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Mussina v. Harden
2006-04-04 16:17
by Cliff Corcoran

My headlines have been boring as beans recently. Sorry about that. Then again, there's something to be said for truth in advertising.

After last night's 15-2 massacre (I particularly liked the Daily News's WBC-inspired headline "No Mercy"), the A's look for a little get back with their ace Rich Harden on the mound against the mysterious Mike Mussina. Mussina has suffered a glaring decline the last two years, in part due to elbow problems that one can't expect will go away as he begins his age-37 season, no matter how good he may have felt at the end of spring training.

Harden, meanwhile, is a 24-year-old stud with a devastating repertoire, a textbook delivery, and a very bright future. Funny, then that the last time either pitcher faced tonight's opponent they did it against one another in Oakland in a game that saw Harden leave due to injury and Mussina pitch a gem.

Harden left that game, a 9-4 Yankee victory marred only by an ugly outing from Mike Stanton in relief, after an inning and a third with a strained oblique muscle, an injury which appears to be all the rage these days. He didn't pitch again for more than a month.

Mike Mussina made two starts against the A's last year. Those two starts came on consecutive turns in early May and turned out to not only be Mussina's best back-to-back starts of the year, but part of the salvation of the Yankees' season.

With his team 11-19 entering a Saturday afternoon game against the A's at the Stadium, Mussina took the mound and hurled a beautiful four-hit shutout that kicked off a ten-game winning streak. Game five of that streak was Mussina's second start against the A's described above in which Moose went seven allowing two runs on six hits and a walk and striking out nine. His season line against the A's was thus: 16 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 BB, 12 K.

That catch is that the A's lineups that Mussina faced in those two games contained just four of the hitters he will face tonight (Kotsay, Kendall, Chavez and, in the first of the two only, Ellis) while the rest of the order was filled out by men such as Scott Hatteberg, Keith Ginter, Marco Scutaro, Eric Byrnes, Bobby Kielty and an ineffective Erubiel Durazo (0 for 7 in those games and .237/.305/.368 on the year on his way to Tommy John surgery). Tonight those players will be replaced by Dan Johnson, Bobby Crosby, Milton Bradley, Nick Swisher and Frank Thomas. Add in a healthy Harden and Moose and the Yanks have their work cut out for them tonight.

Comments (318)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2006-04-04 17:20:56
1.   Stormer Sports
Cliff.

Thanks for the summary. I belive that if Mike can draw on his Oriole days this season and plow some pitches up and and pitch from that and locate his knuckle curve, splitter and change-up, he'll be fine. Otherwise if he isn't locating, he'll get crushed.

2006-04-04 17:26:40
2.   Stormer Sports
Wakefield is getting shelled early. That's a good sign.
2006-04-04 17:27:25
3.   Cliff Corcoran
You mean if he could pitch like he was a healthy young stud in his twenties again, yeah, that might work out for him. Heck, I'd take 2001 or 2003, two outstanding seasons that Moose had in pinstripes, but even his age-34 season is now part of his unreclaimable youth.
2006-04-04 17:49:18
4.   Stormer Sports
That's why I think so long as his fastball is in the low 90's, he has to come up and in more often. Locating locating locating didn't work out all that well for him last season.
2006-04-04 19:03:19
5.   Bill
April 4 and we're scoreboard-watching, Storm? Love it.
2006-04-04 19:06:46
6.   Cliff Corcoran
Is YES all messed up for anyone else?
2006-04-04 19:07:35
7.   Bill
No problems here Cliff. Except for Micahel of course
2006-04-04 19:07:44
8.   Cliff Corcoran
Yikes, Scutaro at short for the A's, it's last year all over again for the injury-plagued Crosby.
2006-04-04 19:09:32
9.   Bill
Scutaro means Cairo in Italian
2006-04-04 19:10:05
10.   weeping for brunnhilde
Btw, is it permitted to use "language" here?

Certain "language" comes naturally to me so I thought I'd ask.

The reason is because I wanted to express my displeasure over that banner on YES.

Nice hit, Derek!

2006-04-04 19:10:26
11.   Stormer Sports
I like it! Lead off walk and a bunch of pitches already!

Jete Jete Jete!

Well, we are playing the third best team in the west.

2006-04-04 19:11:13
12.   Stormer Sports
I'm watching on the Pacakge, what banner at YES?
2006-04-04 19:12:35
13.   weeping for brunnhilde
Stormer--there's a profoundly distracting strip on the top of the screen wherein one reads the score, count, outs and bases status.
2006-04-04 19:13:28
14.   Stormer Sports
Are there Ads on the strip?
2006-04-04 19:13:56
15.   Stormer Sports
Sheff not doing a lot to get that option picked up there.
2006-04-04 19:14:17
16.   weeping for brunnhilde
Thankfully, no. Just the "YES" logo.
2006-04-04 19:14:57
17.   Cliff Corcoran
10 You know we don't really have a language policy here. Myself, I'd like to see folks avoid it whenever possible, but since it pops up in Alex and my posts on rare occasion it's hard to say you can't us it at all. But in general, I'd like this to be a site I'd be comfortable with my niece and nephew reading, so if possible to restrain yourself, please do.

As for the YES banner/strip, I prefer it.

2006-04-04 19:15:54
18.   Cliff Corcoran
It's the same sort of strip FOX has used for several years. Yes, FOX is awful, but the strip is good. I wrote about this in my running commentary on last night's game.
2006-04-04 19:17:00
19.   Stormer Sports
Wow, nice pitch from the future Brave. Looks like it's up to Giambi.
2006-04-04 19:18:58
20.   Stormer Sports
Second and Third and no out . . . ugggggggg!
2006-04-04 19:19:22
21.   BklynBomber
Uffh! Shades of '05...
2006-04-04 19:20:14
22.   rmd0311
Three StrikeOUTS.. Grrrh.. Not even a FLYOUT.
2006-04-04 19:20:15
23.   Bill
We'll go 162 games without a Yankee pitcher doing that. Well, unless they get Roger.
2006-04-04 19:21:13
24.   weeping for brunnhilde
Thanks Cliff, I'll try to restrain myself. No promises, though. :)

Also, while I have you, how do you reference a comment like that?

2006-04-04 19:21:30
25.   Rob Gee
These are the sorts of innings that killed me last year. After last night I was hoping things had changed. The only good bit: Harden threw 30 pitches.
2006-04-04 19:21:31
26.   Stormer Sports
Roger might end up with Texas, but I have a feeling he won't sign with us.
2006-04-04 19:22:04
27.   Bill
I don't think you can blame the yanks, Rob. That was brilliant pitching.
2006-04-04 19:22:38
28.   rmd0311
I sincerely doubt he will sign with anyone but Houston.
2006-04-04 19:22:51
29.   Stormer Sports
Was a squeeze in order?
2006-04-04 19:23:32
30.   Mattpat11
Got my XM all set up
2006-04-04 19:23:45
31.   Stormer Sports
Why would anyone in their right mind sign on to pitch with Houston? ERA under 2.00 and he ends up with what 12-13 wins . . . Roger aint going to do that again.
2006-04-04 19:24:35
32.   Stormer Sports
Pettitte got destroyed today. It was painful to watch.
2006-04-04 19:24:39
33.   rmd0311
On the strip... I Like it...
2006-04-04 19:25:48
34.   Stormer Sports
I don't like the looks of Mussina. Every pitch looks liie it should be launched into the parking lot.
2006-04-04 19:26:31
35.   rmd0311
God., he is just working too hard.
2006-04-04 19:26:39
36.   Mattpat11
32 I like seeing Andy destroyed these days
2006-04-04 19:27:05
37.   Mattpat11
10 pitch at bat. Damn
2006-04-04 19:27:24
38.   Bill
Mussina has become difficult to watch. The refusal to challenge a hitter, the glaring at the ump, the slow delivery. It doesn't make me a happy fan.
2006-04-04 19:28:01
39.   Stormer Sports
Matt,

Naa. Andy was my boy. So long as he's in the NL, I'll pull for him to pitch well.

2006-04-04 19:28:17
40.   Bill
He threw a strike on an 0-2 count! Chavez was not expecting that.
2006-04-04 19:28:33
41.   Mattpat11
All said, 18 pitches. Not awful
2006-04-04 19:29:00
42.   Stormer Sports
Bill.

Up and in is no longer in his arsenal. I am hoping Guidry will change that horible trend from last year, across the entire staff.

2006-04-04 19:29:28
43.   Rob Gee
24 weeping -

reference comments with the number in brackets - [x]

2006-04-04 19:30:11
44.   Bill
Did you see Glavine Monday? He threw at least 15 fastballs inside and he is at least 3 mph short of Mussina. He has confidence in his ability to locate.
2006-04-04 19:30:44
45.   rmd0311
Harden is impressive.
2006-04-04 19:31:01
46.   Mattpat11
39 Stormer, the circumstances regarding his departure and the way he tried to make it George's fault really soured me on him.
2006-04-04 19:31:02
47.   Stormer Sports
The Oakland play by play is as dry as Death Valley. I think they're on Qualudes.
2006-04-04 19:31:26
48.   Mattpat11
Damn Harden
2006-04-04 19:31:42
49.   Stormer Sports
Yikes, we need to work the count and get to the pen.
2006-04-04 19:32:01
50.   Mattpat11
Stormer, you listening to the radio or TV? I've got XM and these guys aren't awful
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2006-04-04 19:32:03
51.   BklynBomber
Spoiled by last night, we may actually have a game on our hands here...
2006-04-04 19:32:40
52.   rmd0311
49 second that...
2006-04-04 19:33:10
53.   Stormer Sports
Matt,

I guess I expect better.

Cliff and all:

Is Paulie going to do some games on Yes this year? I need my Paulie ribbing Kaye fix!

2006-04-04 19:33:15
54.   weeping for brunnhilde
Thanks Rob 43.

:)

2006-04-04 19:33:56
55.   rmd0311
Thomas vs. Moose - that will be interesting.
2006-04-04 19:34:14
56.   Stormer Sports
Thomas on deck. He's made it two days without souring the entire clubhouse on him, not bad for the big baby.
2006-04-04 19:34:31
57.   Mattpat11
Harden annoys me
2006-04-04 19:35:31
58.   Mattpat11
You know, I like the Big Hurt, no matter what his clubhouse rep may be
2006-04-04 19:36:21
59.   Mattpat11
there ya go Moose
2006-04-04 19:36:55
60.   Stormer Sports
Matt,

Remember you said that in August and the A's are in third place, and he starts barking and whining.

2006-04-04 19:37:34
61.   rmd0311
3k's...
2006-04-04 19:37:40
62.   Mattpat11
Keep it up, Moose.
2006-04-04 19:38:29
63.   Mattpat11
Stormer, I don't care if he's Jack the Ripper as long as he can hit.
2006-04-04 19:39:39
64.   rmd0311
6up 6down - so far this is what yesterday's game was suppose to be.
2006-04-04 19:40:00
65.   Mattpat11
28 pitches through 2 for Da Moose.
2006-04-04 19:40:17
66.   BklynBomber
Nothin' wrong with Moose so far...
2006-04-04 19:40:33
67.   Bill
Smoltz getting bombed.So that makes Smoltz, Hudson, Zito, Lieber, Santana, Petitte, Zambrano and Wakefield getting pounded in their first starts.
2006-04-04 19:42:49
68.   Mattpat11
Harden is really annoying me.
2006-04-04 19:44:35
69.   rmd0311
You and I both Matt. He's making look so easy.
2006-04-04 19:46:09
70.   weeping for brunnhilde
That was a big fat strike.

Jeter really got a break.

2006-04-04 19:47:27
71.   weeping for brunnhilde
Harden's really getting squeezed.
2006-04-04 19:47:54
72.   Mattpat11
56 pitches so far
2006-04-04 19:47:57
73.   BklynBomber
Wow! Those were some curious calls. I'll take it, but, yeesh...
2006-04-04 19:48:44
74.   weeping for brunnhilde
That was closer at home than I thought it would be.

Nice hit, there, Gary!

2006-04-04 19:48:47
75.   Mattpat11
IRON SHEFF!!!!!!!!
2006-04-04 19:48:47
76.   BklynBomber
Ump gets 1/2 the ribby for that one...
2006-04-04 19:49:07
77.   Bill
That was classic Sheff.
2006-04-04 19:49:24
78.   BklynBomber
Ump gets 1/2 the ribby for that one...
2006-04-04 19:49:51
79.   weeping for brunnhilde
73 No kidding, BB. I can't believe Harden kept his cool through all that.
2006-04-04 19:50:33
80.   weeping for brunnhilde
Oh for Christ's sake!
2006-04-04 19:51:04
81.   weeping for brunnhilde
Really, we can't have this.

Can't have it.

2006-04-04 19:51:26
82.   Bill
What was that?
2006-04-04 19:52:04
83.   Bill
Odd decision by Bowa with 2 out, even odder play by arod
2006-04-04 19:52:33
84.   wsporter
MLB has the Oakland feed, they are pissed about Harden getting squeezed.

A little micomunication between Pena and Bowa so A-Rod ends up looking like the goat thinking there was a play at the plate comming.

2006-04-04 19:55:44
85.   Mattpat11
Damn.
2006-04-04 19:56:21
86.   seamus
84 i have no idea how they pick the feeds. Thought i'd be getting YES tonight. I'd like to watch a NY broadcast sometime soon.
2006-04-04 19:56:23
87.   BklynBomber
Well, at least Moose isn't giving any free passes yet.
2006-04-04 19:57:14
88.   Mattpat11
And it begins
2006-04-04 19:57:26
89.   BklynBomber
Can't say the same for Robbie...
2006-04-04 19:58:51
90.   yankz
Damn Cano, that didn't take long
2006-04-04 20:00:12
91.   Mattpat11
Its like the Mussina formula. Home run and then someone makes a STUPID error, and it all goes to hell.
2006-04-04 20:02:18
92.   BklynBomber
91 Exactly that happened waaaay too often last year.
2006-04-04 20:02:51
93.   Mattpat11
here we go. God DAMNIT.
2006-04-04 20:03:18
94.   BklynBomber
C'mon Moose. Throw the grounder and let's get the bats going...
2006-04-04 20:04:08
95.   Bill
The defense will give back a few hundred of those 1000 the yanks will supposedly score
2006-04-04 20:06:35
96.   seamus
phew...
2006-04-04 20:06:56
97.   Mattpat11
Well that was fun. 52 through three for Mussina.

Now can we have another six innings without boneheaded running and fielding?

2006-04-04 20:07:32
98.   BklynBomber
That was scary... I wasn't sure Thomas' smile was 'cause he knew it was gone or just got under it. And Damon didn't know that was out 3 for a sec... Let's start working on Harden NOW!
2006-04-04 20:07:37
99.   Rob Gee
hey wsport -

Im getting the SS radio feed. Last inning Waldman mentioned how Cano was going over tape of himself hitting last night with Pena before the game - how he really wants to improve this year. Now he goes and makes a dumb error - of course, it comes right after an AB - taking the hitting into the filed with him. We should track this - what percentage of errors comes in the half inning after an AB? My bet is 75%.

2006-04-04 20:07:45
100.   Bill
If anyone is interested, Prince Fielder has now struck out in 7 of his first 8 PA's
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2006-04-04 20:08:00
101.   tocho
Man, the feed on MLB.TV is terrible. there's no box so you don't know the count, outs, speed or men on base.

has anybody seen the speed of Mussina's "fastball" or "not-so-slowball" tonight?

2006-04-04 20:08:53
102.   Mattpat11
100 Bill, I wouldnt let that sour me on him just yet
2006-04-04 20:09:58
103.   Mattpat11
This is sort of why I'd like Matsui to hit in front of Giambi. No slight on Giambi's hitting, but I'd rather the slower guy hit behind the faster
2006-04-04 20:10:55
104.   Mattpat11
I'll take it.
2006-04-04 20:11:02
105.   weeping for brunnhilde
Nice, Jorgie.

Was that so hard? See what happens when you just put the ball in play?

2006-04-04 20:11:04
106.   BklynBomber
Georgie's off the snide, sort of...
2006-04-04 20:12:07
107.   Mattpat11
C'mon, Bernie
2006-04-04 20:13:47
108.   Mattpat11
This is looking way to familiar. Twice we've had 2nd and 3rd no out and have managed one run.
2006-04-04 20:14:30
109.   seamus
101 Is this just a phenomenen of the As coverage or the mlb.tv?
2006-04-04 20:14:42
110.   wsporter
99 You know that's a really good point Rob. I'll bet he's not the only guy that happens to. Just sort of thinking about it I bet you're probably close. I'll get on the SABR site tomorrow and see if anybody has looked at this.

For a young guy that might be something he could grow out of don't you think? Getting a guy to concentrate on sticking to the basics after rolling over on one is doable.

Good to get that cheap ass run back.

2006-04-04 20:15:16
111.   Mattpat11
73 through four for Harden
2006-04-04 20:15:54
112.   weeping for brunnhilde
108 Matt, don't worry about it. ONe run is better than no runs. Really, I'm perfectly satisfied to have gotten the bird in the hand rather than no birds at all.
2006-04-04 20:15:56
113.   wsporter
Yeah what's with no box, this sucks.
2006-04-04 20:17:11
114.   Mattpat11
Thats the Moose we need.
2006-04-04 20:17:23
115.   Dimelo
Easy inning for Moose....
2006-04-04 20:17:58
116.   singledd
Am I seeing things, or is Moose UP in the zone on almost every pitch. Is he overthrowing?

wsporter... clikc the gameday link for stats on the game.

2006-04-04 20:18:04
117.   Mattpat11
57 through four for Moose.
2006-04-04 20:21:44
118.   tocho
seamus, i think its just mlb.tv, since there are no features at all on the screen (for example, you can hear the duck on the Aflac question but you can't see it......) I just forgot is this good or bad?

Anyway, I just wanted to get the radar readings from Mussina. anyone getting them?

2006-04-04 20:22:56
119.   Bill
The YES gun hasn't been working. But Michael said he was at 88-89. I assume that's from the scoreboard gun
2006-04-04 20:23:08
120.   wsporter
116 singledd, thanks I have it but I want the box on the screen. It's a pain in the ass the way i have my popup blocker set to go back and forth.

This is a cool as shit way to watch a game with a thousand of your good friends.

2006-04-04 20:26:07
121.   seamus
tocho - yeah, and the replays don't show up either. I find it kind of annoying. I'd like to have at least the count info.
2006-04-04 20:29:58
122.   wsporter
Harden's already at 84 pitches. Think they'll leave him in much over 110 his first start?
2006-04-04 20:30:38
123.   BklynBomber
Official scorer just changed Robbie's E, giving Scutaro a hit...
2006-04-04 20:32:09
124.   tocho
thanks bill, its encouraging that this early he's bringing it at 89...

now, let's go yan-kees!!

2006-04-04 20:32:17
125.   BklynBomber
122 We can make that happen next ups with a little patience.
2006-04-04 20:33:07
126.   seamus
nice!
2006-04-04 20:34:52
127.   Rob Gee
I've got the multiple window thing going - one for radio, one for gameday. I could see how it's annoying if you're watching the game full-screen. I'm still waiting for interactive TV - it seems like sports is the place for it - click on batter get stats - click on pitcher's in bullpen - get splits, etc.

The PA and then Sterling just announced that the Cano error was taken away. Guess we'll have to save that research. But I agree, wsport, it should be something you can get over with some effort as you grow. Looking forward to that development from Cano.

2006-04-04 20:36:55
128.   BklynBomber
C'mon, MatsMVP... drive one
2006-04-04 20:40:06
129.   yankz
Hooray, I just realized Moose made it through the dreaded 5th inning!
2006-04-04 20:41:43
130.   weeping for brunnhilde
Beautiful.

That's what I'm talking about!

2006-04-04 20:41:57
131.   BklynBomber
Officially off da snide!
2006-04-04 20:42:35
132.   wsporter
That's the sauce Jorge.
2006-04-04 20:44:18
133.   seamus
Bernie hasn't looked good against Harden. I just don't have confidence in him right now.

and then he singles...

2006-04-04 20:45:09
134.   weeping for brunnhilde
Wow!

They're taking him out?

Is this some kind of early-season, better-safe-than-sorry pitchcount thing?

2006-04-04 20:49:32
135.   BklynBomber
133 Was thinking the same thing. Bernie was looking way late on those swings... then smack! He just may be unkillable this year, at least we're hopin'...
2006-04-04 20:50:00
136.   seamus
i want replays and graphics back. i thought we were supposed to be able to open two media windows? Tried opening the cbs radio feed plus video and couldn't do it.
2006-04-04 20:51:22
137.   Stormer Sports
But he didn't make it through the 6th~!
2006-04-04 20:51:25
138.   nick
Bernie knocks him out!
I want a new junk stat--let's call it "starter kills"....
2006-04-04 20:51:45
139.   Stormer Sports
24 and tired, hmm.
2006-04-04 21:00:11
140.   Mattpat11
This game annoys me
2006-04-04 21:00:14
141.   Cliff Corcoran
Hey, my cable's kaput, someone give a shout if Torre gets someone up in the pen, wouldja?
2006-04-04 21:03:41
142.   Mattpat11
Do we have to bunt in the seventh?
2006-04-04 21:04:00
143.   tocho
the first of 125,000,000 bunts by Jeter this season.... damn!
2006-04-04 21:05:51
144.   Bill
That bunt made me ill.
2006-04-04 21:06:01
145.   Stormer Sports
What's up with Sheff? What happened to all the "scariest guy in the lineup" talk?
2006-04-04 21:06:28
146.   Stormer Sports
Bill,

That Bunt was the right thing to do.

2006-04-04 21:06:50
147.   seamus
141 farnsworth is throwing now...
2006-04-04 21:08:07
148.   Bill
You have a great base runner, a great hit and run and a mediocre throwing catcher. How about a hit and run? And it's only the 7th inning. No way you play for one run
2006-04-04 21:08:23
149.   Mattpat11
We had to fucking bunt though.
2006-04-04 21:08:23
150.   Stormer Sports
Wow. Sheff and Arod.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2006-04-04 21:08:38
151.   Cliff Corcoran
Thanks, Seamus.
2006-04-04 21:09:09
152.   Stormer Sports
Farnsworth will have to come up big for us this year.
2006-04-04 21:11:11
153.   Mattpat11
Farnsworth scares me beyond belief.
2006-04-04 21:14:05
154.   singledd
I think the pitch Shef hit was high/ball. I want Giambi batting 3rd, and Shef 5th. Giambi would have walked in that AB.
2006-04-04 21:14:55
155.   seamus
Myers just got up in the pen
2006-04-04 21:15:19
156.   tocho
moose still in though, 97 pitches on the night so far.
2006-04-04 21:15:45
157.   Cliff Corcoran
For Kotsay and Chavez, I imagine.
2006-04-04 21:15:54
158.   Stormer Sports
That was great pitching right there.
2006-04-04 21:16:06
159.   Mattpat11
Mussina's not been great, but not awful either. That bad Cano play kind of screwed him up.
2006-04-04 21:17:07
160.   tocho
great K there.

if myers faces on right-handed batter today I'm going to throw up.

2006-04-04 21:17:31
161.   Bill
I thought on the whole it was a good outing for Moose. used his fastball a lot more effectively than usual.
2006-04-04 21:17:38
162.   seamus
that scared the hell out of me!
2006-04-04 21:17:39
163.   Cliff Corcoran
If Mussina gets Ellis and the Yanks fail to score, I can dig going with Myers for those two batters, though even if he gets them he has to come out for Thomas.
2006-04-04 21:17:47
164.   BklynBomber
Damon tried the headbutt again, but Mats gave him the slip. Whew!
2006-04-04 21:18:12
165.   Stormer Sports
Still, that wasn't a routine play for a second baseman. We should pry Izturis away from the Dodgers to fill some holes and have a very solid defensive option.
2006-04-04 21:18:42
166.   Cliff Corcoran
Fercryinoutloud, Thomas went deep on Johnson, never mind Mike Freakin' Myers.
2006-04-04 21:18:52
167.   tocho
now, lets stop screwing around and get the go-ahead run(s). A dinger from Giambi v his former team would be nice, just for good form. Who's in?
2006-04-04 21:18:54
168.   Stormer Sports
I agree Cliff.
2006-04-04 21:19:34
169.   Cliff Corcoran
And here's the problem with this line-up, easy pickins for LOOGies.
2006-04-04 21:19:47
170.   Stormer Sports
Tocho,

Who wouldn't like to see that?

2006-04-04 21:19:52
171.   Mattpat11
Lets get Moose a win here.
2006-04-04 21:19:54
172.   singledd
I think Moose was up in the zone tonight, and I've seen his ball move a lot better in the past, but it was a good performance. We should win 75+% of games where we go 7 and give up 3 or less.

Matsui looks like he plans on honoring his contract. Shef hasn't looked sharp yet.

2006-04-04 21:20:03
173.   Stormer Sports
Mike Did His Job!
2006-04-04 21:20:51
174.   Mattpat11
169 Not necessarily, Cliff. Matsui and Giambi hit lefties decently->well, dont they?
2006-04-04 21:21:25
175.   Stormer Sports
Way to go Giambi.
2006-04-04 21:21:43
176.   Bill
I trust matsui won't bunt
2006-04-04 21:21:54
177.   Cliff Corcoran
Matsui did last year, Giambi hits them well but not nearly as well as righties, so they are effective.

Of course the problem with LOOGies is if they walk the lefties, they have to face righties.

2006-04-04 21:22:21
178.   Stormer Sports
Oh Juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust Foul!
2006-04-04 21:23:11
179.   Stormer Sports
Giambi walks will be huge for us again this year. A very underrecognized element of his game. Leading the league in OBP is a big deal.
2006-04-04 21:23:20
180.   tocho
Cairo in for Giambi, no bunt from Matsui thank God.

Lets go Yankess!!!!! (that's their new name right?)

2006-04-04 21:23:20
181.   Bill
Kennedy isn't really a LOOGY though. he was a semi-decent starter.
2006-04-04 21:23:50
182.   Mattpat11
damn.
2006-04-04 21:24:00
183.   Cliff Corcoran
Stormer, who is it that fails to credit Giambi's walks and OBP, that's a HUGE component of his game, even small ball enthusiast recognize that.
2006-04-04 21:24:08
184.   Stormer Sports
Dammit!
2006-04-04 21:24:47
185.   Rob Gee
And these are the situations that determine the W or L - the Bench makes the difference here. Good thing we have Cairo to PR and play 1B! Good times! [pen into eye]
2006-04-04 21:25:20
186.   Stormer Sports
toucho,

Signing Cairo was a smart move though.

2006-04-04 21:25:24
187.   BklynBomber
Oh, for a split second...
2006-04-04 21:25:45
188.   tocho
here comes the posada DP, i can just feel it
2006-04-04 21:26:03
189.   Cliff Corcoran
Andy Phillips just might get another at-bat tonight, that would be (minimum) two in two games. Miracle of miracles! It's up to the pen, though.
2006-04-04 21:26:30
190.   BklynBomber
Damn! But, don't misunderestimate #51!
2006-04-04 21:26:31
191.   Cliff Corcoran
Check that, Phillips will get his AB.
2006-04-04 21:26:34
192.   yankz
Come on Bernie, you can do it! You have "experience in these situations"
2006-04-04 21:26:36
193.   Stormer Sports
Cliff,

How about under-reported? I should have clarrified that I meant the media.

2006-04-04 21:27:21
194.   Mattpat11
I'd like to see a study to see where Posada stands on a list of people who takes called third strikes. He takes way too many and it drives me mad. SWING THE EFFING BAT.
2006-04-04 21:29:01
195.   tocho
I don't really like the signing of Cairo. I think there were better options from within.

lets go Bernie (talk about bad signings)

2006-04-04 21:29:17
196.   Cliff Corcoran
193 Nope, not underreported either.
2006-04-04 21:30:18
197.   Stormer Sports
Dammit. Bernie hit the ball hard at least. WE have to be able to score a run for crying out loud.
2006-04-04 21:31:18
198.   Cliff Corcoran
Jeezy kreezy this is a heck of game. The good news is the A's have already burned Duchscherer. Every one but Street has pitched in these first two games, think they'll go to him in the eighth?
2006-04-04 21:31:49
199.   Stormer Sports
tocho

Sacrelige! Had to sign Bernie!

2006-04-04 21:32:05
200.   Cliff Corcoran
Cairo stays in to play first. WTF? If he bats in the ninth I'm gonna go batty (unless it's in a squeeze bunt situation).
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2006-04-04 21:33:00
201.   Cliff Corcoran
Stormer 199, you clearly didn't read this blog during the offseason.
2006-04-04 21:33:27
202.   Stormer Sports
Cliff I think they have to go with Street in the 9th and try to win it in the bottom half. I don't think he'll go to him in the 8th.
2006-04-04 21:33:58
203.   Bill
Joe hates Phillips for some reason. Get used to it.
2006-04-04 21:34:24
204.   Rob Gee
200 The worst of it - Sterling called it.

Good to see Phillips getting PT! My god...

2006-04-04 21:34:37
205.   Cliff Corcoran
Myers K's Kotsay. That's one.
2006-04-04 21:35:29
206.   Stormer Sports
Cliff,

I must confess I did not.

2006-04-04 21:35:53
207.   wsporter
198 Depends if they score don't you think Cliff. Maybe Halsey to open? I hope.
2006-04-04 21:37:01
208.   tocho
don't walk Chavez
2006-04-04 21:37:17
209.   Stormer Sports
The look on Joe's "what's with my bullpen" face is obvious.
2006-04-04 21:37:20
210.   Cliff Corcoran
Walks Chavez, that's the danger. Time for Farnsworth. Farnsworth v. Thomas, man I whish my TV was working.
2006-04-04 21:37:24
211.   Mattpat11
Oh God, here he comes.
2006-04-04 21:37:34
212.   BklynBomber
Farnsworth vs The Hurt up next...
2006-04-04 21:37:45
213.   wsporter
Farnsworth v. Thomas. Sounds like a Contracts case. This should be fun. I hope.
2006-04-04 21:38:03
214.   Stormer Sports
Bklyn,

I like our chances.

2006-04-04 21:38:29
215.   Bill
Farnsworth was, in fact, a famous contracts professor.
2006-04-04 21:38:37
216.   BklynBomber
210 The radio and your imagination is always better ;-)
2006-04-04 21:38:59
217.   Cliff Corcoran
Props to Joe for managing his pen right last night and tonight.
2006-04-04 21:39:03
218.   Levy2020
214 I bet we have more than a 50% of getting an out. Man, trying to watch a tie game via MLB Gameday is brutal.
2006-04-04 21:39:35
219.   BklynBomber
214 Me, too, Storm...
2006-04-04 21:39:50
220.   Rob Gee
And Joe knows Myers is a LOOGY - one less thing for him to learn this year! Thank God!
2006-04-04 21:40:15
221.   Cliff Corcoran
I'm rocking the Gameday and comments and watching crap on TV, at this point I prefer it to Mr. and Mrs. Unlistenable.
2006-04-04 21:40:48
222.   nick
watching via GameCast here.....pic of Fansworth looks tight; the Big Hurt looks confident--but seriously, I wanna puke...
2006-04-04 21:41:01
223.   Cliff Corcoran
Two quick strikes, any word on velocity there?
2006-04-04 21:41:41
224.   Levy2020
223 I heard 93 from this Oakland radio feed.
2006-04-04 21:42:14
225.   Cliff Corcoran
Count goes full, of course.
2006-04-04 21:43:03
226.   BklynBomber
An 'A' on his first test. Good work, Farnsworth. Keep it up.
2006-04-04 21:43:13
227.   wsporter
Street is up maybe, you called it Cliff.
2006-04-04 21:43:17
228.   Cliff Corcoran
Got 'im. Very nice. One mo', Farns.
2006-04-04 21:43:50
229.   weeping for brunnhilde
Last one at 96, Cliff.
2006-04-04 21:44:01
230.   weeping for brunnhilde
98.
2006-04-04 21:44:38
231.   Mattpat11
Good. Now keep doing that Kyle.
2006-04-04 21:44:39
232.   wsporter
215 Yes and his little tome got me through 1st year.
2006-04-04 21:44:39
233.   seamus
apparently stadium gun clocked him at 99.
2006-04-04 21:44:48
234.   Stormer Sports
Kyle looked pretty good.
2006-04-04 21:44:53
235.   BklynBomber
OK, I'll buy that...
2006-04-04 21:45:17
236.   Cliff Corcoran
Bingo. Very nice.

Sturtze and Villone will have to be replaced, but I like this pen. There's a solid Big Three, the first true LOOGY they've had since Graeme Lloyd, and Dotel is workin' his way back.

2006-04-04 21:45:19
237.   tocho
215 I studied his book as well. he just passed away January of '05.

Back to the game, our Farnsworth had a great inning, showed some real cojones v. the Hurt.

2006-04-04 21:45:41
238.   Bill
Fellow Columbia law grad wsporter?
2006-04-04 21:46:18
239.   BklynBomber
Uh-oh. Some serious lightening and thunder is just hitting San Fran right now...
2006-04-04 21:46:21
240.   Cliff Corcoran
There's Street.
2006-04-04 21:46:37
241.   Mattpat11
Come on Robbie, show him who should have won the award.
2006-04-04 21:47:25
242.   Cliff Corcoran
Man, this game is too good to get screwed up by a delay.
2006-04-04 21:47:56
243.   Mattpat11
Oh Christ, Proctor is warming up.
2006-04-04 21:48:11
244.   wsporter
Somewhat south, my sardonic side didn't appeal to their sense of propriety.
2006-04-04 21:48:20
245.   Cliff Corcoran
241 Yeah, do it for Jonny Gomes . . . wait, that's not what you meant.
2006-04-04 21:49:05
246.   Stormer Sports
Johnny D!
2006-04-04 21:49:19
247.   Mattpat11
no bunting, Jetes.
2006-04-04 21:49:31
248.   seamus
nice Damon!
2006-04-04 21:49:52
249.   Mattpat11
245 I was waiting for someone to say that. :)
2006-04-04 21:49:55
250.   joejoejoe
Damon, Pride of the Yankees!
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2006-04-04 21:49:58
251.   Stormer Sports
Jetes won't bunt with 1 out.
2006-04-04 21:50:13
252.   Cliff Corcoran
Oh man, two cracks to get Damon home with the go-ahead and have Mo nail it down. C'mon!
2006-04-04 21:50:23
253.   Levy2020
247 I agree. These guys are too good to give up outs.
2006-04-04 21:51:05
254.   BklynBomber
Rain is coming down pretty good here, but I'm across the Bay. Hopefully it's moving north, not east...
2006-04-04 21:51:16
255.   Cliff Corcoran
Actually, Matt 249, Street deserved it.
2006-04-04 21:51:45
256.   Rob Gee
236 Dotel and Smith for Sturtze and Villone would be nice in May.
2006-04-04 21:51:49
257.   Mattpat11
ARGGGGGHHHHH
2006-04-04 21:52:16
258.   Cliff Corcoran
Sheff's got one two-out RBI already today, let's get another here.
2006-04-04 21:52:16
259.   singledd
Hey Shef...... earn that contract extension!!
2006-04-04 21:52:46
260.   Cliff Corcoran
I can dig it, Rob 256!
2006-04-04 21:53:05
261.   wsporter
251 He's in scoring position. Why would they have Jeter bunt? .... Although a bunt would have moved him to 3rd.
2006-04-04 21:53:07
262.   BklynBomber
Sheff's gonna time this guy...
2006-04-04 21:53:18
263.   tocho
up to sheff now. I'm very optimistic.
2006-04-04 21:53:29
264.   Bill
Great game, key situation and they are talking about Street's father and Enter Sandman
2006-04-04 21:53:51
265.   tocho
is it me or is sheff not waving his bat so hard
2006-04-04 21:55:00
266.   Cliff Corcoran
Full again. Drama!
2006-04-04 21:55:04
267.   Mattpat11
Come on A-Rod.
2006-04-04 21:55:21
268.   yankee23
265 i agree, i can't see it now, but it seemed slower last night as well...
2006-04-04 21:55:57
269.   Bill
I remind everyone that cairo is on deck
2006-04-04 21:56:05
270.   BklynBomber
Could A-Rod decide this one, too? Please, oh, please...
2006-04-04 21:56:28
271.   Cliff Corcoran
Nightmare scenario: Rodriguez walks, Cairo makes the third out with the bases loaded.
2006-04-04 21:56:30
272.   Stormer Sports
Come on Arod. That cannot continue.
2006-04-04 21:56:31
273.   Levy2020
Seems like in both games the Yankees have made the pitchers work. . . .
2006-04-04 21:56:54
274.   Bill
12 LOB's
2006-04-04 21:57:40
275.   Cliff Corcoran
Bah, now Cairo will lead off the tenth because he's more typical lead-off type than Phillips, who could win this game with one swing.
2006-04-04 21:57:56
276.   yankee23
274 12 for Oak, 20 for NY
2006-04-04 21:58:32
277.   Mattpat11
Proctor?
2006-04-04 21:58:41
278.   tocho
I blame all of this on the slower waving of the bat of Sheff. what the hell is he up to?
2006-04-04 21:59:23
279.   Stormer Sports
Still, this team has got to score more than three runs when given so many free bases.
2006-04-04 21:59:30
280.   Levy2020
That is interesting. Why Proctor?
2006-04-04 21:59:35
281.   Bill
I guess 2 batters wore Kyle out. He's just a skinny little thing
2006-04-04 21:59:44
282.   Cliff Corcoran
So Torre goes to Proctor here? This is the same logic that cost the Yankees the '03 series. Joe thinks "who knows how long this will go, I'm putting in a long man and saving Mo to nail down a lead." What he should to is use Mo for two and hope his tremendous offense scores in that span, if not, then you go to the lesser pitcher.
2006-04-04 21:59:47
283.   Stormer Sports
Oh Proctor my Proctor. Hello 2005.
2006-04-04 21:59:53
284.   tocho
zero confidence on Proctor.
2006-04-04 21:59:54
285.   Mattpat11
Yay Proctor.
2006-04-04 22:00:12
286.   Zack
Why the heck is Cairo playing 1b and not Phillips?? And why is Proctor pitching now???
2006-04-04 22:00:37
287.   Stormer Sports
Cliff,

I agree.

