Old School
Lackey plunking Cervelli last night was fine by me. But, I also recognize that it is applying 20th-century justice to a 21st century game. There used to be an unwritten rule in baseball that you didn't show up the pitcher. Both sides knew this and both sides acted in a certain way. But, those days are long gone. What Cervelli did last night is nothing different from what he always does; he claps when he gets to a base after a hit just like Swisher points to the sky. I understand why Lackey didn't appreciate it, but using his logic, David Ortiz should be drilled every time he poses like a statue after launching one into the seats. I also think Lackey did the Yankees a favor, he hit a very popular member of the team and he fired up the Yankees.
As for the game itself, a few observations.
CC Sabathia gutted that one out, didn't he. Use whatever tortured sports cliche you want, I prefer bend but didn't break, but they are apt descriptions of that performance. I wasn't surprised that Girardi went to him in the 6th with that pitch count, but I hope Joe doesn't abandon the six-man rotation after the Boston series now. CC threw 125 pitches, an extra day off would not be a bad thing at all.
I really like the job Boone Logan did last night after giving up the base hit to Crawford. Those were two big outs he got and he was throwing heat to get them. Since May he has been a much better pitcher.
The Yankees really had to win that game. They face Burkett and Lester in the next two and we all know who they are starting tomorrow. I'm not saying the next two are automatic losses, but if they had lost Tuesday, getting swept out of Boston would have been a definite possibility.
I can't figure Jorge Posada out. Each time he looks like he is heating up at the plate he cools off almost as quickly.
Game 2 tonight, which Phil Hughes will we see?
Comments
with all the HBP it makes me wish Youk was playing this series. Despite an underperforming year for Youk take a look at his splits, home/away.
Home OPS : 1.048
Away OPS : 0.666
very similar # of plate appearances. Lowrie had 3 hits so that is fine, just wish Youk was back.
Posted by: blmeanie | August 31, 2011 10:28 AM |
I saw Posada when he played in Minnesota two weeks ago. He looked great. All of his outs were very hard hit. He seemed to be dialed in, but very unlucky.
He's very hard to figure.
Incidentally, the one guy who impressed me more than anyone was Granderson. This guy is suddenly one of the premiere hitters in the league. His approach at the plate -- especially against lefties -- was very impressive. He ropes the ball back up the middle, but will pull it if they give him the right pitch. I'm amazed at the transformation of this guy from the time I last saw him. Also, he is a terrific base-runner and fielder.
One more rave about Granderson: he took time out to go some inner city events for high school ballplayers. I know some people who went to the event and they said the Granderson spent a lot of time with them and was very sincere. This guy could (along with Cano) be the new face of the franchise.
As for Burnett ... well, what can I say other than I was absolutely wrong about this guy?
Posted by: Corey | August 31, 2011 02:33 PM |
That entire game was pure tension - everyone was wound tight. I was amazed that CC never gave up or in - he just battled every pitch, every at bat. By the way, you could hear Girardi throughout the ballpark in the 9th. I thought he was going to pop a blood vessel. That guy was HOT. I was waiting for him to take a page from Butch Hobson's unpire rants, I miss those.
Also, Logan's pitches were LOUD when they hit Cervi's glove so you knew he was holding nothing back, regardless of how smooth his release.
Good game - I got my money's worth, surely !!!
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August 31, 2011 02:35 PM
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