Jul
09

Game 85: Coming up Aces

By

When the Yanks depart Minneapolis this afternoon, I’ll feel a twinge of sadness. I’m really going to miss the Twins. From walk-offs to blow-outs, the Yanks have just dominated the Twins this year, and similar to why the Yanks’ 0-8 showing against the Red Sox has prevented the Yanks from running away with the AL East, the Twins’ 0-6 record against the Yanks is why the Twins are 3.5 games out of AL Central.

Today, we get a guest start. Alfredo Aceves, yesterday’s man of the hour, gets the ball in place of the injured Chien-Ming Wang. Aceves is on something of a pitch count, but based on his recent track record, he should be a-OK.

On the season, Ace is 5-1 with a 2.02 ERA over 21 appearances. He has issued just seven free passes while striking out 34, and opponents are hitting .208/.252/.354 against him. Ahead of today’s start, Tyler Kepman profiled the quirky Aceves. Check that one out.

The Twins counter with the once-great Francisco Liriano. Seemingly stolen from the Giants a few years ago, Liriano was the third-place runner up in the 2006 Rookie of the Year voting. He missed all of 2007 and hasn’t been the same since his arm surgery. On the season, he is 4-8 with a 5.49 ERA. When he faced the Yanks on May 15, he gave up six walks and four hits, but the Yanks plated just one run.

Offensively, the Yanks are resting a sore Johnny Damon. Posada catches a day game after a night game, and A-Rod will DH. On the injury front, word out of Yankee camp is that Damaso Marte is set to throw batting practice in Tampa this weekend. Remember him?

Jeter SS,
Swisher RF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Cabrera LF
Ransom 3B
Gardner CF

And pitching, wearing number 91 in honor of Dennis Rodman, the Mexicano Gangster himself Alfredo Aceves.

Categories : Game Threads

401 Comments

  1. I am really excited about this one just to watch Ace.

    How many innings do you think he goes? If he pitches 15/inning it could get him into the fifth.

  2. Little Bill says:

    Ace will go 4 to 5 innings. Robertson or Alby will probably have to pitch multiple innings. Hopefully we bash Liriano so hard that Tomko can pitch a couple with a big lead.

  3. Charlie says:

    i wish ace wasn’t starting this one.. he clearly has been lights out in the bullpen, so why mess with that success? I liked the idea someone had of having aceves throw like 70 and then hughes 40-45 pitches so he can begin to get “stretched out” for after the ASB. But no, the yankees have decided hughes is a reliever and won’t be in consideration to be the 5th starter.

  4. JGS says:

    I’m hoping for 5 out of Ace. Followed by Albie, Bruney, and Robertson/Coke then Rivera if necessary

  5. ChrisS says:

    Aceves will pitch 8IP if the Yankees let him.

  6. Charlie says:

    wow, that aceves article just made me love him even more than i already did. what a beast of a person

  7. Charlie says:

    liriano’s been on a pretty good run recently, then again, a lot of pitchers were this year before they faced the yankees…

    • Zach says:

      he’s only given up more then 3 runs once in his last 6 starts, his era is like 3.80 over that time

  8. jsbrendog says:

    i dunno, i feel hinske should be getting a star at 3b since his bat is better than ransom’s and they might need it…but whatever.

  9. And pitching, wearing number 91 in honor of Dennis Rodman, the Mexicano Gangster himself Alfredo Aceves.

    If he throws a complete game shutout, I guarantee he rips off all his clothes and runs around the Metrodome outfield naked in celebration.

  10. McCaff says:

    love the title of the thread

  11. Salty Buggah says:

    I want to sweep so bad…

  12. My post work errands really get in the way of these 1 PM weekday home games.

  13. Salty Buggah says:

    I also hope A-rod smacks a couple out to make up for that should-be slam

  14. Drew says:

    Good to see Jesus is #3 on BA’s new list. Why isn’t Clay Bucholz on the list?

