AAA Game Thread: A week of walk-offs
ByWith rain falling in New York and the Yanks playing generally uninspired baseball, we turn our attention to Durham where the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees are going for the International League title. A win tonight would bring the Governor’s Cup home to Scranton.
Meanwhile, the 1992 Columbus Clippers were he last Yankee affiliate to grab that coveted AAA title. That team featured quite the collection of players. Bernie Williams was the clear star along with J.T. Snow, Torey Lovullo, Hensely “Bam-Bam” Muelens and Gerald “Ice” Williams. On the pitching front, Bob Wickman, Sam Militello and Russ Springer lead the rotation while Mike Draper closed. That’s quite the collection of stars, never-were’s and has-been’s.
Tonight’s game pits Phil Hughes, coming off one of his most dominant AAA appearances ever, against Wade Davis. This is a matchup of premier right-handed pitching prospects. If it lives up to its billing, it could be a classic.
Scranton leads the best-of-five series 2-1, and every game has been decided in the final at-bat. In fact, Scranton’s last four games have all been walk-offs. You can catch this one for free over at MiLB.com. Just follow the video links.
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Isn’t it Ironic that the last yankee team to win the Govenor’s cup (sounds like some shit from NASCAR) was the last years on the yankees not making the playoffs with obviously the last season being 93 and before that 92.
Good omen for this yankee team uh?
Anyone having trouble with the milb.com video? I got nothing but a black screen…
Same, it says “ready” but shows nothing
Nice pitch by Davis to K Miranda.
Thanks for opening two game threads.
Davis getting outta that jam.
Ump strikezone is pretty small don’t ya think.
Good throw.
Nice!
Hughes’ velocity is looking low today, mostly 88-89.
One of the great mysteries in the Yankees minors for me. I don’t know how he can be clocked at 93, 94 one day… and then 89, 90 the next. As a matter of fact, I’ve never seen him throw a 95mph pitch. But I’ve read several scouting reports and blogs that have him at that speed.
I don’t get too hung up on radar guns. It can depend on how they are set up. If it captures the ball out of the pitcher’s hand, its fast. If it catches the ball crossing the plate, it loses a few MPH by then and is slow.
If Hughes pitches another gem tonight, don’t worry what the ball boy did when he aimed the radar gun.
I was wondering about this. I am wating for Chad Jennings to chime in maybe the broadcast gun is cold.
If that’s the case then Davis is throwing 97
Hughes command wasn’t great and having the tight zone didn’t help, but he got out of it with some help with Carson.
Lets try get a run here.
Yo this ump strikezone is tighter than a virgin coochie.
Is the volume really low for anybody else?
Yup, did Shelly jsut launch himself at the second baseman?
I am surprised the bull didn’t fall this time.
Davis command seem off a bit.
5-0 SWB.
Nasty Hook.
Oh shit Hughsie’s dealin now!
Hughes seems to be settling down after a rough first.
where do u see phils velocity?
Next to the inning it only pops up on some pitches though. Not sure why.
k thanks
Nasty Hughes. Philty!
Talk about the umps all you want, but Davis simply can’t throw strikes right now.
Yea Davis command was off but the ump K zone was just absolutely tight.
Wow Davis with a bad night.
I downloaded the missing plugins but it’s still not working… anyone know what to do?
Which browser are you using ?
firefox on mac
You tried flip4mac ?
SWB is just laying the smackdown on Durham.
looking forward to a duel, turned into a slaughter
Is this game over?
6K’s from Hughes already.
Make that 7 as he strikes out the side. Hughes is dealing.
6 ks swinging.
92, 93 now for Hughes… 1st inning was probably 2-seamers?
Or the new cutter? Cutters usually are a few MPH slower.
with some sink as well.
Yeah I def. saw some sink on some of his fastballs. Can’t ident. any cutters from this video. But he threw 2 or 3 changes that looked good, and of course his curve is filthy.
Gosh he’s just toying now…
Hughes K’s the side and overall has 7K’s in 3IP.
These Durham announcers are great. They sound like two guys who snuck into the box and started calling the game.
They’re such homers but I can’t help but laugh.
strikes out the side in order!
Hughes strikes out the side.
At 10-0, I’m not sure how much I should draw from this outing, but the hitters don’t seem to be giving up.
They way it seem Hughes is on, they might as well give up.
hughes is ready..sept.17 in the bronx
NO! I WANT MORE PONSON!!
a bit high on the pitch count, but just, wow.
He had trouble in the first. The Umpire has a strike zone the size of a postage stamp, but Hughes made the adjustments and Davis didn’t.
Great point. Showing some maturity in a big game.
And that is what I liked about Hughes tonight. Successful pitchers in the majors makes adjustments on the fly. Adjusts to not having their best stuff for that night or the umps having a tight strike zone.
So if this is the last we see of Hughes for the year, seems like a great rebound. I still think you leave him in the minors and let him get comforable for a few more months
no hes ready the velocitys back and everything. this is him pre-hamstring injury
There’s no coincidence that Phil Hughes and Sidney Ponson are lined up on the same day. I really think Hughes’ next start is in the Bronx.
Hughes looks wonderful. Hopefully he can hold down a spot next season in the ML rotation
Ok, now let’s see what Phil would do with this jam.
Come on Hughes.
Hughes losing a little focus here.
#8 there.
9
8
I am falling in love with Minor league baseball. There is only ONE September!
Mariano like Cutter by Hughes.
9
#9
that cutter looked almost like a slider
Hughes would take those calls wow.
ivan just climaxed.
Best Ive ever had.
laughing and cringing at the same time. touche, my friend. lol
10
10
Hughes K’s the side again, 10 overall. Give him one more inning for the win.
Wow. He lost focus, but regained and struck out the side…AGAIN. Why the hell isn’t he pitching in a rain delayed game right now?!!?!
You do see some inxperience by Hughes in this game. Nevertheless the stuff is on with some sick movement and the curveball is just NASTY.
Because the playoffs are more important of course!
he’s 22 and the yankees are not in the playoff race. what’s the rush?
so, will there be more runs scored by the team, or more Ks by Hughes?
I’ll take Hughes. I think he ends with 14 or 15
Is there another series after this one, or do they win it all with this game?
Wow, the stadium looks lively…
this is the championship series.
They win it all with this game.
Last two starts
21K’s in 12IP against two of the best offensive teams in the international league.
On the radio broadcast they mentioned that the post-season record for K’s was 18 in one season, and 21 in a career. Hughes has 21 so far this post season.
Also, I find it interesting that 4 balls have been hit in play off Hughes, and the defense has managed to catch only one (on a nice play be Christian at that).
so, he holds the record now? 23 ks in last 13 ip.
4 mlb games postponed… so far. Thank God for this game, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.
With the game being postponed, it means that the pitching options for the 17th will be Ponson on 3 days rest, Rasner or Hughes. I hope they make the right choice.
Geez, I’ll never do prescription drugs!! Even if I have a prescription!
I don’t think that commercial has the intended effect
No K on the first out!
Bust.
Nasty Knuckle Curveball.
11
12
That is nasty
12. nice outing by Hughes.
Another Nasty curve. Hughes last inning.
23K’s in 13IP.
Next season just tell Hughes the playoffs start on April.
I think it is 24K’s. 12 Last game, 12 now
..and tell him that the game is a must-win game. Amazing, just wow.
What a stud. He’s Beckett-esque in the postseason.
Phil Hughes to Durham’s hitters: http://laser2.legs-world.co.uk.....d-tank.jpg
Durham hitters’ reaction to Phil Hughes: http://media.ebaumsworld.com/p.....n_baby.jpg
I betcha there will be a couple people who will throw cold water on Hughes start.
He had a 10 run lead!!! Any one can do that with a 10 run lead!!!
He sucks. This is the minor only the majors matter. And he gave up a run. Runs given up tonight: Hughes 1, Ponson 0. Bust.
No, Ponson may yet figure out how to be some runners on tonight
You think the gamblers make bets like, which is gonna happen more often #’s, Ponson eating more cheeseburgers or giving up more runs.
I’ve said this before and I’m saying it again just because I know I’m going to rile some people up by saying this – I’m a HUGE Phil Hughes fan. That being said… He looked good tonight, but let’s not go overboard. He still struggled with control (a bit) and allowed 8 baserunners (including 4 walks) in 5 innings. 12 Ks out of 15 outs recorded is a pretty sick stat to hang your hat on, of course. All I’m saying is, it’s AAA and he showed some very encouraging signs tonight (about 12 of them, suck it Durham), but he wasn’t exactly a man among boys out there. To build on that lame cliche, at this point in his career he still looks to me like the best boy on the field as opposed to someone who’s just in another league than the opposing hitters.
Again – I’m a Hughes fan, never wanted to trade him and glad the Yanks haven’t done so. I just think AAA is probably the best place for him, right now, at this point in his career. Dude’s 22 years old, nothing wrong with developing a bit in the minors.
Understanable, he showed some struggles, but you see the stuff and potential.
Phil set new single-postseason and career playoff K records for SWB this year.
The Legend continues.
I also liked how Phil adjusted to the situation. Tight k zone in the first? Adjust. Losing the k zone n the 4th? Adjust.
Wow, are you listening to these goofs, they are ripping the Yankees apart?
Just like Tampa’s MLB announcers! Those guys are almost as bad as the WGN White Sox crew.
They said “I am getting sick of this Yankees chant”
“What does a 250 milliong dollar payroll get you? Minor league championships” Zing!!!
They said the Yanks had a $250 million payroll that will only get you two minor league championships.
when did the Yankees add about $40M to their payroll?
Sounds like sour grapes to me.
Eh… They’re announcers for the Durham Bulls. Let them be homers, it’s not like they expect their audience to reach very far beyond Durham’s city limits. I don’t watch a lot of minor league ball on TV, but I’d imagine most minor league announcers are pretty big homers.
” I thought the Yankees were supposed to be classy in that regard?” Apparently not.
Dude I totally take that statement back. I had the TV on and wasn’t listening to the audio from the game. Just tuned in to hear their opinions after the HR. F em.
I take it back, these guys are D-bags.
That guy just advocated beaning Miranda, doesn’t that cross a line?
You said that in response to my comment saying that I take it back and these guys are douchebags. Not sure what point you’re trying to make to me, but thanks,
Hughes Knuckle-Curve was Moose lit Today and his last start as well.
You know who’s really lucky, Shelly Duncan.
He witness Hughes 2 years ago K 13 guys in AA. Then watch him win the only game in the postseason last season. Then witness the last two starts by Hughes.
I like how people just labeled Phil Hughes a #3 starter because of his 2008 Major League season. So funny how idiotic and short-sighted some people really are. And it’s not just Yankee fans, I’ve read some idiots on Son of Sam Horn who are ready to give up on Clay Buchholz (I’ll gladly take him!), and Mets fans who wanted Mike Pelfrey out the door.
Why wont people ever learn patience? I mean God Damn, what is so hard about waiting for a guy to develop?
Because people want instant satification and are ignorant and morons. It’s gotten to a point that young pitchers can’t struggle anymore.
So guys like Hughes, Buchholz and Ian got their asses lit up, but you learn from it and get better. You can’t give up on young arms this talented.
Oh man, I love it.
Wow. Mercy rule?
LoL @ these announcers saying the lack of Joe Torre in the Yanks’ dugout is the reason Juan Miranda showed some flare on that HR.
You’d think Miranda pooped on home plate after his HR the way these guys are carrying on. Grow up, it’s a baseball game.
That’s hysterical.
Why don’t they just come out and say hey we hate the yankees.
Total domination in both offense and pitching.
Kind of douchebaggery that these announcers are basically begging for a Yankee to get plunked here.
Well, the only thing left to do is start beaning guys
I was hoping they’d hit Shelley, just to see a huge fight between him and Gomes.
Albaladejo has an opportunity to get ahead of the curve!
Whatd miranda do?
Maybe Gomes will start a fight. He’s all class.
Shelley will fuck shit up. The announcers want to talk about retribution, then Elliot Johnson better watch his ass.
Sour losers.
Hughes is out for Jon Albaladejo.
Not a surprise. He’s thrown 97 pitches.
For a long name Albaladejo is suprisingly easy to spell
Heh, I was just saying that to myself.
And you pronounced it just like it’s spelled.
I hope the Yanks go absolutely crazy celebrating on the Bulls’ field when they wrap up this ridiculous game. I want to hear these announcers completely lose their shit.
OMG please keep the cupcakes away from Albaladejo
SUMO TIME!!!!!!!!!!!
Joshua’s a killer!
I read somewhere that Humberto Sanchez will be called up to the Majors once the Triple-A playoffs are complete. Can anyone confirm this?
It would be nice for him. I remember reading an article about him where he said it would be a dream for him to play in the final season of Yankee Stadium since he and his mother, both avid Yankee fans, lived a couple blocks from 161st Street and River Avenue as he was growing up.
You ever saw him pitch? He was in the future’s game 2 years ago.
Started the game.
Stephen Drew K
Howie Kendrick GB to SS
Alex Gordon K
Dunno why I remember that.
Heard the same thing. I think it was Pete Abe.
It’s funny the youngest starting pitcher (youngest pitcher overall) on both teams pitch arguebaly the best game in this series.
He did a Manny with both arms and posed on a 19 run game. Hell I’m a Yankee fan and I’d stick one in his ear next time around. No Class.
I’d stick one in his ear next time around.
Yeah, you’re one to talk about “No Class”.
That type of action wouldn’t have happened during Torre’s regime. He would have personally left any Yankees’ game to discipline a AAA player.
I want to see 20 runs scored.
Yikes. Could do without the redneck kid blowing kisses to the camera.
And apparently Santa’s at the game tonight. They should show crowd shots in between every inning, this is amazing.
Its more fun than a big league game
Have you every been to a MiL game? It’s a blast. If you’re in NY, head to a Brooklyn Cyclones game in Coney Island. Just awesome.
I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I live in Brooklyn and haven’t made it out to see a game at KeySpan. I always intend to, and to go to SI too, but I have season tickets at the Stadium and that kinda makes it tough (feel like I’m obligated to do non-baseball activities when there’s no Yankees game or else my friends/family/girlfriend will excommunicate me).
You must be a Patriots fan.
Yeah, that would perfectly explain:
1. Why I wouldn’t want a Yankee farmhand to get hit.
2. Why I’m against a ballplayer getting plunked in the fucking head.
I think he was referring to Kelvin’s wish to see the Yanks score 20 tonight.
I think we have a winner for the dumbest LoHud comment of the day:
Chris C. September 12th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I’ve heard Yankee Stadium is the rainiest ballpark in the Majors. Is this true, Pete? Where’s the roof, George?
Really?
Don’t worry the Yankees spent a lot of money to dissect New York weather patterns and have placed the new Yankee Stadium in a rain free area of the city.
That’s hilarious. RAB should take a page from the Deadspin playbook and do a “LoHud Comment of the Day” post every day or two. Appoint some poor soul to scour the comments every day and choose the most idiotic one. I guess the problem would be finding someone who hates their life enough they’d actually spend time scouring those threads.
I say we make it into a poll. One of the guys picks three finalists from the night before, and we vote on the dumbest one. Directly above the current poll, yesterday’s “winner” is posted.
