Just Win: Yanks-Rays Gamer XII

No pregame speeches.  No big pep talk.  Just take the field today and continue this win streak.  Sidney Ponson toes the rubber today for the Yankees.  He comes into the game with a record of 5-1 and an ERA of 4.19.  On the other side the Rays are going to send Edwin Jackson out to the mound.  He's sporting a record of 5-6 and an ERA of 4.08.  Call me Captain Obvious, but I don't see these game being a 1-0 battle.

Once again Hip Hip is penciled in as the DH and Jose Molina gets the call behind the dish.  Giambi is back in the lineup after a day off.  Huge day for Giambi considering the first 20,000 fans will be getting Jason Giambi commemorative mustaches.   Have at it fellas.

YANKEES (48-42)
Gardner LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Posada DH
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Molina C
Ponson RHP

Comments

[A YF]

Ugh - Ponson. But if you told me on April 1st that we'd be four back of the wild card on July 9th with Wang done for the year and sixty innings from Hughes and IPK I would have been happy, especially with that lineup.

Still, ugh Ponson.

[John - YF]

Max Kellerman was off on a huge rant this morning re: Ponson and the Yankees injuries. I agree with you A, that I am not thrilled to see him in the least. But according to Anthony McCarren (spelling?) on last night's radio broadcast he said the Yankees are looking at Victor Zambrano. I am not trying to speak for you or anyone, but I have more faith in Ponson than a guy with severe arm issues in his not too distant past. At least Ponson is just a little plump.

[A YF]

Yup - Zambrano is unbearable.

[Atheose]

Okay, I'm going to say it: I like Giambi's mustache. It reminds me of baseball in the 90's, when it was everywhere.

Feels good to get that off my chest.

[Lar]

I want to go to the game today just to pick them up. Hahah.

[Lar]

Bob Sheppard will not be announcing the All Star game. That's sad.

Crawford grounded into a double play and we're under way!

Jackson was either good or bad against the Yanks. Let's hope for the bad today.

Gardner tries to bunt his way on, but no go, one out.

Jeter singles.

[Lar]

Abreu walks, Jeter to second, and here's the lone .300 batter in the lineup - ARod.

[Lar]

Only radio + gameday, so I don't know how deep this "deep right center" is, but it's not a hit. Jeter does go to third though, so men on corners with 2 outs.

And yet again, RISP batting.

Giambi up at the plate, on "his" day, making his case for the All Star final spot..

[Lar]

And he singles Jeter in! 1-0 Yanks. Always good, as you don't want Jackson to be too comfortable up there. Here's Posada trying to tap in another.

[Atheose]

Beckett uses 34 pitches to get through the first inning, but Ponson only needs 10? Lame.

[Lar]

A YF - 60 innings.. of crap from Hughes and Ian. Go figure.

At this point, we're actually not that much worse than last year, standings-wise. Ah well.

Posada flies out, so the Yanks have a 1-0 lead after 1.

[Lar]

Sox down 3-0 on Moreanu HR. But they had a 3 run lead yesterday, so it might not be enough. Beckett will also probably settle as usual, so it'll require some pitching on the Twins side.

[Lar]

Jackson with 19 pitches through 1 - that's what's needed!

Ponson was at 10 through 1, but now having some trouble as he walks Pena on 5 pitches after an 0-1 count. Evan singles up the middle, and here's Floyd.

Looks like the Yanks need a bigger lead.

[Lar]

Floyd moves the runner over, which is good enough, perhaps, and here's Navarro. No easy DP to bail him out this inning though..

[Lar]

Navarro does fly to shallow left, and not definitely not deep enough for Pena to score. 2 outs, and Ponson can escape this, with Hinske up at the plate.

[Lar]

Hinske got hit by Ponson to load the bases, but luckily Brignac flies out to end the threat. Ponson rolls his way out of trouble. After 1.5, it's 1-0 Yanks.

[Lar]

Ponson at 25 pitches.

[Lar]

25 pitches, 15 pitches in an inning where he loads the bases. It's kind of amazing, but probably more lucky. Only 12 for strikes, and it looks like the Rays are helping him out thus far by swinging early and swinging often..

[Lar]

Molina's hit sandwiches a bunch of out by the Yanks. Jackson got out of that one only needing 12 pitches, and 31 through 2.

[Lar]

Iwamura strikes out to lead off the third.

[Lar]

Crawford K's as well, but Upton fought to ground to the LF for a single.

Here's Pena.

[Lar]

By the way, I don't know if I'm the only one that thinks this Rays lineup doesn't make any sense. Of course, they're first, so go figure, but Upton could be stealing more if he isn't in front of Pena, probably..

[Lar]

Pena strikes out, so Ponson strikes out the side. He's up to 44 pitches, however, so maybe it's a sign that the Rays are taking more pitches.

Now 25 strikes against 19 balls, a much better ratio..

[Lar]

Here's Jeter leading off.

[Lar]

Goes the other way, but Hinske is there, so one away.

[Lar]

It looks like the Yanks are hitting the ball hard, but at people. Still, not getting the job done.

[A YF]

"A YF - 60 innings.. of crap from Hughes and Ian."

I'm more sad by the 60 innings than the crap. I feel confident they would both have been league average by the end of the season. With only that, Pettitte has 10 wins. And if they don't start trading young pitching for a crappy reliever (see Gagne - relievers are streaky and unpredictable), we'll have plenty of time to see if I'm right.

[Lar]

ARod does get on with two outs, and here's Mr Stash himself.

[Lar]

A YF - I don't disagree, but just adding to your "and yet we're still only 4 games behind".

[Lar]

Jackson being careful with Giambi, and Giambi patient.

[Lar]

And Giambi walks, ARod to second, with Posada coming up.

[Lar]

Posada grounds out on 6 pitches, and Jackson is at 53 pitches after 3, and I'm going for lunch, hoping this lead will hold when I get back!

[Mark (YF)]

Longoria HBP, and 2-0 on Floyd...the wheels may be coming off the Ponson bandwagon!

[Mark (YF)]

Well Floyd grounds out to 1st...Longoria to second on the play. Man the Rays are up there hacking at the crap and taking the strikes - definitely helping Ponson out a little.

[Mark (YF)]

Man, I think we have a new Yankee killer...Navarro reportedly hitting .615 vs. NYY this year...Manny who?

[Mark (YF)]

From 0-2 to BB vs. Hinske. Annoying!

[John - YF]

Quite the pitchers battle. Who would have thunk it!

If only Gardner got on base more. Its a shame.

[Mark (YF)]

Having Molina-Melky-Gardner come up consecutively is depressing.

[A YF]

Cool Lar. Painful year, but nice that we're still making a run at it. Can't see how the current staff would do anything in the post-season though. Hopefully at least Hughes is back. I like watching him pitch.

Navarro was the most painful piece in Unit trade. And Vazquez would have been decent enough the last few years. I think that trade scared Cashman straight. They haven't given up anything significant in a trade since. And I have to agree with the seeming current philosophy: 1) Develop your own; 2) If not #1, then pay on the free agent market for youth. If they don't make a move in the next three weeks, I think we can safely say that's the path forward.

[A YF]

"Having Molina-Melky-Gardner come up consecutively is depressing."

Not as bad as Varitek-Crisp-Lugo. :)

Speaking of which - Beckett with 68 pitches through 3 innings.

[Mark (YF)]

"Not as bad as Varitek-Crisp-Lugo"

You sure about that? I'm not.

Anyway, Upton caught stealing 2B...Molina is lucky a. he's so awesome at throwing out runners, and B. Posada can't throw at all right now - because he's providing a ton of value behind the dish right now. Prolly not quite enough to offset his hitting woes, but close.

[Lar]

Just came back from lunch and seeing the Sox came back again. Ah well.

Gardner just stole one, which is always good!

[Lar]

Abreu can't do much with it though, as yet again, hitting with men in scoring position has been awful.

That said though, the Gardner steal prevented what could've been a double play.

[A YF]

"You sure about that? I'm not."

Well, I was joking, but who would you rather have:

a) a catcher who can't hit or field or a catcher who can field but not hit? The one that can field is also three years younger.

b) of two noodle bats: the CF with great range but an average arm or the CF with average range but a great arm? Call it a tie? How about the one that's 23 or the one that's 28?

c) a SS that can't hit or field or a LF that can't hit but can field? MLE suggests Gardner will OPS .720. If it helps the LF is 24 while the SS is 32.

[Lar]

And here's ARod trying to try Gardner in.

[A YF]

Beckett with 87 pitches through 4 IP.

[krueg]

I hate being at work during games!!! Come on AROD!!!

[krueg]

...and AROD strikes out. Big surprise.

[krueg]

How long can Fat Sidney keep the Rays off the board??? Um...offense? Hello?

Bueller...Ferris Bueller...Bueller...Bueller?

[Lar]

ARod strikes out. Bah.

[krueg]

There is my answer...right until I start watching the gamecast.

[Lar]

Pena ties the game. About time..

[krueg]

Is this where fat sidney falls apart???

[Mark (YF)]

A YF - all in all, yes, I'd take Molina-Melky-Gardner over Varitek-Lugo-Crisp, but I was just talking about watching them bat.

[krueg]

He got out of the inning...one run through 6? not bad at all. Looks like there was a lot of drama thought with baserunners???

[A YF]

"...and AROD strikes out. Big surprise."

Wow, so you're one of those fans. Too bad he has one of the best RISP AVGs on the team.

[Mark (YF)]

Fatty Ponson 1 R allowed thru 6 - can't hope for anything better...be a shame to lose this game cuz of our stoopid-head offense.

[Mark (YF)]

"best RISP AVGs on the team"

That is far from a ringing endorsement given our team...although I agree w/ your point.

[krueg]

A YF: if by pessimistic fan, then yes, yes I am.

I actually love ARod...

[krueg]

...hell, I wish he would take me to a stripclub!!!

[Lar]

Ponson comes out. Veras in as the Yanks can't hit. Jackson is at 97 pitches, so he might or might not have another inning or so..

[A YF]

Smart move by Girardi - better one inning too early with the Fat Ponson Toad than one too late.

[krueg]

Mark: absolutely, that's all we can ask for from portley ponson. But, I also thought Rasner was good so I'm a little more careful now with my affection.

[krueg]

Sox are killing it...

[Lar]

Veras retires the first two batter, and here's Iwamura.

[Lar]

and Iwamura K's. End of 6 and a half, it's tied at 1.

[krueg]

Veras is getting better and better...that's good to see.

[Mark (YF)]

Nice 1-2-3 inning from Veras, who has really been great. Time to score.

[Mark (YF)]

Well I wrote time to score, and then I saw "due up next inning: Cabrera-Molina-Gardner. So scratch that...on to the 8th we go!

[Lar]

Hahah, you guys are depressing! Remember that it was the bottom of the order that Jeter drove in last night!

[Lar]

Melky singles, and Molina moves him over with a sac. Err, that means Gardner is now up.. is he going to sac bunt as well? Hahaha..

[Lar]

and Jackson has pitched enough. Howell in.

[krueg]

I love it when we get down a successful bunt...

[krueg]

It used to be so fun when the Rays went to their bullpen...not so much anymore! Of course, they knocked around that douche last night...

[sf rod]

Call me Captain Obvious, but I don't see these game being a 1-0 battle.

classic stuff john. who woulda figured?

now come on bombers, lets get some runs right here!

[A YF]

Speaking of douche, Beckett just started the sixth with 100 pitches and then gave up a homer to Kubel and a double to Young. 6-4, Devil's Spawn.

[krueg]

Jeter K...damn it.

[Mark (YF)]

Pretty terrible AB by Gardner there...up to El Capitano...can he continue his "clutch comeback?"

[Lar]

Gardner did not move the runner over, and now it's up to the Captain again..

[krueg]

check that...gardner.

[krueg]

"Stayin' Alive, Stayin' Alive...AH, AH, AH, AH, STAYIN' ALIIIIIIIIVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE!!!"

[krueg]

Jeter K...i was right after all. Not happy about being right on that one. Farnsy time???

Go Twinkies!!!

[Mark (YF)]

And Jeets K's to end the inning, and to preserve or team-wide effort to trail the entire league in BA w/ RISP (we were 12th in the AL coming into play today).

[Lar]

Jeter struck out on a questionable call. Bah.

[Mark (YF)]

yeah, I'm following on Gameday, which seems to indicate strike 3 on Jeets was borderline at best...anybody watching live have an opinion?

[Lar]

This game is not Farnsworth-proof. But, err, I have my trust on him?

[Lar]

Wow, that was a quick inning by Farns, perhaps justifying my trust in him.. hah

[Mark (YF)]

How close was that Pena flyball to going out the park? The Gameday animation almost gave me a heart attack...

[krueg]

Farnsy's been on it man...gotta give the dude propers. Keep it up and I may stop calling him Farsnworthless!!!

[A YF]

Wow, this Yankee bullpen is crazy good this year. Crazy in the sense that it's almost all the same guys from the end of last year.

Even more reason not to trade for crappy relievers.

[Lar]

It wasn't too deep, but Abreu made the catch look good ala Edmonds.

(It is my opinion that Edmonds sometimes take a really stupid route and make up for it by diving at the last second and making Sportscenter..)

[Mark (YF)]

Man, I am so over Abreu...

[Lar]

Abreu should've beat the crap out of that pitch, but doesn't. Ah well. ARod doesn't do much either, so it's two quick outs.

Giambi, use your stash power!

[Lar]

Giambi strikes out, and that means Mo is coming in. Let's roll.

[Mark (YF)]

"Wow, this Yankee bullpen is crazy good this year. Crazy in the sense that it's almost all the same guys from the end of last year."

While true, there was reason to be hopeful w/r/t the pen coming into the year. Edwar always projected as a very effective short reliever, and now it looks like he has put it together. Girardi said he could fix Farnsworth (and I took him at his word, predicting Krazy Kyle as my "sleeper Yankee contributor" in the Spring Training thread), and it finally looks like he is delivering on that promise. And Mo is Mo. Veras's emergence is the only real thing that truly surprised me.

[Mark (YF)]

Mo coming into a tie game makes me irrationally nervous...

[Lar]

Mo strikes out Longoria on 3 pitches. Keep it short and concise just in case..

[Mark (YF)]

Longoria K's...yay! Floyd due up, who has very good career numbers off Mo...

[Lar]

Mo getting squeezed a bit - if he missed, he didn't missed by much. 3 straight balls to Floyd.