The baseball season begins in warm, sunny places like Florida and Arizona. Then the teams move north to the cold. Last night, I flipped around and saw rain in Washington and Philly and the Bronx. Ah, April baseball.
It was not a pretty game at the Stadium last night–the fielding was rusty and you have to figure the wet and cold played a part in that–but the Yankees rallied late and beat the Jays, 4-3. Chase Headley and Jacoby Ellsbury had two hits; Michael Pineda pitched well, and so did the bullpen (though Dellin Betances was rusty).
Funny thing: Although Alex Rodriguez is now an old man, he still gets more of a rise out of the crowd than any player on the Yanks. There were boos and cheers every time he came to bat. It’s almost as if the fans still boo him because it’s something familiar not because they’re especially vicious. After all, we’ve just begun the post-Jeter era and who knows what to make of this team? Who knows who the next heroes and villains are? Rodriguez is a sure thing. Muscle-memory says boo the sombitch. Or cheer. Rodriguez didn’t get a hit last night–he put a good swing on the ball in his third at bat, it had a good sound, but he hit it too high and in that wind no fly ball stood a chance of leaving the park–but he was booed plenty when he struck out looking in the 8th inning with the bases loaded.
Old reliable.
[Picture by Bags]
That pitch A-Rod was called out on in the 8th was not a strike, way too low. Girardi's reaction in the dugout was priceless and made it almost worthwhile.
Somehow I didn't notice it in spring training, but Andrew Miller is one tall dude. I think we'll enjoy watching him pitch.
So tall and he throws easy cheese, doesn't he?
Rain got even worse over night. Had to comfort Sparky, the Min-Pin mix. He doesn't like thunder and lightning.
Andrew Miller was a good pickup. Not sure if he will be the closer all year and it would be nice for Bettances to step up and be the man, but it is a different beast, and maybe the competition was too much for him.
Great game, and very encouraging to see Pineda putting it together. Health will be an issue for all of the Yanks big 3 starters (Tanaka, Pineda and CC), but this kid has ace stuff, and of the 3 probably has the best chance for a healthy year, at some point even Pavano was healthy (Just not as a Yank).
I agree that the fans would like to figure ARod out and he will likely get cheers when he produces and boos when he doesn't. Not unlike the way the Yankee fans have always treated him. Although, you have to respect the way they embraced him on opening day.
This team has as much chance as any of making the playoffs in the AL East. So far the vaunted defense that we were told to expect hasn't materialized yet, but if Didi can relax a little, I am looking forward to seeing them realize their potential.
Hopefully Headley doesn't feel the weight of his contract, and just plays within his ability as he did when he was acquired last year. His game winner wa lucky, but was still a game winner.
It looked grim before the 8th. Imagine the vitriol if they were down 0-2 on the season? A must win game for CC? Let's go Yank-EEs. Clap-clap-clap- clap clap!!!
Not sure what all the fuss is about in regards to the cold weather. It was 86 degrees here yesterday and is already in the 80s again today! : )
Really wish I could've seen the 8th inning offensive "explosion" and Andrew Miller's pinstriped debut. But I really missed being here for the game thread. Can't believe I missed talk about Whitesnake!!! They were not just some '80s "hair" band. They were killin' it in the '70s - very bluesy, and with a Deep Purple filled lineup. They're still around today releasing quality albums and putting on excellent performances.
[5] I never knew that about Whitesnake.
The things one learns around here!