Oh yea, hes a man. Johan Santana went 7.2 innings of one run ball versus the Yankees on Sunday night. The last time these two matched up, the Yankees lit up Johan Santana for 9 runs in 3 innings. Johan pitched with a chip on his shoulder tonight and looked like the ace we all know and love. Not only did Johan pitched well enough to win, he got the Mets their first rubber game win of the year. Santana made sure the Yankees knew that he was on the mound and who the real ace of New York was.
Ay Bay Bay! Jason Bay topped his performance last night by hitting two home runs off the Yankees ace CC Sabathia. Jason hit his first home run over the left field wall and hit his second the opposite way over the right field wall. Jason is and always will be a streaky player. It is great timing that we are seeing “good” Jason with the Phillies right around the corner. Jason is hitting .307 right now and is looking like his early season slump may be a thing of the past.
HONORABLE MENTION
Francisco Rodriguez for closing the door on the Yanks for his 8th save
Jose Reyes went 2-5 and Ike Davis went 2-4
Pedro Feliciano for getting Robinson Cano out on 3 pitches
41 comments
Mr North Jersey
5/24/2010-12:13am at 12:13 am (UTC -4)
I guess Eduardo Perez really did “UNDERSTAND”.
CaseStreet
5/24/2010-12:18am at 12:18 am (UTC -4)
El Hombre! Can you say “Man Crush”?
Glad to see Bay heat up. That first home run felt sooooooo good. It’s like he heard my thoughts.
CaseStreet
5/24/2010-12:51am at 12:51 am (UTC -4)
With Niese on the DL, Ollie cashing his paycheck in the BP and Maine unable to throw harder than a HS pitcher, can the Mets climb out of the cellar with Taka, Iggy and prob. Valdez all in the rotation?
metsfan4decades
5/24/2010-6:38am at 6:38 am (UTC -4)
They can probably climb out of the cellar but competing with that rotation is another thing. I don’t think Iggy will be in the rotation so that leaves Dickey.
Hopefully, we’ll have Niese back soon but we need some depth, that’s for sure.
stickguy
5/24/2010-9:36am at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
SO, why isn’t that Maya guy signed yet?
njstuckintx
5/24/2010-8:56am at 8:56 am (UTC -4)
That win stopped my cousin from doing his condesending phone call about the yanks beating the mets in a series. It always comes off like “well, we are the better team so what did you expect?” Take that and your 450lbs CC gorilla!
stickguy
5/24/2010-9:18am at 9:18 am (UTC -4)
Starting to see some rumblings tht Luis is heading to the DL. Probably a good idea, instead of this day in/day out of the lineup, and game time scratches.
If it is something that needs rest to heal, then should him down and see if they can get him right.
GOtta call Tejada up of course. But, will Jerry use him, or just start Cora every day?
ceetar
5/24/2010-9:25am at 9:25 am (UTC -4)
I don’t even want to think about it. What will be will be at this point.
It really boggles me that Castillo was scratched. I figured it’s really a once you show up to the ballpark, you’re either good or not. Wonder how that went down. Castillo claiming he’s okay, Manuel see him wince? something?
trs86
5/24/2010-9:27am at 9:27 am (UTC -4)
It’s not an easy decision with Cora playing pretty well. If it’s just for 2 weeks then you might see Tejada or another guy come up like Thole did and not see much playing time. Cora’s a little different because I am not sure HE can hold up to starting 10 days in a row.
stickguy
5/24/2010-9:35am at 9:35 am (UTC -4)
I agree that he is OK in small does (like tatis), but starting every day for a couple of weeks isn’t likely to go well.
ceetar
5/24/2010-9:39am at 9:39 am (UTC -4)
yeah, and there is the whole vested option thing to consider (for us and Omar anyway, even if manuel was going to stick around, it’s not something he should be concerned with)
There are people that want Tejada instead of Castillo (probably a little delusional there) anyway.
There is always the “throw Murphy into the fire” again tactic. That would make some whiny people really annoyed, that I almost want them to do it.
On that note, wow, Jeter’s range sucks doesn’t it?
metsfan4decades
5/24/2010-9:47am at 9:47 am (UTC -4)
Yeah those complaining about Castillo’s perceived lack of range ought to look at Jeter’s at this point in his career.
I heard Jerry say last night – and think I read it somewhere this morning – that they’re fitting Castillo with some kind of orthotic type device for his shoe to see if the cushioning will make a difference.
I’m thinking he’ll probably wind up on the DL though for awhile.
ceetar
5/24/2010-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
It’s sad because he’s pretty useful, and he’s not really an injury-prone guy (despite what some like to say). But a bone bruise needs rest, so that really means probably a month+ on the DL.(and since it’s on the foot, really he shouldn’t walk much either, which makes exercise hard. lots of bike riding I guess) But it’s better than this on again off again stuff.
stickguy
5/24/2010-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, Jeter doesn’t get to very much to his sides these days. Good. Can’t wait for th eyankees to resign him for another 4 years!
The tejada for castillo crowd might be a little premature, but not sure that you will really be giving up much right now (factoring in both sides fo the ball). Ruben really is smoking the ball FWIW in AAA, so that is at least a good sign.
Murphy? No, he needs more time to prepare in the minors. If this was say mid July, and he had been playing an OK 2B for 6 weeks, then I could see it.
But you are right, just seeing a few of his biggest haters (especially that Sylow guy on MB) blow a gasket might be worth the adventure!
ceetar
5/24/2010-9:52am at 9:52 am (UTC -4)
Definitely not supporting the throw Murphy at 2B right now thing, although he’s apparently smoking the ball down there now, and I feel he can have a good impact up here. Personally while not great, I’d trust him in a utility LF/RF/1B/2B/3B type role, lots of pinch hitting, but I doubt Manuel does.
I’d say Tatis, but he’s done well in his limited role this year, which is the max I’d want for him anyway. I can reiterate the “Bay can play CF for 1 game a month” argument and say dump GMJ again, but no one’s listening.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/24/2010-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
Speaking of pinch hitting, what happened to Carter? He was the #3/4 hitter for couple days and just disappeared.
ceetar
5/24/2010-10:22am at 10:22 am (UTC -4)
it’s so typical of Manuel.
he had GMJ as the ‘first’ pinch hitter for about a week there too. Tatis was first last night.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/24/2010-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
Yeah it’s not like Frenchy is hitting the cover off the ball. He had couple games with couple hits, but he still looks lost at the plate.
kinda like Tex…
njstuckintx
5/24/2010-10:42am at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
Frenchy is an automatic 1st pitch swing. uncanny. You know he’s never going to get a 1st pitch down the pipe, so why the heck is he swinging?
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/24/2010-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
He sees a fastball and just close his eyes and swings. Hoping that he’ll hit one out.
njstuckintx
5/24/2010-9:50am at 9:50 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I was actually dumbfounded at his lack of range.
I brought this up in some other post. What would be the cut off for Murphy if he was to play 2B, as far as hitting vs. fielding. IE, How well would he have to hit in order to make up for his fielding? I can’t see him being as bad a butcher as Uggla, but I don’t expect to see him hit that well either.
njstuckintx
5/24/2010-9:45am at 9:45 am (UTC -4)
You think they’d ever consider starting the Murphy at 2B experiment at the major league level?
ceetar
5/24/2010-9:48am at 9:48 am (UTC -4)
Do you think they’d consider the 3Bman Murphy as a LF experiment during a pennant race/Sept?
Maybe experiment with him at 1B mid-season?
njstuckintx
5/24/2010-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)
Point taken.
ceetar
5/24/2010-9:54am at 9:54 am (UTC -4)
As a point of advice for ticket buyers out there (and feel free to ask me about this anytime, I’ve spent a lot of time analyzing seats and sections) you really want to stay away from fair territory in LF unless you’re in the first 2-3 rows of the Promenade Box. I was in 533 (first row, back section) and really couldn’t see anything behind Jason Bay or Pagan, or the Apple. It only came into play for 3 or so plays ,and I do enjoy having a different/outfield vantage point and it’s really not that bad in terms of distance from home, but LF is definitely the last choice of seats.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/24/2010-10:11am at 10:11 am (UTC -4)
I was little worried how quickly Johan lost his control and velocity in the 7th inning last night. Hopefully he was just out of gas, because he was throwing 86-87 FBs in the 7th and tons of balls which is very unlike Santana.
njstuckintx
5/24/2010-10:15am at 10:15 am (UTC -4)
Maybe he was just changing up his mechanics, Maine style!
ceetar
5/24/2010-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
He was gassed I guess? I was worried too, but then he dialed it back up to 90. but ended up giving up the soft hit or whatever it was. I probably still would’ve left him in, but he may have spent what he had there.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/24/2010-10:26am at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
I was yelling at Warthen to come out. I don’t understand why Warthen/Jerry didn’t even come out to talk to him when he threw like 6 straight balls.
stickguy
5/24/2010-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
I think they are afraid of him.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/24/2010-10:32am at 10:32 am (UTC -4)
Phillies faced Wakefield yesterday. I don’t know how it affects Dickey’s start tomorrow. I would assume that the Phillie lineup saw enough of knuckle balls to figure Dickey out. That would suck.
But then they’ve got Moyer going….
ceetar
5/24/2010-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
Agreed. I think they went with Dickey after they saw how Wake did, but I’m worried this means they’ll be ready for the lesser Knuckler.
metsfan4decades
5/24/2010-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
I see it the opposite. Phills weren’t able to hit Wakefield. His knuckleball style is completely different than Dickey’s. Dickey is a rare knuckleballer that can actually dial it up to 85MPH for his fastball.
Besides, I’m thinking if the knucleballer’s knuckleball is on, they could face it 3 days in a row and not figure it out.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/24/2010-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
But they have smart hitters in the lineup that can adjust well. I think if you put out same types of pitchers back to back, any major league hitters will be able to adjust to the velocity/movement of the ball.
I guess we will find out tomorrow night. Can’t wait!
GravediggerHebner
5/24/2010-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
I’m with MF4D on this one. The Phils offense was no good in that game until Wakefield came out of the game, then they scored a bunch of runs off a marginal reliever. It may not work out but as of right now the Phils have yet to show they’ve figured out the knuckler.
fongy2
5/24/2010-10:49am at 10:49 am (UTC -4)
Very, very pleased with the results this weekend!
Now we need to get 2 of 3 from the Phils!
Ya know, it’s amazing how good a Manager Jerry becomes when we get real
good starting pitching AND JBay earns his money…….Amazing!
ceetar
5/24/2010-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
not quite. Manuel’s still a disaster, but it’s just neat how little a manager matters when the team is actually playing well.
fongy2
5/24/2010-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
Thats kinda what I meant!
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/24/2010-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
I’m sick of these Yankee fans/media complaining about the injury.
I’m sorry but you still have your 1,3,4,5 hitters all healthy AND your rotation/8th inning guy healthy. Talk to me when you have 1,3,4 hitters and 3/5 of your rotation injured. Not to mention your ace going down for a month and a half.
fongy2
5/24/2010-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
And all the money in the world to spend to insure an allstar
at every position.
metsfan4decades
5/24/2010-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
On that note, Boomer and Carton on WFAN this morning made a point of that playing a clip that went something like this:
- Now playing first for the NY Yankees: Mark Teixeira
- Now playing second for the NY Yankees: Robinson Cano
- Now playing SS for the NY Yankees: Derek Jeter
- Now playing third for the NY Yankees: Alex Rodriguez
- Now starting for the NY Yankees: CC Sabathia
- Now closing for the NY Yankees: Mariano Rivera
They basically told Yankee fans to shut up and quit whining about injuries…..