Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Joba Finds His Fastball in Yanks 6-3 Win

FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
R H E
NY Yankees
0 0 0 3 0 1 2 0 0
6 9 3
Cincinnati
0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0
3 6 4

Joba Chamberlain's fastball was sitting at 94-95 MPH today, and topped out at 96. So for now it would appear that his velocity is fine. Everyone can relax. If he can't hit 90 in June, then you can start to worry.

For the first five innings he was lights out, he allowed just three hits and a walk and struck out five. He was also fairly economical, throwing just 67 pitches. But after striking out the first batter of the sixth he seemed to tire and things started to unravel. He allowed two runs on two hits and two walks before being removed from the game with 86 pitches. At the end of the day it wasn't a bad start, but you would like to see him go further into these games. He has a final tune-up against minor leaguers on Sunday.

Once again the bullpen did its job. Brian Bruney, Edwar Ramirez, Phil Coke, and Dan Giese held the Reds to just one unearned run and one hit over 3.2 innings.

On the offensive side, Brett Gardner had a good day going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Melky Cabrera went 1-for-2 with a double, and three RBI. Cabrera also had a pretty rough game in the outfield, committing one error and misplaying another ball.

And in the battle for the final roster spot, Ramiro Pena went 1-for-4 with a run scored, and is now hitting .305/.359/.373 with 7 RBI and 4 steals. Angel Berroa went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored and is hitting .379/.390/.621 with 2 HR and 11 RBI.

The Yankees are now 21-10 this spring, and have won 16 of their last 18 games.


ABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Gardner, CF4031000.390
2-Brewer, PR-RF1000011.000
Swisher, LF3100111.224
3-Fryer, PR-LF1000011.500
Teixeira, 1B2110111.412
Malec, 1B2000003.000
Posada, C3000124.256
Cash, C0000000.308
Nady, DH2100010.293
1-Cervelli, PR-DH1000012.231
Cabrera, M, RF-CF2113000.351
a-Grote, PH-CF1000000.000
Ransom, 3B3011012.265
Hilligoss, 3B1000000.000
Berroa, SS4120001.379
Pena, 2B4110001.305
Totals346953917

a-Grounded out for Cabrera, M in the 8th.
1-Ran for Nady in the 6th. 2-Ran for Gardner in the 7th. 3-Ran for Swisher in the 7th.

BATTING
2B: Cabrera, M (4, Owings), Teixeira (7, Owings), Berroa (8, Masset).
TB: Gardner 3; Teixeira 2; Cabrera, M 2; Ransom; Berroa 3; Pena.
RBI: Cabrera, M 3 (12), Ransom (5), Gardner (7).
2-out RBI: Cabrera, M 2; Ransom.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Berroa; Cervelli 2.
SF: Cabrera, M.
GIDP: Ransom.
Team LOB: 6.

BASERUNNING
CS: Gardner (3, 2nd base by Owings/Hernandez, Ra).
PO: Berroa (1st base by Hernandez, Ra).

FIELDING
E: Cabrera, M (1, fielding), Malec (2, throw), Hilligoss (1, throw).
DP: (Pena-Berroa-Teixeira).


IPHRERBBSOHRERA
Chamberlain (W, 4-0)5.15223603.60
Bruney (H, 6)0.20000106.30
Ramirez, E 1.01100001.00
Coke (H, 4)1.00000201.42
Giese (S, 2)1.00000206.48

The Yanks take on the Phillies tomorrow in the Grapefruit League finale at George M. Steinbrenner Field. CC Sabathia will start for the Yankees, the Phillies have not named a starter yet. Game time is set for 1:15 p.m.

3/31 New Stadium Photo Update

Most of the pictures in this update are of pictures that will be hanging up all around the new stadium. There at the point where they're just adding the finishing touches and these pictures are pretty much the only thing we haven't see at this point. Make sure you click on "Full post" to view all the pictures in this update. .... Also new stadium related, NYY Steak is now open for business.

This first picture of the Hard Rock Cafe comes from Baseball-Fever.com member babalou.


This group of pics comes to us from one of this blog's readers, and Picasa Web member, Carlos:

This second batch comes from Picasa Web member BJ:

(click to enlarge)

For the main updates pages click here
for 2007-2008 pics, and here for 2009 pics.

...Read more