Comments on: And That Happened: Wednesday’s Scores and Highlights

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:53:52 +0000

The LA/Oakland game last night showcased the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. Ross pitched like he did in Spring, throwing downhill with controlled movement and low 90′s velocity. At 24 he’s an old man by A’s starter standards, but it is taking a bit longer to harness that movement. He had a 1-0 lead going into the 9th when Kevin Kouzmanoff decided to to contnue his Muff-A-Thon 2011 with his 6th official error in 23 games (he’s had at least two more that were ruled hits) on a grounder by Izturis. Aybar next tried to bunt, but pulled the bat back and was hit by Fuentes. Only the first base ump ruled that he had offered at the pitch. Replays showed clearly that the bat movement was a pull back. Scoscia argued with no success, and no ejection. Later in the inning after Aybar sacrificed the Angels did score on an Abreu double, but had Aybar been on first with that HBP they might have had two runs.

In the 10th Pennington led off with a sharp, slicing ball that appeared to be heading to Wells until Bourjos came out of nowhere and clearly distracted Wells who fell and missed the ball. The speedy Pennington raced into 3rd with a three base Kouzmanoff (error scored as a hit) and scored on Jackson’s Baltimore chop.

Strong pitching marred by sloppy defense. Weaver’s ERA is .99 and Haren’s is 1.23. Tyson Ross is 2.76. Not bad for the 6th starter.

By: rsnorth

rsnorth — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:35:23 +0000

That would be rap, not wrap for Bard. but after the 8th it was a wrap for both teams.

By: rsnorth

rsnorth — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:32:23 +0000

Craig,

Dan Bard took the wrap for crossing up Varitek on at least one of the two pitches that got by in the 8th. Bircher Boy Luke Scott flipped his bat after driving a ball onto Eutaw street and drew a death stare from Josh Beckett as he circled the bases. Lots more Boston-Baltimore meetings to come.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:19:16 +0000

yankeesfanlen – the way I look at it and I know it’s a cliche but a win is a win. The Yankees seem to do things in spurts. Even last year if you recall the offense would be great for a while then quiet down, then the bullpen would be lights out then go bonkers, etc… It looks like the same thing is happening again this year.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:14:32 +0000

The 6 home runs and 16 RBI’s aren’t bad either.

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:13:18 +0000

ufy- these temporary quiet bats are just befuddling. Even Tuesday’s game looked like it was going to be a walk-off. And if it’s going to be by home runs (kind of early in nthe season to have so many) than so be it.

By: banksatdixie

banksatdixie — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:08:23 +0000

The four of them and Teixeira. By simply hitting better than his weight he is having an excellent start to the season by his usual April standards.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:01:16 +0000

sdelmonte – no doubt Posada and Swisher are not performing up to expectations. Let me correct that. Swisher is not performing up to expectations. Posada I because of his age and the position he’s played all these years is probably performing only slightly below expectations. But it’s not only Martin and A-Rod holding down the fort it’s Granderson and Cano. The 4 of them have performed very, very well this early in the season. But like I said for the equivalent of the price of a McDonalds value meal you can’t beat what Calon, Garcia, Chavez and Martin have given the Yankees so far.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:55:35 +0000

jwbiii – the answer to you question is – YES. I think we were both typing our replies at the same exact time.

By: sdelmonte

sdelmonte — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:52:01 +0000

Yeah, the hitting patterns of the Yanks is a stealth story. Easy to hide low averages under a cloud of homers and strong starting pitching and wins. But I am not sure if the story is “Martin and A-Rod hold the fort while team wakes up” or “Posada and Swisher drag team down.”

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:45:59 +0000

My friend, I agree with you I think Liriano is doing this because he wants out of the Twin Cities.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:44:32 +0000

He got out of another smaller jam in the 6th inning when he gave up only 1 run. He just pitched a great game, in my opinion. It’s kind of funny in a way the Yankees have all these very, very expensive players and you expect them to do well. But here you have guys like Colon, Garcia, Chavez and Martin guys that virtually everyone thought were washed up getting the job done every time they get a their shot and for basically the cost of a value meal at McDonalds.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:38:17 +0000

Two blown saves in a row for Mo is very uncharacteristic of him. That’s really what I was referring to.

By: jwbiii

jwbiii — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:37:27 +0000

Two consecutive bad games and blown saves is, um, is uncharacteristic the right word?

By: wonkypenguin

wonkypenguin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:28:00 +0000

My guess is Liriano is doing a tryout for the Yankees. Perform terribly at first, get everyone thinking you suck, have the Twins front office decide you’re low character and the fans have turned on you, and have the Yankees deal we heard about in the off season fly through.

Put on pinstripes. Then return to old form. Done and done. /I’d add in something about then beating the Twins in the playoffs but it looks like the Yankees are going to have to try to beat someone else this year.

By: nps6724

nps6724 — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:23:40 +0000

Craig, you may want to correct this line:

“He now stands second all-time for pinch hitters behind Eddie Murray, whom he’ll never catch.”

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:04:06 +0000

What was that unexpected happening by Bartolo in the second? Looked like he melted down for about 15 pitches to load the bases, then mowed the next three batters down. Weird.
Hope we get our bats back soon.

By: phukyouk

phukyouk — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:57:33 +0000

not that he was ever off track….

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:04:23 +0000

Great, great outing by Colon, just what the Yankees needed. 8 Innings, 6 strike outs, 1 base on balls and he lowered his ERA to 2.77 …and it looks like Mo is back on track.