Via Buster Olney:

New York Yankees

Mariano Rivera: 21 games, 27.1 innings
On track for: 71 games, 89 innings

Scott Proctor: 25 games, 34 innings
On track for: 81 games, 110 innings

Kyle Farnsworth: 25 games, 24 innings
On track for: 81 games, 78 innings

Thoughts: Joe Torre earned a whole lot of praise for the way he handles players emotionally, finding ways to take pressure off them; he was a hugely important figure during the Yankees' dynasty. His handling of the bullpen the last five years has been a problem, and it's a problem again this year. He effectively overworked Paul Quantrill, Tom Gordon and Tanyon Sturtze, and he's doing it again with Proctor this year. He simply doesn't trust enough relievers, relies on too few, and by August and September, the workhorses are exhausted. Rivera pitched three innings Tuesday, which is the kind of thing that feels right in May and can really hurt a team later in the summer

Question over here Mr. Torre (raising hand). Why did you let Mo throw a third inning when you had a 5 run lead, Ron Villone sitting in the pen (only 27 pitches the night before), and no off day for another 12 days, effectively putting him on the bench for the next 2 games against the best team in baseball?

Down on the Farm:

Triple-A Columbus (3-2 win over Buffalo)
Kevin Thompson: 0 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
Carlos Pena: 1 for 3, 1 K, 1 HBP
Rob Stratton: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K
Jason Conti: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K
Wil Nieves: 1 for 3
Ramiro Mendoza: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K - 56 of 84 pitches were strikes (66.7%)
Matt Childers: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Double-A Trenton (7-5 win over Portland)
Gabe Lopez: 2 for 5, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 K
Randy Ruiz: 2 for 4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Shelley Duncan: 1 for 5, 1 R, 2 K - hovering just over the Mendoza line at .214
Felix Escalona: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Justin Christian: 1 for 4, 1 R - threw a runner out at home from CF
Jeff Karstens: 6.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 WP
TJ Beam: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K - first time all season he allowed more than 1 R

High-A Tampa (7-6 win over Lakeland in 12 innings thanks to 8 Lakeland errors)
Brett Gardner: 0 for 5, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 SB - 1 hit in last 14 ABs, threw a runner out a second from CF
Rudy Guillen: 1 for 5, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Cody Ehlers: 2 for 5, 1 RBI
Edwar Gonzalez: 1 for 5, 3 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 2 SB
Ben Himes: 1 for 6, 2 RBI
Brett Ssmith: 8 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K - 12-5 GB/FB ratio
Chase Wright: .2 IP, 3 , 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Elvys Quezada: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Low-A Charleston (6-5 loss to Savannah)
Austin Jackson: 1 for 5, 1 R, 1 K, 1 SB - threw a runner out a home from CF
Marcos Vechionacci: 0 for 4, 1 K
Jose Tabata: 0 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 BB
CJ Henry: 0 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 E (throwing)
Eduardo Nunez: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB, 1 E (fielding)
Tim Battle: 1 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 K, 2 E (both fielding)
Zach Kroenke: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 WP
Wilkins Arias: 3 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

...and this time it's for good.

I got to thinking on my drive back out West, and so far one of the big stories of the 2006 baseball season has been the fall of the closer. Francisco Cordero, Brad Lidge, Keith Foulke, Danys Baez. These are all former big time closers who've lost their job this year, and I wonder how much of this is because of the new ban on Amphetamines.

The big thing with "greenies" is that they help a player recover quicker, and who needs more help recovering than a pitcher than only knows pressure situations day after day. Just a thought...

Weekly Poll: It's been a while since I last updated the Weekly Poll, but rest assured, a new question is now up. As far as last week's (and the week's before that) question, more than 56% of you think Phil Hughes is the Yanks best pitching prospect since Andy Pettitte, while just over 21% think he's best since Gator, less than 7 % think he's the best since Whitey, and just under 15% of you think he's the best ever. I personally don't know who Hughes is the best pitching prospect since, but I do think it was before Pettitte. To help justify myself, check out BA's Top 100 lists, where Hughes topped out at #39 (so far), and Pettitte topped out at #49 in 1995. Anywho, thanks as always for voting.

Down on the Farm:

Triple-A Columbus
(Saturday: 10-3 win over Buffalo)
Kevin Thompson: 2 for 4, 3 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Kevin Reese: 1 for 4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Carlos Pena: 2 for 3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HBP
Rob Stratton: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 HR, 5 RBI
Jason Conti: 1 for 3, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP
Andy Cannizaro: 1 for 2, 1 R, 1 2B, 3 BB
Darrell Rasner: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K - 8-10 GB/FB ratio (61-29 on the year)
Matt Smith: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
(Sunday: 9-4 loss to Buffalo in 11 innings)
Kevin Thompson: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI
Kevin Reese: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 K
Russ Johnson: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Jason Conti: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Nick Green: 1 for 5, 1 2B
Kris Wilson: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, 1 WP, 1 HB - 2-9 GB/FB ratio
Mark Corey: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K - closer doesn't falter often, but did this game
Jose Veras: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Colter Bean: .1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K - allowed both inherited runners to score
(Monday: 12-9 loss to Buffalo in 10 innings)
Kevin Thompson: 1 for 4, 3 R, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP
Kevin Reese: 3 for 6, 2 R, 2 K, 1 E (fielding) - threw a runner out a 3B from LF
Carlos Pena: 1 for 4, 1 R, 2 BB
Rob Stratton: 1 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 K
Russ Johnson: 3 for 5, 1 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Wil Nieves: 2 for 6, 1 R, 1 RBI
Danny Garcia: 2 for 5, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1 E (fielding)
Jorge DePaula: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K - 3-9 GB/FB ratio
Matt Smith: .2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 E (throwing)
Mark Corey: 1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K - ERA ballooned over 2 runs in 2 days
Colter Bean: .2 IP, 0 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 0 K - quick, get him to the majors!
Matt DeSalvo: .1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K - relegated to mop-up duty

Double-A Trenton
(Saturday: 6-3 win over Binghamton)
Gabe Lopez: 3 for 3, 1 R, 2 RBI
Bronson Sardinha: 1 for 4, 1 R, 2 K - threw a runner out a first from RF
Ranfy Ruiz: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 K
Justin Christian: 0 for 3, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
Omir Santos: 2 for 4, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K - organization's top catching prospect is batting .200
Vincent Faison: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 K
Phil Hughes: 6.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 HB, 1 E (throwing on a pickoff play) - 9-2 GB/FB ratio; decent start, but silver lining is he issued only 1 BB
TJ Beam: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Justin Pope: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
(Sunday: 5-4 win over Binghamton in 10 innings)
Gabe Lopez: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 BB
Bronson Sardinha: 2 for 4, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Randy Ruiz: 0 for 5, 2 K
Felix Escalona: 2 for 5
Justin Christian: 3 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 SB - scored game winning run on WP
Danny Borrell: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HB - held his own against Mets phenom Mike Pelfrey (picked off 2 runners at first)
Charlie Manning: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
(Monday: 4-3 win over Binghamton)
Gabe Lopez: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB
Randy Ruiz: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Kevin Howard: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Justin Christian: 2 for 4, 1 RBI - drove in game tying R in the bottom of the 9th
Vincent Faison: 1 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 E (fielding) - drove in GW run in the bottom of the 9th
Tyler Clippard: 7 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
JB Cox: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K - 5-1 GB/FB ratio

High-A Tampa
(Saturday: 1-0 loss to Lakeland)
Brett Gardner: 1 for 4, 1 2B
Ramiro Pena: 2 for 3, 1 BB
3 thru 8 hitters: 0 for 18, 1 BB, 4 K
Phil Coke: 8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 WP
(Sunday: 4-0 win over Lakeland)
Ramiro Pena: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B
Grant Plumley: 2 for 5
Rudy Guillen: 3 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 RBI - picked off first
Cody Ehlers: 3 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Edwar Gonzalez: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B
PJ Pilittere: 1 for 4, 2 R
Jason Jones: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Justin Kennard: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
(Monday: scheduled off day)

Low-A Charleston
(Saturday: postponed due to rain)
(Sunday: 5-4 loss to Savannah in 11 innings)
Austin Jackson: 0 for 4, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Marcos Vechionacci: 1 for 4, 1 R, 2 BB
Jose Tabata: 1 for 6, 2 K
Brett Jones: 3 for 5, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K
Eduardo Nunez: 1 for 4, 1 2B, 1 BB
CJ Henry: 1 for 5, 1 K, 1 SB
JT LaFountain: 0 for 4, 3 K
Jim Conroy: 4 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 2 WP, 1 E (missed catch)
Garrett Patterson: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
(Monday Game 1: 12-0 loss to Savannah in 7 innings)
Austin Jackson: 0 for 4, 2 K, 1 E (fielding) - first error of 2006
Marcos Vechionacci: 1 for 3, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K
Jose Tabata: 2 for 4, 1 K, 1 E (fielding) - ditto Jackson's comment
Eduardo Nunez: 0 for 3, 1 K, 1 E (fielding)
CJ Henry: 0 for 3, 1 K
James Cooper: 1 for 3, 1 2B
Rolando Japa: 1.1 IP, 6 H, 9 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Bryan Rueger: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K - 5-0 GB/FB ratio
Abel Gomez: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 4 K
(Monday Game 2: 8-3 loss to Savannah in 7 innings)
Austin Jackson: 0 for 2, 1 BB
Marcos Vechionacci: 1 for 3
Jose Tabata: 1 for 3, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Eduardo Nunez: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 SB, 2 E (missed catch, throwing)
CJ Henry: 1 for 3, 1 RBI
Mario Holmann: 1 for 2, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 K
Jason Stephens: 3.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 HB
Eric Wordekemper: 2 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Last night I did something I hadn't done in a long, looooong time. It's been over 5 years since my last encounter in fact. It was expensive, wet, sticky but kinda slippery, and followed by a nap. Last night, I went to a Yankee game at Yankee Stadium (what'd ya think I meant?).

How long has it been since I went to a game at the Stadium? The last time I went Denny Neagle was the starter, Glennallen Hill hit a homerun, and Jose Canseco batted cleanup. Yeah, it's been a while. In between then and now, I've gone to a bunch of Yankee games in Oakland, but that doesn't even come close to the Stadium experience.

With my little brother in tow, I headed out to the House that Ruth Built, expecting to see my Yankees pummel the "barely recognizable as a Triple-A team" Royals. We left during the rain delay, but we did get to see the second greatest Yankee of my generation lace a frozen rope into the gap, a ball hit so hard he was held to a single for his 2,000th career hit (hey, that's what it looks like in the box score). Alas, I still have yet to see Mariano Rivera pitch in person (counting the games I went to before 2000, I'm in a 30+ game Mo-less drought), the closest I've come is seeing him warm up in the 'pen in Oakland.

It may not be that big a deal to most of you out there who probably go to a dozen or so games a year, but for me it was a big deal, and not just because I haven't been to a game in the Bronx for a while. It was my brother's first ever game, so I got to explain to him everything about Monument Park, all the history at the Stadium, etc. He had a blast, and it's hard not to have fun when an 8 year old is having the time of his life.

It'll be a while before I get to another game at the Stadium, especially with the vast majority of my Yankee game experiences expected to occur in LAnaheim for the foreseeable future. It was good to be there again, and it was great to see DJ get his 2,000th. Congrats Derek, hopefully you have another 1,500+ hits left in that bat.

PS: Kyle Farnsworth should be fined $50,000 everytime he throws 2 sliders in row. Dude, 100 mph fastball, use the damn thing!

Down on the Farm:

Triple-A Columbus (4-2 loss to Rochester in 7 innings)
Jason Conti: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 K
Andy Cannizaro: 3 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 E (fielding)
Carlos Pena: 0 for 2, 1 R, 2 BB
Mitch Jones: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Russ Johnson: 2 for 3, 2 RBI
Nick Green: 2 for 3, 1 K, 1 SB - former Braves farmhand came over in a deal with a D-Rays
Tommy Phelps: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
Jose Veras: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K - 9 of 11 pitches were strikes

Double-A Trenton (3-2 loss to Binghampton)
Gabe Lopez: 2 for 3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Bronson Sardinha: 1 for 4, 1 K
Randy Ruiz: 1 for 2, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Shelley Duncan: 0 for 3, 1 BB - BA down to .220
Tommy Rojas: 0 for 4, 3 K
Steven White: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K - ERA down to 2.05 in 61.1 IP
JB Cox: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K - 5-1 GB/FB ratio

High-A Tampa (4-3 loss to St. Lucie)
Brett Gardner: 0 for 5, 1 K
Ramiro Pena: 1 for 4, 1 3B, 1 K - boosts his BA to .083
Cody Ehlers: 1 for 4, 1 K
Hector Made: 1 for 3, 2 R, 1 BB
Chris Malec: 1 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Alan Horne: 5 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 10 K, 1 WP, 1 HB - those walks just keep killin' him (27 in 43.2 IP)
Chase Wright: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Low-A Charleston (8-6 loss to Columbus)
Austin Jackson: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K
Marcos Vechionacci: 1 for 5
Jose Tabata: 1 for 5, 1 K, 1 SB
CJ Henry: 0 for 3, 1 BB, 3 E (all throwing)
JT LaFountain: 3 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K
Tony Roth: 3 for 4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 K - wins a game in relief on Saturday thanks to 2 perfect innings, goes 2 for 2 with 2 R, 2 BB and a SB as a 1B on Sunday, now goes 3 for 4 with a RBI as a 2B on Friday. Talk about a complete player
Bryan Villalona: 5 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 HB
Edgar Soto: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K - 4-1 GB/FB ratio

I'm taking off for yet another cross country move (2nd one in a week!) this afternoon, so I figure I'll hit the land of tree-hugging metrosexuals that don't eat meat (a.k.a. California) sometime late Monday or early Tuesday. I'm not sure if Memorial Day is a big travel holiday, but I should be in the desert most of the day in hopes of avoiding any congestion (ugh, my poor car...)

I'm staying with a friend until I get a place of my own (which I hope will be very soon since the first of the month is right around the corner, prime move-in time), and he's a big technology nut, so I'm sure he'll have internet access I can use. I'm shooting for Tuesday, but I'll be back to IGWT by Wednesday the latest.

...sounded a whole lot worse than it really is:

Yankees catcher Jorge Posada has a torn hamstring tendon in his left knee and will be sidelined at least a few days.

Posada wasn't placed on the disabled list following his MRI exam that revealed the injury, but the club said Thursday that it planned to call up a catcher from the minor leagues on Friday. Posada is scheduled to be evaluated in the next few days.

When I first read "torn hamstring tendon" I was thinking months, not days. Phew. Here's the pertinent Yankee stuff Jim Callis mentioned at Wednesday's ESPN.com chat:

Jeff (New Orleans): Who gets drafted first Almonte or Maier?
Jim Callis: Danny Almonte has a higher ceiling than Jeffrey Maier. If Almonte were considered unsignable, it's possible Maier could go ahead of him.

Chip, NYC: Melky Cabrera or Jose Tabata?
Jim Callis: Cabrera now, Tabata for the long term.

Chip, NYC: Steven White or Alay Soler
Jim Callis: Soler. Never been a big White fan.

Alex (columbus, oh): Clemens: Astro or Yankee?
Jim Callis: Astro.

Jason, New York: Cano or Anderson Hernandez
Jim Callis: Cano by a mile. Not even close.

Alex (marlboro, nj): Cano or Kinsler?
Jim Callis: Cano. Look, I've picked Cano TWICE today.

Chip, NYC: Melky Cabrera = a young Bernie Williams?
Jim Callis: Noooooooooo.

Jeff (Iowa): Best looking CWS girls - South Carolina or Texas?
Jim Callis: Can I go with my alma mater and say Georgia? [from what I saw last year, I'd say Texas, but there's really no wrong answer]

Down on the Farm:

Triple-A Columbus suspended due to rain

Double-A Trenton (6-2 win over New Britain)
Justin Christian: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Randy Ruiz: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K
Felix Escalona: 3 for 4, 1 R
Kevin Howard: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 K - .227 BA, but I'd still rather have him than Womack
Todd Self: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 K
Jeff Karstens: 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HB
Justin Pope: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

High-A Tampa (10-5 win over St. Lucie)
Brett Gardner: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 1 SB - threw a runner out at 3rd from CF
Cody Ehlers: 1 for 5, 1 R, 1 RBI
Edwar Gonzalez: 2 for 5, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 K
Ben Himes: 1 for 3, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K - .239 BA, but I'd still rather have him than Womack
Grant Plumley: 2 for 4, 2 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 SB, 1 E (throwing) - closest thing to a porn star name in the organization
Jeff Marquez: 6.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Mike Martinez: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K - allowed both inherited runners to score

Low-A Charleston (9-2 loss to Columbus)
Austin Jackson: 1 for 5, 1 K, 1 CS - picked off first, threw a runner out at home from CF
CJ Henry: 0 for 4, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 E (throwing) - 9th error in only 25 games
Jose Tabata: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K - back from injury to show Vechionacci what a real number 3 hitter looks like (threw a runner out at 3rd from RF)
Brett Jones: 1 for 3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Marcos Vechionacci: 1 for 4, 1 R
Tony Roth: 1 for 1, 2 BB
James Cooper: 1 for 4, 1 RBI, 3 K - threw a runner out at 3rd from LF
Wilkins Arias: 2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Zach Kroenke: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 1 WP - picked a runner off at first

As if I needed another reason to dread staying with my mother the next few days, it turns out she doesn't have the YES Network. Errrrr.......

Here's what the kids did while I was on my little road trip.

Down on the Farm:

Triple-A Columbus
(Thursday: 7-0 loss to Richmond)
Jason Conti: 1 for 4
Terrence Long: 1 for 4 - Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!! What's the matter, were Adam Piatt and the rest of Billy Beane's rejects not available?
Robert Stratton: 1 for 3, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 K
Carlos Pena: 1 for 4, 1 E (fielding) - what a coincidence, another Beane reject
Mitch Jones: 1 for 4, 1 2B, 1 K
Koyie Hill: 0 for 4, 3 K, 1 PB
Matt DeSalvo: 4 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 3 K - 3 of his last 4 starts = crap
Matt Childers: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
(Friday: 7-6 win over Richmond)
Russ Johnson: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K
Rob Stratton: 3 for 5, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 K
Carlos Pena: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K
Ramiro Mendoza: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HB
Colter Bean: 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
(Saturday: 4-3 win over Toledo)
Terrence Long: 3 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Carlos Pena: 3 for 6, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI
Danny Garcia: 2 for 5, 1 R
Tommy Phelps: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 WP
Jose Veras: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K - 3-0 GB/FB ratio
(Sunday: 6-1 win over Toledo)
Russ Johnson: 2 for 4, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Rob Stratton: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 K
Wil Nieves: 2 for 3, 1 R
Danny Garcia: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 2B
Darrell Rasner: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Matt Smith: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Matt Childers: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K - sent to the 'pen
(Monday: scheduled off day)
(Tuesday: 4-0 win over Rochester)
Andy Cannizaro: 2 for 3, 1 BB, 1 CS
Carlos Pena: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Rob Stratton: 3 for 3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 HBP
Mitch Jones: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI
Kris Wilson: 9 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 WP - 14-7 GB/FB ratio
(Wednesday: 2-0 loss to Rochester)
Jason Conti: 2 for 4, 1 K
Carlos Pena, Rob Stratton, Mitch Jones: combined 0 for 12, 5 K
Wil Nieves: 1 for 2, 1 BB, 1 E (throwing)
Jorge DePaula: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K - 3-13 GB/FB ratio

Double-A Trenton
(Thursday: scheduled off day)
(Friday: 6-1 loss to Bowie, Adam Loewen made the Thunder look like a bunch of Little Leaguers this game)
Gabe Lopez: 1 for 3, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 CS - picked off first
Bronson Sardinha: 0 for 4, 3 K
JT Stotts: 1 for 3, 1 K
Tyler Clippard: 6.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 6 K - 9-3 GB/FB ratio
(Saturday: 1-0 win over Bowie)
Gabe Lopez: 2 for 5, 1 K
Bronson Sardinha: 1 for 5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 K
Randy Ruiz: 2 for 5, 1 K
Justin Christian: 1 for 4, 1 SB
Jeff Karstens: 6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
TJ Beam: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
(Sunday: 15-3 win over Bowie thanks to 6 errors by Bowie)
Bronson Sardinha: 3 for 6, 3 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Randy Ruiz: 3 for 5, 2 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Felix Escalona: 2 for 5, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2 K - send me to Double-A will ya...
Vincent Faison: 3 for 5, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Steven White: 8 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
(Monday: 7-4 win over New Britain)
Bronson Sardinha: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Gary Sheffield: 1 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 K - could you imagine being a kid pitcher in Double-A facing Sheff?
Kevin Howard: 2 for 3, 2 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Justin Christian: 2 for 5, 1 R
Omir Santos: 2 for 5, 1 R, 2 RBI, 2 K
Phil Hughes: 6 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 E (throwing)
Charlie Manning: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
(Tuesday Game 1: 6-0 loss to New Britain in 7 innings)
Bronson Sardinha: 2 for 3
Feliz Escalona: 0 for 3, 2 K - batted cleanup, what the fu...?
Kevin Howard: 1 for 3
Danny Borrell: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
(Tuesday Game 2: 6-1 loss to New Britain in 7 innings)
Randy Ruiz: 0 for 2, 1 BB, 1 K
Justin Christian: 2 for 3
JT Stotts: 1 for 2, 1 R
Jeremy King: 2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 3 ER,0 BB, 0 K
JB Cox: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 WP - was it Mighty Mouse that had the "Here I come to save the day!" theme music?
(Weds: 5-2 win over New Britain)
Bronson Sardinha: 3 for 4, 1 R, 1 K
Shelley Duncan: 2 for 4, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1 K
Kevin Howard: 2 for 4, 1 2B
Vincent Faison: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 K, 1 CS
Tyler Clippard: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
TJ Beam: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K - scoreless innings streak ends at 37.1 IP

High-A Tampa
(Thursday: 3-2 loss to Vero Beach)
Brett Gardner: 0 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Grant Plumley: 1 for 4, 1 K, 1 SB
Cody Ehlers: 1 for 4, 1 K
Matt Carson: 1 for 4, 1 K
Rudy Guillen: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Mark Carroll: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 2B
Jason Jones: 4.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Elvys Quezada: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Mike Martinez: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
(Friday: 2-1 loss to Daytona)
Brett Gardner: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SB
Cody Ehlers: 1 for 4, 1 K
Ben Himes: 2 for 3, 1 BB, 1 K
Brett Smith: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Chase Wright: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
(Saturday: 6-4 loss to Daytona)
Brett Gardner: 0 for 4, 1 BB, 1 K
Chris Malec: 2 for 3, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP - cancer survivor was called up so Vechionacci could be sent down
Rudy Guillen: 2 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB
Cody Ehlers: 2 for 4, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 E (throwing)
PJ Piliterre: 1 for 4, 1 2B
Ben Himes: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI
Jeff Marquez: 6 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
(Sunday: 6-5 loss to Daytona)
Brett Gardner: 3 for 5, 2 R, 1 2B, 2 SB
Cody Ehlers: 2 for 4, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Rudy Guillen: 1 for 4, 2 RBI, 1 K
Jared Greenwood: 0 for 3, 3 K
Leo Nunez: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI
Alan Horne: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Justin Kennard: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
(Monday: 5-3 win over Daytona)
Brett Gardner: 1 for 5, 1 R, 1 K
Cody Ehlers: 2 for 3, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB
Hector Made: 3 for 4, 1 2B, 1 SB, 1 CS
Phil Coke: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 1 HB
Josh Schmidt: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
(Tuesday: 3-1 win over St. Lucie)
Brett Gardner: 0 for 2, 2 BB, 1 K
Matt Carson: 0 for 2, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB
Edwar Gonzalez: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B
PJ Pilittere: 1 for 3, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 CS
Jason Jones: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Phil Thorp: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
(Weds: 3-1 win over St. Lucie)
Brett Gardner: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB - threw a runner out at 3rd from CF
Matt Carson: 2 for 3, 1 BB
PJ Pilittere: 0 for 4, 1 R - playing well behind the dish, but a backstop is still priority #1 come draft time
Mark Carroll: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 K, 1 E (fielding)
Brett Smith: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 4 K, 1 HB - 7-3 GB/FB ratio
Elvys Quezada: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Low-A Charleston
(Thursday: 7-1 loss to Savannah)
Austin Jackson: 0 for 3, 1 BB, 1 K
Eduardo Nunez: 1 for 4, 1 RBI
Marcos Vechionacci: 1 for 4, 1 K - demotion finally came, better late than never I guess
CJ Henry: 0 for 4, 2 K
Tim Battle: 1 for 4, 1 K - see Vechionacci's comment
Estee Harris: 0 for 3, 3 K, 1 E (throwing)
Bryan Villalona: 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Edgar Soto: 2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 HB - 10 baserunners in 2 IP, always nice to see from a reliever (5-0 GB/FB ratio)
(Saturday: 12-2 loss to Rome)
Austin Jackson: 1 for 2, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
Marcos Vechionacci: 1 for 4, 1 K
CJ Henry: 1 for 2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 SB
Reegie Corona: 2 for 4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K
Jim Conroy: 3 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 WP
Garrett Patterson: 2.1 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 WP - 4-0 GB/FB ratio
(Sunday: 7-6 win over Rome in an 18 inning marathon)
Austin Jackson: 0 for 8, 1 BB, 2 K - ouch
Eduardo Nunez: 2 for 8, 1 R, 1 SB, 1 HBP
Marcos Vechionacci: 1 for 7, 1 2B, 2 BB, 2 K
Brett Jones: 3 for 3, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP
CJ Henry: 0 for 6, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP
Tim Battle: 2 for 7, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 SB - the rarely seen, but greatly feared Platinum Sombrero
Reegie Corona: 6 for 7, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB
Irwil Rojas: 2 for 4, 1 R
Joseph Muich: 1 for 2, 1 RBI, 2 BB - drew bases loaded walk to the end the game
Abel Gomez: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 0 K, 1 WP
Rolando Japa: 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K - 7-2 GB/FB ratio
Cory Stuart: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Tony Roth: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K - oh yeah, he's actually a first baseman
(Sunday: 7-5 win over Rome)
Austin Jackson: 3 for 5, 2 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 K - nice rebound from 0 for 8
Eduardo Nunez: 2 for 5, 1 R
Brett Jones: 2 for 4, 1 2B, 3 RBI
Tony Roth: 2 for 2, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 SB
Zach Kroenke: 3 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 WP - allowed 3 HR
Wilkins Arias: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 3 K - 8-3 GB/FB ratio
(Monday: 3-2 win over Rome in 10 innings)
Austin Jackson: 1 for 5, 1 2B, 2 K
Reegie Corona: 2 for 3, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 SB, 1 CS
Marcos Vechionacci: 1 for 4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - walkoff double to score Corona
CJ Henry: 0 for 3, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
Tim Battle: 1 for 4, 3 K
Edgar Soto: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
Bryan Villalona: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
(Tuesday: 5-3 loss to Columbus)
Austin Jackson: 0 for 4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
Marcos Vechionacci: 3 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB
CJ Henry: 1 for 4, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K
Garrett Patterson: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 WP, 1 HB
Jim Conroy: 3 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HB
(Weds: 12-4 loss to Columbus)
Austin Jackson: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB - Jose Tabata gets all the love, but Jackson has been awesome as well
Mario Holmann: 1 for 5, 2 RBI
Brett Jones: 1 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 BB
CJ Henry: 1 for 4, 1 K, 1 E (fielding)
Tony Roth: 0 for 3, 1 K
Rolando Japa: 3 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 1 WP
Abel Gomez: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 3 K

...but not for long.

I went on one hell of a bender this weekend to celebrate my victory over higher education (each time I go I'm more and more convinced that Vegas is nothing but pure evil in city form), but in between killing braincells it became more and more obvious that I was going to be moving to San Diego sooner rather than later.

Not to keep going on about this, but I've pretty damn miserable without Amanda these past few days despite being back in the place I grew up (the fact I won't shutup about her is enough proof of how much she means to me). I figure that it's best to make the move now before I'm locked into a lease and am still getting myself established at a new job. So after I make the rounds and visit family and friends I haven't seen for a while, I'm going to pack up the car (again) and head out west (again) to get myself setup before she comes home from her trip. I'm also gonna make a pit-stop at Tiffany's, because unless something completely unexpected happens the next few days, I'm going to ask her to marry me in the not-to-distant future (good think she doesn't read my blog, eh?).

On to baseball: Apparently I missed some dynamite pitching performances from personal fave Matt Cain, and the always-fun-to-watch Jake Peavy while I was gone, but oh well. Phil Hughes had another good outing, but not the type of dominant outing we've come to expect. He'll be fine, it's still just May.

I'll wrap up all of the minor league events from the days I was gone either today or tomorrow, but I've still got a boat load of things to take care of, so I'll see you then.

Not the blog, but me. I'm done with school, and I'm skipping the whole graduation ceremony this weekend since I already went through it once at Penn State, plus my friend told me he spent over $1700 on tickets and cap & gown rental. Screw that noise.

Since a whole lotta people seemed interested/concerned over my little plight with Amanda, here's an update:

I didn't talk to Amanda at all on Tuesday, which was the first time since I met her in November that I hadn't talked to her at least once over the course of a day. And you know what? It fuckin' killed me. I was completely miserable all day, and thank God I didn't have a final that day cause I was not in the right frame of mind. Call me a wuss if you want, but I was a frickin' wreck.

She works late on Wednesdays, so I went home after my final and killed time by packing and helping the new kid move into my apartment and stuff like that. Ten o'clock rolled around and I headed over to her house to see if she'll talk to me. I was sure her sorority sisters had a field day bashing my the past couple of days, and that was verified with a nice little "Mandy (apparently they call her Mandy) doesn't want to see your worthless ass" welcome phrase as I approached the front door. Ouch, my pride. I managed to avoid the swarm of obscenities thrown my way and made it door, and her little sister Rachel answered. It's not her biological sister, but in sororities and stuff the new pledges are "adopted" by one of the older members who looks out for them and stuff during their time at in the sorority.

Rachel is the only girl in the house besides Amanda that knows me as more than just some guy dating one of the girls, so luckily she hears me out and goes to see if Amanda wants to talk to me. While I'm waiting my spirit is half broken from what all the other sorostitutes are saying to me (man, girls are friggin' vicious), but thankfully Amanda eventually made her way down the steps (still in her scrubs, yummy) to come talk to me. Completely unprepared as usual, I just kind of stood there in silence for a couple of seconds before she asked me if I wanted to grab a bite to eat.

I'm a sucker for comedy - standup, slapstick, any kind really - but more often than not a good comedian provides some valuable life lessons in the midst of their hilarity. Take this line from Van Wilder for example: "Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere." Now tell me that's not the truth. I'm bringing this up because a couple months ago I saw Kevin James (the fat guy from King of Queens) do a standup on Comedy Central, and he mentioned something every man should take full advantage of: notice something special about you girl during some special event - first date, first anniversary, whatever - and bring it up at a later date.

So we're at this little Mexican joint waiting for the food and it's kinda awkward. There's not much more than small talk going on when she asked me if I remember the first time we went to this restaurant. After accessing the memory bank, I come back with "Yeah, that was the time you wore those contacts that made your eyes the same purple color as the dress you wore. You looked beautiful that night." Hook, line and sinker. "Oh my gosh, you remember that?"she asked as she practically melted in her seat. "Of course I remember that, how could I forget" I replied in my most caring voice. That completely broke the ice (thanks a ton Kevin James), I apologized for being a douchebag and we started talking about us and everything.

I turns out she was just as miserable as me the day we didn't talk (booya! score one for my ego), and we've decided tokeep things going between us once we both move. Even though I said I wouldn't do a long distance relationship, I'm going to give it a shot because I realize how much she means to me. If things don't work out, then so be it. If I end up moving to San Diego in a year or she moves to NY, then that would be great. Chances are I'd move there, cause she'll be in medical school and there's no way I could ask her to leave that. All I know is that without her, I'm a disaster. She keeps me sane and makes everything so much better when I can share it with her. (awwww, how cute)

So I'm driving her home to San Diego later today and I'll be there with her until Saturday morning when she leaves for her 2 week trip to Europe with one of her girlfriends that she's been planning forever. Hopefully when we go to beach this time I won't scream like a little girl when I see a shark that in actuality is nothing more than a little 3 foot baby dolphin (dude, the fin was sticking out of the water). Anywho, after she leaves I'm driving up to go meet up with some buddies at the most beautiful and most romantic place on Earth: Las Vegas. After a night in Vegas, I'm going to go visit one of my old roommates from Penn State where he lives in Denver (ah the Sunshine State) for a day, then from there it's back to Jersey.

I made it from my mother's house in Jersey to Chico in 58 hours last time I drove across the country, but I hit snow and ice in Nebraska and Wyoming, otherwise I think I could have made it in 50 hours flat. Based on that, I think I can make it from Denver to Jersey in 35 hours, putting me on schedule to arrive in the Tri-State Area sometime Tuesday evening/night. If that holds up, I'll return to IGWT sometime next Wednesday. If I don't return ever, that means either a) I died in a horrible car wreck somewhere in Iowa, or b) I hit it big in Vegas and am currently in negotiations with Mr. Steinbrenner to become the principal owner of the Yanks.

So long California!

Down on the Farm:

Triple-A Columbus (2-1 loss to Richmond in 12 innings, I don't think the Yanks would be dumb enough to flat out bench Eric Duncan for this long, so he must be nursing something)
Kevin Thompson: 0 for 5, 3 K
Andy Cannizaro: 1 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 HBP
Jason Conti: 0 for 5, 2 K
Rob Stratton: 0 for 5, 3 K
Carlos Pena: 0 for 4, 1 BB, 2 K
Mitch Jones: 0 for 5, 2 K
Danny Garcia: 1 for 4, 1 R
Wil Nieves: 1 for 2, 1 2B
Kris Wilson: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HB - 11-6 GB/FB ratio
Matt Smith: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Double-A Trenton (7-3 win over Portland)
Gabe Lopez: 1 for 4, 1 BB, 1 K
Bronson Sardinha: 1 for 5, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 K
Randy Ruiz: 4 for 5, 2 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K - he's been a godsend for this team (.923 OPS)
Shelley Duncan: 1 for 4, 1 BB, 2 K
Omir Santos: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Kevin Howard: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 E (throwing)
Justin Christian: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB - on pace for 70 SBs, and he just might do it
Rudy Guillen: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Carl Pavano: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K - what a complete waste of $40M. I hope he cashes those $417,000 checks every 2 weeks with a paper bag covering his head.
Jeremy King: 3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
JB Cox: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K - scoreless innings streak ends at 21, but that's like picking on the Mona Lisa for her smile (44-13 GB/FB ratio on the year)
Justin Pope: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K - stranded all 3 inherited runners

High-A Tampa (3-2 loss to Vero Beach)
Brett Gardner: 2 for 5, 1 K, 1 SB - 37 games into the season and he's still getting on base more than 50% of the time (.504 OBP)
Eduardo Nunez: 1 for 4, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 E (fielding) - on pace for 51 errors this year
Cody Ehlers: 0 for 2, 3 BB - the Jason Giambi of the Florida State League
Marcos Vechionacci: 1 for 4, 1 BB
Hector Made: 2 for 4, 2 SB
Tim Battle: 0 for 4, 2 K
Phil Coke: 7.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K - 14-6 GB/FB ratio

Low-A Charleston (5-2 win over Savannah)
Austin Jackson: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 SB
Reegie Corona: 2 for 4, 1 R
Jose Tabata: 1 for 3, 1 K - led the GCL in SB last year, yet he was replaced with a pinch runner in 6th inning of this game (I hope he didn't get hurt)
CJ Henry: 2 for 3, 2 2B, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP
Chris Malec: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 K
Wilkins Arias: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K - 9-1 GB/FB ratio
Zach Kroenke: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K - 6-1 GB/FB ratio

Is this not the most annoyingly catchy song in the history of recorded music? I don't listen to this kind of crap, but it trapped me in the car last night and it hasn't left my head since. Dammit.

No more school for me. Ever. Oh happy day.

By the way, I got an email inviting me and my family to be on a Yankee version of Trading Spouses. Here's the text of the email:

Hello Yankee Fan,

I am writing because I came across your email address online through YankeeBlog Sites, and you appear to be a big Yankee Fan. I am a Casting Directorfor the hit Reality show on Fox called Trading Spouses, and we are nowsearching for the Ultimate Yankee Family for our upcoming third season.

If you're not familiar with the show, it's a kind of a foriegn exchangeprogram for moms. Two families have the experience of a lifetime when theirmom changes places with another mom from another totally different family.

Find out more at our website www.fox.com/tradingspousesIn exhange for your families participation, you will receive $50,000 compensation.

GET PAID FOR WHAT YOU ALREADY ARE: The Ultimate Yankee Family! We're lookingfor a family with Mom, Dad, and kids, (Step-parents, two-moms, it doesn'tmatter, just a family with kids!) so if you or anyone you know is right forour show, don't hesitiate to contact us.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please email me back or call medirectly at 323-802-0489. ACT NOW, we are operating under a major time crunch!

Best,

My family can't be on that show because we don't meet the 2 parents with kid criteria, plus my mother is Italian and old school, she'll beat the livin' daylights out of the other families kids if they talk back. If you're interested, email me at ingeorgewetrust@gmail.com and I'll forward you the email. Do it quick, cause I won't be around much after Friday.

So, was I the only one holding my breath after Big Tex plowed into Posada last night? The Baseball Cube has Teixeira listed at 6'3", 225 lbs, but I went to a game A's-Rangers game in Oakland last year, and there's not a chance in hell he's that size. He's more along the lines of 6'5" 240. The Yanks narrowly escaped a return to the "Bernie batting cleanup" era last night.

I've got a final to study for, so here's the minor league update:

Down on the Farm:

Triple-A Columbus (7-5 win over Richmond, where art thou Eric Duncan?)
Andy Cannizaro: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B
Jason Conti: 2 for 3, 3 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 2 BB - getting a chance to play with Melky and Reese in the Bronx, and he's making the most of it
Robert Stratton: 1 for 4, 1 2B, 2 RBI
Carlos Pena: 2 for 3, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K
Mitch Jones: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K - last year, he was second in all the minors in strikeouts...(to be continued)
Wil Nieves: 1 for 3, 1 R - count'em up, allowed not 1, not 2, but 6 SBs
Darrell Rasner: 4.1 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 K - hey, he did pitch better than Chacon
Colter Bean: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Double-A Trenton (2-1 win over Portland in 11 innings)
Gabe Lopez: 2 for 5, 1 RBI
Bronson Sardinha: 1 for 5, 3 K
Randy Ruiz: 1 for 4, 1 2B, 1 K
Justin Christian: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 SB, 1 CS
Vincent Faison: 0 for 2, 1 R, 3 BB, 1 K
JT Stotts: 1 for 4, 1 RBI - walkoff fielder's choice (not the most exciting way a game could end) Phil Hughes: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, 1 WP - once he gets his control back in order...
TJ Beam: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K - last time he gave up a run? 30.1 IP ago...(his ERA is a Playstation-esque .28)

High-A Tampa (7-1 win over Vero Beach)
Brett Gardner: 2 for 3, 2 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB
Eduardo Nunez: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 K
Marcos Vechionacci: 1 for 4, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 K - back in the 3 hole
Tim Battle: 1 for 4, 3 K, 1 SB - ...and he led the minors in strikeouts
PJ Piliterre: 3 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K - I've got a soft spot for this guy, and it's good to see his offense is coming around (.910 OPS)
Alan Horne: 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HB - 9-2 GB/FB ratio
Chase Wright: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K - 0-4 GB/FB ratio
Josh Schmidt: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Low-A Charleston (4-2 win over Savannah)
Austin Jackson: 0 for 3, 1 K
Jose Tabata: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Brett Jones: 2 for 2, 2 R, 2 BB
CJ Henry: 3 for 4, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI - raised his average 92 points since coming off the DL
Rolando Japa: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HB - 45-11 K/BB ratio, 11.27 Kper9 this year
Abel Gomez: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
David Seccombe: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

I appreciate everyone's concern over my little plight from yesterday's post, but I know what I'm going to do, and since everyone seems so interested, I'll update you tomorrow.

Update: No Maas depicts the comeback, PhotoShop style. Great stuff, classic.

...this post has absolutely nothing to do with baseball or the Yankees - with the exception of the Weekly Poll and minor league updates at the end. I'm going to commission IGWT to vent some frustration about a weird and unexpected evening I had last night, so if you don't want to bother reading about my pathetic personal life, I suggest you head elsewhere.

So I'm sitting in my apartment last night with my wonderful girlfriend Amanda, watching her beloved Padres lose a heartbreaker to the D-Backs when my phone rings. I recognize the number, but I can't remember who's it is, so I answer. It's an ex-girlfriend of mine (I won't give her real name, but I'll refer to her as Kate cause it's easy to type) from about a year ago. She's in town and was wondering if I wanted to meet up for dinner and catch up. I agree, and I tell Amanda I'm going to meet up with an old friend for dinner - which is the truth.

Now, it may not be evident from the blog, but I'm an extremely friendly and altruist person; I always put others first, to the point that it's a fault, and I haven't met a person I can't be friends with yet. It's been a little over a year since Kate and I split up, and over than time I've changed a bunch like I'm sure most of us have. I've lost a nice amount of weight, I bought a new car (mines an '05, not an '06) and I've got a fresh set of sleeves that are less than 9 months old (which I have to say I wish I had gotten them so much earlier, cause they are total chick magnets. If you wear a long-sleeve button-down shirt and cuff the sleeve so about 3 inches of the ink shows, it kicks their libidos into overdrive for whatever reason. It's good for my ego). So I take a shower and get dressed to kill (you know how it goes with an ex, you have to show them what they're missin'), which of course makes Amanda a bit curious. I tell her nothing's up - which is the absolute truth - and we''ll get together and go out after I get home from dinner. She concurs and we head out.

I drop Amanda off back at her crib and head to dinner. I pull up to the restaurant and I see Kate with some dude hanging all over her. I'm thinking to myself "great, how awkward is this going to be with her new boyfriend here." Well we head into the restaurant, get a table and order drinks and everything when it comes to light that this schlep is in fact her husband and not her boyfriend, which is uber-awkward. I didn't want to be a prick and mention anything Kate and I had done in past - you know, rehash old memories - so I just kept it simple; how's it going, how's your family and your hot mother (Kate's mom was a total MILF, I used to joke that every time Kate frustrated me I would take it out on her mother's ass that night), blah blah blah. Kate brings up some stuff like "remember the time we went to this place, or that place, or did this, or did that," stuff like that, which I can see clearly infuriates her husband.

I dated Kate for about 14 months, so for a long time she was a huge part of my life and I cared alot about her, but I can tell when she isn't happy and she looked it last night. Her husband was a complete jerk, trying to boss her around and shit which just ain't cool. We finish dinner and are outside in the parking lot getting ready to say goodbye when Kate asks her husband to give her a minute alone with me - which for me was like "uhhh...can't I just go home please." He gets all pissed off and says whatever she had to say to me she could say in front of him, so she says "fine, I wanted to tell him that I miss him and I wish I could find someone who treats me as great as he did." I'm like "that's it, it was great to catch up, but I 'm out like a fat kid in dodgeball."

I start to walk away when her husband grabs me by the arm and tells me he's not "finished with me." I'm from Brooklyn, so I'm genetically predisposed to having a short fuse, but I manage to warn him to let go of my arm before I pound him into the pavement. He lets go, and Kate grabs him and they walk away. I get in my car and I'm just trying to decifer what the hell happened. I drive off and pick up Amanda, hoping to end the night in a "happier way."

She gets in my car and says "we need to have 'The Talk'." Crapola. "The Talk" is what Amanda and I have come to refer to as the inevitable conversation we must have about what happens between us after graduation and I head home (meaning back east) and she heads home to San Diego. We've done a good job of keeping it on the back burner, but it's always been in the back of my mind, and I'm sure it's been in the back of her's. Amanda is great, she's everything I could possibly ask for in a woman; she's smart, funny, beautiful and best of all, she loves baseball. She manages to bring out the best in me and we get along great; we've never had a single little spat or fight or anything. Plus I met her in church so her folks think I'm a saint. Basically, she's way out of my league.

We get back to my place, and she tells me she was kind of upset that I went to see my ex-girlfriend (which my roommate was nice enough to tell her, thanks jerkoff), but I assured her there was nothing to it and that Kate actually brought her husband. She's like "fine, whatever, but we need to talk." We start talking and I tell her than there is no way in hell I'll do a long-distance relationship, and there's no way I'm staying in California. She looks at me and says "well you can't just expect me to leave the place I've lived my whole life so I could move back east with you."

Then it happened. I did something every man on the planet has been guilty of at least once. I opened my mouth despite the glorious absence of a thought process, meaning I talked without thinking. Without missing a beat I said to her "not for nothing, but I never asked you move back east with me." She got the "you son of a bitch, you're going to burn in hell" look and demanded I take her home. After some useless attempts at apologizing, I oblige and take her home. In the car my phone rings and it's Kate. I pick up the phone but I'm short, trying to get rid of her (picking up was a big mistake looking back on it). I say I had a good time at dinner but I need to go. Kate cuts me off and says she apologizes about her husband, and that she meant what she said about missing me. So if course, the fine acoustical work done by the Audi engineers allows Kate's voice on the other end of the phone to radiate through my car, just enough so Amanda could hear what she said. Amanda looks at me then promptly reminds me that I said nothing happened at dinner.

I told her everything about dinner, from the surprisingly tasty potato skins to Kate's asshole husband, but she's still furious with me thanks to my big mouth. Amanda lives in a sorority house, which apparently comes equipped with telepathetic powers because when we pulled up all her sorority sisters were giving me the evil eye, practically hissing and spitting at me. Amanda gets out of the car and tells me she had a great 5 months with me and wishes things could have turned out differently, but she never wants to see or hear from me again after the way I treated her that night, which apparently must have been pretty bad because she was fuming.

So now, the morning after, I'm fighting the urge to call Amanda and god knows I can't stop by her place to try to talk to her cause her sisters will cast some evil sorority spell on me before I reach the front gate. If you bothered to read this and have any ideas about how to rectify the situation, please, enlighten me.

Weekly Poll: An absolute landslide in last week's poll, as JB Cox received over 82% of the votes; confirming his status as the Yanks best relief pitching prospect. I figured Colter Bean would get more than 6 votes with all the Beaners out there. TJ Beam got shut out, ironic considering that's what he's been doing to opposition this year (hasn't given up an ER since April 7th, his first game of the season). The new question is up, and as always, screw you for voting (just kidding, wanted to see if you were paying attention. Thanks, really, I do appreciate it).

Down on the Farm:

Triple-A Columbus (6-4 loss to Norfolk, Eric Duncan sat out again)
Danny Garcia: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K
Jason Conti: 0 for 4, 1 BB, 2 K
Robert Stratton: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K
Carlos Pena: 2 for 5, 1 R, 2 K
Tommy Phelps: 3.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 1 K - plunked Lastings Milledge twice
Jorge DePaula: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K - 25 of 34 pitches were strikes
Matt Smith: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Double-A Trenton (8-0 win over Portland)
Bronson Sardinha: 3 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI - doing his best to shed the "first round bust" moniker
Omir Santos: 3 for 4, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1K
Vincent Faison: 1 for 4, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 K
JT Stotts: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI
Steven White: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 3 HB - hey, if they won't back off the plate...
JB Cox: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K - nails in the coffin, he's allowed 1 ER in his last 19.1 IP (5-0 GB/FB ratio)

High-A Tampa (3-2 win over Vero Beach in 11 innings)
Brett Gardner: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 BB
Cody Ehlers: 1 for 3, 1 K
Matt Carson: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 K
Marcos Vechionacci: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 CS
Tim Battle: 0 for 3, 2 BB, 1 K
Ben Himes: 2 for 5, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 K
PJ Piliterre: 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 K - walk-off sac fly
Jeff Marquez: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K - ERA still above 5.00
Phil Thorp: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Jeff Kennard: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Low-A Charleston (8-6 win over Savannah)
Austin Jackson: 4 for 5, 1 RBI
Reegie Corona: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K
Jose Tabata: 0 for 3, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K - reached base safely in 24 straight
CJ Henry: 0 for 4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 E (throwing) - first hitless game since he came of the DL
Chris Malec: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Jon Poterson: 2 for 4, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Garrett Patterson: 4 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 1 HB - 8-0 GB/FB ratio
Jim Conroy: 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 HB

Mindblowing Jose Tabata stat-of-the-day: When was the last time Tabata went more than 7 ABs without a hit? It must have been last year, cause he hasn't done it this year.

That's the end of the MBJTSOTD, but it sure was fun while it lasted.

I hammered out 3 of my 4 finals this morning, so while I had some free time I thought I'd update the goings on of the farm system the last few days.

I think my little "Games without a HR" feature on the left sidebar cursed Eric Duncan, because he's been benched since I put it up (unless he's hurt).

Triple-A Columbus
(Saturday: 6-0 loss to Norfolk, struck out 16 times as a team)
Andy Cannizaro: 2 for 4, 1 2B, 2 K
Carlos Pena: 0 for 2, 3 K
Mitch Jones: 0 for 3, 3 K
Caonabo Cosme: 0 for 3, 2 K, 2 E (both fielding)
Matt DeSalvo: .2 IP, 0 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, 0 K, 1 HB - 18 of 44 pitches were strikes (40.9%), the 5 BB were all consecutive, and all 5 R scored with 2 outs (here's the game log, cause that's a hell of a pitching line)
Matt Childers: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K - 6-2 GB/FB ratio
(Sunday: 1-0 win over Norfolk)
Jason Conti: 1 for 3, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 CS
Robert Stratton: 0 for 4, 2 K
Carlos Pena: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 K
Ramiro Mendoza: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K - uncharacteristic 6-8 GB/FB ratio

Double-A Trenton
(Saturday: 6-2 win over Bowie)
Bronson Sardinha: 3 for 5, 1 R, 1 K
Shelley Duncan: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 3 RBI
Justin Christian: 2 for 4, 1 R
Tommy Rojas: 1 for 4, 1 2B, 2 K
Danny Borrell: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
TJ Beam: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
(Sunday: 4-3 win over Bowie)
Gabe Lopez: 1 for 4, 1 2B, 1 BB
Bronson Sardinha: 1 for 4, 1 BB
Randy Ruiz: 2 for 5, 1 K
Shelley Duncan: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 K
Kevin Howard: 1 for 4, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 1 K
Justin Christian: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 1 SB - leads league with 21 SBs
Jeff Karstens: 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K - first start since being demoted (11-6 GB/FB ratio)
Charlie Manning: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

High-A Tampa
(Saturday: 3-2 win over Jupiter)
Eduardo Nunez: 0 for 4, 1 K
Brett Gardner: 0 for 0, 1 R, 1 BB - PH & scored go ahead run in the top of the 9th
Cody Ehlers: 1 for 4
Marcos Vechionacci: 2 for 4, 1 K
PJ Pilittere: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K - C threw out 2 potential base stealers
Brett Smith: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 1 WP
(Sunday: scheduled off day)

Low-A Charleston
(Saturday: 4-3 loss to Rome)
Austin Jackson: 3 for 5, 1 RBI, 2 K - thrown out at second trying to stretch a single into a double
Mario Holmann: 2 for 3, 1 BB, 3 SB
Jose Tabata: 1 for 4, 1 RBI, 2 K
Brett Jones: 2 for 4
CJ Henry: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 E (throwing) - 6th error in 15 games
Edgar Soto: 3 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Bryan Villalona: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
(Sunday: scheduled off day)

Mindblowing Jose Tabata stat-of-the-day: If you were worried about Tabata's plate discipline after he struck out 17 times and walked only once in his first 15 games, well, Tabs has struck out only 9 times and drawn 5 walks in his last 21 games...while registering 29 H and 17 RBI.

Posting is going to be a little light here at IGWT for the next few days as I prepare to take the last round of finals in the my life.

Be sure to head over to Yankee Prospects to get your daily prospect update and minor league fix.

Also, Happy Birthday to Mo's heir apparent, JB Cox, who turns 22 today.

Down on the Farm:

Triple-A Columbus (4-3 loss to Norfolk)
Kevin Thompson: 3 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Carlos Pena: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 3 K
Eric Duncan: 0 for 4, 2 K
Kris Wilson: 7 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K - 8-4 GB/FB ratio
Colter Bean: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Double-A Trenton (4-1 win over Bowie)
Gabe Lopez: 1 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Bronson Sardinha: 1 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Randy Ruiz: 0 for 3, 1 RBI
Justin Christian: 1 for 4, 1 K, 1 SB
Rudy Guillen: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K - threw a runner out at third from LF
JT Stotts: 2 for 3, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 SB
Carl Pavano: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 K - now just do that against ML hitters (10-1 GB/FB ratio)
TJ Beam: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

High-A Tampa (5-1 loss to Jupiter)
Brett Gardner: 0 for 4
Eduardo Nunez: 0 for 4, 2 K
Cody Ehlers: 0 for 4
Marcos Vechionacci: 0 for 4, 1 E (throwing) - 11th error already
Tim Battle: 1 for 4, 1 SB
Phil Coke: 6 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 3 WP, 1 HB - 10-2 GB/FB ratio

Low-A Charleston (3-1 loss to Rome)
Austin Jackson: 0 for 4, 2 K
Reegie Corona: 0 for 4, 2 K
Jose Tabata: 0 for 2, 1 BB, 1 K
CJ Henry: 1 for 3, 1 R, 2 K, 1 SB
Chris Malec: 1 for 2, 1 RBI
Zach Kroenke: 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 2 WP - 6-1 GB/FB ratio
Wilkins Arias: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Mindblowing Jose Tabata stat-of-the-day: Of SAL hitters with at least 130 ABs, Tabata's .356 BA is the best...by 33 points.

...a man's man. Classic.

(hat tip lupe velez)

Torii Hunter? too expensive
Shannon Stewart? too moody
Aubrey Huff? too crappy

Those were the names mentioned as potential targets on the late Baseball Tonight following the Matsui injury (funny how a devastating injury makes the individual game feel insignificant, although Farnsworth was flat-out dealin'). The trade market is pretty bare, unless you want to pick up some dead weight like Shawn Green or Jeromy Burnitz or Matt Stairs (thanks, but no thanks). There's always the option of a guy like Reggie Sanders, who's been through the wars and wouldn't shy away from the New York spotlight. He'd be a good fill in until Sheff and Matsui were healthy, then he'd make one heck of a DH. But what would the Royals want in return for him? More than I'd be willing to pay, that's for sure.

Another potential option could be Eric Hinske (don't laugh, I'm serious) who's made the shift to the outfield this year to accommodate Lyle Overbay. Over the last year he's raked at Yankee Stadium and raked against the Red Sox. What more could you ask for from a 12 week fill-in (hopefully it's just 12 weeks)? For whatever reason, Hinske has always struck me as one of those guys that was born to wear pinstripes, even back when he was a Cubs prospect. Toronto is looking for any excuse to dump him, maybe Cash could pull off a minor miracle and get Hinske for nothing of real value (i.e. Tanyon Sturtze). Hey, he did manage to get not 1, but 2 players for Tony Womack.

The biggest loser in this whole Matsui-Sheff injury situation is A-Rod, cause he's not going to get a damn thing to hit now. It might be best if Torre flip-flops A-Rod and Giambi in the lineup, because something tells me A-Rod is going to try to hit the proverbial 5 run HR each AB with Sheff and Matsui out. Giambi would give him some protection, and if there's one thing we know about Jason, it's that he'll stick to his game plan hell or high water. He'll continue to take his walks behind A-Rod, and continue to crush mistakes. Pitchers have to be a lot closer to perfect to get Giambi out than A-Rod.

All in all, let's hope Cashman gives Melky a chance to play in left and Bubba in right full-time for a week or so (or until they prove they can't handle it) before doing something drastic. The Yanks are going to have to start playing some more (gasp!) small-ball, because the offensive thunder has been reduced to partly cloudy with a chance of rain. I highly doubt a David Justice is going to ride in on a white horse and save the day this time (Shane Spencer, where art thou?). You never know, maybe Melky will be this year's Robbie Cano.

Bryan Smith at the great Baseball Analysts has this to say about the Yankees farm system:

So much for Eric Duncan's big turnaround as a prospect, huh? The first baseman is hitting .228/.295/.277 in a season when Jason Giambi has a .500+ on-base percentage. Duncan's strikeouts are down, which is nice, but where oh where are the power numbers? ... If you think the support Cole Hamels has gotten for his call-up has been extensive, think about Phil Hughes' upcoming promotion. No, it won't be too soon, but an August injury could bring a phenom to New York.

If not Hughes, then who's this phenom they're going to call up? Darrell Rasner and Matt DeSalvo are the one's likely to get the call if needed, (in that order) and they ain't phenoms.

Down on the Farm:

Triple-A Columbus (3-2 win over Richmond in 12 innings)
Kevin Thompson: 1 for 5, 1 K, 1 SB
Kevin Reese: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 SB - called up after the game
Russ Johnson: 2 for 5, 1 R
Carlos Pena: 2 for 5, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 E (fielding)
Mitch Jones: 0 for 4, 1 RBI, 2 K
Eric Duncan: 0 for 5, 1 K - I'm begging you, please send him back to Trenton so he can get back on track
Andy Cannizaro: 2 for 5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI - walk-off HR from the guy with the same number of career HR in 6 years as vowels in his name
Darrell Rasner: 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 HB - 73 of 105 pitches were strikes, 12-1 GB/FB ratio (sorry Nats, no trade-backs...unless we get Fonsy)
Colter Bean: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Matt Smith: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K - seems like he has an easier time getting big leaguers out than Triple-A guys

Double-A Trenton (3-2 loss to Bowie)
Gabe Lopez: 0 for 2, 2 BB
Bronson Sardinha: 0 for 4, 1 K
Randy Ruiz: 1 for 3, 1 BB, 1 K
Shelley Duncan: 0 for 4, 2 K
Justin Christian: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 K, 2 SB - dropped to 6th in the order
Omir Santos: 1 for 2, 1 2B, 2 RBI
Tyler Clippard: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HB
JB Cox: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HB - 14.1 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 12 K last 6 outings

High-A Tampa (2-1 win over Jupiter in 11 innings)
Brett Gardner: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K - scored GW run (who else would it be?)
Eduardo Nunez: 1 for 5
Cody Ehlers: 0 for 5, 3 K - 7 game hit streak snapped, his BA dropped 34 points during the streak, that's how hot he was in April
Matt Carson: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 HBP - drove in Gardner with a GW sac fly
Tim Battle: 1 for 4 - thrown out at second trying to stretch a single into a double (dumbass)
Jared Greenwood: 0 for 5, 1 K - as if that wasn't bad enough, C allowed 6 SBs
Alan Horne: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 1 HB - if you're keeping track at home, that's 15 IP, 6 H, 18 K combined during his last 3 starts
Josh Schmidt: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HB - bouncing back from season starting slump

Low-A Charleston
(Game 1: 3-1 loss to Rome in 7 innings)
Action Jackson: 0 for 2, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SB
Jose Tabata: 1 for 3, 1 3B, 1 K
CJ Henry: 1 for 3, 1 2B, 1 K, 1 CS, 1 E (fielding)
Chris Malec: 0 for 3, 2 K
Garrett Patterson: 4 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HB - first appearance since being promoted from extended spring training (7-3 GB/FB ratio)
Abel Gomez: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
(Game 2: 7-0 win over Rome in 7 innings, perfection was nothing more than first inning leadoff single away)
Austin Jackson: 0 for 4, 1 R, 2 K
Reegie Corona: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 SB
Jose Tabata: 0 for 2, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP - 9 game hit streak ends, reached base safely in the last 14 however
Brett Jones: 2 for 3, 3 RBI, 1 K
CJ Henry: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K - .357-.400-.571-.971 since coming off the DL
Wilkins DeLaRossa: 1 for 2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K
Jim Conroy: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Rolando Japa: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K - now that's domination

Mindblowing Jose Tabata stat-of-the-day: Sometimes the numbers just speak for themselves:

David Ortiz: .256-.377-.627-.987 in 43 ABs with RISP
Jose Tabata: .541-.561-.757-1.318 in 37 ABs with RISP

This is the best thing to hit the intranet since this ;-)

As if the Matsui injury wasn't bad enough, I was killing some time before the game by playing MVP 2006, and my 25 HR, 60 RBI, Gold Glove RF/cleanup hitter tore his ACL in the first game of the Conference Tournament. The Yankees will survive Matsui's injury, my team is screwed.

After a thorough beat-down on Tuesday, the Yanks pitched their way to a win in a game that appeared to be heading south by the top of the 2nd. I was going to keep track of Moose's velocity, but the ESPN radar gun was all over the place, reporting 100+ mph fastballs and 50 mph curves before disappearing all together in the 5th. I did keep track of first pitch strikes, which more often than not shows you how each pitcher was doing, and guess what:

Moose didn't throw a first pitch ball until the leadoff batter in the 3rd inning, the 10th batter he faced. He had the Sawx hitters off balance all night with the way he mixed up his pitches, 4 of his 5 K's were of the called strike 3 variety. The only blemish in his game was David Ortiz, who managed to go 4 for 4 on the night before being rolled back into the ocean. He looked like the Moose of old, minus the 93-95 mph fastball.

Melky Cabrera was damn impressive. His outfield play was adequate, as he got a smattering of sarcastic/encouraging cheers after each fly ball he tracked down. He's got a real quick bat at the plate, and even though he didn't get a hit, he engaged Curt Schilling in some serious battles in his 2 ABs against the Sox ace. He fouled off a total of 8 pitches in those 2 ABs (4 when he had 2 strikes), working deep into the count both times. It looks like he's put last year's call-up well behind him.

As far as Melky's prospect brethren, Jose Tabata was featured in yesterday's Daily Dish by BA:

It was just another night for the Yankees' Jose Tabata. The 17-year-old had three more hits, including a double, for low Class A Charleston to extend his hitting streak to eight games and raise his season line to .368/.398/.552.

"He is just a pretty special kid," Charleston manager Bill Mosiello said. "He uses the whole field, and his power numbers are going to get even better as he learns to command the strike zone. "He has great barrel awareness. (He) always gets the fat part of the bat on the ball."

The outfielder's name is littered among the South Atlantic League leaders. He ranks third in hitting with a .368 average while leading the league in hits (46), and he's second in RBIs (31), doubles (14) and extra-base hits (17).With just four walks as opposed to 23 strikeouts, plate discipline appears to be his only flaw as a hitter. But when you are hitting .338 in your pro career, that just seems like nitpicking.

"For his age, he just needs at-bats," Mosiello said. "He puts the ball in play so often, he doesn't get so many walks because doesn't miss his pitches when he gets them."

"Last year he had one more walk than strikeout, so it is not like he has a history of not walking."
...
"He needs to see the difference between swinging at strikes and swinging at your strikes."

If he does learn the difference, the sky is the limit, because simply swinging at strikes has been a successful formula thus far.

And in grand Thursday tradition, here's the highlights from Jim Callis' ESPN chat:

Mike A. (Chico, CA): Thanks for taking our questions Jim - Jose Tabata has been tearing the cover off the ball with a .950 OPS; only 8 players in baseball have more RBIs than the 17 yr old (5 of them are in the bigs). Do you think the Yankees will rush him and promote him to Tampa sometime this season? Being rushed certainly didn't help Eric Duncan any. Thanks again.
Jim Callis: Duncan got rushed primarily to try to boost his trade value. Tabata is younger, and I would hope the Yankees would have the sense to let him tear up low Class A for a while. If he continues to do so, I could see promoting him in mid-July or so. Duncan was having a good but not great year when he got promoted, and he was older to boot.

Jordan(CT): Robinson Cano or Rickie Weeks
Jim Callis: Let's go to the lightning round of either/or questions . . . Weeks. Neither guy looks like a 2B, though.

James(NYC): Lester or Hughes, and if you say Lester after how he's pitched this season I might flip out...
Jim Callis: Don't flip out. I'd take Hughes right now, too.

aaron (allston ma): AA: 148.1 ip, 163k, 57bb, 10HR, 2.61 ERA or HiA: 30 ip, 30k, 2bb, 0 hr, 1.80 ERA. You just chose the latter because of a slow start in AAA?
Jim Callis: I'm fickle. There's not a huge difference between Lester and Hughes, and right now Hughes is throwing better.

Andrew (Boston, MA): Tabata or Andrus?
Jim Callis: Jose Tabata.

pete, nyc: tabata or fernando martinez?
Jim Callis: Fernando Martinez

Carl(Boston,MA): Beckett or Schilling as your Game 7 WS starter? Same Question Mussina or Johnson?
Jim Callis: Schilling and Mussina.

Rick H. (Yakima, Wa.): Whats wrong with the Big Unit? Hurt or washed up?
Jim Callis: Neither. He's lost something off his fastball but he can still win if he trusts it more.

Reggie (New York): Jim Leyland or Joe Torre?
Jim Callis: Torre.

Henry(Hartford, CT): how can Papelbon be compared to Mariano rivera when papelbon has what is it,10 saves?? Come on now!!!
Jim Callis: Agreed. Anyone who does that is getting way ahead of himself. Now I'm heading back to the draft phones . . .

Down on the Farm:

Triple-A Columbus rained out

Double-A Trenton (5-2 win over Portland, I coulda sworn there was a doubleheader yesterday, but I guess not)
Justin Christian: 0 for 5, 2 K, 1 SB, 1 CS - first time caught stealing all year (18 attempts)
Bronson Sardinha: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 BB
Randy Ruiz: 3 for 4, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Shelley Duncan: 2 for 4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - if only he could rub some of that off on the other Duncan
Tommy Rojas: 1 for 4, 1 RBI
Phil Hughes: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 WP - allowed 1st HR in over a year (2nd career)
TJ Beam: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K - the first of hopefully 300-400 times we see Beam relieve Hughes
Charlie Manning: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

High-A Tampa (3-2 win over Jupiter in 14 innings)
Brett Gardner: 4 for 6, 2 R, 1 K, 1 CS - why is he not in Trenton yet?
Eduardo Nunez: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 E (fielding) - XBH parade continues
Cody Ehlers: 2 for 6, 3 RBI, 2 K, 1 SB
Matt Carson: 2 for 6, 3 K
Marcos Vechionacci: 0 for 5, 1 BB, 2 E (throwing & fielding)
Tim Battle: 0 for 5, 2 K
Ben Himes: 0 for 4, 5 K
Jeff Marquez: 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K - troubling 3-8 GB/FB ratio for the sinkerballer
Phil Thorp: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Gerardo Casadiego: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Jeff Kennard: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Low-A Charleston rained out (doubleheader today)

Mindblowing Jose Tabata stat of the day (I'll try to keep this going for as long as possible, I'm shooting for 7-10 days): When Tabata drives in a run, Charleston is 14-4. When he doesn't? 5-9.

Update: I may be able to keep the MBJTSOFTD going longer than expected, since I just found this via RLYB.

Phil Hughes started the first game of today's doubleheader for Trenton (to make up for yesterday's rain-out), and he's cruising through 5 innings:

5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 WP

His control has been better than his last start it seems. The lone run he's given up was with 2 outs (after back-to-back called strike 3's to start the inning), and resulted from a single, a wild pitch then another single - so they didn't exactly pound him.

In case you were wondering, the team he's facing (Portland) is middle-of-the-pack offensively, sporting a line of .239-.319-.349-.668.

Go gettem' Phil.

Update: Thaaaaaaa Thunder wins! Hughes gets a no decision, but goes 6, gives up 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER and 1 BB while K'ing 5. Hughes also gave up a solo HR, only the second HR he's given up as a pro. Not bad Phil, not bad at all.