Missed opportunities
by Travis G on Jun 23, 2009 10:31 PM EDT
in Game Recap
58 comments
0-8 with RISP. Eight runners stranded in innings two through four (11 overall). The second shut out in four games. An average of 2.6 runs/game in the last seven...
Wang was looking great early. His sinker was diving and moving - he threw six pitches and got three groundouts in the first. He looked to be cruising toward the fourth inning: there were two outs, Wang was ahead 0-2 on Yunel Escobar, and he stupefyingly threw a third straight slider. It was 0-2! If you're going to throw another slider there, put it in the dirt. Anyway, Escobar singled and the Braves put together a two-out, three-run rally.
Wang was pulled after five innings (and just 62 pitches) for a pinch-hitter. Phil Hughes followed Wang again, pitching two perfect innings.
A-Rod and Posada are utterly lost. They combined to go 0-8 with five Ks. Derek Jeter continues to swing - and make outs - on the first pitch. Nick Swisher went 0-5. What happened to the highly touted patience this team was supposed to have? They're constantly swinging at first pitches, bad pitches, and especially with runners on.
Is there anything that can be done to get the hitters out of their collective slump (if that's all it is)?
FYI, the Yankees have a 2.57 ERA in the last eight games, yet their record is 3-5.
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Chien-Ming Wang
I think is clear … if the yanks have to bring Phil Hughes to save Ming Wang skin.. is clear that they have to get ready of that dumb chinise… So far Hughes pitched perfect.. I think this struggles from this pitcher means some.. and they have to take action.. Wang doesn’t have what it’s take to be in majors… special wearing those pin stripes.
by ChacoX on Jun 23, 2009 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wang was fine tonight
they removed him after 5 to pinch hit for him, not because he was pitching badly.
by DocBrown82 on Jun 24, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wang was Fine
the offense sucks now. He pitched good he only came out because they were trying to get something going with the offense. Which failed again.
by imyrick on Jun 24, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Racism is more disgusting
than a slumping line-up.
by Raven King on Jun 24, 2009 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please
Kill yourself. Painlessly if necessary. You are a waste or water, oxygen and according to Al Gore creating excess CO2
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jun 24, 2009 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
dumb chinise
We can talk about Wang’s losing record but what does his race have to with this? I am concerned about Wang’s record but what about Arod and the other hitters? ChacoX I am glad we have Wang on this team it exposes the bigots out there. Yes race still matters in the country, affirmative action forever!
by bcw420 on Jun 24, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps
I’m recommending a massive killing spree that wipes out the rest of the major leagues, leaving the Yankees as World Series champs by default.
Option B is tying Jeter’s arms together so he can’t swing, and thus can only make one out per at bat as opposed to the usual two.
by New York Sports Jerk on Jun 23, 2009 10:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh wait ...
…there’s a flaw in my theory.
If the rest of the major league rosters were wiped out, teams would be forced to replace them within the farm system, and the Yankees would face nothing but pitchers they’ve never seen before, and would probably go winless.
by New York Sports Jerk on Jun 23, 2009 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Option B
Leave Jeter alone. He carried this team on his shoulders during the late 90s. He was the Michael Jordan of baseball. The Yankees would not have any of those titles without Jeter. Jeter hits the furthest HRs, is the best fielding SS in the majors, and can this guty bunt or what.
by YankeesJets on Jun 23, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This teams offense is HORRIBLE right now and Boston just scored 11 runs on a team we could only score 7 runs off of at home……. 5 games back now!!!! Something needs to be shakin up with this team now…. since they got swept by Boston they just can’t hit the ball anymore……. 4 freaking hits tonight!!!! Awful!!
by pedro316 on Jun 23, 2009 10:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thats 7 runs in 3 games………… 11 for Boston in 1 game……
by pedro316 on Jun 23, 2009 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh and Posada’s throwing error……… WHAT WAS THAT? How does a veteran cather even attempt that throw???
by pedro316 on Jun 23, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On the upside
the pitching has been serviceable if not excellent recently. We saw some good things from CMW and great things from Hughes. I’m sure that will get swept aside by tirades, but i think that if the Yanks continue to pitch the way that they are, and the bats come around before they get completely buried by the Sox, they should recover. As of right now the most important thing is making sure that CC and ARod are completely healthy and will not be run down by crunch time.
by Lord Duggan on Jun 23, 2009 10:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
flip flop?
I wonder what would happen if Tex batted in front of Arod. Then put Posada next. Maybe flip Damon and Jeter back to the way it was last year and put Gardiner batting 9th. That way if he gets on ahead of Jeter, he can steal more often, and thus avoid more DPs.
Who knows.
I do know that once they get home again, they should be hitting more homers ;)
I agree the pitching is much better. Funny how this works. First everything stinks, then the hitting is great and the pitching stinks and now the pitching is good and the hitting is horrible.
Now we’re ready for all to gel. More than half a season to go! Lots of time!!!
by Ragnar808 on Jun 23, 2009 10:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe...
They should bat CC cleanup. The guy can rake.
by YankeesJets on Jun 23, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is no reason
that Gardner should ever start a game he is a base runner he is guy that you call off the bench later in the game to second to get into scoring position and maybe third. HE IS NOTHING MORE. He is an automatic out at the plate.
by imyrick on Jun 24, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
off topic
but I wanted to put this where people will see it. the big question in All-Star voting is Youkilis vs. Teixeira. but in fact, neither one is having the best season by a 1B in the AL.
that honor belongs to one Russell Branyan, who is at an insane .305/.407/.596 as of yesterday.
I don’t even want to mention tonight’s game.
by DocBrown82 on Jun 23, 2009 11:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It's just a popularity content...
I mean look at the SS position.
There is no way in hell Derek Jeter deserves to go to the all-star game. Scutaro is having a better year, both offensively and defensively. Jason Bartlett is absolutely crushing Jeter offensively. The SS position should definitely be between Scutaro and Bartlett.
Elvis Andrus is playing poorly and he’s on there with 850k votes. And really…Jed Lowrie has played all of 5 games…and he has 460k votes???
All-star voting is idiotic.
by Theodles on Jun 24, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As an aside...
The votes for the catcher position are even worse…
Joe Mauer deserves to win, no doubt about that.
But what is Victor Martinez doing in 5th place? He’s definitely having a better year than Posada, Varitek and Saltalamacchia (who shouldn’t be anywhere near this ballot). Now maybe those three call such a superior game and play such superior defensce compared to Victor that it makes up for him crushing them offensively…but I wouldn’t bet on that.
That being said, at least voters got the #1 right, and I suppose that’s all that matters.
by Theodles on Jun 24, 2009 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
since I was bored
I compiled a merit-based All-Star ballot, based solely on players’ offensive statistics from this season so far. It’s an interesting mix of the expected and the unexpected.
AL
C Mauer
1B Branyan (!)
2B Kennedy (!!)
SS Bartlett
3B Longoria
LF Bay
CF Hunter
RF Cuddyer (!!!)
SP Greinke
NL
C McCann
1B Pujols
2B Utley
3B Wright
SS Ramirez
LF Ibanez
CF Hairston (!)
RF Hawpe
SP Carpenter
by DocBrown82 on Jun 24, 2009 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Victor Martinez
doesn’t actually catch all that often … maybe 2-3 times a week. He spends more time at first base, where Youkilis, Teixeira, Overbay, Miguel Cabrera, Morneau, and Branyan are all having better seasons than he is.
by DocBrown82 on Jun 24, 2009 2:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you an idiot?
C- Martinez is deserving of the spot. His stats are rediculous and he has played 24more games.
1B- Branyan, are you kiding me? his stats are good enough for the 7th best in the AL. Teixiera should be leading
2B- Kennedy? what? you must be dumb? his stats are average at best, plus he has missed time. Kinsler is clearly the best.
RF- Cuddyer, no way. Nelson Cruz is the best.
C-Sandovall by a long shot. and he is a rookie
3B- Reynolds is playing better
LF- Braun, Ibanez is hurt
CF- Carls Beltran but hes hurt, so Matt Kemp. How in the world did you pick Hairston
RF- Justin Upton.
SP- Haren- He is pitching unbelievable, and has twice as many innings.
You really need to look at those stats again bud. Your (!) are all horribly incorrect.
by dan.altman89 on Jun 24, 2009 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mauer...
is hitting .407 with an OBP pf .475 and an OPS of 1.202.
Victor Martinez is having a fine year, but Mauer should definitely be starting at the all-star game.
by Theodles on Jun 24, 2009 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
I would not be surprised in Martinez was the DH to start the game
by dan.altman89 on Jun 24, 2009 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's in an NL park
No DH this year.
by DocBrown82 on Jun 24, 2009 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was completely objective about it
and looked only at core offensive or pitching numbers, only from this season. everyone I picked is putting up better numbers than anyone else at his position. don’t believe me, look it up.
and are you talking about Pablo Sandoval of the Giants? he’s only caught three games! he’s their starting 3B, primarily.
by DocBrown82 on Jun 24, 2009 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know...
that he only plays at catcher for around half their games (35 I think). But he’s not an option on MLB’s ballot as a first baseman. Garko gets that honour for Cleveland.
That being said, offensive numbers are offensive numbers and you can’t deny that if you want the AL East to have home field advantage, you want him batting instead of Varitek, Posada or Saltamacchia.
So unless there’s some reason why he shouldn’t be there (e.g. his calling or defense is really, really, really atrocious), he should be second in voting behind Mauer.
I guess that’s at the crux of what bothers me.
The all-star game unfortunately means something. Namely, the winner gets homefield advantage in the WS. Thus, I believe that the managers should be able to decide who the best players to achieve the goal of getting homefield advantage for the WS.
The fans should not be allowed to vote in their inferior, but favourite picks when there’s something on the line. If the all-star game didn’t matter, I wouldn’t really care.
by Theodles on Jun 24, 2009 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't believe this bs...
I agree with everyone and especially fob22 – This team is PATHETIC!! Wang was pretty good tonight but because of Posada’s stupid throwing error 3 runs scored in that inning. How could a team with that line-up leave 11 runners on base?!!! Unfortunately leaving risp is not a new thing with them, in the last few years this has been their biggest problem – WTF?! Now that our pitchers are doing better we need these over-paid hitters to get it together!! I said this once before but Giradi really has to go and the hitting coach too!! I also cannot look at Swisher in field or at bat one more second – when is Nady coming back?!!! This team needs to get its act together because the Red Sox are just getting better – UGH!!!
by ltyanksfan09 on Jun 23, 2009 11:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Posada stunk but his error didnt lose the game
Even if he doesnt throw the ball away, they still got a bunch of hits after that. For that matter the HR by McCann wouldve won the game cause the Yankees put a big goose egg up on the board.
by YankeesJets on Jun 23, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Clearly The Yanks
have some hitting problems.. I am not for firing Girardi yet but they should definitely hire a new hitting coach.. They should bring up Shelley Duncan and give a Swisher some rest.. Give AJ a try it cant be worse than whats going on now.. some times minor leaguer may surprise and give some energy to the team.. Ex. Mayberry with the Phillies.. McCutchen with the pirates.. I can go on.. Cody Ramsom could bring some needed hits better than Berroa.. but the point is that they need a little boost or change..
by YANK77 on Jun 24, 2009 12:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
they strike out enough thank you
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 24, 2009 6:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
true
but whats there to loose.. i kid like him will show more hustle because he is not making that huge salary that Arod and some other guys in this team make.. Redsox brought up Ellsbury early and see what he does for that team!!!!!!!!! nothing more than hustle every night…
by YANK77 on Jun 24, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ChacoX
What are you talking about? 1st, learn how to spell chinese! 2ND, go online and purchase HOOKED ON PHONICS. Not only are you a ignorant person but you are dumb as well. You should not be on this board.
YankeesJets..please get over your love for Jeter. The current year is 2009 and Jeter can’t hit in the clutch. Baseball is a business about what have you done for me lately and recently Jeter has not come through. Lastly, what are you talking about when you said that Jeter hit the furthest home runs? It’s very obvious that you are talking out of your arse and you are only embarrassing yourself like ChacoX.
by Mondoas on Jun 24, 2009 12:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
YankeesJets was obviously...
being sarcastic. Honestly, if nothing else the assertion that Jeter is the best defensive shortstop in the majors should have tipped you off. =)
by Theodles on Jun 24, 2009 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jeter the AL starting SS
Dude I wish Jeter would get caught with a hooker or something Kobe like. I was being sarcastic. I am sick of Jeter being untouchable like he carried the team to titles. He was a piece of the puzzle. The media paints him out to be Mantle, Yogi, DiMaggio, Reggie, Gehrig, and Munson all rolled into one. I dont think so.
by YankeesJets on Jun 24, 2009 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah that third slider
WHO CALLED THAT PITCH?
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jun 24, 2009 1:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh thats right
Can’t fault Posada, because he has 4 rings from a decade ago. What about all those 1st pitch dp balls and groundout? Can’t point our finger at St. Jeter because he has 4 rings from a decade ago. I love these two guys, but I ain’t seeing any leadership from either one. The most vocal one out of the group just went 0-5. Sorry, I don’t think this is a blip on the radar. Same old same old offensively from last year. I pray this is just a fluke. Another couple games like this and if Long ain’t fired he may just get the entire coaching staff fired by the end of the season. 5 games down from the Sox normally would be fine, except this year. They look unstoppable.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jun 24, 2009 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
First of all, "Pathetic" is my Copyright
So please don’t use it anymore. “Appalling”, “ridiculous”, “over-rated” and “horrible” are still available. Second of all….
Yanks lose 4-0 while Sox win (again.) Yeah, The Boston Red Sox – that 1st place team we are 0-8 against — and yet we all huddle around talking about "The Yankees’ as if they are still that collection of guys who formed last decades team.
Let’s face facts. At best its 1995. More likely the Winfield years. These Yankees are like the 50 yr old hooker with the good body sitting at the end of the bar. Lights low… possibilities… but…. naaah.
Yup — I give you the 2009 Yanks…. Naaah.
by rosebud on Jun 24, 2009 1:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rosebud
I got a nice chuckle out of the 50 yr old hooker analogy. If they become the hooker with the adams apple then I will be frightened. You know what they say, if theres an apple above, there must be a banana below.
by YankeesJets on Jun 24, 2009 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So - if A-rod is the apple - does that mean...
Wang?
by rosebud on Jun 24, 2009 2:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't know what disgusts me more
the Yanks play…. or the fans’ ignorant reactions?
I want bash the team too, but at least I know this isn’t gonna hold up.
Doomsday? not yet.
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 24, 2009 6:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
How do you know that?
If the 1999 Yankees were struggling, you could say with some confidence that they’d get it turned around, but we have no idea how the 2009 Yankees are going to respond.
by New York Sports Jerk on Jun 24, 2009 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just looking at
these guy’s stats. They stay on this pace, they are all in for career lows.
Does that mean they all go on fire for the rest of the season? I’d be OK with consistent, but it would be nice to have someone come up and start going off at the plate….How many times do we all have to mention Shelley Duncan’s name? I know he’s not the ‘answer’ but I think he could come up and provide a spark at the very least.
I mean in the Northeast, it isn’t even summer yet aside from what the calender says. Maybe they are just gonna heat up with the weather?
Of course I have no clue, but there really is just no reason the think that this is gonna be the norm for the rest of the season.
Its just a shame that all these guys have to slump (and then all go on hot streaks) together. Im all for playing as a team, but in this sense it makes no sense to slump and go on hot streaks at the same time.
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 24, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The "spark"
This is a team of professional ballplayers, most of whom have never won a World Series. If they need a spark from some 29-year-old career minor leaguer who had one good week in the majors, they’re screwed anyway.
As for your “heating up with the weather” theory, it’s hot as hell in Miami and Atlanta, and they’ve lost 3 of 4 while doing nothing at the plate.
Oh, and the weather in Boston has been just as miserable, if not more so than in New York, and it doesn’t seem to be bothering the team up there.
There’s no reason to believe the 2009 won’t be wildly inconsistent like they have been through 70 games. I think that’s enough of a sample size to make some judgments about this team, and while they’ll probably go on a good run at some point, what is there to suggest that won’t be followed with another slump that drops them back?
by New York Sports Jerk on Jun 24, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the spark
well the Red Sux spark has come from an unknown SS, a 300lb pitcher (Brad Penny BTW). Pedrioa is in a slump right now, K.Uterus isn’t exaclty killing the ball either.
There always is a ‘spark’ on a good team. You had guys like Luis Sojo, Miguel Cairo, guys like that. Doesn’t matter who it is, but that player is just not on the Yanks right now. I mean guys like Gardner and at times Cervelli have provided it, but they were just at the wrong end of the spark (they GOT INTO SCORING POSITION….). Maybe its just about timing and who’s at the plate?
As for the weather, I kinda knew you’d bring up the wise-ass ‘its hot as hell in the south’. I know that, but they are still the NY Yankees and Im in the northeast. Its really got no ‘science’ in it at all, Im just saying the Yankees are playing as crappy as the weather in the northeast. Maybe when it clears up so do they.
And there’s no reason to see any consistency in this team. It doesn’t come out of the woodwork. I mean you could say that it all hinges on A-Rod coming alive, but who the hell knows how much that hip will really effect him the whole season (or whatever else he’s NOT doing now…)
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 24, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So, it's the weather?
Is that honestly what you’re saying?
You know what, I live in NYC, and yeah the weather is depressing as hell, but I also still have to show up and DO MY GODDAMN JOB every single day.
As for the Red Sox, they are finding ways to win despite the struggles of two of their crucial guys. That’s the difference between the two teams. The Yankees don’t win unless they are hitting a bunch of home runs. The Red Sox don’t make excuses, they find ways to score enough runs to win against hideous teams like the Nationals.
They had 11 runs last night in a game started by John Lannan. Why is it they can tear up the Nationals pitching staff but the Yankees looked like Little Leaguers?
Can you blame it on the wet weather?
by New York Sports Jerk on Jun 24, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, its not Doomsday FreeB
Its just a nice…. 86 wins. You know, like a Colorado or Minnesota. Bright side is no need to put off those October travel plans. Next Spring, don’t believe the hype.
by rosebud on Jun 24, 2009 10:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
can I borrow your flux capacitor?
Id like to know the reasons why then already have finished with 86 wins.
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 24, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FreeB - A body in motion tends to...
stay in motion.
A team tracking at 54% near mid-point tends to…
(Well, ya got me. Flux capacitor sez 87 wins — and here I was being a pessimist at 86.)
Can’t get nuthin by you!
Oh sure, maybe things’ll change. I hope. But we sure shouldn’t count on it from this bunch.
by rosebud on Jun 24, 2009 3:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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