7/26 vs NYY - Time for Manny to Grow Up, if possible...

[riverside sluggers]

The Sox have already etched Manny's name into the lineup. Suspension and fines could be handed over to him if he sits out for a 3rd straight game. The MRI on both his knees came back clean

 

New York (57-45) at Boston (60-44)

Temp: 79° F

Game info: 3:55 pm EDT Sat Jul 26, 2008

TV: FOX

 

Nothing appears to be able to stop the New York Yankees right now, and it appears their team just got tougher. After acquiring two players to help their stretch run, the Yankees attempt to stay perfect since the All-Star break and tie the Boston Red Sox in the loss column when the AL East rivals continue their weekend series Saturday at Fenway Park. Since they were last at the .500 mark at 33-33 on June 11, the Yankees (57-45) have won 24 of 36 games, gaining five games on the Red Sox (60-44) in the process. They improved to 7-0 since the All-Star break with a 1-0 win in Friday night’s series opener.

 

Joba Chamberlain limited the Red Sox to three hits while striking out nine in a career-high seven innings for the Yankees, outpitching Boston’s Josh Beckett. Jason Giambi drove in the game’s only run. Also Friday evening, New York appeared to make its roster stronger both at the plate and on the mound. The Yankees acquired outfielder Xavier Nady and reliever Damaso Marte from Pittsburgh for four minor leaguers. Two people familiar with the deal confirmed the trade on condition of anonymity because physicals were still pending.

 

Nady was batting .330 with 13 home runs and 57 RBIs with the Pirates, while Marte - one of the top left-handed specialists in the majors - was 4-0 with a 3.47 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 46 2-3 innings this season. “The Yankees ownership always gives us an opportunity to win so it’s really not surprising,” captain Derek Jeter said. “It seems like every year if they feel as though we need some different pieces to help us win they go out and get them.”

 

Standout pitching has fueled New York’s surge. The Yankees have surrendered just 12 total runs since the All-Star break, including one run or none in four games. Their starting rotation has a 1.55 ERA since the break. Andy Pettitte (11-7, 3.86 ERA) will try to continue that outstanding run Saturday. The veteran left-hander earned New York’s 2-1 win over Oakland on Sunday, allowing one run and four hits over eight innings while striking out nine and not walking a batter.

 

Pettitte is 15-7 with a 3.61 ERA in 30 career starts versus Boston but struggled in a 7-0 home loss to the Red Sox on July 3, when he surrendered six runs - five earned - and nine hits in 4 2-3 innings. He has given up at least five runs in four of his six starts against Boston since the start of last season.

 

Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez is a .432 (32-for-74) career hitter against Pettitte, but his status for this contest is uncertain after he missed his second straight game due to a sore right knee. Ramirez, who is batting .487 during an 11-game hitting streak, underwent MRIs on both knees and they “came back fine,” according to Boston manager Terry Francona. Ramirez’s counterpart David Ortiz went 1-for-4 Friday in his return after missing 45 games with a left wrist injury. Ortiz is a .333 (13-for-39) career hitter with one homer and 10 strikeouts versus Pettitte.

 

Boston starter Tim Wakefield (6-7, 3.69) has been pitching excellent ball since the start of June, compiling a 2.60 ERA and lasting beyond the sixth inning in each of his last nine starts, although he has only a 3-3 record in that span. The knuckleballer, who turns 42 next Saturday, yielded three runs in 6 1-3 innings in a 10-inning, 5-4 loss at Yankee Stadium on July 6. Wakefield gave up four runs - his most since May - over seven innings Sunday, getting charged with a 5-3 loss to the Angels at Los Angeles.

[riverside sluggers]

Andy Pettitte (30 games vs Boston, 15-7 with a 3.61 ERA---Career at Fenway Park in 14 games, 5-2 with a 3.70 ERA)

Dustin Pedroia, 6 for 20 (.300 avg) Double, 5 RBIs

Kevin Youkilis, 7 for 16 (.438 avg) 2 Doubles, HR, 2 RBIs, 4 Walks, 2 Ks

David Ortiz, 13 for 39 (.333 avg) 4 Doubles, HR, 6 RBIs, 3 Walks, 10 Ks, SB

Manny Ramirez, 32 for 74 (.432 avg) 8 Doubles, 4 HRs, 19 RBIs, 7 Walks, 7 Ks, SB

Mike Lowell, 7 for 18 (.389 avg) Double, 5 RBIs, 2 Walks, K

J.D. Drew, 8 for 23 (.348 avg) 2 Doubles, 2 HRs, 2 RBIs, Walk, 9 Ks

Jed Lowrie ---

Kevin Cash ---

Coco Crisp, 6 for 18 (.333 avg) Walk, 5 Ks, SB

///

Jacoby Ellsbury, 3 for 5 (.600 avg) Double, 3 RBIs, K, SB

Sean Casey, 8 for 19 (.421 avg) K

Alex Cora, 0 for 2

Jason Varitek, 17 for 50 (.340 avg) Double, Triple, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs, 7 Walks, 15 Ks

 

Tim Wakefield (46 games vs New York, 9-16 & 1 save with a 5.01 ERA---Career at Fenway Park in 250 games, 82-66 & 13 saves with a 4.34 ERA)

Johnny Damon, 16 for 53 (.302 avg) 3 Doubles, Triple, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, 7 Walks, 9 Ks, 5 SBs

Derek Jeter, 29 for 93 (.312 avg) Double, Triple, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs, 5 Walks, 15 Ks, 9 SBs

Bobby Abreu, 6 for 22 (.273 avg) 2 Doubles, 3 Walks, 4 Ks, 3 SBs

Alex Rodriguez, 20 for 71 (.282 avg) 7 HRs, 10 RBIs, 10 Walks, 19 Ks, 5 SBs

Jason Giambi, 15 for 84 (.179 avg) 4 Doubles, Triple, 4 HRs, 9 RBIs, 19 Walks, 18 Ks

Xavier Nady ---

Robinson Cano, 9 for 31 (.290 avg) 3 Doubles, Triple, 2 HRs, 8 RBIs, 4 Ks

Melky Cabrera, 2 for 6 (.333 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, Walk, K

Jose Molina, 2 for 11 (.182 avg) RBI, Walk, K

///

Brett Gardner, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) SB

Richie Sexson, 3 for 20 (.150 avg) HR, 4 RBIs, 5 Ks

 

Pettitte this season vs Boston in 1 game, 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA. On the road in 10 games, 6-3 with a 3.69 ERA

 

Wakefield this season vs New York in 1 game, 4.26 ERA. At home in 8 games, 5-2 with a 3.04 ERA

[Cocos Disciples]

Don't really like Wakefield vs NYY. We'll see...

[Soxfan1]

I have a feeling we're going to see the exact opposite of last night tonight

[yeszir]

I don't think it's possible for Manny to grow up

[Cocos Disciples]

I have a feeling we're going to see the exact opposite of last night tonight

 

Doubt we'll have another 1-0 game. I'm calling a 7-5 Sox win.

[jacksonianmarch]

You guys have a near guaranteed victory tomorrow, so today is a bit of a must win for us.

[riverside sluggers]

Manny: 'Don't worry about it'

Posted by Amalie Benjamin, Globe Staff July 26, 2008 01:21 PM

Manny Ramirez just walked through the clubhouse. He didn't stop to talk to reporters, but without being asked a question, the Sox left fielder addressed a group of media members on his way by.

 

"Don't worry about it," Ramirez said. "I'm not going to talk. I'm going to play. That's it."

 

Ramirez, penciled into this afternoon's lineup, was then asked if he would definitely be playing today.

 

"Check the lineup," he said. "I'm in the lineup."

[KeepTheFaith1229]

I like how every hitter in our starting lineup that's ever faced Pettitte is hitting at least .300 against him.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Today's scheduled home plate umpire is Deryl Cousins.

 

Cousins has a low SO/BB ratio, 1.69. Hitters are only posting a .264/.335/.403 line with Cousins behind the plate, contrasted to an AL average .265/.333/.411, so something's offsetting that SO/BB ratio.

 

Boston has lost its last five games with Cousins calling balls and strikes by a combined score of 37-11. New York has won three in a row with Cousins behind the plate, and Pettitte has won his last three games called by Cousins. Watch to see if Wakefield is getting the same corners as Pettitte--if he isn't, stand by for a long afternoon.

[a700hitter]

Oh crap. JayHawk Bill, you just raised my stress level. I am sick of this umpiring situation.

[riverside sluggers]

Anyone else find it peculiar last night that when Lowell was getting all in the umps face... the umpire didnt look rattled by it at all. Most umps are defiant about their ball/strike calls being questioned and. Especially when the bat and helmet are slammed down on the ground. Last night he nonchalantly made the "out of here" sign

[Jayhawk Bill]

Oh crap. JayHawk Bill' date=' you just raised my stress level.[/quote']

 

Bummer. Have you considered early retirement to relieve stress? :dunno:

[Bostonownsyou]

Decent lineup today. If Redsox fail to score some runs then somethings up. Prediction Yankees 8 Redsox 5.

[a700hitter]

Bummer. Have you considered early retirement to relieve stress? :dunno:

:lol:It is my goal to be forced into early retirement. Laziness is a genetic trait for many generations in my family.

[a700hitter]

With Ellsbury looking helpess at the plate, I think the FO should consider sending him down to work out of his slump and give this kid Van Every a chance. He's a Centerfielder and he has been tearing the cover off the ball. He has 24 Homers to lead the PawSox.

[Bostonownsyou]

With Ellsbury looking helpess at the plate' date=' I think the FO should consider sending him down to work out of his slump and give this kid Van Every a chance. He's a Centerfielder and he has been tearing the cover off the ball. He has 24 Homers to lead the PawSox.[/quote']

 

Ellsburys young let him learn. Need to trade Van Every for much needed bulpen help.

[a700hitter]

Ellsburys young let him learn. Need to trade Van Every for much needed bulpen help.

The Yankees are the team making moves right now. Maybe they want it more, and the Sox are willing to rest on their laurels.

[jacksonianmarch]

you wont get much for Van Every right now.

[Sox fan in Tex]

Hurry up with the Yankees lineup, Meachum. I don't care if you think A-Rod is the best player on the planet.

[Cocos Disciples]

This just in: Bobby Meachem thinks Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are the best announcers in major league baseball.

[a700hitter]

Yankee Coach Bobby Meacham in reading the Yankee line up just declared Robbie Cano as the best second baseman in baseball "by far". Has he noticed the guy in the oppposing dugout.

[Jayhawk Bill]

you wont get much for Van Every right now.

 

Dunno. The Yankees just got two good players for three career MiLB-caliber pitchers and a teenager with an attitude issue--maybe there's demand for Van Every? :dunno:

[a700hitter]

Drew played that very poorly. Thank goodness Jeter has lost a few steps or he'd easily be on 3rd base.

[Sox fan in Tex]

Good play, Pedroia. C'mon Wake, let's get A-Fraud.

[a700hitter]

Dunno. The Yankees just got two good players for three career MiLB-caliber pitchers and a teenager with an attitude issue--maybe there's demand for Van Every? :dunno:

There are other teams willing to dump salary, and the Red Sox have $.

[Cocos Disciples]

Anyone else find it peculiar last night that when Lowell was getting all in the umps face... the umpire didnt look rattled by it at all. Most umps are defiant about their ball/strike calls being questioned and. Especially when the bat and helmet are slammed down on the ground. Last night he nonchalantly made the "out of here" sign

 

Yeah, it took a while for Lowell to get tossed.

 

 

Yankee Coach Bobby Meacham in reading the Yankee line up just declared Robbie Cano as the best second baseman in baseball "by far". Has he noticed the guy in the oppposing dugout.

 

Or the possible NL MVP Chase Utley?

[a700hitter]

Very nice play by Lowell to end the inning!

[jacksonianmarch]

Well, 2 hard hit balls in the inning and 2 great D plays to save a run.

[Sox fan in Tex]

Now that's how you announce a lineup! Thanks Major Dan Begin!