Game 56: Getting Back On Track

June 7, 2009 by Mike Axisa

The best and worst thing about baseball is that they play every day. It’s great because you have a chance to make up for a loss or extend a winning streak right away. It sucks because it wears you down. But after a deflating loss like yesterday’s, you’re thankful for the chance to get right back at it.

The Yanks are sending Joba Chamberlain to the mound and hope he builds on his dominant outing in Cleveland last time out. There’s also a good chance he’ll be relieved by Phil Hughes, who was warming up in the bullpen to pitch a potential 10th inning yesterday and hasn’t pitched in six days. With any luck, the Yanks will put up a boatload of runs, Joba will go six strong and Hughes finishes up the final three frames.

Scoring runs might not be easy though, because Matt Garza has quietly been one of the best pitchers in the league over the last month and a half. He’s put up a 2.98 ERA, 1.03 WHIP & .596 OPS against over his last seven starts. Thankfully, the Yanks will be trotting the A-lineup out there:

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

And on the mound, Jobber Chamberlain.

Matt-Pitt

I smell a win.
- putt
  
  Personally, I smell bacon (it’s breakfast time out in CA). But I could go for a win too…
- Jose
  
  My apartment smells of rich mahogany.
Accent Shallow

Would like Joba and the A-lineup to wipe the taste of yesterday’s disaster from my mouth . . .
Pasqua

If we lose, I’m blaming Palin. For once, there is someone in the park that people can hate more than A-Rod.
- Zack
  
  thats the truth, dontcha know
  - Pasqua
    
    You betcha.
    - Zack
      
      wink*
- Luthien
  
  Yes, lets make an entirely unnecessary statement regarding a political figure in a baseball thread. Like her or not, no need to take a swipe at her in a game thread.
  - UWS
    
    Lighten up, Francis.
    - Luthien
      
      My apologies if I have tired of seeing people wring her through the grinder and mocking her. Little overdone by now isn’t it?
      - Zack
        
        better then yankees fans booing arod
      - Pasqua
        
        Jesus, take it easy. It’s a joke, albeit an easy target. It’s not like it’s out of nowhere. She’s at the damn game. Glad the p.c. police is monitoring the thread.
      - LiveFromNewYork
        
        I’ll never tire of it.
dkidd

let’s win by many many runs today
Jobamania

I hate seeing fullcounts that joba loves getting into
- Zack
  
  the nick swisher of pitching
Jay

What’s Joba doing starting? Figured after yesterday he’d be in the 8th inning only… Oh, well, I guess I’ll watch anyway.
Jobamania

Gameday is showing his velocity at 90-91

stadium gun is showing 92

Low nonetheless
- handtius
  
  Doesn’t matter.
  - Jay
    
    =1
  - Zack
    
    you cant win games without a 95mph fastball
    - Jay
      
      Didn’t think of that.
    - Jobamania
      
      lol. I never said that.
      
      Just saying its lower than his last start
      - Zack
        
        i know, just having fun
dkidd

how does tex have a negative UZR?
- Zack
  
  sample size
- Accent Shallow
  
  I’m going with “because defensive statistics take a lot longer to stabilize than offensive statistics.”
- Jobamania
  
  BUT HE HAS ZERO ERRORS RAWR
  
  lol
Jobamania

yay 1-2-3 first inning
- Zack
  
  15 pitches
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

I see Kay’s new annoying phrase is “hair on the fastball.”
Jobamania

porcello had a rough 1st inning =(
- Zack
  
  GIVE ME HIS LAST 5 STARTS
Accent Shallow

Good for Damon, making him work.

It’d be really nice if Delmon Young can get his shit together and make the Rays regret that trade.
- Zack
  
  look at jeff franceour, thats the path delmon young is going down. which is surprising because twins are always about teacing fundamentals, and you’d think being in a clubhouse with mauer and morneau something would rub off.
- Andy In Sunny Daytona
  
  Unless he becomes the next Albert Pujols, I don’t think the Rays will ever regret that trade.
Jobamania

Rangers need to spank Dice-BB today
- John
  
  They better
- zs190
  
  I was thinking that way, then realized they have Vicente Padilla going today, ugh.
  - Zack
    
    he might throw at ortiz after that bomb he hit last night
    - Jobamania
      
      hopefully on his wrist
    - John
      
      “bomb”
      - Zack
        
        “lazy fly ball”
        
        John
        
        exactly
        
        Zack
        
        that place went crazy too, then again they go crazy if ortiz hits the warming track
        
        Jobamania
        
        i think they called for a curtain call
Jobamania

lol joba
Jobamania

meet ben zobrist

utility player into all-star
Andy In Sunny Daytona

Comparing Ben Zobrist to Albert Pujols on Rays telecast. I SHIT YOU NOT!
- Zack
  
  shoot me now
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  What? How?
  - Andy In Sunny Daytona
    
    Talking about his approach and slugging percentage….I didn’t listen to it all. Kevin Kennedy is the absolute worst.
    - Andy In Sunny Daytona
      
      Don’t get me wrong, I think Zobrist is a really good player and an excellent utility guy, but Albert Pujols? Come on!
- Jay
  
  Good ole’ Home cooking right there….
  
  I like it..
  
  Didn’t Kay call Jeet’s God?
  - Zack
    
    but Zobrist isnt Jeter
    - Jay
      
      He might be Albert Pujols…so watch it there..
Accent Shallow

Zobrist, you have to realize that your name is too goofy to allow you to ever be a star. Sit down.
dkidd

tex is worth the $$$
Jobamania

we need fatvarro to make some more errors today so garza gets pissed and kicks his ass
Accent Shallow

Garza is practically a fictional character; looks ridiculous, big fastball.

I guess by that standard, so is Randy Johnson.
- Andy In Sunny Daytona
  
  With all the spitting he does, I don’t know how he doesn’t get dehydrated during games.
  - Jobamania
    
    he listens to some eminem and weezy before the game.
    TURNS HIS SWAG ON
Jobamania

oh shit, texas/redsox game on TBS today
Accent Shallow

Live by the scrappiness, die by the scrappiness.
Accent Shallow

What are you swinging at, Robbie?
John

damn that was ball 3 Robbie
- John
  
  and again he swings at a ball
dkidd

i love david cone
- Zack
  
  did he jerk it?
  - dkidd
    
    drop the head, find the hole
Accent Shallow

I can’t decide if that was a good or bad at-bat by Robbie. He saw seven pitches, which is good, but it looked like two of the pitches he fouled off were balls.
Jobamania

Michael Young homered!
w00t
John

well, nice job working 7 pitches out of Garza
John

Where did the bandbox go?!!!!
Jobamania

why are the yankees kidding themselves thinking matsui will patrol the outfield again
- Zack
  
  because interleague play is coming up so do they really want him to not play regularly from june 15-29th?
  - Zack
    
    19th-29th*
http://www.myspace.com/bayside Thirty5Thirty6

Take until you get a strike.
John

0-2 with RISP so far
- Zack
  
  good job not over analyzing
Andy In Sunny Daytona

Where has “The man with 33 fingers” been lately?
- ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
  
  Here:
  
  http://www.supertangas.com/
  - Andy In Sunny Daytona
    
    It’s just not the same….
    - ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
      
      I know. I’m so sorry.
Jobamania

teix has more range than jeter
:lol:
UWS

Teix says, “Negative UZR this, bitch!”
- Andy In Sunny Daytona
  
  I wonder, do shifts affect UZR ratings? If Jeter is shifting up the middle and a ball is hit to his left and he makes the play, does he get credit for that?
Drew

I REALLLY hate umpires.
- http://theyankeeuniverse.com Moshe Mandel
  
  +1. That 0-1 pitch to Upton was perfect.
  - Zack
    
    the 2-1 pitch was right there as well
  - John
    
    Gameday agrees
Jobamania

FUUUUUUUUUUU
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Nice play to get Crawford. Gotta be perfect on a play like that to get that guy.
Jobamania

hanson struck out the side in the 2nd
- Zack
  
  my fantasy team says thank you
John

Damn
Drew

Way to go Al. He’s looking healthier every week.
Jobamania

2 on no outs for chris davis
- Drew
  
  1 out now, come on teagarden.
- Zack
  
  and he fails
- Jobamania
  
  teagarden putting up a fight
  - Jobamania
    
    nvm, he struck out lol
  - John
    
    but fails too
- Drew
  
  Alright Vizquel!
Zack

i love when young pitcher are able to minimize damage when they have RISP
- Jobamania
  
  see: matt cain
  - whozat
    
    Problem there is that his peripherals have been getting worse year over year, and so he’s living and dying with that strand rate at this point. Odds are he regresses to the mean, and that’s going to hurt him unless he gets his K:BB ratio under control.
    - Jobamania
      
      i agree, his strand rate is super high and his whip is really bad.
      
      he’s overachieving but continues to do so
Drew

When Joba can start dropping that change away to lefties consistently, it’s going to be sick.
John

Let’s go offense, we need to score some runs now
Ivan

Congrates to Roger Federer on tying Sampras record today with 14 GS. That dude is awesome.
- whozat
  
  I hate that he’s over a year younger than me.
  
  You look at that guy, and it’s like…what am I doing with my life?
  - Ivan
    
    He’s one of those guys he seems alot older than he is but when u look up he’s born in 1981.
Jobamania

omar vizquel hits an rbi single!

w00t
Jobamania

SWISHER BOMB!!!!!!!!!!!1

hell yeah
Drew

Swisher = Streaky
Ivan

SWISH!!!!!
John

Damn I was gonna call that Homer but Swish beat me
Jay

Where did this guy come from…..

Homeruns without finishing the swing..

I dig it.
Alex S

garza reeeeeeeeeaaaaly needs to shave
Jay

KAY = TERRIBLE
http://theyankeeuniverse.com Moshe Mandel

I hate Michael Kay.
- LiveFromNewYork
  
  Me too.
Drew

Hi my name is Michael “Every hard hit ball gets the homerun call” Kay
- Jobamania
  
  it was pretty close
  - Drew
    
    This isn’t a one time thing bro. notice “EVERY”
    - whozat
      
      Yeah, but complaining NOW makes it clear that this call bugged you too, and you’re overreacting.
      - Drew
        
        Okay, so should I only complain when it’s really bad? Consistency is my motto. The guy had about 3 or 4 false calls yesterday.
        
        Jose
        
        Yeah, you can’t complain about that one. It was so close. Of all the mistake calls he has ever made, that one was hardly very egregious.
        
        Drew
        
        I don’t disagree, but his name is still Michael “Every hard hit ball gets the homerun call” Kay. I mean, how many times do we hear, “Driven deeeeeep to right/left/center field, caught?”
        
        John
        
        the jeter call hurt the most yesterday…would’ve tied it but thankfully we still did
  - whozat
    
    Yeah, seriously. It was what…three seats over from the foul pole after slicing to the right late?
    - http://theyankeeuniverse.com Moshe Mandel
      
      Yeah, but he never even mentioned in his call that it was near the foul pole. I did not pick the ball up right away, and his call basically led me to believe that fair or foul was not an issue.
      - Jobamania
        
        well its your fault you didn’t see the ball
        
        http://theyankeeuniverse.com Moshe Mandel
        
        Are you serious?What exactly is the point of a play by play man on a televised game, if not to tell you from a better perspective what is happening. Don’t be silly.
        
        Jobamania
        
        dude, the ball missed the foul pole by like 3 seats. what is he supposed to do, read what path the ball is going to take?
        
        http://theyankeeuniverse.com Moshe Mandel
        
        Tell me that the ball is near the line. Give some inkling that the foul line is an issue.
        
        Drew
        
        Have you ever listened to Michael Kay? This was certainly far from his worst offense. One close call isn’t the root of our complaints.
        
        Drew
        
        I would love for him to add to his repertoire, “if it stays fair” or “if it has the height” or “if it has the distance,” his problem is he jumps right into the HR call.
        
        Drew
        
        I’ve never seen so many people defend Michael Kay. Wacky and wild stuff.
        
        LiveFromNewYork
        
        Yes defense of him is indefensible. He’s so bad. Let’s make him an 8th inning guy and be done with it.
Jobamania

lets go teix, bring damonator home
Jobamania

wow, arod flashing some leather finally.
:D love his progress
claybeez

Brilliant play by A-Rod
Charlie

Joba is fucking nasty.. it’s not even fair for the hitters. Can someone say ace?
John

So what’s Joba’s repertoire: 4-seam, curve, slider, changeup

doesn’t he also have a 2-seamer?
- Drew
  
  yeah but he hasn’t throw the 2 seamer as of late. The change he only drops like 2 times a game, if that.
- Jake K.
  
  And a little seen, but devastating 9-seamer.
Charlie

wow tommy hanson no no thru 3 and 1/3.
- Charlie
  
  should i add him in fantasy? Or too much growing pains?
  - Jobamania
    
    uh, YES. i’m surprised hes still available.
- John
  
  is it his 1st or 2nd start?
  - Jobamania
    
    first, major league debut
    - John
      
      wow
  - Charlie
    
    1st
http://161stStreet.wordpress.com Chris A

I’m just wondering, has David Cone ever said he thinks Joba should be in the pen?
- http://theyankeeuniverse.com Moshe Mandel
  
  Nope, pretty sure he wants him in the rotation.
  - http://161stStreet.wordpress.com Chris A
    
    That’s good.
Drew

I know it’s only the 4th, but c’mon I want to get Joba a nice lead!
- LiveFromNewYork
  
  Maybe they’ll throw at Teix and rile us up.
Accent Shallow

I can’t complain too much about Robbie there.
BigBlueAL

Man Dice-K sucks, and of course the Yankees dont get to face him next week.
- Drew
  
  Ha sick, 4-0 thru 2.5
- Ivan
  
  Lady luck dumped him.
- Jose
  
  What is the deal with B.J. Upton? He has gone down offensively since that ’07 season.
  
  His SLG has dropped 180 points since then. It isn’t a very small sample either. He does have 200 AB this year.
  - Jose
    
    whoops wrong place sorry
Jobamania

hanson gave up a homer to braun

only 1 ER though because of yunel’s error
Drew

lol Swish is anything but smooth at times.
Jobamania

the swisher hops in right field are never comfortable lol
dkidd

lalooshian
John

Joba getting it up to 94
Ivan

Joba thought it was youkilis.
Drew

Holy shit. this is like the 5th game in a row with an error. Talk about a stat correction.
BigBlueAL

The Yankees are starting a new streak on defense….
dkidd

come on joba. pick up jorge
Drew

Not too much damage, only a few extra pitches. Way to go Jober.
dkidd

we’re so winning this game
Ivan

Nice job Joba to pick up ya catcher.
Drew

Shit, bases loaded for Sox.
- BigBlueAL
  
  They are on the verge of tieing the game now.
dkidd

ian kinsler fail
Jobamania

stupid kinsler
Drew

Okay, Omar Vizquel is a moron. Had Elsbury beat at second and didn’t even try to tag because he thought he was staying at first.
- Zack
  
  byrd threw a damon-like throw into second base too
  
  and kinsler had the ball off his toe.
  
  thats like 3 errors in one play
Ivan

Swisher maybe streaky but he’s a better player than Nady no?
- John
  
  yes, better OBP
- Drew
  
  Probably, but when Swish is on a cold streak, giving him a day or a two off would be ideal. Who knows, maybe Nady will get hot. As we see this year, a little competition between starters and bench guys is great.
Drew

omg don’t bunt please.
Zack

ha youk got caught diving in to get HBP
Jobamania

what was that jeter
Drew

Why bunt, send the runners, it’s derek jeter.
- whozat
  
  Seriously. Horrendous call by Girardi. It’s DEREK JETER. I know he GIDPs a lot, but this guy can’t throw strikes right now…you’re going to hand him two?
  - Zack
    
    you dont know thats girardi, jeter bunts by himself all the time
    - whozat
      
      Then you give him the swing-away sign. Don’t LET him bunt on his own after he makes that first abortive attempt.
      - Zack
        
        just how Girardi TOLD mariano to walk longoria
  - V
    
    Jeter does that shit on his own. And that’s why Jeter would make a horrible manager.
    - Zack
      
      small ball makes him a horrible manager, then why do we love mike scioscia whenever angels are in town?
http://eemack.blogspot.com Jackson

Have to make him pay for these walks
- http://eemack.blogspot.com Jackson
  
  Not by sac bunting
John

Well Texas got out of it, they better win
- Zack
  
  impressed by padilla, had bases loaded twice in one inning, only gave up 2 runs and he should have been out of it with double play
Accent Shallow

Jeter should not be sacrificing in the middle of the game.
- Drew
  
  Made no sense. The guy just walked two batters to lead off an inning, why give him outs, or strikes in that case.
  - Pasqua
    
    Very tough spot there. I’m no fan of giving up outs, but you also have to consider Jeter’s propensity for hitting into double plays. But…I still think you let him hit.
dkidd

way to hustle melky
UWS

Every time Jeter tries to bunt, God kills a puppy. Please, won’t someone think of the puppies?
- Jose
  
  We need a puppy counter on this website.
John

should’ve let him hit…cmon Tex get at least a sac fly
- John
  
  whoops, go damon
http://theyankeeuniverse.com Moshe Mandel

The theory of bunting there makes sense- pitchers duel, put two guys in scoring position. However, with Garza’s pitch count up and the weak Tampa bullen, I’m not sure it makes sense to limit the inning.
- Zack
  
  you cant count on the bullpen, those guys are going to have good days sometimes. 1-1 ball game and only had 2 hits all day, sac bunt moves the guys up so now a single gets 2 runs in or atleast get a sac fly
  - whozat
    
    They’re worse pitchers than Garza, AND Garza is having trouble throwing strikes. Derek Jeter is a 300+ hitter with an OBP near 400. Sac bunting with him is a terrible idea. Hit and run would be reasonable, if you’re so worried about his ability to avoid the DP.
    
    See?
    
    Handing them outs leaves you open to THIS. Fluke with Damon, and now you need a 2-out hit.
    
    Wrong call, Girardi.
    - Zack
      
      Still the right call.
      
      Damon and Tex didnt get the job done
      - whozat
        
        Well, the data disagrees with you, though you’ll probably pooh-pooh that because you don’t understand it, so let’s talk game situation.
        
        Guy on the mound JUST WALKED two straight batters. Your leadoff man, a hall-of-fame offensive shortstop is coming to the plate. You immediately think…bunt?
        
        What?
        
        The guy isn’t throwing strikes, one of the better contact-hitters in baseball over the last ten-plus years at the plate.
        
        Sac-bunt?? Nope. Bad call.
        
        Zack
        
        I’m not saying you bunt the first pitch, you obviously take but that’s on Jeter to not bunt at a pitch at his eyes.
        
        Guy on first and second, 0 outs and your team have 2 hits all game, the guy at bat isnt your cleanup guy, he’s been laying down bunts for a decade. a sac bunt makes a single score two runs and a sac fly score one.
        
        jeter ended up grounding out. let me ask you this, if jeter went up there and swung and grounded out how many here would blame girardi for not using small ball?
        
        Drew
        
        Not many people would complain that we didn’t bunt. We would be mad that Jeter didn’t get it done, not Joe for not playing small ball which you seem to love.
        
        whozat
        
        Not me. I would’ve been pissed at Jeter for not taking a pitch.
        
        You seem to be projecting your own beliefs onto the rest of us. _You_ might have been pissed at Girardi for not using small-ball. I maybe would have thought that he should have put the hit-and-run on, but I mostly would have been pissed at Jeter for not making Garza come to him.
        
        Zack
        
        what did people bitch about all offseason and the last 3 years? we have no speed, station-to-station, all home run hitters, etc.
        
        0 outs, guy on first and second, tie game and your team has 2 hits and probably your best bunter at bat. if thats not the time to bunt then theres no correct time to bunt
        
        Drew
        
        You enjoy saying “everyone” a lot.
        
        Zack
        
        how many times was it said?
        
        Drew
        
        Dunno, you can count if you like. See, when you say “everyone” you include me. I’d rather not have my opinion lumped into a mass crowd. You may be more effective saying most people, or a lot of people.
        
        Zack
        
        i wish you would actually READ my comments because i said the word ‘everyone’ a grand total of ZERO times
        
        Drew
        
        *Garza was also approaching 100 pitches.
BigBlueAL

Great ab by Damon.
dkidd

come on tex
Drew

Ugh, not to beat a dead horse, but if we get out of this inning with nothing I’m gonna be pissed at Joey G.
- Zack
  
  what are you plans if we score?
  - Drew
    
    My “plan?” Uh, I would’ve been happy because my complaint would be moot.
    - Zack
      
      you said you were going to be pissed at Girardi so if it worked i hope you would have praised Girardi for playing good small ball- since whenever we play the Angels we’re in love with that and say we should be more like that
      - whozat
        
        I don’t. Maybe you do.
        
        I have no problem with the hit-and-run in the right situations, I have no problem with having speedy players that can swipe bags with > 75% success.
        
        That does not require me to like the sac-bunt.
      - Drew
        
        Lol no I wouldn’t have praised him because it didn’t work. Jeter didn’t get what Joe wanted done. Like I said, if we scored my complaint would’ve been moot.
        If you want to play like the Angels that’s on you. I don’t know who “everyone” is but speak for yourself.
        
        Zack
        
        yeah okay, keeps your eyes here next time we play the angels
        
        Drew
        
        I watch us every time we play the Angels. Different rosters allow for different strategies. But just for you, I won’t watch those series with my eyes closed. lol give me a break.
        
        Zack
        
        “Different rosters allow for different strategies. ”
        
        jeter’s probably the best bunter on the team, its not posada was at bat.
        
        Drew
        
        Dude, I DISAGREE WITH BUNTING THERE. You don’t have to agree with my opinion. You’re telling me to watch the angels because they play small ball. They do not have the NY Yankees roster. Different rosters allow for different strategies. Are you watching this series? Tampa sends almost every runner. We can’t send almost every runner.
        
        Zack
        
        That’s not what i said-
        
        I said keep your eyes here, as in RAB comment section next time we play angels
- LiveFromNewYork
  
  It’s better to be playing with strategy in June than in August.
  - whozat
    
    But it’s not a strategy worth trying at this point in the game, if there’s ever a point in the game that it would’ve been a good idea.
    - LiveFromNewYork
      
      He apparently disagrees. Joe’s a wonk and he’s going to try different things at different times.
- Jose
  
  I’m pissed at Arod.
  - whozat
    
    What, did he distract Tex from the on-deck circle?
    - Jose
      
      He was tipping that Jeter was going to bunt against Garza from the bench.
      - LiveFromNewYork
        
        They could have seen that from another galaxy.
        
        Jose
        
        You’d think so but no. People forget who was really responsible for the Pine Tar incident.
  - LiveFromNewYork
    
    I’m pissed at Anthill Berroa. Because, well why not?
John

let’s go Big tex
Ivan

Lets go Joba.
Chip

Well I think they’ve figured out that Ben Zobrist loves the fastball. Just throwing him junk all game
Drew

Love me some Melky.
dkidd

leche!!!
Ivan

The Melky Man!!!!!
Andy In Sunny Daytona

Gardner over runs that ball. lol
pc69

Regardless of the outcome, I am ready to see more Joba and Hughes and less Pettitte.

Wang I like but it would be great if the Yankees could get something in a trade for Wang.
- Zack
  
  if you were a gm of another team would you trade for wang? and what would you give up?
  - whozat
    
    Now? Nothing.
    
    If he returns to form by the end of the year and the trade happens this offseason…I’d expect the return to approximate what CC brought back. Matt LaPorta-ish hitter. Or maybe someone at a tougher position but further away from the bigs. One blue-chip central piece, though.
- whozat
  
  Seriously. I’m kinda pissed at them for not telling Pettitte to sit his balky back on the bench for a start and letting a healthy pitcher throw that game the other day.
- Drew
  
  Me too on the first part, unfortunately I doubt AP will be tossed aside for Philly.
  As for Wanger, he’s one of my faves and trading him at his lowest value wouldn’t net us much.
dkidd

tommy hanson being welcomed to the bigs
http://theyankeeuniverse.com Moshe Mandel

That was a strike.
John

cmon Jobber
cjc

ugh
cjc

fuck
Dave

So, when do we start playing the AL central and west again?
- cjc
  
  this could end up being a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng week and lucky me I am going on vacation in red sox country tues yippee
- pc69
  
  Or at least Toronto and Baltimore. Can’t beat teh serious teams.
Chip

Well, looks like the offense might have to wake up a bit in this game
pc69

Tampa has the Yankees number. Just can’t seem to beat this team.
- Drew
  
  Nah, we can.
http://www.retire21.org Mike R. – Retire 21

How did they score!?!? They didn’t even bunt!!!!!
- cjc
  
  lol
sweet

not a fan of that shift right there
Baseballnation

That 2-run hit hurts, especially since Chamberlain is laboring to locate his fastball and is around 100 pitches. Umm why not get Hughes up instead of Acie?
- Chip
  
  Agreed, this has Hughes written all over it
dkidd

yankees have 12 more outs and have shown all year they can come back. why are people giving up?
- LiveFromNewYork
  
  don’t know. it’s annoying.
  - Jose
    
    They have to face Joe Nelson and the rest of the unhittable Rays pen. It’s ovah. Just think that they have Dan Wheeler and Randy Choate ready to close the game!!!
  - pc69
    
    I don’t think it is giving up, it is the lack of offense in prime situations rearing its ugly head again. Cost them yesterday and last inning.
  - Drew
    
    Maybe I’m wrong but I only read like one post that kind of threw in the towel. Today is much much better than the usual oaktag on RAB.
- Zack
  
  because yankee fans live on a pitch-to-pitch basis.
  
  arod took a strike!?!?! WTF HIT A HR!
  joba threw a ball!??! WTF YOU SUCK
  
  and so on
Charlie

joba fucked up there, but if girardi didn’t screw us over with fuckin sac bunts and/or tex came through, we coulda been tied.
- Ivan
  
  U do know that Jeter did that shit on his own. Wh the hell would Girardi ask Jeter one his best hitters to bunt?
  - LiveFromNewYork
    
    I’m reading this as sarcasm. Correct me if I’m wrong.
  - Drew
    
    Bro, I don’t know for sure but it wouldn’t be the first move Joe made that made us scratch our head. We’ll find out in the post game probably.
  - Charlie
    
    dude, it was girardi. why? cause he overmanages too much.
- Drew
  
  But teh small ball!!11!
dkidd

another shutout for halliday

that guy is amazing
- Jose
  
  Jays without him are an under .500 team.
- 65hughes
  
  he is a beast!
BigBlueAL

WTF Garza is out????? Thank You Maddon!!!!
- cjc
  
  sweet battle of thhe bullpens yanks win 12-10
  - BigBlueAL
    
    LMAO
BigBlueAL

Fucking 2-0 count and Arod does that. Which followed Tex’s beautiful ab after being up 3-0. Man sometimes these guys really are frustrating to watch!!!!
- cjc
  
  well that was an awesome inning I take it back 8-7 yanks win
- http://theyankeeuniverse.com Moshe Mandel
  
  He swung at a 2-0 pitch up in the zone and missed it. That was a very good pitch to hit, there is no reason for him to lay off of that.
Chip

Is it just me or does Joe Nelson seem like the Ray’s version of Edwar Ramirez? Incredibly below-average fastball and a great change-up
- cjc
  
  don’t forget the high era so yeah good comp
- Charlie
  
  edwar is much worse
  - Chip
    
    How so? Edwar was pretty good last season
    - Drew
      
      Short memories…
Ivan

Wow no Hughes?
- Jose
  
  He is only on 7 days rest. He needs more dust to collect before he is brought into a game.
Chip

Why no Hughes?
Drew

Looks like it’s going to be another ND for Jober… So frustrating, I know the Win stat is over-rated but I’d love for him to get some more.
- Charlie
  
  sorry phil, joe wants you to turn into a corpse
  - Charlie
    
    *not a reply
BigBlueAL

These Tampa bench players are fuckin killing us.
Baseballnation

Dude I just found out that Brad Pitt will play Billy Beane in the movie money ball…WTF. Achillies will play BILLY BEANE?
- BigBlueAL
  
  I loved him as Achilles. Loved that movie period, although Orlando Bloom’s character really was a pussy.
  - TheLastClown
    
    Ever read the Iliad? Many times more entertaining than the film IMO.
    - BigBlueAL
      
      Oh Im sure it is. Most books are more entertaining than the movies made of them.
      - TheLastClown
        
        Check it out sometime. Most epic, grueling, poetic war story of all time. Again IMO.
    - Baseballnation
      
      They are actually doing the Odyssey so I am looking forward to see how that comes out…And word, Brad Pit OWNED as Achillies, not to Mention Eric Bana was kick ass as Hector (and RULED in Munich!)
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

This is ridiculous. If Girardi’s not going to use Hughes, send him back to Scranton.
- Chip
  
  Agreed, it’s one thing to do it with Wang when you’re up against a wall but Hughes has no business being wasted like this
- Zack
  
  you have 3 innings to complete today and a question mark tomorrow
  
  if Pettite back is still bothering him and has another 6BB in him and only last 4innings do you want to use aceves, robertson and someone else to clean it up or just use hughes and have everyone fresh for boston?
  - Drew
    
    Pettitte* I think tomorrow Phil will be on 8 days rest.
    - Drew
      
      Nah he pitched the 31st so it would be 7 full days of rest.
    - Zack
      
      never spell his name right.
      yeah he should have had some work before, but is there a difference in 7 days of rest and 8 days of rest?
      - Drew
        
        not too much of a difference but I didn’t want to give false info.. Inning over, let’s see who Joe goes to. I’d like to have Alf available tomorrow for an inning or two.
- Ivan
  
  Totally agreed.
cjc

this stirke zone is a joke

oh good phil coke is warming I was feeling this game was too low scoring
- Chip
  
  Again, where the hell is Hughes? Hughes>>>>>>>>Coke
  - cjc
    
    my grandmother>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>coke
BigBlueAL

Nice view of Phil Hughes wasting away in the bullpen. Even Cone is saying he should be in now. If not now then when.
- cjc
  
  only thing I can possibly think of is he is saving him for if andy blows again tomorrow
  - Chip
    
    Yeah, but you could save Aceves for that situation as well. At least if you put Hughes in here, you’re guaranteed to get him three innings unless he’s horrible
    - cjc
      
      no argument here
dkidd

david cone adds a ton of value to this booth
V

So.. um.. is there any reason Hughes isn’t being used here? Just, uh, planning on him sit out there in the bullpen for a few weeks?
- BigBlueAL
  
  Saving him for Wed to come in after Wang is lit up in Fenway.
  - Ivan
    
    U have Aceves for that. If ur waiting that long, Hughes would be really rusty by then. I thought today was the perfect time to try him out.
    - Zack
      
      use Aceves today. use Hughes tomorrow, might need 4+ innings. use aceves wednesday
- Baseballnation
  
  Why use Hughes when Girardi has Proctor…I mean Aceves at his disposal.
  - cjc
    
    nah I think coke is way more girardi’s proctor than al
YankeeScribe

This game is winnable but being down 2 runs feels like being down 6 runs the way we’re hitting…
TheLastClown

Hip Hip :)
cjc

here we go this is the inning

as a side note randy choate wtf????????????/
Baseballnation

I wonder if Melky has any of that late inning magic Leche(Awkward I know.)
- Charlie
  
  of course he does
Charlie

aceves is awesome
John

spillover thread?
dkidd

we’re winning this game
- Arman Tamzarian
  
  Who starts the rally? I go with Matsui, he’s due.
  - Jose
    
    Jeter with a bunt hit. Bunting is the only way to score runs.
Charlie

this ump’s zone is awful
Drew

Alf for another inning? Or do we see Hughes.
BigBlueAL

Jesus Christ how many weak flyballs are they gonna hit when up 2-0 and 3-1 in the count fuck.
TheLastClown

Lamesauce.
Charlie

we gotta win this game. Tampa is gainin momentum and i don’t want them in the race.
Baseballnation

Jeter Starts the Rally next inning!
BigBlueAL

Yankees made Joe Nelson look like an All-Star.