Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Game 47: Yanks @ Rangers (Bruney, Posada and Melky updates)

Regular Season Game 47
Yankees @ Rangers
Rangers Ballpark - Arlington, TX
Game Time: 8:05 p.m.
TV/Radio: YES, WCBS 880


Here are the lineups:

YANKEES
(26-20)
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Hideki Matsui DH
Nick Swisher RF
Brett Gardner CF
Kevin Cash C

Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (2-2, 5.28 ERA)

RANGERS (27-18)
Ian Kinsler 2B
Michael Young 3B
Josh Hamilton CF
Andruw Jones DH
Nelson Cruz RF
David Murphy LF
Chris David 1B
Jarrod Saltalamachia C
Elvis Andrus SS

Pitching: LHP Derek Holland (1-1, 4.82 ERA)

Yanks vs. Holland

Holland has never faced any of the Yankees hitters.

Rangers vs. Burnett

ABH2B3BHRRBIBBSOBAOBPSLGOPS
A. Jones 32 9 1 0 3 8 12 3 .281 .478 .594 1.072
M. Young 18 4 1 0 1 1 0 4 .222 .222 .444 .667
M. Byrd 12 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .083 .083 .083 .167
H. Blalock 10 1 0 0 0 0 2 3 .100 .250 .100 .350
I. Kinsler 9 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 .222 .300 .222 .522
D. Murphy 8 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .250 .333 .250 .583
J. Hamilton 6 4 2 0 1 3 0 0 .667 .714 1.500 2.214
O. Vizquel 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 .000 .286 .000 .286
C. Davis 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 .500 .000 .500
Totals10123405131817.228.358.416.774

News & Notes

- According to the NY Post, Brian Bruney was examined by Dr. James Andrews today, and he has no structural damage to his right elbow. he's suffering from flexor muscle problem in his forearm. Bruney sent a text message to the Post and said "Looks good. Strength and rest, I should be OK."

- Also from the Post is news that Melky Cabrera had his MRI today and it relvealed a bruised shoulder. "He's day to day, but that doesn't mean (he'll play) Friday," Joe Girardi said. "The initial diagnosis is 5-7 days." Girardi also said that Melky will see the Yankees team doctor Girardi said Cabrera will see Yankees team doctor Chris Ahmad. "We want Dr. Ahmad's decision before we decide if we need another outfielder," Girardi said. "If it's more than a week, we'll need to make another move."

Good news all around.

- Some more good news on the injury front about Jorge Posada. According to Peter Abraham, he will be activated on Friday for the first game of the Indians series. I would think that means Kevin Cash will go back to Triple-A.

- And in case you missed it early, here is some more info on Jorge Posada, Xavier Nady, Cody Ransom, and Jose Molina. The biggest bit of news from the update is that Posada hopes to rejoin the team on Friday.

- The Yankees have not committed an error in a franchise record 13 straight games.

- In six games (five starts) against the Rangers in his career A.J. Burnett is 1-2, with a 4.72 ERA. He's made three starts at Rangers Ballpark and is 1-1, with a 5.21 ERA. Last season he was 1-1, with a 7.30 ERA in three games (two starts), and at Rangers Ballpark he was 1-0, with a 6.35 ERA in two starts.

- Derek Holland is making his second start in the major leagues.

- Derek Jeter has a ten-game hitting streak.

- Mark Teixeira has hit safely in nine straight game.

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

55 Comments:

Anonymous said...

I always get nervous when the yanks face a pitcher they never saw before. They seem to always struggle.

JC said...

Burnett needs to start showing something tonight. His ERA is well over 5 and hasn't won a game since mid-April.

He needs to start being the guy we wanted. And needs to help us take this series!

Anonymous said...

Burnett did not get it going til mid-June last year, this was to be expected, pretty soon he'll make you forget about this horrible stretch hes on.







or on another note, Maybe he hurt himself pieing ppl in the melon after a game.

Greg Cohen said...

UPDATES ON MELKY AND BRUNEY:

- According to the NY Post, Brian Bruney was examined by Dr. James Andrews today, and he has no structural damage to his right elbow. he's suffering from flexor muscle problem in his forearm. Bruney sent a text message to the Post and said "Looks good. Strength and rest, I should be OK."

- Also from the Post is news that Melky Cabrera had his MRI today and it relvealed a bruised shoulder.

"He's day to day, but that doesn't mean (he'll play) Friday," Joe Girardi said before the series finale against the Rangers. "The initial diagnosis is 5-7 days."

Girardi said Cabrera will see Yankees team doctor Chris Ahmad, who will get the MRI results tomorrow and provide a prognosis.

"We want Dr. Ahmad's decision before we decide if we need another outfielder," Girardi said. "If it's more than a week, we'll need to make another move."
Good news all around.

Brian Danuff said...

"This one is gone!"

-Ken Singelton

2 RUN HOME RUN TEIXEIRA!

Greg Cohen said...

Nice to see them give AJ a lead.

Anonymous said...

Best fantasy trade i made this season, Rollins for Tex straight up.

Anonymous said...

Hideki WHIFFsui.

Greg Cohen said...

Nice, Anon.

Great swing Matsui, great swing.

Anonymous said...

WTH Mats, did you eat bad sushi or something? u stink.

Brian Danuff said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Brian Danuff said...

When A.J. started out 2-0, I really thought he would be our ace rather than CC this year.

(Since CC was struggling when A.J. was hot, but now it's vice-versa)

Greg Cohen said...

Gotta love the two-out RBI.

Anonymous said...

Regarding the catching situation since John and Ken are talking about it. I think the Yankees need 3 catchers. I think if anything Cash should be kept up so they dont hinder Cervelli's devolopment. Cervelli should go back to Triple A to get regular time so he can stay fresh.

Brian Danuff said...

Yep.

Brian Danuff said...

Anon,

I think they should keep Cervelli here and send Cash down. Not trying to be mean, but Cash really sucks.

Anonymous said...

Holland looks really tough on lefty's. He got them all out.

The rightys in the lineup are hitting against him.

Anonymous said...

yeah, but you have to look at it like this. Cervelli with both Po and Molina back wont get regular time, he might spend 6 days a week on the bench with Molina and Po catching there wont be much work available. Cervelli will Rot on the bench. Who would you rather Rot, Cervelli or Cash?

Anonymous said...

...Burnett looks like crap tonight.

Brian Danuff said...

True.

Brian Danuff said...

WTF Anon #2?

Greg Cohen said...

Can he just throw strikes? What is it with this pitching staff? THROW THE BALL OVER THE PLATE.

Anonymous said...

i think a lot of them are allergic to the strike zone, so they are afraid of it.

Brian Danuff said...

He just K'ed Davis on 3 pitches, so he got it over the plate a little more I guess.

Anonymous said...

they show this most strikeouts since 2007 list, like its suppose to make us go "oohhh and aaahhhhh." Meanwhile they showed what Ryan did in his career and one of the things was 300k-outs in 6 seperate seasons, these guys have a little over 300 in 2+ seasons, if anything it makes them look weak!

Brian Danuff said...

I can't believe how many times YES has shown Nolan Ryan.

I know he's a legendary pitcher, but come on. Every inning they show him scratching his head, eating a hot dog, etc. It's like he's Jesus. They need to watch his every move.

Anonymous said...

Great shot of Tex. o_O wide eyed when he saw that one.

Anonymous said...

Oh baby you! You got what I nee-eed! When you say he's just a friend, when you say he's just a friend.

Anonymous said...

next they'll follow Ryan into the bathroom.

Greg Cohen said...

lol, great song... not a big fan of the commercial, though.

Brian Danuff said...

Agreed.

Greg Cohen said...

Twins just took a 2-1 lead on the Sox.

Anonymous said...

I really hate Burnett. All he ever does is create problems for himself when he could easily dominate.

Greg Cohen said...

3-1 Twins!

Greg Cohen said...

Burnett has been OK, he's just thrown far too many balls.

Nice blast by Matsui, made up for that horrendous swing earlier.

Anonymous said...

daniel murphy is sure having a good night for the mets, both times i checked i see him hitting a 2 run hr, and a 2 rbi double.

Greg Cohen said...

Yea he's having a nice night. That Nationals really suck.

Anonymous said...

Number two for Matsui! WOOHOOO!

Anonymous said...

nooooooo! veras...BOO!!!!

Greg Cohen said...

He's so bad. At least he has eight runs to work with.

Anonymous said...

why wont the Yankees demote this guy? we really need to go out and acquire some bullpen help.

Greg Cohen said...

I'm actually starting to feel bad for this bum.

Anonymous said...

You guys know they're gonna eventually have to go to Mo in this game.

Greg Cohen said...

Sadly, yes.

Will said...

Good to see Veras still sucks. That guy should take payoffs from other teams, he's going to give up the runs anyway.

I'll take 6 shutout innings by Burnett any day and not complain.

Greg Cohen said...

As would I Will. It was a good game, he walked too many, but that was the only mistake he made. Great to see him go out and pitch a good game against a good hitting team and a team he hasn't had much success against in his career.

Greg Cohen said...

Boston loses.

Barring a major disaster the Yankees will be tied for first.

crossfire said...

Great win for the Yanks puts them in a tie for first with Boston losing.

Burnett pitched great. Seeing Matsui hit a couple of dingers makes you think he may be starting another one of his hitting streaks.

Veras (La Fregona) is a piece of crap. He doesn't look like he has any faith in his pitches and frankly, why should he? You expect him to either walk a batter or give up a hit. So when he does get an out, you are shocked.

The other great news of tonight was Wang's pitching. The velocity wasn't up to where it should be but his ball had excellent movement. He needs to get the arm strength up and get that sinker into the mid 90's. I think his fastest pitch tonight was 92.

First place baby!!!

Anonymous said...

WOOHOOO!!!

Capone said...

I know it was only 2 innings in a mop-up role, but Wangs sinker was really sinking

Greg Cohen said...

Yep, that was easily the best sinker he's had all year. If I were the Yankees I'd keep using him as a reliever for a while and get his confidence up. Maybe even using him in a few high leverage situations.

crossfire said...

This is what I would do. I would go with a 6 man rotation for a while. Keep CC, AJ and Pettitte on a regular schedule. Joba will be just fine despite last nights poor start. Then see how Hughes and Wang pitch in their next few starts.

I am perhaps one of the few that thinks that Joba should be a starter. He has potential to be an ace and an ace is worth a heck of a lot more than a middle reliever.

But if Wang is back to his old self and Hughes can keep up the great pitching, I say put Joba back in the pen for the rest of this season.

Losing Bruney has killed this pen and adding Joba for the 7th and 8th would solidify the pen. There is no telling how good this team could be.

By the way, Robertson looked good tonight too.

Greg Cohen said...

Bruney has no structural damage and will be back in 2-3 weeks. I think the bullpen can handle things until he gets back. If Bruney was done for the year and the Yankees put Joba in the pen I could understand that, but with Bruney coming back I think the pen will be fine.

The Yankees also need to give Robertson and Melancon a real chance.

Also, there will come a time towards the end of the year when Joba runs out of innings. At that point I could see the Yankees putting Joba in the pen for the stretch run and maybe even the playoffs.

Anonymous said...

Joba has been the better starting pitcher than Hughes. Once Wang get straighten out I would send Hughes back down. I like having Hughes as insurance because you never know if a starter will get injured during the season.

Joba is the 5th starter so he will be coming out of the bullpen in the postseason. I would send Joba to the pen in setember after he gets more innings pitched.

crossfire said...

Thanks Greg. I was busy all day yesterday and hadn't heard the news about Bruney yet.

I was pessimistically thinking this was going to be a long term injury. I always worry when someone is still hurting after coming back from the DL and especially if they are sent to Dr. Andrews. Glad to hear it was good news. That changes my thought process a bit.

The Yanks have a tough decision to make. They have talented 3 pitchers and 2 spots available. After seeing Wang's performance last night, I think he needs to get a start and get his velocity back up to speed. If all goes well, he needs to be a starter.

I still don't think the Yanks want to move Joba to the pen, at least not yet.

So if that's the case, Hughes should go back down for now. Putting him in the pen is not the answer for him. He needs to pitch and stay sharp.

I hate to do it to him but he is great insurance. He could be brought up for good later in the year when Joba's innings get high and he goes to the pen. Hughes is also great as pitching insurance should a starter go down.

Having too much pitching is a problem but a good one.

No offense to Pettitte but I think next years rotation is CC, AJ, Wang, Joba and Hughes. If those guys pitch to their potential it would be one of the best staffs I have ever seen.