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Can't Win 'Em All
2007-07-19 13:18
by Cliff Corcoran

With the Yankees having already taken the series by winning the first three games against the Blue Jays, this afternoon's finale lacked much punch. Indeed, the game itself was rather listless. Bobby Abreu doubled home a pair of runs against Dustin McGowan in the first inning. Chien-Ming Wang retired the first 11 men he faced before Vernon Wells doubled with two outs in the fourth. There was a brief downpour in the third. Otherwise, nothing much happened until the seventh when the Blue Jays broke through with three runs off Wang on a leadoff double by Matt Stairs, an infield single off Wang's shin (he was fine), a fly out that moved both runners up, an RBI groundout, RBI triple by Aaron Hill that shot past Melky Cabrera in the right field gap, and an RBI single by Gregg Zaun. The Yankees went down in order in the seventh and eighth against McGowan and reliever Casey Janssen. Alex Rodriguez lead off the bottom of the ninth with a flair single to right, but Hideki Matsui popped out, Melky grounded out, and Robinson Cano flied out to end the game. 3-2 Jays.

Other items of note: Wil Nieves caught the day game after night game, so Posada will catch Mussina tomorrow night. The two catchers will likely split Saturday's double header. Melky Cabrera appeared to tweak a stomach muscle while at bat in the middle innings, but stayed in the game and showed no further discomfort.

Comments
2007-07-19 14:27:02
1.   YankeeInMichigan
Cano (0-for-4) is now batting .194 in day games. Perhaps he should put on dark glasses.
2007-07-19 14:39:45
2.   monkeypants
2 So he can, so he can see?
2007-07-19 15:32:45
3.   C2Coke
Although a sweep would've been nice, I'd take the past week without any hesitation.

The double header on Saturday is gonna be pretty.

2007-07-19 16:28:14
4.   Schteeve
I think the great thing about Cano, is that when he fails to get a hit, you can call him, "Can-o'fer"
2007-07-19 16:35:43
5.   randym77
Holy crap. Was that Abreu, actually getting within shouting distance of the fence?
2007-07-19 17:13:26
6.   Mattpat11
3 It will be pretty something.
2007-07-19 19:29:45
7.   yankz
Man, this place really dies after day games, huh?
2007-07-19 19:40:51
8.   Sliced Bread
Cliff,

The economy of that recap -- brevity in motion -- was a thing of beauty.

On the shlep home today, a friend described (thump!) hitting a turkey in flight with his car (Pacifica to be specifica), as he pulled out of his driveway; how the staggered bird continued on, wobbling into the woods.

Just like Damon, cracked I.

No, Damon's worse, noted he.

2007-07-19 19:47:51
9.   tommyl
Shelly Duncan, 3-4 with another HR tonight. He now has 25 on the year, breaking the season record at Scranton/Columbus.

Meanwhile, Edwar sits in the bullpen, wasting away. Anyone remember when he last pitched? It was July 6.

2007-07-19 19:57:56
10.   monkeypants
9 I just don't understand all of this buzz around Shelley Duncan. I mean, where would he fit in if he were called up? 1B, DH, RF and bench are all stacked.
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That was sarcasm.
2007-07-19 19:58:31
11.   Vandelay Industries
9

The question isn't whether the young guns are talented. That seems to be a moot point. The only question is whether the team will Give Joba Chamberlain and Ohlendorf any chance to pitch this season. And if history is any predictor, the answer is no.

Chamberlain, Britton, Ohlendorf, Ramirez, and Henn vs. Villone, Myers, Proctor, and Farnsworthless. Seems like a no brainer, which is why Joe won't want any part of it. Most every other team would be preparing these guys to pitch this season, given the state of affairs in our middle relief and a 7 or 8 game deficit. The Yankees need to get with the program and realize you don't have to wait until guys are 25 before you use them!

2007-07-19 20:02:05
12.   monkeypants
OK, right now I'm watching the Mets-Dodgers game, LA feed. Not only is Vin Scully a brilliant announcer--you just can't compare many to him, let alone the likes of Kay or Sterling--but he is the only announcer in the booth. No stupid shit. No inane banter. No conversation in lieu of the play-by-play. Just good old fashioned game call by the best in the biz.
2007-07-19 20:02:52
13.   yankz
Who the hell is this Edwar Ramirez?
2007-07-19 20:09:40
14.   tommyl
11 Did you ever wonder why that's the season record? Maybe because anyone who hits that many HRs in AAA usually gets called up?

I'm sick of this, its almost certain the team will make some stupid deal for another overrated player with "veteran presence." Like I said before, if we were losing with the kids and the best team out there that would be one thing. But losing with subpar players just because they've "been there before" is maddening. There are better players in our own system, and they are cheap and readily available.

2007-07-19 20:25:07
15.   JL25and3
14 Of course, at the moment they're winning with those subpar players.

The one aging, overpriced immobile veteran that I'd have to consider trading for - provided the price isn't too high - is Mike Piazza. Before the howls of derisive laughter descend, let me just say: he's a righty with maybe a little power left, he's a better DH than Damon, and he's a better BUC than Wil Nieves. And no, I don't care how bad a catcher he is, once or twice a week he's a huge improvement over "Snowy" Nieves.

No longer a great player, but he's the kind of part that might actually fit well.

2007-07-19 20:32:49
16.   monkeypants
15 I like the idea now, even more than I did in the off season. But isn't Piazza hurt?
2007-07-19 20:32:59
17.   Cliff Corcoran
15 Hell, I wanted the Yanks to sign Piazza when he left the Mets. Besides, when was the last time Nieves threw out a player before he got to the base? He's only caught 20 percent of runners this year.
2007-07-19 20:37:56
18.   monkeypants
15 I just checked. he hasn't played since May 2; he has an OPS+ of 94, which is, of course, much better than Nieves. He's outslugging Damon, but .379 SLG doesn't cut it for DH.
2007-07-19 21:01:19
19.   tommyl
17 But Cliff, he's such a nice guy. And calls a great game.

I'd still rather give Shelly a shot first. There's still time to do it before the deadline.

2007-07-19 21:51:15
20.   yankz
Where did the Snowy nickname come from?
2007-07-19 21:53:03
21.   yankz
Oh, and at this point I've given up on seeing Shelley. If Giambi and Stink going down + Damon playing like my grandfather didn't get him up, nothing will.

I don't care if they see some giant hole in his swing that won't translate in the bigs. Who cares? He could hit lefty and be better than Damon. Get rid of a pitcher and call him up. (But then, who gets taken off the 40-man? Could they, at this point, move Rasner to the 60 day? Is he already there?)

2007-07-19 22:02:53
22.   3rd gen yankee fan
"Jays beat Wang..." LOL
2007-07-20 01:42:57
23.   Jim Dean
The word on Piazza is that he's rehabbing a shoulder injury. So it may not be reaching 2B that's the problem - it's reaching the pitcher. He can still hit (right shoulder doesn't do much on a RH swing), and he's a better DH than anyone they have now. He's not a bad option - just that it may be another month or two before he could kick Nieves to the curb.

I'd still rather give some AB's to Duncan. It really is shocking that with how well he's done and the Yanks' gaping pit of a bench, we haven't seen him yet. Then again, when you're paying 13 mil to Damon, it's not a surprise.

2007-07-20 04:37:28
24.   JL25and3
20 I made it up on the spot. "Nieves" is Spanish for "snows."
2007-07-20 06:59:07
25.   Count Zero
23 Exactly. Word is, Piazza physically cannot catch at all -- he cannot even play catch. Other than that, yeah I would be all for it. ;-)

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