Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Game 20: Yankees @ Tigers... Huuuuuuuuggghhhhhees

Regular Season Game 20
Yankees @ Tigers
Comerica Park - Detroit, MI
Game Time: 7:05 p.m.
TV/Radio: YES, WCBS 880

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (9-10)
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Hideki Matsui DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Melky Cabrera CF
Jose Molina C
Ramiro Pena 3B

Pitching: Phil Hughes RHP (season debut)

TIGERS (11-8)
Curtis Granderson CF
Placido Polanco 2B
Magglio Ordonez RF
Miguel Cabrera 1B
Carlor Guillen DH
Gerald Laird C
Brandon Inge 3B
Josh Anderson LF
Adam Everett SS

Pitching: Edwin Jackson RHP (1-1, 2.77)

News & Notes

UPDATE 7:12 p.m: Chien-Ming Wang threw 50 pitches off the mound today. There's a chance he could pitch in an extended spring training game later in the week.

- Jorge Posada is out with a sore hamstring, he is expected back in the lineup tomorrow.

UPDATE 5:20 p.m.
: Here is an A-Rod update from the AP via NorthJersey.com:

Alex Rodriguez participated in a sliding drill for the first time and got 15 at-bats Tuesday during his initial simulated game since undergoing right hip surgery last month.

The New York Yankees third baseman slid five times on a sliding mat, a key step in his rehab program. He also faced rehabbing pitchers Sergio Mitre (elbow) and Paul Patterson (shoulder) in the simulated game.

"A good day. It felt good," Rodriguez said. "Good to be out there."

He hit several hard liners to right field and several strong grounders up the middle.

- If you missed it earlier, the Yankees have decided to reduce ticket prices for some of the higher priced sections.

- Phil Hughes has faced the Tigers twice in his career and the numbers aren't good. He's 0-2, with a 10.24 ERA. In 9.2 innings, he's allowed 11 runs on 12 hits, including five homers. One of the games was in Comerica. He lasted six innings, allowing five runs on four hits - three homers - walked one and struck out six.

This year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Hughes was 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA. In 19.1 innings he's allowed four runs on 17 hits, walked just three, and struck out 19.

Here are his three starts for Scranton:

4/12 @ LHV: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
4/17 vs. ROC: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
4/22 vs. BUF: 7.2 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

Steven Jackson was sent down to make room for Hughes on the roster.

- Former Tampa Bay Ray Edwin Jackson has faced the Yankees 13 times throughout his career, nine times as a starter, and he's 2-4, with a 5.72 ERA. Last season he was 1-3 with a 5.76 ERA in six starts against the Yanks.

Yanks vs. Jackson

ABH2B3BHRRBIBBSOBAOBPSLGOPS
D. Jeter 24 10 1 1 1 4 3 5 .417 .481 .667 1.148
R. Cano 21 5 1 0 0 1 3 1 .238 .333 .286 .619
A. Rodriguez 19 7 3 0 2 8 1 6 .368 .400 .842 1.242
J. Damon 19 3 0 0 0 0 3 3 .158 .273 .158 .431
H. Matsui 19 6 0 0 1 3 1 1 .316 .350 .474 .824
M. Cabrera 15 5 0 0 0 1 0 3 .333 .333 .333 .667
N. Swisher 11 4 1 0 2 3 2 2 .364 .462 1.000 1.462
J. Posada 8 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .250 .333 .250 .583
J. Molina 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .143 .143 .143 .286
X. Nady 7 4 2 0 0 2 1 0 .571 .625 .857 1.482
M. Teixeira 7 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 .286 .286 .571 .857
B. Gardner 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .250 .250 .250 .500
C. Ransom 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 .000 .000 .000
Totals16450826221528.305.363.488.851

Tigers vs. Hughes

ABH2B3BHRRBIBBSOBAOBPSLGOPS
P. Polanco 6 4 1 0 0 1 0 0 .667 .667 .833 1.500
M. Ordonez 5 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 .200 .200 .200 .400
C. Guillen 4 1 0 0 1 2 1 0 .250 .400 1.000 1.400
C.Granderson 4 3 1 0 2 2 2 0 .750 .833 2.500 3.333
M. Thames 3 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 .333 .333 1.333 1.667
B. Inge 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000
G. Laird 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 .000 .000 .000
M. Cabrera 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000
Totals2810204933.357.419.8571.276

Stick around and discuss the game
as it happens in the comments section

135 Comments:

daneptizl said...

HUUGHHEESSS

daneptizl said...

Where's Posada... only thing I can think of is they want the better game-caller for Hughes?

Greg Cohen said...

Not sure about Posada. If it's another injury they're screwed.


HUUUUUUUGGGGHHHHEEEESSS

Anonymous said...

I don't even know what to think anymore :'( I hate Cashman it's all his fault. And im so tired of the Joba thing, at this point I understand the pen is in bad shape especially with Bruney out but he hasnt pitched much worse than 'our ace' CC.

Anonymous said...

I just want Hughes to do well. 7IP 5H 2ER 5K is that so much to ask? Probably, but I'm still asking.

Bruce Beckett said...

No Posada...this is complete madness. The Nationals have a deeper batting lineup than we're fielding tonight.

Anonymous said...

posada has a sore hamstring

Anonymous said...

This roster is a joke. Why are there only three position bench players. One is a catcher who has a sore hamstring. Our 40 man roster is filled with pitchers that the manager has no trust in.

They need to get rid of one of there extra bullpen arms. And call up a third catcher.

I mean look at some of the stupid moves from Girardi you been seeing, you have Ransom bunting over Matsui who has two bad knees, Gardner trying to bunt over Posada and Pena bunted over Molina. LOL

Seriously Cashman and Girardi our both idiots.

Anonymous said...

::crying::

Unknown said...

Posada is limited to the amount of games he can catch this year. I'm hoping that's the reason. I don't think it's an injury being he batted yesterday and the day before he was catcher. I'm pumped to see Phil back.


HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHESSSSSSS

MP said...

Hughes Prediction:
6 IP
3 ER
5 H
2 BB
4 K

Yanks win it, 5-4, and Melancon gets the W.

Brian Danuff said...

Hey guys, what up?

Oh, in case you didn't know, Posada is a bit shaken up with some hamstring soreness. Therfore, he won't be playing tonight.

James Miller said...

where the f*ck is Gardner?

Greg Cohen said...

It looks like they've given up on him, Miller. Or at least they're going with the hot hand in Melky. I'd keep Gardner in there for a little while, though.

Greg Cohen said...

Hey Yankeeboy.... Hamstring soreness, great.

Greg Cohen said...

The YES gun is very slow. According to MLB.com, Hughes is averaging 92.6 MPH.

Anonymous said...

He's throwing too many pitches.

Greg Cohen said...

It's not so bad, he's at 32.

Vinsanity13 said...

Very good two innings for Hughes.

How freaking sweet would it be for him to succeed this year?
Wouldn't that be the first real good news of the season? I think so. (If you forget the mini hot streak by Swisher which made everyone think we found the new Mantle out of nowhere)

Greg Cohen said...

Yea Vinsanity, it would be the first good news of the year. It would also be great for the pitching staff.

Vinsanity13 said...

Could anyone tell me what happened to the "no facial hair under the mouth" rule?

I saw CC unshaved last night, tonight it's Melky.

Was it that I just never noticed it or are they starting now that the real Boss isn't here anymore?

Greg Cohen said...

Slowly it looks like players are caring less and less about that rule.

Vinsanity13 said...

How many times have the Yanks (absolutely everyone except maybe Cano) popped up to the outfield? Maybe they have to stop swinging for the fence for a while.

Greg Cohen said...

When a team is struggling everyone is trying to be a hero. They need one or two big hits and the rest of the lineup will relax. They could also use a win or two.

Anonymous said...

Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssss

Anonymous said...

Come on Hughes, throw strikes!

Greg Cohen said...

He's getting squeezed a bit, but yea he can't walk people.

daneptizl said...

It's the stupid ump's fault.

Greg Cohen said...

15-game hitting streak for Cano, tying a career high.

Anonymous said...

Another blown opportunity. This is last year all over again.

Worst in the league with RISP. THAT'S PATHETIC.

daneptizl said...

With 2 strikes, throw a high fastball or breaking ball in the dirt, and Melky's done.

James Miller said...

are the Yankees really dumb enough to actually think melky will ever be a good player on this team?? jesus

daneptizl said...

With today's A-Rod update, when are you guessing he comes back?

Greg Cohen said...

See, I think Brett Gardner puts up a better at-bat there. That was pathetic.

Greg Cohen said...

First week of May.

Anonymous said...

It's been three weeks and Gardner is not an all star so he's now "done" according to the Yankees.

Vinsanity13 said...

Last in the League with RISP and in ERA.

My question will be: How the hell are the New York Yankees only a game under .500?

daneptizl said...

Answer: because they're that good. Once A-Rod comes back, we're going on a rampage.

daneptizl said...

Reppin that Morristown.

Greg Cohen said...

The ERA isn't a big deal .Wang and his horrible starts are a big cause of that. He single-handedly tired out a bullpen, and then there's the 23 runs he gave up in six innings.

The avg. with RISP bothers me because it was the same thing last year. This team is always offensively "tight." Ever since Mattingly left that dugout this team hasn't been able to hit.

Greg Cohen said...

Let's see how Hughes handles his first jam....

Anonymous said...

This is the game here.

Greg Cohen said...

I dunno about that, but it's pretty important.

Greg Cohen said...

HUUUUUUUUUGGHHEEESSSSS

Anonymous said...

can't believe he got out of that

Anonymous said...

From Peter Abraham's blog,

"UPDATE, 8:24 p.m.: The Yankees are now 8 of 53 with RISP in the last five games. That’s .151.

Cano up to 15 games. … Now Hughes need to find a way out of this jam. A 6-4-3 would work nicely."

That blows.

Anonymous said...

the part about RISP, not Cano and Hughes.

Greg Cohen said...

That's why they've lost four in a row.

Brian Danuff said...

Wow. Honestly, the way things have been going for the Yanks, I thought Hughes would not get out of it and give up 2 or more runs.

Greg Cohen said...

I know what you mean Yankeeboy.

... Teixeira catches that ....

Hughes did a great job getting out of that. Now he needs to come back with a quick inning.

Brian Danuff said...

I really think the Yankees are going to have a great May when A-Rod comes back.

Greg Cohen said...

They need to do two things: hit with RISP and get good starting pitching. Not great, just good.

You would think A-Rod would help the RISP part, but uh, sometimes that's not the case.

Great inning for Hughes.

daneptizl said...

Polanco didn't get buckled. He got death'd.

Greg Cohen said...

hahahahaha

In defense of Polanco, that curveball was filthy.

Anonymous said...

Damon looks like shit.

Brian Danuff said...

Yeah, A-Rod is definitely not clutch all the time. But I really have faith in this team. We are going to bounce back, no matter what the people are saying.

Greg Cohen said...

Anon,

I think it's because he's playing hurt. I think his shoulder is still messed up from slamming into the monster on Sunday.

Yankeeboy,

You should have faith in the team. My only concern is why - for the second season in a row - is this team terrible with RISP.

daneptizl said...

Dekster ignites it with a triple!

Greg Cohen said...

hahahahahaa Matsui tripled.

Brian Danuff said...

He may not have too much speed left, but he shows he has a little left in the tank from time to time.

Greg,

Yeah, we need to do much better with RISP. I think if we kept Abreu or Giambi though as our DH, we may have been a little better with RISP.

Greg Cohen said...

If they knew Nady was going to get hurt one of them would still be here. Probably Abreu.

Brian Danuff said...

Yeah.

Anonymous said...

FAILED AGAIN!!! FIRE CASHMAN NOW!!!

daneptizl said...

Cash:3 year extension.

daneptizl said...

Montero with 2 jacks today.

Vinsanity13 said...

