Game Four: Another rookie takes the hill

by 122 Comments

Open Thread: Joba's fist pump
Punchless

It was a beautiful thing last night, seeing Phil go six strong with Joba picking up the (meaningless) W. Tonight we see the final member of the Big Three taking the hill, IPK. He’ll be opposed by Andy Sonnastine, whom none of the Yankees have had more than 7 at bats against.

Rob Thompson will manage the team tonight, as Girardi is suffering from a upper respiratory infection.

Melky’s suspension has been reduced two two games. He’ll sit out today and tomorrow. I’d feel far more comfortable if we had a groundballer like Wang out on the hill during those contests. An outfield of Matsui-Damon-Abreu is probably bottom 5 in the AL defensively. Duncan’s hearing is up Monday, according to PeteAbe.

I had posted PeteAbe’s lineup earlier, but Mark Feinsand reports that Posada has been moved to DH. I would assume then that Betemit sits and Molina slides into the nine spot. So this is the assumed lineup:

1. Damon, CF
2. Jeter, SS
3. Abreu, RF
4. Rodriguez, 3B
5. Giambi, 1B
6. Cano, 2B
7. Posada, DH
8. Matsui, LF
9. Molina, C

And on the mound, number thirty-one, Ian Kennedy

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Open Thread: Joba's fist pump
Punchless
  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.

    It sure would be nice to get that bench some ABs.

    • zack

      I was thinking that too. I know its only game 4, but I would really like to start seeing some of that 1B rotation and Damon/Hideki having a day off.

  • doty

    let shelly play before he serves his 2 games on usnday & monday

  • http://myspace.com/lincolnsworld Link

    if i hear the phrase ‘generation trey’ one more time….

    • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

      Here here.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    Zone a little tight tonight no?

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Joseph P.

    So Kennedy doesn’t look too hot.

  • Joey

    holy crap that strike zone sucks tonight… and I’m in Orlando so I’m watching that game on “Rays TV” and their announcer said that this was one of the most pitcher friendly umps in the bigs… kinda hard to believe

  • http://myspace.com/lincolnsworld Link

    he’s getting squeezed like florida oranges.

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Joseph P.

    Absolutely disagree with him getting squeezed. He’s been close on some, but he’s not going to get all those calls.

    • Joey

      but some of them would be nice instead of none

  • http://myspace.com/lincolnsworld Link

    thank you kay for that tidbit..singleton saying they never won more than 70 surely did not already let us know they haven’t lost less than 90..you know there being 162 games and all…

  • Joey

    Just as a side note, since I’m in Orlando the Rays are blacked out on MLB.tv so I switched it over to the Jays and man do those powder blues look horrible. I’m not uniform nazi or anything like Keith Law or Shyster, but wow

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    That’s like the 4th time IPK has pulled the changeup into the ground.

  • BobMikki

    Its gonna be a long night for the pen.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    Damn Mets/Braves got rained out. Was looking forward to see John Maine, lot of predictions on that man this year.

  • Joey

    so did the weather total miss the stadium or is it scheduled to make a stop later?

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Joseph P.

      The weather report changed like seven times today. It’s anyone’s guess.

  • http://myspace.com/lincolnsworld Link

    hopefully it lays off…and oh yeah don’t know how old you are Joey but those Jays uni’s are throwbacks…

  • Joey

    18, but they look like pajamas more than professional ballplayer uni’s

  • http://myspace.com/lincolnsworld Link

    lol look up the padres 70’s unis if you want to see real ugly…

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Joseph P.

    Oh that Cano. He’s so lazy.

  • Joey

    lol, nice play by Robbie

  • http://myspace.com/lincolnsworld Link

    Pedroia would have beaten Crawford to the bag.

  • http://myspace.com/lincolnsworld Link

    Good God has IPK been ahead on anyone tonight?

  • Joey

    he doesn’t look good at all. I like the Giambi mound visit though, give the kid a short break

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    IPK is struggling with his control but this Ump is an asshole.

  • http://myspace.com/lincolnsworld Link

    well have a good night fellas.

  • Joey

    ugh

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    Im glad it’s a Friday, won’t have to hear as much BS from the media tomorrow about Santana regret or w/e.

  • Adam

    those mussina comparisons are more accurate than i expected.

  • Ramadan

    young moose hit mid 90’s on the gun………this guy looks like old moose

  • yankeemonkey

    Girardi picked a good time to take a sick day.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    Hit-Deki!

  • Realist

    Too much nibbling at the corners than having to make a strike killed IPK. Good luck next time!

    • Realist

      Damon can’t even make contact…….why is he leading off? I hope Melky replaces him after his suspension.

      Jeter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    Molina can fucking rake.

  • Realist

    Hideki now Molina………….rally!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope ;-)

  • Joey

    Well if Hideki and Molina can get hits anyone in our lineup can, that “long reliever” would have been nice about now

  • http://deleted Randy

    i’m sick of johnny damon. he’s killing us already. nice shot by cap’n jetes.

  • Joey

    Cap’n Jetes (dunno if Neyer’s copyrighted that yet) strikes again!

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    We really need Jetes to cross home, cutting this lead in half in one inning is real important right now.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    Well comparing the two starters I would take IPK right now. He wasn’t getting smacked (except for the bases clearing double that he left over the plate to just get a strike), just had no control.

  • Joey

    all that counts in the end is the “W”

  • http://deleted Randy

    i thought ian was terrible but why is sonnastine getting those close pitches and not ian? hopefully one day this season we’ll get consistency behind the plate for both sides.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    GIAMBINO!!! Alright come on Cano.

  • Joey

    Nice G-man, nice

  • Realist

    Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here comes the potent Yankee offense! About time :-)

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    Anyone surprised that there’s been no mound visit by Tampa?

  • http://myspace.com/lincolnsworld Link

    Shame on me for doubting the power of our offense…still going to sleep though..gotta work tonight DVR hopefully catches the rest of this comeback…

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    Come on Alba, just get us to the 6th with a couple scoreless and you would’ve done everything necessary.

  • http://deleted Randy

    matt stairs just hit one out. 1-0 blue jays.

  • Joey

    go figure, our offense is finally starting to warm up when our pitching goes to sleep

    • Joey

      and our defense is sleeping as well…

  • LLOYD BANKS

    While the saying goes, “Hindsight is 20/20,” there is NO hindsight in my prediction that IPK would be a bust. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good kid, and I wish him all the best, but he’s just not going to be a very good ML pitcher. He doesnt have the makeup, build, or power. His velocity is awful, which therein makes his offspead stuff much more hittable. Bottom line, everything has to be PERFECT for him to pitch well. If his velocity is down, or he can’t get his change over for strikes, the game is over. Gentlemen, thats not good. There is a stark difference b/w IPK and the other 2 members of Generation Trey. IPK is at BEST a number 4 starter.

    Does this sound familiar???? Ofcourse it does, Mussina ’08. Mussina and IPK are clones, and this is NOT a good thing. I heard reports that at the 11th hour, Minny offered Santana for a package that included Melky and IPK. If Cash turned that down, we will regret it for a decade.

    Conclusion – we should have traded IPK over the winter when his stock was probably the highest. He came off a year of great hype and effective numbers in his few starts. After a full year pitching in the bigs, if IPK loses more than he wins and has an ERA over 5, we gonna be fucked.

    • http://deleted Randy

      thank you keith law.

    • Joey

      I doubt that considering the rumors that they wanted Wang and IPK + Melky as a last offer. Plus your basing your opinion on one bad start, he’s pitched better and will contribute to the 08 Yanks as nothing less than an inning eater, if not a pretty effective starter

      • Mike P

        Why do people have to make outrageous statements and predictions? Think about what you’re sayinh.
        IPK got in trouble because hsi change was bad and so was the ump. He also looked nervous. That does not make him a bust. Of course he could very well end up a bust, a lot of young pitchers do.
        And if the Yankees do regret not trading for Santana, that’ll last a whole year ’till Sabathia pulls on pinstripes.
        Has that been said before by any chance?

        • LLOYD BANKS

          Mike P,

          Look, i know its brash to dump IPK this early on, but come on. Its not like he has great stuff but one bad start. Its more like he has OK stuff and he got bombed (not to mention he got in consistent trouble in ST).

          If you look at IPK’s starts last yr, you’ll notice that with the exception of the Toronto start, he barely ever made it out of the 5th inning. He’s always in trouble because his stuff just isnt good enough. No matter what he does, his fastball will never be higher than 89. I’m sorry, but thats not gonna cut it in the AL East. Everything has to go 100% right for him to be very effective. If the weather is off, or his velocity is off, or his command is off – its over. He can never “grind out” a win like Hughes and Joba can. He lacks the makeup of an effective starting pitcher (he’s too short and too thin – therefore its physically impossible for him to generate the torque or power to get ML hitters out consistently). There is very little change in speed b/w his pitches.

          With him and Moose at the back end of the rotation, we have to keep our fingers crossed twice a week.

  • Realist

    One outing does mean a whole career now doesn’t it???? Insert sarcasm……………………………………………….wait…………….here!

  • Joey

    Toronto up 2-0 on the sox

  • http://deleted Randy

    3-0 jays bases loaded

    • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

      LoL, guess you all are keeping tabs as well.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    If anyone needs some good news, the Blue Jays scored 3 runs off Wakefield in the 6th. Shawn Marcum has pitched a 1-hitter through his first six.

  • Joey

    yup yup, and Marcum’s looks pretty nasty so far

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    J-Alba is owning. And Rock ‘N Rohlendorf is warming up!

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    Exactly what we needed from Alba. Now we can try to get another two scoreless from Rohlendorf.

  • http://deleted Randy

    nice swing johnny.

  • Joey

    8 K’s for Marcum, Mannys the latest victim

  • http://www.thebronxzoo.wordpress.com iYankees

    Goddamnit. I can’t believe I sat Marcum (fantasy team). How bout that Alba? And that Hideki homer? Maybe Hideki will continue to make his bid for the number 5 spot.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    Do they always have to make mention of that first lineup that Sheppard announce every year?

  • http://deleted Randy

    fucking jd drew!!! 3-3 game.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    Can’t believe I sat JD Drew. God Damnit.

  • Joey

    Just when I compliment him, he gives up a 3 run homer to Nancy Drew…

    • http://knickerbockerchatter.blogspot.com/ Bruno

      Nancy Drew LOL

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    Straight Nasty by Ohlendorf.

  • Joey

    well our pen is lookin good

    • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

      Shhhhhh, ESPN Lords might hear you…

  • http://knickerbockerchatter.blogspot.com/ Bruno

    Does CANO ever not swing at the 1st pitch?

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    DP on carl Crawford, we got to win now, LoL.

  • http://deleted Randy

    big frank finally showed up this year. 5-3 jays.

    • http://knickerbockerchatter.blogspot.com/ Bruno

      They better not blow the lead, or blow it open. A Sox loss is ALWAYS a good thing, but I could use the save from Accardo : )

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    This bullpen is just sexy right now.

  • http://www.thebronxzoo.wordpress.com iYankees

    yup. its weird to be excited about the bullpen. it just goes to show you how horrible it’s been for yankee fans these past few years. and carl crawford grounded into 11 double plays last year, for the record.

  • Joey

    Frank Thomas had a little fist pump when he got to second, you think there’s gonna be a huge controversy in Toronto over that tomorrow? (sarcasm)

  • http://deleted Randy

    you think someone could take a pitch and try to get on base against dan wheeler?

  • http://deleted Randy

    thank you paul…i mean…latroy

  • Joey

    ugh (again)

  • http://knickerbockerchatter.blogspot.com/ Bruno

    Jeter’s looking more-n-more like an OFer playing SS.

    • http://deleted Randy

      yeah he is.

      • http://knickerbockerchatter.blogspot.com/ Bruno

        And Matsui a DH in the OF.

  • Joey

    it just wasn’t meant to be today…

  • Joey

    oh god, farnsworthless is warming up (not that it could get much worse)

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.

    Paul O’Neill isn’t pitching too well tonight.

    • Manimal

      Since when was Paul O’Neill Black?

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    These are some real bitch ass hits after the two XBHs.

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    Yankees fans are showing some real bitchassness booing chanting “Paul O’Neill”.

  • daneptizl

    Spring don’t mean shit.

  • Realist

    Alba shouldn’t be sent down for Pettitte tommorrow………LaBoy should. It was a garbage signing in the offseason and only proves it the more he pitches!

  • http://knickerbockerchatter.blogspot.com/ Bruno

    It’s officially drinking time.

  • GoYankees

    ): sknits snikwaK

  • http://knickerbockerchatter.blogspot.com/ Bruno

    Rays are better than the Jays. And I’m not just saying that because of 4 games. All those “experts” saying Jays will challenge Yanks/Sox and Rays will be .500 had it back-assward.

  • Realist

    Wow The Farnssssssssss aint much better???????????? Two weak links that hopefully can be replaced by Melancon , Cox , Sanchez…

    • http://knickerbockerchatter.blogspot.com/ Bruno

      PATERSON

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    Well the other two Yankees squads in the organization are doing well. Tampa is rallying in the bottom of the 9th down 4-3 and SWB won 2-1. Other two minor league games got rained out.

  • http://knickerbockerchatter.blogspot.com/ Bruno

    Good night all, off to the bar for me courtesy of Farm-worthy.

  • Realist

    Forgot Patterson

  • Joey

    I’m with Bruno, time to go out and drink this one off…

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

    That AVIS commercial was classic.

  • Ivan

    I am not gonna complain. That would be too easy. Hawkins got some weak hits but sucked nevertheless.

    Look on the bright side, Melancon pitch 1.2IP of shutout ball in High A Tampa. I will go on a limb and say that Melancon makes the team by late June.

  • mustang

    It’s actually funny to see. Two of Mr. Cashman’s prime bull pens pick-ups. You have to give to Cash he does have a eye for those free agents pitchers.

    “It ain’t the fans who are the issue. They’ll be patient.” say Ben read above.

    Rough night for IPK he will be fine ONE BAD START DOES NOT MAKE A SEASON.

  • mustang

    Maybe Duncan should try and take out Hawkins and Farnsworth. I’m sure the league won’t suspend him. LOL

  • mustang

    off the mound in second inning, number thirty-one, Ian Kennedy…..LOL

    Just couldn’t help it…. LOL

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.

    It was the third inning but still. He will do better. He wasn’t a first round draft pick for nothing.

  • Josh K

    What a crappy game. Glad I went to last night’s game with Hughes on the mound. IPK will rebound. Oh, and nice 31.50 ERA Hawkins….

  • mustang

    I’m sure he will but its like that Meat Loaf song “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad”…..

  • mustang

    Yes, lets sign a guy who has a 9.51 ERA, 1.94 WHIP, and a .381 BAA at Yankee Stadium. Mr Hawkins is doing what he always has done in Yankee Stadium… suck.

  • mustang

    Don’t worry guys he is better in Fenway 7.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and .319 BAA. What a relief….LOL
    He is right about one thing spring training doesn’t mean much.

  • Josh

    I’d feel a lot better about IPK’s start if we had Bartolo Colon down on the farm instead of the Bosox. I really wish Cashman had the foresight to get him…

    • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56352514 Jamal G.

      Yeah, lets be mad at Cashman for passing on a guy throwing 87-89 MPH all of Spring with no control and accompanying weight/shoulder issues.

  • Chris H.

    IPK had one bad start. The ump smoked crack before the game and Kennedy was getting terrible calls on good pitches. Its not like he was crazy wild. His change was off and if he gets ahead in the count we know he can be good. Also concerning the Santana trade, it wasn’t a bad move because as its been previously said we can get C.C. in pinstripes next year. Lets not get absurd and start acting like IPK is a bust after his 4th major league start (first three were pretty good) and that Cash doesn’t know what he is doing.

  • GoYankees

    It’s not just the ump. Like Moose, IPK has to get calls to be successful. But walking four and serving meatballs is a pitching mechanics issue that needs fixing. If he can’t locate, he can’t pitch.