Satan's Luau

Yankees and Angels ... rubber game.

Inside, impressions of LA-A at NYY (103/162)
---

TOP 1: Unit going for NY -- Figgins bloops a leadoff single to left -- Figgins goes on the Unit's first move, he is picked off ... great throw by Tino, right on the bag ... Figgins is toast (CS), one down -- full count to Cabrera, the payoff ... inside, he draws a walk -- Vlad flies to right, two away

Cabrera goes on the 0-1 to Anderson, he is off to a big jump and steals second -- runner at second for Anderson, he grounds to the mound, Johnson fields and makes the putout to first to retire the side

BOT 1: Bootcheck going for Halos -- Jeter lines a leadoff single to right -- Cano is greenlighted on 3-1, he lines to center, one away -- Sheffield grounds to third, into a 543 inning ending double play

TOP 2: Juan Rivera grounds to third, one down -- Bengie Molina grounds to third, two away -- Izturis goes down swinging (RJ 1) to retire the side

BOT 2: ARod goes down swinging three times, at three pitches, one down -- Matsui grounds to second, two away -- Giambi blasts one to right ... GONE, a two out solo shot -- Yankees lead, 1-0

Tino lines a single into right center -- runner at first for Bernie, he drives one to the gap in right center ... HOLYCRAP!!! what a diving play by Figgins who makes the catch and crumples up in center ... to end the two out rally

TOP 3: Jose Molina goes down looking (RJ 2), one away -- Kennedy flies the full count payoff to left, two down -- Figgins goes down swinging on a full count payoff (RJ 3) to retire the side

BOT 3: Flaherty pops to third, one pitch, one gone -- Jeter goes down looking, two away -- Cano goes down looking to end the inning

TOP 4: Cabrera grounds to deep third ... ARod knocks it down, the throw pulls Tino off the bag, a leadoff single -- Vlad goes down swinging (RJ 4), one down -- On the 1-0 to Anderson, Cabrera goes ... no throw, easily steals second

Runner at second for Anderson, he goes down swinging (RJ 5), two gone -- full count to Juan Rivera, the payoff ... ball four, he draws a two out walk, runners now first and second

Bengie Molina flies to left ... Matsui chases, and it scrapes over the wall in left, a two out, three run shot -- Angels edge ahead, 3-1

Izturis pops foul to the catcher to end (yet another) the two out rally

BOT 4: Sheffield pops foul to first, one down -- ARod lines a one hop single, under Cabrera and into left center -- On the 0-1 to Matsui, ARod goes ... Bengie Molina can't grip the ball, ARod in at second with a stolen base

Runner at second for Matsui, he grounds up the middle ... great play by Cabrera to save the single and gun out the runner at first, runner to third on the play, two away -- Giambi bloops to short .... in shallow left, great hustle by Cabrera, to end the inning

TOP 5: Jose Molina blasts a shot to left, just inside the foulpole ... gone, a leadoff solo shot -- Angels extend to 4-1

Kennedy hits a checkswing grounder to third, one away -- Figgins grounds back to the mound, two gone -- Cabrera hits a pitch JUST OFF THE DIRT ... and bloops a two out single to center -- The Yankees pitch out on the 0-2 to Vlad ... Cabrera is going ... is gone (CS) to end the rally

BOT 5: Tino grounds to second, one pitch, one down -- full count to Bernie, the payoff ... he flies to left, two away -- Flaherty grounds to the mound, off Bootcheck ... he fields and throws to first ... in the dirt and away from Jose Molina, Flaherty to second on the two base error -- Jeter lines a single the opposite way to right, runner to third on the play .... Sojo holds up Flaherty

Runners at the corners for Cano, he blasts one to the gap in right center ... Figgins grabs it on the track to end the inning

TOP 6: Vlad hits a sinking liner to right ... Sheffield makes a shoestring catch, one down -- Anderson grounds to short, two away -- Juan Rivera goes down looking to retire the side

BOT 6: Sheffield grounds to third, one down -- Yan warms for LA-A -- ARod lashes one to right center ... Anderson runs it down and makes a great catch, two away -- Matsui grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 7: Bengie Molina flies to right, one down -- Izturis grounds to short, two away -- Jose Molina goes down swinging, the ball is dropped, Flaherty puts the batter out at first to retire the side

Seventh Inning Sleep, Angels lead, 4-1

BOT 7: Bootcheck throws another great outing from a Halos youngster (the second, including Santana), he is taken out -- Yan now pitching for the Halos -- Erstad in at 1B -- Giambi blasts the first pitch to right ... FAIR and GONE!, a leadoff solo shot -- the Angels lead is halved to 4-2

Tino goes down swinging, one down -- Donnelly warms for LA-A -- Bernie pops to second, two away -- Posada in to PH for Flaherty, he draws a two out walk

Yan looks in to the dugout ... out comes Scioscia, and he will bring in Donnelly --
Jeter lines a two out single to right, runners now first and second -- Cano grounds to first to end the inning ... and that was an opportunity by the boards

TOP 8: Posada in at C -- Kennedy is plunked with the first pitch (Replay: that was either a move the jersey miss or a nip), one first via HBP -- Sturtze and Embree warm for NY -- Figgins sacbunts halfway up the first baseline, Tino fields and tags him out, runner to second on the sacrifice, one gone

Runner on second for Cabrera, he lines one into the leftfield corner for a double, one run scores -- Angels increase the lead to 5-2

That will be all for the Unit, a solid outing ... but gave up critical key hits that cost him runs, including two HRs for four runs -- Sturtze in for NY -- Vlad is plunked, runners now first and second

Torre will opt for Embree to matchup L-L against Anderson -- on the first pitch to Anderson, both runners get a BIG JUMP, the double steal is on ... runners now second and third after the successful steals

The Yankees decide to intentionally walk Anderson, loading up the bases -- Felix Rodriguez warms for NY -- Juan Rivera flares the 0-2 to center ... Bernie slides and makes the catch, one run will come in on the sacfly -- the score is now LA-A 6-2

That will be all for Embree, Felix Rodriguez now pitching for NY -- On the 1-1 pitch to Bengie Molina, the Angels RUN AGAIN ... Vlad goes .... and he is gone by a large margin, caught stealing at third to end the rally

BOT 8: Donnelly continues for LA-A -- Sheffield draws a leadoff walk -- ARod goes down swinging, one down -- On the 1-0 pitch to Matsui, the pitch is in the dirt, off the ump's shin and away from Molina, the runner advances to second on the wild pitch -- Shields warms for Halos

Runner at second for Matsui, he loops a single to right ... they wave Sheffield, he will scores ... nice piece of hitting by Matsui -- Angels' lead halved again, 6-3

Runner at first for Giambi, full count, the payoff ... HIGH, ball four, he draws a walk -- that will be all for Donnelly, Shields in to attempt a 5-out save

Runners now first and second for Tino, full count, the payoff ... he grounds sharply to first ... THROUGH THE WICKETS OF ERSTAD and down the rightfield line into the corner, one run will score, runners to second and third -- the score is now Halos, 6-4

Crosby in to PR for Tino at second -- Bernie is greenlighted on 3-1 ... and flies to center, one run scores on the sacfly, the lag runner tags and gets into third -- the Angels now lead by the slimmest of margins, 6-5

Runner on third for Posada, full count, the payoff .... he draws a walk -- Gregg warms for the Angels -- runners at the corners for Jeter, he lines another single to right (4-for-5 on the day), the tying run scores -- the Yankees have come all the way back, and the game is tied, 6-6

Cano grounded out to first to end the rally

TOP 9: Mo in for NY -- Phillips at 1B -- Bengie Molina flies to left center, one down -- Izturis grounds to second, two away -- Erstad bloops to center ... Jeter hustling out to go after it ... just out of his reach, it falls in for a two out single -- Kennedy goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 9: Peralta now pitching for Halos -- full count to Sheffield, the payoff ... he pops foul to the catcher, one away -- ARod grounds to second ... Kennedy's throw pulls Erstad off the bag at first, ARod reaches on the throwing error

Runner on first for Matsui, he flies to left, two down -- full count to Giambi, he draws a two out walk -- runners now first and second for Phillips, he grounds to third .... great diving stab by Izturis (to save the game winning hit), the throw .... just gets Phillips to end the inning

EXTRA INNINGS

TOP 10: Mo continues for NY --
Figgins bloops into the rightfield corner ... it gets away from Sheffield, Figgins hustles in for a leadoff triple -- Cabrera rips a liner at first ... great leaping grab by Phillips to save the run, one down -- Vlad is jammed, broken bat bloops to center ... for a single, one run will score -- Halos back ahead, 7-6

Anderson lines to second ... and Cano guns back to first for the double play to end the rally

BOT 10: Gregg now pitching for LA-A -- Bernie grounds to second ... off Kennedy's glove and deflects to center ... Bernie with smart baserunning is into second for a hustle leadoff double -- Posada goes down swinging, the ball pops out and Posada is put out at first, one down

Womack to PR for Bernie at second -- on the 2-1 pitch to Jeter, the pitch is away, in the dirt and almost to the backstop ... runner to third on wild pitch -- runner on third for Jeter, he draws a walk

Runners at the corners for Cano, he goes down swinging, two away -- Sheffield grounds the two strike pitch to short ... IT EATS UP Cabrera, up the arm and into the air ... when he recovers, he has no play anywhere, the tying run scores on an improbable two out single -- the game is re-tied at 7-7

Runners now first and second for ARod, full count, the payoff ... he goes down swinging to end the two out rally

TOP 11: Gordon now pitching for NY, Lackey to the bullpen for Angels -- Womack in CF -- Juan Rivera grounds back to the pitcher, off Gordon's glove, Cano ranges to the middle and throws to get Rivera at first ... great play, one away -- Bengie Molina grounds to short, two down -- Izturis flies to right to retire the side

BOT 11: Gregg continues for the Halos -- Matsui blasts one to center ... Figgins has to hustle back on it ... it's off the wall and bounces away back into the field, Matsui rounds second and is hustling for third ... in there easily with a leadoff triple

Angels go to their gimmicky, 5-man infield ... let's see if it works -- Giambi receives an intentional pass, runners now at the corners -- Phillips goes down swinging, one down

Womack lines the game winning singled through to left ... Matsui comes home as the winning run, and the Yankees comeback again to win, 8-7

FINAL: Yankees win, 8-7

Marathon long.

Yankees win the weekend series against the Angels by two amazing comebacks. They get a day off tomorrow before heading on a six game road trip starting with three games at Jacobs Field.

56UP 47DOWN ... an improbable two game winning streak fueled by two walkoff hits

Posted by at 12:00 PM | Permalink

Yesterday the Angels pitching shutdown the Yankees ... who knows what will happen today with Shawn Chacon's first start in pinstripes

Inside, impressions of LA-A at NYY (102/162)
---

TOP 1: Chacon making his first start for NY, and yet another person wears #39 this year for the Yankees -- Figgins flies to right center, one down -- Cabrera pops to right, two away -- Erstad is jammed and hits a soft flare to short, Jeter fields but has no play, a two out infield single -- Vlad flies to the track in left to retire the side

BOT 1: Byrd going for Halos, on the scratch of Washburn -- Jeter goes down swinging, one away -- Cano also goes down swinging, two down -- Sheffield bloops a two out single to right center -- ARod grounds a single through to left, runners first and second -- Matsui flies to center to end the inning

TOP 2: Anderson lines a leadoff single to left -- Finley pops foul to third, one down -- Juan Rivera went down swinging on a checkswing, two away -- Jose Molina flies to center to end the inning

BOT 2: Giambi goes the opposite way and grounds to deep third, but because of the shift, is in with a leadoff infield single -- Posada grounds the first pitch to short into a 663 double play, two down

Bernie blasts the first pitch into the rightfield corner for a two out double --Womack ticks one to the left of the mound, Byrd over to field, he has no play, another infield single -- On the 1-1 to Jeter, Womack goes ... Molina takes a false step and does not throw, Womack in with a steal of second -- Runners at second and third for Jeter, he lines a two out single to left center, two runs in, the Yankees go up, 2-0

Runner at second for Cano, he grounds up the middle, Kennedy ranges and makes a great play against his body to make the play to first to end the two out rally

TOP 3: Kennedy pops to second, one down -- Figgins lines a single to center -- on the 1-0 pitch to Cabrera, Figgins goes ... Posada doesn't grip it well out of the glove, Figgins steals second without a throw -- Runner at second for Cabrera, he grounds sharply to third, ARod guns over ... in time, two away, runner to third on the play -- on the 1-0 pitch to Erstad, it gets away from Posada ... one run will score on the passed ball -- the score is now NY 2-1

Erstad draws a two out walk -- Runner at first for Vlad, he goes down swinging to end the rally

BOT 3: Sheffield pops to the pitcher, one away -- full count to ARod, the payoff ... he is plunked on the wrist, on first via HBP -- the trainer and Torre are out, he will stay in -- Matsui lines to center ... Finley comes in and makes the play, great catch, two down -- Giambi draws a walk, runners on first and second -- Posada flies to center to end the inning

TOP 4: Anderson chops back to the mound, Chacon fields and puts him out at first, one down -- Finley grounds to second, two away -- Juan Rivera grounds to deep short ... Jeter's throw is on a hop ... not in time, a two out infield single (replay: he was JUST out) -- Jose Molina pops to second to end the inning

BOT 4: Bernie goes down looking, one away -- Womack grounds slowly to second, kicks off the mound, Kennedy gloves and guns ... not in time, an infield single

Before the first pitch to Jeter, Womack anticipates a checkback that never comes ... and is shaken up, trainer is out to check on him, he will stay in -- on the 2-1 pitch to Jeter, Womack goes ... Byrd is NOT paying attention, the jump Womack gets is ridiculous, he is in at second after an easy uncontested steal

Full count to Jeter, he battles, has a quality AB, but eventually goes down swinging, two down -- Cano grounds the first pitch back to the mound to end the inning

TOP 5: Kennedy draws a four pitch, leadoff walk -- Figgins battles, draws a full count, he goes down swinging on the payoff ... Kennedy goes on the pitch, the play is close, but Kennedy steals second, one away -- Torre out to confer -- runner at second for Cabrera, he grounds to short ... Jeter's throw to first ... got him, two gone -- Erstad goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 5: Sheffield flies to center, one down -- ARod hits the first pitch and flies to right, two away -- Matsui grounds to first to end the inning

TOP 6: In his warmups before the inning, Chacon missteps, falls over, lets one fly to the backstop, and looks to have tweaked his left foot -- Vlad grounds sharply to the mound, Chacon makes the stop with his glove and the play ... great play, one down -- Anderson flies to right center, two away -- Finley draws a two out walk -- Stottlemyre out to confer, Felix Rodriguez and Embree warm for NY --
On the pitch to Rivera, Finley goes ... the pitch is in the dirt, Finley steals second without a throw -- Juan Rivera flies to right to retire the side

Chacon absolutely fantastic in his debut with the Yankees, holding the Halos at bay and only allowing an unearned run -- nice pickup, let's see if the bullpen can hold so that he can get his first win since April

BOT 6: Giambi lines one to the corner in rightfield, he is hustling to second ... the throw from Rivera ... Giambi's hand looks in, Cabrera slaps down a quick tag ... called out, and Giambi goes off on the second base ump (replay: he did get in his hand, bad call), one down -- Posada flies to left, two away -- Bernie lasers the 1-2 pitch to right ... GONE, a two out solo shot -- the Yankees extend to 3-1

Womack rips one down the first baseline ... STOLEN BY ERSTAD on a leaping grab, what a play ... to end the two out rally

TOP 7: Chacon warms from the mound, but is taken out to a big ovation, great debut for Chacon, and the curtain call -- Felix Rodriguez now pitching for NY -- DaVanon in to PH for Jose Molina, F-Rod gets two strikes on DaVanon, then loses him to a leadoff walk

Torre will take the ball and bring in Embree to matchup L-L -- Embree gets ahead 0-2, then loses Kennedy on a bloop single to left, runners now first and second

Figgins sacbunts to the mound, Embree rushes to field, he throws low to Cano covering to first ... it's away, one run scores, runners to second and third on the overthrow -- the score is now NY 3-2

That will be all for Embree, Torre brings in Gordon ... and now you have to wonder whether Chacon didn't have ANOTHER inning in him today, psshh

Gordon now pitching for NY -- Cabrera drills the first pitch into the rightfield corner for a single, two runs score -- the score is now tied, 4-3

Runner at first for Erstad, he grounds to second, one down, runner to second on the play -- Gordon gets ahead 0-2 on Vlad, then balks Cabrera over to third ... UNFKNBELIEVABLE -- runner at third for Vlad, he grounds to second, the go ahead run scores, two away -- Angels now lead, 5-3

Anderson goes down swinging to end the rally

Ugly. Unfortunate for Chacon who gets completely let down by the Yankees' middle relief

Seventh Inning Stench, Angels lead, 5-3

BOT 7: Paul in at C -- Woods and Peralta warm for LA-A -- Byrd continues for Halos -- full count to Jeter, he flies to center, one down -- Cano grounds to second ... Kennedy's throw is offline, great stretch play by Erstad to keep that ball from being an error, two away -- Sheffield grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 8: Gordon continues for NY -- Finley lines a leadoff single to left -- Proctor and Franklin warm for NY -- Juan Rivera blasts the first pitch to center .... GONE, a two run shot that has probably put this game on ice for the Halos, who now lead, 7-3

And if it wasn't so before, Gordon (and the rest of the middle relief) just doesn't have it today -- Paul lines one to right ... over Sheffield, and off the wall for a double

That will be all for Gordon, Torre will call for the recalled Franklin -- runner at second for Kennedy, he lays down a sacbunt to the right of the mound, runner over to third on the play, one down -- the Angels call the squeeze play on 0-1, Figgins pops a bunt foul ... Figgins goes down looking ... he disputes with the ump, two away -- Cabrera grounds to short to end the rally

BOT 8: Peralta now pitching for Byrd -- in what is becoming a trend lately ... ARod goes down looking, one down -- that is all for Peralta, Woods now pitching for LA-A, Scioscia matching up L-L vs. natural lefties, Matsui and Giambi

Matsui grounds a single through to right -- Black out to confer, K-Rod warms for LA-A -- runner at first for Giambi, 3-1 count, GREEN LIGHT ... he crushes one to right ...GONE!!, a two run shot, the Angels lead is cut to 7-5

Scioscia will call on K-Rod to get a five out save -- Posada sharply grounds the first pitch to first, two away -- Bernie goes down looking at a nasty pitch at the knees to end the rally

TOP 9: Mo in to hold the Halos -- Erstad goes down swinging, one away -- Mo buzzes the tower two times to get him off the plate, Vlad also goes down swinging ... that was so nasty as to be ridiculous to one of the best hitters of the game, two down -- the 0-2 to Anderson buzzes the tower ... Anderson grounds to first to retire the side ... another great outing by Mo to hold the Angels, and provide the slimmest of hopes for a rally

BOT 9: K-Rod continues, three more outs to a possible 5-out SV --
Womack draws a leadoff walk -- on the 0-1 pitch to Jeter, Womack goes ... the pitch is low and in the dirt, the throw has no chance, Womack has stolen second -- runner at second for Jeter, he battles to a full count, then also draws a walk

Black in to confer -- runners now first and second for Cano, he attempts a bunt on the first pitch, foul ... shows bunt twice, two high pitches ... he bunts the 2-1, foul ... bunt off, full count to Cano, he goes down swinging, one away

K-Rod gets ahead 0-2 on Sheffield, Sheffield checkswings on 1-2 ... the appeal: NO (replay: Yes, Yankees catch a break) -- K-Rod lets one loose on the 2-2 pitch in the dirt ... and through the wickets, runners advance to second and third on the WP -- full count to Sheffield, the payoff ... inside, ball four ... he battles back and draws a walk, the bases are now loaded

Bases loaded for ARod, he draws a four pitch walk ... that forces home a run ... and it seems like K-Rod has lost the strike zone -- Angels by the slimmest of margins, 7-6

Bases still loaded for Matsui, he blasts the first pitch ... INTO THE GAP IN LEFT CENTER!! ... a two run doubled to complete the improbable comeback and win the game, Yankees win, 8-7

And the ghosts at The Stadium have made an appearance ...

FINAL: Yankees win, 8-7

Not much to say but to enjoy this one.

55UP 47DOWN ... back in the win column

Posted by at 12:00 PM | Permalink

Yankees back in for another tough three series at The Stadium ... this time against the Halos, who really dominated them last weekend out west

Inside, impressions of LA-A at NYY (101/162)
---

Thank the Lord that we have YES today for the broadcast team

TOP 1: Mussina going for NY -- Figgins pops to center ... the campfire defense converges ... Jeter reaches, Womack doesn't call him off ... the ball drops, a leadoff bloop single -- On the 0-1 pitch to Cabrera, Figgins goes ... the throw to second is on the money, the tag by Cano is perfect, Figgins is erased (CS), one down

Full count to Cabrera, he goes down swinging, two away -- Erstad pops to second to retire the side

BOT 1: Santana going for Angels -- Jeter battles, has a quality AB, then grounds one up the middle for a leadoff single -- Cano pops to center, one away -- Jeter goes, Sheffield slaps a line single to left ... runner to third on the hit -- ARod grounds to third, Figgins charges and starts a rundown ... Jeter is hung up and tagged out, two down -- runners now first and second for Matsui, he lines to center to end the inning

TOP 2: Vlad grounds the full count payoff up the middle, off the mound, and into center for a leadoff single -- Anderson blasts one to the upper deck in right, a two run shot ... wow -- Halos lead, 2-0

Finley goes down swinging, one down -- Rivera bloops to second in shallow right, two away -- Bengie Molina blasts one to left ... a two out, solo shot to left -- the score is now Angels 3-0

Kennedy bloops a single into shallow left, in between Jeter and Matsui -- Kennedy goes on the 1-2 pitch to Figgins, he steals second fairly easily -- Figgins grounds the full count payoff to second to end the rally

BOT 2: Giambi flies to center, one down -- Posada grounds to third, two away -- Tino goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 3: Cabrera pops to right, one pitch, one down -- Erstad hits a slow chop to first, Tino beats him to the bag, two away -- Vlad hits a slow roller down the first base line, Mussina covers it and tags Vlad to retire the side

BOT 3: Womack rips a shot into the rightfield corner, and easily cruises in with a leadoff double -- full count to Jeter, he draws a walk, runners at first and second

Cano goes after the first pitch and pops up to second in right, one down ... gakk -- runners go on the first pitch to Sheffield, the throw is so on the money ... DEAD (Womack: CS), lag runner to second -- Sheffield is plunked, runners now first and second -- Black out to confer

Runners at first and second, two down for ARod, he grounds to deep short ... Cabrera gloves and jump throws to make the force at second, great play to end the inning

Yankees are flat and pressing so far today ... you would think they were the ones who played an 18th inning marathon last night

TOP 4: Anderson grounds to first, one down -- Finley goes down looking, two away -- Rivera smashes one out to right center ... neither Womack or Sheffield will get to it, it bounces up into the stands and falls back in for a leadoff double -- Bengie Molina goes down on a checkswing to retire the side ... he gripes with the ump

BOT 4: Matsui grounds to third, one down -- Giambi goes down swinging, two away -- Posada rips one down the line in right (replay: FOUL), off the stands, in with a two out single -- full count to Tino, he goes down looking to end the inning

TOP 5: Kennedy goes down swinging, one down -- Figgins grounds to first, two away -- Cabrera grounds to third to retire the side

BOT 5: Womack grounds to second, one down -- full count to Jeter, the payoff ... he goes down looking, two away -- Cano grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 6: Erstad lines a leadoff single to right -- Vlad softly chops back to the mound, Mussina gloves and starts a 143 double play, two away -- Anderson hits a liner at the mound, just out of Muss's reach ... Jeter fields and makes the play to retire the side

BOT 6: Sheffield sharply lines to center ... Finley drifts back on it and makes the play, one down -- ARod goes down looking, two away -- Matsui is plunked on the knee and writhing on the ground -- trainer out to check on him, he slowly walks to first

Giambi draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Black out to confer -- Posada comes to the plate as the tying run, he battles then lines to right center ... Rivera comes in, and makes a great diving catch to end the inning ... tough luck

TOP 7: Finley flies to right, one down -- Rivera pops to second, two away -- Bengie Molina grounds one under ARod's glove and into left for a two out single -- Kennedy grounds to second to retire the side

Seventh Inning Sleep, Halos lead, 3-0

BOT 7: Tino rips a blast to right center ... GONE into the stands, a leadoff solo shot -- the score is now Angels, 3-1

Womack grounds to second, one down -- Donnelly warms for LA-A -- Jeter blasts one to the wall in right ... Rivera leaps, he can't glove it ... Jeter in with a double

That will be all for Santana, a mostly dominant performance until this inning -- Donnelly now pitching for LA-A -- Cano drills an atom ball ... but right at first, gloved by Erstad, two away -- Sheffield pops to first to end the rally ... a little bit of missed opps here

TOP 8: Mussina continues -- Figgins chops to first, Mussina covers ... Tino's throw is there at the same time as the runner ... but Muss doesn't toe the bag, an error on the pitcher -- Muss grumbles, and Torre out to confer with the first base ump

Yankees pitch out on the first pitch to Cabrera, and Cabrera swings and flies the bat down the first baseline -- Angels call hit and run again on 0-2, fouled away -- Sturtze and Groom warm for NY -- Yankees pitch out on 1-2, lots of check backs and step offs so far -- full count to Cabrera, he flies to center ... Womack starts late two foot backpedalling, and gets it, one away

On the 1-0 to Erstad, Figgins goes ... the throw by Posada to second chases him back to first -- Erstad grounds to the mound, Muss pounces, turns and starts a 163 inning ending double play

BOT 8: Shields now pitching for LA-A -- ARod grounds leadoff single through to center -- Matsui grounds back to the mound to start a 163 double play, two down -- Giambi goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 9: Muss out after a hard luck, solid start -- Sturtze now pitching for NY -- Vlad grounds a leadoff single up the middle and into center -- Anderson bloops a broken bat single to center in no man's land between the infield and center, runners now first and second -- Finley grounds to first, the play advances both runners, one down

Runners at second and third for Rivera, he grounds to third ... great diving stop by ARod, no play possible to home, one run scores ... and guns out Rivera dogging it to first -- Angels increase to 4-1

Runner at second for Bengie Molina, he battles but goes down swinging to end the rally

BOT 9: KRod in to close -- Posada grounds to first, Erstad knocks it down but has trouble with it, flips to KRod covering, one down -- Tino flies to left, one pitch, now two away -- Womack flies to center to end the game

And imagine that, no hotdog antics from KRod

FINAL: Angels win, 4-1

Yankees have yet to figure out the Angels this season, now 2-6

54UP 47DOWN

Posted by at 1:07 PM | Permalink

Well, it's taken me awhile to write down some impressions of Mraz's new CD ... but let me get out a few tidbits that are Mraz-related ... before I go absentminded

Shy That Way, his duet with Tristan Prettyman will appear on her new CD coming out next week ... and if you go to VH1's website now, you can listen to full length tracks, including STW, which has taken on a new slower arrangement

In other notes, JM has three tracks on a collaboration CD between FiveBucks and XMsatradio, that will be on sale online on next Wednesday, and if I remember correctly at your local, ubiquitous FiveBucks ... anyways, here is the online link for next week

Ok, so finally to the album, MR A-Z, there are two really obvious hits, Wordplay and Geek In the Pink. Life is Wonderful, a favorite here at SL, receives a new arrangement from the versions played live earlier this year, I have to say that less (the stripped acoustic) was better than more (the three different verse arrangements) here.

Bella Luna is a very good track that explores that spanish sounding jazzy territory of classic Sting. A Song For A Friend is very solid track as well. The rest of the tracks I think need to be explored over a few more spins. Overall the CD is not as listener friendly as Waiting ... but as we all know JM live is pretty fantastic, and evolves recorded material into different directions ...

One last note, your Natl Pub Radio via KXPN is carrying a live Mraz show this afternoon at 2PM HST ... that's all for now

(ed. note: Another really great show from Jason and the band ... sound quality and the stream were really good ... I dunno, if they are going to archive it, but we all probably can look for it soon on the internet live music archive)

Playlist from KXPN show (@WorldCafe Live in Philadelphia, PA)
Life is Wonderful
(LIW segues into) Unfold (extended jam)
Wordplay
Did You Get My Message?
You and I Both
Geek In The Pink
Clockwatching
Bella Luna
Please Don't Tell Her
The Forecast
Mr. Curiosity
Remedy (I Won't Worry) - with cool audience sing-a-long and operatic vox LOL
I'll Do Anything, with cool jam finish

Encore:
I'm Yours

Posted by at 1:58 PM | Permalink

After two dominant pitching performances ... we have the rubber game of the Twins and Yankees, with one of those special breakfast with the Yankees starting times

Inside, impressions of MIN at NYY (100/162)
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TOP 1: Small going for NY -- Stewart grounds to third, one down -- Punto grounds to second, two away -- Mauer flies to left to retire the side

BOT 1: Mays going for MIN -- After being brushed back, Jeter lines a leadoff single to center -- Cano grounds a single up the middle, runners now first and second -- Sheffield lasers one to left ... GONE!!!, a three run shot, the Yankees lead, 3-0

ARod grounds back to the mound, Mays gloves ... and throws it away, ARod to second on the overthrow -- Matsui grounds on a hop to the pitcher, one away -- Giambi pops foul to first, two down -- Posada lines one to right ... Jones comes on, dives, and makes a great catch to end the rally

TOP 2: Hunter flies to center, one down -- Jones lays down a surprise bunt to third, no chance for ARod who is back ... an infield single -- Morneau pops to left, two gone -- Cuddyer grounds a two out single through to left, just out of reach of the diving ARod, runners first and second

Redmond grounds VERY SLOWLY to short, Jeter charges in and gloves it but has no play, an infield single ... the bases are now loaded -- Luis Rodriguez lines a single to left, two runs score ... Crosby's throw home is cut off by Giambi, Cano covers first to catch Luis R. in a rundown ... Redmond decides to try for the plate, Cano goes home ... Posada starts the rundown and Redmond is tagged out by ARod to end the rally ... HOO, catch a breath -- Yankees lead is cut to 3-2

BOT 2: Bernie flies to right center, one down -- Crosby grounds to third.... Cuddyer dives, gloves, and guns ... just in time at first, two away -- Jeter goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 3: Stewart grounds to short, one down -- Punto grounds to second, two away -- Mauer flies to center to retire the side

BOT 3: Cano softly lines to short, one down -- Sheffield grounds to third, two away -- ARod grounds a two out single sharply up the middle, just off the glove of the pitcher and into center -- Matsui grounds a single up the middle, runners now first and second ... Hunter goes behind ARod who takes a big turn at second, he is back in -- Giambi grounds to third, the force is made at third with a tag out to end the inning

TOP 4: Hunter grounds a leadoff single up the middle and into center -- On the 1-1 to Jones, Hunter goes ... the throw by Posada is on the bag, Hunter JUST gets his foot in to steal second -- runner at second for Jones, he lines one the opposite way to left, away from Matsui, one run scores ... and Jones into second with a hustle double -- the game is tied, 3-3

Morneau flies the first pitch to right, the runner holds at second, one down --
Cuddyer softly grounds back to the pitcher, runner to third on the play, two away -- Redmond grounds to short ... the jump throw by Jeter to end the rally

BOT 4: Posada flies to center, one down -- Bernie goes down swinging, two away -- Crosby grounds to first, the pitcher covering to end the inning

TOP 5: Luis Rodriguez flies to right, one down -- Stewart bloops to center ... Bernie slides and backhands one off the grass, two away -- Punto flies to center to retire the side

BOT 5: Jeter grounds to third, one down -- Cano lines to right ... Jones can't pick it up, he is turned around ... it's over his head, Cano hustling in for a double -- Sheffield grounds a single up the middle, they wave Cano ... the throw from Hunter ... not today, Cano will score and Sheffield will take second on the throw -- Yankees back ahead, 4-3

Runner at second for ARod, he pops foul to first, two away -- Matsui pops to center to end the rally

TOP 6: Mauer grounds back to the mound, one down -- Hunter lines to left, two away -- Jones lines to second to retire the side

BOT 6: Giambi flies to left, one down -- Posada grounds a single up the middle and into center -- Bernie grounds a single through to right, runners now first and second -- Guerrier warms for MIN -- Crosby goes down looking, two away -- Jeter walks on four pitches to load the bases

Anderson out to confer -- Cano lines to right ... Jones HOLDS UP, did he see it?, he lets it drop in, two runs score -- Yankees now lead, 6-3

That will be all for Mays, Guerrier will pitch for MIN -- runners at the corners for Sheffield, he grounds to third to end the rally

TOP 7: Morneau grounds to short, one down -- Cuddyer goes down swinging, two away -- Redmond grounds to second to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead, 6-3

BOT 7: Gordon is warming for NY -- ARod pops to first, one down -- Matsui goes down looking, two away -- Giambi grounds slowly up the first baseline, fielded by the pitcher who steps on the bag to end the inning

TOP 8: Small has a quality start for Yankees, Gordon now pitching for NY -- Luis full count to Rodriguez, the payoff ... called strike three, he goes down looking and jaws his way back to the dugout slowly, one away -- Stewart grounds to short , two down -- Punto lines a two out single to left -- Stottlemeyer out to check on Gordon after the first offerring to Mauer -- Mo warms for NY -- full count to Mauer, the payoff ... he goes down swinging

BOT 8: Romero now pitching for MIN -- full count to Posada, the payoff ... inside, he draws a leadoff walk -- Bernie also draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Crosby lays down a bunt, the pitcher fields and goes to third to get the force on the slow footed Posada, one down

Runners now first and second for Jeter, he bloops to right ... the campfire defense in right, Luis Rodriguez makes a great over the shoulder catch, two away -- Cano grounds sharply to the mound to end the inning

TOP 9: Mo in to close for NY -- Hunter goes down swinging, one down -- Jones grounds to second, two away -- Morneau lines to second ... caught by the leaping Cano to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 6-3

54UP 46DOWN

Posted by at 10:30 AM | Permalink

Very dominant pitching performance last night by the Unit, tonight Al Leiter gets his first start back in NY -- Yankees try to secure a series win against the always tough Johan Santana

Impressions of MIN at NYY (99/162)
---

TOP 1: Leiter goes for NY -- Stewart grounds a leadoff single up the middle and into center -- Punto grounds a single through to left, runners now first and second -- Ford grounds to short, the force is made at third, one down

Mauer goes down swinging, two away -- Hunter grounds to short, great diving stop by Jeter's face to stop it from going through, an infield single -- Jones grounds to short ... Jeter charges, gloves and guns ... close play to retire the side

BOT 1: Santana goes for Twins -- Jeter grounds to short, one down -- Cano flies to left, two away -- Sheffield grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 2: Boone flies to right, one down -- Morneau grounds to second, two away -- full count to Cuddyer, he blasts it to left ... Matsui chases, it's off the wall and away, and Cuddyer in with a double (could have been a triple, if he didn't MAJORLY DOG IT with the HR trot)

Stewart plunked, on first via HBP -- Runners at first and second for Punto, he draws a walk to load the bases -- Ford grounds slowly to third, ARod has to charge ... big gun over to first, Tino catches the low throw ... in time to retire the side

BOT 2: ARod draws a leadoff walk -- Matsui grounds to second ... under Boone's glove and into right center for a single, runners now first and second -- Giambi goes down swinging, one down

Posada flies to left center, two away -- Tino flies to right to end the inning

TOP 3: Mauer works a full count then grounds a leadoff single through to right -- Before the 1-1 to Hunter, Mauer is hung up, Leiter's pickoff throw is slow ... Tino's throw to second will not get him, he steals second

Runner at second for Hunter, he flies to left, one down -- Jones grounds the first pitch to short, two away -- On the 2-1 to Boone, the pitch gets away from Posada ... runner to third on the wild pitch -- full count to Boone, the payoff ... low, he draws a two out walk -- runners at the corners for Morneau, he blasts one to deep left center, off the wall, one run scores, he is in with a double ... they wave Boone ... the tag is waiting for him to end the rally -- Twins lead, 1-0

BOT 3: Bernie grounds to deep short, one down -- Jeter grounds to short ... he beats out the throw, an infield single -- Cano lines a single to right, runners now first and second -- Sheffield sharply lines a single to center ... they wave Jeter, the throw by Hunter is damn perfect, Mauer tags out Jeter, two away

Runners at the corners for ARod, he flies to the track in left to end the inning

TOP 4: Cuddyer lofts a leadoff single to left -- Stewart draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Punto flies to left, one down -- Ford goes down swinging, two away-- full count to Mauer, the payoff ... he grounds back to the mound to retire the side

BOT 4: Matsui gets brushed back with the high chin music ... he bloops a leadoff single to right -- Giambi goes down looking, one down -- Posada goes down swinging, two away -- Tino pops to second to end the inning

TOP 5: Hunter draws a leadoff walk -- Felix Rodriguez warms for NY -- Jones grounds to first, the throw by Tino to second gets the force at second, one down -- full count to Boone, the payoff ... he draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Stottlemyre out to confer -- Morneau grounds to second into a 463 double play to retire the side

BOT 5: Bernie pops to third in left, one down -- Jeter goes down swinging, two away -- Cano lines a two out single the opposite way, off Cuddyer's glove and into left -- Sheffield grounds to third to end the inning

TOP 6: A high pitch count outing by Leiter but he has kept the Yankees in the game, he is done for the night -- Felix Rodriguez now pitching for NY -- Cuddyer pops to right, one down -- Stewart sharply grounds a single through to left --
On the first pitch to Groom, Stewart goes ... the pitch is low, no chance at a throw ... Stewart in at second with the steal -- Proctor and Groom warm for NY -- full count to Punto, he goes down swinging on a foul tip, two away -- full count to Ford, the payoff ... he pops foul to third to retire the side

BOT 6: ARod draws a leadoff walk -- Matsui grounds to second into a 463 double play, two down -- Sturtze warms for NY -- Giambi grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 7: Sturtze in for NY -- Mauer goes the opposite way and slices one over ARod and into the leftfield corner for a leadoff double -- Hunter grounds a single through to right ... the throw by Sheffield home is off-line, one run scores ... the checkback throw to second ... FLOATS, in at second on the throw -- Twins now lead, 2-0

Hunter goes on the 1-1 to Jones, easily steals third -- Jones goes down looking, one away -- Boone grounds to short, Jeter is in on the play, checks the runner back to third and makes the putout to first, two down

Morneau will receive the intentional pass, BB, runners now at the corners

Play is interrupted on the 3-0 to Cuddyer by fan idiocy running on the field -- Cuddyer draws a four pitch walk, bases now loaded

Stewart lines a single to right center, two runs will score ... Stewart hustles to second on the lazy throw in by Bernie -- Stottlemyre in to confer, Groom warms for NY -- runners second and third for Punto, he goes down looking at the full count payoff to end the two out rally

Sturtze couldn't find the strike zone today, and the Yankees are burned with another productive two out rally ... this time by the weak hitting Twins, psshh

Seventh Inning SLOWWWWWWWWW (and boring): Twins lead, 4-0

BOT 7: Posada grounds to second ... great reaching diving stop by Boone, one down -- Tino lines a single to right -- Proctor warms for NY, Rincon warms for MIN -- Bernie goes down swinging, two away -- Jeter grounds sharply to second to end the inning

TOP 8: Proctor in for NY -- Ford grounds to short, one down -- Mauer grounds to third, two away -- Hunter grounds a two out single through to right -- Jones blasts one out to left center ... courtesy chase by Matsui, gone, a two run, TWO OUT shot -- Twins now lead, 6-0

Boone goes down swinging to end the (YET ANOTHER) two out rally ... this one has likely iced the game for the Twins

BOT 8: Santana out after a dominant performance -- Rincon now pitching for MIN -- Cano grounds the first pitch into center for a leadoff single -- Sheffield lines a single to right, runners now first and second -- ARod flies to center, Cano tags and goes to third, one down

Runners at the corners for Matsui, he draws a walk to load the bases -- pitching coach out to confer, Nathan warms for MIN -- Giambi works a full count, the payoff ... low, he draws a walk and a run scores -- the score is now MIN 6-1

Bases still loaded for Posada, he pops to short in shallow left, two away -- Tino works a full count, the payoff ... he grounds to second, Boone gloves, spins, has trouble with the ball in the glove, throws .... in the dirt, and skips away from the first baseman, two runs in ... and a runner to third on the errant throw -- the Twins lead is now cut to 6-3

The Twins will pull Rincon ... in the dugout he throws stuff around in disgust -- Nathan, the MIN closer, now pitching for MIN -- runners at the corners for Bernie

F@#KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK ... Bernie hits the 0-1, long, far ...... and just wide of the foulpole in right (the tying HR is averted), then goes down swinging on the next pitch to end the rally

TOP 9: Graman pirching for NY -- Morneau, down 0-2, battles, then blasts one to right, a leadoff solo shot to right, great AB -- Twins now lead, 7-3

Cuddyer draws a walk -- Stewart flies to the rightfield corner next to the stands, great catch by Sheffield, the runner tags and goes to second, one down -- Punto grounds to third, two away, runner to third on the play -- Ford grounds to short to end the rally

BOT 9: Nathan going for the SV -- full count to Jeter, the payoff ... he draws a leadoff walk -- Cano chops to the mound, the pitcher makes the play at first, one down -- runner at second for Sheffield, he pops foul to the catcher, two away -- ARod goes down looking to end the inning

FINAL: Twins win, 7-3

Dominant performance by Santana, combined with two out lapses by the Yankee pitching is the formula for this loss ... despite the Yankees coming very close to tying it up in the 8th

53UP 46DOWN

Posted by at 1:24 PM | Permalink

Yankees back after a day off, off a solid performance on the road trip. Today it gets no easier as they start a three game series against wild card contender, Minnesota

Impressions of MIN at NYY (98/162)
---

Still dig the Ecstasy of Gold/Battery warm up music for Unit at The Stadium

TOP 1: Unit going for NY -- Stewart is plunkt on the foot, on first base via HBP -- Punto grounds up the middle to short, Jeter steps on second unassisted and completes the 663 double play, two down -- Hunter goes down swinging (RJ 1) to retire the side

BOT 1: Radke going for Twins -- Jeter goes down looking, one down -- Cano grounds to first, the pitcher covering, two away -- Sheffield pops to right to end the inning

TOP 2: Mauer goes down looking (RJ 2), one down -- Lecroy also goes down looking (RJ 3), two away -- Ford flies to center to retire the side

BOT 2: ARod blasts one to center ... GONE, a solo shot to near straightaway center -- Yankees lead, 1-0

Matsui grounds to third, one down -- full count to Giambi, the payoff ... high, he draws a walk -- Bernie lines a single to right ... Giambi hustling to third, he is in there as the throw is offline -- runners at the corners for Tino, he grounds to second, Boone has to charge to glove ... he doesn't tag Bernie who is hung up in the baseline ... he decides to turn and throw to second to get the force, two away, one run scores -- Yankees now lead, 2-0

Flaherty flies to the track in left to end the inning and the rally

TOP 3: Boone goes down looking (RJ 4), one down -- Cuddyer lines to the center, two away -- Castro flies to right to retire the side

BOT 3: Jeter grounds to third, one pitch, one away -- Cano rips the 1-1 down the first baseline ... the ump calls it foul (replay: CHALK DUST POOF, I think not) ... he goes down swinging, the ball is dropped but he is put out at first, two down -- Sheffield reaches out and grounds to third to end the inning

TOP 4: Stewart goes down swinging (RJ 5), one down -- Punto grounds to first, two away -- Hunter is down looking (RJ 6) to retire the side

BOT 4: ARod pops to left, one down -- Matsui blasts one to the base of the wall in left for a double -- full count to Giambi, the payoff ... he draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Bernie grounds to the mound, off the pitcher, Radke knocks it down and makes the play at first, two away

Runners now second and third for Tino, he is plunkt, bases now loaded -- Flaherty goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 5: Mauer goes down swinging (RJ 7), one away -- Lecroy grounds to short, two down -- Ford flies to left center to retire the side

BOT 5: Jeter grounds to short, Castro circles to glove ... Jeter in with a hustle leadoff infield single -- Cano grounds sharply to third into a 543 double play, two down -- Sheffield hits a broken bat grounder to third to end the inning

TOP 6: Boone grounds to third, one down -- Cuddyer goes down swinging (RJ 8), two away -- Castro grounds one up the middle ... and it bounces under Jeter's glove and into center for the FIRST HIT of the game, ending the Unit's no-hit bid -- Stewart goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 6: ARod grounds a leadoff single up the middle and into center -- Matsui pops foul to the catcher ... Mauer makes a great running, reaching grab while approaching the visiting dugout rail, one down -- Giambi is plunkt, runners now first and second

The 2-1 to Bernie gets away from Mauer and kicks away ... the runners advance to second and third -- Bernie grounds to short ... ARod is hung up and run down, the runners now at first and second, two away -- Tino pops to center ... the campfire defense gathers, and Hunter makes the catch to end the inning

TOP 7: Punto goes down swinging (RJ 10), one down -- Hunter goes down swinging ... OLE!!!, the silver sombrero, two away (RJ 11) -- Mauer grounds to second to end the inning

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead, 2-0

BOT 7: Crain pitching for MIN -- Flaherty grounds to second, one down -- Jeter lays down a surprise bunt to third, no play possible other than to glove it, an infield single -- Cano goes down swinging, two away -- Sheffield lines a two out single to left, runners now first and second -- Anderson in to confer, Romero warms for MIN -- ARod draws a walk to load the bases

Gardenhire will match L-L and bring in Romero to face Matsui -- Matsui lines a clutch two out single up the middle, two runs score -- Yankees now lead, 4-0

Runners at first and second for Giambi, he goes down swinging to end the rally

TOP 8: Lecroy flies to left, one down -- Gordon warms for NY -- Ford blasts one out to left center, over Matsui's head and to the wall, in with a double -- Boone flies to center, the runner tags and goes to third, two away -- Cuddyer sharply grounds to first, great stop by Tino to retire the side

BOT 8: Mulholland now pitching for Twins -- Bernie grounds a leadoff single, past Punto and into left -- Tino grounds to second into a 434 double play, two down-- Gordon warms for NY -- Flaherty flies to right to end the inning

TOP 9: Unit is done for the night, a superb two hit shutout effort -- Gordon now pitching for NY -- Tiffee PH for Castro, he grounds back to the mound, one down -- Stewart flies to the track in right, two away -- full count to Punto, the payoff ... he grounds to first, Gordon covers to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 4-0

The big story is the Unit's performance tonight, effectively shutting down the Twins with a season high-tying 11 Ks, on two hits over 8IP -- Offense did just enough in what was basically a pitching and defense night, and another clutch hit by Matsui

53UP 45DOWN ... two straight wins

Posted by at 3:40 PM | Permalink

After making a key decision to reload the shuff up with metal tunes that really rock, I found that exercise was a breeze last night (which isn't surprising)

It made me want to upgrade some of my old cass tapes and albums to CDs, this is a very unfortunate side effect and turn of events LOL

Posted by at 12:43 PM | Permalink

Well, last game of the road trip, Yankees trying to salvage one against the Angels and avoid the sweep

Inside, impressions of NYY at LAA (97/162)
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TOP 1: Washburn going for Halos -- Jeter grounds to short, one down -- Cano grounds to second, two away -- Sheffield flies to right to retire the side

BOT 1: Mussina going for NY -- Figgins draws a walk on the full count payoff -- Figgins goes on the first pitch to Erstad, Posada has trouble gripping ... an easy steal of second -- Runner at second for Erstad, he grounds back to the mound, one down, runner to third on the play -- Guerrero grounds to third, the run scores -- the Angels lead, 1-0

Anderson goes the opposite way for a two out bloop single to left -- Finley pops to second to end the rally

TOP 2: ARod draws a leadoff walk on the full count payoff -- Matsui flies to the track in right center, one down -- Giambi pops foul to the catcher, two away -- Posada grounds up the middle to second, the force is made at second to retire the side

BOT 2: Izturis grounds a leadoff single up the middle -- Juan Rivera grounds to short into a 643 double play, two gone -- an eventful AB for Jose Molina, he throws his bat over third into shallow left, and now fouls one off Posada ... trainers and Torre out, he will stay in -- Jose Molina flies to deep left center to end the inning

TOP 3: Tino flies to right, one away -- Bernie grounds back to the pitcher, who puts him out, two down -- Jeter goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 3: Kennedy draws a leadoff walk -- Figgins lines a single to right, runners now first and second -- Erstad goes down swinging, one down -- Vlad flies to center, two away -- Anderson pops to second to end the inning

TOP 4: Cano rips one over the head of Rivera and off the wall in right, a leadoff double -- Sheffield grounds slowly to first, he is tagged out by Erstad running down the line, one away -- full count to ARod, the payoff ... he flies to right, Cano tags ... the throw is on the money, the tag is applied, Cano is gone at the plate to retire the side

