Putrid, Pathetic, Pinstripes

Your 2008 New York Yankees (music swells)

Another horrid display tonight by the team masquerading as the New York Yankees. They mailed it, C.O.D.. It all started with Joe Girardi sitting down Johnny Damon when all games are "must wins". If Damon's shoulder is bothering him again, it's one thing, but since no one is saying, we're not giving the benefit of the doubt.

Kudos to Sidney Ponson for another big performance. Sir Sidney pitched into the eighth inning, giving the Yankees a chance, but the offense was non-existent. Twins rookie starter Glen Perkins is a highly regarded prospect, but the Yankees at-bats tonight were lifeless. Perkins had allowed 5 runs in a six inning start against New York back on July 23, but this time he limited them to 4 hits over eight innings. The Yankees don't hit well against rookies and lefties (or anyone right now for that matter), so if you combine the two, look out.

Light-hitting Adam Everett gave the Twins the lead in the second, when he hit his second home run of the season with a man aboard. The Yankees meanwhile wasted a two on, two out situation in the first when Xavier Nady flied out. The Yankees had their best chance an inning later when Robinson Cano lead off with a single and moved to third base on an errant pick-off attempt. But after a walk to Richie Sexson, Ivan Rodriguez popped out and Melky Cabrera bounced into an inning-ending double play (note to Joe Girardi: you CANNOT have Cabrera and Christian in the lineup together).

The Twins tacked on a run in the sixth, on a Joe Mauer sacrifice fly, and in the eighth on a Justin Morneau single. Joe Nathan came on in a non-save situation in the ninth to face Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, and Nady, and struck out the side.


News and Notes

Joba Chamberlain will begin a throwing program on Friday, not Wednesday as originally reported.

Hideki Matsui is getting closer to a rehab assignment.

Putrid, Pathetic, Pinstripes

Your 2008 New York Yankees (music swells)

Another horrid display tonight by the team masquerading as the New York Yankees. They mailed it, C.O.D.. It all started with Joe Girardi sitting down Johnny Damon when all games are "must wins". If Damon's shoulder is bothering him again, it's one thing, but since no one is saying, we're not giving the benefit of the doubt.

Kudos to Sidney Ponson for another big performance. Sir Sidney pitched into the eighth inning, giving the Yankees a chance, but the offense was non-existent. Twins rookie starter Glen Perkins is a highly regarded prospect, but the Yankees at-bats tonight were lifeless. Perkins had allowed 5 runs in a six inning start against New York back on July 23, but this time he limited them to 4 hits over eight innings. The Yankees don't hit well against rookies and lefties (or anyone right now for that matter), so if you combine the two, look out.

Light-hitting Adam Everett gave the Twins the lead in the second, when he hit his second home run of the season with a man aboard. The Yankees meanwhile wasted a two on, two out situation in the first when Xavier Nady flied out. The Yankees had their best chance an inning later when Robinson Cano lead off with a single and moved to third base on an errant pick-off attempt. But after a walk to Richie Sexson, Ivan Rodriguez popped out and Melky Cabrera bounced into an inning-ending double play (note to Joe Girardi: you CANNOT have Cabrera and Christian in the lineup together).

The Twins tacked on a run in the sixth, on a Joe Mauer sacrifice fly, and in the eighth on a Justin Morneau single. Joe Nathan came on in a non-save situation in the ninth to face Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez, and Nady, and struck out the side.


News and Notes

Joba Chamberlain will begin a throwing program on Friday, not Wednesday as originally reported.

Hideki Matsui is getting closer to a rehab assignment.

Sounds like somebody's got a case of the Mondays

It's pouring out, the Yankees just got their asses kicked in Anaheim, and now they must face the tough pitching, playoff contending Minnesota Twins. The Yankees spanked the Twins in three straight at home in their second series after the All-Star break, but at that point the team was feeling good about themselves.

Sidney Ponson goes tonight against rookie Glen Perkins. Do you really think Ponson can put a third straight good start together? Our savior, who would have thunk it, Mike Mussina faces Nick Blackburn on Tuesday, and then John Sterling will attempt to ruin our Wednesday afternoon when Darrell Rasner takes on Kevin Slowey.

Those three Twins' kid pitchers are a combined 25-17 with a 3.97 ERA. They've walked just 63 batters in 351 innings.

Xavier Nady has been one of the few Yankees to make a consistent contribution since his acquisition. After going 0-7 in his first two games up at Fenway Park, the X-Man has gone 19-45 (.422) and is hitting .365 over all. In 15 games, he has 5 home runs and 13 RBI, with an 1.162 OPS. Nady's play is reminiscent of Bobby Abreu's arrival in 2006 when he hit .330 with 42 RBI in 58 games.

The same can't be said for Ivan Rodriguez, who is just 5-18 (.278) with 1 RBI, on a home run, in 8 games. He also doesn't get the opportunity to catch Mussina or Andy Pettitte, since they both prefer Jose Molina behind the plate.

Damaso Marte has been terribly inconsistent, especially if asked to pitch more than one inning. Sunday's game was a perfect example where he threw a dominant eighth, but put the Yankees in trouble in the ninth by allowing a single and a walk. He's been scored on in four of the eight games he's pitched.

With Phil Hughes set to throw 80 pitches in his next minor league assignment, could a major league start be around the corner? We think if he pitches well, they'll give him one more minor league game and then he'll be back with the big club.


Maybe this will lift our spirits.

Sounds like somebody's got a case of the Mondays

It's pouring out, the Yankees just got their asses kicked in Anaheim, and now they must face the tough pitching, playoff contending Minnesota Twins. The Yankees spanked the Twins in three straight at home in their second series after the All-Star break, but at that point the team was feeling good about themselves.

Sidney Ponson goes tonight against rookie Glen Perkins. Do you really think Ponson can put a third straight good start together? Our savior, who would have thunk it, Mike Mussina faces Nick Blackburn on Tuesday, and then John Sterling will attempt to ruin our Wednesday afternoon when Darrell Rasner takes on Kevin Slowey.

Those three Twins' kid pitchers are a combined 25-17 with a 3.97 ERA. They've walked just 63 batters in 351 innings.

Xavier Nady has been one of the few Yankees to make a consistent contribution since his acquisition. After going 0-7 in his first two games up at Fenway Park, the X-Man has gone 19-45 (.422) and is hitting .365 over all. In 15 games, he has 5 home runs and 13 RBI, with an 1.162 OPS. Nady's play is reminiscent of Bobby Abreu's arrival in 2006 when he hit .330 with 42 RBI in 58 games.

The same can't be said for Ivan Rodriguez, who is just 5-18 (.278) with 1 RBI, on a home run, in 8 games. He also doesn't get the opportunity to catch Mussina or Andy Pettitte, since they both prefer Jose Molina behind the plate.

Damaso Marte has been terribly inconsistent, especially if asked to pitch more than one inning. Sunday's game was a perfect example where he threw a dominant eighth, but put the Yankees in trouble in the ninth by allowing a single and a walk. He's been scored on in four of the eight games he's pitched.

With Phil Hughes set to throw 80 pitches in his next minor league assignment, could a major league start be around the corner? We think if he pitches well, they'll give him one more minor league game and then he'll be back with the big club.


Maybe this will lift our spirits.