06/02: June 1st @ The Tigers
Posted by: James
A loss isn't the worst thing in the world and going into the series, taking 3 of 4 from the team with the best record in baseball is surely something all Yankees fans would have signed up for.
That being said, the way the game was lost last night still leaves a bad taste. When you go up against a young, fireballing ace and can go up 5-0 on a team by the end of the third inning, your pitchers have got to find a way to go 6 innings without giving up 6 runs. It isn't too much to ask but Wang couldn't hold the lead, coming apart in the 4th and 5th and something's definitely up there. Orel Hersheiser pointed out that Wang doesn't pitch with the same form when coming out of the stretch (he loses the strike zone, gets behind hitters and then has to groove fastballs down the middle) and the numbers bear that out. With runners on, he's falling apart (.358/.402/.468/.870) and for those who were wondering, yes, the same thing applied last year as well (.287/.338/.414/.752) though certainly not to the same extent. However, he just looks shell shocked right now.
Terrence Long should not be on a major league roster. His first three at-bats were cheap outfield flies (each time, something productive would have scored another run) and when he came up for the fourth time, when an outfield fly meant another run, what did he do? Facing a pitcher who was losing the plate, he fouled out to third. Ouch. In total, Long left nine (9!) runners on base last night.
Of course, if Farnsworth holds the lead, that's a moot point. Or is it vice-versa? If Long brings home some of those runs, does Farnsworth lose the game? Depends on who you're looking to throw under the bus, I guess. Most people seem to be picking Farnsworth. Not me - yes, I agree he pitched a bad game (with his stuff, I'm amazed he walks as many as he does) and he's had a bad month but I don't recall hearing all this negativity towards Farnsworth when he had a 2.89 ERA after the first month or when he K'd David Ortiz. Already, after his first 24 innings in pinstripes, we have guys calling him a bum. Give me a break. He's not old, he's not hurt and he Ks people with authority. His walk rate is at the highest point in his career. Does anyone out there really believe that it will stay up there? I mean, come on, he's not Mo with pinpoint control but those walks will drop while those Ks will remain the same. That's the combination for a very good power reliever and the same guys who are calling for his head now will be hemming and hawing when he starts doing his job better.
Any good news? Well, it looks like (knock on wood) Giambi is starting to get his hitting grove back on. A healthy Giambi hitting in front of A-Rod would be very helpful to this team as it tries to navigate all these injuries. Robbie Cano looks to be doing the same as well, getting his average back over .300 and starting to show some of the power that he showcased last year. Andy Phillips is starting to get more ABs and as such, starting to hit (what an interesting coincidence). Maybe, just maybe!, Torre will now actually use him on a consistent basis. I'm not sure what to think about Rasner at this point. Don't get me wrong, I like the guy a lot but I am disappointed that his leash wasn't a little bit longer last night. I would have left him in until he gave up another hit or walked a guy. It would have his start day if he was in Columbus so it's not like he would have been tired. who knows, maybe they're saving him for Small's next start. One can only hope.
That being said, the way the game was lost last night still leaves a bad taste. When you go up against a young, fireballing ace and can go up 5-0 on a team by the end of the third inning, your pitchers have got to find a way to go 6 innings without giving up 6 runs. It isn't too much to ask but Wang couldn't hold the lead, coming apart in the 4th and 5th and something's definitely up there. Orel Hersheiser pointed out that Wang doesn't pitch with the same form when coming out of the stretch (he loses the strike zone, gets behind hitters and then has to groove fastballs down the middle) and the numbers bear that out. With runners on, he's falling apart (.358/.402/.468/.870) and for those who were wondering, yes, the same thing applied last year as well (.287/.338/.414/.752) though certainly not to the same extent. However, he just looks shell shocked right now.
Terrence Long should not be on a major league roster. His first three at-bats were cheap outfield flies (each time, something productive would have scored another run) and when he came up for the fourth time, when an outfield fly meant another run, what did he do? Facing a pitcher who was losing the plate, he fouled out to third. Ouch. In total, Long left nine (9!) runners on base last night.
Of course, if Farnsworth holds the lead, that's a moot point. Or is it vice-versa? If Long brings home some of those runs, does Farnsworth lose the game? Depends on who you're looking to throw under the bus, I guess. Most people seem to be picking Farnsworth. Not me - yes, I agree he pitched a bad game (with his stuff, I'm amazed he walks as many as he does) and he's had a bad month but I don't recall hearing all this negativity towards Farnsworth when he had a 2.89 ERA after the first month or when he K'd David Ortiz. Already, after his first 24 innings in pinstripes, we have guys calling him a bum. Give me a break. He's not old, he's not hurt and he Ks people with authority. His walk rate is at the highest point in his career. Does anyone out there really believe that it will stay up there? I mean, come on, he's not Mo with pinpoint control but those walks will drop while those Ks will remain the same. That's the combination for a very good power reliever and the same guys who are calling for his head now will be hemming and hawing when he starts doing his job better.
Any good news? Well, it looks like (knock on wood) Giambi is starting to get his hitting grove back on. A healthy Giambi hitting in front of A-Rod would be very helpful to this team as it tries to navigate all these injuries. Robbie Cano looks to be doing the same as well, getting his average back over .300 and starting to show some of the power that he showcased last year. Andy Phillips is starting to get more ABs and as such, starting to hit (what an interesting coincidence). Maybe, just maybe!, Torre will now actually use him on a consistent basis. I'm not sure what to think about Rasner at this point. Don't get me wrong, I like the guy a lot but I am disappointed that his leash wasn't a little bit longer last night. I would have left him in until he gave up another hit or walked a guy. It would have his start day if he was in Columbus so it's not like he would have been tired. who knows, maybe they're saving him for Small's next start. One can only hope.
Patrick wrote: