Game 98: A-Rod’s day off
ByFollowing this afternoon’s affair with the A’s, the Yankees will hit the road. In the midst of 17 straight games, they’ll fly to Tampa to play the third-place Rays, journey to Chicago for a set against the White Sox and stop in Toronto for a two-gamer before facing the Red Sox in a key showdown. This stretch of the schedule will be key to the Yankees’ 2009 season.
So as the Yanks gear up to leave town, Alex Rodriguez will get a day off. The Yanks’ third baseman, still building up strength in his legs, has had a great July but hasn’t enjoyed a day off since the All Star Break. He’ll be on the bench, a weapon with his bat ready to come in late in the game. That means we’re stuck, for another game, with Cody Ransom at third. With a groundball pitcher on the mound, things could get dicey.
For the Yanks, Sergio Mitre makes his second start. He wasn’t terrible last week. In 5.2 innings, he gave up four runs — three earned — one eight hits and a walk. He also struck out four and mostly kept the ball down. We’ll have to see if he can do it again and solidify that fifth position in the Yanks’ rotation.
The A’s counter with Dallas Braden. The 25-year-old lefty is 7-8 but with a 3.40 ERA. He has never started against the Yanks but made three relief appearances against the team. Braden features a fastball and slider with a good change-up. He came up through the system with a screwball too but has largely discarded it when it game him shoulder problems a few years ago.
2 Jeter SS
18 Damon LF
25 Teixeira 1B
20 Posada C
55 Matsui DH
33 Swisher RF
24 Cano 2B
53 Cabrera CF
12 Ransom 3B
45 Mitre P
319 Comments
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The Tyler Austin Watch
I haven’t seen a screwball in forever.
Jim Mecir FTW.
Dumb question-
what does a screwball do, movement wise?
like a curve but moves the opposite direction than a curve would.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T2Jf-wEiQo
thank you youtube…
talk about a dumbass..
The comments on that are great. A bunch of 13-year olds claiming they can throw 90. Hilarious.
Haha, I read this and thought “It curves up?”
How would you ever throw that for a strike? Hahaha.
Picture a slider that goes the opposite way you would think. A LHP’s screwball moves like an RHP’s slider.
I think a screwball is going to give anyone who throws it shoulder pain. I believe it was Carl Hubbell who threw one, and when he retired, his palm faced outward when he held his hand at his side.
Christy Matthewson had one, but he only threw it 5-6 times in a game because he couldn’t handle it any more than that.
That story always freaked me out.
“Watch live right now on MLB Network and MLB.com as all-time steals leader Rickey Henderson and feared slugger Jim Rice are inducted into the Hall of Fame.”
I laughed at the use of the word “feared”.
Why? “Feared” is what he was at his peak.
Rickey’s is an objective “all-time steals leader” description, wouldn’t you say “feared” is a bit subjective? I just figured maybe they could find a better description. Very few players actually “fear” anyone.
I dunno. Pretty common descriptor for big sluggers. He received his share of IBBs. And he didn’t do near enough with the bat to compare with Rickey Henderson, frankly.
They could have referred to him as “GIDP King of the ’80s” or something, I guess.
Heyman and the other guy on mlb.com just said that because Rice and Eddie Murray’s peak numbers match up that makes him a HOFer
Heyman, of course, ignores the fact that Murray’s peak was about three times as long.
77 IBB over 16 seasons is hardly a fair share. I’ll just be quiet though, I think this all stems from my bitterness about him going into the HOF.
He was in the top ten in IBBs a few times. Top 100 for his career.
He’s probably not really a legit HoF, but he was a pretty monster slugger all the same.
He isn’t top 100 for his career. He is tied at 180 for career. He has fewer IBB than Tino Martinez. Does that mean that Tino was more feared?
Jose: 1
Jersey: 0
If there is this consensus that Jim Rice got in based on being so “feared”, a lot more players should get in. Plus, he wasn’t good enough for 14 years but the 15th he was?
I don’t really care either way but it seems like bullshit.
I can’t believe the M’s asked for Gritastic and Melk for Washburn. So much for a mid level prospect… NO THANKS!!
I laughed out loud when I read that earlier
why are they asking for melky/brett? they have Gutiérrez in center, they should be asking for pitching prospects
Ya, I don’t know if I buy that.
I bet Ransom has a big day today
no I’m not serious
I think mitre ends up being a good starter for the Yankees..
I like his demeanor and I think that he has an “Aaron Small” potential for the 2nd half.
Remember.. he spent a lot of his career pitching in the empty Miami stadium of the Marlins..
I think he will do well with the hype!
jinx
Sergio Mitre: 9 IP, 2 hits, 5 K’s, 0 BBs
I love your optimism. Let me guess, the other 22 outs are via groundball, and he faces the minimum by erasing the hits via DP.
21 are groundballs, the last one is a homer robbed by Johnny Damon to preserve the yanks 10-0 shutout.
forget this whole idea
man i am so mad about grit being on the DL
i wish him the best and a quick and speedy recovery
Grit Gutner is the most fun player on the team to watch
it’s true, whenever the ball goes to the gap i stand up and get pumped for a triple, exciting
very true man
fuck orlando cabrera defintion of a yankee killer
well, they just said it won’t be Ajax
who said that?
i’m on gameday, was it kay?
yes michael Kay just said joe girardi won’t bring him up
I think he said that Girardi actually said that they won’t bring him up. That has a lot more weight than Kay’s opinion
I don’t remember Mitre’s sinker being 92-93 back in 06/07. That’s a great pitch.
i think girardi said it was 88-90 when he managed him in florida
Maybe TJ surgery got him a few more ticks on the radar.
if the ligament was stretched over years the surgery would tighten it back up. thats what they’re talking about with george kontos:
“…(The doctor) told me part of the reason my velocity dropped from my college days is because of (the ligament). It slowly just got stretched out and it’s been taking it’s toll. I’m going to get it fixed and hopefully come back just as good, if not better. That’s all I can do.”
damn it, i thought they would bring up Ajax…
You gotta love the opposite way of thinking that the guys in the front office have compared to the players. Cashman does not want to call Austin Jackson up because he won’t play everyday and does not want to “stunt his growth.” Paul O’Neil hears that and sarcastically says, “getting called up to the big leagues stunts your growth?” He was just kidding, but it just goes to show the divergence of thinking.
Keep the ball down, plz.
he’s been doing that the entire game….
huh?
when he wrote this, his gameday looked like CMW, then he’s made 2 mistakes
which CMW are you talking about?
great, that was perfectly placed right in the middle of the zone
Maybe it was that Posada was crossed up, but that looked like a wiffle ball.
man whats up with the OC? he seems like his legs are giving out
some strikes would be nice
Come on Mirte!
damnit this is yucky
Umm, is he kinda getting aqueezed?
Cmon Sergio, get out of this!
this high sinker has serious wang potential
damn it, cmon surge, you can get the key ground ball
Two words: Phillip Hughes
First Inning
Next year, Charlie. He is lights out in the bullpen. Dont play around with the ‘pen now.
Come on Cano…. You have to make that play!
YARG!
No use having a sinkerballer if your infielders can’t field those groundballs.
cmon Double Play ball! Limit the damage
i guarantee if grit was in LF, he actually catches one of those singles
when has gardner played LF?
i dunno, but i am just throwing a hypothetical
It hard to squeeze with a cast on your hand.
thats what she said
nice out SURGE!
Ok, 2 runs…. Not awful. Lets get some offense!
ok now lock it down from here on
Ok Surge limit them there..OK offensive, time to break out today
This Jeter fellow is a good hitter.
Thats should start us off!
nice start Jete! no DP Johnny!
And how many LHP does Oakland have? This is the 3rd this series!
Dallas Braden looks obnoxious as hell in his Gameday pic.
heh yea he does
Al mentioned that he “looks like your 15 year old when you tell him he can’t have the car tonight”
he’s up there with youk…
Noone is up there with Youk.
nice Johnny…please no DP Tex!
Drive em in Texx.
That was so G
michael kay, is that you?
Today’s one of those games where you’re kind of more dependent on the offense than the pitching.
If Mitre gives you five innings and three runs, you take it and run.
just like his last start!
i’d be happy if he went 5 and gave up 3
but I have a feeling it’s going to be a drunken brawl today, full of hits and sloppy defense
Hughes hasn’t pitched since Thursday, you gotta figure he is good for 2-3. Mo is also well rested. If they have a lead by the 7th, this game is over
Dirty pitch….
Damnit Tex, he is striking out a lot this year! cmon jopo, no DP
that HIP HIP guy is full of energy
that pitch was NASTY
JoPo hates the chant during the whole AB.
Haha, yeah I can imagine. It’s ridiculous that #1 you can hear the guy and #2 he has the lungs to do it every AB
Haha, their voices are shot after the game.
Happy Birthday.
well that was 2 shitty AB’s in a row.
Don’t stand Jeter at 2nd. Lets go Matsui!
we have GOT to capitalize offense! With Mitre pitching, you have to
Hit-deki!
Let’s trade Matsui to Seattle for a starbucks gift card.
/Tsjc’d
Speaking of TSJC, where has he been lately?
I think he doesn’t show up on weekends
Working on the script for “Black and White”. Ben’s dad is going to produce it for us.
wow i just laughed really loud
GODZILLA DELIVERS!
How does JD not get to third there
YES YES YES! Its a 2 out, RBI base hit for Matsui. Yankees on the board. 2-1 OAK.
Ya man, we’re watching/listening too.
Actually im on a phone with no tv ner me so i dont kind
HIDEKI!
I still think Matsui is old, but if he would work more on going the other way instead of his career roll over on the pitch, he would be worth resigning for 2 more years.
Damn Swisher passing the baton.
Cano comes through right here.
Told you.
A fire, die in one.
Good call.
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut.
I keed I keed
WORST possible scenario for the Yankees – Cano with RISP…..
By far from the worst possible scenario.
um, ok.
The worst possible scenario is that the Sun blows up, killing everything.
Exactly.
More are, 2012, The “New World Order”, ooo scaaary.
Don’t fucking get the chip bro!
How can I get it removed?
Just cut your limb off before they turn you off!
Check.
Oh shit, Robbie up with RISP again, is he soooooooooooooooo due or what?
Here’s to hoping Robinson “BP Only” Cano makes good on the first pitch (you know he’s swinging).
YES!!!!!
good eye swisha
my brother once told me that watching cano with RISP is like watching the pitcher bat
LEARN TO SLIDE ROBBIE!!!
Heh Canobie. That’s aight!
Can’t win ‘em all, but at least he cleared the bases
bases clearing double but damm he got tag out.
He technically made it to third he just overslid the bag. He should get credit for the triple because he was safe…before he was out…
Oh wait, disregard that, he was going for 3 on the throw. I guess I got too excited for my own good there.
nah he got to third(almost) on the throw home.
Robbie!!!! bout time
Robbie Cano says: Fuck the Haters.
Oh SNAP!!!!!! Yankees are definitely winning this one today. Cano 3 run double…What is this world coming to!
Um.
Robbie?
Who are you and what have you done with Robbie Canó?
Attaboy Cano, swinging at everything but at least making it count!
Nice slide Robbie. I still love you man.
Does he get a triple there since he made it but just overslid the bag?
no he is given a double since he was tagged out at third
Gave him a double…
YES YES YES! Cano with a bases clearing double! Over slides 3B but still comes through. 4-2 Yanks! Lets go Mirte, hold this lead!
WOOOHOOO ROBINSON CANO I LOVE YOU
If Gardner is out for a while do the yankees try to sign Kotsay when the red sox release him.
No.
Nah. He’s not much of a hitter anymore.
No way, Kotsay is below replacement level I think. Can’t play CF and a terrible bat.
Good Job Hideki
man what i would do for a million dollar check
Robbie was taking lessons on being clutch from Melky obviously
i think Jeter is the king of clutch
Manny
aaah i forgot about manny
but manny isn’t “Mr. November”
better inning surge! I’ll take 4 more of these….keep going offense!
http://baseball.realgm.com/src.....d_records/
Anyone agree?
nope. Sounds like a bitter old man to me.
yea, I sensed some bitterness too though it is understandable I guess
i’m not really much of an asterisk guy, but whatevs
I don’t.
Depends…so we put an asterisk next to all the amphetamine linked records too?
No, I don’t agree. There is no conclusive proof that steroids make you better and most of these HoF candidates took them when they were not forbidden by the rules.
I think that this notion that there is a sanctity to baseball statistics is way overblown. Players and their respective stats should be compared to players of their own era.
Why should numbers from the “segregated era” not have an asterick? From 1949 – 1952 African American players won the NL MVP award 11 times. So I would argue that baseball stats prior to segregation are similarly “tainted” as they were not against all of the best players.
Furthermore, it has become clear that during the steroid era the juiced hitters were hitting against juiced pitchers.
Cody Ransom = Black hole
there is a reason THE ASTROS cut him
half hearted lazy black hole
Interesting Hall of Fame discussion on YES. With the “writards” deciding the HOF inductees, no player has received 100% of the vote. Which makes me question two things:
1) Why do baseball writers decide this?
2) Why in the world is there a media section to the HOF. Who in the heck cares about the people who COVER the game.
Basically, it seems to me that they are way too important in this process and place in the game.
You aren’t the only one that thinks this way.
makes you wonder. How does Ricky not deserve 100% of the votes?
It’s funny writers criticize mlb for allowing fans to vote for the ASG. Yet, writers vote for the HOF, a rather serious achievement that is achieved by fewer than one percent of all ball players.
Well, think about back when they were setting up the hall of fame…the writers were probably the people who had seen the most players play the most games. I mean, TV wasn’t really that prevalent, current players wouldn’t necessarily have a lot of perspective on guys that retired five years ago, and ex players might have all sorts of axes to grind. So, the writers were actually the people with the most info and the best perspective back then.
A very good point.
Who else would be in charge? All you need to do is look at a single SI Players Poll to know they’re far less qualified to do it.
“Far less qualified” may be a bit of an overstatement. And I would probably put the players about 80% and writers 20%.
I would put that sentiment at 100% wrong. The writers are at least paid to watch games and have a reasonable idea of what is going on around the league/what the fans and players think of other teams. The players generally don’t give a damn about what’s going on generally. They know what their friends do and what their agent tells them.
cmon
did that really hit him?
nice DP
twss
There’s a nice DP
4 pitch inning. I like!
man for the second straight outing, he is settling down after a rough 1st
keep it up young man, and you could stay here
Bedard back on DL.
Washburn might be available now.
Is Bedard ever not on the DL?
2007. He pitched with dominance.
Remember the game against the Yanks, manager brought in a reliever. Shelly smash hit a 2 or 3 run homer to tie it!
Then Mo blew it ;(
bedard = pavano with a better ERA
M’s can go piss off. I’m tired of GM’s publicly stating their ridiculous demands.
I would have said the DL is his 2nd home but I think now it’s his main residence
damn paul, i could’ve told you the facts on him
4 pitch inning
One too many of them slow rollers.
Heh, the A’s announcers are kind of trashing the Rice election.
Who isn’t? Almost everyone is and rightfully so
Braden has a great change, huh?
ask mark T
he can attest
87 fastball then a 70 mph changeup, crazy.
reminds me of roy oswalt
95mph fastball
64 mph curveball
MLB Network’s promo for next Thurs. game between the Yankees and White Sox said that Alexi Ramirez is the White Sox’ “Superstar Shortstop”.
Wow. THat’s a massive, massive overstatement.
2 run homer montero
FUCKIN’ A I LOVE THIS KID
Ties last year’s total.
Damn, I can’t wait til he makes the show.
How many homers does he project to hit in the majors?
Last year I remember everyone saying 20-25 homerss but I feel like he’s due for more considering these kinds of numbers and power is usually the last thing to come.
Well, his ‘ceiling’ is 40 HR beast.
But his ‘projection’ is much more conservative.
Beast!
Seriously?! Oh shit
montero = god
guess he is stating his claim that he doesnt want to go anywhere else except scranton and the bronx.
Gardner should get everyone to sign his cast and auction it off for charity.
fuck that those things stink when you take it off. Just have em sign a jersey, man.
Jersey’s are played. How often does a cast go up for auction?
True, not many.
Here’s funny little stat:
Jim Rice career OPS+: 128
Ken Singleton career OPS+: 132
Totally agreed that Singleton is better than Rice.
Kenny’s a very underrated player, but he never had a year like Rice’s 1978.
True but Kenny is better overall. I personally dont care if he had a better peak.
Actually that isn’t even true. Jim Rice’s highest OPS+ is 157 in 78. Kenny’s OPS+ that same year was 165!
Eh, Ken’s 1977 is a damn good year (OBP of .438), but Rice just destroyed pitchers in 1978. (>400 total bases)
Mitre is Sidney Ponson. Nothing more, nothing less.
Except the 5 year difference.
5 years = Knighthood. I think that’s a fair trade. However, neither is any good at baseball.
he’s a 32 yr old man from Aruba?
Disagree completely.
Oh boy…cmon Sergio, get out of this
on Gameday, it sure seems like everything Mitre throw is down in the zone, he’s just getting hit a lot. Don’t have access to broadcast, are those cheap hits or clean ones?
clean hits through gaps
plenty of clean hits, and he’s been leaving some pitches up, too. Mitre is basically CMW after his phantom “hips” injury DL stint
So…a tolerable 5th starter? Were you expecting him to be amazing?
Boo, Jete.
That’s a fml right there.
Oy Sergio.
fucking a mitre
Wtf. both jete and cano were running at the bag.
WOW!!!!
WOOOOOWWW WHAT A GREAT DOUBLE PLAY!
Huge!
what are the odds of that?
that was pretty!
Robinson Cano= Best doubleplay turner in the league
how’s that Smoltz guy working out???
It’s all about the depth
Best $5 million ever spent. Not just in baseball history, but in history history.
That was his – story. Peter Gammons that is.
This ain’t the NL, bitch.
he gives us DEPTH!!!! [/ESPN and RED SOX fans
2009 Yankees: Making the easy plays hard and the hard plays easy
When does Henderson speak? I have no interest in the rest of this ceremony, and I want to watch the game without distraction.
Jim Rice is speaking now – Henderson is up next – probably 30 to 45 minutes
Cano makes it look effortless flipping it across his body, all admiring the ball after he throws it
damn cano is pretty sick at dp
Bal 4 Bos 0 with smoltz pitching
So Ken Singleton had a higher peak and overall career numbers than Jim Rice!
But was he “feared”???
Hmmm, that was supposed to be a reply
Woot Woot. melkman
if nova’s next start is good, would you bring him up to replace mitre (assuming hughes is permanently in the pen)??
No. Nova’s not even close to ready.
No.
The Jim Rice hate here today is just awesome.
Not hate, just exposing the truth
I just think it’s annoying how he was NOT a hall of famer, and was NOT going to BE a hall of famer, until the Red Sox media war (led by Gammons) decided to make him one.
Singleton is more deserving, but he didn’t have Gammons and the rest of the Boston media whores on his bandwagon.
On the Red Sox MLB board they are saying that Rice is deserving while Henderson is not because of the suspicion of him taking PEDs to go from scrawny to built.
Dumb Sox fans.
WOW!
wtf
They’ll b hypocritical once news comes out that Papi did roids. I love how it’s the biggest deal to them cause Yankees did it obviously. They somehow forget all of baseball was doing it. Even them, Papi, Manny, and Nomahh!
And steroid use in baseball started in the 70′s, if not the 60′s.
The MLB.com boards are a Special Olympics parade . It doesn’t matter what team.
DFA THIS GUY!!
Great. Now they’ll never get rid of Ransom.
Yanks scouting Snell according to RAB’s twitter.
http://twitter.com/RiverAveBlues
sick
Pittsburgh wants Montero Ajax and Romine.
As long as we get Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss back.
No Pittsburgh takes organizational filler for the stars, so all we need is to offer the CJ Henry’s of the world to them.
Well, wow! Ransom double!
does anyone realize how useless Ransom is? He’s not much better than Berroa, hitting 180 with 0 HR’s, playing mediocre defense at best… the yanks should call up kevin russo or bring pena back up here.
this is pretending that double never happened
wasn’t he on base 4 times the other day?
was he? i don’t really remember honestly, but for the most part he sucks
True, even still, he’s started 5 or 6 games in all of July.
Preaching to the choir.
Actually, he’s much better than Berroa. Berroa can’t play SS or 2b, and plays 3b horribly. Depth is always good, so why DFA Ransom to bring Pena up when the difference in utility infielders doesn’t matter too much, since they’ll only get about a start per week? It’s amazing how many people dislike Ransom and want him to be replaced, he’s not trotting out there everyday, and it’s better to have the kids getting everyday at bats in Scranton.
True man. I’m with ya, and not to mention Pena is learning how to play the outfield. So spoiled man.
ahh damn! I hate it when we cant get the run in from 3rd with less than 2 outs! Cmon Johnny
Cody Ransom >>>>>>>>>> The Haters
no
ransom sucks
Yes. He is utterly terrible. There is a reason he’s 33 years old and has less than 300 career MLB plate appearances.
When they bench Alex Rodriguez, one of the best players in the game, I’m sorry to say, but more than likely that bench player is going to be bad. He’s a backup player for a reason.
Damn, those were big runs.
Way to get that guy in from third with less then two outs.
well that was sucky! Hold them there Mitre
I hope that run we didn’t get in won’t cost us…
god this guy gives up way too many hits
he’s not supposed to be a number 1
he’s a number 5, expect this
at least he doesn’t get carpetbombed in every beginning start like john smoltz
And while he gives up hits, as a #5′s are known to do, he doesn’t walk anybody and keeps the ball down, leading to DP’s.
Guys need to stop expecting Mitre to be AJ. He’s not.
Damn it Toronto! Dont blow a 3-0 lead today you fuckers! Yesterday was embarrasing enough for you guys
Would the yanks let Hughes go 3 today.
Think it’d depend on pitch count.
Bruney Mo Mel Phil, I don’t think he needs to go three with those guys available.
man today is double play day!
i love it
And a third DP. Not bad.
DP MACHINE!!
He sucks though. Remember?
Deuce!
Dull Hall acceptance speech by Jim Rice. Surprising, given how much time he’s spent in broadcasting for the BoSox.
I miss Wanger’s sinker but this will do for a little while.
man daniel hernandez is owning another AL east team
thank god we are done with him for quite some time
Five innings, 3 ER from the fifth starter.
I’ll take it.
Could do with some more insurance runs, but no complaints.
It still boggles my mind how much hatred there is for the Cody Ransoms, Brett Tomkos, and Sergio Mitres of the world.
None of them were signed to be Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, or CC Sabathia.
O’s 5-0 at Bossux
No offense to Smoltz, but he’s not what he used to be…
Rebecca, you are so money with your 5inning 3 run prediction.