Revenge is Best Served Cold

Tomko Exacts His Revenge

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: a.j. burnett • Alex Rodriguez • Andrew Bailey • Brett Tomko • Mark Ellis • Oakland Athletics • Scott Hairston • Yankees 8/17 recap • Yankees vs. A's

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

WP - Tomko (2-2) SV - Bailey (18) LP - Burnett (10-6)

Let’s not beat around the bush, Brett Tomko was, is, and will always be a mediocre pitcher. The Yankees finally came to that realization on July 21 and designated Tomko for assignment. He wasn’t happy. Last night, Tomko got a measure of revenge, tossing 5 scoreless innings in a 3-0 Oakland A’s win over the Yankees. It was Tomko’s first win since July 4…when he was a Yankee.

Don’t be mistaken, the Yankees had their opportunities against their former teammate, but couldn’t cash in. Mark Teixeira laced a 2-out double in the 1st, but was stranded when Alex Rodriguez flew out. Birthday boy (38) Jorge Posada led off the 2nd inning with a single, but got no further than 1st base. Derek Jeter and Ramiro Pena started the 3rd with consecutive singles and moved up a base on Johnny Damon’s fly out. But after a walk to Teixeira, A-Rod bounced into an inning ending 1-2-3 double play.

A.J. Burnett breezed through the first three innings, but after getting the lead off man in the 4th, ran into trouble. Rajai Davis doubled, stole 3rd base, and scored on Kurt Suzuki’s single. Scott Hairston followed with a single and the runners moved up on a ground out. That’s when Burnett decided to hold on to the baseball. The only problem was that he was already in his delivery. The balk made it a 2-0 game.

From Josh Dubow, AP: “We got crossed up with the signs,” Burnett said. “He wanted a fastball in and I thought I was throwing a curve away. When I saw him move it messed me up. There was no way I could throw that pitch.”

Mark Ellis‘ RBI double finished off the scoring for the inning and for the evening. Burnett went the distance, his 100th pitch being his last. But the Yankees offense was flat and quickly went in order in the 9th against closer Andrew Bailey.

Game Notes

The Yankees 14-game homer streak came to an end. It was the longest streak since a 16-game streak in 1994. It was the 4th time this season the Yankees have been blanked.

Nick Swisher has reached base safely in 26 straight games.

The series continues tonight with CC Sabathia facing Vin Mazzaro.

It's Time to DFA Tomko

I was glad to be at a barbecue today, blissfully unaware of what was transpiring down in South Florida.

First and foremost, let's hope the injury to CC Sabathia is nothing serious. Bicep tightness could be due to just about anything. It wouldn't be surprising if the big man missed a start and Phil Hughes got a spot start.

While I don't know what will happen with CC, I've known all year that the bullpen must be overhauled. Designating Jose Veras for assignment was a start and now it's time for Brett Tomko to join him.

Let me say right off the bat, I have NEVER liked Tomko as a major league pitcher. He did a decent job when he first came up this year, but there's a reason Tomko doesn't stick with teams. Quite simply, he stinks. And he showed it quite succinctly today in the Yankees 6-3 loss that started out as a 3-1 lead.

I've continually beat on Brian Cashman for his inability to put together a quality bullpen and this year is different. Some people have pointed out to me that last year's pen was good until Kyle Farnsworth was traded. They had a good stretch, no more than that people.

Make no mistake, putting together a pen is one of the most difficult things to do in all of baseball. Other than a starting rotation, it will make or break a team more than any other ingredient. Especially in today's game, where front office people are ready to cream themselves if a starting pitcher goes a whole 6 innings. All it does is put more of a burden on the bullpen.

But more disturbing than the lack of a good pen, is sticking with a bad pen. It's time for Cashman to get off the dime and get some reinforcements in the Bronx.
Mark Melancon and Anthony Claggett should get another shot with the big club. David Robertson should be used in key situations rather than just as a mop up man.

And if need be, go out and get an arm. While everyone needs bullpen help, the Yankees certainly have enough young pitching prospects to barter a deal.

Possible relievers for the Pinstripes:

Jose Valverde, HOU: It's too early right now, but the Astros could move their closer once they fall farther out of the wild card race.

Huston Street, COL: I've never been a big fan of Street's, but I would be willing to give him a shot in a set up role.

Kerry Wood, CLE: He's having a rough year, no doubt, but he's a big time quality arm. Perhaps a change of scenery, and role, could change things. You would think the Indians would like to dump the rest of his contract.

Scott Linebrink, CHI (AL): On another team that won't be moving someone like Linebrink that early, but though he's overpaid, he's one of the most consistent set up men in the game.

Danys Baez, BAL: You've heard the name a lot this season. He's been one of the better arms out of a mediocre Orioles bullpen. But I think he's no better than what we've got.

Mike Gonzalez/Rafael Soriano, ATL: Too early for Atlanta to make moves, but this dynamite lefty/righty duo are both free agents after this season. Both have a history of arm problems, but would be worth a rental. Don't overlook one stat though, left-handed batters are hitting .295 against the southpaw Gonzalez, while righties are under .200. It's a consistent stat throughout Gonzalez' career.

Lesser Names: Matt Herges (CLE), Jon Rauch (AZ), David Weather (CIN), Kiki Calero (FLA, on DL),

Joba Could be Scratched Today

Now we know why Al Aceves didn't pitch yesterday and Brett Tomko only went one inning. Joba Chamberlain, today's scheduled starter, may have to be scratched after he broke a blood vessel during batting practice on Saturday.

The Associated Press reported that Chamberlain felt something pop when he flipped a ball underhanded back into the infield during BP.

Gene Monahan, the Yankees’ head trainer, told Girardi he didn’t think the injury would be an issue.

“Joba was able to grip the ball tonight during the game,” Girardi said. “We’ll know fairly quickly when he starts warming up if he can go.”

Aceves will get the start today if Chamberlain can't go.

Tomko up, Hacker DFAed

We need to get some explanation from Brian Cashman on this one. Brett Tomko was recalled from Scranton today with David Robertson being sent down. To make room on the 40-man roster, pitcher Eric Hacker was designated for assignment.

This makes no sense to us at all. The Yankees are keeping Angel Berroa as insurance in case A-Rod were to re-injure himself. The question is why? Have the Yankees not learned from Josh Phelps, Morgan Ensberg, etc., who were either at the tail end of their careers or never had much of one? Berroa is highly replaceable.

Hacker wasn't having a good year. He was 0-1, 7.88 in 3 starts after his promotion from Trenton, where he went 1-1, 4.11 in 3 starts. But it comes a season after Hacker blossomed at Tampa and Trenton. Hacker allowed less than a hit an inning and had a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio in 144.1 innings pitched.

Hacker is 26, but we can't see him going unclaimed in waivers.

On another note, we have to laugh at all the Yankees fan clamoring for Tomko to be recalled. People can get over infatuated with minor league numbers. Tomko is a journeyman for a reason. Good enough for cups of coffee, but not enough to stick in one place very long.

Albaladejo Gets Final Spot in Pen

According to Tyler Kepner of the Times, you can officially forget having a long man in the bullpen. Yankees reliever Jonathan Albaladejo, acquired prior to the the '08 season for Tyler Clippard, has been told he has the final spot in the Yankees bullpen.

Brett Tomko, Dan Giese, and Al Aceves were thought to be battling to be the final man, but Joe Girardi recently revealed that he might not go with a long man after all. Albaladejo also gives Girardi the ability to mix and match more in the late innings.

Aceves will be a starter for Scranton, which is probably a better role for him anyway, while Giese and Tomko will be assigned to the Scranton pen.

Wang Impresses in Second Start

Chien-Ming Wang is done for the day after three stellar innings. He allowed three hits, including a solo home run to Casey Kotchman, walked none and struck out two.

Brett Tomko is now in as he competes for the long man role in the bullpen.

A-Rod Starts Grapefruit Games with a Bang

Alex Rodriguez received the expected boos from the Toronto Blue Jays fans in Dunedin, FL today, but his teammates applauded when he smacked a 2-run home run in the fourth inning.

The Yankees lead the Blue Jays 6-1 in the fifth inning- you can see the details on Peter Abraham's blog. Brett Gardner got his spring off to a nice start with a game lead off home run.

Brett Tomko went the first two (correction from earlier) innings before giving way to Jose Veras.

Update 4:22 PM: It's all over down in Dunedin, with the Yankees winning their exhibition opener, 6-1.

This quote from A-Rod about the crowd, via Peter Abraham- “I hope they bring some of these people to Fenway".

Yeah, sure you do buddy.

Todd Linden and Juan Miranda added RBI singles. In addition to Tomko and Veras, Dan Giese, Kei Igawa, Christian Garcia, Mike Dunn, Steven Jackson, and Dave Robertson all took the hill.




















February 25, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
NY Yankees	1	0	0	3	2	0	0	0	0		6	11	4
Toronto	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0		1	4	0

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Gardner, CF	3	1	1	1	0	0	2	.333
Jackson, A, CF	2	0	1	0	0	1	1	.500
Jeter, SS	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	.333
Pena, SS	2	0	0	0	0	1	2	.000
Cano, 2B	2	2	1	0	0	1	0	.500
Ransom, 2B	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	.000
Rodriguez, A, 3B	1	1	1	2	2	0	0	1.000
Russo, 3B	2	0	0	0	0	1	3	.000
Swisher, RF	1	1	0	1	2	1	1	.000
Curtis, RF	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Duncan, S, DH	3	0	0	0	0	2	4	.000
a-Montero, PH-DH	2	0	1	0	0	1	0	.500
Miranda, 1B	3	0	1	1	0	2	1	.333
Leone, 1B	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
Linden, LF	3	0	1	1	0	1	3	.333
Rodriguez, John, LF	2	0	1	0	0	0	1	.500
Cash, C	3	0	2	0	0	0	0	.667
Pilittere, C	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	.000
Totals	37	6	11	6	5	13	22
a-Singled for Duncan, S in the 7th.
BATTING 2B: Cano (1, Bauer), Jackson, A (1, Hayhurst). HR: Gardner (1, 1st inning off Cecil, 0 on, 0 out), Rodriguez, A (1, 4th inning off Romero, R, 1 on, 0 out). TB: Gardner 4; Jackson, A 2; Jeter; Cano 2; Rodriguez, A 4; Montero; Miranda; Linden; Rodriguez, John; Cash 2. RBI: Gardner (1), Rodriguez, A 2 (2), Linden (1), Swisher (1), Miranda (1). 2-out RBI: Linden. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Gardner; Russo 2; Pilittere. GIDP: Linden. Team LOB: 11. BASERUNNING SB: Cash (1, 2nd base off Burres/Thigpen). FIELDING E: Gardner (1, throw), Pena (1, throw), Leone (1, fielding), Russo (1, throw).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Tomko	2.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Veras (W, 1-0)	1.0	1	1	1	2	2	0	9.00
Giese	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Igawa	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Garcia	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Dunn	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Jackson, S	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Robertson	1.0	0	0	0	1	2	0	0.00

BATTING 2B: McDonald (1, Veras), Snider (1, Giese). TB: Adams; Barajas; Snider 2; McDonald 2. RBI: Rios (1). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Lind 2; McDonald; Adams 2. SF: Rios. Team LOB: 10. FIELDING DP: (Sanchez-Adams-Dopirak).

Toronto	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Cecil	2.0	1	1	1	1	4	1	4.50
Romero, R (L, 0-1)	1.2	1	3	3	1	2	1	16.20
Ryan	0.1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Bauer	1.0	3	2	2	2	1	0	18.00
Burres	1.0	1	0	0	1	2	0	0.00
Beam	1.0	2	0	0	0	2	0	0.00
Hayhurst	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Ray	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00

WP: Veras, Robertson, Romero, R.
HBP: Inglett (by Veras), Cano (by Romero, R), Leone (by Ray).
Groundouts-flyouts: Tomko 1-5, Veras 0-1, Giese 2-1, Igawa 1-1, Garcia 1-1, Dunn 1-2, Jackson, S 2-0, Robertson 0-1, Cecil 1-1, Romero, R 3-0, Ryan 0-1, Bauer 2-0, Burres 0-1, Beam 0-1, Hayhurst 2-0, Ray 1-1.
Batters faced: Tomko 7, Veras 7, Giese 4, Igawa 4, Garcia 4, Dunn 3, Jackson, S 3, Robertson 6, Cecil 8, Romero, R 8, Ryan 3, Bauer 7, Burres 5, Beam 5, Hayhurst 4, Ray 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Ryan 1-1.
Umpires: HP: D.J. Reyburn. 1B: Phil Cuzzi. 2B: Kevin Causey. 3B: Damien Beal.
Weather: 72 degrees, sunny.
Wind: 5 mph, In from LF.
T: 2:53.
Att: 5,014.