New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles GameThread, Apr 18, 2008 7:05 PM EDT

Game #18 - New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 6:45 PM EDT in Game Threads Comment 49 comments

New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles

New York Yankees

Johnny Damon, LF
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Álex Rodríguez, 3B
Hideki Matsui, DH
Robinson Cano, 2B
Jason Giambi, 1B
Melky Cabrera, CF
Chad Moeller, C

Phil Hughes, RHP (0-2, 9.00 ERA)

Baltimore Orioles

Brian Roberts, 2B
Melvin Mora, 3B
Nick Markakis, RF
Kevin Millar, 1B
Luke Scott, LF
Aubrey Huff, DH
Adam Jones, CF
Ramon Hernandez, C
Luis Hernandez, SS

Daniel Cabrera, RHP (0-0, 5.94 ERA)

Jorge Posada is out of the lineup tonight and it still sounds like he's a few days away from starting behind the plate. However, Jose Molina could catch as early as tomorrow.

Cabrera is a lifetime 3-6, 4.95 ERA in 13 starts against the Yanks - including 1-3, 6.67 ERA in 5 starts in 2007.

Hughes is a lifetime 1-0, 3.38 ERA in 2 starts against the Orioles.

Yankees' career numbers vs. Cabrera can be viewed here. Orioles career numbers vs. Hughes can be viewed here.

And finally, Mark Feinsand says, contrary to popular belief, that Moose ain't cooked and tells you why.

Does he have a point? You tell us in the attached poll.

Poll

Is Mike Mussina cooked?

Yes

59 votes

No

12 votes

Ask me again in a few weeks

34 votes

105 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 49 comments

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Comments

On Mussina

“UPDATE, 8:25 p.m.: I’m sure people want Mussina executed at dawn. But if he stays in the rotation, he’ll win 12 or 13 games because he will beat NL teams and some of the dreck in the AL. The offense will carry him. Do you think Kei Igawa will be any better?

The problem is that he needs to be the No. 5 starter, not the No. 2 starter. And obviously they need to limit his exposure against teams like the Red Sox or Tigers.”

From Pete A’s blog at Lohud.com last night (in game)

Pete has it right - and wrong - right now Kennedy, Hughes and Mussina are all pitching like #5 starters. But of the three, Phil and Ian (I would hope) have the growth potential. Mussina just doesn’t. Done? No, he’ll be able to beat the worst teams out there…but we all knew he was a one-and-done this year contract-wise. And I doubt any Yanks fan wants to see Igawa within 50 miles of the Bronx.

As for tonight—I hope Phil has a solid start, for his own sake.

by detroit yankee on Apr 18, 2008 6:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Moose

4 starts this year:

2 against Beckett, 1 against Burnett.

Last night he was bad, but pitching against ace-caliber pitchers can make you look worse than you are. If the Yanks are piling up hits and runs against his counterpart, suddenly 5.2 innings and 3 or 4 ER looks okay.

He was very good against Tampa, and he kept the Yanks in the game in 2 of his 3 other outings.

"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death

by matthaggs on Apr 18, 2008 6:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and

in the previous start against the sox, one could argue that Joe G cost that game allowing Mussina to pitch to Manny.

by detroit yankee on Apr 18, 2008 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I tend to agree

Let’s face it, Moose has been fine for the exception of four pitches to Manny Ramirez. Two last Saturday and two last night.

Of course, we can’t take those pitches away, but I do think some fans are overreacting a bit.

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Birds broadcast crew

It’s not often I like listening to the opposing team’s TV commentary, but the O’s have a good duo with Gary Thorne and Jim Palmer.

Most of the other broadcast crews suck – most notably, Hawk and Darrin Jackson, which I will be hearing this week.

Yuck.

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 7:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

With ya on that.

Amen Brother!

by Rusty23 on Apr 18, 2008 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice work by Abreu

Good hustle.

I was going to praise his AB anyway- after quick ABs by Damon and Jeter, Abreu went up there taking until he had two strikes to run up the pitch count.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 7:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hughes

is hitting 93, according to Gameday. His pitches have some zip tonight?

by docgonzo on Apr 18, 2008 7:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You beat me to it

I don’t like that he was behind Mora, but I don’t mind him pitching around Markakis. He and Roberts are the only Orioles who can hurt you, so no reason to give them a chance.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Phil's fastball

looking good tonight.

3-4” break, 8 at 92 and 3 at 93 MPH.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 7:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hughes definitely needs to pitch to contact more

He’s piling up pitches like a banshee.

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 7:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I didn't know

banshees pitched. Learn something new…

by docgonzo on Apr 18, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

53 pitches for Hughes

A quick inning or two would be nice.

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 8:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So would...

a few runs to ease his mind.

by Rusty23 on Apr 18, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops.

I jinxed it. Nice replay though. Great to see the logo at the bottom and a skrunched picture.. Who wnated to see if he was safe anyway.

by Rusty23 on Apr 18, 2008 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another stupid baserunning blunder

Just freakin’ great.

by mrljdavid on Apr 18, 2008 8:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How was that a stupid baserunning blunder?

Abreu ran on contact and there were 2 outs. Sometimes, you gotta give the outfielder credit.

Abreu was actually safe on that play, but oh well.

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, just gut reaction

I hate seeing runners cut down….I feel like more often than not, anyone on this team trying to take a base gets nailed…no stats backing that, just my sense….

by mrljdavid on Apr 18, 2008 8:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Man on

Time to get it back. I’d love to see Giambi hang back on one and flick it down the left field line.

Of course, I’d also like to see Joe D. reincarnated in his 1939 form.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 8:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's the Melkman's

first 2B of the season. His other extra base hits have been stadium assisted homers.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 8:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mark Feinstine

is in the booth and saying that Posada didn’t throw today. Not a good sign…

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 8:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Who is Mark Feinstine?

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know how to spell

The dude from the Daily News.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Feinsand

It’s fine sand by a dyslexic

"The secret of managing is to keep the guys who hate you away from the guys who are undecided." -Casey Stengel

by bxgrl1 on Apr 18, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

From Pete Abe:

Shelley Duncan, the Babe Ruth of the International League, has homered and doubled for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Moosic/Lackawanna Yankees. Shelley now has four home runs and 10 RBI in nine games.

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 8:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep

If Posada ever gets healthy, Shelley will be back on the bench.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

First walk of the night

Do you send Arod?

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Girardi knows how to use a computer

I didn’t realize he’d be reading PA mid-game.

Hi Joe!

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dong!

Matsui damn near got drilled in the jewels.

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A good throw would've got him

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hughes at 80 pitches

Hopefully, he can get through the 6th and call it a night.

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hughes 6

Hawkins 7?
Bruney 8
Mo 9

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Probably

It won’t be Edwar. They will have him waiting in case Kennedy struggles tomorrow.

And it won’t be Ohlendorf nor Farnsworth either.

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Traber and Mo are the freshest guys out in that pen

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

98 pitches for Cabrera

Last batter.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 8:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good AB by Giambi

It hasn’t happened much this season so I have to give him credit when it happens.

by anaconda on Apr 18, 2008 8:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Damn

First best chance there.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 8:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hughes has had

trouble after long innings. Settle down kid.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 9:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ugh

Almost got out of that…

Good pitching by Hughes. I guess 2 runs won’t be enough for a Yankee win tonight.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 9:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Chad Moeller

Starting the comeback!

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 18, 2008 9:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

wtf happened

did hughes give up all those runs?

by seanp23 on Apr 18, 2008 9:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He's charged with 5

Hawkins gave up 3. Edwar’s pitching well, though. But that means nothing 6 runs down.

by docgonzo on Apr 18, 2008 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

2 of Hughes 5 runs

were let in by hawkins after he left.

Crowds are won and lost and won again, but our hearts beat for the diehards.

by Edwantsacracker on Apr 18, 2008 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And the inning

was prolonged by an error.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 19, 2008 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True enough

But he still gets them added to his ERA

by docgonzo on Apr 19, 2008 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's why I don't use

ERA when evaluating my pitchers. WHIP, K/9, K:BB, IP. Still ugly for Franchise, but not quite as ugly.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Apr 19, 2008 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

how many IP?

by seanp23 on Apr 18, 2008 10:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hughes

Tonight was one of those nights when the line score can be very deceiving. Hughes was a pitch or two away from going 6 IP, 2 or 3 ER and the floodgates opened with the error by A-Rod on a throw that Giambi couldn’t handle.

He was better tonight but he needs to be more aggressive because his pitch count piles up too quickly.

by anaconda on Apr 19, 2008 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs