Game 78: Another day, another lefty
ByThe Yanks face off against lefty Zach Duke tonight. Duke had a strong start to his career in 2005 — one of my buddies did a nice write-up of him during his rookie campaign. After pitching 215 innings of league average ball in 2006, he struggled mightily in 2007, and missed July, August, and half of September. At 92 innings this year, it seems that Duke has found himself again, pitching to a 3.91 ERA, though that 1.48 WHIP could come around to haunt him down the road.
What can I say about the Yanks, other than they need to win tonight? They did score two in the ninth last night, so I guess we get to put the ol’ theory to the test tonight. Fate will be in the hands of Joba Chamberlain, who has pitched rather well since making the conversion to a starter.
Questions for tonight:
Will Derek Jeter avoid grounding into a double play if presented with the opportunity?
Will Melky draw a couple more walks in the leadoff spot?
Will we be able to string together a few hits, rather than leaving our men on base?
Will A-Rod come back with a vengeance after taking an 0 for 5 last night?
If the answers to those four are all yes, we might be onto something.
Your lineup:
1. Melky Cabrera, CF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jason Giambi, 1B
6. Jorge Posada, C
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Justin Christian, LF — felt good to type that
9. Joba Chamberlain, P
I guess there doesn’t need to be a pitching announcement…damn NL.
Notes: per Ed Price, Ian Kennedy will throw a rehab start for Tampa on Saturday. Phil Hughes played catch for the first time since suffering his broken rib. Price says we’re still six weeks away. I’d believe it.




assuming the stress fractured rib happened before the season I am excited for Phil Hughes to come back but IPK just blows, I hope he re establishes himself at A ball.
JOBA FOR PRESIDENT!
Thats the name of my yahoo fantasy team haha
Did Michael Kay really just make a Ketchup Joke…
I have this theory, you should be surprised by the good in people (hey, I live in NYC). When dealing with Michael Kay, you should be surprised never, don’t ever be fucking shocked by what that man says.
haha. Yo jamal that was me that sent a facebook friend request yesturday, just making sure you knew it was me.
Am I the only one here? Bases Juiced for the juicer.
Lucky is better than good sometimes, I’ll take it.
HOLY SHIT THAT WAS INSANE.
Stellar play by Wilson.
beautiful play by Bucs SS there
Nice play by wilson….
Lets go JOBA
Anyone else notice that the yanks are a tad more intense today? Either Girardi whooped their asses straight or Joba is just that good of a pitcher
Here’s a video and some pics of the All-Star game Statues of Liberty:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/...../index.jsp
Hmmmm, I doubt the change would be out so soon, I think that pitch to Morgan was a slider.
Is that Captain Morgan, the captain of this sinking ship?
It could be their game-plan. Maybe JoPo feels that is a better pitch against Nyjer Morgan or maybe the Changeup was working great in the bullpen during warm- ups.
Very possible but Gameday had them at 10 inches of break where I don’t think most changeups break that much. I could be very wrong though
Two Changeups for Chamberlain already.
Now this is the way to start a game, get 2 early and then Joba works a squeaky clean first
Off topic but I was offered J.Peavy and Jose Reyes for Chad Billinglsey, Troy Tulo, and J. Bay, what do you guys think I asked for another outfielder , just to even the trade out.
Depending on your team. If you get league average production from your OF group then you do it because only Hanley Ramirez is a more productive offensive SS. Troy Tulowitzki just got back from a nasty leg injury and was already slumping so you don’t know how that will affect his swing so deal him any chance you get. Jake Peavy is Jake Peavy. I’d do it if your OF is league average or better.
I’d do that shit. If you can get another outfielder, more power too you. Just make sure he’s not on the Mets.
Hey look, Andy Phillips is back in New York. Too bad he’s stuck with the Mets.
Homerun right here baby
GO JOBA!!!!
And I don’t care that it wasn’t ball 4, he still had a pretty grind it out at-bat for a pitcher
get a pinch runner in there, we can’t afford to lose Joba!
Joba draws a walk. Take notes Cabrera.
I love it. Scranton’s already takin’ it to T-Clip.
I love how the Pirates are batting their best player fifth.
Thanks fellas just needed some input. Jamal my outfield is average as long as nady comes back. Its a fn NL only league some old high school buddies asked me to be a part of cause some dude dropped out so I took over his team…… off to cbssportsline
Nady ain’t come back. He’s a notorious first half player, trade him as soon as he gets healthy.
Does christian have a good throwing arm?
It’s adequate.
Actually, his arm is good…not as good as Melky or Bobby, but much better then the other LF we have. He has thrown out a few in AAA, and yes…it is better then Bretts. 27/08?
NAILED
Man figure hold him to clear the pitcher, but probably one of the better throws i’ve seen Abreu make
Ensberg ended up with the Indians
Watching Joba bat is more fun that watching an R-rated movie.
http://thedaveburbarevolution.blogspot.com/
Am I the only one that thinks Ken Singleton laughs like Dr. Hibbert?
Thanks Mike, now I have his giggle stuck in my head for the rest of the night.
McCutchen pitching well so far….. through 3. 1H, 1BB, 1K.
Bumping that RISP avg up to over .150!
Does anyone think that they’re playing Gardner in LF tonight just in case Damon’s injury is worse than they’re letting on?
They move him around to different of spots in general
He’s been in CF and LF the whole season or most of it.
Yeah, but he’s been playing mostly CF lately. I know he can play both, but there were rumors of plantar fasciatis (sp?) for Damon today.
You have to love the consistency of Cano. Why take a pitch when you can swing at the 1st one and hit a weak grounder to 2b? Cano and Melky can take some lessons from the Yanks’ pitchers when it comes to taking some damn pitches.
Its as if he turns it off and on, you’ll see him swing quick and dribble one in the inf and then he’ll really work the count the next time up….and one thinks just do that every time
When do we start calling him Robbie Cannot?
When Michael Kay takes over our brains.
is that why you have the tinfoil hat on Jamal?
Nyjer Morgan tries to bunt and Joba Chamberlain with that brushback Fastball says “Get that punk shit outta my face”.
nyjer really worked that one
Trivia: Which three active pitchers have the most wins against the Boston Red Sox?
Hint: Two are southpaws.
I’ll post answer at 8:08.
Buerhle
Pettitte
Blanking on who could be third…?
Mussina
Mussina
Pettitte
Randy Johnson
Moose has 19 with Pettitte and the Big Unit with 18 and 16, respectively (don’t quote me on the Pettitte and Johnson totals though).
Huh, that’s weird. I forgot Unit was even in the AL pre-Yankees.
Damn I was thinking Washburn instead of the unit
Wow is it just me or does it seem like PNC Field is real quiet
mets sign andy phillips to split time with delgado at first.
saw this on mlbtraderumors.com.
good luck to andy (other than this weekend against the yankees of course)
I always liked phillips
damn they’ll finally have some production at 1st now…
LoL, you’re mean.
Christian showing some bunting skills
So much for Derek Jee-tah not being able to get the ball out of the infield.
especially with 2 out, since when do we get runners in then?
He should have taken a strike.
Jeter has had some good swings so far tonight. Hopefully, he’s back to stay.
Raises his June OPS to .846. What I like to see, Capitan.
This guy Joba seems like he can really pitch. The Yanks would be much better served saving him for the 8th inning every couple of days.
This “Joba as a starter” thing just might work, huh?
Nah, too small a sample size!
Yeah, but just imagine how valuable he would be pitching the 8th. I mean, a few innings a week in really important situations. What? You mean he could shut down opponents from the start and do that for many more innings? Oh, that seems like a good idea.
Jamal & Mike A, its not big bounty but I got Brian Giles in trade good enough ?
A park-adjusted 130 OPS+ in a NL only league is beautiful (especially when his home park is Petco). Good job.
So Giles-Peavy-Reyes for Bay-Billingsley-Tulo?
That’s a great trade. You got the two best players in the deal. Giles will hit for avg and score a bunch of runs, but won’t hit for much power. No big deal though. Hopefully Peavy stays healthy. You’ve got the SB category in the bag now.
Of course, if you didn;t make the trade you could say “hopefully Billingsley stays healthy.” It’s what pitchers do, they get hurt.
Plus some chance Giles gets moved to a team where he can show power
Lmao @ Kenny Singleton just sighing when Michael Kay mentioned Dontrelle Willlis’ mechanics, can you blame him?
I just wish one day Cone or Singletonn, just tell Kay Shut the F up, when he says something stupid.
I don’t think Willis has pitched since being sent down
Joba is really pitching well.
PS: I be watching the NBA Draft tomorrow, I hope you guys watch as well.
Jermaine O’Neal just got traded.
A healthy and motivated Jermaine O’Neal coupled with Chris Bosh is fucking nasty, Celtics better watch that ass in that Atlantic Division later this year.
Chris Bosh looks like Timon from the Lion King
I’ll take your word for it. The extent of my NBA knowledge is “LeBron James is good, the Knicks are not.”
“LeBron James is [the MVP, fuck Kobe] good…”
That’s better.
Yeah he might help, who he got traded for?
Taking Mayo 2nd would probably be a mistake
Man. That ballpark is just awesome. I was there in 2002, but it was the offseason, so we just ate at the restaurant in LF.
Anything that you guess visitng ?
The place in the stadium was just an Outback Steakhouse. Been to one, been to ‘em all.
It was a long time ago, so I forget the name of the place, but there’s a burger shop in the Strip District somewhere that puts the fries on the burger. Phenomenal, and not just because of the gimmick.
That is not a gimmick, that owns.
Primanti Bros. They put fries on all the sandwiches, and cole slaw. They have Primanti in PNC Park.
That’s it. Thanks for reminding me of the name.
Thank you I’m trying to line up somethings to do if the game gets rain out.
Thanks for any suggestion.
Yeah, I remember my idiot roommate (at the time) taking a bite out of his sandwich, then saying “there’s some slaw on my sammich.”
Do you have any idea how far the Strip District burger shop might be from the stadium?
Thank you for the information.
See above… they have a shop in the stadium, you can just get it there. if you have time check out the restaurant in the city though, it’s fun.
It’s walking distance I think. Right over the Clemente Bridge somewhere. Google the name and you’ll find it.
It sure looks like it hit the bat.
Im watching the Fresno State game and wow..Pittsburgh got the real deal with Wilson. absolutely NAILS the corners
Yeah, Wilson’s been unbelievable. On 3 days rest no less.
Erin is also in top form…and telling a story that boils down to Terry Pendleton calling her last night to “just talk”. What a dawg.
Trenton is beating down Erie
TJ!
Ouch.
Fresno State is just 12 outs away from a College World Series title, wow.
Robbie knew it.
Abreu heating up
Bobby’s back baby (Heh, see what I did there?)!
Payback is a b!tch!
I don’t want to scare anyone, but who’s going to pitch the 8th inning tonight? With Joba starting now, there’s a big hole in the 8th inning that someone needs to fill.
It’s 8-0. Let Justin Christian pitch the 8th.
Sean Burnett is warming up? Wow. He’s another Mike A. prospect crush HOFer.
6-0 Fresno State with 2 outs in the bottom of the 6th. Wowza.
Anybody been watching Joba’s fastball velocity the last inning or so, actually seems like it’s finally slowing down a bit, correct me if I’m wrong
98-MPH on that first pitch to Jason Michaels.
alright, that last one was 96, but I thought I was seeing 91-93…
With another 98-MPH to finish off the AB.
Anybody else think that even though he is the Yankees’ television broadcaster and has his own radio show and talk show, he still gets owned by his siblings (if he has any) or owned at family gatherings?
He’s the guy who comes to the family reunion with the bitchy girlfriend each year.
“Hey mom, this is Clarice.”
“Mom? Grow a pair you fucking sissy.”
“Haha, isn’t she just fortutitous?”
“Where’s dinner? I’m fucking starving”
That fortuitous line had me dying.
Kay’s Uncle: Damn, what’s up with Oliver Perez this year? He’s real up and down.
Michael Kay: Yeah, he’s like the little girl with…
Kay’s Uncle: You shut your fucking mouth!
97 to finish, damn
7 shutout innings for Joba. 97mph on his 98th pitch. He’s more valuable as a setup man.
LoL at Chris Russo “What are the Yankees going to do when JAHBA is throwing 92-MPH in the fifth inning?”
It’s a good rule of thumb that the truth is the exact opposite of what Chris Russo believes.
6 IP unless MLB.tv is really that slow, which I wouldn’t doubt
Plus the BB! But without a doubt, top line starter beats top line reliever
Only six shutout innings. DEFINITELY better off in the bullpen.
D’oh. My bad. I’ll still take it.
6. But I wholeheartedly agree.
Also belatedly glad to see that Cano made me eat my words from before. Serves me right.
God damn, could you imagine this team if we had Wang going with the way Pettitte, Joba and Mosse are going…oh wait you can, we had a seven game winning streak. Ugh.
Niiiiiice. Love that they left Joba out there.
You just love it because your & inning comment could make sense.
Damn. You figured me out.
Shit, I may have jinxed it.
I wish he didn’t pitch the 7th. I like him getting through it and all, but it’s 8-0. If it were 4-1, sure. But I say cap him at 6 unless he’s at 80 pitches or something. I don’t want them to shortchange him down the stretch if it looks like we can make the playoffs.
Was Joba in the on deck circle when Christian hit into the DP?
Dunno.
Joba must know he’s coming out and just letting her fly
Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere’s Douggie!
That last pitch registered 97, and he’s got to be around 105 pitches by now.
Joba Chamberlain’s last four Fastballs registered at 99, 97, 94, and 98-MPH, respectively (before Dougie AB).
Julio Lugo? I thought it was Mike Lowell that ran into Dougie.
It was
Nice, pulls the string on 3-2, why did you have to ruin that Douggie?
Joba Chamberlain. Good at pitching.
Joba is definitely stretched out now…
There’s no complaining from this guy, that was a great game pitched by Joba. Hopefully Ross doesn’t come in a give these runs up
Nice job by Joba, finished with 96 on that base hit
Ohlendorf is basically a one out pitcher.
Talk about the right situation for Ohlie, just come in a go after guys rather than saving your strength
Yeah, Joba pitched a pretty sweet 6 2/3, but who are they going to find to pitch the 8th?
Yeah, Joba pitched a pretty sweet 6 2/3, but who are they going to find to pitch the 8th?
As good as Andy/Moose/Joba look right now it’s extra painful to think what could be with Wang healthy…and now the number 4 and 5 spots become revolving doors…Kennedy will get a couple of AAA starts as precaution before making another big league start and Hughes is out six more weeks…
Imagine this story- Carl Pavano is on schedule to be healthy say mid august…say he comes back pulls a Joba and becomes a set up sensation aiding the team into the playoffs…A guy can dream right…………
Well so much for watching pitches, 2 pitches, 2 singles
Melk has shown some more patience out of the lead-off spot than the 9 hole these games
That’s true, hopefully he keeps it up when Johnny comes back. Maybe he’s one of those guys who’s “just more comfortable” at the top of the order
Career splits shows that Melky walks twice as much per game out of the leadoff vs 9 hole.
His AVG & Slugging are better from the 9 hole; obp better in the leadoff none are all that different, 20 pts tops
I’m sick of the Melky project…time to go Gardner!
Gonzo hasn’t been particularly lucky with BABIP (.231), but he has hit some shots, relatively speaking.
Probably a 1-0 pitchers duel tomorrow
Ohille line drive?
Gordon Beckham just homered in what could be his final college at-bat.
Better finish than Mr. St. Clair.
Like many young pitchers, Cole St. Clair arrived at Rice as a power pitcher, but left as a finesse pitcher.
So Betemit is now playing third?
Upper deck and Monument Park BP-HRs for Ross Ohlendorf?! Seeing as how he’s a RHB that upper deck shot is impressive.
Too early to trade for Justin Wilson? I’m thinking Melky.
+ IPK
Touche (didn’t misstype “douche”, just can’t find that accent mark over the e)
They’ve let Wilson throw 128 pitches. I know college pitchers are often abused, but a look at Rice pitchers would be helpful before yearning for pitchers who throw so many pitches.
Why would they care? It’s not like they’re saving him for next season, this is it for him as far as they’re concerned, they don’t owe the Pirates anything
I didn’t say they cared. But wanting guys who are abused like that in college is a dangerous proposition. I’m pretty sure the trade proposal was tongue-in-cheek, but history is littered with pitchers who were abused in college and are ruined because of it.
By the way, hopefully, Cano is back.
They’re goin’ to the 9th in Omaha…
Can you imagine what a hero that pitcher is going to be back in Fresno?
He is going to get soooooooo much ass.
Russ likes low leverage.
I think Girardi misses getting to screw with lineups so much as a NL manager
Has anyone noticed that Joba looks like twenty pounds lighter in his MLB picture?
Detwiler is having a bit of a game.
Damn Cano, swinging the bat in Pitt
Sounds like they should DL matsui, let him rest up, maybe he’ll need a scope
It doesn’t sound good. If it’s that noticeable just while he’s wakling, it sounds like he could use a DL stint.
Bottom of the 9th in Omaha…
I love college baseball.
Yeah, can you imagine the offense in the majors with metal bats?
Ditto. Georgia’s not going down without a fight.
Rally just took a big blow
Hah. Jumped the gun on the first pump.
Haha, It would end the steroid problem.
What are the odds that Rasner pitches three more starts before the A-S-break?
29th Mets
4th Red Sox
9th Rays
Depending on the better of Giese/Ponson, I assume that pitcher twirls (heh heh, twirls) the 2nd against the Rangers. But how immune is Rasner to that? Not very, I would guess. I suppose it hinges on the next start. If he pitches poorly against the Mets, they could go with Giese AND Ponson or Karstens.
If he pitches well that game, I bet he’ll carry the spot until the break.
probably also depends on Aceves, though he probably could be considered until after the break earliest
Chavez!
His helmet looks like Trot Nixon’s
Holy crap I thought that was getting up the middle.
Get yer dogpiles ready…
set… GO
Burke thought he had it
Has anyone seen any fist pumps (you know, that immature, classless, childish act) from Joba lately?
last start he had one
HAHA! Detwiler put the ball in his back pocket. That is hilarious
Congrats Fresno state
I’d like to clobber Erin Andrews…
…I love lamp!
I heard their menstruation attracts bears.
Just think, Joba could have wasted away in bullpen while Kei Igawa pitched horribly. The 8th inning role is much more important than a good starter.
Also, on his show today and even during the YES broadcast tonight, Michael Kay was going on about the need for Joba to get a win. I could care less if we gets the ‘win’ as long as he pitches well and the Yankees win. Why do people still consider a pitcher’s won-loss record as a good way to judge a pitcher?