Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
Don't look now, but as a result of last night's action, the Twins have slipped past the Yankees for second place in the Wild Card chase, and they still haven't called up rehabbing lefty ace Francisco Liriano, who's been dominating triple-A for a while now. Having lost four of their last five, the Yankees really need to get back on the ball. Sure, they scored six runs last night, but four of them came after the game was out of reach, and three came in the ninth inning which was pitched by Darrens Oliver and O'Day rather than Francisco Rodriguez.
Tonight, the Yankees will have to do better to compensate for their starting pitcher, Sidney Ponson. The Yankees are 4-1 in Ponson's starts, but only one of those wins came in a game in which the Bombers scored less than nine runs. Sir Sidney's ERA since joining the team is 6.08, and he's walked as many as he's struck out (12 of each in 26 2/3 innings). A bad outing today could force the Yankees contemplate their alternatives.
Phil Hughes was just activated off the DL and optioned down to low-A Charleston. He'll pitch his way back up the system without the rehab clock ticking. Alfredo Aceves allowed four runs in five innings in his last start for triple-A Scranton and is still stretching himself out following a groin injury which coincided with his promotion from double-A. That leaves Ian Kennedy, who continues to pitch well for Scranton. In his last three starts, Kennedy has posted this line: 20 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 14 K. Joe Girardi said that Kennedy would have to pitch his way back up after coming off the DL. I'd say he's done that.
Getting back to tonight's game, having scored just three runs off the Angels' fifth starter last night, the Yankees now have to contend with Ervin Santana. Santana emerged as a young starter with a lot of potential in 2005 at the age of 22. He started to deliver on that potential in 2006, but last year was a lost year for him. Sporting a 6.22 ERA and a 5-11 record in July 17, Santana was farmed out for reeducation. After returning, he was much improved (4.50 ERA, 39 K in 40 IP, 3 HR), but still inconsistent. This year, he seemed to be putting it all together at age 25, boasting a 3.01 ERA and an 8-2 Record on June 8, but in eight starts since then he's been back to his old inconsistent ways: 4.53 ERA and a team record of 4-4 in his games. He's striking out more than a man an inning, but that's the only thing that he does reliably.
Santana last faced the Yankees during the lost portion of his 2007 season, and was accordingly lit up (3 IP, 9 R), so there's no real history to go on here (his two starts against them in 2006 are both ancient history and were middling performances that resulted in wins). One thing's for sure, the Yankees need a win, and they need to light up the scoreboard for that to happen with Ponson on the hill.
Unfortunately, Xavier Nady is out of the lineup with a sore right quad. That puts Johnny Damon in left, Jason Giambi at DH and, with the groundballing Ponson on the mound and a righty going for the Angels, Wilson Betemit at first base.
Having thrown 3 2/3 innings last night Chris Britton is headed back to Scranton (surprise!) and Brian Bruney, as initially expected, is up to fill the final bullpen spot. In seven rehab appearances for Scranton, Bruney posted a 3.29 ERA. He struck out 15 in 13 2/3 innings and allowed no home runs but also walked 11.
Don't ask me how.
Big night for him, and the catcher.
I know help is on the way, but this roster still isn't Ponsoon-proof on a Friday night in August. Woof.
Any particular reason why Giese hasn't started more than he has? Seems odd that he only has a couple of starts under his belt, but the Yanks keep running Ponson out there.
I like Rasner better than a lot of people do, but he's basically a contact pitcher, which goes straight to the Angels' strength. I can see them just picking him apart - and besides, he's going up against Lackey.
That leaves Moose, tomorrow - also a contact pitcher now, but a much better one. Still, he has to have his A+ game tomorrow and the Yankees have to get to Weaver (not Jeff, dammit), or this could be one ugly weekend.
Also, Jeff Karstens had a decent outing.
Kidding aside, good for him.
http://tinyurl.com/6akq9j
Funny how this stuff never shows up while the guy is on the team.
If WEEI were to go off the air, and nothing replaced it, and its personalities (outside of Dale and Holley) never worked in the sports biz again, New England would be a far, far better to live. And I'd listen to local radio instead of just XM.
Crap, Alex. I was looking for the Big Hit there.
Gordon Edes said today (on Charley Steiner's XM show) that he talked with Colletti and asked if they chartered a plane for Manny. "No, he's flying commercial." Edes: Do you expect him to be in the lineup tonight? Ned: "Yes." Edes: Well good luck with that, buddy!
Oh, those Boston journalists (actually Edes is now ex, having left the Globe to go to Yahoo).
Peter May is about the only Boston sportswriter I can think of with no flaws. Maybe the guy who does hockey for the Globe too, but I don't know anything about him.
16 Amen. I can't even listen to local radio...but I can't avoid it completely, because when I go out, all sorts of stores, doctors' offices, etc have those yahoos blaring in the background.
Oh, there was that guy who wrote it was time to retire the inane, "nothing says your an uncreative drunk like saying" Yankees suck chant. He's got my respect for life.
Too bad the trading deadline has passed. Sid is making a case for himself.
Two innings, no runners, 20 pitches???
The Globe guys are in general better than the Herald guys, despite the ownership trail that leads to the Sox.
There are a couple of awful guys authoring blogs for the Globe, though...Wilbur and Finn, I think. The latter called this year's All-Star festivities at YS a lame copycat of what the Red Sox did when they hosted the ASG last time.
Goddam Figgins.
The editor, Art Martone, is unobtrusive and unobjectionable. (He was an early supporter of David Pinto.)
27 Agree on Bob Ryan; he usually has a good perspective on things, well, Jason Kidd and his wife aside . . .
And Howard Bryant was excellent, when he was here. I would get the free 5PM copy of that morning's Herald for the train ride home just to read him.
kidding . . . sorta
how is this happening?
I do not recognize this guy pitching for the Yankees so far.
I recently read something by Martone that mentioned Baseball Musings, and I told David, and he replied that Martone was one of his early supporters.
I don't really believe that, but its fun to think. =)
So - tell me more about this Kevin Cullen guy. I never heard of him until Pete Abe pointed out his wonderful column.
41 Agreed on H. Bryant. Even though I have a life-long dislike of the 'Skins, I found myself reading his work about them in the WashPost online, just because his writing is that good.
Then he was at espn.com, but I haven't seen anything by him there in ages.
what is going on?
we will win this....
I see that Jason Bay has scored the only run in Fenway so far. That should enamor him to RSN, at least for a while.
Go Yanks!!!
I love your work, but please don't say things like this:
"Livan Hernandez is not very good but the Mets and the Yankees could use him."
Livan could set the all-time record for most hits/9 innings allowed. Calling him awful is kind.
I'd rather have Ponson than Livan.
"According to his old high school coach, Ramirez promised to buy bats and balls and uniforms - things he could have gotten for free - for his needy alma mater. Last we checked, 17 years after he left school for the pros, the kids were still waiting. Their idol, their hero, the man who has made almost $200 million since he left George Washington High School in the Bronx, just couldn't be bothered."
Now if only the bats would wake up.
However I was going to reference bobby's catch, Wilson's D and snacks's pitching and suggest that it is, indeed, miracle night.
Just 2 more good innings from snacks please
Because Sidney isn't going to pitch a no-hitter. If he had, I would be concerned about, you know, the laws of nature and stuff.
i think i will double take every time i see pudge in pinstripes.
You got your spell on me baby
You got your spell on me baby
Turning my bat into stone...
Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Remember the great Snax.
That does it, I'm going to go get me a snack. Maybe a pretzel.
"Knight Snacks on Helpless Angel's Hitters"
Bunt, Jeter, Bunt.
107 Oh yeah. When in doubt, go with the monosyllable.
http://tinyurl.com/3f76s5
ML service: 2.104
So this off-season will be his first arbitration year. He won't be eligible for free agency until 2011, assuming the Angels don't try to buy out his arby years like the Yanks did with Cano or the Rays did with Longoria.
oyf - we have to give the big lug a pep talk
I believe if Giambi had reached base, Santana was gone.
Oh well, let's go Snax!
Snax can keep going until he gets in trouble.
But then, I have yet to fully understand the Enigma that is Snax.
We piss and moan about Snacks and Raz in the SR, but we win or lose with our offense.
Again, defense is making the difference.
Oh, right.
Nice inning by Marte.
Worried yet, Ervin?
(Fans)
Isn't A-Rod rich?
Cano and Melky a pair?
Mo on the mround,
Jeter in mid-air.
Back in the Stadium.
(George)
Isn't the new park bliss?
Surely the ghosts approve?
(Ghosts)
But you've torn up our home,
Why did you move.
(Ghosts and Fans)
Where is the Stadium?
Bring back the Stadium.
(Fan)
Just when I'd bought a season ticket,
Finally knowing where to sit,
Making my entrance with flair,
Sure of my seat,
But it is not there.
(George)
Don't you love all this new stuff?
And a concourse that's grand.
I thought that you'd want what I want.
On this old parkland.
(Fans)
But where is the Stadium?
Bring back the Stadium.
(Hank and Hal)
No way, the new one's here.
(Fans)
Aren't you guys rich enough?
Don't give us a sneer.
We want back the old place
that we hold so dear.
And where is the Stadium?
There, ought to be the Stadium.
But the ground is now clear.
(With 10,000 apologies to Stephen Sondheim, Judy Collins, and music fans everywhere.)
C'mon Mo, get the outs.
BTW, I don't care if its a tie game or not, Mo is exactly the right move here vs the heart of the order. Best vs best.
game over
K, pop-up, K.
it's gonna be one of those series, isn't it?
and then "k-rod" will get to be a jerk.
Now.
