Satan's Luau

Yankees coming off the highly improbable comeback yesterday, now trying for the three game sweep of the Royals

Inside, impressions of KC at NYY (129/162)
---

TOP 1: Leiter going for NY -- DeJesus grounds a leadoff single the opposite way into left -- Ambres pops foul to first, one down -- full count to Sweeney, he flies to left center, two gone -- Brown goes down looking to retire the side

Good Lord, watching Leiter pitch with runners on can be unendurably long and boring

BOT 1: Greinke going for KC -- Jeter lines the full count payoff to second, one down -- full count to Matsui, the payoff ... he draws a walk -- Sheffield grounds a single up the middle and into center -- runners now first and second for ARod, he flies to left, two gone -- full count to Giambi, the payoff ... he draws a walk

Bases loaded for Bernie, he grounds a two out single through to right, two runs score -- the Yankees lead, 2-0

Hansen out to confer -- runners now first and second for Lawton, he flies to center to end the two run rally

Sheesh, around forty minutes for an inning ... mannnn

TOP 2: Full count to Long, he goes down looking, one down -- Berroa goes down swinging, two gone -- Buck goes down looking to retire the side ... and Leiter strikes out the side

BOT 2: Posada goes down swinging on a checkswing called by the third base ump, one down -- Cano flares a single through to center -- Jeter grounds to second, Cano beats the force, the play is made at first ... now Cano is off the bag at second as if he was the one put out and he is run down to end the inning ... that is totally bizarre brain gakk, watch it on a sportscenter near you later

TOP 3: Hocking draws a leadoff walk -- McEwing grounds one past ARod and down the leftfield line ... kicks off the jutting stands for a double -- runners now second and third for DeJesus, he grounds the full count payoff to first, one run scores, one down -- the score is now NY 2-1

Runner at third for Ambres, full count, the payoff ... outside, he draws a walk -- runners at the corners for Sweeney, another full count, the payoff ... low?, he draws a walk to load the bases

Stottlemyre out to confer -- Brown pops the 2-0 foul to the catcher, two gone -- bases loaded for Long, two down, he grounds to second to end the rally

BOT 3: Hocking at 2B, McEwing at SS, Teahen at 3B (Berroa out of the game) -- Matsui grounds to second, one down -- Sheffield lines to left ... Ambres lets it fall in?, Sheffield in with a single -- ARod grounds a single up the middle and into center

Runners first and second for Giambi, he blasts a shot to right center ... DeJesus leaps at the wall ... it hits the top of the wall and over, GONE!!!, a three run shot -- Yankees lead, 5-1 ... and that is Giambi's 1000th RBI

Bernie grounds to second, two away -- Lawton also grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 4: Teahen lines to left, one gone -- Buck flies to right, two down -- Hocking lines to third ... ARod makes the catch while on the groud to retire the side

BOT 4: Posada grounds to first, Sweeney makes a stab on the line to take away a double, the pitcher covers, one down -- Cano grounds to short, two gone -- Jeter grounds a two out single through to left -- Matsui grounds to first ... Sweeney makes a great diving stab into the hole, picks himself up and beats Matsui to the bag to end the inning

TOP 5: McEwing grounds to short, one down -- DeJesus grounds to first, one pitch, two gone -- Ambres goes down looking at the full count payoff to retire the side

BOT 5: Sheffield goes down looking, one down -- ARod lines a single through to left

Runner at first for Giambi, he is greenlighted on the 3-1 ... and blasts one to right ... GONE!!, into the upper deck, a two run shot -- Yankees extend to 7-1 ... and that is Giambi's 1500th hit

Bernie pops to short in shallow right, two gone -- Lawton draws a two out, four pitch walk -- Hansen out to confer, Affeldt warms for KC -- runner at first for Posada, he lines one into the rightfield corner, runner to third on the hit ... Posada in with a double

Bell out to take the ball from Greinke -- Affeldt will pitch for the Royals -- the reset, two down, runners on second and third for Cano, he flies to center to end the rally

TOP 6: Sweeney lines to short ... Jeter leaps and steals away the hit, one down -- Leiter now up to 100 pitches -- Brown draws a four pitch walk -- Long grounds back to the mound, Leiter turns and throws to short, the force is made at second, two down ... the relay to first is not in time -- runner at first for Teahen, he goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 6: Affeldt continues -- Jeter grounds a leadoff single off the glove of Sweeney and into right --Sturtze warms for NY -- Matsui lines one the opposite way to the leftfield corner for a double, runner to third on the hit -- Sheffield pops foul to the catcher, one down

Runners second and third for ARod, he is issued the intentional pass -- bases loaded for Giambi, full count, he grounds a single through to right, two runs will score -- Yankees now lead, 9-1 ... that's seven RBI for Giambi

Runners first and second for Bernie, he flares the first pitch to right ... ARod is coming ... the throw has him dead to rights, but the ball gets away from Buck, another run scores ... Bernie to second on the throw -- NY now leads 10-1

Lawton pops to left, two gone -- runners second and third for Posada, he scorches the first pitch to center ... DeJesus tries to run it down heading towards the warning track, leaps and stretches forward, and makes an absolutely brilliant catch in center to end the rally ... wow

TOP 7: Sturtze now pitching for NY, after a very successful (though as usual high pitch count) outing for Leiter -- Buck goes down swinging, one down -- Hocking draws a walk -- McEwing pops to second in shallow right, two gone

Guiel in to PH for DeJesus, two looked like he was getting treatment for the aftereffects of the great catch -- runner at first for Guiel, he flies to left center to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead 10-1

BOT 7: Bayliss now pitching for Royals -- Guiel in at CF -- Cano pops to left, one gone -- Jeter lines a single to left center -- full count to Matsui, he pops to left, two down -- runner at first for Sheffield, he battles in the two strike count, works it full, then pops to short to end the inning

TOP 8: Sturze continues for NY -- Crosby in at CF, Escalona at 3B, Tino at 1B -- Gobble warms for KC -- full count to Ambres, he draws a leadoff walk -- Sweeney bashes one to left center for a two run shot -- the score is now NY 10-3

Stottlemyre out to confer, Embree warms for NY -- full count to Brown, the payoff ... he pops to right, one down

Torre out to get the ball, Embree will pitch for NY -- Long pops to left, two gone -- full count to Teahen, he lines one past Lawton in left, who was marked up ... and into the leftfield corner ... Teahen in with a two out double -- F-Rod warms for NY -- Buck flies to the wall in left ... and Lawton grabs it before it floats over the wall to end the rally

BOT 8: Gobble in to pitch for KC -- Crosby releases the bat on the first pitch ... and it goes flying into the crowd ... where it is caught by a fan -- Crosby grounds to short, one down -- Tino goes down looking, two gone -- Bernie blasts one to left ... Ambres catches it and bounces off the wall to end the inning

TOP 9: Felix Rodriguez now pitching for NY -- full count to Hocking, he battles through a 10-pitch AB, and finally grounds a leadoff single to right -- McEwing lines to left, one down -- Gordon warms for NY -- Guiel pops to first, two gone -- runner at first for Ambres, he grounds to third, the force is made at second to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 10-3

Yankees conclude the homestand winning six of seven. Now the Yankees off to a seven game West Coast swing including four at Seattle and three critical games against the A's

73UP 56DOWN ... four straight wins

Posted by at 10:40 AM | Permalink

Yankees start a three game series versus the Royals

Inside, impressions of KC at NYY (127/162)
---

TOP 1: Unit going for NY -- DeJesus pops to short near third, one down -- Ambres flies to left, two away -- Sweeney pops to second to retire the side

BOT 1: Wood going for KC -- Jeter sharply grounds to third ... off Teahen's glove and into left ... Jeter hustles in for a leadoff double -- Matsui grounds to third, the play is made at first, one down -- runner at second for Sheffield, he ticks one to the right of the plate ... Wood comes off the mound, barehands and makes the play to first, two gone -- runner on third for ARod, he is plunked, on first via HBP

Runners now at the corners, two down for Giambi, he draws a two out walk to lead the bases -- Bernie grounds to first ... and leaves the bases loaded to end the inning

TOP 2: Brown pops to right, one pitch, one down -- Berroa battle with a two strike count, but goes down swinging (RJ 1), two gone -- Teahen hits a broken bat grounder to short ... Jeter's throw just gets him to retire the side

BOT 2: Tino grounds to first, one gone -- Flaherty grounds to third, two away -- Cano grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 3: Buck grounds the first pitch up the middle for a leadoff single -- Guiel flies to right center, one down -- McEwing goes down on a checkswing, two gone (RJ 2) -- runner on first for DeJesus, he grounds to second, the putout is made at first to retire the side

BOT 3: Jeter lines a leadoff single through to center -- Matsui grounds to short into a 643 double play, two gone -- Sheffield lashes a two out double into the leftfield corner -- ARod pops to second in shallow right to end the inning

TOP 4: Ambres flies the full count payoff to right, one down -- Sweeney pops to right, two gone -- Brown blasts a shot to right center ... Bernie running after it, slides and can't make the play, it gets by him ... Brown cruises in with a triple -- runner at third for Berroa, he lines on a hop to short to retire the side

BOT 4: Giambi draws a leadoff walk -- Bernie grounds a single through to right, runners now first and second -- Tino flies to right ... Giambi tags, the throw comes in, but offline ... Giambi safe at third, one down

Runners at the corners for Flaherty, he grounds the first pitch hard to third into a 543 inning ending double play

TOP 5: Teahen flies to left, one gone -- Buck flies the center, two down -- Guiel goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 5: Cano flies the full count payoff to center, one down -- Jeter flies to right, two gone -- Matsui flies to the wall in center to end the inning

TOP 6: McEwing pops to center, one down -- DeJesus grounds to third, two gone -- Ambres goes down looking to retire the side (RJ 3)

BOT 6: Sheffield flies to left center, one down -- odd play of the game, Wood loses balance and doesn't deliver a first pitch ... on the first pitch, ARod blasts one to center ... it bongs off the black seats, GONE, a solo shot -- Yankees lead, 1-0

Full count to Giambi, he ruins two, then draws his third walk of the game -- runner at first for Bernie, he blasts the first pitch to right ... OFF THE BUD SIGNS ON THE MEZZANINE, gone!!, a two run shot -- the score is now NY 3-0

BW comes out for a CC -- Hansen out to confer -- Bayliss warms for KC -- Tino grounds one past McEwing and into right center for a single -- Flaherty grounds to short into a 643 inning ending double play to end the rally

TOP 7: Sweeney grounds the first pitch just by a diving ARod ... and into the leftfield corner for a leadoff double -- Brown loops to second, one down -- Berroa battles in the two strike count, then grounds a single up the middle and into center, one run scores -- the score is now NY 3-1

Runner at first for Teahen, the runner is sent ... Teahen grounds to second, the play is made at first, two gone -- runner at second for Buck, he goes down swinging to end the rally (RJ 4)

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead, 3-1

BOT 7: Bayliss now pitching for KC, solid outing by Wood that kept KC in the game -- Cano goes down swinging, one down -- Jeter flies to the rightfield corner, two gone -- Matsui flies to right to end the inning

TOP 8: Unit continues, Gordon ready for the call -- Guiel flies to left, one gone -- McEwing flies to left center, two down -- DeJesus goes down looking to retire the side (RJ 5)

If that is all for Johnson, he has really pitched a superior game today

BOT 8: Bayliss continues -- Sheffield is plunked, on first via leadoff HBP -- ARod goes down swinging, one down -- on the 0-1 to Giambi, Sheffield goes ... he steals second fairly easily -- runner at second for Giambi, he pops to third, two gone

Full count to Bernie, the payoff ... he blasts one to right ... FAIR ... and GONE!! into the upper deck, another two run shot -- the Yankees extend to 5-1

Mo ready for NY -- BW out for another CC -- Hansen out to confer -- Tino pops to third to end the two out rally

TOP 9: Mo in for NY -- Crosby in at F -- Ambres flies to center, one down -- Sweeney grounds one down the third baseline, past ARod ... off the stands for a single -- runner at first for Brown, he breaks his bat and flares a single to left

Runners now first and second for Berroa, he goes down swinging, two gone -- full count to Teahen, the payoff ... he grounds to Tino, he is having problems with it, flips to Mo covering ... JUST in time to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win. 5-1

Unit with a very solid start, and key power from Bernie

71UP 56DOWN ... two straight wins

Posted by at 4:00 PM | Permalink

Day 2 of the seminar went by really fast ... in the final analysis, I'm not sure I took anything away from it

Tonight I made a phone order to BCD at Waipio. I was surprised at how truly small of a restaurant it is compared to its other locations. As you walk in, if you stand waiting to be seated, the entry door is right at your back, the mens room can whack you on the left, the bar is right in front of you ... well, let's just say I can see why they laid it out that way, but sheesh talk about crowded up front

I came home to enjoy my loaf with sauteed mush gravy (almost marsala-ish) on spinach bed with furikake brown rice (and nalo greens tossed). And it really is one of their better things, well besides the breakfast stuff and kc fried rice

Whatever, it's shower time ... amazingly tomorrow still is a work day

Posted by at 11:30 PM | Permalink

Well today was day one of a conference that I had to attend for training ... and I was surprised that traffic driving into town in the morning today was really ... well, it certainly was there, but it wasn't so bad

After the conference, SD and I went to L's at Ala Moana, and finally used the GC that I had had for quite awhile. If I had to sum it up, I thought the service was very good ... I thought the open air setting is kind of an issue when it was as humid as it was yesterday afternoon. The food was really quite good, even though the pricing I thought was a bit higher than it should have been

It's funny because one of the best things about the early part of a dinner at L's is the pizza and jalapeno and cheese breads ... those are really great tasting, I think we destroyed it in under two minutes

We had the crab cake appetizer, which was quite interesting ... inside very moist and tasty, outside there was this potato sticks crunchiness and flavor ... and it was presented with two sauces that were ... fairly unremarkable ...in fact, I didn't really understand why they were there when you couldn't tell what they tasted like, the cakes could have been plain and been delicious ... just MO

SD ordered a salad ... it was a caesar style one, and she ordered the large portion. Wow, it was damn huge, I mean, it could have been someone's dinner. It wasn't anything special as a caesar salad, the croutons were quite tasty and garlicky, the salad had lots of fresh cheese ... and I do mean LOTS of imported parmesan on it, in many ways for my taste it was a little too much

For entrees, SD had the ahi ... I had the house special steak. My steak was really good. It was kind of unusual because it was served with fresh basil and butter. I would not have imagined that it would taste good in combo with that but it really was ... nice and tender, with nice crisping of the fatty portion

How can I describe SD's ahi ... well I would describe it as a macadamia nut cookie except it's fish ... it sounds odd, but really that's what it was like to me and talk about huge ... it was probably a ten inch piece that was about eight wide

We saw the dessert tray and there were lots of oversized desserts ... we got the pecan pie style macadamia nut pie with vanilla bean ice cream. It was good, SD really loves pecan pie ... and we really couldn't tell that much of a difference between them

As a final thought, I really enjoyed the dinner but didn't feel quite right after ... it wasn't food poisoning, it wasn't being overstuffed ... I think it was just too much rich food in one sitting, oh well

Posted by at 11:00 PM | Permalink

Well, I've been pretty out of the loop with what is happening in the louder genres of music

I was really surprised to read about the incident involving Maiden and Mr. Osbournes' crew or whatever

I thought this was the best account that I had read about it, that didn't involve denials or innuendo

It's really unbelievable ... and just sad

Posted by at 8:01 PM | Permalink

A lot of people make a ton of money more than me ... I thought this while I was pumping my precious near three dollar gas

I mean, could I possibly afford a Range Rover with $1000 rims ... and oh, putting in that ever so devil may care, more expensive middle grade of gas into my africansafarimobile ... I mean, perfectly decent five mile per hour freeway vehicle

Yes, at 25, I only wish I were more resourceful ... that being said, I think I am on a personal moratorium/boycott of native issues. I feel so numb after working on them for few years a handful of years back, and actually taking it personal about the cause ... at this point, with all the shenanigans, wake me up when September comes on this issue ... it's a non-starter for me at this point

The last thing I wondered about while driving to tennis ... was during our great governor's radio segment that I was listening to -- I frankly cannot think of anything that they have done in the past near three years except try to PR me to death/and put the shine over on us ... so I open it up to others to tell me what great and wonderful things they have done to deserve another term next year

Posted by at 9:30 PM | Permalink

Many days since I cleaned up my music collection ... and wrote an appropriate journal

Well, I discovered a few things ... one was that I have a metric ton of music files -- the other thing was that I have so much music that I can't really appreciate that I have really good music here to listen to

I've pretty much stopped gathering up new music going on three weeks now ... every once in a while I head over to s-gum to see what they are up to -- and hey, free-99 is always a good price, at least for new music

Up next is the always fun .. put the disk back into order after so much dumping

Posted by at 11:15 PM | Permalink

After two successful outings against the White Sox, Yankees go for the sweep

Inside, impressions of NYY at CWS (122/162)
---

TOP 1: Contreras going for the White Sox --
- Jeter
- Cano

Sheffield grounds to third ... Ozuna charges, barehands, and throws ... not in time, Sheffield in with a two out infield single -- ARod pops to left to retire the side

BOT 1: Unit going for NY -- Ozuna grounds a leadoff single up the middle and into center -- Ozuna goes on the 1-0 to Iguchi, Ozuna steals it easily after getting a good jump ... no throw from Flaherty -- runner now on second for Iguchi, he goes down swinging, one down (RJ 1)

Prior to the 1-0 to Rowand, Unit sees Ozuna off with a big lead ... he runs towards him to start the run down, 145, two away -- Rowand flares to right to end the inning

TOP 2: Matsui goes down swinging, one gone -- Bernie flies to center, two down -- Tino grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 2: Konerko goes down swinging, one down (RJ 2) -- Dye grounds to short, two gone -- Uribe grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 3: Flaherty grounds to third, one away -- Womack grounds to first ... Blum ranges into the hole, he is having trouble with it ... throws to Contreras, who can't get there in time ... Womack on with an infield single

Jeter lines a single through to right, runners now first and second -- before the 1-0 to Cano, Contreras throws a wild checkback to second ... it goes into center, the runners advance to second and third -- Cano grounds to second, one run scores, and the lag runner to third on the play, two down -- Yankees lead, 1-0

Runner at third for Sheffield, he goes after one up high and lines to center to end the rally

BOT 3: Widger goes down swinging after the full count payoff, one gone (RJ 3) -- Anderson goes down swinging, uno dos adios, two away (RJ 4) -- Blum flies to center to end the inning

TOP 4: ARod lines one on a hop to the leftfield wall ... he hustles and headfirst slides in for a leadoff double -- Matsui grounds to third, runner to third on the play, one down -- Bernie goes down swinging, the ball gets away from Widger, and Widger puts him out to first, two gone -- Tino goes down swinging after the full count payoff to retire the side

BOT 4: Ozuna grounds to short, one down -- Iguchi blasts a solo shot to right, the game is tied, 1-1

Rowand smashes a solo shot to right center, White Sox take the lead, 2-1

Konerko blasts one to left center ... this also gone, another solo shot -- the score is now CWS 3-1

That's back to back to back, this after literally cruising through three innings effortlessly

Dye lines a single to left center -- the runner goes, Uribe rips a single to right -- runners now at the corners for Widger, he blasts one out to left center ... a three run shot, and the FOURTH HR this inning -- White Sox now 6-1

Anderson pops foul to third, two gone -- Blum lines to short to end the carnage

TOP 5: Flaherty lines to short, one down -- Womack flares a single to right -- on the first pitch to Jeter, Womack goes ... he steals second without a throw -- runner on second to Jeter, he lines to first ... off the glove of the leaping Blum and into right for a single

Runners at the corners for Cano, he grounds to short into a 643 double play to retire the side

BOT 5: Ozuna lines the 0-2 leadoff single to left -- On the 1-0 to Iguchi, Ozuna goes ... he is erased by a great tag by Cano, one down -- Iguchi grounds to third, two gone -- Rowand goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 6: Sheffield grounds the full count payoff to third ... Ozuna gloves, gets up, spins ... but can't get Sheffield at first, a leadoff single -- ARod grounds a single through to left, runners now first and second -- Matsui hits a liner ... RIGHT OFF AROD running to second, one down ... and a single for Matsui

Yeah, this is NOT the Yankees day ....

Runners now first and second for Bernie, he goes down looking ... after one that looked outside (replay: yes, my prescription is still good) -- Tino bloops a two out single to right ... they wave Sheffield, he will score as the throw is cut off -- the score is now CWS 6-2

Cooper out to confer -- runners first and second for Flaherty, he grounds to third, the force is made at third to end the rally

BOT 6: Konerko lines a leadoff single to center -- Dye lays down a bunt to third ... ARod comes in and barehands ... Dye beats it out for a bunt single -- runners now first and second for Uribe, he chops to second, Dye is hung up ... Cano goes to first and makes the play, the return throw to second by Tino ... not in time, one down

Runners now second and third for Widger, he goes down swinging, two gone -- Anderson goes down looking to end the rally

TOP 7: Womack pops to short, one down -- Jeter goes down swinging, two away -- Politte warms for CWS -- Cano lines a two out single to right -- Sheffield lines to left to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stench, White Sox lead 6-2

BOT 7: Unit continues for NY, despite one really incredibly bad inning -- Blum pops to center, one down -- Ozuna grounds to short ... nice pick at first by Tino, two away -- Iguchi goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 8: Contreras continues -- Crede at 3B -- ARod grounds to third ... Crede dives and makes a great stab to take away a single, and make the putout to first, one down -- Matsui flies to center, two away -- Bernie grounds softly back to the mound, Contreras stops it and makes the play at first to retire the side

BOT 8: Unit will close it out -- Rowand grounds to second, one down -- Konerko grounds to short, two away -- Dye flies to center to retire the side ... and Unit gets the CG

TOP 9: Marte now pitching for CWS -- Tino pops to right, one down -- Posada in to PH for Flaherty, he chops back to the mound and is put out, two gone -- Womack bloops to left center ... Anderson makes a sliding catch to end the game

FINAL: White Sox win, 6-2

One bad inning for the ages for Randy Johnson ... another solid performance by ex-Yankee Contreras, largely keeping the Yankees at bay ... and quirky stuff like ARod getting hit in the baseline by a line drive ... not meant to be today

Yankees win the "tougher" series on the road trip, and end up treading water again three up, three down. Yankees start a four game home series against the Jays tomorrow

67UP 55DOWN

Posted by at 11:26 AM | Permalink

Well, this should be part deux of yesterday's entry

So tonight I decided to do a DW run on my hard drive after last night's great music and other files cleanup. As you may know, this requires a boot from the DW disc as the startup ... okay so after cleaning it all up fairly nicely, I can't switch systems back to the osx stupdisk

And why you ask? well, because of my fun wireless Microslop key and mouse set ... essentially if you are on the OS alt screen, well the maus and the keyboard are really limited down to common commands ... and arrows don't work

So I rack my brains for the eject command combo for about 30 minutes and then afterwards swear to write it down ... did I do that? actually no, but I think I can remember this time ... famous last words

Posted by at 10:00 PM | Permalink

Yankees back in action after a grind it out win yesterday ... since I don't live in the area that gets the game live, I have to wait until all games have run ... that's one bummer of MLBtv, but anyway

Inside, impressions of NYY at CWS (121/162)
---

TOP 1: El Duque going for the White Sox -- Jeter ticks one in front of the plate, AJP fields and makes the play to first, one down -- Bernie grounds back to the mound and is put away at first, two gone -- Sheffield pops to short to retire the side

BOT 1: Chacon going for NY -- Perez grounds to first ... eats up Tino and down the first baseline, Cano goes to field ... Perez in at second on the error on Tino -- Iguchi goes down swinging, one down

Everett flamingoes his right leg on the 3-0 ... called a strike, funny looking (he's laughing) ... the next pitch he bombs to left ... just foul ... full count, the payoff ... Everett grounds to third, the runner to third on the play, two gone

AJP grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 2: El Duque launches one shoulder high and behind ARod ... the ump warns both benches, both managers out to confer ... ARod flies to the edge of the track in left center, one down -- the 2-2 to Matsui is CLOSE (replay: that was strike three) ... El Duque off the mound, and conferring with the home plate ump ... I am very surprised he is not getting tossed for arguing balls and strikes -- Matsui pops to short, two gone -- full count to Giambi, he grounds to first to end the inning

Between innings the home plate ump seems to be trying to smooth it over with El Duque, and pats him on the back ... when El Duque returns to the dugout, he throws down his glove, weird

BOT 2: Rowand grounds to short, one down -- full count to Dye, he pops foul to first, two away -- Crede goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 3: Posada goes down swinging, one away -- Tino goes down swinging, two down -- Cano pops foul to second to retire the side

BOT 3: Blum lines a leadoff single to right -- full count to Uribe, he ruins SIX 3-2s, and finally draws a walk -- runners first and second for Perez, he flares the first pitch to short, and flips to second as the hit and run is on to double off Blum, two gone -- runner at first for Iguchi, he pops to second in shallow center to end the inning

TOP 4: Jeter lines a leadoff single to center -- Bernie lines a single through to right, runners now first and second -- Sheffield hits a comebacker to the mound, El Duque gloves and turns to throw to second ... and no one there to receive, it goes into center, one run will score -- Yankees lead, 1-0

Cooper out to confer -- runners at the corners for ARod, full count (replay: the 2-2 was perfect, he should have been rung up), he lines the payoff to the leftfield corner for a double, two runs will score -- the score is now NY 3-0

Runner at second for Matsui, he goes down swinging, one down -- before the 2-2 to Giambi, El Duque balks the runner over to third -- On the 2-2 to Giambi, ARod goes ... AJP puts it right on the money to third, and ARod is tagged out caught stealing, two away -- full count to Giambi, he goes down looking to end the rally ... and has much to say to the ump about it

BOT 4: Everett goes down swinging, one down -- AJP flies to center, two away -- Rowand lines to center to end the inning

TOP 5: Full count to Posada, the payoff ... he draws a leadoff walk -- Tino grounds a single through to right -- runners now first and second for Cano, he is plunked, and the bases are now loaded

Bases loaded for Jeter, he goes down swinging after the full count payoff, one down -- Jenks warms for CWS -- Bernie flies to right, one run scores on the sacfly -- Yankees now lead, 4-0

Sheffield hits a checkswing flare back to the mound, off El Duque and deflects to second, Iguchi puts him out to end the rally

BOT 5: Dye rips a shot to left ... that bounces into the stands for a leadoff, ground rule double -- Crede pops to center, one down -- Blum grounds to first, the pitcher covering, two away -- Uribe draws a two out walk

Stottlemyre out after the 2-1 to see Chacon -- runners at the corners for Perez, he grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 6: ARod flies to right, one down -- Matsui grounds to first, the pitcher covers ... and Matsui is called safe -- El Duque argues with the first base ump (replay: his back foot drags the bag, that should have been an out), now Ozzie G. out to confer with the first base ump

Cotts warms for CWS -- runner at first for Womack (in to PH for Giambi), he chops to the mound, El Duque fields and turns to second to start the 163 double play to retire the side ... and now the FOX guys making light of El Duque making his 100IP bonus

Giambi out with a bruised right calf

BOT 6: Iguchi grounds a leadoff single to left -- Everett flies to center, one down -- runner at first for AJP, he draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Sturtze warms for NY -- Rowand goes down swinging, two away -- runners still first and second for Dye, he grounds to short, the force is made at second to end the inning

TOP 7: Posada lines the first pitch to right ... it bounds into the stands for a leadoff ground rule double -- That is Jorge Posada's 1000th hit

Jenks warms for CWS -- the 2-2 to Tino is in the dirt, and gets away from AJP ... runner to third on the wild pitch -- runner now at third for Tino, he grounds the full count payoff through to center, the run will score -- Yankees now extend to 5-0

Ozzie G. out to take the ball, a very checkered appearance by El Duque today -- Jenks now pitching for the White Sox -- runner on first for Cano, he pops to short in shallow center, one down

During Jeter's AB, McC makes a really dumb comment about the last name Jenks ... and how it sounds like jinx. dumb. -- Jeter goes down swinging, two gone -- runner at first, two down for Bernie, he grounds to short to end the rally

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead, 5-0

BOT 7: Chacon continues for NY -- Crede pops to short, one down -- Blum pops foul to third ... ARod has a little trouble with it but gloves it, two gone -- Uribe flies to right to end the inning

TOP 8: Jenks continues -- Sheffield goes down swinging, uno dos adios, one gone -- ARod draws a walk on the full count payoff -- on the first pitch to Matsui, ARod goes ... he gets in under the tag and steals second -- Matsui will receive the intentional pass -- that will be all for Jenks, Ozzie G. will call for Cotts to matchup L-L

Cotts now pitching for CWS -- Runners now first and second for Womack, he grounds to short, the force is made at second, the return to first ... is not in time, Womack beats it out, two away -- runners at the corners for Posada, he draws a two out walk

Bases loaded for Tino, two down, he grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 8: Chacon continues -- Perez flies to left, one down -- Iguchi lines a shot off the rightfield wall for a double -- F-Rod warms for NY -- Everett goes down swinging and is put out at first, two gone -- AJP grounds softly down the first baseline, Chacon gloves and runs down AJP and gives him a soft shove tag to end the inning ... and AJP didn't like that, so a discussion between Chacon, Tino and AJP ensues

TOP 9: Vizcaino now pitching for White Sox -- Cano grounds to second, one pitch, one away -- Jeter lines a single to right -- Hermanson and Adkins warm for CWS, F-Rod warms for NY -- Bernie goes down swinging, two gone -- Sheffield also goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 9: Chacon lifted after a brilliant effort today -- F-Rod now pitching for NY -- Crosby at RF -- Rowand battles in a two strike count, works it full, then goes down swinging after the full count payoff, one gone -- Dye flies to the track in left, two down -- Crede pops to left to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 5-0

Another solid performance by Chacon, and back to back great starts to give the pen rest ... added to timely hitting equals two solid Yankee wins all around

67UP 54DOWN ... two straight wins

Posted by at 11:00 AM | Permalink

Well, after choking up the last two games against the Rays ... the Yankees face another team that frustrated them recently, the White Sox

Inside, impressions of NYY at CWS (120/162)
---

Oh, can't contain the excitement at having the WGN yahoos doing this game ... testing volume control, ha

TOP 1: Garland goes for CWS -- Jeter battles through a quality AB, the full count payoff ... grounded back to the mound, one down -- Bernie is greenlighted on the 3-1 and flies to center, two gone -- full count to Sheffield, he battles off two 3-2s and grounds a two out single up the middle -- ARod pops to second in shallow right to retire the side

BOT 1: Mussina going for NY -- Perez bloops a leadoff single to left -- Perez goes, Iguchi grounds to short, the play is made at first, one down -- runner at second for Everett, he hits an opposite field bloop single to left ... runner to third on the hit

Runners at the corners for AJP, he lines a single through to right, one run scores -- White Sox lead, 1-0

Runners first and second for Dye, he is jammed and pops to second, two gone -- Rowand grounds to second, the force is made at second by Cano to end the rally

TOP 2: Matsui is greenlighted on 3-1 and grounds to second, one down -- Giambi draws a walk on the full count payoff (replay: he should have been rung up) -- Posada flies to right, two gone -- runner at first for Tino, he pops the first pitch to second to retire the side

BOT 2: Crede pops to second ... the campfire defense converges ... Bernie coming in, still moving, and baskets it, one down -- Blum goes down looking, two gone -- Uribe grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 3: Cano lines a leadoff single to left -- Jeter lays down a bunt to third ... Crede grabs barehanded and guns, the runner to second on the sacrifice -- runner at second for Bernie, he flies to the track in left ... Cano tags and goes ... and just slides in under the tag, two gone -- runner at third for Sheffield, he lines a two out single past Crede and into left, one run scores ... big turn by Sheffield, and he is HUNG UP ... he is run down to end the rally, that's a real braindead play to end the rally -- the game is tied, 1-1

BOT 3: Full count to Perez, he grounds to short, one down -- Iguchi grounds to third, two away -- Everett draws a four pitch, two out walk -- AJP goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 4: ARod draws a leadoff walk -- Matsui grounds to second, the force play is made at second ... and Matsui legs it out to bust up the double play, one down -- Giambi grounds to second into a Giambi shift 453 double play to retire the side

BOT 4: Dye grounds to third, one down -- Rowand grounds to short, two away -- Crede is plunked, on first via HBP -- Blum goes down swinging on a checkswing to end the inning

TOP 5: Posada goes down swinging after the full count payoff, one gone -- Tino lines a single the opposite way to left -- Cano lines one to left ... Dye has problems gloving it, runners to second and third on the play

Runners on second and third for Jeter, he grounds to second ... Iguchi ranges, his throw to first is in time, one run scores, two down (replay: verrryy close) -- Yankees edge ahead, 2-1

Runner on third for Bernie, he grounds a two out single up the middle to score a run -- the score is now NY 3-1

Pitching coach out to confer -- runner at first, two down for Sheffield, he flies to center to end the rally

BOT 5: Full count to Uribe, he pops to right center, one down -- Perez flies the full count payoff the opposite way to left, two away -- Iguchi hits a broken bat slow comebacker to the mound, Mussina makes the play at first to end the inning

TOP 6: ARod rips a leadoff single to left -- Cotts warms for CWS -- Matsui goes down looking, one away (replay: close enough where you don't take) -- Giambi grounds to first ... off the glove of Blum at first, kicks to Iguchi ... he knocks it down and makes the play ... how many words was that, that's how SLOW Giambi is to first, ha, two down ... and runner to second on the play

Runner at second for Posada, he grounds to first, pitcher covers to end the inning

BOT 6: Mussina sends down Everett swinging (at each pitch), uno dos adios, one gone -- AJP goes down looking ... he jaws at the ump (replay: that is just frustration, it was right down the middle, belt-high), two away -- Politte warms for Sox -- full count to Dye, he lines a two out single to left -- Rowand goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 7: Tino flies to right, one gone -- Cano grounds to second, two away -- Jeter battles in the two strike count, but goes down swinging to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead 3-1

BOT 7: Crede goes down swinging, one down -- Blum grounds to second ... Cano ranges, and twists his body like plasticman to get it to first ... throw is offline, Blum reaches on an infield single -- Uribe pops to short in shallow right, two gone -- Perez grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 8: Politte now pitching for CWS -- Bernie lines the first pitch to right for a leadoff single -- Marte warms for Sox, Gordon for NY -- Sheffield grounds the full count payoff to short, one down, runner to second on the play -- ARod grounds to third ... the runner to third on the play, two gone

Runner at third for Matsui, he will receive the intentional pass -- Ozzie G. out to match L-L -- Marte now pitching for CWS -- Vizcaino warms for Sox -- runners at the corners for Giambi, two down, he flies the full count payoff to right center ... Rowand is under it, Dye cuts him off and makes the grab to retire the side

BOT 8: Gordon now pitching for NY -- a very good start for Muss today -- Iguchi grounds a leadoff single up the middle and into center -- Everett goes down swinging, one down -- AJP goes down swinging up the ladder, two away -- runner at first for Dye, he pops foul to third to end the inning

TOP 9: Marte continues -- Posada draws a leadoff walk -- Tino goes down swinging, one away -- runner at first for Cano, he lines on a hop to short into a 643 double play to retire the side

BOT 9: Mo in for NY -- Crosby in at CF -- Rowand chops to third, one down -- full count to Crede, he grounds back to the mound ... off Rivera's glove, Cano is backing up, ranges and makes the play, two gone -- Blum flies to right to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 3-1

Yankees grind one out, get great starting pitching for seven, and G n R put em down to close it out

66UP 54DOWN ... back in the win column

Posted by at 5:05 PM | Permalink

Another day of breakfast with the Yankees

Inside, impressions of TEX at NYY (116/162)
---

TOP 1: Chacon going for NY -- Dellucci grounds a leadoff single through to right -- Young grounded to second into a 443 double play, two away -- Teixeira goes down looking to retire the side

BOT 1: Benoit going for TEX -- Jeter grounds to short ... Young makes a great throw across his body, one down -- Cano flies to left ... Dellucci backs on it and drops the ball, Cano in at second on the play

Sheffield flies to center, the runner tags and goes to third on the play, two gone -- ARod rips a liner off the wall in right for a two out, run scoring single -- Yankees lead, 1-0

Matsui pops foul to third to end the rally

TOP 2: Blalock lifts a leadoff single to left -- Soriano flies to left, one down --Nevin grounds to third into an inning ending 543 double play

BOT 2: Giambi draws a leadoff walk on the high full count payoff -- Posada lines one to the rightfield corner, runner to third on the hit, Posada in with a double

Runners now second and third for Bernie, he grounds a single past Teixeira at first and into right, one run scores, and the lag runner to third -- the Yankees now lead, 2-0

Runners at the corners for Womack, he grounds to first ... Teixeira double clutches then throws home, Posada is hung up in a rundown off third, he is run down, one away -- runners at first and second for Jeter, he battles with a two strike count, but goes down swinging, two down -- Cano also goes down swinging to end the rally

TOP 3: Matthews Jr. blasts one to the gap in left center ... in with a leadoff double --Mench grounds to third ... ARod makes a diving stab and makes the play to first, one down -- on the 0-2 pitch to Barajas, the pitch is over the glove of Posada and to the backstop, the runner goes to third on the wild pitch

Runner at third for Barajas, he flares a single to left, one run scores -- the score is now NY 2-1

Runner at first for Dellucci, he goes down swinging, two away -- Young grounds a two out single through to left, runner to second on the hit -- runners first and second for Teixeira, he goes down swinging to end the rally

BOT 3: Sheffield goes down swinging, one down -- ARod grounds to third ... the throw from Blalock is offline, but Teixeira applies the tag, two gone -
- Matsui is greenlighted on the 3-0 and lines to center to end the inning

TOP 4: Full count to Blalock, he flies to left, one down -- Soriano grounds to second, two gone -- Nevin goes down looking to retire the side

BOT 4: Full count to Giambi, the payoff ... he draws a leadoff walk -- runner at first for Posada, he pops to short, one down -- Bernie goes down swinging, two away -- Womack pops to short to end the inning

TOP 5:
Matthews Jr. lines a shot to the rightfield wall ... and hustles in with a leadoff double -- Posada is shaken up on the 1-0 pitch in the dirt, looks like it bounced up and got him in the throat -- Torre and the trainer out, Posada will stay in

Mench goes down swinging ... and loses the bat forward past the mound, one down -- Barajas blasts one to left center for a two run shot -- Rangers take the lead, 3-2

Dellucci flies to left center, two down -- Young flies to right to end the rally

BOT 5: Jeter goes down swinging, one down -- Cano grounds the first pitch to first, two gone -- full count to Sheffield, the payoff ...
- A. Rodriguez walked, G. Sheffield to second

That will be all for Benoit, the new pitcher for TEX is Shouse -- Matsui blasts one to right ... just inside the foulpole ... GONE!!!, a two out, three run shot -- Yankees go back ahead, 5-3

Full count to Giambi, the payoff ... low, he draws a walk -- Gryboski warms for TEX -- It is raining buckets now -- Posada lines a single to center, runners now first and second

Bernie bloops a single to right, Giambi is waved ... the throw is not in time, he will score, the lag runner to third -- the score is now NY 6-3

On the 0-1 pitch to Womack, the ball slips out of Shouse's hand ... and the ball is airmailed behind Womack and to the backstop, the runner comes home from third, lag runner to second on the wild pitch -- the Yankees extend to 7-3

Hershiser out to confer, the rain is ridiculous at this point ... the umpire chief asks for the mound to be worked on, the grounds crew is out ... and now the umps have called a rain delay and out come the tarps

RAIN DELAY

Runner at second for Womack, he goes down swinging to end the rally

TOP 6: Embree in to pitch for NY -- Teixeira blasts one to the gap in right center, a leadoff double -- Stottlemyre out to confer, Sturtze warms -- Blalock grounds slowly up the first baseline ... Embree fields and gets the putout to first, runner to third on the play, one down

Torre out to get the ball, Sturtze is brought in to pitch -- Soriano pops to left, Teixeira shows the tag ... Matsui throws in a great ball, cutoff by ARod, Teixeira is chased back, two away -- You can hear the thunder rolling again -- Nevin goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 6: Gryboski in to pitch for TEX -- full count to Jeter, he battles and ruins two, then draws a leadoff walk -- Cano flies to left center, one down -- runner at first for Sheffield, he lines to right, two gone -- ARod blasts one to left center ... GONE!!, a two out, two run shot into the visiting pen -- Yankees lead, 9-3

Matsui draws a walk -- Brocail warms for Rangers -- full count to Giambi, the payoff ... he goes down swinging to end the two out rally

TOP 7: Sturtze continues -- Tino in at 1B -- GMJ goes down swinging on a checkswing, one down -- Mench flies the first pitch to right, two away -- and here comes the rain again -- Barajas goes down swinging on a checkswing to retire the side ... that was a get out of the rain call, sheesh

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead, 9-3

Good Lord, here comes the rain again in fairly ugly quantities

RAIN DELAY

BOT 7: Brocail now pitching for TEX -- Felix Rodriguez warms for NY -- Posada lines a two out single through to right -- Bernie grounds a single up the middle and through to center -- runners now first and second for Womack, he grounds a single past the diving Blalock at third into left

Bases loaded for Jeter, he grounds to short into a 643 double play, one run scores, two gone -- Yankees lead, 10-3

Runner at third for Cano, he goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 8: F-Rod now pitching for NY -- Crosby in at RF -- Dellucci pops to short, one down -- Young grounds to second, two gone -- Teixeira lines a two out single to right -- Blalock grounds to first, the pitcher covering to retire the side

BOT 8: Karsay now pitching for TEX --- DeRosa at SS, McDougall at 3B, Nevin at 1B -- Crosby grounds to second, one gone -- ARod lines a single to center -- Matsui pops to left, two down -- Tino goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 9: Proctor in for NY -- Soriano lines a leadoff single to left --
Nevin grounds to third ... it ticks off ARod's glove to short, runner to second on the infield hit

Runners now first and second for Matthews Jr., he flies to center, one down --
Mench pops foul to the catcher, two away -- Barajas flies to center to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 10-3

The Yankees complete the four game sweep over the Rangers. They head to Tampa Bay tomorrow to start a three game series against the Rays, who have owned them all season

64UP 52DOWN ... four straight wins

Posted by at 1:00 PM | Permalink

Hmmm, lemme see ... oh yeah, that elephant in the room is the Yankee bullpen that sets up Mo

Inside, impressions of TEX at NYY (114/162)
---

TOP 1: Leiter going for NY -- Matthews, Jr. lines a leadoff single to left -- Young goes down swinging, one away -- Teixeira flies to center, two down -- full count to Nevin, the payoff ... he grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 1: Young going for TEX -- Jeter goes down swinging, one down -- Cano also goes down swinging, two gone -- Sheffield grounds to short ... Young boots it and kicks it towards second, Sheffield reaches on the error -- ARod goes down swinging to end the inning ... Young strikes out the side

TOP 2: Soriano bloops a leadoff single to right ... Soriano doing his typical "dog it to first" running routine, thinking that might be caught -- Blalock grounds to third, the force is made at second, the relay to first ... not in time, one down

Runner at first for Mench, he nubs the full count payoff up the first baseline, Leiter fields and makes the play at first, two away -- runner at second for DeRosa, he draws a four pitch walk -- runners first and second for Barajas, he is brushed, on first via HBP

Stottlemyre out to confer after the 1-0 to GMJ -- bases loaded, two down for Matthews, Jr., full count, he walks and Leiter has walked home a run -- Rangers lead, 1-0

Young grounds to short ... Jeter double clutches and goes to second, he throws it into right, two runs will score -- the score is now TEX 3-0

Runners at the corners for Teixeira, another full count, he goes down looking to end the largely unnecessary two out rally

What's messed up about this beyond the add-a-run error by Jeter ... is that Leiter had two down, one on at first ... all self-inflicted

Leiter after two, beyond 60 pitches ... psshh

BOT 2: Matsui lines a shot into the rightfield corner, he is in with a leadoff double -- full count to Posada, the payoff ... outside, he draws a walk, runners now first and second -- another full count, the payoff to Tino ... he flies to the warning track in right center, the runner at second will advance to third on the play

Runners at the corners for Bernie, he goes down swinging, two down -- Womack hits a flare to right center ... it falls in, one run will score ... Womack hustles into second with a run scoring hustle double -- the score is now TEX 3-1

Runners on second and third for Jeter, he draws a walk on some chin music that knocks Jeter to the dirt -- bases loaded for Cano, he flies the FIRST PITCH to left center to end the two out rally ... Young can't find the K zone and this guy is first pitch swinging?!?!?!?!

I'm not even going to talk about MOPPS today ...

TOP 3: Nevin flies the first pitch to left, one down -- Soriano lines a solo shot to left -- the Rangers extend to 4-1

Blalock pops to right, two away -- Mench blasts a two out double to the gap in right center -- runner at second for DeRosa, he flies to right to end the rally

BOT 3: Sheffield flies to center, one down -- ARod lines a single to center -- Matsui lines a single to right, runners now first and second -- Posada blasts the 2-2 to the gap in right center, one run will score ... Matsui is waved, the throw is on time, nice block by Barajas who swipes a tag on Matsui who is out at the plate, two away -- the Rangers lead is halved to 4-2

Runner at second, two gone for Tino, he grounds a single through to center ... GMJ is having problems in center, Posada is waved home and scores easily -- the score is now TEX 4-3

Runner at first for Bernie, he blasts the full count payoff to right center ... GONE!!, a two out, two run shot -- the Yankees take their first lead, 5-4

Bernie gets a well deserved CC -- Womack pops to left to end the rally

TOP 4: Wilson warms for TEX -- Barajas flies to left, one down -- GMJ lines a double to the gap in right center ... by Sheffield, GMJ rounds second, trying for a triple ... the relay from Cano to third ... WAYYOFFLINE, GMJ in with a triple

Young grounds a single at the brought in shortstop, off Jeter's glove and into center for a run scoring single -- the game is tied, 5-5

Runner at first for Teixeira, full count, he battles and spoils, then grounds a single through to left -- Stottlemyre out to confer after the 2-1 to Blalock, Felix Rodriguez warms for NY -- runners now first and second for Blalock, another full count, the payoff ... he goes down swinging, the runner going ... the throw to third is on the money, a SO-TO double play to end the rally

BOT 4: Wilson is to pitch for TEX, Chris Young never quite got it together after an at times impressive first inning -- Jeter crunches the opposite way to right ... INTO THE UPPER DECK for a leadoff solo shot, wow -- Yankees seesaw ahead, 6-5

Cano lines a single to center -- Sheffield grounds back to the mound, Wilson gloves, holds and goes to second for the force, one down -- ARod pops to first, two away -- runner at first for Matsui, he lines a two out single to center, runner to third on the hit

Runners now on the corners for Posada, he goes down swinging to end the rally

TOP 5: Leiter continues, despite being 100+ in PC -- full count to Soriano, he just crushes a few foul, then goes down swinging, one away -- Blalock grounds to first, two down -- Mench draws a two out walk

Stottlemyre out to confer, Felix Rodriguez warms for NY -- runner at first for DeRosa, he goes down swinging on a checkswing to retire the side

BOT 5: Wilson continues, the first pitch to Tino is launched over his head ... Tino stares back in at Wilson -- Tino lines the full count payoff for a leadoff single through to center -- yet another full count, the payoff ... Bernie goes down swinging, one away

Womack chops to first, runner to second on the play, two down -- Jeter will receive an intentional pass, runners now first and second -- Felix Rodriguez rewarms for NY -- Cano grounds to first to end the inning

TOP 6: Leiter showed his unremarkable high pitch count alter ego again today, but remarkably can get a W if the pen holds the lead -- F-Rod now pitching for NY -- Barajas pops to right, one down -- GMJ goes down swinging, two away -- Young sharply grounds to short ... Jeter gloves and avoids being eaten up on the backhand, and makes the play to first to retire the side

BOT 6: Wilson continues -- Sheffield chops the first pitch back to the mound, one down -- ARod grounds up the middle to short, two gone -- Matsui grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 7: F-Rod continues -- full count to Teixeira, the payoff ... he flies to right, one down -- Nevin lines a two strike pitch to left for a single -- Stottlemyre out to confer after the 1-0 to Soriano, Franklin warms for NY

On the 1-1 to Soriano, Nevin goes ... the throw is late, but right on the bag ... it hits off Nevin's cleats and kicks over to short ... Nevin in with a steal at second -- runner at second for Soriano, full count, he draws a walk

Torre out to get the ball, Franklin in to pitch for NY -- runners now first and second, one away for Blalock, he lines to left, two away -- Chacon throws for Yankees? ODD. -- Mench goes down swinging to retire the side

Seventh Inning Slowerthanmolasses, Yankees lead, 6-5

BOT 7: Wilson continues -- Posada draws a leadoff, four pitch walk -- Tino goes down swinging -- Hershiser out to confer after the 2-0 to Bernie -- Chacon warms for NY -- runner at first for Bernie, he grounds to second into a 463 inning ending double play

TOP 8: Chacon into the game ... in relief, hey whythefnot? -- Dellucci in to PH for DeRosa, he grounds to short, one down -- Barajas flares to short, two gone -- GMJ grounds a two out single up the middle -- Young lines to center to retire the side

BOT 8: Cordero in to pitch for TEX -- Sturtze warms for NY -- Womack goes down swinging, the ball is dropped, he is tagged out at the plate, one away -- Jeter goes down swinging after a full count payoff, two gone

Cano battles in a two strike count, works it full, he lines a comebacker over Cordero's shoulder and into center for a two out single -- Sheffield draws a walk, runners now first and second -- ARod pops to short ... Young snocones it to end the inning

TOP 9: Sturtze in for NY -- Crosby in CF -- Teixeira lines to second, one down -- Embree warms for NY -- Nevin goes down looking, two away -- Soriano flies to right to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 6-5

Man, this one was unbearable to watch ... Yankees win, but talk about long and dull

62UP 52DOWN

Posted by at 5:00 PM | Permalink

The unproven long relief man Proctor gets the start for the start-stop-sputter Yankees, as they open a four game series against the tailspinning Rangers

Inside, impressions of TEX at NYY (113/162)
---

TOP 1: Proctor going for NY (Kay sez the 14th starter for the team this year, that's amazing) -- Proctor gets in front 0-2, then into full count to Dellucci, the payoff ... he blasts a solo shot to center -- Rangers lead, 1-0

Young goes down swinging, one down -- Teixeira pops foul to third, two gone -- Blalock flies to center to end the rally

BOT 1: Wasdin going for TEX -- Jeter lashes one the opposite way into the stands in along the rightfield corner, a leadoff ground rule double -- runner at second for Cano, he flies to right, one down -- Jeter goes on the 1-2 to Sheffield ... he is called out on strikes, Barajas loses his grip on the ball ... Jeter steals third without a throw (replay on the K: could it be more outside?)

Runner at third, two down for ARod, he drew a four pitch walk ... looked like a big time pitcharound -- runners at the corners for Matsui, he pops to left to end the inning

Oh, where have the TIMELY hits gone?

TOP 2: Soriano grounds a leadoff single through to right -- Nevin grounds to short into a 643 double play, two gone -- full count to Matthews, Jr., the payoff ... he goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 2: Giambi blasts one to the track in left center ... and Matthews, Jr. there to run it down, one down ... what the hell is up with that -- Posada flies to left center, two gone -- full count to Tino, the payoff ... low, he draws a two out walk

Womack hits a slow grounder to short, Young charges ... his throw is not in time, Womack on with an infield single -- runners at the corners for Jeter, he lines one to left ... right at Dellucci to end the inning

AARRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ... yep

TOP 3: Mench pops to left near the leftfield line, one down -- Barajas pops foul to first, two away -- Dellucci hits a shot to left ... Matsui back, it hits off the top of the wall and bounces over, another solo shot -- Rangers now lead, 2-0

Young grounds to first to end the two out rally

BOT 3: Stop the damn presses ... Cano draws a leadoff walk -- Sheffield just splatters a high pitch and grounds a single through to left, runners now first and second

OK NOW I'M FKN FRUSTRATED ... SWINGTHEGODDAMNBAT!!! ... ARod goes down looking, one down (AGAIN, at a perfectly hittable pitch, thanks Jim K.) -- runners first and second for Matsui, he grounds sharply to second ... off the glove of the diving Soriano ... and into center, one run scores -- the score is now TEX 2-1

Runners again first and second for Giambi, he goes down swinging, two away -- Posada grounds to second in shallow right to end the rally

TOP 4: Teixeira lines to first, one down -- Blalock lines to short, two away -- Soriano grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 4: Tino grounds to second ... Soriano having problems with it but gets it over to first, one down -- Womack lines a single to center -- runner at first for Jeter, he lines a double to the rightfield corner, runner to third on the hit

Runners now second and third, one down for Cano, he lines a shot into the gap in left center, that will score two -- the Yankees with their first lead, 3-2

Hershiser out to confer, Ramirez warms for the Rangers -- runner at second for Sheffield, he pops to center, two away -- ARod goes down weakly on a checkswing to end the inning ... methinks he's slumping

They just showed the ULTRAGAKK of the season so far on the highlights ... K-Rod lazily dropping a return toss from the pitcher, letting in what would be the winning run for the A's, wow

TOP 5: Nevin pops to short, one gone -- Matthews, Jr. grounds to second, two down -- Embree warms for NY -- full count to Mench, he pops foul to first

Where do the Yankees find these spot starters ... I personally am impressed, sometimes these guys look better than the cashish boys who regularly start

BOT 5: Matsui blasts a leadoff solo shot to the stands in right center -- Yankees double up to 4-2

Showalter to the mound, Wasdin turned in a decent performance, all in all -- Ramirez now pitching for TEX -- Giambi is plunked, on first via HBP -- Posada rips one to left center ... GONE!!, a two run shot -- the score is now NY 6-2

Now everything is going NY's way ... Tino flares one the opposite way on a clear checkswing, it's off Blalock's glove ... Tino in -- Womack lays down the bunt, fielded by Blalock who makes the play to first, runner advances to second on the play, one away

Runner at second for Jeter, he grounds to third ... Blalock's throw in the dirt, Teixeira picks it on the short hop, what a defensive stop, runner to third on the play, two down -- runner at third to Cano, he flies to right center to end the rally

TOP 6: Proctor continues for NY -- Barajas goes down swinging ... it gets away from Posada, who promptly throws it into right field -- Torre out to take the ball, really nice spot start for Proctor

Embree now pitching for NY -- Dellucci flares a single through to left -- Young lines a double into the corner in rightfield, one run scores -- the Yankee lead is cut to 6-3

Runner at second for Teixeira, he grounds to short, another run will come in, one down -- the score is now NY 6-4

Felix Rodriguez warms for NY -- Blalock goes down swinging , two away -- Torre out to take the ball, he is showered with boos again

Felix Rodriguez is the new pitcher -- Soriano lines to left to end the rally

BOT 6: Baldwin now in to pitch for the Rangers -- Sheffield blasts one to the wall in left ... Dellucci leaps, robs Sheffield ... TEMPORARILY ... the ball is loosened when he bumps the wall, Sheffield with a leadoff double -- ARod draws a walk after a full count

Runners now first and second for Matsui, he grounds to first, the throw is made to second for the force, the return to first is in the dirt and away from Baldwin, a run will score on the play -- Yankees now lead, 7-4

Giambi draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Hershiser in to confer -- runners now first and second for Posada, he draws a walk after a full count and the bases are now loaded

Tino flies to center, the runner from third will score on the sacfly -- the Yankees double up, 8-4

Runners now first and second for Womack, he grounds off the glove of the pitcher up the middle to short, the force is made at second to end the rally

TOP 7: F-Rod continues -- Nevin grounds back to the mound and is put out at first, one down -- Matthews, Jr. draws a walk on the full count payoff -- Stottlemyre out to confer, Sturtze warms for NY

Mench pops to second, two away -- On the first pitch to Barajas, Matthews, Jr. goes .... the throw is late, he steals second -- runner at second for Barajas, he lines a single to left, the run will score -- the score is now NY 8-5

Dellucci bombs one off the wall in right for a double, runner to third on the hit -- Torre out to get the ball, Sturtze out to pitch for NY -- runners now second and third for Young, he blasts the first pitch from Sturtze over the wall for a three run tying home run ... good GAKK, bullpen -- the game is tied, 8-8

Sturtze follows up his deer in the headlights wonderment at the three run blast by issuing a four pitch walk to Teixeira -- Stottlemyre out to confer -- runner at first for Blalock, he grounds to third to end the ridiculousness

Seventh Inning Stupid Bullpen, the game is tied, 8-8

BOT 7: Baldwin continues -- Gordon warms for NY -- Jeter blasts a leadoff solo shot to right ... where's the beer keg for the softball game at? -- Yankees back in front, 9-8

Cano grounds to short, one down -- Sheffield lines a single to center -- runner at first for ARod ... prior to the 1-0 to ARod, Baldwin is called for a balk on his spin move throw to first -- runner now on second for ARod, he goes down swinging ... OLE!!!, a silver sombrero, two away

Shouse in to pitch for TEX -- runner at second for Matsui, the first pitch makes Matsui dance out of the way ... it goes to the backstop, runner to third on the wild pitch -- runner on third for Matsui, he flies to right to end the rally

TOP 8: Gordon now pitching for NY -- Soriano hits a broken bat grounder to third, one down -- Nevin sharply grounds to second ... nice diving stop for Cano who makes the play to first, two away

Matthews, Jr. hits a bleeder up the first baseline ... Gordon fields, tosses from his knees while falling over and beans Matthews in the back, on first with a two out infield single -- Matthews goes on the 1-0 to Mench, he is in easily with another steal of second -- runner now at second for Mench, he draws a walk, runners now first and second

Stottlemyre out to confer -- Gordon can't throw a strike to save his life against Barajas 3-0 ... he loses him to a walk, the bases are now loaded -- Torre out to get the ball, and he will turn to Mo for a four out save ... AYFKM, the bullpen fsup a game that was well in hand

Mo in for NY -- the reset, two down, bases loaded for Dellucci, why not!!?!?? a full count, the payoff ... he pops foul to Posada to work out of the jam

Where would the Yankees be without MO?

BOT 8: Shouse continues for the Rangers -- Giambi grounds to second, one down -- Karsay warms for TEX -- Posada hits a slow roller to short ... Young in on it and makes the play to first, two away -- Tino draws a two out walk

Bernie in to PH for Womack -- Showalter will call for Karsay -- runner on first for Bernie, full count, he draws a walk -- Crosby will PR fo Bernie -- runners now first and second for Jeter, he grounds the first pitch to third to end the inning

TOP 9: Mo continues his four out save -- Franklin warms for NY -- Young goes down swinging, one down -- Teixeira shatters his bat but gets enough wood on it to slowly roll it through to left for a single -- Blalock pops the first pitch to right center, two gone -- runner at first, full count to Soriano, he goes down swinging to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 9-8

Near death by bullpen ... the slow agonizing swirl continues

61UP 52DOWN ... back in the win column

Posted by at 5:00 PM | Permalink

Yankees - White Sox. Rubber Game.

