Postgame notes: Pineda adjusts to finish strong
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes on Mar 20, 2012 
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Ivan Nova did it on Sunday, and Michael Pineda did it tonight. It was a mid-game adjustment that took him from a rocky, behind-in-the-count first inning to those dominant, five-strikeout second and third innings. Larry Rothschild told him his left shoulder was opening a little bit, and Pineda made the change.
“You don’t see that a lot from young pitchers,” Joe Girardi said. “Sometimes they struggle to make an adjustment, but he made it pretty quick. I think he’s got a pretty good sense of what he needs to do and the adjustments he needs to make. That’s good. You’ve got to know how to correct things when you’re struggling.”
It was that long first inning that limited Pineda to just three innings today, but Girardi said in the regular season, he could see Pineda working much deeper in a game like this. “You think he’s found it and he can continue to move on,” Girardi said.
For Pineda, the outing was encouraging. He gave up the two runs on a homer by Andrew McCutchen. Pineda had tried to put McCutchen away with fastballs, and when that didn’t work, he went to the slider. McCutchen was ready for it and took it out to left field. From there, Pineda struck out the side in the second inning, then struck out the last two batters in the third.
“Attack the first pitch strike and attack the hitter,” he said. “Threw a strike early, now I feel comfortable. Make a good pitch and got (outs).”
• Here’s Andy Pettitte on today’s bullpen: “It felt good. Obviously I’m further along than I normally would be with my first bullpen because I’ve been throwing a little bit more. I felt good. I think I threw 50 pitches or something like that and it felt good. I threw Tuesday here and Friday at home, so I really just feel like I’m progressing. My location was a lot better today than it has been in any of the pens that I’ve thrown. I really feel good about it.”
• Nick Swisher came out of the game in the second inning after feeling something “grab” in his right groin. He was playing for the first time since feeling the same thing in his left groin last Wednesday. “Maybe I’m a little tight in that area,” he said. “Maybe we need to loosen that area up a little bit, maybe back of the weights a touch.” Swisher wasn’t expecting any tests and expects the same thing as last time — roughly a week of rest — before he’s back in a game.
• Swisher reported to camp in great shape and said the training staff wonders whether some of his leg muscles are simply a little tighter than he’s used to. “If it’s Game 7, I’m in there,” he said. “I’ve been able to deal with pain my whole career. It’s frustrating, because I came into camp in the best shape of my life. One thing happens, now another thing happens. We just have to get the body all lined up as one.”
• Neither Swisher nor Girardi knew whether any tests would be scheduled. Swisher didn’t think they would be necessary.
• The YES gun had Pineda reaching 94 mph with his fastball, and he seemed to throw more 92-93 mph fastballs than we’ve seen in the past three spring starts. “I know I can throw harder,” Pineda said. “But it’s getting better. My arm feels good. My body is feeling good.”
• Pineda on whether Pettitte’s arrival affects his status in the rotation: “I don’t have the control for the situation so I don’t know. It’s good to compete and that’s it. … I want to talk to him and I want to learn from him.”
• Another hitless, 1-2-3 innings for Mariano Rivera. Here’s Girardi with the understatement of the spring: “He looks really sharp. We’re very pleased with where he’s at right now.” Thanks Joe.
• Shame this team doesn’t seem to have a spot for Justin Maxwell. He looks terrific this spring. His average is up to .429 after a 2-for-2 night with two doubles, two RBI and a walk.
• The Yankees do have a spot for Curtis Granderson who’s terrific spring continued with a 2-for-2 night that included a double, two walks and three runs. Alex Rodriguez also had two hits in the 10-3 win.
• The Yankees scored five runs in the third inning, all with two outs. Russell Martin had doubled to lead off the inning, and with two outs, the Pirates walked three straight batters before Rodriguez singled in two runs, Mark Teixeira singled in another and Andruw Jones doubled in one more.
• Robinson Cano was the only healthy Yankees starter who didn’t have a hit. Slacker.
• Boone Logan, Juan Cedeno, George Kontos and Branden Pinder — who might not have pitched if not for Pineda’s first-inning struggles — each threw a scoreless inning. Cory Wade allowed one run on three hits and two strikeouts in the sixth.
• Former Yankees prospect Dan McCutchen pitched a scoreless sixth for the Pirates and has a 1.93 ERA this spring. Another former Yankees prospect, Jose Tabata, went 2-for-3 for Pittsburgh.
• Finally, on Sunday night I drove to Sarasota with Star-Ledger beat writer Marc Carig. On the way to the game we talked about his mother, who was struggling through what Marc already knew to be the late stages of pancreatic cancer. Marc found out immediately after the game that his mother had passed away. She’d gone much sooner than expected, but on the drive back to Tampa, Marc was as courageous as anyone could be in such a moment. That bravery came directly from his mother. If you get a chance, click that link and read Marc’s moving tribute. I’m lucky to call him one of my closest friends, and he was lucky to have such a courageous and selfless mother.
Associated Press photos
“Pineda hung a couple of sliders early on and was a little out of whack in the first.
Once he made that mechanical adjustment he was lights out and became much more efficient.”
WOW, i didn’t think pineda had the pitching aptitude for making in-game adjustments
You are the man, Chad.
Thank you for everything.
Well, the arrow is pointing up, so that’s good.
How many changes did he throw?
Why do I have the feeling that Justin Maxwell will flourish in another uniform?
Rich-
I’m not sure of the exact number but he threw at least one that lead to a K that was unhittable.
Time for bed.
Have a good evening.
Thanks, MTU.
As for the more sobering note of the post, I had a friend in law school whose mother went very quickly from that. I can recall her telling me that all of a sudden her mom (then 62) looked very old. Then she was diagnosed and died a few months later. Losing your mom is very tough. My best to Carig.
“Why do I have the feeling that Justin Maxwell will flourish in another uniform?”
Could get interesting. Swish’s groin may mean Maxwell will get a LOT of playing time the next week.
No one should be compared to Mariano, it’s just not fair.
Everytime this kid takes the mound he’s capable of throwing a no hitter….. Randy can and will continue to attack Pineda with spit wads but come May Tin Cup will put away his pea shooter and then we’ll all move on…..Cup, I watched ” Happy Gilmore”….I forgot how funny parts of that movie is……Not Caddyshack of course but some real funny stuff……
Maxwell has a history of striking out a lot, but other than that I like him. Runs like a gazelle.
Condolences to Trish and Marc Carig. So sorry for your loss. “just be brave” simple words with powerful meaning.
Good night Yankee fans.
Gotta figure that NYYs carry 2 catchers, 6 infielders and 6 outfielders along with 11 pitchers, so, there is room for . Can’t imagine going with 12 pitchers early in the season.
My mom is in the hospital as we speak. Best to Carig and his family.
Best wishes to your mom (and you), Tom.
” Randy can and will continue to attack Pineda with spit wads but come May Tin Cup will put away his pea shooter and then we’ll all move on…”
pat m-
he’s an uncut diamond.
there’s work to do.
sad story with marc carig’s mom.
60 is way too young.
she sounded like a very special woman.
Rich, thanks.
Good post Chad. It is very sad to hear about Marc Carig’s mother, rest in peace.
Tom,
I hope your mother recovers as well.
Good night everyone
Tom, best wishes to you and the family….My condolences to Marc, I know this is an extremely difficult time…..Baseball seems so unimportant right now…..
Beautiful tribute Chad – my own Mom just passed away due to complications from advanced dementia so I know how he feels.
Beautiful tribute by Mr. Carig. May he find peace and comfort in these trying days ahead.
I have been surprised by Maxwell who has always been a strike out machine. He seems willing to go the other way enabling him to wait longer. Swisher has had two different groin strains. Maxwell may have a role yet.
I figured I’d drop by and let you guys know that you can thank good ‘ole Joe Girardi for choosing to go with Ibanez instead of Damon. The choice was basically left up to him.
I honestly cannot put my finger on why other than it has to do with ego. If you can put yourself in Joe’s shoes and understand the dynamic, a lot of the players don’t look to Joe as a typical skipper/boss. Even now, there are still players that played with him on the field. It really is a strange dynamic, but what I believe Joe was thinking was that he would rather have a player that doesn’t know him that he can be in complete control over, rather thana retread like Damon, who — as with many others — looked at Joe as just a guy with a title. Even before Ibanez had his 2 for 31 .065 dreadful spring training, I couldn’t believe the choice. I’m sorry people, i have about as much faith as Joe Girardi being manager of the NYY as I do seeing Sarah Palin being qualified for VP. Please don’t say, “Joe got us a ring” if you ever have been around the clubhouse, you’d see that most veteran players virtually ignore Joe, or have very little communication with him, well other than superficial chat.
Anyway, Shame on you Joe Girardi. The season hasn’t even started and you’ve already got me wanting to see you finished in NY !
So Louis Tiant was at the Sox camp yesterday. I always liked him. Anyway he’s bustin Lester’s chops telling him about how he once threw 311 innings. Lester’s reply?
“You didn’t have to face the Yankees five times”
Captain Queeg strikes again?
“I figured I’d drop by and let you guys know that you can thank good ‘ole Joe Girardi for choosing to go with Ibanez instead of Damon. ”
I have suspected this. If true, the day he is fired, the better off this franchise will be.
I do wish they would end this whole Ibanez charade and sign Damon. Ibanez isn’t going to make it past May. Damon makes the lineup longer. This Ibanez move strikes me as one of those cut off their nose to spite their face Yankee moves. Cashman and company will want to prove to us how spending 1 million on a DH is so brilliant and how unimportant the position is.
He had most of the off season to acquire a bat that rakes RHP to DH and played the waiting game/bargain basement shopping to end up with a 40 yo DH that looks 40.
Damon & Vlad would have both been better “younger” options.
The offense better start off hot or the fans will zero in on Ibanez not because they hate Ibanez, but because they are pissed at Cashman for making the move in the first place.
As for tonight, Pineda’s “pitchability” showed up even though the velocity didn’t.
I just don’t believe for a second that the Yankees traded the M’s their new #4 hitter for a guy who sits 92. If that velocity doesn’t return with a vengeance, someone scouted very wrong and will be punished.
And I really liked Maxwell for what it’s worth. If Swisher’s groin thing lingers I’d like to see him get some at bats. Groin injuries have a tendency of lingering.
Has Branyan even played a game at DH yet or is he a non factor?
“If that velocity doesn’t return with a vengeance, someone scouted very wrong and will be punished.”
I’m going to believe that it will, at least until like August (although, again, I really believe that it will), but if it doesn’t, it’s not on a scout, it’s on the GM.
Branyan is hurt, right?
Everything I’ve read about Ibanez says he’s a tremendous teammate and Johnny’s no slouch in that department either. But he’s also got that rebellious streak and Joe’s got no use for rabble rousers on the Good Ship Lollipop.
Branyans back has kept him from swinging a bat.
The first thing I suspected when they went with Ibanez is that it was probaly Girardi’s choice since he is a Girardi “type” guy.
::: Branyans back has kept him from swinging a bat. “”"
Unfortunately, that sounds all too familiar.
Jets are making a run at acquiring Tebow. Imagine Tebowmania and Linsanity in the same town. Got damn it.
Tebow wont’ get enough PT with the Jets to generate any mania.
http://tinyurl.com/6mmaf7o
Montero wants to prove catching skills are no joke | Jeff Passan
Before Tuesday’s game, I asked a pair of veteran scouts who saw Montero at Triple-A and with the Yankees last season their thoughts on him defensively. The reports fell in line with popular thinking.
Scout 1: “[Poor] overall receiving skills. Lacks good footwork. Erratic with accuracy throwing.”
Scout 2: “I don’t like how he calls a game and how he throws. He doesn’t move well either.”
::::
When Montero arrived at spring training, he met with manager Eric Wedge and third-base coach Jeff Datz. Wedge caught for nine years in the major and minor leagues. Same with Datz. They would tutor Montero, give him tips, ease him into the job. The responsibility of calling games, of melding with 12-man pitching staffs, of squatting so long that knees lock up and backs tighten and bodies age faster than a president in office, these are duties that can consume anyone.
‘I love it,” Montero said.
Minutes after the Mariners wrapped up an 8-1 win, Montero stripped off his shin guards, chest protector and mask. He said he has caught since he was 4 years old and can’t fathom not doing it. Catching is part of his baseball identity. He’s OK with the Mariners’ plan to catch Miguel Olivo most of the time, giving Montero about one-third of the games behind the plate and the rest at DH, as long as he can transition into full-time duty next season.
I asked him if he thought he was good enough defensively to do that.
“I don’t know,” he said. “What do you think?”
I am no professional scout, I said, but I thought he looked fine. And when I asked a pro scout sitting behind the plate, he agreed: “Better than he’s been.”
:::
“He’s hungry to be back there,” Wedge said. “He’s a good worker. We’re always looking to get better. He’s done a great job this spring. And we’ve got every reason to believe he’s going to be an everyday catcher.”
::: Jets are making a run at acquiring Tebow. Imagine Tebowmania and Linsanity in the same town. Got damn it. :::
Oh my….
Nice to see Branden Pinder tonight. Not a bad job for a rookie league graduate. Nice, solid fastball. Tomorrow should be fun. NYYs are bringing up Mark Montgomery to pitch. Gotta see this slider.
So Girardi was given the choice because of his ego? The Yankees let Girardi choose because they wanted to stroke Joe’s ego? Is that what you’re implying, Lost?
I think it’s time to put the focus on how Pineda is pitching and working on his repertoires instead looking at the radar gun on every fastball he throws. I understand it’s a legit concerns if but it seems like Pineda is coming along just fine. like I said before he might not average 95 this season but as long as it’s not a precipitous drop that rendered his other offerings ineffective, it’s something that’s negligible imo.
I like damon over Ibanez for comparable money, but honestly, Damon is still not your ideal dh cuz his productions wasn’t great either last year and is not a young man anymore. It’s like the lesser of two ‘evils’. but anywho, time to carry on. in a year or two, Rod prolly will stake claim to the dh position. I think if you want a legit above league average masher it wont be coming from what’s remain of the fa market but via a trade.
I’ve said this a lot recently – I really want this team to end the Ibanez experiment, but I do not want them to sign Damon. I would like to see them keep Maxwell and see how it works. He won’t hit like this all year, but he has better speed and outfield defence than Ibanez or Damon, or probably Jones. He is also almost certainly going to be better on the bases this year. If he flails, then they should go out and look for a trade and see if they can use some of their extra AAA pitching talent to bring back a decent option.
If you want to read more about our dearly departed DH/catching prospect, he appears on the front page of Yahoo’s MLB page. He apparently wants to prove to the world that he is a catcher.
Lost -
And Girardi confided his egotistcal “modus operandi” about Damon/Ibanez to whom? Who then told someone else who told you?
jets are clueless and grasping at straws.
Villa Nova-Ya March 21st, 2012 at 6:18 am
Lost -
And Girardi confided his egotistcal “modus operandi” about Damon/Ibanez to whom? Who then told someone else who told you?
—————————————————————————————
Don’t you know that that fire needed some more fuel.
MaineYankee -
All I know is I’m sure burned out on it.
Also, all the Montero updates do is make it more difficult to move on. It’s like salt on the wound.
***
Spring training seems longer than usual this year. I’m ready for the season, even if the calendar isn’t!
Villa Nova-Ya
I’d rather talk muppets or movies or just about anything besides some of the back and forth that goes on.
Hughes pitching today?
MaineYankee -
Anything but grammar…. LOL
blake -
I can’t keep track of who’s pitching when! All the days are rolling into one another. When is opening day?????
Villa,
Yea….my mlb app says its Hughes….but it also says Krazy Kyle is starting for the Rays so I question that.
Last night was a fun game to watch. The bats had some life in them. I know pitching is king, but love me some offense.
Love the picture of Andy sitting between Girardi and Rothschild up at the top of this thread. Looks so relaxed and happy to be there.
Do we think Krazy Kyle is going to be able to do as well this year as he did last year? That will be key for the Rays.
“Do we think Krazy Kyle is going to be able to do as well this year as he did last year?”
I doubt it.
Villa Nova-Ya March 21st, 2012 at 7:44 am
Do we think Krazy Kyle is going to be able to do as well this year as he did last year? That will be key for the Rays.
—————————————————————————–
We can hope not.
I’m not sure they have enough offense.
If some think the Yankees didn’t go far in the post season because of offense how can the Rays do it with even less?
silly MY don’t you know it is all about the pitching
I like offense too….
I really like how Pineda made that in game adjustment yesterday….the CU is developing…..the velocity is creeping up….the command was excellent after the firstborn yesterday….great downward plane and even a little cut on the fastball.
Firstborn = first inning…wow
i just hear a rumor that pineda had cream cheese on his bagel this morning. that fat pig has no discipline and shows no concern for winning the WS. and he’s not throwing 98 yet and it’s halfway through ST!
what a disgrace!
I think the game is on espn today.
Glad you clarified that Blake
I love your autocorrect.
Can’t wait to see Pineda mowing down Sawx hitters.
If/once he dominates that lineup and others, he’ll start to be accepted around here.
blake -
I agree about Pineda. I missed the first inning, but he looked pretty nasty after that.
I remember growing up watching some pretty good pitchers who sometimes needed the first inning to settle in, make those adjustments. They key would be not to give up the HR (like Nova and Pineda did) and still try to get out of that inning unscathed. And I remember if they survived the shaky first, the opposition had their work cut out for them after that. (I’m specifically thinking of Tom Seaver, but there were others, too – and I’m not saying Pineda or Nova are anything like Tom Seaver.)
upstate kate March 21st, 2012 at 7:50 am
silly MY don’t you know it is all about the pitching
—————————————————————–
I’m sorry. I got confused.
I couldn’t remember what the flavor of the day was.
:
Villa Nova-Ya
I think Mussina had that same problem.
Kate,
I have no idea how it gets some of this stuff.
Morning, all.
The pollen here is so thick here today that my black truck is now green.
Blake, yes Phil is pitching today.
Maine, I agree – but we’re going to have to deal with it for this season at least.
Villa,
Yea a lot of guys are like that….Verlander and Felix are too…..Pineda was all over the place in the first…..he was flying open and was behind every count….he fixed it between innings and came out pumping strikes in the 2nd…..got a K on a CU and then ended his night with a perfect painted fastball to McCutchen…..his mound presence and ability to make that adjustment at his age impressed me….
I actually think Cashman is right that he can be good at 92-94…..he coukd be a monster at 95-97 if the CU progresses……and I guess that’s why they traded him……he gets such a downward plane on the ball that its still tough even at lower velocities and id imagine really really tough when he’s at full strength……I miss Montero but I think the Yanks were dreaming of two giants heading up their rotation fir the next 5 years so they rolled the dice.
It was good to see that Pineda was able to correct his problems. He got behind on too many batters in the first. I loved hearing him say he is looking forward to learning from Andy.
Ysguy-
i’m not concerned about pineda getting his velocity up to his norm by mid april, but i think it’s safe to say he didn’t approach this spring training in the same way mariano did.
i siad last night that working hard is a relative term. i think pineda thought he was working out hard, but he doesn’t look like he’s in good shape. he’s struggling to get to 94 more than a few times.
mariano comes out and hits 91-93 and he’s throwing a cutter. mariano is 42. pineda should be embarrassed after watching mariano go out there 6 inches shorter and about 70 pounds less and twenty years older and throw with essentially the same velocity .
that said, barring some injury, i have no doubt pineda will get his velocity back as the season progresss. i agree it’s a non issue.
Surely there is a difference from getting your velocity up for 8 pitches vs 70 pitches. Don’t starters have to pace themselves?
Randy -
No one approaches ST like Mariano.
For Mo, ST is a formality.
blake -
That last pitch to McCutchen was a thing of beauty.
randy
Wasn’t something said about Montero being out of shape last ST?
“Can’t wait to see Pineda mowing down Sawx hitters.”
i understand the giddiness because of the potential, but i think many of you are getting ahead of yourselves in expectations. yes pineda will be amazingly good at times , like yesterday, but he was erratic yesterday. that’s a fact.
with being told he needs to develop the change, he’s going to struggle with consistency at times. some days it may be there and some days it won’t. pressure is not going to make learning this pitch easier. facing adrian gonzalez with the bases loaded isn’t going to speed up the process of improving his change up. i think he’ll go to his bread and butter pitches when games are on the line.
i think what we’ll see is extremes in performance as pineda learns in the pressure cooker called yankee stadium.
there will be enough ammo for both sides to see what they want. i’m not criticizing pineda by the way. i’m criticizing the way the yankees are trying to improve his game. i really think the best way to do it is to give him an intensive on the change up at triple a for 6 weeks.
Morning LoHudders
“Wasn’t something said about Montero being out of shape last ST?”
“Surely there is a difference from getting your velocity up for 8 pitches vs 70 pitches. Don’t starters have to pace themselves?”
“No one approaches ST like Mariano”
enablers
Good morning.
I won’t be able to watch Hughes today.
I’ll be looking for MS-13 gang members and wild pot plants @ Zion NP instead.
randy
I’ve got to go check on the Moose herd.
Be back later to counter punch.
:
Maine-
Say hi to Bullwinkle for me.
“_That last pitch to McCutchen was a thing of beauty.”
Yea it was….he struck out the previous hitter with the same pitch
mtu-
since you’re walking anyway, why don’t you bring along a golf ball and a golf club.
no ms-13 would mess with anyone playing golf in the desert . they just think you were crazy.
Its early….but Pineda seems relativeld unphased by being a Yankee to me….he seems very confident on the hill…..which is extremely important….when you’re wearing those pinstripes you have to have no fear and you have to believe in yourself.
“Be back later to counter punch.”
maine yankee-
you name your cows?
Randy-
Great idea !
In my capable hands those would be considered deadly weapons.
You could say I have a killer swing.
I can hit ‘em 400 yds in the thin desert air.
Or was that 40 yds. ?
Blake-
And he shows another great quality.
He talks to himself out there just like AP does.
That has to be good.
“he seems very confident on the hill…..”
blake-
it’s interesting how different people see different things.
i don’t like his body language. it looks sloppy and rushed at times.
this is a very subjective reaction of course.
i remember in his early days bashing hughes because he would walk half way to home plate to get the ball from the catcher and have to walk all the way back to the mound to throw again. some people got upset when i said that, but when hughes got good , he stayed on the mound more and went after hitters right away.
I’ll be looking forward to Banuelos in our rotation just so can have at least one short guy to offset all these Jolly Green Giants we have.
Nova is the current runt of the liter at 6′ 4″.
Picture Manny in a photo surrounded by them all.
Too funny.
New Post- Pettitte: “This is where my heart was”
New thread —–>
“Great idea !
In my capable hands those would be considered deadly weapons.”
mtu-
thanks, i’m always thinking