05/16: Yankees @ Rays; 5/15/08
Posted by: James
I waited to post this recap until I had a chance to go through the game myself. By now, everyone knows the outcome; 5-2 Rays win. Well, here's how it went down and I have some thoughts afterward.
The Yankees were behind early as IPK gave up a leadoff homer to Akinori Iwamura on his 4th pitch of the game. It didn't get a heck of a lot better as the game went on either. It looked like Kennedy would settle down as he got into the third without any trouble. However, in the third, he filled the bases with no out (single, HBP. walk). In what could be interpreted as a good sign, he did battle through the inning (sac fly to shallow left, ground out, K) to give up only one run (which really was the fault of Johnny Damon's arm...or lack thereof). The same happy thoughts can't be derived from the rest of the game though as with 2 out in the 4th, IPK gave up a double Eric Hinske and then a 2 run HR to Shawn Riggans. He gave up another run in the 5th as the Rays played small ball to get a run home off of a leadoff double by Iwamura and that was the game for Kennedy as Girardi went to the pen.
As for the Yankees offense, they were able to scratch out 2 runs off of Gary Glover in the 7th but overall, did very little with the opportunities that they got off of Scott Kazmir.
Now, following this start, there is quite of bit of talk on how to look at this start from Kennedy. Ben over at RAB has a very good post on dissecting what Kennedy showed yesterday as does Steve Lombardi over at WasWatching. As for me, well, my thoughts tend to be between the two points. Was he as agressive as last year? No. Was he more agressive than his earlier starts this year? Certainly. I believe in Kennedy and I think that he will eventually succeed. However, I am not blind to the situation that Girardi and Cashman find themselves in...and it is not one where rookie pitchers are allowed to post 9 ERAs and continually lose games. I believe he will turn it around...and for his sake, I hope that it is sooner rather than later.
By the by, read through the comments in both posts. There are some interesting comments on Kennedy though at times they do seem a bit shrill. I think people forget how to be civil and rationally consider another person's viewpoint. Nevertheless, there are some good points in there so check it out.
The Yankees were behind early as IPK gave up a leadoff homer to Akinori Iwamura on his 4th pitch of the game. It didn't get a heck of a lot better as the game went on either. It looked like Kennedy would settle down as he got into the third without any trouble. However, in the third, he filled the bases with no out (single, HBP. walk). In what could be interpreted as a good sign, he did battle through the inning (sac fly to shallow left, ground out, K) to give up only one run (which really was the fault of Johnny Damon's arm...or lack thereof). The same happy thoughts can't be derived from the rest of the game though as with 2 out in the 4th, IPK gave up a double Eric Hinske and then a 2 run HR to Shawn Riggans. He gave up another run in the 5th as the Rays played small ball to get a run home off of a leadoff double by Iwamura and that was the game for Kennedy as Girardi went to the pen.
As for the Yankees offense, they were able to scratch out 2 runs off of Gary Glover in the 7th but overall, did very little with the opportunities that they got off of Scott Kazmir.
Now, following this start, there is quite of bit of talk on how to look at this start from Kennedy. Ben over at RAB has a very good post on dissecting what Kennedy showed yesterday as does Steve Lombardi over at WasWatching. As for me, well, my thoughts tend to be between the two points. Was he as agressive as last year? No. Was he more agressive than his earlier starts this year? Certainly. I believe in Kennedy and I think that he will eventually succeed. However, I am not blind to the situation that Girardi and Cashman find themselves in...and it is not one where rookie pitchers are allowed to post 9 ERAs and continually lose games. I believe he will turn it around...and for his sake, I hope that it is sooner rather than later.
By the by, read through the comments in both posts. There are some interesting comments on Kennedy though at times they do seem a bit shrill. I think people forget how to be civil and rationally consider another person's viewpoint. Nevertheless, there are some good points in there so check it out.
MARIANO A wrote: