Tagged: Cliff Lee
What A Relief For Yanks Bullpen
Well, it has been a very quiet winter (off) season for the New York Yankees so far. But on this freezing cold Bronx day in the middle of January, the Yanks announced the completion of a major bridge-building project by signing the Tampa Bay Rays “All-Star” closer, Rafael Soriano, to a three-year, $35 million deal, to become the Yanks eight-inning, “Bridge-to-Mariano”, set-up man.
There are player options built into the contract that would allow Soriano to leave the Yanks after each season if he chooses. But if the “Great Mariano” does decide to retire after the 2012 season, Soriano would be the leading candidate to become the next Yankees closer in 2013, replacing the “unreplaceable” Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer in baseball history, and a certain “first-time ballot” Hall of Fame inductee sometime in the year 2018.
Soriano, 31, led the American League with 45 saves last season, allowing just 36 hits in 62.1 innings, with 57 strikeouts, and a 1.73 ERA. These are perfect numbers to solidify the eight inning relief workload for the Yanks, setting the stage for Mariano to close out victories in the ninth.
But with only 31 days remaining until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the Yankees have many question marks regarding their pitching staff.
The starting rotation is very uncertain at this time with only CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes, and A.J. Burnett slated to be in the rotation. Cliff Lee decided to sign with the Phillies, even though the Yanks did make a better offer for him to pitch in the Bronx. Javier Vasquez was not re-signed [a smart move by the Yanks]. And Andy Pettitte is leaning towards retirement.
So that leaves Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre as the “front-runners” to win the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation. And I’m sure we will all see a full complement of a various random amount of “cast of characters” also battling it out for one of the starting spots.
Without Cliff Lee and Andy Pettitte, though, the Yankees starting rotation looks very weak, at this point in time, only a month before spring training starts.
The closing end of the bullpen in the eight and ninth innings is set, and very solid.
This leaves the middle relievers, in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, to complete the bullpen and hold the score when they enter the games. Right now, these roles would be filled by: David Robertson; Boone Logan; Pedro Feliciano (with the Mets in 2010; signed for two-years); and, of course, Joba Chamberlain.
Ah, yes. Joba Chamberlain.
There are many pitching decisions that must be made by the Yankees braintrust during this upcoming spring training. And with the “weak” state of the starting rotation, in my view, the Yankees should give Joba every opportunity to start this year !
Let the great “Joba Debate” begin once again !!!
— Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Yanks Trip Back To Texas Is In CC’s Hands
Well, there is not much more that I can say that has not already been discussed about the Yankees overall poor performance [so far] in the 2010 ALCS against the Texas Rangers. The Yankees are down three games to one. And very simply have been out-pitched; out-hit; and out-played.
The masterpiece painted by Cliff Lee in Game Three kind of really turned this series over fully in favor of the Rangers. But looking back to the stretch run in September, that’s when the Yankees great season up to that point really started to unravel. This reversal of fortune is reflected in the numbers 9-17. If only the Yanks played to a record of 17-9, instead of 9-17, they would have finished in first place in the AL East with a 103-59 record. Not a 95-67 “wild card” second place finish to the Division Champion Tampa Bay Rays (96-66).
Yankee fans heard it over and over again from Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman that, oh, yeah, of course, we want to finish in first place. But if we finish second, that’s not a big deal ’cause we will still make the playoffs as the wild card team. True enough, as that was the case when the Yanks entered the playoffs. But, in my view, that “wild card” attitude set the tone that we now see.
Resting starting players. Limiting innings of pitchers. Over-managing with an eye towards the post-season. Not fully focusing on winning the AL East, with the best American League record. This all led to a “mixed-message” that created a relaxed atmosphere that seems to have carried over to the playoffs, or at least to this series vs. Texas.
It is amazing. The three-game sweep of the Twins seems so far away. Of couse, the television schedule has a lot to do with that. And that is another story, for another day.
Just venting on my part, is all.
But I still hold out hope that the Yankees “can” turn things around today with CC Sabathia on the mound. All the Yankees have to do is focus on just playing one game at a time. And if they take the next two, I really think the momentum will be back in their favor when they face Cliff Lee in Game Seven. Then, maybe, only with a Yankees victory, though, all those mixed messages of September will become a little clearer to all us Yankee fans.
Anyway, “Go CC”. The plane to Texas is fueled and ready to fly.
– Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Update: Thursday, October 21, 2010
Game Five: Yankees 7, Rangers 2
The Yankees cut the Texas Rangers lead in the ALCS to three games to two, as the series now heads back to Texas for Game Six, and hopefully, Game Seven.
CC Sabathia did not have his best stuff in this game, but pitched well enough to win, tossing 112 pitches over six battling innings, while allowing two runs, on 11 hits, seven strikeouts, and “zero” walks.
The key for the Bronx Bombers was getting an early lead, scoring three runs in the second inning. That lead increased to 5-0 with two runs in the third on back-to-back homers by Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano (who has four homers in this series). Curtis Granderson also hit a solo homerun in the eight inning, to cap the score at 7-2.
Two solid scoreless innings of relief by Kerry Wood in the seventh and eight “built the bridge” for Mariano Rivera to enter the game in the ninth. And the “Great Mariano” delivered once again, closing out this must-win victory for the Yanks with a scoreless performance.
Everything looks a lot brigher for the Yankees today as they get ready to play Game Six on Friday, October 22nd, in Texas.
“Go Yankees” !!!
— Jimmy “BY&L”
Yanks Bats Still Quiet … Lose 3-1 To Tigers
The last time the Yankees were shutout in back-to-back games was on May 12-13, 1999 against the Angels. Until the ninth inning of last night’s game against the Detroit Tigers at the Stadium, it looked like this rare event would happen again, as the Tigers held a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. The Yanks did finally score a run, though; but, lost the game 3-1.
This loss coupled with the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 victory over Cliff Lee and the Texas Rangers, dropped the Yankees into a first place tie with the Rays in the AL East, both with a record of (72-46). The Boston Red Sox (67-52) did not have a game scheduled yesteday. So they picked up a half game on the Yanks and are now 5.5 games behind in third place.
The Tigers took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning on a two-run homer (#7) by Ryan Raburn off Yankees starter Javier Vazquez.
Vazquez (L,9-9), lasted only four innings in this contest, throwing a way too high total of 106 pitches, while allowing two runs, on five hits, four walks, and six strikeouts.
Meanwhile, the Yankees were having trouble with [yet] another pitcher they were facing for the first time, Tigers starter Max Scherzer. The Yanks lost 1-0 to the Royals Bryan Bullington, in his first start against the Bombers on Sunday. And this game against the Tigers was trending in the same direction – another shutout loss.
Scherzer (W,8-9), delivered a soild six innings on the mound, throwing 115 pitches, while giving up no runs, on only two hits, two base-on-balls, and six strikeouts.
After Scherzer’s night was over after six innings, the Yankees did have some chances to score against the Tigers bullpen. But they left two runners on base in the seventh, and two runners on in the eight.
In the top of the eight, however, Miguel Cabrera hit a solo home run (#28) off Joba Chamberlain, to give the Tigers an insurance run that upped their lead to 3-0.
The game then entered the bottom of the ninth with closer Jose Valverde on the mound. And he did his best to help the Yankees end their scoring drought by basically self-imploding on the mound.
Robinson Cano walked, and was forced at second on a grounder by Joge Posada. Then, Curtis Granderson (3-for-3, with a walk), hit a hard line-drive single to right, which was followed by a walk to Francisco Cervelli that loaded the bases. Brett Gardner was up next, and was issued another walk by Valverde that forced home a run to break the shutout and cut the Tigers lead to 3-1.
Now, with one out, and the bases loaded, Derek Jeter was up at the plate. Jeter battled in a long at-bat, but on a 3-2 pitch grounded into a game-ending 6-4-3 double play. Gardner slid hard into Carlos Guillen trying to breakup the DP. But Guillen stayed his ground to make the play, throwing to first to seal the Tigers 3-1 victory.
The Yankees not only lost this game; they also lost Alex Rodriguez to a left calf injury; and Nick Swisher to a right forearm injury during the game. And with Lance Berkman also out with a strained foot injury from the Royals series, the Yankees are very short in the lineup and on the bench for the next few games as all injured players are listed as day-to-day.
A nice touch occurred in the first inning of this game when Johnny Damon batted for the first time. The Yankee Stadium crowd gave him a very warm round of applause, as this was Damon’s first time back to the Bronx since his free-agent signing with the Tigers.
Game Two of this series on Tuesday, August 17th, features a match-up of “aces” …
Justin Verlander (13-7, 3.72) vs. CC Sabathia (15-5, 3.14).
In my view, this is a “must-win” game for the New York Yankees !!!
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Yanks Make Statement In 7-6 Comeback Win In Texas
As the second game of this two-game mini-series against the Texas Rangers entered the sixth inning, it did not look very good for the New York Yankees. Cliff Lee was cruising along to another complete game victory. Javier Vazquez was terrible; already out of the game after allowing six runs, on eight hits, two walks, and “no” strikeouts, in four and a third innings. And the Yanks were losing 6-1 in what surely looked like the Rangers would end the night with a two-game sweep of the Bombers.
Then, the Yanks scored a run in the sixth to cut the score to 6-2. And got a couple of RBI hits by Lance Berkman and Brett Gardner in the top of the seventh to tighten the score even more, but still in favor of the Rangers, 6-4.
More importantly, though, Lee was not going to pitch any further than the seven and a third innings he already tossed. Lee’s night ended in the seventh, like U.S. Grant was leading the charge. But making a powerful charge, comeback, and statement were the Yankees – the Yankees from the Bronx.
Until the seventh, Lee was pitching like the pitcher the Yankees had thought they made a trade for a few weeks ago. Brian Cashman tried to work out a deal, but better players from the Rangers brought the ace to Texas. The Yanks will have to wait until this winter before Lee starts seraching for houses in the New York area, again. Certainly the wait will be worth it. But Lee would have been a very important addition to the Yankees starting staff right now, even after seeing him leave yesterday’s game way too early. Of course, way too early as far as the Rangers were concerned.
Cliff Lee left the mound after throwing 106 pitches over seven and a third innings, in which he allowed four runs, on eight hits, “no” walks, and “eleven” strikeouts. Still a much better outing than Vazquez.
Lee’s departure started a parade of six relievers from the Rangers bullpen.
Marcus Thames (3-for-5), with two runs, and two RBI’s, blasted a home run, his fourth this season, in the top of the eight, to close the score to 6-5.
After Mitre and Wood held the Rangers scoreless in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, this game entered the top of the ninth with the Yanks still trailing 6-5.
Texas Manager Ron Washington mixed and matched pitchers in the ninth, starting with closer Neftali Feliz.
Feliz walked Berkman, which was followed by a single by Brett Gardner (2-for-4). Derek Jeter (3-for-5) was up next, and was set to bunt the runners over. But Feliz threw a wild pitch which did the same job a bunt would have done – advance both runners.
Curtis Granderson was now in the game as a pinch-runner for Berkman, and scored the tying run on a RBI single up the middle [of a drawn-in infield] by Jeter.
The next batter, Nick Swisher, struck out.
Thames was up next and faced new reliever Alexi Ogando.
And, Marcus Thames delivered once again, by lining a RBI single to leftfield that moved the Yanks into the 7-6 lead.
The Yanks battled all the way back from being down 6-1, to now taking the lead into the bottom of the ninth inning.
Enter The “Great” Mariano Rivera.
The inning started like the night before for Mariano, by giving up a hit. This time a triple to Elvis Andrus.
So, with the tying run at third, Mariano retired Michael Young on a fly ball to right for out number one; Got Josh Hamilton to hit a soft ground ball to the mound for the second out; And, ended the game by getting Vladimir Guerrero to hit a grounder to third for the final out, which earned The Great Mariano his 24th save.
Game over. The Yankees win 7-6, completing their comeback and statement.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Playoff Preview? Texas Downs Yanks 4-3, in 10 Innings
The Yankees did not actually field a playoff type lineup in yesterday’s 4-3 loss to the Rangers in Arlington, Texas, because Mark Teixeira was home for the birth of his third child; Robinson Cano was out with a head cold and fever; and, Jorge Posada’s right shoulder was not feeling very well.
But, the Bombers had many chances to win this game, just like the many chances they had to win the final Red Sox game over the weekend, which they lost 2-1.
These two games in Texas could be a preview to a first round playoff series between the Yankees and Rangers in October.
And, with Cliff Lee starting the second game of this August mini-series, it would be a great confidence builder for the Yanks to try to knock Lee out of the game early on, before they fall victim to Mr. Lee again, as happened in their 7-4 loss on June 29th when Lee pitched for the Mariners; and, in their 6-1 loss to Lee in Game One of the 2009 World Series against the Phillies.
The Rangers scored first in this game, on a two-out RBI double by Nelson Cruz in the fourth that drove home Michael Young for the 1-0 lead. Young tagged up from first to second base on a long fly ball to right when the second out was recorded which placed Young in scoring position. This heads-up play helped Young to score on the Cruz double.
The Yanks tied the score 1-1 in the fifth inning when Derek Jeter walked, advanced to second on an over-throw to first on a pick-off attempt by starter C.J. Wilson, and scored on a RBI double by Nick Swisher. Next batter Marcus Thames stroked a hit to leftfield, during which Swisher was thrown out at the plate [for the final out] when he failed to slide into Bengie Molina, and possibly knock the ball from the catcher’s mit.
In the sixth, after Kearns doubled and Berkman walked, Francisco Cervelli delivered a clutch RBI single [off reliever O’Day] that moved the Bombers into a 2-1 lead. But, with one out, and runners on first and second, Brett Gardner struck-out, and Robinson Cano, pitch-hitting for Pena, grounded out to end the rally.
Meanwhile, A.J. Burnett was piching a soild game through the first five innings.
In the botom of the sixth, though, Josh Hamilton led off the inning with a four-pitch walk. And after Burnett retired Guerrero and Cruz, David Murphy blasted a long two-run homer into the rightfield seats to move the Rangers ahead in this game 3-2.
C.J. Wilson lasted 5.1 innings in his start, throwing 96 pitches, allowing two runs, on five hits, three walks, and five strikeouts.
Burnett, in his first start since back problems scratched him from Sunday’s start against the Red Sox, tossed 112 pitches over seven strong innings, while giving up three runs, on six hits, two walks, and four strikeouts.
The game was now in the hands of both bullpens.
In the top of the eight, Alex Rodriguez tied the score 3-3 with a long homer to straight away centerfield.
At this point, the Yanks had some chances to take the lead, as Grandrson reached third with one out. But, they could not bring this runner home, as both Gardner and Cervelli failed to plate this go-ahead run.
After nine innings the score remained tied. And, after the Yanks failed to score in the top of the tenth, Joe Girardi called Mariano Rivera into this exciting extra innings playoff-like contest to prevent the Rangers from winning this game.
Well, the bottom of the tenth was a very interesting frame indeed.
The first batter Michael Young beat out a soft infield grounder hit deep in the hole at short.
Next batter Josh Hamilton also hit a grounder that slowly rolled between first and second, just past the diving Cano.
Guerrero then hit a hard liner towards the hole at third. A-Rod made a great diving stop of the ball to his left, and threw Guerrero out. Both runners advanced on the play.
Girardi decided to intentionally walk Nelson Cruz to load the bases with one out.
David Murphy was now up at the plate.
The outfield and infield were pulled in.
Mariano threw the first pitch. Ball one.
Then, ball two.
Next pitch. Ball three.
With nowhere to put this batter, Mariano threw a strike right down the middle of the plate.
(3-1) on Murphy.
Next pitch. Murphy swings, and fouls off the pitch.
The count is now (3-2).
Mariano sets himself on the mound. The pitch.
Murphy hits a line drive to right-centerfield. Base Hit.
The Rangers win, 4-3.
Not exactly a playoff-type finish by Mariano Rivera or the New York Yankees.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Phillies Win Game 5; Yankees Still Lead Series, 3-2
No second guessing [here] on my part regarding Joe Girardi’s decision to pitch A. J. Burnett on three games rest in Game 5 of the World Series against the Phillies. Even though A.J. was terrible in his start … in my view, Girardi, and the Yankees braintrust, made the right move in sending Burnett to the mound because basically: what other options did they have?
Chad Gaudin, the only possible fourth starter for the Yanks in this series, has not pitched in about a month. He would have pitched no more than three to five innings. So, it would have made very little sense in taking a chance with Gaudin on the mound instead of Burnett, especially, with all the ineffectiveness out of the bullpen.
A.J. was brought to the Bronx to pitch big games for the Yanks, and it seems very clear to me: Game 5 of the World Series was a “big” game. Since Burnett was available to pitch on three games rest, then, there really was no other choice for Girardi, but to pitch A.J. over Gaudin. Period.
There is no way to sugarcoat A.J. Burnett’s performance, though — he was awful.
A.J., who had a solid outing in Game 2, lasted only two innings, allowing, six runs, on four hits, four walks, and two strikeouts.
He was replaced by David Robertson with no outs in the third inning, after walking Utley and Howard, and, then, allowing RBI singles to Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez before being taken out of the game. Robertson allowed one more run to score for a 6-1 Phillies lead before getting out of the jam without any further damage.
The Phillies took their first lead, 3-1, in the bottom of the first inning on a three-run homer by Chase Utley after the Yanks scored a run in the top of the inning.
In the seventh inning, the Phillies increased their lead to 8-2 on solo home runs by Utley and Ibanez. Utley’s homer was his fifth of the series, tying Reggie Jackson’s record of five homers in the Yankees victory over the Dodgers in the 1977 World Series.
In the meantime, Phillies starter, Cliff Lee pitched seven solid innings before getting into trouble in the top of the eight inning.
Johnny Damon led off the eight with a single which was followed by a single by Mark Teixeira and a two-RBI double by Alex Rodriguez that cut the Phillies lead to 8-4.
Lee (2-0), was replaced by Chan Ho Park with no outs in the eight.
Park faced Nick Swisher, who advanced Rodriguez on a ground ball out. A-Rod then scored on a sac-fly by Robinson Cano that made the score 8-5.
The Yankees scored their final run in the top of the ninth, before Ryan Madson closed out the Phillies 8-6 victory.
The 2009 World Series now heads to the Beautiful Bronx for Game 6, with the New York Yankees leading the series “three” games to “two” over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Another classic pitching match-up is on tap …
Andy Pettitte, (Yankees) vs. Pedro Martinez, (Phillies).
In my view, I think both starters will pitch well, with Andy out-dueling Pedro into the seventh inning.
But, the key for a Yankees win will be a solid bridge directly from Pettitte, with seven strong innings pitched, to the “Great Mariano” Rivera, closing out the Yankees World Series winning final game by recording a two-inning save, pitching a scoreless eight and ninth innings.
Andy to Mariano is: “THE BRIDGE TO VICTORY” !!!
And, a final note: I look for huge offensive numbers by: Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, and Mark Teixeira in tonight’s game.
“GO YANKEES” !!!
ONE MORE WIN FOR #27 !!!
Enjoy the game tonight …
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Damon’s Daring Dash Sparks Yanks 7-4 Win In Game 4
With two outs and the score tied 4-4 in the top of the ninth inning of Game 4 of the 2009 World Series against the Phillies, Johnny Damon battled at the plate until he stroked Brad Lidge’s ninth pitch of the at bat to leftfield for a single that started yet another late-inning rally by the Bronx Bombers.
Then, on the first pitch to next batter Mark Teixeira, Damon took off for second and easily stole the base. On the play, with the shift on the right side of the infield for Teix, Damon quickly poped up from his slide, spun around, and sprinted towards third base which was not covered by any Phillie player because of the shift, earning Johnny an unchallenged second stolen base on a very rare base running play.
The unusual turn of events clearly unnerved the Phillies closer as Lidge then hit Teixeira that set up a first and third situation for Alex Rodriguez.
And, A-Rod delivered … one of his biggest hits as a Yankee, a RBI double that plated Damon with the go-ahead run, moving the Yankees into the 5-4 lead.
Jorge Posada followed with a two-RBI single that scored Teixeira and Rodriguez with two big insurance runs, capping the scoring in the Yankees 7-4 victory.
The Great Mariano Rivera closed out the Yankees win with an easy one-two-three ninth inning that gave the Bombers a three games to one lead in the 2009 World Series.
The Yankees starter on the mound, CC Sabathia, was pitching with three days rest, and gave the Yanks a very solid effort even though he struggled throughout his six and two-thirds innings of work in which he gave up three runs, on seven hits, three walks, and six strikeouts, while throwing 107 pitches.
Damaso Marte recorded the final out of the seventh inning, protecting the Yanks 4-3 lead as the game entered the eight.
Joba Chamberlain was then called on to build the “Bridge to Mariano”. But, even though Joba struck out the side, he allowed a two-out, solo homer to Pedro Feliz on a three-two pitch that resulted in the Phillies tying the score at 4-4.
The Yankees jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first off Phillies starter Joe Blanton on a lead-off single by Derek Jeter, which was followed by a double by Damon, and, a RBI groundout by Teixeira; A-Rod reaching first on a hit-by-pitch; and, a sac-fly by Posada.
The hit-by-pitch was the third time Alex has been hit in this Series, and resulted in the home plate umpire issuing warnings to both benches. It seems obvious, the Phillies would rather hit A-Rod with one pitch instead of using four balls to walk him to first.
Anyway, the Phillies scored one run in the bottom of the first to cut the Yanks lead in half; and, scored again in the fourth to tie the score 2-2.
Then, in the top of the fifth, Nick Swisher walked; Melky Cabrera singled; Jeter [2-for-4], hit a RBI single that gave the Yanks a 3-2 lead; which was followed by a RBI single by Damon [3-for-5], that increased the Bombers lead to 4-2 at the time.
Blanton delivered a serviceable six innings starting this game for the Phillies, a move that has been, and will always be questioned, as manager Charlie Manuel decided “not” to pitch his “ace” Cliff Lee on three days rest, which would have matched Lee up against the Yankees “ace” CC Sabathia who “was” working on three days rest.
Advantage Joe Girardi on these pitching decisions, as the Yankees manager has perfectly set CC in the rotation to pitch games one, four, and seven [if necessary].
So, the New York Yankees are now up in this Series 3-1, with A.J. Burnett [on three days rest] taking the mound against Cliff Lee in Game 5.
Alex Rodriguez had the game-winning hit in Game 4; but, it was Johnny Damon’s classic nine-pitch at-bat; single; and two stolen bases, in the ninth inning that sparked the Yankees victory.
Much like Paul O’Neill’s classic ten-pitch at-bat against Armando Beitez in the ninth inning of Game One of the 2000 World Series against the New York Mets, Damon’s at-bat has now become another special moment in Yankees history.
Johnny Damon’s great game and play in this World Series may lead to him be selected MVP, as the Yankees are on a solid path to their 27th World Championship.
The “Magic Number” is now “ONE” for number 27.
“GO YANKEES” !!!
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
“CG” Lee Out-Duels “CC” In Game 1 Of World Series
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee was in total control on the mound in the first game of the 2009 World Series against the New York Yankees, leading the National League Champs to a 6-1 victory over the Bronx Bombers.
Cliff Lee was brilliant, dazzling Yankee batters with a devastating curveball throughout his 122 pitch effort, that produced ten strikeouts, while Lee allowed one unearned run, six hits [including three hits by Derek Jeter], and no walks, in route to his complete game win.
Yankees starter CC Sabathia pitched well enough to win, throwing 113 pitches over seven solid innings of work, allowing only two runs [two solo homers by second baseman Chase Utley: in the third and sixth innings]; on four hits; three walks; and six strikeouts.
When CC was replaced at the start of the eight inning, the Phillies were leading 2-0; and, that’s when the senseless parade of Yankee relievers was put in motion [once again] by grand marshal, Joe Girardi.
The bullpen was awful, collapsing any possible “Bridge to Mariano” before it was even constructed.
Phil Hughes walked two batters at the start of the eight, and was booed off the mound after being replaced by Damaso Marte who was the most effective Yankee reliever, retiring the two batters he faced.
With two outs, David Robertson replaced Marte, and promptly issued a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Then, Robertson gave up a two-RBI single to the next batter Raul Ibanez that increased the Phillies lead to 4-0.
Brian Bruney, who for reasons unknown was added to the World Series roster, allowed the final two Phillies runs in the ninth, without any help from Phil Coke – the final Yankee pitcher out of the pen. This continued ineffectiveness put the game out of reach for the Yanks as Cliff Lee was still on the mound painting his masterpiece.
The Yankees scored a meaningless unearned run in the bottom of the ninth on a throwing error by shortstop Jimmy Rollins on a double play attempt that capped the scoring in the Phillies 6-1 victory.
Maybe, even if CC Sabathia was allowed to stay in this game into the ninth inning, it still would not have made a difference in the score because Cliff Lee was just way too dominant on this night in the Bronx.
But, Joe Girardi has to stop “over-managing” the bullpen the rest of this World Series.
If four, or five, [or more], Yankee relievers are constantly brought into each game, the odds are: not all these pitchers are going to be effective and pitch well. The only bridge to Mariano Rivera should be built directly from the starting pitcher each game.
And, maybe, even allowing the Yankees starters to complete some games would be a very refreshing path to victory.
Just look at the game Cliff Lee pitched in Game One — a “CG” victory.
It is time for Manager Joe Girardi to forget about “pitch-counts”; “inning limitations”; “righty/lefty pitching matchups”; or, “using the middle relievers” out of the Yankees bullpen.
Let the starters pitch into the eight and ninth innings; then, go to the “Great Mariano”.
This is the reason why CC, A.J., and Andy were given huge contracts in 2009 — to start, and lead the Yankees to victory.
There will be plenty of time to rest after the World Series is over; and, the deeper our starters pitch in each game, the greater the Yankees chances of winning their 27th World Championship this year.
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Bullpen Awful In Yanks 10-2 Opening Day Loss
Everything was perfect at the home opener of the new Yankee Stadium, except for the final score.
Up to the 6th inning, both starters, CC Sabathia for the Yankees, and Cliff Lee for the Cleveland Indians were engaged in a pitching duel — battling on the mound to the tune of a 1-1 tied score.
But, with two outs and a runner on first in the top of the 6th inning, manager Joe Girardi replaced CC with reliever Edwar Ramirez. An error by Cody Ransom and a single by Trevor Crowe loaded the bases which led to Girardi bringing Phil Coke into the game.
Coke was “the real thing” retiring Grady Sizemore on a fly ball to leftfield ending the Indians rally to keep the scored tied at 1-1.
Sabathia was not lights out in this game; but, after an easy 1-2-3 first inning, he did manage to strand two Cleveland runners on base in each of the second, third, and forth innings. CC threw 122 pitches in his 5.2 innings of work, allowing only one run, on five hits, five walks, and four strikeouts. A very solid effort by the Yankees “ace”.
Over the first six innings, Cliff Lee, (W, 1-2), was just as solid as Mr. Sabathia, throwing 115 pitches, while giving up one run, on seven hits, three base-on-balls, and four strikeouts.
The Indians scored the first run of the game in the fourth on a RBI double by Kelly Shoppach.
Then, in the bottom of the 5th inning, Jorge Posada tied the score 1-1, on a long homerun to straight away centerfield — the first homer at the new Stadium.
So, as the game entered the top of the 7th inning all the action on the field pointed to a very dramatic finish, that hopefully would end with a Yankee victory closed out by the Great Mariano out of the bullpen.
The “Bridge to Mariano” collapsed, though, in the top of the 7th inning.
Jose Veras, (L, 0-1), the third Yankee reliever of the game, was brought into start the 7th, and the destruction of the bridge, and the great pitching performance by CC Sabathia, and ultimately the game, began.
Veras did not record any outs in his brief time on the mound, as he allowed a lead off walk to Mark DeRosa, a double to Victor Martinez, and a two-RBI double to Jhonny Peralta, that increased the Indians lead to 3-1.
More disturbing about Veras’ poor performance was what Jose said after the game. He was quoted in George King’s New York Post article, saying, “it’s better to be bad now than later in the season when the team needs me.”
Excuse me! Veras didn’t think the Yankees needed him, yesterday, with the score tied 1-1, in the 7th inning of the home opener at the new Yankee Stadium ??? I don’t know, maybe, I’m missing something, there?
This resulted in Girardi bringing Damaso Marte into the game.
Marte didn’t build a bridge to Mariano, either. Instead, he helped build up the run total of the Indians even more, turning a 3-1 game into a 10-1 laugher, when he allowed six runs, on three hits, a walk, and hit-by-pitch, including a grand slam to Grady Sizemore, and a solo homer to the next batter Mark DeRosa.
Not much more to say after the disgraceful performances by Veras and Marte.
The Yankees scored a run in the bottom of the 7th on a RBI by Robinson Cano, who was 3-for-4, with a walk, to complete the 10-2 score in this game.
Not a great way to open the new Yankee Stadium, with a very embarrassing 10-2 loss by the New York Yankees.
Otherwise, it was a perfect day.
Baseball, The Yankees, and Life... 