The 2008 Yankee locomotive was finally just pulling out of the station when Garrett Olson, Nick Markakis, and Aubrey Huff threw the bodies of LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Veras onto the tracks yesterday.
Now that they've been cleared, the Yanks will try to get quickly back on track tonight in a rematch of last Thursday’s Brian Burres vs. Ian Kennedy pitching duel which featured Joe Girardi's inaugural rant and ended sublimely with a bottom of the 9th Yankee victory.
Despite losing that game, Burres has compiled a strong albeit short track record against the Yanks. In 5 career appearances vs. the Empire in ’07 and ‘08, Burres tossed one duck, but the other 4 outings have been impressive: 1ER in 6 IP; 2 ER in 7.1 IP; 0 ER in 5.2 IP ; and 1 ER in 7.2 IP - the last two being his ’08 appearances.
Taking the hill for the Yankees will be Ian Kennedy, who will be testing the confidence he just started building anew with his 6 IP/1 ER performance in that same game Thursday.
Of course, since that game, Jason Giambi rediscovered his inner-Gehrig, Cano is hitting over .425 (even with last night's 0-4), and Matsui has continued to rip the cover off the ball.
So here’s to hoping last night was an anomaly, that the Yanks’ bats return to the Camden Yards bandbox in force tonight, and that Kennedy takes one (more) small step for Yankee-kind and one giant leap for slightly over-hyped gap-toothed Alfred E. Newman look-a-like pitchers.
All aboard…
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Tx for the head's up on the previous post Sam...now that we're all on the same page (and in the same font), LET'S GO YANKS!
Posted by: IronHorse (yf) | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 04:38 PM
and that Kennedy takes one (more) small step for Yankee-kind and one giant leap for slightly over-hyped gap-toothed Alfred E. Newman look-a-like pitchers.
So true, so true...
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 04:56 PM
no problem IH. I kinda liked it actually, something fresh...
Posted by: Sam-YF | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 04:56 PM
nice first for IPK. the question is if he can keep it going.
Posted by: Sam-YF | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:19 PM
Just turned on the game on the radio (still at office) and the first thing I hear is how many HRs Damon and Giambi have now that they each knocked one out already and that IPK now has a 4-0 lead in the top of the 2nd. Niiiiice.
Not to over-do the import of a May game in Baltimore, but afer stringing together 5 in a row, having the bats go into a coma last night was a bit concerning and reminiscent of what preceded the five-some, so this is a very nice way to recapture the bashitude.
Posted by: IronHorse (yf) | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:32 PM
I hate Kevin Millar so much and for so many reasons that it is hard to put them all into words. Yanks lead cut in half - 4-2.
Posted by: IronHorse (yf) | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:38 PM
IH - you hate Millar?? Really? But why?
Posted by: rootbeerfloat | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Another dinger. To Ramon Hernandez of all people. IPK having flashbacks to his pre-sent-down-to-the-minors days.
Posted by: IronHorse (yf) | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:40 PM
jeter is now 1 for his last 22. pete a. believes he's hurt. was the HBP on the hands...again?
Posted by: sf rod | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:42 PM
I am trying to avoid taking that bate rbf...
Tying run on 1st now. IPK certainly doesn't leave you in suspense - he either has it or he really doesn't.
A loooong flyball out to right and Damon shockingly can't keep the man on first from tagging up.
Posted by: IronHorse (yf) | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:43 PM
IH, not trying to bait you, honestly wondering. He doesn't seem good enough to hate that badly.
Posted by: rootbeerfloat | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:44 PM
That's bait...not bate.
I didn't even know about a HBP sf as I just tuned in and only on radio. If that's true, I am ill.
IPK wild pitch - man on 3rd now with 2 outs.
Posted by: IronHorse (yf) | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:44 PM
A-Rod throws wide on a tapper to 3rd. Game tied. Lovely.
Posted by: IronHorse (yf) | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Another wild pitch. Man on 2nd. What the f*&k is going on Alfred?!?
Posted by: IronHorse (yf) | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:48 PM
rbf: He coined "Cowboy Up" and was the leader of the "I look like a slug and am proud of it" movement in Boston. That is not meant as a dig at you SFs - it is my take on Millar.
Not only that, but he actually devours Mike Mussina and Chien-Ming Wang and even has a pretty strong track record off of Mariano.
IPK stops the insanity with a K. Feast or famine IPK, feast or famine.
Posted by: IronHorse (yf) | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Giambi doubles to left. This guy has been a monster for the past week and is hitting to left right now better than I have seen him hit since his das with the A's.
Betemit up. Not thrilled.
Posted by: IronHorse (yf) | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:56 PM
Well...as much as I enjoy talking to myself, it's time to get out of the office. By the time I get home I predict a 14-13 game. And the commute only takes 20 minutes.
Posted by: IronHorse (yf) | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:58 PM
IH -
I had no idea about his record against the Yanks. When he played for the Sox I always dreaded his plate appearances.
Posted by: rootbeerfloat | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Wow, this is a bloody homerun derby!
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 08:16 PM
I just checked and Millar is 17 of 39 off Mussina (.436 BA); 9 of 19 off Wang (.474 BA); and 6 of 17 off Mo (.353).
Not exactly huge sample sizes (except Mussina), but for some reason I feel like I witnessed every one of those hits and that they cam at important times.
As predicted, the slugfest continues. Yanks now up 7-4. I'm sure that will last through the next half inning...
OK, now I really have to get home. Take care rbf and thanks for the company.
Posted by: IronHorse (yf) | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 08:16 PM
Another HR. Bandbox it is. And derby it is Atheose. I gotta get home before anyone cracks double digits. Bye now!
Really!
Posted by: IronHorse (yf) | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 08:18 PM
I hit enter and ARod hits one! Wow, and hes not even on my fantasy team anymore because he disappeared.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 08:18 PM
ipk yanked after 3.
Posted by: sf rod | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 08:23 PM
I hope IPK is not hurt.
Posted by: pah yf | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 08:35 PM
I hope IPK is not hurt.
Posted by: pah yf | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 08:35 PM
Wow this really is the homerun derby.
Uh oh, just noticed IPK left the game with an injury. Anyone see what happened?
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 08:42 PM
Wow. Real home run derby here. 3 in a row. Paging Chase Wright!
Posted by: YF | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Holy crap Millar hits his 2nd homer of the night! That's 9 total homers in the game.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Alex with 2 on....Make it 10?!
Posted by: YF | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 09:03 PM
Jeter picked off 2nd.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Wow. One of the worst gaffes in the career of DJ there. Picked off 2b with Alex up in a tie game, after homering in his last bat. Blech.
Posted by: YF | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 09:06 PM
word on ipk is " Slight strain in his right lat muscle." kinda sounds like the hughes excuse again.
Posted by: sf rod | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 09:09 PM
The "Jeter's got an Edge" commercial placement in the break here: less than ideal. He had a bit too much of an edge off 2nd there.
Edwar in for prolonged duty here. He's been great thus far, but if this is gonna be a couple of innings, that HR record is going to be in jeopardy....
Posted by: YF | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 09:10 PM
Kevin Millar drinks your milkshake: 2 homers and a double.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Farns in for Ramirez. Not sure that's much better.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Abreu with the gun!
Posted by: YF | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 09:43 PM
IH - I think for head to head, they're big enough - probably not big enough for "real" statistical analysis, but still..
Still, it was 8-4 when I left for home, and now it's 8-8. Cue the sadface..
Jeter is really too smart for that pickoff..
Posted by: Lar | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Farns get out of it with the tailor-made inning ending double play. Let's bomb, bombers!
Posted by: Lar | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 09:53 PM
I'm sad that in a dynasty league, I forgot about Kershaw while I was on vacation. And I had a top waiver. Not. Clutch.
Posted by: Lar | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Cripes, and now Jeter can't get the bunt down, Ks. Bad, bad night for the Captain.
Posted by: YF | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Abreu hosed on a bad call, maybe 2. When it's raining, you gotta swing.
ARod IBBed. Matsui up w/ 2 on, 2 out in the 8th. Here we go....
Posted by: YF | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Holy crap, double steal? With 2 outs? I'd be pissed if the Sox did that.