2006-04-04 22:01:46
288.   Levy2020
I'm with 286. The right moves are Phillips and Farnsworth.
2006-04-04 22:01:55
289.   seamus
Don't understand this. Their bullpen is almost burnt. Save Proctor for a potential 11th inning.
2006-04-04 22:01:58
290.   Mattpat11
Maybe we can bring Graman back too. That was fun.
2006-04-04 22:02:05
291.   Rob Gee
278 Story goes he's off the chew - his kid said he brought his own spit cup along. Maybe Shef is missing the extra buzz?
2006-04-04 22:02:23
292.   Cliff Corcoran
281 My bad, you're right. Farnsworth ninth, then two out of Mo, then the lesser guys.

276 We've debated this before, but I don't buy the idea of tallying LOBs for each batter. I don't beleive you can leave the same runner on base more than once. 10 for NY, 5 for Oak.

Meanwhile, oh those bases on balls!

2006-04-04 22:02:39
293.   Mattpat11
Maybe we can bring Graman back too. That was fun.
2006-04-04 22:02:43
294.   Bill
I can't imagine why Farnsworth didn't continue.
2006-04-04 22:02:56
295.   nick
remove the proctologist!--you're so right, Cliff...
2006-04-04 22:03:32
296.   tocho
IBB to Swisher. Scutaro up next. here comes the DP
2006-04-04 22:03:53
297.   Stormer Sports
Joe should form a support group with Bobby Cox so they can get all their feelings out concerning the bullpens.
2006-04-04 22:04:03
298.   Levy2020
I hate IBB's! Every time I see one, the pitcher completely loses the strike zone.
2006-04-04 22:04:17
299.   Cliff Corcoran
291 Or off the greenies. Just sayin' . . .
2006-04-04 22:04:19
300.   BklynBomber
Oh, those LOBs...
Show/Hide Comments 301-350
2006-04-04 22:04:20
301.   Bill
Give Torre the L. Absolutely inexcusable.
2006-04-04 22:04:31
302.   seamus
aaarrrgggghhhH!

I'm usually pretty easy on Joe but that was plain bad...

2006-04-04 22:04:41
303.   Stormer Sports
Why is that ball over his head! Mats, don't pull that garbage all year!
2006-04-04 22:04:55
304.   Zack
And once again Joe Torre costs us a game with inexplicable managing...
2006-04-04 22:05:20
305.   BklynBomber
Who positioned the OFs a few steps in?
2006-04-04 22:05:42
306.   wsporter
Worst kind of game to loose. The Worst.
2006-04-04 22:05:52
307.   Cliff Corcoran
I spoke too soon 217.
2006-04-04 22:06:26
308.   Mattpat11
ENOUGH. This Proctor thing stopped being cute in 04. CUT HIM.
2006-04-04 22:06:26
309.   Rob Gee
And chalk that loss up to Bullpen mismanagement, among other things. Cliff, spot on for what should have happened.

Wasn't Proctor supposed to be the spot starter because they didn't like his approach out of the pen?

2006-04-04 22:07:49
310.   Cliff Corcoran
305 Playing the OF in is the right thing to do there, you have a shot at getting the runner at the plate on a single and Scutaro doesn't have much power . . . usually.
2006-04-04 22:08:37
311.   Zack
How is it possible that Joe has managed this team for ten years now and still has no idea how to use a bullpen?
2006-04-04 22:09:13
312.   tocho
Oh well Torre cost us the game... again.

although credit must be given to the A's pitching, they threw some nasty strikes when they needed to. Harden, Douschbad and Street all faced very tight spots and came through with big balls.

too bad Torre sent Proctor to lose the game for the rest of the team.

good bye perfect season....

2006-04-04 22:10:21
313.   singledd
Outfield has to be in to hold the runner on 3rd on a single. Torre gets the L. He will NEVER bring Rivera in, in a tie game.

We had plenty of opps to win. Shef and ARod both had chances. Can't let games like this (giving up only 3 runs in 8) get away.

Terrible loss.

2006-04-04 22:11:06
314.   singledd
Outfield has to be in to hold the runner on 3rd on a single. Torre gets the L. He will NEVER bring Rivera in, in a tie game.

We had plenty of opps to win. Shef and ARod both had chances. Can't let games like this (giving up only 3 runs in 8) get away.

Terrible loss.

2006-04-04 22:11:07
315.   singledd
Outfield has to be in to hold the runner on 3rd on a single. Torre gets the L. He will NEVER bring Rivera in, in a tie game.

We had plenty of opps to win. Shef and ARod both had chances. Can't let games like this (giving up only 3 runs in 8) get away.

Terrible loss.

2006-04-04 22:12:42
316.   Cliff Corcoran
I think I was right in 299, the opening to Outside the Lines just now contained an interview clip with a pre-Yankees Sheffield saying flat out he takes greenies.
2006-04-04 22:17:46
317.   tocho
what are greenies?
2006-04-04 22:40:46
318.   Rosbif22
tocho, amphetamines. for energy.

rant:
as a fan in california, it's pretty hard to watch Yankees games, so I decided to splurge on Extra Innings...and they don't f'ing offer it in Long Beach! ARGH

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