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Splitsville
2008-03-15 19:18
by Cliff Corcoran

The Yankees split a pair of split-squad games yesterday. Since the home game against the Rays got all of the coverage, let's start with the road game against the Tigers.

Yankees 11, Tigers 7

Lineup:

L - Johnny Damon (LF)
S - Melky Cabrera (CF)
L - Robinson Cano (2B)
L - Jason Giambi (DH)
R - Jose Molina (C)
R - Morgan Ensberg (3B)
R - Jason Lane (RF)
R - Cody Ransom (1B)
R - Alberto Gonzalez (SS)

Pitchers: Joba Chamberlain, Ross Ohlendorf, Kyle Farnsworth, Scott Strickland*, Brian Bruney, Jose Veras

Subs: Juan Miranda* (1B), Reegie Corona* (2B), Chris Woodward (SS), Kyle Anson (PH/C), Colin Curtis* (RF), Tim Battle* (CF), Justin Christian (LF), Carlos Mendoza* (DH)

Opposition: The Tigers' starters.

Big Hits: A solo homer by Kyle Anson (1 for 2) off Jason Grilli. Doubles by Jason Lane (1 for 3) and Robinson Cano (2 for 4) off Justin Verlander. Doubles by Morgan Ensberg (3 for 5) and Cody Ransom (2 for 3). Melky Cabrera was 2 for 4, Jose Molina was 2 for 3.

Who Pitched Well: Brian Bruney pitched around a single for a scoreless inning, striking out two and walking none. Kyle Farnsworth pitched around a single and a Miguel Cabrera double for two scoreless innings. Though he struck out none, he did get five of his six outs on the ground.

Who Didn't: Joba Chamberlain walked three men in three innings, gave up a single and a solo homer to Curtis Granderson, and allowed a pair of singles. All totaled, he gave up three runs in those three frames, though he did get seven of his nine outs via strikeout (2) and groundball (5). Ross Ohlendorf allowed two runs on three hits, including a solo homer by Granderson (who had 11 total bases on the day), however an error rendered both runs unearned and Ollie got two of his three outs on the ground. Jose Veras gave up a solo homer to Timo Perez in the ninth. That was Veras's only baserunner, but Timo Perez?! For the curious, minor league loaner Scott Strickland gave up a run on two hits in the seventh.

Nice Plays: The 4-6-3 trio of Robinson Cano, Alberto Gonzalez, and Cody Ransom turned three doube plays.

Oopsies: An error by Cano.

Ouchies: Jason Giambi returned to action after complaining of back stiffness and went 0 for 3, but scored a run and drove one in.

Rays 7, Yanks 2

Lineup:

L - Brett Gardner (CF)
R - Derek Jeter (SS)
L - Bobby Abreu (DH)
R - Alex Rodriguez (3B)
L - Hideki Matsui (LF)
S - Jorge Posada (C)
R - Shelley Duncan (1B)
S - Wilson Betemit (2B)
L - Greg Porter (RF)

Pitchers: Ian Kennedy, Mariano Rivera, LaTroy Hawkins, Kei Igawa, Eric Wordekemper*

Subs: Bernie Castro (2B), Eduardo Nuñez* (SS), Nick Green (3B/1B), Marcos Vechionacci* (3B), Chad Moeller (C), Jose Tabata* (RF), Austin Jackson* (CF), Matt Carson* (LF), Jason Brown (PH/DH)

Opposition: Four of the Rays' starters (the Rays were also playing split-squad games).

Big Hits: Doubles by Alex Rodriguez (2 for 2), Jorge Posada (1 for 1, sac fly), and Chad Moeller (1 for 2). Brett Gardner was 2 for 3 with another stolen base.

Who Pitched Well: No one was great, but LaTroy Hawkins survived two walks for a scorless, hitless fifth inning, getting two of his three outs on the ground and the third via a caught stealing. Ian Kennedy was inefficient and allowed two runs and five baserunners while throwing 57 pitches in just three innings, but the two runs both came on solo homers (by Eric Hinske and a wind-blown shot by Chris Richard), he only allowed one other hit (a single) and struck out five in those three frames. Mariano Rivera only allowed a single, but that runner came around to score.

Who Didn't: Kei Igawa gave up three runs in three innings on five hits, four of which went for extra bases (two doubles, a triple and a monster solo homer by Hector Gimenez). He struck out just one, though he didn't walk any.

Oopsies: Austin Jackson misplayed a ball in center.

Feud Fallout: Shelley Duncan and Akinori Iwamura both played without incident. Jonny Gomes was kept home to play with the Rays' other split squad. Melky Cabrera says he didn't hit Evan Longoria and will appeal his suspension. Sticking to his story, Duncan will appeal as well. In the fourth inning, third base coach Bobby Meacham sent Alex Rodriguez into a sure out at home plate (he switched to a stop sign too late) and Rodriguez simply cruised to a stop in the baseline rather than try to bowl over Josh Paul, who was bracing for a hit.

Roster News: rehabbing first-year hurler Andrew Brackman was officially placed on the 60-day disabled list and lefty reliever Billy Traber was added to the 40-man roster. This doesn't mean that Traber has made the 25-man roster, but it certainly tips things in his favor, as Sean Henn's primary advantage over Traber was the fact that he was on the 40-man and out of options.

*players on loan from minor league camp

Comments
2008-03-15 20:31:22
1.   Cliff Corcoran
By the way, I want to apologize to those who came out to see me at the Borders at the Rockaway Mall. I got in the car to head to the store, and my car just wasn't having it. It's in the shop and I'm dreading the bill, but I feel worse about standing up any of my readers who may have made the trip. Next time I'll arrange for backup transportation just in case. :p
2008-03-15 22:02:35
2.   bobtaco
1 Zipcar is your friend.
2008-03-16 05:24:23
3.   Bagel Boy
Peter Abraham does a good job of pointing out that Joba is still working on his secondary pitches. If anyone knows it, I'd love to see a breakdown of what he's throwing.

I think I'll make one post without cheerleading for Gardner. Whoops! Love that mlb.com article though. Thanks.

I asked this in another thread - anyone know how the 60-day works? Can they put Pavano there now? And with Henn and Bruney, if they don't make the team, isn't that two more slots that will open up since they don't have options?

I'll second 2 - Zipcar is your friend.

2008-03-16 05:56:29
4.   monkeypants
3 Pavano is already on the 60 day DL, no?
2008-03-16 05:58:12
5.   Yu-Hsing Chen
Barry Zito continues to get hammered.

you know your doing poorly when your ERA goes down after a 7 run 5 1/3 IP outting.

oh and his 0/10 K/BB ratio (not a typo) is basically a red flag impaled right in his chest.

2008-03-16 07:33:30
6.   OldYanksFan
I think Cashman deserves serious kudos for not only NOT trading for Santana but also the tremendous work on our farm system, rated 24th of 30 just 3 years ago.

Aside from a serious drop in payroll costs over the next 2 years, we have a pretty solid team (Pecota projected us to win the division) right now. And THIS is our rebuilding year! Yikes!

2008-03-16 07:36:06
7.   OldYanksFan
QUESTION: If Melky and Shelly BOTH get suspensions, can they serve them at different times, so they are not both out of the lineup at the same time?
2008-03-16 07:38:01
8.   NJYankee41
Sorry to hear about your car troubles Cliff, I was looking forward to meeting you. I was the lone representative of the Banter at Borders yesterday. Steve and Derek were great and gave you a lot of credit for the work you did on the book. It was a small group so we just had a nice talk about everything baseball. Oh, and good luck with that repair bill.
2008-03-16 08:25:32
9.   Cliff Corcoran
4 No, I just won't take him out of that slot on the sidebar until he pitches in a regular season game. During the offseason, all players on the DL are activated and guys like Pavano have to be placed there again at the end of spring training.

7 Only if the Yankees get tricky and option one of them to triple-A to start the year. Then the player in the minors won't serve his suspension until he's recalled (at least that's how I understand it).

8 You weren't the only one, NJ. Nonetheless, I'm glad you had a good time and I'm sorry I missed you.

2008-03-16 09:16:00
10.   NJYankee41
9 Really? I thought I was. Now I wish I had known who else was.
2008-03-16 10:19:28
11.   monkeypants
9 Ah, OK. Well then there really would be no problem IF the team wished to add Gardner to the 40-man roster. Pavano can be (will be) DLed, and in any case, I've got a feeling that a couple of players (White?) will be released before the season starts.
2008-03-16 10:27:03
12.   OldYanksFan
"Free agent right-hander Kyle Lohse passed his physical Friday and finalized his $4.25 million, one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals."

His Career ERA, as well as the last 4 years in the NL is around 4.80. Gives you an idea of the value of all of our young pitchers. I got to think we have a few that will be better then that, for minimum wage.

2008-03-16 10:36:03
13.   OldYanksFan
Are we gonna discuss if we sould get CC or not? I think he's ours if we want him. There are a lot of fat pitchers who have been successful. Is his weight an issue?

My guess is he gets $18-$20m/yr.

2008-03-16 11:44:11
14.   weeping for brunnhilde
I really, really love this Jose Molina.
2008-03-16 12:52:54
15.   rbj
Re: the Tigers game yesterday; I was listening to the Detroit broadcast of it and they were saying there was a strong wind to CF, and it did aid in some of the hits.
2008-03-16 13:11:57
16.   OldYanksFan
The AG with an absolutely beautiful play on the DP.

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