Hiro loses no-hitter, wins game
Posted by: vmercogliano - Posted in Misc on Aug 14, 2012 
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Elvis Andrus’ infield single to leadoff the seventh ended Hiroki Kuroda’s bid for his first no-hitter, but the close call was yet another reminder of how good the right-hander has been in his first season with the Yankees. The problem was a lack of a run support, as the Yankees battled the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night for the best record in the American League.
But in the bottom of the seventh, Nick Swisher delivered with a two-run blast, giving the Yankees a 3-0 win. It was the second consecutive night in which Swisher hit a clutch homer. He also hit a decisive grand slam against the Rangers on Monday.
Swisher’s homer was immediately followed by a solo shot from Mark Teixeira, which would be plenty of support for Kuroda.
Kuroda relied heavily on his infield defense, forcing the Rangers to groundout 15 times. He also struck out five while allowing just two hits and a walk in the complete game effort.
Associated Press photo
you 2 hit this team and that’s really doing something…..one of the best pitching performances by anybody this season….including the perfect game and no hitters.
Kuroda is the no.1 starter.
How about Nick Swisher too!
Only 3 pitchers used in 2 games against a very good hitting team
“How about Nick Swisher too!”
Mentioned him much earlier, before he did anything tonight!
Do you find this team exciting? I sure do!
SWISH-A-LICIOUS! what a great job!!!
KURODA dominated!
great game swiftly played!
15 groundouts 4 flyouts ERA 3.06 He’s an ACE-completely dominating the #1 offense in runs, BA, OB%, in the AL.
Nice work
It’s funny, because if Kuroda has a bad next outing, the fans of this blog will change their mind and say the Yankees don’t have a #1 starter for the playoffs.
Best performance by a Yankee pitcher this season…I wonder if he will get CY consideration, I think he that up to this point, he deserves it.
Two pitching gems in a row….One by the Pheps/Lowe combo and now this one.
And Swisher got to be the hero on both nights!!!
Kuroda is two clean innings away from a era in the 2′s. Cant even imagine what his record would be if he got the run support that other starters on our team get. What a stud.
Anyone still afraid of one and out? I know I’m not. (never was though but geeze you really have to love how the Yanks have been playing and its spraying offense!)
Another very enjoyable game. Kuroda is the man!
Sox getting pounded as usual
“It’s funny, because if Kuroda has a bad next outing, the fans of this blog will change their mind and say the Yankees don’t have a #1 starter for the playoffs.”
As annoying as they are, you know you have to take those comments with a grain of salt.
Kuroda is much better at home than on the road. So, if the yankees get the 1 seed and have to play the first two games on the road, would joe goe with cc and pettitte? Honestly i think pettitte is perfect for the road starts. Still wish andy would have started game 2 of the 2010 alcs on the road.
KURODA
Just a clinic of controlling bat speed tonight….the Rangers were off balance the entire game….couldn’t sit off speed because he’d blow 94 by them….couldn’t sit fastball because he’d flip sliders and splits and all kinds of stuff….just great pitching.
Not enough words. Kuroda is a beast.
To give you a idea of just how hot we were, we need 1 win to match our season high 23 games over .500. Its been like three weeks since we started that skid in oakland.
Ther is nothing better than to see the hero swinger become the actual hero
Huge that the Yanks already have the split in this series…..now time to get greedy
Great Pitching beats great hitting. Period!!!!!!!
Kuroda hit 95 in the ninth inning. He has far underrated stuff. It may be the best on the staff.
If CC is CC and Pettitte returns to the pre-injury Pettitte, our 1-2-3 looks as good as any in the playoffs.
The bullpen could be lights out as well.
My only concern is the hitting approach. I hope they strike a good balance between HR swings and good level swings meant to put the ball in play and keep the lineup spinning.
Tabbert–
Likely Kuroda would have 4-5 more wins if he got CC’s run support of 5.74 runs/game.
Jerkface confirmed this earlier when i mentioned that before the last two outings Kuroda was getting 3.86 run support, less than some of the pitchers on the offensively-strapped Mariners!
“Sox getting pounded as usual”
The EEI broadcasters said today that the Sux had to sweep in order to have any chance at all. At 7-1 O’s in the 8th, I’m not thinking they’re in line to take the first game!
Swisher just said the Kuroda is his Hiro. He also described Kuroda as having such “grace and class.” No coincidence that Swisher used those two words. Both words are often used to describe those of Japanese origin.
KURODA
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Consistent right through. Full value.
Kuroda is the pitching version of Matsui. Very lucky to have them both.
LGY
Where have you been? or is me who hasn’t been around.
Anyway I miss reading your annoying posts.
Bret
Cash deserves most of the credit for landing Ichiro, McGeHee and Lowe.
Swish has been a godsend in the 2 hole, looking like the patient Swish of old.
Would like to see more of Ichiro in the 9 hole.
Virtuoso Kuroda! The question now is can Nova and Hughes follow suit? I have to be honest, I don’t think either of them will be able to silence the Texas bats.
Isn’t it Freddy tmw?
Beckett sucks
Nice Arod’s XRAY comes back with good news.
CC and Kuroda is a nasty 1 – 2 punch in October. Especially in the ALDS where it is important to get off to a quick start in that short series.
The game thread was a very good one by the way. I hope the good vibe of it could be taken to many more game threads
Goodnight everyone.
What an exciting win tonight!
“Cash deserves most of the credit for landing Ichiro, McGeHee and Lowe.
Swish has been a godsend in the 2 hole, looking like the patient Swish of old.
Would like to see more of Ichiro in the 9 hole.”
Absolutely correct, mick!
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Sux just lost another. Wonder if any of those turds have been humbled by the expose about their attempted surreptitious meeting with ownership. Probably not.
http://minormatterstrenton.blo.....eston.html
anonymous scout report (beware). Good things to say about Sanchez and Mason….not as good about Austin and Culver
“The game thread was a very good one by the way. I hope the good vibe of it could be taken to many more game threads”
I agree. All the way to the end.
Good night Trader…have a good one
luis August 14th, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Ther is nothing better than to see the hero swinger become the actual hero
===========================
Tell me U didn’t say it tonight ! LOL
Man, Kuroda was absolutely outstanding. I, like several others here, thought this was what we were getting with Kuroda. Only thing is, he’s even better !!!
When I watched him as a Dodger, I could see with his variety of pitches, and good FB, he could pitch anywhere and be successful. He’s just one of those guys. I also thought Darvish with his assortment and movement ( like Kuroda’s) would undoubtedly do well also. He’s fallen down somewhat after a good start and Kuroda has gotten much better after a slightlyslow start.
I thought Kuroda hit his spots & mixed his pitches tonight as well as anytime this year.
“Isn’t it Freddy tmw?”
Indeed it is!
One thing I have learned is McGehee can hit left handers. He has value for that reason even after AROD returns.
LGY
Where have you been? or is me who hasn’t been around.
Anyway I miss reading your annoying posts.
——–
Was really busy for a while and then on vacation for a couple weeks. Will have some time to procrastinate with the LoHud tab open over the next few weeks so I’ll do my best to annoy you
My bad. I wish Phelps was pitching!
Would have liked to have seen Darvish in this series to get a taste of what he’s cookin’.
Right now, we look like the team to beat in the AL, at least.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see TB in the ALDS, winner take all.
Hey 4 NYY<
No I didn't
But said that if he had the same approach as last night he would do just fine and he did!!
Kuroda was outstanding tonight, what a pitcher….The most important part of a FB is not velocity ( when you get to 92 plus), it's the late movement that separates a good FB from an avg one…take Ogando for instance, the guy was throwing gas ( 99, 98 ), still he got hammered.
Tmw we get to see more of our rotissirie pickups in Chavy, Ibanez and Ichi….
keeps it interesting.
Luis……..Is there any ballplayer worth their second / 3rd contract ????? Albert hasn’r been the best player in the game for several years, did he really deserve the 250 million or so dollar contract ??? It’s all about that dollar value their club has place on them not what the fans or media perception is………Mark Texeria has done what he was signed to do……..He’s a big time run producer who plays the best defense in the game and makes his teammates better…….And please save the BS about Albert being better with the Rawlings….He never was and never will be confused with the leatherl with Texeria…..
Getting through the AL is going to be very difficult but NYY has just as good a chance as any other team to navigate their way to the Fall Classic.
Kuroda is a stud. One of the best starts of any MLB pitcher this season. Especially against this Texas team. Needed that with CC down for the time being.
DKnobler ?@DKnobler
Daniel Bard tonight: 5 batters faced, 4 walks
.Is there any ballplayer worth their second / 3rd contract ?????
–
This is Tex’s first contract. A-rod Pujols and Jeter were worth their first contracts. Tex is playing more like a 15 million player than a 22.5 million player.
how can they keep valentine? have never seen a mutiny like this one…
“Tmw we get to see more of our rotissirie pickups in Chavy, Ibanez and Ichi….
keeps it interesting.”
Really interesting. A team and ownership of which to be proud, no?
************
Pat M. August 14th, 2012 at 10:17 pm
Spot on matey!
“how can they keep valentine? have never seen a mutiny like this one…”
how can they keep the players? They got a bunch of babies on that team…need to trim the tree there….
hard to understand how some here don’t appreciate “their” Yanks….not even a championship would fill their void.
Pat M,
Wasn’t going to ( Bring Albert’s leather ), he is not even close to being in the same vicinity as Texeira…And no, I don’t believe Albert was worth that contract either… Jeter is living up to his though ( living up to his second or third contract that you have refferenced)…. Still, I don’t think Tex is worth the contract he was given and as the years pass it will be more evident. I sure hope that he lives up to it, but I doubt it.
“how can they keep valentine? have never seen a mutiny like this one…”
mick, the interesting thing about this one is that the owners have sided with Valentine. I’m sure they’ve taken the pulse of the fanbase and realize that they consider the team a bunch of recalcitrant prima donnas. Although Lucchino et al aren’t terribly swift, neither are they totally stupid. They saw and heard what happened with the players and Tito, and now they are seeing and hearing what has happened with the players and Valentine. At some point you have to identify the constant. I believe they have.
They’re still in the biggest catch-22 ever, but I don’t think that Valentine will be their sacrificial lamb.
Sanchez is starting to hit at Tampa now….2-3 tonight….up to .288 on the season.
” so I’ll do my best to annoy you ”
It won’t take much. A Jeter here, a Hughes there.
I know you were one who was big on getting Kuroda this year, so kudos on his performance this year.
how can they keep the players?
===================
would be easier to get rid of `the mgr, but agree the players stink.
Valentine hasn’t helped the situation but as I said earlier the common thread between the 2011 Red Sox and the 2012 version (both messes) isn’t the manager….it’s the players.
Bobby never had a chance….Pedroia has been pouting since Francona got pushed out….Beckett just does whatever he wants…..Agon whines right and left…..the whole deal with Youkalis….etc…..
“hard to understand how some here don’t appreciate “their” Yanks….not even a championship would fill their void.”
Agree. Pretty inexplicable. Well, maybe not, if you get my drift. One trick pony time.
sux owners will not admit they were wrong in hiring bobby v and as long as fans keep coming will stand by him….unless they start to get rowdy at fenway and boo his and the teams every move….
Paul Sullivan ?@PWSullivan
They actually have a wave going at Wrigley Field. Next thing you know they’ll be playing “Sweet Caroline.”
how can sux fans go to fenway, hate their team and mgr, do the wave and sing sweet caroline…seems hypocritical.
Face…….This is Texeria’s second contract and that’s not including Arb deals…….You once again miss my point in order to promote your ill fated view point……..No player is worth their 2nd / 3rd deals, ask any baseball person in the business……..I have to by my wife car, either a 2 year old Lincoln MKX or a 3 year old Benz ML 500……..30-32 K is my limit, should be fun dealing with the used car dudes….Later
who thought Jeter would be hitting .320 in mid August? Great players sometimes find a way…..
This is Tex’s first contract. A-rod Pujols and Jeter were worth their first contracts. Tex is playing more like a 15 million player than a 22.5 million player.
—–
agree. Tex’s performance has been underwhelming. but he has steadily picked up some as the season progress. not the worst money Yanks have spent.
jeter is so proud and is taking great joy in proving all wrong who called him washed up.
Speaking of one trick ponies, I see randy’s up to his usual nastiness!
Since the good vibe of the game thread didn’t survive the post game…I’ll bid you all a very good night
tex is overpaid, but so are alot of players…
…i love tex his defense saves tons of runs a year, and its not like his offense sucks, 30 hrs and 100 rbis yearly, BA is over-rated , his on-base is still good, and his pitches he see per plate apperance helps wear down pitches.
In my opinion Tex > Fat Feilder, Agon the whinner, but of course not pujlos
Good night Luis. I am out as well
Good night Yankee fans.
yankees averages with RISP
April .276
May .176
June .232
July .283
August .383…
I like the way its trending.
…i love tex his defense saves tons of runs a year, and its not like his offense sucks, 30 hrs and 100 “rbis yearly, BA is over-rated , his on-base is still good, and his pitches he see per plate apperance helps wear down pitches. ”
Beautifully stated, doc.
Benny, you’ve just taken the starch out of team “we have no offense!”
Cashman is the genius in this piece.
this is maybe Kuroda’s high water mark as a Yank…that is pending post season. He has performed even better than i expected.
trisha – i think defense and pitches per plate appearance is under rated
Jack Curry was bashing the Red Sox players in the postgame…Saying maybe they should look in the mirror instead of whining to ownership about Valentine. Bobby V’s a train wreck, no doubt, but he wasn’t there when most of these same players fell apart last September…
Not his fault that Beckett has apparently forgotten how to pitch
.This is Texeria’s second contract and that’s not including Arb deals
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Uh its his first contract, including arb deals, because he went year to year and didn’t buy out any of his FA years. Thats why he played for 6 seasons then was a FA. So no, Pat, you’re wrong.
According to the Washington Post, even Strasburg’s father has asked Rizzo how appropriate the shut-down plan is in a pennant race.
“Mr. Strasburg, don’t ask the question if you don’t want to hear the full answer,” Rizzo told Jim Strasburg, the Post reported. The elder Strasburg replied, “I want to hear it.”
Rizzo told Jim Strasburg that the decision to sit Strasburg was “mine and mine alone.”
his on-base is still good
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His OBP is .338 and the league average is .321. His career OBP is .370. he has been under his career OBP for the last 3 seasons.
Really would like to find a way to keep Swish next year. The guy is going to be suicidal if he doesn’t play for the Yanks next year. I have never seen anyone love playing for them as much as Nick.
Jason Giambi as a Yankee hit .260 .404 .521 .925 for his entire contract. Tex is on pace to be .100 points worse in OPS and Giambi always maintained elite OBP even if his batting average was low. For Tex to post an elite OBP he needs to hit .270 or better most likely.
His OBP is .338 and the league average is .321. His career OBP is .370. he has been under his career OBP for the last 3 seasons.
———
Jerk, I think asking why that is the case would be more interesting. could it be roid era inflated everyone’s numbers to an extent. lineup compositions? age and skills deterioration. all of which might have something to do with it.
“trisha – i think defense and pitches per plate appearance is under rated”
Absolutely and woefully underrated. What Tex does at first base in terms of keeping runners off first and holding down numbers of runs scored by the opposition is at least equal in value to his getting hits that add to Yankee runs – and not that he doesn’t do that.
We know that pitching is woefully underrated also. And no matter how the stats scream out that pitching is the more critical component to winning, you have posters who will make up the most absurd situations and tell tales from yesteryear that are supposed to show that they know better!
Here is a case in point. The Rays are going for their 8th straight win. They are tied for 22nd place in runs scored. They are 3rd in the majors in ERA.
“sux owners will not admit they were wrong in hiring bobby v and as long as fans keep coming will stand by him….unless they start to get rowdy at fenway and boo his and the teams every move….”
You may be right. But as the broadcasters were saying today, no manager could have come in and handled that group of misfits. It wouldn’t have mattered who they brought in. There’s just too much dysfunction with the team itself.
Here is a case in point. The Rays are going for their 8th straight win. They are tied for 22nd place in runs scored. They are 3rd in the majors in ERA.
–
trisha. Rays pitching hasn’t gotten better. they were losing close games all season due to that woe offense. their 8 games winning streak coincide with the return of that super star Longoria whose impact on that team can’t not be measure by number alone. Also, they are currently playing some bad team. This merely illustrate you need both to be a good team in most cases.
Tex is going through early overall decline because of his LH swing IMO….however he’s still a really good player…and an elite player vs LHP…..great defender and great team guy…a true pro…….
Great win tonight…..couldn’t really be happier with how the yanks have played the last week or so…..they would have won 7 straight had Hughes shown up in his last start…..
This probably the biggest week of the season so far given that the Rays are hot and are playing the Mariners….and thus far the Yanks have answered the ball….
Night guys….
Still the pitching vs. hitting debate? Yawn. Crap has been going on for days.
Kuroda is a badass. That is all.
See ya.
lol
Cash, Rays pitching has unequivocally gotten better as they’ve moved up to the 3 spot in the majors in ERA. Either that or everyone else’s has gotten worse!
While you certainly need some of both, the pitching component is the more important. All you have to do is check out team stats and you will see that the top teams are primarily located toward the top of the MLB leader board in ERA, but basically scatttered with many more toward the bottom in offense.
Sux are a good example. #22 in ERA, #3 in runs scored.
Kuroda is breaking all the rules. Great Japanese starter, switched leagues late in his career, playing in the AL East, older pitcher, Cashman free agent starting pitching signing.
No matter what happens in the post season, this is an exceptional team that has stepped up in a huge way. This roster is undoubtedly better than the 2009 club.
I think sox has horrible pitching to go with a good offense, hence place them in mediocre no man’s land. anywho, I do think pitching is vital to any team’s success. as to what pct, I really don’t know. for the better part 2000s, the Yanks lead the ml in runs score with a decent pitching staff which netted them playoff yearly and excellent records to boot. mid 90s indians came to mind as well and along with some of the sox teams. honestly, I think it’s takes good blend of both. no point going extreme one way or another, much like life. shade of grey…
“No matter what happens in the post season, this is an exceptional team that has stepped up in a huge way. This roster is undoubtedly better than the 2009 club.”
Couldn’t agree more Kev. This is a team of which to be amazingly proud.
Swisher knew what he was talking about when he said early on in the season that despite all the fans jumping off bridges, they (the players) knew who they were as a team and weren’t at all worried.
They definitely had it right!
anywho night all. I will find a new song to dedicate to Thurman Martin tom.
Can Swisher make a case to return despite the cap?
Cash, statistics bear out that pitching is more important to winning than hitting in the regular season. There was a statistical analysis done (I linked to the article earlier in the season) that showed that over the course of seasons, pitching was more important to winning. It wasn’t by an enormous landslide, but the scales were definitely tipped in favor of pitching. Another statstical analysis showed that pitching by far was the most important component in the world series (again, done over the course of the world series).
If you are interested in seeing those articles at any point, I will try to track them down.
When some of us used the “good pitching stops good hitting” mantra, we were accused by one disgruntled offense lover of using empty sayings with nothing to back them up.
See above.
I guess I’ll go watch me some telly. It is an astoundingly wonderful feeling to be a Yankee fan.
Night Cash!
austin, going to be an interesting watch. I’m betting there will be hometown discounts offered by some of the players.
new post>>>>