Tampa Bay Rays Defeat New York Yankees 3-1

by Lord Duggan on Mar 21, 2011 10:05 PM EDT in Game Recap

The New York Yankees lost another spring training game in the late innings, this time falling to the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1. A non-existent offense (shut down by Jeremy Hellickson and a cavalcade of Rays relievers) was supported in the early innings with the dominance of Bartolo Colon.

Colon yielded only one run in six innings (a solo home run off the bat of Kelly Shoppach), two hits, zero walks, and five strikeouts. At one point, he set down 15 straight Rays batters and looked truly dominant.

Coming into Spring Training, I had Bartolo Colon as an extreme long-shot to start the season in the starting rotation (somewhere between Sergio Mitre and Old Hoss Radbourn). To make the rotation, Colon was going to have to pitch his (ample) backside off, along with some faltering from the other contestants.

The pre-camp favorite to land a rotation spot was almost certainly Freddy Garcia. This spring, every step forward by Colon has been accompanied with a step back by Garcia. I still think that Garcia is the more durable and reliable option, and is more likely to stick in the rotation for the entire season, but Colon has out-pitched him in every way imaginable. The eventual decision will give good insight into how much stock the organization puts into Spring Training performances.

The Rays were able to break through in the final two frames against Manny Banuelos, who was spotty with his command and struggled through two innings. Man-Ban gave up a home run to Dan Johnson in the 7th inning, and then a dink and dunk run in the 8th inning on an infield hit, sacrifice bunt, and a bloop single. While he was again able to escape without giving up much on the scoreboard, he continually pitched from behind in the count and seemed to really labor.

The only Yankee run came as a result of Gritty Gutty Brett Gardner walking, stealing second, and being plated with productive outs by Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez.

For the poll - here is a good one of Tex and a good one of Colon.

Poll

Looks more like a bullfrog:

Mark Teixeira

31 votes

Bartolo Colon

311 votes

342 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 48 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

good to see Manny

K the first batter after the HR. he got squeezed a bit on the K-zone (again), but this should be a good learning experience.

by Travis G on Mar 21, 2011 10:43 PM EDT reply actions

I would say that just about every borderline pitch he threw was called a ball, but he definitely was off on his location. He’s flashed some real brilliance this spring, but has also looked (understandably) erratic and inexperienced.

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by Lord Duggan on Mar 21, 2011 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

My wife says

sometimes I come off as erratic and inexperienced. So, it happens to the best of us. Still.

I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?

by david d on Mar 21, 2011 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, sometimes you aim it at a target, but you still have no idea where it’s going to go.

February 14th, pitchers, catchers, and Messiahs report to Spring Training.

by Wraithpk on Mar 22, 2011 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Best Doors Track hands down.

Zero walks from Colon is nice to see, too.

Usqueadbaugham! Anam muck an dhoul ! Did ye drink me doornail?

by Q-TDSK on Mar 21, 2011 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, that song really is great.

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by Lord Duggan on Mar 21, 2011 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions

The Crystal Ship is still my favorite

But yeah, nothing at allllll wrong with Peace Frog.

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Mar 22, 2011 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd say L.A. Woman

But it kind of loses credibility for its association with the Mets in the late ’90s.

"I'm just tryin' to be the great, tryin' to get a piece of cake
Take it offa your plate, eat it right in your face" --Lil Wayne

by Sgurd0187 on Mar 22, 2011 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions

okay there is some serious bias going on

i know we all hate Colon but Tex in that picture looks way more like a bullfrog then Colon does in his picture

CHARLES NOOOOOOOOOO!!!

by Brian5517209 on Mar 21, 2011 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, really.

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Mar 21, 2011 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll admit I voted without checking the pics

Besides, Hideki Irabu runs away with this contest.

Usqueadbaugham! Anam muck an dhoul ! Did ye drink me doornail?

by Q-TDSK on Mar 21, 2011 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t hate Colon. Why would any of us “hate” him?

I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?

by david d on Mar 21, 2011 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't say hate but, I see what he means...he gets hated on

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Mar 21, 2011 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions

they see him rollin'

They hatin’.

by long time listener on Mar 21, 2011 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Literally Rollin

Writer for Pinstripe Alley, MLB Daily Dish
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Lets go Rangers!
R-U! R-U! R-U! R-U!

by Brandon C. on Mar 22, 2011 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh, Barn...

Though your flirtation technique is hilarious, it's distracting.

by noonoo on Mar 22, 2011 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t hate Colon, I just honestly think he looks like a bullfrog.

February 14th, pitchers, catchers, and Messiahs report to Spring Training.

by Wraithpk on Mar 22, 2011 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

x

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by Lord Duggan on Mar 22, 2011 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I never understood anything he said. Not one word.

Usqueadbaugham! Anam muck an dhoul ! Did ye drink me doornail?

by Q-TDSK on Mar 21, 2011 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions

that's because he was always drunk

On wine.

by long time listener on Mar 21, 2011 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

He was always a proponent of world joy, though.

February 14th, pitchers, catchers, and Messiahs report to Spring Training.

by Wraithpk on Mar 22, 2011 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions

based on Lord's assessmnt...

what about starting with Colon in rotation and Garcia in long-relief. If Bartolo slides we still have Freddy to move up…(?)

by rosebud on Mar 22, 2011 12:31 AM EDT reply actions

what happens to the Meat Tray?

I think long-man/swing-man is his best role, and I’m not sure that either Garcia or Colon are as well-suited for that.

by long time listener on Mar 22, 2011 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Colon eats it?

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Mar 22, 2011 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions

whatever CC didn't get to first

by long time listener on Mar 22, 2011 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I bet Gardner eats like a slob too

But his high speed metabolism makes it where he doesn’t gain an ounce.

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Mar 22, 2011 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions

he's a GGG

by long time listener on Mar 22, 2011 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions

His Gritty Gutty Gluttony

is probably the main reason CC lost so much weight.

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Mar 22, 2011 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions

true

CC was trying to eat Cap’n Crunch, but Gardner would run by and steal it off his spoon before he got it to his mouth.

by long time listener on Mar 22, 2011 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions

He's a speedy lil' guy.

Kinda like Barney stealing Fred’s Pebbles.

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Mar 22, 2011 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Jaba the Hut

is always first at the buffet table

by steelerwheeler on Mar 22, 2011 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Of course, none of this would be relevant

if we had Cliff Lee.

(I only said that because you would have missed me if I hadn’t)

by rosebud on Mar 22, 2011 12:34 AM EDT reply actions

We were too old for him.

He only dates younger teams.

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Mar 22, 2011 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions

The Phillies lied about their age, though.

February 14th, pitchers, catchers, and Messiahs report to Spring Training.

by Wraithpk on Mar 22, 2011 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

interestingly...

cliffie is a one-man team-ager…

by sing_or_die_1818 on Mar 23, 2011 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions

blame cliff lee and his horrible math skills.

by lololol on Mar 22, 2011 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Better poll question: Who weighs more, : or CC ?

by designatedquitter on Mar 22, 2011 9:43 AM EDT reply actions

several places have him listed at 185, kills me

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Mar 22, 2011 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

Colon has clearly won the competition for the #5 starter so give it to him

Based on ST results, Nova & Colon have won the #4 & #5 spots so let them have it.

I would keep Garcia as long man & starter insurance. I would send Mitre to AAA but if he was out of options then release him.

Martin & Montero will be the catching duo. Romine to AAA.

Gardner should hit leadoff against righties & #9 against lefties. Jeter should hit #1 against lefties and #2 against righties

by YANKEES FOREVER on Mar 22, 2011 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

You summed it up nicely

Not sure about the batting order, though. I think Jeter has already shown he’s back to his 2009 performance level.
Am I the only one beginning to have serious doubts about Martin?

by alouishes on Mar 22, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions