(courtesy: Russ and Daughters)
Aside from his bizarre pitch-out that ultimately led to a White Sox run, Ivan Nova gave the Yankees a lot to think about tonight. Remember when he couldn’t get out of the 5th inning? So much for that problem. He was superb – the best he’s ever looked, particularly his command of the slider. He kept the hitters completely off balance and didn’t walk anybody. Plus, he was throwing 93 mph in the 8th.
How do you send him down to the minors?
You don’t.
On the other hand, a six-man rotation doesn’t work. It just doesn’t.
I’m glad I’m not Cashman.
I’m also very glad Cano hit that homer early to give the Yankees the lead. Humber was impressive and I was afraid we wouldn’t get to him. Nice manufacturing of runs after that. And then came Martin’s monster homer against Bruney. Wow.
I didn’t get my 10 runs, but I’m not complaining. Great game.
So the Indians beat the Red Sox and we go to Fenway tied for first. What a huge series this will be.
Tags: Brian Cashman, Indians, Ivan Nova, Red Sox, Robinson Cano, White Sox, Yankees
Loved the action. But had to watch the game on WGN and I absolutely detest their announcer. He is probably the most one sided broadcaster in the business. I especially hate his “he gone” after a strikeout. He doesn’t do it when Nova gets a batter on strikes. Loved Cano’s blast and agree that Nova looked superb. If Hughes can keep up the work he did in his last game, then I’d be happy with a CC, Hughes, Garcia, Nova, Colon rotation. No I didn’t forget AJ.
Now, let’s beat the socks off the Sox!!!!!
I’m glad you could stay awake for this one, Jane, it was great seeing Nova pitch so well and get his tenth win of the season. Great to see the team on the upswing heading into this next, critical series. It’s time for the Yanks to reassert themselves in the AL East. We’ll see how it goes.
I couldn’t agree more, since1941. I also had to endure the WGN feed and Hawk Harrelson, with his smarmy, forced folksy schtick. He was a great player in his day, but he’s about as good at play by play as he was as a general manager.
Here’s a bit of rocket science. Burnett to the pen.
Packing for Rhode Island. Yankee jersey on and gear packed. I have good feelings about this weekend.
Nice that they got down to business and finished this game up at a reasonable time, huh Jane? Was glad Bruney performed similarly to how he often performed for us. I was thinking about the play from Wednesday’s game that got him. They did not, on ESPN, slow down that play enough or show it from the best angle so we could know if Gardner was safe or not, but I was wondering how in the world Bruney was so sure he got Gardner that he cursed an umpire – BRUNEY’S BACK WAS TO THE PLAY! So I kind of enjoyed getting to him again.
I almost was glad Adam Dunn dinged that homer in the ninth – poor guy has had such an embarassing season. And it was no skin off our nose. Nova had done his work, D-Rob had saved a run in the eighth, we’d added a couple more homeruns to our total and all was pretty much as it should be in the Yankee Universe.
Now we face the Sox. Two different teams from those that last faced off in early June. Both are streaking. May the baseball gods of August work their usual magic and reverse the direction of the red team’s streak!
OK…first thing…Jane, where DID you find that, um, artwork? It’s fascinating and scary-ugly all at once, and it looks like there’s a lot more to it…disturbingly so…probably my Son #1′s vision of Beisbol Hell, since he hates both the Yanks and Sawx with equal measure (well, he is an O’s fan)…
Last night, having gyros for dinner at a Greek restaurant, Better Half asks me “what’s the story lately in baseball?” She’s the classic casual fan. I tell her, well, it’s Yankees-Red Sox this weekend. “Oh, really?” she replies. Yes, and it’s in Fenway, and they may be no more than a game apart in the standings. Now, normally at home, she’d say something cynical about how ‘the Yanks have All The Power,’ and they’ll surely dominate…but Son #2 the Yankee Fan is there with us, so she’s outnumbered. “It should be interesting,” is all we’ll agree to say in polite company (she being the closet Bosox fan, as you know).
Two observations, one you’ve probably heard — (1) the Yanks completed only the third 4-game sweep of a team EVER where their pitchers issued NO walks (don’t look for THAT to continue) — and (2) everybody AND their dog predicts the Hoseheads to win this series, and the division, and the American League. Fine. Let’s just strap it up and spit it out. It’s on now.
I have to say, NYL and yankeefansince1941, that I feel as if I dodged a bullet last night by being here in the NY area and getting the YES network for the game. Normally, in California, I’d have been stuck with Hawk Harrelson just like you both were and I would have been tearing my hair out. The “he gone” and “one for the good guys” and “can of corn” and all the rest are hard to take. A lot of people knock Michael Kay, but when you spend a few hours with Hawk, you appreciate Kay’s shtick.
A.J. isn’t going to the pen, John. Count on it. Enjoy Rhode Island and try to stay out of trouble!
Yup, Audrey. Last night’s game went nice and fast so I wasn’t even tempted to turn off the TV. I saw that Bruney-Gardner play from the night before in slow motion on YES from several different angles and it was close, I must admit. I think Gardner got in there, but he kicked up a lot of dust so it was hard to tell. Still, Bruney said afterward that he was an idiot to get so mad. I have no hunches about the series at Fenway. As with all Yankees-Red Sox series, anything can happen and usually does.
You should see the large size of that pic, Dave. It’s truly nightmarish. I found it on google images and couldn’t locate its creator. The lack of walks in that series was amazing – it even included AJ – so I certainly hope that will continue this weekend. The difference is that the Red Sox are just as patient at the plate as we are so it’ll be tougher to achieve.
Agree with you – this is a decision I’m glad I don’t have to make. I will say this – Nova has been pretty consistently good and Hughes not so much. He (Hughes) was great this week, and hopefully he’s back to form. But I think his next start is key. Honestly, the big price tag not withstanding, AJ should be the odd man out at this point (gee, what a revelation!), but I like to think that this happy dilemma between Nova and Hughes continues and gives us much-needed protection if Colon and Garcia start showing their age. I hope you were able to stay up a little while after the game to see the post-game interview with Nova. He is delightful (and there’s a word I don’t use every day) and has a terrific attitude. Don’t know how much I can watch of the upcoming series – I may have to wear my blood pressure monitor all weekend.
I agree that Hughes’ next start is key, ladyjane. And Girardi sounded just a bit as if he’s leaning toward putting Hughes in the pen, but he’s been pretty hard to read. Yes, AJ should be the odd man out, but you know it’ll never happen. “He has the experience,” blah blah. I didn’t watch the post-game interview with Nova – we shut off the TV right after the game – so I’m glad to hear he was “delightful!” As for tonight’s game, I said to Michael, “I really don’t get as crazy watching games anymore – except when we play the Red Sox.” So I, too, will be monitoring my BP.
It was wonderful looking at the standings and seeing that we are in first place – well, tied for first place. I will be very nervous for the next three games. We are so much better than when we played the Red Sox in the beginning of the season, so I’m very optimistic today. Nova is so endearing. He believes in himself, but he’s not arrogant, and he’s respectful of management and their decisions. I love his smile and demeanor.
Really sorry I didn’t stay tuned for the post-game show and Nova’s interview, Freya, but I’ll go on the YES web site and see if it’s there. It’s funny to think that he wasn’t even on the radar in terms of highly touted prospects in our system and yet here we are talking about how good he’s been.
Nova’s interview is here:
http://web.yesnetwork.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=17659929
Thanks, Melissa!
Yes, thanks Melissa. After watching Nova’s interview and the one that followed with Martin and Girardi I wish he was pitching this weekend!
Its 2pm and I just arrived in RI and I have already DINED on 2 Sox fans. Boy are they full of bones! Ah, life is good.
I wish Nova could pitch this weekend too, Audrey, but hopefully Colon and Garcia will be at their best. I don’t worry about CC despite his not-so-great record at Fenway.
You’ve only just gotten to RI, John, and you’re stirring things up already? Oh boy.