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Taking Turns
2006-04-08 07:50
by Cliff Corcoran

After scoring 15 runs on opening night, the Yankees have scored a total of eight in losing their last three games. But as tempting as it might be to point to a team-wide offensive slump, the fact of the matter is that they've simply run into some outstanding pitching. Rich Harden, Dan Haren, Justin Duchscherer, Huston Street, Kelvim Escobar, Scot Sheilds and Francisco Rodriguez are some of the best pitchers in the American League. Randy Johnson and Mariano Rivera are the only Yankee hurlers who could crack that line-up and Rivera, shamefully, has yet to throw a pitch this season. It's no wonder the Yanks are 1-3. The good news is that Randy Johnson will take the ball tonight looking to stop the Yankees' losing streak. The bad news is that the pitcher he's facing is the promising Ervin Santana, who was the winning pitcher in relief in Game 5 of last year's ALDS. Truth be told, I'd take the 23-year-old Santana over any member of the Yankee rotation other than Johnson himself.

In other news, Wil Nieves was designated for assignment yesterday to make room for new third-string catcher Koyie Hill, who joined the Yankees in Anahiem last night. Nieves will now have to pass through waivers in order to remain in the organization and report to Columbus. All of this proves that Nieves only made the opening day roster because he was out of options and the Yankees didn't think they could afford to lose him to waivers, which should tell you something about how dire the organizational catching situation is. With Hill in the fold, however, the Yankees can afford to expose Nieves, and if Nieves clears, they can then risk exposing Hill, thus opening up that final roster spot for a more deserving player such as Ramiro Mendoza or one of the Kevins. Indeed, DFAing Nieves removes him from the 40-man roster, which means there's now an open spot on the 40-man for Mendoza, who could replace Jaret Wright in the bullpen once Wright is needed in the rotation.

Odds are Nieves won't be claimed, but it will be interesting to see what the Yankees do if he is. One fears the loss of Nieves could freeze Hill on the 25-man for the forseable future, which would be a dreadful waste of a roster spot unles Joe Torre uses the situation to DH Posada on days he doesn't catch. Still, the fact that Hill fell all the way to the Yankees (the Angels and White Sox are the only teams that don't have waiver priority over the Yankees when it comes to wavied National Leaguers, though that will change on the 30th day of the season, at which point this year's standings will be used to determine the waiver order) strongly suggests that there are no other teams out there desperate for a triple-A catcher with out a past or a future. The Yankees should should just suck it up and DFA Hill either way, besides which, they can always withdraw him from waivers and return him to the 25-man roster if he is claimed.

Finally, Joe Torre made the first of what I expect will be several small tweaks to his batting order last night. I've not said much about Torre's bizzare choice to pair up the four lefties in his line-up, placing Giambi and Matsui and Cano and Damon back-to-back, in part because I didn't expect it to last. Indeed, starting last night, Torre has swapped Cano and Bernie Williams in the order, thus using the switch-hitting Williams to break-up the left-handed Cano and Damon. Torre said he made the move because Cano was swinging the bat better than Bernie. That's encouraging because it indicates that Torre is capable of recognizing that Williams, who is now batting ninth, is the worst hitter in his lineup.

Comments (191)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2006-04-08 08:55:47
1.   sam2175
The problem is he still does not recognize that Bernie has no business starting as a regular DH everyday. Or to get regular ABs everyday.

We are looking at 500+ ABs for Bernie if this goes on.

2006-04-08 09:21:03
2.   rsmith51
Bernie is my favorite player, but it seems to me that he shouldn't be starting/playing any more than Sierra did last year. I was OK with the Yanks signing Bernie, but it is really starting to backfire. Andy Phillips should get the chance to see if he can hit well enough to not get someone else. Maybe Cashman can force Torre to give him a chance similar to what Cano got last year. I also agree with someone that he should be playing first when Wang is on the mound.

Regarding Rivera, it seems like there should be a pattern for Rivera's usage. Something like 4 innings/wk(<2innings/app).

When well-rested
Situation Usage
down by 1 ???
Tied(Away) Start beginning of ninth pitch through 10th.
Tied(Home) Start beginning of 8th
Up by 1 Start the 8th
Up by 2 Start the 8th
Up by 3 Don't use unless needed in 9th.

When available for 1 inning.
Situation Usage
down by 1 don't use*
tied(home) Start the ninth*?
tied(away) ???
Up by 1 Start the 9th*
Up by 2 Start the 9th*
Up by 3 Don't use unless needed in 9th.

Thoughts? The only ones Torre does regularly are the ones that I put a * next to.

2006-04-08 09:25:41
3.   Mattpat11
How do you pronounce this guy's name?

And Cliff, I know the opposing pitching is good, but if we want to be a contender, we have to find a way to be competitive with the good teams.

2006-04-08 09:37:09
4.   JeremyM
Hey, Phillips had his chance on opening day, and he made an out. How many more chances do you want to give this guy?
2006-04-08 09:39:44
5.   Shaun P
My fears/thoughts exactly 1 2, sam and rsmith51. If I had the time, I'd go through and chart just how Rivera has been used the last 10 years, see if we could learn something from it.

I read somewhere yesterday, maybe even here, that Torre eventually (in August or September) loses confidence in everyone else and figures out that he'd better use Rivera in non-traditional save situations. Then Torre uses Mo exactly right in the playoffs (the Weaver game notwithstanding). If only Torre would start his non-traditional use in April instead of Aug/Sept!

I can't wait for tomorrow's game, because it starts before 10PM EDT. Staying up late is not an option when your 3 month old daughter consistently wakes up at 5:30AM every morning, Yankee games or no.

2006-04-08 10:01:24
6.   sam2175
Yankees have a pitching stuff that is capable of falling apart in the fifth and sixth inning. Since last year, here are Mussina's numbers:

Fifth: .330/.387/.554 (112 ABs)
Sixth: .316/.330/.453 (95 ABs)

Wang (to be fair, he is at his worst at the first inning):

Fifth: .294/.380/.456 (68 ABs)

Chacon:

Fifth: .267/.333/.489 (45 ABs)

Pavano has egregious lines from third through sixth, I refrain from posting them keeping general reader's health in mind. Part of it could be the defense, and his own homer happy tendencies, a killer combination.

This is the time when the other team's heart of the order has second or third crack at the pitcher, and they adjust. It seems Yankee pitchers either do not adjust themselves, or are simply incapable of putting hitters away. Hopefully Guidry can fix it. Otherwise, this exposes the underbelly of the soft bullpen, and team loses it's lead. Against teams like Oakland and Angels, who have good bullpens, that is a killer blow.

2006-04-08 14:10:28
7.   DarrenF
How many at-bats has it been since Bernie hit a homerun? It may be closing in on 150 at-bats.
2006-04-08 14:16:00
8.   Cliff Corcoran
Helluva guess, Darren, if you include the postseason it's 151, though he hit three this spring between the WBC (2) and Yankee camp (1).
2006-04-08 15:26:02
9.   Zack
Saw over at http://www.ingeorgewetrust.blogspot.com/ that Huges pitched 4.1 innings at High A Tampa and gave up one unearned run, 5 hits, and struck out 9! If that is correct, all but 4 outs were ks, now that is dominating. I wonder why only 4.1 innings, probably threw a lot of pitches, but a few more starts like that and AA should be in line...
2006-04-08 15:26:19
10.   Zack
Oops, Hughes...
2006-04-08 16:12:25
11.   Cliff Corcoran
Those other four outs were all ground balls. I'm hoping Hughes will be in Trenton some time mid-year, in which case, I'm going to try to go down and see him pitch.
2006-04-08 16:16:59
12.   wsporter
Over at the MLB cite they have Hughes at an even 4. 9 of 12 outs via the strike out; one man reached on a strike 3 passed ball. Reading the log it looks pretty good, he even struck out the side in the 3rd. Looks like he tired in the 4th; after striking out the first batter (4 straight) he went single, K, single, single, force for the third out. Not bad for his first time out this year. If he keeps this up, AA as soon as the weather warms up in Trenton? Very good news.
2006-04-08 17:17:28
13.   Marcus
I like how MLB Gameday now lists in the pitch-by-pitch when a runner is going on a foul ball. Now if they would only add what type of pitch it was (a la CBSsportsline.com) and the speed, it will almost be like watching the game.
2006-04-08 18:22:33
14.   Cliff Corcoran
With Kelly Stinnett getting the start behind the plate in anticipation of tomorrow's day game, which Posada will catch, Joe Torre has benched Bernie and inserted Jorge at DH.

EUREKA!

End of the order is Posada, Cano, Stinnett, the rest is the same as the first four games. Okay, maybe this third catcher thing ain't so bad after all.

2006-04-08 19:06:48
15.   nick
so I'm in Vegas, watching on FSN West, the pregame guys, doing their hype, just informed us "tonight the Yankees have a biiiiiig unit!"--do these people not know what a unit is in standard vernacular American English??

2nd question: they showed the Sheffield double play ball from last night--didn't show him running out of the box, but he didn't exactly reach the bag at top speed--anybody have a defence of the Sheff on this one?

2006-04-08 19:13:35
16.   Simone
The Captain homers! Yeah. Good start to this game.
2006-04-08 19:14:27
17.   randym77
Nice start, Jete!

I thought Sheff was rather lackadaisical last night. Someone said they think he's angling for a raise, or a trade, but I don't know. Maybe he just thought it was hopeless.

2006-04-08 19:15:08
18.   wsporter
In know this is very deep but he's just plain good.
2006-04-08 19:33:19
19.   Mattpat11
Come on, Randy. No more runs.
2006-04-08 19:34:53
20.   Mattpat11
What an inning
2006-04-08 19:40:35
21.   Mattpat11
There ya go.
2006-04-08 19:40:36
22.   Mattpat11
There ya go.
2006-04-08 19:41:22
23.   randym77
Well, that was some nice pitching from the Unit.
2006-04-08 19:42:23
24.   Mattpat11
Stinnett looks 800 years old
2006-04-08 19:45:32
25.   randym77
I wonder if Jorgie would have gunned down Cabrera?
2006-04-08 19:50:16
26.   Cliff Corcoran
nah
2006-04-08 19:53:12
27.   Cliff Corcoran
That hit by Quinlan was exibit A on Jeter's lack of range up the middle, even if he was playing him to pull.
2006-04-08 19:56:29
28.   Cliff Corcoran
Nice play by Robbie.
2006-04-08 19:57:11
29.   randym77
Nice DP. I never know quite what to expect from young Robbie, but he did good there.
2006-04-08 19:57:54
30.   Cliff Corcoran
The defense giveth and the defense taketh away.
2006-04-08 20:07:26
31.   weeping for brunnhilde
27 Cliff, yes, I thought exactly the same thing.

Off the bat I thought there'd be a play and was almost astonished to see not only no play, but Derek wasn't even close to the ball.

The replay showed the whole scene: Jeter didn't move for nearly a second after the ball was hit. He just kind of stood there frozen for a sec.

I wonder what that's about? I mean, it's not like judging a fly ball or anything, what's the hesitation about?

2006-04-08 20:09:10
32.   randym77
Whoa, Sheff!
2006-04-08 20:09:22
33.   Marcus
How does Johnson's velocity look tonight? The strike outs seem to be coming back.
2006-04-08 20:10:08
34.   randym77
31 Does this mean it's time for the annual Jeter injury speculation to begin?
2006-04-08 20:12:28
35.   JeremyM
I still wonder if Stinnett isn't impressing them, and that's why they're having all the rigamorale of the catcher situation.
2006-04-08 20:13:36
36.   Marcus
Robbie showing some patience...
2006-04-08 20:19:41
37.   weeping for brunnhilde
34 Heh, funny, randym.

It's just weird, 'cause it looks like it's a problem reading the ball off the bat. I don't quite get how that works with ground balls.

2006-04-08 20:22:28
38.   JeremyM
There's actually a section on Jeter reading balls off of the bat in The Last Nine Innings. It says that Jeter has terrible instincts compared to most shortstops and reads the ball off of the bat poorly on groundballs. Not that we didn't really know that anyway.
2006-04-08 20:25:54
39.   Marcus
Does anyone know why Erstad isn't playing tonight?
2006-04-08 20:27:31
40.   Mattpat11
39 He's lefthanded
2006-04-08 20:28:30
41.   weeping for brunnhilde
That was crisply played, was it not?
2006-04-08 20:29:30
42.   weeping for brunnhilde
Nice.
2006-04-08 20:31:01
43.   Mattpat11
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKK
2006-04-08 20:31:52
44.   randym77
39 The Angels said they just want to rest him. Because of the day-night schedule, they decided to rest two lefties tonight, Erstad and Kotchman.
2006-04-08 20:32:40
45.   Mattpat11
This is absolutely disgusting.
2006-04-08 20:33:59
46.   Marcus
40 Ah, of course.

