Game #120 - New York Yankees @ Minnesota Twins
New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins, Aug 12, 2008 8:10 PM EDT
NEW YORK YANKEES

Johnny Damon, CF
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Álex Rodríguez, 3B
Jason Giambi, DH
Xavier Nady, LF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Wilson Betemit, 1B
Jose Molina, C
MINNESOTA TWINS

Denard Span, RF
Nick Punto, 2B
Mike Redmond, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, DH
Delmon Young, LF
Brian Buscher, 3B
Adam Everett, SS
Carlos Gomez, CF
PREGAME NOTES:
The Yanks have lost 11 of 16 games since their 8-game win streak.
Melky Cabrera is hitting an NL pitcher-esque .215 / .244 / .281 in 130 ABs since June 27.
Mike Mussina is a lifetime 22-6, 3.06 ERA, 1.16 WHIP in 32 starts against the Twins. He is a phenomenal 14-4, 2.85 ERA, 1.18 WHIP over his last 20 starts this season.
Nick Blackburn is a lifetime 0-1, 6.00 ERA, 2.50 WHIP in 2 starts against the Yanks. He is 6-2, 2.54 ERA, 1.19 WHIP at the Metrodome this season.
Yanks' hitters vs. Blackburn can be viewed here. Twins' hitters vs. Moose can be viewed here.
ALL EYES ON THE FRANCHISE: Phil Hughes takes the mound tonight for what could be his final tuneup for Scranton before being promoted to the big club.
He is expected to throw roughly 80-90 pitches. You can follow the action here.
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Guess
we won’t be gaining ground on the Red Sox tonight, y’know with them scoring 10 runs in the first inning and all….
Hughes pitching well....
4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K—57 pitches, 35 strikes
Looks like Hughes is going to start at least one more game in Scranton before his return because the big club has already set their rotation for the weekend.
What's the weekend rotation?
There is an off day, so they could skip Giese and pitch Pettitte, Ponson and Mussina this weekend.
Kansas City stinks, but so do the Yanks right now and Meche and Greinke will be pitching for the Royals.
I would use Giese to back up Rasner tomorrow, and skip his turn Friday night for Pettitte. Starting Giese again is pushing your luck, and there’s no reason to do it when a better starter could pitch on full rest.
Hopefully Phil takes Joba’s start next time it comes up.
"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death
*not Joba's start
Rasner’s, which I guess technically is Joba’s.
"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death
That's what they're doing
It’s Pettitte, Ponson, and Moose this weekend.
Ed Price believes that August 23rd will be the earliest Hughes comes back.
As I’m sure you know, Phil Hughes is pitching tonight in Pawtucket. I’m not with the team, but Ed Price sent me an email this afternoon saying the earliest Hughes is likely to pitch for New York is August 23. Pettitte, Ponson and Mussina will go this weekend against Kansas City. After an off day, Giese, Pettitte and Ponson will start next week in Toronto.That may leave Hughes to make one more Triple-A appearance, but that’s obviously not set in stone.
Good
re: Pettitte on Friday. They’ve been making so many blockheaded moves lately I didn’t expect them to do it.
Makes sense re: Hughes. They need him to replace Rasner more than they need him to replace Giese at this point, and with the off days that’s when his turn will come up again.
"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death
So who thinks we should sign Mussina?
1 year with a Option the following year
That sounds great....
except or the fact that there are probably a lot of clubs out there willing to give him more years after the season he has had.
by Pride O' Ireland on Aug 12, 2008 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Hughes
Is it just me or does it seem like every time I check out Scranton, they are playing Pawtucket
by Pride O' Ireland on Aug 12, 2008 8:29 PM EDT reply actions
Pretty much....
Just like the big clubs. Yanks vs. Red Sox and battling for the division. Well, at least that’s the way it used to be.
Well looks like Mike brought his A game
Lets make this Twinkie look like Cy Young
New drinking game!
A drink for every runner left in scoring position—plus an extra one if the runner was left on third with less than two outs.
Maybe if it gets popular we can get a sponsorship from “Girardi Bacardi”.
We would be dead of alcohol poisoning before the 5th inning.
by long time listener on Aug 12, 2008 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Sounds good
so what do you think we should call this season like if we had a motto for this season?
Rangers
look at the fight they have in them coming back from being knocked around for 10 runs in the 1st inning. Anyone remember that game against the Tigers last season they had 8 scored on them and the Yankees followed up the next half inning with 8? They don’t seem to have that same fight in them this year
Byrd
why wouldn’t the Yanks block this move? The one advantage of being behind teams is that you can block their waiver claims.
He’s far from great, but someone named Zink started for Boston tonight, and he turned a blowout into a close game, which Byrd would not have done. He will help Boston.
Stupid move.
"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death
I doubt it
He gives up a ton of hits, and Fenway isn’t exactly a pitcher’s park.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
But
he’s better than the mope who is pitching for Boston tonight.
"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death
And
the last time Byrd gave more than 3 ER and/or didn’t reach the 6th inning was July 4th.
He has been very good of late:
9 IP, 2 ER
7 IP, 1 ER
7.2 IP, 0 ER
5.1 IP, 1 ER
"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death
Hughes' final line tonight
5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K—84 pitches, 50 strikes
Hughes left the game with 2 runners on and Melancon relieved him. Melancon threw a wild pitch to move the runners over and then gave up a base hit to score both runners. The runs were charged to Hughes.
This was the first time all season Melancon came into the middle of an inning with runners on base. He doesn’t seem to have his control tonight.
Meachem is the worst third base coach in the league
$100 says Willie Randolph is the third base coach next season.
I know
he and Arod aren’t buddies, but Buck Showalter is a much better 3rd base coach than Willie Randolph. And he’d be a good guy to straighten Cano out.
Until Meacham arrived Willie held the record for most guys gunned at home, and he got a few players hurt as well. I like Willie, but no thanks.
"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death
They wanted Bowa back last year
But he wanted to coach for the Dodgers because of Torre. He loves that guy.
Yeah
But he’s got as a rep like Bowa has as a manager – over controlling, etc…. and those are actually attributes in a coach.
Seeing him at Old Timer’s day this year surprised me, and made me think of it.
I don’t see anyone knocking on his door to manage, so if wants back in (and you know he does)he’ll probably have to start out as a coach.
"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death
I know I'm a broken record here
But if the Yanks need real ball busters like Bowa or Showalter on the team to “straighten out Cano” – maybe it’s time to really consider moving Cano and using him to get an outfielder to replace Abreu next season.
How does he go from ultra-aggresive to ultra-conservative at 3rd?
And is Giambi really that slow that he can’t get to 2nd on a ball high off the wall?
by Pride O' Ireland on Aug 12, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I must admit...
Nady is definitely not a .330 hitter – but he is a grinder and a guy who plays hard every single day.
The Yanks don’t have enough of those guys on this team.
This game
reminds me why I hate following games on Gameday.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
wow
I saw the sox jump out 10-0 and thought we were sure to lose another game on them today.
by long time listener on Aug 12, 2008 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Folding
Wow, the Sox are choking big time, their bullpen is imploding like Marte. As frustrating as it is to watch the Yanks this season, at least we aren’t the Tigers. They are blowing another late inning lead again. They had higher expectations than the Yanks and are having an awful season. And I saw that they might let Sheffield go. This dude can’t get along with anybody. I’m sure he’ll spin this into some racist attack against him like he always does. Not the fact that he spits venom at every manager he plays under.
Tell you what....
All these problems that the Yanks, RSN, and TB have right now is going to be exploited in the postseason. The Angels are the clear favorites to win the pennant and probably the World Series.
Although, I’m rooting for the Cubs if the Yanks can’t win.
Ditto.
I have seven-year-old cousins in the Windy City who are baseball crazy for their first times.
Not that I’d ever want to see the Red Sox in the World Series, but I think that seeing the Fall Classic played in Fenway and Wrigley would be at least historically cool.
Molina v. Cano
Molina works a 12 pitch walk – Cano first pitch swinging and an out with a man on 3rd
Here's something you don't see everyday
Feldman of the Rangers gave up 12 runs on 10 hits in 2.2 IP tonight and he ends up with a no-decision for one of the worst outings by any pitcher this season.
Anything's better than a double play.
But RBI singles are especially gratifying.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
uh oh!
a clutch situation for A-Rod, they might as well just start the next inning (hopefully not though)
Well, he does hit better when the Yanks have the lead.
Only that lead is usually by three or more runs.
it’s not like we ask for a HR in that situation, which should be more the norm for a player of that stature, just a hit
If they are gonna pay you 27.5 million a year come on
Dont worry the groupies arent gonna there until the 7th inning stretch.
Can't fault him for that
What single heterosexual male wouldn’t do the same thing if he had those same opportunities?
it just has to happen
another dozen games and we’ll be in the lead for the wildcard.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Moose is gonna get out of it
have faith.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Watching
Baseball Tonight as we type
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Nope
Still ‘Cuse.
I am considering adopting the Nats though.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
What?
What is with the two out hitting for the Yanks tonight? Especially with RISP? We should have one run if we played like we have the past 2 weeks. C’mon Yanks, get back to the team we know this year and start popping up and striking out in those situations tonight. Good thing we got Nady or we would have 0 clutch hits in the past 10 games.
Why is it that everybody from my high school just became a Red Sox fan?
We’ve been in college for two semesters and all of a sudden everybody who’s at school in Boston is a spore for the Red Sox plague. Seriously, you’re not allowed to call yourself a fan if you don’t know who Carl Yastrzemski is.
Mmmm
Boof Bonser.
I love it when we face guys with control problems.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Well with the loafer aka Cano
I cant believe he didnt hit into a double play.
I know who Yas is....
and F’ the Red Sox
by Pride O' Ireland on Aug 12, 2008 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions
A-Freakin'-Men
Same situation with me. My buddy I grew up with was an Indians fan and when I saw him in college he was suddenly a die hard Sox fan. Also, a guy that I work with just got a Sox tattoo. I asked him who Carlton Fisk was and he looked at me like I had a squirrel growing out of my forehead. The dude thought if it hit the foul pole it was a foul ball. Love bandwagon Sox fans!
Hey
Cano took a pitch before making his out.
That’s sort of like progress.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Just a thought...
if the Yankees were in the playoffs, can Girardi put out the same lineup he had last night with Cabrera, Christian, and Sexson? I don’t think so, so why would he in the midst of a race?
I'm afraid you're wrong
If the Yankees were in the playoffs facing a lefty the hitters didn’t have very strong numbers against, I think Girardi would sit the lefties.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Weak there for Betemit
Come on Jose!
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
The Book
You think every pitcher in the league knows exactly how to pitch Melky, Cano, and Betemit? Start with a high fastball followed by two breaking balls (all out of the strike zone) and watch them get themselves out for you. Easy as1-2-3.
Quite the game...
of slow pitch softball. You think Lowell has to bring a case of beer to the next game because he struck out twice? Also, Youk would be the drunken idiot that tries to fight everyone out there and wears the number 69. Crazy skinhead.
Hmmm....
Late innings, first and third with nobody out. I swear if I see a K followed by a 6-4-3 DP I’m throwing my laptop at my t.v.
It gets the run in
Does that make it clutch?
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
depends
when arod hits a HR here, is that clutch?
by long time listener on Aug 12, 2008 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions
To break this losing streak
A sac fly up by a dozen runs would be clutch.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
He has one ring
For being a pinch runner in 2000.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
A-Rod
I’m not an A-Rod hater, he’s just in a funk right now and seems to be grounding into double plays a lot recently. I’m not as frustrated with him as I am with Jeter at this point
If you want so entertainment in an otherwise slow game...
...check out the 300+ comment freakout going on at Over The Monster: http://www.overthemonster.com/2008/8/12/592125/gt-rangers-red-sox#comments
2B
Put Pedroia’s heart, mind, and clutch in Cano’s body and we might have someting special at 2B in pinstripes. Unfortunately, Cano has gotten complacent
3 runs, 6 outs
That’s all I care about right now.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Bah, Red Sox win.
Although I dislike it how Papelbon pumps his fist when his last out is a liner to second. At least Joba does it on strikeouts.
I thought...
tonight would be the night I would go to bed not wanting to punch a hole in my wall. Guess not.
Meh...
this stuff doesn’t even really upset me anymore. I’ve been looking forward to the offseason for awhile now.
It’s too bad I don’t have a say so in the front office on how to reshape the team for next season.
I'm giving up on baseball for two weeks.
I’m seeing three games in that last month of play, starting with the Blue Jays on August 31. If we have any shot at making the postseason, it’ll be won or lost in September.
Alright
I’ve got to get up early tomorrow (first day of work!) but the Yanks are going to pull this one out in extras. Brian Bruney gets the save.
G’night.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
I saw Hughes's line
How’d Pavano Pitch?
Do you think Hughes comes up for his next start?
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)
Nope
He’ll have probably one more for Scranton.
Pavano was terrible: 80 pitches: 51 strikes, 29 balls.
4.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 2 HBP
He was pitching between 86-91 on the gun.
It is getting late
Really late. If he can’t go soon, might as well wait for spring.
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)
They are already waiting for Spring
That’s part of the reason why I’m not convinced we’ll see Joba again this season.
Hank is looking towards next season too – as evidenced by his comments today.
I think
Hughes went 5 and gave up 2. I don’t think he’ll come up for his next start, but definitely the one after because we need him bad. God, I hope he can show us something when he comes up. I also hope he can stay healthy. Pavano, I don’t know and I don’t care.

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