July 30 at The Stadium The Texas Rangers Play In in Arlington, TX
Fox Sports Southwest
Game 196 - Washington Nationals at Miami Marlins
July 30 at Marlins Park in Miami, FL
MASN
Max Scherzer was excellent, tossing seven shut out innings and Ryan Zimmerman launched a lead off, solo home run in a 1-0 Washington victory, but the story any time you listen to a Nationals game on MASN is F.P. Santangelo. And by "story" I mean "the thing you dislike the most."
Santangelo is like something that fell out of Vin Scully's ear.
The worst part about Santangelo, besides the fact that his name is "F.P.", is that he tries to be funny and just isn't.
For instance, after Bryce Harper doubled with two outs in the top of the first, F.P.S. said "there goes the no-hitter."
* He's also about as corny as commentators get, and commentators get really, really corny. Let's check out a young man I like to call Corn.P. Santangelo:
"It's like horseshoes and hand grenades (chuckle)"
(To the kids watching at home): "Get your uni dirty, make your parents wash it."
(On a long foul ball by Harper into the upper deck behind the first base dug out): "If that wall wasn't there, that's all the way back to the hotel."
* F.P.S. loves to use the word crossfire when talking about Scherzer's throwing motion. During a Christian Yelich at bat in the second he said: "he's a crossfire guy," "the crossfire affect," and "uphill crossfire affect."
Total "crossfires" - 5
* And finally, this was said: "I had nightmares of a zombie Kenny G coming to get me with a saxophone last night."
Pardon?
* Play-by-play man Bob Carpenter does not get to skip along to tomorrow's pre-game media meal without discussing his actions Thursday afternoon. First, Carpenter said the following after Zimmerman's HR: "that ball was hangin', and that ball was bangin', and later Bobby added this about Michael Taylor: "Michael's ability to get on base out of the 8-spot in the order will really help the Nats."
Taylor on-base percentage this season: .286.
MASN
Max Scherzer was excellent, tossing seven shut out innings and Ryan Zimmerman launched a lead off, solo home run in a 1-0 Washington victory, but the story any time you listen to a Nationals game on MASN is F.P. Santangelo. And by "story" I mean "the thing you dislike the most."
Santangelo is like something that fell out of Vin Scully's ear.
The worst part about Santangelo, besides the fact that his name is "F.P.", is that he tries to be funny and just isn't.
For instance, after Bryce Harper doubled with two outs in the top of the first, F.P.S. said "there goes the no-hitter."
* He's also about as corny as commentators get, and commentators get really, really corny. Let's check out a young man I like to call Corn.P. Santangelo:
"It's like horseshoes and hand grenades (chuckle)"
(To the kids watching at home): "Get your uni dirty, make your parents wash it."
(On a long foul ball by Harper into the upper deck behind the first base dug out): "If that wall wasn't there, that's all the way back to the hotel."
* F.P.S. loves to use the word crossfire when talking about Scherzer's throwing motion. During a Christian Yelich at bat in the second he said: "he's a crossfire guy," "the crossfire affect," and "uphill crossfire affect."
Total "crossfires" - 5
* And finally, this was said: "I had nightmares of a zombie Kenny G coming to get me with a saxophone last night."
Pardon?
* Play-by-play man Bob Carpenter does not get to skip along to tomorrow's pre-game media meal without discussing his actions Thursday afternoon. First, Carpenter said the following after Zimmerman's HR: "that ball was hangin', and that ball was bangin', and later Bobby added this about Michael Taylor: "Michael's ability to get on base out of the 8-spot in the order will really help the Nats."
Taylor on-base percentage this season: .286.
Game 195 - New York Yankees at Texas Rangers
July 29 at The Stadium The Texas Rangers Play In in Arlington, TX
Fox Sports Southwest
Fox Sports Southwest
Game 194 - New York Yankees at Texas Rangers
July 28 at The Stadium The Texas Rangers Play In in Arlington, TX
Fox Sports 1
The Yankees scored 21 runs and had a number of players with fantastic nights at the plate, but the real story was a guy who was called up from Triple-A just hours before the game began.
Diego Moreno came on in relief of Chris Capuano in the bottom of the first and in his second big league appearance proceeded to throw 5 1/3 no-hit innings in a 21-5 victory. Moreno was outstanding, permitting just a single walk while retiring 16 of the 17 batters he faced. But the reason Moreno entered the game at such an early stage is because Capuano was horrifying (2/3 IP, 5 BB, 5 ER).
I used to like Moreno only for the fact that he was part of the trade that sent A.J. Burnett away from New York forever, but now there's a second thing to like.
Anyway, the Yankees responded to the Rangers' five-run first with an 15-batter, 11-run top of the second and they led for the remainder of the night.
Some big offensive nights for several Yankees:
* Brett Gardner reached base six times, including a two-run home run against position player Adam Rosales in the ninth. Looking forward to Gardner-Rosales II, whenever it happens.
* Chris Young hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high five runs.
* Didi Gregorius had four hits, including a three-run triple in the second & Brendan Ryan added two doubles in one inning and drove in three runs on the night.
* Alex Rodriguez reached base five times, including an RBI-double in that ridiculous second inning.
And completely lost in all the offense was Adam Warren, who tossed three perfect innings to close out the blowout win.
Baseball Phrases!
The broadcast team of Kevin Burkhardt & Tom Verducci had a fine night as well:
"Ground ball specialist:"
"Grand salami"
"Up for a cup of coffee"
"The hit parade continues"
"Nugget"
"Stopper"
"Mound presence"
"Derek Jeter's shadow"
"Glove doctor"
Fox Sports 1
The Yankees scored 21 runs and had a number of players with fantastic nights at the plate, but the real story was a guy who was called up from Triple-A just hours before the game began.
Diego Moreno came on in relief of Chris Capuano in the bottom of the first and in his second big league appearance proceeded to throw 5 1/3 no-hit innings in a 21-5 victory. Moreno was outstanding, permitting just a single walk while retiring 16 of the 17 batters he faced. But the reason Moreno entered the game at such an early stage is because Capuano was horrifying (2/3 IP, 5 BB, 5 ER).
I used to like Moreno only for the fact that he was part of the trade that sent A.J. Burnett away from New York forever, but now there's a second thing to like.
Anyway, the Yankees responded to the Rangers' five-run first with an 15-batter, 11-run top of the second and they led for the remainder of the night.
Some big offensive nights for several Yankees:
* Brett Gardner reached base six times, including a two-run home run against position player Adam Rosales in the ninth. Looking forward to Gardner-Rosales II, whenever it happens.
* Chris Young hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high five runs.
* Didi Gregorius had four hits, including a three-run triple in the second & Brendan Ryan added two doubles in one inning and drove in three runs on the night.
* Alex Rodriguez reached base five times, including an RBI-double in that ridiculous second inning.
And completely lost in all the offense was Adam Warren, who tossed three perfect innings to close out the blowout win.
Baseball Phrases!
The broadcast team of Kevin Burkhardt & Tom Verducci had a fine night as well:
"Ground ball specialist:"
"Grand salami"
"Up for a cup of coffee"
"The hit parade continues"
"Nugget"
"Stopper"
"Mound presence"
"Derek Jeter's shadow"
"Glove doctor"
Game 193 - Milwaukee Brewers at San Francisco Giants
July 27 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA
NBC Bay Area
Mike Krukow Baseball Phrases
"A good sniff of that baseball"
"Defensive pearl"
"Makes the lineup longer"
NBC Bay Area
Mike Krukow Baseball Phrases
"A good sniff of that baseball"
"Defensive pearl"
"Makes the lineup longer"
Game 192 - New York Yankees at Texas Rangers
July 27 at Global Life Park in Arlington in Arlington, TX
Fox Sports Southwest
Let me quickly get one thing out of the way - Global Life Park in Arlington in Arlington, Texas?
No.
I'm not going to call it that. I'm calling the stadium the Rangers play in The Stadium The Texas Rangers Play In (In Arlington).
Couple other thoughts from New York's 6-2 victory:
1. The Texas announcers talked about Robinson Chirinos' four-game hitting streak. There is no such thing as a four-game hitting streak. You just got a hit in four consecutive games; that's one long series, or one three-game series and then you singled in the first game of the next series. I think a player has to get to about eight games before we start talking about "streaks".
2. Yankees' catcher Brian McCann, a former Atlanta Brave, came up to the plate in the sixth and eighth innings and you could hear Braves Tomahawk chants from somewhere in the stands. The last place I expected not only Braves fans, but Brian McCann fans? Arlington, Texas. Second-to-last place? Atlanta.
Fox Sports Southwest
Let me quickly get one thing out of the way - Global Life Park in Arlington in Arlington, Texas?
No.
I'm not going to call it that. I'm calling the stadium the Rangers play in The Stadium The Texas Rangers Play In (In Arlington).
Couple other thoughts from New York's 6-2 victory:
1. The Texas announcers talked about Robinson Chirinos' four-game hitting streak. There is no such thing as a four-game hitting streak. You just got a hit in four consecutive games; that's one long series, or one three-game series and then you singled in the first game of the next series. I think a player has to get to about eight games before we start talking about "streaks".
2. Yankees' catcher Brian McCann, a former Atlanta Brave, came up to the plate in the sixth and eighth innings and you could hear Braves Tomahawk chants from somewhere in the stands. The last place I expected not only Braves fans, but Brian McCann fans? Arlington, Texas. Second-to-last place? Atlanta.
Game 191 - Rockdale Post 77 (GA) vs. Covington Post 32 (GA)
July 26 at Bobby Boss Stadium in Loganville, GA
http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/news/2015/jul/26/rockdale-post-77-wins-state-baseball-championship/?sports
http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/news/2015/jul/26/rockdale-post-77-wins-state-baseball-championship/?sports
Game 190 - New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins
July 25 at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN
YES Network
This was probably my favorite Yankees game of the last three years. Alex Rodriguez homered three times, including the tying solo shot off Glen Perkins in the top of the ninth, and later in the inning backup catcher J.R. Murphy hit an opposite field, three-run home run off Perkins to give the Yankees an 8-5 victory.
Oh, and New York trailed 5-0 early and 5-1 heading into the seventh. And it was Murphy's first home run of the season. What a win.
After seeing it live, I then watched the Murphy home run seven times later in the evening/early morning. I may have danced after a few of the replays. I call it the J.R. Murphy Dance.
I'm going to watch it several dozen more times over what could be several weeks, so let's keep a running count.
Murphy HR - total: 19
Watched live: 1
Replays:
July 25-26: 7
July 27: 4 (afternoon), 3 (evening/pre-game for Monday's game)
July 28: 2 (evening)
August 2: 2 (afternoon)
YES Network
This was probably my favorite Yankees game of the last three years. Alex Rodriguez homered three times, including the tying solo shot off Glen Perkins in the top of the ninth, and later in the inning backup catcher J.R. Murphy hit an opposite field, three-run home run off Perkins to give the Yankees an 8-5 victory.
Oh, and New York trailed 5-0 early and 5-1 heading into the seventh. And it was Murphy's first home run of the season. What a win.
After seeing it live, I then watched the Murphy home run seven times later in the evening/early morning. I may have danced after a few of the replays. I call it the J.R. Murphy Dance.
I'm going to watch it several dozen more times over what could be several weeks, so let's keep a running count.
Murphy HR - total: 19
Watched live: 1
Replays:
July 25-26: 7
July 27: 4 (afternoon), 3 (evening/pre-game for Monday's game)
July 28: 2 (evening)
August 2: 2 (afternoon)
Games 188-189 - Bunting!
July 24
Rockdale Post 77 (GA) vs. Albany Post 30 (GA)
Covington Post 32 (GA) vs. Leesburg Post 182 (GA)
Bobby Boss Stadium in Loganville, GA
Rockdale and Covington, two American Legion teams separated by about 15 miles, each stayed unbeaten in the Georgia state tournament and will meet Saturday in the winner's bracket final. Based on the first two days of this double-elimination tournament, 77 and 32 are clearly the top two teams in the state, and regardless of the outcome of Saturday's game, I fully expect to see a repeat match up for the title a day later.
Of course, the loser will have to win once in the loser's bracket, then beat its area rival twice to win the championship.
Leesburg, which lost 21-10, trailed 11-4 in the bottom of the fifth when Robbie Feagans led off with a single. Carlton Ogletree was then asked to sacrifice Feagans to second, and he was successful. Here are all of my problems with this strategy:
1. Leesburg had 15 outs left and they chose to just give one to Covington.
"Here you go, Covington, take one of our outs, we don't need, want or care about them," said someone.
2. Leesburg trailed 11-4. They were down seven in the fifth inning and PLAYING FOR ONE RUN.
3. If you think Covington is all finished scoring at 11 runs, then playing for one run per inning means you trail 11-9 after nine innings.
4. Games only last nine innings.
5. Covington certainly wasn't finished scoring runs, because they are
- the defending state champions
- very good again this year and scoring a ton of runs (and about ready to add 10 more runs over the next four innings)
Anyway, guess which team didn't score in that inning?
I don't think bunting is a completely terrible strategy, it has its moments, But none of those moments are "down 7 with 15 outs left".
Rockdale Post 77 (GA) vs. Albany Post 30 (GA)
Covington Post 32 (GA) vs. Leesburg Post 182 (GA)
Bobby Boss Stadium in Loganville, GA
Rockdale and Covington, two American Legion teams separated by about 15 miles, each stayed unbeaten in the Georgia state tournament and will meet Saturday in the winner's bracket final. Based on the first two days of this double-elimination tournament, 77 and 32 are clearly the top two teams in the state, and regardless of the outcome of Saturday's game, I fully expect to see a repeat match up for the title a day later.
Of course, the loser will have to win once in the loser's bracket, then beat its area rival twice to win the championship.
Leesburg, which lost 21-10, trailed 11-4 in the bottom of the fifth when Robbie Feagans led off with a single. Carlton Ogletree was then asked to sacrifice Feagans to second, and he was successful. Here are all of my problems with this strategy:
1. Leesburg had 15 outs left and they chose to just give one to Covington.
"Here you go, Covington, take one of our outs, we don't need, want or care about them," said someone.
2. Leesburg trailed 11-4. They were down seven in the fifth inning and PLAYING FOR ONE RUN.
3. If you think Covington is all finished scoring at 11 runs, then playing for one run per inning means you trail 11-9 after nine innings.
4. Games only last nine innings.
5. Covington certainly wasn't finished scoring runs, because they are
- the defending state champions
- very good again this year and scoring a ton of runs (and about ready to add 10 more runs over the next four innings)
Anyway, guess which team didn't score in that inning?
I don't think bunting is a completely terrible strategy, it has its moments, But none of those moments are "down 7 with 15 outs left".
Game 187 - Alpharetta Post 201 (GA) vs. Rockdale Post 77 (GA)
July 23 at Bobby Boss Stadium in Loganville, GA
Games 185-186 - Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees
July 21-22 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx,NY
YES Network/ESPN
It has nothing to do with the Yankees-Orioles series, but ESPN commentator Rick Sutcliffe thinks he knows the reason why the Boston Redsox are struggling.
Rick, are you there?
"Two words: John Lackey."
Wow!
I wouldn't listen to Rick Sutcliffe if he told me to get out of the middle of the street because a car was approaching, let alone anything about baseball.
YES Network/ESPN
It has nothing to do with the Yankees-Orioles series, but ESPN commentator Rick Sutcliffe thinks he knows the reason why the Boston Redsox are struggling.
Rick, are you there?
"Two words: John Lackey."
Wow!
I wouldn't listen to Rick Sutcliffe if he told me to get out of the middle of the street because a car was approaching, let alone anything about baseball.
Game 184 - Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves
July 20 at Turner Field in Atlanta, GA
It's extremely hot in Atlanta in the summer. Uncomfortably hot. So when a breeze arrives, even if it's just a small one for a few seconds, you cherish it like you (I) cherished that Don Mattingly rookie card when you (I) were (was) six-years old.
Let's take a look at Monday's breeze count:
1/3 of a breeze - top of the first
1/2 breeze - bottom of the second
short, full breeze - end of the fifth
short, full breeze - top of the sixth
significant, sustained breeze - start of the seventh
Total amount of breeze: 3 3/4.
And finally, let's get a quick shot of Mattingly:
It's extremely hot in Atlanta in the summer. Uncomfortably hot. So when a breeze arrives, even if it's just a small one for a few seconds, you cherish it like you (I) cherished that Don Mattingly rookie card when you (I) were (was) six-years old.
Let's take a look at Monday's breeze count:
1/3 of a breeze - top of the first
1/2 breeze - bottom of the second
short, full breeze - end of the fifth
short, full breeze - top of the sixth
significant, sustained breeze - start of the seventh
Total amount of breeze: 3 3/4.
And finally, let's get a quick shot of Mattingly:
Games 182-183 - Seattle Mariners at New York Yankees
July 17-18 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY
YES Network
"Quickly 0-2 on Chase Headley."
YES Network
"Quickly 0-2 on Chase Headley."
Game 181 - Triple-A All Star Game
International League all stars vs. Pacific Coast League all stars
July 15 at Werner Park in Omaha, NE
MLB Network
July 15 at Werner Park in Omaha, NE
MLB Network
Game 180 - Covington Post 32 (GA) at Rockdale Post 77 (GA)
July 14 at Henson-Carr Legion Field in Conyers, GA
Game 179 - Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers
July 12 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA
Fox Sports Wisconsin
This was a special game for me because I realized Bill Schroeder is a Milwaukee commentator. Seeing Schroeder might not mean much to many people, but it's always special to put a face with the guy you always pinch hit for in RBI Baseball.
Schroeder plays for the American League All Star team and though his numbers are good (.332/.379/.548 for the Brewers in 1987), the AL bench, which includes 49-home run Mark McGwire, is excellent. You have to get someone off that bench and into your lineup, and since you can't make any pre-game changes, Schroeder isn't merely jettisoned to the bench. I'm not sure I've ever given Billy a single at bat. He might be a great hitter, but I don't think we (Bill Schroeder and I) will ever find out.
That's probably the last time I'll ever use the word jettisoned.
Fox Sports Wisconsin
This was a special game for me because I realized Bill Schroeder is a Milwaukee commentator. Seeing Schroeder might not mean much to many people, but it's always special to put a face with the guy you always pinch hit for in RBI Baseball.
Schroeder plays for the American League All Star team and though his numbers are good (.332/.379/.548 for the Brewers in 1987), the AL bench, which includes 49-home run Mark McGwire, is excellent. You have to get someone off that bench and into your lineup, and since you can't make any pre-game changes, Schroeder isn't merely jettisoned to the bench. I'm not sure I've ever given Billy a single at bat. He might be a great hitter, but I don't think we (Bill Schroeder and I) will ever find out.
That's probably the last time I'll ever use the word jettisoned.
Games 177 & 178 - New York Yankees at Boston Redsox
July 11-12 at Fenway Park in Boston, MA
The Yankees-Redsox rivalry can be exhausting - long games, insistence that this single game is the most important game in the history of organized sport, and then tomorrow's will be as well, etc... - for fans. I'm sure the players don't find the games to be any more stressful than the other 140 or so they play. But I sometimes need a break from this rivalry.
Really, it's a half-break because I watch games with the sound off.
For Saturday's game (5-3 Boston win) and Sunday's (Yankees, 8-6) here's what I listened to for the 8 or so hours. Call it the Mute Mix.
Saturday
Beta Band - The Four EPs
Sgt Pepper's
Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds live at Bucknell University, 2/7/99
Billy Joel Greatest Hits, Volume 1
Bela Fleck - Tales From the Acoustic Planet Volume 2
Recently EP - Dave Matthews Band
Four Tops - assorted tracks
Paul Simon - assorted tracks
Sunday
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones - assorted tracks
Cult Records sampler
Hello Rockview - Less than Jake
Let's Dance - David Bowie
The Clash - The Clash
Pinkerton - Weezer
Crash - Dave Matthews Band
Elvis Costello - This Year's Model
Flecktones - UFO Tofu
The Yankees-Redsox rivalry can be exhausting - long games, insistence that this single game is the most important game in the history of organized sport, and then tomorrow's will be as well, etc... - for fans. I'm sure the players don't find the games to be any more stressful than the other 140 or so they play. But I sometimes need a break from this rivalry.
Really, it's a half-break because I watch games with the sound off.
For Saturday's game (5-3 Boston win) and Sunday's (Yankees, 8-6) here's what I listened to for the 8 or so hours. Call it the Mute Mix.
Saturday
Beta Band - The Four EPs
Sgt Pepper's
Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds live at Bucknell University, 2/7/99
Billy Joel Greatest Hits, Volume 1
Bela Fleck - Tales From the Acoustic Planet Volume 2
Recently EP - Dave Matthews Band
Four Tops - assorted tracks
Paul Simon - assorted tracks
Sunday
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones - assorted tracks
Cult Records sampler
Hello Rockview - Less than Jake
Let's Dance - David Bowie
The Clash - The Clash
Pinkerton - Weezer
Crash - Dave Matthews Band
Elvis Costello - This Year's Model
Flecktones - UFO Tofu
Game 176 - New York Yankees at Boston Redsox
July 10 at Fenway Park in Boston, MA
MLB Network
Let's just jump right into a few random thoughts from this 5-1 Yankees' win.
1. Boston right fielder Alejandro De Aza should go by Fernando. He looks much more like a Fernando than he does an Alejandro.
Fernando De Aza!
2. The Yankees scored three times in the fourth without hitting anything hard: fielding error, infield single, bases loaded walk. Bob Costas has been announcing baseball games since the 1700s, so clearly he's seen a few crazy things happen. The top of the fourth inning on Friday: not at all crazy. But here's Bobby:
"Nearly unbelievable fourth inning."
Actually, Bob it was very nearly the most believable inning you could possibly witness:
1. Errors by fielders. Happen all the time.
2. Infield single for a speedy player (Brett Gardner). Happens all the time.
3. Walk. Happens all the time.
4. Walk with the bases loaded. Doesn't happen all the time, but it isn't close to unbelievable.
5. Brian McCann not being able to score from third on a ball that bounces off the first baseman (Mike Napoli's) arm. Happens all the time to Brian McCann. Brian McCann is really slow.
Also, John Smoltz called Alex Rodriguez "Mr. A-Rod", so he wasn't going to get away with that.
MLB Network
Let's just jump right into a few random thoughts from this 5-1 Yankees' win.
1. Boston right fielder Alejandro De Aza should go by Fernando. He looks much more like a Fernando than he does an Alejandro.
Fernando De Aza!
2. The Yankees scored three times in the fourth without hitting anything hard: fielding error, infield single, bases loaded walk. Bob Costas has been announcing baseball games since the 1700s, so clearly he's seen a few crazy things happen. The top of the fourth inning on Friday: not at all crazy. But here's Bobby:
"Nearly unbelievable fourth inning."
Actually, Bob it was very nearly the most believable inning you could possibly witness:
1. Errors by fielders. Happen all the time.
2. Infield single for a speedy player (Brett Gardner). Happens all the time.
3. Walk. Happens all the time.
4. Walk with the bases loaded. Doesn't happen all the time, but it isn't close to unbelievable.
5. Brian McCann not being able to score from third on a ball that bounces off the first baseman (Mike Napoli's) arm. Happens all the time to Brian McCann. Brian McCann is really slow.
Also, John Smoltz called Alex Rodriguez "Mr. A-Rod", so he wasn't going to get away with that.
Game 175 - Cincinnati Reds at Miami Marlins
July 9 at Marlins Park in Miami, FL
Fox Sports Florida
Jose Fernandez was quite good, limiting the Reds to six hits (five singles) while striking out nine in a 2-0 victory.
But that's not what I'd like to talk about. Cincy's Todd Frazier struck out swinging in the sixth and Marlins' announcer Rich Waltz said: "down goes...well, Frazier." Then Waltz and commentator Tommy Hutton had a nice old man laugh and we went to commercial.
I'm proposing something radical, but I think it's necessary. All human beings with the last name FRAZIER should be banned from playing sports so we never again have to hear anyone say "down goes Frazier".
Sorry, Todd.
Fox Sports Florida
Jose Fernandez was quite good, limiting the Reds to six hits (five singles) while striking out nine in a 2-0 victory.
But that's not what I'd like to talk about. Cincy's Todd Frazier struck out swinging in the sixth and Marlins' announcer Rich Waltz said: "down goes...well, Frazier." Then Waltz and commentator Tommy Hutton had a nice old man laugh and we went to commercial.
I'm proposing something radical, but I think it's necessary. All human beings with the last name FRAZIER should be banned from playing sports so we never again have to hear anyone say "down goes Frazier".
Sorry, Todd.
Games 173 & 174 - Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees
July 8-9 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY
YES Network
Wednesday's game belonged to Mark Teixeira, who ripped a pair of solo home runs (they looked nearly identical in pitch type, location and where the ball landed in the right field seats) and made a number of great plays in the field in the Yankees' 5-4 win.
It also marked the return of Jacoby Ellsbury and Andrew Miller from the disabled list. Those two are extremely important to New York's playoff chances and Ellsbury looked fine playing his first game since May 19 (1-for-4, infield single), while Miller looked rusty. The southpaw gave up a two-run home run in the top of the ninth to Marcus Semien, which turned a 5-2 lead into a one-run game.
Stephen Drew had a nice at bat and launched a solo home run in the eighth. I'm happy he hit it because it turned out to be the winning run, but it also didn't help his chances of being removed from the roster any time soon. Baseball is full of mixed emotions.
The rubber game also went to the Yankees, 6-2. The highlights:
1. Masahiro Tanaka looked destined for a short, horrific outing when he allowed two runs in the second, but the right-hander was dominant the rest of the way. Tanaka went 7 2/3 innings and allowed just two hits (both in that second) and an earned run, retiring 18 of the last 19 batters he faced (Billy Butler struck out in the fourth, but reached on a wild pitch).
2. Brett Gardner not only had three more hits, including a solo home run, but was named to the AL all star team to replace the injured Alex Gordon. It's the first all-star nod in Gardner's eight years as a big leaguer.
3. With Miller and Betances both unavailable, Chasen Shreve and Adam Warren handled the set up/closer duties just fine, combining to get the final four outs to preserve Tanaka's gem.
4. In Ellsbury's second game back, he again looked healthy and his single in the fourth brought home two and turned out to be the winning runs.
Baseball Phrases with Al Leiter
"Show pitch"
"Pulled the string" (said twice)
"Plus-pitch/"plus-stuff"
"He smelled a hit"
"Emergency hack/swing" (3)
"A boatload of scouts"
"Closers: it's a different animal"
"The it-factor"
"Good baseball man"
"Table setters"
"His repertoire is what it is"
YES Network
Wednesday's game belonged to Mark Teixeira, who ripped a pair of solo home runs (they looked nearly identical in pitch type, location and where the ball landed in the right field seats) and made a number of great plays in the field in the Yankees' 5-4 win.
It also marked the return of Jacoby Ellsbury and Andrew Miller from the disabled list. Those two are extremely important to New York's playoff chances and Ellsbury looked fine playing his first game since May 19 (1-for-4, infield single), while Miller looked rusty. The southpaw gave up a two-run home run in the top of the ninth to Marcus Semien, which turned a 5-2 lead into a one-run game.
Stephen Drew had a nice at bat and launched a solo home run in the eighth. I'm happy he hit it because it turned out to be the winning run, but it also didn't help his chances of being removed from the roster any time soon. Baseball is full of mixed emotions.
The rubber game also went to the Yankees, 6-2. The highlights:
1. Masahiro Tanaka looked destined for a short, horrific outing when he allowed two runs in the second, but the right-hander was dominant the rest of the way. Tanaka went 7 2/3 innings and allowed just two hits (both in that second) and an earned run, retiring 18 of the last 19 batters he faced (Billy Butler struck out in the fourth, but reached on a wild pitch).
2. Brett Gardner not only had three more hits, including a solo home run, but was named to the AL all star team to replace the injured Alex Gordon. It's the first all-star nod in Gardner's eight years as a big leaguer.
3. With Miller and Betances both unavailable, Chasen Shreve and Adam Warren handled the set up/closer duties just fine, combining to get the final four outs to preserve Tanaka's gem.
4. In Ellsbury's second game back, he again looked healthy and his single in the fourth brought home two and turned out to be the winning runs.
Baseball Phrases with Al Leiter
"Show pitch"
"Pulled the string" (said twice)
"Plus-pitch/"plus-stuff"
"He smelled a hit"
"Emergency hack/swing" (3)
"A boatload of scouts"
"Closers: it's a different animal"
"The it-factor"
"Good baseball man"
"Table setters"
"His repertoire is what it is"
Game 172 - Baltimore Orioles at Minnesota Twins
July 8 at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN
MASN
Tommy Milone was sent down to Triple-A Rochester and spent the month of May dominating the International League (0.70 ERA in five starts). He's been nearly as good since returning to the big leagues.
After Wednesday afternoon's seven inning, one-run performance in the Twins' 5-3 victory, the right-hander has a 1.84 ERA (9 ER in 44 IP) in seven starts since being called back up. Brian Dozier and Joe Mauer hit back-to-back home runs in the sixth to give the Twins the lead for good and Eric Fryer added a two-run double in the seventh.
The Orioles bullpen? Not good.
Ubaldo Jimenez started and threw five scoreless innings (though he did allow 10 base-runners), then Bud Norris (1 IP, 3 ER in the 6th) and Chaz Roe (1 IP, 2 ER in the 7th) ruined everything.
Baseball Phrases & Assorted Nonsense
Jim Palmer
(After a broken bat fly out that nearly fell in) "That could've broken Bud Norris' heart if that had fallen."
"Finesse lefty"
"Achilles heel"
"Tack-on runs"
Gary Thorne
"High sky"
"The shift is on"
"Two-bagger"
"Grind it out club"
"Heater upstairs"
MASN
Tommy Milone was sent down to Triple-A Rochester and spent the month of May dominating the International League (0.70 ERA in five starts). He's been nearly as good since returning to the big leagues.
After Wednesday afternoon's seven inning, one-run performance in the Twins' 5-3 victory, the right-hander has a 1.84 ERA (9 ER in 44 IP) in seven starts since being called back up. Brian Dozier and Joe Mauer hit back-to-back home runs in the sixth to give the Twins the lead for good and Eric Fryer added a two-run double in the seventh.
The Orioles bullpen? Not good.
Ubaldo Jimenez started and threw five scoreless innings (though he did allow 10 base-runners), then Bud Norris (1 IP, 3 ER in the 6th) and Chaz Roe (1 IP, 2 ER in the 7th) ruined everything.
Baseball Phrases & Assorted Nonsense
Jim Palmer
(After a broken bat fly out that nearly fell in) "That could've broken Bud Norris' heart if that had fallen."
"Finesse lefty"
"Achilles heel"
"Tack-on runs"
Gary Thorne
"High sky"
"The shift is on"
"Two-bagger"
"Grind it out club"
"Heater upstairs"
Game 171 - Houston Astros at Cleveland Indians
July 6 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH
Fox Sports Ohio
We've got a couple things to go over from this one, a 9-4 Houston victory.
1. Reporter/in-the-stands-guy?/sideline? person Andre Knott said this about Jose Altuve and Jason Kipnis:
"They play the game a little differently."
What does this mean? Differently than who/what?
Are Altuve and Kipnis allowed to wear football helmets?
Fox Sports Ohio
We've got a couple things to go over from this one, a 9-4 Houston victory.
1. Reporter/in-the-stands-guy?/sideline? person Andre Knott said this about Jose Altuve and Jason Kipnis:
"They play the game a little differently."
What does this mean? Differently than who/what?
Are Altuve and Kipnis allowed to wear football helmets?
Do they come to the plate riding giraffes?
2. Here's commentator Rick Manning quoting Houston announcer Alan Ashby, who we've talked about before on this site:
"George Springer may have the most talent, but (Carlos) Correa, every time he steps on the field, he's the best player."
Someone please explain the difference between the most talented player and the best player on the field. I'll give you 1,000 years to come up with the answer, but that's all the time I can allow.
2. Here's commentator Rick Manning quoting Houston announcer Alan Ashby, who we've talked about before on this site:
"George Springer may have the most talent, but (Carlos) Correa, every time he steps on the field, he's the best player."
Someone please explain the difference between the most talented player and the best player on the field. I'll give you 1,000 years to come up with the answer, but that's all the time I can allow.
Game 170 - Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees
July 3 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY
YES Network
The Yankees had no business winning this game, especially considering:
1. They did nothing against Tampa starter Chris Archer (6 2/3 IP, 3 H, 8K) and trailed 3-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth.
2. They also trailed 5-3 heading into the bottom of the 12th.
3. Chase Headley is on the team.
But after Archer left the game, Mark Teixeira launched a tying, three-run home run in the eighth off Kevin Jepsen. Then the Rays scored twice in the top of the 12th against Chasen Shreve, who was ineffective for the first time in a month and a half. Teixeira singled in a run in the bottom half, which preceded Brian McCann's walk-off, three-run shot. Yankees win 7-5.
Let's add this to the list of reasons why no one likes Chase Headley: he struck out three times, including for the only out Steven Geltz recorded in the 12th, and bounced into an inning-ending double play in the ninth with the winning run at second.
Michael Kay
A light evening for Kay, but still some classic nonsense:
"A fly in the ointment"
"Free baseball"
"Wipe the slate clean"
"Topsy turvy"
YES Network
The Yankees had no business winning this game, especially considering:
1. They did nothing against Tampa starter Chris Archer (6 2/3 IP, 3 H, 8K) and trailed 3-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth.
2. They also trailed 5-3 heading into the bottom of the 12th.
3. Chase Headley is on the team.
But after Archer left the game, Mark Teixeira launched a tying, three-run home run in the eighth off Kevin Jepsen. Then the Rays scored twice in the top of the 12th against Chasen Shreve, who was ineffective for the first time in a month and a half. Teixeira singled in a run in the bottom half, which preceded Brian McCann's walk-off, three-run shot. Yankees win 7-5.
Let's add this to the list of reasons why no one likes Chase Headley: he struck out three times, including for the only out Steven Geltz recorded in the 12th, and bounced into an inning-ending double play in the ninth with the winning run at second.
Michael Kay
A light evening for Kay, but still some classic nonsense:
"A fly in the ointment"
"Free baseball"
"Wipe the slate clean"
"Topsy turvy"
Game 169 - Colorado Rockies at Oakland Athletics
July 1 at O.Co Coliseum in Oakland, CA
CSN
Unfortunately I can't find all of my notes from this game (notes theft?!), but I know Jesse Hahn allowed one run in six innings in Oakland's 4-1 victory, and play-by-play man Glen Kuiper gave the Seattle/San Diego score eight different times.
Eight!
A pair of fourth-place teams with only minor relevance to either the A's or the Rockies (divisional opponent, I guess?).
What's the score, Glen?!
Well, what's the score now, Glen?!
Non-baseball Phrase, by Ray Fosse
"America's birthday"
UPDATE: 7/8/15
Found a bit more of what I wrote during this game, but it's just some more Fosse:
"If you're lucky enough to get to this level you want to stay as long as you can." (Thanks, Ray)
"It's a difficult sport." (I don't believe you)
"It's not easy." (OK, I believe you)
"You get 3 of 10 hits, you're a superstar." (No)
And finally, this:
"A perfect game says everything about that one thing: perfect."
Seriously, great to have you in the booth, Ray.
CSN
Unfortunately I can't find all of my notes from this game (notes theft?!), but I know Jesse Hahn allowed one run in six innings in Oakland's 4-1 victory, and play-by-play man Glen Kuiper gave the Seattle/San Diego score eight different times.
Eight!
A pair of fourth-place teams with only minor relevance to either the A's or the Rockies (divisional opponent, I guess?).
What's the score, Glen?!
Well, what's the score now, Glen?!
Non-baseball Phrase, by Ray Fosse
"America's birthday"
UPDATE: 7/8/15
Found a bit more of what I wrote during this game, but it's just some more Fosse:
"If you're lucky enough to get to this level you want to stay as long as you can." (Thanks, Ray)
"It's a difficult sport." (I don't believe you)
"It's not easy." (OK, I believe you)
"You get 3 of 10 hits, you're a superstar." (No)
And finally, this:
"A perfect game says everything about that one thing: perfect."
Seriously, great to have you in the booth, Ray.
Games 167 & 168 - New York Yankees at Los Angeles Angels
June 29 and 30 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA
Fox Sports West
The Yankees were held to a pair of runs through the first two games of this series, 4-1 and 2-1 wins for the Angels.
Here are a few thoughts:
- New York needs to stop hitting the ball to center field. Mike Trout is there.
- Erick Aybar put the Angels ahead for good with a solo home run off Ivan Nova in the sixth inning of Tuesday's game. That's Erick Aybar, the guy with 47 home runs in 10 seasons.
- Victor Rojas/Mark Gubicza top 5:
5. "Thigh-high"
4. "Sucking gas"
3. "Pull-happy"
2. "Little man went to big man territory"
1. "Did a matrix to get out of the way"
- This may be too early for a no-hitter watch:
Fox Sports West
The Yankees were held to a pair of runs through the first two games of this series, 4-1 and 2-1 wins for the Angels.
Here are a few thoughts:
- New York needs to stop hitting the ball to center field. Mike Trout is there.
- Erick Aybar put the Angels ahead for good with a solo home run off Ivan Nova in the sixth inning of Tuesday's game. That's Erick Aybar, the guy with 47 home runs in 10 seasons.
- Victor Rojas/Mark Gubicza top 5:
5. "Thigh-high"
4. "Sucking gas"
3. "Pull-happy"
2. "Little man went to big man territory"
1. "Did a matrix to get out of the way"
- This may be too early for a no-hitter watch:
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