42 Hey weeping, would you care to describe that last play for the viewing-impaired? Let me guess, Sheff made an ill-advised dive?

2006-04-08 20:35:19
47.   Mattpat11
A...HIT?
2006-04-08 20:35:32
48.   nick
ok, the big boys need to come through here.
2006-04-08 20:38:49
49.   weeping for brunnhilde
46 heh, yeah, sorry Marcus. I realized after I'd typed it just how meaningless that remark would be.

:)

Rodriguez made a nice play to end the inning, coming in, spinning nicely and making a true throw. It was a very graceful play. He makes things look easy.

2006-04-08 20:38:57
50.   Mattpat11
I hate this team.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2006-04-08 20:39:02
51.   randym77
Ouch.
2006-04-08 20:40:29
52.   JeremyM
50. The Angels or the Yanks:)
2006-04-08 20:40:45
53.   Mattpat11
Any other team, leaving Santanta in would be a mistake.
2006-04-08 20:40:53
54.   Marcus
Actually, can you describe the 2-run triple play? Gameday said it was a "soft line drive", that must have gotten by Sheff somehow?
2006-04-08 20:42:15
55.   Marcus
I mean, the play that resulted in a 2-run triple.
2006-04-08 20:43:02
56.   Mattpat11
If he takes strike three...
2006-04-08 20:43:29
57.   Mattpat11
Come on jason, just a single.
2006-04-08 20:45:50
58.   Mattpat11
Oh Jesus, here we go. Come on Matsui, go all Godzilla on them. This is our last best shot.
2006-04-08 20:46:12
59.   randym77
55 Sheff had to dig it out of the corner. A-Rod almost had the out at 3rd, but Kennedy slid into his glove and knocked the ball loose.
2006-04-08 20:46:27
60.   Knuckles
Only thing I hate more than the Yankee announcers is the other teams' announcers...
2006-04-08 20:46:37
61.   wsporter
He didn't drive them in but that was the best ab I've seen Giambi's have this year.
2006-04-08 20:47:11
62.   Cliff Corcoran
The triple was down the line, Sheff got to it fine, threw into Cano who bobbled it, blowing a chance to have a play on the second runner scoring, he then fired to third and the actually got Kennedy out, but Kennedy kicked the ball out of Rodriguez's glove and was called safe.

Great at-bat by Giambi, by the way.

2006-04-08 20:48:35
63.   nick
Marcus--Not really Sheff's fault; a well enough hit double...didn't see how the runner got to 3rd because I was busy puking...
2006-04-08 20:49:05
64.   Mattpat11
Has Sheffield lost his bloody mind?
2006-04-08 20:49:34
65.   Mattpat11
Ballgame over.
2006-04-08 20:49:56
66.   yankz
DAMMIT!
2006-04-08 20:50:03
67.   randym77
Arrrrrghhhhh.
2006-04-08 20:50:09
68.   rilkefan
Giambi had a 10+ pitch AB the other day against Oakland, iirc.
2006-04-08 20:50:18
69.   wsporter
Remember the old days when a batter would make a reliever prove he could throw a strike?
2006-04-08 20:51:17
70.   Mattpat11
If and when the Yankees lose the game, I really don't want to hear people saying "Well, the 98 Yankees started out 1-4" Because I can't afford to replace a laptop and a window.
2006-04-08 20:52:22
71.   nick
we haven't had a single big hit yet this year...they will come, I keep telling myself....everybody really does seem tight....this is all instead of typing full-caps obscenities over and over....
2006-04-08 20:52:56
72.   Mattpat11
This team isn't even fun to follow.
2006-04-08 20:54:04
73.   BklynBomber
After that 15-2 head fake in Oakland, this has been nothing less than a root canal since...
2006-04-08 20:57:05
74.   Mattpat11
You can argue that the second game was a fun game with a sour finish, but they've been non competitive since.
2006-04-08 20:59:53
75.   Mattpat11
You know, my eye doesn't twitch during the off season
2006-04-08 21:02:15
76.   weeping for brunnhilde
Matt, you're cracking me up.

I know how you feel. Especially about the not being fun to follow part. And yet I do.

2006-04-08 21:02:18
77.   nick
has Stinner made contact yet tonight? even a foul ball?
2006-04-08 21:04:14
78.   Marcus
John Flaherty II is making a great impression on me.
2006-04-08 21:05:21
79.   Mattpat11
76 Its like crack. You can't give it up, no matter how much it hurts.
2006-04-08 21:05:35
80.   Marcus
If Stinnett strikes out again, do you think Torre will give up on him a la Andy Phillips, or does his veteran status outweigh reality?
2006-04-08 21:06:45
81.   BklynBomber
I don't want to hear about us running into 'great pitching' either. The vaunted Seattle lineup knocked the Halos around for 20 runs in three games, winning two. What's it going to take?
2006-04-08 21:08:00
82.   nick
Stinnett, of course--and he finally did...
2006-04-08 21:08:37
83.   Mattpat11
Barring meltdown, let Johnson finish the game. Might as well let him get some nice numbers if the team cant.
2006-04-08 21:09:57
84.   Mattpat11
Has Kay called Quinlin Johnson's nemesis yet?
2006-04-08 21:10:20
85.   Cliff Corcoran
81 The M's did get to face Jeff Weaver.
2006-04-08 21:11:15
86.   wsporter
A-Rod's doing a nice job over there.
2006-04-08 21:12:51
87.   Mattpat11
Top of the order. In theory, things happen here.
2006-04-08 21:13:12
88.   Cliff Corcoran
85 And Esteban Yan. Weaver and Yan gave up 9 of those 20 runs.
2006-04-08 21:13:35
89.   nick
OK, if we get even one in the 8th, I wanna see Mo....
2006-04-08 21:13:58
90.   Mattpat11
Shit. Shields is 30 years old now, and he had 21 decissions last year.
2006-04-08 21:14:29
91.   yankz
Three straight strikes looking?
2006-04-08 21:14:32
92.   Mattpat11
IS HE FUCKING KIDDING?

Fine him. Unacceptable.

2006-04-08 21:15:14
93.   BklynBomber
85 And Lackey...
2006-04-08 21:15:24
94.   marc
great, can't hit all game now that have to hit Shields or K-Rod to have a chance.Damon takes a nap at the plate as I type.
2006-04-08 21:15:30
95.   nick
that was, indeed, utter horseshit.
2006-04-08 21:16:15
96.   brockdc
Jeez. I dozed off for about an hour there. Same score, though. It's fan-tastic.
2006-04-08 21:17:05
97.   JeremyM
Hey guys, just remember the reason they are doing so poorly is because they are trying too hard, per Joe Torre.
2006-04-08 21:17:44
98.   yankz
8 pitch AB by Jeet, but that bastard Shields got the better of him.
2006-04-08 21:18:21
99.   Mattpat11
I'm serious. I want Damon fined.

Actually, no, I want him to explain that.

2006-04-08 21:18:36
100.   Cliff Corcoran
Awful play by Anderson there.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2006-04-08 21:19:06
101.   Mattpat11
Come on A-Rod, earn your 80 bazillion dollars.
2006-04-08 21:19:22
102.   randym77
Well, Jeter and Sheff are doing their part tonight. Sheff just took out a fan, I think.
2006-04-08 21:19:26
103.   yankz
The worst part: unless a miracle happens, Rodriguez will be dancing his ass off on the mound after that third out in the 9th.
2006-04-08 21:19:28
104.   BklynBomber
No one feels worse than the guy in the first row...
2006-04-08 21:20:14
105.   Mattpat11
Wow. MVP and stuff.
2006-04-08 21:20:26
106.   randym77
They wuz robbed. A-Rod was safe.
2006-04-08 21:20:41
107.   weeping for brunnhilde
At least that was exciting.

But MAN, how painful was that?

They just can't score a run.

Not one run.

2006-04-08 21:20:52
108.   Cliff Corcoran
Okay, between his last would-be hit hitting Santana and the ridiculous play by Kotchman/bad call by the ump, you can't say boo to Rodriguez about his performance tonight.
2006-04-08 21:22:05
109.   Mattpat11
I take that back then. The radio doesn't do it justice.
2006-04-08 21:22:20
110.   BklynBomber
106 The second replay angle showed the call was correct...
2006-04-08 21:22:55
111.   Cliff Corcoran
Better replay angle shows Rodriguez was out by the finest of hairs.
2006-04-08 21:23:21
112.   Shawn Clap
ARod should have opted for his patented "Ball Slap" move instead.
2006-04-08 21:23:22
113.   randym77
110 I don't think so. At most, a tie.
2006-04-08 21:23:26
114.   nick
close play--looks like a tie on the replay.......Angels announcers are insisting he was out by "half an inch"--those fuckwits, like they can tell...
2006-04-08 21:24:05
115.   randym77
He should have stayed on his feet.
2006-04-08 21:24:27
116.   BklynBomber
113 I've seen three angles. Two were too close to call. One was clear. Ump got it right.
2006-04-08 21:26:09
117.   nick
Angels have left 2 men on base all night.....infuriating, the whole damn game, just infuriating....
2006-04-08 21:26:46
118.   randym77
I saw three angles, too, and I think A-Rod's fingers got in there before the heel came down.
2006-04-08 21:26:51
119.   nick
& did I mention that goddamn Cabrera should get a new batting helmet?
2006-04-08 21:27:55
120.   Mattpat11
Well, You almost can't fault Johnson. 8 IP, 7 hits, three runs 8 strikeouts.
2006-04-08 21:28:46
121.   Cliff Corcoran
Giambi, Matsui and Posada against the most obnoxious closer in baseball . . . go!
2006-04-08 21:29:14
122.   Mattpat11
You think Giambi and Matsui can do SOMETHING?
2006-04-08 21:29:16
123.   Cliff Corcoran
120 Indeed, what a waste. All 8 Ks were swinging, BTW.
2006-04-08 21:29:22
124.   BklynBomber
118 Either way, you're right — he should not have dived. That doesn't work...
2006-04-08 21:30:11
125.   weeping for brunnhilde
Was that a joke?

Giambi squared?

Does he even know how to bunt?

2006-04-08 21:30:24
126.   jayd
No shame in losing this one. It's amazing how the angels have shut down the heart of the order these two games though. 2 for 21 says the graphic. lots of hard hit balls and great defense.
meanwhile the redsox are winning these 2 to 1 games and pretending like its natural. i knew something was going to go screwy when I killed my chinese fighting fish, Derek. Didn't I tell you?
I'm thinking a 2 run shot by somebody in the 9th. bunt jason!
2006-04-08 21:30:28
127.   wsporter
Is Giambi really going to drag bunt his way on?
2006-04-08 21:30:49
128.   Mattpat11
123 I mean ideally, the ace doesn't give up the two run triple when we can least afford it, but otherwise, very good.
2006-04-08 21:31:29
129.   Cliff Corcoran
I just realized why the Yankees aren't hitting: Mattingly shaved off his moustache. Donnie, grow it back already, wouldja?!
2006-04-08 21:31:44
130.   Mattpat11
126 Oh, I disagree completely. A lot of shame in losing this game if we do.
2006-04-08 21:32:26
131.   weeping for brunnhilde
I can't believe this.

First he thinks about bunting, which makes sense, given the shift.

Then, ha ha!--he hits right into the dragnet in the end anyway, just like old times.

2006-04-08 21:32:28
132.   Mattpat11
motherfucking shift. Do we really have to go through the formalities of the next two outs?
2006-04-08 21:32:35
133.   Cliff Corcoran
Giambi got at least one bunt base hit last year due to the shift.
2006-04-08 21:33:42
134.   Mattpat11
I can think of at least two. One against tampa one against Boston.
2006-04-08 21:34:02
135.   Cliff Corcoran
One.
2006-04-08 21:34:20
136.   Mattpat11
Please don't be false hope.
2006-04-08 21:34:26
137.   weeping for brunnhilde
Wow, isn't it great that Giambi had the good sense to bunt his way on?

Oh, wait. Never mind.

2006-04-08 21:34:29
138.   BklynBomber
MVP!
2006-04-08 21:34:43
139.   jayd
ok, then, two one run shots. i'll take 2 one run shots
2006-04-08 21:35:07
140.   yankz
Hell yeah Godzilla!!! Oh shit...the bottom of the lineup...
2006-04-08 21:35:18
141.   Marcus
Why do players dive into first base anyway? It's dangerous and doesn't get you to the base faster. Do players practice this or get encouraged to do this by major league coaches?
2006-04-08 21:35:23
142.   wsporter
133 Yeah Cliff it was a push bunt up the third base line. I don't know why he doesn't do it more often.
2006-04-08 21:35:25
143.   Mattpat11
say we tie the game. Do you send Johnson back out?
2006-04-08 21:35:48
144.   Cliff Corcoran
Dreadful swings by Jorge.
2006-04-08 21:36:06
145.   weeping for brunnhilde
You know, you'd think that a professional baseball player would learn how to get himself on base when half the fucking infield is wide open and all you really need to do is get on base.

It's just exasperating. Truly exasperating.

2006-04-08 21:36:36
146.   Mattpat11
The Posada Special. At least he swung.
2006-04-08 21:37:09
147.   BklynBomber
Nice swing, Robbie...
2006-04-08 21:37:14
148.   weeping for brunnhilde
This is just too painful to watch.
2006-04-08 21:37:45
149.   jayd
do not, I repeat, do not swing at that slider
2006-04-08 21:38:27
150.   Mattpat11
This is just prolonging the inevitable
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2006-04-08 21:38:43
151.   weeping for brunnhilde
Bernie, I take it?
2006-04-08 21:38:52
152.   Mattpat11
Anderson sounds drunk.
2006-04-08 21:39:13
153.   Cliff Corcoran
What's the best thing that can happen with Bernie here? A walk?
2006-04-08 21:39:18
154.   Mattpat11
Will Bubba try to steal?
2006-04-08 21:39:33
155.   randym77
141 I don't think they're told to do it. They just do it.

Ack. It's all on Bernie now.

2006-04-08 21:39:45
156.   nick
ok, Bernie, how bout a 2 run shot, followed by retirement?
2006-04-08 21:40:07
157.   weeping for brunnhilde
Kay said that having Bubba try to steal would be gutsy. I think it's a no-brainer, isn't it?
2006-04-08 21:40:10
158.   yankz
153 Walk sounds about right; maybe he reaches on an error. What I wouldn't do for Darryl on the bench right now...
2006-04-08 21:40:29
159.   Mattpat11
Is Bubba trying to steal and the LAA crew is ignoring it?
2006-04-08 21:40:35
160.   jayd
bernie had one of the six hits last night and a walk
2006-04-08 21:40:56
161.   Marcus
Ok, someone explain Phillips in as the pinch runner. Is he really that much faster than Cano?
2006-04-08 21:41:23
162.   Simone
We all know that Bernie can't hit F-Rod, right? However, there are such things as miracles in baseball.
2006-04-08 21:41:31
163.   Mattpat11
Crosby's the pinchrunner.
2006-04-08 21:41:36
164.   Marcus
Wait, I guess Gameday may have it wrong, sounds like from you guys Bubba is in as the pinch runner?
2006-04-08 21:41:59
165.   Mattpat11
Has Bubba stolen second yet?
2006-04-08 21:42:37
166.   Mattpat11
Good enough. But this really feels like false hope.
2006-04-08 21:43:05
167.   Cliff Corcoran
Outfield's in with Bubba on second. Crap, that's right where bernie hits 'em.
2006-04-08 21:43:26
168.   Marcus
Ok, Gameday changed it.
2006-04-08 21:43:51
169.   BklynBomber
Aside from RJ and a proud Matsui, yet another lifeless, souless, dispassionate performance. I wish I could mail it in like this and get a paycheck, but my clients would fire me.
2006-04-08 21:43:55
170.   weeping for brunnhilde
Eh, don't sweat it guys, the '98 squad began at 1-4 too, you know!
2006-04-08 21:44:42
171.   JeremyM
Hey, at least Rivera is well rested!
2006-04-08 21:44:57
172.   Mattpat11
This team just leaves me tired.
2006-04-08 21:45:15
173.   Knuckles
someone order a big fucking plate of too little too late?
2006-04-08 21:45:25
174.   Simone
Oh well, the Yankees will get 'em tommorrow.
2006-04-08 21:46:03
175.   weeping for brunnhilde
171 He is at that, Jeremy. Maybe at this rate we could even get a couple spot starts out of him down the line.
2006-04-08 21:54:40
176.   Mattpat11
That Damon eigth inning at bat, and to a lesser extent, Giambi and Posada in the ninth are pissing me off.
2006-04-08 21:57:40
177.   brockdc
Welcome, everyone, to "2005: The Sequel"
2006-04-08 22:01:26
178.   wsporter
176 I can see both Damon and Posada because I feel the same way but I don't know about Giambi. He took the count full got his pitch and hit it on the button at somebody in the center of the shift. I can't get too nuts over that.
2006-04-08 22:06:37
179.   Mattpat11
178 He ignored the gaping hole in the infield
2006-04-08 22:08:35
180.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
For the love of god Bernie, retire. As long as you're on the team Andy Phillips will never get an at bat. Retire please so we can at least look back on your career and everything you've done for the Yankees admiringly.

(Could be worse tho, Scott Podsednick, Mr. Smallball himself, is 1 for 17 so far).

2006-04-08 22:11:53
181.   wsporter
179 He always does, I'm past being annoyed about it. At least he looked like a major league hitter in that ab, he worked the count, got a pitch he could rip and did. He is what he is, I can wish he was more more than that but I can't get pissed when he's not.
2006-04-08 22:13:06
182.   randym77
Well, Joe Torre didn't say everyone was trying too hard tonight, but Michael Kay did. Kay said he thinks the problem is everyone is trying to hit a home run every time.
2006-04-08 22:51:43
183.   brockdc
182 You can pretty much bet that, whenever the Yanks are on a losing skid, Michael Kay will be there with one of his tired cliches. They should sell Michael Kay dolls: Whenever you pull the string it says one of the following:

-There's no such thing as a 5-run homer.

-The Yankees are pressing.

-Yankee fans just feel this sense of entitlement that their team should win the World Series every single year.

-Everyone is trying to hit a home run every time up.

-You would think that if Giambi just layed one down every once in a while, he'd end up with ten or twenty extra base hits a year.

-Extra large, the works, anchovies on the side.

-World Series' aren't won in April.

-O'Neill, stop picking on me.

If they sold them, I'd get one.

2006-04-09 00:04:13
184.   Mattpat11
181 In some ways, he was set to bunt earlier. If he had, he would have been on base.
2006-04-09 00:17:48
185.   Zack
Why does it seem like our offense always needs to "come around." I know thats not just the way it is because other teams don't have that problem. And I know it isn't really the hitting coaches fault, because I don't really think they havce nay real impact. So what gives? Why does such a vaunted offense seem to underperform?
2006-04-09 00:20:50
186.   Zack
And while we are at it, whoever posted that worst case scenario with Joe and Bernie, well, its happening: http://tinyurl.com/r82dq
2006-04-09 04:15:26
187.   randym77
183 LOL! He said the "five-run homer" thing last night, too.

And what it is with him and Paul O'Neill? A few games, the things he's said to Paul have been unbelievable. Is he kidding, or is there some kind of feud going on there?

2006-04-09 06:40:06
188.   singledd
A few positive thought to a terrible first 5 games:
... our team ERA is under 3.5
... Cano has been ripping the ball. That line drive he hit to center was anabsolute laser! It's just a matter of time.
... Giambi is looking better.. his stroke is better (even if he didn't bunt one to third)
... Posada was the DH, not Bernie. Joe is slow, but he will eventually get it about Bernie.

This is an old team. It takes a few weeks of everyday play to get the rust out. The fact that our pitching has been decent, and RJ looks good, is good news.

2006-04-09 06:54:31
189.   rsmith51
What was Andy's AAA OPS? I would think it would translate to > .800 which is >> Bernie circa 2006.

Please bench Bernie. 2 starts a week sounds generous. At least he is not in CF...

That said, I hope the Yanks retire 51.

2006-04-09 07:24:27
190.   yankz
Also from the site Zack posted in 186:

"Jaret Wright will start for the Yankees next Saturday in Minnesota, the first time the club will need a fifth starter."

2006-04-09 11:53:09
191.   Cliff Corcoran
189 I've predicted that Phillips would hit .260/.340/.480 if give a full-time job, that's an .820 OPS and his ceiling is much higher.

190 We've known that since late March. April 15 = fifth starter = Jaret Wright.

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