Yanks lose heartbreaker meaningless game to Rays
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At any other point of the season, this would have been a really tough loss to swallow. Instead, it was no big deal because the Yankees are playing for nothing right now, except for not getting hurt. I do know one thing, Wednesday is going to be frickin’ awesome.
As Michael Kay would say: that was UUUGE. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Helping His Former Team
The Yankees were playing spoiler for the first six and a half innings, recovering from an early 2-0 hole to take a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh. Joe Girardi said before the game that his top three relievers were going to pitch in this game no matter what, their final tune-up before the playoffs begin on Friday. That meant former Ray Rafael Soriano in the seventh.
Like many other multi-run innings, this one started with a walk. Bossman Jr. took four wide ones, then stole second base to put the tying run in scoring position with no outs and the heart of the order up. Soriano was feeling generous, so he walked Evan Longoria too, putting two on with no outs. After throwing another ball to Matt Joyce, the seventh inning guy essentially saved Tampa’s season by catching way too much of the plate with a pitch. Joyce hit it into orbit, it was obvious th e ball was gone off the bat from where I was sitting, and the Trop went nuts when the one-run deficit turned into a two-run lead on one swing. It was actually a pretty awesome moment, the moment Matt Joyce became a True Ray™.
TrueRays™ are a thing, right? Or is that only reserved for the Yankees?
(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
A High And A Low For Martin
What’s the best thing a player can do in an at-bat? Hit a homer. Russell Martin took care of that with a solo shot in the third inning, his first homer since that three grand slam game against Oakland on August 25th. It was also his 18th of the season, one behind the career high he set in 2007, when he came to plate 620 times. He has just 476 PA in 2011.
Now what’s the worst thing a player can do in an at-bat? Hit into a triple play. That’s exactly what Martin did his next time up, clanking into an around the horn 5-4-3 triple play with the bases loaded and (obviously) no one out. It was a rather aesthetically pleasing play, the Rays really did a nice job turning it. Of course, Martin helped them out by stupidly sliding head first into first, slowing himself down. What’s the matter, a triple play wasn’t bad enough so you had to risk some broken fingers on the next to last day of the season? Playing smart > playing hard.
(J. Meric/Getty Images)
The End Of The Line
Bartolo Colon‘s season came to an end in this game, long after we all figured he be released or hurt. He gave up just two runs in 5.1 IP, ending his season with exactly a 4.00 ERA in 164.1 IP. The three strikeouts put his season strikeout rate at 7.4 K/9, and the two walks putting his walk rate at 2.2 BB/9. Bart’s 3.34 K/BB ratio is the tenth best in the AL, which is amazing. The only way I see him making the playoff roster is if there’s an injury, but damn yo, give this man some props. Colon’s been a godsend this season.
Leftovers
(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Soriano easily retired the next three batters he faced after the homer, so I assume the two baserunners and three-run dinger were intentional. That will make me feel better before Friday. David Robertson got two outs and his 100th strikeout of the season, then Mariano Rivera struck out the only runner he faced. This could be wrong, but someone here said that was the first time Rivera has entered a game with the Yankees losing in the eighth inning since Game Six of the 2003 World Series. That’s unconfirmed, but it doesn’t seem unreasonable.
Aside from Martin’s homer, the Yankees scored another run when Curtis Granderson grounded into a double play with men on the corners fifth, and again when Nick Swisher doubled with two on in the sixth. How Mark Teixiera didn’t score from second on a double, I’ll never know. I guess he thought it had a chance to be caught, but that seems unlikely. It was a shot, I thought it had a chance to get out. The Yankees drew five walks (two by Alex Rodriguez) and struck out only four times (two by A-Rod), but one of the walks was intentional to Jorge Posada immediately before Martin’s GITP. As soon as they turned it, you just knew they’d win. The narrative would not be denied.
There was very little to talk about after the game, hence the lack of postgame notes. Joe Girardi said Wednesday’s starter was still to be determined, but it won’t be a regular. Expect an inning or two of Phil Hughes and a little Boone Logan among various Triple-A arms. Otherwise, a few Yankees (Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Posada, Robertson … a few others as well) hung around to watch the end of the Red Sox game. Oh yeah, the Sox won, so Tampa and Boston remain tied for the wildcard heading into the final game of the season. That’s why Wednesday will be awesome.
The Tigers won and the Rangers are winning at the moment (follow that game here), so the Yankees are still on track to face Detroit in the ALDS. Assuming the Texas score doesn’t change, the only way the Yankees would play the Rangers in the ALDS is if the Rangers lose and the Tigers win on Wednesday. Anything else means Yanks-Tigers.
Box Score, WPA Graph & Standings
MLB.com has the box score and video highlights, FanGraphs the other stats, and ESPN the updated standings.
Up Next
Hard to believe it, but there’s just one regular season game left in the 2011 season. The Yankees and Rays will wrap the year up on Wednesday night, when David Price starts the biggest game of his life against Johnny Wholestaff.
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The Tyler Austin Watch
What are the chances they give Betances the start?
Zero percent chance. Even though I would love to watch that.
He might end up pitching anyway, depending on the score.
My guess is Garcia starts or Betances starts, but I would expect both to pitch tomorrow. Regardless, I don’t expect either to throw more than 3 or 4 innings. Hughes may get an inning or 2 again. Maybe even AJ. Girardi also said Logan will face a few batters.
Quick question: Assuming there WAS such a thing as a “True Ray™;” if the Rays fail to make the playoffs, everyone in their organization would obviously be upset about that. Wouldn’t that turn every athlete that IS a True Ray™ into …
…
…
…
A Blue Ray™ Player?????
First comment in close to two years, totally worth the wait.
See you in 2013 Joe.
thank you, bart. thank you.
Regardless of who starts Girardi has his ace in the hole, Scott Proctor, ready to go in and do some damage. Sox lose or Sox win it will be epic either way as long as the Rays win tomorrow.
Go Rays! Yankees can start winning again on Friday.
ESPN is concerned about how A-Rod is running, fielding and hitting. Then I realize I left the channel on ESPN. Oops.
NESPN employees should probably take off the blinders and start being concerned about their favorite baseball team’s epic choke job.
I blame myself for having it on the TV.
I have MLB Network on, and it’s really not much better with its analysis. Having to listen to the duo of Harold Reynolds and Dan Plesac certainly isn’t a treat.
Reynolds can’t figure out what team to root for. Last week it was Boston was finished and the Rays were to be feared, now it’s Boston will come back roaring.
Newsflash for the suits, unless Boston is going to use their bullpen for all the series, they won’t make it if their starters can’t go past the third or fourth inning.
What’s a good comp for what Harold is becoming?
Lovechild of Gammons and Kruk?
(picture it. I DARE you.)
Where’s Bart wind up post 2011 season?
Boston.
I will sya it’s a pity that Aceves was let go. He saved the Red SOx bacon tonight and said he will pitch tommorrow if need be.
Wouldn’t the collapse be true storybook if they lose the lead in game 162 or 163 though?
I think Ace is just contributing to the historical drama.
true, and I will say that despite the fact he’s started sometime, he is a long man more than anything else who has thrown more than 50 pitches in three straight days..I don’t think he can handle much more.
And yes, Lester might pitch a heck of a game tommorrow, but give how he’s done on five days rest, I don’t see how he’ll be better on three.
when asked if he was available to pitch wednesday
“if I wake up tomorrow, i’m good”
i miss the gangster
Might be the last time we see Colon in pinstripes. Amazing freaking job sir, tip of the cap to you.
Bartday was always fun.
I say Hughes starts and goes a couple of innings and then we’ll see the Proctor’s, Valdes’, and others of the world.
Ugh. Anyone noticed how locked in the Rangers AND the Tigers look right now?
They’re straight-up mashing right now.
Yanks need to make home-field advantage count.
They’re both playing crap teams that the Yankees AAAA lineup could also probably beat. I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
yup, I feel the same way which is also why Granderson, Tex and A-Rod have to step up cuz I know their top hitter will
hitters*
I agree they need to make home field count.
Am I concerned with how the Tigers have been playing against Oakland, Kansas City and Cleveland? No.
Am I concerned with how the Rangers are hitting against an Angels team that clearly packed it in the second they were eliminated? No.
Whatever happens, happens.
The Angels threw out the AA pitching staff last night. Naturally the Rangers mashed that.
-As soon as they turned it, you just knew they’d win.-
Funny, I knew they’d win as soon as Soriano came in the game.
If the Rays get another shit sized crowd tomorrow, I will have officially lost all my respect for their fans/organization.
They have fans?
6 of them. Also, some Yankee fans who bought a Rays jersey while at the game last night.
Random question: What are the threads like here during the playoffs? Is it the same sized crowd or there a lot of new people who join?
Same people plus more comments and trolls.
theyre even worse than the regular ones. my buddy (a sox fan) made cameos last year during the playoffs posting as “bertha” and would say shit to piss people off.
to give you an idea of how bad it was, he actually quit because there were too many other trolls and he wasnt getting as good of feedback as he hoped. not only was there too much competition, but everyone was so negative that his posts werent even standing out as absurd/outlandish anymore.
chew on that.
My God. It’s so unfortunate that there have to be trolls. This is supposed to be fun but there’s always gotta be people who ruin the fun.
I remember “bertha.”
That was a lot of fun. Nothing better than a bitter Sox fan.
Bad andgood. obviously more trolls, etc.
now that I think about it, that game 6 thread was a lot like OTM is now.
i’m so sick of hearing about the red sox
can’t wait for the playoffs to start
I don’t understand in what universe Colon is not the Yankee’s fourth best starter at the moment. When/if they make the ALCS how can he not be the fourth starter?
It sure as hell should not be AJ or Hughes at this point.
wait, who said he wouldnt be the 4th starter?
unless theres news i didnt hear, im under the impression hes absolutely in the mix for “the spot behind nova”
The only way I see him making the playoff roster is if there’s an injury, but damn yo, give this man some props.
Can’t be the fourth started if hes not on the roster.
Honestly, I don’t see how he’s worse than Garcia either. Colon has a better FIP and xFIP by a lot (3.77/3.52 for Colon to 4.12/4.35 for Garcia). Contributing to that is the fact that while they have both given up about the same homers, Colon’s K and BB rates are better. And even if you look at recent performance, Colon still has a better ERA in the past month, since Garcia’s injury.
Since they’re close, I don’t think it matters much if Garcia is ranked ahead of Colon even if I think Colon is better, but what I don’t understand is how Colon is not at least the #4.
Because Colon hasn’t been thatguy since mid-August?
Last 7 starts: 39 1/3 IP, 49 H, 30 R, 27 ER, 6 BB, 29 K, 7 HR, 6.18 ERA.
Opp quad slash batting line: .306/.329/.538/.867
Feel free to double the time frame: 14 starts, 5.33 ERA; .306/.349/.511/.860
His only competition is AJ. Two starts against the free-falling Red Sox aside, AJ has shown no reason to give him a start in the postseason.
Since that doesn’t include Colon’s last start, let’s compare to AJ in his 7 starts from Aug 15 to Sept 19 (drop the 9/25 start against the Red Sox):
33.2 IP, 49H, 31R, 31ER, 15BB, 38K, 7 HR, 8.29 ERA
Opp batting line: .338/.402/.586/.989
Feel free to double the time frame: 14 starts, 7.02 ERA, .305/.383/.540/.923
Outside of his last start, AJ has been worse than Colon.
lol dodgers
its kinda sad d-rob has more K’s then Nova and Sweaty Freddy
No, it’s awesome that he does. D-Rob is that awesome.
wait … his name isn’t K-Rob!? Let’s change that
no.
Obviously Mike meant the Rangers have to lose and the Tigers have to win for it to be anything but Yankees/Tigers in the ALDS.
All too predictable.
Pete Abe has a man crush on Lavarnway and is already comparing him to future Hall of Famers.
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....tra_bases/
I swear EVERY Red sox writer acts like a teen age girl at a Bieber concert.
Except Lavarnandshirlway is two years older than Montero.
Other than that, they’re the same guy.
nah Laveragay is better…
he was able to nurse Papelbon through another almost blown save against a really shitty team. and caught through ‘Aceves’ quirkyness’
plus that ONE homerun he got this year since being called up tells you everything you need to know…
obviously a better player than Montero.
sorry, two HRs
You’re right. If a touted Yankees prospect came up and hit his first two homeruns on the second-to-last day of the season while in a literal tie for the last playoff spot you wouldn’t get excited, is that what you’re saying “Jesus (Montero) Freak”. Give me a break, that was a big moment for the kid.
I dislike Pete Abraham for other reasons, but I swear you people will complain about anything Red Sox related regardless of justification.
“If a touted Yankees prospect came up and hit his first two homeruns on the second-to-last day of the season versus a rookie pitcher on the 3rd worst team in baseball, I wouldn’t be comparing him to future hall of famers.”
/fixed
It was a really cool moment for the kid, and in the context of the season, was a huge game.
But no, I would not compare anyone to a hall of famer after one game. Just because some Yankee fans might doesn’t make the reaction any less ridiculous.
great loss again, let’s do it again today. I’m confident that the Sox won’t win today so we should have a big party coming up later today
mlbnetwork is just as bad as ESPN.
mlbnetwork has some weird love affair with DOUG.FISTER. They say it just like I typed it. Annoying.
They also have a love affair with OCTAVIO.DOTEL.
After losing again tonight, I hope we are able to get hot with the bats Friday. I am concerned about ARod mostly and am starting to feel about him (as a clutch power hitter) the way I felt about Jeter for 4 months until he turned it around-was that a long slump or what? ARod looks like he is guessing all the time and often guesses wrong.
The Tigers have all righty starters so if we lose to them, we may not even see a Montero ab in the post season.
Great L guys, lets do it again today
I don’t know if Girardi will play him tonight but Jeter could still go over .300 for the season with a 2 for 3 or better.
Considering the way he ended last season and started this one, that would be awesome. Just hope he keeps it up in the playoffs (and then it carries over into next season).
More importantantly than how one player does, however, is that several (many or all) players perform at their best. Need Teix, ARod, Grandy, Gardner, Martin, etc, to find their stroke and score runs during the playoffs.
I wish we would have traded for Fister so badly. When everyone wanted Ubaldo, I wanted the unknown, hard-luck guy who stood toe-to-toe with CC that night.
Tonight, Scotty Proctor gets to put that cherry on top of his Yankee career with an actual *sniff* *sniff* start. After that, his cap will immediately be sent to Joe Torre’s attic.
THat would have required Seattle’s approval and after the Cliff Lee deal..wasn’t going to happen.
so wait, you’re saying you don’t think bartolo colon is one of the yankees 12 best pitchers? and that he won’t make the playoff roster unless someone else gets hurt? who the hell do they take instead?
I’d have Bartolo on the roster. I can’t see why you’d have Hughes on the roster but not Colon, for instance. Even if he’s not getting a start, he could be the longman.
I love Hughes and all, but he just hasn’t earned a spot and his back has been balky to boot.
i know it won’t happen, but it would be cool if the rays pitched moore tonight to save price for game 163. pretty certain he has owned the sox this year. you would have to think that they would have no problem winning tonight considering it will be some combo of betances, laffey, kontos, proctor, etc for the yanks tonight, plus the regular lineup will probably be out by the 6th inning. but it would be a lot to put that much on the line for a rookie who only made a few appearances in the bigs. however, if anyone would do it, it would be maddon
Price is 3-1 against the Sox this year with one ND. 10ER over 29.2 IP. 23/14 K/BB ratio.
dont know about owning the Sox, but he’s held his own. and this version of the Red Sox might struggle against him.
good call, i guess owning isn’t the right word. i would imagine then neimann would pitch 163 if needed and seems he has done pretty well against the sox this year, the real question would be who do the sox pitch? lackey on short rest or wakefield
Price has been hit a lot harder this year, but a big lefty at home against that lineup is a good matchup for the rays.
Bartolo will be on the playoff roster. They ain’t taking Noesi over Colon or AJ so let’s just get that straight. We need to lose tomorrow and that’s all there is to it. Lose and guarantee the Sox have to at least play a one game playoff.
Playoff roster-
Martin
Montero
Posada
Teixera
Cano
Jeter
Rodriguez
Chavez
Nunez
Swisher
Granderson
Gardner
Jones
Sabathia
Nova
Garcia
Colon
Rivera
Robertson
Soriano
Wade
Logan
Hughes
Burnett
Ayala
Raul Valdes ain’t making it, that’s just a joke. If he does it will be for Ayala and not Colon.
No way Posada makes it. They will have Cervelli or Romine for a backup catcher.
Posada is a lock. Cashman has said in interviews that Posada has good numbers left handed and he does so Posada and Montero will platoon at DH in the playoffs. Cervelli just had his 4th concussion, he ain’t coming back this year. Montero and Posada have been doing catching drills for emergency catcher so no Romine either.
I’d go 11 pitchers and add Golson
For the ALDS, so would I. Shouldn’t need 12 pitchers in that 5-gamer.
Although I’d probably make it Dickerson instead of Golson. However neither probably gets into a game except as a pinch runner.
I still can’t believe Martin hit into a triple play last night. Those things are so rare and to do it in that spot with the bases juiced an no outs. In order for that to happen the ball has to be hit to the perfect spot right at the bag. you can’t script that any better!
A catcher sliding into 1B is dumber than even any other player sliding into 1B.
Good to see Johnny Wholestaff is getting some work after his failed career in porno.