter and Damon are also rock solid, but that's pretty obvious.

146 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:35 pm

[143] Wouldn't be surprised if he has an injury. Beckett has really never been able to go much more than 200 IP.

147 Bama Yankee   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:35 pm

Hello everyone. I'm stuck with Hawk on EI...at least I'm not in the same boat as [140] btw, monkeypants you need to get picture in picture... ;-)

148 OldYanksFan   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:36 pm

[147] Me too. Hawk puts me in amurderous mood.

149 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:36 pm

what a nice throw - why doesn't everyone try to take 2nd on a hit to a jd manned lf?

150 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:37 pm

Damn, we're in the sixth already?

151 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:38 pm

[147] [148] that's awful - those hawk experiences i had when i got ei were beyond awful - hopefully he is least a little tempered by the white sox losing

152 Yankster   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:39 pm

[145] I'm a data librarian and I'd get kicked out of the club for saying this but Hideki also gives me that comfortable feeling. If the lineup was swish, jete, damon, and matsui, I wouldn't even watch the game I'd be so comfortable that they did what they could. The human element seems like a big part of Tex, Arod, Cano, and Melky's game. I should do the numbers to see if the amplitude of performance variation matches my comfort level.

153 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:40 pm

What does Youk say to Beckett after he hits Scutaro in the head?

154 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:40 pm

Okay, I'm flipping over to the Chicago broadcast. I just have to hear this.

155 Bama Yankee   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:41 pm

[151] Yeah, about the only way I can take Hawk is when the Sox are losing...

156 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:41 pm

So many check swings. Let's hope he can do this in a month.

157 boslaw   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:43 pm

chi town announcers are actually being very complementary towards CC right now, and saying that konerko should have been out on the check swing. I hate hawk but it's definitely different when the sox are losing

158 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:43 pm

[153] Grinch has been all over the place this game, Jays won't retaliate I think..
[154] Have grown to enjoy the sheer horribleness of Hawk!
[140] You got TLC clothes programs, I got Japanese gossip shows..it's a push.

Got to jet now, hey thelarmis, if you game thread troll later then let me know how the fusion gigs went!

159 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:44 pm

That really wasn't so bad. I've heard worse. Pretty innocuous, really.

160 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:45 pm

okay team, extra runs are okay, really is an official game

161 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:46 pm

Let's go, Melkius!

162 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:47 pm

[159] well paraphrasing singleton a bit, that was not representative hawk - put on a cws game when they are winning - then tell us:
"That really wasn’t so bad. I’ve heard worse. Pretty innocuous, really."

163 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:47 pm

that wind is not cool

164 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:47 pm

Was that really going out but for the wind?

Looked like a fly ball to me, but whatever.

165 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:48 pm

[162] No question, it's excruciating.

166 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:48 pm

Funny, with no men on, now Molina squares to bunt.

167 Bama Yankee   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:49 pm

I believe Hawk has only thrown out one "He Gone" tonight. But he has openly tried to "Carlton Fisk" a foul ball into a home run earlier and he continues to refer to the Yankees as the Bad Guys... He's not that bad tonight, but of course, his "Good guys" are losing....

168 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:49 pm

by the by i hope joba is taking extra notes tonight

169 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:50 pm

[167] Yesterday, they kept saying the "Right Sox".

170 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:51 pm

probably for the best anyway - molina's legs make me nervous when he has to play back-to-back games - might as well keep him off the bases

171 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:51 pm

Yanks are really leaving this all in CC's hands.

172 Bama Yankee   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:52 pm

[169] Lol. I agree with him on that one... ;-)

173 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:52 pm

[169] Oh, dear Lord, deliver us.

174 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:52 pm

Btw, what's the word on Jorgie?

175 Bama Yankee   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:54 pm

Uh oh, my wife just turned it to HGTV.... I knew I shouldn't have jinxed it with the monkeypants dig earlier... ;-)
Time for the split screen...

176 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:54 pm

[170] I'm not sure why the Yankees do not demote Coke (since he pitched yesterday) and call up Cervelli so that they have some extra backup while Posada sits. They would only lose Coke for a couple of days, since the rosters go to 40 men on Tuesday.

177 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:54 pm

Damn, that Dye can hit.

Did you see that?

What a strong man.

178 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:55 pm

I hope we don't wind up with an AJ situation...Yanks waste opportunities all day and then one bad pitch costs them the game.

179 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:55 pm

I see the immense suckitude of the Jays is slowly but surely carrying the day.

180 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:56 pm

[178] Jesus, are you *trying* to hex us?

181 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:56 pm

Come on CC...keep it together.

182 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:56 pm

[174] Word on Jorge:
The joint on his his glove hand ring finger is beat up, bruised. It will not heal fully until the season is over and he can give it long rest. They're treating it, getting the swelling down, etc. "He's day to day."

183 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:56 pm

[180] If I had that power, I'd be a rich man.

184 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:57 pm

Oh no...

185 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:57 pm

All right, get Hughes up.

Pronto.

186 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:57 pm

[185] Sorry, wrong inning.

187 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:57 pm

[176] that makes sense - in fact too much sense

188 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:58 pm

[182] Oh, no, that sounds terrible. That sounds like it'll effect his hitting for sure.

Not good at all.

189 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:58 pm

[186] Grrrrrrrrrrr.

190 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:59 pm

Oh, fuck it all.

This is on you, william.

191 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 8:59 pm

damn this

192 boslaw   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:00 pm

turn on the chicago feed now. I smell bad hawk coming. he's starting to get a little animated

193 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:00 pm

[191] It's like I fell asleep and woke up during yesterday's game again.

194 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:00 pm

Well, that's what happens when you squander so many opportunities. The Yanks had so many chances to get a few extra runs and now they are going to pay the price. This has been a VERY sloppy week that could end with the lead being seriously trimmed.

195 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:00 pm

nice snag robbie

196 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:00 pm

Goooooood Robbie.

197 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:00 pm

Ok, motherfucker, what's the story on Hughes? Is it illegal to use him for more than three?

198 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:00 pm

[190] I wish I was in the dugout.

199 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:01 pm

Outs, that is.

200 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:01 pm

CC's location is really off now. I think it's time for Hughes right now.

Show/Hide Comments 201-300
201 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:02 pm

Wow, risky play.

Well done, Alex, but I'm not sure that was the smartest play.

202 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:02 pm

nice play alex and molina - now get 1 more

203 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:03 pm

He was safe.

204 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:03 pm

No, he wasn't, never mind.

205 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:03 pm

[199] I believe that he is on an innings limits, nine maximum for August (http://tinyurl.com/n4ao2c). You don't want to use up all of his few remaining outs on just one appearance.

206 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:04 pm

[203] Eh, I think they got him, but it was too close for comfort, imo.

207 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:06 pm

good stop alex - jesus let's get this out team

208 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:06 pm

I know the temptation to let him finish this inning, but you have to go to Hughes here.

209 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:06 pm

That really was a great play.

Alex's defense is so, so valuable.

210 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:06 pm

Wow...can't believe he is leaving him in here.

211 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:08 pm

CC is really overthrowing...

212 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:08 pm

[208] In this case, I would actually give the big guy a chance to close out the inning. But this is the last batter, for sure.

213 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:08 pm

Come on CC!!!!

214 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:09 pm

shit

215 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:09 pm

Oh, motherfucker.

Fuck it, fuck it, fuck it.

216 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:09 pm

Barajas just hit a friggin' moon shot, Jays lead 5-3. Meanwhile, at Yankee Stadium...

217 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:09 pm

Wow.
Defense really saved the game this inning.

218 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:10 pm

[212] It's not an awful decision, but I thought it was pretty obvious that CC was diminished and that a fresh Hughes would have been the better option. I wouldn't kill Girardi for sticking with his ace, but think it's another example of his lack of instinct.

219 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:10 pm

I dunno, with runners on second and third and no outs we were one run up. Now out of the inning, tied. I'm pretty satisfied.

220 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:10 pm

one of the better throws i have seen swisheroo make

now score some god damn runs team

221 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:13 pm

Thornton is tough...would have been much better to face him with a lead.

222 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:13 pm

[218] My fear would be that Hughes is rusty after rotting sitting being saved for so long, so I would be hesitant to bring him in with the bases juiced. Then again, I wouldn't have "saved" Hughes for so long.

223 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:15 pm

[222] I actually thought he should have been in earlier, but I still trsut Hughes even with the bases loaded. If it was anyone but CC, I would be killing Girardi.

224 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:16 pm

Yankees have to start playing better baseball...it's way too early to coast.

225 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:17 pm

[223] I only meant with CC. That is, Hughes would have been in with any other starter. But with CC, I figured he as good a chance to get out of it as rusty Hughes.

And as I type, the Jays...well....

226 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:18 pm

Bad Sox tie it on a 2-run Jason Bay dinger.

227 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:18 pm

[225] Yanks can't depend on the Red Sox losing. It seems like they left Fenway thinking the division was over. Their play this week has been far from sharp.

228 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:19 pm

Any chance Hughes gets two innings if we don't get the lead in the eighth?

229 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:20 pm

[228] He probably goes right to Mo because that is what Girardi does. As it remains close and gets late, the chances of Joe throwing a monkey wrench into this game increases.

230 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:21 pm

[228] Do you want my snarky answer or serious prediction? Both are "no".

231 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:23 pm

So now Hughes comes in.
Why not with the tying and go-ahead runs on base?

Oh, right, he's the Eighth Inning Guy. Silly me.

232 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:24 pm

[228] Hm. John Sterling just proclaimed that Hughes has been "anointed the eighth inning pitcher." So there you have it.

233 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:24 pm

Right, 'cause he couldn't have done that with runners on.

Great pitch.

What's the point of having a dominant, strike-out pitcher out of the pen if you don't use him when you need a strike out more than anything in the world?

234 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:24 pm

[231] Don't get me started...I am inching closer to putting this game on Girardi again, and I really don't need that aggravation.

235 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:26 pm

Hssssssssss.

(Sound of the ball going through the strike zone.)

236 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:27 pm

[232] Jesus.

237 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:27 pm

I am getting sick and tired of hearing every talk about the luxury of a 6 game lead in AUGUST!

238 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:28 pm

Did you have to be that dominant Hughes?

239 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:29 pm

[234] Heh he hh eh.

Man, how 'bout that Phil Hughes, huh?

You know, we could still be looking at a one-run lead if only...if only...if only what?

Why didn't we bring him in one batter earlier?

Doesn't anyone care?

We could have been *winning* the baseball game.

240 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:29 pm

[236] Well, yes, He was anointed to.

241 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:30 pm

fuck off mk and quentin

242 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:30 pm

[240] ...too.

243 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:30 pm

[239] Mariano is warming up...I feel like a broken record, but Girardi shows us every game why he should not be managing this team.

244 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:31 pm

[240] Heh heh heh. Indeed. That was his last name.

Damn, nice play.

You know, now I'm pissed. Are we going to be here til midnight now because we couldn't bring in Hughes when it made sense?

245 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:31 pm

[244] Stop it please!!

246 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:32 pm

[241] quentin?

247 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:32 pm

[245] I know. What can I tell you?

248 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:33 pm

[247] Tell me that you have a source that says Girardi will be fired?

249 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:33 pm

Besides, william, we have a six-game lead, so don't sweat it.

250 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:33 pm

[246] for making the catch - wasn't a hr ball but i want the yanks to win it now

251 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:33 pm

[244] The thing is, I agreed with the decision to keep CC in the game, but only if the subsequent plan is to use Hughes for two innings. In other words, I would try to get the most innings out of my best pitchers. But if Hughes is only going to be used for one inning (one one inning+), then bring him in earlier rather than later. And most of all, his use should be determined by the game situation, NOT the inning.

252 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:34 pm

[248] Hah ahh ah ah ah ah hah hah ha ha! Sorry to disappoint.

253 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:34 pm

[249] Right...forgot about that. Silly me, I thought they were still trying to win these games.

254 NickL   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:34 pm

if Mariano comes in in a tied 9th, I'm gonna lose my shit right here in this comment box....

255 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:35 pm

[250] Oh, the dude's name is quentin. I can never be bothered to keep track of what the other team's players call themselves.

256 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:35 pm

[254] Why?

257 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:36 pm

[256] Because his record in tied games is not Riverish.

258 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:36 pm

We're going to be here all night.

259 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:36 pm

Oh, crud. And after all that work.

260 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:36 pm

Swisher K's the same way every time.

261 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:37 pm

swish got a bit anxious there

262 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:37 pm

this guy can't go much longer can he?

263 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:38 pm

Anyone know whether Posada could play if nec.? (Thinking about pinch hitting for Molina when he comes up in the, well, I assume in the ninth.)

264 NickL   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:39 pm

[256] because Hughes is dominant as fuck and has now pitched 9 innings all month...the Yanks have been wasting him shamefully--and after an inning of Mo, we'd be likely to lose that hypothetical ballgame since we currently have only two trustworthy arms in the pen.

265 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:39 pm

If Joe goes to Mo, the Yankees will have Melky and Molina in the 9th, meaning there is a good chance there will be a 10th, meaning this game will be in the hands of a lesser pitcher. Regardless of the outcome, any decision which makes that chain of events likely is a bad one. It's so frustrating that the Yankees can't just lose a game because they got beat.

266 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:39 pm

[257] I still don't really buy into that (that Rivera is somehow a worse pitcher not in a SAVE SITUATION). Even if he is less-than-Rivera, that STILL makes him the best reliever in the pen (or maybe second best, after Hughes). The ONLY reason not to go to Mo in the ninth in a tie is if you are going with Hughes for two innings.

267 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:40 pm

You mean a third of an inning, Al.

A third of an out would be a funny thing to see a guy come in and try to get.

268 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:40 pm

*WHAT* are you so excited about, Kay?

269 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:40 pm

[264] THAT is a good reason, as opposed to [257, 266].

270 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:40 pm

[266] Exactly...the reason to not go to Mo is because it gives you two more quality innings instead of one (or 3 instead of 2 if Mo is available for two innings).

271 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:41 pm

[267] One strike.

272 NickL   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:41 pm

I will hear bogus Sterling home run calls in my nightmares tonight...

273 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:41 pm

[263] don't know anything beyond what you posted earlier - this might be one of those times where being worried about the 2nd catcher getting mauled by a bear is valid (ie jorge gets hurt then what)

274 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:41 pm

[263] If he can't play at all, someone should be fired for not getting another catcher on the roster until Tuesday. So I have to think that he can, in a pinch, play.

275 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:42 pm

[268] seriously the ball was obviously foul for most of its shelf-life

276 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:42 pm

If you told me today that the Yankees would not at least make the World Seires, I would rather have them lose every remaining game if it meant getting rid of Girardi.

277 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:43 pm

[273[ Roster management continues to drive me bananas.

278 NickL   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:44 pm

$%*I)%$#^&(*U$#@(*%^$&$

279 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:44 pm

And here comes Rivera. My two-day odyssey of frustration is almost complete.

280 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:44 pm

Boston's tied.
Let's not lose this game.
How big was our lead at its peak? Was it 8?
After tonight it could be 5?
All because Hughes is the Eighth Inning Guy.

281 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:44 pm

[277] me too - i think this is our cause

282 OldYanksFan   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:45 pm

Damn... why isn't Hughes in now? If we don't score in the 9th, we are handing the Sox this game.

283 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:45 pm

Yeah, I'm thinking about the tenth inning already. Argh.

284 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:45 pm

Mo's cutter is breaking an awful lot outside.

285 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:46 pm

I feel defeated...Joe Girardi is sucking the enjoyment out of rooting for this very talented and spirited team. It's such a helpless feeling.

286 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:46 pm

Nice play, Alex. Way to stay with it.

287 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:46 pm

i LOVE, i mean love mo - but mo as mvp? my lord mk

288 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:46 pm

[280] 7 games in the loss column. 7.5 games if you take seriously the extra half game produced because the Yankees had played one more game and won it.

289 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:47 pm

[283] No confidence in Mleky and Molina? I wonder if Girardi even knows that they are coming up next inning.

290 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:47 pm

We got a break there. That thing was 89 and right over the dish.

291 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:47 pm

tex made damn sure robbie stayed away from that pop-up

292 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:47 pm

[288] Thanks for the hat tip!

293 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:47 pm

[288] Only the loss column matters.
I believe you've been told that several times and I'll thank you to write it down this time.

294 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:47 pm

[287] Well, every SAVE is a WIN. So Mo has won like 38 games all by himself. He could only be more valuable if were the eighth inning guy. Maybe.

295 OldYanksFan   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:48 pm

TB just can't get any kind of winning streak.

296 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:48 pm

[293] I hope that's sarcasm. My sarcasm meter is out of service tonight.

297 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:49 pm

[288] [293] I've always looked at that 1/2 games as like a first goal in penalty kicks. It doesn't guarantee you a win, but it puts all the pressure on the other guy.

298 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:49 pm

Of course, he could pitch another inning. That would be nice.

299 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:49 pm

He'll grab some bench!

Nice pitching, Mo.

Ok, Derek just has to hit one over the 314 sign. Then we can all go home. Otherwise...

300 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:49 pm

still such a treat to watch mr. rivera

Show/Hide Comments 301-400
301 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:49 pm

[295] Trying to trade on of your more prominent players can't be a morale boost either.

302 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:49 pm

[296] =P

303 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:50 pm

[294] Hah ha h ah ahh ha h hah ha!

304 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:51 pm

Maybe someone hypnotized Melk.
Remember the Spring, Melk. Think back...

305 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:51 pm

"Melky Cabrera results in three...walk off wins."
What does Michael Kay result in, one wonders.

306 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:52 pm

Melky just took an 83 mph pitch down the middle.

307 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:52 pm

Uh.
He's hypnotized all right.

308 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:53 pm

Inspiring.

309 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:53 pm

Great pitch to swing at, Melk.

310 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:53 pm

[306] I guess he was waiting for that one.

311 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:53 pm

oh mp - mk says the yanks probably won't push posada and are waiting for the rosters to expand - shall we scream?

312 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:53 pm

This game should by all rights be over already.

Yet here we are.

Oh, yes!

BB warming up!

The fun's just getting started.

313 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:54 pm

Hoo boy, there are words to inspire confidence. "Bruney is warming."

314 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:54 pm

what a dilemma

315 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:54 pm

Good news...Bruney is up. Apparently, with a 6 game lead, Girardi isn't trying to win this game. He did the same thing yesterday. What the hell is going on with this team?

316 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:55 pm

now they can't pinch run for molina's slow ass because of their bs roster management

317 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:55 pm

Yankee organizational incompetence is on display in this inning.

318 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:55 pm

Did Posada just say, no, I can't do it???

319 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:55 pm

Sigh.

320 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:56 pm

Oh fer...

Well, nice grab.

321 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:56 pm

[318] It kind of looked like that.

322 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:56 pm

c'mon johnny - be a hero

323 NickL   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:56 pm

you're our last chance, Trader!

324 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:57 pm

I feel like writing a letter to my congressman. Someone has to be able to do something about how the Yankees are being managed.

325 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:58 pm

Molina getting a hit was a bad thing.

326 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:58 pm

Sigh, again.

327 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:59 pm

[325] I'll bite. Why was it a bad thing?

328 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 9:59 pm

Holy shit, I can't believe how f#$%ing incompetent Girardi is.

329 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:00 pm

[311][316] I just can't even find the energy to make a clever and/or snarky comment. They've finally beaten me down with the roster. Maybe they should just carry 15 pitchers and BUC.

330 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:00 pm

[327] Because Damon leading off the inning might have had a better AB.

331 NickL   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:00 pm

I have no words......

332 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:01 pm

Leadoff walk anyone?

333 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:01 pm

I guess Hughes, Mo couldn't go longer than an inning?

334 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:02 pm

[320] Oh, well, maybe.
But I'm not unhappy with Teix, A-Rod, Matsui.

335 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:02 pm

[333] Nope...Yankees are tuning up for October in August.

336 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:02 pm

I meant [330], not [320], in [334].

337 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:03 pm

I don't hate Bruney...I hate Girardi for constructing a situation in which Bruney would blow the game.

338 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:03 pm

Come on, bud, take it easy.

339 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:04 pm

[336] Who's on first?

340 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:05 pm

[337] Neither do I. I would've gone with Hughes for 2 or 3, and Rivera for one. Not a big fan of an inning per reliever.

341 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:05 pm

[340] There are so many ways it could have been played smartly and Girardi predictably opted for the worst course.

342 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:05 pm

Very nice, Brian! Very nice.

I see Damaso is preparing to enter the game as soon as Bruney puts two guys on.

343 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:06 pm

Good news...Cokey is stretching!!!

344 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:07 pm

It's not semantics anymore.
Al Leiter is deep.

345 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:07 pm

Bruney can't nibble...he doesn't come close. Why do they keep trying?

346 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:08 pm

[343] Ah, so THAT's why Coke was not sent down for a few days so the bench could be strengthened. I thought that he was out of service for a few days since he pitched two days in a row. Silly me.

347 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:08 pm

I really, really don't want to see Marte to Thome, which I think is what's coming up if Bruney doesn't get Beckham.

348 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:08 pm

[244] ?

349 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:09 pm

[346] No!! Cokey is available today. In fact everyone could be...that's usualy what happens when you waste your best picthers for one inning in a tie game.

350 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:10 pm

[348] Leiter talking about Bruney said that he's come to accept his role, that the bullpen is a unit... then he said, possibly speaking in Bruney's voice, "It's not semantics anymore."

351 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:10 pm

[349] You see, that's why I could never be a MLB manager.

352 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:10 pm

If anyone ever swing at the 0-2 Bruney three feet off the plate, I am going to uncork some champagne.

353 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:10 pm

And the genius of not pinch running for Molina becomes clear!

354 NickL   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:11 pm

Bruney lookin good, what say we give him another inning? ;-)

355 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:11 pm

gotta hand it to bruney

356 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:11 pm

[350] I'm not sure I understand the story, but I assume that it has something to do with the eighth inning. Which, as we saw tonight, is Holiest and Most Sacred of all innings.

357 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:13 pm

Please Tex...

358 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:13 pm

[355] Yay, Bruney!!

359 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:13 pm

Come on, Teix, end this thing.

360 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:13 pm

That was low.

361 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:13 pm

i'm still amazaed molina moves as well as he does when catching
maybe he should don the tools of ignorance when he is "running" the bases

362 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:13 pm

Everytime they flasy Girardi on the screen my blood boils.

363 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:14 pm

Fuck

364 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:14 pm

[356] I think Al is just getting tired. He just said Bruney saw Molina coming after that tapper so conviction.

365 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:14 pm

Grrrrrr.

Ok, Alex, it's on you.

Btw, we've now scored four runs in 18 1/3 innings.

366 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:14 pm

alright "tricky" is code for he is doing it with smoke and mirrors and his stuff is shit - how about we end it here alex

367 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:15 pm

The YES camerman is a FUCKING ASSHOLE.

368 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:15 pm

I hate John Sterling.

369 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:15 pm

your fast ass thought he had it mk - fuck

370 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:15 pm

HOT FUCKING DAMN!

Fuck you, Kay, you roped me in.

371 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:15 pm

Fucking Michael Kay.
Fuck.

372 chrismarz   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:15 pm

Kay sounded like Sterling there.

373 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:15 pm

F... U... K... Learn to read the outfielders

374 NickL   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:15 pm

Did everybody REALLY think that was out or is Sterling plain lying?

375 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:15 pm

Not even warning track.

Why did I let Kay fool me like that?

376 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:16 pm

Sterling, Kay, Alex, the crowd.
Stinking wind, I guess.

377 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:16 pm

[375] Because the damn camerman shot the fucking moon.

378 randym77   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:16 pm

I guess Accu-Weather was right. They predicted the new Yankee Stadium would only be a wind tunnel in April and May.

379 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:17 pm

[377] Grrrrrr.

380 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:17 pm

what is girardi doing?

381 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:17 pm

Girardi is clueless...he really doesn't know what he is doing right now. It's embarrassing.

382 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:17 pm

Wait, what?

They're running for Hideki with two outs?

Wtf?

383 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:18 pm

This motherfucker better steal second, third and home.

Wtf?

384 JeremyM   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:18 pm

The Girardi comps to Billy Martin were so off it's not even funny.

385 chrismarz   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:18 pm

swish deserves some pie

386 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:18 pm

[361] Like in Basebrawl, from Mad Magazine (in the early 1970s)?

387 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:19 pm

JHJr stealing? Why else would he be in there?

388 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:19 pm

walk would be okay - til you remeber robbie is on deck

389 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:20 pm

Please Robbie...Please....Please...Por Favor!!

390 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:20 pm

Leiter 1, Kay 0.

391 NickL   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:20 pm

Sterling wd seem to be unaware of Robbie's RISP issues....

392 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:20 pm

[384] How? They're both little white guys who've played for the Yanks? :)

393 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:20 pm

Come on, Robbie. Come on.

394 chrismarz   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:20 pm

pete abe's punching bag up. come on robbie!!!

395 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:20 pm

Huh, if Hairston scores on a single here...

396 monkeypants   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:21 pm

[382] I can't even get mad about that. they have essentially a one-man fucking bench. Who cares when they use it.

397 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:21 pm

Figure the law of averages (or big numbers if you prefer) with Robbie

398 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:21 pm

Two and one.

399 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:22 pm

c'mon robbie you have the most beautiful swing on the team - now is a great time to use it

400 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:22 pm

That wasn't a very good swing on 2-1. Robbie looks lost.

Show/Hide Comments 401-443
401 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:23 pm

Watch out for the hook.

402 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:23 pm

[400] ... but now he's found!

403 chrismarz   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:23 pm

thank you robbie, I'll sleep well tonite.

404 NickL   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:23 pm

oh my oh YES!

405 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:23 pm

He found it!!! Muchas Gracias Robbie!!

406 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:23 pm

robbie my man!!! i never doubted you :}

407 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:23 pm

yayyyyYAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!

ROBBIE!!!!!!!!!!!

408 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:24 pm

[400] heh heh heh

409 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:24 pm

Oh, that feels good.

410 JeremyM   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:24 pm

All right! Good for Cano!

411 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:24 pm

Walkoff Friday continues. I think I've seen 4 or 5 of them as part of my plan. Glad they still had the magic without me there!!

412 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:24 pm

shades of Bucky Dent!

413 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:25 pm

really glad to get this win

414 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:25 pm

Nice shot, Robbie.

Nice shot.

415 chrismarz   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:25 pm

funny, I overheard a girl talking to her friend on the LIRR recently about meeting Robbie at some club in the city, how he was supposed to call her. Here's to hoping he spends less time in the clubs and more time on that swing. It's sweet.

416 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:26 pm

[399] He does, indeed. He does, indeed.

417 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:27 pm

Kazmir to the Angels is a done deal...very interesting. Not sure what it means. I guess it all depends on the health of his left arm.

418 Bama Yankee   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:27 pm

Hawk says: "This ballgame is over" just as the ball left the bat. You gotta love it. I almost felt sorry for the guy, but I did rewind it just to hear him say it again... ;-)

419 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:27 pm

[415] You're kidding me! That's too funny. Only, it's not, because you're right.

420 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:28 pm

[418] :)

421 williamnyy23   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:29 pm

Rangers just missed tying the game off Nathan by about 3 inches.

422 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:29 pm

[418] I'll definitely watch that one tomorrow, or even tonight if it shows up in mlb.tv archives soon enough.

423 chrismarz   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:29 pm

gotta run it out though Robbie, get out of the box. No Mannys on our club. please.

424 ms october   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:30 pm

is anyone better than melky at catching the thrown helmet?

425 RIYank   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:32 pm

Oh, and a well-deserved W for BB.

426 jjmerlock   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:34 pm

Fuck yes!!!!

[417] Crap, looking at William's post - what the hell are the Rays doing? Guess they just have such a slary limit that they won't break.

I have a pretty good friend who is fairly high up in the Rays org - very, very sharp guy, and I get the sense that most of the Rays management is from that cloth (young, very sharp, very hard charging). I'll try to ask him about the why, although he's obviously hell to reach until the season is over.

Back to the Yanks -

Fuck yes......

Damn, though, I'm telling you, I had this thought before, but hitting-wise, I've been calling Cano mini-Manny this year. Not so much with the RISP match, but with the ill natural swing and the ability to hit anything off of anyone - and... also with the crazy posing. He sure styled on that one.

One other thing for now - when CC loses it, he really does not seem like a guy you want to hope can get a few more outs - I was very upset that Hughes wasn't up and ready during the 7th - I just recall the game in Fenway where they tried to get CC to get through a few more and it as disastrous. I feel like I have the same recollection from when CC pitched against us in the playoffs, but that may not be right.

Anyway, a ton of other stuff, I really wanted to respond to Raf's post from last night, which I disagreed with vehemently, but I was exhausted last night and crashed. Wiped out tonight, but pumped up now, thanks to Robbie!

427 jjmerlock   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:37 pm

[423] You were reading my mind! I've been calling the resemblance for a few months now.

[418] Hawk is such a douche. I listened to a few White Sox games when they were at Fenway - Hawk on Garcia pitching well- "If he can pitch like that, if we just don't step on our own feet, we'll win the division." Right, Hawk. Way to give the team that's been better than you all year (Tigers (although they suck on the road)) no credit.

He's a turd.

428 Bama Yankee   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:39 pm

Nice job by Girardi to get Bruney some work in a tight game... ;-)
Seriously, I would have went with Hughes for 2 and Mo for 2 and then Bruney, but it did work out okay the way he played it and the shot of confidence for Bruney can't hurt down the stretch...

429 joe   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:44 pm

[428] Yeah, everyone was scratching their heads on Hughes. I thought it was a terrible misuse of him, especially considering how fresh his arm must feel after hardly being used this month.

But Mo... I'd rather just let him pitch 1 inning, rather than risk overusing him in a tied game. He's our best arm!

430 jjmerlock   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:48 pm

Girardi says CC didn't lose any stuff, but the radar gun says that's wrong. I noticed the gun readings right off the bat on the first batter of the 7th inning.

431 Bama Yankee   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:50 pm

[429] Yeah, you're probably right about Mo. It's not worth it at this point in the season. So, I would have went with Hughes for 2 and Mo for 1 and then Bruney. Let's just hope Bruney is getting back on track...

432 jjmerlock   ~  Aug 28, 2009 10:54 pm

Oh - two more quick things - William, I see you were all over Girardi about leaving CC in during the 7th. I was definitely right there with you.

I also thought that was a sick tag by Molina - the way he went one way to field the ball and back the other way to tag Castro with his bare hand was awesome. I'll have to watch it again, but it seemed like a very underrated play at the time.

433 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  Aug 28, 2009 11:14 pm

just back in, looks like I missed some fireworks! Archived game ahoy!

434 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 11:14 pm

[426] On the surface, the trade seems to be a salary dump.

435 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 11:17 pm

6-5 Sox, bot 8. *sigh*

436 JeremyM   ~  Aug 28, 2009 11:27 pm

I figured the Jays would blow it, no shocker there.

437 OldYanksFan   ~  Aug 28, 2009 11:29 pm

Kaz was owed $22m over the next 2 years. Simply too rich for TB's payroll.

438 Just Fair   ~  Aug 28, 2009 11:31 pm

When you are trying to entertain 4 of your wives friends and you're the only one watching the TV, you look pretty silly when you're the only only one to stand up and cheer. Fun win. Good on ya', Robbie C.

439 JeremyM   ~  Aug 28, 2009 11:34 pm

Papelbon is Wetteland reincarnated, isn't he?

440 joe   ~  Aug 28, 2009 11:36 pm

Bases loaded 1 out!

441 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 11:38 pm

[437] That, and his numbers have been declining

[439] It appears so; bases loaded 1 out

442 Raf   ~  Aug 28, 2009 11:45 pm

Sox win..

443 jjmerlock   ~  Aug 29, 2009 10:12 am

[439] EVERYONE GET OUT OF MY MIND!!!!!! Wow, we are all on the same page at the moment with the comparisons. All I could think watching Papelbon's 9th was "Glorified John Wetteland." Amazing that others were thinking the exact same thing.

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