Sep
07

Game 139: Let’s win two!

By

The Yanks took care of business in a very professional manner this afternoon, beating Tampa with great pitching and rock solid situational hitting. They improved to 15-0 when tied after seven innings this year, which is just ridiculous. The magic number dropped to 18 for just a few minutes, because the Red Sox lost to Chicago not long after the Yanks’ game ended. If you missed it, here’s the Johnny Damon pic we briefly had up in the Magic Number Counter, but right now we’re rockin’ Oscar Gamble.

As for tonight’s game, the story will be AJ Burnett and how he performs. The big righty has put 29 men on base and allowed 18 runs in 16.1 IP over his last three starts, so he needs to make sure he rights the ship before the playoffs start. He’s got four (maaaaaaybe five) starts left this year to figure it out. Luckily, Burnett won’t have to face the dangerous Carlos Pena, who had two fingers broken when he got hit by a pitch in the first inning of this afternoon’s game. He’s done for the year, which is a huge blow to Tampa’s already slim playoff chances.

Joe Girardi said Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera probably aren’t available for this game after pitching earlier, so it looks like it’s up to David Robertson, Damaso Marte, Phil Coke, and Brian Bruney to take care of business tonight. Hopefully they just pound the crap out of Andy Sonnanstine and make it a moot point. Here’s the lineup:

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

And on the mound, AJ Burnett.

Categories : Game Threads

306 Comments

  1. Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:

    It’;d be nice to get another promise from A.J. that he’ll improve. The last time he did that he just dominated for a few starts.

  2. Drew says:

    Kind of surprised all the regulars are in, sans Al/Jorgie.

  3. Mike Pop says:

    Ugh man, why sit Alex?

  4. Johnnyboy says:

    Kim Jones just confirmed this. Carl Crawford is not in Tampa Bay’s lineup.

  5. Drew says:

    Damn Rutgers is getting hosed.

  6. Dela G says:

    wow this is awesome

    just got back from class, and just in time to watch game two!

    • scooter says:

      Classes on Labor Day??? Wow. Grad school?

      • Dela G says:

        no my school, texas a&m does not ever give labor day off

        it sucks, but this is my fifth year here, so i am used to it by now :(

        • Drew says:

          I had the five year plan too… Lost credits when I transferred.. Ugh, I miss Miami.

          • Dela G says:

            yeah i’m in a 3+2 system which gets you a masters and undergrad in accounting/finance. Not a bad program if ya ask me. I get an extra year of freedom from the man! :)

        • Salty Buggah says:

          Yea, Im at college right now too. Though I dont have class, Im waiting 3 hours for some orientation BS we have. Im tired as fuck already since I need to get used to getting up early and walking around all day again.

  7. Moshe Mandel says:

    Nick Swisher will homer tonight.

    / Moshedamus’d

    • Steve H says:

      Maybe. But his average will still suck and his defense will still be horrible due to a few bad plays I’ve seen with my own eyes.

      /old school baseball analyst

  8. King of Fruitless Hypotheticals says:

    Um…5 years? :)

  9. Dela G says:

    anyone else excited for the absurd crew of kay and john flaherty for a second time?

  10. Drew says:

    27 outs from perfection.

    /Kay’d

  11. VO says:

    A win today gives us 89 wins last years total.

  12. Dela G says:

    thank goodness for no crawford (even though it was already mentioned at the top of the thread)

  13. Dela G says:

    lol what the heck was that swisher

  14. Evan says:

    Hmm, an ad bumper after one batter? Weird.

  15. Karl W says:

    did swish just do a tumbling summersault after that throw?

  16. Dela G says:

    ruh roh

    not a very good start here :(

  17. And this is our #2 starter in the playoffs?

    Um.

  18. cjc says:

    what are they playing in a cemetary make some noise people jeez

  19. Mike Pop says:

    Come on my man.

  20. Riddering says:

    This bodes well.

  21. Karl W says:

    Jim Kaat does not like AJ much

  22. Dela G says:

    don’t worry AJ, just trust your stuff

  23. C says:

    What the fuck, step it up AJ

  24. Karl W says:

    I wonder if AJ is going to start talking to himself soon. This might be a good game for it.

  25. Mike Pop says:

    Posada’s fault.

  26. cjc says:

    thats better

  27. Dela G says:

    excellent curve

    that thing is soooo nasty

  28. The Artist says:

    Joe Maddon get a “Just for Men” endorsement?

  29. I may, uh, have overreacted in my last post.

    I apologize.

  30. Dela G says:

    attaboy AJ

    like i said, just trust your stuff

  31. Jake H says:

    That Longoria double was a ball that was in. Sometimes pitchers get beat on balls that were placed well. Also Gardner would have gotten to that Gross double.

  32. The Artist says:

    That’s as good as I’ve seen AJ throw the ball in his past few starts. Stuff is very crisp, control is decent but could be better. Whatever happens tonight, he’s not that far off.

  33. Dela G says:

    lets get to sonnanstine early and give AJ some runs!

  34. Dela G says:

    man if jeter prolongs this thing, the yanks will love the full house every night

  35. cjc says:

    I sure hope we treat sonnanstine like well sonnanstine

  36. Salty Buggah says:

    Scouting Report Item #1:

    “What Happened?”

    ….

  37. Dela G says:

    boy tex is in some slump

  38. Mike Pop says:

    Next inning.

  39. Dela G says:

    where did that miss/?

  40. The Artist says:

    Kay-”The Red Sox beat the Red Sox this afternoon”

    We still doing intersquad games? I thought that ended in spring training.

  41. Mike Pop says:

    You don’t walk b.j. Upton.

  42. Salty Buggah says:

    Get a DP, AJ

  43. Dela G says:

    cue the whistle baby!

  44. Mike Pop says:

    Later, Reid.

  45. Salty Buggah says:

    If AJ has control of his curve, thats really good.

  46. Salty Buggah says:

    where did that curve miss?

  47. Dela G says:

    yeah where are these pitches missing?

  48. Drew says:

    Umps are unbelievable. You get it over the plate, no good. You get it over the batters box, strike.

  49. zs190 says:

    Man, that pitch 3 looks totally like a strike on Gameday.

  50. Salty Buggah says:

    nice play Jerryry

  51. Dela G says:

    attaboy AJ

    you are doing just fine

    don’t let the umps get to you

  52. Drew says:

    Did AJ just tell himself he “fuckin’ sucks?”

  53. Johan Iz My Brohan says:

    That was a close one.

  54. Mike Axisa says:

    He’s getting helped and screwed over at the same time.

    http://tinyurl.com/myrtl3

  55. Brazilian Yankee says:

    41 pitches through 2… not so hot.

  56. Dela G says:

    way to make him work hit-deki!

    :thumbs up:

  57. Drew says:

    mmmmmm. Steak.

  58. Mike Pop says:

    I’m not a huge fan of this ump.

    Kind of annoys me.

  59. Riddering says:

    A Johnny Cash theme, Kay. Do your research!

  60. Karl W says:

    the count

  61. Dela G says:

    damn, played perfectly

    but hey, at least they are making sonnanstine work a bit

  62. Dela G says:

    look at that

    a lightening quick DP

    how the hell have they not scored yet?

  63. UWS says:

    I thought they were supposed to be annihilating Sonnanstine. WTF?

  64. Johan Iz My Brohan says:

    This offense has been dead lately =(

  65. Riddering says:

    I’m rooting for an offensive onslaught the next time through.

  66. Brazilian Yankee says:

    It’s Sonnanstine guys, comon.

    • Mike Pop says:

      It’s two innings, BY, come on.

      • Steve H says:

        While it’s been two innings, if they haven’t scored 5 runs off of this bum, this team is a bust, waste of money, and will fail in the postseason.

        • Mike Pop says:

          I don’t know if I can deal with this bullshit much longer.

          Yo, I bet you love that Seymour trade, don’t you asshole?

          ;)

          • Steve H says:

            I love it. Short team it hurts a little, but long term it’s an absolute steal. They weren’t going to resign him anyway and they’ll likely end up with a top 10 pick with a rookie slotting system in place so they won’t have to give that pick a ridiculous contract.

            That, and anytime you trade with the Raiders, you’re most likely going to win.

            • Mike Pop says:

              Oakland is just pathetic. How do they give their first round pick away for him? Lol, such a joke.

              Is that rookie slotting system a lock? I figured the Pats might flip it for a lower 1st and a 2nd in the future.

              • Steve H says:

                Not a lock, but with the CBA up after this year, it’s likely to get negotiated in the next agreement. As it is now, top 7 or 8 picks are poison due to the $$ commitment. If the slotting goes in, the value of that pick improves greatly, by either trading or picking.

  67. Dela G says:

    prediction time

    yanks score 3 runs in their second time through the order, including a jeter hit

  68. Dela G says:

    jerry oh noes! :(

  69. Riddering says:

    CRAP.

    Jeter’s there to say, “Dive next time, fool!”

  70. Dela G says:

    give burell the curve

  71. Salty Buggah says:

    Burnett buried Burrell with a curve!

    AJ and AL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Pat Burrell

  72. Mike Pop says:

    He’s got that curveball working tonight, damn that Longoria kid.

  73. The Artist says:

    Damn, for a game where Jetes is supposed to break the all-time Yankee Hit record the building sounds AWFUL quiet.

    Is it just me, the broadcast team or the stadium crowd?

  74. Dela G says:

    he’s pretty on point for a while now

    good job AJ

  75. Johan Iz My Brohan says:

    There we go AJ!

  76. Salty Buggah says:

    AJ>>>>>>>>>>>>Aybar

  77. The Artist says:

    Not digging these new Paul Olden upcoming game commercials. Kay was better at it.

  78. Dela G says:

    Hey Salty, Jerry was trying to catch a foul ball that was going into the stands where that weatherproof tarp cover thing is and banged his right knee (i think it was the right one) on the tarp

    he seemed to be ok

  79. Riddering says:

    A.J. is so filthy.

  80. Salty Buggah says:

    Hmmm. I’d say last game, just to see the ovation and stuff he’ll get.

  81. Dela G says:

    i am def going to be at the HOF induction for sure, but i would rather want to be there for the 3000th hit

  82. Drew says:

    love me some melky

  83. Dela G says:

    great hit there melkman

  84. Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

    …and a Melky shall lead them.

  85. Steve H says:

    Since I’m heading to the stadium for the 1st time tomorrow, is it wrong for me to root for an 0′fer from Jeter?

  86. Johan Iz My Brohan says:

    Melky!!!

  87. Mike Pop says:

    A jacket for Alex? Something you don’t see often.

  88. Dela G says:

    woah that was close!!

  89. Salty Buggah says:

    Holy fuck, that was close. That was headed for his nose

  90. Zack says:

    come on jose, do your thing

  91. Dela G says:

    ugh jose

    you should’ve bunted

  92. Mike Axisa says:

    You gotta love when they load the bases with no outs and the ball doesn’t leave the infield.

  93. Drew says:

    wooohoooo! C’mon Jetes

  94. Let’s go, Jeet. Make this a big one, baby.

  95. Riddering says:

    Now this is drama!

  96. Johan Iz My Brohan says:

    Bases loaded for Jeter!!!!

  97. Salty Buggah says:

    Jerry OBPing and Jose OBPing? This lineup is contagious!

    Career Grand Salami #2 coming up?

  98. The Artist says:

    Too bad this isn’t the 4th hit moment. Bases loaded, down a run. Adds to the drama.

  99. Did I jsut see Bernie and Rodriguez in the same clip? That is too much fear to handle.

  100. Dela G says:

    keep your eyes on the prize young jete

  101. Drew says:

    way to go jetes! tie game

  102. Jackson says:

    Damn, great play.

  103. Dammit, Iwamura. Nice hustle, though. Tie game and that’s all that matters.

  104. Johan Iz My Brohan says:

    Yesssss

  105. Salty Buggah says:

    phew, no DP…cmon Johnny, bring in at least one mo run

  106. The Artist says:

    Those shots of Jeter’s parents are classic.

  107. Dela G says:

    i love watching his parents, they look like little league parents mad that their kid didn’t get their first hit :)

  108. Karl W says:

    Time to blow this open

  109. Dela G says:

    johnny damon!!

    now lets pile on some runs TEX!

  110. Salty Buggah says:

    JOhnny!

    More runs Tex!

  111. Pena’s out for the year? Damn, that’s shitty.

  112. Mike Pop says:

    Marky Mark!!!!!!!!

  113. Drew says:

    WOOOOT MOTHERFUCKER!!!!

  114. JGS says:

    into monument cave!!!!

  115. Dela G says:

    MARK TEX!!!

    WOOOOOHOOOO!!!

    YOU’RE ON THE MARK, TEXIERA!!

  116. Salty Buggah says:

    TEXY BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  117. Mike Axisa says:

    This offense sucks. It’s Andy Sonnanstine, how are they not hitting him. This is atrocious. I’m not watching.

    Maybe not people will stop complaining about the offense in the first and second inning.

  118. I hate Tom Gordon says:

    LOLZ Tex wants those 7 HR.

  119. Riddering says:

    OH FUX YES.

    BRING IT TEX.

  120. Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

    A Mark Teixeira Home Run!

  121. Johan Iz My Brohan says:

    I love this team.

  122. The Artist says:

    Damn, that was fast.

  123. Steve H says:

    So where are the 2 inning bridge jumpers now?

  124. Mike Pop says:

    Awesome. Just, awesome.

  125. JGS says:

    “Well, basically I’m nuts”

    -John Sterling, about a minute ago

  126. Salty Buggah says:

    This offense is fuckin relentless. Who said they havent been scoring lately?

  127. Drew says:

    Hey now Mark can catch Pena!

  128. Dela G says:

    this team is an on base machine

  129. Salty Buggah says:

    Circular lineup!

    Anyone else hearing some guy speaking Spanish in the background at times?

  130. Evan says:

    Heh, went from cruising to bruising in just one inning.

  131. danny says:

    when this team pounces it happens damn fast

  132. Salty Buggah says:

    MELKY!!!!!!!!

  133. Drew says:

    Melky starts rallies, then keeps them going. Basically, he’s the man.

  134. Dela G says:

    the MELKMAN DELIVERS!

    6-1!

  135. JobaWockeeZ says:

    Melky!!

    • scooter says:

      A little more air under that, and it’s out. At one point I thought Melky was swinging from his heels too much – then he did a great job pulling his hands in and crushing that one.

      I saw Sonnanstine pitch vs the Yankees in Tampa 2 years ago – he was a strike-throwing machine. This year – not so much

  136. Mike Pop says:

    Melky is a funny player.

    Can look so bad and then go on tears. Even though he’s been streaky, you have to be happy with the season he has had. .270/.330 and with all those ‘clutch’ hits.

    • Drew says:

      You’d think people would be happy. But then he goes into a slump for a couple weeks and everyone hates him again. I really don’t get it.

      • Mike Pop says:

        Considering I had low expectations for him.

        I’m happy and glad he has proved me wrong to an extent.

        That walk off win vs Nathan was EPIC.

    • The Artist says:

      I really liked using him AND Gardner together. You keep Melky’s attention, prevent him from getting overused in bad match ups and they both push each other.

  137. Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

    Melky hates RAB.

  138. VO says:

    It’s Sonnanstine why can’t we hit him….

  139. Salty Buggah says:

    Bye Bye Sonnanstine, hello TB bullpen!

    • Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

      Its a sweet, sweet meat.

    • Johan Iz My Brohan says:

      Get ready for the Rays to switch their relievers every third of an inning and in between even if they give up one hit. I don’t think Maddon has any trust in his BP the way he has been using it.

  140. Dela G says:

    who doesn’t like bullpen in the 3rd inning?

  141. Mike Pop says:

    2.2 with 6 earned runs.

    Ouch.

  142. Dela G says:

    cashman delivers!!

    7-1

  143. Salty Buggah says:

    Overworked bullpen for the rest of the series!

    JERRY!!!!!!!!!!!!

  144. Riddering says:

    Mmmm, sweet sweet offense!

  145. Dela G says:

    boy!

    i am lovin it

    8-1

  146. Salty Buggah says:

    MOLINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  147. Zack says:

    Jeter: 0-2
    Molina: 2-2

    what????

  148. LivefromNewYork says:

    It’s 8-1 big

  149. Riddering says:

    Molina’s showing Jeter how it’s done.

  150. Steve H says:

    This offense sucks. Molina gets up twice in the same inning, and can’t even get an XBH??

  151. Salty Buggah says:

    WHy are the lights flashing now?

  152. zs190 says:

    2 hits for JoMo in one inning? who needs Posada! Gotta love our offense.

  153. Dela G says:

    boy jeter cannot find a break

  154. LivefromNewYork says:

    Lou Gehrig is saying not so fast there bucko

  155. JobaWockeeZ says:

    Unlucky Jeter. Funny he made 2 of the 3 outs.

  156. Riddering says:

    What terrible effing luck for Jetes.

  157. The Artist says:

    Captain Unclutch.

    The pressure is finally getting to him after 14 years.