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2006-08-23 13:56
by Cliff Corcoran

The average age of the four starting pitchers in the first two games of the current series in Seattle is 23 3/4. It's not often that you see a stat like that when the Yankees are involved. Don't worry. Randy Johnson will compensate tomorrow. Today, however, we Yankee fans can continue to freak out about Chien-Ming Wang's climbing innings total.

For those who have missed my previous kvetching, Wang set a career high with 157 innings pitched last year between the minors, majors and postseason. Entering tonight's game, he's thrown 172 1/3 innings and hasn't been sharp in any of his last three starts. His combined line in those outings is: 16 1/3 IP, 27 H, 12 R, 3 HR, 8 BB, 6 K, 2.14 WHIP, 6.61 ERA. Most alarming of all, despite opening the Boston series with a victory in his last start, he recorded just six of his 18 outs in that game via groundballs, the only time in his major league career (43 starts, two relief appearances) that he has recorded fewer groundouts than flyouts.

Opposing Wang will be deflowered phenom Felix Hernandez. The Yankees got a good look at Hernandez last year when he locked horns in a stirring pitchers duel with his predecessor Randy Johnson. Hernandez lost that battle 2-0 on solo home runs by Robinson Cano and Gary Sheffield, but made a strong showing in 12 starts as a 19-year-old rookie for the M's, posting a 1.00 WHIP and a 2.67 ERA while striking out 8.22 per nine innings. This year, King Felix has actually increased his strike-out rate, but has seen more dramatic increases in his walk, hit and homer rates, the end result of which is a decidedly average 4.50 ERA. Of course, 4.50 is plenty respectable from a 20-year-old with ace potential, but it's not going to make anyone forget Doc Gooden. Incidentally, Hernandez, who is at 148 innings pitched thus far this year, threw 149 1/3 innings in 2004 and increased his work load to 172 1/3 last year. That's a normal innings increase for a young pitcher and further evidence that even if Chien-Ming Wang hasn't hit his innings ceiling yet, he's dangerously close.

Comments (286)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2006-08-23 14:52:49
1.   Schteeve
Cliff which do you think is more likely if Wang's inning load isn't carefully marshalled in Sept.

a) He experiences a few "dead arm starts" in which he gets the crap kicked out of him leading to Joe skipping his turn a time or two. Then comes back in late Sept and returns to his prime form.

b) He suffers an injury that puts him on teh shelf for the post season*.

(*god willing.)

2006-08-23 14:55:26
2.   rabid stan
Maybe when Pavano comes back he could make some starts for Wang in September.

Stop laughing at me.

2006-08-23 14:59:28
3.   Benjamin Kabak
1 God willing? You want Wang out for the postseason? I'm confused.

2 heheheheheheheheheh Pavano. That's a good one! (I know his rehab is going well. But let's not jinx it.)

2006-08-23 15:01:58
4.   Idaho Yankee
Is Pavano eligible for the post season roster or does he have to be on the 25 man roster before Sept 1?
2006-08-23 15:06:15
5.   rabid stan
3 I think, I hope, 1 means that Joe wouldn't pitch him with an arm injury, should he get one, in the post season, or that he wouldn't hide one.
2006-08-23 15:08:21
6.   Schteeve
3 It should be inferred from contextual cues that I meant "God Willing We Make The Post Season, as I do not want to presume that glorious fate, and risk the ignoble comeuppance of the 'Baseball Gods.' Lest they scowl from their dug out thrones and cast down upon the fair boys of Pinstriped adornments a multitude of suckiness."

Or something like that, lol.

2006-08-23 15:15:20
7.   alterity
4 he has to be on the 40 man by 9/1 i think
2006-08-23 15:15:39
8.   Benjamin Kabak
6 Hmmm. Maybe it's more like Scott Proctor's right arm and Ron Villone's left arm willing.
2006-08-23 15:17:47
9.   Schteeve
8 Not to mention Octavio Dotel's.
2006-08-23 15:21:59
10.   kylepetterson
We need a good switch-pitcher. That way Torre can't overuse him.
2006-08-23 15:22:20
11.   rabid stan
Mikey Moose has been put on the 15-day DL retroactive to Monday, according to Peter Abraham.

So long, 20 games. If it wasn't official already, it's been off the radar screen the last month.

2006-08-23 15:31:36
12.   JeffWeaver4God
i only see reports that mussina is missing his next start. i havent seen the dl thing anywhere.
2006-08-23 15:36:55
13.   bobtaco
7 I think because Pavano is already on the DL, he is eligible for post season play when he comes off of it.

Isn't that how the Angels got K-Rod into the playoffs in 2002?

2006-08-23 15:37:05
14.   rabid stan
12 It's on LoHud.
2006-08-23 15:51:01
15.   Benjamin Kabak
Moose on the DL is confirmed by Lo Hud and the Newsday blog. I wrote about it too.

http://tinyurl.com/pun8t

It's a good move for the Yanks but there goes his shot at 20 wins (which was nearly gone anyway).

2006-08-23 16:13:19
16.   Aviezer
This is actually good for us b/c we hopefully get a fresh and rested Moose for the playoffs. Another to rest is Wang.
2006-08-23 16:46:40
17.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
Yeah, I suspect that if we didn't have the 6 1/2 game lead, and if the kid hadn't pitched ok last night, then perhaps Moose wouldn't have gone on the DL.

I wonder if a similar subpar outing from Tiger tonight will result in him missing few turns in the rotation with the cushion we now have.

(Me, I'd give both Hughes and Clippard a start in place of Wang over the next month or so.)

2006-08-23 16:47:06
18.   singledd
11 It's on the ESPN site and I heard in on TV news. Theoretically, it's 'precautionary' and Torre said if we didn't have a big lead, Moose would still be pitching.
2006-08-23 16:50:05
19.   yankeemonkey
Both Hughes and Clippard will probably get called up once the rosters expand but I don't see either one starting a game. Pitching a few innings in relief is likely not out of the question...
2006-08-23 16:52:04
20.   randym77
I guess putting Moose on the DL was the only way they could call up Bruney, since he was just sent down. The Yanks are running out of pitchers to call up.

