Jul
05

Game 81: Halfway There

By Mike Axisa

No nibbling Joba, just strikes.

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

And on the mound, Jobber.

Oh, and Jon Albaladejo has been called up to take Chien-Ming Wang’s place on the roster, since he officially hit the DL.

Posted on Sunday, July 5th, 2009 at 12:30 pm in Game Threads.

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380 Comments

CP3 says:

See I knew Hinske wouldn’t start today =]

Mike Pop says:

I am eagerly awaiting it.

 
 
cult of basebaal says:

from Joey Joe Joe, per Petey:


On Hughes: “I can say one thing, I don’t see us taking him out of that role right now. He’s probably less built up than anyone that we have so he will probably not be one of our options. … I see him staying in the bullpen.”

Hughes, down the road, is he still a starter?

“I still believe that he is a starter. You’ll see a lot of young pitchers that come up and have success in the bull pen and then the move them over to the rotation because on any given day you’re not asking too much from them in a sense. I think his stuff right now plays out well in both, but I think he’s been really, really good in the bullpen and has been really helpful to us, and that’s another reason that we might keep him there for a while. And the other thing is he’s not built up, and it’s tough to build them up here. You would have to send him down for a while and we’re not comfortable doing that right now with the way he’s throwing the baseball.”

I will now sit in the corner and punch myself in the face …

Tank the Frank says:

Some decisions this front office has made of late are questionable at best.

Would it REEEEAALLY be that hard to stretch him out to 80-90 pitches? You know, the all star break is coming up Joe…

Seriously. How much more of an opportunity do they need to get Hughes back in to the rotation?

ChrisS says:

What are ya gonna do?

Meh.

 
 
 
Say Hey Willie says:

This is why there are some decisions that the manager should make and some that the GM needs to make. Personnel decisions like this need to be made by the GM and account for the overall impact on the organization (now and in the future).

zs190 says:

Pretty sure this is what Cashman wants too, since he’s been quoted saying things along the same line.

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Ideally, I’d like to see Mitre get the next start with Hughes shadowing him, send Hughes down to AA over the All-Star Break to get 2 starts, then have him back up and capable of ~90 pitches.

I’d be willing to bet money that Hughes will get at least two more starts this year, though, even if they don’t come yet.

 
 
Dela G says:

let’s get get it yankees!

i am also watching the roddick v federer match

hopefully it’s over soon

e mills says:

I’m watching it too. It’s good, but not as good as last year’s. Let’s go Roddick, screw the Swiss!

 
 
Charlie says:

of course cano isn’t benched. and wtf is albie doing up here??

JobaWockeeZ says:

At least he isn’t batting 5th. And Albie is here because they used a lot of the bullpen yesterday so if Joba doesn’t go 7-8 innings they’ll have him.

 
Little Bill says:

Who else is going to play 2nd if Ransom is already filling in at 3rd for Alex? A-Rod needs the day off more. Cano’s slump will end at some point, Alex’s hip problem won’t.

 
Little Bill says:

Albie is up so that Hughes can return to his rightful spot in the starting rotation. Hughes will replace Wang for the remainder of the year.

 
 
Troy says:

haha…I immediately thought of Bon Jovi upon seeing the post title.

 
John Duci says:

Does Hinske play any 3B? If he does then he should be in there over Ransom. Also, why dont the Yanks get rid of Ransom and bring back Pena. He’s so much better defensively and neither can hit anyway.

Little Bill says:

With the lefty on the mound, the lefty Hinske will remain on the bench. He may be a PH and defensive sub for Ransom late in the game though if it’s close.

Pena needs more development and to get that he needs to play everyday down in AAA. They’re also trying him in the OF. Ransom is actually the better hitter with more pop, and I think you’ll see that as the season goes on and he has more ABs.

 
JobaWockeeZ says:

It’s either we keep Pena and keep Ransom or we lose Ransom and keep Pena. It’s better if they have both but Pena can now play everyday is AAA.

 
 
sac says:

teixera gets allstar spot

 
CP3 says:

is anyone going to be watch the all star selection show on tbs

Zach says:

come on, i like baseball, buts all star selections is not THAT exciting that it needs its own show

 
 
Dela G says:

YES!

Tex got the allstar spot

 

Here’s the run differentials of the AL East Big Three:

Boston: +72
Yankees: +59
Tampa: +78

But the Yanks lost that one game to Cleveland 22-4. Take that away, and their run differential is +77.

Dela G says:

hell just make it an 8-4 game and it looks much better

 
Little Bill says:

And take away the 15-0 win vs. the Mets and it goes back down to 62. I’m sure Boston and Tampa have been on the losing side of a lopsided game so why not take one away for them too?

 
ChrisS says:

Boston and Tampa have had a couple of lopsided games with each other.

But yeah, every team gets a few laughers.

 
 
 
Dela G says:

man joba already starting with the walk

 
Jacob says:

Gameday says Joba is getting squeezed. Is that the case?

Dela G says:
 
Tank the Frank says:

What? No, Joba’s all over the place. He threw one borderline pitch on 0-2 but it was def. a ball.

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Tex beat out Youk?? Oh that’s glorious!!!

RCK says:

Yes! They just said that. I’m thrilled!

 
Bob Stone says:

Go Tex! I put in my 25 votes after being reminded here that Tex was trailing.

 
 
JobaWockeeZ says:

Oh damn! I thought it was impossible for Teix to catch up. Nice job of voting guys.

Tank the Frank says:

I’m (almost) ashamed to admit it but I voted 25 times from two different e-mail accounts.

It took longer than you would think…

Dela G says:

i voted 100 times for him :)

Tank the Frank says:
 
 
 
RCK says:

I’m mostly watching the tennis. Have they said who came out on top in Pedroia v. Kinsler?

Tank the Frank says:

Not yet. I would assume Kinsler as Pedroia has been in a bad slump of late.

Dela G says:

kinsler has been in a 2 month slump

Tank the Frank says:

Damnit. I don’t pay attention as much to other teams besides the AL East.

 
 
 
Zach says:
 
 
 
 
ArodMVP217 Retire 51 says:

what is more scary? that lind, rolen, overbay are 3,4,5? (for them) or Wells, rios are 6,7 (for other teams)?

and we are officially there. Joba under 90mph

He just hit 94, and hit 93 earlier.

ArodMVP217 Retire 51 says:

ik, I don’t want to be that fan, lol. Hope he gets on teh Hughes offseason workout, though

 
 
 
ChrisS says:

As a viewer, Joba’s walks don’t kill me as much as that he takes f o r e v e r between pitches.

cjc says:

the 3-2 counts drive me fucking crazy to the point he can be hard to watch

ArodMVP217 Retire 51 says:

wow, is rolen that good at hitting sliders?

Dela G says:
 
 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Seriously. He’s like Steve Trachsel with a fastball.

 
 
Salty Buggah says:
Dela G says:

*throws ticker tape*

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Throw the slider already and quit dickin around.

 

Damn yo, Rolen fightin’ everything off.

Dela G says:

yeah i just want him to be frozen by a K already

 
Zach says:

they never fouled off any balls while he was in the bullpen

/francesa

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Nice at-bat by Rolen, but the slider is still a knockout pitch.

 
ChrisS says:

More of those hammer curves and fewer FBs a foot outside would be nice.

 
Salty Buggah says:

24 pitches eww

 
ArodMVP217 Retire 51 says:

it seems like Joba was pitching to contact, but those bjs are so damned gritty they will make him work before the out, lawl

Dela G says:

thats what she said

 
Steve H says:

gritty bjs……no thanks.

 
 
Dela G says:

nice K there joba!

 
Tank the Frank says:

This really needs to be one of those games where we’re ahead by 7 or 8 runs so we can run Albie out there for 3 innings.

 

Cecil’s one of those rare guys who was drafted as a reliever and converted to a starter.

Dela G says:

let’s hope he gives up a ton of hits

 
Zach says:

Boston tried that with Papelbon

Toronto did it with Dave Bush and Shaun Marcum too.

Accent Shallow says:

Marcum certainly would be a success story there if he can return healthy.

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Ok wait. I’ve heard so many conflicting things. But wasn’t Papelbon drafted as a starter, and he continued as a starter in the minors? Then when he was called up they decided eventually to move him to the bullpen because he had a shoulder problem and couldn’t take starting 200 + innings. But he also agreed to go to the pen b/c he liked it there.

Accent Shallow says:

http://www.thebaseballcube.com.....lbon.shtml

Papelbon was a college reliever who the Sox moved to the rotation in the minors. He mostly started in the minors, before coming to the majors as a starter and moving back to the pen. Confused yet?

 

Papelbon was the closer at Mississippi State. Boston turned him into a starter in the minors.

Tank the Frank says:

Thanks guys. I remember reading something about a shoulder injury in SI as part of the reason he returned to the pen. I’ll try and dig it up myself.

 
 
Bob Stone says:

You are absolutely right. I lived in Boston during that time and listened to the local WEEI sports talk station. There was much debate about starter vs. closer, much like wityh Joba. The BoSox felt that his shoulder post-injury would hold up better in the pen so they moved him there. The following year they were considering placing him back in the rotation and Paps said that he preferred to stay in the closer role. The BoSox acceded to his request. The rest is history.

