Game 29 - v DET - L 2-6

Andy Pettitte is not having his usual start - 3 home runs to not great players and lots of hits.

The hitters... sigh..... where do I start. Stop swinging at the first bloody pitch, make the damn pitcher work.. grrr... too many easy outs.

Alex is on the 15 day DL - really hope he gets better soon.
Now Hughes is on the 15 day DL with oblique muscle - hmmm, maybe maybe not, but something needed to happen.

All in all not good all round. At least they managed to get Moeller back as backup catcher.

Really don't want to watch any more tonight.

Game 28 - v DET - L 3-6

Not inspired by the lineup - why isn't Melky playing he's doing one of the best so far hits wise. Why is Giambi DHing? If you want Melky and Damon who are both hot then put either as DH and drop Giambi whose .189 is rubbish. We'll see.

Yukes, Hughes had a nightmare - another very short, costly outing. Stewart behind the plate was also bad - crossed signs all the time.

The bats were rubbish with RISP - yuk. Cano got a HR which was nice, but no-one else did much of anything.

A bad game to watch - actually it's another bad game - we need to pick this up quick. Giradi please get a clue!

Game 27 - @ CLE - W 5-2

Moose is pitching very nicely - sharp stuff and no runs, trouble is so if Laffey and the offense is rubbish - no decently hit balls at all. Typical.
Mussina is using up quite a few pitches early on so won't last long innings cos he has no run support at all. I'm sure if he was leading he wouldn't have to work so damn hard.

Posada will be out for probably months and Alex left the game after sliding into home for the run after being hit - quad again - hopefully not too long.

Derek doesn't look that good either. Kyle is looking very recently, maybe this is a turning point for him. Albaladejo was reasonable and Joba and Mo were as always good and great respectively. Now only if the batting was!

Game 26 - @ CLE - W 1-0

Damon still on a tear - this is more like the lead off hitter we need.
Wang pitched the 1st ok - a walk but no runs, hopefully he'll settle.

Posada was scratched 2 mins before start, but they won't tell us why.

Duncan and Jeter made some great plays in the 2nd to save runs. Both pitchers are pitching really well, but Melky just got a nice LF home run.

After 7 still only Melky's HR. Wang looking strong still.

Apparently Posada has a muscle tear in his shoulder - shit - they only just released Moeller to waivers. Not impressed if anyone knew and didn't say.

7 nice from Wang

Game 25 - @ CLE - L 3-4

Hmmm methinks all the pressure and speed in which Giradi is wont to yank them out of the game doesn't help confidence levels, then he says in interview that it's all about them needing confidence.. hmmm... not if you don't give it to them.

They keep getting 2 on base then getting outs with no score.
Finally Jorge gets them in - he's also not showing any issues with his throwing arm.

Shelley was back but not successful. although no one is today, except Damon whose hits were very good.

Hmm.. they just aren't playing like they're a team - I can't see why, apart from the manager just isn't doing well. "General" Joe is not what kids need.

Bollocks.

Game 24 - @ CLE L 4-6

Andy is not throwing strikes. He was going 3-0 on every hitter and just didn't have his stuff. In the end he got smashed over the fence. Nothing seemed to be the matter, just didn't have it. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't, that's the way it goes, heho.

Giambi is rubbish as usual at 1B, but hit 2 HRs to make up for it. He has started hitting now Shelley is (hopefully) due back up - Jason's feeling the pressure methinks - needs to pull the effort up even when there's no-one breathing down his 1B neck.

Alex is back in the lineup, seems to be moving ok, so looks like quad is better - phew.

Another less than stellar performance and no energy by the hitters.

Game 23 - @ CWS - L 6-7

Didn't watch

Rain delay after 2 innings

Game 22 - @ CWS - W 6-4

Jim Thome just hit to left avoiding the shift - he was so cute, all blushing and all.
Nice inning by Moose. Not entirely sure how Sox's Cabrera made that error to get Matsui on base.
Lots of walks early on helps the pitcher, good patience.
Apart from 2 HRs, Moose only gave up 2 other hits - he's pitching really well - he was smooth and quick ie. he was fast between pitches, no messing, no shaking off signs as usual.. for once Moose and Posada were on the same page and they called/pitched a good game. Cano is still struggling offensively but the rest (mostly) had decent at bats.

Game 21 - @ BAL - W 9-5

Didn't watch

Game 20 - @ BAL - W 7-1

Pettitte is pitching like the old pro his is - keeping everyone off the bases. There were flashes of the offense - the couple of hits and a couple of RBIs etc. There's still not that urgency or buzz on the benches - seems like the energy is flat. Perhaps it'll increase with nicer weather. Can't believe Shelley isn't back up from AAA.

Giambi is sucking big time - avg of .109 - yuk. Cano is also struggling with the hitting but at least you know he's gonna get hot and his defense is always (nearly) great - better than Giambi any day.
What is it with backup catchers all doing well (until injured), Molina was hitting like a demon and now Moeller - whereas Posasda was going rubbish.

Jeter is hitting really well.

Rain delaying the end.

Game 19 - @ BAL - L 0-6

Joba is back in the lineup - still pitching well

Alex is not getting runners as he used to should do

Posada at 1B !!!!!!

Alex DHing, not a good idea.

Not entirely sure Giradi knows what he's doing but I guess it's a new team to him and Torre knew all the permutations.

Need to start winning - don't want to be like last year and 14 games back.

Game 18 - @ BAL - L 2-8

Didn't watch

Game 17 - v BOS - L 5-7

Moose was lucky in the first but Manny just owns Mussina. Not sure if we'll get the offense to help today - we'll see. So far nothing, and pitch count increasing and another HR and more RBIs. Not good location at all. 5 runs by 3rd inning and he'd done ok last outing. Only 1 hit by 3rd, very different from last night, no run support so far.

Beckett is pitching well, but there's no support so far (hopes that will change)

No change! Methinks they need a rehaul.

Farnsworth threw behind Manny's head - but missed thankfully - but it's should've hit his back like it did Alex - Derek wsan't happy about that and said as much - major shock.

Game 16 - v BOS - W 15-9

Wang isn't looking as sharp as last time v Bos, however he's had an Abreu homer and a long 522nd home run by Alex. They added a few more runs but Wang never really found his location all night - so he's out of the game in the 5th after too many hits and walks. The offense have been fine - quite a few hits and not as many LOB as yesterday, thankfully.

Some fine base running by Matsui to score from 1st on Posada's triple.

Bullpen was efficient so back into lead after some nicely placed (or accidentally jammed) hits.

Moeller had some good hits and nice defense. Hawkins was the best of the night.
Long game - 4 hours 20, I'm knackered.

Game 15 - @ TB - W 5-3

Pettitte hasn't had his best stuff but he's brought he's experience - he knows how to pitch out of a jam. He;s also lucky it's Tampa which so far we are owning the starters. Not entirely sure how he hasn't been shellacked yet.

Derek is having another nice night and showing how much he is needed by the team - it's not that he scores HRs or always gets a RBI but this team is much more on base now he's back. He's also inspired Alex to hitting *g* (apart from the 2 out bases loaded strike out he just got.. oops)

Robbie is still struggling but he should click in soon. Melky's been quiet too as have the others.

Farnsworth just had a 1-2-3 8th inning - nice pitching, great defense by Cano helped a lot.

Game 14 - @ BOS - W 8-7

Well this is the kind of pitching slumping hitters like - loads of hits, 3 home runs so far. Alex is on a tear, home run, hits - definitely found his groove. Derek is back in the lineup (hmm any relevance to the previous sentence I wonder *g*). He seems to be running fine and fielding no problem, looks like he's back to full health (fingers crossed).
Kennedy is pitching nicely -the run offense can't hurt either. It's a quiet sort of outing, nothing flashy just getting on with it - like Highes was supposed to do yesterday - hohumm

Bullpen just gave up 5 runs in 7th - argh. How many hits!
Just as the offense was finding it's feet. Phew, Robbie comes in a pinch hitter and hits a HR - nice.

Mo does what Mo does and it's a win and a good game.

Game 13 - @ BOS - L 5-8

Nightmare start for Hughes - he kept getting full counts, lots of balls - perhaps it's nerves. His second was much better - more mixture of pitches - now it we could get some damn hits!!

(Derek still not playing - maybe tomorrow)

Oh dear, it all went wrong again. Plus there were 2 passed balls which caused runs to score. (1 off Hughes 1 off Ohlendorf) - not sure what's going on there! It's only the 4th and it's 7-1 to BOS.

I know it's cold, but surely the good hitters can cope with that.

Decide to go to bed at that point - missed Molina being injured - nightmare.

This was definitely one to forget.

Game 12 - @ BOS - L 3-4

Moose is pitching in and out of trouble - no impressed with the strike zone. Cano just made a great play in 2nd to get double play - perhaps he's trying not to get shouted at Moose again for lax play.
Just need some offense now (ps. check out vid of Joba's lineup)
Despite Manny's HR, Moose is showing his smarts - am impressed - if he can do this against Sox... then...... Hope it lasts.

1 pitch too many for Mose - Giradi should have pulled him when he went to talk to him just before the runs by Manny. Still, I think it was a decent outing, but bad managing. Hitting is still an issue - they aren't showing much power from the power hitters (Damon Giambi etc)

Derek took a few bats in BP - hopefully`back for Tampa Monday or so.

Game 11 - @ BOS - W 4-1

Wang pitching so should be a close game, so far he's 0-0-0, but he had a couple of fly outs - obviously left it up a couple of times - hope he gets it back down now.
(wish I didn't have to listen to NESN)

Bats are still looking really lame - no fizz at all. I can't believe it's the weather. Matsui is doing ok, Alex finally got a hit but no runs. Molina's double drives in Matsui - Molina is having a v. good spell - he is a very good backup. Robbie is still having a mare of a start to the season - like Damon who sin't even playing. Giambi a waste of a spot. Alex just had an error - nothing too exciting though, nothing to worry about. Ok Giambi scored a HR but I still think he's past it. Gonzales is doing a nice job too.

Game 10 - @ KC W 6-1

Didn't watch as was too tired. Watched 2 innings then later the highlights.

Pettitte started a bit shaky but pulled together after rain break. Fab defensive catch by Pettitte at hard hit ball. Melky had a really nice outing - home run and RBI. Alex had a loooong home run in 0th, not sure if it helped as they were up winning at the time so perhaps he wasn't pressing as much - he seems to have struck out quite a bit so far, as opposed to outs with hits.

A much needed win tonight.

Game 9 - @ KC - L 0-4

Didn't watch as was travelling - watched highlights later.

Started Bruney cos it was raining really hard. Farnsworth pitched 2 innings - was ok for 1 then rubbish in the second - Giradi believed he knew Farnsworth better than Torre.
Torre never used Farnsworth for more than 1 if he could help if cos he knew he couldn't do it.
Giradi thought he could - tonight Torre was proved right. As much as I like Kyle, he really can't do 2 innings.
Matsui in LF had a play which he should have got but his range/jump is not that great - need Damon in there for defense, but Matsui's bat is better at the mo.

Game 8 - @ KC - W 3-2

Didn't watch whole game as was traveling, caught up with hightlights. Hughes didn't have a good outing.

Not a good outing by any of them. Alex struck out 4 times which is only 4th time in career. Having an early game is not good for resting but shouldn't use it as an excuse.

Nothing much else to say except Posada is now not feeling good - dead arm. So much for everyone being healthy eh.

