July 2009
Pitched with Angst
A lot had happened. I haven’t even written anything about the Yankees’
winning sweep against the Twins.
I think I’ve been busy last week. There was also not much ESPN coverage
so I wasn’t able to watch the game, thus couldn’t write passionately. I
wasn’t also able to watch the first game of the NY Yankees against the
LA Angels. My fave team lost, and I feel sad.
The first four innings and a half of the game were in favour of the Yankees until they reached the bottom of the fifth.
As I saw the results, I felt disappointed. The Yanks were having a good
start, but the fifth inning gave a lot of hits and runs for the Angels.
I’m not saying that the latter are no good, that they can’t hit or run.
But as a fan, you always hope that your team’s defense is invulnerable.
Baseball is Baseball. Anything can happen.
When the opposing team wins, one sometimes can’t help but put a little,
if not all, blame to the pitcher.
There are pitchers who put me at
ease, and there are those who are capable of pitching uncertainty to
me. But before I make my final “verdict” I make sure that I’ve read
enough details and/or information and have watched enough videos of the
particular game.
It’s just not fair to judge someone without prior knowledge. It’s better to remain silent.
I hope there will be no more error in the next game. And I hope the Yankees win.
Another missed game.
When I checked the Yankees.com,
I found plenty of video highlights. I missed a lot! Joba Chamberlain
may not be my favourite starter, but it was still a game I would like
to watch. I want to see and know how every Yankee player does his role.
Besides, I’m always curious how he pitches when Posada is his catcher.
Albeit missing the game, I thank God that the Yankees won again. It’s their third win against the Blue Jays. One more win and they will tie with the Red Sox. One more win and it’ll be a sweep against my second favourite team.
I may like the Blue Jays, but not as much as the Yankees. I still want
the Yankees to win, and I do mind if they lose to the Blue Jays.
Tomorrow is the fourth and last game of the Yankees vs. Blue Jays. Mr.
Steel Gaze will be the starting pitcher. Too bad ESPN will not air the
game. I really hate it.
Can I teleport to the Yankee Stadium? Please? 
By the way, I am glad that Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Mariano Rivera made it to the All-Star Game roster. Thank you for everyone who voted for the Yankees’ captain and first baseman. 
Music:
Muse – Supermassive Blackhole
The Hammer of God in Baseball
pitching in the ninth inning! His 503rd save, which was against the Blue Jays, was so breathtaking. And I am saying that literally.
Everyone was anticipating for the 3 up, 3 down. Maybe they were even expecting a strikeout sweep.
The first batter on plate, Alex Rios, was struck out with 1-3. Just one ball for Rivera, a 91mph cutter. The rest were 92 mph.
Next
in line was DH David Dellucci who hit a fly ball to centre fielder
Brett Gardner. It was a 90 mph cutter. Dellucci bats left, but as
expected, he had to switch into a right hitter to avoid breaking his
bat, or being hurt, by Mariano Rivera’s cutter.
All switch hitters bat right against right-handed Mariano. When it’s Mariano Rivera, you must keep right.
The
last to bat was the Blue Jays’ catcher, Raul Chavez. I wonder how should
I describe this moment. First pitch was a strike, and so was the
second. Just one more and it’s the final out. Would’ve also been an
awesome record of three consecutive strikes in a single at bat.
But
the next pitch by Mariano was a ball followed by another ball. 2-and-2
for both players.
The next pitch spoiled everyone as it resulted to a
foul ball. But the wait was finally over when the next and last pitch,
the only 4-seam fast ball Mariano released, made umpire John Hirschbeck
call a swinging strike to Chavez.
It was the final out and the first win of the New York Yankees, 4-2, against the Toronto Blue Jays for the series.
Note: Those in bold lead to another website, for a Mariano Rivera reference.
Music:
Shaka Labbits – Monster Tree
A Night for Suzuki and Teixeira
Though I haven’t posted this in b/r, I still want my “article” posted so I’ll have it here. Comments, suggestions, and anything of the like are welcome. Thank you.
It all started with almost an hour of delay because of rain.
Mark Teixeira’s missed catch from Suzuki allowed the Seattle Mariners’ right fielder to earn a double RBI.
Ichiro Suzuki also earned a 2-run double in the fourth inning when
centre fielder Melky Cabrera missed Suzuki’s flyball to his territory.
As if those were not enough, another base was made available for Suzuki
in the ninth inning when Aceves missed to catch the ball from Mark
Teixeira, but it was accounted as an error of the first baseman. It
would’ve been the first out of the inning.
Next in line to Suzuki was first baseman Russell Branyan, who on the
first pitch of Aceves had hit all the way to the restaurant of the
Yankee Stadium.
The 2-run homer of Branyan was the last hit of the Mariners. It was
also the last stay in the mound of Aceves, who replaced CC Sabathia and
brought the last out of the sixth inning. David Robertson replaced
Aceves.
Determined not to let any more mishaps or whatever chance for the
Mariners, the next three hitters were all kept out of the bases by Mark
Teixeira.
Jose Lopez popped out to Teixeira followed by DH Mike Sweeney who
grounded out to Robinson Cano then to the first baseman. The last
Mariner who grounded out was the first one to hit a homer, Franklin
Gutierrez who hit right back to David Robertson.
The last two runs of the ninth inning gave the Mariners an 8-4 win and kept the Pinstripers from sweeping the series.
The truth is I still wonder if I should post this in Bleacher Report.
Music:
Letters to Cleo – Cruel to be Kind
July 1 in New York, July 2 in Manila..
Yankees against the Seattle Mariners. So, I just contented myself with MLB Gameday, like what I usually do in situations like this.
The Yankees won the second game of the series, 4-2, against the
Mariners. Good. It was their seventh straight win and Mariano Rivera’s
502nd save. Congratulations, Mr. Rivera! Also, A-Rod had another 2 run homer, right into The Monument.
I wanted to write about the game, but I haven’t watched it with my own eyes though I have the game details through the Gameday and Game Wrapup. I also want to write about Ramiro Peña. I’m going to miss this guy. He’s got talent, and he is good.
There was an article written, but it was my opinion about Joe Girardi’s
decision to pull Phil Hughes out and replace him with Brian Bruney.
It’s Mr. Girardi’s call, not mine. I have it posted in Bleacher Report. If anyone wants to read what I wrote, it’s here: The Arcane Eight Inning Decision of Joe Girardi
The next starting pitcher is CC Sabathia and I thank God that ESPN Asia will cover the game. 0700H GMT+8.
Music:
Bon Jovi – Thank You for Loving Me (acoustic)
Tuesday Night Game
Watching Baseball and talking about what happened is quite hard when I
have to mention the time. Even if my readers are Filipinos (in my other
blogs), I still have to say “last night” and just add “(morning in
Manila)” because one time-line is not enough. I think I’ll just have
troublesome explaining it, so never mind.
The New York Yankees had their first game of the series against the Seattle Mariners. First game, first win. 8-5.
I wasn’t able to watch the game live on ESPN, but I was in MLB’s
Gameday. It’s where I am whenever ESPN Philippines isn’t showing any
live Baseball game. Like what I was doing lately, I was jotting down the game details.
I’d say the hero of the game was Melky Cabrera. I admire this guy. He’s
just so fun to watch and he’s a real team player. I’ve seen him making
sacrifice bunts for his team. He’s not playing for his own records.
He’s playing for his team.
Melky helped bring 3 runs for the Bombers. One of them was his.
The Yankees had their 6th straight win on Tuesday night. I hope they’ll win the series against the Mariners.
Wednesday night starting pitcher will be Andy Pettitte. How I wish ESPN
will show the game. I want to see Mr. Steel Gaze pitch. Perhaps I
just want to see the steel gaze of the pitcher.
By the way, 4 hours before the game, Yankee first baseman Mark Teixeira had a chat with some fans. He answered questions about, of course, Baseball, including Mariano Rivera, his favourite ball player, tips for aspiring athletes, and the new Yankee Stadium. It was fun, though he haven’t answered a questioned I submitted. I should’ve submitted them earlier. I was online at least an hour before the appointed chat time. Losh!
Music:
Natasha Thomas – Sunshine After Rain
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