Nova super as Yankees beat Twins
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Apr 04, 2011 
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Strong 2011 debut from Ivan Nova, who allowed three runs in six innings as the Yankees beat Minnesota, 4-3. Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada homered, but Nova was the story, as he took a no-hitter two outs into the fourth inning and then held firm as the Twins tried to come back.
“Nova did exactly what we expect him to do,” A-Rod said. “Tonight, he made some pitches where last year, I think maybe the game could have got away from him.”
That Nova didn’t unravel late was the most encouraging aspect for the Yankees tonight, and several Yankees happily noted the change. Back with more from the clubhouse shortly.
i like the kids moxie… will be looking forward to each one of his starts this yr and watching him grow
Nova was great. His fastball can really move. Someone should ask Martin about his thighs so we can see if he has a true sinker.
“seriously, it’s obvious you argue with people just for the sake of arguing. the act is old.”
BD, so create a rule.
You can’t just piecemeal an approved/not approval list
Articulate a policy that explain when the use of medical science to enhance someone’s physical abilities is okay and when it is not?
Nova was great. His fastball can really move. Someone should ask Martin about his thighs so we can see if he has a true sinker.
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Better yet lets call Neil Allen
repost:
Against All Odds April 4th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
# rb from LI April 4th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Is it me or does joba sound different this year? I hate to say more mature, but he seems to be exuding a confidence that’s been missing.
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He doesn’t fist pump anymore either. I never had a problem with it but I know many ppl did. I like it though he goes out there and just does his job.
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I had no problem with the fist pump – but that’s not what I mean. But he just sounded different in his postgame interview.
Nova’s 5th was the key. He got over the speed bump in that inning, clearing the way for the good 6th. Big outing.
Nova was fantastic. That’s not an easy lineup to pitch through. It’s much tougher than the Tigers in my opinion.
The bullpen is a major weapon.
I cannot believe with all the money teams flush away on pitching no one scooped up Soriano to close for them. Could you imagine Texas with him as their closer and Feliz in the rotation?
Great win and it was good to see Gardner and Jeter hit the ball hard in the air tonight. Jeter looks like he’s finding the middle ground between his old stance and the new one. The ball jumped off his bat a few times tonight.
I’m totally on the Russell Martin bandwagon now. Love this guy.
This is a fun team to watch.
Nova was hosed by the ump on a pitch to Thome that should have ended the top of the 6th. He didn’t get rattled and came back with an even better pitch to finally strike him out.
This, I thought, was the key at-bat of the game:
http://www.brooksbaseball.net/.....type=3.gif
A big step forward for Nova, imho.
Do people expect the Yankees to score in every inning? Last year, it did become a pattern that they would score early and then pack it in, but so far, the offense has been pretty terrific – no complaints.
I always felt that Nova’s 5th inning issues last year had to do with getting the W. I felt the same way about Lilly when he came up. He’d be rolling along until he was in line for the win. Once he got past that he became a pretty good pitcher.
stuckey99,
i love that you felt your post was important enough to repost. awesome!
Last year we got off to a great start beating TX, BOS and Angels, so I’m not going to go crazy just yet, esp. with our pitching issues, but the offense sure looks very good
Betsy,
It’s smart to temper your excitement but last year ended up pretty good, no? The Yanks started strong in the regular season and made the playoffs, it’s not like they beat texas, boston and anaheim then fell apart!
Nova has 3 pretty good pitches now….I was impressed tonight. He struggled and regained his composure and moved on….that’s what they needed to see. If he keeps the ball down consistently then he could win a lot of games this year.
# Against All Odds April 4th, 2011 at 10:47 pm
# rb from LI April 4th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
Against All Odds April 4th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
# rb from LI April 4th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Is it me or does joba sound different this year? I hate to say more mature, but he seems to be exuding a confidence that’s been missing.
——————————————
He doesn’t fist pump anymore either. I never had a problem with it but I know many ppl did. I like it though he goes out there and just does his job.
—————-
I had no problem with the fist pump – but that’s not what I mean. But he just sounded different in his postgame interview.
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I know what I’m saying is he’s maturing all this stuff plays into it.
Solid outing by Nova. Yanks score some runs. Bullpen perfect.
BD – lol. Loved the repost line.
“i love that you felt your post was important enough to repost. awesome!”
Not important at all. Nothing you, I are anyone else here will ever post will ever be “important.” I’m interested in continuing a discussion I’m enjoying.
I think I asked a reasonable question. I don’t think there is any reason to be belligerent in response.
Bd you’re qabsolutely right it is a rule and if you want to argue letter of the law ok, I am against the moral outrage of steroids and the exaggeration of their on field impact. Though I am for my team cheating and breaking the rules or gaming the system.
Impressed with Nova’s secondary stuff.. has really sharpened them from last yr.
Of course, when his ball has that much sink/late life, it’s going to be a a long day for the opposition… his numbers could have been even better, ran into some bad luck.
Blake-
I couldn’t really tell.
Did Nova make much use of that new cutter ?
Love watching a young prospect make strides into a full fledged Yankee. Nova may well win ROY this year…
Nova can be their #2 or #3 starter by season’s end, and not because of the weakness of any other starter.
AAO, that’s true. I was just wondering if it hit anyone else the way it hit me. Sits well on him.
Patrick, that’s true, but they weren’t as good as they looked early…….The pitching is going to be a serious issue, but the offense looks potentially a lot better than even last year
Tonight was probably the first time Girardi actually let Nova work in and out of trouble.
Last year he may gave given up some goes 3rd time through the order but Joe never let him work out of it and get a big DP ball like he did tonight for example.
His pitch counts have been super low in almost all his starts in his career.
Can’t wait until he gets a chance to throw 100-110 pitches and see how deep he can go in the game.
Also, I loved this Martin signing from the get go—and am loving it more every game.
*hits* not goes
MTU,
It’s really more of a slider….and yea he threw a few good ones
Bojo, I like what we saw from Nova tonight, but it’s a little early to call him a ROY candidate.
LGY–
Girardi mentioned that his has more leeway now because he is not yet in a pennant race. Personally, I think a win in April is as important as one later in the year, but I can see his other point that Nova has to learn to go longer and has to learn now.
Off topic:
I’m surprised that laser shot that Alex hit didn’t create a sonic boom.
Or maybe it did ?
That guy is just locked in. He is hitting most everything really hard.
# rb from LI April 4th, 2011 at 10:55 pm
AAO, that’s true. I was just wondering if it hit anyone else the way it hit me. Sits well on him.
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A few ppl have noticed a change in Chamberlain. Maybe last yr was a wake up call
RB–
Really the ROY discussions start in spring training…after seeing Angel Berroa finish ahead of Hidecki Matsui, I have come to believe that it is part performance and part campaigning from day #1
Nova was a prime ROY candidate the moment he was named the 4th starter.
Thanks blake.
I wondered. Have a good night.
C U in the AM.
LGY, why?
The Iron Horse April 4th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
i like the kids moxie… will be looking forward to each one of his starts this yr and watching him grow
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It’s illegal to take moxie without a doctor’s prescription.