05/22: Yankees Play All Around Good Game; Losing Streak Ends at 4
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees got yet another good start from Darrell Rasner and the Yankees finally got some offense going as they ended a 4-game slide with an 8-0 victory over the Orioles. It was an interesting night to say the least, with a home run taken away from A-Rod and an announcement after the game by Joe Girardi that Joba will soon be moving into the rotation.
The Yankees' bats FINALLY woke up as they scored over 4 runs for the first time since May 10. Their 8 runs matched their run total for the previous three games combined. Everybody contributed, as the only Yankee starters without a hit were Jeter and Matsui, who I'd say are entitled to an off night every now and then. Alex Rodriguez homered in his second consecutive game since coming back from the DL, and would have had two had an umpire not made a wrong call on a ball that bounced off the yellow stairway in right field beyond the wall and back onto the field.
Darrell Rasner continues to be a rock for this rotation, as he gave up only 5 hits and a walk in seven shutout innings, and picked up the win (3-0, 1.89). He threw 61 of his 95 pitches for strikes and has allowed only two walks in the four games he's started this season. I know he's only pitched four games so far, but in the three weeks he's been here, you'd be hardpressed to find anybody who's pitched as well as he has.
Of course we can't forget the announcement by Joe Girardi shortly after the game that he has "begun the process" of turning Joba Chamberlain into a starting pitcher. He said that for now he's going to start extending Joba's innings in the bullpen so he can build up some stamina and be ready to move into the rotation at a time that has not yet been announed by the team (I'm guessing after the All-Star break). Chamberlain threw 35 pitches in two shutout innings to close out the game for the Yanks.
It's good to see the Yankees win a game like this, and by that I mean it's a game where we don't have to think "Well, we won the game, but this went wrong." I know this Baltimore team has surprised some people, but let's face it, the Yankees should beat them. No disrespect meant to them and the Mariners, but the next 7 games present a great opportunity for the Yankees to get right back in this thing if they play their "A" game.
The Yankees will look to get their first series victory since May 2-4 against Seattle (why are the Mariners making two trips here in a month?), as the Orioles will send Brian Burres to the mound to face Ian Kennedy, who will be looking for his first win (let's pretend it's not May 22). Game starts at 7:05.
The Yankees' bats FINALLY woke up as they scored over 4 runs for the first time since May 10. Their 8 runs matched their run total for the previous three games combined. Everybody contributed, as the only Yankee starters without a hit were Jeter and Matsui, who I'd say are entitled to an off night every now and then. Alex Rodriguez homered in his second consecutive game since coming back from the DL, and would have had two had an umpire not made a wrong call on a ball that bounced off the yellow stairway in right field beyond the wall and back onto the field.
Darrell Rasner continues to be a rock for this rotation, as he gave up only 5 hits and a walk in seven shutout innings, and picked up the win (3-0, 1.89). He threw 61 of his 95 pitches for strikes and has allowed only two walks in the four games he's started this season. I know he's only pitched four games so far, but in the three weeks he's been here, you'd be hardpressed to find anybody who's pitched as well as he has.
Of course we can't forget the announcement by Joe Girardi shortly after the game that he has "begun the process" of turning Joba Chamberlain into a starting pitcher. He said that for now he's going to start extending Joba's innings in the bullpen so he can build up some stamina and be ready to move into the rotation at a time that has not yet been announed by the team (I'm guessing after the All-Star break). Chamberlain threw 35 pitches in two shutout innings to close out the game for the Yanks.
It's good to see the Yankees win a game like this, and by that I mean it's a game where we don't have to think "Well, we won the game, but this went wrong." I know this Baltimore team has surprised some people, but let's face it, the Yankees should beat them. No disrespect meant to them and the Mariners, but the next 7 games present a great opportunity for the Yankees to get right back in this thing if they play their "A" game.
The Yankees will look to get their first series victory since May 2-4 against Seattle (why are the Mariners making two trips here in a month?), as the Orioles will send Brian Burres to the mound to face Ian Kennedy, who will be looking for his first win (let's pretend it's not May 22). Game starts at 7:05.
