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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[dont_ya_know24]

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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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

[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

[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.

[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.

[Jace]

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

[Pickwick12]

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

[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.

[Mark19]

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

He had a 3.1 ERA and led the team in strikeouts. Sure he was a bit rusty at the start but his last couple of outings were very strong.

[Pickwick12]

He had a 3.1 ERA and led the team in strikeouts. Sure he was a bit rusty at the start but his last couple of outings were very strong.

The Yankees radio commentators seemed to think yesterday wasn't too bad either. They felt like the number of runs scored didn't really reflect how he was pitching.

[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.

[NelsonMuntz]

He had a 3.1 ERA and led the team in strikeouts. Sure he was a bit rusty at the start but his last couple of outings were very strong.

I thought he was more lucky than good.

[Mark19]

The Yankees radio commentators seemed to think yesterday wasn't too bad either. They felt like the number of runs scored didn't really reflect how he was pitching.

He certainly had control problems but the line is misleading. The "3-run double" was a little blop 10 feet behind Mientkiewicz and Jeter couldn't handle the cut-off that would've prevented the third run and nailed the runner to second.

[ppa79]

I thought he was more lucky than good.

He was lucky, 12 walks in 17 innings.

[Mark19]

I thought he was more lucky than good.

"Luck" is very hard to factor in. Every pitcher has some lucky days and unlucky ones. I can think of a few ST starts in which he was lucky to face impatient batters who got victimized by his breaking stuff. I can also remember a couple of spring training starts where some bad calls and poor fielding stuck him with earned runs he hadn't truly earned.

He has the pitching ability to be a useful starter. Let's give it some time.

[mik3]

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.

Genius, he would have been in AAA 'cause he has no history of being a relief pitcher and they wanted him on a schedule, unlike Karstens who would have been the long man in april since there isn't a real need for a 5th starter.

And yeah, most flyball pitchers have a bad g/f ratio. He's a flyball/strikeout pitcher. He got robbed on a bad call against Markakis and the next pitch was a HR. He got robbed on a bad call against Roberts and the next pitch was a bases loaded walk. The bloop landed in a triangle of players, oh well, and Jeter should have come up with the relay and nailed Mora at second.

[mik3]

"Luck" is very hard to factor in. Every pitcher has some lucky days and unlucky ones. I can think of a few ST starts in which he was lucky to face impatient batters who got victimized by his breaking stuff. I can also remember a couple of spring training starts where some bad calls and poor fielding stuck him with earned runs he hadn't truly earned.

He has the pitching ability to be a useful starter. Let's give it some time.

Exactly. Is he going to be an ace in america? Nope.

Is he probably going to be a useful AL 4? Probably.

[Pickwick12]

He has the pitching ability to be a useful starter. Let's give it some time.

I totally agree. I'm remembering the Contreras thing and how long he was given to pull things together before the Yankees moved him on. Igawa deserves the same chance.

[mik3]

I totally agree. I'm remembering the Contreras thing and how long he was given to pull things together before the Yankees moved him on. Igawa deserves the same chance.

Well, Igawa won't be working with an inept pitching coach that tried to turn every pitcher who had any sort of problems into a mirror image of himself in his playing days.

[ppa79]

Genius, he would have been in AAA 'cause he has no history of being a relief pitcher and they wanted him on a schedule, unlike Karstens who would have been the long man in april since there isn't a real need for a 5th starter.

And yeah, most flyball pitchers have a bad g/f ratio. He's a flyball/strikeout pitcher. He got robbed on a bad call against Markakis and the next pitch was a HR. He got robbed on a bad call against Roberts and the next pitch was a bases loaded walk. The bloop landed in a triangle of players, oh well, and Jeter should have come up with the relay and nailed Mora at second.

Wrong genius, they wanted him in AAA because they wanted him to work on his control and Karstens had an unbelievable spring training and he had some ML experience from last year. I don't know in what world 12BB in 17 innings is good control. He has solid stuff, but has command issues. But when Karstens and Wang both got injured, all that went out the window because they didn't have that luxury to put him in AAA to work on his command because they needed pitchers.

If you watched the game, he was behind the count on almost every single hitter. He threw 90+ pitches by 5 innings. His strike to Ball ratio was horrible. Its more magified in the majors because major league hitters will make you pay for pitching behind in the count, while in spring training, you can sometimes get away with it.

[Pickwick12]

Well, Igawa won't be working with an inept pitching coach that tried to turn every pitcher who had any sort of problems into a mirror image of himself in his playing days.

Hear, hear!

[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.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Wrong genius, they wanted him in AAA because they wanted him to work on his control and Karstens had an unbelievable spring training and he had some ML experience from last year. I don't know in what world 12BB in 17 innings is good control. He has solid stuff, but has command issues. But when Karstens and Wang both got injured, all that went out the window because they didn't have that luxury to put him in AAA to work on his command because they needed pitchers.

If you watched the game, he was behind the count on almost every single hitter. He threw 90+ pitches by 5 innings. His strike to Ball ratio was horrible. Its more magified in the majors because major league hitters will make you pay for pitching behind in the count, while in spring training, you can sometimes get away with it.

i guess i am finally old where i have seen enough baseball to sense that igawa didn't seem to have control of his arm. He was throwing and not pitching at all, he just let the ball go and hoped it landed somewhere good, or at least his arm rotation said that.

I was encouraged by his growth in ST and want to see another startt. But i feel with him he is always dancing a fine line between effective and f'd up.

[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.