We take back first place and best record tonight.

Ok, so who is and isn't available on the Bronx Banter bench today? I've posted three of the last four days, so I may have to take this one off.

Just lovely Derek, just lovely ...

I think maybe Curtis should work with Kevin Long every day ...

Now, for the love of Jeebus, CASH HIM IN!

Nice rip, Curtis. Now try and steal third. ; )

hit against the shift Mark. We need a run.

Ah, so that's why Teix has been struggling.

Broken toes suck.

[7] Why has he been playing? I thought we were losing battles to win the war?

Frak.

I'm a bit surprised that Granderson hasn't gotten more time @ leadoff, TBH

[7] The ways of the Chessmaster are above my paygrade ...

Wonder if Crawford beats that out anyway even if Tex gloved it.

Personally, if an umpire shows a bs strike zone, I think he should be called on it. Getting tossed for arguing balls and strikes is poppycock.

Ya know how they have those styrofoam 'cup holders'... ya put yer beer in to keep it cold? They usually have all kinds of clever shit written on 'em?

Alex... how about you get some that are Vodka bottle size.... have 'Bronx Bnter Courage' written on them, and sell them to us?

I could really use something like that.

And Nova excaped the 1st.
Is Mitre warmed up yet?

Yikes... I learn about the broken toe here?
From ESPN:
"Since the injury, Teixeira has been homerless, while batting just .209 (9-for-43) entering Tuesday's game with the Tampa Rays."

Well... I guess Girardi does know some things we don't know.

[15] Then why is he playing?

[14] excaped? I like that spelling.

[16] Yeah, and why does it take so long for guys who are seriously slumping to go see Kevin Long, who just tells them something simple and gets immediate results?

[17] Retired superheroes, I'm telling you...

Runs. Who the fuck needs runs?

Ah, these are the Yankees innings I've come to know and love recently ...

Awesome start.

He looked awfully close to safe at second. Man, that play took a long time to develop.

Oh that's real helpful. You know, I could be doing some woodworking.

Wow. Cano abd Grandy are our only 2 starters who are (appear to be?) healthy.

Healthy Guy #2 gets big hit.

Well, we scored ... that's something, right?

It was deliberate, ump. Don't give the Rays any close calls tonight.

2!

2 WHOLE RUNS!!

AH-HAH-HAH!!!

Robbie!

We gots 4 runs now!!

Wait.

I think I hear ... YES, YES IT IS!!!

THE SCORE TRUCK!!!!!

WOOOO-HOOOOOOO!!!!

Rocket Robbie! What a beaut!

the three guys with RBIs have 303 for the season together as a trio. not bad...

Kevin Long For President!

Wow... what's the story on Nova? Is he for real?

Word! Good on 'ya, Alex.

Yay-Rod!

Whaddayaknow with the 2-run tater? 大好き！

[34] He's real enough that he should have been taking starts from Mitre and Moseley all year.

More than that, it's too early to say.

He's got enough stuff to be a decent 4/5 guy, though it'll be interesting to see how the league reacts as they see more of him. Not a lot of deception in the motion.

Another tater!! 喜ぶ！！

Dang, get all caughtup in Photoshop and good times start to roll. I love Photoshop!

Were those strikes as low as Gamecast implied? (halfway off the chart low)...

How the hell do we know when Nova's tired when he's always lifted between 5 and 6 innings and 70 pitches. OY!

Goddammit Nova, quit FUCKING around and get this out.

Man... that was a meatball to Longo.

Interesting non-move.

Pena went to bat for Meat.

Oh well, so much for that teachable moment.

frak!!!

$%$%#%#%#%#%#%#%#%#%

[38] Shows how much *I* know ...

Dang Rays. No lead is ever enough.

I'm checking out. Fucking Bollocks!

FUCK

[49] I think it's just a mental thing. He's got the stuff, he just needs to forget what the inning is.

Well, this whole inning sure went to SHIT.

Guess I should apologize to Girardi for getting pissed he didn't use Logan for more batters last night.

Le sigh ...

Score truck got hijacked.

What a revoltin' development.

[53] Or maybe it's the last part of what I said ... he doesn't have much deception and batters start reading what he's throwing a LOT better the 2nd or 3rd time around.

Still, it's disappointing he keeps hitting the same wall around the 5-6 inning ...

Holy shit what a kick in the stones. Yanks are still winning this one, dammit.

57) whatever the issue, it was clear he had lost it...I would have yanked him a couple of batters sooner. Not that it would have mattered when the BP explodes, too.

[57] Could be, in which case I think he'd be a fine addition to the bullpen.

Ivan Nova had a kind of odd route to the big leagues. He was signed in 2004, and by 2008, was still in A-ball. The Yanks left him unprotected, and he was taken in the Rule 5 draft by the Padres. They returned him to the Yankees...and he just zoomed through the system. Not sure why, though there have been juicing allegations.

He's still very young, especially for a pitcher. I don't think the Yanks will leave him off the roster again.

Robbie for the tie!

Nice Cano! Come on Berkman, True Yankee time :)

jesus christ...Maddon may single-handledly convince MLB to change the rules for expanded rosters.

Well, the boys have got the fight in 'em tonite, that's a good sign at least ...

Chad Qualls?? I want the SCORE TRUCK!

Come on Kearns.

Not sure why, though there have been juicing allegations.

Just because two lads from South-of-the-Border happened to innocently give each other B-12 injections without their team or trainers knowing about it, some people just gotta start lobbing the Scarlett Letter "S" around ... sheesh, what *is* the world coming to?

Meanwhile, Austin Kearn's carriage has turned back into a pumpkin ...

Wasted opportunity.

Nice work Kearns. Piece of garbage. And even better Curtis. Hope that cortisone shot works for Swish.

Whole damn game could be Kearns missing that fat 0-2 piece of shit.

Girardi left him in way too long.

howdy folks .... just got in .... seems like we have a football score ... anyone get injured tonight?

What bullshyt, I'm having dinner and going to do something productive like sleep for more than four hours. G'nite...

This team is in a lot of trouble.

So now the Yankees can't hit Chad Qualls.

George Steinbrenner is rolling over in his grave

[72] He did. I think he was trying to get the kid a W.

[78] I think it was a response to pulling him too early last time.

Now that's the Joba I know.

Onions!

According to Mark Feinsand....

Andy Pettitte after his 5-inning start for Trenton: "I feel like it's time that I need to get in a big-league game and get going up there."

[73] Our hope for a nice easy win.

[71] Or Jeter striking out against a kid who couldn't throw a strike.

I wonder if Girardi getting the bullpen up as soon as he got into trouble unnerved Nova. Sometimes panic can be contagious.

ARod goes yard I say.

That was the pitch, fuck.

[78] On the YES broadcast it was clear that Girardi would have taken Nova out 1 batter before he eventually did, but Tony Pena convinced him to give him one more batter.

Lord knows Coffee Joe has done no right in the last week in my eyes when it comes to managing his bullpen, but I don't really have a problem with him trying to nurse Nova through 5 tonite.

I have been reluctant to log on and read the comments here. It's been a very shiity sports week for me (save the NY Football Giants), my football pool is a mess in just the first week, and the Yankees are in the corn field.

Just like that, hoping that the wookie would win, the Rays put up a 7 spot...a three run HR from Aybar? What BS. But I would have left Nova in too long too, and Boone threw a cookie.

The Yanks must win this game, it ends here. I just can't take it no more...

This is not good.

The Yankees NEED to score in the ninth and win in regulation. Any situation that causes Joe Girardi to think has very little upside.

At lease Joba represented himself well.

Teixeira almost leveled that poor bat boy.

Meanwhile, Kerry Wood has been totally juvenated by Dave Eiland.

Smoke Daddy!

[93] Well, except for the walks ...

Hard to hae a good feeling about this game.
At least it's the bottom of TB's order in the 9th.

[94] Walking Pena, not so bad.

THAT was a strike.

SMOKE.

DADDY.

[96] Well, yes, I was speaking generally ...

Boo-yah!

So much for Girardi's rule about not using relievers if they've been hot in three of four games. Wood has now pitched in 4 of 5.

Robertson warming for the FOURTH time today.

Soriano in with a tie at home. Very enlightened.

We're going to be walked off four times in five days,

That Soriano is a little prickish, no?

Good thing Yankees didn't use Posada at all. He needs his rest.

[104] Shhhhh....

What an egg Kearns laid today.

[106] Probably saving him for Cervelli- you know that Girardi, likes to lose battles to win wars and such....

[107] Oh please. I can't imagine anyone hear thinks the Yankees are going to win this game.

[108] I believe the correct phrase is ... he laid an "huevo".

What with the sombrero and all ...

Sweet!

David Robertson.

After being DRY HUMPED 5 FREAKIN' TIMES in the last 2 nights ... let's see if he has anything ...

[110] I can't hear you here.

[111] You got me there.... :)

Well, Golson is in for defense in right, even though he looks totally over-matched out there and lets people tag up from first. No new tricks for the old dog Girardi....

Michael Kay repeating the Yankees talking points on yesterday's debacle makes me even angrier.

[113] I'm angry. Leave me alone.

[115] Doesn't it though.

[112] I honestly think that's the first time I've heard dry humped used like that. How have I missed that? That's awesome.

[117] Its almost as bad as when he tries to tell us how signing Nick Johnson was really a brilliant move.

Should I just turn the TV off now?

[118] Isn't it though? But there it is ... get a reliever warmed up and don't bring him in ... that's a DRY HUMP!*

*which means my math in the previous post was somewhat off, Coffee Joe eventually did bring Robertson in tonite.

Now that's a great play.

Holy Shit.

Can we win now?

THE GRANDYMAN CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[120] You'll miss the catch.

Atta boy, Curtis. Helluva catch!

I confess that while I loved the bats of Matsui, Sheffield, et al, it's really fun to have Gardy and Grandy on defense.

That was a magnifico play by Grandy!

Who's running for President?

[127] Matsui could have been the DH.

Dan Wheeler is one of those guys that always seems to be doing better than i thought he was. Scot Shields was like that.

HIP HIP!!

All right Jorge!

Oof. That was deep.

Wow. I can't wait to see how that one looks on HitTracker.

It really made little sense to not use Posada for Kearns earlier, but hey, I'll give Joe credit for holding out.

Now make sure you touch all the bases on your trip Jorge... :)

HIP FUCKING HIP JORGE!!!!!!

I'd like another run or twelve

[134] Hit Tracker is one of those websites that I really need to start getting my friends to go to. I love it.

And Derek Jeter has two hits and a walk

More, more, more..wait, did Jorge's ball land yet?...more, more, more...!

[138] In Mo we trust*

Except when warranty is voided due to acts of Joe

[142] I'm just a little worried that he hasn't really had his annual week long funk.

That's kind of why Tex shouldn't try to beat the shift.

There is some life in those '90s leftovers yet! What a bomb! And the best of the '90s will close this game out.

Oh no.

Not good.

fuckiddy fuck fuck

Oh ... lovely.

[135] Giving Girardi credit? At what interest rate?

Crawford *was* going ... if Mo threw over in earnest, he might have had him.

Damn.

This feels Dave Robertsy

Le PHEW.

Holy Jesus.

Oh....My....Goodness.

YIKES!

I...Must...Drink...Heavily.

That wasn't a hit and run Al.

I say that JoPo throws out Cuba Gooding Jr.

.......... aaaaaaaaaaaaaannd .............. exhale

Where was the pitch?

Mo's pitches seem like they are up.

Just forget about Crawford now. Don't make the same mistake again.

Don't walk matt joyce

Alright. Just get the next two guys now.

Bah.

Stolen base, even with the muffed tag.

Jeter has to hold that tag.

[167] He was safe anyway

I really wish we had something like this

[168] Have you been watching the umpiring this season?

THAT was a strike

Mo is getting squeezed.

That was strike 3!

YEAH!

GOLSON!

GREG GOLSON: HOW MY ASS TASTE?!?!?!?!?!?!?

CRAWFORD PULLS A GRITNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carl Crawford....meet Brett Gardner.

Terrible, terrible decision by Crawford.

Wow, Crawford really bungled that. Bad note for his on-going audition for the Yankees.

just had to say wow, what a throw!

NICE FCUKIN' THROW!!!

Yay! Golson did ok in the field, no?

Hot Damn. Gardneresque.

Sorry for my insult earlier Golson!11

Wow....

I was going to say that I wasn't sure if Golson saw the ball.

And some emotion from MO!
Great throw... but OFers these days don't set up properly to throw.

That was Barfield-esque, despite the fact he's wearing Mel Hall's number.

[182] Oh, he can field, that's no secret ... it's the hitting that's the issue.

FRICKIN' LAZER!!!

That was cool to watch the replay and Alex, then Mo behind him and Jeter in front of him raise their arms.

[179] Maybe they've signed him already...hmmm?

A win tomorrow makes last night hurt a lot less now.

[190] It is cool to see millionaires act like sand lot kids when it ends this way. Love this game!

What on earth was Crawford thinking? How do you make that mistake the day after Gardner's bone-headed play?

That throw was amazing. As a former outfielder, that kind of throw sends a shiver up my spine.

I guess I'll take people's word that leaving Nova in wasn't crazy. I skipped the first seven innings, and for once, checked in on the good part of the night. Looking at the play by play, it sure looked like there was a spot at 6-3 where I would have brought in Robertson and said dammit, this shit stops now. Particularly after saving everyone for this game. But only if you actually, you know, want to win the division. Which I don't give a fig about for reasons of hanging meaningless banners, but because I think any opponent is going to be tough as heck, and YS is a big advantage in the PS. YS in the PS, I like that.

But it sounds like watching it live it didn't seem like a terrible move.

I'm glad tonight worked out. When Crawford reached, I was ready to go apoplectic again.

That was some last inning. Longoria was a hair off on the bat for a walk off two run homer. Mo looked as nervous as Joe G. felt., Crawford out at third. 99.5% of the time, he makes it, was it a mistake for him to tag?

Okay, now that we're safe, who else was sure Longoria won it off the bat?

Wow... I just finished watching the game. First Posada's blast, and then Golson! I actually don't think that was that bad a play by Crawford. Sure, it's a cardinal sin and all, but did anyone in the entire park, anyone watching, actually expect Golson to come up with a laser like that? That was a one-in-a-million play, and Crawford just had the misfortune of getting caught up in it.

Damn, first place feels good.

[195] Absolutely.

What does being on 3rd (rather than 2nd) gain him with 2 out?

How often does Mo throw a wild pitch?

[197] I suppose the answer is ... what's the percentage of hits that Crawford *wouldn't* score from 2nd with 2 outs on vs those he would if was on 3rd + the chances of a WP/PB/Balk scoring him from 3rd as well.

I'm not sure of that answer (mathmatically), but generally speaking, if that's the case, why, Why, WHY risk it?

[198] How often does Mo hit a batter with the bases loaded? I think Crawford did the right thing. A wild pitch isn't the only thing that could've scored him from third; even an infield single would've plated him. His only fault was that he didn't know what Golson was packing out there.