Saturday, July 5, 2008

Live Game Blog

Third game of the series in this set of four and the Yankees are looking for a win. With Justin Masterson pitching it should be a possibility. But with the Yankees hitting, it may not be.

4:03pm Update

Moose is currently pitching to Manny, which seems dangerous. But his struggles with Manny aside, and assuming that neither Hughes nor Kennedy becomes Cy Young between now and February, should the Yanks consider resigning Moose to a one year contract perhaps? Worth considering since it may be cheaper than other free agent options.

4:10pm Update

A 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 inning for Moose. No runs though, despite the fact that he faced Manny. Pedroia got greedy trying to take second (it's not easy running the bases and applying Rogain at the same time). Gardner threw his prematurely aged arse, and was just robbed by Masterson.

4:18pm Update

Masterson seemed to have used some sort of baseball tracking beam in the first inning, hence the two consecutive come-backers, which doesn't fall under MLBs screening program. Moose is throwing a lot of first pitch strikes and he should have a good day.

4:20pm Update

Other than the home plate ump being a complete douche, good inning for Mussina. I hope somebody's explaining how a strike zone works to the ump, with their fists.

4:27pm Update

That four pitch walk by Masterson, bookended by two first pitch outs more or less explains exactly why the Yanks have struggled so much offensively. They're not the patient, get a pitcher out after 5 innings team they were in the Joe Torre heyday. I suggest a moratorium on first pitch swings, especially when facing a rookie with control issues. Nice slide there by Giambi, he's been working out with the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics squad.

4:34pm Update

Did anybody sign Ellsbury's permission slip to come to New York this weekend?

4:38pm Update

Drew looked stupid on that pitch. I mean, he generally looks stupid, but he really looked stupid on that pitch.

4:58pm Update

The Yankees did what they do best there: load the bases and have nothing to show for it. In fairness, Betemit hit that ball hard but Pedroia just happened to be right in position for it. Tough break. Man Ram (as the closer referred to him during the Red Sox line-up intro on fox) just got hit for the second time today (though the first time he wasn't really hit). Perhaps retaliation for A-Rod being hit. I prefer to say that it was just Moose being Moose.

5:10pm Update

Cano was just hit, which makes for the fourth hit batter of the day. Thing is, none of the hits look particularly intentional. No one really aims for the calf. The second hit of Ramirez was more a product of his beginning to move his hands through the zone than anything else. On a side note, I wonder if Masterson has to hold someone's hand when he crosses the street.

5:15pm Update

You know what would make me really happy? If Buck and McCarver would shut the #%@! up! That would make me happy. Also, Fox, please get a color guy.

5:23pm Update

Note to Ellsbury, don't run on Molina and your parents are at the office to pick you up. I like the catch over Molina by Moose. Moose is moving forward and therefore the catch was his to make, luckily, due to the height difference, the lack of communication wasn't an issue.

5:38pm Update

Man Ram is up. Will Moose go for the hat trick?

5:43pm Update

Moose just threw the same pitch twice, first time called a ball, the second time called a strike. Home plat ump Kerwin Danley has been less than consistent, but both pitchers have made the best of it. Probably if they don't get a call they just throw the same pitch again, figuring that with his inconsistency Danley might call a strike next time.

5:55pm Update

On the bright side, they loaded the bases and scored once. That's improvement!

5:58pm Update

The kid pitched well, limiting the damage when he got into trouble. Two bases loaded situations and one run to show for it, not bad for Masterson. Quite bad for the Yankees' offense.

6:23pm Update

If Farnsworth can survive this inning with one run or less, the Yanks should be good. This Red Sox line-up does not have the experience against Mo that the 2004 Sox did and that is an advantage to the Yankee closer.

6:30pm Update

Note to Sidney Ponson: Molina can take a hit, don't mess with him. Quite the foul tip off the mask there by Molina. Great to see him stay in the game. And another nice defensive play by Cano. No base runners for Farnsworth.

6:35pm Update

Meant to mention this earlier. But they were showing the Yankee dugout earlier, and someone seriously needs to engage Brett Gardner in conversation. Seriously. He's just sitting there.

6:42pm Update

Mo gives up a hit, now he need Man Ram to hit into a double play. Wow that sentence sounds so dirty.

Final Update

I spent that entire last inning saying two words. One was holy and I'll let you guess the other one. Mo came really close to blowing that game for Moose, which would be about the third time the Yanks have lost one of Moose's games which they should've won. But they won, and the Yanks probably won't get yelled at by Girardi today, which is good. They still can't have candy, which is bad.

60 comments:

Fred Trigger said...

and abreu goes down with the bat glued to his shoulder

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

yeah, but in fairness, he's hung over.

Fred Trigger said...

yeah, i dont know why girardi wants them to be more aggresive. Thats what the successful yankee teams were all about, drawing walks, and wearing down the starter.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

yeah, it's definitely a striking difference when you watch this offense, how often even the veterans swing early and hit into ground outs and pop flys.

Fred Trigger said...

I think pedroia did, while posing as his father.

Fred Trigger said...

I think JD Drew and Bobby Abreu are the same player.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

the one difference is Drew has been hurt often and Abreu refuses to do anything that might result in his uniform having to be washed.

Fred Trigger said...

a lot of people knock on Drew for getting injured a lot, but if memory serves me correctly, the only time he spent any significant time on the DL was when he took a fastball off the wrist. I think what I meant to say was they have a similar approach at the plate. Try to draw the walk, and if you get a good pitch hammer it. Take and Rake guys, if you will.

Fred Trigger said...

uh oh.

Fred Trigger said...

phew. Masterson just matrixed a huge bullet.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

yeah, you gotta give Varitek credit on that one. He helped his young pitcher get through that.

Fred Trigger said...

I thought he was hit. It was just by a 20mph moose knuckle curve. Wow. sounds kind of funny.

Fred Trigger said...

that didnt look like it felt so hot. Right off the ankle. Ouch.

Fred Trigger said...

I think him and Joba skip along the crosswalk on the way to the stadium. (While holding hands of course)

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

nice! though I don't know that Joba looks nearly as young as Masterson. I'm guessing he and Ellsbury would have facial hair if they could grow any.

Fred Trigger said...

I think he does, especially the way he wears his hat. Also, you should do what i do. Turn down the volume of the TV and just throw the ipod on the computer.

Fred Trigger said...

moose really wanted that popup bad, huh.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

in the off chance these guys might say something more insightful than "the rays are in first" or "that's strike three," I leave the volume on. Moose definitely wanted that pop up, he won't be denied.

Fred Trigger said...

Read this.

http://www.firejoemorgan.com/search?q=mark+wahlberg

and tell me you will ever hear something insighful from McCarver. Its like a leprachauns gold. It only exists in stories.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

yeah, that's pretty bad. the sad thing is McCarver was once a giant when it came to baseball play by play guys. But fox definitely needs a color guy. Maybe that would take some pressure off.

Fred Trigger said...

it seems his broadcasting career is mirroring his playing career. he started out good, but towards the end of his career, the only reason he was playing was because he was Steve Carltons personal catcher. Maybe the same applies here. There is no one else around to replace him.

Fred Trigger said...

if gardner was smart, he would have leaned into that.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

Looks like Masterson's out for blood right now. That passed ball followed by the hit by pitch saved us. Molina would've hit into a double play

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

good point.

Fred Trigger said...

oh great, captain intangibles is up.

Fred Trigger said...

and promptly grounds out in a most calm eyed way. (another mccarverism)

Fred Trigger said...

heres hoping they bring in Farnsworth next (crossing fingers)

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

not happening, though Veras is hardly automatic but he's been pitching well.

Fred Trigger said...

red sox have been having a lot of problems with flamethrowers lately. I think Matt Garza threw, like, 3 offspeed pitches to them over 8 innings.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

one of the fox guys, i think it was McCarver, did point out that after seeing Mussina all game, Veras throwing in the mid to high 90s is a big difference and tough on hitters.

Fred Trigger said...

i stand corrected. I guess the stories i've heard were true. Occasionally he will say something insightful.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

my hope has been rewarded.

Fred Trigger said...

For the trivia question, I think the only one I can name is Nomar Garciaparra. I dont even think thats right.

Fred Trigger said...

Is that Farnsworth i spy? (pumping fist)

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

After Moose, Farnsworth high 90s fastball may look like its coming in at 110mph. I wouldn't fist pump just yet. I missed the trivia question.

Fred Trigger said...

It was the 2 yankee and 2 red sox rookies to start an all star game. Moose doesnt throw it that hard, but, he's not exactly wakefield, either.

Fred Trigger said...

Farnsworth just barely missed his target.

Fred Trigger said...

can he not hit his catchers target to save his life, or what. no wonder he is so ineffective.

Fred Trigger said...

I dont think it matters what lineup is facing him, Mo is having an eckersly like season.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

That's true, only with much shorter hair.

Fred Trigger said...

oh god, get ready for some fireworkds. Timlin on the mound is a recipe for disaster.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

just saw the answer to the trivia question. who the hell is Joe Dimaggio? Just kidding. Who can forget Marilyn Monroe's ex-husband.

Fred Trigger said...

Joe Dimaggio was such an ugly MOFO too. Must have had a killer personality. Although it sounds like he was an egomaniac, calling himself the greatest living ballplayer, when willie mays, ted williams, and many other better than him still walked the earth.

Fred Trigger said...

do you realize how much nastier Rivera would be if he mixed in a changeup, after throwing consecutive cutters? I'm surprised he doesnt do it just to see if he can get a hitter to fall forward.

Fred Trigger said...

If manny had charged the mound, that would have been, well, awesome! Nothing like spicing up the rivalry with another brawl.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

he actually worked on a change-up in spring training, but he clearly hasn't needed it this year. Man Ram didn't look happy about being hit for a third time.

Fred Trigger said...

I know he doesnt need it, but it would be funny for him to pinpoint one guy and make him look silly by throwing it to him on a 0-2 count.

Fred Trigger said...

sounds almost as dirty as a moose knuckle curve.

Fred Trigger said...

there is no way this is happening! I so hope this goes into extras!

Fred Trigger said...

Crisp, you know what hes going to throw, if its close, swing at it, not half assedly (Is that a work?)

Fred Trigger said...

If lugo saves the day, I will eat my hat.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

Remember when Varitek could hit? Well, he can't anymore.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

assedly is definitely a word, though it may not be in any dictionaries. Mo scared me there, but he did his job. More importantly he didn't blow a win for Moose.

Fred Trigger said...

(sigh) i know this is a family friendly blog, but allow me to just say this. GODDAMIT! Now i know your guys frustration. Loading the bases with no outs and only scoring one run (against argubaly the best closer of all time, but still). We need to do something about the bottom of the order, varitek, followed by lugo, is unacceptable. I do remember when Varitek could hit. he was one of the people we signed for things he did in the past and not what he was going to do in the future. Hopefully we can find a decent catcher to replace him next year. ugh. I wouldnt have been upset if Mo had taken them down 1,2,3, but, my word, a flyball ties the freaking game. He was obviously on the ropes, and we let him off.

Fred Trigger said...

was the second word you were saying, water?

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

definitely a tough way to go down for the sox. and varitek-lugo, that combo is brutal. Boston will be okay though.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

no, but my word often lands in water.

Fred Trigger said...

I know, but I was all amped up, until I saw lugo come to the plate, and i knew it was over. Oh well, I would say the live blog was a success. Where have all your posters gone? it would have made it better.

Roberto E. Alejandro said...

couldn't say. Raven still regularly posts but we haven't seen a number of our regulars for a while, they kind of come in and out. we'll have to do more to get more people commenting. I'm off to the grocery store. thanks for following the live blog Fred. Hopefully we'll be able to do some more of these. Tomorrow I'll be at the game so no blogging. but I'll post something monday morning about it. I may not be around too much tomorrow because of family being in town, but I'll try to post something.

Anonymous said...

61 rational and peace-loving comments between one Yankee fan and one Red Sox fan?
Wow, that's phenomenal.