Flying under the radar

Even greater game yesterday. I have a little obsession with Rasner. It'd be awesome if we win again today...by a huge score.

He is still nothing more than a 4 starter. He has a chance to emerge but he will need aleast the remainder of this season to sell everyone that he more than Small or Chacon. As for Joba, I guess Cash plans on a trade deadline deal or two. Maybe we go with 6 starters or maybe we don't rush Hughes.

Ob, Ignore the post below yours. This is the guy who wants our rotation to look like Wang, Clemens, Wells, Moose, Gooden, Lyle, Guidrey. Rasner's 27 and looks to be blooming late. As I said several times, he and Karstens were projected in our '07 rotation before injuries based on the successes we'd seen from them so success now is no surprise. For bpark to say he's a number 4 means bupkis. He also thinks Wang will never be a staff ace (6-0 to start anyone?) and that Moose was done (4-1 in last 5 starts?)

My concern is not who'll set up Mo - Ramirez has been tough so far and Farnsworth has experience and proven to be much improved over last season. My concern is who replaces Mo. I know I'm thinking down the road and maybe someone will bubble up (a la Paplebon) but it's a worry in the back of my mind.

Isn't Mark Melacoln touted as the possible Yankees' future closer? And damn is it nice to see A-Quad back in the lineup, I missed him like you wouldn't believe.

Golf, your not funny but your rotation is.

How can you make rasner an ace golf, its way too early. He struggled last year and was terrible in spring training this year.

JS,

Yes, Melancon is one of the names most often mentioned for future closer. Watch Cox also! And I'm anxiously waiting for Sanchez to start throwing in game situations!

What will Kennedy show tonight? I'm a little upset by dugout shots of a jovial Kennedy during Tuesday's debacle!

BP,

Is the 23 in your sig tied somehow to Mattingly?

Rasner is a decent 3/4 type starter and can anchor a good rotation. We know Wang is an ace, and Pettitte is our solid veteran (I believe he'll begin pitching better sooner rather than later). Moose has been a nice surprise and if he can get to 12-15 wins that would be fantastic. The #5 spot is a huge question because as of right now as much as I would like to see Kennedy succeed he's been pitiful, 0-4 almost 9.00 ERA it's really laughable. I have no doubts about hughes he's proven he can be a big game pitcher but he needs to prove consistency. If we move Joba as a starter there are a lot of question marks: we've never seen him as a starter in the big leagues, I can almost guarentee he'll be a Rivera like closer but I cannot say with confidence he's be an answer to Beckett or Webb etc. If we move him from the bullpen he'd have to be that type of pitcher because we could groom him to close and he'd be a Pappelbon type closer: fiery, overpowering, and could have started. We need pitching bad, but have the Yankees explored the trade market etc. fully? I don't know but I'll worry when joba starts because we're taking a tried and true formula that's game over 8-9 inning and changing it. If it works fantastic, but if it were my decision I'd exercise every option before I moved Joba.

Hey jeterstar,

Melancon is supposed to be this team's future closer. He looks like he has recovered from TJ surgery. Cox projects more as a setup man since he doesn't have dominating stuff. The jury is still out on Sanchez as he recovers from TJ surgery so we possibly won't see him in action until late August or some time in September.

Oh, ok thanks Matt and Robert. Daniel McCutchen is another name I heard of, as a possible replacement for Chamberlain, I think he's in double A.

Matt,

There are closers around the league without dominating stuff! And I think Sanchez is closer than your estimate.

W,

Right now the price of any decent starter is too high, this may change in July! There are more internal options without trading a bunch of prospects!

JS,

McCutchen was just promoted to AAA. He may be given a chance to start in NY in a few weeks if needed.

wholohan,

I have doubts about Rasner. I'm not about to jump up and down just because he has a few good starts against teams who haven't seen him. It's far too early to say he can anchor any rotation. The real test will be farther down the road when teams start scouting him more closely, and start seeing him for a second or third time. IF Rasner can continue to pitch successfully, especially against those teams who have already seen him, then he would have proven himself as a legit major league starter who deserves to stay in the majors.

In regards to Chamberlain, he will eventually be a starter down the road either sometime this season or next season. The Yanks didn't waste a 1st Rd pick just for him to be a setup man or closer. They got him because he obviously has the stuff to be something more important than a closer or setup man, and that is a dominant starter. IF he succeeds not only will he dominate opponents he will solidify a shaky rotation and give it a possible dominant #1 starter for the future. This team does have other options in its own system so it doesn't necessarily have to look to make trades right away. Time is something the Yanks can't afford to waste after a bad start on other options.

We all need to be more patient not less! The youth movement will take more time than some of us are willing to wait for!

when are the yankees going to get some good pitching? why are they pitching Kennedy again?
lets get rid of Cashman. Why is he still around.
with Cashman the Yankees are going no where ever!
He more than Joe T should have gone last year.
he is clueless.
Anyone want to buy my season tickets?

Fire Cashman, get rid of Kennedy

Cox has only 4 career saves since being drafted in the 2nd RD of the '05 draft. Obviously the Yanks don't see him as a closer either since he has been used more as a setup man in the minors. Yanks should go with STeve White before going with McCutcheon since White has had a longer history of success, and has more experience above AA.

Pitching is the one thing the Yanks have a surplus on in their system. There's nothing wrong with trading some arms to improve the team as long as the talent they get back is worth that price, and the Yanks don't follow the same path they have in the past by going after older, less talented players or who are past their best days. Not trading prospects when you have a chance to fill holes and improve the team is just as bad as making bad trades.

They are pitching Kennedy because it is HIS turn in the rotation. Would you like Wang to throw on 3 days rest? Ian is the 5th starter until Hughes gets back.

No thats niot the reason they are pitching Kennedy. its because Cashman did not do his job and get the pitching staff in the first place. you are better going with 3 man pitching tonight vs Kennedy. He is pathetic and so is Cashman

Cashman may be a complete idiot, but Kennedy is only 23, and needs time in the big leagues, and time taking his lumps, in order to LEARN how to pitch at this high level. If we just get rid of every player that doesn't pitch lights-out right out of the gate, we would have to release 95% of our team. Have some patience.

The young guys we are trying to develop here need to have the chance to lose. They need to overcome the fear and pressure of losing.

I challenge you to go and look at just about ANY pitcher in the big leagues and tell me if impressive rookie seasons are commonplace. Sorry, Bob, but very few have the talent to be able to show up and go Sandy Koufax on opposing lineups. Most big-time starters had shaky rookie seasons. I'm sure you may be able to find a few exceptions, but they will be exceptions that prove the rule.

Robert,

Sanchez isn't scheduled to pitch before June 10.

Robert,

Sanchez isn't scheduled to pitch before June 10.

5 or 6 f-ing starts is not enough to decide someone's entire career. Noone rushes to judgement that quickly, not even the Yankees.

Chaz I agree Kennedy needs to take his lumps it'll mature him, it's just painful to watch. I believe that we need to keep Kennedy pitching, and keep Joba in the 8th for this season. Next season unleash Joba but this season have him pitch more 2-3 inning appearances. Matt I completely agree with you but I believe Raz can and will be good this year, I just have the feeling. Kennedy may stink all year but he'll be better next year if we keep pitching and I think he'll turn things around we've seen him pitch well we know he can, he knows he can but he's just not bringing it to the hitter and they're bopping him. Wang got bashed when we didn't give him adequate rest, so we don't do that anymore. Yankee fans lets not panic we're not out of anything especially the Wild Card and this staff: Wang, Pettitte, Moose, Raz, Kennedy can win games the offense has to wake up that's our glaring problem. We've squandered too many good pitching performances already. Our pitching needs to get better but the offense stinks and I'm not sold they're back yet it's one game. We need to pound the O's tonight and then the M's this weekend. We need more 6+ run games.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the Yanks something like 0-24 when trailing after the 7th inning? What's the point of having someone like Chamberlain in the pen in that situation. 24 games is a lot to waste someone like Chamberlain on. If we had him in the rotation at the start of the season rather than the pen, well who knows.

I agree about Kennedy, the only way he learns to pitch in the majors is by giving him the time in the majors even if it means he takes his lumps. Sending him down to the minors constantly won't help.

Best point FOR starting Joba's transition to the rotation EVER made, Matt. Brilliant point!

Thanks chaz!!!!

That makes me sort of ill. The next time the Yankees come back late in a game will be the first time.

So...when is Chamberlain supposed to be ready? Late July maybe? The Yankees are coming to Texas in August and I plan on catching all three games, that would rock if Joba starts one of those games!

No kidding, Jeterstar! Joba coud be ready by then.

BP,

Is the 23 in your sig tied somehow to Mattingly?

By RobertGKramer@AOL.Com on May 22, 2008 2:16 PM

23 is no more tied to Mattingley than Knicks legend Marcus Camby, 23 is tied to me.

As Kennadia, get your popcorn ready the Giants just won the superbowl. Steven White should start tonight.

The Yankees (according from Mike and the Mad Dog) expect this "Stretching out" to take a month. Matt thats a good point and I knew they are winless after trailing after 7, another factoid: they never came back after trailing by 3 or more runs, so it's game over if the other team goes up 3-0 or better. All I'm saying is the Yankees wouldn't move Joba to the rotation unless they think he's a #1 starter, they wouldn't do it if they thought he'd be a decent starter when he could be the next Mariano. The only problem I have with it is in the playoffs (if we make it, which I think we will still) if you can get the ball to Joba in the 8th it's game blouses. But, if Joba can be as good as a Beckett in the playoffs starting he'll be pitching in the 8th and it's game over as well. I just hope he can be as good as we think, but we've seen Hughes struggle (a 1st rounder) and as much as I want to see Joba start and own everybody I'm apprehensive. P.S. Kennedy: you need a win the Sox are up 11-3 and they'll get another win at home.

Saiki's right, we're also 0-24 or some such when trailing by 3 or more.

As bad as some of our pitching has been, quite frankly it's been the offense that has failed to live up to their billing. We all knew Pitching would be suspect this year, or at the least inconsistent with the Youngin's in there. Moose has had some bad games and even my boy Andy has too, but Wang and now Rasner have been holding the fort, which IS all you can ask them to do. Anytime this teams scores less than 4 and aren't facing a stud, that's unsat', period.

Chamberlain is being 'wasted' as it were at least up to this point. There should be no problem with seeing how this kid can do as a starter. The thing is, if you don't have a lead going into the 7th or the 8th, then the only time Joba is going to come in is during garbage-time. So, whether you look at our offense or our Pitching, bottom line is both have to do better if we expect to hand the ball to our phenom for a Hold. If we start seeing better performances from the both, then you'll likely have a better shot to win anyway, who knows, maybe you bring in someone else in the 8th, where it's our garbage time, rather than theirs! As well, who knows, maybe we go into that 8th with a 3 run lead or so and can afford to have some mistakes happen... but you can't leave Joba in that 'pen when he has yet to prove that he can't handle 6 innings of work. He had a shaky spring but I chalk that up to endurance and other things, none of which are ability related. This guy can pitch in the Bigs as a Starter. For crying out loud if Ted Lilly can, Joba can!

They are pitching Kennedy because it is HIS turn in the rotation. Would you like Wang to throw on 3 days rest? Ian is the 5th starter until Hughes gets back.

By chazbedlam@gmail.com on May 22, 2008 3:01 PM

I disagree Chaz, we are pitching him because Cash thinks we're out of alternatives. This is why the Joba move is happening early without him going to the minors. Kennadia is trash like Bob said.

How about if Barry Zito still can Joba can.

Bpark Kennedy is young had immature, he's a AAAA pitcher too good for AAA not good enough for the MLB. He'll get better but it's kids like that that kill their old organizations when they let them go. You give up on a kid like that and he develops in another organization and turns around and kills you. Kennedy will be fine eventually I'm not saying he goes out and throws 6-7 shutout innings but if he can keep us in the game he'll get the job done as a #5 starter. Kennedy will be fine, and will be a good MLB pitcher if you have patience. Don't be like Hank and start to panic, Hank preached patience and didn't follow through.

Hard to say when Chamberlain will be ready. I would prefer he go down to the minors, and stretch out down there as a starter. IF he stays in the majors he will probably take a little longer as they may only want him to go 2,3, or 4 innings at a time, and then send him down to the minors for 2 or 3 starts. The only reasons they won't do that is because they still want to be careful about the total number of innings he pitches this season, and they may not have anyone ready to replace him in the pen, but I again I prefer they send him down

We'll see after the game, bpark. With some run support, I think Kennedy is going to have you eating your words. Prediction: Kennedy 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 1/3 innings, 2 BB's, and 3 K's. Yankes win 6-4. GO YANKEES!!!!!

Bottom of the 7th...

Red Sox 11, K.C. Royals 5

I will say that the 11th our is upon IPK. The front office will not tolerate very many more failures. He'll be sent down if he doesn't improve soon.

That said the Yankee fan base as a whole was ready to crucify IPK in times square the minute he went 0-2. We are a tough crowd to please.

We will certainly have our work cut our for us in gettng out of the cellar. Baby steps, Jimmy. We need to move in front of Toronto first. Keep your eyes on the prize.

We are 1 game behind Toronto. They are the target that should be in the crosshairs.

As long as Darrell Rasner continues to pitch well and keeps the Yankees in games this youngster remains in the starting rotation. He has earned not just his next start but many more after that. Rasner has proven himself on the mound while others have not. I could careless about potential and/or maturity, Rasner is 3-0 and is in the rotation.

I say if Rasner keeps pitching strong and Joba makes it into the rotation before Hughes returns, then Phil Should pitch from the bullpen and EARN his way into the starting 5. I would give IPK the chance to pitch in long relief out of the pen. I think it's better than sending him down. Of course, he could go on an 8 game winning streak and then we would have 6 viable starters for the stretch run. That would be an awesome problem to have!

Of course all of this speculation is BS if the Yankees can't cosistently score. Won't matter how good or bad anyone is doing if we don't provide run support.

Top of the 8th...

Miguel Olivo of Royals hit a three-run homerun - score now, Red Sox 11, Royals 8

The only team that should be in our crosshairs is Baltimore!

I'm sure they have a timetable for Chamberlain that depends on how rapidly he progresses! Don't expect anyone to say what that is!

As a reliever, Sanchez should not need too much time to be ready! I'm thinking late July, but, everything must go perfectly!

I was very surprised that Kennedy was called back so soon! Tonight we need to see if there is more progress!

White may be the next best option, but, the word is that he is not satisfied with the way he is throwing his own curveball!

Top of the 9th...

Royals have two runners on, with two outs ... Still: Sox 11, KC 8

And is any one of us really thinking that a Tommy John or Phil Niekro would not be welcome now at the talent level they had in the 80s?

Finally, maybe a reason White's not in the Bronx because his numbers certainly showed he should have a shot. Kennedy didn't look as atrocious as usual in his last start and if I see improvement I'm happy. This is a rebuilding year for the Yankees weather we like it or not, but that still does not mean we can't make the playoffs. There are maybe three or four teams that can rebuild and still make the playoffs, and the Yankees are one of them. Don't give up hope on IPK he'll be ok eventually. He's still a rookie and we expected him to pitch like a Moose in his prime, not fair but we need him to pick it up regardless of expectations. Lets go Kennedy, but more important OFFENSE KEEP HITTING THE BALL, one game is not enough to get the NY fan base off your backs!

Here, here, Who!

This clearly not the time to continue an Ian Kennadia experiment.

It actually is the perfect time. What are we gonna do fall further than DEAD LAST? lol

We may as well try Jeter at catcher while we're at it!

If Kennedy can hold the damage to only 3 or 4, and we can score 5 or 6, everyone will be happy! I'd like the kid to show a little more serious demeanor than the joviality I mentioned before! He has no ML wins yet as a married man!
I hope he earns another start next Tuesday on the road in a smaller ballpark!

Bpark this is definitely the time, we stink right now and the offense need motivation to get them going. Whats more motivating than to get a kid his first win of the season. I agree Rob, he shouldn't be smiling but I'd rather see him smiling than moping. Remember when New Yorkers killer Eli for moping on the sidelines and said he doesn't have a leadership mentality. A starter and a QB need similar demeanors. I'm OK with him being happy, but he needs to go out and pitch well. Like I said it's more an offense problem than a pitching problem, but Kennedy needs to pitch well. I think he will do better tonight but we'll see.

We're trying to claw our way back into this thing not keep giving a game back every 5 games.

Eli better watch out, Andre Woodson is in town.

Fly out to left, third out of inning, Game Over...

Final: Red Sox 11, KC Royals 8 ... Boston completes a four-game sweep of the Royals, as the Sox up their record to 31-19 ... The Yankees go into tonight's game 8-games behind the Red Sox ... The Yankees need to go on a long winning streak to keep Boston from getting too far ahead in the standings ... Last year the Yankees were 14.5 games behind the Red Sox when they started their great second half run to make it into the playoffs as the wild card team ... If the Yankees get that far behind [or even 10 games beind] this year, I think that may be too much ground for them to make up ... It's a long season, and yesterday's 8-0 win was a good beginning for the Yankees to put together a long winning streak ... The Yankees need a "BIG" start by Kennedy tonight, [that goes without saying]; but, also, the Yankees have to continue to score many runs each game, and that will take a lot of pressure of the pitching staff ... Also, starting the process of moving Joba Chamberlain into the starting rotation is great news, and will turn out to be one of the best moves the Yankees have ever made ... When all is said and done, Joba could be the "Ace", and "Number One" starter for the Yankees [now] and for many years into the future !!! ... The Yankees play 48 games leading up to the All-Star game [July 15th]... After the all-star break, the Yankees play six straight games at home ... My prediction is: Joba will make his first start in one of the three-games the Yankees play against the Minnesota Twins, [at Yankee Stadium], on July 21, 22, or 23rd ... If everything goes well, Joba could start 15-17 games in the second half, and may be just what we need to lead us into the playoffs ... And, whatever the plan may have been, I think we have to thank Hank Steinbrenner for getting the process [of moving Joba into the rotation], started this early in the season ... I think it is very clear that Hank directed this move from behind the scenes, and it is a move that had to be made !!! ... Go Yankees ... Jimmy27NYY ...

http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/

YANKEES MINOR LEAGUE SCOREBOARD May 21, 2008

Trenton 15
Reading (Phillies) 5
W: P. Coke (3-1, 3.67); L: K. Bouknight (3-5, 4.50)
HR: TRE: A. Jackson (2), J. Tabata (1). REA: B. Harman (3).
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_05_21_treaax_reaaax_1&t=g_box&did=milb
Vero Beach (Rays) 10
Tampa 6
W: M. Walker (1-6, 6.08); L: E. Hacker (2-2, 1.87); SV: N. Frontz (8)
HR: VER: J. Hall (3). TAM: T. Battle (6), K. Anson (2), D. Sublett (2).
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_05_21_vbdafa_tbyafa_1&t=g_box&did=milb
Charleston 20
Greenville (Red Sox) 2
W: C. Heyer (3-0, 1.65); L: J. Alvarez (2-6, 7.43)
HR: CHA: B. Baisley 2 (5), C. Odenreider (1).
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_05_21_crdafx_capafx_1&t=g_box&did=milb
You may also see http://www.yankeesdaily.com for details.

Whose better and available to pitch other then kennedy right now, they're not going to skip him. You can't send him down because there's nobody down there more MLB ready, if White doesn't have confidence in his curve ball he'll get slaughtered more than Kennedy has, and don't even try and say Clemens/Wells thats a joke. Kennedy needs to prove himself but he can't in AAA because he has time in and time out dominated AAA hitters. Like I said you let young pitchers like that go and they all of a sudden turn things on and kill you. Be patient with Kennedy he'll turn it around, and Eli's job is very safe he's a Super Bowl MVP and made the greatest play in Super Bowl history. But this is a baseball blog so I wont start going crazy about football. By the all star break Kennedy will probably be out because Joba and Hughes will be factoring into the rotation. Hughes will have to earn his spot, but it won't be in the bullpen, it'll be in AAA as a starter, but he'll be fine. I'd bet good money he was pitching with a cracked rib (not making it right) but that would explain the crappy start. He's pitched well for us more than once before and he will without a doubt in my mind come back and be a factor in the second half.

YANKEES MINOR LEAGUE SCOREBOARD May 22, 2008

Indianapolis (Pirates) 7p
Scranton/WB
---------------------------------
Trenton
Reading (Phillies) 11:05a
---------------------------------
Tampa
Daytona (Cubs) 7:05p
---------------------------------
Charleston
Greenville (Red Sox) 7p
---------------------------------
You may also see http://www.yankeesdaily.com for details.

Clearly you couldn't list anyone out of baseball who aren't in shape but you would include people like White because they should get their shot. Kennadia has been terrible in all his (6?) outings, someone else's chance, Igawa only got 1 shot.

Yeah Eli is safe but we're didn't draft Woodson because he went to school with Jared Lorenzen, he can play.

Igawa should have been given 2 starts but thats over with, it is someone else chance. Kennadia showed nothing again in his last start to be encouraged. Trade him.

With a lineup of:

Wang
Pettitte
Mussina
Hughes/Rasner(long relief)
Chamberlain

Where is Kennadia?

Bring back Willie Randolph and Paul O'Neill!!!

Igawa was terrible all of his starts last year, I like White but if he's not comfortable in throwing an out pitch he's clearly not ready. I'd rather see him pitch up here while Kenendy struggles but White doesn't believe he's ready. If White felt he was ready I completely agree with you Whits should have his shot, his numbers call for it and the time he's spent in the Yankee's farm system calls for it. Lets see how Kennedy does tonight, I still think he can turn things around he may not pitch a gem, but if he pitches decent like 3ER in 6IP he's put the team in a good place to win. he needs to stop with the 5ER in 5IP nonsense.

Every start people say lets see how he does tonight. Him and Duncan both don't belong here. 1 good start and people will think he is the new David Cone.

not me, I just want to see progression, I'm not expecting Cone out of him, we need a solid start, something to build off of.

What for a trade? His value is pretty low right now. When Phil Hughes comes back there will be 6 people in the rotation without Kennadia

I saw a stat showing the Yankees number of steals this season. Very poor, to say the least. And, it just hit me funny, because it seems like Girardi style of baseball is small-ball, solid fundamental baseball. But, is this reflective of the current players? Or is this a different style for Girardi? Any thoughts?

Joe Girardi = Joe Torre with less experience, and less stroke with his players. He'll sink or swim this season.

Josh, we don't have the players to bunt or atleast they do not appear to be any good at, therefore, small ball Marlins in 05.

So far, so good for IPK. 2 up, 2 down.

ATTA KID, IPK, WAY TO ROCK AND FIRE!!!!!!!

josh,

This team isn't built for small ball, it has never been built for that. This team is made up of mashers who will muscle up and jack one out, with no base stealing threat on the roster. Every player is pretty much slow afoot. IF this team were going to play small ball, it will pretty much have to be gutted.

Nice 6 pitch 1st inning for Burres....

first 2 pitches in the 2nd, the wild hyenna returns.

Cano is a base stealer, Jeter does too. Soriano was a master.

Let's see how IPK throws from the stretch.

LOL I guess an out is an out. Sheesh.

Some deep hard hit flyballs again, could = doubles later.

Double play AND an era under 8! WoooHoooo!

Are we showcasing Duncan, seriously, why is he here?

Actually Cano only has 11 career SB, and has been caught 13 times so far in his career. Jeter, who is really the only "true" base stealing has only 266 career steal in 14 season so far which averages out to about 19 SB per season. Those aren't numbers that would qualify them as basestealing threats or cause opposing managers to lose sleep over them.

IF this team is going to be so insintent to keep a no-talent like Betapuke, then why not keep a better player in Duncan.

Why not get rid of both of them? We need some real pinch hitters, some better bench players period.

Kennadia is rattled.

The progression of a pitcher is the seond through a lineup you adjust so that the opposition is off balance. Notic the second through the O's lineup what is happening. This kid is walking us out of another game. He is NOT showing me anything that he is ready to pitch in New York. Throw a first pitch strike.

Now get ut of the inning.

No real option to replace Duncan or Betapuke, and no team is going to make any trades this time of season, even for benchplayers.

Improvement there, he got out of the inning. Now let's get some runs.

Good job of pitching out of a jam by Kennedy, a sign of a good pitcher.

You are right Matt, very bare bench for the Yankees. One of the worse I have ever seen in the past few decades.

It was worse last year when Torre had to use Will Nieves to pinch hit.

We don't even have a guy like past year who we can use as a big pinch hitter like a Ruben Sierra of years past. I wonder if Piazza could still hit? Stay away from Sosa.

Shelley Bdonkin is a team player but we need hit.

Jeez Matt, you're a tough cookie. Lighten up on Razz, will you? Not only Matt, but all of you. You guys are so complicated as fans. Sometimes the best thing to do is be quiet and watch the boys do their thing out there. The more demands you make the more pressure ( unneeded pressure ) you apply. Ease up. I know it's been seven and half years or so since our last championship, but baseball is a game of patience.

Kennedy's problem is mental. Note I said problem, because it's just one. This guy came up last year and dominated, not because teams " didn't get a real good look at him" but because he was an aggressive pitcher. He threw strikes, which earned him the " polished pitcher" title. He's got decent "stuff" at best, and relies on his control greatly.

When a player is trying to be perfect in this game, it gets ugly for one. In baseball, your approach has to be a " low expectations, do my best " type. That's when you feel less pressure and you just start letting things fly, in short, you believe in yourself to be good enough play the game the right way. You're not tentative as if you're going to get shot if you fail.

Kennedy needs to learn this approach in order to be successful because if he pays too much atention to the media and the fans ( you ) he'll get caught up in all the wrong things.

BDSouth,

I thought i was going easy on Rasner. All I'm saying is wait and see how he does down the road. Hey if he wins 12-15 wins great, but he is an unknown right now as much for us as for other teams. Looks like Kennedy is finally putting together that quality outing most of us knew he was capable of, way to go Ian!!!!

I knew it, the offense goes back into hybernation. Did these guys tire themselves out last night?

Matt, Burress is d o m i n a t i n g.

Burres is dominating because this offense has reverted back to their old selves.

Good job by Kennedy tonight but alas no offense. Come on Veras hold them tight and let's see if the offense can score in the late stages.

They are better than this, last night is proof of that.

How about a 6-4-3 DP.

Good outing by Kennedy. Too bad he may not get a decision on this start, he did a great job, and that bases loaded inning was aturning point for him. After that point he was in go mode, not thinking and throwing it out there waitin' for em to hit it. That's how you do it! Let's hope the 'pen can rise to occasion.

JESUS! 95 with movement. Lay it down the middle if you want! They won't hit it.

Hopefully Kennedy can use this outing to build his confidence on, and turn things around.

Girardi getting kicked out did something Torre never did, lit a fire under his team by getting tossed and it payed off. Thats what I like to see in a manager, the fire, and what happens right after Robbie Cano, don'tcha know. Gutsy win, and Kennedy pitched a clutch game. Lets see how he does next time the balls in his hands and if he can build off of it. I knew he had it in him, he just has to prove consistency. This could also be the hit that breaks Cano out, they don't get bigger than a walk off all positives today. Also nice performance out of the 'pen Veras, Farny, and obviously Mo.

The thing I was thinking about though was good thing Cano got a hit and Sui scored what would we have done with Molina coming up? Our bench sucks like a prostitute and Molina hits like a pansy (though he just missed earlier), that would have been a tough choice for Rob Thomas. I liked the Abreu pinch hit, but that leaves Ensberg (please no), Gonzalez (glove but laughable at the plate), or Molina (see above). I'm thankful we didn't have to make that decision.

YANKEES MINOR LEAGUE SCOREBOARD May 22, 2008

Indianapolis (Pirates) 1
Scranton/WB 5
W: D. Giese (4-2, 1.01); L: T. Taubenheim (3-6, 5.03)
HR: SWB: J. Lane (9), C. Ransom (7).
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_05_22_indaaa_swbaaa_1&t=g_box&did=milb
Trenton 5
Reading (Phillies) 2
W: J. Jones (7-0, 2.13); L: J. Durbin (0-1, 0.00); SV: B. Hall (1)
HR: TRE: C. Curtis (3). REA: M. Spidale (1).
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_05_22_treaax_reaaax_1&t=g_box&did=milb
Tampa 5
Daytona (Cubs) 0
W: C. Garcia (1-1, 0.84); L: J. Ceda (2-2, 4.71)
HR: TAM: S. Fortenberry (3).
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_05_22_tbyafa_dbcafa_1
Charleston 5
Greenville (Red Sox) 2
W: L. Pendleton (3-2, 2.41); L: F. Doubront (5-2, 2.11); SV: J. Ortiz (13)
HR: None.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_05_22_crdafx_capafx_1
You may also see http://www.yankeesdaily.com for details.

You guys hearing this? MLB is set to make the transition to replay mode next season, barring a complete meltdown in AFL and Spring Training as wells as 09 Spring Training.

I hope it's only used for homerun calls. Balls and Strikes should remain under the umpires discretion, as well as foul calls and fair calls and Giambi's foul tip. We really don't need four-five hour games. Three is enough and that replay mode factor will easily add another half hour to games. God help us when a certain game turns into a slugfest.

I mant to say World Baseball Classic as well.

I don't think it'll take too long (not any longer than when they group at 2B). What I want to know is weather they do it like hockey (a group of people in Toronto watch all games and make the decisions on what should be questioned) or like football where there's a hanky. It'll be interesting seeing as hockey pioneered the replay and football has really brought it into the limelight. I think home run only it is a great idea, branching out otherwise is bad for the game.

Well, we needed a "big game" by Kennedy, and he delivered ... He pitched out of two jams [in the 3rd and 6th innings], and overall, pitched 6 solid innings ... The bullpen was lights-out again [even a 1-2-3 inning by Farnsworth] ... and, of course the "Great Mariano" was awesome as usual ... All setting-up the great "at-bat" by Matsui, getting an opposite field single to lead off the bottom of the 9th ... and, finally, the walk-off, game winning, single by Cano ... "Don't You Know, Robinson Cano" - a game winning hit !!! ... Also, Joe Girardi getting fired up like Billy Martin ... [it didn't look like the ball hit Giambi's bat] ... and, it gave Girardi a chance to get the Yankee Stadium crowd going ... Great Game ... Big Win ... Let's keep it going tomorrow, and over the weekend vs. Seattle ... Hey, after that disaster over the weekend against the Mets, we ended up having a better week then they did, as they just lost four straight games to the Atlanta Braves ... But, then, again, the Red Sox just won four straight games vs. the KC Royals ... There's still a lot of games to go in the season, and all the Yankees have to do is, "just keep winning" !!! ... Way to go, tonight ... Go Yankees !!! ... Jimmy27NYY ...

http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/

No thats niot the reason they are pitching Kennedy. its because Cashman did not do his job and get the pitching staff in the first place. you are better going with 3 man pitching tonight vs Kennedy. He is pathetic and so is Cashman

By bob@russo.com on May 22, 2008 3:04 PM

Hey Bob? Want to eat those words? Salt?

That makes me sort of ill. The next time the Yankees come back late in a game will be the first time.

By chazbedlam@gmail.com on May 22, 2008 3:45 PM

:) Here's your salt.... :) sorry man, couldn't resist.

I will say that Johnson made ARod look BAAAAAAAD at the plate in the 9th last night. That curve was nasty....

Yeah, who is that Johnson guy? He's got Wang's power sinker with Halladay's hook.

A start like that for IPK was huge. All that trouble he got himself into, getting out of it so well, pity we couldn't get him the win. At least he should get his confidence back after this.

BOOM! While I am not impressed by the lack of run support, I AM impressed with a late inning win. Golf, I will gladly eat those words although I was simply stating a fact. This WAS the first time this season that we have had any late inning Yankee magic. Of course we will still have a contingent of Yankee fans calling for IPK's head on a plate. But, Ian has SCOREBOARD on all you haters.
We'll see after the game, bpark. With some run support, I think Kennedy is going to have you eating your words. Prediction: Kennedy 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 1/3 innings, 2 BB's, and 3 K's. Yankes win 6-4. GO YANKEES!!!!!

By chazbedlam@gmail.com on May 22, 2008 4:18 PM
I was off by 1/3 of an inning, and he beat my earned run pediction by 3! Good for you, Ian, go get 'em next week too! OFFENSE, score some damn runs! I hate nail biters!

BTW, I thought it was awesome to see Girardi's meltdown. That is the first time that I have seen a deliniation from Joe Torre's style. I'm sure Torre would have very calmly asked Old Blue to explain his call, and then he would've walked back to the dugout. SCREW THAT!

Next time, Joe, rip up 1st base and throw it into the outfield. I miss Billy Martin......

Where the heck is everyone?

Nice gritty performance by Ian Fleming, no Ian Anderson, no Ian Kennedy, yeah that's it! :P

The offense didn't help him out enough, but he helped the team out enough!

I saw the replay of the pitch called a foul-tip on Giambino... I seriously couldn't see that it hit his bat, he pulled his hands back just as the ball came close to/by his body but it sure looked like it didn't hit it. I couldn't tell by the audio either. I was glad to see Girardi get all up in the ump's grill, we've been getting some crap calls on K-3. Close one's I can live with, but when they're off the plate 6" or more, that's questionable. Either way, I'm glad he barked, he should be doing that more, hopefully without getting tossed. But this is exactly what I was and have been talking about regarding our fire... sometimes you need a spark and those kinds of things serve to set the stage for such things within players' bellies. Who wouldn't have been fired up after seeing that?! I especially liked it when he tossed his cap toward the dugout, barked, slowly meandered over to pick it up, then went back for more! That really made me chuckle and yesterday was not a day of chuckles for me.

Hopefully we can carry some momentum into the M's series, we seem to be able to get 2 of 3 from them quite often so let's hope that trend continues.

WHITE TO THE BULLPEN
http://emedia.thetimes-tribune.com/Blogs/SWBYankeesBlog/tabid/552/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3594/White-to-the-bullpen.aspx

Maybe he's not too far from a shot in the show? (White)

This series rocked. Each game was better than the next. Girardi screaming beat out the bench clearing brawl and the two A-rod home runs by a comfortable margin. I have never seen a Yankee manager that visibly angry…ever. I grew up with a Torre world. Funniest thing I’ve ever seen. I’m so proud of Kennedy for showing what he’s made of. As for the offense, not every game is gonna be 8-0. A 2-1 score is perfectly fine if it’s a win. It doesn’t matter whether it’s 1-0 or 6-0, it’s a win. I just want to make a side note, if Girardi was ejected and the Yankees didn’t win everyone would be blaming him for the loss because “he didn’t argue enough” or something else they could come up with. Since they won, Girardi was not knocked at all. It was a good thing firing the team up because they won. I’m just saying that the situation that the offense puts him in plays a big role on his managerial reputation. It’s not ALL in his hands.

Darrell Rasner is awesome.

The Yankees clearly envision White as the guy they will call up to fill in the blank in he pen when Joba shifts to the rotation. I guess everyody moves up a spot, which means current 7th inning man Farnsy becomes set up man.

Who knows what Farnsworth is going to do? He has looked solid this season, but we have all seen him blow up before. One thing is certain, our pen will be weaker for this, though having Joba in the rotation should more than make up for it.

And worse case senario is that Joba isn't as effective as a starter. In which case we slot him right back where he is now. I wish the Yankees had used Joba as a starter to open the season so this question will be answered by now, but at least we aren't waiting till september to find out.

Well, we finally got to see the ture Kennedy last night. Finally!!!!!! Like I said, most of us knew he could do it, especially in a high pressure situation, in which he knew he would probably get sent down again if he put together another poor performance, and he did it with very little offense backing him. Way to go Ian!!!!!

Looks White might being prepared to start his major league in the pen possibly as another option to fill that vacancy Chamberlain will leave when he moves into the rotation. Only reason Ohlendorf was converted into a reliever is because he couldn't maintain his velocity longer than 3 or 4 innings, no other reason.

Damn I really enjoyed that rant from Girardi yesterday, maybe I enjoyed it a little too much. Thats what I'm talking about, Joe, I've been waiting all season for that. Love it.

I think we all enjoyed that rant from Girardi. We old farts because we remember Martin and Sweet Lou. You youngsters because you probably have never seen a Yankee skipper go Chernobyl.

Never. It was awesome. So much so because I've never even heard of Martin, sweet Lou I'm assuming is Pinella. I've never knew someone on the Yankees could be so rough (minus Steinbrenner). What's wrong with a little fire? (AKA Joba's fist pumps)

I hope that we are all ready for a few bad outings from Joba. Yes, he has shown us how filthy he can be, but he will lose games here and there before he gets himself settled. That said, I can already see all the posts from the Yankee faithful telling the front office to put him back in the pen. We will need to be patient with him too. I would suggest NOT immediately rushing to judgement either way on any of these young pitchers from here. We just don't know exactly what we have. We may not know what these guys are made of until sometime next season. That goes for Huhges, IPK, and Joba. Hopefully, Kennedy's worst starts are behind him. I'm not expecting him to perform as well as he did last night every game, but I think somewhere between how he has been, and how he did against the O's is more than adequate.

I was referring to Billy Martin. His meltdowns made Lou Pinella look like a Budhist Monk.

I can just see bpark saying, "Joba sucks lets bring back my hero Clemens or other mancrush David Wells, send Joba down he's not ready."

Girardi got suspended for THAT? Wtf? I've seen 100 different managers in 1000 different tyrades, and have NEVER seen one get fined and suspended for something as benign as that. Yankee hatin', pure and simple.***** Selig,***** him in his stupid ***!!

Am I hearing correctly? Girardi got suspended? Oh Hell no. Can't anyone show emotion in baseball nowadays. Come on dudes were all humans...unless the MLB people are hiding something. Seriously, the guy got angry, that's perfectly normal and human. Why don't we suspend Cano for using his bat as a groin itcher--he gets itches! OMG Cano displayed a human quality...suspension!! And the Yankees celebrated yesterday after the walk off... suspend them all. Baseball needs more excitement. It needs to be like football without the big scary hairy men. People at MLB need to get laid and loosen up...he's aloud to hate, bitch, argue and scream whenever he wants.

Anti-Yankee bias strikes again. Come on, I mean we are in freaking last place. It's one thing to be harsh on us when we won 4 rings in 5 years, which was wrong but not as bad as this.

Just because this is the storied Yankee franchise, we never get slack from anybody.

I'd love to see the official reason why he was suspended (because he tossed a part of his uniform?). That is absolutely weak... Joe should keep it up, make MLB look even more stupid than they already do! I mean really, he can't manage from the locker room? :P It's not like he has to send smoke signals, we do have technology!

Pathetic really by MLB... I say suspend Selig for every utterance out of his mouth, because they're more offensive to me than any rant I've seen on the field! Mr. I don't own the Brewers, my daughter does (CONFLICT OF INTEREST!).

If this doesn't give our players a chip on the shoulder, nothing will.

I want to see some serious energy out there tonight.

Talk about trumped up charges. Girardi was kicking his hat, not at the umpire. So he got some dirt on his uniform. Come on.

Josh Hamilton is on fiya! His swing is a textbook swing, thus he leads the AL in all three major offensive categories. he will be the RBI leader for the season though, I mean, he ALREADY has 53. In four months he'll have 200 with no problems.

As for Girardi's suspension, my guess is that MLB has a real Yankee bias firewall set up, or Selig just doesn't like Girardi. Either way, he was not the only manager to be suspended and fine as was Dusty Baker and Doug Joyner.

Baker actually made contact I believe. And Joyner is a hitting coach, not a manager.

Willy Randolph may be on his way out of Met land.

The commissioners office is a bunch of AHs. I didn't see a bump, there was no spitting, just a plain ol' mgr's tirade. I would assume he'll appeal, Isn't it that good old Bob Watson that is the one in charge?? Why, would he be a Yankee Hater?
I am wondering which Andy will show up tonight, the real one or the one that pitched in his place last week? We need a win and get some momentum going, we can't afford to get any further behind, This is not the 2007 Yankees!. I hoping that the Giambi incident fires them up. We need some stimuli to get us moving in the right direction, that may have been the trigger!
"GO YANKEES"

Way to go Shelley!!!! First Kennedy comes around last night and now Duncan tonight. Could this be an Omen?

Shelley "dunks one"....

Big three-run homerun for Duncan ... Yankees 3, Mariners 1

With one swing Duncan proves he is more valuable, and talented than Bet "I can make you guys puke the next time you see me play" amit. Cut that no-talent!!!!

Girardi got the suspention for "kicking dirt on an umpire." As much as I think it's BS if the commish feels he intentionally kicked dirt onto an ump he deserves a 1 gamer. What I don't like is I don't see the intentional dirt kicking that warrants the suspension. I think Girardi needed to get kicked out, and have a shitfit to fire up the guys. Torre never did it because he didn't have the sack. The suspension is borderline but you cannot crazy disrespect the umps, thats legit. The more important thing is the team is playing well, and got a comeback win, a win after the team scored first, and a clutch hit out of Cano. There were a lot of positives from this game and they beat a pitcher that has pitched well against the Yankees and this team stunk against lefties prior to this last series.

Is Jeter hittting the ball well? He has been weak since getting that ball on the hands, Also the only Yank withouta hit. Couldn't log-in yesterday browser problems. How about that the turnaround continues today!

I’am Albert Pujos we Spartans are descended from Hercules himself!”

All in agreement to giving Jeters stuborness a day off?

YANKEES MINOR LEAGUE SCOREBOARD May 23, 2008

Indianapolis (Pirates) 4
Scranton/WB 5 (10)
W: J. Cox (1-0, 0.00); L: J. Bayliss (0-2, 5.92)
HR: IND: J. Wilson (3). SWB: J. Lane (10), E. Duncan (4).
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_05_23_indaaa_swbaaa_1&t=g_box&did=milb
Trenton 4
Altoona (Pirates) 5
W: J. Mateo (1-0, 2.84); L: S. Jackson (0-1, 6.48); SV: J. Shortslef (1)
HR: TRE: A. Jackson (3).
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_05_23_treaax_altaax_1&t=g_box&did=milb
Tampa 12
Daytona (Cubs) 8
W: W. Arias (2-0, 3.68); L: M. Phelps (1-1, 6.14)
HR: TAM: B. Blumenthal (1), L. Nunez (1). DAY: B. Lalli (1).
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_05_23_tbyafa_dbcafa_1&t=g_box&did=milb
Charleston 6
Greenville (Red Sox) 5
W: W. De La Rosa (2-1, 2.32); L: J. Craft (0-3, 8.44); SV: J. Ortiz (14)
HR: CHA: B. Laird 2 (4), A. Krum (2). GRE: L. Exposito (6).
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2008_05_23_crdafx_capafx_1&t=g_box&did=milb
You may also see http://www.yankeesdaily.com for details.

Rich Harden dominated the Red Sox. I want to see him keep it up. If he does, I hope " I dunno how to spend my cash man!" trades for him. We could use him in the bullpen. Personally beause I don't trust Farnsworth for set up duties and Hawkins might get mad and go on a beanball tirade. Depending on the stability of the rotation, we could use him there as well. Please Cash, stay away from the offense. We just scored frggin 13 runs.

Wowsers!! Now that's more like it! Don't get me wrong, 13 runs I realize don't come everyday, but that's the point, that's a great sign that finally we're getting 'team' hitting! Only the subs failed to get a hit, you can't ask for much more than that!

I also have to say that I kinda like that lineup. Jeter is such a good hitter that he can hold down leadoff even though it's not really his best spot. I don't know how often we've run this lineup out but I'd kinda like to see it more often to see how it fares! I do still think Damon can be productive but I really don't know what his problem is... extended slump, or what...

Even nicer to see Pettitte looking more like his old self. 9ks with 8 hits and 2 earned is a typical line for him when he's got it working. Hawk only gave up one hit and a walk in two IPs t'aint to bad either. Two walks by Ramirez isn't exactly great but if you can wiggle out of that jello, hey I'm down!

I guess if the price is Girardi has to sit a game to get them boys fired up, well then we'll take it. Hahah, care to sit out the rest of the season Joe?!

Yup, the guys came out with a chip on their shoulder after all. Let's hope this is a turning point for us here.

I don't trust Farnsworth as a setup man either. He has never shown an ability to handle that type of role. I like Harden, but only as a reliever so he would have to agree to that role, plus he may cost too much.