Inside, impressions of CWS at NYY (112/162)
---

TOP 1: Small going for NY -- Podsednik goes down swinging, one down -- Ozuna hits the first pitch and flies to right, two gone -- Everett draws a four pitch walk -- full count to Konerko, the payoff ... he is plunked -- runners first and second for Rowand, full count ... he flies the payoff to the track in left to retire the side

BOT 1: Garcia going for CWS -- Jeter grounds to short ... the throw to first is in the dirt and into the seats ... Jeter on second on the overthrow -- Cano grounds the first pitch to second, the play is made at first, one down -- runner at second for Sheffield, he lines the first pitch to left for a single, the run scores -- Yankees lead, 1-0

Runner at first for ARod, he flies to center, two away -- Matsui pops to left to end the inning

TOP 2: Dye grounds slowly up the middle ... Jeter fields but the throw is not in time, Dye in with a leadoff single -- Geoff Blum flies to left center, one down --
Chris Widger pops foul to the catcher, two away -- Uribe goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 2: Giambi grounds to first, one down -- Bernie grounds to second, two away -- Flaherty grounds a two out single through to left -- Womack flies to right center to end the inning

TOP 3: Podsednik goes down looking, one down -- Ozuna lays a perfect surprise bunt to third ... ARod barehands and guns ... Ozuna just beats it out for an infield single -- Everett bashes one to center ... off the wall, one run will score, Everett in with a double -- the game is tied, 1-1

Runner at second for Konerko, he sharply grounds to short ... Everett is hung up in no man's land between second and third and is tagged out, two away -- runner at first for Rowand, he goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 3: Jeter draws a leadoff walk -- On the 1-0 to Cano, Jeter goes ... the throw is a bit offline, the tag by Uribe is perfect to get him (CS), one down -- Cano flies to center, two away -- Sheffield blasts one to center ... and surprise not so much anymore, Rowand runs it down to retire the side

TOP 4: Dye reaches and lines a leadoff single through to center -- Blum draws a four pitch walk, runners now first and second -- Widger lays down a sacbunt towards first, Small fields and makes the play to first, the runners move up, one down

Runners now second and third for Uribe, he goes down swinging, two away -- Posednik goes down looking ... OLE!!!, the silver sombrero ... to retire the side

BOT 4: ARod grounds a leadoff single up the middle -- Matsui lines one through to right, runners now first and second -- Giambi grounds slowly to first, runners now second and third, one down

Bernie goes down swinging, two away -- Flaherty pops to first to end the inning ... SSDD

TOP 5: Ozuna pops a bunt foul to first, one down -- Everett pops to second, two away -- Konerko pops to right to retire the side

BOT 5: Womack grounds to first, Konerko dives to take away the single ... flips back to the covering pitcher, just gets him, one down -- Jeter goes down swinging, two away -- Cano grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 6: Rowand pops foul to first, one down -- Dye pops to center, two away -- Blum grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 6: Sheffield goes down swinging, one down -- ARod goes down looking, two away -- Matsui hits one to the gap in right center ... and guess who's there to run it down to end the inning

TOP 7: Widger pops to center, one down -- Uribe goes down swinging ... OLE!!!, another silver sombrero, two away -- Podsednik pops to short to retire the side

I'm not sure they'll bring him out for the 8th, if they don't ... another masterful pitching performance by the older newcomer Aaron Small

Seventh Inning Stretch, the game is knotted at 1-1

BOT 7: Giambi ropes one to right ... off the wall, just a little bit higher and it would scrape over the wall ... in with a leadoff single -- Bernie blasts one out to center ... uhm yeah, that Rowand guy runs down ANOTHER ONE, one down -- Posada in to PH for Flaherty, he goes down swinging, two away -- runner at first for Womack, he grounds to first to end the inning

TOP 8: Gordon now pitching for NY -- Posada in at C -- Ozuna draws a leadoff walk -- Everett grounds to second into a 463 double play, two away -- Konerko flares to left ... nice catch by Matsui to retire the side

BOT 8: Garcia continues for CWS -- Jeter grounds to short, one down -- Cano lines to the track in right, two away -- Sheffield grounds to short ... the throw is high, Konerko grabs it, lands on the bag ... close play, called out to end the inning (replay: Sheffield was safe) -- Sheffield disagrees, so does Roy White ... but anyway

TOP 9: Mo in for NY -- Rowand grounds up the middle to short, one down -- Dye grounds to short, two away -- Blum goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 9: Cotts now pitching for White Sox -- ARod grounds to short, one away --
Matsui lines a single to right -- runner at first for Giambi, he goes down swinging, two down -- on the first pitch to Bernie, the pitch gets away from Widger, runner to second on the wild pitch -- Bernie lines to right to end the inning

EXTRA INNINGS

TOP 10: Mo continues -- Widger goes down swinging, one away -- Uribe blasts one to the gap in right center ... over Bernie to the wall, Uribe hustles for three ... beats the relay throw for a triple -- runner at third for Podsednik, he tries the squeeze on 0-1 ... foul ... and Ozzie G. throws his gum down in disgust -- Posednik grounds to second ... Cano fields and throws home, Uribe slides under the missed tag, the run scores -- White Sox now leads, 2-1 ... Torre out to confer

On the first pitch to Ozuna, Podsednik goes ... he is gunned down at second (CS), two down -- Ozuna goes down looking to end the rally

BOT 10: Cotts continues -- Posada lines to left ... right at Podsednik, one down -- Tino in to PH for Womack, he draws a four pitch walk -- Crosby in to PR for Tino at first

Ozzie G. out to the mound to take the ball from Cotts -- Hermanson will pitch for CWS -- runner at first for Jeter, he goes down swinging, two away -- Cano lines to center ... and guess who's there to kill another danger ball to end the game

The White Sox win the three game series of one run affairs

FINAL: White Sox win, 2-1

Swirling down the drain

60UP 52DOWN ... two straight losses

Posted by at 11:00 AM | Permalink

After a win versus El Duque yesterday, the Yankees face their second straight ex-Yankee pitcher today for the White Sox

Inside, impressions of CWS at NYY (111/162)
---

Well, for the first time, I get to judge for myself if the WS announcers are the kings of the homers ... and yes, it will take a lot to top the Halos booth

TOP 1: The hardluck but solid Chacon going for NY -- Podsednik goes the opposite way and flares a leadoff single to left -- Chacon playing cat and mouse with Podsednik at first, literally nearly getting him FOUR times -- full count to Iguchi, the payoff ... he grounds to short, Jeter steps on the bag to start a 643 double play, two gone -- AJP grounds softly to first to retire the side

BOT 1: Another ex-Yank today for CWS, Contreras going for the White Sox -- Jeter lines to right, one down -- Cano grounds one past the diving third baseman and into left for a single -- Sheffield goes down swinging ... Cano going for second, is in there with a steal

Runner at second for ARod, he is plunked, on first via HBP ... and the umps warn both dugouts? why -- runners now first and second for Matsui, he flies to center to end the inning

TOP 2: Konerko pops to second, one away -- Perez grounds to first, two down -- Dye pops to the mound to retire the side

BOT 2: Giambi grounds to short on the second base side due to the GShift, one down -- full count to Posada, the payoff ... he goes down swinging, two away -- Tino draws a two out walk -- Womack grounds to first to end the inning

TOP 3: Rowand pops to first, one away -- Crede pops foul to the catcher, two down -- Uribe goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 3: Jeter flares to second ... fielded on a hop, one down -- Cano grounds to first, the pitcher covering, two away -- Sheffield goes down looking to end the inning (replay: tough call on a close inside pitch)

TOP 4: Podsednik hits a sinking liner to center ... Womack dives, gloves, rolls over ... and still has it, one down -- Iguchi blasts one to right ... gone, a solo shot -- White Sox lead, 1-0

Honestly, that was the first homerish call ... on a homer, how ironic

AJP loops to third, two away -- Konerko draws a two out walk -- full count to Perez, he battles but goes down swinging to end the rally

BOT 4: ARod grounds a leadoff single up the middle and into center -- on the first pitch to Matsui, ARod goes .... and steals second without a throw -- runner on second for Matsui, he grounds to first, the pitcher covering, one down

Runner at third for Giambi, he goes down swinging, two away -- Posada grounds to the mound ... off Contreras foot ... kicks over towards the first base bag, Posada is tagged out ... WEIRD ... to end the inning

TOP 5: Dye grounds to short, one away -- Rowand lays down a bunt to the right side of the mound, the pitcher fields and makes the play to first, two down -- Crede pops to the catcher to retire the side

BOT 5: Tino grounds to short, one down -- Womack hits an opposite field flare to left ... Posednik makes a great diving catch, two away -- Jeter grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 6: Uribe goes down swinging, one down -- Podsednik lines a single through to center -- runner at first for Iguchi, he has a great AB (sees 10 pitches), battling nicely, fouling off pitch after pitch ... goes down swinging, two away -- AJP grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 6: Cano goes down swinging, one down -- Sheffield draws a walk -- runner at first for ARod, he goes down looking (for what seems like the 800th time in recent games), two away -- on the first pitch to Matsui, Sheffield goes ... stealing second easily -- runner on second for Matsui, he grounds to second ... Iguchi knocks it down, has some trouble ... but still makes the play to first to end the inning

TOP 7: Chacon continues for NY -- full count to Konerko, he draws a leadoff walk -- Perez pops to center, one down -- runner at first for Dye, he draws a four pitch walk (honestly, the last two were VERY CLOSE)

Stottlemyre out to confer -- Rowand pops ball four to center, two away -- runner at first and second for Crede, he pops to second to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stench, White Sox lead, 1-0

BOT 7: Giambi lines to center, one down -- Posada lines to the gap in right center ... Rowland runs it down, two away -- Tino pops foul to first to end the inning

TOP 8: Felix Rodriguez now pitching for NY, and dammit, another quality start by Chacon that won't be a win for him -- Uribe grounds a leadoff single up the middle -- Embree warms for NY

Torre will take the ball from F-Rod, Embree will now pitch for NY -- Posednik is plunked, showing bunt, runners now first and second -- Iguchi is really tough with two strikes ... after fouling off pitch after pitch after pitch after pitch, you get me? ... he grounds to third, ARod steps on the bag ... and throws on a hop to first to complete the double play, two gone

AJP hits a soft shot to the right of the mound, Embree fields ... and throws to first just in time to get the Yankees out of the jam ... and retire the side

BOT 8: Womack lifts a leadoff single to right center -- that will be all for Contreras, an excellent outing for the former Yankee pitcher

Politte now in to pitch for the White Sox -- Jeter lays down a sacrifice bunt to the right of the mound, Crede fields ... and his throw is just in time, runner to second on the bunt, one away

And during the bunt, a fan falls on to the net over home plate from the top deck ... AREYOUFKNKIDDING ME?!?!?!?! ... he crawls back up and is met by the authorities

The reset, runner at second for Cano, one down, he pops to right center, two gone -- full count to Sheffield, the payoff ... he grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 9: Embree continues for NY -- Konerko blasts a solo shot to left center -- White Sox add insurance and now lead, 2-0

Everett to PH for Perez, he hits a flare to left ... Matsui runs in to shoestring it, one down -- Torre out to take the ball, and Embree continues his mediocre ways

Sturtze now pitching for NY -- Dye hits a broken bat grounder to third, two away -- Rowand lines a two out single past the mound and up the middle -- They pitchout on Crede, Rowand goes ... the throw is there, Rowand is called safe with a steal to second (replay: Cano missed tagging him) -- runner at second for Crede draws a walk ... last night's magic has come off Sturtze

Runners now first and second for Uribe, he grounds to third to end the rally

BOT 9: Politte continues for CWS -- Blum at 1B -- ARod bashes one to right center ... the homers gave a cold "high and deep" call on a ball that was CLEARLY OUT off the bat, and even the fielders watched it most of the way ... give me a break -- the score is now CWS 2-1

That will be all for Politte, Guillen calls for Marte -- Matsui lines to right, one down -- the White Sox pen is busy -- full count to Giambi, the payoff ... outside, ball four, he draws a walk --Crosby in to PR for Giambi at first

Posada goes down swinging ... and now these homer jackasses are getting the mute, two down -- runner at first for Tino, he lines a single to center ... Crosby hustling to third, in there with no throw

Bernie in to PH for Womack -- Ozzie G. will make the move to bring in the closer Hermanson -- runners at the corners for Bernie, he rips the FIRST PITCH to first ... for a line out that ends the game

FINAL: White Sox win, 2-1

A pitching duel ... Yankees come up on the short end today, irritating only because they really can't seem to get out of their own way lately and make a serious push for the playoffs

60UP 51DOWN

Posted by at 5:00 PM | Permalink

Yankees begin a three game series against the league leading White Sox

Inside, impressions of CWS at NYY (110/162)

---

TOP 1: Mussina pitching for NY -- Podsednik lays down a surprise bunt to the third base side, Mussina fields but has no play ... on the first pitch to Iguchi, Podsednik goes ... the throw is right on the bag, he is caught stealing, one away -- Iguchi goes down swinging, two down -- AJP goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 1: El Duque pitching for White Sox -- Jeter blasts one to center ... Rowan lays out and makes the catch, one away -- Cano hits one to the gap in right center ... Rowand runs it down, two down -- Sheffield draws a two walk -- ARod blasts one to left ... not even a courtesy chase, GONE!!, a two run, two out shot -- the Yankees lead, 2-0

Matsui is plunked, on first via HBP -- runner at first for Giambi, he works a full count, battles, and pops to second in shallow center to end the rally

TOP 2: Konerko works it full, the payoff ... he lines one back at the mound, over the ducking Muss, and through to center for a leadoff single -- Perez also lines one over the ducking Mussina and into center for a single, runners now first and second -- Dye goes down looking at a nasty curve ... and barks at the ump before leaving the batting area, one down

Runners on first and second for Rowand, he battles but grounds to second ... slick turn by Cano to start the 463 double play to retire the side

BOT 2: Posada grounds to first, one down -- Tino lines a single to center -- Womack slaps one the opposite way to left ... it falls in, kicks oddly off the edge of the leftfield grass and into the corner, for a double -- runners now second and third for Jeter, he grounds to second, one run scores and the lag runner advances to third on the play -- Yankees now lead, 3-0

Runner on third for Cano, he bloops to short in shallow right to end the rally

TOP 3 Crede goes down swinging, one down -- Uribe flies to right, two away -- Mussina falls behind Podsednik 3-0, then battles it back full ... Podsednik fouls off three pitches, then ... GOES DOWN LOOKING at a nasty breaking ball on the outside corner to retire the side

BOT 3: Sheffield goes down swinging, one down -- full count to ARod, the payoff ... he also goes down swinging, two away -- Matsui pops to left to end the inning

TOP 4: Iguchi pops to short, one down -- AJP hits a flare to right that falls in for a single -- Konerko pops to second in shallow right, two away -- runner at first for Perez, he pops to the pitcher in front of the mound to retire the side

BOT 4: Giambi draws a leadoff walk -- Posada pops the full count payoff to right, one away -- runner at first for Tino, he lines a single through to right -- runners now first and second for Womack, he flies to right, two down -- Jeter goes down looking to end the inning

TOP 5: Dye grounds a leadoff single through to left -- Rowand blasts one to the gap in left center, they wave Dye ... the relay is WAYYY OFF, great block by Posada to save another base, the run scores -- the score is now NY 3-1

Runner at second for Crede, he hits a short bloop to second ... Cano plays on the hop and makes the play at first, runner to third on the play, one down -- Uribe hits a sacfly to right, the runner at third will tag and score -- the Yankee lead is cut to one, 3-2

Podsednik goes down looking at the full count payoff to end the rally ... and then has a discussion with the ump

BOT 5: Cano flies to left center ... the outfielders converge, Posednik makes the play and avoids the collision with Rowand, one down -- full count to Sheffield, the payoff ... high, ball four, he draws a walk -- ARod battles it full after falling behind 0-2, he flies to deep right center ... Dye makes a great leaping grab for the out, he tries to double up Sheffield ... who slides in as the throw is offline, two away ... El Duque and Ozzie G. come out to discuss

On the first pitch to Matsui, Sheffield goes ... and steals second fairly easily -- runner at second for Matsui, he goes down looking to end the inning

TOP 6: Iguchi flies to center, one down -- AJP grounds to short ... the bounce eats up Jeter, he bobbles some more, composes ... then guns to JUST GET AJP, I guess that's the combo of sticking with it and very slow, two away

Cotts warms for the Pale Sox -- Konerko bloops the full count payoff to shallow right ... the campfire defense ensues, Cano has a bead on it ... and cannot make the play, it falls in for a two out single -- runner on first for Perez, he bloops to left .... ON THE CHALK and into the seats near the left field corner ... AREYOUKIDDINGME???? ... for a ground rule double

Stottlemyre out to confer, Sturtze up in the pen for NY -- runners now second and third for Dye, full count, he goes down swinging to retire the side ... a clutch strikeout by the Muss in what likely was his last pitch of the game

BOT 6: El Duque continues -- Cotts warms for the WS with more urgency -- Giambi is jammed and pops to second, next to short, in the Giambi shift, one away -- Posada battles, works a two strike count full, then grounds to second, two down

Guillen is out to the mound, a discussion ensues, he will leave El Duque in -- Tino flies to center to end the inning

TOP 7: Sturtze in for NY -- Rowand grounds to first, one down -- Crede pops to short, two away -- Uribe rips a Charlie Brown ball back at Sturtze ... sending him sprawling away, and has him knocking his own cap off his head in the process, for a two out single to center -- Podsednik lays down a perfect bunt in front of the plate, Sturtze fields ... and makes a PERFECT THROW to just get him to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead 3-2

BOT 7: Cotts now pitching for CWS, a solid start for El Duque after giving up the three runs early on -- OHMYGOD! .... Womack flies to left ... Podsednik jumps towards the stands in the leftfield corner ... and MAKES THE PLAY, guess what you'll be watching later on SC, one away -- Jeter grounds to the right of the mound, the pitcher makes the play at first, two gone -- Cano goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 8: Gordon now pitching for Yankees -- Iguchi pops to center, one gone -- AJP loops the first pitch to second, a great grab by Cano, two down -- Mo warms for NY -- Konerko grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 8: Jenks pitching for CWS -- Jenks airmails the 0-2 pitch over Sheffield's head .... Sheffield flies to right, one down -- ARod goes down swinging, two away -- full count to Matsui, he lines to right to end the inning ... and he is back to his bad habit earlier in the season of pulling off while swinging (GAKK)

TOP 9: Mo is in to close the game for NY -- Perez grounds to third, one down -- Dye grounds to short, two away -- Rowand goes down swinging on a checkswing to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 3-2

Bullpen returns to form beautifully, great pitching all around from the Sturtze-Gordon-Mo trio

Mussina has a solid outing, but is showing that 5th/6th inning shakiness ... that gave up the lead against the Tribe, and made tonight's game more exciting than routine.

60UP 50DOWN ... two straight wins

Posted by at 1:17 PM | Permalink

Yankees trying to win the rubber match today against the Jays and even up the road swing at three games up, three games down

Inside, impressions of NYY at TOR (109/162)
---

The roof is open on the stadium formerly known as Skydome

TOP 1: Towers gets the start for the Jays -- Jeter lines a leadoff single to center -- Cano grounds the first pitch to third into a 543 double play, two gone -- Sheffield goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 1: The enigmatic Al Leiter goes for the NY -- Adams grounds to second, one down -- Johnson goes down swinging, two away -- Wells lines one to the gap in left center for a two out double -- Hillenbrand grounds up the middle to second to end the inning

TOP 2: ARod gets a hold of the first pitch and sends it to left ... GONE, a leadoff solo shot -- the Yankees lead, 1-0

Matsui rips a liner the opposite way down the leftfield line for a standup double -- Giambi rips a run scoring single to the rightfield corner -- the score is now NY 2-0

Posada goes down looking -- runner at first for Tino, he grounds up the middle to short into a 643 double play to end the rally

BOT 2: Hill grounds to deep third, one down -- Zaun lines to first ... a great diving stab by Tino to steal a hit away, two away -- Rios pops to second to end the inning

TOP 3: Womack grounds to second, one away -- Jeter grounds one just inside the bag, past the diving third baseman ... and down the line for a double -- Cano is beaned high off his right shoulder, on at first via HBP ... Torre and the trainer out to check on him, he will stay in

Runners now first and second for Sheffield, he slaps a single into left center, one run scores -- Yankees extend to 3-0

Runners first and second for ARod, he goes down swinging, two down -- Matsui grounds the first pitch to first to end the rally

BOT 3: Menechino pops to short, one down -- Hudson lines a single to right -- after tons of checkbacks by Leiter to hold Hudson on, Adams is plunked on the right elbow, one first via HBP ... trainer and manager out to check on him

Runners on first and second for Johnson, he grounds to third, the force play is made at second, two away -- runners now at the corners for Wells, he draws a two out walk

The bases are now loaded for Hillenbrand, he grounds to third ... ARod races to the bag to get the force at third to end the inning

TOP 4: Giambi grounds to first, the pitcher covers ... it hits the heel of Hillenbrand's glove and rolls away, Giambi reaches first on the error -- Posada lines the first pitch to right for a single, runners now first and second -- Tino lines a single to right, one run scores -- the Yankees now lead, 4-0

Runners at the corners for Womack, he grounds to short into a 643 double play, one run scores on the play -- NY now leads, 5-0

Jeter grounds to second to end the rally

BOT 4: Hill grounds to third, one away -- Zaun draws a walk -- Rios goes down swinging, two gone -- Menechino flies the first pitch to left center to end the inning

TOP 5: Cano draws a four pitch, leadoff walk -- Sheffield pops to short, one down -- runner at first for ARod, he lines a single to left, runners now first and second -- Matsui grounds to second ... great stop by Hudson and throw from his knees to save a probable run scoring single, two away -- runners at second and third for Giambi, he draws a walk to load the bases

Arnsberg out to confer -- Posada goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 5: Hudson lines a leadoff single to center -- Adams flies to left, one gone -- Johnson flies to right center ... Sheffield makes a sliding attempt, gloves it ... but when he stands up, the ball pops out ... it is called an out, two away ... great defensive play! -- Wells pops the full count payoff ... foul to first to end the inning

TOP 6: Tino flies to left, one away -- Womack grounds to short, two down -- Jeter grounds a seeing eye two out single through to left -- Cano chops up the middle ... Adams ranges and makes a nice play to put out Cano and retire the side

BOT 6: After the low 2-0 pitch to Hillenbrand, Leiter kicks up dust off the mound in frustration ... Hillenbrand draws a leadoff walk -- Hill grounds to short, Jeter charges and throws to first ... it is slightly offline, Tino applies the tag, one down -- runner at second for Zaun, he pops to short, two gone

Sturtze warms for NY, Frasor warms for TOR -- Rios lines a two out single through to left, runner to third on the play -- Embree also warms for NY -- runners at the corners for Menechino, he draws a four pitch walk to load the bases ... Torre seems to be contemplating, yes he comes out to take the ball

That will be all for Leiter, a fairly solid outing until this inning where he seems to have lost the strike zone -- the thus far REALLY UNIMPRESSIVE Embree will pitch for NY -- Hudson pops the first pitch to first to end the inning

TOP 7: Frasor now pitching for the Jays -- Sheffield goes down looking at the full count payoff, one down -- ARod lines a shot to the gap for a double -- runner at second for Matsui, he flies to center, two away -- Giambi lines one past the Giambi shift ... infielders diving around like something out of Cirque du Soleil, can't stop it ... into right for a two out run scoring single, Yankees add another run, 6-0

Runner at first for Posada, he grounds to second, the force is made at second to end the rally

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead, 6-0

BOT 7: Embree continues for NY, Sturtze warms -- Adams goes down swinging, one away -- League warms for TOR -- Johnson goes down swinging at a pitch in the dirt, the putout is made at first, two down -- Wells grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 8: League now pitching for the Jays -- Tino pops to short in shallow left, one down -- Womack grounds to first ... Hillenbrand wins the footrace, two away -- Jeter battles, works it full, then draws a two out walk -- on the first pitch to Cano, the runner moves to second on the wild pitch ... the second straight pitch that League has uncorked -- runner at second for Cano, he is greenlighted on the 3-1 and grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 8: Sturtze pitching for NY -- Crosby in at RF -- Hillenbrand blasts a leadoff double to center -- Koskie in to PH for Hill, he goes down swinging, on a foultip one down ... Koskie can't believe it, he is still standing there, the manager is out to discuss (the replay: looks like Posada caught it, but with the glove face down)

Gordon warms for NY -- runner at second for Zaun, he draws a four pitch walk -- Stottlemyre out to confer as it appears Sturtze doesn't have great command thus far -- Catalanotto to PH for Rios, he draws a walk, the bases are now loaded

That will be all for Sturtze, who just didn't have it today -- Gordon now pitching -- as the PH carousel continues for the Jays, Hinske will PH for Menechino -- Hinske flies to left, the runner tags and scores from third ... Matsui sleeping out there, thinking it's three gone ... the runner goes after third, Matsui makes the easy play to third to cut him down and end the rally -- the score is now NY 6-1

WOW, that's the first time I've ever seen Matsui forget how many outs it is

TOP 9: Johnson in at RF, Koskie at 3B, Catalanotto at LF -- Crosby grounds to second, one down -- Mo warms for NY -- ARod draws a walk -- Matsui lines to short ... Adams throws back to first, in time to double off ARod and retire the side

BOT 9: Gordon continues for NY -- Hudson grounds to second, one gone --
looking like he was losing his footing during the swing, Adams still manages to line a single to left -- Johnson pops to second in shallow right, two away

On the first pitch to Wells, Adams advances to second on indifference -- Wells lines a single to center, just over the leaping Cano, one run will score -- the score is now NY 6-2

Mo warms for NY -- on the 2-2 pitch to Hillenbrand, Wells advances to second on indifference -- Hillenbrand works it full, the payoff ... ball four, he draws a walk

That will be all for Gordon, who also couldn't throw strikes today for some reason -- Mo will pitch for NY -- runners at first and second for Koskie, he flies the first pitch to left to end the game ... a one pitch outing for Mo

FINAL: Yankees win, 6-2

The Yankees win the series, and conclude this road swing at .500. Leiter pitched fairly solidly, but doesn't seem to be able to stretch it to longer outings. And the bullpen, hooboy, talk about shaky.

Yankees head home for a very tough series against the league leading White Sox

59UP 50DOWN ... back in the win column

Posted by at 11:00 AM | Permalink

Yankees trying to string together some wins ... and stay in the race, as the As and Red Sox are playing white hot baseball

Inside, impressions of NYY at TOR (108/162)
---

The roof is open on the former Skydome for the day game between the Jays and the Yankees

TOP 1: Downs going for TOR -- Jeter lines to right, one down -- Cano lines to the gap in left center .... Johnson dives ... he can't come up with it and rolls over the ball ... Cano hustles in with a double -- Sheffield goes down swinging, two away -- full count to ARod, the payoff ... inside, he draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Matsui goes down swinging to retire the side .... and scoring opportunities go by the board

BOT 1: Unit going for NY -- Adams draws a leadoff walk -- Johnson is plunked with the first pitch, runners now first and second -- Wells goes down swinging (RJ 1), one down -- Hillenbrand lines a single to left center, one run scores -- Jays lead, 1-0

Runners now first and second for Hill, he also lines a single to left center, another run scores -- the score is now TOR 2-0

Runners at the corners for Zaun, he goes down swinging (RJ 2) ... Hill going on the pitch ... he is thrown out at second for a strike em out, throw em out double play to end the rally

TOP 2: Giambi grounds to first, the pitcher covering, one down ... and on the play a piece of Giambi's bat gets the home plate ump on the leg, and he is down -- after a delay, the umpire has to leave the game

When play resumes with a replacement ump, Posada lines a singled through to left -- Bernie lines a single to right, runner to third on the hit

Runners at the corners for Flaherty, he draws a walk, the bases are now loaded -- Jeter sharply grounds back to the mound ... through the wickets ... past the diving second baseman, and into center, two runs will score -- the game is tied at 2-2

Runners at first and second for Cano, he grounds to first, the force is made at second, the relay to the pitcher covering pulls him off the bag, two away

Runners at the corners, two out for Sheffield, he lines a single to left center, another run scores -- the Yankees edge ahead, 3-2

Runners now first and second for ARod, he goes down swinging to end the rally

BOT 2: Rios goes down looking (RJ 3), one down -- Unit gets out in front 0-2 on Menechino ... Menechino blasts the 2-2 to left for a solo shot -- the game is evened at 3-3

Hudson grounds to third, two away -- Adams hits a flare to shallow center ... it falls in for a two out single -- Johnson grounds a single through to right, runners now first and second -- Wells battles with a two strike count ... then lines a hit to center, one run will score, Wells to second... Cano is the cutoff man and makes a great throw to the plate to get Johnson at home to end the rally -- Jays back ahead, 4-3

TOP 3: Matsui goes down swinging, one down ... looks like he is doing the pull off thing again -- Giambi also goes down swinging, two away -- Posada grounds a single past short and into center for a two out single -- Bernie grounds to third ... the throw to first is offline, great swipe tag made by the first baseman to retire the side

BOT 3: Hillenbrand lines the first pitch for a leadoff single to right -- Hill grounds to deep third, ARod makes great diving stop to prevent extra bases, his throw to first .... not in time, an infield single for Hill -- runners now first and second for Zaun, he pops foul to first, one down

Rios grounds to third, the force is made at second, two away -- runners at the corners for Menechino -- OHWHATTHEHELLNEXT! ... Johnson checks back the runner at first, they send Hillenbrand home ... the throw from Giambi, is so off as to be ridiculous, Hillenbrand steals home ... and the runner to third on the overthrow -- Jays extend to 5-3

Menechino grounds to second to end the two out rally

TOP 4: Flaherty flies to the track in left, one down -- Jeter grounds to short ... the throw from short is way offline, he reaches on an infield single -- Cano grounds a single through to left, runners now first and second -- Walker warms for TOR -- Sheffield draws a four pitch walk, the bases are now loaded

Gibbons out to the mound to take the ball, Walker will pitch for the Jays -- bases
loaded for ARod, he grounds to third, one run scores -- the score is now TOR 5-4

Runners now at the corners, two away for Matsui, he goes down looking to end the rally ... and it should have been more than one run, missed opportunities

BOT 4: Hudson grounds to third, one down -- Adams grounds to first, the Unit over to cover ... and MISSES THE BAG?!?!?!?! (he also steps awkwardly on the play but seems okay), Adams on first on the error by Unit

Johnson grounds a single up the middle, runner to third on the hit -- runners at the corners for Wells, he grounds the first pitch for a single to right, one run will score -- Jays now lead, 6-4

Stottlemyre out to confer -- Hillenbrand grounds to into an inning ending 463 double play to end the rally

TOP 5: Giambi draws a leadoff walk -- Posada flies to center, one away -- Bernie also flies to center, two gone -- Proctor warms for NY -- Flaherty flies to right to retire the side

BOT 5: Proctor in to pitch for NY, a very shaky performance by the Unit today --
Hill bloops to center, it falls in for a leadoff single ... Proctor looks a bit disgusted that it fell in -- Zaun hits a soft flare off the jumping Cano's glove ... and into center for a single, runners now first and second

Rios pops to right, one down -- Hinske in to PH for Menechino, he flies to center, runner tags and advances to third on the play, two away -- runners at first and third for Hudson, he goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 6
Jeter lines the first pitch into center for a leadoff single -- Cano pops the first pitch foul ... great effort by Hudson ... INTO THE SEATS ... he doesn't come up with it, and is shaken up but will stay in -- Cano grounds to second, the play is made at first, runner to second on the play, one down

Arnsberg out to confer, Schoeneweis warms for TOR -- runner at second for Sheffield, full count, he draws a walk -- runners now first and second for ARod, he grounds to short, the force play is made at second ... Hudson can't unglove it to turn two, two away

Gibbons out to take the ball, Schoeneweis now pitching for TOR -- runners at the corners for Matsui, he grounds weakly to second to retire the side ... as more opportunities go by the board

BOT 6: Proctor continues for NY -- Adams pops foul to third, one down -- Johnson goes down looking, two away -- Wells lines a two out single through to center

On the pitch to Hillenbrand, Wells goes ... he steals second and the throw from Flaherty is offline and into center, he gets to third on the error

Hillenbrand gets all of the 2-1 and sends it to left ... a two run shot -- Jays now double up, 8-4 ... Hill flies to center to end another two out rally

TOP 7: Giambi attempts to defeat the shift with the surprise bunt but bunts back to the mound, one down -- Speier warms for TOR -- Posada pops to center, two away -- Bernie flies to left to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stench, Jays lead, 8-4

BOT 7: Proctor continues for NY, Frankin warms -- Zaun pops the full count payoff foul to the catcher, one down -- Rios goes down swinging on a foul tip, two away

That will be all for Proctor, Franklin in to match L-L -- Hinske pops to third to end the inning

TOP: Speier now pitching for TOR -- Womack in to PH for Flaherty, he pops foul to third, one down -- Batista warms for the Jays -- Jeter goes down looking, two gone -- Cano grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 8: Franklin continues for NY, Posada in at C -- Hudson battles then flies to right, one away -- Adams grounds to third ... ARod guns, and JUST gets him (replay: closer than that, might have been safe), two down

That will be all for Franklin, the new pitcher is Felix Rodriguez --
Johnson lines to center ... Bernie makes a great sliding catch to end the inning

TOP 9: Batista in to close for Jays -- Sheffield blasts the 0-1 to left .... gone, a leadoff solo shot -- the score is now TOR 8-5

ARod goes down looking, one away -- Matsui grounds to second, two gone --
Giambi draws a two out walk -- Posada pops to left center to end the game

FINAL: Jays win, 8-5

Ugly all around.

