Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : Baltimore Orioles III: Passing Ships Edition

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B. Bruney BR BP BC E mi
D. Giese BR BP BC E mi
C. Britton BR BP BC E mi
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S. Ponson BR BP BC E mi
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H. Sanchez BC mi

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Baltimore Orioles III: Passing Ships Edition

2008-05-26 07:00

by Cliff Corcoran

The Yankees took two of three from the O's at the Stadium last week. Over the weekend, the Yanks swept the Mariners, while the O's were swept by the Rays. As a result, the formerly struggling Yankees slipped past the formerly hot Orioles at the bottom of the AL East standings. Expect those trends to continue.

The Orioles roster is unchanged from Thursday, but the Yankees have activated Wilson Betemit, optioning Alberto Gonzalez down to Scranton to make room for him. Garrett Olson, whom the Yankees chased in the third inning last Wednesday, starts this Memorial Day afternoon contest against Darrell Rasner, who pitched seven scoreless frames in that game and has been the Yankees' best pitcher the last few times through the rotation.

Despite his ugly performance yesterday, Shelley Duncan gets another start at first base against the lefty Olson while Jason Giambi takes his turn on the bench. I'm convinced that Jason Lane's May 31 out in his contract is motivating the extended look Duncan is getting despite his poor play, meaning that it's Duncan, who is essentially the exact same player as Lane only two years younger and without the ability to play center field in a pinch, who is in danger of losing his roster spot to the former Astros right fielder.

It's worth noting that the Yankees only outscored the Orioles by one run in last week's series. A more convincing series win in Baltimore would help the Bombers maintain the momentum they've built since Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup.

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Comments (150)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2008-05-26 10:26:07

1. SF Yanks

Either way, I'm glad to see Duncan get more playing time. He lit up the minors earlier and I don't understand all the recent bashing. Why can't it be considered that he's just in a slump? He did good last year, good in the minors, I say let the guy play to try to find his stoke...

2008-05-26 10:32:52

2. unmoderated

stuck here at work without TV or radio. oh well.

hope it is as nice where you are as it is here. 79 and light puffy clouds. i'll be taking the back country roads to cooperstown in an hour, listening to the game.

until then, lets go yanks.

2008-05-26 10:42:43

3. Yankees Brasil

Horrible AB by Damon to start the game.
Derek, the complete opposite, nice AB.

2008-05-26 10:44:11

4. Yankees Brasil

1 Duncan's time is running out. He better start showing something in the next couple of games.

2008-05-26 10:45:46

5. Yankees Brasil

Rasner better get that huge of a strike zone.

2008-05-26 10:47:30

6. SF Yanks

4 I get that. But at least give the guy a chance with some regular playing time.

2008-05-26 10:53:42

7. ChrisS

5 I guess yes.

2008-05-26 10:57:32

8. Yankees Brasil

Cy Rasner did his part. Time to score some runs.

2008-05-26 11:02:22

9. Yankees Brasil

Ugly K there, Shelley.

2008-05-26 11:02:46

10. Yankees Brasil

Same for Cano. Horrible AB by both.

2008-05-26 11:03:25

11. ChrisS

Anyway to avoid an out, Chad. Way to take one for the team.

2008-05-26 11:04:32

12. OldYanksFan

Quiz for the day: Which Yankee has the FEWEST strike outs per AB? Who is second?

2008-05-26 11:05:48

13. OldYanksFan

Melky is quietly making a case for Gardner in CF (.711 OPS).

2008-05-26 11:11:03

14. Just fair

I have an intense disdain for Kevin Millar when he is on the baseball field.

2008-05-26 11:11:18

15. Zack

I'm not really sure Gardner is capable of putting up a .700 OPS...

2008-05-26 11:13:07

16. Jeb

12 I'm sure that it must be the great Sandy Duncan.

2008-05-26 11:13:27

17. ms october

12 is it robbie and then matsui?

2008-05-26 11:14:24

18. SF Yanks

Do we not understand that slumps occur anymore? Give the guys a break huh?

2008-05-26 11:16:20

19. Zack

18 Don't bother, its a reoccurring mantra of late..

2008-05-26 11:21:09

20. JimCobain

Rasner is using up a lot of pitches these first two innings. Olendorff better get ready.

2008-05-26 11:21:27

21. SF Yanks

19 So I see. I don't understand, but I see.

I'm digging Rasner. Nothing spectacular but he gets the outs.

2008-05-26 11:21:31

22. Zack

Nice work by DRas working out of a tough luck jam...

2008-05-26 11:23:19

23. Zack

20 I do so wish they would use Ohlendorf for 1 inning stints to see what he can do. At this point, a collection of guys pitching two innings would probably be better, hoping that the instances of 3 inning starts are mostly behind us?

2008-05-26 11:26:18

24. JimCobain

23 I concur, I think Ollie would be a devastating 1 inning guy.

The team really needs a long man, which I assume they will have once Joba moves into the starting rotation. Probably Rasner unless he keeps pitching shutouts...

Hopefully Rasner gets a little more efficient this game and can go 6.

2008-05-26 11:28:32

25. OldYanksFan

17 Nice Ms. Robbie is #1. Mats is NOT #2. Hint: #2 just struck out!

2008-05-26 11:28:55

26. Zack

24 I would agree, although there was the tantalizing mention of a 6 man rotation by Girardi the other night.

2008-05-26 11:29:34

27. Zack

25 I don't think DJ sees enough pitches per AB to strike out enough

2008-05-26 11:29:48

28. ms october

23 24 i'm not fully sold on him - i can see he has some potential and realize he has not been used in ideal conditions - so am willing to see what he can do in a 1 inning role - but who do you bring in a longer term role now if not him - especially with joba essentially no longer in the pen - hawkins?

2008-05-26 11:32:18

29. JimCobain

0-2 thus far with RISP. Come on Masui you are our only hope...

2008-05-26 11:33:00

30. ms october

cripes - another throw out at home

2008-05-26 11:33:41

31. JimCobain

now 1-3. But still no runs... I guess you have to send him?

2008-05-26 11:34:32

32. Just fair

I can remember when Abreu would occasionally do that.

2008-05-26 11:34:37

33. RIYank

I hate getting two hits and a walk and failing to score.

2008-05-26 11:37:29

34. ms october

25 well i looked it up this time to see what the numbers were - so jeter is #2 - i was surprised to see bobby so high - if he keeps this pace up he would be close to his career high in k's

2008-05-26 11:40:10

35. JimCobain

very good bounce back inning from Rasner...

2008-05-26 11:40:28

36. RIYank

Funny, by far Raz's most efficient inning even though he gave up his hardest hit so far.

2008-05-26 11:43:09

37. Zack

Inches, Shelly, inches

2008-05-26 11:43:41

38. Yankees Brasil

A bunch of popups from the O's today. Rasner is keeping them off-balance.

2008-05-26 11:45:05

39. OldYanksFan

28 I think Edwar could be a long man. I do think Dorf would be a good 8th inning guy IF he was used this way consistantly.

2008-05-26 11:46:51

40. Yankees Brasil

Mariners out, Yankees' offense back to sucking.

2008-05-26 11:47:54

41. Just fair

Jimmy Olson's change-up is Kryptonite to the Yanks' bats today. Damnit.

2008-05-26 11:48:41

42. JimCobain

40 Right. Against the same pitcher they lit up for 8 runs 5 days ago... perhaps the explanation is the pitcher made an adjustment and is pitching better? No way, hitters just suck and are horrible, right?

2008-05-26 11:50:08

43. Zack

40 That changeup is filthy today. The Yanks are taking some wild swings and missing by a LOT...I'd chalk it up to the afternoon start and a guy pitching MUCH better...

2008-05-26 11:50:57

44. RIYank

I was going to say, Well, at least they're working the count and we should have him out of here in a couple more innings. Then I realized, it's Garrett Olson! Why do I want him out of the game??

2008-05-26 11:52:04

45. Yankees Brasil

42 The offense has been crappy all season long, except for the games against the M's and a couple other games.
It feels like the offense is making Olson look a lot better than he is.

2008-05-26 11:53:21

46. JimCobain

the offense put a runner on second ever inning except the 4th. Unfortunately, it's been with two outs. They are working the count. Olsen is pitching a great game, keeping the hitters off balance.

Meanwhile Rasner really settled down and is back on pace for 7 innings...

2008-05-26 11:53:32

47. RIYank

Efficienter and efficienter!

2008-05-26 11:53:57

48. Jeb

18 SFYanks, I agree that players have slumps and often times we have to be patient while they work through them. Cano and Giabmi are prime examples of guys who've had bad slumps that you just have to wait them out. Molina's slumped too, but he's a special case b/c he's a backup catcher (and actually I'd prefer Molina and Moeller to split time evenly).

But Duncan has been slumping all season. He has 1 homer and 6 RBI's in 53 at bats (2 k's already today against a lefty, which is the reason he's in the lineup). Someone called him "Forrest McSlump" the other day, and it was a pretty accurate description. All the other slumpers have had a few games where they hit at least.

What's interesting to me is this though: Pretty much everyone agreed that it was time for Josh Phelps to leave last year and that he never really worked out after 80 at-bats. But compare Phelps's 2007 numbers to Duncan's this season:

Phelps 2007: .263/.330/.363/.693 (NY only)
Lefty Splits: .314/.392/.500/.892

Duncan 2008: .176/.259/.275/.534 (total)
Lefty Splits: .235/.308/.382/.690

Phelps was shipped out last year when he was doing MUCH BETTER than Duncan is doing this year. I guess we could get Duncan another 30 at bats to see if he can do better (and maybe you just leave him in the lineup to give him the consistent swings), but he'd have to do a lot better than he's done to stick.

I understand that he's a likeable guy and that he caught some lightening in a bottle last year. I hope I'm dead wrong and he goes on to hit 20 homers this year, but I really don't think that's going to happen.

2008-05-26 11:59:17

49. Chyll Will

That's gotta kinda suck... the Orioles ball girl gives the ball to a kid in the stands, and apparently he's a Cardinals fan. Nice...

2008-05-26 11:59:38

50. RIYank

Dammit. Can't catch a break, even when Damon connects it's just a long out.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2008-05-26 11:59:50

51. Just fair

Did anyone see this? What a terrible thing.
- Former Major League pitcher Geremi Gonzalez, who won 11 games for the Chicago Cubs in 1997, was killed by a lightning strike in his native Venezuela on Sunday. He was 33.

2008-05-26 12:00:16

52. OldYanksFan

I hate to say it, but DougOut was probably our best BU-1Bman. At least you could count on his glove and could be a LIDR to save some innings from Giambi. And if he hit a bit, it would be a bonus.

2008-05-26 12:00:28

53. Yankees Brasil

All the hits today for the Yankees are by lefties. And Giambi is still sitting on the bench.

2008-05-26 12:01:04

54. JimCobain

52 He also knew how to bunt and move the runners over...

2008-05-26 12:01:43

55. RIYank

49 Ordinals, cardinals, whatever. They're all just numbers to me.

2008-05-26 12:01:47

56. Yankees Brasil

How many pitches for Cy Olson?

2008-05-26 12:04:32

57. RIYank

56 64 coming into this inning.

2008-05-26 12:05:11

58. RIYank

Also, his strike/ball ratio is about 3/1. Amazing.

2008-05-26 12:07:46

59. Chyll Will

55 Just sayin'. Looks like she gave it to a Cosine-Theta fan this time...

2008-05-26 12:08:23

60. RIYank

Awesome. He threw (I think) 48 pitches in the first two innings, and 24 in the last two. Now he can pitch the seventh. No way they can send this kid to the bullpen! IPK, maybe.

2008-05-26 12:09:37

61. Jeb

52 Excellent point. He had a great glove and a line of .277/.349/.440/.789, which is better than Duncan or Phelps.

2008-05-26 12:09:45

62. Chyll Will

Sometimes I wish I liked fish...

2008-05-26 12:09:45

63. RIYank

Well, maybe he can pitch the seventh, I guess that's too hasty. Knock on wood.

2008-05-26 12:11:47

64. Yankees Brasil

Another weak hack. Frustrating.

2008-05-26 12:12:52

65. JimCobain

Olson's change-up is devastating today. threw a nasty one to A-Rod on 3-1.

2008-05-26 12:13:44

66. Yankees Brasil

Nice AB there A-Rod. That's more like it.

2008-05-26 12:16:57

67. Yankees Brasil

That outside corner is huge. Rasner ain't getting that big of a strike zone.

2008-05-26 12:17:14

68. RIYank

65 But I feel like he's been getting the out with the slider, no? Maybe the change sets up the slider?

2008-05-26 12:19:00

69. JimCobain

68 He's got the hitters off balance with the change, then getting the swings and misses and the pop up off the slider. However, he's at 94 pitches, so hopefully he's out of the game.

2008-05-26 12:19:21

70. Yankees Brasil

How long 'till we see Jason Lane?

2008-05-26 12:22:14

71. RIYank

Shoot. Damn.

2008-05-26 12:23:53

72. Just fair

The Greek Nemesis. Shite.

2008-05-26 12:24:39

73. Yankees Brasil

It would really suck to lose this game 1-0.

2008-05-26 12:24:49

74. SF Yanks

I like the fact that after he gave the homer, Rasner goes right after the next hitter to go 0-2...

well...that double didn't help, but I still like it, lets see what he does here.

2008-05-26 12:25:14

75. JimCobain

Let's keep this manageable, Ras.

2008-05-26 12:25:27

76. Yankees Brasil

Another hanger. Things are not going well.

2008-05-26 12:26:30

77. SF Yanks

Just two more out Razzy, hang in there.

2008-05-26 12:27:48

78. RIYank

Nice.

Millar will be Raz' last batter, right?

2008-05-26 12:27:53

79. seattleyank

That was a nice curve for strike three.

2008-05-26 12:28:03

80. SF Yanks

"That ball is never hardly called a strike" Huh?

2008-05-26 12:28:13

81. Yankees Brasil

Beautiful strikeout.

2008-05-26 12:28:33

82. seattleyank

The last four posts are from geographically identified Yanks. FWIW.

2008-05-26 12:28:55

83. SF Yanks

78 I would assume. He's at 97 pitches.

2008-05-26 12:28:55

84. Yankees Brasil

Pitch around Millar?

2008-05-26 12:30:02

85. RIYank

Excellent.
Too bad six innings, one run isn't going to get Darrell the W. But maybe it's enough to get one for the Yanks.

2008-05-26 12:30:28

86. JimCobain

Thanks for that heart attack, Bobby... Rasner did his job today. 6IP 1ER. Let's get on the board.

2008-05-26 12:30:28

87. SF Yanks

82 Good find!

2008-05-26 12:30:46

88. Yankees Brasil

Great play by Melky. Abreu almost fucked it up.

2008-05-26 12:31:44

89. SF Yanks

Rasner deserves a hell of a lot more than he's getting right now.

2008-05-26 12:32:54

90. Yankees Brasil

If Olson is dominating today, I fear Burres might throw a no-hitter tomorrow.

2008-05-26 12:33:54

91. Yankees Brasil

Another first pitch hack. They should be trying to get the guy off the game, not help him stay a little longer.

2008-05-26 12:34:15

92. Jeb

83 what's the pitch count on Cy Olson?

2008-05-26 12:35:29

93. RIYank

91 ?? Robbie? He didn't swing at the first pitch. And he hit the second one over 400 feet.

2008-05-26 12:36:40

94. JimCobain

Melky looks lost, I think it's time to give him a day off.

2008-05-26 12:36:42

95. RIYank

Yeah, better hold Moeller on. Always a threat to steal.

83 104.

2008-05-26 12:38:06

96. RIYank

Ugh.
Better hit their bullpen.

2008-05-26 12:39:21

97. Yankees Brasil

Another ridiculous inning by the offense.

93 My bad on that one. Don't know what happened, didn't see the first pitch.