I planned to write tonight about how I am genetically coded and morally obliged to root against the Dodgers and Red Sox based upon past rivalries.  But it also pains me to root against Joe Torre and Don Mattingly.  I make a decision to root for the Mets and against the Dodgers.
                       
The Dodgers jumped out to a 3-0 first inning lead. 

The Mets countered with Luis Castillo's two run home run.  Dodgers 3 - Mets 2 at the end of the first inning.

John Maine wasn't great but hung in there.  The crowd encouraged him along.  Mr. Met's tour throughout the Mezzanine raised everyone's spirits except Linda's.  She booed Mr. Met and you know the story from previous posts.  Tonight's comments were even more stinging than in the past which I can not repeat in our family oriented blog.

The Mets finally took a 5-4 lead during the seventh inning.
  
You can blame the tying run on the first base umpire who missed Juan Pierre out at first.  Of course, I recommended a good laser vision surgeon.  Aaron Heilman came to save the day and "setup" Billy Wagner.  However, the last four runs were charged to Heilman.  The Dodgers took a 9-5 lead after seven and a half innings.  The Mets squandered the last six outs to lose the game 9-5.  The slipping away of the game caused the Mets to slip below .500 at 26-27.

There were lots of boos and a few chants to "Fire Willie".  But, the Mets last three straight wins hopefully bought Willie some time.  In the meantime, Linda and I separately texted Steve and I hereby now announce the founding of the Aaron Heilman Sucks Fan Club.  I'm so depressed that I am not even going to charge a membership fee.  Just boo him whenever you see him at Shea, on TV, or around town.

Posted by a depressed Tank reporting live from Shea Stadium. 

The Mets beat the Dodgers 8-4 last night to win their third game in a row, for the first time in over a month. Everything seemed to be working, hitting, a quality start, solid bullpen (the bullpen has only given up 1 run over its last 19 innings, walking none and striking out several), small ball, taking advantage of opponents mistakes, 2-out RBIs, and quality fielding. Basically all the things that were not going well in the past few weeks. This is very impressive considering the string of injuries the Mets have suffered over the past week. They have improved their record to .500 and have not undone the damage of the 1-7 record last week.

David Wright said "the off-field distractions are behind us" when asked about the recent awesome play of the Mets.

The challenge is to keep winning, and play with passion even in the losses so the media doesn't start its "Willie Watch" again. Memories are short term in this town. If the Mets can manage their way to 10 games over .500 and continue to play with the same spunk they have shown over the past few days.

Maybe the team is playing for Willie. Or maybe they are playing for Billy Wagner.

Posted by Steve, ready for the Mets to break out.

It was great to watch the Mets yesterday never say die. Down twice in the bottom of the 9th and 12th innings they tied it in the bottom of the 9th and scored 2 to go ahead and win in the bottom of the 12 (after the Marlins had a 1 run lead in the top of the 12th.) Solid bullpen work and come from behind heroics is something we did not see late last year and most of this year.

If the Mets do turn this season around, last night will be the turning point, not the Yankees win. The real test is this weekend against the Dodgers, can they keep the momentum going?

Posted by Steve in New York

PermaGuest Outlaw Jack wrote late last week that some free primo  tickets were available to Monday's Memorial Day game.  I really wanted to go but politely declined as I was out of town for the game.  It was almost a good thing that I didn't go; I saw the looks on fans' faces in the Port Authority after the Mets lost.  This was even more depressing after the Wilpons met with Willie before Monday's game.

After my recent interview with Johan Santana, I was really excited to finally watch him pitch in person last night at Shea.

Santana came through like he was supposed to.  He pitched seven solid innings, including pitching out of a couple of jams.  He helped his own cause with a double in the fourth but he wasn't advanced home. 

I guess I am the Mets good luck charm as the Mets are 5-1 this season when I go.  Maybe the Wilpons will pay me to go to games.  Gotta go, I hear my phone ringing. 

Posted by a cautiously optimistic Tank reporting live from Shea Stadium in Queens.

Willie got to keep his job but fans want some blood. Is that person Omar Minaya? He has done some questionable moves like sign Mota (after the steroids) sign Sosa rather than go to arbitration (then let him go), trade Millidge for next to nothing (but we DID get a bargain this year but long term we lost). So Omar got lucky with Millidge and Santana.(Imagine if Santana did not sign?)

Lastly he did hire Willie. So if Willie does not turn the team around, maybe Omar will be shown the door?

While on this topic, my friends have written me saying that Willie is done. If he is genius Mets fans, who is the savior?

Bobby Valentine? If so I will start watching the Yankees for the first time in my life.

Keith Hernandez? Please.

Here are my choice if the Mets foolishly fire Willie:

HoJo. He knows the team and has lots of management experience in A ball for the Mets. Then you can bring Mike Piazza in as the batting coach.

Posted by Steve in New York

Willie Randolph had a much anticipated meeting with Mets' ownership (Fred and Jeff Wilpon) and GM Omar Minaya today to discuss the "state of the team" but in reality it was most likely to discuss his future as manager.

Willie emerged with his job intact, a decision that I think is sound. While the Mets can't seem to win these days they are only 1 game behind Atlanta in the loss column and 2 behind Philly and this is only May. Steve and the Tank to Mets fans: chill out.

Posted by Steve in New York

Yes, the Russian Army recently paraded tanks and soldiers in Moscow.  But, I am talking about the world's best Red Army, Manchester United Football Club. 

Wow!  You may have heard by now that Man U traveled to Moscow this past Wednesday for the Champions League Final against Chelsea.  It was so classic that ESPN Classic made it an Instant Classic.

Man U struck first blood with a goal in the 26th minute.  Tevez almost scored on a crossing pass and made it 2-0.  Chelsea countered late in the first half to tie the match at 1.

Both teams had their opportunities in the second half but it went to extra time. 

Chelsea's Drogba drew a red card after he slapped Vidic in the 117th minute, or late in the
extra (over) time.  Vidic took one of best penalty kickers out of the match as we went to penalty kicks.

I was nervous going to penalty kicks as Chelsea's Cech is a better goalie than Van Der Sar. 
   
Penalty kicks brought back memories as my Central New York Team Handball Club won the U.S. Team Handball Federation Division II Championship on penalty throws in 1994 in Hotlanta.  I was named Most Valuable Goalie.

Back to Moscow.  It was the fourth Champions League final in the last eight years to go to penalty kicks.  Some of my reactions are below:

Tevez - Gol!
Ballack - Darn it!
Carrick - Yes!
Chelsea player - Darn it!
Ronaldo - You stutter stepping idiot!  Cech easily caught his classically weak penalty kick.
Lampard - Ah!  Just beyond Van Der Sar's finger tips
Hargreaves - Whew!
Ashley Cole - Darn it!  Just hit Van Der Sar's finger tips
Nani - Wow!  Nice fake move by Cech
Down to Terry.  What?  He missed!  Terry was more wide right than Scott Norwood - OMG!
It's tied at 4 after 5 penalty kicks.
Anderson - Yes!
Kaku? - Ouch!
Giggs - Yes!
Carvahlo - Blocked by Van Der Sar. 

Manchester United won 6-5 on penalties.  Yes!  The Red Army rolls again.  I jump up and down and high five total strangers.  Others look on in disbelief.

Ronaldo lives.  So does Rooney who had no shots on goal.
      
I felt bad for Chelsea's Lampard after his Mom recently passed.  R.I.P. 
                 
Posted by a psyched up Tank reporting live from Jake's Saloon on 57th Street and 10th Avenue. 

On Thursday, the Yankees won their second game in a row and first series since the Mariners in early May.  The Yankees benefitted from great pitching performances from Rasner and Kennedy, respectively, thank God!
                                   
When I watched Joba throw 35 pitches on Wednesday from my seat in the right field bleachers, I knew that the Yankees were preparing him to start in the near future.  I am not crazy about Joba a starter but that's management's decision.  I would be a little less reluctant if Bruney was healthy to take Joba's eighth inning spot.  Farnsworth, Ramirez, Hawkins, Ohlendorf, and others will have to step up.

Once Joba is back aboard as a starter, our pitching staff should be set as follows (touch wood):

Joba, Wang, Pettitte, Rasner, Mussina. 

Let Kennedy, Hughes, and Igawa continue to improve in AAA and the bullpen for this year.  One of them can take Mussina and/or Pettitte's spot(s) next season and the other(s) can be trade bait, spot starters, or bullpen.  (I think Pettitte will come back for one more and call it a career.)
                                                     
Just as important, the Yankees may have found their passion and groove.  New manager Joe Girardi was thrown out of Thursday's game after arguing a call with home plate umpire.  Though the ball just hit Giambi's bat, Girardi got his money's worth and was thrown out of the game.  He even kicked up some dirt and threw his hat.  Great theatre and it ignited the Yankees to victory on Thursday. 

That momentum thankfully continued into Friday.  The Yankees scored double the amount of runs, eight in Friday in the fifth inning of tonight's (Friday's) game as they did in the entire Rays four game series last week.  Granted, the Rays had great starting pitching but the Yankees started to heat up against the Mariners, touch wood.
                   
The Yankees 13 - Mariners 2.
                   
Bottom Line: Have the Yankees turned the corner?  The Yankees are still below .500 but hopefully shifting into gear, touch wood.  Keep the Faith!
         
Posted by a cautiously optimistic Tank reporting live from Yankees Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.             

It's hard to draw too much from a single baseball game.  But, Thursday may have been the tipping point for Willie Randolph and a turning point for Joe Girardi.

The Mets lost their fourth straight at the dreaded Braves.  More importantly, Willie Randolph is on the hot seat after his racial reference remarks.  He apologized to the fans and the Wilpons but they won't return his calls according to ESPN 1050 AM. 

I am not African American so it is difficult to me comment on how Willie's perception of the public.  However, I care most about winning and losing, NOT black and white.  I don't want to win, but need to win.  It consumes me and I am a nervous wreck from April through October. 

I never thought of Willie as an African American but one of my favorite Yankees who happened to be African American.  I am rooting for Willie to pull through this crisis but his issues are bigger than race.  They are the following:

(1) Lack of Leadership: Who is the leader of this team?  Is it David Wright?  Carlos Delgado?  Jose Reyes?  Will someone please assert themselves as the leader of the team.

(2) Lack of Discipline: Even after a team meeting, Billy Wagner continues to spout off on teammates.  Granted, he can back it up with a stellar performance but it puts more pressure on his teammates.  Baseball is a sport where you fail more than you succeed.  Putting more pressure on yourself and others causes more grief and hardship.

(3) Injuries: Moises Alou, Pedro, El Duque, Ryan Church, etc.  Heck, my right hamstring tightens as I write this.

Bottom Line: I unfortunately join Steve on the "Willie Watch".  The Wilpons should give Willie through the end of the season.  Willie has earned the right to right the ship.  Mid-season managerial changes rarely work. 

As always, I am here as a counselor on the Yankee and Met Crisis Hotlines (which is a large part of this blog).  
     
Posted by a nervous Tank on the Willie Watch in NY.

Joba Chamberlain will be joining the Yankees’ starting rotation soon. As part of the transition to get his pitch count up Joba pitched the 8th and 9th inning last night, throwing 35 pitches.

“This is the timetable that we had set,” Girardi said. “It’s going to (take) him a while to (get) where he’s going be - a hundred pitches. But this is what we had planned all along, and we’re sticking to our plan that we talked about over the winter and in spring training.” Sorry Joe, but this has Hank Steinbrenner written all over it. Welcome to the Yankees.

This is actually good news, the Yankees need a jolt to their starting rotation. Joba may have to make a start or two in AAA (that will be fun to watch, after spending this time in the majors he should tear up the minor leagues.).

Posted by Steve on Willie-Fired watch :(

It is time to hit the panic button? The Mets and Yankees keep losing to bad teams. The Yankees lost 12-2 to Baltimore after losing 11-2 to the Mets on Sunday. The Mets got swept in a double header in Atlanta, losing to a pitcher who has never won a MLB game. Add insult to injury, the Mets top hitter, Ryan Church went to the hospital with a reaggravation of his spring training concussion.

It is almost June. Almost time to hit the panic button.

Posted by Steve, sitting next to the panic button.

There were some signs of life this weekend in the Bronx, but not from the hapless Yankees, the signs of life were from the hapless Mets. After losing 3 out of 4 to the hopeless Nationals, Billy Wagner called his teammates out, the second public outburst this year by Wagner (who trumps Joba or any other relief pitcher in the league with a 0.00 ERA.)

The Mets out hit, out pitched and out played their crosstown rivals at Yankee Stadium. They stole bases, they hit and ran, had 2-out RBIs, home runs and also dead on pitching. They were firing on all cylinders. They even touched the unhittable Joba for a run. More importantly, they looked like they were having fun. The look on Jose Reyes (two home runs in two games) face in the dugout was the Jose of old, the wise guy joker. Even Carlos Delgado looked like he was having fun. (Even after an obvious three run home run was called back.)

We will see if this was a weekend sighting of the spunk that the Mets need or a real change. The Mets head to Atlanta to play a team that is not as good as them, but seems to be inside their heads. The NY Media was all over the Nats and Yankees series being "tests" for the Mets, a test that they get a collective B- on (D+ against the Nats, A+ against the Yankees, but the Yankees is weighted higher due to the pressure and national stage.)

The real test begins at 1pm tomorrow against their old friend Tom Glavine. A pounding on Tom would just what the doctor ordered.

Posted by Steve in Washington, DC

Chien-Ming Wang has gotten a rap as someone who does not win the big games. While it is only late May, the Yankees have lost 4 out of the last 5 to bad teams (Mets included), and are 3 games under .500 and also falling further and further behind in the AL East.

While it is not October, the Yankees are in a rut and it is also the final game in an abbreviated subway series with the crosstown rivals Mets. While it may "just be another game" the Mets already won the first game and will be going for the series win tonight on national TV. If ever the Yankees needed a big win (as the Mets did yesterday), the do tonight.

The Mets had their stopper, ace Johan Santana pitch yesterday. He did what he was paid to do, going 7 2/3 innings and stopping the losing streak with a big win at the Stadium. Chien-Ming Wang is 6-1 this year. Can he do the same as Johan Santana and stop the Yankees' slide? Or will he still earn his big game rap. We'll know in an hour.

Posted by Steve in New York

Hola Johan,
    Amigo, hermano Dominicano.  Escucho que no quieres hablar con media ingles.  No problema.  Esteban Y El Tanque comprendemos Espanol.
                                                                 
Hi Johan,
    Friend, Dominican brother.  I've heard that you don't want to speak with the English speaking media.  No problem.  Steve and The Tank understand Spanish.
                                           
    Question Uno: Piensas que Los Mets no se anotan mas carreras para ti?  (Claro que no.)
   
    Question One: Do you think that the Mets score enough runs for you?  (Of course not.)   

    Question Dos: Que piensas de Guillermo Wagner criticando Perez?  Quieres a gritar a Billy?  

    Question Two: What do you think of Billy Wagner criticizing Perez?  Do you want to yell at Billy?

    Question Tres: Te gusta los umpires?

    Question Three: Do you like the umpires?

El Tanque escribe en Nueva York.

Written by The Tank in NY.

After Steve and I were rained out last Friday night at Shea, I didn't even bother going to the Stadium tonight for the Subway Series.

As blogged in 2006, the Yankees and Mets dropped the ball in NOT putting retractable roofs on the new stadiums opening next year.

Posted by The Tank building an Ark.

 

Aaron Heilman is not an effective 7th inning man. Nor is he happy being a reliever, he whines and complains almost daily that he is not a starter. The Mets need consistency in their rotation. Pedro is never going to return, I'm sorry to say. If his hamstring ever heals, he will go on to the DL sometime in August for his toe or something else.

Orlando Hernandez's return is still a mystery but he will come back. When he does, he should fill Sosa's role in the bullpen. Let's face it el Duque is old, nobody know how old. He can't give you 150 innings any more. So put him in the pen and expect only 65 innings a year from him. This will extend his career and make him much more effective tossing less innings. Then you can swap his spot in the rotation with Heilman. If Heilman still does not perform, then you can trade him away.

Posted by Steve in New York

Forget the win last night over the Nationals. Forget the 14 hits and 6 runs and rock star performances from Ryan Church and John Maine. The signs of life are from the passion displayed.

Monday night Nelson Figueroa got rocked by the Nationals. Yea, those thigns happen. But what was bad was the Nationals, led by Lastings Milledge, were in the dugout tormenting Figueroa. He said after the game: ”They were cheerleading in the dugout like a bunch of softball girls. I’m a professional, just like anybody else. I take huge offense to that. If that’s what a last-place team needs to do to fire themselves up, so be it. I think you need to show a little bit more class, a little bit more professionalism. They won tonight, but again, in the long run, they are who they are.”

ex-Met Lastings Milledge said: “Well, what were we supposed to do? We’re not supposed to cater to anybody on the opposing team. We’re not going to cater to him or anybody else. We’ve been down the last couple of days and we wanted to get something going. And if he doesn’t like it, then he’s got to deal with it. Anybody don’t like it, they just have to deal with it.”

On Tuesday night, John dealt with it. Maine hit Felipe Lopez with the first pitch of the game. Take that Lastings Milledge. The Mets then followed with a victory and Maine had another brilliant performance. This is what you have to do, hit the batter to set the tone, send a message. There are some signs of life in Flushing after all.

Posted by Steve in New York

A-Rod's right quad is still not 100% and he will not be off the DL before the weekend series at the Stadium vs the Mets. There has been a buzz about the Subway Series this year (well there is always a buzz) since it is the last year at both stadiums.

I say, who cares? This is like the Sears and K-Mart merger. Both teams are no fun to watch anymore. they seems to give up, even against bad teams. The Mets can't beat the last place Reds and Nationals and the Yankees can't beat the hapless Rays. The Yankees will limp into the series maybe at .500 and the Mets will be no better. I was watching the game last night and at one point it was 3-3 and then the Nationals took the lead 6-3. Last year (pre-September) and definitely in 2006 I would have said "no problem, we'll get those 3 runs back, epically against a 0-3 pitcher." Not this year. The Mets seem to give up when they fall behind. The Yankees are even worse.

I have been saying for weeks now that the Mets and Yanks have to beat up on bad teams. So now they can beat up on each other.

Posted by Steve not excited by the Sears Series.

The Knicks signed Mike D'Antoni to a four year, $24 million contract over the weekend.  I know Steve and many other Knicks fans wanted former Knick and Saint John's star Mark Jackson.  I understand that but the Knicks went with an experienced AND successful coach.  D'Antoni is good enough to adjust his up-tempo style to the personnel that he has now.  Expect a mix of up tempo and half court.  This will make the Knicks a more watchable team over the next couple of seasons until Lebron James and/or Dwayne Wade becomes available.
                                                       
That said, I think D'Antoni should have been given another year in Phoenix as should have Avery Johnson in Dallas.  Shaq wasn't 100% fit when he came to the desert in the middle of the season.  If D'Antoni didn't succeed after next season, then he should have been reevaluated and replaced if necessary.  For that matter, D'Antoni's style would have worked better in Chicago as would Avery Johnson's style in Phoenix.  That's water under the bridge and time to move on. 
                                                             
The Knicks will need to be creative in getting out of Salary Cap H*ll.  They will then be able to go after Lebron James or Dwayne Wade.  Expect the latter as Lebron is close to Jay Z.  Therefore, I wouldn't be surprised to see Lebron in a Brooklyn Nets jersey.  Plus, the Nets hold the option in 2010-2011 for Vince Carter so expect his salary to be used to acquire Lebron.  Dwayne Wade would be a great consolation prize for the Knicks.
         
Factors to Watch:         
                         
(1) Stephon Marbury is entering his contract year.  (Thank God!)  Mike D'Antoni has coached him in Phoenix before he got traded for Steve Nash.  Stephon knows this is his last chance to stay with Knicks or audition for another team.  The Knicks would be smart NOT to re-sign Stephon unless he were to win a championship next season.
         
(2) Who will the Knicks draft?  Let's hope the ping-pong balls (with a possible assist from David Stern) go the Knicks way.  Expect D'Antoni to draft and sign top level international players as he had in Phoenix and other stops in his career. 

(3) Will D'Antoni have the confidence and support of Walsh and the Dolans?  Will they cave into the players at the first sign of trouble?  If they do, D'Antoni will hang in the wind and Knicks fans will continue to suffer.  Walsh must back D'Antoni and get rid of any players who don't get with the program.  
                           
(4) Will the ghost of Isiah (in person or spirit) continue to haunt the Knicks?  Will he hold secret meetings with players to plant dissention in their heads?  Isiah is devious as a fox so the players must be on guard for this trap as everything Isiah touches turns to junk.
                                     
Bottom Line: Anyone is better than Isiah so D'Antoni was a good choice.  If you think the Yankees rebuilding process on the fly is painful, the Knicks are going to be a total renovation down to final brick, pun intended per NYC Building Code regulations.                            

D'Antoni is good enough to get the Knicks from 23 to about 35+ wins in 2008-2009 with the current "talent" and some help from the draft.  35+ wins is enough to contend for an Eastern Conference playoff spot.  Heck, Steve, myself, and all of our 23 month old to 16 year old nieces, nephews, and Godchildren could contend as Team SteveAndTheTank.com in the Eastern Conference.  The challenge in D'Antoni's second through fourth seasons is to get the Knicks to get above .500 and go deep into the playoffs.  Contending for a championship is a mathematical possibility but not likely for another four years or more.  I have a better chance of winning the Lottery, touch wood. 
                                                 
Posted by a cautiously optimistic Tank in NY. 

The Mets yesterday split a double header with the last place Reds that they should have won. In 1986 they would have won and in 2006 they would have won. After winning their last game on the road to salvage a .500 road trip and scoring 12 runs, the Mets looked like they came alive and showed some passion in the first game, giving Santana 12 runs to work with. That was all the Ace needed to get his first win at Shea.

In the nightcap, the Mets stalled, getting only 4 hits off a struggling 8.00 ERA Bronson Arroyo. He embarrassed them and the Mets also made two sloppy errors as well in the field. Jeff Keppinger has more hits then the whole Mets team.

This is the problem. Good teams grind out those nightcaps, don't go to asleep and give games away to last place teams and .800 ERA pitchers. Good teams knock out the .800 pitcher in the 5th inning with a few runs and attack the bullpen. If the team is struggling offensively (how can you say that when the Mets scored 24 runs in the previous two games?) then you foul off a ton of pitches, earn some walks, try to steal and force the pitchers to make mistakes and raise the pitch count.

If the Mets can't win these kind of games, what makes you think they can win a critical Game 7 in October? (Or a critical game in September to clinch a spot in the playoffs.)

This team is good, there is no doubt about, but it lacks the passion. When it finds that drive, that will to win, they will easily overtake their division and possibility go to the World Series. But they won't make the playoffs if they don't find it.

Posted by Steve in New York (Still needing time to digest the Knicks move...)

Former Yankees pitcher David Wells is trying to return to the Yankees according to yesterday's New York Post.  I liked Boomer when I met Boomer in September 2002 in Toronto.  However, I was initially against his return to the Yankees after the way he left the Yankees in 2003.  (I didn't have a digital camera back then so I don't have our photo.)

However, given Kei Igawa's dismal performance last night, it maybe time to reconsider Boomer.  Boomer has a rubber arm and a valuable left hander.  He's never been in the best shape in the world but maybe a short term answer until Hughes gets healthy and Kennedy fixes his issues.  If the Yankees decide to start Joba later this season, he won't be ready until July or August at the earliest.

If I was Brian Cashman, I would do the following:

(1) Sign Boomer to the minimum contract with performance incentives for starts, innings pitched, ERA, etc.
                                                             
(2) Let Igawa start one more game to give him another chance while Boomer gets a minor league start to knock off the rust.
                     
I know this may seem like panic move but I don't think Igawa will work out.  The Yankees invested lots of money in him but it maybe time to let him go back home.  If I am Brian Cashman, I am listening to any offers to bring him back home to Japan which include eating the contract.

Posted by an anxious Tank in NY.

Chien Ming Wang was 6-0 in his first seven starts.  The Indians Cliff Lee is 5-0 going into the game.  Two aces on a beautiful early May evening at the Stadium.  It promises to be a classic.

Wang gave up an early run even before I got to the Stadium.  Indians 1 - Yankees 0.

Lee was brilliant throwing a one hitter through three innings.  Matsui hit an early pop fly single to extend his hitting streak to 17 games.

Peralta scored on Blake single to center to make it 2-0 with two outs in the fourth.  Darn it!

Jeter leads off in the fourth.  The Yankees go down in order.

The Indians get two on in the fifth.  When Francisco tried to bunt on 1-1, Shelley Duncan sprinted down to home plate and almost got the ball as Francisco bunted to foul territory on the third base side.  Wow! 
Dellucci singles to center.  Indians 3 - Yankees 0.

Martinez swung and missed.  Sizemore caught stealing at third.  You gotta love Molina's arm and Jane's Addiction "Caught Stealing" playing over the speakers.  Indians lead 3-0 after the top of the fifth.
                         
The Melk Man singled to right with one out in the fifth.  Cano fouls a couple of pitches and then hits a single to shallow right.  Ensberg strikes out.  Better than a double play.  Oh no, Molina is hitting .226.  He hit a ball to the warning track in right field.  Ouch!  At the end of five innings, Indians 3 - Yankees 0.

Since it is now an official game, the Yankees invite former manager Buck Showalter to turn the Met Life sign from 65 to 64 games remaining at Yankee Stadium.  Good job Buck!  Buck is in town for the ESPN Wednesday night game.  I became a big fan of Buck when he managed the Oneonta Yankees to NY-Penn League titles in the 1980s.
                     
My fellow Bleacher Creatures yell "Take the Wave to Shea" as the Wave dies at the Bleachers.  Speaking of Shea, it will be my next game on Friday.  Steve will be joining me for the first time in over a season as he is finishing up his MBA.  Congratulations Steve!
           
Damon grounds out to second.  Jeter flies out to right.  Abreu beats the pitcher to first.  Good hustle "El Come Dulce" - translation "Just Like Sugar".  Duncan doubles down the left line.  Abreu advances to third.  The crowd rises to its feet in the Right Field Bleachers as Matsui comes to the plate but strikes out.  Darn it!

It was good visiting JR in between innings.  It's great to be back home in the Right Field Bleachers.  Since I am a 20 game Flex Plan holder, most of my tickets are in Left Field Bleachers or Tier.  Darn it!

Cabrera flies out deep in Death Valley.  Cano grounds out to second.  Ensberg hits a nubber down the third baseline.  The Indians bullpen starts to warm up.  Molina strikes out swinging.  After seven, Indians 3 - Yankees 0.
                           
Kyle Farnsworth starts the eighth.  He hasn't been bad this year, touch wood.  Francisco grounds past Ensberg.  Dellucci flies out to Damon.  Farnsworth's throws back to first don't work.  Farnsworth has to keep focused on batter.  Martinez flew out in front of me to Melky.  Peralta swings and Molina guns out Martinez.  Nice!

Perez replaces Lee.  Damon promptly grounds out to short.  Jeter comes up to the "Humpty Dance", one of my favorite songs.  Jeter held his swing but called out swinging.  The crowd rightly boos the blind ump.  Abreu doubles down the left field line.  Duncan flies out to right.

People start to leave the Stadium.  Not The Tank but this is a disturbing trend.  Only the most die-hard fans give the Yankees a chance.  Part of me can't blame them as the Yankees are without Posada and A-Rod, or Ego-Rod as Steve wrote yesterday.  I don't have any children of my own but I'll give him a pass on fainting in the delivery room.   His wife should have kept the story private.  As for giving his daughters the middle name of "Alexander", I don't know what was thinking but he's still my buddy. 

Albaladejo starts the ninth.  Peralta singles to left.  Cabrera walks.  Blake bunts to third and is out at first.  Shoppach walks.  Hafner comes in for Marte.  Hafner's slump continues as he grounds out in front of home to Molina who throws to first to complete the double play and keep the game at 3-0.

Betancourt tries to close it out.  Time for the Rally Cap.  Matsui fouls off to stay alive.  Betancourt is lulling me to sleep because he is almost as slow as Aaron "The Human Raindelay" Heilman.  Matsui grounds out to third.  Melky comes up as the Red Sox unfortunately tie the Tigers 8-8 in the 7th according to the left field scoreboard.  This is not good for us as the Tigers will probably catch fire again when we visit them this weekend, counter tooch wood.  Melky pops up to the third baseman.  Cano is out to end the game.  The Indians win 3-0.

Bottom Line: The Yankees are under .500 again at 17-18.  Ugh!  Tuesday night's loss was a heart breaker as it exposed Joba and cost a chance to go two games above .500 and keep the Mariners' sweep momentum going.

