Hi, Steve Zipay here in the Bronx where the Yankees are aiming to break their four-game losing streak. Derek Jeter is in the lineup.
Darrell Rasner, who hasn't pitched in 11 days after being washed out of his last scheduled start against the Mets on Friday, is 2-0. The 27-year-old righty threw well in his last start, May 10 in Detroit, allowing just four hits and two runs in six innings. But in his two starts against the Orioles, the numbers aren't pretty: 10 runs on 13 hits in 6 2/3 innings for a 13.50 ERA.
Garrett Olsen, 24, a lefty who posted the third-lowest ERA in the International League last season (3.16) yet was 1-3 for the Orioles last season with a 7.80 ERA, seems to have found a groove. He is 3-0 in five starts. It's his first appearance at Yankee Stadium.
Top of the First: An impressive 1-2-3 beginning for Rasner. Brian Roberts goes down swinging. Melvin Mora grounds out to ARod. Nick Markakis is caught looking.
Bottom of the First: The bats are quiet against Olsen. Johnny Damon grounds out to third on a 3-2 pitch. Derek Jeter bounces out to second. Bobby Abreu goes the opposite way, slicing a single over the bag at third. Abreu swipes second with no throw on the third pitch to ARod, who can't bring him home. ARod takes a called third strike. 0-0, end of one.
Top of the Second: Shelley Duncan tracks down Aubrey Huff's foul pop by the camera locations near first base. Kevin Millar's deep drive to center is hauled down by Melky Cabrera on the warning track. Luke Scott grounds to Robinson Cano. Six up, six down for Rasner.
Bottom of the Second: With one out, Yanks break through as Robinson Cano, hitting .200, works the count to 3-2, then doubles to the 385-foot mark in right-center, scoring Duncan, who had singled. Then backup catcher Chad Moeller lofts a fly to left that lands in front of Scott, and Cano scores for a 2-0 lead. Cabrera singles and with first and second, Damon walks to lead the bases for Jeter, who chips a roller down the first-base line, and the throw just beats him, but Moeller scores. Abreu ends the rare rally 4-3. Yanks 3, O's 0.
Top Three: Is it time to call Raz "The Stopper"? Not quite yet. I've seen the New York Rangers blow three-goal leads this season. First hit is a two-out bouncer past a diving Duncan by Fred Bynum. But Rasner brushes it off, goes 0-2 on Roberts, then gets him swinging for his third K. It remains: Yanks 3, O's 0.
Bottom Three: Hello, rally. ARod deposits one in Monument Park, his second homer in two games . Matsui walks, Duncan skies to left, Cano rips a shot past Millar's right and although the throw from right beats Matsui to third, Mora fumbles it. Second and third, one out, with seven hits, the Yanks have Olson on the ropes. O's trainer checks Mora's spiked hand, Alex Cintron replaces him at third and his backhand stab of Moeller's grounder saves a run. Olson loaded the bases by hitting Cabrera with his 75th pitch. Damon then guided a pitch over second, just past the reach of Bynum for two more runs, 6-0, Yanks. Goodbye, Olson. Dennis Sarfate gets Jeter (0-for-3), looking. Yanks 6, O's 0.
Top Four: Rasner works out of a first and third jam by inducing Millar into a foul pop to Moeller and then stikes out Scott. Looks as if he'll make six innings again.
Bottom Four: ARod doubles, his second hit, with one out. Matsui grounds to second, ARod to third. Duncan Ks. Still Yanks 6, O's 0.
Top Five: The Raz is rolling. His fifth K, two weak flies. Six in a row.
Bottom Five: The lower third of the order didn't extend the lead. Cano flied to left, Moeller whiffed, and Damon stranded Cabrera, who walked, with a pop to short left. We'll see how Rasner does in the sixth.
Top Six: Jeter-to-Cano-to-Duncan erases a walk to Roberts, and then after a single by Markakis, Rasner does it himself, fielding a Millar grounder to his left and beating him to the bag. Yanks 6. O's 0.
Bottom Six: Another disputed home run. ARod's stroked a Lance Cormier pitch that appeared to hit a yellow-painted staircase above the Modell's sign in right center, but was it was ruled a double, despite an umps' huddle and an argument from both he and Joe Girardi. The double drove in Jeter, and Rodriguez later scored for the 8-0 lead.
Top Seven: Rasner gets through with a flourish--allowing just five hits---and it will be Joba time. About time for a laugher.
Bottom Seven: Could the Yanks have reached double-digts? Possibly. But Morgan Ensberg pinch-hits for ARod with the bags full and strikes out swinging.
Top Eight: A breeze for the under-used Joba. Two Ks and a grounder.
Bottom Eight: With the unusual cushion, Yanks going through the motions; Duncan reaches first on an error, but that's all she wrote.
Top Nine: The losing streak is over. Joba was a bit wild but...got Adam Jones to end it one a dribbler. Night all. Let's see if Ian Kennedy can stretch this to two tomorrow. Yanks 8, Orioles 0.
Comments (10)
So Girardi does in fact begin the process of taking charge of changing the bad taste around the Bronx -- announcing they've begun the process of converting Joba to a starter.
THE PROCESS HAS STARTED!!!!!
YYYYEEESSSSSSSSS!!!
I had to stop in from home for that news!
That's good news. It's all about starting pitching.
Joba needs to be a starter.
Diane...we've had our fair share of differences in my short time here, but it looks like great minds think alike..or at least at 22:16.
Great game..ala mode..with two scoops of Joba Cream on top!
TO THE ROTATION HE GOES!!!!!!
Best news Ive heard in a while.
Im sure we'll have much to talk about tomorrow.
Even though it will have no immediate effect on the rotation, it gives the needed impression that Yankee management is taking action to make a difference, AND gives everybody something hopeful to look forward to and a fascinating process to follow.
Sound leadership, -- and, dare I say, almost regardless of the ultimate effect... because it gives a positive story line for long enough to begin to tackle the other problems in the meantime.
I guess this means Kennedy if he doesn't pitch well tmrw will be collecting paychecks at Scranton along side Igawa.
So much for sticking w/ the plan.
I knew it!!!!!!!!!!!! and I kept my mouth shut now I can talk about it . My convo with Girardi this afternoon consited of a Surprise tha consited of working Joba more innings and convertion into a starter that was why today you noticed my sudden change of opinion of Joba's role what girardi threwme off with was that everything will be in effect by the break. That was why in my earlier post I said serious auditions will be made for the 8th inning role amd that The Yankees want at least 3 solid starters 4 if you want to factor in Moose meaning that the option is for Kennedy , rasner . Hughes to battle it out and Girardi did tell me that Rasners start tonight was big. well pitching a shut out is big to me !!!!!
Girardi knows I could not speak to any press outlet before hand as it violates alot so he confided a lil knowledge to us at the Job.
What this means is the pressure is off of Ian and Phil in terms of both performing if rasner pitches well they may not be a slot for both Ian or Phil.
Rasners biggest test comes on his next start when he faces the O's again
Go Bomber Pat yourself on the back hahaha
I am here still at the staduim and just saw Girardi again near the locker room corridor (not allowed on record into the locker room)
Damm I feel good
Kennedy will win tommorrow
I like it. It's going to take some time, probably about six weeks or so. Bottom line is that the Yankees know that as good as Rasner has been they are playing with fire not having anyone behind him. And while the team still has faith in Kennedy, again, there is no one behind him.
It's entirely possible that if Mussina struggles, Kennedy continues to struggle, and the shine wears off of Rasner that second half of the season the 3-4-5 starters could be Joba, Phil Hughes back from injury and Freddy Garcia.
Hmmm, Bomber. Sounds like I've been converting you lately.
You sound like a changed man.
I'm usually the one with faith in Kennedy and I've said since Day 1 that Joba needs to be a starter.
Come over to this side where it's nice and warm.
Rasner big test comes w/ his next start? I don't think so .As long as he continues to pitch well he ain't going nowhere.I doubt 1 start against Baltimore will determine anything.
If Joba does well as everyone hopes he will and NY is still writing checks for Mussina I doubt there is any place for Garcia in the rotation.
Of course Hughes will come back and be lights out according to the above post and NY will keep Garcia around somewhere until Mussina and Rasner implode.
Joba won't be rushed ? If Girardi wants to stretch Joba's arm out he'll pitch every 4th or 5th day.
So who gets to be set up du jour?