I was working up a joke about CC and AJ and Mo and toothaches and the soothing Ivan Novacain but I just don't have anything funny, because nothing is funny about the last couple of games. However, Nova did get out of trouble in the top of the first and Gardner walked to lead off the bottom of the frame at the Stadium. ESPN game. Blah.
Time to go to the old standby: pull my finger and comment away.
Halos
E. Aybar SS
H. Kendrick 2B
B. Abreu DH
T. Hunter RF
M. Trumbo 1B
V. Wells LF
A. Callaspo 3B
P. Bourjos CF
J. Mathis C
G. Richards
Yankees
B. Gardner LF
D. Jeter SS
C. Granderson CF
M. Teixeira 1B
R. Cano 2B
N. Swisher RF
E. Chavez DH
R. Martin C
E. Nunez 3B
I. Nova
Granderson lanuches #30…
3-0. 0 outs. 1st.
Cano blasts a double to the gap with 1 out…
3-0 after 1.
Muscle guns out the thief for the 3rd out…nice.
3 solid innings for Champagne Super Nova…
4 solid innings for Champagne Super Nova…
Leadoff triple for Robbie…
RBI single for Swish.
4-0.
RBI double for Chavez.
5-0.
No outs.
Sick diving catch by the Halos CF’er…wow. 2 outs. On Eduardo Suave.
Gardner ALMOST beats out an infield RBI single with 2 outs…
Called out.
Clearly safe.
Boo.
5-0 after 4.
5 very good innings for Nova…gave up a solo hr.
Sorry to horn in your gamer, krueg, but it doesn’t look like a Sox gamer is coming, so I’ma complain a little here.
I knew going in that Lester had a bad record and ERA against the Twins and Blackburn had a good record and decent ERA against the Sox, but I figured small sample size. Damn if Lester didn’t immediately get into a jam and Blackburn is very sharp.
#31 for Granderson. Wow.
6-1.
Bring it dude. One love.
Nice diving stop by Cano for the 1st out in the 6th…
Lester faces the Twins’ 7-8-9 and walks Delmon Young. Coming into the game, Young had 16 walks all year. Come on.
1-2-3 6th…10 pitches…81 for the game.
How can they take this kid out of the rotation. It would be criminal and just a horrible decision.
Leadoff double for Swish…
Chavez even makes productive outs…I hope he stays healthy.
3rd with 1 out…
I get starting Scutaro and giving Pedroia a day off, but why on earth is Scutaro hitting second?
RBI single for Muscle…
7-1.
7-1 after 6…
7-2…1st and 2nd…no outs…
9-3. Cano is a single away from the cycle…
Sorry about no Sox Gamer.. Was away.. My regrets.
9-3 F
Won a game finally.
Great night for yanks with consonannt-vowel-consonant-vowel last names.
Or names that end in …anderson.
Hmm…I have mixed feelings on Nova’s night. Not very many swings and misses. But he was getting squeezed a good bit. I remember four times where a batter should have been struck out looking, but the call wasn’t made (including the first batter in the 7th).
He was very Chien Ming Wang-esque tonight. I don’t think a pitcher needs a K per inning ratio, but pitching purely to contact relies on the blessings of BABIP far too much. I had my hopes that his new (or is it just improved?) slider would get him near the 6K per 9 innings range. It’s still too early to say, though.
I’m pleased with the start in a vacuum. But as a player who I’m looking for signs of improvement and someone to help stabilize the rotation, there’s a bit to be wary about. Especially considering that this is a weak hitting Angels team.
I see what you’re saying Dusty but I think given the fact that he just didn’t have his best slider last night he did well to keep the hitters off balance even as they were able to make contact. He kept tthe ball down all night and was aggressively working the zone. He also worked quick and seems to have a strong mound presence for a young relative no-name. I don’t think he should be slotted into the 2 slot yet, but based on his performance all year I’d be happy with # 4 if not 3. I’ve had it with AJ but we’re stuck with him so keep running him out there but unless he comes around and fast, I would prefer all 5 of the other starters to him in the post season. And you only need 4 anyway.