07/06: Yankees Take Batting Practice Off Oriole Pitching, Win 12-3
Posted by: Seamus
Yankee hitters certainly got the memo Tuesday about how Randy Johnson was pitching on only three days rest. The lineup did all they could to help him, but it turned out he didn't really even need it as he gave up just 2 runs in 7 innings as the Yankees blew out the Orioles 12-3. Yesterday's start by Johnson was the first regular season start in which he pitched on only three days rest since a tie-braker game with the Mariners against the Angels for the AL West title in 1995.
Orioles' pitcher Rodrigo Lopez also went on just three days rest but wasn't nearly as effective. The Yankees rocked him for 10 runs on 11 hits in just three full innings pitched. Jeter, Matsui, and Jason Giambi each had three hits, including a home run each for Matsui and Giambi. Gary Sheffield and Alex Rodriguez also homered. The only Yankee starter without a hit was John Flaherty, who really isn't put out there for his offense anyway.
Jason Giambi followed what was probably his best performance in two years with perhaps an even better performance as he went 3-4 with a home run and two doubles. Giambi has hit 3 home runs in the last two days and has raised his average to .268. It's quite an accomplishment considering he was on the interstate before that series in Oakland when Joe Torre started putting him in the lineup more consistently. He is probably just a 1-3 or a 2-4 away from pushing his average up to .270 and his .420 OBP would be good enough for 2nd in the American League, although he does not have enough plate appearances to be eligible (at least the ESPN.com leader board doesn't show him on there). I reckon those numbers would at least put him on par with most other 1B in the A.L., considering the general lack of 1B who have performed well in the A.L. so far this season.
Hideki Matsui's 3-hit game brought his average up to .317. He is now only one point behind A-Rod for the best batting average on the team and is 7th in the American League. He is tied for 4th with 65 RBI. It's really unfortunate because he does deserve to be on the All-Star team with those numbers. Unfortunately though, Matsui's numbers weren't that high throughout most of the voting period and he's gotten so hot over such a short period of time that it's kind of hard to grab everyone else's attention.
The Yankees' victory kept them just 4 games back of the A.L. East leading Red Sox. The Yankees have the day off today before starting a four-game series against Cleveland at the Stadium to finish out the first half.
Orioles' pitcher Rodrigo Lopez also went on just three days rest but wasn't nearly as effective. The Yankees rocked him for 10 runs on 11 hits in just three full innings pitched. Jeter, Matsui, and Jason Giambi each had three hits, including a home run each for Matsui and Giambi. Gary Sheffield and Alex Rodriguez also homered. The only Yankee starter without a hit was John Flaherty, who really isn't put out there for his offense anyway.
Jason Giambi followed what was probably his best performance in two years with perhaps an even better performance as he went 3-4 with a home run and two doubles. Giambi has hit 3 home runs in the last two days and has raised his average to .268. It's quite an accomplishment considering he was on the interstate before that series in Oakland when Joe Torre started putting him in the lineup more consistently. He is probably just a 1-3 or a 2-4 away from pushing his average up to .270 and his .420 OBP would be good enough for 2nd in the American League, although he does not have enough plate appearances to be eligible (at least the ESPN.com leader board doesn't show him on there). I reckon those numbers would at least put him on par with most other 1B in the A.L., considering the general lack of 1B who have performed well in the A.L. so far this season.
Hideki Matsui's 3-hit game brought his average up to .317. He is now only one point behind A-Rod for the best batting average on the team and is 7th in the American League. He is tied for 4th with 65 RBI. It's really unfortunate because he does deserve to be on the All-Star team with those numbers. Unfortunately though, Matsui's numbers weren't that high throughout most of the voting period and he's gotten so hot over such a short period of time that it's kind of hard to grab everyone else's attention.
The Yankees' victory kept them just 4 games back of the A.L. East leading Red Sox. The Yankees have the day off today before starting a four-game series against Cleveland at the Stadium to finish out the first half.
Patrick wrote:
And yet, we have 3 All Star 1Bs! Grrr... ;)
I remember that game in '95. Mark Langston vs. Johnson, wasn't it? Wasn't that the game where Sojo hit that in the parker off a ground ball that got caught under the pitchers chairs in foul territory?