Postgame notes: “That’s just about as good as it gets”
Posted by: vmercogliano - Posted in Misc on Sep 21, 2012 
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For a moment, it seemed as if all of the positives — most importantly CC Sabathia’s best start of the season — would be wasted. CC turned in his most dominant outing of the season — an eight-inning, 11 strikeout gem — but he lost out on his chance to earn the win when Brandon Moss teed off on Rafael Soriano to tie the game in the ninth.
But with one swing of the bat, Russell Martin ensured that the Yankees’ ace would walk out of here with a smile on his face, as Martin led off the 10th inning with a solo homer to left, giving the Yankees a 2-1 win and just their third walk-off hit of the season.
“We’ve got a day game tomorrow, so I was trying to get out of here as quick as possible,” Martin said with a coy smile.
CC was the story of the game, responding to questions about his somewhat pedestrian numbers of late with a colossal performance. He completely shut the Oakland A’s down, maintaining a 1-0 lead for the Yanks before giving way to Soriano in the ninth.
“That’s just about as good as it gets,” Martin said. “CC was phenomenal tonight, and it’s good to see. He had good life on his fastball. We were talking about maybe he had some injury problems or whatever, but he looked fresh tonight.”
A couple of weeks ago, this was exactly the type of game that the Yankees were losing, but this was a shining example of how they’ve turned things around. An extra inning loss would have been deflating, dropping them into a tie with the Baltimore Orioles once again. But this walk-off win should energize this team with 13 games to play.
“We’re just going to battle to the end,” Martin said. “We don’t want to keep our heads down. Everybody’s human. Sori has been having a great year for us, and that’s what good teams do. We get each other’s back and find ways to win, and that’s what we did tonight.”
• We’ll start with CC, before we get into Martin’s heroics. What was the biggest difference for the big lefty tonight? Pretty much everything. He began the game by striking out the side in the first inning for the first time all season, and that carried him through the rest of the game. He had pretty much all of his pitches working (the slider was especially effective tonight), and it was clear with all of the swings-and-misses he was generating. An extremely encouraging sign for the Yankees as the postseason approaches. “Outstanding,” Joe Girardi said of CC’s outing. “I think it was important for him. It’s important for us.”
• CC had a no-hitter going through five innings, but Stephen Drew ended his bid for the no-no with a leadoff single in the sixth. In eight innings, CC only allowed three hits. “Stephen Drew put a good sign on it,” CC said. “I made a bad pitch trying to get in.”
• CC said he felt “the same” as he has in recent starts, it was just a matter of making quality pitches in big spots. “I’ve been feeling pretty good; just a couple of situations where I wasn’t able to make pitches,” he said. “(Tonight) my breaking ball was good, changeup was good, and I was making better pitches with two strikes.”
• According to Martin, it all starts with CC’s fastball. His slider, changeup and sinker can all be plus pitches, but he needs to have his fastball working for those pitches to be as effective as they can be. “More life on his fastball,” Martin said when asked what the biggest difference was compared to recent starts. “I’ve always said, when he has more life on his fastball… hitters have to get the bat started a little earlier to catch up, and it makes his changeup better. Once they feel like they need to cheat a little bit to get to the fastball, you can throw some sinkers down and away and get ground balls and quick outs. For CC, I think it’s been tough for him to put guys away lately, and today he had the stuff to put guys away… He just looked like he was in control.”
• In the first inning, CC’s velocity was in the low-90s. But later in the game, it was consistently in the mid-90s. “That’s a good sign, to me,” Girardi said. “It just means that he was getting stronger, and that’s not unusual for CC. That’s what we’re used to seeing.”
• CC downplayed the notion that the added zip on his fastball contributed to his success. “Velocity will come and go,” he said. “It’s about commanding pitches.”
• Martin also talked about how important it was for CC to have a start that helps him regain his swagger, so to speak. “He’s our ace, he’s our horse, so you want him feeling good about himself and confident,” Martin said. “He definitely needed this start, just for himself. It’s getting that time of the year where you want your aces to be feeling good.”
• There were a few murmurs on Twitter about Girardi’s decision not to send CC out for the ninth, but I thought it was pretty much a no-brainer. The eighth was the first inning in which CC got into a little trouble, loading the bases when he hit Jonny Gomes with a pitch with two outs, but he got out of by getting Josh Reddick to fly out to left. That sent him out on a high-note, but it was also his most stressful inning. At 113 pitches, it would have been playing with fire to send him back out. “At that point I thought he had worked pretty hard the last two innings, and at some point I was probably going to have make a change,” Girardi said. “You prefer to give a guy a clean inning.”
• It’s hard to fault Soriano because he’s arguably been the best closer in baseball this season. That was only his fourth blown save in 46 tries, which shows how good he’s been (and how much he’s been used) since taking over for Mariano Rivera. After picking up two saves in one day on Wednesday, Girardi thought he may have been a little gassed tonight. “His arm was maybe a little dead today,” Girardi said. “I wasn’t sure what we were going to get from him, I wasn’t sure what I was going to get from Robby, and if I had to bring Boone in, I wasn’t sure what I was going to get from him. But I give Sori a lot of credit. He ended up getting out of the inning and giving us a chance to win the game.”
• The pitch that Moss hit out was a flat slider, according to Martin. “They weren’t all as sharp,” Martin said of Soriano’s out-pitch. “He threw some good ones, and he threw some that weren’t as sharp. The one that Moss hit, it seemed like it was heading for a good spot, and it just didn’t have that same tightness that the other ones had.”
• As for Martin’s final at-bat, here’s what he said about his approach against Sean Doolittle. “I watched him in previous at-bats, and it looked like guys were getting beat by his fastball a little bit,”he said. “Kevin (Long) told me he was a bit sneaky, and he just told me to get the head out, and I listened to him. I got a fastball, probably where he did not want to leave it – it was belt high – and I just put a good swing on it.”
• Martin’s batting average is still pretty pitiful, but he’s really turned things around in the past couple of months. His at-bats have gotten much better, he’s come up with some big hits, and he does a great job of handling this pitching staff. On a team filled with stars, his workmen-like approach seems to mean a lot in the clubhouse. “Numbers don’t really say so, but Russell has been so crucial of late,” Nick Swisher said.
• If you noticed through all of the excitement, Martin absolutely launched his batting helmet before he crossed home plate. Here’s why: “That might be a record for the longest helmet toss,” he said with a laugh. “I wanted to see if Al would go get it – because Al always has something about chasing helmets – and he went and got it.”
• A’s starter Jarrod Parker was also dealing, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out seven in eight innings of work. The Yankees got their lone run off of Parker in the bottom of the fourth, when Nick Swisher led off with a single, advancing to third two batters later on a single from Alex Rodriguez. Curtis Granderson drove Swisher in with a sac fly to left for his team-leading 94th RBI of the season, but that would be the extent of the Yankees’ damage.
• Derek Jeter singled in the bottom of the sixth to extend his hitting streak to 15 games, while Ichiro Suzuki went 2 for 3 with a stolen base. Ichiro has been on a torrid pace of late, combining to go 11 for his last 15 in the past four games.
• I’ll give the final word to Girardi, who talked about how the Yankees have turned things around recently. They’ve won six in a row, eight of their last nine and 11 of their last 15. Things were a bit panicky around here recently (meaning amongst the fans, because I never really got that sense in the clubhouse), but now the momentum is building. With CC pitching the way that he did tonight and the starting rotation finally completely healthy, the pieces seem to be falling into place at the perfect time. “We’ve been pitching pretty well,” Girardi said. “Our starters have been pitching pretty well in this run that we’ve had. We’ve gotten some clutch hits. We’ve gotten a little bit healthier, bullpen has been good. It’s been a combination of a lot of things.”
Associated Press photos
MG, Yanks win the next 1 out of 2 they are in good shape. partly because i am counting Rays to give Os some difficult time. But I doubt there is any psychological adv at this point for either team, it’s one game at a time and scratching and clawing to the finish. Another thing I can’t discount is Boston’s desire to knock NY out of the throne seat as always. we see.
need the offense to start hitting consistently. Chavez is joining andruw and raul. Tomorrow is another lefty, hope the righty bat of pearce or mcgehee or nix can contribute
The Sucks won’t win a game that benefits the Yankees. They’re still mad about the Rays’ comeback last year, LOL
“because Al always has something about chasing helmets – and he went and got it.”
I told you. He was like a dog fetching. Whats up with that?
Couldn’t sleep….
Pat M… I don’t think you were grilled for your info about the M’s moving Montero… I do think you were expecting to be grilled…If I recall correctly, in my case I thought it to be interesting, I tend to respect a great deal your takes.
Bret,
The Montero horde is alive and well…. What I don’t get is why the constant Montero references from your part…Most people have move on, you should too.
LGY,
very good posts….
Tar,
So were yours, I miss your very smart observations. Be around more.
jmv,
Yup…They won’t forget that one easily…They will do their best to pay back the favor.
fantasy,
i rather see Nunez again
Pablo “Panda” Sandoval now has 4 homers in 3 days.
Maybe there’s hope for Montero yet?
That’s a HUGE win. As they all are this time of year.
CC and Martin get Game Balls!
Jeter, obvious Yankee MVP and maybe League MVP, extends his hitting streak to put the cherry on top of this one.
Heard a rumor that Martin has been juicing to finish out the season before hes a FA. The source is a person who is definatly credible. Like i said though. Rumor.
Hilarious bit about Arod playing fetch. Thanks, Chad!
I would love to see the Yanks sweep these A’s
Seriously I saw Arod sprinting away from the scrum and I thought he might have been bringing back the pie.
I need to know more about this Arod helmet fetching thing….Alex seems like such a goof ball sometimes ….I think thats why I like him so much.
Martin is forcing me to rethink my position on him.
Gotta run soon.
Hike day today.
Arod has always gone after the helmet when someone hits a walk off. He’s been doing it since I think 09.
There was accuatin of Martin 2009 useing steroids he lost 20 poundd and hitting fell off very bad the yankees need to keep far away from martin or anyone rumor to use because they want the big pay day.Yankees need to focus in developing the farm
Good morning-
MTU-
Did Martin get any pie last night?
Where are you off to today?
A-Rod probably goes after the helmet to stay away from the maddening crowd at home plate. You’ll never see him in the middle of a walk- off. Of course if he’s the one to hit the walk-off, then it’s probably a different story.
These are the catchers that are possible free agents this offseason.
Updated 9-18-12
Catchers
Rod Barajas (37) – $3.5MM club option, no buyout
Henry Blanco (41) – $1.24MM mutual option
Chris Iannetta (30) – $5MM club option with a $250K buyout; player can void
Gerald Laird (33)
Russell Martin (30)
Brian McCann (29) – $12MM club option with a $500K buyout
Jose Molina (37) – $1.5MM club option with a $300K buyout
Mike Napoli (31)
Wil Nieves (35)
Miguel Olivo (34) – $3MM club option with a $750K buyout
Ronny Paulino (32)
A.J. Pierzynski (36)
Humberto Quintero (33)
David Ross (36)
Carlos Ruiz (34) – $5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Brian Schneider (36)
Kelly Shoppach (33)
Chris Snyder (32) – $4MM mutual option for 2013 with a $500K buyout
Yorvit Torrealba (34)
Matt Treanor (37)
Yt-
Good morning.
Hike in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.
MTU-
Take some photos for us to share after a Yankees Super Nova win today!
I’m not ready to jump on the Russell Martin bandwagon yet.
Is he a great defensive catcher?
Attached are the stats of all catchers playing with at least 150 at bats. You can switch from defense to their offensive stats:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/f.....order/true
I’ll see what I can do YT.
Martin is avg. at throwing runners out.
Not sure about his other defensive #’s, i.e. passed balls, etc.
Hope Ivan builds on what he started last time out.
That’s not a particularly attractive list. I’d be okay with Martin for another year at similar $$$, but I’d be hesitant to go multi-year with him… or anyone else on that list.
I’m glad that there was no “pie” last night. It’s as trite as the Gatorade/Ice Water dousing.
Off to some college football. Be good, Senor Nova!
I think Martin is ok short term…..Is love somebody better of course but hes in his physical prime and can hit homers and get hot and help the team for stretches…..and he is a pretty good defender…at least league average Id say.
Ideally Id like the Yanks to either get him back for a year or at most two and then try to find a LH hitting BUC that has decent nunbers against RHP so that Martin’s off days could come vs RHP.
Here is a question ……with the rules changing for 2014….would you consider making Martin the qualifying offer just to keep the term at 1 year? Knowingly youd be overpaying him for 2013…..but youre off the hook beyond that when it matters more……just a thought…..Id probably consider it if he would accept a cheaper deal and I couldnt find anything better.
If he “wouldnt ” accept a cheaper deal I mean.
I’d keep my eyes on AJ P to see if the WS re-sign him.
Later all.
Have a good one.
Blake-
I wouldn’t and the Yankees won’t. The Yankees won’t get the windfall revenue returns of millions at the end of the 2013 season, but for every dollar spent on the 40 man roster, below $178M they save the LT of 42.5%
While that’s not 50% it’s still pretty sizeable.
Just my 2 cents, but I believe you’ll see the Yankees already in the cost cutting mode this offseason. In fact it’s already started at the trading deadline.
If thats the Sabathia we are getting the rest of the way (the real one) then I feel.pretty giod about a 4 man rotation the Yanks can throw out in a playoff series.
The bullpen and how theyll hit though is a big question mark ……the offense you really cant do a ton about…..just have to hope they can get hot or get the big hits when they need them……if Ichiro keeps playing like this then that helps a ton because hes another guy that can hit his way on base besides Jeter and Cano.
The bullpen is maybe where they can do some things and strategically as I said a few days ago I think you could consider putting Hughes out there to strengthen it if Andy and Nova look good down the stretch here.
Hughes has been their 3rd best starter this season and he really deserves to be in the rotation ……however if you decide on Sabathia, Kuroda, Pettite fkr thr firat 3 games then I think you could make a case that Hughes coukd make more of an impact on a series helping strengthen the pen than he could starting that 4th game……..a lot depends on how Nova pitches…..and you coukd let Nova do the bullpen thing as well…..he just doesnt have the history there that Phil does…….I like Hughes as a starter long term of course…..but now its about filling holes and making a run at a title so you have to consider everything.
YT,
I have said the budget will be cut this off season so they don’t have to have the fans see a $30+ million cut in one year. It starts with Swisher. Martin and Granderson could be next with cheaper replacements.
Blake-
If the Yankees, and I hate to even mention this, are the WC, might they need 5 starters to get thru the WC and the ALDS?
Remember Nova pitched the 2nd game of the ALDS last year.
Trader,
I doubt it also…..but do think they will spend a little more on a one year deal to stay flexible…..for example I think theyd rather do a 1 year 13.5 million dollar deal with Martin than a 2/20 deal…..at least I would.
Somehow I can’t get excited about the team getting windfall revenue returns. The owners getting richer by lessening the team is not exactly fan friendly.
I see Hunter may re-sign with the Angels. He was likely to costly anyway. Look for a sub $5 million player to replace Swisher.
Austinmac and Blake-
Most of the complaints are about the offense too heavily reliant on needing a homerun to win a close game in the late innings. In fact I saw it last night with Swisher looking to be the hero in the 9th.
If Swisher takes the qualifying offer[he won't], they give Granderson the club option and resign Martin to a one year plus club option, you’ve got the same offense that most of us have been yeling about all year, except for the addition of Gardner[hopefully]
I’m ready for change!
Blake-
If you want to give Martin 2/20M for what he has produced this year, I hope you are wrong.
YT,
I would love to see them add a young bat or two.
MLBTR discusses that the Rays will likely deal Price in the next year or two. I hate that the Rangers seem to have enough prospects to be listed as destinations for all the players I want.
Their was an interesting article on Upton the other day. He seems anything but a complacent player. He sounds hard working and driven. His only downside is putting too much pressure on himself. I want him, but the Rangers with Andrus likely available can get anyone they choose.
“A-Rod probably goes after the helmet to stay away from the maddening crowd at home plate. You’ll never see him in the middle of a walk- off. ”
YT
That’s not it. A couple of years ago I remember someone tossing the helmet In the air. Alex and someone else were fighting to see who would catch it. Ever since then he will not be denied. It really is goofy. Last night he sprinted from the pack as soon as it was thrown, with a look of glee on his face. It’s hilarious.
Looking at the remaining schedules of all AL teams in the hunt.
Detroit has the easiest. A’s and Rangers the hardest.
These are my predictions:
The Yankees are going to go on a roll and finish with the best record in the AL while the Rangers and A’s are each fighting each other.
The WC will be the Orioles vs either the A’s or the Rangers[whichever is not the division winner]
The Tigers will win the Central.
“If you want to give Martin 2/20M for what he has produced this year, I hope you are wrong.”
I dont….just an example……Id offer more like 2/12
Austinmac-
With Profar, the Rangers would match up dealing Andrus to the Diamondbacks for Justin Upton, because SS is an area of need for the D-Backs as well as 3B, RP, starter, and a replacement in the OF,
Maybe Towers and Cashman can work something out. Showcasing Nunez now! Wasn’t that a defensive highllight grab he made last night?
Are the Rangers interested in J. Upton?
Martin is probably the most likely catcher next year. Romine isn’t ready. AJ P is probably re-signing with the White Sox and is 36. Their are no good alternatives. I bet he won’t sign for one year. Two would work, hopefully giving Sanchez time. But, their is that pesky budget which may change everything. It could be Romine, Stewart and Cervelli.
YT,
I have read they are interested in him if Hamilton leaves.
Blake-
Michael Bourn, a Boras client, has certainly not produced the last 55 games or so. Hitting around .210 I believe I read yesterday.
Do the Yankees try and sign Cody Ross as a cheaper option?
Nunez has some real ability. It will never get exhibited on the Yankees at short. He and Hughes or Phelps for Upton?
David Ross would be a good backup and he’s a FA.
Wishing here, but maybe after the Phillies pick up the option on Carlos Ruiz the Yankees can swing a deal for him-they need outfielders.
Granderson?
Remember Upton has a NT to the Yankees so the Yankees would have to spice up his existing deal.
I like Phelps. Hughes has pitched well, but would be better in a bigger ballpark.
With the proviso, as always, that I know nothing, I expect Ross will re-sign with the Sox. He is a dead pull hitter, Fenway is perfect for him and he seems to have avoided the bad attitude issues there.
7 in a row today?
Go figure the M’s actually score some runs last night and beat the Rangers. #ycpb
Okay I’ve got it, or NOT!
Sign Cody Ross-cheaper option than Swisher
Trade Granderson in a package for Carlos Ruiz
Trade for Justin Upton
Move Gardner to CF
Younger, Cheaper, OF
The Rangers have a lot invested n Josh Hamilton. Do you think he’s gone?
I don’t know if Hamilton is gone. Their hasn’t been any push to sign him that I have heard, but if I am the Rangers it would be hard to give up 40 homers, a .290 average and a ton of RBIs. They could fear his health and addiction.
It would never happen, but Hamilton could hit them in the second deck at NYS with one hand. It would be fun if it worked and disaster if he gets off the sober track.
The Rangers didn’t play Beltre, Hamilton last night. Are they injured?
If the Yankees sign Hamilton then they likely are going to cut back in other areas-and that might mean trading Cano rather than sign him to the next 8 year or more $200M contract.
Beltre has an intestinal thing and Hamilton has sinus issues
Ross would be an ok stop gap…..Id prefer Hunter I think thpugh if they are going the stop gappy route
My biggest concern is still the bullpen. The starters with Andy back should be fine, The offense can get better. The bullpen I don’t think can get better.
Blake-moving Hughes to the pen might help. Joba has been letting inherited runners to score close to 50% of the time. I see Phelps, Logan, DRob and Soriano as pretty much positives, but the rest as exposed and Joba not ready.
I watched Joba the other night. He looked out of breath. Martin had his hands full, blocking pitches in the dirt.
Blake,
MLBTR has a discussion that both sides are interested in Hunter returning to the Angels. It is not like the Yankees checkbook will change his mind.
I would like to try to get Hosmer from the Royals and put him in the outfield. He’s had a down year so maybe it’s possible.
I think the yankees fan stop worrying about buying other teams crap an concetrate on developeing are own the yankees are haveing a hard time beating farm system teams like As blue jays tampa baltimore an boston with a 200 million dollar payroll. The teams that spent money like Angels an tigers might not make the playoff .the yankees need to get young.
We all agree the Yankees need to get younger. What AA or AAA position player do you propose starting next year?
Thinking of play-off roster. Am assuming they are going to go with 11 pitchers. That leaves 6 spots. I think the first 5 are easy choices:
Stewart – is a lock to make it. You have to have a BUC
Chavez- great D at 3b, good LH bat, let Alex DH if you need to, DH candidate
Nix-is the infield utility guy- designated bunter, rh bat
Ibanez- big bopper LH bat off the bench, back up OF, DH candidate
Nunez- makes the team for speed alone-good rh bat, back up SS, DH candidate
Now you need one more outfielder. You already have ( not counting Stewart) 2 RH and 2 LH bats. So that is kind of a wash. The attributes that IMO are the most important , defense, pinch runner, RH home run threat off the bench.
Based on that, Dickerson would be my choice. I think he gives Joe more versatility especially late in the game. Having Jones as a bench player is not awful, but he should not be a starter.
Of course the Yankees will go with Jones, so I will be rooting for him to find some late magic.
First of all what’s wrong with Cervelli.Gets a lot clutch hits. He use to handleing Cc an Aj Burnett wanted him to catcher an Romine as back up
Austinmac-
I saw that about Hunter, but they already have Wells, Trout, Bourjos, Trumbo returning.
The Royals need starting pitching. I’d rather have Bret Lawrie than Eric Hosmer-the Blue Jays need pitching also
AA/AAA players-
David Adams at 3rd
Mark Montgomery in the bullpen
Austin Romins backup catcher
Coban Joseph utility infielder
Ronier Mustelier 4th OF’er backup 3rd?
Tar-
Where is Ichiro?
Jones lost that magic right after the Fenway series the 1st week in July.
They can sign Melky for RF and frame it as giving him a second chance. Use him as a stop gap to Tyler Austin.
The problem is a ageing veterans that the yankees invested in a lot of money Cc Aroid Texiera an jeter have to play
I wonder if Melky Cabrera declined the possibility of winning the batting title in a back room deal with the Commisioner to not face further discipline for his involvement in a fake website scheme designed to get out of his 50-game suspension.
YT,
I’ll take Trout. They have excess. It’s only fair.
Based on that, Dickerson would be my choice.
===========================
Joe’s will prolly be Gardy.
New Post—————->
Tex for Trout. That’s only fair considering Tex cost the Yankees a shot at Trout!
the offense you really cant do a ton about…..just have to hope they can get hot or get the big hits when they need them……if Ichiro keeps playing like this then that helps a ton because hes another guy that can hit his way on base besides Jeter and Cano.
///
They can at least take advantage of Joseph and Adams deepening the bench in the march toward a division title, even though those guys won’t be on the PS roster. Zoilo’s on the 40-man also, but his best bet is going through another ST and probably another year.
How about tyler Austin plays 1b an 3b mason william cf gardner lbf an melky mesa an dickenson rf nunez short an dh