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August 31, 2005
August 30th @ The Mariners
So, there will be no waking up to happy endings today. Actually, I peeked last night - so, I ended up getting the bad news earlier than usual. One of my dogs had to go at 2:40 am EST. So, when I got up to let her out, I put on ESPN News and saw the final score on the scroll.
If getting up in the middle of the night to let the dog out isn't enough to tick you, seeing a Yankees loss, knowing that it drops them another game out of first, on top of that chore sure does the trick. Well, at least New York still leads in the Wildcard this morning.
To me, this game came down to two players: Ichiro and Bernie Williams.
Ichiro got the big 2-out three-run homer in the 2nd to make it 5-0. If Chacón is able to make a pitch there and get him out, it's a whole different ballgame from that point.
Also, Bernie came up in the 1st with the bases loaded and one out and popped up - failing to drive in at least one run. Then, in the 3rd, with runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs, Bernie whiffed and did not help that situation at all. On the night, Williams had 6 LOB. You need the 5th batter in your line-up to do better in those situations.
If you think about it, Sheffield was really missed tonight. With him in there, Bernie's not batting 5th.
Anyway, even without Sheff, just give Bernie a single in the 1st to drive in two and take out the Ichiro homerun and then it's a 5-5 game going into the bottom of the 5th - even with all of Chacón's command issues.
Unit better be golden tonight.
And, Bellhorn needs a haircut.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at August 31, 2005 07:59 AM
Comments
Plausible points all, SL.
Yanks are still on track for 5 out of 7, as is the consensus re: how they must perform on this trip.
And seeing Schilling get tagged again is always enjoyable.
Posted by: Jason O. at August 31, 2005 09:59 AM
Schilling does lead the league in "Peacock Strut when winning" but the "'I just sharted myself' look when losing" faces, no? There's no pitcher that I enjoy seeing struggle more - not even Pedro.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at August 31, 2005 10:05 AM
Mark Bellhorn has the best hair on the Yankees. EASILY.
Posted by: Nick at September 2, 2005 03:24 PM