Postgame notes: “I kind of deflated the team”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Sep 24, 2010 
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When CC Sabathia walked off the mound tonight, he wasn’t yelling at home plate umpire Andy Fletcher, but he was certainly having a conversation. Sabathia’s last pitch had been a bases-loaded walk that brought in the go-ahead run, and Sabathia wanted to know where it missed. It seemed even he couldn’t believe what had just happened.
“I thought it was a tough pitch,” he said. “But I went and looked at it and he made the right call. It was a ball.”
The Yankees took a two-run lead into the sixth inning, and had Sabathia on the mound. That’s usually a pretty good situation for the Yankees, but Sabathia just wasn’t good in that inning. His night fell apart in a big way, and the Yankees fell with him.
Joe Girardi pointed to the at-bats that came after the infield single that drove in the first run — “He started getting into long counts and that’s when he got into trouble,” Girardi said — but Sabathia didn’t seem happy about any part of that inning. The fact he walked the No. 9 hitter to let the Rays take the lead pretty much tells the story.
“Tonight I definitely felt bad because these guys battled and scratched some runs across, and I’m supposed to be able to go out there and put up some zeroes. I wasn’t able to do that in the sixth… I feel like I kind of deflated the team at that point.”
Here’s the bulk of Sabathia’s postgame. It was absolutely a case of not having a lot to ask the guy. He knew what happened. We knew what happened. There wasn’t much to be said.
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• Even more bizarre than Sabathia walking in a run? How about Javier Vazquez hitting three batters in a row, two of them with curveballs. It was in his first inning of work, and Vazquez was trying to prepare himself. “Coming in from the pen, I started the inning from the stretch,” he said. “That’s something that coming from the pen I was trying to work on, just working from the stretch every time out. After that I went to the windup again.”
• Girardi’s take on Vazquez: “Very uncharacteristic of Javy to have control problems like that. In all the years, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Javy like that. Just strange.” After that, Vazquez actually settled in and pitched pretty well.
• Vazquez is the first Yankee ever to hit three consecutive batters, and he’s the eighth major leaguer to do it. Jeff Weaver did it most recently with the Dodgers in 2004.
• The Yankees had the bases loaded in the fifth and again in the sixth. In the end. Might have been a different game if they’d taken advantage of either situation.
• Sabathia hasn’t been especially sharp in his two starts since that eight scoreless innings battle against David Price in Tampa Bay. Has Girardi seen any lasting impact from that game? “I know he threw about 120 pitches that game in Tampa, but not necessarily, no,” Girardi said. For what it’s worth, Sabathia said he physically felt good, just had a bad night.
• Jorge Posada was high on Sabathia. “I thought he did everything possible to give us the win,” Posada said.
• The big hit of the game was B.J. Upton’s double off Joba Chamberlain, who said he was trying to get Upton to roll over a fastball and hit the ball on the ground.
• Doubled checked with Brett Gardner after the game. He’s fine. Just got a day off against a lefty.
• Speaking of that day off, big day for his replacement Greg Golson who doubled off Price in the fifth inning and finished 2-for-4. Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano also had two hits.
• Derek Jeter has a 12-game hitting streak.
• Mark Teixeira was hitless in his last 19 at-bats before his third-inning double.
Associated Press photos of Sabathia on the mound and Marcus Thames with Cano
Big Al, thanks!
CC shouldn’t feel bad; he’s picked this team up time and time again. They didn’t do that for him tonight……………
Happy Birthday Betsy- my birthday as well…must be a good day for Yankee fans to be born..9/24
They should give Tex this series against Boston off. I am tired of watching him try and be the man and play with his finger injury. They have to sit him now and not later because as we know when he sits for a couple of days he loses his timing. So sit him now and then let him play against Toronto and Boston.
Betsy
Happy Birthday!!!
Hope everything goes well and you get your wish against the RED Sox.
Tough loss but I really didn’t expect more than a split of this series. Its all good, Yanks still control their own destiny.
Itishigh……….happy birthday! I love being born in September; it’s my favorite month – by far.
KPB, thanks! I’m not going to waste my birthday wish on the Yankees; I have something else in mind, lol
Don’t worry, Big Guy. They got your back. Even though it didn’t feel like it tonight.
Chad,
Are the rumors that CC was seen walking out of the clubhouse with a birthday gift true or false?
LOL it’s after midnight, so it IS our birthday……..yay!
Betsy
Even though talking to me is up there on the list
, a Yankees win isn’t bad either.
Doreen, thank you – have a good night!
KPB,
Happy Birthday Besty
Ugly loss. Bad taste. Stewing on this for a while.
I have no idea about a birthday gift. Or is that an inside joke and I’m missing it?
I can’t be to upset by CC, he’s done so much all year for us, that he seems a little tired. He was going well enough to keep us in the game, when he seemed to hit a wall. Javy, on the other hand, I was a little disappointed. He hit, I think, three batters in a row.
Carl, thanks! If I had a cake in front of me, I’d be blowing out an awful lot of candles……….
Betsy
Use an air horn, not only will it blow out all the candles, it will also alert the neighbors to bring you presents.
Happy Birthday Betsy.
I dont think it’s possible for CC to deflate the team. The guy has carried us on his back for 2 years. He’s owes no apology for not having it in a couple games recently.
I really don’t want to see Javy on the post-season roster……………of course if he’s in a game, it’s probably out of hand anyway
KPB, I try to be very unobtrusive, ,so no air horns, lol. I don’t even feel comfortable when people sing Happy Birthday to me!
CR, thanks!
Poor CC – I feel bad for him.
Happy Birthday Betsy!
Chad,
Was a joke. Was wondering if it was Joba’s birthday present.
What a crappy birthday for Joba.
Cash, thanks!!
Yeah, not the best of birthdays for the kid.
Betsy
Good thing you aren’t around my mom then. When someone says that, she will bring them out to dinner and everything seems fine. Then, all of a sudden, the wait staff appears and sings Happy Birthday at the top of their lungs.
KPB, lol. I just get very embarrassed and turn the color of a lobster, lol – especially if they did that at a restaurant. Still, your mom sounds cool………
Betsy – Sorry about insulting you yesterday. First and foremost, you are one of the least deserving posters on here of being insulted. Secondly, this is no excuse for my attacks, but I was very angry about the Edwards situation and the way he has been treated by Jets fans as well as the way the Steinbrenners have been treated for the way that they chose to honor the memory of their patriarch.
Well, this birthday girl needs her sleep.
Have a good night, all!
CR, that’s fine………….I have a thick skin, lol
Now CC is not the only one who is exhausted, lol………fortunately I’m not starting in a playoff game. Still, I need my sleep.
Actually Patrick the Yankees don’t control their own destiny. Not to win the Division anyways. World Series yes. Rays win out Yankees win out Rays win division on tiebreaker.
So its really “not all good.” Freaking frustrating last few weeks. Damn
Also, since I get that from her, I might have to lead the blog in a song during the day light hours. Just to make sure everyone can get in.
So what is the Rays’ schedule in the their last 3 series?
CR9
The O’s, Yankees, and Twins.
Goodnight all.
OT, anyone thinks shia labeouf is not a good cast as the new Charlie Sheen character in Wallstreet 2?
I’m starting to not like Mark Teixeira.
No 20 million dollar player should hit .250.
The shift is worrying me.
I pray this isn’t the start of a decline similar to the one we saw with Giambi.
Watching the Ted Williams Bio from HBO right now. Seeing Joe Dimaggio in a Red Sox uniform looks crazy.
http://blog.masslive.com/sport.....others.jpg
Says he wore it for 2 innings before his Yankee uniform arrived in an exhibition game against the Red Sox when the Sox won the pennant.
Did the Ted Williams bio mention the best part of his history?….. The guy in the lab that beat his frozen head in with a monkey wrench!!!
Cashmoney,
I totally agree. He looks like a little kid — probably always will. Leonardo Dicaprio is the same for me. I don’t buy him as an adult.
They should have cast a more macho guy in the Wall Street flick — at least one that’s 6 feet tall.
itishighitisfaritiscaught -
Happy Birthday to you, too. Enjoy your day.
Hope the Yankees can take 2 of 3 this weekend from Boston. It would be nice to clinch a playoff spot against the Sox.
good morning Doreen and Fran and any other early birds
tough loss, but today is a new day
IIRC Fran, didn’t the Yankees clinch and win their 100th game against the sox last year? in the same game?
Good morning all.
Kate,
I think you may be right. Well then it would be nice to clinch against them 2 years in a row
The only thing last night did was finalize the path the Yankees need to take the rest of the way.
Which is, back off CC, find a way to win two games this weekend, and spend the rest of the week resting the injured.
CC pitched like a tired guy last night.
Simply put, if he’s cooked, they are cooked.
So, shorten his work the final week and get him ready for Game 1 of the ALDS.
The division? That was effectively gone, even if they won last night, by punting too many games away in September.
You can’t have those mistakes back.
What you CAN do is, learn from those mistakes and manage the next 9 days intelligently.
Meaning, Priority #1, 2, and 3 is to make sure you handle CC correctly the rest of the way.
