Given the Yankees luck with injuries thus far, many were left incredulous at the sight of Nick Swisher being helped off the field yesterday – particularly those of us who remembered the groin woes that sidelined Swisher for a portion of Spring Training. Thankfully, the jovial slugger isn’t likely to miss more than a week or so, per Girardi – though Swisher is eying a Thursday return date, perhaps with the hopes that a strong performance will result in a buffet of succulent Kansas City barbecue.

On tonight’s pessimistic agenda, however, we see the corner outfield positions manned by Eduardo Nunez – he of 18.1 professional innings in the outfield – and Raul Ibanez (whose mere presence in the outfield may well be a violation of Hiroki Kuroda’s human rights). The pragmatist in me suggests that Nunez’s speed and strong arm will be an asset in the outfield, and I do think that some folks in the know must have a fair bit of confidence in his abilities to toss him to the wolves like this. Moreover, even the most casual viewer has noticed that Nunez tends to rush his mechanics in the infield, perhaps at the sight of the runner tearing down the line … the ability to “relax,” comparatively speaking, and be involved in fewer plays may be a boon for all parties. Here’s hoping.

Baltimore Orioles New York Yankees
Nolan Reimold, LF Derek Jeter, SS
J.J. Hardy, SS Curtis Granderson, CF
Nick Markakis, RF Alex Rodriguez, DH
Adam Jones, CF Robinson Cano, 2B
Matt Wieters, C Mark Teixeira, 1B
Chris Davis, 1B Raul Ibanez, RF
Wilson Betemit, 3B Eric Chavez, 3B
Mark Reynolds, DH Russell Martin, C
Robert Andino, 2B Eduardo Nunez, LF
Jason Hammel, SP Hiroki Kuroda, SP


The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM on YES – let’s go Yankees!

 

73 Responses to Game 22: Keep the Ball on the Ground

  1. Professor Longnose says:

    Nunez’s problems have mostly been throwing, no? So maybe can play the outfield.

  2. Professor Longnose says:

    Oh, fer Pete’s sake. Jones! Jones!

  3. smurfy says:

    Oh, the ballet we have! Raul almost, almost, not yet, made a beauty. Nuney pretty well did.

  4. smurfy says:

    Chinese fire drill. Robbie had to scatter when Jete no flip, he take.

  5. smurfy says:

    Ataboy, Tex, that gets us going in a positive direction.

  6. Phil C says:

    I’m having too follow on Gameday. However, Direct TV is running some free stations so I get to watch the Caps vs Rangers. Weird watching a hockey game when it’s mid-80s. I’ll check in from time-to-time and read your comments.

  7. smurfy says:

    Tex! That’s some handsome flaggin’!

    Then Nuney wants to catch it sitting down.

  8. Professor Longnose says:

    Outs: 1. Style points: 0.

  9. smurfy says:

    Kuroda looks good, giving me a warm feeling about this game. (Hijinks included.)

  10. So, Cano should’ve crushed that pitch that ended the third, no?

  11. smurfy says:

    Nice catch ‘n’ tag, Captain NervesofSteel.

  12. smurfy says:

    Hammel stole Ivan’s tight slider that drops in on lefties.

  13. smurfy says:

    Kuroda twice tickled the outside corner on Reynolds, and he took. The ump each time slowly, gingerly raised a finger.

    • Professor Longnose says:

      Let’s get rid of the umpires and let all disputed calls be settled by rock-paper-scissors.

  14. says:

    2-1 Yanks so far so good.

  15. smurfy says:

    whew! glad to see Reimold sit down. He looked dangerous.

  16. smurfy says:

    I haven’t seen the radar gun. What speed is Hiroki-san getting on his fastball?

  17. smurfy says:

    Time for the rally! Good on, Robbie! Come on, Tex.

  18. Professor Longnose says:

    Thank you, Betemit!

  19. smurfy says:

    Thanks, Mr. Benemit. The gift that keeps on giving.

  20. smurfy says:

    ooop – Somebody stepped on the rally.

    • Professor Longnose says:

      I don’t see what Ibanez is contributing. He’s a butcher in the outfield, his OBP is .302–against right-handed pitching overwhelmingly–and he’s slugging .450-ish. There’s gotta be somebody better.

      • smurfy says:

        was a weird choice to me. They gotta be counting on him getting his swing tuned for the short porch. Joe decided, probably, that Hammels is harder on righties. Shame he is fielding-impaired.

  21. Professor Longnose says:

    That pitch from Kiroda was 91 mph.

  22. smurfy says:

    Time for that call to the bullpen.

  23. Professor Longnose says:

    Nice K!

  24. smurfy says:

    Tex’s stretch again saves the day, or Russell’s throw meant 2 runs.

  25. Professor Longnose says:

    OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT!

  26. Professor Longnose says:

    I liked the backhand flip by Martin.

  27. smurfy says:

    boy, that was some dicey good luck. Kuroda should have been outa there.

  28. smurfy says:

    Glad that Dave didn’t fool aroung so much with Andino. When he got 2 strikes on Reynolds, he wasted a couple pretty rediculous worm burners.

  29. smurfy says:

    pop one, Curtis!

    ah, about 301 and a half feet short.

  30. David Robertson is awesome.

  31. smurfy says:

    Mo can break ‘em in, or off the end.

  32. smurfy says:

    Nice dp, boys! Robbie’s overhand throw was a brave, good one, and Jeter’s snag was elixir, game-winning variety.

  33. smurfy says:

    If you’re jumping off for slumberland, see you later, Professor.

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