May
29

Game 48: Hip Hip, Cleveland!

By Mike Axisa

The Yanks have won 12 of their last 15, and things continue to look up as they head into Cleveland to play the last place Indians. The perennial trendy pick, Cleveland’s been doomed by the American League’s worst pitching staff, which sports a 5.41 ERA. They just ripped off four straight wins against the defending AL Champs and are sending the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner to mound tonight, so they probably feel pretty good about themselves right now.

Thankfully, the Yankees are getting a boost of their own in the form of Jorge Posada, who is returning from his hamstring injury tonight. In case you missed it earlier, the Yanks designated Kevin Cash for assignment to make room on the roster for Georgie. In all likelihood Cash will clear waivers and return to Triple-A, assumed he doesn’t opt to become a free agent. The Yanks also have an empty 40-man roster spot to play with, so they could call up an outfielder if Melky’s injury is worse than originally thought.

Here’s tonight’s lineup:

Jeter, SS
Damon, LF
Teixeira, 1B
A-Rod, 3B
Cano, 2B
Posada, C
Matsui, DH
Swisher, RF
Gardner, CF

And on the mound, the grizzled vet Andy Pettitte.

Note: In case ou’re interested, Stephen Strasburg takes on Virginia tonight on ESPNU. Game starts … now!

Update (6:57pm): Bryan Hoch says they rolled the tarp out and the game will not start on time. Consider it a blessing and flip over to check out some Strasburg action.

Posted on Friday, May 29th, 2009 at 6:30 pm in Game Threads.

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386 Comments

Bob Stone says:

I’m looking for the Yanks to win at least 3 of 4 with tonight’s game the least likely win.

 
Matt-Pitt says:

I like the matchups for the rest of the series after this one. If they can pull off a win tonight, they have to feel good about the rest of the series going forward.

If they win tonight, the Yanks may not lose again.

Ever.

 
 
Rich M says:

According to Pete Abe Cash was optioned to scranton. Is that possible? Would he have options left?

steve (different one) says:

it’s possible. it’s also kindof funny if he does considering all the hand-wringing we’ve spent thinking through this decision.

if he has an option, there was no decision. it’s a no brainer.

 

Cash sent Cash to the minors, and received no cash in return.

 
 
Charlie says:

Alright I’m getting really confused.. Here at RAB it says that Kevin Cash was DFA’d, at lohud it says cash was optioned to Scranton, and on Rotoworld.com it says that Frankie Cervelli was optioned. Who is right???????

Bob Stone says:

YES pregame says Cash was optioned to Scanton

 
 
EvoLuTioN says:

Cash was optioned to scranton.

Cervelli is still here and will likely catch Sabathia tmrw.

Fuck rain delays

Bob Stone says:
 
 
Kilgore Trout says:

Random question: If you sit in the Delta Sky Suite do you get to eat as much as you want for free in the lounge behind the seats?

Matt-Pitt says:

Nope. Still gotta pay. And pay a little more actually. Spent a lot of money up there, hah.

Kilgore Trout says:

Thanks Matt. Free ticket, heard the food might be free. I’ll bring my own sandwich like I always do.

 
 
 
e mills says:

dealayed…..NOOOOO!

e mills says:
 
 

Vote for Manny peeps

http://voteformanny.blogspot.com/

If for no other reason than to tick off Joe Torre.

 
Zack says:

I always remebered Manny skipping all star games so does it really matter?

That’s not the point, silly.

Zack says:

No I understand the point, but it’d be worse if he was actually going to show up and everything

 
 
 
 
EvoLuTioN says:

Oh my goodness that’s phenomenal.

John says:

HAHA!!!

Let’s vote Longoria, maybe he’s goes on a Hamilton-esque slump for the 2nd half or even worse, a Abreu-like one.

AMAZING. I’m voting for Papi vs. Manny.

Zack says:

Ichiro will get in cause all of Japan will vote for him

 
 
Alex S says:

jeter is pulling the ball a lot lately no?

 
 
 
thurdonpaul says:

lmao,thats a good one

 
 

Tony Gwynn’s looking a little … thick these days.

Looks like there’s a window between 8:45 & 11ish

http://www.weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/USOH0195

TheLastClown says:

Reply comment placement fail.

 
 

If they ever do another “Star Wars” movies, they have the next Jobba the Hut right there.

 
 
John says:

The midges are back!

http://bombersbeat.mlblogs.com.....197021.jpg

Girardi said: “I think it’s Joba’s cologne,”

 
e mills says:

at least Andy’s on the mound and not Joba, the seemingly flappable if there is a rain delay, Chamberlain

 
Alex S says:

what channel is ESPNU?

It’s on ESPN Classic now, the early game on ESPNU is going long. Channel 171 for me, Time Warner.

daneptizl says:

Damnit, I missed two innings.

 
 
 
John says:

Got this from Marc Carig…

When it comes to facing a pitcher for the second time in the same game, Tex and Swish are one of the best.

Nick Swisher
1st: .138/.318/.322
2nd: 421/.455/.868

Mark Teixeira
1st: 219/.336/.521
2nd: .421/.511/.684

http://blog.stats.com/2009/05/.....t_aft.html

 
V says:

“Rich: Which players stand to get “out of the box” type deals and why?

Jim: Strasburg, obviously, because of his immense talent. The top college pitchers usually get major league deals with a $3 million bonus and a $5 million total guarantee, so that’s may be what Missouri’s Kyle Gibson and North Carolina’s Alex White are looking for. Then again, they haven’t lit scouts up down the stretch, so they may be more apt to sign for slot. I bet Ackley will seek a big league contract as well. The three top talents who could fall the most in the first round because of asking price are Tate, who has the leverage of a football scholarship from North Carolina, Turner and Klein HS (Spring, Texas) lefthander Matthew Purke. The numbers we’re hearing on those guys are $6 million for Tate, $7 million for Turner and $5 million for Purke. There also are starting to be rumblings that the other elite high school lefty, Tyler Matzek of Capistrano Valley HS (Mission Viejo, Calif.), may not be an easy sign either. There’s no number on him yet but teams are thinking he may prove costly.”

http://baseballanalysts.com/ar.....asebal.php

Someone will fall to us, it happens every year.

 
 
pc69 says:

Ortiz up with bases loaded, hit it to dead center, caught at the wall. Jason Bay hitting in front of Ortiz doesn’t help.

 
Luthien says:

Watchin on mlb.tv, any idea of how long the delay is?

TheLastClown says:

Weather’s due to clear up around 8:45. I’m thinking we’ll see first pitch around then.

 
 
TheLastClown says:

Ouch for Strasburg.

Put him in the bullpen!

 
John says:

what happened?

Taken deep. Allowed 3 straight hits now.

John says:

BUST! yes, already

 
TheLastClown says:

Well, extrapolating from this inning, this kid’s ceiling is a WHIP of 3.00, and a 9.00 ERA.

Forget the bullpen, send him to plumbing school!

Zack says:

WHIP 3.00?? ASTROCIOUS!!

Zack says:
 
whozat says:

I like “Astrocious” better.

“As seemingly-willfully terrible as ONLY the Houston Astros can be!”

See also: “Piraterrible” and “Nationearthshakingly horrendous”

V says:

ANDY PETTITTE IS A STARTING PITCHER!

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
 
 
Zack says:

He’s doing it on purpose cause he doesnt want Washington to draft him

 
John says:

how fast is he throwing?

94-97, mostly 97.

Accent Shallow says:

So he’s not sitting 102 with a slider at 94? Huh.

 
 
zs190 says:

ESPN has him at 93-98 on the fastball, curveball around 77-80, there might have been a couple changeups and sliders, the slider seemed to be in the low 80’s, the changeup(I’m not really sure it is a changeup) was 88-90.

John says:

I read that he can throw his slider in for 94, so it shouldn’t be that low, rihgt?

zs190 says:

He really has not thrown much sliders at all. He’s been heavily fastball/curveball. Mostly 95 on fastball and high 70’s on curveball.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
zs190 says:

Maybe ESPN’s radar is wrong but most of his fastballs are 93-95, he had a couple 97 mph fastballs and one 98 mph(the one that he gave up homer on). He throws a lot of curveballs and it looked like a very good pitch to an untrained eye.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
 
 
 
C says:

Strasburg allowed a solo HR then consecutive singles with 1 out in the first

 
 
 

Great way to kill time during a rain delay, the top 10 meltdowns of all time.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4214848

The more Carlos Perez swings that bat, the funnier it gets.

Bob Stone says:

That was funny! Thank you.

 
thurdonpaul says:

that was good, but , i still say george brett should have stayed out, that pine tar bat was bullshit

 
 
pc69 says:

why can’t Boston lose 10 in a row?

Because their starting pitching is 3rd worst in ERA, that’s why.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....p;type=reg

But their bullpen is #1.

pc69 says:
 
 
 

Montero topped this weeks BA Hot Sheet.

http://www.baseballamerica.com.....68202.html

His splits hitting as a Catcher/DH are fairly pronounced, something to keep an eye on this year. If it keeps up, it makes the case even stronger to move him to LF.

daneptizl says:

Abreu in OF > Montero in OF.

Zack says:

Matsui in OF > Montero in OF ?

daneptizl says:

It’ll be close. Watching Matsui would be painful, while watching Montero would be funny.

 
 
 
 
John says:

Wieters is hitting 7th! Gay

John says:

whoops my bad, forgot about not saying the G word on RAB

Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

John says:

well, Ben warned me once

Not a big ‘Seinfeld’ guy, huh?

John says:
 
 
 
 
 
 
V says:

How’d you like to be the guy that HRed off Strasburg. Talk about a boost to your draft stock.

John says:

I doubt it would do much

V says:

True, but it’s gotta be a great feeling.

Jay says:

I made him in MLB 09….Put him on the Nats and have taken him deep tons of times…

 
 
 
 
carl says:

College baseball is boring. I would hate to be a scout.

Zack says:

the metal bats make me lose interest

 
 
The Evil Empire says:

What channel is ESPNU on io?

V says:

Game on ESPN Classic right now. What service do you have?

 
 
John says:

Wieters is coming to bat this inning…you can watch for free from Orioles.com

 
 
Dave says:

Strausberg is teh bust

 
MattG says:

What player is the most un-acquirable in the Majors? Hanley? Longoria? Lincecum? Felix?

V says:

Longoria, I’d presume. That contract is SO cheap.

 
 
V says:

Wieter’s first AB with 2 on no out.

V says:

Flyout to right and Mora caught trying to take third.

 
John says:

and he flies out to right

 
 
e mills says:

Weiters = bust

 
jsbrendog says:

jeez, its like I have ESP. yesterday i wrote about Mike Schmidt and today is the 20th anny of his retirement and today i write about rain delays and boom, the yanks are in one.

tomorrow article, yankees will go on a 25 game win streak.

Nice job on the new blog, hoss! Just checked it out for the first time. It’s kinda purty.

jsbrendog says:

thank you sir. i figured since everyone has one i might as well join the club. one day maybe ill actually have people read it like RAB. lol

if you build teh awesome, they will come.

 
 
 
Dave says:

That top 10 meltdowns is actually really entertaining, definitely agree with the #1 choice

Who would ever think to turn a rosin bag into a grenade. That’s just quality entertainment right there.

 
 
Greg G. says:

Cashman’s quotes crack me up in this interview.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/.....3788.story

Nice find. Did you see Girardi’s quote today?

From LoHud:

The Yankees have not discussed Joba in the bullpen. Great line from Girardi: “The good thing about the presidential debates is that they end. … This one doesn’t.”

Greg G. says:

I did see that, too. Awesome.

My favorite is from Cashman: “Stop, he’s a starter.”

Zack says:

They have to hire Drew Rosenhaus. ‘Next Question’

 
 
Zack says:

I can’t wait for Cash or Joe to just blow up at the media one day when they ask a Joba-bullpen question.

Greg G. says:

I don’t know if Cashman still goes on Mike Francesca’s show anymore, but those interviews are always, um, “lively”.

I suspect Francesca doesn’t like Cashman all that much for how the Yanks treated Bernie at the end of his tenure, and he’s completely unable to hide his dislike. Meanwhile, Cashman is always forceful and doesn’t back down. It’s usually quite entertaining.

Rarely. He’s on ESPN every 5 minutes, and he obviously is ‘busy’ when Mike calls.

It shows in Mike’s commentary, which is horrendously off base most of the time. He hasn’t had an inside source on the Yanks since Torre left.

Zack says:

It may be rarely, but he never was a ‘regular guest’ I just remember him popping in during the offseason or trade deadline if they signed/traded for anyone

 
 
 
 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Read this article and pleasure yourself like I just did: http://tinyurl.com/kqoyol

Some quotes:

Some have argued there’s an adrenaline rush that Chamberlain has coming out the bullpen, an argument Cashman brought up, then dismissed.

“That’s all crap,” he said. “Wake up and smell the coffee. If he’s on national television on ESPN and throws 91 on the 22nd pitch, why would you think if he comes in in the eighth inning protecting a 4-3 lead [he'd throw 96]? Stop, he’s a starter.

Cashman was as resolute as ever that Chamberlain’s not going to the bullpen. “It’s not even an option,” he said.

Greg G. says:

Woo-hoo…I beat Jamal by one minute! ;-)

Jamal G. says:

I’ll catch you soon…

Greg G. says:

Probably before the rain delay is over.

 
 
 
 
pc69 says:

Ha ha… Wakefield looks like he is 5 months pregnant.

He and Manny must share a doctor.

pc69 says:

That is a GREAT call. Very nice!

 
 
 
John says:

From PeteAbe: Tonight would be the first time the Yankees have Posada, Matsui and Rodriguez in the lineup together since last June 22.

Zack says:

Glad to see he watches the YES pregame show too

John says:

well, he did say he got it from Kim Jones but I read this like last night or a while back today from somewhere else, just dont remember where.

 
 
John says:

If posada is batting well, imagine how much better our lineup is going to be and now we have Tex too!

 
 
e mills says:

any word on a start time yet?

zs190 says:

8:30, according to PeteAbe

e mills says:
 
 
 
pc69 says:
 
For lack of a more creative name... Alex says:

Watching this Yankeeography reminds me.. I live close to Whitey Ford and went Trick-or-Treating at his house 5 or 10 years ago. He gave me cracker jacks and I still have them. I was in such awe that I didn’t even say thank you. I got cracker jacks from one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. Just thought I’d share.

e mills says:

Burnett’s home in MD is about 15 minutues from mine, but trick-or-treating in the boonies would be no fun

 
 
Ivan says:

Great, now Omir Santos is now labeled “a winning player”

Keep playing him, we’ll see how long that lasts.

 
 
HoosFan says:

Wish I had ESPNU, I’d love to see Strasburg pitch. That being said, I hope the Cavs rock him. Go Hoos!

Bob Stone says:

It was switched to ESPN Classic – You probably get that channel. I have it on HD Channel 265 on Comcast in CT.

 
zs190 says:

You know what, I’ve been watching and he really hasn’t been that impressive.

 
 
pc69 says:

Listening to the Blue Jays feed and it is comforting to know that YES does not possess the dumbest announcers. There must be a union of them that failed at Fox and ESPN but found regional work. It always seems to be the analyst type – McCarver, Sutcliffe, Morgan, Phillips, etc. Do they have to pass a dumb shit test or something/

Bob Stone says:

I saw a lot of Yankee games on In-Demand last year. I often got the local regional carrier on away games and most of the announcing crews were just horrible.

adeel says:

i second that… I am soooo glad that mlb.com now has both home and away teams broadcasts…. on demand was painful.

 
 
 
Jay says:

I’d love to see 3 in the top half here….

 
pc69 says:

Ha they just justified Ortiz’s demise to injuries.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Good start, Cap’n.

 
pc69 says:

Ok boys, time to kick the shit out of Cliff “one year wonder” Lee.

V says:

You do realize that Lee was good in 2005 and 2006, right? 2007 is the ugly duckling, not 2008.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/p.....age/370395

pc69 says:

Yes, I know. He has a good track record. It was just a statement in support of the Yankees. Am I allowed or in violation of RAB rules?

V says:

:yawn:

You can make statements in support of the Yankees without looking like an ignorant jackass by pretending all of the Yankees’ opponents are scrubs.

pc69 says:

So the phrase “one year wonder” qualifies as an ignorant jackass? Hello pot, my name is kettle.

Dude, you are a piece of work. Is the holier than thou loft because of a broom stick in your ass or are you just a condescending ass by nature? Either way, do me a favor and ignore my posts if I offend.

And since you are so high and mighty, I would expect something more than a yawn as a response.

V says:

Someone needs some therapy.

 
 
 
 
 
 
John says:

so that’s 12 straight games with a hit for Jeter now

 
Jay says:

Question: @ yankee stadium is that a jack??

 

I don’t think the boos A-Rod’s gotten on the road have been any worse than what he’s gotten in the past.

V says:
 
Accent Shallow says:

Clearly audible “STEROIDS” chant. On that at-bat.

 
 
boobie says:

Is Tex’s undershirt on backwards?

 
Drew says:

Chance for Robbie to work on his bases loaded avg.

 
Matt-Pitt says:

Make em’ pay early, Robby.

 
Matt-Pitt says:

Make em’ pay early, Robby.

 
John says:

Selfish OBP padder

 
Accent Shallow says:

Dear Robbie,

Please don’t GIDP, K, or hit a shallow fly ball.

I remain your most humble servant, etc etc

 
Matt-Pitt says:

Swung at 2 balls… Walks A-Rod on 5… Should have at least taken a stike.

Matt-Pitt says:

Thats why it pays to at least see some pitches… Awful at bat. Pick him up, Posada.

 
 
Dave says:

Looks like 2008 Robinson Cano has made a (hopefully) brief appearance

 
Drew says:

Robbie absolutely sucks with the bases loaded…

Accent Shallow says:

Wonder what’s the deal with that. SSS? Pressing? Pitchers attack him differently?

Drew says:

I’d say he presses, but who knows..

V says:

That’s my guess. But he really didn’t have a clue against Lee in that AB. Ditto with Damon.

 
 
 
Tom Zig says:

yeah that’s so weird…why is that?

 
Pasqua says:

Cano: .281 with bases loaded (2006-2008).

Not amazing, but far from sucking.

 
 
V says:

It doesn’t look like the lefties are seeing the ball off of Lee at all.

 
Drew says:

Good AB by JoPo

 
V says:

Oof. Good pitch.

 
Accent Shallow says:
 
pc69 says:

0-2 RISP. Hope it is not a sign.

 
Matt-Pitt says:

I hope its not one of those nights where they get men on base every inning and do nothing with it. Bright side, Lee threw a lot of pitches, gotta make him work hard all game.

Brendan says:

Also, Toronto just took a 5-2 lead over the Red Sux.

 
 
Bob Stone says:

Blue Jays just went ahead of the BoSox 5-2

 
Dave says:

Fuck, that was a shot to really put a hurt on him. Lee doesn’t look sharp, hopefully that continues and we didn’t totally piss a crucial opportunity there.

Dave says:
 
 
John says:

well, we made him use 25 pitches

 
Zack says:

first inning fist pump by Shoppach

 

Beautiful pitching by Lee there. He avoided Alex, and went after Cano and Posada. I was waiting for that curve/change away to Posada.

Accent Shallow says:

I figured he’d throw a breaking ball in. Posada doesn’t seem to hit breaking stuff from LHP very well.

 
 
Bob Stone says:

Blue Jays 6-2 over the Sox

 
John says:

Lee to teh 8th!!!! He’s so inefficient!

 
Ivan says:

Wow Grady only hitting less than .230 and less than a .320 OBP%.

Zack says:

he has an elbow issue, say he could be DLed if it doesnt improve because Hafner is coming off DL soon

 
 
Jake says:

What’s the word on the Indians pen this year?

Ivan says:

Perez just came back from AAA, after having an ERA near 14.00.

 
zs190 says:

Horrendous so far, they are so desperate that they signed Luis Vizcaino.

 
John says:
 
 
Matt-Pitt says:

Nice inning, AP.

 
Ivan says:

Lol Joba giving Jay-Z an pound.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Gardner, what’s with you and not sucking? I like it.

John says:

He’s tired of all that sucking, now he just wants to hit it hard

 
 
John says:
 
Accent Shallow says:

Even better that Gardner is the 9th hitter, so we have Jeter up next, rather than, say, Kevin Cash.

Jay says:
 
 
Jake says:
 
e mills says:
 
Accent Shallow says:

Nicely done, Cap.

Doesn’t quite make up for the first inning, but there’s still plenty of time.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Wow, Gardner didn’t score?

 
Jake says:

okay lets capitalize this time

 
pc69 says:

Looks like lefties are seeing the ball better this inning.

 

These Yankees … they aren’t half bad.

 
Accent Shallow says:

An RBI groundout! Sterling and Waldman must be ecstatic!

 
Accent Shallow says:

And if that ball isn’t deflected foul, it’s 4-0 with Cano up.

Bob Stone says:

The ball wasn’t deflected. It hooked foul.

Accent Shallow says:

It was definitely hooking, but it looked like Peralta helped it along.

 
 
 
cjc says:

ugh me thinks that broke well around the plate regardless nasty curve

 
John says:

51 pitches thru 2 innings, not bad

cjc says:

hopefully this isn’t one of those beckett like games where we have 75 pitches thru 3 and than he goes 7 anyway

John says:

yea hopefully it’s not

 
 
 
Matt-Pitt says:

Come on, Andy. Team gives you a 2-0 lead, can’t walk the leadoff guy. Dp ball, do ittt.

 
John says:

We’ve had bases loaded 1 out in both innings, we must breakout soon, right?

 
Matt-Pitt says:

DP ball would be even better now.

Accent Shallow says:

And there it is.

 
Matt-Pitt says:
 
 
e mills says:

anyone got Petite’s velocity on gameday or something other than YES?

Accent Shallow says:

Fastball at 89-90 per Gameday.

e mills says:

yea c. 84 seems a little slow from the YES gun

 
 
 
pc69 says:

Ok, off topic. Who wins a UFC match between Ozzie Guillen and Joe Girardi?

Drew says:

joe g. He’ll get a barenaked choke on that mfer

pc69 says:

He does have that military mentality.

 
 
John says:

Girardi has got the fitness but Guillen has more anger, though Girardi also has the determination so I’ll go with him

 
Alex S says:

girardi looks like a military man

 
cjc says:

I think ozzie fights dirty I would expect Hawk Harrelson to jump in with teh double team

 
 
John says:

I love watching the Yanks turning DPs (defensively only)

 
Chuck Leone says:

Fing midges. I hate midges.

 
e mills says:

Joba’s got a little face salad going on…he’ll probably have to get rid of that before his start ;)

Chuck Leone says:

You have to have some if you are Jay Z’s boy. Itls like a law or something

 
 
Chuck Leone says:

Posada is on everything tonight, he is gonna tag one off Lee

 

Some highlights from the past week, includes the Zambrano ejection.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....id=4215536

 
John says:

Forgot to post this hilarious picture for the Rangers series:

http://cache.daylife.com/image.....i/610x.jpg

Accent Shallow says:

Why is Vader throwing out the first pitch?

John says:
Alex S says:

yanks are the evil empire…….like in star wars.

 
 
 
John says:

BTW, it’s Darth Vader pitching to the Rangers’ mascot.

 
 
Drew says:

W2G swish. every run counts.

 
pc69 says:

Posada advances… good sign.

 
Drew says:

Any1 catch Strasburg today?

John says:

read some earlier comments…some did

 
Bob Stone says:

Y es – He was not on top of his game – A little wild – Made and error in the field – VA is up on SDSU 2-0 in the 8th inning. It’s on ESPN Classic right now.

Drew says:

I don’t get classic.. Does it look like he can throw the fastball to the glove or does he just fire it in and let it go where it goes?

Bob Stone says:

I really wouldn’t want to judge based on today’s game – It’s the only time I’ve seen him. He was wild with several wild pitches. But it looks like his can throw to the glove when he’s on.

 
V says:

He’s a pitcher, and commands the zone. He ain’t your typical ‘throws 100 but can’t hit the broad side of a barn’ type.

V says:

And his breaking stuff (curve/slider) is NICE for a college guy.

 
 
Bob Stone says:

Outstanding breaking ball that the idiot announcers kept calling a slider

 
zs190 says:

It hardly mattered, the strike zone was huge. Though his command was pretty good, velocity wasn’t near what he’s rumored to be, averaged 94ish, mostly 93-96, touching 98. Nice curve, 77-81, had 1 around 84, was very good, 12-6 variety it seemed. Had a couple show-me changeups(initially he threw it around 90, later on it was more 85-86, I think), it looked ok but not great.

 
 
 
 
Melkman4MVP says:

Ha! The Red Sox has collected 11 hits today, with each player getting at least one hit except for.. wait for it.. David Ortiz!

Bob Stone says:

Ortiz really looks like he’s all washed up – done

 
 
Pete says:

Can we agree that from now on all of Pettitte’s starts’s game threads should be titled or subtitled ANDY PETTITTE IS A STARTING PITCHER!!!!!!!111ONE!!

 
kunaldo says:

allow me to humbly correct you:

ANDY PETTITTE IS A STAWTING PITCHAAA!!!

 
 
V says:

Clayton Richard asking the White Sox ‘Aren’t you glad you didn’t get to trade me?’

 
Drew says:

So if Boston loses and we win, i think we’re in first.

Bob Stone says:

YES – Let’s hope the scores hold up as they are

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Andy, wanna relax on sucking, please?

V says:

It’d be nice if he wouldn’t throw 4 balls to every guy he faces.

 
 
cjc says:

where the fuck has the strike zone gone damn

 
Matt-Pitt says:

wow… THROW STRIKES

 
Drew says:
 
Accent Shallow says:

That works. Thanks for doing your best to give me agita, Andy.

 

And Andy escapes.

 
cjc says:

he never makes it easy on the old ticker

 
V says:

And he gets out of it. We’d be screaming if we were Indians’ fans, hehe.

 
Melkman4MVP says:

Hey, I’m watching on Gameday. What the fuck is wrong with the umpire?

 
V says:

15 baserunners between the two teams through 3 innings, with only 3 runs scored.

The most you could have with 3 runs scored through three (and a fielder’s choice or caught stealing don’t count) is 21. Damn.

 
John says:

4 walks already and a 2.00 WHIP..yikes

 
V says:

Sabathia and Colon.

 
John says:

Jeter is batting .444 against Lee after those last two hits in 25 ABs

 
V says:

Crap. Just realized I started Lee tonight on one of my fantasy teams. My mistake. Lol.

 
Drew says:

Gameday for this game isnt workin for me, anyone else having problems?

 
Accent Shallow says:

Please don’t let Lee settle in with a 1-2-3, Mark. I want to get into the soft underbelly of the Indians’ pen.

 
Drew says:

Toronto trying to close it out

 
Accent Shallow says:

Tex really gets no respect — him heating up has to be from A-Rod being back. Nothing at all to do with him being a talented hitter, right?

Drew says:

Let’s be honest. We all know Teix is a great hitter, but having the best player in the game behind you HAS to help.

Accent Shallow says:

Sure, but not .500 points of OPS worth of help.

 
 
thurdonpaul says:

no, of course not, its all because of alex

 
 
Charlie says:

Ha, Sidney Ponson gave up 4 earned runs in 1/3 on an inning

EB says:

And got relieved by Farnsy

 
 
V says:

Ok, that was weird. PeteAbe had an update up about Pettitte’s bad inning (walked two and DeRosa (future Yankee?) bailed him out). He deleted it. Lol.

daneptizl says:

What’d it say?

 
 
V says:

Ah, Colon won as an Angel (Rivera should have) in 2005.

Greg G. says:

Or Santana. But definitely not Colon.

 
 
V says:

Red Sox go down 1-2-3 to lose 6-3.

Drew says:
 
 
Pasqua says:

Anybody else see what’s darting around in the air between the mound and home plate?

 
adeel says:

yankees in sole possesion of 1st place in the AL east as of now.

Drew says:

Nah positions dont change until the game goes final.

adeel says:

the redsox just lost, putting them at 28-21. The Yankees record (not including todays game is 27-20). Same way if Boston had lost a day game while the yankees were heading into a night game….

Greg G. says:

Split hairs much?

The Yanks lead by percentage points. They’re tied in terms of Games Ahead/Behind.

adeel says:

if a similair situation happened on the last game of the year (a rainout game that wasn’t made up or something like that)… what would happen?

John says:

well, we’d have to make it up somehow right? If we win, we’re in. If we lose and if we have a .500 record in games against them, we have a one game playoff, as in a 163rd game kinda like the Rox and Padres in 2007.

 
Greg G. says:

They would play the rained out game to make sure both teams played the same number of games.

 
 
 
 
 
jsbrendog says:

thats not possible. boston won last night, putting them a half game up, so even if they lose tonight we’re tied until we win or lose

 
kunaldo says:

you mean if the scores hold up right?

adeel says:

27-20 beats 28-21; .574>.571… I guess it would be called a half game lead.

John says:

well, technically that is first place but it’s still tied considering we still have a 0 game lead.

 
 
 
 
Charlie says:

petitte’s pitching pretty well, but i imagine his WHIp must be thru the roof. Either he’s just a beast at getting out of jams, or he’s getting kinda lucky.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Think they can knock Lee out this inning? He’s at 87 (!) pitches through 4.

 

Did Lorenz just say if the Yanks win, they’re be in first place outright for the first time since the final day of the 2006 season? That can’t possibly be right, can it?

adeel says:

Kay just went on about it being 1 year and some days since the Yankees were in first place… I think he said April 16th, 2008…. so I think that might be more accurate…

Then he went on to say that this is the longest “1st place” drought since 1992… which is absurd….

Anyway, Technically the Yankees are in first place NOW… .574 beats .571, regardless of what Lorenz or Kay says.

 
Accent Shallow says:

I think it is, sadly. I remember hearing that when they were tied for first.

 
kunaldo says:

makes sense no? we started off 07 realllll slow, caught fire at the end but just made the wild card…and well, 08 we didnt even make the playoffs…and of course, we always start out bad…

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

That was a lousy call.

 
jsbrendog says:

why does teixeira do that? thats at least the 5th time ive seen him cut to first on a ball he couldve gotten

Mattingly's Love Child says:

In April you can dismiss it to getting used to his 2nd baseman. By now he should know Robbie’s range and where he plays, but maybe Robbie isn’t consistent with where he sets up?

jsbrendog says:

thats what im saying…maybe hes worried about the pitchers covering first or maybe hes focused so hard on his hitting hes brain farting. not the biggest deal but eventually could be in the wrong situation

 
 
 

The Yanks are making every play behind Andy. He owes the entire infield a steak dinner after this one.

jsbrendog says:

i thought that was a great play by arod to not field that bunt, changed the whole inning cause theres no way he gets cabrera at first

 
Greg G. says:

Well, all the infielders except A-Rod. He’s a real asshole.

 
 
Greg G. says:

Lotsa pop-ups this game for Pettitte.

 
Brendan says:

Now that Tor/Bos is over, what should I watch on mlb.tv?

jsbrendog says:

the wieters party, baltimore?

jsbrendog says:
 
 
 
Drew says:

WHYTF do we sac Gardy, he’s actually been hitting?

jsbrendog says:

whytf? enlighten me

Drew says:

Why the fuck…. lol

jsbrendog says:

ahhhh fooled me with the full work ha

 
 
 
V says:

Wasn’t a straight sac. Was an attempt at a bunt single.

That’s on Gardner, not the bench.

Drew says:

K, I shouldn’t have listened to Kay say it was a Sac… I hate him.

V says:

Kay = t3h stOOpid.

 
 
 

I thought he was trying to bunt for a hit.

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Hopefully Johnny can do something here. You know the Indians are dying to have Lee get through this inning.

 
John says:

Got to gice props to Lee though for gritting it out to pitch this deep into the game even after having thrown 75 pitches after the groundout by Jeter to start the 3rd.

John says:
 
 
V says:

Don’t. Walk. This. Guy. Please.

 
jsbrendog says:

:michael kay:

theres been one hr review that took 6 minutes thats too long. most of them have been minute minute 30 and thats where they loike to keep them, 2 2 and a half mions. i think you should takt the time to make the right call.

soooo which one is it bud? 6 mins too long or make the right call?? come on dude

 
V says:

Four. Pitches.

Wow.

 
Drew says:

C’mon AP, I got friends in the stands, don’t embarrass me.

 
Matt-Pitt says:

Come on, Andy. Don’t let it get away from you now.

 
V says:

Wow, he looks awful. Pull him.

 
jsbrendog says:

walkoff single by omir santos..driving in garry sheffield…wtf. ex yankee party

V says:

And Sheffield stole 2nd (and went to 3rd on the throwing error)!

 
 
Matt-Pitt says:

You gotta throw strikes, Andy… Come on.

 
Drew says:

Aysh.. I know we may need one, but I hate that Alf is our long man..

 
e mills says:
 
Matt-Pitt says:

Well… Thats not good. Lets hope its nothing serious.

Aceves needs do some serious work right here.

 
V says:

Man, I hope Andy’s not hurt hurt.

 
Drew says:

C’mon Ace. Go get this shit

 
zs190 says:

I see Andy got replaced, what’s the injury? does it look serious?

V says:

No idea – not super serious, as he’s sitting in the dugout, but probably a minor back or shoulder injury.

 
Drew says:

hard to say what it is.

 
 
V says:

There’s a guy on the right of home plate totally asleep, lol.

 
John says:

Hip problem?…he did go to the trainer’s room earlier

bizarrojamie says:

When posada went out to talk to him, he tugged on pettitte’s pants and patted his hip while they were talking. So maybe?

 
 
Matt-Pitt says:
 
Accent Shallow says:

It’s pretty easy to issue a walk when it’s already 2-0 on the hitter.

 
JobaWockeeZ says:

Aceves got the Can’t-throw-strikes virus! It’s spreading! JOBA TO TEH PEN!

Drew says:

BUT TEH MIDGES!!!11!

 
V says:

ANDY PETTITTE IS A STARTING PITCHER!!

JobaWockeeZ says:

He only went 6 innigns and Joba can do that but wait a second PETTITTE IS A STARTING PITCHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

V says:
JobaWockeeZ says:

Oh well Joba can do that too but he’s a reliever. Even if they pitch the same amount of innings….wait a second ANDY PETTITTE IS A STARTING PITCHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
 
 
 
 
 

Aceves makes me nervous.

Nah, I like Al. He is fearless out there, and seems to have an idea. Reminds me of El Duque, not a guy with outstanding stuff, but smart and gutsy.

 
 
Drew says:

Shoppach could have been tossed/

 
V says:

LOVE the umpire’s reaction to Shoppach’s yelling.

 
Don says:

Shoppach looks and acts like a former Sawks player.

 
Matt-Pitt says:

Choo scares me.. Come on Gangsterr

 
Accent Shallow says:

Choo wants to be the hero.

 
V says:

Come on Aceves. I’ll take just 1 run in this jam if you can bear down.

 
Accent Shallow says:

There goes the shutout, but outs is outs. One more plz.

 
Matt-Pitt says:

Def take that. One more big out, Aceves.

 
Drew says:

I’ll take it. C’mon Ace uno maas

El Paton tiene grandes bolas

 
 
Kilgore Trout says:

Excellent job Aceves.

 
V says:

Teixeira saved the errorless streak.

Matt-Pitt says:

Saved more than that.

 
 
e mills says:

shew lol…let’s go Mexican Gangster

 
Matt-Pitt says:

Thank you, Tex. What a game changing play.

 
John says:

phew…let’s go 3-4-5 offense! let’s get 2 more runs