Monday, May 26, 2008

Back to the Norm

The Yankees 5-game winning streak came to a halt this afternoon when the Baltimore Orioles won 6-1 at Camden Yards. The Yankees got another great start from Darrell Rasner, who allowed just a solo home run by Nick Markakis in 6 innings, but the Yankees bullpen imploded and the offense managed just 5 hits on the day.

The Orioles were clinging to a 1-0 lead when LaTroy Hawkins entered the game to start the 7th. He allowed a lead off single to Ramon Hernandez, but struck out Adam Jones and Freddie Bynum for a quick 2 outs. It would be a while before the Yankees got that final out.

Hawkins walked Brian Roberts and then allowed an RBI single to Melvin Mora for a 2-0 lead. Joe Girardi opted for Jose Veras, who pitched worse than Hawkins. After allowing an RBI single to Markakis, he served up a gopher ball to Aubrey Huff who put the game out of reach with a 3-run home run.

The Yankees managed just 3 hits off of starter Garrett Olson over 7 innings, after pounding him at Yankee Stadium last week. The Yankees did manage a couple of rallies, but a lack of key hitting and some Orioles defense thwarted their efforts. With two on and two out in the 2nd inning, Melky Cabrera grounded out to short. Cabrera is 12-62 since May 6 and has seen his average dip from .291 to .249.

The Yankees had another 2-out shot in the 3rd. With Johnny Damon on 2nd and Alex Rodriguez on 1st, Hideki Matsui singled through the right side, but Markakis, who leagues the AL in assists, gunned down Damon at home.

Rasner allowed just 3 hits through the first 5 innings as he extended his scoreless streak to 12 innings. But Markakis' 9th home run snapped the scoreless tie and helped to hand Rasner his first loss in four decisions.

The Yankees finally broke up the shutout in the 9th when Matsui doubled, for his 3rd hit of the day, and scored 3 batters later on a base hit by Chad Moeller.

News and Notes

Jorge Posada went 0-5 in an extended spring training game.

May 26, 2008

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
NY Yankees
 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
1 5 0
Baltimore
 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 X
6 9 0

NY YankeesABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Damon, LF4010011.265
Jeter, SS3000121.282
Abreu, RF4000012.288
Rodriguez, 3B2000201.289
Matsui, DH4130001.331
Duncan, S, 1B4000023.164
Cano, 2B4000012.224
Moeller, C2011110.265
Cabrera, CF4000004.249
Totals311514815

BATTING
2B: Matsui (9, Walker).
TB: Damon; Matsui 4; Moeller.
RBI: Moeller (8).
2-out RBI: Moeller.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rodriguez; Cabrera; Duncan, S.
Team LOB: 8.

BASERUNNING
SB: Rodriguez (3, 2nd base off Olson/Hernandez, R), Jeter (3, 2nd base off Olson/Hernandez, R).

NY YankeesIPHRERBBSOHRERA
Rasner (L, 3-1)6.05111311.80
Hawkins 0.22331206.08
Veras 1.12220114.50
BaltimoreABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Roberts, 2B3100100.258
Mora, 3B4111000.239
Markakis, RF4232000.258
Huff, DH4123001.246
Scott, LF3000111.250
Payton, LF0000000.237
Millar, 1B4010001.236
Hernandez, R, C4110012.215
Jones, CF4010021.253
Bynum, SS3000024.234
Totals336962610

BATTING
2B: Markakis (6, Rasner), Huff (11, Rasner).
HR: Markakis (9, 6th inning off Rasner, 0 on, 1 out), Huff (8, 7th inning off Veras, 2 on, 2 out).
TB: Mora; Markakis 7; Huff 6; Millar; Hernandez, R; Jones.
RBI: Markakis 2 (24), Mora (25), Huff 3 (28).
2-out RBI: Mora; Markakis; Huff 3.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Bynum 2; Huff; Millar.
Team LOB: 5.

FIELDING
Outfield assists: Markakis (Damon at home).


BaltimoreIPHRERBBSOHRERA
Olson (W, 4-1)7.03004704.09
Bradford 1.00000102.70
Walker 1.02110004.20

HBP: Moeller (by Olson).
Pitches-strikes: Rasner 98-68, Hawkins 20-12, Veras 19-11,
Olson 107-60, Bradford 14-9, Walker 12-7.
Ground outs-fly outs: Rasner 4-11, Hawkins 0-0, Veras 1-2,
Olson 4-9, Bradford 1-1, Walker 1-2.
Batters faced: Rasner 24, Hawkins 5, Veras 6, Olson 28,
Bradford 3, Walker 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Veras 2-2.
Umpires: HP: Lance Barksdale. 1B: Doug Eddings.
2B: Ted Barrett. 3B: Dana DeMuth.
Weather: 88 degrees, partly cloudy.
Wind: 10 mph, Out to CF.
T: 2:46.
Att: 34,928.

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Ballhype: hype it up!

posted by Mantlemurcer at 11:28 PM 0 comments

Yankees vs. Orioles - May 26

The Yankees activated Wilson Betemit, sending down Alberto Gonzalez to make room. How Morgan Ensberg is staying on this team is beyond us.

Here are the lineups courtesy of Peter Abraham

YANKEES
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Duncan 1B
Cano 2B
Moeller C
Cabrera CF
Rasner RHP

ORIOLES
Roberts 2B
Mora 3B
Markakis RF
Huff DH
Scott LF
Millar 1B
Hernandez C
Jonees CF
Bynum SS
Olson LHP

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Ballhype: hype it up!

posted by Mantlemurcer at 12:40 PM 0 comments

Around the Horn - 5/26


















Memorial Day, 2008; how many people would have had the Tampa Rays and Chicago White Sox sitting atop their respective divisions?

Tampa got back in the lead of the East by winning 3 straight from the Orioles while the Red Sox lost 3 in a row to the A's.

The Indians appeared to be starting to take over the AL Central, then they went out and lost 8 of 11. They've also lost starter Fausto Carmona for a month with a strained hip. The Tigers continue their mediocrity, they split their last 10 games and sit with the Royals in last place, 8 games under .500. The Tigers might have found themselves in sole possession of last if not for the Royals having lost 7 straight. The White Sox have risen back to the top in spite of their lack of hitting. 4 of their 5 starters sport in ERA under 4.00.

Our pick for the AL West title, Seattle, is sinking faster than the Titanic. The Mariners are 5-18 in May, and though Ichiro backs his manager, John McLaren's days could be numbered. The Angels, like the White Sox, have been severely lacking in runs scored, but pitching has kept them afloat, and above inferior teams like the A's and Rangers, who are both above .500.




















Somehow the Marlins still sit atop the NL East despite fielding an inexperienced team. But players like Dan Uggla (.318-16-37) and Hanley Ramirez (.305-9-23 13 SB 41 Runs) are playing like league MVPs.

While the Mets continue to scuffle, the Braves are right in the thick of things and could actually pull out the title. The Phillies pitching woes and Ryan Howard hitting under .200 have kept the team from running away with the East.

The Cubs, the surprising Cardinals, and the even more surprising Astros are doing battle in the NL Central. The Cubs and Cards are tied for first, with the Cubs actually ahead by 3 percentage points.

The Cubs are still clearly the best team, but the Cardinals starting pitching and the play of Carlos Lee, Miguel Tejada, and MVP candidate Lance Berkman for the Astros could make this a 3 team fight right to the finish. The underachieving Brewers could cost their manager, Ned Yost, his job if things don't turn around soon.

The Diamondbacks are still the best, most consistent team in the West. A different player steps up every day on offense and the pitching lead by Brandon Webb (9-1) has been superb. The Dodgers will be there to the finish, but could the Rockies stage a big 2nd half again? The Giants and Padres are battling as well, to finish last. With Jake Peavy, Greg Maddux, and Chris Young in the rotation, just how is San Diego that bad?

* * *

Terrible news out of Venezuela; former big leaguer Geremi Gonzalez, who pitched with the Mets, Cubs, and Red Sox among others, was killed over the weekend when he was struck by lightning. He was only 33.

* * *

Lost in last day and night's 18 inning affair between the Reds and Padres, Aaron Harang struck out 7 batters in a row at one point and had 9 K's in his 4 innings of relief. This was just 2 days after his last start.

* * *

The Red Sox couldn't work out a deal with the Rockies for Julian Tavarez, who then opted for free agency. It appears he's set to sign with the Brewers.

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Ballhype: hype it up!

posted by Mantlemurcer at 12:39 PM 0 comments

Memorial Day Game

A very Happy Memorial Day to all veterans and current members of the armed forces. Hopefully you all will come home safe and sound from the tragedy in Iraq.

The Yankees are feeling pretty good about themselves these days. Their first late inning come back on Sunday extended their winning streak to 5 games and got them back to .500 (25-25). They start a 3-game series this afternoon in Baltimore against the slumping Orioles (24-25), who have lost 5 in a row to drop past the Yankees into the AL East basement.

The Yankees lost 2 of 3 in Baltimore in April before taking 2 of 3 last week at Yankee Stadium. The two wins started the current winning streak.

Darrell Rasner started the streak by shutting out the Orioles over 7 innings in the Yankees 8-0 win on May 21. The right-hander is 3-0, 1.89 in his 3 starts, with 11 K's and just 2 walks in 19 innings. He'll be opposed by Garrett Olson (3-1, 5.19), whose sole loss this season was that same game. He gave up 6 runs on 8 hits in 2.1 innings, including a home run by Alex Rodriguez.

The series continues on Tuesday with Ian Kennedy (0-3, 7.27) looking to build off of his last start. He'll be opposed by left-hander Brian Burres (4-4, 3.16), in rematch of last Thursday's 2-1loss to the Yankees. Neither pitcher figured in the decision. Burres also beat the Yankees on April 19, throwing 5.2 innings in a 6-0 Orioles win.

Wednesday's finale will feature Andy Pettitte against Jeremy Guthrie. Pettitte (4-5, 4.27) tossed 7 shutout innings on April 20 in the Yankees 7-1 win over the O's. Guthrie (2-5, 3.62) is 1-0, 4.74 in 3 starts, plus 1 relief appearance, against the Yankees in his career.

Jorge Posada hopes to return to the Yankees lineup in 2 weeks. He headed to Tampa after yesterday's game to begin playing in extended spring training games. Posada's arm is feeling good and he has good strength in his shoulder.

Stats to Date

Player
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
K
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS

Hideki Matsui
47
168
27
54
8
0
6
23
20
22
0
0
.321
.403
.476
.879
Jorge Posada
18
63
8
19
6
1
1
11
3
11
0
0
.302
.333
.476
.810
Álex Rodríguez
30
112
20
33
9
0
6
16
9
25
2
0
.295
.358
.536
.893
Bobby Abreu
49
187
22
55
11
1
6
32
17
40
3
3
.294
.353
.460
.813
Derek Jeter
44
174
25
50
7
3
2
23
10
18
2
1
.287
.339
.397
.735
Wilson Betemit
10
26
2
7
2
0
1
3
0
7
0
0
.269
.296
.462
.758
Johnny Damon
47
177
30
47
14
1
5
20
21
28
6
2
.266
.342
.441
.782
Melky Cabrera
48
165
18
42
5
0
6
21
15
21
3
0
.255
.317
.394
.711
Chad Moeller
13
47
7
12
2
0
1
7
4
11
0
0
.255
.314
.362
.675
Jason Giambi
41
126
22
29
8
0
9
24
27
21
1
1
.230
.387
.508
.894
Robinson Canó
49
179
17
41
10
0
4
19
12
18
1
3
.229
.284
.352
.635
José Molina
31
97
8
21
10
0
0
5
2
15
0
0
.216
.230
.320
.550
Alberto González
21
42
4
9
2
0
0
1
4
7
0
0
.214
.283
.262
.545
Morgan Ensberg
28
74
6
15
0
0
1
4
6
22
0
1
.203
.263
.243
.506
Shelley Duncan
19
51
6
9
2
0
1
6
6
11
0
0
.176
.259
.275
.533
Chris Stewart
1
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
.000
.000
.000
.000
Kyle Farnsworth
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
.000
.000
.000
Total


1691
222
443
96
6
49
215
156
278
18
11
.262
.330
.413
.743

Player
G
GS
W
L
SV
CG
SHO
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
K
ERA
WHIP
BAA
Edwar Ramírez
11
0
1
0
0
0
0
12.2
7
0
0
0
6
15
0.00
1.03
.156
Mariano Rivera
19
0
1
1
12
0
0
20.0
10
1
1
0
0
17
0.45
0.50
.149
Brian Bruney
9
1
1
0
1
0
0
11.1
7
2
2
2
6
12
1.59
1.15
.175
Darrell Rasner
3
3
3
0
0
0
0
19.0
14
4
4
2
2
11
1.89
0.84
.206
Chris Britton
2
0
0
0
0