| FINAL | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| N.Y. Yankees | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 2 | |
| Baltimore | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | X | 8 | 11 | 2 |
The Yankees fell to 9-9 on the year with a 8-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Phil Hughes got the start and was very good for five innings when he allowed just 1 run on 4 hits, but in the 6th things fell appart. In the inning Hughes allowed 4 runs on 4 hits, while recording just one out. He was also hurt by an Alex Rodriguez error. His final line was 5.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, and threw 97 pitches, 60 for strikes. He was also throwing a lot of first-pitch strikes, which is a good sign. His ERA is sitting at an ugly 8.82, but hey at least he lowered it (it was 9.00 before the game).
Hughes' line would have looked a lot better had Latroy Hawkins done his job. Hawkins came into the game and allowed both inherited runners to score, and three of his own. Edwar Ramirez pitched 2.1 IP, and pitched well. He did allowed an inherited run to score, but settled down to retire seven of the next eight batters he faced, three on strikeouts.
| IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA | |
| Hughes (L, 0-3) | 5.1 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8.82 |
| Hawkins | 0.1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9.64 |
| Ramirez | 2.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0.00 |
ORIOLES PITCHING
The Yankees scored their first run in the top of the 5th inning; Robinson Cano led off with a single up the middle, then after a Jason Giambi strike out, Melky Cabrera hit a double, setting up 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. Chad Moeller then reached on a Melvin Mora error, and Cano scored the tying run. The Yankees were unable to score any more as Daniel Cabrera was able to retire Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter to end the inning.
The Yankees added a 2nd run in the 7th on a Chad Moeller solo HR to cut the O's lead to 8-2. But that was all the Yankees offense could do on the night. They still aren't hitting with runners in scoring position, and Cano and Giambi are still in major slumps. Daniel Cabrera also deserves some credit, he was very good tonight allowing just 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks in 6 IP, he also struck out three batters.
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ORIOLES HITTING
And Yankees fans, before you go crazy with the "we never should have kept Hughes," "he's a bust," "the big three stinks," knee-jerk nonsense take a look at these stats:
Johan Santana: After three starts in 2000 (age 21) Santana was 0-2, with a 9.69 ERA. He was then moved into the bullpen where he also got hit hard finishing the year with a 6.49 ERA. He did start twice more that year, and gave up 3 runs and 6 hits in 5.1 IP in the first and 7 runs on 7 hits in 4.2 IP in the second.
Greg Maddux: Maddux was 1-2 with a 6.53 ERA after 3 starts in 1987 at age 21.
Roger Clemens: Through six starts with Boston in 1984 at 21 Clemens had a 7.13 ERA.
Randy Johnson: After four starts in 1989 at age 24 he was 0-3 and also had a 7.13 ERA.
Curt Schilling: At age 21 Schilling went 0-3 with a 9.82 ERA.
My point? Pitchers struggle when they're young, even great pitchers. Maybe Hughes and Kennedy will be busts, maybe they won't, I don't think they will be, but we're not going to know for a couple years so relax and be patient with them.
And remember this about Hughes, last year (in a year where he turned 21 in June) he went 5-3 with a 4.46 ERA, went 3-0 with a 2.73 ERA in September, and won a playoff game.
What worries me more is that Joe Girardi continues to start Jason Giambi at first. Giambi committed an error in the field, and went 0-3 with a strikeout at the plate. He's now hitting .116 on the season, and not helping this team in anyway. Can Morgan Ensberg get a start please?
The Yankees look to even the series tomorrow night with Ian Kennedy on the mound. And left-hander Brian Burres gets the start for the Orioles (YES! Giambi will be benched). First pitch is at 7:05 p.m., and the game can be seen on YES, and heard on WCBS 880.
11 Comments:
I like the comparisons you made on Hughes with those other top pitchers. Pitching is a learning game along with talent. putting things in perspective is so very important...good job Smokey! Also I toally agree on Giambi. I was really looking for him to have a comeback season this yr, and still might, but yes, get Ensberg in there more!!
Thanks, people do certainly need some perspective. People are so worried about today's game that they lose sight of the big picture.
With Giambi, I think a couple days off may actually help him.
Yes, it's early and we must not be too hasty about Hughes...
Earlier, I was curious as to how well he pitched down the stretch last year, so I did a quick check at baseball-reference.com. I was surprised at what I found.
Not only did Hughes pitch well in September last year, but the Yankees won every single game he pitched in-and let's not forget when he relieved Clemens in the ALDS!
Are you really going to give up on someone who has already won in Sept/Oct in NY?
You've gotta believe he'll turn it around-just hope it's soon!
"Not only did Hughes pitch well in September last year, but the Yankees won every single game he pitched in-and let's not forget when he relieved Clemens in the ALDS!
Are you really going to give up on someone who has already won in Sept/Oct in NY?
You've gotta believe he'll turn it around-just hope it's soon!"
Agreed completely.
As crazy as it may seem to some, fans have to ignore the outcome for a second; he pitched very well for five innings, and was greatly hurt by that A-Rod error.
He threw a good number of first pitch strikes, and total strikes, he was also able to locate his fastball.
If he had a 9.00 ERA in June, send him to Scranton, until then, we have to be patient.
Smokey..thanks for the perspective. Hopefully, you won't have to defend yourself here like you have to elsewhere!
LOL, well I don't think there are as many sky is falling types here.
"(YES! Giambi will be benched)."
Cano is batting .160. Damon is batting .200. Maybe the Red Sox should bench Ortiz with his .130 average?
If anyone on this team should be benched, it's Mike "I was done a year ago" Mussina. Giambi on the other hand still has some HR's left in him.
Unlike Giambi, Damon and Cano play well defensively, and are showing signs of improvement.
And David Ortiz has a much better track record than Giambi does over the past several seasons.
He may have a few HRs left in him? Who cares if he's going to hit under .200 and play terrible first base? And can someone please tell me why so many people obsessed with the occasional HR?
I understand people are down on Mussina, but who would you like to replace him? Darrell Rasner or Kei Igawa? Do you really think they're much of an improvement?
Here's some more stats from young pitchers who struggled a bit:
Dan Haren at age 22 in 2002 had 14 starts and had a record of 3-7 with a 5.08 era.
Erik Bedard at age 25 in 2003 had 26 starts and went 6-10 with a 4.59 era.
Scott Kazmir at age 20 in 2004 had 7 starts went 2-5 with a 5.67 ERA.
Tom Glavine at age 21 had 9 starts and went 2-4 with a 5.54 era, and at age 22 had 34 starts went 7-17 with a 4.56 era.
John Smoltz at age 21 in 1988 had 12 starts and went 2-7 w/ a 5.48 era
Fausto Carmona age 22 went 1-10 w/ a 5.42 ERA
Roy Hallady at age 23 went 4-7 w/ a 10.64 era
Ben Sheets at age 22-23 in 59 starts 59 went 22-26 w/ a 4.45 era
Carlos Zambrano at ages 20-21 in 7 starts went 5-10 w/ a 9.46 ERA
Brad Penny at ages 22-24 in 78 starts went 26- 24 w/ a 4.38 era.
Gotta be patient. I can't stress that enough.
"And can someone please tell me why so many people obsessed with the occasional HR?"
HR = one or more runs which can lead to a W.
Mussina on the other hand = automatic L every time he takes the mound.
When you're hitting .110 an occasional HR doesn't really help much. The Yankees are 5-9 when Giambi plays this year, and 4-0 when he doesn't.
I know Mussina hasn't been good, but I'm just wondering, who would you replace him with?
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