Hope, Faith, Love . . . for the Yankees, and Baseball

My Boys lost to the Rockies.

mlblogsjenshinrai — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 05:17:27 +0000

It’s been a while since the last time I was able to watch a live Yankees game. I had one this morning (Philippine time), but I only manage to begin at the 4th inning. Ubaldo Jimenez was on the pitch.

My boys have lost the game. I had the feeling that they’re bats are silenced, but I still watched. I wasn’t as keen as I used to be. I just watched. I felt like betraying the Bombers if I didn’t finish until the 9th inning. Besides, through thick and thin, I am a fan.

I hope my boys win their next games.

I missed a game!!! >.<

mlblogsjenshinrai — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 05:14:02 +0000

Because I overslept. My bad! This has never happened before, in 2009. I’d always be unconsciously conscious that there’s a game to watch. What a fail.

Even so, I’m glad my boys won against the Cubs, 10-4. CC Sabathia was pitching. Now I am relieved for that good news.

But I do miss watching MLB games. Has been really busy these days.

And on the seventh game, the Red Sox wins. Finally.

mlblogsjenshinrai — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 11:48:21 +0000

It was home, sweet home
Boston for The Nation after having their first win of the season on April 8th. And winning
against great rival Yankees just made it sweeter.

Starting pitcher John
Lackey was no better that shaky Phil Hughes but was lucky enough to get the
win. Both have 6 ERs and gave 2 free pass to first base. Bartolo Colon, who has
been pitching the way he was expected to, took the lost.

Dustin Pedroia hit his
first home run of the season in the first inning but the damage started in the
second inning. J.D. Drew, who has always been a challenge to Phil Hughes,
hit a single followed by a base hit of catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Jacoby
Ellsbury loaded the bases with his fly ball to right field.

Marco Scutaro’s at-bat
ended to a force out but he sent Drew and Saltalamacchia home, giving the Red
Sox a 3-2 lead.

Still in the second
inning, Dustin Pedroia hit a 2-run single then advanced to second base on a throwing
error by Curtis Granderson. The Red Sox second baseman scored on Adrian
Gonzalez’ soft ground ball to left field. David Ortiz hit a line drive single
to center field and cause Gonzalez to score the fifth run of the inning.

Those 5 runs in the second
gave pitching coach Larry Rothschild the green light to replace Hughes with
Bartolo Colon who played for the White Sox in the previous season.

A-Rod tied the game in
the top of the fifth, but Saltalamacchia’s double in the bottom put the Yankees
behind the Red Sox.

J.D. Drew hit a 2-run
single in the seventh, giving his team a 9-6 lead. Daniel Bard in the eight and
Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth both needed just 11 pitches for 3-up, 3-down
stay on the mound.

SF Giants. 2010 World Series Champions.

mlblogsjenshinrai — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:18:56 +0000

First World Series Championship win since moving to San Francisco. How’s that for ending a 56-year torture?

A lot of people doubted the so-called team of misfits, but the Giants moved they way up and up until they won the best title of all: World Series Champions. And they did it in uncanny fashion, as uncanny as their clubhouse is.

World Series Game 1, the anticipated pitchers’ duel slash battle of the Cy Young kings was nothing but a collective team effort game. But the reigning Cy Young king held on to get the win for the Giants, 11-7, against the Texas Rangers and Cliff Lee.

Then there came Matt Cain for Game 2. It’d be impossible not to see posters and signs saying, “YES WE CAIN.” More than winning, Matt Cain shut the Rangers down on their 9-0 victory. He only gave up four hits in his 7.2IP.

Both teams had to travel to Arlington for Game 3 where the Rangers fans had their first taste of a World Series game at home. They also had their first World Series (game) win as the Rangers halted the red hot Giants on their 4-2 victory.

World Series Game 4 made history in so many ways, from the ceremonial pitch to the last out. Albeit being just 21 years old, Game 4 starter Madison Bumgarner claimed the mound as if he was a post-season veteran. His stance would even remind one of Andy Pettitte. What’s more? He pitched an 8-inning shutdown allowing only 3 hits with 2 walks. And the offense drove in 4 runs while the Rangers had nothing on board, especially having The Beard Master seal the game.

Both Madison Bumgarner and Brian Wilson’s ERAs are frozen at 0.00. The Giants are still leading the series, 3-1, against the Texas Rangers.

Game 5 was a rematch of the aces. It’s how Game 1 should’ve been like. Cliff Lee was supposed to help the Texas Rangers win. He did help them, in a way. Cliff Lee even showed off his claw in the third inning, which would remind us of 2009 World Series Game 1 in the eight inning when he caught Robinson Cano’s ball behind his back.

It was a battle of Cy Young kings. But kings do need their respective armies to step up. Cliff Lee came short of his when the Rangers’ bats were silenced by his successor, Tim Lincecum.

The Freak may have given up a solo shot to Nelson Cruz, but it was not enough for the Rangers to surpass nor at least tie the 3-run homer by Edgar Renteria off Cliff Lee. Besides, that was the third and last hit Tim Lincecum allowed. The shortest Giant struckout 10 Rangers in eight solid innings.

The game was only three outs away.

Miracles do happen in Baseball, but that was quite impossible when Brian Wilson stepped on the mound. Surely, every Rangers fan and those in their clubhouse finally realized that “Fear the Beard” does make sense. The Beard Master was as reliable as Mariano Rivera.

The ninth seemed like just a second-long inning. Strikeout. Groundout. What’s next? Nelson Cruz, who in his last at-bat hit a solo shot, was in the batter’s box. Brian Wilson didn’t care, so what happened? Nelson Cruz struckout swinging. It seemed like a routine last inning, but it was the final out of the game. And too bad for the Rangers, it was the final out of the series.

Game over. World Series over. The San Francisco Giants are the 2010 World Series Champions.

World Series Game 4 Giant Ingredient: Battery of Rookies

mlblogsjenshinrai — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:37:21 +0000

How
many young pitchers have started in a World Series game? There were only
three before Game 4 of this season, all 20-year old in age Then there came Madison
Bumgarner, a 21-year old lefty. Yes, Game 4 was a battery of rookies
with Buster Posey catching.

Baseball
is Baseball. Rookie or not, a player has to go out there and play his
role. And Bumgarner did his impressively. He carried himself with ease
that he could be mistaken as a veteran, of which he would remind you of
Andy Pettitte.

He may have walked the first batter without throwing a
strike but it was 3-up, 3-down first inning, thanks to the double play.
Ian Kinsler was the only other batter that he walked. No one even
stepped on second base except for Michael Young, simply because of Juan Uribe’s
error in the seventh inning.

Josh Hamilton tried to steal second base, but Buster
Posey was such a thief buster. Hamilton was the third out of the
fourth inning.

As dominating like an ace Bumgarner may be, he
still needed the help of his defense, which really stepped up for some
dazzling favour. There were the double plays, Freddy Sanchez’ impressive
stop in the second inning, and Cody Ross’ diving catch in the fifth
inning.

The
Giants offense were also good though not so productive. Two Giants hit
their first post-season home runs, a 2-run homer by Aubrey Huff in the
third inning and a solo shot by Buster Posey in the eight. The other run
was generated by Edgar Renteria, thanks to his quick jump to steal second base.
Andres Torres, who got the RBI, went for double.

Madison Bumgarner left the game on 8IP
with just 3 hits, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts, three of which were to Vladimir
Guerrero, and definitely no run. By the way, Bumgarner’s post-season
ERA is still frozen at 0.00. Brian Wilson, the ever reliable Giant
closer, stepped on the mound in the ninth inning to seal the game in his
3-up, 3-down performance with two strikeouts. His post-season ERA is
also frozen at 0.00.

Game
4 was definitely in the books, from the ceremonial first pitch to game
proper, which had a lot to offer including the second World Series
shutout of the Giants, their fourth in the post-season.

Among
the great moments of the World Series Game 4, my favourite would always
be what the Giants gave the world – a rookie starter with the spirit of
a post-season veteran.

Just sharing some stuff about Phil Hughes during the ALDS..

mlblogsjenshinrai — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:07:52 +0000

Interview with Phil Hughes, during their day off prior to ALDS Game 3 at home.

On Phil Hughes’ post season start. I love what Dave Eiland said here. “There’s no greater joy than proving people wrong.”

The Bulls Unstoppable against the Patriots

mlblogsjenshinrai — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 14:57:47 +0000

It’s June, the rain outpour seems to be unstoppable, and so are the Batangas Bulls.

Vladimir Eguia pitched a complete game with 7 runs and 4 strikeouts (according to my phone/memory) against the Taguig Patriots for the morning game on June 5, Saturday. I’m glad I’m not a scribe nor a journalist, because I don’t have a complete record of the game. I don’t even have a list of the game’s line up. I didn’t bother to copy what was on board. I was too lazy to type it on my phone.

When I saw Vladimir Eguia after the game, I thought of Tim Lincecum. Not that I saw anything to compare both. Eguia covered his left arm with cold compress, something Tim Lincecum would not do. The Freak never puts ice on his arm.

I wasn’t able to see the first pitch but I knew the Taguig Patriots drew the first blood. They actually had 2 runs in the first inning with two stolen bases. But the Bulls tied the game at third. They continued the rally in the fourth inning with five runs on 2-run double, ground rule double, an RBI from I’m-sorry-I-don’t-know-who, and the Patriots’ shortstop error. These gave the lefty Vladimir Eguia some support as he tried to keep the Patriots from reaching home.

Errors were everywhere in the game. One even gave the Bulls a run in the top of the sixth. There’s no better way to celebrate such “free” run than do the Yankees’ hip to hip leap. Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano do such a lot.

The Patriots also took comfort when the second baseman of the Bulls dropped a routine pop out near the first base. The Patriot was held safe in first base, and I couldn’t help but think of Luis Castillo. It also happened in June last season. Oh, who doesn’t remember such incident on A-Rod? The Mets may have lost the game because of that dropped ball, but the Bulls were able to redeem themselves as the Patriot was caught stealing second base after the batter next to him was struck out. The gift was taken away.

Eguia struck out the third batter he faced in the bottom of sixth to end the inning.

One of my favourite innings, if not the top favourite, was the bottom of the seventh. I was so amused with how the last out of the inning happened. It reminded me so much of Ty Wigginton running back to home as Juan Miranda was about to tag him.

The second Patriot to be out just left the first base when the first baseman (I don’t know his name) threw the ball to second base (or short stop?). The Patriot had to move to third base but he was held between two Bulls until he finally got tagged by the third baseman.

I have another favourite scene in the bottom of the seventh, only to be blown by a bad throw. The second baseman scooted a ground ball then maneuvered like Robinson Cano but overthrew the ball to first base. I got spoiled. But then, what Cano does defensively is not something common, even in the big league.

There were many errors in the game that I could hardly point each. It only makes me confused. I also noticed that these players, from both teams, are pretty aggressive in stealing bases.

It’s really awful not to have my pen and paper when watching a ballgame. Thank goodness I brought my phone, but nothing beats old school writing system

I want to thank Armando Galarraga for being a true gentleman.

mlblogsjenshinrai — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 11:07:35 +0000

I could hardly keep my eyes from welling after watching this video.

I admire Umpire Jim Joyce for what he did after he blew the biggest call of his life, so far. I believe there are more big calls to come. He will do better.

And of course, I cannot stop admiring Armando Galarraga for his classiness and gracefulness. Seriously. His reaction on Austin Jackson’s catch in the centrefield impressed me so much. And when Jim Joyce called Jason Donald safe in first base, there was no conceit in Galarraga’s reaction. He looked sneaky, but just fine.

Both Joyce and Galarraga have been true gentlemen.

I also want to thank the Detroit Tigers organization for handling this situation. This ball club has been more than impressive. And of course, the fans. Verbal and blog retaliations were understandable, but I believe they did okay. I am also a Tigers fan. Haha! They’re giving me more reasons, besides Verlander and Damon, for rooting.

This is one of the reasons why I love MLB. It has a lot of men of character. Lurve it!

….

Originally posted in Multiply on June 4th.

The Fifth Inning Stretch

mlblogsjenshinrai — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 09:54:44 +0000

I missed the radio coverage of the Yankees vs. Blue Jays game as well as the live ESPN coverage of the Dodgers vs. Braves. I went to the ballpark this morning to watch the Batangas Bulls vs. Taguig Patriots game.

The game was so interesting. I’ll write about it later. One of the game’s highlights was the audience participation activity.

I got chosen as one of the three people above 15 years old to play during the 5th inning stretch. I was actually surprised because I’m used to the “7th inning stretch.” It was fun though. There were also other participants; most were children. They made us run through the bases. Woo-hoo! It was my first time to step on the bags, and run through them. I wish it was for a home run.

I made it home in 24.3 (or 24.03?) seconds. I should’ve worn my running shoes! I was thinking of doing so before I left.

I got all the prizes because the other two participants in my category didn’t participate. It was just a bunch of gift certificate from Dunkin’ Donuts, which is the sponsor of this season. I gave some to the utility whom I asked to hold my umbrella as I had no one to hold it for me.

Too bad though, I lost the remaining gift certificates after the game. I only found out when I was in the train station. Awful.

I hope I will have a company next time. It’s so fun to watch a ball game, especially live. It’d be fun to cheer with someone or some people. As of now, I am only familiar, but still not so, with the Bulls. They’re really good. It’s the second time I saw them play. The first time was against the Cebu Dolphins.

Pitchers’ ERA redefined.

mlblogsjenshinrai — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:22:18 +0000

Pitchers this season have their ERA sitting below 3.00. Such ERAs are not uncommon that I forgot what the value stands for.

2.00 to 3.00 = Excellent, only achieved by best pitchers in the league.

Ubaldo Jimenez, the MLB leading pitcher in ERA has 0.78. He also leads MLB in wins (10-1) and WHIP (0.90). Halimaw! Most pitchers I know always start their ERA with “2″ that having an ERA started with “3″ makes one look average.

Phil Hughes before his first pitch against the Chicago White Sox on 02 May, 2010.

6 hits/18 innings with 18 strikeouts

That can be translated as 1 hit in 3 innings and 1 strikeout per inning.

If there is one starting pitcher whom I would like to blame why I forgot the ERA rating, that’d be Phil Hughes. For three consecutive starts, he had his ERA started with “1″: 1.44, 1.69, 1.38, respectively. His other ERAs start are~~just~~ around “2.”

Phil Hughes has 10 games started with 7-1 record, tying it with veteran Andy Pettitte. Both place second in AL in wins.

When the All-Star Game is over, I wonder what will become of The Chief, The Freak, of Philthy Hughes, and the other aces of the Major League.