The Sommer Frieze

YANKEES (44-32, 2nd, -2.5)

1 game better than Pythagorean. OPS+ 115; ERA+ 98

BA/HR/RBI/SB/SB att./OPS+
Jeter SS .307*-9-32-17*/18 -118
Damon LF .291-14-46-8/8-133
Teixeira 1B .275-20*-60*-1/1-146* (and very, very due)
Rodriguez DH .233-12-39-2/2-134
Posada C .275-10-33-1/1-128
Cano 2B .300-12-42-4/7-111 (see below)
Swisher RF .237-14-39-0/0-126
Cabrera CF .286-7-31-5/7-106
Ransom 3B .200-0-8-1/1-52 (11 for 55)

Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (7-3, 4.38). ERA+ 100

Andy is looking for career win #223, which would tie Mel Harder and “Oom” Paul Derringer on the all-time list.

Ramiro Pena has been sent down to make room for Hinske. Apparently he’s going to play some OF at AAA as the Yanks try to turn him into a “super-sub.” Phil Linz, your nickname could be someone else’s. I wonder if Pena can play harmonica?

Gee, the old Stadium is dead after all. Pete Abraham has some pics. There is a black shroud around the place.

More from Abraham, and a good point (bold is mine):

Cano is hitting .300 after getting a couple of hits last night. But he’s now at .213 with runners in scoring position, .190 with runners in scoring position and two outs. With a runner on third and less than two outs, he’s hitting .188.

These things happen. But these things do not need to happen to the No. 5 hitter. We applaud Joe Girardi for his lineup discipline this season after last year’s lineup roulette. But it could be time to get somebody else behind A-Rod.

Posada is 5th tonight but probably only because of Washburn, a lefty. Hopefully Girardi keeps Jorge 5th and notes what’s going on.

Yesterday I wondered about Hinske filling in at 3rd to give A-Rod a day off. Thought it might not be a bad option (power-wise) but did wonder about Hinske not playing much 3B since 2004.

Pete Abraham has more on that. Uh oh. There could be trouble here.