Game 30: All Wet

by 638 Comments

Rivera has blood clot in right calf
Now welcome at Yankee Stadium: Technology
Future Yankee David Price signing autographs for his future fans between the rain drops. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

It’s been another overcast and rainy day in New York, with on-and-off showers basically since the game ended last night. The forecast calls for thunderstorms all night, or rather some percent chance of thunderstorms all night. This morning it didn’t look like there was anyway they’d get the game in, but now there appears to be just enough of a window. I’d be okay will calling for the tarp after five innings if the Yankees have the lead, wouldn’t you? Here’s the starting nine…

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

RHP David Phelps

Tonight’s game is scheduled to start a little after 7pm ET, but again it’s unclear if that will actually happen. The game will air on YES locally and ESPN nationally, however. Enjoy.

Mark Teixeira Update: Apparently Tex has been dealing with a lingering cough, but Chad Jennings and Erik Boland report that he saw a specialist today and was diagnosed with inflamed airways. He doesn’t have a virus and the inflammation should clear up on its own within two weeks. I didn’t even know he was sick.

Eric Chavez Update: Eric Chavez told Jennings that he feels 100% after suffering whiplash diving for a ball last week. He hopes to be activated off the 7-day DL when eligible tomorrow, but he has to wait for MLB to review his concussion test first.

Rivera has blood clot in right calf
Now welcome at Yankee Stadium: Technology
  • GardnergoesYardner

    Price isn’t pitching tonight, is he?

    • #28 in 2012

      Niemann is, but I like Mike’s thinking.

      • GardnergoesYardner

        Ah thanks. I agree, never too early to start dissecting that 2015 Sabathia-Hamels-Price front three.

        • #28 in 2012

          If Hamels survives getting hit by NL pitchers this year, we may see this dream come true. Dude is so old school he could have pitched for The Old Perfessor.

          • GardnergoesYardner

            Haha the one part about playing in the NL that I would enjoy. He probably will come scrambling to New York just so he doesn’t have to bat and get hit anymore.

  • jjyank

    Come on Phelps, give Hughes a battle for that rotation spot!

    • FachoinaNYY

      While I agree in spirit, I think no matter how well phelps is pitching, he will get pulled in favor of hughes at this point. Hughes has show legitimate improvement and the organization is not going to pull him now.

      • jjyank

        I know, you’re right. And that’s fine with me as long as Hughes pitches alright, I just want Phelps to pitch well tonight regardless.

  • GardnergoesYardner

    Anyone hear about Beckett hitting the links when he missed his start? I feel like he’s been doing everything but starting for them recently. With guys like him and Lackey, how could you not respect the Sawwwx?

    • Pat D

      Yea, I was just about to comment on this.

      Like I said in last night’s game recap, I’m starting to think this team has angered some higher power and is paying dearly for their transgressions.

      You can run on for a long time,
      run on for a long time,
      run on for a long time,
      Sooner or later, God’ll cut you down,
      Sooner or later, God’ll cut you down

      • Havok9120

        That whole album is pretty sweet, despite his shot voice. Basically him telling death off.

  • Nathan

    Was just outside the stadium (in town! w00t!) and saw Girardi outside the stadium around 1pm. Looked like he went for a jog outside the stadium and headed in. Looks good outside, not even sprinkling.

  • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

    RE: Mariano’s blot clot…it’s almost a blessing that he tore his ACL because at anytime that could’ve turned into an Aneurysm…or moved into his heart…

    • Pat D

      I’m sure he feels that way, too, knowing his beliefs.

      • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

        Honestly, I myself am not a man of God, so for me to have used the term blessing might have been wrong, but if that’s what Mariano wants to believe I hope it helps him recover faster.

    • bobtaco

      Sort of like when Mo blew the save for the 2001 World Series, if the Yankees had won, Enrique Wilson would have died in that plane crash…

      http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=olney_buster&id=2051491

  • The Dude

    Ben “I do 90% of all my hitting/walking against the Yankees” Zobrist.

    • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

      “I normally don’t hit, but when I do, it’s against the Yankees”

      He is, the Human Embodiment of the Rays.

  • Tony

    Its dead in here so far

  • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

    WTF, 880 JUST CUT TO COMMERCIAL!!!!

    • flamingo

      YUP. WHAT IS GOING ON?!

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

        Power outage at the Stadium.

        • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

          I remember this happened last season during the Giant game, and i think it happened during a Yankee game too…

        • flamingo

          Ah.

          Thanks for the response, I appreciate it.

    • Professor Longnose

      That’s weird. Did Sterling announce the coming commercial?

      • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

        Nope, he was in mid sentence then it cut weirdly, as if his mic just popped and then dead air for about a minute, before commercials….

        • Professor Longnose

          And no announcement of technical difficulties? What schmucks.

    • Need Pitching

      partial power outage at the stadium
      apparently affecting the radio booth, as well as CF scoreboard and pressbox

  • Professor Longnose

    That was a bad, bad walk.

  • Clyde Barrow

    He’s laboring. This will be his last start.

    • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

      Dafuq, the game’s still happening? not even Gameday is progressing…this isn’t fair!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • Need Pitching

        from 0-2 to BB to Scott to load bases
        1-2 count now

  • Tyrone Sharpton

    i like me some dewayne wise. maybe get delmon young on the cheap too?

    • Tyrone Sharpton

      nvm i thought gardner would be out a lot longer. still, young’s value is prob really low

  • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

    They should at least cut into the audio for the TV broadcast sooner…

  • Need Pitching

    well, that was adventurous

  • Cy Pettitte

    good job not imploding

  • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

    This is honestly a terrible job by the Stadium’s techincal crew…

  • flamingo

    Good job by Phelps there.

  • Professor Longnose

    Ground out, no runs. OK, could have been a lot worse.

  • Bartolo’s Colon

    yea phelpsy, that was fun

  • flamingo

    Oh hey, it’s Michael Kay on my radio. Well.

    • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

      with the occasional cut in from John/suzyn via phone.

    • Professor Longnose

      A rift in the time-space-microphone continuum.

      • Pat D

        The Doctor is on the case. He suspects Daleks, as always.

        • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

          I was just scrolling through for no real reason, and saw this. I approve.

  • http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

    Isn’t it about time for A-Rod to not be batting 3rd or 4th?

    • http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

      Even if you gotta do something nutty like bat him 2nd and Grandy 3rd

  • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

    Robby’s finally coming around :)

  • Tony

    Robbie!

  • flamingo

    I hope Good Cano has decided to show up for the season!

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

    There’s the Cano we know and love.

  • jjyank

    Love the oppo fielders! Nice Robbie.

    • Tom

      Yup. Definitely a good sign as he has been rolling over and grounding out on those.

  • Bartolo’s Colon

    i thought jeter was going to be done

  • Cy Pettitte

    Nice to see real Cano back. impostor Cano sucked.

  • jimmy

    Jeter flew around the bases. Holy crap.

  • Chip

    Yeah Jeter looks like he’s 25 again, this is fun

  • handtius

    looks like canoooo is back. it was only a matter of time…his regression with be suffered by the rest of baseball.

  • Athenian

    Tex’s low BA and ok power numbers makes him Carlos Pena.

  • The Dude

    Argh. BABIP fucked again by the Rays. Damn you Carlos Pena!

  • Clyde Barrow

    At least Jeter’s still doing his part and then some. Robbie’s coming around.

    • jjyank

      Hey Bonnie!

      • Erica

        Woooooooooo Bonnie hallo!!!!

  • RetroRob

    Unassisted triple play is basically all luck. I’ve been lucky enough to have been at a perfect game (Cone) and saw the Mets hit into an unassisted triple play at CitiField a couple years back against the Phillies. Total fluke.

  • Need Pitching

    hooray for 9 pitch innings

  • Cy Pettitte

    nice inning, good for the pitch count too.

  • jjyank

    Nice bounce back for Phelps, only 9 pitches.

  • flamingo

    Hopefully Phelps has more of those sorts of innings.

  • handtius

    a quickie. they ladies don’t usually like them, but i do!

    • jjyank

      David “Minute Man” Phelps.

  • Clyde Barrow

    Nice bounce back inning by Phelps. Throw strikes and make this weak lineup put the ball in play.

  • Chip

    Phelps really needed that one

  • dkidd

    is it possible jeter was secretly hurt the last 2 years? or that he saw barolo’s doc over the winter?

    • RetroRob

      Sure, it’s possible. I could have accepted that for 2010, but also the first half of 2011?

      Maybe he was injured in 2010 and fell out of his normally good hitting habits and didn’t fix it until his DL time and meeting with Denbo and did his best Yoda on Jeter’s swing.

      It’s also possible it was age related and Jeter was able to make an adjustment. I never write off great players too quickly when they suddenly have an off year in their mid-30s. Some, for whatever reasons, are able to make an adjustment and bounce back. Some fade away.

    • Pat D

      I think Buster Olney has been pushing the “he must have been hurt” theory.

      Or Andrew Marchand. Someone associated with ESPN.

  • Will

    Whoa. So is that one of those mythical 1-2-3 innings people have talked about? I thought they didn’t exist!

    • handtius

      you obviously don’t watch enough baseball…

      • Tyrone Sharpton

        dumbass hes being sarcastic

  • handtius

    fuckinf caps scored already. the fucking russian ogre.

  • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

    pft, garbage time.

  • flamingo

    DO NOT BUNT.

    • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

      I wouldn’t mind the bunt…martin’s not hitting for shit…

      • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

        And that’s why, If Rodriguez had thrown to first that would’ve been two.

      • Chip

        You’re aware that Wise is up next right?

        • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

          Yes, and if there’s second and third, one out, if he puts the ball in play it’s a run.

          • Need Pitching

            not always
            league average getting run in from third < 2 outs is only 51%

      • Professor Longnose

        Last year Martin only hit in two months. This year maybe it’ll be some other months.

  • jjyank

    Jeez my first thought was “TRIPLE PLAY!”

    • Chip

      Agreed, then I realized that we actually have decent speed on this team

    • RetroRob

      I guess that’s what he was thinking, but he was too far off the bag. No triple play, and he lost the double play.

      • jjyank

        Yeah, it was the wrong play for sure, he traded two outs for one. A triple play just seems like something the Rays would do to the Yanks.

        • keithr

          I was at the second to last game of the season last year @ the Trop. They turned one there and I was kind of happy about it.

      • RetroRob

        Actually, to update, I don’t think he had a chance at a triple play. He was going for the double play, but instead of going the traditional route with the runner advancing the third, he thought he could get the double play by eliminating the lead runner at third and the next runner at second. Two outs, runner on first. Maybe Longoria could have pulled off that double play. Not sure. Not Sean Rodriquez. He should have gone for the guaranteed two outs.

        No matter. No score!

  • RetroRob

    Poor play by Rodriquez. Gave up the double play.

  • http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

    Niemann hadn’t thrown a single pitch in the zone until that 2-2 pitch to Martin

  • Manny’s BanWagon

    Rodriguez had an easy DP if he went to first.

    • Chip

      Naw, Martin would have beat it out. If he had gone immediately to second they would have had em though

  • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

    I also think Wise should try to bunt for a hit too…only because he isn’t much of a hitter anyway.

  • Manny’s BanWagon

    Nieman looks like he’s Amish.

  • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

    I know that everybody here hates the bunt…but if Martin had laid one down and the inning had played out the way it did, we’d have another run probably…then again I’ve only got the radio and Gameday, so I can only assume that the fly ball that Wise hit was deep enough to score Swish from third.

    • Chip
      • flamingo

        Wow. Sentimentality aside, I really don’t want Mattingly anywhere near the Yankees managerial role now.

        “Sacrifice” my foot. Don’t give away outs.

    • Need Pitching

      unlikely Swish would have scored on that, it was a shallow fly
      unless Joyce throws like Damon

    • Professor Longnose

      Wise grasshoppers don’t hate the bunt. They hate giving up an out when the return isn’t worth it. Decreasing the odds of scoring more than one run in an inning in return for increasing the odds of scoring one run works when that one run is particularly important, or when other circumstances say that the odds of scoring more than one run is particularly low just then anyway.

      Bunting for a hit is a whole different story, and is a good play if you’re not sacrificing too much power, or you’re potentially moving the defense, or other favorable circumstances.

      • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

        In this case, runners on first and second with the 8-9 hitters up.

        • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

          I really don’t think we had much opportunity to score more than 1…wow, i just straight didn’t finish that thought.

          • Professor Longnose

            This early in the game, though, the one run isn’t worth all that much. No one’s going to pinch hit or intentionally walk in that circumstance… If it was me, I’d pinch hit Ted Williams.

  • http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

    Bad inning there. Not a huge deal…..but really poor job of hitting. Not a single pitch in the strike zone to Swisher or Ibanez. 2-0 count to Martin swings at 2 consecutive balls and then Niemann finally makes a pitcher’s pitch. Wise poor selection. Jeter gets a pass because everyone else already effed up.

    • Chip

      Anytime they can get some people on and turn the lineup over, I’m a happy dude

      • http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

        If A-Rod could hit a lick, I’d have similar sentiment.

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

          .306/.409/.500 last 17 games

          • Selena Gomez

            he’s no pujols, he’s not the best of his generation either. he’s overrated, overpaid

            • Chip

              You weren’t even alive for A-Rod’s prime Selena :)

        • handtius

          it’s all arods fault!

  • jjyank

    7 in a row! I’m liking Phelps.

  • Cy Pettitte

    Phelps looks very good. Joe G. is gonna have a hard decision to make it appears.

    • bobtaco

      +1

    • handtius

      no he won’t. it’ll be hughes unless he completely shits the bed in his next start. the yanks really want him to succeed.

    • Havok9120

      I doubt its mostly his call. He’ll have input, probably a lot of input, but not the final say methinks.

    • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

      It’s hardly a decision, unless Phelps throws a shut out the rest of the way, and goes all 9. Then he’d also need Hughes to throw like a third of an inning and get shelled.

  • Manny’s BanWagon

    Does anyone think Phelps has any chance to stay in the rotation no matter how well he pitches?

    I think he goes to the pen regardless

    • handtius

      agree 117.2%

    • Havok9120

      I agree.

  • Chip

    Wow, solid trivia question

    • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

      Do share.

      • Chip

        Name the 3 other Yankee relievers, other than Robertson, who were all stars while not serving as the team’s closer

        • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

          Mariano, Goose…and I can’t guess a third…

          • jjyank

            While *not* serving as the closer.

            • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

              Mariano in 96, and didn’t Goose set up for Sparky one year?

              • Need Pitching

                the answer was Ron Davis, Mike Stanton, Tom Gordon

          • Need Pitching

            non-closers only

        • Manny’s BanWagon

          Ron Davis?

        • Chip

          I know Gordon is one…..maybe Goose?

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

      One is definitely Jeff Nelson. I think Mike Stanton as well.

      • Need Pitching

        not Nelson

  • Zooboy

    Luke Scott: chia pet.

    • jjyank

      Luke Scott: douche nozzle.

      • Robinson Tilapia

        ietc

  • Cy Pettitte

    Phelps please teach CC how to pull your hand back instead of reaching for those liners

    • jjyank

      I wish, but I don’t know if you can teach something like that, it’s just instinct. My brother and I have been snowboarders our whole lives, and we both know not to break a fall with your hands. I am good at pulling them in, and he broke his hand last year continually stick his hand out.

      • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

        Yeah, from skateboarding when I was young I learned the hard way bad things happen when you stick your hands out…but was never able to pull them back…

        • jjyank

          And about 6 months ago he broke it again while longboarding back to his dorm after a class. Considering he’s broken it that way before, he knows better. Just instinct.

          • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

            Haha, trust me, my wrists know.

            • jjyank

              I’m just glad I got the good instincts. Been snowboarding for like 15 years and my only injury was a fractured elbow a few months ago from hitting ice on a carve.

      • handtius

        I know all about this too. snowbaording and skateboarding for 20+ years. I know how to roll on a fall, but still have the instincts to put my hands up. broken both wrist when i was a teen, lucky not at the same time.

        • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

          Yeah, knowing how to fall, and falling properly are two completely different things.

          • jjyank

            Absolutely. Something you better learn quick when you’re ripping down the icy mountains out on the east coast.

            • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

              You ever make your way out west to the Rockies? I hear Denver is great for snowboarding. I’m really upset I never got into it.

              • jjyank

                Man I wish. I’ve never been out west, despite the fact that snowboarding is the only hobby I have that my passion rivals baseball. I’ve been at just about every mountain worth going to on the east coast though, Canada included. My undergrad days in Vermont were like 4 years of vacation haha.

                • handtius

                  we you in Burlington or Rutland? used to spend a lot of time up there back in the 90s.

                  • jjyank

                    Burlington, went to UVM. Had passes at various times at Stowe, Sugarbush, and Jay Peak, but I’ve also hit up Mt. Snow, Okema, Killington, among others. Though the best was Mt. Tremblant in Canada. Great, great place to be.

                    • handtius

                      Tremblant is amazing. been there many times. late winter is best when it’s a little warmer. less ice.

                    • jjyank

                      Yep, I was there for a 4 day weekend on mid-March one year, it was one of the best times of my life. Besides the fact that I was 19 at the time so I could hit up the bars legally for the first time after a fully day of shred.

                      I love that it’s both sides of the mountain, twice the amount of trails with zero time on annoying transfer lifts.

              • handtius

                the west is amazing. was in breck last year and we got dumped on. powder riding is the third best feeling in the world.

                • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

                  1.Sex
                  2.Winning the World Series
                  3.Fresh Powder?

                  • handtius

                    close:

                    1. sex
                    2. motorcycle
                    3. fresh powder

                    never personally won the world series. doesn’t count

                    • jjyank

                      As a former baseball player, I’d go:

                      1. Sex
                      2. Carving fresh powder
                      3. That split second jolt you get when you square up a ball perfectly as a hitter

                    • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

                      You’re both wrong though
                      1. Sex
                      2. That moment you realize you caught a wave perfectly
                      3. Waking up and realizing you are completely free that day, with nothing but leisure activities to do.

                    • handtius

                      i guess we each have our own. if you’ve never rode a motorcycle, try it. it will make it into your top 3.

                    • jjyank

                      Well I’ve never surfed, but #3 is a solid option. But absolutely murdering a baseball and watching it sale over the fence is beautiful. That’s why I never mind when a home run hitter does it. It’s probably one of the best feelings ever for him.

          • handtius

            oh yeah, execution is easier said then done.

            Don’t know if you guys are city folk, but there’s a skate contest at astoria park sat. sponsored by 5boro, but i’ll be pushing my stuff as well.

            • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

              I wish I could come through, that’s no more than an hour away by mass transit from where I am in Jersey and I haven’t been to a skate contest in years, but I’m working.

              • jjyank

                Just curious, where abouts in Jersey are you? I only ask because I am also roughly an hour away from the city in Jersey.

                • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

                  the Paramus area of Bergen County, if I were to drive to the city, it’s probably about twenty minutes but my car’s gone so I’m a Mass Transit guy now.

                  • jjyank

                    Word. I’m out in Hunterdon county, further away than that.

  • Clyde Barrow

    This ump is a big contrast from Joyce last night. He’s been calling the low strike which Phelps is taking advantage of.

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

      It’s weird, it seems like Phelps is getting the low strike while Niemann is getting the high strike. Maybe it has to do with his height.

  • Bartolo’s Colon

    why is pettitte coming back? we have too many starting pitchers

    • JobaWockeeZ

      And not enough good ones.

  • Bartolo’s Colon

    kay says that every game he pitches in

  • Alkaline

    Come on. Quick inning here Phelps. Get yourself through the 6th.

  • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

    I really hate Ben Zobrist.

    • handtius

      wouldn’t mind him being our super sub.

      • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

        Well, yeah I hate him on another team..but I’d love to have him on the team.

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

        Far too good for that.

        • handtius

          yet, it works for the (devil) rays.

          • Need Pitching

            he’s not a sub for the Rays

            • handtius

              had been for years. is he always in right now? i know he’s played all over the infield and outfield.

              • Need Pitching

                he still moves around a bit (mostly RF this year, some 2B), but he’s definitely a starter/everyday player, not a sub

                I think roving starter would be a better description than super-sub

                • handtius

                  that’s what i meant. by super sub, i meant he plays everyday, but not always the same spot…eh guess that makes ibanez a super sub…

  • Don’tcha Know?

    Hey Mike, can you possibly address an article that articulates why Black Hole Martin cannot hit the ball? What’s his deal, yo?

  • cjc

    i swear this is the only team he hits against

  • jjyank

    Someone in my fantasy league just dropped Matt Joyce. Joyce is eligible for LF and RF, and my current corner outfielders are J. Upton (RF) Gardner (LF, though he’s on the DL obviously) Logan Morrison (LF) Swisher (RF) and Boesch (LF and RF). Is Joyce a better option than any of them?

    • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

      He may be more consistent than Boesch in obp and average but that’s about it.

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

      Yes, drop Boesch.

    • Manny’s BanWagon

      He’s better than Boesch.

    • jjyank

      Thanks guys, already made the move. So officially dies my pre-season breakout pick. I thought I was so smart for landing Boesch at the end of my draft.

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

    That walk doesn’t bother me one bit, to be honest. Pena’s due for an second decker.

    • Manny’s BanWagon

      Agree 100%.

  • Clyde Barrow

    Phelps was so good and then he went back to walking guys. Make Upton beat you. This is a weak lineup.

    • Bunt Gardner

      What’s Bonnie’s thoughts?

      • jjyank

        “Phelps was so good and then he went back to walking guys. Make Upton beat you. This is a weak lineup.”

        Probably about sums it up.

        • Havok9120

          I laughed.

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

    Take him out, get the LHP in there against Joyce.

  • flamingo

    It would be nice if D-Rob was coming in now.

  • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

    I would really like to see Phelps get through this. Joe isn’t going to let it happen, but it would’ve been nice to see.

    • Havok9120

      Girardi SHOULDN’T let that happen. This is the right move, whether it works or not.

      • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

        I agree it’s the right move to win tonight, but it basically is telling Phelps “I have zero confidence in you, and you’re not getting another start unless somebody’s arm falls off.”

        • handtius

          i honestly think phelps just got tired. he hasn’t been throwing with regularity as a starter, so it makes sense to take him out. i think phelps earned respect for his second start.

          • jjyank

            I agree. The fans gave him a nice hand for a reason, Phelps did well considering it’s his second start after being used erratically.

        • RetroRob

          No. I agree with the others here. He is the long man in the pen, but is not stretched out for 100+ pitches. He ran out of gas. He also might have been have been thinking “all I need is one more out” and it got in his head.

          Overall he looked good. Nice to know he’s a starter option, but back to the pen for him.

    • cjc

      can’t do it in a 1 run game

  • Manny’s BanWagon

    Phelps pitched well but he’s going to the pen come Sunday.

  • flamingo

    I did not think Logan could do that. Glad to be surprised, though.

  • Mike Nitabach

    BOONIE!!!!!!!!

  • Cy Pettitte

    LOOGY being a LOOGY is a beautiful thing

  • Manny’s BanWagon

    Some nut in my fantasy league dropped Desmond Jennings for Ibanez. I claimed him on waivers and if I get him should I drop Mike Trout or Genardo Parra?

    • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

      Depends on the rest of your team, If it’s strong drop Parra and take a chance that Trout breaks out this year…if you’re worried and want more of a sure thing keep Parra and drop Trout.

    • http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

      Drop Parr’s. Chris Young will be back very soon.

  • JobaWockeeZ

    Looks like the walk plague is finally being cured in AAA.

    • Sdjohn

      Yes, nice to see betances and banuelos pitch well, but more importantly 0 walks. When is campos due to start throwing?

      • RetroRob

        Probably sometime in mid-2013.

  • Foghorn Leghorn

    Red Sox already down 3-0. I’m starting to think they will have a losing record this year. They have a lot of REAL problems.

    • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

      I still think they’ll figure it out at least a little bit, I mean I don’t think they’ll win more than 89-90 games but I think they can get to 90

      • Foghorn Leghorn

        I know they have talent, but that staff is an absolute mess. and the pen will be overworked by June.

        Lester has already thrown 50 pitches in two innings. If he and beckett can’t go more than 6 innings they are Phucked.

        • Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

          To be fair, Lester really got screwed by Byrd’s misplay.

          They do have serious problems with their pitching, and their bullpen is beyond terrible. Daniel Bard has probably been their best starter. They kinda make me think of the mid 90’s Rockies – they definitely have hitting, can’t pitch to save their life.

          I wonder what the hell is up with Lester. He’s a great pitcher and there weren’t any real reasons to think he would regress this much this year. The one guy they thought they could count on has really been disappointing. Add the fact that they have over $60 million on the DL, they’re in a tough position.

          • Foghorn Leghorn

            Lester may have gotten screwed by an error, but that’s baseball. He is throwing way too many pitches. A team can get by with a weak staff if at least 2 starters can regularly give 7+ but that ain’t happening in beantown.

            I don’t know what’s up with him. He’s a horse, but I think he’s a victim of his own nibbling. I’ve always thought he got Tom Glavine treatment by getting favorable calls on teh corner as the game goes on. It seems like he gets pretty pissed at the umps if he doesn’t get those calls.

            Bucholz looks like crap. And Beckett is going to get lynched one of these days. They are actualy looking forward to Dice K’s return!

            Now they have a lot of injuries, but they have zero depth. Middlebrooks is providing a spark, but he will drop off soon once the book gets around.

            • Jimmy McNulty

              A team can get by with a weak staff if at least 2 starters can regularly give 7+ but that ain’t happening in beantown.

              Or in the Bronx…looking at you Freddy and Phail.

              • Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

                CC, Kuroda, Andy, Nova, Phelps

                I wouldn’t at all be surprised if that’s the rotation within a few weeks. Boston isn’t touching that.

                • Jimmy McNulty

                  Never said they were…just that the Yankees also have rotation woes, not as bad as Boston does…but woes nonetheless.

                  • Foghorn Leghorn

                    right..the odd thing is the claims that the sox pitching staff was a strength when in fact pitching issues have plagued them for the past 4 years.

                    • Jimmy McNulty

                      They have no fewer than seven aces and nine closers.

    • Jimmy McNulty

      They just tied it…to be fair Hosmer and Moustakas are both resting. Much to my Fantasy team’s chargin

  • handtius

    hey Plouff, you said you were from paramus. Do you remember Eastern Board and Skate?

    • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

      I heard of it when I was younger, but never had the money to go…honestly when ever I could convince my parents to got a skate park my friends and I would go to the Rex Plex…one of my fondest memories from childhood/young teens was hitting that 16foot vert ramp and surviving it.

      • handtius

        haha…nah, EBS was a skateshop. used to work there in the 90s. I used to go to rex plex all the damn time! was actually an am skater in the tony hawk tour there. got to open up the floor in front of the fans before the pros came out. that vert was nuts. i spent most of my time on the street park section.

        • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

          Haha, I’m much younger than you give me credit for, I’m only 22 so most of my skating was done in the early 00’s. I used to us CCS skate catalog and a local shop in River Edge called SkateWerks for all my supplies.

  • RetroRob

    Why does it seem whenever Tampa softly hits a ball to right center it always perfectly splits the Yankees OFers?

    My imagination?

    • Foghorn Leghorn

      Joe Maddon teaches that.

      • TomH

        I can’t take any more of the ESPN Homage to Joe Madden show.

        • RetroRob

          Yeah, as I mentioned in the Mattingly thread, the Joe Maddon hype has totally jumped the shark.

          • Foghorn Leghorn

            Joe Maddon taught Chuck Norris karate

        • Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

          He’s the new Pedroia.

  • handtius

    don’t know if anyone else is watching, but the rangers look like crap…loosing 0-2

    • cjc

      they can’t buy a goal its so fucking hard to watch

      • handtius

        yeah. i keep coming back to the yanks. hard to watch that nonsense.

    • cjc

      and the power play is an utter disgrace

  • jjyank

    Question for you guys about the Sox. Say they continue to flounder. Does the rookie GM start to feel the heat and make a desperation pitching trade? Or does he stay the course? I’m curious.

    • RetroRob

      I don’t think they go desperate. If they make a determination that the right pieces aren’t in place, I can see them trading someone like Youkilis for something of value if they determine they’re not picking him up for next season, which I doubt they will.

      • Foghorn Leghorn

        Youk doesn’t have a lot of value. The guy has been hurt for most of the last 3 yrs. They have a bunch of high salary a holes that are hard to move.

        • RetroRob

          He’ll have to show he’s healthy, but if he does, they’ll be teams that will want him for half a season and $6.5 million. I’d take him on the Yankees, not that that trade will ever happen.

          They’ll never get equal value, but if they decide they’re out of it and he’s not coming back, they might as well play the young kid at third and get some value for Youkilis. In the past, I might have expected them to go for the draft pick, but the rules have changed.

  • jjyank

    Nice, hit and run saved them there.

  • jjyank

    Old man’s still got some wheels!

  • handtius

    hell yeah a-rod..still got it.

  • flamingo

    That was awesome.

  • handtius

    there was this segment on the mlb network about brice harper, saying he’s the only player in 30 plus years to be a true 5 tool player. the mentioned him being fast and having a good arm, comparing him to the mick. the asked if there was any player they could think of like that. how could they not say arod..guy was real fast when he came up and has a bullet arm.

    • Chip

      Bonds, Barry

      • Chip

        See also
        Clemente, Roberto

        • handtius

          oh yeah. they mentioned him too. forgot that. he wasn’t around 30 years ago though.

      • handtius

        totally agree with that as well.

    • jjyank

      Yeah, the Harper hype machine is getting crazy. A-Rod, and what about Griffey? Pre-roids Bonds could run too I thought.

    • RetroRob

      A-Rod.

      Josh Hamilton had speed too when he was 19.

    • Jimmy McNulty

      Justin Upton? Evan Longoria? Albert Pujols? Curtis Granderson? Grady Sizemore (crappy arm I guess, though), Andrew McCutcheon?

      • jjyank

        Good points, though I wouldn’t exactly give Pujols or Longoria the speed tool.

        • Jimmy McNulty

          Evan had 15 steals one year, Pujols had 16 twice and 14 once.

          • handtius

            that’s not 30 steal potential though. a-rod had 46 in 98.

          • jjyank

            Once. Twice. That’s not a burner. Pujols has been in the league a long time, getting more than 14 steals twice does not qualify him as having a top speed tool.

            • Jimmy McNulty

              I thought the tool was baserunning, not speed? There’s more to baserunning than just speed. They’re still great baserunners, legitimately great defenders, and insane hitters. I’d say it’s a tool…I never thought you needed to be Brett Gardner in order to have the baserunning tool.

              • jjyank

                If you have 80 speed, you’re season high for stolen bases should be more than 15.

                True 5 tool players are legendary. Those guys are elite, but not quite there in my book.

                • Jimmy McNulty

                  So Harper has 80 speed? An 80 is what’s required for the tool? You realize to be an 80 hitter Harper would have to have a career batting average around .320. Jeter wasn’t even an 80 hitter. 80 power? That’s basically Adam Dunn in the NL, or Prince Fielder now, Stanton too probably has 80 power. An 80 fielder would basically be Franklin Gutierrez in his best year. Gardner isn’t even an 80 fielder. Francouer doesn’t even have an 80 arm.

                  • jjyank

                    Sigh. Nobody said that Harper has an 80 anything, we’re talking about the ridiculous statement about the proclamation that he’s the first true 5 tool player since Mantle. You’re getting off track here.

                    • Jimmy McNulty

                      The first true five tool player since Mantle? I’ve provided several examples of guys that are five tool players, and if not close too it…you’re the one saying why they don’t count.

                    • jjyank

                      We’ve all been providing examples. I threw Kemp and Griffey out there earlier as possibilities. Some of yours are valid too, but some aren’t 5 toolers.

                    • handtius

                      seems like he’s not even reading the comments. i’ve said that in multiple comments. a-rod, hamilton and bonds are the only players in recent memory with all 5 tool around an 80. they others are elite, but not a-rod good. bonds good.

                    • jjyank

                      Plus…do you read these comments? We’re all in agreement that Harper is not the first 5 tool player since Mantle, why are you acting like I’m arguing in favor of that?

                    • Jimmy McNulty

                      You’re the one that said this:

                      If you have 80 speed, you’re season high for stolen bases should be more than 15.

                      Out of nowhere.

                    • jjyank

                      I’m losing my faith in your reading comprehension. All that statement was implying is that Pujols doesn’t have the speed portion of the 5 tools. Doesn’t mean I think Harper has it. Doesn’t mean other players do or do not have it. Why is this is so difficult?

                    • Jimmy McNulty

                      Well it was a confusing comment, I was saying that Pujols had the baserunning tool…you said that if you had 80 speed you should steal more than 15 a year. I was taking that to mean that you were implying that 80s across the board to be a five tool player, which you weren’t asserting.

                      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnO9Jyz82Ps

                  • handtius

                    I know. that’s the point…they’re saying he has all this 9 games into his career. it’s nuts. no one here is saying he is that, but that’s the hype he’s got.

                    • Jimmy McNulty

                      That’s what I thought until 10 minutes ago…

              • handtius

                by 5 tool it means you have 80’s across the boards for your tools: average, hitting for power, baserunning skills and speed, throwing ability, and fielding abilities. arod has or had all 5. don’t think any other player, currently playing, can say that. maybe hamilton and kemp. still wouldn’t put them in a-rod category

                • RetroRob

                  Is that what they’re saying? When I hear scouts saying a player is “five tool,” I never took it to mean he scores an 80 on all of them. Not sure what player has that, including Harper. He is not 80 on foot speed. I believer Brett Gardner, as example, rates a 70 on speed.

            • RetroRob

              Right. When they’re talking about five-tool players it’s having plus tools in all the categories. Pujols and Longoria, even if they manage to steal bases, or rate has decent speed, are not five-tool players.

              A-Rod was certainly a five-tool player.

              Barry Bonds had excellent speed. I don’t know how his arm rated. I’m figuring there was a reason he went off to LF and not CF.

              Hamilton, as noted, was a total five tool player.

              Both Upton brothers scored high on the five tools.

              Maybe what they were saying was Harper is the only prospect in the last 30 years to score a 7 or an 8 in all five tools. Yet as agressive as Harper is when running, I’m not sure I’d score him a 7 or 8 in speed, and he is going to slow down.

              • Jimmy McNulty

                What does Harper have that’s an 80 tool?

                • handtius

                  dude. we’re not saying he does. the segment was claiming he was. i was calling it ridiculous. read the original comment.

                  • Jimmy McNulty

                    I recognize that I’m usually violent, angry, and hostile but I was legitimately asking, and I agree with you.

                    I think Harper’s awesome, but the hype is getting a bit out of hand. Same thing with Strassberg. King Felix was just as good, if not better and while he’s great there’s still guys like Kershaw, Verlander, and members of the old guard like the HNICC, Cliff Lee, and Doc that are right up there with him.

                • RetroRob

                  According to Baseball America, Harper’s power rates as a legitimate 80 tool. His arm rates 80. Not sure in all the categories.

                  • Jimmy McNulty

                    Perhaps his arm…80 power, that’s like Fielder, Stanton, and Dunn. I’m unsure that Pujols has 80 power. I’ve never seen him take BP or his highlights in the majors, so I guess I can’t really judge either way.

      • handtius

        i like all them, but don’t think any of came up with the abilities of arod or harper or bonds. upton to a while to be great. longoria, not really a burner, pujols, not a burner, grandy, doesn’t have the arm, same with sizmore. mcchutcheon, not sure about. does he have the arm?

        • Jimmy McNulty

          I’m unsure how fast Harper is, I’ve heard 80 speed and I’ve also heard just 20+ steals. Upton took a while to be great? He hit 30 HRs at age 23.

          • handtius

            that’s why they’re talking 5 tools. i’m not saying he’s not a great player, but they’re making harper look like a legend. you think upton is in a-rods class?

            • Jimmy McNulty

              Well probably not, A-Rod’s probably a top 30 player of all time. For Harper to do that it would require him to fulfill his potential and not get hurt. When you have sky high expectations living up to them’s a bitch.

              • handtius

                yeah, thats the point. they’re comparing him to mantle, clemente. questioning who else in the game had that potential coming and is a true 5 tool player. for example, arod had one 30+ hr season and 2 40+ hr season by the time he was 23. That’s just fricken nuts.

                • Jimmy McNulty

                  Those kinds of expectations are inherently fucking stupid. Yeah the guy’s the fucking man, but lets let him RoY before we get all over his nuts.

                  • handtius

                    we’re not. we’re saying how ridiculous it is.

                    • Jimmy McNulty

                      I wasn’t saying that you weren’t saying it’s ridiculous…I was adding to the ridiculousness. Do you need me to hold your fucking hand or something?

                    • handtius

                      that would be nice…it’s a little cold in here.

                    • Jimmy McNulty

                      We can arrange this.

                    • handtius

                      look me up. bubba mcdoodles. live in queens.

                  • jjyank

                    Read the posts before you comment. This is a little ridiculous.

                    • Jimmy McNulty

                      Comprehend the posts before you comment.

                    • jjyank

                      LOL. Thanks for the laugh, the game’s getting stressful.

                    • Jimmy McNulty

                      Yeah I’m wasting time before I finish this paper…so I haven’t been paying attention. Soriano on the mound with a one run lead? Yeah I’d say that’s pretty fucking stressful.

    • jjyank

      Also Matt Kemp?

      • handtius

        yeah, he’s right there.

    • Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

      Carlos Gonzalez?

      • handtius

        wouldn’t put him in that category. check out his walk totals compared.

    • Jimmy McNulty

      Vlad? Gene Stanton? Jose Reyes had power once upon a time, IIRC. Troy Tulowitzki?

      • jjyank

        Maybe Tulo. Stanton had 5 steals last year. Reyes has double digit homers in less than half of his seasons.

        • Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

          Tulo isn’t really a speed guy though, only 9 and 11 SB the last 2 years.

          • jjyank

            Good call.

        • Jimmy McNulty

          Leave Vlad out why doncha…before the Sidewalk in Montreal got him he was pretty damn fast.

          • jjyank

            I didn’t see it. Maybe Vlad then.

    • Jimmy McNulty

      Joe Morgan too. The Astrodome sapped his power but he had two seasons that were better than anything Willie Mays ever did.

    • RetroRob

      This thread scores an 80 on intensity and a 20 on comprehension!

  • flamingo

    Great at bat by Swisher.

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

    Big-time at-bat by Swish.

    • handtius

      sucks he had nothing to show for it, except raising the pitch count.

  • DERP

    So Wade for another inning?

  • Kramerica Industries

    Dead offenses tonight in the Bronx.

    Yikes.

  • Clyde Barrow

    Well done by Logan and Wade. It’s up to Soriano and Robertson now. You put it in their hands tonight and hope the big man can go the distance tomorrow.

  • http://www.nesn.com/2011/01/2011-red-sox-will-challenge-1927-yankees-for-title-of-greatest-team-in-major-league-history.html wilk

    betances: 8 innings, 2 hits, 2 walks, 1 run (HR), 7 K

    • flamingo

      …How’d that happen? Good for him.

    • Total Dominication

      I just did a 2007 Joba fist pump.

    • DERP

      Lot of grounders too.

    • Foghorn Leghorn

      effing A.

      the thing I like the best? 8 innings. let’s get these young bucks to go deep in games!

    • handtius

      wow. that’s impressive….don’t think he wants to get shown up by manbam. hope they feed off each other and fight over a call up later in the year.

  • OMG! Bagels!

    Has anyone ever watched the Jeter outtakes on jetersford.com? They’re pretty funny.

  • Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

    So is Wade now the new 7th inning guy?

    • Clyde Barrow

      I think it’ll be a combination of Wade and Logan depending on the hitters.

  • TomH

    When I abandoned ship on ESPN, Nomar was giving ARod grief over that steal of 3rd. Said he could have distracted Tex, etc. Wouldn’t drop it.

  • mike_h

    we need more runs…this is bush league

  • Clyde Barrow

    Martin got a hit. Maybe Jete can hit a double to drive him in. Would be nice to have one insurance run after last night’s tightrope.

  • Kramerica Industries

    You know, I would ask “what is wrong with the Phillies?”

    But between being shallow, old, and injured, they just aren’t a particularly good team anymore. Funny to think their weakest team between 2008-2011 was the won that won the World Series, and they did win two NL pennants, so they aren’t a total failure or bust by any means, but they are going to suck for a while to come given how decrepit and old and thin their farm system is.

    Flags fly forever, though, so one might say it was all worth it.

    • Jimmy McNulty

      what is wrong with the Phillies?

      The fact that they’re the Phillies.

      • Foghorn Leghorn

        i wonder if Cliff Lee is rethinking that age comment now…

        • Jimmy McNulty

          After he saw what Cheesesteak does to his wife, probably not.

          • TomH

            Ha ha

    • Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

      Cliff Lee’s comments are oh so sweet now.

      • JobaWockeeZ

        Yup but then those dumb comments screwed the Yankees and instead of having the best 1-2 combo in Yankee history we get stuck with an injured Michael Pineda.

        • Jimmy McNulty

          Yeah I’m still pissed that he didn’t sign, but I am glad that the Phillies fucking blow.

        • JobaWockeeZ

          And I forgot to mention that if we signed Lee then we have Montero as well.

          • Need Pitching

            maybe not … they may have decided to let CC walk because of the austerity plan and made the trade anyways

    • Robinson Tilapia

      I’d say it was worth it. Got to play in two WS and win one. Also gave us enough material to bring out Met fan friends to tears instantly for years to come.

      • Jimmy McNulty

        Duh. Flags fly forever, the Burnett deal was terrible and dumb, but they got 27 out of it…I’m sure they’d probably do it again if it means getting 28. Hey the first championship in Philly since….when exactly? Probably worth it for management.

    • Tom

      Does anyone know where I can buy one of those hats that go to the side like Rodney’s? Whenever I go to the store I only see the ones with the bills that go straight out.

      /Herc’d

      • Jimmy McNulty

        Awesome.

  • Robinson Tilapia

    Switching back between this and the Heat game.

    The world’s most convoluted 1-0 shutout continues but, if it holds up, I’ll take it.

    Removing Phelps was the right decision, but getting his first MLB W will be nice to see.

  • Cy Pettitte

    Soriano vs. the middle of the Rays line up.

    this should be…interesting.

  • TomH

    If it’s to be Smiling Sori and Houdini again tonight, I hope CC has a complete game in him tomorrow.

    • Robinson Tilapia

      Strandman.

    • Jimmy McNulty

      I hope the offense has some runs in it tomorrow.

  • Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

    With the middle of the order up, I’d kinda like to see Robertson here and then Soriano against the bottom of the order in the 9th.

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

    This will not end well.

    • TomH

      I fear you’re right.

    • handtius

      neither will this giant pile of hot wings. they’re done for.

      • Robinson Tilapia

        ….until 3:00 AM….

        • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

          Haha

      • handtius

        guess it the wings that won’t end well…they are done for!!!!!

    • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

      MFIKY(Plus Tex’s defense) laughs at your doubts.

    • BK2ATL

      It ended well. Eventful, yeah, but that did happen.

  • flamingo

    Um. Leadoff hit + offline throw.

    I blame Soriano for everything.

  • handtius

    wow. tex…that was amazing.

  • Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

    Thank you Tex!

  • Cy Pettitte

    amazing play by Teix.

  • jjyank

    I love having the defensive Tex. Whatever his issues at the plate, he’s damn good on D.

    • handtius

      i would call that a correct and fact filled statement. please leave the comment section.

      • Robinson Tilapia

        Can’t have any of that at night around here.

  • DERP

    dagger incoming

  • Robinson Tilapia

    How violently will I virtually choke Soriano if he doesn’t get out of this?

    • jjyank

      To be fair, Robbie needs to make that throw.

      • Robinson Tilapia

        I turned back to the game with first/second and no outs. Didn’t see that.

        I still don’t like him.

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

    That was some play by Tex.

  • Total Dominication

    Aaaand exhale.

  • Cy Pettitte

    I cannot believe he got outta that.

  • flamingo

    Glad we got out of that.

    I really hope D-Rob has a nice clean inning now.

    • handtius

      i hope they score 8 runs and drob doesn’t have to pitch.

  • jjyank

    Jeez. Glad they got out of it, but I don’t know if my heart can take two houdini acts in back to back innings.

  • Clyde Barrow

    Soriano gets around Cano’s error. These two sure do make it interesting. Hopefully Robertson has a 1-2-3 inning.

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

    I guess the Houdini act is an eighth inning requirement.

    • handtius

      i actually laughed. thank you.

  • Chip

    Now Soriano and Robertson are just showing off

    • Robinson Tilapia

      Robertson will throw two balls at the same time tonight.

    • jjyank

      I bet Robertson does it on purpose.

      He’s on the mound and thinks to himself “Imma let these fools think they have a chance. Let ’em get the bases loaded, then slam the door and make their fans cry”.

  • Jared

    The Tampa brain trust just ordered a rather smug round of pina coladas.

  • RetroRob

    Okay, if Soriano is going to pitch like he has the last two nights, and D-Rob like last night, I really am going to need that tequilla.

    • Robinson Tilapia

      Flying out in the morning. Going sober tonight. *gulp*

  • Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

    Did anyone else think for a moment that they would IBB Grandy?

    • jjyank

      Ha I did too.

      • Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

        That would be so…so Rays.

        • jjyank

          I know, I saw Molina’s hand go out and my first thought was “Maddon….you sly bastard.”

  • Chip

    Alex: “Don’t shift of me fools!”

  • handtius

    i think cano is really back. seems his contact is much harder.

  • handtius

    i love how kay and leiter are talking about the rodney’s hat.

  • handtius

    shiza.

  • Havok9120

    Sigh. That was a very nice play.

  • cjc

    booooooooo boooooooooooooooo

  • Robinson Tilapia

    One day, Joe Maddon will have his infielders form a cheerleader pyramid over first base.

    • Havok9120

      ….

      And it will be hailed as the most brilliant thing to be done in baseball in the live ball era.

      • Robinson Tilapia

        There were two ways to go with that. The other involved Mark Teixeira and arrogance.

  • JobaWockeeZ

    Funny thing is pitchFX had all three pitches to Pena as balls. They barely missed but funny nonetheless.

  • Robinson Tilapia

    …and Enter Strandman.

  • jjyank

    Wasn’t Al Albuquerque the only reliever last year to have a higher k/9 than Robertson? And isn’t Albuquerque on the DL? Maybe he can take the crown in 2012.

    • Chip

      He’s still got Kenley Jansen to worry about

  • Chip

    Ugh, these shifts have to be just terrible mentally on hitters like Tex. I mean, he’s smoking balls that are being turned into double plays.

  • handtius

    had to start it the exact same way…ok…get them loaded and strike out the side.

    • handtius

      oh no. i was kidding. i was kidding!

      • Robinson Tilapia

        Bastard.

        • handtius

          man, am i sorry (unless he gets out of it)

      • Chip

        Way to go

      • Robinson Tilapia

        Motherfucker.

  • flamingo

    D-Rob missed the 1-2-3 memo.

    UGH.

  • Need Pitching

    fucking dumb

  • JobaWockeeZ

    Wow that exact opposite of Greg Golson there.

  • Robinson Tilapia

    Hey Rocky, watch me pull this game out of my hat….

  • Clyde Barrow

    Maybe Soriano should be the closer.

  • RetroRob

    Reaching for the Don Pilar.

    • Robinson Tilapia

      Have an extra one for me.

      • RetroRob

        At this rate, I’ll be having one for everyone here on the board.

    • Jimmy McNulty

      I’m reaching for Zafiro Anejo

      • RetroRob

        Hoping things don’t break that bad.

        • Jimmy McNulty

          Yes.

          • RetroRob

            …but they did.

  • cjc

    life without Mo

    • JobaWockeeZ

      fucking sucks.

  • Tom

    Swisher can’t airmail that throw like that… he’s got to make it cuttable so the runner can’t just take 2nd.

  • handtius

    jeeze. he really does want the bases loaded.

  • jjyank

    !!!!!

  • RetroRob

    Okay, if he gets out of this, he has taken the Houdini act to unseen levels.

  • Thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

    Time to switch the signs

  • Reggie C.

    bases loaded?? no outs???

    D-Rob has got the Rays right where he wants em …

  • handtius

    he can do it. he. can. do. it.

    • Robinson Tilapia

      Just stay out of it, handtius. :)

      • handtius

        my bad…thought i had the power…i didn’t….

  • flamingo

    There’s one.

  • Robinson Tilapia

    I’m not laughing too hard….yet.

  • jjyank

    Maybe D-Rob really does do this in purpose.

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

    That’s one. You got this, David.

    • handtius

      i think he’s got it.

  • handtius

    fuck yeah!!!! 2 more. maybe a broken bat double play?

  • Widget

    Post Mo baseball in 2014 is gonna be damn hard to watch.

  • Reggie C.

    surprised Pena didnt bitch about that pitch placement.

  • Tony

    Robertson’s got this

  • cjc

    knicks suck !
    rangers suck !
    yankees suck?

    this night is too much for me

    • cjc

      yep

      • Robinson Tilapia

        Don’t care about hockey. Yanks will be just fine but, yes, your Knicks royally suck.

  • Jimmy McNulty

    He’s due to give up a run…so, so, so due

  • Reggie C.

    nice hack …

    be careful D-Rob.

  • flamingo

    UGH.

    WHY TONIGHT?!

  • David N

    Well, he was going to give up a run eventually….

    • handtius

      agreed. it’s been a long time. august?

      • jjyank

        September 1. So yeah, pretty much.

  • jjyank

    Wooow they actually almost got him. Great throw.

  • handtius

    damn…so close! so fucking close! they can still win this.

  • Thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

    Keep it here

  • Clyde Barrow

    Robertson is clearly out of his league in the closer role. This is twice now he’s loaded the bases in the 9th. Give Soriano the role and take the pressure off Robertson by putting him back in the 8th.

    • jjyank

      /ignore

    • C

      Did you watch Soriano pitch the 8th tonight and last night?

    • CP

      I assum this is sarcasm.

      This is what Robertson does.

    • Robinson Tilapia

      Isn’t there an olive pit somewhere for you to go choke on?

    • handtius

      relax that. you need to give him some time to grow into the roll. there’s no one like mo.

  • cjc

    dang

  • Robinson Tilapia

    Argh. Just get out of the inning and win it in the ninth.

    None of this is “life without Mo” crap. We’ve seen Mariano do just this before.

  • Total Dominication

    Holy shit Swish.

  • Karl Krawfid

    Need to start telling D-Rob the bases are loaded when he starts the inning.

  • Widget

    A walk off win is fine with me. It’s not ideal, but I’ll take it.

  • Tom

    Damn…. that 1-1 call for a ball really changed that AB.

    1-2 and he probably can punch out Upton.

  • Karl Krawfid

    Need that complete game shutty from CC tomorrow.

  • RetroRob

    CC better be prepared for nine tomorrow. Soriano and Robertson have thrown a lot of pitches.

  • flamingo

    …This is a bad joke, right?

  • Cy Pettitte

    christ.

  • Total Dominication

    fuck

  • Eirias

    Son of a bitch.

  • handtius

    oh dear. did not see that coming.

  • jjyank

    Well….fuck.

  • Thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

    Matt fucking Joyce? Really

    • FIPster Doofus

      He’s good, you know. Really good, actually.

      • JohnnyC

        Let’s not get carried away. He’s decidedly average. Likes hitting off Yankees pitchers though, gotta say.

        • FIPster Doofus

          He’s decidedly above average.

  • Mike Nitabach

    AUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • RetroRob

    Sadness.

  • Bartolo’s Colon

    drob has a tough job following mo, but he has not looked too good

  • Clyde Barrow

    We just can’t be giving away games like this. He almost did it last night and did it tonight. Give that job to Soriano.

    • CP

      Do you watch he games?

    • Havok9120

      You don’t really watch baseball do you?

  • Karl Krawfid

    You talk about a heart breaker :(

  • cjc

    new york sports tonight well fuck me

    • James A

      same here

  • JobaWockeeZ

    Oh short porch.

  • Kramerica Industries

    Oh fuck me.

    Fifth fucking time these assholes have done this in 2012, second time to the Yankees.

    Motherfuckers.

  • Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan

    Waste of 9 innings.

  • David N

    Oh man….

  • Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

    What the actual fuck was that

    • Robinson Tilapia

      I believe Matt Joyce just hit it out to jjyank’s house.

      • jjyank

        At least I get a souvenir.

        • Robinson Tilapia

          Throw it back!

          • jjyank

            What do I look like to you, Greg Golson?

            • Robinson Tilapia

              Well, there is a naked Monterowasdinero currently at your doorstep.

              • jjyank

                Time to give him The Miracle Stick then.

  • Robinson Tilapia

    Well, at least he got this one out of the way early.

    D-Rob will be fine. These are some damn tough shoes to fill. He will fight another day.

    • jjyank

      Right. He hadn’t given up a run since September 1, 2011. Had to end at some point, he wasn’t doing that forever. Just be glad it’s May.

    • David N

      If he does this a few more times this year, I’ll still be okay with it. Even Mariano generally blows four or five saves a year.

      It’s one game. Yes it’s a division game, but it’s still one game. Can’t lose too much sleep over this one.

  • Jimmy McNulty

    Well, that sucked. Fuck it, I’m going to Hooters.

    • RetroRob

      Grab one for me. A hooter, that is.

  • The Fallen Phoenix

    Regression’s a bitch.

  • Athenian

    That blows. The game that got away. Got to get the one tomorrow to salvage the series.

  • Chip

    Ugh, this was set up to be such a nice win too

  • MB

    Ouch :(

  • Foghorn Leghorn

    and closers are so overrated…phhhhhttt!

    Joe G…make Soriano the closer and keep Drob as the 8th. at least Soriano has been there before.

    • Robinson Tilapia

      Now that Mike Gonzalez has actually signed with a team, we can trade D-Rob for him.

    • MB

      You think Soriano “struggling” has to do with not pitching in a closers role (which he originally said) or is it just pitching in NY?

      • Foghorn Leghorn

        since mo got hurt I thought it would be wise to leave Drob where he is and let soriano close. i do think there is a huge difference between being a 7th inning guy and 8th inning guy and a closer. soriano has closed before…leave Drob alone and just move soriano. try that…if it doesn’t work then move drob to the closer role.

  • http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

    I blame the anemic offense

    • Havok9120

      We know you do.

    • Athenian

      You mean Tex. wait I meani do

    • The Dude

      Argh. Seriously. Jeff Neimann is an okay pitcher but there’s no excuse for only being able to squeeze one run out of the guy.

  • Karl Krawfid

    Remember when Mo got the job, it didn’t start out so smooth.

    • Havok9120

      He’s been always perfect always. So are all the other closers in the league. DRob just can’t handle it.

    • jjyank

      Imagine if there was a knee-jerk reaction and Mo was deemed unable to handle the stresses of the 9th inning.

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

        There was. He blew three saves by mid-April in 1997.

        • Robinson Tilapia

          You just made that up.

        • jjyank

          That was my point.

        • OMG! Bagels!

          Mo himself wanted out of the closer role in 1997.

    • RBC

      Thank you! We need to have patience with the new generation.

      The 90s really spoiled Yankees fans.

  • Athenian

    Yanks are afraid to get to far above .500, I guess

    • handtius

      check their record for the first 2-3 months of 09

      • Athenian

        Um 2009? That was three years ago, has no relevance.

        • jjyank

          His point is a slow start into May does not spell doom.

        • handtius

          it does. this team has started slow many a times and ended up winning the division. the season does not end it june. zen baseball.

  • Don’tcha Know?

    Flood gates: Open.

  • DERP

    Fuck you Robertson. Sack up.

  • Clyde Barrow

    Tomorrow we have to hope the big man goes the distance. Soriano and Robertson might not be available and I’m not sure we even want Robertson to be available. This was a great opportunity to sweep these guys at home minus their best player. Now we might even lose the series to this weak lineup.

    • Havok9120

      “and I’m not sure we even want Robertson to be available.”

      Tell me, baseball bot, do you actually believe that, or have you converted to all out trolling?

      • Robinson Tilapia

        ClydeBonnieHester has gone straight up troll. They literally don’t give a shit as to what any of the rest of us are saying.

      • jjyank

        Maybe he’s trying to distinguish Bonnie and Clyde a bit more.

    • Bunt Gardner

      Will Bonnie be the commenter during that game?

      • Robinson Tilapia

        Thelma? Louise?

  • Kramerica Industries

    They did it opening day (6-5 deficit entering 9th, 7-6 win), they did it in Detroit (2-0 deficit, 4-2 win), they did it against Anaheim and Seattle on the same homestand (3-2 and 2-1 deficits, 4-3 and 3-2 wins), and they did it again tonight.

    I hate these motherfuckers with a burning passion. In part because I’m stuck living in this hellhole of a market, and in part because this shit isn’t going to last all season. But while it is, it’s going to piss me off to no end.

    Baseball is a respite from my daily mental failings. And this shit only makes even that unbearable.

    • JohnnyC

      Wonder what percentage of the $200 million+ in revenue sharing the Rays have received in its short history was contributed by the Yankees? A whole lot probably. Good to see it’s finally delivering some returns. How ironic. I love socialism among the 1%. Now that’s compassionate conservatism at its best.

  • 718

    Well Robertson is done closing! Soriano time!

  • Widget

    You can’t score just 1 run and expect to win the ballgame. Every time it looks like this team is gonna go on a roll they lose. Very frustrating early season.

    • Clyde Barrow

      You can when the rest of your pitching mates have kept the opponent to 0 runs. You can when you hand the ball to your closer with a 1-0 lead. Robertson didn’t do his job tonight. Mariano would have shut the door and Frank would be singing right now.

      • Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

        Would you just shut the fuck up already?

      • jayd808

        Dead Houdini.

      • flamingo

        Not to open old wounds, but Mo’s also blown a save against Tampa this season.

        • Robinson Tilapia

          You and Axisa just making shit up.

  • RBC

    I love how you guys are already giving up on D-Rob. As if Mariano NEVER blew a save.

    • Havok9120

      Its insane.

    • Greg

      It wont be just us. The media will too.

      • Havok9120

        People should really hold themselves to a higher standard than ESPN NY.

        • jjyank

          I wish I lived in that reality.

  • Chip

    Well Robertson was going to give up a run eventually, it’s not like it was a huge blast either

  • Karl Krawfid

    Yankees offense better show some damn heart!

  • Pat D

    Huh. The things that happen when you’re taking a phone call at work.

  • Robinson Tilapia

    Mariano Rivera never, ever, had a completely gross ninth inning. Ever. Except when he did.

  • Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

    At least it happened now rather than in September.

  • The Dude

    Wow. Why can’t this team click on all cylinders? We either have days like today where we can only score one run but we pitch well and not scoring more comes back to bite us or we have games like in Boston where our offense saves our horrible pitching. We have to win against teams in our division if we hope to win the ALE title. This season indeed has been frustrating early on. We can’t play consistently well.

    • Chip

      Clicking on all cylinders? You mean like the previous two games?

      • Havok9120

        Those were wins and therefore do not count.

    • RBC

      You’ve listed all the issues that come with an aging team, and that’s exactly what the Yanks are right now.

      • The Dude

        Argh. I know. We need a roster turnover. If only someone would take Tex and Arod off our hands.

      • Need Pitching

        none of that has anything at all with being an aging team

  • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

    So I’ve determined that Robertson doesn’t have the ability to close, and not only that, he should never be allowed to pitch again.

    /ledgejummping(amidoingthisrite?)

    • Robinson Tilapia

      Papa George would have had him on a plane already for Mike Gonzalez. Cashman failed.

    • handtius

      Dear Robertson, Please exit the stadium and go fuck yourself. Ya done.

      Sincerely,
      Living on the Edge

  • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

    What in the hell was Ibanez doing that far off the bag?

    • handtius

      looking for loose change.

    • 718

      Being Raul that’s what he was doing.

    • Robinson Tilapia

      Senior moment.

  • JobaWockeeZ

    2 days and the smear campaign begins. No one is safe.

  • handtius

    this was such a great comment section tonight, then all these annoyances come out of the woodworks when they’re loosing. go back into your caves.

    • Havok9120

      These people that we only see when we lose are actually starting to annoy me. And I’m really not easily annoyed. Do they only log on to comment after we start losing?

      Sigh. Oh well. Its just the internet.

  • Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan

    Have the Yankees ever won on lawn gnome giveaway night? UGH I swear this shit happens every time.

    • Robinson Tilapia

      I hope you enjoy your fucking garden gnome, jsbrendog. Really. I hope you do.

    • jayd808

      OMG They lost on lawn gnome give away night? Sacrilege.

  • CP

    You can’t swat the glove of someone trying to catch the ball. Unless of course that person happens to be a catcher. And instead of swatting the glove you completely run him over.

  • V

    Fuck the Rays and fuck their shifts.

  • flamingo

    Tonight completely sucked for NY sports teams.

    • cjc

      +1000000000000

    • RBC

      We already knew the Knicks were gonna lose….

  • cjc

    here’s another guy career on the down swing Rodney goes to tampa and gets fucked by the miracle stick what the hell

    • Robinson Tilapia

      ….and there’s our next meme, fucked by the miracle stick.

      • jjyank

        I like it.

        • The Miracle Stick

          Just me, I like it more.

          • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

            haha, wow, that was quick.

            • Robinson Tilapia

              That wasn’t even me doing it.

              So many memes, so little time.

            • jjyank

              Probably because it was me. Although I meant to say “trust me”.

              • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

                Haha, I like it, you should keep it as your handle.

                • jjyank

                  I think I’ll use it as an alternate. Switch it when the reply warrants it then switch back.

                  • Robinson Tilapia

                    You’ll be just like Bonnie/Clyde.

                    • The Miracle Stick

                      Only those two personas will actually be different. It’ll be more like Cesar “Stairs” Cabral and whoever he actually is. If he’s actually someone else.

                    • jjyank

                      Name change fail.

                    • Havok9120

                      According to Mike/Joe, he is.

          • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

            Miracle Stick, reveal your true identity!!

  • Athenian

    This is going to send the team into a downward spiral. They lack resiliency they had in the past.

    • http://twitter/TheRealJeromeS Jerome S.

      You be trawlin’

    • Havok9120

      Based on what, exactly?

      • Robinson Tilapia

        I think you know the answer to that.

      • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

        Not truly being a fan, and liking to bitch and over react when the team looses but not celebrate when they win.

        Seriously, dude(Athenian) you’re rooting for the wrong team, if you’re a gluten or punishment and like to complain the Kansas City Royals are always looking for more fans.

        • Robinson Tilapia

          What if I’m allergic to gluten?

          Sorry. Had to.

          • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

            dyslexia’s a bitch lol, but I deserved that, I should’ve spell checked it.

    • The Dude

      You said it. Then again this team has been wildly inconsistent after winning the WS in 2009. They have been really underwhelming and with each passing year the flaws of team become more evident.

    • flamingo

      Whereas I think that starting CC tomorrow night gives them a great chance to win.

  • jayd808

    If this means he can’t follow up on a 25 pitch save and be there the next night, then this bullpen is going to get A LOT MORE WORK. Now I know how Sawks fans feel when Matt Albers is coming out of the pen. Damn make this stop right now. I feel like an idiot watching this game for nine innings. They’re wasting my life now.

    • jjyank

      David Robertson is Matt Albers now, after the first run(s) he’s given up since September 1st?

    • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

      So stop watching, I hear the Orioles are looking for bandwagon fans, you can rejoin us in September when we’re in first place again and act like you’re a real fan. Or you can man the fuck up, realize it’s one game, the dude hadn’t given up a run since September 1st, 2011, and that this was an arbitration. No, actually fuck it, jump off the ledge…I hate fairweather fans anyway.

    • Havok9120

      …..

      DRob = Matt Albers? Am I supposed to take that seriously?

    • The Miracle Stick

      I would like to have a word with you…

      • Robinson Tilapia

        Not worth it.

    • FIPster Doofus

      Robertson totally sucks, bro. He’s not even in Albers’ league. They should let Swisher pitch the ninth from now on.

      • jjyank

        Well Swisher does have a 0.00 ERA!!

        • FIPster Doofus

          Exactly. Swisher > Robertson.

          • jjyank

            Swisher to teh 9th! Robertson to teh RF!!

    • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

      Seriously, defend your words, at least Athenian will stay around and stand by what he says most of the time, whether he is disagreed with or not, that takes balls, coming in dropping one line and then vanishing back into the obscurity of the internet is cowardly and just childish.

  • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

    Thank god I’m not a Rangers fan, otherwise tonight would have sucked that much more…oh well it’s a long season, this will be forgotten within a week.

    • Kramerica Industries

      I’m not even feeling the Rangers too much in Game 7. Washington’s defensive systems have absolutely put NY on lockdown in this series – 13 goals in 18 periods of play + 2:00 of OT.

      Love King Hank. Love Brad Richards. And MSG is an unreal home ice advantage. But just as NY won Game 7 at home vs. Ottawa, Washington won Game 7 at Boston, against the defending champs. I fear for the Rangers, and hope Hank and Richards put the team on their back and send them to the Conference Final for a 1994 rematch for Hudson supremacy and a trip to the Cup Final.

      Go Rangers.

      • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

        Sorry…I followed what your saying but to say I care at all about the Rangers winning or loosing in a game 7 would just be a lie.

        • Kramerica Industries

          Lying is probably my strongest attribute.

          Me ever wanting to tell the truth would just be a lie.

          • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

            Ha, me too…I find myself lying in situations where i don’t need to and pulling it off perfectly. It’s so bad how second nature it comes to me.

  • Robinson Tilapia

    Losing one of the greatest players of all time for the season is going to hurt. The team is three games into this process of figuring out, yes, “Life Without Mo.” It’s just not as simple as “everyone moves up one,” and everything will not be perfect after three games.

    If you can’t handle this sort of adversity, crocheting, for example, is a hobby which tends to offer less ups and downs.

    The big man will get us two of three tomorrow.

    • Havok9120

      But “he hasn’t been the same since last summer!!”

      • jjyank

        Heh yeah I loved those comments in the game thread for CC’s last start that were all like “why hasn’t CC been good since the rain delay last July??!!onez?”

  • Midland TX

    I just hope KC does us the courtesy of wiping their ass with the Rays when it’s their turn through Kaufmann Stadium.

  • Cesar “Stairs” Cabral

    *whistles*
    *walks away*

    • The Miracle Stick

      Get back here!

  • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

    Jesus, reading through the last inning’s worth of this thread you’d think that Robertson is the worst pitcher to ever pick up a baseball, and that Mariano Rivera has never blown a save..does nobody remember WWWMW earlier this season? Or now that he’s hurt none of his struggles never happened ever, and Robertson has to be perfect always?

    • Robinson Tilapia

      You didn’t wonder where half those commenters were the first eight innings? Did “The Dude” just happen to finish the dishes around the ninth? Did Athenian just happen to get off work?

      • http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator

        Well, to Athenian’s defense he may actually live in Athens because he got upset one night when I said something disparaging about Greece’s government and it’s stupidity when it comes to spending money(seriously they’re worse at it than America, they just fail on a smaller scale) and he got all offended. If that’s true it’s barely six am there, so maybe he’s just waking up.

      • Havok9120

        Athenian shows up in wins at least, even when he doesn’t say much.

        The Dude tho… he usually just pops in at the end of a win for a snide quip amounting to “tonight was good, but it can’t last,” if he shows up at all.

  • Foghorn Leghorn

    Broxton is doing his best “D Rob” impression…

    • Kramerica Industries

      Would only be fitting for Boston to do it as well tonight.

      The perfect trifecta of total shit, encapsulated in one night.

  • Robinson Tilapia

    I hope the Yanks go 6-0 while I’m on vacation and that the only games Robertson doesn’t save are complete game victories. Keep the comment section nice and feisty while I’m gone.

    • jjyank

      Have a good trip! Where ya goin?

      • Robinson Tilapia

        Miami aka The Motherland. First plane ride for my boy. I may need RetroRob’s tequila then.

        • jjyank

          Well enjoy. I’m sure we’ll try to hold the barrier of rationality against the Bonnie/Clyde/Hester three-headed hydra while you’re gone.

      • jjyank

        By the way, you going on vacation means that people are going to try to shit in my throat now. Awesome.

        • Havok9120

          Heh. And I won’t be around either, at least not after tomorrow.

          Weeeeeeeeeeeeee.

  • adjusts batting gloves

    I’d like to see Mike or one of the wonderful statheads here at RAB do a post on whether blown saves are more common when closers work consecutive nights,in general, and consecutive nights having thrown 20plus pitches the first night. My hunch is that indeed closers working 2 nights in a row are more likely to blow the save.