That damn fifth run... Angels take game 3, 5-4

by Travis G on Oct 19, 2009 9:02 PM EDT in Game Recap Comment 64 comments

More photos » Mark J. Terrill - AP

A seesaw game where the lead changed hands five times. The Yankees had a 3-0 lead until Anaheim rallied for three runs (mostly due to a Vlad Guerrero two-run HR), tying the game in the sixth. They then went ahead, 4-3, before Jorge Posada lined a 'just enough' homer over the centerfield wall.

Now to the rant: WTF was Girardi thinking taking out David Robertson in favor of Alfredo Aceves? Robertson had just recorded two outs, no one was on base, so why, Joe? Kendrick had gone 1-2 against DR. Not really enough to make a judgment either way. Aceves had never faced Kendrick, so Girardi was apparently banking on the unfamiliarity playing an integral part. That was not to be: Kendrick singled and Jeff Mathis doubled him home. Neither were lucky hits; both were hit right on the nose. No one to blame but Aceves and Girardi.

The only rational behind the move is Robertson's reverse splits: RHB actually hit him much better than LHB. Aceves also has a reverse split, but RHB have hit him worse than DR. So I guess that's the reasoning behind the move.

However, from this point forward, Aceves may be relegated to mop-up duty. His playoff ERA is 8.57 (2 ER in 2.1 ip), and he's allowed four hits and three walks (with only one K) in those 2.1 ip.

Robertson has been much better: a flawless ERA (in 3 ip), with two hits, two walks and one K. But that doesn't even do them justice: DR has just looked so much better, hitting his spots, throwing strikes - whereas Aceves is falling behind and his pitches don't have any bite.

Anyway, that fifth run is very important. Scoring four runs equates to about a .500 record. Getting that one extra run increases the chances of winning over .600! The Yanks just couldn't get that fifth run across, despite hitting four homers (because they were all solo shots).

Neither team got a hit with RISP: Yankees went 0-8, Angels went 0-5.

But, we have to give some credit to Anaheim's bullpen, which had to start early due to one of Jered Weaver's worst games of the year. They held the Bombers to one run in six innings (3 hits, 4 walks).

Mariano was an absolute magician in the bottom of the tenth, escaping a runner on third, no out situation. Unfortunately, that will be forgotten to the annals of time because it was all for naught.

What else can be said about Mark Teixeira's defense? Not only did he make several more tough pick-ups at first, but he was actually at second to take the relay throw on Abreu's would-be double, caught Morales' sinking liner in the ninth, and made several great throws that we haven't seen since the days of Constantino.

Should Brett Gardner have tried to steal? I say yes. Posada is a prime GIDP candidate, and Gardner's success rate is over 80% - Jeff Mathis just happened to make a perfect throw. It's rare but it happens.

Would Posada still have homered if Gardner had stayed on first or was successful in his steal attempt? Should Girardi have left Pettitte in the game (Joba entered and gave up a triple and a sac-fly)?

A lot of pressure on CC tomorrow. Not only will he be pitching on short rest, but every reliever but one was used today

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Comments

Why not start Rivera in the 10th?

Why did Girardi try to stretch Hughes? He has rarely done it all season and has been pretty set in his ways in the playoffs.

A poorly managed game from the 8th on IMO.

www.fantasysensehockey.net

by Wamsley on Oct 19, 2009 9:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

it was jered weaver, bw.

Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!

by JPH on Oct 19, 2009 9:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thanks

fixed.

by Travis G on Oct 19, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

game 4 tomorrow cc is on the mound to shut em down

A.j. pitches at home in game 5 and put em to sleep…don’t like the hope this team has but….still we have our aces on the mound in the next few days….

by NYYWinsRings26 on Oct 19, 2009 9:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Game 5 is in LaLa no?

by Yankz09 on Oct 19, 2009 9:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Yes it is

by Rumplestiltskin02 on Oct 19, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea

if it were basketball it would be at home.

But it’s baseball, so it’s on the road.

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 19, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

there’s no one i want more on the mound than CC to “kill the momentum” of the angels

Thank God for making us Yankees.

by noonoo on Oct 19, 2009 9:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

cc is on 3 days rest tho'

ps fuck retardi!

http://i33.tinypic.com/24cwtgl.jpg

by Static Shock 1987 on Oct 19, 2009 9:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Now that I'm semi-rational again

I still don’t get Girardi for pulling out Robertson. Had the Yankees somehow managed to win, this will always be a head-scratcher for me.

by Scooby Snacks on Oct 19, 2009 9:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i know Joe's gonna be killed

but the bullpen overall wasn’t so terrible: 3.1 ip, 2 er. the offense should’ve been able to score more than one run in 6 ip against ANA’s pen.

by Travis G on Oct 19, 2009 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

to clarify

the bullpen has been great during the playoffs, so a semi-stinker had to happen sometime. hopefully it doesn’t happen again.

by Travis G on Oct 19, 2009 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well most of us are predicting

a series wrap in 6 games so the loss was probably due.

by Scooby Snacks on Oct 19, 2009 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

fuzzy math

the pen did 4.1 ip, 2 er (4.20 ERA), so again, not terrible.

by Travis G on Oct 19, 2009 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The bullpen was fine...

…Girardi’s handling of it was not.

What does Robertson have to do to earn the right to finish out that inning? He got two relatively easy outs and had nobody on base.

There is simply no explanation for Girardi to go to Aceves there. None.

by New York Sports Jerk on Oct 19, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can only think of Kendrick's unfamiliarity (0 AB's) vs Aceves

but Robertson’s K-rate has been off-the-charts the whole year. Kendrick (in 374 AB’s) doesn’t walk (20 BB) and whiffs (70 K) a healthy amount.

by Scooby Snacks on Oct 19, 2009 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why Cant We Get Kendrick Out?

This guy is like the new Frank Catalnotto.

by YankeesJets on Oct 19, 2009 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no explanation

and don’t tell me about the scouting reports on 2 at bats. Girardi over thinking……………again. Damn it!

by McDaniel on Oct 20, 2009 8:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pitchers and Choices

It makes no sense to pull Robertson- one of the best relievers for an ineffective Aceves. Aceves has been struggling the last two months and keeps giving up runs.
Joe has overmanaged the team so far versus the Halos and lost the game for us. Just leave effective pitchers in for moe than a batter or two.We ahev got to stretch them out. This series will be onr run games all the way and you are going to run us out of pitchers again and again.

by ghostwalker on Oct 19, 2009 9:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

so many things went wrong with this game tho... its sad.

our RISP allergies, gardner stealing when he probably shouldnt have, the girardi bullpen use…

regroup and win tomorrow?

by typhical on Oct 19, 2009 9:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There were several OOPS'S.....

in this game. The bottom of the order was not with it…..Tex looked lost (but his defense…..WOW)…..I really feel he should have left Andy in for 1 more batter (could be wrong here), IF (and a BIG IF) Gardner had not tried to steal or had waited a little deeper into the count, BUT would Jorge have still popped it out, a pitching change here and there…..Hey, who knows. They were not moving runners. Still 2-1 now and I know these guys will just forget about this game and be rolling tomorrow…..

Rick
Goooooooooooo MSU BOBCATs
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY

by ramyankee on Oct 19, 2009 9:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

is it tomorrow yet?

Thank God for making us Yankees.

by noonoo on Oct 19, 2009 9:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

if only

I plan to live forever. So far so good.

by TheMelkman on Oct 19, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't understand half the things Joe did.

Why did he take Roertson out? Why didn’t he leave Andy in instead of putting in Joba? The world will never know. But what I do know is that we lost, and we can’t let that affect us tomorrow. :P

I plan to live forever. So far so good.

by TheMelkman on Oct 19, 2009 9:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i know we weren’t expecting a sweep and we expect a 6-7 game series but losing still sucks hairy ball sacks

Thank God for making us Yankees.

by noonoo on Oct 19, 2009 9:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We Are Gonna Knock The Crap Out Of Kazmir Tomorrow

There is nothing we can do about todays game, lets focus on tomorrow. Cano and the rest of the lineup are gonna get it together and start hitting. CC will ensure that Girardi wont make any stupid bullpen moves too.

by YankeesJets on Oct 19, 2009 9:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

OK Let's take a deep breath.

It’s just ONE game. Did anyone really expect a sweep of the Angels? Yes plenty of blame to go around…awful pitch to Vlad with 2 strikes and 2 outs, poor hitting with RISP, bullpen micromanagement incomprehensible at times, great defense by Tex but at the plate…looks lost…let’s hope that changes soon. Still the Yanks showed lots of character.

CC will pitch his heart out tomorrow.

Remember we still have home field advantage. We only need 2 more; they need 3.

by Drflyfisher on Oct 19, 2009 9:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i didnt expect us to sweet the angels

but i didnt expect us to lose like this either.

by typhical on Oct 19, 2009 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

*sweep

by typhical on Oct 19, 2009 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Inexplicable

First of all pulling Damon and giving up the DH spot by putting Hairston in. I understand Damon has an awful arm, but Hairson is a 2nd baseman by trade. He’s not exactly Ichiro out there. The chances of a fly ball being hit to Damon and the run scoring on a throw that Hairston would have had him on are so miniscule, and because of this amazingly tiny possibility, Mariano is relegated to 0.2 ip AND Cervelli is batting instead of Damon in the top of the inning.

THEN the Robertson/Aceves thing which you’ve all covered. Girardi’s managing these playoffs tight and scared which is doubly frustrating because that’s not how he manages in the regular season. Yes it’s one game. Yes, we’re still up 2-1. No, I didn’t expect to sweep. But every win in the postseason is too valuable to throw a game away like this.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Oct 19, 2009 9:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If he had decided to go with Mo, why did he start Hughes?

Hughes has not pitched more than 2 innings all season out of the pen. THe decision cost them Damon. I agree on the throw. With the OF playing in, anything they catch is not going to result in a throw home, and if he has to throw on the run, it wouldn’t matter anyway.

When a manager loses the DH that early in an American League game, he has done a poor job.

www.fantasysensehockey.net

by Wamsley on Oct 20, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+2

But I said a couple days ago I’m not comfortable with a close game at la…

So hopefully either cc compltely shuts them down….or we step on their throat every chance we get….no more leaving guys on base in La or in NY…

by NYYWinsRings26 on Oct 19, 2009 9:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Girardi is overmanaging and hurting the Yankees .....

We were lucky in Game 2 after Girardi pulled Aceves, brought in Martes for one batter and then went to Robertson. If the game had gone 15 innings, we could have had real problems. Tonight Girardi pulled Andy prematurely and we got burned. We now have a series. We were in a situation where the Yankees could have smoked out the Angels and been on their way to the WS. Let’s see what happens but ……. Girardi is not helping their cause ……

by Jeff I on Oct 19, 2009 10:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

by Datcon on Oct 19, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They need to do a lot better with RISP

3 for 28 in the series with 33 left on base.

by ACPhoenix on Oct 19, 2009 10:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great stat

Yanks need to step it up with the bats! When are we gonna see that big offensive production that we have seen in the regular season? Lets go Yankees!

by McDaniel on Oct 20, 2009 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am not so angry about losing a game

That is a good team over there. We were NOT gonna sweep them, so deep breath everyone. Now what I AM angry about is the manner in which we lost. There are lots of smoking guns… Swisher and Melky have been horrible, Tex gets a pass because of his stellar defense. But if the rest of the lineup does not start sparking the Angels are going to simply pitch around Jeter and A-Rod. Girardi had no business taking out Robertson. There is no math or stat to support that decision. I feel if he leaves Robertson in there was a great chance to win that game. I don’t mind being beat by the Angels, I do NOT want to get beat by Joe. Hopefully this teaches him a lesson and hopefully Tex, Swish and Melky show up hit tomorrow.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Oct 19, 2009 10:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i really, really, really can’t get over the opportunities they squandered.

they better wake up and figure out how to hit with RISP

Thank God for making us Yankees.

by noonoo on Oct 19, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the bats other than Jeter, Damon, and Arod need to show up. Its as simple as that.

Me and Nick? Were tight.

by jramey on Oct 19, 2009 10:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Matsui and Posada showed signs today

but the bottom of that order is killing me. Melky is becoming an automatic out, and Swisher couldn’t even hit a simple fly ball that may have been the difference. Ridiculous.

Hopefully they get it together tomorrow.

And hopefully CC doesn’t throw Vlad a strike. He swings at EVERYTHING. No need to throw him one in the strike zone. Just throw it in the Vlad Zone (the thing on MLB Network).

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 19, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vlad Seemed More Patient Today Than He Usually Is

I think it’s time to forget about today and get ready for tomorrow. Girardi is overmanaging but this is first time in the playoffs and he doesnt want to make a mistake. I think if he had a better bench coach they might slow him down a bit but his moves have gotten us within two games of the WS so lets see how the rest of this goes before we kill him too much.

by YankeesJets on Oct 19, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed on Swisher

forgot to mention him in the recap above with everything else, but he failed miserably in two key opportunities: 1 out, runner on third, K’ed both times. he’s got to at least make contact.

by Travis G on Oct 19, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not start Gardner?

Why isn’t he starting? Melky is good but Gardner adds better defense, speed, and hits the same average as the melkman. Am i the only one that thinks this way? Give him a shot Girardi, it wont be any worse the Melky.

by McDaniel on Oct 20, 2009 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Normally I wouldn't agree

but since Guzman is on the roster and Joe still has a speedster late in the game, why not? Melky is becoming an automatic out in the playoffs. He didn’t do anything in the second half (except one game where he hit for the cycle).

I say why not? Give Gardy a shot. It may be good against a team like this.

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 20, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Red Sox scored 5 on Kazmir in ALDS

…maybe Yanks can put up some crooked numbers tomorrow..let’s hope so.

by Drflyfisher on Oct 19, 2009 10:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That would be nice

A Yankees blowout would really be helpful to my stress level

by Rumplestiltskin02 on Oct 19, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh, I'm still pissed at Girardi and the Yanks for leaving so many men on base.

But maybe this is a tough lesson learned for Girardi. At least, let’s hope the fuck so.

by Ooofa on Oct 19, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Always Nice To Complain When We Loose....

And cheer if the same game was played and we won….

Joe plays the numbers and it worked out 107 times this season….

Don’t dwell on the woulda/shoulda/coulda….. Lets focus on tomorrow

by Gangsta Yanksta on Oct 19, 2009 11:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What "numbers"?!

by Ooofa on Oct 19, 2009 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Numbers? 2 at bats doesn't constitute for "numbers"

by McDaniel on Oct 20, 2009 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know is hard! but let's try to get over this game

Thank God we have a game tomorrow! I gotta get this bitter taste off my mouth. What hurts the most is that we could have buried the Angels tonight, at their own place, and missing that opportunity is what pisses me off! So God damn close…

What can I say about Girardi…dude made a mistake and now he’s got to live with it. He needs to learn that not every pitcher is made for the post season. Look at Joe Nathan, every time he was out there he looked scared to death. Same goes for Aceves… I would not put him in again unless we have like a 10 run lead. Which is exactly what we need tomorrow!

"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"

by PanamaSun on Oct 19, 2009 11:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You're wrong. He didn't make 1 mistake. He made several.

From Yahoo Sports:

• Putting the steal on, when the Angels were looking for it with the pitch-out, with pinch runner Brett Gardner(notes) in the eighth. Gardner was out easily at second, right before Jorge Posada(notes) hit a tying homer. Hit-and-run at some point in the inning, maybe, but running Gardner with no outs was reckless. Sometimes, Earl Weaver, you wait for the home run.

• Joe also swapped rag-armed Johnny Damon(notes) in left field for designated hitter Jerry Hairston when the Angels threatened to score in the 10th. Bold, kinda, except the Yankees forfeited the DH from that point, which led to …

• Girardi removing Rivera from the game after just one inning because the pitcher’s spot had to bat in the top of the 11th. Oh, Girardi says Rivera was good for only one inning because of his 2 1/3-inning romp in Game 2. It was only 25 pitches for Mo.

• Inefficient bullpen management all night: Joba Chamberlain(notes): three batters faced; Robertson: two; Aceves: two; Damaso Marte(notes) one; Phil Coke(notes) 1. Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse notes: Girardi has made 29 pitching changes in six postseason games. Those relievers have thrown a total of 22 innings. Wasteful!

• Even if Aceves wriggles out of the 11th, Girardi left the Yankees with one pitcher — Chad Gaudin(notes) — in the bullpen. In a tie game, on the road, when there always will be a bottom of the inning, even if you go ahead.

by Ooofa on Oct 19, 2009 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

aite well....

thats a little overboard no? we all know yahoo writers are yankee haters. valid points, yea, but some of em cant really be blamed on girardii.

by typhical on Oct 20, 2009 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great post.

Don’t blame Gardner for stealing, it was all Girardi’s fault. Idiot. And stop this pitching merry go round. If the pitcher on the mound is getting guys out then keep them in there, especially if there is 2 outs with noone on! Damn it!

by McDaniel on Oct 20, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

we’ve seen him manage his bullpen his only mistake was that he was managing this game like he was still in new york. and you can’t expect to get away with that on the road

Thank God for making us Yankees.

by noonoo on Oct 19, 2009 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

okay maybe not his “only” mistake but you know what i mean. i think. i hope

Thank God for making us Yankees.

by noonoo on Oct 19, 2009 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Word of the game: Overmanaging.

We knew it would come and bite us at some point.

That point was today.

by indy42 on Oct 19, 2009 11:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Exactly right

We dodged a bullet in Game 2 because of Girardi’s overmanaging. You are right that we knew it would come to bite us at some point and tonight was that point.

As to Teixeira, agree with the other poster that his offense has been very disappointing (even in the first series ……. if he hadn’t gotten the walk-off HR his post-season offense to date would be a complete bust). Don’t get me wrong, Tex has been a big upgrade at 1B this year but I continue to feel that the hype surrounding him exceeds the reality of his value as a player. He is a very good player ……. not a superstar.

by Jeff I on Oct 20, 2009 3:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs