Game 93: The new guy
By
Hey, kinda looks like A.J. Burnett, right?
It’s game two of the Yanks-Orioles series, and the story from the Yankees standpoint is Sergio Mitre. Normally I’d do a run-through of his career to this point, but Mike took care of that. We’ll just have to sit back and see what he can do against the Orioles offense, which ranks 10th in the AL in OPS.
The Yanks will face Rich Hill. The former Michigan Wolverine went in the fourth round to the Cubs in 2002. A fastball-curveball lefty, Hill had always been a strikeout pitcher. Problem was, he was also a wild pitcher, issuing an extraordinary number of free passes in college and his first few years in the minors. He broke out in 2005, though, getting his walk rate down as he pitched at three different levels of the minors. He also had an unsuccessful stint in the majors that year, but it was only 23.2 innings.
He got another chance in 2006, and pitched decently. His strikeout rate fell down to less than a batter per inning, but his walk rate settled a bit, too, to a manageable 3.5. He was even better in 2007, throwing 195 innings to a 3.92 ERA, striking out 183 and walking just 63. All the sudden, Hill looked like he’d reach his potential.
Yet 2008 was not so kind. Hill struggled early with his control, walking at least three batters per game in his first four starts, only one of which lasted six innings. On May 2 he walked four batters while recording just two outs. Manager Lou Piniella yanked him from the game, and the next day he was optioned to AAA. There he had back issues, and then in June was shut down and sent to work on his issues. In July the team said that Hill’s problems were more mental than physical. In August he faced more back problems and was placed on the DL, missing the rest of the year.
Over the winter the Cubs sent Hill to the Orioles for a player to be named later. He’s had enormous problems this year, with his walk rate up over 5.5 per nine. He’s had a few decent starts, but for every one in which he went six innings, three runs or better, he’s had an under-six inning, more than six-run start. Other than his standout start against Seattle on June 1, there’s nothing at all spectacular about Hill’s past two seasons.
Oh, and that failed cup of coffee in 2005? Part of that was at the hands of the Yanks. The Yankees were up three runs in the sixth inning on June 18, 2005. The Cubs starter, Glendon Rusch, came out to start the sixth, but walked Jorge Posada and gave up a single to Bernie Williams. In came Hill, who started off strong by striking out Tino Martinez, probably on one of those filthy curveballs. But he walked Robinson Cano — ROBINSON CANO — to load the bases. Derek Jeter was due up next. Perhaps this has jogged your memory. If not…
I was at a family gathering that day. Once Hill — I had no idea who he was at the time — came out and they cut to a commercial break, I guaranteed my uncle and cousin that when they came back they’d have up a note about how Jeter had never hit a grand slam in his career. Sure enough, they did. Moments later, Jeter took Joe Borowski deep, ensuring that commentators would never bring up that subject ever again.
Looks like the game will start at 7:30.
Lineup:
1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, DH
5. Jorge Posada, C
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Melky Cabrera, CF
9. Cody Ransom, 3B
And on the mound, the newly-minted number forty-five, Sergio Mitre.
321 Comments
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Who’s ready for a potential roller-coaster ride today?
I hope the Yanks offense breaks out big time today and can score some runs off of the lefty today. Also, I hope Mitre can work some magic and keep the Yanks in the game by giving us a solid effort, if not a surprisingly great one.
Let the Sergio Mitre era in the Bronx begin!
GUYS!!!
I CUT OFF MY HAIR!!
*ahem*
Mitre wearing Pavano’s number? Why do I have a bad feeling about this?
1. Pics or it didn’t happen.
2. Because he’s also got Angel Berroa’s locker.
http://bit.ly/mLVDw
(My bedroom at Mom and Dad’s)
For before pics, go check the blog or my facebook, but basically it was down past my boobs.
Oh, that’s not too short. I thought we were talking Natalie Portman circa V For Vendetta style.
I’ve been told I look like Natalie Portman.
I don’t.
I was once told by a woman that I look like Joaquin Phoenix–she was quite drunk.
The rapper version?
The actor version. It was a few years ago when he looked normal.
Me: http://i117.photobucket.com/al.....1248219227
I’ve gotten Ed Norton and Johnny Depp.
Don’t ask me how I’ve gotten BOTH, as they don’t look alike.
i have that exact same flag above my bed!
I actually bought the flag in San Diego. Wasn’t sure if my parents would kill me when I put it up (I was maybe 14), but they didn’t.
thats awesome
i got mine 4 years ago during my freshman year of college off the internet
Alright, so what is Mitre’s new nickname?
The Sergio.
the SURGE!
thats what i call my boy sergio here at school
I believe that was a FOX game, and the homer was just to the left of center field.
Ha, love the picture in the post. I can’t see a picture of that guy without thinking “what did you, kill a cheetah?”
I had sex…. WITH A GIRL!! UHHH!
Did you say two fingers? Better make it three.
IETC.
i’m hoping for a quality start and an offensive explosion from the yanks. and if sergio winds up sucking, maybe it will help the yankees realize that hughes should be in the rotation.
I’d be okay if the offense realised the ASB ended five days ago…
hey, we’re winning, so if that keeps happening, i don’t care if the yanks never score more than two in a game for the rest of the year.
Ditto. The chances of winning three games having scored a total of six runs are very, very small.
Also: realised? Are we British now?
I have a lot of English friends…
Don’t you know? It’s the flavour of the month.
You know, those extra u’s are just for Scrabble purposes.
I want another grand slam this season. It’s just something I feel my life is missing right now.
Can you guys keep the first pitch information flowing as it becomes available? When you’re watching on mlb.tv you never get any such information until the video magically pops up. Is the weather a potential showstopper?
For what it’s worth, the Gameday status has changed from “Delayed” to “Warmups”
7:30 is when it starts now
Awesome. Thanks.
Free preview of Extra Innings, ftw!
Oh yeah? Kick ass.
Doesn’t it end tomorrow? and did it start on the 16th?
Per LoHud: Whelan to AAA and Sanchez (Humberto) to AA
Whelan? He finally figure his control issues out?
http://www.thebaseballcube.com.....elan.shtml
A bit, but still walking too many.
So…Jeter has only 1 Grand Slam in his whole career?!?!?! He’s UNCLUTCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The yankees will score 6 runs tonight
i can feel it
6? Come on, they’ll score at least 10
Hopefully you’re right and hopefully Mitre and then the pen can hold them to less than 6.
You’re like a dyslexic psychic.
The number in your head is 9, not 6.
yezzur
Anyone else see Alex rip away Matsui’s helmet from Melky yesterday? I thought that was hilarious.
I saw they highlighted it on SportsCenter – ripe with the condescending comments we’ve come to expect – just to make him seem like an ass. He’s just having fun out there… the whole team is.
I got such a kick out of that. Especially considering how Alex is like a big brother to Melky and Cano.
But let’s not forget that Alex isn’t allowed to have fun. He must wear pinstriped sackcloth and rub ashes on himself over all extra-base hits in penance.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/ne.....;type=lgns
I’ve heard ESPN has a blanket DO NOT REPORT on that story.
Don’t know if that’s true or not, so take it with a grain of salt.
i heard that too
protect big ben
not bring up race, but when Kobe was accused they covered it 24/7 even before the trial, and had that whole how Kobe became a bad boy thing.
speaking of bad boy, reason #7,000 why aspiring artists should never sign with puffy:
kobe’s case was a little different, he was indicted on felony charges. so far this is just a civil suit by the girl.
but it doesnt make it any worse, if true. from what i remember espn and the media basically claimed Kobe as being guilty before he even went to court.
Why? Has ESPN decided the case already?
Someone filed a suit, doesn’t mean that its true or not true. That’s why they have courts and stuff. ESPN would be doing nothing wrong telling people somebody filed a suit. Its not their job to bury stories, it’s their job to report and let people make up their own minds.
+1
Yeah, sucks for him. And her.
For a while ESPN’s injury report said “Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger questionable for Week One (knee, sexual assault).”
IETC
Not a good ratio.
…wrong reply, muh bad
Yeah, he would definitely want to get his ratio of sexual assaults down before dating again.
wearing 45 might not be the best omen.
One pitch, one double.
Oops.
bad start I guess
Well that’s not a good start.
Everyday Single + Johnny Damon = Stand-up Double
Yyyyyyyep.
Dayum. Three pitches, three swings.
well that’s not a good start
I could read Sergio Mitre’s mouth there:
“FUCK ME”
Pretty much, yeah.
hmmm
This is going to be a long night.
oh boy
1/3 innings 27 ERA
BUST!!!!
Down to 18
or 13.50
I talked to one scout who said Sergio Mitre’s sinker is the best he’s ever seen it and said it reminds him of a young Brandon Webb. Incidentally, another scout said Mitre could be the best acquisition of the offseason. The Yankees are reluctant to deal Mitre, who could close in the National League if moved to the bullpen. One Yankees official said they would have to be “blown away” by an offer to deal him, but may be willing to entertain offers that include a Mike Stanton type bat.
– Peter Gammons
wow that’s incredible
…right before Gammo’s nurse snatched away the paint thinner
now THAT made me laugh out loud
Perhaps a trade to the Red Sox for Brad Penny. This would ensure the Apopcalypse.
*jawdrop*
…you know it’s a joke, right?
Her jaw was mimicking Mitre’s sinker. She is in simpatico with his amazingness.
Bizzaro Peter Gammons.
I’m sorry I just despise Peter Gammons. I can’t help but immitate/make fun of him sometimes.
I even believed it up until the “Brandon Webb” part.
I’d believe this comment if Mitre was pitching for Boston tonight.
hey at least his pitch count is low!
Kei Igawa keeps his pitch count down, too. Because everything is so damn hittable.
1st inning butterflies, nothing more. Shake it off Serge!
When we call him “Serg” he sounds like a masseuse in a gay bathhouse.
I don’t claim to know what he did during his TJ recovery
Well, it seems like he has decent sink from Gameday…maybe he’s rusty and nervous and will settle down soon.
his sinker is really sinking well
fo sho
y does it feeling like everyone (including RAB) is underselling Mitre? His past is not that bad… I would be more optimistic about him being able to fill the 5 hole… certainly more than ponson…
and I am saying this after he’s given up a run
Many have been defending him today
I despise My9. I have the MLB Extra Innings package, get all the ESPN channels, YES Network, MLB network, and My18, but can’t watch the game tonight. My9 is almost always carried by some channel here, but for some reason no channel has the game tonight.
I guess I’m watching Cubs-Phillies tonight.
I used to have the same problem. I had extra innings last year which was crap. MLB.com is much better with excellent quality, but it is really buggy. Slingbox is the best. So you know anyone that lives in the NY area?
1) Get them to get a cable box just for you (doesn’t have to hook up to a tv cost is $5 a month)
2) Invest in a sling box ($180) one time charge…
you get YES, MY9… plus any channel you want anywhere you want.
There you go. Rough start, settled down nicely.
He’s got a nice little sinker. Gameday has pretty much all of ‘em at 93.
Did you mean ‘stinker’ or ‘sinker’?
ZERO RUNS would’ve scored if Austin Jackson or Brett Gardner was in left. His lack of hustle on that ball in the gap cost us. Even if he got there quicker, maybe Roberts would’be been reluctant to go for two.
Or if Alex Rios was in Left.
Just sayin. . ..
Ok not bad if he can hold them from here. Our infield D better be good today.
The Orioles hit .301 w/RISP and are 9th in the AL in runs. The Yankees hit .261 w/RISP and are 1st in the AL in runs. What does this tell us about BA w/RISP?
You just blew my mind.
That it leads to losing?
You’re a clever one, Axisa!
That it’s bad. The last thing you want to do is get hits with runners on base. Screws up everything.
Excuse me, Mr. Surly.
That was surly?
Ok time for another nightmareish outing from Rich Hill.
Can’t wait to see Hill’s curveball. Disgusting.
Philthy?
Dear Yankees:
DON’T SWING!
they might have to
nice job my mitre!
FUCK YOU MARKAKIS
So close jeter
So close
I hope Jeter gets on base plenty today…he crushes lefties
Time to move the fences in.
This place is huge. Petco East.
Too many fans breathing out in right field.
I don’t understand why people still mention that Maier play as the reason why the Yankees won in ’96. They won the series 4-1.
eh
its a nice story
It turned the series a bit. They would have gone down 2-0 on the first two games at home.
mostly because Orioles fans are still bitter
We’ve seen the replay enough times already. Game please.
Hill has allowed 12 runs in 9 innings i think Kay said
Watch him go 7 IP 2 R 4 H 2 BB 6 K today
Kay: “Just a bit outside” Hehe
Bad inning…
there is no way his curveball is at 90
that thing looks like its at 65
i know the YES gun is off anyways
the MASN gun says 89-90 on fastball and 72-73 on curveball, that seems to all he throws.
I did not realize Mora had been with them for 10 years.
No idea where the time goes. Seems like he was just traded for Bordick yesterday.
lol the YES radar gun is correct with the fastballs then all offspeed pitches are like only 2 mph lower
If mitre can throw a 93mph sinker does that mean he can throw a 94 or 95 mph 4 seam?
A wormburner Michael Kay? LOL!
Via the CHONE system, Munson averaged 3.9 WAR per season, higher than Dickey, Berra, Posada (all avg. 3.2 WAR each) and Howard (1.9).
Mitre vs. Wieters
AAA matchup woohoo
Well, he IS almost keeping everything low.
lazy play there by Cano
In what sense? Because he didn’t dive for a ball he had no chance of fielding?
(sarcasm)
You win.
Well he’s getting groundballs.
i love that he is getting ground balls
however lets hope they are finding the yankees players’ gloves
Lol at A-Rod for snatching the helmet from Melky.
so whats the point of getting Hinske if evertime Arod doesn’t play third Girardi is going to play mr. strike out Ransom?
pretty
I like what I have seen thus far from Mitre. He just put a sinker down the middle to Izturis, because that is a guy you do not want to walk. I just hope he doesn’t do that to middle of the order guys, because it was a bit of a hanger.
Well, thats a pretty good inning though he’s at 30 pitches already
Cmon Yankees offense!!!!!
that replay with a-rod taking the helmet away was greatness
I accidentally caught the garter belt at my cousins wedding. It was super awkward sliding it up the leg of the hot bridesmaid while my girlfriend was watching. They got the whole thing on video, awesome.
How do you catch a garter belt “accidentally”?
Fell in your drink?
Landed on your head?
Fell off your leg?
Aaahahahaha! IETC.
Hahah..I was standing in the back of the crowd because I didn’t really want to catch it. Unfortunately my cousin launched a moonshot over everybody else, I stuck my arm up and being 6’3″ it landed right in my haphazardly outstretched hand. I tried to ditch it immediately but my rather large family (25+ cousins, 9 aunts and uncles) called me out and I had to perform the dirty deed at their behest.
People still do that at weddings? I thought only in Tennessee.
Well if you’re insinuating we’re hicks that is certainly not the case.
Juuuuuuuuust a bit inside
++ avoid pitch tool from A-Rod.
K go rock Hill Yanks.
Hill’s out for blood.
no DP Jorge
What is with these 2948502 replays for each that happens?
good god
good pitch to run on
Weiters made that pretty close.
Considering it was a 10 foot curveball.
lol
Arod > Weiters
Bring him in Jorge
A-Rod makes shit HAPPEN!
like Royal Bank of Scotland!
Ballsy play by A-Rod. Markakis has a gun.
+13
Cmon Swisher
We can get another come from behind victory if we win today
Nick Swisher is so bad at getting runners in from third base with less than two outs. He’s just not a situational hitter.
And what’s the point of getting on base so much if he keeps making boneheaded baserunning mistakes?
He’s an awful fielder, too.
exactly!
Look at that bum Swisher. He can’t situational hit to save his life.
A-rod is so gritty today, manufacturing his own run
Arod manufactured that like a motherfucker.
Good job A-Rod.
Alex scratches out a gritty, gutty, highest paid player in Baseball type of run.
Pedroia-ish? Nah, nothing is that scrappy.
It would be ‘Pedroia-ish’ is Alex was:
1-Shorter
2-Less talented
3-Was sporting a ‘grit’ beard
4-Had a creepy sibling
That run was all A-rod (and I guess somewhat Swisher and Jorge)…
Walk, SB, tags to 3rd, sac fly…
Do you remember 2 sac flies in an inning all of last year?
I don’t.
A-ROD!!
A-ROD!!
A-ROD!!
rich hill is flirting with danger throwing his curveball high in the zone
Did anybody saw that ducumentary on Ted Williams on HBO. Pretty cool stuff about.
He’s proud of his curveball.
/Flaherty’d
This is in the wrong place but:
IETMocking.
I did, the one about the Brooklyn Dodgers was awesome too.
Hill still has a no-no
You had to say something. Now he’s going to lose it, and it’s all your fault.
he will give up 7 hits
It won’t be recognized by baseball though. He gave up a run.
you can allow runs–Ken Johnson 5/23/64 is the only CG 9-inning no hitter loss
that’s 4/23/64
Lefty Pitcher, his first start against the Yankees, throws a good number of first pitch strikes, doesn’t throw hard.
It appears Rich Hill possesses 4 of the Yankee Kryptonite qualities.
Also he sucks against non-Yankee teams. Number 5.
Heh, looked like Ransom faceplanted on that dive.
Johnny Damon actually holding a runner? What is going on?
He read RAB before the game.
Whoa. That throw actually had some zip on it.
Don’t even bother throwing that.
I cant help but think Pena gets that Roberts single
That’s on Cano.
So far their in line for another 2-1 victory…
jesus christ
these guys just getting free moves from base to base
Lazy.
damnit Cano
Would have been a DP ball.
Quality “smile of the game” right there.
yea, not bad
I’d like to see her cheeseburger.
Eeeeeeewwww.
Tank the Frank = pat?
I’ve already seen it.
On the internet.
dang it
lazy errors sink games
should be 2 outs and 1-1!
Cano better make up for that at the plate.
Wow that had crazy movement.
nice job with the smile of the game today YES
show more of that girl to the left in fuscia
fuchsia*
jorgearangure:
Colombian OF Leonardo Fuentes signs with the #Giants
(for about 280K)
He reported earlier that Chapman has his passport, and will be living in the Dominican.
I’m not hating what I’m seeing from Mitre here. He’s been true to form getting GB outs. He’s throwing strikes and his changeup looks good. Minus an error on the pickoff and some bad luck on ground balls, he’s got a pretty good start going here.
+1. I’ve been impressed by the stuff. The results may be a bit much to ask from the first start in what, 2 years?
Agreed, it’s early, but I like his stuff.
Future Yankee LF: Luke Scott.
no thank you
Future Yankee LF: Alex Rios
Came over in the Halladay deal.
Future Yankee LF: Jason Bay
Get double the bang for you buck, fill a need and screw the Red Sox in one swell foop.
I’d rather have Damon. Bay is crazy overrated.
You will not give up on this, will you?
He likes guys with two first names.
I don’t really think Luke Scott is an everyday player. Not to mention he’ll be 32 next season.
I don’t know about the “not an everyday player” bit. He’s got an .880 OPS v. RHP and an .828 vs LHP in his career (SSS alert: only 347 PA vs. 1230 vs. RHP).
So I’ll say this:
Mitre doesn’t look awful, but some better defense and this game might be 0-0.
He’ll be fine.
Until we get Halladay, of course.
Jorge keeps getting better ay
damn 53 pitches already…he better get more efficient.
More runs please Yanks offense!
MONEY MITRE!
I thought this Rich Hill guy was supposed to be hittable?
don’t worry
a second turn through the order, and this guy’s toast
it’s not the 7th, 8th or 9th inning.
so was David Hernandez
true dat, but the yanks will score
That was cool.
Ehhh Melky has been bad lately =(
I love the Melk man, but it may be time for him to sit for a few games. Either that, or bang out Mary Carey again.
can ransom start hitting HRs?
I’ll take walks too
There is no danger zone special for Ransom.
Cody Ransom is only on this team because he has naked pictures of Erin Andrews.
no DP Jeter
A walk for Ransom. The end times are upon us… the seals are opening!
Holy Shit!!! .339 2nd time through the order!
I guess that’s where the 7+ ERA comes from
In business.
no DP Johnny…bring the run in!
Ok..just bring the runS in
Gotta love a 7 hop single for Jeets.
It’s nice we can use this game as small ball practice.
THE NO HITTAH IS BROKEN!
Now they’re really in business.
Jeter > Weiters
I love the Derek Jeter resurgence.
ain’t that the first non-HR hit that the Yankees have since the first inning of yesterday’s game?
2-0 Texas!
sweet!
like i said, the yankees will get it going soon
Wieters can’t throw runners out he must be moved off catcher immediately.
/Scout’d
haha
Dammit Johnny. You’re off the team.
That’s two bad throws for Jones. Neither would have been to the plate.
Damnit Damon…please Tex, dont waste this chance
What do you think, Rich Hill = Future LOOGY?
Hopefully the team can hit with risp in sept.
ay
So, can the unclutch A-Rod clutch?
Yes he can.
Load ‘em up for the big fella
Tex sucks, passing the baton.
Tex did that so A-Rod will fail.
He’s an evil genius.
passing the baton…
I have visions of a hanging curveball ending up in the O’s ‘pen right now.
That’ll do.
Oh no, Alex is up. We’re screwed.
This guy never comes through.
Mouth, foot. Foot, mouth.
Tex is such a worthless hitter passing the baton like that. Might as well go sit on the bench with Swisher
Who wanted a grand slam earlier?
uch….he is so unclutch
He clutches!
I thought A-Rod is unclutch!
Unclutch. Steep decline.
nice eye tex
Clutch!
keep throwing that breaking ball please…
A-rod mothafuckas!!!!!!!!!!
Went to the well one too many times
One curveball too many.
ARod is such an ASSHOLE
A-Rod is the clutchiest player in Yankees history.
Is anyone more clutch than ARod?
The entire Red Sox team obviously
naturally
See Tex, that’s what you call not passing the baton!
A-ROD YOU BEAST.
A single? We’re paying this guy 30 mil to hit singles?
Bust.
Come on, Jorge! Keep it going.
ARod didn’t hit a GS…
Why are we paying him again?
Go Yanks!
He didn’t score 5 runs that AB! DFA him.
ALEX IS TEH CLUTCH!
Who would hire a guy named McFail.
Bring up Cervelli, Posada is washed up!