Game 7 - v TB - W 6-1

'Watched' first two innings on gameday -Moose was putting on a stormer - his curve ball and sinker were working magic. He was touching the corners and not wasting any pitches. This was the Moose of old.

Then had to get on a delayed flight, missed connection and ended up staying in Washington DC - not fun.

Jeter injured - quad - nooooooo!!

Plus Moose had a great outing - another 15 like that we'll be fine. Bullpen also did good, as they should. Still think Betemit is not worth the roster spot. They should play Duncan even if he's a rightie.

Game 6 - v TB - W 2-0

(Yankee Stadium - Sec 26, Box 102, Row G, Seat 5)

3 rows from front - right where Damon was - still very chilly, but when the sun broke through (twice) it was quite pleasant.

Anyway - a real pitching show today - lack of hits again which is a bit worrying. Wang though showed why he's is #1 - you can rely on his consistency (I'm ignoring last post season)

Jorge still not killing it and Derek had another quietish day. Alex and Derek nearly clashed on a fly ball - luckily they didn't and ball was caught - reminiscing of before when Derek went ballistic - hopefully this time they're friends enough not for that to happen again.
Melky back to CF - he can throw.
But not much for outfield to do.

A win is a win and well deserved for Wang and Joba great s/o's

Game 5 - v TB - L 3-6

(Yankee Stadium - Sec 23, Box 297, Row D, Seat 3)

Another unimpressive batting performance.

It was very windy again - blowing in from center field, so no long hits likely.
Kennedy couldn't find the zone at all yesterday, Pettitte found the zone but left a few up for hits and had no gas.
Shelley had a nice hit through the hole, but also had an E3 when threw over Robbie's head to the CF missing the cut.
Derek swinging late and striking out.
Kept leaving runners on base - very frustrating.
Pettitte wasn't great but he did miss lots due his back. I gave up in the 6th and left - it was obvious there'd be no amazing come back.

Giradi still out with flu.

Game 4 - v TB - L 4-13

(Yankee Stadium - Sec 23, Box 297, Row E, Seat 3)

Not a pretty night at all and I sat through every freeing part of it. Luckily I was wrapped up warm.

Giradi out with flu

Game 3 - v TOR - W 3-2

Hughes pitched nicely
Not much to shout about but he found the zone and used his pitches well.
Alex had a quiet night but the others managed to get some.
Small ball plays to get runs in.

Abreu having a nice night - opposite of Giambi who's up to his old strike out form.
Robbie starting off slow again like last year, hopefully he'll pitch up quickly.
Molina is playing nicely - good hits - he's a very good addition to the team - I keep forgetting he's tall.
Hoba had a good outing again, keeping up with Mo nicely.

Game 2 - v TOR - L 2-5

Burnett is pitching really well - he's holding the hits down.
Moose is fighting the outside corner strike zone - he's not happy with ump.
His offense is looking a bit quiet - needs some buzz.
Moose throwing 86&87 and 77&78.
Nice lay out by Giambi to get final out of 5th, saving E2.
Moose out after 5 2/3 - was ok, am happy to give benefit due to cold etc.
Lovely home run to center field - he enjoyed it as did Derek.
Everyone hoping he could do it again in the 9th with 2 on to tie, bit struck out - he was not happy.
Kyle - another scoreless innings.

Game 1 - v TOR - W 3-2

Wang pitched ok - needs to keep it down more.
Toronto defense wasn't great - a few fumbles.
Jeter looked like he was covering ground really well and no stiffness.
A-Rod is swinging wel and his defense was solid.
Melky's catches were great, if he keeps that up he'll be brill.
Damon's triple! Giambi's catch!
Joba was fine, probably a bit full of adrenaline.
Hideki knees seem fine but would still put Damon in LF.
Robbie batting 6th seems to work well as long as Giambi gets on base.
Melky's home run to tie only just made it over right field but it counts.