Sunday, May 31, 2009

Maine Event Success and Coke-head Pitching

Quick blog today folks. John Maine pitched six shutout innings and the Mets topped the Marlins 3-2 to close out May on the right note. Maine did have to leave as he came down with a stomach virus, presumably from Carlos Beltran who left mid-game on Saturday with the same ailment. However, Maine was strong all day long.

J.J. Putz struggled late in the game again, giving up two runs in the 8th, but Bobby Parnell got out of it and K-Rod closed the door in the ninth to win it. Big win for the Mets who continue to nibble out victories despite injuries up and down their line-up.

As for the Yanks, they came from four runs down to tie up the Indians in the 8th, but awful pitching from Phil Coke and David Robertson gave the Tribe a walk-off 5-4 win in the 9th. Mark Teixeira was the Yankees offense, hitting a 2-run homer and a 2-run double. He has raised his average from about .190 to .281 in May.

Carl Pavano silenced the Yanks almost all afternoon, and was removed in the 8th when he started to struggle. Phil Hughes again wasn't economical, and lasted just 5 innings, giving up 4 runs. He wasn't terrible, but wasn't great, especially against a line-up without Victor Martinez and Grady Sizemore.

The Yanks ended the year on a sour note. They had 1st and 3rd with one out in the 8th for Posada. Gardner, who was on first, missed a steal sign, and then Posada hit into a double play to end the rally. Coke then walked the leadoff batter, #9 hitter Trevor Crowe. After getting sacrificed to 2nd, Robertson came in, walked Ben Francisco, then gave up the game-winning double to Jhonny Peralta. Bad way to close a very, very good May for the Yanks.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Yankees @ Indians - 5/30/09 - CC Returns

CC Sabathia will make his first ever start as a visitor at Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field) tonight. He spent 7 and a half years with the Indians before he was traded to the Brewers last season and then signed on with the Yanks. He'll face former teammate Fausto Carmona.

CC threw against Cleveland on Opening Day in the Bronx and wasn't economical in a 10-2 loss. Fausto Carmona was the winner in the Indians 22-4 romp of the Yanks two days later. The teams split that four-game set back in mid-April.

Some quick little tidbits:

*The Yanks have a chance to go 1.5 games up on the Red Sox, who lost again in Toronto 5-3 this afternoon.

*The Yanks are 14-11 on the road, which is the best mark in the American League and tied for third in all of baseball with the Brewers.

*The Yanks have gone 15 straight games without making an error. That is the longest stretch in franchise history and two short of the Major League record of 17 by the Red Sox in 2006. This courtesy of the Elias Sports Bureau

*Robinson Cano ended a streak of 54 consecutive plate appearances without a strikeout last night when he went down in the 1st.

Back with thoughts as the game begins later. 7:05 start in Cleveland.

UPDATE (6:32): Some brief medical notes I read...Pettitte is fine after hurting his back yesterday, will make his next start. Melky took swings and is planning to return Monday. Molina and Nady both played in Florida. Molina could be activated later next week.

UPDATE (7:08): According to the Yankees game notes, Jeter had picked up a hit in the first inning in the Yanks' last five games (all leading off). Sadly, it ended on the groundout to Fausto, but that's impressive.

UPDATE (7:11): Teixeira now has a hit in 12 straight games with a single to right. Amazing how he has turned it on in May since A-Rod returned. Hopefully for him, he keeps it going into June.

UPDATE (7:31): Victor Martinez fouls a ball of his leg, is down for a while, and decides to stay in after about 5 minutes on the ground. He almost fouls another ball of his foot, then grounds out to second and limps halfway to first. I doubt he stays in. It's not worth risking further injury on May 30th! 1-2-3 for CC is a good start. ...And on cue, Kelly Shoppach is into the game. I'll update if I hear what the injury is.

UPDATE (7:35): Jorgie juices one to right. Long homer for him. 2 hits and a walk last night, and now a homer in his return from the DL. Good to see from the veteran catcher! 1-0 Yanks

UPDATE (7:39): Nick Swisher launches one over the centerfield wall. Yanks showing the power in the 2nd. 2-0 NYY

UPDATE (7:48): Carl Pavano (starting tomorrow against Phil Hughes) has won 5 games in May for the Indians. He won 9 total over time in three different seasons with the Yanks. Hmmm...Anyway, CC looks good so far. Gets a double play after a 1-out walk.

UPDATE (8:22): Yes, it's been a long time, but that's because the Yanks pounded away against Carmona in the 4th, a half-inning that lasted nearly 20 minutes. Jeter knocked home two with a single that extended his hit streak to 13 games. Damon brought in another with a single to right. Then, Cano had a two-run single to left, though A-Rod was thrown out trying for 3rd. 5 runs on 4 hits, and they were helped by two errors, including a big one on a throw to second to try for a force by Garko. Yankees up 7-0

UPDATE (8:32): Meanwhile, CC continues to deal on the mound. Four strikeouts and a walk over four innings. Back to the Yanks' fourth, one play you'll notice if you look at the play-by-play is Teixeira grounding into a fielder's choice to first and Jeter getting out at home. On that play, Jeter knew he was done for, but got into a decent rundown and directed the baserunners to move them each up a base despite getting out. That great play lead to two more Yanks runs. That's the Captain for you.

UPDATE (8:40): Of course, it wasn't weird enough that the Indians finally retired the Yanks in order in the 5th. A flock of seagulls all of a sudden flew into right centerfield and appeared to be feeding on something atop the wall and on the warning track. Crazy stuff!

UPDATE (8:50): Interesting as Shin-Soo Choo grounds one up the middle that Cano tries to bare-hand and can't come up with. They rule it a hit, I say Cano might've had a chance if he gets the glove on it. That's the first one of the day for the Indians. DeRosa then grounds one into the hole on the right side, Cano stops it but can't get the out. Infield single and Choo goes to 3rd...barely. Finally, Garko gets a clean single to center to plate Choo. 7-1 Yanks

UPDATE (9:04): Sorry for the delay...Indians scratch across another on a single to left by Carroll. CC goes from 0 runs and 0 hits to 2 runs and 4 hits in one inning, all after the dribbler up the middle which did scrape CC's hand. 7-2 Yankees

UPDATE (9:06): That's what Gardner can do for you. Works a lead-off walk, then as he's stealing second, Jeter singles to left. Gardner then scores on the grounder to 1st. 8-2 Yanks

UPDATE (9:16): Grady Sizemore absolutely obliterated that one into the right centerfield bullpen. CC definitely has lost his dominance after giving up that first hit. However, his offense has given him plenty of support and he's still going to go 7 most likely. 8-3 Pinstripes

UPDATE (9:22): CC gets out of the inning with a 4-6-3 DP after a walk to Peralta. He has 94 pitches through 6. Do you bring him out for another inning or go to the pen? I say, one more, then bring on Wang for 2 or Coke/Robertson.

UPDATE (9:42): CC strikes out Asdrubal Cabrera for the 3rd time to end the 7th and most likely, his night. 7 innings, 5 hits, 3 runs (earned), 3 walks, 8 strikeouts, 113 pitches. Pretty good again for CC, who was dominant early, then limited damage while laboring late. I say with a five-run lead, let Coke and/or Robertson finish this out. Or perhaps get Wang some work.

UPDATE (9:50): And it is David Robertson on to pitch. He' s been alright so far this year, and got all five batters he faced in Texas out. Let's see if he can shut the door on this one.

UPDATE (9:57): Nice play by A-Rod ends a 1-2-3 inning. Ranging to his left, Rodriguez stabbed it and made a strong throw to 1st to get Peralta. To the 9th we go!

UPDATE (10:10): Yanks pick up some insurance. Teixeira leads off with a bloop double then comes home on a Robbie Cano single. Matsui would later double Cano home. Godzilla with 3 hits tonight, but looks awful running the bases. Don't think he has much of anything left in those knees. Either way, Jose Veras comes in to finish off the game. Yanks up 10-3

UPDATE (10:11): Even with a 7-run lead, Jose Veras gives up the required home run (solo shot to Choo) whenever he pitches. Then, he hits DeRosa. I think it's about time for Veras to go to the minors and Mark Melancon to join the team. He can't be any worse than Veras has been. 10-4 Yanks

UPDATE (10:23): Veras gives up another run on a Ben Francisco double, but strikes out Carroll and gets Cabrera to ground to short. Yankees win the game 10-5 to move a game and a half ahead of the Sox in the AL East.

Some final notes:
*The Yankees have won 3 straight, 4 of 5, and 14 of 17. They are rolling right now.
*Yanks now have not commited an error in 16 straight games...they'll look to tie the record tomorrow
*CC Sabathia improves to 5-3. That's five straight great starts by CC, and he's gone 7 innings or more, giving up 3 runs or less in all of them.
*Jose Veras needs to go, as does Angel Berroa as Berroa does nothing and Veras only makes things worse. Bring up Melancon to help the pen and bring up another bat for the bench (Shelley Duncan anyone?? He leads the International League w/ 16 homers)

That's all for tonight. Yanks and Indians go again tomorrow with Phil Hughes against Yankee Fan Favorite (NOT!) Carl Pavano. I won't be live-blogging that one, but YES will have all the action at 12:40 (odd start time).

Recapping a Day at Citi


Hey all. Spent today at Citi Field with my internship. Got the opportunity to sit in the press box for the whole game then go down to the clubhouse afterward. It was a pretty cool experience. The game was a stinker for the Mets, who lost 7-3 to the Marlins. However, they did have Tim Redding start as well as a AAA line-up (minus Carlos Beltran, who left with a Stomach Virus). Here are some thoughts from my experience:

*The press box at Citi Field is much bigger, cleaner, nicer, and media-friendly. There is more than enough space for the media, even in NY, and enough game notes, media guides, and other info. for everyone. I had a front row seat and had a tremendous view of the field. Windows open to get a sense of the crowd, and there are even people in the seats right in front of the press box who were friendly and greeted you. Nice to see this change.

*The Mets clubhouse is gorgeous. I liked the old one, and even thought it was a little roomier over at Shea. However, the lockers were very big, and there was plenty of space for the players.

*This was my second trip to Citi Field, and I really do like this ballpark. Today, the place was packed and had a good, energetic crowd with a lot of families in attendance. The sightlines are great, the scoreboards are easy to see and informative, the food is delicious, and there is a good variety, and it's just a great place to go watch a ballgame.

*My thoughts on the teams themselves: The Mets are very banged up and won't last all season if they keep getting injured. Everyone from Delgado to Reyes to Beltran all have some sort of ailment. However, they do have fight in them and won't go down easy it seems. The Marlins need pitching to be consistent, but they have the tools to begin being successful. The middle of their line-up is very strong (Hanley Ramirez, Jeremy Hermida, Jorge Cantu, and Dan Uggla). A few more additions to solidify their rotation would make them a playoff contender.

I'll be back to live-blog during the Yankee game again tonight. Probably won't have updates every half-inning, but will chip in with thoughts throughout.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Yankees vs. Indians - 5/29/09

Hey Everyone. Back to do some live-blogging of tonight's game between the Yanks and Indians in Cleveland. It'll be Andy Pettitte pitching for the Yanks and Cliff Lee for the Tribe. Big news is that Jorge Posada will return to the line-up tonight, after being out since early May with a hamstring injury. He'll bat 6th.

The game is currently in a rain delay. Radar shows a small thunderstorm moving over the area. Should pass quickly...hopefully. Also, after looking through some other blogs, I read that the midges are back in Cleveland! For those who don't remember, these small bugs descended upon Progressive Field (then Jacob's Field) in the 2007 playoffs and were a big problem for Joba Chamberlain. He would give up the tying run and eventually, the Yanks would lose the game and the series. Good thing he's not pitching tonight.

UPDATE (7:32): Interesting fact from Kim Jones of YES...Tonight (if the game is played) would be the first time that Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui, and Alex Rodriguez are all together in the same line-up since June 22nd of last year. This shows how much injuries have taken a toll on the major players of the Yanks.

UPDATE (7:47): Still raining in Cleveland. Some additional notes from around baseball to mention. Matt Wieters is making his ML debut for the Orioles tonight at home against the Tigers. He is highly touted and could be a major force in turning the team around. I still think they need pitching bigtime. Brett Myers could miss the rest of the season for the Phillies with a hip injury. And the Rockies fired Manager Clint Hurdle after a dismal start finds them in the basement of the NL West. Hard to believe he was in the World Series in 2007. Stay Tuned...

UPDATE (8:10): Word is that they are getting the field ready to play and first pitch will be at 8:30! There will be baseball in Cleveland tonight!

UPDATE (8:43): Underway at Progressive Field. Delay lasted 1 hour and 23 minutes. Couple hit streaks extended right away. Jeter to 12 games with a single to left-center and Teixeira to 11 with a blooper to right. Yanks load the bases for Cano and Posada and both go down swinging. Nice rebound by Cliff Lee.

UPDATE (8:51): Good start for Pettitte as all he allows is a Grady Sizemore single.

UPDATE (9:07): Hits keep coming for the Yanks, and this time, they cash in. Derek Jeter is 2-for-2 as he singles to left to bring home Swisher. Then, Teixeira knocks in Gardner on a groundout to 1st. 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk for the Yanks. A-Rod however strikes out after the Tribe elect to face him with 1st base open instead of setting up a lefty-lefty with Cano. Odd choice, but it works out.

UPDATE (9:16): Pettitte works into and out of trouble. A walk and infield single is followed up with a fly out and a 6-4-3 double play. Walking the lead-off hitter is never good, but Pettitte did a great job to get out of the jam.

UPDATE (9:26): Yanks squeak out another run. Back-to-Back infield singles to short by Cano and Posada followed by a Sac Fly off the bat of Swisher after Matsui advances them to 2nd and 3rd on a groundout. Good, fundamental baseball by the Yanks.

UPDATE (9:41): Pettitte again works into trouble by walking Martinez and Peralta to load the bases, but gets out of the jam when DeRosa grounds to second. Pettitte has been good and relatively economical (50 pitches in 3 innings), but has walked 3.

UPDATE (9:53): Quiet inning for the Yanks...3 up, 3 down. Meanwhile, it's all over in Toronto as the Red Sox lose to the Blue Jays 6-3. The win ends a 9-game losing streak for Toronto. Now, a Yankee win vaults them into sole possession of 1st place in the East. Also, Mets and Marlins are in extra innings in a 1-1 battle. Good starts from Mike Pelfrey and Sean West.

UPDATE (9:59): Pettitte allows only a single to Kelly Shoppach. Still 3-0 Yanks after 4. Pettitte should be able to go at least 6 as he has only 67 pitches. The bullpen is rested to after an off-day yesterday. Meanwhile, I found that if the Yanks do move into first, it would be the first time they'd be alone there since the last game of 2006.

UPDATE (10:08): Posada is now 2-for-3 as he doubles to right-center with 2 out, but Matsui gets caught looking on a borderline pitch.

UPDATE (10:15): Only a single to Cabrera (who's 2-for-3) and Pettitte gets through the 5th with 76 pitches. He's been solid once again. Meanwhile, Lee is at 102 but is out there for the 6th.

UPDATE (10:22): Yankees hit the ball hard, but a Nick Swisher lead-off single is wasted. Jeter and Damon both hit it hard to the corner outfielders, but both balls were caught.

UPDATE (10:30): Pettitte gets into trouble in the 6th, giving up a hit and a walk, then gets to 2-0 on Carroll before he's removed. Looks like he might have something wrong with him as Steve Donahue comes out with Girardi. Shame after such a good start. We'll see if Aceves can hold the lead.

UPDATE (10:41): Aceves comes in, walks Carroll to load the bases with no out and gives up a run on a sac fly that gets charged to Pettitte but maintains the lead...barely. Cabrera grounded out to Jeter, but he made a poor throw that Teixeira did a great job of scooping. That's why the Yanks paid the big bucks for him. 3-1 into the 7th.
Final Line on Pettitte: 5 innings, 6 hits, 1 run (earned), 5 BB, 1 K, 84 pitches, 45 strikes
Final Line on Lee: 6 innings, 9 hits, 3 runs (earned), 2 BB, 5 K, 112 pitches, 71 strikes

UPDATE (10:50): A-Rod singles, and Posada walks, but Yanks can't add to the lead. Posada has now been on base in 3 of his 4 plate appearances with 2 hits and the base-on-balls. Not a bad return at all.

UPDATE (10:53): Some other stats - Yanks are 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and have left 10 on base. Yet, they still lead. Yanks pen needs two more innings before Rivera. If Aceves gets through the 7th, the 8th will be interesting wiht the bullpen. I say, leave Aceves in or bring on Wang.

UPDATE (10:57): 1-2-3 go Sizemore, Martinez, and Peralta. Very impressive 2 innings by Alfredo Aceves. It appears like the Yanks might have found their late inning guy. Now, do they keep Aceves for the 8th or go to another guy? Wang? Coke? Veras? I say either Aceves or Wang.

UPDATE (11:05): Yanks go quiet in the 8th. Now, the big question of who pitches the 8th to try and bridge the gap to Mo. And the answer is...Alfredo Aceves. They leave him in for a 3rd inning of work. I say, Good Choice!

UPDATE (11:15): Aceves gets the job done. Gives up a hit to Francisco for the only blemish over 3 innings. 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks (it was charged to Pettitte), and 3 strikeouts. Tremendous job by him after Pettitte left. Yanks may have finally found their guy late in ballgames.

UPDATE (11:19): After reading Peter Abraham's blog, Andy Pettitte apparently has lower back stiffness. We'll see if it's anything that will keep him out, but I don't think so. At his age, though, you never know.

UPDATE (11:25): Yanks do nothing in the 9th, and now it's up to Mo to close the door. He hasn't pitched since Sunday in the Yanks 4-3 extra-inning loss to Philly.

UPDATE (11:36): Mariano comes in and after a lead-off blooper by Choo, strikes out Cabrera and Sizemore and gets Martinez to grounds to first to end it. Yanks win 3-1 and are in sole possession of first place in the AL East. Pettitte moves to 5-1 on the year. Thanks Everyone!

The Return

After a long time away from the blog to finish up schoolwork and get settled back at home, I have returned to revive this blog. I want to get back up and running, giving you all the best I have to offer regarding NY-area sports. For my first post, I want to look at all the of current head coaches/managers and take a look at who has done the best job. Few have been around for a while (Coughlin) while many are just getting started (Manuel, Tortorella, Gordon). However, let's take a look at what they've done so far, see who's done the best and worst job, and who has potential for future success:

Joe Girardi
Team: New York Yankees
Arrived: October 30, 2007 (hired by Yankees)
Record: 116-93
Playoffs: None
Overall Consensus: Girardi had big shoes to fill after Joe Torre left, and has been okay so far. The Yanks didn't make the playoffs in his first season, missing out on October baseball for the first time since 1993. In '09, the Yanks have shown some signs of life and increasing chemistry. He continues to make questionable decisions but overall has done a decent job. I think he'll continue to have success, find his way back into the playoffs, and has a chance at a championship. However, he won't have the same success that Torre did.

Jerry Manuel
Team: New York Mets
Arrived: June 17, 2008 (replaced Willie Randolph)
Record: 72-52
Playoffs: None
Overall Consensus: Manuel took over for Randolph midseason in '08 and helped stabilize a struggling Mets team, only to watch them collapse in September for a 2nd year in a row. The team removed his interim tag, and he's started 2009 off okay despite the team being riddled with injuries. It still seems like he has some relationship issues with players in the clubhouse, namely Jose Reyes, but overall he has held down the fort. If he's going to be successful, he needs to find a way to get the team focusing on the fundamentals of baseball (baserunning especially) and prevent another choke job late in the season. I think it's possible.

Tom Coughlin
Team: New York Giants
Arrived: January 6, 2004 (hired by Giants)
Record: 47-33
Playoffs: 4 times (Super Bowl Champs in 2008, lost NFC divisional game to Eagles in '09, lost NFC wild card games to Panthers and Eagles in '06 and '07, respectively)
Overall Consensus: Tom Coughlin has been around the longest among the NY sports coaches and has done a fine job. The team has made the playoffs in four out to his five seasons at the helm and has won a Super Bowl as well. Not much to complain about here. As long as he keeps the team in the playoffs, he has the talent on the roster to keep them mentioned in Super Bowl talks year after year.

Rex Ryan
Team: New York Jets
Arrived: January 21, 2009 (hired after Eric Mangini was fired)
Record: None, was with Ravens who were 5-11 in 2008
Playoffs: None, won Super Bowl in 2000 with Ravens as Defensive Line Coach
Overall Consensus: Eric Mangini didn't fulfill the dreams of Jets fans, and now, Rex Ryan has the chance to do that. He stresses defense, a major issue for the Jets last season, and brings in a lock-down package that has been lacking in recent years. He still has to figure out who will be the starting QB in 2009 (Kellen Clemens or Mark Sanchez) and who his wide receivers will be, but he has the foundation for a playoff team. He has the potential to succeed but needs to build up his offense a little more.

Mike D'Antoni
Team: New York Knicks
Arrived: May 10, 2008 (hired by Knicks)
Record: 32-50
Playoffs: None, made playoffs previous 4 seasons as Head Coach of the Suns
Overall Consensus: D'Antoni has a major, major task to try and build this Knicks team into a winner. The organization is banking on a big free agent signing in 2010 (namely, Lebron), but as of now, the team is very weak. They have some bright spots in David Lee and Nate Robinson, and showed brief success in 08-09, but not enough to warrant a playoff berth. I don't think he finishes his time in NY with an NBA title, but I do think if he's around after 2010, he can lead the team back to the playoffs.

John Tortorella
Team: New York Rangers
Arrived: February 23, 2009 (hired by Rangers after firing Tom Renney)
Record: 12-7-2
Playoffs: Once in 2008-09, Rangers lost to Capitals in 1st Round
Overall Consensus: He was brought in after Tom Renney was let go to lead the Rangers into the playoffs, and he accomplished that. After blowing a 3-1 series lead, it is now his job to help restructure the team to his liking and use a full season to build a team that can go deep into the playoffs. He has a good style of play that's aggressive and stresses scoring, but lacks a big-time scorer. If he can nab someone like Ilya Kovalchuk, the Rangers have a great mix of young and old talent that can lead to success. He can have a temper though, and he needs to learn to keep his cool. No more squirting water on fans behind the bench! I say he brings the Rangers back to the playoffs, but won't win a Stanley Cup during his time at The Garden.

Scott Gordon
Team: New York Islanders
Arrived: August 12, 2008 (hired by Islanders after firing Ted Nolan)
Record: 26-45-9
Playoffs: None
Overall Consensus: Just like D'Antoni, he has a tall task to take this team of youngsters and bring them to the playoffs and beyond. The Islanders are the joke of the league and will not get any true, proven talent as long as they are playing at Nassau Coliseum. Until they get their new arena, IF they get a new arena, they will continue to struggle because simply, no one wants to play there and fans don't want to go and watch. I don't see a bright future for Gordon and the Islanders, and I think he's gone before the end of the upcoming season.

That does it for this debate. I left out Lawrence Frank (Nets) and Brent Sutter (Devils) since they're mostly NJ. However, Frank had some early success with the Nets but has struggled since, and Sutter has helped the Devils continue making the playoffs and will do so with the teams he keeps producing. Let me know your thoughts on all of the coaches.

In addition, since baseball is in high swing, I will try and do some liveblogging later on tonight with the Yanks at Cleveland and the Mets hosting the Marlins. I will especially be active with this when the Yanks and Mets play each other in June. Until then, I plan on being more active once again!