Joba, Phil Get Action In As Yanks Fall 9-7 To
Phills

post from A Die Hard Yankees Fan on 22 March 2010 11:38:00 PM. © A Die Hard Yankees Fan

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E NY Yankees1015000007120Philadelphia5000100129121
WP: M. Stutes (1-0)LP: P. Hughes (0-2)

ON THE MOUND:

Joe Girardi said that he will be making his fifth starter decision on Thursday or Friday so today looks like it was the last day for Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain to prove themselves. Both pitchers pitched in relief today, Joba in the AM intrasquad game and Hughes in the regularly scheduled game in Clearwater against the Phillies.

In the early game, Chamberlain allowed two runs on five hits, walked one and struck out one in five innings pitched. He also had a pretty good ball-to-strike ratio, throwing 48 of his 74 pitches for strikes. Girardi told Bryan Hoch that Chamberlain was hitting 93-94 MPH on the gun, which is also a good sign.

"It keeps getting better," Chamberlain said. "This was probably the best my changeup has ever been. I threw some great pitches today. There's times I got a little bit tired, but those are times you've got to bear in and not take a pitch off, because it can hurt you." (source: Bryan Hoch)

"It felt really good," Chamberlain said. "Threw a lot of good changeups, continued to get my legs under me. The ball felt good coming out of my hand." (source: Marc Carig)

Over in Clearwater, Hughes had some of the best stuff he's had all spring, but was victimized by the long ball, allowing three including a two-run walk-off shot in the bottom of the ninth. The homers were hit by Ben Francisco, Dane Sardinha, and Wilson Valdez, who hit the walk-off. While the final line wasn't too impressive--4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 6 K--his stuff was very good and he threw strikes.

?I felt really good with all my pitches,? he said. ?It just seemed like every fly ball that was hit out there was either going to hit off the wall or leave the yard. I threw probably the best changeups I?ve ever thrown. Probably the first strikeout I?ve ever gotten with a changeup. It?s hard to swallow the three home runs and say I was happy with the way I threw, but I really was.?

?I?ve done all I can do,? Hughes said. ?We?ll just have to see where they want to go from here? I feel like I?ve worked hard to get myself to this point where I can be a successful starter.? (source: Chad Jennings)

Tough decision looms for Girardi.

A.J. Burnett, who started the game against the Phillies, did not have his best day. Here's his line: 4 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB 4 K. ?I threw some good changeups,?Burnett said. ?They got hit, but you keep throwing them. It?s different. In the season, you might start off bringing the curveball out a little earlier, but we wanted to establish that fastball early and they swung early.?

Andy Pettitte started the intrasquad game, and allowed 3 runs on 12 hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out 6 in 4 innings. 54 0f his 80 pitches were strikes.

Mariano Rivera had another easy inning in the intrasquad game: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 22 pitches, 16 strikes.

Chan Ho Park had another impressive outing. In 2.1 innings he allowed just one hit and struck out five. He threw 29 pitches, 20 for strikes.

Royce Ring retired the only batter he faced, the left-handed Raul Ibanez.

Damaso Marte allowed a two hits, walked one, and struck out one in 1.1 innings.

David Robertson struck out three and walked one in 1.1 innings pitched.

THE OFFENSE:

Mark Teixeira went 4-for-4 with a homer (3rd of the spring), a double, a 2 RBI.

Curtis Granderson went 2-for-3, with a double, a walk, an RBI, and a run scored.

Ramiro Pena picked up two hits in four at-bats, scored a run and stole a base.

ABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVGGardner, LF3101000.257Golson, CF1000000.300Granderson, CF3121100.267Miranda, 1B1000000.214Teixeira, 1B4242000.400Winfree, RF1000010.278Swisher, RF3011004.321Weber, J, LF1010000.571Cervelli, C4000014.381a-Pilittere, PH-C1000001.200Pena, R, SS4120000.250Russo, 3B-2B4111011.348Corona, 2B0000000.211Nunez, E, 2B3111001.231Ring, P0000000.000Hughes, P, P1000010.000Burnett, A, P1000011.000Vazquez, Jo, 3B2000010.200Totals3771271612
a-Popped out for Cervelli in the 9th.
BATTING
2B: Granderson (1, Hamels), Teixeira (1, Hamels), Russo (3, Hamels), Nunez, E (3, Hamels), Weber, J (4, Stutes).
3B: Pena, R (1, Hamels).
HR: Teixeira (3, 4th inning off Hamels, 1 on, 2 out).
TB: Granderson 3; Teixeira 8; Swisher; Weber, J 2; Pena, R 4; Russo 2; Nunez, E 2.
RBI: Granderson (2), Swisher (7), Russo (3), Nunez, E (4), Gardner (2), Teixeira 2 (5).
2-out RBI: Swisher; Teixeira 2.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Burnett, A; Swisher; Pilittere.
S: Burnett, A.
SF: Gardner.
GIDP: Cervelli.
Team RISP: 4-for-10.
Team LOB: 7.

BASERUNNING
SB: Pena, R (2, 2nd base off Hamels/Sardinha, D).

IPHRERBBSOHRERABurnett, A4.07553419.00Ring (H, 4)0.10000000.00Hughes, P (BS, 1)(L, 0-2)4.15440634.15

UP NEXT:

The Yankees are off tomorrow. They will get back in action on Wednesday when they host the Nationals.

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlXT/~3/TNSKZI9oMQ4/joba-phil-get-action-
in-as-yanks-fall-9.html

Digg this

A-Rod To Meet With Feds This Friday

post from A Die Hard Yankees Fan on 22 March 2010 11:37:00 PM. © A Die Hard Yankees Fan

From Michael S.Schmidt:

Alex Rodriguez is scheduled to meet on Friday with federal investigators who want to know about his interactions with Anthony Galea, the Canadian-based doctor whose activities are being scrutinized by a number of federal agencies in the United States.

Those authorities are seeking to establish whether Galea has distributed performance-enhancing drugs in this country. The meeting with Rodriguez is expected to take place in Buffalo, according to two people briefed on the matter who did not want to be publicly identified discussing a continuing investigation.

Rodriguez, who has postponed at least one previous meeting with investigators, acknowledged three weeks ago that he had been contacted by them and told reporters then that he would cooperate.
About time it's getting over with. Hopefully it doesn't lead to anything bad.

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlXT/~3/TXE2ZNitcH8/rod-to-meet-with-feds
-this-friday.html

Digg this

Sunday Night Baseball Commerical With Swisher and
Buchholz

post from A Die Hard Yankees Fan on 22 March 2010 11:36:00 PM. © A Die Hard Yankees Fan

video details and more

hilarious!

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlXT/~3/JsoG_QdVwYc/sunday-night-baseball
-commerical-with.html

Digg this

Hoffmann Still In Yanks Plans

post from A Die Hard Yankees Fan on 22 March 2010 11:32:00 PM. © A Die Hard Yankees Fan

From Mark Feinsand:

Hoffmann heads back to the Dodgers for now, but don't be surprised to see him back in the Yankees organization at some point. There have been plenty of whispers in recent weeks about the Yankees sending either Chad Gaudin or Sergio Mitre to Los Angeles for Hoffmann, who the Yankees could then send to Triple-A. As a Rule 5 pick, Hoffmann had to stay on the 25-man roster or be returned to the Dodgers.

The Rule-5 did not permit the Yanks to hold onto Hoffmann and start him in Triple-A. I'm sure they wanted to hold onto him. Trading for him would open up that possibility, and since we've already heard that Gaudin or Mitre will almost certainly be traded before the season this would make sense.

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlXT/~3/XUQKAN01MIQ/hoffmann-still-in-yan
ks-plans.html

Digg this

Four Heads Headed To Minor League Camp

post from A Die Hard Yankees Fan on 22 March 2010 11:27:00 PM. © A Die Hard Yankees Fan

Chad Jennings is reporting that the Yankees have sent Eduardo Nunez, Reegie Corona, Jorge Vazquez and Brandon Laird to minor league camp.

That left Ramiro Pena, Kevin Russo and Juan Miranda as the only non-starting infielders left in big league camp, and left Pena and Russo as the only utility options.

?Pena has the most experience there and we want to see Ruse more, he?s played extremely well,? Girardi said. ?You get to a point when you?ve got young players like Nunez, you want them to play every day, and to get one at-bat per game is not fair to them. They need to go get ready for their season. That?s why we did it today.?

Russo has done everything you could of asked for hitting .348/.407/.478, but based on Girardi's comments and the what he did last year I'm eyeing Pena taking over the utility role.

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlXT/~3/68zHxv5XZjc/four-heads-headed-to-
minor-league-camp.html

Digg this

March 22 2010 Demolition Video

post from Demolition of Yankee Stadium on 22 March 2010 11:10:51 PM. © Demolition of Yankee Stadium

Video Credit: Stadiumpage.com

Read The Full Article:
http://www.demolitionofyankeestadium.com/2010/03/22/march-22-2010-demolition-vide
o/

Digg this

Helton contract details from Renck

post from Purple Row on 22 March 2010 11:07:00 PM. © Purple Row

Helton contract details from Renck

Well, this is very interesting, especially the part about Todd's ability to void the extension. I've never heard of a player being able to do this before. What does everyone make of this?

Read The Full Article:
http://www.purplerow.com/2010/3/22/1386006/helton-contract-details-from-renck

Digg this

Notes From Braves Minor League Camp - 3/22

post from Talking Chop on 22 March 2010 11:05:00 PM. © Talking Chop

Adam Milligan hates baseballs.

View full size photo »

I had no intention of being anywhere near Orlando today, but I'd had so much fun in Jupiter the last few days that I guess the weather decided it was time to jerk me around a little. But, rain or no, I'm in Florida and I'm gonna find some baseball, so I made the two and a half hour drive up to Orlando and was able to catch the second half of the AAA and AA games against the Tigers.

I was a little worried when I got to the parking lot and I didn't see any action on the AAA field. I was able to see that there was a game being played on the AA field so I paid to get into the complex ($13.50, up $2.00 from last year) and was surprised when I walked in and saw there was a game going on on the Major League field. I walked through the corridor and ran into James Parr and Lee Hyde hanging out on the concourse and saw that Eric O'Flaherty was pitching. I spotted Cory Gearrin and Brett Butts sitting behind home plate so I watched with them for a bit. Gearrin informed me that I just missed Jair Jurrjens pitching. JJ was pitching in the AAA game because of the rainout and they played on the Major League field because the team wanted him to pitch off of that mound. Gearrin has been getting into some Big League games himself and apparently he and Butts will travel with the team to St. Lucie tomorrow. Also spotted hanging around the stadium were Mike Minor and Jose Ortegano, as well as Todd Redmond who was keeping a chart on the pitchers.

Stephen Marek pitching in the AAA game against the Tigers as well and after giving up a wind-blown homer he settled down and made the next three hitters look foolish. He really has a funky delivery and if he can keep his fly balls under control he could be an effective reliever.

Juan Abreu pitched in the AA game on the backfields, which was so interesting that Roger McDowell made an appearance to watch. Unfortunately, Abreu was exactly the kind of pitcher today that his numbers would suggest. He gave up a leadoff single, hit the next batter in the foot, and then gave up a bomb of a home run. After the inevitable mound visit, he settled down and got the next three batters in order. If he could ever harness his stuff he'd be outstanding. A few of the other pitchers, Erik Cordier, Brandon Beachy, and Pat Currin, were charting behind the plate and they were convinced their radar gun wasn't working, thinking the numbers were far too low. "85? If that's 85 there's no way I'll ever be able to throw 90 again. Wow." His fastball really was popping, but without control that won't matter.

In that same AA game Adam Milligan continued his assault on all spheroids thrown his way, launching a monster opposite field home run. Adam is wonderful person and incredibly humble. When I congratulated him on the homer he said, "Well, the wind helped a lot." Yes, it was windy, but that didn't account for the forty feet the ball landed past the fence. I was taking pictures of Travis Jones batting before him and, forgetting that Milligan was a left handed hitter, tried to hustle to the other side of the field to get a shot of him from the front while he batted. If he had taken a pitch I'd have been fine, but the first pitch was the one he chose to launch. When I gave him a hard time about not taking a pitch he laughed and said, "Sorry man, he just laid it out there for me," adding, "next time let me know, I'll take a few." As I always point out, the Braves get high quality people in their organization.

I talked to Cody Johnson a little about his experience in Big League camp and he joked that he was just getting the hang of pinch hitting. "They call you up in the bottom of the ninth with two outs," he joked about how he was being utilized. But really, he couldn't have had more fun and is now getting regular at bats in the Minor League games to get ready for the season. I only saw one of his ABs in the AAA game and he went down swinging on a pretty vicious changeup.

I'd forgotten to mention last week that Vladimir Nunez is back with the organization. This makes three years in a row. There was also a new face that I didn't realize was new, Antoan Richardson, and outfielder formerly with the Giants organization. When I saw him working with the outfielders last week I thought he was some really young player whose name I just didn't recognize, but when I saw him playing centerfield in the AAA game I made sure to ask his name. Originally from the Bahamas, Richardson was drafted in the 13th round by the Giants in 2004. The 26 year old began last season with their AA affiliate, the Conneticut Defenders, before being released after hitting just .207 in 50 games and he finished the season playing for the Shaumburg Flyers in the Independent Northern League, hitting .287 with a .823 OPS and 20 stolen bases in 27 games. His game is based on speed as he has 208 stolen bases in 5 professional seasons, including a career high 66 in 2006 for Augusta.

I talked with Kyle Rose, who is learning how to switch hit this Spring. Rose is unbelievably fast and the Braves are trying to make better use of that speed by getting him into the left hand batter's box. It's been an awkward adjustment, but he's getting the hang of it. He'll likely go to Rome this season and while I certainly expect him to be successful, remember that if he struggles this major change is probably a huge reason why.

Dustin Evans threw a scoreless inning on the road in Lakeland today and he said it went well. After basically missing the last two years he's finally pain free this Spring. I asked if he would be starting or relieving this year and he honestly didn't know. His preference would be to relieve, because first he thinks it would be less strain on his arm and make him less likely to get hurt again, and second, as he put it, "the clock is ticking". Dut was one of the Braves top pitching prospects before all his injuries, so if he can stay healthy it will be a great boon for the system.

Paul Clemens also pitched on the road, allowing just a pair of hits over two scoreless innings. He's been very happy with his results this Spring and is excited for the season to start. He was gushing about the amount of talent there is in the Braves farm system, saying, "all these guys can play, they're all really good." I mentioned Milligan's homer and he just exhaled in appreciation. "Man, that guy is something," he said. "We had him for a while with Rome and he just crushed." Clemens is a good prospect in his own right; much like some other pitchers, if he can just get his talent under control he'll be amazing. One interesting thing about him is that he has the longest fingers and hands I've ever seen. I can't even imagine what kind of crazy effect he can have on the ball with that kind of leverage and finger strength.

So, even after I thought it was all over, I got to spend one more day around the Braves. Rain, you can't mess with me, no matter how hard you try.

CB Wilkins is the author of the baseball novel Four-A.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.talkingchop.com/2010/3/22/1385866/notes-from-braves-minor-league

Digg this

A-Rod To Meet With Feds On Friday

From Michael S.Schmidt:

Alex Rodriguez is scheduled to meet on Friday with federal investigators who want to know about his interactions with Anthony Galea, the Canadian-based doctor whose activities are being scrutinized by a number of federal agencies in the United States.

Those authorities are seeking to establish whether Galea has distributed performance-enhancing drugs in this country. The meeting with Rodriguez is expected to take place in Buffalo, according to two people briefed on the matter who did not want to be publicly identified discussing a continuing investigation.

Rodriguez, who has postponed at least one previous meeting with investigators, acknowledged three weeks ago that he had been contacted by them and told reporters then that he would cooperate.

At least they'll be able to get this over with soon. Let's just hope nothing bad comes out of it.

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SlidingIntoHome/~3/HsiL1TGXJFE/rod-to-meet-with-fe
ds-on-friday.html

Digg this

Hardball Times on Starting Rotations: Guess Who
Was the Worst of All-Time

Chris Jaffe at THT recently took a look at various facts around starting rotations.

So guess who was the worst rotation of all-time?

On the Royals in 2005, Jose Lima allowed 219 hits (including 31 homers) in 168.2 innings while walking 61 batters and whiffing only 80. As a reward for this horrible pitching, manager Buddy Bell decided to leave him in the rotation all year. Yeah, the Royals didn't have many quality pitchers that year, but Bell benched guys doing worse. In fact, Lima tied a record that year for lowest ERA+ (63) for any pitcher in MLB history with more than 30 starts.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.royalsreview.com/2010/3/22/1385921/hardball-times-on-starting

Digg this