Game 100: Rollin’

July 22, 2008 by Mike Axisa 271 Comments

It’s hasn’t been pretty and it certainly hasn’t been textbook, but the Yanks have managed to trim a full three games off the division and Wildcard deficit since the All-Star Break. As the season hits the century mark in terms of games played, take solace in the fact that only five teams in the AL have a better winning percentage than the Yanks. By the end of the night that number could be down to just four.

The Twinkies managed to push a run across in the 9th inning last night, so this is another test for Joe’s yet to be unproven theory that if a team is being blown out and they score in the final innings, they’ll carry that momentum into the next game for a win. Tonight would be a great night to disprove that theory.

Kevin Slowey’s been pounded his last two starts, but that means diddly squat tonight. Yes, I just said diddly squat.

1. Damon, DH – so much for that 0-fer I was talking about yesterday
2. Jeter, SS
3. Abreu, RF
4. A-Rod, 3B
5. Giambi, 1B
6. Cano, 2B
7. Cabrera, CF
8. Moeller, C
9. Gardner, LF

And on the mound, Darrell “From Waiver Claim to Yankee Fame” Rasner.

Notes: Rasner is 3-2 with a 2.67 ERA when Moeller catches him, 2-5 with a 6.87 ERA when anyone else is behind the dish … Dan Giese has pitched one inning in the last 19 days … Triple-A reliever Steven White is missing … Melky Cabrera has a 70 OPS+ this month, his second highest monthly mark behind April (135)

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

Ah, the real game 100, I see. :)

Melky Cabrera has a 70 OPS+ this month, his second highest monthly mark behind April (135)

That is sad.
Yankee1010

Check out what the Yanks have done to Slowey before – http://www.baseball-reference......derby=Name.

Sure, it’s a huge link and a small sample size, but wow.
- Chip
  
  So you’re saying this is Melky’s night?
  - Steve
    
    Melky’s actually been decent lately. 6 for his last 17.
    
    and no, I don’t want him to play CF once Damon comes back.
    - Chris
      
      Who would you prefer? or more importantly, if Damon plays center, who plays left?
      - DP
        
        Gardner center, Damon left.
        
        cult of basebaal
        
        i like gardner. i was all for giving gardner his shot.
        
        but he’s been shit and frankly he’s looked even worse in doing it.
        
        just like melky in 2005, i don’t think brett’s quite ready for prime time …
        
        it’s too bad for brett, but melky + johnny is better offensively and defensively
        
        TurnTwo
        
        he actually hasnt looked awful, but he’s frustrating to watch. he works the count really well but doesnt make enough contact, and when he does, he puts the ball in the air too much.
        
        Steve
        
        Look up Melkys range factor and fielding stats. He’s a middle of the pack defender at best. I know he has a plus arm, but thats important for corner OFers, not CF.
        
        Stick Michael was quoted on Mas Kellerman’s show recently saying he thinks Gardner will be one of the best CFers in the AL within a few years based on his speed and that he gets a good jump on the ball.
        
        I’d rather turn doubles into outs than have a good arm in CF.
- Steve
  
  Yeah, they’ve clobbered him. Plus, I think the Twins have only won a couple games in Yankee stadium in the past 4 years or something.
Chip

Wouldn’t it be great to have Gardner get over his usual adjustment period and start OBP about .350?

Now that Matsui is pretty much done for the season (so it seems) why not try the Matt Carson experiment? Do we really need somebody who essentially has the same skillset as Melky and Gardner (Christian) sitting on the bench? Carson has some power and while he doesn’t have the speed, can play all three outfield spots
- Steve
  
  You don’t have to have power at every position. Some guys have to get on base to be knocked in, of course. And defense up the middle is Baseball 101 on how to build a winning team. I’d play him in CF for the foreseeable future.
  
  I like Gardner’s range, his plate discipline, and I’m willing to be patient with him. He’s our #9 hitter right now. If he can make his adjustment by Sept or the time the playoffs roll around, I can see him being a valuable weapon in a close ballgame vs a tough pitcher. Guys with his speed can generate a crucial run by playing ABC baseball, and I’m sure we will need to do that somewhere.
  - Chris
    
    Why are you willing to be patient with Gardner and not Melky? Melky is younger, and even while sucking this year has been better than Gardner (who has given suck a whole new definition).
    - whozat
      
      Because Gardner’s new. And people are so excited by his speed that they ignore the drawbacks in his game.
      - Steve
        
        No, because I like the skills he brings to the table. I’m not looking at results after 40 ABs, I’m looking at tools at this point.
        
        -He gets a better jump on the ball in CF
        
        -He has more range than Melky
        
        -He’s shown good plate discipline and was #1 in the Yankee farm system in that category according to Baseball America
        
        -And yes, he has tremendous speed on the base paths.
        
        Believe it or not, everyone doesn’t have to hit for power. Even on the Yanks. We had those slow, plodding murderers row lineups a few years back and it lead nowhere in the playoffs. I like having a more diversified attack and I’m willing to show a little patience to get there.
        
        cult of basebaal
        
        wow.
        
        gardner’s played 1 whole game in CF at the ML level and already you can tell that he’s got more range and gets better jumps than one of the best defensive CFs in the game …
        
        dude, your talents are wasted here … go scout, young man!
        
        A.D.
        
        Well he actually played a lot there in the spring, and since he is said to get better jumps than Melk, and definitly is faster than Melk, thats pretty much the definition of more range. However Melk is the 4th best of in ZR in MLB, so the flipside is how much more range do you need
        
        Steve
        
        Melky’s one of the “Best CF in the game”?
        
        Prove it. Find me the fielding stats that prove your assertion. Because the stats that I’ve seen
        
        http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....ieldingPct
        
        http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....angeFactor
        
        say otherwise.
        
        Chris
        
        http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....zoneRating
        
        ZR is a better stat the range factor. As for fielding percentage, I don’t even know where to begin.
    - Chip
      
      Because if you look at Gardner’s history, he typically takes awhile to adjust to a new level. Melky has history with most pitchers and doesn’t take walks.
      
      Gardner has game changing speed as well and can really grind out an at-bat. I hope that they both do well of course but I think that Gardner is more important right now to this team (if he continues to hit below .200 after 300-400 major league at-bats, my patience will end)
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
      
      Melky’s got over 1300 ML at bats over three seasons (and change). Gardner’s got 53 over 15 days.
      
      I wouldn’t characterize playing Gardner over Melky right now as “not being patient” with Melky. Giving somebody 3 seasons to prove themselves as a quality ML player may or may not be sufficient, but giving someone 15 games damn sure isn’t.
      
      People need to stop acting like they’ve both been given equal chances. Gardner deserves his shot, just like Melky did.
  - whozat
    
    “You don’t have to have power at every position”
    
    No, but you need it at SOME positions. The Yanks have it at 1B and 3B. That’s it. That’s not good enough.
    
    Also, if Gardner could actually make contact with the baseball and generate more than shallow fly balls, I might by your point that he can play ABC baseball and help in the playoffs. However…there’s really no need for him to muck up the big league offense if all we’re looking for is bunting and base stealing in october. The Yanks need to generate more runs in the second half, and if they can get a vet who might generate a .350 OBP with some actual pop (even a .425 SLG), that’d be a lot better than Christian.
    
    Especially if Johnny can get back into the field, then all they need is a DH that can put up those numbers, and the team will be better overall than with Gardner on it right now.
    - Steve
      
      If you’re trying to argue results after 40 ABs, there really no point in going any further with this. I know you want everything yesterday, but thats not how it usually works. Do yourself a favor. Look up the first year stats of about a zillion guys who became great players.
      
      Bernie Williams batted .238 his first year in the bigs
      
      http://www.baseball-reference......be02.shtml
      
      Justin Morneau batted .224 his first year in the bigs
      
      http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....yerId=5379
      
      A-Rod batted .204 his first year in the bigs.
      
      http://www.thebaseballcube.com.....guez.shtml
      
      Brett Butler (who Cashman likes to use as a player comp for Gardner) batted .217 in his first full season in the bigs
      
      http://www.baseball-reference......br01.shtml
      
      The guys who come up and succeed right away are the EXCEPTION to the RULE. Unfortunately, many Yankee fans either never learned the rule or have either forgotten it altogether. I’m just glad the people who are running this team have more patience than some fans do.
  - Chip
    
    Which is why I want to see Gardner on this team for a long while but Christian? I just don’t see where he fits, I would think Carson would be a more able backup (and yes there’s the possibility that they don’t want him on the bench to stunt his growth)
    - cult of basebaal
      
      he fits as a PR, and a RHB OF with the speed and range to cover all three positions while spelling our current 3 OFs, all of whom are either LHB or far stronger from the left side …
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

LoL, you guys weren’t joking about Joe not posting the Game Threads anymore, huh?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Hey, the need all the help they can get.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Baseball Prospectus is allowing free access to their site until July 27th. Enjoy while you can.
TurnTwo

thats an all star play by the melkman right there… defense you cant replace.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

LoL Melky, in the middle of a play? Come on dude.
- TurnTwo
  
  melky needs to go over to Rasner right now and give him a big chest bump or something.
TurnTwo

can someone please tell Michael Kay we know he doesnt like when people bunt. he doesnt have to repeat this same crap every time someone squares around.
- DP
  
  At least he’s right, there’s about 50 other things he constantly harps on that are completely stupid…
  - DP
    
    Haha and then he pats himself on the back
    - TurnTwo
      
      blech! bring back Ken Singleton.
- Joe
  
  Only if I can say this.
  
  We know you don’t like Michael Kay. You don’t have to repeat the same crap every time he opens his mouth and says something that annoys you.
  - TurnTwo
    
    itll be my new campaign. every time he says something stupid, ill do the same.
    
    maybe it’ll get the RAB peeps annoyed enough to then go to YES and ask them to get him off air to stop my nonsense.
    
    one can dream.
TheLastClown

Is anyone else having problems with the MLB.TV website? It seems like the whole MLB.com is down, or at least I just cant access it.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Nah, the A’s/Rays feed is working great for me.
  - TheLastClown
    
    Dammit
- Joey
  
  Working fine for the Yanks game for me
  - TheLastClown
    
    Phew, restarted the connection & Im in :)
    
    How’d Rasberry do in the first?
    - Joey
      
      missed the first 3 batters, came in when he struck out Mauer which was a pretty nice pitch (I think, caught the replay)
- Steve
  
  My cable is out, I’m in Queens.
  
  Sterling and Suzyn for me.
  
  yay.
Guiseppe Franco

Only Melky could get distracted by the creatures doing their roll call.
Joey

Nice running A-Rod, nice hitting Cano
E-ROC

This Cano kid is en fuego.
- TurnTwo
  
  why cant they just convince him in April that they just passed the all star break?
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I walked in the door just as A-Rod doubled, and I’m already fed up with Michael Kay and his proclamation that bunting is wrong.
- Jake
  
  I don’t know, seems he and Al were having a legitimate difference of opinion. They do have to fill three hours somehow.
- TurnTwo
  
  at least i know im not alone.
- murphy
  
  id rather listen to kay than sterling and wailin suzyn.
Joey

kind of a random question, but how many jerseys (Yankees of course) do you guys own and which players? Any throwbacks? Authentic/replica? Not conducting a survey or anything, just wondering. I want to get another jersey, not sure which I should get.
- Jake
  
  No jerseys. A few players t-shirts, a bunch of hoodies, but no jerseys. For jerseys I go with my other love: soccer.
- murphy
  
  i wish i could afford a jersey. i dont want one of the replicas with the names on the back. i want an authentic. the first one i want is a mantle jersey. being unemployed is a bitch.
  - Joey
    
    exactly the way I feel. I got my authentic Jeter jersey I think about 2 or 3 years ago pretty cheap on eBay actually, check over there, especially in the offseason when demand isn’t that high
    - murphy
      
      yea. its tough to find the throwbacks there. i mean, if i had to go with a player on the current roster id have to go with joba or cano though. theyre pretty common on the ebay rounds. thanks for the tip.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  I don’t have any jerseys, but literally a closet full of player shirts. Mo, Hughes x 2 (65 & 34), Joba, IPK, Ohlendorf, Pettitte, Posada, Moose, Strawberry, Mattingly, Tino … I could go on and on. I also have an Alan Horne Trenton shirt, a Jon Hovis Charleston shirt, and a JB Cox Texas shirt.
  - giselle
    
    damn, mike. save some for the rest of us.
    
    i have a derek jeter away uniform and a robinson cano authentic home jersey from this year. it’s got the final season and all-star game patches on the arms. pretty sweet. then i’ve got a damon t-shirt.
  - Joey
    
    awesome collections. Probably 50% of my closet (if not more) is Yankee shirts, but I only have a few “jersey shirts” – of course the Jeter, then the other 2 are Giambi and Soriano
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
    
    I’m rocking my authentic Brandon Claussen #34 as we speak…
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      That, if true, is pretty bad ass. I’ve been wanting to get a #38 Drew Henson shirt for some time.
      - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        It is so NOT true.
        
        Tell me if you find a Brien Taylor jersey, though… I’ll rock the shit out of that one.
- TurnTwo
  
  i have a home yankees pinstripes replica. no name or number on the back, but that was just because the Jeter #2 i was going to buy was dirty in the store on the rack, and the jersey without the number was $10 cheaper.
  
  i do have 2 blue yankees tshirts, one with a Matsui #55, and one with a Robby Cano #22.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  I have an Alfonso Soriano jersey (#12) but I never wear jerseys anymore, not part of my style.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

From the looks of it we now know when Jose Molina will be getting his days off.
- TurnTwo
  
  thats if Rasner keeps his rotation spot…
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    Oh snap.
  - A.D.
    
    Aceves already down 2 – 0 in the 3rd….not the pressure on Rasner he’d like
    
    Give it was on a 2r hr, and he could toss a shutout the rest of the way, just pointing it out
    - TurnTwo
      
      well i dont think Rasner has to worry about Aceves taking his spot… he was taken out after 3 innings.
      
      i would guess he’s working to build back arm strength after his injury?
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Al Leiter just totally bitch slapped Boof Bonser verbally.
- A.D.
  
  for some reason I can’t stop laughing at the thought of being bitch slapped verbally
- E-ROC
  
  Give details….I’m in Idaho…
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    Wait, people live in Idaho? ;)
    
    Seriously, Kay and Leiter were talking about the difference between AAA and MLB. Leiter said that in AAA there’s maybe 2 or 3 guys on a staff that are MLB caliber, and players can pad their stats against retreads or AAAA guys, etc. Then he said that MLB players do the same thing, padding their stats against long relievers like Boof Bonser.
    - E-ROC
      
      LOL..
    - Joey
      
      Someone has to get us our potatoes! :-P
A.D.

How many times has Kay asked the question about the difference between the majors and the minors
A.D.

Saw something thrown out there today for Braves – Angels

Adenhart & Kotchman for Tex, Ohman, Lillebridge, and something else

and man if I were a Braves fan I’d be hoping they pull that off
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Wow, the buzz around Adenhart must be rather high. I was talking to Joe yesterday about this, and I thought Teixeira for Adenhart + Kotchman was a steal for the Angels.
  
  Just not an Adenhart fan.
  - Ivan
    
    That’s a solid deal if your a brave fan though. A top pitching prospect and Kotchman who has potential for a rental player.
    - TurnTwo
      
      eh, at least they get something back for the experiment.
      
      and they get two MLB ready players if they get Adenhart and Kotchman, as opposed to two draft picks who may develop into absolutely jack.
      
      but this is the Angels we’re talking about. they never make any trades. if there is an organization that overvalues their prospects more than Cashman, its the Angels.
      - A.D.
        
        Adhenart is 21 in AAA, scuffling a bit, but pitched well every level so far
        
        I thought of it as if your the braves you got your inf with Kochman, Johnson, Escobar, Chipper, and McCann. Then Francouer, Shafer, and someone in lf. Then a staff of Hudson, Campillo, Jo-Jo, Jurjens, and Adenhart. With a bunch of cash off the books…not bad
        
        Realistically I think braves go those 3 guysand no one else (slight overpay depending on lillibridge) or no lillibridge and 2 other guys,
        
        TurnTwo
        
        not bad, but not good.
        
        Tim Hudson in that rotation is like Roy Oswalt in Houston right now.
        
        and i think you made a mistake… Jeff Francoeur will man RF in the Bronx next season ;-)
        
        cult of basebaal
        
        as an usher? a beer salesman?
        
        cause why else would you ever want him here?
        
        next to frenchy, melky has the patience of job …
        
        TurnTwo
        
        but Francoeur has raw power from the right side Melky could only dream of, and a cannon for an arm.
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
        
        But he might have even less plate discipline.
        
        http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        A hitter with less plate discipline than Melky would be a sucking maw that would curve the space-time continuum and create a wormhole.
  - Chris
    
    Wouldn’t trading Adenhart be sort of like trading Hughes? A lot of upside, but you’re trading him as his minimum value.
Ivan

Guys just put the game on mute.
- TurnTwo
  
  but i dont dislike Al Leiter.
  
  and its a little weird to sit in silence.
- murphy
  
  i wish there was a channel or an option to just listen to the game w/o the announcers. just the PA and crowd noise. thats the kind of world i want to live in.
  - Joey
    
    that would be pretty awesome
  - TurnTwo
    
    im sure thats possible if you have a really cool, super duper sound system.
  - Chris
    
    Wouldn’t that be something Yes could use to evaluate who were the announcers that people actually like to listen to? If everyone listed to the game without the announcers when Kay is doing the game, maybe that would lead to him doing fewer games…
A.D.

top of the 4th and its one of his better outings, a lot could still happen
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Robinson Cano hands are unbelievably quick.
- TurnTwo
  
  i do love watching him turn a double play…
http://Anotherlefty Peedlum

the circle me stuff is a fun opportunity. the michael kay circle jerk.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Did that kid just hold up a sign that said “Pick Me In The 2017 Draft”?
- Joey
  
  next Gerrit Cole?
Ivan

Remember the good ol days when instead of listening to Michael Kay, you can just listen to Al Trautwig, and im Kaat and Bobby Murcer on MSG.
A.D.

Carlos Delgado, not a hall of famer
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Jack Hannahan’s three-run shot gave the A’s a 3-1 lead in Tampa against Andy Sonnanstine.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

The Rays’ broadcast had a great trivia question: What Pacific Coast League team did Casey Stengel, Billy Martin, Mel Ott, and Vince DiMaggio play for?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  The Oakland Seals?
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    Probably, those questions usually are related to the current game and the A’s are in town.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      Actually, that’s the only old school PCL team I know.
A.D.

Chad Moeller has cemented himself as Rasner’s catcher
A.D.

Gotta love the shots of people with white shirts, nice visual
A.D.

Gardner loves striking out on 3-2
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Speed kills.
- Joey
  
  why isn’t Gardner on death row?
  - Joe
    
    Because he doesn’t get on base.
A.D.

damn
Jake

Did anyone here see Gardner play in the minors? Is this how he swings (all arms, no leg drive) when he’s going good? Or this evidence of him being out of sorts in the bigs?
A.D.

Giambi almost threw that away
- http://derekjetersbat.blogspot.com/ Joey H
  
  he almost did nothing that was a good throw, infact i think he hesitated to make sure that he didnt throw it away which was what made the play at first so close
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

You have a good pen Joe. It’s okay to use them in this situation.
A.D.

WOW, thought they had Kubel there
Joey

OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!
- murphy
  
  it was close, but ya. he was out.
  - whozat
    
    Well, that sucks. Was it the 3-6-3? 3-6-1?
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
      
      3-6-1.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Mike, the answer was the Oakland Oaks, not the Seals.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Damn, it was the San Francisco Seals. So I was half right.
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
    
    Alex Trebek woulda ruled against you, so you’re just wrong.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Take-out slide with two outs, Mr. Kubel?
http://derekjetersbat.blogspot.com/ Joey H

i gotta tell you, mclelland or whatever his name is really fucked rasner today. from the first inning it was hard to watch. rasner battled. and oh yeah that was a DP . i dont wanna hear it. to be it seems like umps play the yankees very hard when they are extended winning streaks
A.D.

now if the offense can just wake up
whozat

Gotta love DRob.

So, will they score again tonight? 5.2, 2ER from Rasner is really just fine. They should win that.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  They have twelve outs to work with, where is the optimism?
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
    
    I’m perpetually optimistic. No way this game ends 2-1.
- murphy
  
  its a little rediculous that we cant score more than 1 run and 3 hits over 5 against this fool.
A.D.

The truck should rebel at providing visuals for Kays half cocked ideas
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Johnny Damon had a great jump there.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

He didn’t GIDP. Wow.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Who do you think the cameras catch cursing more, baseball players or basketball players?
- murphy
  
  prolly baseketball. there are fewer of them on the court at a time. so therefore if one of them is cursing theres a higher chance there on air. oh and PS home run.
  - A.D.
    
    but baseball does have more down time, and always pans to ppl when they screw up or something goes wrong…toughie
- Joey
  
  Does Ozzie count? lol
  - murphy
    
    hahahahah nice.
A.D.

that’ll do
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Yeah, like I said, twelve outs to work with.
Joey

“Track. Wall. See ya.” Very nice Mr. Kay
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Oh, did I tell you gys what Mr. Mike Fancesser said today? Heh, it’s a gem.

Francesser: “I think Joba Chamberlain can be a usable starter, maybe even a good starter. I still think his future lies as a closer and if the Yankees can get enough starting pitching then I think he should be moved back into the bullpen.”

Has George Costanza or Peter Griffin ever given you a brain cramp like that? I think not.
- Dave P.
  
  It seemed like decades ago I actually cared about what Francesa had to say.
- Joey
  
  Ugh.
- Ivan
  
  Francesa get over it, he’s more valuable as a starter.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  The funny thing is, Francesca is going to be “taken out of the rotation” and “moved into the bullpen” before Joba will.
Scott

Let’s see the troica can Sterling says
A.D.

Off the Jersey comment somone made earlier I’m debating on getting one in the near future, should I go home stripes or road grey?
- Joey
  
  pinstripes man, no debate
- TurnTwo
  
  i had the same debate internally, but gotta go pintripes.
  - http://allfourbases.blogspot.com/ Ryan
    
    I like the way the road grey looks.. unless you plan on wearing pinstriped pants with the home jersey
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
      
      I agree. Road greys are awesome. I love going out of town and rocking a crisp, clean jersey with “NEW YORK” arched across my chest.
- murphy
  
  i have a horrible track record of getting crap on expensive clothing. id love to try and eat a dog with ketchup in a white home jersey and not get anything on it hah. in my opinion id go with the grey. not just cos of the food issue, but i like the way the road greys look.
  - A.D.
    
    luckily I have an excellent relationship with my dry cleaners
- giselle
  
  the pinstripes just look cooler. i have one of each, and i never wear the road jersey anymore!
Scott

Dave Robertson in the 7th or go to Veras??
- http://derekjetersbat.blogspot.com/ Joey H
  
  well robertson’s pitch count is WAY too high at 1! lmao yeah send him out for anotehr one
  - TurnTwo
    
    1 pitch, but in line for the win.
- Joey
  
  I’d say Robertson 7th, Veras 8th, and that skinny little Panamanian kid for the 9th. But I’m never right…
  - http://derekjetersbat.blogspot.com/ Joey H
    
    yup not right here either, veras 7 farnsy 8 the nteh scawny kid, oh whats his name … lol
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Leave Robertson in. I know it’ll be going against the cookbook formula, but the kid threw one pitch. Leave him in there.
  
  Way to go, Robbie Cano.
  - http://derekjetersbat.blogspot.com/ Joey H
    
    no, mike, wrong, according to john sterling ifs DONT YA’ know robbie cano lmao
http://derekjetersbat.blogspot.com/ Joey H

looks like arod got a bump on his lip.. seeing madonna a little too much? lol
A.D.

Al Leiter was speachless off that comment, priceless
giselle

huh? why wouldnt robertson come back out?
- DP
  
  Because Girardi (like every manager)is fixated on having specific 7th (Veras), 8th (Farnsworth), 9th (Rivera) guys.
  - TurnTwo
    
    why complain? its worked so far.
    - DP
      
      Not complaining, just answering.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Jose Veras already has had two days off. Joe Girardi has shown that he wants to use all parts of this bullpen.
  - http://derekjetersbat.blogspot.com/ Joey H
    
    yeah agreed. if you can critisize joe for anything its not his management of the bullpen hes a genius with tthat, now when it comes to taking out a starter prematurely i have to say thats a problem
    - DP
      
      It surely beats Proctor throwing 3 innings every day.
      - http://derekjetersbat.blogspot.com/ Joey H
        
        lmao yeah i agree with that too DP. usually kay has nothing but jackass stats no1 cares about but the one with no BP bitcher his amount the top 15 in IP was a very interesting one. i gotta tell you tho farnsy has been great, before it was like evry time farnsy came in i was reaching for a cigarette lmao
Joey

Robbie like it’s hot
Chris

That pitch Cano hit was at least a foot out of the strike zone…
- murphy
  
  when youre hot, youre hot.
giselle

i hope we bring this hot hitting up to boston this weekend. i expect a homer from alex and giambi. at least one each, that is.
- murphy
  
  i expect one each game. just kidding.
  - giselle
    
    1 each inning.
Ivan

That pitch was out of the strike zone and Cano still hit a solid line drive single. Cano is his own worst enemy, a guy that talented of a hitter feels hey I can hit pitches like that and he can but really he shouldn’t swing at but the guy is just a gifted hitter.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Why couldn’t Robertson stay in? The win counts just as much even if you go against the cookbook.
- whozat
  
  Girardi wanted to give him a chance at the most vulturiffic of wins.
- http://allfourbases.blogspot.com/ Ryan
  
  yeah i’m not sure why he didnt stay in either but i’m fine with the decision now
  - whozat
    
    Except now Kyle’s coming in next inning. I know he’s been good, and the Twins only hit well with RISP, but…
- murphy
  
  woah woah woah! theres still some meat on that bone! take it home, throw it in the pot with some stock… you got a stew goin!
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Why is it even an issue? Jose Veras had two days off. If he wasn’t used today and did not get in the game tomorrow then he would be pitching on a starter’s rest entering in the Boston series. Isn’t it for the greater good to keep everyone in the bullpen proper work?
  - whozat
    
    Yeah, and he’s definitely planning to use Kyle tonight too. It’s been 3 days. So…if he wants both guys to throw an inning, but still use Mo for the save, no choice but to use Veras in the 7th. That’s part of spreading it around, I guess.
- A.D.
  
  Giaradi isn’t looking to change the recepie
whozat

Hey, what’s batter interference?
- Joey
  
  if you’re referring to earlier in the game Gomez tried to bunt and hit the ball which bounced up and hit him while he was running in fair territory. Technically it’s labeled “batter interference” and the batter is automatically out once hit by the ball
  - whozat
    
    Ah. Thanks. Is it baserunner interference if it hits someone on the basepaths? What’s the name for that?
    - Joey
      
      believe so, not 100% sure though
TurnTwo

that Veras curveball is just not fair. it fools me and i’m sitting at home watching on a 13″ screen.
whozat

Is gameday off, or is the ump not calling strikes at the knees?
- murphy
  
  i feel like gameday is never right. its like the espn K zone which i never held much stock in.
  - whozat
    
    The gun they use for gameday is accurate…it’s from the pitch fx data. I figured the placement was too.
    
    Anyhow, who’s watching? Is the ump not giving strikes at the knees tonight?
    - Joey
      
      nope, and there isn’t much of a corner either (i.e. very small zone in general)
  - giselle
    
    i agree. everytime i watch a game with anyone else they act like there are 3 satellites following a GPS chip on the ball to track the trajectory of the pitch.
    - giselle
      
      but i dont trust it at all.
http://allfourbases.blogspot.com/ Ryan

there we go B-Money
Chris

Woo-hoo! Brett didn’t strike out!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

I love Brett Gardner’s Plate Appearances.
- TurnTwo
  
  agreed. he definately goes up there and knows what he wants to do, but he’s gotta work on execution… getting the ball on the ground and up the middle.
- Chris
  
  I love everything about them except the end result.
TurnTwo

safe all around! im calling a Jeter sac bunt.
A.D.

bg probably could have gone to 3rd
http://allfourbases.blogspot.com/ Ryan

a 4-tun lead michael? so he wants jeter to bunt in 2 runs? one run at a time kay
- http://allfourbases.blogspot.com/ Ryan
  
  4-run*
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Double-steal for the win!
whozat

double steal.

do it.
Chris

Why is Jeter bunting? Just square up to draw the 3B in, and take a pitch while Gardner and Damon steal.
- Stephen
  
  I was gonna ask the same thing. How does it make ANY sense to bunt up 2 in the bottom of the 7th inning with a good hitter up?
  - Stephen
    
    And Jeter proves our point.
murphy

when was the last time there was a yanks double steal?
whozat

Awesome call, Girardi. Have DEREK JETER try to sac bunt. With your two fastest runners on. Guys that could probably take those bases for free.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Bunts suck.
A.D.

Ahhh offense so nice to see
whozat

See? SEE?!?!?!
Joey

Who needs a sac bunt when you can have a double?
http://allfourbases.blogspot.com/ Ryan

no Mo tonight
- Joey
  
  he’ll probably come in anyway to get some work in
  - http://allfourbases.blogspot.com/ Ryan
    
    maybe but he pitched sunday so its not like hes desperate for work
    - Joey
      
      True
A.D.

To bad its not Dickey vs Wakefield tonight
- Joey
  
  why do I have this horrible feeling Dickey will be blasted, Dice-K will give up 5-10 hits and 8 BBs but only allow like 1 run, if that. Okay, wait, just realized he is facing Seattle, maybe not that many hits
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

A’s now lead 5-1.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Game should be over now, A’s take a 7-1 lead.
A.D.

