Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
The first three men the Yankee sent to the plate all scored. They were the only Yankees to do so. The penultimate man the Astros sent to the plate scored to end the game.
Lineup:
L - Johnny Damon (CF)
S - Melky Cabrera (LF)
L - Robinson Cano (2B)
R - Alex Rodriguez (3B)
L - Bronson Sardinha (RF)
R - Todd Pratt (C)
L - Doug Mientkiewicz (1B)
R - Miguel Cairo (SS)
R - Chien-Ming Wang (P)
Pitchers: Chien-Ming Wang, Luis Vizcaino, Ron Villone, Colter Bean, Ben Kozlowski
Subs: Andy Phillips (1B), Angel Chavez (2B), Eduardo Nuñez (SS), Chris Basak (3B), Ben Davis (C), Kevin Reese (PR/CF), Kevin Thompson (PR/LF)
Opposition: The Astros starters
Big Hits: A three-run first-inning home run by Robinson Cano (1 for 3). Miguel Cairo was 2 for 3.
Who Pitched Well?: Chien-Ming Wang allowed just one run on four hits while striking out three and walking none in five innings. Ten of his remaining twelve outs came on the ground and he threw 75 percent of his 61 pitches for strikes. Colter Bean pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out two. Luis Vizcaino pitched around a walk while striking out two in a hitless, scoreless sixth inning.
Who Didn't?: Ron Villone blew the lead in the seventh by surrendering solo homers to Morgan Ensberg (that'll happen) and Adam Everett (that won't). Ben Kozlowski then lost the game by giving up doubles in the bottom of the ninth to the only two batters he faced in the game.
Ouchies: Bobby Abreu took 55 swings against batting practice pitching. The Yankees hope Abreu will be able to play on Thursday against the Reds, the day after the lone off-day in the spring schedule.
Battles: Todd Pratt went 0 for 3. Ben Davis made out in his only at-bat, but did throw out Chris Burke attempting to steal second. Andy Phillips struck out in his only at-bat.
Notes: With Andy Pettitte and Carl Pavano scheduled to be the only Yankee pitchers to see action in today's game, throwing five and four innings respectively, Darrell Rasner will throw in a triple-A game today while Scott Proctor and Chris Britton will also pitch in minor league games. Eduardo Nuñez, who subbed in at shortstop in yesterday's game, is a 19-year-old shortstop who didn't hit a lick in his full-season debut in 2006 after being invited to Yankee camp last spring on the strength of a mildly impressive short-season pro debut with Staten Island in 2005.
Finally, Andy Phillips' mom has been released from the hospital.
Minky now 1 for 23.
Is it wrong to root for things like this? I mean the games don't mean anything. And he'll get his 1.5 million whether he plays or gets cut. Unfortuntely, I think that also means he makes the team regardless. Hopefully it just makes his leash a bit shorter and has Cashman working the lines a bit earlier.
I mean do we have to suffer through the whole month of April and into May (a la Womack at 2B - though that was a two year contract) before they start making changes? Hopefully, for now, Phelps continues to shine in limited playing time. A nice season start against Kazmir couldn't hurt either.
The problem with ST is that a guy can play well now, but stink up during the season; or stink up now but do well during the season. We'd have to suffer through a couple of months of a stinky Minky before he gets the boot.
Enjoy some corned Pavano and cabbage.
I haven't been to McSorley's in years, but I remember there was a sign on the wall warning patrons "Be Good Or Be Gone." Same goes in Yankeeland. Unfortunately, Doug Out is gonna be bad for a while before he be gone. Woof.
Corned Carl Brisket, Cabbage and Potatoes somehow just leaves me hungry for something else.
5 There's always Irish Carl Bread and Shephard's Pav...
It's easier to make a roster with everyday players that are OF/1B (Lance Berkman, Darin Erstad). Get Damon and Matsui a mitt and give 'em a chance at first. It makes the lineup possibilities A LOT better.
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