Sloppy Yankees Lose Game of Bullpen Roulette

I guess you can’t blame the Yankees if they were less than focused for tonight’s game. Going from the White House to a game against the 3-16 Orioles can be somewhat anticlimactic. However, a manager’s job is to get the team focused for every game, and Joe Girardi failed to do that tonight. From impatient at bats to poor defense to awful base running, the Yankees seemed as if they weren’t ready to play tonight’s game.

Phil Hughes was pulled after 5 2/3 innings, paving the way for an Orioles rally.

Fortunately, Phil Hughes was on his game after some early struggles. After walking in a run in the second inning, Hughes induced a double play grounder from Adam Jones and then set about retiring 11 of the next 12. Yet, for some reason Joe Girardi inexplicably decided to lift him with two outs and no one on in the sixth. Just has he did on Sunday when he removed Alfredo Aceves despite his throwing 1 2/3 hitless innings, Girardi embarked on a game of bullpen roulette and the Yankees took another bullet. In the last three losses, Girardi’s poor use of the bullpen has figured prominently, continuing a pattern that developed last year.

While Boone Logan and David Robertson did most of the damage in the sixth inning, errors by Jeter and Posada in the bottom of the 8^th inning wound up creating the eventual winning running. This being the Orioles, the Yankees did eventually rally in the ninth and put the tying run on third base, but Alex Rodriguez’ bid for an RBI single died in the glove of Julio Lugo. The late game rally aside, this was one of the more embarrassing efforts the Yankees have put forth in some time.

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Game 19: Yankees vs. Orioles

The Yankees make their first visit to Baltimore to face the struggling Orioles, who have started the season at a disappointing 3-16. The Orioles entered the season amid a swirl of unusual optimism thanks to promising young players such as Matt Weiters, Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Brain Matusz, but have been felled by a struggling offense and abysmal bullpen that has blown 5 saves and lost 6 games.

Coming off one of the best starts of his career, Phil Hughes hopes to add to the Orioles misery. If Hughes can establish his fastball early in the game, he should have another strong start. With the way the Yankee lineup has hit Orioles starter Kevin Millwood, Hughes should also be able to rely on plenty of run support. Despite a 0-3 record, Millwood has actually pitched well, but he can’t like some of the matchups he will encounter tonight. In total, the Yankees’ lineup has an astonishing line of .345/.406/.602 in 192 PAs. There are lusty batting averages up and down the lineup, but Randy Winn’s .611 at the bottom of the order stands out the most. With Nick Swisher taking over the DH slot from the still ailing Nick Johnson, the outfield of Winn, Granderson and Gardner represents the Yankees’ best defensive alignment.

vs. Kevin Millwood	PA	BA	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI
Derek Jeter SS	28	0.320	0.370	0.480	0	2
Brett Gardner LF	6	0.400	0.400	0.400	0	0
Mark Teixeira 1B	14	0.308	0.357	0.615	1	1
Alex Rodriguez 3B	23	0.429	0.478	0.619	1	2
Robinson Cano 2B	18	0.333	0.333	0.500	1	3
Jorge Posada C	17	0.214	0.353	0.429	1	2
Curtis Granderson CF	33	0.214	0.333	0.464	1	3
Nick Swisher DH	35	0.345	0.457	0.724	3	7
Randy Winn RF	18	0.611	0.611	1.056	2	6
Total	192	0.345	0.406	0.602	10	26
vs. Phil Hughes	PA	BA	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI
Adam Jones CF	8	0.500	0.500	1.125	1	3
Nick Markakis RF	15	0.429	0.467	0.571	0	3
Matt Wieters C	2	0.000	0.000	0.000	0	0
Miguel Tejada 3B	6	0.000	0.167	0.000	0	0
Luke Scott DH	7	0.571	0.571	0.714	0	1
Ty Wiggington 2B	4	0.250	0.250	1.000	1	2
Rhyne Hughes 1B	0	0.000	0.000	0.000	0	0
Nolan Reimold LF	3	0.000	0.333	0.000	0	0
Cesar Izturis SS	1	0.000	1.000	0.000	0	0
Total	46	0.357	0.391	0.619	2	9

 

Yankees vs. Orioles
Season: 2010	Season: 2009	Season: 2008	All-Time
Tied:: 0-0	NYY: 13-5	NYY: 11-7	NYY: 1222-838

• The Orioles are currently 0-6 at Camden Yards, their worst home losing streak to start a season since going 0-8 at Memorial Stadium in 1988.
• Arod remains one HR behind Frank Robinson on the all-time HR list, while Derek Jeter needs one 2B to pass Don Mattingly on the Yankee list.

Home Away From Home

• Derek Jeter has had 45 multi-hit games at Camden Yards, the most ever by a visiting player. He also has the most hits (140), doubles (25) and plate appearances (516).
• Alex Rodriquez has the most HRs (23) and RBIs (80) by a visiting player at Camden Yards.
• Nick Swisher has the highest OPS (1.220) by a visiting player at Camden Yards.

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Yankees Go To Bat For Charity

Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira pose with two wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Before yesterday’s meeting with President Barrack Obama, the Yankees paid a visit to wounded soldiers recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The President not only lauded the Yankees for their visit, but also cited several players for their charitable work. In what has become an increasingly cynical time in sports, it is important to remember that many athletes are appreciative of their status and more than happy to give back. In addition to the many charities that the New York Yankees Foundation helps to support, listed below are just a few foundations and events affiliated with individual Yankees, both past and present. Check them out, and maybe dig into your pocket for a donation.

CC Sabathia’s “PitCCh In” Foundation – Seeks to enrich the lives of inner city youth by working to raise self-esteem through education and athletic activities.

Grand Kids Foundation – Curtis Granderson’s foundation is focused on:  purchasing school supplies for needy families/kids, books and supplies for schools that do not get the funding they always need; establishing baseball programs; and providing equipment and facilities in some of Michigan’s inner cities.

Javier Vazquez Foundation: K’s for Kids – Seeks to raise money for charities that fund juvenile diabetes research.

Joe Girardi’s Catch25 Foundation – Dedicated to providing support to families and individuals across the country who have been challenged with ALS, Alzheimers, cancer, and fertility issues. 

Johnny Damon Foundation – A not-for-profit organization that raises and donates funds to charitable organizations. The Foundation assists local and national programs that provide leadership and growth opportunities for disadvantaged children at risk.

Mariano Rivera Foundation – Provides support to underprivileged children in Panama.

Mark Teixeira Foundation – Funds high school scholarships across the United States.

Mr. October for Kids – Reggie Jackson’s charity for children seeks to improve educational opportunities for underprivileged youth.

Nick Swisher Foundation: Swish’s Wishes – Dedicated to enriching lives and lifting the spirits of children who are facing vital health issues while providing care, comfort and support through the most difficult of times.

Robinson Cano Foundation – Dedicated to assisting children in the Dominican Republic who suffer from heart disease.

Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation – Joe Torre’s foundation funds programs designed to educate children about the issues of violence and domestic abuse.

The Jorge Posada Foundation – Established to help families with children who suffer from craniosysnostosis.

The Mickey Mantle Foundation – The Mickey Mantle Foundation was established to promote organ and tissue donation.

Turn 2 Foundation – Derek Jeter’s foundation is focused on helping youths maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Yogi Berra Celebrity Golf Classic – Charity golf tournament for the benefit of special needs scouting.

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