Thursday, July 3, 2008
RedSox (50-37) @ Yankees (45-40), 7:05pm **Game Chatter**
BOS: Jon Lester (24, LHP, 6-3, 3.48) vs. NYY: Andy Pettitte (36, LHP, 9-5, 3.98)
Lineups…
Boston Red Sox
J. Ellsbury, LF (.267/.344/.379)
D. Pedroia, 2B (.311/.354/.464)
J. Drew, RF (.302/.412/.577)
M. Ramirez, DH (.279/.370/.500)
M. Lowell, 3B (.298/.360/.514)
K. Youkilis, 1B (.306/.376/.529)
C. Crisp, CF (.270/.313/.434)
J. Varitek, C (.216/.300/.364)
J. Lugo, SS (.270/.361/.338)
New York Yankees
J. Damon, LF (.320/.387/.469)
D. Jeter, SS (.279/.340/.385)
B. Abreu, RF (.284/.353/.456)
A. Rodriguez, 3B (.321/.406/.604)
J. Giambi, DH (.268/.403/.562)
J. Posada, C (.293/.371/.466)
R. Cano, 2B (.248/.284/.363)
W. Betemit, 1B (.267/.297/.477)
M. Cabrera, CF (.240/.305/.345)
The easy schedule is over.
NY POST: FINALLY BATS MORE LIKE IT!
When Hank Steinbrenner talks, his people listen.
Either that or the Yankees were simply due last night against a starting pitcher with a 5.40 ERA, backed by the worst defense in the major leagues and a dreadful bullpen.
Hours after the Baby Boss’ mandate that his lineup start awakening, Jason Giambi hit a grand slam and finished with six RBIs, helping the Yankees to their highest scoring output of the season in an 18-7 thrashing of Texas at the Stadium.
I’d be shocked if the Yankees scored a total of 18 runs over the next 4 games.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Rangers (44-41) @ Yankees (44-40), 7:05pm **Game Chatter**
TEX: Luis Mendoza (24, RHP, 1-2, 5.40) vs. NYY: Snacks Pontoon (31, RHP, 5-1, 3.50)
Lineups…
Texas Rangers
I. Kinsler, 2B(.324/.380/.536)
M. Young, SS(.287/.339/.417)
J. Hamilton, RF(.308/.361/.556)
M. Bradley, DH(.321/.440/.605)
D. Murphy, LF(.266/.306/.445)
M. Byrd, CF(.241/.331/.379)
C. Davis, 1B(.333/.412/.800)
J. Saltalamacchia, C(.216/.333/.328)
R. Vazquez, 3B(.319/.386/.503)
New York Yankees
J. Damon, LF(.317/.385/.469)
D. Jeter, SS(.280/.340/.388)
B. Abreu, RF(.283/.351/.454)
A. Rodriguez, 3B(.316/.399/.591)
J. Giambi, 1B(.264/.399/.545)
J. Posada, DH(.292/.367/.462)
R. Cano, 2B(.245/.282/.359)
M. Cabrera, CF(.240/.305/.345)
J. Molina, C(.228/.255/.317)
Rangers go for the sweep. Snacks Pontoon stars in the role of “The Piñata”.
NY Daily News: Joba Chamberlain, Yankee offense come up short in loss to Rangers
As if the Yankees haven’t had a tough enough time trying to figure out their uneven season, now their superlative closer is locked into a bizarre trend that renders him vulnerable in games that are not save situations.
On another night in which the punchless Yankees didn’t hit, Rivera entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied and gave up the winning run in a 3-2 loss to the Rangers in front of 53,223 at the Stadium.
Rivera is perfect in 22 save situations, throwing 23-1/3 scoreless innings. But he has entered a game with the score tied six times this year and allowed one run four times - his season total for runs allowed. He gave up three hits to Texas Tuesday night, a season-high, with the big ones a double by Ian Kinsler leading off the ninth and Michael Young’s single through a drawn-in infield to knock in the winner.
I’m having a rough time at work of late so I apologize for not writing anything of substance. Thankfully, the Yankees are making it easy for me to ignore them.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Rangers (43-41) @ WOE (44-39), 7:05pm **Game Chatter**
TEX: Kevin Millwood (33, RHP, 5-4, 5.08) vs. NYY: Joba Chamberlain (22, RHP, 2-2, 2.03)
Lineups…
Texas Rangers
I. Kinsler, 2B (.321/.375/.532)
M. Young, SS (.285/.338/.418)
J. Hamilton, RF (.312/.363/.563)
M. Bradley, DH (.318/.437/.603)
D. Murphy, LF (.270/.308/.451)
M. Byrd, CF (.245/.331/.385)
C. Davis, 1B (.333/.385/.917)
J. Saltalamacchia, C (.215/.336/.331)
R. Vazquez, 3B (.320/.388/.508)
New York Yankees
J. Damon, DH (.315/.384/.463)
B. Gardner, LF (.000/.000/.000)
B. Abreu, RF (.283/.352/.457)
A. Rodriguez, 3B (.322/.405/.601)
J. Giambi, 1B (.263/.398/.548)
J. Posada, C (.286/.364/.460)
R. Cano, 2B (.242/.280/.358)
W. Betemit, SS (.266/.280/.494)
M. Cabrera, CF (.244/.309/.350)
Whatever.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Yankees.com: Yanks edged by Rangers in opener
NEW YORK—The Yankees got another solid performance from their starting pitcher Monday night, but they couldn’t convert scoring opportunities, and the missed chances resulted in a tough 2-1 loss to the visiting Rangers.
Right-hander Mike Mussina kept the Texas offense relatively quiet in the series opener, giving up just two runs on five hits in six innings. After his previous start in Pittsburgh on Thursday was cut short because of bad weather, Mussina tallied eight strikeouts against the Rangers, but it wasn’t enough.
It should have been enough, ya know, for a normal offense facing the Rangers.
Rangers (42-41) @ Yankees (44-38), 7:05pm **Game Chatter**
TEX: Scott Feldman (25, RHP, 1-3, 4.60) vs. NYY: Mike Mussina (39, RHP, 10-5, 3.93)
Lineups…
Texas Rangers
I. Kinsler, 2B(.323/.377/.534)
M. Young, SS(.280/.333/.408)
J. Hamilton, RF(.312/.362/.565)
M. Bradley, DH(.323/.443/.613)
D. Murphy, LF(.272/.306/.454)
M. Byrd, CF(.252/.340/.396)
C. Davis, 1B(.375/.444/1.125)
J. Saltalamacchia, C(.214/.338/.333)
R. Vazquez, 3B(.326/.391/.517)
New York Yankees
B. Gardner, LF(-/-/-)
D. Jeter, SS(.284/.344/.393)
B. Abreu, RF(.286/.353/.461)
A. Rodriguez, 3B(.322/.404/.591)
J. Giambi, 1B(.262/.396/.542)
J. Posada, DH(.287/.367/.459)
R. Cano, 2B(.244/.282/.361)
M. Cabrera, CF(.246/.312/.354)
J. Molina, C(.225/.253/.317)
At least interleague play is over.
The Times and Democrat: Holly Hill’s Brett Gardner called up to New York Yankees
Don’t believe dreams can come true?
Just talk to Brett Gardner. Because, Sunday afternoon, Gardner’s big-league dream came true when Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager Dave Miley called him into his office and informed him that he had been called up to the team’s parent club, the New York Yankees.
“It really hasn’t set in yet,” Gardner said as his team traveled back from it’s game against Buffalo. “Absolutely, it’s a dream come true. Growing up as a little kid, you get older, and you realize how far away it is. It really hasn’t set in yet, but I think (Monday) when I get there it will definitely happen.”
Gardner is scheduled to drive from Scranton to New York Monday and be in uniform for the Yankees 7:05 p.m. series opener against the Texas Rangers. The former Holly Hill Academy, St. George Post 105 and College of Charleston standout has been on the radar for a promotion to the big leagues for some time. In 80 games with Triple-A Scranton this season, Gardner was batting .287 with three home runs, 29 RBIs, 34 stolen bases and had a .412 on-base percentage. His play and injuries to New York outfielders Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui opened a door in the Bronx Bombers’ outfield.
While I’m skeptical about how Gardner’s game will translate to the majors, I do look forward to seeing what he can do with this chance. Thanks to yankeemonkey by way of River Avenue Blues for the link.
Incidentally, here are some splits on Melky:
Through May 4: .291/.359/.505
From May 5 on: .220/.284/.266
It may be time to try something else.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Easy Schedule Checkpoint - June 29
| Date | Opponent | Exp W | Exp L | Act W | Act L |
| 20-May | Orioles | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0 | 1 |
| 21-May | Orioles | 1.2 | 0.8 | 1 | 1 |
| 22-May | Orioles | 1.8 | 1.2 | 2 | 1 |
| 23-May | Mariners | 2.5 | 1.5 | 3 | 1 |
| 24-May | Mariners | 3.2 | 1.8 | 4 | 1 |
| 25-May | Mariners | 3.8 | 2.2 | 5 | 1 |
| 26-May | @Orioles | 4.4 | 2.6 | 5 | 2 |
| 27-May | @Orioles | 4.9 | 3.1 | 5 | 3 |
| 28-May | @Orioles | 5.4 | 3.6 | 6 | 3 |
| 30-May | @Twins | 5.9 | 4.1 | 7 | 3 |
| 31-May | @Twins | 6.4 | 4.6 | 8 | 3 |
| 1-Jun | @Twins | 6.9 | 5.1 | 8 | 4 |
| 2-Jun | @Twins | 7.4 | 5.6 | 8 | 5 |
| 3-Jun | Blue Jays | 8.0 | 6.0 | 8 | 6 |
| 4-Jun | Blue Jays | 8.6 | 6.4 | 9 | 6 |
| 5-Jun | Blue Jays | 9.2 | 6.8 | 10 | 6 |
| 6-Jun | Royals | 9.8 | 7.2 | 10 | 7 |
| 7-Jun | Royals | 10.4 | 7.6 | 11 | 7 |
| 8-Jun | Royals | 11.1 | 7.9 | 12 | 7 |
| 9-Jun | Royals | 11.7 | 8.3 | 12 | 8 |
| 10-Jun | @Athletics | 12.2 | 8.8 | 13 | 8 |
| 11-Jun | @Athletics | 12.7 | 9.3 | 13 | 9 |
| 12-Jun | @Athletics | 13.1 | 9.9 | 14 | 9 |
| 13-Jun | @Astros | 13.7 | 10.3 | 15 | 9 |
| 14-Jun | @Astros | 14.2 | 10.8 | 16 | 9 |
| 15-Jun | @Astros | 14.8 | 11.2 | 17 | 9 |
| 17-Jun | Padres | 15.4 | 11.6 | 18 | 9 |
| 18-Jun | Padres | 16.1 | 11.9 | 19 | 9 |
| 19-Jun | Padres | 16.7 | 12.3 | 20 | 9 |
| 20-Jun | Reds | 17.4 | 12.6 | 20 | 10 |
| 21-Jun | Reds | 18.0 | 13.0 | 20 | 11 |
| 22-Jun | Reds | 18.6 | 13.4 | 21 | 11 |
| 24-Jun | @Pirates | 19.2 | 13.8 | 21 | 12 |
| 25-Jun | @Pirates | 19.7 | 14.3 | 22 | 12 |
| 27-Jun | @Mets | 20.2 | 14.8 | 22 | 13 |
| 27-Jun | @Mets | 20.7 | 15.3 | 23 | 13 |
| 28-Jun | @Mets | 21.2 | 15.8 | 24 | 13 |
| 29-Jun | @Mets | 21.7 | 16.3 | 24 | 14 |
Despite losing 5 of their last 9 games, the Yankees are still ahead of expectations on the easy portion of their schedule. I'd probably extend the easy schedule to include the upcoming 3 game set with the Texas Rangers, who are hitting pretty well (team OPS+ of 116) but pitching poorly (team ERA+ of 83).
Yankees (44-37) @ Mets (39-41), 1:10pm **Game Chatter**
NYY: Darrell Rasner (27, RHP, 4-5, 4.50) vs. NYM: Oliver Perez (26, LHP, 5-5, 5.29)
Lineups…
New York Yankees
J. Damon, LF (.317/.387/.468)
D. Jeter, SS (.281/.342/.391)
A. Rodriguez, 3B (.327/.410/.602)
J. Posada, 1B (.297/.378/.475)
W. Betemit, 2B (.267/.282/.467)
M. Cabrera, CF (.249/.315/.357)
J. Molina, C (.230/.259/.324)
J. Christian, RF (.250/.308/.333)
D. Rasner, P (-/1.000/-)
New York Mets
J. Reyes, SS (.294/.355/.485)
L. Castillo, 2B (.253/.358/.325)
D. Wright, 3B (.288/.382/.502)
C. Beltran, CF (.273/.374/.485)
C. Delgado, 1B (.230/.309/.416)
R. Church, RF (.300/.365/.522)
E. Chavez, LF (.228/.284/.289)
B. Schneider, C (.259/.333/.310)
O. Perez, P (.200/.304/.200)
Posada at first base, huh? Go Yanks.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Yankees (43-37) @ Mets (39-40), 3:55pm **Game Chatter**
NYY: Andy Pettitte (36, LHP, 8-5, 4.04) vs. NYM: Johan Santana (29, LHP, 7-6, 2.93)
Lineups…
New York Yankees
J. Damon, LF (.322/.390/.474)
D. Jeter, SS (.285/.345/.397)
B. Abreu, RF (.285/.351/.462)
A. Rodriguez, 3B (.327/.409/.605)
J. Giambi, 1B (.268/.404/.555)
J. Posada, C (.302/.382/.483)
R. Cano, 2B (.241/.279/.359)
M. Cabrera, CF (.253/.319/.363)
A. Pettitte, P (-/-/-)
New York Mets
J. Reyes, SS (.294/.356/.488)
L. Castillo, 2B (.254/.360/.326)
D. Wright, 3B (.288/.381/.493)
C. Beltran, CF (.276/.378/.491)
C. Delgado, 1B (.233/.313/.422)
F. Tatis, RF (.256/.287/.317)
A. Phillips, LF (.130/.200/.174)
R. Castro, C (.255/.356/.373)
J. Santana, P (.156/.182/.281)
Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike interleague play?
SWB: Jennings - Robertson to New York
Don't know yet who's coming down, but David Robertson is in New York. Seems like his audition for the eighth inning will begin any day now, possibly tonight. No doubt Robertson earned the opportunity. He has a 1.64 ERA in Triple-A, with 48 strikeouts in 33 innings. His ERA for the past month 1.06.
In case anyone's curious, here are Robertson's MLEs for his career:
| Year | Team | Org | Lg | W | L | ERA | G | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO |
| 2007 | Charleston | NYA | South-Atlantic | 6 | 1 | 2.30 | 24 | 43 | 33 | 11 | 0 | 19 | 45 |
| 2007 | Tampa | NYA | Florida State | 3 | 1 | 2.61 | 18 | 31 | 24 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 29 |
| 2007 | Trenton | NYA | Eastern | 0 | 0 | 2.25 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 2008 | Trenton | NYA | Eastern | 0 | 0 | 2.12 | 9 | 17 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 18 |
| 2008 | Scranton | NYA | International | 3 | 0 | 1.97 | 20 | 32 | 23 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 35 |
| Total | 12 | 2 | 2.27 | 73 | 127 | 95 | 32 | 0 | 60 | 131 |
AP: Ponson matches Delgado in nightcap; Yankees split
Sidney Ponson pitched a gem, silencing Delgado and the rest of the New York Mets in a 9-0 victory Friday night to help the Yankees earn a split in their day-night, two-stadium doubleheader.
...
Ponson outpitched Pedro Martinez with six shutout innings, and the Bronx Bombers broke loose in Queens for their first win in four Subway Series games this season.
Who saw that coming?
Friday, June 27, 2008
Mets vs. Yankees **Doubleheader Game Chatter**
Game 1: Mets (38-39) @ Yankees (42-36), 2:05pm
NYM: Mike Pelfrey (24, RHP, 4-6, 4.30) vs. NYY: Dan Giese (31, RHP, 1-2, 0.64)
Lineups…
New York Mets
J. Reyes, SS(.292/.352/.491)
L. Castillo, 2B(.254/.356/.329)
D. Wright, 3B(.276/.373/.488)
C. Beltran, CF(.275/.375/.481)
C. Delgado, DH(.229/.306/.396)
T. Nixon, RF(.148/.281/.296)
M. Anderson, LF(.198/.220/.291)
F. Tatis, 1B(.253/.288/.320)
B. Schneider, C(.260/.337/.314)
New York Yankees
M. Cabrera, CF(.254/.317/.367)
D. Jeter, SS(.286/.345/.394)
B. Abreu, RF(.279/.340/.456)
A. Rodriguez, 3B(.324/.403/.597)
J. Giambi, DH(.266/.398/.561)
J. Posada, C(.306/.389/.495)
R. Cano, 2B(.241/.282/.350)
W. Betemit, 1B(.254/.271/.463)
J. Christian, LF(.375/.444/.500)
Game 2: Yankees (42-36) @ Mets (38-39), 8:10pm
NYY: Snacks Pontoon (31, RHP, 4-1, 3.88) vs. NYM: Pedro Martinez (36, RHP, 2-1, 6.57)
Lineups…
TBA
