Postgame notes: As close to perfect as you can be
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes on Apr 20, 2011 
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The picture above is the one I had ready to go at the click of a button. Dave Robertson was the story. He wasn’t going to get the win, and he wasn’t going to get the save, but Robertson’s two strikeouts in the sixth inning were most surely going to be the biggest outs of the game. All that stood in the way was Mariano Rivera.
“Mo is as close to perfect in this situations as you can be,” Joe Girardi said. “But as we know, no one’s perfect.”
The Yankees have seen Rivera stumble, but it’s stunning each and every time it happens. A.J. Burnett had pitched well enough for his fourth straight win, Mark Teixeira had hit his go-ahead home run and Curtis Granderson had given the Yankees a little breathing room with his homer. Robertson, Joba Chamberlain and Rafael Soriano had completed their late-inning bridge.
“I have everything in mind that everything is going to be fine,” Rivera said. “It wasn’t good today.”
What went wrong was the same thing that goes wrong with every other pitcher from time to time. “He just missed a little bit with his spots,” Girardi said. The command wasn’t good. Rivera walked his first batter, threw his first wild pitch and allowed his first run all on the same pitch. He held the ball too long.
“Wanted to go away, and it was way too away,” he said.
The game-tying safety squeeze was something the Yankees had talked about, but Teixeira was holding the winning run at first and John McDonald could not have executed any better. Like Teixiera said after the game, when that play is executed in that situation, it’s almost impossible to defend. An inning later, Ivan Nova gave up the game winner. A stunning loss.
“Even with the walk I have to make good pitches, and I didn’t,” Rivera said. “I think the guys did tremendous today, and it was my fault.”
Here’s Rivera speaking after the game.
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• Heading into the game, the plan was for Nova to start on Sunday, but because of the off day on Thursday, Girardi also knew he had some wiggle room. Nova could still make that start, or he could be bumped to Sunday. Girardi went with Nova in the 10th because he wanted the most experienced right-hander left in the bullpen.
• As for sticking with Nova to face Travis Snider, Girardi knew that Juan Rivera would pinch hit if he brought in Boone Logan. Snider has been awful this season and the Yankees got him out five times tonight. They couldn’t get him out a sixth time.
• Teixeira said he never had a legitimate shot to make a play on the safety squeeze, and Girardi said there wasn’t any other strategy he could use at that point. “We talked about it,” Girardi said. “But you can pitch out on a safety and all you get is ball one.”
• Brett Gardner. Struggling. “It just seems like nothing’s going his way right now, but that’ll change,” Girardi said.
• Girardi said he could not have used Alex Rodriguez tonight, but he still expects to have him in the lineup on Wednesday.
• A.J. Burnett said all of the trips to the mound from Russell Martin had to do with constantly changing signs and making sure they were on the same page. This was another game with a lot of bouncing curveballs, and Martin did a good job of containing most of them. “Him and (Robertson) saved my day today,” Burnett said.
• The bad throw to Jeter: “I threw it like a dart, like I’d never made the play before,” Burnett said.
• Burnett pitched pretty well for the most part, but he was upset about that sixth inning. He seemed to lose some of his control that inning, and he said it was because he tried to be too perfect. “I’ve got to go deeper in that game,” Burnett said.
• The Yankees said during the game that Francisco Cervelli will DH in extended spring training tomorrow, and if that goes well, he’ll catch a game again on Thursday.
• As for Robertson, he was ultimately in and out of the clubhouse without much fuss after the game. Hard for anyone to write much about Robertson when the game ended like this, but that was some kind of performance. “Unbelievable,” Girardi said.
Associated Press photos
Oh well, lol………all we can do is turn the page
Arod definitely shouldn’t play tomorrow with the off day on Thursday. They have to make sure he is 100% and with the turf and everything it just doesn’t make sense.
Mariano Rivera: “it was my fault.”
you THINK???
In other breaking news, it’s dark outside!
Wonder how AROD was unavailable today to just PH. But somehow can start tomorrow?
Martin does a lot of things well, but Cano saved his butt on the errant throw to 2B (really a stellar play). Martin should probably pick his spots more carefully.
Gardner is just lost right now. Damon might have gotten far more PT then he might have imagined.
Nothing Tex could do on that bunt and Mo just had an off night. BASEBALL! ( like women, can’t live with “them” or without “it” LOL )
Captain, if the purpose of ur ID is a cap tip to Derek Jeter, u really need to change it to Captain Crap. Much more fitting to the player in question.
YNM what would’ve you liked MO to say? You are such are genius please enlighten us all once again with how smart you are.
One thing I love about MO besides everything, is that he stands up says it the way it is and moves on.
Try YNM it works pretty good.
20 consecutive scoreless innings for the Sux offense on the Road right now. That is really unbelievable. I do love it though.
Brandon Wood designated for assignment
One more thing, which I have mentioned before: Robertson could be a closer.
GN
Who was the jackass troll from last year? Apparently he’s now posting as YNM.
“Brandon Wood designated for assignment”
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and Halo fans rejoice.
The Angels famously wouldnt trade Brandon Wood for Roy Halladay or Miguel Cabrera
jnorris427 Josh Norris
Before the PG interview, Manny (Babuelos) asked the reporters, jokingly, why they haven’t learned Spanish. He’s very self-conscious about his English.
****(Banuelos)*** asked the reporters, jokingly, why they haven’t learned Spanish. He’s very self-conscious about
really bad idea there by teixeira. he’s a good 1b but no hernandez or mattingly, i’m sorry. – Heyman Tweet
For those interested, here are the first two innings by Banuelos from Tuesday, plus interviews by him and Romine. Look on the right side for all of the clips. Compliments of Josh Norris
http://www.clipsyndicate.com/v.....;wpid=9958
Chad – Thanks for all the Cervelli information you posted today.
It’s good to hear that everything is going well for him.
Maybe Mo was trying to help Soriano feel better about himself. Mo’s that kind of guy, you know…he really cares about people.
Oh,well…it happens. Just a shame for Robertson who was amazing.
Just read Heymans tweets about Tex.(I don’t follow him because I hate the constant negativity) what a douche. Tex is a great 1B. I’d like to see Heyman out there picking errant throws from rookie SS and 3B. He is darn good. Heyman must just be jealous that Tex is better looking than he is.
good morning all
well I guess Mo is human after all, eh?
Wang
I don’t think there is one Yankee that is as forgivable for blowing a game than Rivera is. Did you watch the game? Were they hard hit balls or just his usual bloopers?
Under normal circumstances, a game that would have been won. The 1st one to dismiss the loss will be Mariano. He moves on and won’t let it roll into another day.
Wondering why Hector Noesi isn’t being used.
Ty,
They were hard hit. Mo just didn’t have it last night…..if happens. Take positives from a game you win 99% of the time and move on and get Uhm today. A split was always going to be a fine result in a two game series in Toronto.
–
In other news….the Sox are 0-7 away from Fenway and as predicted the Phillies have stopped hitting over their heads and are coming back down to earth.
Hi TYanks — saw the replays on MLB.com because I was working when they game ended. (I’m on the other side of the planet.) I left the house this morning pretty sure we’d win. I just have to kid about Mo because he’s been so great this year. He’s also such a good teammate to all — even to Mr. Grouch, otherwise known as Soriano.
It was one of those games when Mo was missing his sports. His unerring accuracy has always been one of my favorite things to watch. He was just “off” last night.
It would have been a great game to win because of the go-ahead homeruns and Robertson’s high-wire act.
Good Morning Kate!
I love that when Mo blows the save he is only human but when anyone else does it, they are every expletive under the sun.
I of course expected D-rob to bne as good as he was. I hate that he isn’t used as much but I think he knows how well he does in those situations.
D-rob was amazing last night
Blake — now the Red Sox really lost in a painful way. Much more painful for their fans than Yankee fans watching us lose in a rare “off night” for Mo.
I quite enjoyed seeing Hideki implode, but then, I love to see them lose in any way — Papelbutt blowing a save is my very favorite.
D-Rob has got to feel good about himself and his role on this team, despite Girardi not assigning him his own inning.
*sports above should have been “spots” of course…
good morning Ty
loved your pix w/ Manny B!
Tough loss last night. But I suppose we need a reminder every now and then that Mo is indeed human.
D-Rob was awesome. I had to do a Joba fist pump after that inning.
RiverAveBlues Christmas in April, folks. RT @timbritton: The two worst teams in baseball are the Red Sox and Mets. Seriously?
Good morning.
Missed the game last night, but couldn’t believe that Mariano actually blew a save.
Oh well.
IMO Alex should probably take 1 more day. With the off day tomorrow gives him almost a week off to make sure he is ok.
I knew it was going to come eventually, not even Mo can have a 0.00 ERA.
Kate, I love that pic too, its my phone wallpaper.
Fran, we both lost out on points last night too. That might have hurt more than the actual loss.
And did I mention how cool it is that Cervelli will be doing hid rehab in Tampa? I guess that’s the perk of not having a prospect catcher like all the other levels.
Oh and I’m going in for my last day of internship in a few minutes. Totally excited, ill miss the kids but the teacher has definitely left much to be desired.
Ty
enjoy your last day…another step closer to being finished!
I hope you will get some pix of Cisco
I really want Gardner to be successful because I like him and loved the idea of what I thought he could be…..
I do wonder how much rope the Yanks are going to give him though considering that he also struggled in the 2nd half last year. His swing and timing are screwed up right now and I certainly think he’s better than he’s playing…..but you do have to.consider that maybe advanced scouting has a better book on him now and pitchers have a better idea of how to attack him.
Pitchers are coming right after him with fastballs….they aren’t going to walk him, he’s going to have to prove he can hit his way on consistently. Im not giving up on Gardner but I do wonder how the Yanks will proceed if he doesn’t pick it up.
Fran, we both lost out on points last night too. That might have hurt more than the actual loss.
******************
tyanks,
It was a big loss all around.
Congratulations on finishing your internship
crap… I’ve got to learn to separate. These losses suck so bad it ruins my nights…
The only team with a worse record than the Red Sox is the Mets.
the red sox record makes me happy…the mets, not so much
I don’t know why, but I sort of pity the Mets.
The Mets situation is different from Boston though….they were never going to compete this year. For them this year is all about finishing up bad contracts and trying to get things somewhat moving in the right direction…..I do think they have someone that knows.what they are doing running the show now at least….
I am happy to see both the Red Sox and Mets falter.
I was skeptical of Gardner coming into this year – I’m sorry to say that I was right to be. Hopefully he’ll turn it around.
I despise the Mets almost as much as I do the Sox, so the worse they are, the better
tyanksfan36 April 20th, 2011 at 7:31 am
And did I mention how cool it is that Cervelli will be doing hid rehab in Tampa? I guess that?s the perk of not having a prospect catcher like all the other levels.
***************
pictures, please.
As bad as Gardner has looked so far I think Crawford’s been worse.
It should be interesting to see what Sandy Alderson and company do this season in regards to the Mets.
Would they dare trade David Wright? I would.
Crawford probably has been as bad or worse but he also has a very long track record of big league success……he is making 20 more million bucks a year though.
GB-
Thanks for that Manuelito video.
8 innings so far w/o an earned run.
The Prodigy watch continues.
If I were going to keep anybody on the Mets it would be Wright ….however I would probably see what I could get for him if I were Sandy.
Banuelos is too good for AA. He should dominate the eastern league….hopefully they can stretch him.out a little more in his.next start
Plus, what Crawford is doing has no affect on the Yankees – it doesn’t make me feel better that Crawford is struggling – he’s still a very good player
Robertson does not get enough credit out of that pen.
He has icewater in veins.
No way Joba should just be handed the 7th inning role.
I’d force him to compete for it.
Robertson could move up in the pecking order given the chance.
Etch-A-Sketch game.
Nova has issues. He really needs to work on his C and C.
I think Wright is a ‘keeper’ as well. But the Mets are so messed up right now, trading him may be what’s best for the team. I don’t think they’d get a “Mark Texeira” type haul for him but they, most likely, would get 2-3 prospects that could be worth building around.
Blake-
You and I both know talent when we see it.
If it weren’t for inning limits Manny would be in the Majors right now.
If he stays healthy I’m sticking by my prediction that he will be rated in the top 10 prospects in all of baseball by season’s end.
It looks to me that the Sux are continuing the familar pattern of being a product of Fenway.
They have trouble winning on the road.
They are digging themselves quite a hole.
Tom in N.J.,
I think they have to trade Wright. He will be past his prime if and when the rebuild is complete. Call up the Angels and offer him for Trout
MTU,
Most teams have trouble winning on the road. Now if you eliminate human home plate umpires the advantage goes away
“Austin Jackson went 0-for-5 and struck out three more times in Tuesday’s loss to the Mariners.”
Ahh, all those people who ripped the trade for Granderson after 2 weeks last year. Not tooting your own horn as much…
Jeter is hitting the ball a lot better lately, including more LD.
Triple,
That’s a real interesting idea….the Angels need a 3B badly. Don’t know if they’d make that deal or not but it would make some sense for both sides.
Tom,
Agreed ….I think you at least have to check around and.see what he’d bring.
Trade Wright and Reyes.
That should net a pretty nice haul.
Rich,
Yea he doesn’t have a lot to show for it but he had.some good swings off Ogondo and Drabek who are the type guys that were giving him fits…..good signs. The Yankee offense is much better when Derek Jeter hits like Derek Jeter.
blake,
I doubt the Angels would do it. They refused to part with Brandon Wood for years for top talent and he was no where the player Trout is
Triple-
Maybe so but the Sux are particularly bad at it.
Which is fine by me.
Triple,
Perhaps they learned from that huge mistake though.
—-
Granderson is gonna hit 35-40 dingers this year.
As I was watching the 9th yesterday, it seemed like Mo didn’t have great stuff pretty early on in the inning. I remember feeling like if we got out of it with the win in tact we’d be lucky.
I’m reading through the comments from last night.. I have to say I’m starting to move to an ‘on the fence’ position regarding Girardi. I liked the choice of him as manager over Mattingly (I actually was hoping for Pinella but oh well..). I’ve mostly been a big supporter of Girardi throughout the past 4 season though I too have sometimes been frustrated by his ‘by-the-book’ managing style. All that being said.. I’m starting to see why a lot of people hate him. I’m usually of the thought process that a manager doesn’t lose a game, players do. But while last night might not be the best example, some of the decisions he’s made this season so far have been questionable to say the least. I feel like this team should be 11-4 right now.
MTU,
The problem with Reyes is nobody is going to give up that much without signing him to an extension and Reyes wants to go to Free Agency and is looking for Carl Crawford money. I do think they should trade him sooner rather then at the deadline to get as much back as you possibly can
“I think they have to trade Wright. He will be past his prime if and when the rebuild is complete”
Triple, good point. Wright could either be the Mets’ Mark Teixeira, a guy who gets them some impact prospects. Or he could be their Michael Young.
I like Girardi in general. I think he’s really good at certain aspects of managing (seeing the big picture, keeping guys healthy, etc…). Im not a huge fan of formula managing but he’s not the only one doing it……its an epidemic in baseball right now.
I’ve been saying the Mets should trade Wright and Reyes since 2009. Once you’ve missed getting into the playoffs two years in a row in the final week of the season you’re entire squad needs to be blown up. They caught that loser lurgy…
Look at both Dallas McPherson and Brandon Wood. The Angels have missed and missed big with a few of their highly-touted prospects in recent years.
Good morning all. It was pointed out last night that at the rate Rivera is being used he will make 108 appearances this season! Other than CC, there hasn’t been 1 starter who has been able to give the team a solid full 7 innings and at the rate the bullpen is being used it will burn out sometime in middle of summer.
The problem with trading Reyes and/or Wright is financial. Given their debt service, and their need for ratings on SNY, the Mets need some names in order to generate a minimum amount of fan interest. So if they trade either or both, I don’t think that just getting prospects back, despite the ample baseball justification, would meet their goals.
If the Yanks can win tonight then its a split in Toronto and Ill take that every time the way the Jays give them fits up there…..
Colon also will probably be lifted after 80-85 pitches today. Hoping for a Yankee blowout so we can preserve the standard RoJoSoMo from the 6th inning on.
AJ had another solid outing last night. Wasn’t his best performance but his stuff still looked nasty and he gave them a chance to win.
I think Martin’s presence helps AJ more than any other pitcher given the serial pitches in the dirt.
Rich in NJ,
I agree with the financial issues that it makes it tough but Reyes is gone whether they trade him this year or let him walk at the end of the year so its really just Wright were talking about. Most Met fans can’t stand Wright and his inability to hit with RISP so how much money would they actually lose without him. They can win 70 games with or without him.
Look Fred is going to have to sell the team. I see no way around it. I really think a rebuild can work in NY. The Knicks did it and they basically came out and said we are tanking for 2 years
Rich,
I do as well….he has confidence that Martin will block the ball so he’s able to throw that curveball with conviction. Martin has been great…
blake April 20th, 2011 at 8:48 am
I like Girardi in general. I think he?s really good at certain aspects of managing (seeing the big picture, keeping guys healthy, etc?). Im not a huge fan of formula managing but he?s not the only one doing it??its an epidemic in baseball right now.
******************************
this sums up my feelings. thank you , blake.
Blake-
Robertson was last night’s star not AJ.
I’m with Triple re: Wright.
I’ve always leaned towards the thinking that having a big name as a draw on a losing team isn’t as important as people make it seem. The Mets aren’t performing any Criss Angel illusions. They’re a bad team. For the past two-three seasons almost every Mets fan I know has lost hope before March.
MTU,
Robertson was great…..but he only faced 2 hitters. AJ pitched well……Yanks should have won.
Erin,
Your welcome
blake-
Even though AJ lowered his ERA last night, I thought his outing was not very good. Walked 5 and Martin probably saved some runs blocking some awful curve balls way off the plate.
Triple
The difference between the Knicks and the Mets is that the Knicks have no real competition for the sports fans dollar. Almost no matter what their roster looks like, the Nets can’t compete with the Knicks for disposable dollars, so the Knicks can rebuild and still make big bucks.
The Mets will always be second-fiddle to the Yankees, but their piece of the available sports dollar in NYC would continue to shrink if they rebuild, and their ability to be a credible alternative might not bounce back over night.
If the rebuild takes five years, how do the Mets become relevant again?
New post—->
AJ was on track for a W until the 9th. He pitched well enough to have almost as many wins this season as the Red Sox.
New Post: Expecting the unexpected
Trader,
He wasn’t great…..he’s thrown better this season but he left with lead (with help from Robertson). My point was that if last night was 2011′s “bad AJ” then that’s a good thing.l……he didn’t let things snowball.
Rich – While you make very good points, I’d argue teams become relevant by winning.
I will continue to happily say “I told you so!” with respect to the Sux. I take that back. NO respect to the Sux!!!
At this rate, if they win all of their home games and lose all of their road games, the Sox will have an 81-81 record.
I don’t think they can get there playing 270 ball but you never know!
Love that they are going from the pitching of Oakland to the pitching of LAA.
Blake-
I thought Joe G. left AJ in too long.
His stuff was nasty but he was wild.
Too many walks.
I wouldn’t minimize what D-rob did. W/o his effort they lose right then and there.
This is a generic comment, but what MTU just said made me think of it. People cannot have it both ways. (This is not directed at you MTU). If you want Girardi to have a faster hook, stop complaining about overuse of the pen.
MTU,
Yea he did stick with him too long (something that he’s done a lot this year)….Im not minimizing what Robertson did…..it’s just seperate from AJs performance.