Game Four: Javy Returns
By
Photo Credit: Elise Amendola, AP
The season is just three games old, but the Yankees’ new additions are already paying huge dividends. Nick Johnson and Curtis Granderson have driven in the go-ahead runs in the team’s two wins, albeit with methods found on opposite ends of the offensive spectrum, and Chan Ho Park delivered three shutout innings of work Wednesday night. The team’s’ fourth big offseason pickup will take the field tonight, when new-old Yankee Javy Vazquez takes the mound in Tampa for his first start of the season.
As Joe reminded us this morning, Javy’s first first start in pinstripes went as well as possible. Six years later, the Yankees hope from more of the same from the guy no longer being counted on as a front-end arm, but a back-of-the-rotation workhorse who only has to soak up innings and keep the team in the game. This older and wiser version of Vazquez is more than qualified to do just that, but for now he just has to go out and prove his inability to handle New York is nothing more than narrative.
With another lefty on the mound tonight, Joe Girardi goes with the same lineup that faced Jon Lester on Tuesday. That means Marcus Thames in left and Granderson in the nine-hole. Of course, David Price has a long way to go before he’s in Lester’s class, but he’s got just as much talent and is capable of going into Beast Mode on any given day.
Will Nick Johnson get his first hit of the year? Will Mark Teixeira? Will Derek Jeter hit a ball in the air? Answers to all that and more, tonight in Tampa.
Jeter, SS
Johnson, DH
Teixeira, 1B
A-Rod, 3B
Cano, 2B
Posada, C
Swisher, RF
Thames, LF
Granderson, CF
And on the mound, the best fourth starter in the business, Javy Vazquez.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10pm ET and can be seen on YES. Enjoy the game.
537 Comments»
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As long as it doesn’t go to short off of Jeter’s bat, I’ll be happy.
maybe another one of those dribblers to 3rd?
Really, YES? Do we really need to do another feature on Jeter/Pettitte/Rivera/Posada?
I wonder how bad Thames will look in the outfield tonight.
Let’s just hope they don’t hit it to left.
Really bad. He looks awful at the plate too.
If the Yanks get to the Rays bullpen quickly, things should start looking good. The Rays have played 3 straight games where in their last game(yesterday), their SP(Niemann) was knocked out(shoulder scare) after only 1.1 innings, thus forcing their bullpen to go a combined 7.2 innings. While the Yanks only used Park(3 IP) and Mo(1 IP) during the Sox game 2 days ago. Kinda reminds me of the Twins vs Yanks matchup in the ALDS last year.
Love the BEAST MODE reference.
It’s funny that Javy isn’t being counted on to do as much this time around, but with his refined style of pitching, he’s probably more equipped to succeed this time around (not that he necessarily failed last time). The AL East is a bitch, but if he’s throwing 4 solid pitches at least 10% of the time, he’s likely to have success.
http://cdn0.sbnation.com/playe.....p.4866.gif (safe)
That is an amazing pic of Vazquez.
he’s like “WTF are you looking at?”
It does have the I’m-going-to-eat-your-children Tyson look.
Is Javy Vazquez gonna have to slap a bitch?
I don’t know about Teix, but I think Jeter will definitely get a few line drives off of lefty Price and I also think we’ll see an A-Bomb before the night is done. He loves hitting at the Trop.
Anyone know why the game isn’t on MLB.TV? I had a subscription last year and don’t recall not being able to watch any game that wasn’t on one of the national networks.
Local games blacked out if you’re in the area?
Can someone tell me why Rosenthal is referred to as “sucka got no juice?” And don’t give me the Google link I checked and couldn’t find it.
http://riveraveblues.com/2010/.....ent-803782
Fox deleted the article but he did a season preview by date. He bashes the Yankees and refers to A-Rod with this note:
Aug. 20: Beyonce’s husband, Jay-Z, responds with a new single, “Sucka got no juice” that immediately rockets to No. 1 on ITunes.
So, as a result of him being such a moron and that joke being so bad, he’s referred to as “Sucka Got No Juice”.
Ah. Wish I could read it.
No you don’t. It’s bad.
I can’t say I’m thrilled about seeing Marcus Thames again. Really bummed he made the team over Don’t Hassle The Hoff, even though I understand the move (hits lefties).
Don’t worry; the HUff will be here soon enough!
/not quite sure why I’m so high on this guy
Really psyched to see Filliam. H. Muffman in a Yankee uniform.
In my completely uninformed and overly obvious opinion, they’re giving Thames a few chances to prove his worth in real big league action. If he can’t do it, Gardner will be back in and Grandy will move back up the lineup a few spots. Maybe?
Strike that – they just added it!
Over/under 10 times they talk about how Javier is the “fourth” starter and isn’t expected to be great?
I’ll say over b/c they’re already at three as it is!
Under, just barely.
Guys, if you didn’t know, Evan Longoria is a player.
I don’t know if anyone else sees it, but I love the ad for CougerLife.com on here. Classic.
Remember you’re high school cheerleaders? They’re all GROWN UP!
All I can think of is I do remember them and half of em couldn’t leave high school without giving birth. I can’t even imagine how many puppies they have now.
Is Yankeeography 2009 showing on ESPN 2?
It’s the Official World Series film.
Did one of the Chipmunks just yell “Play ball”?
I wanna see a leadoff line drive double by Jeter here.
God I hate Mike Gonzalez….destroying my fantasy team. Anyone have a problem with Granderson 9th?
At least it didn’t go to the shortstop.
Why is Price starting????? He was sooo electric out of the pen! He should be setting up Soriano!
haha that would be laughable. Price would be literally 4 times better in relief than Soriano.
Man… David Price makes 95 look effortless.
Beast Mode it is…
Let’s go Tex get a hit!
To anyone who knows: what’s Sean Rodriguez’s season?
Wow, that should say “ceiling” not “season.’ I have no idea what happened there.
Oddly enough, probably Ben Zobrist.
Missed the half inning. How did Price look?
Great.
lights out
Hm. Oh well. Tanks guys.
He went.
Steve Donahue says so.
Andy_C_23 says so as well
That’s good enough for me. Like I’d ever listen to Kay or Tino.
Those new YES Network graphics…easily the best in the business.
I still want a K-Zone.
As long as it is of better quality than the one utilized by TBS during the playoffs last year.
Big K!
He didn’t strike out the side? This guy clearly can’t handle the A.L. East.
Couldn’t find the zone that well, but got out of the inning easily!
It looked like he squeezed a bit on a few calls, though his locations certainly could have been better. And he got fucked on the Bartlett AB. That was a goddamn strikeout!
These teams take too long to play. What a disgrace to baseball
Doesn’t Vazquez sit 93, 94? Could’ve sworn I saw him there at Spring Training. Not complaining or worried…just wondering.
Last three years avg. FB velo: 92.5, 91.9, 91.2
Many thanks.
Tonight’s Trivia Question: Hey fans, did you all know that Dioner Navarro was an All Star?
You know who else was an All Star… Jason Varitek!
I cannot stand the retarded cowbells that Rays fans break out for their games.
Thought that was inside to A-Rod
If it was, it wasn’t by much.
It was too close to take with 2 strikes.
I agree, just thought it looked inside.
Wow, I did not think that got the corner. The overhead showed that it did, though.
Yeah, the overhead looked very, very different than the usual behind-the-pitcher shot.
Good Lord. The last thing the AL East needs is Price to start pitching like this. I was hoping it would take at least another year or so. 97mph on the black. Locating with ease. Back-leg slider. Just nasty.
Holy shit; Price is on fire right now.
Sadly, this looks like one of the few predictions of mine that will pan out.
This guy is wheeling and/or dealing
Price is gooooood
As a positive I have Price starting for one of my teams today.
Price just looks dominant right now.
ya that. he’s naaaasty
I’m watching the game on FNRays
they aren’t bad I just would prefer YES. On a different note, I’m looking at starting up a blog, would you suggest I keep the name as short as possible or not to stick with a long one if it sounds good. Thanks.
Whatever sounds best, I guess. Truth is I didn’t really come here because of the name.
True. But I feel like “Thinking Outside Of The Batter’s Box” is ridiculously long.
Damn, how far over was Cano playing on that?
I think he was standing on second base.
For real.
I so Javy works out. I’ve made sure I’ve snagged him for three years straight in FB. Just cure the “bad inning” thing.
another example of Cano being an average defensive 2B
(not meant to be a knock on Robbie, it’s just annoying when people say he’s one of the best defensive 2Bs in the league because of a couple of great plays)
plus he’s lazy
Yup. He’s not terrible like some believe, but he’s not as great as others think.
He has good range to his right, but poor range to his left. His positioning is often porous.
It all balances out with his fantastic arm.
“balances out” pretty much perfectly sums up Robinson Cano
To be fair he was shaded pretty far over towards second.
eh, an elite 2B still makes that play i think
No doubt. I think if he dives he has a play. But Cano rarely dives. That ball really slowed as it made it’s way past him.
Make up call.
Well TB has to take the AL east this year because the Yanks and Red Sox are disgraceful teams who have no business in baseball.
Why the hell would it be on purpose? I know Kay’s just trying to start conversation, but there’s no way that was intentional.
Kay went to Fordham. Do not question him.
He also grew up in Hunt’s Point!
It’s just Kay. He loves to hear himself primp pseudo-conspiracy theories.
O’Neil’s pretty good. I’d like a Leiter-O’Neil-Singleton booth, please!
I’d prefer Vin Scully and two mutes.
Agreed. I know it’s been said many times before, but Tino is garbage
I’d rather have just Singleton and leiter. O’neill just talks about eating food and parrots memes about “heart”. Bob Lorenz does a great job in the spring time…I wouldn’t mind him taking Kay’s job.
Odds Pena is traded?
3-1 odds
Pretty good, but I don’t think they’ll get a great package for him.
Yeah, probably not. I wonder who mans up for him. Seattle? the Mets?
My prediction: The Giants. They badly need him. I think the Mets will swallow their sorrow and wait for Davis next year. Seattle is also a possibility.
Maybe Texas?
If the Giants are in it, I think they will. But if the fall behind LA/COL and have no shot at the playoffs, I don’t see the point of going for Pena when they could just sign him in the off season.
That’s of course the caveat. Their lineup is weak even after their “upgrades”. But that pitching staff can definitely keep them in it, and if you think DeRosa’s power isn’t sapped from wrist surgery, Renteria’s not going to have a BABip of like .270, and Rowand rebounds, they can stay in it.
Trust me, I spent hours researching their team and wrote about 3100 words on that team.
They desperately need someone at 1B that can hit for some power.
Settle, Javy.
Upton did not mean to swing at that.
Nice pitch, Javy. Finish off the inning.
Sweet K, now may I have another?
C’mon, Kay. You know you want to say it. Say how he was in 2008. Just do it. YOU CAN’T RESIST THE URGE!
WHAT A DISGRACE!!!
Nice job getting out of it, Javy.
Nice work, Javy.
Thank goodness.
That’s getting out of trouble. Go Javy!
nice work javy!
If the Rays were to trade Crawford, what teams are logical spots for him to land? I’d think they’d prefer to send him to the NL.
Montero with an RBI Double!
Bring him up!
Not sure if you guys were aware, but Price is perfect so far. Six up, six down. Jinxity jinx, jinx, jinx.
solid work
you’re welcome
O RLY?
This is what I was hoping for…a long half-inning, make Price sit a while, maybe he’d lose his location.
Nice hustle, Thames.
Damn it Marcus Lames
I fucking hate Marcus Thames.
Wow, Granderson was so late on that 1-1 pitch.
That one, too.
Is it just me or is Granderson much more of a free swinger against LHP?
To me it seems mental. It looks like he’s indecisive or not seeing the ball as well. Very tentative.
i cant understand how the split can be soooo bad
Please hit the ball in the air, Derek.
Ump has a weird zone tonight.
say derek has an off year that becomes his norm for the next 3 or so, is that better or worse for the contract?
Well, even if Jeter’s still hitting grounders, at least they’re going to the opposite side. Progress!
That’s only because Price is throwing 97, and Jeter can’t catch up to it fast enough to pull it to the left side.
Sweet irony.
Why so negative?
1. It’s frustrating.
2. If we bash him enough, maybe he’ll take a discount next year.
Am I the only one who never liked Zimmer much?
I’m kind of conflicted, because I have Price on my fantasy team. So when he strikes out Yankee batters and looks great I’m initially frustrated, but then I realize that he’s a guy who can make a difference for my team.
So I’m rooting for him and Vazquez to go 7 scoreless and the Yankees rally off the bullpen in the 8th and 9th.
javy is dealing
The ump must be happy. This has been a pretty quick game.
I know it’s easy to keep piling on Tino but…who underrates Crawford’s defense?
Brad Hawpe?
That was a good inning for Javy.
WOO! FIRST HIT FOR OBP JESUS!
OBP Jesus with a hit!
Holy crap, NJ swung at the first pitch.
And just like that, Nick Johnson’s OPS just went up by .100.
Was the question 1,000 Yankee hits after 1,000 or 1,500 w/another team?
1,000 Yankee hits after 1,000 with another team.
OBPAVG Jesus.Is there any player in the major leagues who looks more like a 45-year-old couch potato than Nick Johnson?
It’s amazing how effective he is.
He looks like they pulled him out of the bleachers.
You think there’s anything to his conditioning not being very good?
What about that dude the Red Sox threw out there against us the other night, the relief pitcher?
I think it may be a toss-up between him and N.J.
Is Rich Garces still around?
Tex, oh man.
I really think Sean Rodriguez is going to break out this year.
i thought so…I started him this week on my fantasy team. He’s produced 0 points. I sat Polanco who has 24.
Rough, man. Brandon Wood, Jason Kubel and Carlos Zambrano have basically sealed my fate this week. They absolutely killed me.
The answer to the trivia question is Dave Winfield.
B.E.A.Utiful.
Hustle all around. Love it.
whats the answer to the trivia question, im thinking boggs but i dont know jack.
http://riveraveblues.com/2010/.....ent-832067
Going to agree with Matty — it’s probably Winfield.
Strike the probably.
HhaHAhahHAhahHAHa
That was….awesome
That shit was an inside the parker right?
Triple with error.
no, RBI double move to third on the throw and scores on the error.
correction, called a triple
that was amazing.
almost a HR but I’ll take it
OMFG Awesome
Said in best Austin Powers voice:
Yeah baby! Yeah!
Grrrr baby! Very Grrrr!
BeHAVE!
haha EAT SHIT NAVARRO
I’m sorry. That was unbecoming of me.
just as the rays announcers were saying NJ wouldnt be able to score on a double he does just that!
ARod!
Upton played that beautifully off of the wall and his throw was very nice. Too bad it got fucked up at the end.
Well, for him at least.
Holy shit, BJ has a GUN
Yeah, man. He has the tools to be maybe as good as Franklin Gutierez.
he’s also got the tools to be a 130+ wRC+ guy. 40+ SB, 30+ HR potential, .400+ OBP potential, with +10 UZR ability in CF. If he puts all his shit together consistently, he’ll be an easy bet for 6 WAR a year
In terms of all-around physical talent, there might not be better in baseball. I really believe that.
The question is if his head translates.
I agree. And what’s weirdest of all about him is that he, unlike soo many underachievers, has all three “hit” tools – good contact, good power, good plate discipline. Throw in the terrific defense with an elite arm in center, and I just can’t see him sucking for much longer. I really think the last two years have been injury-related.
I could honestly see him hitting .300/.400/.550 with 30+ HRs and 40+ SBs at a good rate. There is literally nothing about his on-field game that could possibly suggest a pitfall.
That’s totally reasonable. He could be a one-in-a-generation talent.
God it feels good to feel good about Arod
Hey, remember when someone said that we should be worried about a flyball heavy pitcher in a division where he’ll be facing the two best teams in baseball?
Pops Johnson out there clogging the bases…
I like how Jorge made no attempt to run out that pop up.
Nick Johnson, speed demon on the bases.
It was like watching Matsui play the outfield. Without a Segway.
NJ’s nickname should be “Hustle”
Is there a bigger enigma in baseball than BJ Upton? Ironically, I’d say the most talented underachiever out there besides him is Delmon Young.
And you could put former Ray Elijah Dukes on that list.
I dunno. Delmon Young doesn’t have the HR power (or rather, the swing) nor the plate discipline that BJ has. Plus he sucks defensively. I could easily see BJ being a top-10 player in baseball year after year. Delmon Young, no way. I could see young hitting .300+ with 20+ HRs, but I don’t think I can picture him with an OBP over .350.
In terms of raw talent, Young certainly has the capability. His swing is too long and he refuses to walk. It’s mental and mechanical. But the pure talent is unquestionably there.
If he would stop listening to his dumbass father and start listening to professional instructors, he might actually hit his ceiling.
As far as the defense goes. Yeah, his defense is bad. It’s funny because he has good skills and a powerful arm. He shouldn’t be that bad. Again, it’s mental.
Well he sorrtof has the skills defensively. I think his arm is one of the strongest in all of baseball, but his speed is average at best. I agree he has the baseball-hitting ability to turn himself into an all-star caliber player. Actually I think he’s a similar type to Cano, albeit with more natural power, of which his awful mechanics have deprived him.
But BJ Upton, he is not. There is literally not a single mechanical/physical flaw in his game. Not one. It’s ridiculous. He’s got early-90′s A-Rod type talent.
Agree on all of this. Upton’s at another level. I simply included Young because he probably has the next highest in terms of unrequited potential (I like that phrase).
heh. Yeah I suppose. If he were to ever fix his swing (and swing a smaller bat, fucking retard) and just take a feeew more pitches, he could be a Cano-type hitter, potentially with more power (maybe 30-35 range). The only reason I think it is even remotely possible, though, is because he has always had unbelievable hand-eye coordination/contact ability.
Yep, agree on all of this. I think in terms of the production/talent ratio, Young is the worst offender for position players. There’s simply no good excuse for how badly he plays.
Yeah, but-
You keep using that word “unrequited”. I do not think it means what you think it means.
It means “not returned” or “not reciprocated”.
“Unrealized potential” perhaps is more along the lines of what you’re thinking.
I hate guys with prettier girlfriends than me.
Wait- just how pretty ARE you?
So that was…awkward.
I hope it’s not true that Tino was an academic All-American. It would greatly sadden me.
Is Javy really being this wild? Or is he getting squeezed?
Playing golf with O’Neill must be fucking terrible.
Do you think he mutters to the clubs?
LMAO @ Michael Kay not invited to the party
Sigh.
Couldn’t see that one coming. Vazquez had no idea what he was doing this inning.
Well, shit.
What a terrible pitch.
So, Brackman is currently getting clobbered. 5 hits, 6 runs, 5 earned, 1 homerun. But at least he didn’t walk anyone!
Any K’s?
Yes, 4. And some of his poor outing was contributed to by poor defense.
Well, it’s early still. I’m not concerned yet. At least he was able to get some strikeouts. To me, walks and K’s are more important than the actual numbers in terms of hits and runs.
at this point in a pitcher’s season/career, I agree.
i hate pena
B.J. promptly telling Kay to STFU.
Javy getting tired?
Pitches are staying up.
Javy’s got a dark brown mitt. Seems a slightly rare color.
man javy needs a GIDP
Jorge had no shot.
I would not like to see Upton play up to his potential this year, that’s for certain.
well there goes the DP
I am all that is man.
good out there
hey kay, even i guessed that it was dave winfield. not that hard to do…
He was the first guy I looked up on B-R to see if I was right.
Just fuck…
The Navarro as All-Star comment is surely coming.
looks like hes getting tired
Welcome back Javy
He’s up and his stuff doesn’t have much movement. Looking like it probably won’t be a great game.
terrible pitch. it was an 0-2 count
Dioner Navarro? Seriously?
Rough inning; end it now, Javy.
Everything is belt high.
yikes this is not a good inning
Jorge, stop embarrassing yourself.
You’re Girardi: Do you pull Vasquez and go to Ace for the 5th, 6th? Or leave Javy in no matter what for the 5th?
I’d go to Ace
Shows how much I know
This is an ugly inning.
Start stretching Sergio!
What a disastrous inning for Vazquez.
playing thames really paying off
Fuck.
Gardner makes that
What a chump
Nice dive by Thames
ugh thames
So painful to watch. Yep, my fantasy week is over. Vazquez was the death knell.
Don’t blame Thames. Vazquez has been atrocious this inning. That ball was smoked.
I don’t think anyone is blaming Thames for being big, slow, and poor at defense. They are blaming Joe Girardi for putting him in the outfield.
eh, if Gardner were hitting against price it’d be a joke. People would be saying “where the fuck is Thames”. It’s a no-win situation. Which makes sense, considering the fact that we’re facing David Price (although he does appear to be tiring)
No because we hve no faith in Thames anyway and we would obviously see the value provided by gardners defense.
There is a hybrid, his name is Randy Winn, switch hitter.
Thames hits lefties. The yankees have historically sucked against price. Vazquez is a good pitcher and strikes out a lot of guys. Why not try to get a couple good ABs out of Thames and maybe get a big double or a HR, and hope his defense doesn’t hurt you. Chances are, over 5 innings, a left fielder’s probably only going to have 1 or maaaybe 2 plays that an elite LF makes and a bad LF doesn’t. Honestly it’s just taking a chance. Long haul, gardy’s defense gives you a ton of value, but there’s absolutely no guarantee that he even gets a chance to make a good play in the innings that Thames played in. At least you know Thames/Gardner’s gonna get a couple ABs.
Disagree. Gardner was better against lefties than righties last year. His defense makes it STUPID to replace him for someone who’s not a top notch hitter.
gardner’s SS was sooo small last year though, and there’s just no way to expect a guy with that kind of swing to be able to catch up to david price. I think it’s a perfectly defensible move.
Disagree. Thames has the range of a statue. He cost 2 runs by not getting close to a ball that Gardner catches on the run.
I’m with V here. Thames is an atrocious defender.
I hate thames. why should u ever play him
While Thames did look foolish on that play, Bartlett did hit it hard (as Tank the Frank said) and Vazquez was leaving everything up.
Not Thames fault, per se. It was well hit. Still, even an average player probably gets to that.
holy jesus
man i wish grit gutner was there
When is Thames going to be lifted for Gardner? I don’t think I can see this horrible D in left any longer.
Smoked or not, Gardner catches that ball on a trot. Thames is an abomination in LF.
I understand the thinking, but does Thames have much of a better chance hitting off “tough lefties” than Gardner? I can’t imagine it far out-weighs what he gives up on defense.
thank god
And this is why we got rid of this bum
Because he occasionally has a bad start?
Wow, we’d have no pitchers left…
Ironically, I thought Thames and not Vasquez.
Gardner just hit a two run HR… nice.
?
Well, if a line-up can score 6 runs, it’s the Yankee line-up. Let’s get to their pen!
I think the key for the Yankees is to just keep it close and work Price’s pitch count to get to their bullpen.
Word.
Bartlett doesn’t have Jeter’s hops.
He isn’t all the way black.
/Sheff’d
we’re winning this game. book it.
LOL @ Text Poll.
good job by swishahouse
There is very little chance Thames offense makes up for the 2 runs he cost by being the LF as opposed to Gardner. He is simply not good enough offensively to make up for his defensive shortcomings.
Given Thames’ .000 avg/.250 OPS – I think that you’re right on the money.
small. sample. sizes.
The chances of 5 innings of Thames actually costing the team 2 runs were not very high. The chances of him hitting a 2-run home run were probably just as good. The chances of Gardner doing anything offensively against price in the first two innings were very low. The chances of Gardner having a significant enough amount of time to appreciate defensive value in 5 or 6 innings, also not very high.
This is called reactionary analysis, and it’s bullshit.
I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but Thames’ swing = slow. He ain’t hitting any homeruns.
Thames has what, 100 career HRs? I can guarantee you that he, in a bench role, will hit more HRs, and in general hit better against LHP than Gardner will this year.
And he’ll give up 300% of that value by playing utterly atrocious defense.
Johnny Damon he ain’t.
Dammit, I thought that was heading to the gap.
Jeter panic threat level: Orange
Still yellow. Too early to worry.
It’s nice to see Jeter softly ground out to 2nd base for a change. Spray those outs around the infield.
Womack > Thames.
Ok, I wasn’t on the anti-Thames wagon earlier today, but I am now. WTF was that LF defense?
Bright spots of game:
*A-Rod clobbers a ball
*NJ gets a hit!
Blind Spots of game:
*Granderson against a nasty lefty
*Jeter weakly hitting everything on the ground
*NJ running
*Thames’ defense
*Javy Vazquez looking shaky after the second inning
*Cano playing some sort of weird shift that has him playing right near second base
Granderson hit the ball well his last at bat. He hardly looked helpless up there.
I meant the first AB. Sorry, I should have clarified.
He did in his first AB.
Ok, this is nice to see. Something had to have been mechanically off.
I think Jorge Vazquez came out to pitch last inning
If Javy can get out of this inning 1-2-3, I think you can at least send him out there to start the sixth, then you go to Mitre or Ace.
Bingo Bango.
Agree. Give him another. He rebounded pretty well outside of one mistake pitch that didn’t get hit.
Night and day for Javy. But he got lucky on the slider. That should have been hit to Jacksonville.
Javy settled down nicely
Great bounceback inning Javy! He now knows not to trust the outfield defense, mostly Thames.
Now can we please DFA Thames and pick up You Dead Dawg?
Very surprised he’s still floating around out there. You know who could use an outfielder with Elijah’s potential?
The Natinals.
That would be a great pick-up for them.
LOL. But who could argue with a platoon of Willie Harris and Willy Tavares?
Argue with the Wet Willy platoon?
I will most certainly not.
Girardi must be hazing Javy or something.
He escapes from Jermaine Dye and puts up a great season in Atlanta.
Then he comes to NY and Joe sticks Thames out there.
That Girardi is a cruel bastard.
IETC.
Ditto.
No way that’s a strike.
Thames is the Cody Ransom of 2010. I’m guessing he too will be long gone before the champagne flows.
Not a strike.
Nicky!
Is it just me or does Alex look a little off on breaking balls?
eh I hadn’t noticed it, but remember 1) it’s april 9th, and 2) it’s David Price
Well, Price is on a CG pace right now.
I love watching Upton, but I hate that he’s on the Rays. Great swing.
Woops.
Home Run Javy officially makes his debut.
You’re not going to shake the Home Run Javy nickname if you keep doing stuff like this Javy.
FUUUUUUCK.
Just take Javy out. Shut it down.
Oh and who’s gonna write the article tomorrow about how the Yankees look old, dead, tired, etc. while the Rays look youthful, energized, etc.?
Everybody on ESPN NY?
That’s what I was thinking. I’m assuming Matthews will take it.
Definitely Bill Madden. With this amazing story he wrote in February 2009, it would make sense to write another one.
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....to_-2.html
Oh yeah, I forgot about Madden. Harper might, too.
Oh and the worst thing about that article? A-Rod’s hair.
A-Rod’s hair? or Bill Madden’s comb over?
Good call; both are pretty awful.
Yep. It’s going to be a dirty, ugly Saturday morning.
Once a chump, always a chump
as you’ve so eloquently demonstrated for us today
My line is better than Javy’s
I’m going to play Captain Obvious and say that you’re comparing apples and oranges here. Javy had one bad start, you’ve been acting like an ass. Kind of different, and your lines have nothing to do with it.
no it wasn’t. you said “once a chump, always a chump”, which doesn’t apply to Vazquez. If you wanted it to, you’d have been better off saying:
“once a guy who had a bad second half because of injury but has enjoyed an otherwise excellent career, always a guy who had a bad second half because of injury once but has otherwise enjoyed an excellent career”
Oh fuck. Can you guys imagine what the papers and media will say tomorrow? “Oh this is just like 2004, blah, blah, blah.”
Yay for Mike and Tino! They can do math!
Eso no bueno Javy,Mentira! lol
This is the first game I’ve really been disappointed with the outcome.
Obviously we could still win, which would be cool, but I SOOO wanted Javy to do well. It would have been a victory for objective analysis and a triumph over everything illogical.
Ah well. Next start, then.
Yeah. We’re just going to have to weather the storm of stupidity that awaits.
Meh, as long as you keep your lot with the folks at RAB it can be kind of fun bashing stupid people’s posts.
Yeah, it does build continuity among us.
The key is not to lose faith in humanity before you get here.
Ah, this start is just gonna make it extra sweet when Javy snags the Cy.
So Javy NOT ONCE lets up 7 runs last year!
He comes to the Yanks and gets crushed in his first start?
How does that happen? The NL must SUCK!
Or he just didn’t have his stuff tonight. He was really on last year, but he was gonna get bombed eventually. It happens.
Yeah but he’s right. In his very first start he gets shelled. The difference between leagues is huge.
The difference in leagues may be about 1 run in difference. That has nothing to do with this. A good pitcher got lit up.
It happens in the NL. It also happens in the AL.
Let’s not magnify it beyond what it really is.
The difference between leagues is huge, but one start doesn’t prove that at all. All it proves is that he had a bad night.
Is one start. Meh
Dude, it’s one start. Get a grip.
“Dude”, I’m just wondering how a pitcher gives up 6 runs in his worst start for an ENTIRE year… Then comes to the AL and in his very first start gets annihilated…
He goes 32 starts and never looks anything like this. Comes to NY and in 1 start looks worse than all 32 starts last year…
It had to happen eventually. He can’t be great ALL the time. It just happened to be his first start. You wouldn’t bat an eye if it were, say, his tenth.
Very true. Good point.
He can’t handle the pressure in Tampa.
Woah-woah-woah, back up bubby. Let’s not get crazy here. He’s Puerto Rican, not Dominican.
Thanks for comin’ Javy. Better luck next time.
I’m actually pretty psyched to see how Mitre looks. Does that make me crazy?
Batshit.
I was afraid of that.
Yes.
You know how much you hate Gardner? That’s how much I hate Mitre.
No, my Gardner hate has been replaced by Thames. I know simply appreciate Gardner for what he is, even though I have little confidence he’ll be able to get a .340 OBP with that ridiculous approach he has.
WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU HAVE AN UPPER-CUT WHEN YOU HAVE THE POWER OF REY ORDONEZ?
He doesn’t use his legs, either. It’s so odd. I have more faith than you do, and I think he could do that, but I don’t think he will.
Yeah, he gets absolutely no torque and chops at it on an upward angle. It baffles me as to how he was successful even in the minors.
How old is Randy Johnson now?
He’s 137 years old.
Closer to collecting Social Security than he is to his professional debut.
In bird years? 84.
Anyone wanna guess the title of the cover of the NY Post?
“Thank you Sir, may I Javy-another”?
That’s not bad.
It captures the feeling I have right now.
Javy didn’t “Jav” stuff!
“Home Run Javy”
De-Javy-vu
That’s another good one.
Or as Scooter would say: “It’s like De-Javy-vu all over again.” (Holy cow, not again!)
Why squirrel hate me?
You should have used this line in Boston in reference to Pukilis’ chin-brush.
dude thats gonna be it
winner
I will be shocked if Jorge throws out a runner all year.
Someone will trip eventually.
haha. thank you, nostra-artist, for providing me with laughter and warmth on this otherwise yucky game
He will but their names won’t be Bartlett, Upton or Crawford.
I was definitely being hyperbolic, but none of the Yankee pitchers are very good at holding runners on and Jorge was never too great back there anyway.
He was never too bad back there either…
I gotcha. But I’m serious…I don’t think he has a chance to throw out either of those runners.
Oh not at all.
this is UGLY! Yuck
If we’re gonna lose tonight, at least we can get this idea that Mitre is good out of people’s heads.
Is that a “Yankees Suck” chant?
Alright Serge, get your work in. Pitch like a Mexican is ready to take your job.
Wouldn’t it be more apt to say that he should pitch like he’s trying to get the job a Mexican (Aceves) already has?
I dont think any role in the ‘pen has been defined aside of Mo’s role. Sergio has got to pitch to remain relevant , especially with Ace on the shelf.
Well I’m glad we let Gaudin go instead of Mitre. But then again it’s one inning.
A “Yankees suck” chant in Tampa?
Wow, I didn’t think they had a fan base that cared enough to chant that.
Here’s a simple rule of thumb for fans at other stadiums: You can only say “Team X sucks” (or some similar variation) if you draw attendance figures above that of the Nets.
You don’t qualify, Tampa.
Bo started it.
Yes Yankees suck. But their fans that pour into their stadium and spend tons of money keeping their cheap franchise in business through revenue sharing and sold out games are probably awesome to them.
I went to Tropicana last year when the Yanks went and it was the most horrible stadium I’ve ever been in. Narrow hallways, only ONE gate to enter from, and those AWFUL cowbells enough to make you go INSANE. And then there’s stupid promos and “games” between innings because if you stopped for a minute to think you’d realize how disgraceful the structure is. Disastrous.
only ONE gate to enter from, and those AWFUL cowbells
/high school baseball’d
It’s the worst stadium in baseball and it’s not even close. Fenway is nasty but at-least it’s historic.
Alright so we’re right back in it, right?
Longoria is so pissed that he struck out against Mitre.
For God’s sake. This isn’t a “statement,” it’s one game. The Yankees got crushed early in the season here a couple times. They’ll lose over 60 games this season. Is each one a statement by the other team?
any time any team beats the Yankees it’s a “statement.” It pisses me off.
I understand that Rays can turn on an inside pitch, but the effectiveness of staying away is vastly diminished by ALWAYS staying away. I am beginning to doubt whoever is calling the shots. Mitre’s pitches are very well located but they are squaring on the outside pitch, because ALL pitches are outside. very poor.
Man, this game is just all-around awful.
Yeah, I’m going to have to reassess my 9 on the Fan Confidence Poll. I’m feeling like this team deserves no higher than an 8.75 right now.
The 5th starter thing already has me at an 8. Everything drops from there.
I’m still at 9. I still think we’re going to win the WS. A shoddy game here and there doesn’t shake my faith.
Head over to Radio Shack and pick up one of their new sarcasm detectors. They really work great.
Boooo.
I would love for one of them to say that West’s poor umpiring also extends the game.
Also, Pena and Winn get more PT today?
Though this game has sucked, it’s been nice to see Price pitch this well. He’s been fantastic tonight.
Yeah, he looks unreal. The Rays are a scary team if Upton and Price hit their potential.
Yes, and we as Yankee fans can all start counting down his days of arbitration.
I guess you could say “The Price Is right”
Anyone want to start a Marcus Thames DFA pool?
I have May 1st.
I hope you’re right, but I’ll take June 1st just to be more reasonable.
I just came home and I see we should be in PANIC MODE!!!! I guess.
Go back out, this baby’s over. We’re just going to be miserable company.
My friend was throwing up on a street WHEN IT WAS LIGHT OUT. I have not had a good night. Booooo Yankees, you were supposed to win to make me feel better. Let me be miserable ;_;
Drinking, bad Mexican food, or a combination of both?
Drinking. A lot of it. Like, a lot. And then I had to drag said friend around my town. Yay fun times.
Agree on this. I’m about to get out of here and finish a few tall glasses of whiskey to soothe my troubles.
A 3-run shot here would wipe away some of the “statement” commentary being made.
Fuck. Thames just got a hit. That shit is definitely going in the binder.
I know, Thames getting a hit just feels like delaying the inevitable to me.
You live with Johnny Damon’s defense out there. You do not live with Marcus Thames.
When he was signed I thought it was as a late inning pinch hitter. I really am shocked he is starting games.
WTH is Winn’s role on this team if Thames/Gardner is apparently a platoon?
Back-up to the LH hitting side of the LF platoon? Sounds like assistant to the traveling secretary.
In other news, Nelson Cruz just hit his 3rd HR in 4 games. Awesome fantasy value.
So who’s excited for DOtF?!
I wish Price blows his arm off.
Who, crossing the line there.
I wish Price blows his arm off…and then gets AIDS.
That, my friend, is crossing the line.
Anyone gonna watch the Life and Times of Tim now?
That show is the shit. I’m watching it after this inning is over or it’s 9:30. Whichever comes first.
2 innings, seven runs? I’m not giving up!
I’m very optimitic, but:
If
Run differential>Number of outs remaining
then
give up hope for a win
and
end
…No?
Ok, time to save the run-differential if the game’s lost and go with the Paul O’neil theory.
Would’ve loved to see Hughes go up against Davis tomorrow. Last time I saw those two square off I think was when Scranton won the championship and Hughes struck out 11.
Ladies and gentlemen, this thread is a perfect example of how NOT to practice Zen baseball.
I’m not in panic mode. I understand that there will be some blowouts here and there, but ultimately, we’ll be celebrating the Yankees’ 28th world championship.
Good man!
I’m not in panic mode either. Not at all. I wanted them to win because I just had a pretty shitty night (and I always want them to win) but what can you do.
you guys done worrying about jeter now?
This ain’t over
Naysayers get off the bandwagon right now
All I can say is thank god I love watching good pitching. If it weren’t for the fact that I genuinely enjoy watching price pitch, I’d be really effing ticked about this game
Nick Johnson does whatever the FUCK he wants
Is the crowd at the Trop really annoying or am I just pissed off because of people IRL?
they’re always annoying. The cowbells ugggh. Also the stadium has a weird amphitheater effect that amplifies sounds from around the stadium
It’s the cowbells. I don’t think they should be allowed personally.
They have signs around the stadium about not using the cowbells too much. They don’t listen…they never listen…
So they allow cowbells…but have signs saying don’t use them “too much.” That’s just idiotic. What do you expect them to do? How would you enforce such a thing?
Anyone else feel like shoving a pencil in their eye socket every time Tino opens his mouth?
Why would we put a pencil to our eye socket every time he opens his mouth? I’d think that we’d intentionally puncture our eardrums if we’ve been driven e been driven to such extremes.
Fine, pick whatever form of self-mutilation you prefer. But if you decide to immolate yourself, just make sure you do it live on camera and send us a link.
robby cano.
don’t ya know
KAY. SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT THE PITCH COUNT.
Why? He has a point.
Swisher’s eye is not looking sharp. Take a fucking strike.
No, he didn’t have a point. Price went into the inning at what… 90? Probably more life 85. They wanted to get him through 8. He ended up at 110, not 140.
With all of that said, repeating the same sentiment ad infinitum until I want to bust a cap in my Toshiba isn’t cool. Hewas so impressed to be saying something related to the game that he felt the need to say it over and over again until his jock bros gave him a pat on the back. This isn’t Michael Kay’s Therapy Hour, it’s a Yankees game.
What a dark day it was when Kay and Sterling got split up and were allowed to infect both sides of the broadcast.
Yeah, I disagree. It was opening day and Price is quite young. I was surprised Maddon let him hit 100, let alone 110.
To be honest, I never hated Kay. He’s not good or bad, just there. If he were replaced with another generic broadcaster I’d barely notice.
Honestly Maddon, wtf is your problem? Stop ruining my favorite non-yankee pitcher in the AL East’s arm!!
C’MON SWISH DOG
Time for a Swisher slam.
Or not.
shucks.
I wonder if Swish would be better served batting right-handed after facing Price 3 times.
Why does this come up every time there’s a switch hitter and he makes an out?
It’s not going to happen, because its not a good idea. They are switch hitters for a reason. (Doing it against a knuckleballer is the exception)
???
WTF? So Un-Swiher like. Awful AB. Didn’t work the AB at all.
Swisher
American Gangster it is.
If he’s “Swish-a-licious” when he hits a HR, I’d guess you have to call that AB “Swish-gusting”
or maybe “Swish-a-nauseous”
Too clumsy.
I kinda liked that one. Rhymes with Swish-a-licious.
Nick Swisher just saved Marcus Thames’ life. Had he gotten a hit, Thames would’ve failed
“When you open a new stadium, good things happen.”
/ignoring the Mets’d
Rally time!
Girardi needs to turn over a buffet table. That’ll fix things.
You can’t win ‘em all
It’s bad to have an ERA of infinity!! News!
The YES booth is actually a lot better than what I dealt with tonight. Ugh nice play Crawford. GODDAMN IT BABIP
This group is so bad I just might turn the sound down and listen to John and Suzyn tomorrow night.
Whenever I want to mute the TV and listen to the radio, John and Suzyn are like 45 seconds behind. It’s really annoying.
Also, isn’t tomorrow OH GOD Joe Buck?
Oh, fuck. Who does the local play by play in Tampa? Anyone have a link?
El Capitan = El Stat-Padder
/Sarcasm
Bob Lorenz: Don’t push the panic button on Javy…
LoHud, NYYFans, Twitter, etc: OMG PUSH THE PANIC BUTTON AAAHHHH
I told you he can’t handle the pressure under the bright lights in Tampa.
A++++
I think it’s safe to say the highlight of my day was finding this commercial.
also, hey they didn’t murder the bullpen.
Who knew at the time H-E-B stood for Human-Egrowth-Bhormone.
People on NYYFans whining about Melky. Yes, because Melky would have pitched a CGSHO. How silly of me.
Bah. A warm glass of milk and a nice Dot-f will put me to sleep with a smile on my face.
just wondering – were you being sarcastic over the 9/8.75 thing earlier?
Oh Bexy, please. Put it this way, do they have a 8.75 button?
heh, sorry. It’s been a long night ._.
You already said you were out drinking, so I’ll just chalk it up to wearing the booze goggles.
Don’t worry. I took it seriously and I’m not even drunk. I’m just stupid.
Check out the post game.
I’m hanging around for the “Closers” special. That looks good.
Whoah, David Ortiz got ejected.
OMG WHY ISN’T JAVY KILLING HIMSELF ON THE POSTSHOW
The ejection will be part of the smear campaign.
also: I have decided that because Javy’s first start as a Yankee in 2004 was awesome but it ended in disaster, clearly this means Javy will end the 2010 season by capturing WS MVP with a CGSHO. Flawless logic.
Javy, you’re a #4 but this crap won’t cut it. Head out of ass ASAP. You’re not in the NL East anymore.
O:S
Javy will be fine. The only real concern from the game is the play of Thames. His defense has been so poor (and costly) that you really have to reconsider playing him against even the toughest lefties. It’s not like he is dominant hitter against lefties anyway.
I agree with this. I didn’t see the whole game, but I saw highlights, and Thames’ defense decidedly cost runs. If it’s Manny Ramirez, you deal with it. If it’s Marcus Thames, not really.
AND WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT JAVY IS TEH WORST PITCHER EVER AAAAHHHHH!!