Heartland Pinstripes

New Site Up and Running; HDLR at WordPress

2008-04-16T16:10:32Z

The new site is up and running at WordPress. Please go to http://heartlandpinstripes.wordpress.com/ to visit. There is a brief and painless registration with WordPress in order to leave comments. Especially for anyone dropping by for the HDLR tonight, it--and all my future work--will be here. So come by the blog, register, and please excuse the mess as I relocate.

[Edit: I must approve you the first time you comment, then you will be free to comment afterwards. Tonight during the HDLR, I'll have my e-mail open for anyone dropping by for the first time to speed things along. Sorry for any difficulty.]

Yankees 5 Rays 3; Welcome Back Jeter, Good-Bye MLBlogs; Heartland Pinstripes Moving to New Pastures

2008-04-16T03:40:52Z

Despite the early-inning struggles of Andy Pettite and the late-game struggles of the offense, the Yankees put together a 5-3 win to sweep the two-game set against Tampa, pulling their mark back above .500. Tomorrow night, the Yankees start a two-game series back in The Bronx against Boston before embarking on ten more consecutive road games. But tonight, the Yanks improved their mark against Tampa to 4-2 thus far. Jeter was 3-4 to raise his average to .303, Matsui was 2-5 with his 3rd homer and 8th RBI to raise his average to .314, and though Pettite struggled at times he buckled down and worked hard through seven to bring home his second win of the year. While I'll address this at the end, in all likelihood this will be the last recap for Heartland Pinstripes here at MLBlogs, for reasons I'll elucidate at the end of the post. I'll encourage readers to join the new blog at WordPress starting tomorrow. It's a move I've considered for some time, one hastened by the mess--in my opinion--at MLBlogs, and by what I'd like to accomplish with Heartland Pinstripes.

On to the game. Each team worked through the first quickly, though in different ways. The Yankees went 1-2-3, while the Rays got two singles but only got Pettite to throw 12 pitches in the first. The Yankees took the lead in the second, as Matsui cranked a 2-1 fastball to right-center, 1-0 Yankees. With one out, Pettite allowed three straight singles to load the bases, but got a 4-6-3 DP to escape trouble. Remarkably, he only threw 10 pitches in the frame. After the Yankees went down 1-2-3, Pettite surrendered the lead in the bottom of the third. Pena walked with one out, Longoria worked a seven-pitch walk with two outs, and back-to-back RBI singles from Gomes and DiFelice with two outs made it 2-1 Rays.

But the Yankees did what they have often failed to do in 2008--score in response after surrendering runs. The Yankees scored two in the fourth and two more in the fifth. In the fourth, Abreu walked and A-Rod singled to left, first and third no outs. Matsui's ground out to Pena tied the game at 2, and a WP during Giambi's at-bat gave the Yankees the lead they wouldn't surrender. After Pettite's 1-2-3 4th, the Yankees made it 5-2 in the fifth. Though he's had a tough start, credit to Damon for starting the two-out rally. With two outs, Damon worked a walk and stole second, Jeter masterfully worked a nine-pitch at-bat to scald a single to center, scoring Damon for a 4-2 game and importantly taking second on the futile throw home. Abreu then scalded a fastball to center, scoring Jeter 5-2 Yankees.

Pettite rolled through the fifth, but the Yankee offense stalled a bit thereafter. In the sixth, Pettite was worked over somewhat, allowing a run but minimizing the damage, keeping it at 5-3 Yankees. In the seventh and eighth, the Yankees stranded the bases loaded. But with the Mikes and me wondering if Pettite would pitch the seventh, he did and did so well, retiring the side 1-2-3 on 11 pitches and rendering Upton and Longoria a combined 0-7 off Pettite. Despite the Yanks' inability to add insurance runs, Nuke LaFarnsworth entered in the eighth and retired the side on 10 pitches with a K. Mariano was The Man yet again in the 9th, setting down the Rays on 13 pitches to earn the Yankees the series sweep, move the Yankees above .500 for the early season, and gathering momentum against the tough Red Sox for the two-game set in The Bronx. This will be fun.

Jeter was 3-4 with his 4th RBI, raising is average in the TB series to .303. Matsui was big with his homer, upping the average to .314; Abreu had a single and two walks, and A-Rod a double. Credit to Chad Moeller and Johnny Damon for working two walks apiece, one of Damon's which led to a run. I know Damon has struggled, but his walks and stolen bases have made a difference. When he hits, he'll be potent at the top of that lineup. The other components are falling into place.

Pettite wasn't smooth, certainly not in the early innings. But like a good veteran, Pettite knows how to pitch, how to settle down, and how attune his rhythms to the tenor of the game. Pettite was better later than earlier, which is good. Nuke had a good eighth and Mariano is The Greatest. Look at the comparative pitch counts, unrequited offensive opportunities notwithstanding--the Yankees threw 123 pitches through 9 IP. The Rays threw 189 pitches--66 more, about 4 IP more. Focus if you will on the Yankees' not scoring runners, in fact 10 LOB for the game and five in scoring position. But to me, the keys are embedded in the inverse--the Yankees continue to get runners, continue to work counts and use opponents' bullpens, continue to threaten late in games. They need to score them, no question, but a very good sign is that they get runners through good habits. That will continue, another positive, especially later in games. I'm confident of that.

I have been very thankful to Mark and others for the time, space, and grace to have this blog here. It is not out of animosity, but rather how I envision The Heartland possibly growing, that precipitates the move elsewhere. MLBlogs and its period of transition coincides with a period of transition with The Heartland, and in order to maintain the integrity of the blog and what it has done and strives to do in the future, moving to a more felicitous format has become necessary. Many thanks for everything you've done for me, especially to highlight The Heartland, Mark and MLBlogs. I cannot thank you enough. I'll add links and information about the transition to WordPress in the next few hours as I work out the kinks and format the new blog. I hope all readers will join me there, especially great new readers and contributors Dianna, Jimmy, Ty and many more.

See you all on the flip side. Look for updates. Let's Go, Yankees!

Yankees 8 Rays 7; Cano Clutch; A-Rod Bounces Back; Mariano Great; Harlan in Our Prayers

2008-04-15T02:59:57Z

In a topsy-turvy game, the Yankees raced ahead after battering junk-ball nemesis Andy Sonnanstine, the bullpen let the lead slip away, but a clutch pinch-hit performance from Robinson Cano and Mariano's typical greatness pulled out a big win for the Yankees, 8-7 in Tampa. It should not have taken that much stress, but some clutch hitting was eventually going to emerge. As important as anything, keep Joba Chamberlain's father in your thoughts and prayers. He collapsed and is in critical condition. Joba has left the team to join his ailing father back in Nebraska. Hang in there, Harlan.

The Yankees got it going early and often, and from some necessary sources. Damon led off the game with a homer to right, ripping an 0-1 pitch to deep right off the beleaguered Sonnanstine for a 1-0 Yankees advantage. With two outs. A-Rod positively creamed a 1-2 breaking ball to deep left, about 15 rows back, to make it 2-0. A-Rod just tied Hall-of-Famers Willie McCovey and the legendary Ted Williams for 15th on the all-time home run list with his 521st career blast. A-Rod savored every minute of it, strutting around the bases a little more patiently than usual. More importantly, note what A-Rod did in that at-bat. Though he planted his front foot because he was out in front, his short stride allowed enough weight to stay back, keeping his body and swing in balance so he didn't lunge for it. When he got it, that ball was absolutely crushed.

After IPK worked a nine-pitch first, Morgan Ensberg cranked the first pitch, a belt-high slider, to deep left for his first homer of the year to make it 3-0. Boy, pitchers who leave pitches up and over the plate to Ensberg will pay the price. With his arms extended, Ensberg will spell trouble for mediocre pitching this year. IPK allowed only a hit on nine more pitches in the second, working smoothly. The Yanks threatened in the third but stranded two on Matsui's flyout. Tampa broke through with a run in the third off Kennedy. Haynes singled and stole second, Bartlett's 6-3 moved him to third, and Crawford sac fly put Tampa on the board 3-1.

The Yanks broke it open in the fourth, chasing Sonnanstine. Ensberg fanned, Melky singled and, on a hit-and-run, Chad Moeller (up to fill in for the ailing catchers Posada and Molina) reached across the plate on a pitch-out to not only spare Melky but also single to right, first and third on Moeller's great play. Gonzo the new utility infielder walked on four pitches, and Damon continued his hot hitting by lining a double to right, scoring Melky and Moeller, 5-1. Jeter then roped a curve to center to score Gonzo and Damon, 7-1 Yankees. Abreu lined out to center, A-Rod singled, but Matsui grounded out to end the threat. As it turns out, the Yankees needed more, but the hot hitting is a most welcome change.

Kennedy got a bad break in the bottom of the fourth. Longoria doubled to right, and Hinske hit a ground-rule double to left to score Longoria, 7-2. But Damon should have caught that ball, which hit off the top of his glove. Going to his right as a lefty, it wasn't the easiest catch in the world for Damon to make, but when it hits your glove, you should catch it, period. In the fifth, Melky singled and stole second, but was stranded at third. After Damon, Jeter and Abreu went 1-2-3 in the sixth, the Yankees got into some trouble. Upton got an infield single to short, Longoria walked, Moeller pegged out Upton stealing third--though it looked like he was safe but called out because the ball was there first--Hinske popped out to Kennedy, Riggans singled Longoria to third making Upton's caught stealing huge, and Kennedy fanned Haynes on a change.

Kennedy worked out of a jam and I figured he was done, but not to be as the wheels came off the Yankees in the seventh. After throwing 92 through six, Kennedy re-entered the game and got hit on the hip with a line drive, prompting his speedy exit. Traber entered and struggled, getting Iwamura on a lineout to right but allowing a homer to Crawford, 7-4 Yankees. The pitch was low enough but was in instead of away, and Crawford waited and cranked it out. He plugged Pena and Bruney entered, surrendering an 0-2 homer to Upton, 7-6 Yankees. Not for long, as Bruney immediately coughed up the lead and Longoria's first major-league homer, tying the game at seven. Horrible. Also, anyone wondering why Joba is still in the bullpen, look no further than this game. I like Bruney and Traber and think that they will be more positive in the pen. But Joba is simply the most trustworthy set-up pitcher in the pen, no two ways about it.

In the eighth, Moeller fanned to start the inning and, against righty Al Reyes, Girardi made a great move. After sitting the slumping Cano in favor of the righty Gonzales, clearly sending a message to Cano in what itself was a great move, Girardi sent Cano in to pinch-hit, and he tattooed a 2-1 change to deep right, a no-doubt shot to give the Yankees the 8-7 lead. Way to begin your April belatedly, RC! Clutch shot, a game-winning homer. After Bruney allowed a deep F7 to the weak-hitting Bartlett for the second out of the eighth, and without Joba, Girardi saw enough and inserted Mariano for a four-out save. Mariano delivered, setting down Iwamura, fanning Crawford on three pitches with a high fastball, getting Pena on a 4-3, and blowing away Upton to end the game. Big win after dropping two straight in Boston.

A-Rod was huge, going 4-5 with his third homer and eighth RBI, batting .309. More importantly for me, his refined approach at the plate paid big dividends. Damon was 2-5 with two runs, three RBIs (five for the season), his first HR of the year to up his average to .213. Ensberg was 2-5 with his first HR and RBI this year, batting .385, and possibly earning Giambi a second straight game on the bench although, with the righty Jackson tomorrow, we'll see. Melky and Jeter were also 2-5, with Melky scoring a run and Jeter driving in two. Melky is batting .306 and Jeter is up to .241. Abreu and Moeller each had a hit, but Cano came through with a huge clutch homer to win it. Get some confidence back, RC. This team needs you.

Kennedy was good, going six and allowing eight hits, three runs earned, walking two and fanning four on 94 pitches/60 strikes. He was in command and worked out of trouble well. Traber and Bruney struggled, not a common sight this year but a reminder of how valuable Joba is. Each allowed two earned runs. But Mariano is Mariano, working a perfect 1 1/3 IP with two K's on 14 pitches. Still, at his age, Mariano is the one guy in the majors I'd call on for an out, bar none.

Big win, clutch hitting at the right time, and lots of offense with the 15 hits. Tomorrow night, Pettite (1-1, 3.09 ERA) looks to take the series win against hard-throwing Edwin Jackson (2-0, 0.64 ERA). Get well soon, Harlan Chamberlain.

On a Brighter Note...

2008-04-14T06:37:24Z

Congratulations to Mike for posting the 15,000th comment in the history of Heartland Pinstripes. Mike wins a laurel and hardy handshake, [See "Blazing Saddles," sans subsequent epithet.] Thanks for everyone coming by the HDLR tonight. It was fun despite the loss.

And the Hits Just Keep on Coming...

2008-04-14T06:31:05Z

As per Pete Abraham, helping to explain Posada's presence in the game and Molina's value to the team:

"The Yankees need a catcher. Jose Molina strained his left hamstring in the fourth inning, which is why he had to leave the game in the eighth.

"He sucked it up for us," manager Joe Girardi said.

It's uncertain what the corresponding move will be to create a roster spot, but the Yankees will be adding a catcher tomorrow. It will likely be veteran Chad Moeller.

Jorge Posada (right shoulder) said he is not ready to catch tomorrow. He was instructed not to throw tonight in the inning he caught and Boston stole two bases. Imagine what Tampa Bay would do tomorrow."

I second this last line from Abraham. With all the speed that Tampa Bay has, I wouldn't be surprised if Girardi is the back-up catcher tomorrow. Kennedy needs to be extra good or else the Rays will run wild.

Red Sox 8, Yankees 5; Hughes, Offense Struggle

2008-04-14T04:07:32Z

Lots to disenchant people with tonight's game. Hughes, to start with, was lousy. Again, this is to be expected with young pitchers and, again, this is to be expected with Hughes when he does not locate his fastball. He looked just ghastly tonight--2 IP (though he pitched to 4 in the 3rd), 6 hits, 7 runs 6 earned, 3 walks and 3 K's on 65 pitches/35 strikes. Terrible. In an 8-5 game, his poor start was the difference, no two ways about it, especially when Matsuzaka was not at all good. Worse, the Yankees again left on a ton of runners--nine in all, six in scoring position--while having only one two-out RBI. The offense was better, and should continue to improve, but it again failed to plate runners in key situations. Worse, A-Rod shows signs of regressing to his 2006-style swing, a genuine cause for concern. Plus, Cano continues to look pathetic at the plate. Spring Training is so far away, people.

The Yankees started the game and the tone in ominous ways tonight. Damon worked a good walk, stole second before Cano recorded the first of five outs tonight, Abreu worked a four-pitch walk to put Matsuzaka on the ropes, and A-Rod came up, clueless as can be, swung at the first pitch which looked to be a slider down in the strike zone, and grounded into a 5-4-3 DP. Don't tell the arrogant Morgan otherwise, however; according to him, A-Rod hit the ball hard but at someone all night. Nonsense. His impatience and inability to recognize the pitch--a sure DP pitch--got just what Matsuzaka wanted as he threw 14 pitches, only five of which were strikes. In a study in contrasts, the Red Sox plated three in the bottom of the first. Ellsbury walked, stole second on a poor pitchout, an even poorer throw from Molina, and a horrible attempted catch by Gonzales gave him third. Pedroia fanned. Drew walked on four pitches--just as Abreu did in the top of the first--but Ramirez assembled a better, seven-pitch at-bat to score runs. While he too swung at the first pitch, it was a fastball down Broadway that he missed, then worked a 1-2 count to 3-2, and belted a hanging curve for a two-out single, 1-0 Red Sox. Youkilis hit a sac fly to center, 2-0, and Sean Casey tagged a fastball up for a ground-rule double to right that gave the Yankees a lucky break by keeping Ramirez at third. A passed ball that was really a cross-up--not the first of the inning or game between Hughes and Molina--gave Ramirez home, 3-0 Red Sox, and Hughes threw 39 pitches in the first. Poor job, but worth remembering is who knows how many Matsuzaka would have thrown, and how many runs they would have scored, had A-Rod shown some patience.

Though the Yankees failed to threaten in the second, Hughes settled down briefly in the bottom half, fanning Pedroia. The Yankees finally scored in the third, when Damon walked, stole second, and scored on Abreu's double off the monster, 3-1 Red Sox. But A-Rod again wilted at the plate, popping out to Casey in foul territory. Boston blew it open in the bottom of the third, burying the Yankees in a hole that was too deep despite a good comeback. Hughes walked Drew, allowed a single to Ramirez and another to Youkilis that scored Drew, 4-1 and no outs. Casey then singled to center, 5-1 still with no outs. Hughes exited to end his terrible start, and Ohlendorf allowed two inherited runners to score. Varitek flew out to Matsui in left, Crisp advanced the runners with a ground out to Giambi, a WP scored Youkilis 6-1, Lugo walked and Ellsbury singled to score Casey 7-1.

Credit where due, the Yankees bounced back right away to make a game of it. Matsui doubled on a ball that the greatest center fielder Francona has ever seen badly misplayed, Posada fanned, Giambi walked, Molina doubled to score Matsui, 7-2, Gonzales singled in Giambi after a great ten-pitch at-bat, 7-3, Molina failed to score on a wild pitch but scored on a sac fly from Damon that could have made it 7-5 but instead made it 7-4, and Cano ended the rally with a weak uppercut swing pop-out to Lugo. Still, the Yankees cut the lead in half with more than half the game to play. Ohlendorf wasn't great but got a bases-loaded DP to Varitek to end the fourth without allowing a run. The Yankees got two on with two outs in the fifth but Giambi lined out to center to end that threat off a weak and tiring Matsuzaka. The Yankees got two walks in the sixth, but Cano advanced the runners with a weak ground out, and Abreu flew out to left to again end the threat against a shaky Aardsma.

Hawkins worked a 1-2-3 seventh, giving some hope for the eighth. The Yankee closed the gap to 7-5 on a lead-off homer from Giambi to right off Timlin, Molina singled and was taken out for a pinch-runner--more on that later--Melky entered for Gonzales and singled, presumably with the thought that the K machine Betemit would move to short and Posada with the injured shoulder would catch. First and second, no outs. What happens? You guessed it, Damon hits into a 4-4-3 DP, two down and a runner at third. Not only does he not drive the ball, he hits it right at Pedroia at second. Melky did a bad job of not obstructing Pedroia or making the DP tougher, but there was little he could effectively do after such a weak ground ball from Damon. Cano then worked a long at-bat only to ground out on a 4-3. Lousy baseball, lousy situational hitting yet again, and honestly lousy managing, as we'll see in the bottom of the 8th.

Enter Nuke LaFarnsworth, and also Jorge with his weak shoulder in to catch. Crisp promptly singled on the first pitch and stole second without a throw, probably with Jorge told not to throw as he entered the game--brilliant move Girardi--Lugo flew out to move Crisp to third, and Ellsbury's sac fly scored him, 8-5, a big insurance run in what had been a tighter game. Some questions here: how long is Nuke LaFarnsworth going to be on this team, trusted in key situations? Why was Posada, who was held out of the game because of a sore shoulder that prevented him from effectively throwing, inserted into the game when he might be expected to throw? While I like Girardi, why are more people not taking some of his in-game decisions to task? He's made a few bad calls in less than a week that have directly led to losses. I've heard a lot of guff from fellow bloggers last year who whined about Torre, complained about his allegedly sleeping during games, and crowed noisily about his bullpen and other decisions. Some of these same people have sat on their hands as Girardi has made some genuinely poor decisions. See above post.

The ninth was feeble, with Delcarmen setting down Abreu, A-Rod and Matsui in order. For those who noticed, A-Rod is giving that same weak, clueless, front-armed lumberjack swing that he did in 2006 when he struggled so badly. It's not the results that merit the comparison to 2006, it's what he's doing to merit the comparison to 2006. He's out on his front foot, he's not waiting back, he's lunging, he's not recognizing, he's pressing at the plate, and he's plainly flailing. It's not a good sign, especially as others struggle in their own special ways. He was 0-5 and has dropped to .260. Cano is a mess at the plate, going 0-5 and lowering his sub-Mendoza average to .170. He too is lunging, he's failing to take the ball to left field, he's golfing at balls in the dirt, and he's upper-cutting balls by dropping his back shoulder to produce pop-outs. Horrible.

Some positive at the plate. Molina was 2-4 with a run and an RBI, upping his average to .364. He's been huge. Matsui was 1-3 with two BBs and a run, hitting .341, excellent. Abreu was 1-4 but got his 6th RBI. Gonzales to me has earned the right to stay, getting another hit, his first RBI to ignite a comeback, and working a walk to hit .385 now. I'd send Betemit packing and recall Duncan. Jorge was 1-4, Giambi was 1-3 and scored twice, belting his second homer in three games off Timlin. I'll reserve judgment on Giambi until he hits someone other than Timlin, and raises his average from .107 to at least .207 but, right now, it still doesn't cut it, not for over $20 million. Damon was 0-1 but walked three times and stole two bases, the first two the team has this year, scoring once. On offense, this team needs more than Jeter and Posada back healthy. It needs an enema; it's got a backlog of dung. They force Matsuzaka to throw 116 pitches through five, including working six walks, and only got four runs. He got off easy, and still doesn't impress me much. He's not bad, but he's just not that good.

Speaking of which, Hughes was abysmal again. He again failed to locate his fastball, and he and Molina weren't on the same page on a couple cross-ups that hurt the team. Crucially, Hughes lacks an effective third pitch. Nice fastball--which he threw repeatedly and not necessarily for strikes--nice curve...then what? Boston is full of smart, patient, and talented hitters. They can sniff out pitching problems a mile away and, even without Lowell and Ortiz, made Hughes and the Yankees pay. Not so the other way around. Hughes has good stuff--not great. His poise and maturity have helped him a lot thus far. He needs to develop a good third pitch, either a change-up, splitter or slider. I know he's young, but a big part of struggles stem from his being a two-pitch pitcher. Ohlendorf wasn't great, especially with his three walks, but used his hard sinker to get a big DP from Varitek, and on the whole kept the Yankees in the game. So did Hawkins through 2 good innings, throwing only 17 pitches. How long will the Yankees continue to use Nuke in pressure situations? Forget it! He's not worth it. He's a bust. Ditch him already.

Kennedy (0-1 13.50 ERA) faces Sonnanstine (1-1, 6.00 ERA) tomorrow night in Tampa Bay. The Yankees need to right the ship and start winning division games again after dropping the series to Boston. There's far more to analyze, but it's late and I have other work to do. Maybe tomorrow night, after the two-week mark. It's long past due, guys. Wake up.

[Edit: Before I forget, shame on the so-called "Fenway Faithful" for the choruses of "Yankees Suck" chants. I've read insipid defenses of this from people who try to couch such boorish behavior at Fenway in terms that individualize poor behavior, that trivialize rank nonsense and heckling of players such as Posada's son who suffers from craniosynostosis, and pretend that Fenway is such a friendly place to visit for a game. To think that such chants emanate from the stands with children about, every single game repeatedly, makes me wonder how parents explain this to their kids. For anyone who knows me and what I've written, I'm critical of this wherever it occurs, including at Yankee Stadium. In addition to setting a poor example before kids, it sets a poor example of rooting for a team--against one instead of for another. Be proud, "Fenway Faithful." Again you've illustrated none of the precious "class" that some of you like to assert doesn't exist at Yankee Stadium. Pot and kettle for anyone trying to defend such rank behavior.]

HDLR 4/13/08: Yankees @ Red Sox

2008-04-13T22:56:29Z

Hi everyone, and welcome to the Heartland Digital Living Room where the hot dogs and chicken wings are always fresh, the beverages are always cold, and the chin-wagging is always fast and furious. Tonight, the Yankees go for the series win against Boston. Phil Hughes (0-1, 5.00 ERA) faces Matsuzaka (2-0, 1.47 ERA) in the series finale tonight in what should be cold, damp temperatures. Jeter will sit the series finale and hopefully will be healthy soon, although Alberto Gonzales has been a good fill-in. As per Pete Abraham, the line-ups are posted below; note Ortiz is not playing tonight. Come on in, grab a digital leather recliner and a cold one, and enjoy the game. Let's Go, Yankees!

YANKEES
Johnny Damon CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui LF
Jorge Posada DH
Jason Giambi 1B
Jose Molina C
Alberto Gonzalez SS

RED SOX
Jacoby Ellsbury LF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
J.D. Drew RF
Manny Ramirez DH
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Sean Casey 1B
Jason Varitek C
Coco Crisp CF
Julio Lugo SS

Red Sox 4, Yankees 3; A Few Costly Mistakes

2008-04-13T01:44:00Z

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.]

Yankees 4 Red Sox 1; Wang Dominates

2008-04-12T17:39:34Z

That was about as good as I've seen Wang pitch, right there with his flirtation with perfection last year against Seattle. Going the distance on only 93 pitches, Wang threw a two-hit masterpiece, allowing a home run to JD Drew that Abreu really should have caught. He faced only two over the minimum, not allowing a walk, fanning three and, while getting 10 ground outs, getting a remarkable 14 fly outs. Some were deep, but many were easy pops. Wang was in total control, giving the bullpen a night off.

Wang had to be good because Buchholz started extremely well himself. Through four, he only allowed a single to Matsui. But the Yanks broke through in the fifth when Matsui and Posada walked to lead off, Giambi fanned but Molina, who has been big thus far this year, doubled in Matsui, 1-0 Yankees. Gonzales--who is making Betemit increasingly expendable--walked to load the bases, but Melky lined to first for an unassisted double play, bad luck really on a hard-hit ball. In the bottom of the fifth, Drew homered with two outs, but Wang allowed nothing else.

The Yanks threatened in the sixth when A-Rod hit a two-out single, Matsui doubled, but Posada grounded out to end it. They added two more in the seventh when Giambi blasted a homer to center, 2-1, Molina doubled through a wide gap in left center with Boston shading Molina to right center, Gonzales bunted him to third, and against Okajima Melky the Clutch hit a sac fly to make it 3-1, textbook run manufacturing. Wang cruised through the bottom of the seventh, getting two ground outs and catching Ramirez looking. The Yankees got singles from A-Rod and Posada, and Giambi walked to load the bases in the eighth, but Aardsma fanned Molina. The Yankees added an insurance run in the ninth when Gonzales doubled, Melky bunted him to third and with two outs Abreu singled him in, 4-1.

A-Rod had two hits and is hitting .310, Matsui was 2-3 and is hitting .342, a great start. Molina has been enormous, getting two hits to raise his average to .346, Giambi's homer was big and snapped a 1-20 start, Posada and Abreu each had a single, and how about Melky helping manufacture runs with a sac fly and a bunt, great job in the lead-off spot. Girardi's moves paid off nicely, and the team's patience was excllent, drawing four walks. I just knew they'd push runs over with the lead-off walks in the fifth. Though the team left 9 on base, five in scoring position, they dominated the last five innings and threatened or scored in all of them.

But Wang was the story, having total command of all his pitches and locking down Ortiz and Ramirez with a collective 0-6 with three K's. The best start of the year, which is saying something given Mussina's six-inning gem against Toronto. Wang is now 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA. Three starts, three wins, three gems. Tremendous.

Speaking of which, Mussina (1-1, 3.09 ERA) faces Beckett (0-1, 9.64 ERA) this afternoon. Thanks to everyone for stopping by the HDLR last night. It was a blast. Let's Go, Yankees!!! [Three exclamation points for you, Jimmy.]

HDLR 4/11/08: Yankees @ Red Sox

2008-04-11T22:19:29Z

Hi everyone, and welcome to the Heartland Digital Living Room, where the hot dogs and chicken wings are always fresh, the beverages are always cold, the chin-wagging is always spicy, I have a batch of homemade Rivalry Bock chilling in the fridge, and I've been up for 36 straight hours. Tonight, the Yankees head into Boston for the first series of the year against the Red Sox. Jeter and Damon will sit tonight, Melky the Clutch leads off, Cano is batting second requiring extra helpings of patience for the kids in the 1-2 slots, Posada is again the DH, and Wang (2-0, 1.38 ERA) faces Buchholz (0-1, 5.40 ERA). As per Pete Abraham, below are the lineups. Come on in, grab a digital leather recliner, and enjoy the game. Let's Go, Yankees!

YANKEES
Cabrera CF
Cano 2B
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui LF
Posada DH
Giambi 1B
Molina C
Gonzalez SS
Wang RHP (2-0, 1.38)

RED SOX
Crisp CF
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Ramirez LF
Youkilis 3B
Drew RF
Varitek C
Casey 1B
Lugo SS
Buchholz RHP (0-1, 5.40)

Yankees 6 Royals 1

2008-04-11T22:03:53Z

I was busy as all get out last night, so I didn't have time until now to throw together a quick post on last night's win, which deserves a post. The offense finally got back on track, banging out 12 hits while working three walks to salvage a game in KC, 6-1. A-Rod and Posada belted insurance solo homers in the ninth to salt it, Melky the Clutch got the offense going with a solo shot to deep left in the 3rd to tie it, and the offense got back to looking like the Yankees. Melky the Clutch was 2-5 with 2 RBIs, A-Rod was 1-4 with 2 RBIs, Posada was 2-4 with 2 runs and an RBI, Ensberg and Molina had two hits apiece, and Gonzales, Matsui and Damon added a single apiece.

Not to be overlooked, Pettite was outstanding, going 6 2/3 IP of one-run, five-hit ball with 2 BBs and a K. The game turned around when yours truly mentioned how clutch a DP would be with one out in the third after Melky the Clutch's tater tied it, and Pettite got the grounder to A-Rod, who fielded it, crossed third, and whipped a bean to Ensberg at first for the DP. After a short rain delay in the 4th with the Yanks up 2-1, Pettite picked off Gordon right away. Pettite then cruised through the fifth, saved his head by snaring German's liner through the box, and handed it over to Joba in the 7th. Joba did surrender two hits, but preserved the 4-1 lead with 2 Ks, looking good and using all pitches. Mariano allowed a single in an otherwise uneventful ninth.

A-Rod is now at 520 homers, one shy of both Willie McCovey and Ted Williams. Though the Yankees left on 8, 4 in scoring position, they got 3 two-out RBIs and added on for a change. That was a great way to head into Boston.

HDLR tonight. I've got cold homemade Spring Bock icing down in the fridge, so I hope it's good. I also have an ice cold Ommegang, which will get consumed tonight.

Royals 4 Yankees 0; Pathetic

2008-04-10T20:17:39Z

That's about the size of it. Since I had a ton of work to do, and have more to do tonight, I'll try to make this brief. Also, I'll only be able to catch parts of the game tonight.

The Yankees played in a rain storm last night, forced to do so primarily because, with inter-league play and the division-skewed schedule, this is the only trip to KC the Yankees make in 2008. As a result, Girardi cleverly held Kennedy out of the game and cobbled together a staff of relievers in the event the game was called. Bruney did well and Traber was decent through three, and Nuke had a good fourth. They battled Zack Greinke to a stalemate on a rain-soaked field that had standing water around the infield perimeter by the third inning. It could have been called to play a double-header today, except today's forecast was for more of the same. Girardi's gamble worked fine until he left in Nuke to pitch a second inning. He grooved a pitch to Buck to start the inning, and Buck creamed it to center, 1-0 Royals. They then added another later in the fifth to make it 2-0. Kennedy entered in the sixth and surrendered two more, hence the final score since the Yankees' offense has taken a collective powder through eight of the first nine games.

It's really disgraceful watching the so-called Yankees offense operate--seven hits, seven LOB, five RISP stranded, weak ground-outs, three double plays, swinging at the first pitch. Perhaps worst of all, the offense played as though it was awaiting a rain delay. It was an abysmal, run-for-the-bus performance, one that should precipitate some lineup changes. Such poor effort should not go unpunished, and I'd argue it's an important time for Girardi to put his foot down.

I'd sit Giambi. He allegedly plays better when he's in the field, but is hitting all of .056. Sit him in favor of Ensberg if he can play. Duncan unfortunately got sent down to make room for Gonzales while Jeter's hurt. Move Cano back to the second half of the order, say seventh. Mike from The Sommer Frieze suggested hitting Molina second--not a bad idea since he has some patience and bat skills. I'd consider Melky, though I'd give him a good talking-to before the game about what's expected when hitting second--PATIENCE. Either way, send the message to Cano that the impatient approach yielding poor results doesn't cut it, period. Were it not for the lefty Bale going tonight, I'd consider Matsui second, but if Damon plays that means two lefties atop the lineup.

The offense should be ashamed of its collective self. According to Pete Abraham, the team is 11-66 with runners in scoring position. The return of a healthy Jeter and Posada--whose shoulder is apparently OK enough for a few days' rest to help him--will certainly help. Nonetheless, this team cannot continue to waste early-season games, squander numerous scoring chances, and allow the pitching to shoulder the load and responsibility to win game after game.

WAKE UP!!!

No HDLR Tonight

2008-04-09T18:13:52Z

A few weeks ago, I had slated tonight as an HDLR night. Since I'm putting the finishing touches on a dissertation chapter, and also since Friday's game against Boston will be an HDLR event of epic proportions, I'm going to abstain from doing the HDLR tonight. My apologies to everyone in advance. I do plan to watch at least some of the game and write up a summary.

Royals 5 Yankees 2; One of THOSE Games + UH-OH

2008-04-08T23:48:35Z

This loss annoys me. There are lots of reasons why--A-Rod going 0-4 with 4 K's, the Golden Sombrero; Cano going 1-5 with 2 K's, one of which with the bases loaded; Giambi's 0-2 with a K to strand a runner, eleven strikeouts for the team; allowing five stolen bases. But honestly, the biggest reason why today's 5-2 loss to KC bothers me is because after the Yankees left the bases loaded in the top of the second after Cano fanned, even though the Yanks led 2-1 they were in trouble. Not only with the offensive struggles, but also with the pattern that this team has unfortunately and frustratingly exhibited in recent years, when they let mediocre pitchers off the hook, when they strand runners and fail to assemble the big inning, they so often lose. They positively worked over Bannister in the second, forcing him to throw 42 pitches--54 through two innings--but only 43 through the next three. They only got three hits and a walk off Bannister for the next three innings--two of those in the third--and no more runs. After that, they mustered only two hits and a walk off Ron Mahay--and nothing else to the end of the game.

I'm an optimist, and I'm still very optimistic about this team and the offense. But this team just so often lacks the ability to mount comebacks, and that problem wreaks so badly in such games that it's palpable. As soon as they started stranding runners, I just knew they'd fizzle. I don't always think that, and some games they show resiliency. In other games, it's pathetically easy to sniff out, as it was today.

Hughes struggled badly, which fans should expect to happen. He's a kid with terrific stuff who's still learning how to pitch, and hopefully fans will be patient with him. They need to be. Though I feel he got squeezed by home-plate ump Mark Wegner a bit, he failed to consistently locate his fastball. His downfall was the second, when he threw 34 pitches, allowed a nine-pitch walk to the weak-hitting Pena, and was worked over. He didn't record an out in the fourth, allowing six hits, three runs earned, four walks and fanning two on 87 pitches/47 strikes. Ohlendorf came in and got a strikeout and a DP, teasing us to think with the close game that the Yankees might come back. But for the first time this year, Ohlendorf struggled, allowing two runs in the fifth to make it 5-2 Royals. Otherwise he was good. Traber and Hawkins each allowed a hit in an inning of work apiece.

Yet the offense was putrid in the clutch, leaving nine on base, four in scoring position. Betemit was pathetic, fanning three times around his two-out RBI single. In 13 at-bats this year, he's struck out seven times--wretched. Although he was productive last season by any sober estimation, he's embarrassing me and anyone else who has defended him. Let A-Rod play short for a few games, put Ensberg at third, and sit Betemit, period. I'm baffled as to how A-Rod can be baffled by such a pedestrian pitcher as Bannister. It's always the forgettable pitchers with fluff stuff who seem to bother A-Rod. He, Betemit, and Cano fanned nine times as a group. The offense continues to get chances; that's not the problem. It's the continual failure to score runners that's the problem.

Ian Kennedy (0-1, 23.14 ERA) faces Zack Greinke (1-0, 1.29 ERA) tomorrow night. The offense really needs to wake up and hit in the clutch.

[Edit: UH-OH. According to Pete Abraham, "Trouble is mounting for the Yankees. Jorge Posada will have an MRI here tomorrow and could be headed for the disabled list with a sore right shoulder. "Dead," Posada said when asked his shoulder felt.

Talks will be held tonight and don't be surprised if Chad Moeller is on the roster tomorrow. Otherwise the Yankees will have Jose Molina behind the plate with Morgan Ensberg backing him up." That's so often why I predicate my prognostications and assessments for the Yankees based upon health. That might explain why Jorge's throws were poor today, but it also makes me wonder how long his shoulder has been sore, and how bad it's been. The team quite frankly has a poor history of honesty about injuries. Either way, the Yankees did themselves an enormous favor last year when they traded Jeff Kennard for Jose Molina, because the team will likely need him for the near future. But with absolutely no offense to Molina whom I respect and enjoy, here at the beginning of this long road stretch, facing talented and deep lineups without one of the premier catchers in the game, this is baaaad news. Let's hope it's short term, and that the others step up now.]

Yankees 6 Rays 1; Offense, Mussina Step Up

2008-04-08T02:20:42Z

Finally, the offense broke out with a good night, belting eleven hits and getting diffuse production, while Mussina had an outstanding start to catapult the Yankees to a big 6-1 win over the Rays to earn the series split. Bobby Abreu needed only a double to hit for the cycle, going 3-3 with three runs and two RBIs to raise his average to .400, Matsui was 2-4 with two RBIs and is hitting .375, A-Rod drove in his fifth run with a sixth-inning single and is hitting .320, Cano drove in his first run, and Damon had two hits to threaten the Mendoza line. However, the Yankees await word on a leg injury that Jeter sustained. At first reported as a quad injury, ESPN's Buster Olney later termed it a groin strain, with an MRI to come. Whatever the problem, hopefully it's not serious.

The Yankees got going right away in the first, when Abreu's homer to right plated Jeter and him for a 2-0 lead. After surrendering a solo homer to Gomes in the third, Mussina allowed a one-out walk to Bartlett, who stole second on a bad throw from Molina. Yet he ended up stranded at third. The Yankees squandered a chance to gain the run back in the bottom of the third when Molina doubled, Damon and Ensberg failed to advance the runner, and Abreu singled sharply to Upton, who has a terrific arm, holding Molina at third. A-Rod's force ended the threat. Yet Mussina held it tight, putting together a 1-2-3 fourth and stranding DeFelice after his two-out double in the fifth. The sixth inning was key for both Mussina and the offense. Cano's two-out error allowed Pena to reach but Mussina, throwing eighteen pitches in the inning, got Upton to ground into a force to end it. His line was something--6 IP, 2 hits, a run earned, a BB, three K's on 82 pitches/52 strikes. His curve and change were excellent, and he was able to locate his fastball on the hands of batters. Great start for Mussina.

The offense came alive in the bottom of the sixth. Abreu tripled, A-Rod brought him home with a single, and Matsui worked the count to 3-1 to get his pitch, cranking it for a double scored him to make it 4-1 with no outs. But though Cano's productive ground out moved Matsui to third, Betemit fanned yet again for the second out, the Rays issued Melky an IBB, and Molina grounded into a 6-4 force on the first pitch. Still, the runs were huge insurance, effectively burying the Rays. The Yankees added two more in the seventh. Ensberg singled, Abreu walked, A-Rod struck out on a bad call, Matsui's single to right scored Ensberg on a good aggressive call by Meacham at third, and Cano's single scored Abreu, 6-1 Yankees.

The bullpen shut it down in the last three. Bruney worked a perfect seventh, Nuke was very good in a perfect eighth with a K, and though he struggled to throw strikes, Hawkins didn't allow any runs and fanned Gomes with two on to end the game. In all, Yankee pitchers allowed three hits and two walks, a great group effort that also gave Joba and Mariano a day off, and hopefully restored some much-needed confidence in Nuke and Hawkins. The offense was much improved. Though they stranded three in scoring position, they had two two-out RBIs. The closer those are in balance--or the more two-out RBIs a team can have vis-a-vis stranded RISP--the better off it will be.

Terrific group effort by the Yanks tonight in a big game. The Yankees earned a split after dropping the first two games of the series, they're back above .500, they got another excellent start, the bullpen was very good again, and the offense warmed up. More of the same on the upcoming road trip will obviously serve them well. KC has started hot, Boston is Boston, and the Yankees face Tampa Bay again for two before returning for only two against Boston mid-week before heading to Baltimore, Chicago, and Cleveland. Big stretch upcoming and, while the pitching has been very good, the team will need to score against these opponents, count on it.

Warm it up, guys.