September 3, 2010

Sabathia, Posada, Granderson complete Yanks sweep of As

by Jamie

The weekday day game is the bane of my existence. Praise MLB for Game Day.

I wish I could have seen CC Sabathia throw an 8 IP 1 hitter against the As, but alas, such is the fate of the working. I bet the defense was working: Sabathia only had 5 Ks and 3 BB. Jonathon Albaladejo is back up from the minors and hit the first batter he faced, but regained control to throw a clean inning. After using Joba Chamberlain, Boone Logan, Kerry Wood and Mariano Rivera on Wednesday, it was nice to give them all the day off yesterday. I suppose that means David Robertson is well rested.

The Yankees left 8 runners on base and were 1-10 with runners in scoring position, but he Yanks can hit the long ball. Jorge Posada had a solo shot in the 2nd, and my favorite, Curtis Granderson, had a double jack day, with a solo and a 2 run homer in consecutive innings. That’s good stuff! Austin Kearns provided the other RBI.

Tampa Bay was idle yesterday, so the Yankees move to 1.5 games ahead as the villains from the north, the home run happy Toronto Blue Jays come in for a weekend series. I am so sick of the Jays. Lets see if the Yankees can give them a taste of their own medicine this time.

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September 2, 2010

Yankee fans grab brooms after AJ's redemption

by Jamie

AJ Burnett turned in a line of 6 IP, 6 hits, 3 R (ER), 2 BB, 8 Ks (wow), and 1 HR. Not spectacular when it takes 100 pitches to get through 6 innings, but the strike outs were impressive. He was throwing a breaking ball in the low 80s… I guess that’s what he usually throws, but something seemed different about it last night.

I don’t want to get too excited about Burnett’s performance against the lowly offense of the Oakland Athletics, but he got through 6 and didn’t get hammered, and after his awful August, that’s good enough. But the bottom line is Burnett is not coming out the rotation unless he’s hurt. He makes too much money.

Speaking of the rotation, Javier Vazquez is going back into the rotation and Dustin Moseley is going back to the bullpen. It’s hard to argue this logic, given the current trends of both pitchers, but I long for the day when Andy Pettitte returns from injury. Nobody adjusts on the fly like Pettitte. Still, Moseley will join Chad Guadin and Sergio Mitre, who have served invaluable rolls as long men as the starting rotation has struggled.

What an awesome job by the Yankees bullpen. If its not a long man pitching 4 innings in relief, it’s the short guys kicking butt. Joba Chamberlain, Boone Logan, Kerry Wood and Mariano Rivera combined to protect the 1 run lead over 3 innings. That’s pitching. If the Yankees get their rotation figured out, they’re going to be all but unbeatable in the playoffs. But that’s a pretty big if!

The Yankees left 9 men on base. Yeesh. After the second inning, they never scored again. Mark Teixeira continues to swing a hot bat, and fresh from the DL, Lance Berkman joined Teix with a double of his own. Derek Jeter got his first hit of the series, so he’s 1-12 so far this time against the As. My boy Curtis Granderson went 2-4 as he continues to try and improve his 2010 numbers, but it’s probably too late for that.

What can I say about the As? They stink. I don’t know if they’re kids and the big bad Yankees scare them or what, but from what I’ve seen this season, they just don’t play very well. Cliff Pennington has been a menace over at short stop this series, whether he’s missing the first basemen by a lot (leave the pivot-360-jump-throw to Jeter, buddy) or kicking the ball, he just reinforces the fact that Oakland is fielding a team of kids who just aren’t ready to compete at this level. The As overall defense and offense are pretty stinky, and their much heralded starting rotation isn’t very good away from home, as any sabermetrically minded Yankees blog will illustrate to you. I know the As came into this series over .500, but playing Seattle and Los Angeles 30 times a year will do that. Today they’ll have to deal with CC Sabthia, going for his 19 win of the season.

Good luck with that.

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September 1, 2010

Yankees obliterate Mazzaro's homecoming

by Jamie

Vin Mazzaro started for the Oakland Athletics last night, a much heralded homecoming by the folks at YES for the Rutherford native, and in front of over 100 of his closest friends and family, this is the line Mazzaro put up: 3.2 IP, 7 hits, 9 R, 7 ER, 3 HR, 3 BB, 3 Ks. Yeoch.

You can’t talk about the Yankees offense last night without mentioning Jorge Posada’s ill advised triple. Posada hit a ball to deep left that went off the wall and got away from the left fielder, and after he rounded 1st, Posada was going to third all the way, never even considering pausing at second. The throw was offline, coming in on the foul side of 3rd base, which the As infielder was able to snow cone in his glove but the ball popped out as soon as he applied the tag to Posada, and somehow, he had his first triple of the year… and since 2008, I believe. Swisher, Granderson and Teixeira all contributed monster no doubt bombers, and Teixeira’s landed in the second deck. Derek Jeter is now 0-7 with a walk against the As this series and his season average is down to .266..

Phil Hughes was also ineffective, but managed to struggle through against the As mediocre offense for a line of 5 IP, 4 hits, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 walks (yeesh!) and 1 K, but good enough for this 16th win of the year. I imagine a team like the Blue Jays would have destroyed Hughes last night. And speaking of our friends from the north…

The Toronto Blue Jays finally put their slugging to the benefit of the Yankees as they put a serious pounding on the Tampa Bay Rays, 13-5. Nice to finally not be on the receiving end of the Blue Jays awesome power, huh? Good Stuff! This puts the Yankees in sole possession of 1st place in the AL East for the first time in over a week.

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August 31, 2010

Bats, Vazquez save the day for Yankees

by Jamie

It’s good to have 3 long men in the pen. Last night, it was Javier Vazquez’s turn.

Dustin Moseley made his 7th start of the year for the Yankees against a less than formidable Oakland Athletics offense, and it was not a good one. As ye olde game log reveals, there is just no figuring out Moseley. Last night, he couldn’t get out of the 5th inning as he walked 4 and allowed 5 hits in 4.1 IP. Yet last time out in Toronto against the home run happy Blue Jays, Moseley held them down to 2 ER in 6 IP. He still walked 4 in that appearance, so it doesn’t seem like his control was that much better in Canada, and the Athletics aren’t exactly setting the world on fire with their 528 runs scored on the year. I guess Moseley just didn’t have it last night.

After the As put up a 3 spot in the top of the 1st, the outlook was a bit bleak, but the Yankees don’t play that. No sir. The Yankees responded with 3 runs of their own and Trevor Cahill, the As young ace, looked like he was on his way to getting his butt kicked by the Yankees again, and sure enough, his final line of 4 IP and 8 ER is indeed a foot landed squarely on his backside.

That, and Javier Vazquez’s 4.2 IP, 1 ER outing, was pretty much the game. Vazquez has gone to the pen and found something for the second time this year; whether its rest or not, I can’t say, but it seems like the velocity is up and he’s hitting his spots. What this means for his playoff options on this team, I have no idea.

The big bats were out last night: homers by Teixeira, Cano, and of course, Marcus Thames, of yesterday’s posting fame. Derek Jeter, on the other hand, put up an 0-4 and saw his average dip below .270, but didn’t take his troubles with him out into the field as he made several jump-spin-throw plays that kept the As in check. Its strange to see a guy have such a great night in the field while not getting it done at the plate. Jeter even through up an unsuccessful bunt in an effort to get himself started. Maybe he likes hitting in day games; I hope so, because the Yankees have 5 in a row coming up starting Thursday. Meanwhile, Nick Swisher put up 2 doubles for 3 big RBIs.

The Yankees are still tied with the Rays for 1st place, which is a record of some kind that doesn’t interest me at all. In any case, the Yankees have continued to win without A-Rod and Andy Pettitte – I doubt most teams could solider on the way the Yankees have without their cleanup hitter and number 2 starter, but the Yankees are just that good. Suck on that, Tampa.