I think pretty much everyone in the building and watching TV knew this pitch in the dirt was coming with Cano that hot and Shisher that cold.

Greg Cohen said...

Well that's a good thing.

This hitting with RISP thing is starting to piss me off. A lot.

daneptizl said...

Hughes da best. Best performance of the year?

Greg Cohen said...

Let him finish first. The Yankees have been giving up the big inning lately, so things can change in a second. But so far he's been great.

daneptizl said...

That's what Cousins deserves. Maybe he can see clearly now.

Greg Cohen said...

hahahahaha

daneptizl said...

Hughes' last inning?

daneptizl said...

6 innings, 2 hits...

Greg Cohen said...

This is what is terrible about modern baseball. You have two pitchers who are dominating, but both will be forced to leave the game because they've thrown 100 pitches.

Anyway, that was a great performance by Hughes. I'm very impressed. It's just one start, but it was against a very good hitting team.

daneptizl said...

Here's their first rounder from last year on the mound.

Greg Cohen said...

Girardi is going to push him past 100 pitches? Interesting. ...

*goes to check pitch counts for minor-league starts*

daneptizl said...

he threw like 103 last time i tihnk

Greg Cohen said...

96, 96, and 105. Very surprised by this move. I know I complained about the way baseball is today, but I'm not suggesting Girardi uses Hughes as an example of the past. He already has CC Sabathia to do that with.

daneptizl said...

I'd be fine with it if Hughes had more experience...

daneptizl said...

Pena FTW...

Anonymous said...

2nd and 3rd with one out. let's watch these losers fail.

daneptizl said...

Pena to the bench...

Greg Cohen said...

Oh no, not you.

Girardi is doing exactly what one of the anonymous posters suggested he should have done last night with the Molina bunt and Posada for Pena.

....YES, A BREAK!!!!

2-0 Yanks!

daneptizl said...

We get 'The Break'!

Greg Cohen said...

See what happens when you lower ticket prices? You get the breaks.

daneptizl said...

Nice slide...

Greg Cohen said...

True, Dane.

Anonymous said...

Melancon warming up... I like it.

will said...

please f'n god let them win this. i will slice my wrists if i have to hear any more from anonymous how jeter and rivera and cashman suck.

daneptizl said...

At least Girardi figured this one out(Melancon).

Greg Cohen said...

So do I, Anon.


Big hit by Matsui. BIG.

daneptizl said...

It's about time we batted around.

daneptizl said...

Maybe turnaround game? Who knows...

Anonymous said...

NICE!

daneptizl said...

lol, Leyland looks like a mad Poppa Smurf.

Brian Danuff said...

Maybe Dane, maybe...

5-0 Yanks, bases loaded. Come on Melky, blow it right open!

Anonymous said...

Gotta love the effort put out by Hughes.

6 scoreless innings (assuming he's done) against one of the better offenses, who is also one of the best home teams. While we are in must win mode.

Great job.

-Nyyfn

Greg Cohen said...

True, that was a big time performance.

Brian Danuff said...

Melky walks...6-0 Yanks!

Brian Danuff said...

HOLY CRAP! Grand slam by Molina! 10-0! Boy was that a shot!

daneptizl said...

Molina! LOL

Greg Cohen said...

MOLINA GRAND SLAM!

Wow.

This has to be the first time that Molina hits and grand slam and Matsui triples. There is no way that's ever happened before.

daneptizl said...

Father Time chips in as well.

daneptizl said...

Too bad we wasted Melancon today.

Brian Danuff said...

I know. We barely see Molina hit a home run. He hit only 2 last year, and his first one didn't come until July. And we all know what the 2nd one was.

will said...

Did someone pay the tigers to swap uniforms with the yankees at the start of the game?

Greg Cohen said...

Give him a mop up inning or two. No big deal. The more experience against MLB hitters, the better.

Brian Danuff said...

What a great game. This is the start of a winning streak, I can feel it...

Brian Danuff said...

LOL Will!

Brian Danuff said...

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer's Markie!

(Melancon)

daneptizl said...

Is 'The Mower' or 'Mowing Machine' not good enough for Melancon?

Greg Cohen said...

The YES gun is so still slow. MLB.com has Melancon throwing 93.

daneptizl said...

What about 'The Quiet Beast'.

Brian Danuff said...

It is, I just randomly said here's Markie because I didn't know he already had a nickname.

Greg Cohen said...

Nice breaking ball.

Brian Danuff said...

1-2-3 inning for the Mowing Machine.

Brian Danuff said...

I don't know, Damon doesn't look like he's even trying at the plate. He needs to be a bit more agressive. He was like this before the 10-run 7th too.

Greg Cohen said...

I really think Damon is hurt.

daneptizl said...

Maybe he's trying to gut it out until A-Rod comes back.

Brian Danuff said...

That might be why.

Alright, goodnight guys, time to hit the hay.

Greg Cohen said...

Night dude.

Danny said...

Don't get too excited folks this score is the signiture sign of a feast or famine line up.

Greg Cohen said...

I'm happy because they're gonna win a game and Hughes looked great. Tomorrow is obviously another day and things can turn quickly, but for today I'm happy.

Anonymous said...

did anyone listen to the game? Where did john sterling's Yankees Win call go?

Greg Cohen said...

He didn't do it?

SteveB said...

I got just what I wanted to see from Hughes, wonderful! It looks like he may be ready for the MLB after all.

Then it was icing on the cake with Melancon.

Greg Cohen said...

Very true. I'm very surprised at how good Hughes was tonight.

SteveB said...

Let's give him one or two more starts just to be sure. The next game against the Angels will tell us a lot, they are more disciplined hitters. That said, this was a very satisfying game.

Can I daydream now? Let's say Hughes does well, so does Melancon, then Bruney comes back throwing well, then Wang comes back with that sinker sinking..... oh boy.

Greg Cohen said...

You never know.

Anonymous said...

Garbage game typical Yankees they make Edwin Jackson look like CY Young.

Only good thing was Hughes and Melancon.

Anonymous said...

LOL, the funniest part, Will, is I didn't post a thing this game. So again, the same people are accusing other people of doing something they are not doing. No offense but you are typical liberal idiots. Everythign is always everybody else's fault EXCEPT the true culprit. That's what the news media preaches every day. They couldn't find a bowling ball in a bath tub at high noon.

You know you do that and so don't they? Simple. You cry wolf when there is no wolf, so when the real wolf (Devil in the flesh) shows up then you will be deceived. You rejected Jesus Christ, then and now, so Jesus Christ is going to send a counterfeit/strong delusion to fool you, damn you so you believe a lie because you received not the love of the truth that you might be saved. You took pleasure in unrighteousness.... You wanted to be deceived..... Oh well, I wish it wasn't so but it is. Maybe someday you will want to see but until then, God will keep your eyes shut!

Now back to baseball, someone explain to me why Posada was swinging at the first two pitches when this pitcher couldn't get it over? Did anyone notice David Cone pointing out Posada's stupidity? This kind of stuff is exactly why this team is not good with RISP and can't win big/playoff games. This has not been going on just for 2 years. It has been going on since about 2003 or so....Its the same people doing the same things.

- The Douche

Greg Cohen said...

What the hell are you talking about?

Anonymous said...

I'm just happy we won! :)

Mike said...

I know some of you may not like it, but Wang is ready to pitch and his sinker is sinking, if Hughes keeps giving us a chace to win each time out like he did tonight, he won't be going anywhere. It will be Joba that is taken out of the rotation and back in the pen where he belongs. I really hope this happens. Think about it, you have Joba in the 8th and Mo slamming the door in the 9th add that with Melancon and a healthy Bruney then the game is over after 6. Not only will Joba in the pen stop Mo from pitching in the 8th with two outs but also you have Mo's future successor. I think Melancon could be that guys as well but I think joba has a more dominating presence to him.

Greg Cohen said...

Mike,

What do you mean "Wang is ready to pitch and his sinker is sinking"?

Where did you get this information?