Yankees fans got to see a side of closer Mariano Rivera they've never seen in his 17-year Yankee career. After a debated home run was allowed, Rivera blew a gasket and had to be blocked from charging from the dugout.
At the center of the outburst was a Kansas City Royals fly ball that hit the top of a fence and was ruled a home-run. Rivera wasn't even on the mound and was watching the play from the Yankees clubhouse before he saw red.
It looked like Rivera got upset at the umpiring crew-- with good reason-- after they conferred on the controversial home-run, and opted not to overturn the call. This was a side of the usually stoic Rivera that fans never see-- the emotional side. If it was rare to see the always composed Rivera blow a couple of games last week it was even more unique to watch the 41 year-old Rivera lose his cool for a couple of minutes last night.
Last week, fans saw the infrequent failures of Rivera in a few consecutive set-backs-- or blips as Manager Joe Girardi calls them-- in the closer's march to the Hall of Fame.
Rivera was tagged for a blown save, a loss and a scare in successive games in relief. It had Yankees fans wondering if the reliable closer was slipping. Through it all, Rivera never showed any emotion-- as is his usual modus operandi on the mound.
While the outburst may have been out of character for Rivera, his intensity was not.
In the bottom of the third inning of the Yankees/ Royals game at Kauffman Stadium, Royals DH Billy Butler lofted a fly ball which bounced off the top of the padded wall in left-center but clearly didn't go over an eight-inch railing behind it. Rightfielder Brett Gardner played the ball like it was a double.
After the initial call and protest by Girardi, second-base umpire Dana DeMuth summoned the other umpires and reviewed the play. Replays showed the ball hitting the top of the pad but bouncing off the fencing which connected the railing and wall-- which means the ball is still in play.
The umpires stuck by the initial ruling and gave Butler his 15th homer of the season and the Royals a 4-2 lead. This prompted Girardi to approach the umpires again to no avail. As the Yankees manager approached the dugout, Rivera could be seen being held back by coach Tony Pena and then Girardi himself.
The irate Rivera looked like he was ready to bolt through the dugout rail. His laser like-glare alone could have cut the metal pipe.
Meanwhile, Butler grinned like he just got away with murder and paced in the Royals dugout waiting to see if he would have to take second base.
Butler's solo-shot would prove costly as Yankees starter, Bartolo Colon, was roughed up for five runs in five innings including the controversial home-run.
Alex Gordon tagged Colon for a three-run homer earlier in the third inning and the Yankees ended up losing 5-4 with the bases loaded and Jorge Posada called out looking.
Derek Jeter went 4-for-5 but was caught stealing right before Curtis Granderson smacked his 34th home-run in the first.
The Yankees still held a 1/2 game lead over the Boston Red Sox, who lost to the Tampa Bay Rays.
After the game, Girardi said he would not file a protest with the league. DeMuth had no comment.
Showing posts with label Brett Gardner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brett Gardner. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
A.J. Burnett; One Game Does Not A Summer Make
A.J. Burnett finally won an August game wearing pinstripes and the New York Yankees are acting like they won the Powerball-- an $82.5 million lottery maybe.
The Yankees 7-4 victory over the lowly Kansas City Royals may be a sign Burnett, the much-maligned starter, has turned the corner on another season of desperation but it is nothing to cheer about.
The game proved that the ineffective righthander still can't make it through the sixth inning.
Burnett won his first game since since June 29 and, more importantly, finally won an August game as a Yankee after eight losses in-a-row. The No. 2 starter had an 0-8 record with an ERA of 7.18 over that span.
It's been almost seven weeks since his last victory in June. He slogged along with an 0-3 record, 6.00 ERA and four no-decisions during that losing streak.
If last night was an indication of Burnett lifting the monkey from his back, he can thank a cast of Yankees for the help.
Manager Joe Girardi lifted his starter after only 88 pitches-- probably because he's seen Burnett blow up enough times in the fifth and sixth innings this season.
"With a high salary is always high expectations," said Girardi. "I think he's thrown the ball better than some of his outcomes he's had."
Burnett's final line read: 5 2/3 innings, 10 hits and three earned runs.
A big night by Derek Jeter (3-for-4, 3 RBI's) and Brett Gardner (2 hits, 2 RBI's) helped Burnett on the offensive side and Dave Robertson and Mariano Rivera threw perfect innings in the eighth and ninth to save the struggling Burnett from the bench.
The Yankees 7-4 victory over the lowly Kansas City Royals may be a sign Burnett, the much-maligned starter, has turned the corner on another season of desperation but it is nothing to cheer about.
The game proved that the ineffective righthander still can't make it through the sixth inning.
Burnett won his first game since since June 29 and, more importantly, finally won an August game as a Yankee after eight losses in-a-row. The No. 2 starter had an 0-8 record with an ERA of 7.18 over that span.
It's been almost seven weeks since his last victory in June. He slogged along with an 0-3 record, 6.00 ERA and four no-decisions during that losing streak.
If last night was an indication of Burnett lifting the monkey from his back, he can thank a cast of Yankees for the help.
Manager Joe Girardi lifted his starter after only 88 pitches-- probably because he's seen Burnett blow up enough times in the fifth and sixth innings this season.
"With a high salary is always high expectations," said Girardi. "I think he's thrown the ball better than some of his outcomes he's had."
Burnett's final line read: 5 2/3 innings, 10 hits and three earned runs.
A big night by Derek Jeter (3-for-4, 3 RBI's) and Brett Gardner (2 hits, 2 RBI's) helped Burnett on the offensive side and Dave Robertson and Mariano Rivera threw perfect innings in the eighth and ninth to save the struggling Burnett from the bench.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Girardi: Jeter Will Be Leadoff Hitter...Probably
New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he is sticking with Derek Jeter batting in the leadoff spot right now, but his endorsement didn't sound like it was etched in stone.
With the aftermath of the Derek Jeter 3,000th hit love fest over the weekend behind him, Girardi is getting back to the main task at hand, namely, keeping pace with the Boston Red Sox and juggling an injury-plagued lineup.
There was no way Girardi was going to take Jeter out of the leadoff spot with number 3,000 within his grasp at Yankee stadium, but now Girardi has to make the practical decision about who will most benefit the team in the first spot of the Yankees lineup.
Jeter was in his familiar role of Yankees leadoff batter on Sunday and went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Jeter, himself, might have made Girardi's choice a little easier. The Yankees shortstop's magnificent 5-for-5 day on Saturday might not have been a mirage. Jeter is batting .391 in five games since coming off the DL. Girardi sounded confident of Jeter's ability to stay in the top of the lineup, but there was a twinge of non-commitment to his comments.
"Yes I can tell you, there's probably a good chance he's going to hit leadoff on Thursday," said Girardi. "I'm not sure who we're facing (in Toronto) but right he's our leadoff hitter. People talk about when Swish (Nick Swisher) comes back, will it be Swish? Well, Swish led off only against lefties, but Derek's numbers against lefties are really good. So would you lead off with Gardy (Brett Gardner) against righties? I'm probably going to stick with Jeter."
The 37 year-old Jeter is thoroughly to focused on getting the Yankees into the playoffs after becoming the 28th player to collect 3,000 hits in the momentous game against the Tampa Bay Rays. His Saturday night celebration sounded like it was shorter than his 3K trot around the bases.
"I went to sleep," laughed Jeter asked about the after-party. "Just with family and friends. I had to play and I don't really recover like I used to."
Jeter has owned the leadoff spot since 1996 and hopes all the attention surrounding the milestone hit and scrutiny about his calf injury is behind him. Girardi only wants the stability of penciling a single player's name into the leadoff spot.
"I don't want to change the lineup everyday. It makes it difficult on our players," said Girardi. "I might have to move around, but right now, Derek's my leadoff guy."
Jeter is skipping the All-Star game to rest up. There will be a wait-and-see period to see if Jeter is his old self.
Girardi has realistic expectations.
"Is he hitting .320 like he did in 2009," Girardi wondered aloud. "No, he's not. But are you convinced he can't hit .320 in the second half? That would be my question to everyone."
The Captain said he feels like he's recovered enough from the strained calf which kept him out of pinstripes for three weeks.
"Any time you feel good you want it to continue as long as it can," Jeter said.
With the aftermath of the Derek Jeter 3,000th hit love fest over the weekend behind him, Girardi is getting back to the main task at hand, namely, keeping pace with the Boston Red Sox and juggling an injury-plagued lineup.
There was no way Girardi was going to take Jeter out of the leadoff spot with number 3,000 within his grasp at Yankee stadium, but now Girardi has to make the practical decision about who will most benefit the team in the first spot of the Yankees lineup.
Jeter was in his familiar role of Yankees leadoff batter on Sunday and went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Jeter, himself, might have made Girardi's choice a little easier. The Yankees shortstop's magnificent 5-for-5 day on Saturday might not have been a mirage. Jeter is batting .391 in five games since coming off the DL. Girardi sounded confident of Jeter's ability to stay in the top of the lineup, but there was a twinge of non-commitment to his comments.
"Yes I can tell you, there's probably a good chance he's going to hit leadoff on Thursday," said Girardi. "I'm not sure who we're facing (in Toronto) but right he's our leadoff hitter. People talk about when Swish (Nick Swisher) comes back, will it be Swish? Well, Swish led off only against lefties, but Derek's numbers against lefties are really good. So would you lead off with Gardy (Brett Gardner) against righties? I'm probably going to stick with Jeter."
The 37 year-old Jeter is thoroughly to focused on getting the Yankees into the playoffs after becoming the 28th player to collect 3,000 hits in the momentous game against the Tampa Bay Rays. His Saturday night celebration sounded like it was shorter than his 3K trot around the bases.
"I went to sleep," laughed Jeter asked about the after-party. "Just with family and friends. I had to play and I don't really recover like I used to."
Jeter has owned the leadoff spot since 1996 and hopes all the attention surrounding the milestone hit and scrutiny about his calf injury is behind him. Girardi only wants the stability of penciling a single player's name into the leadoff spot.
"I don't want to change the lineup everyday. It makes it difficult on our players," said Girardi. "I might have to move around, but right now, Derek's my leadoff guy."
Jeter is skipping the All-Star game to rest up. There will be a wait-and-see period to see if Jeter is his old self.
Girardi has realistic expectations.
"Is he hitting .320 like he did in 2009," Girardi wondered aloud. "No, he's not. But are you convinced he can't hit .320 in the second half? That would be my question to everyone."
The Captain said he feels like he's recovered enough from the strained calf which kept him out of pinstripes for three weeks.
"Any time you feel good you want it to continue as long as it can," Jeter said.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Life Without Derek Jeter Ain't So Bad For The Yankees
It's only been a week since Derek Jeter strained his calf muscle and the Yankees had the monumental task of placing The Captain and his quest for his 3,000th base hit on ice. Jeter reluctantly went on the 15-day DL and now the Yankees seem to be sailing along nicely without their team leader.
The Yankees have scored 42 runs, including a sweep of last year's AL Champs the Texas Rangers to go 5-1 while Jeter treats his calf down in Tampa.
Jeter's replacement, 24 year-old Eduardo Nunez, isn't Derek Jeter circa 1998, but has handled himself adequately at the plate. In 77 at-bats, Nunez has knocked in 11 runs with two home-runs and eight stolen bases.
Jeter, before he went down, had 20 RBI's, two homers and seven stolen bases in 262 plate appearances.
The 24 year-old Nunez won't remind anyone of Ozzie Smith in the field. Every ground ball hit to short is an adventure with Nunez. On Saturday, he muffed a double-play grounder for his eighth error in 37 games. First basemen Mark Teixeira has probably saved half-a-dozen careless throwing errors from fumbling Nunez already.
The young shortstop knows his time at shortstop will be limited; no matter how good he is playing. It's only a matter of time before Jeter says "Helloooo Nunez...good job, now go."
"I feel good you know? It's my opportunity to show I can play," said Nunez. "But I keep telling you, I don't want to think like that. Some one goes down like Jeter, in two weeks, he'll be back in the same place."
While it's a given Nunez will relinquish his position at shortstop when Jeter returns, it is the resurgence of Brett Gardner that will give manager Joe Girardi headaches regarding the lead-off spot.
Right now, batting in the top of the order where Jeter was loosely ensconced, Gardner has become a torrid offensive force.
After a slow start, which made it easy to put the creaky-boned Jeter in the lead-off spot, Gardner is showing all the tools which kept him from being trading over the past few seasons.
Gardner is doing a little of everything to spark an aging, home-run slugging team.
The spunky left-fielder is batting .360 over his last 51 games and his average is creeping to .300. He has eight multi-hit games over the last 14 games.
When Jeter returns, Girardi's conundrum will be what to do with his current No. 1 and No. 2 batters. Gardner and Curtis Granderson, who is having an MVP-type season, have ignited the top of the Yankees line-up and it's a sure bet Jeter is squirming in his whirlpool while witnessing it.
Jeter's diminished play at short is still better than Nunez at full ability, but it's where he bats in the line-up after he gets his milestone 3,000th hit that will be intriguing.
Sure, Jeter has earned the right to bat first when he returns and, unless he acquires those six hits in quick succession, he will probably be dumped to a lower spot in the batting order after the big hit.
It's any one's guess where, and how tactfully, Girardi places the legendary Yankee. Jorge Posada took his demotion kicking and screaming. It's unlikely the cordial, but proud, Jeter will go the same route, but I seem to remember a blistering Jeter press conference after the Yankees front office leaked details of his contract talks last winter. So who knows.
Granderson is hitting both righties and lefties and there is no way you can move him from the No. 2 spot and Gardner is the speedster the team needs in the lead-off spot. He is a mini-weapon of mass destruction right now and the Yankees are a hell of a lot more fun to watch when Gardner is prowling the base.paths.
Where does Jeter actually fit in the line-up when he returns on June 29?
One through five are solid and have the team on cruise-control right now. The sixth spot is for the DH or Nick Swisher, who has also come alive. That leaves the seventh spot and even that is up for grabs.
It's easy to rip the unassuming Jeter, while he hobbles around his Florida mansion, and it almost seems blasphemous. He is about to make history and maybe that 3,000th hit is the only thing keeping the soon-to-be 37 year-old in the conversation, but he is still The Captain with a $17 million-a-year contract and on the verge of legendary stature.
The experienced and sure-handed Jeter, even lugging around a .260 batting average, is still the Yankees best choice at shortstop--even if he has to bat seventh.
Are the Yankees better without Jeter? This last week has produced an intriguing plot when he returns.
The Yankees have scored 42 runs, including a sweep of last year's AL Champs the Texas Rangers to go 5-1 while Jeter treats his calf down in Tampa.
Jeter, before he went down, had 20 RBI's, two homers and seven stolen bases in 262 plate appearances.
The 24 year-old Nunez won't remind anyone of Ozzie Smith in the field. Every ground ball hit to short is an adventure with Nunez. On Saturday, he muffed a double-play grounder for his eighth error in 37 games. First basemen Mark Teixeira has probably saved half-a-dozen careless throwing errors from fumbling Nunez already.
The young shortstop knows his time at shortstop will be limited; no matter how good he is playing. It's only a matter of time before Jeter says "Helloooo Nunez...good job, now go."
While it's a given Nunez will relinquish his position at shortstop when Jeter returns, it is the resurgence of Brett Gardner that will give manager Joe Girardi headaches regarding the lead-off spot.
Right now, batting in the top of the order where Jeter was loosely ensconced, Gardner has become a torrid offensive force.
After a slow start, which made it easy to put the creaky-boned Jeter in the lead-off spot, Gardner is showing all the tools which kept him from being trading over the past few seasons.
Gardner is doing a little of everything to spark an aging, home-run slugging team.
When Jeter returns, Girardi's conundrum will be what to do with his current No. 1 and No. 2 batters. Gardner and Curtis Granderson, who is having an MVP-type season, have ignited the top of the Yankees line-up and it's a sure bet Jeter is squirming in his whirlpool while witnessing it.
Jeter's diminished play at short is still better than Nunez at full ability, but it's where he bats in the line-up after he gets his milestone 3,000th hit that will be intriguing.
Sure, Jeter has earned the right to bat first when he returns and, unless he acquires those six hits in quick succession, he will probably be dumped to a lower spot in the batting order after the big hit.
It's any one's guess where, and how tactfully, Girardi places the legendary Yankee. Jorge Posada took his demotion kicking and screaming. It's unlikely the cordial, but proud, Jeter will go the same route, but I seem to remember a blistering Jeter press conference after the Yankees front office leaked details of his contract talks last winter. So who knows.
Granderson is hitting both righties and lefties and there is no way you can move him from the No. 2 spot and Gardner is the speedster the team needs in the lead-off spot. He is a mini-weapon of mass destruction right now and the Yankees are a hell of a lot more fun to watch when Gardner is prowling the base.paths.
Where does Jeter actually fit in the line-up when he returns on June 29?
One through five are solid and have the team on cruise-control right now. The sixth spot is for the DH or Nick Swisher, who has also come alive. That leaves the seventh spot and even that is up for grabs.
It's easy to rip the unassuming Jeter, while he hobbles around his Florida mansion, and it almost seems blasphemous. He is about to make history and maybe that 3,000th hit is the only thing keeping the soon-to-be 37 year-old in the conversation, but he is still The Captain with a $17 million-a-year contract and on the verge of legendary stature.
The experienced and sure-handed Jeter, even lugging around a .260 batting average, is still the Yankees best choice at shortstop--even if he has to bat seventh.
Are the Yankees better without Jeter? This last week has produced an intriguing plot when he returns.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Time For Yankees Girardi To Make The Switch From Swish
It's been hard to watch Nick Swisher struggle at the plate while the New York Yankees bob-and-weave their way through the AL East, but it's even tougher to seeing Andruw Jones gathering rust in the dugout.
Last night, Jones was the knockout punch after he went 3-for-3 with 2 home-runs and 4 RBI's in the Yankees 7-3 win over division-rival the Toronto Blue Jays. Swisher's struggles continued as he went 0-for-3 and his average dropped to a miniscule .204.
It's time for Yankees manager Joe Girardi to make a move in right field and give Jones more at-bats.
Jones has been used sparingly since he signed a one-year deal with the team for $2 million. The reserve right-fielder/DH is batting .240 with 4 home-runs and 7 RBI's in 50 at-bats.
Swisher, meanwhile, has been consistent this year--consistently horrible. He has 2 home-runs and 19 RBI's to go with that barely-beating average in 152 at-bats.
It seems like a no-brainer, but it's not an easy call for Girardi. Swisher is one of the best liked players on the team, among teammates and fans, and played a major part in the Yankees 2009 World Series run. But facts are facts and Swisher is a black hole in the line-up right now.
Girardi always allows the regular players to get their fair share of time in so they can gain momentum and not lose confidence. Swisher's 152 at-bats has been enough time for him to lose momentum and confidence in one fair shake. Through it all, Swisher keeps smiling.
Jones' confidence is what Girardi should be nurturing. Especially with a rugged 19 game schedule facing the Yankees over the course of the next three weeks. Three weeks that could be the barometer of which direction the Yankees are headed.
The Yankees begin a nine-game west coast swing against three of the top four team pitching ERA's in the AL--the Seattle Mariners, the Oakland A's and Los Angeles Angels-- before coming home to three power-packed line-ups--the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers.
Girardi will need all the fire power he can muster.
The 34 year-old Jones knows his place on this team but, besides being a solid hitter, is a 10-time Gold Glove winner.
"It was a great day, you know," said Jones after yesterday's victory. "I had three swings today, I got three hits. So that's what I'm looking for."
Last year, with the Chicago White Sox, Jones was a back-up, but got 276 at-bats due to injuries to Carlos Quentin, and still banged out 19 home-runs.
The Yankees have shopped around the idea of adding another big bat. Jorge Posada's woes as DH and Swisher's light hitting have to be a concern to Girardi, even though the manager stuck with Brett Gardner through his slump until the left-fielder found his groove. Maybe Jones' bat has been the answer all along.
Jones' grin is a little puffier than the 19 year-old Atlanta Brave who batted .400 against the Yankees in the 1996 World Series or when he hit 51 homers in 2005, but the pop is still in his bat. Yesterday, one of his blasts cleared the 408-foot wall in centerfield.
For now Jones is thankful for any playing time.
"Everybody wants to play more," said Jones. "Nobody wants to be on the bench and watch the game."
Maybe it's time for Jones to stop watching. He deserves a shot.
Last night, Jones was the knockout punch after he went 3-for-3 with 2 home-runs and 4 RBI's in the Yankees 7-3 win over division-rival the Toronto Blue Jays. Swisher's struggles continued as he went 0-for-3 and his average dropped to a miniscule .204.
It's time for Yankees manager Joe Girardi to make a move in right field and give Jones more at-bats.
Swisher, meanwhile, has been consistent this year--consistently horrible. He has 2 home-runs and 19 RBI's to go with that barely-beating average in 152 at-bats.
It seems like a no-brainer, but it's not an easy call for Girardi. Swisher is one of the best liked players on the team, among teammates and fans, and played a major part in the Yankees 2009 World Series run. But facts are facts and Swisher is a black hole in the line-up right now.
Girardi always allows the regular players to get their fair share of time in so they can gain momentum and not lose confidence. Swisher's 152 at-bats has been enough time for him to lose momentum and confidence in one fair shake. Through it all, Swisher keeps smiling.
Jones' confidence is what Girardi should be nurturing. Especially with a rugged 19 game schedule facing the Yankees over the course of the next three weeks. Three weeks that could be the barometer of which direction the Yankees are headed.
The Yankees begin a nine-game west coast swing against three of the top four team pitching ERA's in the AL--the Seattle Mariners, the Oakland A's and Los Angeles Angels-- before coming home to three power-packed line-ups--the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers.
Girardi will need all the fire power he can muster.
The 34 year-old Jones knows his place on this team but, besides being a solid hitter, is a 10-time Gold Glove winner.
"It was a great day, you know," said Jones after yesterday's victory. "I had three swings today, I got three hits. So that's what I'm looking for."
Last year, with the Chicago White Sox, Jones was a back-up, but got 276 at-bats due to injuries to Carlos Quentin, and still banged out 19 home-runs.
The Yankees have shopped around the idea of adding another big bat. Jorge Posada's woes as DH and Swisher's light hitting have to be a concern to Girardi, even though the manager stuck with Brett Gardner through his slump until the left-fielder found his groove. Maybe Jones' bat has been the answer all along.
Jones' grin is a little puffier than the 19 year-old Atlanta Brave who batted .400 against the Yankees in the 1996 World Series or when he hit 51 homers in 2005, but the pop is still in his bat. Yesterday, one of his blasts cleared the 408-foot wall in centerfield.
For now Jones is thankful for any playing time.
"Everybody wants to play more," said Jones. "Nobody wants to be on the bench and watch the game."
Maybe it's time for Jones to stop watching. He deserves a shot.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Right Place & Best Cure For Yankee Blues: Camden Yards & Boog's BBQ
The New York Yankees took the first step to overcoming a tumultuous week by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays last night, 6-2. Now the New York Grandersons take a two-day jaunt to their home-away-from-home--Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The remedy to any Yankees slump seems to be a series against the Baltimore Orioles. It's take two and call me on Friday.
The confines of the Baltimore stadium seem to be as inviting to the Yankees and their fans as one of those Boog Powell pulled BBQ sandwiches.
When the Yankees visit the Yard, you can usually spot more pinstripes than orange and black birds in the stands. If anything can help the Yankees get on a roll and win back-to-back games after a six-loss skid, it's the sight of the fragrant BBQ smoke wafting in front of the Baltimore & Ohio Warehouse in right field.
The Yankees are in a lot of trouble. Issues with Core Four members Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada in the clubhouse and front office, an aging starting rotation, a fragile bullpen and soft hitting. Not to mention Hal Steinbrenner lurking in his luxury box last night. Manager Joe Girardi is getting to know how Billy Martin felt during his five terms as manager under George's constant glare.
Besides Curtis Granderson (.270, 14 HR's, 31 RBI's) having an All-Star caliber start, most of the other Yankees make Abe Vigoda like spry.
A.J Burnett has reverted back to his bi-polar swings on the mound and the $30 million set-up man, Rafael Soriano, was just put on the 15-day DL.
There were a lot of high-fives going around after Alex Rodriguez busted out of his weeks-long slump by going yard twice last night. Maybe his hip is okay. There were even banner headlines in the tabloids after the DH Posada raised his average to a whopping .179 after getting two hits in the #7 spot. I guess he showed Girardi who is boss.
One other bright spot is Brett Gardner who went 3-for-4 last night and is batting .397 over his last 22 games.
The Yankees are 4-0 against the O's this season and will roll out Bartolo Colon (2-2,3.74) to battle the Oriole's Zach Britton (5-2, 2.42). It won't be easy for Colon, who has a lifetime 10-7, 3.50 record against Baltimore, because Britton is having the kind of season any of the Yankees starters could only wish for.
Let's see if Girardi has forgiven Posada for pulling out on Saturday night. If he lets Posada (0-for-24 against lefties) start against the southpaw Britton, I'd say the manager is showing a lot of love. Don't count on it.
The Yankees pulled out all the stops to beat the Rays last night. They had Mariano Rivera come out in the ninth to protect a four-run lead. That's how much Girardi thought his team needed a victory.
"We needed to win that game," said Girardi. "I wouldn't say it was a must-win, but it was as close to a must-win is in May."
The remedy to any Yankees slump seems to be a series against the Baltimore Orioles. It's take two and call me on Friday.
When the Yankees visit the Yard, you can usually spot more pinstripes than orange and black birds in the stands. If anything can help the Yankees get on a roll and win back-to-back games after a six-loss skid, it's the sight of the fragrant BBQ smoke wafting in front of the Baltimore & Ohio Warehouse in right field.
The Yankees are in a lot of trouble. Issues with Core Four members Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada in the clubhouse and front office, an aging starting rotation, a fragile bullpen and soft hitting. Not to mention Hal Steinbrenner lurking in his luxury box last night. Manager Joe Girardi is getting to know how Billy Martin felt during his five terms as manager under George's constant glare.
Besides Curtis Granderson (.270, 14 HR's, 31 RBI's) having an All-Star caliber start, most of the other Yankees make Abe Vigoda like spry.
A.J Burnett has reverted back to his bi-polar swings on the mound and the $30 million set-up man, Rafael Soriano, was just put on the 15-day DL.
There were a lot of high-fives going around after Alex Rodriguez busted out of his weeks-long slump by going yard twice last night. Maybe his hip is okay. There were even banner headlines in the tabloids after the DH Posada raised his average to a whopping .179 after getting two hits in the #7 spot. I guess he showed Girardi who is boss.
One other bright spot is Brett Gardner who went 3-for-4 last night and is batting .397 over his last 22 games.
The Yankees are 4-0 against the O's this season and will roll out Bartolo Colon (2-2,3.74) to battle the Oriole's Zach Britton (5-2, 2.42). It won't be easy for Colon, who has a lifetime 10-7, 3.50 record against Baltimore, because Britton is having the kind of season any of the Yankees starters could only wish for.
Let's see if Girardi has forgiven Posada for pulling out on Saturday night. If he lets Posada (0-for-24 against lefties) start against the southpaw Britton, I'd say the manager is showing a lot of love. Don't count on it.
The Yankees pulled out all the stops to beat the Rays last night. They had Mariano Rivera come out in the ninth to protect a four-run lead. That's how much Girardi thought his team needed a victory.
"We needed to win that game," said Girardi. "I wouldn't say it was a must-win, but it was as close to a must-win is in May."
Friday, April 22, 2011
Yankees Granderson Picks Up Slack For Slumping Gardner
No one would have doubted that a New York Yankees player would be tied for the AL home-run lead at this point of the season, but nobody would have ever predicted his name would be Curtis Granderson. The Yankees center-fielder is on fire over the last five games. He is batting .421 (8-for-19) with four home-runs and six RBI's over that span.
The Yankees head into Baltimore for a scheduled three-game set against the Orioles--tonight's game has been called due to rain--as the AL East leaders and Granderson is the biggest SCUD on the Bronx Bombers.
Nine games into the season, Granderson was hitting .156 at the back of the order. Since then, the 27 year-old has gone from batting ninth, then eighth and now second. He has lifted his average to .273.
"I talked to [hitting coach] Kevin Long and he liked my at-bats and my swing," the rejuvenated player said. "I wasn't really out of whack and there was no need to change. It was a matter of an inch and being late."
Granderson always had a little pop in his bat, but heading to Camden Yards this weekend, he has homered in three straight games and, after struggling against lefthanders (.218 lifetime), is also taking them yard this year, hitting .353 (6-for-17), with three HR's and five RBI's.
Gardner, meanwhile, is stuck in a rut. He has as many hits (six) as Granderson has home-runs and is carrying a minuscule .128 average and .196 OBP to the plate.
The 27 year-old right-fielder finally won the lead-off spot this season but, after his pitiful start, has been bumped down to batting ninth and watching lefties from the bench.
Two years ago, a slump like this cost Gardner his starting job to Melky Cabrera, but don't expect manager Joe Girardi to replace his speedster at one time. Just expect to see Andruw Jones in the line-up against lefthanders. Jones, another one of the Yankees scrap-heap pick-ups, has seen limited play and is hitting .250 with one homer.
Gardner knows he is rooted in a bad slump is hoping he can turn it around; much like Granderson has done over the last seven games.
"I feel like every day is an opportunity to come out here and turn it around," said Gardner. "I don't think about too much long-term stuff right now."
The Yankees have been shuffling the struggling Gardner and inconsistent Derek Jeter at the number one and two spots all season and felt they had to pull Gardner after a horrible game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. The speedy Gardner blew a sac-bunt and was thrown out stealing--his third time in six attempts this season. Speed is considered Gardner's saving grace.
"The last thing you want to do when you're not swinging the bat well is to get the most at-bats on the team," hitting coach Kevin Long said. "It's a smart move. He a smart kid, so he gets it. He doesn't have to be happy about it, but at this point in time, it's the best thing to do."
Gardner has been hitting the video rewind button pretty hard lately; while trying to find out where he is failing at the plate.
"If you can be successful for a couple of months, there's no reason that I shouldn't be able to find that and get back in that groove again," he reasoned.
The Yankees head into Baltimore for a scheduled three-game set against the Orioles--tonight's game has been called due to rain--as the AL East leaders and Granderson is the biggest SCUD on the Bronx Bombers.
"I talked to [hitting coach] Kevin Long and he liked my at-bats and my swing," the rejuvenated player said. "I wasn't really out of whack and there was no need to change. It was a matter of an inch and being late."
Granderson always had a little pop in his bat, but heading to Camden Yards this weekend, he has homered in three straight games and, after struggling against lefthanders (.218 lifetime), is also taking them yard this year, hitting .353 (6-for-17), with three HR's and five RBI's.
Gardner, meanwhile, is stuck in a rut. He has as many hits (six) as Granderson has home-runs and is carrying a minuscule .128 average and .196 OBP to the plate.
The 27 year-old right-fielder finally won the lead-off spot this season but, after his pitiful start, has been bumped down to batting ninth and watching lefties from the bench.
Two years ago, a slump like this cost Gardner his starting job to Melky Cabrera, but don't expect manager Joe Girardi to replace his speedster at one time. Just expect to see Andruw Jones in the line-up against lefthanders. Jones, another one of the Yankees scrap-heap pick-ups, has seen limited play and is hitting .250 with one homer.
Gardner knows he is rooted in a bad slump is hoping he can turn it around; much like Granderson has done over the last seven games.
"I feel like every day is an opportunity to come out here and turn it around," said Gardner. "I don't think about too much long-term stuff right now."
The Yankees have been shuffling the struggling Gardner and inconsistent Derek Jeter at the number one and two spots all season and felt they had to pull Gardner after a horrible game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. The speedy Gardner blew a sac-bunt and was thrown out stealing--his third time in six attempts this season. Speed is considered Gardner's saving grace.
"The last thing you want to do when you're not swinging the bat well is to get the most at-bats on the team," hitting coach Kevin Long said. "It's a smart move. He a smart kid, so he gets it. He doesn't have to be happy about it, but at this point in time, it's the best thing to do."
Gardner has been hitting the video rewind button pretty hard lately; while trying to find out where he is failing at the plate.
"If you can be successful for a couple of months, there's no reason that I shouldn't be able to find that and get back in that groove again," he reasoned.
