Game 26: Robbie Returns

by 409 Comments

Jacoby Ellsbury day-to-day with sore left hand
DotF: Banuelos moves up to Double-A, Judge homers in Charleston win

After spending parts of nine seasons in pinstripes and more than 12 years in the organization, Robinson Cano returns to Yankee Stadium tonight as a visiting player. He bolted town for an extra three years and $65M over the winter, and hey, I don’t blame him. I would have taken it too. The Yankees confirmed they are not planning any kind of video tribute, which is pretty lame. Throw in the likely anti-climatic mix of boos and cheers and it’ll almost be like every other night in the Bronx.

More important than Cano’s return is the team’s play. The Yankees have won ten of their last 14 games and the Mariners pretty much stink, so this series is a good opportunity to fatten up the record a bit before heading out to the West Coast early next week. Plus, you know, they have to show Robbie what he’s missing. Here is the Mariners lineup and here is the Yankees lineup:

  1. CF Brett Gardner
  2. SS Derek Jeter
  3. RF Carlos Beltran
  4. C Brian McCann
  5. DH Alfonso Soriano
  6. 1B Mark Teixeira
  7. 3B Yangervis Solarte
  8. LF Ichiro Suzuki
  9. 2B Brian Roberts
    LHP CC Sabathia

It has been raining in New York for most of the afternoon but it looks as though there will be enough of a window to get the game in. Or at least part of the game. This one might not go the full nine innings. We’ll see. First pitch is scheduled for a little after 7pm ET and you can watch on YES locally and MLB Network nationally. Enjoy.

Ivan Nova Update: Nova (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery as scheduled today, the Yankees announced. Everything went as expected.

Jacoby Ellsbury day-to-day with sore left hand
DotF: Banuelos moves up to Double-A, Judge homers in Charleston win
  • http://www.twitter.com/mattpat11 Matt DiBari

    I always found video tributes to active visiting players pretty silly.

    • Macho Man “Randy Levine”

      Unless that visiting player is Mariano Rivera and the ballpark is anything other than Yankee Stadium.

    • Jorge Steinbrenner

      Agreed. I know folks thought the Sox Ellsbury thing was some sort of small classy act, but I really just would have been fine with them booing the shit out of him and him making them pay for it. Don’t need the “remember when” stuff.

  • Cheval Anonyme

    For Robbie Cano, choosing money over a shot at a championship.

    Yangervis Solarte Anagram of the Day:

    “Salary Vetoes Ring.”

    • BrianMcCannon

      Ha. Nice.

    • Jorge Steinbrenner

      Bravo.

  • Rob S.

    The first moment that Cano put on a Mariners jersey he started taking shots at the Yankees for “disrespecting” him by offering $175 million dollars. It’s not about him signing with the Mariners. It’s about him talking smack about the Yankees. When Ellsbury cam over to the Yanks, he never said one bad word about the Red Sox. No video tribute for Cano and feel free to boo away.

    • The Guns of Navarone

      Don’t forget about Kevin Long’s comments.

  • Yangeddard Solarte

    Yeah, Robbie shouldn’t have badmouthed the Yanks after he left. That’s why he doesn’t get a tribute. I’m sure he’ll get a mix of boos and cheers from the 30 people in attendance. CC will neutralize him tonight.

    • Wall

      You’ve got to be kidding. The Yankees badmouthed him

  • http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso

    CC has definitely put on weight since ST. He even said on IT that the diet finished when the season started so he eats whatever he wants now.

    Not a big deal, it’s just really noticeable tonight.

    • RetroRob

      Good to hear. He’ll be hitting 95 mph again by late June!

      Insert Captain Crunch joke here.

  • Yankeefan91

    i don’t blame Cano for leaving for all that money, but when you leave a team like the Yankees to go to Seattle that’s just crazy but it was his choice just like its my choice to boo his ass.

  • RetroRob

    Robbie was hitting in the .260s recently and is now over .300. Give him nothing to hit.

  • Prussian General Jordan Brink

    This video makes me more pissed that we didn’t pony up for Cano.

    Might it have sucked in 2020? Yes. But Cano in his 30-100-Gold Glove prime is glorious.

    Give him a standing O the first time up. You can boo or be indifferent toward him afterward. But he deserves the standing O the first time.

  • Jorge Steinbrenner

    It fucking sucks out there, folks. Fuck pine tar. They need Elmer’s.

  • Lukaszek

    In memory of 2005-2013

    Every walk you take
    Every play you make
    Every bat your break
    Every pitch you take
    I’ll be watching you

    Every single day
    Every team you slay
    Every game you play
    Every dime they pay
    I’ll be watching you

    O can’t you see
    You’re a born Yankee
    O how my poor heart aches
    With every walk you take

    Every catch you make
    Every ball you rake
    Every throw you fake
    Every cleat you break
    I’ll be watching you

    Since you’ve been gone we just can’t cover second base
    Whenever I watch Kelly or Bryan I can only see your face
    I look at Jeter’s stats but it’s yours we can’t replace
    The nights are cold and the offense left me in a craze
    I keep yelling, Robbie, Robbie, please

    Every catch you make
    Every ball you rake
    Every throw you fake
    Every cleat you break
    I’ll be watching you

  • Yankeefan91

    i wonder whats the attendance today at the stadium lol.

    • Dale Mohorcic

      Seriously. It looks like someone is boycotting Donald Sterling at the wrong stadium.

      • The Other Matt

        Lmfao.

      • Macho Man “Randy Levine”

        You win.

      • Mike HC

        haha

      • Lukaszek

        Lmaooooo

  • nycsportzfan

    Interesting that the Yanks got Kelly Johnson on the bench against a finesse RHP.. Solarte seems to have jumped him on the depth chart some.

  • The Other Matt

    I had thought about going to tonight’s game but it just wasn’t in the cards. Even with the ticket prices being favorable, I decided to stay home and see if fans will boo or cheer Cano. Also it gives me time to fill out applications for summer internships and jobs, while watching the game. Not too bad.

  • Macho Man “Randy Levine”

    Sam Pearce was DFA’ed by the Orioles. Then he was claimed on waivers by some team, but decided to become a free agent instead. Now he’s re-signed with the Orioles.

    Why does Cashman keep failing?

    • Jorge Steinbrenner

      A Sammy reunion was a no-brainer.

  • nycsportzfan

    No way Cano gets booed. Look at the money he took. How many could boo him knowing what he left for? Not many of us who woulden’t.

    Abe Almonte!lol

  • Yangeddard Solarte

    There isn’t a soul in that stadium. Cheer or boo, it won’t be heard either way.

  • Jorge Steinbrenner

    Abe Almonte K’s. Somewhere, Brian S. weeps.

  • Mike HC

    Everyone was so concerned about the reaction Cano would get, yet there are like 124 people in the stands.

    • The Other Matt

      Good point.

    • nycsportzfan

      You can still get a consensus on how the Fans feel about it. I didn’t think Cano was worth that kinda coin and he was offered that kinda coin, so its not a biggie to me, as he took money that would be almost impossible for anyone to turn down.

      Not to mention, the Yanks didn’t pay it. Thats a good thing which makes it easier seeing him gone. That is gonna be one albatross of a contract.

  • RetroRob

    Well, if he was booed lustily when lineups were announced, I doubt he’s getting a warm ovation when the game starts.

  • The Guns of Navarone

    Whether he’s booed or not I don’t think he’ll hear it from the 5 or 6 fans at the stadium

  • Jorge Steinbrenner

    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

    *crotch chop*

    • Macho Man “Randy Levine”

      *raises middle fingers*

      *raises People’s eyebrow*

      *cups hand to ear*

      Oh, I thought we were having a wrestling moment.

  • Dalek Jeter

    ALL TEH BOOS!

  • forensic

    Nice inning, CC!

  • willie w

    he should have taken the money for where he wanted to play
    no amount of money over $165 million would compensate for not having fun playing a game.

    very few people can spend that kind of money, it just goes to other people when you die

    so if you are miserable for 10 years playing in a stinky situation then you wasted your life and left other people lots of money

    the folly of human greed and money

    one when is dying, money is meaningless like the king who offered his kingdom for another day to live.

    I have not made my personal life decisions based on getting every last dollar, that’s for greedy fools.

  • RetroRob

    Sounds like cheers to me. Bronx cheers.

    • nycsportzfan

      Sounds like Yank cheers when Cano swings and misses.

  • nycsportzfan

    Wow, heavy boo’s from the Yank faithful. I disagree with that. The Yanks take players from other teams in similar situations all the time, you can’t be like that when one of your guys leaves for the same kinda coin.

    I was clapping by the way.

  • Grit for Brains

    Honestly…that is pretty classless.

    • The Big City of Dreams

      It’s Yankee fans were you expecting anything different.

  • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

    I thought everyone was exaggerating, my god that place is empty.

    • RetroRob

      That’s why you can only hear boos. The nice people stayed away watching from the warmth of their homes.

      • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

        Is it that bad up there? Not to be one of THOSE people, but it was 91 degrees down here in FL today.

        • Jorge Steinbrenner

          Just one of those windy, rainy nights in which it’s really about 45-50 but feels much worse. Annoying.

  • Mike HC

    When Kay says it was 80/20 boos to cheers, he literally means 80 people booing and the other 20 fans are cheering.

    • The Other Matt

      I’m enjoying all these jokes referring to the attendance, or lack thereof. Please continue.

      • Mike HC

        The Sterling joke was the winner, but I had to throw my hat into the ring.

        • The Other Matt

          I’d have to agree. You’re a valiant runner up, ala the Yankees in the 2001 World Series, but that Donald Sterling joke takes the cake.

          • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

            I wanted to make a boycotting the Wrong Sterling joke. But just decided against it.

  • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

    Boo him once if you’re going to (I’m against it), but this is ridiculous.

  • nycsportzfan

    Brilliant inning for CC.

  • Yangeddard Solarte

    Loudest cheer was strike 2. Strike him out, CC.

    • TheRealGreg

      Strike 3 was louder still

  • Jorge Steinbrenner

    I would now like to thank Robinson Cano for his years of service to the New York Yankees, for carrying this team on his back last year, and for his beautiful play at second base.

    Back to booing. I hope he K’s him.

    • Chip Rodriguez

      ietc.

  • TheRealGreg

    Holy crap, the fans are angry

  • Yangeddard Solarte

    YES! CC strikes him out and that gets the loudest cheer. Robbie deserves to be booed for what he said after he left.

  • Prussian General Jordan Brink

    For Prussia!

  • Captain Turbohiro Tanaka

    I’m pretty surprised at the fans’ reaction. I figured he’d get a decent bit of applause the first at bat and then nothing much after that. Guess I was wrong.

    • The Big City of Dreams

      Yes you were. The minute he signed I thought when he comes back he’s going to get loud boos. I don’t know why anyone would expect anything different.

      • Jorge Steinbrenner

        Yup.

      • Captain Turbohiro Tanaka

        That’s one way to look at it.

  • Justin

    I really have no problem with him being booed. It’s not so much the fact that he left for more money, or went to the Mariners. It’s the fact of how he left after. First with the comments of how he was “disrespected” with the Yankees offer, that came off extremely greedy. Then, almost every time a big-time athlete leaves a city he’s been for awhile, they usually make a nice gesture. Most of the time they take out an ad in the local paper, post some video, do something. I believe Justin Tuck did it, Jacoby did it, many others. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t remember Robbie doing anything like this. Guy couldn’t do or say one nice thing about this organization after he left.

    • The Big City of Dreams

      He did thanked the fans and organization on twitter. It’s not a full page ad but you said do something.

      • Justin

        Well i’m glad he took 140 characters to thank the fans.

        • The Big City of Dreams

          Better than nothing though you asked for something. Besides why go out of your way when it’s clear how a majority of fans feel about him.

  • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

    How awesome would it be to see Roberts go off tonight and plant a homer, while Cano goes let’s say 1-4 with 2 K’s

    • Jorge Steinbrenner

      I would have done anything to have Sizemore at second tonight, have Robbie somehow get to first, then get doubled-up by #24 at second.

      • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

        +1. That would be pretty awesome. Amazing how nobody gets to wear 21, and Robbie’s number got raffled off instantly. To Sizemore of all people. I somehow wish Ellsbury took it.

        • Jorge Steinbrenner

          They should let people wear #21 already. I’m firmly in that camp. They should have fine with Hawkins, frankly.

          • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

            I loved Paulie, but we can’t retire every damn number or our 25 man roster would be from number 50 up. I’m fine with retiring 2 obviously, I wouldn’t mind seeing 46 not worn again. 51 will be interesting.

            • Jorge Steinbrenner

              2, 6, 20, 46, and 51 would be fine by me. 21 is borderline, but I wouldn’t throw a shit over it.

              • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

                I can agree with those.

    • RetroRob

      Why grant him a hit?

      0-4 with 4Ks!

      • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

        I’m rooting for 0-4 with 4K, but I think he will get a hit, it just seems unlikely for him to go against CC and not get one.

  • Chip Rodriguez

    shut up, creatures.

    • Jorge Steinbrenner

      Please tell me what happened. Still at work.

      • Chip Rodriguez

        they’re chanting YOU SOLD OUT! to Robbie. Loudly.

        (maybe they’ll keep chanting it to Tex and Ellsbury?)

        • Jorge Steinbrenner

          Heh heh heh.

      • The Guns of Navarone

        You’re leaving out the most important part. They gave him a roll call and when Robbie showed some class and tipped his cap that’s when they immediately starting chanting

      • Mike HC

        They are chanting “you sold out.”

        • Derek Jeter

          Immature… Embarrassed for the Bleacher creatures tonight

          • Jorge Steinbrenner

            Yes, since the Bleacher Creatures usually sit there reciting Shakespeare during games.

            “Box seats, whither thou sucketh…”

        • Jorge Steinbrenner

          As long as the team then backs this up and doesn’t allow him to go 3 for 4 tonight…

    • The Guns of Navarone

      +1,000,000

    • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

      That had to be everyone else, I can’t picture the creatures giving him a roll call just to chant you sold out.

      • Prussian General Jordan Brink

        Nope, it was the creatures.

        • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

          Well that is upsetting.

          • Jorge Steinbrenner

            They chant worse at the box seats every night.

            • Captain Turbohiro Tanaka

              The box seats didn’t sign a 10 year contract with Seattle.

  • The Guns of Navarone

    Yankees better put some better ABs against Chris Young. I don’t think I’m prepared to to watch him carve up this lineup with that garbage he throws.

    • TheRealGreg

      He has a 3.00 ERA. That’s not garbage.

      • Prussian General Jordan Brink

        I think he throws junk, but your point counts.

        • Deathstroke Heathcott

          You really have to throw out the radar gun readings with a guy like him. He’s still not a great pitcher but he’s much better than you’d assume a 2-pitch guy with a 85 mph fastball would do because he hides the ball so well. Especially tough if you haven’t seen him regularly I’d imagine.

      • The Guns of Navarone

        A 3.00 ERA!!! After four whole starts! My mistake… disregard his entire past career. He’s definitely a world beater. That ends that argument. Thanks for stopping by.

        • TheRealGreg

          Aaron Harang would like to have a word with you

        • TheRealGreg

          And career record 53-48 with a 3.78 ERA. That’s not garbage.

        • Michahiro Pinaka

          Greg expects the Yankees to lose, so he’s defending Young now so he can use him as an excuse 4 innings later.

          • TheRealGreg

            Did I say that for this game?

            • Michahiro Pinaka

              You always expect the Yankees to lose even if they’re ahead in a blowout. Don’t pretend otherwise.

  • Prussian General Jordan Brink

    Nice work Yankee fans! You’re now on the Red Sock/Phillie level of douchebaggery!

    And your hypocrites! Talking about “you sold out” as you cheer Tex, Ellsbury, McCann, Beltran. Y’know, the homegrown Yankees who turned down better contracts to stay here!

    • Derek Jeter

      Totally agree ^^

    • The Guns of Navarone

      They can’t hear you.

      I’m hear to help.

    • Jorge Steinbrenner

      Proud to be a hypocrite.

    • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

      Don’t go against the family dammit

  • nycsportzfan

    Wow, what a sweet play from the cap and Tex. The team looks sharp on this chilly night.

  • RetroRob

    Is it my imagination, or is Jeter falling down a lot out in the field, yet somehow also fielding the balls when he does?

    • Mike HC

      You are not imagining it, he is not as smooth as he once was.

    • Jorge Steinbrenner

      Magnets. He’s using magnets.

    • Yankee Fan 1

      You’re not imagining it. But at this point I could not care less how he fields the ball as long as he fields it. No need for style points at age 40

  • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

    Does Jeter look better defensively this year or is it just me?

    • Stevie Wonder

      It’s not just you!

  • lightSABR

    CC’s looking good tonight. There have been some full counts, but on the whole, these have been impressive at-bats.

    Granted, it’s the Mariners, but he made Robbie look like a rookie, too.

  • Deathstroke Heathcott

    Dat Jeter Range

  • Prussian General Jordan Brink

    Does anyone else find it ironic that on the night the durable Robbie Cano returns to the Bronx, Ellsbury misses the game with an bruised (but not broken) hand?

    • TheRealGreg

      No because they don’t play the same position. If it were Roberts, might be another story

    • Winter

      I don’t think that’s irony…

    • The Big City of Dreams

      Yea pretty ironic when you think about it.

  • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

    Not sure if Chris Young or Cy Young. 4 outs on 14 pitches

  • lightSABR

    Does anybody else have players who just never seem to do well when you’re watching? CC was like that for me back in the day – he’d be amazing for most of the season, but suck whenever I was watching.

    McCann’s like that for me now. I’d sure love to see some of those homers we were all expecting.

  • TheRealGreg

    Hard to be patient when he is throwing a 3/1 strike to ball ratio.

    Might need to be more aggressive.

    And Tex!

  • RetroRob

    Tex warming up, and it’s not even May.

  • The Other Matt

    You’re on the mark, Teixeira !

  • No 2013 again

    Very nice Tex! Please prove me wrong and keep on hitting as a LHB.

  • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

    Reply fail, LightSabr that was a response for you.

  • Jorge Steinbrenner

    I believe that was a TEX MESSAGE.

  • nycsportzfan

    Solarte draws the walk! Nice! Come on Ichiro, take aim at that short porch!

  • MartinRanger

    Just please let there not be a ‘trader’ sign. I couldn’t take that.

    TEIX

    what was that wrist injury you were speaking of?

  • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

    Soriano, it might be because every time he’s up i ask my roommate to play everyone’s favorite game: Strikeout or Home Run. And we always pick strikeout.

    • RetroRob

      It would be a bad bet to pick otherwise, even if Soriano was hot.

    • Winter

      Soriano: Three True Outcomes™ without the walks.

  • Michahiro Pinaka

    Tex!!

  • nycsportzfan

    Tex baby! I was just about to post were gonna get to this guy eventually, as hes throwing nothing but 85-86mph fastballs and hes throwing a ton of strikes. We’ll eventually get to em.

  • Dan

    The return of Tex?

    • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

      We can only hope!

    • Mike HC

      If he can turn on an 85 mph fastball, he can hit anything.

      • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

        This is why we can’t have nice things.

        • Mike HC

          And here I was thinking it was because of the whole your/you’re thing.

          • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

            Well played Sir.

  • Prussian General Jordan Brink

    Tiexiera seems to be on the mark….

  • MartinRanger

    Holy crap somebody just took an Ichiro line drive to the face.

  • The Other Matt

    Did that foul ball by Ichiro on that 0-1 pitch hit that lady in the head?

    • Yankeefan91

      hell yea it did holy crap that ball bounce far off her head.

      • Jersey Joe

        I almost got hit in the face by a Giambi foul ball when I was sitting five rows back from the dugout. Tell me that is not horrifying.

  • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

    LOOK OUT! That Lady got DRILLED

  • Axis of Mike

    Some person got beaned by that foul ball. The crew decided to ignore it I guess.

  • MartinRanger

    Holy crap somebody just took an Ichiro line drive to the face.

  • TheRealGreg

    Yeah Kay, let’s completely ignore the fan who just got socked

    • Axis of Mike

      I mean if a pitcher got hit in the head… that was brutal!

  • Dr TJ Eckleberg

    Dude…that lady got blasted in the face with that foul ball from Ichiro. It went ight her face like 20 rows back and almost back into the field.

  • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

    So wait, if Kay is right and he is injured, we have to have a 24 man roster until he comes off the DL and then serves remaining time? Or is it like a PED suspension where you can serve it on the DL

  • The Other Matt

    Robinson Cano would have made the play. Just saying.

  • scott

    So Manny Banuelos went 3 innings again tonight, this time in Trenton, struck out 4, no walks, only 2 hits and threw only 40 pitches. With the exception of one horrible outing (2/3 of an inning 4 runs), he has gone 3 innings 4 times (not including tonight) and struck out 14, walked only 2. Opponents are batting .213 off of him. I know he is coming back from TJ surgery, but isn’t it time to extend him? If not, are the Yanks going to give him 5 three inning starts at AA, then move him up to AAA, then onto the bigs to be this year’s long reliever ala Phelps and Warren? This way they can control his innings and get him some MLB experience?

  • The Other Matt

    Guess the person who holds the radar gun decided to take the night off, huh ?

    • The Other Matt

      As I mention it, now they show it.

  • Mykey

    I swear to God if Pineda is hurt…

    • MartinRanger

      Crossing fingers. They really need him with Nova out.

  • mcgatman

    I could not believe that. I know Kay has a lot going on but you think someone would alert him to the fact that a fan just got drilled

  • Prussian General Jordan Brink

    Robbie woulda caught that…

    (OK I’m going to stop now)

    • TheRealGreg

      I think any young second baseman would have caught that.

      • MartinRanger

        Roberts is pretty short though. 5’9” to Cano’s 6’0. He might actually have had it.

  • No 2013 again

    Comon CC, get it together.

  • MartinRanger

    Willie Bloomquist C.C.? Really?

    • TheRealGreg

      11-29 in his career against CC.

      • MartinRanger

        Enrique Wilson had good numbers against Pedro through like 2005. Didn’t change the fact that he sucked.

        • TheRealGreg

          Doesn’t matter if they are sucky against everybody else. Sometimes batters have your number.

      • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

        I feel like Bloomquist is 100 years old.

        • Jersey Joe

          He has been around for a while. I think the reason we think he is so old is that, since he keeps bouncing around these teams, and he is currently bad, we assume that he had some sort of prime. Which he didn’t.

  • iblamejay-z

    I just hate seeing all those empty seats behind home plate

  • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

    Almonte sporting a very velcro looking beard.

  • No 2013 again

    Kay is right.. it’s stupid where the ump sets up. He can’t see the outside corner to righties..

  • MartinRanger

    Abe Almonte strikes out at a Dave Kingman-esque pace.

  • Winter

    WHERE DID THAT MISS?

  • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

    Damn, just missed. At least he got out of it. Bases Loaded for Robbie had way too much storybook potential

  • The Other Matt

    I’m sure as hell relieved that CC was able to get out Romero there, and not have to face Cano with the bases loaded.

  • The Other Matt

    The pitch that CC struck out Almonte on had some damn good movement. Though he is kind of lucky he didn’t recognize the pitch, because it did come back right over the middle of the plate.

  • iblamejay-z

    strike 3 wtf!!!

  • Mykey

    I know everyone’s been saying this, but the stadium is amazingly empty. Bizarre really.

    • Winter

      I don’t live in the area. Is the weather bad enough to keep people away?

      • Jersey Joe

        From thirty miles out west in NJ: 40 degrees, windy, rainy, horribly humid, worst conditions possible.

      • MartinRanger

        I was out in it earlier, and that was standing on a train platform. It’s miserable out there.

    • Yankee Fan 1

      It’s freezing out. This is not baseball weather.

    • The Big City of Dreams

      It’s always empty

  • TheRealGreg

    Hard to pull a 4 seam fastball that foul. Except it was 84 mph

  • TheRealGreg

    Great at bat by Roberts

  • Jersey Joe

    Are the Mariners trying to prove something with Abe Almonte? I mean shouldn’t Saunders be in center while they get a useful corner outfielder like Hart to fill in the OF? I’m getting a vibe that the Mariners are trying to prove that they can get useful pieces from the Yankees.

    • MartinRanger

      Honestly I would not put it past Jack Z. He did win the job out of spring training but it’s obvious to anyone with eyes that he’s completely overmatched in the majors.

      Nice AB by Brian. I’m not a believer yet but he’s making progress.

      Brett needs to get going again. He’s been cold of late.

    • The Other Matt

      I think they’re hoping he find whatever he had last season in Triple A where he batted 314/403/491 with 20 SB. Not saying that to sound like an asshole either, but I honestly believe that has to be a factor. Also, he wasn’t exactly terrible last year in his short time in the majors (264/313/403, 98 wrc+).

      • MartinRanger

        Also, Saunders is not very good. Though when LoMo comes back they’ll have to reconsider his roster spot.

        • The Other Matt

          True. And if Franklin Gutierrez was ever healthy this probably wouldn’t be an issue at all.

  • TheRealGreg

    Who thinks Jeter bunts here?

  • Jersey Joe

    I’d love me a bunt here, Jetes.

  • Prussian General Jordan Brink

    Please no bunting here Jeter

    • RetroRob

      Agreed, although now I wish he did.

      • Need Pitching & Hitting

        Seemed like the perfect time to bunt.
        Put 2 runners in RISP and Jeter hasn’t been hitting a lick against RHP anyways.

  • MartinRanger

    Well at least it wasn’t a GIDP.

    Come on Carlos. Bang one into the seats.

  • Yangeddard Solarte

    2 on no outs for the heart of the order. Have to do some damage here and with this Ms lineup it might put the ballgame away.

  • WhittakerWalt

    Sterling thinks Jeter “has been playing shortstop great.”
    Really.

    • Deathstroke Heathcott

      Meh, I’ve had no complaints.

    • MartinRanger

      He’s better than Nunez?

      No but really, he looks better than you’d expect for a 40 year old.

      god damn wind. that should have been gone.

  • iblamejay-z

    horrible strike 2 call

  • iblamejay-z

    thought that was out

  • RetroRob

    Wind screwed that.

  • TheRealGreg

    Once again, bad defense gives the Yankees a run

  • The Guns of Navarone

    Teams are loving giving the Yanks free runs lately

  • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

    Well that works.

  • WhittakerWalt

    I guess lame flyouts are better than lame groundouts.

  • Prussian General Jordan Brink

    Gardy brought his running shoes this year.

  • The Other Matt

    For a guy that’s only throwing 86 mph Chris Young’s pitches are sure popping Zunino’s glove.

    • MartinRanger

      There’s no crowd noise to compete though.

      lmao nice throw Zunino.

  • WhittakerWalt

    Fucking McCann is pissing me off.

    • Alkaline

      What happened? Just joined in.

      • WhittakerWalt

        He’s just not hitting much.

  • Mykey

    That’s why we steal bases Brett.

  • RetroRob

    Nice. Speed created run.

  • Axis of Mike

    That’s a stolen base run. Gardner should get a ribby!

  • MartinRanger

    Well, that was…suboptimal. Still, a run. Just need more.

    • TheRealGreg

      Is there such a word as “suboptimal”?

  • MartinRanger

    Oh for god’s sake shut up with this ‘you sold out’ crap.

  • Momma Said Tanaka You Out

    Good thing we got that free run cause that was RISP fail for days.

    • The Guns of Navarone

      .246/.300/.347 with RISP so far this season (before tonight)

      • MartinRanger

        Eh, it’ll pick up. They aren’t hitting as many homers as you’d expect either. Right now McCann’s still getting going and Soriano’s an icicle.

  • slammy

    Based on sound I was so sure that beltran’s ball was gone. At least gardner got agressive finally used his speed and good things happen when you for the other team to make plays

  • iblamejay-z

    hahah Love Costas doing Jay Z.

  • Dan in Athens

    Isn’t that cc’s first 3 to 1 putout in over a year?

  • Mykey

    Agh, stop booing him please!

  • MartinRanger

    God Smoak is terrible.

  • RetroRob

    Easily the fastest Robbie has ever run to first.

    • lightSABR

      I laughed at that, too.

  • The Guns of Navarone

    I never knew Smoak was a switch hitter. I knew he sucked though…

    • Alkaline

      Smoak like power!

  • Alkaline

    Let’s go CC. Get a k to end the threat plz. kthxbye.

  • Alkaline

    Just heard that Pineda is going for an MRI after feeling soreness. Anyone hear otherwise?

    • MartinRanger

      It’s his lat, at least, not his shoulder.

      GOT HIM! Well done C.C.

    • Alkaline

      Well. Shit. Ignore this comment.

      That’s what I get for not getting home until 8 at night and didn’t check any websites since 2 pm in addition to not using a smartphone.

      • MartinRanger

        Believe me, if it was the shoulder you’d know about it.

    • RetroRob

      Lat not shoulder.

      • Alkaline

        Crisis averted?

  • RetroRob

    Hopefully that was CC’s “bad” inning, which against the Mariners means non runs.

  • lightSABR

    Hmm. No new comments. I guess the thing’s broken?

    • lightSABR

      Ha. Suddenly, there they are. I wonder if my browser was just loading from cache or something.

      • Alkaline

        This happens to me a lot. I’ll refresh the page and it won’t have new comments. Jump to a different browser and see otherwise, then that one gets stuck, etc.

  • TheRealGreg

    Methinks Soriano needs some time on the bench soon

    • The Guns of Navarone

      He’s strictly a platoon bat at this point. The less he bats against RHP the better.

      • MartinRanger

        He’s got enough power than he should play over say Ichiro though. Plus Ichiro is actually better against lefties. He shouldn’t be batting this far down. But he did manage a .735 OPS vs righties last year. He’s not completely dead.

  • Yangeddard Solarte

    Some have said Solarte has fallen off a cliff. A walk and a double later he’s got his OBP up over .400, highest on the ballclub.

  • MartinRanger

    Teix just missed that one. Guys are always getting under Young’s fastball.

    • TheRealGreg

      That’s because it’s so slow that they are too quick on it. It’s at changeup speed, but it’s a fastball.

      Plus the funky motion has to help

      • MartinRanger

        Also he’s like 7 feet tall.

  • Lukaszek

    Solarte does not cool down at all this month

  • MartinRanger

    Damn Roberts. #FreeSizemore

  • No 2013 again

    looked safe by a lot. Umps are terrible as usual.

  • MartinRanger

    He’s very safe.

  • TheRealGreg

    Seattle will win this challenge.

    And dare I say it, Cano would have made that play

  • Yangeddard Solarte

    Yeah, he looked safe by the naked eye and replay confirms it. This will get overturned.

  • Yangervis

    Solarte just gets on base…doesnt swing for the fences like others in line-up…surely Giradi must be thinking of making Solarte the everyday 3rd baseman

  • King George

    How do you leave that base open????

  • Yangeddard Solarte

    A bunt? And of course it worked out for them. Roberts lazy over to 1st like Cano would be.

  • Yangervis

    here comes the big ugly CC inning

  • TheRealGreg

    12-40 now against Sabathia

  • No 2013 again

    CC does not look good against a terrible lineup. Third straight inning with 2 men on base.

    • Mykey

      Don’t worry, 3 now. All’s well.

  • MartinRanger

    Well this is complete crap.

  • Mykey

    Ugh what a frustrating way to lose this game this would be.

  • MartinRanger

    C.C.’s just giving up singles, so he’s not getting clobbered. Mostly getting unlucky. Only really hard hit balls were Bloomquist’s.

    • TheRealGreg

      Yeah this one for the most part is not on him.

      • MartinRanger

        Okay, I forgot Gillaspie’s double. That’s three hard hit balls.

    • WhittakerWalt

      Mitigated somewhat by the fact that Bloomquist is an awful hitter.

  • Lukaszek

    Boy Id be pretty pissed if he hit a grand slam

  • The Guns of Navarone

    Uh oh…

  • Mykey

    You just know Robby’s gonna hurt us here.

  • TheRealGreg

    That goes to the defense

  • No 2013 again

    Pathetic… no need to give Hart fastballs with the first base open.

  • King George

    Frustrating.

  • Karl Krawfid

    Why did he stop pitching inside to righties?

  • Widget

    you aren’t fooling anyone with that “fastball” CC. I miss CC when he didn’t suck. This is embarrassing.

  • Yangervis

    CC getting lit up by a AAA club…hopeless

  • MartinRanger

    Well that could have been a lot worse. Great pitch by CC to jam him there.

    One more and we’re out with the lead.

    • MartinRanger

      Oh for christ’s sake CC.

      That was a cookie.

  • Yangeddard Solarte

    Get this POS out of there. Another shit performance from CC and just when we thought he had turned the corner.

  • Mykey

    Ugh.

  • Lukaszek

    “In play, run(s)”

    SHIT SHIT SHIT IM TOO AFRAID TO CHECK THE OUTCOME OF THIS PLAY. PLS TELL ME ITS NO GRAND SLAM

    • your mom

      Any base hit loses the lead so it don’t matter.

    • Lukaszek

      Phew thank the lawd

  • Mykey

    Sigh. Thank you Roberts.

  • Yangeddard Solarte

    And there goes the lead. He gets Cano but doesn’t have any Hart.

  • The Guns of Navarone

    It’s almost like CC isn’t good anymore or something. Weird.

  • No 2013 again

    8 hits and 4 runs in not even 5 innings against the Mariners. What a joke

  • TheRealGreg

    Not on CC. Brian Roberts makes the play at second and this inning would have been over a long time ago. Instead, the inning continues and CC implodes

    • King George

      So the two line drives that were just meat right over the plate weren’t on him?

    • Widget

      CC imploding is on him. Dont blame Roberts.

    • WhittakerWalt

      FALLACY!

  • Leg-End

    CC shitting the bed.

    • your mom

      Nothing new.

  • Bubba

    CC bringing the weak sauce.

  • King George

    CC just imploded this inning. Yes, bad break on the grounder and bunt. But still served up three hard meatballs (Cano was an out) and that is all on him.

    • TheRealGreg

      But would he have served the meatballs if the out at second was made?

      • King George

        I’m really confused. He shouldn’t have thrown meat to begin with on a first pitch with runners on 2nd and 3rd.

  • Yangeddard Solarte

    CC hasn’t been good this month and all of last season. He just hasn’t learned how to pitch and I think he refuses to learn like Moose and Andy did when they lost velocity.

    • TheRealGreg

      So you did not watch his last two starts did you?

      • Alkaline

        Why entertain the troll?

    • MartinRanger

      That’s totally why he’s mixing in more changeups and throwing more sinkers than ever before. Because he’s refusing to learn.

  • http://linesinmyhead.blogspot.com Charles R.

    BAD CC.

  • John

    8 hits to the worst hitting team in baseball. Wow

  • BigBlueAL

    The Yankees have scored at least 5 runs at home only twice this season. Might be tough to do so tonight against the immortal Chris Young.

    • John

      I don’t understand why some of these guys are just looking at pitches down the middle of the plate.

  • MartinRanger

    I still think C.C. is going to figure things out and be at least league average, but I’m losing hope he’ll be anything better than that. What a drop-off, and of course it happens to the guy the Yankees extend.

    • King George

      Don’t hold your breath.

    • No 2013 again

      He’s too stubborn. No idea why he keeps throwing that shitty 88mph fastball in fastball counts. So predictable and hittable.

  • No 2013 again

    Don’t know what’s worse, CC’s ridiculous performance or the offense getting 3 hits in 5 innings against Chris Young.

  • BigBlueAL

    All this hate on CC should also be aimed at the offense which has been beyond pathetic at home this season.

  • The Guns of Navarone

    And the Yankees will go down like chumps against Cy… I mean Chris Young. Too predictable.

  • The Guns of Navarone

    GTFO

  • CC

    Let me load the bases up for you dellin!

  • Leg-End

    What exactly are we waiting for here? He’s done, put in Dealin Delin.

  • The Guns of Navarone

    With Nova gone, Pineda a question mark at this point, and Kuroda struggling, suddenly the rotation doesn’t look all that good.

    • nycsportzfan

      Yet we are tied for the best record in the AL through it all. Guys like Betances, Phelps, and Nuno have to keep pitching in untill Pinedas back and Kuroda gets in line.

  • King George

    So anyone want to take CC out?

  • nycsportzfan

    This game sucks. We need to get outta this inning 4-2 somehow.

  • Yangeddard Solarte

    CC looked atrocious last inning so what does Girardi do? Sends him right back out there next inning and now it’s 2 men on no outs.

  • iblamejay-z

    Having trouble scoring runs? Batting Average down? Try the new Sabathia 2k14, guaranteed to improve your average even if your one of the worst hitters in your league! Money back guarantee…the Sabathia 2k14…available at Yankee stadium and other various ballparks across the country

  • nycsportzfan

    Betances mancrush goes up another meter.

  • nycsportzfan

    Dellin will get outta this jam unscored upon!

  • crisis wha crisis

    Fan confidence poll always makes me laugh those who vote 8 and above

    Big Mike maybe out for a while and we have Tanaka and eh…… not much else starting pitching wise.

    CC is done and has been for sometime now and we are paying him a fortune for years to come when he is a 4th or 5th starter at best.

    Get your head out of the sand this team is an expensive joke.

  • nycsportzfan

    This dude get you fired the fuck up!

    • The Guns of Navarone

      Hell yeah he does! What a pleasant surprise he has been. I expected his command to be inconsistent but that hasn’t been much of a problem to this point. Good to see Girardi start bringing him in tight spots. He’ll be pitching BIG innings for this team pretty soon.

      • nycsportzfan

        Yeah, he’ll pass Warren and Phelps in the bullpen pecking order. I’m all ready having flashbacks of Mariano setting up Wetteland.

  • Dan

    I don’t know if it’s already been mentioned but remember last year when the Yankees went to Seattle for an easy 3 game series? They made Jeremy Bonderman and Aaron Harrang look like Maddux and Glavine. If you haven’t pitched in 12 months plus/havent been good in 3 plus years, you WILL dominate the Yankees.

    • iblamejay-z

      The Yanks are the most successful franchise in sports history. Understand that every game every year is other players and other teams world series when they play the Yanks. NO ONE comes in soft against this team because for most teams beating the Yanks at any point will be the highlight of their season. Same goes for no name players and has beens. It adds to the “the best day of my career was against the Yankees” narrative. The fact that this team continues to win 90 plus games most seasons for the last 15 years is a testament to the franchise and why most of us still have faith.

  • nycsportzfan

    Bull shit!!! Thats strike 3!!!

  • Yangeddard Solarte

    Delin Betances should replace CC in the rotation. We may see more and more as this season goes on that CC and Jeter just need to be put out to pasture.

    • The Guns of Navarone

      Oh boy…

  • The Other Matt

    Betances looked damn good that inning. Big of him to keep that run from scoring and keeping the score 4-2.

  • Leg-End

    Nice work Dellin, 97mph too.

  • Yangervis

    Betances the man…Offense gotta get going

  • iblamejay-z

    FUCK yeah!

  • Yangeddard Solarte

    Just as Kelley was the MVP of Saturday’s ballgame, Warren the MVP of Sunday, Delin will be the MVP of this ballgame if they come back to win. CC couldn’t have put the kid in a worse situation and he got out of it.

  • nycsportzfan

    Mariano 1996 anybody?

  • WhittakerWalt

    Take the gift, make them pay.

  • BigBlueAL

    84-86 mph fastballs down the middle all game long and the Yankees continue to put up pathetic at-bats.

  • iblamejay-z

    ok, lets make them pay now

  • WhittakerWalt

    Weaksauce.

  • Zach

    This is one of those series that had warning signs written all over it.
    I remember even during the championship years and 09 the Yankees beat up the great teams and then were made to look like fools by the crappy ones.
    This is just one of those games, simple as that.

  • iblamejay-z

    Yanks got destroyed in game one by the Angels and game back to win series. CC is what he is…lets hope the offense wakes up against this bullpen

    • nycsportzfan

      Yeah, CC will have his good and bad starts, as well Kuroda. The thing is, our offense hasen’t hit its stride yet, and guys like Pineda will eventually be coming back to the roation, and were in 1st place in the AL East.

      I like how they just figure out how to win that day. They have alot of different kinda games and contributors.

  • WhittakerWalt

    NOW Robbie decides to run?

  • Alkaline

    K it up Betances

  • nycsportzfan

    Holy shit, that hook to get Hart was insanity!

  • RetroRob

    Step away for a half hour or so and everything falls apart.

    Win #2 for Betances!

  • iblamejay-z

    weak ass hits all night

  • nycsportzfan

    Dellin has kept us in this. We got 3innings still. We got this!

    • nycsportzfan

      I spoke to soon. He hits it right where the SS should be.

  • Wow

    This is going to be a fun series. Just the most Marineriest of rallies.

  • Steinbrenner’s Ghost

    This is pitiful.

    give up 11 hits and 5 runs @ home to the 2nd weakest offense in the AL, a team that is 3-7 in their last 10 games.

  • WhittakerWalt

    13 hits to Seattle? Holy crap that’s lame.

  • Wow

    What a joke.

  • RetroRob

    I could be wrong, but this doesn’t appear to be going all that well.

  • Steinbrenner’s Ghost

    Fucking Yankees.

    Blow the team up.

  • Yangervis

    Brian Roberts = Tony Womack

  • Prussian General Jordan Brink

    “Yanks can’t get a sniff of young furbush”

    I’ll show myself out

  • The Guns of Navarone

    Awesome game

  • Axis of Mike

    Roberts hurting the team tonight. He might not be around long.

  • The Guns of Navarone

    You can’t stage a “rally” without scoring a FUCKING run first you nitwit!

  • Karl Krawfid

    Gonna be the victory of the year right here for the Yanks.

    • Karl Krawfid

      So much for that

  • WhittakerWalt

    Fucking McCann. AGAIN.

  • RetroRob

    Losing to the Mariners on dress-as-a-seat night at the Stadium is not fun.

    • Axis of Mike

      Or dress as a cold puddle, your choice.

    • The Guns of Navarone

      For the love of God, no rain delay. Just end this debacle.

  • The Guns of Navarone

    It’s almost like Soriano can’t hit right handed pitching. Weird.

  • Axis of Mike

    McCann/Sori combo utterly toothless tonight. Really, both just looked pitiful.

  • Steinbrenner’s Ghost

    Yet another $204 million dollar payroll with no heart.

    When will Cashman be held accountable?

    His wife finally threw him out after the second wacky mistress, what will it take for Steinbrenner’s to wake up?

    • Axis of Mike

      Wow. This is the voice of hysteria.

      • Kiko Jones

        Hysteria is rampant on this thread. Nevermind being in 1st place for the last 15 games. Can you imagine if the team were in 3rd place or worse? Mayhem!

  • Qwerty

    Really poor job by Yankee fans tonight.

    The booing and chanting was pretty silly. The chanting especially. Tonight they definitely gave fans of other teams reason to think that Yankee fans are stupid.

    • Kiko Jones

      I don’t believe in booing and won’t do it myself, but tonight I’m giving the knuckleheads a pass. This isn’t Johnny Damon leaving his third team (albeit the third team being the Sux and his fourth team the Yankees); this is a homegrown star who was supposed to be the face of the team once Jeter left, who ditched that responsibility for the Mariners and then bad mouthed the team on his way out. He got what he deserved from the fans tonight.

      Oh, and f**k fans of other teams and their irrational Yankee hate. I’m tired of their BS.

  • Mikhel

    After watching the Mariners hitting the ball away from the shift, I wonder if the Yanks will consider not using it against every freaking batter.

    • The Guns of Navarone

      +1

      And constantly pitching against the shift doesn’t make them look too bright either

  • RetroRob

    Sadly, we will probably have to wait two days before there is another game. Tomorrow is going to be a mess.

    When do the Mariners return if there needs to be a double header?

    • Winter

      They don’t.

      • RetroRob

        Yuck. That means a split doubleheader on Thursday.

        • Chip Rodriguez

          Quite optimistic given the Thursday forecasts.

  • Winter

    Pinch hit Johnson for Roberts? No? Okay…

  • nycsportzfan

    Cappy with big numbers vs Rodney. Come on Cap!

  • The Guns of Navarone

    DP coming

  • RetroRob

    Can somebody send the asshole in the red shirt to prison for the night.

  • WhittakerWalt

    Sad trombone for the Captain.

  • WhittakerWalt

    Beltran caught looking again. Story of his life.

  • Rolling Doughnut

    Nice take Carlitos. Deja Vu all over again.

  • Mikhel

    Thing is, Kevin Long has to be respected by players whenever he instructs them to adjust or do something in the playing field. Kevin Longs is entitled to criticise a players reluctance to adhere to his instructions, otherwise strip him of that position and name him “hitting advisor” or “hitting supervisor”, and allow players to hit in whichever way they want, run whenever they desire, do whatever they want whenever they want to.

    Sure instructors need to make themselves respectable, but he was telling the truth, and we alalready knew of Robbies escapades with Melky which maybe caused Cabrera’s trade. And to top it all: it was revealed he trains in the DR alongside David Ortíz, with a known steroid distributor banned by MLB (Persinal). MLB turned a blind eye to Ortiz relation with Persinal since his positive test of 2003 but raised doubts to Cano’s relation to Persinal (Melky, Bartolo, Nelson Cruz train with him, along with multiple youngsters who have reportedly tested positive).

    • Mikhel

      damn it tablet!!! that reply was from early in the day, i cancelled it but somehow i pasted it and clicked it on submit!

      • Mikhel

        I seriously think the tablet is out to get me hahahaha.

  • Jorge Steinbrenner

    Nice keeping Robbie quiet. We just forgot to actually win the game in the process.

    Next time, let him go 5-5 with 5 RBIs, and win the game 10-5.

    • ropeadope

      Won the battle but lost the war. Still feel good about this team though.

      • Jorge Steinbrenner

        Of course. One game don’t mean shit.

        The potential of a Pineda injury AND another AJ Sabathia start tonight does have me thinking the team should be exploring the trade market for a Nova replacement sooner rather than later.

        • ropeadope

          I wouldn’t be adverse to acquiring another starter. Have a good feeling regarding El Nuño in the rotation, but would like to keep Phelps in the pen.

          At this point it appears fortunate we didn’t pick up Ubaldo in the off-season. Of course, the season is only a month old.

  • Wow

    Have a hard time seeing the Yankees have too much success with the middle of the order looking as crappy as it does right now.

    They’d be lucky to take one game this series.

  • John

    That is some bullshit right there. 2 pivotal calls blown. That final called strike 3 to Beltran was a worse pitch than that incredibly important 2 strike call to bloomquist earlier in the game that the ump missed. Potentially changed the entire game.

  • WhittakerWalt

    Good news is, if you subtract CC’s one bad inning then the Yankees win the game!

    /Sterling’d

  • Yankee Convert

    There’s no doubt the television coverage audio contains a lot of boos for Robbie. But where I sat (sec. 423 where the real fans are) there was actually quite a bit of respectful support – mine included.

    I’m just saying it’s a very big ballpark with lots of factions in lots of places, and the coverage isn’t necessarily everywhere at the same time when reporting fan reaction.