4.8.07: BAL @ NYY: All Pregame Info & Discussion

[TheBamTino24]

Happy Easter to all.

Thanks to the incredible heroics put forth by Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees will look for their first series win of 2007 this afternoon in The Bronx.

Trailing 7-3 with 1 out in the 8th inning, New York staged an improbable rally against a tough Baltimore bullpen to even their record at 2-2. After walks to Bobby Abreu and Rodriguez, Jason Giambi blasted a mammoth 3-run HR off of Dennys Baez to bring the Yankees back to trailing by just 1, 7-6. With 2 outs and nobody on in the 9th, the Yankees then began one of the most remarkable comebacks you'll see:

A sharp single by Robinson Cano, an outstanding AB by Derek Jeter that resulted in a walk, and a HBP of Abreu led to the theatrics of Rodriguez. A-Rod took a letter-high 2-2, mid-90's fastball and promptly deposited it into the historical blackened seats in CF. Ballgame. Walk-off Grand Slam. Incredible.

Not to be lost in the emotion of the victory was another awful performance by a Yankee starting pitcher. Although Kei Igawa now owns the distinction of the longest out by a NYY SP with just 5 IP, he was horrendously high in the zone all day long, resulting in 8 hits, 2 HR, and 7 ER.

Darrell Rasner, who went 3-1, 4.43 with NYY last year (6G/3GS) will start today against talented Baltimore LHP Erik Bedard (0-1, 11.57).

Rasner vs. BAL:

HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Ramon Hernandez	2	1	0	0	1	3	0	0	.500	.500	2.000	2.500
Brian Roberts	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.500	.500	.500	1.000
Nick Markakis	2	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	1.000	1.000	1.500	2.500
Miguel Tejada	1	1	0	0	0	2	1	0	1.000	1.000	1.000	2.000
Kevin Millar	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Melvin Mora	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.500	.000	.500
Jay Gibbons	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.500	.000	.500
Totals	10	5	1	0	1	5	3	0	.500	.615	.900	1.515

Bedard vs. NYY:

HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Johnny Damon	23	5	1	0	0	1	2	0	.217	.280	.261	.541
Derek Jeter	22	7	0	1	0	2	3	9	.318	.400	.409	.809
Alex Rodriguez	21	9	0	0	1	5	2	6	.429	.458	.571	1.030
Jorge Posada	16	5	1	0	0	1	4	3	.313	.450	.375	.825
Bobby Abreu	14	3	0	0	0	0	5	5	.214	.421	.214	.635
Hideki Matsui	14	3	0	0	0	1	2	2	.214	.313	.214	.527
Robinson Cano	14	4	2	0	0	0	0	4	.286	.286	.429	.714
Jason Giambi	13	4	1	0	2	6	5	4	.308	.550	.846	1.396
Josh Phelps	13	2	0	0	0	0	1	3	.154	.214	.154	.368
Miguel Cairo	4	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.500	.600	.500	1.100
Melky Cabrera	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	.000	.250	.000	.250
Doug Mientkiewicz	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000
Totals	159	44	5	1	3	16	26	40	.277	.383	.377	.760

[spyglass]

Let's use yesterday as a place to start.

Also, it would be awesome if we could get five innings out of Rasner

[hardrain]

as always, wonderful stuff, BamTino

[Haywood2K6]

Will we finally get a starter to give us a quality start? Is this the day? Lets hope so.

[I Heart Jeter]

Why is Rasner starting and not Pavano? I thought they would bypass the 5th starter since Pavano had pitched on Monday and already is on 5 days' rest....

[TheBamTino24]

Why is Rasner starting and not Pavano? I thought they would bypass the 5th starter since Pavano had pitched on Monday and already is on 5 days' rest....

Maybe they wanted Pavano to start in the dome and not the cold. Pavano will start tomorrow night in Minnesota, followed by Pettitte and Mussina on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

I'm interested to see how all 3 bounce back from their disasters this week.

[YankeePride1967]

Why is Rasner starting and not Pavano? I thought they would bypass the 5th starter since Pavano had pitched on Monday and already is on 5 days' rest....

So that Rasner is used as little as possible this month. Whether or not Pavano pitches today or tomorrow or Rasner today or tomorrow isn't the question. Whoever starts today is in position to be passed over more easily on FUTURE off days.

[dont_ya_know24]

cmon ras give us at least 6

[TheBamTino24]

Today's lineup:

YANKEES
Cabrera CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi DH
Phelps 1B
Cano 2B
Cairo LF
Nieves C

Rasner RHP

http://yankees.lohudblogs.com/

Pregame chatter: This looks like a March 15 lineup. ... It’s 36 in the Bronx with a harsh wind, so they’re not taking a chance with Damon. ... No word on Hideki Matsui and whether he had an MRI. ... Can Rasner go six? Can anybody?

I actually do not mind Joe Torre going this conservative today. The weather has been absolutely ridiculous all week and I don't want any other 30-something OFers getting injured worse. Something is going to have be done about this 3-headed 1B situation. We'll need Kevin Thompson up here for the long haul.

[spyglass]

I actually do not mind Joe Torre going this conservative today. The weather has been absolutely ridiculous all week and I don't want any other 30-something OFers getting injured worse. Something is going to have be done about this 3-headed 1B situation. We'll need Kevin Thompson up here for the long haul.

I know what you mean. I keep waiting for them to call Thompson up.

[yankeesmarc923]

looking at this lineup, i can't help but think how lucky we are to have gotten cairo back this year. he truly is an extremely valuable component of this team and i could see him starting a good 60-80 games this season.

[Jace]

looking at this lineup, i can't help but think how lucky we are to have gotten cairo back this year. he truly is an extremely valuable component of this team and i could see him starting a good 60-80 games this season.

Wait till you see how valuable he is when he misplays 2 flyballs into doubles today, he's the best at that

[Bob Saccomano]

Three things I want to see today:

1. A-Rod continuing the heroics.
2. Bedard's ERA remain around 11.57, if not higher
3. Rasner go 6, maybe 7

[NelsonMuntz]

So our backup infielder is playing LF and we have no backup outfielders. This could get interesting.

[ppa79]

WTF? Put Matsui on the DL and bring up KT. I don't want to see Cairo in the outfield.

[Skars]

WTF? Put Matsui on the DL and bring up KT. I don't want to see Cairo in the outfield.

yes lets rush him to the DL so we can lose him for 15 days when he could possibly be ready in a couple of days

[ppa79]

yes lets rush him to the DL so we can lose him for 15 days when he could possibly be ready in a couple of days

Last time a Yankee had a hamstring strain, he was on the DL for 15 days (Wang). When Cano had a hamstring strain last year, he missed a month. These things take time to heal. Damon isn't playing and Matsui isn't playing, this team needs outfielders. You can wait with one, but not both.

[Skars]

Last time a Yankee had a hamstring strain, he was on the DL for 15 days (Wang). When Cano had a hamstring strain last year, he missed a month. These things take time to heal.

Completely different situations. Wang was throwing within a couple of days but he was put on the DL because he needs to have the proper throwing time before his first start.

Again how can you bring Cano up? You dont know how serious his strain was compared to Matsui's especially since theres no MRI yet for Matsui. Cano pulled it seriously last year while Matsui said yesterday he thought he'd be ready to play in a few days if not sooner

If Rasner pitches a good game, I would rather send Igawa down.

Hogwash. I hope the Yankees arent as reactionary as some people here with regards to Igawa. He looked very good in S/T and just had no stuff yesterday. Send Pettitte and Mussina down while you're at it. Rasner is a fill-in guy

[NelsonMuntz]

Hogwash. I hope the Yankees arent as reactionary as some people here with regards to Igawa. He looked very good in S/T and just had no stuff yesterday. Send Pettitte and Mussina down while you're at it. Rasner is a fill-in guy

When did Igawa look good in S/T? I watched most of his starts and he looked awful in every one of them.

[ppa79]

Completely different situations. Wang was throwing within a couple of days but he was put on the DL because he needs to have the proper throwing time before his first start.

Again how can you bring Cano up? You dont know how serious his strain was compared to Matsui's especially since theres no MRI yet for Matsui. Cano pulled it seriously last year while Matsui said yesterday he thought he'd be ready to play in a few days if not sooner

They said Damon would be a couple of days, so far he hasn't played a full game since Monday. It has seriously handicapped the team. Now with Matsui out, we are in terrible shape. Better to DL someone, let him get the rest he needs and bring up someone who can be servicable for 2 weeks.

[ppa79]

Hogwash. I hope the Yankees arent as reactionary as some people here with regards to Igawa. He looked very good in S/T and just had no stuff yesterday. Send Pettitte and Mussina down while you're at it. Rasner is a fill-in guy

Don't bring Pettitte and Mussina into this. Those guys are legit guys and NO ONE has complained about them. Once you start bringing them up, you are seriously starting to lack credibility. We know what we'll get with them.

I don't know what rose colored glasses you had on, but Igawa had control problems in spring training. He still threw a lot of balls and his flyball to ground ball ratio was horrible. If Wang and Karstens didn't get hurt, Igawa would be starting in AAA right now. There are both quotes from Torre and Cashman that they considered this.

[Bob Saccomano]

Last time a Yankee had a hamstring strain, he was on the DL for 15 days (Wang). When Cano had a hamstring strain last year, he missed a month. These things take time to heal. Damon isn't playing and Matsui isn't playing, this team needs outfielders. You can wait with one, but not both.

I think it has to do with how bad the strain is. Not all hamstring injuries are the same. The predictions I have heard to date suggest that Matsui might be back in a week, which is perfectly reasonable for a minor tweak.

[Pickwick12]

I thought Damon might be back in the lineup this time. I assume he'll be available. Anyone know for sure?

[NelsonMuntz]

WTF? Put Matsui on the DL and bring up KT. I don't want to see Cairo in the outfield.

Do we need Rasner for another start after this game? I'm wondering if they're just planning on sending him down to AAA after today and calling up KT until Wang comes off the DL. That would buy a few days to see how Matsui's hamstring feels without DL'ing him.

[ppa79]

Do we need Rasner for another start after this game? I'm wondering if they're just planning on sending him down to AAA after today and calling up KT until Wang comes off the DL. That would buy a few days to see how Matsui's hamstring feels without DL'ing him.

If Rasner pitches a good game, I would rather send Igawa down.

[Spiker101]

Do we need Rasner for another start after this game? I'm wondering if they're just planning on sending him down to AAA after today and calling up KT until Wang comes off the DL. That would buy a few days to see how Matsui's hamstring feels without DL'ing him.

I like that plan.

[dont_ya_know24]

id rather them bring up phil hughes, to show the yankee starters how to pitch through 5 innings.

[suha]

id rather them bring up phil hughes, to show the yankee starters how to pitch through 5 innings.

Funny, but in all fairness, if the time of year and the weather conditions were different, both Pavano and Pettitte would have pitched at least five. This is not to say that either of them pitched particularly well, but Torre had a somewhat justifiable quick hook in both of those games.

[Jace]

I hope Gene Monahan or whoever is in charge of this forces a mandatory full 25-man roster double length stretching session today

[BroadwayBomber55]

The Rubber Match on Easter Sunday and the final game of the first homestand of the season.

Good luck to Darrell Rasner today. Hopefully, he earns a win today.

[Dr. Gonzo]

rasner will step up, big crushing win today

[Pickwick12]

rasner will step up, big crushing win today

That would be a nice Easter present for all of us.

[dont_ya_know24]

miggy cairo will step up in a big way. just you wait

[Vin]

Rasner strikes me as a soft-thrower/groundballer who doesn't throw many strikes. I don't think he's an average to good pitcher at best.

[Dr. Gonzo]

what cairo is in left????????/

[Mark19]

what cairo is in left????????/

Let's hope nothing goes to him. Yikes!

We would have been better off with Abreu in left and Cairo in right.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Let's hope nothing goes to him. Yikes!

We would have been better off with Abreu in left and Cairo in right.

we need a 5th OF, its that simple

[ojo]

i though igawa was completely awful yesterday. 'not lucky' is not doing justice to what we saw. poor control and when he did get ahead he'd serve up something fat to get smacked. contrary to what michael kay says, only one of those hits were of the bloopy variety. he got hit around pretty damn well yesterday...and on some unforgivable '0-2' situations, too.

[Dr. Gonzo]

i though igawa was completely awful yesterday. 'not lucky' is not doing justice to what we saw. poor control and when he did get ahead he'd serve up something fat to get smacked. contrary to what michael kay says, only one of those hits were of the bloopy variety. he got hit around pretty damn well yesterday...and on some unforgivable '0-2' situations, too.

he was unlucky, but he was terrible, he had no sense of the zone

[ajra21]

if that was "unlucky" i'd hate to see pure awful.

michael kay and ken singleton were sooooo unimpressed with him, and i don't blame him.

let's hope he improves.

[gK]

Watch out boys, my friend who's an Orioles fan said Bedard is a Cy Young candidate. I laughed in his face.

[ppa79]

Watch out boys, my friend who's an Orioles fan said Bedard is a Cy Young candidate. I laughed in his face.

The guy has talent and throws with his left hand. Thats not good news for the Yankees.

[spyglass]

Watch out boys, my friend who's an Orioles fan said Bedard is a Cy Young candidate. I laughed in his face.

I hate to rain on your friend's parade, but the Cy Young has been reserved for Matsuzaka already.

[Skars]

rasner and his slop fastball will make it easier for the yankees to call up thompson after the game

[Chubzilla06]

another starter that doesnt make it to the 6th inning. is this a real concern? Anyone think it could be weather related (cold weather).