Game 146: Momentum

September 15, 2010 by Michael Axisa 1,238 Comments

Yankees Rangers Baseball — (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Last night’s victory was anything but easy, but Jorge Posada‘s late homer and Greg Golson‘s huge, huge outfield assist have the Yankees feeling good about themselves and momentum squarely in their corner. Of course, that and $2.25 will get them on the subway. Or will it not? I can’t keep up with the fare hikes anymore. But I digress.

Tonight’s start is probably the biggest of Phil Hughes‘ young career, a game in which his team needs him to provide not just bulk innings, but high quality innings. The Rays are throwing Jamie Shields, and in the unlikely event that one of the Yankees will see this, HE’S GOING TO THROW A CHANGEUP. I can’t stress that enough.

First place in the line (at least until next week), and it sure would be nice to go into the off day with a little bit of breathing room, no matter how small. Here’s tonight’s lineup…

Jeter, SS
Granderson, CF
Teixeira, 1B
A-Rod, 3B
Cano, 2B
Berkman, DH – .491 OBP since August 8th, the best in baseball
Posada, C
Kearns, LF
Curtis, RF – wow, I figured Golson would start tonight just because of that throw

And on the bump, it’s St. Philip of Hughes.

Another 7pm-ish ET start tonight, with the game available on YES locally and ESPN nationally. Enjoy.

http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder

Welcome aboard, Royce.

http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp.....tshirt.jpg
PaulF

I bet Ben knows the Subway fare.
Magnus Stultus

Is there any reasons that Noesi shouldn’t on this team as well?
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  Because he’s too raw and green?
  
  He still only has 18 innings above AA ball.
  - Magnus Stultus
    
    Fair enough. I just thought it couldn’t hurt to add more quantity.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      I agree, I called for him the other night as well, but I get why they wouldn’t bring him up yet.
      
      Now that we’ve got Ring and Pettitte back, the depth is better, so the need to throw the kid in the fire is lessened.
      - http://twitter.com/dpatrickg Dirty Pena
        
        I don’t really see the harm in calling him up to be around the team, letting him throw bullpens in front of the major league coaches, and possibly getting into like a 14-2 game or something.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        When you add him to the active roster, you’re starting his service time, option anniversary, and arb clocks.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder

Of course, that and $2.25 will get them on the subway. Or will it not? I can’t keep up with the fare hikes anymore. But I digress.

Did you see the Post article that said a quarter of unlimited monthly/weekly Metrocard buyers are throwing money down the drain?

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/l.....IHrbiDRYpK
- RL
  
  Good for the NYC Metro Authority. Maybe that 1/4 can help keep fares down for the rest of you subway dwellers. (Glad I don’t have to pay NYC fares anymore. Disappointed I haven’t been able to get to YSIII)
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW

I almost am beginning to think the Yankees haven’t ended the season at home in half a decade because MLB just assumes they’ll be playing in October, anyway.

I’m okay with this.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  It’s like our last little bit of good ol’ roadtrip groupie fun before we settle down to real business.
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW

Oh, and apparently BOTH Callis and Piliere (Piliere in his chat) said they’d take Montero over Harper.

I’m also okay with this.
- Magnus Stultus
  
  That is saying something about Harper as well, consider the guy hasn’t even play pro ball yet while Montero is already putting up very impressive AAA numbers as 20 year old .
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Well, Harper’s stock took a big hit once they moved him from C to RF. His bat moved from “ZOMG will he be the best ever at his position?!??!” to “He’ll be a great hitter… at a position full of other great hitters.”
    
    Jesus might be a shitty catcher and possibly a first baseman, but he’s still a catcher at the moment.
    
    Oh, and Jesus hasn’t been doing what he’s been doing against high-schoolers and JC pitchers.
    - Magnus Stultus
      
      True. Harper’s numbers in JC is ridiculous and let’s what he can do with better competition.
      
      I believe his value has dropped due to the position move. That is mainly organization decision due to concern over durability issue. I also think Washington expects OF as easier progression route than catcher, hence, having Harper on a possible quick path to major to use him as franchise drawing card. But you have to give him the credit for having the proper athleticism to do so.
      
      To be put in the same sentence as one the best hitting prospect (Montero) while not having yet to swing one pro pitch is impressive in it’s own rights.
      
      p.s. I am still gaga over some of the moon shots this kid hits as a 17 year old regardless of the competition.
HyShai

Cmon Berkman has had very limited AB’s over that span.
http://riveraveblues bill

yamkees 14 rays 12 tonite
- http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW
  
  Oh dear Mo please no….
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Don’t worry, Rebecca, he was talking about the “Yamkees”.
- gus
  
  Bill, this is the third night in a row you’ve attempted to predict the outcome of the game and I’m going to take a guess and say you’re going to be wrong, big time…..
  
  Maybe predicting is not for you….
http://riveraveblues bill

This could be a fun night.
- Carlosologist
  
  Yeah, Phil’s probably going to give us five or six solid innings and the offense is going to poop on Shields like they did at the Stadium after the ASB.
larryf

Golson’s play in rf plus his speed made me think about him in RF and Swish as DH.

it would give us a helluva bench and a huge upgrade defensively…

I guess not…
- Carlosologist
  
  Having Golson in the lineup everyday would be like running out two Brett Gardners everyday.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    I think he just meant tonight.
  - larryf
    
    is that bad? It makes us a little less station to station but we won it all station to station last year with the exception of Damon stealing second and third on one play..
  - Hughesus Christo
    
    If Greg Golson could produce as much as Brett Gardner has while playing RF they would be the greatest team in the history of baseball.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  Swish probably still needs a full day off (or, at least only one PH plate appearance followed by a pinch-runner instead of 4-6 plate appearances and times running the basepaths).
- Coach6423
  
  as in when, tonight, or further down the road??
- Guest
  
  Just for tonight? I’m presuming you aren’t thinking about this as a permanent-type thing. Golson’s bat does not belong in an every day lineup.
  
  That said, that throw was something to behold. One of the best I have seen in a while. It was a couple of feet from making it to
  A-Rod on the fly.
Ellis

Shields has thrown the changeup 25% of the time this year, he mixes it up really nicely. Similar rate as Cole Hamels, the most deadly change in the game right now.
Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Blog

I’d like to take a moment to thank the Yankees for almost never making us watch meaningless games in September. Unless of course they’re meaningless in a good way.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  Seconded.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

So Troy Tulowitzki
- Magnus Stultus
  
  The Rockies won a ‘must’ game IMO this afternoon.
- Carlosologist
  
  Good at baseball. He’s like Jeter with power and defense.
  
  /low blow
- http://twitter.com/firstheart42 seimiya
  
  I would not mind another five years of having another #2 at shortstop.
  
  If that #2 is Tulo.
Mike HC

Fantasy keeper question: I can only keep one: Konerko, Prado, Victor Martinez or Aramis Ramirez.

More specifically, is Prado worth keeping because he is the youngest by like five years, or he is not as good as the others to be worth it?

Any opinions would be appreciated. But considering it is a fantasy question, would not be offended if no answers.
- Teix is the man
  
  I would personally go Prado, but that’s just me…others may like the fact that Martinez is a premium catcher.
  - Mike HC
    
    thanks
    
    Yea, I am slightly leaning towards martinez, but can’t help but think I’m making the wrong move letting go of Prado in his prime and also a second baseman.
    - Teix is the man
      
      You really can’y go wrong either way, IMHO…but power-hitting first basemen are a dime a dozen.
- Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Blog
  
  I’d go with Martinez, then Prado, mostly due to good numbers at premium positions.
  - Mike HC
    
    My thoughts as well, but my only pause is that Prado is 26-27 and martinez is 32-33. I can keep these guys indefinitely. Its close I guess
- http://twitter.com/Brad_Toughy Brad Toughy
  
  I hate James Sheilds. Someone take this dick deep.
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW

Tell me this doesn’t terrify you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
- http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW
  
  baaaaahh
- Kit
  
  The video was removed, so the link isn’t working.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder

Name the pitcher time:

Pitcher A:
34 starts, 238.2 IP ( IP/S), 2.49 ERA, 8.2 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, 0.6 HR/9, 7.5 H/9, 1.135 WHIP, .227/.287/.318 against

Pitcher B:
31 starts, 225.2 IP ( IP/S), 2.39 ERA, 8.5 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, 0.6 HR/9, 7.3 H/9, 1.095 WHIP, .220/.280/.319 against

Who are they?
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  A. Felix 2009
  B. Felix 2010
  - Teix is the man
    
    Felix and Casey Kelly
    
    Being a dick’d
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Bingo.
    
    Felix, 2009: 19-5
    Felix, 2010: 11-11
    
    The pitcher W/L stat sucks. It sucks so, so bad.
    - Magnus Stultus
      
      I think Baseball Reference recal their ballparks factor in WAR calculations and is currently ranking CC ahead of Felix in WAR.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        Sure, but Felix’s road numbers still blow CC (and everyone else) out of the water.
        
        And he’s probably not going to even finish top three. I hate baseball writers.
        
        http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
        
        I think he’ll finish top three. I don’t think he’ll win. :/
        
        Across the pond
        
        You ever listen to the ESPN baseball today podcast?
        
        Eric Karabell is adamant that Felix cannot win the Cy young because he only has 11 wins….but says that he is not over-valuing wins.
        
        Could never figure the logic out.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        “This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. Having said that, all options are on the table.”
        
        Across the pond
        
        Now watch this drive!
    - Carlosologist
      
      What’s scary is that he can and will (barring catastrophe) do better than this.
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
      
      (insert rambling ZZ post about how great wins are here)
      
      (Sorry, ZZ. You’re great. But your posts on how pitcher wins are awesome are awful, and have not convinced me that wins are awesome in any way, shape, or form.)
  - http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
    
    A: 19-5
    B: 11-11
    
    A >>> B
    
    QED
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  Felix Hernandez 2009 and Felix Hernandex 2010.
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    Ugh, beaten. Felix Hernandex sounds better anyway.
    
    And yeah, worth mentioning that hes god damn 24 years old.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    He’s like a metronome.
Magnus Stultus

Matt latos and Felix?
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  Close.
  - Ellis
    
    Latos and Josh Johnson?
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      It was a trick question.
      
      THEY WERE ALL TWIX!!!
RL

Glad to have the game nationally. Not looking forward to ESPN announcers (Miller and Morgan tonight?)

(fires up the HDTV & surround sound)
Across the pond

Anyone else like the rays broadcast booth? Always liked them for some reason.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  I can’t friggin’ stand them.
  
  /this is not a very friendly answer, apologies’d
  - Across the pond
    
    lol I just actually seen them and my God that’s one furry head the main announcer has.
Magnus Stultus

mmm, last guess, Josh Johnson for player A. I don’t think because it will be surely be some no namers thus making the proposition of this trivia interesting to begin with.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

If the Yankees lose in some awful way tonight I’ll be back to like “sob sob I hate baseball” mode, but watching FREAKING MARIANO RIVERA fist-pump the crap out of last night’s win was just awesome.
- Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Blog
  
  Yeah, but now, if Aubrey Huff hits a homer off him he’s gonna fist pump back…
  - http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime-Jesus & Maquinito FTW
    
    Let it be known I LOVE your username
    - Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Blog
      
      Well gosh, you’re making me blush.
      
      Thanks, finally found a MP specific one that I’ll stick with.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  The whole team was pumped up last night. Posada especially was fired up in the bottom of the 10th. Nearly came out of his freaking shoes trying to throw out Crawford at second.
  
  Also what never got mentioned last night: Brett Gardner and Mariano were both backing up 3rd base perfectly on that play. HUSTLE, HOLMES
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    But Ross, I was told that we don’t do anything right and are doomed to miss the playoffs. What you’re saying doesn’t make sense.
    - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
      
      It’s a crazy world we live in.
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
      
      The only team that makes errors, ever, is the Yankees. Brett Gardner’s attempted steal of third with two outs on Monday was the worst play anyone’s ever done in the history of the sport,* but Carl Crawford getting thrown out at 3B for the last out of the game last night was just exciting baseball.
      
      * disclaimer: it was bad, not trying to pretend otherwise, but if like, the Rays or Angels had done it, we’d get to hear how exciting it was and how they were just pushing the envelope and what have you
      - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
        
        Heh, can you imagine the shitstorm that would have followed if a Yankee made the last out of the game at 3B? But you know, Maddon says you need to take chances so when it’s the Rays it’s a good play.
Kit

I vote that they revoke James Shield’s “Big Game” nickname now that we know he only got it because his roommate in the minor leagues was a Laker’s face.
- Kit
  
  And by “face” I mean “fan”. Oops.
  - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
    
    That’s a much more interesting mental image though.
    - Kit
      
      It may have been a freudian slip.
      
      /dislikes the Lakers
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Screw it, I’m calling Laker fans “Laker Faces” from now on.
Mike HC

That .262 avg is looking good … compared to the 260 avg a couple of days ago. Hot streak, ha.
swisher’s fauxhawk

Good start, Jeets.
Carlosologist

Jeter is on a roll as of late.
Mike HC

Jeter slowly rounding back into form for the postseason?
- Carlosologist
  
  He’s going to hit .400/.500/.600 in the playoffs and singlehandedly win 28.
  
  /slightly serious
- rek4gehrig
  
  Would u expect anything less?
  - Mike HC
    
    no, but still good to see it happening.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Anyone have a scouting report on Ring? What’s he throw, why wasn’t he called up earlier, etc?
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  What’s he throw?
  
  Baseballs. Lefthanded.
  
  why wasn’t he called up earlier, etc?
  
  Because we only had 25 active spots on the roster and he wasn’t one of our best 25 players.
  
  You’re welcome.
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    Your powers of observation continue to serve you well.
    
    /V
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      I give because I love. Also, I’m obnoxious and juvenile.
  - Brooklyn Ed
    
    actually Ring did came close to making the team out of spring training.
    
    /you welcome.
- Cy Pettitte
  
  here, you can get to know him a bit
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_uYcu7y_pQ
Cy Farnsworth

Very nice AB from the captain
Cy Farnsworth

DJ came to play today.
- Kit
  
  That’s El Capitan to you.
  
  /unnecessary
  
  And yes, I agree. He’s looked better at the plate, which is incredibly awesome.
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    Some more line drives combined with some BABIP love (finally, it seemed like none of those grounders were finding holes earlier) has him looking a lot better for sure.
    - ShuutoHeat (Passion>all)
      
      He seems to be “seeing” the pitches much better as of late, he doesn’t seem so desperate swinging at 50 ft. breaking balls anymore.
Johan Iz My Brohan

I don’t know how Teixeira can play through a broken toe. When I broke my toe (note: I was like 5 years old) I cried like a like a b**** and couldn’t even walk.
- Across the pond
  
  It’s only his little toe. Big toe is a different story.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  When I broke my toe (note: I was like 5 years old) I cried like a like a b**** and couldn’t even walk.
  
  Dave’s friend: … You hear Dave shit on himself?
  Dave’s other friend: I know. Died crying like a bitch.
  - kunaldo
    
    Haha well done.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  To be fair I’m sure it’s wrapped up so tight it he can’t even feel it unless he puts a lot of pressure on it (hence why he’s complained about moving laterally on defense)
  - Mike HC
    
    If “wrapped up so tight” means “shot up with so much shit,” then I agree with you. And wrapped up.
Johan Iz My Brohan

NICE!!!!!!
Kit

No, they weren’t, Al! Do your research!
swisher’s fauxhawk

Solid at-bats, boys.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

27 pitches already for Shields. Me likely.
Kit

I like this inning. C’mon, Robbie.
swisher’s fauxhawk

Robbie.
rek4gehrig

Dontcha know!!!!
Cy Pettitte

Yea Robbie, good stuff, let’s get some more
Carlosologist

Just keep on rollin’ boys.
ShuutoHeat (Passion>all)

Heh Big Lame James Shields ain’t so hot tonight.
rek4gehrig

Meh
swisher’s fauxhawk

Ugh, Puma.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Aaaaargh he looked safe.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

Berkman what the heck.

At least his pitch count is up?
All Star Carl

Man what a killer.
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

L@mer.
Mike HC

That ump is out of control. What was with that crazy punch out? I would want to knock an ump out after that overly emphatic out call.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  There are few things I hate worse than grandstanding, self-obsessed, haughty MLB umpires.
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    Further proof you are Brian Cashman. Assuming #1 is the combination of Carl Pavano, Kei Igawa, and Kevin Brown.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      I can’t prove I’m not Brian Cashman, so… take that as you will.
      
      /GlennBeck’d
      - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
        
        Now folks, I have no proof that tsjc is Brian Cashman. In fact, I don’t think he is at all. But why hasn’t he come up with proof that he isn’t? Isn’t that a bit odd that he hasn’t denied these allegations? Some would argue that it’s downright un-American.
  - ShuutoHeat (Passion>all)
    
    Can you imagine Joe West doing a flurry of punches and an uppercut to finish off the strikeout call?
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      Urge to kill… rising… rising…
      - ShuutoHeat (Passion>all)
        
        Can you imagine him doing that with pink chaps on?
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        REDRUM REDRUM REDRUM
        
        ShuutoHeat (Passion>all)
        
        LOL.
Kit

C’mon, Lance. You can’t be hitting into DP’s like that. Get ‘em next time, boys.
Across the pond

Ahhh fattie
http://riveraveblues bill

shit his pants lance
Carlosologist

James Shield is a good pitcher… for me to poop on!

/Triumph’d
- ShuutoHeat (Passion>all)
  
  Gotta love Triumph.
Johan Iz My Brohan

I’m multitasking between the Yankees game and Drabek’s start. Drabek’s got an awesome curve.
- Johan Iz My Brohan
  
  Speaking of that, Hughes’ curve is look nice as well tonight.
UncleArgyle

Damn you Dead Elvis and the salary dump you rode in on
Kit

Alright, Phil. We need awesomeness from you, so be good, please.
Mike HC

For people watching YES, is that green screen behind the hitter for ad space for ESPN, and YES just does not use it for anything? Or is it something different altogether.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  That’s it exactly.
- Kit
  
  Just a green space here. No ads or anything.
- Across the pond
  
  Empty green on YES too
- rek4gehrig
  
  Doesnt have espn written on it or anything. cant remember if it was there last night.
- Jon in CUO
  
  It’s blank on the local Rays broadcast as well.
Brooklyn Ed

YES….I by passed the MLB blackout restrication!!! thank you proxy server.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  Move along, folks, nothing to see here. Move along.
  
  These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.
  - Brooklyn Ed
    
    lol..I had to do anything to watch Yankees baseball. My parents took away my sports package. it hurts!
    - http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
      
      Nice–I had to get a slingbox to get around that. It works, but I’m at the mercy of my sometimes finicky wireless internet.
      - Brooklyn Ed
        
        yeah, looking for new proxy servers every 2-3 days to a week is also annoying. you just don’t know when they will expire.
nathan

Naturally, ESPN didnt show a replay of that DP. Was that close or was Puma out clearly.
- Kit
  
  He looked safe to me, but they didn’t show a replay of the DP on YES either.
http://riveraveblues bill

foul ball phil
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

OGM TEH CHANGE
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Phil throwing the 84/85 change. Good
Carlosologist

Phil, go shave. The face scruff is exclusive to those douches in Boston.
- Kit
  
  He needs a haircut as well, but the hair is apparently his form of rebelling.
  - ShuutoHeat (Passion>all)
    
    You just want a lock of his hair…admit it.
    - Kit
      
      Nah. Phil’s cute and all but not my type.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  It’s worked out pretty decently for the big sexy lefty all these years (and I am not talking about Mr. Sabathia here).
  - ShuutoHeat (No Douche Beards Here)
    
    David Price?
All Star Carl

Not tagging at first? Who cares he stole the base right after that.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  I want whatever Jorge has been eating for breakfast. Dude has had some kind of energy level lately.
Mike HC

Hughes looked extremely good that inning. I hope he keeps it up.
- Magnus Stultus
  
  more curves and changes than usual
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Jorge with the most heavily pine’ tarred helmet in baseball.
- ShuutoHeat (Passion>all)
  
  Oh, its not ALL pine tar…
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  GRIT
  
  Oh wait he’s Hispanic and not on the Red Sox.
  - Kit
    
    Does the “lazy” label work here or does it get ignored because he’s only half Dominican?
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Oh Kearns, you are not helping things lately.
Cy Farnsworth

C’mon Kearns.
Cy Pettitte

Kearns holy shit…so slow
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

Kearns. does. nothing. right.
Kit

Aw, Kearns, don’t help them out.
Mike HC

Berkman is out of his mind. He was dead before he even turned first base.
- Wil Nieves #1 Fan
  
  *Kearns
- Mike HC
  
  And by Berkman, I mean Kearns of course.
  - Wil Nieves #1 Fan
    
    And by Berkman, I mean Barack Obama.
Jake H

Great first inning.
UncleArgyle

C’mon Kearns. You’re not fast buddy
Johan Iz My Brohan

Eh, Golson’s throw was better. I give it 2 out of 10. Next…
- ShuutoHeat (No Douche Beards Here)
  
  Golson’s throw was 1000x better, he was flat footed and had no momentum because he was backing up to get the fly ball.
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Kearns finding new ways to annoy.
Across the pond

You just got the feeling once he went for 2 he was out
- Mike HC
  
  Yea, I think everybody had that feeling. And by “that feeling,” I mean the sight of him moving in slow motion.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Wow, I turned to the TV when I thought James was throwing his first pitch, and Curtis was struck out already. What the hell!
- Wil Nieves #1 Fan
  
  Curtis should had been the second out…but Austin Kearns had to go and play hero. What a ‘tard.
All Star Carl

Why do we have to see Colin Curtis starting when hes clearly over matched.
- Kit
  
  Because Swish is hurt and everyone else is equally overmatched, and I don’t know about you, but I’d like to avoid Thames’ adventures in LF.
  - Wil Nieves #1 Fan
    
    Thames in left, in a dome…you don’t think that would be fun? You crazy, Kit.
- UncleArgyle
  
  No alternatives?
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  As if Golson/Pena/whoever wouldn’t be as equally overmatched.
  
  Personally I thought Golson should have got the start just because of the throw last night.
Slappy White

Just got home, did we get an update on Swish and Gardy today ?
Cy Pettitte

oh man, when Kenny said sitting on 99 I was thinking here comes 100, lol.
Ansky

Lets get another win tonight!
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

Perfect through two innings. IS TONIGHT THE NIGHT!?!?!?!?

/WishfulThinking’d
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Sorry this is not a reply, I feel it’s important! @Brooklyn Ed:

As someone who works in IT, proxies are incredibly unsafe. You’re basically routing all your internet traffic, unencrypted, through an unknown person’s server. It’s a great way for someone to steal your passwords and/or your indentity, and get infected with viruses or worms.
http://www.facebook.com/dougchu Doug

Look at all these pop-ups Phil is getting. That’s great stuff.
Slappy White

ESPN actually putting a fairly good broadcast team on tonights game. o Sutcliffe, Morgan, Miller or Berman….Thanks ESPN
- Wil Nieves #1 Fan
  
  I wanna see Tim McCarver, Jack Curry and Hawk Harrelson in the booth at the same time.
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    What did Jack Curry do to deserve that?
    - Wil Nieves #1 Fan
      
      Be really boring and irrelevant.
      - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
        
        I think he’s been a pretty solid addition. Plus he’s been in the booth like what, once?
        
        Wil Nieves #1 Fan
        
        Yes, in Seattle, with Bob Lorenz and John Flaherty. And hopefully it’ll be the last.
  - Kit
    
    People’s ears will bleed.
  - Slappy White
    
    Poor Jack
  - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
    
    Jack Curry never did anything to deserve that, you bite your tongue!!!!
  - http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
    
    I once had a nightmare about a Chip Caray/Joe Morgan/Suzyn Waldman booth
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  As long as it’s not Morgan/Miller, ESPN’s coverage isn’t thaaaat bad.
  - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
    
    I mean ESPN’s announcers. Like, the Wednesday Night Baseball junk they do, those announcers usually aren’t awful.
    - Slappy White
      
      Im not real fond of Sutcliffe. That whispery way he talks, its not natural for a man with a head that large
      - Wil Nieves #1 Fan
        
        Sutcliffe is a creep / alcoholic.
  - Wil Nieves #1 Fan
    
    If only Miller didn’t mispronounce everybody’s name, because his voice is incredible.
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Phil getting the change and curve over and throwing plenty of them so far. Best part of the game so far…
Carlosologist

… was that really a mob reference? smh Kay
All Star Carl

Besides BG, I don’t think anyone takes as many hittable pitches as A-Rod.
Accent Shallow

And that’s why Longoria has a Gold Glove.
- All Star Carl
  
  For making a routine play?
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  Even with just the eye test, he’s pretty freaking awesome.
  - All Star Carl
    
    He’s a beast and he’s been making some godly plays, but the play he just made was routine.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

Because this is sorta Open Thready and stuff: apparently Meija (that’s right, right? I’m never sure) did something really bad with his shoulder. Oh my gosh, that franchise. It’s just kind of sad at this point. :(
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  Both bad and unlucky. Hell of a combination, those Mets.
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    Though, maybe in hindsight having him rot in the bullpen pitching once every 7 days instead of starting in the minors wasn’t the smartest thing to do to the best arm in your farm system.
- Kit
  
  I still don’t understand why my parents and grandparents like them. They’re such an epic mess.
  - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
    
    Well if the Yankees got that bad I wouldn’t just give up on them so I guess it’s understandable?
    - Kit
      
      That’s true. I just can’t see why they find them appealing as a team.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        I like how Don LaGreca has basically said he won’t push his Mets fandom on his kids, because “he wants the best for them”.
        
        Hilarious.
        
        Kit
        
        That is hilarious. My parents tried, but I like winners.
        
        Accent Shallow
        
        I mean, it is more or less child abuse.
- Wil Nieves #1 Fan
  
  Mejia.
- Accent Shallow
  
  Details? Nothing on a quick Google search
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Hawaiian Punch Guy needs to one up Porkchop Guy by throwing Kim in the Rays tank.
Accent Shallow

So is Phil back to throwing the slow, looping curve?

Not necessarily opposed to that.
- Slappy White
  
  Its El Duque-esc
Hughesus Christo

Good to hear Girardi reaming out Gardner for being overly aggressive while he shits the bed with his decision-making every night.
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

Joe Maddon is a genius.
- Wil Nieves #1 Fan
  
  Isaac Newton and Casey Stengel rolled into one.
- rek4gehrig
  
  Apparently
Jon in CUO

Does Phil throw a slider? Kevin Kennedy on the Rays broadcast seems to think so.
Kit

This may just be one of the more boring conversations the booth has had with Kim.
rek4gehrig

Hey Kim, talk about the Yanksm will ya?
Cy Pettitte

oh Kay, you so funny
swisher’s fauxhawk

I wonder how Michael Kay ever found love.
- Kit
  
  With money.
- Slappy White
  
  Alot of money
rek4gehrig

Meanwhile, Phil is dealing
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

94 on the inside corner. Nasty.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Hey look, when Hughes locates his fastball, good things happen. It’s almost like freaking out about his secondary pitches is a tad overblown!
- Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
  
  or when his secondary pitches are on he has more confidence in not having to throw the fastball all the time..and it becomes more effective
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    The major complaint I see isn’t that, it’s usually that he doesn’t throw his curve or change enough. Which I think is true, but given waaaaay too much emphasis at times.
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Kay and his usual creepiness
Carlosologist

Damn, I would have liked to see Kim jump in the ray tank on camera.
Hughesus Christo

That’s not the first time Kay has made Kim an offer she could refuse…
mikebk

beast mode
Jon in CUO

Another Kennedy-ism: “The Yankees are going to need 4 starters in the postseason this year, should they get there.”
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  Fact: The Yankees will need 4 starters this postseason, while everyone else will just be pitching their aces and no one else.
  - Jon in CUO
    
    If they make it, that is. The Yankees are so far back at this point, they might as well start preparing for the Winter Meetings.
    - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
      
      The Yankees are just lucky they’ve been 100% healthy and not lost every one of their starting players (and the first two batboys) to injury like those gritty Red Sox, who would have won 120 games otherwise.
    - Jon in CUO
      
      /FoxSportsFlorida’d
http://riveraveblues bill

would like to see yankees put up a 5 spot here lets no hit the rays let go yankees
Slappy White

Just checked the Blood Pressure….120/80….thanks Phil
Klemy

At what point in time is it okay to add “Sir” in front of Phil’s name?
Carlosologist

Answer: 2001 Mariners and A’s
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

Quiz answer: 2001 and 2002 AL West?
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  Was I the only one that heard “what are the only TWO years…”
  - Wil Nieves #1 Fan
    
    Was is the ONLY year.
    - Wil Nieves #1 Fan
      
      What***
      
      FUCK!
http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS

2001 AL West

116 win Mariners
102 win WC Athletics
All Star Carl

Would they shut the hell up about that play?
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

Crawford’s tag up was stupid, the end.
- Kit
  
  Seriously. They keep talking about it because the Rays are SO YOUNG AND SO FUN. Like STFU, it was stupid.
  - Wil Nieves #1 Fan
    
    This.
    
    This.
    
    and this.
  - Wil Nieves #1 Fan
    
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ THAT.
  - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
    
    EXCITING
    
    FIREWORKS
    
    something like that
    - http://www.twitter.com/tomzig Tom Zig
      
      FIREWORKS INSIDE THE TROP…NOW THAT’S DARING
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  A hundred times this.
Slappy White

Fisted

/ChipCarey’d
rek4gehrig

Time to put this discussion on MUTE
- Kit
  
  It’s over now, if you’d like to listen again.
  
  /friendly help out
Guest

PUMA
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

RISP!!! let’s go guys
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

My lord, Kay is fired up about this
- Kit
  
  He really is. One of those things that grinds his gears.
- UncleArgyle
  
  Berkman has deceptive speed?
  - ShuutoHeat (No Douche Beards Here)
    
    Berkman has speed?
- Slappy White
  
  Ive switched to ESPN. Sometime its good to get away from Kay
All Star Carl

Posada turned on the burners folks.
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Jorge can fly baby!!!
SouthernYankeeFan

Holy crap. Did Posada just beat a DP?
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Crawford’s tag up last night = worth spending 20 minutes on

Making Granderson bunt two nights ago = not worth mentioning
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  bunting is “accepted” though (whether it should be or not)
Carlosologist

Posada beat out the back end of 6-4-3. I’m impressed lol
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  TWSS
- Slappy White
  
  “beat out the back end”…can I use that ?
  - Carlosologist
    
    My check is in the mail.
Guest

Nice slide
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

Come on, Kearns. You fuck face.
- Slappy White
  
  way to get behind him
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Well, he’s not Wil Nieves.
Zooboy

Austin, we have a problem.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Kearns… wow. Get better soon, Gardy.
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

What an asshole.
cjc

wtf was thst
Slappy White

Kearns cant seem to do anything right tonight
Kit

I would appreciate you not being completely helpless here, Colin.
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Can Golson do any worse than kearns? I do not like the guy with RISP. He seems easy to pitch to.

Curtis sucks too
- Guest
  
  This. Doesn’t. Make. Sense.
  
  Austin Kearns has been a solid, but not great major league hitter for years, including this one.
  
  Golson has been a mediocre-bad minor league hitter for his entire career.
  
  Of course Golson can do worse than Kearns. Much worse.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Greg Golson got traded for Mitch Hilligoss.
    
    Let me say that again:
    
    Greg Golson got traded for Mitch Hilligoss.
    - Accent Shallow
      
      You mean ‘Hit Streak Hilligoss’?
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        The same.
Carlosologist

Damn, that moment reminds me of the first time I went to a game when I was 6. I want to be a little kid again lol
- Kit
  
  That was basically me and my older brothers as a kid, except I’d get the “YOU’RE A GIRL, YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE A BASEBALL,” bit. Good ol’ fashioned childhood sexism.
kunaldo

Kearns really puts the K in…Kearns.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder

Congratulations, Austin Kearns. Yankees fans must always irrationally hate at least one member of our team to the point of calling for his instant benching/DFA/assault/death, and you’re the flavor of the moment.
- Wil Nieves #1 Fan
  
  I hope that shithead gets traded to the Pirates. WHERE THE FUCK IS RICKY LEDEE???
  - Slappy White
    
    Possibly Rehab
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  The dude could probably use a day off, but asking for Golson to start over him? Eesh.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    If the Yankees fired Girardi and hired me, I’d make smart moves like starting Golson over Kearns, and they’d work every time, trust me.
    
    Every time.
    
    Sincerely,
    Sal from Little Neck (first time, long time)
Joe West’s Music Career

Holy crap. Michael Kay just said something so legitimately witty that I laughed.

/looking out the window for flying pigs’d
All Star Carl

Kearns and Curtis. This is just pathetic.
rek4gehrig

Kearns-Curtis duo at it again :-(
Mike R

It’s really frustrating watching Kearns the past couple of days, I feel like every at bat he’s taking the worst swings and trying to check himself on pitches clearly out of the zone. I can’t wait to have both Gardner and Swisher back, it shortens our line up so much playing Kearns and Curtis. Hopefully they’ll both be back soon. We really can’t afford to be stranding runners with no outs, Kearns can’t even get a sac fly..
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  Agreed.
  
  That’s an excellent example of a rational complaint. Take note, board.
  - Slappy White
    
    note taken…whats the word on Swish ?
  - Joe West’s Music Career
    
    I blame Girardi.
    - Joe West’s Music Career
      
      Dammit you beat me to it.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      Well played.
http://www.twitter.com/tomzig Tom Zig

At least we have Shields’ pitch count up.
swisher’s fauxhawk

Shields at 80 through 4. Let’s get to that bullpen.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder

Kearns and Curtis fail to drive in the run.

This is Joe Girardi’s fault somehow, I’m sure of it. It doesn’t make sense, but just roll with it.
- Kit
  
  Everything is his fault. Always.
- Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
  
  only joe’s fault for putting them in the lineup
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Yes, but he had like 15 better options but stupidly chose these ones.
    
    You can’t quite see the better options just now, but they’re there somewhere, trust me. What a moron.
    - rek4gehrig
      
      Is there seriously no-on else? Seriously…
      - Kit
        
        There’s plenty of others, but you can have a second Colin Curtis in LF or you can have a seasoned veteran. Solid hitter/veteran >> recent AAA call up
    - Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
      
      Moron? please. Thames/Golson can be just as effective as kearns/Curtis.
      
      Girardi has options even if you don’t think they are better.
      - Kit
        
        Newsflash: TSJC isn’t the only one who doesn’t think they’re better. List of people who think there aren’t better options: Everyone except you.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  I saw Joe stop Kearns before he got on desk, from my the lip-reading classes I took 10 years ago, I know he said “Hey man, do us a favor and strike out on the 0-2 fastball James is gonna throw you. Thanks bud.”
  - Kit
    
    It’s all part of the plan for us to lose and get the WC he so desperately wants.
- Wil Nieves #1 Fan
  
  Casey Stengel never played Colin Curtis. And he won 7 championships.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Q.E.D.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  It’s his fault for putting them in the lineup when Swisher and Gardner are perfectly healthy. Or something
- theyankeewarrior
  
  At least he didn’t bunt Kearns to put two runners in scoring position for Curtisy!
  
  HE HITTA HOMA WIT AN OH-TWO COUNT! AS A PINCH HITTA!!!
Jake H

Wishing for a hit with RISP
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

The only thing good about Kearns being so bad is we will see less of him in the post-season I hope.

putting a positive spin on our injuries
- Guest
  
  He’s not a great hitter, but he’s certainly a solid one who could provide some pop off the bench/security in case someone gets hurt.
  
  He’s in a slump right now. They happen. He’s still a useful part of the team.
- theyankeewarrior
  
  The best thing about Kearns is that he has a short, compact swing and rarely strikes out…
  - Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
    
    He is solid in that respect and the ball can catch up to his bat on occasion..
http://www.twitter.com/tomzig Tom Zig

and 6 changeups in that AB? Im pretty sure that’s more than PHughes has thrown this year.
http://riveraveblues bill

yankees are getting going i think 5 runs next inn
PaulF

Since Gardy can play D and run, why don’t we just stick him in there and forbid him to swing. He takes a ton of pitches anyway, so maybe they wouldn’t notice. He could draw a few walks.
- Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
  
  Nick Johnson with speed! He could crouch down further to shrink the strike zone. The Bill Veeck midget strategy. I like it.
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

Is Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love the only thing on Tropicana’s playlist?
theyankeewarrior

Where is Tampa going to pick up the extra game in their schedule so the .5 is gone? Am I reading the schedules wrong? I don’t see where we have an off day and they play someone….
Ben

The Yankees struggle so much with runners at third and less than one out, yet Girardi refuses to force the issue with a squeeze.
- Carlosologist
  
  lolwut
  - Accent Shallow
    
    Curtis has looked positively helpless twice against Shields.
    
    Why not? It’s not like he’d squeeze with A-Rod.
    - Wil Nieves #1 Fan
      
      He’d squeeze with Posada.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  Oh boy.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    See? I told you there was some way this was all Joe’s fault. He can win these games all by himself with smart strategy, but he refuses to do so because he likes Frankie Cervelli and sees himself in him.
    
    What a moron.
    - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
      
      I’m totally having a “see what’s wrong with yourself” moment.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        We all have our regrettable moments, buddy.
        
        For example, I’m obnoxious and juvenile.
    - Ben
      
      How is asking Joe to squeeze (a high percentage), with a struggling hitter, when you’re only looking for one run, so ridiculous?
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        The squeeze isn’t nearly as high percentage as you think it is. Particularly with a bad bunter.
        
        Ben
        
        Well, I don’t know what kind of bunter Kearns is (and I doubt you do either), but if he indeed isn’t good, then fair. Might not have been the best play in that spot. But my comment was more in an overall sense. With a decent bunter, it’s a very high percentage play.
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        On what planet is a squeeze a high percentage play? Do you watch baseball? Or the Yankees and their bunting skills? Come on man, you’re smarter than this.
        
        Ben
        
        It might not have been the best time to do it with Kearns, but, as I mentioned earlier, my comment was made in more of an overall sense. There are plenty of chances to do it with good bunters, and if a good bunter is at the plate, it’s a very high percentage play. All the batter needs to do is get it down and it’s a run. It doesn’t even have to be particularly well placed.
        
        Jeter on Friday night is the perfect example.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        Derek Jeter, even diminished, aging, not as good anymore Derek Jeter shouldn’t be giving away a free out. ESPECIALLY in front of the good hitters.
        
        He should be swinging away.
        
        Ben
        
        He had Colin Curtis hitting behind him. Considering that, and the way Jeter was swinging at the time, the chances of a big inning are very slim. Get the run, and put yourself three outs away from winning the game.
- Wil Nieves #1 Fan
  
  Squeeze bunts are for pussy AL West teams.
  - Ben
    
    I would have been thrilled with a sac fly from Kearns in that spot. What about you?
    - Wil Nieves #1 Fan
      
      No, strike outs are better.
    - rek4gehrig
      
      Or even a groundout to first…remember Borbon (or whatever his name is)?
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
      
      I’m sure he was trying really hard to strike out and not get a hit or a sac fly.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      Damn Joe Girardi for putting on the “strikeout” sign instead of the “sac fly” sign.
      
      If Kearns would have known his manager wanted him to hit a sac fly, he would have swung hard to induce deep contact, instead of swinging hard to attempt to miss the ball altogether.
      
      Girardi = moron
      - Ben
        
        This isn’t relevant in the least to my comment.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        Agreed. Just like your mentioning a sac fly isn’t relevant to your initial comment or my reply.
        
        We’re off on a tangent, one started by your silly ill-reasoned initial comment.
        
        Ben
        
        Actually, it is relevant. A squeeze would have the same result as a sac fly, but has a much higher chance of being successful. Both plays would result in one run. If we would all be happy with a sac fly, why wouldn’t we be happy with a squeeze?
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        Squeeze =/= higher change of being successful than a sac fly. Not even close.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        A squeeze would have the same result as a sac fly,
        
        But has an accompanying negative of giving the other team a free out, intentionally.
        
        The term “sac fly” is a misnomer, it’s really just a “productive out made while trying to get a hit”.
        
        but has a much higher chance of being successful
        
        Does it?
        
        And even if it does, should we be squeezing in the 4th inning of a 1-0 game a night after we scored 8 runs against the Rays?
        
        Ben
        
        What’s the problem with intentionally giving away an out to get a run, when there’s a struggling hitter at the plate who likely won’t get a hit anyway?
        
        And who cares about last night? Overall, the Yankees have been struggling offensively, especially the bottom of the order. If you have a chance to get a run with those hitters, take it, because there almost certainly won’t be a big inning anyway.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        What’s the problem with intentionally giving away an out to get a run, when there’s a struggling hitter at the plate who likely won’t get a hit anyway?
        
        Because unless it’s the 9th inning and you’re playing to break the tie/make a tie, you’re decreasing your chances of winning the game giving away an out for a run.
        
        It was the f#$%ing 4th inning, dude.
        
        And last night matters because it’s evidence of us starting to come out of our funk.
      - thurdonpaul
        
        lmao
- Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
  
  Ben,
  
  Kearns can’t bunt or hit with RISP. Yanks not a squeezing team. And that’s final!
  
  /RABcommunity’d
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  this comment, it is not a good one
  - Ben
    
    I’m sure everyone here would have been thrilled if Kearns hit a sac fly. Well, he’s struggling, so why shouldn’t they go for a higher percentage play?
    
    For instance, Friday night against the Rangers, 12th inning. Jeter was up with a runner at third and one out. All you’re looking for is a medium deep fly ball, but Jeter was really struggling to even get the ball out of the infield. He’s a good bunter, and all he would need to do is get the bunt down. It’s a very high percentage play.
    
    Look, I’m with you guys. I hate all the sac bunting that Joe does. But a squeeze is different, when you’re only looking for one run, because it’s a play that results directly in a run (instead of needing things to happen after the sac bunt).
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      But a squeeze is different, when you’re only looking for one run,
      
      … aaaaand, we’re not looking for only one run in that situation. Not remotely.
      - Ben
        
        Which of those situations presents a reasonable chance for a bigger inning?
http://riveraveblues bill

balt o,s just keep winning.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Attaboy, Hughes.
Accent Shallow

Phil Hughes has thrown 34 less pitches than Shields.

Love it.
http://riveraveblues bill

no hiiter getting into rays head
- rek4gehrig
  
  More likely its getting into the Yankees’ heads.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

We have visual confirmation, Hughes is officially in Beast Mode.
- rek4gehrig
  
  Must be the facial hair
- nathan
  
  Hughes looks wider, not in the Z-axis like CC but in the X axis, maybe he is hitting the weights a lot.
- Guest
  
  Of the Killer B’s, whose most likely to be Hughes (beast-mode starter), most likely to be Joba (useful, potentially in the pen), and most likely to be IPK (trade bait)?
  
  I would guess:
  
  ManBan–> Hughes
  Brackman—>Joba
  Betances–>IPK
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    I’m pretty sure this exact same question was asked in the last RAB live chat. I forget the answer, though!
Jake H

Gbs are great
nathan

I am sry, i know Longoria is a good player and MLB is desperately looking for a young new face who has no *suspicious* power but calling him a shoe-in to the HOF in those ‘beyond baseball’ spots is ridiculous
- Carlosologist
  
  Wait, people have called Longoria a shoe-in HOFer? He’s had a great beginning to his career, but not even the dumbest baseball writer would make such an assumption.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    What, you mean he isn’t? I mean, according to B-Ref, his most comparable player through age-23 is Hank Blalock, after all.
  - nathan
    
    Just reported what i saw on that beyond baseball commercial that ran on ESPN
    
    Thats what they said
Magnus Stultus

Kearns is starting to expand the zone a lot and he hadn’t been doing that before.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

lol, que the “Hughes should start in game 3 over Burnett” tweets from the same columnists who have been writing how awful he’s been lately.
Mike HC

Is it still crazy of me to envision a time where Hughes and Joba lead us to a championship as our 1 and 2 starters?
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  No.
  
  (clings tight to my binkie)
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    I am now picturing you hugging a giant blowup Clown.
    - Slappy White
      
      A giant blow up clown wasnt actually what I was picturing
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      “I am now picturing you hugging a giant blowup ~~Clown~~ Andy Pettitte doll.”
      
      #obnoxiousandjuvenile
      - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
        
        I wouldn’t be hugging that doll.
        
        /unnecessary
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        It’s a family blog.
        
        /notreally’d
      - http://twitter.com/firstheart42 seimiya
        
        Oh, she’s not just hugging it.
Accent Shallow

5 IP? 90 pitches? Should have gotten more than one run.
- Chris
  
  Not too worried. All the Rays top relievers pitched in both games this series.
Eirias

Damn, he is good.
Slappy White

Come on Phil, no disgrace to give up a hit to a future hall of famer
Kit

In case you forgot, Evan, you’re a member of the Rays franchise. You’re supposed to take your strike outs like a man and allow Phil to no-hit your team.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  He ruined Morrow’s no-no too, how dare he.
  - Kit
    
    I only care about Phil. Sorry, Brandon.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

Matt Joyce, this facial hair looks awful on you
- Kit
  
  It kills all his pretty (and hopefully those HR’s he hits against us).
- Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
  
  and Longoria needs a barber too. Are they doing the beard growth through the postseason thing? Have the idiots returned?
  
  /Millar’d
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Where’s the obligatory mention of this being the first time he’s worked out of the stretch in the game?
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

lol @ Jeter
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Dear Michael Kay, Jason Giambi hasn’t played for the New York Yankees since 2008. It’s time to let go.

(He was actually a pretty good signing in a period of shitty ones, anyway)
- Wil Nieves #1 Fan
  
  Giambi was a good signing? Uhhhh
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    Have you looked at his years as a NYY?
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      He hit .260/.404/.521. If that’s not terrible, I don’t know what is.
      - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
        
        Only 9 steals, WHAT A BUM
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        Did he ever pull off the squeeze play? I don’t think so.
        
        What a bust.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      The only thing wrong with the Giambi deal is that we paid for 7 years of production but only got six years’ worth of games.
      
      But while he played:
      
      .260/.404/.521 (143+)
      
      That’s worth a buttload of money, absolutely.
      - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
        
        Hey, very few guys will give you a full 7 seasons. While he was healthy he was as productive as anyone.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        You: preaching
        Me: the choir
  - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
    
    Yeah, he was. BEST SIGNING EVAR no, he was bad defensively and it was probably a couple of years too much, but I don’t see how you can call it a terrible one or anything like that.
    - Kit
      
      Agreed. He wasn’t terrible but he could’ve been better…especially defensively.
    - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
      
      His last full year in 2008 he hit 32 home runs and OPSed .876. I’d say the Yankees got out at just the right time, there.
Slappy White

Jorge with the Hands Of Stone
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Posada putting on a clinic back there.
Kit

C’mon Phil, continue your awesome, please.
Accent Shallow

What the shit was that fuck.
swisher’s fauxhawk

Well, that one hurts.
Guest

XBH are better than singles.
Cy Pettitte

5th inning = no good
Kit

Eesh. Not ideal.
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Rays winning the RISP battle so far…
- Kit
  
  …yes because they’ve had that many RISP.
  - Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
    
    concrete…
Eirias

Fuckballs? Fuckballs.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

I hereby propose that Axisa is not allowed to post positive comments about a pitcher until said pitcher is out of the game.
Mike R

Don’t know why you wouldn’t throw Johnson a curveball in that situation..
Johan Iz My Brohan

Dan Johnson, you are supposed to do that to the Red Sox you idiot!
Eirias

We’ve got plenty of time.
Carlosologist

The offense is swinging the bat pretty well. Let’s get them next inning.
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

Dan Johnson? Really?
Frank

6 base runners left on and now they are losing. Pathetic.
cjc

Dan Johnson Reid Brinigac whats next fucking Navaro
http://riveraveblues bill

rays have 2hits 2 runs yanks 66 hits 1 run,now we will score 10 runs
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Wait I don’t understand, why didn’t Johnson squeeze there?
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  This just proves that Ben was right. Had we squeezed, this game would only be tied.
  
  /multipledifferencefallaciesoflogic’d
- Ben
  
  How in the world did that present an opportunity to combat my initial point? Obviously better results are possible (e.g. the Johnson HR), but it doesn’t mean a squeeze is a bad play.
Magnus Stultus

Beast Mode is downgraded to pitching well.
http://riveraveblues bill

young yankee pitchers can,t get out of 5inn????????
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  Asked before, asking again:
  
  Are you posting from a cellphone?
Slappy White

Don Zimmer annoys me by only dressing in uniform when they play the Yanks or sometimes the Red Sox……Fuckin Troll
All Star Carl

This his how the Yankees have been playing for a week now.
- Kit
  
  Pitching well enough to have extremely close games? I agree.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    We’re down a run to the Rays in the fifth inning, Kit.
    
    We’ll never win a game like this. I don’t think it’s ever happened before.
    - Kit
      
      It’s the fifth inning?! That means the game is over! DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED.
- Magnus Stultus
  
  Do you mean futility with RISP of late, if so, I concur.
- C
  
  Well, when we’ve pitched well, we haven’t hit well, and when we’ve hit well, we haven’t pitched well. 6 of the last 8 games have been 1-run games, so these games very easily could have gone our way. Frustrating to say the least.
Josh

where’s his changeup?
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Hip hip!
- Kit
  
  JORGE!
Carlosologist

HIP HIP
Cy Pettitte

wow, great throw by PoPo
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Jorge putting on a clinic out there!
Cy Farnsworth

I dunno what’s gotten into Jorge recently but I like it.
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

Nice one, BJ. Why don’t you go give your more talented, better looking brother a BJ because he’s more talented and better looking than you….idiot…

…Really mean.
http://riveraveblues bill

4inns 3hits 2 runs good job phil yankees about to kick ass
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Loved Gardy behind Arod on last night’s game ending play. Very alert and wasn’t stunned and immobilized by the fact that crawford could be as dumb a baserunner as….Gardy!

Got my tix for Andy vs O’s. $22 upper deck behind the plate but hope to move down…
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  Yell “ANDY, BEXY LOVES YOU!!!!!” a lot
http://twitter.com/iiKeane JobaWockeeZ

Cano decides to rake the week I face him in the playoffs.
Kit

C’mon, Robbie.
jonathan

nothing gets me going quite like guys that don’t get the runner in from 3rd with less than 2 outs in a close game. I don’t know if it’s a Kevin Long philosophy, or they just don’t listen to him or what but when all you need to do is make sure you make contact and hit it to the right side of the field, it’s not that tough to do with MLB talent. But these guys go up there acting like they have to hit a HR to save their lives and get totally exploited. I just wonder what the team and Kevin Long have to say as their philosophy in those situations, especially in close games without a star hitting. I’m guessing it’s the players just trying to do too much but it’s gotten to the point where I almost want Long to talk to a guy right before he goes up to remind him to cut down on his swing and not to try and do too much. You would think that wouldn’t be necessary in the major leagues.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  If you listen to the Yankees at all you know there is nothing that Kevin Long preaches more than getting in the runner from 3rd with less than 2 outs. Sometimes, it just doesn’t happen.
  - jonathan
    
    well obviously he wants them to get the runners in…what hitting coach doesn’t want his team to score runs? I’m wondering what their philosophy is. What pitches do they look for? What adjustments if any do they make to their swings? Stuff like that.
    - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
      
      I’m sure they try to adjust. They want to hit the ball in the air or to the right side. The pitcher knows that too, so he’s going to bust you inside. It. Happens.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        The best ballplayers fail 60% of the time.
        
        jonathan
        
        ya when they try and get a hit or get on base. that doesn’t have to be the case when all you ask is decent contact to one half of the field. that’s like saying mlb players fail 60% of a time when a guy doesn’t get a bunt down. what they need to do is significantly easier than reaching base.
  - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
    
    I’ve been assured that every time any other team has a runner at third with less than two outs, they get them home. Every. Time.
    - jonathan
      
      this is a totally unnecessary comment. nobody has said anything close to what you’re trying to make fun of. all i wonder is what our philosophy is and people pull this bullshit. you come off as just wanting to argue.
- Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
  
  good point Jonathan. Shortening the swing for contact is not something you will see from the likes of Austin kearns. The Babe gets his cuts up there.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  it’s not that tough to do with MLB talent.
  
  That statement is literally never accurate. It’s ALWAYS tough to execute things in baseball, no matter how much MLB talent you have, because the other team also has MLB talent.
  - jonathan
    
    tommie, it really isn’t. if you have baseball talent, and ALL you’re looking to do is make decent contact the other way, it’s a lot easier than you think. of course the other team has mlb talent. i’m not saying it would happen 100% of the time but if that is your entire approach and you’re willing to sacrifice yourself and cut down on your swing you should be successful very often.
    
    when you just want to go the other way your front side stays closed, you get to see the pitch longer since you aren’t trying to open up and pull it, and with a cut down swing your bat control increases. obviously line outs and hard groundballs might not get it done, but if your approach is what I said and you are a legit MLB player, you should be able to get this done 80% of the time (total guess on the %) but higher than the average success rate of driving in a runner from 3rd with less than 2 outs.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      If it were that easy, every team would do it all the time.
      
      It’s not that easy.
      - jonathan
        
        you’re constantly circumventing my point. i’m saying their approach isn’t just trying to cut down and hit the ball the other way. they try and do too much or don’t have the correct approach for that situation. that accounts for AB’s like Kearns had with Robbie at 3rd. Did Kearns look like he was cutting down on his swing to try and go the other way? or did he look like he just opened up and hacked at everything he swung at?
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        What I’m saying is, your contention that shortening his swing and trying to go the other way is “easy” and “effective” is wrong on both counts. It’s not easier to go the other way (because the pitcher knows what you’re trying to do and counteracts you) and not more effective (because the defense knows what you’re trying to do and counteracts you).
        
        I’m not circumventing your point, I’m rebutting it where it’s flawed.
Jake H

Super frustrating game.
Mike R

We get shields to 80 pitches by the fifth and in the sixth inning Cano and Berkman strike out on 3 pitches… That’s some sort of joke..
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Hm, so is Shields going to come out for the 7th? Obviously he’s gotten better as the game has gone on.
cjc

there is just no reason to continue to be shut down by this guy
All Star Carl

You can’t help but laugh at the futility with risp.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  Yeah, I mean, it’s been a whole 5 innings since they had one.
Carlosologist

Because I was bored, I decided to look up what Brian Roberts was up to this season. From what I gathered, he’s a doubles machine.
- http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
  
  Since 2000, 29 players have hit 50 doubles in a season. Roberts is three of those–the only guy to have done it three times.
jonathan

I think maybe it’s time to actually hammer that first pitch get me over curveball. He’s gone to it a lot and we just give up on it as soon as they see the spin.
It’sATarp

what the hell is wrong with our offense? we should have like 5 runs off shields right now
- Mike R
  
  Fact. I hate when we do this shit, we’ve gotten hits all night but none of them have count for shit. James “Big Game” Shields has not pitched nearly as good as his capable of, yet we’ve not taken advantage.. And now Kearns is up, I’ll hold my breath.
  - It’sATarp
    
    seriously that’s what i’m thinking…he looks very hittable…except when we get men on
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  It’s baseball.
  - Mike R
    
    touche’
  - Slappy White
    
    you cant predict it
    - http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
      
      youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com
      
      submit suggestions for awards!
  - Mike R
    
    Kearn’s can’t even help himself.. His sixth strike out in two games.. It sucks we have no other choice but to keep running him out there. My question is if every scouting report even RAB knows that Shields will throw his fastball as he’s done for 26 pitches (nearly 25%) we really need to take advantage of it.
- Kit
  
  Nothing is guaranteed and nothing is automatic. It’s how the game works.
Slappy White

Kearns with another chanc. Im betting he gets a big hit here

/degenerategambler’d
- Slappy White
  
  Slappy, you better not have made that bet
  
  /Slappys wife
  - Kit
    
    You hid all her fillet knives, right?
    - Slappy White
      
      thinking about switching to all plastic
C

Why is Kearns always up with RISP?
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  All players are always up with RISP in a good offense that puts runners on.
  
  You only remember Kearns being up because of Loss Aversion.
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

105 pitches for Shields. Kearnsy has him where he wants him Please get an unlikely 2nd hit of the game Austin…
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Wheeler’s warming up. Looking forward to seeing him again.
Frank

YANKEES + RISP = FAIL
Accent Shallow

Well that inning really sucked.
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Get well soon, Swish.
BigBlueAL

They should have pinch-hit Ramiro Pena for Kearns. lol
- Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
  
  Russo? Nunez? Pena? Anybody but kearns with a bat in his hand and risp…
trueblue

Kearns blows
It’sATarp

/face palm this team with RISP is just pathetic to watch
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

We miss you, Swish.
Kevin in Delectable Princeton

Although he saw a lot of pitches that at-bat, Kearns has just not looked good lately. Gotta wonder if he’s still injured and if he is, it would probably be better to go with Golson…
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  An injured Austin Kearns still outhits Greg Golson.
  
  Golson is Freddy Guzman. They’re the same player.
  - http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
    
    I think Golson has a better arm
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      I’m sure it will come in real handy at the plate against James Shields.
      - Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
        
        contact with the ball and speed on the bases can come in handy. Kearns providing neither..
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        Golson’s contact ability is worse than Kearns’s.
        
        Far, far worse.
  - Kevin in Delectable Princeton
    
    I didn’t bother to look up the stats, so maybe I was over-reacting.
  - Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
    
    what is the injury? Nothing that has shortened his swing, that’s for sure.
  - Slappy White
    
    Guzman got that ring baby. Gotta love him
- ShuutoHeat (No Douche Beards Here)
  
  I don’t think he is injured at all, what I see through my non-professional baseball player’s eyes is that his swing is way too long and trying to do too much swinging for the long hits. So he commits and its too late for him to turn back on a lot of pitches.
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Kearns-nothing solid about him. Pretty flabby all the way around.
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

FOX guy isn’t holding a bat OR a ball. I feel cheated, somehow.
Henry

Austin Kearns kinda sucks.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder

Kearns can’t catch a break.
- Kit
  
  I’m sure it is Joe’s fault. Somehow.
  - http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
    
    Of course. Gardner and Swisher being hurt forcing Kearns into duty when he needs a day off is completely and totally Joe’s fault.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      She was being sarcastic.
      - http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
        
        Yea, I know
    - Kit
      
      I know, right? Who does he think he is trying to rest his older players and his bullpen at the same time and simultaneously try to keep the team from losing.
      - http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
        
        For shame. It’s not the Torre way
- Wil Nieves #1 Fan
  
  Not catching a break would be hitting a line drive to an outfielder. He hasn’t even made contact with the ball with RISP.
- Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
  
  or a pitch with his bat…
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Touché.
Pasqua

Maybe it has something to do with the length of his swing, but Kearns’s swings-and-misses are epically bad-looking.
DallasGreen

pretty much have seen enough of austin kearns
It’sATarp

So like where were those people who wanted to kearns to start over Grandy?
Frank

Berkman and Kearns can get the hell off this team! Thanx for nothing Cashman!
- swisher’s fauxhawk
  
  Doom and gloom.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Frank’s right, though.
    
    If we still had Zack McAllister and Mark Melancon, they’d both be hitting .350/.478/.623 and playing stellar outfield and first base defense.
- Pasqua
  
  Yeah, Cashman! Thanks for nothing!
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  Yeah, let’s boot the guy hitting .400 in the last two weeks.
  - http://twitter.com/iiKeane JobaWockeeZ
    
    Dude he’s not hitting 60 percent of the time. That’s the majority! BUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- It’sALOL
  
  Berkman is leading the MLB in OBP since August 8th, per this site. He’s done fairly well. People don’t always get on..
- It’sATarp
  
  you mean the same berkman who has hit over .400 over the past week? yeah he sucks
  - Frank
    
    A monkey can hit .400 for a few games! He still sucks!
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      You have now crossed the line into batshit insanity.
    - http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
      
      …..
      
      O:S
    - Kit
      
      …what. the. fuck.
      
      O:S
    - Slappy White
      
      Sign that fuckin monkey
      - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
        
        IETC
    - Guest
      
      So I see small sample sizes are not your thing. Totally fair and understandable.
      Lets go with a larger sample size. Like his OPS last season, which was .907. Or His career OPS which was .957.
      That, last I checked, did not suck.
      
      In review, Berkman has not sucked in the admittedly small period starting on August 8th to the tune of the highest OBP in baseball. He also has not sucked over the course of his career to the tune of a .957 OPS.
      
      So…yeah, he doesn’t suck.
    - Carlosologist
      
      I’m not even mad, that’s impressive.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
        
        Frank ate the whole wheel of cheese.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  I feel like it’s a rule of RAB that dudes that use JUST their first name as their handles are terrible. Just men, just first names.
  
  If anyone can think of any examples that go against this, please let me know. (And sorry if I forgot anyone obvious.)
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Bo
    Sal
    Grant
    Lanny
    Jake
    Michael
    Frank
    Bret
    
    That’s just off the top of my head in a few seconds.
    - http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
      
      Greg, jonathan
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    Rose, assuming that was a female!
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      Heh.
  - jonathan
    
    thanks, i feel that a select few elitist RAB followers spend the entire day being smug and sarcastic and trying to cut people down and be in an argumentative state the entire game. you guys ever think that maybe we’re all yankee fans and you don’t have to just be total douches 75% of the time?
    - jonathan
      
      : )
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      We’re only douches to the ones we love.
      
      (i.e., people who say insane douchebaggy bullshit.)
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
      
      If you’re the Jonathan that commented during the Royals series, you’re an exception to that “rule”
      
      I am pretty sarcastic and snarky, sorry to say. I’m also really a nice person, and I think others would back me up on that.
Mike R

Hopefully Hughes can get our offense back on the field quickly.
Avi

i’d rather have Zach Macalister than kearns – at bat..
- Mike R
  
  That being said I’d atleast like to see someone who fouls off a pitch or two. I feel like Kearns has fouled off maybe 2 pitches in the past two days.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Did Kernan really just drop a “rather have Johnny Damon” bomb on Austin Kearns? Holy shit does he hate the Yankees.
- Wil Nieves #1 Fan
  
  Kernan? Who?
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    He writes for the NY Post.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      He “writes” for the NY “Post”.
      
      Fixed.
http://riveraveblues bill

Yankees will win this game on a kearns home run u watch
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  I have been told that baseball is a game that cannot be predicted.
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Colin’s eyebrows caught that ball.
Magnus Stultus

This Yankees team are 17th in Avg (260) , 9th in slug (426) where home run and xbhs comes into play, and 8th in OPS with runner in scoring position.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  Making up stats are fun, I guess. The Yankees are slugging .438 as a team, good for 3rd in baseball. They average .268, good for 7th in baseball.
  - Magnus Stultus
    
    http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/t.....rder/false
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

The shortstop with the best fielding percentage?

/pastadiving
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  It doesn’t surprise me that Jeter has a good FP%. Bad range = fewer opportunities to get to the ball, but when he does get to the ball, he generally doesn’t make a lot of dumb errors or what have you. I honestly think if he had any range at all, he’d be quite a strong defensive SS. But… he’s not.
  - http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto
    
    That was exactly my point, of course. On that note, what AL shortstop wins the Gold Glove this year?
- http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
  
  Yeah, he has the highest FP, but has the fewest or second fewest total chances among all AL shortstops.
http://riveraveblues bill

and 11 0 before a day off
- Big Stein
  
  who’s 11-0 before an off day?
- Kit
  
  11-0 for what?
Mike R

Hughes did his job, Let’s put some hits together, preferably with RISP!
Magnus Stultus

Here is to hoping some bitch slapping on Qualls.
Big Stein

Yanks better get going before Soriano get up.
- http://twitter.com/iiKeane JobaWockeeZ
  
  I’d rather have him on. He’s bound to get tired.
Ben

Excellent six innings from Hughes. Real good command of all three pitches (and even the change has been decent). Just victimized by one bad pitch.
http://riveraveblues bill

get your lucky hats on here we go great job phil
Slappy White

Dont swing Colin, just dont
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

So let’s have Shields throw 125 pitches….
Accent Shallow

Curtis finally does something worthwhile, and there’s a fielder in the way?

Oy vey.
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

I’m still so bummed about not being able to get that Snoopy. Someone hook me up.
- Kit
  
  Fuck the Snoopy, I want the Robinson Cano poster.
Mike R

I’m glad Curtis can atleast have some productive at-bats, see some pitches and hit the ball. I really think the Rays kept Shields in too long, sucks we didn’t take advantage.
Carlosologist

CC (the not 6’7″ one) smoked that. I thought it was a double inside the line.
It’sATarp

well if we can;t hit qualls after seeing him for the second time…then we are in trouble
Avi

Hughes is pitching a much better game than shields but shields is up 2-1. that’s what happens when you hit the way the yankees are with RISP
http://twitter.com/iiKeane JobaWockeeZ

Fuck you Qualls.
- http://twitter.com/iiKeane JobaWockeeZ
  
  Oh lol sorry.
  - ShuutoHeat (No Douche Beards Here)
    
    What are you apologizing dude? Fuck him, regardless of what he did.
SouthernYankeeFan

MOTHER FUCKER.
Mike R

Holy shit, I really hope the Captains not hurt.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

DAMN YOU QUALLS, DAMN YOU TO HELL
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Oh no.
Kit

Oh fuck you, Qualls, don’t fucking hit our shortstop.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

Oh shitfuck
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

I thought that hit the bat at first, too. No reason Tampa shouldn’t make the play there.
Jake H

We want runs
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

HAHAHA that’s hilarious. Great job, Derek.
SouthernYankeeFan

oh thank god. Jeter must have picked up some acting skills shooting all his commercials.
swisher’s fauxhawk

Haha. Good selljob, DJ.
Accent Shallow

Hell of an acting job by Jeter there.
Cy Farnsworth

Wow, did that not even touch Jeter? Because he acted the hell out of it.
Kit

Oohh…it did hit the bat. (laughing) Oh Derek.
Carlosologist

It hit the bat :p

Jeter’s an excellent actor.
Cy Pettitte

slick Jetes
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

An the Oscar goes to Derek Jetah…number two.
Slappy White

OK, to all those who spend alot of your time bashing Jeter, tell me you werent worried when he grabbed that hand
- SouthernYankeeFan
  
  I had a spontaneous bowel movement. AKA i shit my pants.
Mike R

LMFAO.. I see the Captain got some good acting lessons from “The Other Guys”
Pasqua

Win if you can, lose if yo must, but always cheat? Don’t know how I feel about that.
vin

“There is no way this umpiring crew will overturn this. They are afraid of the Yankees.”

-Rays radio broadcaster.
- Kit
  
  That’s kind of really funny.
  - vin
    
    These guys really have their moments. I do agree with their sentiment that MLB needs to overhaul their umpiring.
    - Kit
      
      Agreed, but the umpires aren’t afraid of the Yankees. You sometimes get calls that go to you and sometimes you don’t, it evens out during the season. It’s not about which team is scarier than the other.
- Slappy White
  
  They fuckin better
Big Stein

throw him out!
- http://www.facebook.com/dougchu Doug
  
  YEAAAAHHHH
UncleArgyle

I didn’t think Jeter had it in him. Imagine if A-Rod pulled that?
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

Wow, the Rays got fuuuucked on that call.
http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.

So, I’ve had a virus on my laptop for the past few days, and was unable to have access to the internet. Just installed it now, and the first thing I do is go to the RAB game thread. Not that I have a 5 page paper due tomorrow, or that I have a psychology test tomorrow, because I don’t. Maddon’s getting tossed.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  You installed the internet? That’s a beastly computer you got, there.
Kit

Someone get that man an Oscar. And eject Maddon.
Esteban

Nice job DJ that’s why you’re the captain.
http://twitter.com/iiKeane JobaWockeeZ

Maddon you piece of SHIT.
- Esteban
  
  why?
  - http://twitter.com/iiKeane JobaWockeeZ
    
    Because I hate him and he argues about everything even if it’s true which I’m sure he doesn’t fully know.
- Esteban
  
  Are people still questioning the Yankees’ ‘hearts’?
  - Esteban
    
    ahh stupid reply
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

Maddon gets thrown out because the umps make a shitty call? Ridiculous.
jonathan

what an EPIC leash they’re giving him unless those are a lot of gosh darns and hecks…ah…mid sentence. he gone.

hawk’d
Cy Farnsworth

Well, you can’t really blame Maddon for arguing that one.
Esteban

IN-STANT RE-PLAY
right?
- http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
  
  Yes. Losing out on that lucky break is worth it to get all the calls right all the time.
Guest

Now. Can you imagine if A-Rod did this? It would be a huge national calamity fit for a week’s worth of discourse.
Slappy White

Are you calling me a liar?

/captain’d
http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.

Derek Jeter finding any possible way to get on. I like it.
VO

After the ump threw out Maddon the radar gun for Yes said 89 mph. Ump has a gun.
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Wow. Jeter steals second on the first pitch-with a broken arm. What a stud!

:-)
- Carlosologist
  
  /Pedroia’d
ShuutoHeat (No Douche Beards Here)

Jeter showing off one of his many intangibles.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

looool wow that is a great acting job. Incoming rant from Maddon after the game about how the Yankees get all the calls.
- jonathan
  
  oh ya…should be a good one
http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.

Make them pay, Grandy.
Kit

Haha…the acting job just gets better with that little look.
Cy Farnsworth

Haha, watch Jeter’s eyes on the replay. Awesome.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

AHAHAHA nevermind my “shitfuck” or whatever I said, epic acting job by Jeets
ShuutoHeat (No Douche Beards Here)

Is that fucking Garza in the dug out all pissy?
Cy Pettitte

the replay is so good, that didn’t come anywhere near his hand, what an acting job

ump=fucking idiots
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Derek Jeter can sell crappy Fords.
Alan

This is golden, listening to the Rays feed of the game. I live around Tampa and the Sunshine TV announcers are furious.
- Kit
  
  They should be, but good for us.
Mike R

Chad Qualls has a 7+ERA can we please get to this guy the second time around.
iYankee(next generation from Apple)

The academy award for Best Actor in a Drama – Derek Jeter.
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

Now Kearns will know what to do next at bat.
- ShuutoHeat (No Douche Beards Here)
  
  Walk right into the pitches shoulder first?
- jonathan
  
  at this point, i’d Dorn his ass like Major League II
Cy Farnsworth

Derek Jeter?

That guy’s got an edge.
SouthernYankeeFan

Honestly the ball looked like it caught the jersey before the bat.
Mike R

HELL YAH GRANDY, ATTA BOY!!
http://twitter.com/iiKeane JobaWockeeZ

GRANDY!
swisher’s fauxhawk

GRANDY!
Guest

The Grandy man can
http://www.facebook.com/dougchu Doug

YEAH BABY!~
SouthernYankeeFan

FUCK YES SHIT TITS!!!!!!!
- http://www.facebook.com/dougchu Doug
  
  COCK! COCK! COCK!
Cy Farnsworth

The Grandy Man Does!
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Oh, that is not going to make Maddon a happy man! GRANDY MAN!
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

Acting pays off…
Kit

FUCK YES!!! Derek you sexy beast. Your acting chops are incredible.
Cy Pettitte

THE GRANDY MAN CAN

Jeter acting job = genius
http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS

GRANDY!!!
http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.

DEEP AND THICK
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

And BOOM goes the dynamite!
Alan

Derek Jeter, American Hero.
Magnus Stultus

Yeah , Bitches ! Quall ‘owned’!
jonathan

FUCK YA CURTIS GRANDERSON YOU TWO HAND SWINGING BEAUTIFUL MOTHER FUCKER! SUCK THAT SHIT RAYS DUGOUT.
Jon in CUO

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I’d like to think that was karma for the Rays’ TV broadcasters. Non-stop whining after DJ getting to first.
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

L.O.L.

I do feel guilty about that one, wow.
- vin
  
  Eh, it happens to every single team. It sucks, but that’s the reality of the situation.
vin

HAHAHA.
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

I’m Curtis Blow and I want you to know!
Pasqua

Thank god the Rays’ middle relief sucks.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Ha-fucking-ha.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder

Bah. Granderson should have squeezed Jeter in from first.
- jonathan
  
  hilarious…..think Joe brings in Mitre next inning?
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    I bet Mitre pitches well if he does. He’s been solid in the pen for the last two months.
- Guest
  
  +Infinity
  
  Spectacular.
- Ben
  
  Brilliant!
Mike R

I’d like to see Marky Mark smack one now, he’s got 2 singles all with a broken toe.. Props, this guy’s a tough mofo.
Jake H

Your face Joe Maddon
Pasqua

In all seriousness, does anybody think that, if this score holds, the Jeter “HBP” becomes a story? I can almost see the MSM trying to stir the pot with this.
- http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
  
  Yes. As it should be. Expanded replay please.
  - Pasqua
    
    Yeah, but that would be rational. I’m talking, “Is Derek Jeter a cheater?”; “Do the Yanks deserve the AL East?”; “Will the Rays want revenge?” type of bullshit “reporting.”
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  100%. ESPN Headline: Blown call giftwraps Yankee win over Rays
- Kit
  
  Probably. This might fall under “cheating” which instantly makes Derek a horrible person and will make everyone promptly dislike him.
- Accent Shallow
  
  Sure. It’s part of the game, but it’s still a player reaching base when he didn’t deserve to.
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    That’s payback for that horrid blown call at 2nd base in the Texas series. These things even out, can’t say the Yankees benefit and other teams don’t.
Jose the Satirist

So how is that change of scenery working for Chad Qualls?
- Accent Shallow
  
  He’s been less terrible as a Ray, but still subpar.
Accent Shallow

Chad Qualls on that replay: “that line drive makes me more upset than my choice in facial hair!”
Carlosologist

What a game. This game and last night’s should be Yankee Classics.
- Guest
  
  Monday’s game was spectacular too.
  
  These two teams would make for an amazing ALCS.
  - Carlosologist
    
    They will. Tampa Bay has become the new version of the Red Sox to me. There’s going to be a couple of epic series between them, but we’ll come out on top as always.
LGY

I wanna win this game so bad now
Big Stein

TRADE GRANDERSON

HE SUCKS!
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  1.) Trade Grandy and Joba for Joakim Soria and Zack Grienke
  2.) Sign Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui back
  
  Instant title.
  
  /KevinKernan’d
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Baseball. What an amazing game.

/Derek Cheatah
ShuutoHeat (No Douche Beards Here)

36

Number of Rays fan referring to the Yankees as cheaters on the internet tomorrow.
- Kit
  
  That’s impossible. Everyone knows the Rays only have 5 fans that know how to use the internet and attend games.
  - ShuutoHeat (No Douche Beards Here)
    
    Because its 5 fans with 36 different names/tags/aliases.
    - Kit
      
      Makes more sense then.
- Cy Farnsworth
  
  36
  
  Number of Rays fans ~~referring to the Yankees as cheaters on the internet tomorrow~~
Jon in CUO

Phil gave up a two-run shot after a missed strike 3 call, Grandy gets a two-run shot after DJ’s acting job. Sounds even to me.

Kevin Kennedy is talking about how this play challenges the legitimacy of baseball’s competitiveness.
http://riveraveblues bill

joba wood mo day off thx
- Jose the Satirist
  
  You’re welcome.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  colorless green ideas sleep furiously
  - Jose the Satirist
    
    Well look at that, Walt Whitman posts on here.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      William Carlos Williams, actually.
      
      ——————-
      
      so much depends
      upon
      
      a red wheel
      barrow
      
      glazed with rain
      water
      
      beside the white
      chickens.
    - Esteban
      
      A poet and a gentleman.
  - Accent Shallow
    
    makes no difference
    your alphabet is missing letters
    seventeen, embalmed and caskets
    lowered into the weather
    a drizzle, brisk and profound
    
    from this texas breath exhaled
    their relief
    this is forever
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

Well, the Yankees didn’t score any runs after the Granderson homer. He effectively killed the rally with that play. Just awful baseball there, Curtis.
- Esteban
  
  Austin Jackson would’ve kept the rally going instead of hitting that homer
  - http://twitter.com/firstheart42 seimiya
    
    So would’ve Melky.
Esteban

People better not question the Yankees’ ‘hearts’ after the last two games.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  That sounds like a challenge. You’re on.
  - Jose the Satirist
    
    Bunch of mercenaries on this team.
  - Esteban
    
    Do it.
    You won’t do it.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      Lemme get Nomar Garciaparra on the phone.
  - http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
    
    Question: Are Matsui, Damon, and Cabrera on the 2010 Yankees?
    Answer: No. Therefore, they do not have heart.
    - Kit
      
      You forgot the most important part of that “heart”: The Red Sox.
SouthernYankeeFan

I said this right as granderson homered so it got lost…but that ball really could have knicked his jersey before the bat.
jonathan

With the off day tomorrow I say Joe goes all Ron Washington if he needs to. All hands on deck for a batter or two.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  He said before the game that Wood is unavailable and he’d like to stay away from Logan. Other than that, should have everyone.
  - jonathan
    
    i agree, save wood, logan for crawford or pena if needed
http://twitter.com/iiKeane JobaWockeeZ

It’s funny that the MSM will say the Yankees cheated and MLB should stop this but they’ll proceed to say how instant replay kills baseball and the human element.
Cy Pettitte

Has anyone ever been like “hey, no, that didn’t hit me” when they were given a base?
- Pasqua
  
  The hitter ain’t getting the base unless they “sell” it to the ump. That’s the ethical elemtn that people will, no doubt, pounce on.
- Accent Shallow
  
  I think Albert Belle tried that once. Or he tried to decline an intentional walk.
  
  Here’s the link, who knows if this is true
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  Dustin Pedroia does that all the time. He also pays twice as much in taxes as he has to, because he loves America.
  
  For Diamond Cutters, I’m Peter Gammons, ESPN.
  - Esteban
    
    He’s Restored Honor to America, I’m sure.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
      
      ZOMG FREEDOM WEEK
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

If we win 3-2 I sign off my rights to this game being officially known as the

Derek Cheatah Yankee Classic
Big Stein

I’m watching this on ESPN telecast and they’re fucking freaking out.

they so hate the yankees, they’re unable to contain themselves.
- Kit
  
  That is absolutely nothing new.
Brooklyn Ed

Chad Qualls doing what he does best for the D-Backs, blowing games!!!
- http://www.facebook.com/dougchu Doug
  
  He was real solid until the elbow surgery. It’s a shame… sort of.
  - Brooklyn Ed
    
    agreed..I probably should had included for the 2010 D-backs.
http://www.facebook.com/dougchu Doug

P. Hughes still drawing hell of weak contact. That’s great hustle.
- Esteban
  
  Every day he’s hustling. Hustling Hustling.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Hughes got them muthaf#$%as flyin’ ‘cross the Atlantic.
Accent Shallow

Thought the game was tied right there.
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

The Flip, The Dive, The HBP.
Magnus Stultus

Granderson has certainly hit some memorable home runs this year. Off the the top of my head , Cleveland , AZ and this.
- jonathan
  
  PAPELBON
  - jonathan
    
    plus beckett in the first ab
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  Papelbon, and the HR off Pelfrey was pretty clutch too.
jonathan

Jeter really “sold it” but when the ball hits the knob it wrings your hand like crazy and the vibration probably made him toss the bat. holding his hand afterward…not sure sure about that.
Betty Lizard

How do I love Curtis Granderson? Let me count the ways.
I love him to the depth and breadth and height
His socks can reach . . .
I love him to the level of every game’s
Most quiet need, the RBI double and Center Field Save.
I love him freely, as the Yankees strive for Home Field Advantage;
I love him purely, as the Yankees turn from the Wild Card.
I love him with a passion put to use
Without my old griefs, and with my true fan’s faith.
I love him with a love I seemed to lose
In that Texas Series, — I love him with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! — and, with Mo’s Grace,
I shall but love him better after clinching the Division.

(H/T Elizabeth Barrett Browning)
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  It’s poetry night, baby.
  
  ————-
  
  I’ve known rivers:
  I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
  flow of human blood in human rivers
  My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
  
  I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young
  I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
  I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
  I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln
  went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy
  bosom turn all golden in the sunset
  
  I’ve known rivers:
  Ancient, dusky rivers.
  
  My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
  - Betty Lizard
    
    Oh yeah! From Langston Hughes to Wallace Stevens:
    
    I do not know which to prefer,
    The beauty of inflections
    Or the beauty of innuendoes,
    Cano about to swing
    Or just after.
    
    (Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Yankees)
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Nasty curve.
Accent Shallow

Sit your ass down, pretty boy.
Cy Pettitte

that breaking ball was filthy
Greg

Perfect curve from Hughes
Carlosologist

Nasty CB from Phil.
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

Oh I love it when Mature Hughes pitches and mixes effectively.
Cy Farnsworth

What a curve by Hughes.
jonathan

logan here….?
Kit

Uno mas, Phillip. Don’t let Grandy and Jeter’s efforts go to waste.
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

Wow, that was hit far.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Oh good :|
SouthernYankeeFan

You have got to be fucking shitting me
Cy Pettitte

oh come on…….
Kit

/facepalm
Eirias

That’s regretful.
http://twitter.com/iiKeane JobaWockeeZ

Are you fucking kidding me.
Guest

Dan?
Johnson?
Really?
Carlosologist

—____—
Kevin in Delectable Princeton

Dan Johnson=Bane of my existence.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

WTF why does Dan Johnson kill the Red Sox and Yankees, this makes no sense
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/
  
  /buildingthebrand’d
- iYankee(next generation from Apple)
  
  They just throw fastballs to him.
http://www.facebook.com/dougchu Doug

DAN JOHNSON? AGAIN? GODDAMNIT.
jonathan

omg what a horrible pitch…why wasn’t ring or logan ready for the lefties? he’s at 100+
kunaldo

DAN JOHNSON?!?
Esteban

You gotta be kidding me. Royce Ring maybe if not Boone Logan?
- jonathan
  
  look up a few comments, i said it too
V

Motherfucker
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Err… I guess those strikes that were called balls make up for Jeter? Nah.
Accent Shallow

That should have been a three pitch strikeout.
C

Unbelievable.
Greg

The question: Would you have taken him out
- Cy Farnsworth
  
  Girardi made the right call. The way he was pitching, you have to trust Hughes to be able to retire Dan freaking Johnson.
  - Magnus Stultus
    
    No.
    - BigDavey88
      
      Yes.
Pasqua

Bad karma, or bad bad pitch…either way, that was fucking deflating.
http://fmylife.com Bryan

I just don’t know what to say…
LGY

GOD FUCKING DAMMIT
SouthernYankeeFan

Damn phil pitched excellent tonight. except to one damn batter. Sone of bitch is that frustrating.
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Can we just skip right to the ALCS?
http://riveraveblues bill

that one on joe you have to use bullpen
- Jose the Satirist
  
  In hindsight I should’ve purchased a NY state lottery ticket yesterday with 6, 14, 50, 55, 56 and 1 for the Megaball.
King of the Troglodytes

Yankees kryptonite – pitchers with 5.00+ ERAs and hitters hovering around .200
- Carlosologist
  
  Oh, it’s you
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    We’ve already started the O:S.
- Carlosologist
  
  NO HE DID NOT
  
  AAAAAAAAHHHH
  - Carlosologist
    
    wait this is a reply fail. Pass out the DFA drinks, please.
Jake H

Why didn’t you go to the BP after that single Joe? Phil had lost command.
- Greg
  
  Wrong. Hughes earned a chance to get out of it himself.
LGY

We just have to win this game.
- http://twitter.com/firstheart42 seimiya
  
  This.
Mike R

For the second time, why in gods name are we throwing Johnson fastballs. Clearly his a strictly fastball hitter, throw the god damn curve ball.. I dont know whos making these pitch selections but they’re absolutely awful.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  And so it begins. Guess you never saw someone miss a spot before.
  - Mike R
    
    Obviously he missed his spot, I’m talking pitch selection. Clearly he missed his spot, but the guy swings right over the curve or it just buckles him up. In that situation you really gotta give him something off-speed.
    - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
      
      So what, just keep throwing him curve after curve? What if he hangs one? You get the same result. Jorge called for an outside fastball. Hughes missed by a full plate. It happens.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Not only that:
    
    You know why Phil Hughes is throwing fastballs to a fastball hitter? Because Phil Hughes is a fastball pitcher, and his fastball can beat fastball hitters.
    - Mike R
      
      Not tonight :/… Thus is baseball, just such a deflating moment man..
  - jonathan
    
    that was the problem, the location. it’s just a pretty much known fact that low and inside is the danger zone to lefties, he just missed by 2 feet. shouldn’t have been allowed to face all the lefties anyway.
- Esteban
  
  It’s Dan Johnson, he’s not a good hitter or someone you gameplan for.
It’sATarp

should have taken hughes out after joyce…we brought up another lefty for a reason
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

There’s no way that Maddon can use Benoit and Soriano for like the 5th time in 6 days… right?
Donny

Another Hughes start where “Oh he pitched great… just made a couple mistakes”.

NO, No, no… He has sucked pretty much since the beginning of the year. This team has 1 starter that exceeds even remotely average.
- It’sATarp
  
  you really don;t watch this team do you?
- PaulF
  
  You’re an Idiot. Were you alive for the first half of the season?
  - Donny
    
    Really average era in the AL is 4.15
    
    Tell me… How many Yankee starters are better than that???
    
    1? oh. I guess I’m not an idiot, moron.
- Loturn
  
  That is simple an ignorant statement.
- RalphieD
  
  just cause you dont like it doesnt make it untrue…hughes did just make a couple mistakes today…..
- vin
  
  Yeah… where would they be without Dustin Moseley?
- Kit
  
  That is so batshit crazy I will now commence O:S.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  Male First Name User Handle rule.
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    I was just thinking that.
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
      
      (just FYI you’re not part of that rule. Because of the in Jersey thing. Even with just initials, the commenters are better. See, like, Steve H and Steve O are totally fine/great. It’s bizarre.)
- http://twitter.com/firstheart42 seimiya
  
  Okay, so let’s pretend that AJ and Javy have not made me want to pull my hair out.
  
  Not even Andy Pettitte? Yes, he’s been injured, but he’s coming back, and his ERA before going down was 2.88.
http://riveraveblues bill

lets go yankees
Brooklyn Ed

Giradi should had took out Hughes here.
- Greg
  
  It really could go either way.
jonathan

well isn’t this the exact situation we brought ring up for? he could have thrown to joyce/johnson/pena and then we go joba/drob/mo game over. Hughes was over 100 pitches…i
- Accent Shallow
  
  You’re really going to Royce Ring in that situation? Really?
  - jonathan
    
    uh ya. why do you bring up a lefty unless it’s to face 3 lefties when your SP is over 100 pitches and has a problem with the HR. He gave up a game losing hr to Joyce earlier in the year and the go ahead to Johnson today. Or Logan, I don’t care. It was 3 lefties in a row.
    - Accent Shallow
      
      I’m not bringing in a guy who hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2008 to face the lead run in that situation.
      
      No freaking way.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder

We will win this game.
- ShuutoHeat (No Douche Beards Here)
  
  This.
  - jonathan
    
    i believe we can too.
Patrick

I really don’t get it. I feel like Girardi has started doing the opposite of what he has been doing all year. The other day, it was leaving in Nova way too long after he hasn’t been afraid to pull him before trouble even starts. Now with Hughes, we’re SCREAMING for him to take him out in this situation. Who didn’t see the 2 run bomb coming? The announcers on ESPN foreshadowed it and you could just feel it coming. Hughes didn’t do anything wrong and there is nothing with pulling him after a good night and with the lead.
- It’sATarp
  
  same question…Hughes should have been out after the joyce hit, when there were 2 lefties coming up….stupid decision
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  Who didn’t see the 2 run bomb coming?
  
  Now that it’s happened, nobody. Before it happened, everybody.
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

Thanks, B.J.. Time to get the run back now.
Kit

Nice, one pitch out, Joba. Now help them out, offense. It’s not often I get to see Jeter act, and I would like to see it again on an off-day sometime soon.
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Darn it. They have made the most of their hits. Dan Johnson is this year’s Shelly Duncan.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Assuming Logan is unavailable, I would not have taken out Hughes in favor of Ring.
- Ben
  
  Rodriguez or Aybar would have pinch hit. I’m not sure I’d want Ring, in that spot, against a RHH.
swisher’s fauxhawk

If Girardi pulls Hughes there, the same people in this thread who said he should have taken him out would be saying he is overmanaging.

Ah, the power of hindsight bias.
- It’sATarp
  
  iunno 3 lefties coming up…i don’t think we’d be complaining too much after how johnson crushed hughes earlier
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  All of that.
  
  No matter what happens, Girardi fucked up somehow. It’s science.
Ace

Really Phil? Really? (Seth Meyer’d)
http://riveraveblues bill

we will win this game so sit back and watch its fun
BigBlueAL

I dunno honestly if Hughes shouldve faced Johnson or not. If Logan was available I would say definitely not although Im sure it wouldve wound up being Logan vs a RH pinch-hitter.

Hughes was just approaching 100 pitches and Im not sure if I wouldve loved to see Ring make his season debut for the Yankees in that spot. Although Joba couldve been brought in to face Johnson.

Pretty tough choice I admit so cant really get on Girardi.
Mike R

Randy Choate? Ex-Yankee if I remember correctly?
- http://twitter.com/firstheart42 seimiya
  
  Yep.
Little Bill

Phil should have been left in there, Girardi made the right move but why would you throw Johnson the same exact pitch he hit the 1st HR on? The ump squeezed him but they had the right idea pitching him outside.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  It’s not like he TRIED to pitch him inside. The call was for an outside fastball, he missed.
Accent Shallow

Randy Choate?

Willing to bet Cano reaches here.
- Accent Shallow
  
  Well, I was right, but not in the way I expected.
  - http://twitter.com/firstheart42 seimiya
    
    Still awesome.
Big Stein

This is all Girardi’s fault!

/inevitable.
LGY

If there was a way to lose this game, I would have prefered to lose 2-1
Logan’s Heroes

Cheater’s Never Win

/espnheadline’d
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  Rays Avert Murdering of Baseball History
  
  /JaysonStark’s headline
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Don’t swing at ball 4, Robbie.
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

So am I the only one who’s not freaking out about leaving Hughes in there? It’s Dan Johnson. Especially the people crying for Royce Ring.
- Kit
  
  Nah. There are plenty of rational people here.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Thirded.
- http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto
  
  Nope, Phil deserved a shot there. A bit perturbed that the ump decided to squeeze him there.
Mike R

I’m expecting to see something good here from “Big Puma” lets get it done Lance.
Kit

Nice fielding, Choate.
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Lady BABIP to the rescue.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
  
  Just because you’re name is Lady Heroin doesn’t mean you have to go around selling it.
  - LGY
    
    you’re?
http://www.facebook.com/dougchu Doug

lol Keystone Kops out there.
Guest

If the game stays as is, Chad Qualls gets the win.

Reason #1,324,789,857 why “Wins” are the most useless stat in all of baseball. By far.

While RBIs, aren’t a very good stat, at least you have to do something productive to get one.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  You mean like hitting a slow dribbler with a runner on third? RBIs are next to completely useless.
  - Guest
    
    Oh, I agree that they aren’t a very good stat and you can get an RBI on an out. And outs, are of course, bad.
    
    But hitting a dribbler to third with less than two outs is way more productive than giving up a two run homerun with a one run lead.
Mike R

Ok.. or something big from Thames :P
frank

More disturbing than the HR was the inability, once again, of giving up runs after getting the first 2 outs. This has happened all too often this season.
- Mike R
  
  Very true, Hughes has had trouble not only finishing batters on an 0-2 count but finishing innings as well
  - frank
    
    But it’s not just Hughes. It just seems to have been a problem all season.
Andy

why pinch hit for berkman ?
- Mike R
  
  He’s simply not a good lefty hitter, you figure they’d try their luck with Thames before letting Berkman face the lefty which forced the Rays to switch pitchers. Hopefully this guys tired, it feels like he’s pitched every night.
- Greg
  
  Because Randy Choates a lefty
- All Star Carl
  
  He can’t hit lefties.
All Star Carl

This is all on Hughes. Can’t let Dan Johnson, a .220 hitter, beat you on a fastball twice.

Lazy and embarrassing.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  Lazy and embarrassing.
  
  But but but he’s not Cano, I’m confused
- Mike R
  
  I agree, but the thing is you will get beat sometimes and it happened to Hughes twice in one game which is unfortunate. If I remember right I think Utley homered twice versus CC last year, no pitchers perfect.
  - All Star Carl
    
    Utley homered on 2 different pitches and is a HOF talent. Dan Johnson is a scrub.
- http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
  
  O:S
- Cy Farnsworth
  
  I dunno about “lazy” but I agree that it’s all on Hughes.
  
  If you’re Joe Girardi, you have to trust Hughes to be able to get Dan Johnson given the way he’s been pitching.
  - Logan’s Heroes
    
    Lazy? Really? Please, do not bother to explain.
- http://twitter.com/firstheart42 seimiya
  
  Nothing about our general RISP inability? Shock.
- dalelama
  
  In the same exact spot also.
It’sATarp

remember when the Rays had an implosive pen?
Jose the Satirist

Guys, we have to get serious here. We should probably fire Girardi after this game. He just doesn’t know how to manage. We need somebody with heart and somebody who knows when to get fired up over a game. I’m suggesting we bring in Bobby Knight. He can’t be much worse than the worst manager in the game. He will bring the spark this team needs.
- Esteban
  
  Pete Rose. Boom
  - It’sATarp
    
    Brett Favre. Boom
    - Esteban
      
      Dustin Pedroia and or Jason Varitek.
- http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
  
  I suggest that .400 hitting monkey. If he can hit .400, he can manage a team to at least .500.
- Jose the Satirist
  
  Maybe Paul the Octopus is available?
Chris

From the start of the season through June 4 (55 totals games) the Yankees played in 7 games that were decided by 1 run. If today’s result stands, then 7 of the last 9 games played by the Yankees will have been decided by 1 run.
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Posada’s gonna be the hero again.
jonathan

i don’t have the numbers or the answer to this question, but are we in better shape with Berkman RH against Choate or Thames vs Balfour?
- Mike R
  
  Thames versus Balfour, for sure. Runners on 1st & 2nd with Kearns up again.. God help us.
Magnus Stultus

Would rather have Berkman Vs Choate or Thames Vs Balfour in that spot?
- jonathan
  
  quit stealing my posts!!!!! haha
  - Magnus Stultus
    
    Haha, here is to thinking of the same thing.
Accent Shallow

Balfour living up to his (almost) name
Reggie C.

Thames put in good work right there.
swisher’s fauxhawk

Now would be a good time, Austin.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

I really really wish Swish was available to pinch-hit :(
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Kearns, it would be really great if you didn’t something good right here.
Guest

Let’s go Austin.
Zooboy

Oh no. Not Kearns again.
Dave G

Austin Kearns has become Pedro Cerrano
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

Let’s go, Kearns!
http://riveraveblues bill

kearns plz
All Star Carl

Kearns gets another at bat nice.
jonathan

I feel like Raiders of the Lost Ark. “Snakes…Why’d it have to be Snakes?” Snakes=Kearns.
http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS

pinch hit Miranda for Lil CC?
Mike R

WHAT IS KEARNS LOOKING AT? I can’t stand this guy I’m sorry
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

At least he didn’t swing through it…?
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

At least he didn’t ground into a DP. But oh look, Colin Curtis!

/sigh
Esteban

I gotta say, Kearns has not performed well offensively lately.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Totally non-competitive. Have to be better than that, man.
Accent Shallow

And it all comes down to . . . Colin Curtis.

I sure wish that the guy who thought Curtis had 30 MLB bombs in him is right, at least tonight.
C

Wow, who didn’t see that one coming?
kunaldo

awesome, no PH
Slugger27

sigh……………..
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Why is Curtis batting?
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  Joe said he wouldn’t use Swish as a pinch-hitter. Who else is there?
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    Miranda? Someone, Curtis has been completely overmatched at the plate since being recalled.
- http://twitter.com/firstheart42 seimiya
  
  What are the other options? Juan Miranda?
http://riveraveblues bill

18 lob
Guest

I’ll put it this way. I can’t remember the last time I saw a game where the two fill-ins had so many important at-bats over the course of a game.

Amazing.
Kit

Colin, you’re a good kid, you are, but I just really can’t bring myself to enjoy you being up.
Dave G

I would have gone with Juan Miranda
Cy Farnsworth

Remember that time Colin Curtis hit a pinch hit homer?

That was awesome.
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

So, Juan Miranda, the lefty on the bench with at least a little bit of power…why is he not hitting?
- http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
  
  I mean, the upgrade isn’t that much but Miranda has SOME power.
ShuutoHeat (No Douche Beards Here)

Why is it so hard to see that Kearns’ swing is way too long for his own good? Kevin should go speak to him about it…
- jonathan
  
  dude scroll up about halfway. we had a big debate about it.
Jake

The Rays have pitched Kearns the way the Yanks should’ve pitched Johnson. Nothing but off-speed stuff.
Hall and Nokes

Boy the Yankees just don’t give a crap about these games do they?
Jon

Does anyone know, including the rangers series and this one, what the average with RISP is? What’s frustrating about this clip is the fact that it’s not that they look bad, it’s luck w/ RISP
- C
  
  11/57 (.193)
jonathan

I might of just pinch hit Gardner for Kearns and just had him drag bunt.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  Gardner was not available.
  - jonathan
    
    he is for running and defense right?
All Star Carl

Why are these 2 scrubs batting? Why!
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Mothertrucker.
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

I do not like that Colin Curtis has been allowed to hit as much as he has recently.
Cy Pettitte

Swisher should have pinch hit
- Greg
  
  He was already out for the game
  - Kit
    
    Swish is just generally unavailable. He didn’t start and he hasn’t pinch hit.
- Guest
  
  They don’t even want him bending his legs. He can’t pinch hit today.
It’sATarp

man the bottom of the order has killed us in the past few games
Guest

10 men left on base for Kearns and Curtis.

Get well soon Gardyswish
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

If I had to guess, Kearns’ WPA is hovering at about -.900 right about now.
- http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
  
  -.260. Ouch.
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    I was close!
- http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
  
  -.260
  
  Yeesh
Mike R

Yah man, our lineup is so short (as I said earlier) I honestly might as well turn off the tv when I know Kearns and Curtis are coming up.
Esteban

Johnnie Walker I like your commercial.
- Kit
  
  One of the best Yankee related commercials.
forensic

Dear Yankees,

We just had to put our dog down. Please come back and win somehow.

Thank you.

P.S. Austin Kearns and Colin Curtis? Is that really the best you can come up with?
dalelama

Again the brilliance of Girardi shines through—pinch hitting for Berkman instead of Kearns or Curtis. Joe sure is a shaky game manager.
- Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
  
  The chance of kearns getting a second hit in a game? Very low.
  
  Of course he’s injured.
PaulF

Derek will lead off the ninth
- It’sATarp
  
  at least he can’t hit into a game ending DP
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

This game has found our 2 weakest hitters in the most critical situations not coming through. Can’t wait to get healthy…
http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.

I haven’t been on the internet in 2 days. What did I miss? I’m sure something massive happened.
- Kit
  
  We all realized that Joe Girardi is to blame for every bad thing that happens to the team. And something about the Rays being young and fun.
  - http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.
    
    I could have told you that.
    - Kit
      
      I was apparently late for the party.
  - Betty Lizard
    
    Yeah, we spent all those games learning to be THICK and DEEP, and now we have to be YOUNG and FUN.
    
    Basically, we’re never going to get it right. We’re not gritty and our small ball isn’t small enough and we have all those injured players but they’re not taking batting practice in a cast and . . . .
- Esteban
  
  The Democrats have a new logo.
  http://gawker.com/5639116/will.....everything
Frank

Just too many wasted opportunities this game, this series, this road trip. How many has Kearns alone left on base this game, this road trip?
Ben

Yup, Kearns and Curtis definitely give them a good shot at a big inning.
Greg

Repeat: Gardner was not availible. Swisher was not availible.

Anyway if we lose the division, we play the Twins
Brooklyn Ed

soo….. why was Huffman DFA again?
Little Bill

Why was Berkman not allowed to hit Choate? Then we at least have Thames to pinch hit for our weakest hitter. Girardi overmanaging yet again.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  This is probably the first valid complaint about Joe.
- Greg
  
  Berkman is a horrible lefty hitter, that’s why.
  - Little Bill
    
    Worse than Colin Curtis?
    - Greg
      
      Yes
  - Frank
    
    don’t you mean right hitter?
    - Greg
      
      I mean hits lefties
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

I’m just glad this isn’t gonna be our #8 and #9 hitters in the playoffs
- http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
  
  +28
- http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno
  
  So much that.
Avi

MUCH better off with berkman vs choate. there’s no way they were going to leave choate in to pitch to berkman anyway. it would’ve been balfour against berkman. Even if girardi liked thames against choate over berkman what was the point of announcing thames as the hitter? Announce berkman and if they stay with Choate THEN bring in Thames. Am i missing something here?
- Greg
  
  Once you announce a hitter that’s it. No change.
- http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
  
  Am i missing something here?
  
  Yes. Choate would have been left in to pitch to Berkman. Because Berkman is hitting .179/.273/.269 against lefties this year.
  - Avi
    
    I still can’t understand going with thames vs balfour over berkman vs choate. Just saying that Berkman is batting .174 vs lefties doesn’t show the whole picture. Here’s why:
    1) Right handed hitters are batting a WHOPPING .421 against Choate. That takes a .174 hitter to about a .325 hitter.
    2) Balfour is holding right handed hitters to a .194 average. although thames is hitting for a better BA than the average hitter, the adjustment would only take him to about .230
    
    I realize this equation isn’t perfect but the point is that the difference between choate and Balfour (as effective pitchers to right-handed batters) is greater than the difference between Berkman and thames!
    This combined with the fact that you had kearns and curtis coming up in either the 8th or the 9th in a one run game makes this move truly exacerbating! You had to save thames for one of those two hitters (or should i say non-hitters).
    Also for what it’s worth, Berkman is 1-1 vs Choate with a double.
    I still think balfour comes in even if Berkman is the hitter. There’s NO WAY Joe maddon goes down in one of the biggest games of the year with randy choate pitching to a righty!
Cecala

I saw this ad and was just wondering if it was Girardi.

http://d13.zedo.com/OzoDB/l/p/.....00x250.jpg
- Kit
  
  I laughed.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  That really does look like Girardi, whoah.
iYankee(next generation from Apple)

Kearns is a disaster right now at the plate.

If they lose, this concludes a shit week of missed opportunities.
craggy (formerly crapula)

I don’t get why anyone wants to risk Swish or Gardy for this game. We need them for the playoffs
- Slappy White
  
  Playoffs ? Playoffs ?
  
  /jimmora’d
- Little Bill
  
  I don’t know why anyone would want to risk them either. Why risk getting them more injured? We’ll need them for the Rays series next week and for the playoffs. Unless you want Kearns and Curtis striking out 8 times a game. If we do lose this we can at least come away with knowing we could have won all 3 games on their field without our full lineup.
jonathan

So….is it possible Chad Huffman could be as bad as Curtis?
- http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.
  
  Possible? Yes. Probable? No.
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

Wasn’t that pitch a strike anyway?
http://twitter.com/iiKeane JobaWockeeZ

Wow Kay didn’t mention bones.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Oh my god, he’s going to Soriano again?
- Cy Pettitte
  
  maybe he’ll be tired and mess up
- http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.
  
  They probably figure that he won’t be back next season. Why not make his arm fall off in the process?
- Cy Pettitte
  
  just checked, he’s pitched the 10th 12th 13t 14th, 43 pitches over those 4 days
Kit

Nolan Ryan, you are too old to be on TV. It does not please me to see your face.
Greg

Girardi has done nothing blatantly wrong in this game.
- Little Bill
  
  Yes he has. Leaving Hughes in was fine, but pinch hitting Thames for Berkman instead of for Curtis was a big blunder. Not much Joe can do about Kearns though with the injuries.
  - Greg
    
    Berkman hits .179 against lefties
- Accent Shallow
  
  Letting Curtis hit for himself with Golson available to play the OF?
  
  Miranda isn’t a great hitter, but he’s a better hitter than Curtis.
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Soriano’s arm is going to fall off. Hopefully as he serves up a 3-run meatball to Big Teix.
http://dontbringinthelefty.blogspot.com Lucas AA, aka don’t_bring_in_the_lefty

Again, Joba with the curveball there ahead in the count. I wonder if that’s a scouting thing about the Rays, or if he’s actually starting to use that instead of the slider more.
Magnus Stultus

Let’s not go down with a fight here.
- Magnus Stultus
  
  meh, without.
- Kit
  
  Do you mean “without a fight”? Because if not, I am so confused.
Guest

Nice job Joba. He’s actually been really good for a long time now, outside of a couple of hiccups.
Brendan

Wild Card lead at 6 if this holds. With Toronto, who has packed it in completely heading to Boston while the Yanks lead by General Custer head to Baltimore where Showalter has the O’s playing like their lives depended on it. This is going to get dicey I am telling you
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  Except the Yankees have 6 games left with Boston, and each of those wins would knock 2 games off the magic number.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  First Name Only Male Handle.
  - Brendan
    
    Why am I? because it’s possible they could gag this?
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

Not sure if I get playing deep on Jeter. But, I guess if he gaps one they can cut it off.
http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.

What the hell was that?
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Soriano the rare reliever who pitches from the windup albeit a strange one.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

I really hate it when the opposing team and their fans get the last laugh :|
- Kit
  
  We still have to play them 4 more times. In our house. With everyone (hopefully) healthy.
swisher’s fauxhawk

Ugh, two high ones in a row.
Kit

C’mon, Derek, you have to do better than that.
cjc

ball 3 way to go capn
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Derek, please don’t swing at Ball 3 and Ball 4 and then strike out. K? Thanks.
- http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.
  
  Heh.
http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.

Dammit, Jeter loves the Fastball high.
http://twitter.com/iiKeane JobaWockeeZ

WANTED POSTER: Jeter’s plate discipline.
iYankee(next generation from Apple)

Shitty AB by jeter…

Why do MLB’ers think that they can catch up to that pitch? Very few can and even less do something productive with it.

Damnit
- http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.
  
  The Fastball high is a very appealing pitch to pretty much all hitters.
C

When you manage like you clinched already, as Girardi has the last week or so, you are asking for it coming down to the wire. With six of the last nine games against boston, this is not in the bag yet.

Soriano doesnt look tired.
- Greg
  
  Without Pedroia and Youkilis, they’re done
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  Six against the Red Sox is an advantage for us. Boston has to basically take all 6 to even have a chance.
  - Magnus Stultus
    
    The fact we are even talking about Red Sox right now is sad.
  - C
    
    I think they will be fine, but I hate when managers manage like they clinched when they havent, unless the lead is insurmountable. 6 games with 17 to play…not insurmountable.
    - Greg
      
      Only if you’re the New York Mets
Big Stein

FIRE GIRARDI

/lohud crazy
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

Come on, Curtis!
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Keep fighting, Grandy.
Cy Pettitte

everyone at the Trop is 40+ years old
- Kit
  
  It’s Florida. You expect youth and beauty?
  - http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.
    
    It’s St.Petersburg. Miami is a hotbed for youth and beauty. St.Petersburg is a hotbed for the elderly.
    - Kit
      
      Right. I forgot about Miami’s existence.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

This has to come down to A-rod, right?
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

Damn; well, that was at least a decent at bat.

Come on, Tex, start it with two!
Total Dominication

Come on Tex.
SouthernYankeeFan

Come on Tex tie it up
iYankee(next generation from Apple)

Well fuck…. This is definitely a game that they should have won handily. Blown opportunities again, especially in the first inning.

Unbelievable.
Brooklyn Ed

Jeter swung at ball 3 and 4…where’s the patience?
- iYankee(next generation from Apple)
  
  none… they are pressing too much.
  - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
    
    You were so good for awhile there, iYankee.
    - iYankee(next generation from Apple)
      
      I am fine. Just disagree with how this team has been managed the past week. They just look tired and beaten.
      - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
        
        Sure didn’t look like that a mere 24 hours ago.
        
        iYankee(next generation from Apple)
        
        one game, an aberration in their long week of disappointing losses.
        
        They are just not playing well right now, it many facets.
iYankee(next generation from Apple)

OK, one more irritation. Either swing the fucking bat or don’t … this oops shit is fucking annoying.
http://riveraveblues bill

here come,s the red sox
- Kit
  
  Here comes O:S for the crazies.
- Greg
  
  Shut the fuck up
  - http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.
    
    Heh. This isn’t necessary, but it’s hilarious.
- http://twitter.com/SteeeeveO Steve O.
  
  What’s the red sox? Is that a disease or something? Sounds awful, I hope you’re doing alright.
Carlosologist

This is intense.
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Wait ’til they’re in OUR house.
Hughesus Christo

Why do people keep talking about Soriano pitching so often? His blood is pure steroid right now. King Kong ain’t got nothing on him.
Kit

Take the walk, Tex.
- Kit
  
  Thank you!
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Get it to A-rod, Tex.
swisher’s fauxhawk

HEEEEEEEEE- foul tipped it…
Carlosologist

Tex is dragging this out. Get the bat to A-Rod!
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

Well, hello gorgeous cutaway girl. And hello, Alex Rodriguez.
- Carlosologist
  
  Hip Hip Hooray’s to both of those points.
Accent Shallow

If Gardner is thrown out or picked off, I may light something on fire.
http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

Got to A-Rod. Anything can happen now. Do it, Alex.
Total Dominication

Come on Alex!!!
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Do your thing, Alex.
http://riveraveblues bill

one abomb plz
Esteban

Let’s see how his at speed is here
Ray

Maybe they’ll give Soriano the Broxton treatment. His pitch count is getting up there and he’s pitched for five days straight.
- Ray
  
  And by five straight, I mean 5 out of 6.
Kit

I love you, Alex. Please don’t disappoint me.
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

That’s. Not. A Strike.
http://twitter.com/firstheart42 seimiya

Dear A-Rod,

We are paying you obscene amounts of money to do something.

Please do it.

Sincerely,

Sei.
- http://twitter.com/firstheart42 seimiya
  
  That was not it.
http://fmylife.com Bryan

FUCK ESPN.
Lucci

We now rejoin our regularly scheduled Yankee collapse in progress…
Mike R

Demoralizing loss, first place gone. Good stuff.
Accent Shallow

This game was brutal.

Goodnight.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Well, that at-bat royally sucked. Tough, tough loss.
- iYankee(next generation from Apple)
  
  Actually with exception to Tex’s AB, the rest of the hitters that inning took horrible approaches to Soriano.
  
  Fuck, I want the real Yankees back, not this make shift bullshit of Kearns and inconsistent pitchers and assholes bunting on 2-0 and 3-0 counts……
Esteban

I gotta say, that wasn’t a great AB right there.
It’sATarp

RISP fail screws us again…no surprise…
Total Dominication

We’ll get ‘em next time.
Intimidator3

I blame the healthcare bill.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  It’s the abortion laws.
  
  /that one guy’d
Kit

Ah well, it’s only a .5 game lead. Just beat them shitless during that 4 game set.
- Little Bill
  
  Exactly. And hopefully it’s Gardner/Swish and not Kearns/Curtis. We might be able to pick up that game vs. Baltimore. Andy’s back and we very well could have won all 3 of these games on their field without two of our best hitters. The only weakness we have is our manager.
- http://ballcraft.blogspot.com Zanath
  
  I’m more worried about making the playoffs at this point. A 6 game lead is not that much. We have to beat the Orioles this weekend. We have to. We are in serious trouble if we lose that series.
  - Kit
    
    Meh. It’s really not that serious. Our chances of making the playoffs are still damn good. Even if we get WC, once we’re in the playoffs, anything goes. Tampa’s shown some major weaknesses in their pitching and hitting and have lucked out. We can take them.
    - http://ballcraft.blogspot.com Zanath
      
      I’m probably overreacting. I probably shouldn’t post after tough losses, I apologize! But I am very concerned. We’ve gotta pick it up. Hopefully we get Swisher and Gardner back. The bottom of the order is brutal right now.
      - Kit
        
        We’ll get our boys back and healthy pretty soon. The most important thing is them being okay, and you’ll see that the line up will round out.
King of the Troglodytes

And yet again, another failure to bring in a run with a man on 3rd with less than 2 outs has cost the Yanks. Thanks Lance Berkman.
- Kit
  
  Lance says “You’re welcome.”
- Ben
  
  It’s the one issue that has plagued them the entire season.
- It’sATarp
  
  no no it’s thanks Austin kearns/Colin Curtis.
Nintendo vs Sega

Wow! Nice at bat A-Roid went up and struck out on three damn pitches!
- It’sATarp
  
  you are as stupid on here as you are on other yankees blog
Magnus Stultus

What a fucking trip !
http://riveraveblues bill

i think that was a great game red sox won 5in arow o,s on fire 1,5 road trip this could get ugly
- Kit
  
  Can you learn how to form proper sentences and punctuate things properly, please. It’s really annoying to read your incoherent babble.
http://ballcraft.blogspot.com Zanath

Every single game on this road trip has been brutal. Even the game we won was brutal. I have to say, we HAVE to win the series in Baltimore. If we don’t, I’m not sure if the playoffs are all that guaranteed anymore. I know people don’t want to hear that, but that’s the reality.
- Little Bill
  
  This is stupid. The Sox are 6 games behind. They’d have to sweep us in all 6 games to have a shot. Even if they go 4-2 they only gain 2 games. There’s not many games left btw.
  - C
    
    It most definitely is not stupid to question whether a team that has lost 8 of 10 – albeit in very close, could go either way fashion – is guaranteed to make the playoffs with a 6 game lead with 17 to play. Girardi is managing soft to give offensive people rest, and yet paradoxically, leaves his young pitchers who supposedly have innings limits in too long just to, what, give them experience? To see if they can get out of the jam, when you have more capable and fresher options in the pen? I quote Mr. Edwards: ‘You play. To win. The game. You dont play just to play it.’ He’s managing right now like its all sewn up, and its frustrating to watch. The odds are in their favor, but I dont think its unreasonable to ask such questions at this point, regardless of what shape the third place team is in.
    - poster on another computer who happens to be a deuce bag
      
      I’m not even slightly worried.
    - http://twitter.com/dpatrickg Dirty Pena
      
      It most definitely is stupid. If the Yankees go 6-10 (which seems HIGHLY unlikely), Boston would have to go 12-4 just to tie.
  - Lucci
    
    You are assuming they do not gain any ground while the teams are playing their other 10 remaining games. Of course, the Yankees will not lose any of those games.
- http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
  
  no, it’s not
  
  Wanna put money on the Yankees going to the playoffs?
  - http://ballcraft.blogspot.com Zanath
    
    You should excuse me, I’m overreacting. This week has been so frustrating, it’s easy to get negative.
    - http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
      
      It happens. Hell, I’ve been screaming and throwing things this week too. Be irrational and silly all you want, just don’t post your irrationality and silliness.
      - http://ballcraft.blogspot.com Zanath
        
        Will do! Putting things in perspective helps.
    - Little Bill
      
      It’s just not very likely. If we get swept in Baltimore and Boston sweeps their series this weekend then I’d start to worry. Boston has a couple more major injuries than we do though.
Nintendo vs Sega

The Yankees have been playing some really, really, really bad baseball since the All-Star break. The Playoffs are right around the corner and they need to get it the hell together!
tom

Goddamn. Yankees put 15 men on base, 3 score; Tampa puts 6 on, 4 score.

And 5 1-run losses in a little over a week. It’s like Groundhog Day.

Our luck will turn. But it better be soon.
poster on another computer who happens to be a deuce bag

I’m speechless.

Can the real Yankees, not these imposters who leave runners on base by the metric fuckton, please stand up?

They’re just playing SO bad.

Annd this game…

It’s like God wanted the Yankees to win…and they wanted to lose.
- Magnus Stultus
  
  That’s a lot to say for someone who is ‘speechless’ :)
  But yeah, they need to get better. 260 average with RISP (14th) in the ML can definitely be improved.
  - poster on another computer who happens to be a deuce bag
    
    Hey, it’s typing, not speaking. ;-)
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

And just when you think they might build some momentum, you realize they just lost 8 out of their last 10.
http://www.twitter.com/vscafuto Vinny Scafuto

So if the Yankees win 3 out of 4 next week, they’ll be tied with the Rays for the season series. And if they finish with the same record…
PaulF

I think the Yankees outplayed the Rays in this series. It doesn’t always work out. Gardner and Swisher will be in there next time they play.
- Kit
  
  As will Andy.
  - Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)
    
    don’t think he’ll pitch against them next week. Probably Boston on Friday
    - Kit
      
      Meh, they could always rearrange things.
King of the Troglodytes

No passion!
- http://www.twitter.com/jordan_smed JGS
  
  #competedamnit
Yo Quiero Montero (formerly LarryF)

Gardy not swinging at all>>>>>Kearns

/2 walks for sure and a stolen base or two
- King of the Troglodytes
  
  What the hell has happened with Kearns? He has fallen off a cliff,
  - It’sATarp
    
    over exposure.
- theyankeewarrior
  
  Haha yes. I’m for starting Gardy and telling him to just take every pitch or bunt. Kearns is worthless right now.
theyankeewarrior

Frustrating loss. No way TB gets out of this one alive if Kearns and Curtis are on the bench where they belong and Swisher and Gardner are in the lineup. Get well soon.

Can’t wait till October 5th when we will see the A-lineup for the first time evah…
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

I’m not one of those guys from Jersey to make those overly dramatic annoying posts after a loss, but I don’t know how anybody could not be PO’ed after this loss. Only scoring one run off James Shields is the most embarrassing part, and giving up two home runs to John Johnson…I mean Don Johnson…I mean Billy Johnson…whatever that guys name is comes as a close second. The Bible says that if you have 9 runners in scoring position, you should score more than 3 runs. The Bible also says (Old Testament) that if a pitcher throws 30 pitches in the first inning, he shouldn’t go more than 5 — 6 at the most….I mean SERIOUSLY, DAN JOHNSON???

On a side note — totally separate from my comments above — if you think it’s okay to give Austin Kearns a free pass for this week, then fuck you. That’s more of a personal fuck you rather than a complaining fuck you. Please ask me if you’re having trouble differentiating the two.
- http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
  
  I never ever posted anything this stupid.
  - poster on another computer who happens to be a deuce bag
    
    Actually, this was pretty funny.
    - http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey
      
      It’s flattering that the two times I did overreact after a loss got so much attention, though.
- Kit
  
  I didn’t even read the rest of your post because I was laughing so hard at your first sentence.
- Magnus Stultus
  
  Heh, at least I am not from Jersey. I heard about those Jersey guys !
Big Daddy

I blame Dave Island. He needs to teach phil hughes how to pitch good and not give up runs. He is a deadbeat and needs to be fired.

Sencondly i blame curtis granderson. he needs to better than .245

Lastly i blame kevin long. i dont want to hear about this “new and improved swing” because it obviously isnt working.
- Kit
  
  I have no idea if you’re serious, but I laughed.
- Magnus Stultus
  
  Big Daddy, I think it’s Dave Eiland.
- Ray
  
  Heh, Dave Island.
  
  .247 > .245
  
  I rest my case.
- Carlosologist
  
  /McCarver’d
- It’sATarp
  
  yea it didn;t work… Who was that guy who hit the 2 hr go head hr for us? i can;t seem to remember his name
- http://ballcraft.blogspot.com Zanath
  
  Here’s a good thing: at least the pitching has been good. Hughes was great tonight…save those two pitches to Dan Freaking Johnson. If we can just pick the offense up a little bit…
  
  Please Nick Swisher, come back
  - http://ballcraft.blogspot.com Zanath
    
    Hm, reply fail.
  - GoTerpsGo
    
    Agreed… We miss you Nick! And we miss you Brett! Man I hope they finally get healthy soon and tear the 0’s a new one this next series.
- Guest
  
  Tonight is not the night to blame C-Grand. Not when he hit a go-ahead 2 run HR in the seventh. IM sure it was the biggest WPA hit the Yanks had all night.
- hornblower
  
  I am wondering about the two pitches that were called ball after PH got Johnson 0-1. I thought both were strikes. You could see he was confused by each one. I know it is bad form to complain about calls after a home run but I was dreading that 2-1 pitch.
  Kearns and the ninth spot are really hurting the club. It is hard to carry two outs or more in an AL lineup.
  The Yanks have a difficult schedule the rest of the way. The only good thing is that Toronto has stopped playing. I think they need eight wins and Boston needs 14 to tie.
Jon

If there is one thing we can look forward too, its how much the Rays have over used Soriano..I mean, shit, the guy has pitched in like 6 consecutive games.
theyankeewarrior

Austin Kearns on his two-strike approach:

“swing hard as fuck at anything close because pitchers HATE to give up 2-strike homeruns”
poster on another computer who happens to be a deuce bag

Anybody know the record for most men left on base over ten games?
- It’sATarp
  
  57 or 59 in two games in texas in total for all the batters. then 10 for the cliff lee game, 10 for the price game…not sure about the last two so i would guess it’s an upwards of 100 total people LOB if we count all the hitters…no joke
Kit

Honestly, it’s easy to be frustrated by this game, but it was a damn good one, and even though the boys could’ve done better, this is how you play against a good team. Have a good off-day, every one!
- Betty Lizard
  
  Right there with you, KIt.
  
  (Off to my happy place.)
- Ray
  
  Agreed. And it’s not like they got the snot beaten out of them all three games. All close games this series. Which makes me even more excited for the eventual heartbreak the Rays will face when the Yankees hand them tough loss after tough loss in the ALCS ;)
- tom
  
  I felt that way Monday. That was a game neither team deserved to lose, and, statistically, the home team has an edge in such match-ups.
  
  But blowing all those opportunities tonight — feeling like the Yankees had a better game everywhere but in the final score — and worrying I’m going to have nightmares involving Austin Kearns batting at key moments in my psychic life…I can’t say I feel much but demoralized. (I’m an adult; I’ll get past it. But I want some winning, starting, like, yesterday)
GoTerpsGo

Damn… I so want Swisher back in the lineup. And I want Colin Curtis NOWHERE near home plate with a bat!!!!! Holy cow he and Kearns made me realize just how long they’ve gone with no real holes in the lineup.

I am so looking for Swisher and Gardner to come back. And Tex’s big toe to heal. And Andy to step on the mound. I know TAM won the series against a depleted lineup but COME ON this is one of those games you get up for!!! And don’t expect any help from CHW…

*grumble*
Frigidevil

As ridiculous as it sounds, it’s times like tonight where I wish Gardner was back to his guaranteed-stolen-base-fast-as-hell-self rather than hitting .280 and just sitting at first base. I’m pretty sure Soriano threw ZERO pickoff attempts. Baserunning is supposed to be how you get to the elite closers. Gardner is no longer a threat.
- GoTerpsGo
  
  I thought one of those NESPN’ers said Soriano had a fast delivery. But considering the situation yes Brett should have tested That Catcher Not Named Jaso.
  - Frigidevil
    
    Even if it was just a bluff, Girardi put him in there to steal. You have to make the pitcher at least think you’re going to.
    - It’sATarp
      
      not really..they put him there so a ball down the line/ in the gap = a run. Stealing would have taken the bat out of Arod’s hands which is a not a good move usually.
      - GoTerpsGo
        
        I still find it amazing that even a relatively mediocre pitcher can be successful over half the time against an “elite” hitter and not be considered effective. (And Soriano is not what I call mediocre.)
        
        nyyankfan7
        
        And if he got thrown out you would all be bitching that he made the last out and didn’t give ARod a chance to hit. I’d rather him stay put and leave it up to ARod unless Gardner is going to steal 2nd, 3rd and home.
      - Frigidevil
        
        True, but if you’re going to make the move, at least make the reliever feel a LITTLE uncomfortable. I’d have to imagine Gardy threatening to steal would rattle Soriano a bit, and maybe make him pitch around A-Rod.
        
        nyyankfan7
        
        Pitch around Arod to get to Cano and GIVE Gardner 2nd base where a single for sure scores him?
        
        I don’t think so, Soriano knew as long as he didn’t ignore Gardner he wasn’t going to chance taking the bat out of Arod’s hands by stealing.
http://twitter.com/cephster Ross in Jersey

Well, a day to rest up and get things right in Baltimore, and then come back home where they belong. Just keep thinking.. they are going to mash the ball with RISP one of these days soon. It’s like, statistically impossible to keep this strand rate up much longer.
- http://ballcraft.blogspot.com Zanath
  
  I think this day off is just what the doctor ordered. Hopefully they get to Guthrie. He’s been pitching well of late, I believe. But he’s still Jeremy Guthrie.
  - GoTerpsGo
    
    We need a “Like” button. :D
http://twitter.com/dpatrickg Dirty Pena

The Yankees do not need to “get their shit together” by the playoffs. Ask the 2000 Yankees, the 2005 White Sox, or the 2006 Cardinals.
WickedSoxFan

Here We come!!!!!

Remember 2004!!!!!

Choke choke choke
- poster on another computer who happens to be a deuce bag
  
  I think you’re swell.
- GoTerpsGo
  
  I know I shouldn’t feed trolls… But in the tradition of Dick Cheney – hey douchebag go f*** yourself!!!
  - http://twitter.com/dpatrickg Dirty Pena
    
    There’s no way that’s an actual Red Sox fan. He/she is optimistic about their chances.
    - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
      
      No, he’s a post-2004 Red Sox fan. Pre-2004 Red Sox fans: ridiculously neurotic and negative to a fault. Post-2004 Red Sox fans: basically act like the worst stereotypes of Yankee fans.
      - http://twitter.com/dpatrickg Dirty Pena
        
        100% true. I guess part of me meant that when I said “actual.”
Aaron – Long Island

Worried, even though it is still irrational. Sorry about that.

Hopefully, it never becomes rational and everyone can point and laugh at people like me.
- GoTerpsGo
  
  I think people would laugh at you anyways. ;)

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