Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : High Score

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High Score

2007-07-24 14:14

by Cliff Corcoran

The Yankees have scored 47 runs in their last three games and 54 in their last four. Mike Carminati has the historical significance of that outburst covered. The only question remaining is how much they'll add to it tonight against Scott Elarton, who comes off the DL sporting a 9.17 ERA. Elarton is a famously homer prone pitcher who has given up 185 home runs in 169 career starts. This year he's given up a dozen dingers in just eight starts. Though he's been hurt most of the year (offseason shoulder surgery and most recently a sprained right foot), Elarton has not finished the sixth inning in any of his eight starts thus far, and has allowed fewer than four runs in only his first start of the year, which came against the hitless White Sox in mid-May.

By comparison, Chien-Ming Wang, who takes the mound for the Yankees tonight, has allowed just six home runs in 17 starts and none in his last four, over which he has posted a 2.03 ERA. An interesting side note, opposing basestealers are 0 for 3 against Wang in those four games, this after they started the season with five successful steals against him.

Johnny Damon will DH with Melky in center, Abreu back in right, and Shelley Duncan on the bench tonight.

In other news, Phil Hughes will make what could be his penultmate rehab start for triple-A Scranton tonight. He'll be joined in the dugout by fast-rising 2006 draftees Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy, who were just promoted from Trenton (Tyler Clippard and Chase Wright have been demoted to double-A to make room).

Comments (309)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2007-07-24 14:38:09

1. Shaun P

Bah, Damon. I'd rather see what Shelley can do against a crappy righty like Elarton.

Its fascinating to me how Damon has really become superfluous to the Yanks, thanks to Melky. I still think it was the right move at the time to sign Damon. Now its too bad Torre won't make him the 4th OF, because that's about where he belongs in terms of merit.

2007-07-24 14:43:56

2. RIYank

Shaun, Damon hit really well in the last two games. Sure, small n, I know. But if he's actually returning to form, that would be so good that it's worth trying him out in a few more games (esp. KC games, for various reasons) even at the cost of seeing what Shelley can do.

Though now that you mention it, I'd enjoy seeing another pair of Duncan Bombs tonight, too. So I'm good either way.

My goddam email is screwed up, so I am liable to blather especially blathery here this evening. You're warned.

2007-07-24 14:56:26

3. Jim Dean

1 The other day got me wondering what Damon in LF with Matui as the DH would mean. Damon would seem to save more bases by catching would-be doubles than giving up bases that guys take on his arm (or lack thereof).

2007-07-24 14:58:40

4. monkeypants

3 If he can hit anywhere near his career levels, it might not be a bad way to go, with Duncan on the bench to PH against lefties. The real question is who is the real Johnny Damon this year. Is he really back after resting? i guess they have to play him to find out.

2007-07-24 15:02:51

5. Cliff Corcoran

3 I was thinking the same thing. I was also wondering if there's a market to trade him if he gets on a hot streak with a week left before the deadline.

2007-07-24 15:15:35

6. JL25and3

Cliff, you know I love it when you use "penultimate." Correctly, no less, which so few people manage.

2007-07-24 15:23:49

7. thelarmis

6 word!

YANKEES
Damon DH
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui LF
Posada C
Cano 2B
Phillips 1B
Cabrera CF
Wang RHP (10-5, 3.44)

2007-07-24 15:25:17

8. Jeteupthemiddle

Maybe there is a slight platoon situation happening with Damon and Duncan....as long as both and Melky are hitting anyway.

2007-07-24 15:29:24

9. RIYank

8 Yeah, I think so. Also I think Joe believes Damon will 'feel at home' in KC.

2007-07-24 15:41:51

10. Max

I am really liking the direction the team is going lately. Here's hoping it continues, and that Elarton doesn't become Exhibit C of Pitchers That Suck and Torment the Yankees.

Exhibit A: Edwin Jackson. Exhibit B: Josh Fogg

I'm sure there are others that escape my memory at this time.

2007-07-24 15:47:32

11. markp

I agree about Damon in LF and Matsui at DH. But JD has been dinged for much of his Tankee tenure so...
Hughes joining the rotation could be huge a la Ford in 1950 and Stottlemyre in '64.

2007-07-24 15:50:40

12. yankz

God, I love LoHud comments:

"Damon is snapping out of his funk and provides this team with a spark and energy that 5 Shelley Duncans couldn't do."

Weren't all the Yankees (and Cashman too) raving about some sort of "infectious spark" that Duncan provided? Of all the reasons to argue for Damon playing, it comes down to being energetic?

2007-07-24 16:12:38

13. Sliced Bread

5 I could see several contenders being interested in Damon at this point, and I could see him accepting a trade to one of the L.A. teams in a heartbeat, for example, but I don't see Cashman initiating a deal involving him. It would have to be the other GMs idea

2007-07-24 16:31:12

14. Cliff Corcoran

13 Indeed, they don't want to appear desperate to move him amid a terrible year.

10 "I am really liking the direction the team is going lately." I'd be worried if you weren't.

2007-07-24 16:32:58

15. randym77

Six up, six down for Hughes so far in Scranton.

2007-07-24 16:44:29

16. BklynBmr

Seattle loses again. Yanks 1.5 behind 'em for second in the WC...

2007-07-24 16:45:52

17. randym77

Make that nine up, nine down for Hughes.

2007-07-24 16:48:19

18. RIYank

Randy, are you following SWB on-line somewhere?

2007-07-24 16:49:42

19. yankz

18 http://tinyurl.com/2ebe7a

2007-07-24 16:50:49

20. yankz

2 K for Phil thru 3; only 2 GO compared to 5 AO.

2007-07-24 16:56:41

21. yankz

Good grief- 23 of Phil's 28 pitches were strikes.

2007-07-24 17:00:10

22. Jim Dean

14 Nor, do I think Cashman is capable of recognizing and amending his mistakes.

2007-07-24 17:00:21

23. RIYank

19 Grazie.

2007-07-24 17:02:56

24. randym77

You can also listen to the game for free, at MiLB.TV Gameday Audio:

http://tinyurl.com/25bh5z

You have to register (give them an e-mail address), but it's free.

2007-07-24 17:04:37

25. Mattpat11

Am I the only one that has a really bad feeling about Elarton tonight?

2007-07-24 17:07:45

26. RIYank

Thanks for the links. I was too late for the first hit.

2007-07-24 17:11:01

27. Jim Dean

Phil's rehab so far:

13 IP 1 ER 4 BB 17 K

2007-07-24 17:12:54

28. Mattpat11

Tony Pena jr hasn't walked since May 5.

I don't even know how that's possible

2007-07-24 17:18:21

29. mehmattski

Hughes appears to be pitching around dangerous hitter Mark Bellhorn. He's only thrown 16 of his pitches for balls, and four came in that at bat.

2007-07-24 17:18:48

30. RIYank

Meanwhile, the Big Club off to a good start.

I appreciate Alex getting free passes. It doesn't cost an out, but it allows him a better chance to hit #500 in the Bronx.

2007-07-24 17:21:09

31. mehmattski

You know, that was the first time Phil Hughes pitched with the bases loaded in his professional career. Crazy.

2007-07-24 17:21:51

32. Jim Dean

30 I think A-Rod said that's his plan.

2007-07-24 17:22:10

33. mehmattski

Hip Hip!

2007-07-24 17:22:16

34. Jim Dean

31 And what was the result?

2007-07-24 17:22:36

35. Jim Dean

Jor-ge!

2007-07-24 17:23:52

36. Jim Dean

Robby!

2007-07-24 17:24:15

37. RIYank

Wait. I distinctly remember Cliff saying that the Royals don't suck.

Maybe we're just really, really good. Rob absolutely blasted that to the opposite field.

2007-07-24 17:24:50

38. Mike T

This game is getting off on the right foot.

2007-07-24 17:25:43

39. RIYank

34 Impressive.

2007-07-24 17:25:50

40. mehmattski

Bases loaded nobody out: pop up, strikeout, strikeout. One more inning for Hughes, I guess.

For the big club.... hope weeping saw the double to left... ;-)

2007-07-24 17:26:40

41. Jim Dean

40 Sweet - thanks!

And Cano = .296!

2007-07-24 17:27:51

42. yankz

Phil gets in trouble- 2B, BB, sac bunt hit, no outs- then gets out of it (fly out, strikeout, strikeout). 5 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K, 3-8 GO-AO.

2007-07-24 17:28:55

43. RIYank

A single by Andy or Melky would have virtually ended the game. But this doesn't exactly feel like one of those situations where we're going to regret it later.

2007-07-24 17:30:04

44. RIYank

43 And I don't mean to complain about a half inning in which we batted around.

Ah, one worm bites the dust.

2007-07-24 17:32:48

45. Mattpat11

43 Its not unheard of for a team to pound the pitcher in the first and never again.

2007-07-24 17:33:04

46. RIYank

Hm, I like strike-outs, but that wasn't a very good pitch on full count.

2007-07-24 17:33:19

47. Mattpat11

Was that slider ever a strike? He made Grudsfewhfbdsjf look silly.

2007-07-24 17:34:40

48. Mattpat11

46 Might be a thing where he was pitching to that particular batter

2007-07-24 17:34:50

49. RIYank

47 It wasn't close to the plate. Is that what you meant?

2007-07-24 17:37:34

50. Jim Dean

17 runs tonight?

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2007-07-24 17:37:34

51. yankz

Joey Votto is the best Reds position player prospect, right?

2007-07-24 17:38:01

52. yankz

50 They're on pace for 36...

2007-07-24 17:38:20

53. Mattpat11

49 Yeah. But I think Gruds swings any everything, so there really was no reason to give him anything close

2007-07-24 17:39:53

54. RIYank

53 Well, he didn't seem at all wild to Teahen, so maybe that's right.

2007-07-24 17:40:08

55. yankz

Hughes through 6: 2 H, 1 BB, 7 K (73 pitches/54 strikes), 4-8 GO-AO.

2007-07-24 17:41:26

56. Jim Dean

[51[ It's probably Jay Bruce. He's 20 yo and just got promoted to AAA after mashing through A+ and AA with a 1.000 OPS.

Votto's next but he's four year's older, plays 1B, and hits for less power.

2007-07-24 17:41:28

57. RIYank

Phil strikes out two more in the sixth. I assume that's it for him. 2 H, 7 K.

2007-07-24 17:41:36

58. Mattpat11

55 Isn't that 19 outs?

2007-07-24 17:41:43

59. tommyl

55 Wonder if that earns him the callup or they do one more rehab start as planned.

2007-07-24 17:42:23

60. yankz

59 I think we'll be able to tell by the next inning(s). If they push him to 90ish pitches, that makes me think they're preparing him for a callup.

2007-07-24 17:43:22

61. yankz

58 You're right...hey, don't shoot the messenger.

2007-07-24 17:43:26

62. Mattpat11

Elarton isn't very good.

2007-07-24 17:43:49

63. tommyl

Tigers have already lost, Mariners have once already today. Do we root for Boston or Cleveland tonight?

2007-07-24 17:44:29

64. Jim Dean

Bobby = .275

2007-07-24 17:44:41

65. yankz

56 Ah, OK, thanks. They're a combined 1-5 with a K today.

2007-07-24 17:45:14

66. yankz

63 I can just never bring myself to root for Boston. Besides, I want the division.

2007-07-24 17:45:16

67. Jim Dean

63 I could never root for Boston.

2007-07-24 17:45:55

68. yankz

Alex wants to hit #500 at home.

2007-07-24 17:46:00

69. Jim Dean

66 Jinx!

2007-07-24 17:46:17

70. Mattpat11

63I was able to root for the Red Sox when Lester pitched. Otherwise, I'll just ignore the game and check out who won when its over.

