Burnett returns to form... somewhat

by Travis G on May 27, 2009 11:57 PM EDT in Game Recap

A.J. Burnett pitched his first semi-shut out as a Yankee. He had given up at least two runs in every start this year until today, when he shut out Texas over six innings.

In reality, he did not look that great - often falling behind hitters (throwing 118 pitches), but Texas couldn't string hits together or square the ball up despite Burnett making several mistakes with pitches down the middle.

We may be watching Hideki Matsui finally emerging from his slump - he hit two homers tonight for a total of three RBI. But the big blow came early: Mark Teixeira hit a first-inning, two-run bomb that put the Rangers into an early hole they couldn't climb out of.

David Robertson cleaned up the mess Jose Veras made (who clearly deserves a demotion). Chien Ming-Wang pitched two perfect innings after that to close the contest; he's in a very strange position right now, but there's not much that can be done. As long as the other starters remain healthy and effective, Wang should stay in the pen: he only has two quality pitches, has had injury concerns, and seems to 'lose' his mechanics rather often. Until someone goes down, we'll have a very good longman - and maybe even a dominant late-inning guy, e.g. the 'bridge' to Mo.

- Tonight was the 14th straight error-less game, a Yankee record.

- With Boston and Toronto losing (in heart-breaking fashion), the Yanks move into a first place tie in the division and 1.5 games ahead of Toronto.

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I don't know what's more painful to watch

Matsui run around the bases or Girardi bring in Veras! Regarding Veras, bringing him in is the definition of insane…doing something over and over expecting a different result! Hey Joe…kick this guy to the curb which means DFA him because he is out of options.

by Mondoas on May 28, 2009 12:29 AM EDT reply actions

The thing about relievers...

is that they pitch so often during the season they don’t work on the side. So once the season starts unless you send them down, it’s all mental coaching for the most part.

Growing up in the south, I suffered through my share of Braves games but one thing that struck me as different from almost every other post game from other teams was how Bobby Cox talked about pitching. He never talked about stuff. He talked about first pitch strikes. It might seem like nothing, but with bullpen guys who once they get into the season don’t work until the game, it’s all about a franchise’s focus on the repetition of what they want these guys to do. If you listen to Girardi, the first thing he always mentions is “stuff”. How many pennats did the Braves win with guys with average stuff? The focus should be on strikes; especially out of the ’pen.

IMHO the Yanks need to drop the “stuff” fixation and pound into all of their pitchers heads the need to get over located first pitch strikes stuff be damned.

"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 28, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Should probably take it up with Dave Eiland.

by dzawaki on May 28, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions

got his twitter handle?

by yankee come lately on May 28, 2009 1:06 AM EDT up reply actions

i've seldom seen

a slower HR jog than Matsui’s. if i didn’t know better, i’d think he was showing up the pitcher.

by Travis G on May 28, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions

maybe his knee really does bother him ...

by I Bleed Pinstripes on May 28, 2009 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions

well

I can’t say I don’t like to seeing yankee players jogging around the places. hell if they hit one out they could round it on crouches or wheelchair for all I care

by RollingWave on May 28, 2009 12:44 AM EDT reply actions

AGREE

Jose needs to go. I don’t care where – just GO! I don’t see how Matsui is going to be able to play the outfield during inter league play. Leave Wang in the BP awhile longer. I agree with Nolan Ryan – maybe we make too big of a deal with pitch counts. AJ looked ok to me. He just walks too any now. He will come around.

by jimwarren on May 28, 2009 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

All in all

It was a good night. Took another series, bounced right back after a loss, and you can sense the confidence building.
Two minor points, as stated above, Veras was terrible again. I think him and Abladejo are actually shocked when someone hits them solidly. Guess they’re used to blowing people away and they can’t do it at this level. Loved the fact that Girardi went and got him after the walk ( as if to say, " you are not giving me an ulcer, this one’s in the bag, if you can’t throw strikes, I’ll get someone who can")
The other thing… what the hell was Berroa doing in the 9th inning, tagging up? Gets throw out at the plate, on what was a meaningless run…Why?
Hopefully he goes when they activate Posada. I like the idea of keeping Cervelli and Cash now.
I agree about leaving Wang in the BP for a little while longer. Get his confidence back with a couple of 2-3 inning stints. Then they can figure out how toget him into the rotation.

by fredny on May 28, 2009 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

Burnett's Form

Six shutout innings giving up only 3 hits, and he did not look great? I would really like to know your definition of a pitcher looking great. I mean does he have to throw a perfect game to look great?

by Buddhamu1 on May 28, 2009 2:03 PM EDT reply actions

you watch baseball, yes?

if so, you should realize that pitchers (and hitters) sometimes get away with mistakes. how do you explain a bloop/seeing-eye/infield single? or a pitcher giving up a scorching liner, but its right at a fielder?

by Travis G on May 28, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions