Postgame notes: “We just gave it to them”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Jul 20, 2011 
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Last night was decided on a bases-loaded walk. Tonight it was a fly ball lost in the roof and a bad play on the mound.
“We kind of stole one last night,” Joe Girardi said. “We gave it back tonight.”
To put it another way.
“I don’t feel like they won it,” Russell Martin said. “We just gave it to them.”
The fly ball to center
It was a routine out, hit sky high but infinitely catchable. Off the bat, it seemed to be no problem for Curtis Granderson, but as the ball came down, he put his hands out in the universal “I lost it” signal.
“Just missed it,” Granderson said. “It went up and I lost it right away. Picked it back up, and then right when it was on the way back down, couldn’t find it. And then right at the last minute, when I finally found it, I was too deep. So that was it. Just one of those things where, (I was) trying to find it, kept my eye on it the whole time, but it ended up disappearing up there in the top of the roof here in the dome.”
Granderson said he wasn’t sure whether he lost it in the white of the roof or in the sudden background of the catwalk.
“I knew I was in the vicinity,” he said. “And I thought I had got to the point where, once it does finally come out, I’ll be there. But I ended up being about 10 feet too deep.”
Here’s Granderson.
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The chopper to the mound
With the bases loaded after the lost fly ball, Boone Logan got exactly what he needed. A chopper to the mound was at least going to be an easy out at the plate, but both Logan and Martin thought it would have been a 1-2-3 double play.
“I was so geared up to get him out, I was more focused on making my pitch,” Logan said. “When he hit it, it caught me off-guard. The hardest ball to catch would be the hopper over a pitcher’s head like that. You can’t really judge it well, and you’re so focused on the pitch, it kind of throws you off a little bit.”
That’s why Logan hesitated. He said he’s had other balls like that, and they always give him trouble for whatever reason. Girardi said Logan pitched “outstanding” and Granderson said Logan “did everything we needed” on the mound, but that ball gave him trouble. He said it wasn’t a funny hop off the turf, just a bad reaction on the mound.
“There was nothing quirky about my error,” Logan said. “Take that away, we win the game.”
Here’s Logan.
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• Granderson had his left ankle iced and wrapped after the game. He said he felt it all night after being hit by a pitch in the first inning, but it was never swollen and the ice was more preventative than anything.
• Obviously the bright side of tonight’s game was Bartolo Colon, who struck out a season-high nine during his 6.1 innings. “It was back like the Bartolo from earlier in the year,” Martin said. “He mixed in his pitches a bit more today. I thought he had a better feel for the changeup and the slider as well.”
• Colon also made the point that he was throwing more four-seamers than usual, and he was able to use that pitch up in the zone for some outs. After back-to-back disappointing outings, this was a big dose of encouragement. “I was extremely happy with the way he threw,” Girardi said. “That’s what we want to see. That’s the good thing about it. We didn’t score a lot of runs, but he threw the ball really well.”
• Girardi said he pulled Colon because he’d already reached a 105 pitches, which was a season high. “That’s the manager’s decision,” Colon said. “I don’t even think about it. Whatever he wants me to do, that’s what I do.”
• It was Ivan Nova’s right ankle that was hurt tonight. Apparently he believes it’s not too serious.
• Rafael Soriano went 1.1 innings in his first rehab outing. He pitched a perfect first inning, but allowed a home run, single and sacrifice bunt in the second. He struck out one and threw a total of 21 pitches.
• Eric Chavez went 0-for-3 with a walk in his first game as Tampa’s DH. He was forced out at second base after the walk.
• Martin made the final out on a fly ball to deep left field. Off the bat, I thought it was gone. Martin knew otherwise. “I didn’t hit it square so I knew that it probably wasn’t going to go out,” he said.
• Brett Gardner was 2-for-3 with two more stolen bases and his batting average is up to .290. He has 13 hits and three walks in his past 25 plate appearances for a .640 on-base percentage since the all-star break.
• Gardner’s been successful on his past 15 stolen bases attempts and has six steals in his past six games.
• Robinson Cano hit his first home run since his Home Run Derby show. I didn’t see it, but there were stories floating around about the show Cano put on in batting practice before tonight’s game. Apparently it was a sight to see. This is what I miss writing pregame notes!
• Colon was 8-0 in his first 12 career starts against the Rays, but he’s won only one of his past seven starts against them. His nine strikeouts were his most since April 26, 2007 against the Rays as a member of the Angels. His 105 pitches were his most since July 18, 2007, also against the Rays.
• How hard is it in the American League East? Tonight is only the third time since May 11 that the Rays have picked up a game in the standings on both the Yankees and the Red Sox in a single day.
• A final word from Girardi: “We kind of gave them the game. You’re going to have physical errors and you’re going to lose balls in the lights. That’s going to happen sometimes in a dome. That doesn’t mean that I’m happy about it. It happens. It’s baseball. These guys aren’t going to be perfect. They bust their butt every day and I’m proud of them for doing that. You don’t like these type of losses.”
Associated Press photos
is it against the law to ask why Jeter cannot move down in the order?
also this is now a year and a half when can we start talking reality about the significantly inferior Derek Jeter. Not the old Jeter of 98 or 99 or even 2004.. He is toast.. under 200 with RISP.
every pitcher just tries to jam him in side, is it really that hard to see?
jeter and jorge are toast.. Jeter can at least make the plays defensively to him, jorge is just bad. Montero should be playing over Jorge….without arod they no longer can have glaring holes in the lineup.
chad why don’t you ever talk about jeter actually hurting the team offensively, that does not discount what jeter did in the past….
or comes up smaller in a big spot tex or swisher??why do this guys try to hit homers all the time????
tex is great on defense but offensively he has underachieved. he should hit 250 + minimum………
What’s that stuff spraying off the turf ?
Indoor baseball in the Sunshine State. Doesn’t make sense to me.
What’s that stuff spraying off the turf ?
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Little rubber thingies, so the players aren’t running on concrete with fake grass growing out of it. Walking on the field is eerie. Its like being in a mcdonalds playpen.
Baseball in a bouncy house.
stuart a July 20th, 2011 at 12:52 am
is it against the law to ask why Jeter cannot move down in the order?……
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Jeter is a joke. The fans here just cannot see the reality. A washed up player. Totally selfish. Besides the stats, just watching him is hard. Slow bat, hands, feet. No power. Worst range factor at shortstop in the league. His leadership is over rated. Just stealing his paycheck IMO. Should hit ninth or he can share the DH spot with his buddy Jorge, another true team player. I hate this year’s team because of those two and Girardi’s gutlessness. Give the new players a chance. Gardner has corrected many faults and is playing well. The leadoff spot should be his.
Post All-Star Game OPS
Gardner — 1.367
Jeter ——0.399
NW Yankees Fan:
How you been ? Where you been ? Long time no see.
i agree gardner should leadoff but gardner will not keep up his OPS, talk about small sample size.
jeter has a group of media and others that think he is g-d like.
the guy is old and toast. just imagine 3 more years of this. that is scary… a under 300 OBP and a miniscule slugging % plus the limited range. SCARY. Why would Derek want to go thru this?????????????????????????????????
stuart a July 20th, 2011 at 2:43 am
Why would Derek want to go thru this?????????????????????????????????
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What would you do for $54M?
Vineyard Yankee July 20th, 2011 at 2:43 am
NW Yankees Fan:
How you been ? Where you been ? Long time no see.
___________________________________________________________________________
Hi Vin, just been busy with house projects, work, wife had pneumonia, and some sick animals. Been reading the blog but no energy to write. Glad to see that you are still out there. I see WCYF has been fending off the crazies out there… you know BoJo, Seargent Bilko, and the boys. How are you? I hope that things are going well for you down in CA. Take care. -NWYF
What would you do for $54M?
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I’d blw a horse for 54 million. Funny, that’s what Jeter looks like in the batters box.
NW Yankees Fan July 20th, 2011 at 3:21 am
I’d blw a horse for 54 million.
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I hear you. Why would Jeter do this? Most peep don’t get that it just all about the money.
NW:
Sounds like a full plate. Hope your wife and your animals got through all the illness stuff, that can be draining.
Same stuff with me, good weather and my business picks up. Dogs, cats, the chickens and Gio keep me busy. Family is good, everyone doing their own thing for the most part which is good (Independence is a good thing in this day and age)
Nice to see you still read the blog and notice the crazies, love the Sgt. Bilko reference ! LOL ! You take care and when things settle down and get back to normal, hopefully we will see more of you here in Yankee Paradise. Ciao for now.
mind on task….today
It makes sense to go with the hot hand in putting Gardner at the top of the lineup and drop Jeter to No. 2 or possibly to the bottom 1/3 of the lineup. Girardi is afraid to offend his players in making lineup changes.
Alex is clearly missed and another bat is sorely needed. Can’t fault most of the pitchers. They have no run support to work with.
Why would you have a white roof in a sport where guys are trying to catch white baseballs…….wouldn’t that be like playing golf with a green golfball?
Beltran and Montero could change the complexion of this lineup combined with getting Alex back.
blake
I’m not sure but wasn’t the Trop built for football?
As far as Beltran and Montero, I wonder how you intergrate them into this line up.
The only spot that could possibly benefit is DH.
According to foxsports.com
The Phillies and Red Sox are among the most aggressive suitors for Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran ?
Why would you have a white roof in a sport where guys are trying to catch white baseballs…….wouldn’t that be like playing golf with a green golfball?
======
hell, I have enough problems finding a white ball in the thick rough off the fairway…
That would be just insanity…
Maine,
Yea it was I think…..but the don’t play football there anymore……let some of Tampa’s finest citizens spray paint graffiti up there……it would match the crappyness of the rest of the place.
As far as Beltran and Montero…..they would take ABs from Posada and Martin most likely…..Beltran would play somewhere everyday….LF, RF, or DH and Montero would DH some against lefties and catch some. Martin would still.play a lot but Jorge probably wouldn’t.
Benny,
I would be fine with a green ball……a brown ball (color of the woods) would be a challenge for me.
“The Phillies and Red Sox are among the most aggressive suitors for Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran ?”
Who do the Red Sox.have to trade the Mets?
blake
You need to be carefull having to many moving parts.
It’s human nature to like a routine and I think athletes are prone to that even more.
blake July 20th, 2011 at 7:52 am
“The Phillies and Red Sox are among the most aggressive suitors for Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran ?”
Who do the Red Sox.have to trade the Mets?
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J.D. Drew.
Maine,
What you mean? Beltran would play RF and you move Swisher to DH vs RHP. Against tough lefties you could play Beltran in LF……..Montero could.catch a couple games a week and DH against some lefties. Posada wouldn’t play much……
i love Jeter to death, but he’s been consistently bad for over a year and a half now. The sample size has gotten pretty big now. This team looks really old in spots and needs an influx of youth and energy. Jeter and Posada had their run, but it’s now time to move on.
I hope the Braves get Beltran if the Yankees don’t.
There nothing we can do about Jeter except move him down in the lineup. Posada on the other hand needs to be re-evaluated
The team loses so much length and power without Arod. ….
blake
So now you want to make Gardner a part time player?
He’s starting to be one of the ones that are driving the offense.
Is Montero an upgrade at this point?
I’m not saying he isn’t, just not sure he’s ready to have as much impact right now as some do.
Looks like we’re closer to getting Soriano and Chavez back, so it wasn’t such a bad day yesterday
Just catching up.
Nice to see Bartolo back on track.
Looks like we lost due mainly to some quirkly bad luck.
U-Jim with an excellent game last night at Coors.
I agree that our offense could use a transfusion.
Good morning all. First want to attach this interesting article about some mlb players who were good pickups for their teams-Colon Garcia mentioned. Reed Johnson of the Cubs would be the perfect 4th OF’er:
http://www.baseballamerica.com.....-for-2011/
Hey. All we need is the split. All the pressure is still on TB. They have try to win the next 2.
Somehow I don’t think that’s gonna happen.
Boston lost last night so we didn’t lose ground.
Reinforcements are coming.
Anyone else wondering if anyone bites on Montero ?
Guess we’re gonna find out.
MTU
How can you be so upbeat after such a terrible loss?
The Mets were at th Red Sox AA game last night. The Boston Globe says the Red Sox are inquiring on Beltran and Reyes. I think they go after Beltran, and yes, they could do that.
MY-
Oh sorry. I guess I forgot the sky fell and the end is near because they lost 1 game.
I’ll try to get with the program from now on.
Now onto Ubaldo Jimenez and his game last night at Coors. I watched his last 2 innings pitched on TV. The Rockies let him go 120 pitches before taking him out with 2 outs in 6th, in a blowout of the Braves. His fastball was reaching 91 with max 93 the last inning, 94-95 the inning before. He uses a lot of arm action to sling-shot his pitches, ala Jake Peavy, and we all know what that can lead to.
Colon had 9 strikeouts[same as Ubaldo], in 1/3rd inning less, was more economical and his fastball still had velocity in his last inning with more movement than the big-U.
I’m not sold on Ubaldo. He’s presently no Justin Verlander who I’ve seen crank his heater into the high 90′s late in the game.
If I’m a Yankee scout I’d tell Cashman-buyer beware.
Why is Girardi so gutless?
This lineup is so much more dynamic with Gardner at the top.
Gardner has a higher B.A. than Jeter. But Jeter hits leads-off.
Gardner has a much higher OBP than Jeter. But Jeter leads-off.
Gardner has way more SB’s than Jeter. But Jeter leads-off.
Gardner works the count, Jeter swings at the 1st pitch. But Jeter leads-off.
Garner goes from 1st to 3rd all the time, Jeter strolls into 2nd. But Jeter leads-off
Gardner is just now entering this prime, Jeter is well past his. But Jeter leads-off.
Wow, What is going on here? If Girardi doesn’t have the guts to move him down the order, then Cashman or ownership should get involved. This is pathetic.
In that picture of Grandy it looks like the ball is coming out of a spring or something.
That was one weird 7th inning. LOL
Montero?? Who???
Austin-
IMO Boston’s problems are not offense but pitching so who cares if they get Beltran.
You don’t hit your way to championships. It’s all about the SP. They are very vulbnerable in that dep’t.
Hope you are having a good time.
No, I don’t think Montero is being shopped………… IF he’s traded, IMO, it will only be for a stud…….and that’s a big IF.
YT-
I agree that Ubaldo is not as good as Verlander overall but on a given day he can be.
The guy can flat out dominate.
P.S. I’ve seen him a lot more than you.
I don’t know if it has been reported, but the Astros traded Keppinger to the Giants.
Boston won’t have pitching problems forever. Lester will be back and he’s great. Beckett’s been phenomenal…………..and Buchholz will eventually return. They are in much, much better shape than the Yankees in terms of getting through the playoffs. That’s all they’ll care about, not whether they win the division
Betsy-
He’s being shopped for a stud.
Betsy-
Bucholz may be on the shelf for the reaminder of the season.
Beckett is one wrong move away from another bad back.
Lackey sucks.
Miller is inexperienced.
Wakefield is old.
And Dice-K is at the retirement home.
Some depth.
austinmac July 20th, 2011 at 8:37 am
I don’t know if it has been reported, but the Astros traded Keppinger to the Gian
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That’s going mess up Chip and Bret’s trade plans.
MTU, I don’t agree………but neither of us can prove it, lol
blake July 20th, 2011 at 7:33 am
Why would you have a white roof in a sport where guys are trying to catch white baseballs…….wouldn’t that be like playing golf with a green golfball?
Beltran and Montero could change the complexion of this lineup combined with getting Alex back.
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You’re 100% correct. Also, Russell Martin is showing signs of wearing down. Catching 4 out of 6 games should be his workload with Montero getting the rest.
Jorge has made big contributions in the past but he’s now past his time.
The RS have as many ? as the Yankees do as far as pitching is concerned.
Beltran-
The Red Sox could trade for Beltran. It could start with SS/2B Jed Lowrie who is rehabbing from a left shoulder injury and is close to return[bats-left/ throws-right].
They could offer Josh Reddick as a swap of OF’ers or rookie Drew Sutton, a switch hitter, another SS who was hitting .311 at the ASB in 45 AB’s
I don’t think the Yankees will be willing to give up Nova for a rental. Nova, Lowrie, Sutton could all be insurance at SS if Reyes leaves the Mets.
Betsy-
I was merely giving you my take. You gave yours.
Agree to disagree then.
MTU, I’m not sitting around waiting for Beckett’s back to go out. If it does, it does – until then, he’s been brilliant. I’m not conceding anything to the Sox, but their rotation is still built for the playoffs – ours is not.
MTU,
I agree the Red Spx needs starting pitching, but I think they don’t see much of an upgrade out there, and I sure don’t want them to add Beltran to that lineup that is the best in baseball right now. I am not one who thinks the team needs to always compete with the Sox on players, but the Yankees do need improvement.
We are having a great time. Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Lake are beautiful. Today Estes and the crowds. Don’t worry. I can do my imaginary GM duties from anywhere.
Ok, MTU – you sound upset. Whatever.
Betsy-
Not upset at all. Beckett got an epidural to help his back. Those things have a way of wearing off and the fundamental problem that causes the need for them returns.
Not saying it will but it easily could.
Bucholz is likely to be out for quite a while maybe the reaminder of the season.
You are entitled to your take. That’s just mine. No problem if we do not agree. It’s all good.
I agree that Ubaldo is not as good as Verlander overall but on a given day he can be.
The guy can flat out dominate.
P.S. I’ve seen him a lot more than you. RETORT- NA NA NA NA NA LMAO!!!
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MTU-
Did you watch his outing last night? If you think he’s worth one of the 2B’s let alone Montero also I’m out! Deal or no Deal, that is the question???
Austin-
Sounds good. Wish I could join you.
You are a living, breathing commercial for Apple.
I agree that the Yankees could use some additions.
Jeff Keppinger has played 2B only this year. Good utility pickup for the Giants.
Maine,
When did I say Gardner would be a part.time.player? He would play most every game unless you wanted to sit him against at tough Lefty…..at which point you’d have a better option than Andrew Jones. Martin and Posada would play less…..everyone else roughly the same.
YT-
I did and I still do.
Did not see last night’s game. I was out of town.
MTU – I’ve seen nothing that says Bucholz may be out for the rest of the season. In fact, I think he is throwing this week.
Trader,
Nobody is Verlander…..I asked the question a couple weeks ago if he was the best pure arm since Nolan Ryan and he may just be. I also don’t see the Peavy comparision with Ubaldo……
Buttholtz is supposed to be back early next month.
Carlo-
There was an article about it in the Globe a while back.
Someone posted it here. I do not have the link.
Perhaps things have changed since then ? If so, I stand corrected.
MTU-
What?? No comment on my retort??
Betsy-
It’s a total of 3 epidurals spaced months apart for a herniated disc and then surgery is recommended if no relief.
Blake-
Ubaldo’s motion is rather staccato and long. He is a very large young man.
I agree with you that there is no resemblance to Peavy as Ubaldo does not whip the ball with his arm.
He definitely uses his legs a lot more.
Clay Buchholz (back) is scheduled to throw a side session in the next couple of days.Buchholz played long-toss from a distance of 120 feet on Monday afternoon and reported no lingering issues with his once-strained lower back. On the disabled list since June 17, the 26-year-old right-hander should be able return to the major leagues in early August. Jul 19, 10:43 AM
Sure the Red Sox could trade for Beltran……but they just took a big chunk of their farm to get Gonzalez…….are they going to be willing to further weaken it for a rental when offense really isn’t their issue? If they do that then it signals that they are 100% all in on trying to win now…..Beltran would make their lineup incredibly good and deep. I don’t see that happening though ……lot of teams could make better offers.
YT-
How should I respond to that YT ?
It cool if we disagree. At least from perspective.
You don’t have to want him.
It’s not likely to happen anyway.
As time has passsed I have become less and less convinced that the Yankees see Montero as their Catcher of the future.
New Post: No worries in Colon’s return to form
YT-
Sorry. I butchered that post.
Ubaldo has a funky delivery, but that doesn’t mean he is more of an injury risk. Their just aren’t many starters with his stuff.
It seems very unlikely the Yankees will make such a big move. It’s been along time since they made a big TD deal. I hope they don’t just replace replacement level players with more of the same.
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