Heartland Pinstripes

I realized it when I was writing the recap of the game last night–I really don’t know what to think about the Yanks’ big four-game series with Boston starting tonight. It isn’t as though I’m not somewhat, cautiously optimistic, and it isn’t as though I feel the Yankees will get buried. I respect Boston and think that, their five-game losing streak and just getting swept by Damn Tampa notwithstanding, they have held up fairly well despite a lot of injuries themselves. It’s primarily because discerning the Yanks this year, for me at least, is a lot tougher than in recent years. Usually when the Yankees hook up with Boston, I’m able to assess how I see the teams, their respective momentum, the series history, and come to a fairly definitive decision about the upcoming series, right or (usually) wrong. The Yankees will take three of four, the pitching match-ups favor New York, the bats are hot–something comes to me or dominates my thoughts, steering me into a sense of wary confidence.

Not so last night, nor today. There’s no question I’m excited about the series. I that it’s pivotal though midway through the season. I like that though Damn Tampa has a 7 1/2 game lead, the Yankees are a couple good streaks away from making up most of that. I like that the team is five games above .500 despite continued offensive inconsistencies. I like that Boston has not been a very good road team.

Yet I can’t say that I either like or dislike the Yankees’ chances. My heart tells me the Yanks will take three of four, while my head thinks that although the Yanks are capable of taking three of four, the series will be a split or, worse, the Yanks drop three at home. I wouldn’t have guessed their losing two to Texas. Neither team has played well in the last several days. Something has to give, but I can only hope right now that it’s in the Yankees’ favor.

Thursday: LHP Jon Lester (6-3, 3.4 vs. LHP Andy Pettitte (9-5, 3.98), 7:05 ET, YES.

Friday: RHP Josh Beckett (7-5, 3.65) vs. RHP Darrell Rasner (4-4, 4.22), 1:05 ET, YES.

Saturday: RHP Justin Masterson (4-2, 3.75) vs. RHP Mike Mussina (10-6, 3.87), 3:55 ET, FOX.

Sunday: RHP Tim Wakefield (5-6, 3.72) vs. RHP Joba Chamberlain (2-2, 2.22) vs. 8:05 ET, ESPN.

I like Pettite in the first game, though Lester has had a pretty good year. The second game favors Boston with Beckett, who hasn’t been completely lights-out but has been good enough, and has been really tough on the Yankees the last year and a half. Saturday is the swing game for me, a big test for Mussina to not let the Red Sox and especially Ramirez hammer him. Though Wakefield is at times tough against the Yanks, I like their chances because they have also hit him hard, and Joba’s going. My money’s on him pretty much every time out.

But which offense will show, the one hitting with two outs and runners on or the one that fizzles? Can the Yanks keep Ramirez in check? Will the Sox wear down Mussina and Rasner, two similar pitchers going back-to-back (which I don’t like)? I know I’ll be tuning in. I just don’t know exactly what to expect when I do.  I’d very much like to see the Yanks treat this like an opportunity to move up, to beat even a good team when it’s down, to climb the ladder, and to start putting it all together.

Reluctantly, I say the Yanks take three of four.

The offense exploded in a big way, laying nine on Texas in the bottom of the seventh to erase the Rangers’ 7-6 lead, then adding three more in the eighth for good measure to rip Texas 18-7. Every starter got a hit, Brett Gardner got his first major-league hit with an RBI single, Giambi had a huge night with six RBIs, A-Rod is heating back up, Cano is improving, and the Yankees gained some much-needed momentum before the big four-game home series against Boston starting tomorrow.

Ponson wasn’t very good tonight, getting some defensive help before coughing up two two-run homers in the sixth with the lead. But again, the bullpen held its ground. Edwar came in and kept it at 7-6 through the seventh with two hitless, scoreless innings with three K’s. Nuke and Hawkins finished up the rout.

The Yanks got on the board first in the bottom of the second when A-Rod singled, moved to second on Jorge’s 4-3, and Cano ripped a double to right, 1-0. But Sir Sidney coughed it up in the top of the third. Boggs singled, Duran flew out, Kinsler singled on a bloop to center, Young doubled to score Boggs, and Hamilton singled to score Kinsler and Young, 3-1. But the Yanks responded right away in the bottom of the third, usually a sign the Yanks will hang tough as they did tonight. JD singled, Jeter reached on an error, Abreu lined out to right for the second out, A-Rod worked a walk to load the bases, and Giambi tattooed a 2-1 change into the upper deck in right for a grand slam, his 18th of the year and 382nd of his career, 5-3 Yanks. The Yanks made it 6-3 in the fifth in odd fashion. Jeter walks, Abreu forced him, A-Rod reached on an E5, Giambi was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Jorge walked on a 3-2 pitch. Hilariously, Sterling spoke when the count was 1-2 as if the Yanks would end the inning still at 5-3, presumptuously, and Jorge came back to work the RBI walk.

But Ponson couldn’t hold the lead throughout. Though he got a double play in the fourth and the fifth, he allowed two two-run, no-out homers from Bradley and Davis to give Texas the 7-6 lead. Edwar held the fort for two innings until the Yanks exploded in the seventh. After wasting two lead-off walks in the sixth, the Yanks salted it the next inning against hard-throwing but straight-throwing and inexperienced righty Warner Madrigal. Abreu blooped a ground-rule double to left, A-Rod walked, Giambi double to the gap in left-center to give the Yanks an 8-7 lead, Jorge doubled to right to score Giambi, 9-7. Cano singled, first and third no outs, Betemit’s 4-1 scored Jorge, 10-7, Cano moved to third on a wild pitch and Gardner earned his first hit and RBI, scoring Cano with a single to right 11-7. He then stole second and scored on JD’s single, 12-7, Jeter’s 4-3 moved JD to third, Abreu walked, and A-Rod cranked a line-drive homer to right, his 535th to pass Jimmy Foxx on the all-time home-run list and move to within one homer of tying Yankee great Mickey Mantle, 15-7. [Edit: VERY iffy decision to insert Madrigal in that tight spot in the seventh on the road. Baptism by fire from Washington.] In the eighth, JD’s single scored Molina, 16-7, and Abreu’s single scored Gardner and JD 18-7.

Ponson wasn’t good and worsened as the game wore on, but got lots of help from the bullpen and the previously slumbering offense. Giambi was 2-4 with a double, a homer, 2 runs and 6 RBIs, up to 52 now, and his homer was his 18th and 382nd all time, batting .268. A-Rod also dominated, going 2-3, scoring 4 times, driving in 3 (47 RBIs), walking twice, and hitting his 17th homer, batting .321. Abreu was 2-5 with 3 runs and 2 driven in (55 on the season to still lead the team), batting .284. JD was 3-6 with 3 runs, two RBIs (37 on the year), batting .320. Cano was 2-5 with a run and his 35th RBI, batting .248 and hitting the ball hard all night. Jorge was 1-3 with a run and 2 RBIs (22 now) with a double, batting .293. Jeter was 1-5, batting .279. Molina was 1-1 with a run, and Gardner got his first hit, first RBI and a walk, scoring twice in four at-bats.

Big series against Boston, who just got swept by Damn Tampa. Time to move up and make up ground, guys. Bring back lots of W’s, Mike.

If nothing else, the 2008 Yankees have instilled in me–and undoubtedly other fans as well–the wariness of not getting too high or too low, helping to forestall exceedingly lofty or demoralizing expectations until a defining characteristic other than slightly above mediocre play emerges. Just when I started to at least entertain, if not become enamored with, ideas of gaining ground on Tampa and Boston, the Yankees have dropped three straight after last night’s 3-2 loss. Worse, after scoring nine against Pittsburgh, the Yankees have only scored seven runs in the last four games and have been outscored 10-7. Thus, in two of the four low-scoring games the offense has squandered very good pitching.

Last night was no exception, with the Yankees stranding eight, five in scoring position. Jorge struggled with the Rangers’ base runners, who stole four off him, three by Ian Kinsler who scored the game-winning run, doubling in the ninth off Mariano. JD, Posada, and Cano each had two hits, with Cano raising his average to .245 and adding his 34th RBI. Betemit tied the game in the sixth with an RBI single. Yet far more often, the Yanks–as has been their wont all year–failed to deliver despite numerous chances. JD led off the Yanks’ hitting with a double and Gardner’s sac moved him to third, but Abreu and A-Rod failed to score him. Giambi was left on second in the third, JD was stranded on second in the third after his second double. The Yanks had first and second with one out after scoring a run in the fourth, but Betemit was caught looking and Melky popped out to Murphy to end it. Melky’s fly out ended the sixth after three straight singles tied the game. Time after time, the Yanks got runners on but scored too few of them.

Much to my chagrin, the Yankees have scored all of three runs in the last two games against the team with the highest ERA (4.81 as of today), second-highest batting average allowed (.279), the second-fewest innings logged by starters (two more than the league-last Yanks, who have a game in hand on Texas), the most innings pitched by the bullpen, and the second-highest batting average allowed by relievers in the AL. Yet the Yankees continue to struggle with RISP, wasting very good pitching against the highest-scoring and third-in-average team in the majors. Mariano blew it in the ninth, allowing the lead-off double to Kinsler who scored the winning run. I’m not giving Mariano a pass, for he has lost his games in just these situations when he needed to hold it–tied and in the ninth. But Mariano has been great this year, and there’s no excuse not to hit this Texas team.

Melky was 0-4 and is down to .240. He should sit tonight and for a few nights thereafter, even though Gardner is still looking for his first hit. Melky’s bat is a hindrance right now, no two ways about it. He’s 0 for his last 19. He’s batting .196 as a lefty. 88 of his 287 at-bats (30.66%) have ended on the first or second pitch. He’s worn my patience thin. A-Rod has understandably cooled, going 2 for his last 17. Joba was OK but a bit wild, walking four in four innings and allowing five hits, two runs earned, and fanning six on 91 pitches/49 strikes. Big praise for middle relief. Giese allowed a hit and nothing else in the fifth. Robertson threw two innings of hitless, scoreless, relief with two walks and three strikeouts. Veras wasn’t terrific in the eighth, allowing a walk and only throwing 9 strikes on 19 pitches, but his ERA is now 2.73–not bad. But this offense, this stinking offense that Hank ripped in today’s papers, isn’t cutting it. Righty Luis Mendoza (1-2, 5.40 ERA) faces Sir Sidney the Stopper Ponson (5-1, 3.50 ERA) tonight.

On a brighter note, GLG’s softball team won 8-6 last night, with their opponents losing for the first time all season. GLG had a hit, an RBI, two walks, and scored twice on good aggressive base running. The pitching was very strong against a good-hitting team, the defense was heady and minimized giving away extra bases. They played great, had fun, and took home the W, which is what we’d like Mike to do when he visits Yankee Stadium for three upcoming games against Boston.

Thanks for the comments while I’ve been busy, everyone. I appreciate that people actually read my screed.

Again tonight, the Yanks’ offense let down, failing to support Mussina’s excellent start. The only run came on a gigantic four-inning blast from A-Rod, whose mammoth homer reached the left-field bleachers. Giambi was stranded after a two-out triple, his first since almost exactly six years ago. Yet the Yanks got little at all mustered. The #1-3 hitters went 0-11 tonight, while #7-9 hitters went 1-9. Mussina was again impressive, going 6 innings, allowing 5 hits, walking 2, allowing 2 runs earned, and fanning 8 and lowering his ERA to 3.87 on 103 pitches/68 strikes.  Wasted opportunity to win a close game, and the Yankees drop to 14-10 in one-run games.

Tampa Bay beat Boston 5-4, dropping the Yanks back another game to Tampa.

As per Pete Abraham, the Yankees’ lineup:

YANKEES
Gardner LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Posada DH
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Molina C

Mussina (10-5, 3.93 ERA) gets Scott Feldman (1-3, 4.60 ERA) tonight at 7:05 ET. Though I’m posting late in the day, the Yankees called up Brett Gardner from SWB and inserted him right away in the lead-off spot. I like the move quite a bit. Gardner is very fast, has 11 doubles, 10 triples, 3 homers, and 29 RBIs with a .287 average in SWB. He also led the team with 59 runs, 68 walks, and 34 stolen bases (out of 42). He shouldn’t be allowed to rust on the bench, but should play in multiple situations (starting, pinch-running, spelling others) and should play especially if and when he contributes. I also like that he starts, and has a chance to show what he can do on base, against a righty. I’ll be in and out during the game. Enjoy.

Hi everyone and welcome to the Heartland Digital Living Room, where the hot dogs, chicken wings, and bratwursts are always fresh, the beverages are always cold, and the chin-wagging is always lively. Today, the Yankees go for the sweep of the Shea phase of the series, with Rasner (4-5, 4.50 ERA) facing lefty Oliver Perez (5-5, 5.29 ERA). More good pitching, like the last two games, would go a long way to achieving that. I’m opening things up early so I can go for a run and clean up before the game. Also, I’ll be on Yankee Fan Club Radio tonight, with the show starting at 6 p.m. EDT. Drop by and listen to Ty, Uncle Joe, and Tony. Also, come on in the HDLR, grab a cold one and a digital leather recliner, and enjoy the game. Let’s Go, Yankees!

1st: Top–Yankees go 1-2-3 on only nine pitches; eight in the Yanks lineup can or do hit righty, including Jorge at first and Betemit at second. Bottom–Rasner works around the lead-off hit from Reyes and the two-out walk to Beltran, jamming Delgado on an 0-1 fastball to get a shallow F8. Rasner through the first at 17 pitches.

2nd: Top–Yankees go 1-2-3. Mets score one, off three hits, a walk, and a sac, but Rasner got through on 26 pitches, and got Wright to ground into a 5U to end the threat, 1-0 Mets.

3rd: Top–Yankees go 1-2-3 yet again. Delgado smashes a 3-2 hanging slider off the scoreboard, 2-0 Mets, but he avoids trouble after a Church bloop and an IBB to fan Perez. Thank goodness for facing the pitcher, if only in that instance. The Yankees have mustered nothing at all on offense. That needs to change with JD, Jeter, and A-Rod.

4th: Top–Jeter’s one-out single and move to second on a wild pitch goes wasted, A-Rod fanned in a terrific, nine-pitch at-bat, Jorge’s weak 4-3 ends the threat. Bottom–Rasner looks better, working around a single to get Wright and fan Beltran on a fastball up. Rasner at 87 pitches.

5th: Top–Yankees go 1-2-3 yet again, though Betemit hit the ball hard twice. Bottom–Rasner is improving, throwing only 14 pitches and working around a hit, finishing the 5th with 101 pitches/14 in the inning. The Yankees need offense now.

6th: Top–Moeller gave a pitch a ride, to the wall in left pinch-hitting for Rasner. JD singled but Jeter swung at the first pitch, again, three outs. Bottom–David Robertson is in for his first major-league appearance, fans Perez in a long at-bat, allows a single to Reyes, Castillo’s single past A-Rod down the line made it first and second, wild pitch gave them second and third, and Wright’s sac fly to right made it 3-0. Beltran down on an F8. Robertson had to throw 25 pitches in what was probably a nervous first time pitching. Runs now.

Yanks can’t cash in on what few chances they have down the stretch, lose 3-1.  Kudos to Betemit for one of the longest home runs I’ve ever see in (and out of) Shea.  But he was caught looking to end the game in the ninth, and the Yanks mustered little off Perez.  Thanks to Joe, Mike, and Vanessa for coming by the HDLR.  I have to split and get some dinner going before YFCR.  Rasner was fairly good if inefficient, Robertson had a rough first but better second inning pitched.  But no offense.

Since the Yankees have reached the 81-game mark, achieving a 44-37 record despite significant injuries and some positively mediocre play especially in the first two months, it is a good time to perform some mid-year evaluations for the team. Below are my grades with brief summations, based not only on their body of work but also on what one can reasonably expect from such players.

Catcher: Jorge–A-. It’s hard for me to give him a lesser grade simply because the one big flaw in his first half, his difficulty in throwing out runners (25 of 31 stolen bases off Posada) has been the direct result of a serious shoulder injury. Otherwise, if one were to extrapolate (and yes, I will do that despite what a couple/one stupid knucklehead at Bombers Beat thinks) his numbers thus far after 118 at-bats to roughly 500 for a full year for Jorge, he’d have fewer homers, but would have over 80 RBIs, over 40 doubles, and his .297 AVG and .378 OBP are very good in their own right. I’m also not evaluating him based only on his 2007, but his career, in which 2007 clearly stands out. Molina–B+. While his bat has been more down than up (.230), this grade is primarily because of his stellar defense, nabbing 18 of 43 trying to steal (42%). Moeller–B+. Moeller filled in and contributed some timely RBIs and a .258 AVG, while also throwing out 7 of 19 runners. Who expected anything from Moeller, or that the Yankees and we as fans would actually be hoping this guy cleared waivers when both Jorge and Molina were hurt?