It ends up not mattering, as Matsui lines out. Millar will bat 4th in the bottom of the 9th.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 10:09 PM
A rain delay? You've got to be kidding. What a night.
Posted by: rootbeerfloat | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 10:09 PM
With the O's batting hopefully it will affect the Yankees pitchers. Hopefully this won't end up like last year's match where they have to replay the last inning a few months later.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Also, when we were arguing about how popular David Ortiz was the other day, the sentiment with a lot of Yankees fans was that Ortiz is not popular outside of Boston. Well he's leading all of baseball with All Star votes, yes even more than ARod.
Posted by: Atheose | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 10:16 PM
I hate on Ortiz because he kills it. Really though, I'm glad that so many people can show love for hispanic players. It's awesome to see little white kids with a jersey that says Ortiz, Rodriguez, Ramirez, Rivera etc.
Posted by: jonny YF | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 10:43 PM
The all-star voting indicates that the red sox fans have been voting alot. Varitek and Youkilis are each first in their positions, no slight meant to each but i dont think either are the best in their positions in the AL. Point being that i dont think pointing to Ortiz's vote count means all that much.
Posted by: Sam-YF | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 11:06 PM
I heard about five innings of this game on the radio. It is a wonder John Sterling didn't lose his voice. Wild baseball.
Posted by: Hudson | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Mo with some clutch pitching there, than A-Rod hits into the crazy 425 DP to almost kill a rally in the 11th, before Matsui salvages a run with a 2-out single.
Now Latroy in to save it.......
Posted by: YF | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 11:56 PM
in fairness to A-Rod he scorched that ball and it would have gotten thru where it not for a nice play by roberts....
Posted by: Sam-YF | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Leadoff single for Mora.....Oy.
Posted by: YF | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Mora with the lead off single.. I actually didn't realize it started again..
Posted by: Lar | Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Huff doubles, goes to third as the throw comes home.
The game is now tied. Sigh. C'mon Hawk.
Man on third, 1 out.
Posted by: Lar | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 12:02 AM
And it's blown. Huff gapper scores Mora, and he winds up on 3rd.
Posted by: YF | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Hawkins sucks.
Posted by: Sam-YF | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Hawk loses the game. The Yanks lose a tough one, as they had 3 distinct leads, each should've been enough to win on its own, but no one came through except Mo..
Posted by: Lar | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Isn't that the 2nd time in as many games that Hawkins has lost the game?
Posted by: Atheose | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 12:07 AM
Hawkins:Yankees::Timlin:Red Sox
Posted by: Sam-YF | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 01:10 AM
Terrible game for Jeter. Getting picked off second with A-Rod up is the second pretty egregious baserunning mistake I've seen DJ make in the past week. The first was in last Saturday's game against the Mets in the 6th inning - with the Yankees losing 3-2 and one out, Jeter tried to stretch a single into a double and was thrown out by a ton. Last night's was even worse given the situation, but these events are remarkable only because they happen so rarely with the Captain, who has always been one of the smartest guys on the basepads.
The other gaffe last night in my view, which I heard no one discuss on TV or radio, was Damon's inability - worse, a lack of any real effort - to upset the throw of the O's catcher Guillermo Quiroz when Damon was forced out at home and DJ was then doubled up at 3rd in the top of the 11th. Instead of one out with the bases still loaded it left them with 2 outs and men on first and second. I thought Damon should have hard-slid into Quiroz and was surprised that his decision not to do so wasn't even remarked upon.
Posted by: IronHorse (yf) | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Jeter also made a big mistake by throwing the ball home on the relay for the tying run. This allowed the runner to go to 3rd with one out. That run was as good as in once the ball got past Melky. I also thought Jeter got a terrible jump when he was doubled up at 3rd in the top of the 11th. All around a terrible game for the captain.
Posted by: Sam-YF | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Agreed on the throw, that was a big mistake. The running mistake really wasn't a mistake for the fact that it was stung, so he had to freeze to see if it was caught. I can give him a pass on that.
Hawkins is awful. I don't know what else to say.
Posted by: John - YF | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 10:53 AM
I still can't even talk about last nights game...that one really hurt. Our season defined by one game.
Posted by: krueg | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 10:53 AM