09/10: Yankees Smoked by Sox 9-2
Posted by: Patrick
Ouch.
In the top of the 1st, after making 2 outs, Chacon walked Manny. Ortiz homered. 2-0 Red Sox. Nothing doing on either side until the 4th inning, which would be the big black mark.
It was a long top half. To start, John Olerud leads off with a home run. Mueller singles. Kapler singles. That's the end of Chacon's day (his line: 3 IP, 5 ER). In comes Felix Rodriguez. Tony Graffanino singles, but no runs score. This is where two critical mistakes were made - mistakes that put the game out of reach. F-Rod the pitching pitcher did his job on Renteria - he induced a slow roller that bounced perfectly back to him. No doubt double play ball. Unfortunately, F-Rod the defensive pitcher almost throws it away. Flaherty makes a nice catch and gets 1 out. Out goes F-Rod, in comes Leiter. Here is critical play number two. Leiter gets Ortiz to hit a lazy fly to left. Uh oh... Matsui's lost it in the sun, it looks like. Whatever it was, he misplayed it, first going back too far and then having to rush in. However, he still should have caught it - it hits his glove and goes out. Run scores, inning still alive. Right there is 3 outs. Plays we should have made and if we had made them, there would have only been 1 run scored in the 4th, instead of 6.
Unfortunately, that's not how it happened. After Matsui's error, Manny singled in a run. Then Trot Nixon singled in 2 more. Then Varitek comes up and hits a double play ball to end the inning. But, wait, no... Cano throws it into the seats on what was a very awkward play. I don't know how the ball got that far, but it did. And another run scored. Finally, Olerud comes up again and ends the inning.
Giambi hit number 28 in the bottom of the 4th. It was solo and that would make the score 8-1. All was quiet for the 5th, 6th and 7th innings before both teams (Renteria sacrificed Cora in and Bernie singled in Lawton) added a run. And that was all she wrote, as the Yankees lost 9-2.
Al Leiter actually pitched a good game, eating up 5 and 2/3 innings, allowing just 1 ER. Our pitching was good today. Our defense was terrible and (forgetting only 2 runs scored) that was the main problem. The Yankee offense came up with 6 hits, 2 by Cano and then 1 each by Jeter, Williams, Giambi and Matsui.
I look at tomorrow as a must win if we're going to have a shot at the division. Sure, we could win, but there will be a big difference between 3 games back and 5 games back with 20 to go. We need to win. And we'll place it on the guy that was supposed to be our rock, supposed to win the big games. That's Randy Johnson. He'll face Tim Wakefield (15-10, 4.05).
In the top of the 1st, after making 2 outs, Chacon walked Manny. Ortiz homered. 2-0 Red Sox. Nothing doing on either side until the 4th inning, which would be the big black mark.
It was a long top half. To start, John Olerud leads off with a home run. Mueller singles. Kapler singles. That's the end of Chacon's day (his line: 3 IP, 5 ER). In comes Felix Rodriguez. Tony Graffanino singles, but no runs score. This is where two critical mistakes were made - mistakes that put the game out of reach. F-Rod the pitching pitcher did his job on Renteria - he induced a slow roller that bounced perfectly back to him. No doubt double play ball. Unfortunately, F-Rod the defensive pitcher almost throws it away. Flaherty makes a nice catch and gets 1 out. Out goes F-Rod, in comes Leiter. Here is critical play number two. Leiter gets Ortiz to hit a lazy fly to left. Uh oh... Matsui's lost it in the sun, it looks like. Whatever it was, he misplayed it, first going back too far and then having to rush in. However, he still should have caught it - it hits his glove and goes out. Run scores, inning still alive. Right there is 3 outs. Plays we should have made and if we had made them, there would have only been 1 run scored in the 4th, instead of 6.
Unfortunately, that's not how it happened. After Matsui's error, Manny singled in a run. Then Trot Nixon singled in 2 more. Then Varitek comes up and hits a double play ball to end the inning. But, wait, no... Cano throws it into the seats on what was a very awkward play. I don't know how the ball got that far, but it did. And another run scored. Finally, Olerud comes up again and ends the inning.
Giambi hit number 28 in the bottom of the 4th. It was solo and that would make the score 8-1. All was quiet for the 5th, 6th and 7th innings before both teams (Renteria sacrificed Cora in and Bernie singled in Lawton) added a run. And that was all she wrote, as the Yankees lost 9-2.
Al Leiter actually pitched a good game, eating up 5 and 2/3 innings, allowing just 1 ER. Our pitching was good today. Our defense was terrible and (forgetting only 2 runs scored) that was the main problem. The Yankee offense came up with 6 hits, 2 by Cano and then 1 each by Jeter, Williams, Giambi and Matsui.
I look at tomorrow as a must win if we're going to have a shot at the division. Sure, we could win, but there will be a big difference between 3 games back and 5 games back with 20 to go. We need to win. And we'll place it on the guy that was supposed to be our rock, supposed to win the big games. That's Randy Johnson. He'll face Tim Wakefield (15-10, 4.05).
09/10: Latino Legends Team
Posted by: Patrick
Also, you can vote for the Latino Legends Team.
A number of Yankees/former Yankees are on the ballot, including Alfonso Soriano, Tony Fernandez, Alex Rodriguez, Jose Cruz, Sr., Bernie Williams, Lefty Gomez, Jose Rijo, Luis Tiant and Mariano Rivera. Bert Campaneris and John Candelaria are also listed as possible write ins.
My ballot:
C - Ivan Rodriguez
1B - Rafael Palmeiro
2B - Rod Carew
3B - Edgar Martinez (kind of weak, not that he's a bad player, but he's been a DH for what seems like forever)
SS - Alex Rodriguez
OF - Roberto Clemente
OF - Sammy Sosa
OF - Bernie Williams
SP - Lefty Gomez
SP - Juan Marichal
SP - Luis Tiant
RP - Mariano Rivera (SHOCK!)
A number of Yankees/former Yankees are on the ballot, including Alfonso Soriano, Tony Fernandez, Alex Rodriguez, Jose Cruz, Sr., Bernie Williams, Lefty Gomez, Jose Rijo, Luis Tiant and Mariano Rivera. Bert Campaneris and John Candelaria are also listed as possible write ins.
My ballot:
C - Ivan Rodriguez
1B - Rafael Palmeiro
2B - Rod Carew
3B - Edgar Martinez (kind of weak, not that he's a bad player, but he's been a DH for what seems like forever)
SS - Alex Rodriguez
OF - Roberto Clemente
OF - Sammy Sosa
OF - Bernie Williams
SP - Lefty Gomez
SP - Juan Marichal
SP - Luis Tiant
RP - Mariano Rivera (SHOCK!)
Posted by: Patrick
Congrats to Bernie on reaching 2,200 hits. Only Gehrig, Ruth, Mantle and DiMaggio have more in pinstripes.
Congrats to Derek for being nominated for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award. You can vote now, but hurry - the deadline is tomorrow.
Finally, congrats to Jorge for being nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award.
Via Steve Lombardi and Brian MacMillan and Brian MacMillan.
Congrats to Derek for being nominated for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award. You can vote now, but hurry - the deadline is tomorrow.
Finally, congrats to Jorge for being nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award.
Via Steve Lombardi and Brian MacMillan and Brian MacMillan.
Posted by: Patrick
The Yankees have now entered the 2nd to last series of the season with the Red Sox, playing the 1st of the final 6 games. These 6 games are big. And we struck first. Lead by timely hitting and pitching, the Yankees beat the Red Sox 8-4.
Aaron Small remained undefeated, picking up his 7th win of the year and allowing 4 earned runs over 6 and 1/3 innings of work. After placing runners at 1st and 2nd with 1 out in the 7th, Torre went to Tanyon Sturtze, who promptly hit Manny Ramirez with a pitch. Exit Tanyon, enter Alan Embree, in his first appearance against his former team. An error by Cano later and a run has scored with the bases remaining loaded. Exit Embree, enter Flash who induces an inning ending double play off the bat of Jason Varitek. Big appearance. Gordon also took care of the 8th scoreless.
Aaron Small remained undefeated, picking up his 7th win of the year and allowing 4 earned runs over 6 and 1/3 innings of work. After placing runners at 1st and 2nd with 1 out in the 7th, Torre went to Tanyon Sturtze, who promptly hit Manny Ramirez with a pitch. Exit Tanyon, enter Alan Embree, in his first appearance against his former team. An error by Cano later and a run has scored with the bases remaining loaded. Exit Embree, enter Flash who induces an inning ending double play off the bat of Jason Varitek. Big appearance. Gordon also took care of the 8th scoreless.
09/09: AROD.COM launches
Posted by: Michael
Yesterday, Alex Rodriguez launched his site, AROD.COM.
With the site going live, Alex was asked questions by the fans, here are a few favorites:
With the site going live, Alex was asked questions by the fans, here are a few favorites:
mlb_com_member_3: Do you feel that Giambi has redeemed himself?
Rodriguez: No question. Comeback Player of the Year. No one will ever know how hard he has worked. I see it every day.
alexrodriguez: After you, or any other player strikes out on a called strike, I often see the player saying something to the umpire on your way to the dugout. What are you saying to him?
Rodriguez: I just perhaps tell him that I had a different vantage point than him on the third strike or even an earlier pitch. I have tremendous respect for umpires but they are human and veteran players and veteran umpires have a rapport. I still don't like being punched out though on a third strike.
Patrick_Ainslie: A-Rod, do you miss playing shortstop?
Rodriguez: No, playing shortstop was great, but it's in the past. I am a third baseman and I love the challenge of learning to master it every day.
Rodriguez: No question. Comeback Player of the Year. No one will ever know how hard he has worked. I see it every day.
alexrodriguez: After you, or any other player strikes out on a called strike, I often see the player saying something to the umpire on your way to the dugout. What are you saying to him?
Rodriguez: I just perhaps tell him that I had a different vantage point than him on the third strike or even an earlier pitch. I have tremendous respect for umpires but they are human and veteran players and veteran umpires have a rapport. I still don't like being punched out though on a third strike.
Patrick_Ainslie: A-Rod, do you miss playing shortstop?
Rodriguez: No, playing shortstop was great, but it's in the past. I am a third baseman and I love the challenge of learning to master it every day.
Posted by: Michael
The Yankees entered the game knowing that they had to win to keep their lead in the wild card. They were playing the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. A team in dead last in their division with a 58-82 record (21-50 on the road). A team that they just can't figure out this season.
The Yanks turned in another miserable performance losing against Mark Hendrickson. Hendrickson has the highest batting average against in the majors at .320. He also owned a 6.09 ERA, the fifth worst amongst starters. He pitched effective enough with most of the damage being done in the seventh inning.
The Yankees can't expect one big inning every game to get them through for the win. They seem to be in a daze at the plate, losing focus and aiming for the stands in long-ball fashion. Patience at the plate and hits are what I want.
Highlights for the Yanks were the return of Obi-Wang to the lineup from two months on the DL. He pitched 5 innings on 80 pitches giving up 3 runs. The combo of Wayne Franklin and Scott Proctor sends chills up my spine. It's not a matter of when or if they will give up runs, but more like the matter of how many.
Sierra broke out of his slump, and hit a two run homer in the seventh as that was the Yanks only inning of scoring for the night.
The Yankees are still in it being only 1/2 game out of the wild card and four games back from Boston. They have a legitimate shot, but seeing how they've played this year against Tampa Bay, you must wonder if they have it in their hearts to take it to the next level. Are they being motivated enough by their coaches and manager? That's a question that needs to be answered.
Tonight the Yankees have a crucial series (they all are at this point) in playing the Red Sox at the Stadium. Aaron "Biggie" Small (6-0, 2.42 ERA) takes on David "Boomer" Wells (12-6, 4.24 ERA). Game time is 7:05pm ET.
The Yanks turned in another miserable performance losing against Mark Hendrickson. Hendrickson has the highest batting average against in the majors at .320. He also owned a 6.09 ERA, the fifth worst amongst starters. He pitched effective enough with most of the damage being done in the seventh inning.
The Yankees can't expect one big inning every game to get them through for the win. They seem to be in a daze at the plate, losing focus and aiming for the stands in long-ball fashion. Patience at the plate and hits are what I want.
Highlights for the Yanks were the return of Obi-Wang to the lineup from two months on the DL. He pitched 5 innings on 80 pitches giving up 3 runs. The combo of Wayne Franklin and Scott Proctor sends chills up my spine. It's not a matter of when or if they will give up runs, but more like the matter of how many.
Sierra broke out of his slump, and hit a two run homer in the seventh as that was the Yanks only inning of scoring for the night.
The Yankees are still in it being only 1/2 game out of the wild card and four games back from Boston. They have a legitimate shot, but seeing how they've played this year against Tampa Bay, you must wonder if they have it in their hearts to take it to the next level. Are they being motivated enough by their coaches and manager? That's a question that needs to be answered.
Tonight the Yankees have a crucial series (they all are at this point) in playing the Red Sox at the Stadium. Aaron "Biggie" Small (6-0, 2.42 ERA) takes on David "Boomer" Wells (12-6, 4.24 ERA). Game time is 7:05pm ET.
Posted by: Seamus
Tuesday night, the Yankees dropped an early 3-0 lead in an eventual loss to the Devil Rays. Last night, it was Tampa Bay who went ahead 4-0 early as the Yankees rallied from behind to beat the D'Rays 5-4. Jaret Wright allowed four first inning runs, but did not allow any more as he gave up 8 hits in 6 and 2/3.
Hideki Matsui drove in the first 3 runs for the Yankees. The first was on a solo home run off Doug Waechter in the 4th inning, and the next two came on a double in the 6th inning which scored Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter. The Yankees still trailed 4-3 in the bottom of the 8th with nobody on and two outs, but A-Rod singled into centerfield before Jason Giambi brought him home as well as himself with a two-run shot to right field. Mariano Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning to record his 36th save of the season.
Wow, who ever would've thought on July 1 when Jason Giambi had only 5 home runs that he could possibly be on his way to a 30 home run season? He's got 27 now with 24 games left on the schedule. He'd basically need a home run every eight games to reach 30. I'd say he's turned it around quite a bit since early in May when the Yankees were advising Giambi to accept a demotion to the minor leagues and even pondering just letting him walk away with the $80 million he was still owed on his contract. He's raised his batting average nearly 100 points since then.
Tonight's game is one to look forward to as rookie surprise Chien-Ming Wang makes his return to the rotation after being placed on the disabled list in July with a shoulder injury. His opponent will be the 6'9" former NBA forward Mark Hendrickson.
Hideki Matsui drove in the first 3 runs for the Yankees. The first was on a solo home run off Doug Waechter in the 4th inning, and the next two came on a double in the 6th inning which scored Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter. The Yankees still trailed 4-3 in the bottom of the 8th with nobody on and two outs, but A-Rod singled into centerfield before Jason Giambi brought him home as well as himself with a two-run shot to right field. Mariano Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning to record his 36th save of the season.
Wow, who ever would've thought on July 1 when Jason Giambi had only 5 home runs that he could possibly be on his way to a 30 home run season? He's got 27 now with 24 games left on the schedule. He'd basically need a home run every eight games to reach 30. I'd say he's turned it around quite a bit since early in May when the Yankees were advising Giambi to accept a demotion to the minor leagues and even pondering just letting him walk away with the $80 million he was still owed on his contract. He's raised his batting average nearly 100 points since then.
Tonight's game is one to look forward to as rookie surprise Chien-Ming Wang makes his return to the rotation after being placed on the disabled list in July with a shoulder injury. His opponent will be the 6'9" former NBA forward Mark Hendrickson.
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees got out to an early 3-0 lead in the 2nd inning last night against the Devil Rays, but failed to scrore the rest of the way as the Bombers fell short 4-3. Randy Johnson kept the Yankees in the game, going 6 1/3 innings and giving up 3 runs on 7 hits. Mariano Rivera recorded the loss as an error by Robinson Cano in the 9th allowed Joey Garthright to score the go-ahead run.
The Yankees are now 4-10 against the last place Devil Rays. You'd think that this would be a case of a talent-laden, playoff contending team like the Yankees simply sleeping on a team like Tampa Bay, but I really don't know if that is the case. Guys like Casey Fossum, Mark Hendrickson, and Scott Kazmir just pitch well against them. I really think that although the Yankees still should beat these guys, it's more a matter of the Devil Rays playing up to the competition than it is the Yankees playing down to their competition.
Tonight we'll get to see how Jaret Wright bounces back from his last start in which he took a liner off his collarbone and had to leave the game against the Mariners. He'll start tonight at the Stadium against the Devil Rays' Doug Waechter.
The Yankees are now 4-10 against the last place Devil Rays. You'd think that this would be a case of a talent-laden, playoff contending team like the Yankees simply sleeping on a team like Tampa Bay, but I really don't know if that is the case. Guys like Casey Fossum, Mark Hendrickson, and Scott Kazmir just pitch well against them. I really think that although the Yankees still should beat these guys, it's more a matter of the Devil Rays playing up to the competition than it is the Yankees playing down to their competition.
Tonight we'll get to see how Jaret Wright bounces back from his last start in which he took a liner off his collarbone and had to leave the game against the Mariners. He'll start tonight at the Stadium against the Devil Rays' Doug Waechter.
Posted by: Patrick
Steve Lombardi compares the similiarities in hit counts between Derek Jeter and Pete Rose. They're very close - of course, as he notes and I agree, I don't really see Jeter playing until he is 45. Anyway, he also mentioned this:
Oddly enough, I didn't realize that no one has reached 3,000 hits in the Yankee uniform. Looking it up, no one has reached 2,722, either, with Lou Gehrig being the highest at 2,721. If not for ALS, he probably would have been the first (and only) one to do it. Anyway, I'd love to see Jeter do that. Of course, he's currently 8th on the all time list, so we've got a ways to go.
But, if Jeter continues to mirror Rose with his hits production, Derek should get career hit # 3,000 some time in the summer of 2011. Considering that no one has ever had 3,000 hits in a Yankees uniform, this would be an impressive feat.
Oddly enough, I didn't realize that no one has reached 3,000 hits in the Yankee uniform. Looking it up, no one has reached 2,722, either, with Lou Gehrig being the highest at 2,721. If not for ALS, he probably would have been the first (and only) one to do it. Anyway, I'd love to see Jeter do that. Of course, he's currently 8th on the all time list, so we've got a ways to go.
09/07: Wang to Start Thursday
Posted by: Patrick
Chien-Ming Wang will be back on the mound on Thursday where he'll face the Devil Rays. The rotation for the last game of the Devil Rays series and then for 3 games with the Red Sox will be Wang, Small, Chacon and Johnson.
