Photo by Associated Press
Believe it or not, I was in Oakland on Monday morning. A family road trip for the Fourth of July weekend had us driving back and forth across the San Mateo and Bay Bridges all weekend long, and Monday found us on the east side of the bay as we started our trip home. Much has been made recently about rule changes that have made it more difficult for teams travelling across the country, and the Yankees certainly faced an uphill battle after playing in the Bronx on Sunday afternoon, flying to Oakland on Sunday night, and squaring off against the A’s on Monday night, but I’ll ask that you not feel sorry for them.
I’m guessing that during their seven-hour trek from Yankee Stadium to their hotel in Oakland, their journey was a bit softer than mine. While they were lounging in luxury, watching DVDs and flagging down cocktail waitresses on a chartered flight, I was battling holiday traffic, oppressive heat, outrageously filthy gas station restrooms, and three fussy children. At the end of my journey I knew I’d have to watch the game and file a game report, all without the help of greenies or amphetamines.
But I digress. The Yankee hitters, perhaps suffering from jet lag, weren’t overly impressive. They got on the board in the second inning when Nick Swisher doubled, Curtis Granderson tripled, and Francisco Cervelli singled — all with two outs — to jump out to an early 2-0 lead, and Mark Teixeira added an insurance run with his 14th home run in the sixth. That was pretty much it, but it was enough.
Javier Vazquez was on the mound on Monday night and continued his resurgence, throwing 110 pitches over seven strong innings while allowing only only three hits, two walks, and a single run. His only struggle came in the third inning, as Chad Pennington tripled with one out and then scored on a Coco Crisp sacrifice fly. He worked around a walk and a single in the fourth, allowed a walk to start the fifth, but then retired the next nine batters in a row to finish his night. Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera took care of the final six hitters, and the deed was done. Yankees 3, A’s 1.
geez, hank, pretty ordinary write-up. as toby ziegler would say, that's 2 minutes of my life I''ll never get back.
[1] Damn. Didn't you read the first two paragraphs? Cut the man some slack. That recap told me everything I needed to know about the game.
Much has been made recently about rule changes that have made it more difficult for teams travelling across the country...
OK, I have a dumb question--what rule change?
[2] 50 yards of slack plus 6 points to Hank [0] for referring to Cliff Pennington as Chad Pennington.
Hey, look, the back of Tex's baseball card is batting 3rd. But we all knew he'd come around.
A well written, concise wrap-up of a fairly boring game (as it should be when the Yanks beat a team like the A's).
What wasn't mentioned were the stellar plays in the field by Arod, Granderson, and Colin Curtis (our little CC).
We can relate to the family road trip angst, and how sometimes a vacation is needed after these three day wonders. But...three fussy children? How many fussy parents?
1) Jeez, Eddie Lee, the heat getting to you? Wow, tough crowd.
Jet lag, yeah, I'm in England and I was in flight during the game. Had to take some trains, too. I'm glad I don't have to write a blog, or heaven forbid bat against the A's!
Thanks for the summary, Hank, I particularly needed it.
Just want to confirm that morning coffee goes well with recap of a Yankees win.
Still damn brick hot out, even with linen pants. Mud Hens losing streak now goes to eleven, so sitting outside in the evening with the radio on and a cool beverage and a book isn't fun anymore. Besides, even the dogs don't want to be outside.
Damn hot.
Africa hot.
[1]
Psst .... we don't do this blog for a living .... we do it out of love.
[9]
Biloxi Blues?
OK, I'll ask again...
[12] we need hank to show-up and let us know for sure, but i assume the ban against greenies.
[13] Ah, I see.
[9] Took the dog and baby for a walk at 9am on a shady path. By the time we got to the end of it, I was literally dripping with sweat.
We're gonna stay inside the rest of the day.
[9] Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, hot?
[16]
Buster Poindexter "Hot Hot Hot"?
[17] Buster Pondexter = David Johansen = NY Dolls.
A little different than Hannah Montana = Milie Cyrus.
[3], [12], [13] Yes, I was referring to the ban on greenies, which apparently were so rampant that guys who played without them were said to be "playing naked."
[2], [4], [6], [10] Thank you.
[19] I just got an ugly image of David Wells.
[20]
Don Mossi ...
From RAB:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amandarykoff/4765625671/
[9] Tarzan couldn't take this heat.
Swisher needs an ASG vote song like Votto has
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3UVzxtawlg
[1] Why the unkindness?
[9] "Do the Right Thing" hot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAoVmWibJ3E&feature=related
"Their names? FUCK YOU, their names! Their names were Mo and Joe, their names!"
"Mo and Joe what, sir?"
"Mo and Joe what, Mo and Joe what...Mo and Joe BLACK, how's that!"
"They're brothers, sir?"
"Yeah, they're fucking brothers!"
11) Yup.
Sorry for being a bit harsh, hank.
for my penance I have just voted for swish 150 times.
28) LOL. Eddie Lee. All is forgiven. Figured it was just a tough morning.
Let's hope it's a good night!