Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Game 46: Yankees @ Rangers (Updates on Posada, Nady, and Ransom)

Regular Season Game 46
Yankees @ Rangers
Rangers Ballpark - Arlington, TX
Game Time: 8:05 p.m.
TV/Radio: MY9, WCBS 880


Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (26-19)
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera CF
Hideki Matsui DH
Nick Swisher RF
Francisco Cervelli C

Pitching: RHP Joba Chamberlain (2-1, 3.70 ERA)

RANGERS (26-18)
Ian Kinsler 2B
Michael Young 3B
Josh Hamilton DH
Nelson Cruz RF
David Murphy LF
Marlon Byrd CF
Chris David 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
Omar Vizquel SS

Pitching: RHP Kevin Millwood (4-4, 3.12 ERA)

Yanks vs. Millwood

ABH2B3BHRRBIBBSOBAOBPSLGOPS
N. Swisher 25 10 2 0 3 7 4 3 .400 .483 .840 1.323
D. Jeter 19 5 1 1 0 2 0 2 .263 .263 .421 .684
J. Damon 18 5 4 0 0 1 1 5 .278 .316 .500 .816
A. Rodriguez 16 6 1 0 1 2 1 2 .375 .412 .625 1.037
J. Posada 12 2 0 0 0 0 2 7 .167 .286 .167 .452
R. Cano 12 5 0 0 0 2 0 2 .417 .417 .417 .833
A. Berroa 11 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .182 .182 .182 .364
M. Cabrera 11 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 .364 .364 .636 1.000
J. Molina 9 1 1 0 0 0 2 3 .111 .273 .222 .495
M. Teixeira 8 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 .375 .375 .500 .875
X. Nady 6 4 1 0 1 2 0 0 .667 .667 1.333 2.000
H. Matsui 6 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 .167 .167 .167 .333
K. Cash 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .333 .333 .333 .667
B. Gardner 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 .000 .000 .000
Totals158491225171031.310.351.506.858

Rangers vs. Chamberlain

ABH2B3BHRRBIBBSOBAOBPSLGOPS
M. Young 6 3 0 0 1 3 0 1 .500 .500 1.000 1.500
J. Hamilton 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 .200 .000 .200
I. Kinsler 4 2 1 0 0 0 2 1 .500 .667 .750 1.417
J. Saltalamacchia 4 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 .500 .500 .500 1.000
C. Davis 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 .250 .250 .250 .500
M. Byrd 3 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 .333 .600 .333 .933
D. Murphy 3 1 0 0 1 2 1 1 .333 .500 1.333 1.833
Totals2810102768.357.471.6071.078

News & Notes

- Here's some info on Xavier Nady and Jorge Posada from the AP via ESPN:
New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada played three innings of defense during a simulated game Tuesday.

Sidelined since straining his right hamstring while sliding in a game against Boston May 4, also batted in the simulated game. The five-time AL All-Star threw to second from behind the plate and ran the bases after the game.

Outfielder Xavier Nady (right elbow ligament) and infielder Cody Ransom (right quadriceps) also batted.

Posada and Nady could play in a minor league game this week.

- Here's another update on Posada, this time from Bryan Hoch:
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that Posada could depart the club's training complex in Tampa, Fla., in time to appear in New York's upcoming four-game series against the Indians in Cleveland.
...

"It's realistic that we could see him within four or five days," Girardi said.
- Joba Chamberlain doesn't have fond memories of Texas. Not only is Rangers Ballpark the place where he came down with an injured shoulder last year, but the Rangers all hit Joba pretty hard. He's started against the Rangers twice, and has a 7.27 ERA. In 8.2 innings he's allowed 7 runs on 13 hits, walked 6, and struck out 11. In the game in Texas last year he allowed 5 runs on 8 hits in 4.2 innings in what turned out to be a 9-5 Rangers win.

- In seven career starts agains the Yankees Kevin Millwood is 1-4, with a 4.46 ERA. He faced them once last season and got a no decision. In 5 innings he allowed a run on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6.

- According to Peter Abraham, Xavier Nady has been cleared to play in extended spring training games down in Tampa.

- The Yankees have won 11 of their last 13 games.

- Since Alex Rodriguez came off the DL the Yankees are hitting .338 (46-for-136) with RISP. (Hat-tip to Pete Abe for that stat.)

- Mark Teixeira has also benefitted by the return of A-Rod, in the last 17 games he's hitting .385/.461/.846, that's an OPS of 1.307, with 8 HR and 21 RBI.

- Not trying to make this political, but today Barrack Obama announced that he was nominating federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. Why is this relevant? Because Sotomayor was born in the Bronx and is a lifelong Yankees fan. She also is the judge who ended the baseball strike in 1995 by preventing Major League Baseball from unilaterally implementing a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, and is credited for saving baseball. Basically her ruling put the players back on the field.

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

127 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Ugh Matsui. This guy really needs to sit for a longer time, hes been miserable this season.

Anonymous said...

My9 games are like the O-Pee-Chee version of old Topps cards from back in the day. Basically, a YES game on another channel. That plus the unintentional hilarity of Russ Salzberg.

Anonymous said...

Matsui is deff. frustrating to watch this season. He seems to be trying to pull everything. What frustrates me more is Girardi putting Matsui and Swisher back to back...2 guys that have just had no luck of late...what are you thinking? Why cant we get Cervelli between them to break up the whiff-masters?

Coop

Anonymous said...

Yes, agree about Matsui. Right now, Gardner is a better option. At least he can run!

Unknown said...

Matsui's performance is like a sin graph. He goes up and up when he's hot then goes down and gets cold.

Anonymous said...

my left nut > hideki matsui

Anonymous said...

Why does everybody hate Matsui that much. He had that huge homerun is Toronto still a very good clutch hitter. He is in a slump he will go on a hot streak soon.

Greg Cohen said...

Girardi always says that Matsui can look terrible for three weeks and then all of a sudden turn it on, which is true. Hopefully he can turn it on soon, because it's already been a few terrible weeks.

Anonymous said...

Matsui has no legs
2 knee replacements
a bum hammy
dudes failling apart.

Anonymous said...

Be glad he's on his final year. It was a good run for the first few years, being a lock for 100+ RBIs before becoming injury prone after broken wrist.

Brian Danuff said...

With our luck, when we let him go he'll have a career year with another team in 2010.

Anonymous said...

What's up with Joba only having only 3 decisions almost 2 months into the season?

Anonymous said...

Hopefully Joba looks at Hughes last 2 games and gets more aggressive with the stike zone. Maybe he'll get past the 6th inning someday.

Brian Danuff said...

Did you hear YES is making a Yankeeography episode of Mike Mussina? I think that's awesome. They're also making ones on Dave Winfield and the Boss.

Greg Cohen said...

Yea I saw that YB, looking forward to all three episodes.

Greg Cohen said...

This is from the AP:

New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada played three innings of defense during a simulated game Tuesday.

Sidelined since straining his right hamstring while sliding in a game against Boston May 4, also batted in the simulated game. The five-time AL All-Star threw to second from behind the plate and ran the bases after the game.

Outfielder Xavier Nady (right elbow ligament) and infielder Cody Ransom (right quadriceps) also batted.

Posada and Nady could play in a minor league game this week.

Brian Danuff said...

The Yankees are (to me) defenitely making the playoffs. But it seems whenever they do, or at least in the past few years, they struggle in the ALDS. You think if they make it this year they'll struggle again?

Brian Danuff said...

Oh, thanks for the updates Greg.

Greg Cohen said...

It depends on a lot of things, especially the health of the team and the team they play (if they make it). With that said, I think they have the best team they've had since 2003, so I think this is their best opportunity since then.

Anonymous said...

Fucking stupid rain delays.

Brian Danuff said...

Ken Singelton actually went to school with my uncle and aunt, no joke. My uncle played on the school baseball team with him, and my aunt was in his English class.

Anonymous said...

Why does it have to rain in Texas? This is balls.

Coop.

Greg Cohen said...

That's awesome YB, did they say if he was a nice guy?

Anonymous said...

i checked weather.com in arlington they didnt say anything about rain.

Greg Cohen said...

A friend of mine just called me and told me the same thing. Weather.com might be screwed up because the satellite doesn't look too great for the next hour or so.

Brian Danuff said...

Yeah, they said he was a good friend to both of them. But they're obviously not in touch at all otherwise I would have met him.

Greg Cohen said...

Cool.

Emmanuel said...

God dammit, they better get this game in. I'd hate to have the game rained out on my off day.

Anonymous said...

Expect a 9:45/10pm start.

Anonymous said...

man who stratch ass should not bite finger nail.

Anonymous said...

I think we'll be fine in an ALDS this season, we have a lot stronger of a rotation (assuming by Oct. Burnett and Wang turn it around).
We have all the pieces, just have to see how it plays out over the summer.

Greg Cohen said...

Via Pete Abe, first pitch is set for 10:30 p.m.

Greg Cohen said...

Another Posada update guys, this time from Bryan Hoch:

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that Posada could depart the club's training complex in Tampa, Fla., in time to appear in New York's upcoming four-game series against the Indians in Cleveland.

JC said...

Nice! 10:30 start!

Greg Cohen said...

Play ball!

Anonymous said...

Great, now Melky jams his shoulder.

Greg Cohen said...

Damn that sucks.

Greg Cohen said...

Nice job Alex!

Anonymous said...

I think he popped it out...

And what a heads up play by a-rod...

Emmanuel said...

Great shit A Rod

daneptizl said...

Joba continuing with his 90 mph fastball...

Emmanuel said...

Damn, who was that chick in the red.

Greg Cohen said...

What do you mean Dane? He's been at 93-95 his last few starts.

Greg Cohen said...

He's gotta get out of this jam. Come on Joba!

Emmanuel said...

Looks like Joba must not have warmed up correctly.

Anonymous said...

Just terrible. How do you throw five sliders in a row. Cervelli and Joba are both retarded.

Greg Cohen said...

More first inning woes for Joba. Ugly.

Anonymous said...

What the hell kind of pitching was that? Five sliders to one batter, then four fastballs to the next?

Mix your pitches you moron.

Greg Cohen said...

Couldn't agree more, Anon.

By the way, is anyone getting the feeling this is a Murphy's law game? Anything that can go wrong for the Yanks, will.

Greg Cohen said...

Well here's some good news folks, Boston, Tampa and Toronto all lost. If the Yankees can win they'd be tied for first.

Jenny Talia said...

2 things... Wtf is ken singleton saying, the strong arm of nick swisher... Nick swishers throws are horrendous!!! wish we still had abreus arm out there....

And Matsui should not be playing, i rather have kaz matsui at this point!

Anonymous said...

I hope Matsui dies.

Greg Cohen said...

Whoa whoa whoa, relax Anon, relax.

Yes, he's been god awful, but that's just messed up.

Anonymous said...

Is there any way we could get matsui deported? I could care less about a trade, just get him the hell outta here...

JC said...

Swisher does have a strong arm. Not sure why you think he doesn't...

Greg Cohen said...

I'm still trying to figure out what Matsui was thinking. You have Gardner on third, just put the damn ball in play.

Anonymous said...

Why is Joba having so much trouble putting hitters away tonight? Looks like he doesn't even have his second best stuff tonight.

JC said...

Joba needs to get his control in order. Seriously, even when he has a 1-2-3 inning, he throws like 20 pitches. It's becoming a total joke and getting old. He needs to go more than five innings in his starts.

Greg Cohen said...

You're right JC, every count is going to 3 balls. He's really got nothing tonight.

JC said...

50 pitches and you're not even done with the second inning.

Unacceptable.

Anonymous said...

Every pitch is missing by 4 feet.

JC said...

Joba has a great ability to piss me off when he starts. I hate when pitchers don't throw strikes and he never does. Even in a good start he'll walk like four guys. It's just not a recipe for success. And it doesn't help our bullpen when you only go five innings (which he probably won't even make tonight).

Greg Cohen said...

This is what happens with young pitchers when they really don't know how to pitch yet.

We've seen it from Hughes, Kennedy when he was here, and Joba.

Mario said...

JOBA IS NOT, NOT, NOT A STARTER, 52 PITCHES ALREADY THRU JUST 2 INNINGS, PATHETIC.....

Greg Cohen said...

This Joba-to-the-pen stuff is never going to end, is it?

Anonymous said...

Maybe when he wins his first Cy Young Greg.

JC said...

>> This Joba-to-the-pen stuff is never going to end, is it? <<

Not as long as he's only going five innings a start.

If he was going seven or eight innings every time, I really don't think we'd be hearing the bullpen stuff. But he's not dominating as a starter, when he was dominating as a setup man.

Greg Cohen said...

lol you might be right, Anon.

As for tonight, he has nothing, absolutely nothing. If he can battle his way through five innings I'd consider it a blessing.

Greg Cohen said...

Joba as a starter: 5-2, 3.12 ERA. In 106.2 IP he's struck out 115. That's pretty dominating for a 23-year-old. His problem is the same as most young pitchers, he walks too many and throws too many pitches.

David Price threw 100 pitches in 3.1 innings yesterday, should he go to the pen?

The problem with Yankees fans is they don't have the stomach to watch young pitchers develop.

JC said...

Greg, that's what makes his lack of control even more frustrating. I know his numbers as a starter. And even with lousy control, he has a low ERA. Can you imagine how low it would be if he could get his control issue worked out? We'd have another ace on our hands.

Greg Cohen said...

"Can you imagine how low it would be if he could get his control issue worked out? We'd have another ace on our hands."

And that is exactly why he should be a starter. He's 23, kids that age usually have command issues. There are very very few guys who are aces from the start.

Greg Cohen said...

By the way, I totally understand your frustration. I'm frustrated too, but these are the growing pains.

JC said...

Yeah, I hear ya. I think both sides of the Joba debate make good points. And I'm not even sure which side I'm on, to be honest.

It's just frustrating to watch him go through these problems when you know he has lights-out stuff. He's got a ERA in the low three's when he's walking about five a game and constantly working behind in the count.

Greg Cohen said...

I agree that both sides have valid points, I've just always felt he would be more valuable in the long run as a starter.

Greg Cohen said...

Melky has a right shoulder strain and the x-rays were negative. Good news.

JC said...

Well, I think it all depends.... An ace starter is always better than a great setup man.

But when Mo is gone, Joba could be that dominate closing guy. And a great closer is a good thing to have, too.

Greg Cohen said...

That's true.

JC said...

Speaking of frustrating...

Our inability to get a big hit tonight is annoying!

Greg Cohen said...

This just isn't their night. If Girardi was smart he'd get Joba out of there and give Wang some innings.

JC said...

Not a bad idea.

I think we'll score some runs this game, actually. Millwood's count is getting high and I think we'll be able to knock around the bullpen a bit. We should be able to, anyway.

Just gotta keep the Rangers' offense in check.

Greg Cohen said...

That was a big hit by Tex, maybe it will be the hit that gets them going.

JC said...

*sigh*

Four innings for Joba. Just not good.

Nice to see Aceves, though. He's been one bright spot in our miserable bullpen. He's a guy that throws strikes!

Like four pitches and he's already got two outs!

Greg Cohen said...

I like Aceves too, he's got a lot of moxie. Joba could actually learn a lot from Aceves.

JC said...

Aceves doesn't have outstanding stuff, but he knows how to use it. And he throws strikes.

It's like Joba doesn't totally understand how awesome his stuff is. Just throw it over the plate. Chances are they won't be able to do much with it, anyway.

Greg Cohen said...

COME ON MATSUI, just get him to third.

JC said...

Man, if Gardner could just hit .270 he'd be so awesome for us.

Nice! Matsui!

Emmanuel said...

About Time Matsui

Greg Cohen said...

There you go Matsui. Yanks cut it to one.

Keep the line moving.

JC said...

Cervelli!

I love this kid.

Emmanuel said...

Great job Cervelli!!

Greg Cohen said...

Made up for two crappy at-bats. Great job.

Greg Cohen said...

Love the takeout slide by Cervelli, extend the inning.

Anonymous said...

And, dont bring up politics unless we want to bring up one of the most retarded, liberal minority judges who has done nothing on the face of the earth except disobey and nullify the constitution. In fact she doesn't even know the constitution. All hail MING! Then, make up some bs story about saving baseball. Only news mafia educated idiots could write this one-sided garbage.

And, of course we will bring another complete political failure like Obama, and Keith Olberman. This is the liberal way. Tsk. Tsk. Do as I say, not as I do.

It will be so funny watchign, and I mean that literally, God squash you Satanic worshipping jackasses in one big giant wine vat. Come all ye tares, gather around (United Nations!) and come together because the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice. And, you're it! Right, faggot lovers? You do know what a faggot is, correct? Its a bundle of sticks used for BURNING. Global warming? LOL!

Clear as day right in front of your face.....And, hearing they might not hear, and seeing they might not see..... Tsk...tsk...

JC said...

Alright, Tex! Let's do this!

Greg Cohen said...

Anon,

You can't possibly be that stupid, can you?

JC said...

Well, the moron is here. That's my cue to leave.

It was fun while it lasted.

Greg Cohen said...

Don't leave, JC, that means the terrorists win.

Emmanuel said...

^^^^^^^

LOL

JC said...

You're right. Plus, it's a good game!

I wonder how they'll use Aceves. He's a starter, but they obviously don't need him for that. I wonder if they'll try to turn him into a bullpen guy or what....

Greg Cohen said...

I think what they're doing is perfect, use him many ways, short relief, long relief, whatever. The one thing I wouldn't do is use him in blowouts. Let Veras throw those innings.

JC said...

Totally agree. He's too good to use as a mop-up guy. That's where we can throw out everyone else and hopefully allow them to fix their problems.

Damn it. Bloop RBI hit.

Greg Cohen said...

That hurts, and a cheap hit too.

Emmanuel said...

Son of a bitch, let's see if they have another comeback in them.

JC said...

That's OK. I think we're gonna score some more tonight!

A-Rod's gonna tie it right here....

Greg Cohen said...

I hope you're right.

JC said...

OK, so I was a little off. LOL

Nice rally goin', though.

Greg Cohen said...

You gotta love Gardner. Melky gets hurt and he goes out and picked up three hits and three steals (so far).

The last time he came into a situation like this was the Twins game and he also had three hits and an inside the park homer and

Emmanuel said...

C'mon guys. This is what build championship teams, never give up.

Greg Cohen said...

Christ, I know he's been bad but they can't afford to lose anyone else.

Emmanuel said...

Man, Matsui is starting to become a walkin injury.

JC said...

Well, that's exactly what we DIDN'T need....

Greg Cohen said...

Oh, this is why we were able to get Swisher for basically a bag of balls.

Emmanuel said...

Un-fucking-believable

JC said...

This game is getting very frustrating. We've blown so many scoring chances tonight.

Anonymous said...

The Rangers are going to put the game away here.

Anonymous said...

See.

JC said...

Just hold 'em to one run and I'll be happy.

They still need to go through our lineup one more time. Two runs isn't a lot.

Emmanuel said...

It's a good thing we'll be getting Posada and Nady back soon cause man we need better hitters.

Anonymous said...

No way, this one will be 10-3 by the end of the inning.

Greg Cohen said...

Shut up dude.

Greg Cohen said...

Don't being the infield in, walk him and then go after the lefty.

Anonymous said...

I told you they'd put the game away.

Greg Cohen said...

They didn't put the game away. Those were two big runs, but it's not over.

Anonymous said...

Swisher is costing us the game so far, Gardner would of had that catch on the Byrd double if Swisher didn't block his view of the ball and then swisher kills the rally with a double play.

JC said...

It's three runs. That means the game is put away?

Whatever.

Anonymous said...

damn another double play

Greg Cohen said...

I've felt this way since the first inning, it's just not their night.

Oh well, at least Boston, Toronto and Tampa all lost.