2007-07-24 17:46:19

71. RIYank

63 I think in fact it's better for us if Boston wins. But I can't root for them.

2007-07-24 17:47:18

72. RIYank

Dang. We are just toasting them.

2007-07-24 17:48:29

73. yankz

Hughes is done.

2007-07-24 17:48:36

74. RIYank

70 Yeah, Lester, okay.

2007-07-24 17:49:32

75. yankz

69 Two people here owe me Cokes (I forget who), so one of them will hook you up.

2007-07-24 17:50:11

76. ny2ca2dc

71 I think you're right, and I also could never root for Boston. But it's nice to know that if the boys just win, good things HAVE to happen.

Man, I feel sorry for these pitches the last few days... I don't want to jinx it, but hopefully after this outburst, the team doesn't do another crapout like vs. Colo & SF & Bmore...

2007-07-24 17:51:00

77. mehmattski

6 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 7 K

That's, um, acceptable.

2007-07-24 17:51:39

78. Mattpat11

71 I also don't think the division is totally out of reach this year, and I'd obviously rather win the division.

2007-07-24 17:53:18

79. Mattpat11

The Hiroshima Carp?

2007-07-24 17:55:55

80. Jim Dean

Cano - 8 pitch AB to walk.

2007-07-24 17:56:18

81. ny2ca2dc

Ha, they walked Cano.

Why pull the starter? Royals are going to get shelled this game, why burn the bullpen more than you need to? Just let the starter throw his 100, get as deep (hah, manner of speaking) as he can, then move to the bullpen, no?

2007-07-24 17:57:12

82. Yankee Fan in Chicago

Always a mistake to bring in the relief pitcher to issue the intentional bb.

2007-07-24 17:57:26

83. mehmattski

Have to feel for the Royals fans a bit. They fill the stadium but the game is out of reach before most of them take their seats.

2007-07-24 17:58:02

84. Jim Dean

77 For his rehab so far:

15 IP 1 ER 5 BB 21 K

2007-07-24 17:58:52

85. pistolpete

Eh, serves em right for giving out those pine tar shirts tonight... ;-)

2007-07-24 18:00:42

86. iicollies

Yankees trying an experiment - have the entire lineup come to bat each inning. Melky, too bad, you have to make the third out every inning

2007-07-24 18:01:06

87. RIYank

Do you think Melky feels kind of bad that he hasn't gotten on base yet? Everyone else has.

2007-07-24 18:01:08

88. mehmattski

Let's see how Wang responds to the long inning...

;-)

2007-07-24 18:01:11

89. OldYanksFan

3 I have been saying that for weeks, and JDs 2 outstanding plays the other night, along with some poor play by Matsui, has cemented the idea to me.

I would like to see if Mats could play 1B. That would give us great flexibility, especially if Andy returns to being AAAAndy. It leaves the DH position as a 'rotating rest' position. I don't know if he could field the position, but Matsui at $13m is not that much of a downgrade compared to Tex at $15m.

But it is the flexibility that really appeals to me.

2007-07-24 18:02:45

90. RIYank

86 It's like T-ball. Or cricket. No, in cricket you have to get all of them out. I think. I've seen about ten cricket matches and I still don't understand it.

2007-07-24 18:04:24

91. iicollies

87 Wonder how all the Royals feel?

2007-07-24 18:05:18

92. iicollies

oops, sorry.

2007-07-24 18:05:39

93. RIYank

91 Let's quick trade Melky for Gload!

2007-07-24 18:06:11

94. OldYanksFan

Dice-K shutting out the Indians, C.C keeping it close. 1-0 Sox, top of the 7th.

2007-07-24 18:06:20

95. Mattpat11

I'm enjoying listening to George Brett

2007-07-24 18:07:05

96. RIYank

I thought the Indians could hit. Lester, now Dice-K, shutting them down. I guess maybe the Lester thing was a bit unlucky, plenty of base runners.

2007-07-24 18:07:20

97. Mattpat11

Is everyone's YES feed screwing up on them?

2007-07-24 18:11:21

98. pi