Angels 8, Yankees 4

by Ed Valentine on May 2, 2009 7:06 PM EDT in New York Yankees News

Well, so much for that nice four-game winning streak the Yankees had been on. An ugly 8-4 loss to Anaheim, and another game where CC Sabathia didn't live up to the expectations the Yankees had for him when the handed him a $161 million contract.

A few thoughts.

Is Manager Joe Girardi trying to kill Sabathia before the All-Star break? Sabathia is now 1-3, 4.85 ERA, but he was actually quite good Saturday until faltering int he 7th inning. Girardi, though, left him out there -- again -- until it was too late. In six starts, CC has thrown more than 100 pitches four times, three of those above 110. I know he's a horse, Joe, but horses do break down when you ride 'em too hard.
What was Girardi thinking pinch-hitting Jorge Posada for the hot-hitting Ramiro Pena in the 7th inning? I know Posada was his only bullet, but if you are going to use Posada in that inning you have to let Pena hit and use Posada for the scuffling Brett Gardner. Of course, the hole in that idea is that Nick Swisher was not available and since the Yankees are carrying 13 pitchers no one else could play the outfield. Umm, Brian Cashman, get rid of a pitcher, please!
Have we seen enough of Jose Veras yet? I'm convinced that even when he throws strikes, it's pretty much luck. The guy is all arms and legs, and has no clue where the ball is going. If you want to revamp the 'pen, start by sending him away.
Speaking of the bullpen, and Sabathia as well, I'm convinced that Girardi is part of the problem. He seems to have no read on Sabathia, and no real clue how to handle his bullpen right now. I would even question Friday, bringing Mark Melancon, in just his third big-league appearance, into a bases-loaded situation. That, of course, backfired.
Booing Mark Teixeira? Already, Yankee fans? Get real. Yes, he is struggling, but this guy is a great player. He has contributed more defensively in a month than Jason Giambi did in seven years, continues to get on base and we know he is going to hit. He has never been good early in the season. Just give him time.

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CC sucks........

……..right now that is! He needs to fricking get it together before everybody turns on him!

by nyc21 on May 2, 2009 8:01 PM EDT reply actions

Hopefully Tex and CC will come around sometime

over the next seven or eight years.

by garp on May 2, 2009 8:20 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with everything you've said ...

Once Sabathia is above 100 pitches, if he lets a guy on base, take him out.

I’m starting to think Joe G has no clue how to manage a pitching staff.

by .ryan on May 2, 2009 8:45 PM EDT reply actions

CC will be fine, can't blame Joe for letting

him stay in there, given how poorly the bullpen (Veras) has been of late. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. He did let his pitch count get a bit high today though. Speaking of Veras, I agree with you, Ed, I’ve seen enough. The guy is just brutal out there. The bullpen is essentially a process of elimination, bring up a fresh arm to replace Veras.

I’d like to see Ramiro Pena as a permanent addition to the bench this year. IMO he has certainly earned it.

Let’s hope for another strong outing from Hughes tomorrow and take this series.

by FrankDiscussion on May 2, 2009 9:09 PM EDT reply actions

there are bigger issues than CC right now

even though i’ve obviously been underwhelmed with his first couple of starts in pinstripes. though i’ve been tough on Girardi before for leaving starters in too long, i agree that in this specifc case, he was right to stick with CC because the pen has been so brutal.

i still think Melancon can learn on the job, and i think we all like Coke so far. Bruney eventually coming back will strengthen the back-end. as for the rest (Alby/Veras/Edwar/Marte), crack a beer and a Rolaids.

good news: Robbie is raking, and 2 out of 3 so far against the Halos (even though they’re really banged up) isn’t bad considering how poorly the Yanks have played against them recently.

if you would’ve printed me out a current stat-sheet and asked me to predict the Yankees record up until this point, i probably would’ve said 9-15.

i’m not happy, but things could be worse.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on May 2, 2009 9:41 PM EDT reply actions

well when 341 mil is spent

fans have expectations
people don’t like watching someone make 23 mil a year doing the same thing that they can
you want a pop out with someone on base? i can do that, pay me that money

by Brian5517209 on May 2, 2009 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