Columbus Clippers, ring your bell... Bubba just hit a two-run homer. Clippers are likely out of it this year, but they're doing a good job of spoiling their opponents' hopes.

2006-08-23 17:07:05
21.   JL25and3
4, 7 I'm pretty sure the rule is that a player has to be on the 25-man roster or on the major league DL on August 31. So Pavano would be eligible, as would Sheffield and Matsui (and Mussina, for that matter).
2006-08-23 17:23:15
22.   Sliced Bread
Moose has been whistling past the doctor's office since mid-June, and it's remarkable he's made it this far without requiring 15 days of Pavano time.

In light of him going to the DL today, Joe's decision to rest the bullpen last night makes a little more sense.

Dotel, Proctor, Farnswacker, and Rivera will be needed even more with Moose down, and Wang suddenly looking like the cat that's climbed too far up the tree. "Oh, sh*t!"

However, you could still argue that Joe should have pushed the pen for the win last night because the 6.5 game advantage doesn't look as big without Mussina around now does it?

It's a lot more fun talking about our hitters.

2006-08-23 17:23:31
23.   randym77
Nick Green is going to be exhausted:

Johnny Damon CF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Jason Giambi DH
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera LF
Craig Wilson 1B
Nick Green 3B

2006-08-23 17:26:34
24.   joejoejoe
10 kylepetterson - "We need a good switch-pitcher."

This is a great idea. You could take an ambidextrous minor league right-hander and teach him to be a submarining LOOGY. It's a two-fer.

2006-08-23 17:26:58
25.   Sliced Bread
23 Mouse honey? Er, house money lineup?

Am I reading this correctly?

2006-08-23 17:30:44
26.   randym77
A-Rod's turn to rest?

Giambi was pulled last night for a tight hamstring or something like that, so I'm not surprised to see him DHing tonight.

2006-08-23 17:38:07
27.   rbj
Bruney's the call up:
http://tinyurl.com/jjsnq

I suppose it is long past asking why not Bean.

2006-08-23 17:41:09
28.   Sliced Bread
A-Rod DHed on Sunday, hope it's nothing more than an extra day of rest here.
2006-08-23 17:43:57
29.   randym77
27 Colter Bean is not on the 40 man roster.
2006-08-23 17:56:13
30.   randym77
Here's Seattle:

Ichiro Suzuki CF
Chris Snelling RF
Adrian Beltre 3B
Richie Sexson 1B
Raul Ibanez LF
Jose Lopez 2B
Ben Broussard DH
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Rene Rivera C

No Johjima. Guess they didn't want to mess with success?

2006-08-23 17:58:36
31.   yankeemonkey
23 28 Peter Abrahama at LoHud reports Arod has a throat infection and was sent back to the team hotel. Nothing worse, thankfully.
2006-08-23 17:59:11
32.   yankeemonkey
*Abraham. Preview really IS your friend....
2006-08-23 18:18:19
33.   randym77
Wow. So A-Rod's not even going to be available to pinch-hit.

Get well soon, Miggy...

2006-08-23 18:21:18
34.   pistolpete
32 Except during gametime, of course. No need to preview, "DAMN IT, A-ROD!!!"
2006-08-23 18:48:18
35.   Sliced Bread
Throat infection, my foot. Sounds like a certain MVP third baseman had a poker game to attend tonight.
2006-08-23 18:52:46
36.   randym77
Shawn Chacon is up to his old tricks. He started again for Pittsburgh yesterday, after a long layoff. Typical Chacon outing: 5IP, 3H, 1R...and 5 BB. The Pittsburgh press is calling him "the magician."
2006-08-23 18:53:30
37.   yankz
35 Just Alex being Alex.
2006-08-23 18:58:23
38.   monkeypants
With Moose on the DL, we get to see Karstens pitch again. If he's any good his second time out, they should consider skipping at least one of Wang's starts, provided the Yanks maintain a safe lead. September call-ups can't come too soon for this staff.

On a related note, does anyone else feel that the 40-man roster in September (when penant races heat up) is, well, somehow kinda wrong?

2006-08-23 18:58:47
39.   Max
Let's hope Wang can rebound and give us a strong 7 inning outing tonight.

I'm really thirsting for a strong, take no prisoners, pitching performance with a minimum of fuss...Randy and Cory did OK over the weekend (Cory especially), but overall, I haven't been especially impressed with what the starters have delivered in a while.

2006-08-23 19:07:53
40.   Shaun P
38 Not really, as I don't see it being abused very often - who's the last team to actually call up the 15 other guys on the 40-man? A team probably wouldn't want to call up 15 guys, because then they have to be paid (albeit pro rata) a major league salary, and get meal money and the daily per diem, need uniforms, hotel rooms, etc etc etc.

I'm hopeful that Rasner will be back by September 1. I also wish White would get called up, but I don't think he's on the 40 man. I suppose they could drop DeSalvo or Jones from the 40-man.

BTW, there's no way we see either Hughes or Clippard in September, as neither of them are on the 40-man roster.

2006-08-23 19:13:36
41.   Yu-Hsing Chen
decent start. lets get some early runs Po
2006-08-23 19:17:47
42.   Ron Burgundy
Jeter's not winning the batting title? <:(
Damn.

Robbie, OBP please.

2006-08-23 19:20:05
43.   BklynBmr
Rockin' Robbie! Way to get it started...
2006-08-23 19:21:19
44.   Paul in Boston
I don't like the Seattle broadcasters, but the FOX TV graphics (strike zone, slow motion) are excellent.
2006-08-23 19:21:43
45.   Ron Burgundy
Robbie has been getting better. See what a little discipline does Robbie? Atta boy.
2006-08-23 19:22:17
46.   yankz
42 Says who? Lots of baseball left.
2006-08-23 19:22:28
47.   randym77
I can't believe he swung at that pitch, but I like the results.
2006-08-23 19:24:37
48.   DrManhattan
32 pitches for Felix in the first inning. More, please.
2006-08-23 19:24:47
49.   yankz
Actually, at this rate, Cano might beat out Jeter for highest BA on the team.
2006-08-23 19:25:35
50.   Ron Burgundy
46 Mauer at .359, Jeter at .335. Jeter needs to go on fire and Mauer needs to be ice cold for it to happen, August is almost over. And Jeter's bat has been mostly cold this month. I want him to win that batting title. That combined with him playing SS, driving in and scoring 100 runs, and (hopefully) the Yankees winning the division by a lot might give him a chance at the MVP. But Ortiz will still win it. When it counts, ESPN will fire up the hype machine, and the voters probably still feel they owe Shrek one.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2006-08-23 19:26:03
51.   BklynBmr
44 If the Seattle guys are complete morons, I wouldn't know — they're putting me to sleep...

Agreed, the pitch graphics are good — beats the hell out of ESPN's clumsy blue streak effect...

2006-08-23 19:27:22
52.   Sliced Bread
47 Slightly funky but very effective at-bat by Cano there.

1-1 count, he swings at what looked to me like ball two high, next pitch the ump squeezes Felix for ball two (I agree with Hargrove that it was a strike), next pitch Robbie chops a sinker that looked low and outside up the middle Ichiro style for the ribbies. We'll take it, Robbie, but I hope Donnie watches that at-bat with him.

2006-08-23 19:28:06
53.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
Can't believe Tito had Lester pitch to Vlad with 1st open. Vlad impales lefties.
2006-08-23 19:28:45
54.   Ron Burgundy
Chris Snelling was awful in the minors, so I don't see why our pitchers are fooling around with him. Just get this douche out. We can't keep letting guys like Snelling, Beltre, and Sexson keep beating us.

Snelling in the minors: .216 AVG / .326 OBP / .340 SLG / .666 OPS.

2006-08-23 19:29:20
55.   Ron Burgundy
53 Luckily for the Sawx, Mike Scoscia plays smallball.
2006-08-23 19:29:54
56.   monkeypants
40 Have rosters always expanded on September 1? The season ends later these days, which means that expanded rosters could affect the outcome of more games. But you're right, few teams really seem to exploit the rule.

44 51 Like I said last night, I generally like the Seattle announcers. I guess I'm alone on that one.

2006-08-23 19:31:01
57.   yankz
50 I know, I have a lot of blind (and probably stupid) optimism and confidence when it comes to the captain.
2006-08-23 19:31:07
58.   randym77
White didn't have a great night in Columbus, but Columbus pulled out the victory in the 10th inning. Veras got the win.

Bubba Crosby was the winning run, scoring from 2B on a Sardinha single with brute speed.

I was glad Bronson Sardinha had the game-winning RBI. His entire family was there at the Coop...come all the way from Hawai`i. Dane Sardinha is the catcher for Louisville, so it was brother vs. brother. Neither Sardinha did squat tonight...until Bronson got the game-winning hit.

2006-08-23 19:32:05
59.   yankz
Mmm, groundballs and a K. Keep it up.
2006-08-23 19:33:38
60.   JeremyM
Boston is thumping Anaheim 4-1. I kind of figured they would lose again with Escobar throwing.
2006-08-23 19:34:54
61.   randym77
Nick the Stick! :-D
2006-08-23 19:37:52
62.   yankz
Who needs Arod!
2006-08-23 19:38:25
63.   Benjamin Kabak
I'm confused; why is Ichiro in center and not right?
2006-08-23 19:39:04
64.   Alvaro Espinoza
57 As much as we would all like to see it, Jeter won't catch Mauer. The bigger threat is from Tejada and Manny passing him for #2. July ending was the worst thing that could have happened to him.
2006-08-23 19:39:14
65.   Sliced Bread
Anybody TiVo the Cano at-bat? If not for the ump's ball 2 call, which looked wrong to me, Robbie basically "struck out" before he hit the next pitch, which looked way out of the zone, for 2 RBI's. Did we get incredibly lucky there?
2006-08-23 19:40:27
66.   yankz
64 I'm still looking at you, Melvin Mora.
2006-08-23 19:41:20
67.   BklynBmr
2 innings, 45 pitches for Hernandez. Nice pace if we can keep it...
2006-08-23 19:41:56
68.   Maniakes
65, I'm watching FSN in Seattle. The announcers didn't have a problem with the call, and their equivilent of K-Zone showed the pitch firmly out of the zone.
2006-08-23 19:42:48
69.   randym77
63 Lineup shakeup. They've been doing that for awhile.
2006-08-23 19:43:27
70.   Benjamin Kabak
69 Gotcha. Thanks. My own personal East Coast bias prevented me from knowing that.
2006-08-23 19:43:59
71.   JeremyM
67 If Abreu would've gotten to bat that inning he would be up to 75:)
2006-08-23 19:44:05
72.   BklynBmr
68 , 65 Yeah, the pitch was definitely not a strike...
2006-08-23 19:44:18
73.   Alvaro Espinoza
Apparently, Ibanez didn't get the memo: ground balls ONLY please. Thank you for your cooperation.
2006-08-23 19:45:41
74.   rsmith51
56 I remember thinking that Seattle had the worst announcers that I have ever heard a couple of years ago. They don't seem as bad as I remember though.
2006-08-23 19:45:42
75.   monkeypants
63 They've been playing him in CF lately, I think because their former starting CF was crappy and they wanted to give Snelling, et al. more PT.

I never understood why Ichiro wasn't move to CF sooner--he's so fast, great arm, and supposedly great defensive player. His offensive numbers are mediocre for a corner, but quite good for a CF.

2006-08-23 19:46:08
76.   singledd
While they may have eliminated some of the greenies from the clubhouses, they obviously haven't gotten the Qualuuds out of the Seattle broadcast booth yet.
2006-08-23 19:47:59
77.   BklynBmr
71 Now Bobby and Jason could get it to at least 60 between them ;-)
2006-08-23 19:48:14
78.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
Sox beat Los Tigres but lose Thome with a bad hammy.

Ladies and gentleman, your AL wild card team, the Minnesota Twins.

2006-08-23 19:50:17
79.   singledd
78 If so, bad news for us.
2006-08-23 19:51:08
80.   BklynBmr
76 Heh-heh. You'd think there would at least be some strong coffee flowing in that booth, huh? What I do kinda appreciate about them, though, they definitely do not distract you from the game...
2006-08-23 19:51:59
81.   rsmith51
79 Why is that bad news?
2006-08-23 19:52:05
82.   Alvaro Espinoza
I think somebody forgot to tell Jorge he was actually up until the 4th pitch.
2006-08-23 19:52:12
83.   JeremyM
Looks like Hernandez has settled in.
2006-08-23 19:52:26
84.   BklynBmr
79 How are the Twinkies bad news for us?
2006-08-23 19:52:28
85.   monkeypants
76 Funny. But that's why I king of like them, I guess. They're quiet and call a pretty laid back game. Like a (really) poor mans Scully.
2006-08-23 19:53:02
86.   JeremyM
79 Twins will be tough in a short series (any series really) but I think the Yanks can beat them. They've beaten Santana before and Liriano has to still be a question mark.
2006-08-23 19:53:09
87.   Stormer Sports
80

Exactly! We will be screaming for the Seattle broadcasters watching FOX in the post-season.

2006-08-23 19:57:23
88.   BklynBmr
87 LOL! I'll sign the petition right now...
2006-08-23 19:58:22
89.   Sliced Bread
Jeter is used to seeing fresh faces at 2nd. I think he's played with something like 20 second baseman, but imagine how he feels looking around the infield tonight.
Wang on the hill, Green at third, Wilson at first. Cano probably looks as familiar as Bernie to him.
2006-08-23 19:59:31
90.   Benjamin Kabak
Careful there, Jorge.
2006-08-23 20:03:56
91.   Alvaro Espinoza
Gonna guess Enrique Wilson for the trivia question.
2006-08-23 20:04:16
92.   BklynBmr
Boy, they do like to re-live 1995 in these parts. You can't watch an FSN Seattle-Yankees broadcast without at least 150 references to that Wild Card series...
2006-08-23 20:04:26
93.   singledd
I rather out slug teams like the White/Red Sox, then go against outstanding pitching. In a 5 game series, seeing Santana twice and Loriano once (possible twice?) is very tough.

I WISH they would make the ALDS 7 games instead of 5. To have a 162 game season boil down to a 5 game series is unfair (just ask the Braves).

2006-08-23 20:05:00
94.   JeremyM
Hey, there go the 2 guys who won't amount to jack, Cano and Cabrera! Scouts are brilliant.
2006-08-23 20:05:31
95.   Sliced Bread
91 me too.
2006-08-23 20:06:41
96.   monkeypants
Yikes. Wilson looks totally outmatched tonight. I won't say anything about playing LH Guiel at 1B tonight...

Nich Green the Hit Machine!

2006-08-23 20:07:02
97.   LI yankee
78 So there may be all different playoff teams this year in the AL, except for the Yanks (A's, Twins, Tigers)
2006-08-23 20:07:34
98.   yankz
Who needs Arod!
2006-08-23 20:07:45
99.   JeremyM
96 Wilson has failed to impress after an initial hot start, I hope that will change though-my understanding is he is streaky.

What has gotten into Nick Green?

2006-08-23 20:08:29
100.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
Ortiz hit a bomb in the 1st, or what FOX would call a clutch game winner while showing the replay 46 times and ballwashing Ortiz
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2006-08-23 20:08:41
101.   singledd
Damon must be really happy to be a Yankee. He has been OUTSTANDING for us. Maybe we should buy him a Milar.
2006-08-23 20:09:17
102.   Schteeve
Johnny Heartthrob!
2006-08-23 20:09:17
103.   monkeypants
93 Two more games to the LDS? The regular season doesn't end until October. Ah, nothing more exciting than November baseball...
2006-08-23 20:09:29
104.   singledd
Jetes is REALLY slumping.
2006-08-23 20:10:42
105.   JeremyM
104 I'd rather he do it now and heat up in October.
2006-08-23 20:10:53
106.   BklynBmr
93 I WISH we could go back to 16 teams, 8 in each league, 1st place teams go right to the Series...

That wishful thinking said — a five game ALDS is insane. Period. Go back to 154 and have all PS series scheduled for seven.

2006-08-23 20:11:02
107.   Schteeve
[1030 Someone suggested an alternate idea. Instead of increasing the number of games, decrease the amount of time between games. Play 5 games in 5 days, that way teams can't hide behind two hot starters.

I like the idea. Especially after the licking we put on the Sox this weekend.

2006-08-23 20:11:42
108.   Sliced Bread
Green is Pipping A-Rod.

Sweet game so far, beautiful ballpark, but that train is damn annoying.

Can the architects please design the new Yankee Stadium in such a way that when the Mariners, and only the Mariners, come to town we can have the #4 run through the visiting dugout every 15 minutes?

2006-08-23 20:12:30
109.   monkeypants
99 Wilson's real value, like Andy's, is his versatility. He supposedly hits LHP real well, and he can play 1B, OF, and C. If he's used that way, great (I would rather see him bat than Fasano). But a starter he is not. Unfortunately, Torre doesn't seem fully comfortable with the concept of platonning (see: Williams, Bernie left-handed).
2006-08-23 20:13:03
110.   Yu-Hsing Chen
seems like not only is Wang not hitting the wall.. but he's jumping over it...
2006-08-23 20:13:31
111.   JeremyM
Anyone see this photo of Karstens before yesterdays game? Poor guy looks terrified. Not that I would look any different.. http://tinyurl.com/hj8w7
2006-08-23 20:13:38
112.   The Bear
Pitch 4 - In play, run-scoring play~~
hell ya~
2006-08-23 20:14:04
113.   Schteeve
The Yankees offense is sick right now. Sick sick sick.
2006-08-23 20:14:28
114.   yankz
106 I don't know about that, imagine losing the division by one game because of some serious bad luck. I definitely don't have the perfect solution though.
2006-08-23 20:14:28
115.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
108

too funny...I am watching the game and the first time the train came through I thought to myself we have been living in our new house for a year and I have never heard a train...it was driving me crazy until I realised where it was coming from...

2006-08-23 20:14:41
116.   LI yankee
stupid fan cost us a run
2006-08-23 20:15:25
117.   yankz
Boo ya!
2006-08-23 20:15:31
118.   LI yankee
never mind
2006-08-23 20:15:39
119.   Alvaro Espinoza
108 That's going to require some heavy greasing of the union's pocket.
2006-08-23 20:15:43
120.   Benjamin Kabak
108 Re: train. I'm now laughing out loud. Thank you! That's hilarious.
2006-08-23 20:16:18
121.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
What did everyone think of Karstens last night, I do not know much about him but what are the projections for him....middle of the rotation serviceable type ?
2006-08-23 20:18:11
122.   JeremyM
I love these kinds of games, especially after a series against Boston.
2006-08-23 20:19:01
123.   Schteeve
Whenever I play video game baseball and the Yankees hit the opposition like the opposition was a JUGGS machine, I'm like, "this is so unrealistic." The last week makes me think maybe it isnt.

DAMN.

2006-08-23 20:19:29
124.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
Matsui hitting off a tee now, mid-September return perhaps ?
2006-08-23 20:19:38
125.   singledd
Juan Gone-from-the-Yankees drives in 2. 5-3 Sox.
2006-08-23 20:20:02
126.   pistolpete
Juan Rivera singles in two runs, 5-3 Boston
2006-08-23 20:20:19
127.   BklynBmr
114 It worked for 60+ years until the marketing suits got their hands on the game.

The 5 game ALDS is akin to the old NBA 'best of three' in opening rounds. No deep thinking there, either...

2006-08-23 20:21:09
128.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
Juan Rivera: Sawx Killah. Make that Wicked Sawx Killah.
2006-08-23 20:21:25
129.   seamus
125 good. maybe they can tee off on boston's bullpen soon!
2006-08-23 20:22:22
130.   Alvaro Espinoza
91 Randy Velarde??? Meh...
2006-08-23 20:22:25
131.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
this game is soooooo relaxing after this weekend...
2006-08-23 20:22:34
132.   tocho
you would think Sciosa does his homework and knows that lester is not good v. left-handers. He is sitting Garret Anderson and Kennedy...
2006-08-23 20:23:37
133.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
129 Lester on 63 pitches thru 3. Yep, that fearsome Sawx relief corps will be getting some more work in tonight.
2006-08-23 20:24:13
134.   monkeypants
114 In MLB you have 162 games to prove yourself. If you come up a game short after a long season, you can't really blame luck. What happens if you win 115 games in the regular seasn but get knocked out in the LDS by some seriously bad luck?

I see no problem shortening the season by a couple of games so the LDS can be moved to 7 games. You could have something like 4 x 18 division games (72), 15 interleague games, 7 x 10 league games (70) = 157 game season.

2006-08-23 20:29:07
135.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
Proctor, Villone, Mo hopefully get a night off....

Let Dotel get some work....

2006-08-23 20:29:09
136.   singledd
Remember that the ALCS used to be 5 games... then changed to 7. Shorten the season by 4 games and add 2 games to the ALDS. With Interleague play and an unbalanced schedule, the exact number of regular season games is not mathimatically important.
2006-08-23 20:29:16
137.   monkeypants
If this game keeps up as is, will we have a rare Bruney sighting? A complete inning by Dotel? Or Ron Villone?
2006-08-23 20:29:33
138.   tocho
135 CG
2006-08-23 20:30:13
139.   tocho
Manny out of the game in Anaheim
2006-08-23 20:30:24
140.   Alvaro Espinoza
Totally off topic: Listening to my Yahoo Launchcast while watching game (Launchcast is basically your own personalized radio station). A new song from Bob Seger came on. I know the guy is still alive but I can't help thinking that there's somethig absolutely "Tupacian" about that. Anyway, back to the game...
2006-08-23 20:30:30
141.   yankz
137 Villone and Proctor are my guesses, with an inning from Jaret Wright.
2006-08-23 20:30:31
142.   singledd
Proctor is complaining that he is not getting enough work.
2006-08-23 20:30:31
143.   pistolpete
137 I say Dotel. Get Wang 7 innings if the score remains the same and let Octavio & Bruney finish it.
2006-08-23 20:31:02
144.   BklynBmr
138 CG/SO
2006-08-23 20:31:47
145.   Sliced Bread
Thanks to all who enjoyed the train- through-the Mariners dugout idea.

Cheaper alternative, which would accomplish my goal, would be for the Yanks to re-sign Denny Neagle only to subject the visiting Mariners to his excruciatingly annoying train whistle impersonation. Remember that? I wanted to punch him in the head the day he became a Yankee.

2006-08-23 20:32:02
146.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
138

he does not need to throw a CG, he is in unchartered territory innings wise and was looking tired the last few starts....just get him the win and get Dotel or someone else some work

2006-08-23 20:32:02
147.   pistolpete
144 You're not concerned with putting more pitches than necessary on Wang's arm? 7 is plenty - get that Dotel guy some work!
2006-08-23 20:33:26
148.   monkeypants
Is this Mariners catcher using a wood board for a catcher's mitt? About every other pitch is rolling away.
2006-08-23 20:33:39
149.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
145

Neagle did he not wind up in Colorado cruising for crack whores and getting busted or am I confusing him with another Rockie ?

2006-08-23 20:34:26
150.   BklynBmr
145 I wanted to split his head open from his second Yankee start until the day he was banished...
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2006-08-23 20:36:37
151.   Sliced Bread
149 Yep, that was him.

Oh well, Damon's back below .300 again. I can see how the Red Sox mistook Coco for him... NOT!

2006-08-23 20:37:42
152.   Stormer Sports
Horse shit call on Figgins for strike 3.
2006-08-23 20:37:47
153.   singledd
Lester w/80 pitches through 4.
2006-08-23 20:39:25
154.   BklynBmr
146 What if he throws 7 pitch innings the rest of the way? Would that be OK? Get the win? Sh*t, take him out now, then. He's at 57 pitches.
2006-08-23 20:41:07
155.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
if he throws 7 pitch innings let him start tommorow as well...
2006-08-23 20:41:20
156.   pistolpete
154 So then take him out after 100 pitches. If we're having blowout games like this against mediocre teams, I would do that with every starter.
2006-08-23 20:43:37
157.   Alvaro Espinoza
August can't end soon enough for the Cap'n.
2006-08-23 20:46:18
158.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
why would you not take it easy on your starters in a blowout ?....that is what the bottom of the pen is for...Bruney, etc...
2006-08-23 20:47:34
159.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
Escobar seems to be getting stronger as the game goes on. K's Senor Elevex to end the top of the 5th.
2006-08-23 20:48:59
160.   tocho
157 I think his performance in THE SWEEP can make him value this August.
2006-08-23 20:49:46
161.   Paul in Boston
Watching Abreu and Giambi walk back-to-back, both on full counts, is a beautiful thing ...
2006-08-23 20:50:19
162.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
looking forward to the Tigers coming into the stadium for a lesson in a few weeks...hopefully we can relieve them of their best record in the AL by that point..
2006-08-23 20:51:38
163.   Travis
Jon Lester is brutal. 2 on, 0 outs. Julian Tavarez is warming.
2006-08-23 20:51:57
164.   singledd
First 2 Angels reach base. Smoke coming from the Sox PB.
2006-08-23 20:52:22
165.   nyyfan22
What about Pajinski? He's only batting .027 for the entire season.

I love that commerical.

2006-08-23 20:52:30
166.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
Lester vs. Vlad 2 on 0 out
2006-08-23 20:52:42
167.   Benjamin Kabak
Wow. The Royals scored 10 runs in the first inning and, uh, now it's tied at 13 in the 10th. That team is really bad.
2006-08-23 20:53:23
168.   yankz
4 K for Wang. Sweet.
2006-08-23 20:53:35
169.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
Lester looks like he should be working on his pitching merit badge in Troop 30622
2006-08-23 20:54:07
170.   Sliced Bread
161 Amen.
162 Amen.
163 Sweet!
2006-08-23 20:54:14
171.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
Overheard (read?) at SofSH:

"connection b/n mussina's sore groin and arod's sore throat?"

C'mon Vlad, make these beetches weep.

2006-08-23 20:54:31
172.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
Vlad was A Rod-esque in his DP
2006-08-23 20:55:33
173.   singledd
Lester gets out of it.
2006-08-23 20:56:48
174.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
Dammit. I can't believe Lester got out of that.
2006-08-23 20:57:40
175.   yankz
171 The homosexuality jokes are my favorite, because I don't think anything makes Sox fans seem more insecure. I've posted this before, but:

http://tinyurl.com/628ns

And I believe Arod's wife posted for SI.

2006-08-23 20:57:44
176.   Kirribilli Yankee Fan
M's have had a whole lot of HOF and near HOF talent roll through there with shit to show for it

A Rod, Junior, RJ, Gonzalez, etc....

2006-08-23 20:57:54
177.   BklynBmr
A-Rod does not even have to be on the scene to get sh*t on.
2006-08-23 20:58:16
178.   singledd
Wang can do no rong.
2006-08-23 21:01:27
179.   Travis
176 Gonzalez? You mean Edgar Ramirez?
2006-08-23 21:01:42
180.   yankz
Who needs Arod!
2006-08-23 21:01:49
181.   Travis
179 That should, of course, be Edgar Martinez.
2006-08-23 21:02:11
182.   monkeypants
Hmm...Nick Green suddenly figures out what that funny shaped broom stick is for...
2006-08-23 21:02:30
183.   Sliced Bread
171 That might be funny if it wasn't written by a jealous homophobic midget who wished both of them were on his team.
F the Sons of Sam, and their opinions which are of no consequence. F their soon to be 3rd place team.
2006-08-23 21:03:12
184.   randym77
I say we move Nick up in the order. Those slackers Wilson and Cabrera are cramping his style. ;-)
2006-08-23 21:03:20
185.   mickey1956
After 6 innings. Mariners pitchers had thrown 139 pitches Wang 69. Wang 69 that sounds dirty.
2006-08-23 21:03:34
186.   Alvaro Espinoza
Life could be worse, like being a Royals' fan. They blew a 10-1 lead tonight.
2006-08-23 21:04:51
187.   Alvaro Espinoza
Oh... and a 4 run lead in the 9th. Good grief...
2006-08-23 21:05:36
188.   JeremyM
175 That Jeter article is funny. But I can't look at Jeter in street clothes without thinking of "a muppet crossed with the Rock."
2006-08-23 21:08:25
189.   Travis
Julian Tavarez in for the Sox.
2006-08-23 21:09:50
190.   BklynBmr
189 Game. Set. Match.
2006-08-23 21:10:19
191.   Alvaro Espinoza
189 Lead-off single for ANA.

Bwahahahahahahahaha....

2006-08-23 21:10:24
192.   Sliced Bread
189 If the Angels can't rally against that slug, the Yanks can rely on me for a few late innings this weekend.
2006-08-23 21:12:07
193.   BklynBmr
O-U-T!
2006-08-23 21:12:07
194.   Benjamin Kabak
Uh, Hello, umpire? That wasn't even CLOSE.
2006-08-23 21:12:46
195.   JeremyM
I'm very proud that nobody made a joke about Green even replacing A-Rod's throwing errors...oh wait...
2006-08-23 21:12:51
196.   monkeypants
Ump misses call. Hopefully Wang doesn't melt down and Torre doesn't panic.
2006-08-23 21:13:19
197.   Sliced Bread
The call at first was made in Bristol, CT.
Whatever.
2006-08-23 21:13:33
198.   mickey1956
They scored. Better get Proctor up.
2006-08-23 21:14:37
199.   BklynBmr
195 You had to do it, didn't you ;-)
2006-08-23 21:14:47
200.   Benjamin Kabak
Okay. Now I'm really pissed about that call. WTF, first base ump?
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2006-08-23 21:15:21
201.   yankz
I love big leads
2006-08-23 21:15:37
202.   Sliced Bread
Coco would have had that. Cashman knows it. We all know it. Let's start speaking the truth around here, damnit.
2006-08-23 21:16:08
203.   monkeypants
Meyers and...Proctor warming. Sigh.
2006-08-23 21:16:47
204.   tocho
proctor... wow
2006-08-23 21:16:56
205.   Benjamin Kabak
Do-tel. Clap clap. Do-tel. Clap clap.
2006-08-23 21:17:24
206.   yankz
Only 90 pitches, but I still want Dotel.
2006-08-23 21:17:28
207.   BklynBmr
200 That was horsesh*t from every angle I've seen... 2 bogus runs, there...
2006-08-23 21:17:32
208.   tocho
bases loaded for the angels, 1 out
2006-08-23 21:17:38
209.   JeremyM
Bases juiced, one out in Los Angeles of Anaheim or somewhere thereabouts.
2006-08-23 21:17:53
210.   Travis
Bases loaded, 1 out for Chone Figgins.
2006-08-23 21:17:59
211.   monkeypants
Yanks need to score six runs here, and Proctor needs to hide or disguise himself as a security guard or something.
2006-08-23 21:18:02
212.   mickey1956
Dotel then Bruney. Let Proctor go back to the hotel.
2006-08-23 21:20:33
213.   Zack
Joe wants to bring in Proctor so bad. Its scary. I really hope Proctor has some insurance out on that arm, cause he's gonna need it. This seems like a perfect game to get Dotel some work, and Bruney...
2006-08-23 21:20:56
214.   Travis
Close call on a DP ball, but Figgins beat the throw to first. Tavarez is really pissed.
2006-08-23 21:21:08
215.   JeremyM
No kidding, Proctor has no business warming. Figgins would've hit a 5-run homer in that spot if that was against the Yanks.
2006-08-23 21:21:11
216.   Zack
How come Figgins only grounds into a FC scoring 1 run against the Sox? Against us, that is somehow a triple...
2006-08-23 21:22:24
217.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
Philly fans didn't like this guy? What a bunch of jaggoffs.
2006-08-23 21:22:38
218.   Sliced Bread
Aaabraaaaaayouuu. Smooth.
2006-08-23 21:23:35
219.   Travis
Izturis flies out. Still 5-4, but 3 innings to go.

Oh, and Manny left the game after 2 AB. I'm not sure why.

2006-08-23 21:24:51
220.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
219 bad hammy.

With Manny out, the state of the Sawx bullpen, and the strength of the Halo's pen, it'd be a minor miracle if the Sawx held on to win this one.

2006-08-23 21:24:51
221.   monkeypants
The rarely seen Yankees sac fly!
2006-08-23 21:25:03
222.   Zack
ESPN said manny had a knee issue, unrealted to the hammy...
2006-08-23 21:25:48
223.   Zack
Of course, in New England, Manny is just doing it to spite each and every one of them...
2006-08-23 21:26:30
224.   rilkefan
217 - a lot of Yankees fans don't like A-Rod. Gegen die Dummheit kaempfen Goetter selbt vergebens.
2006-08-23 21:27:10
225.   monkeypants
Torre should PR for Giambi here, since he won't bat again.
2006-08-23 21:27:18
226.   tocho
i switched over to the angels game and obviously wanted them to score, BUT, its really difficult to root for them with those idiot announcers.

Its like having cheerleaders at the booth talking about Chone and Maicer like they were Ruth and DiMaggio.

2006-08-23 21:27:29
227.   Sliced Bread
This Cano is working out okay, no?
2006-08-23 21:27:45
228.   rilkefan
Selbst.

Against stupdity the gods themselves contend in vain.

2006-08-23 21:27:49
229.   BklynBmr
Exactamundo as to what we're supposed to be doing to .456 teams right about now... Pad those stats, Yanks!
2006-08-23 21:29:32
230.   redking
Uh, that was weird. Did Mike Hargrove bet on the over 9 total runs for the game?
2006-08-23 21:30:25
231.   Sliced Bread
224 A stunningly beautiful 6 foot blonde whispered that in my ear in a beer garden once. I didn't know she was talking about A-Rod.
2006-08-23 21:31:13
232.   BklynBmr
'The Stick' got ganked! That was two inches off the ground...
2006-08-23 21:33:36
233.   LI yankee
Is situational pitching really necessary here with Myers and a 7 run lead?
2006-08-23 21:33:46
234.   tocho
wang out, myers in.

i like this.

please no villone, proctor, farnsworth or mo.

2006-08-23 21:34:07
235.   BklynBmr
I've never seen Ichiro thrown out by that much! Go, Jorgie!
2006-08-23 21:34:16
236.   monkeypants
Great play by Posada. Or, homeplate umpire late for dinner reservations, especially afyer that on Green.
2006-08-23 21:34:33
237.   wsporter
223 Well ... isn't he?
2006-08-23 21:34:35
238.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
And Wilson k's on 3 pitches.

And Aaron Guiel shakes his head.

2006-08-23 21:35:19
239.   singledd
History is made. The most Ichiro has ever been thrown out by..... WHAT???
2006-08-23 21:35:32
240.   Alvaro Espinoza
How can the 3rd base ump 100 feet away have a better view than the guy 3 feet away??? Awful umpiring.
2006-08-23 21:35:35
241.   monkeypants
233 I assume Meyers is in for the whole inning unless he gets shelled.
2006-08-23 21:36:11
242.   redking
Wang is king, mofos. Seven solid, 5 K's, Ichiro with an oh-fer and got fanned, suck it!
2006-08-23 21:37:00
243.   BklynBmr
What? Oh, well, that was close. Looked like Jorgie snagged it in fair terrority... but I'll take a K on Ichiro anyday ;-)
2006-08-23 21:37:01
244.   Sliced Bread
233 Well, it seems Joe has plans to deploy Myers against Ripkin Jr's record as some sort of twisted Yankee revenge for breaking Gehrig's record. Orders are probably coming from Steinbrenner. Going to see a lot of Myers then, eh?
2006-08-23 21:37:02
245.   Travis
Mike Timlin gives up a leadoff double, but gets Vlad to ground out. Man on 2nd, 1 out.
2006-08-23 21:40:48
246.   David
244 I recall an article when Myers was signed. It said Myers likes to pitch every day, and he was seriously hoping to set a record for most appearances, that being the only record a LOOGY could possibly set.
2006-08-23 21:42:34
247.   BklynBmr
First and second, 1 out Halos, bottom 7...
2006-08-23 21:42:41
248.   Sliced Bread
246 My lame jokes aside, Myers will work every day, I've heard him say so in interviews. He's a horse, and the Sox are asses for letting us get him.
2006-08-23 21:42:43
249.   monkeypants
Dotel or Bruney for the 9th?
2006-08-23 21:43:48
250.   Sliced Bread
249 I say it's time for Joe to let Dotel start earning his trust. Last night would have been nice (the 9th), but now's as good a time as any.
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2006-08-23 21:43:51
251.   Travis
Robbbbbbbbbbbb Quinlan singles, bases loaded, 1 out.
2006-08-23 21:44:27
252.   BklynBmr
Bags loaded, Halos. 1 out, bottom 7... Salmon up...
2006-08-23 21:45:03
253.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
How does Quinlan single to "deep right" and yet O-Cab not score from friggin 2nd?
2006-08-23 21:46:19
254.   Travis
253 A good right fielder would have caught it. The runner on 2nd had to hold until it dropped.

