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!
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Nunez’s problems have mostly been throwing, no? So maybe can play the outfield.
He may be fast, but he can’t run to home on a SF.
Can’t be worse than Damon.
Oh, fer Pete’s sake. Jones! Jones!
well, that was one run (and a bit of fun). Wyll Raul’s lefty bat count for more than such?
Over the course of a season, his bat will not produce a run a game. But his defense might give up a run a game.
Yeah, but Joe says, we take it one day at a time.
Oh, the ballet we have! Raul almost, almost, not yet, made a beauty. Nuney pretty well did.
Chinese fire drill. Robbie had to scatter when Jete no flip, he take.
Ataboy, Tex, that gets us going in a positive direction.
That line drive had promise. But it lied.
that one will do. Maybe lefties is a great idea.
Cha me some vez!
Raul thinks, Man, shucks, I hit it that hard. Gotta get a little elevation next time.
He should be thinking, “How much could I get for this glove on eBay?”
ML outfielders glove. Perfect condition. Sure it works perfect.
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.
It’s mid-80s? Where are you? We broke 60 today, and it was beautiful for a few hours, but cold in the morning.
that’s what I was thinking: weird enough to be in the mid-80′s.
I’m in Houston. Hate the weather here.
lemme guess: oily accounting
Tex! That’s some handsome flaggin’!
Then Nuney wants to catch it sitting down.
Outs: 1. Style points: 0.
oh, man! that was beautiful, inan unconventional, dontknowwhatinthehell you’re doing kinda way.
Oh, yeah. I take outs over style points any day.
Kuroda looks good, giving me a warm feeling about this game. (Hijinks included.)
Three innings, one run, gotta take it.
So, Cano should’ve crushed that pitch that ended the third, no?
he got screwed up in his swing, kinda. Powerful swing, but he twisted inside too much, I guess just to adapt to a slider.
Missed it.
When do you figure Cano will start getting hot?
Nice catch ‘n’ tag, Captain NervesofSteel.
Gunned down the Icterid.
that’s an awful ugly name for such a pretty bird. Sounds like a spider mutant.
Yeah, it does!
says proud, but mean, poppa.
Hammel stole Ivan’s tight slider that drops in on lefties.
Kuroda twice tickled the outside corner on Reynolds, and he took. The ump each time slowly, gingerly raised a finger.
Let’s get rid of the umpires and let all disputed calls be settled by rock-paper-scissors.
2-1 Yanks so far so good.
Hammels has loosened up, and is flying right.
Lot of pitches, though.
Kuroda looking good.
whew! glad to see Reimold sit down. He looked dangerous.
I haven’t seen the radar gun. What speed is Hiroki-san getting on his fastball?
I wasn’t looking. Have to wait until he gets back out there.
Time for the rally! Good on, Robbie! Come on, Tex.
Well, OK, if you insist.
Thank you, Betemit!
Thanks, Mr. Benemit. The gift that keeps on giving.
ooop – Somebody stepped on the rally.
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.
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.
That pitch from Kiroda was 91 mph.
Time for that call to the bullpen.
Nice K!
Tex’s stretch again saves the day, or Russell’s throw meant 2 runs.
Yeah. Not a great throw.
OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT!
nice call!
I liked the backhand flip by Martin.
boy, that was some dicey good luck. Kuroda should have been outa there.
He wasn’t getting pounded.
I saw something in the 6th. (Foul homer; Lineout to short; long drive to dead center.). I didn’t want him to come out for the 7th.
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.
pop one, Curtis!
ah, about 301 and a half feet short.
Missed it by that much.
David Robertson is awesome.
Totally.
er, I thirds the motion.
Mo can break ‘em in, or off the end.
Nice dp, boys! Robbie’s overhand throw was a brave, good one, and Jeter’s snag was elixir, game-winning variety.
If you’re jumping off for slumberland, see you later, Professor.
Good night. A nice pitching duel.