Snowball Effect: Sox-Yanks Gamer V

Yes, it has come to this. The Yanks have dropped 4 straight to the Sox, 7 straight overall, and find themselves in the AL East cellar. A calamitous season opening from the starters, due to injury and plain old ineffectiveness, led to an overused bullpen (except for underused closer Mariano Rivera). Now the bullpen is tired out (except for Mo, who's rusty), and the starting staff is still unreconstructed. Alex Rodriguez, who has personally carried the team, has cooled off a bit. Bobby Abreu has been rally death. The back end of the order dormant. The papers are sniping at Torre. You get the feeling the team may never win again, and today they throw rookie Jeff Karstens to the Red Sox wolves. Longtime nemesis Tim Wakefield goes for the Sox. He's given the Yanks fits over the years; they really need to make something happen against him today. Certainly, it's not hard to imagine Alex getting back on track against a floater over the plate. We're hoping for a big day from him, and hope the rest of the team follows suit. Comment on all the action right here.

[Ed. note: This post by YF; sorry for the confusion]

Comments

first

[Josh SF (D1)]

SF..."we" hope Alex and Co. get back on track against Wakefield's knuckler? Huh?

[YF]

Lineups:

NY
Johnny Damon DH
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Hideki Matsui LF
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera CF
Jeff Karstens RHP

Bos
Julio Lugo 2B
Kevin Youkilis 1B
David Ortiz DH
Manny Ramirez LF
J.D. Drew RF
Mike Lowell 3B
Coco Crisp CF
Doug Mirabeli C
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Tim Wakefield RHP

[mp]

"Tim Wakefield goes for the Sox. He's given the Yanks fits over the years; they really need to make something happen against him today. Certainly, it's not hard to imagine Alex getting back on track against a floater over the plate. We're hoping for a big day from him"

SF - We assume you're hoping for a big day from Wake, no?

[YF]

Sorry about that D1; I was logged in on the wrong account. (Heh heh heh)

[Josh SF (D1)]

"Ed. note: This post by YF; sorry for the confusion"

OK that makes more sense. :-)

[YF]

There's a post over on the Lohud blog where folks are suggesting good sites with game threads for today. Now, i wouldn't feel quite right going over there and promoting yfsf myself, but if one of our good readers happened to suggest it....ahem....hint...might not be the end of the world....

[YF]

This is about as good an offensive linup as the Yanks can post against a righty. Giambi plays in the field, and Melky should add some defense up the middle.

[attackgerbil]

Fitting that it's NFL draft day and the Yankees are throwing a guy out there with an ERA that looks like a score from a Jets game.

[DAW]

Gerb - OUCH!

[Paul SF]

For the record, here are the opposition lines:

1. Julio Lugo, SS -- 1 for 3 against Karstens
2. Kevin Youkilis, 1B -- 2 for 2, 2B, BB
3. David Ortiz, DH -- 2 for 3, 2B, HR
4. Manny Ramirez, LF -- 0 for 3
5. J.D. Drew, RF -- 0 for 2, BB
6. Mike Lowell, 3B -- 1 for 3
7. Coco Crisp, CF -- 2 for 2
8. Doug Mirabelli, C -- No plate appearances
9. Dustin Pedroia, 2B -- No plate appearances

1. Johnny Damon, DH -- .261/.327/.500 against Wakefield
2. Derek Jeter, SS -- .321/.356/.469
3. Bobby Abreu, RF -- .286/.296/.357
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B -- .254/.47/.492
5. Jason Giambi, 1B -- .177/.305/.367
6. Hideki Matsui, LF -- .158/.238//342
7. Jorge Posada, C -- .236/.358/.418
8. Robinson Cano, 2B -- .238/.238/.476
9. Melky Cabrera, CF -- No plate appearances

People always say Wakefield does great against the Yanks, but he's 9-13 with a career 4.60 ERA (overall 4.20 career ERA). He had high ERAs against them in both 2005 and 2006. Maybe it's the reverse-Pedro effect?

[SF]

There was as story on ESPN radio today that Damon may hit the DL due to major back pain. Surprised to see him in the lineup.

[Josh SF (D1)]

Damon said it hurts to stand and he's going to see his chiropractor in Florida on Monday. Apparently he's also had calf problems and a messed up hammy. Gotta give him some credit for gutting it out...but you have to wonder how long he can be productive.

But Boston was SO STUPID for not giving him $52MM!!!!

[Rob SF]

Here we go

[Rob SF]

Oh no...this is definately not good for the Yanks if Karstens cannot go.

Igawa warming up?

[mattymatty]

Holy S!! Did that hit him in the nuts?

[Rob SF]

Not sure MM....I think maybe the inside of the knee or thigh.

[SF]

Jeff Karstens is really ugly. He looks like Gilbert Gottfried crossed with a young Emperor Palpatine. Gah, he's scary to look at.

[mattymatty]

I'm no Yankee fan, but good to see that this guy is OK.

[SF]

Looked like the knee.

[Rob SF]

Glad to see that he got up.

[mattymatty]

OMG! Some actual insight from McCarver.. i'm... reeling... must... find...water...

[Josh SF (D1)]

Iggy Time!!!

[SF]

Youk! Early bingo. 2 on for Papi/Manny.

And the Yankees go to the pen early!! Here comes Kei.

[Rob SF]

Karstens looks like he is going to get yanked.

Igawa up next..not sure if this is going to bode well for us.

[mattymatty]

So, does Igawa get as much time to warm up as he wants? Not to be callous, but I don't think he should. If they wanted to take Karstens out because of injury they should have done it after he was hurt, not after he gave up a hit...

[Dionysus]

I feel bad for the kid. He may be a Yankee but that HAD to hurt alot.. and to get yanked must make it feel worse. Not that he SHOULD feel bad.. he shouldn't - but players, being what they are, will feeel bad anyway.

[Josh SF (D1)]

Yeah, I'd have preferred Karstens to stay in since...he sucks...and Boston sprayed liners all over the park last time. I just have this sh*tty feeling that Igawa's going to do what crappy lefthanders always do to Boston and shut us down.

[SF]

Good question, MM. If the injury is related to the previous injury time-out, you'd think that would be different than if he suffered a new, separate injury.

On the other hand, who cares -- Igawa was already loosening so he shouldn't need too long to get ready, and it would be lame for the Sox to complain, frankly.

[Rob SF]

Sunglasses on the mound?

[YF]

Just. Un. Be. Lieve. A. Ble.

[Josh SF (D1)]

Well, difference in performance remains to be seen, but there's not much of an "ugly" dropoff going from Karstens to Igawa.

[Dionysus]

Just hope he's ok.

I'd rather have faced KArstens then Igawa.. Igawa has, at times, showed some talent. And we suck against lefties we haven't seen before.

[SF]

The Yankees are just generally pitching ugly. That is, they pitch ugly and their pitchers are ugly. Igawa continues the parade of lookers.

[mattymatty]

SF - I agree, it probably doesn't matter how long Igawa takes to warm up. Again, I wasn't trying to be uncaring, just curious about how the umps would rule.

We'll see how Igawa handles pitching after the team has shown zero confidence in him.

[SF]

YF:

Shouldn't it be un be liev a BLEH?

[Ayuh - SF]

The rule allows a new pitcher brought in for injury as much warm-up as he wants. I don't know how a rule for an "old" injury would work- would you have to notify the umpire that your guy is hurt, but he's staying in?

[mattymatty]

Good start for Igawa. Lousy job by Big Papi.

[YF]

Iggy Iggy Iggy! DP!

[Rob SF]

I am going to be pissed if we let them off the hook today

[SF]

Well, Igawa does well there. Just a terrible job by Papi, totally impatient.

[SF]

Manny is really missing hittable pitches, regularly.

[Rob SF]

Manny is having a hard time hitting the toilet right now.

[Ayuh - SF]

Igawa is missing his spots- not a good sign for the Yanks.

[SF]

Though Manny has missed a couple of fat fastballs, he's at least made Igawa throw a few pitches.

[SF]

Manny walks. Three baserunners so far this inning.

Boy Drew has shed some BA points in the last 7 days, hasn't he?

[YF]

BB to Manny. Lots of SF complaints about Manny, but he looks awfully dangerous to me. Iggy doesn't give in to him there with the lefty Drew on deck.

[Rob SF]

How many pitches is Igawa normally good for?

[Ayuh - SF]

What in the world has happened to JD in the past week? He looks LOST up there.

[Josh SF (D1)]

Manny missed maybe one or two fat ones...but...he also fouled off some good pitches. Basically, he never looked like Igawa was fooling him any.

Drew swings through a crappy pitch...dammit. Still, Igawa looks awful so far, Papi DP notwithstanding.

[Lar]

Just came in - what's going on with Karsten?

Or Joe just gone crazy?

[SF]

Awful at-bat from Drew, showing no ability to understand the lefty. Drew's looked pretty bad lately.

[YF]

K for Kei! Looked like a fastball inside half. Nice pitch. Hard to complain about that job from Iggs.

Still trying to wrap my head around the idea that our starter lasted 2 batters and no outs. That's short even by Yankee standards!

[SF]

Bad news for Manny if Drew continues to struggle: he's going to see NOTHING, not even enough to get him out of his own slump.

[Josh SF (D1)]

Drew fouls off a really fat hanger...

Yeah, he looks like sh*t all of a sudden. Slumps suck...but they happen.

Not too worried, though I'd have preferred a few innings of Karstens before Igawa.

[Josh SF (D1)]

Lar, Lugo ripped the FIRST PITCH of the game and hit Karstens just above the knee. He stayed in to pitch to Youk, gave up a linedrive single, and then got pulled. Bad luck.

[SF]

Feeble swing from Damon, popup to Lugo. I wonder how much pain Johnny is playing through right now. Based on reports, he's got to be suffering.

[Rob SF]

80mph Fastball? I cannot remember ever seeing that get thrown.

[YF]

"showing no ability to understand the lefty"

SF = Superharsh

Damon flies to right, showing NO ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND THE RIGHTY. Or maybe he just popped out.

Jeter infield hit off Lowell.

[Josh SF (D1)]

Jesus f*cking Christ. Another goddam error, Buck's an idiot, that is NOT a hit. Unbelievable.

[sf rod]

hmmm. maccarver and buck think that was a hit. i'm really surprised by that.

[YF]

Jeetah! SB.

[Lar]

Rob - I know Wake has a 80 mph fastball only because it's very annoying to face him in MVP baseball!

[SF]

WTF? Is Lowell looks terrible on that tweener - error all the way. McCarver and Buck saying they think it was a hit, but Lowell did everything wrong on that one, not reading it off the bat, hesitating, then botching the short hop. Not an easy play, but Lowell turned it into an impossible play.

Of course, Wakefield doesn't ever pay attention to baserunners, and Jeter smartly takes advantage.

[Lar]

SB! I like the small ball. Though small ball doesn't pitch, unforunately.

[YF]

Abreu walks. Alex time!!! I call dinger.

[Ayuh - SF]

Just saw Yogi give the Yankee's lineup on FOX.

Although I'm a life-long SF, I've thought for a while that Yogi hasn't ever gotten the credit he deserved as a ballplayer. Everyone goofs on him, but he was a great, great ballplayer. Look at the MVP voting during his career: he was ALWAYS in the top 5.

Bill James has written about this, and he blames it on all those anecdotes that Joe Garagiola used to tell about Yogi, and how he just looks like he was put together with spare parts.

OK- that's the last apology I'll ever make for a Yankee....

[Lar]

Abreu's been our version of Drew though - slumping so badly.

[SF]

No disrespect to Wake, but I never feel comfortable watching him. I always have this sense that the game could be out of hand in like six minutes.

[mattymatty]

Its going to be a long day if Wakefield isn't getting calls on pitches directly over home plate.

[SF]

Abreu walks. Alex time!!! I call dinger.

Wow, way to go out on a limb there, YF.

[Josh SF (D1)]

Lowell's been Renteresque this year...

[Ayuh - SF]

Strike 'em out, throw 'em out!! YES!

[mattymatty]

YEAH! Strike 'em out throw 'em out! Nice throw by Dougie!

[sf rod]

the disappointment i speak of......

did anyone in the world see him getting a hit there. strike em out throw em out. DP.

[Rob SF]

I agree SF...if the guy is on he is extremely dangerous.

On that K's ARod and Belli throws out Jeter

[SF]

And thank you, Alex and Derek. K/out stealing at third, the Yankees run themselves out of the inning. Risky play with the knuckleballer.

Muchas gracias.

[YF]

Sooth! Not! Strike 'em out, throw 'em out. Unreal. For goodness sake the Yanks are torture. They should play this on hi def at Gitmo.

[Josh SF (D1)]

Fair to say A-Rod's mortal again? Still probably going to end up one of the best Aprils of all time, but I for one am not as terrified when he comes to the plate as I was last week. Now it's more of an intense uneasiness...

[SF]

There is NO WAY that first pitch to Lowell was a strike.

[Josh SF (D1)]

Like I said...terrible lefthander = bane of Boston's existence.

Except for Chase Wright.

[SF]

Jeez, did the Yankees slip the home plate ump a bag of money telling him to sweeten the strike zone, give their pitchers a break?

[Josh SF (D1)]

Well...uhh...great job there Doug.

That came right after I said to my roommate, "Doug flails wildly at a breaking ball."

Didn't expect it to be quite that wild.

[SF]

Cutting out - got to take the toddler to the park out here in Brooklyn. Proudly flaunting my Japanese Sox shirt that the 'rents brought back from Tokyo. I'll report back on any static from the locals.

[mattymatty]

Big K by Wakefield. I think that was Wake's best pitch so far, judging by Cano's reaction. Hopefully Wake is finding himself a bit here.

[mattymatty]

Wake gets out of it! Nice, and here come the big guns for Boston.

[Josh SF (D1)]

Yeah. Did Cabrera actually put a good swing on it? Gameday says he lined out; I was watching the Pats' pick.

[Rob SF]

Pats select Merriweather/S from Miami

[Rob SF]

Can someone hit one of Igawa pitches?

[Rob SF]

This is getting painful, no one seems to be able to put the sweet part of the bat on any of the pitches.

[mattymatty]

and Big Papi grounds into another easy double play. UGH! Never though I'd say this, but he's killing us today. Igawa isn't going to be able to get away with walking this many guys in the long run though.

[Josh SF (D1)]

Igawa rolling. This is f*cking humiliating. Like I said: Would have been MUCH more fun to face Karstens for a couple innings.

And here's your lefty f*cking specialist to face Ortiz. Igawa misses location BADLY, AGAIN, and Ortiz hits a nice little grounder. Unbelievable.

[Devine]

Don't think anyone can criticize Torre's bullpen moves (move) at this point.

[Lar]

Maybe Igawa can be that lefty specialist that Myers is not. Well, it's a very expensive one, but if we actually make it to the playoffs, it's not like he'll be starting..

(Though we started Wright last year, so go figure..)

[Devine]

Oh, has he been off today, d1? I don't have the benefit of visuals right now...

[Rob SF]

Wake walks another

[Lar]

Same with Wake, actually. Wake's been walking and the Yanks have even been stealing bases. Unforunately, not taking enough advantage of it..

[Josh SF (D1)]

Yeah...just a little. He's hit the mit...a couple of times...and gotten lots of outs/foul balls on pitches he missed either way up or all the way on the other side of the plate. That ball to Ortiz was supposed to be low and in, it ended up down the middle. Low, though, which I guess was the important thing.

[Josh SF (D1)]

Not gonna lie...even after winning 4 in a row, losing to Kei f*cking Igawa would really piss me off. So they best start taking advantage of his, uh, crappiness.

[Lar]

DP again. Grumbles.