Tagged: YES Network
Yanks Keep Rolling; CC Wins 15th In K.C.
The first place in the AL East New York Yankees traveled to Kansas City to play a four-game series against the last place in the AL Cenral Royals, in a series that certainly will lack the playoff atmosphere of the last two series’ against the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers. But all games are important. And the Yankees must continue to treat each series as if it were a playoff series; playing every game as if it was the last game of the World Series.
The Yankees built up an easy 3-0 lead through the first four innings.
A RBI single by Curtis Granderson in the second inning started the scoring in this game, putting the Yanks on the scoreboard first with a 1-0 lead. In the third, Mark Teixeira hit a sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead. And in the fourth, Austin Kearns belted his first homer as a Yankee [his ninth this season], that upped the lead to 3-0.
Teixeira was back in the lineup after remaining in New York to be with his wife Leigh for the birth of their third child, a son, named Will. Our prayers and best wishes go out to the Teixeira family on this happy occasion.
Mark did not want to miss the two games the Yankees played in Texas, but he said, “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I missed my child’s birth or if anything happened. There was no question in my mind [being with Leigh for the birth].”
Mark Teixeira also had praise for the great series Marcus Thames had in Texas, batting third in the lineup in both games. Teixeira said, “That’s what a team is all about, twenty five guys. At some point in the season, everyone is going to chip in and step up in a big way.”
Kansas City scored a run in the bottom of the fourth to cut the Yanks lead to 3-1.
The Royals starter Bruce Chen (L,7-6), lasted five innings, in which he tossed 92 pitches, while allowing three runs, on eight hits, two walks, and two strikeouts.
CC Sabathia was pitching another solid game for the Yanks, who increased their lead to 4-1 on a RBI by Alex Rodriguez in the seventh inning.
This game was moving right along. And it looked like Sabathia just might take the mound in the ninth inning with a chance to earn his third “complete game” of the season. He already had the Yankees only two complete games so far, back-to-back actually, against Texas on April 16th, a rain-shortened victory; and, in Oakland on April 22th, an eight-inning pitched loss to the A’s.
Through eight innings in this contest CC had thrown only 100 pitches. So, yes, Joe Girardi decided to send Sabathia to the mound in the bottom of the ninth to complete the game, and close out the victory.
Sabathia retired the first batter Betancourt on a grounder to third. Gordon then singled to center. And Mike Aviles followed with a bloop hit to right that created a first and second situation with one out. Mitch Maier was up next and grounded into a force play (3-4) at second base. There were now two outs with runners at first and third.
At this point, with right-haned batter Willie Bloomquist up next, Girardi decided to call David Robertson into the game for the save. It seemed Mariano Rivera had this night off.
Sabathia ended up throwing 110 pitches over eight and two-third innings, allowing one run, on ten hits, two walks, and only three strikeouts. Both runners on base were CC’s responsibility, though. And it was Robertson’s job to keep them from scoring.
Bloomquist worked the count to (2-0), then hit a line drive two-run double to rightfield cutting the score to 4-3. This is not what is expected from the bullpen.
Wilson Betemit was the next batter, and dribbled a (1-2) pitch in front of the plate on the third base side that Robertson tried to field but could not get a grip on the ball, which resulted in an infield hit. It was now first and third with two outs with Jason Kendall coming up to the plate.
Robertson and the Yankees [now] had to really earn this victory.
The first pitch to Kendall was a ball. Then, a strike, to even the count at (1-1). The next pitch was in the dirt when Kendall swung and missed for strike two. Foul ball, still (1-2). High and inside, up by Kendall’s head (2-2). Foul ball, count remained (2-2).
Then, Robertson delivered a perfect breaking ball, “maybe the best pitch he has thrown this season”, said, Ken Singleton and John Flaherty on the YES television broadcast, that Kendall swung right through, missing the ball for strike three.
Yankees win !!!
This was Robertson’s first save this season.
CC Sabathia is now 15-5, with a 3.14 ERA.
The Yankees held on for a 4-3 win, in a game that looked like they would get an easy victory. But in the end, they really had to earn this win.
At this time of the year, all games are important, just like playoff games.
– Jimmy Curran “BY&L” – Baseball, The Yankees, and Life …
Rain Drops; Rain Delay; Yanks Win Seventh Straight
The Yankees increased their lead over the Boston Red Sox in the AL East, winning their seventh straight game, a rain-soaked 6-3 victory over the Oakland A’s at Yankee Stadium in the Beautiful Bronx, New York.
This first game of a four-game series vs. the A’s was delayed two hours and forty three minutes before the first pitch was thrown. But, at the end of this contest in the early morning hours of Friday, the Bronx Bombers drove home another win on their current winning streak to move two and a half games in front of the second place Red Sox who did not have a game scheduled this day.
The A’s staked rookie starter Vin Mazzaro to an early 3-0 lead through the first four innings.
Mazzaro, (22), is a local kid from New Jersey, and had many family members and friends cheering him on from the stands. He was pitching a great game until the bottom of the 4th inning when the Yankees rallied to take the lead.
The Yankees scored four runs in the 4th inning on a two-run homer by Mark Teixeira, his 24th; a RBI double by Jorge Posada that tied the game 3-3; and, Eric Hinske’s RBI single that gave the Bombers a 4-3 lead.
The Yanks added two more runs in the 5th on a RBI double by Teixeira, and a RBI single by Posada, that knocked Mazzaro out of the game.
Vin Mazzaro (2-7), lasted only 4.1 innings, while allowing six runs, on eight hits, four walks, and seven strikeouts. As the young rookie walked off the mound after his poor performance, he was given a nice round of applause by his family and friends who were still in the stands supporting their local hero. It was a very moving moment watching this event unfold on the Yes Network.
Meanwhile, the Yankees starter CC Sabathia, (10-6), threw a very solid 109 pitches over seven innings, allowing three runs, on nine hits, no walks, and four strikeouts.
Phil Hughes was called in from the bullpen to start the 8th inning, and, once again, was “brilliant”.
Hughes pitched two strong scoreless innings in the 8th and 9th, to close out the Yankees 6-3 victory while earing his first career “save”.
This was a great victory for the New York Yankees (58-37) that kept their winning streak going on a rainy night in the Bronx — a night that did not look like a game would be played.
To view boxscore, click on: Yanks 6, A’s 3
Also, earlier in the afternoon, I had the pleasure to watch the final two innings of the 5-0 “Perfect Game” by Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox against the Tampa Bay Rays, on my MLB Extra Innings Package.
Buehrle (11-3) pitched himself into the baseball history books with his “gem”; but, the big play of the game came in the top of the 9th inning when center fielder, Dewayne Wise made an outstanding play off the bat of Gabe Kapler who led off the inning.
Kapler hit a deep “blast” to centerfield, and Wise, who entered the game for defensive purposes, ran the ball down and made an amazing, running, leaping catch, robbing Gabe Kapler of a home run to protect the “Perfect Game”, “No-Hitter”, and “Shutout” !!!
This was one of the “greatest” catches I have ever seen, and, certainly, one of the most dramatic plays I have ever viewed on a baseball diamond.
Mark Buehrle retired the final two batters and the “Perfect Game” was in the books.
This is only the 18th “Perfect Game” in Major League Baseball history.
“Congratulations” to both Mark Buehrle and Dewayne Wise for their excellent performances in the historic “Perfect Game” !!!
To view boxscore of this 5-0 game, click on: Perfect Game
— Jimmy, “BY&L”
Yanks Celebrate Holiday Weekend With Three Wins
The New York Yankees gave George Steinbrenner an extra special birthday gift this holiday weekend — three straight victories over the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium, that moved the Bronx Bombers only one game behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.
Mr. Steinbrenner’s birthday was on the “Fourth of July”, and his Yankees delivered the first of their three wins on Friday July 3rd — a 4-2 win in the first game of four straight day games vs. the Blue Jays. When was the last time the Yankees, or any team other than the Cubs in Chicago, played four straight day games?
A.J. Burnett (7-4) pitched a solid game on Friday to earn the win; as Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez hit home runs that led the Yankees hitting attack, setting the stage for Mariano Rivera to close out this 4-2 victory with his 21st save of the year.
On the “Fourth of July”, the Yankees won a very dramatic, extra-innings, 6-5 victory, on a walk-off, RBI single by Jorge Posada off Shawn Camp (0-4), in the bottom of the 12th inning.
The Yankees tagged Blue Jays starter, Roy Halladay, maybe the best pitcher in the America League, for three home runs: Hideki Matsui (12th), leading off the 2nd inning; Jorge Posada (11th), leading off the 4th inning; and, Johnny Damon (16th), a two-run shot into the short right field porch in the 7th inning, that tied the score 5-5 at the time.
After the Damon homer, Halladay had a look of disbelief on his face, maybe thinking “that” home run was not going to reach the seats, and was the product of the increased jet stream of air flow at the new Yankee Stadium.
The bad news for the Yankees in this game was another ineffective pitching performance by Chien-Ming Wang, who had to leave the game in the sixth inning after he felt tightness in his right shoulder on a pitch to Adam Lind, who blasted a two-run homer on the Wang delivery that tied the score 4-4.
On the next pitch to Scott Rolen, it was catcher Jorge Posada who noticed that Wang didn’t follow-through all the way on the pitch, and just kind of pushed it up to the plate. Posada called Joe Girardi and trainer Steve Donohue from the dugout, and Wang was removed from the game.
Wang had a MRI after the game, and was placed on the disabled list after it was determined that he had a right shoulder strain and bursitis, which calls for total rest without any throwing for Wang until some time after the All-Star break. The Yankees have not yet decided who will replace Wang in the rotation.
Chien-Ming Wang allowed four runs, on six hits, in his 5.1 innings on the mound, and was replaced by David Robertson who gave up the final Blue Jays run, a well as, recording the final two out of the sixth inning.
The Yankees bullpen was lights out the rest of the way, with five relievers: Bruney (7th); Hughes (8th); Mariano Rivera (9th); Coke (10th and 11th); and, finally, Brett Tomko (W, 1-2), in the 12th inning, all delivering solid performances.
A final note of interest occurred after the game when Jorge Posada was being inteviewed by Kim Jones of the Yes Network.
Joba Chamberlain and A.J. Burnett charged out of the Yankees dugout and teamed-up to toss a “shaving-cream” pie in Jorge’s face in celebration of Posada’s game winning hit.
Jorge did not exactly look too happy to be the latest “victim” of this new ongoing form of celebration for the heroes of late-inning Yankee victories.
In my view, I have to say, the first couple of times the pie-tossing was kind of humorous; but, I think this “parlor-trick” has run its course, and this “long-time” Yankees fan wouldn’t mind if these antics are not seen any more after games. This is just not what Yankees “tradition” is all about.
In the third game of this four-game series, the Yankees staked starter Joba Chamberlain to an early 4-0 lead, scoring two runs in each of the first two innings.
Then, in the top of the third, Raul Chavez doubled, and scored on a RBI single by Aaron Hill to cut the Yankees lead to 4-1. Aaron Hill followed with a two-run homer off Chamberlain, cutting the Yankees lead even more to 4-3.
In the top of the 4th, Joba Chamberlain had an even tougher inning that began with a single by Lyle Overbay. Vernon Wells was up next, and hit a fly ball to left for out number one. Then, Alex Rois hit a hard shot to Cody Ransom, who was filling-in for Alex Rodriguez at third base. The ball took a wicked hop that bounced high off Ransom’s glove for an error.
In fairness to Ransom, the ball was hit very hard, and took a high bounce at the last second; but, it was a ball that Ransom probably should have fielded, and thus the play was called an error.
It was now first and second with one out when David Dellucci hit an easy fly ball to right for the second out of the inning. If not for the error, this may have been the final out, but the inning continued.
Raul Chavez was up next, and promptly hit a RBI double that plated Overbay to tie the score 4-4.
Marco Scutaro then stroked a two-RBI single that increased the Blue Jays lead to 6-4.
The damage was not done yet, as next batter, Aaron Hill, blasted a two-run homer off Joba, over the auxiliary scoreboard in right centerfield to up the Jays lead to 8-4.
As Yes Network announcer David Cone said, “Joba put a snowman up on the scoreboard with the eight runs that he allowed; and, no pitcher wants to do that.”
After Joba gave up a single to Adam Lind, Joe Girardi replaced Chamberlain with Jonathan Albaladejo. As Joba walked to the dugout he was booed by the Yankee Stadium crowd.
The error hurt Joba Chamberlain’s final numbers; but, after two outs in the 4th inning, Joba did get hit hard, and did not get out of the jam. He lasted 3.2 innings, while allowing eight runs, (three earned), on nine hits, one walk, and only one strikeout.
In the bottom of the 4th, the Yankees came right back in this game when after one out, Mark Teixeira walked; Jorge Posada singled; and, both runners scored on Hideki Matsui’s three-run homer off Brett Cecil that cut the Blue Jays lead to 8-7.
The Yanks were now on the road to another comeback as the game entered the bottom of the fifth.
Melky Cabrera led off the 5th inning with a walk, and after Ransom grounded out, scored on Derek Jeter’s 10th homer of the year, an opposite field shot off B.J. Ryan, that gave the Bronx Bombers a 9-8 lead.
Johnny Damon then walked and scored all the way from first on a RBI double by Jorge Posada that increased the Yanks lead to 10-8, and completed the scoring in this game.
There were still four innings to play, though, and Girardi brought Alfredo Aceves into pitch.
Aceves turned in one of the best relief performances by a Yankees middle-inning reliever in awhile, throwing 43 pitches over “four” brilliant innings, allowing no runs, while giving up only one hit, no walks, and striking out five.
Very simply, “brilliant”, and very “old school” !!!
Alfredo Aceves brought back images of Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage who would routinely pitch two, three, or four innings when closing out Yankee victories.
The winning pitcher in this game could have been either Albaladejo or Aceves, based on whom the official scorer felt had pitched better in relief.
Albaladejo (3-1) did pitch well enough to earn the victory [1.1 innings pitched; no runs; two hits; no walks; two strikeouts], and he was the pitcher of record when the Yankees took the lead in the 5th inning. So, the decision to award him the win cannot really be disputed. And, it was nice to see Alfred Aceves credited with his first career save.
The hitting stars for the Yankees in this game were:
* Derek Jeter (4-for-5); including his 10th HR; three runs; two RBI’s
* Jorge Posada (4-for-5); two runs; three RBI’s
* Hideki Matsui (2-for-4); including his 13th HR; one run; four RBI’s
**** Happy Birthday, Mr. George M. Steinbrenner, III ****
**** Happy Birthday, to the United States of America ****
— Jimmy Curran, “BY&L” — “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
_______________________
Update: July 6, 2009 …
The Yankees lost the final game of their four-game series vs. the Blue Jays, 7-6.
But, the Boston Red Sox also lost their game this day, on a 6-0 shutout by the Oakland A’s.
So, at the end of baseball action on this beautiful day, the battle for first place in the AL East is really starting to heat up as the 2009 season moves into the summer months.
This “race for first place” will go right down to the wire between the Yankees and Red Sox, with the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays also still very much in the race. It will be fun to watch.
AL EAST STANDINGS … (at the end of action on July 6th) …
Boston Red Sox 49-33 .598 — Last 10 Games: (5-5)
New York Yankees 48-34 .585 1.0 Last 10 Games: (8-2)
Tampa Bay Rays 44-39 .530 5.5 Last 10 Games: (6-4)
Toronto Blue Jays 43-41 .512 7.0 Last 10 Games: (3-7)
Baltimore Orioles 36-47 .434 13.5 Last 10 Games: (3-7)
The Yankees now head on the road, traveling to Minnesota to start a three-game series against the Twins on July 7-8-9th … Then, go to the West Coast to play the L.A. Angels in a three-game weekend series, July 10-11-12th, which leads to the All-Star break.
The Red Sox continue their schedule at Fenway Park with two more games vs. the Oakland A’s on July 7-8th. Then, the Sox host the K.C. Royals in a four-game weekend series in Boston, July 9-10-11-12th, leading up to the All-Star break.
The All-Star Game will be played on Tuesady, July 14, 2009.
The Red Sox have an advantage on the schedule over the next six games. But, hopefully, by the All-Star break the Yankees will be standing on top of the AL East as we approach the long summer days ahead in July and August.
“Go Yankees” !!!
— Jimmy 27NYY, “BY&L”
Yankees Begin New Streak With 4-2 Win Over Jays
About 18 hours after the Yankees seven-game winning streak ended with an 8-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners, the Yanks began a new winning streak, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-2, in the first game of a four-game, 4th of July Holiday weekend series, on a beautiful Friday afternoon in the “Beautiful Bronx”.
Yankees starting pitcher, A.J. Burnett (7-4), was brilliant in his seven innings on the mound, allowing the only two runs the Jays scored, on six hits, [including a long homerun off the bat of Blue Jays centerfielder, Vernon Wells, in the 6th inning]; two walks; and, seven strikeouts.
Burnett’s solid effort got the Yankees back on the winning track, after an awful pitching performance by CC Sabathia in the Yankees 8-4 loss to the Mariners, in the final game of that series, that derailed the Bombers winning ways until today’s victory.
Sabathia (7-5), lasted only 5.2 innings in his losing start, while giving up six runs, on ten hits, three walks, and eight strikeouts.
A.J. Burnett’s victory tied him with CC Sabathia at seven wins apiece, so far, in their first season with the New York Yankees. Andy Pettitte leads the Yankees pitching staff with eight wins.
It is interesting, the Yankees almost let Andy Pettitte walk away from the team, just like they did with Bobby Abreu. But, Andy has pitched very well, and is on pace to win 17-18 games. I think it would have also been a good idea to re-sign Abreu, who would “still” be the Yankees best all-around outfielder if he was on the team this year. Just Saying.
Anyway, back to this game.
Robinson Cano gave the Yankees an early 1-0 lead with a solo homer, his 13th, in the second inning.
The Jays tied it up with a RBI single by Alex Rios in the 4th.
And, the Yankees took the lead again in the 5th, on a bases-loaded walk to Mark Teixeira off Jays starter Brian Tallet; and, a passed ball by catcher Raul Chavez that scored Johnny Damon, moving the Yanks into the 3-1 lead.
Vernon Wells 6th inning homer cut the Yankees lead to 3-2, and completed the scoring for the Blue Jays.
Brian Tallet (5-6), finished his work on the mound for the Jays after six innings. He allowed three runs (two earned), on six hits, four walks, and three strikeouts.
After seven strong innings pitched by A.J. Burnett, manager Joe Girardi made the call to the bullpen at the start of the 8th and brought Phil Coke into the game to face one batter, who Coke retired.
Phil Hughes was then called into the game, and recorded the final two outs of the inning, after also giving up a hit. Hughes was firing 96 mph fastballs up to the plate during his appearance, and may have moved ahead of Brian Bruney as the eight-inning set-up man, building the “Bridge to Mariano”.
Alex Rodriguez capped off the scoring by the Yanks with an opposite field solo homerun into the right field seats, his 14th of the season and 222th of his Yankees career, that moved A-Rod into ninth place on the Yankees all-time homerun list, tying the great Yankees first baseman, Don Mattingly.
The Yankees now had a little more breathing room with the 4-2 lead; and, “The Great Mariano” was called into the game to preserve the victory.
Mariano Rivera pitched a perfect 9th inning, recording his 21st save of the year, and career save number 503, protecting the Yankees 4-2 win.
All winning streaks begin with the “first win” of the streak.
The Yankees have now started another winning streak with their 46th victory this season.
Side Note: I watched this game on the Yes Network, and clearly in sight during the game were these two guys sitting in seats right behind home plate dressed in full umpire uniforms, masks and all. They actually looked like real umpires.
Throughout the game, these guys were calling balls and strikes along with the home plate ump, even standing up to call batters out on third strike calls. This was one of the most bizarre sights I have even seen at a ballpark.
I don’t know who these guys were, or where they came from, or even if they are Yankee fans. But, they both were sitting in $1,250.00 seats, and looked like they were having a good time every time they were shown on the television screen by the Yes Network.
All I know, the night before, Jack Nicholson was at the Yankee game, sunglasses and all, and was also sitting in one of the seats behind home plate, in just about the same area these “fake” umpires were sitting, at today’s game.
Jack looked as “cool” as ever, as opposed to the very puzzling behavior of the two guys dressed as umpires.
As famous New York Post columnist Cindy Adams would say, “Only in New York, kids, only in New York.”
Everybody, have a “Happy” and “Safe”, 4th of July, Holiday weekend !!!
— Jimmy Curran, “BY&L”
Yanks Given Gift Win Over Mets On Dropped Pop Up
Going into the bottom of the 9th inning of the first game of this year’s version of the Subway Series against the New York Mets at the new Yankee Stadium, the Yankees trailed the Mets 8-7, as poor pitching by the Yanks was basically gift wrapping a potential victory for their cross-town rivals.
Yankees starter, Joba Chamberlain, lasted only four innings, and was lucky to give up only two runs during his very shaky 100-pitch outing.
Brett Tomko, who replaced Joba, entered the game at the start of the 5th, and was even more ineffective, allowing four runs, on a two-RBI double by Ryan Church; and, a deep two-run homerun down the line into the leftfield seats by Gary Sheffield that gave the Mets a 6-3 lead at the time.
Meanwhile, the Yankees looked like they were competing in a “Homerun Derby” contest against Mets starting pitcher, Livan Hernandez, hitting three homers off the Mets hurler: a solo homerun by Robinson Cano in the second inning, that gave the Yankees an early 1-0 lead; a two-run homer by Mark Teixeira, his 20th, in the third, that moved the Yankees ahead again, 3-2; and, an opposite field, solo homer by Derek Jeter in the 5th, that cut the Mets lead to 6-4.
Mets Manager, Jerry Manuel, replaced Hernandez with reliever Jon Switzer in the 6th inning, and Hideki Matsui decided to the join-in all the fun of the homerun derby, and celebrate his birthday, by lighting up the Stadium crowd with a three-run “birthday blast” off Switzer into the rightfield seats that moved the Yanks back into the lead, 7-6.
The Mets tied it up with a run in the top of the 7th; then, after Phil Coke retired the first two batters in the 8th, Mariano Rivera was called into the game by Manager Joe Girardi to hold the 7-7 tie, and, also, pitch the 9th.
The Great Mariano had not appeared in a game in about four days, and promptly walked the first batter he faced, Carlos Beltran.
David Wright was up next, and he stroked a solid RBI line drive double to right center field, scoring Beltran with the go-ahead run.
Rivera struck-out Ryan Church for the final out of the inning, but the damage was already done. The Mets now had an 8-7 lead.
After the game, Mariano Rivera put his relief appearance in perspective by saying, “any relief pitcher cannot come into a game and walk a guy. If you walk a guy, he is going to score.”
The Yankees were held scoreless by Green and Feliciano in the bottom of the 8th; and, Mariano retired the side in order in the top of the 9th, setting the stage for one of the most unbelievable turn of events that has ever occurred in a baseball game.
Mets closer, Francisco Rodriguez, entered the game in the bottom of the 9th, and quickly got the first out when Brett Gardner popped out to catcher, Brian Schneider.
Derek Jeter was up next, and he kept hope alive for the Yanks by grounding a single up the middle. The “captain” then stole second when Johnny Damon, pinch hitting for Nick Swisher, struck out for the second out of the inning.
The Yankees were now down to their final out with Mark Teixeira coming up to the plate.
K-Rod pitched carefully to Teixeira, serving up three straight breaking balls that Tex did not swing at, to move the count to 3-0. At this point, Manuel decided to intentionally walk Tex putting the winning run on first, with Jeter, the trying run, still on second base.
As kids growing up, playing baseball in our back yards; in the streets; school yards; and, on Little League fields, this is the dream of all young baseball fans and future Major Leaguers — coming up to the plate in the 9th inning with your team down, and being the hero by getting the “big” hit that wins the game for you team.
Well, Yankees clean-up hitter, Alex Rodriguez, was the next batter, and he had the opportunity to be the hero in this game.
With K-Rod on the mound looking for the save, A-Rod worked the count to 3-0. Then, K-Rod delivered a strike that brought the count to 3-1.
The Mets played a good game up to this point, battling back to take an 8-7 lead.
And, the Yankee hitters kept the Bronx Bombers in the game, powering four home runs that balanced out the poor pitching perfomances by the Yankee pitchers that took the mound in this very exciting game.
But, with all that said, a team needs to record 27 outs, as well as, have the most runs after nine innings are completed to claim the victory in the game. The Mets had only retired 26 batters up to this point; they still needed one more out for the win.
As I watched these events unfold on the YES Network, I was rooting hard and loud for A-Rod to hit a game-winning homerun, or, at least, get a base hit that would have tied the score.
The stage was set, for either a great Mets victory; or, a geat “comeback” walk-off win, once again this year, for the Yankees.
Francisco Rodriguez was set on the mound, and ready to deliver the next pitch to Alex Rodriguez.
At this very crucial moment in the game, I will “fade to black” on this post, and transfer my thoughts back to the night of the game, sitting in front of my television set, replaying the “call” of this dramatic next pitch and play as broadcasted by the great New York Yankees YES Network Announcer, Michael Kay …
— “And, the 3-1” …
— “Popped-Up” …
— “Castillo” …
— “Dropped The Ball” ..
— “He Dropped The Ball” !!! …
— “Here comes Teixeira” …
— “And, The Yankees Win” !!! …
— “OH … MY … GOODNESS” !!! …
— “He Dropped The Ball” …
— “What An Ending” !!! …
— “The Yankees Win, 9-8” !!!
— “In The Most Improbable Fashion” …
— “A-Rod Becomes A Hero, With A Pop-Up” !!!
… Michael Kay, YES Network
If Casey Stengel was here, he would say, “SIMPLY AMAZING” !!!
— To view the boxscore, click on … Yankees 9, Mets 8
— Jimmy Curran, “BY&L”
Babe Ruth Would Be Proud As New Stadium Opens
As the “House That Ruth Built” sits so gracefully across the street from the “House That George Built”, the 2009 New York Yankees christened the new Yankee Stadium in very high fashion winning the first ball game played in this new “cathedral” 7-4 against Lou Piniella’s Chicago Cubs.
Even though it was only an exhibition game, it had the feel of a regular season matchup watching the grand opening on the YES Network.
The new Stadium has a very similar look to the old renovated Yankee Stadium, at least on the field, as the field dimensions are exactly the same distances from home plate. There is more foul territory on both the first and third base sides of the field, and home plate is 20 feet closer to the back stop, though. But, other than those changes the players said when they are on the field it reminds them a lot like the old Stadium.
The main differences are beyond the fences, in the stands, and within all surrounding areas.
And, the most dominate feature of the new ballpark is the huge 59′ high – 103′ wide centerfield scoreboard. From all reports this wide screen “true high-def” scoreboard projects the clearest pictures imagineable and is the main focal point of everyone’s sight as it ceates a brand new skyline towering over the centerfield area in the middle of the bleachers in between both foul poles.
The “frieze” or “facade” is the other dominate feature as it brings the new Stadium back to its original 1923 look, with the classic white hanging facade wrapping around the roof levels just above the upper deck seating.
This beautiful feature always brings to mind the famous homerun that Mickey Mantle almost hit out of Yankee Stadium, on May 22, 1963, against the Kanas City Athletics … a soaring, majestic, powerful shot that slammed high off the upper rightfield “facade”, just inches short of traveling into the Bronx streets surrounding the Stadium.
No player has ever hit a fair ball out of the old Yankee Stadium. Will a player ever hit one out of the new Stadium?
Another great new feature, which is really a retro look going back to 1923, are the two manual scoreboards, one in leftfield and one in right, that are part of the outfield walls. These additions will be part of many new memories this year and in future years, and we will see classic pictures like the famous Don Larsen Perfect Game photo from the 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Those are some of my first impressions of the new Yankee Stadium. There is a full season ahead of us, and hopefully at some point I will get a chance to vist the new ballpark. But, based on everything I have seen so far, on television and in the many pictues that have been published, the new Yankee Stadium is very simply “beautiful” and an instant “classic”.
Oh, yes, there also was a ball game during the Friday April 3, 2009 grand opening at the new state-of-the-art Yankee Stadium.
It did not look like a game would be played because of all the rain we had in the New York area Friday morning into the late afternoon. The rain did stop around 4:00 p.m. ET, though, and the newly improved and advanced drainage system worked as advertised, delivering almost perfect field conditions for the start of the game.
The National Anthem was played; Reggie Jackson threw out the first pitch; and, it was time to play ball.
The first pitch by Yankees starter, Chien-Ming Wang was a strike. But, the lead-off batter for the Cubs, Aaron Miles, did end up getting a single in this at-bat, the first hit at the new Stadium. Kosuke Fukudome followed with another single moving Miles to third. Then, Derrek Lee hit a RBI, sac-fly to center, giving the Cubs the early 1-0 lead as Miles crossed the plate.
Derek Jeter, the new lead-off hitter for the Yanks, who got the final hit at the old Yankee Stadium, started things off for the Bronx Bombers by stroking a double, the first Yankee hit at the new Stadium. But, Cubs starter, Ted Lilly, easily retired the next three batters, Damon, Teixeira, and Matsui, moving the game into the top of the second inning.
The Cubs added two more runs off Wang, on a walk to Soto, single to Gathright, and a two-out double to Miles, increasing their lead to 3-0.
After Jorge Posada led off the bottom of the second with a single, Robinson Cano cut the Cubs lead to 3-2, blasting a line-drive two-run homerun into the rightfield bleachers.
Jose Molina hit the final homer at the old Yankee Stadium; Cano now has the honor of hitting the first homerun at the new Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees took a 4-3 lead in this game in the bottom of the third, when Derek Jeter led off the inning with a single, and scored on Hideki Matsui’s two-out, two-run homerun which christened the rightfield foul pole.
Wang allowed the Cubs to tie the score 4-4 in the top of the 4th inning on a triple by Reed Johnson, and an RBI grounder to Jeter at short by Ryan Theriot. The Yankees had the infield back at regular depth which helped Johnson to score without a throw to the plate.
The Bombers battled right back in this game in the bottom of the 4th, on back to back singles by Cano and Nady; then, Alex Rodriguez’s replacement, Cody Ransom, lofted a high shot down the third base line, that christened the leftfield foul pole for a three-run homer, and 7-4 Yankees lead.
Chien-Ming Wang pitched a scoreless 5th inning, but was not very effective in this start, allowing four runs, on six hits, two walks, and three strikeouts, while throwing 71 pitches.
Mariano Rivera delivered another soild performance, easily retiring the side in order in the top of the 6th.
And, relievers, Veras (7th), Ramirez (8th), and Albaladejo (9th), closed out the rest of the game for the Yankees, each throwing a scoreless inning to help preserve the Yanks 7-4 victory. To view boxscore, click on: Game One
But, Ransom’s three-run homer completed the scoring in this game … and, I’m sure Babe Ruth had a big smile on his face, as the Yankees hit “three” homeruns in honor of “The Babe’s” #3, and rang the bell on both foul poles — a sound that surely carried throughout the universe, the “Yankees Universe”, as new memories were made and the great Yankees tradition continued at the “new” Yankee Stadium.
Rare Moment Of The Game …
Two of the Yankees three homeruns were shots that hit one of the “foul poles”, which is rare enough. But, when was the last time you seen homeruns hit off each foul pole by players on the same team, in the same game?
Well, I can’t remember the last time I seen this extraordinary event happen.
In the first game at the new Yankee Stadium this rare event did occur, when Hideki Matsui hit a two-run homerun off the the rightfield foul pole in the 3rd inning; and, Cody Ransom hit a three-run homer off the leftfield foul pole in the bottom of the 4th.
The New York Yankees christened the new Yankee Stadium in style, with a 7-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs; and, with two special homeruns that christened both foul poles.
Photo Credits …
* Mickey Mantle homerun — 4.bp.blogspot.com/…/s400/Mick%27s+moonshot.jpg
* Don Larsen / Billy Martin — BestSportsPhotos.com
* Babe Ruth — http://www.gallerym.com/work.cfm?ID=278
— Jimmy Curran, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
Update: Sunday, April 5, 2009 …
In the second game of the two-game exhibition series against the Chicago Cubs, on Saturday, April 4th, at the new Yankee Stadium, the Yankees ended their 2009 Spring Training with a 10-1 victory over the Cubs.
The ball seems to be flying out of the new ballpark, as the Yankees hit seven homeruns in these two games …
Three homers in game one — Robinson Cano (two-run homer); Hideki Matsui (two-run homer); and Cody Ransom (three-run homer) — accounting for all of the Yankees seven runs in their 7-4 win …
Four homeruns in the second game — Derek Jeter (three-run homer in the 3rd inning); two homeruns by Mark Teixeira (solo shot in the 3rd; and, three-run homer in the 4th inning); and Shelley Duncan (solo homer in the 8th) — adding up to eight of the Yankees ten runs in their 10-1 victory.
In Game Two … Andy Pettitte started for the Yanks and pitched four solid innings, allowing the only Cub run, on six hits, one walk, and two strikeouts … A.J. Burnett replaced Pettitte in the 5th inning and also delivered a solid effort on the mound, pitching four innings, allowing zero runs, on two hits, one base-on-ball, and six strkeouts … Brian Bruney (two strikeouts), and Phil Coke (one strikeout), closed out the game and Yankees victory, pitching a scoreless 9th inning.
To view “box score”, click on: Game Two: Yanks 10, Cubs 1
The new 2009 Basball Season is finally here …
Enjoy “Opening Day”, everybody !!!
— Jimmy [27NYY], “BY&L”
Snow Flakes, Spring, and Yogi Berra …
Well, the first day of Spring was greeted with early morning snow flakes here in New York; but, Spring prevailed over Winter, as the sun melted the little snow crystals before they had any chance of accumulating on the ground.
So, it was kind of a nice transition, as Winter had its final at-bat, and Spring very easily recorded the last outs of the season. Winter will surely redeem itself with a victory when it battles the Fall at the end of December later this year.
I guess it was certain Spring was going to arrive on time because Yogi Berra was scheduled to arrive back home in New Jersey today from Tampa, Florida. At least, that’s what was reported by the Yankee announcers, Ken Singleton and John Flaherty, before the Yankees 7-4 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays, on the YES Network last night, as the camera showed Yogi smiling and having a good time sitting in the Yankees dugout.
Yogi Berra always seems to be in the right place, at the right time. So, I’m sure when he arrives back North — Spring will be here.
Like Yogi once said, “if you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll wind up somewhere else“. So, I would say, when Yogi Berra returns home, it will be Spring.
Yogi Berra’s “highlights” from his 18 year New York Yankees career are amazing.
And, when I think about Yogi Berra’s great baseball career, my thoughts always go back to a few years ago when a reporter asked the Yankees “captain” Derek Jeter how it felt to have “four” World Series rings. Jeter’s response was priceless, and explains why Derek is a “winner”; a class act; and, a true Yankee who has tremendous respect for the great New York Yankees tradition.
Derek Jeter said …
“Well, over here with the Yankees we have a guy walking around with “ten” World Series rings. Basically, that’s the standard we all look up to each year”.
Of course, Jeter was talking about Yogi Berra, and the fact that Berra represents a connection to the awesome Yankees winning tradition, greatness, and history of the past.
And, this is the reason Derek Jeter, and Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner, have always set the goal of winning the World Series each year as the benchmark of a successful Yankees season. Anything less is a failure.
With Yogi Berra as the “Gold Standard” of success, how can any owner, manager, coach, player, team, or fan, go wrong following that great example?
Yogi Berra played for the Yankees from 1946-1963, and appeared in 14 World Series, including, “ten” World Championship teams.
Actually, counting Yogi’s seven additional appearances in the World Series as either a coach or manager, in which he was part of three more World Championship teams, Yogi Berra appeared in a record 21 World Series’, and has 13 World Series rings.
Yogi Berra has appeared in a World Series, as a player, manager, or coach in “five” different decades: * 1940’s … * 1950’s … * 1960’s … * 1970’s … 1980’s
Berra still hold numerous World Series records, including, hitting the first pinch-hit homerun in World Series play, in 1947; and, his greatest achievement, catching Don Larsen’s “Perfect Game” in the Yankees 2-0 victory in Game 5 of the 1956 World Seres.
During the regular season, Berra had a lifetime .285 batting average, with 2,150 Hits; 358 Homeruns; 1,430 RBI’s; and a .482 slugging percentage.
* Yogi Berra was selected to play on the American League All-Star Team 15 times.
* Berra won the American League MVP Award “three” times (1951, ’54, ’55).
* Between 1949 and 1955, on great teams with such stars as Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra led the Yankees in RBI’s “seven” consecutive seasons.
* Five times Berra had more Homeruns in a season than strikeouts, including, striking-out only 12 times in 597 at-bats in 1950, while hitting .322 with 28 HR’s and 124 RBI’s.
* In June, 1962, at the age of 37, Yogi Berra caught an entire 22-inning, 7-hour game, against the Detroit Tigers.
* Yogi Berra had the reputation of being a “bad ball hitter”; and, when he was once asked about swinging at “bad pitches”, Yogi replied, “if I can hit it, it’s a good pitch”.
* In 1972, Yogi Berra was enshrined into Baseball’s “Hall of Fame”.
* Also, in 1972, the New York Yankees honored Yogi Berra by retiring his #8 … [note: the Yankees have also retired #8 in honor of Hall of Fame catcher, Bill Dickey].
I could go on and on in this dedication in honor of Yogi Berra, but will end my stating the obvious …
Yogi Berra was one of the greatest players in baseball history; and a true “American Original” !!!
Thank you, Yogi, for still being a major part of the New York Yankees family; and, also, for all the many joyful moments you have given all of us throughout the years !!!
To view Yogi Berra’s lifetime stats, click on …
http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/berrayo01.shtml
The following are some of my favorite “Yogi-isms” …
Quotes by Yogi Berra:
* “You can observe a lot by watching”
* “It’s like deja vu all over again”
* “If I didn’t wake up, I’d still be sleeping”
* “I can’t concentrate when I’m thinking”
* “No one goes there any more; it’s too crowded”
* “It’s not too far, it just seems like it is”
* “We’re lost, but we’re making good time”
* “I knew I was going to take the wrong train, so I left early”
* “It gets late awfully early around here”
[referring to the bad sun conditions in left field at Yankee Stadium].
* “We made too many wrong mistakes”
[on why the Yankees lost the 1960 World Series to the Pittsburg Pirates].
* “It’s tough to make predicitions, especially about the future”
* “The future ain’t what it used to be”
* “Never answer an anonymous letter”
* “You better make it four. I don’t think I can eat eight”
[when asked how many slices his pizza should be cut into].
* “I want to thank you for making this day necessary”
[in a speech he said “necessary” instead of “possible”].
* “It ain’t over, ’till it’s over”
— What are some of your favorite Yogi Berra quotes?
— Do you know any different “Yogi-isms” than above?
Everybody, enjoy the first day of “Spring”, 2009 !!!
— Jimmy Curran, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
Twins vs. Yanks … (2/28/09)
As we await another snow storm here in the New York area this weekend, the Yankees played a spring training game today against the Minnesota Twins in Tampa Bay, Florida.
At the start of the game the weather was perfect for baseball down in Florida, as the New York temperature hovered around the mid-30’s. So, watching this game on the Yes Network is the closest I will get to the beautiful sunny Florida weather on this day.
Joba Chamberlain started this game for the Yankees, the first Yankee starter to make an appearance in a game this spring. He only pitched one inning, and it was not a good outing.
Chamberlain faced six batters, threw 21 pitches, allowed three hits, and two runs.
The Twins lead off batter, Denard Span, grounded out to third base on a 3-2 pitch; then, Delmon Young singled, followed by back-to-back doubles by Jason Kubel and Brian Buscher, that gave the Twins an early 2-0 lead. Both doubles were hit very hard, on high fastballs up in the zone over the plate.
Joba retired the next two batters on ground balls, ending his work for the day.
The Yankees tied the score in the bottom of the first on a Derek Jeter single; a RBI double by Mark Teixeira, and sac fly by Alex Rodriguez.
The Twins took the lead back, 3-2, on a long, two-out, solo homerun, by Carlos Gomez off Dan Giese, in the top of the second inning.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Yankees played a little “small-ball” to even the score, 3-3.
Shelley Duncan, a late replacement for Jorge Posada as the DH because Jorge’s shoulder was a little sore, led off the inning with a single, and advanced to second on an attempted sacrifice bunt by Melky Cabrera, that ended up being an infield single when Melky beat the throw to first.
Then, Johnny Damon layed down another perfect bunt, moving Duncan and Melky to second and third with Jeter coming up to the plate. Derek delivered a sac fly RBI to drive home Duncan with the tying run.
Now, that has to be my first choice for the “Rare Moment of the Game Award”. When was the last time the Yankees scored a run on two sacrifice bunt attempts and a sac-fly RBI ??? A very rare “small-ball” moment for these New York Yankees. I hope we see more of this type of “Billyball” play this season.
Giese got knocked around again in the top of the third, as the Twins pounded him for three hits and a walk, scoring three more runs to increase their lead to 6-3.
After the third inning, the game really settled down without any more scoring throughout the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings.
Both teams used many pitchers in this game, and after the first couple of innings, when Joba, Giese, and Twins starter, Francisco Liriano were not very effective, the rest of the pitchers have pitched fairly well.
For the Yankees, Jose Veras and Michael Dunn pitched a scorelees inning apiece; and, Kei Igawa retired six straight batters in his two innings of work.
The Yankees entered the bottom of the 7th inning with ten straight batters retired by Twins pitchers.
Melky led off the 7th by reaching first base on an error. Then, a fly-out to center, and a double-play ended the inning with the Twins still leading, 6-3.
After a scoreless 8th inning by both teams, the Twins scored another run in the top of the 9th on a sac-fly, to move their lead to 7-3.
The SF was the second out of the inning, but the Yankees made an appeal at second base claiming the runner on second left too soon trying to advance to third. And, the runner was called “out” by the second base ump. The run counted, though, because the appeal was the third out of the inning, and the runner already crossed the plate before this third out was recorded.
So, in a game that was really “not” that exciting, and kind of dragging along since the end of the third inning, the fans that continued to watch this game into the 9th inning, received a little bonus by seeing a “very rare” baseball play. How many times are appeals to any base “successful”? … Well, in this game, the runner was called out on the appeal at second.
The Twins quickly retired the Yankees in the bottom of the 9th, and that was the ball game.
Twins 7, Yankees 3.
“Rare Moment of the Game Award” …
Two Awards this game:
* Small-Ball by the New York Yankees in the second inning, scoring a run on three straight sacrifice attempts: a sac-bunt by Melky Cabrera that ended up being an infield single, advancing Duncan to second; then, a sac-bunt by Damon, moving Duncan and Melky to second and third; setting up the “captain” Derek Jeter’s RBI sac-fly, to tie this game, 3-3, at the time.
* The 9th inning appeal by the Yankees, after the Twins scored their 7th run when the runner on third scored on a sac-fly. On that play, which recorded the second out of the inning, the Twins runner at second base also tried to advance to third, but was called “out” for leaving second base too soon. The run did count, though, because the appeal was the “third out” of the inning, and the run had already scored before the succesful appeal ended the inning.
Yes, Live Baseball … Yankees vs. Rays (2/26/09)
It’s great to finally be watching live Yankees baseball again on the YES Network.
On a beautiful Spring day in Tampa Bay, Florida, the New York Yankees are featuring a starting batting order that looks very much like how their mid-season lineup might look. My only concern is Robinson Cano batting 5th in the order. I really believe the Yankees will miss the bat of Bobby Abreu in the middle of the lineup, as their lineup would be much stronger with: (#3) Abreu; (#4) A-Rod; and (#5) Teixeira. With that said, the lineup is as follows:
1. Johnny Damon (LF)
2. Derek Jeter (SS)
3. Mark Teixeira (1B)
4. Alex Rodriguez (3B)
5. Robinson Cano (2B)
6. Xavier Nady (RF)
7. Jorge Posada (DH)
8. Jose Molina (C)
9. Melky Cabrera (CF)
Starting Pitcher: Phil Hughes (RHP)
The game is now entering the top of the 4th inning, with the Yankees leading, 1-0, after a long homerun by Jorge Posada down the rightfield line in the bottom of the 3rd, off Rays pitcher, Chad Orvella.
Before the game started, Bernie Williams threw out the first pitch. He looked in great shape wearing his #51 New York Yankees jersey. Bernie is in the Yankees spring camp getting ready to play in the World Baseball Classic, for Team Puerto Rico.
Phil Hughes faced nine batters in the two innings he pitched, walking one, and hitting two, while not allowing any hits or runs. Hughes was replaced by Phil Coke in the 3rd inning.
The Rays starter, Wade Davis, looked impressive in his two innings of work, retiring all six batters he faced, including three straight strikeouts against: Teixeira, Rodriguez, and Cano.
I will give another update around the 6th inning.
Until then, please feel free to offer any comments, thoughts, or opinions, on this game, or any other topics you may want to discuss.
Rays Starting Lineup …
1. Kennedy (2B)
2. Crawford
3. Aybar (DH)
4. Morgan Ensberg (3B)
5. Zobrist (SS)
6. Kapler
7. Richard (1B)
8. Riggans (C)
9. Ruggiano (RF)
Starting Pitcher: Wade Davis (RHP)
The Yankees increase their lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the 5th inning, on back-to-back “ground-rule” doubles, by Xavier Nady and Jorge Posada.
Posada has now driven in both Yankee runs in this game.
When was the last time that you have seen back-to-back ground-rule doubles? I can only think back to my softball days when hitting back to back doubles was very common by most softball lineups.
Anyway, the game is moving along very quickly, entering the top of the 7th inning with the Yankees still leading, 2-0.
Rays score a run in the top of the 7th on a RBI single by Jon Weber off Yankees pitcher, J.B. Cox.
Yankees 2, Rays 1, with the Yankees hitting in the bottom of the 7th inning.
YES announcers, Michael Kay and Ken Singleton were just talking about the Yankee players that will be leaving camp in a few days to play in the World Baseball Classic.
The Yankees will be losing three-quarters of their starting infield, and Cervelli, to the WBC …
* Derek Jeter (Team USA)
* Alex Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)
* Robinson Cano (Dominican Republic)
* Francisco Cervelli (Itay)
Personally, I would rather not see any Yankee players participate in the World Baseball Classic. What is your opinion? Any comments or thoughts on this issue?
Also, I feel if the WBC is going to be continued, it should be played in the month of November in future years. Any thoughts on this idea?
And, back to the game …
Shelley Duncan hit a long three-run homerun in the bottom of the 7th off Rays pitcher Calvin Medlock, increasing the Yanks lead to 5-1.
Both teams score no runs in the 8th inning, as the game heads into the top of the 9th.
Jonathan Albaladejo on the mound for the Yankees.
And, an easy 1-2-3 inning for Albaladejo, as the Yankees win, 5-1.
In a game that took 2 hours and 17 minutes to complete, the New York Yankees won a very nice, crisp, 5-1, victory, against the Tampa Bay Rays.
It is a very good thing to have baseball back again !!!
Throughout the history of the game of baseball, it has been said, viewers of each new baseball game will always see something rare, or something that they have never seen before on the field during the game.
A rare play, like the ball staying on top of the leftfield wall in a game at Yankee Stadium in 2008 comes to mind. Johnny Damon was the Yankees leftfielder that day, and was as puzzled as everybody else who watched that play, as he searched for the ball as it was sitting on top of the wall. A very rare play indeed; something special to always remember, and hope that maybe one day you will see a similar kind of rare event.
So, that Johnny Damon play is my inspiration to start a new series here on my mlblog, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”, called: “Rare Baseball Moments” !!!
Very simply, in each and every baseball game that I watch, I will be looking very carefully for that one special moment in the game when a very rare occurrence or play or some other rare baseball stat takes place, and that rare event will be awarded, the “Rare Baseball Moment of the Game” !!!
My goal is to see how many of these rare baseball events I experience this upcoming baseball season, and in future seasons. Also, I look forward to sharing these experiences in my posts and comments throughout the year. I also look forward to hearing and reading about similar sights of “rare baseball occurrences” on the baseball diamond from mlbloggers here at our great baseball community, mlblogs/mlb.com !!!
One of the most special rare moments I hope to see many times this year, or at least more times than in the past, is the “Complete Game” by starting pitchers. A “Perfect Game” or “No-Hitter” would also be great to see; but, to actually see more pitchers than in past years pitch complete games, or even better, a “complete game shutout” would be truly awesome.
To begin this new series, my first “Rare Baseball Moment Award” is given in honor of …
The rare back-to-back “ground-rule” doubles by Xavier Nady and Jorge Posada in the bottom of the 5th inning of today’s New York Yankees 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
I am sure the above hitting feat has occurred many times in the past; but, nevertheless, it is a rare event that does not happen very often.
I would love to hear about any rare plays or baseball events or stats from other baseball games around the Major Leagues or Minor Leagues; or, even College, High School, etc., and, will be happy to feature these rare events on my mlblog, and also consider them for a “Rare Baseball Moment Award” from around the world of baseball !!!
Ah, yes, baseball … The Perfect Game !!!
As always, thank you, all, for your visits, kind words, comments, and support !!!
— Jimmy Curran, “Baseball, The Yankees, and Life”
Yankees Look Flat In 7-3 Loss To Red Sox
Something just didn’t seem right in last night’s Yankees vs. Red Sox game, as the Yankees looked totally flat in their 7-3 loss to Boston. And, the sold-out Stadium crowd could sense something was wrong, as they were not into this game, at all.
In the past, in a big “playoff-type” series, like this one against the Red Sox, the Yankee Stadium crowd would be electric, filled with excitement, expecting a great game with the outcome being a Yankees victory.
That was not the case last night, as the Yankee faithful gave the impression that they hoped the Yankees would win, but expected the unthinkable, another loss, in a must-win first game, of a must-win series against their long-time rivals the Boston Red Sox.
The game started out good for the Yankees, as Johnny Damon hit a leadoff, first inning homerun, off Boston starter, Tim Wakefield (8-8), that wrapped around the rightfield foul pole, giving the Bombers a quick 1-0 lead.
Boston evened the score, 1-1, in the top of the second inning on an RBI single by Jacoby Ellsbury; but, the Yankees took the lead again in the bottom of the second, 2-1, on three straight singles by Matsui, Cano, and a RBI single by Jose Molina.
This see-saw battle continued into the top of the third inning, as the Sox moved ahead, on back-to-back doubles by David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis, that tied the score, 2-2; and, then, a RBI single by Jason Bay plated Youkilis for the 3-2 lead.
Yankees starting pitcher, Andy Pettitte, had trouble from the beginning of this game, walking two batters in the first, but leaving them stranded without a run scoring; and, after allowing the two runs to score in the third, got out of the no out, runner on first, situation by throwing a double play grounder to Jed Lowrie, and striking-out Coco Crisp, to hold the score at 3-2.
It was clear, though, that Pettitte was not going to last long in this game. He was throwing a lot of pitches, getting his pitches up, and was not getting close strike calls by home-plate umpire, Jim Reynolds. It looked like Reynolds was squeezing Andy, and this even concerned Joe Girardi, as he went to the mound at one point just to draw the home plate ump out there so he could question exactly where Reynolds’ strike zone was — on this night.
With instant replay being introduced into the “Game of Baseball” this weekend, one wonders if this “misguided, knee-jerk” policy, which at the moment will only be used for questionable homerun and foul ball calls, will open a can of worms, and one day also be used for close calls at first; close calls on the bases; stolen-base attempts; and, eventually, to record balls and strikes.
I bring this issue up because all these calls, and decisions, by the umpires, are part of the human element of the sport of baseball, and part of what makes baseball such a great sport. It’s all part of the history, lore, and charm of the game.
Andy Pettitte was finished in this game, in the 5th inning; but, after the game did not make any excuses, or blame the close calls by the home plate umpire for his lack of success in this big game. Andy was “very upset” by his bad pitching performance, and excepts the fact that calls by the umpires are not reasons for a player having a bad game.
The Red Sox knocked Andy Pettitte out of the game with a two-out rally in the top of the 5th inning. Four straight singles did the damage.
Singles by Jason Bay, Jed Lowrie, Coco Crisp, combined to score the first run of the inning; and, Jeff Bailey completed the damage, stroking a two RBI single that increased the Sox lead to 6-2. Brian Bruney replaced Pettitte, and ended the inning by getting catcher, Kevin Cash, to ground out to third.
Andy Pettitte (13-10), threw 101 pitches in only 4 2/3 innings, allowing six runs, on ten hits, three walks, and three strikeouts.
In the bottom of the 5th, Johnny Damon’s second homer of the night, which also wrapped around the rightfield foul pole, made the score, 6-3; but, Boston scored again in the top of the 6th, when Brian Bruney walked the bases loaded, and then gave up a sac-fly RBI to Jason Bay, that completed the scoring in this game, 7-3. Totally unacceptable for any reliever to come into a game, and give up all those walks.
Also, unacceptable, is the performance by Alex Rodriguez in last night’s game.
Rodriguez was (0-for-5), grounding into two double plays, and striking-out two times, including striking-out for the final out of the game.
The only sign of life by the Stadium crowd [that I noticed], was in the top of the 7th inning, when the Yankees had a chance to tie this game.
Ivan Rodriguez, pinch-hitting for Molina, struck-out, swinging, to start the inning off. Then, Johnny Damon walked; Derek Jeter singled; and, Bobby Abreu, also, reached first on a great at bat, working the count to (3-2), before taking a ball four pitch, setting-up a bases loaded situation, with Alex Rodriguez coming up as the game-tying run at the plate.
A-Rod’s at bat didn’t last long. He took the first pitch for a strike; and, then, on the next pitch, grounded to short for a rally ending, inning ending, 6-6-3 double play. As Rodriguez crossed first base after the third out was recorded, the Yankee Stadium crowd made their displeasure known by very loudly booing the terrible performance by Alex Rodriguez.
Yes Network broadcaster, Michael Kay, summed up Alex Rodriguez’s, at-bat, game, and season perfectly, after the double play ended the 7th inning:
“Alex Rodriguez is having a dreadful season, in big spots, and clutch situations”
After the inning ending double play, and when the boos were finished, a very quiet hush overtook the crowd, as I think all Yankee fans, in the Stadium, and watching on TV, were in a total state of shock.
This game was basically over after that key moment; and, maybe, also, the Yankees season.
In the bottom of the 9th, Jonathan Papelbon closed out the Red Sox 7-3 victory, recording his 34th save, by striking-out Alex Rodriguez for the final out of the game.
A fitting ending that highlighted a very devastating loss.
Baseball, The Yankees, and Life... 