Does Giese actually get to pitch with Mussina followed by an off day?
giselle

mike, you need to continue to write up each game thread. seriously.
- Joey
  
  I second that motion
Chip

Where is Mr. Giese? He should finish out this game
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  LoL, can you wait until the Yankees take the field in the eighth?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Come on Cano, .300-OBP for the win!
A.D.

Cano gets on base his obp should go over .300
Old Ranger

M. Kay is wacko! One of the first taller SS was Tony Kubek 6’3″ back in the 50’s or 60’s (I think). Not Cal Ripkin. He just ain’t got no lernin’…besides, he is dead wrong.27/08??
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  Ranger, The Cal Ripken is the finest American in the history of the world, and possibly of England. He invented baseball, and nothing of consequence happened before his career. He hit 1000 home runs and had a career BA of .500, and never committed an error. Any attempt to attribute anything great ever done by any shortstop ever is offensive to The Cal Ripken, who’s ironman streak singlehandedly pulled the global economy out of the stagflation of the 1970’s.
  
  Do not speak ill of The Cal Ripken again.
A.D.

Tampa is getting smacked down
A.D.

wheres the love for Giese
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Kyle Farnsworth also has had two days off. I suspect you will see Dan Geise in the ninth. Mariano Rivera pitched on Sunday so there is no need to get him in a game tonight when there is a day game tomorrow.
dkidd

do you think michael kay has any idea how much al leiter hates him?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Jose Reyes just made a royal fuck up. Bases juiced and nobody out he took a chopper over the mound and tried to step on second base and fire to first base. The ball took too long to get to him and the runner was safe at second and he didn’t even attempt the throw to first.

Bases jucied, Phillies down 5-3 with nobody out.
- Joey
  
  nice
beezr

Ya think the Phillies are in their heads?
giselle

why does kay still keep talking about these relief “no-hitters”. it was funny/kinda cool the first time he mentioned it. after the 500th time he brings it up, it starts to piss me off.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  It’s Michael Kay.
- Joey
  
  Kay never lets shit die
  - giselle
    
    seriously.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Two-run, pinch-hit double by So Taguchi. Phillies have runners on second and third with nobody out and Jimmy Rollins at the plate.

Wow.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Phillies lead 7-5 on a two-run, go-ahead double by Jimmy Rollins. Still nobody out.
  - Joey
    
    *slow whistle*
- Ivan
  
  and rollins has a go a head double. Talk about a fuck up.
  
  Boy why the fuck would Manuel use feliciano instead of Heilman.
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
    
    Because Heilman sucks ass and Feliciano sucks slightly less ass.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Another quality win.
- Joey
  
  Keep posting those game threads Mike!
Joey

This winning stuff is nice, lets keep doing it
E-ROC

RA Dickey….I wish my name was that cool.
Number 27

so tonight was obviously a good win, but i can’t help but look ahead to chamberlain beckett on friday. man could that be great.
Old Ranger

Raz did very well tonight, thank you very much. Shame on you nay sayers!
IPK should take lessons from Mike and Raz. If one can’t hit the mid 90s, one needs very good command and movement. Hell, even Farnzy has been having better command. Control and command is a must for a successful pitcher, IPK had it in AAA/AA/A…he better find it the next time he is up. 27/08??
Steve S

Yankees now have a better run differential than the rays
A.D.

Chris Davis keeps crushing HR
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Hooray for my fantasy team.
A.D.

The Marlins keep bringing up young pitchers
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  That they do. VandenHurk started the Futures Game for the World Team last year. He from the Netherlands or some shit.
  - A.D.
    
    Yeah he also got starts last year and beginning of this, suppost to have a redic curveball, but theyve gone Josh Johnson, Volstad, Vanden Hurk, 3 guys who were all called up in the last 2 weeks
A.D.

Rauch- Bonafico trade should be good for both teams
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Assuming Rauch’s shoulder doesn’t blow out again.
Mike P

By the way, anyone else find the fact Robertson got the win absurd? He threw one pitch! Sure it was an important pitch but, come on!
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  His pitch was so clutch. And gritty, and gutty.
DP

Whoa whoa…..his name isn’t Mike Timlin let’s not get out of control with that “gritty” stuff