Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : The Devil Rays

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The Devil Rays

2006-07-28 13:30

by Cliff Corcoran

Although it didn't work out particularly well in Toronto, the Yankees have had some rather fortuitous timing since the All-Star break. First they faced a White Sox team that had a .648 winning percentage in the first half just as it hit its first serious skid of the year. The Yankees swept the Chisox at home to open the second half, and the Sox have since gone 2-7, pushing their skid to 3-12 dating back to their final series before the break.

Next the Yankees faced the Mariners at home without having to see Jamie Moyer or Felix Hernandez, taking two of three. They then traveled to Toronto on the even of the Shea Hillenbrand fiasco. The Jays took three of four that weekend, but have since lost three of four to put their post-Hillenbrand record at .500. Most recently, the Yankees stopped by Arlington, Texas to finish their season series with the Rangers with a three-game sweep. The last of those victories saw the Yankees score four runs in the eighth inning against Francisco Cordero, who just earlier today was sent to Milwaukee in the deal for Carlos Lee. Had that trade happened before the Yankees traveled to Texas, the sweep may not have.

Tonight the Yankees come back home to host a three-game weekend series against the Devil Rays. Good timing? Well, Scott Kazmir was supposed to start tomorrow, but has been skipped due to shoulder soreness. Alex's boy, Yankee-killer Jonny Gomes, has a shoulder injury of his own that will require surgery this offseason. Though he's tried to play through it, it isn't working. Gomes is hitting just .121/.181/.258 in July and has been dropped to the bottom third of the order. Finally, Aubrey Huff, the other Devil Ray who always seemed to hurt the Yankees (in part because, like Gomes, he's simply a good hitter), was dealt to Houston for a pair of minor leaguers two weeks ago.

Yeah, that's good timing. Not that the Devil Rays have been a big threat to the Yankees thus far this season (the Yanks lead the season series 6-2), but every little bit helps.

The only roster change the Devil Rays have made since the Yankees last saw them just before the break has been replacing Huff on the 25-man by activating lefty Ruddy Lugo from the DL. Of course, the Huff trade and Gomes's struggles have forced them to shuffle their line-up a bit. Here's what we're likely to see tonight against Chien-Ming Wang:

R - Julio Lugo (SS)
L - Carl Crawford (LF)
R - Rocco Baldelli (CF)
R - Ty Wigginton (3B)
R - Jorge Cantu (2B)
L - Travis Lee (1B)
R - Jonny Gomes (DH)
L - Russell Branyan (RF)
S - Dioner Navarro (C)

Incidentally, the 22-year-old Navarro has gone .283/.345/.358 since coming to the Rays, moving his major league career line to .280/.358/.376. Remind you of any 21-year-old left fielders you've seen around?

Oh, and I am in no way related to 28-year-old Baton Rougue native Tim Corcoran, who will be taking the hill for the D-Rays tonight. Though I think we've covered that during his previous relief appearances against the Yankees.

Comments (250)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2006-07-28 14:07:48

1. randym77

Damon CF
Jeter SS
Giambi DH
Arod 3B
Posada C
Bernie RF
Phillips 1B
Melky LF
Cairo 2B

Assuming the game's not rained out...

2006-07-28 14:18:34

2. Bluebleeder87

Looking at the ninth hole & not seeing a pitcher is just playing weird to me (I don't mean anything by it, just an observation)

2006-07-28 14:21:07

3. yankeemonkey

So much for that Bernie/Guiel OF platoon...

2006-07-28 14:28:05

4. randym77

Well, you knew Andy would be starting tonight, with groundballer Wang on the mound.

And they probably figure Bernie's defense won't hurt in RF, since if Wang's pitching well, not much will get out there anyway.

Still, I think I'd have started Guiel and sat Bernie tonight. I like the way Guiel charges the ball, and he's been hitting so well.

2006-07-28 14:32:17

5. Coco Loco

1 Where did you get the lineup that early? It wasn't posted on yahoo or mlb.com?

2006-07-28 14:33:26

6. randym77

5 Radio.

2006-07-28 14:57:50

7. yankeemonkey

So far it's cleared up nice over here, so I'd think they should get the game in.

2006-07-28 15:01:54

8. randym77

And here's the D-rays.

Julio Lugo SS
Carl Crawford LF
Rocco Baldelli CF
Ty Wigginton 3B
Travis Lee 1B
Jorge Cantu 2B
Greg Norton RF
Jonny Gomes DH
Dioner Navarro C

2006-07-28 16:03:42

9. rbj

*&^@!^&#! Game isn't on Extree Inningses.

2006-07-28 16:06:06

10. SF Yanks

9 Day off Thurs, game not shown on EI Fri, game never shown on Sat. Thats three days of no Yanks. Great...

2006-07-28 16:08:01

11. SF Yanks

Is there going to be a game?

2006-07-28 16:09:03

12. Eirias

11 It appears so.

2006-07-28 16:10:59

13. randym77

Game has begun. Weather has cleared up nicely.

2006-07-28 16:13:07

14. Eirias

Go Tiger

2006-07-28 16:15:03

15. BklynBmr

9 As usual. "Every game, every night" my @ss...

2006-07-28 16:16:28

16. randym77

Standup double for Damon.

2006-07-28 16:18:12

17. Eirias

That was not a "nice piece of hitting."

2006-07-28 16:19:10

18. tommyl

What did Jeter do?

2006-07-28 16:19:31

19. Bluebleeder87

you're allowed to curse here?

2006-07-28 16:21:04

20. tommyl

Its A-Rod time.

2006-07-28 16:21:28

21. tommyl

19 We try to say no, because some people are reading this at work/school and will get blocked by filters.

2006-07-28 16:21:43

22. randym77

And A-rod gives 'em reason to cheer. Gets one by Lugo, scores Damon.

2006-07-28 16:21:48

23. rbj

What's the reception like for A-Rod?

2006-07-28 16:21:49

24. tommyl

A-Rod! That's one RBI. Please tell me the fans are cheering him?

2006-07-28 16:22:50

25. BklynBmr

Sterling: "A clutch 2 out hit for A-Rod"...

Anyone actually watching? Did Alex get a standing O?

2006-07-28 16:23:17

26. Javi Javi

He got a standing O when he got to the plate.

2006-07-28 16:23:51

27. Tarheel

Standing O when he was announced.

2006-07-28 16:24:00

28. Javi Javi

at least according to suzyn (I'm listening at work) her and sterling are still talking about how everyone should be nice to a-rod

2006-07-28 16:26:34

29. rbj

26 27 Thanks. That's good, shut up Steve Philips.

2006-07-28 16:28:00

30. Yankee Fan in Chicago

Why in the name of all that's holy is Bernie playing against a right-hander?!@$@#%#$$%&%^*%&(

2006-07-28 16:29:26

31. tommyl

And Wang is bowling. Man I wish I could see this game. Stupid EI

2006-07-28 16:30:22

32. Yankee Fan in Chicago

Someone needs to write Bernie's and Guiel's righty/lefty splits on a two by four and smack Torre across the head with it til he gets it.

2006-07-28 16:31:23

33. BklynBmr

29 Funny how it took Phillips about three weeks to tie Joe Morgan on Yankeedom's 'Morons We Love To Hate' List...

2006-07-28 16:35:18

34. randym77

Jeez. I thought that was going to be a DP. Instead, Lugo drops the ball and they don't even get one out.

2006-07-28 16:35:59

35. tommyl

33 Phillips replies, "Everyone knows, once the fans cheer for you in NYC, there's no going back. Alex will just feel the pressure of those cheers as expectations which will inevitably lead to failure. He's done in NY, he should be traded, immediately for whatever the Yankees can find. In other news, my free agent pick of the week is Mo Vaughn."

2006-07-28 16:36:14

36. Mattpat11

He was out there. Ump blew the call.

2006-07-28 16:36:29

37. tommyl

Missed catch error?

2006-07-28 16:37:37

38. Ron Burgundy

Well, I'm here. Ah, I see Bernie is hitting 6th against a righty again. DIAF Torre.

2006-07-28 16:38:27

39. randym77

Yes, it was a bad call. He dropped it, but picked it up again just in time.

Melky's luck is really amazing. Seems like that kind of thing always happens when he's batting.

2006-07-28 16:40:40

40. randym77

Capt. Clutch! Two-run single!

2006-07-28 16:41:13

41. BklynBmr

35 LOL! Mo Vaughn — don't tell me Phillips was GM when the Mutts signed Big Mo?

2006-07-28 16:43:13

42. BklynBmr

Sounds like the fellas are still buzzin' from Wednesday night's game. Keep hammerin', Yanks!

Did Waldman just say we re-acquired Navarro?

2006-07-28 16:43:20

43. Ron Burgundy

¡Muy Bien, El Capitán!

2006-07-28 16:43:50

44. tommyl

41 In the winter before the 2002 season, Mets GM Steve Phillips made significant trades and free agent acquisitions, obtaining the services of Roberto Alomar, Mo Vaughn and Roger Cedeno among others.

2006-07-28 16:44:05

45. bobtaco

10 SF Yanks, you have mlb.tv right?

I think I have found a way to get around the Saturday bl@ckout issue.

Email me at: bobtaco at yahoo dotcom and I will let you know.

2006-07-28 16:45:55

46. BklynBmr

44 Wow, forgot about those. Thanks, tommyl.

2006-07-28 16:46:12

47. randym77

Cliff's cousin is really struggling tonight. 43 pitches thrown already, and he's walking 'em left and right.

2006-07-28 16:46:27

48. tommyl

Clutch walk by A-Rod

2006-07-28 16:47:32

49. tommyl

46 You may enjoy the Ballad of Steve Phillips:

http://chicoescuela1.tripod.com/Phillips.htm

2006-07-28 16:48:22

50. randym77

Fielders collide, but former Hudson Valley Renegade Cantu makes the catch.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2006-07-28 16:48:52

51. Javi Javi

10 if you don't mind, I will email you as well. I hate the saturday fox blackout.

2006-07-28 16:48:54

52. Ron Burgundy

Ah, come on PoPo.

2006-07-28 16:50:54

53. rbj

49 Heh, forgot about Bobby V. Maybe ESPN should pair Stevie up with him. That might make for an interesting show. (note: AN. there won't be more than one)

2006-07-28 16:52:05

54. bobtaco

51 Sure, I will share with anyone interested...

2006-07-28 16:52:43

55. tommyl

54 You could just post it ;)

2006-07-28 16:52:58

56. seamus

anyone else having problems with mlb-tv?

2006-07-28 16:53:02

57. Ron Burgundy

Gomes' OPS down to .777...

2006-07-28 16:53:30

58. SF Yanks

45 Bob, just sent you an email.

2006-07-28 16:55:07

59. BklynBmr

49 Thanks! That should be a full production...

2006-07-28 16:56:35

60. tommyl

59 They could have dancers with Mets fans throwing stuff at them in rythmn. It'd be great!

2006-07-28 16:57:52

61. tommyl

What happened? Stupid gameday isn't updating. How did Wang do that frame?

2006-07-28 16:58:11

62. yankaholic

42 r u sure??

2006-07-28 16:58:58

63. yankaholic

is tiger perfect??

2006-07-28 16:59:10

64. tommyl

Updating again. Go Bernie! (still should be Guiel)

2006-07-28 16:59:45

65. tommyl

63 Shhhhhh what are you doing?!

2006-07-28 16:59:46

66. BklynBmr

63 Dummy up. Now. ;-)

2006-07-28 17:00:40

67. yankaholic

my bad...

2006-07-28 17:01:07

68. SF Yanks

65 Exactly what I was going to say.

2006-07-28 17:02:39

69. tommyl

Melky! Wow, guess he does have some power.

2006-07-28 17:03:18

70. BklynBmr

Melky!!!

42 No, that's why I asked. Didn't catch her whole comments, and didn't notice Navarro starting tonight...

2006-07-28 17:04:15

71. tommyl

Doh! What happened there?

2006-07-28 17:05:24

72. tommyl

Melky's July OPS: .893

still think we should trade him?

2006-07-28 17:06:39

73. rbj

70 Did you see where Buck O'Neil got traded between innings of an independent league all star game? IBB both times. Looked like it was fun, and only an exhibition game.
Maybe Navarro could get traded between innings.

2006-07-28 17:07:32

74. Ron Burgundy

Line-out DP. Cairo hit it hard, right at the 3Bman.

2006-07-28 17:08:01

75. SF Yanks

one of those pitches said 99 mph

2006-07-28 17:08:35

76. bobtaco

55 I'm paranoid, don't want it to be posted in case mlb.tv gets wind of it...

2006-07-28 17:08:40

77. Ron Burgundy

I hate Michael Kay. It's only the 4th inning and he has already mentioned that Wang has been perfect.

2006-07-28 17:10:22

78. GoingDeep

C'mon lets be honest.....Tiger is really De de de dealing!

2006-07-28 17:10:38

79. Ron Burgundy

Oh, for hell's sake!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-07-28 17:10:56

80. singledd

56 MLB-TV is OK in New Hampshire... except I have the TB announcers.

We need to petition MLB to offer us a choice of feeds on MLB-TV and allow us to select the one we want. If it can be done game by game, at least allow us a 'preferences' field. Can the technology be that hard for that???

2006-07-28 17:10:56

81. tommyl

For the last time SHHHHHHHHH

2006-07-28 17:11:32

82. BklynBmr

73 LOL! Back in the day, it's happened a few times during double-headers where a player would be traded to the opponent between games. Between innings would be a first... ;-)

67 You're off the hook, yank ;-) Sterling just announced it to the world, anyway. Even saying "perfect game'....

2006-07-28 17:13:13

83. tommyl

82 Yank was first.

2006-07-28 17:13:26

84. randym77

Pedro gave up four runs to the Braves in the first inning.

Pedro has two daddies? ;-)

2006-07-28 17:13:58

85. Ron Burgundy

Oh Captain, My Captain!

2006-07-28 17:14:12

86. tommyl

Cap!

2006-07-28 17:14:40

87. bobtaco

80 The game started with the MY9 NY feed, but it kept dropping out. I think they had problems and just switched over to the TB feed, which has been solid.

I agree though, they should offer both feeds per game. I think they do for the radio.

2006-07-28 17:14:52

88. tommyl

Ok Giambi, time to snap out of this slide.

2006-07-28 17:15:44

89. seamus

80 i have the tampa feed now. the Yes feed is what i WAS getting but it kept freezing up. I think sometimes they have problems with a particular feed and then they switch folks to the other feed.

2006-07-28 17:16:28

90. tommyl

It's A-Rod time...

2006-07-28 17:16:54

91. Ron Burgundy

Hey look, A-Rod getting cheered...

2006-07-28 17:17:36

92. randym77

Lots of cheers for A-Rod, and a "Let's go, A-Rod" chant.

2006-07-28 17:17:49

93. BklynBmr

77 D@mn, Ron B. It's on you, now...

BB ByLaw 4.21
Mentioning a Yankee No-No or Perfecto in progress:

If it's broken up in the inning it is mentioned, or the next elidigible inning, the entire blame is put on the poster who calls attention to it.

If the pitcher in question gets three consecutive outs after the post is made and the no-no remains intact, the poster is fully forgiven for broaching the subject.

2006-07-28 17:18:47

94. tommyl

Man, they don't even want to throw him a strike anymore ;)

2006-07-28 17:19:23

95. tommyl

BTW, Alex's awful July: .956 OPS . We should all be so awful.

2006-07-28 17:19:31

96. Ron Burgundy

OBP

PoPo, drive in at least 2 Runs here.

2006-07-28 17:20:56

97. tommyl

Corcoran up to 77 pitches already.

2006-07-28 17:21:43

98. tommyl

Clutch walks!

2006-07-28 17:21:52

99.