Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees GameThread, Jul 4, 2008 1:05 PM EDT

Game #87 - Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 12:52 PM EDT in Game Threads Comment 107 comments

Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees, Jul 4, 2008 1:05 PM EDT

BOSTON RED SOX

Jacoby Ellsbury, LF
Dustin Pedroia
J.D. Drew, RF
Manny Ramirez, DH
Mike Lowell, 3B
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Coco Crisp, CF
Jason Varitek, C
Julio Lugo, SS

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
Josh Beckett	7-5	15	15	0	0	0	0	101.0	93	42	41	12	20	101	3.65	1.12

NEW YORK YANKEES

Johnny Damon, LF
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Álex Rodríguez, 3B
Jason Giambi, 1B
Jorge Posada, DH
Robinson Cano, 2B
Melky Cabrera, CF
Jose Molina, C

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
Darrell Rasner	4-6	10	10	0	0	0	0	57.0	66	29	28	6	14	38	4.42	1.40

PREGAME NOTES:

Yanks have scored two runs or fewer a mind-boggling 28 times this season.
Billy Traber has been recalled from Scranton and Alberto Gonzalez has been sent back down.
Pete Abe notes that Brian Bruney starts his rehab assignment today with the GCL.
Josh Beckett is a lifetime 6-3, 5.87 ERA, 1.53 WHIP in 10 starts against the Yanks. He is 3-4, 3.19 ERA, 1.16 WHIP in 9 road starts this season.
Darrell Rasner has never faced the Red Sox. He is 3-1, 2.08 ERA, 1.08 WHIP in 4 starts at home this season.
Yanks' hitters vs. Beckett can be viewed here.

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Comments

I would have loved to see

Gardner get the start in center.

sigh

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why is he not starting today?

I don’t get it.

I really didn’t understand him not playing last night when they scored 18 runs the night before. I know Lester is a lefty, but he’s not Randy Johnson circa 1998.

And I understand they are facing Josh Beckett – but c’mon – I thought he was promoted to play?

Yeah, Beckett can be tough, but so what? What’s Girardi’s excuse for benching him tomorrow; he doesn’t want the kid to be overmatched by a knuckle-baller?

Sigh. Girardi drives me nuts sometimes and I’m trying really hard to like him.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Girardi

Frankly, to me, it undermines his pep talk from yesterday. He talks about everyone needing to step up, but then he makes the easy decision to play Melky, rather than giving Gardner a shot.

by long time listener on Jul 4, 2008 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

Today is also a game where runs are likely to be a premium against Beckett. A guy like Gardner (with Varitek’s rag arm) could be a difference-maker in a game like today.

Even if he didn’t get a hit, he’d make Beckett work – unlike what the lineup did last night against Lester.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

bottom line

We know what Melky can do. I don’t hate him, but this is the player he is. We don’t know what Gardner can do, and it’s time to find out.

by long time listener on Jul 4, 2008 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not a very

auspicious beginning.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 1:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I saw your pal returned and then quickly banished again

What a psychopath.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

if he could be civil to posters I wouldn’t really care what he wrote in the diaries. But he made 3 comments and one of them was an attack at Ron.
There are plenty of places he can go rant. He’s not welcome here.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree wholeheartedly

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

whew

I thought that was 2 runs

by long time listener on Jul 4, 2008 1:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Phew

A ten-spot in the bottom of the first would go a long way toward improving my holiday.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 1:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

BTW....

How was the move this week? Everything go okay?

Welcome back.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This wasn't the move

this was a semi-vacation. I spent a bunch of time on the beach with friends from college, I went to the school I’ll be teaching at to fill out some paperwork, and I found a place to live.

I’ll move the week of the 21st.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gotcha....

Well, nonetheless…..welcome back. Hope you had a good time.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Other than coming home

to a 6 game winning streak, it couldn’t have been better.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't stand Varitek

But I kind of dig his catcher’s gear today. Certainly unique.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 1:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like it too. Happy 4th everyone. Hope we get some offensive fireworks today.

by bronxbound on Jul 4, 2008 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's more like it

by long time listener on Jul 4, 2008 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nicely done, A-Rod

They really needed that. Time for Giambi to get that 3rd run in.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And Giambi comes through. Maybe that meeting did some good last night.

by bronxbound on Jul 4, 2008 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope so

But I’m wondering how long it will last. This offense hasn’t been consistent all season and I’m skeptical that they’ll turn it on just like that.

Yelling and screaming in closed-door meetings seems to help young teams more than it does older veteran teams.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But then again

this is a new team for Joe G. Maybe it’ll help the team and the manager get on the same page.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

stating the obvious

This would be a really good time for a 1-2-3 inning.

by long time listener on Jul 4, 2008 1:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm a big fan

of the obvious.

Do you think Rasner knows that’s the best thing to do?

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

looks like it

that’s close enough, anyway

by long time listener on Jul 4, 2008 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's what I'm wondering....

If this team doesn’t turn it around in the next few weeks – what would you do before the deadline?

They really can’t have a so-called “firesale” because there aren’t many teams looking for overpriced vets to add for the stretch run.

Plus, a lot of said vets also have a NTC so it will be doubly tough to deal them.

This might be the first time in over a decade where this team is in a position to build for next season and the fans are willing to accept it.

In my opinion, they need to move a few of these guys if possible but they also need some young position players in return.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 1:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I suspect

that we could get a couple of the pending FA to waive their no-trade.

I think Giambi or Moose are close enough to the end of their careers that they would take a shot at the World Series over staying in NY.

Damon’s no trade is limited, so it would be possible to trade him. And you could move several bullpen members.

The returns on midseason trades is always hard to figure out.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

this game is about to unravel

by long time listener on Jul 4, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ich

This is what I get for wishing Brett Gardner was in the lineup.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never seen that before

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What happen?

What happen to Damon?

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ran to the track

to rob a homer and coming down hit his arm on the wall and hurt his shoulder. Possibly dislocated. We’re waiting for more info.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that sucks

I hate Rasner.

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate

that we have to rely on Rasner.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep.....

The next rotation change will be for Ponson. Sadly, Rasner is the 4th starter.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bob Sheppard must have had a setback

He was supposed to come back mid-June.

by bronxbound on Jul 4, 2008 2:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Varitek

is god awful. I am glad he won’t make the all-star team.

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Have they

announced the rosters yet?

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No this Sunday

But Mauer has more votes and there is no way Varitek is picked to make the roster. His numbers are horrible.

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You see something new everyday

That ball sitting on top of the fence was insane. Rasner will not throw strikes anymore…Confidence…

by John Amato on Jul 4, 2008 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think it's a confidence thing

I think this is just what Rasner is. He’s a long man or spot starter at best. He’s not a guy you can rely on once every 5 days.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think Rasner is pitching that bad. A few things go a different way and everything is ok. It’s not like we aren’t in the game. Beckett issued 3 as well. To early to give up on him in my opinion.

by bronxbound on Jul 4, 2008 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So

if Damon AND Matsui are on the DL at the same time, can we sign Barry Bonds?

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 2:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yes!!!!!!!!

Bonds can DH.

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

also call Roger

At least he has balls and knows how to pitch unlike Rasner.

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Something undisclosed is keeping teams from signing him. I think he would have been signed already.

by bronxbound on Jul 4, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who

Bonds or Clemens?

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bonds. I’m sure he wants to play. Clemens not so much.

by bronxbound on Jul 4, 2008 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yankees

need them both. What is David Wells doing right now?

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I suspect collusion. I think if there was an injury or some similar reason that clubs could whisper, it’d have been leaked by now.

I smell a conspiracy.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's fine by me

I’d rather not see him play another game for anyone to tell you the truth.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I do

I want to see Bond get on base 50% of the time and hit 20 homers for the Yankees.

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not so sure that would happen

Bonds hasn’t played a game since September. And he was the only hitter in the Giants lineup, so they always pitched around him.

I just don’t think his numbers from the NL last season would translate to the AL.

With Posada’s bum shoulder, the Yanks already have perhaps three DHs in the starting lineup every day if Matsui returns.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I say get Bonds

If Matsui and Damon are on the DL for a long time. And his number would translate to the AL. Giants stadium is a pitcher friendly. Yankee stadium is ideal for Bonds.

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

AROD

Somebody came to play. Screw Lenny!!!

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Damon

Contusion of the shoulder. So a very bad bruise?

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 2:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ok

better than a separation of the shoulder. He should go to the DL.

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

at least

Beckett is throwing a lot of pitches this inning.

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Big spot here

for Jose.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 2:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

you jinxed him

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

shit

is Melky all right?

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ok I want Manny plunked. He threw that right at him.

by bronxbound on Jul 4, 2008 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt it

to load the bases? With Melky hitting less than his weight?

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

If Beckett was throwing at someone – it certainly wouldn’t be Melky Cabrera.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There were two outs. I didn’t think so at first but then they showed the replay. Melky was all over the plate.

by bronxbound on Jul 4, 2008 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not defending Beckett, but it could have been a brushback that got away from him.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True.

by bronxbound on Jul 4, 2008 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're

out of outfielders. So he has to be.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Damon has a separated shoulder

He’s probably out for the season. Same thing happened to Shelley Duncan a few days ago.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Call Bonds's agent

Right now!!!!!!!!!

by BillyBobisdrunk on Jul 4, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That ain't gonna happen

I bet Cashman won’t bite.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shit

Where can we find pitching?

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well shit.

by bronxbound on Jul 4, 2008 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Another nice job by Rasner

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

another day

another beating. 10-4 red sox?

by long time listener on Jul 4, 2008 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Faith

8-6 Yanks.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bruney

Gulf Coast League:
2.0 IP, 2H, 2BB, 1ER, 3K.

The real test will be to see how he feels tomorrow.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 3:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

dead asleep

They should be getting to Beckett, and instead they are completely hapless. Looks like that pep talk was only good for one inning.

by long time listener on Jul 4, 2008 3:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

which is why I think these meetings don't usually do a lot of good with veteran teams

I’d like to see this team play as many of the kids as possible this season to see what they can build on for the future.

This sucks to watch right now but I think it’s best for the long run. And I’d like to see Kennedy come back as soon as they feel he’s ready to go because this team doesn’t seem to be going anywhere fast. Let Kennedy pitch and see what he’s made of.

Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and make the necessary transition no matter what the fans think.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

speaking as a fan

I think the fans will understand. Everyone watching this team has to know there’s little chance of them turning it around this year. I think as long as they show that they have a plan, the fans will live with it. That plan should include making smart trades at the deadline and giving the young pitchers some time in the big leagues to develop.

by long time listener on Jul 4, 2008 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see what you are saying. But it is not like the Yankees to concede like that. In the word of Yogi Berra, “It’s not over till it’s over.” I wouldn’t want to either.

by bronxbound on Jul 4, 2008 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

There will be no salary dumps or a trade of an MLB player for a half dozen Single A players.

But I could see the Yanks moving a veteran for place holder and a AAA player.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's what I'm worried about

Is that the Steinbrenners aren’t going to accept a rebuilding year. That strikes me as 80s thinking. They’ve got to find good young players to build around, make some smart trades, and fill the gaps with free agents. They have some of the parts, but they need to re-tool.

by long time listener on Jul 4, 2008 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But

the Yankees’ roster isn’t in need of an Oakland style overhaul. We’ve got several guys locked in long-term and several more guys a year or two away from valuable contributions.

It’s just a question of trimming a little fat and inserting a league average player at the right spot (starting pitching).

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 4, 2008 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I found an old article that I thought was rather astounding

Here’s a quote by Cashman in New York Mag back in 2004 – the season before Oppenheimer took over the draft:

"Cashman, unlike every other GM, has no influence on whom the Yankees draft. "The best political answer would be, it’s not part of the job description," he says slowly. "That’s just how George has his business set up. He wants separation between the Tampa office and the New York office. I don’t think the Tampa office and the New York office particularly like the separation, but it’s there. There’s times we’re pit against each other. That’s the way he wants it. He thinks it promotes independent thought. At times it can promote us all not being on the same page."

Read the entire article.

It says a lot about how things were run a few years back. And those decisions by The Boss himself deserves a lot of the blame.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's an optimistic view

and I’d like to share it, but I see a few more holes than you do. I don’t think they have a whole lot of outfield help. The outfield situation is rough. What can they expect out of Damon, going forward? He’ll remain a good hitter and a decent left-fielder, but he’s also injury prone. Is Abreu going to stick around, and, if so, what can they expect from him? All I know is that if Melky and Gardner are going to be 2 out of the 4 regular outfielders, they better find another guy with some power to play right field. Is it Tabata?

And what about Jeter? Is he starting to decline? And he can’t play short for much longer. I’d be worried about first base, but it’s probably easy enough to find a hitting first baseman.

I’d go on, but the more I write, the more pessimistic I get.

by long time listener on Jul 4, 2008 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They can't completely dismantle the team at once

because they need bodies to fill these positions. I don’t think Damon and Matsui are going anywhere, but I wouldn’t re-sign Abreu or Giambi for next season.

I expect Moose to be gone as well and they should have more young arms ready to contribute next season.

I think Pettitte will return for one more season.

Farnsworth and Hawkins will be gone as well so we’ll be seeing more of guys like Robertson, Cox, and Melancon.

After next season, Damon and Matsui will be gone.

Lots of changes on the horizon but they all can’t be done this year. They’ll have to live with some of the FA choices they’ve made in recent years.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They almost have no choice

Who knows what Hank is thinking – if he’s thinking at all – but it seems like Hal is the smart one and understands why the Yanks are in this position in the first place.

All the quick fixes and FA signings over the past 8 years have limited this team’s ability to build with youth. It took Cashman’s takeover of the farm in 2005 for that to happen and they’d be in much worse shape if it didn’t happen.

For what it’s worth, they’re in better shape than the Mets because they have even fewer options at the minor league level.

by anaconda on Jul 4, 2008 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs