Results tagged ‘ Francisco Cervelli ’
Leaving Something to Be Desired
‘This is not the Matrix, but I am the oracle
“Do you wanna get with me?” – the question is rhetorical.’
In a weird twist of events, our boys dropped the last two games – one to Kansas City and one to Tampa Bay. With these two teams not even within spitting distance of the playoffs, you’d like to think the Yankees could relax a little more. As a fan, though? You want them to be relentless, naturally. You want them to end the season with more than a bang. You want them to rip teams to shreds and show absolutely no mercy. Unfortunately, our guys were the ones ripped to shreds (well, last night at least…).
Since I haven’t posted in a couple of days, I did miss a win as well. That was a welcome sight, at least, because AJ pitched, and pitched pretty well. He got the ND, but he did get a chance to pie a newbie in the fach at the end of it. That newbie? None other than… Juan Miranda? [insert painfully obvious Miranda Rights joke here] Yup, that’s right, the Cruisin’ Cuban himself. He knocked in the game-winning run on a single, and the scene looked pretty similar to that of the Frankie Cervelli walk-off. Miranda was halfway into right field before anybody got to him. Gotta love the rookies and their coming through in the clutch this season!
After that game, that spark wasn’t to be had. The following game, Joba took the hill. After his previous start, I think most of us out in Yankees Universe expected him to be a little more snapped out of the funk, but I guess that start against the Sox was just a fluke. This time around, Joba went three-and-two-thirds while coughing up seven hits and three runs. The Yankees used seven pitchers, including Joba. Damaso Marte was the [un]lucky loser.
Last night’s game was even more nauseating – moreso because our go-to guy, the Boss Dawg himself, CC Sabathia was on the mound. Now, I’m more than sure Yankees Universe breathed a collective sigh of relief, feeling and knowing that we would no longer have to worry about the Joba loss the previous night. However, CC turned in probably his worst performance of this season. He hadn’t lost since July, so I guess it was time for this kind of game, but still… it was more than painful – even nauseating – to watch. He only managed two-and-two-thirds before being taken out. In that short [but apparently long enough for Tampa] time, CC was rocked for 9 runs, though 5 of them were earned – courtesy of some shotty defense. And to top that off, Tex almost got impaled by a David Price pitch. On purpose, you say? [cough Carlos Peña cough] You be the judge. All in all, the game was completely forgettable. In fact, I have no idea what I just typed a whole paragraph about. What day is it again? …
I understand that nearly every position worth having for the postseason has already been obtained [save for that g-damn 27th Championship], but still. These past two games may be meaningless and the next two may be just as meaningless, but I know I’m not the only one who hates sitting by their TV or listening to MLB Audio and seeing/hearing that these guys are playing like crap. It’s frustrating, clearly. I’m hoping Andy snaps out of his mini-funk and gives us a kick-a$s outing tonight. I want these two games to be friggin’ amazing. I will expect nothing less, dammit! Arrrrrggggghhhhh!
[Exhale] Okay, the anger was unnecessary, I know. It’s kind of hard to avoid sometimes when you’re a fan of the NYY. Anyway, in waiting for this game to start tonight, I need to catch up on some of my primetime shows [that I miss when the Yankees are on, how ironic]. Hopefully tonight’s game yields much, much better results. Until then… Go New York, go New York, GO! =D
B-Team Ball Busting
Yes, that title has a couple of meanings.
Last night’s game didn’t really bring high expectations in Yankees Universe. Having the spring-training status squad on the field was merely a way to give those [hopefully sobering] vets a break after the previous night’s champagne showers and likely partying. Luckily for us, it worked out pretty damn well.
Yes, that is indeed last night’s lineup and box score. Sure, they played the Royals, one of the worst teams in the majors, but they still knocked them for 8 runs: 4 courtesy of a Granny by Robbie, 2 courtesy of Catwoman, and 2 more with thanks to Hinkse and Shelley. Frankie went 2-4 in the effort as well. All in all, it was not a disappointing day for us fans.
ña] had himself a couple of RBIs last night. One of those RBI came via his first Major League homer. He rounded the bases in a euphoric state, only to come back to the dugout and have everybody… ignore him? Alex Rodriguez engaged everybody in giving Pe
ña the silent treatment when he came back to the dugout. That had to be one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. Particularly JoPo’s face as he and his teammates mobbed Pe
ña after going a good 5 seconds without saying a word. The camaraderie of this team is astounding. They really enjoy each other and get along so well. They’re like carefree teenagers sometimes. It’s awesome. To me, this team is running a close second behind 1998 – not necessarily because of how good they are, but because of the kind of team they are as a whole.
The other story of the night was Chad Gaudin. He pitched particularly well for getting a spot start since AJ went out to Oklahoma to be with his dad, who had triple bypass surgery. He’s doing okay and AJ should be back to start the game tonight. But, back to Chadski. he went a strong 6-and-two-thirds and only gave up two earned. He got his first win as a starter in pinstripes. Like Joe Girardi said in his postgame press conference, Chad has given him and the rest of the management a lot to think about regarding a postseason roster spot. Personally, I think he’d do a good job no matter where they put him. Fourth starter, long man out of the ‘pen, whatever, I think he’ll prove to be a good addition to the postseason.
