Game 94: Walks

July 21, 2012 by Mike Axisa 410 Comments

Oakland Athletics v Colorado Rockies — The A’s will charge you for wasting that water, Jarrod. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The best the Yankees can do now is split this four-game series with the Athletics, who are throwing yet another rookie pitcher tonight. The good news is that Jarrod Parker isn’t a soft-tossing lefty like Tommy Milone or a guy with a 60 mph curveball like A.J. Griffin, he’s just a pure power pitcher who will attack with fastballs and finish with sliders and changeups. Parker’s having a nice under-the-radar rookie campaign but will walk himself into trouble, something the Yankees must take advantage of after drawing zero walks in the first two games of the series. Here’s the lineup…

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

RHP Phil Hughes

Tonight’s game will start at 9:05pm ET and can be seen on YES. Enjoy.

Kevin G.

Still don’t understand why today’s game couldn’t be an afternoon one
- Kempire Strikes Back
  
  Well, 9:00 p.m. EST is better than 10:00 I guess…
Kramerica Industries

Fernando Rodney has only had three outings (of 44) this year where he has allowed any runs – and two of those games were out of reach, be it with the Rays leading or the Rays trailing.

Worst part is, the stuff matches the numbers. My question is where the fuck did this command come from? It’s absurd how the magic warehouse in Tampa turns these kind of pitchers into lights out machines.
Greg

Absolutely not a must win, but a would-help win.

Baltimore up on the Indians 2-1 in the 7th
Tampa Bay down 2-0 to Seattle in the 5th
Boston beating Toronto 3-1 in the 5th.
Pasta Stumbling Sojo

I’m copying my comment from today’s open thread.

I was at the game last night. My notes:

1. My wife’s new favorite player is, as she now calls him, “Yo-penis Cespedes.”

2. Oakland’s stadium might be ugly and the fans relatively sparse, but the bleacher people are pretty good and knowledgable fans and are fun to be around.

3. Milwaukee has racing sausages during the game. Washington has racing presidents. Yankee Stadium has racing subway trains (do they still do that?). Oakland is so crappy, they don’t even have good enough graphics to do something like trains or cars. They just have these circular colored chips (like poker chips) that slide along a track as their between-inning racing entertainment. You’re supposed to root for one of the three colors for some reason. It’s really the dumbest thing ever.

4. Disappointing result, but it was a good game overall. This was the 2nd walk-off loss I’ve been to in Oakland — the other one was Scutaro’s homer off Mariano. I have to say, a small part of me gets a kick out of seeing the players and fans celebrate a walk-off even if it’s a loss for me, as long as it’s not a particularly important game. The Scutaro game was a real shocker though, that sucked.

5. When Chavez came to bat, I was waiting to see the fans’ reception. Strangely, there was nothing. Then the PA announced his name after the first pitch for some reason, and then everyone started booing. I was pretty surprised, both that they didn’t realize he was up to bat before it was announced and that they booed him. What did he ever do to deserve that?
- JMK
  
  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this comment.
Will

Getting really tired of Martin/Stewart. John Jaso please!
Kramerica Industries

Jarrod Parker was a case early in the season where it looked like his peripherals indicated a certain decline in performance.

Instead, his peripherals have been catching up to his surface results.

Just goes to show that regression can work both ways.
jjyank

I really hope I regret starting Parker in my fantasy league.
Countryclub

The phillies and Hamels are getting closer to a deal. Could you imagine if the yanks had three 20 mil pitchers? I don’t know if the media and small market teams would ever stops crying about it. Somehow, nobody will care when Phil does it.

Btw, good for them. I couldn’t care less. Just pointing out the inevitable hypocrisy.
- jjyank
  
  Plus Pooblebon on that contract.
  
  I remember a few years ago, I wanted the Yankees to sign Scott Linebrink. Thought he could be a good middle/back end reliever for us. Then the White Sox raised the bar for middle relievers and gave him four years. Plenty of non-Yankee teams raise the bar for free agents, but the Yankees are a nice narrative for the rest of the league.
  - Jacob
    
    It’s papleblown-save sir
Greg

That changeup is going to mess with the Yankees all night.
Kramerica Industries

Well, the Hughes that can’t get strike three is on full display right here.
Kempire Strikes Back

I have a feeling Phil is gonna do something GREAT tonight.
Greg

Now I’m starting to hate Ibanez. Get an outfielder
Dino Velvet

Jarrod Parker — must be nice only needing to shave once a month (if that).
Greg

And getting a starting catcher while you’re out there.
http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

It almost looked like Russell actually tried to do that.

That swing had no probability of line drive
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Hey! That graphic looked familiar.
- jjyank
  
  Mike Axisa = David Cone
- Matt s
  
  Sounds like cone read your post!
Kempire Strikes Back

Holy shit! Pitch FX!
http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

Coney just went PitchFx on us
Nathan

What is the rationale for keeping Frankie in the minors while Russell blows and Stewart isn’t much better? I mean, Frankie won’t be an All-Star but he can’t do any worse than the current catching platoon.
- Greg
  
  Because Frankie isn’t a clear upgrade over either of them.
  - jjyank
    
    People seem to forget Cervelli in the MLB. Career .308 wOBA, and (from my own memory) a lot of balls thrown into center field. Don’t think he’s much of an upgrade, especially since he hasn’t been doing well in AAA either.
  - Cy Pettitte
    
    and don’t you lose Chris Stewart? I don’t think he has any options. Depth is more important that having Frankie with the ML club over Stewart.
  - Jacob
    
    He is absolutely better than stewart
Cy Pettitte

Coney talking PitchFX is so awesome. need more of that during broadcasts.
- eephus_pitch
  
  I’ve also heard him talk WAR, FIP, BABIP, and OPS+. He’s great.
jjyank

YES is showing PitchFX on Cespedes? Wow, I feel like I’m seeing an RAB post on the YES broadcast. I love David Cone.
http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

Perfect game. There, I said it. F%&k the jinx.
- http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso
  
  Oops.
Kramerica Industries

Michael Kay would never tolerate that stuff.
Kramerica Industries

Holy shit – Oliver Perez still plays baseball at the major league level?

That’s a throwback.
Nathan

LOL, I have to watch the A’s broadcast since I’m in CA and they keep showing last night’s walk-off. Poor A’s…it’s like they won the WS.
Greg

The problem is that since the A’s pitchers have been pounding the strike zone, the Yankees cant be patient
jjyank

Didn’t realize it was CC’s birthday. Big ups to the big man, happy birthday to him!
- http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso
  
  Big ups? For a birthday?
  
  Are you drinking again tonight? “Many happy returns,” I could see….
  - http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso
    
    I’m teasing…
  - jjyank
    
    I guess this is a generation difference? People my age say that all the time. You’re dating yourself, Cuso.
Kramerica Industries

As usual, Coco Crisp has been a pain in the ass.
Greg

Everything has been going the A’s way. Clutch hits, great defensive plays, calls, weird plays.
Nathan

Man the bats haven’t looked very good this whole series…aside from the HRs.
Kempire Strikes Back

Eric Sogard looks like that guy from that Fiat commercial with the Romanian supermodel.
- Nathan
  
  HAHA, never thought about that.
  
  And on a related note, the said model is hot. I’d let her slap me around and speak Italian to me.
  - Kempire Strikes Back
    
    Her name is Catrinel Menghia.
    
    http://crookedstraight.blogspo.....nghia.html
    
    Dayum.
Greg

Unbeleivable. The Cards score 12 runs in the seventh inning against the Cubs. 10 hits and 7 doubles
- Kempire Strikes Back
  
  The Cubs suck. What else is new?
  - Greg
    
    But this is a new level of sucktitude.
- Cy Pettitte
  
  Beltran struck out for what should have been the 3rd out then reached base because it was a wild pitch. lol.
Mr. Pink

Whelp. That seems like the only thing A-Rod is good for nowadays, groundball singles. I’ll take it.
Greg

This A’s pitching staff is like the Twins except they can strike you out. They pound the strike zone taking away the ability to be patient
- Hummingbird S.
  
  Parker has a 4.1 BB/9 this season… not sure what are you talking about
  - Greg
    
    Last two starts
    
    3 walks against Boston
    2 against Seattle.
    - Hummingbird S.
      
      and that’s all that matters.. we should forget the rest of the season
    - Tom
      
      You do realize his 3 walks in 6.2IP against Boston is 4.05/9IP (about his season avg?)
      
      And 1 less walk against Seattle (who is not exactly an OBP machine) is not really all that great either.
      - Greg
        
        But we know Boston is gonna get walks. Its what they do.
        
        Tom
        
        Huh?
        
        Boston is 25th in MLB in walk rate (%BB)
        
        It’s not what they do… it’s what people think they do because they have done so in the past.
        
        Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)
        
        Isn’t that what the Yankees do?
        Yankees 9.1 BB% (3rd in MLB)
        Red Sox 7.6 BB% (25th in MLB)
    - Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)
      
      Those 2 starts add up to 5 walks in 11.1 innings, or about 4 BB/9 innings
      
      (I’ll ignore his 0 BB, 6 IP performance against the Twins in his last start, since you seem to have missed that one)
      - Greg
        
        I then included it in my recent notice which was in his last 6 starts, he has 12 walks. In terms of BB/Innings that’s about 3.
  - Greg
    
    In fact HUmmingbird. Last 6 starts. Only 12 walks.
Tom

Well at least they having patient AB’s and not swinging at the first pitch that’s close.
- Greg
  
  They cant have patient at bats. The A’s pitchers are pounding the the strike zone.
Tom

*are having*
Hummingbird S.

they have really forgotten how to hit
- Greg
  
  No credit to the A’s at all, huh?
  - Tom
    
    Very little… they’re approach was garbage against the A’s last night and 28 pitches in 3 innings against a pitcher you have never seen before is weak.
    - Tom
      
      *their* (yikes)
    - jjyank
      
      I don’t know if the approach to Parker is so bad. Wasn’t the knock on him all the walks? So they’re trying to be patient and he’s throwing strikes? Parker is pitching well, he’s ahead in the count most of the time.
      - Greg
        
        Exactly.
        And Milone was the master of first pitch strikes last night
  - Hummingbird S.
    
    my bad, I forgot we have to always tip our caps to the opposition.
Greg

There we go.
Kempire Strikes Back

Oh Raul, you and your veteran presents…
- http://Googlechrome DblHdr
  
  What kind of “presents” do vets give or get ? LOL J/K
  - Kempire Strikes Back
    
    You know, experience, know-how, grittiness, uhhhhhh…..experience.
    - jjyank
      
      You forgot happy endings.
      - Kempire Strikes Back
        
        Bingo, there it is.
Kramerica Industries

There’s the obligatory Phil Hughes home run.

Cespedes is fricken’ killing this team.
Hummingbird S.

Great, keep pitching in the middle of the plate..
Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)

There’s one of them middle of the plate pitches again.
Al Davis

Cespedes hit that ball 4 miles

good fucking god
Nathan

Well…fuck.
Athenian

Baseball rule book, page 100 – if a hitter is killing a team, keep pitching to him, to keep the fans interested. Good grief.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

Turned on the game just in time to see Cespede’s ball to break the sound barrier on the way out of the ball pall park…How’s Hughes looked apart from that pitch?
- jjyank
  
  Pretty good, I think. Not striking guys out, but not getting hit around much either.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
    
    I’m surprised you’re not screaming at me to get back on the bus.
    - jjyank
      
      It’s only the 5th inning. Be patient.
Greg

I think we have to start thinking about walking the guy
- DM
  
  …or knocking him down with one under his chin
Countryclub

Hughes has already thrown a bunch of change ups.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

I’d knock him off the plate for that…but I’m also a short tempered person when it comes to shit like that.
- Nathan
  
  I agree…why waste four wide to walk him when one the middle of his back will do the job?
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
    
    I’m not saying hit him, I’m just saying making him think about watching the next ball he hits. If it does hit him, so be it.
Kempire Strikes Back

That’s the umpteenth time the Yankees have lined out in this series.
Mr. Pink

Please get Russell Martin off this team. .180 was hardly acceptable from Posada. Why should we put up with it from him?
- Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)
  
  Cause they don’t have better alternatives at the moment?
  - Kempire Strikes Back
    
    Cervelli!
    - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
      
      Cervelli’s having a worse year at AAA than Stewart is in the Majors. No thank you.
      - Kempire Strikes Back
        
        I know, I was just joshin’. By the way, I was just looking at your blog and literally busted a gut at the Nissan Pussy thing.
        
        http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
        
        hahaha I know I was laughing at a good ten minutes at that…idk if you know about cracked.com, but if you enjoy good humor you should totally check out this article. http://www.cracked.com/article.....tings.html
        
        Kempire Strikes Back
        
        Cracked.com is a terrific website. I really should visit it more often.
        
        http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
        
        I feel my day isn’t complete till I’ve read their daily 2-4 articles, it’s always great for a laugh.
      - jjyank
        
        Yeah. I made a similar point somewhere above. .306 wOBA at AAA this year. Is he really an upgrade?
        
        Kempire Strikes Back
        
        Cervelli had a .322 wOBA and a 97 wRC+ in 137 AB’s last season. League average numbers, but that’s a lot more than you can say about Stewart. But the move was made for defense, not offense, and Cashman couldn’t have known Martin would be THIS bad.
        
        jjyank
        
        And you can’t exactly depend on Cervelli if he’s performing so badly at AAA. What he did last year is irrelevant. If he sucks at AAA, why would he get called up?
        
        Kempire Strikes Back
        
        Well you have to figure being sent down to AAA demoralized him. Plus he’s dealt with injuries this season. When Cashman made the move for Stewart it meant Cervelli wouldn’t be getting any playing time anyway barring injuries. Stewart doesn’t even have any minor league options I believe so it’s a moot point.
      - Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)
        
        He’s not having a worse year than Stewart offensively, but he really hasn’t been much/if any better that Martin offensively.
    - Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)
      
      Cervelli .647 OPS, .306 wOBA in AAA (and worse defensively)
      Martin .664 OPS, .299 wOBA in MLB
      
      Not exactly a lock that Cervelli would be better offensively, and he’s definitely worse defensively, imo.
      - jjyank
        
        Agreed. The pro-Cervelli crowd seems to have forgotten his throws into center field.
James A

The title of this game thread is extremely misleading. It should have been Swings
Hummingbird S.

hanger.. Jeter has to hit that
http://Googlechrome DblHdr

Cespedes is a Cuban “milkshake” tank.
your mom

Fuck Cespedes and his showmanship.
Will (the other one)

When Russell Martin’s batting number get you down, just remember Brandon Inge…and the fact that he’s a third baseman.
Greg

M’s just beat the Rays 2-1 so they won’t be gaining any ground if we lose
- your mom
  
  But, but, Baltimore won. . . . . .
  - Greg
    
    Well, apparently they’re not a threat around here.
    - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
      
      …that’s cause I’m still not scared of them lol.
      - jjyank
        
        Because the suck. What’s the lineup, Weiters, Jones, Markakis, and friends? And I don’t believe anyone in that rotation. Strop and Johnson are good in the bullpen, but yeah, not scared at all.
    - Widget
      
      they aren’t a threat. that negative run differential says so.
    - Get Phelps Up
      
      The 2nd worst run differential in the AL can only get you so far. I’m amazed they’ve lasted this long to be honest.
    - Nathan
      
      I remember sometime in the past five years or so when the O’s were hanging around 1st/2nd in the division and hearing a local radio show talk about the O’s having a shot at the playoffs and I giggled to myself.
      
      They’ll drop off…eventually.
- jjyank
  
  And Toronto is beating the Sox 7-3 in the 9th. Baltimore won, but who seriously still gives a shit about them?
- Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)
  
  But Baltimore won, so mass hysteria should be unleashed if the Yankees lose.
mt

A walk – WOW!
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
  
  Haha, Singleton got so excited.
- Tom
  
  2-1 pitch… change coming?
Dino Velvet

Yankees couldn’t afford Cespedes?
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
  
  They chose not to afford him.
  - jjyank
    
    Hindsight is great, right?
    - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
      
      Meh, I’m not ready to induct him to the HOF yet…he’s no Ciriaco.
      - Robinson Tilapia
        
        But who is, really.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

Why does Robinson refuse to take walks? I mean that 2-0 pitch was waaaaay outside.
Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)

Maybe one of the pitches in that AB was in the strikezone.
Greg

There’s that changeup again. The bane of the Yankees
Nathan

This is painful to watch.
- Greg
  
  Well then don’t watch.
  
  I had a bad feeling about this series with the A’s and yet I;m watching.
http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

((6 minutes ago on MLB Network)

Joe Magrane: “If I were the Mariners I’d test the waters and see how much I could get from the Red Sox for King Felix because their minor league system is loaded.”
- http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso
  
  And yes, he was speaking specifically about the Red Sox minor league system.
  - Kempire Strikes Back
    
    Every single position player on the Pawtucket Red Sox will go on to become the greatest player ever at their respective positions and every member of their staff are a lock for multiple Cy Young awards.
    - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
      
      that’s a direct quote from Peter Gammons, right?
      - Kempire Strikes Back
        
        Yes. It has also been foretold by the prophet Gordon Edes.
    - http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso
      
      Joe? Joe Magrane, is that you?
      - Kempire Strikes Back
        
        Eric Ortiz is more like it…
        
        http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
        
        The 2011 Red Sox the greatest team ever.*
        
        *To not make the playoffs.
        
        jjyank
        
        +10000000000000000000000000000
    - Get Phelps Up
      
      Well…their SS will have to settle for 2nd best behind Pedro Ciriaco.
- Get Phelps Up
  
  Iglecias for Felix straight up seems fair to me.
- Greg
  
  On the offensive side it is to an extent. Pitching, no
Tom

Cano saw 1, maybe 2 pitches, out of 7 in the zone in that AB?
- eephus_pitch
  
  That was an absolute clinic in “how to get yourself out.” Cone and Singleton even noticed Parker was pitching around Robbie.
Mr. Pink

Pathetic. It’s gonna be another one of those one run losses again…
- your mom
  
  Nah, we’ll blow them out in the 8th inning.
- Greg
  
  That means the A’s need to score two more runs because we’ve actually hit Ryan Cook well in this series.
  - Get Phelps Up
    
    Cook’s probably not pitching today after pitching 3 days in a row.
Arya

Phil’s pitching at a nice quick pace and he’s pitching his tail off. It would be nice to see the offense put up any kind of fight against this rookie pitching staff. Phil deserves the W tonight.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

The heavy weight match up of the century tomorrow. There’s going to be at least 550lbs of pitching on display.
- jjyank
  
  I feel bad for whoever is catering the post-game buffet.
  - Kempire Strikes Back
    
    I fell bad for the (Dallas Braden’s) pitching mound….
Tom

18 pitches that inning for Parker… 5 or 6 were actually in the strike zone.
Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)

Uggh … walking Derek Norris.
- Kempire Strikes Back
  
  Derek Norris stealing second base…..ughhhhhhhhhh
Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)

shitty throw
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

A halfway decent throw gets him there.
http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

Awful throw by Russell
Arya

Remind me again why Russell Martin is on this ballclub. He can’t hit. He can’t throw out slow runners. A good throw had him.
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
  
  Because there is literally nobody else available that you can say would produce at the same level or better.
  - JohnnyC
    
    Acceptable if this was just a blip in his career but the man’s been in decline since like 2008. 2000 ABs is not a small sample.
    - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
      
      Your statement may be true, but again…there is nobody even slightly available that would be an upgrade.
      - JohnnyC
        
        Ryan Doumit was available before the season. But Cashman was too busy trying to get Martin to sign a 3 year contract.
        
        jjyank
        
        Doumit is also a terrible catcher.
- jjyank
  
  Okay, Casharya. Find me a trade for a good defensive catcher who can hit that doesn’t cost the entire farm system.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    Also: six full years of team control and left-handed.
Greg

Get another catcher and an outfielder please Cashman.
Dont rest on your laurels. That leads to trouble.
Dino Velvet

HA!

Red Sox 7-3 on Varitek day.

heheheheehehhehhehheehehehe
jjyank

Man I love Cone in the booth.
eephus_pitch

Brett Myers to the White Sox? That’s cool, I needed a reason to hate them even more.
- jjyank
  
  I hate him too, but it helps my fantasy team :D
- Kempire Strikes Back
  
  If it makes you feel better the ChiWhiteSox just fell behind Detroit for the division lead.
Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)

Big out. Nice job Phil.

(maybe next time don’t walk Derek Norris)
your mom

Bet Josh didn’t see that pitch coming.
Greg

1:41 into the game and we’re in the seventh. This one’s rolling along
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

I can not reiterate how much that ny lottery commercial creeps me out on a fundamental level.
- jjyank
  
  Sometimes I’d glad that mlb.tv shows a blank screen instead of real commercials.
  - Kramerica Industries
    
    I liked it last week when there was a fixed camera on Yankee Stadium instead of the commercial break screen.
    - jjyank
      
      I did too, but I thought that was just compensation for them fucking up the broadcast in the beginning. I wish that was a permanent feature though.
Greg

We’re gonna keep going to that kid until we hit a homer.
http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

Will someone please feed the fat kid with the sign? Or tell him to stop licking his fuckin lips?
Arya

He doesn’t have Martin because Martin can’t hit a lick. Kid even has Chris Stewart and Darnell McDonald ahead of Martin.
Greg

This kid’s makin’ this worth it.
tabbert

bahaha. The fat kid didn’t add martin to his list because he knew there was ZERO chance he would homer.
- jjyank
  
  Except he did have Martin.
http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

Stop showing that kid. He’s the reason bullies still have a place on this planet.
- Greg
  
  Hey. He’s making this shit game fun to watch.
  - tabbert
    
    This kid is just about the only exciting right now. This game is one helluva a snooze fest.
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
  
  awww…just cause he’s fat, and probably a huge baseball nerd?
  - http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso
    
    No because he’s a tool. He’s probably 12 years old and acting like he’s 6. Been mollycoddled his whole life and his parents don’t stop him from going after that 3rd slice of cake
    - Greg
      
      Judgmental, much?
    - JohnnyC
      
      I take it you’re not a parent.
    - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
      
      For all you know he has a problem, also since when is there an age limit to how old you have to be to bring signs to the ball park?
Will (the other one)

Well now I’m just pissed that I don’t have the game on TV and thus can’t see this fat kid.
- Pasta Stumbling Sojo
  
  Same.
Kramerica Industries

The thing that really, really pisses me off about the wild card situation this year is how geographically distant the two WC winners might be, and how it affects the team that has the best record in the league.

Imagine this – Yankees have the best record in the AL, and the play-in game is between Baltimore/Boston/TB and Anaheim/Oakland. The playoffs begin the day after the play-in game.

If Oakland/Anaheim were to win that game, HOW do the Yankees get any kind of reward by having to fly 3,000 miles west for a game the next day? Talk about capital bullshit.
- Widget
  
  the 2-3 format being used this year pisses me off to no end.
- Athenian
  
  Why would the Yankees fly across the country to play the WC?
  - Greg
    
    2-3 format
  - Widget
    
    because of the 2-3 format.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
    
    Because of the late decision to add the wildcard, the playoff schedule was already made and the play-in game was squeezed in to the day after the season ends (and the day before the playoff begins) It’s easier for the telivision networks to just fly to the location of the play-in game, and stay there because the game is the next day. The 1st place team still has homefield advantage, but in the 2-3 format that Widget and I agree is bullshit.
    - Kramerica Industries
      
      I mean, I’m not even a big fan of the new two-WC format as is, but given how late MLB decided to put it in place, there’s no way they should’ve made it effective 2012. Decisions made that late should only be made effective starting the following season.
      
      There’s a reason the 2-3 format of the mid ’90s was dumped. Even on this temporary basis, it sucks ASS.
    - Get Phelps Up
      
      Not necessarily, the game could be between the Rays and Angels in Anaheim and the Rays win, then the TV people have to fly all the way back to Tampa where the LDS begins. The whole thing is a big mess.
      - Kramerica Industries
        
        That’s another con, and a big one at that.
      - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
        
        I guess the way they look at it is it’s at least a 50% chance of easier logistics.
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
  
  another reason I wouldn’t mind having the second best record this season.
- tabbert
  
  i have stated this concern as well.
  
  However, what happens if boston beats the angels in the wild care game? The Yankees and Redsox arent suppose to be able to face each other until the ALCS. So, if the Yankees finished with the best record in the AL, and the redsox won the wildcard, would Texas then have to go to boston?
  - Greg
    
    I think they changed that rule about division opponents
    - tabbert
      
      That makes sense… because technically 3 teams from the AL east could make the playoffs.
  - Tom
    
    They changed that rule, the #1 seed faces the play-in game winner (I refuse to call it a playoff game) no matter what
  - Widget
    
    I thought they dumped the rule about same teams from the same division playing each other.
  - Kramerica Industries
    
    Division means nothing anymore in the LDS.
    
    Yankees could play an AL East team.
- Kempire Strikes Back
  
  There are pros and cons to the new system. It makes more teams contenders which increases fan interest which increases TV ratings and revenue. On the other hand, everything you just mentioned. But that’s Bud Selig for ya.
  - Kramerica Industries
    
    The irony is amazing to me in all of this, even if it only affects this year.
    
    The idea here is to reward division winners. This year, the best team gets penalized instead. Bass ackwards baseball at its best.
Wow

Boy has this been a series.
your mom

Fucking Yoni.
http://Googlechrome DblHdr

A’s have lowest team era in league ?
- Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)
  
  In the AL, yes.
- Countryclub
  
  It’s because of their home park. Their road numbers are top 10, but far from #1.
  - JohnnyC
    
    Beane knows what works in this park. Flyball pitchers who can throw off-speed. Moneyball’s over-rated but you gotta give him his props.
Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)

Nicely done. Good job Phil.

Now how about some offense?
your mom

This is the inning where we faack Parker up!
- your mom
  
  Nevermind. Damn offense!
Greg

I tell you, I would call the D-backs to get an outfielder. They have Young, Upton, Parra and Kubel, who has 3 homers tonight.
tabbert

Okay, so what if this ” play in game” takes 5,6,7 hours to complete? I am guessing that this game will start at 7PM eastern time. So, the yankees would have to stay up till 1,2,3, in the morning, just to find out who they play? Then they would have to charter a plane to that city in the middle of the morning, possibly fly across the country, and play that night? How is that fair? This 2-3 format is the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard of.
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
  
  It might. Yes. Yes. It’s not fair. I agree 100%.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

Phil’s usually good for 115-120, maybe let him start the 8th if we’re still tied?
- jjyank
  
  I’d say so. He hasn’t been struggling really, at least go batter to batter.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
    
    I guess we were right, but it was a bad idea :(
    - jjyank
      
      Shit happens. Can’t pull Hughes for Inge, hindsight be damned.
    - JohnnyC
      
      Usually you win if you give up 2 runs and you pitch for the Yankees. Don’t blame Hughes (or Nova last night). The offense is pathetic. Dominated by 80 mph changeups. Hitting like AAAA batters.
- forensic
  
  Usually good for 115-120? He’s passed 115 once all season, and that was the complete game where they really stretched him out.
Arya

The fat kid has a jacket on now! By all means keep showing him.
Greg

On June 4th Parker pitched against the Rangers

8IP 1H 0R 3BB 6Ks

So its not just the Yankees
Nathan

Offensive offense.

Did I hear the stat earlier correctly…the Yankees only had one walk in 27 innings in this series? It seems like they can’t get the ball out of the infield.
Tom

Another solid AB…. one pitch in the zone out of five.

You’d think by now the Yankees might notice that opposite handed hitters are going to get a changeup in a 2-1 count. How many times do they have to flail at them expecting fastball before they realize how they are being pitched (all series)
- JohnnyC
  
  KLong is a great batting coach.
Cy Pettitte

you gotta be fucking kidding me
Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)

WTF??

Brandon Inge?
Kramerica Industries

Ok, um, why in the fucking hell was Hughes in there to start the 8th, at well over 100 pitches?

WTF
- eephus_pitch
  
  Because he was pitching great?
- Greg
  
  Raul Ibanez discussed it.
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
  
  Because he was at 105 (not ‘well over’ 100), he’s been great all game, that was only the third hit he’s allowed all game.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  105 is not well over. Shitty hitters at the bottom of the order due up as well. He made a terrible pitch, but being down one run isn’t on him.
  - Kramerica Industries
    
    No its not, Hughes pitched an excellent game.
    
    I would’ve disagreed with the decision for him to pitch the 8th, but the first pitch home run makes it seem way too much like second-guessing now.
Arya

And that’s the ballgame. Why Hughes was out there I don’t know.
mt

At least it will not count as a walk-off.
Kempire Strikes Back

This is incredibly frustrating. A team that had just scored 3+ runs in 42 straight games has scored 3 total against the A’s starters in this series. They better give Bartolo a high colonic tomorrow. And now Hughes give up a bomb to freaking Inge.
jjyank

Parker is making me look smart for starting him in fantasy.

Not that I was at any point rooting for him. I hope the Yankees destroy him if he comes back out, or whoever the next pitcher is.

But Parker just vaulted me into winning against the #1 team in my league, who I’m playing this week. Since I’m #2, that’s kinda cool.
your mom

Well that’s predictable. Shoulda took the HR prone pitcher out in a one-run game.
- Knoxvillain
  
  He was pitching great and they’re playing in Oakland. Against the A’s. It’s not like it was Coors with Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey, Jr., and a 2001 A-Rod coming up.
Get Phelps Up

Phil deserves better. :(
http://Googlechrome DblHdr

I knew Inge would hurt us sooner or later. Even with his usual low, low avg.
Nathan

(Potentially) beat by the A’s for a third straight game by one run…the A’s! With a line-up that featured three starters hitting below .200 and one near .220.

Unbelievable.
- Greg
  
  They’ve all been hot of late. Don’t look at those seasonal averages
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Shit happens.
eephus_pitch

YOOOGE at-bat by Inge
Greg

Told you guys the A’s would be trouble. But no “They’ve only played the Red Sox and Twins” Now they have to win tomorrow.
- Widget
  
  They don’t have to win tomorrow. It’s not like they will miss the playoffs if they lose tomorrow. Teams lose 3 to 4 to 5 games in a row, including good teams.
  - eephus_pitch
    
    Of course they don’t “have to” win tomorrow, but it would be pretty fucking embarrassing to get swept in 4 straight.
    - Get Phelps Up
      
      Embarrassing sure, but the worst that could happen tomorrow is the lead going down to 6.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      Meh. They can handle “embarrassing.”
- Athenian
  
  Not really. Baltimore is the only team that won in the division. 98 yanks went 12-16 during a July/August stretch and still won 114 game. This is a minor hiccup losing three to the A’s.
Athenian

Offensive wasted a great performance by Hughes. Unfortunate.
Widget

losing a game by giving up a homer to Brandon Inge is pathetic.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

That hit pisses me off more than the homer.
your mom

Our pitching has been, the offense. . . . .

Good job by Phil tonight though. Can’t expect much more.
- your mom
  
  *has been good
Kempire Strikes Back

Did I mention that Coco Crisp can go fuck himself?
- your mom
  
  Don’t forget Josh Reddick too.
  - Kramerica Industries
    
    Better in Oakland than Boston.
teddy

this game sucks, 2 bad pitches and nyy loses
- jjyank
  
  *losing.
  
  Good lord, it’s one run. They might end up losing, but stop giving up on the game before it’s over.
forensic

Sure was nice of Hughes to point into the air like it was a routine flyout. Keep trying…
http://Googlechrome DblHdr

The first time we played them, they only had ONE hitter over .270. That was Reddick. Now they’re hitting better and pitching better.
- Greg
  
  THANK YOU. Somebody fucking gets it.
  - Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)
    
    Get’s what? The Yankees aren’t losing these games because of great Oakland offense.
    - Greg
      
      The A’s dont need great offense.
  - forensic
    
    I find it hilarious that you’re trying to explain this all by lauding their offense. They’ve scored a grand total of 9 runs in the series, 3 per game, not exactly scary.
    
    If the offense hadn’t decided to just fly ahead to Seattle and skip this series, then it’d just be the same old A’s.
    - Greg
      
      Not scary, but enough.
    - Athenian
      
      +100. Let’s see where the A’s are after back to back series with the Angels and Rangers.
      - Kramerica Industries
        
        They’ve actually held their own at home vs. Texas this year – 4-2. In recent years, Texas has dominated in both venues.
        
        Whether they can go to Texas and win some games remains to be seen. IIRC, they lost three of four the last time they went to Arlington.
FIPster Doofus

Another good game by Hughes. The Yankees all-world offense came up big for him.
Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)

Un-fucking real.

Lovely incompetence.
FIPster Doofus

Seriously?
Nathan

Figures.
Cy Pettitte

wow this team really needs to get their heads out if their asses right now.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

Are you fucking serious?
Wow

3 rookies, ftw. When one beats you, that’s one thing… But three?
Kempire Strikes Back

Fuck. Coco. Crisp.

Measly motherfucker.
Marcy

What a mess.
We’re all thinking Justin Upton – it should have be Gerrado Parra we’re thinking of.
Robinson Tilapia

Here I am showing up in the 8th inning with the team losing. Such a troll I am.

I’d have challenged Inge too. Can’t fault Hughes there. Looks like he pitched a great game.

I’m going to pretend I didn’t just see that botched pickoff.

Are Greg and I still the only two who saw these pitching matchups and got worried? Granted, this is a pretty worst case scenario thus far, but dang.

We will bring the tying run to the plate in the 9th. I predicted it last night before I went to bed and I’m staying up this night.
- jjyank
  
  Heh well it’s a 1-run game, so I’m pretty damn sure the tying run comes to the plate :P
  
  I was worried about the pitching match ups a bit…I started Parker in fantasy because of that, and I guess I look smart. But I’m not proud of that as long as the Yanks are losing.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    Kind of an easy prediction there. :)
Greg

I honestly think the Yankees came into this series thinking, “We’re gonna push these guys around”. Overconfidence.
- Nathan
  
  Probably. That and “We’re up 10 games…no pressure”.
- JohnnyC
  
  Yeah, they didn’t scout the team’s recent performance the way you did. Otherwise, they would have been prepared for this hot team that’s out-classing them in every way.
- Widget
  
  Hire Greg because clearly he is better qualified than any of the Yankee scouts.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    I’m starting to sense a crush here.
Kempire Strikes Back

Sweet irony!
Adam

Thank you!
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

I know these guys are professionals or whatever, but if my cousin’s little league team executed a run down so poorly, they’d be running drills directly after the game.
- JohnnyC
  
  Fielding’s been awful since the All-Star break.
Robinson Tilapia

God meant for Coco Crisp to get picked off.
- FIPster Doofus
  
  It’s like a final destination movie. One way or another, death (a pick-off) was coming for Coco.
Knoxvillain

Time for Cano to extend that hitting streak with a two run home run.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  From your mouth to God’s ears.
  
  Second God mention from me. Must be the lychee martini.
http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

He’s got his ears tucked into his damn hat! And his obese father is giving this kid no chance to survive past 40! I bet his father wasn’t that chunky when he was a kid!

Sloth is a deadly sin.
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
  
  as is wrath.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
    
    Seriously, for all you know this kid has a thyriod condition and is predisposed to being that size regardless of diet.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
    
    and pride/vanity.
    - jjyank
      
      This, plus I don’t believe that “sins” exist. Atheism is so much easier.
      - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
        
        I agree. But it’s fun to throw religion back into the face of the overly sanctimonious religious folk.
- Pat D
  
  There is no such thing as a deadly sin, just habits that lead to death.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

Damnit Alex take a pitch. just once to start an AB.
Kempire Strikes Back

There’s a start!
Pat D

These last 3 games have just been so impossible to watch I can’t believe I’ve watched all of them. Just so fucking boring.

It’s making me not want to do anything else right now. The only motivation I’ve had in the last week to do anything was go see a movie yesterday.

I thought collecting severance and unemployment money and not having to work would be more fun.
- Kramerica Industries
  
  We could always get into deep discussions about gun regulation and whether it should exist or not in any higher forms than what presently already exist.
  
  I feel like that would be total bullshit, but what can you do?
  
  (Sorry, but the note about movies brought out that little rant.)
mt

Somebody has to homer now and Soriano has to save this – only way we win this.
Knoxvillain

Sorry he didn’t hit a home run, Stuart. Time for Cano!
Nathan

A HR? Please?

Pretty please, with sugar on top?
tabbert

Right after we swept the Jays, i was thinking that this team might not lose 3 straight the rest of the season. This has been a humbling series.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  It happens.
  
  It’s the “young pitchers Yanks haven’t seen before” meme on steroids. Won’t last forever.
Kempire Strikes Back

Robbie tried to do waaaaaaay to much in that at-bat. There goes the streak.
Widget

jokes on you Oakland when your team moves.
teddy

there goes the hit streak
your mom

WTF is TEx waiting for??
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  …..your mom?
  
  *snare*
Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)

That’s OK Tex, don’t swing at those fastballs near the middle.
- Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)
  
  Wow Tex, that was a horrible fucking AB.
FIPster Doofus

That’s a strike? LOL
Kramerica Industries

Well, thanks for the misinformation Kenny.

Kind of a big difference in the situation.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

Alex get’s into scoring position and Andruw coming in to pinch hit.

By chance does this pitcher throw a sinker?
forensic

Great AB Tex. Way to take 2 fastballs right down the middle from a guy who only throws fastballs. And that doesn’t even mention the last one you took too, for another strike.
teddy

go f yourself teix pathetic
mt

We need to score 2 here – if we tie, we will get walked off.

I want to be confident in Andruw but his golden sombrero yesterday is still ringing in my mind.
Widget

this is just how baseball works. Look at Greg’s red sox team. They take 3 of 4 from first place Chicago, but now they are on the verge of getting swept by the Jose Bautistaless Blue Jays.
Mr. Pink

Keep taking two straight fastballs down the middle Yankees. Maybe the ball will hit itself.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

Fuck this road trip.
- flamingo
  
  Hopefully the Mariners won’t know what hit them.
- your mom
  
  I second this.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  FWIW, I’d love to go on another West Coast road trip myself. Had a ton of fun a few years ago when we actually did one.
FIPster Doofus

Fuck this.
Pat D

4-3, 3-2, 2-1.

I guess tomorrow will be a 1-0 loss.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Are you saying we win on Monday?
  - mt
    
    We lose on Monday – 0 runs for Mariners and -1 runs scored for Yanks. :-)
  - CBean
    
    0-0 tie. the game never ends.
Tom

Just have to tip your cap to:

Great, Millone, Parker, and the great Doolittle

You really can’t expect to score more than 3 runs against that quartet in 3 games (ironically they score 2 runs in 2 innings off Cook)
- Tom
  
  That should be the Great Griffin.
cjc

great fucking showing in oakland guys nice work with the bats
Kramerica Industries

Motherfucker.

The A’s are equal opportunity giant slayers, aren’t they? Fuck.
Greg

A’s have won 7 straight one run games. This is how they roll
- Widget
  
  that is not sustainable. they’ll still miss the playoffs.
- FIPster Doofus
  
  Luck.
DERP

Thanks Phil!
- CBean
  
  Phil pitched a great game. 2 mistakes but 7+ innings 2 runs from the starter is a great job. It’s not his fault that the offense was missing.
- JonS
  
  Don’t blame Phil, blame Girardi. No way he should have been out there for the 8th. Joe got greedy.
  - Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)
    
    “No way he should have been out there for the 8th. ”
    
    He was pitching great and the bottom of the order was coming up. He just happened to make an awful pitch.
    - FIPster Doofus
      
      This. It’s not Hughes’ or Girardi’s fault. Blame the offense.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    He challenged a guy whose best years were left behind a while ago. The guy hit the pitch. How is that either Hughes’s or Girardi’s fault?
  - Bunt Gardner
    
    wow.
- FIPster Doofus
  
  Good call. Blame the guy who gave up 2 runs in 7.2. Smart.
- Bunt Gardner
  
  Seriously? Two runs and you blame him?
teddy

teix costed the yanks the game
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Who costeded you your shitty grammar?
  - Jeff Karstens, Male Model
    
    Well, nobody costeded him it, he’s still got it!!
Wow

This team should be ashamed right now.
- your mom
  
  The offense should be ashamed, but hey, props to the A’s pitchers.
Kempire Strikes Back

The A’s have improved but they aren’t this good.

I’ve gone for feeling pity for the A’s and their crumbling organization to feeling nothing but bitter apathy for them. Have fun in San Jose motherfuckers.
Mr. Pink

Why did I know that this West Coast trip would throw us off of our winning groove? Disgusting offensive display Yankees. Cano can’t do it all.
- DT
  
  Well this game it was Arod. Cano did nothing.
mt

I guess I shouldn’t have been so gleeful and smug when Red Sox got swept in Oakland – oh well.

I don’t think Colon throws a change-up so maybe there is hope tomorrow although CC historically does not pitch that well in Oakland in front of friends and family.

These tight low scoring games are where we miss Gardner a little bit (although he could just ahve easily been picked off twice like Crisp.)
DT

3 game losing streaks suck, but they happen. The offense needs to get it;s shit together tomorrow. They’ve put up some terrible At bats lately.
DERP

Boston and Tampa Bay lost, so that’s a positive.
Get Phelps Up

Well, this is why you have a big lead in the division – so you’re prepared for the inevitable rough patch that will come weather it’s against the A’s, Twins, or Rangers. I mean, the ABSOLUTE WORST that could happen at the end of this road trip is the Yankees lead down to 2 games in the AL East which would mean they lose tomorrow and get swept by Seattle (hint: that won’t happen.)

We’ll be looking back and laughing at this series in September.
- FIPster Doofus
  
  You’re right.
forensic

This is one time where I’m actually kind of glad I’m getting the A’s broadcast and not YES. At least I don’t feel too obligated to actually watch and listen to every second of the game, so I can miss out on some of the misery.
tony

This is an absolute joke. The yanks just took 3 days off with the bats. Every pitcher they go against that they haven’t seen before means an automatic loss?
Mr. Pink

A-rod looks terrible. The guy has become a high strikeout singles hitter. Argh. How many more years of this guy? And I will kick a baby the next time a Yankee hitter takes two FB down the middle and strikes out on a breaking ball. So much talk about the Yankees needing pitching this offseason but what they really need is hitters with balls.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  A-Rod was the only offense tonight. Setup and scored the first run, got on base to start the ninth and stole a base to get into scoring position.
  
  This is like a classic “I’m mad and I don’t know who to blame so I’m going to blame A-Rod” comment.
  - forensic
    
    But 0 RBI’s!!!!!
    
    He didn’t drive himself in from 2nd in the 9th, so he sucks.
    - Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)
      
      Ike Davis would have led off the inning with a 2-run HR.
      - Get Phelps Up
        
        And then pitched the bottom of the 9th for a save.
Dino Velvet

I can’t blame the pitching. Limiting a team to 2 runs on the road is all you can reasonable ask for.

The hitting is missing.
http://Googlechrome DblHdr

teddy says:
July 21, 2012 at 11:30 pm
teix costed the yanks the game

============================

One guy “costed” ? NEVER, EVER happens !
Robinson Tilapia

Nothing to say here. Young pitchers pitching to the best of their ability have silenced the bats and taken away from strong pitching performances on the Yanks’ part as well. It doesn’t last forever.

Oakland’s not throwing a young pup tomorrow. Yanks are throwing the big man. I think I like our chances a whole lot better tomorrow. After that, they get the hell out of that awful stadium.
Jeff Karstens, Male Model

3 days, 3 games lost on the division lead.

Hoping this isn’t a precursor of how our hitting will look in the playoffs…. but not optimistic.
- Need Pitching (and maybe hitting too)
  
  Are they going to play in Oakland in the playoffs?
- Get Phelps Up
  
  I really, really doubt the Yankees will score at a 2 run/game pace in the playoffs.
tony

Did anyone listen to Sterling today? He was watching a differant game for sure. He said Tex took a ball when arod stole second and then like a minute later he says it was strike 3.
- Jeff Karstens, Male Model
  
  They said that on TV too, because it looked like a ball.
  - tony
    
    Oh really? I love Sterling but sometimes you just want to kill him.
  - JohnnyC
    
    Umpire didn’t make the call right away. Catcher had already thrown the ball by the time his arm came up tp signal strike.
- eephus_pitch
  
  It did look like a ball, but that doesn’t make up for the two heaters he took right down the middle.
eephus_pitch

I only saw Cano’s last two at-bats, but both times he completely got himself out swinging at pitches out of the zone. Granted, the second time was against a lefty and Robbie doesn’t hit them, but I wonder if he had the hit streak on his mind?
mt

The thing is that we went from 5.5 games back after 42 games when we were 21-21 to ten games in front after 91 games when we were 57-34. (gained 15.5 games in a span of 49 games-wow!). Now that we’ve lost 3 straight, with 68 games left, there is still a lot of baseball to be played before we can declare victory.

I had a strange feeling this would happen when I was reading in ESPN NEW YORK.com after Toronto series how boring the Yanks were in being so far ahead – so of course we then proceed to lose 3 straight to 3 rookie starters in a stadium we had won 10 straight coming in – YCPB.

Teams go through slumps – let’s just hope this one is short.
Jack

Hi everyone I was just wondering your thoughts on this, I’m sixteen and the last time I played on a baseball team I was 11. I used to be a bigger guy not exactly fat but not fit. I never had anyone to push me to do anything so I always quit things early. I have always loved baseball but never had the will to do anyything about playing it. This year I got sick and lost 30 pounds now I am 6 foot 138 and starting to build my muscle and now I have found new confidencce. Recently my uncle told me i couldn’t be a player (jokingly) so I chellenged him and said I woud join the team this year. I don’ have a father and my mom is very busy so really the only things I can work on is pitching. I have been throwing about 30 feet away at my fencewaiting to fix things so i can go 60 feet. I am wondering what your thoughts are on this, any advice, am I to old to go? I know most of you are adults and some fathers who have played when you were younger so I though this was the best place to go. I am hoping to play and also play in college I don’t really expect to be amazing but I have a baseball IQ higher then anyone on the high school team guarenteed and also I have a higher love of the game. I really would appreciate anything you have to tell me thanks everyone!
- Brent
  
  It’s never too late. But you’re a little late.
- Kempire Strikes Back
  
  Kenny Rogers didn’t start playing baseball until his senior year in High School and went on to win 200 games and throw the 14th perfect game in MLB history. I’ve always sucked at baseball so there’s not much I can do for you on that front. Practice, practice, practice is my advice. Jim Abbot would throw balls at a brick wall over and over to hone his pitching skills. Develop great muscle memory and garner a good work ethic. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and be patient.
- http://Googlechrome DblHdr
  
  If you love it, you can do it ! Seriously !
  
  Lots of things you can do entirely by yourself, like just throwing to a target or some other object.
  
  Get yourself in shape by running.
  
  If you’re a hitter, just pretend you’re being pitched to and develop your swing. ( even learn to switch hit this way )
  { I did just that in one off season )
  
  Go for it, by all means.