 
 
 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Shall we complain about Jeter swinging first pitch? I’m torn.

JobaWockeeZ says:

Of course! He didn’t take pitches so he’s not gritty and if your not gritty you don’t win ballgames.

/ESPN’d

ChrisS says:

Gritty players don’t take walks. They know that they have to swing when they get a good pitch.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

What a match between Federer and Roddick. Congrates to Federer for breaking the record.

Little Bill says:

Federer is the best and Andy is still a loser. Nothing has changed as a result of this match.

Steve H says:

You wish you were Andy Roddick.

 
Ivan says:

Give Roddick credit. He played his ASS off. He’s really improve from years back.

Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

Little Bill must be Bill Tildon, if not, then some other Tennis Champion.

Steve H says:

Does Bill Tildon have a smoking hot swimsuit model of a wife too?

 
 
 
 
Andy In Sunny Daytona says:
 
Bob Stone says:

I was rooting for Roddick. But you could see that Federer had a slight advantage and was going to win. It was a great match . . . one where you hate to see a loser because both played so well. But, hat’s off to Federer . . great win and a great accomplishment to break the record.

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

I know he needs a rest but who else would LOVE to see A-Rod bat against this kid?

Dela G says:

i would love to see this

 
JobaWockeeZ says:

Most definitely. A-Rod been hot of late but he needs his rest to stay hot.

 
Salty Buggah says:

I would…he would CRUSH his lefty 90 mph fastball but we gotta follow doctor’s orders.

 
 
ArodMVP217 Retire 51 says:

the hero steps up to the plate

 
Dela G says:

a-rod would kill this kid

 

Cecil struggling to throw strikes just … like … most … young … pitc … hers.

Dela G says:

the only two young pitchers ive seen not have that much of a problem throwing strikes for a while are matt cain and lincecum

Steve H says:

Matt Cain? Really? Not exactly Maddux.

 
 
Steve H says:

Blasphemy!! It’s only Joba, and only because he’s not in the 8th!!

JobaWockeeZ says:

Joba wasn’t built to be a starting pitcah!!!

 
 
 
Accent Shallow says:

You know you have a bad breaking ball when Jorge hits it from the right side.

 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

Letting baseball writers have any input on the all-star game rosters is one of the stupidest ideas I’ve ever heard. But then, that’s par for the course with Michael Kay.

Dela G says:

lol they would probably put eckstein and counsell on every year because they are “gamers”

 
cjc says:

aagreed but fans aren’t great either he has a vaery vaid point with hamilton its a joke that he is starting hell varitek was second in catchers

bad call by the ump he never tagged him with the ball

The Fallen Phoenix says:

And Jim Rice is in the Hall of Fame.

 
cjc says:

wow my spelling is almost as bad as cano with risp my bad poor multi tasking

 
Steve H says:

Pedroia is the 5th best 2b in his own division, and he gets voted in. They all suck at picking teams.

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

So true.

Just look who they elect to the HOF. Look who they give Gold Gloves to. They’re only slightly less biased than the fans.

 
 
/guest'd says:

Teixeira is smarter than that …

The Fallen Phoenix says:

Second time this series he’s been robbed of a run at home, by a bad call, though.

 
 
ArodMVP217 Retire 51 says:

first pitch!? say it aint so, matie

 
Tank the Frank says:

Shit I couldn’t even recognize Swish with the shades and the high socks!

 
CP3 says:

I thought the managers can pick the pitchers and bench players in the all star game.

 
Dela G says:

wow tex, you really thought you were gardner?

JobaWockeeZ says:

he was actually safe.

Dela G says:

yeah i just saw the replay, that was a terrible call :/

 
 
 
Dela G says:

SWISHA!

2-0

man if only tex had held up…

dygg says:

But that would have altered the entire space-time continuum

Dela G says:
 
 
 
John Duci says:

Cano!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John Duci says:

urgghhhh Robbie

 
 
CP3 says:

Oh no rally killer

 
Dela G says:

ruh roh, cano with RISP

 
Cokie says:

And here I thought Wally Bell was the worst umpire ever. This crew sucks.

Dela G says:

no, whoever was the crew for the seattle games was the worst i’ve ever seen

 
Salty Buggah says:

Jerry Meals is the worst to me

Angel Hernandez. It’s like he’s paid by the blown call and ejection.

Salty Buggah says:

oh yea, him too.

You know you’re bad if people know an umpire’s name by heart.

Cokie says:

Well there’s only 70 of them or so. Its a pretty exclusive gig.

 
 
Dela G says:

oh yeah he sucks major balls.

lance berkman almost knocked him out 2 years ago

 
 
 
 
Accent Shallow says:

0-21 with RISP for Robbie? I know he’s been struggling in those situations, but that is out of this world.

Dela G says:
Accent Shallow says:

0 for his last 21, not 0-21 total. Still, though.

 
 
Reggie C. says:

Cano’s bound to single or double with a runner on 2B eventually. 0-21 however isn’t a SSS.

The Fallen Phoenix says:

Considering Cano’s literally had hundreds of ABs with runners in scoring position, 21 ABs is still a small sample size.

That’s not to say it isn’t worrisome, however, because it is.

 
 
 
A.D. says:

ASG starters should be determined by spreadsheets.

 
Salty Buggah says:

I wish A-rod was 100% healthy, he’s missing out on Cecil.

I’m happy Cano was batting 6th, not 5th, there.

 
Jamal G. says:

2009 AL All-Star Dustin Pedroia just hit his third home run of the year, still good for last place in the league, behind such power hitters like Alberto Callaspo.

Professor Oak says:

Brett Gardner needs to put Dustin Pedroia back in his place in his next start.

 
 
CP3 says:

I think the yanks should get a pitcher either by trade or free agency if hughes doesn’t come into the rotation.

 
Salty Buggah says:

They’re hitting Joba’s stuff far so we better score more

 
Accent Shallow says:

Clearly 92 isn’t enough for Joba . . . he just blew a high fastball past Wells.

 
Tank the Frank says:

A 96MPH HEEAATAAAAAAAH!

 
Steve H says:

Wow, after all that Cecil’s pitch count was lower than Joba’s.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Wonder if Pena gets to that ball.

 

Joba’s fastballs to Wells: 94-92-96.

Accent Shallow says:

Seems a bit of an odd spread, no?

 
 
cjc says:
 
Tank the Frank says:

Whaaa? That’s been happening a lot lately. Do teams think our pitchers are retarded?

Tank the Frank says:

Ok define a lot. For me I guess it’s one other time.

 
Salty Buggah says:

nah, they think Jorge is so their timing is messed up

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Nice baserunning there.

 
Tank the Frank says:
 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

Man, Jorge is such a baaaad cathcer.

 
Dela G says:

good baserunning wells

 
dygg says:

10-pitch inning, gotta love that

Steve H says:

Yeah, now 34 thru 2 doesn’t look too bad at all.

 
 
Salty Buggah says:

Joba’s 6 outs so far: 4 flyouts, 1 CS, 1 K

 
Teix is the Man says:

Do the Yanks end up signing Ben Sheets to take Wang’s spot?

dygg says:

I think Sheets is signed, isn’t he? By the Rangers?

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Recent posts over at MLBTR from multiple sources seem to indicate that Sheets may not be able to pitch this year.

I’d imagine if Wang is gone for more than a month that we’ll see Phil Hughes in the rotation.

 
 
LivefromNewYork says:

Must. Kill. Michael. Kay.

 
Jamie says:

Its an utter disgrace that Hamilton is elected to start. Honestly, I would PRAY that no RAB poster would think of inserting Hamilton as a starter… right?

I know this is Yankees bias…but why isn’t Damon starting?!?! If deh nation could get their shitty second basemen to start why in the hell couldn’t we rally to get Damon to start in the OF?

Tank the Frank says:

My OF was Bay, Jones, and Hunter. It doesn’t exactly fit but whatever, I think they’re deserving.

Jamie says:

Jones is havin’ a ridic year

 
 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Poor Cody. I REALLY want him to do well.

 
Salty Buggah says:

ransom swung at ball 4 but oh well, he still walked

 
Christian says:

Tim freaking Wakefield made the Allstar team with a 4.30 ERA.

cjc says:

J O K E wins are such a bad measure

 
Tank the Frank says:

Who picks the pitchers? The manager?

 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

Are you kidding? That’s absurd.

 
bobtaco says:

He never made a AS team before and he won’t again, just let him have it…

 
Bob Stone says:

I actually don’t mind that Wakefield made it. I think he made it on wins (10-3) and lifetime body of work. In the Boston Globe today Amalie Benjamin chronicles Wakefield’s career and mentions an apology from Buck Showalter for not selecting Wakefield in 1995 when he was 5-1 with an ERA of 1.61. He’s been a work horse for the BoSox and a great guy. And, I have never seen a pitcher that varies so much from start to start between totally dominant and awful (with everything in between). You never know what you’ll get with him.

