Tampa Bay Rays @ New York Yankees GameThread, Jul 8, 2008 7:05 PM EDT

Game #90 - Tampa Bay Rays @ New York Yankees

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 6:45 PM EDT in Game Threads Comment 71 comments

Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees, Jul 8, 2008 7:05 PM EDT

TAMPA BAY RAYS

Akinori Iwamura, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
B.J. Upton, CF
Carlos Pena, 1B
Evan Longoria, 3B
Dioner Navarro, C
Willy Aybar, DH
Jonny Ghomes, RF
Ben Zobrist, SS

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
Scott Kazmir	7-3	12	12	0	0	0	0	72.0	53	23	21	6	28	75	2.63	1.13

NEW YORK YANKEES

Melky Cabrera, CF
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Álex Rodríguez, 3B
Jorge Posada, DH
Wilson Betemit, 1B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Jose Molina, C
Brett Gardner, LF

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
Andy Pettitte	9-6	18	18	0	0	0	0	111.0	125	57	52	12	29	80	4.22	1.39

PREGAME NOTES:

Hard to believe, but the Rays have not lost two straight games since June 10 - 11. They were losers last night against KC.
Here's a tidbit from Ed Price that needs to stop; "No Yankees starter has gone more than six innings since June 25, when Joba Chamberlain threw 114 pitches in 6 2/3 innings. Over the past 11 games, the bullpen has had to throw 41 1/3 innings."
Good news on Hideki Matsui. He took 45 swings off the tee before the game and felt no pain in his bum knee. Hopefully, he'll be cleared to start taking BP soon.
Scott Kazmir is a lifetime 3-3, 2.68 ERA, 1.37 WHIP in 10 games (9 starts) against the Yanks. Making Kazmir work tonight would be a swell idea because he is 1-1, 4.87 ERA, 1.52 WHIP over his last 4 starts and averaging just over 5.0 IP during that span.
Andy Pettitte is a lifetime 14-4, 3.84 ERA, 1.47 WHIP in 24 games (23 starts) against the Rays. But he is 3-3, 5.68 ERA, 1.89 WHIP over his last 7 starts against them.
Rays' hitters vs. Pettitte can be viewed here. Yanks' hitters vs. Kazmir can be viewed here.

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Damn...

Rich Harden was just traded to the Cubs:

The Cubs get Harden and Chad Gaudin for Gallagher, Murton, Patterson, and catching prospect Josh Donaldson. Jim Hendry did his best to counter the Brewers’ acquisition of CC Sabathia. The A’s get three MLB-ready players plus a solid offense-oriented catching prospect.

Harden can be really nasty when he’s on, but his health will always be a concern. It’s been awhile since the NL Central has been this competitive.

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 6:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Remember the days when the Yanks were the ones making the deals for top-shelf talant….getting Denny Neagle and David Justice and David Cone midseason. That NL central is going to be one crazy ride. Makes me wish I had a dish. I wonder if St. Louis will now make a move.

by nitlion007 on Jul 8, 2008 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tonight is off to a great start already......

Ken Singleton and John Flaherty will call the game. The only combination of the revolving door of Yankee broadcasters that don’t make me want to shove a chainsaw into my ears. This is good karma

by nitlion007 on Jul 8, 2008 6:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And Michael Kay is not part of the team

I have no problem with that.

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kaz is lookig tough

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)

by Cbeck3 on Jul 8, 2008 7:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is why stacking the rotation with right handers because they’re facing a lefty is not a smart move by Girardi.

I’ll take the better lefty hitters because they at least have a shot at putting the ball in play or working the count.

Guys like Betemit just look overmatched.

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 7:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

good ole melk

is there anybody in baseball that is worse with RISP?

by Clutch like Leyritz on Jul 8, 2008 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If there is...

he’s probably in the Yankee lineup tonight.

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

at least Jeter

seems to be coming around. that’s a huge hit.

by Clutch like Leyritz on Jul 8, 2008 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I'm wrong

but it didn’t seem like Jeter was running all that hard on the play at home. Seems like a play he would normally beat out pretty easily.

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 7:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I dunno

Upton was pretty shallow and it was hit right to him. probably should not have sent him with Arod coming up.

by seanp23 on Jul 8, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You have to send him

There were 2 outs and Jeter’s they’re best base runner. Less than 2 outs would be different.

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ehh

he was nailed though. Id rather see arod swing with some men on than just send a guy to get nailed because youre supposed to with two outs.

by seanp23 on Jul 8, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Way to Go!

Nothing like getting thrown out by 10 feet at home with A-Rod coming up and Kazmir finally being gotten to

by Pride O' Ireland on Jul 8, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, i'm not sure

if that was the best decision either.

by Clutch like Leyritz on Jul 8, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bad slide

Someone like me doesn’t have the reaction time to avoid that tag, but someone like Jeter usually does.

He looked asleep there. That tag was very avoidable with the right slide

Would have liked to see YES replay him running.

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

by matthaggs on Jul 8, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does it surprise anyone that Betemit is overmatched yet again?

Girardi sure likes using switch-hitters in name only to face lefties.

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So absurd

He should be supportin the ‘stache and getting him some AB’s before the all star game.

by seanp23 on Jul 8, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Giambi

Would at least force Kaz to throw more than 6 pitches in 2 ABs

by Pride O' Ireland on Jul 8, 2008 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed

A struggling Giambi is better than Betemit. At least he’ll make Kazmir throw pitches.

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm no Betemit fan

but he is the only one who did anything against Perez at Shea. Probably just a fluke.

I think resting Giambi against a guy like Kazmir – which gives him two days off – is a very good idea. They have to be careful not to burn the Big G out with all the first base he’s playing. He is way above his recent average of games and innings played – especially on defense – this year.

It’s just too bad they don’t have a better bat to stick at first base.

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

by matthaggs on Jul 8, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So what do you guys think....

what are the odds Sabathia is a Yankee next season?

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 8:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

300 lbs. for $100 million+

Sounds like a possible sequel to Carl Pavano

by Pride O' Ireland on Jul 8, 2008 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you...

I’m not advocating the move – but I think there’s a good chance it happens. That is – if Sabathia wants to come to NY.

But I also think Pettitte is coming back for one more season. They could really stack the rotation and make it a huge strength with Sabathia, Wang, Pettitte, Joba, and Hughes.

And the pen should be improved as well.

I wouldn’t sign Teixeira. I’d let Moose, Abreu, Farnsworth, and probably Giambi walk. They can get compensation picks for all of those guys except Giambi.

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also....

if they do sign Sabathia – that makes some of the young arms on the farm expendable.

They could package several of those arms like Kennedy, McCutchen, Marquez, and Horne and get a capable young bat in return.

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

and unless they get a first baseman, I could see them bringing Giambi back at a lower price for another season.

The Big G loves it here, and would only leave if he’s not invited back. Could be wrong, but he doesn’t strike me as a “follow the money” guy at this stage of his career.

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

by matthaggs on Jul 8, 2008 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That all depends on Cashman

If Giambi lasts the entire season, it will be his first one in several years.

And Cashman did try to void his contract in the past and I’m not sure he would jump at the chance to bring him back.

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

Agree

but there don’t seem to be any internal solutions, and I also don’t see Cash spending 100 million on Texeira.

I agree that I don’t think Abreu will be back. If that happens they are going to have to find a big bat.

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

by matthaggs on Jul 8, 2008 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But it's not like Pavano won a Cy Young, right?

by dzawaki on Jul 8, 2008 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of Glass Carl

Pete Abe posted Girardi’s pre-game interview. I just listened to it, and at the very end of it, Girardi gets asked about Pavano.

Carl is due to take the mound sometime over the next few days and face live hitters (some type of batting practice deal). When asked if he could see Carl pitching in the Bronx this year, Joe said, “you never know”.

Now that would be interesting.

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

by matthaggs on Jul 8, 2008 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Update

he threw to hitters today apparently:

Carl Pavano threw live batting practice today – fastballs and changeups only – for the first time in his rehab from Tommy John surgery. It was only 30 pitches, but he’s scheduled to do it again on July 11. On July 15, the same day as the All-Star game, Pavano will be toiling in Tampa again, throwing 45 pitches and using breaking balls this time, too.

Asked if he thought Pavano would pitch in the majors this year for the Yankees, Joe Girardi replied: "I don’t really have any expectations, but you never know."

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/2008/07/game-1-rays-at-yankees.html

It’s not saying much but I’d take him over Ponson and maybe Rasner.

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

by matthaggs on Jul 8, 2008 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not?

I’m not a huge fan of the years and money they’ll have to lay out, but they need a horse, and he is the definition of a horse.

He’s got a big belly but a rubber arm. In terms of his arm, he’s healthier than anyone else that is available or was available, including Santana, and I think he’s only 28.

Seems like a no-brainer.

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

by matthaggs on Jul 8, 2008 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Agree . . .

. . .that tonight’s lineup could have been better. But the most important thing is getting 1-2 earned runs from your starting pitcher through 6 plus, no matter who is on the mound for the other team. Start with that and I’ll take my chances from there.

Stop the presses . . . Molina just walked.

by Four Train on Jul 8, 2008 8:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice job, Melky

You suck.

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 8:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You beat me to it.

by Rusty23 on Jul 8, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not one of those pitches he's struck out on were anywhere near the plate

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think

we’re seeing the beginning of the end of Melky playing every day. That at bat in particular must had to of irritated Girardi.

Gardner is no Willie Mays by any stretch, but he brings more to the table than Melky does.

Unless he gets hot over the next 10 days, I think he’ll become a defensive replacement for Damon when Johnny returns.

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

by matthaggs on Jul 8, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I sure hope you're right

But Girardi and Cashman have this weird attachment to Melky for whatever reason. It’s like the Captain who went down with the Titanic.

Seems like they’re going to stick with him no matter what happens.

Melky did a great job of killing that rally because he couldn’t bunt. That opened up the the Jeter GIDP.

Who knows, TB would have brought the infield in and that ball hit by Jeter might’ve gotten through the infield.

by anaconda on Jul 8, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

and that’s the kind of thing that drives Girardi crazy.

Unless Gardner can’t get on base at all over the next 10 days, I see him taking over in CF. Fingers crossed.

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

by matthaggs on Jul 8, 2008 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

melk strikes again

my god he’s terrible.

by Clutch like Leyritz on Jul 8, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Instead of Sabathia....

....I’m all for the Yankees going after Ben Sheets in the off-season. I’ve been a big Ben Sheets fan since he’s been a pro and it looks like he’s put his injury-riddles past behind him. I just fear Sabathia will continue to put on weight and we’ll have a replay of David Wells in the Series going less than an inning because his back could no longer support his girth.

Jeter is definitely not running at his best. Could he possibly be concealing a minor nagging injury?

by nitlion007 on Jul 8, 2008 8:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll take Teixeira over both of them

by Pride O' Ireland on Jul 8, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sheets

he’s on track this year, but he hasn’t approached 200 IP since 2004.

Giving a guy a truckload of money after his first healthy season since 2004 seems awfully risky. Couple that with the fact that he has pitched in the NL his whole career, I’d pass.

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

by matthaggs on Jul 8, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Melky and Santana

To watch Melky dissipate into a AA player this year makes it more frustrating that we didn’t make the Santana deal. I wasn’t an advocate of any form of that deal, but the fact that Melky has negative trade value anymore forces rethinking of that proposition.

Melky should obviously be demoted.

Further, that Harden is a Cub – a Cub – in exchange for Matt Murton, who’s not much better than Melky, calls into question what Cashman is really doing in his GM box.

by Four Train on Jul 8, 2008 8:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs