Postgame notes: Sabathia returns to form
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Jun 03, 2010 
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For the first time as a Yankee, CC Sabathia had gone five straight starts without a win before pitching seven strong innings against the Orioles this afternoon. He allowed only three hits — two of them were home runs — while striking out six. Most importantly, he located his fastball and changeup much better than in recent starts.
“A little bit better command of his breaking ball and he’ll be there,” pitching coach Dave Eiland said. “He was still missing down. They were good misses. They weren’t hanging.”
Sabathia said the biggest difference was being able to put hitters away. Despite what Joe Girardi has said, Sabathia said his mechanics have been fine, he just hasn’t been executing.
“Just making pitches,” he said. “I got ahead a few times and didn’t put guys away the past couple of starts. I’d get 1-2, 0-2, and guys would foul off a couple of pitches and it would turn into a long at-bat. Today I was able to put guys away. Buried a couple of sliders. Threw a changeup where it needed to be. Got the fastball in on the hands.”
That’s all good news for the Yankees who have now won five straight, with their starting pitchers getting all five of those wins. During this streak, the rotation is 5-0 with a 1.75 ERA and 34 strikeouts. They’ve walked three batters.
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• Robinson Cano has now tied Jorge Cantu for the longest hitting streak in the major leagues this season. He’s hit in 17 straight and would match a career-high with a hit tomorrow in Toronto. Sabathia said he knows exactly what he would do if he need to pitch to Cano. “I probably wouldn’t,” he said. “Even being a lefty, he’s on fire. He’s our best hitter right now.”
• Brett Gardner hit his third home run of the season off Kevin Millwood. Three homers matches Gardner’s total for last season. “He’s a guy that throws a lot of cutters in, or a little front-door two-seamer,” Gardner said. “He’s not a guy that I would try to pull, but you have to be aware that he’s going to come in there sometimes.” As he’s said time and time again, Gardner insisted that his approach does not change because he’s hitting ninth instead of second. “The whole second lead-off deal, I’ve never really understood that,” he said. “If a guy’s hitting ninth, he’s hitting ninth.”
• The past two years, the Yankees are 6-0 when Gardner hits a home run.
• Sabathia did allow a home run to Luke Scott, the first left-handed home run he’s allowed at the current Yankee Stadium. He’s now allowed 12 home runs this season, six fewer than he allowed all of last year. He’s never allowed more than 20. “Who cares?” Eiland said. “That doesn’t concern me.”
• The ball that hit off Sabathia’s pitching had hit the pad of his palm, just beneath his thumb. Sabathia said it was numb at first but ultimately felt fine. Girardi and Eiland weren’t exactly happy to see him field that ball with his bare hand.
• Why did Girardi take Sabathia out after 94 pitches? “I just felt with the heat today it was time to make a change,” Girardi said. “CC wanted to stay in.”
• Since coming off the disabled list Curtis Granderson is 10-for-24 (.417) with four doubles, a home run and six runs scored. He’s had a hit in every start since coming back.
• Alex Rodriguez has now hit six home runs in his past 24 games after hitting just two home runs in his first 28 games of the season. In 30 games since May 1 he’s hitting .336 with 29 RBI and 21 runs.
• Rodriguez was told that David Huff was able to start today, just five days after Rodriguez hit a line drive off his head. “It just tells you how weak I am,” Rodriguez said. When he wants to, the guy can be pretty funny.
• Lost Rule 5 pick Kanekoa Texeira was claimed off waivers by the Royals. He now has to stay on Kansas City’s 25-man roster or else be once again sent through waivers and offered back to the Yankees if he clears.
• Former Yankees minor leaguer Jason Jones — who was also once lost in the Rule 5 draft — has signed a minor league deal with the Nationals. Jones had some great years in Double-A with the Yankees, but never did much beyond that.
UPDATE, 6:45 p.m.: Rough news out of Scranton. Jon Weber has been released to open a roster spot for Juan Miranda. I’m sure you remember Weber from his awesome spring training. Weber had been hitting lately. He might have asked to be let go, seeing no real opportunity to move up with the Yankees.
Associated Press photos of Rodriguez and Gardner.
This is disturbing.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....llId=91758
why do fans in NY root for Celtics? Seriously, that’s why I don’t watch NBA that much. Those so called fans are just phony.
“Who cares?” Eiland said. “That doesn’t concern me.”
I don’t believe that for a second.
You’re asking the wrong question.
The real question is, what’s the matter with Michigan?
Those fans are frauds. Surprising considering the amount of Lakers bandwagon fans in NY.
Eliand has to be concerned… the long balls are concerning.
6 HRs through a whole season last year and 12 through 25% of the season this year? It’s not the ballpark either, he was giving up bombs to Bay at Citi Field and at Comerica.
Nick in SF……Heading up the 405 to Staples Center for game 1……..Lakers -6, overs 191, money line 245.00…..Car service , wet bar, brownies in hand…..
For me, the NBA season has been over for awhile. It starts again in July.
4 more days till the MLB draft!
Pat M, that all sounds great.. for entertainment and medicinal purposes only… have a great time at the game!
Could care less about the NBA until the Knicks are good again
Lakers, Celtics, who cares? Hate both.
Just get July 1st here.
I haven’t even known that the NBA has existed for the last 10 years or so.
“The whole second lead-off deal, I’ve never really understood that,”
——-
It means you have two leadoff hitters in a row. More speed on the bases when the order turns over.
Sabathia allowed 18 hr last year not 6
‘ I love LA” must have been just a regional hit song by Randy Newman I guess……..Later
Re-read it:
He’s now allowed 12 home runs this season, six fewer than he allowed all of last year.
“…six fewer than he allowed all of last year.”
I think you misread the note.
Let’s remember that Pettitte had problems last year with homers at Yankee Stadium and was able to overcome that tendency later in the season.
Don June 3rd, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Eliand has to be concerned… the long balls are concerning.
6 HRs through a whole season last year and 12 through 25% of the season this year? It’s not the ballpark either, he was giving up bombs to Bay at Citi Field and at Comerica.
———————————————————————————————————————-
Math wasn’t one of your strong suits, was it? Game #54 was today. That’s 33%. He’s allowed 12 homers this year and 18 last year. Although you picked up on the #6 very well, you subtracted when you should have added. Home runs aren’t a problem unless you’re giving up 3 run homers and grand slams. He’ll still match last year’s numbers.
You can stop wetting your pants any time, don.
batspeed June 3rd, 2010 at 6:30 pm
“The whole second lead-off deal, I’ve never really understood that,”
——-
It means you have two leadoff hitters in a row. More speed on the bases when the order turns over.
———————————————————————————————————————-
If Gardner’s hitting 2nd, you’ve still got two leadoff hitters.
Just updated the post. Jon Weber was released in Scranton to make room for Miranda on the Triple-A roster.
Might have to listen to Charleston tonight if both Slade and JR are playing.
I’m surprised that they kept Weber as long as they did. He wasn’t hitting or producing many runs and was a bad defensive outfielder. They’ll now be able to move Huffman back to the outfield with Miranda at first or just rotate the DH role.
It’s like winter when there’s no game.
GB-
I guess you missed my post to you in the other thread about Phelps.
I was wondering if you could profile his stuff for me, and what you think he might project to be ?
Thanks in advance.
Mick-
And it’s like Dante’s Inferno in here when the Yankees lose.
“According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, there’s a “growing likelihood” that Orioles manager Dave Trembley will be fired before Friday’s game against the Red Sox.
It could happen as early as tonight. The writing has been on the wall for a while now, as the Orioles entered play on Thursday at 15-38 and in last place in the American League East. According to Connolly, will likely promote third base coach Juan Samuel to be the interim manager. Jun. 3 – 2:44 pm et
Source: Baltimore Sun”
This afternoon as I watched the game, I thought Trembley won’t be the Orioles manager when the Yankees go to Baltimore on the 8th.
MTU(aka GBURL) June 3rd, 2010 at 6:53 pm
GB-
I guess you missed my post to you in the other thread about Phelps.
I was wondering if you could profile his stuff for me, and what you think he might project to be ?
Thanks in advance.
———————————————————————————————————————-
I haven’t seen him this year, but, listening on the radio feeds, he’s hitting 92-93 MPH with a curve, change-up, cutter and a slider, all good pitches. Very good control, but, more of a contach pitcher than a strikeout pitcher, though he gets his share. Sort of a young Mussina. That’s what he was in Charleston and Tampa. He’s also a strong innings type pitcher. Averages less than 3 walks and more than 7 strikeouts per 9 innings. He’s a solid middle of the rotation type, but, could be more. He’s only 2 years into his career….1 full season and 2 partial seasons…Notre Dame grad.
Craw-
I guess Samuel will only be a caretaker type Manager.
Good luck with him @ the helm. He’s the genius who helped run them out of an inning the other night.
more of a ***contact*** pitcher than
GB-
In your estimation would he be similar to Z-Mac or Warren ?
Phelps arsenal is a little more than Z-Mac. Warren might be a good comparison.
He’s probably a little better than Mcallister, and maybe not quite as good as Warren….but, they are all really good pitchers.
Long time lurker, first time poster. Hi all. Good sweep of the Orioles.
GB-
Thanks. Do you see these guys as having any real shot at breaking into the Yankees rotation at some point, or do you view them as future trade chips ?
If trade chips. What sort of player might any of them bring back in trade ?
Carla-
It was that way for me too. Welcome aboard.
MTU, one of those three will probably go in a trade package, one a starter and one in relief. Just my opinion, though, which means little.
Heathcott just got robbed by park effects.
MTU(aka GBURL) June 3rd, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Mick-
And it’s like Dante’s Inferno in here when the Yankees lose.
********************************
Too true.
GB-
It’s quiet in here right now (thank goodness) so these kinds of discussions can fill some time.
And as far as your opinion. It may mean little to some but it means a lot to me.
You watch the MiLB games. Have years of experience. And you have a better chance of knowing what you’re talking about than some in here.
I hope all is well with you, and that your health is continuing to improve.
Budweiser and Domino’s need your support more than ever in these turbulent times.
Murton knocks in Murphy for the Dogs first run.
Parades scores on a ZAlmonte’s groundout.
m, are you around?? This is just for you since you love them so much.
Joba_62 Great series. Off to canada for 3 against the Blue Jays. Hope everyone enjoys the rest of this great day!
We have a good opportunity coming up to tie or overtake the Rays.
While we are busy playing Toronto they must play a set of 3 against Texas in Texas.
If you look at the probable pitching matchups for the Rays-Texas series Texas is well positoned in 2 of 3.
If we can take 2 of 3 from the Jays we should be in a dead heat soon.
Just a thought.
This circular line up coupled with plus starting pitching and a healthy Mo is an arrangement one can sure get used to.
This team really looks completely different the past two days. Yes the orioles are horrible but it’s more than the competition. You could just see it in Millwood’s face today – the impact that the having to face that long line up had. He became very frustrated as there was no end in sight.
Getting Granderson and Posada back is just such a relief. Completely transforms the line up. Hard to believe so many yankee fans were already writing Granderson off as some kind of “bust.” It happens every year but yankee fans do it over and over with new players on the team. Granderson is so talented and has such good bat speed its very difficult not seeing him being very successful here.
CC was much better today but still made some mistakes. He’ll dial it in and then go on a huge role. Hopefully he’s close.
It’s still early, but it does feel like the team has hopefully survived that stretch of injuries and tough games intact and is now getting ready to accelerate. If they can avoid any more injuries I think they’ll do just that.
Guess who has the highest batting average against AJ, on th Jays? Jose Molina .400, I wonder why….could it be he caught his pitches for a year, and can read them?
CB-
With what you say above and the easier schedule I agree completely.
It’s why i am on board with the notion that the Yankees will be in 1st before or by the ASB.
By the way, welcome back.
Granderson is never going to please those who want to hold onto every single homegrown player, but that’s their problem. He’s made a huge difference to the team since he’s been back; he’s already one of my favorite players.
It’s nice to see the SP rounding back into form – and that’s without CC hitting his stride. We still need to get the pen into shape; I have little confidence in anyone except Mo.
Slade singles. He is 1-2.
CB-
They managed to hang around in spite of all their injuries. Only 2 games back.
And Tex still really isn’t on fire yet.
He can add another stage to the Yankee rocket just by himself.
Lots of room for Optimism. Lots of room for fear on the part of the opposition.
JR Murphy with an RBI single. This is fun.
RIP John Wooden
Aww, Wooden died? RIP………he lived a long and hopefully fulfilling life.
Other media outlets aside from the Orange County Register are reporting that he is in grave condition – so I’ll take that back and ignore Twitter until confirmation.
MTU-
This team when intact is immensely talented. With Cano in the process of elevating his game it’s difficult to tell what the ceiling of this team is. The last piece does seem to be Tex finally rounding into shape.
Think of it this way – even if Tex was having his usual level of production, of the Yankee 3-4-5 hitters he was be the “worst” hitter. And on top of that Nick Swisher is having a career year and is close to a 1.000 OPS season. You can make a very compelling argument that Swisher has been the best RF in the AL so far this season.
This team is packed not only with terrific hitters but very good multidimensional players. Alex, Cano, Tex, Granderson, Jeter, Gardner, and Cervelli are all good two way players. Swisher has been much better on defense as well.
I think the issues with the pen will sort themselves out. That’s the one area of underperformance that lingers but it will sort itself out as long as the line up stays in tact and the rotation gives them quality innings.
Hi everyone,
I am just watching the game now. It is amazing how relaxing it is to watch when you know the final score.
Scranton’s down 1-0 in the 3rd inning. Nothing going on there. Tampa Yanks rained out.
Trenton down, 4-3. DeLaRosa was knocked around hard in the top of the 2nd. Brandon Laird opened the bottom of the 2nd inning with a blast about 20 feet above the dead center field wall in Trenton. after a walk, Daniel Brewer homered to left center.
Where did you hear John Wooden died? Nothing on breaking news.
Yankees at +91 run differential now (Tampa is 1st with +93). Yankees have scored 307 runs…next most is 292 (Boston)…..and just think, the lineup is just now starting to click.
CB-
I agree that one way or another the BP issues will be sorted out.
The starting pitching has also been phenomenal.
Personally, I think JV will continue to improve. Sabbathia will be Sabbathia.
And the other three, even with some regression, still give the Yankees a stellar Starting rotation.
No other way to put it but that we have an awesome team.
I like when we win during the day – I can relax at night. Later I’m going to watch my replay of Phil’s game last night – I missed a good part of it.
I hope you’re right about the pen, CB. I think CC is guaranteed to get on a roll and stay there, but the others? Each of them have some questions to answer. It stinks, though, that we have to ask our starters to go 7 innings all the time so we can hide our pen.
CB,
I think we discussed in spring training that the improvements of Cano and Swisher would have a chance to far outweigh any difference made by replacing Damon/Matsui with Granderson/NJ.
We may be starting to see the signs of that. Plus Granderson is also a star in his prime. This lineup could be unbelievable if they can stay healthy.
Congrats to the Lakers for winning the 2010 NBA Finals.
Who would have guessed that the star of the Yankee rotation so far would be Andy Pettitte. The only thing that he doesn’t lead the staff in is strikeouts.
7 innings is a good amount of innings for a starter though, Betsy. Kind of perfect. You want the starters to be able to go 6-plus. Almost anyone’s bullpen almost always suffers if they’re over-exposed.
The Yankees are blessed with starters that have historically given those 7 innings, so it’s not like they asking them to do something they’ve never done. Phil is the only one that is – not a concern, but he’s got that darn innings limit!
At least if they can keep this up for an other go-round, it should help get the pen situated.
Anyway, it feels strange to not have a game to watch tonight.
GB7 -
Trenton sent out an e-mail “boasting” of it’s consecutive win record at home and telling people to “come on out” spontaneously since it’s a nice night, weatherwise. Hope they didn’t jinx themselves!
Blake-
Do you think we stay with the Thames-Miranda platoon at DH once Jorge starts catching again, or do you think we will acquire someone ?
MTU,
I honestly don’t know. I think it may just depend on how Thames et al perform, how the trade market develops, and how many games they plan to catch Jorge. If Posada only is catching 1 or 2 games a week then they may just stick with what they have. It’ll be interesting to watch unfold.
Despite all the injuries and the slow starts, now at exactly the 1/3 mark, the Yankees are on pace to score 921 runs, which I believe is 8 more than last year.
Despite the bullpen blow-ups, they’re on pace to give up 648 runs, a staggering 105 less than 2009, when they won 103 games and lapped the field.
You have to try very, very hard to doubt the Yankees will win less than 100 games this year.
The Lakers are strong on the class and taking it inside. Good job.
I am so sick to my stomach because of nervousness.
THATS NOT A FOUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BULL****
That should be to the line for Kobe.
WOOOOO. STUFF RONDO!!! hahah
And no ****** FOUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BULL****!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And a cheap 2nd foul on Artest. This is just a ******* **** *** ******** JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All Pierce has to do is get breathed on by Artest, and it’s a ******** FOUL!
COME ON!
It’s just foul after foul on the Lakers. WHATS GOING ON HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think everyone knows what’s going on …
YES!!
oOOooooo, 3 fouls on Tony Allen in 5 minutes…Wowwwwww, what are they going to do without him!?!
There was no foul, come on!
Oh well. 2 fouls on Kobe, the best player on the planet. The 2nd was a gigantic flop by Pierce. Sickening. Nice end to the quarter, great hustle by Farmar.