Game 120: Finish the Sweep

August 15, 2013 by Mike Axisa 392 Comments

The Yankees are on something of a hot streak at the moment, winning each of their last four games and five of the last six. They’ve also won the first three games of this series against an Angels team that feels like they’re a long way off from contention despite all the big moves in recent offseasons.

A win today gives New York a rare-four game sweep and increases their small chances of going to the postseason. They’re playing with house money now, expectations are pretty low. That can lead to a lot of fun and excitement, believe it or not. Here’s the lineup that will face left-hander C.J. Wilson:

CF Brett Gardner
LF Alfonso Soriano
2B Robinson Cano
3B Alex Rodriguez
RF Vernon Wells
DH Curtis Granderson
SS Eduardo Nunez
1B Lyle Overbay
C Austin Romine

And on the mound is right-hander Phil Hughes, who will look to provide that elusive 5+ innings start for the first time in almost a month now. He’s failed to complete five frames in each of his last three starts and in four of his last six starts. Ugly.

It’s another perfect baseball weather day in New York, so they won’t have any problems getting this game in. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm ET and can be seen on YES locally and MLB Network nationally. Enjoy.

Injury Update: Derek Jeter (calf) is unlikely to come off the DL when eligible on Sunday. “I wouldn’t think so,” said Joe Girardi. The Cap’n has been playing catch and taking batting practice, but he’s yet to run full speed. Considering how quickly he got re-injured the first two times he came off the DL, expect the team to be a little more careful now.

Kramerica Industries

Most importantly, a Yankee W would FINALLY lift them into that “top five” of the wild card race.

I’m getting tired of seeing the Rays, A’s, Orioles, Indians, and Royals, and no Yankees. Can fix that today.
WhittakerWalt

Too bad Reggie Willits isn’t still on the Halos. He’d hit his first career homer off of Hughsie.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Any Florida guys remember Kathy Willets? I always think of her when I hear this name.
Gonzo

C’mon Phil! Bring home the bacon.
trr

Dear Phil Hughes,
Please don’t suck today.
Thank you and best regards,
trr
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

Dear Phil Hughes,

Don’t worry. Soriano’s got your back.

-Peckerhead
dkidd

let’s sweep these phuckers
Wheels

Keep it going Yanks!
Robinson Tilapia

Fine…I’ll join in….a game thread…..during a Phil Hughes start. Why does that not sound like a good idea?

I won’t be around much, though. About to enter two back-to-back meetings.

Just stay out of the way enough to make it five in a row, Phil. Just stay out of the goddamn way.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Yeah. I’m at work, and thus, a Bored Peckerhead.
  
  I know I’ll regret this, though.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    One of the top reasons I’m here is because you’re here, Jim.
    
    Does that much male love make others uncomfortable on here? Good.
Tim

Whats the deal with the 5th spot in the lineup? Its like the spot Girardi rewards a .250 hitter who has been playing all season rather then someone who should be batting there. Overbay should never be 5th and Granderson 7th. And today Wells 5th? Great. He must really be concerned about batting Nunez and Romine back to back.
- The Real Greg
  
  That and Wells has hit .311 against lefties this year.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  I mean I’m just not going to lose a lot of sleep over the decision between Wells and Ichiro.
  - Tim
    
    It wasnt a Wells vs. Ichiro comment who by the way gets a ton of flak on this website despite being one of the only players who has consistently produced all year. It was a Wells vs Granderson batting order switch. Who would you have rather just been up with the bases loaded?
    - Tim
      
      thats twice now batting in Granderson’s spot Wells ends the innings with RISP
Eddard

Score in the double digits again and Hughes can win. He has to at least get through 5 against this depleted lineup, doesn’t he? Sweep and put the pressure on the Rays, As and Rangers.
Pat D

I’m missing this game because I’m going to the movies.

Horrors upon horrors, I guess I’m not a real fan.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Too many commas.
- PED’s
  
  Did they rerelease “The Wrestler”?? Have fun chump.
Dan in Athens

I assume that Warren was up and warming as soon as Hughes starting throwing his eight warm ups.
Get Phelps Up

I really love these weekday day games. Don’t ruin it Phil.
Robinson Tilapia

Sterling: “….all the kids behind Hughes are injured, like Phelps, Nuno, and the kid from Seattle…..”
- Winter
  
  Oh god, when you said you’d be joining us you didn’t mention that you were listening to them.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    Worse, I have to listen on the app because my iLuv dock at work doesn’t have AM radio.
Anderson Silva

Romine has to make a better throw than that. That was pathetic.
Kramerica Industries

Remember how much the Yankees suck in Anaheim?

Conversely, the Angels are only 6-18 in the Bronx since the new Stadium opened.
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

Seeing In Play, Run(s) for an opposing team, on mlb gameday, is one of the lowlights of my life.
Kramerica Industries

Doesn’t take Phil long to suck, does it?
trr

Hughes is on his way….
- trr
  
  ….to another loss
The Real Greg

Location looked okay but you might have wanted to pitch more carefully to Hamilton
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  The batting .227 Josh Hamilton? That guy? Who strikes out like every 3 at bats?
Anderson Silva

Phil Hughes, still terrible.
Wheels

Damnit Hughes.
Kramerica Industries

Phil has now jumped back over the 5.00 ERA mark.
- trr
  
  I wish he’d jump back over the Rocky Mountains and stay there
The Real Greg

And people actually believed that they would have gotten something of value in return for him?
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

Well, we have an offense now, so the game’s not over yet.

I think. I don’t really remember how baseball works.
- trr
  
  you got it Jim!
- Winter
  
  I’m not sure about baseball, but if I’ve learned anything from the RAB comment section it’s that a 1 run lead is insurmountable.
  - trr
    
    No more!
    Our new look offense is rolling like thunder!
- Anderson Silva
  
  the problem is, we have seem this movie with Phil before. He gives up 1 in the first, 1 in the second, and then 5 in the third and the game is over.
  
  I’m not as worried about the offense, but Phil Hughes still sucks.
  - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
    
    Well, let’s just score 13 again, then.
    - Anderson Silva
      
      I’m on board with that.
The Real Greg

Look some more at that strike Brett
HughesClosedHisTwitterAcct

“Finish the sweep”?

Didn’t you know P-Hu is pitching? The only “sweep” he “finishes” is one the Yankees lose.
Wheels

Ugh. Creamed that ball though
Anderson Silva

fuck, what a bad break. But Sori should have run harder.
Anderson Silva

Why can’t we get Wells at 1B and Ichiro at RF against lefties? Much better than Overbay against lefties.
The Real Greg

I’m guessing judging from the where it was hit that the ball caromed right back to Schuck.
Get Phelps Up

I hope Sori saves some of this for Fenway.
Kramerica Industries

He was safe, by the way.
- The Real Greg
  
  Was he?
- Wheels
  
  I think you’re right.
pat

“Finish the Sweep”? you mean SWEEP THE LEG?
- Cobra Kai
  
  No mercy.
- SJK’s Legal Representation
  
  ON behalf of Mr Kreese and all parties involved with nomaas.org, I am issuing this cease and desist on any use of “Sweeping the leg” or any variations herewith…
HughesClosedHisTwitterAcct

Listening on the radio, but willing to bet money Soriano stood at the plate and watched his “single.”
- The Real Greg
  
  I’m hearing that but there are rumblings that he was safe anyway and that the umpire missed the call, which I am not surprised at.
  - Jigga
    
    It was close but he was indeed out
  - Winter
    
    The throw beat him by a bunch. It looked like his hand might have sneaked in there, but it was really close and no ump in the world would have given him the call.
  - Anderson Silva
    
    I thought he was out. It kinda looked like he was tagged at the chest before reaching the base with his hand.
- Anderson Silva
  
  he started at HR trot pace and then picked it up near first base.
The Real Greg

Yankees defense has been really suspect of late.
- nycsportzfan
  
  That wells play was tough though.
Elton Cod

All I ask is that this offensive hot streak (Soriano’s in particular) continues through the weekend. Non-shitty pitching will obviously make a difference and regression to the mean is obviously going to happen – but still, it would be nice to fuck up Boston before that happens, because fuck Boston.

I made a joke about it the other day, but I was half-serious, with the way Hughes/Pettite have been pitching now would be the perfect time for Freddy Garcia to show up and have his one OK month. I miss him.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  I’m embarrassed to admit that I was just thinking “Where’s Sweaty Freddy?”
  - Get Phelps Up
    
    Cashman Failed?
- Elton Cod
  
  Okay, Hughes looked almost decent after that Vernon Wells clusterfuck. But we still need a spot starter for Tuesday, Freddy would be perfect for the day game.
- Kramerica Industries
  
  I miss 2011 Freddy.
  
  2012 Freddy has damaged goods.
  - Elton Cod
    
    In July I think he had an ERA of less than 4. He never went less than 5 innings and never gave up more than 4 runs – he even had 3 runs in 7.1 innings once. I guess Pettite has actually been a little better than that lately, his Chicago game excluded, while Hughes has been a little worse, though today looks hopeful.
    
    Funny, though, how last year 3/4 runs in 5/6 innings felt serviceable if not great – enough to work with given the offense. While this year 3/4 runs in 5/6 innings usually feels like a death sentence.
The Real Greg

Just saw the replay.

How did Soriano think that was going to be a home run? It was a line drive shot. I know the wall is short but come on.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam

Paulie clearly never uses the Ohio Turnpike. Has EZ-Pass and has tollbooths.
Anderson Silva

He has a good FB today.
mt

Kay does make a good point – fans can go crazy about Cano and Soriano (forgot how much Sori waits at plate – I actually think he is worse than Cano on balls he think he has hit out) but if Joe Girardi, Brian Cashman and/or Derek Jeter (and other teammates) have either said nothing or said something but players have ignored we all will continue to pull your hair out.
- mt
  
  I have also heard Girardi and Cashman say in past they have no problem with Cano’s way of playing – now they may say that for public consumption and say somehting differently to Cano privately. On other hand, they may ignore because they may feel it is better to “pick your battles” on something deemed more critical with Yankees’star player.
  - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
    
    All I’m saying is I’d be pissed if Cano got hurt running the bases.
- Lukaszek
  
  It was a bit surprising that Soriano started doing the homerun trot on two balls that barely left the ballpark. Kinda concerning
Kramerica Industries

FWIW, if this were 2014 and Soriano were safe, he would be at 2nd.

Breaking news coming out today that instant replay will be expanded to all on-field calls, sans balls and strikes, and managers will have up to three challenges per game.

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g459/nflprimetimefann/Screwjob.png

Congrats, Tex! You are retroactively safe in all of our hearts.
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam
  
  Jerry Meals be damned.
  - http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam
    
    I should add, if MLB would fire Angel Hernandez in 2014 in response, I’d be all happy.
- Get Phelps Up
  
  Omar Infante is also retroactively out.
  - Get Phelps Up
    
    But seriously, that’s great news. I’m interested if they think a foul tip hitting the dirt is considered balls and strikes. It will also be interesting to find out if judgement calls (like the infield fly in Atlanta) can be contested.
    - Winter
      
      I doubt class like the IF fly will be reviewable. It’s like pass interference in football.
      - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
        
        Yeah, judgment calls won’t get reviewed.
  - Kramerica Industries
    
    Took me a second to figure this one out.
    
    Not sure it would’ve changed the outcome of that game or that series. Probably not. But it sure as hell didn’t help, with the way Boone Logan fell apart afterwards.
    - Get Phelps Up
      
      Yeah probably, but If Cano was safe in the first inning in game 1 there’s a pretty good chance the outcome could be different.
      - Kramerica Industries
        
        That whole series was just a nightmare in every possible way.
        
        Didn’t they have the bases loaded in the first two innings against Fister, and then somebody drilled one off his pitching hand, which somehow gave it a good deflection to turn into an out, and then Fister settled down after that?
        
        Whatever it was, the only excitement in those four games came from Ibanez and Hiroki.
        
        Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
        
        Didn’t that series get canceled? I don’t really remember anything after winning the ALDS.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Wow!
  
  It’s not the worst, and I’m glad they had the central offices thing in there. Leap in the right direction.
- RetroRob
  
  Question is would Girardi have used one of his challenges for that play at second, especially since Soriano didn’t argue?
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

My MLB Gameday watching prowess leads me to believe that was a great AB by Alex.
RetroRob

Nice AB by A-Rod. Even if he didn’t get a hit, drove up the pitch count, a lost skill to this team for much of this year.
The Real Greg

That’s a good at bat by Wells as well.
Wheels

Tired of Vernon Wells.
- The Real Greg
  
  That was a good at bat, just like ARod’s.
  - Anderson Silva
    
    swinging through a straight FB on a 3-2 count is never good.
    - The Real Greg
      
      Didn’t swing through it. He foul tipped it.
    - http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam
      
      Would you rather him had stood on that pitch?
- Wheels
  
  Just speaking about his general lackluster play. Crappy effort in RF before
Eddard

Come on Nuney. Hit a double in the gap.
Anderson Silva

good take, nice walk!
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

I’m so confused by this team that doesn’t go 1-2-3 every inning any more.
Harris

I’m still baffled as to why Ichiro doesn’t play against lefties when he has a reverse split… anyone care to explain?
- Elton Cod
  
  binder, Mr. Manager, matchups, Platoon.
Anderson Silva

This is bullshit. Overbay cannot hit lefties. Why insist on this when you have better options?
- The Real Greg
  
  Who?
  
  And don’t say Wells, he’s hardly played at 1st.
  - Dan in Athens
    
    Super Stewie.
- MannyGeee
  
  Kinda don’t. Nix maybe? Not that he’s any better against any pitching than Loverbay is against LHP.
  
  They can’t all be Frank Thomas.
nycsportzfan

Is there anyway we will get compensation for Overbay in next yrs draft?
- MannyGeee
  
  NOPE. Not giving a backup 1B a QO.
- Get Phelps Up
  
  Offer him a $14M qualifying offer and hope he doesn’t accept. (he will)
  
  So to answer your question, there is not.
  - nycsportzfan
    
    gotcha.
- RetroRob
  
  No. Players like Overbay have to fight for a job every year somewhere.
MannyGeee

Sterling just tried to convince us that Konerko is good. Like really good.

In other news, John Sterling is not aware that its not 2009 anymore.
- The Real Greg
  
  To be honest, Konerko was good last year.
  - MannyGeee
    
    Sarcassm was implied, but this team is littered with retreads that were good last year. And he has been BAD this year. Like, complete shit.
    - Cool Lester Smooth
      
      http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=100&type=8&season=2013&month=0&season1=2013&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=21,a
      
      There’s an argument to be made that he’s the worst player in baseball.
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

Well that was an irritating end to that inning.
nycsportzfan

When hughes was coming up through the minors wasen’t he known for having a devestating curve as well as the heater? I could’ve sworn he did. If so, what ever happened to that pitch?
Get Phelps Up

Even though we didn’t score any runs, we’re still building up Wilson’s pitch count. Something else that’s great to finally be able to do.
Dan in Athens

Paulie must eat about 6500 calories a day and have the metabolism of a humming bird.
The Real Greg

Konerko would have been an interesting choice. Unfortunately all the trading action occurred too late to prevent the Yankees sliding
- The Real Greg
  
  Konerko hitting .333/.410/.580 against lefties
  - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
    
    In 69 at bats.
    - The Real Greg
      
      Anything over 20 is fine for me.
      - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
        
        http://www.fangraphs.com/library/principles/sample-size/
        
        The Real Greg
        
        Means nothing because these are not for a season, they are for a career. 910AB in a season?
        
        Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
        
        Whoooooooosh.
        
        Cool Lester Smooth
        
        ietc.
        
        Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
        
        Heh.
      - Get Phelps Up
        
        Dude, Francisco Cervelli is the best catcher in baseball this year!
        
        The Real Greg
        
        With some help apparently*
        
        Get Phelps Up
        
        Really. http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=c&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=20&type=8&season=2013&month=0&season1=2013&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=17,d
      - MannyGeee
        
        Eddard says hello
nycsportzfan

Good start for hughes. It’d be a big boost going into boston series if we can get a win in game Hughes started.
dkidd

hughes’ indifferent body language is irritating
- MannyGeee
  
  If he was pitching well, that would be translated to ‘ice water in his veins’… Perception FTW!
  - dkidd
    
    i’d still be irritated
    
    hit the phreaking gym once in a while
The Real Greg

That was Stewart like from Romine
Kramerica Industries

Jeez, if it was the barrel of the bat that counted there.
Anderson Silva

fuck that was close
- RetroRob
  
  Have to be fast to go for a triple on a ball hit to left center.
Kramerica Industries

Definitely safe there.
Eddard

Now get that run in. Gardner should be playing everyday and this is why.
Wheels

nice Gardy. safe
Anderson Silva

not going to see a FB close to the plate
- The Real Greg
  
  Threw him a cutter 3-2
Cy Pettitte

Sori is unstoppable
Anderson Silva

YEAH! Thanks for the infielders in!
OldYanksFan

Man… Gritner can run. Didn’t think he could get 3 on that hit.
nycsportzfan

ALL RIGHT!!
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

See Phil? Told you Soriano had your back.

*Ignores Gardner’s triple*
OldYanksFan

And MAN!!!! The camera work is great!
nycsportzfan

SORIANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eddard

Has Cashman been fired yet? Hal must be grinning ear to ear right now.
Pasta Stumbling Sojo

I love how Eddard kept saying this was a guaranteed loss. The Yankees were actually favored going into the game.
Wheels

Sori! getting it done
The Real Greg

That’s a mistake by Wilson. He threw him a cutter 3-2. Should have thrown a curveball there
Cool Lester Smooth

DAVID

JUSTICE

CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP
Anderson Silva

Comon Alex, bust it open!
RetroRob

Hopefully Cano made it to first on the single
dkidd

nice to see so many long at-bats. this actually feels like a yankee game
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  For real. This week has felt more like Yankee baseball than anything else this year, to include the hot start.
  - Kramerica Industries
    
    And this is without even having Derek Jeter in the lineup!
MannyGeee

I smell an A-Bonb coming on.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  That misspelling gives you a lot of wiggle room with that proclamation. Is A-Bonb an out? A single? A walk? Or truly a typo?
  - MannyGeee
    
    I am worried I am gonna get Fish Fingered for that one!
Kramerica Industries

No rally-killing DP here, ARod.
Anderson Silva

that 2-0 looked like a ball
- The Real Greg
  
  Gameday had it on the outside border
Cy Pettitte

AngeLOLs
nycsportzfan

haha! Awesome!
Kramerica Industries

Trumbo never got a good jump on that.
RetroRob

There’s magic in that bat, magic!

Could see he misread that every step of the way.
Dale Mohorcic

the look on scioscia’s face after no one caught that pop was easily worth $100.
Anderson Silva

hanger… he needs to crush that
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

Pinch hit pinch hit pinch hit!
Bryan

What is going on??? My Mlb tv link has completely stopped working
Wheels

Haha! yeah!
The Real Greg

Here comes the Wells hate. I just know it.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Greg, for real. You think the Wells hate is unjustified? How could you possible think that.
  - The Real Greg
    
    I’m not saying that. I just know it’s coming.
    - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
      
      “Here comes the Wells hate. I just know it.”
      
      Implies that you think it’s unjustified.
      - The Real Greg
        
        Well I don’t. I just get tired of it.
        
        Wheels
        
        There hasn’t been much Wells hate at all as of late.
        
        Kramerica Industries
        
        The easy solution is for Vernon to stop sucking ass.
        
        Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
        
        And the rest of us are tired of Wells. When he’s not being a terrible baseball player on our roster, you’ll stop hearing it.
        
        (Insert player here) hate is part of the life of a baseball fan when someone on your team is awful.
        
        MannyGeee
        
        In fairness, as his ABs have gone down, so has his hate. But he is here to essentially be a platoon player against LHP.
        
        Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
        
        Yeah, I just wish it were down in the Romine section of the lineup, not after Alex.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Shocked? Surprised? Glad Wells was up? Enjoy rally killing double plays?
Kramerica Industries

Why wasn’t that an infield fly?
- RetroRob
  
  The infielder has to show he basically has the ball lined up and is in command of the play before the umpire can signal infield fly. That was never the case. Trumbo was lost from the first second.
Anderson Silva

fundamentally sound Angels!
- Kramerica Industries
  
  2009 ALCS flashbacks.
Jigga

Why is Wells hitting ahead of Granderson? It’s not a lefty righty thing, Alex is a righty.
CUYanks

Official scorer trying to get Alex to 3000 hits.
28 this year

Lol
Mandy Stankiewicz

Totally forgot this was a day game.
‘Hugghhhhhsssss!’
Cy Pettitte

for fucks sake, he couldn’t just make one out?
Wheels

Lame.
Kramerica Industries

Sure love having Vernon in the #5 spot.
The Real Greg

And the Girardi haters have arrived.
Anderson Silva

What a fucking joke.

At least they can start fresh next inning with Granderson, the BETTER hitter. Fuck Girardi’s logic.
- The Real Greg
  
  There it is. The Girardi hate.
  - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
    
    Sorry Greg, you called “Wells hate”, not Girardi hate.
    - The Real Greg
      
      That’s what I meant to say. Sorry.
      
      I knew the Girardi hate was going to come.
  - Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
    
    He actually said, “Fuck Girardi’s logic”. I don’t hate Joe, but I agree with that. Putting Wells in the game was a bad decision.
  - Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
    
    Hughes gave back the run the next inning?
    
    I’m shocked. Shocked.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  With the current roster construction, wells should be a “Break glass in case of emergency” guy.
  - Anderson Silva
    
    Wells still has a place on this team, unfortunately. But it’s not hitting 5th and playing RF.
Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Just a little reminder that a couple better faces in the lineup doesn’t make Wells, whoever is today’s catcher, whoever is today’s shortstop, and Overbay disappear. We still don’t have a particularly great offense.
Eddard

They should just play Ichiro against lefties. Better defense and offense. Wilson is throwing so many pitches he’ll be out soon so they better put Ichiro in.
Anderson Silva

Time for Hughes to give it back. It was too good to be true.
Kramerica Industries

So the double play suddenly becomes a runner on 3rd and none outs.

Stellar.
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

I’ll admit, I much prefer complaining about 1 run innings and stranded base runners to what we were complaining about from May-July. Way better than watching 15-20 guys in a row go down weakly.
Cy Pettitte

wasted opportunity, now Hughes will give up some runs.
- The Real Greg
  
  Whether they wasted the chance or not, Hughes could have still given up some runs. Look at his line this year
  - Wheels
    
    I think you argue sometimes just to argue.
    - The Real Greg
      
      I argue because people blame the manager when it could have easily gone the other way.
      
      Wells hits .311 against lefties this year. That’s why he’s in there. That is sound logic.
      - Anderson Silva
        
        Overbay is OBPing under .280 against lefties. Ichiro is actually good against lefties. One should be playing, the other not. But Girardi has them mixed up.
        
        Also, Wells should never hit ahead of Granderson. That is sound logic.
        
        The Real Greg
        
        That’s why I think Paul Konerko would have been an interesting pickup. And I’m not playing Wells at first base. Period.
        
        And of course Granderson could have easily struck out or hit into a DP there too.
        
        So in the end there should be no criticism.
        
        Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
        
        “So in the end there should be no criticism.”
        
        Greg, I’m not sure why you don’t understand that this is a baseball blog. We’re allowed and, in fact, encouraged to, talk about things, to include criticizing managerial decisions.
Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Greg in fine “annoying the Hell out of everybody” form today, I see.
- The Real Greg
  
  I just knew that when Vernon came up, Girardi was going to get blasted as he often does on here, win or lose.
- MannyGeee
  
  I knew it… here comes the Greg Hate. So tired of it!
  - Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
    
    lol.
Anderson Silva

no put away pitch, that’s why he gave up that run
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  I mean he literally just struck out the guy before that one. A K per inning would be above average. The double and passed ball were WAY more annoying than the sac fly.
  - The Real Greg
    
    Especially the passed ball
  - Anderson Silva
    
    He’s only throwing his FB by people. They have adjusted and he’ll get crushed now.
Anderson Silva

So predictable. He only has that goddamn fastball on the outside corner. They are on to him now.
Cy Pettitte

hahaha Hughes is such a turd.
nycsportzfan

Chris Nelson just hit one out against Hughes.lol
Eddard

Hughes has hit a new low. Chris Nelson wasn’t even good enough to make our C team.
Dan in Athens

Sixth straight pitch outside. Paul that is merely a symptom of the problem – Hughes is an idiot who does not know how to pitch. What a piece of shit.
- Anderson Silva
  
  He doesn’t have pitches. He can’t throw the FB inside, has no breaking ball or change up. That’s all he has, that FB on the outside corner.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Well it’s quite a leap from “Doesn’t know how to pitch” to “Piece of shit”. I’m sure he’s a wonderful person.
  - Dan in Athens
    
    And I’m sure you are an ass.
    - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
      
      I believe the correct term is Peckerhead.
Robinson Tilapia

Hey, I looked at my phone just in time for a Chris Nelson homer.
Kramerica Industries

#obligatoryhomer to Chris Nelson?

That’s just awful, Phil.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Yyyyep.
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

THIS at bat is indicative of a lack of put away pitch.
- Anderson Silva
  
  ALL his Ks were on fastballs. He does not have a put away pitch. It took 3 innings, but they have adjusted.
The Real Greg

Didn’t even try to pitch him inside. How stupid is that. Sooner or later he will adjust to where you are pitching him.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  True. If you’re going to rely basically 100% on your fastball, you can’t just throw it in the same place over and over and over.
Wheels

Chris Nelson, Hughes? jeez
Anderson Silva

Nothing but FBs. So glad Girardi is conceding defeat by staying with him.
Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

I never used to say this, but after this year I think it’s fair: I REALLY hate Hughes. Good luck in Seattle or San Diego or whatever other team with a big ballpark who will take you.
Dan in Athens

Well, 4th inning. Hughes closing in on 80 pitches? Check. 3 runs in? Check. Homer? Check. Ton of two strike contact? Check.

The best thing he can do for this team is to never pitch for the Yankees again.

14 million offer my ass.
Kramerica Industries

TRIVIA:

Well, the Upton brothers are insanely obvious. I’ll need a second to try and figure out the other duo on the same team.
- CUYanks
  
  I think the other is in the AL Central, as a hint.
MannyGeee

shitty. Hughesy is making it REEALLY hard to defend him
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Well, in my miracle-desiring polyanna head, he gets through 6 with 3 ER, and I say it was “Gritty”. That’s the best I’ve got.
  - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
    
    Hah! HAHA! I was right! Gritty Gutty Phil Hughes.
Cy Pettitte

wonder is Mark Feinsand is still defending Hughes lol
Frank

Classic Hughes. 10 pitch AB after getting ahead 0-2. Can’t throw anything but a straight FB/shitty slider. HR. Nothing like Hughes to bring Yanks’ fans back down to earth. Just start Warren in his place. Hughes continues to give this team 0 chance of winning.
The Real Greg

Just another failure of the Yankees development system.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Haaaahahahaha. Never change, buddy.
Kramerica Industries

Hmm, it’s gotta be Chicago with Jon and Jordan Danks.
- The Real Greg
  
  Bingo
- CUYanks
  
  So who are the other 2 pairs? Hairston brothers and…?
  - Anderson Silva
    
    molinas
    - CUYanks
      
      Ahhh, so obvious. Jose is still out there. Good call.
nycsportzfan

Come on Nuny, lets steal 2B here! Nice hitting by the way. This kid can swing the bat!
Kramerica Industries

Shocked to see Overbay have a worthless AB against a LHP.
MannyGeee

Oh shit, Suzyn just said Nunez musta had velcro on the inside of his helmet for a few days since this is the first time he’s lost it in a while.

#notsureifRacism
- Lukaszek
  
  Took me a few seconds to get that one. Kinda racist but funny
The Real Greg

needed a RH 1st baseman.
nycsportzfan

This is the kinda game that makes me wish we had Randy Ruiz up here and playing 1B.
Anderson Silva

Overbay overmatched once again. Please keep starting him against lefties!
wedge

please dont come back overbay, its not fair how bad you are
Joba/hughes pile of shit

Please do not offer hughes a quilify offer for the draft pick
wedge

gardner mays hayes
Anderson Silva

first pitch popup, another 2 stranded. They really don’t want to win this game.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Dude. It’s frustrating, but we’ve had 2-3 baserunners every inning the last 3 innings. Wilson’s not making it past 5, and we get to see LAA’s bullpen. This game is ending 9-7, and I don’t know who’s going to have 9.
The Real Greg

8 hits. But 7 singles and the only run that was scored was on the 1 extra base hit
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  How quickly we forget the months of may-july.
  - Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
    
    Indeed.
    - The Real Greg
      
      I might be off base, but it reminded me of earlier in the year. A lot of singles.
      - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
        
        Earlier in the year as in april when we were winning? Or earlier in the year as in may-july when we frequently ended games with 3-5 hits total?
        
        The Real Greg
        
        May to July. We had a stretch going of no extra base hits in 3 straight games or something like that.
        
        Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
        
        We had stretches of not reaching 8 hits period, Greg.
        
        Much less in 4 innings.
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

Gah Brett where was triple #2?
Anderson Silva

everytime I hear this story about the Yankees’ interest in Trout, I think to myself how the Yankees would have screwed up Trout’s development.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  I’m not asking this to be a peckerhead. Is it easier for you to just be negative about everything? Does it become easier to deal with failure? I’m legitimately curious.
  
  Because, and though the Trout story is so stupid and we never would have had him even if we passed on Tex, it’s much more fun to think about the current version of Trout playing for us.
  - Anderson Silva
    
    Believe me, I’d love to have the current version of Trout playing for us. Unfortunately, the recent past has shown that the closer our top prospects get to the big leagues, the worse they get (injuries and/or ineffectiveness).
    
    I think it’s time we acknowledge that this team has a broken minor league system incapable of developing good players consistently.
Kramerica Industries

Now Michael Kay falling into the inane fallacy that it was Teixeira that cost the Yankees Trout.

Do some damn research.
CUYanks

Enough with the Mike Trout misinformation. Angels would have picked him in their first pick likely if the Yankees still had that pick.
Anderson Silva

wow, got lucky with that
Eddard

“Joba Chamberlain is up”

Joe must be conceding the game and getting ready for Boston. I knew this was an automatic loss.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Eddard, if we win, can we get a guarantee for you to stop thinking any game is an automatic loss?
  - Eddard
    
    Yes, if Phil Hughes wins a game, any game, the rest of the season I will stop calling his starts automatic losses.
    - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
      
      No, if the Yankees win, not if Phil Hughes wins.
  - Anderson Silva
    
    Guaranteed is too much. But Hughes against Wilson has to be an 85% chance of loss.
    - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
      
      Then you would have been well served to bet against the Yankees today, since they were favored in Vegas.
      - Eddard
        
        Aren’t the Yankees usually favored, especially at home? Anybody betting on them when Hughes is pitching is an idiot.
        
        Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
        
        You realize that another team plays against the yankees right? Have you watched the Angels this year?
        
        Winter
        
        Man, I wish the Boss were still alive. He never would have stood for all this “playing against an opponent” crap.
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        Jim is Getting Killed Here.
  - Winter
    
    Actually, I kinda want him to keep going. I think we have a winning record in Eddard’s “automatic losses.”
Kramerica Industries

Thought for sure Soriano had screwed it up.
Get Phelps Up

People, it’s 3-1. And the Angels bullpen looms.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Oh thank God, reinforcements!
- CUYanks
  
  Amen!
Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Nelson having a great game.
Anderson Silva

Nelson is killing us today.
Anderson Silva

FUCK YOU NELSON!! FUCK YOU!
Anderson Silva

brilliant idea! More Wells hitting 5th, less runs!
- Tim
  
  exactly what I been saying and said earlier. Every game since our guys been back someone questionable is batting 5th
  - Kosmo
    
    Ichiro should be batting 2nd, Soriano 5th in today´s game. Wells ?????
wedge

need to cut wells so girardi cant play him
Steve T

Um, quality start for Hughes?
- Frank
  
  I’m sure that’s what his apologists will say.
  - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
    
    Ummmm nope. That’s what it was. By definition. 6 innings or more, 3 runs or less, quality start.
    
    Now, I’m not hughes apologist, I don’t want him back, his starts are immensely frustrating. But this was a quality start.
    - Frank
      
      If you want to go strictly by a definition someone arbitrarily created for what constitutes a QS, then yes it is. I just don’t subscribe to that definition.
      - Robinson Tilapia
        
        I can’t stand the “quality start” thing. Really, I can’t. Nothing is ever that simple.
        
        Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
        
        Indeed. Statistically, especially if you extrapolate this out, this start was shit.
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        Somewhere in between “quality” and “shit” for me, but that’s ok.
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

I called it. Me and my pollyanna outlook. I pronounce this start “Gritty”.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Jim is Throwing Caution to the Wind.
Kramerica Industries

Can we please end the Overbay/LHP experiment already?
Anderson Silva

Wells: 0-3, 5 LOB
Overbay: 0-3, 4 LOB

Thanks Girardi!
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Thanks Obama!
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    You have taken a bullet for every Yankee fan on this thread today, Jim. May your purple heart be enshrined in Monument Park….
    
    …and that other stadium you frequent, but we won’t talk about here.
Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Wow, our offense is demoralizing.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  I prefer stranding baserunners to having none to begin with, personally.
  - Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
    
    I prefer neither. What I prefer is scoring.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      You must have enjoyed the past two nights, then.
      - Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
        
        Indeed I did!
Eddard

Just pick up Paulie Konerko and give him a shot. He can’t be any worse against LHP.
Kramerica Industries

I’m pretty disappointed that Wilson is still out there in the 7th.
Dan in Athens

How in the hell is a guy still in with 121 pitches when you are this far out of the playoffs? Unconscionable.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Agreed. I understand your bullpen is awful, Scoscia, but really.
Kramerica Industries

All I remember of ARod/Jepsen is ARod popping up with the bases loaded in that game the Yankees nearly came back from 10-5 in the 9th to win.
MannyGeee

Ready for Boos in 3…..2……
Anderson Silva

yep, so glad they got to their pen. They still can’t do shit
Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Remember when they were going to get their pen early? Good times, man, good times.
Anderson Silva

terrible break by Gardner, he would have gotten it had he read it right
Kramerica Industries

A former Yankees’ traveling secretary died?

Damn. I know my friend George would like that, but I can’t think of anyone else. RIP, buddy.
- ropeadope
  
  Last I heard, George was a few credits shy of earning his degree in Marine Biology.
MannyGeee

So, Trout being who he is… would you/could you send him on the IBB and try and catch a rookie pitcher off guard with a lob throw from Logan?

Not saying its the ideal play, but it would be an interesting play…
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Rookie catcher? I’m sort of not following.
  - MannyGeee
    
    IS Romine still in the game?
    
    I am saying, on the IBB to Trumbo with Trout on 2B, would you consider catching Romine and Logan off guard by stealing the base…
    
    You figure Romine is a rookie and Logan is sorta lobbing the ball in on the IBB. There is as good a chance Romine blows the throw to 3rd as there is that they catch a super speedy Trout stealing.
    
    Just idle musings while the Angels butt rape Logan. Thats all.
Cy Pettitte

what a fucking joke. Chris Nelson now has 2 HR this year.
Anderson Silva

BS. Wilson got that pitch all game long.
Anderson Silva

How do you leave Logan in there? How do you not bring in DRob in this spot?
Karl Krawfid

3-1 game lets not bring D-Rob in to hold it.

Nope.
Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

This game sucked.
- Cy Pettitte
  
  it was a Hughes start. I hope you didn’t have high expectations coming in.
  - Winter
    
    Yep. This inning was Hughes’s fault.
  - Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
    
    Well, I was kind of hoping to win.
Kramerica Industries

Unbelievable.
Kramerica Industries

Nelson had zero HRs on the season entering the game, and now he has two alone in this game.

That’s freaking hysterical.
Eddard

Just bring in Jobber now. Automatic loss every time Hughes takes the mound.
- Pasta Stumbling Sojo
  
  It was wrong when you kept repeating it for the past few days, and it’s wrong now.
  
  The Yankees were favored going into today. If it’s such a guaranteed loss, you should be making millions betting on games.
  
  And Hughes pitched fine today, certainly well enough to give the Yankees a good shot at winning.
Wj

Yaaaaaa , better draft pick, no reason to win , might as well get a good draft pick when we dont make playoffs
Kosmo

sometimes it appears Girardi has his face up his ass.
Robinson Tilapia

On the bright side, when you mention “The Chris Nelson Game” to someone five years from now, they’ll all know what you’re talking about.

Just take the rest of the day off of work, everyone. I cleared it with your boss.
Anderson Silva

They had Wilson on the ropes all game long and couldn’t do shit. And you mean to tell me that they are going to hit Doubront tomorrow? LOL
- Pasta Stumbling Sojo
  
  You know about the game against Weaver, right? And the games prior to that? Do you really think that what happened today is the only thing that can be used to predict what will happen tomorrow?
  - MannyGeee
    
    Eddard sample sizes.
- Winter
  
  They hit Weaver yesterday. Baseball is weird. Who knows what will happen.
- The Real Greg
  
  Who’s telling you that?
- Bubba
  
  I’m pretty sure no one is compelling you to follow the Yankees or watch their games. Needlepoint is supposedly an excellent hobby. Maybe you could try something that doesn’t give you this much frustration.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Depakote.
stuart a

where do I start.

why have joba the hut on the team if you will not pitch him unless it is mop up time..

as i have posted a million of times, bafoon is not as good as his #’s…

since girardi has no confidence in joba why not have claiborne in there instead. yes claiborne pitched 1 2/3 yesterday but hey what is joba doing on the roster.

conger 2 for 18 against lefties..

can joba nad hughes be any bigger dissapointments??

offense today regressed back to the norm. wells came up huge, aroid with a horrible 2 hit game.. they deserve to lose this game, because there offense sucks as it has all season..

bottom line…
nycsportzfan

I’d of signed up for 3outta4 with the only loss being hughes before this series, so i’m quite pleased.

I gotta feeling were in for a andy classic tommorow by the way. Just a hunch.
- http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso
  
  We’re not. That’s my hunch.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Agreed. We’ll see about the Andy part, but I’m certainly rooting for it.
Anderson Silva

I don’t get why this was a choice between Logan and Joba. Why couldnt he bring in D Rob? It’s the 8th inning and the game is close and you have to keep it close. I guess Girardi had already punted this game.
stuart a

5 rbi’s to nelson, wow.. that is like chris stewart driving in 5..

logan sucks and he always will.

logan is worse then his #’s and kelly is better then his #’s.

they gave away a game, they cannot afford to do that ever..

joba is doing his thing. an over 5 era. you cannot make it up how friggin bad he is….
- Winter
  
  I don’t think you can be better/worse than your numbers. You either give up runs or you don’t. What else is there?
  - WhittakerWalt
    
    Well in the case of Logan he allows a lot of other guys’ runs to score.
Kramerica Industries

Well, it was so nice of Hughes to keep the momentum going heading into this crucial stretch of the season.

5-2 on this homestand, and both losses were blowouts started by Phil Hughes. Worthless turd.
- stuart a
  
  moron hughes gave up 3 runs in 6 innings…
  
  the offense SUCKS YOU MORON..
  - Kramerica Industries
    
    Yes, you’re right. Phil Hughes pitched very well today. Really looked effortless and fluid while not having a 1-2-3 inning until the 6th.
Cy Pettitte

god Joba sucks, he isn’t even a decent mop up man
Kramerica Industries

And, seriously, go fuck yourself Jobber.
nyyankfan_7

NO! You rotten bums! You overpaid weenies! Vernon Wells, you make my butt sting! I *detest* you! You’re all garbage! All of ya! Back up the truck! Back it up! Every one of you are poop. Bring out the pooper scooper!
WhittakerWalt

What’d I miss?
Oh.
Kiko Jones

Props to Tilapia or Druids or whomever it was that boldly predicted on another RAB thread the Yanks would take 3 of 4 from the Halos. Kudos to you, sir.
- Lukaszek
  
  I think it was Tilapia, and I believe it was in the “Fan Confidence Thread”
trr

Well, this looked like fun…
It’s tough to sweep 4 from anyone.
On To Boston!
Caballo Sin Nombre

Cashman should have traded Soriano for Chris Nelson, last night. StupidCashman™!
Kramerica Industries

Scioscia is such a twat.
- Wheels
  
  lol
Kramerica Industries

Go to hell, Scioscia.
Wolfgang’s Fault

Ichiro gave away that A/B in pursuit of a hit to get to 3000. Kohn did his best to walk him but Ich wasn’t having any of it. SHould have walked & then who knows what may have happened in the inning, but of course, he popped out to Nelson at 3rd after swinging at 3 way out of the strike zone pitches during his a/b.
Caballo Sin Nombre

Done in by Pee Yoos and Blowgan. Well, at least the offense is still operational.