They're paying CC all that money

I have no problem with Joey G. keeping him in there in the seventh… CC needs to be able to keep his pitch count down and get through seven innings… He gets behind on too many counts and doesn’t throw enough strikes. He’s the yanks #1 and their work horse, he has to perform better… Much better

by TheSaltineWarrior on May 2, 2009 11:31 PM EDT reply actions

I don't disagree

that CC needs to be better. I do think, though, that Girardi has to do a better job of recognizing when CC is starting to weaken. It’s a long year, and the Yanks have the guy for 7 years. I just don’t want to see Girardi abuse the guy.

by Ed Valentine on May 3, 2009 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Dump Veras

bring up Aceves and use him like the Sox do Masterson: 7th inning here, long man there, and the occasional spot start.

"Here, if you have a milkshake, and I have a milkshake, and I have a straw. There it is, that's a straw, you see? You watching?. And my straw reaches acroooooooss the room, and starts to drink your milkshake... I... drink... your... milkshake!"-Daniel Plainview

by yankee come lately on May 3, 2009 1:23 AM EDT reply actions

I have

no problem with that at all. At least Aceves throws strikes.

by Ed Valentine on May 3, 2009 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Joe Girardi:

Pitcher killer?

by Raven King on May 3, 2009 1:53 AM EDT reply actions

CC does it again

Told u guys he couldn’t pitch in the spotlight. Yesterday proved it again. The guy is not that good. I’ve said that all along. He dominated in the National League where he was only facing 8 real hitters if that in everybody’s lineup. The American League actually has a lot more real hitters. And I wouldn’t mind just dumping Veras he is awful. Just another bad loss. And boy what a start Texeira is having! Told you guys he couldn’t hit that well with RISP. Of course he’s not hitting at all. Changes need to be made before the season is totally lost and I think it has to start at the top and work its way down

by Blazer Fan From Ohio on May 3, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

I am the first

to complain about Joe G’s handling of the pitching staff, CC in particular… but at the same time- who the hell does he go to out in the bullpen right now? I don’t think CC should have gone out there for the 7th at all, and yes, after he allowed baserunners he should have definitely come out. But right now Joe G can’t trust anybody out there in the bullpen, so I understand his reticence. Not defending Girardi— his handling of the pitching staff has been abysmal this season- but who gets the ball there??

by NumberSeven on May 3, 2009 12:49 PM EDT reply actions

CC's tough start

He won a Cy Young award with the Indians in 2007 facing nothing but AL hitters, so he was dominant in that league too. He’s not going to strike out as many in the AL as the NL, but he’s a proven AL winner and workhorse. He’s not as good as Santana. I’m not sure there’s a lefty who is.

by chambliss76 on May 3, 2009 4:44 PM EDT reply actions

YANKEE NATION from ANGELS fan in so cali

yo Yankee fan,…. i am a so ca native and one of the few long time suffering fans at the BIG A. i wanted to join your site to give you an outsiders opinion of your organization… most of which im sure youre familiar with but for today i will only comment on one person JETER…. Derek Jeter is the MAN! i really loathe Yankee Nation but there is always one player that shines brite in your organization and that is JETER. this guy is a class act always has been and always will be i give him much props for being a beacon of hope in an organization that continually tries to buy championships with egomaniacs. so for the record…. basball is and always will be a better place with players like Derek Jeter….. Bravo. …… thats as nice as ill get…. and im not talking about the last 100 years of baseball just the era of my 40 years of being a fan of the game

by CasperDghost on May 4, 2009 9:55 AM EDT reply actions

C.C. isn't the whole problem

I believe C.C. isnt the whole problem. I dont know if you guys recall last season with a certain Mike Mussina? He did great many games and so did Andy Pettite but there was a lack of run support. C.C. needs run support. In the game in Detroit he pitched excellent but no run support = a loss. Also they should’ve pulled him from the game before all of that mess occurred.

by NYY27 on May 4, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions