Jun
23

Game 70: Party like it’s 1999. Or even 1996, either one works.

By Mike Axisa

It’s been a long time since the Yankees have visited Atlanta: 1,402 regular season games, in fact. Chien-Ming Wang was just a 20-yr old kid pitching for the Staten Island Yankees the last time these two teams met south of the Mason-Dixon line, but now he’s on the mound for the big boys. Wang completed five innings for the first time all season in his last start, and the team will certainly look for him to build on that and pitch into the (gasp!) sixth inning this time around.

Not only will the Yanks have to deal with the uncertainty of a CMW start tonight, they’ll also have to deal with Atlanta’s rather unique closer situation as well. The Braves, you see, have two closers in righty Rafael Soriano and lefty Mike Gonzalez. Depending on the matchups, Bobby Cox will summon either pitcher from the bullpen in either the 8th or 9th innings. Gonzalez leads the club with eight saves, but he’ll be on to face Johnny Damon, Robbie Cano or any of the Yankees’ other lefties whenever they’re due up at the end of the game. Soriano is second on the club with six saves and will face the tough righty swingers whenever Gonzalez isn’t doing his thing. Two relievers, neither one married to a specific inning or the save stat, yet somehow the world hasn’t ended. Amazing.

Here’s tonight’s lineup. They’ll have their hands full with Tommy Hanson, arguably the best righthanded pitching prospect on the planet coming into the year. Something tells me we won’t see Wang take the bat off his shoulders, except for maybe a bunt situation.

Jeter, SS
Swisher, RF
Teixeira, 1B
A-Rod, 3B
Cano, 2B
Posada, C
Melky, LF
Gardner, CF
Wang, SP

Posted on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 at 6:30 pm in Game Threads.

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437 Comments

Nigel Bangs says:

no freak accidents on the base-paths tonight, wang.

e mills says:

I don’t want to see anyone get hurt, but would really like to see Hughes back in the rotation and a what is it now 14+ ERA out of it

e mills says:

oaktag yourself…they basically have to play russian roulette w/ the bullpen every night, save for recently, now every five days they have to do the same with a starter? That’s absurd

Playing russian roulette with the bullpen >>>>>>>>>>>>>> implying that you’d like to see Wang get hurt tonight to clear a path for Hughes to return to the rotation

e mills says:

take from it what you will, ultimately I would like to see whatever gives the team the best chance to win. So hopefully Wang gets it going tonight (I did bet on him winning, but that’s neither here nor there) and if he can’t get it going, well then the FO has a decision to make

 
 
 
 
 

Atleast they will have a legit reason to put him on the DL.

 
Tank the Frank says:

Wang just wants to hit it out and jog around the bases. No problem.

Honestly, if Wang ever hit a home run, I’d walk right into the middle of the street and take a ditch.

Not really… but you get it.

 
 
Tom Zig says:

Two relievers, neither one married to a specific inning or the save stat, yet somehow the world hasn’t ended. Amazing.

Hopefully Girardi will pick up on that…

Jamal G. says:

That’s the thing, look how much crap Joe Girardi got for intelligently bringing in Mariano Rivera into a tied game in the 8th inning with nobody on and two out and Carlos Beltran up at the plate, and David Wright on-deck.

Although wise, when managers make unconventional bullpen moves, they are criticized endlessly and unfairly if said move ends in an undesired, negative result. That may not matter to us, but I’d wager it does to Girardi.

Jamal G. says:

You know what’s worse than wasting time rambling on unnecessarily for two paragraphs when just eight characters would’ve been suffice? When others notice it as well.

Me >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you

Jamal G. says:

Ah, but I’m young and have gobs of potential. You’re in your David Ortiz decline years.

I have ridiculous upside.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 

Plus, I’m black, which means I’m a naturally gifted athlete. You’re Dominican, which means you’re lazy and undisciplined.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tom Zig says:

Perhaps I should have included that I am not one of those who call for Girardi’s head. I just would like to see him go to Mo if say there are two men on with no outs and Youk, Bay, and Lowell are due up in the 8th…

 
 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Looking forward to this one. I’ve wanted to see Hanson pitch for a while now. I’ve only seen clips of him and I love his delivery.

No Damon in the lineup again? Against a righty? That calf must be pretty sore.

 

Something tells me we won’t see Wang take the bat off his shoulders, except for maybe a bunt situation.

I’m hoping for three plate appearances and three strikeouts looking.

 
Chip says:

Another benefit of using two guys in the closers role, you don’t have to pay them as much. Think about it, in arbitration I’m sure the agents will throw out there that this guy has 40 some saves as the team’s closer and this is what other 40 save guys make. The argument falls apart when you drop that down to the 20’s. Also, it’s hard for a free agent to have any leverage with you when you already have his replacement

 

The closer thing is a bit of a different situation than where a team has one reliever that is clearly better than the rest of their relievers. Cox doesn’t do this because he is trying to be a pioneer, he does it because he has two relievers of equal quality that pitch with different hands. Put it this way- if Rivera had gotten hurt and Bruney and Marte were both healthy and effective, I bet the Yankees would have done the same thing. That was the plan for the 7th and 8th coming into the year.

 
 
Greg says:

We need some length from Wang tonight. 7 or 8 would be ideal. Wang needs to pound that strike zone long and hard. Plant that seed early by going down on the Braves hitters with that sinker. This is a fairly weak lineup so hopefully Wang doesn’t get devoured like he has all year.

Cliffs Notes version:

We need a long Wang tonight. We want at least 7 or 8. We want Wang to pound it long and hard. We want Wang to plant that seed. Going down would be good. Getting devoured would be bad.

Jeremy says:

Instant Wang Classic.

 
Jamal G. says:

Seriously, I have to believe he worded that as such purposefully, there’s no way that was accidental.

Jamal G. says:

OK, on second review, that was obviously done on purpose. I fail at these things.

 
 
 
Greg says:

Exactly. And the last thing we need is for him to get hurt on the bases again. I do not want to see this headline in tomorrow’s sports page: “Braves feast on wounded Wang.”

 
King of Fruitless Hypotheticals says:

There are some here who wouldn’t Wang getting devoured…completely gobbled up, just swallowed whole if you will.

 
 
 
JobaWockeeZ says:

A little off topic but Adam Warren signs according to NoMaas.
http://www.nomaas.org/draft/?p=233

Jimmy Superfly Snuka seems to like it.

 
 
Ivan says:

Im also quite excited to see Tommy Hanson

Jake H says:
 
John says:

Yea, me too. I am very excited to see him…excited to him unable to get out of the 1st inning.

 
 
BigBlueAL says:

Hey Mike, props on getting mentioned in Rob Neyer’s blog today. Referenced a piece you wrote for MLB trade rumors.

John says:

2nd time in the past week I think

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

I’m interested to see how the Red Sox do vs Lannan.

 

Fun Fact of the Night: The Braves, as the Boston Red Stockings, are one of only two remaining charter franchises of the National League. The other team is the Chicago Cubs.

The other 6 members of the 1876 National League, the Philadelphia Athletics, Hartford Dark Blues, St. Louis Brown Stockings, Cincinnati Red Stockings, Louisville Grays, and Mutual of New York all either folded or were expelled from the league within the first four years and were replaced by various other teams.

 

OMG Hanson only throws 92!

Zach says:

he regressing!

francesa’d

 
 
V says:

Oh look, Jeter working the count as always.

/snark

 
Tank the Frank says:

I said this before, but I love Hanson’s delivery. The ball really rockets out of his hand.

 
anonymous says:

Nice strike zone ump….

 
dkidd says:

crazy, or does the my9 signal seem to have extra chroma tonight? just turned down the color on my tv

anonymous says:

the field just looks dark to me. i dont think the lights are on

 
 
Luis Polonia says:

Living in the south, I absolutely abhor the Braves. I would love nothing more than to demolish them.

 
Tank the Frank says:

That’s why McLouth is a GOLD GLOVER!!

 
Dela G says:

anyone else not getting any sound from the announcers on my9 with mlb.tv?

all i hear is the crowd

John says:

as you normally suggest, I think you should log out and log back in.

Dela G says:

haha john i have done that already but this is different. Imagine watching football without the broadcasters. This is what this is. Like you hear all of the sounds and even the YES network theme song for yankees games, but no people talking.

you are a funny man though

 
 
e mills says:
Dela G says:

YES! it finally came back!

bizarrojamie says:

I was rather enjoying it.

 
 
 
 

You in here for marijuana?!?!?

BOOOO THIS MAN!!!!!!! BOOOOOOOOO THIS MAN!!!!!

 
John says:

No patience…only 10 pitches.

Zach says:

wonder what Brave fans are thinking

 
 
claybeez says:

Nice job, Robbie!

Go get ‘em, Wang.

 
John says:

Our offensive road splits are scary.

 

That throw was so going through the motions.

 
JobaWockeeZ says:

*sigh* My 9 is terrible.

 
John says:

Philly beating up on Price in the 1st

Zach says:

1st inning, 1 out, 6 runs

V says:

Ouch. Man, by decision to keep Price over Nelson Cruz was brilliant.

Luckily, this was a rebuilding season for my keeper team, so it doesn’t hurt AS bad.

 
 
 
BigBlueAL says:

This Braves lineup, aside from Chipper and McCann, could be just what the doctor ordered for Wang.

 

Hmmm … I wonder why no one is talking about this?

http://foxyurl.com/7bf

Zach says:
 
Tank the Frank says:

It’s the incredible team chemistry and colorful aura of the Red Sox organization. Francona really knows his team and the media knows it. No controversy there.

 

Because Terry Francona was hired by Theo Epstien. And since Theo has never made a mistake, that means that every Francona decision was the right one.

That newspaper reporter is obviously mistaken somehow. Lowell was fine.

 
BigBlueAL says:

Joel Sherman in his blog yesterday I think talked about Lowell and Utley being overworked too and their recent struggles, especially Lowell.

 
John says:

The Red Sox do everything right…they are the model franchise!. They are smart to rest the player coming off of surgery and was struggling. A-rod is just a lazy guy who is not earning his money by sitting.

Oh and Lowell is one year older than A-rod, therefore it is okay.

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Is that you Chien-Ming Wang? Is this me?

 
claybeez says:

3 worms down, actually maybe more, as they were all choppers. I like…

 
Ivan says:

Good start by Wang. 3 GB.

 
Dela G says:

man wang looks vintage

 
John says:

Are 3 groundball outs for the sinkerballer a good sign?

 
charlespoet says:

3 up 3 down for Wang… back to the pen.

 
dkidd says:

i really really want the nationals to take 2 of 3

John says:

pfft reach for the moon, 3 out of 3!

Zach says:

screw that, take 4 out of 3

John says:

that’s acceptable I guess.

 
Tank the Frank says:

With John Lannan anything’s possible.

 
 
 
Tank the Frank says:

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP.

 
 
dkidd says:

the poor nationals. they’re playing at home at the announcers are talking about the importance of “keeping the crowd out of it”

 
Tank the Frank says:

We really need Hanson to have trouble throwing strikes. That’s not happening so far….

Dela G says:

well lets pray for the balls to start coming [/no homo

And we didn’t even have a Wang mention in there. Amazing.

 
 
 
BigBlueAL says:

Freakin Chip Caray on the Braves broadcast talkin about how Arod’s flyout to RF wouldve been a HR in Yankee Stadium.

 
John says:

Hanson is getting the inside call on righties.

it seems EVERY ump has given that call lately, is something wrong with Pitch f/x data.

 
Tank the Frank says:

What is that pitch? A changeup?

 
John says:
 
John says:

Nice AB jorge, even with the K

 

Hanson has a pretty violent arm whip there, doesn’t he? He’s not “free and easy”.

The Fallen Phoenix says:

So the Braves should send him to the bullpen so he can let it rip. Turn that 92 MPH fastball into a 99 MPH fastball because he won’t have to “think like a starter” and he can be aggressive.

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Seems like a sweet delivery to me. It can get a bit violent when he misses his release point. It’s inconsistent right now.

 
 
John says:

Bring em home Gardy.

Time for a patented Brett Gardner bases-clearing Texas Leaguer triple to shallow RF.

 
 

The fact that this elite young starting pitching prospect is having trouble consistently throwing strikes means he should be moved to the bullpen immediately.

The Fallen Phoenix says:

I don’t know if he has that killer instinct though. His stuff doesn’t look right for the 8th inning, and he’s a starting pitcher.

True. He doesn’t have a bull in a china shop mentality. Not enough fist pumps.

The Fallen Phoenix says:

On the other hand, he’s a gamer who respects the game. So hitters wouldn’t be looking to embarrass him pr show him up when they get to the plate.

 
 
 
JobaWockeeZ says:

In the bullpen his weak fastball will now be 110 MPH.

 
Dela G says:

looks like mikey fatcessa is posting around here ;)

Tank the Frank says:

What? This is all just common sense. You can see everything you need to see about 22-year-old pitchers in their first 20-30 innings.

 
 
 
Quikksand says:

Come on Gardner!

 
Quikksand says:

Bases loaded for Chien-Ming Wang.

Dela G says:

looks like we can just count on trying again next inning…

 
 
Eric says:

Really pleased to see Melky and Gardner draw walks. I guess Joba isn’t the only frustrating young pitcher out there.

Zach says:

Greinke isnt struggling, hes shutting down everyone and has CGs. and its not like he had 650+ innings before this season either

Tank the Frank says:

Isn’t Greinke 25?

Zach says:

Yes, but Francesa always compares Joba’s season to Greinke

 
 
 
 
 

I’m calling it, grand slam for Wanger right here.

 
 
King of Fruitless Hypotheticals says:
 
John says:

THey should have just walked him on 4 pitches instead of 6…cmon Wanger!

 
charlespoet says:

What is the consensus about batting the pitcher 8th, rather than 9th? Curious.

Eric says:

It’s completely insignificant.

 

Depends on the lineup, really. The Yanks can bat Gardner 8th and let him act as the second leadoff guy.

 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

It’s largely insignificant, but I think studies have shown that you lose slightly fewer runs when you bat your worst hitter eighth, rather than ninth.

I’m sure you could find it in either Tom Tango’s book or on his blog, somewhere.

 
charlespoet says:

Interesting. Wonder if it would have made a difference last inning, would have changed the way they pitched. Probably not. Think Hanson was just missing control.

 
 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

So let’s say there was a special draft tomorrow, and you had a choice between Tommy Hanson and Phil Hughes. Both are as they are right now, and when you pick either one, he comes with the service time he has already accumulated and having burned whatever options he’s already burned.

Do you take Hughes or Hanson?

And an aside: this is why national league baseball is stupid.

Jacob says:

I take Hanson by a nose. I think his stuff is just a bit better.

 
V says:

Hanson ONLY because of the service time difference. Hughes otherwise. I like his consistent release point, and think it will turn him into a pitcher with Roy Halladay consistency (whether or not he hits that ceiling is to be known in the future).

Ivan says:

Roy Halladay is sum high praise.

V says:

And it’s meant.

Joba’s climbed higher on the totem pole, and he has the higher ceiling, certainly, but I like Hughes’ chances of hitting his ceiling more.

 
 
V says:

By ‘his’ I mean Hughes’.

 
 
 
Quikksand says:

And of course, the Yankees swing at the st pitch, and get NOTHING!

Jackson says:

It was the pitcher

 
 

Swing at the first pitch after he walks two guys? You’re better than that Wang.

Tom Zig says:

I’m surprised he is allowed to swing.

 
Dela G says:

haha i laughed too

 
Ivan says:

Wang was like, I don’t need this shit again.

 
 
HEY YANKEE FANS, says:

Hanson is all over the place tonight, I’m having Jeff Weaver flashbacks

 
John says:

Wang should’ve at least taken 2 more pitches

 

That’s the best smile you can find? Pathetic.

 
Dela G says:

good AB by wang

if anyone else is at bat, the yankees score for sure. Hanson looks tired already.

 
 

I hate the NL. Hate.

BigBlueAL says:
 
Quikksand says:
 
 

Brian McCann is good at baseball.

The Fallen Phoenix says:

Joe Mauer is a little better at baseball.

Tom Zig says:

Do pitchers like or dislike throwing to him?

 

And that’s why they should be the two starting catchers at the All-Star game this July.

The Fallen Phoenix says:

But-but-but Varitek is the captain on the best team of baseball, and he just knows how to WIN. He can go 1-7, but you know he’ll get that hit the only time it counts.

I can’t wait for Corky Simpson to vote for Varitek for the Hall of Fame 6 years from now.

 
 
 
 
 
Tom Zig says:

Can we put an end to the “he is a professional hitter” statement?

The Fallen Phoenix says:

But he is, I mean, it’s what he’s paid to do.

 

Andy Phillips’s impersonator is a professional pornstar tricker.

 
 
Dela G says:

wow hanson is a lunatic to brush off the pitching coach

 
V says:

Wang’s location is missing more this inning…

Yup- everything up. I think that he is getting there, but I’m not so sure this team has the time to let him find his way anymore.

 
 

Alright, I’m here; the game can start.

V says:

Go away. Wang was better when you were gone ;-)

Dela G says:

he’s right… ;)

 
Dela G says:

he’s right… ;)

I liked this comment better the first time I read it. You are hereby DFA’d from RAB.

Dela G says:

haha i have no idea how that happen my brotha

 
 
 

Hehe. I was watching the game while eating so I was good luck for the first.

 
 
 
 
John says:

Wang is pitching high again….

dkidd says:

dock ellis says hello

 
 
HEY YANKEE FANS, says:

Ugh, he is looking bad with runners on.

 

He so breaking balls down the middle belt high don’t work, CMW. Try not to throw any more of those.

 
Quikksand says:

You could struggle with the bat for all I care, but please Get that sinkerball working today.

 

OMG DO NOT WALK FRANCOEUR!!!!

The Fallen Phoenix says:

That’d be like walking Reggie Willits four times. I wanted to shoot myself when I was at that game last year.

Ivan says:

Oh Good god, that one was just unbelieveble.

 
 

That would be just as bad as walking Nieves and Harris, IMO.

 
 
Ivan says:

Francour hates OBP%.

 

FWIW, Gameday had the first two pitches to Frenchy as strikes.

 
Tank the Frank says:

Zero ability to throw a decent slider so far.

 

Kelly’s a girl’s name!!!

The Fallen Phoenix says:

And that, is why he fails.

 
 
charlespoet says:

Ok, this over scrutinizing of Wang by Dipshit Kay and Dingleberry Singleton is going to get annoying. The guy is still working out kinks but is looking far better.

Don’t announcers know enough about baseball to pass the time rather than waste it on “headline” type of crap. that is why Vin Scully remains a legend.

 
Nick Baratta says:

someone tell me whats so bad about having gardner start in place of say cabrera/swisher/nady/matsui

here’s his line
134 ab .284/.358/.403 with a .356 wOBA and a .319 BABIP which is actually below all of his minor league numbers…2 hrs, 3 triples, 4 doubles, 15 sb, 27 runs, and 11 rbi’s

here’s swishers line
212 ab .245/.383/.505 with a .384 wOBA and a .282 BABIP which is right in line with his career numbers…12 hrs, 1 triple, 17 doubles, 0 sb 38 runs, 36 rbi’s

if you project out gardner to 212 ab’s he goes for 3 hr’s 5 triples, 6 doubles, 24 sb, 43 runs, 17 rbi’s

o yea and UZR swisher -.2 and gardner 5.5 (last year was 9.5 in CF in 22 games)

swisher’s wpa .27 and gardner .8

just saying gardner is alot better than people give him credit for

The Fallen Phoenix says:

And Swisher’s the best hitter on the Yankees after Mark Teixeira. So yes, Gardner is better than people give him credit for, but no, he should not be consistently starting over Swisher.

 

Gardner and Swisher have nothing to do with each other. Gardner should not take ABs and PT away from Swisher, but rather Cabrera.

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Dude if he can hit .285 in the big leagues he can be on my team any day. I have no problem with Gardner.

Nick Baratta says:

was just saying because ppl are on his case about him being a slap hitter and a AAAA OF…he does alot of little things that go unnoticed

 
 

Swisher is the better hitter- 30 points of wOBA is pretty significant. However, Gardner has definitely improved his play enough that he is no longer a hole in the lineup.

Nick Baratta says:

like i said i was just comparing the two to show that gardner isn’t all that bad and a difference of about 6 points in UZR is nothing to balk at either…

 
 
 
Zach says:

wow- did cano hit the bag?

 
Tank the Frank says:

Out of Wang and Teixeira… Cano makes the heady play?? Oh my goodness!

 
Ivan says:

I thought Cano is not a heads up player.

 

I think I would’ve thrown my laptop through the screen if they didn’t get that runner.

 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

Well, that’s how you make sure you don’t drop a pop-up. Two guys, two hands.

But only one Wang.

 
Quikksand says:

Damn, that was a close one. Got out of the inning without giving up a run.

Dela G says:

it felt good to see him get out of that inning

 
 
Quikksand says:

Nice awareness by Cano.

The Fallen Phoenix says:

Did someone replace him with Dustin Pedroia before the game? Because only a gritty gamer can make that play. And Cano’s a lazy Dominican who doesn’t hustle or care about baseball.

 
 
 

Is there a “Derek Jeter” chant going on?

 
Quikksand says:

Stop swinging at the 1st pitch!

 
Jim says:

When does the Wang experiment end?

 
Zach says:

yeah he blows tonight

 
 
 
V says:

Biggest (positive) surprise of the season, Melky+Gardner?

I guess. I’m pretty psyched about how Hughes has looked, to be honest.

 
 
Zach says:
 

Garrett Anderson is a professional hitter.

Too bad he’s not a professional fielder.

The Fallen Phoenix says:

It’s why he doesn’t get paid the big bucks.

 
 
Quikksand says:

Jeter hits a double!

 
dkidd says:

lol garrett anderson

 
Tank the Frank says:

Aaaaahhhh he would’ve made it to 3rd.

 

Kids: do not do what Garret Anderson just did.

Zach says:
Tank the Frank says:
 
 
 
V says:

OMG, Kay doesn’t like a bunt? OMG THE WORLD IS ENDING.

 
BigBlueAL says:

WTF Swisher!!!!!!!!!

 

Why is that knucklehead bunting?

 

Are you fucking kidding me, Swisher? Are you KIDDING me?

 
Eric says:

jesus christ why the fuck is swisher bunting

 
Tank the Frank says:

I am completely displeased with bunting in this situation.

 
dkidd says:

girardi needs to start fining people for bunting

Eric says:

I doubt girardi called for it.

Zach says:

fire him anyways
and dfa swisher while we’re at it

 
 
 
John says:

Ok someone PLEASE bring The Jeterian in!

 
JackC says:

Bunting in the third with Wang on the mound. Sheesh.

 
Quikksand says:

Jeter passed babe Ruth for Doubles.

The Fallen Phoenix says:

Hear that? Michael Kay doesn’t think Alex is feared enough as a hitter right now. No Hall of Fame for him. :-(

 
 
BigBlueAL says:
 
John says:

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
handtius says:

It’s 2 am in Paris and I’m enjoying some Gameday…not really.

Dela G says:
 
Tank the Frank says:
 
John says:

oooh Paris…nice. Go to the Eiffel TOwer. I have an app on my iPhone which allows me to view city cameras around the world, including the Eiffel Tower.

I built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn, that’s what kind of man I am.

handtius says:

You build the tower out of SHUT THE FUCK UP! yeah, I said it.

 
 
handtius says:

Eh. Not the touristy type. I’m moving to Paris in September and getting to know the area threw some friends. Having a scooter is a dope way around.

You know how I know you’re gay? You’re moving to Paris and you ride a scooter.

handtius says:

You know how I know you’re gay? You can make fun of someone for moving to Paris and riding a scooter.

Don’t knock it till you try it.

 
 
 
 
 
BigBlueAL says:

So much for Tex getting pitches to hit with Arod hitting behind him.

Zach says:

just takes one swing

 
handtius says:

That just pissed me off in gameday.

 
Dela G says:

correct. One swing by a-rod will make the pitchers go back and respecting them

 
 

Break this rookie in real good, Al.

 
Dela G says:

he def shouldve bunted.

i know a lot of you would disagree with me, but you gotta play national league ball and move em over

John says:

not when Hanson is missing his spots..

 
Eric says:

congrats on officially declaring yourself stupid

 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

Not when one of your best hitters is at the plate. I mean, Nick Swisher isn’t exactly our pitcher right now.

Get back to me when we’re in the 17th.

 
 
dre says:

swisher never bunts i guarantee that genius manager of ours called for it

Zach says:

you cant guarantee anything

 
JobaWockeeZ says:

Yeah because we always know whats going on. Blame it on the Girardi.

 
 
 

The fact that Tommy Hanson is handing out walks like candy makes Swisher’s attempted bunt all the more bizarre. Swisher’s leading the league in walks. The bases should be loaded right now.

The Fallen Phoenix says:

Swisher doesn’t like candy. It’s too sweet.

 
John says:

and no outs!!!!!!

 
Dela G says:

that made me laugh

 
 

Ugh. When he’s right, Alex DESTROYS that pitch.

 
Mike N. says:

I’m still stunned that Kay didn’t like a bunt

 
Tank the Frank says:

You know it’s bad when pitchers like this are going RIGHT AFTER A-Rod.

Dela G says:

This is the best overall hitting 3B in the league, and they are throwing it right down the line. Incredible how far he’s fallen

 
 

Awful fucking at bat.

 
BigBlueAL says:

Arod looks horrendous.

 
Quikksand says:
 

Here comes a big Robbie Cano 2-RBI double.

 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

I don’t know who you’re watching. You know Robbie Cano doesn’t get timely hits, and he’s already exceeded his quota of heads-up/gritty plays for this game.

 
 
dkidd says:

that inning sums up the last two weeks

Tank the Frank says:

Absolutely. More of the same here. This team is slumping big time.

 
 
Ivan says:

A-Rod looks off. Like really off.

 
JobaWockeeZ says:

What I would give for clutch hitting.

 

Of course they don’t score.

 
Jake H says:

Cano not taking a pitch is so irritating.

 

Well that was no fun.

 
Eric says:

hey whaddaya know, cano swings at the first pitch, out of the zone and strands two runners

 
Quikksand says:

Will they ever hit with RISP?

 
BigBlueAL says:

Nice job swinging at the 1st pitch on the floor. Leadoff double by Jeter, and shockingly he doesnt score.

 
Tank the Frank says:

Cano needs a dog collar type device to zap him every time he swings at a first pitch that’s not a complete cookie.

 
John says:

Robbie cano 1st pitch again!!!!!!!!!!

 
charlespoet says:

RISP >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>NY YANKEES running scared from the animal that is RISP.

 
Jake H says:

Jeter probably should have gone to 3rd.

BigBlueAL says:

He still wouldnt have scored even if it was a leadoff triple.

 
 
 
Dela G says:

tommy hanson will tire soon, and his fastball will flatten out. I bet the yankees capitalize on it.

 
Eric says:

Jeter just stole his 15th base. He has 11 all of last year. He’s also showed significantly better range in the field. How did he make these changes at his age?

Eric says:
Zach says:

health- he did have a quad issue last year
spot in order- leadoff v 2nd

 
 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

He works hard, he’s a gamer, he’s a True Yankee.

 
 
Quikksand says:

Another K for Chien ming Wang!

 
handtius says:

Man, I’ve been gone a long time…everyone sounds extremely negative. What happened to the “Positive Posse”?

Just frustrated.

Dela G says:

everyone is very very frustrated around here

 
handtius says:

I know Mike, I know…I can feel it across the Atlantic Ocean. Just breath. I’ll be back Sunday and they’ll start winning again, like they were before I left.

 
 

Three pitch strikeouts by Alex Rodriguez, whom I love and defend a lot, piss me off.

 
Quikksand says:

until they start hitting with R.I.S.P. and win ball games, the negativity won’t change. :(

 
Brandon says:
 
 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

Also, like Michael Kay knows anything about prospects. Gorkys Hernandez is actually a pretty damned good prospect.

 
dkidd says:

gorkys hernandez is a prospect, no?

Ivan says:

Oh yeah. Very toolsy prospect.

 
 
Jake H says:

Nate is not a #1 player.

 

I’m really not sure why everyone is complaining about Cano and the first pitch. He has done it his entire career, and it has led to a pretty fine career for a 2B-man. We want everyone to take pitches and work counts and walk, but if he did that, he would be Chase Utley. It is just not in his skillset- he is a hacker and will likely not walk anyhow, so I want him to swing at good pitches, even if they are the first pitch.

Dela G says:

well if he was patient, he would get better pitches to hit. He reminds me of ichiro. He never strikes out, but he never takes walks either, just swings at stuff. The difference is that ichiro actually gets hits, and cano swings at schlop

 
Eric says:

The complaining is justified. Just because he has been good for a 2B doesn’t mean we can’t want him to be better. It’s not like were all saying “go hit more HR’s please.” Taking pitches is a change that can and should be made to his game.

Zach says:

he’s also batting .440 this year on the first pitch, .365 for his career. so if its a good pitch i cant complain about his swinging

 

You can want all day. The thing is, for some hitters, saying “be patient” is exactly like saying “hit for more power.”

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

And I’ve been complaining about it his whole career. He doesn’t need to be Chase Utley to work the count and look for a pitch to drive in that situation. His numbers with the bases loaded are awful.

This year with RISP: .241 .270 .386 .655

Career with RISP: .267 AVG, .715 OPS

Swinging at pitches early in the count, and out of the zone is undoubtedly the reason for his struggles.

 
Jake H says:

Because when a guy is having trouble throwing strikes you make him throw you one.

 
 
Ivan says:

It’s amazing how overrated McClout is.

Greg says:

Overrated? He would be second best player on Yankees. You’re nuts.

 
 

That was a dirty pitch.

 
Tank the Frank says:

When I think of the Yankees with RISP…I envision Rowengartner from Rookie Of The Year standing outside of the batters box, with his eyes pinched shut, scared out of his mind.

Step in the box, son.

 
 

If I were a Pirates fan, I’d be ecstatic about getting Gorkys, Locke, and Morton. That’s a great haul for a guy at the peak of his value.

 
Quikksand says:

Base hit for Escobar.

 

Yunel’s bat flip is annoying.

 
Zach says:

kay needed to do research for that?

Dela G says:

hahaha yeah i could’ve made that story up myself

Zach says:

you dont need to make up a story. a lot of people are nicknamed chip or chipper, and they all have the same story- they’re a chip off the old block

 
 
 

Is it just more or does Yunel Escobar kinda look like Fievel?

Dela G says:

haha, i see it kinda

 

And the McCannibal kinda looks like Porky.

 
 

What….was…that…?

 
Quikksand says:

Umm, what was that Posada?

 
 
V says:

‘Past a diving ARod’ is getting tiring. I kind of which he would have just had the full surgery.

Zach says:

yeah because Ransom was so great in April right?

 
 
Quikksand says:
 
Dela G says:

AN AIIIR MAIL, FROM JOOORGE!

 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:
 

Good piece of hitting by McCann there.

 
V says:

I love that the Yankees bring their C- defense for Wang starts. Just like last week.

JobaWockeeZ says:

And it doesn’t help that the offense is struggling.

 
 

Okay. It’s just one run, stay calm, CMW, and go get Garrett Anderson to ground to second.

 
 
Greg says:

This team is Sooooooooo Bad. I can’t believe Eiland or K. Long haven’t been put on notice yet. Boggles the mind. But apparently the Yankees are happy with a bloated team ERA and awful hitting with RISP. Is anyone even paying attention? It’s only going to get worse folks. Jorge and Jeter aint getting younger, Tex won’t get a pitch to hit rest of year with Alex so bad, outfield is horrendous.. .. On the bright side, Phil Hughes makes a pretty fine reliever.

 
Tank the Frank says:

Were the Yankees that bad when they won 20 of 25 games and were in 1st place?

 
JobaWockeeZ says:

Yup this is an apparent newsflash for the Yankees.
Of course they aren’t doing anything about it.
Cashman and Girardi are teh sux0rs.
And Phil Hughes isn’t going to be a reliever next year, he’s going to the starting rotation which so many people seem to despise for young pitchers. That’s what’s mind boggling.

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

I love how Wang needs a therapy session after giving up a run.

Tank the Frank says:

I’m sorry I jumped the gun there… he could’ve just had a word about how to approach Anderson.

 
 
Eric says:

Melky played that ball perfectly to save a run.

Dela G says:
 
 
AsianShuutoHeat says:
 
Accent Shallow says:

I hate Garret Anderson so much.

 
Tank the Frank says:

And with the way we’re hitting there’s a great chance we just lost this game.

 
Eric says:

Wang sure does throw the ball waist high and over-the-middle pretty often.

 
BigBlueAL says:

Wang has earned another start for sure. Heck pitch him on 3 days rest for the rest of the season to get as many starts as possible for him.

 
Drew says:

Anderson’s a fucking yankee killer

 
Jake H says:

2 out rbi’s win game. Something the Yanks don’t do.

The Fallen Phoenix says:

Runs win games, whether they come with zero, one, or two outs. The Yankees problem has been scoring runs, period, lately.

 
 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:
 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

Eerily reminiscent of Wang’s struggles from the stretch early in his career, no?

 
Tom Zig says:

Hopefully we don’t have that RISP disease again.