The LoHud Yankees Blog

The Yankees lineup for the next-to-last game of the regular season has an interesting change in the middle.

Also, be sure to check out the lineup the Red Sox are using for a game they badly need to win. They have Jed Lowrie at cleanup, Carl Crawford batting eighth and a rookie at catcher.

Eduardo Nunez SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Jorge Posada DH
Russell Martin C
Brett Gardner LF

When Russell Martin was ejected last night, he’d just been to the mound to talk to Phil Hughes. It was on his way back to the plate that he came up with the “Did you stretch” joke that got him tossed.

“Phil was getting frustrated because he was making close pitches,” Martin said. “Not necessarily strikes, but he was making close pitches (and) wasn’t getting the calls. I saw he was getting frustrated, went out and talked to him, trying to buy some time just to get his mind back to where it needs to be.”

Joe Girardi has made it clear that he plans to have Hughes pitch again on Wednesday. It will only Hughes second appearance since September 12, and it will be his last tune-up before he settles into a bullpen role in the postseason.

“We have a pretty good back end of our bullpen so that part’s pretty much established,” Hughes said. “But whatever I can do to help in whatever capacity, that’s all I’m looking to do, just to be there. Whatever they need is what I’ll do.”

Girardi said he could use Hughes as a multi-inning reliever — he went 1.2 innings last night — or he could use Hughes for one inning (or one out). Hughes is stretched out, but he has late-inning experience, and no one seems too concerned about his ability to adjust back to the bullpen after two seasons in the rotation.

“You get crazy games,” Girardi said. “We had a crazy game (Sunday) night. It could be a situation like that. Where he fits in exactly, I don’t know. The big thing is I want him to throw the ball well so I have a lot of options.”

Hughes command wasn’t great last night. He’s hoping for better tomorrow. And he’s hoping for a chance to have an impact in October.

“Physically I felt good,” he said. “The back was a non-issue. I wasn’t locating perfectly, but I felt pretty good… Hopefully I’ll get in (Wednesday) and be effective.”

Here’s Hughes.

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The Yankees passed along some professional photos of last night’s rookie hazing. It’s rare that every single outfit is hilarious, but these were pretty good selections. Whoever made the decision to make the two tall guys Milli Vanilli … bravo! At one point, Jesus Montero was trying to dance like MC Hammer, and pictures will never fully explain just how hilarious it was to watch Austin Romine try to figure out how to get his costume on.

Andrew Brackman and Dellin Betances as Milli Vanilli
Brandon Laird as Slash
Hector Noesi as Prince
Austin Romine as Madonna
George Kontos as George Michael
Jesus Montero as MC Hammer

The Yankees lost tonight, but the mood in the clubhouse was beyond loose. Things were normal for a while — quiet, like after most losses — then the rookies started getting to their lockers and finding costumes.

Andrew Brackman and Dellin Betances are towering versions of Milli Vanilli. George Kontos is George Michael. Jesus Montero is MC Hammer. Brandon Laird is Slash, complete with a guitar and black vest. Austin Romine is Madonna, but he had such trouble figuring out the dress that he improvised parts of it. At one point he was tying something that didn’t seem like it was supposed to be tied.

The Yankees are sending an official photo later tonight.

The story that had people laughing even before the costumes came from Russell Martin, who actually went into detail about his ejection in the fifth inning. He’d just gone to the mound to calm down Phil Hughes, who was upset about some borderline pitches, and when he got to the plate, Martin started talking to home plate umpire Paul Schrieber. Here’s Martin’s version of conversation.

Martin: “Did you stretch before the game?”
Schrieber: “What?” (said while walking in front of Martin)
Martin: “Did you stretch before the game?”
Schrieber: (gave Martin a puzzled look)
Martin: “I feel like you’re kinda tight right now.”

“I didn’t say it in a way that was condescending,” Martin said. “I was trying to loosen things up a little bit because I felt like he wasn’t really having a good time, and so he threw me out. I didn’t say he sucked. I didn’t say he was the worst umpire in the league. I didn’t say any of that stuff. I just made a joke and he then threw me out, no warning, nothing. Gone.”

Someone suggested that perhaps Schrieber didn’t get the joke.

“I think he got it,” Martin said. “I think he just didn’t like it.”

Here’s Martin telling the story. It’s honestly hilarious.

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• Obviously Girardi didn’t go to his top relievers tonight. He said that’s because he wants to use all of his top guys tomorrow night. Using them tomorrow gives them a chance to stay fresh, but it still gives them two days off before the division series opener.

• The plan is still to have Phil Hughes pitch again on Wednesday. “We need to get him back out there,” Girardi said. “He hasn’t pitched in two weeks, so I wasn’t sure what I’d get today. It’s important that he comes out feeling okay tomorrow and that his back is okay.”

• Girardi was talking to the media in his office when the crowd at the Trop went nuts. They’d just seen the Red Sox lose on the big video board in right field, meaning the wild card race is tied. “I actually saw one of their players look at the scoreboard when there was a loud cheer today,” Girardi said. “That probably wouldn’t happen on a normal day. They should be excited.”

• On tomorrow’s game: “We’re playing to win,” Girardi said. “I’ve got Bartolo and a loaded bullpen tomorrow, so we’re playing to win games. But I also have to pick the time to use my relievers, because if we get into some long games on Friday and Saturday, I’ve got to make sure they can go multiple innings. If you start throwing them a lot and you wear them down a little, shame on me. My responsibility is to this club.”

• Girardi wasn’t worried about Austin Romine getting back behind the plate after catching 14 innings last night. “He’s young,” Girardi said. “I don’t worry about that.”

• Girardi also said using Romine wasn’t necessarily an indication that he’s planning to carry Romine on the postseason roster. Girardi also wanted to save Montero for a pinch hitting opportunity, because he knows Montero might be asked to pinch hit in the playoffs.

• Jorge Posada was involved in two double plays that ended with plays at the plate. “He made a good double play on the bullet, then the other double play on the stolen base attempt by Johnny,” Girardi said. “He did OK over there.”

• Hector Noesi has allowed five runs on nine hits and three walked in 4.2 innings as a starter. He has a 6.84 ERA in 16 road appearances this season. His ERA is 2.59 in 14 appearances at home.

• Robinson Cano now has 81 extra-base hits, tied with Roger Maris for the third-most by a Yankees left-handed hitter since 1950. Don Mattingly had 86 in both 1985 and 1986.

• Cano has 14 home runs in 8 career games at Tropicana Field. That’s his most at any visiting ballpark. In his past nine games at the Trop, Cano is hitting .417 with three homers and 10 RBI.

Associated Press photos

The Yankees started all but two of their regulars tonight, but a complete game by James Shields left them with a 5-2 loss at Tropicana Field. Aside from Robinson Cano — who had a solo home run and an RBI single — the Yankees had just four hits. Whether they wanted to or not, the Yankees might have helped to wipe out the Red Sox wild card lead. If the Orioles hang on to beat Boston, the Rays will have pulled even heading into the final two games of the season.

Associated Press photo

YANKEES (97-62)
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez DH
Jorge Posada 1B
Eric Chavez 3B
Russell Martin C
Eduardo Nunez RF
Brett Gardner LF

RHP Hector Noesi (2-1, 4.14)
Noesi vs. Rays

RAYS (88-71)
Desmond Jennings LF
B.J. Upton CF
Evan Longoria 3B
Ben Zobrist 2B
Johnny Damon DH
Matt Joyce RF
Casey Kotchman 1B
Kelly Shoppach C
Reid Brignac SS

RHP James Shields (15-12, 2.84)
Shields vs. Yankees

TIME/TV: 7:10., YES Network

WEATHER: It’s storming outside, with thunder shaking the doom and rain peppering the roof. The sound is incredible. This is the one and only thing to love about domes (except Seattle, that stadium is pretty awesome).

UMPIRES: HP Paul Schrieber, 1B Chad Fairchild, 2B Joe West, 3B Sam Holbrook

IN THE BEGINNING: The Yankees are 28-25 in series openers in 2011. They have a 35-16 record in the second game of a series.

AT THE END: Six of the Yankees’ past nine losses have come in their opponent’s last at-bat. Four of their past six road losses have been walk-offs.

SECOND AT SECOND: Second baseman Robinson Cano ranks second in the Majors with 80 extra-base hits. It’s the most such hits by a Yankees left-handed hitter since Don Mattingly had 86 in 1986. Cano has an extra-base hit in nine of his past 13 games.

UPDATE, 7:27 p.m.: Nice play by Jorge Posada — and a good-enough throw to the plate — gets Noesi out of the first inning with a 1-0 lead. I was in the dining room for Cano’s first-inning home run, but seeing it on television was more than enough to know he crushed it to center.

UPDATE, 7:44 p.m.: Noesi through two scoreless. Could have enough pitches to throw two more innings at this rate, maybe more if he has a quick inning in there.

UPDATE, 7:58 p.m.: Another RBI by Cano and it’s 2-0 Yankees in the middle of the third. Just now noticing just how many empty seats are in this place. Shame.

UPDATE, 8:12 p.m.: At this point, Noesi is not really used to pitching more than two innings or so at a time, and the Rays have really gotten to him quickly here in the third. A single, walk and two-run double have tie the game, still with no outs.

UPDATE, 8:14 p.m.: Playing Hey Joe when Girardi comes to the mound in Tampa never gets old for me. Noesi couldn’t get an out in the third inning and now Raul Valdes — who may be pitching for a postseason role — is in to face Ben Zobrist with two on and the game tied in the third.

UPDATE, 8:25 p.m.: Valdes strikes out Zobrist, gives up an RBI single to Damon, and gets out of the inning thanks to a caught stealing and an out at the plate. Posada hasn’t always made it look pretty, but twice today he’s gotten the job done with double plays ending with throws to the plate.

UPDATE, 8:38 p.m.: Solo shot by Shoppach and it’s a 4-2 Rays lead.

UPDATE, 8:43 p.m.: One of the better catches we’ve seen all season, no doubt. Desmond Jennings just tracked a sure double into the left-center gap and absolutely robbed Derek Jeter of extra bases. It was one of those moments when I never thought he had a chance to catch it until it was in his glove.

UPDATE, 8:45 p.m.: Here’s comes Phil Hughes to pitch the fifth.

UPDATE, 8:58 p.m.: Well that was odd. Obviously Martin was having some word with Schrieber, but it’s hard to believe the ump would step in front of Martin to continue the fight, then toss Martin for snapping back. Martin might have been upset, but he wasn’t showing up Schrieber.

UPDATE, 9:12 p.m.: Hughes has faced seven batters. He’s walked two, induced two harmless popups, and seen three balls hit pretty hard (two outs and a double).

UPDATE, 9:15 p.m.: A 3-2 curveball from Hughes strikes out Shappach, and that’s Hughes’ last pitch of the day. Here’s Kontos with two outs and a runner at second in the sixth. Hughes threw 36 pitches, 1.2 innings.

UPDATE, 9:19 p.m.: Kontos strikes out Brignac at roughly the exact same time that the Orioles took a 3-2 lead against the Red Sox.

UPDATE, 9:40 p.m.: Back-to-back walks chase Kontos and Luis Ayala is the Yankees fifth pitcher of the night. He’s in with two on in the seventh.

Not directly connected to the Yankees, but people have asked about this scenario and Major League Baseball just sent a press release explaining what would happen if there were a three-way tie for the American League wild card.

If the Boston Red Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim finish in a three-way tie for the Wild Card, then two games will be played in the first two days after the regular season. The games will be played according to designations based on the head-to-head three-way records among the tied clubs:

• The Rays went 12-6 against the Red Sox and 4-4 against the Angels. Combined: 16-10 (.615).
• The Red Sox went 6-12 against the Rays and 6-2 against the Angels. Combined: 12-14 (.462).
• The Angels went 4-4 against the Rays and 2-6 against the Red Sox. Combined: 6-10 (.375).

The designations dictate that:
• Club A would host Club B on Thursday, September 29th.
• Club C would play at the winner of the A vs. B game on Friday, September 30th.

Because the Rays held the best head-to-head record among the three tied clubs, the Rays received the first choice of designation and the Red Sox had the second choice. If such a scenario arises:

• The Rays have chosen to be Club C, playing a road game on Friday, September 30th.
• The Red Sox have chosen to be Club A, hosting the first tiebreaker game on Thursday, September 29th.
• The Angels, as Club B, would play the Red Sox at Fenway Park on Thursday.
• The winner of the Thursday’s Angels-Red Sox game would host the Rays on Friday, September 30th.
• The winner of Friday’s game would be the American League Wild Card.

In the National League, the potential two-way National League Wild Card tie between the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals would be broken with a tiebreaker game on Thursday, September 29th at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Head-to-head record determines home-field advantage in a two-way tie, and the Cardinals earned a 5-1 advantage over the Braves in the season series.

• Girardi wants to use Phil Hughes out of the bullpen tonight and Wednesday to get Hughes readjusted to life as a reliever. Hughes could obviously go multiple innings, and he said he wouldn’t be hesitant to pitch back-to-back days. As for the transition to pitching one inning at a time: “It’s easy,” he said. “Just let it go.”

• Girardi on the role Hughes might play in the bullpen: “He can be a multiple-inning guy for us, it could be a one-inning guy. We’ve seen him have a lot of success out of there. And that’s why we think it’s important to get him in there a couple of times.”

• The Yankees are no closer to deciding a Game 3 starter in the playoffs, and Girardi insists it’s not necessarily between Freddy Garcia and A.J. Burnett. “Bartolo is starting again and I’m gonna look at that, too,” Girardi said.

• Aside from Hughes, Girardi made it sound like he has no plans of using any of his go-to pitchers on Wednesday. He wants them to have two full days off before the playoffs begin on Friday.

• Francisco Cervelli tried to throw and go through catching drills today, and his concussion symptoms returned. Sounds like he’s as close to completely ruled out as he could be (if he weren’t there already).

• Hector Noesi is good for 70-80 pitches, which is a little more than his previous spot start.

• In the past, managers have occasionally let a player manage the last game of the season. Girardi said he might do that on Wednesday. “Depends if the game means anything,” Girardi said.

RAYS
Desmond Jennings LF
B.J. Upton CF
Evan Longoria 3B
Ben Zobrist 2B
Johnny Damon DH
Matt Joyce RF
Casey Kotchman 1B
Kelly Shoppach C
Reid Brignac SS

Associated Press photos

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez DH
Jorge Posada 1B
Eric Chavez 3B
Russell Martin C
Eduardo Nunez RF
Brett Gardner LF

Tonight
RHP Hector Noesi (2-1, 4.14)
vs.
RHP James Shields (15-12, 2.84)
7:10 p.m., YES Network

Tuesday
RHP Bartolo Colon (8-10, 4.02)
vs.
RHP Jeremy Hellickson (13-10, 2.90)
7:10 p.m., MY9

Wednesday
TBA
vs.
LHP David Price (12-13, 3.35)
7:10 p.m., YES Network

Don’t count Jorge Posada out of the Yankees postseason plans just yet. For most of the past month, Posada was little more than a spectator, but he’s taken advantage of his limited opportunities lately. It’s clear that the Yankees see Jesus Montero as their designated hitter against lefties, but Posada, Montero and Eric Chavez could all factor into the discussion against right-handers.

“This is a guy that has a lot of experience in the postseason, so this could be a good postseason for Jorge,” Joe Girardi said. “I don’t doubt that. If you look at his right/left-handed splits, he’s swung the bat pretty well against right-handers this year.”

It’s true. Despite his ugly overall numbers, Posada is hitting .277/.353/.480 against right-handers. All four of Montero’s home runs have come off righties, but it was Posada who pinch hit for Montero against a right-hander five days ago and got the game-winning hit that beat the Rays. Plus, there’s probably something to be said for Posada’s postseason experience.

“Leading into the playoffs, it feels good that you’re swinging the bat well,” Posada said. “… I just hope that I have a chance to be on (the roster).”

Girardi’s left little doubt that he plans to carry Posada, but Girardi has cut Posada’s playing time significantly. Posada’s made the most of limit at-bats.

Since September 3, Posada is hitting .300 with two home runs and five RBI in eight games. It’s a tiny sample size, but it’s almost the entire month of September for Posada who became a barely used, part-time player. His recent numbers are better than Chavez’s, and Posada’s splits against righties are also better. His home run on Sunday, and the curtain call that followed, were reminders that he could still have an impact in what seemed to be a lost season.

“He’s been swinging the bat pretty well,” Derek Jeter said. “Fans here are outstanding. They appreciate not only everything he’s done in the past, but everything he’s done this year.”

Here’s Posada speaking between games yesterday.

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Associated Press photo