At the 2/3rds mark of the season, many of the same constants apply that make the Yankees look like they will be hovering around .500 for the remainder of the year, and tease the playoffs

58UP 50DOWN

Posted by at 2:00 PM | Permalink

Back to divisional competition after the frustrating series against the Tribe

Inside, impressions of NYY at TOR (107/162)
---

TOP 1: The snappy bestacled Chacin going for TOR -- Jeter blasts the first pitch to right ... it bounces back into play after hitting the very top of the wall, he is in with a leadoff triple -- Cano goes down swinging after the full count payoff, that would have been ball four, one down -- runner at third for Sheffield, he lines a shot to left ... GONE!!, a two run shot -- Yankees lead, 2-0

Full count to ARod, the payoff ... inside, he draws a walk -- runner at first for Matsui, he absolutely lashes the first pitch to right into the upperdeck ... FOUL, wow ... he then blasts the second pitch to right ... off the wall, ARod has a baserunning gaffe that holds Matsui to a single only

Runners now first and second for Giambi, he draws a walk, the bases are now loaded -- Posada grounds the first pitch to third into a 553 double play to end the rally ... opportunities go by the boards

BOT 1: The surprising vet newcomer Small going for NY -- Adams is brushed by the first pitch, on first with a leadoff HBP -- Catalanotto goes down swinging, one down -- runner on first for Wells, he draws a four pitch walk -- runners now first and second for Hillenbrand, he flies to left, two away -- Koskie grounds up the middle ... Jeter ranges and makes the play to end the inning

TOP 2: Bernie goes down swinging, one down -- Phillips grounds the first pitch up the middle for a single -- runner at first for Jeter, he flies to center, two away
-- Cano lines the first pitch to right ... but caught to retire the side

BOT 2: Zaun grounds to second, one down ... talk about dogging it down the line -- Hinske goes down swinging, two gone -- Johnson grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 3: Sheffield grounds a leadoff single through to left, right by the defensively sliding shortstop -- ARod draws a walk, runners now first and second --

Matsui grounds the 0-2 to short into a 463 double play, two gone ... total GAKK! -- runner at third for Giambi, he flies to left to retire the side ... Yankees loading up on the missed opps today

BOT 3: Hudson flies to the track in left, one down -- Adams grounds to second, two away -- Catalanotto pops foul to first to end the inning

TOP 4: Posada goes down swinging, one down -- Bernie fares a single to left center -- Phillips draws a four pitch walk, runners now first and second -- League warms for TOR -- Jeter walked, the bases are now loaded -- Arnsberg out to confer

Cano hits a shot to right ... Johnson snags the screaming line, one run scores on the sacfly, and a runner tags and advances to third -- Yankees now lead, 3-0

Runners at the corners for Sheffield, he flies to center to end the rally ... Yankees bleeding out the runs today

BOT 4: Wells grounds out to third ... ARod throws on a hop, nice pick by Phillips at first, one down -- Hillenbrand grounds to third ... ARod reaches out and makes the play to rob a single, nice, two away -- Koskie lines a two out single to center -- runner at first for Zaun, he flies to right to end the inning

TOP 5: ARod goes down swinging on a foul tip, one down -- Matsui lines to right, two gone -- Full count to Giambi, he battles then draws a two out walk -- League warms for the Jays -- Posada goes down swinging ... and is put out at first to retire the side

BOT 5: Hinske lines a leadoff single to right -- Johnson also lines a single to right, runners now first and second -- Hudson grounds to first, runners advance on the play to second and third, one down -- Adams draws a walk, the bases are now loaded

Stottlemyre out to confer -- Catalanotto grounds to short into a 643 inning ending double play ... man, Small is living right today

TOP 6: League now pitching for TOR -- Bernie goes down swinging, one down --
Phillips grounds to short, two away -- Jeter grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 6: Wells rips one down the leftfield line ... in with a leadoff double -- Hillenbrand lines just past the stretched out Jeter and into left, runner to third on the hit

Sturtze and Franklin warm for NY -- runners at the corners for Koskie, he pops foul to third, one down -- Zaun grounds to second into an inning ending 463 double play ... again, Small escapes the jaws of doom

TOP 7: League continues -- Cano sharply lines the first pitch to second, one pitch, one gone -- Sheffield goes down swinging, two down -- ARod grounds thr first pitch to short to retire the side

Local boy Brandon League looking really good so far

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead, 3-0

BOT 7: Tino in at 1B -- Hinske grounds one past the diving Tino and down the rightfield line for a leadoff double -- Sturtze and Franklin warm for NY -- Johnson grounds to short, one down

Runner at second for Hudson, he grounds to second, runner to third on the play, two away -- Adams lines a two out singled to left, one run scores -- the score is now NY 3-1

That will be all for Small, another great quality outing for him -- Embree will be the new pitcher for NY -- Rios to PH for Catalanotto, he grounds to , the force is made at second to end the two out rally

TOP 8: Rios in at RF, Johnson now in LF -- League now into his third inning of work -- Matsui lines a leadoff single to center -- Schoeneweis warms for TOR, Gordon warms for NY -- the runner goes, Giambi lines a single to right, Matsui going for third, draws the throw ... there's no one covering the bag due to the G-shift, Giambi to second on the overthrow

Womack in to PR for Giambi at second -- runners now second and third for Posada, he bloops to left ... it will fall in for a single, one run scores, the lag runner to third on the hit -- Yankees now lead, 4-1

Gibbons will take the ball from League, Schoeneweis in to pitch for Jays -- runners at the corners for Bernie, he goes down swinging, one down -- Tino draws a walk and that loads up the bases --

Jeter is greenlighted on the 3-1 and grounds a single through to left, another run scores -- the score is now NY 5-1

Chulk warms for TOR -- bases still loaded for Cano, he goes down swinging. two away -- Gibbons out to take the ball, Chulk in to pitch for the Jays -- Sheffield grounds to second to end the rally ... man, blood from a stone today the way the Yankees are hitting with men on

BOT 8: Embree continues -- Wells pops the first pitch foul to first ... great reach play by Tino at the edge of the stands, one down -- Hillenbrand also pops the first pitch foul to first, this one a bit more garden variety, two gone --
Koskie pops foul to third in shallow left ... great over the shoulder catch by ARod, three foul outs, odd way to retire the side

TOP 9: Full count to ARod, the payoff ... he draws a leadoff walk -- on a checkback throw to first, the throw gets away from Hillenbrand ... ARod to second -- runner at second for Matsui, grounds to second, the runner to third on the play, one down

Womack flies to right, the runner from third tags and scores on the sacfly -- Yankees extend to 6-1

Posada grounds to deep short ... the shortstop throws from his knees after making a diving stop ... not in time, Posada on with a two out infield single -- Bernie goes down looking ... OLE!!!!, the golden sombrero ... to end the rally

BOT 9: Sturtze now pitching -- Crosby in RF -- Zaun bloops to left center, one down -- Hinske draws a four pitch walk -- Johnson bloops a single to right center, runners now first and second

Hudson goes down swinging after the full count payoff on a foultip, two away -- runners still first and second for Adams, he groiunds one up the middle off the mound, under Sturtze's glove and into center for a two out single, one run scores -- the score is now NY 6-2

Torre in to take the ball, Mo in to pitch for NY -- runners at first and second for Rios, he flies to center to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 6-2

Nice to see the Yankees play a fairly strong game after three largely shaky games against the Tribe

58UP 49DOWN ... two straight wins

Posted by at 5:00 PM | Permalink

Well, a difficult start to the road swing thus far ... Yankees try to salvage one from the Tribe before leaving town

Inside, impressions of NYY at CLE (106/162)
---

TOP 1: Millwood going for CLE -- Jeter grounds a leadoff single through to right -- Cano sharply grounds the first pitch to first to start a 363 double play, two gone -- Sheffield grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 1: Chacon making his second start for NY -- Sizemore flies to left, one away -- full count to Crisp, he goes down swinging, two down -- Peralta pops to center to end the inning

TOP 2: ARod goes down swinging, one down -- Matsui grounds to short, two away -- Giambi flies to left to retire the side

BOT 2: In his first game back from being hit in the face with a pitch, Hafner lines a leadoff double into the leftfield corner -- runner at second for Martinez, he flies to right center, the runner shows tag but doesn't go, one down -- Belliard grounds to short ... close play at first, got him, runner to third on the play, two away -- runner at third for Broussard, he lines to right to end the inning

TOP 3: Bernie lines a leadoff single to left -- On the 1-0 to Flaherty, Bernie gets a late jump ... and is gunned out ridiculously easily at second (CS), one down -- on the very next pitch, Flaherty expresses it to left ... GONE, a solo shot -- Yankees lead, 1-0 ... and THAT'S FRICKING FANTASTIC, nice miss of the sign ... psshh

Womack goes down swinging on a foultip, two away -- Jeter lines a shot to the corner in rightfield for a two out double -- runner at second for Cano, he grounds to first to retire the side

BOT 3: A.B.Boone lines a leadoff single to left -- Blake goes down looking, one down -- Sizemore draws a four pitch walk, runners now first and second -- Crisp grounds to second ... Cano bobbles, gloves and manages to make the force at second ... , two away, psshhh -- runners at the corners for Peralta, he goes down looking to end the inning

TOP 4: Sheffield goes down looking ... and barks on his way off (replay: WAYYY outside), one down -- ARod also goes down looking, two away -- Matsui goes down swinging .... Millwood has struck out the side

BOT 4: Hafner ticks one in front of the plate, Posada fields, makes an iffy throw, but Giambi puts him out, one down -- Martinez blasts one to right ... it bounces over the wall for a ground rule double -- Belliard hits a really slow grounder to third ... ARod fields, all hands safe, an infield single

Runners at the corners for Broussard, he pops to short, two away -- full count to A.B.Boone, the payoff ... he goes down looking to end the inning (replay: outside_

TOP 5: Giambi blasts one to right .... GONE, a leadoff solo shot -- Yankees now lead, 2-0

Bernie goes down looking, one down -- Flaherty grounds to short, two gone -- Womack goes down looking to end the rally

BOT 5: Blake grounds a leadoff single through to left -- Sizemore grounds to second ... again, Cano bobbles but starts a 463 double play, two gone -- Crisp sharply grounds to first ... up and over Giambi's glove into right for a two out single -- Peralta blasts one to left .... Matsui looking over the wrong shoulder ... it's off the wall in left, it will score a run ... in with a double -- the score is now NY 2-1

Runner on second for Hafner ... before the 0-1, Chacon balks the runner to third -- runner on third now, Hafner grounds to second to end the rally

TOP 6: Jeter grounds to second, one down -- Cano bloops an opposite field single to left -- Sheffield lines a single to left, runners now first and second -- full count to ARod, he has a quality 9-pitch AB ... but eventually grounds to third into a 543 double play to retire the side

BOT 6: Martinez grounds to second, one down ... and as a testament to the absolute minimal entertainment value of the game, we get cut shots of Unit sweeping the dugout -- Belliard lines to right, two away -- Broussard grounds a two out single up the middle and into center -- A.B. Boone grounds to short, the force is made

TOP 7: Matsui grounds to first, the pitcher covers, one down -- Giambi rips a single into right over the Giambi shift -- Bernie pops to left, two away -- runner on first for Flaherty, he grounds to short, the force is made at second to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch (SLOWWW): Yankees lead, 2-1

BOT 7: Chacon continues -- Blake draws a leadoff walk -- Torre is out to take the ball, another great effort by Chacon -- Embree now pitching for NY

Runner at first for Sizemore, he draws a walk after a full count, runners now first and second -- Stottlemure out to confer -- Crisp lays down a perfect sacbunt to third, play is made at first, one down

Torre is out to get Embree, Gordon is now pitching for NY -- runners at second and third for Peralta, he grounds to short, the tying run will score, the play is made at first, two away -- runner at third for Hafner, he grounds a clutch two out single through to right to score the go ahead run -- Tribe now leads, 3-2

Ah yes, the lovable Yankee suction chant again -- Martinez grounds to short ... Jeter doubleclutches and makes the play at first to end the rally

Chacon ... hardluck and snakebit again by the bullpen

TOP 8: Millwood continues -- Womack grounds to first, one down -- Jeter down looking, two away (replay: at the knees, strike three) -- Cano grounds to the pitcher to retire the side

BOT 8: Gordon continues for NY -- Belliard flies to right, one down -- Wickman warms for CLE -- Broussard bloops to third in shallow right, two away -- A.B.Boone flies to left center to end the inning

TOP 9: Wickman in again for the third straight game to close out the Yankees -- Sheffield flies to left center, one down -- ARod hits an absolutely majestic blast to left ... GONE, a solo shot -- the game is now tied at 3-3

Matsui grounds to second, two away -- Giambi blasts one to right ... that one has a chance, the rightfielder leaps ... THIS, TOO, IS GONE, another solo shot -- Yankees edge back into the lead, 4-3

Wedge will take out Wickman, Sauerbeck now pitching for the Tribe -- Mo warms for NY -- Bernie lines a two out single, past short and into left center -- Flaherty is plunked, runners now first and second -- Posada PH for Womack, he goes down swinging to end the improbable rally

BOT 9: Mo in to close for NY -- Crosby in at CF, Tino at 1B -- Blake pops to center, one down -- Sizemore grounds back to the mound, the is made to first, two away -- Crisp goes down swinging to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 4-3

Yankees escape BARELY ... still have the feeling that the season's slow and steady swirl down the drain continues, as the Red Sox and A's are still chugging along

57UP 49DOWN ... back in the W column

Posted by at 4:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, out here in the second city ... it's actually pretty nice. It actually could just be that I am in the environmentally controlled A/C environment ... but be that as it may, this place doesn't seem so bad ... compared to how built out the rest of this island is

Some tidbits ...

Well, Tristan Prettyman's album is out ... I only plucked STW from it, and noticed a reined in arrangement to it as opposed to live. I had heard LLL earlier, and thought that that song was also quite good. Haven't bought it, just have those two tracks

Another thing I noticed this week was that three singles from the Stones new album are of course available for dl from iT ... what can you say, it's like buying new AC ... nothing really changes stylewise

From the Morning Becomes ... obsession, I thought the session with M. Ward was really cool ... if you like stripped down music that has similarities to Tom W. or some Bruce S. efforts, you'll probably like his sound. Earlier this morning, got to listen to the Ry Cooder quasi-interview about his new album and some of the meanings behind this concept album

And if you like the emotional, ethereal, evocative female vox over ambiance music, the Devics sound pretty interesting ... although admittedly, it doesn't really move the genre forward, it's a solid effort for this style of music

Posted by at 12:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Same old song yesterday, the hole that starting pitching puts the team in from time to time

Inside, impressions of NYY at CLE (105/162)
---

TOP 1: Lee going for CLE -- Jeter lines to center ... a great sliding catch by Sizemore, one down -- Cano flies the first pitch to the track in center, two away -- Sheffield grounds to short ... Peralta makes a backhand stop and makes the play on time to retire the side

BOT 1: Mussina going for NY -- Sizemore goes down looking, one down -- Crisp also goes down looking, two gone -- full count to Peralta, the payoff ... low, he draws a two out walk -- Martinez goes down swinging to end the inning ... Mussina strikes out the side

TOP 2: ARod pops to first, one down -- Matsui blasts one to the rightfield corner .... in with a double -- Giambi rips one down the rightfield line, one run scores ... and Giambi in with a double -- Yankees lead, 1-0

Posada blasts one out to left center ... GONE!!, a towering two run shot -- the score is now NY 3-0

Tino flies to left, two away -- Bernie grounds to third to end the rally

BOT 2: Liefer goes down swinging, one down -- Belliard grounds to second, two away -- A.B.Boone grounds to the left of the mound, Muss pounces on it ... and releases an AIRMAILED ball off his back foot over first ... ABB to second on the throwing error -- Broussard goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 3: Jeter smashes a shot off the scoreboard in left ... he hustles in with a leadoff double -- Cano pops to third, one down -- runner at second for Sheffield, he lines a single through and into center, runner to third on the hit

Runners at the corners for ARod, hits a sacfly to the track in left center scoring a run -- Yankees now lead, 4-0

Runner at first for Matsui, he flies to center to end the rally

BOT 3: Full count to Blake, the payoff ... outside, he draws a leadoff walk -- Sizemore grounds to first into a 363 double play, two gone -- Crisp rips one past Tino and down the line in right for a two out double -- on the 0-1 to Peralta, Crisp goes ... and steals third -- Peralta grounds to third to end the inning

TOP 4: Full count to Giambi, the payoff ... high, he draws a leadoff walk -- Posada grounds to third into a 543 double play, two down -- Tino grounds to the left of the mound, Lee rushes to glove it and doesn't get it, a two out infield single -- Bernie grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 4: Martinez grounds to short ... the throw pulls Tino, who tags the runner to make the play, one down -- Liefer goes down swinging, two away -- Belliard bloops a two out single to right center -- A.B.Boone loops to short, the force is made at second to end the inning

TOP 5: Jeter draws a leadoff walk -- Cano bunts foul for a third strike, one down -- runner at first for Sheffield, he goes down swinging, two away -- ARod loops a single into center, runners now first and second -- Matsui pops to right center to retire the side

BOT 5: Broussard blasts the 0-2 to right for a leadoff solo shot -- the score is now NY 4-1

Blake lines a shot to left to the wall ... he hustles in with a double -- runner at second for Sizemore, he goes down swinging, one down -- Crisp blasts one to deep right center off the wall, one run scores -- the Yankee lead is halved, 4-2

Runner at second for Peralta, he flies to center, two away -- full count to Martinez, the payoff ... low, he draws a two out walk, runners now first and second

Liefer lines a single up the middle and into center, another run scores -- the score is now NY 4-3

Full count to Belliard, the payoff ... outside, he draws a walk and the bases are loaded -- ABB hits a flare to right, two runs will score -- Tribe have erased the Yankees lead in this half inning, 5-4

The Tribe has batted around ... up for the second time this inning Broussard, he loops a single to right, another run scores -- Indians extend to 6-4

That will be all for Mussina, Torre calls for Sturtze -- Blake grounds to short to end the avalanche

TOP 6: Giambi goes down swinging, he is tagged and put out, one down -- Posada pops to right, two away -- Tino goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 6: Sturtze continues for NY -- Sizemore grounds to first, one down -- full count to Crisp, the payoff ... he flies to center, two away -- Peralta goes down swinging to end the inning ... and loses the bat into the stands in the process

TOP 7: Lee continues for CLE, Howry warms -- Bernie goes down swinging on a foultip, one away -- Jeter grounds to third, two away -- Cano grounds a two out single through to left

Wedge out to get Lee, Lee had some shaky innings early but settled in -- Howry now pitching for CLE -- Sheffield is jammed, has his bat broken, and flares softly to the mound to Howry, who puts him down to retire the side

The Yankees appear to have folded up the tents, as they have played the last two innings fairly flat.

Seventh Inning Stench, Indians lead, 6-4

BOT 7: Sturtze continues for NY -- Martinez grounds a leadoff single through to left, past the diving Cano -- Liefer grounds a single up the middle, runners now first and second -- Belliard grounds to second, the force is made at second, one down ... the throw by Jeter is away from Tino, one run scores on the throwing error -- Tribe now leads, 7-4

Runners now at second for A.B.Boone, he draws a walk after working it full -- that will be all for Sturtze, Torre will call for Franklin

Runners first and second for for Broussard, one down, he grounds to second, the force is made at second, two away -- runners now at the corners, two gone for Blake, he goes down swinging to end the rally

TOP 8: Howry continues for CLE -- As has been a disturbing pattern of late, ARod down looking on a tough pitch to take, one down -- now begins the ever-endearing chant that speculates on Yankee suction

Matsui grounds to short ... the play at first, Matsui safe with an infield single (video was out, the replay: he was out) -- Wedge making a pitching change, the new pitcher is Sauerbeck for CLE

Runner at first for Giambi, he goes down looking (replay: looked low, oh well), two away -- Posada also goes down looking to retire the side

It's over ... when the bats don't come off the shoulders, it's over

BOT 8: Franklin continues for NY -- full count to Sizemore, he draws a walk -- Wickman warms for Tribe, Felix Rodriguez warms for NY -- Crisp pops foul ... Posada makes the catch, one down -- Peralta pops to second ... Cano having difficulty, and DROPS IT ... he throws to second to get the lead runner, two away

Martinez draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Liefer goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 9: Wickman in to close -- Tino goes down swinging, one down -- Bernie flies to right, two away -- Jeter grounds to short ... and makes the final out for the second night in a row, the game is over

FINAL: Indians win, 7-4

Fool's Gold.

Pitching = big problem.

56UP 49DOWN ... two straight losses

Posted by at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yankees back in play after a day off ... and begin a three game road series versus Cleveland. The enigmatic but largely solid Al Leiter going tonight

Inside, impressions of NYY at CLE (104/162)
---

TOP 1: Elarton going for Tribe -- Jeter flies to right, one pitch, one away -- Cano also flies to right, two gone -- Sheffield is plunked, on first via HBP -- ARod goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 1: Leiter going for NY -- Sizemore grounds to short, one down -- Crisp battles but goes down swinging, two away -- Peralta blasts one to left ... over Matsui, sticks at the base of the padding, a two out double -- Martinez lines a single through to left, the Indians wave the runner ... the throw home is there, the plate is blocked, the tag ... the ball is dropped, the run scores, runner to second on the play -- Tribe lead, 1-0

Runner at second, full count to Hernandez, the payoff ... he goes down swinging to end the two out rally

TOP 2: Matsui grounds up the middle ... Peralta ranges and makes the play at first, one down -- Giambi flies to right, two away -- Posada pops to short to retire the side

BOT 2: Belliard pops to third, one down -- full count to A.B.Boone, the payoff ... he draws a walk -- Blake flies to deep center, the runner tags and is into second, two away -- full count to Dubois, he draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Sizemore grounds a two out single up the middle, one run scores, the other runner to third -- Tribe now leads, 2-0

Runners at the corners for Crisp, he grounds to short, the force is made at second to end another two out rally

TOP 3: Tino blasts one to right ... gone, a leadoff solo shot that cuts the lead to CLE 2-1

Womack lays down the surprise bunt ... Boone fields and guns ... close play, he is called out, one down -- Jeter flies to right, two away -- Cano lines a two out single to right -- the 0-1 pitch to Sheffield gets away from the catcher ... runner to second on the wild pitch -- runner at second for Sheffield, he grounds sharply to second to end the rally

BOT 3: Full count to Peralta, the payoff ... ball four, he draws a leadoff walk -- another full count, Martinez also draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Stottlemyre out to confer -- Hernandez also draws a walk ... and Leiter has walked the bases full

Proctor warms for NY -- Belliard hits a shot into the left field corner ... two runs in, Matsui airmails over Jeter ... another run will score, and Belliard has cleared the bases with a double -- Tribe now leads, 5-1

Leiter couldn't get it done today, and Torre will turn to Proctor for long relief -- runner on second for A.B.Boone, he pops to short, ONE AWAY ... finally -- full count to Blake, the payoff ... he goes down swinging, two down -- Dubois grounds to third to end the inning

TOP 4: ARod grounds to third, one down -- Matsui pops to first, two away -- good lord Giambi just BASHES one .... foul to right ... and on the next pitch gets plunked, on first via HBP -- Posada goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 4: Proctor continues -- Sizemore grounds sharply to first, the pitcher covers, one down -- Crisp grounds to second, two gone -- Peralta hits a broken bat grounder to third to end the inning

TOP 5: Full count to Tino, he goes down swinging, one down -- Womack flies to right center, two away -- Jeter grounds sharply to third ... great stop by Boone who puts him out to retire the side

BOT 5: Martinez blasts the full count payoff to right for a leadoff solo shot -- Indians extend to 6-1

Hernandez grounds to third, one away -- Belliard lines a single over the leaping Jeter into center -- Stottlemyre out to confer -- A.B.Boone pops to right, two down -- Blake lines to right to end the rally

TOP 6: Cano goes down swinging, ball is dropped, the catcher tags him out, one down -- Sheffield blasts one to right ... WATCHES IT ... it hits fair, high off the wall ... and by dogging it only gets the single -- ARod erases Sheffield's hubris on the first pitch ... GONE!!, a two run shot to the same spot in right... just a bit higher -- Tribe's lead cut in half, 6-3

Matsui lines one right at Elarton ... self defense stab, two away -- Giambi flies to right to end the rally

BOT 6: Proctor now into his fourth inning -- Dubois flies to right center, one down -- Rhodes warms for CLE -- Sizemore grounds sharply to short ... Jeter knocks it down backhanded, an infield single -- Crisp pops foul to third ... ARod near the stands, the old dude in the glasses misses it ... ARod doesn't, two away

On the first pitch to , Sizemore goes ... the throw is there, Sizemore JUST beats it, he has stolen second -- runner on second for Peralta, he goes down swinging on a checkswing to end the inning

TOP 7: Rhodes now pitching for CLE, after a solid, quality start by Elarton -- Posada lines a leadoff single to right center -- Tino grounds sharply to the mound, great stab by Rhodes, he turns to start a double play ... AND THROWS IT INTO CF ... the lead runner to third

Bernie will PH for Womack -- runners at the corners for Bernie, he pops to short, one down -- on the 2-2 to Jeter ... good lord, that was a strike, called a ball ... now full count, the payoff ... Jeter grounds up the middle off the mound, Peralta ranges to grab and get the force at second, one run scores -- the score is now CLE 6-4

Howry warms for Tribe -- runner at first, two down for Cano, he goes down looking to end the rally

Seventh Inning Semi-smelly, Indians lead, 6-4

BOT 7: Bernie in at CF -- A great hold'em by Proctor, Felix Rodriguez in to pitch for NY -- Martinez draws a leadoff walk ... as FRod per usual can't find the strike zone -- Hernandez grounds a hot shot to short ... amazing stab by Jeter, who starts a 643 double play, two gone -- Belliard grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 8: Howry now pitching for Tribe -- Sheffield grounds a leadoff single through to right -- ARod grounds to third ... Boone charges and puts him out at first, runner to second on the play

That will be all for Howry, Wedge calls for Sauerbeck to match L-L against Matsui -- runner at second, full count to Matsui, he grounds to second, runner to third on the play -- the first pitch to Giambi is in the dirt and away ... the runner doesn't advance ... the second pitch is TO THE BACKSTOP, here comes Sheffield, the pitcher covers ... a great slide to score a run -- Indians now lead by the slimmest of margins, 6-5

Giambi grounds to first to end the two out rally

BOT 8: Gordon in to pitch for NY -- A.B.Boone flies to right center, one down -- Wickman warms for Tribe -- Blake lines a single up the middle and into center -- Liefer in to PH for , he goes down swinging, two away -- runner at first for Sizemore, he goes down swinging, ball is dropped ... he is put out at first to end the inning

TOP 9: Wickman in to close for CLE -- Posada lines the first pitch to first, one pitch, one away -- Tino grounds to second, two down -- Bernie drives one to left ... Crisp runs it down, leaps at the wall ... it hits the wall, and looked to have clipped his glove ... a two out double for Bernie

Crisp is shaken up, after crashing his knee into the wall -- trainers out to check on him, he will stay in -- runner on second for Jeter, he grounds to second to end the game

FINAL: Indians win, 6-5

One run short ... the magic apparently all used up in the past two.

Same old story, the poor starting pitching puts the Yankees in a hole ... the previous two games, they miraculously dug out with clutch late rallies ... today, they battle back but fall short. A positive of late is that the Yankees have been gritting it out, and haven't folded down the stretch

Middle relief basically did the job to today, after Leiter stunk it up -- Proctor looked solid in long relief today ... F-Rod couldn't find the strike zone as usual, but was bailed out by defense, and Flash looked solid

56UP 48DOWN ... falling further back in both the WC and DIV, oh well

Posted by at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In the wall ... or through the glass?

I think things here are really in for some changes ... just today, I saw that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against the admission preference for KS. It is interesting to read of this ruling because the 9th Cir is regarded as "the liberal" court, and I think KS thought they could win both at the district court here (which they did) and at the Ninth, which has backed OHA voting restriction in the past

I really wonder what it means to have our state under the mainland "color blind" standard, which sounds so ironic to say it, because this place for so long has been the so-called model of multicultural society and "tolerance". It is almost a Bizarro implication, where a person who is a majority anywhere else in the US ... can force entry into a school set up PRIVATELY and intended to correct the social and economic difficulties faced by a group that once was sovereign here.

The sad and difficult implication is that it appears another leg has been kicked out of the efforts to right the political wrong of the overthrow of the former kingdom here. The road to justice appears to be coming to an end ... whether people here want it to or not

Posted by at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of the major things that I have been trying to get my mind around over the past several years is personal cultural identification. It sounds more boring or obscure than it should

Okay, I was raised culturally as Jpnse ... this despite being of mixed ancestry. There is something else to be said about local culture here.

I think that it is the primary cultural identifier for people born here, even beyond identification with specific cultures. I think that it is this way because local culture has really subsumed all the groups here, and there really isn't that opportunity for genuine expression of ethnic culture ... I wouldn't know it as such, couldn't place it as such, and of course the home country culture wouldn't think that our version of their culture is well, the same, or even remotely similar.

So I think that there is a greater influence of being a part of local culture (perhaps this will change over time as demographics change here).

Here's where my mind turns to slushfloat ... take the same mixed ancestry person raised culturally as Jpnse, send them to a particular school, and all of a sudden ... they are more ETHNICALLY identified or perhaps a better term is culturally identified with something that their blood quantum indicates is a small to miniscule part of their overall ethnic composition ... Actually let me rewind, they are now politically identified with or politicize the fact that they are 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 of something. Does that make sense to someone besides me who finds it odd

I think personally, I accept the fact that I am a number of ethnicities, but honestly I primarily identify with one ... which coincidentally is the one that I am a majority of. I realize that certain ethnicities have cache here and certain ones don't really.

That being said, I cannot personally comprehend placing some part of my background out front ... or politicizing it ... maybe when I wasn't raised that way ... or maybe because I am 1/8 of something that I don't really identify that much with ... certainly not enough for me to go out and politicize it personally, and act as if I were truly one who was ethnically all of that group

Just thinking aloud

Posted by at 10:56 PM | Permalink