With the ups and downs that this team has suffered thus far, it almost seems unfair to pile on injury news on the heels of their first win in what felt like an eternity … but Austin Romine is out until “at least July” due to an inflamed disk in his back. While it does seem like expectations for Romine have cooled significantly over the last year or so, I feel as though this is a significant blow to the team’s fortunes, considering the lack of production from behind the plate thus far (Russell Martin’s hot week notwithstanding). Here’s hoping Romine can get himself healthy, and Martin can continue to heat up along with the weather.

Also of note on the injury front – Robertson may not be the closer upon his return, per Brian Heyman. Girardi is fond of the Proven Closer™, and I am quite certain that Robertson’s shaky ninth inning adventures (as well as Soriano’s ups and downs outside of the final three outs) did little to deter that mindset. This strikes me as news for the sake of news to some degree, though I find it noteworthy as I prefer Robertson in the high-leverage fireman role anyway.

And finally, on the prospecting front, personal muse Angelo Gumbs has bounced back significantly this month, batting .325/.361/.468 with 7 XBH and 14 steals in 16 attempts … and, perhaps more importantly, solid defense at the keystone. The Charleston RiverDogs have been a beacon of positivity on the whole thus far, to boot.

Onto the line-ups:

New York Yankees Kansas City Royals
Derek Jeter, SS Alex Gordon, LF
Curtis Granderson, CF Johnny Giavotella, 2B
Mark Teixeira, 1B Billy Butler, DH
Alex Rodriguez, 3B Jeff Francoeur, RF
Robinson Cano, 2B Mike Moustakas, 3B
Nick Swisher, RF Alcides Escobar, SS
Andruw Jones, DH Eric Hosmer, 1B
Russell Martin, C Humberto Quintero, C
Jayson Nix, LF Mitch Maier, CF
Andy Pettitte, SP Will Smith, SP

The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., on the YES Network. Let’s go Yankees!

 

22 Responses to Game 44: Let’s Go Streaking

  1. smurfy says:

    Andy pitched a dandy first, and the lineup said, “What slump?”

    Mark Tex down for a run saved on the dp to end the small jam in the top o’ the 3rd.

  2. smurfy says:

    Alex: “Hunh? What slump?”

  3. Phil C says:

    This could be the type of game they need to really turn hings around. I hope they keep mashing and Andy keeps pitching.

    • smurfy says:

      Yeah, Andy is key. Except for Butler, everything has been poor contact or no contact. Nothing better for a lineup’s morale.

      Damn – bases loaded and nobody’s hit it!

      Andy threw about six outs in the 4th.

  4. smurfy says:

    Will Smith kept his gum in his mouth as he walked off from his ML debut, to the overwhelming applause of his brother and his wife.

    When he walked off at the end of the 3rd, his gum was hanging out. Looked like he had a little fish by the tail.

  5. smurfy says:

    Maier really tagged that, all over sudden.

    • smurfy says:

      Paul O’Neill no sooner mentioned Andy’s “get me over” curve for strike one, that Giabatella(sp?) hit pretty hard, than he re-served the same, and it was smashed, luckily, at Robbie.

  6. smurfy says:

    Whoo, that’s what a bunt is good for!

  7. Love how they call a team meeting the night they’re scheduled to face a rookie lefty who’s tailor made for Alex and Derek.

  8. smurfy says:

    oh, boy (rubbing palms)

  9. smurfy says:

    ow, that’s three liners Robbie has tagged tonite, just to be stuffed.

  10. Phil C says:

    Bases loaded no outs = 3 runs on two walks & a force out? WOW!! Pitiful, but I guess effective.

    • smurfy says:

      the top of that inning was too weird, and they continued it. Glad Andy got things back in order. (woulda loved a granny, tho)

      • smurfy says:

        I saw Tex and Swish fouling off pitches they got that they shoulda GOT, so they still have work to do. But Grandy and Alex, Derek and Cano seem to be in fine fettle.

        • Phil C says:

          I’m only able to follow the game on GameDay and highlights on MLBN, so it’s hard sometimes for me to judge nuances of the game.

          • smurfy says:

            gee, that’s tough. Too late to buy a tv package?

            • smurfy says:

              Humberto Quintero has been grabbing and knocking on the home plate ump’s shinguard all night, warning him he’s gonna shift, he’s in the way, just before the pitch.

            • Phil C says:

              I’ve seen about half the games for free and will soon be moving back to upstate NY and can then get YES on a regular package without the extra cost for the MLB package.

  11. smurfy says:

    Welcome back, Andy. Nice pitching!

  12. smurfy says:

    Phelpsie really pissed off Frenchy with strike 3. He was expecting one at the knees, having just had strike 2 called at the shins. Phelps elevated it a bit to the thighs, and Frenchy blew thru, under. Bet it was a Phelpsie mistake, trying to throw it hard, but love the effect on Frenchie.

  13. smurfy says:

    Nice, 3 pretty good innings for Phelps. Bon Voyage, Yankees!

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