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Series Wrap: @ Toronto
2007-09-14 09:02
by Cliff Corcoran

Offense: After dropping eight runs on Shawn Marcum in the first five innings of the opener, the Yankees scored just six more runs in the final 22 frames of the series.

Studs:

Jorge Posada 3 for 7, 2B, HR, RBI, 4 R, 2 BB
Johnny Damon 4 for 12, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, HBP, SB
Jason Giambi 1 for 5, Grand Slam, 2 R, BB, HBP, 3 K
Jose Molina 1 for 3, 2B

Duds:

Melky Cabrera 1 for 13, 2B, 3 K, GIDP
Derek Jeter 1 for 10, 2 BB, HBP, 3 K
Robinson Cano 2 for 12, 2 RBI, R, BB, K
Alex Rodriguez 3 for 11, 0 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Wilson Betemit 0 for 3, 3 K

Doug Mientkiewicz went 0 for 2 as a defensive replacement in all three games. Alberto Gonzalez appeared as a defensive replacement in the opener, but didn't come to bat.

Ouchies: Shelley Duncan's MRI revealed a bone bruise on his pelvis and a small inguinal hernia. He has rejoined the team, is taking anti-inflammatories, and is listed as day-to-day.

Rotation: Outstanding. Rookies Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, and Mike Mussina, making his first start in more than two weeks, combined to allow just three runs (two earned) in 18 2/3 innings while allowing just 9 hits. Mussina didn't allow a run in his return to the rotation, falling one out short of a quality start despite throwing only 87 pitches. Kennedy was the star of the series, however, holding the Blue Jays to one hit over seven innings and needing just 93 pitches to do it.

Bullpen: Sure, Chris Britton lost the finale by giving up hits to the only two batters he faced, but that was the only earned run the pen allowed in the series, posting this line:

7 1/3 IP, 6 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 11 K

The Good:

In the finale, Luis Vizcaino returned from arm and back pain to pitch a dominant 1-2-3 inning, striking out two and throwing just nine pitches, seven strikes. Ross Ohlendorf pitched a perfect in his major league debut in the opener. Edwar Ramirez allowed three base runners in 2 1/3 scoreless innings, but struck out five. Mariano Rivera pitched around a single for a four-out save in the middle game.

The Bad:

Britton.

Joba Chamberlain allowed his first major league run, but still has a career ERA of 0.00 after 16 innings because the run scored on a throwing error by Alex Rodriguez with two outs. Russ Adams, who scored the run, led off the eighth with a double of Chamberlain, just the second extra base hit Joba's allowed in the majors. The first was also a double by a young AL East infielder: Boston's Dustin Pedroia.

Conclusion: With a little more offense they would have had an easy sweep, all credit due to the pitching, which allowed just three extra base hits all series, one double in each game.

Comments
2007-09-14 09:59:34
1.   williamnyy23
DJ has to find a way to get himself off that dud list.
2007-09-14 10:01:41
2.   Cliff Corcoran
1 I think he has to get over himself and take more days off down the stretch with Betemit playing short. Jeter's as banged up as I've ever seen him save for the shoulder injury. Look what regular rest did for Damon.
2007-09-14 10:02:51
3.   Sliced Bread
We need Damon to stay hot this weekend. And a little more of the same from 'Dorf would be wonderful.
2007-09-14 10:14:26
4.   yankz
If last year's team can sweep BOS in 5 games on the road, this year's team can sweep them in 3 games on the road.
2007-09-14 10:18:17
5.   Mattpat11
I'd say I'd take two of three, but I really want to crush Matsuzaka again, and really want Wang to win, and if we win the first two, we need to win the third.
2007-09-14 10:18:36
6.   williamnyy23
2 I agree...I've never seen him run so gingerly. There was a play where he was running on a 3-2. Had the ball not be fouled off, he would have been out by 10 feet. I think Jeter's legs were starting to go already, but the injuries have sure compounded it. If Arod stays around, it would be really nice to see Jeter adopt his off season regimine. It's a shame that Jeter and Arod can't have the same workout relationship as Clemens and Pettitte.
2007-09-14 10:20:59
7.   williamnyy23
I expect Damon, Abreu and Cano to play very well, especially the latter two. Both Robbie and Bobbie seem to love banging balls off that Monster. Now, if only Hidecki can get going, then the Boston righties will be in for some headaches.
2007-09-14 10:36:17
8.   Cliff Corcoran
7 Hideki looks like he's coming around. Note his absence from the Duds list above.
2007-09-14 10:43:46
9.   Bob B
I just want to see Curt Schilling cry.
2007-09-14 10:54:20
10.   Yankee Fan In Boston
9 that should be on a t-shirt.
2007-09-14 10:54:23
11.   bartap74
0 Mussina had 1 K and 3 BBs. That doesn't bode well for his future prospects.
2007-09-14 10:55:50
12.   Chyll Will
6 Hell, why not the whole team? I could definitely see A-Rod taking the Wonder Twins under his wing if they expressed an interest. What a winter workout like that could do for Melky's development...
2007-09-14 10:56:48
13.   Chyll Will
10 Hey Bama, wanna try this one out? >;)
2007-09-14 10:58:30
14.   tommyl
9 I want to read a blog entry about it on 38pitches.com
2007-09-14 11:04:31
15.   SF Yanks
I posted this in the last thread and I'm not sure if anyone saw it, but just in case anyone wants to shout out an answer, here it is again:

Not to think too far ahead or anything, but who sits next season out of the young pitching crop starting rotation? Can you really put Hughes, our best pitching prospect since...a long time, in the pen or back to the minors? Who doesn't want to see what Joba can do starting a game instead of pitching only one inning? Doesn't he have to be in the rotation? And if Kennedy keeps going at this rate, why wouldn't he be in the starting rotation? We also have Wang and likely, Pettitte. Do the Yanks go after a pitcher over the off-season? (I don't think there's many available) But even if they don't go after another pitcher, I can't see them starting the season with potentially 3 unknowns in Joba, Franchise, and IPK, although I wish they would.

2007-09-14 11:04:42
16.   Sliced Bread
Yanks v Matsuzaka

Duds
Bobby: 0 for 8, 4K, GIDP
Melky: 0 for 5, GIDP
Cano: 1 for 9, 5K
Hideki: 0 for 5, no K, SAC
Alex: 1 for 6, 3K

Studs
Damon: 4 for 10, 4RBI
Jason: 3 for 5, 3RBI
Jeter: 4 for 9, 2HR, 3RBI
Jorge: 3 for 6 2RBI

2007-09-14 11:06:19
17.   yankz
15 Moose is signed THROUGH next year...
2007-09-14 11:06:36
18.   yankz
And don't forget Rocket's return in late June '08.
2007-09-14 11:12:29
19.   Yankee Fan In Boston
15 an article from wednesday suggests that pettitte might hang 'em up after this season... but who knows.

http://tinyurl.com/2znsbc

2007-09-14 11:12:53
20.   Alex Belth
Rodriguez has already taken Heckle and Jeckle (Cano and Melky) under his wing. They love him. This is slowly becoming A Rod's team. Not to say that Jeter and Posada and Rivera aren't still the bomb, but Rodriguez is now a star amongst stars.

When he first arrived here, he was just another star. Lots of vets on the team. But the kids like Melk, Cano grew up watching Rodriguez. Sure would be a shame to see him leave now.

Oh, I was messing around with Baseball-Reference's Player Index last night and looked up the 5 best seasons, according to OPS+ by Yankee third basemen. Not surprisingly Rodriguez has four of the top 5, with Nettles in there too (4th place). The funny thing is that last year, A Rod's "off-year" is in third place.

2007-09-14 11:17:38
21.   Yankee Fan In Boston
13 this was the best i could do:
http://tinyurl.com/25p74j
2007-09-14 11:18:36
22.   tommyl
20 Yeah, but I hear he has cooties. Or smells bad.

Seriously, the thing I remember most about A-Rod is a small line item note when Melky and Cano first came up. Apparently, they didn't own any suits, and the Yankees dress code requires them. Knowing they were only making prorated MLB minimum, A-Rod took them out and bought each a few suits and outfits to where. If that's not a good teammate, and someone you want around your kids coming up, I don't know what is.

2007-09-14 11:22:47
23.   RZG
15 I'm throwing a wet blanket on things but you're acting as if all of the starting pitchers will be healthy all of the time.

Between possible injuries and inning limits I wouldn't worry about any excess of starters - I'll be grateful for it.

2007-09-14 11:30:47
24.   thelarmis
18 yeah, but the Astros will already be outta the race by then ; )

19 i read some stuff about that too - yanks or retirement for andy. i think pettitte will be back for one more with us though. just a hunch, but i think he'll be here. we'll see...

my stomach always gets in real bad knots when we play the scum sox. i hate it 'coz i'm really not looking forward to the games. i'll get to watch parts of all three. GO YANKS!!!

2007-09-14 11:35:46
25.   Cliff Corcoran
I think Pettitte comes back, and RZG is dead right about injuries in 23 . Meanwhile, the Yanks are relying heavily on all three of those rookies in a pennant race, what makes you think they'd be unwilling to open a season with them? This is not your older brother's New York Yankees.
2007-09-14 11:44:03
26.   AbbyNormal821
21 Awesome!
2007-09-14 11:45:57
27.   yankz
Will Hughes be considered a rookie next year?
2007-09-14 11:46:55
28.   williamnyy23
21 Amen, brother.
2007-09-14 11:48:13
29.   williamnyy23
27 No...he'll pass the 50 IP threshold (but not the 45 days on the active roster before the 9/1 call-ups). Joba and Kennedy should both still be considerd rookies.
2007-09-14 12:08:23
30.   Sliced Bread
20 It's great that Heckle & Jeckle look up to Rodriguez like a big brother and everybody's having fun and getting along. Here's hoping Boris & Natasha (from yer Rocky and Bullwinkle) don't eff up the good times.

Boras and Mrs. Rodriguez that is.

I don't mean to paint them as villains, but I suspect their agendas have little to do with us having fun watching Rodriguez and his pals.

Bold statement that you think it's becoming his team, but you might be right.

2007-09-14 12:14:53
31.   Bama Yankee
13 Here's the best I could do using MS-Paint:
http://i9.tinypic.com/52fuvja.jpg

The quality is not that great but at least there are four "crying" scenes to choose from. That last one is supposed to be a shot from just before good ol' Sharpie Sock actually did break down and cry in the dugout after a Yankee pounding:
http://www.widewordofsports.com/Articles/Vin-2004/Articles-337.htm

2007-09-14 12:15:37
32.   Bama Yankee
21 Nice.
2007-09-14 12:20:48
33.   Yanks Fan in Chicago
Alright, boys, I'm going to see the White Sox take on the Angels tonight. Here's hoping that K-Rod's arm actually flies off of his body and into the stands. I'd like a souvenir. Wish me luck!
2007-09-14 12:23:01
34.   Yankee Fan In Boston
31 that is the very definition of beauty.
2007-09-14 12:26:08
35.   Sliced Bread
31 more than a couple Red Sox fans might be interested in those, especially if their season doesn't end well.
2007-09-14 12:30:26
36.   AbbyNormal821
33 GOOD LUUUUUUUUUCK!!! Seeing that happen would be worth the price of admission alone, and even add 3 beers, 2 hot dogs, a bag of peanuts, a box of Cracker Jack and one of them Rock 'em/Sock em punching dollies they sell for $20 to that!!!
You can't keep the arm though, you throw it back onto the field, like they do with home run balls!!!
2007-09-14 12:42:38
37.   Bama Yankee
36 LOL, funny stuff Abby. Those punching dollies always crack me up...
2007-09-14 13:25:58
38.   Yankee Fan In Boston
33 36 if it separated at the shoulder, would it be acceptable to use the arm as a pair of thundersticks? just bend it at the elbow...

slap slap slap slap

then we could feed it to the squirrel, ending the angels' mojo once and for all.

2007-09-14 13:39:33
39.   AbbyNormal821
38 I don't know why, but I'm cracking up over a visual that's actually pretty gross!!
2007-09-14 13:43:15
40.   Yankee Fan In Boston
39 go ahead and laugh. technically, it isn't gross if it involves k-rod never pitching again.

...but this might call for another t-shirt.

2007-09-14 13:57:12
41.   AbbyNormal821
40 I'd buy one!
2007-09-14 14:23:46
42.   Bama Yankee
40 Heck, if you're gonna do it why not just get both arms...
http://i2.tinypic.com/4ml7skh.jpg
2007-09-14 14:39:44
43.   JL25and3
25 I'm predicting that at least one of those pitchers takes a step backwards at some point next year and ends up doing a stint in Scranton of Wilkes Barre.
2007-09-14 14:45:05
44.   Sarasota
here's hoping that Matsuzakasan implodes and gives up a snowman tonight, Pouklis goes for the golden sombrero and that Dustbin gets knocked into the green monster on a play at 2nd base.....
2007-09-14 14:45:08
45.   OldYanksFan
We need a healthy Jeter for the PS.
We need to sit this current GOJ down.
And we need to rest Jorge AMAP down the stretch.
And for gripes sakes, Joe... PLAY GIAMBI!
2007-09-14 14:48:26
46.   ny2ca2dc
Lineup from The PeteAbe:
Johnny Damon DH
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguex 3B
Jorge Posada C
Hideki Matsui LF
Jason Giambi 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera CF

George batting 5th! He's earned it regardless, but PeteAbe's explanation: "Matsui if 0 for 5 against Matsuzaka and Posada 3 for 6. Hence Posada hitting fifth."

2007-09-14 15:20:37
47.   SF Yanks
25 Good point and I just saw that btw. Here's my thinking though. With Moose signed for one more and the Yanks out on the prowl for another starting pitcher (most likely) who sits at the beginning? I'm sure there will be injuries and such but that's not really what I'm talking about. It just seems like you can't leave any of the three rookies in the minors unless one of them has a horrible spring training. I guess the answer will be much easier come next year but if they are all pitching well, it's a tough choice.
2007-09-14 15:20:50
48.   JL25and3
46 Michael Kay's thought was that Posada was moved up to give Rodriguez a little protection.

Three straight lefties after Posada, though. Matsui + Giambi + Cano = Okajima

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