I’m usually not a fan of Michael Kay’s schtick-y play-by-play calls, but I had to lead off with that quote because it couldn’t be more true. The Yanks dropped another one tonight 10–8 to the D-Rays, but this game will hopefully be where they turn the page.
Why the optimism, you ask? Well, because the Yankees will send Chien-Ming Wang to the hill tomorrow, for the first time this year. Hopefully, Wang will throw about 22 ground-ball outs. Then on Wednesday, it’s Andy Pettitte’s turn. Pettitte has really pushed his old frame early in the season, and gone the extra mile for the team. On Thursday, it’s finally Phil Hughes’ turn.
On top of that, Mariano Rivera pitched a meaningless inning tonight. Meaningless because the Yanks were down 10–6 at the time, meaningful when you consider that he threw 10 pitches: 1 at 92 MPH, 8 at 93 MPH and 1 at 94 MPH. The talking heads at ESPN spent about 5 minutes analyzing why his velocity was down to 88 MPH earlier today. Mo is fine people. He’s started slowly several times in recent years, this year is no different. Still has the cutter, still the best closer in the game, always the best closer in the history of the game.
Now, if the Yanks next three starters can go 7 innings plus (probably a stretch for Hughes, they’re going to be watching his pitch count very closely) the pen will FINALLY get the rest they need.
Oh yeah, the Yanks played tonight. The starter (Kei Igawa) went 4.1 innings and got lit up (anyone think this guy was a good signing?), the pen showed its wear and tear. All told, they gave up 10 runs. Needless to say, that isn’t going to get it done.
The offense was great, as usual, and A-Rod led the way, as usual. Number 13 was 4 for 5 with 2 bombs, 4 runs scored and 3 RBI. The best thing I saw out of A-Rod was the determined look he had on his face when he rounded the bases in the top of the ninth. His two-run blast brought the Yanks to within 2 runs of the D-Rays, and in the past I would’ve expected some kind of self-congratulatory grin on his face. Proud of himself. Not this time. He’s focused, and he’s focused on winning. If the Yanks pitchers can pick up a little of that determination, this team is going to be just fine.
Player of the Game: A-Mazing.
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Glad to read something that isn't laced with panic regarding the Yanks. Coming home tonight all I heard on talk radio was how the Yankee bench is terrible, how Joe Torre should be fired and how Rivera is done.
Ridiculous.
I really think Hughes is going to be at the front of this rotation come July. There were really only two results to come out of this meltdown, either (a) they bring Hughes up or (b) they sign clemens for about $1M per start.
If the meltdown had come later, they would've opted for clemens, and they still might, but look at it this way:
If Hughes pans out, which I think he will, the Yanks have a really, really solid 1-4. Wang, Hughes, Pettitte and Mussina. Then they can throw Wang or any of the other rooks out there once a week to take his lumps.
This is a huge upgrade over the rotation last year, and really any rotation they've had since 2003, maybe even 2001.
Not only is it a better rotation, it's a younger rotation.
Can't wait til Thursday. Thank God it's a night game.
I think the key is getting Wang and Mussina back in the rotation. I'm interested to see how Hughes performs, but I'm a bit surprised that the Yanks are bringing him up. I thought the Yanks would bring up Hughes when he was ready to stay in the rotation. He might stay up if he pitches well, but I'm surprised they did it now.
You think Pavano even bothers coming back? I mean, at this point it's just a complete joke.
He'll come back. Will he stay? That's a different story.
I still don't understand why you think Hughes is going to be so awesome. If the guy was that good, he would have been here before Chase Wright.
I hope Torre gets fired. I'm loving this.
Hail Arod!
Two reasons Wright was up first.
1. they needed a starter for that night, and it wasn't Hughes' night to pitch, it was Wright's.
2. they were hoping to not have to bring him up this early.