Red Sox 4, Yankees 3; A Few Costly Mistakes
Mussina wasn't bad at all. On the whole, in fact, he was quite good. I started watching the game while running at the gym, and Mussina escaped 1st and 2nd no outs in the first by getting the struggling Ortiz for a 1-6-3 DP, then retiring Ramirez. He got another DP in the second and was very good. He had to be because Beckett was flat-out dealing, whipping through the Yankees lineup.
Mussina made few mistakes, but they eventually cost him and the team. The first was to Ramirez in the fourth, allowing a solo homer to give Boston a 1-0 lead. But the Yanks responded, taking the lead in the sixth. Back-to-back singles from the torrid Molina and the impressive Gonzo singled, Damon bunted them to second and third, and Melky the Clutch hit his second sac fly in two games to deep left center to tie it at one. Impressively and importantly, Gonzo took third which was significant because Beckett's wild pitch allowed Gonzo to score, great base running to make it 2-1 Yankees.
But it wasn't to last. Lugo grounded to short, but Ellsbury singled and Pedroia doubled to left with one out. But Mussina got Ortiz on a foul tip for the second. At this point, Girardi wisely came to the mound. Why I'm not sure, but I was hoping it was to IBB Ramirez. Whatever it was, the result was disastrously to pitch to Ramirez, who lined a double to right-center on the first pitch, 3-2 Red Sox, terrible pitch and an even worse decision. A batter too late Bruney came in and surrendered an RBI single to Youkilis, 4-2 Red Sox. The thing is, I grabbed a homemade Bock after Lugo's out and when I came back the Yankees were in trouble. My bad.
The Yankees closed the gap to 4-3. Jorge singled with two outs, smartly took second on a wild pitch, and scored when RC ripped a line-drive double off the Monster. But Delcarmen entered and fanned Molina to end the threat. In the eighth, the Yankees put two aboard, but again with two outs, problematically. Melky walked on four pitches, Abreu ripped the first pitch through the box and just like that, the Yankees had two on with two outs. Rather than face the righty A-Rod with the lefty Okajima, the Sox countered with Papelbon but, before he could actually warm up--and he hadn't warmed up much in the pen--the rain intensified and there was a two hour, eleven-minute rain delay. A-Rod versus Papelbon--well worth it.
Or not. Papelbon fanned A-Rod on three straight, then struck out Giambi and Posada before a long at-bat got Cano on a ground out. At least the Yankees made Papelbon throw 25 pitches, but cold comfort in a 4-3 loss.
Some positives today, though. Cano was 2-4 with an RBI. Molina and Gonzo were each 1-3 with a run. Gonzo by any sober estimation really should stay up with the Yankees and give Jeter and Cano a blow now and then, especially since he's hitting. Betemit, pack 'em. 7-8-9 went 4-10 with 2 runs and an RBI, terrific work to cycle it back to the top of the lineup. Abreu and Posada each had a hit. Mussina was on the whole good--5 2/3 IP, 8 hits, 4 runs earned, no walks and a K of Ortiz, 71 pitches/51 strikes. But a couple mistakes to Ramirez cost him. Bruney was on the whole good, as was Hawkins. A tough loss to take, as they all are especially against Boston, but another positive is that the pitching has been good thus far this year. The offense will come around, believe it. But Damon, A-Rod, and Giambi went 0-10, not good at all.
Hughes (0-1, 5.00 ERA) faces Matsuzaka (2-0, 1.47 ERA) tomorrow night in an HDLR event. Be there and enjoy. This was the game I figured the Yanks might drop, although Mussina was better than I thought he would. Get the series win tomorrow night. Let's Go, Yankees!
[Edit: I was talking about HDLR matters with Mike, and we were both wondering, where's luckyleftie been? luckyleftie, check in and let us know that everything's been all right. Then stop by the HDLR and grace us with your witty and energetic presence, please.]
Mussina made few mistakes, but they eventually cost him and the team. The first was to Ramirez in the fourth, allowing a solo homer to give Boston a 1-0 lead. But the Yanks responded, taking the lead in the sixth. Back-to-back singles from the torrid Molina and the impressive Gonzo singled, Damon bunted them to second and third, and Melky the Clutch hit his second sac fly in two games to deep left center to tie it at one. Impressively and importantly, Gonzo took third which was significant because Beckett's wild pitch allowed Gonzo to score, great base running to make it 2-1 Yankees.
But it wasn't to last. Lugo grounded to short, but Ellsbury singled and Pedroia doubled to left with one out. But Mussina got Ortiz on a foul tip for the second. At this point, Girardi wisely came to the mound. Why I'm not sure, but I was hoping it was to IBB Ramirez. Whatever it was, the result was disastrously to pitch to Ramirez, who lined a double to right-center on the first pitch, 3-2 Red Sox, terrible pitch and an even worse decision. A batter too late Bruney came in and surrendered an RBI single to Youkilis, 4-2 Red Sox. The thing is, I grabbed a homemade Bock after Lugo's out and when I came back the Yankees were in trouble. My bad.
The Yankees closed the gap to 4-3. Jorge singled with two outs, smartly took second on a wild pitch, and scored when RC ripped a line-drive double off the Monster. But Delcarmen entered and fanned Molina to end the threat. In the eighth, the Yankees put two aboard, but again with two outs, problematically. Melky walked on four pitches, Abreu ripped the first pitch through the box and just like that, the Yankees had two on with two outs. Rather than face the righty A-Rod with the lefty Okajima, the Sox countered with Papelbon but, before he could actually warm up--and he hadn't warmed up much in the pen--the rain intensified and there was a two hour, eleven-minute rain delay. A-Rod versus Papelbon--well worth it.
Or not. Papelbon fanned A-Rod on three straight, then struck out Giambi and Posada before a long at-bat got Cano on a ground out. At least the Yankees made Papelbon throw 25 pitches, but cold comfort in a 4-3 loss.
Some positives today, though. Cano was 2-4 with an RBI. Molina and Gonzo were each 1-3 with a run. Gonzo by any sober estimation really should stay up with the Yankees and give Jeter and Cano a blow now and then, especially since he's hitting. Betemit, pack 'em. 7-8-9 went 4-10 with 2 runs and an RBI, terrific work to cycle it back to the top of the lineup. Abreu and Posada each had a hit. Mussina was on the whole good--5 2/3 IP, 8 hits, 4 runs earned, no walks and a K of Ortiz, 71 pitches/51 strikes. But a couple mistakes to Ramirez cost him. Bruney was on the whole good, as was Hawkins. A tough loss to take, as they all are especially against Boston, but another positive is that the pitching has been good thus far this year. The offense will come around, believe it. But Damon, A-Rod, and Giambi went 0-10, not good at all.
Hughes (0-1, 5.00 ERA) faces Matsuzaka (2-0, 1.47 ERA) tomorrow night in an HDLR event. Be there and enjoy. This was the game I figured the Yanks might drop, although Mussina was better than I thought he would. Get the series win tomorrow night. Let's Go, Yankees!
[Edit: I was talking about HDLR matters with Mike, and we were both wondering, where's luckyleftie been? luckyleftie, check in and let us know that everything's been all right. Then stop by the HDLR and grace us with your witty and energetic presence, please.]
I agree about Mussina's performance. It wasn't bad, just a couple mistakes, plus Manny. I hope Hughes shuts the Sox down and the offense's heart starts beating again. Looking forward to the HDLR. I been wondering where luckleftie has been too.
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Thanks for commenting, Vanessa. luckyleftie has been missed. All in all, today was a good game with good pitching. The result just wasn't what we'd like. I have to add that Giambi would be on the verge of a protracted spot on the bench if I were managing this team. His homer last night was huge, but he's been a big hole in the lineup. Of course, part of the problem is the lack of a backup. Ensberg might be a decent fill-in, but I'd prefer to see Duncan. Yet he was sent down to make room for disgraced former AG Alberto Gonzales--a good call-up, actually. But in my own rambling way, the point is that Giambi merits a seat. In large part, his strength has been catching up to fastballs, and he's just not doing that at all.
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i made a long and no doubt boring comment which was lost when yet another glitch occurred with MLB Blogs.
basically i said duncan up, giambi down.
please move.
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I hear you Mike. I will try this one more time. You are so right about Moose not being too bad, Jason. The homerun to Manny was indeed a mistake, but an even bigger one was NOT walking him with a base open. Hold up 4 fingers coach, it's Manny in a RBI situation.
Both teams showed some good defense,and the first inning was looking a little bleak, until the DP. The top of the order had better show up tonight, as I am sure Hughes would appreciate that. Come on guys and take the first series.
I have to say, between this and Hockey I am a bundle of nerves.
BTW, Wang was spectacular. I didn't have a chance to comment earlier.
Well, I'm off to put another coat of primer on my son's walls. It's hard enough to cover dark blue paint, but to cover it with red, takes a lot of patience.
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Sorry for the posting problems, Mike. I'm tinkering with a blog at WordPress, but the main thing is taking the time to move archives, which might take forever. But I know that page loading here has been slow, and quite frankly I'm not impressed with how certain features we used to have for blog maintenance are now gone. I'm also not impressed that a couple weeks into the switch, certain suggested remedies I made have not been followed up on, or for that matter that no one solicited bloggers' input beforehand.
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Dianna, it sounds as though you're painting your son's room in the colors of Le Habs who, by the way, must have had you on the edge of your seat with Boston's third-period comeback and Montreal's overtime victory. Exciting stuff, playoff hockey. I think Gonzales is an excellent defensive shortstop. That he's hitting is a big plus. Betemit's days might be numbered.
Yeah, not walking Ramirez was a huge mistake, one we could see coming. Girardi has made a couple this past week--leaving Nuke in for a second inning against KC, not walking Ramirez. these things happen in a coach's career, but yesterday's mistake was a no-brainer to me.
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oh yeah , leaving worthless in for that second inning would rank as his second blunder. you're on top of things jason :)
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I agree about Giambi and Duncan. I really like seeing Duncan on this team, whether or not he's starting or coming from the bench. He adds a lot of spirit that Melky & Cano brought to this team last year when they needed it. Sometimes this team looks dead and a few elbow bashes would help. Plus, Shelley is great at first, and even in the outfield b/c he has a great arm.
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Personally since the Yankees cannot get rid of Giambi and his 23 million dollar contract I would let him play, because he is going to hit better than this. He almost definitely will not be what he once was, but he will probably get on base enough eventually. But they may want to move him down in the order, as far down as possible once Jeter gets back.
Also make sure to sign in each time ou leave a comment. This way it does not disappear and say that you are not allowed to comment on one's blog. Someone else made me aware of this. It is not convenient by any means, and hopefully they will fix this.
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thanks for the tip joseph
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Well hey its just my opinion. You guys can think whatever. ;)
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Oh, I thought for a sec you were referring to the Giambi thing. Then I realized you were talking about the signing in process. oops.
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