Andy’s 9th isn’t a #9 Dream, but reality.
Recap: Pettitte won his 9th as the Yanks conclude the 1st half at 44-37, on pace for 88-74. Not bad, but they’ll need to pick it up in the 2nd half. Cano’s RBI single is the difference. Mo’s 22nd save (don’t anyone tell him he is 38) once again justifies Mo’s position as the Greatest when it comes to closers. Now here? David Robertson, who was 3-0, 1.39 between AA and AAA and who (last year and this) has had a 1.12 ERA in the minors. Welcome. Solidify this bullpen. Hopefully soon Bruney comes back and comes back to pre-injury Bruney. Patience, which I’ve preached about in criticizing certain players, comes through as the Yanks first two runs are set up by back to back walks off of Santana…leading off an inning and giving the Yanks 1st and 2nd with no out to work with. Do it more often, guys.
The first half of the season comes to a close today. The Yanks are 43-37, 6 back and in 3rd. 1 game better than Pythagorean. OPS+ 108. ERA+ 95. 87 wins or so (the pace) isn’t bad, but if the second half is like the first, it’ll mean a 3rd place finish in the AL East. The Yanks will have to step it up in the second half….and do it without their ace in Wang.
It appears to be an interesting pitching matchup today on Fox. Pettitte (8-5, 4.04; ERA+ an even 100 (i.e., league average)) vs. Santana.
Remember to send your first half Yankee grades to 206-984-0596 or e-mail radio@lvyankeefanclub.com. We want to hear from you on various Yankees’ first half performances and also what you think about the 2nd half (and what the Yanks need to do to get in the playoff picture!)
Sorry, but I don’t see a lineup posted yet (and it’s 3:30 as I write this). FOX must have the FBI, CIA and all security forces guarding it.
Looks like we may get a delay. Tarp on the field. Anyway, here is the lineup.
We don’t know what will happen in the second half, but multiply by two and you get the full season (of course for people like Alex and Posada, you have to adjust due to their injuries).
Damon LF .322-6-35-13-132
Jeter SS .285-4-35-5-99 (as I’ve been saying, average year. Un-Jeterlike. Next HR is # 200)
Abreu RF .285-10-53-11-117 (leads Yanks in RBI)
A-Rod 3b .327-15-43-9-169 (missed 3 weeks. Next HR ties Foxx)
The ‘stache 1B .268-17-45-2-156 (leads Yanks in HR and walks)
Posada C .302-3-19-0-132 (missed 1/2 of year so far)
Cano 2B .241-6-32-1-71 (need a good 2nd half from him)
Melky CF .253-7-32-6-84 (the way he’s slumped, Cano might pass him soon)
Pettitte P see above for pitching stats. A .134 career hitter, 1 HR (with Houston). 12 RBI. 179 AB.
1st pitch sched. for 4:20. Tarp is on.
For what it’s worth, Gardner is playing more LF at SWB. With Damon having the arch problem and Matsui on the 15 day DL, once the Yanks are through with the lefties, they should consider bringing up Gardner and putting him in LF, DHing JD while Matsui rests up (Big G at 1B). It’ll help Damon’s arch and also give the Yanks a good look at Gardner. Maybe help them come the trade deadline to actually see what Gardner does at the MLB level. Couldn’t hurt.
Edwar is a serviceable reliever. Nothing special, but serviceable until Claggett, Cox, Robertson and/or Melancon are ready. (and one of them apparently is! See below). Then it’s probably goodbye Edwar. He has had a rough June, as his 0.00 ERA on May 30th is now 3.60. Still, the 3.60 is less than Farnsworth, Ohlendorf and Hawkins. It’s funny how some deify the trio of Stanton, Nelson and Mendoza. Yes, all three helped the Yanks to World Series titles, but do you recall their ERAs? You probably think they all were 3.50 or below the way they are remembered and talked about. Did you know Stanton’s ERAs from 1998-2000 were 5.47, 4.33 and 4.10? Yes, the 5.47 came in the great 1998 season. Nelson had a 4.36 in 1996. 4.15 in 1999. 4.58 when he encored with the Yanks in 2003. Mendoza had a 4.24 in 1997 and 4.29 and 4.25 in 1999 and 2000. Edwar isn’t a Nelson, Mendoza or Stanton, but I’ll take the 3.60, hope he gets it together again and wouldn’t mind if he ends at 3.60. (Hopefully by not having great a July and August then a lousy September). Just wanted to show that the big 3 of the late 1990s weren’t exactly impeccable.
Bulletin: David Robertson has been called up. Igawa sent back down. Good news!
Robertson’s combined numbers this year (AA/AAA). 3-0, 1.39. 51 2/3 IP. 74 K, 22 walks. In 73 games last year and this year in the minors, 11-3, 1.12; 187 K in 136 IP.
1st. Andy with control troubles. Two walks, but he gets out of it.
2nd. Santana dealing so far. Andy gives up a HR to Castro. 1-0 Mets after two.
In the 4th, the Yanks get a leadoff walk from Jeter and now Abreu walks. Against a Santana, you have to take advantage. A-Rod, the Big G and Posada due up. Good time for A-Rod to tie Foxx…We’ll take a single. Bases loaded, no out for the big G. Ground out. Tie game, 2nd and 3rd, no out. They don’t walk Jorge. Pay them pay, Jorge! SF gives the Yanks the lead. It’s all they get but Yanks lead 2-1 after 3 1/2.
5th. Two on, two out, and Andy does what we have seen him do time and time again. He picks Reyes off of second. A few innings previous, Melky ran down a ball in the gap (Reyes on 1st) to save a double and a run. Defense coming through.
6th. It looks as if Alex is picked off, but Santana is called for a balk. After a walk to Posada, Cano comes through with an RBI single. 3-1 Yanks after 5 1/2. Hmmm……could Robertson get an early introduction to the majors?
..and in the middle of the 6th, there’s a rain delay.
(Why some photos are reversed on the single,
i.e., Lennon & Harrison playing lefty, who knows…)
I’m surprised Andy came out to pitch after the delay. Wright HR’s off the foul (fair) screen to make it 3-2. You never know because of the situation, the rain delay, etc., but it makes Reyes getting picked look really bad. 3-2 Yanks after six. Veras warming, but I wonder if Girardi would use Robertson in this game. Into the fire right away?
Santana is out after the delay. Pedro “Light My Fire” Feliciano in. Betemit hitting for Andy. Now I see why Andy came back to pitch. Why waste another pitcher? Betemit whiffs. When he connects, good pop. WHEN he connects. Never walks. Rasner and Joba have to teach him that.
Veras in for the bottom of the 7th. 1-2-base hit-3.
Ugh. Farnsy warming. Ugh. I know it (3-2, subway series, pressure, MLB debut) isn’t the best situation to indoctrinate the kid, but how many of you would rather trust him in the 8th than Farnsy?
Interesting defensive adjustments for the Yanks for the bottom of the 8th. Posada moves to 1B, Giambi leaves the game, Molina in to catch. It’s Farnsy. Still 3-2 Yanks.
1-2-3 by Farns….with some D flashed by Melky and Damon.
Nothing in the 9th for the Yanks.
Enter Sandman.
YANKEES WIN, THE YANKEES WIN!!!!
The Sommer Frieze 
I knew you would be thrilled that Robertson got the call-up, Mike. He deserves it, and it’s a good sign that the kids who haven’t gotten chances are getting some priority over early but evident retreads like Igawa. Good call as well as good call-up. I hope he gets to pitch more often than Britton.
Pettite walked Easley after having him down 0-2. Bad.
Now Pettite walked Wright. Calm down, Pettite.
Pettite fanned Beltran, good morning, good afternoon, and good-night.
Pettite worked his way out of that nicely, getting Delgado to fly out for the third out, 21 pitches in all.
hey jas
aunt delgado helped us out
Giambi fanned, one down.
Hey Mike. How are things?
he fell for the change
good- watching at my brothers-doing laundry
Santana fanned Jorge, two down. Pettite will have his work cut out for him, as will the Yankees bats.
Start it off, RC.
I just did some myself, Mike. Now I’m relaxing with beer and…supplies.
santana is gonna be tough today
Yeesh, struck out the side, wiping the Yankees clean with 13 pitches/26 for the game.
maybe they will catch up with his timing the secind time through
That time will come quickly, considering how fast he’s buzzing through them the first time.
The cold motor oil can of Foster’s is treating me nicely on a hot day, I must say.
Nice play by your shortstop Jeter, Mike.
that sounds delish jas— i would go for a brew , but there is none here 😦
yeah- he;s looking smooth today
damn that castro-
carpet bomb havana
I got a small carved wooden frog from my wife as one anniversary present, called a nesuke, and so I named the frog Hideki–Hideki Nesuke the frog is keeping me company during games, at least until Hideki Matsui comes back and probably thereafter.
Castro blasted a homer to deep center, long shot, 1-0 Mets.
LOL Mike.
Pettite K’s Sanata–big surprise–but Mets lead 1-0. Pettite is at 35 pitches.
that’s sweet that you have a cute pet jason- and one that doesnt need food or a walk
you know what got me laughing yesterday—hold on
Hideki Netsuke, that is. Forgot the “t”.
What’s that, Mike?
jasonheartland // June 27, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I’ll be back in a minute–taking out dog.
jasonheartland // June 27, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I am back.
says my comment is awaiting moderation
it was the duration of time of the dog walk..
During the game at The Heartland?
Melky made him throw 7 pitches, but one out.
decent at bat from the melkman—
and andy!!
andy seems to be settling in
Sorry, I had to step out for a few minutes. Big moment here, A-Rod, Giambi and Jorge with two on and no outs. Jeter worked a very good walk, and Abreu on four straight. Cash in here.
Andy did have a good third.
Yes, A-Rod! bases loaded, no outs for Giambi. Homer here, open it up off him.
Giambi’s slow grounder works, tying the game at one, still second and third.
HUGE moment
Base hit here Jorge.
lucky break they didnt get 2
this at bat is aging me quickly…
thank you jorge!!
Great at-bat, Jorge! Sac fly makes it 2-1.
can you believe cano with that damn first pitch swinging
Cano’s swinging bunt re-loads the bases.
Yes I can, Mike. He’s incorrigible.
and the melkman ( fails to ) deliver
no news there
The Yankees take the lead while inflicting a 31-pitch inning on Santana and the Mets. Very good inning. Pettite needs to hold it here.
Mike, do you have any stadium excursions planned?
what were we saying about jeter?
I didn’t see that with Jeter. Was it an error?
i’m heading up on monday- going to see them take on the sox 3rd, 4th and 5th.
just saw that joba is going on the 6th—so i have to find a way to go then too
So far, about what you could have expected from two of the top lefties in the game.
Although I’m listening, I suspected that play would irk you, Mike.
And, what WERE we saying about that Jeter? DP, three down, Yankees hold the lead 2-1, Pettite at 55 pitches/35 strikes through four. Good start.
Have fun Mike. Hope you are good for at least 2 out of 3.
I agree, Mike S. I know you’re happy about Robertson. Before the game, I was thinking this was a game that might see five runs or fewer.
me too mr sommer… i’m not confident about the D-Raz
Mike, please keep in touch during your trip. I’m hopeful the Yankees, including today, can take 6 or 7 of the next 9 to move forward.
Nice. Showing Joba highlights from the other night. I could only hear then…nice to SEE.
oh i will keep in touch–and as per nick’s request will take many pix
That’s where Sterling is good–“Santana has walked two batters, and they’ve both scored.” He’s very good in-game but too often at the expense of the long-term trends and stats. But he still has his moments.
too bad santana has settled in again
Jeter K’s to end the top of the fifth, still 2-1 Yankees.
Santana at 85 pitches through 5. Keep it here, Andy. You’re going to see some good match-ups, Mike.
F9, one down.
it seems we will have to face lester, beckett and masterson the first 3 games
oh that was SAD jeter
Mike, I can’t help but smirk when there is a hit near short, because I know how you feel about Jeter at short, and it’s understandable.
It’s raining. The Yankees need to hold the lead.
The way this game is going, Robertson might get an early baptism.
And it’s where Sterling and Waldman give Jeter a pass, and to various degrees as least tacitly mollify Jeter and augment his legend. In the field, he’s lost a step.
u dont that the game on FAUX?
watching reyes twitch and squirm makes me sick
There are the Cubs-Sox locally, so I’m an in-market, out-of-market customer, in the nether region of Saturday afternoon and Sunday night blackout viewing.
That’s my circumlocution. The answer is unfortunately NO. How does Pettite walk Easley AGAIN?!?
Loud “Let’s Go, Yankees!” chants.
YEAH! What we’ve seen for years…Andy picks Reyes off.
HELL YEAH!!!! that little sucka!!!
Pettite totally bags Reyes, three outs. Brilliant, and from what Sterling describes a bonehead running mistake by Reyes.
Pettite at 73 pitches through 5. Outstanding. Pick-off artistry.
Abreu out looking, one down.
mc carver trashing reyes
I have to say I’m enjoying Sterling. It brings back good memories, of Sterling helping me more than get by in the first few years here in Illinois.
always will havea soft spot for sterling as well
The Yankees are ratcheting up the pitch count on Santana, good.
A-Rod worked a nine-pitch walk, HUGE.
santana will take himself out soon
Sherry is making her famous meat loaf for today. Life is officially good.
Foul by 10-15 feet down the line. The John Sterling needs glasses charity fundraiser begins at (Fill in the time) tonight. Please give what you can.
Alex picked off? Yes.
NO! Balk called.
you dont need balkin’ bob to see that guys
Balk on Santana?
it is pouring there…
Big momentum switch for the Yanks, when Sterling initially called A-Rod out. But isn’t that Sterling following the play, which he has to, and the umpire coming in late, typically, since it’s McClellan?
Seriously, the long foul before the balk? Sterling said it was foul by only 10-15 feet. Funny. It wasn’t close.
I know I’m defending Sterling here, but it certainly seems plausible that Sterling was following it well but as it happened.
Giambi K’s, at least Santana’s pitch count is up–106 pitches. He’ll be done soon.
the home plate ump called it immediately and loudly
IBB for Jorge to face Cano. another big moment. I like big moments in pitchers’ duels. It shows the tension of a tight, low-scoring game.
Base hit here, Cano. Use the whole field.
sweeeeeeeet
Cano comes through, 3-1 Yankees! YES!!
Cano 2-3 against fellow lefty Santana. Good, clutch game from the kid. Outstanding. He’s so due.
Melky swings at the first pitch, can’t drive the last nail in Santana’s coffin with a long at-bat. I know I’m probably being a little picky, but in part, not. Make the pitcher stand and throw a wet ball in the rain.
Rain delay. Cano’s extra RBI was HUGE.
no- jason – you are being kind. melky is hopeless
It seems like this will blow over, and there will be baseball in 30-40 minutes.
Sterling, responding to Waldman on why Melky and other Yanks might be sitting on the bench instead of the Yankees visitors’ clubhouse, “I know you’ve seen the visitors’ clubhouse, Syzyn, and it’s not exactly the Palace at Versailles.” Classic.
Mike, there are moments when I need to shed my propensity for diploimacy and let ‘er rip.
Rain delay for the next little while. Are people vacating, or sticking around? Please advise.
Over.
i’m here
I’m feeling pretty good about today’s game, Mike. A lot of that has to do with Pettite’s very good work. He’s bounced back very well lately.
me too- no doubt we will take it
just a bit bummed by yet another delay
This team is on the verge of entering an upward swing. It needs to prove itself and, in spite of all the injuries, this team has shown some toughness. This team is starting to win me over in a lovable (if well-paid) loser way.
i am too, Mike–momentum deferred.
I like that Mariano is fresh and looming.
lovable losers are for cubs fans
im gonna head back to my house with my laundry- will check in then
Talk with you later, Mike.
Good to hear a Steve Buscemi voice-over on WCBS.
I didn’t mean it like that in a Cubs-like way Mike.
i’m home guys
Still delayed.
I just played catch with the little guy for a while.
The broadcast will resume in 1 minute, a good sign. Good timing, Mike.
love that andy’s coming bac k
Pettite back out with 73 pitches in the kitty. Two sharp innings would be a huge contribution, especially with Wright, Beltran, and Delgado.
I do too, Mike.
horrible
maybe it wasn’t that good an idea…
And Wright homers right away, 3-2. Hold it here, Andy.
Nice, Pettite, one down, getting Beltran looking.
3U, two down.
big Stasche makes great pick
Pettite preserves the lead, three down, Andy at 88 pitches after 6. Giambi’s scoop spares Mike’s boy Jeter. He’s been good.
I’m going to grab dinner. See you in a while.
Yankees still up 3-2, Veras not bad.
Does Nuke get the 8th?
F8, one down.
Not exactly the way you want Farnsy to get 2 outs. At least they don’t need style points.
Nuke gets Wright on a deep F7, nice running catch from JD.
No, getting defensive help for sure, Mike.
See above. What do you think about the def. adjustments? Jorge to 1b and Molina in to C?
I understand it behind home, and it doesn’t speak well for His Scoop, Giambi. Not sure I trust Posada’s reactions at first. I have to see him there more.
I like it. Don’t think Torre would’ve done it.
I think he is more worried about fielding a bunt, and thinking that Jorge would have had the better instincts and arm on covering a potential bunt.
Not necessary though. Big K of Beltran by the Farns.
It’s true, Torre wouldn’t have. I just have seen Jorge so little at first. He’s not bad, but doesn’t express confidence in playing the position.
Nuke gets the K, big moment, and we’ll have Mariano with the lead.
I think there’s no question on Jorge’s arm, even with the injury.
I’d love to see the Yanks add on.
Molina is only hitting .230, but his contributions seems rather bigger than that.
JD works the walk for Jeter, add on and add runs.
Only five hits, but five walks is good work at the plate.
Time for the G.O. A.T. (Greatest of All Time).
Jeter HAD to swing at the first pitch. Terrible. But Mariano for the ninth has me very confident.
That he is Mike. Not even a debate, to me.
Why I’m big on walks, plate patience. Make the pitcher work. Make him throw patience. 2 walks, double steal, couple fly balls can get you 2 runs.
Power goes into slumps. So does Batting averages. Patience and drawing walks doesn’t have to slump. Speed doesn’t slump as long as you can get on base.
Hope you sent your grades in Jason. Love to hear them.
Mariano looking fresh on the first pitch, 0-1.
that’s why Melky’s first-pitch swinging on Santana in the rain bothered me, Mike. Make that pitcher work.
I might send them in, but might discuss them during the appearance. I’m not sure what’s in store for me.
Whiff, one down with Delgado’s K.
That’s in part why Mariano is the greatest–five cutters at 94 mph according to Gameday, but location jams up Tatis, two down.
And the G.O.A.T. does it again.
Mo is MO. The Best.
Oh yeah! K looking to end the game! Mariano with his 22nd save, his 465th in his career. Nice run manufacturing, great start for Pettite, very good bullpen work, and the best relief pitcher in the history of the game salts it.
Huge win, seven games over .500. This team is hanging in there with some toughness that impresses me.
I’m going to get cracking on the wrap. Thanks for hosting, Mike. I may do grades now that it’s the halfway mark.
Houston is up 5-4 in the 4th on Boston. Jon Lester is getting smacked around.