April 11th Yankees @ Twins

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

New York (4-3) at Minnesota (4-3), 8:10 p.m. ET

 

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/blog/mussina.jpghttp://www.baseballcardproject.com/Topps/R/2004/252.jpg

RHP Mike Mussina (0-1, 13.50 ERA) vs. RHP Ramon Ortiz (1-0, 2.57 ERA)

 

Mussina tries to rebound

New York (4-3) at Minnesota (4-3), 8:10 p.m. ET

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

 

Mike Mussina will make his second start of the 2007 campaign on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins, looking to follow up on the disappointing results of his first time around the rotation.

By escaping the chilly weather of New York City, the Yankees' starting staff has been buoyed, with Carl Pavano firing a quality start against the Twins on Monday and Andy Pettitte following with a second on Tuesday.

 

Now, it's the 38-year-old Mussina's turn to try his hand at the Metrodome, a facility in which he's had a good amount of past success. Mussina is 10-5 with a 3.48 ERA in 15 career starts at Minnesota.

 

The Twins will counter with right-hander Ramon Ortiz, who picked up a victory in his first start of the season for Minnesota. Ortiz faced the Yankees once last season as a member of the Washington Nationals and was hit hard in the June 17 start, surrendering seven runs (six earned) and 11 hits in a 4 1/3-inning no-decision.

 

Pitching matchup

NYY: RHP Mike Mussina (0-1, 13.50 ERA)

Mussina showed rust in his first start of 2007, giving up eight hits and six earned runs as the Orioles knocked him out of the game after four innings. In 28 career starts vs. the Twins, Mussina holds a 20-5 record with a 3.17 ERA, holding Minnesota batters to a .246 average.

 

MIN: RHP Ramon Ortiz (1-0, 2.57 ERA)

Ortiz allowed two runs over seven innings in his first start of the year against Baltimore. Against the Yankees, he holds a career 3-1 record with a 4.73 ERA.

 

Player to watch

Jason Tyner has had a bit of success against Mussina in his career. The Minnesota outfielder has eight hits in 26 at-bats (.308) against the veteran right-hander, including a double and four RBIs.

 

Twins turn to Ortiz to get back on track

New York (4-3) at Minnesota (4-3), 7:10 p.m. CT

By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com

 

The Twins' pitching during the first three games of the season gave hope that their starting rotation might be in better shape than first thought.

Unfortunately, things have not gone quite as well over the team's last four games. After posting just a 2.66 ERA in their season-opening series against the Orioles, the Twins have run up a 5.40 ERA in their last four contests, allowing 22 runs, including six home runs.

 

Poor pitching is not exactly something a club can afford when it faces a lineup of the New York Yankees' caliber.

 

"They are a very tough team, with veteran hitters and a couple of young guys that are good hitters, too," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "They know how to work the count. The big thing the Yankees do over there is, if you make a mistake, they make you pay for it."

 

The Yankees have made the Twins' pitchers pay during the first two games of the series, scoring 19 runs against the Twins' three. Mistakes up in the zone have proved costly, and the Twins hope that right-hander Ramon Ortiz can avoid making them when the teams match up for the final time at the Metrodome on Wednesday night.

 

After losing two straight to start the series, the Twins will try to salvage one game and get things going back on the right path.

 

"We have to figure out a way to come back here Wednesday night and get after them, and that's what we talked about in the clubhouse," Gardenhire said after Tuesday's 10-1 loss. "We'll try to come back out here and play a little better baseball game for our fans."

 

Pitching matchup

MIN: RHP Ramon Ortiz (1-0, 2.57 ERA)

All spring, Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson worked with Ortiz on staying tall on the mound and remaining calm, even when trouble arises. The extra work appears to have paid off, as Ortiz allowed just two runs over seven innings in his first start of the year against Baltimore. Ortiz appears to be pitching more to contact than in previous seasons, and that's something the Twins feel will help carry him through more innings. His next test will come against the Yankees, against whom he holds a career 3-1 record and a 4.73 ERA.

 

NYY: RHP Mike Mussina (0-1, 13.50 ERA)

Mussina showed rust in his first start of the 2007 season, giving up eight hits and six earned runs as the Orioles knocked him out of the game after four innings. It was the second time in as many days a Yankees starter couldn't pitch into the fifth inning. In 28 career starts vs. the Twins, Mussina has a 20-5 record with a 3.17 ERA, holding Minnesota batters to a .246 average.

 

Player to watch

Alex Rodriguez has hit .333 (16-for-48) off Ortiz in his career. But the real killer has been what Rodriguez has done with those hits. Eight of Rodriguez's 16 hits have been home runs, and he's totaled 13 RBIs off the Twins right-hander. He has also drawn 11 walks.

[jacksonianmarch]

ARod should be licking his chops.

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

Question for you betters out there:

 

Who will have the lower ERA after today's game? Mussina (13.50) or Ortiz (2.57)?

[TheKilo]

Question for you betters out there:

 

Who will have the lower ERA after today's game? Mussina (13.50) or Ortiz (2.57)?

 

Ortiz.

[riverside sluggers]

Mike Mussina (28 games vs Minnesota, 20-5 record with a 3.17 ERA---Career at Metrodome in 15 games, 10-5 record with a 3.48 ERA)

Luis Castillo, 2 for 12 (.167 avg) 2 RBIs, 2 Ks

Nick Punto ---

Joe Mauer, 0 for 2, Walk, K

Michael Cuddyer, 2 for 2 (.222 avg) Double, K

Justin Morneau, 2 for 7 (.286 avg) Double, Walk, K

Torii Hunter, 8 for 38 (.211 avg) Double, HR, 2 RBIs, Walk, 9 Ks, 2 SBs

Jason Tyner, 8 for 26 (.308 avg) Double, 4 RBIs, K, SB

Mike Redmond, 2 for 6 (.333 avg) Double

Jason Bartlett ---

///

Jason Kubel, 0 for 3

 

Ramon Ortiz (12 games vs New York, 3-1 record with a 4.73 ERA---Career at Metrodome in 6 games, 1-3 record with a 6.82 ERA)

Johnny Damon, 7 for 29 (.241 avg) 3 Doubles, HR, 4 RBIs, Walk, 2 Ks, SB

Derek Jeter, 10 for 24 (.417 avg) 2 Doubles, 5 RBIs, 4 Walks, 6 Ks, 3 SBs

Bobby Abreu, 2 for 2 (1.000 avg) HR, 2 RBIs, Walk

Alex Rodriguez, 16 for 48 (.333 avg) 8 HRs, 13 RBIs, 11 Walks, 8 Ks, 4 SBs

Jason Giambi, 4 for 14 (.286 avg) 3 Doubles, HR, 4 RBIs, 4 Walks, 2 Ks

Jorge Posada, 8 for 23 (.348 avg) HR, RBI, 2 Walks, 2 Ks

Robinson Cano, 2 for 2 (1.000 avg) Double, Walk

Josh Phelps, 3 for 11 (.273 avg) 2 RBIs, 3 Ks

Melky Cabrera, 0 for 3, K

///

Miguel Cairo, 0 for 7, 2 Walks, K

Doug Mientkiewicz, 5 for 23 (.217 avg) 3 Doubles, 5 RBIs, 6 Walks, 3 Ks

[jacksonianmarch]

we absolutely rake this guy.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

People I Would Not Like To Be At This Moment:

 

1.) Warren Moon

2.) Ramon Ortiz

3.) Adam123...but that just goes without saying

[jacksonianmarch]

People I Would Not Like To Be At This Moment:

 

1.) Warren Moon

2.) Ramon Ortiz

3.) Adam123...but that just goes without saying

 

adam is third? Wow.

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

adam is third? Wow.

 

you'd think Imus would be in there somewhere..

[jacksonianmarch]

you'd think Imus would be in there somewhere..

 

I'd think adam is 1st.

[Optimist]

Moose has been pretty good against the Twins in his career, if I recall correctly. Let's hope that trend, along with the good pitching so far this series, continues.

 

And if A-Rod hits another HR tonight, I will name my firstborn after him.

[jacksonianmarch]

ARod HR today? Maybe 2?

[jacksonianmarch]

Moose has been pretty good against the Twins in his career, if I recall correctly. Let's hope that trend, along with the good pitching so far this series, continues.

 

And if A-Rod hits another HR tonight, I will name my firstborn after him.

 

20-5 overall vs Minny, pretty nice.

[jacksonianmarch]

Damon pops out to Morneau.

 

Jeter pops out to Hunter.

 

Ortiz doesnt have the heat he used to have. He used to throw high 90s and today he is sitting high 80s-92.

[jacksonianmarch]

1-6-3 DP. End of 1, 0-0.

 

Mussina looks a lot better today. Still only sitting 86-88, but that curveball is filthy today.

[jacksonianmarch]

We arent hitting Ortiz for some reason.

[jacksonianmarch]

Moose is starting to lose it now too, cmon now.

 

Moose looks like he just pulled his groin or something coming off the mound.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

With Karstens hurt and Rasner already in the rotation do we call up Hughes?

[jacksonianmarch]

I dunno, but Henn gets out of the jam. Kid looks like a totally different pitcher right now.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Henn has been good. I was at a game like 2 years ago against the Mets when he was pretty much scared to throw a strike. What a turn around. BTW does Clippard pitch tonight? Because then he would be on regular rest to take Mussina's next start.

[jacksonianmarch]

Henn has been good. I was at a game like 2 years ago against the Mets when he was pretty much scared to throw a strike. What a turn around. BTW does Clippard pitch tonight? Because then he would be on regular rest to take Mussina's next start.

 

maybe. We have plenty of options.

[jacksonianmarch]

ARod with the sac fly, yankees lead 1-0.

[jacksonianmarch]

Sean Henn, 1-2-3 inning. 2 perfect innings thus far. Who is this guy?

[jacksonianmarch]

Henn is out of his mind right now. He just threw a nice curve and K'd Castillo. 3 scoreless innings. BTW, my view of fantastic curves has changed after watching Felix. Its like watching little leaguers pitch when he isnt on the mound.

[yankees228]

Well, they said last inning that it is the hamstring. That usually means DL. I'm guessing they'll call up Villone (unfortunately), and slide Rasner into the fourth spot. He would then pitch next Tuesday at the stadium against the Guardians. By the time they need a fifth starter Karstens will probably be ready.

[jacksonianmarch]

And a leadoff double. May have spoke too soon.

[jacksonianmarch]

Joe Mauer bunts? 1 down, runner on 3rd.

[jacksonianmarch]

3.1IP 3H 1K and a runner still on his record. Henn threw very, very well.

[yankees228]

3.1IP 3H 1K and a runner still on his record. Henn threw very' date=' very well.[/quote']

 

Couldn't have asked for anything more considering the situation.

[jacksonianmarch]

he got out of the inning Moose left like a magician.

 

Just like that Proctor allows an RBI single, tie game 1-1