(REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine)| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | ||
| PHI | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 1 | |
| NYY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0 |
Winning pitcher - Brett Myers (4-2)
Losing pitcher - A.J. Burnett (2-2)
An anonymous poster said in the comment of tonight's game thread that A.J. Burnett looks like the lone bust from the 2008-09 off season. As of right now I can't argue that point. I wish I could, but I can't. Including tonight he's 2-2, with a 5.28 ERA and hasn't won a game since April 14th. In 58 innings he's allowed 34 earned runs on 58 hits, walked 27 and struck out 50. Hardly the performance we were expecting to get from a guy we just handed $81.5 million over five years.
Tonight was another stinker for Burnett as he allowed five runs on eight hits, walked two, and struck out seven over six innings. The Yankees trailed from the first pitch - a solo homer off the bat of Jimmy Rollins. Carlos Ruiz added a two-run homer in the top of the second and after two the Yanks were down three zip. Before leaving the game Burnett allowed a third homer, another two-run shot off the bat of Jayson Werth in the top of the fifth.
According to Sam Borden, Dave Eiland said after the game that Burnett's problem is that he leaves his left side open on a few pitches a night. Tonight those pitches included the home runs to Rollins, Ruiz, and Werth. Eiland also said that he thinks Burnett is “very, very close to being dominant.” Well, as they say, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
As for Burnett himself he claims the problem can be dealt with. “The good thing is, I know how to fix it - it’s just a matter of fixing it,” Burnett told the media after the game. “It’s a few balls that are supposed to be down and away and aren’t getting there. If I didn’t know what the problem was, I would be worried.” If it's that easy to fix then shouldn't it have been fixed before this start? It's not like this is the first crappy performance Burnett's had this year.
It'sonly May, he could obviously turn things around with a couple good starts. Last year he had an ERA of 5.23 on July 9th, and ended up with a good numbers. But as of now I'm very disappointed with what we've seen from Burnett.
Chien-Ming Wang came in to replace Burnett in the seventh. He pitched the final three innings in relief and was mediocre at best. He allowed two runs on six hits - three of which were slow grounders that found holes - walked one, and struck out two. One run came on a Raul Ibanez solo homer, and the other came on an RBI single by Chase Utley. His fastball touched 94, but was sitting at 92-93 mph which is still lower than the Yankees want to see.
Between his velocity still not where it should be and his sub-par results I don't think Wang is ready to be put back in the rotation. At this point I'd much rather see Phil Hughes start. But then what will the Yanks do with Wang? I first thought maybe another minor league start, until I was reminded by one of this blogs readers that he would probably have to be put back on the DL for that to happen, so nix that. Now I'm guessing he'll just throw a simulated game or two. On the bright side, Wang was still able to lower his ERA from 34.50 to 25.00.
Ever the optimist, Joe Girardi had a different take on Wang's performance. “I saw a lot more velocity, a lot more sink when the balls were down,” Joe Girardi said after the game. “He still left some balls up, but it was a big step in the right direction.” Uhh, sure Joe, whatever you say.
The Yankees made Brett Myers look like an All-Star tonight. In eight innings he allowed three runs on eight hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out five. The three runs all came on solo homers by Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Mark Teixeira.
The most important game in any winning streak is the game after the streak ends. Winning streaks only matter if they lead to consistent solid baseball. If the Yankees lose four of their next five their nine game winning streak meant nothing. Andy Pettitte needs to go out there tomorrow and pitch a good ballgame and the Yanks need to start a new streak.
Anyway, I have some good news and I have some bad news, which would you like first? The bad? OK.
Brian Bruney went into Joe Girardi's office yesterday to tell him that he was feeling pain in his right elbow. Bruney went for an MRI and an arthrogram which both luckily came back clean, but that still doesn't change the fact that he's experiencing pain in his pitching elbow. He was obviously unavailable yesterday and today, but hopes to play catch tomorrow and maybe get into a game on Sunday. Keep your fingers crossed.
Some better news comes from Joba Chamberlain who said he woke up this morning and his knee wasn’t bruised or swollen. He will throw a side session tomorrow or Sunday and is planning to be ready for his next start on Tuesday.
And even better news comes from around the league tonight. The Mets beat Boston 5-3, and the Braves beat the Blue Jays 1-0.
As I mentioned before, Andy Pettitte will start for the Yanks tomorrow afternoon against the Phillies, and he will face J.A. Happ. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m., and the game will be on FOX.
After another night of Mark Teixeira making play after play at first and saving another couple of runs I have to ask you guys a question, who do you think is a better defensive first baseman, Mark Teixeira or Tino Martinez?
PHILLIES STATS
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Brett Myers (W, 8 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K)
HONORABLE MENTION: Jimmy Rollins (2-for-4, HR, RBI, R, SB)
GOAT OF THE GAME: A.J. Burnett
Tonight was another stinker for Burnett as he allowed five runs on eight hits, walked two, and struck out seven over six innings. The Yankees trailed from the first pitch - a solo homer off the bat of Jimmy Rollins. Carlos Ruiz added a two-run homer in the top of the second and after two the Yanks were down three zip. Before leaving the game Burnett allowed a third homer, another two-run shot off the bat of Jayson Werth in the top of the fifth.
According to Sam Borden, Dave Eiland said after the game that Burnett's problem is that he leaves his left side open on a few pitches a night. Tonight those pitches included the home runs to Rollins, Ruiz, and Werth. Eiland also said that he thinks Burnett is “very, very close to being dominant.” Well, as they say, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
As for Burnett himself he claims the problem can be dealt with. “The good thing is, I know how to fix it - it’s just a matter of fixing it,” Burnett told the media after the game. “It’s a few balls that are supposed to be down and away and aren’t getting there. If I didn’t know what the problem was, I would be worried.” If it's that easy to fix then shouldn't it have been fixed before this start? It's not like this is the first crappy performance Burnett's had this year.
It'sonly May, he could obviously turn things around with a couple good starts. Last year he had an ERA of 5.23 on July 9th, and ended up with a good numbers. But as of now I'm very disappointed with what we've seen from Burnett.
Chien-Ming Wang came in to replace Burnett in the seventh. He pitched the final three innings in relief and was mediocre at best. He allowed two runs on six hits - three of which were slow grounders that found holes - walked one, and struck out two. One run came on a Raul Ibanez solo homer, and the other came on an RBI single by Chase Utley. His fastball touched 94, but was sitting at 92-93 mph which is still lower than the Yankees want to see.
Between his velocity still not where it should be and his sub-par results I don't think Wang is ready to be put back in the rotation. At this point I'd much rather see Phil Hughes start. But then what will the Yanks do with Wang? I first thought maybe another minor league start, until I was reminded by one of this blogs readers that he would probably have to be put back on the DL for that to happen, so nix that. Now I'm guessing he'll just throw a simulated game or two. On the bright side, Wang was still able to lower his ERA from 34.50 to 25.00.
Ever the optimist, Joe Girardi had a different take on Wang's performance. “I saw a lot more velocity, a lot more sink when the balls were down,” Joe Girardi said after the game. “He still left some balls up, but it was a big step in the right direction.” Uhh, sure Joe, whatever you say.
The Yankees made Brett Myers look like an All-Star tonight. In eight innings he allowed three runs on eight hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out five. The three runs all came on solo homers by Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Mark Teixeira.
The most important game in any winning streak is the game after the streak ends. Winning streaks only matter if they lead to consistent solid baseball. If the Yankees lose four of their next five their nine game winning streak meant nothing. Andy Pettitte needs to go out there tomorrow and pitch a good ballgame and the Yanks need to start a new streak.
Anyway, I have some good news and I have some bad news, which would you like first? The bad? OK.
Brian Bruney went into Joe Girardi's office yesterday to tell him that he was feeling pain in his right elbow. Bruney went for an MRI and an arthrogram which both luckily came back clean, but that still doesn't change the fact that he's experiencing pain in his pitching elbow. He was obviously unavailable yesterday and today, but hopes to play catch tomorrow and maybe get into a game on Sunday. Keep your fingers crossed.
Some better news comes from Joba Chamberlain who said he woke up this morning and his knee wasn’t bruised or swollen. He will throw a side session tomorrow or Sunday and is planning to be ready for his next start on Tuesday.
And even better news comes from around the league tonight. The Mets beat Boston 5-3, and the Braves beat the Blue Jays 1-0.
As I mentioned before, Andy Pettitte will start for the Yanks tomorrow afternoon against the Phillies, and he will face J.A. Happ. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m., and the game will be on FOX.
After another night of Mark Teixeira making play after play at first and saving another couple of runs I have to ask you guys a question, who do you think is a better defensive first baseman, Mark Teixeira or Tino Martinez?
| AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | LOB | AVG | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jeter, SS | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .278 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Damon, LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .310 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teixeira, 1B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .257 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rodriguez, A, 3B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Matsui, DH | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .252 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swisher, RF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .231 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cano, 2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .310 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cabrera, M, CF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .317 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash, C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .063 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Totals | 35 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BATTING 2B: Rodriguez, A (1, Myers). HR: Rodriguez, A (6, 6th inning off Myers, 0 on, 2 out), Jeter (6, 8th inning off Myers, 0 on, 0 out), Teixeira (12, 8th inning off Myers, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Jeter 5; Teixeira 5; Rodriguez, A 6; Matsui; Cabrera, M. RBI: Rodriguez, A (11), Jeter (20), Teixeira (33). 2-out RBI: Rodriguez, A. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Swisher. Team RISP: 0-for-1. Team LOB: 5. FIELDING Outfield assists: Damon (Ruiz at 1st base).
DP: 2 (Damon-Teixeira, Cano-Jeter-Teixeira). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PHILLIES STATS
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Brett Myers (W, 8 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K)
HONORABLE MENTION: Jimmy Rollins (2-for-4, HR, RBI, R, SB)
GOAT OF THE GAME: A.J. Burnett
Tomorrow:
Yankees vs. Phillies
Game Time: 4:10 p.m. | TV/Radio: FOX, WCBS 880
Andy Pettitte LHP (4-1. 4.18 ERA) vs. J.A. Happ LHP (2-0, 2.49 ERA)
Game Time: 4:10 p.m. | TV/Radio: FOX, WCBS 880
Andy Pettitte LHP (4-1. 4.18 ERA) vs. J.A. Happ LHP (2-0, 2.49 ERA)
8 Comments:
another start in the minors is going to be awfully hard without DLing him again. He can't go down there unless being DL'ed, as he would be subject to waivers. I would imagine another simulated game will be in his future.
I honestly believe Mark is the better defender of the two. Last year he led MLB in the majority of the major sabermetrics defensive categories, and has always been 1-2 with Pujols.
This game could have been real ugly if it wasn't for his glove.
That's a good point about Wang, anon. I edited the post with the part about having to go back on the DL etc.
Now I have no idea what they're going to do with him.
I wasn't feeling too badly about the game until I read your post about Bruney. Great, just great.
Of the 6 hits Wang gave up, were they groundball hits that found holes? I didn't see him pitch, I'm curious.
Yes, three of them were grounders.
Wang's velocity was fine yesterday. He was throwing right around the 92.5 he's averaged in his career.
I think both of them are equally great defensively. Teix and Tino have both made plays similar to each other's, and both of them are power hitting first basemans.
But if I had to pick, I would proabably go with Teix.
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