Not sure if this made today's earlier posts, but it sure is entertaining:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/070829&sportCat=mlb

Now that I finished reading Cliff's game thread. I am all prepared for anything tonight.

Let's Go! Yankees!

Pete Abe posted some interview with Cashman about Kennedy, including this nebulous answer to a question about the forty man roster; "We have to make a move."

OK kids, make your predictions. I think that no pitcher under 30 will be released, so that leaves my top two choices:

1. Brower
2. K. Thompson (PR can be replaced by Gardner if need be; will not be on PS roster; will be gone next year anyway).

3 Brower's the obvious choice. T.J. Beam would be the second in line in my opinion.

Manny v Clemens woulda been fun tonight.

I refuse to believe he's not available until I see him shackled to the foul pole, up on the squirrel perch... and even then...

Anyway, betcha a pint of moose tracks with cherry on top that somebody takes a Rocket fastball in the lumbar this evening... inadvertently, of course.

lezgo yanks.

prediction for this evening's affair:

clemens: 6 IP, 112 pitches, 3 BB 5 K 8 hits 3 ER

beckett: 7 IP 106 pitches, 4 BB 9 K 5 hits 3 ER

yanks bullpen: 3 IP, 1 BB 4 K 2 hits 0 ER
sox pen: 1 IP 2 BB 1 K 3 hits 2 ER

abreu doubles in the third to score damon and jeter.

giambi homers in the 5th.

lowell hits a 3 run HR in the second.

---

giambi hits a 2 out 2 run homer in the 8th.

in the 4th, beckett goes up and in on Cano, and he yells a bunch and points and the crowd boos and thats it.

Seattle is down by 4 in the 9th.

Angels up 6-2 top ninth, bases loaded and two out.

Barring a miracle, Yanks could tie for the WC tonight.

5 prediction, not a suggestion, mind you.

And our old friend Mr. Proctor is about to cough up the go ahead run in the top of the 12th in Los Angeles.

WOW! Proctor got out of it......yikes!

10 3 shutout innings by your old friend, saved their hide today. (Of course, if they were able to PH Betemit at some point, that might have ended it, but never mind that.)

3000 miles away, Proctor was assured victory by Manny's back spasms.

12 A reliever pitching three innings? What kind of parallel universe is this?

Beltre pop up. Game over! Go tie this bitch up boys!

Hey! It's nice to have the old Banterer crowd showing up tonight!

6 Man, you have your own ball game going on up there.

What gets the Cap'n fired up is actually quite predictable.

Lets not waste Derek on 2nd guys!

They wanted Proctor because they wanted a workhorse. They got what they wanted.

What is that on Beckett's chin? Half a goatee? What is it with baseball players and crappy facial hair?

19 chin-chilla

See, Bob, that didn't hurt so much did it?

Why are we watching close ups of Manny drooling all over himself?

Um, Roger, the strike zone is right there, in the middle

Kay should try doing the game every now and then instead of asking his annoying Center Stage questions.

Giambi and Roger converging on the bag...you know Coco Crisp had to be just a little nervous.

25 Hey I'm just happy that Giambi has fielded two balls and Abreu fielded a pop up near the wall in foul territory, and neither exploded.

Wow...Beckett looks excellent.

Leche!

YES! Huge JD!

Roger is such a competative egomaniac.
You just KNOW he wants to beat Beckett... even if we had a 30 game lead in the division.
I expect this 3 run lead to PUMP HIM UP!

I could see that play develop right off the bat, anyone else?

31 Here!

I hope Steve Phillips and Murray Chass were watching when our fourth outfielder singled off the greatest pitcher obtained in a trade ever.

Roger all over the place

The Rocket needs to trust his stuff more.

Thanks for the out Dustin

Yeah, just because you're dirty doesn't make you a good player, rook.

14/18 - It was a long stint to be sure, but a) he didn't pitch yesterday, b) they have the day off tomorrow, c) have two potentially good young relievers about to come up and help when rosters expend and d) (perhaps most importantly) had 76 year old Roberto Hernandez warming up in the bullpen as a near last resort. It was a yeoman's effort.

Good luck tonight!

Man oh man is Damon ugly in LF...

38 Long stint? For EDSP? Psh, thats just his WARMUP!

Ortiz probably can't wait to get back to Boston. Not only would those outs be 2B/HRs, but pitchers can actually entertain the thought of using the outside part of the plate.

Oh Alex...

Ahhh...you never see Arod do something that stupid.

39 was that sarcastic? He's not natural out there yet, but he's making a case for himself, and his speed/range/athleticism is really good. With his comeback at the plate, maybe if he can't be traded for something pretty good he should just take over Left & Matsui finally make the transition to 1B next year...