1B: Giambi–A-. Despite a terrible start, Giambi has picked it up dramatically, upping his average 113 points since May 4, banging the huge pinch-hit, game-winning homer off BJ Ryan June 5, leading the team with 17 homers, and steadily maintaining a high OBP (.398 now) even when his average was in the gutter. It’s only not an A because of the early woes, and Giambi’s inability to use all fields, reflecting his devolving into a one-trick low average pony. Ensberg–F. Batting .203 in limited duty, he never contributed and wasn’t a great glove either. We hardly knew ye, Morgan. Duncan–F. Also in limited duty, Duncan in essence revealed why he’s been a career minor-leaguer–too few hits, low average, 3 errors at first in 16 games. We rooted for the kid, but he didn’t cut it.

2B: Cano–C+. Cano’s defense saves him, only 6 errors and a .985% fielding all while struggling badly at the plate for nearly the entire first half, and after such a great Spring Training. Too few walks, poor plate approaches, haste, lunging and being out on his front foot, chasing low pitches, weak ground outs, .244 average, .282 OBP from only 14 walks. Pick it up, Robbie.

3B: A-Rod–A. One concern I had was whether or not A-Rod would follow the every other year pattern he had in the first four years–good not great, great, good with struggles, great. This year, around his injury, he’s been great again (.327 AVG, .410 OBP, 15 HRs, 43 RBIs, .602 SLG, 10 SBs only 6 errors at third) and returned from his injury hot.

SS: Jeter–B-. By the barest of margins, Jeter avoids the C range for a couple reasons. His recently ended 15-game hitting streak raised his average 14 points, he’s playing a solid short (lost range, sure, but he’s only committed 6 errors and has one of his better fielding percentages at .979), and not to be overlooked, Jeter started the year very well and probably would have better numbers if others ahead of him, such as JD, hadn’t had miserable starts. But that only goes so far when his walks are way down, his average is 36 points below his career average, he’s only stolen five bases, he only has four homers and 22 XBH out of 84 hits, and he leads the team having grounded into 10 DPs. He needs a big second half for the team, but also to quell some chatter about to what degree he’s declining.

IF: Betemit–B-. Nice productivity at times, still way too many Ks, iffy defense but thrust into playing some first. Decent bench productivity, but at what point will he be judged as unrealized potential? Not far away, I suspect. AG–B-. The disgraced former attorney general hardly plays, so I’m willing to give his low average somewhat a pass simply because he’s up for his excellent defense, which he’s contributed (one E while playing third). He needs more work and plate appearances to be properly evaluated.

OF: JD–A. After a wretched start, he’s picked it up and helped carry the team in June. From May 18, JD has raised his average 67 points, piling up hits in the last month. His OBP is high (.387), he leads the team with 20 doubles, and his setting the table has done much to rejuvenate the offense of late. Melky–B-. Also verging on a C grade, Melky is saved a bit by his excellent arm and defense, and that his career numbers somewhat mitigate how high we as fans can evaluate him. But batting .249 is batting .249. He should be running more (6 stolen bases). He doesn’t walk nearly enough and is woefully impatient at all the worst times. He still slides head-first. Abreu–A-. He’s been a bit streaky, his K’s are up a bit, his walks are down, and the average is down a bit. But Abreu has been very good, leading the team with 53 RBIs, his 10 homers have been important, he’s taking the ball the other way, he’s stolen 11 bases, and he still has a terrific arm despite showing some patented wall shyness this season. The Yankees should strongly consider a brief two-year additional stint with Abreu, especially considering how well he fits into their offensive approach. Matsui–A-. Though limited in the outfield even before his knees have acted up, Matsui’s bat has been really big the first half before the knee injury. Though his homers have been down (7), his high OBP of .404 attests to his patience. In somewhat diminished duty through splitting time with JD and Giambi, Matsui has fanned less and maintained a great average, .323. He’ll be missed.

Pitching

Wang–A-. He had a very good first half, with only a brief rocky patch bringing up his ERA over 4. His homers allowed is low (4), his walks were up a bit, but at 8-2 the staff ace. The Yanks will miss him tremendously, and hopefully he can return in September with a fairly fresh–and not too rusty–arm.

Pettite–A-. An ERA below 4, 9-5, he’s been great in four straight after getting shellacked by KC, had the rough patch in late April and early May. Yet he’s given about what we hoped while keeping his walks down.

Mussina–A. Believers like Jimmy and j-Boogie are to be credited for keeping it all crossed for a guy giving a 10-5, 3.93 ERA first half thus far–all from someone deemed by me and others as over the hill. He’s re-invented himself very well and creatively, throwing more slowly. I’m proud to say I saw his April 23 game against the White Sox, when his turnaround began this year. The Yanks would be sunk without him.

Rasner–B. 4-5, 4.50 ERA is about what I would have expected, give or take a decision here and a bit off the ERA there. Beaten up of late, he’s been mostly solid and helped make up for poor work from Hughes and Kennedy. Unless he falls apart or trades bring proven better starters, he stays in the rotation.

Hughes and Kennedy–Both F. No one expected such poor work from either–or both–of them, and that was with lots of patience from the team, me, and others. Not a win between them (0-7 combined), 7.41 ERA for Kennedy, 9.00 for Hughes, 25 BBs in 37 2/3 IP and two starts going six full innings in eight starts for Kennedy, 13 BBs in 22 IP and two starts our of six into the sixth inning for Hughes. I know they’re kids, but their stints thus far were horrible.

Joba–A. Great in the bullpen, great as a starter, and moved into the rotation fortuitously as Wang got hurt. A stud.

Giese–B+. 1-3, 3.50 ERA, and needs more work to be properly evaluated. Yet Giese has given the Yanks fairly steady if brief work, at least as good as what I expected.

Ponson–Incomplete. So far, so very good. But I won’t and can’t give a realistic grade based on one start for a second-stinter.

Igawa–F. Trade him and cut bait. Igawa sucks, especially for the $46 million in posting fee and salary.

Mariano–A+. The greatest relief pitcher in the history of the game has actually been even greater than usual. 2-2, 0.74 ERA, 22 saves/22 chances, 17 hits and 3 BBs in 36 1/3 IP (0.55 WHIP), 42 Ks (1.16 K/9 IP). C’MON!

Nuke–B. If I expected more, his grade would be lower. Thankfully I don’t, and he’s been pretty par for the Nuke course. More often than not, he provides scoreless if somewhat adventurous innings. 10 homers is an eye-opener even for Nuke. Some holds, but do we really trust him as the eight-inning guy?

Ohlendorf–D. Poor numbers, but not helped by being shuffled between short and long-man roles. Should get another chance somewhere down the road.

Hawkins–D. Nice guy, nice teammate, but poor 2008 for the Yanks. He wasn’t a high-profile, big-money signing. But he’s been better in recent years than 1-1, 6.03 ERA with lots of walks and getting pounded.

Edwar–B+. Rough lately after initial good work. Too many walks (12) in 25 innings, but no worse than Nuke.

Bruney–A. He was cruising until he got hurt, and his return would give the bullpen a big lift. 1-0, 1.59 ERA, 12 Ks in 11 2/3 IP.

Veras–A-. Still has Nuke-like hiccups, but is 2-0, 2.96 ERA, 22 K’s in 24 1/3 IP, and has given the Yanks a fairly good option for middle relief. Still needs more time to develop, but better than I expected.

Traber–F. Was the only lefty reliever in the pen and couldn’t stick.

Britton–A-/Incomplete. He deserved a fuller look, 0-0, 1.29 ERA in 4 appearances. Why he didn’t get one remains a mystery.

Albaladejo–B/Incomplete. This is basically an incomplete, but based on his limited work, he was pretty good and showed promise, as well as the ability to do short and long work.

Patterson–Incomplete. I can’t give a reasonable assessment on one appearance.

How big is it that the Yankees beat Johan Santana and the Mets today? Boston lost 11-10 to Houston, and Damn Tampa fell to the Pirates, 4-3, in 13 innings.  The Yanks are now again 5 behind Boston and four in the loss column, and 4 1/2 behind Damn Tampa.  Big, big victory today.

For the second straight game, the Yankees got clutch pitching to shut down the Mets and take a close one, 3-2. Pettite was very good through six, coming out for the sixth after a 53-minute rain delay and ultimately out-dueling Santana. Veras, Nuke, and Mariano shut the door by combining for three innings of one-hit, three strikeout ball with Mariano earning his 22nd save of the year and 465th of his illustrious career.

The Mets struck first when Ramon Castro blasted a deep homer to center in the bottom of the second, 1-0 Mets. The first three innings were really tight, with Santana fanning the side in the second, and allowing only one base runner through the first three. Pettite hung tough and got help from Melky’s great catch in center off Wright, and the Yankees’ patience paid off in the top of the fourth. Jeter and Abreu worked back-to-back walks to lead off, A-Rod singled to left to load the bases, Giambi’s slow 6-3 scored Jeter, 1-0, and Jorge’s sac fly to center made it 2-0. Cano singled, but Melky forced Cano at second. But Pettite held the lead thereafter, getting ex-Yankee Andy Phillips to ground into a 6-6-3 DP to end the fourth. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Reyes singled and Easley walked, but with Wright up Pettite whirled and picked a frozen Reyes off second to end the threat. That was pick-off artistry.

The Yankees added on a run in the sixth when A-Rod walked, advanced to second on Santana’s balk, Giambi K’d, Jorge received an intentional pass, and Cano singled to center to score A-Rod, 3-1, nice clutch hitting from Cano. Much to my chagrin, Melky swung at the first pitch with his F7 ending the inning, but it stood up for the Yanks after a brief rain delay. Wright led off with a homer on a slightly hanging cutter, 3-2 Yanks. But Pettite fanned Beltran and got Delgado and Tatis to ground out. Veras entered and was good, Nuke pitched the eighth and was better, fanning Beltran to end the frame. But Mariano, the greatest relief pitcher of all time, made the ninth look easy, earning the save on only 12 pitches, fanning two.

Cano was 2-4 with his 33rd RBI, batting .244 now. Giambi’s RBI groundout was his 46th RBI. Jorge’s sac fly was his 20th RBI. A-Rod was 1-3, batting .327, with his 10th stolen base and his 44th run in 60 games. Abreu was 1-3 with a run and is hitting .286. The Yankees’ #1-4 hitters each had a walk. The Yankees left eight on, four in scoring position, but did just enough in a well-pitched game.

I remember thinking before the game, as I grabbed a cold Foster’s motor oil can, that there might be five runs scored in all today. That was so, thankfully in the Yanks’ favor. The Yanks win the Shea part of the series, and the win caps their first half at 44-37, ahead of last year and not too shabby in spite of a lot of injuries and inconsistency. Pettite improves to 9-5 with a 3.98 ERA

I’ll post mid-year grades before tomorrow afternoon’s game, an HDLR event, and before tomorrow night’s YFCR appearance. Veras’s ERA is 2.96, Nuke’s ERA is at 4.00, and Mariano is down to 0.74. The Yankees are 14-6 in the last 20 games. Keep up the good work, guys.

There must be rejoicing at The Sommer Frieze, for the Yankees have called up David Robertson, who has dominated this year at AA Trenton and AAA SWB. Not someone with a gun of a fastball, Robertson is characterized as 88-91 with the fastball, with a sharp curve, a ground-ball pitcher but clearly capable of the K. In Scranton, Robertson was 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in 33 IP, fanning 48, and with a low 1.03 WHIP in 20 appearances. Adding a guy with the potential to go more than one inning and be effective would be a huge addition to the bullpen right now, since Ohlendorf cannot, Igawa cannot be trusted, Bruney isn’t quite back yet, and Edwar has been very shaky. Let’s see if he can be that guy. I just love that he’s getting a chance. Let’s hope it’s more than what Britton got.

In negative news, Matsui had his knee drained again, and the DL might not suffice to heal him.  The Yankees are talking surgery as worst-case scenario, not a good sign even if it’s only mentioned and only down the road as an alternative.  Expect to see more of Christian until JD is fully healthy, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gardner get a crack as the physical cracks form and spiderweb.