Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : Gainin' on Ya

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Gainin' on Ya

2008-04-27 06:36

by Alex Belth

God Bless CC and its Vanilla Suburbs...

Let's hope our man Chien Ming is on his game today as the Yanks face C.C. Sabathia and try to salvage something positive out of another awful time at the Jake.

Time to get on the stick boys.

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Comments (87)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2008-04-27 07:29:02

1. Jeb

Who's the chick? I'm not sure I get her picture in relation to the Yankees.

2008-04-27 07:43:56

2. OldYanksFan

Babealicious!

2008-04-27 07:47:14

3. OldYanksFan

Should the Yanks send Phil and/or IPK down to AAA for a tune up?
Jim Palmer is a guy I have a lot of respect for. His take:

Hughes: "His fastball is his best pitch. He has a pretty good curveball, a good changeup and good command when he's pitching. I watched him pitch against Baltimore (last weekend), and he pitched well. He seems to have one bad inning sometimes, but he'll learn to avoid that."

Kennedy: "He just doesn't know how good he is. I read a quote in the paper where he said he has proven he can pitch in the majors. Well, he hasn't proven anything yet. He's going to have to be more aggressive. He needs to be more aggressive early in the count. You want to respect the hitters, but you don't want to over-respect them where you feel you have to be perfect."

Palmer said the key for Hughes and Kennedy is learning to trust their ability and not being afraid to throw strikes.

"Do you want to pitch ahead in the count or do you want to pitch behind? All young pitchers know the answer to that," he said. "But to get yourself to do that is difficult."

So.... will AAA help to address Jim's issues?

2008-04-27 07:56:37

4. Jeb

2 no disagreement there.

2008-04-27 08:09:19

5. Jeb

A win sure would be nice today. The last three games have all been very winnable with a hit here or there.

By the way, Pete Abraham is of the opinion that Joba is hurt. That's the only explanation for allowing Ross to blow yesterday's game; incidentally, did anyone have a flashback to the 2003 WS?

I'm all for helping Ross get his confidence back after his shitty performance in Chicago, but high leverage 9th innings situations will ruin him.

2008-04-27 08:35:45

6. Alex Belth

Oh, snap, I didn't mention. That's my wife, Em.

2008-04-27 08:37:38

7. weeping for brunnhilde

Weird, Alex. I just spent an hour or so yesterday making "friends" with George Clinton and his friends on myspace, thinking about the time I saw them perform.

I saw him and his All-Stars perform in Rome two years ago and it was, far and away, the best live musical experience of my life. I danced myself nearly to injury, unable to give my weary body a rest because the music just grabbed me by the throat and wouldn't let me go.

And here you are pushing George Clinton, not twenty-four hours later.

And those waffles look delicious, btw.

2008-04-27 08:53:36

8. weeping for brunnhilde

6 That's Em???

Really?

Ok, I recognize I don't really know her from Eve, but I have one image in my head from a picture you once posted of you guys at the Stadium and she looked nothing like this.

And given that The Lady Vanishes was just on the other day, I wonder whether I should suspect something...

2008-04-27 08:55:49

9. Chyll Will

1 ,2 ,4 ,6 Hah-HAH! "Whose the chick? Mm-mm-mmh!" >;)

2008-04-27 09:14:54

10. weeping for brunnhilde

9 That's no lady, that's my wife!

2008-04-27 09:23:07

11. Chyll Will

10 Booooooo!... >;)

2008-04-27 09:28:41

12. Chyll Will

Also, I wouldn't bet against her in a pool game either; what with the laser sighting and all >;)

2008-04-27 09:35:35

13. tommyl

Well, I can't remember who it was awhile back, but here we go, tough lefty and both Giambi and Matsui sit. So Girardi will play full platoon advantages. Now if only he'd go to Mo in a tie game on the road...sigh.

2008-04-27 09:45:32

14. ms october

13 yeah and abreu with better numbers against cc plays over those two.
matsui had been hitting well, so hope he doesn't cool off with a couple days off in a row.
with wang pitching though is ensberg a better option than duncan at first? - i don't really feel that good about any of our 1b options, so who knows.

2008-04-27 09:52:48

15. OldYanksFan

6 "Babealicious! "
Oops... I meant... err... umm.... what an intelligent looking young lady.

2008-04-27 09:54:59

16. OldYanksFan

Alex... PLEASE resize that picture so it doesn't stretch the screen!

2008-04-27 09:59:33

17. OldYanksFan

Define "Adding Insult to Injury":
UPDATE, 12:18 p.m.: The Indians sent LHP Jeremy Sowers back to AAA Buffalo and called up OF Brad Snyder.

2008-04-27 10:08:55

18. OldYanksFan

Posada is a last minute scatch. What gives?

2008-04-27 10:15:49

19. OldYanksFan

WHERE IS EVERYBODY?
AM I IN THE RIGHT PLACE?

2008-04-27 10:39:21

20. rbj

^%$@^%^!!!! Goddammit, the game is blacked out here in Toledo. Not on TBS or EI!! What the fuck is Bud Selig thinking!

2008-04-27 11:00:14

21. its430

Would it KILL somebody to see more than 2 pitches in an AB? CRIPES.

2008-04-27 11:04:08

22. Chyll Will

20 Bud Selig don't care about Ohio...

2008-04-27 11:07:21

23. Chyll Will

Overhead shot on YES is not cool. Duncan at first today is cool.

2008-04-27 11:20:43

24. Knuckles

Can we bottle some of Wang's un-flappability and put it in the other starters' Ovaltine?

2008-04-27 11:24:52

25. weeping for brunnhilde

NIce pitching there, Chien.

2008-04-27 11:29:06

26. Jeb

ok, did anyone notice the lounge music that TBS was playing during the last at-bat? The inning wasn't even over and they're already playing segue music...at least I hope it's segue music and not just new music to accompany at-bats.

good hustle by Robby.

2008-04-27 11:30:34

27. weeping for brunnhilde

I think Robby's trying to get me to hang myself.

First he ---

Wow, Melky, AGAIN!!!

Melkele!!!!

2008-04-27 11:30:49

28. weeping for brunnhilde

From both sides of the plate, too!

2008-04-27 11:37:13

29. Jeb

great hit Melky...I'm so glad we've kept you so far. Please hit 25 this year and get on base at a .375 click so they'll quit using you as trade bait.

2008-04-27 11:37:41

30. Jeb

clip that is.

2008-04-27 11:38:25

31. ms october

28 yeah it's very encouraging to see him do well from both sides of the plate

bad news - peteabe has a link to the nyt that posada has a muscle tear in his shoulder and is probably headed to the dl - on paper it doesn't sound to good

2008-04-27 11:40:28

32. Jeb

31 Good thing we released Chad Moeller, so we wouldn't be bothered needed a BUC. I guess we can just trade Melky for Will Nieves.

(on the other hand, good throw by Molina).

2008-04-27 11:45:48

33. Jeb

not "needed", I meant "with"...ugh

2008-04-27 11:49:00

34. SF Yanks

Wang, the new Yankee strikeout pitcher.

2008-04-27 11:49:13

35. Jeb

where is everyone today? We're in the 5th inning of a 1-0 game and have 34 comments?

2008-04-27 11:50:39

36. ms october

33 at least you didn't write to instead of too 31 - that's a mistake that makes people think you are stupid

yeah hopefully no one will get moeller off waivers, but some team probably will if nothing else to f with the yanks

and has cmw really turned into a strikeout pitcher?

2008-04-27 11:53:26

37. ms october

35 yeah it's been pretty quiet -
i have been back and forth between this game and nba playoffs - maybe the weather is nice some where - not so much in boston though - and everyone is outside

2008-04-27 11:53:26

38. Jeb

wow Jeter just tied Joe Dimaggio for 5th All-Time in doubles.

Joe Joe Dimag-gio, we want him on our team

2008-04-27 11:54:17

39. Jeb

we just need to bunt Bobby here to get Jeter to third.

2008-04-27 11:55:37

40. OldYanksFan

Jeter FINALLY pulls one into the gap! Nice!

2008-04-27 11:56:38

41. weeping for brunnhilde

36 Indeed, that's the kind of mistake that makes people think your stupid.

;)

2008-04-27 11:57:34

42. Jeb

41 of course, when you write "your" instead of "you're" they might think the same thing.

;o)

2008-04-27 11:58:08

43. Jeb

I hate Arod in even numbered years.

2008-04-27 11:58:42

44. 3rd gen yankee fan

Save us Shelley!

2008-04-27 11:58:59

45. weeping for brunnhilde

42 Precisely my point. :)

2008-04-27 12:04:14

46. rbj

I'm checking in occasionally, but without the game on tv I've decided to do some yard work.

2008-04-27 12:04:47

47. Just fair

The 08 Yankees, where lead off doubles go to die.
I would like to go at least a week without typing that. Would anyone like to fill me in on the bottom bar I have now when I am on this sight. Is there a way to get rid of it? I much prefer when there is just a side bar.

2008-04-27 12:05:47

48. Jeb

it's on TBS...

2008-04-27 12:07:05

49. Jeb

47 the bar appears to be a product of the giant picture that Alex is (understandably) proud of).

2008-04-27 12:16:06

50. Just fair

47 Thanks. It's not much fun scrolling down on my Mac and having the screen moving every which way. Man, The NYT report on Posada is alarming. The Yankee sky just sank a bit closer to Earth.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2008-04-27 12:18:46

51. weeping for brunnhilde

What are we going to do about Robby?

It's excruciating to watch.

2008-04-27 12:23:49

52. Just fair

51 I guess we can just be glad he's not a horse.

2008-04-27 12:25:38

53. bartap74

I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but Sabathia's resemblance to Forest Whitaker is uncanny.

2008-04-27 12:25:41

54. Zack

The NY Times report IS very alarming, the thought of Posada out for a very long amount of time is really scary. Damn you Eliot Johnson...

I mean, look how pathetic this offense is WITH Jorge, without him its really scary...

2008-04-27 12:25:56

55. Jeb

51 I think we should bench him for a week and let the AG play second. Maybe he and Kevin Long can sit down and watch some film and break down his swing.

2008-04-27 12:27:10

56. Jeb

53 good point. I think Bartolo Colon looks a little like Harpo Marx.

2008-04-27 12:27:39

57. rbj

48 Not in Toledo. TBS is blacked out on Directv. Fox Sports Ohio also blacked out, as is EI. And of course I can't get YES.

2008-04-27 12:30:42

58. claybeez

Filthy! Wow! If this is Wang going forward then he will be a true Ace.

2008-04-27 12:30:46

59. rbj

Oh wow, muscle tear for Jorge? That's what, six weeks?

2008-04-27 12:31:05

60. Just fair

Luckily, the Wanger was filthy today. So we got that going for us.

2008-04-27 12:31:37

61. claybeez

53 Don't see it.

2008-04-27 12:33:33

62. claybeez

If Jorge can DH or play 1B once off the DL, the logjam at those positions will have to be dealt with. That includes figuring out what to do with Matsui who has been one of the best hitters this season.

2008-04-27 12:34:29

63. Jeb

61 then you haven't noticed colon's hair.

2008-04-27 12:34:49

64. rbj

Wang's at 113 pitches. Bring him out for the 8th, or just go Joba/Mo?

2008-04-27 12:36:33

65. Jeb

64 joba

2008-04-27 12:37:37

66. claybeez

63 I'm looking at their faces. I see no similarity.

2008-04-27 12:38:06

67. bartap74

Cone mentioned the other day that he wasn't on Girardi's list of potential pitching coaches. The way he's going on about how dumb pitch counts are, I'm not surprised.

2008-04-27 12:41:36

68. randym77

Can they pull Moeller back off waivers and keep him?

2008-04-27 12:41:52

69. dcpi

Joba Joba Hey!!!

2008-04-27 12:42:31

70. Jeb

66 clay its the hair. Colon and harpo Marx have the same hair. True their faces don't look alike.

2008-04-27 12:44:45

71. claybeez

Too bad we didn't go after Iannetta. Does Cash go after former top prospects teams have soured on? I'm thinking of Quentin amongst others.

2008-04-27 12:49:35

72. OldYanksFan

Longoria on TB is the real deal. This is a very decent team. There are a little pitching away from being a serious team.
Shields has shut out the Sox for 8 innings.
TB is up, 2-0, bottom of the 8th.

2008-04-27 12:53:02

73. OldYanksFan

P.S. If TB holds on, Beckett gets the loss.

2008-04-27 12:53:56

74. OldYanksFan

Doesn't it make sense to let Joba pitch the 9th?

2008-04-27 13:01:50

75. Zack

74 No complaints with Mo in the 9th!

2008-04-27 13:01:58

76. rbj

Sweet! Yankees win!

2008-04-27 13:01:58

77. weeping for brunnhilde

Two backwards Ks for Mo.

Jesus H. Christ, I love that.

2008-04-27 13:02:49

78. Jeb

74 no. Mo hasn't pitched since last week. Plus those 2 quick innings mean BOTH joba and mo are likely available tomorrow for an inning each. If Joba pitched 2 that wouldn't be true

2008-04-27 13:03:06

79. OldYanksFan

Wow.... Our offense finally outscores the other team! :o)
TB up 3-0 om Beckett's Red Sox in the 9th.

2008-04-27 13:03:34

80. weeping for brunnhilde

Damn, a 5-0 April.

Thank God for Andy and Chien-Ming.

2008-04-27 13:05:57

81. OldYanksFan

Sad day for the Banter. 80 posts for the game?
TB letting Shields go for the CG.
THAT'S IT! CG shutout!

2008-04-27 13:06:06

82. Just fair

1-0, 8 total hits. 3 hours. Doesn't seem right. Not that I'm complaining. Mo is the best.

2008-04-27 13:06:14

83. Zack

72 Amazing how the Sox offense looks away from Fenway, eh? All those comebacks you were so worked up over just don't seem to happen out of the friendly confines of Beantown...

2008-04-27 13:06:55

84. Simone

Finally, a Yankee win. They pick up a game with the Red Sox loss to the Rays. Excellent.

2008-04-27 13:45:50

85. Just fair

Chico's Bail Bonds "What does this mean for the Yankees? Bad news for the Yankees!"

2008-04-27 14:24:59

86. nemecizer

I missed the game but checked the box score. Wang struck out NINE? I guess those off-speed pitches he has been working on are working. And damn, a 5-0 April. He could win 22 or 23 games this year if he keeps it up.

2008-04-27 14:27:52

87. RIYank

Hats off to the Wanger, and his henchman today Joba and Mo.
And to the Melkman, of course. He's slugging a very respectable .474, with an OPS+ of 124.

Oh, and, DAMMIT (Posada) and Wheeeeew (Em).

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