Phil, What Have You Done With Phil?

After two impressive (gotta find a positive) innings in his previous start, Phil Hughes was his old self today. His line: eight hits, six runs, three walks, two HR in only 3 2/3 innings. Where is the stud that dominated all minor league levels? Where is the kid that was supposed to save the rotation? Where is our ace? Where did his control go?

Our bullpen surprisingly pitched a great game despite the implosion by Hughes. Ohlendorf led the way with 5 K’s and just called up Ramirez and Hawkins pitched scoreless innings. That was one bright spot in the game. I would think if Ohlendorf had a rough outing again, he would have to be sent down. That was nice to see.

Another bright spot in the game was my main man Shelley Duncan. He had three walks and a hit. Great day for a great guy. I hope he remains in the lineup. Cano had a HR and tied the game at the time, but that was clearly forgettable after his next 4 at bats. Matsui also had a good day with two hits.

I think it’s time to send down Hughes to AAA and fix whatever is wrong. He is still young (think he is the second youngest in pro ball) and you know he is going to go through some growing pains but something needs to be done now. You don’t want to see Hughes to pitch poorly because of a mental problem. That might happen if he continues to take his lumps in the Yankees rotation. Let him gain some confidence and then bring him back up. Rasner is throwing well right now…he can fill in admirably.

It doesn’t help that Chris Stewart made his first start for the Yankees behind the dish.  Hughes and Stewart were crossed up all night.  Why would Girardi start Stewart?  We need a veteran catcher who knows how to call a game…ding ding ding, you guessed it, Molina!  Why was he rotting on the bench tonight?  If Moeller clears waivers, which apparently today he supposed to, he should backup Molina pronto.

It has just been reported that ARod will be placed on the 15-day DL. Just super, when things weren’t bad enough. I just don’t have enough patience to watch Ensberg at the plate. Who do we bring up? It has to be another infielder.

In other non-related news:

The NY Rangers are down 3-0 in their series with the Penguins. Why are they called the Penguins anyway? Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins? How can we lose to a bunch of freaking penguins. Well the series is just about over. Time to make some moves in the off-season. First we have to resign Avery and ditch Jagr. Jagr did well for us, but it is best that we both move on. I feel like we just broke up.

Mussina Just Good Enough

It seemed like one of those games again; the Yankees couldn’t hit while their starter was barely keeping them in the game. Mussina was able to go five innings and put himself in line for the win. Unfortunately, when he did come out the Yankees were getting no-hit by Aaron Laffey of the Indians. Who you ask? Well he has nine starts in his career and he is just a control pitcher with average stuff. So why are the Yankees unable to muster a hit through five innings? I wish I had the answer. All I know is that the Yankees were able to get on base, mainly by infield singles. I would feel bad about these hits as none of them were hit hard, but the Indians had their fare share of ‘cheap’ hits today. The Yankees were able to get four runs in the inning and chased Laffey from the game.

And the Yankees were in control…except our bullpen had to pitch four innings. Albladejo or ‘Abu’ as my roommate likes to call him, followed Mussina and pitched a scoreless inning. Farnsworth, Joba, and Rivera closed out the last three innings and the Yankees prevailed 5-2.

Our offense was anemic all night, but it was a good win for the mere fact that we scrapped and took advantage of men on base. Something we have failed to do in the season thus far.

There were really no bright spots in the box score tonight, but Matsui had two RBI, which is worth mentioning. Melky was productive in the lead off spot as he had a hit and walked. Congrats to the Yanks for splitting the series. They Yankees now travel back to New York for a much needed extended home-stand.

In other related and not so related news:

-Clemens had relations with a country singer when she was 15. This lasted for a dozen or so years. Apparently no sexual activity occurred. “Were not a bunch of monkey’s, Clemens.” What does this have to do with steroid allegations anyway?

-Barry Zito was banished to the bullpen. He is win-less with six losses and has a 7.53 ERA. Oh yeah, he has five years left on his $126 million contract. Pavano is excused…wait a second…at least Zito pitches. Pavano is still a bum.

-I think the Red Sox are going to claim Chad Moeller just so that they can stick it to the Yankees. Could be bad or it could be bad. Red Sox have to open a spot for him, wouldn’t be the wisest decision. Do the Yankees make a trade for a backup or starting catcher? What will they have to give up? I’m pushing for an Igawa for any catcher trade. Is the platoon of Molina and Moeller really going to be effective? How hurt is Posada? All very good questions that should be answered in the next few days or so.

Giants Draft

The Giants needed a safety with the loss of Gibril Wilson. Sammy Knight is just not gonna hack it. And most of their DB’s are getting old. They got their guy in Kenny Phillips in the first round. Compared to Sean Taylor (R.I.P.). I also know they got a steal with Mario Manningham in the third round. He projects to be a very good receiver as Amani Toomer is getting very old as well. Couldn’t tell you about the other guys, but the Giants clearly drafted by need in this draft. They got two linebackers, which they needed badly. I really wanted Dan Connor from Penn State when he fell far in the draft, but the Giants must have seen something they didn’t like. The Giants also drafted a backup QB. I don’t know about this pick because why would we need a backup for the Super Bowl MVP (he did win it right?)? I know he is a tall and strong QB that was suspected to be drafted higher. I would imagine he is going to be the backup to Eli for a long time…if he pans out.

I don’t know much about college football, but I would rate the Giants draft a B-. But after last year’s draft, I have full faith in Jerry Reese and Co. They say that it takes three years to actually grade a team’s draft class, we will just have to play the waiting game.

Giants Draft Picks (courtesy of Giants.com)
ROUND	PICK	PLAYER	POS	COLLEGE
1	31	Kenny Phillips | BIO	S	Miami
2	32 (63)	Terrell Thomas | BIO	CB	USC
3	32 (95)	Mario Manningham | BIO	WR	Michigan
4	24 (124) (From Steelers)	Bryan Kehl | BIO	LB	BYU
5	30 (165)	Jonathan Goff | BIO	LB	Vanderbilt
6	32 (198)	Andre’ Woodson	QB	Kentucky
6	33 (199)	Robert Henderson	DE	USM

Wang Outduels Future Yankee To End Skid

Two aces faced off today for their respective teams and both pitched well.  Wang who is undefeated, picked up his fifth win in a very important game for the Yankees.  The Yankees finally ended their three game losing streak and Wang deserved all the credit.  Wang looked incredible as his ball was moving quite a bit and it was down in the zone for the most part.  His slider was outstanding, which was a major factor for his nine K performance.

I didn’t expect the Yankees to hit much today as they were facing last year’s CY Young winner in Sabathia.  He was dealing also and kept his team in the game with an eight K performance of his own.  His only mistake was the eventual game winning HR by Melky Cabrera; his fifth HR on the year.

Joba and RIvera were dominant as usual, but Wang was able to hand the ball to them without taxing the bullpen.  Couldn’t have drawn it up any better myself.

It was reported that Posada might be put on the DL with a slighlty torn ligament of some sort.  This could be really bad as Molina has to start (coming back from injury) and we don’t have any reliable catchers that are ready to play.  We might need to trade for one right away.  Laird, Clement?  Those might be reaches right now, as the Yankees don’t need catchers of that caliber.  Let’s hope Moeller clears waivers so the Yankees can bring him back up.  Big win as the Red Sox lost.  But my Rangers lost so I am a little depressed.  Good win nevertheless.

And Here We Go Again

Why can’t the Yankees have a strong April? It is very disappointing to see the Yankees falter in every phase of the game. Their starting pitching is nothing to marvel at, their bullpen is just horrendous, they can’t drive in a leadoff runner, and many of our players are mired in a severe slump. When is this going to end? When are they going to play like an actual $200+ million ballclub? It seemed like the Yankees left a lot of men on base today. Let’s check……..of course an eye-popping 23 men LOB! And three runs! No excuse.

I really hate to dissect the game but some things need to be pointed out. Giambi makes another horrible play at first. Girardi should have had Jeter squeeze with Damon on the third and one out in the eight inning. He is the best bunter on the team and it would have worked. The Yankees would have been ahead and Rivera would have come into the game to close it out. But no, that is not the case. Jeter grounds into a DP….just fitting and Ohlendorf has to pitch the ninth. Why is he in the game now? Another loss that the Yankees should not have gotten. This Girardi is driving me up the wall. I forgot to mention the leadoff walks that Hawkins and Farnsworth continue to give up. I don’t care that they didn’t score…once again, never should have happened.

And what’s with the lineup today? It’s not like the Yankees are playing a bunch of scrubs. Heck, if that’s the case, why not start Kei Igawa? The outcome would have been the same. Posada should play; he is the starting catcher. Cano is finally starting to swing the bat well and he sits, Abreu is probably our best hitter at the current time and of course he sits. Matsui is my favorite and he hits lefties well and he sits.

Transaction Notes (via Yankees.com):

4/26/08	Recalled INF/OF Shelley Duncan from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre; Optioned LHP Billy Traber to Scranton/Wilkes Barre.
4/25/08	Placed RHP Brian Bruney on the 15-day disabled list; Recalled RHP Chris Britton from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre; Designated C Chad Moeller for assignment; Recalled RHP Jonathan Albaladejo from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

I told you Shelley would be up in the next day or two. He should start at first base in place of ’stone hands’ Giambi. At least Shelley brings some excitement to the table. Clearly Traber can’t get a lefty out and that’s what he was on the team for. Good move. Bruney was put on the DL with a torn ligament in his foot and he might be out for the year. That’s a tough one to swallow because he seemed committed this year and he was doing well for the Yanks thus far. But seriously, how the hell could this happen? Moeller was designated for assignment to make room for Albaladejo who I really like. Moeller really likes playing for the Yankees and might accept an option to the minors. Britton came up also; not impressed by him. Veras and Ramirez have been throwing well in Scranton/Wilkes Barre, why not call one of them up?

I need to take this all in and then I need a nap.

Sore Loser

I was unable to post yesterday because of my depressing state due to the Yankees and Rangers losses.  The good news is that I am over it and I will have a report about the latest transactions and today’s game.  Stay tuned Quite Yanklers.

Rain Washes Away Victory

It may not seem like it to you, but that was one of the more painful games in my lifetime. The Yanks came out rolling after an initial rain delay and Hughes was dealing. Then the heavens opened up again. Another rain delay…a longer one.

David Cone said on the Yes Network that there usually is a 90 minute rain window for a pitcher to get back on the mound. I believe the second rain delay was only 51 minutes (an eternity to a fan…but 51 minutes to a pitcher and team). Girardi replaced Hughes with Ohlendorf (used-to-be-starter) in the 4th inning I believe. Needless to say Ohlendorf got lit up and this move is going to be criticized. I do think Hughes should have been left in the game. But they were protecting their long term investment and I can see that, but Gavin Floyd came back out and was successful until the Yanks finally broke through.

We can’t win the game with our bullpen pitching six innings. We hung around but in the end, but normally lights out Joba, surrendered the walk off hit. In the words of my roommate, “Girardi is making a lot of wrong decisions, but there does seem like there is a lot of hard decisions that have to be made in April.”

And the worst thing is that the Red Sox lost again, but the Yanks couldn’t pick a game up. A game here and a game there would put the Yanks in prime position in September, but they are failing to win those games in April.

Some positives: Melky hit his fourth HR, Abreu had another big day, Ensberg actually got a big hit. Hughes!

Some other negatives: Bruney is on the DL after falling on the way to first base…if a professional athlete jogging to first base can’t stand up, then there is a serious problem. Giambi-he’s slow and his glove is worse and he needs to sit and Shelly needs to play (bet he gets recalled today or tomorrow). Hawkins is a bum yet again. Joba is human after all. Why was Posada benched after his three double performance? Speaking of Posada, your pinch hitter should be able to beat the throw to first on a double play. Not a very good decision at the time.

Yanks Take Another From Less Important Sox

I wasn’t particularly thrilled about tonight’s pitching matchup as Mussina was facing Vasquez. But nevertheless, if you remain positive, good things will happen (most of the time). Vazquez is having a great season, of course it’s only been a few starts, but he’s been lights out. Yeah we should have probably kept him instead of dealing him to Arizona for the Big Unit. But that’s over and done with. He wasn’t that impressive tonight anyway.

Mussina pitched like the Moose of old and he was actually hitting most of his spots which you want to see from a Jaime Moyer type of pitcher (except he’s righty). Mussina gave up two solo HR’s but some HR’s are to be expected when he pitches. He was able to keep men off base for the most part and he was able to get some timely hitting by his teammates.

Posada came out of nowhere with four hits and three of those were doubles. Molina and Moeller who? Surprisingly Giambi was able to get on base four times and three were walks. He might be seeing the ball better now. Damon also had a big day with two runs, hits, and RBI. His offense the past few days have been great. The Yanks couldn’t quite break through until the fifth inning. Then the flood gates opened and chased Vasquez from the game. Although he was in trouble on more than one occasion.

Mussina threw seven strong innings tonight and then he handed the ball over to the bullpen; this is where things got hairy. What else is new. Hawkins gave up two runs and was only able to get one out. Traber came in to face Thome and the lefty on lefty situation failed yet again. Thome walked. Rivera had to relieve him and shut down the next five batters for his sixth save. Rivera was lights out. He looks as good as ever. The Yanks took the series and could sweep the Chi Sox tomorrow as Hughes takes the mound. He really needs a good outing. For his own sake and the bullpen’s sake. And for our sake.

Yankees Visit the Chi Sox Tonight

The game is finally over as Uribe flied out to right.  The Yankees win 9-5.  Wow, almost a 4 hour game.  I just hope that this doesn’t deter me from doing this again.  Thanks for all who were with me during the live blog.  Hope you enjoyed it.  I did, but I’m spent now.

And he throws a ball to the backstop…it was only a matter of time.

Groundball to 3rd base and Gonzalez got the force out at 2nd. 2 outs.

And Quentin Walks. What a bum Farnsworth is. He has lost the strike zone too.

Perzynskgobblededoo hit a HR, albeit a meaningless one. Freakin’ Farnsworth. The Chi Sox had fireworks for the HR…are they serious? They are down by 4 runs.

Gonzalez the vacuum grabs the ground ball and throws out Dye. 1 out.

Oh no, Farnsworth is in the game. He surely can get 3 outs right?

Cano grounded o second. Awful lot of those today. 3 outs. 3 outs left in the game. Who gets the call for the Yanks. Probably Hawkins, we will see.

Posada flied out.

Matsui walked.

Missed an out…sorry, doing fantasy baseball stuff.

Konerko flied out to deep center. 3 outs. A lot of the balls are getting hit hard but are not going out. If 1-2 of those balls go out of the ballpark it might be a different game.

Thome flied out to right, the ball looked like it came off the bat really well. Thome didn’t really get any of it I guess.

Cabrera got on with a one out single.

Joba is still in the game and got Swisher to fly out to Damon in left.

Gonzalez comes in to play third. ANd Ensberg moved to 1B. Giambi is out of the game.

Jeter grounded out to 2nd base. 3 outs.

Damon smashed (I can’t believe I used the word smashed) a 3-run HR!!!!!! That was a no doubter to right center. He chased Thorton from the game. Way to hit the tough lefty Damon. 9-4 Yanks.

Melky got jammed and hit the ball to 3rd base. Crede got the force at 2nd base for the second out.

Ensberg just laced a hit between third and short. First and second base are occupied now.

Giambi just stared at one on the corner. Strike 3. Shelly we need you.

Where’s Shelly Duncan when you need him. Righty on lefty here. This isn’t a good matchup for Giambi.

Cano walked on a tough at bat.

Joba got Uribe to pop up to Posada. 3 outs. Really got out of trouble there.

Crede walked. 6-4 Yanks. Joba was all over the place after going 1-2 on Crede.

Sorry Quentin nice try…2 outs. Strikeout on a check swing.

Good luck Quentin.

Pierzynkabadookie scorched a groundball to giambi but he couldn’t come up with it. It deflected to Cano and Bruney fell on his way to cover first. Bases loaded now. Joba is coming in now.

Bruney struck out Dye…finally. 96 MPH heat. 1 out.

Ball 4 to Konerko. Tying run up now. It’s never easy is it.

Bread and Butter Bruney is now in the game. This could be bad.

This is Traber’s only job…to get Thome out. And he didn’t. What a bum. Girardi is taking him out. Good. One job that’s all we ask for…one batter…at least let him take some hacks, but no he had to walk him.

Traber is in the game now as Wang was over 100 pitches. Wang didn’t do a very good job but the hitters gave him a lead and a chance for the win.

Posada grounded out. But bigging inning thanks to Abreu and no thanks to Jeter.

Matsui walked. Pitching change now. Thorton the lefty is coming in.

About freakin’ time. That looked like a fly out, but somehow it carried. Yanks up 6-3.

GRANDSLAM!!!!!!! Ok maybe swing. That’s why I am sitting home.

Don’t swing Abreu, let Dotel throw a strike.

Bad call by the ump…Jeter probably should have been out. And he just struck out. Two outs. Leaving 2 on in scoring position. Jeter swung at all balls.

Jeter is up…big at bat.

Dotel is coming in. Remember him…or remember the Yanks nursing him back to health just so that he can pitch for another team.

Logan is throwing now. Damon hit a weak groundball and beat it out for a infield single. Bases loaded…no DP…please.

Melky hits a single to left and now the Yanks have runners on 1st and 2nd. It should be bases loaded as Giambi should have had a single. Contreras was pulled.

Ensberg walks on 4 pitches. I don’t trust him, but i will take a walk any day.

Giambi hits a soft line drive down the right field line and it was caught by the second baseman due to the shift!!!!!!!! Unbelievable.

Wang gets a ground ball back to him for the third out.

Swisher strikes out. 2 out.

Hit and run and Uribe got on with a squib hit that Wang was too lazy to pick up. two men on now.

Crede hits the ball just inside the bag…Ensberg should have had the ball, but it got through for a single.

Quentin flied out to right.

Cano hit a lazy fly ball to right center. 3 outs. Horrible. They just can’t hit.

Posada of course ruins the rally by grounding into a 3-6-3 double play.

Matsui gets beaned by a 75 mph slider. I think he is going to make it. Lead off man on.

Pierzinskalooneyboo grounds out to 2nd base for the third out. Very big out by Wang to keep their lead to 1.

Why don’t the infielders play in? Wang got lucky by striking out Dye.

Konerko doubled down the left field line. Cabrera scored and runners are on second and third. 3-2 Sox.

Wang walked Thome and now two on with one out.

Cabrera got on with a base hit.

Swisher grounds out to 2nd base for the 1st out.

Abreu rolled one over to second base for the third out.

The Yanks are making Contreras look like Cy Young! He’s not that impressive.

Jeter grounds out to Cabrera on a slow ball up the middle.

Damon flew out to left on a ball 4 pitch…not a great job by the leadoff hitter.

Cabrera ( I think) grounds out to second…third out.

Too many fly balls by Wang but I will take it. Crede flied out to CF.

Quentin drove the ball to deep left but the ball isn’t carrying tonight. It was caught by Damon. Wang is really lucky.

Great stop by a slow curve in the dirt by Peirxhlkhdoki. And Melky strikes out on ball 4. Inning over. Lead off double and we can’t get the run in…just embarrassing.

Ensberg grounds out to SS on a weak ground ball that advances Cano to 3rd.

Deep fly ball by Giambi but Cano couldn’t advance on Dye’s rocket to 3rd.

Ok so Giambis avg. is .128. Excuse me.

Cano hit an opposite field double to lead off the 4th. Nice piece of hitting.

Pierzynkskioolilanatamos struck out on a pitch outside. 3 outs.

Dye doubled over the head of Cabrera. That’s what happens when Wang leaves the ball up.

Konerko flied out to deep left field. I thought that ball was gone but I think he hit it off the end of the bat.

Wang stuck out Thome with a nice pitch down and in.

Anybody want the 13-game Sox Ozzie ticket plan…any takers?…I didn’t think so.

If I wasn’t doing this I think I might be passed out in this recliner. These broadcasters are so boring.

Posada got jammed and flew out to left field on a nice play by the left fielder. 3 outs.

Matsui singled down the right field line, he had a chance for second base, but he held up.

Abreu just missed the ball over the middle of the plate and flied out to center. He got under it.

Jeter hits a short chopper but Crede made a nice place to get Jeter at 1B.

Cabrera grounds out for the second time but Wang gives up two runs. Wang’s pitch count is getting up there through 2 now.

Swisher just swung threw a pitch and the bat broke in his hand. He must be on roids. The equipment manager must be fired for that. Someone should be blamed.

Wang is killing me and all Yankee fans. 0-2 and now 3-2.

Wang just threw the same pitch but more over the middle of the plate and he hammered it to left field for a double. Two runs scored. 2-2 now thanks to Wang’s 0-2 count mistake.

Wang just hung a curve inside but Uribe missed it.

Crede just hit a double down the left field line on the first pitch. Quentin advanced to third.

Quentin just lined a ball up the middle that glanced off Wangs glove. It was a hard hit ball that Wang how no chance on. Man on 1st with one out.

Perzinkaminkalotobama leads off. Wang got inside on him and he flew out to right center.

Damon grounded out to 2nd base for the third out. Sox up now.

Cabrera just flied out and 2 out now. Contreras seems to be throwing a decent curve tonight.

Ensberg just looked lost during his at bat, swinging and missing at a ball right down the middle…1 out

Giambi’s average is a whopping .110. Ok not really but hey it’s going up right?

Maybe I should talk trash about everybody and then they will start hitting.

Big Giambi is up…what a waste of money. He is batting .109. Wow! He hit a HR to opposite field…omg…I still don’t believe it.

Dye grounds out to Jeter for the 3rd out but Wang threw a lot of pitches…nothing new. Yanks up.

Wang might be overthrowing a little bit.

Keep the ball down Wang!

Konerko hits a line drive up the middle and Cabrera tried to throw out Thome at 3rd. The ball hit Thome and Konerko advanced to second. 2nd and 3rd with two out.

Nice slider by Wang to make the count 1-2.

Thome walks and Konerko is up now.

At least Wang is getting ground balls, but the two were lasers.

Nothing like PB+J for dinner.

Ensberg knocked the ball down in front of him on a line drive and couldn’t find it but he makes up for it by turning a dp.

Cano struck out and left two on. Let the complaining begin. I will be back in a second as I am making a sandwich for dinner because I am poor.

3-2 count now after a few fouls.

Cano takes a good hack on a 3-1 pitch.

Contreras looks like he is 45.

Posada gets a hit and runners are on first and second. The yanks aren’t hitting the ball very hard but we’ll take it.

Sorry to change it up on you guys but I don’t feel like scrolling down to post every second.

Matsui rolled one over on the first pitch to second base and the runner scores on the FC. 1-0 Yanks with Matsui on first.

Abreu gets a big hit and the Yanks have runners on the corners. Damon had to wait and make sure Cabrera wasn’t going to catch it.

Our lineup tonight looks like this. It’s Wang versus Contreras.

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Giambi 1B
Ensberg 3B
Cabrera CF

Ensberg gets the nod at 3B because ARod is nursing his quad and his wife. His wife had a baby girl today and they named the baby Alexia…ok not really, but I wouldn’t be surprised.

I am watching the game through the MLB extra innings package so I have to listen to the Chi Sox broadcasters. Let’s hope they don’t say ‘he-gone’ too much. The game is starting at 8:11 EST probably due to the 7-11 promotion (7:11 CST). Waste of my time. They just did a horrible rendition of New York, New York but with Chicago replacing NY and some fat guy is singing it. You really have to appreciated the Yes Network.

Top 1st-

Damon leads off…great numbers for a leadoff hitter. Damon ripped a double down the line! Am I watching the right game. Think the ball went off Konerko.

Jeter down 0-2 in the count already, with a man on second. Lazy line drive by Jeter to second base for the first out. He was trying to advance the runner but didn’t do his job.

Live Blog Tonight!

I am trying something different as I will be live blogging during the game tonight.  I don’t know if this will work out but I am going to give it a try.  See you later.