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Game 87: Yankees at Devil Rays

Peter Abraham
July
12

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES
Damon DH
Cabrera CF
Jeter SS
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui LF
Posada C
Abreu RF
Cano 2B
Phillips 1B
Pettitte LHP (4-6, 4.25)

DEVIL RAYS
Iwamura 3B
Crawford LF
Harris SS
Pena 1B
Young CF
Wigginton DH
Gomes RF
Navarro C
Wilson 2B
Shields RHP (7-4, 3.82)

Pregame chatter: To sum this up quickly A-Rod said he is not interested in negotiating during the season. Rivera and Posada said they didn’t care if the Yankees wanted to talk to him or not. … Yanks reported to the Trop for an early afternoon workout. … The completion of the suspended game on July 27 will start at 7 p.m.

UPDATE, 7:08 p.m.: Here is what A-Rod said: “Like I’ve said all year, I think it’s something we need to do at the end of the year. I think it would be selfish on my part to talk about my contract status when our team desperately needs wins. My goal is to win as many games as we can, focus on my teammates and play at a real high level in the second half.”

UPDATE, 7:24 p.m.: Before you bury A-Rod, know that the original stories about the Yankees wanted to negotiate were “way overblown” according to a team official I spoke with today. I was told there is no chance the Yankees would negotiate with Rodriguez and not Posada and Rivera. It sounds like the Yankees just wanted it known they were interested in an extension. From both a team and personal standpoint, Alex is doing the right thing by waiting.

UPDATE, 8:33 p.m.: Joe Torre mentioned before the game that the Yankees won’t be sticking with 13 pitchers for long. He said Cashman is looking outside the organization (Shea Hillenbrand) and is that doesn’t happen, they would promote somebody from within.

Meanwhile, in my favorite note of the day, I asked Chien-Ming Wang what he did during the break. He went to see “Transformers.”

UPDATE, 8:51 p.m.: Here is Joe Torre audio for you if you’re interested:

UPDATE, 9:05 p.m.: Heck of a catch by the Melkman. It really is a good question, whether he is your everyday center fielder moving forward. I think you have to seriously consider it, given how the money saved can improve other areas of the team.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 12th, 2007 at 7:05 pm by Peter Abraham.
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245 Responses to “Game 87: Yankees at Devil Rays”

  1. InsertNewSN

    Wow. What a team player.. (/sarcasm)

  2. Dr. Acula

    _A-Rod said he is not interested in negotiating during the season_

    I don’t blame him. Negotiations can be a major downer and distraction. Why clutter your mind when things are going so well. Plus, time is on his side; there’s only 2 1/2 months left in the season.

  3. Dr. Acula

    _A-Rod said he is not interested in negotiating during the season_

    I don’t blame him. Negotiations can be a major downer and distraction. Why clutter your mind when things are going so well. Plus, time is on his side; there’s only 2 1/2 months left in the season.

    Ooops, sorry for the screw-up.

  4. Chicago Dave

    A-Rod: “My goal is to bag as many strippers and have as extra-marital affairs as I can right now. Contract talks would simply be too much of a distraction from that goal.” HA!!!

  5. Doreen

    Okay. Cash has had his say; Boras his, and now A-Rod his. It’s clear this is a dead issue until the end of the season. What are the odds that the news outlets will leave it alone until then? I for one, have nothing more to add.

  6. Global Warming

    “A-Rod said he is not interested in negotiating during the season

    I don’t blame him. Negotiations can be a major downer and distraction. Why clutter your mind when things are going so well. Plus, time is on his side; there’s only 2 1/2 months left in the season.”

    Oh because an A-Rod story daily about whether he stays or go isn’t distracting this team either?

    I’m getting sick of hearing A-Rod, A-Rod, A-Rod. I wonder how the players feel. It would be nice if he signed already and maybe the team would play better if they weren’t asked about it 24/7. This team is under 500, obviously something isn’t working.

    He should just come ou with Boras and say the truth. “Me and Scotty won’t sign a deal midseason because WE THINK WE CAN GET MORE CASH in the offseason.” Rightfully so :) , but say the truth!

    Sorry ranting…

  7. River Ave Report

    LET’S GO YANKEES

  8. Chicago Dave

    Doreen: They’ll be no stopping the rampant speculation regarding A-Rod’s contract status throughout the end of this year. It has too much momentum now to stop. Besides, the simple fact is he is A-Rod and this is the New York Yankees…a combination that will always make for a story that just won’t die! (However, I for one do wish it would go away, as much as I’ve enjoyed debating the subject on today’s blog.)

  9. Jeff NJ

    Ok let’s go Yankees, get the “2nd half” started right. Need to start winning games on the road, especially in the AL East.

  10. Larry

    Say goodbye to A-Rod everyone.

    He is done in NY.

    TRADE HIM NOW!

  11. Chicago Dave

    Shields could be tough…He’s doing really well so far this year! I’d like to see Andy come back to form, tonight, though…

  12. Huuz

    larry,

    you do realize that we *CANNOT* trade him.

  13. sunny615

    I would have to agree – Arod is going west coast in 2008.

  14. Dave K

    I haven’t looked at a Sox boxscore in a while, but I had no idea J.D. Drew was leading off..
    interesting

  15. Larry

    No need to beat a dead horse, the guy simply ain’t cut out for New York.

    We’ll be fine without him, Cashman will just have to be creative.

    Go Yankees.

  16. sunny615

    Arod will not agree to waive his no trade clause.

  17. Larry

    Ya he will…if New York forces him out of town and/or he is going someplace he is interested in signing.

  18. TKinDC

    Boras is such a player, I think he could find time to negotiate during the season for the right deal. . .

    I think the Yanks are playing a double game with A-Rod. On the surface they would like to re-sign him, he is the best player in the game without a doubt.

    But Cashman, who is on the hotseat, has to punish A-Rod if he decides to leave. He has to make it look like A-Rod is an A-**** to Yankee fans and Steinbrenner or else he is going to be hooked.

    If he signs his man, then he wins. But if Boras/A-Rod insist on exercising the option then Cashman is going to make them look like money-grubbing scum!!!

    I like it.

  19. River Ave Report

    First pitch outs are never a good thing

  20. YanksFanLV

    It’s nice to see the Yanks are patient at the plate tonight.

  21. Jeff NJ

    I gotta tell you, I’m a big A Rod fan, even last year, but for $33M a year for at least 5 years, I’ll be happy if we sign him, but somewhat relieved if we don’t as that is so much for one player. Just the type of thing us arm chair general managers are trying to avoid.

  22. pat m

    Not one word in the LA Papers today about A-Rod & the Yanks wanting to open talks…..This comes after a weekend of how the was coming to Anahiem……He stays in NYC for 30 million after this contract expires…..Question is length of the contract…..

  23. Jeff NJ

    EXERCISE ABREU’S OPTION NOW! Or not, I don’t care.

  24. TKinDC

    Jeff-

    I’m sympathetic to what you are saying, but the Yanks have drawn 4M+ fans to the stadium every year and they have a new stadium to fill up.

    Hopefully Abreu’s hit is the start of a monster 2nd half!!!

  25. Larry

    TKinDC,

    I like the idea.

    Bottom line is, Cashman is doing some investigating…he is taking the temperature.

    I know contract discussions can be distracting, but that is why he pays Boras the insane amounts he does. If they wanted to get it done, I guarantee Boras and Cashman could sit down in a room for 8 hours and iron out the details.

    Its pretty straight forward:
    1. We extend A-Rod 5 years at $31-32 a pop.
    2. He promises not to opt out this year.
    3. He becomes the cornerstone of the Yankees offense.

    Its a nice play, I like the idea. If A-Rod leaves NY, its not Cashman’s fault.

    But oh well, we’ll have to see.

  26. Jeff NJ

    Remember A Rod makes $32M next year due to the $5M escalator clause in his contract. I doubt he does a long term deal cheaper than that.

  27. Doreen

    Chicago Dave -

    It WAS fun. But, seriously, can’t do it every day for the rest of the season.

    Yeah Bobby Abreu!

  28. Larry

    Hey Everyone,

    Let me be the voice of reason and reassurance.

    The Yankees will be fine next year, with or without A-Rod.

    There will be some big changes, but in the long haul, they’ll be okay.

    I would hug each and every one of you if I could.

    A-Rod is great, but he is not the difference between winning and not winning for years to come…too much talent in MLB to think that way.

  29. Doreen

    One more thing –

    I would hope Cashman has a plan B, C and D for replacing A-Rod.

  30. TKinDC

    The extension would restructure the deal, the important thing is that the Yankees would benefit from Ranger Buck$ if they extend the current deal.

    If he opts out, then there is no Tom Hicks money in the deal.

    It is total value over the life of the contract that means the most to Boras. But when Ichiro is going to make $20M/year, what is going on in the planet???

  31. Rattachewy

    base on how the yanks have completely dominated the Drays, I predict a split in the series.

  32. TKinDC

    Thanks for the Cyber-hug Larry.

    I think that next year might be rough, but the arms in the system make 2009 look awfully exciting (along with Johan Santana in pinstripes :)

  33. Bob from NJ

    I hope we see more of Ty Wigginton this year, he would be a great low cost addition.

  34. migames

    It doesnt matter what product the yankees put out next year, but yankee stadium will fill up next year based on the fact that its the last season. They can play Hensley Mullens and Lee Guterman, and people will show up. Bank on it

  35. River Ave Report

    Hensley Muelens what a legend

  36. Larry

    Exactly…if we don’t spend money on A-Rod, we’ll find solutions elsewhere.

    I know we all expect them to win every year, but I would rather take a step back and build the team for the next 10 instead of 2 years.

    Santana in stripes sounds unreal! We’ll save that for another day though.

  37. Alan ( the sky is NOT falling )

    Larry…Prediction,…>>> the Yankees play SUPREME Ball in the 2nd half and make the playoffs and SHOCK THE WORLD AND WIN TITLE NUMBER 27 !!!…..then A-Rod SHOCKS THE LARRY and DOES sign an extension with the Yankees ( oh, and we keep Mo and Posada too ) Mark it down on your calendar, Chicken Little !!! (wink)

  38. The 2015 Yankees

    Boston is just unstoppable, bashing the jays and roy halliday.

  39. Alan ( the sky is NOT falling )

    oh…and how about the SOLID Roy Halladay did for us in Boston ???…only giving up 4 runs in the first inning….THAT SCHMANKLER !!!

  40. River Ave Report

    Boston is 5-8 in their last 13 and they are unstoppable?

  41. Doreen

    Okay. Anyone else think he was safe?

  42. Larry

    Peter would have called that bunt “false hustle”…didn’t look false to me, dude laid it down perfect and extended the inning.

  43. Global Warming

    “It is total value over the life of the contract that means the most to Boras. But when Ichiro is going to make $20M/year, what is going on in the planet???”

    What’s wrong with Ichiro making 20M/year. Have you forgotten Jeter makes 20 Million a year?

    It could be said that Ichiro is easily the better all around player.

  44. TKinDC

    Great approach Alan (have some more pizza)

    Never in doubt – occasionally wrong!

  45. Alan ( the sky is NOT falling )

    Oh yet,,,BOSTON is UNSTOPPABLE ( NOT! ) Remember, the Dastardly BoSox have Mr. Wiffle Ball pitching tonight and he gave up one already in his 1/2 of the first. Maybe Toronto should forfeit right now, huh ???

  46. Larry

    Damn Alan,

    You are just the king of yankee optimism.

    I think that is the only thing that can keep the ole boy around.

  47. Doreen

    Good throw. I still think he just beat it.

  48. Alan ( the sky is NOT falling )

    I am eating…the game is in the BAG !!!

  49. migames

    Hensley “Bam Bam” Muelens

  50. Larry

    Wow Migames,

    blast from the past….Meulens

  51. River Ave Report

    The oppositon’s 7-8-9 hitters going to work again

  52. TKinDC

    Global –

    Those contracts are a little hard to compare –

    Jeter is in the prime of his career making that much in the 6th year of the contract. How good is Ichiro going to be in 4 years when so much of his game is legs and he’ll be getting old?

    I won’t mention 4 world series rings because that wouldn’t be fair.

  53. migames

    Yankee fan thru good and bad times. Melky reminds me of Meulens

  54. jennifer

    Is Andy morphing into Mike?? :P LOL Gets a lead and gives it right back.

  55. Doreen

    But Jennifer, at least he waited one inning! :)

  56. jennifer

    Alan you better be having pizza.

  57. kasey

    “Peter would have called that bunt “false hustleâ€?…didn’t look false to me, dude laid it down perfect and extended the inning.”

    pretty sure pete was referring to the head-first slide into first base being “false hustle.” which it is.

  58. Alan

    PIZZA RULES !!!! ( it was a slice of CHEESE ! )

  59. jennifer

    Back to Back and Belly to Belly. :D

    495, 5 away!!

  60. Quan

    I wonder why the Yankees, if they wanted to try to negotiate with A-Rod during the season, wouldn’t have just initiated talks with Boras? Why would they bring it up in the press?(This is assuming that these have been calculated leaks on the part of the Yankees in the press)

  61. Larry

    kasey,

    you are wrong and peter confirmed what he meant when he first used the term “false hustle”. it was in reference to bunting.

    i agree that sliding in to first is false hustle…silly move and dangerous.

  62. yankeefan

    If Arod opts out then many more people in the public will look worse upon him, including me. If he stays and helps the Yankees win a couple rings, he could be remembered as one of the greatest ever. That includes one of the greatest ballplayers and one of the greatest Yankees.

    If I was him I’d wait until the off-season then make sure the Yankees extended for something close to what was available in the market, then re-sign with the Yankees. What’s a few million when he’ll finish his career making over $400M…

    Now if he eventually decides to leave, I and many others who are not Yankee fans, will think he’s all about the money, all about the flash… no heart and no balls. Either way, as a Yankee fan, I’d be happy. If he stays great, if he leaves good riddance.

  63. Global Warming

    Good point TK.

    In other news Jeter and A-Rod back to back.

    Eat on Alan. I just ordered some myself :)

  64. Alan

    I amend my prediction in that A-Rod will complete his Career as a Yankee and hit 900 total home runs ( I know this as I just bought a $50,000 Gift Card to Pizza Hut ! )

  65. Alan ( A-Rod to 900 HR AND BEYOND ! )

    ….who was the genius blogger that predicted that Tampa Bay would shut down the Yankees today ? (wink)

  66. Quan

    Steal signs much?

  67. jennifer

    Poor Scott Shields, as soon as the ball leaves the bat, Scott hangs his head. :)

  68. kasey

    i’m just waiting to find out that shields and chase wright went to the same high school or something.

  69. Alan ( A-Rod to 900 HR AND BEYOND ! )

    …in OTHER good news, Halladay only took 73 pitches to get thru the first 2 innings at Boston and only gave up 5 runs on 6 hits in the process. 5-1 Dastardly Team is up headed into the 3rd !!!

  70. pat m

    His legacy could be remembered along the line with other great Yanks, framed & immortalized forever….He’s much more mature now than in 2000…He’ll get big dough, but he’ll stay….

  71. Alan 900A-Rod

    Poor Scott Shields ? He’s the ENEMY !!!(joke)

  72. kasey

    jennifer,

    james shields is the guy pitching for the d-rays. scott shileds pitches for the angels.

  73. kasey

    scott SHIELDS pitches for the angels. sorry. i have no idea where scott shileds pitches.

  74. Alan 900A-Rod

    BOTH ENEMIES !!!

  75. T.J.

    At work and very busy but had to sign in and add man that made my night. 3 homers almost back to back? That was amazing. Working with Yankee haters so it’s going to be hard time but I’ll be back to comment.

  76. Alan 900A-Rod

    kasey.,…you…funny !!!

  77. jennifer

    Wow what is up with doc!! It doesn’t seem like he’s had a great year at all.

  78. T.J.

    Alan dude I’ll mail you a years supply of pizza coupons if you keep eating them and get us in the playoffs.

  79. Dr. Acula

    *Cluster BOMBersS*

    ARod chases Maris!!!

  80. kasey

    i know i’ve asked this before, but the yankee pitching staff has to be at or near the league lead in runs given up the half-inning after the offense has scored, right? pettitte gets a one-run lead, waits an inning, coughs it up to the bottom of the rays lineup. then gets a three-run cushion and immediately gives up a lead-off double. we see this from mussina constantly. i’d love to see where the yankees rank in runs surrendered the half-inning after a run has been scored by the offense. the numbers can’t be pretty.

  81. sunny615

    Pettitte needs to find his grove … is he tipping his pitches? what is going on?

  82. kasey

    oh, make that a lead-off double followed by a walk. a real recipe for success.

  83. sunny615

    Pettitte needs to find his groove … is he tipping his pitches? what is going on?

  84. River Ave Report

    Pettite doesn’t like run support

  85. jennifer

    OOps, i’m getting my shields mixed up.

  86. migames

    We are talking about a guy that, when this season is over, would have gotten 2 MVPs as a yankee. Had SEVERAL good playoff series, but we, the fans booed him and if he leaves, he is not a true yankee. Please. Lets not judge him as a true yankee or not, he has given so much to this team, and only this year are we opening our eyes

  87. CB

    Quan,

    I don’t think the Yankees expected Boras to take them up on the ARod negotiations.

    By announcing it publicly it makes it somewhat harder for ARod to say afterwards, “they didn’t want me enough…,” “they dragged their feet, …, etc”

    Also it makes them less to blame if he does opt out. ARod has to opt out relatively quickly after the end of the season. By announcing that they’d negotiate with him now it makes it harder for Boras to say, “ARod had a gun to his head and had to exercise the option. But he still loves New York and wants to stay. There wasn’t enough time to get such a complex deal done. Not enough time.”

  88. Doreen

    The walk at least sets up a DP.

  89. Rattachewy

    Commandment #1 in Book of Andy:
    Thou shall avoid pitching with a lead at all cost.

  90. jennifer

    Yeah what is up with Andy. He was money the begining of the year, and now he hasn’t done well at all.

    Bases juiced no outs!!

  91. sunny615

    crap

  92. Doreen

    Man, this is not good. Pettitte’s not right.

  93. sunny615

    how about a coaching visit to the mound fer cripes’ sake

  94. kd

    Pettitte must hold this lead and pitch 7 strong innings. We need to continue to rest an abused bullpen. My guess is that Hughes will return sometime in mid-August, but remember he’s still a rookie and throwing him into the middle of a pennant (hopefully) race is asking a lot. I’d like to see Karstens come back and be the long man in the pen. We should send Igawa back to Japan and see if we can get some baseballs or some towels for the clubhouse.

  95. T.J.

    My boy Pettitte seems to be struggling again tonight. Hopefully Posada can go out there and relax him.

  96. jennifer

    Kennedy pitching for Trenton

    4 ip
    2 H
    5 so

  97. sunny615

    those pitches are awfully high up in the zone …

  98. TKinDC

    CB –

    I think you are absolutely right. This is like 3-D chess (like I should know :) ) There is the NY media perception game, the contract negotiation game and the competition between teams game.

    If Cashman can sleep at night he has my admiration. It sure doesn’t look like he ever sees sunshine!!!

  99. jennifer

    YOu ever notice how the begining of the season Joe and Cash look great and well rested. Well about May they look tried and spent!

  100. sunny615

    c’mon – ground into a double play already gomez!

  101. jennifer

    Ah our friend the heckler is there. Seems like they moved the mic, (it isn’t as loud) thank god!!

  102. jennifer

    Everyone screams why’d we let Navaro go. He’s hitting .177!! Thats NO GOOD!!

  103. jennifer

    Bronson Sardinha is hitting 1.00!!!

  104. CB

    TKinDC

    Cash does always have that pale, baggy eyed look. Maybe a good one for the GM of this circus.

    If ARod does opt out and they didn’t make this announcement you can only imagine what the tabloids would say the day after. The same columnists who last year were adamant about ARod being traded would say that the Yanks lost ARod because they weren’t “flexible” enough too many rules about how they run the team/ conduct business. Boras knows that and would use it as another bullet in the negotiations.

    They have very little leverage (new stadium, prospect of ARod playing SS for the Red Sox – i shudder to think, etc.) so its a good tactic to make it clear they want him and are willing to change the usual way they handle contract years.

  105. sunny615

    Navarro is not much better the Nieves. Wish we had a Saltamacchia around.

  106. CB

    Jennifer

    Thanks for the Trenton updates.

    How happy will that New Hampshire team be happy to be done with their 4 game set with Trenton.

    Trenton starters for the 4 games may be a nice preview of the big league starting rotation for years to come:

    Kennedy tonight

    Hughes tomorrow

    Joba saturday

    Horne sunday.

    That’s just sick.

  107. Dr. Acula

    I just went through a carton of cigarettes. Andy, ya killin’ me, literally. Can I bum a Marlboro off anyone??

    He’s also at 75 pitches.

    I say we – yes, we the fans (ala Bill Veeck) – vote on the first reliever.

    I vote for the Viz.

  108. jinx

    Maybe we dont need to look for a first baseman.Andy looks
    really confortable at the plate lately.

  109. BBB

    LOL Dr. Acula – I got ya, but mine are menthol. Better run out and buy a new pack in case Farnsworth takes the mound later!

    How many of those 75 pitches did he throw in the 4th?

  110. gayle

    well if nothing else Andy is getting some rest in between innings

  111. Dr. Acula

    A hit and run!

    Now, that’s Ole time baseball

    I thought Zimmer took that with the playbook when he left.

    Melky – 9 game hitting streak. I always knew MElky was a streaker :)

  112. Tseng

    This could be good. Wonder if A-rod will get a grand slam here…

  113. ansky

    fudge.

  114. Tseng

    Ahhhh, nevermind… they got a run in the worst possible way =\

  115. Dr. Acula

    BBB-

    he threw 33 in the 4th.

  116. Doreen

    Jeter’s hit into an awful lot of DP’s this year, it seems. Oh, well, at least they got one. Could have been a big inning for them, though.

