Yanks best Cy Sonnanstine; Updates; MLBlogs Thanks
After being mired in a scoreless tie for the first seven and one-half innings, the Yankees pushed two across in the bottom of the eighth and withstood a ninth-inning Rays rally to win 2-1. Again, the Yankees struggled against soft-tossing journeyman Andy Sonnanstine, who allowed only three hits and two walks in five effective innings against most of the Yankees' Opening Day starting lineup. Remember, Sonnanstine was the junk-baller who baffled the Yankees last year on August 31, allowing just two hits and an unearned run in eight innings in a 9-4 win after struggling in a July 14 start against the Yanks. Apparently for Sonnanstine, the slower the better against the Yanks.
Yet the Yankees countered with sterling pitching of their own tonight. Darrell Raner allowed two hits and a walk in four and one-third innings, fanning four. This kid is certainly not out of the running for the long reliever position, though remarks from Girardi indicate that Karstens seems to have the lead in that position. Mariano, Edwar, Bruney, and Ohlendorf each worked a scoreless inning, while Veras allowed the lone Rays run in the 9th. The Yankees' staff won't have easy decisions for the bench and remaining bullpen positions, especially after pitchers jockeying for the jobs pitched efficiently. Bruney and Ohlendorf have low ERAs, though it is Spring. Plus, I don't consider those back-end relievers throw-away jobs by any means. Those pitchers usually don't throw in key innings unless others are in dire need of rest, but they eat innings when starters struggle and fill in when other relievers need a blow. In most cases, they enter games with chances to keep the game close or hold leads. Especially when they have the chance to hold games close, the Yankees are a team with as much firepower as any to mount comebacks. Getting pitchers who give the team the best chance to hold the line in such spots, and who can give a quality inning to rest a teammate, are vital pieces of the puzzle. Clearly if they were front-line players they wouldn't be vying for jobs so late into Spring. But my point is these aren't solely chump jobs.
Kudos to Porter and Castro for the eighth-inning RBIs to finally break the ice. Major kudos to the pitching. Abreu, Cano, and Duncan had a hit apiece, continuing their fine Springs. Morgan Ensberg didn't help his cause by going 0-4 in the tight race for a back-up spot. The Yanks have the Jays tomorrow afternoon at 1:15 EDT. Kei Igawa gets the start.
Girardi announced to the surprise of few that Chien-Ming Wang will start the Opener against the Jays March 31. Wang has struggled at times this Spring, and Dianna is definitely right to worry about him after he tailed off dramatically last season, but his sinker can still be devastating. Kevin Millar has compared it to "trying to hit a bowling ball." Plus, the Jays will field a fairly righty-heavy lineup, and he's been among the winningest pitchers in the majors the past two years. He's earned it, and Pettite makes a terrific number two starter. The Yankees will be fine with Wang as long as he keeps his pitches down.
Not to be overlooked, many thanks to the MLBlogs front page for featuring the "On Betemit, Statistics, and Reason" post on the MLBlogs front page. Let the drooling naysayers elsewhere say what they might about The Heartland. I'll consider the MLBlogs publicity apt vindication. Things have clearly worked thus far here, largely because of the very good readership. Thanks to the good people at MLBlogs for the attention, and thanks to the people here who have done so much to make The Heartland what it is.
[Update: Pete Abraham and Bryan Hoch are reporting that the Yankees have added Morgan Ensberg to their 40-man roster. Abraham interpreted this as it being a lock that Ensberg is on the team since he has no options. It's worth debating, and I'd like to hear people's views. But I can't say I'm too surprised.]
who are these drooling detractors? where do they live? i'll take care of them.
according pete abe,the magnificent, this was a very boring game to watch. i seem to miss all of sonnenstine's outings against the yankees as last august 31st i was stunned to find out as i was changing planes in Dallas, that the Yanks had fallen to those wretched devil rays. if i remember correctly we lost that series as well. a stumble in our run towards the finish line last year. there were so many opportunities to have won our division; faced the decimated angels and then have had a showdown with the sox.
i don't know why i needed to go there. over and done with.
are you opening the HDLR tomorrow?
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Mike, my main man here at The Heartland, I'll open the HDLR for you tomorrow. I planned on being around for the game. If you'll be there for it, consider the HDLR open.
I'll have chips, beer, and goodies.
That's true of tonight's game, as well as the game last August. The game last season was worse because of the painful loss to a schlub. But games like this are worth putting into the memory bank, to remember not only against whom the Yanks struggled but possibly why. Sonnanstine has soft stuff that somehow baffles the Yanks.
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it's a date.
at least we got a look at sonnenstine...maybe kevin long can come up with a plan of attack for next time
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Hi, Jason!
Excellent Post as usual...
I didn't get a chance to watch [or, even stay updated] on yesterdays game. But, a 2-1 win is certainly a good showing by the pitching staff!...
It will be interesing to see how Kei Igawa pitches today, in his start vs. the Blue Jays. But, it probably really doesn't matter as it looks like Billy Traber earned the left-handed role in the bullpen. I think Igawa will start the season in (AAA) SWB...and, they should pitch him as a "Starter" - because he has clearly shown he is not effective as a reliever! I hope he pitches well today; and, when the season starts, he somehow changes his pitching approach down in (AAA) to [maybe?] be ready as a mid-season call-up to the Yankees! We shall see!
Other than Traber, I think the remaining two spots in the bullpen should be...
Ohlendorf as the Long Reliever...
And, Jose Veras [I know, he hasn't had a great spring], as the 5th and 6th innng reliever...
I think Karstens, Rasner, and Igawa will all be better off starting the season in (AAA) SWB...All as "Starters" !!!
Regarding Morgan Ensberg...
There has been some talk that the Blue Jays may be interested in Ensberg as a third-baseman. That could be the reason why the Yankees put him on the 40-man Roster...to set-up a possible trade with the Jays! I guess we will get more info during today's Yankee vs. Blue Jays game!
Hey, if anyone is interested in seeing a "very funny" video clip of a prank the Philadelphia Phillies played on one of their pitchers [Kyle Kendrick], check-out the "Ultimate Baseball Collector" MLBlog, an excellent Blog by a young kid, Chris [who has a great collection of baseball pictures and autographs from many ballplayers, on his site]...click on:
http://ultimatebaseballcollector.mlblogs.com/
This video gives a rare look inside a Major League Clubhouse, showing how players have some fun, playing pranks on their teammates!
I'll check back later during the game...Until then, everyone have a great day!
Jimmy
http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/
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igawa has been scratched today with no reason given. perhaps some fool team has actually made an offer for him.
fingers crossed. Alby will start.
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Mike, Igawa's being traded would be great. Be done with the Igawa experiment. I hope the Yanks get at least two boxes of new balls.
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Correction...
Error on my part regarding possible trade involving Morgan Ensberg...I heard about it from someone, and I got the teams mixed-up!
Actually, the Yankees were forced into making a decison, because Ensberg could have opted-out of his contract if he was not placed on the 40-man roster by midnight yesterday [Mar 21st]; also, the move enabled the Yankees to take the "American Idle" Carl Pavano off the 40-man roster and place him where he belongs [the 60-day DL]...
But, also, there has been interest by the "Tampa Bay Rays" [not Blue Jays] in trading for Ensberg to play "third base". The Rays want their top third-base prospect, Evan Longoria, to start the season in AAA [for money reasons]...
It makes sense for the Yankees to trade Ensberg [or have him start the season at AAA], because he really is the same type of player as Giambi, Duncan,and Lane...The roster would be over loaded with too many first basemen / DH's....also, I think, Lane will be headed for AAA SWB.
Jimmy
http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/
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