I dunno about you, but I hate these 4pm Mike Mussina starts on FOX. Something about it just makes me feel very uncomfortable. The only way it could be worse is if the game was in Fenway.
The Damon situation adds injury to insult, and it’s just another in a long line of debilitating injuries that includes (at one time or another) 60% of the Opening Day starting rotation, a HOF third baseman, a HOF shortstop, an All-Star catcher, an All-Star DH, three serviceable if not down right reliable bullpen arms, and a utility man. I’m not making excuses, this team needs to start playing better. Bases loaded with one out? You have to get some runs in, doesn’t matter if you’re the Yankees or the Red Sox or the Pirates. You don’t come through in those situations, you’re going to lose ball games.
Sox starter Justin Masterson has been pounded for 8 earned runs (3 homers) and 21 baserunners in 12 IP over his last 2 starts. Double-A Trenton beat the sidearming sinkerballer from Jamaica on not one, but two occasions last year, so let’s hope the big league team follows suit and gives him the same Bronx welcome they gave The Laptop Stealer earlier this year.
Righties are OPS’ing .501 off Masterson, lefties .864.
1. Gardner, LF
2. Jeter, SS
3. Abreu, RF
4. A-Rod, 3B
5. Giambi, DH
6. Betemit, 1B
7. Cano, 2B
8. Melky, CF
9. Molina, C
Notes: PeteAbe says Jorge Posada is a little under the weather, otherwise he’d almost certainly be playing … Brian Bruney’s road back started yesterday with a 2 inning stint in the Rookie Level Gulf Coast League