Tampa Bay Rays @ New York Yankees GameThread, Jul 9, 2008 1:05 PM EDT

Game #91 - Tampa Bay Rays @ New York Yankees

by anaconda on Jul 9, 2008 12:45 PM EDT in Game Threads

Tampa Bay Rays @ New York Yankees

TAMPA BAY RAYS

Akinori Iwamura, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
B.J. Upton, CF
Carlos Pena, 1B
Evan Longoria, 3B
Cliff Floyd, DH
Dioner Navarro, C
Eric Hinske, RF
Reid Brignac, SS

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
Edwin Jackson	5-6	17	17	0	0	0	0	103.2	99	48	47	10	45	62	4.08	1.39

NEW YORK YANKEES

Brett Gardner, 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
Sidney Ponson	5-1	11	11	1	0	0	0	66.2	85	43	31	5	23	30	4.18	1.62

PREGAME NOTES:

Believe it or not, the Yanks are the only team in the AL East with a winning record on the road. They also hold a 6-5 edge in the season series against the Rays through the first 11 games.
Jose Molina is starting behind the plate for the fifth straight game, but Girardi continues to insist that Jorge Posada's shoulder is fine.
Edwin Jackson is a lifetime 2-2, 4.42 ERA, 1.45 WHIP in 10 games (6 starts) against the Yanks. He is 1-1, 3.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP in 3 starts against them in 2008.
Sidney Ponson is a lifetime 8-9, 4.29 ERA, 1.39 WHIP in 25 games (24 starts) against the Rays.
Rays' hitters vs. Ponson can be viewed here. Yanks' hitters vs. Jackson can be viewed here.
BTW, am I the only one who thinks this "Support the 'Stache" promotion and mustache giveaway at the Stadium today is really really really stupid?

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Comments

Support the stache

No…..I think it’s lame too but will say I’ve been bored at work voting for the Giambino for well over an hour! =]

by yanks4life on Jul 9, 2008 1:03 PM EDT 0 recs

I expect a lot of base runners today

I just hope there’s a few GIDPs mixed in with all of the hits and walks Ponson is certain to surrender.

by anaconda on Jul 9, 2008 1:09 PM EDT 0 recs

Anybody else

A touch worried about Molina’s playing time? I mean he’s pretty much a career backup.. at what point does he start to show some wear and tear?

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Jul 9, 2008 1:28 PM EDT 0 recs

I made this point to someone else yesterday

Molina is not meant to be an everyday catcher. He really started wearing down early in the season when Posada was on the DL.

My concern would be his health and I have no idea why they don’t give him a breather once in awhile when they’ve got a third catcher in Moeller collecting dust and cobwebs sitting on the bench.

They don’t have to use Moeller today against the Rays, but it might be a good idea to use him with Rasner on the mound since they worked together in Scranton early in the season and Rasner was pitching lights out. Not saying Rasner will be lights out again, but it wouldn’t hurt to shake things up since Rasner hasn’t pitched well in over a month.

by anaconda on Jul 9, 2008 1:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

completely agree with you

what’s the point of having moeller take up a roster spot if he’s gonna catch bullpen.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Jul 9, 2008 1:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

nothing like

diggin’ a hole and climbing out, sidney…

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Jul 9, 2008 1:34 PM EDT 0 recs

He's good for that

Seems like there’s a couple of runners on every inning he throws. Sooner or later, that is going to bite him hard.

by anaconda on Jul 9, 2008 1:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

Now Suzyn Waldman has TWO ’staches!

She covered her natural one with the plastic one.

by anaconda on Jul 9, 2008 1:45 PM EDT 0 recs

hot

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Jul 9, 2008 1:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

So what do you think of our beloved Phins this season?

by anaconda on Jul 9, 2008 1:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

i am thinking

5-6 wins should be expected. Any less would be a disappointment. Any more than that is gravy.

But anything could happen. With a healthy Ricky and Ronnie, improved play along both lines, and of someone steps up and takes the reins at QB.. they could be in decent shape. That’s a lot of ifs, though.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Jul 9, 2008 2:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think the biggest ifs are Brown and Williams

I can’t remember the last RB to have a successful season the year after he tore his ACL. That takes 18 months to fully recover and then some.

I don’t expect much out of Williams at all. I think it’s a pipedream for people to expect any real production out of him.

The O-line should be much improved so the offense should improve. Not just with Jake Long – who is a beast – but adding Smiley should really make a difference.

I’m with you, though, I think 5-6 wins is about the best we could hope for.

by anaconda on Jul 9, 2008 2:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Let's get some runs

Ponson has done well but we figure to need to score to win.

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 9, 2008 2:17 PM EDT 0 recs

yes, runs would be nice

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Jul 9, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up 0 recs

You gotts love Molina

He can play for me any time!

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 9, 2008 2:33 PM EDT 0 recs

I'm just glad nobody was on base in front of that dinger

Good thing Pena was leading off.

by anaconda on Jul 9, 2008 2:50 PM EDT 0 recs

Sir Sidney has done his job

While it’d be great if he got out of the 6th unscathed, if Ponson gives us 5-plus and gives up fewer than 3 runs – especially against a 1st-place team – the offense has to find a way to take advantage.

by long time listener on Jul 9, 2008 2:50 PM EDT 0 recs

oops

As soon as I hit post, Pena hits a homer. The larger point still stands – I’ll take 5+ innings and 3 or fewer from this guy any day.

by long time listener on Jul 9, 2008 2:51 PM EDT up 0 recs

The only downside is that we'll have to see him for a few more starts

Ponson is definitely not the long term answer and I’d like to see him gone sooner rather than later.

by anaconda on Jul 9, 2008 2:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

Who do you want

the Yanks to pitch

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 9, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

He's doing the job now so they have to keep him around for a few more starts

but he’s not going to be in there for the long run. I’d rather see someone else in there who they believe has a future with this club.

by anaconda on Jul 9, 2008 3:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

yeah

he’s no more than a stop gap.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Jul 9, 2008 3:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

He's our guy now cause Wang and Hughes are hurt

Kennedy and other youngsters aren’t ready

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 9, 2008 3:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

I understand the situation

But I just don’t want to see him wearing pinstripes.

by anaconda on Jul 9, 2008 3:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

devils advocate...

ponson or pavano?

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Jul 9, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

How bout a shotgun to my head?

by anaconda on Jul 9, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up 0 recs

excellent choice

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Jul 9, 2008 3:24 PM EDT up 0 recs

I agree but

it’s not like we have other short-term options. He’s around for a few weeks, and I hope his outings are like today’s, and not like last week’s game against Texas. But if he’s still after September, we’re in trouble. If he’s around in 2009, Brian Cashman needs a straight-jacket.

by long time listener on Jul 9, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up 0 recs