Even Steven

Did you stay up through it? Yes, it was long (4:08) and it was ugly (30 hits, 24 runs), but by the end of it the season series was knotted at two games apiece, and our beloved Yanks and Sox are tied in the standings at 9-7. The Yanks, indeed, have a perfectly balanced 71/71 runs scored/runs allowed total. (The Sox have a -6 differential.) Certainly, Chien-Ming Wang and Clay Buchholz will hope for better outtings. Rubber match tonight. Discuss away.....

Comments

[no sleep til brooklyn sf]

Based on Wang's last outing, I wasn't all that confident but I didn't expect the game to turn out the way it did at all. Thought it would be another low scoring game not a drubbing.

And can Timlin be turned into glue yet? Or is he still a valuable 'clubhouse guy'? Because this is getting old, not pleased with him and his 26.00 era.

Feeling better about having Beckett go tonight vs. Mussina. Mussina looked beat last go around, made it through okay but pitched on fumes. Should be an interesting game tonight.

[Mark (YF)]

I predict Manny hits 4 HRs in 3 ABs against the Moose tonight.

[A YF]

Hopefully by July it's Joba starting against Beckett.

[Lar]

Be careful what you wish for..

Hughes will bounce back, hopefully.

[A YF]

Hughes will be fine. Moose won't be.

[krueg]

Moose hasn't been terrible so far...a big outing against the Sox tonight could go a long way for Moose's confidence going forward. We need the guy to be solid this year.

[IronHorse (yf)]

Moose has pleasantly surprised me so far, but with all the Yankees' bullpen-use last night, the fact that Joba is still out, and the fact that Moose gives 6 innings at the very most, we are destined to see Kyle Farnsworth on the mound tonight. That, coupled with the near certainty that the Sox will either be winning or - at least - very much in the game when he comes in, does not inspire confidence.

[Brad]

I think I might not drink anything tonight before commenting. Sorry if anyone was offended, but it was one of those, well you know, sneak up on you type of nights. I'm paying for it now, to be sure.

[Mark (YF)]

"... we are destined to see Kyle Farnsworth on the mound tonight."

It does seem inevitable, doesn't it? I am going into this game with the attitude that if we win, it'll be a steal for us.

[sf rod]

a healthy dose of that wonderful thing known as "morning after drinkers remorse" for you brad. as your sponsor, i recommend you make amends with dc......and start on the bloody marys. a wise man once said, "it is only when your reputation is completely destroyed, that you are truly free".

[Brad]

ha.
Agreed.
Sorry about the flame throwing. The combination of the events that unfolded in my livingroom last night were not good ones, and that includes you, dc. Accept my sorries, bro.
I don't think the reputation is destroyed, but I think I'll stay away during those rare days that it's just my friends and I at my house all day, drinking, and then the Red Sox and Yankees play each other.
Again, sorries all around, guys.

[Brad]

EEI is saying that Youk may not play tonight with a sore toe. My guess is that Jed will man third then.

[krueg]

While Farnsworth does make me nervous too...we need the guy to get it together. He had a solid outing last time out. Hopefully Moose can get through six innings, then maybe Abaladejo (sp?) in the 7th, Farnsworth in the 8th, then Mo.

Of course assuming all goes well. If Moose takes an early leave, we are screwed. Of course we do have Chad "money in the bank" Moeller catching so we always have a shot!

That's why they play the games!

[jonny YF]

I don't know why I like Farnsworth. I don't trust him, but I like him.

I think the bats will be alive tonight, and that's what will keep us in the game.

[TJ]

Can anyone clarify this for me...

Craig Hansen was added to the 40-man roster in 2005, was 2007 the end of his options period?

Or does he have one year remaining in 2008?

[attackgerbil]

> I don't know why I like Farnsworth

I know why I do: because of his open-field hit on Paul Wilson.

wish I could find the video, but it seems to have been excommunicated from the net forever by MLB

C'mon Damon!

[TJ]

YA MANNY!

[Micah-SF]

Manny Ramirez: Bad Man.

[Mark (YF)]

Well, my prediction from upthread is still alive...

I guess one thing is constant in this universe and that is that Manny Ramirez owns Mike Mussina.

[TJ]

actually mr nameless, its Manny Ramirez owns the Yankees :p

[Micah-SF]

Dammit, I was hoping Lugo could come up so we didn't have to lead off next inning with an out.

[Micah-SF]

Two-pitch outs are good. Keep that up.

[Micah-SF]

You know what the best thing about this is so far? No walks. It's amazing.

[Mark (YF)]

The Moose actually looks pretty good, the HR to his nemesis notwithstanding.

[sf rod]

gotta be running here. moose + new guy = jacoby on second.

[sf rod]

+ new guy's arm + pitchout = jacoby on third.

[Micah-SF]

God I love Jacoby's wheels.

[sf rod]

i totally blame brad for no game thread tonite.

[TJ]

this isn't a game thread?

[TJ]

GOD FREAKING BLESS MANNY RAMIREZ

[Micah-SF]

Look, Moose, I'm telling you this for your own good: stop pitching to Manny. Just stop.

Actually, wait, I'm a Sox fan. Keep it up, please!

[sf rod]

mark- that one counted as two, so you may still be right. any stock tips? or horses?

text from Nick:

"not sure why they pitch to him."

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Oh, my goodness, goodness gracious! Of all the dramatic moments!!

[no sleep til brooklyn sf]

Bomb, that thing was a bomb. Holy crap, I'm loving it.

[sf rod]

that makes anon wailen.

[sf rod]

the moose may have to take some lumps for the team tonite. yf's must miss steve karsay.

remy calling for moose to retire.

[Micah-SF]

Manny vs. Moose, last four at-bats (going back to last series):

Solo HR, two-run double, solo HR, two-run HR.

Hee hee hee.

[no sleep til brooklyn sf]

Remy still thinks of him as an Oriole.

[Micah-SF]

Hint, Johnny: that piece of wood you brought to the plate? You can swing it.

A wonderful first three innings so far.

[SoxFan]

I think the next time that Mike Mussina faces Manny, he might curl up into the fetal position and start crying.

[no sleep til brooklyn sf]

ugh. dumb.

[Micah-SF]

Stop giving the Yankees phantom tag calls.

[sf rod]

sox have scored 29 runs in 39 innings against the yankees this year. the yanks have scored 25.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Joe C and Obie say NYY brass must be wondering what to do about Mussina. Can't pitch anymore, a burdensome contract.

Then again think about next year: Hughes and Kennedy will be a year smarter and more experienced, they'll rid of Giambi and Mussina. Those are nice thoughts for NYY fans.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

I've also heard speculation that Cash might bail out because of Hank and Hal.

[sf rod]

mussina ranks 3rd in career starts against the red sox. he's behind only jim palmer (BAL) and jim perry (MIN / CLE). perry was gaylords brother and won the cy young award with 24 wins in 1970.

[Micah-SF]

Josh Beckett will not tolerate disrespect! Sit down, Jorge!

Also, his changeup is faster than Moose's fastball. Hee.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Last Red Sox player to 3 HR in a game? Anyone?

[Adrian-YF]

I mean, he's saddled with the nickname Man-Ram. The real way to get him to slump would be schoolyard teasing, I think.

[sf rod]

my guess would be nomar.

[Micah-SF]

DJ DRUUUUU!

[Micah-SF]

Finally, Varitek strikes out on a high fastball! I was getting worried this wasn't the real him for a while.

I do love the Captain, but he can't hit those things.

[Micah-SF]

That was not a strike, but whatever, it's 7-0.

[Zooboy]

I can't wait for July; I think.

[sf rod]

very low (and at time high) strike zone tonite from vanover. at least he's consistently inconsistent.

[TJ]

Bruins lead 3-1 in third if anyone cares.

[sf rod]

philly just tied up my caps 2-2 late in the 3rd.

[TJ]

4-1. Bruins need to save some for game 6!

[TJ]

5-1 B's

[sf rod]

sorry to say it yf's, but that pitch from farnsy was classless. you guy's are becoming known for this classless crap. farnsworth a is chump.

[AndrewYF]

It's funny that right after the 'classlessness', they actually got him out.

I'd rather the Yankees be considered the 'dirtiest' team if it leads to them succeeding. Hell, it probably would help.

And no, the Yankees are absolutely not 'becoming known' for classlessness. Only in Boston, where they've been classless only when they've been good.

[sf rod]

you're not good tonite while maintaining the class level that teams like toronto and tampa bay have come to expect. i'll drop it.

[AndrewYF]

Good. Weird that none of the Class Police were crowing when A-Rod was clearly intentionally hit in the shoulder blade last night. It's only classless when the Yankees do it. Funny stuff.

[Micah-SF]

Farnsworth's pitch was irresponsible and, yes, classless. I don't really see it as emblematic of the team, though.

I like Josh giving the bullpen a night off.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Sorry. Children needed my attention. The answer is Kevin Millar in 2004 vs. these NYY.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

On the topic of classlessness, I'd say that pitch was typically classless of Farnsworth, but not NYY.

[sf rod]

you wouldn't have seen it under torre. the teams identity under girardi isn't defined yet. it's just weird to see sacrificial scrubs bringing their brand of outlaw baseball to the definition party.

[Atheose]

What, did Farnsworth bean someone? I watched the first two innings and then went out to eat, and just got back.

Glad to see Commander Kick-Ass going 8. After last night we needed a starter to go deep.

[Atheose]

Ugh, Papelbon gives up a 2-run homer but K's Matsui to end the game.

Great outing by Beckett though.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

I have a hunch that Paps' ERA pitching in relief in non-save situations is probably rather high.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Ath, after Manny hit 2 homers and a double Farnsy the headcase threw head-high behind him with his first pitch.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

He should have been tossed. It was obvious.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Gammo on BBTN just called Farnsworth a "Triple-A pitcher."
I second that. Farnsworth the Clown defines douchebaggery.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

And again, that not a statement on NYY. Farnsy was a head case when he pitched for the Cubs, he was a headcase when he pitched for Atlanta and he hasn't done squat since he's been in NY.

[no sleep til brooklyn sf]

So stupid. If anything Farnsworth should throw at Mussina's head, he's the one who served Manny meatballs on a platter. It's his job to strike him out and he failed, not Manny's fault he can hit them things a country mile.

[Atheose]

Wish I had seen it. Oh well, a win is a win. And I'm happy to see Papelbon getting his suckitude out of his system in a non-save situation, rather than a 1-run game.

[Atheose]

Wish I had seen it. Oh well, a win is a win. And I'm happy to see Papelbon getting his suckitude out of his system in a non-save situation, rather than a 1-run game.

[sf rod]

kinda weird how last weekend at fenway a-rod passed ted williams on the all time HR list and then tonite manny surpassed lou gehrig in yankee stadium. odd how history works.

[Atheose]

Oh the irony.

[Mark (YF)]

Well, my prediction of 4 HRs in 3 ABs for Manny off the Moose came very close to being true. If only he had gotten that third AB against him, I think it would have happened.

I saw the Farnsworth headhunt clip after the fact - my personal take: Yanks coaching said they wanted to move Manny off the plate, make him move his feet, or whatever, and Krazy Kyle took that to mean "Murderdeathkill!" I was expecting A-Rod to get some retaliation plunking in that last AB vs. Beckett (2 outs in the eigth - seemed like a perfect opportunity), but was glad it never came.

One final thing: might sound crazy given his line, but I still think the Moose looked OK last night - plunking Ellsbury twice hurt, but it looked to me like he can still get guys out. Just not Manny.

[krueg]

After reading through this thread, it's comical how the Yankees and Farnsworth are "classless"? He didn't hit him. Joba didn't hit Youk last year. Meanwhile, Jeter and ARod seem to get hit EVERY SERIES with no retaliation from Yankee pitchers...

When is the last time Ortiz or Manny took one in the back? If the pitch that hit ARod wasn't intentional (square in the back/shoulder area), then how can SF's try and say that Farnsworth's pitch was when he didn't even hit him?

[A YF]

I was going to give you props, Mark. That second HR could probably count twice too.

I think Moose is close enough to being done that they should take their chances with Igawa and/or Rasner and send him to Philadelphia. He's had one decent start in four tries. And that doesn't even count last year. Still, they'll wait another two months. If all goes well, Joba will take his place in the rotation in June/July.

krueg - My suggestion is to let it go. Nothing ever comes of it.

[Lar]

I would say though, half because I was drinking quite a bit last night, I initially didn't think they threw at him because well, it's Farns.

Of course, the replays was more obvious, but with Farn's control, I really didn't think (at first) that it was intentional..

[no sleep til brooklyn sf]

okay, I'll bite. What would you prefer, a ball hitting you in the back or a fastball screaming towards your head. You don't f*ck with people's heads! Tony Conigliaro lived a shortened life because he was hit in the head. Ray Chapman DIED after being hit in the head.

It's only a matter of reflexes that kept Youk and Manny from being hit in the head, had they moved an inch or two in the opposite direction they would have been hit in the head.

If the Yankees pitchers feel like plunking someone- fine, go ahead. Just don't throw at people's heads.

[krueg]

NSTBSF- That is all assuming that they intentionally threw at the Sox players heads...which none of us will ever know. I would say Yankee fans have a much stronger leg to stand on when it comes to pitchers throwing at batters. Sox pitchers actually hit Yankee batters which is much worse.

A YF- you're right, I don't know why I bother. This site has definitely become Sox-centric...no doubt about it. We are bad, wrong, evil rabble rousers that support a team full of selfish, over-paid guys that aren't winners... (rolling eyes as the obligatory SF posts agreeing with my last statement are being feverishly typed...)

[IronHorse (yf)]

When asked about the purpose-pitch Manny himself noted that A-Rod had gotten hit high the night before. Either get over it people or acknowledge that a fastball in the shoulder blade after A-Rod hits a bomb and a fastball behind the head after Manny hits two are the same thing. All should agree taht aiming mid-section is best if you are going to aim at all, but that's not what happened in either case.

And if we are going to nit-pick, let's recall which came first.