Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Pettitte Rocked as Yanks Drop Another to Texas


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
R H E
N.Y. Yankees 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 0
6 6 1
Texas 2 1 0 1 0 1 3 0 X
8 8 0

I was unable to watch any of tonight's game, and from the look of the box score, and what I've read about the game it was a good thing that I missed it.

Andy Pettitte had another bad outing, his second in a row. In 5 IP he allowed 5 runs on 6 hits, while also walking 3 and striking out 5. The Yankees really need Pettitte to turn things around and start pitching well again. They aren't going anywhere if they get many more performances like tonights from their starters, especially Pettitte and Mussina.

The bullpen was not very good tonight. David Robertson allowed 2 runs on 1 hit and 3 walks in 1.1 innings pitched. He also struck out four. Brian Bruney allowed 1 run on 1 hit and 2 walking in 0.1 innings pitched. The one bright spot was Jose Veras who pitched a scoreless 8th.


IPHRERBBSOHRERA
Pettitte (L, 12-9)5.06553514.34
Robertson 1.21223405.51
Bruney 0.11112101.93
Veras 1.00000102.56

RANGERS PITCHING

Rangers' rookie starter Matt Harrison came into this game with a 7.40 ERA, and of course he made the Yankees look stupid. In 6.1 innings pitched all the Yankees could do against Harrison was 2 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks.

Why can't this team hit garbage pitchers they haven't seen before? Other teams have no problem hitting these guys?

Eventually they were able to add four more against Rangers' reliever C.J. Wilson when Richie Sexson hit a grand slam in the 8th to cut the Rangers lead to 8-6. But that was all the Yanks would get, as they once again drop a game to the Rangers.

Derek Jeter hit into his team-leading 18th double play of the season, and Alex Rodriguez hit into two, once with one on and nobody out in the 4th, and the other to end the ballgame with one on and one out in the 9th. Jeter's came with 1st and 2nd and one out in the 3rd.

Am I blaming them for this loss? No. But both of these guys have to step it up if this team is going to do anything this year. A-Rod has good numbers, but he's been terrible in clutch situations, and Jeter has just been terrible.

Boston and Tampa both won tonight so the Yankees are now 3.5 behind Boston in the Wild Card, and 6.5 behind Tampa in the division race. It's getting to the point where they really can't afford to lose any more ground.

Also what the heck was that move Girardi made in the 7th? Pinch ran Pudge and pitch hit Melky for Christian? Shouldn't it have been the other way around? Pudge pitch hit and Melky pitch run? I don't know, like I said I didn't see the game, but I cannot understand these moves at all.


ABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Damon, LF3111211.316
Jeter, SS3001105.279
Abreu, RF4110121.290
Rodriguez, A, 3B3100002.319
Nady, DH4010023.335
Cano, 2B1200301.262
Sexson, 1B4124002.226
Molina, C2000000.235
a-Giambi, PH0000100.256
1-Rodriguez, I, PR-C1000000.291
Christian, CF2010000.281
b-Cabrera, PH-CF1000003.242
Totals286668518

a-Walked for Molina in the 7th. b-Popped out for Christian in the 7th.
1-Ran for Giambi in the 7th.

BATTING
2B: Sexson (9, Harrison, M).
3B: Damon (4, Harrison, M).
HR: Sexson (12, 8th inning off Wilson, 3 on, 1 out).
TB: Damon 3; Abreu; Nady; Sexson 6; Christian.
RBI: Jeter (51), Damon (47), Sexson 4 (36).
2-out RBI: Damon.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Jeter 2.
SF: Jeter.
GIDP: Jeter; Rodriguez, A 2.
Team LOB: 7.

BASERUNNING
SB: Christian (6, 2nd base off Harrison, M/Laird), Rodriguez, A (16, 2nd base off Harrison, M/Laird).

RANGERS OFFENSE


PLAYER OF THE GAME: Matt Harrison (6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K)

HONORABLE MENTION: Richie Sexson (2-for-4, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, R)

GOATS OF THE GAME: Andy Pettitte and Alex Rodriguez.

Game three of this four game set is tomorrow night in Arlington. Former Ranger Sidney Ponson starts for the Yankees, and he will face rookie Tommy Hunter. Hunter has a 10.80 ERA so expect him to dominate the Yanks tomorrow, that's what all other crappy pitchers do. Game Time: 8:05 p.m. - TV: YES - Radio: WCBS 880

5 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Why can't this team hit garbage pitchers they haven't seen before?
Because the Yankees are a loving, caring team respectfully committed to building the confidence of young pitchers of other teams.
Let's pray our beloved captain stops hitting into DP.

Greg Cohen said...

Well they don't call him Captain Double Play for nothing.

Anonymous said...

Captain Double Play sure is an awesome name. But I think Rangers' reliever C.J. Wilson has the best name for a pro baseball player. Cracker Jack and Wilson?
The person named him must be a huge baseball fan.

James Miller said...

Just want to let all you readers know that, Greg Cohen, himself created the name 'cpt. double play' during the 2007 season, so he deserves all the credit for that greatness.

Greg Cohen said...

Hahahahhaa, thank you Mr. Miller.