Hey everyone! Katie here for blogging today. Happy fourth of July! We'll see if that 30-minute closed-door meeting Girardi had with his team can spark their bats and encourage some offensive production. Rasner (4-6, 4.42) will be on the mound today. He'll face Josh Beckett (7-5, 3.65) of the Red Sox.
Be back after top of the first!
Top 1st
Ellsbury lead off with a single on a line to center. Pedroia takes first after getting beaned by Rasner. Rasner fans Drew looking, but gives up a walk to Manny to load the bases. Rasner pitches in and out of trouble though to hold 'em off.
0-0
Bottom 1st
Damon doubles to center to lead off the first. Two on and one out, and A-Rod knocks an RBI triple to left to put two runs on the board for NY. A-Rod tags up and scores easily on Giambi's sac fly.
3-0 NY
Top 2nd
Varitek singles on a one-out fly to right, but is left on base and the Yankees double up the Sox on Lugo's grounder.
3-0 NY
Bottom 2nd
1-2-3 inning for Beckett.
3-0 NY
Top 3rd
Ellsbury leads off with a well-placed bunt down the left line. Runners on second and third and Manny walks to load the bases. Deja Vu? Rasner can't hold them off this time though... Ellsbury tags up and scores on Lowell's sac fly. Youkilis smacks one to deep left. Initially it looked as if Damon had it, but it popped out of his glove, landed on the top of the fence, and rolled back onto the field. Damon looks like he may have injured a rib...keeps clutching his side, and he's replaced by Gardner at left field. Two-run RBI triple for Youkilis to tie the game.
3-3
Bottom 3rd
Three up, three down for the Yankees in another 1-2-3 inning for Beckett.
3-3
Top 4th
Two outs and Ellsbury gets on base with another bunt. He gets caught in a lengthy rundown though, as Jeter dives to make the tag.
3-3
Bottom 4th
A-rod rips one up the middle for a base hit. Two on and two outs, and Melky gets hit hard on the hand by Beckett. Bases juiced and the Yankees squander a prime scoring opportunity.
3-3
Top 5th
Pedroia singles and Drew pops out to second. Two on, and Lowell swats a 2-1 fastball for a three-run homer to left to put the Red Sox up three.
6-3 Boston
Bottom 5th
One away, and Jeter hits a comebacker for a base hit. Abreu flies out, and A-Rod grounds out to end the inning.
6-3 Boston
Top 6th
Traber comes in to replace Rasner. Two outs, and Traber gives up a walk to Drew. Next at-bat and Manny grounds out for out 3.
6-3 Boston
Bottom 6th
Another 1-2-3 for Beckett.
6-3 Boston
Top 7th
Jose Veras in now to pitch for the Yankees. Mike Lowell doubles down the leftfield line for an extra-base hit. Youkilis' groundball single puts runners at the corners and the rain has begun. Veras gets out of the inning with no runs scored.
6-3 Boston
Bottom 7th
Hideki Okajima in to replace Beckett. Melky singles with a ground ball to center, and Molina takes a walk to put two runners on and the tying run at the plate, Gardner grounds into the force, Runners at the corners and Jeter walks to load the bases. Pitching Change: Manny Delcarmen to face A-Rod with bases juiced and two outs. A-Rod grounds into fielder's choice and the rain is looking pretty bad....
6-3 Boston
Top 8th
Lugo reaches on A-Rod's throwing error, but gets caught stealing second. Ellsbury goes down swinging, and the Yanks get the third out on a Pedroia pop-up.
6-3 Boston
Bottom 8th
Giambi leads off with a walk. One away and Cano grounds into a DP, 4-6-3.
6-3 Boston
Top 9th
Abreu goes back to the wall to rob Drew of any ninth-inning homer hopes. Ramirez fans Manny. Ramirez bests Lowell in an eight-pitch battle for a 1-2-3.
6-3 Boston
Bottom 9th
Papelbon in for the save. Cabera's pop-up is caught in foul territory. Betemit flies out for out two. Gardner walks and moves to second on def, indifference, and Jeter doubles to center to drive in a run, but Abreu flies out.
Final 6-4 Boston
Comments (12)
The idea of Gardner sounds great... leadoff guy... walks a little... steals some bases... but boy does he strike out a lot. And really hasn't hit a ball hard yet. Looks like he can be a player though, but pretty sure if he's a bit over-matched in the bigs at this point. He's 25... so time is not really on his side.
Just some observations.
Any thoughts?
Doc: give him some time but my original impressions were much as yours are. I hope the rumor of our farm system prospects being overhyped is not true becuase much of the plan of moving the guys has not worked out. Injuries to kennedy/ hughes etc.
The Yankees used to be a very good TEAM. And, this blog used to be a very good and DIVERSE forum of INTELLIGENT discussion as well. Funny how the dominant personalites of each have seemed to ruin them both. IMHO
Rick: Haven't heard from you in a long time. Summertime brings out some new guys/young guys but for the most part the older guys are still here. Not much to discuss when the team is playing well below its offensive potential when considering our starting rotation, we are lucky to have our heads above water. Not much has gone right for the Yanks this year as you know. But come on back, there are plenty of guys who will give you a run for your money and might even side with you.
Great to hear from you, Rick, and Yes, we have improved the site with New Additions from Islander1955@aol.com. Dont mind me leaving the live blog once in a while early. I use new and improved Morning Marinade", for us girls on the go with that 'Womans Issue" and gets dinner ready in a Jif. Still have those two All Star game tickets, if interested.
Larry M
Thanks Larry. I stop in to read some posts every now and then from you and a few others, but this blog just isn't the same as in the beggining. I really miss the guys from the early days and all the good conversatiions/debates we had. I love competition and relished the "run for my money" in a rational debate.
Unfortunately though, the blog now seems to be dominated by a certain "Pack Leader" and his adoring followers who seem to be mostly baseball ignorant. Hard to get a point in edge wise when you constantly get shouted down by the masses.
The team is certainly a mess and I could see this coming. Way too many bad decisions by Cashman and company the past couple of years. And, yes, the entire farm system as a whole is way over-hyped. Too much faith is being put into this group, not to mention a guy named Carla.
That is why I was in favor of getting Santana this winter, and also wanted Lilly in lieu of Igawa as a FA signing a year earlier. Wang is a huge loss, but he too was over hyped as a staff ACE.
If I had been the GM, our rotation right now would be Santana, Wang (filled in for by Joba), Pettitte, Mussina, and Lilly. Next year, when Moose is done, Joba would fill his slot. And then, the AAA boys could fight for Andy's spot when he is done.
Good to hear from you, take care.
Boy, Rick takes time off from the blog and he comes back whining in All-Star form. Figures.
Rick just doesn't like when people call him out on his nonsense, which is often.
Actually, Rick, if you were the GM - Joba would still be in the bullpen and never given a chance to start.
It was you who guaranteed that Joba would not be switched to the pen this season and several of us said so many times that not only would it indeed happen - but it was necessary.
You obviously don't understand this game because the old Steinbrenner way does not work anymore. If they want to build another dynasty, they have to keep drafting and developing talent in their own system.
The only drafts that matter now are the ones that Oppenheimer drafted starting in 2005.
But of course, Rick doesn't want any part of letting the kids play. He's rather have a repeat of the 80s because that's what would happen if you were the GM.
Just ignore my son, he was always a tad "touched' in the Head, he has Jeffrey Dahlmer pictures all over his bedroom, which he shares with an "older Man" (wink). He continuously blows his money at some kind of Freak place called the "East Side Club" at 227 E56 Street, (212) 753-2222. It isnt all his fault, when I spank him, I then turn around and say "Now do me". Like Father, Like ...
Viper,
I see how you pointed out some of Rick's errors, well what about yours?
Mattingly Manager (writing on the wall)
Igawa (very tradeable contract)
No need for an Ace (5 mediocre starters will do just fine)
These are 3 of the dumbest and uninformed statements ever on this or any other blog. These are only three of many other stupid comments that you came up with and ridiculed anyone who disagreed.
Some of your great defenses are pointing out spelling and grammar mistakes, which on most sport's blog aren't usually adhered to. That is a very desperate and pathetic way to defend your indefensible stupidity.
You also question people's mental state, which as a self proclaimed "Mental Health Worker" is absolutley atrocious and unprofessional. Had you actually worked in this field, your colleauges would certainly question your ability to continue as such.
Lastly, you on here constantly, AM/PM, weekday or weekend. Someone with that much time on their hands is either unemployed, unemployable, stealing major time from their employer, or a kid. Which makes your opinion even less credible, if that is possible?
Now go ahead and point out my spelling mistakes, my grammatical errors or anything that is totaly irrelevant to the subject as it is your only defense...you pathetic, delusional, ego maniac.
It probably shouldn’t surprise me that some douchebag regular who hides behind another name to attack me would outright lie about some of my past comments.
Never said anything about Igawa’s contract being “very” tradeable. What I did say at one point last season is that Igawa’s contract was tradeable to an NL team in a huge ballpark. Two crucial stipulations that you forgot to mention, genius.
And Padres’ GM Kevin Towers seemed to agree with me on that notion since he claimed Igawa after the Yanks put him on waivers last August. Unfortunately, Cashman didn’t work out a deal with the Padres so that’s on him.
Here’s the link that proves my argument:
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/08/11/sports/professional/padres/23_57_098_10_07.txt
But my argument also had an expiration date on it. He could have been moved last season, but it would be hard to do it now. Again, that’s Cashman’s fault for not getting rid of him when he had the opportunity.
Secondly, I’ve never said anything about mediocre starters would be good enough to win. Another blatant lie on your part.
I’ve said that stacking the rotation with as many innings-eaters as possible is the best way to build a staff. Aces are nice to have, but not absolutely necessary to win. So, yes, aces are overrated considering that they lose big games in the postseason every year.
Seems like a logical argument that most people understand - unlike some douchebag hiding on a blog.
Whether you like me or not, I don’t hide or change names and then make childish attacks on people. Call me arrogant. Call me a jackass. But I don’t hide from anyone.
One final thing, you wouldn’t last one day doing what I do for a living. I deal with violent thugs, rapists, and murderers on a daily basis and I’ve been in hundreds of skirmishes at my place of employment, so my physical safety is on the line every single time I walk into that place.
Think I’m kidding? Think again.
So I really don’t need to be lectured by some punk on a blog about what is moral or immoral in my line of work. Go eff yourself, coward.
This is the first and last time I’m going to respond to your gibberish so have fun playing by yourself on a Saturday night.
And, for my last piece of eveidence your honor, please see the Viper post above this one. I rest my case as to what has happened to this blog.
With internet access....
How is someone else "hiding" when you use the name "Viper"????? Did your mother give you that name? I think not!
You said Igawa's contract was very tradeable, quit lying! Your link doesn't prove anything but the usual rumored nonsense. How is a AA pitcher (at best) worth the contract he has? Anyway you spin it, it is incorrect.
I also see, you make no mention of the other points....
A hypocrite, liar, self centered, mop up boy! That Big Ten education you brag about really is doing you well tending to bed
pans, now isn't it?
You also posted at 11:12 PM on a Saturday night....whom is playing by themselves on a Saturday night again?
Lmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Too easy!