Game 17: Coming for Yu

by 565 Comments

Pineda headed for second opinion following MRI
Sanchez leads the way in Charleston's ninth straight win
(Leon Halip/Getty Images)

I was one of many fans that wanted the Yankees to sign Yu Darvish this past offseason. I liked that he was young (two months younger than Phil Hughes!) and had power stuff, plus the fact that a large chunk of the acquisition cost wouldn’t count towards the luxury tax. Then again, I also didn’t think the posting free to acquire his negotiating rights would come within $10M of Daisuke Matsuzaka’s, let alone exceed it. The Yankees didn’t bite and the Rangers did, though I have a hard time getting worked up over it after seeing the cost.

Like everyone else, I hope the Yankees pound Darvish into submission tonight. He’s never faced a lineup this good before, so if he continues to show the typical Japanese pitcher tendency of nibbling at the edges of strike zone instead of challenging hitters, it could get really ugly, really quick for him. Here’s the lineup…

SS Derek Jeter
CF Curtis Granderson
DH Alex Rodriguez
2B Robinson Cano
1B Mark Teixeira
RF Nick Swisher
LF Raul Ibanez
3B Eric Chavez
C  Russell Martin

RHP Hiroki Kuroda

This is only the seventh time in MLB history that two Japanese-born starting pitchers are facing each other. The game starts a little after 8pm ET and can be seen on YES locally and MLB Network nationally. Enjoy.

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Pineda headed for second opinion following MRI
Sanchez leads the way in Charleston's ninth straight win
  • Tony

    Ibanez in left scares the hell out of me. I feel bad for Kuroda

    • Greg

      He’s been steady in left. He had the problem with the ball in Tampa when he played right

      • Jimmy McNulty

        Yeah no one expects that to continue…we all still miss Gardner. Especially my Roto team.

  • Robinson Tilapia

    After we knock Darvish out in the second, I want the crack research team here to develop a list of all the commenters who predicted certain doom after the Yanks didn’t sign Darvish so we can mock them.

    • The Irony Guy

      http://riveraveblues.com/2011/.....ish-61253/

      So you mean no one? And if he has a quality start can we just mock you for wanting to stone people for having a differing opinion? Or should we continue to stone the Yu fans?

      There within lies the true irony because I already know the answer is the latter.

      Here’s more irony: you talk about hating to dick weave but here you were about to call out fictitious people who have a fictitious different opinion.

      • Jimmy McNulty

        Yeah Robinson Tilapia gets mad at people who don’t like it when Mo blows a save and likes it when the Yankees make bad moves and lose, he always seems the angriest when the Yankees win…he always wants to say dumb things like “WHO’S DOOMED NOW!!!?!?!?!?!?!?” or act like he thought they could pull off a nine run comeback all along.

        • Don’tcha Know?

          Yeah. I, for one, am not a fan of Robinson Tilapia.

          • Plank

            I’m a fan of Tilapia the fish, and Robinson Cano, and Robinson Crusoe, and Jackie Robinson, and Jackie Tilapia.

            Anyway, what were we talking about?

          • Jimmy McNulty

            The Yankees screw things up…every team does, somethings they do worse than other things; but they do a lot of things better than most teams and they have a fat stack of cash so that they can make up for their mistakes.

            However, this isn’t to say that they should keep making those mistakes. Just because you’re the best doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for improvement, until they win 173 games there’s always room to get better. I’m sure Brian Cashman wants to get better at evaluating pitching and scouting relievers, and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t want them to either.

        • Havok9120

          He doesn’t care when people get mad at those things. He cares when people get mad and then flip out and then project that irrational anger down the rest of the line, all the while maintaining that they aren’t being irrationally angry.

          Then, of course, they’ll come and say that they were just being irrationally angry and we should have ignored it as such.

          • Jimmy McNulty

            See when someone would say “oh fuck this” now, he’d be wetting his pants acting like there’s nothing to worry about when a pitcher surrenders a lead off homer. While true, the Yankees can still win…giving up a lead off HR when there’s a good pitcher starting on the otherside sucks.

          • Robinson Tilapia

            Holy fuck. I missed all this?!?!

    • Jimmy McNulty

      It’s not so much that they thought the Yankees were doomed, just that there’s a chance that the Yankees might be able to get the best pitcher on the planet for 100Mish, he’s young, has other worldly stuff, and stats in Japan that no one’s put up before. Thus, signing Darvish seemed like a really really really really good idea. Much like the Browns and getting RG3, getting him sounded like an awesome proposition…but that didn’t happen and the fans were/are sad about missing out on someone awesome.

      As far as I go? Meh…price seems awfully steep, but with more players getting locked up, other teams being competitive in FA, the new budget coming up, and with the way Hughes/Joba turned out signing him seemed like an awesome idea and I was bummed when they didn’t sign him because it seems like the one advantage that the Yankees have over everyone is money…why not flex that financial muscle? The whole contract wouldn’t even count against the luxury tax to boot, seems like a better idea than signing AJ Burnett or Kei Igawa, but I digress.

      Anyways, why don’t we mock everyone who thought Hughes would be awesome, Joba could start, or that liked the Pineda deal?

      Can’t we point out when the Yankees mess things up without saying that they’re doomed?

    • Jimmy McNulty

      So he made it past the second, can we mock you now?

    • Jimmy McNulty

      Wow, don’t you look stupid now.

      • Robinson Tilapia

        Well, let’s see…..you kept on hitting “reply” to something I wrote before the game started, thinking I’d be reading, until I just got to see all of it….three hours later. Methinks you take this all a bit too seriously, Mr. McNulty.

        • Jimmy McNulty

          Yeah, and you would have been screaming bloody murder posting snark on top of more snark at everyone who wanted to sign Yu Darvish or thought he’d be a tough match up if the Yankees hit him, instead Yu rubbed his nuts all over our faces and dominated. Now that it’s been demonstrated that you were wrong and the haters had a point about the Montero trade and Darvish, you’re just saying “NO NOT AT ALL I WAS JUST KIDDING YOU GUYS ARE SERIOUS SALLIES!!!” whereas you wouldn’t hesitate to rip off a pessimist’s head.

  • Plank

    It could be always be worse, we could be Royals fans.

    http://www.ranyontheroyals.com.....e-out.html

    • Plank

      Here’s the highlight for me, but it’s all worth the read.

      Nearly six years after Dayton Moore was hired, in a year when the Royals were themselves so certain that they were going to take a step forward that they boldly unveiled the “OUR TIME” motto, the team has dumped a steaming pile of crap on the curb. Ten straight losses, and even worse, nine of them have come at home. The Royals have the worst record in baseball. Playoff dreams have been extinguished, and it’s still April.

      • Jimmy McNulty

        They should trade Eric Hosmer for Mark Teixeira to jumpstart the clubhouse!

    • Dummies Playing With Balls (formerly Rainbow Connection)

      Did they spend $200 million??

  • SevenAces

    I expect this place to be flooded with “Yu/You” puns tonight.

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

      It’s either that or “Jamie Moyer is old” jokes.

      • SevenAces

        Call me corny, but I laugh at all the bad “Yu/You” puns.

  • Greg

    Even if Pineda is out for awhile, I still support the trade because I understand the reasoning behind it

    • Dino Velvet

      I opposed the trade, so this makes it even worse.

    • Jimmy McNulty

      It’s justifiable but it’s hard to say that the trade hasn’t blown up in their face so far…yes there’s still time, duh…but it’s sucking so far. Our feelings for Jesus don’t help matters either.

  • JobaWockeeZ
    • Plank

      Somewhere in Oakland Cespedes is quietly weeping in a dark corner.

      • Jimmy McNulty

        I’m guessing he’s on a stair stepper.

        • Nedro

          Springboard

  • Sean

    Anyone rolling to Trenton tomorrow?

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Ok the dragon and the the tiger lets see woo blinks first.

  • Jimmy McNulty

    So what’s the verdict on Kim Jones’ replacement? Yay, nay?

    • Dino Velvet

      nay

    • Nedro

      meh

      • Havok9120

        THAT WAS NOT ONE OF THE CHOICES.

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Jeter going deep here.

    • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

      Wow one pitch does jeter have a date.

      • RetroRob

        There’s always a basket to be given out.

        I was surprised he swung at the first pitch since he’s never faced Darvish, but Jeter has crushed first pitches since 1996. Who am I to question.

      • Jimmy McNulty

        He’s gotta bang these chicks:

        http://thedctimes.com/wp-conte.....Xmas-1.jpg

  • Jimmy McNulty

    Jesus Singleton, I expect that from Kay…not you.

  • Havok9120

    Oh, I love the MLB Premium feed. I get to watch YES.

    • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

      Mlb channel has yes feed too

      • Sarah

        I live in Texas so I’m stuck with Fox Sports Southwest. ;-(

  • http://twitter.com/tjamato T.J.

    These Yu/You puns are going to be the death of me.

    • Plank

      They will be the death of Yu?

      I hate them too…especially that one.

  • Bartolo’s Colon

    i hate texas

  • Tony

    wow! that was a strike. nice stab at it by Napoli

  • RetroRob

    Michael Kay giving Darvish’s stats as if they are gospel after three starts is nonsense.

  • Greg

    Well he’s not nibbling

  • Karl Krawfid

    Is Cano hurt?

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Sure and we get kei igawa?

  • The Scheister of Doom

    DOOM!!! They didn’t score in the first inning!!!

  • Dino Velvet

    Fcuk Yu

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Get em dragon

  • Jimmy McNulty

    This Rangers line up is disgustingly deep. The worst hitter is probably Mitch Moreland.

    • Plank

      They are the only team in baseball that looks better to me than the Yankees.

      • Jimmy McNulty

        Yeah, the Yankees will need A-Rod to be A-Rod and Teixeira to hit like he did in 2009 to be better. The Rangers are a great great team, scary to think what they’ll be like once they fully cultivate the fan base.

        • Plank

          Their farm is stocked, too.

        • RetroRob

          They’ve been there since the early 1970s.

          • Jimmy McNulty

            Yeah they were either owned by idiots or jerks, this current ownership seems definitely “Texan” enough they’ve also hired extremely well qualified people to run the team and they’ve showed that they’re willing to invest in the team. If they had ownership like this in the 80s they’d probably be more popular than the Mavericks. Although they do face the issue of the brutal heat…if I owned hell and Texas I’d live in hell and rent Texas.

        • TomH

          If ol’ George were alive and in charge, he’d give the finger to penalties and go after Hamilton, to deal with the geriatric problem on the Yankees

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

      That is because Mitch Moreland is terrible.

      • Jimmy McNulty

        You’d think they’d find a way to get a better first basemen…like one that actually belongs starting on a Championship team.

        • Plank

          The Yankees had their best teams with Tino Martinez at 1B. The Rangers have their best players up the middle, just like those great Yankees teams.

          • Jimmy McNulty

            Tino had a 40 HR season didn’t he? Hell, Mitch Moreland might not be better at baseball than Tino is at announcing.

            • Plank

              He had 2 good years (one was his walk year with the Mariners), one pretty good year, and the rest were middling.

              • Jimmy McNulty

                What are you talking about? He was at least average for every year except that one bad one…still quite a bit better than Moreland.

                • Plank

                  He had 2 good years (one was his walk year with the Mariners), one pretty good year, and the rest were middling.

                  Middling = average

                  • Jimmy McNulty

                    Fair enough, I consider middling to be more mediocre than average, and I’d say Tino was a bit better than average. I’d use the word “competent” or “adequate” but, semantics.

  • RetroRob

    Kuroda, why Yu no good so far?

    Okay, I got my one out of my system.

  • Hall and Nokes

    How bad is Sterling on the Yu puns tonight?

  • cjc

    awesome start

  • Tom Zig

    Ugh Hiroki.

  • RetroRob

    Fuck this shit…break out the vodka.

    • Plank

      It’s the morning here and I just got to work, but what the heck, pour me some.

      • Pinstripes in Cali

        +1 for Tequila.

    • Havok9120

      I remember this line and I approve of its appropriation.

  • Tony

    not a great start

  • Clyde Barrow

    Kuroda is gonna get shelled. The offense will have to win this one.

  • mustang

    Here we go!!!!!

    This is going to hurt.

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Yup yup yup yup

  • Cy Pettitte

    great pitch. fyi BP is over Hiroki. this is an actual game. not sure if something got lost in translation.

  • Monterowasdinero

    So far it is looking like Cy Young vs Sayonara.

  • Greg

    Was there general support around here for the acquisition of Kuroda?

    • JobaWockeeZ

      He had two meltdowns and one of them is in Texas. I couldn’t’ care less at this point.

      • JobaWockeeZ

        Okay I didn’t check the score I was expecting worse.

        • Havok9120

          From reading the comments?

          • JobaWockeeZ

            You got it.

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Ok kuroda no more sushi balls

  • Nedro

    Hirok, getting the homer out of his system early.

  • RetroRob

    Three ground balls after the HR. Keep the latter up, and keep the pitches down.

  • https://twitter.com/#!/Paddock9652 Stratman9652

    Am I the only one who laughed my ass off at Kenny saying “this Bud is for you, Josh?”

  • Tom

    “They’ve score 10 runs in 26 innings… so that’s less than 3 runs per 9 innings”

    That there is some interesting math…..

  • Bartolo’s Colon

    is it too soon to predict a one hit complete game for kuroda?

    • RetroRob

      No. Just don’t put money down on it.

    • Havok9120

      Its never too early to predict.

      As long as you don’t care about being accurate.

  • The Scheister of Doom

    Doom!!!

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Yu getting 2 inches off the plate.

    • Greg

      No he’s not. He’s just throwing strikes.

      • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

        Told ya

        • Greg

          One pitch was bad, but remember he was robbed of a strike in the first inning

    • Tom

      More than 2″ – if the homeplate ump keeps giving him that pitch 3-6″ off the plate to lefies it’s going to be a long night.

      http://www.brooksbaseball.net/.....8;s_type=7

      • Havok9120

        Yeah. You can’t beat a guy that pitches on the margins when he’s going to get the vast majority of the calls on the margins.

        Hopefully he won’t.

  • Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan

    I liked that little anecdote about Darvish refusing the perks.

  • Mariano’s Pimp Hand

    10 Ks in 5 innings for Johan Santana. Wow.

  • Bartolo’s Colon

    ibanez’s swing is ugly, especially when he misses

    • Monterowasdinero

      His swing reminds me of Tino’s on his bad days.

  • Don’tcha Know?

    Is it me or do marginal players go to Boston and become significantly better? (I’m thinking of Ryan Sweeney in particular, at the moment)

    • Dino Velvet

      They get better pitches to hit because they’re surrounded by very good to great hitters.

      • Don’tcha Know?

        Yeah. I suppose that’s certainly one way to look at it.

    • Havok9120

      Its the same way, according to their fans, that Old Dudes come here and magically stop being injury riddled and ineffective.

  • will

    Typical yankees vs a new pitcher

  • bill

    we’ll see the second time through the order

  • Pinstripes in Cali

    Darvish had a few really nasty breaking balls that inning. The split to Swish especially.

  • Will

    Argh. Darvish looks legit. Would’ve rather just ponied up just the cash for him instead of losing Montero and Noesi for a guy with a glass shoulder and a guy who we’ll probably just end up messing up who is at least 4 years away. Sigh. For every great move Cash makes, like signing CC, he makes three boneheaded moves.

    • Greg

      WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

    • Jimmy McNulty

      I wouldn’t go so far as you did, but pretty much yeah…I would have rather they spent the money on Darvish (only 60M counts against the lux tax) and kept Montero.

      • Greg

        Bet the Igawa signing scared them away a bit

        • Jimmy McNulty

          Which is dumb.

        • TomH

          I’m sure you’re right about that, but Igawa never stood up there on the mound with the style and aura of confidence that this guy, Darvish, has. They violated Gen. Patton’s old warning and “took counsel of their fear.”

    • cjc

      geez premature much

      • Jimmy McNulty

        Not if you hated the move at the time…Pineda’s lack of success hasn’t really made me hate the series of moves anymore. I still like the Kuroda signing, after all.

      • Will

        I hated the trade at the time simply because Montero is a better hitter than Pineda is a pitcher. I have a feeling the Jack Z and the folks at Seattle knew that Pineda was the perfect sell high type of player. Because if they didn’t believe he was pitching better then he really was/bound to regress they wouldn’t have traded him.

    • Foghorn Leghorn

      Fuk Yu

    • Nedro

      “Would’ve rather just ponied up just the cash for him”

      So why didn’t yu? I’m sure they would’ve appreciated a $10M contribution or two…

    • Havok9120

      This is the classic “not my money” Yankee fan post. There are very serious reasons to not spend that much money on that pitcher. Great reasons in fact.

      Your “glass shoulder” jab is just silly.

      Noesi….eh. He was a somewhat more polished version of the three guys we already have. I won’t sweat that move at all.

      • Jimmy McNulty

        Well given that they’re trying to come in under budget, and having a cheap excellent young hitter in the line up along with a pitcher only counting for 60M against the lux tax is a pretty legit strategy too. The money is their biggest advantage right? Seems like an appropriate usage of it. As far as the Pineda joke? Well consider this: Montero’s first HR was everyone’s favorite moment in 2011…they traded him away for a pitcher that won’t see a start until June. Jokes are understandable. Besides if he just completely flames out will anyone be shocked?

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

    Why is Napoli hitting eighth? That just doesn’t make sense.

    • Manny’s BanWagon

      Trying to lull Kuroda into a false sense of security?

    • Jimmy McNulty

      Doesn’t Gardner hit 9th?

      • Havok9120

        We’re expecting different things out of Gardner; he’s supposed to start a rally. Napoli is supposed to cash it in with power.

      • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

        Yeah but sheesh, they aren’t close to the same kind of hitter.

        • Jimmy McNulty

          I know that, I’m just saying that I think every team has some questionable line up choices. Granderson hits 5th occasionally. As bad as Napoli 8th? Probably a good chat question.

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Does anyone in here believe none of the rangers are on roids and hgh. Look at napoli head.

  • Manny’s BanWagon

    The way Darvish looks, Kuroda needs to string together a few 0’s on the scoreboard.

    • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

      Yankees will hit yu third time through like they do all new pitchers.

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

    Ervin Santana has given up four homers tonight and ten on the year. That’s nuts.

    • Cy Pettitte

      they need to figure out a way to get Pujols an AB against him.

  • Foghorn Leghorn

    beckett doing a bang up job to save that bullpen…30 pitch first inning

    • TomH

      In the East, it may be time to worry more about Toronto than about Boston.

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    How is everybody tonight? anyone jump off a bridge yet?

    • Havok9120

      Hmmm.

      Interesting handle you have working there.

      • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

        Haha. I think I’m going to stick with it for a while…see what kind of reaction I get.

  • Clyde Barrow

    Chavez needs to be playing more, especially at 3B. Nunez should not be playing 3rd, only SS and sometimes 2B.

    • Havok9120

      Joe G says he’ll be the regular rest guy for ARod when a righty is on the mound.

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Is girardi resting nunez today?

  • Rookie

    Was Chavez’s hit the first solidly hit pitch from Darvish or did I miss one?

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

      Tex hit one well right at Hamilton.

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

    That was some take by Martin for ball four.

    • bill

      agreed. that looked hard to lay off

    • http://www.yankeeanalysts.com Mike E

      Especially since that pitch had 7 inches of break away and only missed by about an inch.

  • Jimmy McNulty

    Alright two runners on and the top of the line up coming up…lets get it done guys.

  • Clyde Barrow

    Now the red hot Jete will bunt per Girardi’s orders.

    • Greg

      And get on base

    • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

      Good call

    • Nedro

      perfect bunt.

    • Rookie

      All hail Girardi!

      I guess Girardi knew Darvish doesn’t field bunts.

      Maybe we can bunt him to death — with an assist from him with his walks.

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

    I guess they don’t play defense in Japan.

    • Dummies Playing With Balls (formerly Rainbow Connection)

      He’s just trying to be like CC.

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Lol welcome to america

  • Greg

    Darvish didn’t get off the mound

  • Jimmy McNulty

    Okay this is proof…good decisions can have bad results and bad decisions can have good results. Fucking awesome Jeter.

    • CP

      Bunting for a hit isn’t necessarily a bad decision.

  • Monterowasdinero

    DJ4K. The march continues…..

  • mustang

    He is good that even when he makes the wrong move its right.

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    Good result, terrible process. Jeet’s gotta realize when he’s hot he has to swing away.

  • thaaaaaaayankeeswin

    This Jeter kid is gonna be pretty good

  • Tom

    Good grief this ump is terrible….

  • Clyde Barrow

    LOL! What was Darvish doing? Get the ball! The captain does it all, I’ll tell ya. We’ve got Yu right where we want him.

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Work him curtis.

  • https://twitter.com/#!/Paddock9652 Stratman9652

    Wait there’s no outs? lolololol

    • https://twitter.com/#!/Paddock9652 Stratman9652

      And then that happens…

  • Manny’s BanWagon

    The Grandy man can……strike out like a dog.

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    This plate is just gigantic tonight.

  • Nedro

    Fuck that was no strike.

  • thaaaaaaayankeeswin

    horrible call!!!!!!!!!!

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Two inches off the plate!

  • Don’tcha Know?

    GameDay had pitch #7 a good distance out of the strike zone.

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    Well…that sucked…

  • aRX

    Even the strike zones are bigger in Texas. Doesn’t matter if he nibbles when they give him that outside “corner”

  • cjc

    totally disgusting

  • Jimmy McNulty

    Well that just fucking sucks.

  • mustang

    Ok that was fun

  • Bartolo’s Colon

    wow, what a waste

  • Karl Krawfid

    Jesus man.

    Gift struck and then that shit by Alex.

  • Greg

    Now we’re doomed. That was our chance.

    • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
      • Havok9120

        Do you just have that thing waiting? Thats its 2nd or 3rd appearance. lol

        • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

          Haha, it was my favorite TV show when I was younger, and whenever any body says doomed, I think of Grr.

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

      It’s a one-run game.

      • Greg

        I dont have the patience of a saint.

  • Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan

    Awful awful awful awful awful. Daniel Nava would have gotten a hit there.

  • thaaaaaaayankeeswin

    the ump just kept Darvish in the game

    • Sdjohn

      Bases loaded nobody down, you can blame blue if ya want, but I think grander son and arod Harold have been able to hit a fly ball at the very least.

      • Havok9120

        Agreed. The Ump didn’t help, but its hardly his fault no one could get the ball out of the infield.

  • Don’tcha Know?

    Who did NOT see that coming after Granderson’s strikeout?

  • aRX

    *sigh*

  • Clyde Barrow

    Offense ain’t gonna do nothing

  • JobaWockeeZ

    GIDP?

  • Manny’s BanWagon

    Based loaded for the 3-4-5 hitters with no outs and not one run scored. That’s how you lose games.

    • Will

      Get used to it. For being a team of mostly veterans, that’s pretty embarrassing especially when it’s against a rookie pitcher.

  • Rookie

    What in the world were we doing?!

    If we’d had the next nine Yankees bunt, we’d be up eight runs right now — plus whatever walks he gave us.

    Damn Girardi!

  • Buhner’s barber

    I guess after all that money they paid him, A-Rod owes the Rangers something to make it right.

  • Greg

    Its like the damn Twins last night.

  • thaaaaaaayankeeswin

    Tex!

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    What the hell is a ham fighter.

    • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

      one who fights hams. It’s pretty self explanatory.

      • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

        How hard is it to beat a piece of ham?

        • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

          Very difficult in Japan.

          • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

            Sushi ball right over middle

        • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

          Haven’t you ever seen Colbert interview Ham Rove? He’s a tough mother fucker.

        • Rookie

          Depends on the Ham. It takes a tough man to beat a tender ham.

    • Nedro

      Oh, come on, someone link to the logo! I can’t for the life of me remember where it was

    • Jimmy McNulty

      Nippon Ham is a company like Omaha Steaks…it took me a while to figure that one out.

  • Nedro

    Tex with the stab! nice save.

  • Will

    Is it me or is Andrus looking to walk like 90% of the time?

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    No dammed sushi balls here

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

    Josh Hamilton’s bloodlust is now directed at Mark Teixeira.

  • Cy Pettitte

    Hamilton did that on purpose to distract Martin.

  • Sdjohn

    Awesome coverage of the bat throw YES, no need to see the throw at second.

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

    Ugh, that walk to Andruw was terrible.

  • RetroRob

    My grandmother (dead) has more extra-base power than Elvis Andrus. Just throw the ball down the middle to him.

    Now it cost him. At least it stayed in the park.

  • Greg

    Two run game, Mike

  • Jimmy McNulty

    I hope Teixeira jokes and tells Hamilton not to get to close to him.

  • Karl Krawfid

    No reason for Hiroki to walk Andrus with Hamilton.

    Was better off throwing it down the middle.

  • Clyde Barrow

    And that’s why you don’t go 0-2 to Andrus to walking him on 4 pitches. That could be the ballgame with the way Yu is pitching.

    • RetroRob

      Step this way to the ledge, Mr. Barrow.

  • Buhner’s barber

    Nothing drives me crazier than our team failing to score with the bases loaded and no-one out, and having the other team put a runner in scoring position and immediatly cash in.

  • Will

    If Hamilton reaches free agency please sign him! Dude knows how to hit with RISP. Something that has become a lost art with these Yankees lately.

    • Bunt Gardner

      Then who hits for Hamilton while he sits on the DL?

  • mustang

    Sorry Monterowasdinero

    • Monterowasdinero

      I’m not worried. 22 year old cleanup hitter in April. His catching has been fine. Thanks 4 the updates. Like your style Mustang.

      • mustang

        All in good fun my friend all in good fun.

        I admire your devotion.

  • bill

    Lotta balls in the dirt.

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Kuroda about o shit the dojo here.

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    We want stewie we want stewie

  • Greg

    Bad throw by Martin

  • Sdjohn

    Kuroda with 2 outs and RISP, not gonna end well.

  • Jeff Brewer

    How is that not interference. Now why doesn’t every team set the play up to throw a bat to distract a stolen base attempt?

  • Greg

    I actually think Kuroda is pitching much better than he did last time

    • Dummies Playing With Balls (formerly Rainbow Connection)

      Not hard to do.

    • Sdjohn

      One hitter to late Robbie. Nice shot though.

  • Tony

    classic Cano swing

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    Robbie, turning it around a little?

  • Clyde Barrow

    Why couldn’t we get that with the bases loaded? Now watch Robbie not score.

    • .zip file

      Good call.

  • JobaWockeeZ

    Lol Garcia is getting another start…

    http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....um=twitter

  • Rookie

    Solidly struck ball #2 by Cano. Hopefully, they’re figuring him out.

  • Sdjohn

    If they leave him stranded after last inning, I see remote control stock sky rocketing.

  • Jeff Karstens, Male Model

    Love the RISP strikeouts.

  • cjc

    this strikezone is a joke

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a large strikezone.

    • Widget

      Eric Gregg’s Livan Hernandez strikezone in 97 is the measuring stick in which all crappy strikezones are measured.

      • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

        I was 8 at the time…and there’s been a lot of substances that mess with long term memory between then and now…

  • Sdjohn

    Uh, anyone else seeing a pattern of first pitch fastball?

    • Sdjohn

      Fucks sake.

      • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

        Swish’s 3 straight curveballs say hi.

  • cjc

    fucking frustrating

  • Greg

    Do I have to start whining about how the Red Sox are going to go on a winning streak and they will be blown by the media again?

    • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

      You don’t have to. But I’m almost sure you’re going to.

      • Greg

        Why did you change your name, by the way?

        • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

          I was getting bored of Chen Meng Wang, after a couple days I’m going to drop the formerly, and just go as Plouffenator for a while.

    • Widget

      They play the White Sox for 4 games, they have been garbage against the white sox the past few years. I see that continuing.

      • Greg

        That is true

  • flamingo

    Just got here… bases were loaded no outs and no runs scored? UGH.

  • willx

    First pitch fastball and curves/offspeed afterward… i dunno how the hitters don’t see it, it’s been happening for 4 innings

    • Greg

      It goes against the nature of the Yankees to be free swinging

  • Will

    #shouldvesigneddarvish #shouldvekeptmontero #rippineda

    • Greg

      #FYU

    • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

      #dudethisainttwitter

      sorry that better?

    • Nedro

      /douche’d

    • MannyGeee

      @obvioustroll is obvious… this is fun

  • AJ

    Does it bother anyone else when there is some jerk behind homeplate screaming something before every pitch/ delivery to mess with the pitcher or the batter?

    • cjc

      +1000 thats why i hate when we play the chi sox it seems like everytime theres a guy screaming into a field mike

    • Jeff Karstens, Male Model

      Nolan Ryan is old, old people can do what they want.

      • MannyGeee

        stay off my lawn

    • AJ

      Do they throw those people out of the stadiums? Or only when they are screaming at the home team?

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Kuroda not a 2 girardi needs to swap him and nova drop hughes to 4

    • Greg

      Number in the rotation is overrated

    • Needed Pitching

      rotation order makes absolutely no difference this time of year

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    Kuroda is really pitching pretty decently…against a really good offensive team. I just wish we could get him some runs.

    • MannyGeee

      I tend to agree, however lore of his efficiency seems to be grossly overrated based on tonight’s admittedly small sample size. 70 pitches through 5.

    • Nedro

      this

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

    The Marlins just used four different pitchers to face four different batters and they all walked the guy. Run scores.

    • Foghorn Leghorn

      That pisses off Nolan Ryan.

    • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

      Even Girardi thinks that’s excessive.

    • MannyGeee

      wow. binder-fail

  • Will

    I’m going to say it again whether you guys like it or not. Darvish is the real deal. Yanks were better off signing him and hanging on to Hayzoos.

    • Greg

      ITS DONE! GET OVER IT!

    • Nedro

      Isn’t there a bridge you can go hide under?

      • Nedro

        Or jump off? Get it over with.

    • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

      If we had signed him after his first two starts, hell even after his last one with 5BBs you’d be screaming for Cashman’s head.

      • Havok9120

        Maybe not him, but an equal number of people would be.

        • JobaWockeeZ

          I’m sure they’ll make do with number 2 or 3 like production while keeping Jesus.

  • Greg

    This game goes under the “pitcher we’ve never seen before category”

  • JohnnyC

    Darvish ain’t no Bryan Bullington. That guy could pitch.

  • Jeff Karstens, Male Model

    All that junk plus 97 mph heat. Yu looks good.

  • MannyGeee

    Johan’s bionic arm has 11k’s on 6IP tonight… who knew!?!?!?

    • JohnnyC

      Who cares?

      • TomH

        “Who cares?” HE cares. It’s a perfectly appropriate kind of remark on a board like this. Incivility, the North American curse.

      • MannyGeee

        those of us who feared watching the Yankees face Johan 8 years ago to watch his career crumble before our eyes care.

        he was a BEAST in the early part of the 2000s. like Pedro good. and considering how long he’s been gone and the doubts about him coming back in form, it is insane to see him throwing the ball this well again.

        dont care if hes pitching across town or in Japan, its amazing hes doing his thing now.

  • aRX

    Please cash this run in? Please?

  • MannyGeee

    wow, Jeter looking like he got stem plasma knees this off-season instead of Alex…

    • Betty Lizard

      Can’t decide whether stem plasma knees should be my handle or my band.

  • flamingo

    Jeter’s insane.

    (But maybe this means, third time through the order, we start to get lucky?)

    • JohnnyC

      Might have been worth it to sit fastball, spit on the slow stuff. Get his pitch count up. Get some more BBs. But, no, that would be crazy logical. Rather just swing wildly at splitters and curves at their ankles.

      • flamingo

        I agree with you. But I also think it needs to balanced with the fact that these guys want to get hits, and they want to win. Darvish must be more deceptive than he seems.

        • JohnnyC

          He definitely mixes his pitches well, changes speeds and eye level. But, he doesn’t have 1 dominant pitch. Sorry, 93-94 FB is not dominant.

      • Needed Pitching

        if anything, they need to be more aggressive early in the count, they aren’t hitting the off speed stuff later in the count

  • aRX

    ……

  • Jeff Karstens, Male Model

    Can’t get enough of this RISPfail tonight, get me some more beer!

  • Greg

    0-6 RISP Where can I find their total on the year?

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

      They’re like, the third best hitting team with RISP this year.

      • MannyGeee

        but… the narrative!!!!

    • Needed Pitching
    • Havok9120

      We’re hitting .289 with a .380 OBP with RISP. 46 for 159.

      We remain the best statistical offense in baseball.

  • Karl Krawfid

    A-Rod needs to learn how to “Stay back”

  • thaaaaaaayankeeswin

    Yanks have had their chances

    • TomH

      And Darvish has taken them away. So far, he’s damned impressive.

      • thaaaaaaayankeeswin

        he has made some good pitches no doubt…had a little help too. But def. gets nastier with risp

  • Manny’s BanWagon

    Grandy has left a small village on base so far today.

    • thaaaaaaayankeeswin

      doesnt help that the strike zone has screwed him

  • Dino Velvet

    Yu complete me

  • Will

    Today is a day where the lineup could’ve used some reshifting.

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    why do you guys think that Pineda’s agent wanted a second opinion before the MRI took place.

    • Tom

      Reading an MRI is not an exact science. The more opinions the better.

      Random speculation – maybe after the first MRI which found nothing and he still felt soreness/pain/whatever, he wanted to make sure the Yankees staff wasn’t missing anything?

    • Will

      It’s pretty obvious he’s going to need some kind of major surgery and miss part of if not the whole season. They’re just preparing themselves for the hell the media and fans will raise.

      • Greg

        He’s starting to mix the patterns. That’s not good

    • TomH

      He suspected bad news about the shoulder, pissed off Yankee GMs and Ownership? He suspected good news, and wanted it reinforced by two opinions.

    • Dino Velvet

      cuz he has stock in MRI machines

      • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

        Pineda = the next Humberto Sanchez

        • Plank

          In what way are they similar?

    • JohnnyC

      Could mean that Pineda knew he was more seriously hurt than the Yankees were led to believe by him. And they don’t want to be rushed into a surgery that they want to avoid. Rehab it as opposed to going under the knife.

    • MannyGeee

      maybe he’s switching insurance carriers and has to use up his annual allowance of MRIs in before he gets his new Cigna card…

  • Rookie

    Solidly struck ball #3 by Jete.

    Hopefully, we’ll put a few together in one inning — although I won’t get to watch it live since I have to get back to work. Go Yankees!

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    Mike, can we link non-baseball related blogs to our names?

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

      Sure, as long as it’s nothing inappropriate or anything.

      • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

        cool, it’s my Tumblr. I mean it’s generally grown up humor but nothing NSFW for the most part.

        • Plank

          You lost me at “nothing NSFW”

  • Hummingbird S.

    He’s worrying too much about the guy on first. Thats when pitchers make mistakes..

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    Fuck yeah Robbie.

  • thaaaaaaayankeeswin

    Cano…..wow

  • Jeff Karstens, Male Model

    Time for some solo home runs boys! Runners on base is teh enemy!

  • aRX

    Hell yeah. Runs please.

  • MannyGeee

    we dont say it enough… goddamit does Cano make it look easy at 2nd base. Pedroia is good, and gritty and all that shit, but Cano is just so effortlessly good.

  • Clyde Barrow

    Thank God he didn’t lose Andrus again. Still have a chance if someone can string a couple hits together against Yu. We can knock him out this inning.

  • Karl Krawfid

    Just keep taking pitches down the middle A-Rod.

    • Hummingbird S.

      guess hitter.. looks bad when he’s guessing wrong

    • Will

      Same goes for Tex and just about everyone else.

    • Greg

      Darvish is throwing first pitch strikes which goes against the philosophy of the Yankees which is stretching the count. A lot like Cliff Lee or Roy Halladay

      • Karl Krawfid

        Sometimes when the plan isn’t working you need to change it up.

        • JohnnyC

          Not the Yankees’ style. They’re mistake hitters (like most hitters). They’re also guess hitters (which is why they don’t do well against guys they’ve never faced). And, even with all the advance scouting, I don’t think they make much use of scouting reports.

      • Havok9120

        Its also completely against his scouting report from both here and Japan.

  • Jeff Karstens, Male Model

    Tex isn’t going to drop a bunt down, they need to stop beating on that horse.

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    Swish…it’s Garbage Time. Please do something lol

  • Karl Krawfid

    Take fastball down the middle.

    Swing at pitch on your hands.

    • Greg

      The Yankees dont swing on the first pitch. He’s not nibbling like Dice-k

      • Needed Pitching

        “The Yankees dont swing on the first pitch.”

        False

        • Greg

          Their philosophy is not to swing at the first pitch

          • Havok9120

            Also false. We’ve heard Girardi and KLong both say, many times, that the first pitch is often the best one you’ll see.

          • Needed Pitching

            not, it absolutely is not
            Gardner maybe, the whole team philosophy- not a chance

            The idea is to try to get a good pitch to hit, if that comes on the first pitch, so be it

  • Clyde Barrow

    This is pathetic. They just continue to watch fastball right down the middle on pitch 1 and then they get behind 0-2. Every batter.

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    Wow…he’s officially making us look silly.

    • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

      Plouffinator for yeast infections and bad smell.

  • Hummingbird S.

    wow.. 2-0 pitch and swisher takes a weak hack on a pitch way outside. Yankees are really helping Darvish look good

  • Caleb

    Me want Darvish.

  • MannyGeee

    wow

    Hamilton’s bat should start dating Nunez’ helmet… shit would be flying and falling off everywhere!!!!

  • Clyde Barrow

    Josh Hamilton is going to seriously injure someone tossing bats willy nilly like that.

  • Plank

    Whenever I see that Scotts lawn care ad, I always think of Mike Myers in “So I Married an Axe Murderer” and “Austin Powers 2″

    • MannyGeee

      HEEEEEEEED. BEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRR NEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOWW!!!!!

      Good god man, look at that boys heed, its like Sputnik!!!

      • Plank
        • MannyGeee

          e’ll be crying himself to sleep tonight on his euge pillah…

          wow, Mike Myers was funny before Kanye West told him that George W Bush hates black people… related? maybe

          • Plank

            I think I was the only person who found his Yogi movie funny. I forget what it was called. The Guru? Fast forward the first few minutes past the horrible music sequence then it becomes a good.

  • RetroRob

    So the better the hitting team, the better Kuroda pitches?

  • Clyde Barrow

    Hiroki has been very good since that leadoff HR. Just that one stupid walk to Andrus cost him the 2nd run. Ain’t gonna win many ballgames scoring 0 runs. Can’t get the bases loaded no outs and not score, can’t get a lead off double and not score.

  • Manny

    Beautifully pitched game by both sides.

  • Cy Pettitte

    we must break Yu

    • RetroRob

      Yu a funny man.

  • Jeff Karstens, Male Model

    This actually could be a palatable loss for me (which is rare). Not calling it a loss yet, but Kuroda looked much more like the pitcher we saw at the home opener, and that’s a very good thing.

    • MannyGeee

      you know, I was just thinking this. if you are gonna lose, 2-0 against an offensive powerhouse against a real good pitcher aint a bad place to be. and well pitched on both ends to boot

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Is the umpire from japan or what.

  • pistol pete

    How about Pineda’s agent wanting a second opinion from the Mets doctors, hilarious. The Mets have been famous for mismanaging and misdiagnosing injuries for years. It’s like asking for NBA advise from James Dolan, unbelievable.

  • Havok9120

    One day, the Mariners are gonna have a big game offensively, I’ll click on the box score, and Montero will have gone 5-5 with 2 homers or something equally ridiculous.

    Tonight was not that night. =(

    • Jeff Karstens, Male Model

      Can’t hate on 2-5 with an rbi. Do that everyday and there’s an MVP award with your name on it :)

      • Havok9120

        Oh, I’m not hating on it at all. I’ll take 2-5 every day and twice on Sundays.

        I just want him to get the attention (not here! we know he’s good, STOP THE MADNESS) he deserves, and a big game would help.

        Unfortunately, it’ll be against Andy Pettitte when he pitches against them on May 12th. Sigh.

    • MannyGeee

      if i were Seattle, i would be happy with 5 hits and 2 HRs across the entire lineup.

  • Rookie

    Playing hooky from work for a few seconds…

    What Darvish is doing to the Yankees is exactly what I saw him do to the Tigers. So many pitches, so much movement, that it seems to be very hard to square the ball and hit it hard. No reason for him to nibble with stuff like that…

    But hopefully, once they see him more, they’ll figure him out better.

    • JobaWockeeZ

      Let’s hope they don’t see him more.

    • pat

      He had 5 BB that game. Wish we could be so lucky.

      • Rookie

        At least we got seven hits. Detroit only managed TWO hits.

  • JohnnyC

    If the Cap’n hits one out…

  • Clyde Barrow

    What do you know, swing at the first pitch and get a hit! Hit one out, Jete.

  • Zooboy

    Schooled.

    (Texas Yu.)

    • pat

      That’s cute.

  • Jeff Karstens, Male Model

    Domination by Yu. Not exactly what I wanted to see going for the 2-time defending AL champs.

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Umpire tonight gave yu a huge strike zone and f-ed us.

  • thaaaaaaayankeeswin

    remind me again why the Yankees didnt go after him?

    • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

      Kei igawa

      • MannyGeee

        dice-k. nuff said

    • Karl Krawfid

      Kinda stupid to go after every pitcher that pitches well against you right?

    • Clyde Barrow

      Because Kei Igawa, a completely different pitcher, failed. That’s the only reason why. They were scared and it cost us just as it cost us in the 2010 ALCS when Cashman failed to get Lee.

      • Needed Pitching

        that’s not at all the only reason why

      • Greg

        What dies Cliff Lee have to do with this? WE had a deal with the M’s and they shafted us.

    • pat

      You could probably just as easily find it on the internet somewhere.

    • Needed Pitching

      $$$$$

      • thaaaaaaayankeeswin

        so all Japanese pitchers are the same? Its like saying we wont go after pitchers with Tattoos because AJ Burnett was a dbag

        • Needed Pitching

          ?

    • Cy Pettitte

      Yu can’t always get what Yu want.

      • Jeff Karstens, Male Model

        +1 Best one yet.

    • Plank

      The Mid Market Yankees couldn’t afford him.

    • JobaWockeeZ

      Lack of scouting and an uneasiness of Asian pitchers is my guess.

      • JobaWockeeZ

        of unproven* Asian pitchers rather.

  • Greg

    Only hope for a good night is that the Devils win in OT. Of course they are going to lose their series anyway and I will be screwed again.

    • Jimmy

      Well, that worked out well.

  • Manny’s BanWagon

    Any Dice K comparison to Darvish were bullshit.

    This guys stuff is just filthy and his command is pretty damn good. It’s only one game but Yu sure looks like an ace.

    • Jeff Karstens, Male Model

      The Gyroball disagrees. I remember an ESPN breakdown of the Gyroball. Someday, we might even see it…

    • Rookie

      That’s my take, too, Manny’s. And their numbers in Japan said the same thing.

      As I recall, Matsuzaka never had a single year with an ERA below 2.13. After his age 20 season, Darvish never had an ERA above 1.88. And physically, there’s no comparison either.

      But even if he manages a 2-something ERA, you have to figure that the Yankees will manage to do that or better. Hopefully, he won’t own us the way Cliff Lee seems to own us.

  • P.A. Dice

    Pineda’s Jell-O Shoulder for Darvish straight up. Who hangs up first?

  • Karl Krawfid

    The game isn’t over it’s just 2 runs.

    Joe Nathan is going to try and close right?

    Right?

    • Greg

      We own him in the postseason, not the regular season

    • flamingo

      If only!

    • Zooboy

      Yu-betcha!

  • mike_h

    damn shame, nice job by Kuroda

  • Cy Pettitte

    Kuroda is having flash backs to his Dodger days

  • thaaaaaaayankeeswin

    Kuroda pitched well, offense wasnt there. He held this line up to 2 runs

  • flamingo

    Kuroda did really well.

  • Tom

    I was going to say bad move by Girardi to bring in a LOOGY….

    …then I realized Ron Washington is in the other dugout and will actually leave his lefty when he has a bunch of righty hitters on the bench.

  • Electric Nunez aka the shocker

    Nunez effect from the bench

  • Jeff Karstens, Male Model

    Ooooooooooooh Chavez.

  • thaaaaaaayankeeswin

    thats gonna come back to haunt us

    • Greg

      Wrong

    • flamingo

      Nah.

  • Jeff Karstens, Male Model

    Nice shot of Nolan Ryan on the cell. Even money he was calling the dugout phone telling them to let Yu go for the CG SO, pitch count be damned!

  • Plank

    I have the feeling the Yankees are going to win this one in extra innings.

    • Bartolo’s Colon

      only if the rangers go to the pen

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    Yu is just getting better as the game goes on…

    • JohnnyC

      Or the Yankees are getting worse.

  • Karl Krawfid

    This is just a shitty approach.

    It’s not working.

    Swing at the first pitch down the god damn middle.

    • Greg

      It was a curveball though. Wasnt a fastball down the middle

    • Rookie

      Karl, I think the problem is that he’s throwing so many different pitches, all with lots of movement, so that even pitches “down the middle” are hard to square up.

      • Rookie

        I suspect that’s how he managed a 1.4-something ERA in Japan with an otherworldly WHIP.

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    Jeez even when we hit the first pitch fastball, right at people. It might just not be our night.

  • Manny’s BanWagon

    Curtis should have just stayed in bed today.

  • jon

    totally glad we traded jesus for pineda rather than just paying straight cash for darvish

    • Greg

      Screw you.

      • JobaWockeeZ

        Rich and compelling stuff.

        • Greg

          Dont lay this at my door man. I’m an emotional person. I have to deal with this crap on the Jets forum all day. I dont stand for it here.

          • JobaWockeeZ

            Not that I want to add to your misery, but the Jets are like a symbol of this stuff.

      • Hummingbird S.

        Well he does have a point

    • Robinson Tilapia

      That sound you heard was every single commenter on here punching Jon in the face.

      • Captain Gift Basket

        Don’t be afraid to call out the Yanks and their mistakes.

        • Robinson Tilapia

          OK. No longer afraid. Now where were we?

    • Captain Gift Basket

      I agree with this sarcasm. Yanks spent 3 yrs scouting this guy then post an embarrassing bid amount. I bet the scouts expense accounts were higher then their posting.

      • Rookie

        I wish what you were saying was less true, Captain. I really do.

        I was shocked the Yankees weren’t more aggressive.

        Of course, if he has a shoulder injury tomorrow, we’ll probably be talking about how smart the Yankees were NOT to bid for him. But they certainly don’t look smart based on the (small sample size warning) results to date.

        And I’m afraid they could look even less smart depending on how CC pitches as a 35, 36, and 37-year old given that we’re paying him 20%+ more per year than Texas is paying Darvish for his age 26 to age 31 seasons — with CC having a history of knee injuries and Darvish being (to the best of my knowledge) injury free (although pitching in the Majors may quickly change that).

  • Robinson Tilapia

    Pineda medical drama and the Yanks being made fools of by Yu Darvish. Welcome to 2011-2 Offseason Troll Heaven.

    • pat

      Hahaha, I’m more dreading injury news because this place is going to be utterly unvisitable than the long term implications it means for the franchise.

      Well, not really but you know what I mean.

      • Manny’s BanWagon

        With good reason.

        If Montero becomes a star and Pineda needs shoulder surgery, that’s gonna suck epically

        • Robinson Tilapia

          …then I’ll have a sandwich, or something, since life is short, and I’ll watch how the rest plays out.

          But, yes, it would be an ass-numbingly bad trade, wouldn’t it?

      • Robinson Tilapia

        Like I said, that’s when the celebrity gossip blogs come in handy. Did you see what Lindsay did at a party last week?

    • Captain Gift Basket

      We prefer calling it “reality slaps” instead of trolling. Stop being sheep.

      • BigDavey88

        Yeahhhh mannnn… you guys are all sheeple.

        Please, like the Pineda trade can be seriously evaluated one month in to the season. Sure, Pineda is hurt at the moment and Yu just pitched a gem. Does this mean that’s the way it’s going to be?

        So many of you people argue in absolutes which just doesn’t work that way. FUN FACT: I won 25 bucks on a scratch of the other day. Following your logic, I’m going to win 25 bucks every time I buy a scratch off because things never change.

        Here’s a “reality slap”: Life, or baseball, doesn’t work that way.

        Have fun on your ledges, boys.

      • Robinson Tilapia

        You missed the last thread where I argued against Pineda, apparently.

    • Hall and Nokes

      don’t forget Montero 2 hits tonight

  • Plank

    Nice catch, Chavez.

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    Can we please have Nathan in the 9th?

    • Manny’s BanWagon

      Darvish is still throwing 96. He’s going for the CGSO.

  • MannyGeee

    And Napoli goes out and talks to Yu Darvish…

    what do you think that conversation sounds like? Is Yus english any good?

    • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

      Napoli: “Fastball”
      Yu: “Curve”
      Napolit: “No fastball”
      Yu: “Ok.”

      • MannyGeee

        “you doing OK?”
        “ummm, yes”
        “What do you think, curve here?”
        “ummm, yes”
        “Dude, you have any idea what I’m saying?”
        long pause
        “ummm….. yes”

  • Greg

    Just as the Jets fanbase. Unbelievable.

  • Clyde Barrow

    You’ve got to give Nolan credit. He out maneuvered Cashman in 2010 for Lee and he did it again in 2012 for Yu. Cash has lost both times. And instead of trading Montero for Lee we ended up trading him for a pitcher who likely won’t throw a pitch for us this year. And the Rangers have a great Japanese pitcher who can throw 6 different pitches. Too bad for us.

    • Greg

      WE HAD A TRADE FOR LEE, YOU DUMBASS! GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT!

      • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

        Seriously…some people here just remember what they want, and choose not to remember that Seattle had said yes to a trade involving Jesus for Lee but then at the last second when for Smoak from Texas instead. There was literally nothing Cash or anybody else could’ve done about it.

        • Plank

          They wanted to swap out Nunez instead of Adams. Cashman said no, and complained when Jack Z took what he saw as the better off from the Rangers from what I recall.

          • Plank

            It remains to be seen, but Jack Z appeared to have been right. He looked at Adams medical records and didn’t want him. Adams missed a ton of time. Grading the trade will depend of Smoak vs. Montero, and Adams could still give them something, but on that point, he appears to have been right.

      • Don’tcha Know?

        Wow. I’d kick you out of the comments section for that remark. Calm down, psycho.

        • Greg

          Not when people get their facts wrong DELIBERATELY

          • Greg

            Plus I already replied to him once with this face. Maybe he needed a bit more emphasis

            • Manny’s BanWagon

              You might want to give Xanax a try.

              • Robinson Tilapia

                I like “Angry Greg” much more than “Brooding Goth Greg.”

                • BigDavey88

                  +1

      • Plank

        Yet Lee went to the Rangers. Sure sounds like the Yankees were in negotiations to trade for Lee.

        • Greg

          What. A. Moron.

          • Plank

            If the Yankees had traded for Lee, then he would be a Yankee. They didn’t trade for him, though. The Rangers did. That’s why he flew to Dallas, not NY.

    • pat

      He outmaneuvered Cashman for Darvish by outbidding everyone else in baseball? Crafty.

      • JobaWockeeZ

        20 bucks someone used the word “outmaneuvered” in either the Teix, Burnett or CC signing threads. And another 20 bucks no one argued with the point.

        • pat

          Does that make it right?

    • Bo Knows

      what Japanese import doesn’t throw 6 pitches? Also the Rangers gave up their top prospect for a rental…If Lee did the same thing you would have been bitching and moaning like a baby.

      Just stop it

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    Anybody else’s heart stop when Grandy stopped and let Voldermort field that?

    • Manny’s BanWagon

      Ibanez should be banned from stepping out of the infield at all times, even pre-game

      • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

        I agree. He shouldn’t even be allowed to own a glove that isn’t a batting glove.

  • MannyGeee

    sweet. Boone coming in to bean Hamilton, undoubtedly retaliation for Hamilton throwing his bat at Cano in the 7th

  • Bartolo’s Colon

    i was watching the 2009 alds game 3 against the twins on YES the other day. nathan looked absolutely terrified that entire series and the yanks pounded him. hope he pitches tonight

  • pat

    If we can somehow come back and win this, all the newspapers can still use the “YU GET NOTHING” headlines they’re undoubtedly going to print tomorrow morning.

  • Karl Krawfid

    We win now.

  • Hummingbird S.

    classic Teix popup there..

  • Bo Knows

    This has been a shitty baseball day; Pineda news; and what’s looking to be a shutout loss by a guy who has struggled with command every start until today

    • pat

      If it makes you feel any better Holland had been a studly his first three starts and we blew him up yesterday. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes it rains.

      • Rookie

        Very true (about Holland)…

        • Rookie

          Maybe next time we do the same thing to Darvish — although I actually think it’s more likely Holland gets better results next time and we scratch out a couple of runs against Darvish.

    • Needed Pitching

      was there new Pineda news today?

      • Bo Knows

        None, I’m a big Pineda fan so no news isn’t good news. I’m hoping for the best but expect the worst

  • Greg

    Axisa, control your children

    • Needed Pitching

      are you referring to yourself?

      • pat

        He’s going to see TWO doctors!

        • pat

          Whoops, wrong spot.

          • Manny’s BanWagon

            No, Greg should probably see 2 doctors also.

            • Needed Pitching

              lmao

              • SevenAces

                Guys, stop picking on him…he has a lot to deal with at some Jets website and he is an emotional person.

                • Manny’s BanWagon

                  I never knew anyone cared enough to start a Jets blog.

    • Robinson Tilapia

      I knew this comment wouldn’t end well.

  • MannyGeee

    this game is giving my dog nightmares… dude is freaking out right now…

    • Manny’s BanWagon

      He was probably having a flashback of Bobby V smiling the other day.

  • Plank

    Here comes the comeback, baby.

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    WE HAVE LIFE

  • Bartolo’s Colon

    it would be so great on so many levels if the yanks can somehow take the lead here

  • Manny’s BanWagon

    Thank god.

  • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

    Wow, not even a tip of the cap? Kind of dick Yu.

    • radnom

      1. He both tipped his cap and waved to the fans (both visible in the away feed).

      2. Really?

      • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

        Ha. Wow I must have completely missed it.

  • Clyde Barrow

    He’s getting tired. And now they’re taking him out, damnit.

  • BigDavey88

    NATHAN! We got a chance!

    Great game by Darvish though. Even though it was painful, it was still cool to see him pitch like that.

    • The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

      Yeah, it’s going to be a long season with Texas out west especially if Darvish and Feliz do what they’ve been doing

      PS good job working a count there Ibanez.

  • BigDavey88

    Welp.

  • Bartolo’s Colon

    i hate ibanez

  • Tom

    That was rather anti-climatic

  • Karl Krawfid

    Now you swing at the first pitch.

    Idiots.

    • pat

      Karl Krawfid says:
      April 24, 2012 at 10:27 pm

      This is just a shitty approach.

      It’s not working.

      Swing at the first pitch down the god damn middle.
      ——————————

      Soooo what’s it supposed to be?

      • BigDavey88

        got em.

      • Needed Pitching

        when they make outs swinging at the first pitch, they shouldn’t have swung at the first pitch

        when they make outs after taking the first pitch, they should have swung at the first pitch

        what is so difficult to understand?

    • Tom

      ESPN never one to let the facts get in the way of a good one liner

      Darvish Delivers. Spinning a COMPLETE game shutout.

  • Needed Pitching

    somebody forgot to tell Ibanez the Yankees are supposed to destroy Nathan

  • Greg

    see what happens when you jump on the first pitch?

    • Karl Krawfid

      Did you see what happened for 8 and 1/3 innings when we didn’t?

      • Greg

        Did you see what happened when we did?

  • thaaaaaaayankeeswin

    Alright Raul, way to look at a few pitches

  • Clyde Barrow

    Now we swing at the 1st pitch. Great pitching beat us tonight.

    • Hummingbird S.

      shitty hitting… I saw a lot of weak hacks at pitches WAY out of the strikezone.

  • aRX

    …whatever.

  • Manny’s BanWagon

    Hughes for the rubber game. Not exactly confidence inspiring.

    • BigDavey88

      True, but neither is Scott Feldman.

      • Robinson Tilapia

        This.

    • Bartolo’s Colon

      hughes against the rangers scares me, all i can think about is the 2010 alcs

  • Plank

    That was an impressive outing by Darvish.

    • BigDavey88

      Yeah, what else can you say? Except that some people need to understand that this team is going to lose 60 games this year.

      • Plank

        Every team wins a third of their games and loses a third of their games. It’s what you do with the other third that matters.

  • pat

    Yankees should totally overhaul the hitting approach that perennially has them ranked at the top of baseball in most offensive categories. That is my reaction to this one game.

  • pistol pete

    Darvish was awesome, better than advertised. Tons of pitches, great control and command. Too bad the Yanks were in a no spend mode this winter. This guy might just be the one that really makes it big here.

  • Clyde Barrow

    You’ve just got to hand it to Yu. Impressive pitching by both starters tonight against the two best offenses in baseball. Yu just have to tip your hat and hope we can take the series tomorrow.

    • Robinson Tilapia

      At the end of the day? Yeah. That’s precisely it. Lost in all this will be a solid performance by Kuroda. I really look forward to more of these performances by him, and a bit more from the offense to support him.

      • Clyde Barrow

        Yep. I find it much more frustrating when we lose to scrubs like Carl Pavano. This was just a case of getting beat by a good pitcher who we’ve never seen before.

        • Robinson Tilapia

          Getting beat by Carl Pavano is always a completely different level of awful, especially the pudgy, 2012 “Alyssa Milano wouldn’t touch me with a ten foot pole now” version.

  • Tom Q

    So, as well as Darvish pitched, that called strikeout on Granderson with the bases loaded might have been the difference in the game.

    • Tom

      It also potentially prevented Cano from hitting with men on that inning.

  • Manny’s BanWagon

    God damn Texas loses Lee and CJ Wilson the last 2 years and they don’t miss a beat.

    • pat

      Playing the Mariners, Sox, Twins and White Sox does that for ya. They’re still a good team though.

  • Captain Gift Basket

    Looks like Darvish will never be able to handle rigors of the A.L. East…

    Another fine job by the Yanks scouting department.

    • pat

      He actually got slapped around by the Mariners, so it was the AL West he won’t be able to handle. Cash was just off a few divisions.

    • Rookie

      That’s the way it looks to me, Captain. Again, I was shocked the Yankees weren’t more aggressive in the bidding for him. Given the fact that the posting fee isn’t included in the luxury tax calculation and the fact that they were willing to spend $24.4 million per year for six years of CC, all of which is included in the luxury tax calculation, I was especially shocked.

      Hopefully the Yankee braintrust proves to be right, and CC turns out to be the bargain and Darvish turns out to be a bust. It’s only four starts into a five or six-year contract, after all. But not bidding more aggressively for Darvish certainly doesn’t look smart so far.

    • Jimmy McNulty

      Well I don’t think it was the scouting department, I think it was the FO. They’re trying to get under 189M for lux tax purposes…Darvish seems to be like a good player to do that with. Sure he’d cost 110M total, but only half of it or so would count towards the luxury tax, and Darvish is one of the most marketable players in baseball already. If the scouting department watched him and saw “Igawa 2.0″ they should be removed from professional sports and be forced to sell bananas at an airport in Kazakhstan. I mean yeah, 110Ms a lot of money, but they clearly needed some youth in the rotation and Darvish is an extremely talented young pitcher…I dunno. Looks like they made the wrong call on this decision just like they did with: AJ, Javy, Pavano, Wright, Soriano, Marte, Feliciano, and Freddy 2.0.

  • David K.

    “he’s never faced a good lineup before”! Isn’t Detroit a good lineup?