Phil is looking better ~ Sunday, July 17, 2011

~~ Yankees 7, Blue Jays 2 ~~

When I saw Phil Hughes ERA (10.57) I almost cried, almost because he was on the D.L. for a reason. It was also an almost because at the time the score was 5-2 (YAY), and now Phil’s ERA is 8.44 and his WHIP is 1.73, which I don’t quite understand, I just know that it should be closer to 1.00, which I am sure is the direction it is going now. Phil’s line was 6 innings pitched, 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks and 5 K’s. Welcome back Phil.
 
Cory Wade and David both pitched hitless inning and then Boone came in for the 9th (Boone Logan for closer, don’t panic I’m just kidding), I guess since it wasn’t a save situation and Mo threw almost 30 pitches yesterday Joe decided Boone could handle it, and he did.

Phil also got run support from Swisher, Martin, Granderson, Cano and Pena (yes, Pena). Plenty of run support, surprisingly not from our regular guys. However, I will take it. On to Tampa and more playing on fake grass and dirt. Blech.

~~ Questo è tutto, dice la principessa ~~ 😛

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It’s going to happen ~ Sunday, July 3, 2011

~~ Mets 3, Yankees 2 ~~

On any given day the worst team in the league can beat the best team in the league. The best team is the Yankees and …. o.k. Mets aren’t the worst team (that would be the Houston Astros), but you get my point.

Garcia pitched with his usual skill, going into the bottom of the ninth, Mariano has his 4th blown save of the year. Thanks to an error by Pena, Mets won.

Don’t knock on Pena, he’s young, the ball was hit hard and who else did the Yankees have to play short stop? Jeter and Nunez both unavailable. He made some good plays earlier in the game.

Before everyone gets all crazy about the Yankees losing,

1. They didn’t sweep but did win the series.
2. Yankees are still in first place, 1.5 games ahead of the Red Sox in the American League East
3. Win or lose, the Yankees are still a better team then the ever-loving Mets.
4. Mets: My Entire Team Sucks

~~ Questo è tutto, dice la principessa ~~ 😛

Shutout for Big Stoppa ~ Thursday, June 30, 2011

There’s this woman, I used to work with her in Westchester County. She is a Yankee fan like me. She has since retired from the job and every so often when Kasey sends me a cute or encouraging e-mail I will send it to her. A week or so ago I sent her one of these e-mails. In her reply to me, the last sentence was, “Maybe I’ll see you at Yankee stadium one day.”

Thursday after getting to the stadium, Kasey and I stopped in the bathroom, I thought I heard someone call my name, Kasey said, someone is talking to you, it was this friend from my old job. Someone I hadn’t seen in over a year, it was at the game where Alex hit #600, who had said, “Maybe I’ll see you at Yankee stadium.” That was a nice start to the game.

~~ Yankees 5, Brewers 0 ~~

The game itself started with a bang, with a 2-run double for Robinson Cano in the first inning. When CC walked the first batter in the second inning, D sent a text to Kasey, she told him, that’ll make it easier for him to get a double play. As soon as she sent it, double play: Pena to Cano to Teixeira.

When Frankie came to bat, Kasey asked me, “Should I tell the pitcher that the skinny little catcher guy can’t hit? So just throw the ball down the middle of the plate?” Sure I said, she turns back to the field and Frankie gets a hit. The next inning CC loads the bases. I was freaking, why did he load the bases with the only guy that can hit coming up? Then he struck him out. Just like that. CC was dealing.

It was time to take a little walk, I walked to where my friends were sitting. When I came up the stairs and into the stands, the crowd was cheering and Mark was running around the bases, home run #25 for the season, #300 for his career. My friends weren’t there, I looked up and couldn’t see them. So I got drinks and walked back to my seat. Kasey was grinning, and she lied to the pitcher again Frankie got another hit. This one scored a run.

The game went on this way. Yankees scoring a run or two, the Brewers not able to score any runs. CC shut them down and the batters said “Thank you.” by scoring enough runs to win the game for him.

Then the game was over, but we didn’t leave, next was ‘High Socks for Hope’ at Hard Rock Cafe in an hour. We wandered around until it was time to get in line, then had an amazing evening. More on that later.

I just almost fell out of my chair I am so tired. For play by play you can go to the MLB.com website. Right now I have to go to bed.

~~ Questo è tutto, dice la principessa ~~ 😛

It was time ~ Sunday, June 19, 2011

Time for what you say? Time for the Yankees to hit a home run at Wrigley field. This was posted on Twitter,

@BryanHoch RT @YankeesWFAN: Last Yankee to hit a home run at Wrigley Field–Robin Ventura.

If this is right, that was in 2002/03, since that was the only time he played for the Yankees. Of course, I think that is the last time the Yankees played at Wrigley Field. The announcers kept talking about Alex’s home runs and that he had NEVER hit a home run at Wrigley (he still hasn’t by the way), he’s played maybe three games at Wrigley, before this series.

Since I had no idea who Robin Ventura was I went on MLB and did a search, he played for the White Sox from 1989 to 1998, Mets from 1999 to 2001, Yankees in 2002 and then with the Yankees and Dodgers for 2003. While I was searching for his stats, I found this video, and since I absolutely love Nolan Ryan (cough cough), I had to post the link. It is an epic clip.

Ventura challenges Ryan

~~ Yankees 10, Cubs 4 ~~

Gardner was the lead off hitter and his first at bat he hit a home run. Just boom, into the stands. Then the Cubs tied it up, in the 3rd the Cubs hit CC hard and got 3 runs off him, by the sixth inning the Yankees had managed to tie the game, CC was holding the Cubs to four runs. Then in the 8th inning, with 2 men on base, Swisher came up to bat. His dad played for the Cubs, and BOOM went the baseball. Swisher doesn’t usually show off, but he just dropped his bat dramatically before he started around the bases. We were up by 3 now, in the ninth inning Mariano started tossing the ball around. This was after he made a little kid a fan for life. He went over to the wall and was talking to him, signed a baseball, shook his dad and his hand. The kid was just beaming after.

Then in the ninth Yankees added three more runs. One of them was a long fly ball that just missed being a home run, except it didn’t go out, it fell right in front of the wall and rolled into the ivy, and the two fielders were standing there looking at it. I was laughing. I laughed harder when a ball bounced off Ramiro Pena’s chest and Nunez picked it up and threw it in the dirt. Cano was standing there giving him a WTF? look.

So no Mariano, but as someone said, we only get to humiliate the Cubs every six years or so. Marquez came in for the ninth inning. Missed a catch at first base, but that was his only bobble. In fact, I think the next batter hit into a double play. Maybe not.

Whatever, CC gets the win, Yankees win the series.

~~ Questo è tutto, dice la principessa ~~ 😛

Lather, Rinse, Repeat ~ Wednesday, June 15, 2011

~~ Yankees 12, Rangers 4 ~~

No you are not seeing things, the score from this game and Tuesday’s game are exactly the same. And yes, there is another corny headline: “Tex’s two-step leads Yankees past Rangers”. Nick Swisher actually came up with the Texas Two-step line last season. Mark hit two home runs, so now Mark, Curtis and Jose Bautista lead the league with 21 home runs each.

The big surprise however was not that Teixeira hit two home runs against his former team. It was that Nunez and Pena each hit home runs. In total there were 5 home runs by the Yankees in this game. Stolen bases by Cano, Cervelli and A-Rod, two by Nunez (both in the same inning). Nice run support for Nova who although not having his ‘best stuff’, kept the Rangers to 4 runs.

We also got a look at a couple of new pitchers on the Yankee roster, Cory Wade and Jeff Marquez. Both pitched scoreless innings.

~~ Questo è tutto, dice la principessa ~~ 😛

I’m going to name my next child Nova ~ May 6

No not really, first some notes: Eric Chavez ‘irritated an old fracture’ in his foot and has been put on the D.L. Ramiro Pena has been called up from the Minor Leagues to fill his spot in the roster. I like Pena, he isn’t a power hitter but he has pretty good defensive skills in the infield.

Nick Swisher was scratched from the line-up with a cold, Andruw Jones replaced him in right field.

The Yankees claimed right-handed pitcher Jess Todd off waivers from the Indians on Friday and DFA’d Kevin Russo. Who is Jess Todd? I dunno, we shall see.

The Yankees longest losing streak this season has been 3 games. How sweet is that?

~~Yankees 4, Rangers 1~~

So how good was Nova? Freaking good. So good that if my mom calls again when he’s pitching I’m not answering the phone. I know, I am the worst daughter ever, that has never been questioned.

His numbers are stellar, 7.1 innings pitched, 2 hits and 1 run, but they don’t tell the whole story. They don’t tell how comfortable he looks on the mound, how Russell says its a dream to catch for him cause he doesn’t get hurt, how his fellow pitchers, congratulate him in the dugout. If this pitching performance had been at Yankee stadium, we would have been on our feet “NOVA! NOVA!” Rafael did not give up the lead and Mariano picked up his 12th save of the season.

Defensively the boys were on their toes. Cano to Teixeira, Jeter to Teixeira. A sweet double play to end the inning, which I MISSED! Thank you mom. Mark Teixeira got the ‘Defensive Play of the Game’ for snagging a hard hit line drive.

Also missed was Curtis’ second home run on the game, his first went 433, I didn’t hear how long the second one was because I was ON THE PHONE. He has now hit 10 home runs this season which puts him in first place, ahead of that evil Jose Bautista.

~~ Questo è tutto, dice la principessa ~~ 😛

Thursday, August 19, 2010 ~ Hope Week and other thoughts

~~Yankees 11, Tigers 5~~

This morning I told my boss I expected a fight in the Bronx. I wasn’t necessarily referring to a ‘hard fought’ ball game. I was thinking of a literal fight. Considering this is “Hope Week“, it is probably a good thing that the ‘beat down’ came in the form of 9 runs in one inning. Every Yankee except Pena got a run in that inning. Cano got two, one from a single off Posada and the 2nd run a home run, hit by him to Monument Park.

Mitre came in to pitch after Hughes came out. I think they may have taken him out because the Yankees were so far ahead (11-2) and the Yankees are concerned about his innings limit. In the 3 innings Mitre pitched, he gave up more runs then Hughes gave up in 6. But Joe only used the two pitchers, which is good for the bullpen.

This isn’t a sweep so no broom, but Yankees did win this series. Pulling them a half game ahead of Tampa Bay, and with Tampa Bay’s lose to the Athletics, now a full game ahead. The Red Sox lost to the Los Angeles Angels. That calls for a little celebration.

Today’s game was a day game and I didn’t have any score sheets. I usually print them up before the game. So I drew boxes on a piece of paper, as I was doing this my boss came by. “What are you doing?” “Nothing” I said as I attempted to hide the paper, he came closer and looked and smiled, “Oh you’re doing your score sheet.” He then mentioned buying a score book, which I had thought about but didn’t know where to find one. He knows because he played on the company softball team and they keep score. Interestingly, he doesn’t know how to keep score himself. He says he wants to learn so he can teach his son when he gets older.

By the 8th inning I had to leave, I walked over to the subway station and into the sports bar next to it so I could watch the end of the game. Then I went to Modells to get a score book. I saw these last two items on Twitter. I have to agree with the second one. With Andy out and having to rely on Moseley means having to rely on the bullpen, a lot. That worries me a little.

YESNetwork: The Yankees bullpen has quietly rounded into a shape befitting a viable contender, writes @jay_jaffe : http://bit.ly/9nycRy

YESNetwork: With Pettitte out until September, the Yankees have the makings of a pitching problem, writes @riveraveblues — http://bit.ly/afSBsW

~~ Questo è tutto, dice la principessa ~~ 😛

7/10 NY Yankees 1 @ Seattle Mariners 4 ~ Boo Hiss

Yes I know I said I never boo, especially my own players. I was so freakin’ mad last night (this morning) when Joba loaded up the bases and the next batter hit a home run. I still am a little steamed , but not totally pissed off. After all, we did win the first 2 games, and Javier pitched outstandingly, I mean outstandingly. He gave up no runs, of course part of the credit goes to Ramiro Pena who made a simply amazing catch, one of those hits that pops over the infields head and drops in front of the outfield. He jumped and caught it. Just like that.

The one run was a home run hit by my sweet Nicky, right past Ichiro and to the disgust of King Felix. (Gag, who comes up with these names? Cause he can pitch a complete game? He should stop strutting and waving his shirt around and shake Joba’s hand for losing the game.) Remember all you disgusted fans out there, Yankees are in first place, Mariners are in last place in their division.

7/8 NY Yankees 3 @ Seattle Mariners 1 Wrap

7/9 NY Yankees 6 @ Seattle Mariners 1
Mark Teixeira hit two home runs, one in the first inning, and one in the ninth inning. He hit from both sides of the plate. Kind of sneaky of him don’t you think?

Hughes was the starting pitcher, he is now 11-2. He pitched 7 innings, gave up one run and his ERA is now 3.65. David Robertson pitched the 8th and Chan Ho Park pitched the ninth, no runs.

~~and that’s all~~ she wrote

7/4 NY Yankees 7 vs Toronto Blue Jays 6 ~ Pie? Yes pie time.

I can’t think of what to say, this is what happens when I delay my posting. The reason I didn’t blog right away was I was moving my posts from MLB.com to here. I had to do it one post at a time since I couldn’t figure how to transfer the posts. Means I lost the comments, but then there weren’t that many anyway. I sometimes feel like I’m blogging to myself.

This was one of those tight close games that kept you on the edge of your seat. The announcers kept talking about the sun, how the sun was giving Toronto trouble. I am not sure, but I think they have sun in Toronto, I mean, I don’t think customs keeps it out.

Ninth inning we were up by 1 run, Mo comes in, and gives up a run. He was rather upset with himself. So, on to extra innings. D-Rob comes in with a clean inning, then with Cano on 2nd and two outs, Pena coming up to bat, I was concerned, then I saw Marcus Thames coming out of the dug out. I was relieved, I don’t like seeing him in left field, actually in any field, but at bat …. I don’t worry. Walk off win for the Yankees.

~~and that’s all~~ she wrote

5/31 NY Yankees 11 vs Cleveland Indians 2 ~ A-Rod hit a Grand Slam for Andy

2 months into the season and this is the 5th game I have been to. This was a great game to be at. It was D, Kasey and Andy. It was Andy’s first ever. I was walking around trying to find Monument Park, which I did find, after it was closed. I was following the signs and ended up in the bleachers, so I walked back to the other side of the bleachers and walked down some stairs and saw another sign for Monument Park. So followed the arrow and walked down this corridor, past the Monument Park Store, and ended up in another seating section, turned around and came back down the hallway where I finally saw the sign for Monument Park and the door with a sign saying it was closed. So I went to the store and got a blue Yankee monkey puppet for Andy. Nick pointed out today that it was made in China which means that Andy now has a Chinese Blue Monkey puppet, all this time he was really a Yankee fan. 

When I got back to the seats I attached the monkey to Andy’s neck, he was not thrilled.

Yankees took the lead early, then the Indians tied it up in the second, then in the 4th Yankees got one more run. 

It stayed that way until the 7th inning, then the bats woke up. Derek Jeter hit a single, then Curtis, Ramiro Pena came in for Derek (he got hit by a pitch in the 2nd inning) and then Mark Teixeira was intentionally walked. This is one of the reasons I like coming to games, there was a hush over the crowd, like everyone was thinking, Oh no he didn’t, and wondering if A-Rod would hit a grand slam this time. Then when he did, the crowd went absolutely nuts. Robbie was up and he hit a home run too. And we still weren’t done. Nick hit a double, Juan Miranda hit a single, Nick went to 3rd base. Frankie hit a sacrifice fly and Nicky scored. 

Yankees weren’t done. They went on to score 3 more runs in the 8th inning. Meanwhile, Andy Pettitte held the Indians to one run. Chan Ho Park pitched the 8th and 9th innings. In the 9th the Indians got one more run then Frankie got the last batter out with a throw to first.

I love going to games, no announcers, outside in the Grandstand there is shade, and the breezes never quits. And there is the energy of the crowd, the ohs and ahs and boos, (umpire made a bad call)

~~and that’s all~~ she wrote