Results tagged ‘ Indians ’
Fugetaboutit, It Was a Home Run!…
Brian Cashman, did I mention how much I appreciate the investment you made in A.J. Burnett?
The Yankees salvaged the final game of the four game series with the Cleveland Indians to settle for a split in the first series ever played at the new Yankee Stadium. Considering that the Yankees lost games of 10-2 and 22-4, taking 2 of 4 sounds like a fairly good deal. The last time the Yankees gave up two big innings in a series like this, they were known as the New York Highlanders and it was 1907.
Branch Rickey, who is best known as the Dodgers GM who broke the color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson, was a left fielder on the team.
The Sporting News
Jack Chesbro, who had won 41 games three years earlier, was winding down a great career. San Jose’s own Hal Chase was the Yankees first baseman.
Courtesy Hal Edward Chase III
Sunday brought the return of Carl “American Idle” Pavano, and he pitched the way he should have when he wore pinstripes. He pitched six innings, gave up 4 hits and 1 walk, and struck out 4. He turned over the game to the Cleveland bullpen, with a 3-1 lead. Fortunately, the Yankees rallied against the Tribe, thanks in large part to a disputed two-run pinch hit homer by Jorge Posada. The play represented the first time the officials used the video replay, but the upon review, the homer stood. The Indians had claimed fan interference.
Newsday
A.J. Burnett had gotten into trouble earlier in the inning, when he loaded the bases with one out. A.J. struggled with his control today, walking 7 batters and throwing three wild pitches. But he kept the Yankees in the game, until he couldn’t go any further. Joe Girardi went to reliever Jonathan Albaladejo who did a great job in retiring the next two batters. Then, it was time for Posada’s heroics.
Cody Ransom (he’s still a toad) hit a three-run double in the 8th to provide the final margin of victory, 7-3. I am not quite sure why Shin-Soo Choo slowed up and let Ransom’s hit drop, but I’ll take it. Maybe the ghosts of The House That Ruth Built finally moved across the street after seeing Saturday’s debacle.
The game was closed out by the dynamic duo of Brian Bruney (8th) and Mariano Rivera (9th). It was not a save situation for Mo due to Ransom’s insurance runs. Albaladejo got the win (1-0).
A.J. Burnett may not have had his best stuff today, but again, he has proven he is a warrior and the guy knows how to pitch. I have great confidence when Burnett pitches. He may not get the decision and he might take the loss, but you know that he’s going to give it everything he’s got and clearly he’s nobody’s fool. The guy has heart, and the last guy who pitched like that in pinstripes (David Cone) had a memorable Yankees career.
Reuters
The Yankees are in second place, 2.5 games behind the AL East Leader, the surprising Toronto Blue Jays. Julia‘s Red Sox are a half-game back, tied for third with the Baltimore Orioles.
Next up at Yankee Stadium is an old friend. Jason Giambi returns to the Bronx to check out the new Stadium with his team, the Oakland A’s.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Nomar Garciaparra will be in tow. I think he’s played a meaningful game or two in the Bronx.
Speaking of old friends…well, maybe less emphasis on the “friends” part, congratulations to Randy Johnson for his stellar performance against his old team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. He had a no-hitter into the 7th inning before giving up a double to Augie Ojeda. Johnson stranded Ojeda at third, and left the game after 7 innings. He gave up just one hit, Ojeda’s double, and struck out 7. It was Johnson’s first victory of the season (1-2) and the 296th of his career. As one who never minds seeing the D-Backs lose, congrats to the Big Unit for the vintage performance!
AP
I had told some Dodger friends that the Yankees would have a better record than their team by the end of week. The only problem? The Dodgers haven’t lost since. Yikes! Joe Torre and company continued their 8-game winning streak with a 14-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Manny Ramirez may be all that, but Matt Kemp is finally becoming the man for the Dodgers. Credit Donnie Baseball for his help in Kemp’s realization of his five-tool talent.
Getty Images
The Red Sox won. Bummer…
Just kidding, Julia! 
Have a great week!
-Scott
All Expense Paid Trip to Tampa…
He’s got to go…
My patience for Chien-Ming Wang to find himself effectively ended today. The Indians defeated the Yankees 22-4 in what should stand as the worst beating at the new Stadium for quite some time (or let’s hope so).
I don’t want to see Wang pitch in New York again if this is what we have to look forward to. I realize that he can’t be sent down (out of options and would have to have at least five years of service to agree to go down which he does not have). He should be sent to the Yankees facility in Tampa for an extended spring training (if that’s possible) to work on re-establishing himself as a major league pitcher because right now he’s not one.
Wang’s ERA now stands at 34.50…
In Pete Abraham’s LoHud Blog this morning, he said that if Wang threw three complete game shutouts, his ERA would still be over 4. No telling how many complete game shutouts it would take now.
Over the past few years, the Yankees have thrown up a few of these clunkers but this is on the heels of the Tampa debacle last Monday. Of course, the common denominator is Wang.
The Indians scored 14 runs in the second inning. Wang’s pitching line reads 11/3 innings, 8 hits and 8 runs. Anthony Claggett, called up from AAA Scranton earlier today (Juan Miranda was sent down), gave up 9 hits and 8 runs in 1 2/3 innings. Claggett now lays claim to the worst ERA on the staff at 43.20. Looking at the ERA’s of all the NY pitchers that appeared in the game is frightening. Edwar Ramirez, who gave up 4 runs in 2 innings, stands at 8.44. Jose Veras, who gave up 1 run in 3 innings, is at 8.53, and Damaso Marte, 1 run in 1 inning, is at 21.00.
I know that the Yankees have been hit hard by injuries, but I’d have to believe that Joe Girardi’s seat just got a little hotter.
Clearly, New York needs to get Wang away from the magnifying glass so that he can work on correcting himself and getting back to the pitcher we saw early last season before the foot injury in Houston.
I am ready for Phil Hughes to make his 2009 debut at the new Stadium. Phil is 2-0 in two games (11 2/3 innings) with a 2.31 ERA for AAA Scranton.
AP
I am sure that Julia is enjoying her day…
OTHER NOTES
There are a few pitchers on other teams that I like to follow. Some of my favorites are Jon Lester, Scott Kazmir, Clayton Kershaw, and Ubaldo Jimenez to name a few. Another one is Tim Lincecum. Unfortunately, Lincecum received a no-decision today despite 13 strikeouts and no runs in 8 innings (he gave up 5 hits). The Giants lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks on a 9th inning two-run double by Chris Young. Speaking of the D-Backs and Giants, Sunday’s pitching match-up is Max Scherzer against Randy Johnson. It should be interesting to see how the Unit performs against his former team…
Phillies fans said goodbye to legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas today at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. It was a beautiful day (warm with lots of sun), so it is a fitting farewell for a man who will never be forgotten…
http://espn.go.com/broadband/player.swf?mediaId=4079400
Posted by ESPN
Well, as I so often say early this baseball season, tomorrow is a new day! Have a great night!
–Scott
Opening Daze at Yankee Stadium…
Except for the ending, it was a very majestic day in the Bronx…
Chuck Solomon/SI
The historical first lineup at the new Yankee Stadium was:
1-Derek Jeter, SS
2-Johnny Damon, LF
3-Mark Teixeira, 1B
4-Nick Swisher, RF
5-Jorge Posada, C
6-Robinson Cano, 2B
7-Hideki Matsui, DH
8-Cody Ransom, 3B
9-Brett Gardner, CF
SP: CC Sabathia
Johnny Damon delivered the first hit at the new Stadium, and Jorge Posada hit the first home run.
John Munson/The Star-Ledger
The game was very tight in the early going, as CC Sabathia was locked in a pitcher’s duel with his former Indians teammate Cliff Lee. Sabathia departed with two outs in the sixth inning. He gave up five hits, one run, and had four strikeouts. He did allow five walks which had driven his pitch count up to 122, but at the time of his departure, the Yanks were tied with the Indians at 1-1.
Enter the bullpen…
Jose Veras began the seventh inning and walked the first batter he faced. He then proceeded to allow consecutive doubles by Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta. Peralta’s hit scored two runs.
More gasoline…
Damaso Marte was brought in to replace Veras, but the floodgates had been opened. A walk and an error loaded the bases. A single by Kelly Shoppach scored a run. Trevor Crowe walked with the bases still loaded to bring in another run. Grady Sizemore came to the plate and hit a grand slam to right to clear the bases. Martinez came around in the order again, and homered to cap the inning’s scoring at nine runs (3 charged to Veras and 6 to Marte).
In the end, the Indians had emerged with a 10-2 victory in the first game played at the new Stadium.
As the new era begins, we will forever remember the Cathedral…
AP
The Yankees will look to Joba Chamberlain to bring the Yanks’ first home victory on Friday.
Getty Images
OTHER NOTES
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As expected, the Yankees placed right fielder Xavier Nady on the disabled list. I had expected a corner infielder to come up from Scranton, but the Yankees opted to recall reliever David Robertson. Robertson pitched the final two innings of today’s game, giving up two hits, but allowing no runs with three strikeouts.
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Alex Rodriguez participated in his first full batting practice session today. He took a total of 49 swings, which included three home runs. Is it May 15th yet?
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The Massachusetts state medical examiner’s office has ruled former Tigers pitcher Mark Fidrych’s death to be accidental. He suffocated when his clothes became entangled in the power takeoff shaft of a truck he was working on. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
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John Madden has called it a career. I can’t say that I was a big Madden fan in 1977 when the Raiders thrashed my Minnesota Vikings, 32-14, in Super Bowl XI, but I’ve always enjoyed Madden the broadcaster. When Madden and Pat Summerall were together, I felt they were the top NFL broadcasting team. Madden has meant so much to the NFL, and his voice will be missed but I am glad that he’ll be able to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests.
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The Texas Rangers’ second baseman Ian Kinsler had the game of a lifetime on Wednesday. He went 6-for-6, hitting for the cycle with two singles, two doubles, a triple and a home run. He scored 5 runs, and had 4 RBI. The six at-bats came within the confines of a standard 9-inning game, which is unusual. The Rangers defeated the Baltimore Orioles, 19-6, in Arlington, Texas. Great game, Ian! Get it out of your system before you make the trip to the Bronx! On second thought, maybe that was just some awful O’s pitching…
Hopefully, tomorrow’s blog will be more uplifting!
–Scott
$82 Million Has Been Well Spent…
Definition of a Stopper…
Alex Brandon/AP
I felt good about today’s game on the simple basis of knowing that A.J. Burnett would be taking the mound. It wasn’t a perfect performance, but he made the big pitches when they mattered the most.
Of course, I didn’t know that Nick Swisher would be starting and delivering 5 RBI’s, but that was a nice bonus. I like Swish and the energy he brings to the team. God bless him for the loud music he plays, even when he is relegated to bench duty.
Alex Messerschmidt/Getty
Robby Cano is also showing signs that he may be maturing.
And Tex, it was very appropriate to get the first home run of the season in front of his hometown crowd. In the grand scheme of things, a win or loss wasn’t going to determine the season, but it was nice to get the first one out of the way.
AP Photo
THE AMERICAN IDLE
I am normally not one to gloat, but I was so disappointed in Carl Pavano as a Yankee. The guy has the talent, there is no doubt. But what’s going on inside the head is a different story. Today’s line score is very appropriate…
|
Cleveland Indians |
|||||||||
|
Pitchers |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
HR |
PC-ST |
ERA |
|
C Pavano (L, 0-1) |
1.0 |
6 |
9 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
39-21 |
81.00 |
Carl only retired three of twelve batters that he faced.
Paul Connors/AP
Good luck in Cleveland, Carl. I am glad that you are no longer a Yankee…
THE DEPARTED ANGEL
It’s been tough today seeing the tributes for Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart. Also, the TV clips of Wednesday night’s performance against the A’s have been equally difficult.
By virtue of injuries, Nick was the Angels #3 starter. But he showed on Wednesday night that he belonged in the major leagues. He was a guy that had Tommy John surgery in high school, yet rebounded to become the top prospect in the Angels organization. He was a humorous guy…the kind of guy who drives others to achieve greatness.
Jeff Gross/AP
Yankees manager Joe Girardi made some comments today that I completely agree with. Joe was the Rock of Gibraltar during the untimely passing of St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Darryl Kile (the Cardinals were playing the Cubs, Girardi’s team, at the time of Kile’s death).
“It’s sad. It really is,” Girardi said. “You think of a young man who realizes his dream and pitches six shutout innings, and drives home and is gone. Life is not supposed to be like that. I didn’t even know the kid and it’s hard for me. He’s just a little boy who dreamed about playing in the big leagues.
“It’s one big fraternity, one big family. Your heart goes out to that family and that young man. You realize how precious life is. You wake up every day and be thankful for what you’ve got, because you never know.”
Well said, Joe…
We have been cheated by not seeing what Nick could have become. At 22, he did more than most of us will achieve in a lifetime. April 9th will become to Angels fans what August 2nd means to Yankee fans. Nick, you will be missed…
Fid
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