Game 68. Lineup, stats, comments.

Yanks 37-30. 3rd in A.L. East, 3 g.b. They are three games better than their Pythagorean record.

OPS+ 88, ERA+ 112. 100 is average.

BA/HR/RBI  SB/total att.  OPS+   Comments   Team leader
Significantly Below average (under 100)

Gardner CF .283-6-27  10/15  117
Nix 3B .249-1-17  9/9  69
Cano 2B .281-16-42  3/3  135
Teixeira 1B .157-3-12  0/0  72   8 for 51, 19 K since return.
Overbay DH .245-8-29  0/0  98
Suzuki RF .263-2-11  6/8  74    If Granderson were Ok, how much would the fading Ichiro be playing?  Probably not much.
Neal LF 2nd game as Yankee. 1 for 2, one walk.
      Neal in his MLB career is 6 for 25. .240.
Brignac SS  Ugh. 4 for 33 as a Yankee. .121-0-0, OPS+ MINUS 18. 
      Overall (CO/NYY) .198-1-6, 0/0  37.
Stewart C .275-3-10  2/2  88

Phelps RHP   4-3, 3.90   ERA+ 105. As a starter, 3-2, 3.38.

Against a righty, Neal (a righty bat) is in there and Wells sits. Also, Overbay is in and Hafner is sitting tonight. Game on FOX, 715.

So we have a guy with 25 MLB at bats in there (and we don’t know what we’ll get. But he SHOULD have been up in place of Francisco a long time ago). Francisco is now gone.

Also, Brignac. UGH.

Teix got to heat up.   

 

Game 67. Offense continues to sputter, Yanks lose 4th straight, 5-2.

The Yanks’ offense continued to sputter as they got just two runs and six hits in losing 5-2 to the Angels out in Anaheim last night.

It was the Yanks’ fourth straight loss and dropped their record to 37-30. They are in third place, three back of Boston, with Baltimore in the middle.

Andy Pettitte was looking to tie Bob Gibson on the all-time list with win #251, but instead drops to 5-4, 3.95. He went 7 IP, 4 R, 11 H, 1 walk and 4 K.

Chris Bootcheck, a journeyman vet just called up from SWB, went one inning, 1 R, 2 H, 2 walks and 1 K. 9.00.

Earlier in the day the Yanks sent down Warren (who didn’t do anything wrong, but after pitching six scoreless innings in the marathon loss to Oakland would be unavailable for a while) for Bootcheck and put Kevin Youkilis back on the DL. Youk was signed to provide insurance in place of A-Rod but so far has been a bust himself.

OF Thomas Neal was called up to replace Youk. He should have been up several weeks ago to replace Francisco. Neal started in RF and went 1 for 2 with a walk. Hey, it’s better than a lot of guys have done lately.

The Yanks are 2-5 in their last seven games, scoring just sixteen runs, and one of those games went 18 innings.

Teixeira is at .157 since coming off the DL. Vernon Wells, who at least is playing good D, is down to .229. Travis Hafner is down to .219. That’s the middle of your order.

Reid Brignac is now 4 for 33 as a Yankee with 15 K. His OPS+ is MINUS 18. Austin Romine is 7 for 53 for the season (.132) and his adjusted OPS (OPS+) is MINUS thirteen. Talk about automatic outs.

The Yanks’ OPS+ is 88. Their ERA+ 112. The last time they had an offense (OPS+) under 100 was in 1991 and the last time it was under 90 was when they finished last in 1990. That’s how bad it is.

Thank goodness for the pitching, but the bats need to awaken.

I have to work early today. No minor league (Fri.) report for a while. 

The Yanks two runs were driven in by David Adams who snapped an 0 for 13 with his hit.

Game 66. Offense reaches new low in 18-inning loss, 3-2

I know I’m one of Mo’s biggest fans. I also know that he came in with a man on, one out, and gave up a hit, int. walk and hit and the Yanks then lost 3-2.

But he isn’t the story of this game. For he didn’t lose it (figuratively and realistically—-the L was put on Claiborne).

The Yankees offense lost it. For they reached a new low today.

In losing 3-2 in EIGHTEEN innings, consider this: Robbie Cano hit a 2-run HR in the first.

I had a 1/2 day of work today since I work a 1/2 day on Saturday. When I pulled into the parking lot at work today to start my shift, Robbie hit his HR. 2-0. 1st inning.

When I got out of work, it was 2-2 in the 15th. I drove to a bar for a few before heading home.

The Yanks lost 3-2 in 18. You aren’t dumb. You can do the math. The Yanks got 2 in the first on Cano’s 16th HR. They lost 3-2 in 18. You can figure out the rest.

The Yanks’ offense put up SEVENTEEN straight goose eggs on the scoreboard.

Mo should not have been in this game. Esp. after his ass picked up splinters off the bench for SEVENTEEN innings.

Kuroda was masterful. I feel most sorry for him and Warren (more on him in a bit). Kuroda 8 IP, 2 R, only 2 H. 2 walks and 3 K. 2.78 ERA but only a 6-5 record to show for it.

Robertson a scoreless 9th. 0 R, 2 hits, 0 walks and struck out the side. 3 K. ERA to 2.30.

Logan 2/3. 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks and 1 K. 1.45.

Kelley 1/3. 0 R, 0 H 0 walks and 1 K. 4.62.

At this point, it became painful to watch. It was a war of attrition.

God Bless Adam Warren, who with this offense putting up nothing but zeroes, went out every inning knowing that if he gave up a run the game was over.

Warren tossed six shutout innings. 0 R, 4 H, 2 walks and 4 K. ERA to 3.12. He got some help when Wells gunned down a runner at the plate.

Six shutout innings in an extra-inning game. Where you knew in each one of those innings that if you gave up one run the game was over.

Great job.

Claiborne pitched a scoreless inning in the 17th but with one out gave up a hit in the 18th.

Then Mo picked out the splinters from his ass from sitting on the bench so long and gave up a hit, int. walk and a hit. Ballgame over and a 3-2 loss.

Claiborne 1 1/3, 1 R, 2 H, 0 walks and 1 K. 0-1, 0.86.

Mo’s ERA stays at 1.48. 0 IP, 2 H, 1 walk, 0 K. 

The 4-5-6-7 hitters in today’s lineup, Teix/Hafner/Youk and Wells, went a combined 0 for 28 with 12 strikeouts.

Want to know their batting averages?  Teixeira (0-5, 3 K), just off the DL, is now 8 for 49, .163. Hafner (0 for 8, 3 K) is in a HUGE slump and down to .220. Youk (0 for 7 and 3K) is down to .219 and Wells (0 for 8, 3 K) is down to .229.

Read that last paragraph again. 4-5-6-7. 0 for 28. 12 K.

Averages now .163=.220=.219 and .229.

Need I say more?

On top of that, Brignac came into the game late. He’s now 4 for 30 as a Yankee.

But the Yanks don’t promote OF Thomas Neal, who was at what, .339 for SWB entering tonight? Granted he doesn’t have power (2 HR for he AAA club) but how long will they let Hafner/Youk/Wells struggle? They were ok in April but have coming crashing down to earth and in doing so are showing why their previous clubs let them go.

Today was painful and excruciating to watch. Great pitching performances were wasted by a pathetic offense putting up 17 straight goose eggs.

Today, the phrase “Bronx Bombers” was laughable.

“Bronx Banjo Hitters” was more like it.           

 

 

The minors today.

AAA: SWB swept a DH.

Game 1: 6-5 win. Ivan Nova 3 R in 5 IP. Thomas Neal 3 for 4 with an rbi. Dan Johnson 2-run HR, Melky Mesa solo HR. Ronnier Mustelier 2 rbi. 2 hits Zoilo Almonte.

Game 2; makeup of 6/10. 6-2 win. David Huff (re-signed after he cleared waivers) 4 IP, 2 R, 5 K. Dellin Betances two scoreless (W, 4-3, 5.13). Thomas Neal continues to hit and the Yanks continue not to call him up. Why?  .339. Dan Johnson another 2-run HR.

AA: Trenton lost 6-5. Mikey O’Brien 4 R, 3 ER in 4 IP. 1B Kyle Roller 3 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI. DH Neil Medchill 2 h, rbi.

High A: Tampa won 6-2. Shane Greene 1 r in 3 IP. Joel De La Cruz 1 unearned run in 4 IP. LF Ben Gamel 3 h, rbi. 2-run HR Gary Sanchez. (.276-10-44). DH Saxon Butler 2 h, hr, 2 rbi.

Low A: Charleston split a DH.

Game 1: 6-3 loss. Cesar Vargas 5 R, 4 ER in 4 IP. SS Cito Culver 2-run HR, solo shot for 1B Greg Bird.

Game 2: 8-4 win. CF Jake Cave 3 h, solo HR. DH Greg Bird 2 rbi. 2 h each for 1B Rey Nunez, LF Kelvin De Leon (HR, 4 rbi) and C Jackson Valera (rbi).

The minors. Pineda starts rehab, Nuno to DL

Vidal Nuno pitched 1 2/3 for AAA SWB on Friday night, 0 R and 4 of 5 outs via K. But a groin muscle strain has sent him to the DL.

AAA: SWB lost 4-1. Chris Bootcheck 4 R in 7 IP, all in the first. SWB got only four hits,  two by CF Zoilo Almonte. DH Thomas Neal one hit, .323.

AA: Trenton got a run in the bottom of the 9th to win 3-2. Zach Nuding 1 R in 5 IP. Caleb Cotham went back down from AAA and gave up 1 r in 4 IP, 1 H (HR) 6 K. RF Tyler Austin 3 h, 2 doubles, rbi. 2b Reegie Corona 3 H, double, rbi.

High A: Tampa had a DH.

Gm 1: Makeup of yesterday’s rainout. 2-1 loss. Bryan Mitchell 2 R in 5 IP. Tampa got just 3 hits.

Gm 2:  A good rehab outing for Michael Pineda. 4 1/3, 1 R (UNEARNED) 2 h,  1 walk and 4 K. Pineda is the guy the Yanks traded Montero for who had a shoulder injury and missed all of 2012.  The 24 year old was 9-10, 3.74, ERA+ 101 for Seattle in 2011.  3-1 loss. 2 h apiece for CF Mason Williams and LF Ben Gamel (solo HR).

Low A: 5-2 win for Charleston. Jose Campos (also part of the Montero deal) 2 R in 3 2/3. Dietrich Enns (0.70) 3 scoreless IP of relief. RF Danny Oh 2 H, rbi. 1b Greg Bird 2 H, rbi. 2 RBI LF Taylor Dugas.

The minors.

Friday night’s games. I am heading up to Moosic (between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre) for the AAA game tonight (Sat).. I’m crossing my fingers b/c the weather forecast isn’t the best. I’m hoping to see players like Mustelier and Neal for myself.

Wang opted out of his contract to sign a major league deal with Toronto.

AAA: 4-2 loss by SWB. Betances blew a 2-1 lead in the 8th. Vidal Nuno only went 1 2/3, 0 R, 1 H, 0 walks and 4 K. He was starting in place of Wang, who was originally scheduled. Hopefully nothing is wrong with Nuno. Maybe a rain delay where he then got pulled. It appears so. SWB got just three hits. RF Ronnier Mustelier double, 2 rbi.  Melky Mesa, 57 games: 6 walks. 90 K.

AA:  Trenton ppd.

High A: Tampa lost 2-0. Scottie Allen 1 R in 5 2/3. (5-3. 4.11). LF Ben Gamel 2 hits.

Low A: Charleston lost 3-2 in 13. Rafael De Paula 1 R in 5 IP, 8 k. 2.43. 3 hits, solo HR for C Pete O’Brien. (.323-9-36). DH Rey Nunez solo HR.

One person the Yanks drafted yesterday was Mike O’Neill of Michigan. The OF is the nephew of Paul O’Neill.

The minors today.

AAA: SWB won 6-4. Caleb Cotham 4 R in 6 IP. Maybe the Yanks have found a spot for Dellin Betances after all. 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 walks and 4 K. LF Thomas Neal 2 H, .333. 3B Ronnier Mustelier 2 H, rbi, up to .303. You may recall I wanted him up LAST YEAR to replace Andruw Jones. 3 H, solo HR for CF Melky Mesa. Mesa’s problem is .258, 6 walks and 87 strikeouts right now. 2 hits, HR, 2 RBI Addison Maruszak (.245).

AA: Trenton shut out 8-0. Zach Nuding is pitching in tough luck. 3 R in 6 IP. 2-7, 3.39. Trenton got just 3 hits tonight.

High A: Tampa won in the bottom of the 11th, 5-4. CF Mason Williams 3 h, 2 doubles. 2B Angelo Gumbs, 2 h, rbi. SS Carmen Angelini HR, 2 RBI.

Low A: Charleston lost 6-2 and got just 4 hits. Dietrich Enns gave up 1 R in 3 IP of relief, but his ERA is still just 0.76. Solo HR Pete O’Brien (.314-8-35).

The minors today. What does Neal have to do?

AAA: SWB lost 8-4. Chris Bootcheck 5 R, 3 ER in 4 1/3. 5-1, 3.09. Chase Whitley and Cody Eppley have ERAs 6.00 or over. DH Thomas Neal (please, oh PLEASE tell me why he didn’t come up to replace Ben Francisco) 3 for 3, 2 solo HR. .359. What will it take to bring the guy up as a righty hitting backup OF? I mean THREE-FIFTY-NINE. Meanwhile, they kept Francisco for what it seems like forever. Solo HR LF Zoilo Almonte.

AA: Two in the top of the 9th for Trenton to win 4-3. Matt Tracy 1 unearned run in 5 1/3. 1B Kyle Roller solo HR.

High A: Tampa lost 2-1. CF Mason Williams 2 hits.

Low A: Charleston 2-1 win. Rafael De Paula (6-2, 2.48) 5 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 walks and 3 K. Hopefully promoted soon. C Pete O’Brien 2-run HR (.318-7-34).

 

The minors today.

AAA: SWB lost 10-8. Brett Marshall 6 R in 4 1/3. Mark Montgomery  2 2/3 scoreless, 2.08. 4 K. RF Thomas Neal  2H, rbi, .353. So with the Yanks needing a righty hitting OF bat (the bat Francisco was supposed to be), why oh why… but I’ve been saying that all week now. What’s the guy got to do for a callup? Zoilo Almonte 3 h, 2 RBI. Josh Bell HR, 2 RBI.

AA: 4-1 win for Trenton. 2 R HR for LF Ramon Flores.

High A: 6-4 loss for Tampa. 2B Angelo Gumbs 3 hits, 2 RBI. C Gary Sanchez 2 H, solo HR.

Low A: Charleston lost 9-8. LF Taylor Dugas 3 H, RBI. 2 H, 2 RBI 2B  Claudio Custodio. 2 H, 2 RBI 3B Dante Bichette, JR. 2 H, HR, 2 RBI C Pete O’Brien (.326).

The minors today. Wang great.

AAA: Great game for Wang. 7 shutout innings, 2 H as SWB wins 8-0. (3-4, 2.65). Thomas Neal 2 H, rbi, .348. Instead of carrying 13 pitchers (why Huff? They really don’t need him and he isn’t that good; see the game post), they could have had Neal as a righty OF bat off the bench to PH for Hughes in the 7th tonight. Really. 3 Hits, 2 RBI Zoilo Almonte. Ronnier Mustelier 3 H, rbi.

AA:  7-4 win for Trenton. Jose Ramirez 3 R in 5 2/3, 6 K. (1-2, 2.59). RF Tyler Austin 3 H, double, HR, 3 RBI. 3B Kevin Mahoney 2 H, HR, 2 RBI. 2 H, RBI CF Slade Heathcott.

High A: Tampa off.

Low A: 11-5 win for Charleston. Evan Rutckyj 3 R in 6 IP. 1B Rey Nunez 3 H double, HR, 4 rbi.