Recap: The Joba we want to see. The top of the rotation type starter. 6 2/3, 7 K, 0 runs. A 2.03 ERA since becoming a starter. On top of that, previously silent bats in Jeter (3 hits, 3 runs scored) and Cano (HR, 3 hits) spoke loudly tonight. Abreu HR’d for a 2nd straight night and had 3 hits, 4 RBI. The victim of Cano’s and Abreu’s blasts was former Yankee T. J. Beam. Quietly (since he’s still in the .280s and still in the midst of an off-year), Jeter has a 13 game hitting streak. The big G had a couple of ribbies. Seeing Jeter and Cano come alive—and Joba dominate—warms the heart. Another struggling Yankee who did well tonight was Ohlendorf. 1 1/3, and 3 Ks out of his 4 outs.
I was planning on coming back after a short respite, but ran into several people. One was a friend just out of the hospital, with whom I had a good chat. He had a freak accident, but thank goodness he is ok. Thanks to all on comments tonight!
YANKEES (41-36; 3rd in AL East, 5 1/2 GB, 1 game better than Pythagorean)
OPS+ 107; ERA+ 96
BA-HR-RBI-SB-OPS+ (100=average)
Cabrera CF .251-7-31-5-84 (getting perilously close to under .250. Ouch. On the block?)
Jeter SS .278-4-32-5-94 (Worst season of his career continues. Hurt?)
Abreu RF .273-9-46-9-108
Rodriguez 3B .324-14-41-9-167 (lefties in Pittsburgh and Mets series. Need Alex and Jeter).
Giambi 1B .267-17-42-2-158 (and I saw one of those two bursts of speed!)
Posada C .308-3-19-0-140 (33 for 107)
Cano 2B .235-4-27-1-65 (Highest his BA has been since going 1 for 3 in the 1st game of the year).
Christian LF (2 for 4, 2 RBI; 2nd MLB game)
Chamberlain RHP 1-2, 2.36, ERA+ 173
I admit I was wrong this offseason in wondering if the Yanks should try to get Nick Johnson back. It’s a shame about Johnson. Good gap power, fine glove, great patience. Always hurt. Now he’ll miss the rest of 2008 after missing all of 2007. Put him in the “What could have been” category. A shame.
1st. FC by Giambi brings one in, and an E6 brings in another. Joba has a 1-2-3. 2-0 Yanks.
Should Damon and/or Matsui have to go on the DL, it will give the Yanks an opportunity. While we don’t want to see that happen, bringing Gardner up would give the Yanks a chance to see what Gardner can do on the MLB level. That could help as far as making decisions come trade deadline time.
With two out, Joba walks. Amazing. Rasner walks twice last night and now Joba walks. Some Yanks need to take notes.
Joba gives up 3 hits in the 2nd, but Abreu guns down a runner at the plate to end the inning.
In the 3rd, Jeter reaches on an inf. hit and an error. Leadoff man on 2nd. RBI single by Giambi. 3-0 Yanks.
4th. Christian bunts his way on (when have we last seen that?) Joba sacs him over. After Melky makes out, Jeter doubles on a 3-0 pitch. His 3rd hit. Good. Hopefully he heats up. 4-0 Yanks.
93 responses so far ↓
1 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Hi Mike. Where is everybody?
2 Mike Sommer // Jun 25, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Can’t answer that, Jeff. I know that Nick from England said he’s been busy lately. I’ll be in and out trying to catch up with things.
3 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Nice at bat for Posada, but Cano grounds out to second to end the inning. Duke has thrown 53 pitches after 3 innings. Don’t expect him to lose composure, though. If the Bucs get some runs in the bottom of the third, it will not be a cakewalk for the Yanks.
4 Mike Sommer // Jun 25, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Tough to do with pitcher leading off, though. Joba actually fell behind the pitcher 3-0, but came back and got the K.
5 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Bottom of the Third - Duke runs the count to 3-2, then fans. Nyger Morgan, fresh up from AAA, requires 9 pitches to ground out to Posada. His speed tests Jorge’s arm, but a nice snag by Jams gets him. Steady Freddy breaks a bat grounding out weakly to Jeter.
6 Mike Sommer // Jun 25, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Back in a bit…
7 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Top of the Fourth - Nice bunt by Christian. Speed kills. Now Joba lays down a nice sac bunt. Melky flies out to straight away center. Fails to move the runner. Jeter doubles off center field wall, scoring Christian. Abreu hustles but is thrown out at first.
8 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Bottom of the fourth. McClouth strikes out. Doumit runs it to 3-1 and grounds out sharply to the pitcher. Bay grounds out feebly to third. 1-2-3 not too good for the Bucs. Joba 64 pitches after 4
9 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Top of Fifth - ARod hits diving line drive to left on the 3rd pitch, nice catch by Bay. Jams pops up behind third base, Bautista has a long run with the shift, but makes the out. Hip Hip hits 3 pitch weakly to short. Duke 79 pitches after 5.
10 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Bottom of 5th - LaRoche strikes out on 5 pitches. He is NOT a favorite among Bucco fans. Previous management lusted after this guy for two years, but having him did not fulfil anyone’s fantasies. Bautista walks. 1-2 count to Wilson, Joba throws pickoff, Bautista back. and again. Next pitch hits Wilson in the hands. First and second, one out, Girardi out to argue that it hit the bat, to no avail. PH for Duke. Rivas has actually been a good pickup for the Bucs, despite his .233 BA. Rivas hits 6th pitch weakly to short. No chance for DP. Nyger looks stupid striking out. Joba 87 pitches after 5.
11 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Joba works out of trouble, and Cano crushes a 2-1 fastball up, 5-0. Very nice.
How is everyone?
12 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Abreu just crushed the second homer of the inning off Yankees castaway TJ Beam, waxing a 1-0 chest-high, inner-half pitch WAY out to right, almost into the river.
13 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:00 pm
8-0 Yanks.
14 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Top of 6th. TJ Beam, former Yanks pitcher is now tossing off for the Bucs. Robbie drills high fast ball deep. But for the fence, it would have hit the Allegheny River. 5-0. Nice tossing Beam. Another pitch right over the heart of the plate, Christain pops way up to second. Joba slaps 5th pitch to right, but played well by Morgan. Melky walks. Melky steals second. Jeter runs 0-2 count full, then walks. Abreu homers. 8-0. Nice tossing Beam. Nikolai says this guy’s not doing too good. ARod singles to center. Giambi grounds out to Sanchex, playing in right field.
15 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Hey Jason. I didn’t see you come in. How are you?
16 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:01 pm
The shift eats up Giambi, three down, but the Yanks add on well, reversing what they endured last night.
17 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:01 pm
All is well, Jeff. You?
18 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I see Tampa Bay is up two touchdowns against Florida. Boston is winning 2-0.
19 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Good. As you may know, I almost can’t lose this match up. Don’t know what I would do if it came to the WS, probably pull for the Yankees. That match up is not likely to happen any time soon, though.
20 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Watch Doumit. This guy can hit
21 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Double. See!
22 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Melky tracked down that F8 deep from McLouth very well. If only his bat would match his defense.
23 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Joba has given up the fly ball this inning; thankfully, though only his fourth hit allowed.
24 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Joba’s 99th pitch fans Micheals.
25 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:07 pm
So much for that. Joba is tough, and having a great night. That’s being a stopper. At 98 pitches, he could go a seventh, but I don’t think he will with the game getting out of reach.
26 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Probably not. Who do you go to, Nuke, Sadie, Ohlie? Titalating to Bucco batters.
27 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I think Ohlendorf, Jeff.
28 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Robbie 5 for 8 against the Bucs
29 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:13 pm
i am going tomorrow night. I hope it doesn’t rain.
30 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Cano is starting to hit a bit more, sharp single.
31 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Nice DP by the Buccos.
32 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Have a blast at the game, Jeff.
33 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I like Joba for the seventh, as long as his pitch count doesn’t get too high.
34 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:23 pm
With two outs in the 7th, Joba is throwing 97 mph fastballs. He’s something.
35 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:24 pm
He is impressive. Now if we could surround him with some other decent arms, we’d have something. I hope this Aceves is the next Fernando.
36 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I know they probably want to get Joba through the seventh, but he’s now up to 114 pitches.
37 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Nice hand from the Pittsburgh faithful for Joba.
38 Tim The Wizard // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Live from the Hyatt in downtown Hanoi it is Tim The Wizar.
39 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Wang’s loss is a big one. The lack of the kids–through health and poor performance–coming through this year hurts as well. Joba should get his first win as a starter tonight. He was extremely good.
40 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Hey Tim. How’s it going?
41 Tim The Wizard // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Good I got to Vietnam early in the morning US time. I just woke up an hour ago. I have some work to do later this afternoon.
42 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Ohlendorf preserves the shutout.
43 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Oh Great Tim. Welcome.
44 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:32 pm
How many time zones from India is Vietnam?
45 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Betemit up hacking, singles on the first pitch.
46 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Melky singles, and disgraced former attorney general Alberto Gonzales enters for Jeter.
47 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Yanks empty the benches with the score 8-0. two on, nobody out.
48 Tim The Wizard // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Vietnam is about 4 times zones away. The time difference here is 12 hours and 30 minutes.
49 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:35 pm
this pitcher for the Bucs is a bum.
50 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:35 pm
and 30 minutes?
51 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:37 pm
“Thank you Phillies
Happy Are We
for Bobby Abray-hoo”
(to the tune of “Ali Baba” from “Aladdin”, courtesy of Frank the Sage)
52 Tim The Wizard // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:38 pm
12 hours and 30 minute time difference between New York and Vietnam. It is currently 10:10 in the morning here.
53 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Abreu is the first Yankee to reach 50 RBIs this season.
54 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:40 pm
i thought only chavez was doing the 1/2 hour time zone, so as not to be like the horrible US
55 Tim The Wizard // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Nope. Chavez can go play in traffic.
56 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Jorge is the defensive replacement at first.
57 Tim The Wizard // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:42 pm
How is Middle America treating you Jason?
58 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Here comes Dammit. I predict Ohlie loses the shutout.
59 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Canada’s Newfoundland goes by a half hour time zone.
60 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Shows how much I know. That and Dammit strikes out. Oh well . . .
61 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Busy with teaching but well, Tim. I colleague of mine got a tenure-track gig in Ohio, so we celebrated a little earlier.
62 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:46 pm
No save situation. I guess that means no MO?
63 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:49 pm
What subject do you teach, Jason?
64 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Picture Grabow in Pinstripes.
65 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:50 pm
US History, Jeff.
66 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:50 pm
The FAUX Sports announcers are talking about hunting and drinking whiskey right now, sure sign of a rout.
67 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Cano with a three-hit night, nice.
68 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Oh boy. 15 hits for the Yankees. Grabow’s audition not too good. Alliows first 2 runners aboard.
69 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Christian walks to load the bases with no outs.
70 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:53 pm
If you are watching the Pittsburgh broadcast, that is Steve Blass doing the color. He is very funny impromptu on the radio with the local broadcasts.
71 Tim The Wizard // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:53 pm
And Betemit grounds into a 5-2 DP. Time for his execution.
72 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:54 pm
They’re trading Carlin lines now, an improvement.
73 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:54 pm
That sucks, Betemit.
74 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Jorge returns the favor of not plowing into the catcher. Doumit did the same in the 2nd.
75 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:55 pm
yeah. you’ve got the pirate broadcast. mike brown is nothing, but blass does a good job.
76 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:56 pm
My father calls him Wilson Impedimet.
77 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Melky the Must-Be Clutch singles in a run, 10-0.
78 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Hopin that the Bucs score a bunch here. . .
LOL
79 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:58 pm
i figure to wear my Bucs t-shirt and Yankees cap tomorrow.
80 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Dad will be in full pinstriped regalia
81 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 9:59 pm
The ever popular Adam LaDouche steops to the plate.
82 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Veras is in for some mop-up work.
83 Tim The Wizard // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Veras blows Laouche away.
84 Tim The Wizard // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Eric Young sounds like he is high.
85 Tim The Wizard // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Yes I have managed to get the ESPN feed here in Hanoi.
86 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Two down now.
87 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Oh Great Tim. Fartsworth would blow Adam “The Black Hole” away. He starts every season slow and stays cold until mid-August, at least.
88 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:06 pm
that will do it
89 Tim The Wizard // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:07 pm
GAME OVER!
90 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Game over, 10-0 blowout win for the Yanks. Joba was great, the offense roused itself, the Yanks keep pace in the division.
91 Jason // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Have a good night, all.
92 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:08 pm
i must say, although I am a fan of both teams and this shellacking was a mirror image of last night, i feel more depressed about the performance tonight. maybe it is just because i did not watch last night’s game.
93 Jeff // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Good night all
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