  117. jinx

    Red Sox lead down to 5-3 maybe today we start to make up ground.

    correction 5-4

  118. Rattachewy

    Let’s go Jays

  119. Tseng

    That was kinda funny to watch. And it’s even better now that it resulted in a run.

  120. Alan 900A-Rod

    here comes run number 7 !!!

  121. T.J.

    Transformers rocks! Chien-Ming Wang knows a good movie when he sees one. U rock dude!

  122. Dr. Acula

    Jeter’s DPs

    any stats on that, anyone ?

    I would be interested in percentages. his actual numbers may be higher simply because he’s been in more double play situations. therefore, his relative DP avg may be stable.

  123. Joe from Long Island

    Unless Hillenbrand can catch, what does he provide over Andy Phillips right now? Besides his famous attitude? I would wonder if another backup catcher is on the horizon.

  124. jennifer

    Jeter 13 dp as of today
    Jorge 14 (shocked i didn’t think it was so many)
    alex 8
    bobby 10

  125. TKinDC

    HERE WE GO BLUEJAYS HERE WE GO!

    CLAP CLAP

  126. jinx

    The way this weekend is set up for us and the sox. I we could easily gain 2 games on them. If we could only hit
    bad pitching as good as we hit the good ones.SHIELDS went from 3.3 to 3.9 just in this one game.

  127. jennifer

    Nice catch by Melky!!

  128. Dr. Acula

    I’m thinking Derek’s DPs are up cuz he’s in more DP situations (runner w. one out, instead of two). I say that cuz his ground outs are stable, year over year.

  129. jennifer

    Jeter should have had that! it wasn’t that far from him and was slowly hit.

  130. Tseng

    Aw, he didn’t even dive so it could go past a diving Jeter. =P

    But seriously… I have no idea how he did not get to that, it was kinda slow and not that far away.

  131. jennifer

    Kennedy

    6 ip
    3 h
    7 so
    era down to 2.09

  132. Dr. Acula

    When it comes to the glove, there is little difference btw. Melky and Ichiro and Hunter.

  133. jennifer

    I agree Dr. Melky just needs to work on his power! Who needs the expensive old ichiro or hunter? :P

  134. Global Warming

    “UPDATE, 8:33 p.m.: Joe Torre mentioned before the game that the Yankees won’t be sticking with 13 pitchers for long. He said Cashman is looking outside the organization (Shea Hillenbrand) and is that doesn’t happen, they would promote somebody from within.”

    I really hope the Yankees don’t get Shea Hillenbrand. He is not only one of the worst offensive players in baseball but he’s also a fool in the clubhouse.

    Sad to say this but I’d rather have Andy Phillips at 1B fulltime than getting Shea.

    Maybe this finally opens the door for Shelly Duncan? Hope so.

  135. BBB

    Agreed, guys, Melky’s D is as good as either of them. And Ichiro and Hunter are both kind of obnoxious IMO. Melky’s a sweetheart!

    Dr. A, was it you who said earlier you wanted to vote on the Vizard getting the ball when Andy came out? You got your wish! :D

  136. Dave K

    This may have already been posted, and I apologize if it has..

    But does anyone have the stats on how the guys did in the AA all-star game?

  137. Dave K

    Its unbelievable what a different pitcher Vizcaino looks like from the beginning of the season to this past month

  138. BBB

    Ugh, Hillenbrand? I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. Sometimes I gotta wonder if Phillips, like, poured sugar in Torre or Cash’s gas tank or something, the way they seem so reluctant to give him the job.

    The Vizard works his magic!

  139. gayle

    Dave each Uankees went 1-3 and Arod had a stolen base

  140. jinx

    Is it just me or does Melky look slimmer. Baby fat gone

  141. Alan

    Hold up ! Did Torre REALLY come in and take out the starting pitcher BEFORE the entire lead was erased ? What the heck is wrong with him ? ( sarcasm intended )

  142. jinx

    Why doesnt Melky hit left permenently? Seems to do much better on that side.

  143. Dave K

    Gayle – thanks but I saw THAT all-star game

    I am asking about the AA All-Star game which I believe was last night and I think a couple of the pitchers were in

  144. Dr. Acula

    The Viz !!

    *Did I call it or what*

    Where’s my check, Cashman!!!

  145. Dave K

    Did the leg work:

    Marquez and Horne both Pitched scoreless innings – Horne struck out 2

  146. CB

    Dave K,

    The AA All Star game was called after 2 innings or so because of this bizarre fog that rolled in. They tried to play but no one could see the ball and they called it.

    Marquez started the gamd and pitched a scoreless first. Horne pitched the second. Think he struck out 2.

  147. Dave K

    Yea I just read – “canceled – FOG” and was a bit confused

    Must have been bad fog

  148. Dr. Acula

    *This is why I’m Hot*

    Abreu .464
    Melky .410
    Phillips .440
    Jeter .333
    Zilla .303
    Cano .294
    Jorge .273
    ARod .194 (3HR)

    *This is why I’m nOT*

    Damon .206

  149. Dr. Acula

    Oh, those are stats for July, including today’s game.

  150. CB

    The fog was really awful. They shouldn’t have even tried to play. Outfielders just had no idea where some balls went.

    Looks like Kennedy has come for the seventh inning and is having one of the best starts to date (which given his numbers is really saying something). So far no runs, three hits, 8 k’s and no walks.

    Last game Joba threw he had 12k’s and 1 BB in 5 innings (or 6?). Kennedy trying to one up him!

  151. Mike S.

    NO HILLENBRAND!!!!

    Ian kicking butt again for Trenton. He ENTERED the game a combined 11-2, 1.71 and has pitched 6 scoreless (so far) for Trenton tonight.

    As I wrote earlier, Karstens had a very good rehab start today.

    A-Rod….# 495.

    1st time Jeter/A-Rod back to back (usu. because Jeter doesn’t hit 3rd often).

  152. jennifer

    With the way Andy has been fielding and hitting, we don’t need anyone. There are other areas on this team that need to be addressed and right now first isn’t one of them.

  153. Alan

    SEVEN……TOLD YA !!! (wink)

  154. BBB

    Where is that Negative Nancy who predicted a shutout for Shields earlier today?? ;)

  155. Chicago Dave

    Mike S. – I’ve read a lot about Kennedy being strictly a “back of the rotation”-type prospect. I gather that’s because he doesn’t throw all that hard. What’s your take on Kennedy?

  156. jennifer

    Oh what a shock! Krazy Kyle walks a batter! Over under on 7 throw overs?

  157. sunny615

    oy Pepto … where’s my pepto?

  158. jennifer

    He’s already thrown over twice. and hasn’t thrown home once.

  159. BBB

    Jennifer, 3 and counting….sigh.

  160. Chicago Dave

    I would be SOOO happy to see Farnsy traded for a bag of baseballs! PLEASE, BRIAN C., HELP A BROTHER OUT, WOULD ‘YA!!!

  161. jennifer

    four!! I think i’m going with the over.

  162. Whoa

    If they sign Hillenbrand they are morons.

  163. Mike S.

    Kennedy is compared to a young Mussina. Not overpowering in any area, but has command of 4 different pitches.

  164. Chicago Dave

    jennifer –

    Farnsworth knows that bad things tend to happen when he throws the ball towards home, so I guess he’s thinking he might as well delay the inevitable as long as possible! HA!!

  165. jennifer

    5 throw overs. you know what happens when you keep throwing over, you lose the strike zone!!

  166. Chicago Dave

    Mike S. – Is Kennedy better than Ohlendorf (who seems to have a similar makeup)?

  167. mel

    mlb.tv is out. Is that a good thing right now?

  168. jennifer

    Why is everything so painful with this guy!! I mean you throw 97-100 mph and you can’t get hitters out!??!

  169. jennifer

    2 on 2 out mel.

  170. Mike S.

    Use Edwar here, Joe! Screw Farnsworth(less).

    As for Kennedy, I’d love to see him at 4 (behind Hughes, Chamberlain & Wang). Not overpowering, but as I wrote above, he has four pitches he can command and control. Not overpowering on any, but as long as he can mix and match.

  171. mel

    Chicago Dave,

    Funny. Haven’t heard chatter on Ohlendorf and who does Peter Gammons mention twice in one interview today? Ohlendorf. Something about him in the bullpen.

  172. Chicago Dave

    jennifer –

    Farnsworth has suspect control and a fastball (his main pitch) that is straight as an arrow…That’s why everything seems so tough for him!

  173. mel

    Jennifer,

    Thanks. It’s back up, but Farnsworth is still ugly.

  174. Mike S.

    Good question Dave. Since Kennedy seems to rely on a variety of pitches, and Ohlendorf relies on the sinker, I would have to give Kennedy the advantage based on repertoire.

  175. Alfred

    Why is Proctor up, for the love of god.

    You’re gonna use Mo, even if Delmon Young homers, you bring in Rivera to close out the 1-run lead. If we go into extras you might consider Proctor.

  176. BBB

    And then he makes it look easy on that last AB, K’ing Wigginton on 3 pitches. Unfrickenbelievable…I think he is just a sadist. He likes to torture us!

  177. Greg

    Farnsworth: 0 ER. I’ll take it.

  178. Chicago Dave

    mel –

    Yeah, you don’t really hear much about Ohlendorf. However, I was checking the SWB stats yesterday and noticed everyone we got in the Johnson trade (including Ohlendorf) has pretty lousy numbers. Hopefully Ohlendorf can turn into something, because I think Alberto Gonzalez and Steven Jackson aren’t going anywhere anytime soon…

  179. Chicago Dave

    Mike S. – Have you gone to many Trenton games this year? Man, how I wish I still lived in Jersey! All those great young pitchers must be something to see in person!!

  180. Jeff NJ

    Dave, don’t forget Vizcaino. Plus getting anything for a 43 year old coming off back surgery is outstanding.

  181. Jordan Meisner

    Brian Stokes, your standard AA-level Devil Rays mop-up man. If A-Rod hits this inning he will either walk or hit a trillion-foot homer.

  182. Dr. Acula

    OUCH! I got a rock in my shoe; no, it’s just Farnsy.

    Gotta tell ya, Toronto rolled over like vintage 1976 Ford Pinto. POoOF!

  183. Huuz

    Pete,

    did you get a chance to talk to your buddy wigginton? i recall you said he was a good guy and you two get on well…?

  184. Chicago Dave

    Jeff – I get hung up on the fact that it was heavily rumored at the time that the Padres were dangling Linebrink for Johnson. If that’s true, then I would certainly have rather had Linebrink than the guys we got. Of course, you never know how prospects are going to turn out, so there’s always a chance Ohlendorf, et al could end up doing something…It’s just that right now the whole thing looks like a wash. At least Johnson isn’t doing too much for the D-Backs…

  185. Whoa

    http://emedia.thetimes-tribune.....-else.aspx

    Ross Ohlendorf pitched again on Monday in the Gulf Coast League. He went 4.2 innings and allowed three earned runs, but he also struck out nine. That’s a huge number, so I’d guess he’s ready to go.

  186. jennifer

    Ohlendorf was on the dl for some time.

  187. Dave K

    Why?

  188. Mike S.

    I am going on Aug. 11th to Trenton. Been to Scranton a few times.

    Damn! How I wish Shelley Duncan could play an adequate 1b instead of being a DH! 2 more HRs tonight (23).

    As for Trenton, a 2.57 team ERA going into tonight. Six top pitchers (Horne, Chamberlain, Kennedy, Marquez, Jones and Smith) there, and now who gets two rehab starts there? Hughes! Seems unfair, doesn’t it?

  189. Chicago Dave

    Saying this for the umpteenth time…Damon needs to be on the DL!!

  190. Mike S.

    I usu. hit Trenton once or twice a year. Nice park.

  191. Jeff NJ

    Johnson is on the DL for the 3rd time this season. No time table for his return. I wouldn’t call it a wash. Time will tell, but that trade will work out. Don’t ask me about that one with Detroit.

  192. ben from boston

    wait.. WHy is it funny he went to transformers i dont get it

  193. ben from boston

    trade damon please

  194. Chicago Dave

    On a separate note…Dioner Navarro really didn’t turn into much, did he? Not that I thought he’d ever be the second coming of Johnny Bench, mind you, but I was worried when the Yanks traded him that he might turn into a pretty decent major league catcher. His defense might be OK, but, man, his bat is brutal!!! He gives Nieves a run for his money!

  195. scooter mcgavin

    anyone have the sox jays score??

  196. BBB

    I’m going to Trenton tomorrow and Sat…Hughes and Joba..life is good!

    I wouldn’t call the Johnson trade a wash either. As far as the possible deal with SD, Linebrink is a stud but isn’t he a FA at the end of the season?

    Gawd I love Mo’s strikeouts. No quicker way to forget about Farnsworth’s 498530968 throw overs!

  197. Mike S.

    Just noticed. Brett Gardner was the CF for Scranton tonight. (promoted)

  198. Chicago Dave

    Jeff –

    Why don’t you want to talk about the Detroit trade? You don’t like getting young pitchers with lame arms in exchange for an established bat? Shame on you! ;)

  199. BBB

    scooter, jays lost 4-7.

  200. Tseng

    Ooooh, 2 broken bats in 1 at bat. Nice to see Rivera is on his game tonight.

  201. ben from boston

    yea scooter sox won i was watching it

  202. T.J.

    Hey one of my buddies said he saw Giambi at the Jet Night Club in Vegas this past weekend. Forgot to ask him if he was up dancing. LOl!

  203. Mike S.

    BBB….. I am jealous.

  204. Chicago Dave

    Gotta love Mo…A little piece of tranquility in an otherwise tumultuous Yankees world!

  205. jennifer

    7-4 Boston, so we gain no ground in our division. :( although we hold sole possession of second place.

  206. scooter mcgavin

    thanks for the update!

    Theee Yankees win!!!!

  207. Chicago Dave

    Back to .500!!!

  208. Alan

    Now I know this was only Tampa…but a VERY NICE WIN !

  209. CB

    Ohelndorf hurt his back and that may be why his numbers in Scranton were so bad, especially his walk total.

    One of the interesting things about the GCL game that Ohlendorf had the 9k’s in – the entire yankee team that day struck out 17!

    They have some very promising arms in the GCL. Jairo Herredia in particular is putting up outstanding numbers – almost the type that Dellin Betances put up last year. And Herredia is only 17.

  210. mel

    scooter,

    Final score 7-4. Okajima was in a jam in the 8th with the tie run at the plate, but no one scored.

  211. Tseng

    With Clemens pitching so well recently and Wang (I think) pitching after that we’ve got a good chance to get off to a nice quick start after this win tonight.

  212. sj61*

    I had to laugh when the Devil Rays’ announcers talked about the “switch-hitting Casanova”

  213. scooter mcgavin

    Did anyone read the Boston Globe article today on Ortiz and his knees???

    Makes me feel a little better about or chances of catching them!!

  214. ben from boston

    guys it doesnt matter about the sox take it one day at a time we could realize hey were in the wild card race. it doesnt matter how you get there just win a couple and dont focus on everyone else

  215. ben from boston

    yes 61 i heard that to that made me laugh

  216. T.J.

    Speaking of Giambi what’s the latest word on him? Health wise, case wise? I guess Vegas must have been like a stress relief for him.

  217. Alan

    jennifer…GLASS HALF FULL….even though Papel-pug finished off the Blue Jays…we gain 1/2 game on Cleveland for the Wild Card AND LOSE NO GROUND to the Dastardly BoSox !….GLASS HALF FULL !!! (wink)

  218. Chicago Dave

    If Dice-K or Beckett get injured and have to go on the DL for any serious length of time, then I’d have hope of catching them…but it’s going to be very difficult to do otherwise. I also think the Wild Card should be the focus…

  219. T.J.

    Our captain says he feels we can catch Boston and I tend to believe him.

  220. scooter mcgavin

    Not sure if this was ever mentioned here before, but a great website to check first thing each morning is http://www.prosportsdaily.com.

    It gives all of the major headlined sports stories across the country..

    You can also just see all of the top baseball stories and even further can just see all of the top yankees articles..

    GREAT website!!!

  221. Mike S.

    Giambi has the type of injury that could take 4-6 months. Don’t be surprised if you don’t see him again this year. If he comes back, great. But don’t count on him.

  222. Chicago Dave

    “Speaking of Giambi what’s the latest word on him?”

    It’s been kind of nice with him gone…Don’t you think? I hope he spends the rest of the year rapping with the ‘roid commission, personally…

  223. T.J.

    Thanks Chicago and Mike. My buddy said he looked as if he was enjoying himself at the vegas night club. He was with a couple other people. So I take it he may be out for the season. just thought I would ask.

  224. scooter mcgavin

    try this: I put a period after it earlier

    http://www.prosportsdaily.com

  225. Stuart

    Watched the rays telecast because I live in Calif. Sloppy games, Cano had a bad game, pettitte pitched decent at best.

    Vizciano another good outing(middle relief is huge).

    Lucky they played a crappy team tonight. I will take any wins we can get…. If they can get Kazmir out Friday the rest of the series they have a big advantage….

    grind Kazmir to get him out of there…

    Cabrera is the most logical CF for next yr. save $, and look to strengthen bench, RF, and the pen…….

  226. Chicago Dave

    T.J. –

    P.S. – Don’t get me wrong, I certainly hope Jeter is right about the Yanks ultimately being able to catch the Sox…I just think it’s a very steep hill to climb at the moment.

  227. scooter mcgavin

    ANYTHING can happen!! Beckett and Dice k get hurt, Ortize’s knees get real bad, manny just keeps having an avg season, youk comes back to earth, Papelbon gets over used and stinks.., etc….

    LETS GO YANKEES!!!!

  228. Stuart

    Brett Gardner CF got moved up to AAA from AA.

    Also Shelly D had 2 more dingers..

  229. T.J.

    By the way Jeter won ESPY for Best Baseball player.

  230. scooter mcgavin

    If Bobby goes on a tear and wins us a WS on his back, would you then consider resignig him???

    Not that think that will happen… lol

  231. dontfirecash

    There are has been some noise that Kennedy was hitting 94 on the gun a few starts ago? Can anyone verify this? Anyways, looks like Ian had a rough 7th inning, but otherwise another fantastic start. He should be helping the Yankees by mid to late 2008.

  232. asburyboss

    pete you think Shea H…I think Cash will get Julio Franco- RH bat/ 1B…GREAT guy

  233. Global Warming

    Bring up Shelly Duncan before you bring garbage on this team like Shea Hillenbrand.

    OH and trade Farnsworth for beans if you must and call up Chris “GREAT” Britton.

    That is all!

  234. Mike S.

    For those like myself and Jennifer who have tickets for Yanks-O’s on the 28th ….

    even if Hughes does NOT go on that day….

    Consider this. A-Rod has 495.

    Who knows? Maybe we see # 500 !!!!

  235. asburyboss

    scooter…they wouldn’t “resign” him…but they might pick up his 1 year option for 08

  236. Drew

    I say no way on Abreu even if he goes on a tear. We need the money to either bring back A-Rod or address rotation/bullpen/1B issues. Hopefully he continues on this little hot streak he is on because he does make our offense infinitely better so we can climb back into contention.

  237. asburyboss

    Farnsworth, Kevin Thompson and Shelley to Pittsburgh for Damaso Marte and Jason Bay

  238. Frank Discussion

    Is that first base ump going on the DL ? He looked like he was hurting…

    Whatever Guidry said to Farnsworth worked, he settled down nicely. Nice work by Mo as well.

    Play of the game to Melky for that great catch…

  239. #9

    “I asked Chien-Ming Wang what he did during the break. He went to see “Transformers.â€?”

    And??!!

    Thumbs up or down?

    I hate it when reporters don’t do the follow up questions!

  240. asburyboss

    Pettitte…thumbs down. He has to be MUCH better than that. Luis Viz is back from the dead though. Quantrill and Karsay were calling him into the light but he refused to go…welcome back.

  241. Ryan

    I would stick with Melky. Ichiro is off the market. Torii Hunter will get overpaid by someone, and I hope not us. Andruw Jones will also request a boatload, due to his history, not this year. And who knows if he’ll ever be back to his history, or if that is in fact history, and what we are seeing now is the future.

    Skip please.

  242. asburyboss

    Andruw Jones…steroids poster boy

  243. E-ROC

    I hope that we are not adding Shea Hillenbrand to the team. What happened to Erubial Durazo?? Promote Shelley Duncan or somebody with speed & that’s versatile. Good win. Hopefully, this is a sign of good things to come for Pettite. He had some rough outings in his last couple of starts. Oh yeah, why not trade for Dan Johnson?? Anything but Shea Hillenbrand.

  244. Dr. Acula

    #9-

    _I hate it when reporters don’t do the follow up questions!_

    LOL

  245. lauren

    re: peter’s last comment about Melky –

    Let him play now and next year! Although he’s not setting the world on fire with his numbers there is no doubt he is outstanding in the field, he is completely capable of making those crazy catches we’ve seen this and last season.

    AND I don’t know what it is about the Melkman but there is some sort of spark with him, things happen when he’s in the mix, as Torre has said, he is a special player. Finally, homegrown? Is there any better a player than one that came up with the organization?

    I adore Melky and I hope he continues to play well and gets his due at the end of the season. Damon in Year 2 has been HIGHLY disappointing. He should have just went on the damn DL. . .

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About the authors
Chad JenningsChad Jennings joined the The Journal News in October 2009, having spent the better part of seven years covering baseball in Scranton, PA. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and an award-winning beat reporter and features writer. E-mail me at cjennings@lohud.com
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Sam BordenSam Borden is an award-winning journalist who joined The Journal News and LoHud.com in January 2008. He covered the Yankees for the New York Daily News from 2004-06, and has also worked as a columnist for the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. E-mail me at sborden@lohud.com
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Sam BordenJosh Thomson has done some of everything since joining The Journal News in March 2003. He began working for the Gannett weeklies during the winter of 2002 as a freelance writer. He joined the daily staff soon after and has since covered various high school and pro sports. E-mail me at jthomson@lohud.com
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