Postgame notes: An ugly game ends pretty
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes on Jun 24, 2010 
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For eight innings Wednesday night, the Yankees played an awful game of baseball. It was hard to watch, and it sounds like it was frustrating to play, but in the end, the Yankees had the best closer in baseball and that seemed to make the difference.
“Him and Pettitte, guys like that, I don’t think there’s (another) human on the planet that could get out of that jam like Mo,” Alex Rodriguez said.
With the bases loaded and no outs in the 10th — and with the big screen in Phoenix showing images of 2001 World Series hero Luis Gonzalez — Rivera induced two popups before striking out Mark Reynolds to end it. Rivera had also pitched the ninth, and he went to the plate in the top of the 10th for only the fourth at-bat of his career.
“You have to show your character, be confident and make your pitches,” he said.
After a series of missed opportunities, Rodriguez tied the game with a sac fly in the ninth and Curtis Granderson gave the Yankees the lead a lead-off home run in the 10th. In the end, though, the night belonged to Rivera.
“Only he can get out of that,” Javier Vazquez said. “Believe it. We were talking about it. He’s like Iceman out there. It really is unbelievable. We have so much confidence in him.”
• Joe Girardi was unwilling to use Rivera in a tied game on the road earlier this season. The difference this time was that he was willing to let his closer pitch two innings for the first time all season. “Knowing that he hasn’t pitched in a few days and knowing that we have a day off tomorrow,” Girardi said. “We hadn’t used him in a few days, so I figured I’d try to get two innings out of him if I had to.”
• In the top of the 10th, Girardi had Ramiro Pena loosening like a pinch hitter and had Boone Logan getting warm in the bullpen, but both were decoys. There was never a thought of not leaving Rivera in for the 10th.
• That was Granderson’s second 10th-inning home run of the year. I’m sure you remember the first against Boston. “I’d rather finish up in the ninth inning if I can,” Granderson said.
• Granderson and Brett Gardner were the only Yankees with more than one hit. Granderson had three.
• Terrible base-running by the Yankees. Nick Swisher was picked off, Rodriguez was doubled off and Mark Teixeira was caught stealing third on what looked like a hit-and-run in the first inning. “Let’s just say there were some missed signs and leave it at that,” Girardi said.
• Girardi called the Yankees “fortunate” to win. Someone asked if a game like this left any time to address the early inning struggles — before Rodriguez’s sac fly, the Yankees had 19 base runners and had scored only four of them — “Those were addressed,” Girardi said. “They were addressed early too.”
• The Yankees also botched a play in the bottom of the first when they should have gotten two outs, settled for one, and the Diamondbacks took advantage for two runs. “We gave them two outs,” Girardi said. “And they tried to give us two outs.”
• It wasn’t all bad news: Joba Chamberlain was back in the upper-90s a few times, Dave Robertson threw a scoreless inning and Colin Curtis’s second major league hit drove in the tying run in the sixth.
• Teixeira has hit safely in 13 of his past 15 games, batting .304 in that stretch.
• Rivera had retired 24 consecutive hitters before allowing a single to Stephen Drew in the 10th. That’s a career-best streak for Mo.
Associated Press photos of Granderson after the home run and Rodriguez being doubled off at first.
I was at the game with my father. What a great game!! At least 75% Yankee fans @ Chase field. 45000+ attendance, which is about 3x a normal Dbacks game this year… GO YANKS & FIRST!!!!!!
I only followed the game online, so I don’t share the disdain others have expressed. I’ll take an ugly win anyday because there are no style points. Only in baseball can you play like @&$) and emerge smelling like roses. We’ve lost enough well-played games to make up for this one. As long as the players take something away from this, that’s all we can ask.
Another win, another series. Good job.
just saw Rockies highlights. Wonderful turn of events.
Giambino helping us with a littlle breathing room. Boston 3 back in the L column.
Meanwhile in the twilight zone, with the conclusion of today’s friars/rays game they now have the same record. Amazing.
Funny how Phitins is gone now that Betsy is back. Farking beyotch. Go away again and never come back.
Still can’t believe Mo got out of that last night, well actually I can believe it but still impressive anyway.
The talk on Justin Upton last night was true…he’s has unreal talent and blinding bat speed. Wouldn’t mind seeing him in pinstripes either one day…just not when he’s 35.
Also regarding Jeter, some folks need to just cool it with him. This isn’t the first time he’s struggled in his career. Doesn’t mean he’s finished or washed up or has permanently changed his approach…just means he’s not seeing the ball well and is struggling…the last DP ball was a rocket right at the 3B…could have easily found a hole. When he struggles it is frustrating to watch because he hits a lot of ground balls and makes weak outs…but as I said its not the first time and he will come out of it.
Rockies and Padres going for the sweeps tonight.
The headline sums up my thoughts about the game, an ugly win. I will confess I didn’t watch the whole game, these west coast trips are killer. I watched the beginning, and then this am, watched the end. It isn’t the problems w/ RISP that bother me, it is the sloppy base running, and letting bad pitchers off the hook (altho I did feel horrible watching D-train)
Happy birthday to Phil Hughes!!
is this Phil’s champagne birthday? 24 on the 24th
Mo is beyond great, but this game underscored that you can’t have three relievers (Park, Gaudin, Logan) who you are so bad that you are afraid to use them in a close game v. a bad team.
Blake, it goes beyond nitpicking with Jeter. People calling him stupid/mean nicknames like “Captain DP” make me sick.
Happy birthday to the old man, Phil Hughes!
Gaudin and Logan are not late inning relievers and where would Park have come in?
Albaladejo has been pitching great for SWB. River Avenue Blues has a recent article of him throwing mid-90s four seamers and changing himself from a sinker-slider pitcher to a power pitcher. Although I cringe thinking about his spring training, perhaps he is worth yet another try.
This guy Mariano Rivera starts his career off going 0 for 4? Can you say bust? Jeez kid, go back to AAA and learn to hit
Jesus….The board has some idiot that gets on the board at 7:00 AM just to show the world that he’s a jack ass, and another one complaining because the win wasn’t artistic enough to suit him.
NYYs just picked up 2 games on every team in the division in 3 days and it’s not good enough. He wants it to be pretty, too.
NYYs just picked up 2 games on every team in the division in 3 days and it’s not good enough.
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I keep forgetting that the rest of the division went winless on Tuesday and Wednesday. That’s pretty awesome, a little breathing room!
“Gaudin and Logan are not late inning relievers and where would Park have come in?”
In an extra inning games, relief roles become fungible as every reliever becomes a late inning reliever. If the Yankees didn’t score in the 10th (or of the D’backs scored one run), one of those guys was coming in.
If you think it’s OK to have 3 of 7 relievers who stink on a team with a $200m payroll, fine. I don’t.
Park should be DFA’d for starters.
Betsy,
If the game did go to the 11th I would be more than happy to see Logan and Gaudin could enter in the 12th anticipating a long man.
Park sitting in the pen is more than a blessing at this point.
Too bad that LoHud can’t DFA some posters.
How many CF in baseball can change a game with one swing of the bat like Granderson can?
Rich, wow…………I never said that and if you had read any of my posts, you’d have seen that I don’t trust anyone in that pen except for Mo.
Yeah, DFA the most offensive fool here, GB7.
this is too cool:
http://itsabout.server304.com/.....5;1024.jpg
Betsy
My bad. Then we agree, except I trust Robertson and even Joba, except on a shorter leash.
Guilty conscience, Little Rickie? BaBa LOOO!!!
“If you think it’s OK to have 3 of 7 relievers who stink on a team with a $200m payroll, fine. I don’t.”
Sorry, who did you prefer in the offseason?
GB7
No, I just think you’re a jerk, and you gave me an opportunity to say it. Thanks for that.
Rishi, that would make for a great poster for fans and a really nice background for the computer.
Rich, no problem.
Robertson is ok; I guess I semi-trust him, but I’m not sure that I fully trust him yet. Joba? He’s looked good twice in a row, but he makes me skittish for now. The pen is awful – Cashman needs another arm or two, but then he also needs a real DH.
# Patrick June 24th, 2010 at 8:19 am
This guy Mariano Rivera starts his career off going 0 for 4? Can you say bust? Jeez kid, go back to AAA and learn to hit
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I don’t know. Shouldn’t we give Rivera a chance? He looks promising. I think he is actually 0-3 with a walk and a RBI.
I’m pretty young but isn’t it Little Richie not Rickie?
“Sorry, who did you prefer in the offseason?”
I don’t believe in acquiring relievers. Most are fungible, and their performances are usually quite variable.
With that in mind:
I want Melancon to be given an extended opportunity to fail. Park took his spot.
I like Mitre. He’s on the DL, so that’s Gaudin’s spot.
They can afford one reliever who stinks, so if that’s Logan for now, fine.
GreenBeret7 June 24th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Rishi, that would make for a great poster for fans and a really nice background for the computer.
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it’s already mine
The blog is really getting out of hand. People posing as other people, constant negative posting, obserd trade conversations, trolls being around far too long and a general lack of authority.
The blog has seen better days.
I’ve never denied being a bit of a jerk at times, to those that deserve it….like trolls and the constant whiners. The difference between you and me is that I can admit it. You spend your time on here trying to impress everyone with your self-inflated ego, trying to prove that you’re smarter than everyone. Uou’re not.
Rishi June 24th, 2010 at 8:37 am
GreenBeret7 June 24th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Rishi, that would make for a great poster for fans and a really nice background for the computer.
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it’s already mine
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I’ll save the page, but, how can I replace Ann-Margret?
yikes, I hope no one thinks I am whining or being negative…it was an ugly win but I will take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day
Sometimes the ugly ones show more about the team’s character, pulling it together when it counts.
GB7
“The difference between you and me is that I can admit it. You spend your time on here trying to impress everyone with your self-inflated ego, trying to prove that you’re smarter than everyone. Uou’re not.”
The difference between you and me is that I don’t think that something is true just because I type it on a message board.
If you read all my post and were willing to acknowledge reality, I have posted that I have been wrong tons of times.
But alas, reality is tough to grasp for some.
I don’t know. Shouldn’t we give Rivera a chance? He looks promising. I think he is actually 0-3 with a walk and a RBI.
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You’re right we should. I forgot about the walk and RBI but maybe thats because the stupid manager refuses to play Rivera! We need to play our youngsters and get them more experience at the plate. Geez Girardi when will you wake up?
Oh and I forgot to mention constant arguments between grown men and women through wires and Lcd screens.
It’s like an elementary playground in here at times. You have whiners, bullies, annoying children and chaos. Grow up people.
upstate kate June 24th, 2010 at 8:42 am
yikes, I hope no one thinks I am whining or being negative…it was an ugly win but I will take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day Sometimes the ugly ones show more about the team’s character, pulling it together when it counts.
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Exactly. Pettitte and Hughes have lost or not gotten credit for too many pretty losses this year. Both should be on 13-1 records right now. That’s how well they’ve pitched.
GreenBeret7 June 24th, 2010 at 8:39 am
Rishi June 24th, 2010 at 8:37 am
GreenBeret7 June 24th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Rishi, that would make for a great poster for fans and a really nice background for the computer.
————————–
it’s already mine
???????????????????????????????????????-
I?ll save the page, but, how can I replace Ann-Margret
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I guess we all have our priorities…I took down that painting of the world series win that was posted here before and put this one up…it just feels right
Here’s my take on last night.
Boston lost.
TB lost.
We won.
# Patrick June 24th, 2010 at 8:44 am
I don’t know. Shouldn’t we give Rivera a chance? He looks promising. I think he is actually 0-3 with a walk and a RBI.
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You’re right we should. I forgot about the walk and RBI but maybe thats because the stupid manager refuses to play Rivera! We need to play our youngsters and get them more experience at the plate. Geez Girardi when will you wake up?
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Seriously. C’mon Girardi let the kid play!
Actually, Hughes should “only” be 12-1.
I think Granderson last night showed just how dynamic he can be when he gets going right. He was a real bright spot (along with Mo) in an otherwise sloppy game. 3 hits, a game winning homer, a sb. He has very quietly come up big in a few spots this year. Once he gets on a role I think he can be a major difference to this team.
The problem with Melancon is, he has not pitched well this year. He’s struggled in AAA since he was sent down and throwing strikes consistently is the biggest problem.
Park’s biggest problem is his second inning of work. It seems that’s when he gets lit up.
I think he’s best utilized in one inning bursts.
No team has 7 relief pitchers on the roster you trust. If you have 3, counting your closer, you are fortunate.
The rest are what they are….inconsistent contributors.
LGY June 24th, 2010 at 8:28 am
How many CF in baseball can change a game with one swing of the bat like Granderson can?
Any who have some power? Adam Jones? Torii Hunter? Kemp? Hell, Mike Cameron, if he gets a hold of one? Nate McLouth? Or to rephrase, any who have some power and can hit a soft NL reliever? Good for Curtis, but not so unique or special.
Rishi June 24th, 2010 at 8:46 am
Rishi, that would make for a great poster for fans and a really nice background for the computer.
————————–
it’s already mine
???????????????????????????????????????-
I?ll save the page, but, how can I replace Ann-Margret
****************************
I guess we all have our priorities…I took down that painting of the world series win that was posted here before and put this one up…it just feels
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I guess Annie just doesn’t do the same thing for you as she does for me, Rishi. You’ll just have to suffer.
So who does Girardi bring along to the ASG?
I think Swish, Pettitte, Hughes, and Mo deserve to be there if not voted in. Maddon took his team with him, why not Joe?
Melancon pitched well at AAA until his recent demotion. He has never been given an extended shot here.
Park is Latroy Hawkins Part II.
No other team has a $200m payroll.
Bouncing from 2nd and 7th in the batting order, Granderson can put up 20-25 homers, 20+ steals and 75 RBI with a .270-.275 BA. That’s more than enough production from a center fielder. NYYs haven’t seen center field production like that since Bernie Williams in the early 2000s. Add in solid defense and that’s quite a package of talent. He’ll get a full year with Long and by next season, he could easily put up career highs.
New thread >>>>>>
After seeing how Papelbon coughed up 2 runs of a game they were ahead in, Mo is even more impressive!
Last night Mariano returned to the place that cost him one of the worst blown saves of his career, 2001 WS. This time all the drama was there, but Mariano gave the snakes a new memory to fixate on for the next few years.
Tonight beantown plays to save face, and avoid the sweep, funny !
“Oh and I forgot to mention constant arguments between grown men and women through wires and Lcd screens. ”
Ahahahahahahaha.. *breathe*..ahahahahahahaha!
Melancon has allowed 11 earned runs and 13 total in 20 MLB innings and he’s been inconsistant for the last two months. 4.40 ERA in May and in June until his last 6 games. Let us know when he’s “earned it”.
Yeah Green Beret, Betsy trolls this board for 10 days like never before, and it’s the one who calls her on it that is a jackass. Nice.