BOT 4: Finley hits the 2-1, long, far ... but FOUL ... he grounds to first, the pitcher covering, one down -- Izturis hits a hot shot up the middle, great diving stop by Jeter, who gets up and guns ... he gets him, two away -- Juan Rivera down swinging on a checkswing to end the inning

TOP 5: Matsui flies to right, one away -- Giambi is plunked, on first via HBP -- Posada flies to center, two down -- Tino flies to right to retire the side

BOT 5: Jose Molina goes down looking, one away -- Kennedy flies to right, two down -- Figgins lines one the opposite way for a two out single to left -- Figgins goes on the first pitch to Erstad, the throw ... Jeter loses the ball swiping the tag, Figgins in at second with another steal -- Erstad pops to second to end the inning

TOP 6: Bernie lines to short, one down -- Jeter flies to center, two away -- Cano grounds to first, the pitcher covering

Facing six innings of battters, Washburn making it look easy shutting down NY

BOT 6: Vlad flies to left, one down -- Anderson goes down swinging, two away -- Finley lines a two out single to left center ... over the leap of Jeter -- full count to Izturis, the payoff ... he lines a single to left, runners now first and second -- Juan Rivera grounds back to the mound to end the inning

TOP 7: Sheffield goes down looking, one down -- full count to ARod, the payoff ... he grounds sharply to third, Figgins gloves and makes a jump throw ... ARod just safe with an infield single, wow, great play all around -- Matsui blasts one to right center ... GONE!!, the Yankees have taken the lead, 2-1 ... despite being largely mystified all day by Washburn

Giambi is plunked square in the back with the first pitch, on at first via HBP (retaliation ball? I hope not) -- Black out to confer -- Giambi goes, Posada lines a single to left ... it's going to be close at third, Giambi has hustled into third beating the throw

Runners at the corners for Tino, he grounds to first, Erstad throws to short and gets the force at second ... Washburn covers first ... HIS TOE IS NOT ON THE BAG, Tino in safe, one run will score -- Yankees increase to 3-1

Washburn argues his case, in comes Scioscia to confer (replay: his foot wasn't on, he made an extra kick to toe the bag, but too late -- Bernie flares to short to end the rally

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead, 3-1

BOT 7: Crosby in a CF -- DaVanon PH for Jose Molina, he flies to right center, one away -- Sturtze warms for NY -- Kennedy bloops a single to center -- that will be all for Mussina, a solid outing after some early shakiness that the Halos never really capitalized on

Sturtze now pitching for Yankees -- Figgins bloops a single to left, his third hit of the day ... runners now first and second -- the runners go, Erstad grounds to third, right on the bag ... ARod gloves, steps on third and guns to first to convert a 553 clutch double play to end the inning

TOP 8: Washburn continues for LAA, Paul in at C -- full count to Jeter, he battles but goes down swinging, one down -- Cano flies the opposite way to left, two away -- Sheffield bloops a two out single to center

Washburn's outing is over, a really excellent start except for the game changing hiccup in the 7th -- Peralta will pitch for Halos -- full count to ARod, the payoff ... high and inside, he draws a two out walk -- full count to Matsui, he pops foul to third to retire the side

BOT 8: Gordon now pitching for NY -- Vlad grounds the first pitch through to left for a leadoff single -- Anderson pops to right ... it's looking campfire ... NO!, Cano makes a great reaching catch, one away -- Rivera warms for NY, Stottlemyre out to confer on the 3-0 count -- Finley walks on four pitches, runners now first and second

Torre out to get the ball, Mo will attempt a FIVE out save -- Izturis grounds back to the mound to start the inning ending 163 double play

TOP 9: Peralta continues -- Giambi draws a walk off a full count -- Womack PR for Giambi at first base -- Posada pops to third, one down -- Tino blasts one to deep right center, off the wall ... Womack cruises in easily from first and scores, a double for Tino -- Yankee now lead, 4-1

Crosby pops to short in shallow left, two away -- Jeter grounds to third to end the rally

BOT 9: Juan Rivera goes down swinging, one down -- Bengie Molina PH for Josh Paul, he pops to right, two away -- Kennedy goes down looking to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 4-1

Yankees awaken the bats just in time to salvage one from the Angels.
This series showed the glaring needs of the Yankees for solid starting pitching and middle relief help ... that might have been the difference in losing this series and splitting it (and if you look back to the TEX series, may have cost a sweep)

52UP 45DOWN ... back in the win column and heading back home after a decent 6-5 roadtrip that looked ridiculous on paper

Posted by at 2:00 PM | Permalink

SD and I went to go see The Island tonight (this was after a pretty funny conversation in the afternoon we had about the merits of seeing Snoop Dogg that night for free at the Shell) ... One of the things that really amazed me was how "crowded" the theatre was at Koolau -- I haven't seen a crowd like that at a non-top tier blockbuster movie in quite awhile, and especially on a night with a concert in town and the Superbrawl also

I didn't pay attention to the rating but I did notice that there were a lot of families there and a lot of age diversity from old to young ... it made me wonder if I was the only one who wasn't paying attention to the hype?

What to say, what to say ... well, the movie is largely mixed, and at the conclusion, I hadn't had such a feeling of well ... so what since perhaps AI... or some other really amazingly cinematic endings that are only visually interesting and nothing else. Also of note, the movie is very loud, of course, we come to expect that in the combo of Koolau big auditorium and Bay movie

Anyways, what was an interesting premise went awry ... if you don't know the premise is sort of scifi in an Outer Limits way, however LACKING IN A BIG BIG WAY, the subtlety or creativity that we love from TOL or Twilight Zone

I guess I had the feeling that someone missed a Soylent Green moment in there, in other words, soon after the big secret is finally revealed ... well, the movie turns into a loud, cinematically interesting chase sequence after chase sequence ... that at the end of the day had no practical value of moving the overall narrative ahead

Back from my tangent, this movie seemed to have a lot of potential on two fronts, it had the big loud, popcorn popping summer blockbuster bigness and action ... it had a fairly decent premise that I think could have been a lot better carried out

The premise is this ... in the middle part of the 21st century, cloning of human beings is not only possible, but can provide a quasi-youth to people who buy "insurance policies" against organ failure, catastrophic accidents, or for cosmetic reasons like aging. The clones are immaculately farmed to be precisely the age of the donee, or in non-lawyer speak, the recipient.

How the clones are raised, and the premise behind that ... is well fraught with continuity issues and poor plot conception because the explanation is so convoluted and inconsistent, that the viewer can either supply their own explanation ... or just pass it over. Suffice it to say, the answers given are not fantastic as to be sci-fi or practical from a "human" standpoint to be logical scientifically, but enough of that

The movie turns into the aforementioned chase film when one of the clones essentially starts showing human qualities unplanned for ... what some people have called "soul" ... what I would call persistence of life, or that urge people get to experience, survive, etc ... the life process of being unique or forming identity

In the end, I suppose my problem with it is that it is somewhat disjointed, I would tend to agree with the Rog that this is really two stories, and the difficulty in viewing it is that they don't necessarily relate to one another in a compelling way, although the parts can be interesting by themselves

I found it ironic that half the audience seemed to be loving certain parts or it, and then the other half would like the other part of it. I guess in the final analysis, I just think it was a big schmozz, and the good parts in each just frustrate you that it could have been a better film overall

Our rating: C- ... or barely passable, definitely one of those $1 movies movies

Posted by at 11:00 PM | Permalink

After giving one away and yesterday not really seeming to be into it (with all the missed opps) despite the closeness of the score, the Yankees try again to knock off the Halos in an unusually late SAT start

Inside, impressions of NYY at LAA (96/162)
---

TOP 1: Santana going for Halos -- full count to Jeter, he battles and draws a leadoff walk -- Cano grounds to short, the force is made at second ... the play at first is not in time, one down

The first pitch to Sheffield is inside and pops out of Bengie Molina's glove and rolls away ... runner to second on the passed ball -- full count to Sheffield, he goes down swinging, two away -- ARod lines a single to left, one run scores -- Yankees lead, 1-0

With the count 2-2 to Matsui, ARod is hung up ... Santana runs towards him and tags him out to end the rally ... a bit of a bonehead end to a positive inning

BOT 1: Brown going for NY -- full count to Figgins, he lines the payoff to right for a leadoff single -- Erstad goes down swinging, one down -- Vlad pops the first pitch foul near the stands ... Tino gives chase, the fan leans over and takes it away from him ... another bonehead fan reaching over play -- Vlad grounds to third into a 543 inning ending double play

TOP 2: Matsui is plunked on the foot, on first via leadoff HBP -- Giambi grounds to first into a well executed 361 double play, two gone -- Posada draws a two out walk -- Tino lines a single through to right, runners now first and second -- Crosby grounds to third to retire the side

BOT 2: Anderson lines a leadoff double down the rightfield line and into the corner -- Finley flares a single over the leaping Jeter and into left center, runner to third on the hit -- runners at the corners for Bengie Molina, he slowly grounds to second, no chance at anything but first, one run scores, one away -- the game is tied, 1-1

DaVanon flies the first pitch to left, two down -- runner at second for Cabrera, he sharply lines full count payoff to left to end the rally

TOP 3: Jeter blasts a leadoff solo shot to right center -- Yankees edge back in front, 2-1

Cano blasts one to deep right ... this one too is gone, back to back solo shots -- the score is now NY 3-1

Sheffield grounds to short, diving stop by Cabrera ... he throws from his knees, Erstad can't corrall it, Sheffield will reach on an infield single -- ARod pops the FIRST PITCH to right (gakk!), one down -- Matsui hits a broken bat fly to right, two away -- Giambi grounds off the glove of the pitcher, it kicks to the shortstop who puts him out at first to end the rally

BOT 3: Kennedy draws a leadoff walk -- Figgins draws another walk, runners now first and second -- Stottlemyre out to confer because Brown looks like his back is tweaked, he will stay in

Erstad flies to left, one away -- Vlad absoultely destroys one to deep center ... a three run shot that puts the Angels back ahead, 4-3

And so begins the speculative cheer about Yankee suction

Anderson pops to center amidst the fireworks smog (yeah bush thy name is certain tactics which indicate premature jocularity), two down -- full count to Finle, the payoff makes Finley do a footwark dance to get out of the way ... he draws a walk

Runner at first for Bengie Molina, two away -- on the 1-2 to Molina, Finley goes ... and steals easily on a very high throw from Posada -- runner at second now, Bengie Molina flies to left to end the rally

TOP 4: Posada flies to right, one down -- Tino pops to short in shallow left, two away -- Crosby flies to center to retire the side

BOT 4: DaVanon draws a leadoff walk -- Graman warms for NY -- Cabrera goes down swinging, one down -- Kennedy grounds a single through to right, runners now first and second -- Figgins rips one to gap in right center, it bounces past Sheffield, one run scores, lead runner to third -- Angels now lead, 5-3

That will be all for Kevin Brown ... another subpar outing characterized by being burned by walks and hits, he may not be right healthwise

Graman now pitching for NY -- runners at second and third for Erstad, he grounds one down the first baseline and into the rightfield corner, two runs score and Erstad is in with a double -- Angels extend to 7-3

Vlad is intentionally walked, runners now first and second -- Anderson pops to short, two down -- Felix Rodriguez warms for NY -- Finley bloops a single to right center, one run scores, the lead runner to third -- the score is now LAA 8-3

That will be all for Graman, Felix Rodriguez will pitch for NY -- full count to Bengie Molina, he grounds the payoff to short to end the carnage

TOP 5: Jeter grounds a leadoff single through to right -- Cano draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Black out to confer, Yan warms for Angels

Sheffield grounds a single through to right center, one run will score, the Yankees hold the lead runner at second -- Angels lead is cut to 8-4

ARod goes down looking ... he argues, one down -- Matsui grounds to second, the force is made at second, no throw to first, two away -- Giambi flies to right to end the rally

Another story of missing opportunities to draw closer, it SHOULD have been a much bigger inning for the Yankees

BOT 5: FRod continues -- DaVanon flies to left, one down -- Cabrera pops the 0-1 foul to first base foul territory ... Tino is there to make the overhead catch, BUT CAN'T SQUEEZE IT, gakk

Cabrera rips one by the diving ARod, down the leftfield line ... Matsui hustles over and guns ... the play is not even close, Cano waiting with the tag, Cabrera out trying to stretch a single into a double, two away

Full count to Kennedy, the payoff .... he draws a two out walk -- Kennedy steals second off the first pitch SLOWWW delivery of FRod to Figgins -- runner at second for Figgins, he pops foul to left ... great hustle by Matsui to end the inning

TOP 6: Yan now pitching for Halos -- Posada flies to the wall in right ... just missed it, one down -- Tino blasts one off the wall in right, he will hold at a single, nice relay by Vlad -- Crosby pops to short in shallow center, two away --

Jeter lines a two out single to right, runners now first and second -- Cano rips it to left ... but DaVanon is there, running to it, to retire the side

Same old song and dance, Yankees rarely get two out run scoring hits

BOT 6: Groom pitching for NY -- Erstad grounds up the middle off the mound, Jeter fields, double clutches ... that's enough time for Erstad to JUST beat it out for a leadoff infield single -- On the 1-2 to Vlad, Erstad goes ... again no chance for Posada, Erstad steals second

Runner at second for Vlad, he rips an atom ball at ARod, one away -- Anderson flies to left center, the runner holds, two down -- Finley grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 7: Sheffield flies to left center, one down -- ARod battles but goes down swinging, two away -- Matsui turns another bat into lumber and bloops a two out single to left -- Giambi just gets all of one ... a two run shot to deep center, the Angels lead is cut to 8-6

Peralta and Shields warms for LAA -- Posada grounds to first to end the two out rally

Seventh Inning Stench, Angels lead, 8-6

BOT 7: Small now pitching for NY -- Bengie Molina grounds to short, one down -- DaVanon flies to right, two away -- Cabrera grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 8: Shields now pitching for Halos -- Tino lines the full count payoff at first, one down -- Bernie PH for Crosby, he flies to center, two away -- Jeter lines a two out single to right, his fourth hit of the game (4-for-4) ... great offense -- Cano hits a sinking liner to left ... DaVanon makes a great sliding catch to deny the hit and retire the side

BOT 8: Gordon now pitching for NY (6th Yankee pitcher tonight) -- Kennedy goes down swinging, one down -- Figgins draws a four pitch walk -- Erstad loops a single to left, Figgins is hung up in no man's land and is rundown by ARod, two away ... Erstad to second on the play -- Vlad sharply lines to left to end the inning

TOP 9: KRod in to close -- Sheffield pops to second in shallow center, one down -- ARod goes down swinging, uno dos adios, two away ... ole, the silver sombrero -- Matsui flies to left center to end the game ... and of course, KRod looks like he just won the WS

FINAL: Angels win, 8-6

Did the Yankee offense have opportunies to do more? the answer to that is yes. Is it somewhat unreasonable to expect them to score 9 or 10 runs a night when weak starts and middle relief put them in a hole? I think so, too. The pitching bug bites the Yankees again, this will probably be the difference of the Yankees' fate this year

51UP 45DOWN ... three straight losses

Posted by at 8:00 PM | Permalink

Games like that yesterday are really tough to swallow for fans ... who knows what it is like for players, probably 8000x worse. Yankees look to bounce back against the Halos today behind the arm of the surprising road dog Al Leiter

Inside, impressions of NYY at LAA (95/162)
---

I always wonder if the fans in SoCal/OC dig these homerish Fox broadcasting nimrods ... compared to the immaculate Vin, also on FSN, sheesh -- You would think that will all the voice talent in town, oh neverfknmind

TOP 1: Lackey pitching for LAA -- Jeter goes down looking, one away -- Cano grounds to second, two down -- Sheffield flies to the track in left center to retire the side

BOT 1: Leiter pitching for NY -- Figgins lines a leadoff single to center -- On the 2-1 to Erstad, Figgins goes late ... Jeter looks surprised by the awkward slide and misses the tage, he is in with a steal -- Runner at second, full count to Erstad, the payoff ... he lines to center, one away ... Figgins is chased back

Vlad grounds to third, the runner holds, two down -- Anderson flies to the track in right center to end the inning

TOP 2: ARod lines the full count payoff to center for a leadoff single -- Matsui grounds to second ... Kennedy gloves ahead of ARod, who is hung up ... Kennedy fakes the rundown, and throws to first?? HUH, one down, runner in at second

On the 1-1 to Giambi, the throw is in the dirt, ARod fakes a go ... Jose Molina throws to check him back AND THROWS IT INTO CF ... Figgins gloves, the race is on ... the throw is perfect to third, ARod slips his left arm by the tag, in at third

Giambi grounds to first, two away, one run scores -- Yankees lead, 1-0

Posada goes down swinging to end the rally

BOT 2: Bengie Molina grounds a leadoff single through to left -- Cabrera flies to center, one down -- Jose Molina grounds a single up the middle past Jeter, runners now first and second

Full count to Izturis, the payoff ... he draws a walk, bases are now loaded -- Kennedy lines a single to right, one run in ... Jose Molina is waved, the throw comes ... he slides under the sweeping tag of Posada, great slide!, two runs in on the hit -- Angels take over the lead, 2-1

Runners at the corners for Figgins, he rips a single up the middle that clips Leiter's glove on the way to center, one run scores -- the score is now LA-A 3-1

Before the first pitch to Erstad, the checkback throw from Leiter is away from Giambi, and gets a bit of his glove ... and trickles away, the runner from third will score, the other runner in to second -- Halos add another, 4-1

Stottlemyre out to confer -- runner at second for Erstad, he flies to left, two away -- Runner still at second for Vlad, he grounds to short to end the rally

Brutal ... and now again during an Angels broadcast, I will go radio silence due to the annoying announcers, pshhh

TOP 3: Bernie goes down swinging, one away -- Crosby grounds the first pitch to second, two down -- Jeter goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 3: Anderson lines a leadoff single to right -- Bengie Molina draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Cabrera pops to second in shallow right, one down

Graman warms for NY -- Jose Molina grounds a single up the middle into center, they wave Anderson home ... the throw is offline, one run scores -- the Angels now lead, 5-1

Runners first and second for Izturis, he chops to third near the bag, ARod gloves and steps on third for the force, two away -- Kennedy flies the first pitch to left to end the rally

TOP 4: Cano bloops a leadoff single to left center -- Sheffield draws a walk, runners at first and second -- full count to ARod, the payoff ... he goes down looking, and he knew it, one down

Matsui lines a single to left, one run will score -- Halos lead cut to, 5-2

Runners first and second for Giambi, he battles it full then GOES DOWN SWINGING, two away -- the 1-2 pitch to Posada gets away from the catcher, the runners move up to second and third -- Posada grounds to first to end the rally ... and what will be said about this inning is MISSED OPPS

BOT 4: Figgins goes down looking, one away -- Erstad pops foul to the catcher, two down -- Vlad pops foul to right ... Sheffield comes on and makes a great running basket catch to end the inning

TOP 5: Bernie pops to second in shallow right, one down -- Crosby goes down swinging, two away -- full count to Jeter, the payoff ... is low, he draws a two out walk -- Cano just blasts one to the gap in right center, to the track, he's in with a double at least, Jeter will score all the way around from first... Vlad bobbles it out in right, Cano will get to third on the error -- Halos now lead, 5-3

Black in to confer -- full count to Sheffield, runner on third, he grounds the payoff to third to end the two out rally ... AGAIN MISSED OPP to do more with the big bats up, gakk!

BOT 5: Donnelly warms for LAA -- Anderson goes down swinging, one down -- Bengie Molina lines to short, two away -- Cabrera grounds to deep short, it's past ARod, Jeter gloves and that's all, a two out infield single -- Jose Molina grounds to third, ARod is back, has to gun ... the throw is violent, in the dirt, but PICKED by Giambi, great play to end the inning

TOP 6: ARod chops one off the plate, a really HIGH bounce out to third, he legs out a leadoff single -- Matsui ahead 3-0, he is GREENLIGHTED ... and pops it up to center (GAKK!!!), one down -- that will be all for Lackey, Donnelly in to pitch

Giambi goes down swinging, two away -- Posada flies to center to retire the side ... and the Yankees are officially pressing, psshh

BOT 6: Izturis grounds a leadoff single to left -- Proctor warms for NY -- on the 1-2 to Kennedy, Leiter checks back Izturis, he is hung up ... BUT GIAMBI CAN'T GET THE BALL OUT OFF HIS GLOVE, Izturis steals second ... are you kidding me?!?!?!?

Runner on second, Kennedy grounds to second, one down -- Figgins pops to second, two away -- full count to Erstad, he keeps battling in a quality AB ... then serves a two out flare single to center, one run will score -- Halos increase to, 6-3

Vlad pops foul to first to end the two out rally ... like many other instances this season, the Yankee pitching can't close the book on two out innings, this run given the offensive sputtering has probably put the game out of reach today

TOP 7: Donnelly continues -- Bernie flies to center ... Figgins dives in to stab at it, it hits the heel of his glove on a hop, a leadoff single -- Crosby works it full, the payoff ... high, he draws a walk, runners first and second ... and surprise, surprise, Yankees in business AGAIN

Jeter grounds to third, a routine double play ball, the force is made at second ... then Kennedy loses the grip on it trying to throw to first, one down -- Shields now warming for Halos -- runners now at the corners for Cano, he POPS TO FIRST ... GAKK!!!!, two away

That will be all for Donnelly, Shields in to face Sheffield -- Sheffield hits it hard to center ... but just misses it to retire the side ... what more do I need to say today about lack of timely hitting

Seventh Inning Stretch, Angels lead, 6-3

BOT 7: Proctor now pitching for NY -- Anderson hits the full count payoff and flies to center, one down -- Bengie Molina also works a full count, and flies to the track in deep center, two away -- Cabrera flies to center to end the inning

TOP 8: Shields continues -- ARod grounds to third, one down -- Matsui grounds the FIRST PITCH to short, two away -- Giambi blasts one to deep center, over Figgins, for a two out double -- Peralta warms for LAA -- Posada goes down looking to retire the side ... another runner left in scoring position

BOT 8: Proctor continues for NY -- Jose Molina goes down swinging, one down -- Izturis glies to right, two away -- Kennedy grounds the first pitch back to the mound to end the inning

TOP 9: K-Rod in again tonight to close out NY -- Bernie grounds up the middle to short, one down -- Tino in at PH for Crosby, he goes down swinging, the pitch is dropped and he is put out at first, two away -- Jeter works it full, but pops to the dugout along the first baseline ... Erstad reaches, and gloves it to end the game ... why not?

FINAL: Angels win, 6-3

Leiter was shaky early on, as was some defensive execution ... Leiter righted himself after it was 5-1, but the bats for the Yankees never came through with timely hitting all game long, though there were many men on base opportunities

51UP 44DOWN ... two losses in a row

Posted by at 8:00 PM | Permalink

Yes, what do you get when you overhype ... you get tripe hype, so ouila, HIPE.

I feel like I'm really overhyping, but I can't get enough of this recent find (well, depends how you define "recent", I think I heard it on WOXY or did I hear it on iTunes sometime late May/June??)

We have been listening to our favorite Canadian artist at the moment ... specifically Feist's "Let It Die" for quite a while now, and I don't seem to be able to sit for any amount of time and write a review. But, I really love it alot ... in fact, the most apt comparison I can draw is that freshness when I first heard norah, and her voice is just amazingly dynamic and emotionally evocative

Great starter tracks to sample are One Evening, Gatekeeper, and Inside Out, but Now At Last and the cover of Secret Heart are equally good

What is even more cool is her acoustic set on M.B.E. (requires RealPlayer), which features some better arrangements of the songs on the cd ... and I suppose a great place to sample her music

Posted by at 3:21 PM | Permalink

Yankees begin a three game series against the always tough Halos

Inside, impressions of NYY at LAA (94/162)
---

TOP 1: Colon going for Halos -- Jeter blasts the first pitch to right ... Vlad backs on it, on the track ... it's over his head, just out of his reach and off the wall, and rolls away, a leadoff triple -- Cano bloops a run scoring single to center -- Yankees draw first blood, 1-0

Runner on first for Sheffield, he grounds to third into 543 double play, two down -- ARod blasts a shot to right center ... GONE, a two run solo shot -- the score is now NY 2-0

Matsui lines to center ... Finley backs and makes a great backhanded catch to end the rally

BOT 1: Unit going for NY -- Figgins grounds to third ... great stop by ARod, one down -- Erstad grounds the first pitch to short, two away -- Vlad flies to center to end the inning

TOP 2: Giambi goes down swinging, one down -- Bernie pops to short in shallow left, two away -- Flaherty also pops to short in shallow left to retire the side

BOT 2: Anderson grounds to second ... the jump throw by Cano, gets him, nice play, one down -- Bengie Molina grounds to third, two away -- Cabrera also grounds to third to retire the side

TOP 3: Crosby lines a leadoff single up the middle and into center -- Jeter sacbunts back to the mound, the pitcher fields and puts him out to first, runner advanced to second -- full count to Cano, the payoff ... he flies to the track in left, two away ... the runner tags and advances to third on the play -- Sheffield grounds the first pitch to short to retire the side

BOT 3: Finley goes down swinging (RJ 1), ball gets away ... Flaherty's throw to first is a bit offline, Giambi grabs and then taps with his foot, nifty play, one down -- Jose Molina also goes down swinging (RJ 2), two away -- full count to Izturis, the payoff ... low, ball four, he draws a two out walk -- Figgins grounds to third to end the inning

TOP 4: ARod grounds a leadoff single through to left -- Matsui goes down swinging on the full count payoff ... ARod was running on the pitch, he is hung up and is tagged out for a strike em out, throw em out double play, two away

Giambi gets all of one and puts it out to deep right center, a two out solo shot -- the Yankees now lead, 3-0

Bernie grounds to first, the pitcher covers to end the rally

BOT 4: Erstad is plunked, at first on the HBP -- Vlad flares to second, one down -- Anderson lines a single to center, runner to third on the hit

Bengie Molina hits a sacfly to left, the runner tags ... the throw to the plate is cut off, one run scores -- the Yankees lead is cut to 3-1

Cabrera flies to center to end the rally

TOP 5: Flaherty foul pops to third, one down -- Crosby bunts a foul pop to the catcher, two away -- Jeter grounds to third to retire the side

BOT 5: Finley grounds to second, one down -- Jose Molina down swinging (RJ 3), two away -- Izturis also down swinging (RJ 4) to end the inning

TOP 6: Cano grounds to second, one down -- Sheffield goes down swinging, two away -- ARod grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 6: Figgins grounds to short ... close play, one away -- Erstad lines a single to center -- Vlad grounds to second, play is made at first, runner to second on the play, two down

Anderson grounds a two out single up the middle and into center, one run scores -- the Yankees lead is cut to 3-2

Bengie Molina blasts the first pitch out to right, over Sheffield's head ... bounces off the top of the wall, kicks in the air ... and a fan whacks it back into the field of play, a ground rule double -- Scioscia out to confer with the ump -- the umps have a conference, they stand by their call ... more jackass fan activity near a short porch

Runners at second and third for Cabrera -- on the 1-0 Johnson lands awkwardly and the pitch is in the dirt -- trainers out, Unit will stay -- Cabrera ahead 3-0 and then is put on with an intentional ball, the bases are now loaded

Finley grounds to first to end the two out rally

TOP 7: Matsui hits one the opposite way to left ... it clips the foul pole on the way out for a leadoff solo shot -- the Yankees now lead, 4-2

Giambi absolutely crushes one out to right ... back to back solo shots, the score is now NY 5-2

Bernie flies to center, one away -- Flaherty flies to left center, two down -- Crosby grounds to first, Colon covers to end the rally

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead 5-2

BOT 7: Proctor in to pitch for Yankees -- DaVanon in to PH for Jose Molina, full count, he battles and draws a walk -- that's all for Proctor, Torre will mix and match with Groom -- Izturis lines one to left ... Crosby dives ... it's off his glove, a single, runners now first and second

Gordon warms for NY -- Figgins grounds a broken bat single to left, the bases are now loaded -- Erstad goes down swinging, one away

Bases loaded for the slumping Vlad, he absolutely blasts a sinking pitch to deep center ... Bernie back, leaps ... IT'S GONE, a grand slam for Vlad that puts the Angels ahead for the first time today, 6-5

Anderson grounds to first, two down -- Bengie Molina grounds a single through to left -- Cabrera flies to left to end the inning

TOP 8: Shields in to pitch for LAA -- Jeter grounds to first, one down -- Cano grounds to second, two away -- Sheffield grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 8: Felix Rodriguez now pitching for NY -- full count to Finley, he pops to short, one down -- Paul in to PH for DaVanon, he grounds to short ... close play, two away -- Izturis goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 9: KRod in to close for Halos -- ARod hits an absolute bomb to left center ... it goes off the wall for a leadoff double (talk about dogging it, Garrett Anderson only giving a courtesy chase) -- Matsui flies to center, one down, ARod tags ... he is in at third on the play

Giambi thinks the 3-1 is outside and ball four (so do I) ... full count, he goes down swinging, two away -- Bernie draws a four pitch walk, runners now at the corners -- Posada in to PH for Flaherty, he sharply grounds to second to end the game

That call on Giambi seemed like a turning point in the rally, Yankees make it interesting in the ninth again (good to see them battling), this time they fall short

FINAL: Angels win, 6-5

Tough loss, unproven members of the bullpen did not get it done today, that's twice this week... the Yankees really missed Sturtze in the seventh

51UP 43DOWN

Posted by at 4:15 PM | Permalink

Well, it's been a while between actual journal entries ... let's just say I was doing terribly grownup things that were work-related and now that they are reasonably under control again ... yeah, I actually feel like writing something

A bit of good news this morning as I saw that Morning Becomes Eclectic has joined the other KCRW podcasts on the iTs ... if you haven't checked out the KCRW site before, this is a public radio show from LA, that usually features great interviews and live performances from up and coming bands ... honestly, it's a real new music lovers' delight

Don't say we were never wrong ... as a correction to an earlier post related to the latest, greatest, well most recent reality musical talent show on the Columbia Broadcasting System to find the new lead singer for (phonetically) in-excess -- we have found out that most of the contestants are actually in their 30s, I suppose the delicious irony is that the most talented mix of charisma, vocal talent, and performance is an early 20s woman

In another news story that should outrage the ultimately indifferent populace of this land (DOUBT THAT SINCERELY), I read this story this morning that our military was testing this "death ray" concept to use for crowd control in Iraq-- it is NOT a death ray per se, rather it shoots concentrated microwave pulses at people that makes their skin .... well, COOK and become uncomfortable (i.e., BURNT)... and when they tested it here, they would tell people not to keep coins or metal in their pockets or to wear eye glasses or contacts because it would promote well ... burns -- I just have to shake my head at some of the things our military comes up with to use against non-combatants ... aka CIVILIANS, people like you and me, except more brown, more Arab, and more Muslim

Unbelievably lame.

Posted by at 2:54 PM | Permalink

I suppose it is tremendously ironic to me to think of modern life today ... and think about how much personal "stress" we each have. There was a time when things were simpler, when all people were concerned about was a) what was for lunch? or food and b) trying not to be lunch to some predatory creature.

Now it's like we have artificial deadlines for this or that -- we place conditions on our happiness based on dubious criteria (e.g., how much $ we make, what kind of stuff we own, etc.) -- and we ultimately feel lost, when we have nowhere to go or nothing to do ... like we somehow need to be kept busy

The more I think about it, the more attractive voluntary simplicity is

Posted by at 11:00 PM | Permalink

The slugfest .... the pitching and defensive struggle? ... and now the rubber game of the three game road series with the Rangers

Inside, impressions of NYY at TEX (93/162)
---

TOP 1: Benoit going for TEX -- Jeter hits a lazy fly on the 0-1 pitch to left near the stands in right ... Hidalgo after it, BLASTS into the wall of the stands in the right field corner, doesn't get it ... and is shaken up -- trainers out to check on Hidalgo, he will stay in -- Jeter goes down swinging, one down

Cano goes down swinging, two away -- full count to Sheffield, the payoff ... he goes down looking to retire the side (pitch looked LOW) ... Benoit has struck out the side

BOT 1: Newcomer Aaron Small going for NY ... may the good lord save us -- Dellucci pops the short, one down -- Young pops to second in shallow right, two away -- Teixeira draws a two walk -- Blalock grounds a single through to left, runners at the corners -- Soriano goes down looking to end the inning

TOP 2: ARod goes down swinging, one down -- Matsui flies to center, two away -- Giambi flies to center ... Matthews, Jr. backing, backing, leaping ... it's GONE, an apparent wind aided two out HR, Yankees lead, 1-0

Posada gets ahold of one to right ... back-to-back two out, solo shots, the score is now NY 2-0

Full count to Tino, the payoff ... ball four, he draws a two out walk -- Crosby flies to right to end the rally

BOT 2: Mench goes the opposite way and flies to right, one away -- Hidalgo blasts a solo shot out to left, Yankees lead is cut to 2-1

Matthews, Jr. pops to short, two down -- Barajas flies to center to end the rally

TOP 3: Jeter grounds to short, one away -- Cano drives one to left ... Mench backs on it and makes a great reaching catch on the tailing ball, two down -- Sheffield hits a broken bat fly and pops to first to retire the side

BOT 3: Dellucci rips a liner to center, caught by Crosby, one down -- Young pops foul to first, two away -- Teixeira draws a two out walk -- on the 0-1 to Blalock, the pitch is up and away from Posada, runner to second on the wild pitch -- Blalock lines a one hopper to second to end the inning

TOP 4: ARod goes down looking, one down -- Matsui flies to center, two gone -- Giambi grounds to first to retire the side

BOT 4: Soriano grounds to third, one away -- Mench goes down looking, two down -- Hidalgo pops to short in shallow center to end the inning

TOP 5: Posada pops to short in shallow right along the third baseline, one down -- Tino hits a deep fly to right center ... the fielders converge, but it's over the wall, a solo shot, Yankees now lead, 3-1

Crosby lays down a surprise bunt towards the mound ... it rolls past the pitcher, the second baseman fields, no play possible at first, a bunt single -- Jeter lines a single to right, runners now first and second -- Cano hits a deep fly to right center ... the fielders converge again, again it is GONE!!! ... a three run shot, the score is now NY 6-1

Hershiser out to confer, Wilson warms for TEX -- Sheffield grounds to short, two away -- ARod goes down swinging to retire the side ... that's his third K of the night, OLE!!!, silver sombrero

BOT 5: Matthews, Jr. drops a bloop to left center ... Jeter backing on it, then runs after it ... it falls into the campfire defense, Matthews hustling to second ... in with a leadoff double -- Barajas lines a single to left, runner to third on the hit

Dellucci grounds to second, the force is made at second, no chance at the double play, one run scores, the Yankees lead is cut to 6-2

Young lines the first pitch the other way and singles to right, runners now first and second -- Stottlemyre out to confer -- Teixeira grounds to short into a 663 rally ending double play

TOP 6: Shouse in to pitch for TEX -- Matsui grounds the first pitch to short, one away -- Giambi blasts one to deep right center .... gone, and a fan falls into the bullpen, a solo shot -- Yankees now lead, 7-2

Posada lines a single to right -- Tino pops foul to the catcher to the left of home plate, two down -- Crosby also pops foul to the catcher to retire the side

BOT 6: Blalock draws a leadoff walk -- Stottlemyre out to confer, Sturtze warms for NY -- Soriano goes down swinging on a foultip, one down -- Mench draws a walk, runners now first and second

Torre out to get Small, Sturtze in pitching for NY -- Hidalgo lines a shot to gap in right center, one run scores, he is in with a double -- Yankees lead is cut to 7-3

Runners now second and third for Matthews, Jr., he draws a walk and now the bases are loaded -- Stottlemyre out to confer, Proctor and Groom warm for NY -- Barajas pops to the middle of the infield ... after the Chinese fire drill with three fielders near the mound, Jeter reaches back to make a great catch, two away

Full count to Dellucci, he battles and he ultimately grounds to first, Sturtze covers to end the rally.

TOP 7: Brocail pitching for TEX -- Jeter flies to the track in right, one down -- Cano grounds to short, two away -- Sheffield grounds to short to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead, 7-3

BOT 7: Sturtze continues for NY -- Young grounds to short, one down -- Teixeira grounds to third, two away -- Blalock goes the other way for a two out single to left

Stottlemyre out, Gordon warms for NY -- Soriano draws a four pitch walk, runners now first and second -- Torre out, Gordon will pitch for NY -- Mench pops to second to end the inning

TOP 8: ARod flies to center, one down -- Matsui grounds to first, pitcher covering, two away -- Giambi draws a two out walk -- Posada grounds softly to the mound, the pitcher makes the play to retire the side

BOT 8: Gordon continues for NY -- Hidalgo goes down looking, one away -- Matthews, Jr. goes down looking, two down -- Barajas bloops a two out single just out of the reach of Cano -- Mo warms for NY -- full count to Dellucci, he grounds to first .... THROUGH THE LEGS OF TINO and into right (GAKK!!!), they wave Barajas around, he scores fairly easily ... as no one is there to cut off the throw from right, Dellucci to second on the throw to the plate -- Yankees lead is cut to 7-4

Young grounds up the middle, Jeter ranges to cover, gloves and guns to end another nonsensical two out rally

TOP 9: Ramirez in to pitch for TEX -- Tino blasts one out to right ... gone, a leadoff solo shot, the Yankees now lead, 8-4

Crosby hits the first pitch to first, the pitcher covers ... and makes the close play, one down -- Jeter grounds to short, two away -- Cano bloops a two out single to right -- Sheffield flies to right center to end the rally

BOT 9: Mo in for Yankees -- Teixeira goes down looking, one down -- Blalock goes down swinging, two away -- Soriano hits a broken bat grounder to second to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 8-4

When the Yankees swing the bat well like they did tonight, they are just scary -- Good outing for newcomer Aaron Small, even though Sturtze was a little shaky

The road trip continues tomorrow and starts a three game series against the always dangerous Halos of Los Angeles in Anaheim, something like that

51UP 42DOWN ... back in the win column, Yankees now a solid 5-2 on this tough road swing

Posted by at 1:08 PM | Permalink

I just noticed that Athlete "Wires" has been the free download of this past week on iTs. Well, free is always good, so if you haven't grabbed it yet for a test drive, well we can't recommend that track enough

And our love affair with Morning Becomes Eclectic grows, there are great shows with performances by Bell X1, Feist (who we are calling the Canadian Norah), and great alt-balladeer Stephen Malkmus

There's still a few we have to catch up with ... I think we will be watching the Sufjan one sooner than later

Posted by at 11:00 PM | Permalink

The Yankees pulled out a wild one yesterday ... and are in first place in the AL East for the first time since opening day

Inside, impressions of NYY at TEX (92/162)
---

TOP 1: Chan Ho Park going for TEX -- Jeter flies to right center, one down -- Cano lines to right, two away -- Sheffield grounds to third to retire the side

BOT 1: Mussina going for NY -- Dellucci lines a leadoff single to right center -- Young goes down looking, one down -- Teixeira draws a walk, runners now first and second -- full count to Blalock, the payoff ... he goes down swinging, two away -- Soriano goes down swinging to end the inning ... Mussina has struck out the side, what is with the Yankee starters and high first inning pitch counts?

TOP 2: ARod grounds a leadoff single through infield and into right -- Matsui goes down swinging, one away -- Giambi lines one to the gap in right center, cut off by Matthews, Jr., Giambi trying for two ... he is easily gunned down, runner to third on the play, two down -- Posada goes down looking to retire the side

BOT 2: Mench flies to the track in center, one down -- Hidalgo flies to center, two away -- full count to Matthews, Jr., he goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 3: Bernie goes down swinging, one away -- Crosby slaps a single to left -- Jeter grounds to second into a 443 double play to retire the side

BOT 3: Barajas grounds to short, one down -- Dellucci draws a walk -- On the 1-2 to Young, Dellucci goes on the delayed steal ... the throw to second is on the money, caught stealing, two away -- Young flies to left center

TOP 4: Cano flies to right, one pitch, one out -- Sheffield grounds to third, two away -- ARod is plunked -- Matsui draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Giambi down looking to retire the side

BOT 4: Teixeira grounds to second, one down -- Blalock down swinging on a checkswing, two away -- Soriano draws a four pitch walk -- the Yankees pitchout, Soriano goes ... he is gunned down, caught stealing to end the inning

TOP 5: Posada is plunked to leadoff the side -- Bernie grounds to second, the lead runner is tagged by Soriano, he spins and throws out Bernie in a close play at first for the double play (replay: safe), two down -- Crosby grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 5: Mench lines a leadoff single to left -- Hidalgo grounds a single through to left, runners at first and second -- full count to Matthews, Jr., the payoff ... he goes down looking, one down -- full count to Barajas, he pops to short in shallow center, two away -- Dellucci flies to the wall in right center to end the inning

TOP 6: Jeter lines one to the right center gap ... Matthews, Jr. runs it down, one away -- full count to Cano, he drives one off the wall in right for a double -- Sheffield grounds an infield single up the middle ... off the glove of Park, stopped by Young, he tries to pick Cano off at third ... safe

Runners at the corners for ARod, he grounds to short into a rally killing 643 double play to retire the side

BOT 6: Young grounds back to the mound, one away -- Teixeira down looking, two down -- Blalock lines a two out single to right center -- Soriano pops to center to end the inning

TOP 7: Felix Rodriguez arms for NY -- Matsui grounds to the left of the mound, play is made by the pitcher, one away -- Giambi draws a walk -- the 1-1 to Posada gets by Barajas to the backstop, the runner advances to second on the wild pitch -- Shouse and Loe warm for TEX -- Posada grounds to second, runner to third on the play, two down -- Bernie goes down swinging to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, no score .... UNBELIEVABLE

BOT 7: Felix Rodriguez back from rehab, now pitching for NY -- Mench pops to short in shallow right, one down -- full count to Hidalgo, he ticks one in front of the plate, Posada fields and puts him out at first, two away

Full count to Matthews, Jr., he battles and eventually draws a two out walk -- on the first pitch to Barajas, Matthews goes .... and steals second -- Barajas battles but flies to center to end the inning

TOP 8: Park continues -- Crosby draws a leadoff walk -- Jeter lays a sacbunt towards the mound, fielded by Park and puts Jeter out at first, runner advances to second on the bunt, one away -- Cano grounds a single up the middle to center, they wave Crosby ... he will score, the throw to second to get Cano ... he is in at second on the throw -- that wil be all for Chan Ho Park

Loe now pitching for TEX -- runner at second for Sheffield, he lines a broken bat flare to third, two down -- ARod goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 8: Franklin now pitching for Yankees -- Dellucci grounds a leadoff single up the middle and into center -- Young grounds a single to left, runner to second on the hit -- Proctor warms for NY -- Franklin falls behind Teixeira 3-0 ... green light, he grounds to third into a 543 double play, two down ... what the hell was that from the Rangers?!?!?!? Franklin can't throw strikes

Blalock lasers one to right center ... just gone, a two run shot, the Rangers take the lead, 2-1

That's all for Franklin, Torre calls for Proctor -- Soriano lines to left to end another ridiculous two out rally

TOP 9: Cordero in to close for TEX -- Matsui grounds to first, the first baseman flips to the pitcher covering ... it flips on by, Matsui on with a infield single -- Giambi grounds to second, the force is made at second, one down

Womack in to PR for Giambi at first -- Posada flies to left, two away -- Bernie draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Tino in to PH for Crosby, he lines to center to end the game

FINAL: Rangers win, 2-1

This was a big pitching and defense game until the very end -- I guess the story will be for the Yankees, why didn't they go with a more proven reliever in the bottom of the eighth to try and lock down the Rangers ... one can only hope this game will not haunt them down the stretch

50UP 42DOWN ... a one day stint in first for the Interlocking

Posted by at 2:06 PM | Permalink

Yankees coming off a big series win against Boston, now facing a Rangers team that might be ornery off their series with the A's

Inside, impressions of NYY at TEX (91/162)
---

TOP 1: Rodriguez going for TEX -- Jeter grounds to short, one away -- Cano goes down swinging, two down -- Sheffield grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 1: Brown returns to make start for NY -- full count to Dellucci, he lifts a broken bat fly to center ... it blows over Bernie's head for a leadoff double -- Young goes down swinging, one down -- Teixeira lines a single to right, they wave the runner ... the throw is not in time, one run scores -- Rangers lead, 1-0

On the first pitch to Blalock, Teixeira goes ... the throw is not in time, Teixeira steals second -- full count to Blalock, he hits a sharp grounder back at the mound ... off Brown's glove, no play can be made, an infield single, runner to third on the hit

Runners at the corners for Soriano, he rips one off the wall in center, one run scores ... they are trying to get another one home from first ... the throw home, Blalock is tagged out at the plate, two away -- the score is now TEX 2-0

Soriano only at first after dogging it, thinking the ball was out -- full count to Mench, he battles then rips a ball down the third base line and into the left field corner ... it kicks away from Matsui, one run scores on the two out double -- the score is now Rangers, 3-0

Matthews, Jr. goes down swinging to end the rally

TOP 2: ARod grounds a leadoff single through to left -- Matsui grounds a single up the middle, ARod going for third ... the throw is offline, safe at third -- runners at the corners for Sierra, he goes down swinging, one away

Giambi rips a shot down the first baseline ... into the right field corner, one run scores ... and they hold Matsui at third, Giambi in with a double -- Posada blasts one to straightaway center .... GONE!!!!!, a three run shot, Yankees eke ahead, 4-3

Bernie flies to center, two down -- full count to Jeter, he loops a ball to left center, Matthews comes over ... Jeter trying to hustle out a two out double, he's in there -- Hershiser out to confer

Cano grounds a single up the middle, one run scores -- the score is now NY 5-3

Mahay warms for TEX -- full count to Sheffield, he bloops one ... over the head of Teixeira, it slowly rolls down the first baseline, one run will score, Sheffield in with a double -- Yankees now lead, 6-3

ARod flies to center to end the carnage

BOT 2: full count to Hidalgo, he flies to center, one down -- Barajas grounds to third ... good lord, what juice on the throw by ARod, two down -- Dellucci lines a two out single up the middle -- Young flies to left to end the inning

TOP 3: Matsui lines to left, one down -- Sierra grounds the first pitch to second, two away -- Giambi draws a two out walk -- Posada rips a shot off the wall in right, runner to third on the hit ... a two out single for Posada

That's all for Rodriguez, the Rangers will call on Mahay -- runners now at the corners for Bernie, he draws a walk to load the bases -- Jeter chops back to the mound, the pitcher puts him out to retire the side

BOT 3: Teixeira hits a deep fly to center ... Bernie runs it down, one away -- Blalock is plunked, HBP -- Soriano blasts one to deep left center, gone into the seats, a two run shot -- Yankees lead cut to 6-5

Mench flies to center, two down -- Matthews, Jr. flies to left center to end the rally

TOP 4: Cano pops to shallow left, one down -- Sheffield launches a shot to left ... GONE, a solo shot -- Yankees increase to 7-5

Full count to ARod, the payoff ... outside, ball four, he draws a walk -- Matsui absolutely lasers one to right ... GONE!!!, a two run shot -- the score is now NY 9-5

Sierra goes down looking, two away -- Giambi pops to short to end the rally

BOT 4: Full count to Hidalgo, the payoff ... he flies to center, one down -- Barajas blasts the first pitch to left ... Matsui giving chase, he's going to run out of room ... gone, a solo shot -- Yankees lead is cut to 9-6

Dellucci grounds to first, Brown covers and makes the putout ... and he is limping (GAK!!!!), two away -- trainers out, Brown will stay in -- Young lines a two out single to center -- Teixeira goes down swinging to end the rally

TOP 5: Posada grounds to deep short ... Young gloves and guns, in time ... great arm, one down -- full count to Bernie, the payoff ... ball four, he draws a walk -- Jeter grounds to third, force is made at second, two away -- Cano goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 5: Blalock grounds to second, one away -- Soriano lofts a broken bat single to right center -- Proctor warms for NY

That will be all for Brown, Proctor will come in to face Mench -- Mench flies to the warning track in left, two down -- on the first pitch to Matthews, Jr., Soriano goes ... he is in at second, a stolen base Matthews goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 6: Wasdin in to pitch for TEX -- Sheffield grounds to first, one down -- ARod goes down swinging, two away -- Matsui grounds to short ... close play at first to retire the side

BOT 6: Proctor continues -- Hidalgo draws a leadoff walk -- full count to Barajas, Stottlemyre out to confer -- Franklin warms for Yankees -- Barajas battles and ultimately draws a walk, runners now first and second

Torre out to get Proctor, Franklin the new pitcher for NY -- Dellucci grounds to the mound into a 163 double play, runner to third on the play, two away -- full count to Young, he draws a walk, runners now at the corners

Teixeira grounds a single up the middle, past the diving Jeter and into center, the Yankees lead is cut to 9-7

Stottlemyre out to confer, Sturtze warms for NY -- Blalock hits a lazy fly to left center ... Bernie comes on, calls off Matsui ... AND DROPS THE DAMN BALL, two runs will score on the error, the game is now tied at 9-9

Runner at second for Soriano, full count, he grounds a single through to left, the runner is waved ... the throw is offline, one run scores -- Rangers take the lead, 10-9

Torre out to hook Franklin, Sturtze will pitch for NY -- On the 1-1 to Mench, Soriano goes ... he beats the throw to second ... but OVERSLIDES, Jeter applies the tag to Soriano to end the ridiculous two out rally

TOP 7: Wasdin continues -- Sierra rips a leadoff double into the rightfield corner -- Giambi flies to left center, one away -- full count to Posada, the payoff ... high and outside, ball four -- Brocail warms for TEX

Runners first and second for Bernie, he grounds to first, the throw is made to second for the force ... the return throw, not in time -- Hershiser out to confer, Shouse warms for TEX -- runners at the corners for Jeter, he goes down looking to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stench, Rangers lead, 10-9

BOT 7: Sturtze continues -- Mench loops to second, one away -- Matthews, Jr. grounds to first, two down -- Hidalgo grounds back to the pitcher to end the inning

TOP 8: Brocail now pitching for TEX -- Cano grounds a leadoff single up the middle and into center -- Sheffield grounds to second, the force is made at second, one away -- full count to ARod, the payoff ... he draws a walk, runners now first and second

Hershiser out to confer, Ramirez warms for Rangers -- Matsui flies to center, two down -- Two out, runners at first and second for Sierra, he lines a single to center, two runs will score -- Yankees edge back into the lead, 11-10

Sierra came up gimpy rounding first -- trainers are out, he will be assisted off the field -- Crosby in to PR at first for the injured Sierra -- that will be all for Brocail, Ramirez will pitch for Rangers -- Giambi grounds to second to end the two out rally

BOT 8: Sturtze still in for NY -- Crosby in RF, Tino at 1B -- Barajas flies to left, one down -- Dellucci goes down swinging, two away -- Young grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 9: Ramirez continues -- Posada flies to left, one away -- Bernie flies to left, two down -- Jeter flies to center to retire the side

BOT 9: Mo in to close for NY -- Teixeira goes down looking, uno dos adios, one away -- Blalock grounds back to the mound and is put out, two down -- Soriano grounds to third to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 11-10

What an offensive onslaught for both teams -- not a very impressive return for Kevin Brown, and some very brutal two out antics while the Yankees in the field in the bottom of the sixth ... despite all of this, the Yankee win propels them into first place for the first time since opening day

50UP 41DOWN ... three straight wins

Posted by at 2:13 PM | Permalink

I think that watching the in-excess reality show has sharpened my taste for some straightforward rock ... so I find myself popping in stuff by the Stones and other straightforward rock bands

There's really not much of it anymore, is there? The old school rockers are putting out cover albums ... and the new school, well, it's just not as focused on rocking

Posted by at 11:00 PM | Permalink

The Yankees try to win the road series against the Red Sox behind the arm of reclaimed vet, Al Leiter ... here's to hoping that he fares better than Redding on Friday

Inside, impressions of NYY at BOS (90/162)
---

TOP 1: Wakefield going for BOS -- Jeter grounds the first pitch to short, the throw from Renteria is wide, but Millar gets ... and keeps his foot on the bag, one down -- Cano grounds to first, the pitcher covering, two away -- Sheffield grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 1: Leiter goes for NY -- Damon goes down swinging, one away -- full count to Renteria, he battles and finally draws a walk -- Ortiz goes down swinging, two down -- Manny softly lines to short to end the inning

TOP 2: ARod flies to center, one down -- Matsui flies to left ... off the Green Monster, he cruises in with a double -- Posada hits a liner to right ... GONE, a two run shot, the Yankees lead, 2-0

Giambi draws a walk -- Bernie flies to right, two away -- Tino sharply grounds back to the mound to end the rally

BOT 2: Millar lines a leadoff single over third and into left -- Nixon grounds to second ... Cano in the baseline, tags the slipping Millar in the helmet, and gets his legs taken out, one away -- Mirabelli goes down swinging, two down -- Mueller grounds the first pitch to third, the force is made at second to end the inning

TOP 3: Jeter goes down swinging, one down -- Cano lines one into the rightfield corner ... in with a standup double -- Sheffield just crushes one over the Monster, a two run shot -- Yankees extend to 4-0

ARod grounds to third, two away -- Matsui draws a four pitch walk -- Posada lines to first to end the rally

BOT 3: Bellhorn goes down swinging, one away -- Damon also goes down swinging ... the ball is dropped, but the putout is made at first, two down -- Renteria works it full and then draws a two out walk

Ortiz flies to left ... Matsui converges on it near the jutting out left field seats, but chooses to live rather than catch it and get blasted by the wall ... it falls just inside the line, a Fenway double that scores one -- Yankees lead is cut to 4-1

Manny pops to first to end the rally

TOP 4: Giambi grounds to second in rightfield on the shift, one down -- Bernie goes down looking (replay: outside pitch), two away -- Tino grounds the first pitch to first to retire the side

BOT 4: Millar goes down swinging, one away -- Nixon grounds the first pitch to second, two down -- Mirabelli goes down looking to end the inning

TOP 5: Jeter pops foul to first, one away -- Cano grounds to short, two down -- Sheffield works it full but pops to short to retire the side

BOT 5: Mueller pops foul towards the stands along the first baseline ... Tino slides ... AND MAKES THE CATCH, what a play, one down -- Bellhorn grounds to third, two away -- Damon works it full but flares to second to end the inning

TOP 6: ARod grounds the first pitch to third ... great stop by Mueller who makes the play to first, one away -- Matsui grounds the first pitch up the middle, the shortstop makes the play and goes to first, two down -- Posada works it full then draws a two out walk -- Giambi goes down looking to retire the side

BOT 6: Renteria pops foul to the catcher, one down -- Ortiz grounds the first pitch to first, Leiter covers, two away -- Ramirez jacks the 2-0 .... long, far, but FOUL ... he singles off the Monster

Stottlemyre out to confer, Sturtze and Franklin warm for NY -- Millar works it full and then goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 7: Bernie grounds to first, Wakefield covers, one down -- Tino goes down swinging, two away -- Jeter grounds to third to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead, 4-1

BOT 7: Nixon pops to left, one down -- Sturtze continues to warm for Yankees -- Mirabelli draws a walk, that will be all for Leiter ... a GREAT DEBUT for Leiter

Sturze now pitching for NY -- Mueller grounds to second into an inning ending 463 double play

TOP 8: Cora in at 2B -- Cano hits the first pitch and flies to center, one down -- Sheffield also hits the first pitch and flies to left, two away

ARod just crushes the 1-0 to left ... OVER the Monster and out to the street below, a two out solo shot, the Yankees now lead 5-1

Wallace out to confer -- Embree warms for BOS, Gordon for NY -- Matsui goes down swinging to end the two out rally

BOT 8: Sturtze continues, Franklin and Gordon warm for NY -- Cora lines to short ... A GREAT LEAPING GRAB by Jeter, WOW!, one down -- Damon lines one out to the bullpen in right center ... Sheffield chasing it down ... it drops in, Sheffield awkwardly lands on the fence ... Damon in with a double, and keeps his hitting streak alive

Trainers out to check on Sheffield, he will stay in -- Torre out to get the ball, Gordon will pitch for NY -- Renteria pops to short, two away -- Ortiz pops to first to end the inning

TOP 9: Wakefield going for the CG -- Posada pops the first pitch foult to first, one away -- Giambi pops up foul ... and the catch is made by Wakefield, now that is unusual! the pitcher getting a foul pop, two down -- Franklin warms for NY -- Bernie flies to left to retire the side ... Wakefield completes the game but will need a lot of offensive help to get the win

BOT 9: Gordon continues -- Manny just blasts one to deep center over the edge of the Monster, a leadoff solo shot -- the Yankees lead is cut to 5-2

Mo warms for NY -- Millar works it full and draws a walk, that will be all for Flash -- Mo in to close for Yankees

Nixon grounds to second, Cano fields, turns to start a double play ... BUT throws it into leftfield (GAKK!!!) -- runners now at the corners for Varitek, who is PH for Mirabelli, he grounds a single through to right, another run scores -- the score is now NY 5-3

Nervous time now for Yankees, as the Sawx are mounting a furious comeback here -- Mueller bloops one to right ... IT WILL FALL IN, they hold the runner at third, the sacks are now packed WITH NO ONE OUT .... psshhh

Cora grounds to third ... ARod gloves and guns a perfect strike to Posada for one ... who guns another strike to Giambi for TWO!!! what clutch defense by the Yankees, WOW!!!!, an unusual 523 double play, two away

Runners now second and third for Damon, he grounds to second to end the game

WHEW!!!!, the Yankees win!

FINAL: Yankees win, 5-3

The story today is how Al Leiter revived himself in pinstripes and shut down the Red Sox at Fenway for 6 1/3 -- The bullpen looked shaky at the end, but righted itself enough to get the Yankees a series win at Boston 3-1

49UP 41DOWN ... two straight wins

Season Series
Yankees: 7
Red Sox 6

Posted by at 4:00 PM | Permalink

Well, I had made up my mind to really do a thorough wash and wax to my car this morning ... or at least, I thought that I could avoid the harshness of the summer sun here

So I went out fairly early in the morning and got out of it very quickly, and reparked under the garage ... well I thought so, anyways. Little did I know, when I looked at my skin later and felt some discomfort around my neck that I got burned anyways. I wish I could say that the sun is somehow nearer to the earth or that the ozone layer really isn't what it used to be, but there is a part of me that doesn't really want to put on lotion for just 30-45 minutes of sun exposure

Posted by at 11:00 PM | Permalink

It's games like yesterday ... hooboy, the Yankees really need quality starts from their stars, and probably need to look at getting one or two more solid starters that can keep them in games

Inside, impressions of NYY at BOS (89/162)
---

Red Sox in the alternate red jerseys today

TOP 1: The dominant Clement going for BOS -- Jeter goes down swinging, one away -- Cano lines one back at the pitcher ... it rolls through to center for a single -- full count to Sheffield, the payoff ... he grounds to third, runner to second on the play, two down -- ARod grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 1: Unit going for NY -- Damon grounds back to the mound, one down -- Renteria goes down swinging after the full count payoff (RJ 1), two away -- Ortiz grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 2: Matsui draws a leadoff walk -- Giambi also draws a walk, runners now first and second -- full count to Bernie, the payoff ... he goes down swinging, one down -- Tino goes down swinging, two away -- the 0-1 to Flaherty is in the dirt and away from Varitek, runners advance to second and third -- Flaherty goes down swinging to end a WAY TOO LONG INNING, WHERE NOTHING HAPPENED

BOT 2: Manny goes down swinging (RJ 2), one down -- Millar chops to second, two away -- Varitek grounds to third, ARod's throw is wide, it clips Tino's glove ,,, and rolls away, Varitek on first on the error by Tino -- Mirabelli goes down swinging to end the inning (RJ 3)

TOP 3: Jeter hits the full count payoff to right and flies out, one down -- Cano grounds to second, two away -- Sheffield knocks one off the monster ... he is trying for two, he slides in safe with a two out double -- ARod hits an absolute BOMB to the top of the Monsteh in left -- Yankees lead, 2-0

Full count to Matsui, the payoff ... high and outside, he draws a two out walk -- Giambi also draws a walk, runners at first and second -- Wallace out to confer

Bernie grounds a single through to right, past the diving Bellhorn, another run scores -- Yankees extend to 3-0

Tino draws the third two out walk of the inning -- With Flaherty, the Yankees have sent nine up, he peppers Clement's FORTY FIRST pitch of the inning high off the Monsteh, two runs will score -- the score is now NY 5-0

Clement will get the hook, Gonzalez will pitch for BOS -- full count to Jeter, he lines a single to left, another run in, NYY now 6-0

Runners at the corners for Cano, he flies to the edge of the track in left to end the massive two out rally

BOT 3: Mueller grounds to third, one down -- Bellhorn deposits one in the Monsteh seats, a solo shot to left -- the score is now Yankees, 6-1

Damon draws a four pitch walk -- Renteria goes down swinging (RJ 4), two away -- Ortiz also goes down swinging to end the rally (RJ 5)

TOP 4: Sheffield grounds to third, one down -- Arod flies to right, two away -- Matsui flies to right to retire the side

BOT 4: Manny bashes one to right center .... gone, a leadoff solo shot -- the score is now Yankees, 6-2

Millar issued a four pitch walk (again to the next batter after a HR against) -- Stottlemyre in to confer -- Varitek goes down swinging (RJ 6), one down -- Mirabelli lines a single to left, runners at first and second

Mueller chops a seeing eye single up the middle ... Sveum holds up Millar at third, this hangs up Mirabelli in no man's land between second and third, he is tagged out, two away

Runners at the corners for Bellhorn, he goes down swinging after the full count payoff (RJ 7) to end the rally

TOP 5: Gonzalez continues -- Giambi rips a leadoff double to the deepest part of the park -- Bernie pops to third, one down -- Tino grounds to short, the runner holds, two away -- Flaherty pops foul to third to retire the side ... the leadoff double goes by the boards

BOT 5: Damon goes down looking (RJ 8), one down -- Renteria lines one to the gap in left center by Matsui, to the wall ... he is in with a double -- Ortiz flies to the deepest part of the park ... but Bernie is there, the runner tags and goes to third, two away -- Manny reaches out and lines one the opposite way to right ... it is in the crowd on a hop, a run scoring ground rule double -- the score is now NY 6-3

Millar lifts a single to center, another run will score -- the score is now Yankees 6-4

Crowd taunting the Unit with the Randy cheer -- Varitek flies to center to end the rally

TOP 6: Gonzalez continues -- Embree warms for BOS. Sturtze warms for NY -- Jeter grounds sharply to short, one down -- Cano lines a single to center -- Sheffield grounds to third into a 543 double play to retire the side

BOT 6: Mirabelli draws a leadoff walk -- Mueller pops to right, one down -- Bellhorn goes down swinging, two away (RJ 9) -- Damon bloops a two out single to center, runners first and second ... Mirabelli not running with two outs, huh?!?
-- Renteria goes down swinging to end the inning (RJ 10)

TOP 7: Gonzalez very solid so far, continues -- Embree warms for BOS -- full count to ARod, the payoff ... he draws a leadoff walk

That's all for Gonzalez, Embree will pitch for BOS -- Embree balks the runner over to second -- Matsui sharply grounds at first ... at Ortiz, he gets eaten up by it, into right, one run scores on the error -- Yankees increase to 7-4

Runner at first for Giambi, he ... BUNTS?!?!?!?!?!? ... down the third baseline, no one there because of the Giambi shift, he is on with an infield single, runners now first and second -- Gordon warms for NY -- Bernie goes down swinging ... Matsui going, the throw by Varitek is GDPERFECT!, the tag is right on the sliding foot ... a strike em out, throw em out double play, two away

Tino grounds to second to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead 7-4

BOT 7: Ortiz grounds to first, one down -- that will be all for the Unit, an uneven yet mostly effective start by the Unit -- Gordon will pitch for NY -- Manny flies to left center, two away -- Millar golfs one and flies to right to end the inning

TOP 8: Timlin now pitching, Schilling warms for BOS -- Flaherty goes down swinging, one down -- Jeter flies to right, two away -- full count to Cano, he sharply grounds up the middle, stopped by a diving Bellhorn, but no play ... a two out infield single

Sheffield blasts one to left ... high off the Monsteh, runner to third on the single -- runners at the corners for ARod, he works it full then ... goes down looking at a curve ball to retire the side

BOT 8: Gordon continues for NY -- Varitek, now from the left side, draws a four pitch leadoff walk -- Stottlemyre in to confer, Mo warms for NY -- Nixon in to PH for Mirabelli, he flies to center, one down -- Mueller flies to center, two away -- Olerud PH for Bellhorn, he grounds to third to end the inning

TOP 9: Schilling now pitching for BOS, Bellhorn at 2B -- Matsui goes down swinging, one away -- Giambi flies to center, two down -- Bernie pops to third to retire the side

BOT 9: Mo in to close for NY -- Damon busts two bats and lines to first, one down -- Renteria goes down swinging on a checkswing ... rung up by first base ump, two away -- Ortiz pops to short to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 7-4

Yankees get a big inning ... decent but not outstanding pitching from the Unit, with great pitching by the bullpen, and secure at least a split ... which is huge considering the Yankee's pitching woes

48UP 41DOWN ... back in the win column

Season Series
Yankees: 6
Red Sox: 6

Posted by at 12:00 PM | Permalink

There is a place, we shall call it School A ... I suppose that School A is not very much different than other schools of its sort. It has it's own prescribed curriculum, and will never be flexible and adapt to current needs in life here, such as that people can't just stop working to go to school. All they seem to like to say is, well you can't do this, you can't do that ... and we can't make accommodations for you

There is a place, we shall call it School B. It has perhaps reached a bit too far to help working adults to attend school and get meaningful higher education credentials. It is hard for me to understand why it would be why more schools aren't more like School B nowadays, and get real that there really are not that many "pure students" that only go to school and do not work full or part time.

But what do I know ...

Posted by at 11:00 PM | Permalink

Exciting typical war of attrition type game between the Yankees and Red Sox last night ... tonight, who knows how it will turn out, as the Yankees turn to the previously ineffective Tim Redding, picked up from the Padres

Inside, impressions of NYY at BOS (88/162)
---

TOP 1: Wells going for BOS -- Jeter goes down swinging, one away -- Cano goes down swinging, two down -- Sheffield flies to center to retire the side

BOT 1: Redding going for NY -- Damon lines a leadoff single to right -- Renteria issued a four pitch walk, runners now first and second -- Ortiz goes down swinging on a checkswing ... called out by the third base ump, one away

Full count to Manny, he goes down looking, two down (replay: clearly outside) -- Nixon hits the first pitch into the gap in right center, a two out, two run double -- Red Sox lead, 2-0

Runner at second for Millar, he draws a two out walk -- Varitek smashes one high off the Monsteh, another run will score, lead runner to third -- BOS extends to 3-0

Stottlemyre to confer, Groom warms for NY -- runners at the corners for Mueller, he pops foul to third to end the rally

TOP 2: ARod breaks his bat and softly lines to short, nice diving effort by Renteria, one down -- Matsui grounds the full count payoff to second, two away -- Sierra flies to center to retire the side

BOT 2: Bellhorn draws a leadoff walk -- Stottlemyre out to confer -- Anderson and May warm for Yankees -- Damon also draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Renteria lines a single to left, the bases are now loaded

Torre out to get the ball from Redding, May will pitch for NY -- Ortiz grounds to third, the force is made at third, one run scores, one down -- Red Sox increase to 4-0

Runners at first and second at Manny, he rips the full count payoff to the leftfield corner for a run scoring double, the score is now BOS 5-0

Runners now second and third for Nixon, he lines to center ... Cabrera misplays it coming forward, and it gets by him to the wall, two runs will score ... and Nixon waved around, no throw, a three run inside the park homerun -- the Red Sox lead is now, 8-0

Millar flies to center, two away -- Varitek flies the full count payoff to center to end the inning

TOP 3: Giambi flies to center, one pitch, one out -- Posada grounds to third, two down -- Cabrera grounds sharply to first, Wells covering ... Cabrera beats him to the bag ... the ball is dropped by Wells for a two out infield single, good hustle -- Jeter flies to center to retire the side

BOT 3: Mueller flies to left, one down -- Bellhorn flies to left center, two away -- Damon slices a two out double, down the line and into the leftfield corner -- Renteria grounds a single up the middle, one run scores -- the rout continues, Red Sox now lead, 9-0

Ortiz grounds to second in short right due to the Ortiz shift, to end the two out rally

TOP 4: Cano grounds a leadoff single up the middle and into center -- on the 0-1 to Sheffield, the pitch bounces away from Varitek, runner to second on the wild pitch -- Sheffield rips a shot past the bag at third, off the jutting left field stands and dies, one run in on the double -- the BOS lead cut to 9-1

ARod sharply grounds to third into a 543 double play, two gone -- Matsui grounds to second to end the rally

BOT 4: Manny draws a leadoff walk -- Nixon grounds to second, great throw to second by Cano from his back to get the force, one down -- Millar grounds to short to get the force at second, the relay to first is ... WAY OFF but backed up by Posada, two away

Varitek draws a two out walk, runners now first and second -- Mueller lines a double into the left field corner, one run scores -- Red Sox now lead, 10-1

Runners now second and third for Bellhorn, he draws a walk to load the bases -- Damon lines a liner into the gap in left center ... Matsui hustles over, it goes under his glove and to the wall, two runs will score, Damon in with a double -- the score of the laugher is now BOS 12-1

Torre out to get the ball, Anderson is now pitching for NY -- runners second and third for Renteria, he lifts the full count payoff to right to end the rally

TOP 5: Sierra goes down swinging, one down -- Giambi is plunked, on first via HBP -- Posada goes down swinging, two away -- Cabrera pops to second to retire the side

BOT 5: Tino in at 1B -- Ortiz lines to second in shallow right on the shift, one down -- Manny flies to center, two away -- Nixon flies to right to end the inning

TOP 6: Millar to LF, Olerud at 1B -- Jeter battles then grounds up the middle to short, great ranging play by Renteria to just get him at first, one down -- Cano grounds a single up the middle and into center -- Sheffield sharply grounds one past the bag at third ... into the jutting stands in left, touched by a fan and back onto the field of play for a ground rule double

Runners at second and third for ARod, he goes down swinging on a checkswing, two away -- Matsui chops to second to retire the side

BOT 6: Womack in RF, Russ Johnson at 3B -- Millar blasts a leadoff double off the Monsteh in left -- Runner at second for Varitek, he draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Cora PH for Mueller, he lines a single to left, the bases are now loaded

Bellhorn goes down swinging, one down -- Damon lines to left ... Matsui hustles in and makes the grab, two away -- Renteria draws a walk, bringing home a run -- Red Sox now routing NY, 13-1

Torre out to get the ball -- Groom now pitching for NY -- Ortiz blasts one to right ... GONE, a grand slam -- Red Sox now match the ridiculous earlier game in the season's score, 17-1

Olerud grounds to second to end another RIDICULOUS and unnecessary two out rally

TOP 7: Stern in CF, Mirabelli at C, Cora at 3B -- Sierra flies to right, one down

This is the point of the game where the NESN announcers go goofy as Remy wears a bandanna on his head

Tino grounds to second, two away -- Posada grounds to third ... the throw from Cora in the dirt, Olerud can't pick it, Posada reaches on the error at third -- Cabrera lines the first pitch to right for a single, runners now at the corners -- Jeter grounds to short to retire the side

Seventh Inning Slaughter, Red Sox lead, 17-1

BOT 7: Flaherty in at C -- Halama warms for BOS -- Nixon flies to the track in left, one down -- Millar rips one down the third baseline, past Russ Johnson, and into the leftfield corner for a double -- Mirabelli pops to short in left, two away -- Cora grounds to shortstop to end the inning

TOP 8: Wells' night is over, an excellent outing -- Halama now pitching for BOS -- Cano goes down looking, one down -- Womack grounds to short, two away --
Russ Johnson grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 8: Proctor now pitching for NY -- Bellhorn down looking on a perhaps not as HIGH as I thought pitch, one down -- Stern grounds a single through to left -- Renteria goes down swinging, two away -- Ortiz flies to right to end the inning

TOP 9: Gonzalez now pitching for BOS -- Matsui grounds to second, one down -- Sierra goes down swinging, two away -- Tino lines to first to mercifully end the game

FINAL: Red Sox win, 17-1 (again ... psshh)

Yep.

47UP 41DOWN

Season Series
Yankees: 5
Red Sox: 6

Posted by at 5:00 PM | Permalink

So I guess I'm another one of those easily dupe-able customers of the iT store. There really isn't much that I want right now, but I still try buying a single here and a single there. I am really wondering why big red fruit co. is trying so hard to boost sales numbers, is a key earnings report coming out? Why do they need a quick 20 mil in revenue? ... I wonder?

(Sunday update: well, no one from Hawaii won anything from this contest)

Posted by at 10:00 PM | Permalink

Yankees going well over the past stretch, winning seven of eight. Now begins the absolute killer portion of the schedule with road games at the Red Sox, Rangers and Angels

But before all that, there is the matter of a four game series with the first place Red Sox at Fenway

Inside, impressions of NYY at BOS (87/162)
---

The bad news of the day ... Wang on the DL, and he has been the Yankees' best starter so far this year

TOP 1: Arroyo going for BOS -- Jeter pops to center, one down -- Cano bloops a ball to left ... Ramirez attempts a sliding catch, not even close ... it falls in and rolls away, Cano cruises into second ... now wants to take third ... challenging Manny, he is WAY GONE, two away, a baserunning blunder by Cano

full count to Sheffield, the payoff ... low, ball 4, he draws a two out walk -- full count to ARod, he grounds a two out single up the middle and into center -- runners now at the corners for Matsui, he hits it hard but lines to center to retire the side

BOT 1: Mussina going for NY -- Damon bloops a leadoff single to right -- On tthe 1-0 to Renteria, Damon goes ... pitch is low, the throw is not in time, Damon steals second -- Renteria lays down a beautiful sacbunt to third, fielded by Posada who makes the putout at first, runner moved to third, one away

Runner at third for Ortiz, he grounds the first pitch through the infield and into right, one run scores -- Red Sox lead, 1-0

Manny draws a walk, runners on first and second -- full count to Nixon, he blasts one out to right, gone, a three run shot -- the score is now BOS 4-0

Millar draws a four pitch walk -- Stottlemyre out to confer -- runner on first for Varitek, he is frozen, down looking, two down -- full count to Mueller, the payoff ... low, ball four, another walk -- runners now first and second for Bellhorn, he flies to left center ... Matsui and Cabrera converge ... they almost collide, Cabrera catches it to end the rally

A 34 pitch inning for Muss ... that's not good

TOP 2: Full count to Giambi, the payoff .... he blasts it towards the Pesky Pole, Nixon racing after it, into the crowd ... he doesn't have it, a leadoff solo shot -- Red Sox lead cut to 4-1

Foiled by the bolohead guy in the pink shirt ... you never know with these guys who wear pink. From the replay, the guy leaned in and basically took it away from Nixon ... and from what I said in the earlier series at Fenpark, these fans are Bartmanesque to say the least

Posada chops to first, the pitcher covers and makes the play, one down -- Bernie hits another Pesky Pole special ... Nixon tracks, no chance at this one, GONE, another solo shot to right -- the score is now BOS 4-2

Cabrera grounds to second, two away -- Jeter chops to short to end the rally

BOT 2: Damon goes down swinging, one down -- Renteria grounds the full count payoff up the middle and into center for a single -- Ortiz grounds to first to start the inning ending 363 double play ... great to see the defensive confidence by Giambi to make a throw that he usually doesn't make well

TOP 3: Cano lines leadoff single to right -- Sheffield gets a hold of one ... Damon backs, to the wall, leaps ... it's off the wall, Nixon backs it up well to prevent the triple (replay: Sheffield wasn't exactly hustling it out), one run scores -- Red Sox lead cut to 4-3

Runner at second for ARod, he goes down swinging, one down -- Matsui flies to center, Sheffield tags ... the throw from Damon is offline, runner at third -- Giambi is plunked, runners now at the corners -- Posada flies to left to end the rally

BOT 3: Manny grounds to short, one down -- Nixon hits a Pesky Pole special ... it looks gone, the umps call it FOUL ... and on replay, it definitely is -- full count, the payoff ... he lines one off the Monster, a long single (side note: great throw in by Godzilla, right on the bag)

Millar bombs one high off the Monster ... Cabrera plays it well off the wall, holding Nixon at third -- runners second and third, one down for Varitek, he grounds to short, one run scores, two away -- Red Sox increase to 5-3

Runner at second for Mueller, he pops the first pitch to ARod to end the rally

TOP 4: Bernie grounds up the middle to short, one down ... great play on a tough hop by Renteria -- Cabrera pops to left, two away -- Jeter lines a two out single up the middle -- Cano pops foul to first

BOT 4: Bellhorn goes down swinging, one away -- Damon lines to center, two down -- Renteria pops to second behind the mound to end the inning

TOP 5: Sheffield just crushes one ... deep to center, near the small seating section in center.... right of the yellow line (ground rules say HR), a leadoff solo shot, the score is now BOS 5-4

ARod pops foul to first, one away -- Matsui grounds to second, two down -- Giambi grounds to first to end the rally

BOT 5: Ortiz goes down swinging, one away -- Manny hits an atom ball at third, two down -- Nixon hits the first pitch and lines to right to end the inning

TOP 6: Posada lines a leadoff single to right ... with the new Magic Mizuno bat --
Myers warms for BOS -- Bernie pops foul to third ... great catch by Mueller on a wind tailed ball, one away -- On the 1-1 to Cabrera, the pitch is in the dirt ... the runner to second on the passed ball

Cabrera flies to center, Posada shows tag and retreats, two down -- Jeter hits a sharp grounder to third ... INCREDIBLE STOP by Mueller, the throw to first is ... in the dirt and skips into the crowd, one run scores, Jeter to second on the throwing error -- the game is now tied 5-5

Cano hits a sinking flare to left ... Manny makes a great catch to end the rally

BOT 6: Millar grounds the full count payoff through to right for a leadoff single -- Varitek also lines a single to right, runners now first and second -- Mueller grounds to short, the force is made at second, the throw to first is not in time, one down

Runners at the corners for Bellhorn, he goes down swinging, two away -- full count to Damon, he is FROZEN, down looking .... GREAT PITCHING BY MUSS to end the inning

TOP 7: Bradford the new pitcher for BOS -- Sheffield hits a slow roller to the mound and is put out by the pitcher, one away -- ARod draws a four pitch walk -- that's all for Bradford, Francona calls for Embree to match L-L

Matsui gets a lot of one ... but flies to the warning track in left, two down -- Giambi hits the first pitch, fielded by Bellhorn in short right in the shift, and is put out to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees and Red Sox tied, 5-5

BOT 7: Sturtze now pitching for NY, Tino at 1B -- full count to Renteria, he is frozen, down looking, one away -- Ortiz lifts one to deep right ... Sheffield tracking, tracking ... that one is caught by the wind and just out, a solo shot -- Red Sox edge back ahead, 6-5

Full count to Manny, the payoff ... he chops to short, tow down -- Nixon grounds to second to end the rally

TOP 8: Embree continues for BOS -- With the original non-magical bat, Posada rips a shot down the third base line, in for a leadoff double -- Womack in to PR for Posada at second

Francona will get the ball, he will bring in Timlin -- Bernie grounds to first, Embree covers, one down, the runner moved to third on the play -- Sierra in to PH for Cabrera, he lines one inside the bag and down the rightfield line, one run scores ... Sierra trying for second ... in there, safe

Jeter grounds to first, the pitcher covering, the runner to third, two away -- Cano pops the first pitch to short in shallow right to end the rally

BOT 8: Gordon in for NY -- Millar takes the full count pitch ... ball four and draws a leadoff walk -- Adam Stern in to PR for Millar at first -- Varitek pops to left, one down

Stern goes, Mueller grounds to first, two away, runner to second on the play -- Olerud in to PH for Bellhorn, he chops to short to end the inning

TOP 9: TBFM Schilling in to pitch for BOS -- Sheffield hits a screamer to center off the wall ... he is hustling for two, in there with a leadoff double -- ARod absolutely busts the first pitch to center ... Damon with the courtesy chase ... GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, a 2-run shot, the Yankees edge ahead, 8-6 ... and Mo begins to warm

Oh, that has to be sweet for ARod, given all the crap the Sawx players heaped on him over the offseason, esp. the BFM ... and the BOS fans in general

Full count to Matsui, he goes down looking on an outside pitch ... (on the replay, that was outside), one down -- Tino flies to left, two away -- Womack pops the first pitch to short to end the rally

BOT 9: Damon goes down swinging, one down -- Renteria also goes down swinging, two away -- Ortiz goes down swinging ... MO HAS STRUCK OUT THE SIDE to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 8-6

Your typical nip and tuck Yankees and Red Sox battle ... must have been sweet for ARod to bomb the game winner off Schilling

47UP 40DOWN ... two straight wins and a nice beginning to the second half

Season Series
Yankees: 5
Red Sox: 5

Posted by at 10:56 AM | Permalink

So, last night, I got to watch the tail end of the reality series that supposedly will help in-excess (phonetically) find their lead singer

SD and I couldn't help but wonder about one practical matter of this all ... say you were in your 40s or so, would you pick a full band member who was barely in their 20s (ed note: have found out the average age is late 20s-early 30s ... hmm, still smells like a one off pubstunt)

It all seems like hype to me to boost their nosta-tour. I would guess they bring in this person to record voice tracks ... and possibly tour. Ehh, seems like here's another band that would do well to dig up GeoMichael's phone number

This is not to say that these finalists have no talent ... I have seen more talent by watching the last twenty minutes than you see on a WHOLE season of that other highly rated show that I really don't like at all

On a side note, the casting of DaveN and the extremely wooden BrookeB ... well, misstep would be a nice way to put it ... in many ways, I should have spent some time and watched that one hit wonder reunion show that was running until last week instead

On a related note, that's why I think I believe nowadays that most bands are done, if they are past the 20 year mark in their formation ... there really is nothing left to do than to disappoint expectations, play your core set of greatest hits, and endlessly tour until you're pulling a Tap at county fairs and little clubs

New album always seems to equal joke (and cashgrab)

Posted by at 12:58 PM | Permalink

Today was usually a day where I would stop everything at the release of the new college football title for my sonyFATstation

I went in to go get it AGAIN this year, and stood in line again ... and listened to each customer get pitched to preorder the pro football game coming out in three weeks

I guess my point is, either I have a life now (HIGHLY DOUBTFUL) or I just don't find these things to be that enjoyable to spend hour after hour playing anymore. I don't begrudge anyone their videogame playing or obsessions ... I just don't find it worthwhile to spend the time to get immersed. A true sign of getting old (PROBABLY)

The other thing is that I think that little soft-co in San Mateo is falling prey to some of the BIG pitfalls that all sw monopolies do in time. More and obvious glitches and bugs are befalling the game. And to me, it is easy to point to the fact that they have drawn exclusive licensing, and since there is no competition ... why improve?

I can see why improve ... what I cannot see, is why fall back? With errors and quirks that were not present in previous versions, it really is hard to come back every year and get a "new" minimally improved edition

Posted by at 10:00 PM | Permalink

This is quite the inane thought, but when service tech people screw up ... wow, you can really notice it. Whether it is your car, the A/C in your office, or whatever ... in general, you can trust that these people will do the job right and life can go on

But, man, those few times they mess up ... well, the techs came to mess with the A/C in our office space. Now our central A/C blows unrestrictedly on high and at a pretty uncomfortably chilly temperature ... and we were told last Friday, it may be mid-week before someone comes to correct it

Bust out the parkas, it's XM in July

Posted by at 12:58 PM | Permalink

Last game prior to the All-Star break, Yankees trying to win the four game series versus the Tribe, and the Indians trying to split

Early morning start to this one, needless to say ... I didn't watch most of it live

Inside, impressions of CLE at NYY (86/162)
---

TOP 1: Unit going for NY -- Sizemore lines the first pitch to the rightfield, Sheffield having problems gloving it, a leadoff double -- runner on second for Crisp, he goes down swinging (RJ 1), one down -- Hafner lines to center, Cabrera backs on it .... and misplays it off his glove ... Sizemore missed the stop at third and comes home, the throw from Cano is high and over Flaherty to the backstop, one run scores, and a runner at third -- Tribe draw first blood, 1-0

Runner at third for Martinez, he grounds to third, he chases back Hafner and puts the runner out at first, two away -- full count to Blake, the payoff .... he is frozen to end the rally (RJ 2)

BOT 1: Westbrook pitching for Tribe -- Jeter chops in front of the plate, the ball dies, Westbrook fields and puts him out, one away -- Cano grounds to second, two down -- full count to Sheffield, the payoff ... he hits a broken bat grounder to third to end the inning

TOP 2: Hernandez bloops a leadoff single to center ... Cabrera playing too deep on that one -- On the 2-2 pitch to Belliard, Hernandez goes ... Belliard goes down swinging and loses the bat (RJ 3), one down .... Flaherty loses grip on the ball ... Hernandez steals second -- full count to Peralta, he goes down swinging, the ball is dropped, he is tagged (RJ 4), two away

A.B.Boone rips a shot over the jumping Matsui's head in left, he falls to the ground ... the ball goes off the wall, a two out run scoring double -- Tribe now leads, 2-0

Runner at second, two away, Sizemore goes down looking to end the rally (RJ 5)

BOT 2: ARod grounds to third, one down -- Matsui grounds to second, Belliard charges ... gloves, can't make a play, an infield single -- Giambi draws a four pitch walk , runners now first and second -- full count to Sierra, the payoff ... outside, ball four, the bases are now loaded

Flaherty hits a sharp liner to deep center, one run scores on the sacfly, the runner tags from second ... just beats the throw, the Tribe's lead is cut to 2-1

Runners at the corners, Cabrera grounds to first to end the rally

TOP 3: Crisp hits a bomb to the gap in left center, off the wall, Cabrera having some difficulty gloving it ... Crisp makes a big turn at second, but the throw in chases him back, a leadoff double -- Hafner grounds to first, the runner advances to third, one down

Martinez grounds sharply to third, the runner holds, the play is made at first, two away -- Blake pops foul to the catcher to the left of home plate to retire the side

BOT 3: Jeter crushes the first pitch to first, great diving stop by Hernandez who puts him out, one down -- Cano hits a sharp grounder to first that bounces over Hernandez's glove and down the line into the rightfield corner ... he is in with a double -- Sheffield pops to short, two away -- ARod goes down swinging, the ball is dropped, he is put out at first to end the inning

TOP 4: Hernandez draws a leadoff walk -- Belliard grounds a single through into right, runners at first and second -- Peralta goes down swinging (RJ 6) ... Hernandez is going for third ... the throw from Flaherty is on time, a strike em out, throw em out double play, two down -- Belliard goes on the 1-0 pitch to A.B.Boone, he is gunned down by a perfect throw by Flaherty ... wow, two great throws by Flaherty ... to retire the side

BOT 4: Matsui sharply grounds to second ... Peralta gets in front of it, it goes off his chest, he recovers ... his throw is not in time, Matsui reaches on an error -- Giambi blasts the first pitch to the top of the stands in right center ... GONE!, a two run blast, Yankees break out in front, 3-2

Sierra goes down swinging, one away -- Flaherty also goes down swinging, two down -- Cabrera goes down swinging ... Westbrook has struck out the side to end the rally

TOP 5: A.B.Boone lines the first pitch into center for a leadoff single -- On the 2-1 to Sizemore, the Tribe put on the hit and run, he serves it into left for a single, runners now at the corners

Full count to Crisp, he goes down swinging, one away (RJ 7) -- runners at the corners for Hafner, he flies to left, two down, a run will tag and score -- the game is tied, 3-3

Martinez flies to the warning track in right ... Sheffield a little off balance at the wall, but makes the catch to end the rally

BOT 5: Jeter grounds the first pitch to the left of the mound, Westbrook fields and puts him out, one down -- Cano grounds the first pitch to second, two away -- Sheffield draws the two out walk -- full count to ARod, he also draws -- Matsui lines a double down the rightfield line, one run scores, Yankees back in front, 4-3

Giambi draws an intentional walk, bases loaded -- Sierra lines a single to left, two runs score, the score is now NY 6-3

Runners first and second for Flaherty, he grounds back to the mound to end the rally

TOP 6: Blake hits the first pitch to short, one down -- Hernandez lines a single to right -- full count to Belliard, the payoff ... he goes down looking, two away -- Peralta grounds to short, the force is made at second to retire the side

BOT 6: Cabrera lays down a surprise bunt, fielded by the pitcher and puts him out, one down -- Riske warms for Tribe -- Jeter loops a single to right center -- Cano grounds to first, Fernandez steps on the bag for one ... throws to second, and Jeter is tagged out in a rundown to end the inning

TOP 7: Franklin in to pitch for NY -- full count to A.B.Boone, he flies to right, one away -- Sizemore rips one to left ... over Matsui's head and bounces off the wall, Sizemore hustling for three ... in there with a triple

Sturtze warms for NY -- full count to Crisp, the payoff ... ball four, he draws a walk -- Stottlemyre out to confer

Runners at the corners, one down for Hafner, he grounds a single through to right, one run scores -- the NY lead is cut to 6-4

That's all for Franklin, Torre will call for Sturtze -- runners at first and second for Martinez, he goes down swinging, two down -- Blake pops to second to end the rally

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees leading, 6-4

BOT 7: Riske now pitching for Tribe -- Sheffield goes down looking, one away -- full count to ARod, the payoff ... inside, ball four, he draws a walk

Wedge in to pull Riske, Sauerbeck now pitching for Tribe -- runner at first for Matsui, he flares a single to right -- Rhodes warms for CLE -- runners now first and second for Giambi, full count, the payoff ... he goes down swinging, two down

Wedge out again, this time to call for Rhodes -- Sierra goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 8: Mo in to attempt a six out save, Tino in at 1B -- Hernandez is frozen, he goes down looking, one gone -- Belliard pops to second in short right, two away -- full count to Peralta, the payoff ... he grounds to first to retire the side

BOT 8: Rhodes continues for Tribe -- Flaherty goes down swinging, one gone --
Cabrera grounds to second, two away -- Jeter draws a two out walk -- Cano lines a single through the hole and into right, Jeter hustles to third on the hit

Wedge out to get Rhodes, Howry now pitching for Tribe -- Runners at the corners for Sheffield, full count, the payoff ... is absolutely blasted to left ... Crisp leaps, no chance ... GONE, a three run shot -- Yankees lead 9-4

ARod grounds to third to end the rally

TOP 9: Mo continues -- Boone grounds the first pitch to short, one pitch, one out -- Full count to Sizemore, the payoff ... he is frozen by a lightning bolt on the outside corner, two away -- Crisp goes down looking to end the game ... and for the statacious, save #20 for Mo

FINAL: Yankees win, 9-4

Yankees win the series three games to one. Unit not great but good enough to give a quality start, timely offense, and solid defense pulled them through

When the Yankees are back into play on Thursday, a critical four game series in The Rivalry that could define the division chase down the stretch

Tentative starters are Mussina and Arroyo

46UP 40DOWN ... back in the win column

Posted by at 10:24 AM | Permalink

Yankees salted away the first two ... now on the 59th Annual Old Timers' Day, probably trying to work for a sweep. Might be a bit difficult with the inexperienced May pitching for the Yankees ... we shall see

Inside, impressions of CLE at NYY (85/162)
---

OTG

TOP 1: Ron Guidry pitching -- Paul Blair bloops a single to right -- Steve Sax grounds a single up the middle and into center, runners now first and second

Goose Gossage now pitching -- Gamble hits a drive to the gap in right center ... over the head of Mickey Rivers and to the wall, a two run single -- Pinstripes lead 2-0

Blomberg flies to left, great tumbling catch by Roy White, one down

Mel Stottlemyre now pitching -- Steve Balboni goes down swinging, two away -- Cliff Johnson grounds to short, the force play is made at second to end the rally

BOT 1: Stan Bahnsen pitching -- Mickey Rivers grounds to third, one down -- Wade Boggs grounds to first, two away -- Don Mattingly grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 2: Guidry back pitching -- Mike Pagliarulo lines a leadoff single to right --
unknown player flies to left, one down

Gossage now pitching -- Luis Sojo pounds one to deep center, over the head of the centerfielder, a run scoring double -- Pinstripes lead 3-0

Kevin Maas dunks a double to left, one run scores -- the score is now NYP 4-0

Jake Gibbs grounds to second .... through the wickets of Justice into right

AND HERE COMES THE RAIN ... the rain ends the OTG

---

And now on to today's game

TOP 1: May pitching for NY -- Sizemore goes down swinging, one down -- full count to Crisp, the payoff ... he flies to right, two away -- full count to Hafner, the payoff ... he goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 1: Elarton pitching for CLE -- Jeter grounds the first pitch to third, one down -- Cano goes down swinging, two away -- Sheffield absolutely crushes one to left ... GONE, a two out solo shot -- Yankees lead 1-0

ARod hits an opposite field rope ... that finds the seats, GONE ... back to back solo shots, the score is now NY 2-0

Matsui flies to left to end the rally

TOP 2: Full count to Blake, the payoff ... he hits a well placed slow roller by the pitcher to second, and beats it out for a leadoff infield single

Hernandez just blasts one out to left, a two run shot that ties the score at 2-2

Peralta blasts one out to left center, back to back shots, the Tribe edges ahead, 3-2

A.B.Boone goes down swinging, one down -- full count to Bard, he lines a single to right -- Phillips pops foul to first, two away -- Sizemore flies to left to end the rally

BOT 2: Giambi drops a leadoff single into the campfire defense, as three fielders converge and none can get to it -- Posada pops the first pitch up to first, one down -- Sierra pops foul to third, two away -- Cabrera flies to right to end the inning

TOP 3: Crisp hits a slow roller to second, against past the pitcher to second, this time Cano charges and guns ... and gets him, one away -- Hafner grounds to second, two down

Full count to Blake, the payoff ... he flies to center ... Cabrera looking like he's having problems tracking it, fumbles with his flip down eye shades, reaches out ... it's over his head and rolls to the wall, a two out double

Hernandez hits a laser to left ... it just scrapes over, another home run, a two run shot, the Indians now lead, 5-2

Peralta grounds to third to end the two out rally

BOT 3: Jeter flies to center, one down -- Cano flies to right, two away -- Sheffield draws a two out walk -- ARod crunches one to the warning track in left, caught to end the inning

TOP 4: A.B.Boone grounds to short, one down -- Bard grounds to deep short, Jeter ranges, gloves, and the trademark jump throw ... IS AGAIN ON TIME, two away -- Phillips grounds slowly to third, ARod charges, gloves and guns to retire the side

BOT 4: Full count to Matsui, he flies to right, one down -- Giambi goes down swinging, two away -- Posada flies to left to end the inning

TOP 5: Sizemore flies to left, one away -- Crisp lines a single past the diving Cano and into right center for a single -- Proctor warms for NY -- full count to Hafner, the payoff ... he hits a sharp liner to center, Cabrera gets a bad jump on it ... it's over his head and to the wall, one run will score from the bad throw in -- Indians now lead 6-2

Torre out, Proctor will be the new pitcher -- Blake is plunked, runners now first and second -- Hernandez lines a single to center, one run scores, the score is now CLE 7-2

Runners first and second for Peralta, he goes down swinging, two down -- A.B.Boone flies to right to end the rally

BOT 5: Sierra lines a leadoff double to the wall in right -- Cabrera hits the first pitch and flies to center, one down -- Jeter fights a pitch off, swinging in self defense and grounds to second, runner to third on the play, two away -- Cano lifts a two out single to center, one run scores -- the Tribe's lead is now 7-3

Full count to Sheffield, he flies to left to end the two out rally

TOP 6: Bard grounds to first, one down -- Phillips grounds to second, two away -- Sizemore bloops to short to retire the side

BOT 6: Full count to ARod, the payoff ... he goes down swinging, one down -- Matsui hits a broken bat fly to right, two away -- Giambi pops to short to end the inning

TOP 7: Crisp gets a hold of one and lofts a double into the rightfield corner -- Anderson and Groom warm for NY -- Hafner receives the intentional pass, runners now first and second -- Stottlemyre out to confer

Blake hits a liner to short, great jumping catch by Jeter to rob him of a single, one away -- Crisp goes, Hernandez goes down swinging ... there is no throw, Crisp has stolen third -- runners at the corners, two down for Peralta, full count, he battles in a quality AB (13 pitches), the hits a shot out to right ... Sierra backs on it and makes a great reaching catch near the wall to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stench, Indians leading, 7-3

BOT 7: Posada flies to left, one down -- Sierra rips a shot into the rightfield corner, and hustles in for a double -- Bernie in to PH for Cabrera, full count, the payoff ... is lined to the gap in left center, Crisp gets there, two away -- Sturtze warms for NY -- Jeter grounds to third to end the inning

TOP 8: Sturtze now pitching for Yankees -- Bernie at CF -- A.B.Boone grounds the first pitch to second, one pitch, one out -- Bard grounds to short, two away -- Phillips goes down looking to retire the side

BOT 8: Howry now pitching for CLE -- Cano is jammed and bloops a leadoff single to left -- After getting two strikes on Sheffield, the count is worked full, the payoff ... high, ball four, runners now first and second -- Willis out to confer

Full count to ARod, the payoff ... he pops to first ... and fires the bat in disgust, one down -- that will be all for Howry, Wedge will call for Rhodes

Runners first and second, one down for Matsui, he gets all of one ... GONE to right, a three run shot to cut the Tribe's lead to the slimmest of margins, 7-6

Giambi goes down swinging, two away -- Posada flies to right to end the rally

TOP 9: Sturtze continues for NY -- Tino at 1B -- Sizemore lines to third, one down -- Crisp grounds a single up the middle and into center -- Hafner hits a shot the the gap in left center, they wave Crisp around ... he will score, a clutch double -- Indians now lead, 8-6

Blake grounds to third, the runner holds at second, two away -- Hernandez grounds to first to end the rally

BOT 9: Wickman in to close for CLE -- Sierra blasts the 1-2 into the bleachers in right center, wow ... a solo shot, the Tribe's lead is cut to 8-7

Bernie lines a single to right center -- Womack in to PR for Bernie at first -- Jeter chops a bunt in front of the plate, Bard goes after it, falls down and can't make a throw, an infield single -- Wedge out to confer

They call the hit and run on the 0-1 to Cano, he fouls it off ... the runners easily had their bags, damnn .... he grounds to second into a 463 double play, two down

Sheffield draws a walk, runners now at the corners -- ARod grounds the first pitch to short, the force play is made at second to end the game

Well, they sure had their opportunities during the ninth

FINAL: Indians win, 8-7

A rough first outing for May, that was not helped by two outfield gaffes by Cabrera ... the Yankees coming around again with timely hitting, but just not enough to pull this mixed bag of a game out

45UP 40DOWN

Posted by at 3:15 PM | Permalink

I am always amazed with how reasonable my overall boss is -- I mean, I have never had a superior that I thought was wise, open, reasonable, practical, etc. ... I have had a few that were some of these things, but terribly lacking in other areas

I guess I should count my blessings that my overall work environment now is very collaborative, open, focused, and not really poisoned (as far as I can tell by petty stuff, egos, cliques, agendas, feuds, etc.). I think it is largely because of the oversight of our common boss ... I don't even think of him as a boss, but more like a leader.

Funny how I have always thought of my superiors like bosses, like in the 70s chopsocky gungfu flicks, like you either feared them or they were so massively incompetent -- I actually have a leader for a superior now, and it is really amazing how his leadership style has really made a big difference in this particular work environment, very thankful over the whole thing

Posted by at 11:35 PM | Permalink

Yankees improbably working their way back into the playoff and division race ... sooo on a rainy night at The Stadium

Inside, impressions of CLE at NYY (84/162)
---

TOP 1: Wang going for NY -- one pitch, GONE .. Sizemore leads off with a solo shot to right, Indians lead, 1-0

Crisp lays a bunt down in front of the plate, Posada fields and throws ... not in time, a bunt single -- Hafner grounds to third into a 543 double play, two gone -- Martinez chops back to Wang and is put out to end the rally

BOT 1: Lee going for Tribe -- Jeter hits a comebacker to the pitcher, Lee tries to backhand glove it ... off his glove, he fields, but the throw is not in time ... a leadoff single for Jeter -- Cano goes down swinging on a pirouette self defense checkswing, one down -- Sheffield also goes down swinging, two away ... and on the play, Jeter is hung up trying to steal, he is tagged after a rundown to end the inning

TOP 2: Broussard goes down swinging, one away -- full count to Belliard, the payoff ... he grounds to short, Jeter fields, throws against his body and puts him out, great play, two down -- Peralta lines one to the wall in right, off the Yomiuri sign, he is in with a two out double

Gerut draws a walk, runners now first and second --Aaron Bleepin Boone lines a single to left, they wave Peralta ... the throw to the plate, on time but offline, one run scores -- Indians now lead, 2-0

Sizemore flies to right to end the rally

BOT 2: ARod draws a leadoff walk on four pitches -- Matsui hits the first pitch and flies to right center, one down -- Giambi goes down swinging, two away -- On the 1-2 to Posada, ARod goes on what seems like a delayed steal, no one covering, he steals second -- Posada flies to right to end the inning

TOP 3: Crisp grounds back to the mound, one away -- Hafner fists one and pops to second, two down -- Martinez grounds to first to retire the side

BOT 3: Full count to Bernie, he draws a leadoff walk -- Cabrera lines a single to right, runners up a station -- runners now first and second for Jeter, he slaps a double past the first baseman down the rightfield line, one run scores, the lead runner to third -- Indians now lead, 2-1

Runners at second and third for Cano, he grounds to second, one down, one run scores, the game is tied, 2-2

Sheffield draws a walk, runners now at the corners -- ARod lines a two out single into left, another run scores, Yankees take their first lead at 3-2

Tallet warms for CLE -- Matsui goes down swinging, two away -- runners first and second for Giambi, he lines a single to right, another run scores, the NY lead is now 4-2

Runners at the corners, two down for Posada, he goes down looking to end the rally

TOP 4: Broussard goes down looking, one away -- full count to Belliard, the payoff ... he slowly grounds to third, slips out of the box and dogs it to first ... and is thrown out by a mile, two down -- Peralta grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 4: Bernie pops to right, one down -- Cabrera pops to second, two away -- Jeter goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 5: Gerut draws a leadoff walk -- A.B.Boone grounds a single through to left, runners now first and second -- Sizemore grounds to second into a 463 double play, two down -- on the 1-2 to Crisp, the ball gets by Posada and to the backstop, one run scores on the wild pitch, the Yankees now lead 4-3

Runner on third for Crisp, he goes down swinging to end the rally

BOT 5: Cano flies to left, one down -- Sheffield pops foul to the catcher on the third base side, two away -- ARod grounds to the third base side of the mound, the pitcher fields and guns ... just gets him, great defense ... to end the inning

TOP 6: Tino in at 1B -- Hafner draws a leadoff walk -- Martinez grounds to second into a 463 double play, two away -- Broussard goes the opposite way and lines the first pitch for a two out single to left

Stottlemyre out to confer, Sturtze and Franklin warm for NY -- Belliard flies to center to retire the side

BOT 6: Matsui lines one to the gap in right center ... in for a leadoff double -- the Indians pitching coach out to confer

Tino grounds to first, runner is moved to third, one down -- Posada hits a BOMB to the gap in left center ... Crisp is going, going ... and GETS IT ON THE TRACK ... holy crap how did he get there, great play, amazing speed!!! ... the sacfly scores a run -- Yankees now lead, 5-3

Bernie flies to center to end the rally

TOP 7: Wang continues -- Peralta pops to second, one down ... Wang over 100 pitches now -- Gerut grounds back to the pitcher, two away -- full count to A.B.Boone, the payoff ... he grounds a two out single up the middle

Torre out, he will call for the lefty Franklin to match L-L -- Wang goes out to a much deserved big ovation from the fans for his performance in the first half of the season

Franklin now pitching for NY -- Sizemore flies to right to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees leading, 5-3

BOT 7: Riske now pitching for Tribe -- Cabrera grounds a leadoff single up the middle -- Jeter lays down a sacbunt, the pitcher fields and puts him out, runner advances to second -- Cano hits a sharp grounder to short, Cabrera is chased back to second, the shortstop makes the out at first, two away -- Sheffield flies to center to end the inning

TOP 8: Sturtze and Rivera warm for NY -- Crisp pops to right, one down -- Hafner goes down looking, two away -- Martinez goes down swinging to retire the side ... a great set of work by Franklin today

BOT 8: Wickman in to pitch for Tribe -- full count to ARod, he grounds the payoff to deep short, ARod hustles down the line, and just beats it out ... a leadoff single -- Matsui grounds to short into a 643 double play, two away -- Tino grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 9: Mo in to close -- Broussard down looking, one down -- Belliard lines one into the gap in left center for a double -- Peralta is jammed, and fists a bloop single to center, runner to third on the hit -- Runners at the corners, one down for Blake, he flies to left ... the runner at third tags, Matsui's throw is to second ... prevent the runner from advancing to third, one run will score, Yankees lead is now 5-4

A.B.Boone lifts a single to right, runners now first and third -- Sizemore grounds the first pitch to first to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 5-4

This one was a very business-like win for the Yankees, fell behind early, took the lead, added on runs late, and held off the charge at the end ... maybe the team has turned the corner. Too bad, there are so many injuries with the starting pitching

45 UP 39 DOWN ... six straight wins, this team is amazing in its inconsistency

Posted by at 4:30 PM | Permalink

Of the work week, another time to reflect on a few things

So, let's get on with it

The joy of public radio

I have been into listening to the Morning Becomes Eclectic segments on KCRW. They are about 30-45 minutes in length. It is surprising that with their (and by this, I mean KCRW podcasts of all flavors on iT that they haven't podded this show ... ehhh, it's probably about RIAAhrea

The show often features great live performances of less than mainstream, but very credible up and coming artists. The shows are almost 75% music content, which is cool. It does come with vid and sound, usually I just listen ... I guess for me it's not all that exciting to see guys with headphones on, performing IN-STUDIO

Recently I have seen great performances from Every Move A Picture and Athlete ... and the best of all, a lot of the shows are archived, so exercise that media plug-in. I have a lot of artists that I have been listening to lately that I want to watch their show ... ehh TIME

Posted by at 9:15 AM | Permalink

The Tribe in for a four game series starting today ... they have been one of the better teams lately in the AL, this may be a good measuring stick for the Yankees going into the A-S Break

And, first game in center for rookie Melky Cabrera

Inside, impressions of CLE at NYY (83/162)
---

TOP 1: Mussina going for NY -- Sizemore goes down swinging, one down -- Crisp lines a single to left -- On the 1-1 pitch to Hafner, Crisp goes ... the throw is offline, he is in at second with a stolen base -- full count to Hafner, the payoff ... checks his swing, the third base ump says he didn't go, ball four

Runners at first and second for Martinez, he grounds to second, the runners move up, two away -- runners second and third for Broussard, he grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 1: Millwood going for Tribe -- Jeter grounds up the middle to second, one down -- Cano goes down swinging at a high one way out of the zone, two away -- Sheffield grounds a two out single through the left side -- ARod blasts one the opposite way to right, GONE ... a two run shot, Yankees lead 2-0

Matsui grounds to short to end the rally

TOP 2: Belliard grounds to third, one away -- Blake goes down looking, two down -- Peralta blasts a two out solo shot to left center, Yankees lead cut to 2-1

A.B.Boone grounds to the left of the mound, Mussina gets over fields and puts him out to end the rally

BOT 2: Giambi absolutely conks one to right ... GONE!, a leadoff shot to right, Yankees now up, 3-1

Full count to Posada, the payoff ... called strike three, he goes down looking, one down -- Bernie grounds back to the mound, two away -- Cabrera goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 3: Sizemore grounds the first pitch through to right -- Crisp lays down the bunt towards first, Mussina glove and puts him out, one away, runner to second on the sacrifice -- Hafner flies to the warning track in left center, the runner tags and advances to third, two down -- Martinez grounds to the right of the mound, Mussina pounces on it and tags the runner to retire the side

BOT 3: Jeter goes down looking, one away -- Cano flies to center, two down -- Sheffield flies to left to end the inning

TOP 4: Broussard flies to center, one down -- Belliard flares the first pitch to right, two away -- Blake goes down looking to retire the side

BOT 4: ARod lines to center, one down -- full count to Matsui, the payoff ... he grounds to first, two away -- Giambi goes down looking on a payoff to end the inning

TOP 5: Peralta grounds a leadoff single through to left -- A.B.Boone lines a single up the middle over the head of the ducking Mussina and into center, runner advances to third -- runners at the corners for Sizemore, he grounds to third, ARod shovels to second to get the force at second, the throw to first ... not in time, one run scores, one away -- Yankees lead is cut to 3-2

Crisp grounds to second, the force is made at second, the throw to first is not even close to get the speedy Crisp, two down -- Hafner draws a four pitch walk, runners now first and second -- full count to Martinez, he grounds the payoff to third, ARod fields and guns ... the throw is offline, Giambi makes a great play to glove and swipes a tag on Martinez to end the rally

BOT 5: Millwood falls behind 3-0 to Posada, then works it back to full ... Posada has a quality AB before flying to the rightfield corner, one down -- Bernie grounds the first pitch to second, two away -- Cabrera fists a flare the opposite way that falls into left for a two out single -- Jeter lines the first pitch to second to end the inning

TOP 6: Broussard grounds to second, one away -- Belliard flies to center, two down -- Blake hits the first pitch and lines a two out single to left -- Peralta pops to shallow center to retire the side

BOT 6: Cano grounds the first pitch to short, off the diving Peralta's glove, a leadoff infield single -- Sheffield flies to right center, one down -- ARod draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Matsui grounds a single up the middle, one run will score, runners now at the corners -- Yankees lead 4-2

With the 1-0 pitch to Giambi, Millwood stumbles on his delivery home, the throw is awry and in the dirt and gets away from the catcher, one run will score, the other runner into second on the pitch -- the score is now NY 5-2

Full count to Giambi, the payoff ... is lined to center for a single, they wave Matsui ... the throw is cut off, another run scores -- the NY lead is now four, 6-2

Posada goes down looking, two away -- Bernie draws a four pitch walk, runners now first and second -- Cabrera grounds to second to end the rally

TOP 7: A.B.Boone goes down swinging, one away -- Sizemore draws a walk -- Stottlemyre out to confer, Franklin warms for NY

Crisp having a long, quality AB, but goes down swinging on a foul tip, two down -- Sturtze warms for NY -- Hafner grounds to first, Giambi wins the footrace to the bag to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees leading, 6-2

BOT 7: Fernando Cabrera now pitching for CLE -- full count to Jeter, the payoff ... is blasted the opposite way to right, GONE, a leadoff shot that increases the NY lead to 7-2

Cano grounds the first pitch to second, one down -- Sheffield draws a walk -- ARod pops to second, two away -- runner at first, two down for Matsui, he grounds to deep second to end the rally

TOP 8: Gordon now pitching for NY -- Martinez draws a four pitch leadoff walk -- Broussard goes down swinging, one down -- Belliard goes down swinging, two away -- trainers and infield out to the mound to check on Gordon, Gordon will leave the game

Torre out to make the change, Proctor will pitch for NY -- Blake lines to right, great shoestring catch by Sheffield to retire the side

BOT 8: Howry now pitching for Indians -- Tino in to PH for Giambi, he lines a leadoff single over the leaping shortstop and into left -- Posada grounds to second into a 463 double play, two away -- full count to Bernie, he draws a two out walk -- Cabrera flares to third to end the inning

TOP 9: Proctor continues for NY -- Tino in at 1B -- Peralta flies to right, one down -- A.B.Boone grounds a single up the middle, under the glove of Cano -- Sizemore flies the first pitch to center, two away -- Crisp flies the first pitch to left to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 7-2

Solid starting pitching from Muss, timely offense, good defense ... the recipe for today's win

44UP 39DOWN ... five straight wins

Posted by at 5:18 PM | Permalink

Management

It's a lost art in this age of I'm okay, You're okay ... oh wait, You're disposable.

Notable problems nowadays are that everyone wants to be everyone else's friend, or even better, the "if you don't like it" superior. There is a lot of tolerance of people being individuals, even if it means that what they do alienates others. There is generally no concern about how people develop, and no desire to correct in a timely fashion because ... hey, it's not my tookus on the line

It's really funny how we all take for granted or just basically ignore that human beings ... are no less human in this really arbitrary, made up, thing called the workplace, the cubicle, the broom closet, the productivity area

Which brings me to the eternal burning question ... do people really enjoy what they do for work, and if not, why do you think that is?

Posted by at 9:36 AM | Permalink

In the wrong direction.

There comes a point where nice becomes an obstacle to common sense. For example, if something was going wrong ... and you noticed it was wrong, would you wait until much after the fact to tell someone, hey I knew what you were doing was wrong ... (but because of being nice) I couldn't tell you at the time

I prefer honesty and a reasonable approach, how quaint

Posted by at 11:00 PM | Permalink

Breakfast with the Yankees this morning ...

Last game of a short two game set with Os, Yankees on an improbable three game win streak

Inside, impressions of BAL at NYY (82/162)
---

TOP 1: Unit going for Yankees on 3 days rest -- Roberts goes down swinging, one away (RJ 1) -- Gomez grounds to first, great diving play by Giambi, two down -- Mora flies to right to retire the side

BOT 1: Lopez going for Os -- Jeter grounds the first pitch up the middle for a leadoff single -- Cano flies to center, one down -- Sheffield grounds hard to third ... over Mora's glove and into left, runners now first and second

On the 1-1 pitch to ARod, the double steal is on ... Fasano decides to go to second with the throw ... too high, runners now second and third -- ARod goes down swinging on a foul tip, two away -- Matsui flies to center to end the inning

TOP 2: Tejada lines to right, one down -- Sosa flies to left, two away -- Marrero goes down swinging on a checkswing (RJ 2) to retire the side

BOT 2: Giambi hits a leadoff solo blast to right center, Yankees lead 1-0

Sierra hits the first pitch up the middle and singles to center -- Womack goes down swinging, one down -- John Flaherty grounds into an inning ending 543 double play

TOP 3: Matos flies to right, one down -- Bigbie down swinging, two away (RJ 3) -- Fasano pops to second to retire the side

BOT 3: Jeter goes the other way and singles to right -- Cano hits the first pitch sharply at first ... through the wickets and into right, runner to third on the play -- runners now at the corners for Sheffield, he hits an absolute rocket to left ... just foul, hoo ... he grounds to third, Jeter is hung up, Mora starts the rundown, throws to Fasano ... it goes off Mora's glove ... Jeter comes home, Tejada backing up the play, comes home with it ... beans him in the back, Jeter will run home ... then touch the plate, one run scores on the error at third, Yankees lead 2-0

Runners first and second, ARod grounds the first pitch to third ... it hits the bag, pops up in the air, Cano slides in, Mora tags the bag and just gets him, one down

Matsui rips the first pitch into left, another run scores, Yankees now lead 3-0

Giambi rips the first pitch to the gap in right center, nicely cut off by the centerfielder, one run will score, and the lead runner will hold at third, the score is now NY 4-0

Sierra blasts one by the drawn in infield, and into left, one run in ... and Giambi is waved, he will score, Yankees now lead 6-0

Runner at first for Womack, he goes down swinging, uno dos adios, two away -- Flaherty goes down swinging, the ball is dropped, he is put out at first to end the rally

TOP 4: Roberts goes down, uno dos adios (RJ 4), one away -- Gomez hits a soft comebacker to the mound and is put out, two down -- Mora goes down flailing to retire the side (RJ 5)

BOT 4: Jeter slaps the first pitch past the diving third baseman and into left -- Cano lasers the first pitch into the rightfield corner, he is hustling for two ... in there with a double, runners now second and third -- Sheffield just bombs the farq out of one to left center ... GONE, a three run shot, Yankees now lead, 9-0

Reed warms for the Os -- ARod gets all of one ... the deep center, GONE, absolutely crushed, a solo shot into the bleachers in right center, Yankees now up 10-0

That's all for Lopez, Mazzili out to the mound -- Reed now pitching for Os -- Matsui lines a single the opposite way to left -- Giambi pops foul to the catcher, one down -- Sierra rips an awkward swing on a ball and lines one off the wall on right for a single, runner to third on the play -- runners at the corners for Womack, he grounds back to the pitcher who starts an inning ending 163 double play

TOP 5: Tejada hits a slow chop to short, Jeter charges, gloves and the throw is offline and away ... runner to second on the overthrow -- Sosa flies to center, one down -- Marrero pops to short, two away -- Matos taps one in front of the plate, Flaherty fields, no throw possible, an infield single, runner to third on the play -- runners at the corners, two away for Bigbie, he flies to center to retire the side

BOT 5: Flaherty grounds to short, one down -- Jeter hits a checkswing grounder to first, two away -- Cano grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 6: Fasano lines the first pitch to left for a leadoff single -- Roberts is down looking, one away (RJ 6) -- Gomez hits a blast to left, a two run shot -- Yankees lead cut to 10-2

Mora hits the first pitch and flies to right, two down -- Tejada booms the first pitch off the wall in right center, in for a two out double -- Sosa grounds slowly to third, ARod charges and guns ... the throw is offline, good diving stop by Giambi, an infield single, runner to third on the play -- runners at the corners, full count to Marrero, the payoff ... ugly swing and a miss to end the rally (RJ 7)

BOT 6: Baldwin going for Os -- Whiteside in at C -- Sheffield lines a leadoff single to left -- ARod flies to the warning track in right, one down -- Matsui ... UPPER DECK SHOT to right, whoa, two run shot, the Yankees extend to 12-2

Giambi rips a shot to right, under the glove of the rightfielder, and kicks off the wall ... he hustles into second with a double -- Tino in to PR for Giambi -- Sierra goes down looking, uno dos adios ... Sierra having a discussion with the home plate ump before going back, two away --

Womack grounds to short, the shortstop fields, no chance to make a play at first, a two out infield single, runner to third on the play -- Flaherty hits a flare to second, caught on a bounce, and he is put away to end the rally

TOP 7: Tino at 1B, Crosby in RF -- Matos lines a leadoff single to right -- Proctor warms for NY -- Bigbie goes down swinging, one down (RJ 8) -- Whiteside grounds to third into a 543 double play to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees leading 12-2

BOT 7: Baldwin continues for Os -- Groom warms for NY -- full count to Jeter, the payoff ... he goes down swinging, one down -- Cano flies to right, two away -- Crosby grounds the first pitch to first, pitcher covering to end the inning

TOP 8: Groom in pitching for NY -- Russ Johnson at 3B -- Roberts hits one, long, far ... and FOUL (repeat) ... he goes down looking ... OLE!!!!, the golden sombrero, one down -- Gomez flies to left, two away -- Mora flies to right to retire the side

BOT 8: Kline in to pitch for Birds -- Newhan at 3B -- Russ Johnson grounds up the middle to second, one down -- Matsui walks on four pitches -- Tino ticks one in front of the mound, Kline fields and puts him out, two away, runner to second on the play -- full count to Sierra, the payoff ... outside, runners now first and second -- Womack battling, then goes down looking to end the inning

TOP 9: Groom continues for NY -- Tejada grounds a leadoff single through to left -- Sosa blasts the first pitch off the wall in center for a double, runners now second and third -- Gordon warms for Yankees -- Marrero hits a sacfly to right, one run scores, one down, runner still at second -- Yankees now lead 12-3

Matos chops to third, the runner holds at second, two away -- Bigbie grounds to second to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 12-3

What an offensive show put on by the bats and solid effort by the Unit on three days rest -- the Yankees get a day off tomorrow before starting a key four game set with the white hot Indians at The Stadium

43UP 39DOWN ... four straight victories

Posted by at 8:00 AM | Permalink

I haven't been able to write up a coherent review about this one, even though I have been spinning it now for close to a month. In the final analysis, I am in the middle of the pack on this one, and shall probably at the end of this review leave it at that.

Okay, so album #5 of the "bro-sis" collab that is the White Stripes ... some people praise this album as if it is the second coming of something really big ... they don't say what (so everyone prep for Godzilla, I guess?) ... some people view this album as the weeder or the album that cuts away the bandwagon fans that came on with the last album, Elephant

My impression of it is really quite simple ... there may be many people who proclaim their undying love of this album, there will be 100x that that do not find this album to be coherent, focused, or worthwhile to listen to. This is not to say that this effort is bereft of quality tracks ... there certainly are great tracks on this one, including "Blue Orchid", "The Doorbell", "Forever for Her (Is Over For Me)" and "The Denial Twist".

The rest of the album is at times listenable, sometimes not so much ... very garage/lo-fi, very rough feeling at times. As odd as it sounds, they took a folksy turn on many of the tracks, and lots of Zeppish sounding stuff (esp. Plantesque vox abound). They took out all manner of instruments in this one, and produced some instruments in a more pronounced manner in some tracks ... if you have heard it, you know what I mean, it's of that one louder than the other tracks kind -- loud piano, loud drums, you got me?

It's mishmash type stuff ... that one really has to reach to the bottom of their easy grading hearts to call it of Exile-FMS quality, I think that would be totally and completely misleading. It's cool that these guys can be honest and say that this is the direction they want to take this effort, but it didn't gibe with what I like to listen to presently, in the final analysis

If you like the experimental side of WS, you may like this one better than most. It's definitely not for everybody, I won't be back in for full listens ... selective tracks are very good, though

Our evaluation: C+

Posted by at 3:15 PM | Permalink

Well, here we are at the halfway point of the season, and the Yankees are back home to face the Os in a short two game series ... and surprise, surprise, on another streak (so up and down this season)

Inside, impressions of BAL at NYY (81/162)
---

TOP 1: Sturtze gets an unusual start for NY -- Roberts pops to first, one down -- Mora bashes one off the top of the wall in right center ... it bounces back in, a double -- Tejada nubs one in front of the plate, Posada picks it up and guns him out, great reach by Giambi, two away -- Palmeiro grounds to first to retire the side

BOT 1: Chen starting for Os -- full count to Jeter, the payoff ... he lines a leadoff single to left -- Cano draws a walk, after a lengthy throw session checking Jeter back to first -- Sheffield hits a bomb to left, a three run shot -- Yankees lead 3-0

ARod grounds sharply to third, great backhand weathervane spinning stop by Mora and he guns him out, one away -- Bernie goes down looking, two down -- Matsui bashes a solo shot off the facade of the upperdeck in right, wow -- NY leads 4-0

Posada down swinging to end the rally

TOP 2: Sosa goes down swinging, one away -- Gibbons pops to second, two down -- Matos grounds to third to retire the side

BOT 2: Giambi destroys the 1-1 pitch and puts a solo shot in the upperdeck in right, the Yankees now lead 5-0

Womack lays down a perfect surprise bunt towards third, the catcher fields and guns ... but Womack legs out a single -- Williams warms for the Os -- Womack goes on the 1-0 to Jeter, the ball is dropped, he steals second easily

Runner on second for Jeter, he draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Womack is caught off second, falling down trying to get back, in the rundown Womack is tagged out by Mora ... WHO DOESN'T HAVE THE BALL IN HIS GLOVE, but is called out, runner to second on the play, one down

Cano rips a shot off the rightfield wall, one run scores ... he is in with a double -- Yankees increase the lead to 6-0

That's all for Chen, Mazzili out to get him -- Williams now pitching for Os -- Sheffield grounds up the middle to second with the shift on, the force is made at second, two away -- ARod hits a shot to the wall in right center ... Gibbons leaps and takes away the potential double to end the rally

TOP 3: Bigbie flies to right center, one away -- Fasano hits an eat you up grounder at short and is put out by Jeter, two down -- Roberts puts one out to right, a two out solo shot ... typical crap this season -- Yankees lead cut to 6-1

Mora flies to right to retire the side

BOT 3: Bernie grounds to second, one down -- Matsui bloops a single to center -- Posada grounds an opposite field, seeing eye single through to left, runners at first and second -- Giambi draws a four pitch walk, the bases are now loaded

Womack pops foul to first alongside the bag, two away -- Jeter grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 4: Tejada is plunked with the 3-1 to leadoff the inning -- Tejada goes on the 1-1 to Palmeiro, the throw is not on time, Tejada steals second -- Palmeiro grounds back to Sturtze, the throw to Giambi is HIGH, great catch by Giambi, and Palmeiro is put out, one down

Full count to Sosa, he draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Gibbons singles to center, one run scores, runners now first and second, the NY lead is now 6-2

Stottlemyre out to confer, Proctor warms for NY -- Matos flies to right center, runner tags and goes to third, two away -- Runners at the corners for Bigbie, he draws a walk, the bases are now loaded

Sturtze is laboring now -- Fasano draws a walk, a run is walked in, the Yankees lead is cut to 6-3

That is all for Sturtze, Torre out, and Proctor will pitch for NY -- bases loaded, two down for Roberts, full count, the payoff ... OUTSIDE, another run is walked in, the score is now NY 6-4

Stottlemyre out again to confer -- Mora down swinging at the heat to end the ridiculous Os rally

BOT 4: Cano grounds to second, one away -- Sheffield is plunked -- there is now a discussion whether it was a foul ball or not (or perhaps a retaliation plunk for Tejada), trainers out to check on Sheffield, Torre out to discuss ... Mazzili out to discuss ... GOOD LORD THIS IS GOING ON TOOOOOOO LONGGGGGG

A few hours later, runners on first, one out for ARod, he singles through the left side, runners now first and second -- Ray and Byrdak warm for Os -- Bernie grounds the first pitch to second into an inning ending 463 double play

TOP 5: Proctor continues for Yankees -- Tejada goes down swinging, one down -- Palmeiro flies to center, two away -- Sosa flies to left to retire the side

BOT 5: Byrdak in to pitch for Os -- Matsui flies to the warning track in right, one down -- Posada down swinging, ball is in the dirt, dropped and he is tagged out, two away -- full count to Giambi, the payoff ... he goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 6: Proctor continues for NY -- Gibbons hits the first pitch deep to right center ... GONE, a leadoff solo shot that cuts the Yankees lead to the slimmest of margins, 6-5

Matos pops to second, one away -- Bigbie lines a single to right -- Franklin warms for NY -- On the 1-1 to Fasano, Bigbie goes ... the throw is there, the tag is there ... he is called safe and has stolen second -- Runner at second, full count to Fasano, the payoff ... he goes down swinging, two down

Torre out, he wil call for the lefty Franklin to face Roberts, and turn him around to the right -- Roberts goes down swinging to end the rally

BOT 6: Byrdak continues for Os, Ray warms -- full count to Womack, he flies to center, one down -- Mazzili calls for the lefty Ray to face Jeter

Ray now pitching for Os -- Jeter grounds to third, two away -- Cano grounds the first pitch to short to end the inning

TOP 7: Franklin continues for NY -- Mora lines to left, Matsui slides in trying to make a catch ... he just misses it and it rolls by, Mora in with a leadoff double -- Tejada pops to second in shallow right, one down -- Anderson warms for NY -- Palmeiro slaps the 2-2 pitch into the rightfield corner and off the wall, great hitting by the veteran, a run scoring double that ties the game, 6-6

Torre out to get Franklin, Anderson will pitch for Yankees -- Sosa falls behind 0-2, then works it back to full, and then draws the walk, runners now first and second -- Gibbons pops to shallow right, two away -- Matos blasts the 0-2 to the gap ... it is a two run, TWO OUT double to put the Os in front, 8-6

The Os have erased the early 6-0 deficit, held the Yankees in check, and have finally broken through -- Bigbie receives an intentional pass -- runners now first and second, two gone for Fasano, full count, the payoff ... LOW, another base on balls, the bases are loaded -- Stottlemyre out after the first pitch to Roberts -- Roberts pops to right center to end the damage

Seventh Inning Stench, Os leading 8-6

BOT 7: Ray continues for Os -- Sheffield flies to right, one away -- Julio and Kline warm for Os -- ARod is plunked after battling away two strike pitches -- Bernie goes down swinging, uno dos adios, two down -- Miller out to confer

Full count to Matsui, he draws a walk, runners now first and second -- two down, two on for Posada, he falls behind 0-2, and waits it full, the payoff ... he is FROZEN to end the inning ... phooooooo

TOP 8: Anderson continues for NY -- Mora goes down swinging, one gone -- Tejada grounds sharply to short, two down -- full count to Palmeiro, the payoff ... low, a TWO OUT walk -- Stottlemyre out to confer again, Groom up again for Yankees

Sosa pops to second in shallow right to retire the side

BOT 8: Kline now pitching for the Birds -- Giambi just misses hitting his second jack on the 1-2, just right of the foul pole to right ... he makes sure on the 2-2, GONE!!! to right, a leadoff solo shot -- Os lead cut to 8-7

Ryan and Julio warm for the Os -- Sierra to PH for Womack, he lines a single to center -- Mazzili out to get Kline, he calls on Ryan, their closer

Jeter is jammed and fists a flare to right for a single, runners now first and second -- Crosby in at second to PR for Sierra -- Cano lays down a perfect sacbunt to third, runners now second and third, one away

Sheffield will receive the intentional pass and load up the bases -- Groom and Rivera warm for Yankees -- full count to ARod, he walks after getting two called balls on REALLY CLOSE pitches, a run is walked home -- the game is tied, 8-8

Bernie punches bloop over first ... FAIR!, two runs will score, and the Yankees climb back ahead, 10-8

Mo now warming alone for Yankees -- runners now at the corners for Matsui, he
hits a broken bat grounder to short ... UNDER THE GLOVE of Tejada and stops, one run scores on the error, the score is now NY 11-8

Runners now first and second, Posada is the ninth Yankee to bat this half inning -- full count, he draws another walk, the bases reload for Giambi

Mazzili out to the mound, but he will not bring the hook -- Giambi is plunked in the back on the 2-2 pitch, that brings in another run, Yankees up now 12-8

Crosby bloops to right ... Gibbons dives, it's in his glove ... and trickles out, another run scores, Crosby going for two ... but Giambi is on the bag DOHH!!!, Crosby tagged out, two down, the Yankees increase to 13-8

Mazzili now with the hook, Julio will pitch for Os -- Jeter blasts the first pitch to right center and is put out to end the carnage

The Yankees put on a big crooked number rally ...

TOP 9: Mo in, even though it isn't a SV situation -- Newhan in to PH for Gibbons, he goes down swinging defensively, one gone -- Matos flies the first pitch to right, two down -- Bigbie is frozen to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 13-8

It's FINALLY OVER ... four hours plus, a mixed bag of a game ... Yankees make it hard on themselves but still get the win, pulling it from the jaws of defeat

42UP 39DOWN ... three straight wins, amazing

Posted by at 12:00 PM | Permalink

We finally got around to seeing the re-re-revisioning of the Batman origin story on film. I was very surprised about the story arc taken with it, but pleased that the Bat movie franchise seems to be back on track after some big missteps lately.

I think the movie captured the essential dark and intense qualities of the Batman story. It did quite nicely with capturing the gutter feel of the narrows (slums). It even had a Fritz Lang's Metropolis feel with different lives in the layers of the city

It always surprises me when film treatment writers try to mush/mixmaster everything together in a single movie. I think I am surprised because despite all the chopsuey of previous comic plotlines ... in the end it kind of makes sense

We get parts of Miller's revisioning of the Batman origin in his Year One series -- Bruce returns after a time away, young officer Gordon -- we get a core element of the Scarecrow stories (i.e., out to poison the water supply), but he is the pawn of a greater enemy -- Ras Al Ghul, hooboy, you gotta go DEEEP in the playbook to know this one ... lots of strands of RAG stories, when he freed the inmates of Arkham, when he was training/testing people to see who could be his successor, and ultimately the whole eco-terrorist RAG where he is said to be immortal, and the bringer of balance when cities go too far

I suppose that they weren't gonna go with the essential supervillians here, perhaps it was too early to do another JKR, Pens, Catty, or Mr. Freeze film? From the trailer, I thought it was going to go along the FM:Yr 1 line, and have him return, try out the ropes, and then have to face Scarecrow ... instead it was kind of muddy and desperate, and sometimes I thought to myself, does it seem plausible to me that this guy was going to take on the whole city when he didn't seem credibly able to do so like he did (by the end), when in the middle portion it seemed completely unlikely

I wasn't really in love with the action sequences, I think it was generaly shot too tight, and missed an opportunity to define the character other than having action sequences essentially equal/mean chaos

I felt Bale did well enough as Bruce, Caine was a solid Alfred ... the Katie Holmes character didn't really have much to work with, it was a throwaway character to me ... I can't imagine that Alfred could not have said her little quip of wisdom or for that matter, Morgan Freeman's character. Neeson very wooden as RAG, I liked Cillian in the role of the Scarecrow ... and perhaps think that maybe the movie may have worked better if they set up RAG in the shadows over the three movie set, and let Cillian run free in this one, he does really well with quirky characters

All that said, I thought it was an okay first movie ... of reportedly three. Perhaps a bit too much Phantom Menace for me, a little too heavy on setting the picture up and not enough work on paying it off, at least a little bit here ... it's a bit odd to say it, but Bale is more effective SANS hood than with (first 2/3rds of the movie) ... that being said, The Joker is on the clock next

Recommended, our evaluation: B

Posted by at 11:00 PM | Permalink

Last game of the road trip, Yankees trying to win the rubber match of the series today

Inside, impressions of NYY at DET (80/162)
---

TOP 1: Robertson pitching for Tigers -- Jeter hits the first pitch and grounds to third, one down -- Cano grounds the first pitch to first, pitcher covers, two away -- Sheffield hits a comebacker to the pitcher and is put out to retire the side

BOT 1: Wang going for Yankees -- Inge lines a leadoff single to center -- Polanco is plunked high off his shoulder ... whoa, runners now first and second -- Guillen flies to left, one down -- Ordonez lines to left, two away -- (once) Pudge lines to right to end the inning

TOP 2: ARod grounds to short, one down -- Bernie flies to left, two away -- Matsui grounds to first to retire the side

BOT 2: Young goes down swinging, one down -- Shelton fists one the opposite way to right for a single -- Monroe grounds to short, the force play is made at second, the throw to second ... not in time, two away -- runner goes on 2-2, Logan grounds a single through to right

Runners at the corners, two down for Inge, he grounds to first to end the inning

TOP 3: Sierra hits a ball sharply at short, it gets through for a leadoff single -- Giambi bloops a single to right center, runner to third on the hit -- runners at the corners for Flaherty, he pops to second, one down

Jeter grounds back to the mound, the pitcher starts the 163 double play to retire the side

Opportunities by the board ....

BOT 3: Polanco is plunked again, a leadoff HBP on today's human pin cushion -- Guillen lines to third, the double off throw not in time at first, one away -- Ordonez grounds to short into an inning ending 643 double play

TOP 4: Cano slugs the first pitch to the gap in left center, the centerfielder cuts it off ... Cano going for second, he slides in just in time with a leadoff double -- Sheffield grounds a single up the middle past short, they wave Cano ... he will score -- Yankees lead 1-0

ARod goes down swinging, one down -- Sheffield goes on the first pitch to Bernie, the throw from Pudge is just perfect, the tag is applied ... Sheffield is caught stealing, two away -- Bernie grounds up the middle, off Polanco's glove ... Bernie safe with a two out infield single -- Matsui hits a bloop to the rightfield line, Ordonez gives chase ... it falls in, lead runner to third on the hit

Runners at the corners, two away for Sierra, he grounds to third, the force is made at second to end the rally

Again, more opportunities to score by the boards ...

BOT 4: (once) Pudge rips one to the wall in left, Matsui is there, one down ... just missed it -- Young lines to third, great reaction play by ARod, two away -- Shelton lines a two out single to left center -- Monroe grounds to short, the force is made at second to end the inning

TOP 5: Giambi draws a leadoff walk -- Flaherty lays a bunt down in front of the plate, Pudge fields in front of the plate, guns down the runner at second ... the throw back to first, not in time, one down

Jeter rips the first pitch for an opposite field single to right, runners now first and second -- Cano pops foul to first, two away -- Sheffield grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 5: Logan lines to center ... WOW, great reach down shoestring catch by Bernie, great defense to rob the single, one down -- Inge grounds to second, two away -- Polanco rips a ball to the gap in right center ... Bernie has to run it down, Polanco hustles ... in with a two out triple, great baserunning

Guillen flies to left to end the inning

TOP 6: ARod flies to center, one pitch, one out -- Bernie grounds to short, two away -- Matsui grounds a two out single up the middle, under the glove of Polanco, and into center -- Sierra flies to center to retire the side

BOT 6: Full count to Ordonez, he battles to a 10-pitch quality AB, and draws a leadoff walk -- (once) Pudge gets plunked with an inside pitch, runners now first and second -- Young goes down swinging, one down

Stottlemyre out to confer -- Shelton grounds back to the mound to start a 163 inning ending double play

TOP 7: Giambi goes down looking, one away -- Flaherty grounds to third, two down -- German warms for Tigers -- full count to Jeter, the payoff ... he flies to right to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees leading 1-0

BOT 7: Tino at 1B --Monroe grounds back to the mound, Wang knocks it down with his glove and puts him out, one down -- Proctor warms for NY -- Logan flies the full count payoff to center, two away -- Inge grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 8: Cano grounds to second, one away -- Sheffield pops to second, two down -- ARod goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 8: Gordon inow pitching for Yankees, after a great outing by Wang -- full count to Polanco, he grounds the payoff to third, one down -- Guillen hits a shot to left, Matsui backs on it late ... but makes the play on the warning track, two away -- Mo warms for NY -- Ordonez flies to the warning track in right to end the inning

TOP 9: Robertson going for the CG -- Bernie hits a deep shot to left, Monroe races to it, and robs him of a double with a leaping catch at the wall, one down -- Matsui grounds to first, the pitcher covering, two away -- Sierra grounds a two out single up the middle and into center -- Tino goes down swinging to retire the side

Great complete game effort by Robertson

BOT 9: Mo in to close, Crosby at CF -- (once) Pudge rips a shot to left, over Matsui that goes to the wall, a leadoff double -- Young chops the first pitch to the mound, runner holds at second, one down -- Shelton goes down swinging, two away -- Monroe hits a broken bat grounder to third to end the game

A great day for pitching and defense ... the Yankees make the early run stand up

FINAL: Yankees win, 1-0

Wang held the Tigers down and the bullpen closed the deal -- hard luck start for Robertson who pitched a great game for the Tigers

41UP 39DOWN ... two straight wins to close the road trip

Posted by at 1:41 PM | Permalink

I had almost forgot about LIVE 8 today ... how could I?

I did get in, in time to see The Who, the amazing reunion performance of Pink Floyd (that was seriously cool) -- who else? Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney w/ George Michael, Black Eyed Peas w/ the Marleys, Madonna, Green Day ... and there were many more I didn't see

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY

MAKE TRADE FAIR

Posted by at 1:16 PM | Permalink

I feel a bit sad at the news today that Luther Vandross has died. I can remember the first time I heard his amazing soulful voice and how I thought how great his music truly was. His vocals were a great inspiration to me to learn how to sing ... and although mine never came out with as much soul and expression, I am thankful for his creative life of music and performance and how it endlessly entertained me and brought me joy.

A hand above the water
An angel reaching for the sky
Is it raining in heaven -
Do you want us to cry?

And everywhere the broken-hearted
On every lonely avenue
No-one could reach them
No-one but you

One by one
Only the good die young
They’re only flying too close to the sun
And life goes on -
Without you...

Another tricky situation
A get to drowin’ in the blues
And I find myself thinkin’
Well - what would you do?

Yes! - it was such an operation
Forever paying every due
Hell, you made a sensation
You found a way through - and

One by one
Only the good die young
They’re only flyin’ too close to the sun
We’ll remember -
Forever...

And now the party must be over
I guess we’ll never understand
The sense of your leaving
Was it the way it was planned?

And so we grace another table
And raise our glasses one more time
There’s a face at the window
And I ain’t never, never sayin’ goodbye...

One by one
Only the good die young
They’re only flyin’ too close to the sun
Cryin’ for nothing
Cryin’ for no-one
No-one but you

(Words by Brian May of QUEEN)

Posted by at 6:32 PM | Permalink

Yankees back in action after the rainout .... and the extra day off after the heartbreaking loss against the Os, starting a three game road series in Detroit

Inside impressions of NYY at DET (78/162)
---

Today touted as the return to the lineup of Magglio Ordonez for the Tigers

TOP 1: Bonderman going for DET -- Jeter fists a leadoff single to center -- Cano lines a single to center, runners now first and second -- Bonderman is called for a balk in his first approach to Sheffield -- Sheffield grounds to second, one run scores, one away -- Yankees lead, 1-0

ARod grounds to short, the runner at third holds, two down -- runner at third for Matsui grounds to second to end the rally .... missed opportunities early

BOT 1: Unit going for NY -- Inge lines a two strike pitch to left ... over the head of Matsui and to the wall, a leadoff double -- Polanco lines the first pitch to the gap in right center, for a run scoring double -- the game is tied at 1-1

Guillen, solid contact again on the first pitch, flies to the track in left, one down -- Ordonez grounds to second, the runner is moved to third, two away -- (once) Pudge goes down swinging to end the rally

TOP 2: Posada grounds to first, the pitcher covering, one pitch, one down -- Giambi goes down swinging, two away -- Bernie chops a two out single up the middle -- on the 0-1 to Tino, in the dirt, through the wickets and by Pudge ... runner to second on the wild pitch -- Tino flies to the warning track in right to retire the side

BOT 2: White grounds the full count payoff up the middle, past a diving Cano, for a leadoff single -- Shelton blasts one to deep center ... it goes over the wall, a two run shot -- Tigers take the lead, 3-1

Monroe lines the first pitch up the middle for a single -- Logan lays down a sacbunt, fielded by Johnson who makes the play at first, runner to second, one down -- Stottlemyre out to confer, after Unit and Posada can't get it together

On the 2-1 to Inge, it kicks away from Posada ... runner trying for third, the throw not in time ... runner on third from the wild pitch -- full count to Inge, the payoff ... ball four, he draws a walk

Runners now at the corners for Polanco, he flies to left, two away ... the runner tags ... ugly throw by Matsui, the run scores, and runner to second on the throw -- Tigers now lead, 4-1

Full count to Guillen, the payoff ... he grounds to third to end the rally

TOP 3: Jeter grounds to third ... Inge boots it into foul territory, gloves, no chance at a play ... Jeter reaches first on an error -- Cano lines to second, leaping catch by Polanco ... the doubleoff to first ... not in time, one down -- Sheffield hits a broken bat flare to left for a single, runners now first and second

ARod flies to center, the runners will not tag, two away -- Matsui hits a broken bat grounder to first to retire the side ... the barrel rolls out to shallow right

BOT 3: Ordonez hits the first pitch and lines to center, one down -- (once) Pudge flies to right, two away -- White goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 4: Posada goes down swinging on a checkswing ... called out by third base ump, one down -- Giambi grounds to short on the second base side with the shift, two away -- Bernie goes down looking to retire the side

BOT 4: Shelton grounds a leadoff single up the middle and into center -- Monroe lines a single towards the corner in right, runners now at the corners -- Logan grounds to second, Monroe is hung up ... Cano makes the play at first, Giambi makes a great throw to Jeter covering at second for a strange 436 double play, two down, one run scores -- Tigers now lead, 5-1

Inge grounds to third, great diving grab by ARod who guns him out to end the rally

TOP 5: Tino grounds back to the mound, the ball hits Bonderman in the bare hand, kicks around, he gloves and throws ... Tino is safe at first as Shelton dropped the ball -- the trainer is out to check on Bonderman

Jeter grounds to short into a 643 double play, two gone -- Cano pops foul to third to retire the side

BOT 5: Polanco flies to left on the warning track, one down -- Guillen grounds an opposite field single to right -- Ordonez blasts a shot out to left center .... gone, a two run shot, Tigers now lead, 7-1

(once) Pudge grounds to second, two away -- White pops to second to end the rally

TOP 6: Sheffield grounds to third, one down -- ARod grounds to third, great diving grab by Inge, the spin and throw ... in time, two away -- Matsui goes the opposite way and blasts one out to left, a two out solo shot -- Tigers lead cut to 7-2

Posada goes down looking to end the rally

BOT 6: Proctor now pitching for NY -- Unit had a really shaky start today -- Shelton pops to first, one away -- Monroe pops to shallow right, two down -- Logan is plunked, HBP

On the first pitch to Inge, Logan goes ... the Yankees pitchout, the throw is wide ... Logan is in way ahead of the tag, he steals second -- full count to Inge, the payoff ... low, he draws a walk, runners now first and second

Polanco lasers a shot to left ... Matsui runs out of room, a two out, three run shot, the Tigers now lead, 10-2

Full count to Guillen, he lines the payoff to right for a single -- Ordonez pops to short to end the two out rally ... typical NY collapse after two quick outs

TOP 7: Giambi grounds to third at short in the shift, one down -- Bernie grounds to second, two away -- Tino goes down swinging to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stench, Tigers leading, 10-2

BOT 7: Anderson now pitching for NY -- (once) Pudge drives the first pitch off the top of the wall in right, off the wall and away from Sheffield ... Pudge rounds second, hustling for third .... in there with a leadoff triple -- White pops foul to third, one down -- Shelton draws a walk, runners at the corners

Monroe grounds to short into an inning ending 643 double play

TOP 8: Bonderman continues -- Jeter lines one up the middle, great diving grab by Polanco, one down -- Cano lines a single to center -- Sheffield grounds to third into 543 double play to retire the side

BOT 8: Logan pops to second, one pitch, one away -- Inge grounds to third, two down -- Polanco flies to right to end the inning

TOP 9: Bonderman going for the CG, Wilson at C -- ARod pops foul to first, one down -- Matsui hits a slow roller halfway up the first base line, Bonderman fields and puts him out, two away

Posada knocks it off the wall in right for a two out double -- the 1-0 to Giambi gets away from Wilson, runner to third on the wild pitch -- Giambi draws a two out, four pitch walk

German up for DET -- runners at the corners for Bernie, he draws a walk to load the bases -- Tino grounds back to the mound, Bonderman underhands to first to end the game

Great pitching performance by Bonderman

FINAL: Yankees win, 10-2

Unit just didn't have it today, combined with Bonderman shutting down the Yankees ... the perfect mix for the rout

39UP 39DOWN ... NY back down to .500

Posted by at 5:00 PM | Permalink