Yanks give Kuroda no support, fall to Indians

August 25, 2012 by Mike Axisa 71 Comments

Hiroki Kuroda has been brilliant of late, but asking him to win a game in which the offense plates just one run is a little ridiculous. The bats did the club’s most effective starter this season no favors on Saturday, a tough luck loss against a team that lost their last nine games. Let’s recap…

A Tale of Two #HIROKs: Five of the first nine hitters Kuroda faced reached base — including a three-run homer by Michael Brantley — and then just three of the final 21 hitters he faced reached. Hiroki was clearly off in those first two innings, leaving a lot of pitches out of the zone and throwing just 23 of 43 pitches for strikes (43%) in those two frames. Forty-eight of his final 65 pitches went for strikes (74%), so a drastic difference. You’ll take eight innings and three runs from your starter every time out, but once again the offense didn’t bother to score any runs for Kuroda.
Stranded: The Yankees have scored a total of five runs in their last 26 offensive innings thanks to some absolutely abysmal production with men on-base (again). At one point six of nine and nine of 16 Yankees reached base from the fifth through seventh innings — including two bases loaded situations — and they managed just one run on a Mark Teixeira sacrifice fly. The suddenly cold Eric Chavez and Russell Martin get some slack for hitting the ball right at people with the bases juiced in the sixth, but otherwise it was an awful job of finishing off the rally. The Bombers do a phenomenal job of getting men on and creating pressure, but they are absolutely miserable at converting those chances into runs.
Leftovers: The top three hitters in the lineup went a combined 5-for-11 with two walks while the other six hitters in the order went 2-for-22 with a walk. The bottom of the order has done very little of late, which tends to happens with a lineup full of platoon hitters getting irregular playing time … there really isn’t much more to add here. Very straight forward game. The starting pitcher did his part, the offense didn’t. Generic loss.

MLB.com has the box score and video highlights, FanGraphs the nerd score, and ESPN the updated standings. The Rays lost to the Athletics, so the Yankees blew a chance to expand their AL East lead. It remains at four games over both the Rays and Orioles, though the magic number did drop down to 33. The Bombers will hope good Freddy Garcia shows up for Sunday afternoon’s rubber game while the Tribe will hope for good Ubaldo Jimenez.

Pasta Stumbling Sojo

Seriously, where is Big Member to help me process this loss and the Red Sox trade?
- Gene Okerlund
  
  There’s not that much to say. It’s just luck.
  - forensic
    
    I was wondering who would bite the bullet and make the first mention here.
    - Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster
      
      So many Greg memes. So little time.
- Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster
  
  Wherever he is, I’m sure he’s getting down to the bottom of something. Genius takes time.
Kevin

What a joke this series has been. We should have scored six-eight runs in this game. Even the floundering Red Sox did better against the Indians then we have.
Anthony

Its getting to the point where I’m more excited when no one is on rather than when we have RISP….
Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

BABIES!
- Need Pitching & Hitting
  
  Can they hit with RISP?
Edmond

It hurt so much to see that our guys had bases loaded and couldn’t do a thing, and turn to the sux game and see them score 9 runs without their stars! I hate it!!
- Pasta Stumbling Sojo
  
  I dunno, I’m kind of enjoying watching them give up the go ahead runs in extra innings.
  - Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster
    
    Who is this other team you speak of?
    - Pasta Stumbling Sojo
      
      Just some sub-.500 team that happens to still be playing at this time of night.
      
      But your response made me realize something. This has to be Greg’s next thing: telling everyone to stop caring about the Red Sox.
      
      Think about it, it fits perfectly. His MO is finding some shiny new meme (fallacies, caring about baseball, negativity, luck, etc.) and then hammering everyone with it. Often it will involve him misunderstanding the issue (as in the case of luck), and usually he will be criticizing something that he used to do a great deal himself. Can’t you just see tons of “Who cares about the Red Sox?” responses from Greg any time anyone mentions them?
      - forensic
        
        You are exactly right.
      - Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster
        
        My favorite Greg line of last night’s game thread (and I am not poking fun at having one, just at mentioning it in the game thread) was when he responded to something with “I have a Masters Degree.” I thought that was so hysterical. He should just reply to everything one night with “I have a Masters Degree.”
        
        Yes, RT has had one of those too for twelve years now.
        
        Pasta Stumbling Sojo
        
        Wow, I missed that one. Pretty funny.
        
        forensic
        
        Ditto X 2. And it means absolutely nothing about someone’s baseball (or really even general) knowledge.
        
        It’s getting to the point where I’m no longer surprised by anything he tries to assert.
        
        forensic
        
        And this doesn’t even address the very likely fact that nobody here really gives a crap about it anyway.
        
        Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster
        
        Oh, there’s idiots up and down the educational ladder. No doubt about it.
        
        I just think that, if that’s your comeback to an argument on a baseball blog, you lost that argument.
  - forensic
    
    It is kind of enjoyable to see them possibly lose this game, the first after they thought they cleaned the slate and had a huge lead late, meaning all was well, that they blew.
    - Buffalo Bill
      
      I’m a little slow on the uptake sometimes, but I am starting I wonder if Greg is actually my brother. Three reasons here:
      
      1. I actually have a brother named Greg
      2. I believe I have mentioned this blog to him in the past, so he knows of it
      3. He is a bloviating negative ass
      
      Now I have to ask him if he is “Greg”. Oh, and he has a masters degree, too.
Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

This game already feels like it happened last week.
bobtaco

Don’t like having to rely on Freddy to win the series.
- forensic
  
  I don’t like relying on Freddy to win anything. But hopefully he can slop his way through their mostly young lineup a couple of times.
  - forensic
    
    Really though, the game will largely hinge on whether the offense can do the job against Jimenez. They have largely struggled in getting hits against him, despite drawing some walks, and that kind of shows in the individual batter vs. pitcher numbers. Unfortunately, that seems to be their common trend right now, especially on the road. Hopefully they can figure something out though.
mt

5 runs in 3 games including 2 against one of worst staffs in AL! I had a starnge feeling this might happen – we never seem to pound masterson, even in games we beat him.

I feel bad for Kuroda. He turned it around after an uncomfortable start. I also have been thinking since this morning about how Red Sox with their new found cash will screw with us and try to outbid us next year on any type of one (or two) year deal for Kuroda. Why shouldn’t they bid $16 million + for one year? If he takes it, they have a good pitcher on an OK deal or even a somewhat of an overpay but it’s a one or two year deal – if he does not take it, at least it forces us to pay some more. He has a good relationship with Martin so if Martin stays hopefully Kuroda will.

Chavez seems to have gone cold overnight and Ibanez is not making good contact.

I enjoy sabermetrics but one pet peeve is my understanding of how RBIs are downplayed because they are dependent on others’ performances (I think that is rationale) – however, Cano’s 68 RBIs as the the best hitter on the Yanks sitting in third or cleanup spots in lineup for most of year makes me sick. Whenver I see that statistic, I just think of all the wasted opportunities that represents since the beginning of the year.
- Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster
  
  I always feed bad for the starter that stumbles out of the game, rights the ship and has an amazing game, but still loses.
  
  Don’t worry about Boston right now. They will make the moves the make and, just because they have the money, it doesn’t mean they’ll use it well.
- ArchStanton
  
  I have to agree. With this lineup, 68 RBIs for a guy in that position is rather pathetic and is indicative of something, though I’m not quite sure what.
Nathan

Seems like Freddy is always pitching on Sundays.
Rich in NJ

Hurry back, A-Rod. I wish they also had another OF other than Ibanez.
JobaWockeeZ

I took the 10.5 game lead for granted. Never again.
- Rocky Road Redemption
  
  JobaWockeez mentioned this and I was going to respond to him when I decided it would work better as a general point.
  
  I’m not beating myself up to much about taking the 10.5 lead for granted. Yeah, we gave up a lot of ground. But that’s the beauty of a 10.5 game lead-we can give up a lot of ground and be in first place.
  
  The point of a huge lead is to provide that cushion. The Yankees are one of the only teams in baseball that could play 500 ball for the second half while a team as hot as the Rays is chasing their tail and still be in first place. We’re pretty fucking good.
  - Rocky Road Redemption
    
    Never mind, I guess I did respond to him. Hi, JobaWockeez!
    - JobaWockeeZ
      
      Haha I was confused for a minute. But I do see your point that even though they suck they’re still up and in first. I just hope it stays that way.
  - forensic
    
    I never understood how people took it for granted and said the division is basically over (not saying you did, just adding a step to it). I’m generally pessimistic anyway, so I could never do that, but with last years Red Sox and Braves so fresh in everyone’s minds, how you could anyone do that? I get being optimistic, but with so much time left in the season that seems to be pushing it.
    - Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster
      
      Not just that but, for God’s sake, it’s the AL East. Did people really think they were going to have it that easy?
      
      I think 10.5 games represented what the “WERE TEH YANKEES” crowd thought the team should be, basically, on Opening Day, so it was rationalized away that way.
Rocky Road Redemption

It’s been mentioned once, but I miss Big Member. He has such a way with words.
stuart a

cano is killing them. the guy is stuck on 68 rbis, hitting in the middle of the order with 35 games to go. i know the einsteins on this site think rbi’s are irrelevant but they are not. granderson in the mid 230’s , with a ton of K’s..

there is no friggin chance i sign him or cano to an extension. if cano and boras thinks anyone is giving a 30 year old 2b a 7 year deal for $20 mill enjoy your time in some shit box, no smart team will do anything like that.

granderson is a avg fielder, who steals zero bases, with great power for a Cf especially in yankee stadium. he strikes out a ton. the guy is not that good…….he gets no extension in my world either….

this team has not won a game late this year…..they did not hit a homer tonight so why would they win. texiera with risp is not much better then cano also…..

kuroda has been phenomenal better then could be expected…..
- JobaWockeeZ
  
  I applaud you on your consistency.
  - Rocky Road Redemption
    
    I like the paragraphs that he ends with three dots AND two periods.
    - Deep Thoughts
      
      Morse code?
- Need Pitching & Hitting
  
  the offense desperately needs more ARod…..
  - Get Phelps Up
    
    What would they want with some guy who hasn’t had an RBI in over a month?
    - Need Pitching & Hitting
      
      good point ….. they need ike davis…..
- Swishers Chickens
  
  Signing Cano is a no-brainer, but the more i think about it im not so enthusiastic about resigning granderson, what do u guys think,
  - forensic
    
    Cano may be a no-brainer for you, but there are plenty of arguments for not signing him to a huge deal as a FA.
stuart a

this team has not comeback in the 9th inning and won a game once the whole season.

Imagine how hard that is to do….the seattle mariners have comeback more then once and there offense is offensive….

this team is so unclutch. the amount of baserunners left on, and there avg with runners on base is a joke.. for a few weeks they were more effective with RISP but they are back to the old, slow, homer happy, strike out obsessed team…..

they are a eyesore… texiera, arod, cano, and horrible with RISP….there big 3 are not very good with men on base, newsflash I do not care what sabermetrics says if you cannot drive in runs you cannot win………..
- Need Pitching & Hitting
  
  they cannot drive in runs so they cannot win ….which is why they are stuck in last place
- Get Phelps Up
  
  They’re so unclutch yet they are tied for the most wins in baseball when trailing after 7 innings.
Fin

I hate the fact that this team reminds me of the teams that lost miserably in the playoffs, in the mid 2ks. Lots of men on base and no hits, seems to equate to no men on base in the playoffs. Jeter standing on first imploring the dugout to do something.
Brian S.

Ibanez rocks.
- Rich in NJ
  
  He has hit the rocks on the road:
  
  .216 .274 .379 .653
Tom

# of wins Kuroda has in games where he has allowed more than 2ER:

ZERO

As soon as he gave up 3ER, he should have realized he had no shot at the W. He’s given up 11ER in his last 8 starts and is 4-2 with 2ND’s
- forensic
  
  # of wins Kuroda has in games where he has allowed more than 2ER:
  ZERO
  
  Wow, that’s kind of insane. I had no idea it was that bad.
- FIPster Doofus
  
  Kuroda was probably excited to come to the Yankees because, unlike his time in LA, he thought he’d get run support. For shame.
rogue

“The bottom of the order has done very little of late, which tends to happens with a lineup full of platoon hitters getting irregular playing time …”

And that sums up the problem with this team.
- forensic
  
  Unfortunately, that’s the bed they chose to sleep in. A-Rod may help a little, but he seems to struggle getting him timing back after long DL stints too, so there may not be much help coming. They may just have to hope that some guys coincidentally get somewhat hot at the right time.
Fin

This team is ugly to watch. Everyone wants the HR, no one wants the hit. Damn no one on this team even has 90 rbi’s.
Deep Thoughts

Ace apparently didn’t like getting replaced as closer after letting up 5 last night:

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/red_sox/index.php/2012/08/25/red-sox-suspend-aceves-for-three-games/

Keeping Aceves out of three games…maybe Bobby V isn’t as dumb as he looks.
Mick taylor

Hypothetically speaking would the yanks have been any worse chins the plate this year with posada Stewart in a 50-50 mix?
Mick taylor

Memo. To mr bunt Gardner genius how many teams have won c hampionships with a catcher who hits 190 and is mediocre at best defensively in the last 20 years. As for handling the pitchers, the ace of the staff does not want Martin catching him . What does that tell you booby? Plus he makes more money than most catchers. Yet you have a ma crush. I would rather posada/ Stewart.
- Booby
  
  You rang?
- Fin
  
  Well from what I can make out…Martin sucks? Most people on this website are happy he sucks. It means he can be signed for cheap. RAB is more interested in salary than Hal.
  - Fin
    
    Ted? 10m per for 4 yrs should do it right? You love Martin more than anyone alive. Hows he looking in the second half? About the same as the first half? He hits home runs though. Make your case for Martin now. He is pretty much a non entity on any team let alone the Yankees. Ted wont respond because he there is no way to respond
  - jjyank
    
    What? Nobody is happy Martin is having a poor year. I’ve seen a couple people mention bringing him back on a cheap one year deal and view that as a silver lining, but nobody prefers that, that’s crazy.
Robert

We are doomed too many old guys who are wearing down, Yanks only team without a rookie at bat this season,Look at Trout on the Angels as well as Harper on the Nats and now Machato has given the Orioles a lift. Hell even the Dead Saux got a lift from Middlebrooks before he went down.My point being with a potential World Series pitching staff the Yank lineup is pathetic.And that aging AROD will only make matters worse. Its too late now but we must get younger in 2013!
- Fin
  
  essh, damn. The Yankees arent doomed until the playoffs. We will get the mid 2k Jeter standing on first base imploring someone to do something. THis team has fail written all over it. Get to the playoffs and die early is what I see.
- jjyank
  
  Erm, alright then. If the Yankees had a Trout, or a Harper, or a Machado, I’m sure he would be in the bigs by now. I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but they don’t have a guy like that. Calling up a rookie just for the sake of “getting younger” is not how you run a baseball team. Younger does not equal better.
Jimmy

Derek Jeter’s hot streak continues. Who saw a .400 month of August 2012 when he signed that contract? He’s very quietly having a great season.
- Fin
  
  Its fucking amazing. We all thought the Yankees payed at least 40 mil above what he was worth. Turns out Jeter is, yet again, the best singing they have ever done.
Fin

I just want Ted to show up and defend Martin. Where are you Ted?