Sep
23

Game 157: Down But Not Out

By Mike Axisa

There’s nuttin’ but six Game 7’s left for the Yanks this year; if they win out while the Sox lose out, we’re looking at a one game playoff to decide to Wildcard team. It sounds impossible, but it’s not. Just improbable.

The ghosts seems to be back for last joyride, maybe they’ll bring us a little September magic.

1. Damon, LF Gardner, CF
2. Jeter, SS Damon, LF
3. Abreu, RF
4. A-Rod, 3B
5. Giambi, 1B
6. Nady, DH
7. Cano, 2B
8. Molina, C Ransom, SS
9. Gardner, CF Molina, C

And looking for his third career  19-win season, and first since 1996, Mikey Mussina.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that the Yanks have one more thing on their side tonight. I’ll be stuck at work mad late, and I forgot to set my DVR. That means only one thing: Moose will finally add that perfect game to his already sterling resume.

Update (6:38pm): Lineup change, the Cap’n’s hand is bothering him, presumably from the HBP the other night. Explains Sunday’s 0-for-5er too.

Posted on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 at 6:29 pm in Game Threads.

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236 Comments »

Manimal says:

New Lineup, Jeter’s hand is bothering him
Gardner CF
Damon LF
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Nady DH
Cano 2B
Ransom SS
Molina C

 
Ivan says:

Pretty interesting series in a pitching stand point with Moose today, and Hughes/Burnett match up tomorrow and Halladay for the finale.

Manimal says:

Pete says theres only 1000 fans there, That is highly doubtful.

Ivan says:

Well as a baseball fan like my self it’s an interesting series.

 
Mike A. says:

They don’t have a passion for baseball in Toronto.

Ivan says:

more like Canada period.

 

J.P. Riccardi, is that you?

 
 
 
 

Just was watching the Met pregame and they had one of the Brewers’ beat writers on as a guest. He said that CC is scheduled to pitch on short rest tomorrow, which will line him up to pitch on short rest again Sunday, if needed. They are clearly abusing the shit out of him. I’m getting a little worried about the 7-8 year deal it’ll take to sign him, anyone else with me?

Mike A. says:

Word. I think it was Olney, maybe Stark, that had a quote from a scout saying that CC’s arm angle has dropped and he’s not getting the same bite on his slider. If that’s true, he’s already tired.

Mike Pop says:

ya i might sign both burnett and sheets instead

why would you sign Sheets now?

 
 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

Lol @ minaya getting a 4 yr deal

 
Mike Pop says:

This truly is a must win !

 
dudeyoyo says:

I rather get Zach Greinke for prospects than signing Burnett.

That’s a no brainer, he’s pitching with pain.

Agreed. Too bad there’s like a 1% chance they make Greinke available.

Steve says:

In that case, we’ll just make it a 3 way deal where we get Pujols and Grienke and give up Melky, Juan Miranda and IPK.

I have some 4 way deals too, if you like. They involve Yankee-Met deals.

I hope they also involve Manny Ramirez, Brett Favre, and Chad Ocho Cinco.

Steve says:

Those are my 5 way deals. I go multi-sport on the 5 ways.

“I go multi-sport on the 5 ways.”

Youse a nasty muthafucka. That’s sick and disgusting, and you’re going to hell for that.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Check this dumbass LoHuder of the day (at least he admits it):

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/200.....ent-543646

 
dkidd says:

zach greinke would look good in pinstripes

sheets and burnett both seem like injury-prone disasters to me

cc or bust

 
Ivan says:

Boy with the way the Brewers are working CC and Sheets “sore forearm”, it just seem more and more likely that Burnett is gonna be a yankee and I think Cashman with his philiosophy with player development and etc, he may just take the cheaper alternative in Burnett.

 
 
dkidd says:

ben sheets has set a career high this year with 13 wins. 13.

Ivan says:

To be fair, he has been injured obviously, but also he has played on a alot of bad Brewer teams. Sheets is very good pitcher with great stuff.

dkidd says:

no question about his stuff. just his ability to stay healthy

Pedro says:

If he doesn’t need TJ, I would definately go after him. He has great stuff, and might be one of the few NL pitchers who could pitch in the AL.

 
 
 
 
Pedro says:

3 groundouts to the right side. It’s going to be one of those games offensively. Poor Moose, might be lucky to get 1 run from his offense.

Ivan says:

The game just started dude.

 
 

Mike, talk to me when we’re in Boston with a chance of winning the wildcard. Until then, I don’t want to hear it…lol

-Scott

 
 
dkidd says:

i nominate scutaro as “the blue jay most likely to end the yankees’ season in heartbreaking fashion”

 
Pedro says:

Great throw by Cano.

 
pat says:

moosie gettin that nice wide strikezone booya

 
Manimal says:

Did Jeter just dive? OH, its ransom.

 
Ivan says:
 
Manimal says:

I think this is a good time to say I want moose back next year.

But Sarah Palin will then make him into a burger and eat him…

Sarah Palin’s God does not approve of your sarcasm. Consider yourself warned… don’t have Sarah Palin’s God drop a Holocaust all up on your ass, smart guy.

 
 
 
 
mustang says:

Never give up !!!!

CHRISTOPHER REEVE:
Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.

My slogan until this is over.

 
Manimal says:

I thought it was a good pitch, but thats just me. Michael Kay is just a bitch.

 
Joop says:
 
Ivan says:

Hope moose is okay man.

 
Pedro says:

Damn, that sucks. Classy fans celebrating Moose got hurt.

ArchStanton says:

Are you serious? Nice.

 
 
Manimal says:

Moose took that like a man.

So I’m listening to the game on CBS 880 on the way home…

John Sterling: “And the pitch, lined back… OH, MOOSE GOT HIT! HE GOT HIT ON THE LEG! THE BALL CAROMS OFF, AND THE RUNNER IS SAFE… Moose got hit on the leg, that can’t be good.

Suzyn Waldman: “Actually, John, he got hit on the elbow.”

Sterling: “Oh, I saw him limping, I thought he got hit on the leg.

Steve says:

Ugh. When Sterling calls a game, you often have no idea what just happened. Sometimes his calls are impossible to follow, when they’re not just flat out wrong.

 
 
 
Pedro says:
 
Pedro says:

Why do you have to make silly mistakes all the time Cano?

 
Infamous says:

Cleveland takes the lead!!!! Theres still hope

 
Kelvz says:
 
Steve says:

Gardner makes shit happen.

 
Kelvz says:
 
mustang says:
 
UWS says:

Tie game in Beantown. C’mon Cliff “Cy Young” Lee!

mustang says:

The Tribe has problems right now.

 
Pedro says:

He’s got nothing tonight.

 
 
greg says:
Chip says:

They got time, I have faith yet :)

greg says:

me too, but a decent start from cliff lee wouldve made me feel better than i do right now

 
 
mustang says:

how about giving Pedroia some credit little rat gets another big hit.

 
 
 
mustang says:
 
Chip says:

So why is Mussina coming out after only 73 pitches? I sure hope he isn’t hurt so he can go for 20 against the sox!

Steve says:

Even if he isn’t, they’ll be cautious with him. He pitched 5 and left with the lead, so he can get the win tonight. Thats fine.

 
Infamous says:

He got hit in the elbow by a line drive in the 3rd or 4th but stayed in. shit was swollen as hell

 
 
Steve says:

Everyday Phil in the game again .

 
Mike Pop says:

Just got here but wtf happend with cliff lee tonight.. john henry bribing his ass

 
Chip says:

Wow, back to back benders at the knees, that’s nasty

 
greg says:

why is cliff lee still in this game

 
 
Mike Pop says:

Delcarmen gotta go in the game to blow it

greg says:

lets hope he blows it

Mike Pop says:

we all know he blows papelbon

 
Infamous says:

fuck hoping. im praying

 
 
mustang says:
 
 
Chip says:

Coke is waay too good to be used an inning at a time. I’d love to see him make the team out of spring training as the number 5 starter (yeah I know it’s not gonna happen but I can dream)

Steve says:
 
Mike Pop says:

dude cmon you dont know if coke is good enough to be a starter hes a solid lefty in the pen he doesnt have joba-esque stuff that deserves to be a starter

 
Manimal says:

we have so many options for 5th starter its crazy.

Steve says:

We may have to go the long discussed ‘Tournament Baseball’ format.

No defined starters or relievers, whoever pitches well stays in the game. One day off for every inning you throw. You use 3 pitchers a game most days. Once through the lineup for most guys, where they are most effective. Every game is treated like the 7th game of the World Series.

One day, some scrub team like the Pirates or Royals will use this and revolutionize the game forever.

kunaldo says:

true that…most teams don’t have the balls though…they’ll get too much flak in the media, so they’re scurred

 
scottnar says:

I like that idea but starters would run from a team like that. I think that kind of situation would work for the bullpen, forget matchups. if you are pitching well you finish the game for the starter

 
 
 
greg says:

He’s never started a game above AA so you would at least have to keep him in AAA for a few months before putting him in the ML Rotation

Chip says:

He started one game in AAA this season according to baseball reference and I’m obviously not saying we should just hand it to him. I wish he would win the job next season. At least he’s going to be ready for a full season of work as he’s already at about 150IP on the season.

I agree though, we have a TON of 5th starter options if only we could stay healthy……….

Mike Pop says:

our fifth starteer if things go the way they should will be sheets.. CC Wang Joba Hughes Sheets.. If joba and hughes blossom like they should we’ll be incredible.. (sarcasm)

 
 
 
 
dkidd says:

boy, the brewers really do not want to make the playoffs

 
kunaldo says:

the one day cliff lee doesn’t pitch well is today…of course

 
Steve says:

How DARE the Indians not score in the 7th. How DARE they!

 
Infamous says:

our bullpen is pretty dam impressive

 
Manimal says:

It really is a shame that Bruney got hurt, He really turned it around, even more so than moose.

 
Chip says:

With this sort of pitching, we’d be a dangerous playoff team

 
mustang says:

Double play YEESSSSSS

 
greg says:

shin-soo choo come onnn

 
Infamous says:

When does the Hawaiian league start? Im excited to see what Brackman can do

 

ROBBIE!

(we got a break there)

 
Mike Pop says:

Cano is sexy as helll.. My friend suggested this today I am in no way pushing for something like this because I want to keep Cano… He said what about cano to the pirates for mcclouth sanchez and one more player of value… Idk i kinda like it if that 3rd player is Tabata lol

 
dan says:
Mike Pop says:

what bout andrew mccutchen tabata and sanchez

dan says:

Maybe, although probbaly not. McCutchen’s pretty damn good. But why Sanchez? He’s not at all productive anymore.

Mike Pop says:

well id figure ud have to take on that bad contract for a player like mccutchen and tabata but all of us know this wont happen ever but we are just spitballin

Your first proposal (McClouth, Sanchez, and a prospect for Cano) is really bad for us. Your second proposal (McCutchen, Sanchez, and Tabata) is totally illogical, as McCutchen is a Pirates untouchable, they’d never move him.

I’ve said it a million times: Cano is effectively untouchable, because the only deals that make sense for us are deals where we’re dealing him for a player that the other team would NEVER give up.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Kelvz says:

bases loaded two outs for the tribe.. c’mon..

 
mustang says:

I know this might be a lost cause, but this is the most fun I had watching baseball in weeks.

dan says:

haha, you’d love watching the Royals wouldn’t you?

 
 
dan says:

1100+ comments on sunday and now we can barely break a hundred. Fuckin bandwagon blog commenters ;)

 
Infamous says:

cmon victorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 
Mike Pop says:
 
Kelvz says:
 
Infamous says:

i hate waiting for gameday to say what happens on the pitch

 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

fucken victor martinez popping out to first

 
Steve says:

That Mohegan Sun commercial is waaaaay too homo erotic for me.

Any commercial where they try and entice straight men to come to their establishment by having a bunch of guys leap around, singing and dancing, broadway-style, is totally counterproductive.

Thanks, Mohegan Sun… now I’m never going to your crappy casino.

Speaking of which… no way in hell do I believe that that kid in the North End Wine and Liquor commercial is bringing home that chick on a date.

His date’s name is Ted.

 
 
 
Kelvz says:

pop out.tsk.. 2 more innings, just 1 run.

 

Victor Martinez is a fuck!!!

 
 
Ivan says:

Yo that ump was moving the K Zone.

 
mustang says:

Yes, please, please, please !!!!!

Steve says:

The Indians are a bunch of sucky losers who suck when they aren’t busy losing and sucking.

 
 
Ivan says:

Oh well, at least we get to see Joba get more innings in.

 
mustang says:

Martinez asshole !!!!

 
Mike Pop says:
 
 
Pedro says:

Do they have one good ump in the majors? And ump with the same strikezone all game long would be great.

Yankee1010 says:

Don’t think there is one.

 
 

Way to go on your birthday, Joba…

 
Mike Pop says:
 
Mike Pop says:

his stuff iss too nasty

Infamous says:

DEFINATELY 8th inning stuff

Mike Pop says:

yup just until mo retires than he will be the next great closer of the times

 
Steve says:

I can only imagine how good Josh Beckett would be if he pitched the 8th inning.

Mike Pop says:

better than “flash” gordon in his prime

 
Steve H says:

Especially since with all of his injuries he will never last in the rotation.

 
 
 
 
Steve says:
 
Ivan says:

Joba made Snider his bitch with those sliders.

 
Steve says:

Have I mentioned that the Indians suck? I mean REAAAALLLY suck?

 
Mike Pop says:

cmon masterson fuck up plz

 

that 2nd pitch was a strike? really??

 

Watch the fucking asshole Clevelanders win 3 out of 4 against the Sox, and only lose the game where they trot Cliff Lee out there…

Where’s Manny Ramirez on the Indians when you need him?

 
Mike Pop says:

Gardner knows better than that

 
Steve says:

Gardner makes shit happen . . . . . but sometimes it doesn’t work out.

 

yeah Barfield!! It’s Sizemore time!

 
Infamous says:

cmonnnnn grady fucking sizemore

 
Mike Pop says:

javier lopez comin in man on 1st and second with grady up uhoh

 
pat says:

advance on this BITCH- Lyle overbay

 
 

dammit Sizemore–you walk instead of getting a hit. it’s now up to jamey fucking carroll….

 
greg says:

ughhh papelbon. come on jamey carroll!!

 
Mike Pop says:

shit our season is on jamey carroll

 
Infamous says:
 
greg says:

pinch hit hafner here?

 
 
Infamous says:
 
Ivan says:

4 outs away for moose 19 win.

 
Manimal says:

its only the 8th guys, chill

 
 
greg says:

3 outs away from playoff elimination

 
Infamous says:

u alien lookin jamey carrol faggot. u suck and so do the indians

 
Mike Pop says:

cant beleive cliff freaken lee

 
Steve says:

There goes the season

 

At least Choo, Peralta, and Martinez bat next.

PLEASE GOD HEAR US WE WANT THE YANKEES IN THE PLAYOFFS AAAAHHHH!!!

 
Mike Pop says:

jesus what is goin on tonight

 
Mike Pop says:

choo will take him deep

 
Ivan says:

Persoanlly I rather face Lind than Overbay.

 
 

what the fuck Cody Ransom? Why don’t you fuck Jamey Carroll too–perfect match of AAAA players!!!!

 
Mike Pop says:

jesus did we get a call therre?

 

WOW, Joba… WOW.

STONES and SKILL.

 
 

“Game…blouses.”

“Nice game.”

“Wish I could say the same for you… bitches.”

 
 
Steve H says:
 
Mike Pop says:

lol love that episode .. u want some pancakes lyle overbay ?

 
 
Ivan says:

Nasty Slider by Joba.

 
Mike Pop says:

Can we use him in the 8th on offdays while hes in the rotation ??? lol

 
Mike Pop says:

here we go our season lies on shoo martinez and peralta .. cross ya fingers everyone

 

CHOO!!! CHOO!!! CHOOO!!!! CHOO!!

Steve says:

Let me guess. You have a Lionel Train set in your basement.

 
 
A.D. says:
 
Mike Pop says:
 
 
doty says:

please bring the ghost of manny out against the redsox NOW!!!!!!!!

 
Infamous says:

i guess theyre done with betemit

Steve says:

Thats safe to say.

A backup infielder who can’t play any position.

 
 

fuck you, peralta.
fuck you, choo.
who’s next?

 
doty says:

down to the final out! damn!!

 
Manimal says:
 
Mike Pop says:

anyone know where i can find a video of the jeter speech

 
 
Infamous says:
 

NO!!!!! IT’S OVER!!!! FUUUUUUCKKK NO!!!!!

 
Chip says:

Well, it was still a good season boys

 
Steve says:

Sox win. Season is over.

 

Well, it’s been a helluva run fellas. Let’s start another 13 year streak next year

 
Mike Pop says:

damn man if we didnt play so shitty

 
Manimal says:
 
doty says:

can we shed a tear?!

 

We can still win this thing, fellas.

Sincerely,
Hillary Clinton

don’t fuck with Hillary Clinton–I was actually a supporter during the primaries

 
 
 
Manimal says:

Golden sombrero for Zaun

 
Mike Pop says:

8 out of 10 times cleveland wins that game with Lee pitching … Epstein probly sucked him off be4 the game

 
Infamous says:

we really didnt have a terrible year. if it wasnt for the dam rays coming outta nowhere wed be going to the playoffs

don’t blame others. we could have won this division and we didn’t. end of story.

Infamous says:

im not blaming others nor am i making excuses. im just saying the yankees didnt have a terrible year like most people think

 
 
 
The Honorable Congressman Mondesi says:

All things considered… The Yankees dealt with some devastating injuries, some rough times for their young players and a generally frustrating season, and still hung around until September 23. Sucks, but things could be worse.

Go get ‘em in ‘09. And fuck Cleveland. Seriously.

Steve says:

A LOT worse. This wasn’t a bad season by anyone’s standards but ours. 15 games over, will wind up winning around 88-90 games. Thats not a disaster.

Look at it this way.

Wang is healthy-add 5 wins
We sign CC-add 5 wins
Posada stays healthy-add 2 wins
New 1B/CF- 2-4 wins above Giambi/Melky

Assume some injuries next year, subtract 5-7 wins total.

Total it up 95-98 wins next year.

I know this is all painting with very broad brushes, but don’t let anyone tell you we can’t compete next year, or that Girardi did a bad job this year. I don’t buy it.

Mike Pop says:

no ponson/rasner— subtract 8 or 9 losses lol

 
 
 
 
Steve says:

19 for Moose!

Congrats you grumpy bastard!

 
Pedro says:

Too bad the streak ended, specially in the final year of YS. But like Nady Nation said, we’ll start another one next season.

 
Infamous says:

Mariano Rivera is a god

 
scottnar says:

19 for moose, let’s get him 20 sunday

 
Mike Pop says:

god i dont wanna see the champagne tonight

 
Mike Pop says:

i blame it all on IPK

Steve says:

Thats funny, he blames you for spreading that bad Karma of yours.

Mike Pop says:

lol, i blame him for killing his value this year and not makin him look so attractive this offseason in some kind of deal

 
 
 
Ivan says:

Yea it feels weird that the yanks are not in the playoffs but hey next season will bring a different tune.

Besides, it was a great run. I can’t complain.

 
Manimal says:

For a transition year, We did pretty damn good. Just look at the NL west standings.

 
Bonos says:

Hey in the good news column, Gardner is over the Mendoza Line

 
Mike Pop says:

MAnuel burned Johan tonight 125 pitches…. If you look at his k ratio from las year and this year its kinda scary like 40 50 ks difference in a worse league

A.D. says:

they were going off on the Mets on the FAN today, it was amusing

 
 
Mike Pop says:

48 goin in to tonight but 38 now

 
Steve says:

Here’s Busters take on where it all went wrong.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3589629

I would imagine much of this came from the Yankee brass (read that Cashman) since his assessment is basically what Cash has been trying to reverse for the past 3 years.

Ivan says:

That’s why Casman must stay. Hopefully he does.

 
 

Congrats to Mikey, though. There’s still some goals to be accomplished here:

1) Get 20 wins for Moose.
2) Stay in front of the Jays for third place.
3) Fuck up the Sox in Fenway to send them into the playoffs on a downer.
4) Get some good results out of Hughes and Dirty Sanchez.
5) See if Brett Gardner can get the ball to the warning track on the fly.

Chip says:

6) Hit Ortiz with pitches on the wrist as many times as possible (calling Joba…..)
7) Destroy Beckett’s confidence
8) Find a way to piss of Papelbon
9) Do anything else that to encourage the Red Sox to lose in the first round

 
 
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