Play of the year!

by Travis G on Jun 1, 2009 11:25 PM EDT in Game Recap

Wow! That's all I could think after Joba made a full-out diving grab off a bunt and then threw to second for a double play. Instead of second and third, one out, it was runner on first, two outs.

In addition to that play, Joba happened to pitch tremendously. He allowed two runs in a career high eight innings. Just when people thought Wang should replace Joba in the rotation, he throws a gem like this. He averaged 94 MPH on his fastball, struck out five, and allowed only six baserunners (two walks and four hits).

The Yankees nearly blew the game by going 3-16 with RISP (and two GIDPs), including scoring no runs with the bases loaded and no outs in the sixth.

The Yanks also set a ML record with their 18th consecutive error-less game (though Gardner's mis-play on Sunday should have been an error).

Nick Swisher looks to finally be coming out of his slump, going 2-4 with two doubles and a walk (including the game-breaking two-run, bases-full double).

Posada and Cano nearly cost the Yankees the game - they went 0-8 with 13 runners left on base.

Three out of four sounds so much better than a split. We can go to sleep happy.

PS: Can we please stop the 'Joba to the pen' debate?

PPS: Also wanted to mention that Berroa, despite being an automatic out, has a cannon for an arm. And that Joba overcame the midges this time.

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Comments

It WAS pretty sweet

n/t

Welcome to my world; it's a great place to visit but only I get to live here.

by CahnmanTX on Jun 1, 2009 11:36 PM EDT reply actions

:D

I love being a Yankee Fan!

by Fluke on Jun 2, 2009 12:07 AM EDT reply actions

You know,

I really liked what I saw from Joba today, but it just confirmed to me that he should pitch the 8th inning.

Of course I think he should pitch innings 1-7 as well. What a great outing.

Crowds are won and lost and won again, but our hearts beat for the diehards.

by Edwantsacracker on Jun 2, 2009 12:41 AM EDT reply actions

,

r u kidding me?! joba is a great stater just alot of no decisions shouldnt mak him a 8th inning man

by John A on Jun 2, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I think you missed that one.

by dzawaki on Jun 2, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Pretty awesome play.

Lots of good things going on for the Yankees today.

by Brendan Scolari on Jun 2, 2009 1:55 AM EDT reply actions

The only thing this proves is that the Yankees should use Joba in the outfield.

But only in, you know, high-leverage innings.

by dzawaki on Jun 2, 2009 3:24 AM EDT reply actions

Joba belongs in the Bullpen…..

by pedro316 on Jun 2, 2009 7:05 AM EDT reply actions

then Lester does as well

by Travis G on Jun 2, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Joba the Starter!

One of the best plays I’ve ever seen by a pitcher. I was a Joba to the bullpen guy. But if Joba can come out every start with the same fire he had last night – there’s no doubt that he’s a starter and a damn good one. He has really impressed me. Especially his last two starts.

by jimwarren on Jun 2, 2009 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

crazy!!

man thank god somebody agrees with me. Joba is a starter deal with it!! i love him being a stater! look at his numbers, they not bad…matter of fact i think his been the second best pitcher for the yanks. if ur not going to use wang TRADE HIM i mean why not??

by John A on Jun 2, 2009 10:38 AM EDT reply actions

why dont we trade Wang

Because in 3 complete seasons he is 54-23. He is one of only two of the “elite” pitchers younger than 35 that have pitched two back to back 19+ win seasons and was well on his way to number 3. He got injured. Earlier this season he was having mechanical issues. When right he will win you a lot of games and pitch deep into the game. Trading him would be the stupidest thing ever.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jun 2, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

TRADE WANG!!!????????

What????

Why? C’mon, cuz you have a surplus of starters doesn’t mean you start trading them. Especially when one, Pettite, is going on a year to year basis, and 2 OTHERS JOBA AND PHIL HUGHES, are unproven even if they do have nice potential.

Wang is also a CY YOUNG CONTENDER! Damn how quickly folk forget.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 2, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

OK, Jobba

finally pitched in the 8th inning! As Ed said, only way he should pitch the 8th is if he also pitched the first 7. That was a great play he made in the fifth. I know the Yanks set the record for errorless games over the past 18 games, anyone know how many walks the staff issued over those 18 games? It only proves that at any level of baseball if the pitchers don’t walk many and ya play good D, then your team can win most of their games. Pitching and defense improved and the team goes 14-4 over that 18 game stretch.

"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel

by tnredneckyankeesfan on Jun 2, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions

Beast like guy

I dont think i have ever seen a play as nice as that one by a pitcher then the one from last nite. Chamberlain didnt care bout getting hurt but he cared about the out and he got 2 in reward. thats pretty impressive and talking about trading wang, i dont think so. he just needs a little help for now and stuff and we should keep him in the pen for now. if one of the starters start to do bad which i hope wont happen then we can use him. otherwise he should just b a long relief man.

by NYY27 on Jun 2, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, we can stop the debate...

…if we agree that next time he’s at 100 pitches in the 5th inning we get make the decision in favor of the bullpen.

Sound good?

by New York Sports Jerk on Jun 2, 2009 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

Sounds horrible

why would you be so quick to give up? I mean, AJ Burnett has constantly done the same type of stuff, why not move him?

I could care less if Joba is at 200 pitches in the 3rd inning, his future is as a starter, he showed how good he can be, and if you move him out of the rotation you hurt his development as a starter.

In fact, Id say Joba would be a whole lot better as a starter right now, as in more consistent, if he never was forced into the pen.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 2, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions