Gameday Live 13: Yanks-Red Sox
12:10 p.m.
And this one is officially over. Yankees lose, 8-5, and now it's off to Tampa Bay for the first test of the Joe Girardi era. Will be interesting to see how this team responds tomorrow night.
12:06 p.m.
A-Rod: 0-for-5.
12:00 p.m.
Here we are in the ninth, and if you're anything like me you're sleepy. Phil Hughes dug too deep a hole for this team to dig out of, it seems. They're down three with three outs to go. Yes, it's Javier Lopez pitching, but I don't see it happening. Not this night.
11:39 p.m.
I can't believe the turn this game has taken. First, it lulls us all to sleep, and apparently the Red Sox went to bed, too. Because they had this game, and somehow the Yankees are very much alive. First and second with none out in the eighth, down by two runs.
Timlin is out. Javier Lopez is coming in. And the Red Sox basically can only turn to Delcarmen and Tavarez after this. So that's what the Yankees have going for them. Unless the Red Sox use Okajima for a fourth straight day or risk injury to Papelbon...
11:32 p.m.
Who said Jason Giambi has warning track power? Not me! Oh, wait, it was me, just a few minutes ago, too. Whoops!
That homer, which pulled the Yanks within 7-5 here in the eighth, is Giambi's second of the season. Both home runs came off Mike Timlin.
11:19 p.m.
This is one of those games in which the Yankees seem like they have a chance, down three runs, but it's hard to believe it's going to happen. Then again, no Papelbon and probably no Okajima, so maybe there's still life in those bats? Maybe?
I doubt it.
If the Yankees lose, the next two games in Tampa Bay will be a big early test for this team. They're going to get into St. Pete real late, probably around 4 a.m., so they'll be tired and they'll be beaten. Let's see how they respond.
Of course this one isn't over yet...
11:00 p.m.
Here's why it's 11 p.m. and we're only in the top of the sixth: there have been 15 walks today: 8 by Red Sox pitchers; 7 by Yankee pitchers.
10:46 p.m.
Think Francona wanted Matsuzaka to get the win? Leaving him out there to finish the fifth even with his pitch count nearing 120 was a questionable call, and it looked even worse when the ball jumped off the bat of Jason Giambi with two on and two out. But it landed in the glove of Coco Crisp, ending the fifth with the Red Sox still ahead by three. And Matsuzaka is in position for the win... if this game ever finishes.
Question for you: do you think Giambi only has warning track power now?
10:25 p.m.
So much for my pessimism. The Yankees just got out of Ohlendorf's jam thanks to a double play. Yanks trail, 7-4, entering the fifth.
10:24 p.m.
Man, this is bad.
Just when you think the Yankees might stage a comeback...
10:05 p.m.
Jose Molina now leads the AL with seven doubles. Something's wrong with that.
He had 13 last year.
9:55 p.m.
Just wondering: were any of you bloggers in favor of trading Hideki Matsui last offseason? I just didn't understand it. Every year he puts up his numbers. It's a given. Yes, his defense stinks. But now he's a DH, in this current setup. I just feel he's one of the most underrated players on this team, at least in the eyes of fans. He's going to hit 290something, hit 24 home runs and drive in 100 RBIs. Anyway, just my thoughts.
And he just doubled over Coco Crisp's head - yes, Crisp misplayed it - so that's what sparked me to write that.
Anyway, Yanks down, 7-1, here in the top of the fourth.
9:50 p.m.
This is just getting uglier and uglier.
Ohlendorf is pitching like ... well ... Ross Ohlendorf. Sorry, I haven't seen it with this guy. At least not yet. He let all the inherited runners score, which spells trouble for Hughes.
Here's the final line for Hughes: 2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K. 65 pitches / 35 strikes.
It's the shortest outing of his short career; the seven runs allowed also was a career high.
He's given up 11 earned runs in 11 innings, a 9.00 ERA.
PU
9:36 p.m.
Okay, scratch what I said about Hughes 20 minutes ago. Now he's getting lit up and Dave Eiland is walking to the mound slowly - obviously to give the bullpen some time to warm up. This inning Hughes has walked J.D. Drew - those walks are killers - and has given up consecutive singles to Manny and Youkilis. It's now 4-1 Red Sox. Only a matter of time before Ross Ohlendorf enters this game...
9:21 p.m.
Yankees are finally on the board, thanks to a two-out double by Bobby Abreu off the Green Monster. Damon scored from second base.
Seems to me they should be doing more against Matsuzaka. I really thought Matsuzaka would be significantly better in Year Two, but based on the incredibly small sample of three innings I'd say he looks a lot like he did last year.
9:20 p.m.
The Yankees had zero stolen bases through the first 12 games of 2008.
We're in the third inning tonight and Johnny Damon already has two stolen bases.
Now let's see if the Yankees can finally score a run.
BTW, at what point do you get concerned about the Yankee offense???
9:10 p.m.
Hughes looked much better in the second inning. Maybe he just needed to calm himself down. Let's not forget this was the team he rooted for as a kid. And he's only 21. So there's got to be some emotions going through him. He allowed a leadoff bunt single by Coco Crisp in the second - maybe he was out, too close to call - but he recovered by getting Lugo and Ellsbury to ground to A-Rod - who is playing a stellar third base - and then he blew Pedroia away with a fastball.
Anyone catch the speed on that one? I missed it.
8:51 p.m.
BTW, on that passed ball by Jose Molina that allowed the third Boston run to score. Molina totally was expecting a fastball. He jumped up to catch it and the ball just dropped on him. So he called a fastball. Hughes threw a curve. Not good.
8:47 p.m.
Well, this certainly isn't good for Hughes. Ross Ohlendorg is warming in the bullpen. Hughes has already thrown 38 pitches. 38 pitches! I think Wang didn't hit 38 the other night until the fourth inning. Another hit and Hughes might be out of the game.
Right now it's 3-0, with Casey on third and a 2-and-2 count to Varitek. Hughes just struck out Varitek looking. So he finished the inning with 39 pitches.
When you look back at the way the inning went, it all starts with walks to two of the Red Sox's first three hitters. Doesn't that always do you in. Let them hit the ball!
That Manny hit, too, was a killer. He had two strikes on him, I think 1-and-2, and couldn't close the deal. Man, Manny is such a professional hitter.
It's 3-0 Boston.
8:30 p.m.
So get this. I'm working on a David Ortiz sidebar for the paper. I just spent 20 minutes going through his game logs. Here's why: Before tonight he had started 96 of the last 98 games against the Yankees, including 14 in the postseason. That stretch dates to July, 2003. So I'd say it's pretty rare this guy sits against the Yanks.
8:11 p.m.
FWIW: Gametime temperature is 46 degrees. Winds from northwest at 13 mph gusting to 25 mph.
8:05 p.m.
Is anyone alive out there?
Okay, so I stole it from Chris Russo, who stole it from Bruce Springsteen. On that note, the live blog begins. The rubber match between the Yanks and Sox, and Baumbach here for my third straight live blog. Call me Cal. Anyway, I've enjoyed it. I hope you have, too.
Also, no Ortiz tonight.
Don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, considering how bad he's been.
You decide.
And please let me know what Miller and Morgan say, if it's good. Be back in a few.
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Comments (62)
I’ve got to say, tonight SCREAMS for a return of the Yankee offense. There are several variables in the Yanks’ favor.
The Yanks hit Matsuzaka pretty hard last season and he will throw 100 pitches by the 5th or 6th inning if they make him work.
If both Papelbon and Okajima are unavailable tonight as Kat says, I like the Yanks chances tonight in a battle of the bullpens with Ohlendorf, Joba, and Mo all well rested.
Of course, Phil Franchise also has to do his thing by spotting his fastball and keeping his team in the game.
Should be much easier to do without Lowell and Ortiz.
Viper, you're such a reliable live blogger. Good to hear from ya.
Well, thanks Jim. I guess I don't have much of a life when the Yanks are on TV.
I see Damon just swiped the first bag of the season.
Jeez, A-Rod.
Take some pitches! You let Mtsuzaka off the hook.
The Springsteen reference is a good one. "Magic" is a pretty good album from ol' Bruce.
Okay Phil....please, please, please pitch your arse off tonight.
Well, walking Ellsbury is not a good start. I gotta go get the Rolaids.
Hughes fastball is closer to the mid 90's......
His first couple starts it was in the low 90's.
Looks like hes got some more arm strength
@#$$%^%%$!!!!!!!!! Come on, it's pitch out, how hard is that?
Terrible pitch out.
I think I hate this kid.
I agree with Morgan......you throw another fastball to manny...
Even a perfect curve ball Manny can hit.
Go back to scooping ice cream you freakin' jackass!
Hate is a strong word Mr. A
Why has Hughes only used 2 pitches?
Cause he doesn't want to show all his pitches the first time through the lineup.....
But he may have to start throwing other pitches to get some of these good hitters out.
I know I'm overeacting, but the kid is p*ssing me off.
Anon: Because that's all he has.
HYD will be hating me but this kid has not impressed me at all since last season's game against Texas. I feel like this is another Yankees snow job. Maybe we should call him "Bam Bam Hughes".
3-0....I'm signing off now before I throw this computer across the room.
Hughes and Molina need to get on the same page....this is terrible
Just got home...did the game start?
Hughes actually has a very good Change-up which I would rank 3rd most important pitch he has.
His slider is only average in my eyes.
Not yet, HYD.
I hope I just had a nightmare watching that 1st inning.
I'm not nearly as upset as Jim, but Franchise did not look good. However, that doesn't mean I'm down on the kid.
He's going to continue to take lumps. No doubt about it. But he will be fine over the long haul.
BTW, Matsuzaka is having a hard time throwing strikes himself. They are not out of this game if they continue to work him.
Definitely not out of it yet Viper.....
With no Okie or Pap in the bullpen for the Sox this is far from over.
How bout a hit? Anyone?
Jim B,
That last fastball for Strike Three was clocked at 93 MPH.
I'm telling you, Matsuzaka throws A LOT of pitches. Make him work and he'll get himself into trouble.
The way Pedroia swung and missed made it look like 97. But 93 for Hughes is dialing it up.
Early MiLB Update for the Yanks:
Florida State League
Tampa is in 5th (out of 6) in the East Division with a 4-6 record
South Atlantic League
Charleston leads the Southern Division with a 9-1 record - Is anyone surprised here? This team should have a great first half until some of their players get promoted to support the Trenton club.
Eastern League
Trenton is in 5th (out of 6) in the Northern Division with a 5-5 record - I'm seeing a rough first half (compared to last year) with a strong push in the second half (thanks to some called up talent and maturing talent) that gets them into the playoffs. A repeat isn't out of the question.
International League
SWB leads the North Division with a 7-3 record
With exception of Tampa, expect the rest of the minor league teams to be playoff bound.
Apparently I copy and pasted an old post instead of my new one. Basically, I was just saying that the last post wasn't mine (notice the link, there's never a link with my name). Anyway, I've been watching hockey, but it does seem like Hughes had a rough first, but has since recovered. I'm ok with that.
Very ugly start from Hughes.
If we can knock out DiceK soon we may be able to still formulate a come back
Well, let's see........................no comment!
It's not worth the aggravation.
No matter how bad Hughes start was we're not going to win many games with 1 hit and one run.
Side note: HOLY CRAP, Giambi just made a good play at first.
Side note 2: Why is Molina doing his best sieve impression.
That's it, I've had it - trade Hughes and Kennedy for Ted Lilly and Ryan Dempster. Ship the kids out. I mean come on, who the heck do they think they are, coming up here at the age of 21 and 23 and not being lights-out immediately - the rotten losers HOW DARE THEY!!!!
In case you were wondering, that was dripping with sarcasm. Look, we've seen much more accomplished pitchers than Phil Hughes struggle against the Boston Red Sox. Heck, Johan Santana got lit up by the Brewers, Sabathia and Carmona got destroyed by the A's. It happens.
I can't speak for the rest of you, but myself, I would rather deal with the growing pains of kids who are learning on the job than watch a parade of overpaid veterans who will never be anything BUT average.
Amen Chip
Jim Baumbach,
I was and remain in favor of trading Matsui. It's nothing against Matsui it is just that right now the Yankees even with Posada healthy, have three DHs (Giambi, Damon, Matsui). Since the team is better defensively when Giambi is DHing and Damon is in LF, that means Matsui would be the odd man out.
In an ideal world I would have moved Giambi this winter, but I think at this point I would have more trade value than him. I just figured that Hideki could be sent to a team (San Fran) and bring back a decent back-up outfielder and a young arm (at the time I was rooting for Dave Roberts and Jonathan Sanchez)
Next year the picture is even more cloudy. I believe the Yankees will probably bring Abreu back if he has the type of season I think he's going to have - and with the development of guys like Brett Gardner, Austin Jackson, and Jose Tabata - it's going to get tighter. I could see the Yankees wanting to use an OF of Gardner with Melky and Abreu which means either Damon or Matsui has to DH and the other becomes a spare part, again, of the two, Matsui would bring back the best return.
I would hate to get rid of Matsui since hes a run producer and always come through when we need him.
I know it is virtually impossible to get rid of Damon but if they could pay some of his contract and get rid of him for some prospects I would rather see that.
It would free up some chances for Gardner/Jackson/Tabata to get mlb time so we can see what they are made of.
And plus...we wouldn't have to watch Damon attempt to throw a baseball anymore.
Every Pitcher makes blunders, I dare anyone to name a Pitcher that hasn't made a mistake but Hughes has made some very good pitches too. As his power and influence over the organization grew, you saw a significant slowdown in the acquisition of old, washed up FA's and an increase in drafting good players and using the "Yankee money" to sign the top picks.
Thats the key to both Hughes and Kennedy. They both need to have that fine control to be effective. That could make for an up and down season but so far it started nice for Hughes.
Since Giambi has already played three games in a row, I'm sure wIt hurts to say it, but if Huges can throw a nice off speed pitch for a strike when behind in the count ... he can pitch for the Yanks.
I don't understand the AAA no hitter vs. the grand slam vs. the Tampa College Team ... but hitting is timing ... and you must keep the hitters off balance ... no that is not Clemens beaning Piazza after an HR (coward! POS!) ...
e'll see Shelley sometime this weekend.
Okay, I'm chilled out now.
Come on Chip, Matsui has been the most clutch hitter on the Yankees since he came to them. You take him out of the lineup and this team isn't the same, especially right now.
Well, Hughes was sh*t tonight. Looks like our future "horse" spit the bit big time. I don't even want to read any excuses, he just sucked and that's it. Hopefully he has an ounce of pride and will try to come back and pitch well his next time out.
Sorry for my earlier rants but I can't even think about going to work tomorrow and hearing the b.s. from the Sox fans. Right now I have "anal retinitis" (aka a sh*tty outlook) and I just am not happy with what I've seen out of Hughes.
For the record, I'm not giving Phil Hughes a pass on tonight's performance, all I am saying is that if not pitching well against Boston in Fenway is going to be the stick by which we measure pitchers then there are not going to be many pitchers who are going to satisfy us.
As I said, Boston is a great offensive team (even without Ortiz) and Hughes is a 21-year old making his first Fenway start - not a great combination. However, unlike a 31-year old, Hughes is learning and this is just another lesson. Just like we discussed the other day about the Yankee fan getting spoiled by Rivera, the Yankee fan was spoiled by the rotations of the late 90s where Torre could toss a Cy Young winner out there every day - they don't want to accept the fact that young players and inconsistancy go hand in hand.
Andy Pettitte was 12 - 9 his first season in 2005
Bernie Williams hit under .240 in his first season
Johan Santana was a reliever with an ERA over 6 in his rookie season
Roger Clemens was 5-4 with an ERA over 4.3 in his first season
Someone is enjoying immitating me tonight. That last post really sounds nothing like me though, especially the ending.
Jim A,
1) I don't think anyone is making excuses for Hughes. Just pointing out that lots of pitchers, be they highly touted rookies, journeymen veterans, or established aces have had bad games against the Red Sox (especially in Fenway).
2) Like I said, my theory on trading Matsui isn't that Matsui is a bad player. In fact, of the three guys who should be the DH (Damon and Giambi being the other two) he's probably the best hitter of the group. In an ideal situation the Yankees would move Jason or relegate him to the bench. But since that's unlikely to happen, I'm willing to move Matsui since he will bring back a healthy return of usefull players/prospects.
Chip,
Why not just wait out Giambi's contract and then slide Matsui into the DH slot and forget about him? You just write his name down every day in the fifth spot in the order and be done with it.
I don't think it makes any sense to trade him now with room in the lineup opening soon.
As far as Hughes goes, I don't remember all the hype about Pettitte or Bernie Williams the way we've heard about Hughes. This was supposed to be the guy who would come in and dominate.
HYD: I knew that one post wasn't you and it had a lot of Ant's "stuff" in it so whoever is posting under your name has been around this blog for a bit.
Yeah, I noticed the "Ant stuff" too, but didn't wanna just automatically call him out on it. Don't really care though, immitation is the highest form of flattery.
Why is clueless batting second? Let's see. Let's take the guy who is slumping and wouldn't take a pitch to save his life, and we'll bat him second. And I don't want to hear that he's trying to get him going nonsense.
I'm getting tired of this team never getting a two out hit to drive a run in. So much to not like about this team right now. I have to remind myself time and again that this is a transition year and deal with it.
i agree.....id throw Gonzalez or Matsui 2nd......
Jim A,
1) Yankees have lots of outfielders coming up (Gardner, Jackson, Tabata) in addition to Duncan and Melky - so that means the DH spot would be split between Matsui and Damon. Also, as we're seeing right now, the DH spot is a good place to stash Posada when he's not 100% but you don't want to take his bat out of the lineup.
2) Bernie came up before the age of the internet and Andy came up just as it was starting up - weren't any chat rooms or blogs about prospects back then. But if you want a highly touted guy - Check out Josh Beckett and how he struggled against the Yankees his first year in Boston:
2-2 with a 9.54 ERA and the Yankees hit .300 against him.
Good pitchers, even Hall of Fame pitchers, are going to have bad games. They are going to struggle at times against tough lineups (like Boston, like NYY). Again, it is your opinion and I'm not going to tell you what to think of Hughes.
Personally, I'm not going to say that what we've seen thus far is enough to say Hughes is a bust. Just like I said after his good start against Toronto that it wasn't a good idea to get too amped up over it. If you live and die with each start from a young pitcher they are going to break your heart every time. Inconsistantcy is part of what you live with when you bring along young players. No matter how highly touted they are.
And it isn't just young pitchers - look at Dustin Pedroia last year, he started off so badly that the Red Sox fans were on blogs just like this one and radio shows screaming for him to be sent to AAA and for Boston to play Alex Cora - all he did was go on to win Rookie of the Year.
As for guys who came into the league with as much hype as Hughes and didn't perform up to it in season 1:
How about Dice-K
Alex Gordon
Brandon McCarthy
"King" Felix Hernandez
Adam Jones - the position player version of Hughes this season is hitting .211 for Baltimore right now - patience is a virtue, and young players are famous for taxing our virtue - just bear with it. Or don't - it's up to you.
No, I don't think Jason Giambi only has warning track power, lol.
Molina's out of the game - so either the Yankees are going to put Posada behind the dish and have the pitcher hit or Morgan Ensberg will make his debut as a Yankee catcher.
JOSE!!
Come on Cano....0-5 and all chances with men on base
Why is Farnsworth pitching in a 2 run game?
Joba should be in right now.
Seriously, can we just release Farnsworth and give Veras, Patterson or Edwar a chance for regular time?
McCarthy - I think it is only a matter of time.
I get the impression that Girardi is trying to do what most new managers do - take a guy who was a problem or not living up to his potential under the old regime, and see if it was the regime or the player. He's trying to show confidence in Farnsworth but that will end soon.
The first month of the season tends to be one where managers feel out players - see what spring training performances were real and which were mirages - things like that.
Still not returning the panic button to the room - it remains locked away until at least the end of May.
Some observations:
1) How do you not have Damon bunt? It's the eighth and you are down by two. He's not swinging the bat well but is a great bunter;
2) Did they not talk to Melky last week about running into an out at second base to make it an easy double play? Unreal.
3) Has A-rod ever had a meaningful hit against the Sox? Same old story.
4) Why did he pinch run for Molina? This means you lose the designated hitter and put a catcher behind the plate who can't throw.
5) Farnsworth is pitching the eighth. Are you kidding me? Opponents are hitting .409 against him. Million dollar arm, ten cent head.
6) Clueless in the second spot. You put your best hitters at the top of the lineup and bat them all consecutively because they will get the most ab's if the lineup turns over one more time. Cano is obviously mired in a terrible slump and will never take pitches and work the count if your leadoff hitter gets on.
Michaelz:
1) You don't bunt Damon because you've got a struggling Robbie Cano behind him and then Abreu who is 2-16 against Javier Lopez behind Cano
2) Sh*t happens
3) I know last year he hit a game winning HR off Papelbon, I'm sure there were others.
4) Because Jose Molina runs like Jose Molina - I just would have used Ensberg as the catcher at that point.
5) I can't disagree - I would have used Joba to keep the score where it was
6) Jeter will be back in the 2 spot tomorrow. But with Melky on the bench for the game Cano was the natural choice.
I love how they point out that it is a record crowd - well duh - they just added new seats to the stadium this year so it stands to reason that a game now is going to have more people at it than a game 10 years ago when there were no Monster Seats.
3 down - 16 more to go.
Well Chip, maybe you can't bunt once you've already made the poor choice to bat Cano second. Really, I'd like to hear someone justify that. Even when he's raking he's not an ideal number 2. I'm sorry, but managing isn't that difficult; just don't do stupid sh*t hoping others will say "wow, Girardi's brillant." As for #4, Molina's speed becomes less important if you are bunting because the defense will either try for the runner at third or go to first. Since it will take hits to come back anyway, Molina's speed likely isn't going to come into play. The decision to pinch run is seriously outweighed when you consider you lose the DH (even if you put ensberg behind the plate, assuming he can do it). What if the Yanks tie the game and you end up with a 16 inning affair? Then what?
so far Girardi.....F.
Man
Farnsworth is a special kind of suck
Man Girardi is taking a beating so far
Victor Frankenstein had a longer honeymoon
(And that was my obscure reference to the original Frankenstein novel of the night!)
Yesterday Girardi threw this series away by not using Joba to get Manny or better yet and more realistically YOUKILLIS WHO BY THE WAY IS SCARED $HITLESS OF JOBA (Remember the two 99mph fastballs that flew over his head!!)
Joba could've pitched the 7th and or 8th depending on pitch count then you bring in Mo and we take the series 2-3 assuming we'd lose the DEBUT of a 21 yr old kid AT Fenway...
I'm sorry but a chimpanzee could've managed a better outcome out of this weekend.
I'm extremely disappointed with this "new Joe."
Sully, it's true. You may not have one guy in your pen worse, and timlin looks like he might be done. I think everyone has figured that farnsworthless can't throw the breaking ball for a strike, so they wait for his straight cheese that's often right down the middle. He's behind to just about every hitter. I now it's a small sample size, but how does a guy with a 96-98 mph heater allow hitters to hit over .400? Mindboggling....
What does everyone think about having those guys run on Posada when he was behind the plate when they knew that he was told not to throw. I don't think its dirty but its a little cutthroat when you have a 3 run lead. I think Farnsworth(less) should've put one in Pedroia's ribs after Jacoby ran like he did (even though he's fast you knew they were testing his arm when they knew he couldn't throw).
Just curious what everyone else thought.
I would have run on Posada too. I don't blame the Red Sox for that.
I don't think it was a smart move by Girardi to take Molina out of the game for that reason. You can't have a catcher behind the plate that can't throw.
I like Girardi, but he had a bad week with big decisions.
I hope this series does highlight what I've been saying for 7 months - Joba needs to go to the rotation in the 2nd half and stay there.
He's not such a great weapon out of that pen if they don't have a lead in the 7th or 8th inning against teams like the Red Sox or Indians.
As for guys who came into the league with as much hype as Hughes and didn't perform up to it in season 1:
How about Dice-K - ring nuff said
Alex Gordon - is showing some life now
Brandon McCarthy - ok he may suck
"King" Felix Hernandez - injury prone may be a nasty reliever one day.
as for Hughes he made his debut last season and was the same way ... average