Have Bat, Will Travel…

May 2, 2010

 

“Robby Cano!  Dontcha know!”…

 

 

 

AP

The words flowed so smoothly from Yankees radio voice John Sterling when Robinson Cano hit a three-run homer in the Yankees’ 12-3 romp over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. 

 

While Cano has carried the team so far this year, Brett Gardner was the catalyst for today’s win.  He hit a run-scoring single in the 2^nd inning for the first run of the game, and added his annual home run in the 4^th.  Gardner has certainly seized his starting opportunity this year, and has been a bright spot in the lineup. 

 

 

Anthony J. Causi/NY Post

 

 

Cano followed with his three-run blast in the fifth… 

 

 

Anthony J. Causi/NY Post

 

After a two-run homer by Nick Swisher in the 6th inning, the Yankees closed their scoring with 5 runs in the 7th.  After a Jorge Posada double to start the inning, the Yankees loaded the bases, thanks in part to an error by White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez.  Derek Jeter walked to force in a run, and both Nick Johnson and Mark Teixeira followed with two-run doubles to the cap the 5-run outburst.  Jorge Posada came to the plate a second time but struck out to end the inning.

 

Mark Melancon lost the shutout in the 9^th when Paul Konerko connected on a three-run shot, but the story of the game was the masterful pitching of Phil Hughes.  Unlike Javy Vazquez, Phil Hughes has been terrific. 

 

 

Anthony J. Causi/NY Post

 

 

It was three years ago today when Phil Hughes was in the midst of a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers when a pulled left hamstring forced him to leave the game after 6 1/3 innings.  The batter at the plate at day when Hughes pulled the hamstring?  Current Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira.  Nevertheless, after contributing to the Yankees World Series run last year as setup man for Mariano Rivera, Hughes has shown that he belongs in the starting rotation.  His pitching line today is what you would expect from the ace of the staff, not the #5 starter…

 

IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
7.0	4	0	0	1	6	0	99-69	1.44

 

 

In Saturday’s 7-6 loss to the White Sox, the Yankees lost centerfielder Curtis Granderson who strained his groin while running between 2^nd and 3^rd on a hit and run single.  He was placed on the 15-day DL after the game, and will most likely be out for a month.

 

 

Noah K. Murray/The Star Ledger

 

 

The goat for Saturday’s loss was former White Sox pitcher Javier Vazquez who continued his string of pathetic performances.  Following the game, I heard much speculation that Vazquez should be pulled from the rotation for his next start (Friday night in Boston).  I think it is still too early to give up on Vazquez.  He is too talented and I think he’ll work through this difficult stretch.  No good would be gained by pulling Vazquez and it would be very damaging to the pitcher’s psyche.

 

 

Christopher Pasatieri/Newsday/MCT

 

 

With today’s win, the Yankees have now captured 7 of their first 8 series this season.  At 16-8, they are still in second place, 1 ½ games behind the Tampa Bay Rays.   All things considered, I feel good about where the team is as we head into May.  I feel very confident that players like Teixeira, Vazquez, and Nick Johnson will start playing to the levels we’ve been accustomed to.  The rotation is solid, despite Vazquez, so if he comes around, it could be a very dominating staff. 

 

The Yankees now await the Baltimore Orioles in the Bronx for a series beginning Monday night.  The O’s know they can beat the Yankees and they are fresh off a weekend sweep of the Boston Red Sox so they’ll be coming to town with newfound confidence.  It should be a good series.  After the O’s depart on Wednesday, the Yankees will head to Fenway Park for a weekend series against the Red Sox.

 

 

Boston Globe Staff

 

 

Speaking of Yankees-Red Sox, Julia of Julia’s Rants fulfilled her part of the wager for the loss of the first season series between the two teams.  Her punishment was reading Dawn of a Dynasty:  The Incredible and Improbably Story of the 1947 New York Yankees by Frank Strauss.  You’ll find her excellent book report here.

 

 

 

 

Excellent job Julia!  You get an A+!  J

 

 

 

 

For our next wager, we have opted to add a sense of adventure.  If the Red Sox lose the series, Julia will be forced to search for an inexpensive piece of Yankee memorabilia.  It can’t be something current and easy to find.  It must be older and relate to the opposing team’s past.  The loser will detail the adventure on their blog, along with photos of the journey and the piece of memorabilia found.  If I lose, I will have to search the San Francisco area for Red So memorabilia.  Here’s to hoping for a most excellent adventure in Julia‘s future!

 

 

 

 

 

Good luck to QB Ryan Perrilloux!  He had a tryout at the Minnesota Vikings mini-camp this weekend.  Hopefully, his performance will net a contract so he can continue his audition in training camp.  There would be nothing better than grabbing a clipboard to study under Brett Favre (assuming that Favre returns as expected).   

 

 

Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune

Written by Fid Posted in Dailies Tagged with Brett Gardner, Javier Vazquez, Julia's Rants, Mark Teixeira, Phil Hughes, Red Sox, Robinson Cano, Ryan Perrilloux, Vikings, White Sox, Yankees