Yankees pregame: Nunez at short again
Posted by: Brian Heyman - Posted in Misc on Sep 16, 2012 
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Brian Heyman here for Chad again for this series finale against the Rays. Eduardo Nunez is starting at short in place of Derek Jeter for the fourth straight game. Jeter is the DH for the fourth straight game due to the bone bruise in his left ankle.
Nunez has played in 28 games over his two stints here this season, and he has made five errors. His defense got him sent to the minors in May. His error on Friday night, when he let an easy grounder scoot under his glove, allowed Tampa Bay to score an insurance run in the ninth. But Joe Girardi indicated he has been happy with Nunez’s defense at short while filling in for Jeter. Nunez has been back since Sept. 1.
“He played well down there (in Triple-A),” Girardi said. “He’s made some really good plays here, some balls that aren’t easy in the hole, and he shows his strong arm and his range. There are balls that he’s going to get to that maybe some other guys won’t.”
Girardi said he hasn’t considered lifting Nunez for defense late in games with a lead. That could dent his confidence.
“I think that plays some role,” Girardi said, “but I think it’s the way he’s playing that’s more important.”
Girardi thinks Nunez is more comfortable at short than earlier in the season when he was in more of a utility role.
“He was all over the place,” Girardi said. “We had him at second, short, third, left. I don’t know if we put him in right. (They did, although he didn’t start out there). We asked him to do a lot of different things. For a young kid that’s only really played one position for most of his career, I think it’s easier.”
Girardi also said Nunez may be considered for some DH work when Jeter is ready to return to the field. Nunez, who’s batting .308 in 65 at-bats, homered off James Shields in Saturday’s 5-3 win.
Hiroki Kuroda will start today. The Yankees are averaging just four runs a game in his 29 starts, the third-lowest run support average in the AL for pitchers with at least 29 starts. But it’s been worse over his last 10 outings. They have averaged only 3.07 runs for him. So Kuroda should be better than 13-10 with a 3.17 ERA.
My take of the recent games in the last few posts
http://www.stevewigdor.blogspot.com/
Nunez really changes the lineup, especially against LHP.
now that girardi sees the light on nunez. Hope he sees the light about andruw too and take a chance on mesa for a game or two. Put mesa on the 9th hole, how worse can it get? And now that AA is over, bring in adams too to give arod a rest on 3rd.
Massive game today – for both teams. The Yanks can do themselves a solid – and relieve some of the pressure – by winning. And they should do with Kuroda on the mound against Moore, who is a prodigious young talent but far less experienced.
Meredith Marakovits is so good at sideline interviews.. She asks the important questions and is very professional in her approach to those she talks to. I give her an A for her first year……
BIG GAME today!
The Rays can’t lose this game, get to Moore early & Maddon will have to bring the quick hook.
Then feast on the soft underbelly of the bullpen.
Take no prisoners, this is the Yankees shot to put away the Rays!
Let’s Go Yankees!!!!!
Glad to see that Joe and co. have finally bought into the program re: Nunez.
Glad to see that Joe and co. have finally bought into the program re: Nunez.
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I keep saying – Nunez and Gardner on the base paths last year.
Today – Lefty, mid nineties. Dearly beloved – Let us pray.
Sadly I think Nunez may be trade bait in the offseason, as the Yankees probably won’t want to keep a bench guy that only backs up SS.
Let’s go, boys! Get a couple of early runs for Hiro, for a change, then he can carry us.
That rest was a blessing in disguise for Alex. He’s a new man.