Tim Battle, where does he start in 2009 if he’s still part of this organization?
trenton
Best thing about tonight, with the rain out the Yankees will need a starter for Wed night vs the White Sox. Hmmmmmm, who should start that game????
Some 22-year-old bust, Phil…whatchamacallit.
I have a question, why isn’t Joba going to Hawaii also to get his innings up for the year? That way you can start him next season
For one, we do not know if he is or isn’t going to the Fall or Winter Leagues. Secondly, even if he were going, he would still need to start the season in the bullpen because the innings are not plentiful in those leagues.
What is the level of competition in the Hawaian league? If it is bellow AA, Joba will probably strike out the side in 9 pitches every other inning. Isn’t this in some way detrimental to his development?
Double-A and Triple-A players are the only ones who are eligible. The rules allow for an organization to send one player below the Double-A level, but the vast majority are guys with Double-A and Triple-A experience.
That’s the AzFL.
HWB’s between Low-A and High-A, tops. Japanese teams send their minor leaguers to Hawaii too.
Then Joba has no bussiness throwing 30 innings in this league. This not some small dl assingment, it may really be bad for him. What would be the diference between throwing there and just throwing in Tampa?
Also, I think Will Carol wrote that the 30 innings rule is based on major league innings, the studies never took in consideration milb innings, and there is no equivalency between them.
That’s very true but figure he can get to 100 or 110 by the end of the season, why not get him 30 more to bring him up to 130 or 140? You could eliminate the need to be in the bullpen by skipping him a few times early in the season and keep him under 170
Melancon pitches one inning today?
Doubt it. He threw 2 yesterday and 1 the day before.
I hope Albaladejo closes this game out and gets the save!
Drat.
When Mike bring up the last time the AA yanks won the Governor’s cup, he was talking about the players on that team and bringing up a young Bernie Williams and etc.
Hopefully years from now, and look at this AAA team, we say hey a young Hughes, IPK and Melancon was on that team.
Nice job by the Durham announcers completely missing what happened on the field. After Juan Miranda came out on the field for defense, the announcers claimed Miranda was talking smack to the Durham players in the dugout, trying to drive home the point that even after he did something wrong with the showboating, he was being a punk by still talking back when the Durham players let him know about it.
Now, in comes Chad Jennings with what actually occured on the field:
I thought Miley would take him out, but Miranda went back to first base and immediately turned to the Durham dugout to appologize. He was tapping his chest and obviously saying he was sorry for showing them up. One of the Bulls was still on the field, and Miranda apologized to him personally.
Incredibly stupid moment, followed by Miranda doing what he could to make it right.
Nice job, fellas, nice job.
Good for Miranda. He shouldn’t have showboated, but at least someone set him straight and he did the right thing.
And the announcers are douchebags.
The way I read it, he did it himself, which is even better.
Maybe he did it himself, but I don’t see how you get that from CJ’s quote. Also don’t see how I’d deduce that someone set him straight, so whatever, who knows.
It didn’t say anything about anyone setting him straight, so I just assumed he did it himself. Either way, it’s good that he apologized.
For those who wanted Miranda Beaned, courtesy of Chad Jennings:
On that home run — which was a moon shot by the way — Miranda posed in the box, then put one fist in the air as he started toward first base. It was disrespectful, and the Durham bench let him know about it. I thought Miley would take him out, but Miranda went back to first base and immediately turned to the Durham dugout to appologize. He was tapping his chest and obviously saying he was sorry for showing them up. One of the Bulls was still on the field, and Miranda apologized to him personally.
Incredibly stupid moment, followed by Miranda doing what he could to make it right.
Well at least he was classy enough to admit he was wrong.
So who’s all going to be joining the big club after tonight?
I’ll go with Miranda, Shelley, Hughes and Albie
Wow everybody said the same thing at the same time.
Wade Davis was awful. He deserves to be traded just based on that performance alone.