Little over ambitious there Arod....

Apparently, Dustin Pedroia is "all baseball player" whatever the hell that means

GRRR...

40 Ooops, sorry, I forgot! Maybe they're stretching him out for starting duties next season.

See guys, Hinske does something to help his team win ballgames every time he plays, just like espn said.

Did I really hear the announcers say if there is a mediocre slider or curve thrown, Hinske can hit it out of the park? Damning with fainit praise I'd say.

44 No it was serious. By ugly I meant its ain't pretty. He gets it done, but its all sorts of turning and swerving and corkscrewing towards the ball. He may well be in RF next year if Bobby leaves

49 I think it's almost a certainty now that the Yankees will pick up Abreu's option.

44 Please, let us not revisit the Matsui at first idea. Now, Damon may be the better LF than Matsui, but you cannot deny that he takes ugly routes to the ball and makes very awkward catches. On most of those he's needed his speed to compensate for his own poor routes.

A Rod play looming large...we are a triples machine these days!

A-Rod really has to be kicking himself now...

My God, I almost miss Rick Sutcliffe right now. Bald jokes and olden day jokes, hilarious.

50 I read somewhere today that its not so set in stone at all, but of course its all spec at this point...

Crap...stranding runners always gives me a bad feeling. Posada should have been more aggressive with a man on 3rd.

60 pitches not even through 3. I like Red Sox's Ace.

Jorge is especially emotionally fired up lately, no?

56 Jorge's always had a case of the red ass, but it does seem a bit redder of late ..

What a waste of an inning...

Well, that kind of stunk. I kind of agree that Giambi should've laid one down.

I really hope that inning doesn't come back to haunt them...leading off with a single and a triple should mean two runs...coming away with nothing is a lost opportunity.

49 Also, if you thought having a noodle-arm in CF was bad, imagine how many extra bases would be taken if Damon was in RF. Ugh. Besides, it's better to have someone with CF experience play LF in Yankee Stadium, it's cavernous out there.

51 His bad routes may be because he is unfamiliar with the position. He was an above average CF. I have to think that will translate to LF with a bit more experience.

I like the idea, although I don't know if Mats can play an average 1B.

OMG Giambi caught a ball! It's a miracle! I do not believe what I just saw!

Ahh, of course ESPN would show a highlight of a red sox win

62 Settle down Jack Buck.

61 I don't doubt it. LF in Yankee Stadium isn't an easy place to patrol. His skill set is far more suited for LF than anywhere else right now, but sooner or later hes gonna give up a big hit with those routes...

Is it really possible that Drew has that little power now? I mean, hes looking like Sean Casey

From ESPN:
Mariano Rivera watches from the bullpen as the savior, Joba Chamberlain, warms up for his seventh inning in the big leagues. On this day, he has been asked to shut down the middle of the Detroit lineup. With the Yankees up 4-3 in the seventh, Chamberlain pumps fastballs at Gary Sheffield, who cannot catch up to a chest-high, 98 mph bullet and pops out. Magglio Ordonez, the Tigers' MVP candidate, flails at the vapor trails of three fastballs and whiffs. Two outs. Carlos Guillen gets Chamberlain's slider, which seems to be a hybrid of Ron Guidry's Louisiana lightning and Rivera's cutter, and because he is wary of the fastball, he cannot check his swing. Nine pitches, three outs, two punch-outs, one more inning of total domination. The fans are on their feet again as Chamberlain walks off, his teammates tapping him with their gloves as they pass.

And Clemens takes Beckett to school.

65 Right now, the question is will it be a hit that Matsui would have caught? Bad routes and all, I think Damon is a net gain over a healthy Matsui, not to mention one with a balky knee.

Hmmmmm...just noticed something going on in the game...

61 For goodness sakes, he's played nearly 350 career games at LF and he's still running around in circles out there? he was never that good of a CF. A fast one, yes, but not the most instinctive. And that's the way he plays LF. Now, that doesn't mean he's not getting the job done--he does get there more times than not.

Cano, bad idea there, wear this guy out and send him to the showers.

72 He walked last at bat, give him a break. He's got free-swinging quotas to fill...

oooh, looked out to me

No slide for Melky!!

I guess forgetting to step on first base is playing the right way to play the game. Ipso facto, et cetera.

oops, he was safe!

74 Yep.

75 ; )

What's what the 1st pitch swing this inning...they were executing a perfect game plan until now!

78 I take that back--it did look like he missed the bag.

79 One of my biggest pet peeves, the plan is working and then they switch it up.

So if they re-sign Abreu, does JD become a $13m bench player? More lost ABs for a healthy Giambi? Right now our 1bman has a .700 OPS and Tex is off the market. What are we gonna do?

82 If Arod re-ups, I have no problem rolling this exact offense into next season.

80 Both Arod and Beckett seemed to have forgotten where the 1B bag locates.

81 Maybe the plan all along was to swing early, but they got away from it before...

Jeter should have been struck out anyway...that pitch was down the middle.

What happened there Melky, running through quick sand?

I could just sense that they were going to give an out away there. Terrible jump by Melky.

70 No, you didn't. :)

81 79 so true - they wait out Becket for 3 innings and now this inning kills me (and them)

89 He just noticed Manny wasn't playing.

Freaking ESPN guys

89 He is playing. Spades, in the clubhouse, with the assistant to the travelling secretary.

57 That's part of why he's awesome!

51 You're right, sorry for bringing up that dead horse

And I'm sure we'd all agree that Damon taking ugly routes but still snagging the ballz is better than Matsui taking nice routes slowly & playing outs into Granderson inside-the-parker'z...

91 NO, I noticed that Damon had a nice HIT early on in the game.

My internet connection is pretty wonky, would one of you kind fellers tell me if Seattle won or lost today?

Is he pitching around Varitek?

Seattle lost and Detroit down by 5 already. Nice to know that KC can handle them at least

Come on Roger...challenge them!

Crisp is an ugly, ratty lookin dude, isn't he?

Hey Roge, throw some strikes

100 Yeah, I call him Coco-Crack b/c he looks like a crack head.

I dont understand why he is pitching around the bottom...he has a good fastball tonight.

96 Seattle Lost.

Of course, then Lugo comes up and makes Crisp look like Fabio...

I don't buy into the apple pie and ice cream version that espn puts forth for the LLWS. I've seen enough pyscho parents living vicariously through their kids to know better.

Only 104 posts for such a great game? Wow. Well I can't be around tonight either but GO YANKEES!!!!!!

Anyone knows Rocket's pitch count? (I hate to turn on Gameday, always freezes my computer.)

107 He's at 75 pitches.

102 Command has seemed to desert him for flashes - 2 walks on 8 pitches in the second & all... But atta boy Rocket, good game so far, he could go 7 at this rate. Then maybe Viz or Farns & Mo, assuming we don't break it open right quick. Pete Abe's right, time to step on Beckett's neck. Too bad Alex ran out of that single, Matsui's trip would'a made it a comfortable 4-zip...

107 He's up around 70 now.

108 Thanks. It's certainly nice to know.

This old guy seems like he knows how to pitch.

105 I stopped watching the LLWS years ago--I find imposing nationalist pressures and cultural stereotypes onto ten year olds a bit depressing.

109 Step on his neck? They are kind of lucky to have scored three runs.

3 runs is still not a real comfortable lead. I think we could use an A-Bomb.

Just like Yesterday, we have allowed the SP to settle in...Let's hope we can finish it up like yesterday...

That's what, the 5th little dinky hit like that today?

Well that was a horsehit at bat.

I'm shocked they turned two on that.

OH @#)@OUK)@KKK@@@@+_!

116 Had the Yankees simply kept their bat on their shoulders over the past two innings, Beckett's night would be done. Instead he could 7 innings.

Arod, one solo homer later is not gonna cut it now.

120 Easy there, man. If tonight's game is making you somehow angry, just think back to their road trip. Now...isn't everything just look a little brighter?

Nice sequence to little Dustin there

So, have Edwar, Viz and Britton close this one out and have Mo at the ready so he can rest? Then both he and Joba will be ready for tomorrow if the sweep game is a real squeaker?

122 No anger in that statement at all, but the 30 pitches it likely would have taken would have Beckett on the brink of departing.

Figured that was coming. Now ESPN will show it all game and talk about it for three days

124 Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

3-1 now...this game had the feel of a blow out, but you can bank on it that the Red Sox will threaten in the later innings.

124 Joe will go with Farns before Edwar and Britton

Robby!

Beautiful play Robbie...spectacular.

or, well shit, there goes the no-no and the shut out.

if the Yanks don't score at least two more runs soon, this game is quite unsafe...

128 In the pregame he is said Farnsy is back and he wouldn't hesitate to bring him in any kind of situation. I almost drove off the road listening.

Roge is starting to hang some pitches...

Ortiz is such a dick. He couldn't let an old man have one more night of glory. God I hate him.

127 I just threw it out there for discussion. I think that makes sense, Joe of course would go to Mo if it was 3-0 in the 9th, because it's a save situation.

131 Beckett is only at 82 pitches, so they'll have to score those runs off him.

132 Farns has looked damn good the last 2 times I've seen him pitch.

However, without Manny, this lineup has a lot less punch. Maybe we will pitch around Papi in the 8th.

Not good. Might have cost us Roger going 7.

Youk is completely unafraid of NYY pitching.

So what's that, 10 replays so far?

137 With Houston this is about the time Roger would get PH for--I think we're looking at the bottom of the tank now.

139 At his point, I'd settle for 6...this is getting a little uncomfortable very quickly.

137 It's funny, since Joba, the other man who can throw 100 miles and for strikes, came up, Farns hasn't been the Farns we've came to know.

137 He's still no good. Don't be fooled.

ESPN announcers disapproves of the "Joba Rules."

And the Yanks offense going to sleep coming back to haunt, as expected...

Something tells me that Varitek has a big hit coming...Roger has pitched around him all night, so maybe he knew something?

Varitek likely Clemens last batter.

146 Go figure. I haven't seen one media person that approved of them.

More Red Sox highlights. Has there been a Yankee highlight tonight? (not that there are that many)

148 I hate Varitek more than anyone else on that team.

146 I thought Orel H. made a good point about the "Joba Rules" - why are they public? Orel speculated (accurately I think) that they are to preempt Joe Torre from taking the usage decisions into his own hands.

147 They have scored 3 runs in six innings off a pitcher with a 3.21 ERA--they haven't exactly been somnambulent tonight.

Great composure by Clemens...but three more big innings to go.

Roger is the man. Gutsy job by him. Of course, for what he is being paid, he should go two more at least, but I'll take it

151 My sympathies, man. I've been getting YES on MLB.TV.

Yay, Roger! Let's get that oneback and give Viz a nice lead for the 7th.

153 By all accounts, it was SUPPOSED to be private, but Torre went public with it...

154 Its less Beckett's era and more that they had their chances and had him throwing a lot of pitches, but have done diddly-squat since

Man, if he had his control tonight, it could've been a special night, but I'll take 6 strong. It seems such a shame that he's never had a no-hitter.

146 150 It's win-win for them. If the rules are followed, the media can make fun of them. If they break the rules, they can wet themselves over 100-MPH heaters (Kay). And when he blows out his shoulder, they can turn around and blame the organization on overusing him.

Nice catch there Nancy.

150 I think the Joba Rules should be used for every pitcher in the bullpen not named Rivera. You can get 54 appearances and 108 innings out of a RP using the Joba Rules or 81 appearances and 81 IP. That's plenty of available innings. Too bad if your "gut" tells you that Scott Proctor is the best choice for the fourth night in a row. It's more likely to be indigestion than a good baseball decision.

Really hard for me to root for Clemens, still hate the guy...but what the hell!
Late this morning, how sharp has he been?

160 Shows you how much of throwing a no-no is luck and chance

159 I think people would have figured it out at some point.

ten hits, three runs? blah

165 Getting back to the Nolan Ryan discussion from a few nights ago!

Couple of hard hit balls by Matsui and Jorge--matbe Beckett's running out of gas too.

166 They would have figured out the pattern I'm sure, but not nec. that there were rules mandated from above. Whatever, to me, its a good thing

Apparently Jorge discovered the only way to get real MVP consideration as a catcher is to have a high BA.

167 Yeah. And most of those were hard shots. Seems like we should have at least 6 runs...

Although I just read this on my fantasy team note for Joba: "Kat O'Brien, of Newsday.com, reports New York Yankees RP Joba Chamberlain could be given an increased role down the stretch, possibly being used for three innings at a time."

Absolutely agree with his use rules, he only just started pitching a few years ago, he's had arm trouble already. No reason to burn him out.

172 I'd rather three innings (with appropriate rest) than more appearances.

Crap!

Jesus Cano, that is unacceptable!

What the hell is on Eric Hinske's head?

I have a good feeling about Melky

Andy Phillips may be slower than Giambi.

174 If it went with 3 days of rest, I think its probably even better for Joba, but its not that great for the stretch run, to take that many days off...

Ahh, the Joe Torre patented "pull Giambi in the 7th in a close game for a pinch runner"

Ah yes, PR Phillips for Giambi...this worked out so well earlier this year.

177 The squirrel.

169 When we were using the dregs of the bullpen instead of that exciting fat kid that throws strikes, I really think people would look at his age and put two and two together.

182 No, I think thats in the back of Magglio Ordonez's helmet...

Nice running Melky!

180 Which guarantees an extra inning game, where you'd like to be able to end it with one swing...

180 I'm not just annoyed that they PR for Giambi, but used someone that's painfully slow. What advantage does this give us?

However, if it gets to that point, I do think the chances of a big single are better for Phillips.

Do what you did to us, Johnny!

187 Of course, he may be the fastest PR on the bench when JD starts. Now, if that 13th pitcher we Kevin Thompson...

189 I bet Edwar is fast...

189 were Kevin Thompson...

189 I refuse to believe that Andy Phillips is faster than anyone thats not Posada.

He was safe.

don't dive!!!!!

No he wasnt. Nevemind

The Melky memo didn't make it around the clubhouse...

Please stop sliding into 1st base.

Johnny with the goddamned slide at 1B.

Nice dive Damon...any chance to beat the play was lost when you decided to slide.

Well, there we go again, now 11 hits, 3 runs...that Josh Beckett, is stuff is just so good that he can allow 11 hits and get away with it

With all the chances they've squandered, you just know something bad awaits.

192 A foot race b/t Phillips, Molina, Duncan, and Betemit would be something else.

If we make...er.... WHEN we make the PS, I'm sure Joba rules will relax a bit. Maybe 2 innings, 2 days off, 3 innings, 2 days off. I think limiting the appearences but upping the innings a tad will be deemed reasonable.

After all, in the PS, that 1 extra inning a week can make a difference.

201 Perhaps I have mistaken pessimism for anger before?

202 I forgot about Molina.

I'm still not sure who's faster.

203 The PS has extra off days, fortunately.

181 Bad move. The potentail 5th run is not that important.

Farnsworth pitching the 8th?

202 molina comes in last without a doubt.

Hmm, so Viz in the 7th, does that mean Farns in the 8th? methinks so, sigh...
Come on Viz!

Beckett is not done yet, apparently. No one warming yet.

Huge K, because you know Crisp was taking 2nd if he walked.

Yeah, up close, Crisp is an adonis compared to Lugo

201 Of course. But we're trying not to think about it. Thanks for the reminder, though.

204 Not sure...I'm paying attention to the game.

208 Scarily...yes...and it could be the heart of the order too.

210 Have faith. Sometimes things work out...

215 I realized that. If so, there is 100% no reason not to walk Ortiz...

Ugh, who really wants to watch Marc Cuban try and dance?

201 In 90% of ALL games played, EVERY team 'squanders' many opportunities. It's kinda silly to be mad that we don't score everytime there's a decent probability.

And in some distant way, it may even have something to do with facing a very good pitcher.

Of all the broadcats in baseball, no team does the game less than YES. When Michael Kay is behind the Mike, the pbp sounds more like a talk show.

Kay LOVES Kyle Farnsworth.

217 Farnsworth is going to K Ortiz on 3 pitches..

205 But Andy looks so fast with those high socks! Did you see that quick jog to tag the bag?

220 Kay is just awful.

219 If I was mad, I wouldn't be typing in complete sentences. But, when you have a good pitcher on the ropes and do several things to shoot yourself in the foot, well, those things usually come back to get you.

218 Yeah, how does that make the "ticker?" Who cares?

223 I'm not sure he was the faster of the two in the pinch running equation.

Ugh, Viz, don't walk Lugo...

You can't get a worse walk than Lugo...hopefully Papi doesn't come up in this inning.

Throwing strikes is not an option for the Yankees tonight.

How tall do you think Pedroia legitimately is?

217 Remember Farns has a great record against Ortiz. something like 5 Ks in about 10 ABs? I don't know the exact numbers and I'm too lazy to find them.

227 Oh neither am I...I'm just having some fun. It was an odd spot to PR, whatever the case.

At least Farns can't face Ortiz as the tying run.

I really don't want to watch Farns in the 8th. Torre is really amazing for his Farnsworth love...

Nonetheless, I'm going to walk my dogs during Farnsoworth's inning.

Ahhh...setting up the perfect Ortiz situation.

OK, this dude is gassed--they've got to pick up a run or two here...

Oh man, Beckett's face was classic.

Oh man, Beckett's face was classic.

233 And that's a sad state of affairs in itself. When there is legitimate doubt about whether someone is faster than Jason Giambi.

240 You have to admit that the injury risk is less with Andy (or anyone not named Carl) running.

The stands are packed with celebrities!

240 Joe pinch ran Shelley D. for Giambi the other night. My head exploded.

238 239 What's the internet etiquette on the double post? Do I apologize and acknowledge my screw up but make another worthless post, or do I ignore it and leave everyone thinking I'm a moron?

I guess most would go with moron regardless.

241 I dont have a problem with the PR for defense reasons, but why wait until there was two outs.

221 wait...M.Kay loves Farnsworth?? why???

I am terrified of Farnsworth.

244 Man, you really screwed up. You can't comment for two weeks:)

I find it hilarious that orel hersh on espn said that he thinks its insullting to torre that he is not allowed to manage the arm of Joba out of the Pen, clearly Orel doesnt wathc or pay attention to the reckcless abuse that happens to our relievers arms...I mena for god sake there is a blog called named after one of our ex-relievers arm...haha

244 Eh, happens all the time. Just make some funny comment about it. But of course, make sure its funny or else it only adds to the moronic-ness :)

245 Why PR for defensive purposes, when you can make the change after the inning ends? The only reason to PR is if the PR gives you a tactical advantage.

249 Thankfully, Brian Cashman doesn't care.

Man, our offense has GONE TO SLEEP

I don't really know why the Red Sox need Beckett out there to run his pitch count way up, it' not like their bullpen sucks and hasn't been rested.

man i hate the fact that we should be destroying this guy and that we aren't.

It's about time for A-Rod to GO DEEP.

A perfect spot for an A-bomb.

HA!!! I really really felt that coming!! I swear! I had thought about posting a future post of Ha!

There you go.

Clut...

Who was complaining about A-Rod solo home runs?

Look at that smug look on that Jackass' face.

Good job Alex.

That's why they call him A-Rod!

254 Something tells me Francona was trying to get Beckett a win, maybe with a nod toward helping him out in the Cy Young race.

262 I thought the same thing. he's standing on the mound laughing it off like, "psh, if I had wanted to get him out I would have"

But C2Coke says 121 A-Rod's homer doesn't make up for his base-running blunder and GIDP.

I spoke to soon.. I guess that was a good time for a jinx. Let the cute and yet very odd tag team celebration in the dugout begin

Arod, didn't I say a solo homer is not gonna cut it? Ah, fine, I will take it.

253 255 et al. Sooner or later he was going to make a mistake.

See, now you can overrun first base the right way >;)

For the record, I'm sitting watching the game with my Red Sox fan wife, and called that homer 30 seconds before it went out. And she's saying she wasn't listening to me. I think she's just pissed the sawx best two starters just got beat!!

well a three run lead is plenty for Krazy Kyle to work with ... or is it?

ARod with ANOTHER linedrive over the SS's head.

271 Easy now, Farns still has to pitch...

if they can sweep against George W. Schilling tomorrow it will be the perfect celebratory Friday...

What exactly defines "of late' in terms of Gagne pitching "better?"

Arod has caught the Big Hurt...nice.

yeaaaaaaah two out ralleeees two out ralleeees...

What is that shithead doing?

Why not pinch hit betemit here

278 part of which is why the Yankees have 17 base runners and only 4 runs. They've started every inning with at least 1 out.

276 Same thing that constitutes Worthless being so totally awesome. The immediate past.

And Phillips bats...Oh the humor of it all!

God, I can't stand Beckett's little soul patch thing; grow a beard or don't for Chrissake.

276 anything is better than he was going. Even Farnsworth level

278 issssssss definaaaately the beeeeeest.

280 or Duncan.

280 No, no no. You need to PH duncan here, then PR Betemit for him.

288 Good enough for me

alright you guys, I have to leave the office now. It should take me 21 minutes to get home and sign back on. DO NOT let the Yankees blow this lead in that time. Got it?

No Betemit against a right hander?

I'm scared he won't, but I THINK ARod will stay with the Yankees. He's going to break so many records over the next years... doing so as a Yankee will have greater meaning. I think he knows this.

Plus, the press has been pretty quiet (relatively) this year. He has shut them up.

Cashman should take a walk with ARod after the season, and show him exactly where his monument will be.

Giambi up?

292 Not plaque...momument...I like that idea.

Of course Timlin has a camo glove, of course...

292 Of course, it won't be in THIS stadium...

290 Got it! And lucky you to work that close from home.

Good thing Andy was batting there...

292 Right next to Derek Jeter's? Not sure which way that cuts.

297 290 Seriously, 21 minutes. even at 10pm, don't mock us

299 I think the key would be "much much bigger than Derek Jeter's"

Timlin had nothing, and Phillips did nothing with it.

Dear God could John Madden look any scarier and have any more necks?

Ok, I can't really watch

Noooooooo........Farnsworth vs. Ortiz????

I think 600 HRs deserves a monument, no? 700? 800? I mean this guy is SERIOUS talent.

There ya go Kyle.

Vintage K

Just walk him, you know you want to anyway

Vintage K

Farnsworth being Farnsworth.

306 If he retires as a Yankee, Arod will merit the Babe/Joe D./Mantle treatment for sure.

You know Papi is hurting when he can only pop up a fat farnsworth FB

I'm still not sold on Kyle, but why did it take him 5 months to find 97 mph?

301 That could be the difference between A-Rod staying and going.

306 Yeah, except he hit about 360 for other teams. Now, if he gets to 700 with the Yanks, we can talk...

311 Well, Manny is not here to be Manny.

Farnsworth has the same ERA over the past seven innings as Chamberlain.

See, this is where that pitch would have been right. Yep, Krazy Mixed-Up Kyle...

If A-Rod does walk, it would be really interesting to see who he would go into the hall as--Seattle I guess? Or whomever he moves on to?

Damn you Lowell and Farns!

What's the deal with Lowell?

Lowell and Tek are Yankee killers, I guess a single up the middle is expected.

314 I thought he's always had 97 mph. Isn't it the stirke zone he can't find?

God damn you Fanrsworth

Well, everything's back to normal.

218 That is no longer true. I apologize for the jinx.

Crap! Mo for 5 outs?

If that enough Joe? really, do you still trust him??

Hey look, Kyle sucks. Who's surprised?

Welcome back Kyle Farnsworth...what do you think about that Joe?

320 Whoever the Hall decides, in theory.

Youkilis hasn't been able to hit anything for the past three months, but along comes Kyle!

I can't even comment...!@#$%^&*()+!

Bring in Mo NOW!!!!!!

Well, A-Rod coming through last inning was... ahem...

Well, A-Rod coming through last inning was... ahem...

WTF were all those arms raised in left for that HR?

326 it was bound to happen. Kyle is not good.

It's funny...after all the changes and five months of baseball...we are still sitting here watch Joe let Kyle turn wins into losses. Incredible.

A-Rod's HR the difference now, and Torre's PR for Giambi backfires AGAIN.

Maybe there need to be a few more 'rules.'

Jesus, Joe, Keyle, don't do this to us

332 Youk has been heating up as of late to be fair. But Kyle still sucks, a lot.

Regarding A-Rod, does 150 for 5 sound about right?

I don't double-post for months... making up for lost time I guess...

Lowell and Youkliss got pitches right down the middle. Farns needs to stay away from there.

341 Chicago doesn't count, and take out that series, and his #s for August are horrifying...

Does Hinske think that looks good?

Amazing...the team battles hard for 7 innings and Joe single handedly puts the team in the position to lose. That's how managers make a difference.

Way to go Kyle. 2 walks and a HR in 0.2 innings of work.

And now Joe can say that "he had" to use Mariano for more than one inning

343 Just like what Farns is doing come to think of it.

A well earned hold.

What I wouldn't do to be a beat reporter after this game and get to ask Torre to explain why continuing to let Farnsworth be awful is helping the team.

I thought Farns had turned a corner. I would say he ran into a couple good hitters but...

I think Kay might cry.

344 See that mound of dirt out there in the middle of the infield? Farns needs to stay away from there

347 Who would you have had in for the 8th?

347 HeyZuse H. F'nChrist! Enough already...

Now, how about this. If Mo finishes the game successfully, is he available tomorrow, or is Joba the closer for the next game? Would you pitch him for the 8th and 9th tomorrow, depending on the score?

353 I could have told you.

Mainly because I don't believe in this corner bullshit.

347 Viz for 2 innings...but if that wasn't an option, Britton or Edwar. Relying on Farnsworth in a big spot is suicide. If this game gets away, it'll be yet another Torre loss.

352 And then march up to Cashman and ask him to give a good reason why Farnsworth is still on this team.

And that Kyle is why you suck and Mo is the greatest relief pitcher in history.

362 Not only does he give up two runs, but he now puts Ortiz in a position to be the winning run.

360 Am I the only one who really doesn't think Edwar has been very good?

358 Sounds really good to me, but how does it sound to Torre?

353 That ball to the backstop in the first AB told you all you needed to know. He's amped up, he's overthrowing and he can't adjust. Notice how Joba calmed himself down last night. Kyle is not a pitcher, he just rears back and throws really hard.

360 There are very few, if any, ML managers that would've gone to Britton or Edwar there - and Edwar, as we know, gives up bombs... I think this is overkilling the Torre blame, my friend.

362 yes. yes in so many ways.

360 Right..if you are willing to use Mo in the 8th anyway, you can afford to start the inning with another pitcher (maybe Britton with a three run lead, or go back to Viz), and go to Rivera if he gets into trouble.

358 Can't pitch 2 tomorrow. He needs a day off previously for every inning he pitches and then the same number off afterwards.

360 Gotta say I wouldn't be comfortable with Britton or Edwar in that situation.

I woulda pitched edwar/britton for the 7th and Viz for the 8th figuring that the better part of the order would be up, ergo, your better pitcher.

358 All depends on the game. Most of the BP will be somewhat tired. I'd do Viz for another 1 and Joba for 1

358 On second thought, the better the scenario is that Wang goes 8 and Joba in the 9th, no?

363 It's Hinskie then Lugo, then Pedrioa next inning, right - so no Oritiz if Mo goes 123

Does Robbie get fined every time he takes the first pitch?

367 I'm sorry, but anytime Farnsworth is used in a key situation it's a gaffe. Add that to allowing Phillips to make an out with men on base and you get another example of Torre mismanaging the end game. Did you agree with both moves?

374 Man, I hope he does.

369 Are you sure that's the way it works? I thought it was just one day off after for each inning pitched. Are you being sarcastic?

I thought Francona did us a favor leaving Timlin in against 3 lefties, but I guess not. That move is as bad as Krazy Kyle, but it paid off.

COme on mo!

375 see 280 . Torre loss is not pitching Mo in a tie game on the road on day, then pitching him in garbage time the next day to get him some work (Giants series). this hardly rises to the level. I get your sentiment bud, but think an outright blaming the manager for if this were it a loss would be a stretch, is all. This is more just the results of having a mostly shitty bullpen.

364 I agree. He's fun, but not the answer. I think he will be very HR prone.

Perfectlly reasonable time to cut away to a sportscenter

380 I completely disagree...it's about a manager who can't divorce himself from Farnsworth.

one more!

From Lohud

UPDATE, 10:16 p.m.: This is where one pitch changs so much. Farnsworth's wildness forced Mo into the game for a four-out save. He threw only 14 pitches yesterday, but these extra pitches could mean he's not available for the day game tomorrow.

This really is Farnsworth in a nutshell. Not only does he suck when he pitches, but he's a hindrance on the entire team. And his useless ass can't even pitch tomorrow.

How did Lugo even make contact with that?

And yes, the replay confirms that he does run funny.

383 Its about an entire organization that refuses to divorce itself from Farnsworth.

HUGE!! MO!

HA! Farnsworth with an IMPORTANT hold!

380 I agree with you except the only reliever who's entirely shitty is the one just pitched before Mo the Man.

What a play by Mo...yet again, Rivera saves the day and makes all mistakes go away.

Ahhh...

Sportsline is ahead of me on TV. It gave away the game for me.

Ok Wanger, you are you up for another 8 innings?

there it is! Nice to have Mo back!

Mo!! Scaring the shyt out of Andy! Ah, now for SpongeBob and bedtime >;)

For all the talk of Boston winning five of the first six, the Yankees have won six of the last eight.

387 Really? How many managers of the 30 would rather have Britton or Slim in there, considering Farns has 7 scoreless IPs? Yes, I know he sucks, but there's a reason there are 25 guys on a team.

And ESPN cuts immediately to sportscenter, which starts by kissing Beckett's ass

Turns out that solo homer I hesitated to accept is what made the difference.

399 No.

really?

399 He of the bajillion hits allowed...

Anyone else notice the felating of Hinskie approached the Cairo love level

NESN headline:
ARod leads the Yankees to a win over Boston.
The Sox will go after ARod HARD if the Yankees don't resign him.
ARod might bat .350 in Fenway park.

398 Just curious... how many of those innings have been holds in pressure situations?

398 I've said all along that managers in baseball aren't all that different from each other. If you replace Torre, someone else will just follow the baseball playbook and put Worthless out there.

I just can't find a way to justify Worthless' presence on this team.

404 The guy sucks, but managers use all 25 guys. That's just the way it works.
405 I guess you know something the other 30 managers don't.

I saw the headline "Two former Sox give Yankees lift over Boston" and couldn't imagine who the other man was for like 45 seconds.

402 Well Hinske has been a whole lot more valuable than Cairo was. Now, whether that warrants fellatio...

406 Yes. Kyle Farnsworth is awful. I'll give them that information for free.

I keep saying I don't blame Torre for this. I blame the organization for keeping this lug for two years now for no good reason.

385 How many pitches tonight? Please...

399 ESPN is to sports fans what AOL is to Internet users.

404 The last three games were high leverage, but the rest were garbage time.

Awesome win, a sweep would be sweet!

406 Tell that to Tony LaRussa...

411 Thanks. All in all, it was bound to happen, which is likely everyone's point?

Sportsline's players of the game are Rivera and Beckett

The hell?

Now, things can all change in a day or two. But where are all the handwringers who just a few days ago announced the season over, lost to the unbetable Mariners?

414 don't you know that Beckett's 3 runs and 11+ hits were more impressive than Clemens 1 run on 2 hits.

The only place we can get Peter Gammons pack of lies and half baked speculation is Baseball Tonight.

Well I need to Tivo this more often.

Boy am I pissed I missed this one.

Great to see another XBH from Captain.

301 What the fuck?

421 That's not what he meant. G'nite >;)

421 (hiccup) 420

421 Yeah, I got it. But I couldn't resist.