The Sommer Frieze

Sorry if this is brief or no lineup today. I was supposed to work today. I’m supposed to work tomorrow. No go on both accounts as I had to go to the emergency room. X-Rays revealed no break, dislocation or separation of my shoulder, but a deep contusion. Ice, rest and Vicodin. Somehow I don’t think my employer wants me there on Vicodin.

Besides, with the Vicodin I’ve been woozy all day. I have my keyboard on my lap since I can’t lift or stretch my arm. Typing isn’t easy, let me tell you that. 

Three Yanks were selected to the AL all-star team. Teixeira and Jeter will start, and Mo was added.

As for today, the Yanks built a 4-0 lead. Joba however, was awful, and although five of the eight runs he gave up were unearned (Ransom error), he couldn’t make it out of the fourth.

A three-run HR by Matsui got the Yanks to 8-7, then Jeter put the Yanks up with a 2-run blast. Posada added an insurance RBI.

Albaladejo, called up temporarily (Yanks need a starter for Thursday) when Wang was DL’d, got the win. The big hero was Aceves with four innings of shutout relief for the save. What saviors he and Hughes have been out of the bullpen.

Joba has to stop nibbling and trust his stuff. Get more outs early in the count and if up 0-2 or 1-2 to stop nibbling and to challenge. He needs a bit of a butt-kicking at times. He’s still a decent starter, but could be so much more. A good prodding is needed. He should be embarrassed at today’s effort where he pissed away a 4-0 lead and didn’t pitch through Ransom’s error.

Jeter was 4-5 with 2 RBI, Posada 4 for 5 with 3 RBI, and Matsui had 2 hits and 4 RBI. The “old guard” (35, 37 and 35 y.o. respectively).        

With a bullpen that was lousy (Marte injured, Veras dealt, Alby and Edwar sent down, Bruney hurt) early, Teix struggling in April, A-Rod not being A-Rod (BA under .240), Posada and Molina hurt, Wang awful, Nady missing almost the whole year, …the team is 48-33 after half a season. Go figure. We could go on…after all, CC is just 7-5, not 10-3 or something like that.

Then there is that 0-8 mark vs. Boston.

But 48 at the midway point? Even though still 1 game back of Boston, go figure.