Game 157: The Final Home Series

September 24, 2013 by Mike Axisa 184 Comments

This series with the Rays could have been a lot more meaningful had the Yankees not gone into their recent tailspin. They’ve lost six of their last nine and ten of their last 17 games, which simply wasn’t good enough in the ultra-competitive AL wildcard race. There were too many other good teams in the hunt and they’ve buried New York.

So, instead of this series being about pushing the Rays and trying to claim a postseason spot, the Yankees are basically playing spoiler. Competing because they’re professionals and have pride. These are the only three home games left in Mariano Rivera‘s career and that, to me, is the story of the series. I’ll be at the game tonight collecting my Mo ~~bobblehead~~ voucher, but as much I as I want that sucker sitting on my desk, I’ll happily trade it to see Rivera pitch live for what will likely be the final time in my life. That really freaking sucks. Geez.

Anyway, here is the lineup that will face lefty Matt Moore:

And on the mound is right-hander Hiroki Kuroda. He’s got a 5.33 ERA (3.99 FIP) in his last eight starts and opponents are hitting .300/.347/.510 against him during that time. Kuroda, who was a legitimate Cy Young candidate as recently as mid-August, has turned each of the last 217 batters he’s faced into something resembling 2011 Cano (.302/.349/.522). Good grief.

It’s chilly but an otherwise clear night in New York. There’s no threat of rain or anything like that. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm ET and can be seen on My9. Enjoy.

https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries

Lets do this.
Pasqua

Hey, RAB guys — a Deadspin appearance! You’ve truly made it to The Show!
KenM

I waited in line for almost two hours and didn’t even get a voucher. I never realized the austerity budget meant firing the people that work at the gates.
Chris

Yes! Stewart is catching!!!! :-/
dkidd

please let mo record a save on thursday
SDB

Whattaway to start.
https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries

Come the hell on Hiroki.
lee

Kuroda in mid-September form!!!!
Anderson Silva

Kuroda might be worse than Phil Hughes right now. And he was our best SP in the beginning of the year. That’s how you end up not making it to the playoffs
https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries

We lamented C.C. falling from a #1 to a #5 in the space of a season.

It took Kuroda five weeks to do the same.
- thenamestsam
  
  It’s really a perfect encapsulation of this season of everything going wrong. Even the things that went right had to go wrong. Hiroki falling apart after being the hero for so long is oddly perfect.
  - Rolling Doughnut
    
    Not too odd really, he tanked last Aug-Sept also.
    - https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries
      
      Well, September, anyway. His ERA in August was 2.35.
      - Rolling Doughnut
        
        Wow. I thought it was higher. I remember him having a rough Aug last year. Maybe only the last couple of starts in that month.
        
        https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries
        
        Yeah, the last couple of starts weren’t his finest, and it carried over to a 5.22 September ERA.
      - Tom K
        
        In the end, Kuroda’s final stat line is about where you would expect it to be when the season began. He saved their bacon with a bunch of early season wins – having a rough end to the season is always more noticeable than a rough beginning, but in the end, he will be where you expected him to be.
forensic

Well, this is an impressive start for Kuroda.
sevrox

most excellent – hopefully kuroda will sign with the yanks for another year
SDB

Mercy rule?
JGYank

Way to start off strong guys. At least we’ll a higher pick next year.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek/ Roadgeek Adam

I can’t do it tonight, but I will tomorrow,
Umpires (from HP to 3B in order)
Tim Timmons
Mike Winters – CC
Laz Diaz – aghhhhhhhhhhh
Mark Wegner
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  We expect postseason fucking updates, mister, including the guys down the outfield line.
  
  *jabs finger*
  - http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek/ Roadgeek Adam
    
    You want them then, you’ll get them then.
Robinson Tilapia

HR, single, double, third guy scored on an out? Wasn’t listening, but that’s what I’m gathering. Nice start.

I was actually doing some thinking after reading about how all our prospects flame out in AA all day, and it got me thinking…….who exactly DID flame out in AA of note?
Tom

Damn – that 3rd run probably shouldn’t have happened (they probably had no shot at home on that double even with a perfect throw)

Also don’t understand why Wells was so far into the gap with a lefty up (more shifting for the sake of shifting)
http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso

So A-Rod has 0HR and 0 RBI against LHP this year?

Is this true?
- forensic
  
  Yup, 0 XBH’s even. He’s getting on base by walking, but not really hitting them at all.
- Winter
  
  A-Rod actually has a reverse split for his career, although those numbers are obviously a bit extreme.
AlyinCt

Can we please get rid of all of these pitchers? No QO for them. I would like to see as many new Yankees on the team next year as possible, both pitchers and position players.
Tom

1 foot foul and Cano didn’t even leave the box.
dkidd

hypothetical question for everyone:

i’ve always assumed that if the team was eliminated, mo wouldn’t pitch in houston. however, andy pettitte needs to win his final start in order to finish his career without a single losing season. what if andy leaves with the lead and d-rob is ineffective and mo is the only option to close it out?
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Why wouldn’t Mo pitch in Houston?
  - dkidd
    
    because he should throw his final pitch at yankee stadium?
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      I don’t think they’re going to follow that. If he needs to pitch, I’ll imagine he’ll pitch.
      - dkidd
        
        i’d love to see one more andy-mo win-save combo
- Rolling Doughnut
  
  I guess Mo would pitch in a save situation. Why not?
http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso

I don’t blame you for swinging, Sori.

You have to swing
SDB

So why isn’t Granderson playing? Binder madness again?
http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong

Yankees on their last leg.
- SDB
  
  and doing about as well as John Cleese’s Black Knight
- http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong
  
  Rays really starting to scare the shit out if me.
  - https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries
    
    12-7.
  - mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
    
    No need to be scare they only look this good against the Yankees
- dkidd
  
  who would you least like to play in the best-of-five?
  
  tampa
  cleveland
  texas
  - SDB
    
    best of five? or are we talking first week of October golf here?
  - http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong
    
    As a Red Sox Fan: Cleveland by far
    - mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
      
      Well agree on something.
      
      The revenge of Terry Francona.
Freddy’s Dead

Hello, all. Sheesh, I hope this game gets better. I dunno if I’ve ever seen a more demoralized looking baseball team. Not to mention us fans.
OldYanksFan

Where would we be if over the last 6 weeks, CC and Hiroki had a 4.00 ERA?
mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)

Nunez!!!

We are going to win!
Freddy’s Dead

Is Nunez a third baseman?
OldYanksFan

Am I wrong, or has Nuney been pretty decent at 3rd base?
mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)

I see Mike gave his normal “pep talk” at start of the game thread.

A speech of exhortation, as to a team or staff, meant to instill enthusiasm or bolster morale. pep talk. n

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2y8Sx4B2Sk
http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong

Yankees can’t even cool down the Rays a little? Rays going through the Yankees like a knife through hot butter.
- Winter
  
  Hot knife through butter. Red Sox fan can’t even get his expressions straight.
  - http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong
    
    I’m gonna go cry about it.
- jedua
  
  where were you last year?
Tom

PH! (only half kidding)
http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong

Breaking News From Coors Field: • Dustin Pedroia played an intense game of Connect Four against Brock Holt before batting practice. Ellsbury, Napoli, and John McDonald were among the sideline analysts offering advice.
- http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong
  
  How I love this team.
  - Freddy’s Dead
    
    How I’d love to see that hideous bunch of apes eliminated early.
    - http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong
      
      Blood, Sweat, Beards.
- mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
  
  You clinch the division and they are 1 game up on clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs then why are you on a site for the lonely 27 World Series Championships Yankees?
  
  Just wondering?
  - http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong
    
    Red Sox don’t start until 8:30, thought I’d have a little fun.
    - http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong
      
      Plus the Yankees suck right now(And will continue to suck).
      - mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
        
        Funny we though the same of you last year and look how that turn out.
        
        And if the Yankees suck why bother go on the site just be proud and win with grace and class.
        
        Oh! sorry forgot
        
        mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
        
        By the way lots of class in the Mo tribute if only they stop bragging about each Red Sox player who give the gifts.
- Tom
  
  Any truth to the rumor that Pedroia uses a step stool to get all the way up to the top of the Connect Four board so he can drop the chips in all by himself?
  
  The only thing that makes sense about the anecdote is that it would take 3 people on the side to figure out the game and provide advice (and also to help count to four)
  
  Now that is trolling! Like a knife through melted butter!
  - http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong
    
    Rookie of the Year, MVP, Gold Glove winner, World Series champion Dustin Pedroia would like a word with you.
    - SDB
      
      Will Ortiz carry him on his shoulders, or will he use a stepladder to maintain eye contact?
      - mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
        
        That’s PED free Ortiz and Manny. Have to love how they booed A-Rod yet they forget on who backs they won their first championship in 88 years.
        
        http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong
        
        David Ortiz didn’t go to Biogenesis.
        
        mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
        
        “Ortiz is one of seven players since revealed to have tested positive in 2003. The others were then-teammate Manny Ramirez (who has since tested positive two more times),”
        
        Here enjoy the rest
        
        http://riveraveblues.com/2013/.....nt-6902375
        
        mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
        
        That make a difference how exactly?
    - Pedroia
      
      I give Ortiz his weekly PED shots to keep him in the majors.
dkidd

ubaldo jimenez seems to have made the transition from thrower to pitcher

do the yankees go after him?
Freddy’s Dead

I sincerely felt bad for Boston and their fans last year. I wouldn’t have dreamed of going on one of their fan sites to gloat, but that’s just me.
- http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong
  
  There are 3 Yankee trolls on the Red Sox blog I read.
  - Chris Z
    
    So you are trying to even up the score? Go watch Duck Dynasty….I mean the Red Sox.
    - http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong
      
      I’m not even trolling.
  - mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)
    
    Yet your the only one here.
    - http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong
      
      *you’re
Rolling Doughnut

Moore looks terrible.
Wheels

Alright dammit, 2 on with no outs, time to score some runs.
SDB

Fucksake Mark, swinging at the first pitch after 4 balls in a row?
Tom

How the hell do you swing at the first pitch in that spot?

(and how does Ichiro not score?)
SDB

I have the horrible feeling that Moore will end up not giving up a single run to this lineup.
forensic

55 foot pitch, Reynolds still swings. Amazing…
Wheels

You can see where this is going.
Rolling Doughnut

6 LOB in 3 innings.
Wheels

We suck.
https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries

Yankees doing a wonderful job letting Matt Moore off the hook time and time again.

6 LOB in only three innings.
SDB

Five walks in three innings, and no runs on the board. This team.
AllyinCt

Red Sox…a team named after underwear.
forensic

Nice scoop Reynolds. I’m sure you’ll make up for it at the plate though…

That’s a rough error if there’s no hit with it too, though I guess it doesn’t matter much since there’s an error either way.
Tom

Nunez giveth and Nunez taketh…

(unfortunately he needs to giveth a little bit less)
http://riveraveblues.com/2013/09/game-157-the-final-home-series-94654/ BostonStrong

I’m off to watch my gritty and bearded bunch of players. Adios Yankee fans.
- Wheels
  
  Smell you later!
- Chris Z
  
  Go F yourself
- http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=chc ChicagoStrong
  
  Um…….I’d like to troll you Yankees fans too, if that’s alright.
Tom

Dafug?

After the game he should just claim he did that on purpose to reach.
forensic

Sturtze did a good job for the Yankees, Michael???
- https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries
  
  11-5!
  
  (http://www.baseball-reference......g_standard)
Rolling Doughnut

Nice hack Vern.
forensic

Twice in two innings someone has swung at 55 foot wild pitches. Unbelievable.
Tom

OK new plan – how about not swinging, at all.

I think Moore would have walked two or three runs in by now.
forensic

If Moore was facing a more patient offense, he would’ve walked about 15 guys already (though really he would’ve just been knocked out of the game about 2 innings ago).
https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries

Stewart makes the softest contact ever.
- forensic
  
  Seriously, little leaguers make harder contact than him.
SDB

I think that’s the best at bat I’ve seen from Stewart this entire season.
Tom

Chances Ichiro swings at the first pitch?
- forensic
  
  Do you even have to ask?
Rolling Doughnut

14 pitch AB for Stewart, that’s how bad Moore is tonight and still our guys haven’t scored.
https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries

This is remarkable.

8 LOB in 4 innings.
Rolling Doughnut

Moore has a 1 hit shutout going.
- SDB
  
  This is starting to resemble AJ’s no-hitter with nine walks…
  - Rolling Doughnut
    
    Or Doc Ellis’ LSD no-hitter, He walked 8 and hit a batter if I remember correctly.
forensic

Good job guys. Keep swinging at everything, clearly it’s working very well for you.
- Tom
  
  Well Moore’s been around the plate so much you don’t want to fall into that 3-0 or 3-1 hole…
- Mike B.
  
  It’s the Kevin Long way. Just what sort of player was Kevin Long?
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    Playing career has nothing to do with coaching career.
Tom

Seriously who the fuck is coaching this team?

They have swung at the last 4 pitches and made 3 outs after he threw ~90pitches to get 10 outs.
Rolling Doughnut

Fuck Robbie, what are you doing?
SDB

Two more men on base, time to end the inning.
Anderson Silva

10 LOB through 5. They reach a new low everyday. Thanks for the great team Cashman!
https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries

What’s comical, is that the Indians are actually losing right now.
- https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries
  
  Well, the Indians aren’t losing anymore.
forensic

That was a nice impression of Bobby Abreu that Soriano just did there.
https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries

So tired of the James Loney BS.
Rolling Doughnut

Binder says Loney 0-11, so pitch to him. It should have said, Joe, it’s never too soon for Boone.
Tom

Awesome stargerinessment here. Walk a lefty to load the base for another lefty.

And have your lefty specialist warming up in the pen for show.
- forensic
  
  I can’t really blame Girardi. It’s critical that you have the righty in there to face the always dangerous Jose Molina.
Winter

IBB to load the bases. That worked out well.
Freddy’s Dead

So much blame to go around, so much lackluster play and poor decisions, but Girardi not taking Kuroda out with bases loaded and 3-0 count really hard to excuse.
forensic

I bet Mike’s having a great time at the game.
LarryM Fl

There is much work to be done this winter. I hope Ichiro, Kuroda and Wells decide to retire. I know its a dream but I can dream. Watch Cano sign elsewhere because the roster in 2014 will resemble a nightmare!
Kenny

A solid World Series would be CLE/OAK vs. PIT.
- Winter
  
  I’d watch (some of) that.
- forensic
  
  Lowest TV ratings ever.
- https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries
  
  Indians/Pirates, because the football rivalry is dead.
LarryM Fl

Come on Girardi. Wave the white flag and let the kids play. Should have started with Stewart with Murphy. Ok Ichiro’s gone Now that Binder is talking.
- LarryM Fl
  
  He still playing, Tear up the Binder, Goodnight1
Tom

And another pet peeve: Girardi pulls the lefty to start the next inning off with… a different lefty.

And then pulls him after 1 friggin batter?

Why not just leave Logan in dumbass?
forensic

Maybe if Warren gives up about 10 runs, Girardi might actually let Betances throw a pitch.

Nah, probably not…
JGYank

For once, screw pride and let’s get as high a pick as possible in the draft next year. We extended our streak of winning seasons already and are missing the postseason so why not?
- Winter
  
  It’s not about pride. I like watching the Yankees win. I don’t like watching the Yankees lose. I’d rather watch the Yankees win than watch the Yankees lose.
  - JGYank
    
    I want to see them win too but at this point we might as well look toward the future and salvage what we can even if that’s only a slightly higher pick.
- ialien
  
  given the cap restriction they shoulda done this from the beginning of the season, or at worst the trade deadline.
  - BFDeal
    
    Ridiculous.
forensic

More terrific defense from Reynolds.

I can’t believe people actually wanted them to re-sign him next season.
Tom

Stuck with the Rays feed and they keep trying to talk up how well Moore pitched because he stranded all those runners. (They apparently are not at the game)
forensic

I never understand why umpires put up the strikes with their right hand and balls with their left hand. That means to read it you have to read from right to left, as you’re looking at him, which is the opposite of how people actually read and say the count.
- Pyscho Trish
  
  They do it that way for the people behind them who are reading it. AKA the fans.
  - forensic
    
    But the reason they’re doing it is so the players know what the count is when there’s confusion. They should put it up the right way for them.
Pyscho Trish

Chi Sox tie it. Fucking so ridiculous all we had to do was win our own games and we would have made the playoffs easy.
- Winter
  
  Same goes for every other team in the race it seems. Everyone’s been somewhere between bad and awful in September, the Yankees were just trailing at the start.
  - Pyscho Trish
    
    Now the ChiSox go ahead. Just fucking trolling the shit out of us.
  - Tom
    
    CLE, TB, KC all have better records in Sept (and have played better than .500 ball).
    
    After tonight Baltimore will have the same record as the Yankees in Sept.
    
    The only WC contending team playing worse ball is Texas.
Pyscho Trish

Oh yeah fucking Overbay blows some major ass too. Strand another God Damn fucking runner. FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pyscho Trish

I really hope Hal and Cash don’t do the same crap again next year. Pick up a bunch of players that got cut from other teams just so they can suck for us all year long. Great Plan IDIOTS!!!!
https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries

Still love Jason Giambi.
Winter

May I suggest flipping over to the Nationals-Cardinals game, if you are able to.
- forensic
  
  And miss a minute of this enthralling Yankee game???
Tom

Cleveland walks off.

If this score holds, the best the Yankees can do is tie for the 2nd WC (a Yankees loss or CLE win will eliminate them)

Wacha throwing a no hitter for StL in the top of the 9th (on MLB Network for those that have it)
- SDB
  
  No no-hitter there. Shame.
- ialien
  
  people are STILL talking playoffs? refer to jim mora youtube video on playoffs…
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3-eavMSBnk
  - Winter
    
    As long as the Yankees are not mathematically eliminated, some small, irrational part of me will hold out hope.
Tom

Cone’d….
Chris

they gotta start checking the catcher’s mitts on this team for holes.
Wheels

P U
Dave M

I hate this Yankee team.
Dave M

Have you ever seen a team just give up like this? Other than Andy and Mo on Sunday, there’s just no fight at all
Dave M

Could this be Granderson’s last days as a Yankee?
Chris

they should all be teabagged. I’m not rational at times like this. cut off all their limbs. I’ll take Gardner back, that’s it.
- Dave M
  
  I don’t even want Gardner. He’s always injured. And he’s a fast guy who is not a great base stealer.
  - Chris
    
    He is cheap for his production. One of the few good values they’ve had on this team.
Dave M

Nice double play Arod!
dkidd

the long nightmare has ended

go dodgers
forensic

Well, that sure was a huge waste of time.
Pyscho Trish

What a Shit Show. Just embarrassing. FUCK THIS TEAM!!!!!
Mike B.

I will forebear commenting for now. Oh my….

Mike
WhittakerWalt

So in the last 2 “must-win” games we’ve scored a grand total of ONE run.
Sigh.
Kenny

Those bobbleheads? Just going for $100 minimum on ebay.
Jarrod

As always I am hoping for a Yankees win tomorrow but at the same time I am hoping for a Cleveland win so this can all be over. I irrationally hold out hope as long as it is still mathematically possible so it would finally give me some peace for the last nail to go in the coffin.

2013 has been horrible. Hopefully Cashman earns his money this offseason and changes almost everything about this team.