Steve H says:

Because home field is determined by the outcome, I do not want people picked for any reason than being deserving. Do you want, potentially, game 7 of the World Series being played in an NL stadium instead of Yankee stadium because Wakefield and his 4.30 ERA lose the AS game, a game that he shouldn’t have been invited to anyway?

 
 
 
Salty Buggah says:

Jeter’s AVG up to .313 :)

 
LivefromNewYork says:

Johnny what the hell was that?

 
Salty Buggah says:

Marky REALLY needs a HR

 
Reggie C. says:

GOOD. HITTING.

 
ArodMVP217 Retire 51 says:

FB middle middle. takes pure grit and determination to grit to lay off that, georgie

 
dygg says:

In play, run(s)!

 
cjc says:

so does that mean we have to boo jorge now that he passed o’neil on the hits list

 
Salty Buggah says:
 
ChrisS says:

I <3 Jorge Posada

 
Drew says:

Jober + Run Support = W

 
Dela G says:
 
Steve H says:

Guess it’s time to take Jorge off my fantasy bench. Hope his slump is officially over.

Salty Buggah says:

I think it is too

 
Jamie says:

Agreed Sire. I am doing the same. Having him and Wieters as my catchers in fantasy has been frustrating.

Steve H says:

I have those two, but Sandoval also to solve all of my problems.

 
 
 
Cokie says:

Is it just me or does Matsui manage to frequently look silly and over matched at the plate, while constantly picking up big hits?

It’s all part of his diabolical plan. He looks bad on a pitch so the pitcher will throw it again and he hammers it.

ChrisS says:

Cecil wanted no part of him after that near-dinger.

 
Salty Buggah says:

as crazy as that may sound, it makes sense

 
Cokie says:

Strangely, that does make some sense.

 
dkidd says:

renteria did that in game 7 of the 97 WS

Fuck yeah he did.

 
 
 
 
Drew says:

All quiet on the Sano front. I wish we swoop in like we did wit Teix.

Jake says:

I’d rather Chapman

Drew says:

That will be this winter. One shouldn’t have too much to do with the other.
I rather… both! :)

 
Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

I say both. There is no recession in Yankee Universe.

 
 
whozat says:

Just ignore the hype machine, man. Take a lesson from the Salcedo fiasco.

 
Accent Shallow says:

I’m not sure if I want to give $4 million to a 16 year old, especially after they gave $3 million to another one earlier. These kids are just so young.

Drew says:

That’s why we have talent evaluators and scouts though. This kid is suppose to be an UBER prospect.

 
 
 
Will (the other one) says:

Already time for Cito to start worrying about eating innings with his bullpen–I LOVE IT.

 
Drew says:

Fuck! I thought he got that!

 
Accent Shallow says:

Toronto pitching coach: Listen buddy, we know you suck, but you have to at least give us 4. Please?

Drew says:

Coach, I gave them four.

 
 
Salty Buggah says:

What at an PA by Matsui!

 

No Kinsler on the All Star Team at all. He’ll probably get voted in on the Final Man ballot, but he should be there to start. What a bunch of crap.

Salty Buggah says:

But teh nation voted!!! And they know everything. They’re the baseball equivalent of MENSA, right?

 
Will (the other one) says:

Pretty unbelievable. The Great American Popularity Contest strikes again.

 
 
 
Cokie says:

Swish can stick the dagger in the heart right here.

 
Joebrah says:

well i guess cano won’t be getting any sort of playing discipline for that missed call and bonehead play yesterday. he’s got a rod to thank for that.

Steve H says:

It’s all A-Rod, all the the time.

 
 
Drew says:

kay is a jinxer

 
CP3 says:

Does Hinske make his first yankee appearance today? I say yes.

 
Cokie says:
 

Swisher struck out just so Cano wouldn’t have to embarrass himself with RISP again. Team player, that Swisher.

ArodMVP217 Retire 51 says:

very selfless of him to sacrifice avg for Robi

 
Joebrah says:
 
JobaWockeeZ says:

Swisher sacrificing his stats for Cano’s…oh wait that’s only the all mighty gritty Red Sox.

 
Joebrah says:

it’s smart baseball.

cano has no chance of RISP his next at bat, so he’ll get a hit.

 
 
Johnny Hopkins says:

So if Cecil’s ERA against teams under .500 is around 2.00 and his ERA against teams over .500 is around 10.00, what’s his value if he were a starter for the Dodgers in the NL West? Is he considered an ace?

Salty Buggah says:

hmmm, I think you indirectly dissed the Dodgers’ record

Johnny Hopkins says:

Yes…and the NL West division…and the national league in general.

 
 
 
mko says:

Why isn’t CC an All-Star? And Wakefield is? I’m missing Cliff Lee too.

 
dkidd says:

i love david cone

 
Dela G says:

well that was anti climactic

 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

I <3 David Cone.

 
Drew says:

LOL! who double fists coffee! That’s great.

JobaWockeeZ says:

Seriously Cone has to be doing this intentionally. This and jerking off?

Drew says:

lol nah, double fisting is a legit term. Usually you double fist at a bar before a drink special runs out. I’ve even dared to triple fist before the 11 o’clock price increase.

JobaWockeeZ says:

Oh, shows what I know.

 
Accent Shallow says:

You have three hands?

Drew says:

it’s just a term.. I don’t really have 3 hands.

 
 
 
 
 
dkidd says:

cone: double fisting

it just gets better and better

Jamie says:

Joe Louis Double Fist

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Things I enjoy about Joba the starter: first pitch breaking ball for a strike.

 
Accent Shallow says:

0-2 hits raise my urge to kill significantly.

 
Salty Buggah says:

ugh I hate 0-2 hits

 
Salty Buggah says:

94-95-96 on that last AB to Chavez

 
pete says:

how can anyone justify pedroia being even in the allstar game at all right now, let alone its starter? He is at .285/.365/.377 with 2 hrs, and 14 SBs to 5 CSs and 35 rbis. Essentially a league average offensive player w/ replacement level power. Better AL second basemen this year: Aaron Hill, Ian Kinsler, Robinson Cano, Brian Roberts, and the guys whose offensive contributions are roughly on par w/ pedroia include Alberto Callaspo, Akinori Iwamura (only because he’s been injured, otherwise his numbers would be far better than pedroia’s), and Macier Izturis. This is almost as bad as last year w/ varitek.

Steve H says:

Don’t forget Zobrist, who at this point is a 2B.

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Probably the best result for that hanging breaking ball — a ground ball single.

Salty Buggah says:

nah a groundball out is better

 
 
Dela G says:

did cone just repeat what kay just said?

haha

 
Jake says:
 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Fastball in leaks back over the plate. Ugh.

 
Salty Buggah says:
 
Dela G says:

wow ransom has as much range as jeter did last year

Andrew says:

Ransom is pretty bad defensively. That’s why Pena should be up as the utility infielder.

 
 
Drew says:

Damn. And that guy almost fell over the wall.

Dela G says:

that would’ve been funny

 
 
pete says:

joba’s been generally fairly solid since the 1st, no? i mean for those actually watching as far as control and consistency goes?

Andrew says:

JOba’s been fine. His velocity has been pretty good as well.

 
 
pete says:

nevermind. fuck.

 
Dela G says:

holy sheet

joba working on giving back the nice cushion?

 
Salty Buggah says:

is Pettitte pitching today? Because the pitcher is pitching to the score

 
claybeez says:

Funny, Joba’s stuff looked better to me that inning and his pace seemed less sloth-like.

 
Jamie says:

guess lind found out that he got snubbed for ben freakin zobrist

Jamie says:

check that — hamilton hasn’t played enough games to be considered a bat boy for the allstar game, nevermind a player or a STARTER.

Who agrees with a mandatory games played as even a consideration to be on the allstar ballot to be a starter? Something to the tune of certain number of plate appearances to win the batting title. Thoughts?

whozat says:

Problem is that they put out the ballots in like…April. So there’s a lot of dumb candidates on there.

Jamie says:

good point. cant just throw the votes out.. this isn’t iran after all

 
 
Drew says:

nah.. not for me. I think the best players should be there. Sometimes the best players get hurt or suspended for 50 games, cough.. manram.. cough.

 
 
whozat says:

don’t look now, but “ben freaking zobrist” is having an incredible year at an up-the-middle position. Lind is a DH/LF.

Jamie says:

zobrist is listed as an outfielder on the reserve list. i know the guy can play all over the diamond im not saying he cant but shit start his ass at 2B then

 
 
 
Salty Buggah says:

ok offense score more!

 
Reggie C. says:

If Joba can’t go 6 quality innings , he’s not a starting pitchahh !

Dela G says:

YEEEEEARRRRGH!

 
 
dygg says:

Cano’s taking pitches today

 
Johnny Hopkins says:

No pressure single for cano

mko says:

All-Star Game Final Vote crap:
# Chone Figgins, LAA
# Brandon Inge, DET
# Ian Kinsler, TEX
# Adam Lind, TOR
# Carlos Pena, TB

# Cristian Guzman, WSH
# Matt Kemp, LAD
# Mark Reynolds, ARI
# Pablo Sandoval, SF
# Shane Victorino, PHI

I guess I’ll have to vote for Inge and Kemp. They’re clearly the “best” when looking at their WAR.

 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Robbie laces ball 4 into RF for a single. He’s such a good hitter that I’m ok with it, I think.

 
Salty Buggah says:

yep, he singles now

 
Dela G says:

great job by robbie

 
josh says:

i am no b-jobber at all but it seems to me the yanks are gonna leave hughes in the pen for a while. if you had to start one and leave one in the pen who would you put in the pen?

Steve H says:

Leave Hughes in the pen. Joba has had success as an MLB starter, Hughes hasn’t.

If that was my only option, of course they’ll both be in the rotation for years to come.

 
Drew says:

neither in the pen. They both can pitch well in the pen because… they are good pitchers.

 
Jamie says:

KENNEDY. muhahah

 
dygg says:

My first inclination is to say, Joba to the pen. But, I feel like Hughes needs a better third pitch to be the starter he’s intended to be.

 
 

Send Robbie here.

 

Seattle has the bases loaded one outs in the 4th

Dela G says:

LETS GO M’s!

 
 
Steve H says:

Nice bloop triple to unload them!

 
dygg says:

Ronny Cedeno triples to empty the bases

 
 
Bob Stone says:

Mariners up 3-2 over the BoSox – Go Mariners!

Dela G says:
 
Salty Buggah says:
 
 
Jamie says:

C’mon Cody get wet

Dela G says:
 
 
Randy A. says:

So we’re at the halfway point in the season and I think 81 games would be a big enough sample size for someone to check this out. In the beginning of the year when Cano was hitting around .400 through the end of April, it seems as though he was taking the first pitch almost every at bat. Since then…he has reverted back to the 2008 Cano where he would swing at every first pitch no matter how far outside the strikezone it was. I wonder what his batting average is when he takes the first pitch compared to when he doesnt? Has anyone else thought about that too?

Salty Buggah says:

He has a high AVG I think when swinging at the 1st pitch

Randy A. says:

Ya… I’d like to find out the exact numbers though. Results after swinging or not swinging at the first pitch isn’t really a common statistic. Baseball reference has outcomes when hitting in a certain count, but not outcomes based on the first pitch result.

 
 
Steve H says:

He’s hitting .435 when he swings the 1st pitch this year. .400 on 1-0 counts. .238 on 0-1 counts.

Randy A. says:

Not just on that single pitch, Steve, Im just wondering what it is based on the final result of the AB, no matter how many pitches are thrown and what the count ends up being. Not just the result of the count.

 
 
Steve H says:

In ab’s that start 1-0 he’s a .300 hitter, and in ab’s that start 0-1 he’s a .245 hitter.

Pretty small sample sizes of course.

Randy A. says:

yeah…maybe i will come back to this question towards the end of the season.

 
 
 

Holy crap it’s only the third inning.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Strike 3 to Ransom looked like a gift.

 
Salty Buggah says:

ok Joba, don’t give up the lead please

 
mko says:

All-Star Game Final Vote crap:
# Chone Figgins, LAA
# Brandon Inge, DET
# Ian Kinsler, TEX
# Adam Lind, TOR
# Carlos Pena, TB

# Cristian Guzman, WSH
# Matt Kemp, LAD
# Mark Reynolds, ARI
# Pablo Sandoval, SF
# Shane Victorino, PHI

I guess I’ll have to vote for Inge and Kemp. They’re clearly the “best” when looking at their WAR.

Drew says:

support the stache!

 
 
Drew says:

Who on earth would drive that car?

Dela G says:

i’d get it repainted

 
 
Salty Buggah says:

ugh I hate 0-2 beginning Walks too

 
Jake H says:

they said 11th batter that Joba has gone to a full count. That is just so pathetic. He has been irritating me lately.

Drew says:

annoying, yes. pathetic, no.

cjc says:

no we’re in the 3rd inning its pathetic

cjc says:

sorry 1 out in the fourth but I remain by my statement

 
 
Jake H says:

When he goes from 0-2 to walking guys or 3-2 that is pathetic. He has lost that mentality of attacking hitters. he nibbles way too much.

Drew says:

He can’t spot the fastball today. I don;t think it’s that he is nibbling.

Jake H says:

This isn’t the first game that he’s been doing this. It’s multiple ones. he has thrown 80 pitches and he isn’t even through the 4th inning.

Drew says:

Word I know it’s not the first time. I’m just saying, today, he really can’t hit the glove with the heat.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Jake H says:

I’m sorry but Randsom blows big time.

 
captain crunch says:

ransom is terrible…

 
cjc says:

ransom is a fucking joke the fact that he is playing in the majors is a joke the fact he’s a yankee is a disgrace

 
Salty Buggah says:

damn you ransom!!!!!

cmon Joba pick him up

 
Andrew says:

PLEASE DFA RANSOM

 
Dela G says:

RANSOM HAS SUCKED BALLS TODAY AT 3rd

 
Salty Buggah says:

no defense no offense Ransom

 
Drew says:

Wow, people are acting like a 3rd baseman has never been eaten up by a hard hit grounder.

 
Randy A. says:

Ransom cant hit…and he cant field. What is the point of Girardi keeping him in the pros? cause he has a high vertical jump and hes a great athlete?

 
Andrew says:

Ransom is terrible at both sides of the plate.

 
CP3 says:

Someone get pena up here

 
Teix is the Man says:
JobaWockeeZ says:

Really? Such ignorance.

Teix is the Man says:

this happens every game. i am not a b-jobber, but he is throwing so many fucking pitches

 
Teix is the Man says:

and don’t fuckin’call me ignorant you bag of douche

Don’t curse at people.

 
Drew says:
 
JobaWockeeZ says:

Heh then don’t go cursing for no apparent reason. You want to be treated special? Then stop cursing and don’t insult for petty reasons.

 
 
 
 
captain crunch says:

thanks a lot ransom. now the game is tied.

 
cjc says:

chavez sure why not

 
Andrew says:

FUCKIN RANSOM SCREWED IT UP. SHOULD’VE BEEN AN INNING ENDING DOUBLE PLAY.

 
Bob Stone says:

Coney just said that the New Stadium is the same orientation as the old Stadium. But he’s wrong. The New Stadium is oriented a few degrees further north.

 
Salty Buggah says:

one more out please Joba

 
 
BigBlueAL says:

No lead is safe with Joba. LOL. If he gets a ND for this start its totally on him.

 
Bob Stone says:

Bring back Pena and DFA Ransom

 
captain crunch says:

HAHAH ransom is being mocked. good for him.

 
Drew says:

Where have all the happy people gone.. Jeez.

Bob Stone says:
 
CP3 says:

Its hard to be happy when your pitcher is trying to give the game away and your 3rd basemen seems that he has money on the other team

 
Bob Stone says:

I’m happy – Beautiful day, BoSox are losing, Yanks are tied with plenty of time to go. What’s not to be happy about?

 
Salty Buggah says:

Gone with the lead

 
 
pete says:

raul chavez is such a vagina

 
BigBlueAL says:

I dunno why people are ripping Ransom for bobbling a rocket. Joba has sucked today and this is all on him sorry to say.

Andrew says:

That play should’ve been an inning ending DP!

 
 
RunnerS122 says:

It’s baseball, there shouldn’t be smiles or laughing.

 
cjc says:

oh look a full count something different I’m sorry you guys can attack me all you want but pete is right Joba is avg and BORING

 
Arman Tamzarian says:
 
Salty Buggah says:
 
Andrew says:

GOD CHAMBERLAIN NEEDS TO THROW SOME FUCKIN STRIKES AND RANSOM NEEDS TO BE DFAD!

Drew says:

DFA Ransom! DFA Matsui! Wang to the pen!! DFA Tomko! Cut em all!!
ANDY PETTITTE IS A STARTING PITCHAHH

 
 
captain crunch says:

nice effort joba. same shit every start.

 
Reggie C. says:

Yank Joba NOW!

garbage slider.

Reggie C. says:

Joba should’ve never thrown that pitch to Aaron Hill.

Joe G., umm.. what are you waiting for ???

 
 

ZOMG DFA Melky teh Gardner woulduh had that!1!

 
Manimal says:

I think I am starting to lean towards becoming a B-Jobber… HELP, SOMEBODY SNAP ME OUT OF IT

BigBlueAL says:

Sadly I wouldnt want Joba in the bullpen because I wouldnt trust him in the 8th inning.

 
 
CP3 says:

Joba WTF…….. I have a question, who would you feel more comfortable with on the mound as a starting pitcher right now Hughes or Joba,

Andrew says:

JOBA WITHOUT ANY QUESTION

 
 
captain crunch says:

joba getting exposed.

 
cjc says:

an utter disgrace

 
pete says:

this is the first time in his pro career that joba has allowed more than 5 runs in a game

 

Might be time to take him out Joe.

CP3 says:

you could say that again

 
 
Salty Buggah says:
 
Little Bill says:

Time to send Jobber to the bullpen.

 
Dela G says:

wow thanks ransom, you loser

 
captain crunch says:

boooooooooooooooooo

 
Andrew says:
 
cjc says:

awwful awful job by joba today

 
Jake H says: