The Yankees always seem to rise to the occasion when they’re playing the Twins and the past four games were no exception, not counting yesterday’s loss. (Three out of four was damn good for this team.) In today’s marathon, which should have been a laugher but was made way too close by the bullpen, Jeter and Ellsbury strutted their offensive prowess. But overall in this series, we got just enough pitching and hitting to get the job done.
And what an eventful day it was off the field. The Yankees said goodbye to Soriano, which was necessary but got me choked up nonetheless. I always liked him and he was a big help last season. I’ll remember him fondly as a Yankee through and through and hope he comes to Old Timer’s Day once he officially retires. Bye, Sori. Keep smiling.
While Sori was going, Brandon McCarthy was coming.
(Yes, ESPN has already photo shopped his Diamondbacks pic.)
His stats with Arizona weren’t exactly spectacular, but he’s an upgrade over Vidal Nuno and he should give us innings. And he’s proven that he’s nothing if not gutsy. He was with Oakland when he was hit in the head by a comebacker off the bat of the Angels’ Erick Aybar and suffered a fractured skull. The fact that he’s pitching at all is pretty heroic.
I would hope Cashman still plans to make a deal for another starter (Cliff Lee?).
Meanwhile, I was excited to see that Betances and Tanaka will join Jeter at the All-Star Game. Congratulations to them.
These seem like pretty good decisions, Jane, but of course we’ll have to see what happens. Girardi said the same things about Soriano that you did. He was amazing until this season. I was laughing during the game yesterday when they were saying how happy McCarthy’s wife was about the trade because she hates his beard. Too funny. It will be nice to see our bullpen get a rest if he really does go deep into the games. But now what about Bruce Billings coming up? Any idea what he brings to the table. Now its on to Cleveland and then to Baltimore. Hope The Yankees brought two brooms. Then it will be nice for them to get a rest before the second half of the season begins. GO YANKEES!!!
I’m wary of McCarthy, Diane. His numbers are pretty awful. But maybe the change of scenery will be a tonic. Yes, funny about his wife’s reaction!
Whew! Shane Greene was great last night. We barely edged out a win because of poor base running and less than stellar fielding but a W is a W. Keep the brooms going, boys. GO YANKEES!!!
Yeah, Greene was great, Diane. Let’s hope it’s not beginner’s luck as it was with Whitley. Worried about Beltran now. Always something.
I also loved the way Jeter got Kipnis off the base for an out. I’m kind of scared too about Beltran, especially since Soriano is gone. I also was worried when Cervelli got hit by the pitch since McCann is not 100%. I don’t know what to think but maybe there’s something in the farm system and maybe Cashman is still shopping.