    • jsbrendog says:

      cause you have to have not been accused of a felony.

    • Zach says:

      his 98 major league innings probably take him off the list because hes no longer has ‘rookie status’

    • Steve O. says:

      Typo? This is the only logical reason I can think of. BA’s staff must be fired! How dare they overlook a Redsox prospect!

    • Because Red Sox players aren’t “prospects”. Being a “prospect” implies the possibility of failure. All Red Sox youngsters are guaranteed future studs.

      For example, Manny Delcarmen is already on pace to break Trevor Hoffman’s career saves record.

      For Diamond Cutters, I’m Peter Gammons, ESPN.

  15. Dela G says:

    i’m excited to watch ace

  16. dave says:

    Jesus #3 prospect in baseball
    Jackson #37

    http://www.baseballamerica.com.....ts/?p=5456

  17. e mills says:

    man I’d be so bummed if I was Ace and Girardi had Ransom playing 3B on the day I start

  18. charlespoet says:

    Giambi would have made that play.

  19. Dela G says:

    i love tex

  20. Dela G says:

    my boy ace needs to throw some more strikes

  21. Drew says:

    It’s aight Ace, dudes hittin like .390

  22. Jackson says:

    Joe Mauer can hit.

  23. Salty Buggah says:

    Mauer is a beast

  24. Chip says:

    Man, Twins should have signed that Mauer kid to an extention the day he made the big league club. Crazy good

  25. Zach says:

    So I always heard that playing in a dome/turf shortens the careers or gives players more leg problems then players who dont play in a dome for their home games- any concern with Mauer about this? Or even Crawford?

  26. Jackson says:

    Anytime you get through Mauer and Mourneau without giving up runs it’s a pretty big win in my book.

  27. The only reason that Joe Mauer is not currently hitting .400 is because he was sore for a couple of games after spending all day rescuing nuns and orphans from burning buildings in the local Minneapolis area.

  28. charlespoet says:

    I remember the first game I saw in the Dome while living in MN. Twins v Tigers. I laughed watching a fitted Zamboni with brooms prepping the field – sweeping the dirt from outside 3rd base back into the field.

    Was a sad, sad, day.

  29. Salty Buggah says:

    When you walk to leadoff the inning, does it count as passing the baton?

  30. Mo >>> Melvin >>>> Montero >>>> Mauer >>> Cervelli >>>>>>>>> Everyone else?

  31. Drew says:

    Mike redmond always hits us well.

  32. John Duci says:

    Honestly, I can’t wait to see Mauer in pinstripes.

  33. Jackson says:

    Who last longer in this game Ace or Liriano?

  34. Zach says:

    stolen base? but his HIP! he looks 47!

  35. Zach says:

    is getting hit by a pitch considered passing the baton? or justt a gritty at bat?

  36. Drew says:

    Give that man a hit!

  37. That was scary close to a rally killing DP

    • Zach says:

      theres no outs and alex would have been at third so its not really killing a rally would it?

    • Dela G says:

      you’re telling me! I was worried he was turning into derek jeter during interleague play

  38. Drew says:

    C’mon Melk, let’s put a pin in this.

  39. Salty Buggah says:

    oh well, good AB Melky

    Cmon Cody

  40. Dela G says:

    smart job holding up there alex

    • Jackson says:

      Indeed, Cuddyer has a cannon that I have personal experience with. I once rung up a hat trick in an AAU game with him on the mound. He throws hard.

  41. Salty Buggah says:

    cmon In Play, run(s)

  42. Mike Axisa says:

    Wow. I had zero faith in Ransom’s ability to do anything productive once the count was 0-2.

  43. Balboni Rocks says:

    Cody Ransom AKA RBI Machine !

  44. Drew says:

    Good shit Cody.

  45. Salty Buggah says:

    that works, but he passed the baton too

  46. Dela G says:

    RBI KILLAH!

  47. Cody Ransom is just that good.

  48. Nate says:

    And Francisco Liriano is throwing a no hitter and losing 1-0

  49. Zach says:

    Hinske would have done bettah

  50. Wow, David Cone knows his shit…

    looking at unearned runs…

    Has anyone done that yet?

  51. John Duci says:

    That fucking sucks

  52. zs190 says:

    Ron Gardenhire is probably asking “Why me? Why?” this series, we’ve been just killing their starters all series long.

  53. Dela G says:

    damn it, i thought he got hit

  54. Zach says:

    ill take it

  55. charlespoet says:

    For those of you quoting Peter Gammons, Gardner’s AB was a bad AB unless it is Pedroia then it would be gritty – play by a special player.

  56. Drew says:

    Go figure, we kill the ball all inning, that fuckin thing dunks in.

  57. Balboni Rocks says:

    Oh Captain my Captain !!!!

  58. Zach says:

    but he swung at the FIRST PITCH

  59. Salty Buggah says:

    Jeter!

  60. Dela G says:

    GRIT GUTNER IS NAILS!

  61. zs190 says:

    Man, Jetes is hitting .446 against LHP this season.

  62. Dela G says:

    how the hell did gardner get to 3rd? wow

  63. Drew says:

    Well that is perplexing.

  64. Jackson says:

    You know, I was sort of hoping that he maintained the no hitter but still lost the game. Andy Hawkins style.

  65. Zach says:

    Halladay is in trouble in TB

  66. Okay, I love being aggressive, but why are we fucking around with double-steals?

    Liriano is pitching horribly. He was what we thought he was. And we let him off the hook.

  67. Drew says:

    Long half inning for Ace to sit.

  68. Salty Buggah says:

    Gardy, you’re gritty for a Yankee but you are not a Red Sox

  69. Steve O. says:

    Brett Gardner =/= Jacoby Ellsbury.

  70. Little Bill says:

    Can’t believe they did that with Liriano struggling out there. Stupid Girardi.

    • Drew says:

      Swish didn’t even get out of the way until he saw Grit, I don’t know if that was called from the dugout. Maybe someone messed up the sign.

  71. Mike Axisa says:

    Well, at least Kubel’s on my fantasy team.

  72. Salty Buggah says:

    damn I knew that Kubel would do something

  73. Steve O. says:

    Where the hell is Axisa? 0-2 HR. No sign anywhere. Weird.

  74. Jason Kubel’s one of those Luke Scott types. You never think about him or worry about him, but he’s sneaky under-the-radar good.

    He’s got a wicked platoon split, though. OPSing 1.038 against righties and .470 against lefties. Helloooooo, Phil Coke!

  75. Salty Buggah says:

    cmon Ace

  76. bobtaco says:

    Come on Ace, the bed is starting to look shitty…

  77. charlespoet says:

    Damn JV players. Ransom > Pena?

  78. JohnnyC says:

    Ransom is useless.

  79. Balboni Rocks says:

    Ok the walk was nice but Ranson has got to go. He really brings nothing to the table.

  80. Ace says:

    Is anyone else surprised Cody Ransom is lost on the baseball diamond? Haha. He just put his hands up as to say “Where am I? What am I doing here?”

  81. Salty Buggah says:

    Ransom’s 4th error already…

  82. Ace says:

    WTF!!! Please get Ransom down to the minors and bring back Pena. He is awful!!!

  83. JohnnyC says:

    Maybe if they placed a 5 foot tall block in front of him at 3rd base, he’d field better?

    • Drew says:

      did u see the hop it took?

      • Tank the Frank says:

        Stop making excuses for a player who’s made 4 errors in 8 minutes at third base.

      • Ace says:

        Drew, are you blind? He had plenty of time to get set and throw it over to 1st. He just completely whiffed and threw it away from Tex. Awful awful throw.

        • Drew says:

          No I’m not blind. I never said he shouldn’t have made the throw. I asked a simple question and none of you have answered it.

          • Tank the Frank says:

            Yeah, the ball took a hop. He then sets himself, clutches, and with plenty of time, fires wide.

            Right now he looks like that kid in little league who DOES NOT want the ball hit to him. And I should know cause that used to be me!

    • Ace says:

      He’s just so athletic. The best athlete on the team. Then why the fcuk can’t he throw a baseball to 1st base? He must be Girardi’s cousin or something. There’s no other answer.

  84. Tank the Frank says:

    If there is a worse overall position player in the majors right now other than Cody Ransom, I’d like to know his name.

  85. Salty Buggah says:

    shouldn’t that be an unearned run?

    • Zach says:

      think its earned due to the error on the pickoff from aceves, i think its similar to a pitching throwing a wild pitch

    • Steve O. says:

      Yeah, the scorers usually change it a bit later in the game, as they did Liriano’s.

  86. Balboni Rocks says:

    Horrible inning all around. I hope they got that shit out of their system.

  87. A.D. says:

    Well got out of that craptacular inning

  88. Salty Buggah says:

    well, we still have the lead. Let’s score several more now…

  89. Zach says:

    so much for aceves going 4 innings today

  90. Matt says:

    Cody Ransom< Carmen Angelini

  91. Tank Foster says:

    Soon as Pena gets some OF playing time in AAA (the “supersub” concept), he comes back and Ransom is DFA’d. He’s kickin’ or chuckin’ every other ground ball he sees.

  92. Swish has gotten a case of the Canos lately.

  93. Cecilio Guante's number 1 fan says:

    The people running the Yankees have no idea what they are doing. Ransom is not a major leaguer but he plays alot against lefties. He cannot play defense. Meanwhile Pena has yet to start a game in the outfield down there. Get rid of Ransom. 177 hitting, no defense. Makes me pine for the days of Dale Berra and Paul Zuvella

  94. Tank Foster says:

    Ok, let’s not let up on Liriano here….keep the pressure on him!

  95. Dammit, Lirano. Let that go through your legs.

  96. Tom Zig says:

    With Swisher, Tex and Arod at the plate, you’d think Liriano would throw more than 7 pitches to get the 3 of them.

  97. Bo says:

    Have we seen enough of Ransom yet?

    Is the 180 BA the worst of it or the fact that he cannot field?

    Why is he still on this roster?

  98. JohnnyC says:

    They had a shot at signing Nick Punto in the off-season but let a few hundred thousand samoleons get in the way.

  99. Matt says:

    The Washington Natinals just called and they’re willing to offer the Yankees their washing machine in exchange for Cody Ransom. They see him as the player that could push them over the top for the 2010 #1 pick in the draft.

  100. JobaWockeeZ says:

    Come on Yanks let’s destroy Liriano. He’s on my opponents fantasy team and it’s already close for pitching! Murder em!

  101. JohnnyC says:

    Probably faked out the organization when he came up last season and immediately hit a handful of home runs. They thought they’d stumbled onto something here but…the guy’s 33 years old. That makes him like 198 in dog years.

  102. bobtaco says:

    Now that was a Gangster inning. Extra credit for striking out Mauer.

  103. theyankeewarrior says:

    MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that the Yankees just traded Cody Ransom to Scranton for Ramiro Pena

  104. yankees on yes says:

    not sure if this has been addressed in any posts on here recently, but you do not need to be using optimum’s online network to watch yankees on yes.com. you just need to be an optimum cable and internet customer.

    watching at work, doesnt get much better than that

  105. Drew says:

    I wonder if Ace has any info on ManBan. I’d like to know his thoughts.

  106. Cecilio Guante's number 1 fan says:

    Yes they know what they are doing. I apologize. Cashman signing those three unknown free agents, Sabbathia, Burnett, and Teixeira was a stroke of genius. I used to drink the cool-aid that they knew what they were doing but then they had Bobby Meacham become the third base coach.

  107. Sam P. says:

    I see Melky’s still swinging at the first pitch, according to Gamecast …

  108. Salty Buggah says:

    oh god, we better score here…cmon Cody

  109. Tank the Frank says:

    Isn’t “Punto” some filthy word in Spanish?

  110. Balboni Rocks says:

    Cmon Cody. Earn your stripes !!!

  111. Cecilio Guante's number 1 fan says:

    Melky is too busy making videos with Mary Carey to drive runners in.

  112. dre says:

    anybody noticed that the last times arod rested it was against a lefty? its almost like Girardi is doing it on purpose so he he as an excuse to play ransom over Hinske…what was the point of getting him again?

    If he doesn’t get at bats, when he does play he won’t hit well..

    • whozat says:

      Today was day game after a night game. That’s a much more likely explanation than the lefty thing.

    • Zach says:

      well Hinske sucks at third base too, and are if we are really complaining about who should play between Ransom/Hinske then this team is in a pretty good position

  113. Cody Ransom is so awful.

  114. Cody Ransom atones for past sins.

  115. Tank the Frank says:

    I never doubted Ransom for a minute and I’m glad to have him on board.

  116. Drew says:

    cut this guy! he’s a waste! he does nothing!

  117. Cody Ransom has two RBI’s.

    Two of them. Today.

    • JobaWockeeZ says:

      Huh but the runs the Yankees scored are all scored as unearned except for Ransom’s RBI right now. What happened exactly?

  118. Jackson says:

    Cody Ransom is useless!

  119. Salty Buggah says:

    there you go Cody, makin up for the error (even though it makes me think it could have been 4-1 now but oh well)

  120. Steve O. says:

    Cody Ransom’s offense > Ramiro Pena’s offense.

  121. Tampa Yankee says:

    TB’s bullpen is starting to implode again.

  122. Drew says:

    Oaktag is out in full force ladies and gentleman.

  123. Cecilio Guante's number 1 fan says:

    Ransom reverse jinx works- now take him out for defense

  124. Tom Zig says:

    Can we go 3-3 with knocking out starters in the 4th inning?

  125. dre says:

    how fast we forget, his suckiness from april, 1 good game, doesn’t make him a good player…

  126. Drew says:

    All right Grit!

  127. Brett Gardner is so not an everyday player.

  128. JobaWockeeZ says:

    Gritsner!

  129. Bottom of the line up today is all sorts of awesome.

  130. Cecilio Guante's number 1 fan says:

    Pena offense > Ransom offense

    Pena defense and ransom defense not on same planet

    Gardner- starting centerfielder

  131. Salty Buggah says:

    I knew Cody Ransom would be good when brought him up. All of doubted him but I knew he would be good. You just let some little error and bad games get in the way but I had faith. I hate to say I told you so but I told you so.

    /Little Bill’d

  132. Jackson says:

    Brett Gardner is an rbi machine

  133. Brett Gardner is hotter than Roger Clemens’ balls.

  134. Tom Zig says:

    DFA JETER

  135. Zach says:

    Ransom and Gardner get RBI hits, Jeter GIDP. baseball is funny

  136. JohnnyC says:

    Derek is useless!

    • JobaWockeeZ says:

      DFA DFA DFA!!
      thats how we shud solve all of teh problems of teh yankees11!1!1!
      i r smarter than cashman dfa dfa dfa dfa!

  137. Salty Buggah says:

    GARDNER FOR ROY!

    Seriously, can someone start a campaign or something (RAB, I’m talkin at you)

  138. Balboni Rocks says:

    Posade with cat like quickness.

  139. Salty Buggah says:

    cmon Ace…double play

  140. Tampa Yankee says:

    The storm here in Tampa must have knocked out the power at the Trop. The Rays games says “delayed:power”.

  141. Manimal says:

    How can the TB-TOR game be delayed? Both teams play in indoor stadiums… wtf?

  142. Jorge cannot block balls.

  143. Tank Foster says:

    Tha Gangsta is gassed. Get him outta there.

  144. Balboni Rocks says:

    Bring in Roebertson now.

