Jetting Jeter to the Outfield

Derek Jeter never had very good range at shortstop, but now it seems to be plummeting, and fast. Jeter, who always ranged well to his backhand and poorly to his glove-side, is now only average ranging to his backhand well below average ranging to his glove-side. 

For those of you who contest Jeter's poor defensive ability, look at the stats. According to baseball-reference.com, he has a 4.04 range factor in his career. Over his time in the league, the average shortstop has a 4.11 range factor. Jeter's range factor has decreased in every year since 2005 (4.56 in 2005, 3.97 in 2006, 3.80 in 2007 and 3.79 this year). Although Jeter still has soft hands in the field - he has a .980 fielding percentage this year - he is hurting the team too much at shortstop. Thus, I propose that it's time for Joe Girardi, Brian Cashman and the rest of the Yankees' organization to move Jeter to right field next year and start to find a replacement for him.

Bobby Abreu is a free agent at the end of the season. There will be a hole to fill in right field and Jeter would be the perfect player to fill it. He has always been great on pop-ups. The most impressive part of his game in the field is ranging back and towards the line for fly balls. He still has the arm to play right field, as exemplified by his almost-great backhanded jump-spin-and-throw play against Texas on Monday. 

You may ask, who would play shortstop if Jeter moves? If the Yanks are moving him for defensive reasons, they should be signing a defensively capable shortstop. Orlando Cabrera and Rafael Furcal are both free agents at the end of the season. Cabrera has great hands and a good arm in the field. Although he is not known for his hitting, he is competent at the plate. Furcal has good hands and a tremendous arm, not to mention that he was hitting .366 before he got hurt earlier this year.

If Derek Jeter is truly about the team, he will realize that his defense is only hurting the Yankees at this point. It would take an adjustment, but there is no reason Jeter can't be as good in right field as he was in the prime of his career at shortstop. Now, all the Yankees have to do is realize that Derek's not the player that he once was. The real question is: will they ever come to that realization?

- D. Spell

Girardi Needs to Learn How to Make a Lineup...Again

About a month and a half ago, I wrote about Joe Girardi's difficulties with making a lineup. His troubles once again stemmed into Sunday's game against the Mets. 

With Hideki Matsui on the DL, Girardi couldn't afford to sit three of his best hitters (Robinson Cano, Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu), but he did because they are all lefties. Facing left-handed starter Oliver Perez, Girardi completely reconfigured his lineup in order to avoid the lefty-lefty match-ups. In doing so, he decided to play Wilson Betemit instead of Robinson Cano, Jose Molina instead of Jason Giambi and Jason Christian instead of Bobby Abreu.

Girardi seems like he is reading the textbook, but not looking at the numbers or even looking into common sense. Why would he rather have a lifetime minor leaguer with twelve career at bats heading into a game (Christian) over a perennial All-Star (Abreu)? Christian shouldn't be starting unless he is filling in for someone during a day off or an injury.

Girardi clearly neglected to look at the numbers. If he had, he would've seen that Abreu is hitting .316 against lefties this year with an OPS 57 points higher than that against righties. Cano's batting average against lefties (.281) is twenty points higher than Betemit's (.261), as the utility infielder is notoriously known as an anemic hitter from the right side (even though he did hit a long homerun yesterday). Jason Giambi is hitting over .400 against lefties since May 17. 

If Girardi wanted to sit a lefty, it should've been the only one he decided to play. Johnny Damon's batting average against lefty pitchers (.292) is 36 points lower than his average against righties (.328). Consider the fact that he is also nursing a sore left arch and has witnessed his batting average drop since he returned to the lineup a few days ago, he should've gotten a day off. 

Why did Girardi decide to sit all the lefties against Oliver Perez, who had a 5.29 ERA entering the game, and decide to play all the lefties against Johan Santana, who had a 2.93 ERA entering Saturday's game and is known as one of the best pitchers in baseball? Wouldn't it make more sense to sit them on Saturday? There's a better pitcher on the mound - Sunday, there wasn't even a good pitcher on the mound - and you can rest players after a long double-header the previous day.

In the eighth inning, after Oliver Perez threw seven innings of three-hit-ball against a lineup in which Wilson Betemit was hitting fifth, Joe Girardi sent out Jason Giambi to pinch hit and face Pedro Feliciano, another lefty. However, the difference between Feliciano and Perez is that the former is an effective pitcher. Girardi knew that if the Mets had a lead, Feliciano would be in the game. He's their eighth inning guy. Thus, in pinch hitting Giambi, he was stating that he'd rather have his first baseman against a good lefty than a bad one - not exactly the right game strategy to have.

When Girardi sent out that lineup at the beginning of the game, Manuel knew it was because he didn't have confidence in his left-handed hitters. Thus, he pulled a great managerial move and called his bluff, only throwing lefties in the game (Perez, Feliciano and Billy Wagner). You know Scott Schoenweis would have been the next Mets' pitcher out of the bullpen. Girardi got out-managed on Sunday because of a lack of confidence in his players and too much of an allegiance to the baseball textbooks.

- D. Spell

Time To Change the Jeterian Ways

The day before his 34th birthday, Derek Jeter should be prepared to listen to some advice. Currently hitting .278 with a .717 OPS, Jeter needs to change his hitting style in order to return from the valleys of mediocrity and head back to the peak of stardom.

First, the type of hit which John Sterling has coined as the Jeterian single needs to cease. Jeter turns 34-years-old tomorrow and is noticeably getting older. Not only has his range in the field diminished, but his bat speed has also slowed down. No player is as strong at the age of 34 as he is at the age of 26 or 27. It takes a lot of strength to hit that "Jeterian single", an opposite field bloop over the second baseman's head on an inside fastball. That strength that he had in his prime allowed him to get enough lift on the ball to hit it in the air.

Now, Jeter is not as strong as he once was. Those balls that he was once hitting in the air are being hit on the ground. This year, when he tries to inside-out a pitch to rightfield, he will often hit a ground ball to second base or right back to the pitcher. This has led to his highest groundball:flyball ratio since 1997 (2.70:1). Because of this, he is grounding into more double plays than he ever has before.

Jeter needs to start pulling the ball and turning on the inside pitch because he is not longer strong enough to consistently hit the ball to right-center. The Yankees' shortstop this year has simply turned into a below-average hitter. His OPS+ is 93 (league average is 100); his secondary average is .183, 30 points worse than his previous worst season; his runs created/27 outs are 4.3, by far the lowest of his career. 

Jeter has not just deteriorated as a physical hitter, but he seems as if he has also regressed as an intelligent hitter. He has changed his approach this year and not for the better. Derek, who was always good for around 100 strikeouts, decided to cut down on his strikeout total, but in turn, has affected his walk total. He is swinging at pitches earlier in the count, so that he doesn't get into two-strike holes. Although Jeter has only struck out 34 times this year, he has only walked 20 times . He is seeing a mere 3.67 pitches/plate appearance, the lowest average of his career. One of Jeter's strengths throughout his time in the league has been that he is able to force pitchers to work. This year, he is voluntarily giving into them earlier in the at bat. 

So, maybe Sports Illustrated was right in their player poll that stated that Derek Jeter is the most overrated player in Major League Baseball. Before this year, I would disagree, but it's hard to argue against it when his 2008 numbers so clearly outline him as a mediocre shortstop. 

- D. Spell

A Draining System Would Be Nice

The picture on the left is an image of what Yankee Stadium looked like in the sixth inning of Sunday's game. I know because I was there. I sat in the bleachers with my brother when in the sixth inning, the skies opened up and it started to pour. The wind was obscene. In fact, it was so strong, it actually took my Coca Cola bottle, which was calmly resting on the bench in front of me, and sent it flying in the air across my section.

Now, here's where the Yankee Stadium architects are really brilliant. You have to walk up a small ramp to get from the indoor concessions to the bleachers. Naturally, water will stream down the ramp, considering liquid will rarely flow uphill. They delayed the game - seeing the grounds crew trying to put the tarp on the field in the wind was hilarious - and people started to go inside to get shelter from the rain. Of course, as my brother and I set foot inside, we felt a pool of water up to our ankles. All the water was draining into the Stadium. It was completely flooded, which led to a great time for me and an even greater time for my socks, who were accompanied by water and peanut shavings. 

Cheers to the builders of 1976, who are responsible for turning Yankee Stadium into a pool today. And for the record, the water was pitch black. 

- D. Spell

Not On His Way Back

Unlike Alex Rodriguez, who expects to be back on Tuesday, Jorge Posada seems like he will not step on the field for the Yankees for a while longer. He can now throw up the 75 feet with as Girardi put it, "better velocity". However, he is progressing slowly and definitely will not return before June. The Yankees are hopeful that he will be able to play in some extended spring training games at the end of May or the beginning of June.

- D. Spell

On His Way Back

Alex Rodriguez is playing in three extended spring training games starting tomorrow against the Rays' minor leaguers. On Sunday, he will play in a simulated game and on Monday, he will be playing the Phillies' minor leaguers, hoping to return to the Yankees by Tuesday. 

Rodriguez for the first time yesterday ran the bases and said that he felt great. He will be guaranteed five at-bats in all three games over the weekend. He hasn't played since April 28th, when he re-injured his aching right quad. 

- D. Spell

Last Night in New York Sports

Yankees-1 Rays-2

In what can only be described as an embarrassing showing, the Yankees lost again to the Rays, who are now in first in the AL East. The Yanks continue to have severe offensive offensive struggles, this time being shut out by Edwin Jackson of all people. The Yanks wasted another solid start by Wang and more solid bullpen work by Kyle Farnsworth. I didn't think that I would ever say this, but the Yankees offense simply and truly sucks. There is no other way to seee it, and that is a serious issue for the Yanks the rest of the season. Maybe ARods return, supposedly later this week, will jumpstart things. I sure hope so.


Mets-6 Nationals-3
Ryan Church continued his hot hitting with his 8th home run of the year and John Maine pitched a beauty of a game, and the bullpen didn't implode. Also the Mets were playing the Nationals-you and I could beat the Nationals.

We Remember - Luis Sojo

We will be running a segment called "We Remember" in an effort to honor old New York players, who may not have been the best, but were able to help their teams in different ways. Today, we remember Luis Sojo.

Game five. Top of the ninth. Two to two. Yankees have a three to one series lead. "Leiter has 141 pitches, this is gonna be number 142. The pitch...up the middle, base hit! They're gonna bring Posada to the plate. Payton's throw hits the runner. Brosius scores! Sojo goes to third. It's a two-run single by Luis Sojo and the Yankees take a 4-2 lead!" - Joe Buck

A better hitter than he was given credit for, Luis Sojo was described by Yankee announcer John Sterling as "The best .200 hitter ever". Sojo was a great utility player for the Yankees from 1996-2001. In one of the best moves of their dynasty, the Yankees claimed Sojo off waivers from the Mariners on August 22, 1996. Sojo, who was hitting only .211 in Seattle, hit .275 for the Yankees the rest of the season and .400 in the playoffs (.600 in the World Series). After only a few months as a Yankee, Sojo had already won a ring and established himself as a clutch and integral team player. The Yankees re-signed him before the 1997 season, a year Sojo did not disappoint hitting a career-high .307. 

Primarily a second baseman, Sojo was known most for his defense. He played every position in the infield along with left field. A versatile player, the Venezuelan native had soft hands, good range and a strong arm in the infield. But he could hit, too. Sojo is the proud owner of a walk-off hit against the Red Sox, a game-winning double down the right field line for a 7-6 victory in Yankee Stadium. In 2,571 career at-bats, he struck out only 198 times even though he used to hit in a lot of two-strike counts. With his short, compact swing, he was able to slap the ball through the infield often, making him a great hit-and-run guy.

The .261 career hitter would do anything for manager Joe Torre or his teammates. In fact, Sojo loved being a Yankee so much that when he was not re-signed after the 2000 season and was forced to sign with the Pirates, he would root for his former New York teammates every night, following the Yankee games daily. On August 7 of that year, the Yankees traded Chris Spurling to the Pirates for Sojo, who made a grand return to New York that night.  Sojo hit .288 the rest of the season in New York and contributed in the World Series, getting his famous series-winning hit at Shea Stadium off Al Leiter. 

Sojo will be remembered as a player who put everything on the line in order to win. As George Steinbrenner would put it, he was and always will be a true Yankee. He was one of the most relaxed and easy-going players I've ever seen, traits that are necessary in a guy who may not play everyday. They helped him become the best utility infielder of the 1990s.

Girardi Needs to Learn How to Make a Lineup

Before Sunday's Yankee game against the Tigers was rained out, Joe Girardi had penciled Derek Jeter into the cleanup spot in the lineup. Jeter hit is first homerun of the season the day before; it was his only long-ball in 133 at-bats this season. Girardi says that he made the decision because he wanted to give Matsui a day off. 

Clearly, Girardi is having trouble making the lineup this season. He has had inconsistencies throughout the year. Jeter's power seems to have diminished over the past few years. He seems to have gotten a bit weaker with age and with his hitting style - keeping his hands inside and hitting the ball the right field - he can't hit many homeruns since he doesn't get his arms extended.  Jeter has hit 27 homers in the past two years and 38 games, none of them traveling a long way.

Why does Girardi feel like he needs to give Matsui a day off? The Yankees were off the previous Monday, only six days prior. Why give your hottest hitter a day off and potentially ruin the best hot-streak the offensively challenged team has had by any individual all year. One of the first rules of managing - and something Joe Torre was so good at - is riding your hottest players. Torre seemed to stick to this theory without fail. Girardi, as a former player, should understand that if a player is hitting the ball well, only one day off can completely ruin his rythm. I also don't think he understands lineup construction.

In a game earlier this season, Girardi batted Morgan Ensberg fifth. I actually have no disagreement here. I think Ensberg has a very nice line-drive stroke and hits the ball back up the middle very well. He has been hitting much better than his numbers would show. Late in the game, Ensberg had a game-tying hit. Then, he came up in the ninth inning again with a runner in scoring position and a chance to win it. Here's the issue: Girardi pinch-hit. Now, why would you pinch-hit for your number five hitter? Why would you be hitting him fifth if you don't have the confidence to let him hit in that situation? Would he have pinch-hit for Cano? No. Would he have pinch-hit for Giambi? No. Then why didn't he bat them earlier in the lineup and move Ensberg to the seventh slot? I don't know.

He is a young manager but some of his lineup choices seem to nonsensical. Oh, this just in: Mike Mussina is leading off Monday in Tampa.

- D. Spell

Wilson Betemit-More Like Wilson Gets Hurt A Lot

So Wilson Betemit is back on the DL this time with a strained hammy. Betemit has managed to not walk once this entire season-26 at bats, 7 hits, 7 strikeouts, and 0 walks. Not sure that that is what the Yankees wanted when they traded for Wilson last season. Betemit isn't exactly a great fielder either, taking ARod's spot at 3rd base, Betemit has look lost recently. In Friday night's game against the Tigers Betemit misplayed 3 balls in a row that were hit his way. Now that Betemit is hurt Morgan Ensberg will be given the opportunity to start regularly. Ensberg has struggled this season offensively, his first as a backup, but he is a very good fielder. He clearly is not much of an improvement over Betemit, if at all. Even with Ensberg at 3rd, the Yankees are still a total wreck at the position. Calling up Alberto Gonzalez, who was brought up to the Bigs to take Betemit's spot wont help matters much either. If ARod's injury is as mild as the Yankees seem to believe it is than this will hopefully be behind them soon enough. However, if ARod is out for an extended period of time, as many press sources are stating, then there will be a serious issue for the Yankees to deal with. They already need to find a catcher who can hit, since Moeller and Molina are not the answers there, they need to find another quality starter because Kei Igawa is still a member of the Yankees' rotation and Kei Igawa should not be in anyone's rotation, so if you add starting 3rd baseman and heart of the lineup to that list it looks as though this could be a very long season for the Yankees and their fans.

-Mose

Last Weekend in New York Sports

Darrell was kind enough to give me the weekend off, I know you all missed me. Anyway if you took the weekend off to spend more time with your mother here's what you missed.

Friday:
Yankees-5 Tigers-6
As Darrell wrote so eloquently last week, Kei Igawa sucks. And he followed through on his terrible pitching ability Friday night going 3 innings, allowing 11 hits, 6 runs, and not striking out a single batter. Besides Igawa the Yankees were good Friday night, nearly coming back to tie the game up against Todd Jones, alas it was not to be. But 5 innings of shut out ball from the bullpen and another home run from Jason Giambi were very positive indicators for the Yanks. Even Robinson Cano had two hits, so you know it must have been a good day.

Saturday:
Mets-12 Reds-6
For the opening half of Saturday's doubleheader, the Mets came out swinging, scoring seven runs in the first five innings of off starter Matt Belisle and reliever Bill Bray, before Mike Lincoln came in and shut the door, allowing only four runs in two innings. Everyone was able to hit off of the Reds pitchers, David Wright had two hits and Carlos Beltran was able to hit a triple, his second of the season. Santana pitched well, although he did allow 10 hits in just six innings, but the offensive firepower was more than enough to make up for Santana's less than perfect pitching.

Mets-1 Reds-7
The second half of the doubleheader looked like the exact opposite of the first game. The Mets offense could not put it togther against Reds starter Bronson Arroyo, who surrendered just four hits over eight innings. Mike Pelfrey had a pretty good start himself, allowing two runs over six. And the game stayed close until the 8th, when Duaner Sanchez game up another two runs, and at that point it was all over. 3 unearned runs in the 9th off of a David Wright error, and the game ended up looking like a route, but it was really a close game for the Mets.

Yankees-5 Tigers-2
Darrell Rasner had his second consecutive strong start and the Yankees finally ended their losing streak against the Tigers. Derek Jeter hit his first homerun of the year and Jason Giambi continued his slump busting ways, hitting a double and driving in a run in the Yankees victory. The bullpen showed up yesterday as well, good for 3 innings of shutout ball. Kyle Farnsworth is securing his spot as the 7th inning guy in the Yankees bullpen, making this team reminiscent of the Yankees teams of yore, when the Yanks were nearly unbeatable with a lead after the 6th inning.

Red Bulls-2 LA Galaxy-1
In the first Red Bulls game since I wrote my post about them, the Bulls squeaked past the LA Galaxy thanks to goals by Angel (I mentioned him) and Danleigh Borman (I did not mention him). David Beckham is on the Galaxy and the Red Bulls held him scoreless even though he did take like 5 free kicks. Where is your bending power now punk? So the Bulls have not lost a game in four consecutive matches, and they have only played six matches in all. Just to remind you it is not too late to join the Red Bulls bandwagon.


The Knicks sign Mike D'Antoni to be their next head coach. Yeah, let's see how well that works out.

Sunday:
Mets-8 Reds-3
After taking the second game of the double header off on Saturday the Mets offense came back strong on Sunday, scoring six runs off of rookie Johnny Cueto in just 4 2/3 innings. Carlos Beltran hit an RBI ground-rule double and a two-run homer in the victory and Oliver Perez had one of his best starts of the season as the Mets took care of business at home against one of the worst teams in the Majors.

-Mose

If We Knew This, Why Didn't Brian Cashman?

On Wednesday, we wrote that Kei Igawa's numbers in the Minor Leagues were not important. What would be indicative of his play in the Majors would be how he was pitching each hitter, how he was getting to that ERA. With the high curveball and the high and away fastball, he would be unable to produce in the Major Leagues. Well, we were right. Three innings, six runs and 11 hits later, Igawa looks worse than he did last year. How did Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi not know this? The Tigers hit .550 off him last night. Who's the fat toad now?

- D. Spell

No Longer Farns-Worthless

Kyle Farnsworth's appeal was worth it after all. After being penalized with a three game suspension for allegedly throwing at Manny Ramirez's head in a game between the Yankees and Red Sox on April 17th, Farnsworth's punishment was reduced to a one game suspension on Friday. 

When Farnsworth was initially suspended, my reaction was an overwhelming feeling of happiness. I wanted the Yankee set-up man out longer than three days. He had been horrible out of the bullpen for the past two years and was off to another poor start. 

However, since April 13th, Farnsworth has a 1.69 ERA, a 0.84 WHIP and is averaging 9.3 K/9. He has helped lead the Yankee bullpen, which has been surprisingly good, to major success thus far this season. Now, he's actually worth something.

- D. Spell

Boomer's Back

May 17th will mark the ten year anniversary of David Wells' perfect game in Yankee Stadium, the second in Yankee history. Now, the past seems to be seeping into the present. Yesterday, David Wells said that he wanted to return to pinstripes. 

When asked what he thought of the 45-year-old lefty, who was 9-9 with a 5.43 ERA combined for the Dodgers and Padres last season, Hank Steinbrenner responded, "I've thought about it. You never know." Steinbrenner went on to say that he has not spoken about this idea with General Manager Brian Cashman, yet.

The Yankees rotation has been spotty at best. Aside from Chien-Ming Wang and Andy Pettitte, no one has been consistent. Mike Mussina has actually been decent of late, however, he has trouble going more than six, and sometimes five innings. Hughes is injured, Kennedy might as well be. The Yankees' four and five starters right now are Darrell Rasner and Kei Igawa. They are desperate to find more starting pitching, however, they should never be so rash to sign David Wells.

When Wells said that he would want to return to New York, that he thinks he could still have a positive impact on the Yankees' staff, he was asked what kind of shape he is in. My favorite part of this piece by the New York Post is that it quotes Wells as saying, 

"I'm in shape, I'd just have to fine-tune a couple of things. I'd need a little bit of time, but not much. Physically I feel fine, real good."

By a couple of things, I hope he is referring to his gargantuan belly, which files out his prominent 300-pound, cough, I mean 248-pound frame. (Did he actually say he was 248 pounds? Does he think he's fooling people?) He already has back problems from the wear and tear of a long career. His extra weight will be an issue more so than ever, now that he is a middle-aged man. 

He had a 5.43 ERA pitching in the National League last year. Let's not forget that. If Roger Clemens' ERA sky-rocketed two runs in his league-switch last season, think about how much the change would affect Wells, a pitcher of similar age, but not similar ability of physical shape.

Wells in a return to the Bronx would be a disaster. I will remember one thing about David Wells' legacy in New York. It's not the perfect game. It's not the 18-4 '98 season. It's not the 19 win season only a few years ago. It was when he screamed at a teammate for making an error behind him allowing for the only time I have ever seen Derek Jeter lose his temper on the baseball field. The Captain put Wells in his place. You don't slight another teammate on the field because of a physical error. 

To me, Wells' character will always be in question. He drinks nights before he pitches, he does not hold his teammates to a top priority. It's not worth it to bring a guy like that into your clubhouse, especially when he will contribute with an ERA of 5.50 at best.

- D. Spell

Last Night in New York Sports

Yankees-6 Indians-3

The Yankees finished off their series against the Indians with a solid 3 run victory. Thanks to home runs by Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, Robinson Cano, and Wilson Betemit the Yankees powered their way to victory. The Bombers went up 3-0 in the 4th after Johnny Damon and Jason Giambi hit their home runs, but Mike Mussina gave the lead right back in the 5th, in part due to Bobby Abreu's terrible fielding effort. Yet the Yankees answered right back with a Damon RBI double and they did not look back. The bullpen pitched very well, combining for 4 innings of 2 hit ball, including a solid inning from Joba Chamberlain, who struck out his tormentor from earlier in the week, David Delluci, to end the 8th. This was a very positive game for the Yankees offensively as Giambi hit two shots, one caught near the warning track, and Robinson Cano went 2 for 3 which could potentially signal the end of his cold start to the season.

-Mose

Damn Limeade, Part 2

Well, the Yanks pulled out the victory in a 6-3 win over Cleveland, but I'm still baffled over that cherry limeade. Why would they make something so sweet? Joba pitched a 1-2-3 eighth, recovering nicely from Tuesday's outing against Cleveland when he allowed a game winning three-run homer to David Dellucci. Mo, once against pitched a scoreless ninth. In 14 innings this year, he has allowed five hits, no walks and no runs. Really, those are remarkable numbers. It was a crisp game on a crisp day. 

The guy sitting behind Mose and me was one of your typical fat, drunk guys; drunk to the point where he no longer had any idea what he's talking about and is already slurring his words. I kid you not, this exchange actually went down in the seventh inning today:

Vendor: Last call for beer.

Drunk Guy's Friend Who's Also Drunk: You want another?

Drunk Guy: No, man. I have to drive home. I really don't need another right now.

Drunk Guy's Friend Who's Also Drunk purchases two more Bud Lights, anyway.

Drunk Guy's Friend Who's Also Drunk: Well, I've already bought two beers...

Drunk Guy: Oh whatever. This is a problem though. I don't know the cops around here like I do in Florida.

Drunk Guy drinks the entire beer in two seconds.

Fun day.

- D. Spell

Damn Limeade

Darrell and I are at the Yankees game today. It is now the end the of the 6th inning, time for the YMCA groundskeepers sponsored by Toro Tractors. At the moment the Yankees are winning 4 to 3 thanks to a Jason Giambi 2-run homer, a solo shot and an rbi double from Johnny Damon. Mussina pitched a very solid game until the 5th inning and he has been replaced by Ross Ohlendorf.

The most interesting part of the day though has been Darrell's constant inner-battle on whether or not to buy a Minute Maid (registered trade mark) Frozen Lemonade. After finally findng the lemonade vendor, Darrell was told that there was only Cherry Limeade available, no Lemonade. Thus Darrell was forced into purchasing the unappealing, sickly red colored limeade. After 3 spoonfuls of the cherry goop, Darrell was forced to throw it away out of disgust. Not five minutes later another vendor came by with the mythical Lemon flavored treat, alas it was too late, and Darrell was to go unsatisfied for another day.

We break for the 7th inning stretch now, but we will get back to you after the game. With a recap.

-Mose

Last Night in New York Sports

Mets-12 Dodgers-1
The Mets finally woke up offensively, and in a big way, to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ryan Church continued his hot hitting, stroking three hots, one a solo shot in the 6th inning. The rest of the Mets offense came predominantly from the bottom half of the order with John Maine, Marlon Anderson, Raul Casanova, and Angel Pagan accounted for half of the Mets' runs scored and half of the RBIs. John Maine pitched a beautiful game, which tends to happen when a pitcher is given an early cushion, in this case 4 runs after the 2nd inning, and he carried a shutout into the 9th inning before surrendering the Dodgers' only run of the game. The Mets escaped their long road trip without any ill effects and they return home to Shea still 2 games over .500

Yankees-0 Indians-3
Cliff Lee continues his dominance this season, pitching 7 innings of shutout ball, without surrendering a walk. Wang pitched a fine game, but it nothing would have been enough to out-duel Lee who lowered his ERA to 0.81, I would be a little more upset about the outcome of this came were it not for the fact that I have Cliff Lee on my fantasy team, didn't even draft him, but picked him up off waivers after the second week of the season. The Yankees offensive struggles continued, particularly Robinson Cano, who actually lifted his average to .160 after going 1 for 4. The Yankees have scored only 3 runs against the Indians, after an offensive explosion against the Mariners last week. Hopefully the strong hitting team will appear in tonight's game against the more hittable Paul Byrd.

- Mose