For much of last night's game the Yankees seemed like the much inferior team to the Rays. They were out pitched and out played. By the 9th inning most the fans had left as Tampa Bay had built a 10-2 lead off a poor start by Burnett and bad bullpen outing by Boone Logan and Melancon However, the Yanks were not left with a completely bitter taste as they rallied a bit in the 9th and left the Stadium with a 10-6 loss. The 4 runs in the 9th all came with 2 outs and they were one batter away from bringing the tying run to the plate.
Starting Pitching (Burnett): C Although he gave up 6 runs which is unacceptable he did give the Yankees 6.2 innings pitched which is what the bullpen desperately needed. He did settle down after the first few innings but by then the damage was done. The grade is not worse because he gave the team length.
Offense: C+ Couldn't muster anything through 8 innings and granted the team is very injured but they need to score more than 2 runs in 8 innings. Only bright spot was the 9th.
Bullpen: D- 4 Runs in 2.1 innings is awful and if they don't give up those 4 runs the Yanks tie it at 6 in the 9th. Poor outing again and this time it wasn't by Mo or Joba.
Weather for tomorrow's Game 1 of Subway Series
Looks like another great night for baseball tomorrow night with temperatures in the 80s early falling into the 70s and 60s by the end of the game. First half of the weekend looks okay as well.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Yanks Split Series w/Boston; "Bullpen is a mess"
There is definitely not a lack of drama when the Red Sox come to town. Both games (Monday and Tuesday) were decided in the 9th inning and both featured large comebacks by the Red Sox. The Yanks are probably lucky to get out of the series with 1-win as they let both games get away from them. They could have lost the first one as well. So let's take a look at both games and hand out the letter grades.
A-Rod Ties It and Thames Wins It on Walk Off
What started out as a 5-0 lead in the 1st inning off Matsusaka evaporated throughout the middle innings and finally disappeared in the 7th as Chan Ho Park made his first appearance post-injury and allowed two HRs to give up the lead and make it 9-7 Sox going to the 8th. The Yanks got nothing off of Bard in the 8th but Papelbon entered for the 9th. Gardner promplty doubled and Teixiera moved him to 3rd on a fly ball. A-Rod then hit a two-run no-doubter to left to tie the game. After Cano made out, drama ensued as Cervelli was hit by a pitch. Clearly it was not intentional as it was the bottom of the 9th but with Posada sidelined with a foot injury, the Yankees could not afford to lose their back up cather. Marcus Thames stepped to the plate and blasted the first pitch he saw into the left field seats. The Yanks won a very exciting game that saw them blow a 5 run lead.
Phil Hugues struggled to put hitters away through his 5 innings and was bitten by the Home Run as JD Drew hit a 3 run HR and Ortiz and Martinez contributed solo shots. He seemed to have control issues throughout the game but at least kept the team in the game.
Final grades:
Offense: A+ Never gave up, and continued to put pressure on Boston pitching. 11 runs in any game is a great day.
Starting Pitching (Hughes): B- This grade would be worse if the offense hadn't scored 5 runs in the first. Phil didn't really have a poor inning until the 5th and was killed by the one mistake he made to Drew. Not a terrible performance by any means.
Bullpen: C Vazquez looked great for his one batter in a tight spot, Marte looked good as well. Park couldn't locate at all and gave up the lead.
Yanks Blow Another Lead but Can't Rally This Time
Again the Yankees took a lead in Game 2 against the Sox but couldn't hold it as it rapidly slipped away in the 8th when Chamberlain came on and couldn't figure out how to throw a strike. The game was tied heading into the 9th when Mo gave up some more runs (let's hope this is just a blip for him). Trailing by 2 in the bottom of the 9th, the Yanks got a man on 2nd with no one out and BUNTED Cervelli?! I do not understand it because he is hitting so well with runners in scoring position. Gardner did get to 3rd on the bunt but could not be brought home and the Bombers lost the game.
Final Grades:
Offense: A- Good overall, but couldn't capitalize to win the game. Hit the ball hard though
Starting Pitching (Sabatthia): A- Only 1 run allowed. Good start overshadowed by Joba's horrific 8th inning.
Bullpen: F They simply did not do the job. Joba gave up 4 runs in an inning and Mo gave up 2 in the 9th.
A-Rod Ties It and Thames Wins It on Walk Off
What started out as a 5-0 lead in the 1st inning off Matsusaka evaporated throughout the middle innings and finally disappeared in the 7th as Chan Ho Park made his first appearance post-injury and allowed two HRs to give up the lead and make it 9-7 Sox going to the 8th. The Yanks got nothing off of Bard in the 8th but Papelbon entered for the 9th. Gardner promplty doubled and Teixiera moved him to 3rd on a fly ball. A-Rod then hit a two-run no-doubter to left to tie the game. After Cano made out, drama ensued as Cervelli was hit by a pitch. Clearly it was not intentional as it was the bottom of the 9th but with Posada sidelined with a foot injury, the Yankees could not afford to lose their back up cather. Marcus Thames stepped to the plate and blasted the first pitch he saw into the left field seats. The Yanks won a very exciting game that saw them blow a 5 run lead.
Phil Hugues struggled to put hitters away through his 5 innings and was bitten by the Home Run as JD Drew hit a 3 run HR and Ortiz and Martinez contributed solo shots. He seemed to have control issues throughout the game but at least kept the team in the game.
Final grades:
Offense: A+ Never gave up, and continued to put pressure on Boston pitching. 11 runs in any game is a great day.
Starting Pitching (Hughes): B- This grade would be worse if the offense hadn't scored 5 runs in the first. Phil didn't really have a poor inning until the 5th and was killed by the one mistake he made to Drew. Not a terrible performance by any means.
Bullpen: C Vazquez looked great for his one batter in a tight spot, Marte looked good as well. Park couldn't locate at all and gave up the lead.
Yanks Blow Another Lead but Can't Rally This Time
Again the Yankees took a lead in Game 2 against the Sox but couldn't hold it as it rapidly slipped away in the 8th when Chamberlain came on and couldn't figure out how to throw a strike. The game was tied heading into the 9th when Mo gave up some more runs (let's hope this is just a blip for him). Trailing by 2 in the bottom of the 9th, the Yanks got a man on 2nd with no one out and BUNTED Cervelli?! I do not understand it because he is hitting so well with runners in scoring position. Gardner did get to 3rd on the bunt but could not be brought home and the Bombers lost the game.
Final Grades:
Offense: A- Good overall, but couldn't capitalize to win the game. Hit the ball hard though
Starting Pitching (Sabatthia): A- Only 1 run allowed. Good start overshadowed by Joba's horrific 8th inning.
Bullpen: F They simply did not do the job. Joba gave up 4 runs in an inning and Mo gave up 2 in the 9th.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Twins Break Curse at Stadium
Well, it took them a while to do it, but the Twins finally came through against the Yankees at the new Stadium. What looked like a sure win for the Yankees heading into the 8th inning turned into heartbreaking defeat, capped by a Grand Slam by Jason Kubel off the great Rivera. Mo fails at his job so rarely that it shocks everyone when he does. He his human after all and does make mistakes. Kubel capitalized on one of those mistakes today and gave the Twins a much needed win in the Bronx.
Despite the loss, there are definitely some positives to take from this game on the Yankee side. Starting with offense, Winn and Pena were both 2-4 and Winn had 2 of the 3 Yankee RBIs with a triple. Both hitters had been struggling with the bat and it was a much needed lift today for both of them. Posada and Teixeira both continued their hot hitting going a combined 4-8. The Yanks even got the tying run to the plate in the 9th but couldn't capitalize. So offensively, not a bad showing. GRADE: B
Sergio Mitre was not the problem today, as the right-hander, 2 years off of Tommy John surgery, provided 5+ innings of 1 run baseball. Another nice start by Mitre who is making a case to be a 5th man in the rotation if someone goes down with an injury or Vazquez can't figure out how to pitch in NY. GRADE: B+
The bullpen gets the blame today for losing the game. Robertson did a good job in 2 innings of work which is a nice change and he was definitely the bright spot. Chamberlain however, after several dominating performaces, couldn't seem to find his good stuff today, leading to Rivera being brought in for a 4 out save. Unfortunately, he gave up a bases loaded walk and a grand slam. MLB newcomer Ivan Nova pithched another inning of effective baseball but did give up 2 hits. The good 2 inning performance of Robertson saves this from being a lower grade. GRADE: C-
Grade break down:
Starting pitcher (Mitre): B+
Offense: B
Bullpen: C-
Next up, the Red Sox! They come into town tomorrow night off 2 straight loses to the Tigers and in desparate need of two wins versus the Yanks. They'll have Monday and Tuesday to try to get at least one win at the Stadium. The Bronx Bombers will counter with one of the best pitchers in the A.L., Phil Hughes and the ace of their staff, CC Sabbathia. The Yanks will see Matsusaka for the first time this year tomorrow night and Josh Beckett on Tuesday. Both starters are trying to find their great form.
Weather for tomorrow's game against the Red Sox: Increasing clouds throughout the game. Temperatures in the 60s falling into the upper 50s by the end of the game. Possibly a shower on the drive home.
Despite the loss, there are definitely some positives to take from this game on the Yankee side. Starting with offense, Winn and Pena were both 2-4 and Winn had 2 of the 3 Yankee RBIs with a triple. Both hitters had been struggling with the bat and it was a much needed lift today for both of them. Posada and Teixeira both continued their hot hitting going a combined 4-8. The Yanks even got the tying run to the plate in the 9th but couldn't capitalize. So offensively, not a bad showing. GRADE: B
Sergio Mitre was not the problem today, as the right-hander, 2 years off of Tommy John surgery, provided 5+ innings of 1 run baseball. Another nice start by Mitre who is making a case to be a 5th man in the rotation if someone goes down with an injury or Vazquez can't figure out how to pitch in NY. GRADE: B+
The bullpen gets the blame today for losing the game. Robertson did a good job in 2 innings of work which is a nice change and he was definitely the bright spot. Chamberlain however, after several dominating performaces, couldn't seem to find his good stuff today, leading to Rivera being brought in for a 4 out save. Unfortunately, he gave up a bases loaded walk and a grand slam. MLB newcomer Ivan Nova pithched another inning of effective baseball but did give up 2 hits. The good 2 inning performance of Robertson saves this from being a lower grade. GRADE: C-
Grade break down:
Starting pitcher (Mitre): B+
Offense: B
Bullpen: C-
Next up, the Red Sox! They come into town tomorrow night off 2 straight loses to the Tigers and in desparate need of two wins versus the Yanks. They'll have Monday and Tuesday to try to get at least one win at the Stadium. The Bronx Bombers will counter with one of the best pitchers in the A.L., Phil Hughes and the ace of their staff, CC Sabbathia. The Yanks will see Matsusaka for the first time this year tomorrow night and Josh Beckett on Tuesday. Both starters are trying to find their great form.
Weather for tomorrow's game against the Red Sox: Increasing clouds throughout the game. Temperatures in the 60s falling into the upper 50s by the end of the game. Possibly a shower on the drive home.
Twins' Yankee Stadium Curse Continues
Just a quick update on yesterday's game. The curse for the Twins continued at the Stadium yesterday with a 7-1 loss at the hand of Andy Pettitte and the Yanks. Ron Gardenhire is now 3-25 managing in the Bronx and 0-11 since last year. Good game all around for the Yanks. No time to recap so here are my grades:
Starting Pitching (Pettitte): A-; good game overall, no runs, only 2 hits. But 3 walks and 2 Ks. Only completed 6 and 1/3. Could have pitched deeper so no A or A+ but can't ask for much more as Andy continues his phenomenal start to 2010.
Offense: A; scored a run in the 1st inning and, despite a drought in the middle innings once Liriano settled down, had timely hitting in the latter innings that put the game away. After a bit of a lull on the recent roadtrip, the offense looks like it's clickin' again.
Bullpen: A- Robertson was alright, walked 1. More importantly Marte struck out PH Thome in a key spot. Boone Logan pitched two effective innings allowing 1 run.
The Yanks face the Twins again at 1pm today with Sergio Mitre taking the hill. Weather looks fantastic again with temperatures near 70 and a nice refreshing breeze.
Side note: Girardi announced that Hughes will pitch Monday with CC Tuesday, meaning Javy misses his turn and gets pushed to Friday. Shows they are rewarding Hughes for the good work he has done so far this year--maybe more on this in a later post.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Finally have some time...the Yankees Win!
Well I haven't posted since last summer, and I figured since I have time now that the semester has ended I would try to blog about the Yankees and other interesting things (mainly weather) throughout the summer. Yes, this was my plan last summer and alas, it failed quite miserably after a few weeks. Nevertheless, I love the Yanks and the weather and feel the need to write a bit about the two subjects. So, without further ado, here is the initiation of the 2010 Yankee Season blog (with some intriguing weather events sprinkled throughout).
An A-Bomb from A-Rod!
A tidbit before I get to the Yankee game. Does anyone know what NL team has the best record since July 27th last year? That's right...you guessed it...it's the Padres. The WHAT? THE PADRES! That's quite a shocker...thank you Buster Olney for that nice bit of trivia. Onto the Yankee game.
Yanks definitely needed a win tonight and what better team to be playing at Yankee Stadium than the Minnesota Twins! Ron Gardenhire has a record of 3-23 (not sure about the 23 but its something like that) at Yankee Stadium! That's terrible, they clearly need to get over that hurdle with such a talented ball club such as the twins.
Burnett started the game and you could tell didn't have his good stuff from the second inning. Got out of a jam though and only allowed a run. He ended up lasting into the 7th inning while only giving up an opposite field home run to Mauer (man is he good) and then Damaso Marte allowed an inherited runner to score (surprise!). Overall, I'll give Burnett a B for the game. Didn't have his best stuff but stayed in it and kept the team in the game...much more than he can say about his last start at Fenway.
Once again the offense started out dormant against Twins pitcher Scott Baker. The second time around though, the lineup began to produce with a home run (2) from Brett Gardener (he would score later in the game from 1st on a double by Tex). The big blow however would come in the 7th after the Marte had given up the lead. Gardenhire chose to intentionally walk Tex to pitch to A-Rod who already had 3 HRs off the pitcher at the time...oops. Well, with Tex on 1st, and the rest of the bases filled, A-Rod hit an 0-1 pitch over the left field wall making a 3-4 deficit, a 7-4 lead! Offense gets an A for timely hitting when it was needed most, right after the Twins had taken the lead in the top of the 7th.
Cervelli tripled in the 8th to tack on another run, Joba struck out the side in the 8th and Mo got the save to notch a needed Yankee victory. They send Pettitte to the hill tomorrow to face the reborn Francisco Liriano at 1 PM.
Grade breakdown for 5/14 game against Twins:
Starting Pitcher (Burnett): B
Offense: A
Bullpen: A- (Marte continues to implode in key spots--in his defense, he was facing the M&M boys)
Weather forecast for tomorrow's game at 1:05 pm: Partly sunny and breezy. Temperature in the low 70s.
Weather Section
Nice storms in the area today with some places in Central and Southern NJ receiving severe weather. First real sultry day of May with temperatures reaching into the 80s and high dew points. Expect a much nicer day tomorrow with breezy conditions and partly sunny skies. Temperatures will be seasonable, in the 70s. The next chance of rain will be on Monday night and Tuesday.
An A-Bomb from A-Rod!
A tidbit before I get to the Yankee game. Does anyone know what NL team has the best record since July 27th last year? That's right...you guessed it...it's the Padres. The WHAT? THE PADRES! That's quite a shocker...thank you Buster Olney for that nice bit of trivia. Onto the Yankee game.
Yanks definitely needed a win tonight and what better team to be playing at Yankee Stadium than the Minnesota Twins! Ron Gardenhire has a record of 3-23 (not sure about the 23 but its something like that) at Yankee Stadium! That's terrible, they clearly need to get over that hurdle with such a talented ball club such as the twins.
Burnett started the game and you could tell didn't have his good stuff from the second inning. Got out of a jam though and only allowed a run. He ended up lasting into the 7th inning while only giving up an opposite field home run to Mauer (man is he good) and then Damaso Marte allowed an inherited runner to score (surprise!). Overall, I'll give Burnett a B for the game. Didn't have his best stuff but stayed in it and kept the team in the game...much more than he can say about his last start at Fenway.
Once again the offense started out dormant against Twins pitcher Scott Baker. The second time around though, the lineup began to produce with a home run (2) from Brett Gardener (he would score later in the game from 1st on a double by Tex). The big blow however would come in the 7th after the Marte had given up the lead. Gardenhire chose to intentionally walk Tex to pitch to A-Rod who already had 3 HRs off the pitcher at the time...oops. Well, with Tex on 1st, and the rest of the bases filled, A-Rod hit an 0-1 pitch over the left field wall making a 3-4 deficit, a 7-4 lead! Offense gets an A for timely hitting when it was needed most, right after the Twins had taken the lead in the top of the 7th.
Cervelli tripled in the 8th to tack on another run, Joba struck out the side in the 8th and Mo got the save to notch a needed Yankee victory. They send Pettitte to the hill tomorrow to face the reborn Francisco Liriano at 1 PM.
Grade breakdown for 5/14 game against Twins:
Starting Pitcher (Burnett): B
Offense: A
Bullpen: A- (Marte continues to implode in key spots--in his defense, he was facing the M&M boys)
Weather forecast for tomorrow's game at 1:05 pm: Partly sunny and breezy. Temperature in the low 70s.
Weather Section
Nice storms in the area today with some places in Central and Southern NJ receiving severe weather. First real sultry day of May with temperatures reaching into the 80s and high dew points. Expect a much nicer day tomorrow with breezy conditions and partly sunny skies. Temperatures will be seasonable, in the 70s. The next chance of rain will be on Monday night and Tuesday.
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