So it was obviously a good win, and quite the spectacle to be seen. We’ll have to see what the lineup looks like tonight. Some of the vets are supposed to be returning and apparently Robbie and Melky will be getting the night off. Will the womens take that into consideration and still give them a good time? Stay tuned to find out…!
Siyonara kids!
The Good, The Bad, and The Just Plain Annoying
It was a late night for me last night, and I sure as hell was not in any capacity to blog. Sure, it was a good night, but I was tired and my sleep cycle is set to “School,” so how I made it until 2am is beyond me. So, I am now pulling double duty.
As my title indicates, we have – over the past two games – experienced The Good:
The Bad:
and The Just Plain Annoying:
The Good. Yesterday, CC Sabathia was indeed himself, and pitched a friggin’ gem. He went seven strong innings – despite being pegged with a liner off the bat of Franklin Gutierrez [I believe] in the fifth – striking out 8, walking 2, and only allowing 4 hits. Can we say “life saver”? If this guy wasn’t on our roster, who knows where the hell we would be right now. Let me just say that I am beyond glad that he’s on our side.
The offense, naturally, didn’t want to be left out of the limelight. Mark Teixeira, better known as The Teixecutioner
™, had himself – as Kim Jones said in the post game interview – a week’s worth of work in one game. He went 4-5 with two homers, a triple, and a single. Funny though… everyone in the dugout was rooting for a double during his at-bat in the ninth, but he went ahead and knocked the crap out of the ball and sent it over the center field wall. “He don’t need no stinking cycle!” [- David Cone]. Aside from Tex, Johnny Damon quietly put together a 3-4 effort and clearly loves having days off. Mr. Roboto knocked a solo shot and is certainly making a case for his re-signing next season. Frankie Cervelli (
♥) got the start (FINALLY!) and had a 2-4 night with an RBI to show for it. All in all, a fantastic offensive performance plus a spectacular pitching performance = a 10-1 Yankee vic-to-ry!
The Bad. Today’s offense was quite obviously hungover after last night’s party. (FYI, I just put that picture of A-Rod up there to represent the offense as a whole. I couldn’t find a better one… though if I did the sentiment would’ve been the same.) The only one’s who were involved in any sort of useful offense were Mark Teixeira – naturally – and Jorge Posada, who had three days off due to suspension and therefore a sh!tload of rest. Tex managed to go 3-4 with two doubles (where were those last night?!), one of which became a run after a double by JoPo in the 6th. ‘Tis where the offense ends, unfortunately.
And now, the pièce de résistance,
The Just Plain Annoying. In this case, “just plain annoying” and “ugly” are synonymous. Joba friggin’ Chamberlain. You had to know that was coming. His performance today was painful at best. The plan was to let him go at least 5, but that was shot to hell when he gave up 7 earned through 3. I’m not gonna mention that not-so-Billboard-worthy band “The Rules” or the epic “Starter or Reliever?” debate, but I would really, REALLY like to know what the hell this kid’s problem is. I know it’s not even worth mentioning those three really good starts he had after his Homeward Bound session, but why can he not pitch like that anymore? Bad mechanics? Poor mentality? Idiocy? What is the answer and where the hell can I find it?!!?
[deep breaths]
Okay, I think I’m good now.
Well, since there’s nothing more to be done about that debacle of a game, we’ll just have to look onward to tomorrow and the [gulp] Los Angeles Angels of The Seventh Circle of Hell Anaheim. But hey, TPPT
™ should be back from its one-day, unpermitted (confound it!) vacation by then, so we’ve just gotta keep our heads up! When our boys played LAAA (wtf, acronym?) on Monday, Joba pitched well (again, wtf?) and actually managed to keep Vladdy & Co. from doing much damage. Yeah, Joba… where’d you pull that start out of? … ANYway, I’m thinking that game gives our boys the incentive and the confidence to knock the Halos tushies down a few pegs. The fact that Home Field Advantage is on the line wouldn’t hurt as inspiration, either.
So, as you can see, I had a good bit to say about a good bit, but I am finished rambling [whew!] and you good people that visit my blog can go about your Sunday evening business as usual.
Thanks for bearing with me!
Deuces!
Off Days Are Not As Fun As They Sound
So, since my excursion to the Ballpark in the Bronx, our Yanks have beaten the always-annoying Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Whew! That’s a mouthful), lost to the Blue Jays and came to blows with them, and beaten the Blue Jays in walk-off fashion. That’s certainly a lot of activity to catch up on.
Monday: Joba Chamberlain, your favorite and mine [rolls eyes], took the hill against Jered Weaver, aka the Better Brother. And wouldn’t ya know it, Joba went 4 and only gave up a run. Weaver went 7-and-a-third and allowed 5. The oddities of baseball are astounding.
Tuesday: Oh, Ser-Ser-Sergio, how you suck so! I think someone took over and used him as a human suit when he pitched so well a couple of starts ago. He, for all intents and purposes, fails. The only thing worth watching during this game was that epic fight. It was pretty intense. If there’s one thing you must learn from watching that fight, it is this: DO NOT MESS WITH THE 13-LB. EDWAR RAMIREZ. HE WILL CUT YOU. K, thanks. JoPo is a beast, Tex is an animal, and Shelley Duncan… well, we all know he’s psycho. =)
Wednesday: For what was mostly a boring, yawn-worthy game, a good result ensued. For starters, Chad Gaudin pitched relatively well, going 5-and-two-thirds, having only given up two runs in the 3rd, but when he was taken out, a man was on, so he was charged with that run as well when it came in. Hit-deki had himself a three RBI game – always a plus. But the real story happened in the bottom of the ninth. BG (Big Gunz, not Brett Gardner) hit a single, and stole second base. Jeter got him to third on a FC. Then, Frankie Cervelli, Jose Molina’s late-inning replacement, placed a single perfectly between third base and shortstop to drive Gardner home. The kid was so elated that he ran halfway into right-center field in celebration. He is friggin’ adorable and I just wanna pinch him. He definitely deserved the pie after everything he’s done for this club in the past. Love you, Frankie! You’re pretty much awesome! =)
Now, tonight is an off night, which is sad. Our boys make their way to the west coast yet again (wtf? again?) to take on the Mariners and those ridiculous Halos. I’m sick of them, to be honest. Thankfully we still have a considerable lead on them for HFA… and still a considerable lead over the Sox in the East. I just hope the rest of September is good to this team, ’cause now is certainly not the time for them to cool off, no sirree Bob. Well, I guess we’ll just have to wait ’til tomorrow to find out, right? *Sigh* I hate waiting. Whatever shall I do? I guess I’ll practice my patience. I just love doing that. [rolls eyes with great emphasis] ‘Til we meet again!
Peace out blog scouts!
Double the Pleasure, Double the Fun!
As the illustrious Ernie Banks once said, “Let’s play two!”
Indeed, there were two games played on this lovely Labor Day Monday afternoon/night. Those two games were also won by the ever-persistent, fun-loving, and awesome Yankees.
Naturally following a two-game day, there would be an abundance of information to relay and opinions to establish (I’m in a vocabulous mood tonight), but for fear of going on an endless tangent, I’ll keep it as brief as possible.
So, starting off with the starters of our matinee and nightcap:
CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett. The Initial Kings in the land of Yankees Universe. CC in game 1 went 7, only giving up 1 earned run while fanning 10 – he got the ND. Say it with me now, dom-in-ance. AJ went 6, also only giving up 1 run and striking out 8. He got the win. Lucky for us Dr. Jekyll was in the house today. I mean hey, this was a sh!tload of a lot better than his last few starts, no? Yeah. I think so.
CC was relieved by Hughes and Rivera. Game. Set. Match. AJ was followed by Edwar Ramirez, Jonathan Albaladejo, and newbie Michael Dunn. A bit shakier a repertoire, but no damage was done. Gotta love when the kiddies are gettin’r done too.
Offense, hm, let’s just start with the fact that Deej went 0-8 today. How does that even happen? “Paging: Derek Jeter. Paging: Derek Jeter. Don’t give Jim Rice a reason to inflate his already robust ego. That is all.” That still keeps him at 3 away from tying Gehrig at 2,718. The first game was pretty dead until the 8th, where the Yanks extended their incredible tied-post-7th-inning winning streak to 15-0. That game ended at 4-1. Mark Teixeira and Jose Molina had themselves quite a nightcap, Tex hitting two homers and Panda going 3-3 with 2 BBs. The game was blown open in the third when they scored 8 runs. Final score: 11-1. Good stuff.
Okay. What else… hmmm… Brett Gardner has returned after a 6-week stint on the DL. Welcome back BG! We love you, man! Welcome back also to Shelley Duncan and a belated welcome back to our favorite September callups in Frankie Cervelli and Ramiro Pe
ña, of course! =D Good to have those guys back on the squad, fershure. On a sadder note, the Rays took a huge blow below the belt [metaphorically] when CC hit Carlos Pe
ña in the hand [literally] with a pitch, breaking two of his fingers. Talk about a letdown. I legitimately sympathize with the Rays fans out there. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody… except maybe the Red Sox. Just kidding.
Well, with those two wins, that puts our boys 9 games up in the AL East. Absolutely nuts. And now, courtesy of about 23,805,728,957 people on Twitter, the Magic Number is down to 16. The postseason is so close we can taste it, folks. This season has been quite a trip thus far, and it can only get better if one number is in the future – twenty-seven.
Siyonara kids!
Perennial Pinstriper
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