Postgame notes: “Our guys have pitched pretty well too”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Jun 01, 2011 
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In the beginning, this three-game series was all about Oakland young starters. In the end, it had much more to do with the Yankees veterans.
“Our guys have pitched pretty well too,” Joe Girardi said. “Bartolo got us off to a great start, and Freddy’s been throwing the ball well, and I just felt that our club, we had a chance to win every game on this road trip, and we’ve been playing better. I just felt we had a chance today.”
Following the lead of Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia — and CC Sabathia’s final start in Seattle — A.J. Burnett gave the Yankees seven strong innings. He allowed a two-run homer in the first inning, then allowed one more hit the rest of the way. Girardi said Burnett got stronger. His best innings, Girardi said, were the fifth, sixth and seventh.
“Once you’re out there you don’t think about it,” Burnett said, “but obviously you don’t want to be the guy that makes the winning come to an end either. I think we’ve done a good job here of late, and to keep it going, it’s up to us to go out and set the tone. Our defense and our hitters see that confidence and see we’re in those games. It helps them out as well.”
Credit obviously goes to the Yankees lineup, which has done a nice job with both situational hitting and trademark home runs, but in these four straight wins — the Yankees longest winning streak of the season — the Yankees 30-something starters have outpitched their 20-something peers. At a time when all facets have been pretty good, the Yankees focused seemed to turn time and again to their starters.
“We’ve beaten three pretty darned good pitchers,” Alex Rodriguez said. “Our guys have been terrific. You can’t say enough about the jobs Colon and Garcia have done. Those guys have been Godsends for us, and A.J. was terrific today.”
Said Girardi: “Pitching is the key, obviously. You have to pitch well to win a lot of games. Whenever we pitch well I get excited, but it’s good to see our offense swinging the bats. It’s great.”
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Things are going so well for the Yankees these days, even their mistakes are becoming positives.
In the fourth inning tonight, Nick Swisher missed the sign from third-base coach Rob Thomson. Swisher thought he saw the bunt sign. There were two on, none out, and the Yankees were trailing by one, so Swisher showed bunt when he took ball one. When Thomson didn’t wipe off the sign — signaling that the Yankees were changing the strategy — Swisher assumed the bunt was still on, so he showed bunt again on ball two.
That’s when the pitching coach came out to talk to Gio Gonzalez, and Swisher called for a conference with Thomson.
“I went over to Thomp and said, ‘What do you want me to do right here?’” Swisher said. “He said, ‘I want you to let it loose.’ So I did.”
Swisher hit the very next pitch for a three-run home run, the decisive blow in a two-run win. When he got to the dugout, Swisher found out that he was supposed to be swinging away the whole time.
“We wanted him to swing the bat,” Girardi said. “So it worked out really well for us. It got him into a good count.”
Here’s Swisher, able to laugh about the whole thing because of the final result.
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• The Yankees got their first three-game series sweep of the season. Every other series sweep this year has been a two-game set against the Orioles. With Sunday’s win in Seattle, this is also the Yankees first four-game winning streak of the year.
• Girardi pointed out that this game wasn’t necessarily easy for Burnett. The final numbers are outstanding, but he was laboring, especially early. The difference, he said, was an adjustment away from his four-seam fastball, which was finishing too far up in the zone. “I think at times in the past I would stick to it and get beat up,” Burnett said. “I realized that the two-seamer kept me down in the zone today. To righties I used that more and changeups to lefties. Everything was down.”
• No surprise, the home run was a four-seamer. “Commitment-wise, it wasn’t there 100 percent,” Burnett said. “In tat situation he’s looking for a heater and if I miss, I miss. So what? We’ve got a base open. After that, I didn’t want to leave anything over the plate.”
• For the second day in a row, the Yankees had a pitcher get out of an inning by making a reaction grab on line drive back to the mound. This time it was Joba Chamberlain. Yesterday it was Freddy Garcia. “We’ve had two guys that they have to check their pacemakers,” Girardi said.
• The Yankees have won 10 straight against the A’s, and they’ve gone 24-4 against them since Girardi became manager in 2008. “That’s hard to believe because they’ve got a really good team,” Alex Rodriguez said. “Billy Beane has done a great job of gathering talent and great pitching.”
• When Swisher was traded to Chicago, Gonzalez was one of the primary pieces coming from the White Sox to the A’s. Swisher said he had no idea until this morning that he was facing a guy he was once traded for. “I just found out about that this morning, that we were in the same trade,” Swisher said. “No one likes getting traded, bro. You don’t really pay attention to who was on the other side of it. He’s a great pitcher, no doubt, and he’s got a lot of potential. I wish him the best of luck.”
• A first-inning double moved Derek Jeter within 16 of career hit No. 3,000. “I can’t wait, man,” Swisher said. “I can’t wait to see that. I’ve seen someone hit 500 (home runs), seen Mariano save 500, but I’ve never seen 3,000 hits, man. I’m excited to see that.”
• Jeter has a seven-game hitting streak and has a .512 on-base percentage when leading off the first inning this year. That’s the highest such on-base percentage in the Majors.
• Russell Martin is hitless in his past 16 at-bats. On the flip side, Mark Teixeira has a nine-game hitting streak.
• Mariano Rivera picked up his 14th save of the season. He’s now pitched in 1,002 games, tying Goose Gossage for 14th on baseball’s all-time games pitched list.
• Burnett had not won a game on the road since August 10, 2010, an 11-start streak without a victory. He was 0-5 with a 5.64 ERA. No other Major League starter failed to get at least one win on the road over that stretch (minimum 60 innings pitched) and only one had a higher ERA. That one? Carl Pavano, of course.
• Dan Haren is scheduled to start against the Yankees on Saturday, but apparently he felt some pain in his back during a bullpen this afternoon. He cut the bullpen session short. “He says he’ll be fine, but we’ll see,” Mike Scioscia said.
Associated Press photos
Something you seldom see: in the Toronto and Cleveland game, 3 straight triples by Toronto
Prior’s still trying to get through a groin pull. No arm issues
Hopefully Nova joins the good pitching party tomorrow
Interesting how good Jeter has been leading off the game and even leading off an inning. His numbers are fantastic in both of those situations. I think his approach is getting better….he’s seeing more pitches and making a lot better contact than he was earlier in the season.
The Yanks have been a wrecking crew against lefties of late.
Tampa yanks hold on for a 4-3 win with Zoilo Almonte being the big bat.
Here’s the final box
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....a_jupafa_1
FYI:
Chat with Scout.com’s Frankie Piliere about the MLB Draft and baseball’s top prospects on Thursday, June 2 at 1:00pm Eastern.
Visit this link: http://yankees.scout.com/2/1076357.html to access the chat.
Good to see the pitching doing well and our offense has been less constipated as of late. Good job Yanks! Keep it rollin! And surprise..boston has actually lost 3 straight at home!
Draft prediction :
No matter what happens….the Red Sox will have the best draft ever
blake – that’s right……..
Have a good night, all……..
blake says:
June 1, 2011 at 9:28 pm
Draft prediction :
No matter what happens….the Red Sox will have the best draft ever
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Glad to see Tampa Yankees won again. I hope these past few games is the start of them turning things around.
Very happy!!
Look at all star voting? Lol
TBrownYahoo Source: Matsuzaka leaning toward TJ surgery after Yocum found significant tear and recommended procedure. DM to discuss with Red Sox.
Heathcott has really been struggling lately. I question whether he will be moved up to Tampa.
Sounds like Dice-BB’s career as a Red Sox will be coming to an end.
Just make sure to add TJ surgery to the list of expenses the Sox shelled out for him.
Fortunately, MLB has a terrific heath care insurance plans. I wish mine was as good.
btw, I’m rooting hard for the Pirates to draft Gerrit Cole.
I wonder how much money the Sox will be willing to take on at the deadline.
A Derek Lowe reunion would be interesting.
I’m rooting for the Pirates to draft Cole too because that just make it easier for the Yankees to pick him up later, lol
“Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports heard from a source late Wednesday evening that Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka is considering undergoing Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery following his visit this week with Dr. Lewis Yocum.
According to Brown’s source, the Los Angeles-based Yocum found a “significant tear” in Matsuzaka’s throwing elbow and recommended the procedure. Dice-K will meet with the Red Sox front office and medical staff before any decisions are made.
The 30-year-old signed a six-year, $52 million contract with the Red Sox in December of 2006 after Boston paid the Seibu Lions over $51 million for exclusive negotiating rights. He’s making $10 million this season and is owed another $10 million in 2012.
If Matsuzaka undergoes Tommy John surgery, there’s a chance he won’t return before the end of that deal. Recovery times vary, but it can often take over 15 months for some starting pitchers to fully heal.
Matsuzaka has posted a 49-30 win-loss record, a 4.25 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP in his four-plus rocky years with Boston. He drew Cy Young Award votes in 2008, by far his best season to date. The Tokyo native had a 5.30 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 26/23 K/BB ratio in 37 1/3 innings this year before he was shut down in mid-May.”
Rich
I found out that the Yankees minor leaguers have 100% health and vision coverage. Sadly, they don’t cover dental. Guess they figure you don’t need good teeth to hit, field or throw a ball.
Lowe would help them…..so I sorta hope not unless they have to give up more than he’s worth.
So does the Dice-WALK deal now look worse than the AJ Burnett one?
103 M for 1 solid year of Matsuzaka.
“So does the Dice-WALK deal now look worse than the AJ Burnett one?”
both might end up being better than Lackey’s
DePaula has been added to DSL1′s roster. If he has been cleared that would be great great news!
“both might end up being better than Lackey’s”
I hope it’s not so, because I really like the guy, but A-Rod’s contract still has the potential to be one of the worst ever, since it still has six years to go after this season.
Nah because even though Alex will be overpaid….there is still a good likelihood he wil be productive for most of that contract and put loads of butts in the seats. The worst contracts are big bucks for stinky pitchers because they give you nothing and actually make your team worse every 5 games. (Hampton, Zito, and probably Lackey’s contracts will be way worse than Arod’s
West Coast Yankee Fan June 1st, 2011 at 10:29 pm
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What was left out of the story is that Dice K is also seeing Colon’s doctor and they are going to use stem cells to graft a third arm on top of his current right arm, and that Dice K will be able to begin pitching again next month and eventually pitch every other day by alternating arms.
At least that is what ESPN is reporting.
Alex’s contract is like paying $200,000 bucks for a Corvette (you paid too much but it’s still a nice car). Zito and some other pitcher deals are like paying $150,000 for a pink bicycle with a flat tire and a broken bell.
I’m not saying that there isn’t a likelihood, or even a good likelihood, only that there is still the potential for a bad monetary outcome.
Rich,
If there were a way to calculate it…..I’d be curious to see the comparison of how much Alex made the Yankees vs how much they pay him over life life of his deal. It’s impossible to do accurately….but as long as he’s healthy I don’t see the deal being a huge burden…. it was front loaded a bit also which should help.
I’m not saying it’s a good contract because it’s not….it’s too long and too much money…..but value per dollar I think there will probably be a lot worse deals.
I’m out….night everyone. 3 games up on June 1. I would have signed up for that in March.
blake
From what I have read, YES’ rating surged after he was acquired. How much of that is directly attributable to his presence, IDK.
From a baseball perspective, there’s also the issue of opportunity costs in terms whether or not the money he will earn in subsequent years could have been more productively spent elsewhere.
In any event, it’s yet another example of why the GM should have autonomy in baseball decisions, and again, I say that as a strong A-Rod defender.
Arods contract also decreases to where
2012 29 million
2013 28 million
2014 25 million
2015 21 million
2016 20 million
2017 20 million
I know, but that’s still $143m before luxury tax (assuming it remains in subsequent CBA, and a: $30M marketing agreement based on home run milestones ($6M each for reaching 660, 714, 755 and tying and breaking major league HR record).
Let’s not dismiss the bargain they got for four years at $16 mil a year. NYYs would have paid $23-$25 mil a year for that production.
No doubt, but I think that if Cash had been permitted to handle the negotiations, he could have gotten Boras/A-Rod to agree to an offset for the subsequent Texas subsidy that the opt-out voided.
BoJo June 1st, 2011 at 11:06 pm
West Coast Yankee Fan June 1st, 2011 at 10:29 pm
____________
What was left out of the story is that Dice K is also seeing Colon’s doctor and they are going to use stem cells to graft a third arm on top of his current right arm, and that Dice K will be able to begin pitching again next month and eventually pitch every other day by alternating arms.
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Now there’s an ‘attention grabbing’ funny one !…………………………….NOT.
Please stop trying to get everyones attention with your cry for help, Vineyard
JF……………Stuff it.
Funny, NOT. You must be so lonely
Off days during winning streaks can be a real downer, although I’ll bet that the guys are enjoying their free day. Gardner, of course, should spend his day off DOING BUNTING DRILLS!!
Ideally, I would love to see the Yanks keep this streak going for 6 more games. However, I would be happy taking two out of three in LA before coming home to face the Sox. Frankly, thanks to the sweep in Oakland, all they need is one more win on this trip to make it a success, anything more than that is gravy as far as I’m concerned.
Nice win yesterday, it was a great time to face Oakland. Backup by 2 games and thanks to the Sox and TB for finally losing a few. Going into LA where they usually don’t play well. But it would be nice to take 2 or 3 before meeting Boston.
Even despite the sweep, those first two games against the Mariners still kills. Imagine sweeping two road series on a west coast trip! Ah well. Nice to see the team picking each other up, and nice to see contributions from many players now.
Just like the Red Sox, this Yankees team has too much talent to underperform for very long.
Good morning –
In all fairness, that’s tough news for Dice. Like what I’ve read about Kei Igawa, these guys came over with big personal expectations, and each one tried their best. Their disappointments stem mostly, I think, from lack of appreciation of the difficulties and differences in coming into American MLB; plus, in Igawa’s case, some issues with scouting reports (Mike Pagliarulo).
I can have sympathy for a professional, Dice, who seems like he honestly tried, and it just didn’t work out. As a Yankee fan
– it sure is nice to have the competition’s plans thrown asunder.
Joe from Long Island June 2nd, 2011 at 8:53 am
Good morning –
In all fairness, that’s tough news for Dice. Like what I’ve read about Kei Igawa, these guys came over with big personal expectations, and each one tried their best. Their disappointments stem mostly, I think, from lack of appreciation of the difficulties and differences in coming into American MLB; plus, in Igawa’s case, some issues with scouting reports (Mike Pagliarulo).
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There was a story by Jeff Passan where he basically blames Dice for the situation. Hard to say he tried his hardest if he was out of shape and didn’t commit to the plans the team had for him. I like Passan’s judgement and I interpret this as pretty negative for Matsuzaka.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....ust_052411