Game 45: The scene of the crime
ByOn May 1, 2007, a 20-year-old Phil Hughes had it all working as the Yankees were in Arlington. Through 6.1 innings, he had not allowed a hit when his hamstring gave out. Hughes would be out until August, and the Yanks had a glimpse of what a Hughesian future could be.
Today, the Yanks and Hughes return to the scene of the crime. For the first time since his near-no-hitter, Hughes will take the mound in Texas, looking to finish what he started two years ago.
This year, Hughes has not pitched as badly as his 7.06 ERA indicates. While not dominant, Hughes has kept the Yankees in the game for four of his five starts. The other was a disastrous 1.2 inning, 8 earned run appearance in Baltimore. Outside of that one start, Hughes has thrown 20 innings with a 4.05 ERA. He’s averaging around one strike per inning and at 22, has been a fine fifth starter. He is coming off of a nine-strike out performance.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are heading to Texas a little short-handed. They used Jose Veras, Mariano Rivera and, painfully, Brett Tomko yesterday. Brian Bruney is seemingly unavailable again, and Phil Coke has been worked at a Scott Proctor-like pace recently. Chien-Ming Wang won’t be able to pitch until tomorrow, and Al Aceves may be limited as well. Angel Berroa, meanwhile, hasn’t had at-bat since May 4 and has appeared in just four games over the last three weeks. Roster construction has not been the Yanks’ forte this season.
But it is what it is. This is, after all, the same team that just went 8-2 on the homestand and is just one game behind the Red Sox for first place in the AL East. Game time is 2:05 p.m., and the Yanks will be wearing the Fred Durst-inspired Memorial Day hats.
Jeter DH
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Swisher RF
Pena SS
Cash C
Hughes P
Update by Joe: Bruney’s going on the DL. Look for Robertson or Melancon tomorrow.
336 Comments
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Too bad we can’t have both Robertson and Melancon… with Tomko being sent down.
Correct me if I am wrong but Tomko cannot be sent down
Is it part of the contract he signed or something?
I’m guessing he is out of options.
It’d be nice to have Robertson/Melancon today. I wonder why they weren’t able to make a determination about Bruney in time to get one of them here?
Who do I have to bang to get Kevin Cash off this team?
I’ve been wondering the same thing for a while, but the truth is that he’s here to stay. When Posada is activated later this week, Cervelli will be optioned down and Cash will stick around until Molina comes back. That’s just the reality of the Yanks’ roster construction.
I think Cervelli might stick around until Molina comes back, because wasn’t he the backup when Posada went down, anyways?
Yeah, but that’s because Cash wasn’t on the 40-man then. Now that he is, it makes more sense to send Cervelli down for regular work. Cash can just be released when Molina is ready.
Depends in what role Posada comes back. If he is going to DH a lot/rest a lot, I would rather Cervelli take ~ 50% of the games behind the plate instead of Cash.
But yeah, if Posada is jumping back in full time you definitely want Cervelli back in the minors.
Why Kevin Cash continues to catch EOD is amazing to me.
So, who IS available to pitch today?
Tomko? It’s not like we care if we blow out his arm. Aceves should be able to go an inning.
Guess we just have to hope Hughes goes 7. Eeehhhhh.
Veras, Coke and Mo are all available for 1 inning today, possibly Aceves for 1 as well. I’m actually not sure about Tomko, who threw like 30 pitches in 2/3 of a bad inning. Bruney and Wang are not available.
Bruney is off the active roster. He’s most decidedly not available. I wouldn’t count on him for a bit.
At least they are putting him on DL pretty fast, unlike keeping Marte on roster for a week when he’s not available to pitch. I hope he did not re-aggravate his injury by coming back and pitching that 1 inning.
I’m free today.
I’ll be waiting by the phone, in case they call.
Rowengartner, you’re going in.
Great! But I gotta ask my mom first.
I don’t get the criticism of keeping Angel Berroa on the roster. Alex Rodriguez is obviously not ready to play the field every single game, so wouldn’t you want an extra utility infielder on the bench in order to pinch-hit Hideki Matsui for Ramiro Pena late in the game?
I’m not sure how you can say he “obviously” isn’t ready to play every day when he (a) hasn’t missed a game since coming back and (b) has played 14 games at third and just two as the DH. He seems ready to me.
There’s the fact that both Rodriguez and Joe Girardi themselves have stated that the former is not 100% at this time, and the fact that he is visibly sluggish in the field.
Also, looking at the 2007 season (not counting 2008 because he suffered the quad injury and missed 20 games), ARod played in 63 games before starting one game as the designated hitter. When ARod is fully healthy there is no question about him playing the field every day without fail. That is not the case now as just a week or so ago Girardi stated to the media that he has to ask ARod almost every day if he’s up to the task of playing the field or at all.
All things considered, Berroa is necessary on the active roster until Girardi can pencil ARod’s name in at third base without hesitation.
I still disagree. The Yanks have Ramiro Peña and are far more willing to use him at third. They need another bat more than they need Angel Berroa.
No, I think you’re misunderstanding me. I know Pena is second on the depth chart, I’m saying that in a high-leverage situation, I want the option of a pinch-hitter to for Ramiro Pena and having an infielder on the bench to play third base instead of losing the DH spot and having ARod play third, or not being able to PH for Pena at all.
Berroa’s hitting .167/.167/.167.
I don’t think losing the DH spot is that big of a deal when the alternative is that you’re essentially filling it with a player that hits like a pitcher.
and the reality is, as i said in the other thread, something happens to Arod playing 3rd one day, bring in Pena and make a move that night. If Pena’s playing 3rd while Arod DHs and something happens, move Arod to 3rd, you lose the DH for the rest of the game, but again, you make a move that night.
essentially, the downside of losing Berroa is putting 1 game (theoretically) at risk, while the upside of bringing up an actual bat (say Rodriguez) is flexibility and the ability to patch over several of the current holes in the lineup …
at this point, i’d rather pinch hit Pena for Matsui late in the game …
They failed with bringing Wang to the bullpen and keeping him there.
Certainly looks like it.
It blows my mind that they would fuck around with Wang like that, not to mention just how much it weakens the bullpend.
Who comes up: D-Rob or M-Squared?
My heart says M-Squared but my brain says D-Rob.
we’re not that lucky my heart tells me Cashman goes with Albie and I just cried a little
Link?
That would suck.
sorry but there just isn’t a link to my heart
May 1, 2007 is an interesting date for contrafactual history. Where would Phil be today if not for the hamstring injury? Had he pitched well for the rest of 2007? Would that have made him a better pitcher in 2008? Would the Yankees not have signed Pettitte or Burnett this offseason?
Not sure, if the rib injury in 2008 was a result of altered mechanics or the other way round and how this play into this.
I doubt we have seen the the Phil Hughes of May 1, 2007 again after the hamstring injury with the Detroit start the closest.
A Kayian fallacy of the predetermined outcome I’m afraid.
Yes, but he’s pretty slow and with somewhat diminished range/agility. I think keeping Berroa around until those elements of A-Rod’s game improve isn’t a terrible idea, although you can make the case that a 13th reliever is now necessary.
Reply button fail
noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooob
How can anyone watch ESPN anymore? I usually try to put up with it, but it’s getting ridiculous.
The games in April and May don’t mean the same as the games at the end of the year? Ya. Ok. Tell that to the fucking Win/Loss Column.
The Rays didn’t know if they are going to keep Price as a starter or put him in the bullpen? Really? I’m pretty sure they know where they are putting him.
God damn it ESPN. Stop making shit up.
it doesn’t help that they hire the handicapped just look at skip bailess(sp) he is retarded
Any messing with the Yankees’ uniform is awful.
DFA whoever came up with this idea.
I actually like the umpires’ version.
Despite what fans of other teams would have you believe, umpires do not play for the Yankees.
You’re right the Yankee’s looks are far more important than showing solidarity for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. /Sarcasm off
Go New York
Limp BizkitsYankees!Red Yankee Hat= Epic Fail
I don’t like the red hats.
eh, at least its a good cause
awful they should stick up their yeah sticking up their yeah
I love watching Sir Phillip of Hughes pitch. Look forward to every start, and do so with great anticipation. I plan on following him every step of the way on his path to being a stalwart of this franchise for many years to come.
It’s real easy to jump on the bandwagon once he figures it out, but I intend to support him every step of the way.
I am filled with apprehension whenever he pitches for similar reasons.
I do too, only because I know if he has 1 bad game everyone flips out and says to send him to the minors/bullpen
If you saw yesterday’s “Joe Giarardi Show” he’s not going anywhere.
Matt Harrison is not very good, although he does have two record CG SHOs.
woot woot
You know, it hasn’t been talked about a lot, but the Captain is quietly having a pretty good month.
Jeter really is underappreciated among us, I feel. When he does well, it’s expected, and when he does poorly, there’s a lot of bitching.
Tex fields that ball cleanly.
Heh, I chuckled watching Chris Davis scurry to the ball on all fours.
Couldn’t do that yesterday, asshole?
Tex!
Good start good start.
Am surprised that didn’t score Damon. So it goes.
Bet it has something to do with the fact that Damon has been thrown out twice at the plate recently.
Nope. It has everything to do with outs. With no outs, you hold the runner. With two outs, you send the runner. That’s how it works.
Bingo. Chances are much better that he will score some other way than that he will beat it out.
Damn, we have a LOT of Former Texas Rangers on our team.
What, two? Three if you count Veras?
That’s two too many if you ask me.
Way to go, Alex!!
A-Rod doing his best to be unclutch, ha.
Chris Davis is having a rough game so far, isn’t he? Certainly looked like he managed to stay on the bag.
Wow, great play Kinsler.
Nothing you can do about that, huh? I thought Kinsler was supposed to be a lousy fielder?
Also, Robbie almost got punched in the face by the ump.
I saw that. I would not be too happy with the ump if I were Robbie.
this year he has shown up and been awesome channeling Vizquel or something
arg rally killer lets go melky
Harrison is fooling no one
If Hughes pitches well today, think the Yankees will let him wear a red hat in future starts?
Phranchise Time!
Good God the Yankees look awful in red hats.
Seriously, this is terrible. I thought the flag NY was bad enough. No reason whatso ever to changed the uniform.
anything to make a few extra bucks right MLB? it’s like when the Jets wear those black/gold uniforms
Actually, the proceeds from the sales of these hats go to the Welcome Back Veterans fund. It’s for a really good cause.
Alright good cause, but they didnt need to go and change the whole thing, last year’s hat was ugly but better then all red.
It’s only one day. I have a hard time getting worked up over it especially since it goes to a good cause.
Watching the game on Gameday, was that really a slider? I thought Phil scrapped the pitch.
Gameday will occasionally classify the cutter as a slider. I’ve even seen it called a curve.
Probably cutter.
Matt Harrison: that’s how you cover first.
Hughes now has 7 1/3 consecutive hitless innings in Texas. Still, 2/3 balls were semi-solid contact.
0 strikeouts? BUST
Odds on Harrison going 1-2-3 this inning: very high.
Damn, Phil Hughes is pumping that cutter up to 91 MPH.
holy shit did the world just stop turning is this a sign of the apocolypse Cash with a clean single next comes locusts
How long before Ranger pitchers start dropping like flies? I mean, that mentality Singleton just described can’t last all season with that heat.
I’d settle for them resuming the beatdown of Harrison in the 3rd.
Swisher has not had a multi-hit game in almost a month. Just throwing it out there.
i’ll settle for just a single hit game
Ice cold. Hopefully he can heat up soon.
No hitter done.
Wow Swisher really couldnt cut that off????
Dammit, Swish. You’ve gotta take a better route to that. If he gets around that ball instead of running right at it, it’s a single.
Fuckin’ a. Battle back, Phil.
Pretty sure this is not how you want to start an inning.
I love when Singleton does the “LOOK OUT!” call.
I don’t know about you guys, but I love having ads that stretch more than half of the screen’s length go across the bottom.
Just don’t give him a cookie, please.
Who sends the RAB tweets?
All three of us.
Nice pitch for the K. Just needs a grounder now.
GREAT location on that strikeout pitch.
Nice K there. Ump really Enrico Palazzo’d that.
I’d like to see him drop the change low and away here on 2-0.
LOL at the change. I wish…
Strikes, plz.
For anyone watching on mlb.tv, who else like the Rangers announcers?
Refreshing after a long homestand of Kay.
On YES, we’re taking the good (Singleton) with the bad (Flaherty).
Flaherty brings nothing to the table, except for analysis of catcher defense and banjo hitters.
Tell me about it.
He tops that off with his sparkling personality.
Damnit Cash… wtf..
NIIIICE curve, Phil.
Another nice K by Hughes. Cash wouldn’t have been able to throw anyone out on the breaking ball anyway.
Nice here’s the big spot. He’s done well, but the inning isn’t over yet. Gotta bear down.
DAMN, that’s a hammer. Nice work by Philly there.
Cash’s one selling point is supposed to be his defense, but he really hasn’t impressed me much with it.
Is he supposed to be good defensively?
he’s a 4th string catcher, he doesnt have any selling points
Helluva last name. Teagarden.
JB Cox’s catcher at Texas.
Could be worse. Could be ‘Teabagger’.
HUGHES!! Nice!
Phantastic inning from the Phranchise.
Nice rebound. Awesome. Whatever Eiland said, say it again.
“Listen dickface, strike out the side or we’re optioning you to Charleston,” maybe?
hahaha
IETC!
That curve went to another universe and then came back in the dirt…
that’s a big league pitcher right there fellas
The Phranchise says no to runs allowed.
So, I don’t know if it has been brought up before, but what is the rationale for not letting Cervelli catch everyday?
Because he’s a catcher and they can’t catch every day.
And if he did catch every day, he’s get exposed real fast.
And then get hurt and we have to see Cash everyday
Day game after a night game while flying halfway across the country in between, no way he would catching today.
Alright cool, I sorta thought that may be the treatment reserved for older catchers (Jorge). Didn’t realize it was common practice for catchers of all ages.
I think Cash is working as Hughes’ catcher for now since they started AAA together, I think.
Well the Sox are losing 1-0 and Jays tied with the O’s at 1.
If they both lose and if we win we’ll be tied for 1st I think.
A fist pump? Bush!!!
gotta love it
Bush league from Hughes and Eiland.
Guys, this is great composure by Hughes!
We are watching him grow up right before our eyes, and against a terrific hitting team.
Not bad, Johnny.
Aaaaaand Damon almost slides off the base, haha.
Tex, hit another broken bat homer (I still can’t believe he did that).
it’s rare, but not unprecedented.
hell, people have hit check swing broken bat homeruns before …
Harrison vs Tex, and the cycle is complete.
I hope all the Yankees start fist pumping.
Heh that fist pump was just a weeee one.
Hughes has his chance to turn it around and maybe stay in the rotation. He seems to be an in-between type pitcher (between AAA and the majors). If the team can score 5-7 runs for him, he may be able to get some wins, gather some confidence, and fianlly make the transition. He could be a very solid fifth starter. Wang as a long reliver is a great luxury, but he was supposed to be a front end starter.
First in May means nothing. best to hang around, assess needs and make some additions to the bullpen from AAA and within.
I lol’d.
walk for Tex, go Yankees.
Choke they necks.
Really, we need to stock the pen or add another starter.
Or just bash everyone to death like we’re doing today.
3-0 Yankees! A-rod with an RBI Double!
Shut ‘em up, Alex.
Somehow I don’t think Harrison is going 9 innings today.
Not bad, Robbie.
Who needs the bullpen, just bash
And that’s an RBI TRIPLE!
Great swing by Robbie.
Harrison isn’t fooling anyone.
Yankees ripping liners down the 3rd-base line this game.
Yikes Marlon Byrd…
Byrad ran after the ball like he was in little league
Most important thing with all the runs being scored…Hughes needs to pound the zone and swallow some innings to pick up the pen.
Agreed. Don’t give them cookies, but no reason to nibble and be too fine.
(Which he hasn’t been doing so far, so kudos to him)
Byrd is top heavy, a bit suggestive of juice of some sort
Apple.
Come on, Swish. Just get him in.
I’ll take it.
I know im late but, have a happy and safe Memorial Day.
Lucky there but we’ll take it!
I’ll take it
Swisher really has nothing, huh? Yikes. At least Andrus’ bobble got the run in.
Elvis Andrus: Not Michael Young.
Peavy is such a chick, glad the Yanks didn’t touch him. he’d rather play for a team that wants to be rid of him than win. Scared of the AL too. Who knows, maybe he has a squeeze in SD.
He’s a “chick”? Really? What an asshole he is for choosing to stay in a comfortable setting. Yes, how dear this prick choose the comfort level of his life over something like winning a bunch of God damn baseball games!!1! What a female!1!!1!
It’s not like the White Sox is a sure bet to win, the Padres are doing better than them. I think he wants out but wants to make sure it’s a winning team, can’t fault him for that.
A squeeze?
He’s got a wife and 3 sons under the age of 8.
Think that *might* have something to do with his reluctance to move 1/2 way across the country???
/fiery oaktag’d
Yeah, because he would definitely win in Chicago……
more like winD….am I right??
Damn pena, why did you have to ruin the fun
Rather see Harrison stay in or Kris Benson come in?
You know you’re a lousy pitcher when Pena takes you to the track.
Xavier Nady is scheduled to return in a couple weeks, will he play the field with that arm issue or just hit?
Hit.
I would think so, and does that make Matsui trade bait or does he have no worth?
Yeah I think he’ll just DH for his first few games.
OK, just got back from painting my patio. Did I miss anything?
6 runs scored, NO HRs. I’m actually kinda glad about that.
I was kidding. Watching as I paint.
CC and A.J. would love this kind of run support.
CC and A.J.Every pitcher would love this kind of run support.Fized that for ya.
They don’t need it as much as Hughes.
A.J. Burnett gets 5.94 runs of support per game. He’s getting this kind of support.
This team with Nady and Posada, potent to say the least. if health issues resolve then the AL East should be a walk in the second half.
The pen is concerning.
Bullpen is a concern at the moment, but the next couple series will determine if the solutions are internal or if a trade is necessary.
Look at Arod with the web gem.
Nice play, A-Rod.
Im only following on gameday. His curve seems to be more effective now. Is that really the case for those who can watch?
He’s doing better at keeping it down.
Hughes looking like Halladay
Ornery with awful facial hair?
Stooping the game is ridiculous when we have a war that makes no sense in Iraq. How about just bringing them home instead of stopping baseball for a few seconds.
Well, Memorial Day is for the war dead.
Too many died that did not have to. Let the politicians send their own kids.
I don’t know if Major League Baseball has that power.
The Player’s Union does. It can do anything.
Obviously, but they do have the power to make a real statement. Why not add that the war makes no sense and that kids could die today for corporations and greed. They would never do that because they are part of the elite themselves (the owners).
7 pitch inning for Hughes. I’m unsure if we’ve seen something so efficient from him yet this year.
Hughes is smiling!!! No fun, win first!!!
Jorge needs to teach a lesson to the kid.
How DARE he! Somebody throw a pie in his face!
Maybe there is something to having Cash catch Hughes.
Forget the offense, how about the awesome pitching performance by Phil Hughes!
We’re watching baseball in freedom? Really. While corporations gobble up money and cut jobs?
Alright, I may agree with you, but can we please leave politics the fuck out of the game? RAB is not the place for a political discussion.
fair enough
Agreed. I come here to watch and talk about the Yankees, not about politics or the economy unless of course it is Yankee related.
I won’t go into the economics of baseball, really would ruin it. i throw that aside with the Yanks, if they win I could care less how.
Jeez TJ – Just enjoy the frigging game – This is a baseball site not a political debating site!
Agreed, I teach social and political theory, not east to turn off, enjoy the game boys.
I took an intro to political theory class a few semesters ago. I think i got a B.
boston’s winning. dammit!
It’s Brad Penny pitching. The Twins will hopefully score more.
I dunno, i heard on TV a couple months ago that Brad Penny was the smartest, grittiest, free agent gamble of all time.
Oh yeah that’s right. He adds great depth to the Red Sox. He has grit and grit >>>>> talent according to ESPN.
He’ll probably pitch the rest of the game perfectly.
I think I know the answer.
Is the answer Juan “Gone”?
I think it might be Pudge in ’99.
/runs to B-R.
Yup, Gonzalez won it the year before I-Rod.
The question I believe was 1st ever AL MVP for Texas so I think the answer is Jeff Burroughs, father of Sean Burroughs.
I had never heard of him until now. Huh.
Im the man!!!
I thought it was who was the last to win it before A-Rod.
Why is there a guy in a Red Sox hat? I always think that’s stupid.
Why? If he’s a Red Sox fan, he should wear his team’s colors wherever he wants.
Agreed, wearing a Red Sox hat is always stupid.
You are being as parochial as LiveFromNewYork!
I was joking though.
Whew!!Glad to hear that!!
Nolan Ryan would stare into the opposing dugout, as if to say “I’m going to walk so many of you motherfuckers that your head will spin”
OK back to the game, 6-0 should hold. looking at the SOX I would say we blow them out and win the east by about 10 games. Really. This may be the best team we’ve had since ’98.
From your lips to God’s ears – Still the operative words in your statement are “may be”. I hope you’re right. The team needs to be healthy for it to happen though.
I really can’t wait for Nady, Jorge and Molina to come back. That would be a tremendous boost.
Then there’s the bullpen issue but hopefully Bruney comes back healthy for the year. Robertson/Melancon should hopefully do the job and maybe Marte could do something when he comes back.
but one more dependable reliever wouldn’t hurt for exchange of Veras.
That wasn’t an awful pitch.
Looked like he did manage to check. But you have to offer at the next pitch, ha ha.
Sit down, Hank!
Hank Blalock’s bat paying respects on Memorial Day with that moment of silence.
+1
IETCVM.
Phil Hughes says “get back in the pen Wang”
A ten pitch inning with a leadoff double and a full count strikeout. I like it.
Check out this Phil Hughes character. Who does he think he is pitching around lead off doubles and striking guys out and shit? Leave that to the vets.
47 pitches through 4. He’s cruising.
4.0 IP 47 pitches 31 strikes
Very nice
Hughes’ curve is nasty today. If he keeps this up CMW will be the long-man for a long time.
Wow – Phil Hughes has 4IP, 2H, OER and 4K on only 47 pitches! And Texas is not a bad hitting team.
And in other news Chris Carpenter is perfect in 5. I hope he gets a no hitter or something since he’s on my fantasy team <_<
YES just cut to Sox/Twins. When does Jason Bay come back to Earth? Or is this a new baseline for him?
i don’t think there is anything better than seeing Hughes pitch like this.
RedSox without Jason bay = 4th place in AL east?
Did Teix raise his batting average like 70 points this week?
yes
How many more runs before A-Rod starts tipping pitches?
He started last inning.
I thought Pitchers like Hughes are suppose to be Busts.
Arod 3 for 3 with no HR’s???? Wack!!!! LOL
They’re paying him to hit homers, not singles. What an asshole.
BABIP correction, meet Alex Rodriguez.
Yo, Gallardo and Carpenter are throwing matching no-no’s.
And there goes Gallardo’s, just as I type it.
More like Mike Kay, am I right?
Clearly, you have to use euphemism in this situation. “Gallardo and Carpenter are both pitching really well.” Have you been hanging out with Michael Kay?
Eh, I really don’t worry too much about jinxes when it comes to other teams.
Yep following that game since I picked up Carpenter.
But Gallardo gave up a walk to Pujols so he can’t get the perfect game.
Thankfully someone had cut Carpenter when he got hurt in my fantasy league and I picked him up a week before he was due back. So far since returning 10 scoreless innings.
If only we can beat the shit outta lester like we are with Harrison- I know they are 2 completely different pitchers, but hard-throwing lefties nonetheless.
Harrison is 88-91, that’s not a hard throwing lefty…
Jon Lester is 93-96
Eh, you can smile about it when you’re up 6-0 Melk.
Melky on his way to catching Joe D’s hitting streak!! The CF tradition continues….
More laughing? Jorge is furious.
RAB, What do the Yankees do with the Wang/Hughes problem? If Hughes continue to pitch like this and Wang is stuck in Bullpen limbo, what the Hell do you do. I really think they screwed the pooch calling up Wang.
Wait until Wang comes back into form and let Hughes take the 5th spot. When Wang is completely ready, send Hughes down to AAA.
That sounds like the right path, but how do you straighten out Wang in the bullpen? He’s not going to get the work he needs out there. Nother DL stint?
What problem? Hughes is pitching well so he stays in the rotation. Wang isn’t so he stays in the bullpen. Where’s the problem?
Really, that simple? Wang has earned his place in the rotation with his past performances. He’s stuck in a place where he can’t really get his form back. You just waste a 2 time 19 game winner in the bullpen, when he won’t really help the team?
They’re not going to leave Wang to rot in the ‘pen. He’s either going to get some work in a blowout at some point, or he’ll go back on the DL.
(Or he’ll be shoehorned into the short relief role and kill everyone, and we’ll have a problem in ST 2010)
cano looked retarded in that picture
2 out RBI would be nice here for swish
Nice rip, Swish!
Even Swish is getting in on the fun.
The way Swish is going, I thought it was gonna stay up long enough for Byrd to catch it. I think I would’ve cried.
Wishes for this series:
-Cano to walk at least once, regardless of his hitting
-Swisher to heat back up
-Starters to pitch well, and most importantly, not get hurt
2 and 3 are in progress, 1 is on hold.
Make sure to get Matsui some serious Abs this trip, Texas is the tonic for all your hitting woes.
Looking at Hughes pitching today I wonder if he sometimes over thinks things on the mound? When he’s facing a more patient lineup than the Rangers does he try too hard to make the perfect pitch at the perfect time instead of trusting his stuff?
Pretty much.
Good point. Common for a young pitcher IMO.
I have always felt its all about confidence with Phil. From Day 1, back in 2006.
Pena with no pop.
Pena’s getting closer and closer with each swing. Next time, it’s going out.
He’s hit 3 homers is 1,424 minor league plate appearances.
Don’t pop my (non-existent, never to be) bubble.
Peña taking Harrison to the track twice? Man. Who does he have to face to get his first big league jack?
Texas Rangers-Property of Phil Hughes
Ah damn, 0-2 hits suck.
Jonathan Papelbon is the epitome of a “little bitch”: http://tinyurl.com/p2swa3
He is not hard to dislike.
“I guess he missed with two pitches.” LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!
I thought that it was pretty classy for him.
That’s great…take that towel!
Now that wasn’t a great pitch. Backed up a bit.
Have you seen this pitch?
Wanted – Phil Hughes’ changeup. If you or anyone you know has seen this pitch, please call 1-800-getmeover.
http://www.instantcrickets.com
Hey, that was my best effort.
Ha ha.
Still, the way he’s pitching today, he doesn’t really need it. Today has been practically all fastball-curve.
I called that number to say that he’s throwing 5 shit out innings against one of the best offenses in baseball but it didn’t work, there are to many digits.
I love how blog commeneters swear they are experts on the intricacies of pitching in Major League Baseball. Hey, guess what, if he’s not comfortable with the God damn pitch, why would you advocate him using it so much? He’ll use it if he needs to, relax.
The Phil Hughes ball-spinning in his hand before he throws the pitch.
Love it or hate it?
I’ll go first, I love it. Its like “How would you like me to get you out?”
i was looking at that to, i think its cool
Sit yo’ ass down, Ian.
Swinging strikes on fastballs are so awesome.
Ian Kinsler’s pride just got hurt.
Phil Hughes <3 Texas.
Phil Hughes messes with Texas.
He smoked Kinsler there.