Salmon K's looking. 2 outs.

2006-08-23 21:46:56
255.   Sliced Bread
252 Salmon, how many incarnations of the Angels name has he been around for?
Anaheim?
California?
Los Angeles of...
and probably a few more we don't know about.
2006-08-23 21:47:07
256.   Travis
Kendrick swings weakly at the first pitch, taps weakly back to the mound.

The Angels are stranding tons of runners tonight.

2006-08-23 21:47:14
257.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
And . . . Ghost of Salmon strikes out and Kendrick pops out on the 1st pitch. How are the Sawx still ahead?
2006-08-23 21:47:38
258.   BklynBmr
Halos blew that one... No prob, it's 'early'...
2006-08-23 21:47:48
259.   LI yankee
So Papelbitch for 2 innings?
2006-08-23 21:48:47
260.   marc
Man is that Angels game frustrating
2006-08-23 21:49:33
261.   Travis
Team LOB: Red Sox 1, Angels 10 (plus Vlad got thrown out trying to steal 3rd to end an inning). That sounds like a Yankee game from 2 weeks ago.
2006-08-23 21:49:52
262.   Sliced Bread
Heh. Salmon was probably around when they were the Anaheim Cherubs.

Alright, enough Chianti for me. Alarm goes off in 4 hours.

2006-08-23 21:52:11
263.   BklynBmr
Question: What will we do with ourselves when the scoreboard watchin' stops? I dunno myself, but hoping to find out real soon...
2006-08-23 21:53:16
264.   Travis
Another quick inning for Escobar.

263 I hope we're rooting for Detroit to lose, like you've been for a while.

2006-08-23 21:53:37
265.   LI yankee
263 Well it could still be relevant to playoff matchups
2006-08-23 21:55:09
266.   yankz
Did Sexson's out go as far as it looks like it did on Gameday?
2006-08-23 21:55:17
267.   marc
I don't know but I should force myself to follow only 2 things at a time. I got Sterling's feed on, listening to Angels on XM and flipping back and forth on gameday.
2006-08-23 21:55:32
268.   Alvaro Espinoza
266 Sure did.
2006-08-23 21:58:56
269.   singledd
They were the Los Angeles Angels BEFORE they were the California Angels
2006-08-23 21:59:09
270.   BklynBmr
264 Thanks for reminding me ;-) The weekend has not worn off yet...

Did I hear something about the remaining schedule wrong or do we have 6 left with the Tigers? I thought it was only 3 in The Bronx...

2006-08-23 22:00:26
271.   yankz
Hooray, and good night.
2006-08-23 22:00:41
272.   monkeypants
Ahhh. A nearly perfect game all around.
2006-08-23 22:01:07
273.   Sliced Bread
Boston's Tragic Number is reduced. Nighty night.
2006-08-23 22:01:13
274.   BklynBmr
Wow! Wang 15-5! What were the pre-season odds on that?
2006-08-23 22:02:11
275.   Travis
Figgins on 3rd, 2 outs, Cabrera up, Papelbon coming in.

270 Only 3 games left with the Tigers, August 29-31 at the Stadium.

2006-08-23 22:02:45
276.   Sliced Bread
15-5 that's crazy talk. Wow.
2006-08-23 22:02:48
277.   Sliced Bread
15-5 that's crazy talk. Wow.
2006-08-23 22:03:32
278.   LI yankee
Come on Cabrera, give Papelbitch BS #7
2006-08-23 22:04:37
279.   BklynBmr
275 Thanks, Travis...
2006-08-23 22:08:25
280.   Travis
Cabrera K's. 11 LOB in 8 innings, including 7 in scoring position.
2006-08-23 22:17:12
281.   joejoejoe
Abreu is putting up a monster season. Including his PHI stats he's on pace for...

157 G .302/.443/.461 101 R, 100 RBI, 35 SB, 6 CS

I know these "on pace" comparisons are bogus but seeing how Abreu is hitting .398/.509/.568 in pinstripes I figured it's worth sharing.

2006-08-23 22:17:14
282.   BklynBmr
OK. This is the first and last time* I'm sayin' this all season:

Here we go, Hay-lows, here we go!

* Well, maybe tomorrow night, too ;-)

2006-08-23 22:22:43
283.   BklynBmr
Nice discipline, Juan...
2006-08-23 22:27:02
284.   BklynBmr
Pffft... Thanks for nothing, Halos. No matter, though. It's ours to lose...
2006-08-23 23:01:08
285.   Zack
Well, if anything, tonight's line of 5K, 0BB should help the Wanger's ratio, especially after the last two games. DO you think the Yanks would, once Sept. 1st rolls around, put Wang on a 5 inning limitation? They should, obviously depending on the need...
2006-08-24 05:45:26
286.   KJC
269 "They were the Los Angeles Angels BEFORE they were the California Angels"

But weren't they actually in Los Angeles at the time?

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