Brian Cashman, the Yankees' general manager, took full responsibility for the Yankees' disappointing season and defended Manager Joe Girardi and Kevin Long, the hitting coach.
Joe Girardi is not as confrontational as Bobby Bonilla was in New York, but as the Yankees sink deeper, it gets harder to believe his perpetually chipper attitude.
The newest Yankee is reliever Alfredo Aceves, who will be the first Yankee ever to wear No. 91. And why did he choose it? For Dennis Rodman.
"When I was in high school, I used to watch basketball and the Chicago Bulls," Aceves said this morning. "Dennis Rodman was one of the best players at that [...]
Jason Bay provided a Ramírez-like performance Wednesday night, when he doubled, tripled and drove in four runs to help Boston smother the Yankees, 11-3.
Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi have hit fourth and fifth in the Yankees' lineup in each of the last 11 games, yet they continue to struggle in the clutch.
Joe Girardi's contention that Alex Rodriguez has hit in the clutch his whole career seems out of touch with the reality that pains so many Yankees fans.
Tim Wakefield has occupied the first locker on the right-hand side in the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium for 14 years. So Lou Cucuzza, the clubhouse manager, is doing something special for him. When Wakefield and the Red Sox leave the Stadium for the last time on Thursday, he plans to give Wakefield the black [...]
Hank Steinbrenner is keeping his glimmer of hope for the postseason alive. But that's not about to stop him from peeking ahead to some valuable pitchers he could pursue during the offseason - namely, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.
GM Brian Cashman fell on the sword Thursday when asked how much of the Yankees' current state of disarray falls on him. "All of it," Cashman said before the Yanks looked to avoid an embarrassing three-game sweep against Boston.
Both Jose Veras and David Robertson were awful in a brutal eighth inning in which the Red Sox scored seven times and turned a two-run game into a nine-run laugher.
In a season that has not exactly met the Yankees' usual lofty expectations, there has been at least one constant that has allowed Joe Girardi to sleep well at least once every five days. That constant is Mike Mussina.
For those clining to the hope that the Yanks will extend their string of October visits to 14 straight seasons, keep this in mind: Teams that get outings like the one the Yankees got from Sidney Ponson Wednesday are usually home come October.
The karma hasn't been right all season. Maybe it has something to do with Joe Girardi, and the clenched-jaw vibe he gives off, maybe it doesn't. But these Yanks haven't responded to tough times the way they did for Joe Torre.
The Yanks needed a Boston Massacre to get back into the playoff race, but instead were victimized in a Bronx bloodbath. Boston beat the Yankees for a 2nd straight night, handing them an 11-3 loss that has their playoff dreams on life support.
A man who wrote racially hateful letters to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was sentenced Tuesday to three years and 10 months in prison.
Joba Chamberlain could be pitching in a minor-league or simulated game by this weekend, although the Yankees are keeping their plans close to the vest.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman blames himself for the Bombers' struggles this season. "Bottom line, I'm the general manager," Cashman said before today's series finale with the Red Sox at the Stadium. In falling on his sword, Cashman...
THERE are as many ways to win in sports as there are extortion victims who choose to pay exorbitant fees to attend games in new stadiums funded by public money. But there is one constant shared by champions regardless of the sports in which they...
Alex Rodriguez got the boo birds off his case last night, but the stench from his performance a day earlier was still prevalent in the Stadium. Two doubles, too little too late. At this point, it probably doesn't matter: The Yankees fell seven...
JOE Girardi walked toward the mound to remove Jose Veras in the eighth inning last night, and those among the 55,000-plus who could work up the energy and passion booed the Yankees manager. Most were occupied doing something else. Leaving. They...
The Steinbrenner family and Jack Nicholson saw last night what a lot of other people have been looking at for a while: The end of the baseball world as a generation of Yankees know it. With George Steinbrenner's sons Hal and Hank and son-in-law...
With the Yankees' postseason hopes slipping away, Hank Steinbrenner made a rare appearance in The Bronx last night and issued a warning. "There's going to be a lot going on this offseason," Steinbrenner said shortly before the Yankees hosted the...
Could "The Idle" be moving? Carl "American Idle" Pavano is scheduled to start tomorrow night against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium - unless another team wants him. The Post has learned Pavano was put on waivers within the last 24 hours and...
By BRETT CYRGALIS Rivalries are built on games like tonight. When the Yankees host the Red Sox for the second game in what Yankees manager Joe Girardi called a "crucial" three-game series (7:05, YES, WCBS 880 AM), no punches will be pulled in...
FROM JOEL SHERMAN As of Tuesday -- before the Yanks lost to the Red Sox 7-3 -- GM Brian Cashman was still saying he wasn&os;t thinking of making the ultimate concession speech by trading anybody before Sunday&os;s deadline to have...
BOSTON RED SOX
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF Dustin Pedroia, 2B David Ortiz, DH Kevin Youkilis, 1B Jason Bay, LF Mark Kotsay, RF Jed Lowrie, 3B Alex Cora, SS Jason Varitek, C
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
Jon Lester
12-5
27
27
2
2
0
0
170.0
171
69
66
13
53
116
3.49
1.32
NEW YORK YANKEES
Johnny Damon, CF Derek Jeter, SS Bobby Abreu, RF Álex Rodríguez, 3B Xavier Nady, LF Robinson Cano, 2B Hideki Matsui, DH Cody Ransom, 1B Jose Molina, C
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
Mike Mussina
16-7
27
27
0
0
0
0
159.1
172
71
61
15
21
109
3.45
1.21
PREGAME NOTES:
Yanks are 18-9 in games started by Mike Mussina, but just 52-53 in games started by everyone else.
Yanks have lost four of their last five games against lefty starters.
Jon Lester is a lifetime 2-0, 4.12 ERA, 1.42 WHIP in 3 starts against the Yanks. He is 5-4, 4.11 ERA, 1.41 WHIP in 14 starts on the road in 2008.
Mike Mussina is a lifetime 20-17, 3.74 ERA, 1.24 WHIP in 55 starts against the Red Sox. He is 1-2, 5.52 ERA, 1.36 WHIP in 3 starts against them in 2008.
Red Sock hitters vs. Lester can be viewed here. Yanks' hitters vs. Moose can be viewed here.
ACEVES PROMOTED: Alfredo Aceves has been promoted from Scranton and is expected to be a fresh arm out of the pen for now - but Brian Cashman has indicated the team views him as a starter at some point.
David Robertson has been sent back down to Scranton to make room for Aceves on the active roster.
JOBA THROWS BULLPEN: Joba Chamberlain threw 45 pitches today in another bullpen session and is currently scheduled to throw batting practice on Saturday. If all goes well, he could be activated next week and pitch in relief.
I don't think pushing him out there is worth the risk at this point, but I guess the Yankee front office does.
Congratulations to Douglas, who correctly predicted the lineup that Terry Francona used in last night's game against the Yankees.
Douglas, please e-mail me at jlouderback@cfl.rr.com. Your prize is your choice of the Red Sox 2004 World Series DVD set or the Essential Games of Fenway Park DVD set.
Let's keep this contest moving along. After Douglas makes his selection, I will still have six DVD sets left to give away. Post your lineups for Friday's game against the White Sox here. The deadline is noon ET on Friday. That is a firm rule. Good luck!
Paul Byrd didn't miss many bats last night. No problem, because most of those balls were directed to Boston fielders, and Red Sox hitters pounded Yankees pitching. In his first start in a Red Sox uniform against a team other than Toronto, the soft-tossing Byrd limited New York to two runs and five hits over six innings while Boston bats erupted for 11 runs and 13 hits off Sidney Ponson and company in an 11-3 victory.
Dustin Pedroia and Jason Bay were the offensive heroes. Pedroia's grand slam in the eighth inning off David Robertson broke the game open. Overall, the second baseman had three hits, three runs and four RBI. Bay ripped a clutch two-run double with two outs in the first inning off Ponson and added a sacrifice fly and an RBI triple, matching Pedroia's four RBI.
Byrd was vintage Byrd. Known as a control artist who throws strikes and keeps hitters off balance with his floaters and 80-something fast balls, the right-hander did allow a run in each inning he surrendered a walk, but mostly he made the Yankees put the ball in play. Manny Delcarmen tossed a scoreless seventh inning when the game was close at 4-2. Mike Timlin contributed two innings of mop-up work, allowing a home run to Jason Giambi for the third time this year.
This was a typical Red Sox-Yankees contest until the eighth inning. Holding a 4-2 lead, Boston greeted right-handed reliever Jose Veras rather rudely. Kevin Youkilis opened the frame with a base hit and scored on Bay's triple. Jed Lowrie and Jason Varitek walked to load the bases. Alex Cora followed with a sacrifice fly for a 6-2 Red Sox advantage. Coco Crisp chased Robertson with an RBI single. After Robertson replaced Veras, Jacoby Ellsbury lined a base hit to load the bases again, setting the stage for Pedroia's first career grand slam. That ended the scoring for Boston, but it was more than enough.
Now 77-55, the Red Sox remain 3.5 games behind Tampa Bay, which edged Toronto, 1-0. Boston has a 2.5-game lead over Minnesota in the wild card standings. The Yankees dipped to 10.5 games out of first place, just two games ahead of the fourth place Blue Jays.
Jon Lester opposes Mike Mussina in the series finale this afternoon. How great would it be if the Red Sox swept the Yankees in the rivalry's last series at Yankee Stadium? I think it would be memorable, especially considering that historically the Sox have not fared well in The House That Ruth (and the Red Sox) Built.
Every time you think it just can't get any worse...it gets worse. This time the Yankees were bad both offensively and defensively, as the Red Sox went to town on the Yankee bullpen and left the stadium with an 11-3 victory. The loss puts the Yanks...
Phil Hughes pitched well tonight in Scranton's 3-2 win over Buffalo. Why not let him take over Ponson or Rasner's spot in the rotation? If he sucks, so what? At least he'll be learning in the Bigs as opposed to Ponson and Rasner who at this point are just taking up space. They have no long term future with the club. Hughes does.
- Not to pile on Arod (who had a solid game), but Tyler Kepner pointed out that he hasn't driven in a runner in the playoffs since Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS. 38 runners have been on base since then, none of them driven home by Alex.
- Three runs or less counter: 56 games (42%). They're not even giving themselves a chance to win in nearly half their games.
I&os;ve been thinking more about the whole concept of clutch and after a little more thought I&os;ve realized that the clutch stat that I referenced in this post is somewhat limited, given sample size and other issues. That hasn&os;t stopped people from linking to that post to &os;prove&os; their point that A-Rod is unclutch, but whatever.
Anyway, since that statistic focuses on just batting average with RISP and HRs with runners on base, it&os;s missing important information, like walks and non HR XBH. So I&os;ve calculated wOBA (weighted on Base Average) in six areas. wOBA is the rate version of linear weights and is far more reflective of a player&os;s offensive contribution than batting average or OPS.
The six areas I&os;m looking at are:
Total (all situations)
Men On
Runners in scoring position
Trailing
Tied
Leading
I realize this doesn&os;t encompass everything that we&os;d consider under the umbrella of clutch, but it&os;s got at least some key areas. I&os;ll also reiterate that this is not meant to be any assessment of a player&os;s skill or talent in these particular areas, the sample size is too small. It&os;s merely a look at what has happened to this point in 2008. I&os;ve restricted the lists to players who have had at least 200 total PAs this season.
Rank
Total
Men On
RISP
Trailing
Tied
Leading
Player
TwOBA
Player
MOwOBA
Player wOBA
Player wOBA
Player wOBA
Player wOBA
1 Albert Pujols
.466 Albert Pujols .477
Ian Stewart .490
Ryan J Braun .475
Lance Berkman .517
Albert Pujols .508
2 Chipper Jones
.444 Alex Rodriguez
.465 David Ortiz
.480 Ty Wigginton .451
Milton Bradley .501
Chipper Jones .503
3 Milton Bradley
.444 Matt Holliday .464
Lance Berkman .478
Matt Holliday .450
Mike Aviles .479
Ryan Ludwick .467
4 Lance Berkman
.438 Ty Wigginton .429
Albert Pujols .469
Jermaine Dye .445
Adam Lind .478 Brad Hawpe
.460
5 Matt Holliday
.433 Ryan Ludwick .428
Justin Morneau .466
Ryan Spilborghs .442
J.D. Drew .474
Kevin Youkilis .457
6 Ian Stewart .422
J.D. Drew .427
Grady Sizemore .462
Prince Fielder .441
Carlos Lee .463
Lance Berkman .456
7 Carlos Quentin
.417 Jermaine Dye .425
Fernando Tatis .461
Troy Glaus .439
Aramis Ramirez .458
Alex Rodriguez
.454
8
Alex Rodriguez
.417 Ryan J Braun
.422 Manny Ramirez .459
Ian Stewart .438
Albert Pujols .455
Justin Morneau .450
9 Manny Ramirez
.414 Milton Bradley .421
David DeJesus .456
Alfonso Soriano .438
Gabe Kapler .454
Aubrey Huff .448
10 Ryan Ludwick
.411 Pat Burrell .415
Denard Span .452
Milton Bradley .435
Chipper Jones .450
Chase Utley .440
11 Mark Teixeira
.410 Mike Fontenot .415
Alexei Ramirez .449
Mark Teixeira .433
Hanley Ramirez .450
Ryan Doumit .439
12 Kevin Youkilis
.409 Chipper Jones .414
Alfonso Soriano .445
Brian Giles .429
Bill Hall .449
Jerry Hairston Jr. .437
13 J.D. Drew .402
Geovany Soto .408
Jim Thome .445
Albert Pujols .422
Ian Stewart .442
Joey Votto .437
14 Ryan Spilborghs
.401 David Wright .408
Jesus Flores .442
Manny Ramirez .421
Mike Fontenot .437
Aramis Ramirez .425
15 Carlos Lee .400
Lance Berkman .407
Ian Kinsler .441
Shin-soo Choo .420
Chris Iannetta .433
Placido Polanco .425
16 Hanley Ramirez
.399 Xavier Nady
.405 Nicholas Markakis
.440 Jhonny Peralta .420
Miguel Olivo .428
Matt Holliday .422
17 Chase Utley .394
Carlos Lee .404
Milton Bradley .437
Vladimir Guerrero .418
Manny Ramirez .428
Mark Teixeira .421
18 Ryan J Braun
.394 Ian Stewart .403
Carlos Quentin .435
Matthew Joyce .418
Brad Hawpe .427
Omar Infante .421
19
Xavier Nady
.394 Manny Ramirez
.403 Kevin Youkilis .435
Carlos Quentin .413
Ronnie Belliard .426
Jayson Werth .419
20 Pat Burrell .394
Rick Ankiel .402
Mark Teixeira .432
Ian Kinsler .405
Jim Thome .425
Grady Sizemore .418
21 Brad Hawpe .393
Emmanuel Burriss .402
J.D. Drew .430
Josh Hamilton .405
Matt Holliday .425
Carlos Quentin .417
22 Nicholas Markakis
.393 Hanley Ramirez .400
Chris Iannetta .429
Nicholas Markakis .403
Xavier Nady
.424 Adam Dunn .416
23 Adam Dunn .392
Evan Longoria .396
Casey Blake .429
Alex Rodriguez
.403 Fernando Tatis
.423 Milton Bradley .415
24 Aubrey Huff .391
Mark Teixeira .395
Aramis Ramirez .427
Jason Bay .403
Aaron Miles .421
Brian McCann .413
25 Aramis Ramirez
.391 Mark DeRosa .394
Adam Dunn .426 Joe Mauer
.401 Carlos Quentin .419
Jimmy Rollins .413
26 Grady Sizemore
.390 Miguel Cabrera .390
Jody Gerut .425
Brian Roberts .401
Pat Burrell .417
James Hardy .413
27 Justin Morneau
.389 Carlos Pena .387
Carlos Lee .421
Chone Figgins .398
Rick Ankiel .416
Hanley Ramirez .412
28 Mike Fontenot
.389 Grady Sizemore .386
Jeffery Mathis .420
Melvin Mora .398
Marcus Thames .415
Evan Longoria .411
29 David Wright
.389 Adam Dunn .384
Josh Hamilton .420
Curtis Granderson .397
Carlos Beltran .414
Geovany Soto .411
30 Jason Bay .389
Jason Giambi
.384 Adrian Gonzalez
.420 Vernon Wells .397
Miguel Cabrera .412
Matthew Joyce .409
31 Chris Iannetta
.388 Dustin Pedroia .384
Chipper Jones .419
Carlos Pena .397
Hideki Matsui
.411 Mike Cameron
.409
32 Ty Wigginton
.386 Joe Mauer .383
Mike Cuddyer .418
Ryan Ludwick .395
Josh Hamilton .410
Ian Kinsler .406
33 Ian Kinsler .385
Jason Bay .382
Doug Mientkiewicz .417
Xavier Nady
.395 Brian Schneider
.410 Ray Durham .403
34 Brian McCann
.385 Chase Utley .382
Orlando Hudson .415
Pat Burrell .394
Cody Ross .405
Marlon Byrd .402
35 Jim Thome .383
Elijah Dukes .380
Reed Johnson .413
Carlos Lee .393
Adrian Beltre .403
Shannon Stewart .402
36 Josh Hamilton
.383 Jayson Werth .379
Melvin Mora .412
Jim Edmonds .393
David Wright .402
Manny Ramirez .401
37 Alfonso Soriano
.382 Derrek Lee .379
Ryan Howard .410
Bobby Abreu
.391 Gabe Gross
.400 Mike Jacobs .400
38 Joe Mauer .382
Carlos Quentin .378
Omar Infante .410
J.D. Drew .389
Jason Giambi
.400
Johnny Damon
.400
39 Ryan Doumit .382
Nicholas Markakis .377
Hideki Matsui
.409
Hideki Matsui
.389 Jason Bay .396
David Wright .400
40 Jermaine Dye
.382 Randy Winn .376
Juan Uribe .408
Orlando Hudson .389
Adam Dunn .395 Fred Lewis
.400
41
Jason Giambi
.379 Omar Infante
.376 Nick Swisher .407
Jason Giambi
.389 Stephen Drew
.393 Russell Martin .399
42 Mark DeRosa .379
Edwin Encarnacion .376
Johnny Damon
.407 Carlos Guillen
.388 Alex Rodriguez
.393 Ryan Spilborghs
.399
43 Jerry Hairston Jr.
.378 Hideki Matsui
.375 Stephen Drew
.407 Carlos Beltran .387
Conor Jackson .393
Josh Willingham .399
44 David Ortiz .378
Aubrey Huff .375
Shin-soo Choo .406
Darin Erstad .386
Doug Mientkiewicz .392
Ian Stewart .399
45 Raul Ibanez .377
Ian Kinsler .375
Jason Michaels .405
Frank Catalanotto .386
Joe Mauer .392
Ryan J Braun .398
46 Geovany Soto
.377 Brian McCann .375
Chris Snyder .405
Ryan Church .384
Ben Francisco .392
Magglio Ordonez .398
47
Hideki Matsui
.377 Curtis Granderson
.375 Conor Jackson .404
Dustin Pedroia .383
Ramon Vazquez .391
Casey Blake .396
48 Curtis Granderson
.376 Torii Hunter .375
Vladimir Guerrero .404
Lyle Overbay .382
Damion Easley .387
Matthew Kemp .395
49 Prince Fielder
.376 Jack Cust .373
Aubrey Huff .404
Chase Headley .382
Adrian Gonzalez .386
Mark DeRosa .395
50 Daniel Uggla
.375 Matthew Joyce .373
Howie Kendrick .402
Luke Scott .381
Daniel Uggla .384
Miguel Cabrera .394
51 Marlon Byrd .375
Matthew Kemp .372
Jarrod Saltalamacchia .401
Raul Ibanez .381
Derrek Lee .383
Luis Castillo .394
52 Ryan Church .375
Alexis Rios .371
Yadier Molina .400
Chipper Jones .380
Scott Rolen .381
Carlos Delgado .393
53 Evan Longoria
.375 Ryan Spilborghs .371
Ronnie Belliard .397
Evan Longoria .380
Rich Aurilia .381
Ryan Church .393
54
Johnny Damon
.374 Brad Hawpe
.370 Matt Holliday .397
Mark DeRosa .380
Grady Sizemore .381
Mike Aviles .393
55 Troy Glaus .373
Marlon Byrd .370
Brad Hawpe .394
Chris Davis .379
Nicholas Markakis .381
Nicholas Markakis .392
56 Denard Span .373
Ray Durham .370
Ryan Doumit .393
Jim Thome .379
Denard Span .381
Nathan McLouth .392
57 Ronnie Belliard
.373 Jerry Hairston Jr. .369
Mark DeRosa .393
Conor Jackson .379
David Ortiz .380
David Ortiz .391
58 Miguel Cabrera
.372 Alfonso Soriano .368
Ramon Hernandez .393
Brian McCann .379
Josh Willingham .380
Curtis Granderson .391
59 Fernando Tatis
.372 Johnny Damon
.368 Skip Schumaker
.393 Adam Lind .378
Ryan Howard .380
Jarrod Saltalamacchia .391
60 Luke Scott .372
Prince Fielder .367
Joe Mauer .392
Elijah Dukes .377
James Hardy .379
Brandon Phillips .389
61 Matthew Joyce
.372 Aramis Ramirez .367
Ryan J Braun .390
Mark Reynolds .377
Dustin Pedroia .378
Reed Johnson .389
62 Brian Giles .372
Jose Reyes .366
Daniel Uggla .389
Lance Berkman .377
Adam Kennedy .378
Mike Cuddyer .389
63 Mike Cameron
.371 Magglio Ordonez .366
Todd Helton .388
Aubrey Huff .377
Jack Cust .376
Brian Roberts .388
64 Conor Jackson
.370 Carlos Guillen .365
Jimmy Rollins .388
Cody Ross .377 Ray Durham
.376 Mike Fontenot .387
65 Jayson Werth
.369 Todd Helton .365
Mark Reynolds .388
Jerry Hairston Jr. .377
Jeremy Reed .376
Mark Kotsay .387
66 Adrian Gonzalez
.368 Lyle Overbay .364
Curtis Granderson .388
Edwin Encarnacion .376
Kosuke Fukudome .375
Andre Ethier .387
67 Brian Roberts
.368 Josh Hamilton .364
Chris Coste .388
Denard Span .376
Mark Teixeira .373
Bobby Abreu
.386
68 Vladimir Guerrero
.368 Garrett Atkins .364
Jayson Werth .387
Fernando Tatis .375
Alex Gordon .373
Jermaine Dye .386
69 Carlos Pena .368
Luke Scott .364
Ryan Ludwick .387
A.J. Pierzynski .374
Aaron Rowand .373
Willie Harris .385
70 Jose Reyes .368
Brian Giles .363
Darin Erstad .387
Clint Barmes .374
Chase Utley .373
Alfonso Soriano .385
71
Bobby Abreu
.367 Andre Ethier
.363 Nathan McLouth .386
Geovany Soto .374
Raul Ibanez .373
Ryan Howard .384
72 Rick Ankiel .366
Troy Glaus .362
Ken Griffey Jr. .386
Adam Dunn .373
Johnny Damon
.372 Cliff Floyd
.383
73 Mike Aviles .366
Jim Edmonds .362
Ryan Spilborghs .386
BJ Upton .372 Joe Crede
.372 Chris Iannetta .382
74 Magglio Ordonez
.365 Jhonny Peralta .362
Mark Loretta .386
Kevin Youkilis .372
Cliff Floyd .372
Jose Guillen .381
75 Ramon Vazquez
.364 Raul Ibanez .362
Carlos Pena .385
Kelly Shoppach .372
Ken Griffey Jr. .371
Jeff Keppinger .381
76 Derrek Lee .364
Placido Polanco .361
Xavier Nady
.383 Jeremy Hermida
.372 Chris Davis .370
Jose Reyes .380
77 Dustin Pedroia
.364 Jeff Kent .360
Brian Giles .383
Jose Reyes .371
Ryan Doumit .369
Luke Scott .380
78 Josh Willingham
.363 Josh Willingham .360
John Bowker .383
Adam LaRoche .371
Skip Schumaker .367
Daniel Uggla .378
79 Nathan McLouth
.363 Jeff Baker .360
Cody Ross .383
Chase Utley .371
Kevin Youkilis .367
Ken Griffey Jr. .378
80 Jack Cust .363
Justin Upton .360
Ryan Garko .383
Todd Helton .371
Randy Winn .367
Raul Ibanez .377
81 Reed Johnson
.363 Skip Schumaker .359
Mike Fontenot .380
Marlon Byrd .370
Matt Stairs .366
Luis Gonzalez .377
82 Orlando Hudson
.362 Carlos Beltran .359
Andre Ethier .380
Mike Fontenot .369
Yuniesky Betancourt .366
Pat Burrell .377
83 Chris Davis .361
Ryan Doumit .359
Chase Utley .380
Nick Swisher .369
Russell Martin .366
Alexei Ramirez .376
84 James Hardy .361
Kazuo Matsui .358
Joey Votto .379
Omar Infante .369
Jason Kubel .365
Justin Upton .375
85 Carlos Beltran
.361 Shane Victorino .358
Pat Burrell .378
Grady Sizemore .369
Hunter Pence .365
Kelly Johnson .374
86 Jody Gerut .361
Eric Hinske .357
Corey Hart .377
Chris Iannetta .369
Casey Kotchman .364
Mark Grudzielanek .374
87 Russell Martin
.360 James Loney .356
Juan Pierre .377
Jody Gerut .368
Alfredo Amezaga .364
Carlos Pena .374
88 Carlos Delgado
.360 Orlando Hudson .355
Kosuke Fukudome .376
Derrek Lee .368
Mike Cameron .363
Mike Lowell .373
89 Eric Hinske .359
Brian Roberts .355
Brian McCann .375
Reed Johnson .368
Ryan Theriot .363
Kurt Suzuki .371
90 Todd Helton .358
Chris Davis .355
Mike Lowell .375
Daniel Uggla .367
Ty Wigginton .362
Xavier Nady
.371
91 Fred Lewis .358
Ryan Theriot .355
BJ Upton .375
Chris Snyder .367
Paul Konerko .361
Garrett Atkins .369
92 Kelly Shoppach
.358 Cliff Floyd .354
Miguel Olivo .372
Jason Kubel .366
Troy Glaus .360
Aaron Hill .368
93 Shin-soo Choo
.358 Kevin Youkilis .354
Matthew Joyce .371
Craig Counsell .366
Scott Hairston .360
Ryan Sweeney .368
94 Melvin Mora .357
Chris Iannetta .353
Joe Crede .371
Scott Hairston .365
Eric Hinske .360
Carlos Lee .367
95 Elijah Dukes
.356 Frank Catalanotto .353
Kelly Johnson .371
David DeJesus .364
David Murphy .360
Jim Edmonds .366
96 Ray Durham .356
A.J. Pierzynski .353
James Loney .370
Justin Morneau .364
Kurt Suzuki .359
Shane Victorino .366
97 Chris Snyder
.356 Ivan Rodriguez
.352 Wes Helms
.370 #N/A #N/A Gerald Laird
.359 Jason Bay .366
98 Carlos Guillen
.355 Joey Votto .352
Troy Glaus .369
Orlando Cabrera .363
Edgar V Gonzalez .359
Eric Hinske .366
99 Adam Lind .355
Mike Lowell .352
Carlos Delgado .369
Jack Cust .362
Rickie Weeks .357
Denard Span .366
100 Jim Edmonds
.355 Dioner Navarro .352
Magglio Ordonez .368
James Loney .359
Jody Gerut .357
Brian Giles .366
BOSTON RED SOX
Jacoby Ellsbury, RF Dustin Pedroia, 2B David Ortiz, DH Kevin Youkilis, 3B Jason Bay, LF Jed Lowrie, SS Jason Varitek, C Alex Cora, SS Coco Crisp, CF
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
Paul Byrd
1-1
2
2
0
0
0
0
13.1
16
8
8
4
2
4
5.40
1.35
NEW YORK YANKEES
Johnny Damon, CF Derek Jeter, SS Bobby Abreu, RF Álex Rodríguez, 3B Jason Giambi, 1B Xavier Nady, LF Hideki Matsui, DH Robinson Cano, 2B Ivan Rodriguez, C
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
Sidney Ponson
3-3
10
10
0
0
0
0
56.0
68
34
34
7
22
21
5.46
1.61
PREGAME NOTES:
Red Sox hold a 7-6 edge over the Yanks in the season series with four games to go after tonight.
Jason Giambi is 3-for-5 with three homers against Paul Byrd in 2008.
Byrd is a lifetime 2-5, 4.90 ERA, 1.43 WHIP in 10 starts against the Yanks. He is 5-8, 5.59 ERA, 1.40 WHIP in 15 starts on the road this season.
Sidney Ponson is a lifetime 3-12, 6.92 ERA, 1.78 WHIP in 21 starts against the Red Sox. He is 3-3, 5.46 ERA, 1.61 WHIP in 10 starts since being signed by the Yanks.
Red Sock hitters vs. Ponson can be viewed here. Yanks' hitters vs. Byrd can be viewed here.
The newest reinforcement is expected to arrive in the Red Sox clubhouse shortly before game time tonight. Mark Kotsay was acquired from the Atlanta Braves for minor league outfielder Luis Sumoza.
Who is Luis Sumoza, you ask? An international free agent signed out of Venezuela in 2004, the 20-year-old Sumoza is a raw but promising prospect. Currently at short-season Single-A Lowell, where he has a .301 average with 11 home runs and 38 RBI in just 193 at-bats, Sumoza has five-tool potential, but he is early in his development as a professional baseball player. He was not considered one of the organization's top overall prospects, but he did open eyes this season at Lowell. Fortunately, the Sox are stocked with exciting outfield prospects at the lower levels of their farm system.
As for Kotsay, his career is similar to that of J.D. Drew. The 32-year-old can play left field and right field, is a solid defensive outfielder with a strong arm, knows how to reach base and can hit for average and some pop. Like Drew, Kotsay is subject to back injuries. In fact, Kotsay missed all of June with a strained lower back, but he has been consistent at the plate all season. He is currently hitting .289 with six home runs and 37 RBI in 318 at-bats.
Kotsay is not in tonight's lineup. Coco Crisp, who has been hitting the ball well over the last week, is starting in center field with Jacoby Ellsbury in right field. Here are tonight's starting lineups:Boston Red Sox
1. Ellsbury, RF
2. Pedroia, 2B
3. Ortiz, DH
4. Youkilis, 1B
5. Bay, LF
6. Lowrie, 3B
7. Varitek, C
8. Cora, SS
9. Crisp, CF
Starting Pitcher - Paul Byrd
New York Yankees
1. Damon, CF
2. Jeter, SS
3. Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Giambi, 1B
6. Nady, LF
7. Matsui, DH
8. Cano, 2B
9. Ivan Rodriguez, C
Starting Pitcher - Sidney Ponson
I was there first hand to witness all the carnage. You never like to pin most of the blame on a player, but Alex Rodriguez makes a nice amount of money to hit cleanup and drive in runs. It's one thing to fail sometimes, it's even OK not to do maximum damage, but it's a whole other ballgame to actually be a rally killer in the middle of a lineup. We call that a "mole". A-Rod played better for the Red Sox than the Yankees last night. Consider this a mission failure.
It's not a matter of "he can't do it", we've seen him do it. Last year, A-Rod batted nearly .500 in the ninth inning for most of the season. He had countless walkoffs, he had big moments. This year, the third baseman has slugged 28 homeruns and it seems like two. He has 78 RBI and it seems like 15. There's not a real explanation besides the popular one-he can't handle the pressure. But then you have to take a few things into account: A-Rod resigned here, so he must think to some degree he can adjust. No matter the paycheck you're not going to sign up for a decade of torment. In 2005 and 2007, A-Rod was the polar opposites in these situations, so we know he can even handle doing it in the Bronx.
But here's why I think you can still pin it on pressure: Consider this: Rodriguez has won MVP's in 2005 and 2007, while he has struggled by his standards in 2004, 2006 and now, 2008. It's not a matter of even and odd numbers, nobody is that insane. But think of it this way, in 2004 he was traded into the biggest market in sports to play for a defending AL champion team fresh off one of its most dramatic victories over it's largest enemy. He struggled to adapt (and again, when I say struggle, I mean by his standards, which are levels only he can be expected to reach.) In 2005, the expectations were simply not there for him personally as the whole team was cast under a dark shadow with the '04 collapse, and he had the pressure of adjusting off his shoulders. He put up crazy numbers.
In 2006, he was coming off his first MVP year with the Yankees and was coming off a postseason where he was dreadful, the expectations were back in full force. Number 13 struggled.
In 2007, everyone accepted him as not a clutch player, the Yankees were perennial first round knockouts, everybody gave up and they knew he would probably be gone a year from then anyway, so Rodriguez concentrated. He had his best season ever.
Now we're in 2008, A-Rod just signed a 30 million contract for 10 years, the contract included incentives, which was probably the worst possible decision for somebody who doesn't like to think when he's hitting. New York barely made the playoffs in 2007, and he did most of the work to get them there. Now the team is struggling again, A-Rod is coming off an MVP season, he proved everything he had to in the clutch, but it was just a matter of getting it done in October, and this year he had to prove it. Boom, expectations and pressure again. It's not the setting, the team, or the matchups, it's a matter of A-Rod being his own little situations. Last night he was in numerous, and he failed every time. He made poor decisions (throwing to first and allowing Crisp to score from second on a play he never had a chance to make in the first place), he made mistakes (his error) and "clutch" found him and ran him over.
But here's my question: Baseball is definitely mental, but also a lot of it is physical, so why can't A-Rod adjust? I mean, how many times do you see the same cutter/slider/curveball/fastball/splitter low and inside before you stop grounding into double plays? That's the thing, it's not even that he pops out or strikes out in big spots, he actually goes a step further and murders the inning altogether. This season can litterally be traced towards failure because the New York Yankees have the worst 4-5 clutch hitters in baseball.
Kevin Long?
Anyone?
More on last night later...
I said yesterday that this series against the Soxies was essentially going to be the maker or breaker of the Yanks' season, and I stand by that remark. Getting back into the mix required a sweep, and that is obviously no longer an option. I suppose there is a dim chance of the perfect storm of Red Sox failures and some magical transformation in the performances from the likes of Ponson, C-Pav, and A-Rod (for the record: I still love the man. He just hasn't been clutch. Not even close. Not that anyone else HAS been, but after last year I thought he was over the "OMG OMG I'm so nervous!" spasms. And to the guy that emailed me saying that A-Rod was a "bum" that we were "stuck with" for 10 years... simmer down and ponder where this team would be in the rankings without him every year), but it is admittedly improbable.Have I given up? I'd like to say no... but I'm going to have to go with a resounding YESSIR. It breaks my heart to say such a blasphemous thing, but it must be said.And this way, if a miracle occurs, I'll be pleasantly surprised.
C.J. Henry, the former Yankees prospect who was traded for Bobby Abreu, only to come back to the Yankees, will now give college basketball a try. Mike Decourcy of SportingNews.com reports that Henry will be a walk on at Memphis and the Yankees wil...
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