Last night, while the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays game was delayed due to a lightning strike which knocked out a bank of lights in Tropicana Field, the Yankees dugout had fun playing keep away with the Rays mascot, Raymond.
Right after a bolt of lightning zapped the domed stadium, with Robinson Cano holding a full-count at the plate, Yankees manager Joe Girardi told officials he wouldn't continue play until the field was fully illuminated. That's when Raymond went to the Yankees side to play catch.
The Yankees own unofficial mascot, Bartolo Colon, led the heckling during the 18 minute delay before his team eventually went on to defeat the home team 5-4 after the Rays walked in the winning run.
Colon, the cuddly 260-pound pitcher, wouldn't play catch with Raymond during the fifth-inning delay until finally giving in to the fuzzy mascot.
Raymond, who has been punched out by a Baltimore Oriole player, tackled by a fan and out danced by a Cardinal mascot tossed the ball back to Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson, who also refused to give it back. Raymond just left in a huff. His team should have followed.
The Rays pounced on A.J. Burnett--pitching on eight days rest-- early and scored three runs in the first inning. Burnett looked like his old inconsistent self. The Rays held a 4-2 lead until the Yankees tied it up in the eighth.
Rays starter Alex Cobb held the Yankees to three hits and two runs through six but the depleted Rays team was coming off a 16-inning loss to the Red Sox late last night and it seemed only a matter of time before the Yankees could shred through the taxed Tampa Bay bullpen.
In the top of the ninth Rays manager Joe Maddon went to his only remaining reliever, rookie Alex Torres--who was called up earlier in the day. Torres immediately gave up a lead off single to Granderson who stole second. Mark Teixeira struck out then a grounder by Robinson Cano moved Granderson to third.
Next, Maddon had Torres intentionally walk Nick Swisher before walking Andruw Jones to load the bases. A 3-2 ball to Russell Martin walked in the go-ahead run.
Hector Noesi and Mariano Rivera pitched 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to keep Burnett from getting a loss.
Later Girardi commented about the power outage and his discussion with the umpires. " They asked me if we wanted to continue to play through it or not," said the skipper. "I said, 'No, I don't.' It was a big time in the game, and I want all the lights all on in that situation."
Torres wasn't exactly lights out in his first major league outing and it looks like he took the lightning express back to the minors.
Showing posts with label Curtis Granderson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Curtis Granderson. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Life Without Derek Jeter Ain't So Bad For The Yankees
It's only been a week since Derek Jeter strained his calf muscle and the Yankees had the monumental task of placing The Captain and his quest for his 3,000th base hit on ice. Jeter reluctantly went on the 15-day DL and now the Yankees seem to be sailing along nicely without their team leader.
The Yankees have scored 42 runs, including a sweep of last year's AL Champs the Texas Rangers to go 5-1 while Jeter treats his calf down in Tampa.
Jeter's replacement, 24 year-old Eduardo Nunez, isn't Derek Jeter circa 1998, but has handled himself adequately at the plate. In 77 at-bats, Nunez has knocked in 11 runs with two home-runs and eight stolen bases.
Jeter, before he went down, had 20 RBI's, two homers and seven stolen bases in 262 plate appearances.
The 24 year-old Nunez won't remind anyone of Ozzie Smith in the field. Every ground ball hit to short is an adventure with Nunez. On Saturday, he muffed a double-play grounder for his eighth error in 37 games. First basemen Mark Teixeira has probably saved half-a-dozen careless throwing errors from fumbling Nunez already.
The young shortstop knows his time at shortstop will be limited; no matter how good he is playing. It's only a matter of time before Jeter says "Helloooo Nunez...good job, now go."
"I feel good you know? It's my opportunity to show I can play," said Nunez. "But I keep telling you, I don't want to think like that. Some one goes down like Jeter, in two weeks, he'll be back in the same place."
While it's a given Nunez will relinquish his position at shortstop when Jeter returns, it is the resurgence of Brett Gardner that will give manager Joe Girardi headaches regarding the lead-off spot.
Right now, batting in the top of the order where Jeter was loosely ensconced, Gardner has become a torrid offensive force.
After a slow start, which made it easy to put the creaky-boned Jeter in the lead-off spot, Gardner is showing all the tools which kept him from being trading over the past few seasons.
Gardner is doing a little of everything to spark an aging, home-run slugging team.
The spunky left-fielder is batting .360 over his last 51 games and his average is creeping to .300. He has eight multi-hit games over the last 14 games.
When Jeter returns, Girardi's conundrum will be what to do with his current No. 1 and No. 2 batters. Gardner and Curtis Granderson, who is having an MVP-type season, have ignited the top of the Yankees line-up and it's a sure bet Jeter is squirming in his whirlpool while witnessing it.
Jeter's diminished play at short is still better than Nunez at full ability, but it's where he bats in the line-up after he gets his milestone 3,000th hit that will be intriguing.
Sure, Jeter has earned the right to bat first when he returns and, unless he acquires those six hits in quick succession, he will probably be dumped to a lower spot in the batting order after the big hit.
It's any one's guess where, and how tactfully, Girardi places the legendary Yankee. Jorge Posada took his demotion kicking and screaming. It's unlikely the cordial, but proud, Jeter will go the same route, but I seem to remember a blistering Jeter press conference after the Yankees front office leaked details of his contract talks last winter. So who knows.
Granderson is hitting both righties and lefties and there is no way you can move him from the No. 2 spot and Gardner is the speedster the team needs in the lead-off spot. He is a mini-weapon of mass destruction right now and the Yankees are a hell of a lot more fun to watch when Gardner is prowling the base.paths.
Where does Jeter actually fit in the line-up when he returns on June 29?
One through five are solid and have the team on cruise-control right now. The sixth spot is for the DH or Nick Swisher, who has also come alive. That leaves the seventh spot and even that is up for grabs.
It's easy to rip the unassuming Jeter, while he hobbles around his Florida mansion, and it almost seems blasphemous. He is about to make history and maybe that 3,000th hit is the only thing keeping the soon-to-be 37 year-old in the conversation, but he is still The Captain with a $17 million-a-year contract and on the verge of legendary stature.
The experienced and sure-handed Jeter, even lugging around a .260 batting average, is still the Yankees best choice at shortstop--even if he has to bat seventh.
Are the Yankees better without Jeter? This last week has produced an intriguing plot when he returns.
The Yankees have scored 42 runs, including a sweep of last year's AL Champs the Texas Rangers to go 5-1 while Jeter treats his calf down in Tampa.
Jeter, before he went down, had 20 RBI's, two homers and seven stolen bases in 262 plate appearances.
The 24 year-old Nunez won't remind anyone of Ozzie Smith in the field. Every ground ball hit to short is an adventure with Nunez. On Saturday, he muffed a double-play grounder for his eighth error in 37 games. First basemen Mark Teixeira has probably saved half-a-dozen careless throwing errors from fumbling Nunez already.
The young shortstop knows his time at shortstop will be limited; no matter how good he is playing. It's only a matter of time before Jeter says "Helloooo Nunez...good job, now go."
While it's a given Nunez will relinquish his position at shortstop when Jeter returns, it is the resurgence of Brett Gardner that will give manager Joe Girardi headaches regarding the lead-off spot.
Right now, batting in the top of the order where Jeter was loosely ensconced, Gardner has become a torrid offensive force.
After a slow start, which made it easy to put the creaky-boned Jeter in the lead-off spot, Gardner is showing all the tools which kept him from being trading over the past few seasons.
Gardner is doing a little of everything to spark an aging, home-run slugging team.
When Jeter returns, Girardi's conundrum will be what to do with his current No. 1 and No. 2 batters. Gardner and Curtis Granderson, who is having an MVP-type season, have ignited the top of the Yankees line-up and it's a sure bet Jeter is squirming in his whirlpool while witnessing it.
Jeter's diminished play at short is still better than Nunez at full ability, but it's where he bats in the line-up after he gets his milestone 3,000th hit that will be intriguing.
Sure, Jeter has earned the right to bat first when he returns and, unless he acquires those six hits in quick succession, he will probably be dumped to a lower spot in the batting order after the big hit.
It's any one's guess where, and how tactfully, Girardi places the legendary Yankee. Jorge Posada took his demotion kicking and screaming. It's unlikely the cordial, but proud, Jeter will go the same route, but I seem to remember a blistering Jeter press conference after the Yankees front office leaked details of his contract talks last winter. So who knows.
Granderson is hitting both righties and lefties and there is no way you can move him from the No. 2 spot and Gardner is the speedster the team needs in the lead-off spot. He is a mini-weapon of mass destruction right now and the Yankees are a hell of a lot more fun to watch when Gardner is prowling the base.paths.
Where does Jeter actually fit in the line-up when he returns on June 29?
One through five are solid and have the team on cruise-control right now. The sixth spot is for the DH or Nick Swisher, who has also come alive. That leaves the seventh spot and even that is up for grabs.
It's easy to rip the unassuming Jeter, while he hobbles around his Florida mansion, and it almost seems blasphemous. He is about to make history and maybe that 3,000th hit is the only thing keeping the soon-to-be 37 year-old in the conversation, but he is still The Captain with a $17 million-a-year contract and on the verge of legendary stature.
The experienced and sure-handed Jeter, even lugging around a .260 batting average, is still the Yankees best choice at shortstop--even if he has to bat seventh.
Are the Yankees better without Jeter? This last week has produced an intriguing plot when he returns.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Bartolo Colon Limps Off Field And It Means More Bad News For Yankees
Just a couple of days after the New York Yankees found out relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain would miss the rest of the season due to a damaged elbow; the team's second best starting pitcher, Bartolo Colon, limped off the slippery Yankee Stadium field with a "strained left hamstring" on Saturday afternoon.
Yankees GM Brain Cashman told the YES Network, after New York beat the Cleveland Indians 4-0, the injury to Colon "looks like a DL situation."
Since getting swept by division rivals the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees have literally taken one step forward and two steps back when it concerns their pitching staff.
The one step forward was Ivan Nova's gutsy win against the Indians last night. Nova needed a solid performance to save his spot in the Yankee rotation after being winless since May 17. His continued ineffectiveness would have meant possibly coming out of the bullpen to replace Chamberlain. Now it looks like he will be needed to fill Colon's big spot in the rotation.
The two steps backward are the injuries to Chamberlain and Colon--and they are of mammoth proportions.
Chamberlain had settled nicely into his role as set-up man after Rafael Soriano went out for up to eight weeks. He was having one of his finest seasons.
Now comes Colon's pulled hammy and it could really spell trouble for the Yankees.
The flawless Colon cruised through six innings in the drizzling rain against the Indians when he went to cover first base during Shin-Soo Choo's seventh-inning dribbler down the first base line. Colon's slipped or landed oddly on the damp turf and limped back to the mound. Manager Joe Girardi and team doctor Gene Monahan ran out and convinced the pitcher to exit and take his 2-hit, six strike-out gem to the showers.
Dave Robertson relieved Colon with one out in the seventh and continued to pull his Houdini act by giving up three hits then striking out the side in the eighth. Boone Logan mopped up the ninth.
Girardi wouldn't make any predictions on the possibility of putting Colon on the DL or the extent of the injury to his pitcher's "planting foot." "We won't know anything until tomorrow," he said. "We'll have to wait until he shows up tomorrow."
Colon has resurrected his career after under missing a year and a half of major league play. He had undergone a radical, but controversial, treatment in the Dominican Republic for his damaged right shoulder and elbow. This season, Colon is 5-3 and has become the number two starter on the Yankees rotation. He won his last three starts in dominating fashion. Extended time on the DL would be a real set back for New York.
When asked about Colon's performance so far this season, Alex Rodriguez said, "He [Colon] is off the charts. He is pitching like his Cy Young caliber season in 2005."
A-Rod-- who got Indians starter Mitch Talbot tossed out for plunking him in the sixth-- homered and then compared Colon to the Yankees # 1 ace CC Sabathia.
"He [Colon] has been consistently great all year," said Rodriguez. "He is pitching like 1-A."
If Colon does go on the 15-day DL, it could take longer for the portly pitcher to rehab than other players. He packs over 260 pounds on his short frame and was never known as the best physical specimen on any team.
It's too bad because it looked like Colon was headed for his second straight complete game victory and sensational comeback season.
Yankees GM Brain Cashman told the YES Network, after New York beat the Cleveland Indians 4-0, the injury to Colon "looks like a DL situation."
The one step forward was Ivan Nova's gutsy win against the Indians last night. Nova needed a solid performance to save his spot in the Yankee rotation after being winless since May 17. His continued ineffectiveness would have meant possibly coming out of the bullpen to replace Chamberlain. Now it looks like he will be needed to fill Colon's big spot in the rotation.
The two steps backward are the injuries to Chamberlain and Colon--and they are of mammoth proportions.
Chamberlain had settled nicely into his role as set-up man after Rafael Soriano went out for up to eight weeks. He was having one of his finest seasons.
Now comes Colon's pulled hammy and it could really spell trouble for the Yankees.
The flawless Colon cruised through six innings in the drizzling rain against the Indians when he went to cover first base during Shin-Soo Choo's seventh-inning dribbler down the first base line. Colon's slipped or landed oddly on the damp turf and limped back to the mound. Manager Joe Girardi and team doctor Gene Monahan ran out and convinced the pitcher to exit and take his 2-hit, six strike-out gem to the showers.
Dave Robertson relieved Colon with one out in the seventh and continued to pull his Houdini act by giving up three hits then striking out the side in the eighth. Boone Logan mopped up the ninth.
Girardi wouldn't make any predictions on the possibility of putting Colon on the DL or the extent of the injury to his pitcher's "planting foot." "We won't know anything until tomorrow," he said. "We'll have to wait until he shows up tomorrow."
Colon has resurrected his career after under missing a year and a half of major league play. He had undergone a radical, but controversial, treatment in the Dominican Republic for his damaged right shoulder and elbow. This season, Colon is 5-3 and has become the number two starter on the Yankees rotation. He won his last three starts in dominating fashion. Extended time on the DL would be a real set back for New York.
When asked about Colon's performance so far this season, Alex Rodriguez said, "He [Colon] is off the charts. He is pitching like his Cy Young caliber season in 2005."
A-Rod-- who got Indians starter Mitch Talbot tossed out for plunking him in the sixth-- homered and then compared Colon to the Yankees # 1 ace CC Sabathia.
"He [Colon] has been consistently great all year," said Rodriguez. "He is pitching like 1-A."
If Colon does go on the 15-day DL, it could take longer for the portly pitcher to rehab than other players. He packs over 260 pounds on his short frame and was never known as the best physical specimen on any team.
It's too bad because it looked like Colon was headed for his second straight complete game victory and sensational comeback season.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Right Place & Best Cure For Yankee Blues: Camden Yards & Boog's BBQ
The New York Yankees took the first step to overcoming a tumultuous week by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays last night, 6-2. Now the New York Grandersons take a two-day jaunt to their home-away-from-home--Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The remedy to any Yankees slump seems to be a series against the Baltimore Orioles. It's take two and call me on Friday.
The confines of the Baltimore stadium seem to be as inviting to the Yankees and their fans as one of those Boog Powell pulled BBQ sandwiches.
When the Yankees visit the Yard, you can usually spot more pinstripes than orange and black birds in the stands. If anything can help the Yankees get on a roll and win back-to-back games after a six-loss skid, it's the sight of the fragrant BBQ smoke wafting in front of the Baltimore & Ohio Warehouse in right field.
The Yankees are in a lot of trouble. Issues with Core Four members Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada in the clubhouse and front office, an aging starting rotation, a fragile bullpen and soft hitting. Not to mention Hal Steinbrenner lurking in his luxury box last night. Manager Joe Girardi is getting to know how Billy Martin felt during his five terms as manager under George's constant glare.
Besides Curtis Granderson (.270, 14 HR's, 31 RBI's) having an All-Star caliber start, most of the other Yankees make Abe Vigoda like spry.
A.J Burnett has reverted back to his bi-polar swings on the mound and the $30 million set-up man, Rafael Soriano, was just put on the 15-day DL.
There were a lot of high-fives going around after Alex Rodriguez busted out of his weeks-long slump by going yard twice last night. Maybe his hip is okay. There were even banner headlines in the tabloids after the DH Posada raised his average to a whopping .179 after getting two hits in the #7 spot. I guess he showed Girardi who is boss.
One other bright spot is Brett Gardner who went 3-for-4 last night and is batting .397 over his last 22 games.
The Yankees are 4-0 against the O's this season and will roll out Bartolo Colon (2-2,3.74) to battle the Oriole's Zach Britton (5-2, 2.42). It won't be easy for Colon, who has a lifetime 10-7, 3.50 record against Baltimore, because Britton is having the kind of season any of the Yankees starters could only wish for.
Let's see if Girardi has forgiven Posada for pulling out on Saturday night. If he lets Posada (0-for-24 against lefties) start against the southpaw Britton, I'd say the manager is showing a lot of love. Don't count on it.
The Yankees pulled out all the stops to beat the Rays last night. They had Mariano Rivera come out in the ninth to protect a four-run lead. That's how much Girardi thought his team needed a victory.
"We needed to win that game," said Girardi. "I wouldn't say it was a must-win, but it was as close to a must-win is in May."
The remedy to any Yankees slump seems to be a series against the Baltimore Orioles. It's take two and call me on Friday.
When the Yankees visit the Yard, you can usually spot more pinstripes than orange and black birds in the stands. If anything can help the Yankees get on a roll and win back-to-back games after a six-loss skid, it's the sight of the fragrant BBQ smoke wafting in front of the Baltimore & Ohio Warehouse in right field.
The Yankees are in a lot of trouble. Issues with Core Four members Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada in the clubhouse and front office, an aging starting rotation, a fragile bullpen and soft hitting. Not to mention Hal Steinbrenner lurking in his luxury box last night. Manager Joe Girardi is getting to know how Billy Martin felt during his five terms as manager under George's constant glare.
Besides Curtis Granderson (.270, 14 HR's, 31 RBI's) having an All-Star caliber start, most of the other Yankees make Abe Vigoda like spry.
A.J Burnett has reverted back to his bi-polar swings on the mound and the $30 million set-up man, Rafael Soriano, was just put on the 15-day DL.
There were a lot of high-fives going around after Alex Rodriguez busted out of his weeks-long slump by going yard twice last night. Maybe his hip is okay. There were even banner headlines in the tabloids after the DH Posada raised his average to a whopping .179 after getting two hits in the #7 spot. I guess he showed Girardi who is boss.
One other bright spot is Brett Gardner who went 3-for-4 last night and is batting .397 over his last 22 games.
The Yankees are 4-0 against the O's this season and will roll out Bartolo Colon (2-2,3.74) to battle the Oriole's Zach Britton (5-2, 2.42). It won't be easy for Colon, who has a lifetime 10-7, 3.50 record against Baltimore, because Britton is having the kind of season any of the Yankees starters could only wish for.
Let's see if Girardi has forgiven Posada for pulling out on Saturday night. If he lets Posada (0-for-24 against lefties) start against the southpaw Britton, I'd say the manager is showing a lot of love. Don't count on it.
The Yankees pulled out all the stops to beat the Rays last night. They had Mariano Rivera come out in the ninth to protect a four-run lead. That's how much Girardi thought his team needed a victory.
"We needed to win that game," said Girardi. "I wouldn't say it was a must-win, but it was as close to a must-win is in May."
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Yankees Could Put Six Position Players on 2011 All-Star Team
Alex Rodriguez leads a team of nine New York Yankees All-Star hopefuls listed on the American League All-Star ballot released today. The way things look right now, six Yankees position players alone could be playing in the July 12 classic--maybe even seven.
A-Rod will be looking to be elected to his 14th All-Star game. He is one of the league leaders in batting and RBI's with 17 and having one of his best starts ever.
Shortstop Derek Jeter, while showing signs of inconsistency this year, is always a perennial fan favorite and will be looking to make his fifth straight appearance and 12th all-time. Even the one year Jeter wasn't there, other players said it didn't feel just right without The Captain. Could it be his last?
The Yankees have been sending the ball over the fence at an unbelievable rate and all those home-runs could lead to All-Star turns for their sluggers.
Surprisingly, centerfielder Curtis Granderson is tied for the league lead in home-runs with seven and is looking to make his second All-Star slot. His first and last was for the Detroit Tigers in 2009.
Another wonder has been catcher Russell Martin. The off-season pick-up, with the rehabbed hip, is lighting up pitchers with a .328 average, six homers and 16 RBI's so far this season. His OBP is one of the best in the league. Martin was a two-time National League All-Star with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira round out the six Pinstripers who could be showing up at Chase Field in Phoenix for baseball's big showcase.
Cano, one of the best all-round players in the majors is batting .314 with 4 HR's and 14 RBI's. It would be the second-baseman's third appearance.
Teixeira, battling his usual m.o., started the season fast then slumped badly. Over the past week, the first-baseman has picked up steam and seems to be back on track. He has six home-runs and 16 RBI's already this year. His last All-star appearance was in 2009.
The Yankees could bring their own Home-Run Derby to the 82nd All-Star Game. Five players--A-Rod, Cano, Teixeira, Martin and Granderson have 28 home-runs between them. If you throw in Jorge Posada, who is on the ballot for the first time as a DH after five All-Star games as a catcher, you have a major-league leading line-up boasting 34 dingers between those six players.
Shortstop Derek Jeter, while showing signs of inconsistency this year, is always a perennial fan favorite and will be looking to make his fifth straight appearance and 12th all-time. Even the one year Jeter wasn't there, other players said it didn't feel just right without The Captain. Could it be his last?
The Yankees have been sending the ball over the fence at an unbelievable rate and all those home-runs could lead to All-Star turns for their sluggers.
Another wonder has been catcher Russell Martin. The off-season pick-up, with the rehabbed hip, is lighting up pitchers with a .328 average, six homers and 16 RBI's so far this season. His OBP is one of the best in the league. Martin was a two-time National League All-Star with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira round out the six Pinstripers who could be showing up at Chase Field in Phoenix for baseball's big showcase.
Cano, one of the best all-round players in the majors is batting .314 with 4 HR's and 14 RBI's. It would be the second-baseman's third appearance.
Teixeira, battling his usual m.o., started the season fast then slumped badly. Over the past week, the first-baseman has picked up steam and seems to be back on track. He has six home-runs and 16 RBI's already this year. His last All-star appearance was in 2009.
The Yankees could bring their own Home-Run Derby to the 82nd All-Star Game. Five players--A-Rod, Cano, Teixeira, Martin and Granderson have 28 home-runs between them. If you throw in Jorge Posada, who is on the ballot for the first time as a DH after five All-Star games as a catcher, you have a major-league leading line-up boasting 34 dingers between those six players.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Yankees Granderson Picks Up Slack For Slumping Gardner
No one would have doubted that a New York Yankees player would be tied for the AL home-run lead at this point of the season, but nobody would have ever predicted his name would be Curtis Granderson. The Yankees center-fielder is on fire over the last five games. He is batting .421 (8-for-19) with four home-runs and six RBI's over that span.
The Yankees head into Baltimore for a scheduled three-game set against the Orioles--tonight's game has been called due to rain--as the AL East leaders and Granderson is the biggest SCUD on the Bronx Bombers.
Nine games into the season, Granderson was hitting .156 at the back of the order. Since then, the 27 year-old has gone from batting ninth, then eighth and now second. He has lifted his average to .273.
"I talked to [hitting coach] Kevin Long and he liked my at-bats and my swing," the rejuvenated player said. "I wasn't really out of whack and there was no need to change. It was a matter of an inch and being late."
Granderson always had a little pop in his bat, but heading to Camden Yards this weekend, he has homered in three straight games and, after struggling against lefthanders (.218 lifetime), is also taking them yard this year, hitting .353 (6-for-17), with three HR's and five RBI's.
Gardner, meanwhile, is stuck in a rut. He has as many hits (six) as Granderson has home-runs and is carrying a minuscule .128 average and .196 OBP to the plate.
The 27 year-old right-fielder finally won the lead-off spot this season but, after his pitiful start, has been bumped down to batting ninth and watching lefties from the bench.
Two years ago, a slump like this cost Gardner his starting job to Melky Cabrera, but don't expect manager Joe Girardi to replace his speedster at one time. Just expect to see Andruw Jones in the line-up against lefthanders. Jones, another one of the Yankees scrap-heap pick-ups, has seen limited play and is hitting .250 with one homer.
Gardner knows he is rooted in a bad slump is hoping he can turn it around; much like Granderson has done over the last seven games.
"I feel like every day is an opportunity to come out here and turn it around," said Gardner. "I don't think about too much long-term stuff right now."
The Yankees have been shuffling the struggling Gardner and inconsistent Derek Jeter at the number one and two spots all season and felt they had to pull Gardner after a horrible game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. The speedy Gardner blew a sac-bunt and was thrown out stealing--his third time in six attempts this season. Speed is considered Gardner's saving grace.
"The last thing you want to do when you're not swinging the bat well is to get the most at-bats on the team," hitting coach Kevin Long said. "It's a smart move. He a smart kid, so he gets it. He doesn't have to be happy about it, but at this point in time, it's the best thing to do."
Gardner has been hitting the video rewind button pretty hard lately; while trying to find out where he is failing at the plate.
"If you can be successful for a couple of months, there's no reason that I shouldn't be able to find that and get back in that groove again," he reasoned.
The Yankees head into Baltimore for a scheduled three-game set against the Orioles--tonight's game has been called due to rain--as the AL East leaders and Granderson is the biggest SCUD on the Bronx Bombers.
"I talked to [hitting coach] Kevin Long and he liked my at-bats and my swing," the rejuvenated player said. "I wasn't really out of whack and there was no need to change. It was a matter of an inch and being late."
Granderson always had a little pop in his bat, but heading to Camden Yards this weekend, he has homered in three straight games and, after struggling against lefthanders (.218 lifetime), is also taking them yard this year, hitting .353 (6-for-17), with three HR's and five RBI's.
Gardner, meanwhile, is stuck in a rut. He has as many hits (six) as Granderson has home-runs and is carrying a minuscule .128 average and .196 OBP to the plate.
The 27 year-old right-fielder finally won the lead-off spot this season but, after his pitiful start, has been bumped down to batting ninth and watching lefties from the bench.
Two years ago, a slump like this cost Gardner his starting job to Melky Cabrera, but don't expect manager Joe Girardi to replace his speedster at one time. Just expect to see Andruw Jones in the line-up against lefthanders. Jones, another one of the Yankees scrap-heap pick-ups, has seen limited play and is hitting .250 with one homer.
Gardner knows he is rooted in a bad slump is hoping he can turn it around; much like Granderson has done over the last seven games.
"I feel like every day is an opportunity to come out here and turn it around," said Gardner. "I don't think about too much long-term stuff right now."
The Yankees have been shuffling the struggling Gardner and inconsistent Derek Jeter at the number one and two spots all season and felt they had to pull Gardner after a horrible game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. The speedy Gardner blew a sac-bunt and was thrown out stealing--his third time in six attempts this season. Speed is considered Gardner's saving grace.
"The last thing you want to do when you're not swinging the bat well is to get the most at-bats on the team," hitting coach Kevin Long said. "It's a smart move. He a smart kid, so he gets it. He doesn't have to be happy about it, but at this point in time, it's the best thing to do."
Gardner has been hitting the video rewind button pretty hard lately; while trying to find out where he is failing at the plate.
"If you can be successful for a couple of months, there's no reason that I shouldn't be able to find that and get back in that groove again," he reasoned.
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