The YES Postgame report just said that Bobby Murcer has passed away. Our deepest condolences to his family. More details to come.
Update: Here’re the details from the official site. It’s a sad day in Yankeeland.
Game 92: It’s not a lefty, nor Halladay, so let’s win
Not a whole lot to talk about in the pregame. Commenter E-ROC brought up an interesting point about Richie Sexson: He has far better numbers on the road than at home. That’s a .875 OPS on the road, and a 1.045 OPS against lefties. His strikeout rate against lefties is also far better, about once ever 5.5 plate appearances, while he’s striking out once ever 3.5 plate appearances against righties. Given all this, and further given our horribly misaligned roster, I think we should give him a shot.
Oh, forgot to mention this. We have a few tickets up for sale for the Futures game tomorrow. There’s a single seat, and then either two sets of two or one set of four. If anyone is serious about this, hit me with an email and I’ll get you in contact with the proper person.
Other than that, there’s not much to say. Score runs. That’s it.
Your lineup:
1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Bobby Abreu, RF
3. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
4. Jason Giambi, 1B
5. Jorge Posada, DH
6. Robinson Cano, 2B
7. Melky Cabrera, CF
8. Chad Moeller, C
9. Brett Gardner, LF
And on the mound, number forty-three, Darrel Rasner.
Yanks considering Sexson
You knew this one was coming: The Yanks are having internal discussion on whether or not to pursue Richie Sexson, reports Tyler Kepner. Sexson was recently released by the Mariners because of his .218/.315/.381 season line, but on the Yankees, that would make him a number six hitter. (And, yes, I know he’s hit lefties well this season, but we’re talking 61 ABs. That’s hardly an appropriate sample size.)
Joba dominates, but so does Halladay
Let’s wrap this one up, bullet-point style:
- The Yankees hit .071 with a .161 OBP and a .107 slugging percentage tonight. That won’t win ballgames. Or lead to runs.
- Roy Halladay is a very good pitcher.
- Joba Chamberlain is also a very good pitcher.
- Wilson Betemit is not particularly good at fielding. Or hitting right now. But then again, no one on the Yankees is.
- Billy Traber is not a very good pitcher by any stretch of the imagination.
- When Roy Halladay and Joba Chamberlain combine for 15.2 innings and 17 strike outs, baseball games will not last very long.
- The Yankees should really win on nights when the Rays and Red Sox lose. That’s two in a row now that the Rays have lost, and two in a row that the Yanks have lost. That 6.5-game deficit won’t lower itself.
The Yankees should really score some runs. Runs would be good. How about some runs?
Ohlendorf steps it up
Triple-A Scranton (5-2 win over Columbus)
Alberto Gonzalez & Eric Duncan: both 2 for 5, 1 HR, 1 RBI – The Former Attorney General scored a run … E-Dunc scored 2 & K’ed
Matt Carson & Cody Ransom: both 1 for 3, 1 BB, 1 K – Carson scored a run, Ransom drove 1 in
Juan Miranda: 0 for 3, 1 BB, 3 K
Ben Broussard: 2 for 4, 2 2B, 2 RBI
Jason Lane, JD Closser & Chris Stewart: all 0 for 4 – Lane K’ed twice … Stewart was picked off third
Ross Ohlendorf: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 1 HB, 5-2 GB/FB – 48 of 73 pitches were strikes (65.6%) … came out for the 6th, but was yanked after allowing hits to the first 2 batters
Steven Jackson: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP
Heath Phillips: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Scott muthafreakin’ Strickland: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K – 5 baserunners allowed in his last 13 IP with 16 K
Game 93: How aboot a win?
This looks like the best lineup the Yanks can field these days, and they’re going to need it against Doc up in Canadia.
1. Gardner, LF
2. Jeter, SS
3. Abreu, RF
4. A-Rod, 3B
5. Giambi, DH
6. Posada, C
7. Cano, 2B
8. Betemit, 1B
9. Melky, CF
And pitching, the Winnebago Wonder, Joba Chamberlain.
Yanks bring back Milton
Via Ed Price, the Yanks have signed Eric Milton, their 1996 first round pick, to a minor league deal. The centerpiece in the 1998 deal for Chuck Knoblauch, Milton is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and is still six weeks away from game action. Cashman said this was really just to get “an advance look” for next year. Milton had several solid seasons for the Twins before getting his brains beat in for the Phillies and Reds. How’s the saying go, “there’s no such thing as a bad minor league deal?” Yeah, that’s it.