Posted by a depressed Tank reporting live from Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.

Tonight A-Rod's wife goes on TV and says how it took A-Rod 3.5 weeks to build up the courage to ask her out and how he passed out in the delivery room when his first daughter was born.

More importantly, avid reader Jack figured out that both of A-Rod's daughters have "Alexander" as their middle name. To quote Jack:

"Are you freakin kidding me? The middle name of BOTH of his daughters is Alexander? Not even Alexandra, but his name. Man talk about ego."

Well Said Jack-o.

Posted by Steve in New York

The New York Daily News reported last week that the Rocket had a 10 year affair with country star Mindy McCready that began when she was 15. The news also linked Clemens with former bartender Angela Moyer and Paulette Dean Daly, a former wife of pro golfer John Daly.

In a statement yesterday, Clemens apologized for  "mistakes."

"Even though these articles contain many false accusations and mistakes, I need to say that I have made mistakes in my personal life for which I am sorry," Clemens said via a statement issued by spokesman Patrick Dorton. "I have apologized to my family and apologize to my fans. Like everyone, I have flaws."

You're telling me. What is it you are apologizing for? Sex with a minor (he denies that part)? Steroids? (he denies that part too) Then what is it Roger? Why not just come clean about everything and maybe, just maybe, you will avoid jail time. Forget the Hall of Fame now, you can hang out with Mark McGuire and Barry Bonds.

Memo to Roger, Brian McNamee is not out to get you, the US Congress is not out to get you, Mindy McCready is not out to get you, Andy Pettitte and his wife are not out to get you: your own ego is out to get you. Nobody believes you anymore. Come clean about steroids (and the affairs.)

Posted by Steve in Montreal. (And yes the French Canadians don't believe you either.)

It was bound to happen. The 23 year old Ian Kennedy is 0-2 with an 8.37 ERA in six games, including five starts.

The gamble to start the season with the youngsters Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy was a good one but unfortunately has failed for the Yankees. The decision to push Kennedy back to AAA was a good one, allow him to work up his confidence and control in a low risk and low pressure environment. The experience will be a good one for him. Remember when Wang was 23 he was in AAA and saw no time in the big leagues.

What is next for the Yankees? There are not many options for them, but I am sure that they will think of something, they are the Yankees after all. The new Boss wanted to go with Santana but I agree that the Twins wanted too much for him. If the result is a year of limbo where Hughes, Kennedy and Chamberlain mature, that is ok. Probably not ok for the win now front office and fans but it should be.

Posted by Steve in New York

Oliver Perez is my favorite Mets pitcher. He is for two reasons, first is when he is on, you just can't hit him. The second reason is for the Russian Roulette you are playing with him on the mound, since when he is off, he is off.He can't find the plate and gets roughed up.

Oliver had one of those games on Wednesday night. He lasted just 1 and 1-3 innings the night after the Mets bullpen outlasted the Pirates on Tuesday night in 11 innings. So Billy Wagner decided to call out Perez on his weekly radio show.

Memo to Wagner: don't air your dirty laundry, handle this in the clubhouse. Willie agreed, “I wouldn’t go that route, but that’s Billy,” Willie said. “Billy gets a little emotional at times. If he feels that way, it’s fine. Billy doesn’t speak for the team. That’s just him. That’s just his opinion.”

Willie is right, close ranks and take care of this internally.

Anyway, why do pitchers have radio shows, or blogs from that matter?Just pitch damn-it.

PS I think Kathleen should do the dishes more often. Oh wait that was Billy Wagner talking......

Posted by Steve in New York.

The sports world has been filled with steroids, dog fighting, gambling, and other scandals over the past year.
                                     
It's refreshing to learn of and write about the women's college softball game in Washington State.  Hard luck senior, Sara Tucholsky, never hit a home run in her career.  When Sara finally hit her home run, she collapsed before reaching second base from an injured leg.  Her teammates could NOT help her as she would be called out and credited with a single.
                                                       
After a few tense moments, her opponents, Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace, carried her around each base, she touched it with her leg, and then they carried her home.  Sara was greeted by emotional teammates at home plate.

Sportsmanship carried the day.  Good job ladies!
                                       
Posted by an uplifted Tank in NY.  Mega thanks to PermaGuest Outlaw Jack for the links and story idea!