Postgame notes: “It’s a lot better feeling in that clubhouse”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Sep 27, 2010 
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My ride to the airport is picking me up in less than five hours, so I’m probably going to make this one pretty quick.
The magnitude of tonight’s game more or less speaks for itself. The Yankees made it clear they wanted and needed to win when they tabbed Phil Hughes to start on fewer than 24 hours notice. There was already panic from the fan base, but there was suddenly urgency from the team itself.
Hughes could hardly have been better. Alex Rodriguez hit perhaps his biggest home run of the year. The rest of the bullpen picked up Mariano Rivera. Eduardo Nunez stole third base to change the complexion of the ninth. Juan Miranda had the green light to swing away at a 3-1 pitch in the 10th, but watched the game-winning ball four sail inside.
“That’s a really big win for us,” Joe Girardi said. “We still want to win our division, we still want to get home-field advantage, and we’re fighting like crazy to do that. But it’s a lot better feeling in that clubhouse tonight than it has been lately, that’s for sure.”
Here’s Girardi’s postgame.
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• Ever seen an MVP candidate serve as nothing more than translator for a September call-up? It happened tonight when Miranda was surrounded by reporters and asked Robinson Cano to help him out. Miranda will speak broken English to a small group, but a crowd makes a little more nervous. “Every player’s dream,” he said. “Just come in and get a chance in a big situation like that and do the job.”
• Girardi on why he stuck with Miranda: “We still had things we could have done. I could have put Berkman at first. I could have put Posada at first. Okajima can be tough on right-handers too, and Juan Miranda is a guy that can get a fly ball and we felt comfortable with him in that situation.”
• Nunez was running on his own. “I give guys the green light,” Girardi said. “I tell them, if they can get the bag, get the bag because it puts pressure on people.” Would Girardi have sent Nunez? Girardi kind of hesitated and said, “It just worked out well.” Fair enough.
• Rodriguez has four home runs in his past eight at-bats. He’s suddenly one away from another 30-homer season, something that seemed literally impossible earlier this year.
• To be perfectly honest, when Rodriguez drew the walk in the ninth, I was already working on a paragraph about his second home run of the game. I wanted to be ready if he hit a walk-off, and he’s been so hot I really believed he was going to do it.
• Cano is hitting .611 with 25 RBI with the bases loaded this season. His bases-loaded single tied the game after the Rodriguez walk in the ninth.
• Rivera has now blown three of his past six save opportunities. He’s allowed a run in three straight appearances, the second time he’s done that this year. “I don’t think it’s anything I have to adjust,” he said. “It’s nothing that I have to do. I have to get them out, definitely, but it’s just making the pitches. It happens.”
• As for the four stolen bases against Rivera in the ninth, Girardi put it pretty simply: “They got some good jumps off Mo,” he said. Rivera on the stolen bases: “I got there and all of a sudden there are guys on base and guys running all over the place.”
• Rodriguez on Daisuke Matsuzaka: “I’ve never seen Matsuzaka throw the ball as well and sharp as he threw it tonight.”
• Hughes on leaving with a 1-0 deficit: “I figured I didn’t pitch well enough to win us this ball game. Matsuzaka was tremendous, but you kind of had a feeling we could push across a run. We just needed to get out of that jam that I put us in.”
• A lot of credit also to Dave Robertson for getting out of that jam. Robertson getting out of the seventh, “was a big turning point for us,” Hughes said.
• Hughes might not have said it, but all of the Yankees seemed to know and appreciate how very good he was tonight. In a huge playoff type start, he gave the Yankees their longest outing since his previous start, and did it after finding out late last night that he was starting. “It’s not like the four days in between you’re zeroed in on your next start,” he said. “I had plenty of time to mentally prepare for it.”
• Hughes hasn’t been told whether he’ll pitch again this season.
• We’ll give the last word to Rodriguez, who seemed to think back to Greg Golson’s throw in Tampa when talking about Miranda’s walk tonight in the Bronx. “Whoever would have through in February that Golson and Juan Miranda down the stretch would help us win two big playoff-atmosphere-type games,” he said.
• I didn’t do a very good job of making this quick. See you all in Toronto.
Associated Press photos of Miranda’s mob, Teixeira with Rodriguez and Hughes coming out of the game.
Mo has gotten a small strike zone alot recently and you never hear him say something about the umps or make excuses. I remember against Baltimore when Luke Scott hit the homerun the 1st pitch was a strike but called a ball and Mo didn’t want to get behind more so he got too much of the plate on the next pitch and Scott hit the homerun. But Mo takes it like a man and wouldn’t whine like that fool does.
Hey Kev , wassup! I would equate this prolong drag out of clinching situation in the last week to worrying about being sucked out with 1 outer. You still sweat a little bit when you have 10 G riding on it. I am glad it’s almost over!
Thanks, Chad. Have a good trip. I dare one of you writers to switch out Bautista’s syringes.
We won a game??!?!?!
I dare one of you writers to switch out Bautista’s syringes.
——
Put a laxative in there instead of the usual stuff he has been taking lol
Cash- pretty good analogy. But I’d sweat the one outer even more. Cards don’t care about u, when ur running bad or running good. The yanks on the other hand- too much talent to choke away that lead. Although maybe with how cash and girardi handled it they misplayed their hand a little and put themselves in a tougher spot. Their hand will still hold up though.
Beat writer humor.
Question: What do you call a new computer program that combines You Tube, Twitter and Facebook?
Answer: YouTwitFace
Good point , kev.
I was thinking the other night. The most common and helpless situation in poker is when you have to sweat out you opponent’s flush draws. That situation occurs so often in lower limits.
Watching Disturbia. I like Shia in this movie. Any reviews on Wall Street?
Nick,
Burger time!!!!
M i am going to see it tomorrow. I think they miscasted Shia in WS2.
Man, flush draws are one of the most overplayed hands out there. Ppl will push cuz they just say to themselves they have outs no matter what and they’re afraid of not getting paid off if they just call and hit. I’ve gotten better w just trying to get my money in with the best and not worry about what happens after that- out of my hands.
Chad — Thanks for taking the time to give us a wonderful post-game summary online. Hope you aren’t too tired tomorrow, but let’s face it: you will be. Maybe the adrenaline will keep you fresh.
GREAT game. Nice that so many helped in the win. That always contributes to a great feeling in the clubhouse.
HUGHES has some moxy. Love him.
Cashmoney — you should skip it. Shia stinks up the joint.
Can’t discount Cano’s single in the 9th was huge. Couldn’t capitalize after that, but it was you know who big.
Well, you got 39 percent chance to hit after the flop, but in no limit ppl would push it in like the odds are on their side. Of course you call it but it’s also one of these situations once you made the correct probability call , you still have to sweat it out, even if you flop the set.
Or was it the 10th?
correction , in low NL ppl would.
No burger for Boone Logan.
Goodnight.
I figure as well, was Douglas any good, he is kinda made for the Gekko role.
Cash, yeah but the thing is you can’t be too results oriented as to what happens after that… I used to really struggle with bad beats and sweating cards but you just have to try to make the right decision every time, that’s all u can control…
Douglas was fine, but Shia looks like a little boy playing a grown-up. Ugh. It just wasn’t Wall Street. It’s tough to make a follow-up, I’ll give ‘em that.
Doreen September 27th, 2010 at 12:23 am
Wow, trisha, now I feel awful that I didn’t tune in. Especially since I JUST realized there won’t be a replay!!!!!! Darn it.
I was expecting to watch the replay.
——————————–
Doreen it’s probably already been answered. But the ESpn 2 airs the replay of the game. It’s on now.
Agree Kev, I was just thinking that’s by far the most common situation where ppl shove all in low NL. @ 2/5 at borgata , there are still tons of fish who makes that move , which it really shouldn’t be because you can make some serious dough in that .
NO, I will never get Shia confuse with Michael Milken
I will go see simply because I was a big fan of WS1 , I be that sucker.
Cash I’ve all but decided when I finish up school I’m moving back to jersey or ny. Keep the borgata fish stories coming. It will be fun to get in a casino for once, I lose fire playing online so much. There was talk about legalizing gambling and casions in texas but it never happened. Being close to the yankees and then being able to play in AC is very appealing to me…. plus its near where I grew up. Well ill see u around here dude, gonna watch my dvr’d eastbound and down and then hit the hay.
Meh to TX and online , it’s a different feel to play live. The characters there have narratives to themselves. It’s the way to go ! Later dude, g’night.
So with this win, they’ve gone another season without being swept in a 3 game series at home? Pretty impressive.
I never understood why we got Berkman only to hit against righties, DH & 1B when Miranda could’ve done the same with a higher ceiling than Berkman.
I hope the Yankees stick with Thames as DH regardless of the SP and drop Gaudin from the roster.
My remote control was busy last night between the Yankees and the Jets.
Huge win for the Yankees. Now the magic number is 1 and the panic alert is over.
Catch you all later.
Good morning.
So, my morning Star Ledger has the story of the game. On the front page of the sports section they do report that the Yankees won, however in the story continuation on page 38, it seems that the article they were continuing was the article that was submitted after the top of the 10th.
The split came within the paragraph which talked about Mariano giving up the two runs in the top of the ninth. The following paragraph beings:
“In extending their losing streak to a season high five games, the Yanks (92-64) remained 1-1/2 games behind first place Tampa in the AL East and just 4-1/2 ahead of surging Boston for the wild card with their magic number holding steady at 3 with six games to play.”
Then the article goes on to talk about the decision to start Hughes.
Someone didn’t proof read I guess.
I DVR’d the replay, so I’ll watch it later this morning. Shoulda DVR’d the actual game though, because the replay is only 2 hours. How do you cut a 4-hour game?????
good morning early birds
glad this series is over!!! Usually the Yankees/red sox series are my favorite games to watch, but this one was stressful. I didn’t pay attention to baseball earlier in the day and was happily surprised to see Phil pitching…what a great job he did
I should mention that the story in the Star Ledger was courtesy the Daily News.
Good win, tough win, but I’m still concerned nonetheless about our playoff chances. Arod and Hughes saved this game… I hope he gets his 30 hr’s. It would be fitting. I asked about that 30-100 way back in August/September when he had his calf injury and other stuff going on but he’s been really great lately. He deserves it. I hope he can carry it through to and through the post season.
I think Phil exects perfection; he was more than good enough to win – and nevermind about the 2 men on base that he put on (thank you, D-Rob!), he was terrific.
M, my parents loved Wall Street 2. The Newsday gave it 1 star, lol, but that seems out of line with other reviews (granted I only know about the NY Times, who gave it a much better write up).
Miranda, unlike Jorge, put together a terrific at bat; good for him – as I read somewhere else, he also had the last walk off last year.
I was disappointed that Phil didn’t get the win…he certainly deserved it
At least he didn’t get the loss – thanks , Alex! I am just so glad and relieved they won; I would be fretting all day had they lost that game, especially the way it appeared they were going to.
Phil Hughes showed his future in this game. He was clutch when he had to be. Clearly the No. 1 RH starter on the team. Spotted his changeup well. Burnett could learn from a pitcher nearly 10 years younger.
I loved that Nunez ran on his own — gutsy move. I don’t think I could have done that.
Hey Betsy, glad your parents enjoyed WS2, but personally, I don’t think Shia should be offered adult roles — he just looks/acts like a kid. I don’t care if he thinks he’s cool swearing. He just seems even more immature trying to be “all that”. Like he’s playing dress-up.
What is he — 5’6″ max? He just doesn’t work for me as an leading actor.
If he doesn’t bother you, the film is OK, but not great. But everyone is different. I don’t always buy into reviews, either.
I loved Phil’s comments after the game. He’s sharp.
I hope Girardi and Cashman put him BEFORE AJ in the playoff rotation. AJ is so spastic — nice guy and all, but not someone I want in my fox hole when the pressure’s on. Now Phil — he’d be someone I could count on.
Wang, I didn’t see the movie………….I never even saw the first one (just not a movie person).
Phil HAS to be the #2 or #3 pitcher now; if they put AJ ahead of him, it’s pretty much a joke.
6 more wins to close out the regular season….first one today and we clinch a playoff spot !….Play tonight WIN tonight !
I agree, Phil before AJ. Phil has shown he deserves to be in the play offs. AJ is way too inconsistent. I would go CC, Phil, Andy, saving Andy for what might be the pivotal game 3.
I read on another board that some guy at the game said that Phil’s tank was just about empty because his FB is 3 MPH slower and his breaking pitches didn’t have any bite. I didn’t see every single pitch, but I didn’t notice that. His stuff is not as crisp as it was much earlier and he probably is down in velocity, but it’s not like he’s throwing 90 MPH. The Yankees should be careful with him in the post-season keeping in mind that next year, 1 year after a heavy workload, Phil could struggle.
I worry about them putting AJ head of Phil because he’s the vet or because of loss of face (a Chinese cultural thing, but still…you know what I mean).
Girardi was never willing to sit, skip or put AJ in the pen when he was lost, so I’m not sure now that they’d do anything to upset his psyche. AJ seems pretty fragile.
But at this point in the season, if management doesn’t go TEAM first, then we’ve got problems.
Ok, later all!
Obviously a great win last night. Really needed that one and the Yankees found a way..
CB and others had some good posts on Hughes in the previous thread. He’s really showing evolution out there which is so important for a young pitcher…showing the tendency to improve and change as need be.
He’s gaining more confidence in his change up because he’s throwing it and having positive results with it. Last night he throws one in a 1 strike count to get the 2nd strike and then just blows the fastball by on the next pitch….that may be a foul ball and continued AB without the speed change. That kind of payoff is what will make him continue to develop and use that pitch. He’s also throwing the curve with much more conviction and in more counts.
Phil is starting to show that “big game” quality that you just can’t teach and most importantly has shown the ability to learn. (not to jump ahead too far but the rotation could be very special next year if you add a Cliff Lee and Hughes with no innings limits).
What else can we about Arod. SJ had a good line last night that Alex was worth every penny they pay him…..well he very well could be. He carried this team to a WS last year and its starting to look like that’s possible again this year.
Gold stars for Robertson, Cano, and Miranda as well but this really was a Phil Hughes win tonight. He goes out and continues the string of 4 inning starts then the Yankees lose this game and blow out their pen even more in the process. I love what we’re seeing from him.
Good morning, all. Had to step away from the blog after Mo blew the save….I have to admit I, too, thought they might lose and all the negativity was just feeding into my own angst. LOL
Have to agree with all the positive things being said about Phil. He stepped up big-time in what was the biggest game of the season and kept them in it when the bats were still sleeping. He is a big game pitcher. That was a huge amount of pressure and he rose to the occasion.
It was even bigger for Phil last night because Dice-K decided to pitch.
Huge, huge win.
Special tribute to Phil Hughes below. No win but he deserves it nonetheless.
http://picasaweb.google.com/cy.....rT3yKCkTw#
Also, I did want to mention that that was probably the best I’ve ever seen Dice K pitch against the Yankees. I’m not a big fan of his (frankly I just don’t think he’s very good) and the Yankees didn’t have a lot of good AB’s but he was very good last night and that combined with the fact the Yankees hit a lot of balls right at people…..good thing Arod is a great baseball player.
I think Phil may have been tiring at the end, but I thought maybe the adrenaline and the stress had weighed on him. I can’t imagine the pressure he must have been under pitching that game.
I think mental stress or pressure is SO much more tiring than physical labor.
He was superb, really, when you factor in everything. And then him saying after the game that he didn’t deserve the win. The guy’s just solid and has good character. I also liked that he praised Robertson for coming through in a pivotal moment.
got a funny email from my red sox lovin sister
the subject was: Papelbum
the text: nuff said
“It was even bigger for Phil last night because Dice-K decided to pitch. ”
Seriously, Doreen — who would have thunk it?
I don’t want to put a damper on the happy glow of the morning, but I did not read the game comments at all, so I need to ask this. Does anyone believe that the days of Mo coming in for more than one inning should be over?
I think it was Pete who tweeted that Pabelbum’s ERA against the Yanks is 9.00 in Yankee stadium and something like 8.64 in both. I hope I’m not misquoting.
WOW.
But, the Sox also seem to have Mo’s number, as well. Not at an ERA of 9.00 though.
yes, I agree Doreen.
I also think they should seriously try to keep Kerry Wood
Hughes was great last night. Cliche, but it’s all about the pitching. The bonus is Girardi looks smarter when he doesn’t have to figure out how to get 6 or 7 innings out of a bullpen.
Speaking of smarter- I don’t remember Morgan or Miller mentioning it and it didn’t have inpact in the game but good baseball instinct from Alex squaring to bunt when Nunez was stealing 3rd.
Speaking of Alex- some took issue with him saying what he did about the pitching to the media but what he said is what played out last night and he backed up what he said- keep them in the game and give the offense a chance to come through.
Wang IS Taiwan -
Not me!
And I SO agree about mental stress being more exhausting than physical labor in many ways. In fact physical labor can be exhilarating. Add mental stress to that labor and UGH.
Doreen,
In the regular season. Yes. I think he will be fine. I really don’t know what happened last night. His stuff looks fine….he’s just missing locations. He’s not missing badly many times its just he’s missing just enough where he’s not getting the call and its causing him to pitch behind in counts much more often than he’s used to…..he’s been too good for most of this season for it to just all go away at once. (also, as Papelbon whined about….there was no strike zone late in that game last night….it wasn’t just him, Rivera and Hughes both got squeezed)
Gosh, Doreen, I hope not. But he’s not an automatic anymore, either.
I hope that other teams don’t start stealing on him like the Sox did tonight. That was out of control. He’s going to have to work on that.
I’d love to keep Kerry Wood, but they also need to be thinking long-term. Wood’s no spring chicken and his health is precarious. We don’t have anyone right now that’s closer material for the future. Soria?
blake,
You’re right. Mo was getting squeezed, and yet he didn’t go out and bash the ump after the game. class.
Feinsand tweeted yesterday that there weren’t many that were liked and respected less than Pabelbum in baseball.
upstate kate -
Oh, I’m so hoping that Kerry Wood stays on somehow. I believe he’d get plenty of opportunities to close, if that’s what he wants. And he seems to like being on this team, so who knows?
pat -
I was thinking the same thing about ARod. Backed up his words. Absolutely. And I no longer cringe when he’s interviewed – isn’t that nice???
Bye ya’ll. Have a nice day posting.
Does anyone think Mo will retire after 2010 or 2011?