Alex - i like your newfound optimism! : )

as Cliff stated in an earlier comment - it's Golson back up, not Miranda. LoHud states Alby is in detroit in case we need a pitcher for game dos...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOGI!!!

Diane - glad you saw the Rush reference!

nyyfan22 - yeah man, i never understood why some people consider Rush metal. hmm... definitely 'prog rock'!

nice 10 minute piece on Mo in Panama last night on espn.

GO YANKS!!!

Ohh, Alex!
I don't know whether to laugh, cry or squirm at that headline.
Oy.

oh yeah - william's most excellent Captain's Blog was mentioned and linked to by Neyer in his Wednesday Wangdoodles column today!

I'm going to stay optimistic. Javy is going to go on a Mussina 2008 arc starting tonight.

Now, as long as we don't stick with the effing rotating DH, hopefully the team doesn't go on a 2008 run.

"If the Yankees need to make a pitching move between games, someone is hear waiting."

Why does that sound like a threat?

[5] 'coz it's albaladejo?

[6] No!

the glass is Jav-full... of highly combustible clear fuel which will explode by the 3rd inning.

I kid, I kid! Javy's going 6 quality today.

Mattpat is optimistic about the Vazquez start.
Which sign of the apocalypse is that?

Is there any team that doesn't have a guy that has multiple HR off Javy?

as much as i LOVE the record 2112, i really really really hope that's not our record at the end of the doubleheader...

[9] Is that the Sixth Sense, Seventh Seal or Eighth Wonder?

[10] The Yankees?

[13] I dunno about that; with the Gardner State anything's possible...

That was quick

Well this is annoying, I can't get the local radio broadcast of the game.

[13] Granderson

"Deep"

[16] and the 0-2 pitch... hit HIGH in the air to left..
[long pause]
so here's damon with one away...

Thames has a couple off him too.

Who has taken Javy deep the most?
http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/shareit/cB9qt

[19]

I'm listening to the Tigers radio feed (thank heavens for mlb.com)

well, that went well!

Wow!
A scoreless inning!
What's next, frogs from the sky?

That was quick too.

[22] i'm listening to Paul Gilbert - thank god for rock 'n roll guitar shredders! : )

that said, i'm following the game online, watching the braves game (on mute) and have to abandon all to get stuff done...

[24] now now, he's had scoreless innings this year.

[24] It's a biblical afternoon. See [9], cit. [4].

[27] How many? Two? Three, maybe?

[28] :)

[27] But now many of them were innings that didn't involve line drives at people?

[21] thanks for that. (i think)

[28] don't forget to dip your pinkie in the wine. and lean to the left!

[29] hmm, good question. I count 14 before today.

is everything a strike today?

[31] what's your point? that they weren't good scoreless innings? who cares. if you're trying to argue that javy hasn't been good, you won't find that here.

[28]

I don't see the Cardinals or Padres on my schedule ...

It's so easy to like Nick Swisher.

i really wish randy winn wasn't at the dish.

hmm. pitching around Winn?

...though i'm glad he didn't make an out.

i like el nino, but i wish there weren't 2 outs already...

Come on, Squirt! Hit it!

Good try, kid.

How bout Javy half EMPTY!!!!!

vewy vewy nice, javy!

I didn't want to jinx it, but I've been watching these first two innings closely: Javy now has exactly as many Earned Runs as Innings Pitched! His ERA has dropped to 9.0!

Brett the Jett about to blast off?

Worry point for Jeter:

2010 GB/FB ratio (prior to today): 2.08

career rate: 1.22

[46] Shush!

Meanwhile, Tigers' announcers are very impressed with Gardner's speed ...

Another worry point:

Line Drive rate: Career: 22%; 2010: 16%

[48] sensei over at nomaas has a solid metrics piece today on jeter's worrisome tendencies at the plate thus far this season.

Its impossible to give up a homer to Everett, right?

[34] Really?
Fourteen?
That's amazing.

I hate waste pitches

that's 4 K's. all swinging, i believe!

Have the Yankees secretly replaced Javy Vazquez with a pitcher?

Ha!

AAAAAAAHHHH1!!

What a buffoon!!!

Can someone explain what happened on Posada's hit? For those of us who aren't watching.

Randy Winn scares the pants off Rick Porcello, huh?

Winn apparently strikes fear into the heart of the young pony pirate.

RISP with two outs. ouch.

So far so good for Javy, but the injuries on offense are really starting to take their toll.

I hate wasted opportunities.

[63] i'm sure you saw that neyer linked to your blog today...?!

Well, the velocity isn't up today, but the command is much improved, which is a good sign.

Four scoreless innings!

[65] Yes...I was wondering why my readership increased by about 300 times! I hope some of the people come back.

[66] I've been saying all along, his velocity is not the problem.. Command and confidence have been the issues. You can get by on an 88,89, 90mph fastball (even if you're supposed to be throwing 94mph) if you can hit your targets.

Losing Ace worries me. I'd feel confident about our chances today if he were in the bullpen.

[69] Yes, you just don't have nearly the same margin for error.

Nothing's going Derek's way

[70] Ace is a big loss....I really think this is a big game for the Yankees. With the stregth of their upcoming schedule combined with all the injuries taking a toll, they could be headed for a rough stretch.

Arod, Tex and Jeter have to carry the load.

[71] true dat

[71] And not if you have a mid 80s change

[59] inge dropped a foul pop up, posada doubled on the next pitch

[76] Ah, thanks!

Go Javy Go!

Uh oh.

Ruh roh.

c'mon javy, don't lose that command now!

Uh no...losing it with the bottom of the lineup. Not good.

Hey, thelarmis, "Javy Vazquez" anagrams to...

[68] oh good, you deserve it! the link just goes to the griffey post. i hope those readers click on "home" or something, and check out the main page. it's not all yankees stuff, so hopefully the "haters" will continue to check your blog.

I love Adam Everett!

Well done by JoPo and Eiland to get Javy retracked!

runs please

[82] not sure, but "Javier Vazquez" anagrams to...

VIVA JAZZ QUEER !!!

go jazz queer go!

[87] Oh.
The answer I was looking for was: nothing.
Yours is intriguing, I must say.

5 innings of 1-hit ball?!?! WTF

Just got in.... don't know if the news is good or not. JV obviously doesn't like it when I watch him.

Is our offense beginning to slack off? ARod and Jeter doing nothing lately.

Yankee bats have to wake up here...maybe we need more Brains.

{85] good cop/bad cop

Eiland (to Javy): Let's go kid, you can do it. Just remember the stuff we worked on.

Posada (to Javy): wiff this punk or I'll beat your ass.

[87] that's frackin awesome

Hey, this Javy kid is pretty good -- he's the SWB call up, right?

Javy Nagila!

Porcello had been as bad as Javy...wonder if this is a case of two teams not thrilled about playing a double header?

[97] Can't predict baseball.
I don't know why some people try to predict it. You can't. It's unpredictable.

[97]

... on a Wednesday afternoon ... in May .... in Detroit.

I gotta say, the classic rock songs they play when coming out of the commercial break on the Tigers radio broadcast makes it worth the price of admission.

Mean while, Ortiz has Boston's only hit through four. Another pitcher's duel up there. Marcum vs Wake, Javy vs. Porcello, no runs among the four teams in a total of nine innings between them.

[98] John Sterling?

This could be the game deciding inning.

[96] Mazel Tov!

[102] Cigar.

Why has he gone away from the fastball? Basehits on a curve and change...really make no sense.

Hoo boy.

[103] not in a good way...

[100] when yes comes back from commercial, there's some weird audio clip of michael kay saying something along the lines of "...coming into work, but it's not really work..." i've heard it a few times.

It sure looks like Cashman made a big mistake with Damon. I hope the money saved was worth it.

and there it is.

keep it at 1 and then destroy porcello...

Was that pitch to Ordonez really a change?
Vazquez has an 88 mph change-up to go with his 88 mph fastball?
Why do they call it "change"?

[110] yeah. i really wanted him back...

[98] It's not FOOTBALL! This isn't basketball! In baseball you lose games 'cause you lose games!

[112] Gameday isn't always accurate...looking at the numbers, it was likely a fastball.

Ugh. Hanging curves make me queasy.

[112] 'coz the 8's were in reverse order. sheesh, do i have to explain everything to you?

3rd time through line-up .... seems like they have him measured now ...

If Javy implodes here, it erases everything he did over the fist 5.

[114] Ya know, weeping, I couldn't agree with you more. And so does Joe Torre! Joe Torre told me that, and he's Joe Torre. I know nothing. What do I know? Don't listen to me. But Joe Torre, well, that's something.

[96] You.
Are.
In.
Sane,
Diane.

Another hit on a change...he has again abandoned his fastball. If this is a good game for Vazquez, I really don't think he is going to work out.

Oh, NOgan is up.

He throws a fastball and gets a double play...seems so simple, yet...

[120] Hah ah ha hah ah ah ah ah ah ah h !!!

[121]

oh, that's an old one of mine .... :-)

Two runs feels like a mountain, especially with the Tigers bullpen.

Ok, Yankees can recover from that damage. But how about scoring some runs!

Did they forget the keys to Score Truck?

[126] You belong on a stage. Or in an asylum.
I've not quite decided yet. :)

[129]

I've done some amateur stand-up from time-to-time.
(and I've been in therapy for years) :-)

[128]

No trucks (or vehicles for that matter) are being produced in Detroit anymore ...

Is this game being played under a time limit? Any reason why the Yankees are swinging at every pitch? Is Derek Jeter the new hitting coach :)

eric hinske has been getting some playing time and hitting for the braves. not sure why we just let him go without even an afterthought...

[132]

"4 o'clock is Wopner ..."

Ugh. The Ramiro Pena Experience boys and girls.

Today is not Ramiro Pena day.

I do not appreciate this, offense.

Why is Pena starting over Russo today, anyway?

Can Russo play 3B? Pena has been brutal.

[131] True dat.

I hope Dave Robertson is ready.

Granderson and Johnson could both be gone for another month. The Yankees are going to need to make a move because their depth is not very good.

The knock on Russo as a UIF candidate is that he can't (really) play SS. He's a natural 2B that's played plenty of 3B (and some SS and OF)

[142] what would you do? miranda?

[144] At the very least...they may need to make a trade because too many ABs by Thames, Winn and Pena will add up to loses.

[142] Johnson's gonna be gone for a month? Has there been good news I've missed?

do you think john sterling's call on a miranda hr would be something like "read that man his rights!"? "miranda's bat waives its right to remain silent!"?

[146] I am being optimistic.

[145] I've been thinking about trades.
Cervelli is a pretty good trade chip. I love the guy, but let's face it, his value to other teams will be much greater than his value to the Yankees...

[147]

Better that than, "Oh ... Carmen!"

[130] :)

[148] Aren''t you being toooptomistic?

[147] I'm thinking, "Mirandized!"

[149] Two names rumored to be available are Wigginton and DeJesus. Both would be ideal, but who knows at what price.

If they can sell high on Cervelli, they have to consider it.

Hell of a day for Pena at the plate...

[147] Hah ah ha ah a a !!
Oh, dear Lord.

[154] Right, that's the kind of thing I'm thinking about.
What would be the price for Miguel Cabrera? Does the baggage bring his price down?

Pending reinforcements, the Yankees need Jeter to relearn his approach, because his free swinging has been a big problem.

I'm assuming Javy is done for the day?

7 innings, 5 hits + 2 BB, 2ER & 7Ks. Quality start.

The hitters, on the other hand. . . not so quality.

[157] I'd be shocked if he was available.

[148] theme of the day!

very good outing by javy nagila

Another three pitch AB for Jeter...he's slowing down.

i don't want to trade cervelli. maybe i'm influenced by his high babip, but i really like him as a backup. with all our shitty defensive catchers, it's good to have a great defensive backup.

[154] ty cobbinton would be great. i wonder if he'd be pricier simply 'coz it'd be intradivision...

BoSox have one hit through six against Shaun Marcus.

[160] He's very expensive. If the Tigers are too far behind at the end of June...

[163] But Austin Romine is nearly ready. And for another team, Cervelli could start, which makes him much more valuable.

I mean, it depends who you could get, of course. You'd have to get a real player.

I wonder if these ABs look at pathetic on TV as they do on gameday.

It seems like the scouting report is to swing early and often.

[167] pretty pathetic, but jeter did hit that last line drive pretty hard.

It's "Oh,NO"gan.

Lovely.

Can somebody please take Coffee Joe's toys away?

Is Joe waving the white flag, or does he really think Logan is a good idea here?

John McDonald takes Wakey deep, 3-0 Jays.

[171] Those Red Sox score might become important again.

No, sorry, it was Bautista who homered.

This'll be our first shut out, no?

[174] No, because we're going to score.

Uh, no, it was Snider who homered.
Wow, Gameday was all fugged up on that one.

OK .... rally caps on! :-)

[169] [170] Cult and William, Boone Logan has a little message for you. But I'm too polite to pass it along.

[178] Sorry, Boone...but let's see you do it again.

A good outing from Javy, & a good inning from Logan, you can't waste such good pitching guys.

Music coming out of commercial on Tigers radio broadcast this 1/2 inning:

Spirit of Radio

I believe that to be a good sign.

Michael Kay whining about Valverde all fucking game has been like a constant toothache.

More hacking....guess they cant wait to get to the in between game buffet.

[180] Not to be a grammar nazi, but in this case, I must insist on proper use of the comma: "You can't waste such good pitching, guys."

Changes the whole sense of the thing.

Remember the panda and all, who eats shoots and leaves rather than eats, shoots, and leaves.

:)

I hate wasting this pitching. From Javy and Logan! yeesh!

Cano hacks at the 1-0....is anyone minding the store?

This hasn't been a good effort...almost seems like the team was a bystander to Vazquez' outing. Pretty pathetic.

Now Posada swings 1-0, despite trailing by 2 against a guy who throws splitters out of the zone.

[184] Usually I am better. I blame the offense for being so offensively bad that it has crept into postings.

Keep hope ALIVE!

[188] :)

Okay, there's the runner.
Now Swish...

If we get to Pena, will Joe pinch hit?

[187] Its also no fun when they all go up there and decide that they are going to take the first two pitches regardless of what they are.

Through seven the Red Sox have two hits, both by Papi.

[192] It's not about fun...it's about trying to induce a walk from a guy who gives them out.

Now Swisher should be swinging because after him there are no hits.

Dude can pitch, no doubt about it.

He really does look like an assclown with that gyration.

And that's the ball game.

Hopefully they show up for the regularly scheduled game.

goddamn it. he should be looking splitter there, it was obvious.