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August 30, 2010

Marcus Thames goes deep and other stories from Chicago

by Jamie

Before I say anything about the Yankees series win, I think we should all take a time out to praise the offense of Marcus Thames. Thames hit 3 home runs over the weekend in Chicago and 5 in the last week. Game Log. The second home run hasn’t landed yet. "Anything that travels that far ought to have a stewardess on it." Indeed it should, sir. Thames is doing a great job making up for A-Rod and Teixeira.

Ozzie Guillen set a new record for fastest ejection from a game; he came out to contest a call, walked half way to 1st, threw up his hands in disgust and turned around and started walking back toward the dugout. Guillen was promptly thrown out of the game before he said a word. Not sure why he felt the need to non-verbally show up the umpires, but it got him tossed, which I assume was the desired effect in an effort to pump up his team, down by 1 run at home. As we know, it didn’t work.

How do you solve a problem like AJ Burnett? Despite all of Dave Eiland’s pitching coaching success stories this year, he just can’t get Burnett straightened out. The Yankees will keep running him out there; what else can they do? Burnett makes a fortune. If he still stinks in the playoffs, Girardi will keep him on a short leash. Maybe they can skip him a start when Pettitte returns, see if that helps. They’ve tried just about everything else. I’m remembering a game in the playoffs from a few years ago when the starter got knocked out early and Aaron Small came out of the bullpen and the team suddenly started to play much better… I’m feeling a situation like that coming soon.

CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova righted the ship – OK, CC wasn’t great, but then, he didn’t get hammered as bad as the White Sox staff did. STAFF, as in, everyone who pitched for Chicago that day, as I recall. Nova didn’t get out of the 6th inning, but he only let up one run and got his first MLB win, an achievement for anyone.

The Yankees are starting their constantly mentioned by YES longest home stand of the year – I’m hoping to go to the day game on Thursday and take some photos to post in this space.

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August 27, 2010

Playing deep center field at Yankee Stadium

by Jamie

I know this isn’t exactly new, but it’s still pretty funny, and given that yesterday was a sorely needed off day for the Yankees after 20 games in a row, let’s all relax and watch some guy make a fool of himself.

The Yankees start a 3 game series with the Chicago White Sox tonight, but all eyes should really be on Tampa Bay as the Rays take on the Boston Red Sox. Nothing short of a sweep will keep the Red Sox 2010 playoff hopes alive… so, uhm… go Rays, I guess? This is a tough one. I don’t like the Red Sox and admire the Rays, and if the Red Sox are out of it, then the Yankees have less meaningful games for the rest of the year – not that the Red Sox ever lay down for the Yankees, although the Bombers have handled the Sux this year. Eh. We’ll know on Monday, one way or the other.

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August 26, 2010

Why can't the Yankees beat Toronto?

by Jamie

I missed most of last night’s game; I watched an inning plus on YES and listened to an inning or so on 880 AM, so I don’t have much information about what went wrong last night. But what I do know is that the Yankees just can’t seem to beat Toronto this year. Gameday.

Was Jose Bautista really safe at 2nd in the bottom of the fourth? That’s the play that knocked Phil Hughes out of the game, but then, Vernon Wells was going to be his last batter anyway – the pitch count was way up. If you judge by the fact that the Blue Jays mascot was wearing an umpires uniform, I guess I’m not the only one who thought the umpires were terrible in this series.

Javier Vazquez line of 4.1 IP and 1 ER is very encouraging, especially considering he escaped a bases loaded game when he entered the game.

I also don’t understand why the Blue Jays are not a contender this year. Their starting pitching, bullpen and offense are all great. I have heard they rely on the home run a bit too much, but not form this Yankee fan’s perspective. I guess the Yankees can’t beat Toronto because they’re pretty awesome.

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August 26, 2010

Roger Clemens bores me

by Jamie

roger clemensAs a Yankee fan, can you think of a subject that interests you less than Roger Clemens?  Nothing springs to mind.  During his stint from 1999 to 2003, he did a lot of good things on the mound for the Yankees (and at least one bad one) and after he fake retired…  I didn’t think much about him after that.  Then during his World Series with appearance with the Astros, I actively routed against him.  When I think back on the whole Roger Clemens experience, it ended (for me) the way it began:  I didn’t want him.  I didn’t care if he was coming from the Blue Jays; he was a Red Sox.  Sock.  Whatever.  For like 12 seasons.  I was wrong about that, because the Yankees won 2 world series with Clemens and went to two others, but I still didn’t want him back in ’99, and I never warmed up to him.  But it was fun to watch him pitch when he was on his game:  Clemens would get ahead in the count and then out would come the splitter, and it felt like it was strike three every time.  He had good numbers in 2003, but if he wanted to go out on top with his body still relatively in tact, that was his business.  When the Yankees needed a starter in 2007, Clemens answered the call and managed to go 6-6 in 99 IP to a 4.18 ERA – not exactly an ace, but more than serviceable.  Maybe not for the obscene amount of money he made, but whatever.

I don’t care about steroids, and I certainly don’t care about Clemens being indited for lying to Congress.  If he did lie to Congress, he’s nuts.  I’d assume someone advised him that there was no proof and if he was indited, he’d get off, so, as Dave Chappelle recommends, stick with your lie.

But I just don’t care.  Does anybody?  I think we’re all pretty burned out on the steroid issue and that dog and pony show Congressional Hearings was an embarrassment to the United States of America, because any governing body that takes time out of their day to work on something like that in the times we live in…  I still can’t believe that really happened.  Think about that.  Roger Clemens testified before Congress.  How bizarre is that?

If Clemens is found guilty, super – they can lock him up and throw away the key for all I care.  If he’s found innocent, great – he should write a book.  Maybe call it, “No, seriously, I never did steroids,” or “I’d like to tell you,” or “That’s a B12 shot, right?”  I know that reporters, like me, have a job to do and a boss to answer to, but please find something else to write about.  You’re boring me to death.

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August 25, 2010

Bronx Bombers go BOOM

by Jamie

After a dismal loss the night before, the Yankees opened up a can of home run all over the Blue Jays to the tune of 5 bombs, including 3 homers in the 3rd inning by Mark Teixeira, Marcus Thames and Jorge Posada. Curtis Granderson and Derek Jeter were at the party later, delivering some homers of their own. So that’s 5 homers for… 8 runs? I lost count. The Yankees left 9 runners on base and plated 11. Coincidentally, the Blue Jays also left 9 men on base. Box Score.

Dustin Mosely kept the home run happy Blue Jays in check to the tune of 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 hits and 4 walks, the latter of which he is lucky didn’t come around to hurt him. Mosely hasn’t been setting the world on fire, but he’s been more than serviceable as a bottom of the rotation starter, and between himself and Ivan Nova, some valid competition has begun in the Yankees rotation. Javier Vazquez will go to his bullpen after a dismal string of recent starts and he’ll have to fight his way out, like he did earlier in the year, if he wants back in the regular rotation, but I don’t see a spot for him on the post season roster right now.

Wrapping things up: the Rays won last night, so the are still tied with the Yankees for first place with a big series this weekend against the Red Sox, who are 6 games back. I still think Johnny Damon will end up with the Tampa Bay Rays, but we’ll have to wait and see. Like the Red Sox staying relevant, time is running out for wavier wire deals.

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August 24, 2010

Shout out to Ian Nova

by Jamie

Wanted to drop a quick shout out to Ian Nova, who pitched well against the Toronto Blue Jays, despite the Yankees loss. Nova got lifted early, probably because he seemed a little shook up after the bench clearing yelling match. This was Nova’s first start (3rd appearance) of what very well may be a promising MLB career. I hope Nova gets a few more starts this year. Cheers to the Toronto Blue Jays fans, who continue to support their team despite their dismal record. They have a good team, but they aren’t getting it done in the standings.

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