The Big Unit vs. The Royals

On paper it's a mismatch. Let's hope it plays that way on the field. Last year, KC gave the Yanks fits. This year, the boys are 2-0 against the Midwesterners, but it hasn't been easy. Danny Bautista, a highly touted 25-year-old righty who throws gas, is on the hill today for the Royals. He'll have his hands full, as will his teammates. Between RJ and Bautista, we should see some Ks, and some old-school, blow-it-by-'em hardball. Time to dial it up. Consider this your game thread for all the action. Play ball.

Comments

[YF]

1 Up, 1 K. Good start.

[YF]

And a pop up and another K. Now let's see what young Danny B. brings.....

[YF]

Wow. Hits the century mark on the K. Serious heat.

[YF]

Sheff! No fastball too fast for Sheff. Bautista's strength plays into the Yankees's power.

[YF]

When Sheff is hitting to the opposite field...you know that pitcher is dealing....

[YF]

A-Rod walks. Interesting test here: can Giambi catchup with the heat?

[NickYF]

when Sheff hits to centerfield you know the pitcher is dealing

[YF]

And we'll have to wait to find out. Second time A-Rod's been caught on the bases this year.

[YF]

Another 3u, 3d for RJ, w/ a k.

[YF]

Opposite field madness! Ducksnort puts the Giambino on first.....

[YF]

And Mats puts him on 2nd.

[YF]

Bernie! RBI 1200. Congratulations Bernie. (And how 'bout those wheels on Giambi!)

[YF]

Is Al Leiter actually talking about how frustrating pitchers who nibble are? Hello?!? AL!!!!

[YF]

Cano RBI! Time to bunt Stinnett! There's no way he gets the ball in play.

[YF]

I'm a genius! Well done Kelly!

[YF]

Damon sac! Nice. 4-0.

[YF]

And RJ wins a nice battle with the ex-Sox Graffanino. Still rolling thru 3.

[kbosox]

To Sheff's credit (chills just ran up my spine), he just tied Carl Yastrzemski on the all time homerun list.

[YF]

Ouch.

[YF]

And here comes the Proctologist. Uh-oh.

[Travis]

Is Randy hurt??

[NickYF]

just read over at bronx banter that waldman and sterling are speculating it's a strained oblique

[YF]

This Myers thing....it's not working out. 2 on and Joe's letting him face a righty? He's been getting knocked around good by LEFTYs....

[YF]

Counting our blessings.....

[NickYF]

I wonder it Sturtze's crappy start of the season will finally convince Joe that he, in fact, is Tanyon Sturtze, and should not be a set-up man.

[RichYF]

Two things: First, I hope this is the Giambi we get for most of the season. Second, why did RJ pitch only 5 innings? What happened? Please tell me good news...

[timothymulhere]

Johnny D! 3 Run upper-deck shot!!

I can't wait until he rips one just left of Pesky Pole in early May.

[NickYF]

Rich, I've heard mixed things about Randy leaving early. Kay says it's nothing; waldman and sterling were speculating about an oblique strain.

[YF]

Sweep! 5-4! Bring on Johan!

[RichYF]

Well, I guess I'd be more worried if he were at 65 pitches rather than 87...RJ is usually good for 100+ though, which makes me worry a little. I really hope it's nothing. We seriously cannot afford to lose the Unit right now. Hopefully he just felt tight and was taken out as a precaution.

[SF]

I am glad Dr. Kay weighed in. How the heck would anyone know, for that matter, at this point?

[walein]

I hope that Waldmen and Sterling will be as accurate about their specualtions as they are about most everything else--spotty at best.

[NickYF]

Kay weighed in, based on a discussion he had with Johnson in the dugout. But, true, it's obviously too early to know anything. Still, this is what people do when a star leaves a game apparently early. No?

[SF]

When a player leaves a game early, (particularly when he has a history of back and knee problems) the chances are that he felt something happen to his body. Whether or not that's an injury of significance won't be known, even probably by Johnson himself, for a bit more time than right after the game. Just look at Crisp - he continued to play and afterwards thought he was fine. He had a fractured finger.

[SF]

here you go - Johnson didn't feel a thing, according to Cashman.

Johnson (2-1) was pulled after 87 pitches, but New York general manager Brian Cashman said it was not for any medical reason, it was simply a baseball decision.

[Hudson]

To Sheff's credit (chills just ran up my spine), he just tied Carl Yastrzemski on the all time homerun list.

Only Yaz didn't take steroids.

[SF]

But he did eat a ton of polska kielbasa.