Or perhaps at least a hold for a few innings? New York returns to Yankee Stadium following their successful series against Tampa Bay to face Toronto, winners of two of four at Fenway, with Josh Towers on the mound. Kei Igawa gets the ball as the Yankees on the upside of 500 along with putting a little more distance between themselves and Toronto, and though one would hope for the best, it is difficult to be optimistic considering Igawa’s troubles. Click on the link to his b-r gamelog page to be truly terrified.
The Bombers are 1-3 so far in the season series against the Jays, and have been outscored 21-14, with ten of the Yankees’ runs coming in their one victory. However, the Jays have yet to see Igawa, and the Yankees did reach Towers when he appeared in relief in a game on May 30th, back when the Yanks were seven games under .500 and just about to begin a slight reversal of fortune. Lineups in the extended, comment away.
Toronto
R. Johnson lf .233
A. Rios rf .299
V. Wells cf .252
T. Glaus 3b .288
F. Thomas dh .255
L. Overbay 1b .267
A. Hill 2b .273
G. Zaun c .234
R. Clayton ss .243
New York
J. Damon dh .244
D. Jeter ss .333
B. Abreu rf .269
A. Rodriguez 3b .310
H. Matsui lf .277
J. Posada c .330
R. Cano 2b .271
A. Phillips 1b .302
M. Cabrera cf .274
Well, Igawa gets 3 outs sandwiching a Wells double and an 8 pitch walk to Glaus. 24 pitches through 1, yuck, but we’ll see if he gets better.
Damon pops out and as I’m typing this Jeter doubles to bring the hot Abreu at the plate.
By the way, I like the anti-double post “post” button.. or at least it greys out to give the illusion of doing so anyhow!
Abreu walks on 4 pitches. Let’s get something going here, since we always need runs when Igawa’s pitching. Another 10 run game would be nice!
ARod promptly GIDP to end the inning, Towers getting out of it with only 16 pitches.
Igawa gives up a 6 pitch single to Overbay before striking out Hill and Zaun. Running up his pitch count though – 38 pitches after 1.2. I thought they were trying to get him to pitch to contact more?
I turn around, and he gives up a single and a walk to load the bases for Rios, he of almost .300 and 18 HR’s. Well, this is going to be a long day for me, and a short day for Igawa..
Leaving work in 15 minutes.. first chance to catch the Yankees in a few days. Thanks for the updates, Lar.
The reverse jinx worked of sorts (knock on wood), and Rios flies out to right field. Still, 48 pitches after 2.. err.. I guess that’s.. consistent?
Ya, I’ve been busy the last two weeks looking for housing. Rent in the city is insane to the point where even mass insanity can’t justify it. Back to Brooklyn I go!
As if on cue, Matsui hits a HR to give the Yanks a 1-0 lead. I wanted to added previously that ARod’s DP leaves a “red hot” Matsui on deck, but didn’t want to jinx it. A 3-spot would be sweet, but so is getting on the board!
Matsui quietly has 14 HR’s and 56 RBI’s. Also, he’s 8 away from 100 career HR’s.
Anyhoo, Posada grounds out, and hopefully we get the patient Cano today.
Looks like we get the Can-Do, with another solo shot to give them a 2-0 lead. Sweet!
Philips flies out on 2 pitches. Melky grounds out on full count.
End of 2, it’s 2-0 Yanks.
Towers with 36 pitches after 2. I haven’t been doing my research, how’s the Toronto pen this year (without Ryan, after all)? I know Accardo is at least decent, but what about the aggregate?
Igawa walks Wells on 7 pitches. Not the worst thing in the world.
Then again, he’s actually only batting .250s as of right now. Usually he’s at 300somethings, so idea.
Still, Igawa’s taking the momentum the Yanks gave him and told it to go away.
Well, good news is Igawa finally pitching to contact. Bad news is that contact left the park. Glaus hits a 2 run HR, and yes, that walk stings, and now it’s a 2-2 game, with nobody out.
And then Thomas just struck out.
Overbay grounds out, and Hill lines out.
Igawa now at 69 pitches through 3. I don’t even want to make a joke anymore.
And perhaps surprising to some of us, the 6.something ERA that “had to go down” just went up. Grumbles.
Also, for the two of you that are too lazy to click on the Sox thread, Manny and “the small one” each hit a HR to give the Sox a 2-0 lead. Obviously if this holds we’ll have to win to keep pace.. we gave away too many games and each loss is getting more and more expensive..
Damon grounds out to lead off the inning. Jeter singles again, bringing up Abreu.
Abreu’s very patient today – always a good sign. He literally hasn’t swung at a pitch yet.
Okay, just when I finished typing that, he grounds into fielder’s choice, Jeter out at second. Here comes ARod.
I was holding my breath for it (and during this monster year, who isn’t?), and ARod smacks a 2 run HR. 32nd HR of the year, and RBI’s 88 and 89.
The Yanks are now up 4-2. I hate to rely on the long ball, but hey, I ain’t complaining right now.
Matsui follows it up by driving it deep, but not deep enough. Towers still only threw 50 pitches to get through 3. At the end of 3, it’s 4-2 Yanks.
By the way, unrelated, knock on wood, cherry on top, I haven’t gotten a capcha yet. So at least you don’t see me commenting on the ARod HR 15 mins later because I forgot to type in the capcha.
I got home just in time to see Igawa give up the two-run shot.
Thank goodness Abreu was on his horse on the DP ball.
ag – ya, I was thinking the same thing. Good thing he’s relatively speedy.
And now Igawa is giving Zaun a long at bat..
And on the 8th pitch, Zaun said single, pulling the outside pitch just enough. Is it shower time yet?
Jeter showing his “range.”
Wow, good throw by Melky, almost doubling off Zaun on the line drive by Clayton
It’s so weird, watching a center fielder that actually has an arm. I think I could get used to that.
ag – ya, it’s been awhile.. now if he can develop into a Damon..
Okay, I’m heading home. Go Yankees!
Igawa rings up Johnson swinging. Handy, that. Here comes Rios.
Ah, the Yankees get back within single digits in the standings and the game commenters return…
;-)
Igawa misses pretty badly on every pitch except the 3-0 gimmie to walk Rios. First and second to Wells.
True that. It’s been frightfully quiet in these gamers.
Wells takes Igawa for a ride to the track, but Cabrera reels it in to end the inning.
Igawa doesn’t look happy.
Igawa doesn’t look happy.
It’s called “realization of suck”. It’s not fun. I had it during my last year of little league…
hey SF, if you can find me housing cheap, I’ll comment everyday! =P
I pretty much devoted much of my time doing research and calling people, etc. This stuff is stressful!
Igawa is definitely making things interesting.
Grumbles.
Okay, now I’m really getting off.
Like the Jays on Igawa, the Yankees are hitting Towers hard. I’m surprised this game isn’t 9-7 or some such.
The Jays are just emulating what they are familiar with from this past series with the Sox, leaving a ton on base.
Glaus homers again. Not even a question on this one. Yanks 4, Jays 3. Thomas up.
stepped in for a second to see the Glaus homer. Man, this Igawa is something else!
Shot of Erwin Santana warming up slowly on the bike. Man, he’s thinner than a blade of grass.
Thmoas hits it just about 390 feet out and a long ways up. Fortunately the wall is 400 feet away.
it’s painful to watch Igawa. Every pitch looks so hittable. And Overbay dinks one into center.
Overbay singles.
Guidry gets on the phone and Brian Bruney is now up in the pen. I almost feel bad for Igawa.
I would love for a classic walein transcription of the Gator-Igawa meeting at the mound.
Ramirez up in the pen as well.
fan graphs says there is a 110% chance the Jays will tie the game this inning.
down to 100% after the nice k by Igawa.
rings him up. 7 k’s for Igawa! Whaddayaknow!
Now back to back singing K’s to Hill and Zaun. Tough to figure.
alright I’m now out for a late dinner. Go Yanks!
> I would love for a classic walein transcription of the Gator-Igawa meeting at the mound.
I miss Walein’s writing. Great, funny stuff. I’ll try and do right by him in my own way.
==
Gator: “Mon ami, jes you toss dis here ball over yonder to Jorge donn away.”
Kei: “John Wayne? Wakaranai desu, Guidry-san.”
Gator: “Walka high? You non worry bout some two-step. See dat man? He’s gone keel dat ball should’n you non keep it low.”
Kei: “Hai. Guidry-san.”
Gator: “Low!”
Kei: “Hai, Guidry-San!”
Gator: “High???”
Kei: “High??? Hai. *sigh*”
Gator: “*sigh* Mon dieu.”
Kei: “Chikushoo.”
Robi with a double off the right center wall. Nice. Posada has to hold at third on a good play by Wells off the wall.
Andy! Single up the middle puts the Yankees up 6-4.
What a grab by Matsui.
Proctor ends the inning with a swinging K after giving everyone a bit of a heart attack.
Jeter’s pissed as League is getting a bit more of the knees than he probably should.
Trying to get the grill going for a late dinner while watching the game. I need Scott’s help getting good flame. Jorge hits into the 543 for two away in the bottom of eight.
Mo makes it interesting by giving up a triple leading off. Luckily, we have a 2 run lead.
This is a good game for me in terms of fantasy though, I actually have Glaus in a league with OPS. It’s sweet.
Mo shuts the door after a lead off triple. It’s nice to win a few games in a row..
Anybody notice that Matsui really seems to be heating up in the home run department.
He hit another way tonight. It seems like he is hitting a homer every other game.