  145. Tank the Frank says:

    There’s a good chance this would’ve been CMW’s line anyway.

  146. Salty Buggah says:

    Double Play or strikeout/popout then any out please

  147. charlespoet says:

    Ok, he didn’t pitch bad but can someone explain the logic of not using Hughes today.

  148. Tank Foster says:

    Per gamecast: PITCHING CHANGE. David Robertson replaces David Robertson.

  149. Jackson says:

    65 pitches on the nose, funny how things work out like that.

  150. y says:

    Great now the bullpen will be gassed and Joba is going tomorrow…

  151. bobtaco says:

    So if comparing this start to one of the recent Wang ones, what is the take away?

  152. Let’s go, D-Rob.

  153. Drew says:

    erghhh

  154. Oy, please don’t walk in a run. Those make me cry.

  155. Zach says:

    3-1 to fuckin nick punto

  156. Forget the curveball, Davey. Throw ‘im the heater.

  157. Please. don’t. walk. in. a. run.

  158. Zach says:

    i hope he knows the bases are loaded

  159. Balboni Rocks says:

    It’s Span, not Mauer but Span.

  160. Fuck. Come on, Dave.

  161. Drew says:

    ughh i hate young pitchahs!!

  162. Salty Buggah says:

    WTF? that was a strike

  163. KW says:

    wow he got squeezed terribly

  164. handtius says:

    man, a 4 pitch walk with the bases loaded. i love Robertson, but he needs to get that control on track.

  165. Salty Buggah says:

    again a strike to tolbert…

  166. Steve O. says:

    Who was that who wanted Nick Punto? coughJohnnyCcough

    • JohnnyC says:

      You’re going to tell me Ransom is better than Punto as a utility man? You’re better than that, Steverino.

  167. Moshe Mandel says:

    And that’s why he cannot be trusted in high leverage spots at this point. He loses the strikezone in those situations. He is going to be a really good reliever, but right now he is just a solid guy you use in 6th innings.

  168. charlespoet says:

    Is it me or do many pitchers seem to be nibbling way to much this year, not just Yankees.

  169. Bo says:

    Robertson isnt ready for prime time. He walks way too many guys.

  170. A.D. says:

    JESUS

  171. Balboni Rocks says:

    Wow, this kid is not only shitting the bed but he is playing with it. Nice job Dave.

  172. Drew says:

    oh fuck off david.

  173. Salty Buggah says:

    Balls 1 and 3 were strikes on gameday to Tolbert

  174. BigBlueAL says:

    Dont worry, Hughes will be ready to face his 2 batters in the 8th inning.

  175. Tom Zig says:

    damn it D-rob. stop walking people.

  176. andrew says:

    according to gameday this ump is full of crap.

  177. Zach says:

    woww

  178. charlespoet says:

    I love these pitchers duals.

  179. Jackson says:

    I’m not sure I understand the umpires zone here. I’m only watching on Gameday day but 4 of the 5 pitches to Tolbert were right down the middle.

  180. Ace says:

    Um, paging Mr. Cashman. Hope you’re still looking to trade for a bullpen arm. David Robertson is a pu$$y who has forgotten how to pitch. Thank you.

  181. Reilly says:

    If he can strike out Mauer. Just DO NOT WALK HIM!

  182. Shdwrptr says:

    Dammit Robertson. He didn’t call it a strike the first 5 times. Stop throwing it there

  183. Will says:

    Holy crap, is that guy 10 feet tall? Gameday had 3 of those balls as strikes.

  184. Salty Buggah says:

    cmob D-rob get out of this

  185. Bo says:

    Cue the homers who will complain about the umps squeezing a guy who can’t throw a strike.

  186. Nate says:

    This umpire has been squeezing all the pitchers today, Robertson has thrown 6 balls that should have been strikes

  187. b/c says:

    OK i think we can let robertson off the hook for this. cuz according to gameday, he didnt walk anyone and struck out tolbert looking