Game 124: Game One

August 20, 2013 by Mike Axisa 373 Comments

No matter who you’re playing, it’s really hard to sweep a doubleheader. The Yankees split their previous two doubleheaders this season but don’t really have that luxury anymore. Every game and every win is extremely important from here on out. Sweeping the Blue Jays today would help their slim postseason chances but getting swept would nearly bury them. Their margin for error is that small. Here’s the lineup that will face right-hander Esmil Rogers:

And on the mound is right-hander Ivan Nova, who is coming off his first shaky outing since officially rejoining the rotation in early July. He allowed just three runs in seven innings against the Angels, but they did tag him for a season-high ten hits. Shake it off.

No concerns about the weather today at all. It’ll be hot and sunny with a little bit of humidity, but no threat of rain. They won’t have any trouble getting the two games in. First pitch for the first game is scheduled for 1:05pm ET and can be seen on YES. Enjoy.

Roster Update: Preston Claiborne has rejoined the team as the 26th man for the doubleheader. By rule, he has to go back to the minors tomorrow

Injury Updates: Eduardo Nunez (hamstring) is still day-to-day, but yesterday’s MRI did come back negative. It’s still tight but they hope he can play the second game tonight … Derek Jeter (calf) will play in a simulated game and run the bases today for the first time since being placed on the DL.

http://www.twitter.com/_swarlesbarkley Mark Teixiera – Ghostbuster (formerly Drew)

Can’t say that I blame the Yankees but it seems like they are really taking it slow with Jeter’s rehab.
- MannyGeee
  
  He has played more simulated games than actual games this season. (h/t @bkabak for being so astute…)
DERP

Clarkin pitched one inning in the GCL today.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Oh wow. Actually a bit surprised by that. How’d he do?
  
  I assume no word on Judge yet.
  - DERP
    
    groundout to short, walk, flyout to center, groundout to third
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      Sounds good to me. Thanks.
Eddard

This is a must win with Nova on the mound and Hughes going tonight. Nuney’s going to try to gut it out tonight but there’s a good chance we’ll get a double dip of Jayson Nix.
tyrone sharpton

not related, but Jack Curry reads this blog? In that “Behind the Scenes of the Yankees Pregame Show” video, you can see curry’s on RAB
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Which one of you bitches is Jack Curry?!?!?!?!?!
  - Jack Curry’s Quad
    
    Hey guys, I’m here! I’m jealous of ARod’s quad, he was posting here all the time. So, just thought I’d say hi!
  - https://twitter.com/JackCurryYES Jack Curry
    
    Not me.
    - Reuben Sierra’s Chains
      
      Mr. Curry playing RT like a fiddle.
- MannyGeee
  
  Plot Twist: Eddard is Jack Curry.
  
  BOOM
  
  #FinkleisEinhorn
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    I considered this. Then I thought of stuart.
    - MannyGeee
      
      ugh… went to a conference call and came back to a 4 run inning…
      - Robinson Tilapia
        
        Pretty much what happened to me. Both my 12:30 and 2:00 meetings got rescheduled, but I happened to get into a conversation with a co-worker right when it all happened.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  I don’t know if he reads regularly, but he knew who I was a few years ago when I introduced myself at the Winter Meetings. Every once in a while he’ll send me an email saying he enjoyed a certain post or whatever.
  - Pat D
    
    That’s pretty cool.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    Oh wow. Very nice. Must feel great.
trr

There’s just no getting away from Chris Stewart is there?
I think if he dies before me his ghost would haunt me somehow…
This must mean Romine’s catching tonight, right?…. right?

Need a sweep / not a split. Somebody step up and do it for us!
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  The ghosts of Stewart, Tanyon Sturtze, and Rick Cerone will appear over Yankee Stadium, “Return of the Jedi” style, when the Yanks win #30.
  - Ghost of Miguel Cairo
    
    *lurks*
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      Thank you. Cerone gets bumped on that one.
      - trr
        
        Sturtze, God bless him, was at least a good man to have in a brawl.
        
        When the ghost of Ross Moschitto appears over Y/S, it will be a sign that the End of Days is nigh
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        It should not surprise you that I have no clue who that is. My assumption is that he was the late 60’s precursor to Oscar Azocar and Jeff Johnson.
    - Ghost of Scott Proctor’s Arm
      
      Ghost of Miguel Cairo says:
      
      August 20, 2013 at 1:01 pm
      
      *lurks*
      
      –wah. I don’t want to hear it.
      - Robinson Tilapia
        
        I never looked at Scottie Proctor wondering “what the fuck are you still doing here?”, though.
      - Sidney Ponson
        
        Hey guys
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        Leave immediately.
        
        Sidney Ponson
        
        I’ll be back. I’ll always be back. And I’ll bring Sergio Mitre with me
- Wheels
  
  Otherwise, as good a lineup as you can expect today against a right-hander given the circumstances.
Darren

Now is when we find out what this team is really made of. Are they simply a 4th place team, with many many flaws? Or something more? I don’t think any game is a must win until you’re about to be eliminated, but getting on a hot streak now is crucial.

PS great news about Jeter, maybe we’ll see him on Saturday. He is the final piece of the puzzle.
JLC 776

According to Joel Sherman, Ryan Dempster is almost certainly going to be suspended today.

My only hope is that Dempster appeals his suspension and gets to play during the appeal. It would be such wonderful irony.
- Bartolo’s Colon
  
  He obviously can, but I doubt he will. He will accept his penalty and act as if he is awesome for doing so, as will MSM
  - MannyGeee
    
    It will make him a martyr for all the people who want the game played “the right way”. He’s a certified asshole
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      Pavano
      Dempster
      Burnett
      
      Life insists on killing off my millenial Marlin heroes.
      - Bo Knows
        
        Pretty Sure the Marlins ownership started that.
  - OldYanksFan
    
    He’ll get 5 games and won’t miss a start.
Kevin G.

Love when you can hear Bald Vinny yell out the players names on a nice day.

Also, who’s the bigger bust this season: Angels or Blue Jays? I remember everyone was saying the Jays were going to the World Series and that the Angels had Muderer’s Row.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Toronto, easily, to me. We saw the warning signs with Pujols last year, and most folks, at least here, were wary of going near Hamilton.
  
  Toronto was supposed to win the Super Bowl, NBA Championship, and Masters.
Robinson Tilapia

IVAN NOVA DID NOT LISTEN TO JOHN STERLING’S “KEYS TO THE GAME!!!”
Elton Cod

Cano made the right choice – don’t trust Nix.
Samuel

Does this one day call up for Claiborne affect his status s needing to spend minimum 10 days in the minors after being sent down tonight?

I ask because the ten days after tonight wouldn’t stretch into the expanded Sept 1 call up date.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  I’m guessing no?
- Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
  
  No.
  The 10-day count will just resume where it left off.
Wheels

Robbie should have let Nix field that.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Said no one ever.
  - Wheels
    
    It was a weird play.
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

Woohoo we’re not losing!
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Now we’re losing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam

And the umpiring crew for this series (note there will be a 5th umpire today due to it being a doubleheader, I have no clue who the 5th is, but I have my beliefs. Usually its a AAA call up.)

Scott Barry (HP) – Not a whole lot to say about Barry. He is a hitter’s umpire in his 7th year of umpiring in the majors. Expect a lot of calls to go to the hitters.

Adam Hamari (1B) – Like Will Little, ROOKIE. Hamari is a rookie and has a strike zone that annoys the blazes out of me. Swing at close pitches, or it will likely be Strike 3.

Ted Barrett (2B-CC) – Entering his 20th season as a Major League umpire, Barrett actually called David Cone’s perfect game, also infamous for ejecting 6 people in April 2005. In order to get a strike, you need to pitch high, because the low strike call is not likely. However he is extremely unpredictable.

Mike DiMuro (3B) – Seventeen years umpiring, DiMuro is the pitcher’s umpire of the group. Most, if not all borderline calls, will got to the pitcher, including Roy Halladay’s perfect game, which had a extremely pitcher-friendly strike zone. Also, he is among the highest in ejection rates above the average, so hope no one plunks Alex.

Not the worst crew, but Hamari is a rookie who has driven me nuts in his strike zone.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  I hadn’t seen one of your umpire write-ups yet. This is excellent.
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam
  
  Alright, based on the crews, I might have the fifth umpire. I can’t vouch for it.
  
  Alfonso Marquez (sitting out game 1, Hamari planning) – Shrimpy strike zone. Very few umpires with smaller strike zones than Marquez. Also has a total attitude problem, and is a high ejector, so DiMuro and Marquez on the same crew, if I am correct might be a headache in the arguing department. Marquez was the home plate umpire during the Don Zimmer-Pedro Martinez brawl.
  - http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam
    
    Hamari playing*
- Reuben Sierra’s Chains
  
  All of the base umps will be working the second game again on the bases. They will just switch out the HP ump with the 5th Ump so he is fresh for his plate game.
Elton Cod

I just imagine Michael Kay, rolling around in bed, unable to sleep, because he is tormented by the question: :”What does it mean? What does it mean? What would Ichiro having 4,000 hits between here and Japan mean? We know what 4,000 hits here means. We know what 3,000 hits here means. BUT WHAT DOES 4,000 HITS BETWEEN HERE AND JAPAN MEAN? JUST WHAT DOES IT MEAN, GOD? Pete Rose says it means something different from 4,000 hits here. He is probably right. If anyone knows what 4,000 hits means, it’s Pete Rose! But the question remains: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Who decides? Do we decide? How?”
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  While Jodi reaches for the…..
Wheels

Nova isn’t looking so sharp.
tj

nova doing a cc impersination
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

Damn passed ball. Glad we have Stewart back there.
tj

who sed stewert is a good defensive catcher?my grandmother wud have cought that
Cy Pettitte

another run that wouldn’t have scored if not for the defensive wiz Chris Stewart
Kramerica Industries

Certainly don’t like what I see as I come in today.

1-0 and two more in scoring position. Nova not exactly sharp.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Without the HBP and passed ball they likely don’t score at all.
  - Kramerica Industries
    
    Well, the Nova I saw myself there wasn’t sharp, either, so boo for that.
    
    Needs to turn it around before it’s too late. 4-0 no longer feels completely impossible, especially given the Toronto SP, but if Nova isn’t sharp, the Jays will score more than four runs.
wedge

stewart plays more than posada did
Wheels

Dammit. WTF Nova
tj

stewert cant field or hit
Bo Knows

Why the Bloody Fuck did he throw a fastball in that count?
JLC 776

This is going according to plan.
Karl Krawfid

0-2 fastball to davis.

I mean could you be anymore stupid than that?
Eddard

Better get Warren up. This was a must win.
Kramerica Industries

What a fucking awful start to this game. For the love of g-d, Nova, that was an 0-2 pitch.
ialien

no worries guys keep holding out that this team can make playoffs.

[/peter pan]
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  …it’s the first inning.
  
  Go somewhere else, ass.
  - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
    
    second, whatever.
    
    we’ve hit for 1.
- Wheels
  
  fuck off
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Go ahead and try to take the green suit and hat off of me.
  
  If I’m Peter Pan, who on here is Tinkerbell?
  - Pat D
    
    Will Ferrell’s Alex Trebek.
    
    At least that’s what Darrell Hammond’s Sean Connery called him once.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      I say you just volunteered for the role.
      - Pat D
        
        I don’t think anyone wants to see me in that outfit.
tj

nova getting raped
OldYanksFan

A little too much love from the booth for Soriano.
He was a decent pickup, and he got scorching hot for a while.
But he is basically and .800ish OPS guys who K’s a lot.
I’m glad to have him…. but he ain’t the 2nd coming of Barry Bonds.
wedge

does rothschild tell these guys to throw 0-2 pitches right down the middle?
Mandy Stankiewicz

Oye! C’mon Nova!
dot

This is an inauspicious start.
Pat D

Awesome time to turn back into a pumpkin, Nova.

Of course, one of those runs is on Stewart, but actually maybe not after Davis’ double.
- Bo Knows
  
  It’s on both, Nova fucked up big time he’s due for a clunker anyway but still it’s frustrating. I’ll bet he’ll be better next start (though he’s not done in this game, damage has been done)
  
  Stewart I question his bat, I question his Defense; now he has me questioning his game calling ability. Nova’s curveball is his best pitch, it’s probably become one of the best curves around, there is not one single reason he’s throwing a fastball in an 0-2 count against a team that is full of guys that are dead eye fastball hitters.
JLC 776

Guys, I just checked baseball-reference, and get this. A 4 run lead is COMPLETELY insurmountable. Especially in a small park. Against a guy with a near 5.00 ERA.

Just turn it off and lets reconvene for game 2, what do you say?
Elton Cod

Oh well.

If this were a month ago, this game would be over.

Now, Jays have an iffy pitcher on the mound, we actually have an offense…4 runs is surmountable.

Not great signs from Nova, though. And you really don’t want to get into the bullpen early on Game 1 of a doubleheader. Having your defense standing in the sun for a long-ass half-inning probably isn’t great for fatigue either.
Bo Knows

Once again I ask why is he throwing a fb in an 0-2 count? It worked that time, but players are whiffing almost 20% of the time on his curve.
Robinson Tilapia

I actually have a productive conversation with someone and come back to 4-0. Nice.

Just a hunch, but tj in this thread = teddy?
JLC 776

Yeah, you BETTER fear Lyle Overbay.
Cy Pettitte

great job Nix, couldn’t even clear the pitcher’s spot
John

Nix is terrible.
Eddard

“I shudder to think where that left side of the infield would be without Jayson Nix.” – Suzyn

This was said immediately before Nix hit into an inning ending DP.
- stuart a
  
  GGBP.. she is a fool, he makes no mistakes in the field but cannot hit at all…
- JLC 776
  
  That’s just about perfect.
Kramerica Industries

Jayson Nix doing his Jayson Nix things.

It was nice when he wasn’t here for a few weeks.
- MannyGeee
  
  Please tell Soriano to do Soriano things via the Twitter. We need some Soriano things.
  - Kramerica Industries
    
    It worked when I did it for Paul Goldschmidt.
stuart a

i was thinking as nix came up to bat. as bad as nunez can be and how stupid he can be, man it is a downgrade to have nix hitting in this spot. nix as a defensive replacement for Nunez late in a game that is another story. but Nix gets a big hit about once every 90 AB’s. Seatlle last year comes to mind.

he is the epitome of a utility player whom as they play more shows why more and more they are a bum.

nove down 4 to 0, not good……….need to win this game..
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  He’s a journeyman 25th man who’s played 2/3 of the season as a member of the starting nine.
  - Elton Cod
    
    This is why I defend Nix. There’s nothing wrong with being a journeyman 25th man. There is something wrong with playing a journeyman 25th man in the starting nine for 2/3 of the season. Nix isn’t responsible for the Yankees having to overplay him. If you want to get mad, don’t get mad at poor Jayson. The league would be a lesser place without journeyman 25th men like him. Don’t hate him for being who he is. But do go ahead and hate the Steinbrenners for $189m/Ichiro/Youkilis whatever.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      I defended the Youk signing, so I can’t say much there. Clearly, I’m better off at my desk.
      
      Otherwise, agreed.
      - Elton Cod
        
        You can have a different opinion about Youk, blame “luck” rather than/along with personnel decisions, or blame “Cashman” or “the farm”; whatever the case, the point is that Jayson Nix was not the cause of the circumstances that required Jayson Nix being an everyday player so he’s not the thing to direct anger at. Unless this all was an elaborate plan on NIx’s part – he injured Jeter and A-Rod, buddied up to the front office to influence their personnel decisions, etc – so that he could have the starting opportunity. In which case he deserves massive respect as well as anger.
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        Paging Big Member…
wedge

not fair to the team nix
- Pat D
  
  Nix is not fair to Flair.
Pat D

I’m honestly not sure what Yankees I’ve ever had more irrational hate for other than Nix and Stewart.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Neither approaches Esteban Loaiza territory to me.
  - Pat D
    
    For whatever reason I remember so little of Loaiza’s tenure with the Yankees. I just remember he was traded for Contreras.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      I was very pro-Contreras at the time, so that contributed to it. I also just hated his face. He looked like somone dressed as a Yankee for Halloween.
wedge

But why does stewart play EVERYDAY. Even dominant catchers get days off. He never does, and he is HORRIBLE.
acb

can we just start the inning with 1 out that we way can save ourselves from another miserable stewart at bat?
- acb
  
  well at least his approach at the plate has improved. don’t swing the bat until its absolutely necessary.
Itsallhowuseeit

Ahh my favorite pastime, scrub hitters scoring runs off of one of our better pitchers while their career nobody shuts the yanks down.
Robinson Tilapia

I just waited to finish a Chris Stewart at-bat before walking over to the copier, and now am going during a Brett Gardner at-bat.
- MannyGeee
  
  That’s a bold move, Cotton… Lets see if it pay off
  - http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam
    
    This.
JLC 776

Rogers spots Stewie the 3-0 count and still gets him out easily.
JLC 776

Next guy to swing at the first pitch against this guy needs to be summarily executed.
Kramerica Industries

BOOM!

That’s a fine way to get back in the game.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam

Robbie Cano, 200!
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

ialien, where are you now?
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  I picture limbs crawling back to one another and regrouping in time for the next boo-bird moment.
Robinson Tilapia

Yeah, this game is over.

ROBBBBBBBBBBIE!
SDB

ROBBIE!

Oh, wait, we’re supposed to be mourning the 0-4 deficit.
Eddard

Guess it’s not quite over yet. LOL!
Itsallhowuseeit

That!
Mandy Stankiewicz

ROBBIE CANO! A-DONTCHA KNOW!
Elton Cod

I called it a little while ago – 4-0 is disheartening but this Jays pitcher is iffy and we have an offense again. 4-3, 3rd inning, game on. We can still make the playoffs.
Pat D

I’d forgotten what it was like to get back in the game with one swing of the bat.
The Big City of Dreams

Cano being his usual lazy self :)
- MannyGeee
  
  Too lazy to run the bases, just hit it out and you can trot.
  - The Big City of Dreams
    
    Classic
JLC 776

Huh… leave for a few minutes and find 3 runs on the board. Nice!
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  So I guess how it works is that you should leave for a few innings, but Manny and I can’t even take a leak this game. Just great.
Kramerica Industries

Sure looks like Nova has settled in now.
dot

Nice play by Nix to get Reyes.
Cy Pettitte

I think Bautista might have hurt himself running into the wall on Soriano’s foul ball
Lukaszek

Ahh crap there’s no vegetables in my house and I’m in the mood for a tomato. Hopefully when I come back they’ll have the lead
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Let JLC 776 get the tomatoes for you.
Anderson Silva

I see that not only is Nix playing but he has been his usual shitty self at the plate. What’s the status on Nunez?
fabricio

of course stick swinging stewart pops the ball up
Anderson Silva

If Stewart gets ahead 2-0, he should not swing till it gets to 2 strikes. He is absolutely terrible. Weak popup on a FB in the middle of the plate.
acb

i’d say there is a high probability that Stewart starts the night game as well.
Anderson Silva

looked out to me.. another blown call against the Yankees.
- Anderson Silva
  
  now we get 2 on because the umps can’t do their jobs. Fucking great.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  I can tell you, having MLB Extra Innings has opened my eyes to the lack of bias.
  
  I watch a shitton of baseball, and i’ll just say, the umpires are terrible. Everywhere. Every team has a right to be pissed off.
  - Anderson Silva
    
    But that’s the main problem, quality of umps. They are terrible at their jobs but nothing is done.
    - JLC 776
      
      I can’t wait for replay next year. Going to be… interesting.
- Bryan
  
  About as close as it can be. Looks out from one angle and safe on another. Hard to fight it.
Bryan

God I hope not.
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

Come on, Ivan.
JLC 776

I went away for a few minute during that 2 on 1 out. You’re welcome.
Anderson Silva

Can Cano get to 400 career HRs? What’s the most a 2b has hit for a career?
- Lukaszek
  
  HOLY SHIT! STEWIE
- Lukaszek
  
  Jeff Kent has 351. I don’t think Cano will reach 400 cuz he’s already on the wrong side of 30. I do think he will pass Jeff Kent
Robinson Tilapia

Professional ballplayer.
MP

Nova’s got that “even when your stuff isn’t at its best you can fire off a decent start” thang rockin right now.
- JLC 776
  
  Pffft… he’s a home grown pitcher, therefore he sucks.
  
  [/sarcasm]
Kramerica Industries

Five games for Dempster is a joke. Give me a break.
- JLC 776
  
  MLB needs to figure out a way to properly suspend pitchers. This is what always happens.
  
  “I intentionally threw at a guy and got an extra day’s rest!”
dkidd

thanks gibbons. by all means, get cecil and his filthy stuff out of there
wedge

granderson, big spot, little bite
Anderson Silva

5 day suspension for Dempster. LOL
dkidd

okay, two strikes. time for reynolds to shorten up, take a new approach…

just kidding
Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

I’m starting to get the extremely frustrating feeling that we’re just going to leave a gazillion men on base and not score again for the rest of the game.
- Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
  
  But when you walk Jayson Nix, you deserve to get creamed.
Kramerica Industries

I have a very weird feeling that Stewart does something good here.
- JLC 776
  
  HBP maybe?
  - John
    
    Nice man.
- dkidd
  
  well done! i encourage more weird feelings
- Dela G
  
  hahaha wow
- JLC 776
  
  Huh. That doesn’t happen too often.
- Stephen Graham
  
  Will you come to Foxwoods with me?
- Kramerica Industries
  
  HAH! IT WORKED!
- Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
  
  You’re cool.
  - Kramerica Industries
    
    Hope this makes up for this doozy:
    
    http://riveraveblues.com/2013/.....nt-6440136
JLC 776

The words, “This lineup really needs Eduardo Nunez” used to be spoken in jest.

Not anymore.
Anderson Silva

PH for Stewart.. Wake up Girardi
- The Real Greg
  
  Romine is probably playing Game 2 so you can’t play him now.
Cy Pettitte

hahahahah what the hell?
Anderson Silva

FUCKING WOW!!
Leg-End

Chris STEWART!? What have they done with the real one?
dkidd

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??????
Get Phelps Up

Well that was unexpected.
Kevin G.

No fucking way. LMAOOOOOOOOO
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Holy Shit!!!

That was way more than a little league HR.
Dan in Athens

The least likely home run since the Wizard in the 85 playoffs.
- dkidd
  
  it was rick camp-esque
sangreal

In Play, Run(s)

Such a welcome sight
- mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
  
  LOL
Elton Cod

We’ve got ourselves a stew going.
Winter

WARNING TRACK POWER!
Bryan

Greatest.catcher.of.all.time.
Eddard

THAT BALL IS HIGH! IT IS FAR! IT IS GONE! HE CHRISTENS THE LEFT FIELD SEAT!!!!!!!! HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT?
- Lukaszek
  
  That gets me thinking; what would be Sterling’s call for Alvaro Espinoza? Hmm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam

About pinch hitting.
mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)

That was for my Vicki.

Love
Chris Stewart
28 this year

Did that really just happen?
Eddard

“The 3 guys who deserve special mention are Chris Stewart, Jayson Nix and Lyle Overbay.” – John Sterling
Pat D

You know, I used to hate Stewart when he played for the Giants. It’s amazing what a new uniform can do for a guy.

He’s still a dick.
Eddard

Maybe Stewie should be used as a PH in tonight’s game.
The Real Greg

And now you may all apologize to Chris Stewart
- trr
  
  Mebbe that ghost crack I made at the start of the thread riled him up.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Umm nope. 1 at bat. He’s still fucking awful.
- fabricio
  
  im sorry i called you a stick stewart maybe you’re like a semi sized tree branch
Bubba

Chris Stewart flips the bird to RAB.
JLC 776

Is this real life?
- Pat D
  
  Is this just fantasy?
  - Lukaszek
    
    Caught in a landslide
    - fabricio
      
      no escape from reality
Charles

STEWIE!
MP

Romine will never play again.
- trr
  
  Alas, yes!
Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Only bad side: There will be more Chris Stewart. Why couldn’t somebody else do that, huh? Just HAD to be Stewart.
Cy Pettitte

I believe the Blue Jays now have 3 infield singles in 6+ innings.
TCMiller30

Which is more impressive?

Stewart hitting a home run?
Or Wagner throwing a pitch that even Stewart can take yard?!
- dkidd
  
  i enjoyed stewart’s confused reaction immediately after contact. like: wait, what was that?
  - TCMiller30
    
    Haha ya. He looked like he thought he just ripped it foul or something then thought, “holy crap… did I jus.. umm.. Oh ya, I have to start running to first”
- mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
  
  The funnest part is that Stewart totally cheated he started this bat like yesterday anything, but a fastball and it would probably been a strike.
Kramerica Industries

Fucking Reyes has done that twice today.
The Real Greg

This is two starts in a row that Nova has not been good.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  This is one start where Nova had one bad inning and otherwise has been fine.
  
  If Andy did this you’d be cumming all over your keyboard.
  - TCMiller30
    
    Then you’d be typing like this..
    
    tttttttttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssssss iiiiiiiiiissssssssss tttttttttwwwwwwwwwwooooooo
    
    Because the keys get sticky when that happens.
    - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
      
      *Walks away slowly*
      - mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
        
        LMAO!!!
      - TCMiller30
        
        I mean.. That’s just what I heard…
- mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
  
  He had 6 good starts before that and his last start he was pitching with a big lead. He also had 7 starts of 7 or more innings. Its bad start moving on.
28 this year

On a double header not giving Nova a chance to keep going? After that second inning, Nova hasn’t looked too bad.
dkidd

great pitch, ivan

the boy is becoming a man
dot

Quick hook, he’s sub 90 pitches and looks great.

It’s his game, leave him in.
Anderson Silva

don’t agree with this pitching change. It’s Gose and he is terrible. Let Nova work this out.
Kramerica Industries

This is a weird move. Would’ve thought it would be done to face Lind, if anyone, but Lind is behind Encarnacion here.
Bryan

Gose is a groundball threat though. Nova likes the groundballs. I agree that Nova should stay in but the binder probably states it would be best to go with someone else.
The Real Greg

For those who are saying he looks great. I disagree. His pitched have been up in the strike zone and like his last start, he’s having command problems with his fastball.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  lol
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Go do something else, Greg. You’ll be happier.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    I see school’s out for the day.
Anderson Silva

I don’t get burning Logan for Gose. He’s definately bringing in Kelley for Encarnacion.
lightSABR

Should have left him in. It’s a doubleheader–you need every inning you can get out of your starters.
- Bubba
  
  Normally I’d agree but you have the lead and we can’t afford to any games at this point. With Hughes going tonight, that game could be over before the Yankees come to bat.
  - lightSABR
    
    Yeah, I guess we are at the point where a blown lead might be a blown shot at the playoffs.
- lightSABR
  
  Heck. Every out. That’s one less appearance we can get out of Logan in the next three games, for an out Nova probably would have gotten anyway.
  
  But who knows. Maybe Gose absolutely mashes right-handed groundball pitchers.
- SDB
  
  Try and win the game where you’re leading. Besides, Warren and Claiborne will probably pitch 6 or 7 innings this evening with Flyball Phil starting.
JLC 776

I’m real surprised at the quick hook with a double header looming.

I get that you go for the win in hand, but I thought Nova was looking okay.
Eddard

Girardi is playing the odds here. He’ll use Kelley, Drob and Mo for the game he thinks he can win. He doesn’t think he can win a game that Phil Hughes starts.
The Real Greg

The only thing I can come up with for that change is the fact that Girardi now has two lefties in the pen and can afford to burn one of them with a lead.

It is strange though
NeilT

I know I’m late to the party, but does my screen really say that Chris Stewart hit a 2-out 3-run homer, or am I hallucinating and should I get some help with this?
Kramerica Industries

The only danger here is that Kelley is homer prone, and Encarnacion can hit those with the best of them.
Anderson Silva

it would sure be nice to have Logan to face Lind here.
- The Real Greg
  
  Bit of fallacy intention-wise because we don’t what Nova would have done against Encarnacion
Kramerica Industries

Wow, Kelley. After being 1-2, this is just awful.
JLC 776

Time for me to take a quick break…
Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead

Relievers who walk people = brain aneurysms for Peckerheads.
The Real Greg

Now if he gives up a run here, careful with your fallacy comments.
- Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
  
  Just shut up Greg.
  
  We can say whatever the fuck we want. Why should we have to be careful? Are the Gods of Baseball going to smite us in our computer chairs?
  - Anderson Silva
    
    He’s the board police.
    - The Real Greg
      
      Damn Straight.
      
      Somebody has to be the KGB of RBB
      - The Real Greg
        
        By the way, I know you’re being sarcastic
  - Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
    
    Greg is a troll. Seriously. He’s somehow managed to take everybody in, and he’s a good actor, but how people don’t get that at this point is beyond me.
- Anderson Silva
  
  fuck off.
Anderson Silva

What a mess created by Girardi. Head-scratching moves.
- The Real Greg
  
  At the end of the day, Shawn Kelley is the 7th inning man. He has to get these outs.
  - Jim Is A (Bored) Peckerhead
    
    Having a 7th inning man is inane.
    - Dan in Athens
      
      Inane refers the general emptiness, lack of significance or lack of meaning.
  - Anderson Silva
    
    I don’t get that at all.
    - The Real Greg
      
      If Girardi had taken Logan out for Joba Chamberlain, then I’d seriously question his head.
      
      Other than that, he technically made the right move in that situation.
      
      To blame the manager when the 7th inning man, which some labeled on here, is on the mound is ridiculous.
      - Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
        
        …
        
        Words fail me.
        
        I give up.
The Real Greg

Your 7th inning man, ladies and gentlemen
- Dan in Athens
  
  And a good one.
Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Annnnnnd breathe.
- Kramerica Industries
  
  asshole.
  
  you beat me to it because you used fewer exaggerated letters. :)
  - Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
    
    Hey, after calling that HR (sort of) you have no right to complain.
    - Kramerica Industries
      
      Well, hence the :)
      - Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
        
        Because otherwise, this is serious shit. Fucking wars have been fought over this stuff.
Kramerica Industries

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand…

exhale.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam

Phew.
Shittyshittybangbang

I just peed and shit myself a little.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam

3,999.
Cy Pettitte

hooray for insurance runs and red hot Cano
Anderson Silva

Robbie on a mean streak!
lightSABR

Ichiro!!!

(Also, Cano. But it was sure nice to see some speed there.)
Kramerica Industries

I fear that it has happened too late in the season to save their playoff chances, but at least Yankees baseball is fun to watch again.
MannyGeee

So…. Is Cano 4-4 right now? This shit is cray.
- Mandy Stankiewicz
  
  I smell a late season tear, like last year…
JLC 776

I’m perfectly okay with at least one of Soriano or Cano being hot at any given time.
- Lukaszek
  
  You know I’m ok with that too
Anderson Silva

Sori should assume everything is going to be a breaking ball to him
The Real Greg

It’s amazing to me that ARod is helping the Yankess get on a hot stretch on the field and yet is trying to sue them off the field. Its so dichotomous
lightSABR

Come on, Grandyman. Turn this into a rout.
Kramerica Industries

Three True Outcomes.
Anderson Silva

3-run HR or bloop 2-run single, get it done Mark!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam

Of course D-Rob gets 7-8-9 in the order.
- lightSABR
  
  Hey, you still have to give him credit. Had it been Joba, it would have been 7-8-9-1-2-hook. ;)
Anderson Silva

so much swinging and missing at hanging curves..
lightSABR

Dang. Nice inning by D-Rob. The first strike-three call was awful, but we’ll take it.
Robinson Tilapia

I have an actual meeting and Chris Stewart……hits a three-run homer? How many commenters dropped dead at that point?
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam
  
  Probably a lot, but it looked like more jaws dropped.
- JLC 776
  
  I’m still not entirely sure that actually happened.
- SDB
  
  Almost choked for a minute when that happened.
http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso

Chris BOOKING Stewart. Right booking now.

Booking dot…..yeah.
lightSABR

Professional ballplayer!
Eddard

Jayson Nix is just a good little ballplayer. He has now 13/14 in stealing bases.
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam
  
  The fact that he has 13 impressed me. Didn’t realize he was already that high on the list.
- OldYanksFan
  
  I like Nix also. He’s not a great player, but he plays hard, he’s gritty, sends his meal leftovers to starving children in Europe, and he white.
  
  What more could you want?
  - JobaWockeeZ
    
    Mediocrity.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam

Alright 4,000 watch time.
The Real Greg

Bad news with that is now we have to see Joba again
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam

Alright, save 4000 for the next game.
Eddard

Jobber will start the inning and create a save situation for Mo.
Kramerica Industries

The fact that Jobber is pitching the 9th probably means Mo will still need to pitch in this game.
JLC 776

I like that mlb.com is using the Toronto feed for the Ichiro 4,000 hit live cut-ins.

That’s just… something.
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam
  
  They are? They must want Buck Martinez making the call.
Lukaszek

We have a guy named Joba, can’t we have someone named Han Solo or something?
http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso

Re: Joba

“I’m taking an awful risk, Vader.”
- The Real Greg
  
  This had better work
  - http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso
    
    Haha
Anderson Silva

nice tackle by Joba lol
Cy Pettitte

Joba should sign with the Jets this offseason
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam

Pretty? No.

Effective? Yes.
http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso

ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH REYES’ HAIRCUT?!?!
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Radio, sir. What’s the haircut?
  - http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso
    
    He only has hair on the back of his head. Not the sides, not even a part of the top. Just a fro on the back of his scalp.
    - http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam
      
      Given where it was when he was a Met, drastic change.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      Like George Jefferson?
      - http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso
        
        Worse. No horseshoe. Seriously, just the BACK of his head.
        
        JLC 776
        
        Half-friar?
Kramerica Industries

Yeah, well, maybe Jobber’s calling was to be a DL, not a pitcher.
WhittakerWalt

Is 4 runs Joba-proof?
- WhittakerWalt
  
  Apparently not.
  SMH
Robinson Tilapia

He lost a contact?

You’re rich. Get Lasik.
- Kramerica Industries
  
  Unless my eyesight is already thoroughly destroyed, I fear having surgeries/operations done on my eyes. Even with their high success rates, there’s always the chance something could go wrong.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    Oh, I will definitely do it at some point. I feel like we’re at the point where enough folks have done it without going blind that it’s become fairly routine.
    
    The risk is worth never having that moment I realize I’ve run out of solution at midnight again.
    - mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
      
      “I realize I’ve run out of solution at midnight again.’
      
      Totally don’t miss those days at all.
  - mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
    
    I had it done not a deal.
    - mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
      
      My wife too no problems for either of us.
trr

Even with a 4 run lead I’m nervous
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Keep calm and root on.
The Real Greg

Might as well just have had Rivera start that inning. What Joe sees in Joba is weird.
Anderson Silva

Girardi’s bullpen management today has got to be one of the worst ever. Why not wait one or 2 more batters? They have a fucking 4 run lead. What a disaster.
- The Real Greg
  
  And yet they are probably going to win the game. So his lack of bullpen management means ZERO
  - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
    
    False.
    - The Real Greg
      
      Wins and Losses-all that matter at this point.
      
      Fact
      - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
        
        There’s another game today.
        And many more this season.
        
        Also FACT.
lightSABR

Okay, that was ridiculous. I know we’re being risk averse and everything, but we’re four runs up. Joba should have gotten one more batter.
- lightSABR
  
  Okay, I guess it’s his eye. That just sucks.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  I never do the binder stuff, but it is now a save situation.
  - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
    
    Also false
JLC 776

Was there any doubt, in anybody’s mind, that as soon as Joba came out to start the inning that Mo would be called upon to finish it?
fabricio

of course mo gets in the game joba really cant even do this shit he blows
- MannyGeee
  
  he got a real good hitter to dribble out and walked a guy. your anger appears to be mus-guided.
  - MannyGeee
    
    Misguided, auto-correct…
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

What’s the point if the hook is going to be that quick?
What are the odds that Joba will have a 1-2-3 inning?
Robinson Tilapia

They should just start selling ironic “Joba Rules” t-shirts at this point. They’d do well in Williamsburg.
- http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso
  
  And Lincoln…maybe Omaha
  - JLC 776
    
    Tokyo…
Eddard

Girardi should bring in another pitcher before Mo so he can burn 3 pitchers in one inning. Hughes is locked in for 4 innings tonight.
MannyGeee

Joba with the shortest of short leashes. Almost not worth getting him out there.
The Real Greg

I now wonder if Girardi pulled him because of the eye
Cy Pettitte

why is Joba on the team if he can’t be trusted with a 4 run lead in the 9th?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek Roadgeek Adam

I have to believe Joba was pulled due to the eye. He’s still blinking.

Good game nonetheless.
- The Real Greg
  
  That’s what I’m starting to think.
  
  Because the other option makes no sense.
- MannyGeee
  
  I have to hope you’re right. It would have been the most short-sighted of short-sighted moves to pull him over a simple walk.
fat jeter

fucking joba.
Pseudoyanks

Good win. Let’s take two.
trr

Thanks (again) Mo!
Robinson Tilapia

Just win, baby.

I’ve got my broom ready.
mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)

Good win almost need to take 2 at this point.
MannyGeee

Star of the game, Suzyn Waldman… Not Cano going 4-4 with 4 RBIs. NOPE, going Chris Stewart, Professional Baseball Player.
- JLC 776
  
  I personally enjoyed Sterling calling ‘Kevin Pillar’ ‘Kevin Millar’.
  Several times.