Bullpen blows home opener

by Travis G on Apr 16, 2009 5:20 PM EDT in Game Recap

We had a nice pitcher's duel going - Sabathia 'battled' through 5.2, handing a tie to the pen... then Jose Veras promptly allowed three runs... then Damaso Marte promptly allowed six runs, and the game was ended.

This is the second time already that Veras has lost us a game almost single-handedly (the first being the third game in KC when he walked his one and only hitter).

How long will Girardi continue to trust Veras and Marte? In my opinion, Veras has earned more 'trust' than Marte, who has been a disappointment since joining the Yanks last July. From soft-tossing a throw to third to giving up two homers in one inning, it's time Phil Coke became the trusted lefty.

Our hitters left 15 men on base and went 1-11 with RISP. Ugly.

I've also had enough of Cody Ransom. He went hitless again (0-5), with two strikeouts, a GDP and an error to boot. It's time Ramiro Pena plays everyday. Neither will hit much, but Pena plays great defense (though Ransom did make a great play to cut down a run at the plate). A-Rod can't come back soon enough.

Or maybe I'm looking at this one game emotionally rather than rationally.

On the bright side, at least it was a Yankee that put the first ball over the fence. That was more important to me even than winning the game. Posada's homer is what people will remember 20, 50, 90 years from now.

David Robertson, called up to replace Nady, was the only truly effective reliever, pitching two scoreless innings (with three strikeouts). He placed his cut fastball with precision along the bottom edge of the strike zone, and even flipped over a nasty curveball and changeup. Hopefully he (or Mark Melancon) will be the guy that gets the game from the starter to Bruney or Rivera.

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Comments

Well today i must agree with Jorge on our pitching from the Rays 15-5 loss

Embarassed to say the least this bullpen does not look too good, and now we can no longer use an extra OF to our advantage cuz nady is out for year ..

by I Bleed Pinstripes on Apr 16, 2009 5:32 PM EDT reply actions

swisher should have pitched

by Shaffi3 on Apr 16, 2009 7:17 PM EDT reply actions

Still have to use Veras and Marte

Unfortunately, we can’t just only run Bruney out there. These relievers, who were capable last year, need to find a way to not continue to waste our stellar starting pitching efforts sans Wang.

Pena is a definite defensive upgrade and could not possibly perform much worse at the plate than Ransom currently is.

by BigSlim on Apr 16, 2009 7:22 PM EDT reply actions

Goodbye Ransom!!!

It is time for Cody Ransom to go!!!!! Constant mistakes on the field and a rally killer!! I have had enough of him!!

by pedro316 on Apr 16, 2009 8:23 PM EDT reply actions

We were discussing this

last week, and I must admit I’m starting to lose patience with Marte. I’ll be pragmatic and just chalk it up to him and Veras having a bad day.

by FrankDiscussion on Apr 16, 2009 8:38 PM EDT reply actions

Has Marte ever had a good day as a Yankee???

by pedro316 on Apr 16, 2009 9:01 PM EDT reply actions

We don't

have a reliable left right now. At least now Robertson was called up… now for Melancon…

by daneptizl on Apr 16, 2009 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

"Our hitters left 15 men on base and went 1-11 with RISP."

I keep telling you… this is the stat that matters because it’s the same stat that killed the team offensively last year.

It should be obvious right now, we only have half a lineup producing — these stats below (lineup position, BA, OBP) are by hitting position, not by player, but they tell a very compelling story: from the 7-9 spots, the yanks are nearly 80% automatic outs; and our DH slot is pathetic.

Hopefully that changes when Alex returns from the DL and with Alex hitting, Tex probably sees better pitches, so the #3 hole OBP should rise and we should see rises in #7 and #8 with a lineup shift (no Cody Ransom and assuming Matsui gets going at some point).

That would leave Gardner the lone drag on the lineup — but that RISP stat is not going to improve very much until we get more stable production throughout the lineup.

- .308 | .372
- .289 | .333
- .242 | .366
- .237 | .275
- .294 | .359
- .371 | .421
- .229 | .270
- .194 | .286
- .194 | .242

by detroit yankee on Apr 16, 2009 10:03 PM EDT reply actions

"Our hitters left 15 men on base and went 1-11 with RISP."

Not a good sign, agreed. But that was the 2008 Cy Young winner on the mound yesterday.

by django48 on Apr 17, 2009 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Angry

You don’t lose the home opener in the new Yankees Stadium like this. Leaving runners on and horrible pitching. CC was the only somewhat inspiring part of the day, he did NOT have his quality stuff and still kept the Indians to 1 run.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Apr 16, 2009 10:31 PM EDT reply actions

seriously though

if your posting a NEGATIVE OPS+ , you need to go, espically if your suppose to be just a stop gap. and has turned into a epic blackhole instead.

Cliff Lee really got away with one this time, i’m also disliking Giradi’s propensity for switching up relievesr too often.

by RollingWave on Apr 17, 2009 5:08 AM EDT reply actions

Joe Girardi....sigh*

Does anyone else besides me think that Joe is the casue for the loss in the opener?? I think he is overanalyzing with his mixing and matching!! He cost us the last game against KC and he did it again yesterday!

by Joe G. Blows on Apr 17, 2009 8:18 AM EDT reply actions

Girardi

I thought Girardi over-managed the game. I think the 6th inning is way too early to start going lefty-righty and running through pitchers every couple of hitters. It burned him because he wound up with guys in the game late who he probably really didn’t want. That’s 2-3 times already this year where I have felt Girardi outsmarted himself. Shoot, yesterday, he pulled Edwar w/a lefty coming up … and last year he was bringing Edwar into games to face lefties. BTW, welcome aboard, but I’m not in love with your user name.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 17, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree Girardis a big problem,keeps it up and they will quite on him.Thats just brilliant use 14 era Coke to pitch.Veras walked 1 in KC but coke is the one who proceeded to get lit up.My guess is Veras gets out of that oh so detremental 2 out walk.Girardi just doesnt get it #1 Ransom has no business being in the lineup everyday,its clear he cant play at this level let pena give it a shot.Ransoms playing poor defense so what differance does it make.#2 both games Wang pitched he left him out there to die,it was so clear he didnt have it so why wait until its 6 or 8 to nothing thats alot to put on the offense who almost brought them back in both games not to mention when a pitcher is not right is usually when they get hurt.And dont give me the burnt out bullpen excuse either,it was his decision not to carry a long man 29 other teams have one but for some reason girardi is special.He needs to wise up or im not the only yankee fan thats gonna be calling for his head.Didnt like his style last yr and hes worse this yr.PLease get someone to manage my beloved team before it is to late.

by cashman bashman on Apr 17, 2009 11:33 AM EDT reply actions