Triple-A Scranton (5-4 win over Toledo in 12 innings)
Matt Carson: 4 for 6, 1 R – threw a runner out at third from CF
Alberto Gonzalez: 2 for 6, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 E (throwing) – game winning homer in the top of the 12th
Juan Miranda: 1 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 E (missed catch) – just 3 for his last 26
Cody Ransom: 3 for 6, 1 R, 2 3B, 1 K
Ben Broussard: 2 for 6, 2 RBI
Jason Lane: 1 for 4, 1 BB, 1 K – avg down to .234
Eric Duncan & Greg Porter: both 1 for 5 – E-Dunc K’ed twice … Porter committed a fielding error
Ross Ohlendorf: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HB, 7-2 GB/FB – 43 of 62 pitches were strikes (69.4%)
Steven White: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Chris Britton: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 3-3 GB/FB – all he does is get outs
Heath Phillips: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Scott Strickland: 2 IP, zeroes, 4 K – 8 baserunners & 0 runs allowed in his last 14.1 IP with 18 K … dealin’
Steven Jackson: 2 IP, zeroes, 2 K, 3-1 GB/FB
Game 89: Joba for the split
It would be nice to come out of this weekend five games over .500, wouldn’t it? Not only that, but only three behind the Sox in the loss column, though the Yanks were there when the series started on Thursday. But it started so horribly that I’m sure many of us are surprised a split is possible.
All right, enough of the negativity. We’ve got our ace-in-training on the mound tonight, as Joba Chamberlain faces the Sox for the first time as a starter. He’ll be opposed by Tim Wakefield, who has pitched 202 innings against the Yankees during his career. His ERA sits at 5.03, though the most damning number is the 110 walks he’s given up in those innings. That works out to 4.90 walks per nine; his career average is 3.48 BB/9. The Yanks hit him especially hard last year, plating 17 runs in 14 innings. They also amassed 17 walks in that period.
Joba has just 4.1 innings of work against the Sox, in which he has allowed one run and walked two while striking out five. The Yanks could use a solid seven out of him. But then again, when could they not use a solid seven from a starting pitcher. We all know that the Yanks will need Joba to step up with Wang out, and tonight presents a strong opportunity. He’ll certainly need to improve over his last start, in which he lasted just four innings against the Texas Rangers.
Word has surely gotten around already that Johnny Damon has been placed on the DL for the first time in his career. Justin Christian has been recalled to play the role of reserve outfielder. While this is certainly a devastating blow to the offense, it does open up a little competition between Melky and Gardner. Our rook speedster hasn’t gotten off to a hot start, but he should have at least 10 games of regular at bats to turn it on. Melky has seemingly responded to the Gardner call-up, going 5 of his last 10. So let’s see if he can turn that into a little hot streak.
Enough of all that, though. Onto your lineups.
1. Brett Gardner, LF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jason Giambi, 1B
6. Jorge Posada, DH
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Melky Cabrera, CF
9. Jose Molina, C
And on the mound, number sixty-two, Joba Chamberlain.
Update by Ben (8:05 p.m.): During the pre-game show, Buster Olney reported that the Brewers have traded a package of prospects fronted by Matt LaPorta to the Indians for C.C. Sabathia. I’ll have more on this deal tomorrow morning, but quickly: While this now means the Yanks won’t have Sabathia this year, it puts them in a prime position to nab him once he hits free agency this winter. There’s no way the Brewers re-sign the lefty before he hits the open market. And LaPorta’s quite the price to pay.
All-Star Teams announced
The fan votes are in and the reserves have been picked. Derek Jeter and A-Rod won the popularity contest and will start the game at short and third. A-Rod was the leading vote getter for the second straight year. Ian Kinsler Dustin Pedroia will start at second. Our campaign was futile.
The selection show is on TBS right now. I’ll update this post once the pitchers & reserves are announced.
Update (2:35): The NL pitchers & reserves have been announced. Johan Santana didn’t make the team, but Ryan Dempster did. Hah. Looks like Billy Wagner is the only Met headed to the Midsummer Classic. I can’t wait to see Timmy Lincecum take the mound in the Boogie Down, but how in the world does Carlos Marmol not make the team? Look at those numbers. I believe the term is “sick.” PeteAbe has the full rosters for ya.
Update (2:50): The AL pitchers & reserves have been announced. Mariano Rivera made it, now lets see if Francona has the guts to start him. Jason Varitek inexplicably made the team; his OPS+ is 73. One time great Yankee prospect Dioner Navarro made the team, I’m super happy for him. That’s it, no Johnny Damon or Mike Mussina.
Update (2:55): The Final Vote players were announced, so you can vote Jason Giambi into the game.
Hava Molina!
PeteAbe passed along a rather impressive statistic yesterday: when Jose Molina threw Jacoby Ellsbury out trying to steal second in the 5th inning yesterday, it was the 10th consecutive would-be base stealer that Molina has gunned down. Despite being a backup for most of the year, Molina has thrown out a league leading 22 base stealers, good for 47.9%, which also leads the league. Just imagine if he didn’t have a .572 OPS.
McCutchen, Heredia on top of their game
Remember how Joe Buck & Tim McCarver were gushing over how great Clay Buchholz has been since returning to Triple-A? Spoke too soon.
Triple-A Scranton (5-0 win over Syracuse)
Justin Christian: 1 for 4, 1 K, 1 HBP
Alberto Gonzalez: 2 for 5, 1 K
Cody Ransom, Matt Carson & Eric Duncan: all 2 for 4, 1 2B – Ransom scored 1 run, Carson scored 2 … Ransom was picked off first … Carson threw a runner out at third from RF … Duncan drove in 3
Ben Broussard: 0 for 3, 1 K, 1 HBP – back for more with Shelley likely done for the year
Jason Lane & Chris Stewart: both 1 for 3, 1 K – Lane doubled, drove in a run, scored another & was hit by a pitch
Nick Green: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 2 K
Dan McCutchen: 9 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K, 4-12 GB/FB – 77 of 109 pitches were strikes (70.6%) … the only way he could have been better was if the GB/FB ratio was reversed
My heart can’t really take too much of that
Posted by mobile phone:
Well, that was exciting, eh?
Game 88: Blah
I dunno about you, but I hate these 4pm Mike Mussina starts on FOX. Something about it just makes me feel very uncomfortable. The only way it could be worse is if the game was in Fenway.
The Damon situation adds injury to insult, and it’s just another in a long line of debilitating injuries that includes (at one time or another) 60% of the Opening Day starting rotation, a HOF third baseman, a HOF shortstop, an All-Star catcher, an All-Star DH, three serviceable if not down right reliable bullpen arms, and a utility man. I’m not making excuses, this team needs to start playing better. Bases loaded with one out? You have to get some runs in, doesn’t matter if you’re the Yankees or the Red Sox or the Pirates. You don’t come through in those situations, you’re going to lose ball games.
Sox starter Justin Masterson has been pounded for 8 earned runs (3 homers) and 21 baserunners in 12 IP over his last 2 starts. Double-A Trenton beat the sidearming sinkerballer from Jamaica on not one, but two occasions last year, so let’s hope the big league team follows suit and gives him the same Bronx welcome they gave The Laptop Stealer earlier this year.
Righties are OPS’ing .501 off Masterson, lefties .864.
1. Gardner, LF
2. Jeter, SS
3. Abreu, RF
4. A-Rod, 3B
5. Giambi, DH
6. Betemit, 1B
7. Cano, 2B
8. Melky, CF
9. Molina, C
Notes: PeteAbe says Jorge Posada is a little under the weather, otherwise he’d almost certainly be playing … Brian Bruney’s road back started yesterday with a 2 inning stint in the Rookie Level Gulf Coast League