It all happened one batter too late. K, GIDP, just like the doctor ordered, only the doctor must have been delayed.
If this is Bizarro Pitching Day, doesn't that mean...?
c'mon jason - we know you got it in ya big lug
If Pudge comes up, I predict he wins it.
That was a discouraging game.
Ponson must be thinking, "What's the point? Next time I'll give up seven runs again. We usually win that way."
Mo.
Fuck.
That's dumb. Now unless speedy Ellsbury GIDP, they'll have to pitch to Pedroia with the winning RISP.
Winning run on third with Gritty Gritter up.
Street warming in the Oakland pen. Papelbon in for his second inning. If the Sox get a base runner, Jason Bay will (probably) have a chance to win it in the bottom of the tenth.
Going to the bottom of the tenth: Youk, Ortiz, Lowell, then Bay against Houston Street.
245 It must be a coincidence. You think it's psychological??
Here's Ortiz with one out, nobody on.
But I hate Manny and wish him bad luck.
Bay has a chance to win it. But Lowell seems to be injured, he'll leave for a pinch runner (and not just for the speed, he has to leave).
Coco might run...
Now it's 3-0!
His first plate appearance was a walk, and he score the Sox' only run so far.
Here's JD Drew with a chance to win. During a time out conference on the mound, Coco wanders over to his third base coach for a chat. Coco is fast, can probably score on just about any outfield hit.
Drew goes to 1-1.
And he will, ball four to Drew.
Now he goes 0-1 to Jed Lowrie, then a foul makes it 0-2...
Lowrie has to be looking for the change... He gets it, but outside, 2-2. That's his out pitch, but he may not be able to use it again...
He puts one inside, ball three!
Full count, bases loaded, two away!
Here's another, the crowd is standing, screaming...
Lowrie lines it to center...
Carlos Gonzales is there, we go to the eleventh.
Before that, the 1990 A's swept three-game series in Boston and New York September 3-5 and 7-9.
http://tinyurl.com/6yw2po
Fastball to Hanahan, strike at the knees.
261 On gameday or something?
2-2 pitch, grounded up the middle, diving Cora, up and fires, Got 'im!
Wow, no way Lowrie gets that. The Sox luck out in losing Lowell for the evening, if he isn't seriously hurt!
Blevins goes 2-1 to Tek. Timlin is throwing in the Boston bullpen. Pop foul, out of play, 2-2.
Yeah, if you're an Oakland fan (or even a fan for the night, like us) you have to be more concerned about the bottom of the twelfth -- hoping to get there, but worried about the heart of the Boston order.
1-1 to Ellsbury.
Word from the clubhouse is that Lowell has a "hip strain", whatever that is.
Count runs full to Jacoby on a fastball inside.
This game has seen thirteen strike-outs, and all of them swinging.
Line drive, eats up Crosby and bounces off him into the outfield, Pedroia is on.
Timlin is ready if needed, the Sox' pen is pretty thin. Swing, fouled back, still 2-2.
You will be shocked to hear that Youkalis is arguing. HOW DARE YOU, SIR! Francona reels him in, and we go to the twelfth.
Sox announcers insist that strike three to Youk was inside, but Gameday has it just on the edge of the plate.
Timlin deals to Crosby, strike one on the inside corner.
Oakland is the worst-hitting team in the AL (in all of baseball?) Now Crosby is behind 0-2 missing the cutter. Timlin wastes one low and away.
Here's Barton, the weak hitting 1B back from the DL, not promising. Sox will have Ortiz followed by Cora (replacing Lowell) and then Jason Bay, who will be on the spot again. Maybe.
2-1 to Barton.
Now he chops another one, to Pedroia, fielded, just in time to get Barton.
Behind 0-2 he waits for the pitch, pops it up...
It drops behind Cora for a single.
The 1-0 pitch is grounded to short, Alex Cora makes the routine play, and we go to the bottom of the twelfth.
I don't have a good feeling about this half inning coming up.
Here's Papi.
But not this time, he watches strike three! He doesn't whine, though I think he disagreed.
Now here's Cora. Embree throws a 95 mph heater, but wide. The second pitch is a strike on the outside edge.
1-1 to Cora with Bay on deck and one out, Embree deals, Cora grounds it foul, it's 1-2.
He pops the first pitch foul.
Bay has faced Embree just twice and struck out both times.
But he bangs this one off the wall and he's around second and headed for third...
Safe!
Bay's first hit for Boston is a triple.
They'll walk J D Drew to get to Lowrie, preferring to face the weak hitter even though he's a righty. Or maybe they'll walk Lowrie? No they pitch to him.
Drew takes second, Lowrie hits it up the middle... Crosby fields, throws to first...
NOT IN TIME. Red Sox win!
Bay is a hero after all.
Good baseball, but not a happy night for Yankee fans.
It's not even like when he goes down on one pitch it's ever hit hard somewhere.
Does Melky ever hit the ball hard, for that matter?
Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.