Postgame notes: Soriano polishes off Coco’s career night
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Aug 24, 2011 
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Remember when Yankee’s-A’s was a big rivalry? It’s a sign of just how far the Athletics have fallen that tonight marked the first time Oakland beat the Yanks in consecutive games since 2007. Yikes.
The Bombers are still 5-3 against Oakland this season, but the last two games sting. Tuesday they came back from 6-0 down and were within a few feet of a game-winning grand slam. Tonight they had a 2-1 lead in the eighth with C.C. Sabathia pitching. Both times they lost to an inferior club while Boston beat up on Texas.
It is only their third series loss over their last 21.
There’s going to be a lot of anger at Rafael Soriano after he surrendered the deciding home run to Coco Crisp. He’s engendered mixed feelings since he walked through the door in March.
“It just looked like he left a breaking ball up to Coco and a breaking ball up to Sizemore,” Joe Girardi said. “And they took advantage of it.”
Soriano didn’t help himself by claiming after the game that he hadn’t picked up on any hitting patterns on either hitter.
“I never think about the hitters, what they’re going to do,” he said through a translator. “I just try and pitch my game.”
He said he didn’t feel any tightness from not pitching in a week.
• After his last start, Sabathia said he was just slinging the ball, not really pitching it. That wasn’t the case today.
“I felt great tonight,’ he said. “I wasn’t so strong, my mechanics was good, I was throwing the ball where I wanted to. It just didn’t work out.”
He felt no ill effects of being in a six-man rotation.
By making his 350th start tonight, he became the youngest to do so since Vida Blue in 1980. CC is 31 years, 34 days old.
• Crisp and Scott Sizemore probably both had the best batting days of their lives today. Sizemore was 4 for 4, his first career four-hit game. Crisp was also 4 for 4, with two home runs, a career-high five RBI, and a walk.
• Although Bartolo Colon insisted last night that he feels no effects of his high workload, Brian Cashman said today that it’s definitely something he’s aware of.
“He’s been a godsend for us no doubt about it, ” Cashman said. “But how the back end of those innings are going to affect him, it’s fair to speculate based on how he’s performed.”
Colon is at 131 innings, more than he’s thrown since 2005 and more than the last three seasons combined.
• Derek Jeter stands 21st on the all-time hit list, tied with Rickey Henderson. He needs five more for 3,060, the number held by Astro great Craig Biggio. Two hits tonight gave him a .490 average over his last 12 games.
• Mark Teixiera hit his 35th home run, tying him with Curtis Granderson for second in the majors behind Toronto’s Jose Bautista.
• Nick Swisher has 16 home runs over his last 75 games after hitting two in his first 46 games.
• Robinson Cano extended his hitting streak to 15 games.
soriano=poor body language
There is plenty of blame to go around – but Soriano is always going to be the scapegoat.
Goodnight Betsy and Mick.
I have been reading SJ’s tweets for the past couple months. If you think tonight was bad, it was nothing. Continuous whining about managing of the Yankees, bad umpiring and coaching of the Heat.
Soriano – I blame Levine. Stupid moron needs to stay out of baseball operations.
The loss – I blame the anemic offense. What a pathetic two days.
A week off is a long time for a RP’er. Sounds like a bit of rust there.
“Soriano didn’t help himself by claiming after the game that he hadn’t picked up on any hitting patterns on either hitter.
“I never think about the hitters, what they’re going to do,” he said through a translator. “I just try and pitch my game.””
Some pitcher are just throwers who rely on the catcher, no problem with that if thats what he has always done.
Giving up 2 HR to guys like Coco and Abreu, and letting the Jason bay of the AL (aka Carl Crawford ) beat the pitching up, makes me wonder if they should take a hard look at the advance scouting department and their approach to some of the oppositions hitters.
Even starters don’t go 8 days between appearances. Soriano was pitching well until that long break.
That’s where Joe messed up – there’s no excuse for not getting Soriano in a game. Still and all, CC had the game in his hand and failed to close it out.
Bret, night!
Jacob Ruppert August 25th, 2011 at 12:05 am
I have been reading SJ’s tweets for the past couple months. If you think tonight was bad, it was nothing. Continuous whining about managing of the Yankees, bad umpiring and coaching of the Heat.
——————————————————————————————————–
Probably because Girardi gives him a lot to whine about. Gives me agita too.
I just hope this game didn’t ruin Erin’s birthday.
Someone just called the Yankees offense anemic when they scored 5 runs yesterday and 4 today.
TBrownYahoo
What most people think, Ozzie says. On Bourjos: “I’ve never seen a white man run that fast.”
Ozzie who? Oh, that guy that is going to coach the Marlin’s next year….
Soriano just isn’t the same guy as last year and never will be for Yankees. I’m not even sure he likes being here. He hasn’t shown the attitude it takes to play in N.Y. IMO
UPDATE 8:25: That looked like Nunez’s ball hit the dirt behind home plate. It certainly sprayed up some dirt. If so it should have been a foul ball and Eduardo should still be batting.
——-
That is from the Game Post by this Thomases dude. Maybe next time Chad’s fill in will know the rules of baseball. That’s pretty embarassing…
Jacob Ruppert August 25th, 2011 at 12:04 am
I have been reading SJ’s tweets for the past couple months. If you think tonight was bad, it was nothing. Continuous whining about managing of the Yankees, bad umpiring and coaching of the Heat.
—-
I second all of this above. SJ has been killing the Yankees. He thinks they are something like 6 players away from winning it all. Tweets are constantly discouraging about teh Yankees.
Really weird cause when he was on here he would always seem to defend the Yankees and tear apart people that were negative about the ongoings of the team.
SJ man, dude just goes off on that twitter page of his. Too funny.
Soriano is just another testament to the abilities of Cashman. He knew that relievers are unpredictable and generally not something to invest heavily in (a lesson he has learned from a lot of mistakes). The brain-trust above him not only threw a lot of money at Soriano, which they could use towards a starter this offseason, they also gave Tampa yet another high draft pick that could come back to haunt them later. Let’s all hope he opts out and they can offer him arbitration to try to get a pick… (as of this moment he is still listed as a likely Type A – I assume that will drop to B by the seasons end)
Anyone want to explain to me why the Yankees are interested in Carlos Pena? He has 4HR and is hitting .218 since the break and his power numbers have dropped since he hit 10 HR in June. How would he be any better than Jones or Posada at the DH?
Pena is the shiny object. The Yankees brain trust continually underappreciates its own players in favor of the shiny objects on other teams, preferably ones that are old, injured and/or no longer productive.
They should have claimed Matsui or Damon, not Pena……
Unknown,
Actually, that sounds just like SJ on Lohud — esp re Girardi. He was NOT a fan. And since Girardi continues to repeat his mistakes, SJ is going to keep killing him for it.
He also was constantly going after people, who posted an opinion he didn’t agree with, sayiing they were idiots, morons and the like…so, hmm…same ‘ol, same ‘ol…
Miss his baseball smarts, though.
Keith — would love them in this order: 1) Matsui and 2) Damon.
Matsui is fearless.
MTU — you’ll be up soon, so here’s a quick “hi”. Have a good one. I’ve gotta run again…
The Yankees probably put in a claim on Pena to block him. They didn’t even call the Cubs about him, and now its being said he was going to be pulled back by the Cubs.
Matsui is a more likely possible trade with the A’s than Damon would be with the Rays. I don’t really see them going after either of them. Not really sure why, as both would fill a nice slot in the lineup.
I wonder if Soriano is miserable enough to consider opting out after this year. I don’t see anybody else who would be willing to give him the 11M the Yankees would owe him, but if maybe he can get 7 or 8M thinking he can get his career back on track and make more later.
Especially if it is made clear to him that he will be 6th inning and earlier mop up duty once Joba copmes back next year. I suspect he only signed with the Yanks with the thought that he would be the closer when Mariano retires, or be able to opt out if another closer role came up sooner.
For anyone old enough to remember- Mike Flanagan, a CY Young winning pitcher for the O’s was found dead in his home this morning
LGY August 25th, 2011 at 1:13 am
TBrownYahoo
What most people think, Ozzie says. On Bourjos: “I’ve never seen a white man run that fast.”
—
Ha, that’s what I think of Gardner.
Mark-
With all the FA relief pitchers available, Boras would be remiss in having Soriano opt out and seek employment elsewhere. Papelbon, Bell, Valverde, Cordero, Lidge, Madson, Rodriguez[K-Rod] are just some of the better closers possibly available.
Soriano would be lucky to get 1/2 of what he’d make next year if he opts out of his Yankee contract.
Very sad about Mike Flanagan. RIP.
Hughes gets to play cork-in-the-bottle today.
Yesterday was a team loss.
Looking forward to getting A-Rod going, and for our Sept. reinforcements.
Wow, a bad movie last night. How are the Yanks only scoring 3 runs against these guys and this was supposed to be per Chad’s post yesterday a bad pitcher? Bad luck for Chavez he creams the ball but right at 3 base.
Yankees don’t need Pena and the Cubs are probably pulling him back anyway. I’d like to see them get another OF’er who can play all 3 positions, who can keep a rally going, hits for average, hits both lefties and righties, gets on base, and hits with RISP.
This player fits the bill, and is currently a back-up with his team:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/pl.....Pr5imFCLcF
Blake and MTU-
You’ll guess which player that is without opening the site. Good morning>
YT,
I know, I am just hoping for any way out of that signing. I can’t believe that even ownership would put themselves in the situation of giving options to an unknown quantity. If he pitches well, he opts out and is gone; if he does what he is doing, we are stuck for 2 more years of this clown.
However, he had a great year last year, and as bad as he has been, he really hasn’t been any worse than Krod or Lidge. Going forward, some teams will probably see him as being better than Cordero or Bell; and cheaper than Papelbon and Valverde. Plus, some of those guys’ current teams will be looking for replacements when they leave, so there is a slight chance the Yanks can get out from under this guy.
Flanagan’s suicide puts a spotlight on how seriously some players/personnel take the opinions of fans and colleagues.
Boos and rants may seem innocent enough to some but not to everyone.
Incredibly sad ending to a life.
Hughes has a chance to be a stopper today….go Phil!
I didn’t have a problem with Girardi leaving CC to face Sizemore……he got ahead of him with 2 great sliders and then left one up with 2 strikes and he hit it…….I thought it was a little strange to then pull him in a tie game with 3 lefties coming in after that.
His pitch count was ok…..so once I make the decision to let him pitch to Sizemore Im leaving him in to face the following LH hitters……in for a penny…..in for a pound at that point.
These two games are a blip on the radar…..win today and all is well…….but as I said last night its always super annoying when mediocre players channel Willie Mays for a day and you lose because of it.
gary-
You’re absolutely correct.
Chavez went with the pitch. Hit it right on the screws but it just found a glove.
Bad luck.
That’s just the way it goes sometimes.
Trader,
Good morning…..reed Johnson is line the new Dejesus or something it seems
“Tonight was totally my fault,” said Sabathia.
——–
Well no CC it wasn’t!!
Two nights in a row your relief staff allowed inherited runners to score and allowed the eventual winning runs with the Yankees falling short.
Two nights in a row the first two batters were on 1st and 2nd with no outs, last night also 1st and 3rd with no outs, and your offense doesn’t score.
So no, CC, stop blaming yourself!
The game could have / should have been won before extra innings. Too many squandered chances in earlier innings. Need to salvage a game today. With all the games coming up with Baltimore, the Yankees should have had 2 more wins under their belts.
It is always possible to find some positives in a game.
For instance, How well is Jeter hitting the ball ?
Swisher.
Mo looking sharp as a tack.
Losing tends to overshadow those things.
Glass half-empty, half-full sort of thing.
“How are the Yanks only scoring 3 runs against these guys and this was supposed to be per Chad’s post yesterday a bad pitcher?”
Cahill isn’t a bad pitcher…been bad vs the Yankees this year and he struggles throwing strikes at times….mmbut when he’s on he’s pretty good and he threw the ball pretty well.last night. Yanksnhad guys all over the bases and just couldn’t get the big hit to fall.
Nick Swisher: “There’s no shame losing to the A’s; they’re playing good ball at the moment.”
The Orioles are too so what appeared to be an “easy stretch” for the Yankees could, in fact, turn out to be a major road block. Should the unthinkable happen today and the Yanks get swept, we’ll be relying on AJ tomorrow night to halt a three-game skid. A frightening thought!
Pat- where did you read it was a suicide?
Blake-
Reed Johnson would actually help the Yankees while DeJesus would not. One area that I’d like the Yankees to address would be another lefty in the bullpen-Laffey isn’t that person. Matt Thornton?
On the bright side, the Yankees are behind the Sox and can now block any possible reinforcements the Sox want. Not always bad being in 2nd- as long as you come out on top in the end!
Trader,
When would johnson play? He’d make the bench deeper I guess…..but Andrew has been better and the only RH bat I want to add is Montero
If the Yanks just played .500 ball against the Sox this year, they would still have about a 3-4 game lead.
Johnson would be able to give Gardner a rest against tough lefties and rest Grandy, at CF, a position Jones can no longer play. When rosters expand, he’d be a better option than any of the kids in AAA.
Trader,
Gotta trade for him though…..Jones plays vs tough lefties and they likely wouldn’t take both Gardy and Granderson out of the lineup at the same time. Obviosly he’d given them more depth but I don’t see it as a big need right now.
Mike B
“Police did not immediately identify the cause of death, but sources confirmed that Flanagan took his own life “despondent over what he considered a false perception from a community he loved of his role in the team’s prolonged failure,” Sandusky said.
http://www.wbaltv.com/sports/2.....z1W2cOm000“
Blake-
It’s a mute point. The Cubs didn’t want to trade him at the deadline and if and when he’s put on waivers, a NL club would claim him.
I guess my real point is that the Yankees would benefit from that type of player, rather than another home run threat, which will be solved shortly anyway when the Monster Man is unleashed on NY!!
I don’t see how Soriano would ever consider opting out. His stock is so much lower this offseason as to make you wonder what he could be offered, even as a closer for a team in need. His contract was a massive mistake, and it was obvious from day 1, but it was a great contract for him, especially given how bad he has been. No, he will be a Yankee next year – he may be unhappy, but I doubt he is stupid (or at least that his agent is stupid).
If the Yanks just played .500 ball against the Sox this year, they would still have about a 3-4 game lead.
==============================
If ‘ifs and buts’ were candy and nuts……….
What exactly is Soriano’s out pitch?
Looks like it was a slider hit for the homer.
I saw a few curveballs.
And an occasional 93mph fastball.
anyone know SJs twitter name??
RIP Flanny
Trader,
True.
Its extremely tragic about Flanagan and especially if the reports of the reason and cause are accurate……just so sad. At the end of the day….this is just a game that we follow and I hate that something like that could happen and that he wasn’t able to get help. Very sad.
“If ‘ifs and buts’ were candy and nuts……….”
We’d all have a Merry Christmas……and be in 1st place
YT-
For me the takeaway from last night’s game on Soriano is that he needs to be given a little more work if he is to stay sharp.
He missed his location and that cost him.
He was pitching very well prior to this layoff.
This guy has the potential to be more reviled than even AJ.
He’s got the sad face but is never apologetic for a poor outing.
These are the Yankees individual hitting numbers against Harden:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/.....ich-harden
Reading that Flanagan’s passing was a likely suicide and the suggested motivations behind it makes this even more sad.
I didn’t realize that Flanagan committed suicide…how very sad.
This is speculation on my part…..and maybe not even fair to say…..but Soriano from day 1 has looked to me like a guy that has gotten his money and is satisfied coasting from there. That could be totally off base but its just how it looks from a distance. They need to get him right…..but Joe doesn’t seem to have a ton of confidence in his (understandably ) and the inconsistent work is probably going to compound the issue of him not pitching well…..to be fair though last night wasn’t really representative of how he’s pitched since coming off the DL which has been pretty good.
MTU-
8 days off was to much. Maybe Soriano has a clause that opts him out of pitching against the Royals and Twins, the 2 previous teams during his time off.
Is the 93mph fastball the out pitch??
YT-
IMO his location is his out pitch.
He didn’t have it last night.
Mell, I posted stuff on Flanagan last night – incredibly sad. I went on an Orioles board – the fans were genuinely distraught. MASN, the O’s tv network, did not tell Jim Palmer or Jim Hunter the news until the 9th inning apparently. I saw both of them in individual interviews – they were hard to watch. I find it hard to believe that that was the motivation if it was a suicide just because he had a family, but whatever the motivation, he sounded like a wonderful man. The Yankees will be in Baltimore over the weekend. Whenever there is an emotional moment, it always seems the Yankees and Baltimore play each other.
Soriano is taking way too much grief for a loss that was not anywhere near all his fault. CC needs to take some and the offense surely does.
Trader,
He normally can get the fastball on up to the mid 90s and touch higher……he’s.got pretty decent breaking stuff but not overwhelming like a Joba slider. His trademark is the fastball and normally plus command I believe.
Joe not pitching Soriano for 8 days is ridiculous.
LOL SJ said that Joe left CC in too long and that he shouldn’t have faced Sizemore. He has got to be kidding. I don’t care of Sizemore is 20 for 20 against CC – just like Mo, you trust CC to get anyone out.
The game should have been won long before Soriano ever pitched. Coco just had a career night……as did Sizemore and sometimes annoying as it is….that stuff happens.
Mariano looked unhittable last night……Tex hit a blast …..and Derek inched closer to .300….and we got to see one of the most flawless outfield relays you’ll ever see.
Blake, the guy doesn’t seem to have social awareness in terms of what he says, but I don’t think that’s fair. He was hurt earlier and since he’s been back he’s been great. If fans are expecting him to be perfect, they are expecting too much.
If Joe doesn’t have confidence in him or has lost it, that’s pretty stupid considering the guy was hurt and missed a couple of months.
Maybe Soriano has a clause that opts him out of pitching against the Royals and Twins, the 2 previous teams during his time off.
=========================
He did pitch in the 1st two Royals games. Girardi wasn’t going to use him 3 days straight. Then they got 7 innings from the starters in Minnesota, save the Apple Jacks Burnett game. Maybe the opportunities to use him just didn’t manifest themselves. Then again, if Francona can send Papelbon to the mound to protect an 11 run 9th inning lead, Girardi should be able to find some garbage time work for Soriano if need be.
I question more the pitch sequence to Sizemore than letting him face him…..
Betsy,
I said it might not be fair but that’s how it looks……also….for what he’s paid and how he performed last year I think its fair to at least expect him to be good if not dominant.
So yeah….this series kind of sucks.
Hopefully Hughes can right the ship today.
LoHudYankees Hey everyone. Josh Thomson today in for Chad. I’ll be at the Stadium later and throughout the day with updates. Let’s hope for no rain.
betsy, you know SJs twitter name? i miss following here.( I am formerly’ Abe Peteraham’, for some reason i couldnt post w that name anymore)
“and we got to see one of the most flawless outfield relays you’ll ever see.”
You betcha. A gem of a throw.
I know it won’t happen but I have always maintained that Cano would be an excellent corner OF’er.
Shags balls well, has decent footspeed, cannon for an arm, and necessary power.
Nick in SF August 25th, 2011 at 12:52 am
I just hope this game didn?t ruin Erin?s birthday
***********************
My Un-Birthday was ruined, I tell you! Ruined!
Mariano looked unhittable last night……Tex hit a blast …..and Derek inched closer to .300….and we got to see one of the most flawless outfield relays you’ll ever see.
————————————————
The Relay play was awesome. Tex did hit a blast, but alas was still 1-5 and is hitting only .225 against righties, the lowest among regulars and even lower than Cervelli. Swisher had 2 blasts!! Time to move Tex to #6 in the order???
Blake, as you say with AJ, the contract doesn’t matter – he is who he is. Soriano has been great since he came back, so one outing in a game where CC blew it and the offense basically blew, is not enough for me to criticize him.
Trig:
http://twitter.com/#!/sportsjc16
If that’s how hyper he gets all the time, I’m kind of glad he’s not here anymore. I miss his insights, but it sounds like he thinks the Yankees are in bad shape – not interested in reading that kind of stuff.
YT-
Tex’s left-handed swing needs to be re-tooled in the OS.
Shorter to the ball. He’ll lose some power but will make more consistent contact.
Tweak it to peak it.
I know it won’t happen but I have always maintained that Cano would be an excellent corner OF’er.
———————————–
MTU-
Leiter thought he had the arm of a 3rd baseman. Let’s see Cano at 3rd, A-Rod becomes DH, Jeter moves to 2nd, and the Yankees sign the oft-injured Jose Reyes in the offseason for short!! Nah!!!!
MTU August 25th, 2011 at 8:27 am
I know it won?t happen but I have always maintained that Cano would be an excellent corner OF?er.
**************************
Cano can do it all, MTU, don’t you know that by now?
thnx betsy,
his insight was interesting , but i agree, lohud doesnt need more negativity
Im with ya, i’ll give soriano a hall pass for this game, lets see what he does here out.
though somewhat disappointing he has no desire to learn hitters tendencies
YT-
As long as it does not require extreme speed I think Mr. Robinson Cano
can do just about anything he wants on a baseball field.
He’s that talented.
You’re welcome, Trig…………..
MTU-
Tex lessened the workouts with weights and worked on hitting the other way in the offseason, and I believe he was in touch with Kevin Long and perhaps worked with him in January. he’s still a dead pull hitter and is constantly trying to loft the ball against the shift.
Gotta go soon. Todays the day Hughes further lays claim to the #2 spot!
Who will the Yankees claim on the waiver wire today??
Erin-
Except get consistent hugs from you.
That’s the one thing missing.
I bet you would be more than willing to oblige though.
SJ44′s Twitter profile
Joe Casale
@sportsJC16 Delray Beach, FL
Proud, card carrying liberal, lawyer, chef, sports lifer who has a lot of opinions. If you cant handle’em, don’t read’em.
http://www.sportsusaradio.com
********
He looks far more pleasant than he sounds. He sounds disgruntled but doesn’t look it. He’s also a “liberal” so I can dig that.
YT-
“Todays the day Hughes further lays claim to the #2 spot!”
From your mouth to God’s ears.
Who will they claim ?
How about Thornton ?
Have a good day.
Hopefully Hughes will have his swing and miss stuff and not give the A’s any hope in this game. Short of that, all he can do is pitch a good game and hope that’s enough
How about Thornton ?
===================
Can’t imagine he’d make it thru to the Yankees.
Mell-
probably true. One can always dream.
He is a bit on the expensive side isn’t he ? We have lots of good trade bait.
MTU-absolutely willing to oblige.
Mike B
“Police did not immediately identify the cause of death, but sources confirmed that Flanagan took his own life “despondent over what he considered a false perception from a community he loved of his role in the team’s prolonged failure,” Sandusky said.
Thanks- I had not read that- what a shame R.I.P. Flanagan
MTU:
Can’t imagine he’d get by Detroit, Disney, or Texas.
Mell-
There you go again with the realism stuff.
Rainin’ on my parade.
“I have given up the search for Truth I prefer a good fantasy.”
Like:
“Yankees sweep Phillies to take #28.”
SJ is a liberal? I find that hard to believe
Joba_62 Morning! Don’t try to control the uncontrollable live in the moment and control what’s in YOUR hands!
I don’t remember anyone the last 8 days wanting Soriano to get in a game so why start second guessing now when he has a rocky start?
After all these years, Nick’s comments still amuse me.
Rainin’ on my parade.
=======================
Speakin’ of which, wonder whether some of the east coast series will see some pre-emptive double headers scheduled Friday or Saturday with Sunday looking like a washout. Obviously won’t happen with the Yankees, with a DH already set for Saturday. Wouldn’t shock me if it happened in Boston though, as getting together with the A’s later in the season would likely be a logisitical nightmare.
Or :
‘Boston succumbs to NY. Beckett has broken nose after in-game brawl.”
Mell-
Anything that makes it tougher on the Sux makes me happy.
Boston succumbs to NY. Beckett has broken nose after in-game brawl.”
===========================================
He almost had his head taken off last night.
Mell-
I saw that.
I prefer my scenario though. Just haven’t decided who on our team should get the honor.
Probably should be Tex.
Beckett has used him as a target too many times.
Probably should be Tex.
Beckett has used him as a target too many times
================================
Don’t know why, but I get the sense Teixeira is too much of a candyass to do it. He doesn’t exude toughness.
Mell-
I doubt that very much. His pop is a fighter pilot.
Don’t confuse self-restraint with being a candyass.
JMO.
A candyass? Teixeira? No way. I know I wouldn’t want to cross him.
New one ==>
New Post: Pinch hitting
MTU:
As I said, just a sense I get. Definitely could be wrong. I literally have no sense of smell, so my radar on this could be jammed just as easily.