The Sommer Frieze

It was one of those nights…
one of those lost and lonely nights.

Recap: Mike Mussina was rocked, giving up 2 HR and 6 runs in 5 IP as the Yanks were rocked 13-4 by the Orioles. Old nemesis Kevin Millar started the rout with a 3-run HR. David Robertson gave up a grand slam to Adam Jones. It was the first HR Robertson gave up in his professional career—after 148+ innings of pitching minor league and major league ball. Farnsworth also gave up an HR. The Yanks runs came on Xadier Nady’s first Yankee hit, a solo HR, and Johnny Damon’s 3-run blast, which was his first HR since May 27th. Meanwhile, the season is over for Hip-Hip, as Posada decides to get the season-ending surgery on his shoulder, and in the “Daily News 5th”, writer Mark Feinsand reported that the Washburn deal may be hitting a snag.

YANKEES (58-46, 3rd, 3 GB, 1 game better than Pythagorean. OPS+ 104, ERA+ 104 )

Damon DH .315-6-40-15-126 (Last HR? May 27th)
Jeter SS .285-6-48-5-100 (worst season of career continues)
Abreu RF .280-11-67-13-114
Rodriguez 3B .326-21-62-15-166 (2nd in BA, 3 points back)
Giambi 1B .252-20-59-2-144
Cano 2B .268-9-48-1-87
Nady LF 0 for 7 as NYY. Overall .323-13-57-1-138
Cabrera CF .250-8-35-8-76
Molina C .228-0-11-0-55 (due for a HR sometime)
Mussina RHP (13-6, 3.26, ERA+ 127)

Mussina stays on normal rest. Rasner goes tomorrow. Rasner going tomorrow means that he will get his “personal’ catcher, Moeller, since Wednesday is an afternoon game. Day game after night game, Molina gets tomorrow night off so that he can catch Wednesday afternoon.

Nice point by Joel Sherman. Before Ponson’s 4 inning effort last night, Yankee starters had gone at least 5 in 17 straight games.

Good points on Ponson made by Jason Kozlowski over at Heartland Pinstripes. Could the “significant upgrade” Washburn would bring not be over Rasner (Washburn 5-9, 4.50; Rasner 5-7, 4.83) but over PONSON? Ponson is 2-1, 6.08 as a Yankee (ERA + 68). Overall 6-2, 4.59 (ERA + 91). WHIPS (Ponson’s is combined WHIP)—Ponson 1.664, Washburn 1.432, Rasner 1.500.

Maybe Hank’s “Jamie Moyer” advice should go to Washburn, not Mussina. In Sherman’s piece, he mentions Washburn’s 8 inning, 1 run, four hit effort, but points out Toronto’s weak lineup (Eckstein DH). A quote from AL execs on Washburn was that Washburn was “a bottom-of-the-rotation guy” (Duh. That’s what he’d be here). with an 85-90 fastball that he’ll cut or sink. Curves, sliders and changeups. His strengths are being lefty and fearless. A tough competitor and good teammate. Thing is, Washburn can fit now because of the injuries to Wang and Hughes. As for next year, would his presence retard a youngster’s progress? Would Washburn then become one very expensive long reliever?

Washburn’s next scheduled start would be Friday, the same as Ponson’s. That is August 1st. Should anything happen, expect it to happen late at the deadline as Cashman tries to get the M’s to say “chicken” and lower their demands as the deadline approaches. Should the Yanks get Washburn and start him on Friday night, how ironic is it that the Angels are the opponent?

Bad weather in Tampa forces Hughes and #45 (we won’t mention his name) to Charleston where both will pitch in a rehab stint tomorrow.

In yesterday’s HOF induction speeches, both Goose and Dick Williams put in a word for the Boss to go in the Hall.

A win ties Mussina with Gus Weyhing (who? That’s ok, I asked the same thing) on the all-time list. Weyhing pitched from 1887 to 1901 and no, I wasn’t around then.

Suzyn states on pregame that Jorge has wised up and has decided to have the surgery. We’ll miss Jorge for 2008, but as far as the rest of this year and for 2009, it’s for the best.

Figures Millar would hit a 3-run HR. He just kills the Yanks. Moose doesn’t have it tonight. HR by Ramon Hernandez follows. 4 in the 2nd off Moose.

Guthrie has gone 9 up, 9 down on 35 pitches. It doesn’t look good tonight.

Robertson in for the 6th. I love John and Suzyn (sarcastic). The quotes, “He has opened eyes.” “Shot through the system.” “Came out of nowhere.” Go to my post of January 7th of this year. Go ahead. I listed all bullpen possibilities on that date, and where I thought they might be. Is he listed? You betcha. He didn’t come out of nowhere in MY eyes. Some of those guys are now gone (Karstens, for example), some never got a chance, some are doing well and some aren’t. That’s the way it goes. But as you can see….Robertson is mentioned there. I don’t have “tags” on posts say, before last October or so, but he most likely was mentioned by me (and I’m sure he was) before October 2007.
Robertson gives up a run. Looks like an off night for him as well as Moose. Oh well.

It’s that kind of night. Robertson gives up a grand slam….the first HR he has EVER given up in the minors or majors….in over 148 IP. 

11-0 Orioles.

Edwar, Marte mopping up.

Nady’s 1st Yankee hit is a HR. Damon adds a 3-run HR (see what I had in posting the lineup).
Farnsy gives up a two-run shot. 13-4. Scrubs in. Betemit for Jeter, Christian for Abreu.
May as well hit the sack. Recap and minor league report tomorrow.