Doing it any other way is a fireable offense, IMO.
There are no great teams in the AL this year.
Despite all the fawning last night here on the Rays, they only split this series and still reside in second place.
If they were as great as Buster Olney and the children on here think they are, they would have already won the division.
You have 4 evenly matched teams heading into the post-season.
The key now is health and rest.
Is there a way to find a specific persons posts?
Say I want to find all of Chads posts without scrolling Through everything ?
Thnx
SJ is right. I don’t care how CC thinks he feels. His stuff has not been very good, for him, 4 or 5 starts now (yes, i realize he threw 8 shutout innings the other day). The guy looks tired. His FB velocity is way down. He mentioned the other day that after last nt’s start that he didnt want to pitch again until next weekend. I hope they were listening.
BTW, I’m not hammering CC about last night. The guy is allowed a bad game here and there. I’m just looking at the big picture.
It’ll be nice to clinch a playoff spot ASAP.
This season certainly has a different “vibe” to it and not just for the Yankees. I don’t see a team of “destiny” in the AL. Last season, with the Yankees, you could point to all those walk-off pies and say – “if this isn’t a sign, I don’t know what is.”
I don’t care about the walk-offs being fewer this season- a win is a win – though pies are fun. But this season has seemed like a lot more work than last year (even though I know they did struggle last season too) because there has not been the “pie” to balance off the tough losses. The wins seem to be “done deals.” They don’t stand out. I hope someone knows what I mean here, I feel like I’m rambling…
But the Rays don’t seem like a team a destiny, either; nor do the Rangers or even the Twins.
I don’t pay enough attention to the NL to say what’s going on over there.
If the Yankees do make it to the WS, it will feel more like a relief, though, and that’s not fair.
oops – forgot to say:
Good morning, all!
I didn’t even read SJ44′s post before I typed mine.
great minds think alike
Every season isn’t smooth.
Look at 2000 for example.
This is when having a veteran team helps.
They won’t be as suicidal as some of the fans are this AM.
It really is all about health and rest right now.
Hopefully, those two components can be adequately satisfied over the next 9-10 days.
After that, everybody starts at 0-0.
Abe Peterham -
On my Mac, I use command+F to “find” and type in the name of the person whose posts I want to read. On the PC, it’s control+F.
Yeah, in the post-game, they seemed disappointed, but not distraught. Which I think is appropriate. I felt bad for CC, though. I think of all people Kelly Shoppach worries him – he’s had a fair amount of success against CC – and I think he pitched him too carefully last night.
However, once again, one well-placed hit makes this a different game in each of two innings. BUT, I think in this case, it is not inappropriate to tip your cap to David Price. You could see him dialing it up, especially in the 5th when the score was still close. They didn’t stand a chance. He’s some young pitcher.
Let’s see if Joe sees fit to skip CC’s next start – somehow I don’t think he will.
The Yankees had several opportunities this year, not just on that road trip, to separate themselves from the Rays. They couldn’t do it because they are not much better, if they are better, than that team. Same thing for the Rays – who haven’t been playing great either.
This is going to be an interesting off-season for the Yankees; they have some work to do.
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....z10RocSxCz
“I felt good out there,” Vazquez said. “I just left those two curveballs out there. I didn’t finish them right. That stuff happens.
“You know what? Sincerely, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.”
************
Right, Javy…………..sheesh. I hope he does not make the post-season roster.
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....z10RocSxCz
“I felt good out there,” Vazquez said. “I just left those two curveballs out there. I didn’t finish them right. That stuff happens.
“You know what? Sincerely, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.”
************
Right, Javy…………..sheesh. I hope he does not make the post-season roster.
Happy Bithday Betsy
You don’t skip his next start, you shorten it.
You skip him, you take him off his routine and that isn’t good.
Just throw him an easy 4 innings and go from there.
They don’t have a lot of work to do in the off-season.
It’s still a very good team.
Look at the ENTIRE year to date.
It’s September 24 and they are still in first place.
If they have a lot to do, then the teams behind them have even more work to do.
Kate, thanks!
Doreen,
You should start paying attention to the NL. There clearly is a team of destiny this year, and it resides in Philadelphia.
The Phillies are a MUCH better team than we faced last year.
Ok, then that’s fine – shorten his next outing (and the one after that). As you said, without CC, we’re toast.
I think they have many question marks in their lineup, though granted there isn’t much you can do about them. I think Jeter will be ok, but who knows? Alex? If he’s healthy, he’s fine, but will he remain healthy? Tex is missing for much of the season. I think Granderson is huge – he has to be good next year. Posada? Can he stay healthy and remain productive? We need a new BUC, that’s for sure – a BUC who’s going to play a lot. I have looked at the entire year – and for most of the year, most of our lineup has had a down year.
I won’t go into the pitching, suffice to say that if Lee’s back is ok, he’s necessity. However, the back thing scares me.
A team of destiny? I don’t buy it. If they win, it’s because they are the best team, not because they are fated to.
Yet, their starting lineup is better than just about every team.
I don’t expect Cashman to do much tweaking with the position player roster. However, the starting staff will have a different look to it.
Cashman’s big decision beyond Lee is what to do with DH and catching.
Is it safe to come in here?
I wasn’t around last night. Disappointing loss for sure but CC just can’t have it every night and he is sure to be fatigued by now. If the Yanks don’t win the division then it certainly won’t be because of CC Sabathia….actually they would probably be in third place and missing the playoffs all together without him.
I was hoping they could get 3 of 4 and give themselves a cushion for the division but now its all about getting ready for the postseason. You make that the priority but still try and play well and hope some teams play spoiler against the Rays (the O’s and Royals aren’t going to be pushovers). I’d give CC the option of skipping or shortening his next start….tell him we are doing one or the other and let him decide. He’ll probably choose to pitch and you limit him to 5 innings or 70 pitches or so…
Yanks can still win the division but that has to come 2nd now….start by taking care of Boston this weekend.
Hopefully Lee………..if his back is ok. That would be the big change; if Andy retires, I’d go and sign a veteran rather than giving that spot to Nova or some other rookie.
If Pettitte retires and they’re able to sign Lee then I would definitely have a competition set up with some younger pitchers for that 5th spot including another chance for Joba except his offseason conditioning needs to be addressed.
His back was a muscular thing. That’s nothing.
Lee has been lights out since he has been back.
They don’t have as many question marks as you think. No more than any other team and a LOT less than others.
Boston has bigger question marks and so does Tampa.
Let’s see how Tampa is next year without Crawford, Pena and Soriano AND a 20% payroll reduction in 2011.
Yankee fans want surety. There is no surety in sports.
There is however perspective and when you have it, and examine the issues the other teams have to face this off-season, the Yankees have FAR less issues than the other teams in the AL East.
I have been following the NL teams a bit more than usual, b/c there have been some exciting races, and the AL contenders have been set for awhile. Much as I hate to admit it, I think the Phillies will be the NL champs. I have enjoyed watching the NL west dogfight. I thought the Braves were a lock early on…after all they have WS good luck charm Hinske! My sentimental favorite is the Reds. I have a soft spot for Miguel Cairo and Bronson Arroyo. I also like Johnny Gomes. I know he is a thug, but he has been thru some hard times, both growing up and health issues.
However, I think the WS champ will be from the AL…and I certainly think it will be the Yankees
Happy Birthday, Betsy. Hope you have a great day.
Agreed that the Phils will be very tough. Still have that same potent offense but this time they have Halladay, Oswalt and a rejuvenated Cole Hamels in their rotation. It is always hard to gauge how good NL teams are but I would say at this point the Phils would have to be the World Series favorites.
Of course, as we know, anything can happen in baseball….
From Sherman this morning: “Anyone left who thinks Vazquez should make the postseason roster over Ivan Nova is doing so why? Vazquez has shown complete fear of both his diminished stuff and the big stage. Nova — albeit in a limited major league look — has shown above-average stuff and no fear.”
I think I agree.. Thoughts?
Blake, I agree with that…………..I much prefer to win the division as I think there’s a real honor to being the best team in a divison, but at this point I think the Yankees just have to get in and hope they get hot.
Betst,
You are right. Destiny has nothing to do with it.
But, Halladay, Oswalt and the effective version of Hamels do.
So here we go, 9 game sprint to the finish line….OR, as we have heard WAY too much of, 9 games that we really are going to “mail it in” so we can be “rested” to fight though the “slight” (what a joke) disadvantage of having NO HFA in ANY SERIES we play. Hopefully the sheer “dislike” the players have for the BoSux and yes, even the Jays, will overcome managements desire to be silly…..One last crazy prediction……8-1 over the last 9 games and we win 100 and GET that HFA ! WooHoo ! Is it time for a beer yet ???
RSM -
I don’t know. I think Philly is just a good team that got off to a rough start. Now, over in the west, maybe one of those teams, but I don’t know. SF? SD? Colorado? Or will it just be the survival of the fittest? The Reds in the central? I know people are happy about them and they overtook the Cardinals.
But I’m not plugged into the excitement factor over there in that other league.
I just know it’s not the Mets.
SJ,
I agree with you last post except Lee lost last night to Oakland and was clearly outpitched by Braden.
JM, thanks!
I don’t want Javy anywhere near the post-season. I don’t think Nova is a lock to be good, but his stuff is a lot better………….I think he has to be on the post-season roster.
RSM, well that’s not destiny. The Phillies are probably the best team out there, NL or AL…………..but they still have to play the games.
Since it’s Betsy’s birthday, I won’t be able to start an argument with her today.
I think Javy may have pitched himself off the postseason roster last night.
Blake-
I was hoping for 3 of 4 too.
CC gave it everything he had. Last night it just wasn’t enough. I garee that he seems tired. Rest is in order.
The offense missed out on numerous opportunities but you have to give some credit to Price. He really bucked it up when he had to.
If a few things broke out in another way earlier on things might have turned out differently.
Bottom line is to clinch a PO spot ASAP and go from there.
Craw, I wouldn’t simply because I think the rotation is too top heavy. I’m going to leave Phil out of this…………..so then you’re talking about AJ, who we have no idea if he’s going to be better than he was this year, and a #5.
Craw, I wouldn’t simply because I think the rotation is too top heavy. I’m going to leave Phil out of this…………..so then you’re talking about AJ, who we have no idea if he’s going to be better than he was this year, and a #5.
To me, that’s too much uncertainty.
I am not tied to the Joba as a starter theory, but given the #s I posted yesterday and how close they are (from 2009) to what Phil has done, I could see giving him another crack. The thing is, though, he’s just not in good shape and I don’t trust him.
Don
I love your predictions…hope they come true!
Craw, you can start an argument with me – why should today be any different, lol? We can disagree without getting into an argument anyway.
Betsy,
I disagree and I’ll leave it at that except to say that if the New York Yankees are ever going to develop starting pitching then they need to continue to do what they did with Hughes next season and the season ever after that.
Hi, Betsy – Happy Birthday!
I’m glad Lee’s back is ok…………now I expect the Yankees, the minute they can, to just not hold back and make an all out push to sign Lee ASAP.
“We can disagree without getting into an argument anyway.”
No comment!
Hi Chuck – thanks!
Craw, then they could be compromising their year if they do that.
Ok fine – there’s nothing to discuss anyway as we aren’t even on the same page.
Later.
Betsy-
Happy 21st BDay. Have a great day.
I can understand why a lot of posters are down right now because the Yankees have lost a lot of games lately that they could have easily won. However, with that said, make it to the playoffs and everything starts all over again.
CC himself said he’d like to not pitch again until Oct 1. That would line him up to be on normal rest for the 1st game of the playoffs. He said that too much rest heading into that game would be bad for him. So he’d rather have the extra days off between last night and 10/1.
The Yankees didn’t lose the division and HFA last night. They lost it by pi$$ing away games that should have been won in August and September.
Nova should absolutely be on the post season roster. After the 4 starters and Mo, he’s their best pitcher.
Next season we get Lee and Montero.
And kudos to Thames and Golson. They both had important hit’s last night.
I want to see Golson again.
Betsy,
Happy Bday!
MTU,
Agreed. Lining up for the playoffs is #1 now. However, I don’t the the division is as much of a foregone conclusion as some. The Rays haven’t exactly been world beaters lately and the O’s and Royals will battle them tough (especially since they have 4 in KC)…the odds would probably be in Tampa’s favor but stranger things have happened…beating up on Boston accomplishes all good things
“Ok fine – there’s nothing to discuss anyway as we aren’t even on the same page.”
You and I are rarely on the same page, but I still disagree about the 5th spot next year as long as Cliff Lee is signed and Hughes becomes the pitcher I expect him to be next year.
Blake-
You may be right. Who knows.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t disappointed but you have to move on.
You have no choice but to turn the page.
Just because something isn’t easy doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
“beating up on Boston accomplishes all good things
” Amen to THAT,,,,how about going 6-0 against them to finish out the season….wouldn’t THAT be sweet ???
I would much rather see Golson than Kearns. While Kearns should hit better than Golson (he may not) Golson’s better defense is much more of a lock and his pinch runnng ability is more valuable. Golson must be on the postseason roster. Oh and so does Ring (we need a 2nd lefty)
if boston sweeps the yankees this series the lead is only 3 with 6 to go and if they loose 2 out of 3 to toronto the final 3 games in boston will be gerardis last games as manager.girardi over manages he has done it all year.he was a good pick when torre left but he is not the right guy with this bunch.jeter has had a terrible year at bat and in the field but girardi has kept him at 1 or 2 in the lineup all year.if offered he should jump at the cubs job.a nice replacement for him would be tony pena.