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Everything's Comin' Up Roses
2007-05-10 08:59
by Cliff Corcoran

The Yankees wrap up their season series with the Rangers this afternoon on another gorgeous day in the Bronx. The Yanks have taken the first five games and Chien-Ming Wang will be on the mound in his first start since his near-perfect game looking to give the Yankees a six-game sweep. The Rangers, meanwhile, send out Brandon McCarthy, who's been a disaster in three of his last five starts, allowing at least five runs while getting knocked out before the fourth inning.

Things have turned around dramatically for the Yanks in the past week. Wil Nieves finally got his first Yankee hit last night after three years of trying (bringing his career OPS+ up to -6). Andy Pettitte got his second win of the season on Tuesday after seeing the bullpen blow three others in his previous four starts. Doug Mientkiewicz has raised his batting average 94 points over the last ten games, batting .407/.433/.741 over that span.

Of course the big news is the performance of the starting rotation, which finally has its intended Big Three of Wang, Pettitte, and Mussina active at the same time. Removing only the stink bomb laid last Friday by the since-demoted Kei Igawa, here's how that Big Three plus rookies Phil Hughes, Darrell Rasner, and Matt DeSalvo have performed over their past eight games:

51 IP, 27 H, 8 R, 2 HR, 14 BB, 28 K, 1.41 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 6-0

The only games over that stretch in which the starter did not earn the win (again excepting Igawa's stinker) were the win Luis Vizcaino vultured from Pettitte in Texas and that ugly 3-2 loss to the Mariners on Monday night after DeSalvo's gem. The best stat of all from this run: 6 1/3 innings pitched per start.

Incidentally, here's the bullpen over those eight games:

21 IP, 18 H, 6 R, 3 HR, 6 BB, 13 K, 2.57 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 1-1

Of course, they've blown as many saves as they've converted (including one of each type in that Pettitte/Vizcaino game in Texas), but then one of those blown saves came on that blown stolen base call on Monday. If Bloomquist is called out, there's a good chance that Rivera records the save with Beltre standing in the on-deck circle. More encouraging than that, however, is the fact that, with the Yankees on an 8-3 run with the returns of Clemens and Hughes on the horizon, one needn't cling to those kind of what-ifs.

Comments (197)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-05-10 09:55:11
1.   ChrisS
Speaking of the return of Clemens and Hughes:

http://tinyurl.com/36v8yb

"'Hughes is fine,' Joe Torre said. 'He'll have a rehab start, probably.'

But Torre was not specific about a timetable for Hughes's return.

Roger Clemens and Hughes will soon be in Tampa together to work out at the team's training complex and spring headquarters"

2007-05-10 10:12:21
2.   Shaun P
Not sure if anyone's pointed to this yet or not (haven't read any of the earlier threads), but Dan Fox has a fascinating free look at Hughes's no-hitter-that-wasn't over at BP:

http://tinyurl.com/2jvhup

2007-05-10 10:14:46
3.   RIYank
I'll be unhappy if Texas scores without a hit.
2007-05-10 10:15:56
4.   RIYank
Ah. Not likely now!
2007-05-10 10:17:15
5.   RIYank
Yet, for some reason, I'm still unhappy.
2007-05-10 10:22:05
6.   RIYank
Kinsler makes the Wanger work.

Where is everybody?

2007-05-10 10:22:57
7.   Comrade Al
Now, runs, please!
2007-05-10 10:23:11
8.   Shaun P
6 I'm here, but I'm trying to analyze a patent application, so I'm not really here.

Wow, K for Tiger Wang - good way to end the inning!

2007-05-10 10:25:56
9.   RIYank
8 Eight pitches, all strikes!
2007-05-10 10:26:20
10.   Javi Javi
I'm pretending to work. Can't watch on mlb.tv, so limited to the sterling and waldman review.
Hopefully Wang gets it together for the rest of the day.
2007-05-10 10:26:57
11.   rbj
I'm over here. At work, so it's only gamechannel for me.
2007-05-10 10:28:28
12.   RIYank
I'm Gamedaying, too.
2007-05-10 10:31:05
13.   Shaun P
Gameday for me as well.

The pitch locations suggest that Jeter and Abreu should have creamed the balls they flew out on. Anyone watching on TV - bad swings maybe?

2007-05-10 10:32:17
14.   Shaun P
Two Ks in a row for Wang - wow!
2007-05-10 10:32:37
15.   RIYank
Yeah, I was wondering about that. But (a) Gameday isn't very reliable with the locations, and (b) I don't think anyone here is watching!
2007-05-10 10:33:26
16.   Bama Yankee
I'm here. Also at work, but it's a slow day... we can't get any work done until we get that patent application back 8. ;-) Just kidding, Shaun.
2007-05-10 10:35:41
17.   Sliced Bread
Hey, all. I'm watching at work, but work keeps intruding.

13 Abreu ripped a line drive, Shaun, but wuz robbed by a sweet diving catch.

Didn't see Jeter's.

2007-05-10 10:36:05
18.   Shaun P
16 Bama, if you really want it, its all yours - you might get tired of reading it after page 8 of 80, though.

Not that I'm speaking from personal experience or anything. ;)

2007-05-10 10:36:17
19.   RIYank
That's more like the C-M W we love.
2007-05-10 10:37:10
20.   Shaun P
17 Thanks, Sliced! From the Gameday view at least, Abreu looked like he did alright. Maybe the slump is finally coming to an end.
2007-05-10 10:40:45
21.   Jim Dean
2 That was great. Thanks!
2007-05-10 10:42:22
22.   pistolpete
Of course McCarthy will pitch his first decent game of the season today... :-P
2007-05-10 10:43:19
23.   Sliced Bread
20 Abreu looks to be coming around. After he lined out, YES showed him in the dugout giving A-Rod a scouting report on McCarthy's delivery.

A-Rod was ready for the pitch he popped out on, but just missed it.

There we go Po! Batting lefty, drives one into the gap in left center for a double.
Let's go Cano!

2007-05-10 10:43:41
24.   Bama Yankee
18 It could be worse, you could be reviewing a patent for something like this:

http://www.totallyabsurd.com/toiletsnorkel.htm

2007-05-10 10:43:49
25.   Jim Dean
Please God let Jorge stay healthy all year.

Peace and Love -

Jim

2007-05-10 10:44:44
26.   Sliced Bread
nertz
2007-05-10 10:46:45
27.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
2 money quote at the end:

"While you can detect a slight downward trend as the game wore on, the difference between the first inning amounts to less than two-tenths of a mile per hour in destination velocity from the first to the seventh inning."

Yeah, Hugh's arm just wasn't strong enough for the bigs. Gotta build that arm strength in AAA.
/sarcasm

2007-05-10 10:50:47
28.   RIYank
Rrg. Too many balls hit in the air.
2007-05-10 10:51:26
29.   RIYank
This would be a good moment for the death of a worm.
2007-05-10 10:51:55
30.   rbj
Hmm, Wang not have his good stuff today?
2007-05-10 10:53:38
31.   RIYank
Just what the doctor ordered!
2007-05-10 10:54:02
32.   Javi Javi
die little worm.
2007-05-10 10:56:47
33.   Shaun P
32 Dr. Worm Killer?

21 You're welcome! The only thing I wonder about is RIYank's comment in 15 about Gameday's location reliability. How accurate is it, I wonder? How would MLBAM test it?

Because, of course, if Gameday's accuracy is off, then any studies based on its data may also be off.

2007-05-10 10:58:04
34.   Sliced Bread
33 By my calculations, Gameday is 15 feet closer to reality than John Sterling.

Melkman!!!

2007-05-10 10:58:11
35.   claybeez
Melky! Yeah!
2007-05-10 10:58:34
36.   Shaun P
MELKY!
2007-05-10 10:58:43
37.   3rd gen yankee fan
Buh-bye! Melky's first HR!
2007-05-10 10:58:46
38.   RIYank
Holy Smokes.
2007-05-10 10:59:04
39.   Javi Javi
Nice!!! Sterling left me hanging for about 10 seconds--"it is high, it is far it is. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .gone!"
2007-05-10 10:59:23
40.   rbj
Yay, Melky!
2007-05-10 10:59:27
41.   Shaun P
34 Another Sliced classic. ;)

I was worried about an URP (though McCarthy isn't really unknown, or a rookie) - but I'm less worried now.

2007-05-10 11:01:11
42.   Jim Dean
Melky in May - .953 OPS

Waldman: Last homerun also off McCarthy in August of last year.

2007-05-10 11:01:54
43.   pistolpete
So what's wrong with Damon? Anyone put their finger on it?
2007-05-10 11:01:55
44.   claybeez
39 Lofton seemed to be positioning himself like he might have a chance to snag it. It was one of those that seemed gone off the bat and then you just weren't sure.
2007-05-10 11:03:49
45.   AbbyNormal821
YOOHOOO! I'm here too - I'm not watching game day at work because 1) fucking customers keep calling me! and 2) it's more fun reading the commentary from all of you!
:-)
2007-05-10 11:06:20
46.   Sliced Bread
Dougie Defense! with the leaping grab to his left.
2007-05-10 11:07:41
47.   pistolpete
46 Somewhere Don Mattingly is smiling.

Oh wait, he's right there in the dugout.

2007-05-10 11:08:47
48.   RIYank
Hm. Even innings good, odd innings bad.
2007-05-10 11:08:59
49.   rbj
Looks like Worm Killer is back on track.
2007-05-10 11:10:52
50.   Zack
Wow, only 50 posts so far? WOnder if we can even hit 100 today! I guess we have all day though since its an early start
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-05-10 11:12:56
51.   RIYank
This inning smells good.
2007-05-10 11:15:42
52.   Zack
2 That article made my brain hurt...
2007-05-10 11:18:34
53.   Shaun P
52 You're in California, right Zach? Not awake yet? ;)

He struck out, but I'm glad A-Rod fouled so many pitches off. He must be seeing the ball well.

2007-05-10 11:22:02
54.   RIYank
Damn, a rally damped by a caught stealing. Hate that.
2007-05-10 11:22:02
55.   Shaun P
Sigh. Was Jeter's CS close or what? They knew he was going, it seemed, with all the pickoff attempts McCarthy made.
2007-05-10 11:22:33
56.   Sliced Bread
questionable call on the Jeter lo-jack.
YES replays reveal he beat the tag, even though the ball beat him.
2007-05-10 11:25:45
57.   Zack
53 Yeah, but it was more that I wasn't sure what I was supposed to make of all of it, mostly sthe stuff of release point at the end. Charts and diagrams aren't my thing, I am more of the Crayola picture type :)
2007-05-10 11:25:50
58.   Javi Javi
56 sigh. Second time in a week that a bad call on caught stealing costs us a run.
2007-05-10 11:26:29
59.   RIYank
I guess 2B umpires don't like the Yankees...
2007-05-10 11:27:35
60.   Zack
Yug, that was ugly.
2007-05-10 11:27:56
61.   Sliced Bread
ugh, gross.

It is high, it is far, it is over Abreu's head.

Laird stumbles and chugs to third.

2007-05-10 11:28:08
62.   claybeez
Abreu is so frustrating to watch in RF. Don't the commentators always say to get to the wall first and then come in? He's always moseying back.
2007-05-10 11:28:54
63.   Shaun P
59 Its not the same crew, right?

Someone I read the other day (don't remember where) that as more and more people get HDTVs, the calls for replay will skyrocket. Sounds good to me.

2007-05-10 11:29:30
64.   claybeez
A-Rod...oops. How about throwing the ball?
2007-05-10 11:29:33
65.   Zack
Oh jesus...
2007-05-10 11:29:59
66.   RIYank
Odd innings bad, even innings good.
2007-05-10 11:30:03
67.   rbj
What just happened?
2007-05-10 11:30:14
68.   Zack
Shameful. That should be an error on Arod, Wang doesn't deserve that...
2007-05-10 11:30:17
69.   pistolpete
Oh god, what happened...? Gametrax not caught up yet
2007-05-10 11:30:46
70.   RIYank
What did A-Rod do? All of us Gamedayers know only that it was a fielder's choice.
2007-05-10 11:30:51
71.   OldYanksFan
Bad play by Posada.
2007-05-10 11:30:57
72.   Zack
Perfect GB to Arod who throws home, laird stops and runs back, Posada throws it to Arod who is stupidly hanging out in between, then Arod tries to outrun him and fails..
2007-05-10 11:31:13
73.   Zack
Also shame on posada for not running him back to third
2007-05-10 11:31:32
74.   Sliced Bread
ugh, Yanks don't execute rundown. Laird scores.

As Kay notes, Posada didn't run Laird far enough back to third.

A-Rod probably should have thrown home rather than attempt the diving tag.

Poorly done.

Yanks not getting breaks here.

2007-05-10 11:31:32
75.   Shaun P
"Brad Wilkerson reaches on a fielder's choice fielded by 3B A-Rod. Laird scores. Wilkerson to 2nd."

WTF? He should have had Laird at home, but missed him, and so Wilkerson takes second?!?!

2007-05-10 11:32:08
76.   claybeez
Run down. Hight toss back to A-Rod after Posada runs Laird only a little way back to 3rd. He runs Laird towards home and tries to catch him, diving rather than just throwing to Wang who's standing in front of home. Bad play by Posada and A-Rod.
2007-05-10 11:32:08
77.   Shaun P
Crap.
2007-05-10 11:32:13
78.   RIYank
Gawd, another throwing mistake gets Teixera to second?
2007-05-10 11:32:23
79.   Zack
This is shaping up to be one of those games. Wang doing what he should (granted thre triple was hit hard, but Bobby should have/could have gotten it), the fielders screw it up, and the offense is dead cold
2007-05-10 11:32:29
80.   OldYanksFan
Blown rundown.
Posada only chased the runner i/2 way back to third before throwing the ball. ARod caught the ball. Wang was covering the plate. It seem ARod did NOT want to make Wang make the play, so he dove after the runner, but got the tag too late.
2007-05-10 11:32:46
81.   Shaun P
72 - 74 and 76 - thanks!

I think I should re-focus on that patent application.

2007-05-10 11:32:48
82.   rbj
And now uglier.
2007-05-10 11:33:17
83.   pistolpete
79 And I'm sure Sawx will demolish the Jays again tonight, so...
2007-05-10 11:33:17
84.   RIYank
Whoa. This is going south in a hurry.
2007-05-10 11:33:24
85.   Zack
And things fall apart
2007-05-10 11:34:08
86.   Sliced Bread
Wang's shellshocked. Guidry out to settle him down.

Gonna need the whuppin' sticks to get a win today. I think they'll crack McCarthy's two-digit combination lock soon enough.

2007-05-10 11:34:43
87.   OldYanksFan
Did that throw go to the cutoff man? Oops... no... just a 3 hopper, off line.
2007-05-10 11:35:21
88.   claybeez
I think when you're team's success is predicated on offensive firepower rather than balance defensive lapses are unfortunately to be expected. There are far better defensive RF and 3B than the Yanks have, but offense is what the organization demands.
2007-05-10 11:35:25
89.   Zack
If the Yanks lose this game, we've really hurt ourselves. 7-3 and all three loses are games we should have won. That kind of thing hurts.
2007-05-10 11:35:33
90.   Sliced Bread
Ah, hello, DP my old friend!
2007-05-10 11:36:12
91.   AbbyNormal821
86 "Guidry out to settle him down."

...and he's bringing the manicure kit with him.

;-)

2007-05-10 11:37:18
92.   RIYank
Wait, not all three losses! Not the Igawa whuppin'. Or did you mean to include that one?

We're still in this game, definitely. Wang could pitch a couple more good innings, and we could have one rally, drive McCarthy to the showers, and get a lousy righty reliever in the sites...

2007-05-10 11:37:56
93.   pistolpete
4 runs is not horrible - if that's a 'bad' game for Wang, the offense should be able to pick him up.
2007-05-10 11:38:02
94.   RIYank
92 was about 89.
2007-05-10 11:38:13
95.   claybeez
Abreu's defense really has me hoping that Melky continues to make steady improvement this season. Though I have a hard time believing that the team will go with a Matsui-Damon-Cabrera OF for lack of punch.
2007-05-10 11:39:37
96.   Zack
92 We SHOULD have won that game, we did have a 5-0 lead and scored like 11 runs.
2007-05-10 11:40:52
97.   RIYank
96 Uh, but our pitching sucked.
Okay, I was thinking of a different kind of "should have won", I guess.
2007-05-10 11:40:53
98.   claybeez
Anyone see Cano lately? This new 2B is a dead ringer everywhere but at the plate.
2007-05-10 11:43:45
99.   RIYank
98 You just forgot what he looks like in May.
2007-05-10 11:43:46
100.   claybeez
Melky gets one to drop in LF. Hustles for 2. I thought he was gunned. Called safe.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2007-05-10 11:44:07
101.   Zack
97 Right, our pitching sucked, but Torre could have not brought Bean in that game etc. I mean, heck, the game we lost to seattle you could say our offense sucked or Mo sucked. To me, if a team scores 11 runs and has a five-0 lead, it should be a W, and normally would be
2007-05-10 11:44:15
102.   RIYank
Uh.
We have to start getting baserunners for Melky.
2007-05-10 11:44:35
103.   Sliced Bread
Cano with the lazy fly to left.
Minky with the hacktastic K on the changeup.
Melky with the... dunk single to center, stretched into a double!
Living dangerously, Melkman, but we'll take it.

Let's go Damon!

2007-05-10 11:44:54
104.   claybeez
Kata slow to apply the tag. Risky play by Melky. His slides are ugly. Knock on wood he doesn't hurt himself.
2007-05-10 11:45:10
105.   Sliced Bread
peeyeww, Damon
2007-05-10 11:46:15
106.   rbj
So is this one of those charity games -- where you try and make Texas feel good about itself by not sweeping the season series?
2007-05-10 11:46:18
107.   RIYank
Yeesh.
Well, next inning is the big one. I bet McCarthy leaves as soon as we get a baserunner.
2007-05-10 11:52:09
108.   RIYank
He's throwing really well. I hope it's not too late.

Okay, here we go, this is the big inning.

2007-05-10 12:00:03
109.   rbj
At least get Jeter in, M'kay.
2007-05-10 12:01:08
110.   AbbyNormal821
Day games are meant for A-Rod walk-off home runs...we could use one of those today! (I know it's only the 6th inning...I like to plan ahead!
2007-05-10 12:01:52
111.   Sliced Bread
'Zilla time
2007-05-10 12:02:17
112.   RIYank
Good set-up for Godzilla...
2007-05-10 12:03:07
113.   RIYank
What-s happening -- is McCarthy gone?
2007-05-10 12:03:53
114.   Sliced Bread
113 Yes. Francisco coming in?
2007-05-10 12:05:17
115.   Sliced Bread
Francisco it is.

Let's go Ziller!

2007-05-10 12:06:01
116.   RIYank
Good. Though he's a good pitcher. Well, let's get two hits and get under his skin.
2007-05-10 12:07:20
117.   rbj
A nice, 3 run moon shot would work well here, Hideki-san.
2007-05-10 12:08:23
118.   claybeez
Pitch belt high down the middle and Mats pops it up.
2007-05-10 12:08:24
119.   Zack
One of those "harmless" and "useless" fly ball kind of days, eh?
2007-05-10 12:08:54
120.   claybeez
Ughhh.
2007-05-10 12:08:57
121.   Jim Dean
Olney has some good details in a new article (warning: the title makes no sense):

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2865760

Get past the disgusting in-text pimp of his book and it's decent ("These days, [Arod] is all-seeing, all-hitting, all-world. And in April, he almost single-handedly propped up the last vestiges of a Yankee dynasty that effectively ended on Nov. 4, 2001, the night Luis González looped a broken-bat single over Derek Jeter's head to win the World Series for the Arizona Diamondbacks.)

"On May 1, in his second big league appearance, Hughes walked Rangers leadoff man Kenny Lofton after starting him off with a couple of strikes. The kid called Posada out to the mound. "If I walk another hitter after starting out 0-2, punch me in the mouth," Hughes told the veteran catcher."

2007-05-10 12:09:14
122.   Zack
well that was a waste
2007-05-10 12:09:17
123.   RIYank
Argh. Two baserunners, starter driving from the hill, and nothin'.
2007-05-10 12:09:55
124.   Sliced Bread
ack, cough, wheeze...
sputter, fizzle, plop.

one of those games to this point.

2007-05-10 12:10:10
125.   pistolpete
121 Olney's obsessed with the end of the 'dynasty'...
2007-05-10 12:10:58
126.   rbj
Muffer-flugger.
2007-05-10 12:12:39
127.   Zack
Wang at 80 pitches. Torre should just let him pitch the whole game no matter...
2007-05-10 12:13:23
128.   RIYank
He should finish this inning. Then if we score, he could be on a short leash?
2007-05-10 12:15:18
129.   Zack
Man, the Rangers are killing us on the basebaths
2007-05-10 12:15:23
130.   RIYank
Yeah, this one's getting away. Damn, Wang isn't pitching a bad game, either.
2007-05-10 12:15:27
131.   Zack
er, basepaths...
2007-05-10 12:17:05
132.   Zack
Today's game shows how dependant on defense the Wanger can be...
2007-05-10 12:19:56
133.   RIYank
My optimism is running low...
2007-05-10 12:21:47
134.   RIYank
Mark Teixera is a good player. Props.
2007-05-10 12:22:23
135.   AbbyNormal821
Was there an invasion of the body snatchers between last night & today's game??

YEESH!

2007-05-10 12:22:51
136.   RIYank
Ooooh, Joe throwing in the towel...
2007-05-10 12:24:09
137.   rbj
Sigh. just one of those days.
2007-05-10 12:24:40
138.   pistolpete
.500 was nice while it lasted, no?
2007-05-10 12:31:36
139.   rbj
Good night everybody.
2007-05-10 12:33:08
140.   AbbyNormal821
6 runs...3 innings left to do it. I believe...
2007-05-10 12:35:43
141.   RIYank
Okay, AbNorm, let's do it!
But we need baserunners. Melk and Mink have to answer the call...
2007-05-10 12:37:17
142.   RIYank
There's one.
2007-05-10 12:37:31
143.   Sliced Bread
Mink is the straw that stirs the drink
2007-05-10 12:40:51
144.   Shaun P
Bleech. I should have just keep trying to figure this patent out.

121 125 Olney's book-pimping and 'dynasty' crap drive me crazy. His other info is gold, though.

2007-05-10 12:40:57
145.   RIYank
Hmm, that really lowered our expected runnage.
2007-05-10 12:43:00
146.   RIYank
Yay!
2007-05-10 12:43:41
147.   RIYank
Booo!
2007-05-10 12:44:14
148.   AbbyNormal821
It's like Peter Pan! I do believe, I do, I do! (just without all the flying and the wearing of tights, unless you count A-Rod flying around the bases with his hiked up socks!) mmmmbaaaahahaaaa!!!
2007-05-10 12:44:14
149.   AbbyNormal821
It's like Peter Pan! I do believe, I do, I do! (just without all the flying and the wearing of tights, unless you count A-Rod flying around the bases with his hiked up socks!) mmmmbaaaahahaaaa!!!
2007-05-10 12:44:29
150.   AbbyNormal821
OK - didn't need to say it twice...my bad!
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2007-05-10 12:52:42
151.   RIYank
The Vizcount, missin' the strike zone. The Grand Vizier. Vizcainito.
2007-05-10 12:52:42
152.   tommyl
Why is Damon out?
2007-05-10 12:53:18
153.   Sliced Bread
At least we can still play the "How Many Relievers?" game.

I say we close this one out with no more than 4 pitchers.

2007-05-10 12:58:14
154.   Jim Dean
Wow, Vizacino sux.
2007-05-10 12:58:17
155.   RIYank
No fair. That was a LIDR. Not supposed to get RBI.
2007-05-10 13:03:04
156.   RIYank
Ugh. Well, ciao, all remaining banterers.

GO HALLADAY!

2007-05-10 13:04:31
157.   Kered Retej
144 I am late to this thread (and this very ugly game) but is there really a fellow patent attorney trolling on these boards?
2007-05-10 13:08:39
158.   pistolpete
Why is it that when things go bad, they go REALLY bad? We never seem to have a game where the starter gives up 5-6 runs and the bullpen shuts things down for the remainder.

It always seems to turn out like this

2007-05-10 13:09:21
159.   AbbyNormal821
Peter Pan has flown off to Never-Never Land...as in we're never-never going to win this one today! ICK!
2007-05-10 13:10:28
160.   AbbyNormal821
OMG! Who the &%$!@# is pitching now? Vizcaino?

I smell a midsummer trade....

2007-05-10 13:12:31
161.   rbj
Wow. Well, off to home.
Just remember two things:
1) This only counts as one game
and
2) As per the post's title about roses; well, you can't grow roses without some manure.
2007-05-10 13:15:52
162.   3rd gen yankee fan
!!!!!!! WTH happened???? I just went to the store! Ugh, I thought we had this game in the bag! YUCK!
2007-05-10 13:16:17
163.   Javi Javi
Time to press the reset button on today. Ugh.
2007-05-10 13:16:30
164.   MVB
Yankee relievers struck out the side in that inning! Way to go!
2007-05-10 13:16:36
165.   3rd gen yankee fan
161 seriously! Thank GOD it only counts as one game!
2007-05-10 13:19:15
166.   3rd gen yankee fan
Well I guess it's time for a record-setting comeback huh?
2007-05-10 13:22:02
167.   Eirias
Can we get this guy to pitch? http://tinyurl.com/2ryqx4
2007-05-10 13:23:45
168.   AbbyNormal821
167 now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!
2007-05-10 13:29:00
169.   Sliced Bread
uh, rally time?
2007-05-10 13:34:32
170.   3rd gen yankee fan
blah.
2007-05-10 13:53:59
171.   Jeteupthemiddle
After an evil loss, I would like to take a moment to shamelessly plug.

Some of you may have participated in Community Projections I did during Spring Training. I would like to do one now for Roger Clemens.

If anyone wants to participate, please do so in the comments section of my blog.

jeteupthemiddle.blogspot.com

2007-05-10 13:54:59
172.   AbbyNormal821
170 Yep - that pretty much sums up this game. Good, now I can watch Ugly Betty instead of the encore tonight, because I don't want to see them lose twice!

GO BLUE JAYS!!!

2007-05-10 13:56:30
173.   Shaun P
157 Wait - you mean I'm not the only patent attorney who comments on the Banter?! You do prosecution or litigation?

I've spent most of the afternoon trying to write an office action response and trying to ignore the game. I've done neither very well.

2007-05-10 13:59:50
174.   Cliff Corcoran
161 When I wrote that title I knew it was a jinx. Damnit. Back to my cave.

I should have gone with my first instinct:

"Broom, Broom, Broom, Let's Go Back to My Room" (or alternately and awkwardly "Boom, Boom, Boom, Let's Go Get Out Our Brooms")

2007-05-10 14:04:00
175.   JeremyM
Just took a gander at the AAA stats, and Chris Britton has an ERA of 0.00 down there in 8 appearances and 10.2 innings. No reason he should be down there while Vizcaino stinks up the joint. Villone is throwing well too, although I still think Henn was the right move.
2007-05-10 14:05:42
176.   AbbyNormal821
174 Boooo-hisssss!

LOL!

2007-05-10 14:07:13
177.   Shaun P
174 Your title made me think of the Simpsons episode where Milhouse, wearing rubber pants, gets excited when his house floods and says, "Everything's coming up Milhouse!"

However, I now have that horrible song (Boom Boom Boom Boom) stuck in my head. I may have to re-read Scott's arena rock post to get one of those songs stuck in its place.

2007-05-10 15:02:38
178.   Simone
I just saw the botched run down on ESPN. Vizcaino was upset. Oh well, can't win 'em all.
2007-05-10 15:16:50
179.   vockins
I just got back from this game. I had seats about ten rows back from third.

Now I understand the Arod/fan dynamic a little better. If the sample of fans that were present on the field level third base side are representative of what's usually there, I'd be walking next year, too. These were some of the dumbest jackasses I have ever heard at a game. The incessant commentary was so moronic I was tempted to pull a Uecker and sit in the Tier with P.S. 59. I'd rather hear Beatlemaniaesque reactions to Jeter at bats than listen to some New Jersey real estate developer complain at length about how much Abreu sucks at getting on base and racist commentary directed at Chien Ming Wang. These clowns made Mike And The Mad Dog seem like Branch Rickey.

And they were everywhere. Watching this game was a trial for more reasons than just what was happening on the field.

2007-05-10 15:26:50
180.   randym77
Holy crap. What happened? This game really went down the tubes fast.

Did Wang have a bad day, or what?

2007-05-10 15:27:52
181.   Kered Retej
173 Yes, I am an in-house patent attorney at a Silicon Valley semiconductor company doing mostly prosecution, but a little bit of everything else. I was tied up in meetings most of the day, but looking at the outcome, I guess I was pretty lucky I missed this game.

On a more baseball-related note, how did people on the West coast ever follow the Yanks before the Internet? Gameday is not perfect, but it definitely helps to feed my pinstriped thirst.

2007-05-10 15:56:05
182.   Hugh Jorgan
Well that put a stop to the love-fest in Yankeeville didn't it? There was a bloke over on Alex Belth's in-game site yesterday who prattled on how Wang would hold down Texas today, whilst you'd smash McCarthy and the poor old BoSox got stuck facing Halladay. A 14-2 hammering is making you all look pretty silly right now. Granted Halladay is a tough opponent, but please don't worry about the Sox...they are doing just fine right now without your false pity.
2007-05-10 16:38:27
183.   randym77
"Whilst"? A British Red Sox fan?
2007-05-10 16:41:13
184.   Zack
182 Umm, isn't THIS Alex Belth's in game site? And I think it will take a bit more than a wrong prediction on one game to make us feel silly. But, in any case, who invited YOU?
2007-05-10 17:04:28
185.   Hugh Jorgan
183,
Try Australian mate. Oh and Sox up 7-0. And gee Zack I think I know this isn't Belth's site, and I invited myself. Isn't that the fun of being online...total anarchy. A century where the Sox have won the series and the Yankees haven't. Listen, I'm in my 40's, grew up in California, been a Sox fan since year dot and the Nation waited a long time to gloat. Just give us our due. We finally got some front office people who are willing to put a winning product on the field.
2007-05-10 17:32:00
186.   3rd gen yankee fan
Zack, Zack, Zack... never get in the way of a Sox fan when he's trying to prove himself a moron. You just can't stop them. Damned shame they insist upon doing it in public.
2007-05-10 17:46:35
187.   Zack
185 Actually, you had your time to gloat back in 2005 and 2006. This year, I'm afraid not. You're coming off a third place season. Doing great now, but when was the last time the Sox did this well this early and had it hold true for the whole season, eh?

But damn, the Jays suck and the Sox are on a role...The Yanks can't be squandering these games the way they are

2007-05-10 17:58:36
188.   Hugh Jorgan
Ah yes 186, the old fall back position. Attempt to degrade your opposition with simplistic yet petty insults, lets just call him a moron. I don't even need to respond here, you do my work for me. Now Zack has brought something more respectable to the table in 187. You are correct. Our injury riddled 2006 was crap and I hold my head in shame regarding the 3rd place finish. However our front office went out and did something. Granted Dice-K hasn't been great, but a calming influence in the #3 slot. Lugo is not hitting great, but stealing bases and trying not to overthrow 1st. Drew will start hitting again and is an upgrade over Nixon. The Sox are on role, however the Yankees will start to win consistently. Yes, we hate Clemens. That doesn't mean we don't know he's a brilliant 6 inning starter. You guys need to worry more about your pen, your defense and getting your starters healthy and in tune before you worry too much about the Sox.
2007-05-10 19:00:45
189.   Orly Yarly NoWai
188 You're fun. I think I like your particular brand of crazy.

"The Sox are on role . . ."

I think that's my new motto.

2007-05-10 19:51:37
190.   Max
Sox fans in April and May. So full of hope, so full of swagger. It's funny to see them trolling around Yankee boards declaring their triumph after barely 30 games.

All I can say is, I have fond memories of 40-17.

2007-05-10 21:33:16
191.   3rd gen yankee fan
SOX ARE ON ROLE

THIS ISN'T ALEX BELTHS SITE

LOL!!!!

2007-05-10 21:56:12
192.   JL25and3
174 Yeah, bad choice for titles..."Everything's Coming Up Roses" is sung by a woman whose life is crashing down around her, thisclose to a nervous breakdown...
2007-05-10 21:59:31
193.   Hugh Jorgan
Yeah, I kind of buggered it up with the spelling. It diluted the effect. See its that damn California public primary school education. Yes, Max I do remember the 40-17. However I think this year is different. Its got that 2004 feel.
2007-05-10 22:03:49
194.   Hugh Jorgan
Also Max et. al...I'm not declaring triumph. Just enjoying the ride right now. However I was in the states recently and did get to see the 4 consecutive homers live on tv as its hard for me to catch live ball on tv as its only on monday mornings around 10AM. I think its the espn sunday night baseball game. Surely you blokes would admit the rivalry is more fun now that we've won something recently.
2007-05-11 04:20:55
195.   Ben
I'm confused, is this Alex Belth's in-game site or not?
2007-05-11 04:20:56
196.   Ben
I'm confused, is this Alex Belth's in-game site or not?
2007-05-11 04:54:22
197.   rbj
As the thread is off of Cliff's post, I'd call it Cliff's in-game site. But the whole Bronx Banter is a collaboration between Alex & Cliff, with a few supporting posters and a cast of thousands of commenters. Even a few Red Sox fans -- let them gloat now, we'll see who's still playing in October.

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