Double Play Machines
May 14th 2008 19:34
You know things are bad when your baseball team goes down one run and that puts you in a state of fear. You feel that there is little chance of even scoring one single run forgetaboutit if the opposition goes on to score one more…or God forbid two more.
The Yanks are playing without Posada and A. Rod. However, there is absolutely no reason why guys like: Jeter, Abreu, Giambi and Damon (to name just a few guys on the team earning over $10 million this season) can’t put up a few runs.
Last year the Yankees scored on average almost 6 runs a game. This year, if an opposing team scores more than 4 runs, there is little chance the team will be able to make up that kind of deficit.
Last night’s game against Tampa proved no different. Another stellar starting pitching outing from Wang was wasted because The Yanks could not score one single run off of Edwin Jackson. Please note, that it’s Edwin Jackson. Not Josh Beckett. Not Johan Santana. Lately however, if a pitcher wants to appear like Cy Young, they should look forward to playing the Yanks. It’s almost a guarantee to polish up their resume.
The Yanks have once again fallen to two games under .500. Every inning seems to be killed by an automatic double play. During the Dynasty years of the late 90s, the trademark of the Yanks was to punish teams who made mistakes, to get runs when given extra outs. Last night, in the 6th inning, Hinske misplayed a diving attempt at a ball, which landed Jeter on third base with one out. The infield was pulled in, Abreu grounded out to the short stop, forcing Jeter to stay put. Then Matsui popped up to the outfield. Those are fundamental hitting situations that need to be capitalized upon especially when the team is not producing. The Yankees went 0 – 9 with runners in scoring position during the first two games with Tampa.
Last night, a ray of hope came in the ninth inning when Matsui belted a homer off of Tampa closer Troy Percival to tie the score at 1 – 1. Rivera did a nice job of getting out of 10th but failed to put up a 0 in the 11th. It was the first time all season that Rivera has given up a run.
The Yanks have now lost 5 of 7. The suddenly confident Rays are in first place in the AL East. This is the first time in their 11-year franchise history that The Rays have been in first place after the first week of the season. They also have the best record in the American League.
The Yanks are playing without Posada and A. Rod. However, there is absolutely no reason why guys like: Jeter, Abreu, Giambi and Damon (to name just a few guys on the team earning over $10 million this season) can’t put up a few runs.
Last year the Yankees scored on average almost 6 runs a game. This year, if an opposing team scores more than 4 runs, there is little chance the team will be able to make up that kind of deficit.
Last night’s game against Tampa proved no different. Another stellar starting pitching outing from Wang was wasted because The Yanks could not score one single run off of Edwin Jackson. Please note, that it’s Edwin Jackson. Not Josh Beckett. Not Johan Santana. Lately however, if a pitcher wants to appear like Cy Young, they should look forward to playing the Yanks. It’s almost a guarantee to polish up their resume.
Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?
The Yanks have once again fallen to two games under .500. Every inning seems to be killed by an automatic double play. During the Dynasty years of the late 90s, the trademark of the Yanks was to punish teams who made mistakes, to get runs when given extra outs. Last night, in the 6th inning, Hinske misplayed a diving attempt at a ball, which landed Jeter on third base with one out. The infield was pulled in, Abreu grounded out to the short stop, forcing Jeter to stay put. Then Matsui popped up to the outfield. Those are fundamental hitting situations that need to be capitalized upon especially when the team is not producing. The Yankees went 0 – 9 with runners in scoring position during the first two games with Tampa.
Last night, a ray of hope came in the ninth inning when Matsui belted a homer off of Tampa closer Troy Percival to tie the score at 1 – 1. Rivera did a nice job of getting out of 10th but failed to put up a 0 in the 11th. It was the first time all season that Rivera has given up a run.
The Yanks have now lost 5 of 7. The suddenly confident Rays are in first place in the AL East. This is the first time in their 11-year franchise history that The Rays have been in first place after the first week of the season. They also have the best record in the American League.
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Comment by jimmy james
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Very nice article,I enjoyed reading it and I am looking forward to reading more,
jimmyjames