Yankees at Red Sox (Game 103)
Pitching Matchup:
Andy Pettitte (11-7, 3.86 ERA) vs. Tim Wakefield (6-7, 3.69 ERA)
Yankees Lineup:
1. Johnny Damon - Designated Hitter
2. Derek Jeter - Shortstop
3. Bobby Abreu - Right Field
4. Alex Rodriguez - Third Base
5. Jason Giambi - First Base
6. Robinson Cano - Second Base
7. Xavier Nady - Left Field
8. Melky Cabrera - Center Field
9. Jose Molina - Catcher
Red Sox Lineup:
1. Dustin Pedroia - Second Base
2. Kevin Youkilis - First Base
3. David Ortiz - Designated Hitter
4. Manny Ramirez - Left Field
5. Mike Lowell - Third Base
6. J.D. Drew - Right Field
7. Jed Lowrie - Shortstop
8. Coco Crisp - Center Field
9. Kevin Cash - Catcher
Game Notes: Sweeny Murti is reporting that Xavier Nady is in Boston at Fenway Park. He's in uniform and Nady will be batting seventh and playing left field. To make room on the roster, Latroy Hawkins was designated for assignment.
3:15, BYE-BYE BRETT: Brett Gardner has been optioned back to Triple-A. The Yankees want him to start everyday as they still believe in the kid. Meanwhile, as mentioned, Latroy Hawkins has been DFA'd. On top of this, Kei Igawa cleared waivers so he is no longer on the 40-man roster.
3:56, FIRST PITCH: Wakefield has delivered the first pitch, and it's a strike.
3:59, #29: Xavier Nady is wearing number twenty-nine, just caught a glimpse of him in the dugout. He could eventually wear #22, the number the DFA'd Hawkins was wearing, the number he's worn throughout his career, but only time will tell. Speculation is that Marte could wear no. 21, Clemente is his idol, but we saw how that went with the Yankees fans when Hawkins wore it... not so good. A quick first - Damon flew out to Manny, Jeter doubled, Abreu grounded out up the middle, and Lowell made a nice play on a hard-hit ground ball by Alex Rodriguez.
4:06, ROUGH START FOR PETTITTE: He didn't get any help from A-Rod, but he also walked Youkilis and gave up a single past Cano to Ortiz. Manny is up and you can tell his knee is not hurt. He was actually running hard to first base and beat out a double play ball -- 2-0 Sox.
4:19, NADY GROUNDS OUT: In his first at-bat as a Yankee, he hit a weak ground ball back to the pitcher. Granted, he was forced to swing as Cano -- who hit a single up the middle -- was on the move.
4:45, PUT IT ON THE BOARD: Abreu singled to right to score Molina and A-Rod just doubled off the monster to put runners on second and third with two out.
4:59, THERE IT GOES: Robinson Cano just drilled the ball over Coco Crisp's head. The ball landed on the hitter's eye in straight away center. As I write, Nady grounds out to short.
5:05, THE MELK MAN: Melky got a single, stole second, and scored on a Damon single to center past Wakefield. Now Damon steals second. You have to feel Kevin Cash's throwout rate for runners is terrible - you can't throw out someone unless it's Jason Giambi when you get a knuckle ball. He deserves more credit for even making some of the calls close at second. Yankees lead 3-2.
5:28, CASHING IN: Maybe you can throw a runner out on a Wakefield pitch -- at least, Kevin Cash can. Nady worked the count full, but Cano was thrown out on a double steal. Nady will lead off to start the top of the sixth now. Still 3-2 Yankees.
5:37, MANNNNNY: Someone might want to tell Manny there is actually a game going on. This guy is lost. If I'm Theo Epstein, I release him. Flat out. He is ridiculous. He didn't run on a line out to Nady that could've been a double play if Nady wanted to drop it on purpose to get the out at second and then first with Manny not running. He barely jogged to first on the double play he just hit. The worst thing is that he laughs all the time - when he is doing the wrong thing he's laughing. He's ridiculous. Red Sox fans are sick of him.
5:41, IS HE BACK: Melky delivers again. He just doubled off the green monster. In his last at-bat he had a bunt single and came around to score. I was one of the people who said don't trade Melky. You're already giving up hitting for defense with Molina, why not do the same thing with Melky? His defense is the best around. Period. With Nady, this lineup is fine. If Cabrera can hit .260 to .275, we're fine. Hopefully he's found his stroke.
The Yankees now have the bases loaded after Molina took a pitch in the arm. As I speak, Nady scored on a Damon ground ball. Force out at second, RBI to Damon -- 4-2 Yankees, Wakefield's afternoon is over.
5:50, TACK ON ANOTHER: Derek Jeter just singled off of Justin Masterson making this a 5-2 game. The run is charged to Wakefield, and his day is not over yet. Damon on second is his responsibility.. well, now his day is over. Abreu singles off the monster and it's now 6-2 Yankees. The runners on second and third are now Masterson's responsibility.
6:00, WHEN YOU'RE HOT, YOU'RE HOT: Sorry for the late reply... just had some problem with the laptop, thought the hard drive died. Guess not. It's now 7-2 Yankees.
6:05, CLIMBING BACK: J.D. Drew hit a home run to right field past the bullpens and it sounded like Fenway thought he just put them up by five runs, oh well, whatever suits them. 7-3 Yankees, Edwar Ramirez warming in the pen.
6:09, PETTITTE FINISHES STRONG: Presumably in his last inning of the game, Pettitte struck out Crisp to retire the side. He got better as the game went along, and now it's time to turn it over to the bullpen. My guess is that Edwar will come in for the seventh and possibly the eight, and then we'll see Marte as long as this remains a four-run game.
6:15, NO HITS, SO WHAT: I'm personally pleased with what I'm seeing from Nady. If he isn't going to hit, at least get on base. That's what you have to say for anyone, I guess. However, Nady will hit. His average is just under .330. He hasn't got a hit today, but he's got on base twice.
Heading to the bottom of the seventh - apparently Jose Veras got up and started to warm up and Ramirez sat down. I'd still assume we'll see Marte today in the ninth.
6:21, WARMING UP IN THE BULLPEN, #34, DAMASO MARTE: Looks like we'll get to see him today. He'll probably be brought in this inning if Ortiz gets up. He's sick, pure sick stuff. My comments on him actually made the MLB.com homepage on the bottom left if you're interested.
6:24, NOT QUITE ENOUGH: Veras gave up two singles, not being able to get through the bottom of the sixth. It's time to see what Marte can bring to this team. Reminds me of Mo last night. Coming in with two on and one out. Damaso is a closer, he knows how to pitch in big situations. Don't expect anything less here.
6:28, BIG LEAGUE PERSONALITY: This guy is the Yankees new best weapon. Put this on record -- Marte is a bigger acquisition than Nady, MARK IT DOWN. That was incredibly nasty. This guy can pitch against righties, Girardi should leave him in. But I can't say anything about it if Ramirez is coming in ... and he is. Ramirez is nasty as well. Mark this down as well -- best bullpen in the Majors.
6:33, HMMMM...: Make that personalities.
6:50, RETALIATION NOT NEEDED: The fact that Hansen walked Giambi with the bases loaded doesn't warrant any retaliation, he just pounded himself into the ground. Sexson will run for Giambi and give a good defensive replacement for the last inning and a half. Hansen is still in the there. Don't be surprised if Cano lines one back up the middle.
6:53, NEAR PREDICTION: I was close, I'm sure he'll take a two-run double. A-Rod appeared to be limping a bit rounding third and his arm is hurt still. Hopefully he's fine. It seems Damon just had a cramp or something as he is laughing and not even in the trainer's room. We're trying to get healthy and everyone's getting hurt again.
7:05, FOUR MORE TO GO: My laptop is doing funny things. I apologize for the slow updates. The game is pretty uneventful, though. Ramirez hasn't allowed a hit to any of his 33 previous hitters - he is pure amazing right now. The Yankees will come to bat in the top of the ninth and then Edwar will probably go out to finish the game.
7:19, ROBERTSON TO FINISH: Dave Robertson is going to pitch the bottom of the ninth, actually. He will start at the bottom of the order and move back up to the top. The Yankees are hot, no one can dispute it. A sweep tomorrow would put some fear in the eyes of Red Sox fans. Meanwhile, Tampa has a runner on first in the top of the first. That game essentially doesn't matter, though. The Yankees would even the Sox in the loss column and they'll be one back behind the Sox in the division and Wild Card. One out as Cash grounds out to Jeter.
7:24, THERE IT IS: Youkilis lines out to Melky Cabrera and the Yankees take a 2-0 series lead, and win. They'll go for the sweep tomorrow. Should Red Sox fans be worried? Yes. Rays fans? Yes, even more worried. I'm done for now. Another solid victory. There's no stopping this train.
Andy Pettitte (11-7, 3.86 ERA) vs. Tim Wakefield (6-7, 3.69 ERA)
Yankees Lineup:
1. Johnny Damon - Designated Hitter
2. Derek Jeter - Shortstop
3. Bobby Abreu - Right Field
4. Alex Rodriguez - Third Base
5. Jason Giambi - First Base
6. Robinson Cano - Second Base
7. Xavier Nady - Left Field
8. Melky Cabrera - Center Field
9. Jose Molina - Catcher
Red Sox Lineup:
1. Dustin Pedroia - Second Base
2. Kevin Youkilis - First Base
3. David Ortiz - Designated Hitter
4. Manny Ramirez - Left Field
5. Mike Lowell - Third Base
6. J.D. Drew - Right Field
7. Jed Lowrie - Shortstop
8. Coco Crisp - Center Field
9. Kevin Cash - Catcher
Game Notes: Sweeny Murti is reporting that Xavier Nady is in Boston at Fenway Park. He's in uniform and Nady will be batting seventh and playing left field. To make room on the roster, Latroy Hawkins was designated for assignment.
3:15, BYE-BYE BRETT: Brett Gardner has been optioned back to Triple-A. The Yankees want him to start everyday as they still believe in the kid. Meanwhile, as mentioned, Latroy Hawkins has been DFA'd. On top of this, Kei Igawa cleared waivers so he is no longer on the 40-man roster.
3:56, FIRST PITCH: Wakefield has delivered the first pitch, and it's a strike.
3:59, #29: Xavier Nady is wearing number twenty-nine, just caught a glimpse of him in the dugout. He could eventually wear #22, the number the DFA'd Hawkins was wearing, the number he's worn throughout his career, but only time will tell. Speculation is that Marte could wear no. 21, Clemente is his idol, but we saw how that went with the Yankees fans when Hawkins wore it... not so good. A quick first - Damon flew out to Manny, Jeter doubled, Abreu grounded out up the middle, and Lowell made a nice play on a hard-hit ground ball by Alex Rodriguez.
4:06, ROUGH START FOR PETTITTE: He didn't get any help from A-Rod, but he also walked Youkilis and gave up a single past Cano to Ortiz. Manny is up and you can tell his knee is not hurt. He was actually running hard to first base and beat out a double play ball -- 2-0 Sox.
4:19, NADY GROUNDS OUT: In his first at-bat as a Yankee, he hit a weak ground ball back to the pitcher. Granted, he was forced to swing as Cano -- who hit a single up the middle -- was on the move.
4:45, PUT IT ON THE BOARD: Abreu singled to right to score Molina and A-Rod just doubled off the monster to put runners on second and third with two out.
4:59, THERE IT GOES: Robinson Cano just drilled the ball over Coco Crisp's head. The ball landed on the hitter's eye in straight away center. As I write, Nady grounds out to short.
5:05, THE MELK MAN: Melky got a single, stole second, and scored on a Damon single to center past Wakefield. Now Damon steals second. You have to feel Kevin Cash's throwout rate for runners is terrible - you can't throw out someone unless it's Jason Giambi when you get a knuckle ball. He deserves more credit for even making some of the calls close at second. Yankees lead 3-2.
5:28, CASHING IN: Maybe you can throw a runner out on a Wakefield pitch -- at least, Kevin Cash can. Nady worked the count full, but Cano was thrown out on a double steal. Nady will lead off to start the top of the sixth now. Still 3-2 Yankees.
5:37, MANNNNNY: Someone might want to tell Manny there is actually a game going on. This guy is lost. If I'm Theo Epstein, I release him. Flat out. He is ridiculous. He didn't run on a line out to Nady that could've been a double play if Nady wanted to drop it on purpose to get the out at second and then first with Manny not running. He barely jogged to first on the double play he just hit. The worst thing is that he laughs all the time - when he is doing the wrong thing he's laughing. He's ridiculous. Red Sox fans are sick of him.
5:41, IS HE BACK: Melky delivers again. He just doubled off the green monster. In his last at-bat he had a bunt single and came around to score. I was one of the people who said don't trade Melky. You're already giving up hitting for defense with Molina, why not do the same thing with Melky? His defense is the best around. Period. With Nady, this lineup is fine. If Cabrera can hit .260 to .275, we're fine. Hopefully he's found his stroke.
The Yankees now have the bases loaded after Molina took a pitch in the arm. As I speak, Nady scored on a Damon ground ball. Force out at second, RBI to Damon -- 4-2 Yankees, Wakefield's afternoon is over.
5:50, TACK ON ANOTHER: Derek Jeter just singled off of Justin Masterson making this a 5-2 game. The run is charged to Wakefield, and his day is not over yet. Damon on second is his responsibility.. well, now his day is over. Abreu singles off the monster and it's now 6-2 Yankees. The runners on second and third are now Masterson's responsibility.
6:00, WHEN YOU'RE HOT, YOU'RE HOT: Sorry for the late reply... just had some problem with the laptop, thought the hard drive died. Guess not. It's now 7-2 Yankees.
6:05, CLIMBING BACK: J.D. Drew hit a home run to right field past the bullpens and it sounded like Fenway thought he just put them up by five runs, oh well, whatever suits them. 7-3 Yankees, Edwar Ramirez warming in the pen.
6:09, PETTITTE FINISHES STRONG: Presumably in his last inning of the game, Pettitte struck out Crisp to retire the side. He got better as the game went along, and now it's time to turn it over to the bullpen. My guess is that Edwar will come in for the seventh and possibly the eight, and then we'll see Marte as long as this remains a four-run game.
6:15, NO HITS, SO WHAT: I'm personally pleased with what I'm seeing from Nady. If he isn't going to hit, at least get on base. That's what you have to say for anyone, I guess. However, Nady will hit. His average is just under .330. He hasn't got a hit today, but he's got on base twice.
Heading to the bottom of the seventh - apparently Jose Veras got up and started to warm up and Ramirez sat down. I'd still assume we'll see Marte today in the ninth.
6:21, WARMING UP IN THE BULLPEN, #34, DAMASO MARTE: Looks like we'll get to see him today. He'll probably be brought in this inning if Ortiz gets up. He's sick, pure sick stuff. My comments on him actually made the MLB.com homepage on the bottom left if you're interested.
6:24, NOT QUITE ENOUGH: Veras gave up two singles, not being able to get through the bottom of the sixth. It's time to see what Marte can bring to this team. Reminds me of Mo last night. Coming in with two on and one out. Damaso is a closer, he knows how to pitch in big situations. Don't expect anything less here.
6:28, BIG LEAGUE PERSONALITY: This guy is the Yankees new best weapon. Put this on record -- Marte is a bigger acquisition than Nady, MARK IT DOWN. That was incredibly nasty. This guy can pitch against righties, Girardi should leave him in. But I can't say anything about it if Ramirez is coming in ... and he is. Ramirez is nasty as well. Mark this down as well -- best bullpen in the Majors.
6:33, HMMMM...: Make that personalities.
6:50, RETALIATION NOT NEEDED: The fact that Hansen walked Giambi with the bases loaded doesn't warrant any retaliation, he just pounded himself into the ground. Sexson will run for Giambi and give a good defensive replacement for the last inning and a half. Hansen is still in the there. Don't be surprised if Cano lines one back up the middle.
6:53, NEAR PREDICTION: I was close, I'm sure he'll take a two-run double. A-Rod appeared to be limping a bit rounding third and his arm is hurt still. Hopefully he's fine. It seems Damon just had a cramp or something as he is laughing and not even in the trainer's room. We're trying to get healthy and everyone's getting hurt again.
7:05, FOUR MORE TO GO: My laptop is doing funny things. I apologize for the slow updates. The game is pretty uneventful, though. Ramirez hasn't allowed a hit to any of his 33 previous hitters - he is pure amazing right now. The Yankees will come to bat in the top of the ninth and then Edwar will probably go out to finish the game.
7:19, ROBERTSON TO FINISH: Dave Robertson is going to pitch the bottom of the ninth, actually. He will start at the bottom of the order and move back up to the top. The Yankees are hot, no one can dispute it. A sweep tomorrow would put some fear in the eyes of Red Sox fans. Meanwhile, Tampa has a runner on first in the top of the first. That game essentially doesn't matter, though. The Yankees would even the Sox in the loss column and they'll be one back behind the Sox in the division and Wild Card. One out as Cash grounds out to Jeter.
7:24, THERE IT IS: Youkilis lines out to Melky Cabrera and the Yankees take a 2-0 series lead, and win. They'll go for the sweep tomorrow. Should Red Sox fans be worried? Yes. Rays fans? Yes, even more worried. I'm done for now. Another solid victory. There's no stopping this train.
I'm sure that Gardner can fix some things and he'll be major league ready in no time.
-EJ/Kid From New York
http://yankeesquad.mlblogs.com
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That was a great game. The Yanks are on top of the baseball world.
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Wow man... this is an awesome blog. Keep it up.
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JB -- Thanks for the kind comments.
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