Postgame notes: “I have plans for him to start again”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Jun 22, 2011 
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Joe Girardi said he hasn’t scheduled his starting pitchers beyond the next four games, but right now, the plan is for Brian Gordon to stay in the rotation. Tonight, Gordon took the good with the bad. He didn’t walk anyone, and at one point he retired 10 in a row, but when he made mistakes, the Reds punished him with three home runs.
“He had one good start and one so-so start,” Girardi said. “Obviously he’s gotten an opportunity because we have people that are hurt. Besides the few mistakes he made, he did okay, but his mistakes were big mistakes… He’s in our rotation. I haven’t sat and thought with the extra days off, what do you do? Right now, I have plans for him to start again.”
Girardi said the Yankees will stay on rotation for this weekend series against the Rockies — A.J. Burnett, CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova — then Freddy Garcia will likely get the start in Tuesday’s series opener against the Brewers. Beyond that, Girardi’s not sure how he’ll manipulate the rotation. He could change it around because of Monday’s off day.
Against two of the five highest-scoring lineups in baseball, Gordon hasn’t been overwhelming — and he’s occasionally walked a tightrope — but he’s given the Yankees a chance to win. He had his good moments tonight, but a first-inning cutter, a second-inning curveball and a fifth-inning slider were hammered for home runs to left field.
“Definitely a little disappointed with the outcome,” Gordon said. “I think overall I felt like I executed most of my pitches, and I think I made three mistakes and I paid for all three of them.”
As Russell Martin explained it: “I thought he made a lot of good pitches today. He didn’t always get rewarded for it. I felt like it was a pretty tight zone out there for him, and then with the tight zone you get behind in counts and you have to get back in counts. Left maybe a couple of pitches over the middle of the plate, and they didn’t miss them.”
The Yankees might not need a fifth starter the next time through the rotation, but they’ll need one eventually, and right now Gordon is still in that spot.
Here’s Gordon after tonight’s game.
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• As you would probably imagine, this was a pretty short postgame in the Yankees clubhouse. Jorge Posada’s home run in the first game, and the Yankees winning record on the road trip, remained the biggest stories of the day. In the big picture, Gordon and the second-game letdown were pretty secondary today.
• Of course, there was the subject of Hector Noesi. He had his first truly bad outing since coming to the big leagues. The Yankees were still within striking distance before Noesi gave up three runs in the seventh and three more in the eighth. “Missed location, too,” Girardi said. “Left some balls up. Left a slider up to Rolen, an 0-2 slider. He just made mistakes.”
• The good news out of the bullpen was Boone Logan, who faced two very good lefties — Joey Votto and Jay Bruce — and got them both out.
• There wasn’t much discussion about the Yankees missed opportunity in the top of the seventh. Not much to say about it really. Girardi’s strategy spoke for itself — he pinch hit in the spots that he could pinch hit and neither Robinson Cano nor Posada got the big hit — and that was really their last chance to make a dent in the Reds’ lead. Next time the Yankees came to the plate, the game was out of hand.
• Cano’s ninth-inning single did extend his hitting streak to 11 games.
• The Yankees are now 8-19 when the opposition scores first.
• Reds outfielder Chris Heisey had three home runs today. He had five all season before today. “Every mistake that he got, it only took him one pitch,” Martin said. “I remember him from when I used to see him, earlier on, he really didn’t hit breaking balls that well. Today, he got a couple of mistakes on breaking pitches and he hit them.”
• Johnny Cueto is good. “I can’t speak for everybody, but I didn’t really get many pitches to hit today,” Martin said. “He had that fastball working in the bottom of the zone against me and mixing his breaking ball really well. He was tough out there.”
• The Jeff Marquez injury is a mystery. He pitched this weekend in Chicago, seemed fine, then said his shoulder was bothering him while playing catch today. “He came in and played catch today and his arm was sore,” Girardi said. “I can’t tell you when he did it. He threw pretty well Sunday for us. I have no idea. He said he played catch today and his arm was sore.”
• The Yankees have signed veterans Terry Tiffee and Mike Lamb to minor league deals to bolster the Triple-A lineup. Just my opinion, but both could quickly become legitimate options for the big league bench as power-hitting corner infielders, kind of filling that Eric Chavez role.
Associated Press photos
Gordon thinks he “only” made three mistakes? More like a dozen mistakes, with “only” three of them getting hammered 410 feet behind him.
If he thinks he executed his pitches well enough, than maybe he should go back to the minors, because this is going to get scarey for him once they have legit scouting reports on the guy.
A little “disappointed” with 5 innings and 4 runs? Come on. This would be a tremendous start if I were on the mound at a soft ball game, but for a major leaguer it’s nowhere near good.
He needs to man up and just admit he had a terrible start. Don’t sugar coat things to make yourself feel better.
I am actually pretty impressed with Jorge’s defense at 1st. He does a serviceable job over there. Definitely a nice suprise.
How don’t you bunt Martin there in the 7th?!?! Move the runners to 2nd and 3rd, then hopefully Nunez hits a sac/single even if he gets out you pinch hit Pena with Cano and still have runners on 2nd and 3rd with the best hitter on the team at the plate with 2 outs and the tying run at the plate! Even if he singles you make it a 1 run ball game with 6 outs to go!!!…I don’t know what Girardi’s logic behind all of that was. You’d think he’d have an NL mentality since he did coach in the NL…
Struggling lefty Boone Logan retired Joey Votto and Jay Bruce, the only two batters he faced in the second game of the doubleheader. He credited third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who sat down for nearly 20 minutes with Logan on Tuesday, trying to counsel the reliever. A-Rod’s message?
“Just have a game plan,” Logan said
http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde.....o_won.html
Who gives a c*** what Gordon admits to … it’s a sound bite from a fill-in for a fill-in.
Like it should matter in the Yankee universe what Gordon thinks of his pitching.
Idiot.
Get a job, instead of crying about greedy corporations, you moron.
If you want to apply for a job at at my company, let me know and I’ll see what I can do. I believe in being charitable and I know times are tough, hang in there.
Try running that scam on someone else who doesn’t know better.
Your clueless observations about the machinations of management decisions, as well as your atrocious language and math skills betray you.
But feel free to discuss your fantasy life amidst your numerous identities here.
You fool no one … other than yourself.
Loser.
By the way, Johnny Cueto is real good…..
I sense your bitterness and it’s perfectly understandable in your position. Retaining some dignity and pride is important, I respect that, and I won’t push it. If you decide you need some help you know how to contact me, I’ll leave it there. Good luck to you!
Johnny Cueto is good — but Kobe is better!
AldotheApache,
Text is a sound bite? You are beyond a typical imbecile.
Attempting to “fight” people with words over the internet is pathetic. Well, in my opinion at least. But again, “who gives a c***.”
Wind blowing out at GAP is not a good time to make mistakes. But the strike zone was tight and he ran into a hot hitter who also took Noesi yard for his 3rd. For a RP 5th starter, 5 IP and 4 ER is not awful against a good hitting team.
The offense was the story in game 2, or should I say, the lack of an offense. The other guy pitched well, but this seems to be the Yankees problem this year. They can shell the so-so pitchers but can not get it done against the good ones. In years past, they would at least wear guys like Cueto down and get him out of there in the 6th.
Yankees under 500 when the sun goes down. Whats up with that?.
Reports are that Hughes could be 2 more rehab starts from being ready to.come back……he could be ready sometime late next week.l to join the team if those go well.
Question is what are they going to do when both he and Colon come back……? 6 man rotation? Somebody is gonna have to drop out.
Shhhhhhh. Please don’t mention that name in here. This board can’t handle, Xachman, Girardi, Jeter, Gardner and Hughes ongoing yammerings all in one subject. The boards and hundreds of heads will explode.
***Cashman***
Move Garcia in a deal to Milwaukee once it’s determined that both Hughes and Colon are healthy and effextive. They may have lost another starter last night. Marcum was pulled from the game after 50 pitches in the third inning.
***effective***
Blake-
I do not think they will go to a 6 man. Not their style IMO.
Maybe they skip a turn for a couple of guys to see what Phil has.
Freddy could always use a little extra rest.
Nova is pitching well enough that you don’t want to remove him I would think.
What’s your guess ?
MTU,
I agree with GB in that somebody might get moved…….could be Nova or Garcia. They have to see what Hughes is first and if he’s going to be back this year or not and they have to be sure Colon is ok as well before doing anything.
Freddy for Prince Fielder
“The Yankees are now 8-19 when the opposition scores first”
Hmmm I cant quite think of the Yankee batter who has that great leading off a game slash line. .391 .472 .478 .950 2011 (career .353 .406 .517 .923 !!! )
You know the guy that’s totally obvious shouldn’t be leading off a game despite the above stat and the fact that the team leading after the 2nd inning wins 70% of the time (thanks Jerk).
Oh well, it will come to me. Off to work, have a great day everybody!
Blake-
Sounds like a plan.
What do you think Garcia would fetch ?
Too much pitching is a good problem to have! If Colon comes back as strong as he was, he has to stay in the rotation. I guess Freddie would be my odd man out, only b/c he seems to get hit by the more patient teams like the red sox. He is fun to watch against the free swinging clubs. My favorite moment in yesterday’s win was Phillips laughing after swinging thru a pitch.
MTU,
I really don’t know…..probably not all that much but maybe a useful reliever of somethig else the Yankees need….I also could see Nova going in a bigger deal if one materializes.
I agree with Kate that if I had to choose that Garcia would be the odd man out….he’s been fantastic this year…..but good teams with good approaches are going to pound him often as she said……and that’s what you see in the playoffs.
well, this place is fun…
What do you think Garcia would fetch?
—————————————-
If traded to the Brewers probably no better than Sergio Mitre!!
Mike Lamb’s last decent year was in 2007 with the Astros.
Turned the game off after the Yankees couldn’t score with bases loaded in 7th. Was Noesi that bad?
Wind was blowing out to left field and Reds took advantage of it. Doesn’t Heisey deserve a plunking after homer #2?
Hughes, Banuelos, and Betances will be in the same rotation finally……only for Trenton.
Colon could be a bigger trade chip. How about trading him in some 4 way deal with Phillies, Reds and Indians, to obtain the players he was traded for in 2002.
Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew from the Indians for Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore, Brandon Phillips and Lee Stevens.
Blake-
The Rockies are rumored to be after pitching.
We could use a right-handed hitting OF’er/Bench guy.
What do you think of Ryan Spilborghs for Freddy ?
Garcia alone won’t bring a choice return, but, perhaps add someone like Pena and cash for Corey Hart.
Scratch adding the cash and Pena. Hart’s got 2 years left on his contract worth $19 mil
GB-
How about Spilborghs ?
Garcia + ?
Spilsborghs would be fine, but, I doubt that Colorado believes Garcia’s breaking pitches could survive in the mountains.
The Colon I’ve seen so far could be a postseason weapon……I wouldn’t trade him unless the injuries start piling up and then nobody would want him anyway.
I think Cash would move Nova in the right deal…..his value is up right now. That doesn’t mean I don’t like him…..because I do.
Can’t see moving Colon, but, not sure the Yanks will resign him at the end of the year unless there are serious arm injuries in Scranton.
He’s just a mediocre pitcher; despite Noesi’s performance, I still would rather see him in the rotation. Gordon might be ok as a long man – he’s not a guy I’m thrilled to see in the rotation.
I hope Garcia isn’t moved – and I don’t think he should be. If Phil could go in the pen in 2009, then why can’t Nova? I don’t think the pen was a great place for him as a pitcher, but Nova already has all the pitches and I think he’d be fine there – I don’t think his long-term development would be hurt by being in the pen.
Hopefully the Yanks will be able to do an evaluation on both Hughes and Colon before they consider moving anyone.
Blake-
The return for Nova would have to be quite good. Not sure I would even want to move him.
He has 7 wins in the AL East and seems to be improving all the time.
If they moved him it should be as part of a package for a relatively good lefty (i.e. Liriano, Danks, etc.).
MTU,
Yea that’s what I mean…..probably as a piece in a big deal if one were there.
Over or under for tex’s batting avg
270. I’m going under.
Over or under for tex’s batting avg
270. I’m going under.
======================
Probably will be a little under. He’s hit .269 as a Yankee.
More important question is will he OPS at or around .900 and both score and drive in 100+ runs? All indicators would seem to say YES to that, which matters a heck of a lot more than his batting average.
Odds Ubaldo doesn’t look like a Cy Young winner tonight?
Move a pitcher? Are you guys nuts? Hughes hasn’t proven anything, I’m not even sure he deserves a spot in the rotation once Colon is back.
It seems the odd man out would be Nova, probably moved to the bullpen.
“Jose Reyes to New York Yankees ‘not going to happen,’ says Brian Cashman, who supports Derek Jeter”
“”We have an everyday shortstop in Derek Jeter,” said Cashman, who was at the Waldorf-Astoria for the CYO Club of Champions Tribute to receive the Sportsman of the Year award. “And I think we have an everyday shortstop that would be playing for a lot of clubs in Eduardo Nuñez. The Yankees don’t have a need now or in the future for a shortstop.
“But we do need a setup man.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....?r=topnews
I go under on Tex hitting .270, until he learns to go the other way to try and beat the shift.
Garcia has a 3.30 ERA. He has better peripherals than Nova. He should not be moved.
Russell Martin?s hitting has officially become atrocius?where have the good hitting catchers gone?
The power numbers look good, but is anyone concerned that Tex is one bad homestand away from being a .235 hitter? Has he really passed his prime already as a legit .275-.290 hitter?
BD-
100% against because there is no game today.
Odds Ubaldo doesn’t look like a Cy Young winner tonight?
================================
Tonight? 0%
Tommorow night? 60%
Jacksquat-
Hughes was an 18 game winner last season.
If he’s healthy he definitely gets a spot in the rotation.
You’re underestimating him IMO.
Tex = Giambi
Agon = Miggy/Votto
Theo wins yet again
New thread ==>
MTU June 23rd, 2011 at 8:52 am
Jacksquat-
Hughes was an 18 game winner last season.
If he’s healthy he definitely gets a spot in the rotation.
You’re underestimating him IMO.
—
Well I’m not estimating anything really. I don’t know what he will do. He was good for about 2-3 months at the beginning of last year. Poor second half last year and obviously bad this year. So I would not just hand him the spot of someone pitching well now like Colon or Garcia. Those two could regress because of their age, but I don’t like removing someone while they are pitching well because they might get worse.